Sarah's Key

I thought that this book was typical of most contemporary literature. It takes a subject that should be interesting in and of itself, assumes that the reader will not be interested in the subject, and then proceeds to fill the book full of attention seeking drama to pull in the interest of the reader. A subject like the holocaust does not need the added topics of divorce, threatened miscarriage, affairs and such to make it interesting. I liked the idea that the story was told by the point of view of a journalist investigating the events of the Vel d' Hiv roundup in France. I enjoyed learning more about these events and I even enjoyed some of the characters, like the daughter of the journalist, but overall, I thought that the author could have left out all the modern drama.

The Hiding Place

I have wanted to read this book ever since college and finally got around to it. It was very good, very inspirational. I knew it was about Corrie Ten Boom surviving life in a concentration camp, but I had no idea how spiritual of a message it contained. I love to read books that I feel change my life and make me a better person and I feel like this is that kind of book. It has been helpful as I have been struggling with the uncomfortable pains of pregnancy to be reminded that no trial I ever face will compare with that of those who survived the holocaust. This reminder makes me grateful for all my comforts in life and especially for a God who loves me and watches over my family daily.