What Are You Reading Right Now? ( Hwæt béon ðu bocrædung?) Showing 9,801-9,850 of 10,106

[May]

TREAD SOFTLY ON MY DREAMS by Greta Curran Brown & WHY MAIDENS MOURN by CS Harris.

[Michelle]

I'm still working my way through Anthony Riches' Empire series- currently reading River of Gold- but alternating it with Janny Wurts' War of Light and Shadow series.

[Michelle]

May wrote: "TREAD SOFTLY ON MY DREAMS by Greta Curran Brown & WHY MAIDENS MOURN by CS Harris."


I had read the first six or so of that CS Harris series, and then I became sidetracked.

[May]

Michelle, me, too. Just downloaded a few as offered by BookBubs… obviously, reading them out of order. However, the first few books set up the relationships well enough that I’m no longer concerned. I will say, I am truly enjoying this one!!

[Michelle]

It turns out that I read the first twelve! So much for my memory ;)

[Christopher]

Just started reading Matrix by Lauren Groff. I've really been looking forward to this one!

[Henry]

Just finished Varanger (a very gripping read, looking forward to read The High City, the next in the series; and I just started The Arctic Fury—already very engrossing.

[happy]

I've finished the next two entries into Douglas Jackson's Hero of Rome series



This one takes place of couple of years after the events of the first book. The background is the Christian growth in Rome and the first Neroian persecutions. Both St. Paul and St. Peter are minor characters in the story. Like the first one, I really enjoyed this.

solid 4 star read

The third entry in the series is



Again there is a couple of years between this book and the previous one. In this one Valarius is dispatched to the East to "determine" if the great general Corbulo (an actual historical figure) is loyal or not. there are some great battle sequences and a decent love story between Valarius and Corbulo daughter. The future emeporer Titus makes an appearence.

again Solid 4 star read.

[Michelle]

That's an addicting series!!

[Dee]

Debating still.

I would really like to start a series but I can't tolerate slow-moving starts. If it doesn't catch my attention right away I get slower and slower about picking it up to read until I finally get rid of it. lol I wasn't always like this but the last few years I just feel like there are better things to do with my time if I'm not happy with a book. ;-)

Suggestions anyone?

[happy]

I finished Douglas Jackson's "Gaius Valerius Verrens" series

https://www.goodreads.com/series/6309...

I really, really liked it. 8 of the nine books are based on actual events - from Boudicca's revolt in 60AD to Agricola's final campaigns in Britain in 82 AD. The one novel that is not based on real events, takes a passage from Sutonius about the financal crisis early in Vespians reign and has Verrens going to Spain to find out why the gold mines have stopped producing.

The Main Character seems to be everywhere something is happening. He survives the slaughter at the Temple of Claudius during Boudicca's revolt, the emnity of Nero and Domitian various and assundry campaigns to rise to becoming a Legate of he 9th Hispania during Agricola's final campaign. Along the way he becomes friends with the future Emperor Titus. Mr Jackson writes very, very good battle sequences - on par with, if not better the Bernard Cornwell. However they are extremely graphic - lots of rolling heads, severed limbs, esp arms, spilled inner'ds and last but least fountains of blood.

There is some romance/sex, but these are definitely not romance novels

In addition to the battle sequences, Mr. Jackson puts Verrens in the middle of the political upheaval that occurred on 68-69AD (the year of the 4 emperors). Two of the books are set in that time frame. He also has Verrens in Jerusalem during Titus's final conquest of the city. Volumes 7-9 take place during Agricola's final campaign in Britain. I found all 9 books at least 4 star reads. I highly recommend the whole series.

also posted in the Roman Thread

[Dee]

Thanks I’ll check that out!

[Michelle]

happy wrote: "I finished Douglas Jackson's "Gaius Valerius Verrens" series

https://www.goodreads.com/series/6309...

I really, really liked it. 8 of the nine books are based..."

That is one phenominal series.

