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Genre Guide

The World Wars: fiction and fantasy

By:

AliReads

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

Staff-created list

"War is not for winning; it is for surviving" - from Deathless, by Catherynne Valente. These are my favourite books set in or around the two World Wars from the Arctic Circle to Guernsey to fantastical Russia. If you're like me, pretty much all of them will make you get all emotional about the brightest and darkest bits of humanity that war brings out in people. A Staff Pickles list.

By:

AliReads

Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi

19 items

19 items

Everyone Brave Is Forgiven

Everyone Brave Is Forgiven

by Cleave, Chris, 1973-

Book - 2016

With its fantastic opening line I was hooked: "War was declared at 11:15, and Mary North signed up at noon. She did it at lunch, before the telegraph...Show more With its fantastic opening line I was hooked: "War was declared at 11:15, and Mary North signed up at noon. She did it at lunch, before the telegraphs came, in case her mother said no." Charmingly funny and tragically sad. I adored Mary, our heroine, from the very first line of the novel up until the very end. Each character was brilliantly realised and true to themselves. There were laugh out loud lines and others that made me tear up. There was a lot of true-to-the-period anti-black racism, though, which while being historically accurate didn't make it any easier to read. Still, this is highly recommended. Show less

With its fantastic opening line I was hooked: "War was declared at 11:15, and Mary North signed up at noon. She did it at lunch, before the telegraph...Show more With its fantastic opening line I was hooked: "War was declared at 11:15, and Mary North signed up at noon. She did it at lunch, before the telegraphs came, in case her mother said no." Charmingly funny and tragically sad. I adored Mary, our heroine, from the very first line of the novel up until the very end. Each character was brilliantly realised and true to themselves. There were laugh out loud lines and others that made me tear up. There was a lot of true-to-the-period anti-black racism, though, which while being historically accurate didn't make it any easier to read. Still, this is highly recommended. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Salt to the Sea

Salt to the Sea

by Sepetys, Ruta, 1967-

Downloadable Audiobook - 2016

Based on a true catastrophe during WWII, this book, told in short, powerful chapters from four different points of view, seriously broke my heart. The cha...Show more Based on a true catastrophe during WWII, this book, told in short, powerful chapters from four different points of view, seriously broke my heart. The characters are really well realised and well written (even the original and properly devastating villain) which make the story, hopeful and tragic, simple and powerful, and absolutely one to be remembered. Show less

Based on a true catastrophe during WWII, this book, told in short, powerful chapters from four different points of view, seriously broke my heart. The cha...Show more Based on a true catastrophe during WWII, this book, told in short, powerful chapters from four different points of view, seriously broke my heart. The characters are really well realised and well written (even the original and properly devastating villain) which make the story, hopeful and tragic, simple and powerful, and absolutely one to be remembered. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Salt To The Sea

Salt To The Sea

by Sepetys, Ruta, 1967-

Book - 2016

Based on a true catastrophe during WWII, this book, told in short, powerful chapters from four different points of view, seriously broke my heart. The cha...Show more Based on a true catastrophe during WWII, this book, told in short, powerful chapters from four different points of view, seriously broke my heart. The characters are really well realised and well written (even the original and properly devastating villain) which make the story, hopeful and tragic, simple and powerful, and absolutely one to be remembered. Show less

Based on a true catastrophe during WWII, this book, told in short, powerful chapters from four different points of view, seriously broke my heart. The cha...Show more Based on a true catastrophe during WWII, this book, told in short, powerful chapters from four different points of view, seriously broke my heart. The characters are really well realised and well written (even the original and properly devastating villain) which make the story, hopeful and tragic, simple and powerful, and absolutely one to be remembered. Show less

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Front Lines

Front Lines

by Grant, Michael, pseud., 1954-

Book - 2016

When I think of Michael Grant, I think gripping and terrifying adventure, multiple characters, and a fearless approach to blood and guts. So a war epic suits him really well, and a war epic where women and girls signed up to fight as well? Aw yiss! When I think of Michael Grant, I think gripping and terrifying adventure, multiple characters, and a fearless approach to blood and guts. So a war epic suits him really well, and a war epic where women and girls signed up to fight as well? Aw yiss! Show less

When I think of Michael Grant, I think gripping and terrifying adventure, multiple characters, and a fearless approach to blood and guts. So a war epic suits him really well, and a war epic where women and girls signed up to fight as well? Aw yiss! When I think of Michael Grant, I think gripping and terrifying adventure, multiple characters, and a fearless approach to blood and guts. So a war epic suits him really well, and a war epic where women and girls signed up to fight as well? Aw yiss! Show less

