He’s a normal Italian teenager-obsessed with music, food, and girls-but his days of innocence are numbered. Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis. You will get some context that adds to the story.ĭescription: Based on the true story of a forgotten hero, Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man’s incredible courage and resilience during one of history’s darkest hours. This a great book to read/listen to before you read “The Nightingale”. Lev Beniov considers himself “built for deprivation.” He’s small, smart, and insecure, a Jewish virgin too young for the army, who spends his nights working as a volunteer firefighter with friends from his building.īy Mark Sullivan - Ratings: Goodreads 4.42, Audible 4.7Īn insdie look at life in Italy during the war and how people risked their lives to save Jews from the wrath of the Nazis. The result is the captivating odyssey of two young men trying to survive against desperate odds. His grandmother won’t talk about it, but his grandfather reluctantly consents. Narrator Ron Pearlman really grew on me as the story unfold.ĭescription: A writer visits his retired grandparents in Florida to document their experience during the infamous siege of Leningrad. Without food or money or hope, as danger escalates around her, she must make one terrible choice after another.īy David Benioff - Ratings:Goodreads 4.29, Audible 4.6Īlmost a buddy comedy, but really a hard look at the realities of life during the siege of Stalingrad (Leningrad) ends up being a sweet and sad story.

When France is overrun, Vianne is forced to take an enemy into her house, and suddenly her every move is watched her life and her child’s life is at constant risk. She doesn’t believe that the Nazis will invade France…but invade they do, in droves of marching soldiers, in caravans of trucks and tanks, in planes that fill the skies and drop bombs upon the innocent. In the quiet village of Carriveau, Vianne Mauriac says goodbye to her husband, Antoine, as he heads for the Front. One of the best books I’ve ever read or listened to.ĭescription: France, 1939. The story is fantastic, the narration is top notch, and it is an emotional story that really hits you without being overly manipulative. This is one of my all time favorite books. I’ve read a bunch, and here are my favorites in order of perference:īy Kristin Hannah - Ratings: Goddreads 4.56, Audbile 4.8 There’s so many books out now that are set during World War II, but are not about the battles.

A Pledge of Silence by Flora J. Solomon