The History Book Club discussion

Carly, here is your new thread in 2016. Happy reading in the new year.

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2016
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 Will Schwalbe
Finish date: January 2, 2016
Genre: biography/memoir
Rating: A
Review: A loving tribute to his mother and to reading. Any lover of books and reading would enjoy this book.

2. by Nathalie Fraise(no photo)
Finish date: January 4, 2016
Genre: cookbook
Rating: A-
Review: A lot great information on all the wonderful health benefits of the coconut. I did not realize how good for you coconut is. The recipes all look great. The ingredients are easy to find at most grocery stores. I will really enjoy making these recipes.

3. by Thug Kitchen(no photo)
Finish date: January 4, 2016
Genre: cookbook
Rating: A
Review: I was so excited when I won this book in a goodreads giveaway!!! I was not disappointed!!!

What a fun cookbook!!!!. This a great vegan cookbook even for most of us who are not vegan or vegetarians. I am really looking forward to making the breakfast/brunch recipes.


Some of my favorites quotes from this book:

"It's brunch, bitches"
"Damn right we gutted a melon and filled it with other melon chunks. That's pretty f*cked up when you think about it. It looks good though."
"This contains some of the dopest shit in life: cinnamon, apricots, and French f*cking toast. If you disagree, then clearly you don't appreciate the simple things and should GTFO of the kitchen."

I better stop or I will type out the whole book. Now I have to go out and buy the other Thug Kitchen cookbook. by Thug Kitchen(no photo)

4. by Nicholas Sparks
Finish date: January 6, 2016
Genre: romance
Rating: A
Review: This is another great Nicholas Sparks novel. It made me laugh and like all Nicholas Sparks novels it made me cry. The ending was a surprise. I expected it to go another way, but I am glad it turned out the way it did.

Great start, Carly....you are on a roll. BTW, please put your bolded January header in your first post in all caps, as such:

JANUARY

Thanks so much.

5. by Nora Roberts

Finish date: January 10, 2016
Genre: fantasy/paranormal romance
Rating: A
Review: I was disappointed with Nora Roberts' Cousins O'Dwyer series so I was little bit concerned about how this series would go. There was no need to be so concerned. This book was excellent and I have no doubt that next two books will be just as good.

Nora Roberts is really good at weaving an epic battle of good vs. evil and mixing it with romance. The characters are all endearing and charming in their own way. I loved to beautiful setting. Now I really have to book a vacation to Corfu.

by Nora Roberts

6. by Jeanne Marie Laskas (no photo)

Finish date: January 16, 2016
Genre: Biography
Rating: A
Review: A must read!!!
A very compelling story of the doctor who made a discovery that would send shockwaves through the American sports landscape. There is great information of the science of concussions and brain injuries in general. There is even some great information in the beginning on Nigerian history and culture. The reader also gets a little insight in the politics of medical research. While reading this book I got really angry at how the NFL handled this situation and the fact that the NFL did not suffer any real consequence for ignoring concussion research for decades so at times I wanted the throw the book across the room.

Carly.......when mentioning another book in your review, be sure to use the citations. Thanks.

by Nora Roberts

Carly wrote: "JANUARY

1. by Will Schwalbe
Finish date: January 2, 2016
Genre: biography/memoir
Rating: A
Rev..."

I've just started it because of your review!

7. by J.D. Robb

Finish date: January 21, 2016
Genre: Romance
Rating: A
Review: This anthology features 5 stories each with their own unique twist on a classic fairy tale. It has a little bit for everyone.

Taken in Death by J.D Robb
5 stars

Hansel and Gretal meets police procedural. There is a reason why this series is so popular. From the first paragraph I was hooked.

If Wishes Were Horses by Mary Blayney
5 stars

This a sweet historical romance inspired by Goldilocks and the Three Bears. A young women is searching for her perfect fit.

Beauty Sleeping
5 stars

A unique retelling of Sleeping Beauty. This story is very cute and I enjoyed reading it.

The Christmas Comet by Mary Kay McComas
4 Stars

A modern take on Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Match Girl and The Brothers Grimm's The Star Money. Although this story is very sweet and liked it, I think I would have enjoyed this story a little more if I was familiar with the stories that inspired this one.

