Introductions

[Frances]

I joined recently. I write historical mysteries set in Chicago in the 1890's. I especially like Steven Saylor's books about Rome and Laurie King's books about Mary Russell young wife of Sherlock Holmes. Currently I'm writing a book set in Chicago's Chinatown in 1896, so I read books by Rhys Bowen and one by Victoria Thompson. I also read one set in Portland Oregon by Sharan Newman who also writes a medieval series. Know any other nineteenth century Americal stories with Chinese in them?

[Dennis]

Frances wrote: "I joined recently. I write historical mysteries set in Chicago in the 1890's. I especially like Steven Saylor's books about Rome and Laurie King's books about Mary Russell young wife of Sherlock Ho..."

Frances, because you like historical novels set in Chicago in the 1890s, might I recommend John Glavin's "Trapped on the Wheel: Chicago's Columbian Exposition of 1893?" It's not a mystery, but it involves settings you probably are quite familiar with, including the Columbian Exposition. Welcome to the group.

[Dennis]

Frances wrote: "I joined recently. I write historical mysteries set in Chicago in the 1890's. I especially like Steven Saylor's books about Rome and Laurie King's books about Mary Russell young wife of Sherlock Ho..."

Frances, because you like historical novels set in Chicago in the 1890s, might I recommend John Glavin's "Trapped on the Wheel: Chicago's Columbian Exposition of 1893?" It's not a mystery, but it involves settings you probably are quite familiar with, including the Columbian Exposition. Welcome to the group.

[Victoria]

Dennis wrote: "Frances wrote: "I joined recently. I write historical mysteries set in Chicago in the 1890's. I especially like Steven Saylor's books about Rome and Laurie King's books about Mary Russell young wif..."

And, of course, Erik Larsen's "Devil in the White City" -- murder and mayhem at the Columbian Exposition. One of my favorite authors at his very best!

[Dennis]

Devil in the city also is one of my favorites.

[Joe]

I, also, loved "Devil in the White City"...which was why I was surprised by the fact that I could not get past 50 pages of Larson's next book, "In The Garden of Beasts".

[Marlana]

Hi, everyone! I just joined, and I am finishing up my first novel that takes place in one of the gold rush eras. (More, when it's completed.)

Nice to meet you all, and I can't wait to browse through the books suggested here and find out what everyone is reading!

[Jenny]

Welcome to the group, Holly!

[Victoria]

Holly wrote: "Hi, everyone! I just joined, and I am finishing up my first novel that takes place in one of the gold rush eras. (More, when it's completed.)

Nice to meet you all, and I can't wait to browse t..."

Welcome, Holly! Love the gold rush era! Looking forward to hearing more.

[Marlana]

Thank you! I can be tracked. LOL! I will put my updates on my website, Twitter, and FB - so if you choose your social network weapon, then you can get all the news. Otherwise, I'm just snooping here to see if there is any similar material because I also love the gold rush era from other authors. :)

[Jenny]

We have a thread on books taking place during the old California/gold rush era, so be sure to check it out, though I don't think it's seen much action in awhile. Maybe you can revive it with some of your favorites!

[Cheryl]

Hi, My name is Sherry and I love to read. I read fiction and historical fiction. I woud love suggestions on good books.
I recently read Gone Girl what did you all think about that book?

[Ken]

I read the sample and it looked pretty good. There were other books in line before I step up for $13.

[Cheryl]

Ken wrote: "I read the sample and it looked pretty good. There were other books in line before I step up for $13."

I guess I shoudn't say this but it was just alright. Just a three star book for me anyway.

[Jenny]

Honest opinions are always welcome here! Nice to meet you, Sherry!

[Joe]

Gone Girl was a entertaining page-turner, but the ending had me saying "WHAT???".

[Liza]

I actually just finished Gone Girl too. I wasn't sure I'd like it since it was a bit slow at the start for me, but it became a real page turner for me. Maybe not super realistic, but I enjoyed the twists and turns.

[Rosalie]

Joe wrote: "I, also, loved "Devil in the White City"...which was why I was surprised by the fact that I could not get past 50 pages of Larson's next book, "In The Garden of Beasts"."

I liked them both, but Devil in the White City was a better read, I thought. Both brought some interesting new perspectives of their time in history.

[Chip]

Kathleen wrote: "Hi everyone,

Another Kathy here. And like everyone else here, I love history. I like biographies and I really enjoy historical fiction. And I like many different eras, but recently I self publishe..."

Love to hear how your book does. Where did you publish it? How did you publish it?

[Chip]

Rosalie wrote: "Joe wrote: "I, also, loved "Devil in the White City"...which was why I was surprised by the fact that I could not get past 50 pages of Larson's next book, "In The Garden of Beasts"."

