The Reading Challenge Group discussion
2020 Genre Challenge
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2020 September: Historical Fiction or Non-fiction
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Rosemarie wrote: "Good choice!"I saw her on her speaking tour last year - I'm looking forward to the book.
Hi everyone! I have started The Last of the Mohicans, which I think counts as historical fiction. Has anyone read it and how did you find it? I am used to reading classics and old books, but I find it hard-going.
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Rosemarie, thanks for recommending that I read Someone Knows My Name for my bookopoloy challenge! It obviously worked for this month as well. I absolutely inhaled the book. It took me a short while (5-10%) to get going with the book, but once she was abducted, it just grabbed onto me and wouldn't let go. I was listening to the book at every opportunity and even had to force myself to stop last night so I could get a few hours of sleep. This is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...If anyone is looking for a good historical fiction novel, this one definitely qualifies.
Dubhease wrote: "I'm reading Becoming"I absolutely love that book! I saw her "Becoming" book tour thing on Netflix and really enjoyed that as well.
I think The Dutch House also qualifies as Historical Fiction and I listened to Tom Hanks performing that. I think the book was made better because he narrated it, but either way, I really enjoyed the story and the performance! I'm 2 for 2 this month, lol!
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Rosemarie wrote: "I am so glad you liked the book, Eileen!"Now I'm going to have to check out the other of his books that you recommended!
I just finished this book The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek and I think I liked it even more than Jojo Moyes' Giver of the Stars, which covered the same time period (the stories are completely different). It was easier to follow since there was only one POV, and I thought the MC was pretty awesome. Her mule was hilarious too and I cheered several times for her mule. This book also ended up being more relevant, since it talked about prejudice/racism against colored people (basically anyone who was not white, where the rules were all set by white men). I'm currently listening to The Pale-Faced Lie, which is a memoir by David Crow, and I can't stop listening. I keep thinking, "Okay, I'll stop after this chapter," but then I want to keep on going.
I am reading Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire by Ira Mukhoty. Information about Mughal royals women is so hard to come by and I hope this book fills those gaps.
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I just finished The Things We Cannot Say last night (the audio) and omg, I couldn't stop listening. I was bawling by the end, but also in a good way. It was so wonderful I can't wait to hear her latest book. I'm in the middle of Alice Hoffman's The World That We Knew and so far it's pretty decent, but it's not grabbing me the same way as The Things We Cannot Say.
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I read Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck. It’s written as though it’s true, but some people criticise it & say a lot of it is fiction. I don’t know, but I enjoyed reading it.
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I just finished reading Finding Rebecca by Eoin Dempsey. It’s fiction, set mostly during World War II.Although it was a good book, I preferred White Rose, Black Forest by the same author, which I read earlier this year.
I was wrong--I ended up really liking Alice Hoffman's The World That We Knew, especially the ending. I also read The Secret Letter which was a random buy from Audible and loved that enough that I will probably look for more books by the author. I also loved Kelly Rimmer so much I decided to check out her latest book Truths I Never Told You and although I thought at first I wouldn't like it nearly as much as The Things We Cannot Say, I still ended up really enjoying it! I like her writing style quite a bit and will probably read Before I Let You Go sooner rather than later, although that one is not historical fiction. I'm currently making my way through Cutting for Stone which is pretty good so far.
Okay, so I'm listening to something unusual: Donor 9623. I'm finding it absolutely fascinating, lol! I think I had vaguely heard of cases like this way back when, but I never really looked more into it. It's pretty crazy, but I can't look away, lol.
I remember hearing about this slimeball. What a creep.
Cindy wrote: "I remember hearing about this slimeball. What a creep."Yeah, I had heard vague things about him but never really paid that much attention. But geez!
Finished nonfiction history Hero Found: The Greatest POW Escape of the Vietnam War - about Dieter Dengler (and if you like Christian Bale - there's a movie about Dengler called Rescue Dawn - based on his escape). This was a harrowing - and yet, ultimately uplifting - tale for triumph. Dieter was a larger-than-life character.
