Things We Didn’t Say

"If you want to talk, I'm always only one stamp away." 

BOOK:  Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green

Thank you to UpLit Reads (@uplitreads on IG) for selecting me to participate in the campaign for this book, and for sending along a gifted copy.  It’s always so fun to get books in the mail that you didn’t have to pay for!  It’s also the easiest way to explain away a package at the door.  Oh this one??  Don’t worry, it was FREE!  Now if only I could say that about every box that shows up with my name on it.  I guess one good thing about being back at work is that I can have my packages sent there again. :) 

I haven’t read any HF in so long, but it is one of my favorite genres!  I guess other books just seem more pressing to me lately??  And HF books tend to be longer, and (embarrassing to admit) sometimes shorter books are more appealing when you have content to create!  Regardless, Things We Didn’t Say (TWDS) by Amy Lynn Green (ALG) was just what I needed to get me back to the historical fiction that I love so much.  First of all, the entire novel is told through letters between different characters, so it is page-turning and keeps you on your toes as you jump in and out of storylines.  Set in Minnesota during World War II, TWDS is the story of Johanna Berglund, who studies languages at the University of Minnesota.  Or, at least she used to.  When her scholarship is withheld because her skills are requested at a German POW camp in her small hometown, she begrudgingly obliges to return home to the work that awaits her--censoring prisoners’ letters and translating anything and everything that’s asked of her.  Johanna finds that she doesn’t quite mind the work, and she is even able to see the humanity in the prisoners--a sentiment that is at odds with seemingly everyone else in town, as they’re up in arms about housing foregin prisoners in the first place.  Johanna does wonder, however, if her dreams of attending Oxford as a linguist will ever come to fruition now that her life has taken this unexpected turn, and especially now that she’s been accused of treason.  Throughout the novel, most correspondence is between Johanna and her pseudo-boyfriend, Peter Ito, who also finds himself unexpectedly involved in war efforts.  Their letters, along with others, make up a riveting story that will have you asking what will happen or what happened to…? all the way to the end.  

I like that this story told about a part of WWII that you don’t often read about.  I had no idea that there were German POW camps in America.  Or maybe I learned it once upon a time and forgot.  I need a Hamilton musical, except make it WWII, then I’ll know everything.  I appreciated the courage and conviction Johanna showed throughout the novel; she was unequivocally herself, no matter what.  I could learn a thing or two from her, that’s for sure!  Admittedly, ALG doesn’t go to great lengths to describe the characters, but I think the letters speak for themselves and allow the reader to paint their own picture.  The subtle bits of humor sprinkled throughout were clever and lifted some of the heaviness off the subject matter and characters’ plights.  RATING:  4 out of 5 Stars 

So, I am hereby recommitting to historical fiction! Thanks, Amy Lynn Green, for bringing me back! Grab a copy of Things We Didn’t Say by shopping my HF Bookshop shelf!

LOOK: Skirt - Red Dress Boutique(old, but I linked a similar one that’s on Amazon!); Top - Revolve; Shoes - Target (you already know)

I really wanted to match the girl on the cover of this book, so I did my best to recreate her war-era look.  I don’t wear this skirt often because 1) Where am I going? and 2) I forget I have it.  However, it is very cute and will go well with pretty much any fitted top.  I’m wearing a t-shirt bodysuit from Revolve (on sale now!) because I think something that doesn’t come loose works best on me with a skirt.  An outfit like this is perfect for a warm spring day, family photos, or an Easter celebration.  Swap the loafer for a sandal when the warm weather is here to stay, but it’s currently going to snow in Chicago today so I’m not getting my hopes up for warmth anytime soon.  

Thanks so much for reading and following along!  I’d love to hear your new-ish historical fiction recommendations, so send ‘em my way!  Leave me a comment or send me a message on IG @thetrendyreader! 

Happy Reading!
-Amy-