Historical Fictionistas discussion

Welcome 2014 and new Historical Fictionistas!!

Here's a spot for introductions.
Please read our Group Rules --- we take them seriously.

Recommendations have their own separate folder, so check out that section (click on folder name to view all the threads)

Hi, I'm Jen. Relatively new to Goodreads.

With a full time job & 3 small children, I could never seem to find the time to read. I went through a multi-year spell of reading NOTHING.

But last year, I started back up with a vengeance & read 22 books in 9 months. I also discovered that I LOVE Historical Fiction, and just history books in general.

I'm liking this group so far! I found some GREAT recommendations already, and I'm looking forward to reading LOTS more awesome books! :)

Hi everyone. My name is M. Gary (go by my middle name). I read everything I can get my eyes on. In particular, History is 1 of my favorite topics. I truly enjoy all authors, especially Ambrose, Atkinson, Foote, Shara (father & son), McCullough, Follete, Liss - to just name a few. I just read Monuments Men, for which I was a bit disappointed. That's it for now, I look forward in the exchange of information, opinions & feedback from this group.

Hi everyone!

My name is Elizabeth, I just recently graduated from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) with my BA in Art History. I am hoping to get my MA in Military History, but being an Air Force wife doesn't really allow me to go back to school just yet. I've had an account with Goodreads for a while now, but I plan on using it more and more. One of my New Year's Resolutions is to read 50+ books in 2014. I am currently reading The Pillars of the Earth, and I cannot put it down!

I am in the process of writing my first book! It's historical fiction set in France during WW2. I enjoy writing, but since I am so overwhelmed with the process I am hoping to find some good advice here and there. I look forward to this group and how it will help me! :)

Hello! My name is Mara and I live in eastern Washington with my 4 year old daughter (and 2 cats, a dog, and 16 chickens lol). I spend a lot of time reading and my favorite genres are historical fiction, fantasy, post apocalyptic fiction, and thriller. I love audio books especially, but always have my Kindle with me.

I look forward to participating in the discussions here and getting book recommendations :-).

Elizabeth wrote: "Hi everyone!

My name is Elizabeth, I just recently graduated from the University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) with my BA in Art History. I am hoping to get my MA in Military History, but being ..."

The Pillars of the Earth is a great book! I'm listening to Fall of Giants by the same author. It's good, but I prefer more ancient historical fiction.

I will have to check out that book as well. What's your favorite (or top 5) ancient historical fiction books?

Hello!
My name is Wendy and I am fairly new to goodreads. I have really appreciated the reviews which have led to so many great historical fiction and mystery books. I am a nurse and current in graduate school to become a family nurse practitioner. Just a few semesters to go! But, not much time to read so have been trying to catch up during winter break. I live in Des Moines, Iowa.

Elizabeth wrote: "I will have to check out that book as well. What's your favorite (or top 5) ancient historical fiction books?"

I think I meant that I preferred Pillars of the Earth to Fall of Giants, but one of my favorite series is The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell. The books start with The Last Kingdom and follow the Danish /viking conquer of England.

I just joined this group last week, and today is really the first day that I have had time to look at all the listings. I feel like more of 2014 member than a 2013 member.

I do love historical fiction, have for quite some time, and enjoy finding groups that provide so much fodder for my TBR list! This past year, I was able to read more than 75 books - working night shift and then being laid-up with a broken knee-cap. I think changes are in the wind so I'm scaling back this year.

Love Bernard Cornwell and Colin Falconer. How have I missed Ken Follett and Diana Gabaldon - I will rectify that this year! There are truly some great contributors to this genre! Will be looking into the HFU. Terri - forgive me for this: once in a while, I will pick up a "bodice-ripper".

I am very excited to be a part of this group. Wishing all a happy and enjoyable 2014.

