What have you been reading this summer besides Austen?

[[deleted user]]

What have you been reading this summer besides Austen? I have been reading some English history and have also discovered author Lucinda Brant who writes Georgian historical novels.

[Tilly]

I have been reading the BEST Regency romance series - The Six Sisters by M. C. Beaton. Admittedly they are chick-lit and I managed to read one day practically, but they are so sweet and honestly made me laugh out loud! I also read Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict which was an impulse buy - I found it for really cheap and couldn't resist - and that was really funny too! Other than that, mostly other historical novels!
I've never heard of Lucinda Brant but I shall definitely look into her as I just love historical novels so would certainly be interested in reading some of her books!

[Sophie]

Ohhhh the regency romances were good then!!??

[Rachel, The Honorable Miss Moderator]

I make an effort to keep my reading wide-ranging, with non-fiction, historical novels, romance novels, YA and classics all in the mix. This summer has been the same. My biggest read has been the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy. Wasn't sure about the sexual content at first but I'm starting the last book in the trilogy soon. In terms of the romance apart from the sexual scenes, they are wonderful books--better than you've probably heard. If you're adult age, give them a try!

[Sophie]

I wasn't sure. They seemed to... I don't know, maybe just not my thing!

[Jessica]

Nice, I'm also reading Les Miserables. Not far into it yet (I find it hard to get into), but I want to have it done before I see the movie.

[Stephanie]

I also want to read Les Miserables and Anna Karenina before the movies come out. Also noticed there is a new Wuthering Heights moving coming out in October or November.

[Melissa]

I have been reading Scarlett and finished The Gilded Chamber: A Novel of Queen Esther yesterday. I started "Scarlett" after visiting a "Gone With the Wind" museum this summer. "The Gilded Chamber" is a work of historical fiction based on the account of Esther found in the Bible. I am loving "Scarlett" and found the book about Esther quite fascinating. I am eager to study her story more thoroughly!

[Sophie]

The Amanda Grange Diary series (JA novels from the heroes POV) Cotillion by Georgette Heyer and loving it and going to read Miss Delacourt Speaks her Mind ASAP!!

[Louise Sparrow]

Cotillion is one of my favourite books :D

I've been experimenting with some modern romances, they're good but I don't think you can beat the romance of Austen... and Heyer too.

[Nicole D.]

Some Heyer,The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa,and rereading Amanda Grange's hero diaries.

[Sophie]

Louise, which other Heyer's would you recommend? (also which would you recommend for romance?) cotillion was my first Heyer but I am so reading more!!

[Malia]

Tilly wrote: "I have been reading the BEST Regency romance series -
The Six Sisters
by M. C. Beaton. Admittedly they are chick-lit and I managed to read one day practically, but they are so sweet and honestl..."

I love Marion Chesney, have you also read her Agatha Raisin mysteries?

[Gini]

Soph, I highly recommend The Grand Sophy, and Arabella, which I just finished reading. I was literally giggling aloud in the last 50 pages of Arabella.

My summer reading has been appallingly thin, as I have been focused on cycling this summer and so been away from books. But there will be more Heyer!

[Sophie]

Those are to I want to read! Have they both some romance in?

[Mimi]

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. I've read it twice this summer. If you haven't read it - do it now!

[Gini]

Soph, definitely romances. And much fun.

[Sophie]

Thank you! I think Arabella will be next :) any other recommendations for Heyer's?

[Malia]

If you like a bit of mystery with your romance, try Tasha Alexander's books, they're really good and entertaining.

[Sophie]

Oh thanks :)

[Gini]

Soph, I am still working my way through Heyer, trying to find them at the used bookstore because they are such quick reads, but ones that I can see myself rereading for comfort. I enjoyed The Nonesuch very much. I haven't managed to get through The Black Moth, which is her first book and very much a Zorro type of story but not as good, IMHO.

I've just been inspired to buy a lot of 10 of her books from eBay. I will report back on my readings!

[Leonora]

I've been reading "The Forsyte Saga" by John Galsworthy - really beautiful writing! There are nine novels in all, though, so it's been taking a lot of time!
This summer I have also read "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte and "Vanity Fair" by William Makepeace Thackeray, which I would really recommend for all Austen fans!! :)

[Nicole D.]

Leonora wrote: "I've been reading "The Forsyte Saga" by John Galsworthy - really beautiful writing! There are nine novels in all, though, so it's been taking a lot of time!
This summer I have also read "Wuthering ..."

I love Wuthering Heights.I have Vanity Fair on my to read shelf.Have you read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall and Jane Eyre by Emily's sisters?I highly recommend them.

[Sophie]

Thanks Gini!!! Please let me know what they are like!! What are the 10 you have bought?

[Gini]

Leanora, Vanity Fair is one of my all time favorite reads. I love Jane Eyre, but should give Wuthering Heights a reread as I disliked it in high school.

[Gini]

Soph wrote: "Thanks Gini!!! Please let me know what they are like!! What are the 10 you have bought?"

Here's the list:

FARO'S DAUGHTER
THE CORINTHIAN
DEVIL'S CUB
DUPLICATE DEATH
WHY SHOOT A BUTLER?
CHARITY GIRL
VENETIA
ARABELLA
COUSIN KATE
THE MASQUERADERS

[Sophie]

Nice selection! :) please let us know how you like them and whether you recommend them :D

[Tilly]

Malia wrote: "Tilly wrote: "I have been reading the BEST Regency romance series -
The Six Sisters
by M. C. Beaton. Admittedly they are chick-lit and I managed to read one day practically, but they are so swe..."

yes i've read a few of them - and it was the Agatha Raisin books which made me check her website and find the six sisters in the first place! recently i got a set of 10 agatha raisin books from a website called the book people for quite a low price, so im really looking forward to reading those too!!

[Patricia]

If it weren't for Jane, I'd never read romance. Oh well. I'm a mystery reader and writer, so it is all mystery. Some cozy, but I prefer traditional and I never mind a bit of humor. After that, I read vampire, paranormal and SF.
I can't claim to be much of a historical reader, but it turns out I love an author who writes a great 12th century mystery series. Ariana Franklin's Mistress of the Art of Death is the first one. Sicily's king once ignored a papal bull that forbad women from practicing medicine. He sends a female pathologist to England to help discover who is murdering children. And, I'm finding mysteries set in Africa rather interesting. Malla Nunn's first, A Beautiful Place To Die, is set in the early 50s just when aparthid it getting started. In the second book, the protag looses his 'white person' identity.
Something lighter :) Any of Elaine Viets' Deadend Jobs books. Oh and I'm always rereading Christie. I just ordered Black Coffee.
Patg

[Jenn]

I love Northanger Abbey so I picked up Udolpho (albeit i'm only chapter or so in).

[Faby]

melissa marr, i just find her and i lover her :D , besides some horror stories