Clean,Non Religious-Reads discussion

I really love historical fiction,especially about settling the west[America],but I am also interested in historical fiction of other countries.

I have read many,many hf books that were inspirational/Christian and would like some by secular authors,any suggestions?

Tell me more about what you like to read, if you like fantasy, mysteries, romance, etc.? Are you into classics like Little Women or Pride and Prejudice?

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I read mostly historical fiction, largely Regency Romances but some others too. I'm not really into the West right now but as a child I was so sometimes I pick up a new YA novel set in that part of the country.

I pretty much like 'all' genres,including nonfiction!

Do not read space operas or other world stuff,just cannot relate at all.Same with paranoramal romance[except ghosts and time travel situations]!

Have never read Little Women[but just got a Kindle Collection of Louisa May Alcott]but I love Jane Austen.

Funny, I'm happiest when I'm taken off planet. ;))

But seeing how history creates the future, how life repeats and the cycles in it all is also fascinating to me

Of course, have read Michener. But would lose interest when too many of the characters die off, because Michener had left them in the previous century

I enjoyed Michelle Moran's Nefertiti, which is a biographical novel of the Egyptian queen Nefertiti that is actually told the eyes of her sister Mutnodjmet. It's written for adults (vs. YA or middle-grade) and has no references to graphic sex, although lovemaking is mentioned in reference to Nefertiti's marriage with her Pharaoh husband. Religion has a place too, but it's not pervasive in the book, just an important part of the culture of Ancient Egypt. Ms. Moran has written several other novels as well, but Nefertiti is the only one of hers that I've read.

Hi Kim, I just marked Nefertiti as want to read. Thanks!

I personally have thoroughly enjoyed historical fiction books by authors whose expertise is focused upon two specific historical events.

The Alamo
'The Gates of the Alamo' by Stephen Harrigan
'Three Roads to the Alamo' by William O. Davis

The American Civil War
'Gods and Generals' by Jeff Shaara
'The Killer Angels' by Michael Shaara
'Gettysburg' by Newt Gingrich & William R. Forstchen

I just finished "Winter Garden" by Kristin Hannah and it was excellent. Very historical although sad. No sex or graphic violence.
Prepare to be deeply moved, probably to tears, while gaining much insight into human behavior and emotions due to environmental circumstances.

Hi Sandy,WELCOME to the group,and thanks for the book review.I'm sure some would enjoy it,but I make a point of avoiding 'tear-jerkers/sad' books. :]

Hello Christine,
Winter Garden is a historical account of what a family went through when Germany attacked Leningrad, Russia during WWII so it's not your typical tear-jerked. Historical events are sometimes sad but hopefully we learn from them.
And I agree, I'm not fond of typical tear-jerkers either.

Hi Sandy, I'm glad that you added that info about Winter Garden,because I have/do read books about WWII and also about the oppression of females under radical Islam,so, I don't avoid All sad subjects,and especially not if it's non fiction.Romance is the genre where I am most intolerant of ANGST.You are so right that much of historical events are sad,yet certainly do need to be told. I am now looking forward to this book by Kristin Hannah,thanks to you.

I have never read a Russian account of that war and it does sound like it would be engrossing so I have reserved it at my library.Thanks again for telling us about it and please feel free to add it to our bookshelf.

C, you really should read Little Women. However, there is a fair amount of Christianity referred to in it which might be off-putting for you.

Finding good historical fiction is very difficult as so much of it has lots of sex. Sigh. One of my favorites is Katherine by Anya Seton, which has a couple of love scenes in it, but isn't graphic by my standards.

I just finished The Greatest Knight by Elizabeth Chadwick, which I also enjoyed, but I had to skip over one particular scene.

Has anyone read Bring Up the Bodies or Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel? Wolf Hall has been made into a series on Masterpiece. I haven't dared read it yet. Medieval and Renaissance are my favorite periods to read about.

I'm interested in historical fiction, but the problem I'm having is finding some that isn't boring or nasty and gross. So far the only entertaining historical fiction I've found is Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson and I Was Jane Austen's Best Friendby Cora Harrison. The latter of which I HIGHLY recommend. I'm open to suggestions.

Becky, all of those titles except 'Bring Up The Bodies' are on my TBR list! Good choices.



The1selectioner, I loved Edenbrooke!

You might also enjoy~












Remarkable Historical Fiction

Historical fiction that just draws you into the past. Christian-fiction, or at least CLEAN, non-gross books.

https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/3...

Other then The Help, I have not heard of these books. I'll be sure to check them out. Thanks again, C.

The1selectioner wrote: "Other then The Help, I have not heard of these books. I'll be sure to check them out. Thanks again, C."

You are most welcome. Those are actually Historical 'Romance'. That's why I included The Help and the link for more traditional historical fiction.

I totally forgot to mention the Master and Commander books by Patrick O'Brien. Absolutely fantastic (which is why they made a movie out of some of them). Excellent writing and gripping stories. Absolutely superb historical fiction.

Robert Harris is an exceptional author and I have really liked every book he has written, my favorite being Act of Oblivion.