Mennonite in a little black dress

Rhoda Janzen

Author Rhoda Janzen left her Mennonite upbringing when she left graduate school and for many years lived the secular life. When her husband leaves her for Bob, whom he met on a gay website, and then shortly after she is involved in a car accident, she makes the decision to go back home to her family to give herself time to heal.
Back in the fold, Janzen describes for us what life is like living the Mennonite way and tells us what her childhood was like. She talks about shameful foods and wounding words, and she does it in such a delightful, philosophical, and conversational way. There are definitely some laugh-out-loud moments despite the issues with her former husband. At the end of the book, Janzen gives a quick “Mennonite for Dummies” type overview which is also hilarious.
I loved this book. Author Rhoda Janzen has such a deadpan, dry style of wit – and her use of language – just beautiful. You could say that “Mennonite” is like chick lit for the literary.

(Reviewed by Jill)

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

Laura Hillenbrand

“Unbroken” chronicles the amazing life of American, Louis Zamperini. An Olympic competitor in the 1936 Berlin Games, Louis starts training for the Tokyo Olympics in 1940. However, when World War II breaks out in Europe, the Tokyo Games are cancelled. Drafted into the Army Air Corps, Louis is posted to an island in the Pacific. One day, whilst out on a search and rescue mission, Louis’s bomber ditches into the ocean, leaving Louis and two other crewmen adrift on a tiny raft in shark infested waters. After many weeks floating along on the current, starving, thirsty and constantly harassed by sharks, the survivors wind up in Japanese territory. Louis’s journey has only just begun.

“Unbroken” is the extraordinary true story of a juvenile delinquent turned Olympic runner turned War hero. A riveting read, it will appeal to a wide readership.

(Reviewed by Jill)