Historical Fictionistas discussion
Recommendations?
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What Should I Read Next?
Terri-Oh I have phases for everything! Food, hobbies, tv shows and like you, phases regarding what books interest me at what time. I may want to devour anything Ancient Egypt for weeks and then grow tired of it and move on to Rome or something. Not that I don't still enjoy whatever phase it was, I just get tired of it. I quite frankly don't understand NOT going through phases!Heather--That was very kind of you! Judging by my list for the Challenge currently, I could really use a Sookie book in there! =)
CassandraJulia wrote: "Jeane wrote: "Okay, very specific question. Any HF ecommendations set in Italy? Youc an repeat anything you already mentioned here :-)Jackie anything? :-) Maybe anything I have on my wish list? I ..."
Thanks!
Nikki wrote: "Thank you everyone! I love the recs! Most of them are on my TBR shelf too so that helps me out too. =) southpaw--thanks for the recs, I have all of those read or tbr as well. I absolutely loved..."
Nikki, have you ever tried Steven Saylor's books? I love them. Also Rovert Harris writes great books.
Oh, and this would be for the Italy part :-) Adored reading Pompeii!
Jeane--No I haven't read either of those authors yet. Although I do have one of Saylor's books,Roman Blood, and I also have Pompeii. I look forward to both of them I just don't know when I will read them. Too many books, too little time! =)
Nikki wrote: "Too many books, too little time! =) "I second that motion.
Back a few posts there were fans of Ken Follett and WWll...but no mention of Eye of the Needle it is a great WWll spy mystery! Just thought I'd add it :)
While in Brittany I read several books. The only book I gave 5 stars to was The Blind Contessa's New Machine, and my GR review follows here:http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... It is absolutely lovely. It IS a love story! And historical fiction!
I also finished Passage to Ararat. For all those interested in the Armenian Genocide, you should read this book. Personally I think everyone should be informed about this issue, which in fact Hitler said everyone had already forgotten!!!! Here is my reviews for this book:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
I can also very highly recommend The Door. Why? Well check out my review here at GR: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... Even though I would have prefered a different ending, it was a great book! I gave this four stars too!
I also FINALLY read 84, Charing Cross Road. As my review states (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...) I should have not put this book off as long as I have. I didn't think I would enjoy it because it is an epistolary novel. I don't usually like such writing, but this was definitely an exception!
For all ot us who really don't NEED to add more books to out TBR mountains, I guess this is not a good message. I have discovered some books that really are too marvellous to ignore!!! Now you know of them too.
I like Philippa Gregory...most of her stuff is on the light side. She's not historically accurate, but her books are fun to read. Michelle Moran and Kate Quinn both featured authors in our group offer fun escapes.I don't know how you feel about HF romance, but Lisa Kleypas has a few ones that are pretty fun. My favorite of hers are the Hathaway series and Wallflower series. Lauren Willig's The Secret History of the Pink Carnation series is also a pretty good one. It's light, has some mystery and romance. If you like cleaner HF romance you can also try Susan Wiggs. If you haven't noticed by now I usually turn to HF romance for escape...if it's not your thing let me know. I have few other recs. lol. I can never resist a good book push. :)
Diane--I don't know if this meets the "light" criteria but I thought it was a great HF/time travel book when I read it years ago. Household Gods I keep meaning to re-read it!
Hmmm, well in that case you may not like Lisa Kleypas because she's more on the cheesy side. The Household Gods rec looks good! Have you read Juliet? That one alternates between 1340 Sienna and present day.
I second the recommendation for Household Gods - I really enjoyed it. I also recommend other Judith Tarr books - they are on the lighter side, I think:White Mare's Daughter is the beginning of a series set in 'prehistory'.
Haven't read it yet, but have heard great things about The Eagle's Daughter.
Queen of the Amazons and it's sequel Bring Down the Sun were also good.
She writes in many different cultures and eras, one of the things I like about her work.
For similar HF, with a lot of variety, I also recommend Gillian Bradshaw.
Her Arthurian trilogy Down the Long Wind: "Hawk of May", "Kingdom of Summer" and "In Winter's Shadow" is very good, and I also enjoyed: The Wolf Hunt, The Sand-Reckoner, Alchemy of Fire, Imperial Purple, and Horses of Heaven.
Diane, I highly recommend 84, Charing Cross Road. It is defintiely light and funny. I BET you will enjoy it. It is impossible NOT to enjoy ti!
