Historical Gems from the Past (551 books)

Tired of reading all the latest and "greatest" historical novels from our current batch of best selling authors? Looking for something old that could be a newly discovered treasure? Some of these have been newly reissued, but most are out of print and in some cases quite hard to find without spending a fortune, although the hunt is worth it. Happy reading.

Note to clarify: This list is for historical novels. It is not for novels that were contemporary at the time they were written/published. Austen, Bronte, Gaskell, etc. do not qualify.

Additional clarification 11/7/13:The list creator intended this list for long-lost, long-forgotten, out-of-print historical novels. As noted above, novels by authors like Bronte, Austen, etc. were contemporary at the time they were written, and do not qualify for this list. Children's books, romantic suspense, mysteries, "Jaws" or any other book that might be deemed a "classic". Historical novels that have been continuously in print and well known (that includes Sharon Penman, much as we love you) do not meet the purposes of this list, nor do historical novels that have only been published in the last year or two.

I apologize for the confusion, this list was created when I was fairly new to Goodreads and didn't realize anyone and everyone could vote on my list and that I hadn't made the guidelines for adding books clear enough.

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All Votes Add Books To This List

1	The Crystal Cave (Arthurian Saga, #1) by Mary Stewart 4.13 avg rating — 48,397 ratings score: 4,300, and 45 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Penmarric by Susan Howatch 4.13 avg rating — 6,813 ratings score: 3,685, and 38 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 4.30 avg rating — 511,059 ratings score: 3,616, and 38 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Shadow of the Moon by M.M. Kaye 4.24 avg rating — 4,677 ratings score: 3,512, and 36 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	The Hollow Hills (Arthurian Saga, #2) by Mary Stewart 4.25 avg rating — 22,980 ratings score: 3,271, and 34 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	A Girl of the Limberlost (Limberlost, #2) by Gene Stratton-Porter 4.17 avg rating — 22,720 ratings score: 2,902, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Cashelmara by Susan Howatch 4.11 avg rating — 9,245 ratings score: 2,701, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Trade Wind by M.M. Kaye 3.99 avg rating — 3,161 ratings score: 2,601, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith 3.99 avg rating — 115,148 ratings score: 2,502, and 26 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Angelique (Angelique: Original version, #1) by Anne Golon 4.19 avg rating — 3,125 ratings score: 2,225, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Zemindar by Valerie Fitzgerald 4.19 avg rating — 2,092 ratings score: 2,105, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Robe by Lloyd C. Douglas 4.24 avg rating — 27,165 ratings score: 2,095, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Captains and the Kings: The Story of an American Dynasty by Taylor Caldwell 4.15 avg rating — 19,625 ratings score: 2,045, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	The Last Enchantment (Arthurian Saga, #3) by Mary Stewart 4.18 avg rating — 16,679 ratings score: 2,045, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Dear and Glorious Physician by Taylor Caldwell 4.34 avg rating — 8,318 ratings score: 1,789, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Shogun (Asian Saga) by James Clavell 4.41 avg rating — 211,884 ratings score: 1,700, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Here Be Dragons (Welsh Princes, #1) by Sharon Kay Penman 4.29 avg rating — 24,993 ratings score: 1,569, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	The Game of Kings (The Lymond Chronicles, #1) by Dorothy Dunnett 4.14 avg rating — 10,095 ratings score: 1,548, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough 4.25 avg rating — 364,398 ratings score: 1,523, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Jubilee Trail by Gwen Bristow 4.16 avg rating — 4,444 ratings score: 1,486, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Calico Palace by Gwen Bristow 4.09 avg rating — 2,694 ratings score: 1,469, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow 4.12 avg rating — 4,206 ratings score: 1,365, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	The Heaven Tree Trilogy: The Heaven Tree / The Green Branch / The Scarlet Seed by Edith Pargeter 4.31 avg rating — 1,117 ratings score: 1,311, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	To Serve Them All My Days by R.F. Delderfield 4.33 avg rating — 3,167 ratings score: 1,287, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Northwest Passage by Kenneth Roberts 4.19 avg rating — 3,205 ratings score: 1,280, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	The Concubine by Norah Lofts 3.97 avg rating — 3,223 ratings score: 1,207, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch 