Historical Fictionistas discussion
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2023 - What Are You Reading?
Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Alice wrote: "I am reading a good new Historical mystery set in Colonial Ameria (some in Englad) Act of Oblivion
by Robert Harris. Deals with pe..."Never heard of it (which means nothing), but it sounds good. I'll be interested to see your reviews.
Oh, how I love finding a new favourite book!
Norwegian by Night
by Derek B. Miller is a compassionate thriller, if there even is such a thing. Great read!
5★ My review of Norwegian by Night
Patty: Thank you for recommending Norwegian By Night. It’s now on my Want To Read list. The description sets an exciting stage.
PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Alice wrote: "I am reading a good new Historical mystery set in Colonial Ameria (some in Englad) Act of Oblivion
by R..."Patty; Some years back read Pompeii by Robert Harris. A fast, entertaining read. In my opinion Act of Oblivion is better on Audio then reading. So far impressed with the historical details of 17th century Colonial America & England.
Alice wrote: "I am reading a good new Historical mystery set in Colonial Ameria (some in Englad) Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris. Deals with people who signe..." Please let us know how you like this book when you finish it. I have it on my To Read list and I'm very interested in it.
Kathryn wrote: "Alice wrote: "I am reading a good new Historical mystery set in Colonial Ameria (some in Englad) Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris. Deals with pe..."So I did finish it. Loved the history behind it I knew nothing about the events. I thought the plot could have moved along a bit quicker but overall a well writting novel that fills in a gap to history.
Finished Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris. Rated 4 stars. As Alice noted above this is a well researched and written historical novel.Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Finished The Island of Missing Trees
by Elif ShafakMy review: www.Goodreads.com/review/show/5186035846
I finished Jacqueline in Paris
by Ann Mah. It is about the college years of Jacequline Bouvier Kennedy. I really wanted to like this book it was just okay for me. It was interesting to hear about post war France. I found parts about Jacqueline's live a bit boring and repetitive. Her mother was a very difficult lady, must of been tough putting up with her as a young woman.
Just finished Tunnel 29: The True Story of an Extraordinary Escape Beneath the Berlin Wall
by Helena Merriman MyReview: www.goodreads.com/review/show/5261158420
I finally read The Secret History
- 3 stars. I wonder if it would have captured my attention more had I read it while I was in undergrad. My thoughts are a mess of contradictions, but at the end of the day: Glad I read it, and glad it's over.
Currently reading Lady Clementine by Marie Benedict. It’s historical fiction based on the wife of Winston Churchill. I enjoy the writing and some parts are interesting but I’m not loving it.
I felt like visiting Lady Hardcastle and Florence again. I am reading Death Around the Bend
by T.E. Kinsey. It is very enjoyable. Reading another one in the series is like sitting down with friend for cup of tea and chatting catchhing up on their life. I really enjoy this series.Set in 1909 England.
The Nature of Ice is a contemporary fiction set in Antarctica by Australian author Robyn Mundy. It shifts back and forth between the story of Freya, a photographer spending the summer in Antarctica and a recount of the 1912 exhibition by Douglas Mawson, including excerpts from his diaries and letters exchanged with his fiancé Paquita. Freya’s story is one of creativity, self-discovery and romance. Mawson’s story is one of courage, extreme adventure and heartache. Here is my review
Finished Plunder: a memoir of family property and stolen Nazi treasure
My review: www.Goodreads.com/review/show/5284693937
The Vinland Sagas: The Norse Discovery of America is a translation of the ancient Viking tales telling the story of the discovery of the Americas. These sagas tell the story of Eirik the Red, exiled from Iceland in the 10th Century, who founded the Norse colony and whose sons discovered the “Vinland” (probably in the Newfoundland area of Canada) around 500 years before Columbus. The sagas are easy to read and feature sea-faring Vikings and feisty females such as the impressive Gudrid and the scheming Freydis. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review.
I finished The Winter Garden
by Nicola Cornick. Very good. Duel time book, present day and late 1500s/early 1600s. The goes over history and background of Gunpowder Plot to assassinate King James I. Well written.
Finished Snobbery with Violence #1 Edwardian Murder by Marion Chesney aka M. C. Beaton. Rated 3 stars. I prefer her contemporary mysteries featuring Hamish Macbeth.
I've just finished
Ashes in the Snow by Oriana Ramunno a murder mystery set in Auschwitz in 1943. A criminologist has been sent there to investigate the murder of a doctor - one who carries out human research. Even though I'd read a lot about Auschwitz before, it was still disturbing seeing the camp through the eyes of a German who no idea of what was actually happening there. It's a well done murder mystery and worthwhile read.
review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I think a lot of readers will love
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell
by Robert Dugoni. Sam Hill is the 'devil boy' with red eyes, who is bullied and ostracised throughout his school years, but his mother assures him God has extraordinary plans for him.
