The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

 Heather Morris brings us a true love story set in one of the most horrific times in the world's memorable history.  Morris interviews a Holocaust survivor, Lale Sokolov, near the end of his life.  Lale wants his story remembered and learned from. 

Lale is placed in the concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, in 1942.  He speaks many languages, which promotes him to the position of tattooist.  He will be the one who uses permanent ink to number Hitler's prisoners in the camp.  

A new prisoner named Gita, puts her arm in front of Lale at the table the prisoners are herded to for labeling.   He immediately wants to know the fearful woman in front of him.  

With his limited extra privileges, he finds what "block" she's assigned and sneaks a treat to the guard in order to meet Gita.  

A deep love develops between the two.  Gita doesn't reveal her last name or details of her life, yet Lale knows he needs her love as she does his to survive the dark hell of the camp and beyond.  

Taking many risks, Lale uses his position to gather jewels and money from the deceased in trade for food for his fellow prisoners.  

It's not hard to find black moments in the tale from WWII, but it is difficult to imagine Lale and Gita surviving and finding each other after the official release of barely alive prisoners at the end of the war.  The strength of love has amazing results.

Happy reading,

Dawn  

The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

 When a chance for retribution is handed to you, will you take it?

Sage Singer prefers a solitary life, few friends, male or female, but rather the intricacies of creating and renewing old recipes in the dark of the night at the local bakery.

Josef Weber plays an important humanitarian in the local village.  His ninety-plus age doesn't keep him from being active with the community. He meets Sage at the bakery, and each have an unusual interest in one another.   

It's after Joseph requests Sage's help in a risky plan, that Sage takes her concern to the Justice Department.  Leo Stein responds to  her call.

Leo has a solitary job, too, and the urgency of the familiar story Sage brings to him takes a few discussions to sink in as the real thing.

Before Leo and Sage acknowledge their chemistry, a decades old mystery from WWII must be unraveled to allow their hearts and minds to accept changes in the present.

The parallel story of Sage's grandmother can bring you to tears and an understanding for the need for revenge.  Sage isn't sure it's her duty to mess with a plan bordering on illegal.  Josef doesn't consider if he deserves a relief of his former life.  Leo wants to legally charge the wrongdoer, and then have the chance to get closer to Sage.  

It's up to Sage on what will happen in the end, and that's a huge order.

Deeply riveting and loaded with emotions that will melt you into the pages.

Happy reading,

Dawn