Historical Fictionistas discussion

Matt wrote: "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.
Mixing it up is Good! I really make a concerted effort to do that all the time. It can broaden the mind, provide rest & relaxation or give you that spine-tingling sensation depending on the genre.

I am still taking the very cold & hungry journey with Heinrich Harrer, but am about to start The Blithedale Romance by Nathaniel Hawthorne for my classics group, and The Woman Upstairs for book club!

I'm currently reading a historical mystery by Charles Todd, Racing the Devil. Very good so far.

I started "Banana Cream Pie Murder" by Joanne Fluke

About half through Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race which is fascinating--loved the movie. Off to a satisfying start of Madonna of the Seven Hills as my commuting book.

I was on a tear with books about enslaved African Americans for a while. Now I'm on a tear for impoverished white people in the mid-20th century. Just finished re-reading The Dollmaker and am now re-reading The Grapes of Wrath. I just love books about trouble. All good literature is about trouble, but I don't want mild trouble like some Amish girl with romantic problems or a potty old lady who solves mysteries in a quaint little town. No, no, give me the fort under siege, the baby dying, grandpa losing the farm and Dicey's husband sold south, preferably all in the same book.

Rosemary wrote: "I read Katherine at least once a year, sometimes more frequently than that if all I do is dip into a favorite chapter. It was one of the first historical novels I read and is definitel..." Katherine is one of my all-time favorites. Have you ever noticed that the plot is similar to Jane Eyre (which is another favorite of mine)?

Faith wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I'm reading Kindred. I think it's more often classified as sci-fi than historical fiction. It's about a modern African-American women who is transported back and forth ..." Loved your review! Here's a link to mine: https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

Terri wrote: "I am reading several books. I am enjoying "Flight Behavior" by Barbara Kingsolver." Loved Flight Behavior. Post a link to your review if you review it. Here's a link to my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...

Kathryn wrote: "Loved your review! Here's a link to mine: ..."

Thanks, Kathryn! Check out the link though, I don't think it leads to your review.

Finished Disrupted: My Misadventure in the Start-Up Bubble - by turns hilarious and horrifying. Now reading Lolly Willowes and am in awe at the beauty of her writing.

Enjoyed the latest of L.J. Ross's DCI Ryan Mysteries, High Force.

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

Started Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sage .

Eric wrote: "Started Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sage ."

I read every HF Grey wrote when I was in high school; the books propped in the window as I washed dishes; smuggling a flashlight to bed, so I could read under the covers. I hope they hold up for adult reading. Enjoy!

Faith wrote: "I read every HF Grey wrote when I was in high school; the books propped in the window as I washed dishes; smuggling a flashlight to bed, so I could read under the covers. I hope they hold up for adult reading. Enjoy! "

My father was a big Louis L'Amour fan, which I never understood given he wrote Sci Fi for children. Anyway, I never tried Mr. Grey, but like so many classics the books are practically free for Kindle. My first venture was "The Union Pacific," which was okay. The Purple Sage is one of a six pack of Grey's books for Kindle. All six for a buck. So far, so good.

Besides, do we ever grow up?

Sneaking under the covers with a flashlight. lol!

That was a task in a "summer bingo challenge" I did last year. It was fun. (I read by the flashlight attachment on my kindle.)

Eric wrote: "My father was a big Louis L'Amour fan, which I never understood given he wrote Sci Fi for children. Anyway, I never tried Mr. Grey, but like so many classics the books are practically free for Kindle. My first venture was "The Union Pacific," which was okay. The Purple Sage is one of a six pack of Grey's books for Kindle. All six for a buck. So far, so good."

I got over my Western phase early and never went back, so I missed Mr. L'Amour. I did read the Lonesome Dove series after the TV series came out and loved those, but not much else. Betty Zane was the first book I read of Grey's. My dad had read it as a boy and I found it in the attic. I should get some of the cheap editions or order from the library and see if they hold up after all these years.

I was interested because the Zanes were local history. They were early pioneers in Ohio where I grew up a hop and a skip from Zane's Trace--a frontier trail built by Col. Ebenezer Zane, Grey's maternal great grandfather. His first books were about his frontier ancestors including Betty Zane, The Spirit of the Border, and The Last Trail. I'll be interested in your opinion given they were written nearly a century ago and styles--and tastes--do change.

Faith wrote: "His first books were about his frontier ancestors including Betty Zane, The Spirit of the Border, and The Last Trail. I'll be interested in your opinion given they were written nearly a century ago and styles--and tastes--do change. "

I'll keep you posted, Faith. You did know that Zane Grey was also a dentist?

PS: Lonesome Dove and its sequel were fantastic. I read those eons ago.

Eric wrote: "You did know that Zane Grey was also a dentist?"

Ha! No way, really?!

Michele wrote: "Eric wrote: "You did know that Zane Grey was also a dentist?"

Ha! No way, really?!"

Yes, ma'am.

"Pearl Zane Grey was an American dentist and author best known for his popular adventure novels and stories associated with the Western genre in literature and the arts; he idealized the American frontier."

Eric wrote: "I'll keep you posted, Faith. You did know that Zane Grey was also a dentist?"

