Casual Readers discussion

It has been years since I've read anything in this genre. I take spells where I get hooked on a couple of genres for a while and then flip to something else. Anyone reading any Historical Fiction?

I really enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth a LOT!

Will need to check it out Dustin. Thanks for the suggestion!

You're most welcome.:) There's also a loose sequel (I say loose because it's set roughly 200 years after Pillars,) called World Without End. I haven't read it yet, though.

I love this genre. I have not read a whole lot of it, though. My favorites are Ken Follet and Bernard Corwell. I recently scored the whole Aubrey/Maturin, series by Patrick O'Brian and the first audiobook in the series, Master and Commander, so I'll be checking that out soon.

Dustin wrote: "You're most welcome.:) There's also a loose sequel (I say loose because it's set roughly 200 years after Pillars,) called World Without End. I haven't read it yet, though."
It's a good read as well, but it's wise to leave some space between reading the two, I read them both in a 6 month period and I think World without end suffered a bit in comparison

Sharon wrote: "Dustin wrote: "You're most welcome.:) There's also a loose sequel (I say loose because it's set roughly 200 years after Pillars,) called World Without End. I haven't read it yet, though."
It's a go..."

I think that's wise advise, Sharon. But not to worry, it's been a good 2-3 years since I read Pillars, and I've no idea when I'll get to World Without End.:)

Cindy I will be reading Fall of Giants I hope this year. Not my normal genre but I wanna try branching out a bit from my comfort zone of reading.

Janie wrote: "Cindy I will be reading Fall of Giants I hope this year. Not my normal genre but I wanna try branching out a bit from my comfort zone of reading."

It's really good, Janie. I think you'll like it.

Janie wrote: "Cindy I will be reading Fall of Giants I hope this year. Not my normal genre but I wanna try branching out a bit from my comfort zone of reading."

Been thinking about that too... saw it on the bookshelves in a couple of stores on my quest to find As I Lay Dying and thought I must put it on my to read shelf

Janie wrote: "Cindy I will be reading Fall of Giants I hope this year. Not my normal genre but I wanna try branching out a bit from my comfort zone of reading."

Janie- how wonderful to have you with us!!:)

Sharon & Chuck, it sounds interesting and will be a big deal for me to tackle it. I am so not a historical fiction kind of person at all.

Thanks Dustin! I felt as though I was letting Cindy down not joining and I figured most of my GR pals are here anyway lol so why not.

I'm really digging this group a lot!!

I am glad Dustin I think it is a great idea for a group. That is how stuff grows, from an Idea!

I like the laid back pace of it, you know? Some groups almost seem like they're in too much of a hurry to actually enjoy the book.

Yea laid back is always so nice. It is why I don't worry to much about how many members I have. I also try to base our buddy reads on however long everyone wants to read for. I realize that everyone reads at their own pace. So if I finish ahead of time that is fine. I am in no hurry unless of course the book is superb and I can't help myself.

Janie wrote: "Yea laid back is always so nice. It is why I don't worry to much about how many members I have. I also try to base our buddy reads on however long everyone wants to read for. I realize that everyon..."

Yes, your group is also very awesome and laid back. It's a favorite of mine, for sure!

Thanks Dustin! I have great members! I think Cindy's group will do great! Such n awesome idea too.

I think she'll do very well, too! Very awesome, indeed. You are so very welcome!

Dustin wrote: "I'm really digging this group a lot!!"

Me too Dustin! For it to be a really new group, it is going really well. Loving all the discussions!

Yes, I'm loving the immediate embrace and love everyone's shown your group, Cindy!!

OMG, I can't believe that I (or anyone else) has not mentioned 11/22/63, which I do consider as historical fiction.

Dustin wrote: "OMG, I can't believe that I (or anyone else) has not mentioned 11/22/63..."

Probably because It has a supernatural element to it.

Dustin wrote: "OMG, I can't believe that I (or anyone else) has not mentioned 11/22/63, which I do consider as historical fiction."


Did you know about this?
http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/j-j-a...

Chuck wrote: "Dustin wrote: "OMG, I can't believe that I (or anyone else) has not mentioned 11/22/63, which I do consider as historical fiction."


Did you know about this?
http://www.deadline.com/2013/04/j-j-ab..."

Yes, the mini-series premiered last week.

Dustin wrote: "
Yes, the mini-series premiered last week. "

You think? That's news to me. I didn't even know they had filmed 11/22/63 yet.

I'm not sure how I feel about this..

I hadn't considered 11/22/63 as historical fiction either... I guess my mind pegged it squarely in the fantasy camp! And didn't know about the mini series either...no whisper of it here in Australia yet...that I've heard of at any rate!

