Once a month, the good folks at The Blue Bookcase host the literary blog hop. Even if I don't always participate, the responses are always worth reading and I recommend that you check 'em out. Today's prompt: What work of literature would you recommend for somebody who doesn't like literature?
I'm so glad you asked! I deal with variations on this question all the time at work. But there is one book that I have recommended dozens of times to various types of readers that seems to satisfy them all: historical fiction, non-fiction, mystery/suspense, non-fiction, YA, and literature readers alike have all responded positively to this book.
David Benioff's City of Thieves seems to satisfy readerly cravings in everybody I know who has read it. It's the story of Lev and Kolya, caught out of bounds during the siege of Leningrad during WWII. Instead of the usual punishment of being shot on sight, they're captured and given a mission: to find a dozen eggs for the kommandant's daughter's wedding cake. Armed only with letters of permission that expire in one week, Lev and Kolya set out on this impossible mission. You see, the people of Leningrad are starving and not a single egg can be obtained for any amount of love or money. Along their journey, the two young men witness both acts of great brutality and great generosity. Equal parts coming-of-age, survival, and war, leavened with humor and romance, and set against the backdrop of important world events, City of Thieves is a book that resonates with every reader I've encountered.
I'm so glad you asked! I deal with variations on this question all the time at work. But there is one book that I have recommended dozens of times to various types of readers that seems to satisfy them all: historical fiction, non-fiction, mystery/suspense, non-fiction, YA, and literature readers alike have all responded positively to this book.
Sounds intense! I haven't heard of this book or author, but I'm adding it my TBR immediately!
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of City of Thieves before, but it sounds like a wonderful choice. Must look it up soon. :)
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this book, I'll have to add it to the TBR list (although it may have to wait until sometime in 2012). It sounds great!
ReplyDeleteHaha I love your title about proselytizing. I just got back from an LDS mission so maybe that's why I thought of the question!
ReplyDeleteMy "to-read" book is getting longer and longer. In high school I took a Holocaust and Genocide Studies class and so I read pretty much anything (fiction and non-fiction) that takes place during WWII!
This sounds like a book that I would enjoy, one of my books was set in Russia although later in its history.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this book but it sounds interesting, and seems like a popular choice for a lot of different readers. I'll need to add it to my list.
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you say you'll never read Darling Jim, as the reason I didn't comment on your post originally is that I'll probably never, ever, ever read this one. :) But I'm glad we're friends, so that counts for something, right?
ReplyDeleteI have seen City of Thieves in the Book Stores in Manila-I pondered buying it before and I think I will now do so inb 2012-thanks for this excellent post and idea.
ReplyDeleteI haven't heard of this one either! Clearly, our booksellers are not as awesome at recommendations as you are. Added to the good ole TBR list. :)
ReplyDeleteI've read other books on the Siege of Leningrad. It was such a compelling time that I've always wondered why more hasn't been written (or movies made) about it. This book sounds good.
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