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Code Name Verity

Code Name Verity

by Wein, Elizabeth E., 1964-

Book - 2012

Code Name Verity set the standard of how well a book could absolutely break me. This is RIGHT up there in my all time favourite books; it's about two youn...Show more Code Name Verity set the standard of how well a book could absolutely break me. This is RIGHT up there in my all time favourite books; it's about two young women and their utterly brilliant friendship, their loyalty and love. Plus, they're pilots and spies! Show less

Code Name Verity set the standard of how well a book could absolutely break me. This is RIGHT up there in my all time favourite books; it's about two youn...Show more Code Name Verity set the standard of how well a book could absolutely break me. This is RIGHT up there in my all time favourite books; it's about two young women and their utterly brilliant friendship, their loyalty and love. Plus, they're pilots and spies! Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Deathless

Deathless

by Valente, Catherynne M., 1979-

Book - 2012

Stunningly written. Catherynne Valente is a complete artist when it comes to words and storytelling. Part old Russian fairy tale, part brutal war story, full of gorgeous, powerful characters. Stunningly written. Catherynne Valente is a complete artist when it comes to words and storytelling. Part old Russian fairy tale, part brutal war story, full of gorgeous, powerful characters. Show less

Stunningly written. Catherynne Valente is a complete artist when it comes to words and storytelling. Part old Russian fairy tale, part brutal war story, full of gorgeous, powerful characters. Stunningly written. Catherynne Valente is a complete artist when it comes to words and storytelling. Part old Russian fairy tale, part brutal war story, full of gorgeous, powerful characters. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Deathless

Deathless

by Valente, Catherynne M., 1979-

eBook - 2012

eBook version. Stunningly written. Catherynne Valente is a complete artist when it comes to words and storytelling. Part old Russian fairy tale, part brutal war story, full of gorgeous, powerful characters. eBook version. Stunningly written. Catherynne Valente is a complete artist when it comes to words and storytelling. Part old Russian fairy tale, part brutal war story, full of gorgeous, powerful characters. Show less

eBook version. Stunningly written. Catherynne Valente is a complete artist when it comes to words and storytelling. Part old Russian fairy tale, part brutal war story, full of gorgeous, powerful characters. eBook version. Stunningly written. Catherynne Valente is a complete artist when it comes to words and storytelling. Part old Russian fairy tale, part brutal war story, full of gorgeous, powerful characters. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Blackout

Blackout

by Willis, Connie, 1945-

Book - 2010

A brilliant concept; historians who use time travel to study the past. Three historians travel back to study different aspects of WWII - the evacuation of...Show more A brilliant concept; historians who use time travel to study the past. Three historians travel back to study different aspects of WWII - the evacuation of children from London, the evacuation of Dunkirk, and the Blitz. But things start to go wrong very quickly, and they find themselves trapped in the past... Show less

A brilliant concept; historians who use time travel to study the past. Three historians travel back to study different aspects of WWII - the evacuation of...Show more A brilliant concept; historians who use time travel to study the past. Three historians travel back to study different aspects of WWII - the evacuation of children from London, the evacuation of Dunkirk, and the Blitz. But things start to go wrong very quickly, and they find themselves trapped in the past... Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Blackout

Blackout

by Willis, Connie, 1945-

eBook - 2010

eBook version: A brilliant concept; historians who use time travel to study the past. Three historians travel back to study different aspects of WWII - th...Show more eBook version: A brilliant concept; historians who use time travel to study the past. Three historians travel back to study different aspects of WWII - the evacuation of children from London, the evacuation of Dunkirk, and the Blitz. But things start to go wrong very quickly, and they find themselves trapped in the past... Show less

eBook version: A brilliant concept; historians who use time travel to study the past. Three historians travel back to study different aspects of WWII - th...Show more eBook version: A brilliant concept; historians who use time travel to study the past. Three historians travel back to study different aspects of WWII - the evacuation of children from London, the evacuation of Dunkirk, and the Blitz. But things start to go wrong very quickly, and they find themselves trapped in the past... Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Book Thief

The Book Thief

by Zusak, Markus, 1975-

Book - 2005

Probably the most famous book on this list, and for good reason. The Book Thief, Leisel, embodies the idea that humans need stories to continue being huma...Show more Probably the most famous book on this list, and for good reason. The Book Thief, Leisel, embodies the idea that humans need stories to continue being human. Like a lot of these other books, it's a holding-on-to-your-humanity story, because war will strip you down. Show less

