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What Are You Reading ~ February 2013

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Let us know what you are reading this month, or what you are planning to read, as long as it's historical fiction!

Sabina E started this discussion 4 months ago. ( reply | permalink )

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Megan H

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Planning to head towards "A Blaze of Glory" by Jeff Shaara soon!

posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )
John W

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I'm currently reading The Pigeon Pie Mystery by Julia Stuart, a cozy Victorian mystery with an unusual sleuth.

posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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- threadnsong
  
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  That one's on hold for me at the local library - thanks for the suggestion!
  
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Tracey

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I am reading Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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- AvidReader
  
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  Loved that book! I hope you enjoy it, Tracey.
  
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- Bev (edited)
  
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  I enjoyed reading the series and I think Silent In The Grave was my favorite
  
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- Sabina E
  
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  I really liked it as well. It also fits this month's 19th century theme!
  
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- Tracey
  
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  Ooh didn't think of that Sabina! I actually had planned on the The Secret River by Kate Grenville for this month's theme.
  
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KimBear (edited)

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I am reading a few of books right now...

- ~~Outlander~~ by Diana Gabaldon. (Carry over from January...on audio)
- Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. (Carry over from January...on dailylit.com)
- ~~The Mighty Miss Malone~~ by Christopher Paul Curtis.
Loving them all!

posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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- jguidry
  
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  I love Victor Hugo. Les Miserables is probably my favorite by him.
  
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- bluestocking7
  
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  I went through the Outlander Series and loved it. I'm reading Les Miserables now and it is wonderful!!! Hope you're having as much fun as I am with it.
  
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- KimBear
  
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  Oh Dosha...the writing is superb! It's going to take me a while to get through it because I am truly savoring it. :)
  
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Arya (edited)

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Finished Shirley by Charlotte Bronte after slogging through it for a month. Mixed feelings about this one. It had some amazing passages and insights, but I didn't really like the characters. Shirley completely puzzled me because she was always changing her mind so I don't understand her motivations. The ending was abrupt and unsatisfying, especially one particular scene that had some strange dialogue. I think I expected something quite different considering the feminist themes, though I shouldn't be surprised with the outcome since the novel was written in the Victorian Era. Oh well. You can't like them all I suppose.

posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )
Ange

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It's been a while since I've read some historic fiction. I just started The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin. It's about Charles Lindbergh's wife, Anne Morrow Lindbergh and their marriage. So far so good.

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- Sabina E
  
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  I'm looking forward to reading this, hope it's good!
  
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- BookwormErin
  
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  I'm looking forward to reading it too but I'm #12 on the holds list so it will be awhile
  
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- Ange
  
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  I really enjoyed it. It definitely made me interested in that part of history, as a good historical fiction book should do. I'll post a review.
  Now reading The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- KimBear
  
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  This sounds good...I will have to check it out.
  
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- Ladyslott
  
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  I enjoyed The Dressmaker. I'm number 3 on the wait list for The Aviator's Wife.
  
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- Ange
  
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  Yay! Let me know if you get around to this one and we'll compare notes.
  I'm halfway through The Dressmaker but haven't had the chance to read much in the past three days. So far so good though.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Laurie G

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Just finished FAREWELL SUMMER by Helen Hooven Santmyer.
Lovely. Santmyer's writing is beautiful and luscious. I read this is 3 days.If you liked AND LADIES OF THE CLUB, you should enjoy this as well.A short but memorable read

posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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- winterslights
  
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  I just received And the Ladies of the Club and OMG, that's a big sucker!! That will take me a long while to read. I really wish it had been available for Kindle.
  