I liked them ..."

I was disappointed with Devil in the White City. I liked both threads, but felt the author pretty much melded two separate books and then marketed them as one interwoven story. In fact they were in no way interwoven. Also, this wasn't historical fiction. It was history. Well researched though.

[Em]

Hello! My name is Emily and I love learning new things about American History. I am especially interested in WWII and strong women characters.

A couple of my AHF favorite books are Water for Elephants and A Pledge of Silence.

I look forward to finding more great books here!

[Dennis]

Welcome, Emily. Because you like strong women characters, you might be interested in my historical novel, "Madness: The War of 1812." Two of its strongest characters are first lady Dolley Madison and Sally, her protege. At one point while discussing slavery (already a divisive national issue), Sally asks Dolley, "Do you think that slaves will get to vote before we do?" Sally bristles both at slavery and the lack of women's equality; because she was frontier borne and raised, she's irked that men and society don't consider her to be as good a shot or as capable of fighting the British.

[Jenny]

Welcome to the group, Emily! I loved Water for Elephants too!

[J.D.R.]

I also enjoyed Water For Elephants as well as Devil in the White City, even though that one is not fiction.

[Stephanie]

Hi I'm Stephanie Carroll and I am a reader and writer of historical fiction, and the author of A White Room. My cover designer the brilliant Jenny Q who manages this group invited me and I am so happy that she did. I'm excited to dive into some discussions with other historical fiction fans!

[Jenny]

Hey Stephanie! Glad you found us! Feel free to post about A White Room under one of our time period discussion threads--I'm thinking early 20th century? And keep us updated on news on the Billboard!

[Jerry]

Hi everyone.

I've been on goodreads for several years, but my interest previously has been mostly in business topics. Now I'm retired and can read/write about whatever I want.

My favorite genre is historical novels. Also like novels that contain a particular setting such as Tony Hillerman's American Southwest series. I have a complete set. I also own a complete set of John McDonald's Florida series. I have a complete set of Kathleen O'Neal Gear's and Michael Geer's "People of the" series as well as their individual novels. I am very interested in the histories of Native Americans.

I also buy a few books about American politics and politicians, as I am a retired former West Virginia State Senator.

My eclectic career lines also influence my reading choices: writing, journalism, hospital management, healthcare, human organ procurement and transplant, knowledge management, human resource management, and business management.

I also like contemporary history; that is, contemporary to my own lifetime. I have missed so much history since my birth in 1939!

And, my hobbies influence my reading: tennis, bluegrass music and motorcycling among them.

Finally, and most importantly, I have recently taken a huge interest in the American Industrial Revolution and in American history, post Civil War. I am well read on the life and times of Mother Jones, from the Civil War to the Great Depression, and her fight for the rights of the "underclass", the working class and against child labor.

I will be posting a new profile in the very near future. I also will post my new novel, based on the life and times of Mother Jones, on the Billboard.

I am always looking to share thoughts with people with the same interests.

Thank you.

[Jenny]

Welcome to the group, Jerry! I like Native American history too, and my favorite time periods are colonial and revolutionary America. My husband is a Civil War reenactor. We're going to Gettysburg next weekend for the 150th commemoration. I think you'll find plenty of people in this group who share your interests!

[Jerry]

Thanks Jenny. Been a hundred years since I've been to Gettysburg. And, it never occurred to me that the battle at Gettysburg and the birth of the State of West Virginia share the same 150th birthday.

Enjoy. And let's do stay in touch. "Hellraiser" begins during the Civil War when Mother Jones' husband George gets in fights at a foundry in Memphis between supporters of the north and the south who are making parts for cannons.

Later she loses George and their four children during a yellow fever epidemic in 1867, moves back to Chicago and then loses her dressmaking business to the great Chicago fire. Not to be discouraged, that's where Mother Jones' 65-year fight against unchecked capitalism and child labor really gets rolling.

[Holly]

Hello all and nice to meet you,

I'm a historical fiction lover and some non-fiction too. I have Donna Thorland's The Turncoat on my Kindle, among many others, in preparation for my annual beach read-a-thon. I will admit part of the reason I'm drawn to that book is the cover, Jenny!

I write historical romance and have added 3 of my books to the group shelf.

[Jenny]

Glad you found us, Holly! You know I'm always a sucker for a pretty cover!

[Doreen]

Hello Everyone, nice to meet you. My name is doreen, I live in New England, am a folk artist (I create antique style teddy bears and hand sculpted dolls) and love historical fiction, in particular American Historical Fiction. I just finished reading a YA book called Fever 1793 and I highly recommend it. I am so happy to have found this group :)

[Jenny]

Welcome, Doreen! I've not read that book yet, but I was just in Philadelphia a couple of weeks ago and we learned a bit about that terrible epidemic.

