The History Book Club discussion

Our Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: March 2008
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

JANUARY

1. by Cassandra Clare

Finish Date: Jan 15, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Young-Adult
Rating: B+
Review: Like all book-series, you either love it or you don't. I just love the world Clare created and all the action, drama, suspense, and romance. This second book is even better than the first and I can't wait to start the third :-D

Perfect, Kim.

FEBRUARY

2. by Robert D. Ballard

Finish Date: Feb 02, 2014
Genre: History, Maritime
Rating: A+
Review: An exceptional book by the man who found the legendary ship in 1985. From the discovery of the majestic ship, to the outstanding pics, a great story. I could not put the book down. Recommended for anyone with an interest in the subject :-D

I read the book, Kim. It deserves your A+ rating. The Titanic continues to fascinate after 100 years.

MARCH

3. by Hanna Peach

Finish Date: March 01, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Young-Adult
Rating: B+
Review: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

When I started reading it didn't really get to me at first but once I got through the first few chapters I couldn't stop reading. It was very intriguing and there’s a lot of suspense and action.

Hanna Peach created a fascinating world with angels and demons. She put a lot of thought in it. It reminded me a bit of The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare which also has that angels vs demon theme. But she put her own thoughts in it and created a “supernatural world of her own” which can definitely be placed next to Clare’s.

I really loved the storyline. It is told through Alyx’s eyes, a young Lightwarrior and you also get to know al lot of other characters. There is a lot of action and twists in the plot which just keeps you suspended until the end.

4. by Cassandra Clare

Finish Date: March 03, 2014
Genre: Fantasy, Young-Adult
Rating: B+
Review: I really loved this third installment of the TMI series. Because it was originally a trilogy, this book has a very exciting/scary/amazing ending. There are some heartbreakingly beautiful scenes but also some with a lot of suspense. The characters became more developed, especially Jace. You also get to know some new characters (Sebastian, Aline, Amatis,...) which is also nice. Lots of action/humor/romance balanced perfectly into one book.

5. by Leen De Laere (no photo)

Finish Date: March 09, 2014
Genre: Historical fiction / WWI
Rating: B
Review: This is the novelization of a Flemish TV-series about a family during WWI.

It follows the family Boesman from Gent. The 2 sons are fighting in the war. One is a bit of a hustler, the other a man of principles.

The daughter escapes from occupied Gent to England to become a nurse. Their paths cross occasionally.

Father is a gynecologist who seems to make all the wrong choices and the mother is trying to get through the war as good as she can while two German officers are living with them in their house.

You see different sides of the war: frontlines, trenches, people trying to survive at home with little needs and information about their sons/husbands... It must have been very hard.

I really enjoy watching the show so when I saw this book I had to read it. Unfortunately it's completely the same story as the series. You don't get any extra information. That's why I only give it a B.

The TV-series is called "In Vlaamse Velden" just like the book. (In Flanders Fields)

6. by Lize Feryn (no photo)

Finish Date: March 09, 2014
Genre: Historical fiction / WWI
Rating: A
Review: Just like the previous book I've read, this one is also part of the Flemish TV-series 'In Vlaamse Velden'.

But unlike the other book, this one is written only through the eyes of the daughter 'Marie'. Throughout the diary you "see" her grow up in a world full of fear and war. Fear of the Germans and what's coming, hope that it will end soon, the will to fight and help the belgian soldiers .... You can read her thoughts from the beginning of the Great War to the bitter end.

It's a nice addition to the series!

Kim.....for a cleaner look, please put your reference citation of "In Vlaamsee Velden" below your post. It call attention to it. And if there is no photo of the author, please cite as follows:

by Leen De Laere (no photo)

Thanks and good reading!!!

Jill wrote: "Kim.....for a cleaner look, please put your reference citation of "In Vlaamsee Velden" below your post. It call attention to it. And if there is no photo of the author, please cite as follows:

[bo..."

Hi Jill, thanks for the update. I'll make the changes :-)

7. by J.K. Rowling

Finish Date: March 17, 2014
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: A
Review: Harry potter .... nostalgia :-). I'm rereading the series for the 5th or 6th time now, but I still love it. The world JK Rowling created is "magical". I don't think I will ever get bored reading these books :-D

So true, Kim, great series.

8. by Mary E. Dawson

Finish Date: March 24, 2014
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: B+
Review: First of all I offer my thanks to Mary Dawson for allowing me to read and review this marvelous story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book!

It’s a story about 3 young friends with different cultural backgrounds. It takes place in Florida in the year 1914.

A fun read, recommended for all ages. And especially for anyone who loves adventure and history that is turned into a wonderful story. Everything is beautifully described by the author, this made it very vivid. I could easily place myself next to the characters and see everything through my own eyes.

There is no shortage of suspense in this book. Although it's rather short, it's packed with true history and full of action.

A riveting read for anyone who loves good writing, engaging characters and historical fiction! :-)

"A riveting read for anyone who loves good writing, engaging characters and historical fiction! :-)"

Well, that sounds like me! I'll be checking into this one.

APRIL

9. by Jenny Hayworth

Finish Date: April 03, 2014
Genre: non-fiction, true story
Rating: A
Review: It’s a very compelling read. You can follow Jenny Hayworth's journey as she finds the courage and will to overcome her abusive childhood and escapes from a cult religion.

Her story can really help anyone who has gone through similar experiences. But even if you have never suffered abuse, been rejected by your family, or been trapped in a cult, it will definitely inspire you. What the author did to escape was truly amazing.

It’s a terrific read, very well written and also very thoughtful. While reading I could almost feel the pain and all the miserable circumstances she has been through. It must have taken a lot of courage to write this book. Reliving every painful aspect of her life and sharing it with the rest of the world. Not everyone can handle this. It’s a very strong memoir.

Great, Kim, thank you.

Funny her photo is her book, lol.

Can you do me a favor and change "Date Finished" to "Finish Date" to fit the format? Thank you, I appreciate it.

Thanks Bryan - great catch.

Bryan wrote: "Great, Kim, thank you.

Funny her photo is her book, lol.

Can you do me a favor and change "Date Finished" to "Finish Date" to fit the format? Thank you, I appreciate it."

OK, I'll make the changes ;-)

Yes, I know. I first thought I accidentally put the bookcover there again, lol

Thanks for your cooperation Kim - very much appreciated. Everything is A-OK

Kim you made some progress and we have set up your new thread for 2015 - brand new start.