The History Book Club discussion

This is a thread to discuss what books you are planning to tackle during the Readathon.

This is for the sixth Readathon - December 5th - we are continuing this thread from the previous readathon. Start posting from message 113

February 7th, 2015 -(8AM start time) - February 8th 2015 (8AM Finish Time) - Readathon One

Let me start:

For Readathon One - February 7th, 2015

I plan to try to tackle the first book in the Raj Quartet.

The Jewel in the Crown by Paul Scott - Genre - Historical Fiction

by Paul Scott

I completed the above - yea!!!!

My Raj Quartet is in the mail and am hoping it arrives in time for the Readathon! If so, I will be reading the first book, also.

The Jewel in the Crown by Paul Scott - Genre - Historical Fiction

by Paul Scott

If my Raj Quartet doesn't make it here then I plan on reading

The Last Tsar: The Life and Death of Nicholas II by Edvard Radzinsky - Genre - History

by Эдвард Радзинский (no photo)

Woopee I will have a catch up mate (smile)

by Ken Follett

I was planning on reading
by Hernán Cortés and

by Michael A. Di Giovine (no photo)

but these are both very long books so I will have to either reduce my challenge to two books or combine one of them with a few shorter ones.

Donna wrote: " by Ken Follett"

Great book Donna.

You are ambitious Samanta.

Oh! I didn't even notice there was no photo until you told me. I must admit I was doing it with automatism. Will do!

That is OK, thanks.

I've started Miramont's Ghost that I hope to finish on Saturday.

by Elizabeth Hall (no photo)

I'm a little torn on what to read. I've had

by Ayn Rand

sitting on my shelf for quite a while, but have yet to read it. If I'm up for the challenge, I will plan on finishing this on Saturday. If not, I plan on reading

by David Murray (no photo)

I am going to finish my current book, Frozen in Time.

by Mitchell Zuckoff

Jill - My husband told me about the USCG's recovery effort for the Duck. I didn't know Mr. Zuckoff had written about it. I will have to add that to my long, long list of books. It sounds interesting.

Mitchell Zuckoff

It is really interesting, Skeetor. I knew about the recovery but not the whole history of the event. A good book.

I plan to finish:

by Freya Stark

and catch up with group on:

by Paul Scott

by Rick Atkinson

Skeetor wrote: "Jill - My husband told me about the USCG's recovery effort for the Duck. I didn't know Mr. Zuckoff had written about it. I will have to add that to my long, long list of books. It sounds interest..."

@Skeetor - looking good

@Jill - good for you

Ben wrote: "I'm a little torn on what to read. I've had

by Ayn Rand

sitting on my shelf for quite a while, but have yet to read it. I..."

You can always go between two books or more.

Teri wrote: "I've started Miramont's Ghost that I hope to finish on Saturday.

by Elizabeth Hall (no photo)"

Very good

Bentley wrote: " by Freya Stark

France - always look under other editions - many times there is a book cover and there was one for you..."

Fixed. Thanks for the help

You are welcome - good job

Of course, the question is, "Do I finish up a book I'm still reading, tackle a long book, or read several short books to make it look like I am a readacholic?"

What I have been reading is that it is best to start with something short first to sense accomplishment which is a real boost to energy and stamina. Also, if you have a book that you would like to finish that is also a worthwhile goal - you would get credit for the completion of the book, for the time spent, for the pages read (only for the pages read during the readathon time period - not before) - The chunksters are usually not a good idea unless you are going to dabble between books and try to make headway on a bunch of book projects.

I will be reading by .

I will be finishing by Arthur Herman, and reading by Sara Wheeler.

Carol wrote: "I will be reading by ."

Great Carol and welcome - you did pretty good on the citation - you only have to go back in and add the author's link.

by Joan Wallach Scott

You did a good job too Claire - very close - you only have to add the author's photo if available. If no photo - just add no photo at the end

by Arthur Herman (no photo)

by Sara Wheeler

Great books guys.

I will be reading Night of the Golden Butterfly byTariq Ali. This is the last of the Islam Quintet # 5

by Tariq Ali

Excellent Elin - what is the location of the previous four books - did any of them have any location or mention in India. This one looks like it is set in Lahore, London, etc.

Looks like a fun series.

