Historical Fiction Buddy Reads discussion
Currently Reading
Currently reading the Cleopatra buddy read and Royal Scandals. My easy read is a suspence novel by Craig Russell, Brother's Grimm. I always have a suspence book that I'm reading along with my HF/HNF.
Aside from the Cleopatra read, I'm also reading The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and The Fiery Cross/Outlander 5 by Diana Gabaldon :)
Jennifer wrote: "Aside from the Cleopatra read, I'm also reading The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and The Fiery Cross/Outlander 5 by Diana Gabaldon :)"How do get all of those read? They are all huge! What's you're reading schedule?
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LOL I know they're huge and it's not exactly easy. I try to read a bit out of each of them every day but that hasn't exactly been working out as planned. I've been reading Pillars the longest so that's the one I take to work with me and try to sneak that in on my lunch or if I have to take the bus, etc.
As for the rest... just whenever I can. Trust me, I won't be finished them for a bit yet :)
Jennifer wrote: "LOL I know they're huge and it's not exactly easy. I try to read a bit out of each of them every day but that hasn't exactly been working out as planned. I've been reading Pillars the longest s..."
Giggle you just like reading many at once. I do the same.
Right now am reading
Memoirs of Cleopatra with the buddy read here
The Queenmaker by India Edghill
Scrolls of Seduction by Gioconda Belli
The Daughters Inheritance by Tracie Peterson
Lucifer's Flood by Linda Rios Brook
I am most into the Cleopatra book, The Queen Maker and Lucifer's Flood but so far all are good.
Currently I am reading: The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress A Novel by Dai Sijie
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Song of Myself by Walt Whitman
Jinxed by Carol Higgins Clark
Jennifer wrote: "Aside from the Cleopatra read, I'm also reading The Wives of Henry VIII by Antonia Fraser, The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett and The Fiery Cross/Outlander 5 by Diana Gabaldon :)"Jennifer, We're practically reading the same books! I just finished Pillars two days ago and Fiery Cross last night. I'm now reading Breath of Snow & Ashes (Outlander 6) and Memoirs of Cleopatra. I started Cleopatra a while back and I just picked it up again last night.
That's too funny! Sounds like you're a head of me though :)
Currently reading HERE BE DRAGONS, about 1/3 through. I'm not good about reading more than one at a time. I find I'm too compulsive about finishing one and when I get into a story, I have a really hard time doing anything else except read. I'm really looking forward to the latest Outlander book. Anyone read it yet?
Carolyn - I just got that one, and the second one in that series. I am planning to read them sometime in 2010. I would love to know what you think of it when you are done.
Carolyn wrote: "Currently reading HERE BE DRAGONS, about 1/3 through. I'm not good about reading more than one at a time. I find I'm too compulsive about finishing one and when I get into a story, I have a reall..."Carolyn, I am starting Echo (Outlander #7) this weekend. I was saving it for the New Year and my birthday as a special treat to myself. I'm so excited to start it!
Lyn M wrote: "Carolyn - I just got that one, and the second one in that series. I am planning to read them sometime in 2010. I would love to know what you think of it when you are done. "yn - I'm about 1/2 way through and it is very good. Just the way I like to learn my English History. I had to hit the reference books a bit to get physically oriented to Wales. And a genealogy would help a lot. Nevertheless, her research seems impeccable and the story is really good. It's a love story and an epic battle of kings, politics and egos. Who knew that King John had a bastard daughter who married the "king" of Wales? So, so far it's a "good read."
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I have discovered a new author, Rose Tremain, and am currently reading her “The Colour.” I am about half way through and I am very impressed with the style of writing and the characterization.
She has put me in the middle of the New Zealand gold rush that occurred in the mid 1860s. Not only are the history and story fascinating, but the characters are compelling and command compassion and understanding.
I am really glad I picked this one up.
Anyone read Robert Harris? Imperium and now second in the series Lustrum (or Conspirita)
I read and enjoyed both his Imperium and Pompeii. Haven't read Lustrum.
