Historical Fictionistas discussion
note: This topic has been closed to new comments.
The Front Parlor
>
2023 - What Are You Reading?
message 651:
by
PattyMacDotComma
(new)
Jul 05, 2023 12:51AM
A Very English Murder is the first in the light-hearted, historical mystery series by Verity Bright, a husband and wife team. Lady Swift is young, adventurous, and good fun.
My review of A Very English Murder
reply
|
flag
I love C.S. Harris's mastery of history and mystery. I'm trying to stretch the series to make it last, and have just read the excellent
Why Kings Confess
My review of Why Kings Confess
Janice wrote: "Rachel wrote: "
The Mountains Sing is a powerful story by Vietnamese author Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, a broad-sweeping historical f..."Thanks I just added The Mountains sing to my library wish list.
Theodora: Actress, Empress, WhoreSomeone here recommended this novel. I am about half way through and it is very readable and interesting.
The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Suzy K. Quinn
I rarely gush over books, so when I do, you bet that book will be a beloved read for a long time if not a lifetime. Read this book!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished Forever Amber (972 pages!) by Kathleen Winsor. Rated 4 stars. Historical fiction/romance set in 17th century England during the reign of King Charles II. First published in the 1940's and caused quite a scandal. One of my Mom's and Grandma's favorite books!Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
About a third of the way into Her Lost Words: A Novel of Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley and looking forward to the discussion. So far I hate it!
I finished The Hills Have Spies and I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban and started The Freedom Writers Diary
Rosh wrote: "The Greatest Love Story Ever Told by Suzy K. Quinn
I rarely gush over books, so when I do, you bet that boo..."
I was going to put this on my wish list at the library but they do not have it.
Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Finished Forever Amber (972 pages!) by Kathleen Winsor. Rated 4 stars. Historical fiction/romance set in 17th century England during the reign of King Charles II. First pu..."Ok, I am biting. I just added this to my wish list. I read Rebecca recently and now this. For anyone who wants another take on the work, see below.
https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
Rachel wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Finished Forever Amber (972 pages!) by Kathleen Winsor. Rated 4 stars. Historical fiction/romance set in 17th century England during the reign of..."Rachel; Thank you for posting the link to "smartbitchestrashybooks" review of Forever Amber! Loved this review!! It was spot on! I don't really enjoy writing reviews although challenge myself to occasionally express my thoughts. If you read Forever Amber will look forward to your opinions :)
Mo wrote: "Janice wrote: "Mo wrote: "Just cracking into World Without End by Ken Follett"I have three of his books: Winter of the World, [book: Fall of Giants|7315..."
I really want to start reading these books because I think I would really enjoy them, and my adult sons would as well. I keep my eyes out for his books when I am at a library book sale, thrift shop, and the Little Free Libraries in my town.
Reading
as part of my LP binge. Such a clever title...given the occupation of the protagonist and the story line
Rachel wrote: "I was going to put this on my wish list at the library but they do not have it."I hope they can get it for you. Indie authors do not often pop up on library lists unless patrons request their books. :)
Pippa wrote: "Reading
as part of my LP binge. Such a clever title...given the occupation of the protagonist and the story line"This sounds so interesting! I hope it is going well for you. Will keep an eye out for your review. :)
Rosh wrote: "Pippa wrote: "Reading
as part of my LP binge. Such a clever title...given the occupation of the protagonist and the story line"This sounds so interestin..."
I liked the cover of the book and I looked it up from the library and it is a completely different cover. The one at the library looks 1950s type of thing. I am going to read it. Thanks for the recommendation.
Just finished The Ghost Ship , set in the early 1600's, in France, Netherlands, Canary Islands and the high seas. amazing historical detailing while including murders, trials, slavers, romance etc etc. No ghosts were involved in the making of this book! NOt a paranormal. The Ghost Ship https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Maureen wrote: "Just finished The Ghost Ship , set in the early 1600's, in France, Netherlands, Canary Islands and the high seas. amazing historical detailing while including murders, trials, slavers, romance etc ..."My library does not have this book. Which of the two previous books in the series do you recommend?
Saboteur is a very short story about a man who is arrested for no good reason and finds an unexpected way to deal with it. Great little read!
My review of Saboteur with a link to the story online
Garry Disher is a favourite Aussie author whose offbeat Wyatt series features the crook. In Deathdeal, while avoiding his main enemies in Melbourne and Sydney, Wyatt is summoned to Queensland to pull off a job. I reckon you could read these out of order.
My review of Deathdeal
Just started
I fancied something different and there seems to be a bit of a buzz around this one (and the cover is so eye-catching ;-) )
Pippa wrote: "Just started 
I fancied something different and there seems to be a bit of a buzz around this one (and the cover is so eye-catching ;-) )"
I enjoyed the book tremendously.
