The History Book Club discussion

Carly, here is your new thread in 2015. Happy reading in the new year.

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2015
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 Russell Van Kraayenberg (no photo)
Finish date: January 19, 2015
Genre: Cookbook
Rating: A
Review: A lot fun recipes from American Classics like Chicago dogs to unique hotdogs with international flavors. Includes recipes for homemade buns, homemade condiments and homemade hotdogs.

2. by Gayle Forman
Finish date: January 19, 2015
Genre: Young Adult (romance)
Rating: A
Review: this was an amazing story. It was so heartbreaking yet so full of hope. A very powerful story.

3. by Nelson Johnson
Finish date: January 22, 1015
Genre: History
Rating: A
Review: A very interesting history of an unique city. It chronicles Atlantic city from its start as a mediocre resort town through its glory days in the 1920's to its decline and reformation in the 70's due to the legalization of casino gambling.

I also read that book, Carly and thought it was very well done.

Good edits Carly - thank you.

4. by Dan Jones (no photo)
Finish date: January 26, 2015
Genre: History
Rating: A
Review: I absolutely loved this book. This time period in British History is one my favorite eras despite the tragic course of events. Dan Jones writes a dramatic narrative history of 15th century England. The English crown changes hand 5 times as the Plantagenets fought to the death for control. After all the death and destruction the winners were neither the Lancasters or the Yorks. The winners were the Tudors.

Carly wrote: "4. by Dan Jones (no photo)

Finish: January 26, 2015
Genre: History
Rating: A
Revi..."

This is one area that I know very little about. Maybe I will add this book to my list

5. by Nicholas Sparks
Finish date: January 30, 2015
Genre: Contemporary romance
Rating: A-
Review: a very emotional, heartbreaking love story.

FEBRUARY

6. by Lucy Worsley
Finish date: February 5th, 2015
Genre: History (british literature)
Rating: A
Review: Before I get to what I thought about the book. I wanted to agree with what another reviewer said about the author's "personal charm and enthusiasm for history." Ms. Worsley's personal charm and her love and enthusiasm for history really shows through in her writing. Her charm and enthusiasm makes this book even more enjoyable. I would love to sit down with her and have tea and conversation.

People who enjoy true crime and/or crime fiction will love this overview of how murder became entertainment. Lucy Wosley discusses the history of murder as entertainment through sensational journalism, the theatre, tourism, detective fiction, and a little bit about movies. Many famous names in crime are mentioned including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, and Alfred Hitchcock.

I am definitely adding this one to my list. Thanks!

by Lucy Worsley

oops...

7. by Rob Thomas
Finish date: February 7th, 2015
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A
Review: Has everything a fan of Veronica Mars loves. a totally inept Neptune Sheriff's Department, Veronica being too nosy for her own good and the crazy town of Neptune with all its wacky characters we all love. It takes place a couple months after the events of the Veronica Mars movie. Two girls go missing after attending a party. Veronica is hired to find out what happened because as we Veronica Mars fans know the sheriff's department in Neptune is too inept and corrupt to do actual police work. A lot of good twists and turns. Overall an excellent entertaining mystery.

8. by Wil Haygood
Finish date: February 23rd, 2015
Genre: History
Rating: B
Review: The title of this book is misleading. It really should be called The Making of The Movie The Butler. I was expecting a story about the life Eugene Allen that worked as a butler in the Whitehouse under eight presidents. The first chapter does mention a little bit about his life, but this book is not his story. The next chapter is about making the Movie the Butler and about the struggles of blacks in Hollywood. This part was very interesting but should have its own book. I cannot say i did not like the book. I did really like it. Its just that i was little bit disappointed.

That is disappointing, Carly. The title was very misleading obviously. The history of blacks in cinema is fascinating but this shouldn't have been the book to explore it.

9. by Ian Doescher (no phot0)
Finish date: February 25th, 2015
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: Star Wars in iambic pentameter. Who would of thought that the combination of Shakespeare and Star Wars would work. Boy does it work. Ian Doescher's execution is perfect in its hilariousness. He weaves many of Shakespear's more recognizable quotes throughout the story with great ease. For example:


1.Han: "The day when Jabba taketh my dear ship
Shall be the day you find me a grave man."

2. Luke: "What light through yonder flashing sensors breaks?"
3. Luke: "We three, we happy three, we band of brothers"

Carly wrote: "8. by Wil Haygood

Finish Date: February 23rd, 2015
Genre: History
Rating: B
Review: The title ..."

It's a pity the editors and authors continuously try to mislead reader into buying books they weren't looking for.

Carly wrote: "9. by Ian Doescher (no phot0)

Finish Date: February 25th, 2015
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: S..."

Too funny! :)

10. by Cate Lineberry
Finish date: February 28th, 2015
Genre: History
Rating: A
Review: A really good narrative history about the long forgotten, but extremely fascinating war time drama about courage under fire. A group of American nurses and medics who find themselves trapped behind enemy lines in Albania. Not only do have to avoid capture by Germans they have to navigate the difficult political situation in Albania. I highly recommend this book. Its easy to read and reads like a thrilling action adventure novel.