Carolyn wrote: "Anyone read Robert Harris? Imperium and now second in the series Lustrum (or Conspirita) "I've read Pompeii (really, really enjoyed it) and just picked up Imperium (in my to-read pile).
I haven't, but I have Pompeii in my TBR pile.
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Pompeii and Enigma were both very very good. I have Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome and Archangel on my TBR pile too.
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Me, too. I have added the two that I did not have on my TBR to the pile!
Wow, I somehow missed that Harris was doing this trilogy. It looks terrific; I think I'll probably check it out. Thanks for the tip, folks!
Well, looks like he has to go to the top of my new authors to read. Which of his books would you who know him suggest I read first?
Well, I believe both Pompeii and Fatherland are stand-alones - in which are you more interested, the ancient Romans or alternate-history Nazis?I enjoyed both, btw.
Ancient Rome. But if you like alternate-history (i.e. What if Germany won WWII?) stories, I really liked Philip Roth's THE PLOT AGAINST AMERICA. Chilling, plausible and starts with the historically accurate fact of Charles Lindburgh considering a run for President. Meanwhile, I guess I'll visit ancient Rome for their political upheaval. Thanks. I now have a reading list that went from "What is a good book to read?" to "How am I going to find time to read all these great books?" Love this site.
Carolyn and Donna (and everyone), if you read Imperium soon I'll read it with you; it's leaped up near the top of my read pile. Reviews are great, and it's supposed to be scrupulously accurate.
I've read it, and it's good. Waiting on the second volume now.
Alex, I'd read Imperium with you. It looks like it'll be good!
Sure, I'll read Imperium with you guys!
Cool, this'll be fun. I can start it very soon; I'm just finishing "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde," which is short and is making me talk like I'm from the 19th century, and then I have to read the Communist Manifesto of all things, but that's just a pamphlet, and then I'm in.Susanna, we'll try to catch up to you. :)
Edit: Hey Tina - Taiwan, huh? That's awesome.
Hey guys, I started Imperium yesterday--it is good! Let me know when you're ready to discuss--do we talk on here or do we have a separate thread?Alex: Yup, Taiwan. Have been here almost 3 years now. I swear time passes much faster here than anywhere else I've lived! It's okay most of the time, but boy does the summer get hot and humid! Kinda expected for a tropical island, huh?
Tina, I started it yesterday too! My Kindle tells me I'm already 12% through it. Uh...we should probably start another thread, right? I'm new here, so I'm not really sure how these things work, but that seems like the best way to not derail this thread. We'll pick this up there.
Susanna wrote: "Just got New York, by Edward Rutherford. Anyone else have this one?"I have it on my shelf to read. I've always had a side interest in the history of New York, so I hope it is good.
Oh, that book looks interesting. You know Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City? That book is freakin' gorgeous.
I hadn't heard of that one, Alex, but it sounds very interesting.
Check it out sometime in a bookstore. It's like a coffee table book. Super cool.
I just finished Sister of My Heart and started The Wet Nurse's Tale last night. I'm a postpartum nurse and a lactation educator so I am looking forward to a historical fiction read on the subject.
I have read Year of Wonders and absolutely loved it. I tend to pass on books after I read them but that was one I wanted to keep on my shelf for my own!
Around the 200 page mark of Robyn Young's Crusade.
I just recieved The World Is Not Enough by Zoe Oldenbourg. I am hoping that this will break my curse with mid century authors.
Rome Burning : set in the modern day but with the premise that the Roman Empire never fell!
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Historical Fiction Buddy Reads
Books mentioned in this topic
Schindler's List (other topics)The Greatest Knight (other topics)
The Greatest Knight (other topics)
A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion (other topics)
Caleb's Crossing (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Philippa Gregory (other topics)Bernard Cornwell (other topics)
Carol Higgins Clark (other topics)
Diana Gabaldon (other topics)
Dai Sijie (other topics)
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From the front cover: In The Little Stranger, she returns to the fertile setting of Britain in the 1940's---and brings us a sinister tale of a haunted house that brims with the rich atmosphere and psychological complexity that have become hallmarks of her work.