Probably the most famous book on this list, and for good reason. The Book Thief, Leisel, embodies the idea that humans need stories to continue being huma...Show more Probably the most famous book on this list, and for good reason. The Book Thief, Leisel, embodies the idea that humans need stories to continue being human. Like a lot of these other books, it's a holding-on-to-your-humanity story, because war will strip you down. Show less

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The Book Thief

The Book Thief

by Zusak, Markus, 1975-

eBook - 2007

eBook version. Probably the most famous book on this list, and for good reason. The Book Thief, Leisel, embodies the idea that humans need stories to cont...Show more eBook version. Probably the most famous book on this list, and for good reason. The Book Thief, Leisel, embodies the idea that humans need stories to continue being human. Like a lot of these other books, it's a holding-on-to-your-humanity story, because war will strip you down. Show less

eBook version. Probably the most famous book on this list, and for good reason. The Book Thief, Leisel, embodies the idea that humans need stories to cont...Show more eBook version. Probably the most famous book on this list, and for good reason. The Book Thief, Leisel, embodies the idea that humans need stories to continue being human. Like a lot of these other books, it's a holding-on-to-your-humanity story, because war will strip you down. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Not My Father's Son

Not My Father's Son

A Memoir

by Cumming, Alan, 1965-

Book - 2014

The exception on this list: Alan Cumming's biography is not fiction or fantasy, but it qualifies because 1, part of it tracks his search to uncover mysteries of his father's WWII service, and 2, I make the rules around here so it's going on the list. The exception on this list: Alan Cumming's biography is not fiction or fantasy, but it qualifies because 1, part of it tracks his search to uncover mysteries of his father's WWII service, and 2, I make the rules around here so it's going on the list. Show less

The exception on this list: Alan Cumming's biography is not fiction or fantasy, but it qualifies because 1, part of it tracks his search to uncover mysteries of his father's WWII service, and 2, I make the rules around here so it's going on the list. The exception on this list: Alan Cumming's biography is not fiction or fantasy, but it qualifies because 1, part of it tracks his search to uncover mysteries of his father's WWII service, and 2, I make the rules around here so it's going on the list. Show less

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Not My Father's Son

Not My Father's Son

A Family Memoir

by Cumming, Alan, 1965-

eBook - 2014

eBook version. Alan's Cummins biography can be described with all the best words you want when talking about a biography: honest, heartfelt, hilarious, historical eBook version. Alan's Cummins biography can be described with all the best words you want when talking about a biography: honest, heartfelt, hilarious, historical Show less

eBook version. Alan's Cummins biography can be described with all the best words you want when talking about a biography: honest, heartfelt, hilarious, historical eBook version. Alan's Cummins biography can be described with all the best words you want when talking about a biography: honest, heartfelt, hilarious, historical Show less

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The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Shaffer, Mary Ann, 1934-2008

Book - 2008

Told entirely through letters, Our Heroine Juliet becomes friends with the members of the titular society, who are recovering from five years of German oc...Show more Told entirely through letters, Our Heroine Juliet becomes friends with the members of the titular society, who are recovering from five years of German occupation. Full of small town quirky characters that the UK seems to do so well, and heartbreaking moments, and hilarious stories about pigs, and overall how books and writing can bring us together as people and help us through the darkest of times. Show less

Told entirely through letters, Our Heroine Juliet becomes friends with the members of the titular society, who are recovering from five years of German oc...Show more Told entirely through letters, Our Heroine Juliet becomes friends with the members of the titular society, who are recovering from five years of German occupation. Full of small town quirky characters that the UK seems to do so well, and heartbreaking moments, and hilarious stories about pigs, and overall how books and writing can bring us together as people and help us through the darkest of times. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Shaffer, Mary Ann, 1934-2008

eBook - 2009

eBook version! Told entirely through letters, Our Heroine Juliet becomes friends with the members of the titular society, who are recovering from five yea...Show more eBook version! Told entirely through letters, Our Heroine Juliet becomes friends with the members of the titular society, who are recovering from five years of German occupation. Full of small town quirky characters that the UK seems to do so well, and heartbreaking moments, and hilarious stories about pigs, and overall how books and writing can bring us together as people and help us through the darkest of times. Show less

eBook version! Told entirely through letters, Our Heroine Juliet becomes friends with the members of the titular society, who are recovering from five yea...Show more eBook version! Told entirely through letters, Our Heroine Juliet becomes friends with the members of the titular society, who are recovering from five years of German occupation. Full of small town quirky characters that the UK seems to do so well, and heartbreaking moments, and hilarious stories about pigs, and overall how books and writing can bring us together as people and help us through the darkest of times. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Between Shades Of Gray

