the censorship policies of the Third Reich to emphasize the power of words. Young Liesel steals books from anywhere she can and learns how to read from her foster father. Throw in an accordion, a Jewish boxer hidden in the basement, and narration by Death itself, and you have all the ingredients for a story that will leave you speechless. ‘Hotel at the Corner of Bitter and Sweet’ by Jamie Ford There might not have been any battles on the mainland U.S. during WWII, but it impacted American society in unprecedented ways. Set in Seattle — and flashing between the 1940s and the 1980s — this story is about Henry Lee, a young Chinese-American boy who forms a close friendship with Keiko Okabe, a Japanese-American girl, before she and her family are be a huge benefit. Here are a few suggestions to help you stay active in retirement. Enjoy Your Hobbies Did you spend years dreaming about hitting the golf course every day? While it can be nice to spend some time alone on the green, consider joining a golfers club if you want to mix things up. Enjoy scrapbooking? Check for get- togethers at the craft shop. If you’ve always wanted to try pottery, look for a class at the rec center. It’s easy to find groups dedicated to just about any activity. Get Involved Think of the causes you’re passionate about and get involved! Animal shelters and soup kitchens are always looking for volunteer help. Book lovers of all ages can join their local Friends of Libraries chapter. To make a difference through politics, help with fundraisers or join an active
campaign. If you want to stay closer to home, check out your local homeowners association. There are plenty of ways to engage with like-minded people while
making a difference. Try Something New
taken to an internment camp. This is a story about overcoming prejudices and ending cycles of trauma, and it is one that readers may find timeless. ‘All the Light We Cannot See’ by Anthony Doerr Multilayered and expertly written, yet still accessible to the average reader, “All the Light We Cannot See” is a deeply human story of two children on opposite sides of the conflict. One is the blind daughter of a Parisian locksmith, and the other is a prodigious German soldier who has a knack for fixing and operating radios. As dissimilar as they may be, they are brought together by the war in ways that will lead you to dwell on Doerr’s words for weeks after you’ve finished. Don’t know where to start when looking for a group to join? Start online! Try searching “groups for retirees” and see what comes up. You might discover a travel group and start planning your trip to Asia. Or maybe you’ll have more fun mentoring young people in your professional field. Don’t be afraid to spend your retirement doing something new! There’s nothing wrong with enjoying your alone time, but don’t let your alone time turn into a lonely retirement. Joining a group can help you broaden your social circle, stay active, and maybe even learn something new about yourself.
While it’s great not having your nose to the grindstone nine-to-five, leaving work also means leaving behind a lot of daily activities and social interaction. Eventually, having nothing but free time goes from relaxing to isolating, and that can be dangerous to your physical and mental health. When planning for retirement, it’s important to plan ways to stay active and engaged. Joining a new organization or club can
Powerful Stories From World War II
World War II was one of the most influential conflicts in human history. Historians and scholars have gone to great lengths to preserve a record of the seemingly infinite number of significant events for future generations. Likewise, great fiction writers have drawn on events from WWII to create stories with themes that transcend generations. There are countless novels that take place during the tumultuous time period, but some stand out from among the rest. Here are some of the best WWII historical fiction novels from recent years. ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak While often touted as a novel for young adults, you shouldn’t let this book’s location in the bookstore fool you. Centered on burgeoning bibliophile Liesel Meminger during her childhood in Nazi Germany, this book leverages
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