2023 - What Are You Reading? Showing 1,251-1,300 of 1,321

[Tammy]

Mostly a romance during the Victorian era Egyptian Museum era.Wicked

[Ashley]

Kismet by Becky Chalsen

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished Death in Delft #1 Master Mercurius by Graham Brack. Rated 4 stars. Set in 17th century Netherlands. Read on Kindle and listened on Hoopla Audio. Excellent narration by Alex Wyndham.
Link to my short spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[PattyMacDotComma]

In Shades of Death: Murder at the Court of Elizabeth I, historian Angela Ranson presents Catrin, an appealing, independent young heroine whom the Queen sends to investigate death threats. Great read for historical mystery lovers.
My review of Shades of Death

[PattyMacDotComma]

Fans have been waiting a while to see what author Graham Brack's Captain Josef Slonský has been up to, and I was glad to seem him back in (limping) action in Prague, solving the case of The Murdered Molls. Crime and humour - great mix.
My review of The Murdered Molls

[PattyMacDotComma]

I liked Wild Card, the second book in the Detective Zoe Mayer series even more than the first. Aussie author Simon Rowell gives us a good story with a cross-border investigation between Victoria and New South Wales and plenty of secret alliances. Harry is back in harness, still acting to serve and protect Zoe. Good boy!
My review of Wild Card

[Jules]

I recently finished the audio version of Elizabeth Chadwick's "The Summer Queen" and love her writing style. The descriptions are vivid and transporting. Contrary to the way patriarchal history portrays Alieanor, the author gives us an empathetic character that feels more believable. This was written about ten years ago, so there wasn't the same current obsession with "show don't tell" that writing bloggers over-preach, forcing a trend that has gone a bit too far. Instead of a book filled with weird physical gestures that the reader has to interpret, "The Summer Queen" has a nice mix of both showing and telling that I find makes the reading flow more easily. The Summer Queen

[Rachel]

Jules wrote: "I recently finished the audio version of Elizabeth Chadwick's "The Summer Queen" and love her writing style. The descriptions are vivid and transporting. Contrary to the way patriarchal history por..."

This sounds like an interesting listen. I just checked on Libby and my library only has the Kindle version so I guess I will read it instead of listening.

[Rachel]

Forbidden Notebook

This was a very interesting book. It is written in the form of a diary so we learn the innermost thoughts of the protagonist. It was originally published in 1952. /

[Alice]

I finished a very good historical cozy I Heard a Fly Buzz When I Died by Amanda Flower. Very good, 2nd book in the series. 1856 Amherest, Ma. Lots of socieal issues of the time, racial, slavery, immigrants. Louisa Alcott, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Emily Dickinson are characters. I recommend reading book 1 first.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Inspirational Wink and the Altogether Extraordinary Notebook by Delaney Evers

A fun cosy fantasy adventure with an older protagonist.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rachel]

The Thornbirds

Audiobook version.
In 1977 this was the hot book. I remember reading it and loving it. Then the movie came out with Richard Chamberlin, be still my heart.
Listening to the book this many years later, it says more about 1977 than a historical family saga about Australia.

[Sophia]

re-readingThe Viennese Candidate
Love this book as it gives an interesting take on Hitler's rise and also the 2020 pandemic. Very thought provoking.

[Craftyhj]

Rachel wrote: "The Thornbirds

Audiobook version.
In 1977 this was the hot book. I remember reading it and loving it. Then the movie came out with Richard Chamberlin, be still my heart.
Listening ..."

oh my goodness - I last read that about 40 years ago!

[Alice]

I finished A Polluted Font today. It was excellent set in 1377. Lots of discussion of the Poll Tax introduced and the death of Edward III. As usual his glossary is excellent. He does a great job of describing the food of the time. I don't think I could eat it. Start with book one of series.

[Alice]

Rachel wrote: "The Thornbirds

Audiobook version.
In 1977 this was the hot book. I remember reading it and loving it. Then the movie came out with Richard Chamberlin, be still my heart.
Listening ..."

I enjoyed both the book and Mini series

[Chris]

Rachel wrote: The Thornbirds
Audiobook version.
In 1977 this was the hot book. I remember reading it and loving it.

I also read that the year it came out and it was one of my favorites that year. I may still have it on my shelf!

[Rachel]

It is amazing the difference between men and women's roles. The men are strong and commanding and the women are mild and compliant.

[Tiziana]

Finished yesterday a touching Christmas novella whose fictional story revolves around an event that actually happened at the front on Christmas Day 1914.

The Silent Christmas by M.J. Lee

here is my review :
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Julie R]

The Lives of Rachel by Joel Gross.

[Carolyn]

I'm on the fence with this one. Loved the premise but not so much the execution. It's speculative alternative historical fiction (uchronia), imagining what the world would be like if HIV emerged 450 years earlier than it did.

