Historical Fictionistas discussion
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2023 - What Are You Reading?
Rosh wrote: "The Girl on the 88 Bus by Freya Sampson
Earlier published in the US as 'The Lost Ticket'. A mixed bag for me, slightly ..."
My library has a book by the same author called
The Lost Ticket is this the same book with a different title?
Rachel wrote: "Rosh wrote: "The Girl on the 88 Bus by Freya Sampson
Earlier published in the US as 'The Lost Ticket'. A mixed bag for ..."
Yes, the same book with a different title in the UK. I read the UK edition.
The Conquest of Plassans by Émile Zola.
Part of the Rougon-Macquart cycle which traces mental illness through heredity against the backdrop of 19th century French political events.
My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The World Outside My Window by Clare Swatman
Why have alcoholic protagonists gone beyond thrillers and entered women's fiction? Such a disappointment.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Jackie wrote: "Just starting "The Autobiography of Henry VII," by Margaret George."I read that when it was a new book and adored it.
The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams
Quite a nice read, though a bit too long.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Someone here recommended this book and it is truly mind blowing. Please whoever it was kudos and thanks to you. I would not have read this except for your recommendation.I am only a short way through but for anyone interested in animals, it should be a must read.
An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal the Hidden Realms Around Us
Rachel wrote: "Someone here recommended this book and it is truly mind blowing. Please whoever it was kudos and thanks to you. I would not have read this except for your recommendation.I am only a short way thro..."
Most welcome, Rachel. (I am guessing you got it from my comment as mine was the last recommendation for this book here.) Happy to know that you are enjoying this amazing book. :)
Rosh wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Someone here recommended this book and it is truly mind blowing. Please whoever it was kudos and thanks to you. I would not have read this except for your recommendation.I am only a..."
It is one of those books that is changing the way I see the natural world.
C.S. Harris's Sebastian St Cyr regency mystery series is definitely my favourite historical series. Not only are the characters well drawn, but the era and history is well researched. It is a series that should be read from the start to understand the development of the characters.The latest addition to the series (#18) is set in June 1815 with Napoleon marching towards Paris and all in London on edge waiting breathlessly for news. Sebastian, unable to join Wellington due to a badly wounded leg, finds himself investigating the discovery of a mutilated corpse in the Thames.
Who Cries for the Lost by C.S. Harrisreview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Carolyn wrote: "C.S. Harris's Sebastian St Cyr regency mystery series is definitely my favourite historical series. Not only are the characters well drawn, but the era and history is well researched..."Carolyn; Also one of my favorite series! I'm way behind on reading these.
Carolyn wrote: "C.S. Harris's Sebastian St Cyr regency mystery series is definitely my favourite historical series. Not only are the characters well drawn, but the era and history is well researched..."This looks like something I would like to read. Can I start on this one or do I need to go in order?
Rachel wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "C.S. Harris's Sebastian St Cyr regency mystery series is definitely my favourite historical series. Not only are the characters well drawn, but the era and history is..."I recommend readign the series in order. It is very good
The Rush, by Aussie author Michelle Prak, is a scary outback, backpacker thriller! Storm, blackout, body lying at the side of the road in torrential downpour ... do you stop or get the heck out of there?
4★ My review of The Rush
Alice wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "C.S. Harris's Sebastian St Cyr regency mystery series is definitely my favourite historical series. Not only are the characters well drawn, but the era..."Great, I am going to read What Angels Fear as soon as I finish the two books I am reading now. Thanks for the input and original suggestion.
Finished The Late Mrs. Willoughby, #2 Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney, Jane Austen inspired historical mystery by Claudia Gray. Rated 4 stars. Delightful Audio narration by Billie Fulford-Brown. Recommend reading #1 The Murder of Mr. Wickham first.
Rosh wrote: "The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams
Quite a nice read, though a bit too long.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5..."
I love your review! I just put this on my TBR. :)
Janice wrote: "I love your review! I just put this on my TBR. :)"Thank you! I hope you enjoy it even more than I did. :)
Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall
Made a mortal folly by picking this one up. Expected far more from this historical fantasy.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rachel wrote: "Demon CopperheadI started this today and think it is going to be a winner."
