What Are You Reading? February 2011

[boswellbaxter]

For those of us who are in February now . . . Man, that was fast!

[Susan]

Yes, January sure did go fast! Still reading Great Maria and making good progress.

[SonjaMarie]

And Feb will go faster, LOL!

SM

[LoveHistory]

Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser. I have a copy with a picture from the movie on the front cover. It's very pink.

[annis]

Across the Blood Red Skies (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Across-Blood-red-Skies-Robert-Radcliffe/dp/1408701855), a novel about the RFC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Flying_Corps) during WWI, where the average survival time for a reconnaisance pilot was eighteen hours. Very well done.

[SCW]

Re-reading Wuthering Heights whilst waiting for my copy of Great Maria to arrive

[Nefret]

Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser. I have a copy with a picture from the movie on the front cover. It's very pink.

Oh, you made me want to read that again.

[Vanessa]

I'm reading Stormcrow Castle by Amanda Grange.

[Madeleine]

I thought January seemed to be endless!

I'm still reading "Passion" by Jude Morgan, and yesterday started "The Suspicions of Mr Whicher" by Kate Summerscale.

[fljustice]

About three quarters of the way through At Home: A Short History of Private Life by Bill Bryson. Still enjoying it. Struggling a bit with Nicholas and Alexandra by Robert K. Massie. The writing is fine, but it's my "commuting" book; and with the weather so nasty, I'm rarely on the subway or bus, so it's long stretches between reads. I'll have to add it to the pre-dinner tea and fireplace reading pile.

[Brenna]

Finished Susan Carroll's The Dark Queen and started The Courtesan. This series is keeping my interest. The characters are not very charismatic, but the storyline could go places. We'll see what she does with the second one!

[Elysium]

Finished Sword of the Rightful King by Jane Yolen and now reading India Black by Carol K. Carr.

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished "Ancient Mysteries" by Peter James and Nick Thorpe (626pgs, 1999)*. Very interesting book.

SM

[Nefret]

I've finished "Ancient Mysteries" by Peter James and Nick Thorpe (626pgs, 1999)*. Very interesting book.

SM

Is that non fiction? What is it about? I am curious.

[SonjaMarie]

Is that non fiction? What is it about? I am curious.

Yes, nonfiction. They look at things like the Pyramids, megalithic ruins, Vikings in America, Stonehenge, Glastonbury Tor & Abbey, hoaxs, King Arthur, Dracula, all sorts of things.

SM

[Tanzanite]

Started The Tudor Secret.

[Nefret]

Yes, nonfiction. They look at things like the Pyramids, megalithic ruins, Vikings in America, Stonehenge, Glastonbury Tor & Abbey, hoaxs, King Arthur, Dracula, all sorts of things.

SM

That sounds most interesting. I'll have to find it.

[Kasthu]

Now reading The Lion of Mortimer, by Juliet Dymoke.

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished 2 books today....

"The Annals of London: A Year-by-Year Record of a Thousand Years of History" by John Richardson (395pgs, 2000)* An interesting and yet sometimes boring book. I wish they had concentrated on events that were going on then what was being built or demolished.

"The Life and Times of William I" by Maurice Ashley, Intro. by Antonia Fraser (219pgs, 1992ed, 1973orig)*. A good book, more of a primer/overview then a in-depth look at William. Loads of images, a very quick read. First book on my Kings/Queens of England Challenge.

SM

[Ludmilla]

I finished Paulette Jiles' The Color of Lightning last night, and lo and behold, when I looked for reviews today found this article (http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/archives/larry_mcmurtry_diana_ossana_to_adapt_color_lightni ng_for_ridley_scott/) about the book being adapted for film with Larry McMurtry as part of the team working on the script.

[annis]

I didn't realise that Paulette Jiles had written another novel- I see she's returned to the Civil War period for this one. I really liked Enemy Women. What did you think of this latest one?

[Vanessa]

I'm just about to start Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue.

[Ludmilla]

I didn't realise that Paulette Jiles had written another novel- I see she's returned to the Civil War period for this one. I really liked Enemy Women. What did you think of this latest one?

I liked it. Those who were put off by the dialogue with no quotation marks in Enemy Women, don't have to worry about it in this latest book. I think this one came out in 2009 and she wrote another novel - Stormy Weather - that I haven't read which came out in 2007.

[CindyInOz]

I've finished Fingersmith by Sarah Waters and am almost half way through Mistress of the Revolution by Catherine Delors. French politics during this period have always confused me, but Catherine's book has been great with regards to getting things straight in my head. It's actually sparked a real interest in the French Revolution and I can't wait to read more about it :D

[Vanessa]

I loved both of those books.

[Ash]

I've finished Fingersmith by Sarah Waters.

How did you like it?

I also read the Delors book. I have a slight knowledge of the French Revolution, and too found myself wanting to know more after reading it.

Im in a travel narrative and bio mode this last month, and haven't read any HF for a little bit (tried a few things that just didn't take). Need to rectify that this month! Several books bekon - a new Captain Alatriste, Secret Memoirs of Little K (started it in December but got distracted by a shiny new cover for my birthday), and The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

[Kasthu]

Reading CW's The Tudor Secret now.

[cw gortner]

Hope those who are reading The Tudor Secret enjoy it!

Half way through The Owl Killers and enjoying it. The different POVs present an interesting approach and the creepy factor is starting to build. I love how Ms Maitland so effortlessly combines elements of the pagan and the christian, so that we truly get a sense of that older, forbidden order lurking under every church-wiped surface.

[CindyInOz]

How did you like it?

Oh, I loved it! Although I'd heard good things about the book, I hadn't really read any reviews and didn't know what to expect going in, so the twists and turns were a real surprise. I couldn't put it down. I loved her writing and got a real feel for the time and places. I've now got Tipping the Velvet on my shelf ready to read.

[Nefret]

Just started reading The Devils by Fyodor Dostoyevsky for the second time.

[Ludmilla]

Just started Stendahl's The Charterhouse of Parma this morning and enjoying the sardonic tone of it so far.

[Misfit]

Just starting Camilla by Frances Burney.

[javagirl]

Finally finished Follett's Fall of Giants which I enjoyed though not as much as POTE and WWE.

Now a good ways into A Secret History of the Pink Carnation.

[SCW]

I couldn't finish Fall of Giants. Am going shopping tomorrow to buy Great Maria and a couple of other books

[Madeleine]

Think I am about to have my first wall-banging moment - "Mr Whicher" may soon be on his way across the room, metaphorically speaking at least. If it doesn't improve after my next commute on Monday, then he's off!

[Misfit]

Think I am about to have my first wall-banging moment - "Mr Whicher" may soon be on his way across the room, metaphorically speaking at least. If it doesn't improve after my next commute on Monday, then he's off!

I didn't make it past the first chapter of that one.

[Susanna Kearsley]

Think I am about to have my first wall-banging moment - "Mr Whicher" may soon be on his way across the room...

I'll be sure to duck if Mr Whicher whizzes by...

I've got a couple of books on the go at the moment: The Calligrapher's Daughter by Eugenia Kim (HF about Korea, where I used to live). Very lovely so far.

And NF: Jacobite Spy Wars: Moles, Rogues and Treachery, by Hugh Douglas. Just started this yesterday.

[SonjaMarie]

Wow, I liked "Mr. Whicher", but then I like murder mysteries a lot, nonfiction and fiction.

SM

[Tanzanite]

The Darling Stumpet by Gillian Bagwell.

[SCW]

Tried looking for Great Maria at the 3 major book stores in town, but none had any copies. Bought The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters instead.

[Elysium]

The Mysterious Death of Tutankhamun by Paul Doherty

[Madeleine]

Wow, I liked "Mr. Whicher", but then I like murder mysteries a lot, nonfiction and fiction.

