January 2009:
1- Crown in Candlelight by Rosemary Hawley Jarman
The life of Owen Tudor as witnessed by the magic of a welsh woman. It has some beautiful scenes like Owen drinking water from the girls hands or the deeply sad time of Owen in prison not knowing the fate of his love. Great novel.
2- The Warrior's Princess by Barbara Erskine
The first I read from this author. I kept feeling more interest for the past story than for the present time. I have tried to read Lady of Hay afterwards and I cant finish it for several reasons one of them being the present part of the novel is almost the same. Good reading.
3- Hugh and Bess: A Love Story by Susan Higginbotham
I liked it cause its about real but not very known people and and it has its part of romance. IMO this novel could have been easily 100 pages longer.
4- The Falcons of Montabard by Elizabeth Chadwick
Ah well, I love to read in the authors note which characters were real. The cheetah among them haha. Great book as usual.
5- Children of Destiny by Elizabeth Chadwick
I was in the first pages a bit taken aback by the magic part but in the whole its a great book.
6- Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
K. Who can read this without falling in love with Jamie? In general I dont like first person narrations cause they are very limited. The author cant write about things that the main character doesnt witness or is told about. It has taken DG 3 books to realize that. Writing this after reading 4 of the books I can see better the big picture. This is some book Ill reread in time for sure.
7- Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
My favorite so far after reading 4 of the books. The entire french adventure is spectacular. The end is not much of a shock since there are a bunch of books waiting behind.
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EMR book list 2009
EMR book list 2009
Last edited by emr on Sat February 21st, 2009, 7:33 pm, edited 2 times in total.
February 2009
8- Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Like traveling in a roller coaster. There are no quiet moments in this book.
9- Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
This time I liked more Roger's adventure than the rest of the novel. Still a page turner of course.
10- Un día de cólera by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
Historical non fiction about 2nd May 1808 in Madrid. Author keeps repeating this is not a novel cause his own apportation is maybe a 20% of the book in form of conversations. During the first pages you feel as if you are reading the phone book. But then characters come alive. Its writen in present tense making it so close that you can hear the cannons, the shots. Absolutely impressive.
11- On a Highland Shore by Kathleen Givens
Predictable but nice read with a real historical background.
12- Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon
I liked it more than expected. Love the book layout.
13- Harold the King by Helen Hollick
I have mixed feelings about this book. Very good seen in perspective.
8- Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Like traveling in a roller coaster. There are no quiet moments in this book.
9- Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
This time I liked more Roger's adventure than the rest of the novel. Still a page turner of course.
10- Un día de cólera by Arturo Pérez-Reverte
Historical non fiction about 2nd May 1808 in Madrid. Author keeps repeating this is not a novel cause his own apportation is maybe a 20% of the book in form of conversations. During the first pages you feel as if you are reading the phone book. But then characters come alive. Its writen in present tense making it so close that you can hear the cannons, the shots. Absolutely impressive.
11- On a Highland Shore by Kathleen Givens
Predictable but nice read with a real historical background.
12- Lord John and the Private Matter by Diana Gabaldon
I liked it more than expected. Love the book layout.
13- Harold the King by Helen Hollick
I have mixed feelings about this book. Very good seen in perspective.
Last edited by emr on Tue March 3rd, 2009, 10:20 pm, edited 4 times in total.
-
diamondlil
- Bibliomaniac
- Posts: 2642
- Joined: August 2008
It's hard not to just devour the Gabaladon books one after another isn't it?
My Blog - Reading Adventures
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There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Edith Wharton
All things Historical Fiction - Historical Tapestry
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
Edith Wharton
March 2009
14. The Prophecy of Death by Michael Jecks.
I'm not very convinced by this coroners story in the 14th century, but what do I know?
15. Highland Moonlight by Teresa J. Reasor
I cant believe I have wasted two evenings of my life reading this. Bad.
16. Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
The first quote of the book is memorable. The rest is good reading, fast paced. Knowing who was the murderer was kinda easy but knowing the reasons was hard. Brisbane is sexy, with a temperament and a secret past. Oh my
17. Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
K I like misteries and I have this thing for men unfortunate with love which includes the Shardlake books of course.