Hi! My name is Kristen and I look forward to getting some suggestions on new books, old books and in-between books that I never got around to checking out here. Part of why I'm getting more active on Good Reads is because I just started a book club podcast with my brother, and I have to make sure to stay on top of what's out there a little better! If you'd like to check it out you can here:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
The most recent book we cover is Life After Life by Kate Atkinson, which is set from World War I through World War II in Britain, so if you've read it please feel free to listen! We go on tangents and get off topic just as I'd imagine a "real" book club does, but we still talk plenty about our likes and dislikes so it should be fun and maybe help you notice things you hadn't before. Thanks, look forward to hanging around :)

Hi, everyone! I am a SAHM whose youngest child just started school in August. I am very excited to have more time to read and stumbled across Goodreads and this group more by coincidence than anything else. I have jumped in with both feet and am playing Readopoly and also reading the January group pick The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great.
I also read a great deal of YA to keep up with what my 9 year old is reading and also so that he may know the joy of discussing a well loved book.
I look forward to getting to know everyone better and getting back to my love of reading!

I've been on Goodreads a while using it for my own purposes to track the books I've read and want to read. Would like to use it more now to chat with other readers and as I love historical fiction this seems like a good places to start!
Was very interested to see a group of Dissolution as I just read that over Christmas - wasn't very impressed but think I will continue with the series seeing people's comments.

Haven't quite got my head around how the group works yet but looking forward getting more involved.

Hello Everyone

Hi all. I'm new to Goodreads. My favorite historical fiction authors are Alison Weir, Phillipa Gregory, Michael Phillips, John Jakes, and Alice Walker.

Hi, just want to send a warm welcome to all the newbies :)

Hi Eveveryone,
I'm Karen. I have been a member of Goodreads for several years now, but I am new to this group. I have been reading historical novels forever! I started with Jean Plaidy, Philippa Carr, Victoria Holt when I was a teenager and moved on from there. I still enjoy the historical romance novels, but enjoy them more when you can tell they are truly "historical" and not just a story with modern language and no "history".
I've enjoyed John Jakes, Ken Follett and because of Diana Gabaldon, love the time travel books.
I am currently reading the January book choice The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great.

What a relief to see this post!

Hello, I'm Jenna and practically brand spanking new with Goodreads but am definitely enjoying everything about this website. I am trying to learn my way around and would like to add "friends" to keep up with what my fellow historical literary readers are saying but I am not sure how or the etiquette for adding people. So..if anyone would like to add me, I would be thrilled to follow what everyone is ready and reviewing. Thanks!!

Hi, I'm Kasi. I've been reading historical fiction for a few years. It started with Innocent Traitor by Alison Weir and my love for Tudor history and all historical fiction began. I also read war fiction and historical fiction. I'm somewhat obsessed with that genre.

I'm hoping to get some great rec's for books here. My friends that are on Goodreads don't read the type of books I do so I can't get recommendations from them.

Oops I meant I read war non-fiction.

Hi, I'm Lisa, and my favorite authors of this genre are Tracy Chevalier, Philippa Gregory, Hilary Mantel. I've recently read books by Julie Baumgold (The Diamond), David Ebershoff (The 19th Wife) and Suzanne Joinson (The Lady Cyclist's Guide to Kashgar) and Ruth Downie that I really enjoyed. I like all time periods but the Middle Ages, Roman Britain and the 19th century seem to be my favorites. I work as a respiratory therapist, and am a voracious reader.

Hi I'm Angela, I'm not new to Goodreads but have never introduced myself.
As with a lot of other reader, I'm a wife, mother & grand mother (6 littlies).
My favorite author is "Diana Gabaldon", & love historical fiction/historical romance, of these I've several favorites "Susan Higginbotham, Susann Kearsley,Barbara Erskine to name a few.
I'm currently getting into audio books & would be interested in any recommendations.
I work in the eye health industry & enjoy spending time with my family, walking, watching "Game of Thrones", Borgia's & lately "The White Queen".

Hello all! I work full-time, lead Bible study for high school kids AND I try and read as much as possible! I'm excited to add more great books to my list!

Guten tag! I'm Emma, and I'm an author, musician (violin and piano - played Carnegie Hall last year!), student (I can speak Italian, and some German... barely), and reader. I love historical fiction - it inspires me to write (just look at some of the writing on my page...). My favorite book so far is Signora da Vinci by Robin Maxwell. I'm currently reading New York by Edward Rutherford.

