This week, some  war novels since it’s been a 100 years since the first world war ended.

The Diary of Anne Frank by Anne Frank, edited by Otto H. Frank and Mirjam Pressler

“In the long run, the sharpest weapon of all is a kind and gentle spirit.”

The Diary of Anne Frank was written in the attic where she, along with her family tried to escape the Nazis. Franks mentions all parts of her life — things she liked, things that annoyed her, and even the names of those who helped them hide. With all of her observations written down, this diary could have been extremely dangerous if it had gotten in the hands of a wrong person. Though she did not have much experience in the world outside of the attic, she tried to express herself as much as she could.  

Storm of Steel by Ernst Jünger

“When once it is no longer possible to understand how a man gives his life for his country–and the time will come–then all is over with that faith also, and the idea of the Fatherland is dead; and then, perhaps, we shall be envied, as we envy the saints their inward and irresistible strength.”

This is the story of Ernst Jünger, a strong, robust, and devoted German soldier who fought in the Great War. While all of Europe was facing combat and battles at all sides, he was in a battle of his own. His extreme self-awareness led him to fight an equally tough personal combat of his own.

As time goes on, Jünger goes on to defend his nation against their rivals – The Allies. Along with leading several raiding groups, he also made sure to defend their trenches and their shelter against the brutal Allies’ troops. He always had to fight, making sure that he would endure the pain. Throughout the war Ernst Jünger continued to scrutinize himself, always waiting for death in a manner that would haunt him in his dreams.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

“After that, we were like flies stuck in honey, alive but not really living.”

Herta Oberheuser is a young and determined doctor who sees an advertisement for a medical position in the government that would allow her to live the life she has always wanted. After getting the job, things aren’t the same anymore. She has started to realize that she is caught in the world of Nazi power and secrets.

Caroline Ferriday is a New York socialite working at the French consulate with too much work and too little time. When Hitler and his army invades Poland, things change. They only get worse after they set their sights on nearby France.

Kasia Kuzmerick is a Polish teenager working as a messenger for the clandestine resistance movement. She can feel her freedom leaving her alone as she continues to work more like a messenger. At a time in which everyone doubts each other, she needs to make sure to be safe. One wrong move and everything can fall apart for her.

What will happen when they all face each other? Kasia has been sent to a concentration camp for something that shouldn’t have happened, and they are all set to meet each other. America to France to Germany to Poland, they all connect to protect one another.