The Wages of Sin by Harry Turtledove

review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Jayme(theghostreader)]

I finished The Nine Lives of Christmas and starting Arrow's Fall

[PattyMacDotComma]

Tiziana wrote: "Finished yesterday a touching Christmas novella whose fictional story revolves around an event that actually happened at the front on Christmas Day 1914.

The Silent Christmas [book..."

Thank you, Tiziana, for the reminder of the original extraordinary story of the Christmas Truce of 1914.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Baumgartner is a man widowed too young who wonders if he has a future. Acclaimed American author Paul Auster gives us Baumgartner's sometimes funny, sometimes poignant, always realistic musings. Excellent.
My review of Baumgartner

[PattyMacDotComma]

It was fun to eavesdrop on two old gentlemen comparing ghost stories from their schooldays. A School Story by M.R. James took place in 1870 but could easily be a contemporary plot.
My review of A School Story with a link to where it is free to read online

[Cindy]

I'm really enjoying by

[Cindy]

I'm absolutely loving Carnegie's Maid by Marie Benedict

[Carolyn]

This is a good one for those who enjoy cosy historical mysteries.

The Castle Abductions by David Field

review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

The Memories of Marlie Rose by Morgan Lee Miller

An interesting story about a woman who chooses to have certain memories removed. The novel works to a great extent. The historical insights and pop culture references are superb!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rachel]

Thanks for alerting me to this book. It sounds interesting. I wonder if I would do something like that if it were possible. I am not sure. I wonder what some other GR buddies think about that?

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Rachel wrote: "Thanks for alerting me to this book. It sounds interesting. I wonder if I would do something like that if it were possible. I am not sure. I wonder what some other GR buddies think about that?"

I too am not sure. The idea has merit, but based on the two books and one movie on this topic that I have read/watched, I think it is better to retain memories as they make us what we are, no matter how painful they might be. :)
The book is good, but I liked Love Deleted better. It was on similar lines.

[Rachel]

I put Love Deleted on my wish list at the library. The movie Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is of a similar nature. Is that the movie you were referring to? Memories and life experiences are what make us what we are for good or bad. Actually I think it is the painful memories that allow a person to grow. So I guess, I will keep what I have. :)

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Yes, 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind' - the pioneer of this kind of storyline. :)
I agree with your take on it. :)

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Illuminating Darwin: Arabella's Light by Jill George

An indie historical work focussing on the life of Arabella Buckley, one of the few female science popularizers of the 19th century.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich

Loved almost everything about this Southern historical fiction.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rachel]

Rosh (is busy; will catch up soon!) wrote: "Illuminating Darwin: Arabella's Light by Jill George

An indie historical work focussing on the life of A..."

I wish my library had that one.

[Rachel]

Rosh (is busy; will catch up soon!) wrote: "Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich

Loved almost everything about this Southern historical fiction.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show......"

Thanks, that sounds great. I just put it on hold.

[Rachel]

Blood and Oil: Mohammed bin Salman's Ruthless Quest for Global Power

I read this one for an in person book group, It was ok but it didn't cover much new ground. I am not sorry I read it but that is about it.

[Carolyn]

A Thief’s Justice by Douglas Skelton is the second novel in an entertaining 18th century historical mystery series featuring loveable rogue and spy Jonas Flynt.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tiziana]

I've finished A Christmas Carol Murder by Heather Redmond

Here is my 4 stars review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tammy]

A dual time The Devlin Diary byChristi Phillips

[Janice]

A few days ago I started [book:Midwinter Murder: Fireside Tales from the Queen of Mystery|50706471 by Agatha Christie.

[Helen]

I finished The Darling Dahlias & the Confederate Rose by Susan Wittig Albert.

3 & 1/2 stars

Cozy mystery with superior details of everyday 1930s life in a small Southern town.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Rachel wrote: "Rosh (is busy; will catch up soon!) wrote: "Kinfolk by Sean Dietrich

Loved almost everything about this Southern historical fiction.
..."

I hope you love it too, Rachel. :)

[Tammy]

rereading an oldie Circle of Stones by Anna Lee Waldo

[Rachel]

Blood and Oil: Mohammed bin Salman's Ruthless Quest for Global Power

I am glad I read the above but am not sure I would recommend it.

So Late in the Day: Stories of Men and Women
The above is very powerful but very short.

This Is Happiness

The above is a wonderful book.

[Carolyn]

I enjoyed this historical novel set in post war Finland in which two ex-soldiers, now diplomats, one Soviet and one American drunkenly agree to a secret 300 mile cross country ski race in the arctic wilderness of northern Finland.

Cold Victory by Karl Marlantes

review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Dotty]

Just finished
The Henna Artist

Ready to start 2nd book in the series
The Secret Keeper of Jaipur

[Nicole]

I’m 66% through The Pillars Of The Earth, by Ken Follett.

[Linda]

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store. Amazing book!