I haven't seen the series, and judging by all the changes that have apparently been made, I'm not sure I want to anymore.

How do you guys feel about The Matthew Corbett books from Robert McCammon as historical fiction? Also Erik Larson, author of In the Garden of Beasts and Devil in the White City.

Michelle wrote: "How do you guys feel about The Matthew Corbett books from Robert McCammon as historical fiction? Also Erik Larson, author of In the Garden of Beasts and Devil in the White City."

I just read the first one and I thought it was kick ass. His best for sure. I'm not sure it's all that historical though.

Hi Chuck,

True, I can see how the Matthew Corbett books aren't all that historical but I look and the way he uses the development of the towns and cities ... New York and Boston and that's where I get the historical feel from the books.

Michelle wrote: "How do you guys feel about The Matthew Corbett books from Robert McCammon as historical fiction? Also Erik Larson, author of In the Garden of Beasts and Devil in the White City."

Hi Michelle,

I read Devil in the White City, and loved it. Having read that got me interested more not only in Holmes, but especially the White City. I'm looking for a good book that talks about that World's Fair, and has pictures of this amazing place. Erik Larson is an amazing author, I have a couple of his books, and I've haven't been disappointed.

Greetings, all. I haven't posted here before, but historical fiction is my favourite genre to read. I haven't ever tackled a Follett book, mainly because their sheer size puts me off! I don't have nearly enough time to read, so books as big as his will have to wait.

I'm currently devouring the awesome Christian Cameron's Tyrant: Destroyer Of Cities. It's the fifth in his Tyrant series, set in the 4th century Greek-speaking world. Anyone who hasn't read him needs to start, IMO. He's one of the finest HF authors around.

Best wishes - Ben

Thanks a lot, Ben. I'm always looking for a good book. You really should check out Follet if you get a chance. Bernard Cornwell as well.

Hi Chuck. I'm already a fan of Bernard Cornwell - he's a great writer. Follett will have to wait until my kids have grown up, I think!

Have you tried Eagle in the Snow by Wallace Breem? It's supposed to have been some of the basis for the film Gladiator, although I never saw how. However, it's an absolutely amazing read. One of my top ten historical fiction reads.

For a second I thought I may have heard of it just last month, but it was this one I was thinking of: . Have you read anything from this guy?

Yes, I've read the first four or five of the series. They're pretty good. There are about ten or eleven of them now, following a pair of centurions from the invasion of Britain onwards.

Other good Roman novels include ones by Harry Sidebottom, Anthony Riches, or Douglas Jackson.

I should declare at this stage that I also write that type of novel...(prepares to evacuate stage if necessary).

Oh wow, really? That's awesome! What have you written?

Thank you for asking. I know how GR groups can be plagued with authors trying to promote their work, so I never like to do so unless asked.

I've written a trilogy, starting with The Forgotten Legion, my debut novel.

Also Hannibal: Enemy of Rome and a sequel, Fields of Blood. Two parts of a five/six part series.

Spartacus: The Gladiator and Spartacus: Rebellion, a duology telling Spartacus' story.

My most recent five have been Top Ten Bestsellers here in the UK, and I'm published in 8/9 countries, including the States. However, I'm not that well-known in the USA.

Again, thanks for asking, Chuck. - Ben.

And, if people are looking for some kickass historical fiction, they could try the fast-paced, bloody Viking novels by Giles Kristian and also Robert Low. Both have very different styles, but they're absolutely great reads.

Awesome man, you're bonafide! I will definitely be checking them out.

That's very kind, Chuck. If you do, I hope you enjoy them. Try to get to some Cameron and Kristian too, if you can...

Oh, yeah me too, cause I will definitely check it out, lol. Thanks for the recommendations and stop by and holler at us whenever you can, everyone here is really cool.

Thanks a lot - I will do, time permitting...

(Later) posted on the 'What I'm reading thread'...

It's great to hear from you Ben! I have read very little historical fiction from the time period you are talking about, and you've made some really interesting recommendations. Hope to hear more from you as you have time!

Thanks, Rick!

I got and read your Spartacus books Ben. In thought they were fantastic. I love books from that time, I've got your Hannibal one as well but haven't got round to reading it yet.

I read this a while back I got an ARC copy. The book is "Mayhem (Mayhem #1)"by Sarah Pinborough. It was good. And "Buried Appearances" by D.E. Haggerty was REALLY good. So good I contacted her to do an interview! Nothing is in order (I am working on it) but you can see my review of both books and the interview of D.E. Haggerty on my blog http://Mismatchedbookends.com. I guess you can read my reviews here too lol! Well either way you have some people to help you out. I hope you find one you enjoy.

Many thanks, Angie! I'm so pleased you enjoyed them.