Night is a non-fiction memoir book written by Elie Wiesel. The book is about how Jews were treated by the Nazis in concentration camps while they were being persecuted. The main characters are Elie and his father. He and his father want to escape the camps while they endure hard labor but the Nazis won’t let the Jews escape. Elie tries to survive the time through the winter in the camp by not running out of food or water during the journey.
This novel is presented as a letter from a 29-year-old author, Little Dog, to his illiterate mother. His writings flow from his youth in an abusive home, his relationship with his Vietnamese mother and grandmother, to his first job in the sweltering tobacco fields. The narrator, freed from the pressure of anyone ever reading it, pours his heart and story onto the pages. The result is a beautiful story of love, danger, family, abuse, race, class, and coming-of-age as Little Dog recalls his youth.
The book begins by describing Albert’s childhood and experience in school. While most kids wanted to play games outside and have fun, Albert enjoyed spending his time solving puzzles and learning about science. In school he would ask a lot of questions; in fact, he asked so many that his teachers got annoyed with him and expelled him. Albert was then forced to learn things on his own. Although it took him time to gain respect in the science community, Albert published many theories and equations which were proven correct, and he became one of the most successful scientists of all time.
The story is narrated by Jewish teenager, Eliezer who lives in Sighet. Later he gets captured and taken to Auschwitz and the nightmare begins. When they arrive, he gets separated from his family and gets put to work. Auschwitz gets evacuated and he goes on a brutal death march to another concentration camp. At the new camp the same torture happens and Eliezer is trying to survive so the inhumane treatment will stop. Finally when the camp gets liberated by America, Elizer is a void and has dealt with too much for being such a young boy.
This book is an autobiography about Kamala Harris. The book goes into her family and her life before she was elected to be the Vice president. The reader gets insight on the struggle and the triumphs of her education and career path. It was inspiring to hear about her mother’s story about how she became a cancer researcher despite prejudice and discrimination. It dove into how Kamala Harris worked her way up into becoming the DA, then senator, then Vice President. I recommend this book to anyone who wants some insight on the Vice President, Harris.
Tara Westover’s autobiography, Educated, details her life growing up with survivalists in rural Idaho. Westover received no formal education until she went to college and was barred from modern society, yet she managed to earn her Ph.D. in History from Cambridge. I found this novel intriguing for the most part, but some moments felt repetitive. However, I thoroughly enjoyed Westover’s display of courage, strength, and individuality; she represents how hard work and a little bit of luck can overcome all odds.
Crying in H Mart is a powerful memoir detailing the author’s unique life experiences. The title comes from Zauner’s memories of crying in the aisles of the Asian grocery store, remembering the dishes her mom used to make. She describes her childhood and her teenage years as a Korean-American, caring for her cancer-stricken mother, and even provides some insights as to the beginnings of her music career.
The Diary of Anne Frank and Related Readings, edited by Frances Goodrich, is Historical Non-Fiction. Hiding with the Van Pels family was the Frank family. Among the Frank family was Anne Frank, a young woman who, no matter what happens, is always so cheerful. The Frank family, along with the Van Pels family, goes into hiding in the Secret Annex. The Secret Annex is a very tight place. There are strict rules, and everyone has to obey them. Anne writes down her feelings and what goes around in the annex.
Persepolis 2 is a continuation of the story of Marjane Satrapi’s life during the Iran-Iraq war. Marjane has left Iran for her new life in Vienna; she’s miles from the war, but now she must fight to find a sense of belonging. She is safe outside of Iran, but Marjane misses her life at home. When she finally returns to Iran, she must confront the changes to her home. She’s happy to be reunited with her loved ones, but she must decide if she can have a future in Iran, where repression now governs.
Persepolis is a graphic novel about Marjane Satrapi’s childhood during the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq war. Her home country is anything but peaceful, but Marjane navigates growing up like any other child. Her simple, innocent commentary on the changes taking place in her country serve as a good reminder that power only remains with those to whom we give it. This graphic novel was mesmerizing as it minimalized the turbulence in Iran while maximizing the emotions of a young girl during the time.
