What are you reading? 2024 Version

[Suzanne]

Jan Mc wrote: "I recently listened to the audiobook of The Girl in His Shadow, the first of a series by Audrey Blake. It's a woman-ahead-of-her-time book, set in England in the 1840s.

My short r..."

This one was an enjoyable read

[Suzanne]

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I enjoyed Percival Everett's reimagining of the slave Jim as James, fleeing to freedom on the mighty Mississippi with Huckleberry Finn. I think [author:Mark Twain|12..."
I need to move this one up the list. Many of my friends have recommended it

[Thomas]

I read The Sunflower House by Adriana Allegri It is historical fiction, set in Germany, 1938-41, and present day US. I recommend it to historical fiction fans. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rachel]

The Shadow King by Ethiopian author Maaza Mengiste is a Booker shortlisted historical fiction about the untold story of the women who joined the army to defend Ethiopia against Mussolini's invading Italian army. ⭐⭐⭐ here is my review

[Carolyn]

I read The Secret Wife of Aaron Burr by Sarah Holloway Scott, too, and enjoyed it very much.

[Carolyn]

Oops, it's Susan, not Sarah. Sorry.

[Donna]

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese

A reimagining of Hawthorne’s heroine in The Scarlet Letter. I enjoyed the historical details of early 19th century Salem.

My 4 star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alice]

I finished an excellent book The Women by Kristen Hannah. Set during Vietnam war and after. Highly recommend

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Christmas Ever After by Jaimie Admans

I'm not fond of reading Christmas books too early, but this was a September release, and a Jaimie Admans book at that! As lovely as all her other works.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

I'm an avid genealogist and I enjoy reading about my ancestors. I'm reading several books set in the Tudor period and the one I'm really enjoying is Elizabeth and Her Rivals by Nicola Tallis. I love seeing how my ancestors acted and reacted to The Virgin Queen during their time at her court.

[Carolyn]

Murder at the Foundling Hospital by Irina Shapiro is a terrific addition to this Victorian mystery series.

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

[Myra]

Recently finished A Remarkable lady and book
a prosy introspective novella
concerning the pre Civil war era in Kansas, thought provoking!

war time Britain from
an insulated perspective. Enjoyed it

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished Marking Time #2 Cazalet family saga by Elizabeth Jane Howard. Rated 4 stars. Really enjoying this historical fiction series set in WWII England.

[Tiziana]

Just finished The Turncoat's Widow by Mally Becker.

Spy mystery set in America during American revolution

My 4-star review here :
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

This Cursed House by Del Sandeen is a creepy Southern gothic novel set in the 1960s involving a family curse with elements of racial prejudice and slavery.

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

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished Hither to London: A Stratford Upon Avondale Mystery #5 Stratford Upon Avondale contemporary cozy mystery by Monica Knightley. Rated 3 stars. Entertaining series.

[Thomas]

I read Río Muerto by Ricardo Silva Romero It is more of a literary/historical fiction book than a thriller. It is about the civil war in Colombia. My 4 star review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

The Whisper Sister: A Novel by Jennifer S. Brown

That bland cover almost made me miss this book. Thanks to a friend's glowing 5 star review that brought it on my radar. This is one of the best historical fiction works I have read in months!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

The Beforelife of Eliza Valentine by Laura Pearson

Had I empathized with the characters' actions, I might have rated this even higher. But it is still a memorable read with a novel plot idea.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tiziana]

Very enjoyable suspense (mystery)-romance set in regency era

Once Upon A Wallflower by Wendy Lyn Watson

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

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife by Anna Johnston

Deserves the hype!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alice]

I finished The King's Jewel by Elizabeth Chadwick. Excellent book She is one of my favorite Historical Fiction authors.

[Tammy]

Rereading an oldie Charleston byAlexandra Ripley

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

We Carry the Sea in Our Hands by Janie Kim

The start of the book was shaky but the second half redeemed it, and how!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Alice wrote: "I finished The King's Jewel by Elizabeth Chadwick. Excellent book She is one of my favorite Historical Fiction authors."

Also love her novels. Own this and hope to read soon.

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished Girl with a Gun #1 Annie Oakley historical mystery by Kari Bovee. Rated 3 stars rounded up from 2.5. Not sure if will continue series as have so many on my huge TBR list. I preferred this author's other historical mystery The Pryce of Conceit: An Historical Ghost Cozy Mystery

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Good People: Stories From the Best of Humanity by Gabriel Reilich

For those who like uplifting nonfiction anecdotes as in the 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' series.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown by Charles M. Schulz. Rated 5 stars and on my favorite shelf. This was a short Graphic Novel/Comic. Even though not historical fiction I'm posting a link to my review as I explain how those in USA can watch the classic TV adapation for free on Apple+ App.

Link to my review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

I loved this delightful tale based on the known facts of Clara the Indian rhinoceros who toured Europe with a Dutch sea captain for 17 years in the 18th century.

