Historical Fictionistas discussion

What is everyone reading in 2019?

I will continue to read historical fiction of all kinds, but this year I also want to branch out and read more classics. Seems I missed reading so many when I was younger. I've got several good ones in my TBR stack and look forward to jumping in. I tend to read serious, mind provoking books, but I think this year I also want to lighten things up a bit more with some fun, light books that are quick reads that I'm unable to put down.

Im currently reading

Finished Women Talking
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I just finished by Jean E. Pendziwol, what a great book. While it is a dual time book I loved the island setting, the lighthouse and the glimpse into the lives of lighthouse keepers from the 1920's to the 1940's on Lake Superior.

Currently reading Fools and Mortals by Bernard Cornwell.
Next book will be Dunstan by Conn Iggulden.

Sorry, I’m on the mobile app and have no idea how to link.

I'm listening to "Unsheltered" and am about 70% done. Its fabulous with a dual timeline.

I am about one third of the way done with "The Light Between Oceans". It's going to be a heartbreaker, I fear.

I began Gateway to the Moon by Mary Morris today. This is one of my 12+4 titles.

We know there is A Rule Against Murder, but one takes place anyway in Louise Penny's picturesque Quebec. I am not alone in loving Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and Penny's delicious, atmospheric writing. (aka The Murder Stone)
4.5★ Link to my review

I started the year off by reading The Rosie Effect and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing. Hoping to get back into HF later in the month.

Trying to finish up The Weight of Ink. I've got about 100 pages left and it's so good I can't decide if I want it to end or not. I'm learning so much about Jewish history.

I'm starting the year with Defend and Betray. I've been reading the Monk series alongside the Pitt series. While I like both, I think the Monk books have a bit more substance to them.

Kathleen wrote: "I just finished by Jean E. Pendziwol, what a great book. While it is a dual time book I loved the island setting, the lighthouse and ..."

I just finished this one as well. I really enjoyed it

Currently:

Becoming Josephine

Before she became Josephine Bonaparte, the first wife of Napoleon Bonaparte, she was a Creole girl named Rose Tascher.

The author skillfully captures turbulent life of Josephine, her first failed marriage, which matures her to a point to become an ardent lover fighting for her survivor to provide for herself and her children. With her second marriage to Napoleon, she becomes a beloved Josephine to the French people, known for her generosity towards those who need it the most. She becomes a mother to her children, her men, and her country.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Hey all, please remember to use the text title, not just the cover image, so that users on mobile can see too. Thanks!

I'm currently listening to the audio for The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism, which is a historical nonfiction.

I also have a fantasy novel going as well - The Warded Man, which I should probably finish tonight.

The Sea Wolves: A History of the Vikings and The Black Tides of Heaven to kick off 2019! Plus still reading Black Wolves, carryover from December :)

I am reading The Christmas List by Richard Paul Evans

Little Dancer Aged Fourteen: The True Story Behind Degas's Masterpiece
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Becky wrote: "Hey all, please remember to use the text title, not just the cover image, so that users on mobile can see too. Thanks!"

Thank you! I can hardly see the cover image on the big screen!

Although I was in the midst of reading Gateway to the Moon I decided not to continue it now. I will pick it up again towards the beginning of February since our book group will be discussing this mid February. This book is rather convoluted with two different time periods and I want to remember all for the discussion.

I am about to begin Rosa’s Gold by Ray Kingfisher. Previously I read his book, The Sugar Man, which I enjoyed. I hope I like this title as much.

My Review of 2018 on Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Constant Princess – Philippa Gregory – 4****
Book six in her Plantagenet and Tudor series focuses on Catalina, Infanta of Spain, daughter of Queen Isabela and King Ferdinand, and known in English history as Katherine of Aragon, first wife of Henry VIII. This was one fierce lady; intelligent, mentally and emotionally strong, an astute observer and able to plot and plan with the best of them. I was caught up in the novel at the beginning, but I found that the story seemed to bog down in details.
LINK to my review

The King's Daughter. A Novel of the First Tudor Queen . It is good to read of Edward IV daughter and Henry VIII mother.

Finished The Barefoot Woman
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Becoming Josephine Becoming Josephine sounds like a great prequel to Sandra Gulland's Sandra Gullandtrilogy told from Josephine's point of view.

