Historical Fictionistas discussion

Hi all! It's that time again!

Please nominate ONE book that you would like to read for December/January. Please link to title and author. A short explanation of why you're nominating the book would be awesome, but isn't necessary.

If you're unsure of what's been read with the group, please check the group bookshelf.

Nominations will be taken until 11/27/10 and then we shall vote.

Also, just a heads up that starting January, I'm thinking of doing themes for the group read every now and then, like maybe an era, or regarding a certain historical event, or person, etc. Ideas welcome!

I would like to nominate...datatadataaaa.....that was a drum roll....Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg because I love the movie and have never read the book....

I love the idea of themes!

These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner

Goodreads rating is 4.46

Several of my friends have read this book and have rated it at 5 stars so I have it on my plan for early January.
A brief overview:
Inspired by the true story of the author's pioneering great-grandmother, this mesmerizing saga tells of the emotional, intellectual, and romantic awakening of a spirited young woman of the late 19th century in the American West.

wow, the reviews/ratings for These Is My Words are really good! This has definitely peaked my interest :)

I've set up a suggestion thread here for themes: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1...

Go throw some ideas around! :)

Because of the holiday season, I figure I should nominate a book tthat would be a relatively quick read.

A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. It looks like it would be a fun, interesting read and it's technically a young adult book so the text is likely slightly bigger.

The Lady and the Unicorn
by Tracy Chevalier, I've been wanting to read it for so long. Reading it here would be a good bonus ;)

I'd like to nominate True Grit by Charles Portis.

I don't usually gravitate toward Westerns, but I can't resist a plucky, young heroine mature beyond her years. And with the Coen brothers' remake of the film do out at Christmas (Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Hailee Steinfeld), I really want to read the book, as all I have as reference is the old John Wayne film, which doesn't focus on the girl as the original written story (and the movie remake) does.

(Here's the trailer for the upcoming film at YouTube for the interested.)

Ti wrote: "The Lady and the Unicorn
by Tracy Chevalier, I've been wanting to read it for so long. Reading it here would be a good bonus ;)"

I am going to be reading this next for my book club.

OK so here's what we have so far:

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
These Is My Words by Nancy E. Turner
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
The Lady and the Unicorn by Tracy Chevalier
True Grit by Charles Portis

And I'm nominating The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon (again!)

Becky,
i am reading "The Lady and the Unicorn" now.

I nomminate Here be Dragons bySharon Kay Penman. I have heard good things about it and have been wanting to read it for a while.

Silver wrote: "I nomminate Here be Dragons bySharon Kay Penman. I have heard good things about it and have been wanting to read it for a while."

Ooo, that one looks good.

I nominate Dreaming the Eagle by Manda Scott
I've been wanting to read this book for ages and it looks really good.

Kimberly wrote: "I nominate Dreaming the Eagle by Manda Scott
I've been wanting to read this book for ages and it looks really good."
I second that! It's been on my list for ages to read too!

Jackie wrote: "Silver wrote: "I nomminate Here be Dragons bySharon Kay Penman. I have heard good things about it and have been wanting to read it for a while."

Ooo, that one looks good."

It has my vote. I read it, but could happily read it again. Anything she writes is wonderful, because she's a master at the genre.

I nomminate: The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory. I have read good things about this book and the author. I also have been wanting to read it.

Sheila K wrote: "I nomminate: The White Queen by Phillipa Gregory. I have read good things about this book and the author. I also have been wanting to read it."

I "second" this one!! :) Love Phillipa Gregory!

Dang I totally forgot to put up the poll! Putting it up now.

I'm surprised nobody got on you for that...we must all be so busy with the holidays and life ;)

Tasha wrote: "I'm surprised nobody got on you for that...we must all be so busy with the holidays and life ;)"

I thought about getting on her for that.

And I'm stopping that train of thought right there.

O_o

Once I finish Sashenka: A Novel I'll start The Shadow of the Wind. Looking forward to it as I keep hearing how good it is. Is anyone else reading it yet?

I've read this one already. I love the descriptions in this book and the story line has a couple of good twists that keep you guessing.

I read this book back in June I think, and really enjoyed it. I don't think anyone will be disappointed. I thought it was exceptional. I look forward to seeing what everyone else thinks of it.

southpaw285 wrote: "I read this book back in June I think, and really enjoyed it. I don't think anyone will be disappointed. I thought it was exceptional. I look forward to seeing what everyone else thinks of it."

Same here, great book.

I'm about 50 pages in, and it has caught my attention... I am intrigued.

Started this one last night and am liking it so far. I love the way the author writes :)

I haven't started this one yet... I might not have time until after the new year, but I have read Zafon's "The Angel's Game" and really enjoyed it. The writing is great, and apparently that one is something of a prequel to "Shadow of the Wind" so I'm really looking forward to reading it.