18. Lord John and the Hand of Devils by Diana Gabaldon
Same as above.
19. Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn
I was a little annoyed by the romantic part of the book. As in "I pushed him against the door and I used him" *blink* "Your shirt needs mending" *what??* rotfl But I still like this series very much.
20. What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris
Hmmm I find the main character a little plain, it lacks something compared to Brisbane from Deanna Raybourn books. Interesting.
21. The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham
Predictable and the heroine must be the most annoying woman ever. I hated her in the first 10 pages of the book but still I couldnt stop reading wishing someone killed her loool
22. Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn
Anything I say its going to be a big spoiler. The mistery involved is mostly Brisbane himself and the book ends with a big surprise. I sure hope Deanna Raybourn goes on with these characters. Really good.
23. Dissolution by C. J. Sansom
I confess I was expecting a character hyperactive and cynical in the lines of the great Miles Vorkosigan (L. M. Bujold) But I like this unhappy hunchback. Right. I´m a romantic.
24. The Queen's Man by Sharon Kay Penman
De quincy is a little naif to my taste but in general characters are credible while the background is perfect. So one more series to read lol
25. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
26. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
Non historical. I've bought these books because I liked the tv series (True Blood) and usually the books are better than any adaptation. In this case Bill Compton shows more depth on tv maybe because they had to write 12 episodes out of a 280 pages book. So funny, so refreshing. I cant stop reading. Im glad I bought the 7 books box. I've read the first 2 in 3 days...
14. The Prophecy of Death by Michael Jecks.
I'm not very convinced by this coroners story in the 14th century, but what do I know?
15. Highland Moonlight by Teresa J. Reasor
I cant believe I have wasted two evenings of my life reading this. Bad.
16. Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
The first quote of the book is memorable. The rest is good reading, fast paced. Knowing who was the murderer was kinda easy but knowing the reasons was hard. Brisbane is sexy, with a temperament and a secret past. Oh my
17. Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade by Diana Gabaldon
K I like misteries and I have this thing for men unfortunate with love which includes the Shardlake books of course.
18. Lord John and the Hand of Devils by Diana Gabaldon
Same as above.
19. Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn
I was a little annoyed by the romantic part of the book. As in "I pushed him against the door and I used him" *blink* "Your shirt needs mending" *what??* rotfl But I still like this series very much.
20. What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris
Hmmm I find the main character a little plain, it lacks something compared to Brisbane from Deanna Raybourn books. Interesting.
21. The Pride of Lions by Marsha Canham
Predictable and the heroine must be the most annoying woman ever. I hated her in the first 10 pages of the book but still I couldnt stop reading wishing someone killed her loool
22. Silent on the Moor by Deanna Raybourn
Anything I say its going to be a big spoiler. The mistery involved is mostly Brisbane himself and the book ends with a big surprise. I sure hope Deanna Raybourn goes on with these characters. Really good.
23. Dissolution by C. J. Sansom
I confess I was expecting a character hyperactive and cynical in the lines of the great Miles Vorkosigan (L. M. Bujold) But I like this unhappy hunchback. Right. I´m a romantic.
24. The Queen's Man by Sharon Kay Penman
De quincy is a little naif to my taste but in general characters are credible while the background is perfect. So one more series to read lol
25. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
26. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
Non historical. I've bought these books because I liked the tv series (True Blood) and usually the books are better than any adaptation. In this case Bill Compton shows more depth on tv maybe because they had to write 12 episodes out of a 280 pages book. So funny, so refreshing. I cant stop reading. Im glad I bought the 7 books box. I've read the first 2 in 3 days...
Last edited by emr on Tue March 31st, 2009, 8:57 pm, edited 5 times in total.
April 2009
27. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
28. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
29. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
30. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
31. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
None of the above historical.
Hooked? Me? Nooooooo
This is like watching a coctail of Buffy, Angel, Jeannie, Bewitched, a hundred vampire movies and that absurd culture provided by tv ads. Its funny and at the same time scary. Loving it so far.
