Salt to the Sea | 
“No one wanted to fall into the hands of the enemy. But it was growing harder to distinguish who the enemy was.”
#MiddleGradeMonday
@Karisimo @Read4life @megnews
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
I'm halfway through and I'm getting annoyed that the characters rarely refer to the others by their names. Instead they are the shoe poet (which is at least a nickname), the wandering boy, the nurse, the polish girl, the giantess. At least the knight/ the German didn't reveal his name to anyone in the group for some time so there's a reason to constantly call him by a label. But everyone knows everyone else's name for Pete's sake. 😖
Gonna be reading this on my iPad kindle app soon update: just read the first three chapters love it so far
pickThis was fantastic. I wasn‘t expecting the emotional punch of this one, but I think it‘s easily my favorite thus far of this author‘s works. It‘s technically YA historical fiction, but easily appealing to adult audiences as well. Highly recommend!
so-soI am sure many people like this book but for some reason, I am not into this book so I can only give it a soso 🙁😣
pickGoodness, what a well written and interesting book. It was something I was completely unaware of and have subsequently googled.
I'd like to read her others now.
Library book pick, took me a few chapters to get the gist of it and to remember the characters! Now I'm quite hooked!
pickI love this book!!! I had realized that Joana from this book is connected to Lina in Between the Shade of Gray. I love the writing style of the author. I rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars!!! #EasterOMC #AwesomeApril @Clwojick @LadyKatrina @Andrew65
🎶🎵On the fourth day of #12BooksOf2022 my book log gave to me…. My favorite book of April 2022!
@Andrew65
Easily, my April‘s #12BooksOf2022 is this one…while I read a few good books in April, this was by far my favorite. Sepetys has a wonderful writing style, and I had to keep reading about four strangers who are thrown together, leading them to the deadliest maritime disaster in WWII. This is a tissue read, but it‘s so good.
Absolutely loved this one! 💕💕💕
#FirstLineFridays
“Guilt is a hunter. My conscience mocked me, picking fights like a petulant child.”
pickWell-written fictionai retelling of a little~known German sea disaster at the end of WW2 when many were fleeing the Russian soldiers. Told through 4 characters who interacted. I learned new things.
I've started reading this World War 2 historical fiction that seems very compelling already. I found it at a local Little Free Library.
pickFinally got around to finishing this re-read for #literarycrew and it was just as good this time around maybe better as this time I opted for the audiobook version for about half the time. The voice actors were wonderful and the characters really came to life. I highly recommend this complicated and heartbreaking tragedy.
pickI had never heard of the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, one of the worst maritime disasters in history with far greater loss of life than the Titanic, until reading this book. Almost 9,000 people, mostly civilians, died when a Russian sub torpedoed the German vessel. This novel follows a group of young people each hiding dangerous secrets who hope to reach safety in Germany. Told in short alternating POV chapters and impossible to put down.
pickUn-put-downable historical fiction, about the evacuation of German citizens as the Russians invaded German-occupied East Prussia towards the end of World War II. Told from 4 points of view, in short alternating chapters. Rich character development, fascinating story line, and heart-wrenching, realistic details about the horrors encountered by the refugees trying to flee. ⬇️
13 books this month. Tagged book was my favorite.
Time for this month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion! There are so many points worth discussing in this novel, but I didn‘t want to flood everyone‘s feed with questions! You‘ll find 8 questions related to Salt to the Sea on the title‘s feed, my feed, and by searching the #LiteraryCrew hashtag.
Anything else you wish to discuss, comment below! Remember to use the spoiler tag if needed. Thanks for joining this month!
Kangaj1, Jerdencon, PurpleyPumpkin, megnews, CoverToCoverGirl, coffeewithbooks, Sargar114, jimfields3, CarolineLovesToRead, julieclair8. The Amber Room is also mentioned in this novel. Have you heard of it prior to reading this? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Older Smithsonian Magazine article about the Amber Room: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/a-brief-history-of-the-amber-room-1609401...
