Between Shades of Gray book -- ISO similar quality titles!

[tammyw]

My daughter and I have both read and loved this book! by Ruta Sepetys I was wondering if anyone has read it and if you have other titles you've loved as much! Would love some new suggestions for summer reading. TIA! Here is the link to the book:

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7824322-between-shades-of-gray?from_search=true&search_version=service

[Chris in VA]

The Endless Steppe is also about Siberia.

Farewell to Manzanar is about the American internment camps for people of Japanese desent.

[prairiewindmomma]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/120728.So_Far_from_the_Bamboo_Grove?from_search=true&search_version=service

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/613218.When_My_Name_Was_Keoko?from_search=true&search_version=service

 

Here are two similarly themed books dealing with the Korean/Japanese war.

[Tanaqui]

Does it have to be about WWII, as the previous posters seem to be edging towards?

[LinRTX]

My daughter and I both read it and loved it. I have actually met Ruta Sepetys at a Starbucks! She was in town for a library convention and I was waiting for my daughter at a Starbucks. She has written two more books and both are good. I did not like the theme of the second (which we have a signed copy of) because it has to do with a girl growing up in a brothel in New Orleans, but the writing is very good.

[tammyw]

Does it have to be about WWII, as the previous posters seem to be edging towards?

 

Definitely not! I just loved that book so much (so did my daughter) and I loved how it told a story in history that I hadn't known about in such an interesting way (and makes me want to get much more information). Fiction or non-fiction welcome. I just love a good story and even better when I learn something. While what happened to the Lithuanians was so incredibly horrible, I'm thankful to finally be learning more about this part of history.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I keep thinking that this thread is about Fifty Shades of Grey . . . :leaving:

[mamamoose]

How old is your daughter?

[mamamoose]

I haven't read that book, but The Nightingale was really good--depending on how old your dd is. There is some content that might be iffy...

[Hobbes]

I keep thinking that this thread is about Fifty Shades of Grey . . . :leaving:

I thought that too and was nervous to open the thread!! 😂

[tammyw]

How old is your daughter?

 

13!

[tammyw]

I haven't read that book, but The Nightingale was really good--depending on how old your dd is. There is some content that might be iffy...

 

I personally loved that book! But yeah, I think she should probably wait a few years before reading it!

[tammyw]

I thought that too and was nervous to open the thread!! 😂

 

Lol! I have to admit, the titles of the two are dangerously similar. And I have never read the *other* book, but when a friend recommended this book initially, I was thinking the same thing!!

[mamamoose]

I had to check it out, so I just downloaded the book in the title--100 pages in and I can't put it down! 😀

[CanadianAlison+3boys]

I have no suggestions but I'll think on it more and read with interest any suggestions made by others. I have no kids old enough to read it but I felt the same as you about that book. It totally drew me in and moved me deeply and left me wanting to know more about the history.

[tammyw]

I had to check it out, so I just downloaded the book in the title--100 pages in and I can't put it down! 😀

 

Isn't it amazing? I just didn't want it to end. The writing is just so well done.

[ocelotmom]

I keep thinking that this thread is about Fifty Shades of Grey . . . :leaving:

I've read the book (this one, not Fifty Shades), and it still confused me for a minute.

 

I've heard people go to her book signings and are disappointed.

[mamamoose]

Excellent book. It's too mature for my 10 year old, but I will keep it in mind for her later.

[KrissiK]

I keep thinking that this thread is about Fifty Shades of Grey . . . :leaving:

Ok, I thought so, too!

[mamamoose]

I read "All the Light We Cannot See" and I don't remember anything that sticks out in my mind for mature content. Just remembered that book...it was very good but slow getting started.

Edited June 25, 2016 by mamamoose

[ocelotmom]

I read "All the Light We Cannot See" and I don't remember anything that sticks out in my mind for mature content. Just remembered that book...it was very good but slow getting started.

Yeah, nothing major that I can remember. I think Between Shades Of Gray had more in that regard.

[tammyw]

I just finished her most recent book - Salt to the Sea. It was really good. It was slow to start, but so worth it!

[tammyw]

I've read the book (this one, not Fifty Shades), and it still confused me for a minute.

 

I've heard people go to her book signings and are disappointed.

 

I've never actually been to a book signing, but I'm curious what they were disappointed in?

[ocelotmom]

I've never actually been to a book signing, but I'm curious what they were disappointed in?

 

Oh, nothing about her personally. They just confused it with a Fifty Shades of Grey booksigning.

[tammyw]

Oh, nothing about her personally. They just confused it with a Fifty Shades of Grey booksigning.

 

HA! I don't know why I didn't pick up on that the first time you posted. I was so confused as to why someone would be disappointed with a book signing, lol! But yeah, I can see why they would be disappointed if they were expecting the *other* book!!!

[tammyw]

Just a quick update - have now read all of Ruta Sepetys's books -- Out of the Easy was just okay, but I loved Salt to the Sea. Have also read Jefferson's Sons, City of Thieves, and The Endless Steppe. It's my summer of historical fiction!!

[Matryoshka]

Just a quick update - have now read all of Ruta Sepetys's books -- Out of the Easy was just okay, but I loved Salt to the Sea. Have also read Jefferson's Sons, City of Thieves, and The Endless Steppe. It's my summer of historical fiction!!

 

You made me go read the book - just finished it!  Somehow I missed that it was YA fiction till I got it. :tongue_smilie:  I really liked it - I still think I like The Endless Steppe more, but that's always been a favorite of mine. :)

 

I also just finished Tell Me Who I Am by Julia Navarro, and next up is In Times of Fading Light by Eugen Ruge, so I'm also having a summer of historical fiction! :D

Edited July 9, 2016 by Matryoshka

[tammyw]

You made me go read the book - just finished it!  Somehow I missed that it was YA fiction till I got it. :tongue_smilie:  I really liked it - I still think I like The Endless Steppe more, but that's always been a favorite of mine. :)

 

I also just finished Tell Me Who I Am by Julia Navarro, and next up is In Times of Fading Light by Eugen Ruge, so I'm also having a summer of historical fiction! :D

 

I just finished The Endless Steppe and totally loved it (but the Endless Steppe was a true story, wasn't it?)

[tammyw]

I read "All the Light We Cannot See" and I don't remember anything that sticks out in my mind for mature content. Just remembered that book...it was very good but slow getting started.

 

I wonder if I should try this one again. I got it from the library and found it so slow to get started that I just didn't get into it quickly enough and then it was due back to the library.

[mamamoose]

The first half of the book is very slow, but then it starts to come together.

[tammyw]

I just discovered they are making a movie of this book! The title will be Ashes in the snow -- filming now. So exciting!

 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/cannes-2015-bel-powley-star-796736