What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?) Showing 7,501-7,550 of 10,106

[Ace]

C.P. wrote: "
And although they are not historical, some people in this group might like Adam's Rib: A Rocco Schiavone Mystery, which just came out, and its predecessor, Black Run: A Rocco Schiavone Mystery—both brilliantly translated into English from Antonio Manzini's Italian originals. ..."

Did somebody say Uhtred? Thanks CP, I have added those two to my TBR. They sound like fun reads.

[C.P.]

Heh, heh. ;-) I enjoyed them, and I really didn't think I would.

[May]

Thanks Sherry & CP!! Ann Swinden is now on my TBR list also!! Do I need to start with the 1st novel??

[Jane]

Zorro / Isabel Allende

[Nazzarena]

So... I finally decided to start my 20th Bernard Cornwell book, this time a whodunit: Gallows Thief.

[happy]

Good read!

[Rafael]

It's in my to-read shelf. It's a good book, happy?

[happy]

I read it yrs ago when it first came out - good way to spend 6 or 7 hours :) At the time I thought there was a series in there, but I guess other characters and stories came ahead of it (Uhtred anyone:)). Reminded me a bit of his sailing novels.

[Ace]

I read it back in 2010, but looking at the description again, I don't remember the story ... I must have enjoyed the read. I always remember if I don't like a book! Must be time for a re-read! Lucky I am retiring in 42 days and will have all the time in the world :)

[Alice]

It's now on my to-read list!

[Allison]

Congrats, Ace!!

[Ace]

Allie wrote: "Congrats, Ace!!"

Thanks Allie :)

[Dan]

I am reading by Steven Saylor, the first of his books I have read and am really enjoying it.

[May]

Congrats, Ace!

[Ace]

Thanks May :)

[Nazzarena]

Happy retirement, Ace!

I've just finished Gallows Thief, which I enjoyed very much, and now I'm starting a new series with Outlaw.

[Ace]

Thanks Nazzarena..

[Paul]

May wrote: "Thanks Sherry & CP!! Ann Swinden is now on my TBR list also!! Do I need to start with the 1st novel??"

Swinfen's Christoval Alvarez books are sequential. I recommend doing them in order. I also recommend them pretty highly. My review, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... .
I've read the first 6 of that series, but probably should turn back and pick up whatever might be next in her series.

[Patricia]

Lords of the North. I've also been rereading Royal Assassin. Even though this is fantasy, I believe Hobb is a writer to study if you're writing any kind of historical fiction. I love the way she describes places and characters without making you feel bogged down with too much boring detail.

[happy]

I'm currently reading a new biography of Winston Churchill's wife Clementine



I'm about half way through it - fascinating read. She was one of the first political wive to become directly envolved with her husbands career. Many of his contempories considered her the only one to be able to control his more extravagent impulses :)

[Alice]

happy wrote: "I'm currently reading a new biography of Winston Churchill's wife Clementine



I'm about half way through it - fascinating..."

I once read a letter that Clementine wrote to Churchill while doing research on one of Churchill's speeches related to land ownership for my book Land And The Ruling Class In Hong Kong, and thought that she was clever in using her tenderness and feminine persuasion rather than hard reasoning. I can't remember what occasioned the letter, but it was at a time when Churchill was in a grouchy mood.

[Faith]

I read The Ashes of London by Andrew Taylor. My review is here:

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

[Lariela]

Have begun reading The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory.

(I was originally expecting it to be about Margaret of Anjou.)

[happy]

I finished the biography of Winston Churchill's wife, First Lady: The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill

Good read - My admiration for the Lady rose emensely:) I greatly enjoyed the contrast between her and Eleanor Roosevelt. Churchill seemed to run almost everything by Clemmie, as he called her, before doing anything including some most secret items, while, according to this biography, FDR kept Eleanor in the dark about most everything

Definitely a 4 star read

My next read will be the third book in Iggulden's War of the Roses Series

[Lariela]

^ Is book four out in the US yet?

[happy]

Yep - It should be at your local library or bookstore. I know I've seen it at our local Barnes and Noble.

Correction - I didn't notice you were talking about book 4 - I don't think that is out in the US Yet Book three wasn't released too long ago.

I really need to work on reading comprehension:)

[happy]

Ace ⚓ wrote: "I read it back in 2010, but looking at the description again, I don't remember the story ... I must have enjoyed the read. I always remember if I don't like a book! Must be time for a re-read! Luck..."