Stroke of Midnight by R.C. Ryan
4 stars

You can guess by the title what fairy tale inspired this story. Of course, its Cinderella. A sweet love story that I enjoyed reading. Sydney had to deal with a horrible step mother most of her life so on a whim she travels to Ireland to visit her father's hometown where she meets "Prince Charming."

8. by Markus Zusak

Finish date: January 29, 2016
Genre: Historical Fiction, Young Adult
Rating: A
Review: This one was added to my all time favorites list. loved this book!!! I found myself staying up all night reading it. Its a powerful story about friendship, love, suffering, and death. But most importantly, its about the power of books and the written word.

I loved The Book Thief also, Carly. Such a unique narrator, don't you think? It was marketed as young adult but I think it has appeal for readers of all ages.

by Markus Zusak

FEBRUARY

9. by Susan Benjamin(no photo)

Finish date: February 3, 2016
Genre: History
Rating: A-
Review: I won this book from a Goodreads giveaway. What an interesting Book!!! Tells the story of our love affair with sweets. I enjoyed reading the rather remarkable history of the sweets we still enjoy today

Looks interesting (and yummy!!!)

10. by Colm Tóibín

Finish date: Febuary 10, 2016
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B
Review: This book started out slow but got better after a few chapters. The ending was kind of abrupt. I would love to have seen what happens when she gets back New York. I would have loved to see a little more conflict. Nothing really bad happens to Eilis except a tragic family death. Overall, I liked the book.

11. by Tom Standage

Finish date: February 19, 2016
Genre: History
Rating: A+
Review: I absolutely loved this book especially the chapters on tea and Coca Cola. It was enjoyable to read quick and easy. The subject matter very interesting. It amazing me how something as simple as these 6 drinks could have such an impact on history.

That sounds very interesting and certainly different, Carly. It will go on my tbr list. Thanks.

That book was a lot of fun! I do like books that look at history from interesting viewpoints.

Sounds like fun......is it one of those books that you can read while also reading some heavy history tome about WWI.....in other words, is it one that can be read in spurts and not lose the thread of the narrative?

Each chapter can be read on its own completely and each is relatively short.

Jill wrote: "Sounds like fun......is it one of those books that you can read while also reading some heavy history tome about WWI.....in other words, is it one that can be read in spurts and not lose the thread..."

yes as peter said each chapter can be read on its own. And each chapter is a quick easy and very interesting read

Great.....I like to have a book like that for breaks from my main read. Thanks guys.

APRIL

12. by Jojo Moyes
Finish date: April 4, 2016
Genre: Fiction
Rating: A+
Review: A heartbreaking love story that I really really loved. An really emotional rollercoaster. I was laughing at parts and crying by the end. I am so glad a finally read it and look forward to movie.

13. by Philippa Gregory
Finish date: April 9, 2016
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A+
Review: I really love this book and this series. Philippa Gregory really knows how to write entertaining well researched historical fiction.

14. by Michael M. Greenburg(no photo)

Finish date: April 25, 2016
Genre: History (American Revolution)
Rating: A+
Review: I loved this book mainly because it chronicles an event in the American Revolution that I was totally unaware of. I love reading about historical events that I know very little about. This is well researched and easy to read. It gives a detailed account of the failed Penobscot Expedition and its aftermath. We get true insight into Paul Revere, the man not the legend.

MAY

15. by Jojo Moyes

Finish date: May 14, 2016
Genre: Fiction (romance)
Rating: A-
Review: I really liked this book!!! It did take a few chapters before i got into the story. I was not really sure if I like where the author took Louisa's story, but as I continued reading it really came together for me.

16. by Philippa Gregory

Finish date: May 30, 2016
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B
Review: This one was hard to rate. I enjoyed it and Kateryn Parr seems to be an intersting person and seemed to live a very intersting life and I would love to read more about her. However, this fictional account of her life is not Philippa Gregory's best.

JUNE

17. by Owen Gleiberman (no photo)

Finish date: June 26, 2016
Genre: biography/memoir
Rating: A-
Review: It was hard for me to get through the first few chapters. It was not until he starts working for the Phoenix and Entertainment Weekly that the book gets interesting. I learned more about his sex life than I really wanted or needed to know, but the insights into the business and politics of writing movie reviews for major publications are very interesting. Overall, an enjoyable even for a person like me who does not really a big movie person and does not have the same relationship with movies as Owen Gleiberman does.