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- Laurie G (edited)
  
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  I was sick alot when I was reading it,so it took me 2-1/2 months. BUT if I had not been sick, I think it would have taken 4-6 weeks! It killed me taking it up and down staircase at work! My work bag is much lighter now! I hope you like ti! I am still thinking of it 3 weeks later.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Linda
  
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  I am reading And Ladies of the Club. I think it would have been quicker reading on Kindle but after over a hundred pages I am interested and actually enjoying it. This was my third try at reading it.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  I got my copy in the mail and just about fainted. I have no idea if I will be able to hold it since I have hand problems and its HUGE!!!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Linda
  
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  I'm having mixed feelings on this one, ach time I think I'm into it I struggle. I have put it aside until Spring and will try one more time. It is so frustrating when this happens!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
AvidReader

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I've got a number of books on the go at the moment, which is unusual for me.
I'm just about to finish A Tainted Dawn by B.N. Peacock. This one takes place in the late 18th century and is set in England, France and the Caribbean. The reviews have been mixed but I'm enjoying it.
I'm also still reading The Firebird by Susanna Kearsley, a sort-of sequel to The Winter Sea that takes place in the modern day and the 18th century. It's quite good, but won't dislodge The Shadowy Horses and Mariana from the top of my list of favourite Kearsley novels.
I'm halfway through Mistress to the Crown by Isolde Martyn, which is about Jane Shore, mistress to Edward IV. This one is also getting mixed reviews but I like what I've read so far.
Finally, I'm re-reading my all-time favourite novel, Persuasion by Jane Austen.

posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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- BookwormErin
  
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  Mistress of the Crown book looks interesting. I'd like to read a book about Jane Shore
  
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- Jules
  
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  Me too, fits in with my Wars of the Roses fad I'm having at the moment.
  
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- threadnsong
  
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  I wanted to add Mistress to my Shelfari Wish List, and it did not show up, nor did Isolde Martyn's name.
  I have another War of the Roses book in some bag, somewhere, in my room that will help me begin on a War of the Roses fad like JayEssKay mentioned.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- AvidReader
  
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  @Threadnsong -- the book is, at present, only available in Australia. I received a review copy but since I live in North America I assume that the novel will eventually be released outside of Australia.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- threadnsong
  
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  Excellent. Then I'll be on the lookout for it when it is finally released. I'm sure this group will be a good place to check from time to time!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
JudithG

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Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood

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- Sabina E
  
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  I really liked that one, hope you enjoy it!
  
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- Denizen
  
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  Let me know if you think this would be a good vacation read.
  
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- JudithG
  
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  I don't know, Denizen. It depends on what you like to do for a vacation. Atwood is a genius with words, but as I just posted elsewhere, her books fascinate me, but I always feel grateful to escape
  with my life.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Laurie Steele Eddings

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'Just finished Clara and Mr.Tiffany by Susan Vreeland. It puts a new light on the work of the women at the Tiffany Glass Studios.
Other recent reads include: Remarkable Creatures, about Mary Anning, The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott and The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmann

posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Tracey
  
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  I really enjoyed Remarkable Creatures - my favourite Tracy Chevalier so far.
  
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- BookwormErin
  
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  I'd be curious to hear what you thought of Stockholm Octavo. I read it not too long ago and wasn't wild about it but I know others loved it.
  
  posted 4 months ago. ( permalink )
winterslights

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Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon. As well as being historical fiction it is also for the Buddy Read.

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The Happy Gardener

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I enjoyed Time and Again so much, I'm reading the sequel From Time To Time by Jack Finney.

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- Bev
  
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  I was trying to remember where I got a clue to try this...........
  Thanks, I enjoyed Time And Again
  
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- The Happy Gardener
  
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  So happy you enjoyed it Bev.
  
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Laure, Locksley Lassie

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I'm getting into A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick.

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- Sabina E
  
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  I really enjoyed that one!
  
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- Laure, Locksley Lassie
  
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  well, yes, it is hard to go wrong following one of the Marshals now, isn't it?
  
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- Sabina E
  
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  Haha, good point :)
  
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- winterslights
  
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  I really need to read this. I have it on my Kindle, but have been in some other genres, need to come back to the wonderful (weeelll, not wonderful) Marshal family.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  Started reading and I thought the storyline sounded familiar. Here we go again with Stephen and Matilda!! Even if it's told from Marshal's point of view.
  
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Nicki m

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The Last great Dance on earth by Sandra Gulland

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Rochelle H (edited)

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I am now reading Waterlily by Ella Deloria :)

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Bev

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The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin

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- sawcat
  
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  I just started this on audio, also.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Bev
  
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  intense.....psychologically complex....vividly descriptive
  
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- KimBear
  
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  Starting this one tonight! :)
  
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- KimBear
  
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  Gave up...just didn't feel invested in the characters I guess.
  
