Currently Reading

[Lisa]

I'm reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory and preparing to start listening to Sharpe's Tiger by Bernard Cornwell on my Nook.

[Sydney]

These electronic readers are wonderful! How do you like the Nook?

I have not read The Red Queen, but I have enjoyed others by Philippa Gregory.

[Lisa]

I've really been enjoying my Nook. I got it last October, before the NookColor came out. I gave my daughter the NookColor for Christmas and she loves it. I just figured out how to borrow e-audiobooks from the library and put them on my Nook. I haven't tried listening to any yet.

[Sydney]

Sounds wonderful-- enjoy.

[Wendy]

I'm hoping to read The Red Queen also, Lisa. I just finished The White Queen, and it was my first book by this author. I didn't particularly love it, but I feel as I need to give her books another chance because she's a very popular author.

[Sydney]

I just finished The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht and what a fantastic read it was. It would have been a perfect book for a “Buddy Read” because it warranted discussion all along the way. There are so many layers to the story that I lost count. When I finished the book, I was tempted to go back to the beginning and start again. I will read it again, but I think I will wait a while and let it digest.

[Sydney]

I have just started the second in C. J. Sansom's Mathew Shardlake series: Dark Fire. It is a wonderful historical mystery. I am sure I will end up reading the entire series.

Sydney

[Sydney]

Hi Everyone,
I am currently enjoying The Sovereign the third in the Mathew Shardlake historical mystery series by C. J. Sansom. What a great series—has any one else read them?

[Sydney]

I read Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh several weeks ago and loved it. I am on a list at my library for the second book in the Ibis Trilogy -River of Smoke- that will be out 9/27 -- can't wait.

Sydney

[Sydney]

What is everyone reading? I am currently reading Thirteenth Night by Alan Gordon. Next up will be State of Wonder by Ann Patchett - I am on a waiting list for it at my library.

[Kathryn]

I have just finished vol 1 of Conn Iggluden's series about Genghis Khan. Absolutely wonderful

[Kathryn]

I also really enjoyed the Mathew Sharlake books. I did not read them in order though.

[Sydney]

Hi Kathryn,
I just added the Genghis Khan book to my TBR list. It looks fascinating. Hopefully I will get to read it before too long. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

[Kimberly]

I just finished the historical fiction Jocasta: The Mother-Wife of Oedipus. I gave it 5 stars. It was a great book.

I've stepped away from historical fiction for a moment to read The Glass Castle.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Kathryn wrote: "I also really enjoyed the Mathew Sharlake books. I did not read them in order though."

That was five really good reads, there.

[Sydney]

Just added it to my TBR list. Thanks for telling me about it.

I step away from historical fiction once in a while too. I am waiting for State of Wonder by Ann Patchett from my library.

[Amber]

I'm currently reading Roma, a novel about ancient Rome. I was slightly unsure of it at the beginning but I really like it now!

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/75...

[Sydney]

this book looks wonderful. The ancient history of Rome is something I know little about. I have added the book to my TBR list and hopefully will learn more about the history of Rome soon.

Sydney

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Oh, I really enjoyed Roma. Sort of like a chain of connected short stories.

[Heather]

Sydney wrote: "What is everyone reading? I am currently reading Thirteenth Night by Alan Gordon. Next up will be State of Wonder by Ann Patchett - I am on a waiting list for it at my library."

State of Wonder is one of my top books of the year. Happy reading!

[Heather]

I just started The Book Thief this afternoon. One of my book clubs selected it for its August read. So far, the comments have been mixed, but I am on page 70 and I'm hooked. The writing style is unique and enchanting and the characters are interesting and well-drawn.

[Sydney]

I have heard a lot about The Book Thief, but I have not read it myself. What I have heard has been positive and I hope you will enjoy the book. I have gotten side tracked and I am now reading The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry. Historical fiction is my passion, but the sub genre historical mysteries is a very close second. This is my first Anne Perry mystery and so far it is fantastic!

[Kimberly]

Heather wrote: "I just started The Book Thief this afternoon. One of my book clubs selected it for its August read. So far, the comments have been mixed, but I am on page 70 and I'm hooked. The writin..."