SM

So do I, including Victorian mysteries, but I think this one should have been called "The History of Mr Whicher", it's a shame as the actual case is very interesting, but I'm just finding the book boring:(

There's a TV adaptation coming along soon, so it will be interesting to see how they've adapted it.

[rockygirl]

A Free Man of Color by Barbara Hambly. It's a re-read, but it's been a long time since I read it the first time.

[Susan]

Started Outlander last night. I've wanted to get into this series for ages. I do have the paperback of the novel, but after using a Kindle for the past six months I decided the font was too small, so I bought the Kindle version. Kindle has good deals on the books in this series. They cost either $5.00 or $7.01 (an odd price).

[chuck]

Currently reading Nancy Redfern's "Auriel Rising"...Very good read....So far....

[Misfit]

Getting towards the end of Hollick's I am the Chosen King and knowing how it ends I'm taking a break and reading an older romance, This Golden Valley by Francine Rivers. California gold country, one of my favorite settings.

[fljustice]

Finished Bill Bryson's At Home: A Short History of Private Life. His usual quirky fare. I think I'll give up on Nicolas and Alexandra. It's well written, but it's not an era that I'm particularly interested in...plus I know the sad ending...and life's too short.

Starting Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende, a sequel to Daughter of Fortune.

[Divia]

I'm reading two books at once.

Marilyn's last words and Madame T.

[LoobyG]

Just over half way through 'Angelique in Revolt' and so far it's my least favourite of the series, I've found it so tragic! Definitely the darkest so far.

[SonjaMarie]

So do I, including Victorian mysteries, but I think this one should have been called "The History of Mr Whicher", it's a shame as the actual case is very interesting, but I'm just finding the book boring:(

There's a TV adaptation coming along soon, so it will be interesting to see how they've adapted it.

Ah, I guess it didn't bother me all that much, sorry you didn't enjoy it. I didn't know about the adaptation, I wonder if it's just for the UK. Maybe it'll be on DVD some day.

SM

[Brenna]

Getting towards the end of Hollick's I am the Chosen King and knowing how it ends I'm taking a break and reading an older romance, This Golden Valley by Francine Rivers. California gold country, one of my favorite settings.

How did you enjoy I am the Chosen King? It doesn't come out for a few more weeks here in the States.

[Jack]

Starting The Firedrake by Cecelia Holland after the game today. Anybody out there read it yet?

[princess garnet]

Within the Hollow Crown by Margaret Campbell Barnes

[Misfit]

How did you enjoy I am the Chosen King? It doesn't come out for a few more weeks here in the States.

Oh I love it. I actually own and have read the original edition, Harold the King. I knew it had been revised/edited so was thrilled to get a chance to read the new one just to see if there was much difference.

[cw gortner]

Closing in on the last 100 pages of The Owl Killers. I'm very much enjoying it - it's creepy and full of interesting characters. A bit hard to describe, as it has various layers to it, but definitely a must for Maitland fans. I'm now eager to read her new one.

[annis]

Posted by Jack
Starting The Firedrake by Cecelia Holland after the game today. Anybody out there read it yet?

This was my first Cecelia Holland novel- and hers as well, I think. It's still one of my favourites despite not being quite as well developed as some of her later books - it's such a poignant story. I think her spare style is particularly suited to the main character- the touchy, conflicted, and emotionally distant Irish mercenary knight, Laeghaire. The way Holland uses the natural world to externalise the mood of her characters is particularly effective.

[Russ Whitfield]

I just read Paul Kearney's "Corvus", sequel to "The Ten Thousand" - brilliant brilliant stuff.

[Kasthu]

I've just begun The Three Sisters, by May Sinclair--a novel that's not about the Bronte sisters but very close.

[Misfit]

Just starting Land of the Painted Caves by Jean Auel.

[Susan]

Just starting Land of the Painted Caves by Jean Auel.

Is this the long awaited addition to The Clan of the Cave Bear series? It's been so long I forgot what happened in the previous book.

[Misfit]

Is this the long awaited addition to The Clan of the Cave Bear series? It's been so long I forgot what happened in the previous book.

Yep, that's the one.

[annis]

Raven's Heart (http://www.doubleday.com.au/Products/Books/The+Ravens+Heart+by+Jesse+Blackadder/20898_1.aspx), by Aussie author Jesse Blackadder. It's a story about the quest of the Blackadder clan to retrieve their stolen patrimony during the early years of the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. Stylish writing- I'm enjoying it so far.

[Vanessa]

Just starting Land of the Painted Caves by Jean Auel.

I have this one on pre-order.

[Feona]

I'm just starting Matthew Plantin's 'The Devil's Acre', which is set in London in 1853. I loved his first novel, 'The Street Philosopher', which switches between the Crimea and Manchester during the 1850s. A bit gory, but the background's spot on and it's a real page-turner.

Just started posting here, too.:)

[Vanessa]

I really enjoyed The Devil's Acre, Feona. Hope you do, too!

I'll be starting this month's book, The Mistress of Nothing by Kate Pullinger, tonight.

[Madeleine]

Well, Mr Whicher hit the wall last night - my first wallbanger! - and I started "The Janus Stone" by Elly Griffiths this morning, and tonight will be starting "Game of Thrones" by George R R Martin.

[Misfit]

I have this one on pre-order.

I'll keep you guys updated and make sure to post my review here so we can chit chat. I was going to wait patiently for a copy from the library but it showed up on Amazon Vine so I couldn't resist.

[Brenna]

Started The Silver Rose the third in Susan Carroll's series on the Cheney sisters. I will likely put off reading the 4th one for a later date as I need to gear up for my big "Arthur-Elizabeth II challenge."

[SonjaMarie]

I finished yesterday "When the Dancing Stopped: The Real Story of the Morro Castle Disaster and Its Deadly Wake" by Brian Hicks (312pgs, 2006).* Interesting book about a deadly fire aboard a cruise ship and the man who may have had a hand in starting the fire.

SM

[Berengaria]

I cannot believe I'm so "out of it" : I kept going to the What are you reading for January and wondered why no one was posting......I'm sooo embarassed!:o Anyhow, now that I'm on the right forum, I am finishing Queen of Last Hopes, plus The Vow on the Heronby Jean Plaidy. I read Queen in small doses so it'll last longer....an excellent read and marvellous addition to my War of the Roses books. I lent The Traitor's Wife to a friend and she is thoroughly enjoying it!

[boswellbaxter]

I cannot believe I'm so "out of it" : I kept going to the What are you reading for January and wondered why no one was posting......I'm sooo embarassed!:o Anyhow, now that I'm on the right forum, I am finishing Queen of Last Hopes, plus The Vow on the Heronby Jean Plaidy. I read Queen in small doses so it'll last longer....an excellent read and marvellous addition to my War of the Roses books. I lent The Traitor's Wife to a friend and she is thoroughly enjoying it!

Thanks, Berengaria! Glad you and she are enjoying the books!

[SonjaMarie]

as I need to gear up for my big "Arthur-Elizabeth II challenge."

I'm on my 2nd book in my William I to Elizabeth II challenge, even if I manage just one book a month I'd only reach Richard II by the end of the year.

SM

[Elysium]

Reading The Edge on the Sword by Rebecca Tingle

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished "The Intrigue at Highbury or, Emma's Match: A Mr. & Mrs. Darcy Mystery #5" by Carrie Bebris (306pgs, 2010)*. More like a Mr. and Mrs. Darcy w/ Mr. and Mrs. Knightley Mystery, but still another good book in the series.

SM

[Misfit]

I'm guessing reading Land of the Painted Caves will make me feel like Nefret reading War and Peace :D

Speaking of which, still plugging away in the early stretches of said book. Wish something would happen. Anything...

[Nefret]

The House of Wisdom- How the Arabs Transformed Western Civilization by Jonathan Lyons (Non-fiction from the college library)

[SCW]

Well I just finished Philippa Gregory's The Favoured Child. (Nearly had a wall banging moment) Now I will settle down and read Moby Dick!