[Michelle]

I tried Vindolanda, but gave up at around the 80% mark. The story just seemed to meander. I read Sharpe's Assassin and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it! I was a little worried after reading lukewarm reviews, but I really liked it. In between these I've been interspersing a fantasy series reread of Janny Wurts' War of Light and Shadow; the latest one finished last night was Initiate's Trial.

[May]

I’m finally reading THE EVENING & THE MORNING by Ken Follett! I’m loving it!!

[Allison]

May wrote: "I’m finally reading THE EVENING & THE MORNING by Ken Follett! I’m loving it!!"

I’d like to get to that one earlier in the new year. Library holds have been high!!

[happy]

May wrote: "I’m finally reading THE EVENING & THE MORNING by Ken Follett! I’m loving it!!"

It's on hold for me at the library :)

[happy]

I just finished this history/biography of Evelyn Nesbit



Ms Nesbit was a major character in E.L. Doctorow's Ragtime and since I saw the musical adaptation of the novel at the USF last fall and then reread the novel, I thought it would add to my store of knowledge.

Evelyn had a very tough childhood. Her father died when she was 12 and by 14 she had gotten into modeling and was supporting her mother and brother with her earning. Upon moving to NYC at 16, she was cast in the chorus line in a long forgotten musical where she was noticed by Stanford White - a very famous architect. It seems he designed and built much of late 19th early 20th century NYC. He was also a notorius seducer of young women.

After reading this, Stanford White, a very renowned archetect at the turn of the 20th century, and Ms. Nesbit's first lover, would have been in jail in modern times. He made a habit of seducing teenage girls. Ms. Nesbit was 16 at the time he seduced her.

In modern times he would definatally be in jail for statutory Rape, or in Evelyn case, actual rape - he either plied her with so much champaign or actually drugged it, that she passed out and when she came to the deed was done (in the parlence of the day). By the same token, he became her mentor, helped support the family etc.

She also noticed by a scion of a very wealth Pittsburg steel/RR family, Harry Thaw - who was crazier than a loon and a saditst to boot. According to the book, he raped he on a trip to Europe, and still ended up marring him. Thaw was an avowed enemy of White and ended up murdering him in front of hundreds of people, but was found not guilty by reason of insanity. His trial was probably the first Trial of Century in the 20th Century.

I found the book not particularly well written, but at the same time a fascinating commentary on early 20th century society and the status of women. 3+ stars. Worth the read if you have nothing else pressing

[May]

Thank you for your candor. I’m thinking your review will suffice for me… 😏

[Linda]

I am reading Amgalant Number Two: When I Am King, by Bryn Hammond.
I like books about Ghengis Khan.

[Linda]

I am reading Amgalant Book Two: When I Am King by Bryn Hammond.
It is part of the story of Ghengis Khan. I got it from Smashwords.

[Michelle]

I'm just about finished with Praetorian.

[Dan]

Simon Scarrow books are great. I'm on Traitors of Rome

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I'm reading Orphan Rock
It's not due out until March or something like that. I won an ARC! Which surprised me as I never win anything. :-)

[Mark]

Terri wrote: "I'm reading Orphan Rock
It's not due out until March or something like that. I won an ARC! Which surprised me as I never win anything. :-)"

Nicely done.

[Michaela]

Terri wrote: "I'm reading Orphan Rock
It's not due out until March or something like that. I won an ARC! Which surprised me as I never win anything. :-)"

Congratulations Terri! Hope you like it!

[Linda]

Amaranth One by Bryn Hammond

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Would you all believe, I was so stoked at winning that Orphan Rock book, that I entered two more book giveaways (run through their publishers not on Goodreads) and I got an email today saying I had won one of those! All I have to do is submit a review by early March. easy. I can do that.

I don't know what I am doing to win these books, but I wish I could remember ... toes crossed, legs crossed, the same coffee cup on the coaster ... I don't know what did it. I wish I did.

[Jane]

Terri wrote: "Would you all believe, I was so stoked at winning that Orphan Rock book, that I entered two more book giveaways (run through their publishers not on Goodreads) and I got an email today saying I had..."

I haven't won one in a very long time--years. One requirement is that you have an Amazon account. I haven't used mine in a while. I've stopped entering giveaways on GR. I have won on another site though.