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- sawcat
  
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  It had moments, but it was just ok in the end. The narrator's voice didn't help either, but it was well suited for the period.
  
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- KimBear
  
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  It drove me nuts that there were no quotation marks in the book!
  
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- Sabina E
  
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  Kim, that's why I haven't read it so far - I hate that sort of thing!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
The Happy Gardener

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I plan on finishing up Les Misérables by next week. In total it will have taken me about three weeks to read.
Up next I'm reading Mr. Churchill's Secretary by Susan Elia Macneal.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- BookwormErin
  
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  I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on Churchill's Secretary
  
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- Mara B
  
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  I have Mr. Churchill's Secretary in my library stack right now...I started listening to it on audio at one point but it was due back to the library before I'd gotten very far in. I've heard good things, though!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- The Happy Gardener
  
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  I'm really excited to start the book hopefully by next week. I'll post my review once I'm finished.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Bluebird (edited)

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I finally finished Wolf Hall. I really enjoyed it this time around and I am looking forward to reading the sequel. The tip about subbing Cromwell for most of the "he" really helped.
I'm listening to The Distant Hours by Kate Morton--narrated by Caroline Lee (on loan from the library). This isn't my favorite Morton book, but still quite good. And, as luck would have it, I just received notification from ereaderiq that the Kindle price at Amazon (US) has dropped to $4.99, so now I have the book--yeah!
I just picked Time and Again by Jack Finney, so I will be starting that shortly. I had placed a hold on it at my library after a recommendation from Trekgeekgirl. Glad to hear that Bev and Gwen W also liked it. I'm looking forward to it!

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Mara B
  
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  I might have to pick up Time and Again soon, too, based on all the buzz it's been getting around here!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Bev
  
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  I went intoTime And Again realizing that it is 40yrs old and would have some "dated" aspects
  I used it for one of my 19th century reads and although it wasn't totally engaging...it was definitely a pleasant read.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Bluebird
  
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  I finished listening to The Distant Hours. I ended up liking it much more than I had expected. It started out a bit slow for me, but I became quite engrossed in the story by the mid point.
  I'm still working my way through Time and Again. Bev, I actually find some of the "dated" aspects rather endearing. It'll take me some time to finish as life has gotten more hectic than usual and is wreaking havoc on my reading time. But, at least I can still do a bit of "reading" via audiobooks when on the road.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Mara B

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Now reading The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston.

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- Bev
  
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  I'm hoping to get to Brackston soon
  I'll be interested in your thoughts, Mara
  
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- John W
  
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  I have to borrow The Witch's Daughter before I can read the sequel.
  
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- Bev
  
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  good point, John
  I didn't realize this was a sequel
  
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- Mara B
  
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  I don't think it is, actually, even though I too thought I had read somewhere that it was. I'm about 50 pages in and nothing seems related to The Witch's Daughter thus far...
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- BookwormErin (edited)
  
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  I didn't think they were either. Still waiting for my library to get this one to me
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- sawcat
  
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  Just looked up the blurb of The Winter Witch, and it is not a sequel. It is a stand alone. The Witch's Daughter was about an English witch, not Welsh. I'm curious about this one, to see if its better than The Witch's Daughter. Is it all historical?
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- John W
  
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  Thanks for letting me know, Cat. Since this one is on my shelf, I'll read it first and, if I enjoy it, I will go back and read The Witch's Daughter..
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Mara B
  
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  It is all historical, and so far I'd say the writing is better from a literary standpoint than The Witch's Daughter was, if perhaps not quite as entertaining.
  I did just get past a pretty clunky moment in which the hero reflected in detail for a second time on why he needs to be married in order to be Head Drover, with very similar phrasing to the first time he did it. Perhaps we could blame an editor for that, though!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Mara B
  
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  All right, I've lost patience with The Winter Witch and am giving up on it--the heroine is immature, obnoxious, and spoiled. Also, she's been mute since her father left when she was a child, which is her choice, I suppose, but she seems to have decided that that means she can never communicate anything unless she can do it by stomping her foot or tugging on someone's arm. It doesn't really make for much of a love story...
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- John W
  
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  I guess I won't be too eager to read it.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- BookwormErin
  
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  oh well guess I'm not so eager myself
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  i think i will pass.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Nicki m

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Finished The Last Great Stand on Earth by Sandra Gulland. I ripped through this series! I normally give myself some space inbetween a series. I did not know any Napoleon history so I was enraptured. Great trilogy! Loved Josephine and her evolution and the larger than life Napoleon. So dedicated to the republic, why does he get such a bad rap? Je le veux!