7. Describe Florian, Emilia, Joana, and Alfred. What makes them dynamic characters? What are their greatest strengths as people? What are their weaknesses? - from the Reading Discussion guide on the author‘s website #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
6. Explain the significance of the title, Salt to the Sea. Given the magnitude of the tragedy of the Wilhelm Gustloff, does it accurately describe the events and relationships portrayed in the novel? - from the Reading Discussion guide on the author‘s website #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
Article from The Smithsonian Magazine about the disaster found in the comments⬇️⬇️⬇️
5. Considering each of the main characters‘ perspectives, in what ways is this novel a story about things that have been lost? What does each character find along the way? - adapted from the Reading Discussion guide on the author‘s website #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
4. World War II was the first war in which civilians were as affected as soldiers. Considering what you learned from the novel, what were some of the ways in which civilians were most greatly affected? - adapted from the Reading Discussion guide on the author‘s website #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
3. Throughout the novel, many characters exhibit acts of bravery. Consider the individual actions of these characters. Who do you believe to be the most courageous, and why? - adapted from the Reading Discussion guide on the author‘s website #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
2. Salt to the Sea is told in multiple first-person narratives; how woks the story be different if only a single character were telling it? - from Reading Discussion Guide on the author‘s website #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
1. Ruta Sepetys has gained critical and reader acclaim for her YA historical fiction that highlights a dark aspect of history rarely discussed or even known to most readers. Have you read any of her books prior to this? If so, how does this month‘s book compare? #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
pickTold from the perspective of four young adults, this #historicalfiction novel chronicles the final days of WWII and the refugees fleeing the Russian advance. It‘s spellbinding, horrific, and deeply emotional. Sepetys has a way with words and the hook that keeps you reading. I loved this one. #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead
#TeenAngst #BBRC
#19822022 #2016
How is it the end of April already?!?!?!
Reminder that the #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead discussion for this title will be on April 30th! Judging from posts, it looks like most of us have completed the book (I‘m hoping to by the 30th!), so I‘m anticipating a great discussion!
Kangaj1, Jerdencon, PurpleyPumpkin, megnews, CoverToCoverGirl, coffeewithbooks, Sargar114, jimfields3, CarolineLovesToRead, julieclair
pickI'm not usually a fan of YA books. I usually find them too focused on unhealthy relationships. This was my first Ruta Sepetys novel & I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the short chapters which were perfect for my short attention span. Also, I knew nothing about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff. It was informative & the characters were captivating. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
I can empathize with Florian‘s reaction to Alfred the Great-in-his-own-mind. Can‘t wait to discuss this character with #LiteraryCrew.
bailedI tried this in print a year or so ago and I bailed early on. This time I tried on audio and made it halfway, but this is just not for me. #LiteraryCrew @LibraryBelle
pickBook 40
So many books have been written about WWII, but the scope of their content could be much broader. Salt to the Sea is about Polish, Prussian, Lithuanian, and German refugees trying to escape by boat. It's told from the perspective of four characters with disproportionate depth and storylines.
I am beyond excited to say next month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. I‘ve tagged those who have indicated interest in joining next month…if you are not tagged and would like me to tag you for next month‘s posts, comment below!
I‘ll post periodic checkins throughout the month and post discussion questions at the end of the month. All are welcome!
Visit @Librarybelle to join
I am beyond excited to say next month‘s #LiteraryCrew #BuddyRead is Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys. I‘ve tagged those who have indicated interest in joining next month…if you are not tagged and would like me to tag you for next month‘s posts, comment below!
I‘ll post periodic checkins throughout the month and post discussion questions at the end of the month. All are welcome!
Awesome! Told through the perspective of four different people with varying backgrounds in WW2. Its SO good and is historical fiction of a real event that caused more tragedy than the titanic.
Announcing the April - June selections for #LiteraryCrew .
If you would like me to tag you for any or all of the titles listed, let me know! We‘re a low key #BuddyRead group - read at your own pace throughout the month, with discussion questions on the last day of the month. I post periodic check ins during the month. Books tagged in comments for more information.
Repost for @Librarybelle
pickI am so glad that I finally read this with the #roll100 challenge. It‘s hard to believe that the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff and its 9000 lives lost is not better known. Sepetys tells this story from four main characters‘ points of view that brings humanity to this horrible tragedy. The additional material at the end of the book including interviews with survivors and divers who have explored the wreckage was gripping as well.
pickThis was a new point of view of WWII historical fiction for me. I am getting to really love this author. I‘ve been meaning to get to this for years, and I‘m glad I finally did. My favorite character was The Shoe Poet, an older shoemaker who could tell you your life story and maybe your fortune by your shoes and the way you walked. So many great characters though.