[Allison]

Terri wrote: "Would you all believe, I was so stoked at winning that Orphan Rock book, that I entered two more book giveaways (run through their publishers not on Goodreads) and I got an email today saying I had..."

Good things come in threes so enter another one….third times the charm! 🥳

[Simona]

Terri wrote: "Would you all believe, I was so stoked at winning that Orphan Rock book, that I entered two more book giveaways (run through their publishers not on Goodreads) and I got an email today saying I had..."

Well, but a lottery ticket while you're on a lucky strike!

[Michelle]

Can you share some of that luck with us?

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

If I find out how this luck happened, I'd spread around to you all like fairy dust. :-) Promise.

I was also thinking 'it comes in threes' so thought I should buy a lotto ticket for my last shot ... but then an email came in with win $100 book voucher at one of the bookstores I use ... and I'm sure you can guess what happened then.

[Margaret, Sherlockian Sheila]

Terri wrote: "If I find out how this luck happened, I'd spread around to you all like fairy dust. :-) Promise.

I was also thinking 'it comes in threes' so thought I should buy a lotto ticket for my last shot ....."

Fabulous luck! You deserve it.

[Michelle]

Holy cow, Terri! That's terrific!

[Lariel]

I just started Daughters of Sparta by Claire Heywood.

[May]

Reading EDGAR AND LUCY.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Well, I've finished the two books I won. Now I'm ready for some more wins. *sigh*. Guess I better not hold my breath. :)

I am reading by Michael Robotham. A real page turner. I hate having to put it down.

[May]

Couldn’t finish EDGAR and LUCY.
Just finished JAYBER CROW.

[Allison]

Terri wrote: "Well, I've finished the two books I won. Now I'm ready for some more wins. *sigh*. Guess I better not hold my breath. :)

I am reading by Michael Robotham. A real p..."

You reviewed them quickly though….publishers like that. Might get you in the running to win more, knowing you actually follow through.

[happy]

I;m currently reading Mr. Cornwell's new Sharpe Novel



This one takes place after Waterloo, during the march to and occupation of Paris.

As with all of Mr. Cornwell's novels there are some good battle sequences and a bit of a convoluted plot. Sharpe is tasked to rescue an unnamed agent and then follow his instructions at find and render harmless a plot to assassinate Coalletion leaders including Wellington.

[Andrew]

'The Buried Giant'. It's not quite HF, more like fantasy in the wrapper of historical fiction. Enjoying it (just over halfway through). Rather heavy on dialogue and light on description. Totally different kind of text to others by Kazuo Ishaguro.

[Michelle]

happy wrote: "I;m currently reading Mr. Cornwell's new Sharpe Novel



This one takes place after Waterloo, during the march to and occupation of Paris.

As with all of Mr. ..."

I really enjoyed that book.

[Michelle]

I recently read Sword Song, and I just began Hunting the Eagles a few minutes ago.

[happy]

I really liked Hunting the Eagles - if fact I liked the whole series - enjoy Michelle!

[Michelle]

happy wrote: "I really liked Hunting the Eagles - if fact I liked the whole series - enjoy Michelle!"

That's good to hear- thanks!

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

I finished The Suspect by Michael Robotham and am now reading two books;


The Way it is Now by Garry Disher


The Reporting of Ned Kelly and The Kelly Gang
(the Kelly book is non fiction. The author has collected most of the important newspaper reports from the period of the Kelly Outbreak. It is fascinating. I've been on a bit of a Kelly book junket lately. Such a controversial figure. As an Aussie, I wanted to know all the facts and make up my own mind on the Criminal vs Robin Hood controversy that surrounds him).

[Michelle]

I finished Hunting the Eagles and I think it was better than the first book. I am now back with Uhtred for book five, The Burning Land.

[Terri, Wyrd bið ful aræd]

Ah .. The Burning Land. One of my favourites in the series. But then, I had friends who didn't get into it like I did.

[Michelle]

I think Lords of the North is my favorite so far, but I'm still early on in the series!