When you're not reading a mystery...

[Susan]

I just finished Anxious People by Fredrik Backman and it was my favorite book of the year. It was just wonderful.

[Thomas]

Historical fiction at its best. Warriors of the Storm by Bernard Cornwell
My 4 star review.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Thomas]

Historical fiction about China's disastrous "Great Leap Forward." Dreams of Joy
I enjoyed it. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Thomas]

I am in a historical fiction rut of late.
Book 10 in the Saxon Stories The Flame Bearer
Historical fiction in 10th century England. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[John]

Travel narrative being a huge favorite of mine, I'm rereading a classic: The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux.

[Penny]

I read that one John a long time ago. I just finished The Salt Path which surprised me - I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. Story of a couple in their 50s who become homeless and so decide to walk the 600 or so miles of the South West Coastal Path.

[Ellen]

StartedContested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare? byJames Shapiro two days ago.

[Dorothy]

Penny wrote: "I read that one John a long time ago. I just finished The Salt Path which surprised me - I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did. Story of a couple in their 50s who become homeless and so decid..."

John wrote: "Travel narrative being a huge favorite of mine, I'm rereading a classic: The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux."

John wrote: "Travel narrative being a huge favorite of mine, I'm rereading a classic: The Great Railway Bazaar by Paul Theroux."

I was given a copy of the Salt Path for my birthday and enjoyed it very much. I would myself not do such a thing but admired the couple for their fortitude and sense of adventure.

[Iza]

When not reading historical or contemporary mysteries/thrillers, I love reading Victorian classics !

[John]

As Regency-era series are popular, I decided to tackle The Lost Queen: The Life & Tragedy of the Prince Regent's Daughter. Thorough look at Charlotte's brief time as Princess of Wales, her passing at 21 paved the way for Victoria's reign.

[Thomas]

Why Kings Confess
4 stars for book 9 in an excellent historical fiction/mystery series.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Monique]

Mystery novels, such as the Sherlock Holmes collection, apparently influence the other genres I read. I found myself digging into 19th century medical autobiographies; specifically, Sydney Smith's Mostly Murder. He talks about Arthur Conan Doyle in this book, as well as Dr Joseph Bell (Sir Doyle's mentor) and Harvey Littlejohn (the son of Henry Duncan Littlejohn, who happened to be friends with Dr Bell). Now I'm researching their medical textbooks. Interesting stuff.

[Thomas]

A solid 4 stars for book 12 in the Sebastian St. Cyr series Where the Dead Lie by C.S. Harris
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Susan]

I just read the most amazing book. It is my favorite of the year. I gave it 10 stars. It's Big Girl, Small Town. Maybe my kind friend, Werner, will provide a link to my review. I LOVED this book.

[Werner]

Susan wrote: "Maybe my kind friend, Werner, will provide a link to my review."

Here's that link, Susan:
ttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3633846099 . :-)

[Susan]

Can I send you flowers or candy?

[Werner]

Nah, just applaud. :-) Seriously, I don't mind helping out, and it's a quick process on a PC, which is what I use (though it might not be if you're using a cell phone or an iPad).

[Susan]

Hands are clapping vigorously.

[Dorothy]

Werner wrote: "Susan wrote: "Maybe my kind friend, Werner, will provide a link to my review."

Here's that link, Susan:
ttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3633846099 . :-)"

I have ordered this from our library but I am 14th on the list and they have not got it in stock yet!

[Susan]

Amazon does not have it in stock until 12/20 which is quite odd since it was published already. I ordered Christmas copies for friends from Book Depository.

[Mary]

I write horse books, and I also love classics of all different kinds, particularly Jane Austen and Shakespeare. I love Wilkie Collins, Dickens, and the Bronte sisters, although that might be cheating, because they certainly have more than a whiff of mystery about them.

I like historical fiction and romance, and read plays, poetry, and biographies, as well as general fiction.

I agree with what just about everyone has said before me, though. The reason I gravitate to Sherlock Holmes and British mysteries is because the characters are simply so memorable. It's less the discovery of whodunnit that's important to me. So any character-driven fiction or nonfiction is my jam.

[Thomas]

I read The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
It is historical fiction, set in Paris during WWII and 1983-84 small town Montana. It is a story of love, betrayal, sadness and coming of age, all wrapped in one.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Highly recommended

[Iza]

I read The way of all flesh by Samuel Butler (not great) and I began reading Daphne du Maurier's The loving spirit.

[Pamela]

I am currently reading The Dive from Clausen's Pier by Ann Packer and while admiring the writing, this is not the type of book that I would usually read (it is included in the genres of 'chick lit' — hate the term — romance and relationships). But I'm staying with it and feel that I'm slowly getting more into the story.

Late in November, I finished what I thought was a great example of historical fiction, The Trouble with Goats and Sheep by Joanna Cannon, and was delighted by the story and the writing. So much so that I included it in a number of my holiday gift giving.