Yeah, his father was a dentist, trained him to do extractions, and sent him out to pull teeth in home visits before the state board intervened. He later went to college, studied dentistry, and went legit. He was a fascinating man who led an unconventional life.

Finally! yall are reading historical fiction that takes place in this country!!!! Mostly I end up lurking in the background, watching , reading what is posted. But, now I'll start downloading some Zane Grey. Anybody here read Elmor Kelton's body of work?

And here I am reading non-fiction not about the US! oops! But no apologies. This was too interesting (to me, anyway).

Award-winning TV presenter, journalist, news correspondent and author Stan Grant wrote this Quarterly Essay: Quarterly Essay 64 the Australian Dream: Blood, History and Becoming from his unique, Aboriginal perspective.

And a great read it is, too. 5★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished The Idiot The Idiotby Fyodor Dostoyevsky
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1958173939

I imagine fans will eat it up. :)
Night Watch #4 in the Kendra Michaels series by Iris Johansen.

I haven't read the first three, when she was blind, but she's obviously kept her acute awareness.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Just finished The Conquest of the Incas by John Hemming. A very well researched book detailing all aspects of the Incas of Peru: their treasures, their Enormous well governed Empire and their tragic demise at the hands of the cruel Spanish Conquistadors with their superior weapons and horses. The last chapters are interesting as they deal with twentieth century exploration, discovery and restoration of Inca ruins. A five star read should be read by every visitor to Peru.

Started an ARC New Boy by Tracy Chevalier, the second in a series put out by Hogarth of Shakespeare stories re-imagined by well-known authors. This one is Othello set in a Jr. high school of a Washington suburb. Interesting so far, but I might have to reread the play to catch all the nuances.

The new Maisie Dobbs, In This Grave Hour. It's September 1939, and someone's murdering Belgians who were refugees 25 years earlier.

Finished Annie Dunne Sebastian Barry
My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1948260345

I'm reading The Zookeepers wife by Diane Ackerman

I finished "Banana Cream Pie Murder" and still working on "The Kitchen God's Wife"

5★ Totally loved this wonderfully produced book that should be required reading for public officials all over the world!


This Is What a Librarian Looks Like: A Celebration of Libraries, Communities, and Access to Information. Author Kyle Cassidy has included essays and history and terrific photos and . . . just read it!

My review (with some of the photos)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "This Is What a Librarian Looks Like..."

Ah, that looks great! Of course I *am* a librarian, so I might be a tad biased.

Finished The Secret Scripture

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/71799891

Michele wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "This Is What a Librarian Looks Like..."

Ah, that looks great! Of course I *am* a librarian, so I might be a tad biased."

Never! Librarians are always fair! :)

Nice addition to the Wonder books by R.J. Palacio is this children's picture book about the little boy who looks so different.

My review of We're All Wonders (with illustrations)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Onto The Rainbow Trail . Perhaps this third Zane Grey for me will be the charm?

Finished New Boy by Tracy Chevalier a re-telling of Shakespeare's Othello for the Hogarth series. I like Ms. Chevalier's writing, but the book didn't quite work for me. I bumped up a two-star rating because of how well she handled the issue of racism in the narrative. My review here:

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

NONfiction but may appeal to many of our group members.


A Night to Remember – Walter Lord – 5*****
This is a first-hand account of what the people aboard the Titanic recall of the night she sank. It’s a gripping story, and Lord does a great job of bringing all these people to life. I get a real sense of the confusion and disbelief when the ship first strikes the iceberg. And later, of the chaos and panic when it is clear she will go down.
LINK to my review

I Don't Like Reading is a colourful, helpful picture book for explaining to kids (and grown-ups!) what dyslexia looks and feels like.
My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished what turned out to be a wonderful bookclub discussion book. The Underground Girls of Kabul: In Search of a Hidden Resistance in Afghanistan

My review:www.goodreads.com/review/show/1960811846

Fascinating! Light and Shadow: Memoirs of a Spy's Son is everything the title promises from smart, popular journalist-broadcaster Mark Colvin. 5★

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

Just Finished The Russian Court at Sea: The Voyage of HMS Marlborough

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1954703403

I just finished readingThe Firebrand

Not my usual century, but I'm reading The Practice House

Just read Roxane Gay's recent Difficult Women.

Stories, some connected, all difficult to read because of violence, abuse, rape.
My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Gutenberg’s Apprentice – Alix Christie – 3.5***
In her debut novel, Christie explores one of the most momentous events in history: the invention of the printing press. I did find the information about the conflicts between the guilds, the ruling class, and the Church interesting, but it went on for so long that I grew tired of the political and personal intrigue. Still, in this age of digital print, it is all the more wonderful to imagine the creativity, skill and hard work that went into this marvelous invention.
LINK to my review

Just started reading West of Here

Finished Lolly Willowes (loved it!) and then stumbled on Wolf Hollow -- so glad I did, it's a real gem.

Now reading Lucifer's Hammer for a group read over on Apocalypse Whenever.

I finished "The Kitchen God's Wife" and starting "The Bear and the Nightingale"