4.15 avg rating — 3,598 ratings score: 1,198, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	The Wicked Day (Arthurian Saga, #4) by Mary Stewart 4.10 avg rating — 11,987 ratings score: 1,192, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Olivia And Jai (Olivia and Jai, #1) by Rebecca Ryman 4.14 avg rating — 1,337 ratings score: 1,152, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Through a Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 11,400 ratings score: 1,135, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	The Winds of War (The Henry Family, #1) by Herman Wouk 4.38 avg rating — 59,415 ratings score: 1,105, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	The Pride of the Peacock by Victoria Holt 3.89 avg rating — 4,775 ratings score: 1,074, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Alinor (The Roselynde Chronicles, #2) by Roberta Gellis 4.30 avg rating — 598 ratings score: 1,043, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Roselynde (The Roselynde Chronicles, #1) by Roberta Gellis 4.18 avg rating — 1,058 ratings score: 1,017, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Wild Swan (Wild Swan Trilogy, #1) by Celeste De Blasis 4.39 avg rating — 1,479 ratings score: 944, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Clan of the Cave Bear (Earth's Children, #1) by Jean M. Auel 4.10 avg rating — 282,329 ratings score: 940, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	The Proud Breed by Celeste De Blasis 4.35 avg rating — 1,103 ratings score: 922, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	God Is an Englishman (Swann Saga, #1) by R.F. Delderfield 4.11 avg rating — 3,252 ratings score: 915, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson 3.70 avg rating — 6,485 ratings score: 911, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy (Arthurian Saga, #1-3) by Mary Stewart 4.41 avg rating — 4,962 ratings score: 905, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	Niccolo Rising (The House of Niccolo, #1) by Dorothy Dunnett 4.28 avg rating — 4,664 ratings score: 874, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Dawn's Early Light (Williamsburg, #1) by Elswyth Thane 4.26 avg rating — 1,674 ratings score: 873, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	Old Yeller by Fred Gipson 4.11 avg rating — 103,545 ratings score: 853, and 10 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	The Lost Queen by Norah Lofts 3.71 avg rating — 842 ratings score: 818, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Testament of Youth by Vera Brittain 4.11 avg rating — 12,394 ratings score: 818, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	East of Eden by John Steinbeck 4.44 avg rating — 634,371 ratings score: 779, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	The Sherwood Ring: A Paranormal Romance About Colonial Ghosts, Spies, and Mystery for Children (Ages 10-12) by Elizabeth Marie Pope 4.14 avg rating — 4,400 ratings score: 770, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	The Mallen Streak by Catherine Cookson 3.99 avg rating — 1,807 ratings score: 767, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth 4.27 avg rating — 145,604 ratings score: 724, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck 3.90 avg rating — 2,826,019 ratings score: 717, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Sara Dane by Catherine Gaskin 4.16 avg rating — 1,569 ratings score: 679, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	The Other by Thomas Tryon 3.97 avg rating — 22,888 ratings score: 678, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss 3.91 avg rating — 109,852 ratings score: 670, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Homer's Daughter by Robert Graves 3.78 avg rating — 1,063 ratings score: 657, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	Midnight is a Place by Joan Aiken 3.96 avg rating — 1,199 ratings score: 644, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn 4.21 avg rating — 18,812 ratings score: 643, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Red Tent by Anita Diamant (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 631,018 ratings score: 643, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Arundel by Kenneth Roberts 4.22 avg rating — 1,765 ratings score: 641, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Follow the River by James Alexander Thom 4.23 avg rating — 23,334 ratings score: 610, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	Our Town by Thornton Wilder 3.74 avg rating — 59,038 ratings score: 581, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 387,202 ratings score: 572, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Savannah Purchase (Purchas Family, #1) by Jane Aiken Hodge 3.97 avg rating — 678 ratings score: 570, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Désirée by Annemarie Selinko 4.16 avg rating — 12,475 ratings score: 569, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Esther by Norah Lofts 3.99 avg rating — 249 ratings score: 555, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens 4.09 avg rating — 935,804 ratings