[Thomas]

I read The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
I enjoyed it It is a story of 1 woman's courage in the face of soul destroying poverty during the Dust Bowl drought in the 1930s US Great Plains. My wife also enjoyed it. My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[John]

Right now I'm doing Ready for a Brand New Beat: How Dancing in the Street Became the Anthem for a Changing America as well as SPQR: A History of Ancient Rome.

[Thomas]

Band of Sisters: A Novel by Lauren Willig
This is historical fiction,set in WWI, about a group of Smith college American women who volunteer to go the French front lines in 1917. The book is based upon a group of Smith College women who did exactly that. The characters are fictional, but much of the book is based upon letters written by them.. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

It was a Goodreads giveaway.

[Bionic Jean]

John - I meant to say how much I enjoyed a book by Diana Athill too! She was an extraordinary woman!

Iza - The Loving Spirit is about the only book I haven't read by Daphne du Maurier! Odd since it was her first one. I'd love to know what you think :)

[Thomas]

My wife and I both enjoyed The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
It is historical fiction, set in WWII England.
We both rated it 4 stars. My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Thomas]

Not a mystery/thriller, but a biography of 3 Dutch teenagers who joined the resistance in WWII. Three Ordinary Girls by Tim Brady
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Thomas]

I won Masque of Honor: A Historical Novel of the American South by Sharon Virts in a GR giveaway. I 'm a lucky guy--10 books awarded, 1833 entries.

[Phillip E Maynard]

Hello all,
I told myself that I would start to diversify my reading this year. I’m currently reading Personal Recollections of Joan Of Arc by Mark Twain.

[John]

Recently finished The Mandelbaum Gate by Muriel Spark, which if I had to do over would skip. Moved on to Virginia Woolf's Night and Day.

[Thomas]

I read Masque of Honor: A Historical Novel of the American South by Sharon Virts
It is a slow moving book of historical fiction based on an actual duel in 1819 Maryland, US.
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dorothy]

I'm reading 'Jane Austen at Home' by Lucy Worsely

[John]

Dorothy wrote: "I'm reading 'Jane Austen at Home' by Lucy Worsely"

I highly recommend that one!

[Sue]

Thanks for the mention of Jane Austen at Home.

[Thomas]

I read Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly
I enjoyed it and rate it 4 stars. It is book 3 in the trilogy that stat started with Lilac Girls
This one takes place during the US civil war and is based on letters written by the Woolsey family.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Thomas]

Historical fiction
I read What the Devil Knows It is a page turner and book 16 in the series. I recommend that you read them in order. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jacqui]

Fantasy, action/adventure and science fiction.

Started and Finished Robin Hobb Farseer and Liveship Traders series last year which I think accounted for my dry patch from December to March this year.

Also a fan of James Rollins Sigma Force novels and a new writer I found on Kindle Unlimited Andy Peloquin he writes what I would class as dark fantasy if there is such a thing.

[John]

Though English, not really a mystery, but suspense: The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware. Honestly, the story itself drags, requiring some suspension of disbelief; however, Imogen Church's narration keeps me listening!

[Kerstin]

Hello!
When I Do not read mysteries (80% of what I read are mysteries) I read biographies, history, books about the history of cities and travel guides. I prefer romantic suspence to regular romance.

[Sue]

I read all sorts of things, which lately has been eating into my mystery reading time. Currently I’m reading a book on near-death experiences (fascinating), Dickens’ Dombey & Son, a book on the 400 year history of Africans in America, and a book of Palestinian poetry.

[Tara]

That's quite the eclectic reading list Sue. When I'm not reading a mystery, I tend towards books about books, books about food (including but not limited to cookbooks), memoirs, travelogues, and history.

[Thomas]

I read a history book that I enjoyed. Valcour: The 1776 Campaign That Saved the Cause of Liberty
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sue]

Thomas, that sounds like an interesting book, particularly with the Benedict Arnold angle.

Tara, I like memoirs too and selected history. I have never read books related to food. But I do think I may start looking for new recipes.

[Bella (Kiki)]

Historical fiction, literary fiction, a little non-fiction.

[Thomas]

Sue wrote: "Thomas, that sounds like an interesting book, particularly with the Benedict Arnold angle.

Tara, I like memoirs too and selected history. I have never read books related to food. But I do think I ..."

It is a good book

[Tara]

Sue wrote: "Thomas, that sounds like an interesting book, particularly with the Benedict Arnold angle.

Tara, I like memoirs too and selected history. I have never read books related to food. But I do think I ..."

Food history is fascinating, particularly before we were pretty much able to eat whatever we want whenever we want, regardless of season and locale. Salt: A World History by Mark Kurlansky is a good example of this; who knew there were so many ways to cultivate salt!
Food is also so personal. We take dishes we loved as children, and carry that into the food we make for our own children. Think about recipes that are considered to be classics, such as a stew, but that have so many individual variations, there is no one right way to make it. The one risk however is that it will make you hungry, so best to read on a full stomach.

[Sue]

Tara, you’re so right. I make casseroles my mother used to make for us when I was young, simple food likely based on meals she knew from her childhood too. You’ve got me thinking in a different way about this type of reading. I have heard about Salt. Maybe I’ll take a look at that. And I will have to remember about not reading when I’m hungry 😋