Books from the Backlog #1


Books From the Backlog is hosted by Carole's Random Life in Books and is a way to feature 
some of those neglected, unread books sitting on our bookshelves. 

As I mentioned in yesterday's WWW Wednesday post, I've been feeling particularly uninspired when it comes to posting. Visiting other blogs? I'm on it. Commenting? Yep, I'm there for that, too. But here at home base? Yeah, not feeling it so much. So in my search for enlightenment inspiration, I remembered Carole's Books from the Backlog feature and decided to take part. And now for the deep dive into the recesses of my bookshelves...

The Diplomat's Wife (The Kommandant's Girl #2)
Pam Jenoff
Published: May 1, 2008
Average Goodreads rating: 3.93

Synopsis: How have I been lucky enough to come here, to be alive, when so many others are not? I should have died.… But I am here.

1945. Surviving the brutality of a Nazi prison camp, Marta Nederman is lucky to have escaped with her life. Recovering from the horror, she meets Paul, an American soldier who gives her hope of a happier future. But their plans to meet in London are dashed when Paul's plane crashes.

Devastated and pregnant, Marta marries Simon, a caring British diplomat, and glimpses the joy that home and family can bring. But her happiness is threatened when she learns of a Communist spy in British intelligence, and that the one person who can expose the traitor is connected to her past.

Why I Added This Book to My Shelves
I read The Kommandant's Girl by Jenoff back in 2013 and it was such a moving story. Another spotlight on the roles some women played during WW II, the harrowing circumstances they endured, and the bravery they showed. The Diplomat's Wife isn't a sequel but more a companion novel in the series. 

I tend to enjoy historical fiction, particularly the WW II-era setting. But it's not something I pick up on a whim; it's very much a genre I have to be in the mood for. 

How about you? Have you read this book? 
If you read historical fiction, what time period/setting do you prefer?

42 comments

  1. welcome to the party. i love this feature and finding new books. happy reading
    sherry @ fundinmental

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sherry! Carole really created a great feature. :)

      Delete
  2. I'm going to have to join in this just to remind myself of what I have on the shelf and possibly motivate me into reading them.

    I haven't heard of this one and there's no way I could read it now. I need all the light and fluffy lol

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same here, Karen. I'm listening to my second Emma Chase rom-com in a row. Bring on the light and fluffy!

      Delete
  3. Replies
    1. LOL Pretty much! It's definitely not one I'll be starting soon. Now is so not the time.

      Delete
  4. That's a great idea to share books on your shelf that you haven't read yet! And I don't believe I've read a book surrounding the WW II-era setting, but I hope you enjoy this story!
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Jen! It's a great feature so I'm glad Carole came up with it. :) I really like WW II-era fiction but they sure can be tough reads sometimes.

      Delete
  5. Yeah! I love that you are joining us in trying to get through those backlist books. I have not read this book, but it sounds like the author did a good job before, and is worth trying again.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Sam! I don't know why it never occurred to me to join in before today. :) I'm definitely interested in reading this one by Jenoff but I think I'm going to have to hold off until I'm better prepared for something so grim/emotionally taxing.

      Delete
  6. I've not read the books myself, but I've heard wonderful things about the author!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fingers crossed I enjoy this one as much as the first one.

      Delete
  7. I totally get what you're saying about historical fiction. It's something I have to be in the mood for, too. This one does sound good, though!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hopefully I'll get to it sooner rather than later. :)

      Delete
  8. Thanks for joining in this week, Tanya! I do like to read WWII fiction but I have to be in the mood for it. This sounds like a promising story. I do hope you enjoy it when you decide to pick it up.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I know exactly what you mean about not being motivated to get to review books or special posts, etc. Glad you joined the 'Backlog' crew. I've actually been reading more books from my shelf since joining in. I do get what you mean about some books needing to wait for the right mood.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I can definitely use the motivation to read from my shelves! :)

      Delete
  10. I hear you on blogging! I've liked Carole's feature for some time and I did my first one last week. A fun way to do something other than just the same old reviews I post, lol.

    I like stories set in post-WWII era as well. There's a series called Verity Kent by Anna Lee Huber that I just love! The audios are fantastic. This sounds like it has real potential, especially if you read and enjoyed the previous companion novel. It sounds like it could put you through the emotional ringer, too. I have to prepare for those! I'm going to check out the first in the series.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I haven't read this book, but I'm always up for WWII historical fiction!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I definitely agree that these women from WWII need to be showcased more. I hope this is a fabulous read. I definitely need to read more of these historical's.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love a good historical but it's definitely something I have to be in the mood for.

      Delete
  13. I’ve been the same way lately when it comes to reading. There’s so much going on around us and at home. I haven’t heard of this series but it definitely sounds really good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally get that, Jenea. With so much going on there's only so much we can keep up with.

      Delete
  14. I don't know these books. I do gravitate toward WWII era stories though when it comes to historical fiction.

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know why, but it's my favorite era when I reach for historical.

      Delete
  15. This sounds like a really good series! I just added the first one to my TBR.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I hear you on blogging, I am feeling a bit like that as well. This is a great meme. Thanks for sharing this book!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I've been so laser focused on catching up on my ARCs that I've neglected other books I want to read. Books I've been looking forward to, or that were recommended to me by friends. First it was the move, then the virus, and now it's just me being too tired to commit to anything extra. I feel you. Once my son's homework is done, dishes and housework are tended to, and I've been outside with the kids and dogs... I'm wiped. I try to make time to hop around and visit other blogs, but I barely have time to post the reviews I need to. I'm trying not to overwhelm myself, which is why I haven't been requesting or accepting new books.

    I'm not sure if your choice would be a good fit for me, but I hope you enjoy it!! Maybe things will go back to normal soon. :)

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear? 💬

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's hard to stay on top of it all. And honestly, not really possible for me. I can keep a couple things going but not everything - so something is always going to suffer. *sigh* But I refuse to stress myself out over reading/blogging so I try to just roll with it. :)

      Delete
  18. I'm struggling with all of it at the moment! I'm feeling de-motivated/uninspired with blog posts and I'm struggling to keep up with visits and comments... I feel a blog break coming on so I can catch up and re-set!
    I've come across this feature a few times but haven't taken part. I like it! Backlist books are becoming more of a "thing" for me than upcoming releases.

    Hope you enjoy your read!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sounds like a blog break is just what you need, Nicci. No posts, no visiting, no commenting... just stay away for a bit and recharge.

      Delete
  19. I haven't read this book yet but I've heard good things. I loved her most recent book, which was my first time reading anything from her, so I definitely plan to go back and read her older books at some point.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've fallen behind on Jenoff's newer releases so I need to check those out, too.

      Delete
  20. I haven't read this one, but it's one I think I would really like. I've read something by Jenoff before and really enjoyed it. I like historical fiction set around this time period too. I hope you enjoy this one when you do get to it! I hope you have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've only read one other book from Jenoff but I really enjoyed her story telling.

      Delete
  21. This sounds interesting. Honestly, I tend to avoid books with a WW2 setting. I'm not sure why, maybe it's because I was fed up of studying at school and my subconscious tries to steer me clear? I always tend to enjoy them when I do read though. I feel like I need to check out the first book as this does sound good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! Maybe you got your fill of the era in school, Becky. :) I don't read loads of historical fiction but sometimes it really hits the spot.

      Delete