score: 555, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 779,827 ratings score: 553, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan (Goodreads Author) 3.97 avg rating — 709,026 ratings score: 553, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Rabble in Arms by Kenneth Roberts 4.33 avg rating — 1,194 ratings score: 547, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	King Hereafter by Dorothy Dunnett 4.25 avg rating — 2,251 ratings score: 545, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	Pargeters by Norah Lofts 4.03 avg rating — 309 ratings score: 541, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	King Rat (Asian Saga, #4) by James Clavell 4.20 avg rating — 44,319 ratings score: 534, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	The Good Earth (House of Earth, #1) by Pearl S. Buck 4.01 avg rating — 260,409 ratings score: 525, and 7 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	The Cinder Path by Catherine Cookson 3.92 avg rating — 1,036 ratings score: 509, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	The Agony and the Ecstasy: The Biographical Novel of Michelangelo by Irving Stone 4.09 avg rating — 96,619 ratings score: 505, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope 4.10 avg rating — 9,099 ratings score: 501, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	The Call of the Wild by Jack London 3.91 avg rating — 471,331 ratings score: 492, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
77	The Wolves of Willoughby Chase (The Wolves Chronicles, #1) by Joan Aiken 4.06 avg rating — 22,397 ratings score: 484, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
78	Red Eve by H. Rider Haggard 3.66 avg rating — 142 ratings score: 483, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
79	Lydia Bailey by Kenneth Roberts 4.13 avg rating — 486 ratings score: 482, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
80	Hannah Fowler (Kentuckians, #2) by Janice Holt Giles 4.33 avg rating — 605 ratings score: 479, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
81	Roots: The Saga of an American Family by Alex Haley 4.45 avg rating — 164,696 ratings score: 475, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	Ariadne: A Novel of Ancient Crete by June Rachuy Brindel 4.12 avg rating — 162 ratings score: 467, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
83	The Sand Pebbles by Richard McKenna 4.26 avg rating — 2,523 ratings score: 462, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	Five Smooth Stones by Ann Fairbairn 4.43 avg rating — 3,591 ratings score: 449, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	And Quiet Flows the Don by Mikhail Sholokhov 4.11 avg rating — 13,212 ratings score: 447, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	The Twelfth Transforming by Pauline Gedge 4.06 avg rating — 1,134 ratings score: 447, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
87	Hawaii by James A. Michener 4.22 avg rating — 81,517 ratings score: 445, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
88	Anna (The Kirov Saga, #1) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles 4.07 avg rating — 519 ratings score: 441, and 6 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
89	The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford 4.16 avg rating — 52,750 ratings score: 439, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	Child of the Morning by Pauline Gedge 4.14 avg rating — 4,577 ratings score: 431, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
91	Cannery Row (Cannery Row, #1) by John Steinbeck 4.06 avg rating — 153,917 ratings score: 422, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	The Brothers of Gwynedd (Brothers of Gwynedd #1-4) by Edith Pargeter 4.15 avg rating — 1,782 ratings score: 418, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
93	Beyond All Frontiers by Emma Drummond 4.11 avg rating — 155 ratings score: 408, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	Gildenford (Norman Quartet, #1) by Valerie Anand 4.13 avg rating — 117 ratings score: 396, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 43,445 ratings score: 379, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	Oh, Kentucky! by Betty Layman Receveur 4.34 avg rating — 305 ratings score: 378, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	The Winter King (The Warlord Chronicles, #1) by Bernard Cornwell (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 54,877 ratings score: 362, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
98	Hungry Hill by Daphne du Maurier 3.74 avg rating — 1,936 ratings score: 354, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	The Hundred Secret Senses by Amy Tan (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 46,622 ratings score: 353, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
100	The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman 4.41 avg rating — 22,687 ratings score: 349, and 5 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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551 books · 323 voters · list created January 25th, 2009 by Misfit (votes) .