Carly this is a nit but Finish date: is the standard not Finish Date:

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2015
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.

Carly wrote: "9. by Ian Doescher (no phot0)
Finish Date: February 25th, 2015
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: St..."

It's hysterical :)

APRIL

11. by Nicholas Sparks
Finish date: April 6, 2015
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: A
Review: Two love stories for the price of one!!! Both stories were so sweet and emotional. I loved how Sparks connected the two stories.

12. by Publications International Ltd.(no photo)
Finish date: April 11, 2015
Genre: Cookbook
Rating: A
Review: Very good. All the recipes are easy to make. The Bavarian Apple Torte is very good. So is the the potato leek soup.

Mmmmmm....I love cook books and potato leek soup.

Just a reminder.......a lower case "d" on Finish date. Thanks.

13. by Ian Doescher(no photo)
Finish date: April 27, 2015
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: A
Review: Star Wars in iambic pentameter!!! A really fun book the read!! Any fan of Shakespeare and/or Star Wars will really enjoy this book.

I've been wanting to read this for some time now, it seems hilarious

Great Carly, just use the lowercase "d" for date. I know my fingers automatically push the shift key :-)

MAY

14. by Ronald H. Balson (no photo)
Finish date: May 15, 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: I loved this book. A very heartbreaking story love, loss, betrayal, and justice. Historical facts are effortless woven into the fictional story. Even though it was fiction, it felt like this story could be someone's life story.

15. by Ian Doescher (no photo)
Finish date: May 17, 2015
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: A
Review: Once again, Ian Doescher brilliantly combines Star Wars and Shakespeare. The Return of the Jedi is my favorite so I am really enjoyed seeing Shakespearean adaptation.

JULY

16. by Zac Bissonnette (no photo)
Finish date: July 2, 2015
Genre: history/biography
Rating: A
Review: The behind scenes look at the rise and fall of the Beanie Babies. This story is both fascinating and heartbreaking. Ty Warner was such a polarizing figure who became one of the most successful businessmen, but had such a hard time forming long lasting personal relationships. Its just too bad that Ty Warner did not sit down for an interview for this book. It would be wonderful to hear his side of the story.

17. by Sara Gruen
Finish date: July 31, 2015
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: Started off a little slow but quickly got my full attention. I loved seeing Maddie find her true self and realizing her current life married to Ellis is not what she wants. I also loved seeing her evolve from being somewhat spoiled to someone you would love to be friends with. What can I say about Elis? He is a terrible human being but he is a character you love to hate. I also really liked the supporting characters. They greatly enhanced the story.

AUGUST

18. by Janet Evanovich
Finish date: August 10,2015
Genre: mystery
Rating: A-
Review: I waited a long time for this book to come out and I was not disappointed. Its typical Janet Evanovich. Full of humor with a little bit of mystery.

Hi Carly - this is our required format:

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2015
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.

19. by Sheryn R. Jones (no photo)
Finish date: August 21, 2015
Genre: cookbook
Rating: A-
Review: This is the food that built me so I was very happy to find this book at my local Barnes and Noble. A lot of great easy recipes.

Message 2 was great Carly - remember - months are all caps and in bold and then only one blank line underneath.

You are doing very well with all of the other elements are making great progress.

OCTOBER

20. by Steve Fischer(no photo)
Finish date: October 3,2015
Genre: History
Rating: B
Review: Some pretty interesting stories about Vegas and the mob. I would not say this was poorly written but the writing was not the best. There was some editing issues and it was really repetitive.

21. by Joseph Cummins
Finish date: October 8, 2015
Genre: History/Politics
Rating: A-
Review: This was a fun read. Politics is a nasty business. Cummins gives us the highlights of the dirty tricks candidates used during elections. This book also gives us a very good account of the evolution of the American electoral system. As I was reading this book, one phase kept popping up in my mind: As more things change, the more they stay the same. The electoral process has changed quite a bit over 200 plus years, but a whole a lot has not, particularly corruption.

Carly.....that looks like a dandy. I just added it to my tbr list. Thanks for the tip.

22. by Janet Evanovich
Finish date: October 24, 2015
Genre: Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: Typical Janet Evanovich. A fun entertaining read with a little added humor.

NOVEMBER

23. by Svetlana Alexievich
Finish date: November 5, 2015
Genre: history
Rating: A
Review: Very Good!!! The heart wrenching account of young Soviet men and women stationed in Afghanistan. Even though these were soviets these stories could have easily been the stories of any American veteran of the Vietnam War or the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Svetlana Alexievich's Nobel Prize is well deserved.

DECEMBER

24. by Steve Tally
Finish date: December 12,2015
Genre: History
Rating: A-
Review: Very interesting what if scenarios. My favorite being Robert E Lee joins the Union and Teddy Roosevelt outlaws football. Just shows how close history was to be different and not always for the better.