Many people enjoy reading books set in historical time periods that feature the author’s characterization and fictionalization of people from those eras. I am one of those people and have read several in the past year. Here are a few that I recommend.

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Kelly uses the lives of 3 young women in Germany during World War II to vividly portray the lives of resistance women, a Nazi physician, and an American relief worker and how their lives overlap. Available from Overdrive and Axis 360.

Resistance Women by Jennifer Chiaverini

Resistance Women covers the time period before World War II through the end of the war and details the lives of those who resisted against and worked to sabotage the Nazi government in Germany from inside the country. An eye-opening look at the lives of daring and dedicated opponents to Hitler’s regime. Also available from hoopla.

The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

The actress Heddy Lamarr began her acting career in pre-World War II Austria and was actually married to a man who worked with Hitler.  This disastrous marriage helped precipitate her immigration to the United States where in addition to her film career in Hollywood, she contributed as an inventor of technology which helped to end the war. This title is also available on Overdrive, Axis 360, and hoopla.

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

Shattuck relates the story of women married to resistance fighters in World War II who lost their lives after the failed assassination attempt on Hitler in 1944. Several of the widows unite in an abandoned castle to care for each other and continue the work begun by their husbands. Available on Overdrive, Axis 360, and hoopla.

– Becky, Reference Assistant