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Deborah B
  
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  I felt so sorry for Josephine...they really loved each other, but she was cast aside....
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- BookwormErin
  
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  Ok I'm going to read this series.
  
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- AvidReader
  
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  You will love it, Erin.
  
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- Nicki m
  
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  If you've ever thought your in-laws were trying, you've got nothing on Josephine! My goodness!!!!!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Bookwizard

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Reading Iscariot by Tosca Lee and finishing up Hannibal by Ben Kane.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Deborah B (edited)

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I'm reading Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. I'm almost done with it...It's been a difficult, interesting, entertaining read!

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
AvidReader

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I've finished with Isolde Martyn's Mistress to the Crown, which I enjoyed, and am now reading Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell, which is about Emma of Normandy, who became Queen of England prior to the Conquest.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- BookwormErin
  
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  Shadow of the Crown sounds really interesting. Hope you like it.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- AvidReader
  
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  It's quite good so far.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Nicki m

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Continuing on my mission to read my TBR list with Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanne Clark

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- Arya (edited)
  
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  This book takes a while to read since it's so long, but it was worth it to me :) Hope you enjoy it!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Nicki m
  
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  Oh good! It is taking me awhile to get into it.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Arya (edited)
  
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  Some people don't end up liking it, so if it's not for you, then don't force yourself. I love nineteenth-century literature so the slow pace and writing style didn't bother me. What do you think about the footnotes?
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- threadnsong
  
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  I listened to this as a book on tape from my library and was quite fascinated by the story. Lots of visual imagery which I don't know if I would have had with the printed book.
  Alas, as with other long books on tape, I was only able to get halfway through it before it needed to go back home.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Nicki m
  
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  I have been ingnoring the footnotes only because my nook is goofy abt returning back to the correct page. Are they very helpful?
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Arya
  
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  @threadnsong: I haven't listened to it on audiobook, but I'd like to do that now!
  @Nicki: Well the footnotes are more like extras. I found them interesting because it made the book feel like it was a nonfiction historical record. I imagine they would be hard to read on a nook though so I don't blame you for ignoring them. I own a physical copy so it was fun to flip the pages back and forth.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  I found the footnotes annoying on my Kindle. They all showed up at the end of the chapters and it was difficult to find the page that they were noting. It would have been better if they had been left completely off.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  thread, couldn't you renew it??
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- threadnsong
  
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  Oh, I did. Three times. But life was getting in the way, and I'd have to go back to the beginning of a CD to catch up after a while.
  
  I may treat myself to checking it out again after some coursework is over this spring. It was really, really good.
  
  The footnotes!! I had forgotten about those! They were included in the audio portion with the narrator stating "Note" or "Footnote" to distinguish them from the storyline.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Isabelle S

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Has anyone read The Typewriter Girl by Alison Atlee? I admit to being a bit put off by crude language early on - it's not that I'm offended, but it just seems out of place given the tone and time period.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

show 2 replies
- AvidReader
  
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  Have you checked out Sarah Johnson's review at the Reading The Past blog? She posted the review today.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Mara B
  
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  It's in my library stack right now but I haven't gotten around to it yet. I thought the plot synopsis sounded pretty promising, though!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Sabina E

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In keeping with this month's 19th century theme I'm following John's lead and am now reading Dancing for Degas by Kathryn Wagner.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

show 5 replies
- KimBear
  
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  Looking forward to both of your reviews. This sounds like something I'd really like. :)
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- BookwormErin
  
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  Me too
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Sabina E
  
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  Well... so far I'm disappointed, I really hope John has more luck with it.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- KimBear
  
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  :(
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Sabina E (edited)
  
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  Don't let me put you off, Kim! I think my main problem is that I don't really like the main character, but you might feel differently. This gets some very mixed reviews so there's every chance that you fall into the like category and enjoy it.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Mara B