Between Shades Of Gray

by Sepetys, Ruta, 1967-

Book - 2011

Between Shades of Grey had been on my to-read list for a few years. I'd heard of it's power and its heart, and it held true to these promises. It's a harr...Show more Between Shades of Grey had been on my to-read list for a few years. I'd heard of it's power and its heart, and it held true to these promises. It's a harrowing story of a Lithuanian family - mother Elena, fourteen year old Lina and ten year old Jonas who are deported, first to one labour camp then another, ending up in the Arctic Circle. Conditions get worse and worse and it was very hard to read, and some of the images will stay with me for a long time, I think. But Lina's strength is at the heart of the story and I love her, quite a bit. As an aside, mother Elena is in the running for favourite book-mum of the year. Show less

Between Shades of Grey had been on my to-read list for a few years. I'd heard of it's power and its heart, and it held true to these promises. It's a harr...Show more Between Shades of Grey had been on my to-read list for a few years. I'd heard of it's power and its heart, and it held true to these promises. It's a harrowing story of a Lithuanian family - mother Elena, fourteen year old Lina and ten year old Jonas who are deported, first to one labour camp then another, ending up in the Arctic Circle. Conditions get worse and worse and it was very hard to read, and some of the images will stay with me for a long time, I think. But Lina's strength is at the heart of the story and I love her, quite a bit. As an aside, mother Elena is in the running for favourite book-mum of the year. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Between Shades of Gray

Between Shades of Gray

by Sepetys, Ruta, 1967-

Downloadable Audiobook - 2011

Audiobook version: Between Shades of Grey had been on my to-read list for a few years. I'd heard of it's power and its heart, and it held true to these pr...Show more Audiobook version: Between Shades of Grey had been on my to-read list for a few years. I'd heard of it's power and its heart, and it held true to these promises. It's a harrowing story of a Lithuanian family - mother Elena, fourteen year old Lina and ten year old Jonas who are deported, first to one labour camp then another, ending up in the Arctic Circle. Conditions get worse and worse and it was very hard to read, and some of the images will stay with me for a long time, I think. But Lina's strength is at the heart of the story and I love her, quite a bit. As an aside, mother Elena is in the running for favourite book-mum of the year. Show less

Audiobook version: Between Shades of Grey had been on my to-read list for a few years. I'd heard of it's power and its heart, and it held true to these pr...Show more Audiobook version: Between Shades of Grey had been on my to-read list for a few years. I'd heard of it's power and its heart, and it held true to these promises. It's a harrowing story of a Lithuanian family - mother Elena, fourteen year old Lina and ten year old Jonas who are deported, first to one labour camp then another, ending up in the Arctic Circle. Conditions get worse and worse and it was very hard to read, and some of the images will stay with me for a long time, I think. But Lina's strength is at the heart of the story and I love her, quite a bit. As an aside, mother Elena is in the running for favourite book-mum of the year. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Last Train From Kummersdorf

Last Train From Kummersdorf

by Wilson, Leslie, 1952-

Book - 2015

Hanno is a deserter from the German army; he's just witnessed the death of his brother and he's on the run. Now, 'on the run' is one of my favourite trope...Show more Hanno is a deserter from the German army; he's just witnessed the death of his brother and he's on the run. Now, 'on the run' is one of my favourite tropes, as is 'street wise smart mouthed girls', of which Effi is a prize example. It's told quite simply, no flourishing language like Deathless, but that just means that when it comes to harsh truths there is no padding, just raw, blunt honesty. Show less

Hanno is a deserter from the German army; he's just witnessed the death of his brother and he's on the run. Now, 'on the run' is one of my favourite trope...Show more Hanno is a deserter from the German army; he's just witnessed the death of his brother and he's on the run. Now, 'on the run' is one of my favourite tropes, as is 'street wise smart mouthed girls', of which Effi is a prize example. It's told quite simply, no flourishing language like Deathless, but that just means that when it comes to harsh truths there is no padding, just raw, blunt honesty. Show less

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Black Dove, White Raven

Black Dove, White Raven

by Wein, Elizabeth E., 1964-

Book - 2015

Another by the author of Code Name Verity and another about female pilots! This time the story focuses on foster siblings, Ethiopia, flying, fears and family. I cried. Another by the author of Code Name Verity and another about female pilots! This time the story focuses on foster siblings, Ethiopia, flying, fears and family. I cried. Show less

Another by the author of Code Name Verity and another about female pilots! This time the story focuses on foster siblings, Ethiopia, flying, fears and family. I cried. Another by the author of Code Name Verity and another about female pilots! This time the story focuses on foster siblings, Ethiopia, flying, fears and family. I cried. Show less

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

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