I'm trying...

I recently finished Tell the Wolves I'm Home by Carol Rifka Brunt.  I read this book because it was one of the Alex award winners and was a summer reading option for students.  I mentioned in a previous post that I don't like reading sad books...and yet here I am again, reading another sad book.  The main plot line revolved around a young girl whose uncle had died of AIDS and her relationship with another man who was in the process of dying from it.  I wouldn't say I enjoyed reading this book the way I enjoyed reading, say, Harry Potter, because it was emotionally taxing.  However, I found myself very invested in the characters and their stories.  My favorite part of this book was that there were multiple subplots happening beyond the main plot line.  One of these was about the relationship between the two sisters.  The story was told from the viewpoint of the younger sister, and since I am the older sister in my family, I liked hearing a different perspective.  The sisters in this book struggle but their love for one another comes through strongly, and I can relate to that.   The symbolism of the painting recurred throughout the book, tying it all together, which was especially effective for me as a reader.  I would definitely recommend this book, but it's certainly not for the faint of heart or for someone who wants a lighthearted read. 

I have moved on to Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand, and this is where the title of this blog comes in.  I have wanted to read this book for a long time, and while I am not usually a huge fan of non-fiction, I thought I would enjoy it.  And I'm trying.  And trying.  I'm 13 % of the way through it on my Kindle, and I'm having a hard time getting into it (and it's really, really long).  The writing is descriptive (maybe overly so at times), but there is so much historical context that for me, the storyline seems buried.  I'm making sure to carry on, though, because the book has gotten so many great reviews that I know there must be a reason for that! 

What do you think?  Would you prefer to read fiction or non-fiction?  Has anyone read either of these books?  I would love to know!