European Royalty discussion
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Scope Question regarding Group Reads for Historical Fiction
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Emily
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Dec 11, 2008 11:07AM
Hey all! I'm about to post this month's historical fiction group read nomination thread. As I was thinking about the topic for this month, I realized that there's something I don't know about what this group wants from this read. So far, my topics planned all relate specifically to a country or time period. Would you be interested in doing a read based on a genre, for example, historical romance or historical fantasy. Any interest in broadening our historical fiction reads to include these other genres? I know there are some great reads out there that border on other genres and I was wondering if anyone had any interest in exploring them?
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Good idea, Emily, but I'm not interested in either of these genres. Even so, majority rules so perhaps other people are interested.
Historical romances like "Crimson Petal and the White" would be awesome. I'm not much of a romance fan, but as in novels like "The Tea Rose" a little romance helps the plot. I'm not talking about bodice rippers, but relationship based stories are worthy. Even "The Winthrop Woman" has a touch of romance included. Historic fantasy like Gebaldon's books? Yes I think that could work too. There's a book on the tip of my tongue, fingers rather, that was a time travel book but historical at the same time and it was excellent. I think it was set in New York City...the title will come to me....Time and again or something? It had some romance or mystery in it too if I'm remembering correctly.
Found it! It is Time and Again !
April's got a good point. There are so many books, while strictly catalogued as romance, have so much history and detail in them that they really stretch the genre. I enjoy a good love story, even in a historical book.
That's basically what I was thinking. I was reading Outlander, which is what made me think of it. And I recently read His Majesty's Dragon, which is based on the Napoleonic Wars, but with the added benefit of dragons. There are a bunch of books that edge toward other genres, but are still well-researched and historical in nature. I like those kind of genre-bending books, but certainly don't want to push them on you guys!
It really is too bad that some aren't willing to give romance a whirl. They're not all cookie cutter cardboard prettified settings just to have an H&H jump in and out of bed. I've found some fabulous reads, although most of those genre busting romances that I've found are out of prints from the 70's/80's, with the exception of Gabaldon.
I have no problem with them - I like a good historical romance, and am enjoying the Temeraire series (I've read all but Victory of Eagles, I think).
I enjoyed the Temeraire series, at least so far. I really loved the first one and have been so-so on the next 2. I want to read the 4th one - I hear it gets better from there.
I thought the fourth (Empire of Ivory) was better than the second or third, and right up there with the first one.
Oh good! Let's hope I get that Barnes & Noble gift certificate for Christmas. :)
Woo-hoo!! I did get a Barnes & Noble gift card for Christmas (actually, my husband did, but I'm stealing it)! Yay books!
Could we add a third section?We have the European Royalty section, and the Historical Fiction section, could we have a Genre section, too? (probably need a better name, though - Genre Section kind of sucks, lol)
We could allow people to nominate historical romance, fantasy, mystery, etc in that section. Maybe even do it bi-monthly, instead of once a month, since there's not quite as much interest...
I love everyone's nominations! Most are books I never would have found without you guys. I think the more area's we explore, the better!
I nominate Diana Gabaldon's Outlander as well. I have it and am dying to crack it open, it would be fun if we could do a discussion about it. Not sure if it counts as royalty fiction but i hear its fantastic all the same. Also, has anyone thought about Anya Seton's historical novels about some of the English Royalty like "Katherine". I love the time period in European History of the 13th and 14 century, before the Rennaissance.
We could probably run some genre group reads every now and then under the "Other Discussions" topic (and expand it out if it gets too big). Historical romance is pretty easy to fit under either of the topics we have now (and actually, romance was my plan for next month's theme in the Royalty read because of Valentine's Day). People could also try to put together their own buddy reads under the "Other Discussions" topic as well if they have a specific book they would like to read with others. They could post a thread saying, "Hey, I'm interested in reading ____, anyone else want to read it with me to discuss it here?" or something like that. Or, if a person already read a book but would like to discuss it, that person could just post a thread for the book under the "Other Discussions" topic (a few of these threads already exist under that topic). These informal discussions could be about any book (royalty, history, mystery, fantasy, etc. etc.).
Katherine may have been nominated before (at least a lot of people have mentioned it in various threads). It would fit well under a romance theme, so I wouldn't be surprised if someone nominates it next month.
That sounds like a lovely idea for February, Sara.
