Historical Fictionistas discussion
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2023 - What Are You Reading?
Finished The Second Mrs. Astor by Shana Abe. Rated 3 stars. Didn't enjoy this as much as anticipated.
My Pen Is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women
An anthology of stories written by Afghan women. Poignant!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rosh (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "My Pen Is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women

An anthology of stories written by Afghan wo..."
Added and looking forward to!

An anthology of stories written by Afghan wo..."
Added and looking forward to!
Gretchen wrote: "Share with us all your current reads. Historical or otherwise."Currently reading Summer Sisters
and a cozy mystery on Kindle, but ready to jump back into Historical in September.
Petal wrote: "Rosh (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "My Pen Is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women
An anthol..."
Petal wrote: "Rosh (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "My Pen Is the Wing of a Bird: New Fiction by Afghan Women

An anthol..."
Thanks for alerting us to this work. My library does not have it and I asked them to buy it. My fingers are crossed.
Petal wrote: "Added and looking forward to!"Rachel wrote: "Thanks for alerting us to this work. My library does not have it and I asked them to buy it. My fingers are crossed."
I hope you both can find a copy, ladies. This anthology is heartbreaking and yet worth a read.
I have to use interlibrary loan, but I can do it! Wee!
Love Deleted: Are you sure you want to erase your love? by Paul Indigo
The writing style took me a while to get tuned to, but the plot is just amazing! Reminiscent of the movie 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', though not exactly the same.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I loved the deceptively titled (and covered) Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran. It recently won the prestigious Miles Franklin Award, and no wonder. This is Australia.
My review of Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens
Rosh (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "Love Deleted: Are you sure you want to erase your love? by Paul Indigo
The writing s..."
Rosh (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "Love Deleted: Are you sure you want to erase your love? by Paul Indigo