[emr]

I'm guessing reading Land of the Painted Caves will make me feel like Nefret reading War and Peace :D

Speaking of which, still plugging away in the early stretches of said book. Wish something would happen. Anything...

Like watching paint dry? :D
I had to say it... :D :D

[Misfit]

Like watching paint dry? :D
I had to say it... :D :D

Oh you have no idea. The first 200 pages have been like a repeat of the last book, one summer later. Tons of repetition. Ayla and Jondalar and perfect perfect perfect. I hear the last third of the book brings the payola, but is it worth 500 other pages to get there?

[Perdita]

I got inspired by the 'Victorian Ghost Stories' thread so now I'm reading The Seance by John Harwood.

[emr]

Oh you have no idea. The first 200 pages have been like a repeat of the last book, one summer later. Tons of repetition. Ayla and Jondalar and perfect perfect perfect. I hear the last third of the book brings the payola, but is it worth 500 other pages to get there?

I loved the first book. Then books 2 and 3 were k but sounded to me like more of the same, not so fresh. So I gave up and never bothered with the rest of the series.

[Misfit]

I loved the first book. Then books 2 and 3 were k but sounded to me like more of the same, not so fresh. So I gave up and never bothered with the rest of the series.

Wise move. I did read them all but it has been a while. Perhaps it's me who has changed.

[cw gortner]

I got inspired by the 'Victorian Ghost Stories' thread so now I'm reading The Seance by John Harwood.

I love Harwood's novels. Very unsettling.

[Vanessa]

I got inspired by the 'Victorian Ghost Stories' thread so now I'm reading The Seance by John Harwood.



I liked that one - hope you enjoy it, too.

[Madeleine]

I've enjoyed both John Harwood's books, I think he's a good writer and is excellent at creating atmosphere - they're creepy! - but I found the endings a bit disappointing, so I'll be interested to know what you think.

[fljustice]

Oh you have no idea. The first 200 pages have been like a repeat of the last book, one summer later. Tons of repetition. Ayla and Jondalar and perfect perfect perfect. I hear the last third of the book brings the payola, but is it worth 500 other pages to get there?

I found the last two books to be a real slog. There are only so many times you can read about flint napping, leather scraping, and herb picking before it gets boring. I've been debating getting the most recent book, but I've read all the others...

[Leyland]

The Pale Horseman by Bernard Cornwell. Love the series!

[Misfit]

I found the last two books to be a real slog. There are only so many times you can read about flint napping, leather scraping, and herb picking before it gets boring. I've been debating getting the most recent book, but I've read all the others...

I agree. I'm doing frequent updates at Goodreads if you are over there come and find me. Really, it isn't bad, but it just isn't coming up to what I got in the other books especially the first 2 or 3.

[MLE]

I got the first 3 or 4 down, but then it just got to be too much that Ayla practically invented civilization as we know it...

Have they got chariot wheels yet? By the end of this book, somebody will be smelting iron:rolleyes:

[Misfit]

I got the first 3 or 4 down, but then it just got to be too much that Ayla practically invented civilization as we know it...

Have they got chariot wheels yet? By the end of this book, somebody will be smelting iron:rolleyes:

Not yet. Do we have a thread on her yet? If not, I'll start one later. Must get back to work at the moment.;)

[Ruth Sims]

Then you will want to vote for me for Queen of the World because my first move will be to ban January altogether. I intend to replace January with two Aprils or two Mays. I'm still pondering that decision.

There is nothing good to be said for January.

[Ruth Sims]

Apologies. I hit Post before I intended. I did actually have a question and I plead Newbie Ignorance.

In answering "What are you reading?" do the books being read have to be historical fiction or anything we're reading?

[Vanessa]

Anything you are reading. Well, I hope so, because that's what I've been doing!:D

[Misfit]

Anything you are reading. Well, I hope so, because that's what I've been doing!:D

Anything you are reading is fine.

[Brenna]

Then you will want to vote for me for Queen of the World because my first move will be to ban January altogether. I intend to replace January with two Aprils or two Mays. I'm still pondering that decision.

There is nothing good to be said for January.

As I was born in January, I disagree with the above statement. :p

[Tanzanite]

A Stallion at Sunrise by Martyn Whittock

[SonjaMarie]

Wallbanged "The Darling Strumpet" by Gillian Bagwell about Nell Gwynn. I couldn't get into it, and the sex was a bit more gratuitous then I like, I don't mind sex, but not this kind.

SM

[Misfit]

Wallbanged "The Darling Strumpet" by Gillian Bagwell about Nell Gwynn. I couldn't get into it, and the sex was a bit more gratuitous then I like, I don't mind sex, but not this kind.

SM

The reviews for this one are all over the board. I'm waiting for the library to get a copy so I'll reserve judgment.

[SonjaMarie]

The reviews for this one are all over the board. I'm waiting for the library to get a copy so I'll reserve judgment.

I've read two other novels about Nelly and neither needed that much sex to tell a good story!

SM

[javagirl]

Finished "The Secret History of the Pink Carnation". It was pretty good and I enjoyed it though not as much as a lot of other HF reads which have a little more depth to them. I'm borderline on whether to go on with the series.

Now reading "A Candle in the Darkness" by Lynn Austin. Good so far.

[annis]

Posted by Tanzanite
A Stallion at Sunrise by Martyn Whittock

What do you think of it? I discovered Martyn Whittock's novels last year and rather enjoyed them- I felt they were bit similar to early Elizabeth Chadwick in style. Dice in Flight was interesting- covers the Peasant's Revolt and the Black Death from the POV of two rival London merchant families.

Although he's written a lot of non-fiction history, as far as I can tell he only ever wrote the three novels I mentioned here:
http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3675

Currently reading:
Daniel Hall The Road to Crecy (http://www.reviewers-choice.com/the_road_to_crecy.htm) (Kemp:1). This is another novel from the '90s. Really good, and a series was planned, but the publisher pulled the plug after Book 2. The '90s were tough for HF - I expect that something similar happened to Martyn Whittock.

[wendy]

A.B. Guthrie's The Big Sky. Gets more interesting around the half-way point.

[Elysium]

The Innocent by Posie Graeme-Evans

[SLStevens]

My fiance has bought me Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray and Penelope's Daughter by Laurel Corona for Valentine's Day. I'm going to read Lily of the Nile first when they get here because I love ancient Egypt so much.

[Misfit]

Still reading Land of the Painted Caves...

[boswellbaxter]

My fiance has bought me Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray and Penelope's Daughter by Laurel Corona for Valentine's Day. .

That's the way to go--get them in the habit of buying you books from the very start!

[emr]

Started The Tokaido Road by Lucia St. Clair Robson. Nice so far.

[Tanzanite]

Posted by Tanzanite


What do you think of it? I discovered Martyn Whittock's novels last year and rather enjoyed them- I felt they were bit similar to early Elizabeth Chadwick in style. Dice in Flight was interesting- covers the Peasant's Revolt and the Black Death from the POV of two rival London merchant families.

Although he's written a lot of non-fiction history, as far as I can tell he only ever wrote the three novels I mentioned here:
http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3675



I'm over halfway through it and liking it quite a bit. The story is interesting and there's a lot of description and detail. Not so much in clothes and food, but more in sights and sounds - it's easy to visualize the scenes.

[Ash]

Reading Honeymoon in Purdah, a travel narrative about a couple traveling in Iran, pre 9/11. One of the better travel books of the region that I have read, tho I could use some more history to go with it. Thats ok, its still pretty interesting and entertaining.

[Nefret]

Twelve Greeks and Romans Who Changed the World by Carl J. Richard (non-fiction from the college library)

[Brenna]

My fiance has bought me Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray and Penelope's Daughter by Laurel Corona for Valentine's Day. I'm going to read Lily of the Nile first when they get here because I love ancient Egypt so much.