32. The Mosaic of Shadows by Tom Harper
Colorful from the ragged girl to the silk garden in the palace. A little predictable but a nice read.
33. Dark Fire by C. J. Sansom
Well, you give Shardlake a case and dead people start falling at his feet lol. Difficult to put down.
34. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Not my favorite. Harris is drawing a new background for more stories.
35. Sovereign by C. J. Sansom
Good books are food for dreams. All books should be like this.
36. Revelation by C. J. Sansom
So good. I want more of these.
37. Staked by j. F. Lewis
38. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
39. When Gods Die by C. S. Harris
Still not much interested in the characters. But it's a decent read.
27. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
28. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris
29. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
30. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
31. All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
None of the above historical.
Hooked? Me? Nooooooo
This is like watching a coctail of Buffy, Angel, Jeannie, Bewitched, a hundred vampire movies and that absurd culture provided by tv ads. Its funny and at the same time scary. Loving it so far.32. The Mosaic of Shadows by Tom Harper
Colorful from the ragged girl to the silk garden in the palace. A little predictable but a nice read.
33. Dark Fire by C. J. Sansom
Well, you give Shardlake a case and dead people start falling at his feet lol. Difficult to put down.
34. From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
Not my favorite. Harris is drawing a new background for more stories.
35. Sovereign by C. J. Sansom
Good books are food for dreams. All books should be like this.
36. Revelation by C. J. Sansom
So good. I want more of these.
37. Staked by j. F. Lewis
38. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
39. When Gods Die by C. S. Harris
Still not much interested in the characters. But it's a decent read.
Last edited by emr on Wed May 6th, 2009, 11:10 pm, edited 5 times in total.
May 2009
40. The Unquiet Bones by Melvin R. Starr
Boring
41. Touch the Dark by Karen Chance
42. Heart of Stone by C. E. Murphy
Yah I'm in a fantasy mood.
43. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
44. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught
The background sounds like a Hollywood set to me (velvets, golden spurs and clarins) but it was a funny novel inspired by the Beauty and the Beast tale I think. Nice.
45. And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander
Very entertaining. I was all the time hoping... well I wont spoil it. It's sad to see a woman fall in love with her husband after he's dead realizing too late how he loved her. Carpe Diem.
46. Ojos Azules (Blue Eyes) by Arturo Perez-Reverte
Very short story about Cortes's men on 30 June 1530. Oppresive ambience.
47. The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbotham
Found it very touching. A little difficult at first with all the names and mutating titles but the book grows up with every page.
48. Hugh and Bess by Susan Higginbotham
(reread) I felt like rereading it because the younger Hugh is such a great character having to dedicate his life to rebuild his family's honor. Sad he didn't have descendants.
49. The Marsh King's Daughter by Elizabeth Chadwick
A page turner as usual. And with this book I've run out of EC's books. *panic*
At this point The Time of Singing stays as my favorite.
50. Rakossy by Cecelia Holland
This is the first book I read from Holland so I dont know if this style of writing is her own usual or if this was some decision in her 20s when writing about a man who is cruel and arrogant without softness in his life as a survival neccessity. His is a hard life so why to spend soft or extra words describing it? To the point that sometimes you have to count the lines to figure out who is talking. Very solid character.
51. A Broken Vessel by Kate Ross
Somehow predictable in spite of her efforts to confuse the reader. Nice read.
52. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
40. The Unquiet Bones by Melvin R. Starr
Boring
41. Touch the Dark by Karen Chance
42. Heart of Stone by C. E. Murphy
Yah I'm in a fantasy mood.
43. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
44. A Kingdom of Dreams by Judith McNaught
The background sounds like a Hollywood set to me (velvets, golden spurs and clarins) but it was a funny novel inspired by the Beauty and the Beast tale I think. Nice.
45. And Only to Deceive by Tasha Alexander
Very entertaining. I was all the time hoping... well I wont spoil it. It's sad to see a woman fall in love with her husband after he's dead realizing too late how he loved her. Carpe Diem.
46. Ojos Azules (Blue Eyes) by Arturo Perez-Reverte
Very short story about Cortes's men on 30 June 1530. Oppresive ambience.