139 likes · Like

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People Who Voted On This List (323)

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Comments Showing 1-50 of 53 (53 new)

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message 1: by Thom (new)

Oct 02, 2009 05:31PM

The Forty Days of Musa Dagh, by Hans Werfel...I tried three times with no success, yet the book exists in multiple editions on the Goodreads site. Frustrating.

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message 2: by Linds (new)

Dec 18, 2011 07:56PM

What a great list. Thanks for putting this together!

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message 3: by Janet (new)

Dec 20, 2011 07:15AM

I found a couple that looked interesting, I put them on my to-read list. I remember a lot of these titles, but am not sure if I've read them or not. I like this list!

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message 4: by Laura (new)

May 19, 2012 05:06PM

a GREAT list Misfit. I would add The Forsyte Saga

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message 5: by Elizabeth(The Book Whisperer) (new)

Oct 27, 2012 06:28PM

I love this list! I have found several I am planning to read and a few I have read since discovering this list. It is very exciting to find new books to read, even though these books aren't new at all1

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message 6: by Caz (new)

Jan 20, 2013 01:08PM

Puzzled that Jane Austen's books are on here...

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message 7: by Laura (new)

Jan 20, 2013 01:32PM

Someone must have added these books on this list. If you are a librarian, you may remove them.

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message 8: by Misfit (new)

Jan 20, 2013 02:24PM

Laura wrote: "Someone must have added these books on this list. If you are a librarian, you may remove them."

GR is pretty serious about not removing books from lists unless they absolutely do not belong on said list. This is actually a list I created. I could reword the list description if that would help.

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message 9: by Laura (new)

Jan 20, 2013 02:50PM

My sincere apologies!!!

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message 10: by Misfit (new)

Jan 20, 2013 02:54PM

What's to apologize for?

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message 11: by Caz (new)

Jan 20, 2013 03:43PM

@Misfit: I actually assumed that you hadn't put those particular titles on the list and that someone else had added them (which was why I mentioned it).

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message 12: by Misfit (new)

Jan 20, 2013 04:17PM

Thing is, anyone can add a book to any list at GR. I'm OK with what gets added on as long as it isn't another stinking Twilight or Fifty Shades. I just like see the oldie books listed.

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message 13: by Misfit (new)

Jan 20, 2013 04:18PM

PS, I don't know if you've ever tried to remove a book from a list Laura, but there's a we are really really serious about removing books from lists so you'd better be really really sure the book is wrong. It's better to wait for the experts, like Susannah, and play it safe.

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message 14: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Jan 21, 2013 03:08AM

How far back is "from the past"? E.g., I see some of Sharon Kay Penman's books on this list -- they're great historical fiction of course, but Penman is a contemporary author, even if some of the books placed on this list have been out quite a while. Also, her books (IMHO, at least) don't necessarily qualify as "worthy of being rediscovered" ... almost all of them are bestsellers and never went out of print.

That all said: GREAT list indeed!

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message 15: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Jan 21, 2013 03:11AM

Also: I notice the list is starting to be stuffed with the likes of Austen, Bronte and Dickens. I'd personally have no qualms about removing those (clearly contemporary writing when first published) -- Sir Walter Scott is a different matter, of course.

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message 16: by Misfit (new)

Jan 21, 2013 07:38AM

Themis-Athena wrote: "Also: I notice the list is starting to be stuffed with the likes of Austen, Bronte and Dickens. I'd personally have no qualms about removing those (clearly contemporary writing when first publishe..."

I'm wondering how Charlotte's Web, Heidi and Peter Name to name three got on the list. *shrugs*

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message 17: by Themis-Athena (Lioness at Large) (new)

Jan 21, 2013 07:47AM

Misfit wrote: "Themis-Athena wrote: "Also: I notice the list is starting to be stuffed with the likes of Austen, Bronte and Dickens. I'd personally have no qualms about removing those (clearly contemporary writi..."

Do you want any books to be removed? As you specified very clearly in the list description what should NOT be added, librarians would be on the safe side at the very least deleting those books that are squarely within the "contemporaneous when written" category you expressly mentioned as books not to be added.

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message 18: by Misfit (new)

Jan 21, 2013 07:54AM

I'd like to see more opinions from others who have voted on this list, as my original description wasn't clear enough.

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message 19: by Caz (new)

Jan 21, 2013 07:58AM

Misfit wrote: "I'd like to see more opinions from others who have voted on this list, as my original description wasn't clear enough."

I think your description was quite clear enough - I just think the people who added those particular books didn't read it!

No: Austen, Dickens, Hardy (even though Oliver Twist could just about be called "historical", it's hardly unknown) - Penman, for the reasons given above - even GWTW is hardly unknown, is it?

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message 20: by Misfit (new)

Jan 21, 2013 08:00AM

Thanks for the input Caz.

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message 21: by Misfit (last edited Nov 07, 2013 05:42AM) (new)

Nov 07, 2013 05:42AM

What is Jaws doing on this list?

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message 22: by Misfit (last edited Nov 07, 2013 05:56AM) (new)

Nov 07, 2013 05:55AM

I think I need to clarify some more and then clean this list up. I love Penman, but a book that hasn't been out of print should not belong here, nor shoulda recently published historical like By Fire, By Water.

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message 23: by Diane Lynn (new)

Feb 10, 2014 09:04AM

This is a great list Misfit.

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message 24: by Misfit (new)

Feb 10, 2014 09:07AM

Diane Lynn wrote: "This is a great list Misfit."

Thank you ma'am :)

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message 25: by Misfit (new)

Feb 10, 2014 09:29AM

#209 By Fire, By Water removed. A novel published in 2010 is not a gem from the past.