[E.E.]

Hi, I'm Elisabeth Burke. I gravitate toward historical fiction and historical romance in what I read and write. I'm particularly interested in nineteenth century America. I've found the era of expansion to be a fascinating period. I'm looking forward to hearing about what everyone else is reading and anticipate I'll discover some new favorites.

[Jenny]

Welcome, Elisabeth! Check out our threads on historical romance and nineteenth century historical fiction and join the conversation!

[John]

Hello, I'm John O'Brien. My main interest in historical fiction relates to how American families coped during WWII and post WWII. I am not aware of many books on this subject and would appreciate hearing from others on this subject.

[Jenny]

Hi John! Welcome to the group! Check out our discussion threads on world war era books and add those you've read to the conversation!

[Dennis]

E.E. wrote: "Hi, I'm Elisabeth Burke. I gravitate toward historical fiction and historical romance in what I read and write. I'm particularly interested in nineteenth century America. I've found the era of expa..."

Hi, Elizabeth. If I might be so bold: If you're interested in historical romance of the 19th century, I'd recommend--ahem--my historical novel, "Madness: The War of 1812." While the story covers the entire sweep of the war, it also is about Ens. Will Quinn and Sally Martin, portrayed as ordinary Americans that are caught up in the war. Will their love survive the war? Check out the website at www.madness1812.com. It has received some nice reviews from Goodread readers. (Thanks, readers.)

And welcome to the group!

[David]

Jenny wrote: "If you're new to the group, welcome, and please take a moment to introduce yourself!

I'm Jenny, I read a little bit of everything but my favorite books are historical novels, particularly those wi..."

[David]

Hello Jenny,
That's my daughter's name, so that's a good start. I'm a new self-published author of a novel about the Battle of Gettysburg and its aftermath. People who have read it tell me it helped them understand the battle better. It's THE WHEATFIELD. BUT RIGHT NOW IT'S A WELL-KEPT SECRET. Could you help a computer-adverse Civil War buff.

[Jenny]

Hi David! Welcome to the group! Please add your book to our group bookshelf and post about it in the Civil War thread! You may also find some members here who would be willing to review the book for you. Do you have a website or a blog?

[Anna]

Hi! I'm Anna Loan-Wilsey, the author of the new Hattie Davish Mystery series where each book is set in a different American town in the 1890's. I was recently on a historical writer's panel with four other authors, all were American and all set their stories in Europe. I grew up adoring American history and don't understand why its not more popular. Kudos to this group! I'm looking forward to discovering new books/authors to read and connecting with fellow readers.

[Jenny]

Welcome to the group, Anna!

[Steven]

Welcome! swk

[Emily]

Hi I'm Emily, I grew up in Nevada, went to college in Pocatello, ID and now I am working on my masters in Moscow ID. I love history and especially American history. I am actually a recently converted book nerd and don't know many books. I enjoyed "The Help" and I just finished "The worst hard time". What else do you guys suggest? I attempted "a devil in the white city" a few years ago, but struggled to follow along so I plan to try it again.

[Kathleen]

Do you like your reading with an emphasis on history or fiction? Personally, I think you can't go wrong with Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. It's one of my favorites. The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara is another great read. It's a Pulitzer prize winning fictional account of the Battle of Gettysburg, also a personal favorite. And of course there's always A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, which is set in Brooklyn in the decades before World War I and follows the Nolan family as they struggle to survive. Three very different books, but all of them classics.

[Jenny]

Hi Emily! I second Kathleen's suggestion of Lonesome Dove! Also on my favorites shelf is Gone with the Wind and Sara Donati's post-Revolution series beginning with Into the Wilderness. But if you have some time to spend browsing the group bookshelf and the discussion threads narrowed down by subject, you'll find many more recommendations!

[E.E.]

Hi Emily! I "third" Kathleen's suggestion on Lonesome Dove. One of my all time favorites. The whole series on the Civil War by Jeff and Michael Shaara is just amazing. Favorite books that really influenced me as a writer are Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier and Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles. Both offer unique twists on the Civil War. Also check out Life on the Mississippi by Mark Twain. Reads like a memoir. It's hilarious as well as educational.

[Jenny]

ooohh, yes! Enemy Women is another good one! As is My Name is Mary Sutter.

[Rachel]

Emily wrote: "Hi I'm Emily, I grew up in Nevada, went to college in Pocatello, ID and now I am working on my masters in Moscow ID. I love history and especially American history. I am actually a recently convert..."

Noting that you enjoyed "The Help," I will suggest that you may like to read my book "This Red Earth" and its companion book, "Beyond This Red Earth" because both are regional Southern stories that span generations and reflect the social mores and customs of those times. Just a suggetion... Welcome to the group.