Historical Fictionistas discussion

Just started Sworn Sword by James Aitcheson.

Just finished and loved The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1937391497

I hope you leave a review, Michelle - that looks intriguing, and hardly anyone at GR has read it.

A Fierce Radiance – Lauren Belfer – 2.5**
Well this sounded much more interesting than it wound up being. I definitely enjoyed some aspects of the novel. I like reading medical histories, and the race to develop a procedure to mass produce penicillin was an important effort in World War II. But, Belfer included a romantic subplot, as well as broken family ties, a murder, and other elements. There is just too much going on between the covers of this book, and I never got caught up in the story.
LINK to my review

Just started The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan by Stephanie Thornton, enjoying it so far...

Kathleen wrote: "Just started The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan by Stephanie Thornton, enjoying it so far..."

I liked that one, but felt each woman could carry a whole book.

Just finished reading Victoria Blake's Titian's Boatman. It is really good; quite detailed historical fiction yet the author doesn't go overboard with her descriptions. Working on my review now, but suffice to say I highly recommend it!

I read a wide variety but mostly Fiction and usually either Cozy Mysteries or Christian Romance. Recently discovered Christian author Jen Turano whose characters antics remind me of Anne of Green Gables! I read one Kindle novella by Turano and it resulted in my purchasing six of her books! She's witty and charming!

really enjoying Galway Bay

Reading House of Bathory. Just started it, and I'm moving at a snail's pace b/c I spend most of my free time writing, but I want to read more. I listened to The Bloodletter's Daughter: A Novel of Old Bohemia, and mostly enjoyed it, so I'm giving this one a go. Set in Central Europe, basically the same places as the other book, which is a good foundation for the author. But this one goes back and forth b/w the past and the present-a common theme nowadays in historical fiction, I've noticed. I'll wait to judge until I see how it comes together. A review will eventually find its way on here, and on my blog Bathory's Closet.

Faith wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "Just started The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan by Stephanie Thornton, enjoying it so far..."

I liked that one, but felt each woman could carry a whole book."

I have this one on my to-read list :)

1984 which was #1 on the NY Times bestseller list after "alternative facts" was mentioned by the Trump administration which originated in 1984 and then Name of the Wind for some good old sci-fi.

Tim wrote: "I'm currently reading In the Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. I feel like this book is like finding a needle in a haystack, but the needle is made of solid gold. This has got to be one of the ..."

Tim, I'm not generally a fantasy reader and I've never heard of The Name of the Wind so I just looked i tup. Wow! I'm not sure I've seen such a highly rated book in a long time. Obviously you're not alone in your enthusiasm!

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi is an amazing, award-winning debut.

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

Struggled through The Sea Beggars . Started Voyage of the Devilfish .

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "I'm not generally a fantasy reader and I've never heard of The Name of the Wind so I just looked it up. Wow! "

It really is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a long time. I highly recommend it.

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "I hope you leave a review, Michelle - that looks intriguing, and hardly anyone at GR has read it."

Susanna, if you were referring to No Fear Or Favour, I've finished it and left a review. If you weren't... well, I've still finished it and left a review lol

Zipped through Talking About Detective Fiction by P.D. James. And of course I now have about ten more authors that I want to find and read :)

Now going back to finish Scare tactics. The first story was good -- a Twilight Zone feel. Now I'm into the second one, stranded on the side of the road with a pretty young blonde. This does not bode well...

Just finished and enjoyed The Royal Physician's Visit
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1935009524

Just completed Journey of the North
star by Douglas Penick, about the Chinese court and Empire

From 1403 to 1424 under the Emperor Zhu Di, the Yong Le Emperor. A fascinating historical novel covering his Philosophy of leadership and religion and detailing how China became a World Power. It deals with his relationship with ambassadors and leaders of such regions and countries as Korea, Mongolia, Persia, Japan and West Africa. His fleet of ships, vaste armies disciplined soldiers and officials all serving their divine Emperor. It tells of the building of his magnificent new capital Beijing and the Forbidden City; of family intrigue and cruel punishment for corrupt Officials. It is extremely well
Researched and full of intricate detail. This was a 5 star read for me.