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Now reading The Midwife's Tale by Sam Thomas, since Melissa says it's good! :) I needed a brief break from the 19th century after getting so frustrated with The Winter Witch.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- AvidReader
  
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  Now I'm nervous :-) I hope you like it as much as I did!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Bev
  
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  You did us a favor by your honesty about Winter Witch, Mara
  Thanks!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Mara B
  
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  I'm about halfway through The Midwife's Tale and enjoying it so far! The midwifery angle does add some really interesting plot elements...
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- BookwormErin
  
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  Ok I think this is a book I need to read sooner rather than later
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  I wonder if Paula Brackston ever comes onto Shelfari. I wonder how she would like our comments. Maybe she can fix the story narrative if she is going to write a third book.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Mara B (edited)
  
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  She'd probably just dismiss me as hard to please! She has gotten some very positive reviews for The Winter Witch over at GoodReads, so there is an audience for it...Other people were clearly more tolerant of the heroine's passive approach to life and the hero's stupidity than I was!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  Ah, well, can't please everyone, can you. I am surprised though that some of the folks on GoodReads should be so easy to please.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Frances L

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just finished "The Soldier's Wife" by Margaret Leroy (it was a wonderful story) and "The Kitchen House". Now I'm reading "The Orphan Master" by Jean Zimmerman and "The Light Between Oceans" by M. L. Stedman.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Sabina E
  
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  I'm planning to read all of the above, hope you enjoy them all!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Nicki m
  
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  My mom just loaned me A soldiers wife. Glad to hear it was good.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Jane A.
  
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  Although I thought parts of the story of The Orphan Master were silly, I loved the setting. There's something almost funny reading about little New Amsterdam, and the conflict between the Dutch and the English was really interesting.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Sabina E

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I'm now reading Lady's Maid by Margaret Forster.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Book Concierge

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Just started a biography ... Becoming Queen Victoria ... for my F2F book club next week.

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- d. mills
  
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  have you tried "we two" dual biography of vicky/albert?
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
The Happy Gardener

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Finished Mr. Churchill's Secretary and now reading Rainwater by Sandra Brown.

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Bev (edited)

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Illuminations (Mary Sharratt)

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- BookwormErin
  
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  oh good you got it :) I hope you like it as much as I did
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
threadnsong

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Even though it's historical and not fiction, I was in a bookshop yesterday to buy my last book before my classes start (also last night) and found "Devil in the White City." Read it for a while and it is good!
Also added several titles to my library wishlist for Feb's Historical Fiction discussion. I may be able to read them; if not, I'm sure there will be other Reading Challenges this spring, right?

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Nicki m
  
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  Loved Devil. Great Chicago history, now only if I could remember it all...
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Sabina E
  
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  There will be others, threadnsong, we will have a different theme every month. Also, you can always add to the February thread at a later date!
  
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- John W
  
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  This book was essentially two parts: one involving the building of the World's Fair in Chicago and the second regarding the serial killer. Personally, I enjoyed the latter story better.
  
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- Mara B
  
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  Yes, I listened to a lot of it as an audiobook but never finished because I got so bogged down in architecture...
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- threadnsong
  
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  Thank you, John W - a lot of the reviews here all pointed out how much better the story of the serial killer was than the building of the World's Fair. I like architecture, I was fortunate that it was part of the overseas study curriculum while I was in Paris (to the point where I remember "voutes ogives" instead of "ribbed vaults"), but if the writing gets too bogged down over the architecture and the problems putting on the World's Fair, I'll skim that part and get to the exciting bits quicker.
  @Sabina E - Thanks for the reassurance. I'll not stress quite so much about classes vs. pleasure reading. And I think I have "Alias Grace" somewhere on my bookshelves - the cover looks familiar.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Isabelle S
  
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  Me, I loved the architecture and the politics behind the fair. Totally fascinated by how many present day products were introduced there. I skimmed the murder plot to get back to that.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Catwoman
  
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  I loved both storylines ~ Devil was one of my favorite reads last year
  
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Bev

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The Return of the Native (1878)
by Thomas Hardy

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Bev
  
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  Interesting overview comment (BN)
  
  "When first published as a periodical in Victorian Britain, this novel was highly controversial -- and Hardy was forced to add a sixth, unplanned book "Aftercourses" to provide the happy ending demanded by the public"
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- threadnsong
  
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  I really remember this book and the details Hardy includes even from when I read it more than 20 years ago. Extraordinary. And realistic.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
bluestocking7

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I'm reading The Miserables by Victor Hugo. Magnificent!!

