I promised to do another post soon for my writer blog-readers about some of my favorite novels, and this is me fulfilling that promise. Insurrection, the first book I want to recommend, was written by my client Brandon Teskey. Brandon is an infantry officer and 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army National Guard. During his service in the Middle East, he developed a keen interest in history, particularly ancient warfare. He brings his military knowledge to the foreground in this fictional retelling of the story of the Maccabee Rebellion.

In 167 B.C., when Israel was occupied by Greece and Jews were killed for practicing their religion, one man and his grown sons refused to bend the knee to the pagan gods, knowing that their choice would probably cost them their lives. Instead, their courage inspired a nation-wide guerilla movement in revolt against the Greek tyrants—a movement that routed the invaders and freed the country.

The book is particularly timely in light of what is happening in Israel today. It provides a window into the history of a people who have struggled for freedom and survival, in the face of racial hatred, for centuries.

This was Brandon’s first historical novel (he’s working on a second), and it won him a literary agent in spite of the military topic being a hard-sell in the current marketplace. Needless to say, I’m very proud of his achievement.

The other two books I want to recommend weren’t written by my clients, but a writer’s craft improves by reading the work of masters, and both of these authors are in that category. I’m sure you’ll find something of value here if you like historical fiction. 

Both tales take place in Europe during World War II, and both feature heroic women. The characters are fictional, but real people during that era inspired these stories.

The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah, is a #1 New York Times bestseller and a Wall Street Journal Best Book of the Year, soon to come out as a motion picture. It’s a story about two sisters in France during the Nazi Occupation. With opposite personalities, they respond to the invasion in very different ways. The writing is so well done that you feel like you’re living the adventure right along with these sisters. You find yourself wondering what choices you yourself would have made if you had faced the challenges that befell them.

Don’t start the read late at night unless you’re okay with still sitting there at sunup. This is hands-down the best World War II book I ever read.

The War that Saved My Life, by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, has a surprising title, and the tale itself is just as fresh and surprising. Set in England during the time of the London bombings, it’s about two children sent away by train to the countryside, to be cared for (hopefully) by kind strangers until the danger passes. Historically, a great child exodus occurred when Hitler attacked England, with parents shipping their little ones off to an unknown future in hopes of saving their lives.

A Newberry Award Winner, this book was written as juvenile fiction, but I enjoyed it more than most of the adult fiction I’ve read. It also has a sequel, which is almost equally as mesmerizing.

I wish you happy holidays, and happy reading!

Jessi Rita Hoffman … book editing by an industry professional