Historical Fictionistas discussion

Just started Last Christmas in Paris: A Novel of World War I by Hazel Gaynor and Heather Webb, I am loving it!!

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor - Lisa Kleypas – 3***
I knew going in that this was a cheesy holiday romance. Despite the book jacket’s promised “magic” there isn’t much of it here … unless you count a child’s belief in fairies and Santa Claus as magic. But that’s okay, it’s still a fun read.
LINK to my review

Just finished The Alice Network and it was absolutely wonderful. As one woman seeks out her cousin who went missing in France during WWII, she enlists the aid of a woman who worked alongside Louise de Bettignies in WWI. Really well done. All of the characters are anchored in history, most were real people.

Beth wrote: "
Just finished The Alice Network and it was absolutely wonderful. As one woman seeks out her cousin who went missing in France during WWII, she enlists the aid..."

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

Book Concierge wrote: "

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
- Lisa Kleypas – 3***
I knew going in that this was a cheesy holiday romance. Despite the book jacket’s promis..."
I loved this book.

I'm reading Return to Dragon Mountain: Memories of a Late Ming Man by Jonathan D. Spence.

I finished "Perfect Chemistry" and starting "Violets Are Blue" by James Patterson

Just finished Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan. Very disappointing. Half the time I force myself to finish these "hot" titles that everyone loves, thinking that at some point I'll "get" it and fall in love with the book. Didn't happen.

On the other hand, there are the gems like All the Light We Cannot See and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, so I'll keep at it. Can't win 'em all.

Kathy wrote: "D.B. wrote: "
Approximately forty pages into Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe So far, it's equally exhausting and exhilarating!"..."

I also read this in high school and found it very very long, but I was determined to finish! Of course, I remember absolutely nothing about it now except carry that book around for so long. What a waste, eh? :)

Cheryl A wrote: "Just finished Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark T. Sullivan. Very disappointing. Half the time I force myself to finish these "hot" titles that everyone loves, thinking ..."

I enjoyed All the Light We Cannot See and loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Cheryl. I hope you do, too! Very different look at life in Europe then.

I expect Rizzoli and Isles fans will enjoy Tess Gerritsen's latest I Know a Secret, which is still available on NetGalley for NetGalley readers.
3.5★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Finished March which I thoroughly enjoyed. A review to come later. Started on another Civil War story Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker and a Little Free Library pickup, Salman Rushdie's Haroun and the Sea of Stories. I've never read anything by Rushdie and thought I'd give it a try.

NOT historical fiction, but a darn good read!


In the Woods - Tana French – 4****
This is a stunning debut. Gripping and suspenseful, with many twists and turns. I guessed the culprit fairly early on, but was still enthralled by the psychology of the characters – whether police, victims or perpetrator.
LINK to my review

I'm reading one of Ellis Peters' Brother Cadfael novels, The Devil's Novice.

Was just with Heather Webb and Hazel Gaynor for their LAST CHRISTMAS IN PARIS launch in Concord MA last week. They will be happy to know you are enjoying it, Kathleen!

Forgot to say, I'm reading and enjoying Geraldine Brooks' PEOPLE OF THE BOOK.

Anne wrote: "Forgot to say, I'm reading and enjoying Geraldine Brooks' PEOPLE OF THE BOOK."

I really liked that one, particularly the structure of the story.

Not sure where to post this, so I thought this looked a likely thread.

Anyone else besides me a little peeved that book won the GoodReads 2016 award for historical fiction??? Don't get me wrong, I love Colson Whitehead and have read everything he's written, but that book was clearly alt history or historical fantasy, not historical fiction. I'd feel about the same way if they put in the "Historical Fiction" category.

Anyone else agree? Or am I just being too precious about hist fic?

I find it impossible to get worked up about that "award."

Anne wrote: "Forgot to say, I'm reading and enjoying Geraldine Brooks' PEOPLE OF THE BOOK."

I loved that one, Anne, and the fact that it's based on a true story (about the book's history, not about the characters) makes it even better!

A light-hearted cosy mystery that's the first in The Jamie Quinn Series, Death by Didgeridoo by Barbara Venkataraman. Jamie's a lively young lawyer in Florida.
3.5★ My review https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Jeffrey wrote: "Not sure where to post this, so I thought this looked a likely thread.

Anyone else besides me a little peeved that book [bookcover:The Underground Railroad|305..."

Goodreads awards are hard to take seriously sometimes. There are people who vote who have never read the book and go just by the cover and what they have heard. I read YA a lot too, and those tend to be the worst for false awards and skewed ratings. It bothers me, but it is like any social platform.

I agree with Jasmine. I feel like the GR awards are more about the most popular books people have either read or heard of because for most users it's impossible to read all the nominated books to make an informed decision. I've been guilty myself of voting for a book I've heard of or for a favorite author. The awards for me are a chance to add books that look interesting to my list.

GR awards - they weight them at the beginning (some books are already easy to vote for, as GR put them on the list; everything else has to be added by hand, which many are not aware that you can do). It's a rare occasion when I've read more than 3 or 4 books nominated in a category, so like everyone else I'm voting based on "well, this one was good, no idea about the rest of them," "I liked this author's other books," or what have you.

It's an "award."

Just finished "New York 2140"

Concept and cover are GREAT, but I really had to push myself to finish it. VERY slow and long.