I'm Steve.
I'm English but have lived and worked in Denmark these last ten years. I was in Advertising in the UK, I now work in a Hospital over here, in Aarhus, Jylland.
I read (mostly) what could be classed as historical fiction. Different periods from Romans and Greeks to second world war. I read in English, it's quicker and the books I want to read have mostly not come out in Denmark. And books written originally in English loose something in translation I find. And books here in Denmark are prohibitively expensive - if you're used to paying in £sd.
There you have it.
Oh, currently enjoying very much.

I'm a long-time Goodreads user and happy to find a group focusing on my favorite genre. I joined this group to see what others are saying and well mainly because I want to describe myself using the term Historical Fictionista!

I also enjoy other genre but my more recent favorite HF reads were Moriarty The Chaperone, Benjamin The Aviator's Wife, Chiaverini Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker, Gabaldon Outlander, and Kline Orphan Train.

I'm currently enjoying Shapiro The Art Forger.

Toi Scott wrote: "Hi, everyone! I am a SAHM whose youngest child just started school in August. I am very excited to have more time to read and stumbled across Goodreads and this group more by coincidence than any..."

Welcome! I'm new to this group but not to Goodreads. I love Goodreads for finding book ideas. I also love this way of keeping track of my own reading and finding out what others say about books I've read. Have fun! What's "Readopoly"?

Welcome, Nancy! Readopoly is our reading challenge- monopoly with a literary twist. You can find details here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Hey there! I'm Hailey. I'm brand new to Goodreads, just joined this morning. From what I've seen and heard I am in love with it here already! I enjoy WWII-era historical fiction, and good suggestions?

Hailey, have you read The Book Thief or Sarah's Key. Both take place during WWll and favorites of mine.

Karen, I have read and loved both. I just finished Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire, which were great as well. I fear I come close to having read all there is to read on the topic!

Hi Everyone,
I'm Angela and I have been a member of Goodreads for several years but only started to get involved in groups this past year . I find myself reading more and more historical fiction and thought that this group would be of interest to me . Looking forward to joining in on the discussions .

Hi Hailey, we have a Recommendations folder where you can probably find more on WWII: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group.... I thought there was a thread in there somewhere for WWII, but if you can't find what you're looking for feel free to open up a thread.

Not sure how you feel about having some romance in your HF, but Losing Julia, Scent of Triumph and Letters from Skye were all really good.

Jackie, thank you very much, I'm still figuring out how this works.

No problem! I actually found the thread for you: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Nancy wrote: "I'm currently enjoying Shapiro The Art Forger."

Loved The Art Forger. My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Welcome to all new members!

Hi,

My name is Andrew and I am relatively new to Goodreads. I am an avid reader of historical military adventure, with a special interest in the crusades, Napoleonic War and the First World War. I really appreciate a good review -- almost as much as a good novel (Ok -- not really). Looking forward to chatting with other lovers of historical fiction.

Hello all Historical Fictionistas. This is my second life on Goodreads and I will be taking slow careful steps. I am a less avid reader now than in the past. I have found I have less time and inclination to read since I became a full-time novelist seven years ago. I have several works in the historical fiction genre and have always read in the genre. I look forward to finding inspiration in this group.
Warm regards to all, David Rory O'Nell.

Hailey wrote: "Hey there! I'm Hailey. I'm brand new to Goodreads, just joined this morning. From what I've seen and heard I am in love with it here already! I enjoy WWII-era historical fiction, and good suggestions?"

I absolutely loved Those Who Save Us!

My name is Sunny. I live in a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona. I work full time and my kids are "grown and gone" so I have some free time to read. I have discovered audio books which are a fantastic way to read (listen) books. I love historical fiction of different genres. I've read books by Ken Follett, John Jakes and Christian fiction writers such as Lauraine Snelling, Francine Rivers, Judith Pella and Gilbert Morris.
I look forward to hearing what others are reading.

Kasi, my interest in the Tudors began when they showed up on my family tree.

