32. An alternate history book

[Sophie]

This prompt is meant to revisit history and ask the question 'What if?'.

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Suggestions:
Best Alternate History Novels and Stories
Best Alternate History
Wiki list with short descriptions

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Optional questions:
- What are you reading for this category?
- Why did you choose this book?
- What history element did the author change?

[Tracy]

I already read 11/22/63 this year....absolutely recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it already. Definitely a five star read for me.

Since I can't re-read it, I'm going to try The Yiddish Policemen's Union, which my brother recommended to me a long time ago, but I just haven't gotten around to

[Peter]

I agree with Tracy, 11/22/63 was such a great, genre-bending story. 5 stars from me as well!

I was planning on reading Look Who's Back for this one, but haven't been able to get a copy where I live.

Right now I have Countdown City in this spot. It's a little bit of a stretch, but seeing as an asteroid large enough to exterminate life has never been on a direct path to Earth, it's pretty "alternate" history in the sense that it is completely different to today.

[Brooke]

Tracy, I plan to read The Yiddish Policeman’s Union this year also! I meant to read it in 2017 but got distracted (as usual).

[Martha]

I have The Yiddish Policemen's Union
The Plot Against America
The Years of Rice and Salt

I'll probably read The Years of Rice and Salt.

[Tracy]

Brooke wrote: "Tracy, I plan to read The Yiddish Policeman’s Union this year also! I meant to read it in 2017 but got distracted (as usual)."


oooh....maybe another buddy read? I can't wait to see your final list, I wonder what else we will have in common :-)

[Pam]

I'm planning on reading the Yiddish Policemen also. I've had it sitting on my bookshelf for at least 3 years!

[Cheri]

Lucky all of you who have yet to read The Yiddish Policemen's Union! It's a really good book. :)

I'm thinking about 11/22/63 or maybe Underground Airlines. Given how much everyone seems to like 11/22/63, I'll probably go with that.

[Michele]

I was thinking to read V for Vendetta for this one.. what do you guys think?Does it suit this topic well?

[Michele]

Or perhaps I will just reread 1984

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Michele wrote: "Or perhaps I will just reread 1984"

I've read that 1984 is not alternative history because when it was written, it was written about a future time.

That being said, YOU DO YOU. But I just thought I'd clarify. :)

[Ashley]

If you like the Titanic and zombies, I read Deck Z: The Titanic: Undead this year. I found it entertaining.

[Jody]

I’d say those two are more Dystopian than Alternate History, but we aren’t exactly strict here. ☺️

Alternate History is more about changing something that actually happened and imagining how things would be - one of the most popular themes in Alternate History is if Germany had won WWII.

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

I'm thinking I'm going to end up reading The Underground Railroad for this one. It keeps popping up in a lot of these prompts for me, but I'm not big on alternative history, so it would be a good one for it.

My other options are:
The Yiddish Policemen's Union
11/22/63
The Years of Rice and Salt
The Mirage
Look Who's Back

[Michele]

Jody wrote: "I’d say those two are more Dystopian than Alternate History, but we aren’t exactly strict here. ☺️

Alternate History is more about changing something that actually happened and imagining how thin..."

I think you are right even though V for vendetta and 1984 were both on the lists ... I think I will leave this topic open for now and look for more sugestions.

[Brandy]

Think I'm going with The Man in the High Castle because I happen to have it out from the library now and it won't be due back until after the 1st.

[Arielle]

The Yiddish Policemen's Union is my choice too!

[Laura • lauralovestoread]

Tracy wrote: "I already read 11/22/63 this year....absolutely recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it already. Definitely a five star read for me.

Since I can't re-read it, I'm going to try [b..."

Thanks for this recommendation! Had it on my TBR list so now I will finally get to read it

[Tracy]

Laura wrote: "Tracy wrote: "I already read 11/22/63 this year....absolutely recommend it to anyone who hasn't read it already. Definitely a five star read for me.

Since I can't re-read it, I'm g..."

You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it !!

