Despite my keen interest in genealogy, I've actually heard very few of my family members' stories concerning WWII. My grandfather served, but he was completely traumatized by his experience and never talked about it. His brother died in the Bataan Death March. The war was definitely difficult on the family and for my great-grandmother especially.

I do love THE NIGHTINGALE. I haven't heard of THE JULIAN CHAPTER. I'll have to look that one up. Thanks for the rec.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

I think it's because I've kind of avoided reading about the subject for the last couple years, so now they've piled up. Also because the subject always draws me in, so these are the kinds of books I tend to buy.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deb!

I agree! I've enjoyed a few books by Jenoff, so I am confident that this will be another excellent read from her.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lydia!

I hear you on that! That's actually one of the reasons my WWII TBR pile is so large right now. I've sort of avoided reading about the subject for a couple years (not that I haven't read ANY WWII books, just not nearly as many as I have in the past). The subject is so heavy that it's hard to read too many WWII books at once.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Kami!

Oooh, sounds interesting! I've read several books lately about people serving on the American homefront during the war. I'd never read much about that before and it's been fascinating.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Wendy!

No matter how many WWII books I read, I'm still ALWAYS drawn to them. Of course, ANY book with the word "book" in the title is going to appeal :)

Thanks for popping in, Rae!

Same! I definitely can't read them right in a row. Too much heaviness.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Deanna!

War is a really heavy subject, so I can definitely understand not wanting to read about it. And, yes, the people looking away from "the camera" is a VERY popular trend in historical fiction! It's kind of funny to see how many of them there are out there and how similar they all look.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Nicole!

Sorry/not sorry for adding to your TBR! All the books that get added to my already neverending list is definitely the worst and best thing about TTT.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Jenni!

No, I haven't read it yet. I saw it at Costco a few weeks ago and it looked so intriguing that I just had to buy it. I'm such a sucker for WWII books!

Thanks for stopping in, NickiMags!

I definitely have certain historical periods that I like more than others. For instance, I rarely read anything set before 1800. I especially avoid ancient periods and even the Medieval era because those settings just don't interest me as much.

So, yes, our move is local. The "new" house (we've actually owned it since 2004, but we only lived in it for a few years and it's been a rental since 2008) is only about 20 miles away. The problem isn't book transportation but book storage. The home I live in now is 5000 square feet, so there's plenty of room for books. The one I'm moving into is half that. Since the majority of my books (and I'm talking a collection of about 10,000—before the 1000 or so I've already donated) are ones I got free from the publishers (some requested, many not), I'm not attached to them so it's easy to pass them on. I'm planning to keep 500-1000 books, so it's not like I'm going to have to give up any of the volumes I really love or really want to read. Since my collection will continue to grow with review books and other acquisitions after the move, I also want to make sure I have room for new books :)

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Mia!

Weirdly, the only books I've read by Rimmer have been contemporary novels. I'm excited to give her historicals a go. I do love Hannah's books, too.

Thanks for popping in, Kristine!

Oooh, I'm going to go look up your post on war books. It seems macabre to enjoy that genre, but I really do, although I prefer more character-driven plots than those about the actual battles/fighting.

I have not heard of MAMAN, WHAT ARE WE CALLED NOW? It sounds excellent. I'll definitely look it up.

Thanks for stopping by, ZB!

I love the premise of MISS GRAHAM'S! It just sounds fascinating. I'll get to it and these others one of these days. I hope...

Thanks for popping in, Elza!

I get it. Different strokes for different folks and all that!

Thanks for coming by, Louise!

I'm so glad you commented, Leah. I've heard your views on this subject before and I really appreciate your unique, insider's perspective. I can definitely understand how this genre can feel exploitative. It feels cold-hearted to even admit to enjoying books about WWII. How can a good person ENJOY reading about such evil and suffering? I think one of the reasons I prefer reading fictional versions is the distance it provides. However, I also appreciate what you said about the value of hearing someone's story told in their own words. Which memoirs would you recommend?

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leah!

I hope we both enjoy THE LONDON HOUSE! I really like its premise; hopefully, its execution will be excellent.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cindy!

I agree. No matter how many books about WWII I read, I always want to read more because they just sound so intriguing.

Thanks for popping in, Lindsey!

Yes, they can definitely be tough, emotional reads. I absolutely understand why some people avoid them completely. Even I can't read too many of them at a time because WWII is just such a heavy subject.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Leslie!

I've actually been reading more of those kinds of WWII books as well - the ones about people on the homefront doing their best to survive as well as help those around them. Jennifer Ryan's books fall into this category and I have been especially enjoying them lately.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Carla!

Ha ha. I thought that was kind of an odd V-Day gift, but I get it, I'd much rather get a good book than flowers or chocolates! Or a book PLUS chocolates. Now, we're talking...

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Pam!

Isn't it funny how many hist-fic covers feature people looking away? I like this trend, but it is getting a *little* out of control! Ha ha.

Thanks for popping in, Jennifer!

Right? There are TONS. I guess that means I'm not the only one who can't get enough of them!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Helen!

Same! It seems macabre to say I like reading about WWII, but I do. I just find everything about that time period fascinating. And, yes, I love reading inspiring wartime stories, especially those that are based on real people and events.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Suzanne!

I hope we both enjoy these when we read them!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Cath!

There really are TONS of WWII books out there and seemingly more every day. I'm not complaining at all since I love reading them :)

I am constantly learning about books I've never heard of from you, Marianne. Glad I could return the favor!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, my friend!

I think the main reason most of my blogger friends have never heard of my books is because they never made it over the big pond. Which is a shame and I'm happy to contribute to them being more widely known, even if only in a little way.

I'm glad so many international book bloggers participate in TTT so we can hear about books being published and read all over the world. So fun!

I totally agree.

Agreed. I always learn something new when I read hist fic.

Thanks for popping in, Alicia!

I definitely get why some people don't want to read about war. It's a sad, heavy subject. It is interesting how many bookish WWII novels have been published lately. I'm interested to see what they're all about.

Thanks for stopping by, Emily!

YES! It's a VERY popular cover trend for historical fiction, especially those set during WWII. Like I said above somewhere, I like these types of covers, but the amount of them is getting out of control. It would be nice to see some unique ones occasionally!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Lark!

I have high hopes for these books. We'll see how they all pan out for me. Inevitably, they won't ALL be amazing!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Greg!

The Anne Frank book came out in January. I hadn't heard of it until I saw it at Costco. Other than Anne's diary, I haven't read much about the Franks so this one sounds really interesting.

I actually have a copy of THE LAST BOOKSHOP IN LONDON on my shelf. I just haven't read it yet!

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Katherine!

Thanks, Rajani! Have you published any new poetry on your blog? I'm headed over there right now to see...

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting!

It definitely seems as if the WWII genre has exploded as of late. Of course, that means that all the stories start to feel the same and few really stand out. Nevertheless, it's a subject I'm always interested in and probably always will be to some degree.

Thanks, as always, for coming by and commenting, Sam!

Agreed. So far, I've only read THE LONDON HOUSE and it was just okay. Hopefully, the other ones are a bit more impressive.

Thanks for popping in, Shaz!