I really enjoyed Penelope's Daughterby Laurel Corona.

[Ruth Sims]

lol -- I stand corrected. Nothing good about January except babies. My son was born on January 25. I meant weather-wise and event-wise. Weather's lousy and all the holidays are over. Incidentally, 50 years ago, when he was born, we had an ice storm and wind chill of -5 ... and (any men can stop reading now) my water broke just as I got into the car to go to the hospital. Oh, joy. Oh well, 30 hours of labor later I had a beautiful baby boy. Almost as much work as writing a novel!!

[Ruth Sims]

I'm close to the end of "Burger's Daughter" by Nadine Gordimer (Penguin 1979), about South Africa under apartheid. Unlike most novels about that subject, this one is told from the perspective of the daughter of white anti-apartheid activists. Her parents spent much time in and out of prison. Her father died there.

It's not an easy book to read because of sometimes confusing viewpoint changes, unfamiliar place names and terminology, but it's well worth the time. And if you're as ignorant of South African history as I was, you'll learn a lot.

[Ruth Sims]

As I'm finishing up on "Burger's Daughter," I'm getting a good start on "Women at Gettysburg: Fixin' Things." The author, Peggy Ullman Bell, is one of the best historical novelists you probably never heard of. It's available on Amazon; I don't know where else. I think it was self published, though some smart publisher should have picked it up. It's one of those books that make you think what a good film it would make.

[Misfit]

On page 507 of Land of the Painted Caves and in the home stretch. Nothing much has happened yet...:mad:

[annis]

Scat (http://www.amazon.com/Scat-Carl-Hiaasen/dp/0375834869) by Carl Hiaasen. Hiaasen has a lot of fun with this mystery aimed at the teenage market, but replaces much of his usual black humour and violence with what one reviewer describes as "gleeful anarchy".

[Jack]

Just started A BLOODY FIELD BY SHREWSBURY by Edith Pargeter/Ellis Peters Anybody out there read it? It goes way back so I've got to think there are some of you out there.

[CW1Reader2011]

This is my first time posting on this thread. I'm known as "Dusty Yevsky" on Amazon's "Bar none & Best HF " threads. I've just picked up and started reading [I]"Niccolo Rising". Ms Dunnett has done it and hooked me on her writing. It's tough going, as others have mentioned, but well worth the effort. The local Library also had "The Game of Kings". I'm going to read it right after I'm finished with this one. Then I'll see which series to continue at that time.
Last month I read "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke. That put me in the mood for some reading about Medieval European stories, even tho it doesn't take place in that time frame . It alludes to earlier times ( magically).

[Misfit]

This is my first time posting on this thread. I'm known as "Dusty Yevsky" on Amazon's "Bar none & Best HF " threads. I've just picked up and started reading [I]"Niccolo Rising". Ms Dunnett has done it and hooked me on her writing. It's tough going, as others have mentioned, but well worth the effort. The local Library also had "The Game of Kings". I'm going to read it right after I'm finished with this one. Then I'll see which series to continue at that time.
Last month I read "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke. That put me in the mood for some reading about Medieval European stories, even tho it doesn't take place in that time frame . It alludes to earlier times ( magically).

Hi there, welcome aboard.

[annis]

Posted by Jack
Just started A BLOODY FIELD BY SHREWSBURY by Edith Pargeter/Ellis Peters Anybody out there read it? It goes way back so I've got to think there are some of you out there.

It's an old favourite of mine - I read it back in the '70s - and when it was recently reissued, Margaret wrote a review (link here (http://www.historicalnovels.info/Bloody-Field-by-Shrewsbury.html)) for her Historical Novels Info website which really captures the "feel" of the story.

We did have a bit of a discussion about it on page 1 of this thread. (I mentioned Ralf Isambard who is a character from Pargeter's Heaven Tree trilogy, not Bloody Field)
http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2473&page=2

[Ash]

Just started A BLOODY FIELD BY SHREWSBURY by Edith Pargeter/Ellis Peters Anybody out there read it? It goes way back so I've got to think there are some of you out there.

I tried a couple of times to read it, and I just couldn't get into it.

[cw gortner]

Finished Karen Maitland's The Owl Killers. I loved it; she evokes the supersticion and pagan undercurrents of medieval England so well. I'm very much looking forward to her new book.

Just started The Music of the Spheres by Elizabeth Redfern.

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished "Jumbo's Hide, Elvis' Ride, and the Tooth of Buddha: More Marvelous Tales of Historical Artifacts" by Harvey Rachlin (331pgs, 2000)*. An interesting book.

SM

[Misfit]

Have jsut over 100 pages left in Land of the Painted Caves.

http://stevengoddard.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/homer-says-the-end-is-near.jpg

[Vanessa]

LOL! That made me chuckle!:D

I'm just about to start Speak to Our Desires by Brenda W Clough, a 'freebie' e-book I got via Librarything which I've downloaded to my Kindle.

[Misfit]

LOL! That made me chuckle!:D

I'm just about to start Speak to Our Desires by Brenda W Clough, a 'freebie' e-book I got via Librarything which I've downloaded to my Kindle.

Wish you were on Goodreads. I've been having a field day with the images and my reading updates.

[parthianbow]

An ARC of Robert Low's new medieval Scottish novel, The Lion Wakes. It's absolutely excellent! Also speed rereading The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff so I can write a review for it.

[Vanessa]

Wish you were on Goodreads. I've been having a field day with the images and my reading updates.

I'm not sure whether I am or not. I think I get newsletters from them.

[Ariadne]

Last night I started Deborah Harkness's A Discovery of Witches. It was sent to me for review although it doesn't appear to be set in the past at all. I may end up doing a writeup on my blog instead.

[Vanessa]

I have that one to read - I received it via BookHugger to review. It's a chunky one, isn't it!

[Misfit]

I'm not sure whether I am or not. I think I get newsletters from them.

Anyone who loved Shelters of Stone should do OK with this one. Same setting, different summer gathering.

[Ariadne]

Nearly 600 pages of none-too-large print! Eep. I knew it was long but didn't realize how much so - good thing I'm enjoying it!

[fljustice]

Anyone who loved Shelters of Stone should do OK with this one. Same setting, different summer gathering.

I definitely did not love SoS. I'm always sad when a series I loved (books or TV) at the beginning, tapers off and dies of exhaustion.

[annis]

,Posted by parthianbow
An ARC of Robert Low's new medieval Scottish novel, The Lion Wakes.

Lucky you! I've got a copy on pre-order at BD. I love Robert Low's Viking books. I recently read Robyn Young's take on the Robert the Bruce story, Insurrection, and thought that was surprisingly good. I'm looking forward to seeing what what RL does with the Bruce.

Are you writing your Eagle of the Ninth review to coincide with the movie release? Well-known NZ children's author Kate de Goldi held an insightful discussion recently on Radio NZ about Rosemary Sutcliff's work - well worth a listen for anyone interested in RS.
Link here:
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/sat/sat-20110205-1145-Childrens_Books_with_Kate_De_Goldi_Rosemary_Sutcli ff-048.mp3

[Kasthu]

Now reading Madame Tussaud...

[Brenna]

Now reading Madame Tussaud...

Jealous!

Finished The Silver Roseby Susan Carroll, the third in the Cheney sister series. By far the best of three.

I ditched Jack Whyte's Arthur series after I received by Christmas loot but I wanted to finish it. So back to reading The Fort at River's Bend.

[Berengaria]

I have that one to read - I received it via BookHugger to review. It's a chunky one, isn't it!
I just received it, too. I don't usually like fantasy (although I was glued to the Harry Potter series!) but figure I'll give it a go, and if it doesn't work, send it on to my daughter. It has received fairly positive reviews!