[Shelley]

For those of you not interested in alternative history, I have 4 3 2 1 on my list of possibilities. It follows one guy's life through 4 different timelines. I haven't read it, but it certainly fits the definition without actually being an alternative version of history

[Emily, Conterminous Mod]

Shelley wrote: "For those of you not interested in alternative history, I have 4 3 2 1 on my list of possibilities. It follows one guy's life through 4 different timelines. I haven't read it, but i..."

Life After Life by Kate Atkinson has the same type of premise. The main character dies at the end of every chapter, and the next chapter begins with what would have happened if they would have survived whatever killed them. It's an excellent premise, and I've heard a lot of people liked it, but I couldn't get into her writing style. If you're looking for something different though, a lot of people have liked this one.

[Teresa]

The Plot Against America

[Gośka]

I recommend The Power

[Sophie]

Alexandra wrote: "This was difficult because so many of the books are about Nazis in rule or slavery still being legal etc. and I'm really not comfortable with/interested in worlds like that, but I did manage to com..."

The Ring of Solomon is also one of my options for this week! I loved the trilogy and really need to get to the prequel.

[Shannan]

I'm reading River of Teeth. The US considered importing hippos to raise for meat and this is the imagined story if they had gone through with it and it went wrong. So far, it's very quirky and interesting and it's a pretty short book. I heard about it on The Librarian is In podcast through the NY Public Library (which I highly recommend).

[Elise]

I read Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson. While the plot stayed true to historical events, namely the trial and execution of King Charles I, there are enough magical realism elements and anachronistic feminist/environmentalist views to make the setting into an alternate version of 1600s England.

[Jillian]

I'm working on reading from series that I have already started so yesterday I began Throne of Jade/Naomi Novik and then realized it works here! The English are battling the French, Napoleon, for control of the seas. The alternate twist is that there are dragons.

I did have a different book planned for this spot so hopefully I will find a different spot for Etiquette & Espionage/Gail Carriger.

[Carol]

These are quite funny to read.

Jasper Fforde -

[Kimberley]

This was a little harder for me to choose, I am torn between Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Ink and Bone.

[Stacey]

I'm reading The Plot Against America by Philip Roth. I chose it because though fictional, it seems somewhat comparable to what is currently happening in the US: experiencing the unthinkable in the racist, Nazi authoritarian era that is the Trump Administration.

[Charity]

- What are you reading for this category? 11/22/63 by Stephen King
- Why did you choose this book? It's been on my list for quite a while and I have a side challenge to read all of Stephen King's books.
- What history element did the author change? The Kennedy assassination as well as the lives of people he met along the way.

[Votakubees]

Jillian wrote: "I'm working on reading from series that I have already started so yesterday I began Throne of Jade/Naomi Novik and then realized it works ..."

Oh! That does work for this doesn't it? I was actually about to start reading the next book in that series 'Black Powder War' and it'll cover this prompt nicely.

[Conny]

I am starting The Mirage today for this prompt. It sounds thoroughly intriguing and I have no idea what to expect.

[Evelyn]

- What are you reading for this category?


- Why did you choose this book?
It was available on my library and when I was reading I found that it was alternative history.

- What history element did the author change?
Germany won the WW2 and United States is ruled by a military dictatorship.

[Celia]

- What are you reading for this category?
The Underground Railroad
- Why did you choose this book?
Colson Whitehead was on Book TV. His description of this booj was quite compelling. Plus it DID win the Pulitzer
- What history element(s) did the author change?
-The underground railroad being a train with locomotive!!
-A 12 story skyscraper in SC in 1870!!
-A fire in TN that burnt up a large swath of land
to name a few.

[Marta]

Elise wrote: "I read Sexing the Cherry by Jeanette Winterson. While the plot stayed true to historical events, namely the trial and execution of King Charles I, there are enough magical realism elem..."
Great idea!

[Anna]

What are you reading for this category?
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik.

Why did you choose this book?
It's fantasy, my favourite genre, I liked Uprooted by the same author, and it has DRAGONS.

What history element did the author change?
Dragons take part in the Napoleonic Wars.

[Kathi]

Anna wrote: "What are you reading for this category?
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik.

Why did you choose this book?
It's fantasy, my favourite genre, I liked Uprooted by the sa..."

I also read His Majesty's Dragon! I loved it and had not heard of the series before but am now anxious to ready more of them!