I'm Eliot Baker. I'm an author. My debut novel, The Last Ancient, came out in December. I love reading different genres, from literary and historical to horror and fantasy. My book reflects that spectrum of interest. Mika Waltari is perhaps my favorite historical fiction author (although I kind of put George RR Martin in as a historical fiction author, too, as per his request). I also love discussing and reviewing books. Books that I enjoy, that is. I prefer not to slam books. Unless I find something egregious about it, like saying the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor or Spartacus was handy with a pistol or something like that.

Hello to all, I have been an avid historical fiction reader growing up and am trying to get back in to reading them again. I am 59 years old, 3 married children, 3 grandchildren, and currently I stay at home helping my husband start his business and also I am very active in our church. But, my favorite thing to do is READ! I look forward to great discussions and to find new books to read. I was looking under authors of historical fiction and found the following names: Michelle Moran, Kate Moran, Anita Diamant,Diana Gabaldon, and Edward Ruterford...any comments or suggestions would be appreaciated. I really enjoy celtic and/or Norwegian based historical fiction. Thanks again!

Michelle wrote: "Hello to all, I have been an avid historical fiction reader growing up and am trying to get back in to reading them again. I am 59 years old, 3 married children, 3 grandchildren, and currently I ..."

Hi Michelle,

If you haven't read Mika Walteri's, "Sinuhe the Egyptian" I would strongly recommend that title. It's a classic. The Liz Taylor movie wasn't so hot, but the book is outstanding. As for new stuff, Wolf Hall and Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel, concerning England during the reign of Henry VIII, are incredibly well written. She's sort of the darling of critics now, and deservedly so. I don't have a great Norwegian/Celtic title for you (read Braveheart before it became a movie, and the movie was frankly much better), although I believe the Finnish Waltari did some Viking-themed stuff. I did read a short story by him that was really cool concerning vikings, even though he wrote it as a teenager. (I live in Finland, BTW)

Hello history lovers, My name is Staci. I am so excited to be in this group! I have been reading history my entire life (which is now over 40 years :)). I am a high school and college history teacher with a BA and MA in history. Even if I had no degrees and didn't teach it I would still love reading and studying history. As a teacher I have been editing writing for almost 20 years and I love it. I am interested in Beta-reading and also editing. Right now I am a Beta-reader for Fantasy Fiction and Romance but my first love is Historical Fiction. If anyone is looking for a Beta-reader, proofreader, or editor let me know and I'd be honored to help you!

Hey, fictionistas

Kit here, new member, bookworm, wandering around feeling a wee bit lost but also excited about exploring goodreads' many nooks and crannies.

Favourite historical novel; Ancient Evenings by Norman Mailer.

But is it historical, being mostly grounded in the ancient Egypt of the pharoahs and possibly not so much based on solid fact? Any thoughts?

I have just joined this group and would like to introduce myself. My name is Rex Owens and I have two passions: history and writing. I've combined these and recently published my debut novel, Murphy's Troubles. I also subscribe to The Historical Novels Review magazine which is very interesting but not interactive.

I am looking forward to participating in lively and informed discussions of historical fiction.

Kit wrote: "...Favourite historical novel; Ancient Evenings by Norman Mailer.

But is it historical..."

Hello Kit. I loved and hated Ancient Evenings recently. I thought I had gone to hf heaven, for four hundred pages. The writing!!! Oh the writing!!! It's definitely hf from where I stand, but I am not the strictest on definitions.

Hi everyone. My name is Dominique and I live in Australia. I've been a Goodreads member for a while, but have just recently become a Goodreads author with the forthcoming publication of my book. I read across all genres, but my favourite is historical fiction. I've just finished reading The Book Thief and am currently reading Hitler's Furies: German Women in the Nazi Killing Fields.

Michelle wrote: "Hello to all, I have been an avid historical fiction reader growing up and am trying to get back in to reading them again. I am 59 years old, 3 married children, 3 grandchildren, and currently I ..."
Hi Michele, Have you read Burial Rites by Australian author Hannah Kent? It's based on a true story, and set in Iceland in the 1820s, not Norway, but you might enjoy it.