Historical Fictionistas discussion

Lisa wrote: "I am currently reading The Beauty Shop by Suzy Henderson. It is very well written and engaging and is set in World War Two. It is not about beauty per se, but about the pioneering r..."

Just posted this on Twitter "Hard hitting, beautifully written and VERY difficult to put down. A terrific read and tribute to WW2 pilots and surgeon Archie McIndow!" I am loving this book.

Finished Neil Gaiman' Norse Mythology--a satisfying read. Gaiman adds a fresh voice and sly humor to these well-known (to some) tales. On to a another favorite author George R.R. Martin and his A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms--a stop gap read until he get out another volume of his Song of Fire and Ice series (Game of Thrones). Come on, George! We're waiting....waiting....

PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Just finished The Dressmaker by Aussie author Rosalie Ham. A peculiar book, I thought. Wonder what Kate Winslet's like in the film.

4★ My review: https://www.goodread..."

Loved the film and Winslet did a great job!!! Yes, very quirky story.

Chris wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Just finished The Dressmaker by Aussie author Rosalie Ham. A peculiar book, I thought. Wonder what Kate Winslet's like in the film.

4★ My rev..."

I saw the movie of The Dressmaker too... liked it, yes very quirky indeed!

Faith wrote: "Finished Neil Gaiman' Norse Mythology--a satisfying read. Gaiman adds a fresh voice and sly humor to these well-known (to some) tales. On to a another favorite auth..."

I know how you feel

Just finished a historical mystery set in 1300 England. Good historical background and terms with a great glossary

Hotel Transylvania was written first but is not the first book in the series which actually traces St Germain from ancient Egypt to modern times. They are all well written with tons of historical accuracy.

Started The Gondola Maker by Laura Morelli. So far I am loving the story, tone, style, and characters.

Linda wrote: "Hotel Transylvania was written first but is not the first book in the series which actually traces St Germain from ancient Egypt to modern times. They are all well written with tons of historical a..."

I read that series just out of college when I was on a female author binge. If I remember right (and that gets harder as I grow older) Chelsea Quinn Yarbro writes interesting complicated characters. Enjoy!

One Leg Over, a tell-all autobiography by Robin Dalton, now 95, describes her amazing life, mixing as a personal friend with the likes of the Kennedys, PMs, artists, singers, and oh yes, Prince Philip and the royals.


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

Maya Moon wrote: "Chris wrote: "PattyMacDotComma wrote: "Just finished The Dressmaker by Aussie author Rosalie Ham. A peculiar book, I thought. Wonder what Kate Winslet's like in the fi..."

Maya and Chris - that's encouraging! Winslet picks some interesting roles, that's for sure, and this would have been fun for her, I imagine.

I am enjoy a historical mystery set in 11th century Japan by I.J. Parker. Book 2 in the series

I am reading

Really enjoyed Feel Me Fall by James Morris.

Exciting YA (but fun for this adult, too) - teens desperate after plane crash in Amazon jungle.
4.5★ My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am currently reading

Finished Katherine by Anya Seton. It's well researched and well written, though some parts are too drawn out and contrived. A bit too "Cinderella" for my taste.

My review:

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

Alice wrote: "Finished Katherine by Anya Seton. It's well researched and well written, though some parts are too drawn out and contrived. A bit too "Cinderella" for my taste.

My revi..."

I read Katherine. I really like that book Anya Seton is a wonderful historical fiction write and I have enjoyed all of her books I have read to date. I highly recommend her books.

I am reading by Daisy Goodwin. I really liked the PBS series so I will see how the book is.

I've started Azincourt by Bernard Cornwell.

Just finished Jennifer Robson's new book Goodnight from London, I really liked the perspective on WWII.

I just finished reading Le totem du loup set in the middle of the 60's and early 70's during the "Cultural Revolution" in the Steppe of Inner Mongolia. This novel was the author's first and so far only novel written and it sold more than 20 million copies in China. I loved it, rated it 5 stars, and reviewed it.

Lisa wrote: "I am currently reading The Beauty Shop by Suzy Henderson. It is very well written and engaging and is set in World War Two. It is not about beauty per se, but about the pioneering r..."

I really enjoyed this book, too. I visited East Grinstead and incorporated a scene about the hospital there into my own wartime novel, .

Suzy Henderson has done a great job of describing life in this little corner of England, where burned airmen went to be healed.

Do any of you enjoy reading children’s books? If you do, here’s an absolutely delightful one, set in London in 1826: The Case of the Missing Moonstone. It features Ada Byron (later known as Ada Lovelace) and Mary Godwin, daughter of William Godwin and Mary Wollstonecraft—plus a few bonus historical figures.