I listened to the The Book Thief as an audiobook while working out and the time flew by. I really enjoyed it.

[Janelle]

I just finished A Wild Surge of Guilty Passion: A Novel -- it was surprisingly dry for such sensational subject matter (murder, adultery, Roaring Twenties....) It read like a nonfiction history book. Now I'm reading Caleb's Crossing, which I am enjoying much more. I love colonial America historical fiction!

[Linda]

Currently reading THE KING: A ROMANCE OF THE COURT AND CAMP OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT by Marshall Monroe Kirkman.

[Sydney]

You will have to let us know what you think of the book when you finish. I have just started the second book in the Ibis Trilogy - River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh.

Sydney

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Currently I'm reading The Greatest Knight, by Elizabeth Chadwick. Good so far.

[Sydney]

I have been reading a lot of historical mysteries lately and really enjoying them.

Sydney

[Linda]

Susanna wrote: "Currently I'm reading The Greatest Knight, by Elizabeth Chadwick. Good so far."

I enjoyed that book.

[Linda]

Hi Robert. Conn Iggulden is pretty good. I have read all the Emperor and Conqueror series. Sharron Kay Penman, Leon Uris, Herman Wouk are all excellent writers. Everybody I know is reading Bernard Cornwell. If you haven't read Mrs. Penman's DEVIL'S BROOD, read it. It is the last book in a series, so read the entire series. I cannot remember all the titles, but THE SUNNE IN SPLENDOR was excellent. I follow Sidney and some others to find good reads. Follow Ireny in the Ancient and Medieval Club. I follow several people really. I do not know if it is all right (rulewise) to mention names. I want to read something Russian. I have been looking at THE WINTER PALACE a book about Catherine the Great, but the reviews are too mixed. If you have something Russian to suggest, please do.

[Linda]

Did I bend your ear? ANNA KARENINA I have. Never heard of Bunin. I am going there next. Thank you, sir.

[Shari]

Hello, everyone. I'm Shari and I'm new here. I live in Tokyo and I'm a high school teacher. I just love historical novels. At the moment I'm reading Saramago's The Gospel According to Jesus Christ and Matsuoka's Cloud of Sparrows (set in 19th century Tokyo). Anyone reading these books? There are many historical fiction authors that I love. I hope to know more in this group. Yesterday, I bought Pope Joan and it looks intriguing. I don't have many goodreads friends yet, and another hope I have is to find some who share my love for historical fiction.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Finished The Greatest Knight yesterday; good read.

I'd read the sequel, and probably will, when I have fewer library books on my plate. (Three came in just in the last two or three days.)

[Linda]

Shari wrote: "Hello, everyone. I'm Shari and I'm new here. I live in Tokyo and I'm a high school teacher. I just love historical novels. At the moment I'm reading Saramago's The Gospel According to Jesus Christ ..."

Hi Shari. I am Linda (USA). I am a retired teacher and a retired attorney and now have a lot of time on my hands in which to read. I like historical fiction too. THE FAR PAVILIONS by M. M. Kaye is a favorite of mine. At present I am reading GODS AND KINGS by Ms. Lynn Austin. So far it is about Hezekiah and the people at court during King Ahaz' reign. The book has historical treatment with a dose of religion. I am going now to look at the books you are reading. Welcome to the group.

[Shari]

Hi, Linda. Thank you very much for the warm response. I've read The Far Pavillions in college and that's one of those books that made me love historical fiction. I still can't forget how the women in India would prepare themselves for suti. Gods and Kings sound interesting I'll check that one out. I just finished Cloud of Sparrows. Stayed up to midnight last night to do it. I really liked it in spite of the bloody and brutal scenes. When I woke up I immediately started reading the sequel, Autumn Bridge.

[Linda]

Shari, CLOUD OF SPARROWS and AUTUMN BRIDGE, going to read. LORDS AND KINGS is good but not a 'Mama's got a book!' good. No cooking,cleaning, ironing, yard work, etc., when I am into a good book. Hence, sons and husband look around at home disaster area and say, 'Mama's got a book!'

