The Battle of Stalingrad

Stalingrad was the first Antony Beevor book I bought, in Gothenburg 2002 as I duly noted on the first page, since then I have bought most of Beevor's books on the Second World War, which I now have unread in my bookshelf. It took me ten years to get to Stalingrad but now I have finally arrived.
The book is filled with detailed reconstructions of what happened during the prolonged battle, but what Beevor succeeds with the best is to balance the information from both the Germans and the Russians.
There are some parts where I think Beevor's conclusions are too widely drawn especially concerning the feelings of the people involved. However, for the most part this is a good book rich in details and facts.
Josefine

Title: Stalingrad Author: Antony Beevor ISBN: 978-91-89442-36-9

Hooked on ONE author

I often get hooked on one writer. I read one of their books, love it and I just HAVE to read everything else they’ve ever written. So, off I go to the library, check out the book and sit down in my favourite chair to be entertained. However, entertained isn’t always the case. Often when I read an author’s different books to close to each other, I get disappointed. It is probably not the book in itself; it is just me being tired of their way of writing. My solution: a system, where I write down all the books and authors I want to read, and save them for later. The list is long of writers and books I want to read, some of them are Alexander McCall-Smith, Stephen King, Philippa Gregory, Antony Beevor and the list goes on….
The Swedish author Kajsa Ingemarsson is one of the many writers I have on my list. After reading one of her books, I wanted to throw myself into all her other books, But I stopped myself and waited. It took me a couple of months before I picked up her next book and it was as good as the first one. Now I have to wait another couple of weeks (at least) before I pick up her third book.

To read one writer or one genre is good in a way, you feel safe and know what you get. But there is also the feeling of reading the same book over and over again. I think it is important to every now and then, take a chance and throw yourself into the unknown. Pick up an author or genre you haven’t read before. (I know I have used those same words, not long ago, but I really believe it) Explore the unknown, or simply do like my sister, join a book club and see what new books they will send you each month.
Josefine

My recommendations: Small yellow lemons by Kajsa Ingemarsson