American Historical Fiction discussion

Shomeret wrote: "Kathleen wrote: "I just started Megan Chance's The Spirtualist which is set in New York in the 1850s about the big fad for spiritualism at the time. So far I'm really enjoying it."

K..."

Thanks... I still haven't figured all of this out....

KB - have not read Whiskey Rebels, but I find his mysteries set in 1720s London fun, especially the most recent one, The Devil's Company.

I am now reading Battle Cry by Leon Uris. Although is was first published in 1953 this is the first time I've read it. Over the last thirty years most of his other novels found their way into my hand, library and heart. This one has been a long time in coming but has met all my expectations. Battle Cry follows a group of young men as they become marines and fight throughout the Pacific theater. As a veteran I can say that some things never really change. The war and enemy may change but the soldier stays basically the same. Their training, joys, fears and thoughts are the same today as they were in 1943. I would recommend this and all of Leon Uris' work to anyone that considers themselves lovers of history. He brings the lives and horrors of war to a moving and personal level.

K.B. wrote: "I just started The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss. Someone lent it to me thinking I would enjoy it because of the things I write. Same time period, same kinds of characters. I am not very far into..."

The POVs did get confusing to me when the two main characters met up in the story. It was fine up until then. I liked this one, but I didn't love it.

Kathleen wrote: "I just started Megan Chance's The Spirtualist which is set in New York in the 1850s about the big fad for spiritualism at the time. So far I'm really enjoying it."

I want to read this one, too. I read Captivity last year, which is also about spiritualism in New York, and it was one of my favorite reads of last year.

I'm starting Paper Woman, taking place in the south during the American Revolution--my favorite setting!

Just finished Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks to be released May 3. Sublime.
Review here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

This is my first post in this group. I've skimmed many of the comments preceding mine.

I'm writing a historical novel on the life and culture of Mary Barrett Dyer, 1611-1660, who was hanged in Boston for civil disobedience to the Puritan misogynists (NOT "because she was a Quaker"). I've read probably 60 books written in and of her period, mostly on culture, politics, history, religion, etc., because I want the historical facts to be correct. The known facts are fascinating, but I'm a nerd, for all I know. However, this is not a biography or history I'm writing. It's a novel based on real super-heroes and super-villains.

Do you have reading suggestions for novels about the American colonies in the mid-17th century? I just finished The Vanishing Point by Mary Sharratt, but the period is about 40 years later than mine. And yes, I've read Anya Seaton's The Winthrop Woman.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Fine book trailer about Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks TBR May 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULilLp...

I've just started City of Gold by Len Deighton. This will be my introduction to his work and I hope to find another author that tickles my imaginary fancy.

Jenny wrote: . I read Captivity last year, which is also about spiritualism in New York, and it was one of my favorite reads of last year.

Thanks, I just ordered it.

Just started Columbia by Pamela Jekel. It's kind of a biography of the Columbia river in novel format.

I'm reading Wyoming! byDana Fuller Ross. It's the third in the Wagon's West series.

Right now: A Farewell to Arms, Uncommon Thief, and Lord of the Flies. I just bailed on "The Heart is A Lonely Hunter," don't waste your precious time!

Holly wrote: "Fine book trailer about Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks TBR May 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULilLp..."

I just started listening to this one on CD audio. So far I like it but do find the reader's habit of saying 'ay' and not 'uh' for 'a' all the time annoying. I guess that's supposed to sound all colonial. At least it's better than thee-ing and thou-ing.

I am currently reading John Adams, by David McCullough.

I should finish The Pillars of the Earth today. It has taken a month for me to read this one (973 pages) but well worth the time. I will really miss Prior Phillip, Jack, Aliena, and the rest. Is World Without End really as good?

I'm half way through New York by Edward Rutherfurd it's been good but is dragging a litte now kind of lost interest and want to move on but I'm the kind that also has to finish the book!

World Without End was very good and worth reading!

thanks, Joan. I can't believe I didn't like Pillars the first time I tried to read it. I'm glad I decided to give it another chance and finish it. What a great read!

Pillars was one of my all time fav's - glad you gave it another chance. I'm a moody reader and that happens to me often. If I can't get into a book on the second try is goes to a friend or Goodwill!

I had trouble getting into Fall of Giants too, but I think I will try that one again too. Not right now though. I need something a little lighter after Pillars.

I am the same way - when I finish New York I probably go to horror or western romance something completely different!

I'm reading these right now: Fall on Your Knees, Uncommon Thief, Lucky, and Farewell To arms.

I just finished My Name is Mary Sutter. Very, very good. I had to buy it at Borders as none of my 3 local libraries carried it. It was worth the money. As soon as I can figure out how the whole Goodreads book swap thing works, maybe I will swap it. Anyone have any experience with that? I picked up The Persian Pickle Club at the library book sale (I LOVE the library book sales! Much cheaper than going to Borders/Barnes & Noble!) and am only 20 pages into it. Seems like a fast and fun read.

I am reading The Janus Stone, the second in a series about a forensic archeologist named Ruth Galloway. I like it so far.