The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg

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

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

The Suspension Bridge by Anna Dowdall

A historical + literary crime novel about varied bridges, both literal and metaphorical. Unusual!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Two graphic novels, one for kids and one for adults. Both amazing!

1. Rise of the Halfling King by David Bowles

A retelling of a Mesoamerican myth, adapted from the author's nonfiction book on Mexican mythology. A great book for middle-graders.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

2. The Library Mule of Cordoba by Wilfrid Lupano

Set in 976 AD and focussing on a librarian's attempts to save some books from being burnt. The approach is fun but the underlying issue is quite serious, and still relevant. This is for older teens and adults.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Rosh wrote: "Two graphic novels, one for kids and one for adults. Both amazing!

1. Rise of the Halfling King by David Bowles

A re..."

Rosh; Two great reviews! Wish there had been access to graphic novels years back. Maybe then our younger son would have been more enthusiastic about reading.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Rosh; Two great reviews! Wish there had been access to graphic novels years back. Maybe then our younger son would have been more enthusiastic about reading."

Thanks, Peggy! Oh yes, graphic novels are gamechangers in this regard. Maybe it's not too late. He could still pick up some comics/graphic novels in topics he enjoys and see if they work better for me. My younger one was a reluctant reader but thanks to such books, she is more pliant towards books now. :)

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Rosh wrote: "Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "Rosh; Two great reviews! Wish there had been access to graphic novels years back. Maybe then our younger son would have been more enthusiastic about reading."

Thanks, Peg..."

He's in his 30's. Occasionally reads books related to video games and he will reread Harry Potter series :)

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Peggyzbooksnmusic wrote: "He's in his 30's. Occasionally reads books related to video games and he will reread Harry Potter series :)"

Hey, if he has read and reread the entire Harry Potter series, he is a reader. ;)

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

Brown Women Have Everything: Essays on (Dis)comfort and Delight by Sayantani Dasgupta

I absolutely loved this anecdotal memoir. (Slightly biased as I too am a brown woman, but for the first time ever, I felt like I read about someone like me.) A good option for those who like OwnVoices nonfiction works.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

I just finished an ARC of Finding Flora by Elinor Florence. Think this will be published in April 2025. Rated 5 stars and on my favorite shelf. Set in 1905 Canada.

Link to my spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Janice]

I just finished The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, I am rereading Genesis and [book Peter (Bible #61), ESV|45426839] and tomorrow I plan to start reading Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde as well as A Scandal in Bohemia - a Sherlock Holmes Short Story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

[Thomas]

I read The Lost House by Melissa Larsen It is set in Iceland about an unsolved 40 year old murder. My 4 star review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

The Ravenswood Witch by Jenni Keer

A historical Gothic mystery. Could have done better but not bad at all.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Tammy]

I just received a giveaway from another site. I am not sure if it is a Fantasy or Historical Fiction maybe both Takaoka's Travels byTatsuhiko Shibusawa

[Tiziana]

Book 17 in LADY EMILY MYSTERIES :
A Cold Highland Wind by Tasha Alexander

Historical cozy mystery set in 1905.
The investigative couple are Lady Emily and her husband Colin. This time they were guests in an ancient castle in a village in Scotland.

I rated it 4 stars and here is my review :
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

Time of the Child by Niall Williams takes us back to the small Irish town of Faha in the 1960s, a few years on from This Is Happiness and is just as beautifully written.

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

[Liza]

For spooky season, currently reading Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery

Set in Puritan, CT, with quite a bit of magical elements. It is a bit dark, and though not especially scary (yet) it definitely fits the vibe for spooky season.

[Carolyn]

The Players by Minette Walters is an excellent follow up to The Swift and the Harrier. Set in 1685, in the aftermath of the protestant Duke of Monmouth's failed attempt to depose his catholic uncle, James II, it tells of the King's brutal revenge against those involved in the rebellion. Well written and researched with great characters and a touch of espionage and romance.

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

[Chris]

Finished Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce. Set during the London blitz, which was really just a backdrop, as the 23 y/o MC comes of age. It was a light story overall and the writing read more as a YA novel. 3 stars.

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg


90% readers have rated this 4 stars or more. I am in the immediate outlier range with my 2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Rosh ~catching up slowly~]

My Year of Casual Acquaintances by Ruth F. Stevens

A contemporary drama with a middle-aged protagonist and an episodic writing style. Interesting!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Peggyzbooksnmusic]

Finished Untrue till Death by Graham Brack. Rated 4 stars. Historical mystery set in 17th century Netherlands.
Link to my short, spoiler free review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Maureen]

I just finished The King's Messenger by Susanna Kearsley 5 stars

King James, son of Mary Queen of Scots, has unified England and Scotland.His young son, Henry heir to the throne has died suddenly. Rumor has it he was poisoned. Very intriguing story
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...