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Cindy R

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Just finished The Winchester Goose by Judith Arnopp. It actually surpassed my expectations...I enjoyed it.

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d. mills

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The Great Silence
Armistice Day 1918 dawns with great joy for victorious Britain, but the nation must confront the carnage war has left in its wake. In The Great Silence, Juliet Nicolson looks through the prism of daily life to narrate the rich but unknown history of the slow healing Britain undergoes in the two years following that day.

The two-year anniversary of the Armistice brings some closure at last: the remains of a nameless soldier, dug up from a French battlefield and escorted to London in a homecoming befitting a king, are laid to rest in glory in the Tomb of the Unknown at Westminster Abbey. “The Great Silence,” the two minutes observed in memory of those lost, halts an entire nation in silent reverence as Big Ben strikes eleven.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Bev
  
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  I think I'll look for this one, d...sounds interesting
  I have to admit, the women on the cover caught my eye first.
  
  The Perfect Summer and Abdication also look interesting
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- d. mills
  
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  my aunt loaned this to me...120 pages in, its filled with recollections of private and public figures...real life trumps fiction once again.
  
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Linda

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Listening to Katherine by Anya Seton.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Ladyslott
  
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  Love this book.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- BookwormErin
  
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  wonderful book!
  
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BookwormErin

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Starting The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston. I know it hasn't been getting good reviews but my library copy came in and decided to try it.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- John W
  
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  I look forward to your review, Erin. It might influence me to either move the book up on my TBR pile or bury it deeper in the pile.
  
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- Bev
  
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  I had been on hold for mine and it came in my last pickup.
  
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- BookwormErin
  
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  I really enjoyed her book The Witches Daughter. This one isn't grabbing me yet and I'm about 100ps in. Not sure at this point if I'm going to finish it.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
winterslights

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I don't know if this is the right place, but you have to check out a blog written by a fan of Elizabeth Chadwick about her books on William Marshall:
http://forwinternights.wordpress.com/2013/02/15/elizabeth-chadwick-the-greatest-knight-and-the-scarlet-lion/

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Sabina E (edited)

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For our 19th century theme, I'm now reading Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh.

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Laurie G

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Now reading THE UNDERPAINTER by Jane Urquhart.Love the writing so far.

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Steven D. Malone

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The Coming of the King (Books of Merlin, #1) by Nikolai Tolstoy.

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Jane A.

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I just finished The Merry Monarch's Wife by Jean Plaidy -- also published as The Pleasures of Love -- about the wife of King Charles II. I enjoy Restoration England, but I thought the book was only okay. It was a bit predictable at time, and I don't feel like I really got inside the head of Catherine of Braganza.

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Verna L

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The Sealed Letter - Emma Donoghue
This is based on a real divorce case in Victorian Times - Harry and Helen Codrington. Helen's friend Emily "Fido" Faithfull is a big name in woman's movement for equality in England. Quite interesting arguments from both sides in the divorce case. Donoghue also wrote Slammerkin

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Sabina E
  
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  Looking forward to your thoughts when you're finished!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Deborah O
  
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  I enjoyed The Sealed Letter. I read it on holidays last year. I also read Room during the year not this genre but def worth a read. Must add Slammerkin to the ever growing list ha!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
BookwormErin

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I've decided to stop reading The Winter Witch by Paula Brackston. I was excited to read this book because I really liked her The Witch's Daughter. I read about half of this book and was bored and didn't care.