But I do not think that 84, Charing Cross Road fits the requirements for the challenge as it is under 200 pages. I would echo the recommendations for Kate Quinn or Michelle Moran books for HF books that is a quick read and not so heavy. I have read Quinn'sMistress of Rome and Moran'sCleopatra's Daughter and The Heretic Queen. I liked them all.
Oooops, sorry about suggesting 84, Charing Cross Road. I din't know the exact requirements for the challenge question.
Diane, have you tried Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody series? I think Amelia is hilarious. The first one is Crocodile on the Sandbank. They are light mystery and funny in a smart way.I also don't know if you like young adult, but A Northern Light is a quick feel good one too.
I will second Crocodile on the Sandbank - one of my favorites!
Just found this wonderful thread. I can't resist adding my two cents on 84, Charing Cross Road. A wonderful book. But not only does it not qualify for the challenge, but it is one of the rare cases where the movie by the same name is even better. I know that is heretical, a book about reading books and the movie is better? but it just is. Yes, almost always the movie is a let down from a beloved book. But this movie captures practically everything of the book and in addition you get the great performances of the actors. The only other examples I can think of now of movies better than books are A Room With a View and Stardust. Another suggestion for light historical fiction is Tasha Alexander, which I don't know if she has been mentioned recently here. Historically researched mysteries, but not at all densely written.
Recently finished Silent in the Grave and loved it. I couldn't order the rest of the series fast enough. Also found another Deanna Raybourn that isn't part of the series...The Dead Travel Fast. Anyone read it? Right now I am half way through The Distant Hours and I love it. I am on a roll!
Hi everyone. I think I need your help. I've been feeling kind of down lately and I need a good book to help get me out of this funk. When I think about what I am in the mood for...I keep thinking about Jamie Fraser. :) That makes me smile. *blush* I've already read the entire Outlander series and I'd love to fall in love with another book or leading man like Jamie. I don't think I want anything sci-fi or YA. It can be told from a male or female POV. I don't have a ton of books in my TBR file, but if someone can give me a compelling reason why I should read one of those, I'm willing to listen. Thanks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Amy, looking at your tbr pile, I have read both
and
and loved both of them and highly recommend them both. Not sure I have a compelling reason other than I just really enjoyed them. They won't compare to your Jaime character but they do have male characters that I found charming. I will say though, just to warn you, that at least one has a sad ending but it is still a great read. I'll check over on my to-read list to see if I see anything else. Hope things start looking up for you!!
Amy, if you haven't read
I highly recommend it too! There is a love story in this one too. Loved it!!!
Amy wrote: "Hi everyone. I think I need your help. I've been feeling kind of down lately and I need a good book to help get me out of this funk. When I think about what I am in the mood for...I keep thinkin..."Definitely read Juliet. It is romantic, interesting and has charming characters.
While it has an unpleasant background (WWII),
has a wonderful male character named Alexander who I just love (and I love Jamie too!).
Diane, I have to vote for The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society one of my favorites this year....almost packed up and moved there..
Amy wrote: "Hi everyone. I think I need your help. I've been feeling kind of down lately and I need a good book to help get me out of this funk. When I think about what I am in the mood for...I keep thinkin..."Amy, you could always try Soulless by Gail Carriger.
It is different, as the main romantic male character is a werewolf, but he is a favourite male for a lot of women who read these books. The series is classed as steampunk and the author gives you a wonderfully fun Victorian/industrial revolution backdrop where humans, vampires, werewolves, ghosts and preternaturals live out in the open and in an integrated society.
It is a wickedly fun set of books and Lord Maccon will make your heart race in the first book I am sure.
Terri wrote: "Amy wrote: "Hi everyone. I think I need your help. I've been feeling kind of down lately and I need a good book to help get me out of this funk. When I think about what I am in the mood for...I ..."Thank you, Terri. I will definitely keep that in mind!
I just finished reading Cleopatras daughter and the heretic queen both by Michelle Moran. I'm not sure what to read next. I love anything about ancient history, but i need a love story in it lol any suggestions?
Here are a few:The Twentieth Wife
Nefertiti
Mistress of Rome
Juliet (this one is past & present)
Jenna, the Romantic Historical Fiction Lovers group has a great book shelf based on time period. You may want to check it out for more recommendations. Here's the link: http://www.goodreads.com/group/booksh...
Amy wrote: "Hi everyone. I think I need your help. I've been feeling kind of down lately and I need a good book to help get me out of this funk. When I think about what I am in the mood for...I keep thinkin..."It might not be what you are lloking for but the feleing down part made me think about the ladies' detective serie. Most of the time when I feel down it helps me going to my favourite genre or writer. I know reading a patricia cornwell helps me out.