47. The Traitor's Wife by Susan Higginbotham
Found it very touching. A little difficult at first with all the names and mutating titles but the book grows up with every page.
48. Hugh and Bess by Susan Higginbotham
(reread) I felt like rereading it because the younger Hugh is such a great character having to dedicate his life to rebuild his family's honor. Sad he didn't have descendants.
49. The Marsh King's Daughter by Elizabeth Chadwick
A page turner as usual. And with this book I've run out of EC's books. *panic*
At this point The Time of Singing stays as my favorite.50. Rakossy by Cecelia Holland
This is the first book I read from Holland so I dont know if this style of writing is her own usual or if this was some decision in her 20s when writing about a man who is cruel and arrogant without softness in his life as a survival neccessity. His is a hard life so why to spend soft or extra words describing it? To the point that sometimes you have to count the lines to figure out who is talking. Very solid character.
51. A Broken Vessel by Kate Ross
Somehow predictable in spite of her efforts to confuse the reader. Nice read.
52. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Last edited by emr on Sun May 31st, 2009, 7:56 pm, edited 5 times in total.
June 2009
53. At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost
54. Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross
Sad that the novel's title ended up being a bad augur for KR. Maybe she already knew. Nice mystery about a man's public image being dismounted piece by piece so much that in the end who killed him isn't that important. Interesting.
55. The Love Knot by Vanessa Alexander
A study on love in the 13th century from the point of view of two people in love and one man who claims he cant love. Priceless.
56. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
57. Firedrake's Eye by Ptricia Finney
58. Unicorn's Blood by Patricia Finney
59. Gloriana's Torch by Patricia Finney
What a wonderful, smart, interesting, page-turner trio of books. From the intelligent and daring choice of narrators (like gods watching mortals from Olympus) to that way she has with words saying things without actually spelling them for you. Example: "He laughed blood and died" He wasnt smilling. Its crude, graphic, perfect. Absolutely recommended.
60. When the Eagle Hunts by Simon Scarrow
I had started this book weeks ago and the very ridiculous childish translation took me back. Not very interesting anyway since it was so predictable.
61. The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss
The part about Ethan Saunders kept me reading but omg you have to be seriously interested in history of american economy to really like this book.
62. Temeraire by Naomi Novik
I needed something light after The Whiskey Revels and that's what this book is. Like a sherbet.
63. Ruso and the Disappearing Dancing Girls by Ruth Downie
Fun read. Well set in the right atmosphere imo.
64. Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance
53. At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost
54. Whom the Gods Love by Kate Ross
Sad that the novel's title ended up being a bad augur for KR. Maybe she already knew. Nice mystery about a man's public image being dismounted piece by piece so much that in the end who killed him isn't that important. Interesting.
55. The Love Knot by Vanessa Alexander
A study on love in the 13th century from the point of view of two people in love and one man who claims he cant love. Priceless.
56. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
57. Firedrake's Eye by Ptricia Finney
58. Unicorn's Blood by Patricia Finney
59. Gloriana's Torch by Patricia Finney
What a wonderful, smart, interesting, page-turner trio of books. From the intelligent and daring choice of narrators (like gods watching mortals from Olympus) to that way she has with words saying things without actually spelling them for you. Example: "He laughed blood and died" He wasnt smilling. Its crude, graphic, perfect. Absolutely recommended.
60. When the Eagle Hunts by Simon Scarrow
I had started this book weeks ago and the very ridiculous childish translation took me back. Not very interesting anyway since it was so predictable.
61. The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss
The part about Ethan Saunders kept me reading but omg you have to be seriously interested in history of american economy to really like this book.
62. Temeraire by Naomi Novik
I needed something light after The Whiskey Revels and that's what this book is. Like a sherbet.
63. Ruso and the Disappearing Dancing Girls by Ruth Downie
Fun read. Well set in the right atmosphere imo.
64. Claimed by Shadow by Karen Chance
Last edited by emr on Tue June 30th, 2009, 9:55 pm, edited 3 times in total.