I'm now starting The Aviator's Wife by Melanie Benjamin. I'm curious to see how I will find this one. I read Alice I Have Been last year and really liked that one.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Mara B
  
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  I'm glad to know I'm not alone in my opinions about The Winter Witch! I'm really baffled by all the glowing reviews over at GoodReads...
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Teresa H

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I've started The Paris Wife by Paula McLain. It's very good so far.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- BookwormErin
  
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  surprised by how much I loved that book considering I'm not a Hemingway fan
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Linda
  
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  Loved it.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Catwoman
  
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  another of my favorite reads from last year
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Bookwizard

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I am reading The Wedding Shroud by Elisabeth Storrs.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Sabina E
  
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  I've been meaning to read this for ages, hope you enjoy it!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- AvidReader
  
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  I really enjoyed that one. I hope you do, too!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Bookwizard
  
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  Thanks! I really like it so far!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Evelyn S

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I am back on an Elizabeth Chadwick kickl. Read The Winter mantle and finally finished The Greatest Knight, now I am readfing The Leopard Unleashed set around 1140 ish AD. It started very well and gripped me, not all her books do at first, and am reading steadily nightly,. I think she is a great writer of this genre and most of her books are based on much factual information. They are all very diffderent and at the end of each book, she gives even more information as to how she foiund out about these people, how much is factual, how much she has looped together from what facts she could find. Well researched, all of them. Even The Marsh Kings Daughter was a fictional story she cobbled together from odd facts gleaned from books of the period.
Evelyn S

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Sabina E
  
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  Can't go wrong with Elizabeth Chadwick!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Deborah O
  
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  Evelyn I loved The Leopard Unleasehed and the best about it is it part of a trilogy.
  The Wild Hunt, The Running Vixen and The Leopard Unleashed. You should look up her website as some of her books are linked.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  Too many books, too many choices, not enough time in the rest of my life to finish them all!! I am going to have to live forever!!
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Mara B

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Reading The Passing Bells to fill the Downton Abbey void...

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- AvidReader
  
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  Can't wait to hear what you think of it, Mara. I hope you like it as much as I did.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Mara B
  
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  It's really good so far! I think it's the first supposed "Downton Abbey read-alike" I've read that really does feel satisfyingly similar to Downton Abbey...
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Jane L
  
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  I loved it. There are 2 follow-up books that are also very good.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
AvidReader

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I'm currently reading The Last Summer by Judith Kinghorn. The book is beautifully written and I don't want to put it down.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- BookwormErin
  
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  this is great news! hoping to read this soon
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Dawn L
  
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  I really liked this book
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Bev (edited)

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Telegraph Days Larry McMurtry

A historical fictional autobiography of sorts
Marie Antoniette Courtright (Nellie)...during the time frame 1876-1917
Virginia to Rita Blanca and westward................for the telegraph lady

My reading of western fiction is almost nonexistent.
Telegraph Days is an early attempt to remedy this

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Megan S

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I'm almost finished with The Favored Queen (Jane Seymour) by Carolly Erickson. I'll try to post thoughts soon, but overall my impression is medium to negative. Ditto for The Secret Life of Josephine by the same author.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Dawn L

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I just finished "Bride of New France". I enjoyed it. I am just starting to listen to "City of Women" and am 130pgs into (out of 900+) of "Pillars of the Earth"

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Bev
  
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  I found I do much better with a Follett tome on audio...
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Cindy R
  
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  I have wanted to read Bride of New France for a long time! I'll wait until I can bundle a used copy on Amazon for free shipping, though.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- Dawn L
  
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  Bev-I'm actually handling the huge book quite well. In my purse going to work I just think of it as a workout for my arms. LOL I'm really enjoying it and was thinking it would take me forever but I can't put it down.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
winterslights

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Finally have gotten into Time and Again. I had been putting it off, but because this morning my Kindle needed to be charged and I had the book on my actual shelf, I decided to give it a go. Fascinating, I really got involved and I have read about half of it now.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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- Bev
  
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  I thought it was a nice read also.....considering it's over 40 yrs old...it didn't feel too dated
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
- winterslights
  
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  No, I don't think it would be too dated considering that he went back to the 1880s.
  
  posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
Nanj

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I am currently reading Passage To Power--Robert Caros fourth volumn on Lyndon Johnson. This man was either loved or hated--no real in-between;however, reading this series you learn the many sides of LBJ and realize that in many ways, he is a product of a very haard-scrabble childhood. For anyone into the Political side of things, I reccomend this series.

posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )
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The Historical Fiction Group

What Are You Reading ~ February 2013

Sabina E started this discussion 4 months ago. ( reply | permalink )

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The Happy Gardener

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