Scan barcode
ejbasile's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Secrets of a Charmed Life remains my favorite by this author.
Secrets of a Charmed Life remains my favorite by this author.
cassidysbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
"The past is nothing you can make friends or enemies of. It just is what it is. Or was. It is this day you are living right now, this very day, that is yours to make of it what you will. So make it beautiful, if you can."
The Last Year of the War was one of my most anticipated books for this spring and it did not disappoint. What I loved the most about it was that I didn't know much about the internment camps for German and Japanese immigrants during WWII here in America. How our distrust for these immigrants that could 'possibly' have a connection to our enemies at war even though they had been living in America for years just slayed me. These poor families had to leave everything they had worked so hard for, the majority of their belongings, their homes, jobs, all gone. Susan Meissner did a fantastic job weaving a whole story from beginning to the very end of our character's lives and bringing to light a topic of our history that not many know about. A solid historical fiction book and one I highly recommend for any historical fiction fans. 4/5🌟
The Last Year of the War was one of my most anticipated books for this spring and it did not disappoint. What I loved the most about it was that I didn't know much about the internment camps for German and Japanese immigrants during WWII here in America. How our distrust for these immigrants that could 'possibly' have a connection to our enemies at war even though they had been living in America for years just slayed me. These poor families had to leave everything they had worked so hard for, the majority of their belongings, their homes, jobs, all gone. Susan Meissner did a fantastic job weaving a whole story from beginning to the very end of our character's lives and bringing to light a topic of our history that not many know about. A solid historical fiction book and one I highly recommend for any historical fiction fans. 4/5🌟
meks17's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
explore725's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook review: First I must say the narration of this was outstanding, complete with foreign accents. Next I’m sad to report that I only learned of the Japanese internments a few years ago and I had no idea about the German and Italians also being kept at American camps. It floors me that I studied WW2 in school and knew nothing about it. I wonder if future generations will learn of the children in cages from our current era. This book moved me. It moved me in the way of understanding that every generation has its contrasts to go through. But it also reminds me that all of this pandemic stuff, though challenging, is really so very minor. I’m embarrassed at the whining and fighting that goes on. Reading this book shone a light on perspective. I enjoyed the story start to finish. It touched on so many topics- even Alzheimer’s. I will be thinking about this book for awhile. The only reason for the one star drop is that it started going on a bit and felt like it was a little winding. I won’t spoil it- but I think it could have maybe been tightened up and not so meandering towards the end.
emilypenninga's review against another edition
4.0
Great book about some of the not pretty side of the United States involvement in WWII.
markcheathem's review against another edition
3.0
"We do not become different people as we age; we just add layers of experience onto who we already are" (383).
rlqj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
wambatina's review against another edition
4.0
I knew about America’s internment of Japanese citizens during WWII but had no idea German and Italian citizens were also interred and that many families were ‘repatriated’ to Japan and Germany.
madi_dube's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rachellinn's review against another edition
5.0
I am always learning something new about WW2 I didn't know before. I think that's why I keep reading about it, because there are so many stories to be told.