3.5~4★ My review of ...Sam Hell
I Stand Here Ironing is about a mother who is 'informed' that her 19-year-old daughter needs help, so please come in and talk about how 'we' can help her. What follows, is those 19 years in this poignant, very short story by Tillie Olsen. I loved it.
5★ My review of I Stand Here Ironing with a link to the story online.
From A Whisper to A Rallying Cry: the killing of Vincent Chin & the trial that galvanized the Asian American Movement
Does this count as historical fiction?Endpapers
is a remarkable novel written in the voice of a non-binary book restorer in 2003 NY who has found a love letter in German, written from one woman to another during WWII. As the central character tries to learn about these women, they (the bookbinder) is deeply questioning their own identity.My ***** review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Bark Cutters is a dual timeline family saga by Australian author Nicole Alexander. It follows the story of Hamish Gordon moving from the Scottish Highlands to Australia in the 1850s and his efforts setting up a successful property Wangallan. The second storyline is about his great-granddaughter Sarah who is torn between two men, and between a life on the land and an escape to the city. Here is my review
If you think you might enjoy historical murder mysteries, I recommend C.S. Harris's Viscount Sebastian St. Cyr series, set in London, early 1800s. Terrific characters and atmosphere. When Maidens Mourn, #7, is another winner.
5★ My review of When Maidens Mourn
It's been years since I first read this famous John Cheever short story, The Swimmer, but I was surprised how much I remembered. It was also made into a Burt Lancaster film (which may have helped my memory).
5★ My review of The Swimmer with a link to where you can find it and other info
I've just finished Chris Nickson's The Dead Will Rise
and am again appreciating his ability to reliably produce historical mysteries with interesting casts and complex plots. The Dead Will Rise is built around group of resurrection men (body snatchers) plying their trade in Leeds in the 1830. Thief-taker Simon Westow, his wife Rosie (a true partner in his work), and his employee, former street child Jane, face challenge after challenge in this latest volume.My **** review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I read the newest in the series Suppression and Suspicion
. Greatly enjoying. Love the discussion of Medieval food and culture. very good mystery. Set in 1376 England. I recommend reading this series in order. This book is number 15.
Dwayne Johnson
is admired by adults and kids alike. In Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara's children's biography of The Rock is a good introduction to how he came from wrestling to be the highest paid actor in the world.
5★ My review of Dwayne Johnson (aka The Rock)
SMUT. Yes, really. That's what the title means (among other things).
Shmutz
by Felicia Berliner, is the unusual story of a porn-addicted teen. Not a boy, but a sheltered Jewish girl from an ultra-conservative Hasidic family in New York. I loved it!
5★ My review of Shmutz with nothing graphic
The Collector's Daughter
by Gill Paul. About the discovery of King Tut's tomb and Lady Evelyn Herbert.
In the Time of Our History by Susanne Pari
A literary fiction about a dysfunctional Irani-American family.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am still rereading Middlemarch by George Eliot and reading Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, and listening to The Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith.
Skin of the Sea is a retelling of the Little Mermaid story by Natasha Bowen. It is set in the 14th century Oyo Empire (modern day Nigeria) during the time of Portuguese slave ships and features black mermaids (Mami Wata), West African mythology, gods and goddesses and a gentle romance. The author is British, of Nigerian and Welsh background. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
Stealing by Margaret Verble
Had much potential, but the writing didn't work for me.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
If you haven't been collecting the Buzz Books, you're missing a lot of free previews. Buzz Books 2023: Spring/Summer is the usual great selection of excerpts from upcoming books.
5★ My review of the current Buzz Books with several suggestions and a link to download for free
Born to perform, Colombian singer
Shakira
has belly-danced her way around the world and founded her own charity. Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara has added her to the Little People BIG DREAMS series - always good.
4★ My review of Shakira with illustrations
I am reading A Certain Darkness
by Anna Lee Huber. Book 6 in the Verity Kent series. Set in 1920 England ( I will be able to use for early 20th century for our settings contest). I like this series shows effect on people after WWI. The characters grow a little with each book. I would recommend reading this series in order.
Finished "Dead In The Family" and starting "Dead Reckoning" by Charlaine Harris
The Proxy Bride is a dual timeline historical fiction by Italian Australian Zoe Boccabella. It shifts between 1980s Queensland with 16-year-old Sofie seeking answers about her parentage; and her grandmother’s story, emigrating from Italy in 1939 on a bride ship, to an arranged marriage and a new country. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ here is my review
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Historical Fictionistas
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Alice; Am also reading this (even though GR keeps changing it to "read") and listening to audio. A very interesting era 1660's that I know little about.