Parallel Journeys

I saw Parallel Journeys by Eleanor Aver at my friend's house and borrowed it.  It is the true story of two young people who lived in Germany during WWII and the Holocaust--Helen Waterford, a Jew forced into hiding and then Auschwitz, and Alfons Heck, a fanatic member of the Hitler Youth.  The author uses Helen's and Alfons's real words and experiences, alternating throughout the book, to present a picture of the nightmare of this time period.

This was a very fascinating book.  I love books about the Holocaust because I want to acknowledge what happened and remember those who suffered, even if it's only by reading their stories.  It is unreal to think of all that Helen and the other Jews went through.  It was also very interesting to read Alfons's point of view and see what it was like to have been a teenager brainwashed by Hitler.  I found out in the end of the book that Helen and Alfons ended up meeting many years later in the US and began public speaking together on their experiences. This was a great read.

Rating: * * * (3/3 = Loved it)

The 5 Love Languages

I saw The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman on a shelf at my friend's house and decided to borrow it.  The love languages concept is something I've heard about a lot, but I had never read the book.  Gary Chapman, a marriage counselor, outlines in the book why marriages often do not last--that we don't speak each other's love languages.  He explains the 5 love languages (words of affirmation, quality time, receiving gifts, acts of service, physical touch) and how to strengthen your marriage.

This was a really enlightening book.  The author made a lot of really good points, and I totally believe what he shares.  A love language is basically how you feel love. So if you feel love from acts of service, but your spouse shows his love to you by giving words of affirmation, you won't feel as loved as you would have with acts of service.  The author explains that some people don't feel loved in their marriage, but if the spouse focuses on the correct love language, love returns.  It's simple yet totally makes sense.  I enjoyed the read and the personal experiences he shared and though it was a worthwhile book.

* * (2/3 = Liked it)