Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Unbroken


I've told you about my love for mac-and-cheese, nail polish, braiding hair, and crossword puzzles. But I don't ever think I've told you how much I love to read. I'm a huge fan of murder-mysteries (Michael Connelly is my favorite), but I'll pretty much pick up anything with a cool cover and a mesmerizing description.

These days, I don't have much time to read. However, I do have a 30-minute commute to work, and I find that listening to an audio book is the best way to pass time. It keeps me entertained, and I actually look forward to driving to and from work each day. Sometimes, I'll sit in the driveway for 10-minutes before going into the house because I'm trying to finish a good chapter. It usually takes me a little over a week to finish each book.

Last week, I started the book Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand, which was recommended to me by a friend at work. The only thing about the book that made me hesitant at first is that it's a nonfiction—I've never read/listened to a nonfiction before. I have to say—I am floored by how good this book is. It's a WWII story of the trying moments, triumphs and life of Louie Zamperini. The book begins by giving a chilling picture of the stranded-at-sea story ahead. It was a phenomenal start to the book. It then tells of Louie's early life, growing toward adulthood and running in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, and then joining the Army Air Corps, where in 1943, he was on a bomber plane that crashed into the Pacific Ocean, leaving him stranded in the middle of thousands of miles of open ocean...

... And that's where I come to the point where I can't tell you any more. At the moment, I'm on disc 6 of 11, and I'm completely enthralled. The part that baffles me is that it's true. Everything I'm reading—it all happened. It's heart-breaking and inspiring. I've laughed and also had moments where my mouth is agape at the horrors being described. If you're looking for a book to read, I can't say enough about this one.

Other items I have on hold at the library include: Killing Lincoln by Bill O'Reilly, The Black Box by Michael Connelly, and Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn—another nonfiction and two more mystery fiction novels, respectively.

/ / What's on your reading list?

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

I could talk books all day! But I am currently reading "Killing Floor," and I like it. It's suspenseful, easy to read and really entertaining. I skipped some of the gruesome parts, though, which might be hard with audiobooks! I also loved the Matched series, especially the first book :).

Farrell

elle at wishingoodluck said...

I've been trying to fit more non-fiction into my reading list, audio-books seem like a great way to go about that!

Lily said...

I love reading too. I used to be obsessed with Nancy Drew:) Now I don't really have time to read, but I'm trying to get back into it.

Allyssa said...

I'm a big murder mystery fan too. Sadly, I don't read as much as I'd like. I need to prioritize my time better!

Victoria said...

I love mystery/murder mystery and nonfiction (bio/autobiography) type books! Occasionally, I just read good fiction stories too.

Right now I'm reading JI Packer's "A Passion for Faithfulness" and LOVE it! I am learning soooo much. Last night I finished a mystery book called "Steal Away" by Linda Hall.

Liz said...

I love reading too! Right now I am reading the Life of Pi and it is a pretty good read! I have never done audiobooks but I like listening to Podcasts while driving and I often find myself sitting in the driveway too waiting for a convenient place to pick up from next time- and because it is cold and winter and Canada and I don't want to leave the heated car!
Have a great day Aunie!
-Liz

Liz said...

I love reading too! Right now I am reading the Life of Pi and it is a pretty good read! I have never done audiobooks but I like listening to Podcasts while driving and I often find myself sitting in the driveway too waiting for a convenient place to pick up from next time- and because it is cold and winter and Canada and I don't want to leave the heated car!
Have a great day Aunie!
-Liz

Chloe Innvaer said...

So funny that I posted mac and cheese today! ;) I LOVE to read! I am currently trying to make my way through Abraham Lincoln's biography, however school has slowed that process WAY down! So since I am taking a J.R.R. Tolkien class I am making my way through the Lord of The Rings, which I hadn't read before and am thoroughly enjoying! As well as plently of research material for my research class haha! =)

Kristin said...

Louie Zamperini was such an inspiring guy, from his WWII days to his athletic career. He and my dad were college alums together, and I remember sitting down with him once at dinner and just being amazed - I still kick myself for sitting across from this incredible human being and not having good questions at the ready!!

Elisha said...

We're the same! EVERYTHING you mentioned you love in that first sentence.. I do! You should watch Psych! I LOVE IT!

Halie Renee said...

That book sounds sooo interesting! I am actually completely fascinated by all things WWII and the Holocaust, and so I'll read/watch anything to do with the two. In fact, those are some of the only non-fiction books I usually read. I'm definitely adding this to my list. I've heard of it before, and now I'm wondering why I haven't already read it yet?

Also, I read Gone Girl about two weeks ago, and it's so good! Tons of twists and turns all over the place, that I seriously never saw coming.

Erica said...

