The Samurai's Garden by Gail Tsukiyama
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Samurai's Garden is set at the beginning of WWII. Stephen has tuberculosis and is sent from his family's home in Hong Kong to their vacation home in Tarumi, Japan. Far from anyone he knows, he spends the year getting to know the quite groundskeeper, Matsu. Matsu lives a quite life but Stephen gradually learns about the generous and humble life Matsu has lived.

This was a really beautiful book with a hint of a fairy tale quality. The characters were surprising. The time period is very interesting if you care to read about Asian culture. Stephen, a Chinese man, lives in Japan while racial hatred is abundant. Stephen also meets and befriends a woman with leprosy at a time and place where those with the affliction are shunned.

The ending of this book seemed a bit rushed to me, and I wanted to know more about what happened to several of the characters. Still, it was an enjoyable read filled with interesting cultural tidbits.

Have you read any books about Eastern culture during different eras? What's your favorite? Comment below!

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Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to Brilliance Publishing for sending over a copy of this book for me to read.

If you've read and enjoyed Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand then you're going to love Beneath a Scarlet Sky. Both are stories of men who went through some incredible things during World War II. These books are both hard to put down!

Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the story of Pino Lella. He's a young, Italian teenager toward the end of World War II when his home in Milan is destroyed. Soon after Pino begins helping Jews escape to the safety of Switzerland by leading them through the difficult terrain of the Alps. And just as he turns 18 he is forced to enlist in the German military, becoming one of the Nazis he despises. When Pino receives an opportunity to become the personal driver for General Layers (Hitler's left hand in Italy) Pino suddenly becomes a spy for the Allies.

There is so much in this story - bravery, suspense, love, espionage, loss - and a really likable hero at the center of it all. So much of this story was unbelievable, though as a reader who has never experienced war, I think much of the hell that war brings about is unbelievable. I had trouble tearing myself from these pages because I just needed to know more.

Pino's story is epic, not always happy, and one that should be read widely. The book is written simply so those of us who aren't history buffs can still easily follow along. Highly recommended!

What's your favorite WWII book? Comment below!

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Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Such a great book! The story is so good it should be fiction, but it's not. Louie is really an inspiring character and his story is one that will stay with me for a long time.

Louie Zamperini was a great athlete whose Olympic potential was halted by WWII. After suffering a crash he endures a long stay on a life boat with almost no provisions. This part of his story, the bravery and ability to overcome, was incredible. However, the story doesn't end there. Louie is final rescued from the life boat, only to be held as a POW in Japan. The terrible abuse he suffered there will make readers cringe, but his positive attitude and resilience is unbelievable.

There are so many other stories included in this wonderful book, the stories of other men who served in the military with Louie. There are some happy endings along with some tragic ones. This story left nothing to the imagination and even describes the terrible suffering Louie goes through after the completion of the war.

This is a must read! I watched the movie after finishing the book, and it stayed very true to the story, though it did leave out some details. Great movie to follow a book that I had trouble putting down.

Have you seen the movie or read the book? What did you think? Leave your comments below!

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