The facts of characters’ ages and histories have to be tinkered with to make the story possible, but the author is clear on that up front, and hey, it’s a children’s book! My review here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

Alice wrote: "I am reading by Daisy Goodwin. I really liked the PBS series so I will see how the book is."

So I finished the book and it was pretty much the same as the series. Actually the series was probably better

Alice wrote: "So I finished the book and it was pretty much the same as the series. Actually the series was probably better."

I very much enjoyed the series. Looking forward to the next season.

my second Lisa See book after Shanghai Girls!

Hi Ashley, How was Shanghai Girls? I saw it on a reading list and it seems interesting. Would you recommend it?

The real stories behind the western movies I grew up with. Sometimes the exploits of the characters that settled the West are stranger than the fiction tales in western novels. A good read so far.

Maya Moon wrote: "Hi Ashley, How was Shanghai Girls? I saw it on a reading list and it seems interesting. Would you recommend it?"

Hi Maya! I would definitely recommend Shanghai Girls if you think it looks interesting :) It told a story I was very unfamiliar with, so I enjoyed learning as I read.

Ashley *Hufflepuff Kitten* wrote: " my second Lisa See book after Shanghai Girls!"

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane was excellent

I finished "The Orphan's Tale by Pam Jenoff and going back to "The Couple Next Door"

Abigail wrote: "Do any of you enjoy reading children’s books? If you do, here’s an absolutely delightful one, set in London in 1826: The Case of the Missing Moonstone. It features Ada Byron (later ..."

Abigail, thanks for mentioning this -- looks great and I have TBR'ed it!

Moushine wrote: "I just finished reading Le totem du loup set in the middle of the 60's and early 70's during the "Cultural Revolution" in the Steppe of Inner Mongolia. This novel was the author's fi..."

I read the Chinese original and loved it. I've heard they are making a movie of it :)

I hope you enjoy it, Michele!

Stumbled across this unusual short illustrated book in the library.
The Truth is a Cave in the Black Mountains by Neil Gaiman. 4★

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

Good conversation starter. Are You a Boy or Are You a Girl? .

Kids are kids! Great illustrations and questions to ask yourself or your kids or your class.
4★
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I finished "The Couple Next Door" and started "Fates and Furies"

I’d be curious to hear your thoughts on Fates and Furies, Jayme. I liked most of Groff’s Arcadia quite a lot, but balked at the description of F&F.

In The Best of Adam Sharp, Aussie Graeme Simsion, author of The Rosie Project, tackles the question:
Is it possible to rekindle the love of your life a couple of decades later? (nothing to do with Rosie)

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

I just read Cry, the Beloved Country, the must read South African Classic novel, set in the 1930's and first published in 1948. I rated it 5 stars and reviewed it.

Moushine wrote: "I just read Cry, the Beloved Country, the must read South African Classic novel, set in the 1930's and first published in 1948. I rated it 5 stars and reviewed it."

Wonderful book. I rated it 4 stars.

LINK to my review

I've been doing some traveling ... and reading ... but I'm terribly far behind in posting! Feel like I'll never catch up.

I finished this one on May 4

Death in the Clouds – Agatha Christie – 3***
Christie’s Belgian detective has become my go-to comfort read. I never tire of watching Poirot exercise his “little gray cells” to the amusement and astonishment of fellow investigators, suspects, innocent bystanders, and, of course, the culprit.
LINK to my review

Finished and enjoyed The Marsh King's Daughter this is my review. Www.goodreads.com/review/show/1991938068

Just finished reading Elizabeth Street. Loved it

I started The Cuckoo's Calling

Everybody dreams in Behold the Dreamers, the debut novel of Cameroonian-born author Imbolo Mbue. Then the GFC of 2008 hits NYC.

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

I am reading an interesting new book

Just started Mrs. Lincoln: A Life Last book I'll get in for the mini-challenge.

Just finished Zhukov's Great Battles, which he wrote himself for the Soviet military academy after Stalin died. Just the main battles from his own pen: Moscow, Stalingrad, Kursk, etc., each one section. This is how the Soviets beat the Nazis. Very detailed for his military audience, with the names of armies and cities, but only one map per battle. However, the editor begins the book and always begins each battle/section with an explanation to help you interpret what is written. Not up to Grant's classic autobiography, but an interesting read nonetheless. edprotzel.com

I didn't like the Watchmaker of Filigri street

I am now reading

It is surprising good. I did not know much about their lives or spiritualism phase. Interesting read