18. by Jensen Karp(no photo)

Finish date: June 29, 2016
Genre: Biography/memoir
Rating: A+
Review: I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway.

How can you pass up a title like that? The Kanye West story was one of my favorites because you are introduced to Kanye before he was a Rap superstar. Also, I really liked the chapter about the actress who gave him an eye infection. I really want to know who this A-lister was. Overall, a funny and entertaining tale of very talented guy who almost made it big.

JULY

19. by Matthew Futterman (no photo)

Finish date: July 6, 2016
Genre: sports history
Rating: A+
Review: I loved it!!! It is a very revealing and readable account of the intersection between big sports and big business. It just hard to fathom in world where athletes get multi-million dollar contracts before they play even one professional game that pro-athletes once upon a time were not super rich and had to work in the off season to make ends meet. Overall, very fascinating and enjoyable to read.


Since the epilogue was about the U.S Women National Soccer team I am hoping that Matthew Futterman writes a book on women's pro sports.

That book sounds extremely interesting and is going on my tbr list. Thanks for the tip.

20. by J.A. Sharpe (no photo)

Finish date: July 18, 2016
Genre: history
Rating: A-
Review: James Sharpe does the a really good job explaining the complicated religious/political situation in late 16th century/early 17th century England that leads to the failed terrorist plot on November 5, 1605. Then he goes into a very interesting and fascinating analysis of how the commemoration of this event changed over time as anti-Catholicism waned.

AUGUST

21. by Luba Vikhanski(no photo)

Finish date: August 10, 2016
Genre: Biography
Rating: A+
Review: A great insight into the world of 19th century science and the history of the study of immunology. It tells the story of the mostly forgotton Elie Metchnikoff and his pursuit to understand immunity.

September

22. by Robert Cowley

Finish date: September 30, 2016
Genre: American History
Rating: B
Review: I really love counter factual what if books because it shows how easily the course of history could have been different for better of worse. However, this third installment in the What Ifs? series is the weakest one. Each essay is really interesting, but some of them are a bit dry. Also some of the essays did not do a really good job at differentiating fact from counter factual what ifs so I got confused a couple times.

Carly wrote: "September

22. by Robert Cowley

Finish date: Septe..."

Sorry to hear that this collection doesn't live up to the others. I enjoy these counterfactual essays too, especially when they're written by legitimate historians with solid control of the times so they can be aware of how easily events could turn out differently.

I just picked up a book by Niall Ferguson: Virtual History. Haven't read it yet, but I've enjoyed his other histories, including one that was made into a PBS program, so I'm optimistic.

by Niall Ferguson

Carly......I read the counterfactual book noted below, which is comprised of essays by noted historians. It was pretty well done and might be of interest to you. It is a slow read, however.

by Dennis E. Showalter (no photo)

NOVEMBER

23. by Janet Evanovich
Finish date: November 15, 2016
Genre: mystery
Rating: B
Review: I enjoyed reading this book. However, I do wish Janet Evanovich changes things up a little.

24. by Janet Evanovich

Finish date: November 24, 2016
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A-
Review: another good installment in this series. Although to do believe the first half of this series is better then the second half

25. by Janet Evanovich

Finish date: November 26, 2016
Genre: Mystery
Rating: A-
Review: I can always count on this series for a smile.

DECEMBER

26. by Tom Standage

Finish date: December 13, 2016
Genre: history
Rating: A+
Review: really enjoyed this book about how food has impacted the course of human history from the first farmers to chemical fertilizers to the use of GMOs. My favorite section was the chapters on food as weapons or to be more specific the control of food as a weapon.

Carly wrote: "DECEMBER

26. by Tom Standage

Finish date: December 13, 2016
Genre: history
Rating: A+
Review: really..."

I will add that to my list.

27. by Caroline B. Cooney

Finish date: December 22, 2016
Genre: young adult fiction
Rating: B
Review: I read this book mainly for nostalgic reasons. I discovered Caroline B. Cooney in Junior high and read several of her books including this series. So I had to read this conclusion to Janie's story. Its been a long time since I read the other books in this series but I do remember liking them a lot especially The Voice on the Radio which is the best of the series. Janie Face to Face is a good conclusion to this story of kidnapping and the tearing apart of two families. I am so glad that Janie/Jennie got her happy ending!!!

by Caroline B. Cooney