Book Concierge wrote: "NOT historical fiction, but a darn good read!



In the Woods
- Tana French – 4****
This is a stunning debut. Gripping and suspenseful, with many twists and turns..."

You are decidedly right about this one! I'm not really a huge mystery fan, but I've read all of Tana French's Dublin Murder Squad books--"Into the Woods" was the first. Here are the other five:


All excellent, character-driven, noire-ish romps through the bleak landscape of post-Celtic Tiger Ireland. Really beautiful writing, forget the genre. She's also one of a small group of young-ish Irish (although she was born in the USA) mystery writers who are really upending the 'rules' of the genre. Another I read regularly is an Ulster writer, Stuart Neville, whose characters are often deeply scarred by experiences during The Troubles.

I'm trying to get back into Historical Fiction. its something I enjoy but because the books tend to take longer for me to read I usually choose to read something easier to blow through like urban fantasy.

decided to check out the audiobook of The Last Kingdom and maybe afterward I can get into the TV show.

Chakara wrote: "I'm trying to get back into Historical Fiction. ...decided to check out the audiobook of The Last Kingdom and maybe afterward I can get into the TV show. "

Bernard Cornwell writes great action adventure HF. I liked the TV show and hope they have more than one season.

Faith wrote: "Chakara wrote: "I'm trying to get back into Historical Fiction. ...decided to check out the audiobook of The Last Kingdom and maybe afterward I can get into the TV show. "

[author:Bernard Cornwell..."

Glad to hear!
When I checked Netflix the other day it seemed to have two seasons of 8 episodes each.

Jamie Quinn is back in #2 of The Jamie Quinn Mysteries, The Case of the Killer Divorce by Barbara Venkataraman.
3★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Chakara wrote: "When I checked Netflix the other day it seemed to have two seasons of 8 episodes each. "

Yay! I hadn't checked recently. Thanks, Chakara!

I'm working my way through . I really like it, but it's long.

And on Kindle I'm reading

Just finished Magpie Murders .

My review:www.goodreads.com/review/show/2076546094

Faith wrote: "Chakara wrote: "When I checked Netflix the other day it seemed to have two seasons of 8 episodes each. "

Yay! I hadn't checked recently. Thanks, Chakara!"

No problem.

I'm just starting One Good Mama Bone by Bren McClain as I've heard a lot of good things about it. Just finished Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson. It jumps back and forth in time and she is master at war time scenes.

I'm reading "The Morning Gift" by Diana Norman (one of my favorite authors!) and I can hardly put it down - in fact, I'm going to finish this comment and go back to reading!
:-) The Morning Gift

Dem wrote: "Finished Defectorsby Joseph KanonDefectors.

My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2134955923"

I started Running with the Demon. A series of prequels to The Sword of Shannara Trilogy, which I read some time ago. A little mindless fantasy after completing Captain From Castile.

I'm reading 'The Life and Death of the Spanish Republic' by Henry Buckley. It's fact not fiction but, as I'm researching my next novel set in the Spanish Civil War, I'm hoping to capture some of its spirit and passion. It's one of the best texts I've read on the period so far.

Living To Tell the Tale - Gabriel Garcia Marquez – 3***
This is the first in a planned three-volume autobiography, taking the reader from Marquez’s birth in 1927 to his young adulthood in the mid 1950s. In recounting his early life, the author also tells the history of Columbia – the politics, culture, troubles and triumphs of the people. Magical realism is a style that is ingrained in the oral story-telling traditions of Latin America, and I loved those little hints of magical realism in this work. Reminded me of listening to my grandparents recount tales of their own childhoods.
LINK to my review

Oct 15 - Currently Reading

TEXT – Norwegian by Night by Derek B. Miller
AUDIO in the car – Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
MP3 Player AUDIO – Murder in the Paperback Parlor Ellery Adams

Havencross by Julie Daines

Just read and LOVED Moonglow by Michael Chabon. Talk about passion and history and biography and imagination all mixed up - Whew!
5★ Link to my review

I've been on a slight non-fiction jag. Reading Shifting Allegiances by Amaka Lily, and just finished Operation Mincemeat - I really like that one.

I'm currently reading Oracle Glass by Judith Merkle Riley (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...). The subject matter drew me in but I'm finding the POV hopping to be a bit annoying. I'm trying to get over it and enjoy the book. We'l see!

I am currently reading She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen Castor, for me it is really interesting. I am not sure I have heard about Isabella of France before, her story captured by interest. Does anyone know of any Historical Fiction with Isabella of France as a main character?

She's an important secondary one in The Iron King.

I am reading A Teaspoon of Earth and Sea by Dina Nayeri, which takes place right before and awhile after the fall of the Shah in Iran; and

Where the Devil Can't Go by Anya Lipska, a contemporary crime/thriller novel rooted in the Polish community of East London as well as Poland.

Both are excellent thus far.

Finished Desperation Road
My Review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2154842615

The Illusion of Separateness – Simon Van Booy – 3.5***
Van Booy tells this interwoven story from different perspectives and in different time periods. Throughout we see how a small act of kindness – or cruelty – can reverberate through time and across continents. The writing is poetic and fluid. I felt immersed in the story, and was never disoriented by the changing perspectives or time lines. I want to read it again, and I would definitely read another book by this author.
LINK to my review