That's interesting, Cindy! I may have to check it out at some point. More and more I'm starting to find nonfiction/memoirs to be interesting! I just finished Your Own Kind of Girl and although I had never heard of the singer/songwriter, Clare Bowditch, I found this really interesting! I'm now listening to The Vanishing Half and although it was a slow start for me, I slowly got drawn into the story and now I want to know how it will end! It definitely explores the whole light skinned vs darkskinned issue among people of color and in general society.
One book I read a few years ago that I found interesting was The Seven Daughters of Eve. Reminds you that we are all the children of just a few women from Africa, all sisters at the start.
Cindy wrote: "One book I read a few years ago that I found interesting was The Seven Daughters of Eve. Reminds you that we are all the children of just a few women from Africa, all sisters at the start."Do you know who wrote it? When I enter the title, I get three different books...
Eileen wrote: "Is it this one? The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry"Yes, I think it was...it's been a while but when I went back and looked at the description, it sure looks like it. I remember it was very interesting.
I have been reading The Last of the Mohicans in fits and starts. I'm finding it difficult for a few reasons but I want to know what happens to the two sisters (I have never seen the film!). I have also finished Ramage & the Drumbeat - an exciting adventure which isn't too taxing on the brain.
Interesting! I didn't realize (but perhaps should have) it was a book! I've seen the movie, but not for a very long time! I just finished reading Invisible Man and that was a real trip, but also really sad realizing just how relevant it is today.
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Rosemarie wrote: "I read Invisible Man earlier this year. It was a rewarding reading experience."I didn't know what to expect, but I'm so glad I finally read it!
Some day I'll give that book a try, Cindy! I'm currently making my way through The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration and it is very eye-opening. In some ways, it reminds me of The Grapes of Wrath, partly because it focuses on the migration of 3 different people in particular, but she also talks about the history of racism and black migration in this country. Highly recommended. I'm looking forward to reading Caste sooner rather than later.
I had a good month and ended up being able to read the following nonfiction and historical fiction books. I really enjoyed this month's reads!
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Rosemarie wrote: "I'm glad you had a good reading month."I discovered at least a couple of new authors, which is always great!
Sonia wrote: "I have finished The Last of the Mohicans and I didn't enjoy it."That's unfortunate. But at least you can check it off your list. I hope your next book is a great one!
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Looks like I'm late to the party! I wasn't aware about migration/color genre book challenge but somehow i read amazing books recently. I'm YA reader. The issues are dealt delicately.
I recently read- Brown Girl Dreaming (Jacqueline Woodson)
Betty before X (Betty Shabaz) wife of Malcolm X.
Kelly Yang's Front desk (Chinese migration to USA) and now reading it's sequel 'Three Keys'
they have real life inputs from author's life
another migration story by Kelly yang 'Parachutes'
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oh, yes I liked the way how it was written. Quite unique and to the point.
I love Jacqueline Woodson--I'm going to have to read Brown Girl Dreaming! And I think I'll check out Kelly Yang's book out. All of these books would be great for November!
plz read/listen to Kelly Yang's Front desk .. you will be happy to know this girl
Gulshan wrote: "plz read/listen to Kelly Yang's Front desk .. you will be happy to know this girl"Okay, thanks for the recommendations. I was able to get a copy of Front Desk and Parachutes and I have Three Keys on request. I'll add them to my November TBR list.
wonderful looking forward to your views
The Reading Challenge Group
Books mentioned in this topic
The Call of the Wild (other topics)Invisible Man (other topics)
The Pioneers (other topics)
The Last of the Mohicans (other topics)
The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
John Steinbeck (other topics)Spike Milligan (other topics)
Catharine Maria Sedgwick (other topics)
Eoin Dempsey (other topics)
Happy reading everyone!