A Memorial Day Tribute--Four Books to Honor Those Who Serve

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Happy Memorial Day! Today we honor all those who have served or are currently serving for our county and freedom. Today especially, we send you and your families our sincere gratitude.

At Delicious Reads we've read some amazing and inspiring books over the years (2013 Picks, 2012 Picks, 2011 Picks, 2010 Picks, 2009 Picks). Many of these books explore various perspectives of people who have fought for their beliefs. Today I'd like to highlight four of them.

One of my all-time favorite books--and I've read a ton--is Unbroken," by Laura Hillenbrand.

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"Unbroken"is the epic story of WWII hero and survivor, Louis Zamperini (mild spoiler alert for the rest of the paragraph). As a young man Louis competed in the Berlin Olympics right before WWII broke out. He served as a bombardier until his plane crashed in the Pacific Ocean where his resilient spirit and positive attitude fueled his fight to survive. After an unimaginable 47 days, Louis made it to shore and was immediately captured as a POW by the Japanese Navy. He endured unthinkable atrocities, specifically at the hand of one of Douglas MacArthur's 40 Most Wanted War Criminals, a man known as The Bird. Louis Zamperini's attitude about everything he went through is one of the most courageous and inspiring things I've ever come across.

"Unbroken"is mesmerizing, humbling and life-changing. Everyone should read this book. It will make you see the world differently.

I'm so excited that Unbroken is being turned into a movie scheduled for release at the end of the 2014! Angelina Jolie is directing the Coen Brother's adaptation of the book. Tom Brokaw sat down with Angelina and Louis last month to discuss:

Here's the Summary of our Discussion about "Unbroken."

Here's the Picture Recap of "Unbroken." 

Another book we read this year also took place during WWII and was just released as a major motion picture. "Monument's Men," by Robert M. Edsel is the story of special forces chosen to locate, protect and preserve cultural artifacts during WWII. This story focuses on six men and their quest to preserve artwork from the Nazis.

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Here's the Summary of our Discussion about "Monuments Men."
Here's the Picture Recap of "Monuments Men."

Last year I moderated our discussion of a book that became very dear to me, "Between Shades of Gray," by Ruta Sepetes (not to be confused with Fifty Shades of Grey)...

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This book is an amazing story about a brave Lithuanian girl named Lina. She and her mother and brother are separated from her father and forced under Stalin's orders to work in the coldest camp in Siberia. Lina documents their harrowing 6500 mile journey with secret artwork that she tries smuggle to her father's camp to let him know they are still alive. The book is based on the experiences of the author's family which made it even more chilling.

Here's the summary of our Discussion about "Between Shades of Gray."
Here's the Picture Recap of "Between Shades of Gray,"

The last book I want to highlight for Memorial Day is "The Book Thief," by Markus Zusak.

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The Book Thief has a very different twist of perspective--it is narrated by Death. It's the story of a young foster girl named Liesel in Nazi Germany who decides to steal books as part of her quest. She shares these books with the Jewish man who is hiding in her basement. It's a captivating and touching story that will leave its mark on your heart. It has also been made into a major motion picture:

To all those who have served or are currently serving in the military and their families--a sincere thank you. Thank you for being so courageous and nobel. We honor and remember you today.

Your Writerly Ranter,
Brooke