I just finished a great non-fiction book. It was so good, it inspired me to start this blog, and tell the rest of you how good it is. Now I am realistic, there is probably only 5 of you reading this, but if you 5 tell 5 more and so on and so forth, then the 5 minute it takes to write this, was worth it.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I put a hold on it from my public library, after I read an article on books that will soon be movies. I thought if there was a movie in the works, then it's got to be a good book. Right? There were others on the list that I had read and they were good. Anyway I needed something to read. So I got on my computer and put it on hold, along with several others books on the list. It said I was number 85 on the waiting list, so look at that, 84 others wanted to read it too.
It didn't take long for the email to come. The library emails when your hold is read to download. So I see the email, and I have to do a double take. It says Unbroken: A World War II story of survival, resilience and redemption. I said what? I was sure I didn't put this book on hold. Why would I want to read a story about WWII. I haven't read a non-fiction book in 20 years, and I wasn't interested in WWII. So I went back to my list of movies and there is was. Looks like I didn't take the time to read what the book was about, just typed it in along with other titles, to see what the library had to offer.
I almost declined the loan, but instead I downloaded it, and am so glad I did. I immediately went to Facebook and told people what I was reading. The responses made my skin tingle. Things like : one of the more amazing books I've read; My favorite book of all time; Great book, truly amazing. After reading all of this, there was no question, I had to read this book.
I started off like a speed reader. There was a lot of information, but it is written well, so you don't feel like you have to remember it all. Louis Zamperini starts out training to compete in the Olympics as a runner. You feel his pain as he trains, and his brother's excitement as he tries to help Louie be good enough to get there. The goal is almost in sight when the war cancels the Olympics, and Louie must go serve his country.
Before I knew it I was half done. The story had gone so quickly. Unfortunately for me, my library loans books out 14 days at a time, so with only 3 days left to read, many many pages, I started to get nervous. I tried to read it fast, I had to get it done. Then it hit me, there was so much going on in this book, I didn't want to read it just to read it. I wanted to read it to feel it. So I decided I would have to let the loan expire and get back on the list.
My Facebook friends, were checking on me. All wanted to know, how it was going, was I finished. Ugg I said, my loan was over, I wasn't finished. With that said, I made another decision, to go on Amazon and buy the book. I had really enjoyed it so far, I wanted to finish reading it at my pace, and when I was done, maybe my oldest child would want to read it, or my husband. It was definitely worth sharing.
So with it in my Kindle library I again got back to reading. That's when I saw Louie become an Airman. Then as if I was right there watching, that Airman and his bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean, and he and two other men survived the crash only to float on a life raft for more than 40 days.
What those men go through could have been story all by itself. I can't tell you the emotions that overcame me reading this experience. I can't imagine what they thought, how they kept going, and even after they were rescued, how they survived. I felt myself ready to cry at times, and my stomach just hurt at others. Knowing what the book was about I knew Louie made it, so I read a little faster to get him to safety. The only thing I didn't know was there wasn't any real safety for Louis Zamperini. There wouldn't be for a long time.
I don't read non-fiction, well at least I hadn't in a very long time. Now I think maybe I do. I usually read books to escape the life I am living. Something with a little fantasy, and a little humor, and maybe a little sex. This had none of those things. I did escape to Louis' life, only to realize how I wanted to get back to mine. Boring and normal, crazy and busy, blessed and lucky. A couple of people commented how sad they were after reading the book, another woman posted "depressing and amazing." That's probably one of the most honest comments. It was depressing at times, but then so amazing, that what made you sad, actually made you feel fortunate and happy. His life was harder then most, that's probably an understatement, but what he went through shouldn't make you sad. It should make you realize that no matter what happens in life you can survive, be unbroken, and go on to inspire others to do the same.
#Unbroken:LauraHillenbrandwritesAStoryToInspireLife
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