What Are You Reading? October 2012

[annis]

Posted by EC

I am now reading John Saturnall's Feast by Lawrence Norfolk - literary but very readable indeed. I am loving it

Sounds excellent, EC- I will hunt it down

Currently reading Hall of Sparrows, by Beth Carsley Jones. Published in 1989, it's one of those novels which have become lost in the mists of time, but is a surprisingly good read. It's set during the Viking invasion of England in the reign of King Alfred of Wessex (Bernard Cornwell territory) and focuses on the difficult relationship between a Viking warrior and the Mercian noblewoman he captures and marries. It's not a conventional historical romance by any means, though. All the characters are well drawn and believable, and it's a realistic and vivid picture of life and conflict in a turbulent, violent period, much more historical adventure than the p/b blurb would lead you to believe. The h/b blurb is much more true to type. Don't be put off by the dismal cover, decorated by a misguided artist with a Viking warrior wearing a horned helmet - groan!

Edited to say that I've just spotted the p/b cover on GR and it is even worse- very classic HR, which doesn't give a true impression of this book at all. There was hint at the end that Hall of Sparrows might have a sequel, but if it was originally iintended it obviously never happened - pity. I found a postwhich suggests Beth Carsley Jones might be a pseudonym for Elizabeth Walker- anyone know?

[David Hill]

I've just started Imperium, by Robert Harris, which is about Cicero and ancient Rome. I'm at page 100 and thoroughly enjoying the book.

[Misfit]

Reading Midnight Marriage by Lucinda Brant. Lots of fun, and apparently the idea for the story came from a true one. Georgian era, arranged marriage when the children were barely at the age of consent, she's sent back to the nursery and he's off to spend a few years on travel.

[Ariadne]

[quote=""annis""]
Edited to say that I've just spotted the p/b cover on GR and it is even worse- very classic HR, which doesn't give a true impression of this book at all. There was hint at the end that Hall of Sparrows might have a sequel, but if it was originally intended it obviously never happened - pity. I found a postwhich suggests Beth Carsley Jones might be a pseudonym for Elizabeth Walker- anyone know?[/quote]

Coincidentally I believe it was that Yahoo group post that convinced me to order a copy - and when it showed up in the mail, with that unexpected pb cover, I did a double take! Wish I knew about the pseudonym.

[Vanessa]

I don't know, but I've read three of her books - Rowan's Mill, Voyage and The Court. It'll have been quite a few years ago now but as I remember it, I enjoyed them.

[princess garnet]

Read 2 while on the road in France
The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
The Spirit Lens by Carol Berg

[Misfit]

Just starting Fields of Battle by Kate Alexander. WWII, French resistance. It looks like Alexander has written several historical novels, and from the spelling I'd guess they weren't first published in the US. Anyone familiar with her? Annis?

[Berengaria]

I find it so hard to keep up with my reading these days because of this uni course I'm taking. A question....how do you plan your day when you are writing? I have all of these ideas in my head and I write them down, but can't seem to be able to organize my day accordingly. Any tips? Am presently reading I, Michael Bennett by James Patterson....nice, easy, quick!

[javagirl]

[quote=""Alisha Marie Klapheke""]
My niece is reading To Defy a King by the above ; ) Ms. Chadwick, and she is loving it! This is the first great hist fic she's ever read. She's fifteen. I feel like I have a little apprentice.[/quote]

I just finished that last week and loved it. Thanks to EC for another great one!

[Brenna]

Forever Amber