Have a joyful retirement - I'm getting close - I can retire in three years and if it keeps going like it is that is when I'll pull the plug!

[Alice]

happy wrote: "I finished the biography of Winston Churchill's wife, First Lady: The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill

Good read - My admiration for the Lady rose emensely:) I greatly enjoyed..."

Good to know you loved the biography - I already added it.

I'll be picking up Stormbird from my library tomorrow :)

[Alice]

I've just finished The Confessions of Catherine de Medici. Loved it - 4 stars. It's a believable yarn about one of history's most maligned royal women.

My Review

[Jane]

The High Mountains of Portugal

[Paul]

Jane, I would also recommend author Ginger Myrick for your 'to be read' list, . Her books El Rey: A Novel of Renaissance Iberia and The Welsh Healer: A Novel of 15th Century England are both good reading, and would seem to fit your tastes. And I fully understand why you do not like Uhtred!

[happy]

About 1/2 way through Bloodline. So far its been a good read. One thing I can say - Derry's BACK! He has been one of the main characters on the Lancaster side.

He was one of my favorite characters in book 1 and for some reason he was almost totally absent in book 2.

(view spoiler)[The book opens with a prolouge of the heads of Richard - Duke of York, his son Edumund, and Salsibury being impaled over the south gate of York - very envokative! (hide spoiler)]

[Alice]

I'll be starting Stormbird tomorrow!

I've finished Hypatia of Alexandria by Maria Dzielska, which is non-fiction. I was intrigued by this legendary woman ever since I saw the movie "Agora" several years ago.

[happy]

enjoy!

A work of warning? - It's not really about the Wars of the Roses per se, but how England lost her possissions in France in the late 1440s. However most of the major players in the Wars are present.

[Alice]

OK, and thanks happy! I'm looking forward to it :) The only novel I've read about that historical period (or close to) is The White Queen.

[Alice]

If anyone is interested, here's My Review of Hypatia of Alexandria, which is an elucidating and myth-dispelling account of the 4th century woman scholar and philosopher who died a gruesome death. Would highly recommend it and the movie "Agora".

[Rafael]

Agora, I almost watched several times. When I let my notebook in the repairshop I will watch this movie. It seems be a good movie.

[Bobby]

My ninth grader is starting for English Lit so I'm going along for the ride!

[May]

Would love to hear from both of you when you finish!!!

[happy]

I finished Bloodline. Good, entertaining read, solid 4 stars. Iggulden has come a long way from his first series! It covers the time post Battle of Wakefield to when the Earl of Warwick decides to throw his lot in with the Lancasters - roughly 9 yrs.
(view spoiler)[
The first half has two very good battle sequences (2nd St. Albans and Towton), plus it opens with the placing of the heads of the losers of Wakefield on the Gates of York. The second half is mainly a political thriller as Edward IV's queen plots to have the Neville Family cut out of power and put her family in its place and the Neville's reaction.
(hide spoiler)]

I'll post my more complete thoughts when I get them typed up
currently reading a non fiction memoir of a man who was take prisoner at Stalingrad and spent 7 yrs in Soviet captivety.

[Alice]

1984 is one of my all-time favorites, and Orwell one of my favorite authors!

I'm enjoying Stormbird after grappling with the royal family tree for a bit. Derry Brewer sounds like one cocky guy to me!

[Lariela]

Now reading The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman.

[Allison]

Lariela wrote: "Now reading The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman."

I loved that book.

[happy]

ditto!

[Ace]

I've been meaning to read my first Sharon Kay Penman for a long time. Time to bump it up towards the top of the pile!

[Ace]

I'm reading The Whale Road, only a fifth of the way in and there's lots of swords and swearing and gore. Love it.

[Paul]

Just finished “Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae” by Steven Pressfield. I’m probably the last person in the Ancient and Medieval History group to read it. I liked it. My review is here. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Alice]

Ace ⚓ wrote: "I've been meaning to read my first Sharon Kay Penman for a long time. Time to bump it up towards the top of the pile!"

It will be my first too Ace - I only added it after seeing comments here :)

[happy]

Not quite :)

I'm currently reading Ralph Peters's new ACW novel



Peters in one of my favorite Civil War HF novelist - This is the fourth book of the series.

[Allison]

Paul wrote: "Just finished “Gates of Fire: An Epic Novel of the Battle of Thermopylae” by Steven Pressfield. I’m probably the last person in the Ancient and Medieval History group to read it. I liked it. My rev..."

Nope. ***hangs head in shame***