Historical Fictionistas discussion
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2022 What Are You Reading?
This D.H. Lawrence short story is a long way from the bright lights of New York in the Amor Towles book above.
Odour of Chrysanthemums
shows a very poor English mother and children waiting for their coalminer father to come home, late for dinner - again. He likes a drink, he does.
4★ My review of Odour of Chrysanthemums
I quite liked C.V. Chauhan's brand new Detective Inspector Rohan Sharma from the Leicestershire Police. Both Chauhan and his detective are of South Asian descent, which gives Sharma a bit of an advantage with some migrant families. The Dance of Death is the first in a new series that looks promising.
3★My review of Dance of Death
How does Ireland produce such good writers?! I have added Colm Tóibín to my growing list of Irish authors I've enjoyed. Brooklyn is a far cry from the Irish village where young Eilis grew up. Quite an eye-opener for her. 
4★ My review of Brooklyn
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
A Jewish historical fantasy that works pretty well. I enjoyed this unusual story despite struggling a bit with the Yiddish terms.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I just read
The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn which is a historical fiction based on the story of Lyudmila Pavlichencko, a Ukrainian sniper known by the Russians as Lady Death for her part in fighting against the German invasion of her homeland in WW2. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Rachel wrote: "I just read The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn which is a historical fiction based on the story of Lyudmila Pavlichencko, a Ukrainian..."Nice review, Rachel. This book was one of my favorite reads in 2022.
I recently read
Lessons in Chemistry
by Bonnie Garmus, and I have to admit my opinions kept changing. I think I liked it. 😊
4★My review
Read a very short book this afternoon, What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons. I’m afraid I hated it, it encapsulated much that I dislike about the present. Heading back to the past; going to read Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp next.
How appropriate that this mystery has two titles: Crossing the Lines, and After She Wrote Him. Aussie author Sulari Gentill is a favourite of mine, and I loved her unique, twisty, psychological invention!
5★ My review of Crossing the Lines / After She Wrote Him
The Story of "St 25" - Adventure and Romance in The Secret Intelligence Service in Red Russia, by Sir Paul Dukes.
Just completed The Secret of Matterdale Hall by Marianne Ratcliffe
An entertaining Gothic mystery. Loved the rep.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished The Winter Garden
. Nothing particularly ground-breaking, but a satisfying read with interesting female characters for those who enjoy dual timeline mysteries with a touch of the paranormal.My *** review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished The Winter Garden
. Nothing particularly ground-breaking, but a satisfying read with interesting female characters for those who enjoy dual timeline mysteries with a touch of the paranormal.My *** review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Elvis Presley's unique contribution to music in the middle of the last century (yikes!) is celebrated in author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's recent addition to the Little People BIG DREAMS series for kids.
4★My review of Elvis Presley
I had no idea acclaimed English author D.H. Lawrence could write a scary story like The Rocking-Horse Winner. What a surprise!
4★ My review with a link to the story itself
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Elvis Presley's unique contribution to music in the middle of the last century (yikes!) is celebrated in author Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's recent addition to th..."You and your reviews amaze me! I think you could interest me in any book in the world. Thank you, Patty! I'm off to buy Elvis.
Debra
Finished Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp, an unsettling book, and am launching into a quick reread of Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, for a reading group.
In the Twinkling of an eye: by James Lawler A self published novel of biological terror and espionage written by a former intelligence officer turns out its pretty good 👍🏾 not half way done yet but expect I’m going to give this a good review
The Bangalore Detectives Club by Indian author Harini Nagendra is a historical mystery set in 1920s Bangalore. The first in a series featuring the mathematical and forward-thinking Kaveri, an enjoyable read with yummy recipes at the end. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Finished Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh. Rated 4 stars. Wonderful audio narration by Jeremy Irons who portrayed Charles Ryder in the 1980's mini series.
The Blackout Book Club by Amy Lynn Green
Excellent for historical fiction lovers as well as bibliophiles.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Debra wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Elvis Presley's unique contribution to music in the middle of the last century (yikes!) is celebrated in author [author:Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara|19440365..."Thanks, Debra! But I warn you, if you get started with Elvis, you may be tempted by the huge number of others in the series. 😊
Who doesn't love finding a new favourite book - and a debut, no less. Himself by Irish author Jess Kidd is a terrific blend of warmth and superstition and murder. The lot!