Not loving the Boise cold, but it does create a great excuse to READ! You will have to read Gillian Flynn's other books after Gone Girl. So creepy! I've been on a Karen Slaughter kick lately with the Grant County series. They are really good mysteries/crime.

Rebecca said...

You know, I have found that I "thought" I liked a certain kind of book, but when venturing out to try other books, I realized that it just simply depends on the book. I can do a fiction or non-fiction, a thriller or a lighthearted love story, and anything in between. I recently finished the "The girl with..." -- a prime example of the kind of books I thought I would NEVER like -- and now decided to retreat to a classic full of life lessons - Les Miserables.

Karen said...

Unbroken is one of my top 5 favorite books of all time!! It was so amazing!
I also like Same Kind of Different as Me and Lone Survivor (both true stories).

Why Girls Are Weird said...

Okay I totally need to read this, it sounds so good!

Priya said...

Yay another book lover! I've yet to read Unbroken but my mom said its amazing, so it's on my list! Currently reading The Fountainhead which is a little out of my reading comfort zone (if you will) but a friend made me read it. I would recommend The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo if you haven't read it yet, it's a little grisly but such a thriller!

perfectly priya

Anne U @ hot coffee mama said...

Love a good read, that book sounds really interesting.

Tales of a young mamma said...

Love Michael Connelly! And also book on tapes- used them every time we drive back 'home' (700 miles 1 way)I'm also a fan of James Pattinson, the girl with the dragon tattoo trilogy and all Jodi Piccoult books!

Because of Jackie said...

You are going to LOVE Gone Girl...it is enthralling. Have you read/listened to the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon? My fave series. Ever.

Jeneric Generation said...

I just finished "A Severe Mercy", and I cannot say enough about it. It is a true story of a man retelling his love story after his wife died. Their love story is beautiful, but his wisdom in dealing with grief is almost more so. He was also a good friend of C.S. Lewis's (of whom I am a huge fan), and includes some of his letters to the author. If you have not read it, I would highly recommend it!

Jeneric Generation said...

Oh, and Unbroken sounds amazing! I will add it to my list. :)

Rachel said...

Loooove that book. I read it two summers ago and it made its way to my top 5 favorites. So unbelievable.

Rachel said...

Ps have you read the immortal life of Henrietta lacks? Really good. I got it on audio a few months ago.

Nikki said...

I think Gone Girl is next on my list...I need to try the audio books thing

Betsy Transatlantically said...

I missed my metro stop today because I was engrossed in my book! Not sure I could do audiobooks... I still underline and write little notes on the pages, and I don't know if I'd connect to the words in the same way if I couldn't! But if I did, any recommendations as to where to start?

Jennifer M. said...

Currently my reading list consists of a bunch of graphic design books (for school), but in the fiction world lately, I've been discovering some of the newer Stephen King novels. I've never read him before about a year ago, but found some and started reading and realized they're not as scary/creepy as I thought they'd be. Granted, I haven't tried some of the more notoriously creepy ones, but in general I've found his writing style to be very readable and compelling.

Erin said...

I've heard this was a good one but was skeptical too because I'm not a huge non-fiction lover. Sounds like you really like it though so I'll have to give it a try! I'm currently reading Bloom by Kelle Hampton (even though I said I wasn't a big non-fiction person I know I know!) and it is making me laugh and cry my eyes out all on the same page. You would love it!
xoxo
readeatcreate.com

grace for gayle said...

Oh my gosh, please send me some recommendations! Which Michael Connelly books are your fave? Any other favorites? I love love love murder mysteries/thrillers/suspense novels. I haven't been much into reading for the past little while (okay, two years) but I'm ready to get going with some new reading finds!! :)

Annelise @ Aunie Sauce said...

Start with The Poet by him. It's fabulous. Then, start from the beginning. They're all good!! They made a movie out of one of his books--The Lincoln Lawyer--but I like the Harry Bosch series best.

Katie said...

I love ALL books. I am currently reading The Book of Summers by Emylia Hall. I am not too far into it but the writing is very pretty so far. I also love a good mystery. Have you ever read any classic Agatha Christies? They are my favorite. And Then There Were None is my absolute favorite book ever. The ending is just awesome and I adore it.

Annelise @ Aunie Sauce said...

Hey Katie! I haven't read any of those, but yours sounds like a good one... and of course thank you for reminding me of the classics!

Anonymous said...

Credit check usually delays the borrowed funds processing like they actually
do generally loans uk Payday loans bank give a $75 to $300 million line of credit towards
the firm at interest rates starting from four to eight percent
about the loans.
my site - uk Payday loans

Annelise Rowe said...

Farrell, who writes Killing Floor? I looked it up at the library and there are a ton of titles! :)

AddThis