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message 26: by Aerulan (last edited May 02, 2015 10:23PM) (new)

May 02, 2015 10:22PM

The Wild Reel by Paul Brandon is an urban fantasy with a contemporary setting and was written in 2004. It's a good book but nothing about it makes it suitable for this list as far as I can see.

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message 27: by Misfit (new)

May 03, 2015 02:45AM

Aerulan wrote: "The Wild Reel by Paul Brandon is an urban fantasy with a contemporary setting and was written in 2004. It's a good book but nothing about it makes it suitable for this list as far as ..."

Thank you.

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message 28: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 14, 2015 02:18AM) (new)

Sep 13, 2015 10:57AM

I haven't voted/added any of the Georgette Heyer novels, but here in the Netherlands the Dutch translations have been out of print for years. Such a shame... And not all of her historical novels were available in a Dutch translation anyway. So glad I'm able to read the English ones :-)

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message 29: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 13, 2015 11:13AM) (new)

Sep 13, 2015 11:01AM

@Misfit

There are several books on this list that shouldn't be here, given your description (as you undoubtedly know?).

Rebecca, To Kill a Mockingbird, Anne of Green Gables, Frenchman's Creek. Pride and Prejudice, Jamaica Inn, Gone with the Wind, Kristin Lavransdatter, Forever Amber, and so on and so forth, are all readily available/definitely not out of print.

Not to mention the fact that I noticed some voters seem to have trouble understanding the concept 'historical' :-0

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message 30: by Misfit (new)

Sep 13, 2015 11:09AM

Booklovinglady wrote: "@Misfit

There are several books on this list that shouldn't be here, given your description (as you undoubtedly know?).

Rebecca, To Kill a Mockingbird, [book:Anne of G..."

I kno w. When i first created the list the rules weren't clear. I might clean house a bit.

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message 31: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (new)

Sep 13, 2015 11:14AM

Misfit wrote: "I might clean house a bit..."

Please do... ;-) I really liked the idea of this list, you see.

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message 32: by Misfit (new)

Sep 13, 2015 11:27AM

Here we go. Removed: historical novels readily available, well known and in print.

Katherine, The Far Pavilions, Gone with the Wind, Green Darkness, Forever Amber, The Sunne in Splendour,.

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message 33: by Misfit (new)

Sep 13, 2015 11:38AM

Books removed that are not within the definition of the list, i.e. written as contemporary, not historical fiction.

The Magnificent Ambersons, To Kill a Mockingbird, Anne of Green Gables, Pride and Prejudice, The Moonspinners, The House on the Strand, Nine Coaches Waiting, Charlotte's Web, Madam, Will You Talk?, Black Beauty.

More later, I have to go vacuum the two rooms now abandoned by the kitties.

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message 34: by Misfit (new)

Sep 13, 2015 12:23PM

Misfit wrote: "Books removed that are not within the definition of the list, i.e. written as contemporary, not historical fiction.

The Magnificent Ambersons, To Kill a Mockingbird, [boo..."

[book:And Then There Were None|16299], Heidi, Murder on the Orient Express, Persuasian, The Ivy Tree, Wildfire at Midnight Airs Above the Ground, Thornyhold, The Gabriel Hounds, Touch Not the Cat, Animal Farm, This Rough Magic, Doctor Zhivago (contemporary novel), Alice in Wonderland, Mansfield Park, Don't Look Now and Other Stories, Rose Cottage, Peter Pan, Death on the Nile, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Thunder on the Right Grimm's Fairy Tales, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Peril at End House, Flambards, The Pit and the Pendulum, Lad: A Dog, Lord of the Flies, The Time Machine, The Glass Menagerie, My Brother Michael.

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message 35: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 14, 2015 01:50AM) (new)

Sep 14, 2015 12:15AM

Misfit wrote: "Books removed that are not within the definition of the list, i.e. written as contemporary, not historical fiction...."

You have been busy... :-) Thanks! I have a few more for you:

In a Dark Wood Wandering (#79). Great historical novel by the Dutch author Hella S. Haasse, but still in print, both in Dutch and in English.
Lolita (#60)
Tess of the D'Urbervilles (#38)
The Good Soldier (#36)
Vanity Fair (#41)
The Grapes of Wrath (#47)
Kristin Lavransdatter (#12)
Villette (#81)
War and Peace (#95)
Rebecca (#1)
Frenchman's Creek (#2)
Jamaica Inn (#5)
Rule Britannia (#136)
Ivanhoe (#23)
Waverley (#185)
Ethan Frome (#102)
The Forsyte Saga (#143)
The Glass Palace (#265)
The Old Man and the Sea (#229)
Dragonwyck (#26)

All of the above are still in print, and as they are all considered classics, I very much doubt if they will ever be out of print. A lot of them are (re)printed by well-known publishers (no 'print-on-demand') like Penguin, Vintage, HarperCollins, Random House, Little, Brown Book, Hodder & Stoughton, and so on. The above books are all on my 'read/to read' list, which is why they were so easy for me to find in your Listopia :-)

I thought I had a good chance with Dragonwyck, as the Dutch edition has been out of print for years (I inherited a copy from my grandparents), but when I checked, the English edition turns out to be readily availabe (Hodder & Stoughton / Mariner).