[Linda]

Robert wrote: "Linda wrote: "Did I bend your ear? ANNA KARENINA I have. Never heard of Bunin. I am going there next. Thank you, sir."

Consider my ear bent. Keep the obscure recommendations coming."

Linda wrote: "Shari wrote: "Hello, everyone. I'm Shari and I'm new here. I live in Tokyo and I'm a high school teacher. I just love historical novels. At the moment I'm reading Saramago's The Gospel According to..."

Robert, I have messed up these responses to you and Shari. My Nook may die from my confusing ways. Over in Ancient and Medieval Group, I follow most of their reads. If you have not read THE MEMOIRS OF CLEOPATRA, read it. I liked AGINCOURT by Bernard Cornwell. My boys were shocked, yes shocked, that Mama liked reading about battles. Because I've read their Tom Clancy novels they should not have been so shocked that I liked AGINCOURT? Surprised maybe but not shocked.

[Janelle]

I'm currently reading historical fiction to assuage my Downton Abbey withdraw symptoms -- _The American Heiress_ and _Fall of Giants_. :)

[Linda]

That is as good as any other reason. I divide my books into 'heavy' and 'light' categories. After reading a heavy book I read a light book. Works for me. Those withdrawals are bad, aren't they? I have stopped reading Scarpetta ( who is Patricia Cornwell?) Nooks and it hurts. I feel a backslide coming on!

[Shari]

Linda wrote: "Shari, CLOUD OF SPARROWS and AUTUMN BRIDGE, going to read. LORDS AND KINGS is good but not a 'Mama's got a book!' good. No cooking,cleaning, ironing, yard work, etc., when I am into a good book. ..."

LOL! I know what you mean about "Mama's got a book!" My own son will be saying that pretty soon. He's 4 and when he sees me with a book he either copies me or he plays. For now... Might as well take advantage of that, no? I hope you'll like Matsuoka's books. I'm halfway through Autumn Bridge and enjoying it. The book(s) is different from the others I've read about Edo (Japan). I'll check Gods and Kings. Thank you!

[Caitlin]

i'm reading at the moment- it was slow at first, but i love it now. alot like the movie :)

[Shari]

Hi! I finished Matsuoka's Samurai series a few days ago and it was a great read. Lyrical, imaginative and truly evocative of the setting (19th century Japan, pre- and mid-Restoration). Now I'm thinking what to read next. I'm still reading Saramago's The Gospel According to Christ (provocative), but taking my time to finish it. I'm deciding whether to read Haley's Queen or Ball's Empire of Sands along with it. Or maybe The Dante Club.

[Charlotte]

I started with Tai Pan by James Clavell, i have completed 70 pages but i still did not find it interesting ... Can someone give me a good reason to complete the 600 pages book.

[Linda]

I can: Ireney ( hi, Ireney). He suggested the book to me, and his suggestions are always good. The book is about manipulation, different cultures and customs, how men of like or different races use one another and more. Who will be Tai Pan? The end is a shocker. Why do Chinese women bind their feet? Very interesting. How powerful is the Chinese mob? I am just bouncing thoughts and remembrances off my head. Read Goodreads readers' reviews for more substantial reasons to read TAI PAN?

[Charlotte]

Linda wrote: "I can: Ireney ( hi, Ireney). He suggested the book to me, and his suggestions are always good. The book is about manipulation, different cultures and customs, how men of like or different races ..."

Thanks Linda!!

[Linda]

You are welcome. I just now saw I am in Buddy Reads. Ireney is my friend in A&M. Sorry.

[Charlotte]

I just completed 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak ... It is a heartfelt story and beautifully narrated...... I enjoyed the book..

[Elizabeth]

I'm reading Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. Has anyone seen the Kindle price for Winter of the World? $19.99! I've never seen a Kindle book priced that high.

[Linda]

I am reading SOPHIA by Ann Chamberlin

[Sydney]

Elizabeth wrote: "I'm reading Fall of Giants by Ken Follett. Has anyone seen the Kindle price for Winter of the World? $19.99! I've never seen a Kindle book priced that high."

It must be a very long book. In any case, I will not pay that high a price for a Kindle book.