Rosh wrote: "Janice wrote: "I love your review! I just put this on my TBR. :)"
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it even more than I did. :)"
I have read about 25% of Demon and it is wonderful.
Rachel wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Demon CopperheadI started this today and think it is going to be a winner."
Rosh wrote: "Janice wrote: "I love your review! I just put this on my TBR. :)"
Thank y..."
I debated between 4 and 5 stars on this one and the reason I went with 4 was I got bogged down in the later half of the book with all the drug stuff. I mean it is very realistic and ends on a more upbeat note which I'm not sure IS realistic given all that preceded it.
I will say the writing style was excellent and I got more drawn into understanding the characters than I thought I would at the beginning.
I do recommend this book even though it is not an easy read and can be difficult at times.
I love seeing little kids dress up and pretend. Princess Kevin by Michaël Escoffier is a cute story about a little boy going to fancy dress day at school. Go, Kevin!
5★ My review of Princess Kevin with several of the illustrations
The Voice to Parliament Handbook: All the Detail You Need
by Aussie authors Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien is an excellent, easy-to-read summary of Aboriginal and colonial history as well as a discussion about the upcoming Constitutional referendum.Absolutely wonderful! If you're an Aussie, don't miss it.
5★ Notes from me about The Voice to Parliament Handbook with some excerpts
A Knight and a Spy 14141414, the fifth in a series of medieval intrigue in England and France, each book a years time.
Just started
I've read it before but fancied re-reading :-) - in truth I don't remember what happened and curious to refresh my memonry.
Women We Buried, Women We Burned: A Memoir by Rachel Louise Snyder
A good memoir, though I had expected it to focus a bit more on the domestic violence problem and on the author's international experiences, as the blurb seems to hint.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Knockout Beauty and Other Afflictions by indie author Marina Rubin
An amazing and intelligent anthology.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I finished
Where Are Your Boys Tonight?: The Oral History of Emo's Mainstream Explosion 1999-2008 last night and thought it was excellent!
Rosh wrote: "Knockout Beauty and Other Afflictions by indie author Marina Rubin
An amazing and intelligent anthology. ..."
My library does not offer that book. I wish it did.
Rachel wrote: "Carolyn wrote: "C.S. Harris's Sebastian St Cyr regency mystery series is definitely my favourite historical series. Not only are the characters well drawn, but the era and history is..."Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Carolyn; Also one of my favorite series! I'm way behind on reading these. "
Definitely in order Rachel, to get the most out of them. They're all excellent so it won't be a hardship :)
Peggy, I'm sure you'll enjoy them when you get to them!
I loved Karen Brooks new novel, even more than The Good Wife of Bath! Very enjoyable historical fiction with strong women characters to love.
The Escapades of Tribulation Johnson by Karen Brooksreview: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rachel wrote: "My library does not offer that book. I wish it did."Unfortunately it is by an indie author. So unless there is a demand for it, most libraries might not stock it. Maybe you could request them to get one. The author is US-based, so it shouldn't be a problem.
Carolyn wrote: "I loved Karen Brooks new novel, even more than The Good Wife of Bath! Very enjoyable historical fiction with strong women characters to love.[bookcover:The Escapa..."
Another one my library does not have. I put The Good Wife of Bath on my list.
RebeccaNarrated by Anna Massey. She is a terrific narrator. She even has the old fashioned upper crust accent. The book is better than the movie.
The Haunting of Whitehall Manor by L.V. Pires
Good for Gothic horror lovers.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished The Angel in the Glass #2 Gabriel Taverner by Alys Clare. Gritty historical mystery set in 1604 England. Rated 4 stars.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Here and Queer: A Queer Girl's Guide to Life by Rowan Ellis is exactly what it says it is, BUT, it doesn't indicate how vibrant and detailed and caring it is. This should be readily available in all schools and community libraries for those young girls everywhere who feel so unsure.
5★ My review of Here and Queer... with several of the colourful illustrations.
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Heart-warming for book lovers, and enjoyable as long as you don't overanalyse it.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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An interesting Indian noir. Pretty good, but would have been great had the author stuck to the crime investigation elements in the plot rather than trying too much.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...