[LoobyG]

Still hooked on the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris, now on no.9 in the series - Dead and Gone. Hopefully after the next and last book, I'll be able to get back to some HF! :p

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished two books today:
"Madame Tussaud" by Michelle Moran (446pgs, 2011) (2/13). A wonderful book about a amazing survivor of the French Revolution who revolutionized the art of a wax museum, that still survives to this day in multiple cities around the world. For the 2nd time Michelle has actually made me tear up which is something that hardly ever happens! Highly recommend!

"The Complete Murders of the Black Museum 1870-1970" by Gordon Honeycombe (391pgs, 1992) (2/13). A good book.

SM

[laktor]

I'm still reading Empire by Steven Saylor, although I've not had a lot of reading time lately. Still, I'm finding it even better than Roma.

[MLE]

Reading the Hunger Games for bookclub. Not HF, I believe the new term for this is dystopian. I'd call it sci-fi, very reminiscent of the White Mountain series I read back when I was YA. But although I hate sci-fi, I cannot put this one down.

[parthianbow]

Lucky you! I've got a copy on pre-order at BD. I love Robert Low's Viking books. I recently read Robyn Young's take on the Robert the Bruce story, Insurrection, and thought that was surprisingly good. I'm looking forward to seeing what what RL does with the Bruce.

Are you writing your Eagle of the Ninth review to coincide with the movie release?

Hi Annis - one of the perks of the job now! I was given it to read for a jacket quote, which I was very happy to do, as it's outstanding!

My Eagle review is to tie in with the film release, yes. My American publishers are rereleasing 5 of Sutcliff's books, and have asked me to review all 5 in about 3 weeks. Arrghhh. Check out the Command Posts website if you want to read my article about Sutcliff. Thanks for the link to the NZ author's talk!

http://www.commandposts.com/

[Brenna]

Finished The Fort at River's Bend by Jack Whyte last night and started Master of Verona. This is something completely different for me, so I hope I enjoy it.

[Nefret]

Warriors of God by James Reston

[sweetpotatoboy]

The Siege by Helen Dunmore.

[MLE]

started Master of Verona. This is something completely different for me, so I hope I enjoy it.
That was BOM two years ago. There's a discussion thread here (http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1422).

[Jack]

Thanks for the link Annis

[Brenna]

That was BOM two years ago. There's a discussion thread here (http://www.historicalfictiononline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1422).

How sweet of you! Thank you so much. I'm afraid most of the Shakespeare references will go unnoticed as I only read him when I was in High School. I've seen all of the movies though-does that count?;)

[MLE]

How sweet of you! Thank you so much. I'm afraid most of the Shakespeare references will go unnoticed as I only read him when I was in High School. I've seen all of the movies though-does that count?;)
Nah--the novel's better if you don't know any of them. Just a bunch of inside jokes to distract you from what's really happening.

[annis]

Posted by parthianbow
My Eagle review is to tie in with the film release, yes. My American publishers are rereleasing 5 of Sutcliff's books, and have asked me to review all 5 in about 3 weeks. Arrghhh. Check out the Command Posts website if you want to read my article about Sutcliff.

Great review, Ben I don't envy you having to do 5 reviews in 3 weeks, though!

Have you ever read RS's Capricorn Bracelet? It's a series of stories following several generations of Roman soldiers based at Hadrian's Wall from the first to the fourth centuries. In typically RS fashion the stories are linked by a family heirloom, a Distinguished Conduct bracelet awarded by the II Augusta, and inscribed with the legion’s Capricorn emblem.

My husband was listening to the radio interview and was very taken by the introduction Kate de Goldi read from John Rowe Townsend's critical essay on Sutcliff. I had to track it down for him, and as it's a striking piece, I'll add it here for anyone else interested.

"Day to day, minute to minute, second to second the surface of our lives is in a perpetual ripple of change. Below the immediate surface are slower, deeper currents, and below these again are profound mysterious movements beyond the scale of the individual life-span. And far down on the sea-bed are the oldest, most lasting things, whose changes our imagination can hardly grasp at all. The strength of Rosemary Sutcliff's main work—and it is a body of work rather than a shelf of novels—is its sense of movement on all these scales. Bright the surface may be, and vigorous the action of the moment, but it is never detached from the forces underneath that give it meaning. She puts more into the reader's consciousness than he is immediately aware of."

John Rowe Townsend, Rosemary Sutcliff, from his 1971 book A Sense of Story.

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished reading "Marguerite of Navarre" by E.R. Chamberlain (283pgs, 1974)*. A good book and a very interesting subject. I'm rather surprised there isn't a more recent biography about this woman. She's also known as La Reine Margot.

SM

[annis]

Posted by Brenna
-started Master of Verona. This is something completely different for me, so I hope I enjoy it.

I loved, loved, loved this book! There was no trouble getting me babbling on the BOTM thread for this one :) You don't need to be a Shakespeare buff to enjoy the story. A lot of us are very peeved that St Martins' haven't yet published the sequel(s), which David has had all ready to go for some time :(

[Berengaria]

I've finished reading "Marguerite of Navarre" by E.R. Chamberlain (283pgs, 1974)*. A good book and a very interesting subject. I'm rather surprised there isn't a more recent biography about this woman. She's also known as La Reine Margot.

SM
This book sounds interesting! I'm a dedicated British history reader, but when I read C. W.'s The Last Queen, I developed an interest in continental Europe!:)

[SonjaMarie]

This book sounds interesting! I'm a dedicated British history reader, but when I read C. W.'s The Last Queen, I developed an interest! :)

C.W. is the one who suggested it to me, so if it has his approval then go for it!

SM

[SCW]

I've just finished Moby Dick. Looking for something else to read now.
Can anyone recommend any worthwhile historical novels set in Ancient Rome. (I've read 'I Claudius' and the Colleen Mcculloch series)

[emr]

I've just finished Moby Dick. Looking for something else to read now.
Can anyone recommend any worthwhile historical novels set in Ancient Rome. (I've read 'I Claudius' and the Colleen Mcculloch series)

Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem

[sweetpotatoboy]

Can anyone recommend any worthwhile historical novels set in Ancient Rome. (I've read 'I Claudius' and the Colleen Mcculloch series)

I love the Roman novels by Allan Massie.
In the order he wrote them: Augustus; Tiberius; Caesar; Antony; Nero's Heirs; Caligula. (They're weren't written exactly chronologically, but I would stick to the writing order.)
There's also Roma and Empire by Steven Saylor. I've only read the first myself so far, though.

[Vanessa]

Tonight I'll be starting The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. My husband is desperate to watch the film - we have the DVD - so I thought I'd better read it next. I'm probably one of the few who haven't read it yet!

[annabel]

I haven't read it either, Vanessa, and thought I must be one of the last people to watch the film - just seen the dvd and was surprised to find it a fresh and interesting take on a well worn genre. Usually when something is hyped I don't like it! So I will get the book now and be interested in what you think.

[Madeleine]

Tonight I'll be starting The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. My husband is desperate to watch the film - we have the DVD - so I thought I'd better read it next. I'm probably one of the few who haven't read it yet!

I haven't read it yet either, I have all 3 on mount tbr:o I think it's one I'll have to be in the right mood to read, I'm told you need to concentrate and it takes a while to get into it too. Good luck!;)

[fljustice]

Can anyone recommend any worthwhile historical novels set in Ancient Rome. (I've read 'I Claudius' and the Colleen Mcculloch series)

Any particular Roman era or sub genre? If you want to go pre-Imperial and more literary, I'd recommend Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin a retelling of The Aeneid from Lavinia's POV (Bronze Age Italy.) Also Latro in the Mist (an omnibus of two books) by Gene Wolfe about a Roman mercenary who fought in the Greek-Persian wars who sustains a head injury and loses his short term memory and can now see gods and ghosts (Momento meets The Sixth Sense.) Loved both. Also Memoirs of Hadrain by Marguerite Yourcenar which is a classic and I haven't read.

