Book cover of Eastern Sun, Winter Moon: An Autobiographical Odyssey

Book description

This work describes the author's experiences as a child during World War II. Along with his mother, who is alternatively protective and selfishly neglectful, Paulsen travelled to the Philippines to live with his father, a distant and imperious army officer.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Eastern Sun, Winter Moon as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Gary Paulsen is best known for his novels for young people, such as the popular Hatchet, but this R-rated memoir is aimed at an adult audience. Of my five recommendations, this one is far and away the most representative of the miseries of a dysfunctional childhood. Paulsen’s parents were both alcoholics, and his mother had affairs that she could have done a much better job of hiding from her young son. Somehow, despite the trauma (or maybe because of it), Paulsen emerged as a successful and extraordinarily prolific writer. For those of us with wonderful childhood memories, this book…

If you love Eastern Sun, Winter Moon...

Book cover of Bubble Sheet Blues

Bubble Sheet Blues by William Durbin,

“It’s going to be a good year for readers if William Durbin’s funny and timely new novel is an example of what’s to come.” Book Editor, St. Paul Pioneer Press

Luke Collins, an eighth grader who’s previously been a slacker in school, becomes engaged when an English assignment leads him…

Want books like Eastern Sun, Winter Moon?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 100 books like Eastern Sun, Winter Moon.

Browse books like Eastern Sun, Winter Moon

Book cover of The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid
Book cover of An American Childhood
Book cover of Morningstar: Growing Up with Books

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

170

readers submitted
so far, will you?