TATTOOIST OF AUSCHWITZ
Author: Heather Morris
Pages: 262
Publisher: HarperCollins
YOU might be wondering how a depressing and heart-wrenching book on concentrations camps and the extradition of the Jews ended up on my list of love stories fit for Valentine's Day. Actually, you'll find that this book celebrates the love of two people who found love in the midst of the most horrifying and darkest circumstances of life. What could be a better love story than this?
In 1942, Lale "Ludwig" Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew, was captured and imprisoned in the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Due to his linguistic talents, he was appointed the prison tattooist, tasked to permanently scar all his fellow prisoners with digits that mark their identities in camp.
The book chronicles his trials and tribulations, detailing his sacrifices and the risks he took for his friends in camp with his small privileges as the tattooist, before finally meeting the woman of his dreams when he inked the number 34902 on one Gita Furman.
Lao Tzu said: "Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage" and this true love story between Lale and Gita is a testament to this statement. Amidst the backdrop of a painful historical event, Lale and Gita demonstrated the power of love. And because of love, they survived the toughest human conditions.
They also showed that one of the simplest joys in life is the ability to love or be loved. It's fascinating to me how a man and woman can strive so hard to make a relationship work in a concentration camp while some people these days can't even make a relationship last for more than three months.
If you find yourself single this Valentine's Day and sulking over your lack of dates, reading this book will remind you that love can grow and take root anywhere. In addition, you'll also realise that you're still beyond blessed to have family and friends who love you.
More importantly, you have freedom. Who knows, just like the main couple, you might find your truest love during your lowest period and eventually find beauty in those ashes.
BRIDGE OF CLAY
Author: Markus Zuzak
Pages: 544
Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf (US), Transworld Publishers (UK), Picador (AUS)
I BORROWED The Book Thief by Markus Zuzak in the college library when I was about 20 and I can still remember just how much I loved the book. Although the movie based on the book was a disappointment, I still adore Zuzak as a writer. However, Zuzak admits to suffering from a writer's block and my next recommendation, The Bridge Of Clay is a product that took him 13 years to complete.
I have to admit, I had really high expectations for this one. Unfortunately, it didn't quite hit the mark for me as far as reaching the standards of The Book Thief. That said, it's still a fantastic book and is absolutely perfect if you're looking to celebrate the theme of love within the family.
In a nutshell, The Bridge Of Clay is about the five Dunbar brothers, Matthew, Rory, Henry, Clay and Tommy who'd been left by their father after their mother's death. Each of them had been affected by her death in their own ways but remained tightly bonded by the love of family.
Ultimately, the book is about the building of a bridge by Clay, literally and metaphorically, because through the bridge, Clay was able to connect his family back together again as they learnt to find forgiveness towards the father who had abandoned them.
I really enjoyed the way the writer wove the sibling dynamics and their respective imperfections, and later pull it all together to show that when everyone is united — despite differing personalities and roles — it's possible to make a family unit whole. I'm reminded of my family and how blessed I am to have them, so let's not forget our families this Valentine's day!
LOVE FOR IMPERFECT THINGS
Author: Haemin Sunim
Pages: 272 Pages
Publisher: Penguin Life
WHEN talking about love, most people forget the most important element – that of self-love. This might sound cliche but the title spoke to me the moment its cover flashed on my Instagram page, posted by my friend and owner of Litbooks bookstore.
At the time, I was going through one of those depressingly pessimistic cycles in life and I immediately ordered a copy as an attempt to drag myself out of the rut. It turned out to be a great buy because not only was the text enlightening, but it was also set against a backdrop of beautiful illustrations by award-winning illustrator, Lisk Feng.
Every page was infused with colours, triggering a sense of quiet peace and happiness. This book is perfect as a "collection" item; one that you can easily re-read when you find yourself feeling low, insecure and in need of motivation.
Love For Imperfect Things isn't a work of fiction; it's an easy-to-read self-help book that's divided into several segments — family, friends, self, etc. The author is a South Korean Buddhist monk who imparts his spiritual wisdom through his crisp and simple writing, helping us cultivate love and compassion, not just for others, but also to ourselves through acceptance and being able to identify beauty in imperfections.
I'm far from being a perfectionist but most of the time, I can be very critical of myself. From this book, I learnt how to cut myself some slack and also to accept others for who and what they are. When things are tough and you need a refresher on how amazing you are as a human being, do pick up a copy of this book and soak in the depth of Haemin Sunim's words.