Robert Harris has a well-regarded series on Cicero beginning with Imperium as well as a stand-alone Pompeii. For military fiction check out our own Ben Kane and his series starting with the Forgotten Legion. If you like mysteries, Steven Saylor has a bunch (Roma Sub Rosa series featuring Gordianus the Finder) and Lindsey Davis has more (Marcus Didius Falco series.) I've read a couple of both and enjoyed them. I read both of Saylors' multi-generation books and liked both, but preferred Roma. Conn Iggulden also has a series on Caesar, but I haven't read them. I've reviewed several of these books on my blog (http://faithljustice.wordpress.com). There are bunches of good books out there and something for everyone's tastes. Enjoy!

[annis]

Also, on the Roman theme, Wallace Breem's Eagle in the Snow, John Williams' Augustus and Lindsey Davis' Course of Honour

And still running with Romans, I'm currently reading Simon Scarrow's new YA novel, Fight for Freedom, which is a good story and perfectly pitched to its target audience.

[wendy]

I haven't read it yet either, I have all 3 on mount tbr:o I think it's one I'll have to be in the right mood to read, I'm told you need to concentrate and it takes a while to get into it too. Good luck!;)

After all the hype I found the first book disappointing. Haven't graduated to the second - but I'm told it's the best of the trio.

[Tanzanite]

Going to start Conquest by Stewart Binns later today unless my copy of a book I"m supposed to review next week shows up (finally...).

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished "The Queen's Jewels" by Leslie Field (184pgs, 1987)*. A book about the jewelery owned by Elizabeth II. This is actually a reread. I was given this book back in the late 80s by my mother. One day while I was reading it, a dog we were watching leaped at me with the book in my lap, tearing one page and ripping others out of the book! To say the least I was NOT happy! This dog may also have been the one that leaped at our Christmas tree one year and knocked it down breaking many irreplaceable decorations, and also may have been the same dog that someone put in my room and who then preceded to chew up my recorder (the instrument) that had belonged to my mother and that she gave to me. If they were the same dog or separate ones, I didn't like them one bit! And am still bitter about it!

About the book, it has gorgeous images, though I wish Field had used coloured ones for many of them, black and white doesn't do them justice. Also she would describe jewels owned by other members of the family but not show pictures of them, which was annoying. I know the book is about the Queen's jewels, so she should've just kept it to just hers if she wasn't going to show the others.

SM

[Berengaria]

Tonight I'll be starting The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. My husband is desperate to watch the film - we have the DVD - so I thought I'd better read it next. I'm probably one of the few who haven't read it yet!
This series is enthralling. Lisbeth Salander is a mesmerising character! Read the book, then watch the Swedish movie....of course, never as good as the book!

[kauldron26]

Reading The Covenant by James Michener

[kauldron26]

I've just finished Moby Dick. Looking for something else to read now.
Can anyone recommend any worthwhile historical novels set in Ancient Rome. (I've read 'I Claudius' and the Colleen Mcculloch series)

Steven Saylor's Roma is pretty damn incredible.

[Nefret]

The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels (non- fiction from the college library). Not sure what made me want to read this one.

[EC2]

Tonight I'll be starting The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson. My husband is desperate to watch the film - we have the DVD - so I thought I'd better read it next. I'm probably one of the few who haven't read it yet!

I read it last month - enjoyed it, but needed to read something a bit less gritty afterwards!

Reading Eagle by Jack Hight - about Saladin. It's 1148 and people are wearing plate mail. Saladin's sister has taken a fancy to Saladin's (called Yusuf) Saxon slave and has been making out with him in the stables. Lots of punch ups and fighting.

[Vanessa]

I'm enjoying The Girl With...... so far. I'm wondering where all the threads are going to lead - it's very intriguing! I will indeed watch the film - I hope the subtitles don't distract me. My Swedish isn't too good........:p:D

[Nefret]

Ten Discoveries that Rewrote History by Patrick Hunt :D

[annabel]

I'm enjoying The Girl With...... so far. I'm wondering where all the threads are going to lead - it's very intriguing! I will indeed watch the film - I hope the subtitles don't distract me. My Swedish isn't too good........:p:D

Watched this last week -my husband is a bit deaf so we always have subtitles (even with English) They can be distracting but I found the Swedish version with subtitles much easier to follow than the English dubbed version.
Thought it was a fresh take on a well worn theme. Great heroine - quite quirky.
Haven't read the book yet - still mostly reading books set in Vctorian times. At the moment just started The Steeet Philosopher by Matthew Plampin.

[Telynor]

Finally managed to wind up reading An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer -- rough going at first, but by the time I hit the last third, I was hooked. I have to say that Bab Childe is such a spoiled, mouthy brat...

Now reading, in no particular order:
The Encyclopedia of the Exquisite (NF)
Torpedo Juice -- another Serge Storms books
From Splendor to Revolution -- NF about four Romanov women

[Nefret]

Sailing the Wine-Dark Sea- Why the Greeks Matter by Thomas Cahill (NF)

[Madeleine]

Now reading "The Bed I Made" by Lucie Whitehouse - contemporary thriller set in London and the Isle of Wight.

[LoobyG]

Ooh I'm really looking forward to 'From Splendor to Revolution' Telynor, it's not been released here yet - do post how you get on :) Currently reading 'Dead in the Family' by Charlaine Harris, currently the last one published in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

[Telynor]

Ooh I'm really looking forward to 'From Splendor to Revolution' Telynor, it's not been released here yet - do post how you get on :) Currently reading 'Dead in the Family' by Charlaine Harris, currently the last one published in the Sookie Stackhouse series.

So far it's not bad. Quite a bit of information on three Grand Duchesses who have had not that much written about them -- Marie Alexandrovna, Marie Pavlovna the Elder and Olga Constantinovna. There's a fourth, Empress Marie Feodorovna, but most of that is a rehash of what's already been written. I'm just about halfway through it, and enjoying it much more than Gelardi's last book.

Imagine getting married and pregnant at sixteen, not to mention becoming Queen of Greece on your wedding day. Oy!

[Misfit]

Just starting A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware.

[annis]

Revolution (http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Jennifer-Donnelly/dp/0385737637) by Jennifer Donnelly, a YA novel split between the present and the French Revolutionary period. Great stuff- recommended.

[Misfit]

Revolution (http://www.amazon.com/Revolution-Jennifer-Donnelly/dp/0385737637) by Jennifer Donnelly, a YA novel split between the present and the French Revolutionary period. Great stuff- recommended.

Clearly I am the only one who was not bowled over by that book :confused:

[EC2]

Just finished Eagle by Jack Hight, about the youth of Saladin. One for the boys and requiring suspension of disbelief if you know anything about the Middle East in the 12thC, (people riding round in plate armour with vizors?) but if you want adventure it might do the biz.

Now reading a contemporary thriller by agency stablemate Peter James - Dead Like You.

[LoobyG]

So far it's not bad. Quite a bit of information on three Grand Duchesses who have had not that much written about them -- Marie Alexandrovna, Marie Pavlovna the Elder and Olga Constantinovna. There's a fourth, Empress Marie Feodorovna, but most of that is a rehash of what's already been written. I'm just about halfway through it, and enjoying it much more than Gelardi's last book.

Imagine getting married and pregnant at sixteen, not to mention becoming Queen of Greece on your wedding day. Oy!

Thanks for your comments Telynor, definitely one I'll be picking up! :)

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished "The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou" by Susan Higginbotham (336pgs, 2011). A very well written, engaging and fast paced book, albeit depressing at times.

SM

[annis]

Posted by EC
Just finished Eagle by Jack Hight, about the youth of Saladin.

I read his novel Siege a while back- it's set around the Fall of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453. There aren't many novels around on the subject- surprising given that it was such a dramatic and significant event- so I was looking forward to Hight's book. Somehow, though, it just didn't do it for me, though it's an entertaining enough adventure which perhaps owes something to Mika Waltari's Dark Angel. I kept feeling it could have been so much better.