[Jill]

I have read Dominion by C.J. Sansom

Why did you choose this book?
I have read most of this author's Shardlake series which were set during Tudor time, and really liked them, so went for this one which is an alternative to the outcome of WW2, in which Britain didn't win but allowed Hitler to rule us.

[Elizabeth]

what book did you choose :White Houses
Amy Bloom


why did you choose this book: I like reading historical fiction and this one was about the first lady of 1932

What history element did the author change? that Lorena Hickok meets Eleanor Roosevelt in 1932 was in fact lovers

[dalex]

I really wanted to avoid the Civil War and WWII types of alt history. Those storylines have just been so way overdone. In my quest for something different I came across Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente.

Radiance is set in the early part of the 20th century. The alt history twist is that space travel (and habitation) are common. The story explores the disappearance of the daughter of a famous movie producer who was filming a documentary on Venus.

Alt history, space opera, mystery. I'm about halfway into it and I'm enjoying it immensely. I definitely recommend it!

[dalex]

Elizabeth wrote: "White Houses Amy Bloom"

The relationship between Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hicks actually did occur so this is not, in fact, alternate history. Please refer to this non-fiction book - Eleanor and Hick: The Love Affair That Shaped a First Lady.

Just wanted to let you know. I'm not judging your book choice. :)

And an interesting historical fact - for many years it was common for lesbians to marry men but have female lovers on the side because (1) they were "supposed" to marry because being a spinster at 25 was very wrong and (2) monetary support because it was difficult for women to be self-sufficient and (3) homosexuality was illegal.

[Cheri]

What are you reading for this category?
11/22/63 by Stephen King

Why did you choose this book?
I had never read a Stephen King novel before, and thought this might be a good non-horror one to try. It was!

What history element did the author change?
He changed the assassination of JFK and also prevented some murders.

[Jean]

What are you reading for this category? The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick
Why did you choose this book? I've heard a lot about it and haven't read anything by this author.
What history element did the author change? The US lost World War 2 and is now occupied by Germany and Japan. Bummer!

[Jody]

What are you reading for this category?
The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick

Why did you choose this book?
I think it's one of the most famous in this genre, along with Fatherland, so it was always going to be one of the two for me. I chose this one as I've been meaning to read something by Dick for ages.

What history element did the author change?
That the allies lost WWII to Germany & Japan.

[Shannan]

I ended up with Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine, a good book in which the library of Alexandria was not destroyed but becomes the ruling force in global affairs.

[Kathy]

What are you reading for this category?
The Underground Railroad - Colson Whitehead

Why did you choose this book?
I tried Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine, but wasn't interested in YA at the time so I switched to this since I had a copy. I've been interested in it ever since it won the Pulitzer Prize.

What history element did the author change?
So far, the underground railroad is an actual railroad with tracks and locomotives. Also The Museum of Natural Wonders in South Carolina which is a living history museum. I'm sure there'll be more. I'm halfway through.

[Pam]

- What are you reading for this category?
Yellow Blue Tibia by Adam Roberts

- Why did you choose this book?
I had been planning on reading The Man in the High Castle and The Yiddish Policeman's Union, both sitting on my shelf, but then I saw a post on The Readers Lounge FB page about this book. It sounded so bizarre and funny that I had to read it! I did an ILL request and it came in really quick from the Sam Houston University Library.

- What history element did the author change?
Russia, 1946 - Believing that the Soviet Union needs a massive external threat to stay unified, Stalin orders a group of sci-fi writers to compose a massively detailed and highly believable story about an alien race poised to invade the earth. And, so it begins...

[Sheri]

Forgot to post this a while ago, i read it months ago
What are you reading for this category?
The Rise and Fall of D.O.D.O.

- Why did you choose this book?
I wanted to read it anyhow, I really like Stephanson.

- What history element did the author change?
It was a book involving a time machine, there were a lot of aspects that got changed, there were all kinds of alternate timelines that spun off from the changes that were made.

[Samantha]

- What are you reading for this category? The Underground Railroad
- Why did you choose this book? It has been on TBR and is the book of the month so it seemed like the perfect time to read it.
- What history element did the author change?
The underground railroad is a literal railroad.