I just received a book I won from a Goodreads Giveaway! I didn't expect it would make it in time for the readathon but it's here! So I will be reading New Harmony, Indiana, Like a River Not a Lake by Jane Blaffer Owen. I'm really excited to read this book.

by Jane Blaffer Owen (no photo)

Elin, those books by Tariq Ali do look interesting.

Tariq Ali

Great Skeetor that is really exciting.

It depends on how much reading I get done tonight, but I have two possible plans.

Plan A is to finish the books that have been languishing on my currently reading list for ages. Those are:

by Lynette Harris (no photo).
by Robin McKinley

Plan B is to begin by Hilary Mantel

Although, I may end up ditching both in order to read a short book cover to cover.

Bentley wrote: "Excellent Elin - what is the location of the previous four books - did any of them have any location or mention in India. This one looks like it is set in Lahore, London, etc.

Looks like a fun se..."

The Islam Quintet are all from different locations and from different time periodes. My favorite so fare is The book of Saladin # 2
by Tariq Ali

CandyBeans wrote: "It depends on how much reading I get done tonight, but I have two possible plans.

Plan A is to finish the books that have been languishing on my currently reading list for ages. Those are:

[book..."

Good plan CandyBeans

Elin Sofie wrote: "Bentley wrote: "Excellent Elin - what is the location of the previous four books - did any of them have any location or mention in India. This one looks like it is set in Lahore, London, etc.

Loo..."

Was wondering if it might be pertinent to India in any way for the India challenge.

I will see if I advance 100-200 pages in my reading of the following book:

by Peter H. Wilson (no photo)

Let us keep our fingers crossed.

Donna wrote: " by Ken Follett"

I just finished that not too long ago, Donna. I think you'll enjoy it, and it goes fast!

My plan for tomorrow is to finish up by Jeffrey Toobin. I'm about a quarter of the way into it, and it's been very interesting so far.

Teri wrote: "I've started Miramont's Ghost that I hope to finish on Saturday.

by Elizabeth Hall (no photo)"

Let me know how that one is Teri. It's on my TBR and on my iPad, but not yet on my reading schedule.

Jill wrote: "I am going to finish my current book, Frozen in Time.

by [authorimage:Mitchell Zuc..."

Oh - that looks really good Jill. Now I have to read 2 books to make up for adding this one to my TBR stack.

I'm about halfway through, Maureen and it is really interesting. I would recommend it.

HELLO FOLKS - LET US KNOW WHAT YOU ARE PLANNING TO READ FOR READATHON TWO????

APRIL 25TH - STARTING AT 8AM

April 25th - -(8AM start time) - April 26th 2015 (8AM Finish Time) - Readathon Two

Let me start:

For Readathon Two - April 25th, 2015

I plan to try to tackle the fourth book in the Raj Quartet so that I can take part in the discussion when the book begins.

A Division of the Spoils by Paul Scott - Genre - Historical Fiction

by Paul Scott

Let us know what you are planning on reading.

Rescue at Los Baños by Bruce Henderson - Genre - History, WWII

by Bruce Henderson

(One of these days I will tackle the Raj Quartet!)

I have finally got caught up and trying to get ahead so that I can participate in the discussion for the first time when the book kicks off. It is a great series - very serious - very powerful - sometimes humorous - sometimes making you feel very uncomfortable when reading it - the type of series which makes you think and sometimes it makes you feel quite sad and unsettled but great - nonetheless.

I wish you great progress with your choice Skeetor.

I plan to finish Killing Patton as well as finishing this week's readings for Cleopatra and Eisenhower in War and Peace. Past that, if I get far enough I will tackle either some quick fluff reads or move on to Thunderstruck.

by Bill O'Reilly
by Stacy Schiff
by Jean Edward Smith
by Erik Larson

Sounds like you have an aggressive plan but it all looks good - I should place Cleopatra on my list as well. But my book is a long book so I might not get to it this time.

by Stacy Schiff

I'm now tackling Baltasar and Blimunda, one of José Saramago's greatest novels. I'm rereading as school work (I'm now studying this book in Portuguese class).

by José Saramago

Very good Jose - looks like this will be a great accomplishment for you.

I am going to finish That Woman and continue reading (but probably won't finish since it is a large book) Village of Secrets, Defying the Nazis in
Vichy France.

by Anne Sebba
by Caroline Moorehead