Would you like me to remove the above titles for you (or will you remove them yourself)? Or would you like these books to stay on the list anyway?

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message 36: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 14, 2015 03:14AM) (new)

Sep 14, 2015 01:17AM

I found one to vote on; the Angelique series! Boy, did I love these books :-) I must have read them all, years ago when I borrowed them from our local library. And yes, I was hooked on the television series too :-)

I also noticed The Thorn Birds (#27) but when I checked it turned out to be still in print (Little, Brown Book / Hodder & Stoughton).

Carrie by Stephen King is on this list as well (#101) but it is still being published.

Also noticed the separate parts of Kristin Lavransdatter, The Wreath (#71), The Wife (#87), The Cross (#77), but those are still in print too.

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message 37: by Misfit (new)

Sep 14, 2015 01:58AM

Edit away, I ran out of time yesterday. We are making progress.

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message 38: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (new)

Sep 14, 2015 02:15AM

Misfit wrote: "Edit away, I ran out of time yesterday. We are making progress."

All gone ;-)

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message 39: by Misfit (new)

Sep 14, 2015 02:30AM

Booklovinglady wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Edit away, I ran out of time yesterday. We are making progress."

All gone ;-)"

Making progress. There are still some books that aren't historical still to be pruned, but that will take time and research. I'm going back to bed now :)

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message 40: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 14, 2015 02:36AM) (new)

Sep 14, 2015 02:35AM

Misfit wrote: "..."

It's only end of the morning here :-) but I have to go out later on though.

I'll also remove Quo Vadis, as it is still very much in print.

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message 41: by Misfit (new)

Sep 14, 2015 03:39AM

4AM here. Still trying to get back to sleep :/

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message 42: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (new)

Sep 14, 2015 04:05AM

Misfit wrote: "4AM here. Still trying to get back to sleep :/"

Hope that won't happen to me tonight, as I'm working tomorrow ;-)

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message 43: by Misfit (new)

Sep 14, 2015 04:26AM

Still no luck :/

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message 44: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (new)

Sep 14, 2015 04:27AM

Misfit wrote: "Still no luck :/"

Oh poor you.. :-(

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message 45: by Misfit (new)

Sep 14, 2015 04:52AM

*nods*

One hour left to try.

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message 46: by starryskies (last edited Sep 15, 2015 06:58PM) (new)

Sep 15, 2015 06:54PM

I absolutely adore this list! Just started the Far Pavilions after hunting it down through second hand bookstores and am just adoring it so far. Can't wait to work my way through!

Edit: So I just saw the edits, and I honestly think it's unfortunate that so many of the books that did not fit the criteria were removed, the list introduced me to many so called "well known" titles that I had never heard of before and was excited to try! Thank you for recording any edits you made, I'll look through them first i think.

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message 47: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 15, 2015 10:42PM) (new)

Sep 15, 2015 10:42PM

starryskies wrote: "Thank you for recording any edits you made, I'll look through them first i think. ..."

I always mention links to books I deleted, and I know several other librarians do too :-)

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message 48: by Steven (new)

Dec 16, 2015 11:38AM

Great list, thank you for creating and posting it.

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message 49: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Feb 17, 2017 12:27AM) (new)

Feb 17, 2017 12:14AM

Georgette Heyer's books are unfortunately out of print in a Dutch translation, and have been out of print for a long time (and only 12 or so were translated in the past anyway).

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message 50: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Feb 17, 2017 12:26AM) (new)

Feb 17, 2017 12:17AM

I Capture the Castle (#11 ) was not an historical novel at the time of publication. Neither were To Kill a Mockingbird (#48), East of Eden (#74), Of Mice and Men (#98) and several others. Not even to mention the fact that they can hardly be called 'a newly discovered treasure'.... (and the description does say "Looking for something old that could be a newly discovered treasure?")

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