5★ My review of Himself
I am reading a wonderful book. The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post
. She lived a fascinating life. Great part of history food industry added in.
I am reading The Bangalore Detectives Club
by Harini Nagendra. Set in 1920 Bangalore, India. Enjoying books so far. Always interesting to learning about India under colonial rule.
I've just finished an evocative historical novel set in Australia in the early twentieth century in the lazaret (leprosy hospital) at Sydney's Little Bay. Although fictional, it's impeccably researched and looks at the way leprosy patents were treated by society at that time.
The Coast by Eleanor Limprechtmy review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished The Murder of Mr. Wickham by Claudia Gray. 3.5 stars bumped up to 4 stars. Enjoyable Jane Austen inspired mystery. Delightful audio narration by Billie Fulford-Brown.
The Bleeding of the Stone by award-winning Libyan author Ibrahim al-Koni is a short book about a shepherd living in the Sahara desert. It has strong environmental themes about species extinction and reads like a Bedouin folktale with a dose of magical realism and Sufi mysticism. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Echoes of the Runes by Christina Courtenay is a dual timeline historical romance involving archaeologists in contemporary Sweden and 9th Century Vikings and Celts. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Katherine Mansfield was one of New Zealand's most well-known authors, and I'm a fan. Her short stories are insightful and biting. Poor
Miss Brill
just wanted a little attention.
4.5★ My review
You looking for a great book for kids? Little Platypus: A Day in the Life of a Platypus Puggle, by Aussie author Anna Brett with perfect illustrations by Rebeca Pintos, should be at the top of your list.
5★ My review of Little Platypus with several illustrations
The Lindbergh Nanny by Mariah Fredericks
Nice enough, but I expected more, I guess. It didn't affect me the way I thought it would.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished Murder at the Serpentine Bridge
by Andrea Penrose. 1814 England. One of my favorite series. Lots of historical facts. A new character added in the will be good for the Weasels. Very good read
I just finished
The Poison Machine an engaging historical mystery set during the English Restoration and that moves from London to the fens to Paris and back to London. This is a series I'm hoping will continue for many more volumes.
Finished Mr. Dickens and His Carol by Samantha Silva. Audio. Rated 5 stars. Excellent fictional tribute to Charles Dickens and his classic short novel "A Christmas Carol". Fantastic audio narration by Euan Morton.
Jon McGregor is a terrific Irish author who was commissioned by the BBC to write these stories, The Reservoir Tapes, to follow his highly acclaimed debut, Reservoir 13. He is just so good.
5★ My review of The Reservoir Tapes
I've also just read Where Shadows Dance, #6 in the Sebastian St. Cyr historical mystery series by C.S. Harris. 1812 England - intrigue, murder, a bit of romance. What's not to love?
5★ My review of Where Shadows Dance
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Expected a lot more from this one. Some thing were good, some were just weird.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I've also just read Where Shadows Dance, #6 in the Sebastian St. Cyr historical mystery series by C.S. Harris. 1812 England - intrigue, murder, a bit of romance. What'..."Patty; Great review! Love Sebastian, Paul & Hero :)
Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I've also just read Where Shadows Dance, #6 in the Sebastian St. Cyr historical mystery series by C.S. Harris. 1812 England - intrigue, murder..."Patty; Great review! Love Sebastian, Paul & Hero :)
Me, too - and even the minor characters are great!
Jess Kidd has many fans who will enjoy Dirty Little Fishes, her award-winning short story, available free in 'The Irish Times' and on her website. It is a creepy delight! 5★My review with links to the story
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Historical Fictionistas
Books mentioned in this topic
Queen Elizabeth (other topics)The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches (other topics)
Foster (other topics)
The Spanish Daughter (other topics)
The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara (other topics)Claire Keegan (other topics)
Lorena Hughes (other topics)
Melissa Lucashenko (other topics)
Chris Whitaker (other topics)
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Hey Patty, What did you like about Rules of Civility? I had a difficult time with it because I didn't care about the characters, except for the poor man who died in the war. Debra"
Debra, I think it's often a case of horses for courses and books for readers at the right time. For whatever reason, this struck me at a time when I enjoyed it. I do recall a lot of superficial people, but some of them I did like.