Books and Jams Readalong discussion

My edition of this book is just short of 400 pages, so I'm dividing up the discussion folders into 4 with about 100 pages each.

What are your thoughts as we get into this book? How are you liking the narrative nonfiction style? Is it easier to get into than other nonfiction you've read? What about the start of Louie Zamporini's story...how are you feeling about it so far?

I finished this section of the book just two hours ago.
I am enjoying the book so far. I would have preffered less detail on the war machinery and air battles but that is what the beginning of the book is about therefore I knew what I was getting into.
I really liked the writing style, even details about war machinery was easy to follow and I especially liked the chapters about Louie's life before the war period. It was written so well it did not read like non-fiction style at all.
The author's extensive research and her style of putting into the story is especially impressive.
I am really wondering what would happen next and how he would survive.

I just finished this first section. I am finding the writing style to be a bit simple, but very easy to get caught up in. I agree with you, Berna, the chapters that were all about the B-24s or whatever they were, seemed a bit long and drawn out with excess details. I found myself skimming just a little bit. Still harrowing though as we know Louie is going to end up in the water. I found it sad how many men died not even in battles. The equipment was so unstable. It's crazy. Chapter 9 was pretty intense and I have a feeling it's just about to get even more so. I'm eager to continue.

I'm about a quarter of the way through. I found the details about what the men went through in training very interesting. There is a feeling of looming tragedy! Seems appropriate to be reading this on Remembrance Day. #We will remember them.

I'm listening to Unbroken on audio. It is much more interesting than I was anticipating, especially all his youthful antics. I laughed out loud several times! I also zone out the technical information, but I know some people love all that. I met a lady today who was also aiming to go to the 1940 Olympics. What a small world!

I'm also listening to the audio, and the narrator is Edward Hermann. I've listened to several books that he did, and he just had *the BEST* voice! He really brought stories to life for me.

I was enjoying it so much, I breezed right past Chapter 10 without realizing it. :) I won't comment much on the content so I won't inadvertently spoil anything if I get something from the wrong chapter.

I will say, that I agree with you all who said that you're enjoying the early part of Louie's life. I loved hearing that he was such a little criminal in his youth...although none of it seemed to be done with malice. I think he was just bored!

I found that very interesting, because I have a family member who was an Olympian and he had similar traits as Louie. Watching him grow up showed me that very driven people sometimes have rough starts if they don't find their passions at an exceptionally early age.

Louie would probably have been diagnosed with ADHD and medicated these days, as my nephew was. He was about 10 when he discovered his sport and never took another pill. (Not knocking medication...I also have adult ADHD and take meds every day for it.)

I just find the whole thing fascinating!

Yikes! I'm falling way behind. Just having a hard time focusing with the upcoming holidays and my job being a little crazy right now. I may need to throw in some light fiction and pick Unbroken up again later. I know I want finish in November in any case. I do like the book, just maybe not the right time.

Terri wrote: "Yikes! I'm falling way behind. Just having a hard time focusing with the upcoming holidays and my job being a little crazy right now. I may need to throw in some light fiction and pick Unbroken up ..."

I found bits of the beginning a bit slow, but after a while I became so captivated with Louie's story. Hope you get to that point soon!