I'm keen to see what CC Humphreys does with his forthcoming novel (http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/h/c-c-humphreys/place-called-armageddon.htm) about the Fall of Constantinople. Maybe he'll be able to put a bit more fire in the blood.

[Berengaria]

I've finished "The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou" by Susan Higginbotham (336pgs, 2011). A very well written, engaging and fast paced book, albeit depressing at times.

SM
Me, too! I have always felt sympathetic towards Margaret of Anjou, and am glad such a talented writer has brought her story forward. Congrats, Boswell!

[boswellbaxter]

Me, too! I have always felt sympathetic towards Margaret of Anjou, and am glad such a talented writer has brought her story forward. Congrats, Boswell!

Thanks, SonjaMarie and Berengaria!

[javagirl]

Finished Lynn Austin's Candle in the Darkness and was sorry to reach the end. It was excellent. It's a christian historical fiction taking place in Richmond Virginia during the civil war, and I thought it was very well done. Didn't feel "sappy' or "trite" to me as a fair amount of christian novels seem.

On to Anne of Green Gables for the first time.

[princess garnet]

On to Anne of Green Gables for the first time.
One of my favorite series!

[Kasthu]

Currently reading some Daphne Du Maurier--The Du Mauriers, her biography of her family.

[Berengaria]

Currently reading some Daphne Du Maurier--The Du Mauriers, her biography of her family.
One of my favourite books is Du Maurier's House on the Strand, about a fellow who goes back in time to the 1300's every time he drinks a potion.

[Telynor]

Just starting A Race to Splendor by Ciji Ware.

That is one I am very eager to get my hands on! Love to know what you think of it when you're finished.

[Misfit]

That is one I am very eager to get my hands on! Love to know what you think of it when you're finished.

I'm enjoying it so far, doing frequent updates at Goodreads.

[Elysium]

reading The Search For Nefertiti by Joann Fletcher

[Susan]

Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon; downloaded it to my Kindle as soon as I finished Outlander. A bargain at $5.00!

[SonjaMarie]

reading The Search For Nefertiti by Joann Fletcher

How is it?

SM

[Nefret]

How is it?

SM

I've read it a long time ago, but I remember really liking it.

[Vanessa]

I'm about to start A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, a proof copy of a book I received to review via BookHugger.

[Elysium]

How is it?

SM

It's really interesting and I like the writing style.

[Ariadne]

I'm about to start A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, a proof copy of a book I received to review via BookHugger.

I finished Discovery of Witches yesterday. I loved it - both erudite (the researcher in me loved spending all that time at the Bodleian) and lots of fun to read. The author writes with a gently wry humor that doesn't cross the line into sarcasm, and I picked up a lot of historical tidbits without feeling overwhelmed. Let us know what you think when you're done!

Now I'm onto Dori Jones Yang's Daughter of Xanadu, a YA set in 13th-c China.

[Divia]

The Raven's Bride. I'm enjoying it so far. I'm 80 pages into it.

[Misfit]

India Black by Carol Carr

[SonjaMarie]

Another example of a good writer making a big mistake in their history:
"Within a year of this inquiry, Henry VI was dead, murdered in the Tower of London, and his son Edward IV, the pleasure loving 'sun in splendour', took the throne."

First off, the year referred to is 1460, and it means he died in 1461, Henry didn't get murdered until 1471, and Edward IV was NOT his son.

This is from "City of Sin: London and It's Vice" by Catharine Arnold. I'm rather disppointed in her shoddy history there.

SM

[Tanzanite]

The Raven Queen by Jules Watson

[Vanessa]

I finished Discovery of Witches yesterday. I loved it - both erudite (the researcher in me loved spending all that time at the Bodleian) and lots of fun to read. The author writes with a gently wry humor that doesn't cross the line into sarcasm, and I picked up a lot of historical tidbits without feeling overwhelmed. Let us know what you think when you're done!

Now I'm onto Dori Jones Yang's Daughter of Xanadu, a YA set in 13th-c China.



That's encouraging! I'm enjoying it so far. I will let you know what I think when I've read it.

[annis]

Another Aussie author- Grant Hyde, Lords of the Pacific, (http://www.panmacmillan.com.au/display_title.asp?ISBN=9781405039161&Author=Hyde,%20Grant) first in a series of adventures set around the collision of Pacific Island and European cultures in the 18th century. Well done and with a different twist of "local" interest for me.

[boswellbaxter]

Another example of a good writer making a big mistake in their history:
"Within a year of this inquiry, Henry VI was dead, murdered in the Tower of London, and his son Edward IV, the pleasure loving 'sun in splendour', took the throne."

First off, the year referred to is 1460, and it means he died in 1461, Henry didn't get murdered until 1471, and Edward IV was NOT his son.

This is from "City of Sin: London and It's Vice" by Catharine Arnold. I'm rather disppointed in her shoddy history there.

SM

Ugh! Sounds like a good one to avoid.

[Ash]

Just started The Hare with Amber Eyes: a family's century of art and loss, a history about one family's collection of Nutsake figures and their journey from 1900 to the present day. One of those books you think won't be interesting, but the author makes it so. Someone was asking about a history book looking at the 'gilded age'. At least in the first few chapters, this would be a good reference.

http://www.amazon.com/Hare-Amber-Eyes-Familys-Century/dp/0374105979

[Susan]

The Raven's Bride. I'm enjoying it so far. I'm 80 pages into it.

I'm interested in this book, but the story of Poe and his wife is so depressing. What's the tone of the book?

[sweetpotatoboy]

Just started The Hare with Amber Eyes: a family's century of art and loss

Loads of good press about this book here. I've been planning to read it.

[Brenna]

The Raven's Bride. I'm enjoying it so far. I'm 80 pages into it.

I was much more interested in this before learning of the whole possible plagiarism. Now I'm not too sure about it...

[Vanessa]

Just started The Hare with Amber Eyes: a family's century of art and loss, a history about one family's collection of Nutsake figures and their journey from 1900 to the present day. One of those books you think won't be interesting, but the author makes it so. Someone was asking about a history book looking at the 'gilded age'. At least in the first few chapters, this would be a good reference.

http://www.amazon.com/Hare-Amber-Eyes-Familys-Century/dp/0374105979

I quite fancy this one myself. The author was on The Book Show (UK TV programme) and it sounds fascinating.

[princess garnet]

Young Bess by Margaret Irwin (Reissue paperback edition)
I read the first 2 books in her Elizabeth trilogy in high school; my school library didn't have the final book. Can't wait to read the final novel when it's reissued!

[Nefret]

Night Comes to the Cretaceous- Dinosaur Extinction and the Transformation of Modern Geology by James Lawrence Powell

[SonjaMarie]

Ugh! Sounds like a good one to avoid.

Well other then that hugely glaring mistake, it's a good book so far, and I'm still going to read it. I just hope I don't come across any other major mistakes!

SM

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished reading "Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France" by Leonie Frieda (429pgs, 2003). A very good and insightful book.

SM

[Nefret]

I've finished reading "Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France" by Leonie Frieda (429pgs, 2003). A very good and insightful book.

SM

I think I have been wanting to read that. Perhaps the college library has it.

[Margaret]

I was much more interested in this before learning of the whole possible plagiarism.

Are you sure about this? I can't find anything about it on the web. It would be rather ironic, as Poe himself was accused of plagiarism.

[sweetpotatoboy]

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. My first ever graphic novel!

[Brenna]

Are you sure about this? I can't find anything about it on the web. It would be rather ironic, as Poe himself was accused of plagiarism.

There was a discussion about it on the March BOTM page. I haven't looked into it myself, so I can't personally confirm. But the discussion put me off.

[fljustice]

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. My first ever graphic novel!

Isn't she wonderful? They did a great animated movie based on her book, as well.