(PS. It figures that after nominating this book a gajillion times, it would win when I am too booked up to read it right away! Booooo! LOL)

I read this a few months ago, and really liked it. Interesting story, with quite a few twists. I hope everybody enjoys it as much as I did.

I decided to use this book for double duty: our monthly read and as a book for challenge #5 so I'm waiting until January 1 to read it. I'm finding it VERY hard to wait!

Tasha, which task are you using it for?

I'm going to use it for 20.1 Go to the HF polls threads and read 2 books from any month or different months. I'm thinking of reading The House at Riverton for the second nook.

As I'm writing this I'm wondering if this task 20.1 only applies to nominated books and not chosen monthly reads? If that is the case, then i'll probably get started on The Shadow of the Wind right after my current read. :)

It just says to choose books from any of the nomination threads, not that it has to be a book that didn't win. :)

I think I might join you in Shadow of the Wind for that one, and Katherine maybe...

Tasha, it doesn't matter whether it was nominated or chosen as long as it shows up on the polls. I think you'll enjoy this one.

Shadow of the wind is one of my favorites and is the book that got me into reading historical fiction. I'm sure you guys will love it as much as I did.

Not going to comment on the story til others have had a chance to read it but I just finished this a couple days ago and loved it! I will definitely be putting Angel's Game on my TBR to read in 2011.

Shadow of the wind is one of my all time favourite books. Hope everyone that is reading it enjoys it.

I just started reading The Shadow of the Wind. The opening of the novel reminded me of Ray Bradbury'sFahrenheit 451because of books being adopted.

I'm surprised that this is shelved by so many as a mystery. It doesn't really read like one.

That comes a little further into the novel.

I spent all day reading The Shadow of the Wind and have finished it. I'm on vacation this week, so I have plenty of reading time. Yes, there is a mystery aspect, but it's more like "What was done?" rather than a whodunnit.

This is one of my favorites.... More later as people continue to read :)

Shomeret wrote: "I just started reading The Shadow of the Wind. The opening of the novel reminded me of Ray Bradbury'sFahrenheit 451because of books being adopted.

I'm surprised that th..."

This work was categorized as mystery, thriller, romance, suspense... and yes, historical fiction is a good possibility too. What does anyone think about the historical aspect of the work?

Rachel wrote: "Shomeret wrote: "I just started reading The Shadow of the Wind. The opening of the novel reminded me of Ray Bradbury'sFahrenheit 451because of books being adopted.

I'm ..."

I think the historical aspects were well done, not thrown in your face with long in-depth discussions, but just there so you knew what the times were about. The info on architecture and daily life was great. I had never thought of traveling to
Barcelona, but now....another pipe dream of mine. LOL

Kristine wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Shomeret wrote: "I just started reading The Shadow of the Wind. The opening of the novel reminded me of Ray Bradbury'sFahrenheit 451because of books being ..."

I had no problem with the historical aspect, but I do think that the events of this book aren't really anchored to any particular time period. It's got a strong sense of place, but not a strong sense of the time.

I would love to know more about the Cemetery of Forgotten Books. How and when was it established? Why was it originally established?

Maybe I was not paying attention, but I thought it was taking place post civil war? That was the impression I got from it. I don't know much about Spanish politics or history so maybe I was waaay off...lol

I don't know about Spanish politics either and I did read this awhile ago, but I don't remember a specific time period for the novel.

I'm editing my comment since it says in the book description that it takes place in 1945 just after the war. So there you go! lol

********POTENTIAL SPOILERS**********

I had to go back to another group where I discussed it because I don't rememner too much of the plot details. I read this back in 2009 and although some of it has stayed with me some details are pretty sketchy.

One that that I absolutely loved about this book was the writing. In the other group I had tons of quotes and I remember just wanting to get a highlighter and some sticky notes and going to town on it. Unfortunately, it was a library book so I couldn't. booo! Anyway, this is one of my favorite quotes:
"This is a place of mystery, Daniel, a sanctuary. Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens...."

I love the concept of every book having a soul and the Cementary of Forgotten Books.

I wasn't in love with the plot, although it did keep me guessing and it was intriguing. I found that sometimes it went fast and then sometimes it just went too slow to the point where I wasn't itching to pick the book back up. But when I picked the book up I was enthralled. I think it took me about 2 weeks to read this book, which is a rarity for me with a book this size. However, I highly enjoyed it.

Oh and I adore Fermin. I think he had the best lines in the book and provided the right amount of comic relief.

I agree about Fermin. He was a really wonderful character.