- 1. Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally---Based on the true WWII story of the holocaust hero Oskar Schindler.
- 2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys---Stalin's reign of terror with the relocation of thousands of people from the Baltic States to Siberia. (YA)
- 3. The Help by Kathryn Stockett---set in the deep South during the Civil Rights era. This book should be required reading for all Americans.
- 4. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak---WWII in Germany. This book is powerful. (YA)
- 5. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith---Set in the early 1900s about an Irish-American-immigrant story. Exquisite.
- 6. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly---at least the French Revolution parts of the book were fascinating. (YA)
- 7. The Power of One by Bryce Courtenay---Set in South Africa prior to the dissolution of apartheid.
- 8. Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh--- Set in the decadent 1920s in Britain.
- 9. Cold Sassy Tree by Olive Ann Burns---I know I always put this book on just about every list I can. This one is set in the early 1900s in a small town in America.
- 10. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell--- Civil War and the old South.
As usual, I feel like I am missing some good ones. I'll sleep on it and amend my list tomorrow.Ah, a good sleep and I've thought of some others...
- 11. The Red Tent by Anita Diamant---set in Biblical times about the lives of women during those times.
- 12. The Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks---set in Britain during the middle ages about a community beset with the bubonic plague. It is based on an actual historical event.
- 13. The Passion of Artemisia by Susan Vreeland---Artemisia Gentileschi was a post-Rennaissance artist that gained fame during her lifetime. This is her amazing story.
- 14. The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig---set in the American West in the early 1900s. the story centers around a one-room school house.
- 15. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides--- an immigrant family from Armenia living in the Detroit area during the late 1960s.
I just watched Gone with the Wind in the summer, it was painful I just can't stand her character. I do want to read Revolution it sounds intriguing.
ReplyDeletehttp://kristina-worldofbooks.blogspot.com/2012/01/top-10-tuesdays-8.html
You have some great books on your list. I loved Cold Sassy Tree too!
ReplyDeleteI love your list! Revolution was such a good book!
ReplyDeleteGreat list! I haven't read most of the books on your list, but I have seen some of the movies (I know it's not the same!)
ReplyDeleteMy Top Ten
Yeeees! Great list. Between Shades of Gray, The Power of One, The Book Thief, and The Help all have the capacity to be life changing novels. I've found that I don't typically read historical fiction, but when I do (as in the cases above) they stick with me for much, much longer than most of my other reads.
ReplyDeleteI have a few of these to-read on my shelves - The Power of One, Brideshead Revisited, The Help, Gone With the Wind and I've been thinking lately of getting a copy of Schindler's Ark - I've never actually watched the entire movie all the way through, but I might have more luck with the book.
ReplyDeleteThe Book Thief is unparalleled wonder. :)
Here's my TTT.
Good list! I've read The Help and have The Book Thief and A Tree Grows In Brooklyn on my reading list ... can't wait! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, you have such a great selection of books for your list! I really want to read The Power of One and The Book Thief so much. I saw the film of Power of One and I just loved it so much. When I attempted to read the book, I guess it was just too much for me at the time. But I will try reading it again some day! :) Thanks for sharing, Anne!
ReplyDelete~DJL
My Top Ten
Fantastic list! I have read and loved: Between Shades of Gray; the Red Tent; Year of Wonders; and Cold Sassy Tree.
ReplyDeleteI'll confess to seeing the movies/TV show only of Schindler's LIst and Brideshead Revisited.