Kimberly wrote: "I just finished My Name is Mary Sutter. Very, very good. I had to buy it at Borders as none of my 3 local libraries carried it. It was worth the money. As soon as I can figure out ho..."

Mary Sutter was great, wasn't it? Swap is super easy--I've swapped a bunch of books! All you have to do is list your book and when someone requests it, you print out the Goodreads-generated postage label, slap it on, and put it in the mailbox.

That all you do? Great! Thanks for the info!

Holly wrote: "Just finished Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks to be released May 3. Sublime.
Review here http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/..."

I really liked Brooks' novel about the plague, The Wonder Years. Husband did not. Hmph. I will look for Caleb's Crossing next.

I liked My Name is Mary Sutter, too. Both for the little bit of science and medicine in it, but also for the personal stories. Mary is close with three different men and I could not guess which one, if any, she would end up with. Intense book. Recommend it to one and all.

Kimberly wrote: "I just finished My Name is Mary Sutter. Very, very good. I had to buy it at Borders as none of my 3 local libraries carried it. It was worth the money. As soon as I can figure out ho..."

I read The Persian Pickle Club about 6 months ago. There's a part in the middle that's kind of boring, but don't give up, it gets better towards the end.

I've got two going right now (one is the *treadmill book*).

Civil War

Gretchen, I really liked Year of Wonders about the plague and My Name is Mary Sutter. Maybe it is the Womens Health nurse in me but I am attracted to those kinds of books. Shay, I am currently at the slow part so I'm glad to know it picks up again!

Currently reading American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee

Has anyone else read this book?

Michelle wrote: "Currently reading American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee

Has anyone else read this book?"

I've got it but haven't read it yet. I think Tara's read it...

The Persian Pickle Club Sounds really good Kimberly!! Thnx for posting it. =)

I just finished reading which was given to me by my Dad actually.

It was amazing. Has anyone else read it?

Alexandra wrote: "I just finished reading which was given to me by my Dad actually.

It was a..."

i have it on one of my many shelves but haven't read it yet. E. L Doctorow's Ragtime hits on this scandal and it is a great book

The Bride's House, Sandra Dallas' latest which came out in April.

Jenny wrote: "Barbara wrote: "I'm reading the Sara Donati series of the Bonner Family for the second time. I fell in love with Into the Wilderness and had to read them all. After finishing the last book Endles..."

I'm pretty well open to everything. Love Pillar of the Earth and World without End.

Jenny wrote: "I'm starting Paper Woman, taking place in the south during the American Revolution--my favorite setting!"

That one looks good. Think I'll add it to my ever growing list! Thanks.

I've started reading The Chisellers which is a great light read for the middle of the night when I can't go back to sleep. I was also very excited to buy Fall of Giants for $3 at the library book sale yesterday. From the reviews of Fall of Giants, it looks like people either gave it one or five stars. Not much in between. Hope I'm one to give it 5 stars.

I am reading two books: Those Who Save Us - a fantastic, stick with you for weeks kind of book and: The Other Bolelyn Girl, only 40 pages in but seems light on history and heavy on daytime serial IMO.

Hello - brand new to the group. I love historical fiction of any kinds, and getting some great suggestions to add to my TBR pile, so thanks!

Just read Deal with the Devil - J. Gunnar Grey - about WWII German captured by English. Waiting for Part 2 to come out. Great details!

Meg

Wow Suzanne! I'm rethinking sleeping with my dog!

Barb, fleas would rather stay on your dog and bite the dog. :-) I got my flea bites from moving a beat up old couch that my dog had slept on. I had a cluster of bites on my lower abdomen. The right lymph node that formed the small bubo was the closest to the bites.

Suzanne Adair

Still reading Gone For Soldiers not because it isn't a good book but that pesky real work has been getting in the way. Anyway, not much is written set during the Mexican War and many of the young lieutenants in this story go on to become the famous Civil War generals - on both sides - that we are so familiar with. It is interesting to see them early in their careers as well as the history and politics of yet another unpopular war.

Finished listening to Caleb's Crossing and while it remained interesting I was left with an overall dissatisfaction. I invested all that time for that ending?? It was realistic but not where I wanted to go. I wonder if reading rather than listening would have made me feel differently. I don't absorb stuff as well by ear as by eye but if I didn't listen (while driving) in addition to reading I'd never get through as many books.

i'm reading . i know it isn't hist-fict but non-fict but it reads like hist-fict. it is taking me a while because every night when i sit down to read i get pulled to the internet looking up the people, places and events mentioned by the author and then three hours later it is time for bed and i've only read 5 - 10 pages. at this rate it will take me forever and i am dying to read and next!

Sandra, that's why I prefer books to audio - I fall asleep listening! LOL... not a good thing while driving, although my hub usually does that. He's an audio learner, not me. He prefers the "dramatic" versions if available than straight reading.

Debbie - Devil in the White City is fascinating. Just take notes on people or events, and after 1/3 of book, or 1/2 way, or at the end, go look things up. Just a suggestion. Works for me.

Erik Larson does a masterful job with this Chicago history. I also found this book fascinating.