The Best Book I've Read This Century...

[Paul Levine]

“Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, the author of “Seabiscuit.”

An absolutely shattering read, “Unbroken” kept me up all night. It's the true story of Olympic track star Louie Zamperini, a bombardier on a B-24 in World War II. He was shot down over the Pacific, floated at sea for more than 40 days with no provisions, imprisoned for more than two years and tortured by a sadistic Japanese war criminal. It’s a breathtaking and awe-inspiring story of courage, strength, and survival.

Before I go on...what’s your favorite book, fiction or non-fiction, since 2000?

Back to “Unbroken.” I admit my family history attunes me to the story of Lt. Louis Zamperini. My father, Lt. Stanley Levine, was the radar officer on a B-29 shot down over the Sea of Japan in 1945. The crewmen were captured and about to be beheaded, but were saved by an English-speaking Japanese military policeman who had been educated in New Hampshire before the war. I’ve written about my father’s travails in The Miami Herald in a story called “Hiroshima, Personally.” But my father’s crew suffered virtually none of the hardships Zamperini endured. Starvation, constant beatings, forced labor, degrading torture. I really cannot remember reading anything quite like it.

So that’s me. What’s your favorite book published this century?

Paul Levine

[rhadin]

The best ebooks I've read since 2000 are Shayne Parkinson's Promises to Keep quartet, which begins with Sentence of Marriage. I reviewed the books after reading them at my blog here and here.

[DixieGal]

Rich Dad, Poor Dad

It taught me a different way to think about money. I was raised middle class, where it was impolite to talk about money. I am still middle class, but learned that money is a tool to reach a goal and should not be a goal in itself. I recommend it to everyone to read. Should be assigned reading before a marriage license is issued.

[Namekuseijin]

So the best book you read this century is about an event from early last century?

Can't tell mine, only now that I got a smartphone I got into literature again -- free time on the bus -- and I began my search for the lost time with classics centuries past. The only two books from this century I've read are both available online as free downloads:

After Life, by Simon Funk quite average amateurish writing, but bearing awesomely vivid imagination. Mind boggles and I recommend it.

Accelerando, by Charlie Stross Barroque hi-octane language full of tech jargon. Still to finish it, but a recommended read.

both about the rise of a supposed technological singularity.

[DiapDealer]

I don't want to short-change anybody, so I'll get back to you in 2100.

[TenaciousBadger]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I don't want to short-change anybody, so I'll get back to you in 2100.

what he said!

[egtalbot]

Best book I've read this century came out in 1989 or so - The Eight by Katherine Neville. My favorite book in my favorite genre (thriller).

It may have been this century when I read The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo, which is in the running as well. Ironically enough, both books have most of their action in North Africa, an interesting (at least to me) coincidence.

[DArenson]

Hmm.... best book I've read this century? Probably the Harry Potter novels. I also loved The Road, and the Dark Tower series by Stephen King.

[Paul Levine]

Some great choices here, folks. Thanks.

Louie Zamperini, hero of "Unbroken," will be interviewed tomorrow (Thursday) morning at 7:30 a.m. on KFI radio Los Angeles.

I believe it will be on the website live. http://www.kfiam640.com

[AndrewH]

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke and Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay.

[Kiwimick]

Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose and Rifles by Mark Urban