Cricket and crims!
The Rules of Backyard Cricket by Aussie author Jock Serong.

Colourful story of brothers who are like a psychotic Shane Warne split in two. (Google him if you don't know him.)
4.5★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

just started the Name of the Wind and WOW the hype is real on this-so far very GOOD

I will start Union Pacific this evening.

Finished Ramses: The Eternal Temple, the second in a five book series on Ramses II. An easy read, I took it on a trip for a n airplane read. I thought this was much better than the first book. It covers his first 3 years as Pharaoh. Liked the historical detail, but overall just a 3 star. Pulled out a mystery for my trip home JA Jance's Trial by Fury, another easy read.

Voyager – Diana Gabaldon – 3***
Book three in the popular Outlander series. This isn’t great literature, but the series is fun to read. This installment delves more deeply into the supernatural, which I thought detracted from the central story.
LINK to my review

Working on "It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis and "Revolt of the Angels" by Anatole France. Given my young children at home, I only get a few chapters of each read each day.

I'm putting aside The Acts of King Arthur and His Noble Knights as I find it hard to get into it - too episodic for my liking.

I'm starting Personal Recollections of Joan Of Arc by Mark Twain.

Just started The Whale Road by Robert Low.

84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

I finished reading Coeur d'Aryenne, which is set in Republic of Congo during the Colonial era. I rated it 5 stars and reviewed it.

Finished Inferior: How Science Got Women Wrong—and the New Research That's Rewriting the Story, one of my Women's History Month selections. Very much enjoyed it. Review here:

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

Margaret wrote: " 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff"

Ah, so good! A love song to the book as a physical object. "Comrade!"

Finished Scare Tactics, which i have to say was disappointing if one is expecting horror, but fine if one is expecting suspense with the occasional soupcon of supernatural. Based on his All Heads Turn When the Hunt Goes By I was expecting something a bit more intense.

Next up: hm, I'm really not sure...

Margaret wrote: " 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff"

Oh, such a favourite of mine!

I'm really enjoying it

I love 84, Charing Cross Road.

Margaret wrote: " 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff"

One of my favorites. The movie wasn't bad either.

Currently reading The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story. I'm liking it, but not in love. The author's writing style sometimes makes it hard to follow the story chronologically. I am enjoying some of the lesser known details inserted throughout the book.

Maria, Daughter of Immigrants – Maria Antonietta Berrizobal – 3.5***
I really enjoyed and was captivated by Maria’s personal journey as she outlines it in the book. But a little more than half-way through the book, it seemed to become more of a history of the politics of the city than Maria’s autobiography. I still found this interesting, because I’m from San Antonio, but I think it detracted from the central story of her own life.
LINK to my review

I finished "Dark Matter' and starting "The Kitchen God's Wife"

Handy little children's picture book for parents and teachers. 3.5★

I Want to Win!: A book about being a good sport

My review (including an illustration):
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished the fourth Mercy Thompson book

Now on to my second Libbie Hawker read
I'm so excited for this one!!

Great fun in a few minutes' reading. A ladies literary lunch club gets its comeuppance.

An Edith Wharton short story (free online) Xingu

5★ - So funny! A few quotes in my review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Ashes has a nice cover, and I guess Steven Manchester has a following, but it doesn't include me.

I've added a link to another excerpt of his.
1.5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I'm
Back to The Conquest of the Incas by John
hemming. Interesting parallels with the rulers in the Ming dynasty of China and that of the Incas

As read recently in Journey of the North Star

Recently finished Furthermore, as well a fun little British read, No Fear Or Favour.

Now reading Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble, which I got through a GR giveaway. So far so good :)

I'm jumping from the 1915-1935 range (France and Lewis) to something more modern with AWOL on the Appalachian Trail and The Grand Design. I'll go back to historical after this, but I like to mix it up from time to time.

Margaret wrote: "I'm
Back to The Conquest of the Incas by John
hemming. Interesting parallels with the rulers in the Ming dynasty of China and that of the Incas"

The book sounds interesting! I wonder what the parallels are.