The writing s..."
It sounds interesting but my library does not have a Kindle version.
Scrap by Kathy Biggs
Great for literary fiction fans who enjoy a dash of magical realism in their novels.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rachel wrote: "It sounds interesting but my library does not have a Kindle version."To be honest, as it is an indie UK release, I am not sure if it will even enter the list of most libraries in the US.
I always enjoy Aussie 'national living treasure' Tim Winton's writing. His early collection of short stories, Minimum of Two, covers everything from childbirth to old age and the people we meet along the way.
My review of Minimum of Two
Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy
A literary crime drama as brilliant and as poignant as its title!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rachel wrote: "Rachel wrote: "
Wide Sargasso Sea by Dominican author Jean Rhys is a retelling of Jane Eyre, giving Mr Rochester’s mad wife her o..."I actually found a cheap ebook version on Amazon
The Runes of Destiny by Swedish English author Christina Courtenay is a timeslip historical romance where our heroine suddenly finds herself in the 9th Century captured by Vikings as a slave. ⭐⭐ here is my review
Homecoming is a thriller by popular Australian author Kate Morton. It is a riveting atmospheric read, set in the Adelaide Hills in 1959, that gradually uncovers many dark and hidden secrets. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Picked up
Smilla's Sense of Snow by Peter Høeg for a challenge. Written in the 1990s, it’s considered a forerunner of the Nordic noir genre. So far it’s a very atmospheric slow burner.
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
I seem destined to be the outlier on most major prize-winning books, and this is no exception. A retelling of Charles Dickens' David Copperfield, but highly stereotypical. Mine is an outlier opinion.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Just finished
I think I've been spoilt recently by some outstanding reads - this one didn't quite hit the spot for me. It promised much but under delivered.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rachel wrote: "
Homecoming is a thriller by popular Australian author Kate Morton. It is a riveting atmospheric read, set in the Adelaide Hills in 195..."That sounds like an interesting book. I put in on my wish list at the library.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
I started listening to the above and I am enjoying it. It is about gamers which I did not think I would enjoy but it is quite entertaining.
Rosh (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
I seem destined to be the outlier on most major prize-winning books, and this is no except..."
You are NOT alone, Rosh!
My review of Demon Copperhead
On a cheerier note:I loved Aussie author Benjamin Stevenson's quirky murder mystery Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone. I enjoyed the mix of humour, snowbound location, and clever plot presentation. Good audio, too.
My review of Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone
I'm starting The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent. If any of you have read this, I'd love to hear your take!
Julia wrote: "I'm working my way through the classics, old-school English fiction, and have been reading Kidnapped -- Robert Louis Stevenson. I don't love it but I suppose a boy 100 years ago might have. There a..."Sometimes reading old classics can be difficult to get through. Kudos for trying. It is amazing how little agency women have in that time period.
Robert Bryndza's latest novel, Fear the Silence, is a standalone thriller that takes place on a remote Croation island in wild, stormy weather. English doctor Maggie is alone and terrified!
My review of Fear the Silence
The Best Bad Day Ever is a cute, simple children's book that shows how nothing looks right when we're having a bad day, until... Author/illustrator Marianna Coppo has made it clear, funny, and universal. Little kids will love it (as did I).
My review of Best Bad Day Ever with several illustrations
Craftyhj wrote: "I find some of the classics are easier to listen to than to read."That is a very good point. I think you are right.
Finished The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. Fascinating fiction about the Whiskey Rebellion in late 18th century after the American Revolution. Rated 4 stars.Link to my short spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It isn't marketed as a thriller, but
Blood
by acclaimed Aussie Aboriginal author Tony Birch had me so nervous I couldn't stop reading. Little kids with a slack mother who keeps some seriously bad company makes for a scary read. Just terrific!
My review of Blood
I am reading The Paris Daughter
by Kristin Harmel. Set in France during WWII. Well written (She has done a lot of research), good characters , but I am weary of books set in occupied France.
Alice wrote: "I am reading The Paris Daughter
by Kristin Harmel. Set in France during WWII. Well written (She has done a lot of research), good characters ..."I am weary of all WWII fiction. It's almost as if authors have forgotten that history covers a much larger timespan than 1939-1945. Plus, most WWII novels follow a similar pattern with dual timelines. I am on a break from this subcategory of hist fic until something mindblowing gets reviewed here.
The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue
I didn't find it funny as the blurb claimed it to be, but it was a good coming-of-age literary fiction.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Rosh (Trying to catch up!) wrote: "Alice wrote: "I am reading The Paris Daughter
by Kristin Harmel. Set in France during WWII. Well written (She has done a lot of research), go..."This, right here. I was tempted to name my historical fiction section as hf-apart-from-wwii out of sheer frustration.
Ila wrote: "This, right here. I was tempted to name my historical fiction section as hf-apart-from-wwii out of sheer frustration."Frustrating is definitely what it is, Ila. I used to love this genre until the repetitive stories and writing styles killed my interest. I have read only one WWII book in the last year (thankfully, a good one), and have no plans of trying more anytime soon. There are plenty other historical eras to browse through. :)
Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Finished The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. Fascinating fiction about the Whiskey Rebellion in late 18th century after the American Revolution. Rated 4 stars.Link to m..."
I just put The Whiskey Rebels on my list at the library. Thanks for the review and recommendation.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "It isn't marketed as a thriller, but Blood by acclaimed Aussie Aboriginal author Tony Birch had me so nervous I couldn't stop reading. Little kids with a slack mothe..."My library did not have this one. I did read The White Girl by the same author. I wish they had it.
I am reading a very good new Historical Mystery Courting Dragons
by Jeri Westerson. Set in 1529 in King Henry VIII court. Very engaging book you want to know happens next. I like our main character Will a lot. It is a tough job being Henry VIII's court Jester.
I'm late to this thread but a big reader and a historical fashionista (if I may call myself that). I just can't open another WWII novel for a while. I recently finished West with Giraffes, which was a beautifully written novel I would highly recommend. ❤️
One Christmas Morning by Rachel Greenlaw
An interesting debut work, but don't expect lighthearted Christmassy feels. It is quite intense. Think Groundhog Day + A Christmas Carol.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
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by
My Review"
Thank-you, Jim. I would have otherwise missed this one.