I belong to a couple author's review teams and recently acquired "Deadly Intent" by Laraine Stephens but it's the second in the Reggie da Costa series so I wanted to read book one "The Death Mask Murders" first to give me an introductory look into these characters and ended up blowing through it because it was so good. Now I'm about done with the ARC I received of "Deadly Intent" the second book and have the third book "A Deadly Game" primed on my Kindle and ready to go next.
How It Unfolds by James S.A. Corey is the first quirky sci-fi story in The Far Reaches collection. How many lives can you live in how many different places?
My review of How it Unfolds
Steven wrote: "It is a great book, and Pippa, think you enjoy meeting the dog."That's good to know, Jan, and I'm now looking forward to the dog, Steven, but also slightly worried in case anything bad happens to them. Absolutely cannot bear anything where a dog gets hurt...
A Midnight Kiss on Ever After Street by Jaimie Admans
If you like fairy tale romances in a gorgeous setting, this one will work for you.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I’m reading The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. It's definitely living up to the hype. I can barely put it down.
Mo wrote: "Janice wrote: "I really want to start reading these books because I think I would really enjoy them, and my adult sons would as well. I keep my eyes out for his books when I am at a library book sa..."Thanks, I think they would make great winter reads. :)
Pippa wrote: "Just started 
I fancied something different and there seems to be a bit of a buzz around this one (and the cover is so eye-catching ;-) )"
I just found a new copy in a Little Free Library in my town last week. :)
Janice wrote: "Pippa wrote: "Just started 
I fancied something different and there seems to be a bit of a buzz around this one (and the cover is so eye-catching ;-) )"
..."
It was something different for me too but I loved it.
Joan wrote: "Janice wrote: "Pippa wrote: "Just started 
I fancied something different and there seems to be a bit of a buzz around this one (and the cover is so eye-c..."
About halfway through and really enjoying it. Such well written characters and the gentle humour. Some lovely observations
"She knew stupid people weren't clever enough to know they were stupid, but she assumed unattractive people knew they were unattractive because of mirrors."
Love it!
Sci-fi, mystery. Void by Veronica Roth is an entertaining short story about the murder of a tourist in space.
My review of Void
Janice wrote: "Rachel wrote: "
The Mountains Sing is a powerful story by Vietnamese author Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai, a broad-sweeping historical f..."Yes it is a bit like Pachinko
I read:
The River's Song by Suchen Christine Lim is a beautifully written story featuring musicians Ping and Weng, that takes place along the banks of the Singapore River, particularly during the 1970s when the government evicted thousands of squatters, hawkers and boatmen to clean up the river, destroying an age-old traditional way of life. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Rachel wrote: "I read:
The River's Song by Suchen Christine Lim is a beautifully written story featuring musicians Ping and Weng, that takes p..."Oh wow! I need to get my hands on this one! It sounds gorgeous! Lovely review as well.
Finished the wonderful These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901 by Nancy E. Turner. I rarely rate fiction as 5 stars but this one deserves it!
Donna wrote: "I’m reading The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese. It's definitely living up to the hype. I can barely put it down."I hope you enjoy that book as much as I did. It is an old fashioned family saga and I mean that in the best way possible.
Biography of XI am enjoying this book. It is an alternative history of the US. It is not my normal sweet spot but am glad I picked it up.
Did someone here recommend it? I do not remember where I found it.
The Long Game by Ann Leckie is another quirky and still topical sci-fi short story about people and humans - two different things.
My review of The Long Game
A Manual for How to Love UsI started this book of short stories because I needed something published in 2023 and also needed a short story for the reading challenge. Lets just say that if it weren't for the challenge I would have ceased and desisted with this one.
Killer Traitor Spy
is a very current Aussie thriller in former journalist Tim Ayliffe's Greater Good series. It's not just Reds under the bed anymore! It's a big world and it's full of spiesI love the series, but this would be just as good as a standalone.
My review of Killer Traitor Spy
The Housekeepers by Alex Hay
This made me realise that heist stories are better watched than read. A decent debut though.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This topic has been frozen by the moderator. No new comments can be posted.
Books mentioned in this topic
Hotel Cuba (other topics)Tom Lake (other topics)
The Paris Secret (other topics)
Agatha Christie: A Very Elusive Woman (other topics)
Prophet Song (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Natasha Lester (other topics)Paul Lynch (other topics)
Mieko Shindo (other topics)
Michelle Griep (other topics)
Kate Quinn (other topics)
More...






