A "good"book

I read a book last night that has been on my mind all day. Some people say I read books that are depressing. I wonder sometimes why I am drawn to these books. I still have not finished Twilight... I thought maybe I lost my interest to read. I just hadn't found the right book because I have read several since then. The one last night I read in 2 hours and then I cried--nothing like a feel good book huh?
I came to the conclusion that I read historical fiction not only to learn more about the past, but to connect with these people. Church history and the Holocaust are some that I search out. It is amazing how many different perspectives can come from one event.
Last week I read "The Girl in the Green Sweater" and was amazed by a little girl and her family that survived by hiding from the Nazi's in the sewer for over a year. I wonder while I am reading how I would handle a situation like this. Would I be positive like some or go insane like others?
Last night's book, "I Will Plant You a Lilac Tree" was particularly moving to me. It was a true story of a women who survived in 8 different concentration camps. She was sent to Aushwitz and was ready to accept her fate, when she was miracuously put on the infamous Shindlers list that transported her to a safer camp until freedom came.
I am horrified by the things that she had to witness and experience. Yet, amazed at the strength and faith that she possessed to make it through. She even fell in love and later married a man she met in the camps. I think it hits me the most as a mother when she writes of the children hugging their teddy bears and dolls as they are led away from their mothers, towards the "showers". My heart just breaks for those mothers. I read these books and although I feel saddened for these people, I feel so incredibly grateful that I am here and now. I feel blessed that my children are safe and warm and they know nothing but freedom. It makes me hug my children a little bit longer and think about my blessings a little bit more.