Finished We Have Always Lived in the Castle

My review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2628853722

I finished The Christmas List and starting Look Alive Twenty-Five

Good Me Bad Me by Ali Land

Both Christmas and post-WWI France feature in Aussie author Jackie French’s novella With Love from Miss Lily: A Christmas Story. Not so much sugar and spice - more like Spanish Flu and a surprising bit of intrigue!
3.5>4★ https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


I became very fond of “reincarnated” Virgil Wander and the varied characters in Leif Enger’s excellent new novel.
4.5★https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Ides of March – Thornton Wilder – 2**
In this work of historical fiction, Wilder uses a combination of letters, diary entries and official documents to tell the story of the last year of Julius Caesar’s life. Now, I appreciate Wilder’s writing, and there were times in the book that I was completely engaged in the story. I was fascinated to read of the intrigue and espionage, the role of Cleopatra, etc. But on the whole … well I think I had more “fun” translating Cicero’s oration against Cataline when I studied Latin in high school (and I hated that).
LINK to my review

Finished Good Me Bad Me by Ali Long today and started The Romanov Empress by C.W. Gortner. I'm only in about 150 pages, but it's great so far. Can't put it down!

There's an excellent book by Cathy Marie Buchanan called The Painted Girls The Painted Girls which is a fine historical fiction version of this story.

I am going to begin my second book for the 12+ 4 challenge. The book is Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain. I hare reading this author since1992 and she never fails to give me a great read.

Blackberry and Wild Rose

This is a very engrossing story about 18th century London silk weavers.

"Esther’s character is loosely inspired by Anna Maria Garthwaite, the foremost designer of Spitalfields silks during the mid-eighteenth century. She is credited with bringing the artistry of painting to the loom, although her success predated the industrial troubles of the Spitalfields silk industry by some years. Many of her patterns and silks have survived and can be seen in the Victoria and Albert Museum (London)."

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I also started The Romanov Empress and am loving it so far. I've enjoyed all of Gortner's books I've read.

I'm trying to branch out this year. Instead of picking up another historical fiction novel, I'm trying Empire of Sand . It was on the new release shelf at my local library and the librarian told me I needed to try it.

I am reading a historical mystery by B.A. Shapiro. Set in 1922 Paris

The Search for Joyful – Benedict and Nancy Freedman – 4****
A sequel to the popular Mrs Mike , this work of historical fiction is set primarily during World War II, and follows the career of a young Cree woman – Kathy (a/k/a/ Oh-Be-Joyful’s Daughter) – as she becomes an Army nurse and finds love and her place in the world. The authors are not First Nation people, and there’s little information about how they came to write this story. I’m skeptical about the truth of what they write, and still I’m drawn into the novel. I really liked Kathy Forquet as a heroine. It’s an inspiring and hopeful story.
LINK to my review

Lindsey wrote: "I also started The Romanov Empress and am loving it so far. I've enjoyed all of Gortner's books I've read."

He has never let me down

Elizabethan history and mystery is such good, page-turning fun in A Famine of Horses, the first in a series by P.F. Chisholm. Looking forward to some more buckling of swashes!
5★ Link to my review of A Famine of Horses


Then to contemporary Queensland and a prize-winning debut novel The Yellow House by talented young Aussie author Emily O'Grady. She's one to watch.
3.5★ Link to my review of The Yellow House

Ghost Busting Mystery by Daisy Pettles is corny humour and a quick, light "detective" story.
3★ Link to my review with several quirky quotes

I'm currently reading a pre pub from my library Finding Dorothy . I have 4 other pre pubs that I'm taking on vacation with me when we leave friday.

I am currently trying to read The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain. But I really am reading from Facebook and Goodreads and playing two games on my IPad.

Kymm wrote: "Finished Good Me Bad Me by Ali Long today and started The Romanov Empress by C.W. Gortner. I'm only in about 150 pages, but it's great so far. Can't put it down!"

That was one of favorites of 2018. Enjoy!

Finished The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. Really good read. Starting an ARC of The Huntress by the same author. Hooked me from page one.

Just finished Pachinko
my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/2643222060

Finished Anne of Cleves: Henry VIII's Unwanted Wife
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...