Just finished Portrait in Sepia by Isabel Allende...not as happy with it as Daughter of Fortune, it's prequel. Also finished 3rd Degree by James Patterson (my commuting mass-market book) a thriller about home-grown terrorists in San Francisco. Fine for its genre, had some nice twists.

Just starting Cleopatra: A Life by Schiff and Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

[SonjaMarie]

I finished last night "The World Without Us" by Alan Weisman (354pgs, 2007). An interesting book about what humans have done to the earth and how the earth might be able to recover if humans just disappeared one day. Depressing at times, but hopeful as well.

SM

[kauldron26]

Still reading The Covenant by James Michener. God this novel is heartbreaking. Michener really was a citizen of the world. I swear as a black man who loves historical fiction, I always avoid reading about my own history (for obvious reasons) but damn I love Michener and this novel is full of truth. Sad. But truth still. Everytime I watch the news i'm always flabbergasted by people that say "the good old days" wtf good old days are they talking about??? when sexism and racism were common place and acceptable? seriously? thats the good old days??

I stumble on this board once in a while and I implore all of you to read Michener's Hawaii, The Source and The Covenant. Some authors transcend genre and entertainment and simply settle in the profound.

[Misfit]

Still reading The Covenant by James Michener. God this novel is heartbreaking. Michener really was a citizen of the world. I swear as a black man who loves historical fiction, I always avoid reading about my own history (for obvious reasons) but damn I love Michener and this novel is full of truth. Sad. But truth still. Everytime I watch the news i'm always flabbergasted by people that say "the good old days" wtf good old days are they talking about??? when sexism and racism were common place and acceptable? seriously? thats the good old days??

I stumble on this board once in a while and I implore all of you to read Michener's Hawaii, The Source and The Covenant.

I know I've read the Source, but it's been years and years. I have Hawaii, Caravans and Texas floating around.

[sweetpotatoboy]

I stumble on this board once in a while and I implore all of you to read Michener's Hawaii, The Source and The Covenant. Some authors transcend genre and entertainment and simply settle in the profound.

Amen to that! I agree with you these works by Michener are stunning and, for me, essential readings, as are others of his.

[Margaret]

Everytime I watch the news i'm always flabbergasted by people that say "the good old days" wtf good old days are they talking about???

Yeah, this is weird. Some people just don't like change and refuse to adapt to it, and these same people can be incredibly good at not seeing what they don't want to see.

[annis]

Posted by Margaret
Quote:
I was much more interested in this before learning of the whole possible plagiarism.

Are you sure about this? I can't find anything about it on the web. It would be rather ironic, as Poe himself was accused of plagiarism.

And didn't Poe himself accuse Longfellow of plagiarizing his work? How appropriate that the author of Raven's Bride is called Lenore!

[LCW]

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michele Moran. I really enjoyed Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen so am looking forward to this one.

[Margaret]

And didn't Poe himself accuse Longfellow of plagiarizing his work? How appropriate that the author of Raven's Bride is called Lenore!

Apparently, Poe really had it in for Longfellow, though I don't offhand recall that he accused him of plagiarism (he might have). Lenore Hart, the author of The Raven's Bride, was named by her father after one of Poe's heroines, so it's not coincidence that she ended up writing a novel featuring Poe.

[Nefret]

Cleopatra's Daughter by Michele Moran. I really enjoyed Nefertiti and The Heretic Queen so am looking forward to this one.

It was really good. I wish she'd write about Hatshepsut.

[Telynor]

Struggling with Beneath the Sands of Egypt, by Donald P. Ryan, about being an archaeologist in modern Egypt. I guess my mind is still focused on NZ and Christchurch.

[cw gortner]

Finished The Music of The Spheres by Elizabeth Redfern and just started an ARC of Before Versailles by Karleen Koen.

[Misfit]

Finished The Music of The Spheres by Elizabeth Redfern and just started an ARC of Before Versailles by Karleen Koen.

Oooh, green with envy.

Finished India Black and moving onto Lionors by Barbara Ferry Johnson. Arthurian tale.

[LoobyG]

Half way through 'The Virago Book of the Joy of Shopping' edited by Jill Foulston and feeling an urge to splurge hehe :p

[Nefret]

Plato the Myth Maker by Luc Brisson

[Scrapcat]

Just finished THE GREATEST KNIGHT by Elizabeth Chadwick - wonderful book!

[Scrapcat]

Try Judith Tarr (she writes historical fantasy that reads like realism). Queen and Pharoah is her book about Hatshepsut.

[Loveday]

Just finished THE GREATEST KNIGHT by Elizabeth Chadwick - wonderful book!

I just finished that the other day, it was wonderful! Now reading The Scarlet Lion, also by Elizabeth Chadwick!

[Nefret]

Try Judith Tarr (she writes historical fantasy that reads like realism). Queen and Pharoah is her book about Hatshepsut.

Yeah, I know. I've had that book for years. Read it like three times too.

[Berengaria]

Still reading The Covenant by James Michener. God this novel is heartbreaking. Michener really was a citizen of the world. I swear as a black man who loves historical fiction, I always avoid reading about my own history (for obvious reasons) but damn I love Michener and this novel is full of truth. Sad. But truth still. Everytime I watch the news i'm always flabbergasted by people that say "the good old days" wtf good old days are they talking about??? when sexism and racism were common place and acceptable? seriously? thats the good old days??

I stumble on this board once in a while and I implore all of you to read Michener's Hawaii, The Source and The Covenant. Some authors transcend genre and entertainment and simply settle in the profound.
Poland is also good....and one I read over and over is Caravan, based on his experiences in Afghanistan in the late 40's.

[Nefret]

The Birth of Time- How Astronomers Measured the Age of the Universe by John Gribbin

[LoobyG]

'Mistress of Rome' by Kate Quinn.

[Tanzanite]

Sins of the House of Borgia by Sarah Bower.

[Kveto from Prague]

Still reading The Covenant by James Michener. God this novel is heartbreaking. Michener really was a citizen of the world. I swear as a black man who loves historical fiction, I always avoid reading about my own history (for obvious reasons) but damn I love Michener and this novel is full of truth. Sad. But truth still. Everytime I watch the news i'm always flabbergasted by people that say "the good old days" wtf good old days are they talking about??? when sexism and racism were common place and acceptable? seriously? thats the good old days??

I stumble on this board once in a while and I implore all of you to read Michener's Hawaii, The Source and The Covenant. Some authors transcend genre and entertainment and simply settle in the profound.

We've got a Michener thread in the author section. I'm with you, the themes are epic. Just replace Hawaii with Poland for me and the Source and covenant were my favourites by him as well. I really enjoyed the Shaka Zulu portion of the covenant.

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished "The Making of Victorian Values: Decency and Dissent in Britain, 1789-1837 (404pgs, 2007)*. A fairly interesting book, though a tad boring at times, unless you're really interested in this subject I wouldn't recommend it, not exactly a light or easy read.

SM

[annis]

Have just started Jules Watson's Raven Queen, a novel about the legendary Irish queen, Maeve of Connacht (just arrived yesterday). There's much closer connection than I realised with Swan Maiden, Jules' earlier book about Deirdre of the Sorrows. It's not a sequel, but the two stories are entwined. In some parts of Raven Queen Deirdre's story is running contemporaneously with Maeve's.

[Brenna]

Jack Whyte's Metamorphosis: The Scorcerer. I will finish this series eventually!

[Nefret]

The Barbarians Speak- How The Conquered Peoples Shaped Roman Europe by Peter S. Wells

[Elysium]

Veronika Decides To Die by Paulo Coelho

[SonjaMarie]

I've finished "Seven Ages of Paris" by Alistair Horne (455pgs, 2004)*. An interesting book, though if you don't know French or have access to a translator then this book might not be for you, cause the author throws in a lot of French phrases that make it more interesting if you know what's being said. I was very happy to have my Ipod Touch while I was reading, though if I hadn't been having to stop my reading timer to translate things I probably would've finished the book quicker.

SM