Jenna wrote: "I just finished reading Cleopatras daughter and the heretic queen both by Michelle Moran. I'm not sure what to read next. I love anything about ancient history, but i need a love story in it lol an..."The Queen's Foolcame in my mind Jenny. It isn't ancient history but I loved the story.
Jenna wrote: "I just finished reading Cleopatras daughter and the heretic queen both by Michelle Moran. I'm not sure what to read next. I love anything about ancient history, but i need a love story in it lol an..." A few that spring to mind are The Last of the Wine (if you don't mind the love story being m/m), Ilium for a Trojan War/time travel twist, and Lavinia. Hope you find something soon!
I would recommend Ken Follett's Jackdaws if you like anything set in WW2. It's based around the truth of what female spies did behind enemy lines in France. A very unusual subject and very entertaining.
thank you so much I've already read Nefertiti and the Mistress of Rome
but the others sound great!
thanks again
Hi group. Im looking for a good historical mystery occuring during the Christmas season. I read Maureen Ash's Murder at Christ's Mass last Christmas season and loved it.
Hi everyone! I am almost finished with One Hundred White Women and am looking for a book to read next. Most preferably from one of my "owned" bookshelves. Thanks! :)
Lindsay wrote: "Hi everyone! I am almost finished with One Hundred White Women and am looking for a book to read next. Most preferably from one of my "owned" bookshelves. Thanks! :)"Water for elephants....or Little Bee...or the Forgotten Garden...all great books....
I think ill read Water for Elephants! Thanks Kristine!!
Ohhh...I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! I even got my fantasy/sci-fi loving daugther to read it.
Ill let you know once I read it how I enjoyed it! I've had it on my to be read list for awhile. I read Little Bee. I thought it was good but I admit I was a little let down.
Lindsay, Water for Elephants is very good. I liked it both for its focus on circus life and old-age.
Lindsay wrote: "Ill let you know once I read it how I enjoyed it! I've had it on my to be read list for awhile. I read Little Bee. I thought it was good but I admit I was a little let down."Little Bee was interesting..I liked it and disliked it and I can't put my finger on why for either one.
Lindsay wrote: "Ill let you know once I read it how I enjoyed it! I've had it on my to be read list for awhile. I read Little Bee. I thought it was good but I admit I was a little let down."Lindsay, I'm anxious to see what you think. I thought it was hugely overrated. I was very disappointed. Water For Elephants is one of the lowest rated books on my reading list. Maybe it's just me. Maybe I was in a bad mood:~)
I'll be starting it tonight since I left it at my house and I've been staying at my parents. Can't wait to get started!!
Lindsay and Pam, I also like the spunk of the elderly man. My Dad was in "elderly care' at that time. I recognized things that happened and felt it was an accurate decpiction.
I have been reading and enjoying No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II, and have been really enjoying it, but I've gotten my second library overdue notice!! You can't renew a book that someone else has a hold on, so, as I'm only halfway through it, I'll have to pick it back up at some later time. BOO-HOO I'll have to print out my TBR list and take it with me!! For anyone who is interested, No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II was an excellent read. So much intimate information about the thoughts and actions and personal lives of DFR & ER during this difficult time. It's great.
Pam, yes, yes , yes!!! No Ordinary Time is stupendous. What a writer. It sucks that you cannot finish it. I am so glad I was one of those to push you to read this :0)
Chrissie wrote: "Pam, yes, yes , yes!!! No Ordinary Time is stupendous. What a writer. It sucks that you cannot finish it. I am so glad I was one of those to push you to read this :0)"Yes you were Chrissie, and I am totally engrossed in it. Don't know if you remembered, but I have taken on babysitting my 3 month old granddaughter, and she's a handful. Plus, I went from Maryland to Florida to do that, so don't even have a library card here. I'll have to get my daughter to get one, so she can check it out for me from the local library. I just can't stop in the middle!! Enjoying it too much, and finding out how much I didn't' know about FDR & ER and how things played out politically during WWII.
Thanks for the great tip!!
Historical Fictionistas
Books mentioned in this topic
Love and War in the Apennines (other topics)A Farewell to Arms (other topics)
Miracle at St. Anna (other topics)
A Soldier of the Great War (other topics)
A Thread of Grace (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Mary Doria Russell (other topics)Elizabeth Chadwick (other topics)
Lauren Willig (other topics)
Lauren Willig (other topics)
Lauren Willig (other topics)
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I did just read The Lion of Cairo, which was not bad. But I am not into the Pharaohs and Pyramids anymore. It will come back to them, I am sure.
Do you go through similar phases?