I'm new to the group...

[Leslie]

Hi group I'm a newbie. So, how does the bookshelf work? Do we just add a title that fits and that we've read or is it for titles we read as a group?

[Suvi]

Just add your titles to the shelves, the group doesn't (yet) have group readings.

Oh, welcome btw :)

[Gabriele]

Please do start a discussion about a book or initiate a group read.

[Leslie]

Good morning group. I added some of the bios from my library to the group bookshelf. Some I've read, some I've had on hold and would like to get to this year. I have more to add it's just a little hassle cos my wireless internet doesn't reach into my guest bedroom/ library so I have to run back and between that and my laptop. Feel free to delete any from the shelf that don't suit the group's aesthetic, I would not mind at all. I have a few more to add...when I catch my breath.

[Gabriele]

What a lot of great books we're getting for the group! I've been moving and not had much time to participate. I would like to keep the list to people who made their mark or whom we associate with pre-1960, so although Into Thin Air is a great book, Leslie, I think we'll have to leave it out of this list.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Isn't Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles historical fiction?

And the subtitle of the book about Eleanor of Aquitaine by Pamela Kaufman suggests it's a novel.

[Leslie]

Oops! My bad!

[Suvi]

Nice, the bookshelf is growing. I've already gotten great recommendations :)

[Donna]

Hello,I'm new to this group, and still somewhat new to Goodreads. I love history and biographies, so I'm hoping for some good recommendations. I need to add books I've read to the list, but I'm not sure when that will happen! Traveling this summer to many places where there is no internet connection. Sweet...

[Gabriele]

Looking forward to your list, Donna! In the meantime, enjoy your travels.

[Melisende]

G'day everyone! I'm Melisende. Absolutely love history and especially biographies (of the women of history!). Particular areas of history include: celtic, anglo-saxon & medieval periods. Looking forward to contributing to discussions.

[Suvi]

Melisende wrote: "G'day everyone! I'm Melisende. Absolutely love history and especially biographies (of the women of history!). Particular areas of history include: celtic, anglo-saxon & medieval periods. Looking..."

I absolutely love reading about the women in history and especially about unconventional women. It's exciting to know how much women have contributed in the background :)

[Gabriele]

Welcome, Melisende. Looking forward to your list of favourites, so please do add them.

[Chrissie]

Hi, I am new to this group. I understand that you want us to add books to the bookshelves - but must the biographies be about "famous" people. I was thinking of adding Eleni and That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story.

[Gabriele]

Welcome, Chrissie. No, the books definitely do not have to be about famous people - just those who made their mark or write about an earlier time, roughly before the 1960s.

[Chrissie]

What about historical fiction; fiction is interwoven to fill in the gaps? I am thinking of Skylark Farm: A Novel. It is a true story. In the genre of historical fiction there are so many, such as Arrogance: A Novel, which is about Schiele. Please tell me if I should add them to the bookshelves. From your reply I will get an idea of what kind of books you want to include.

[Gabriele]

You're right that fictionalized "biographies" can be very powerful and enlightening, but I think we should keep this group to actual memoirs, journals, etc.

Consider joining us in the Between The Wars group if you have books of any type that fit into that era. We include fiction written then as well as historical fiction set in that period, biographies, history books, and so forth.

[Chrissie]

Thanks for explaining. I will check out the other group!

[GothChickVibing]

Hi! I'm new {obvious}. From the above it seems that Historical Fiction isn't allowed {that's cool, it's in its own category anyway}, and that the bios have to be about dead people {also cool}. Just to clarify: is this group about primary source material {as in journals, letters, autobiographies, etc.?} or secondary sources {biographies compiled and written by other people who may or may not have actually known the person they're biography-ing?}? Just thought I’d ask before I go adding bios. ;)

[Gabriele]

Elaine wrote: "Hi! I'm new {obvious}. From the above it seems that Historical Fiction isn't allowed {that's cool, it's in its own category anyway}, and that the bios have to be about dead people {also cool}. Just..."

Welcome, Elaine! Yes, all forms of bios and memoirs are wanted.

[GothChickVibing]

Gabriele wrote: "Elaine wrote: "Hi! I'm new {obvious}. From the above it seems that Historical Fiction isn't allowed {that's cool, it's in its own category anyway}, and that the bios have to be about dead people {a..."

Okay, cool. :) Thanks for answering my question. ;)

[Carol]

Hi, I'm Carol and new to this group.

I recently read Woody Holton's Abigail Adams & loved it.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/78...

and Victoria and Albert by Richard Alexander Hough which was very good.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18...

And now I'm reading Uncrowned King: The Life of Prince Albert by Stanley Weintraub
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...