The History Book Club discussion

Here is your new thread for 2014. Happy reading!

Thanks, Jill!

Glad you are participating, Teri. Be sure and read the introduction to Books in 2014 to be sure you are familiar with the format.

JANUARY

1.byNelson Johnson
Finish date: January 14, 2014
Genre: US/New Jersey History
Rating: B+
Review: HBO's Nucky Thompson is based on the real life character Enoch "Nucky" Johnson as related in Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City by Nelson Johnson. Johnson takes the reader on a journey of Atlantic City from the time it was a deserted, worthless beach through its high times, low times and "Donald" times.

I thought the book was slow to start, but then again, reading about an empty beachfront in Jersey isn't all that appealing. Once the mob got involved it became an interesting story of the high and low times of Atlantic City.

I was wondering about this book, thanks for the review.

You bet! BTW, were you the one that was asking about the Kindle Paperwhite in another thread? Did you get and if so, do you like it? I love mine!

Yep, I think that was me. I love mine, too. It is great.

Awesome! :-D

Teri wrote: "

JANUARY
1.byNelson Johnson

Finish date: January 14,..."

I read this book last year and really liked it. It is a good one for anyone's TBR list.

2.byColleen McCullough
Finish date: January 19, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: The final saga of Colleen McCullough's Masters of Rome series is Antony and Cleopatra. The story chronicles the time period of 41 BC to 27 BC in
Rome and Egypt. Julius Caesar has died leaving Cleopatra and his son Caesarian to ruling Egypt and Octavian and Antony are fighting for the Roman throne. Cleopatra also has designs on the throne for her son, Julius' heir. Love, sex, conspiracy and war.

I was excited to read this book before I realized it was the last of a series, and one I had not read. I thought it did well, standing on its own, but now I would like to read the whole series. I think it would have helped keep my interest at the beginning more, but ultimately I was sucked into the story. I didn't get that Antony and Cleopatra was such a great love story, as I had always thought the case. They used each other and by the time they realized they really loved each other, they did themselves in. It's just a reminder that in life it's better to make love not war.

3.bySue Monk Kidd
Finish date: January 23, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: You may think this is just another story of the South in 19th century America dealing with slavery and abolition, but The Invention of Wings adds the element of a real life character Sarah Grimke and other abolition/women's rights pioneers. Sue Monk Kidd centers her latest novel on Grimke and her childhood slave/friend Hetty (aka Handful) and the struggles each face fighting against slavery. Each is hopelessly enslaved in different ways, trying to find their way out. They are trying to find their wings to fly away from their bonds.

I enjoyed this latest novel of Kidd's. Not as powerful as Secret Life of Bees, but is still a strong story based in part on real people and events. I love historical fiction and when it involves events that actually happened, I tend to want to further my knowledge and research the actual events/people. Grimke and her sister were certainly pioneers for both abolition and women's rights. Very thankful for breaking their bonds and inventing their wings.

bySue Monk Kidd

Teri wrote: "

3.bySue Monk Kidd

Finish date: January 23, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+

Review: You may t..."

That sounds good, Teri. Both the subject matter and era appeal to me.

4.bySusan Wittig Albert
Finish date: January 27, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: Susan Wittig Albert's A Wilder Rose is an interesting history of the often tumultuous relationship between Laura Ingalls Wilder and her daughter Rose Wilder Lane. Part fact and part fiction, Albert's story spans from the mid-1920s to Wilder's death in 1968 and surmises that Lane was basically the ghostwriter for her mother's Little House stories (Little House in the Big Woods). Don't expect the sweet little "half-pint" characterized by Melissa Gilbert. You will see a whole new Laura and the wilder Rose.

I liked this story, and was slightly disappointed that my idea of Laura is a little crushed. However, I like to think I understand the real Laura and the real Rose. I also enjoyed the story because Mansfield is a mere hour from my hometown of Springfield, Missouri which is often mentioned in the book. It gave me a bit of insight into the area I grew up in, back in the early 20th century.

byLaura Ingalls Wilder

Rose Wilder Lane

Melissa Gilbert

Here are some books that may interest you:

by William Holtz - a biography of Rose that contends that she ghostwrote the series

by John E. Miller - a rebuttal to the above which contends that Rose may have edited, but the stories were Laura's

by Laura Ingalls Wilder - a collection of Laura's columns for "The Missouri Ruralist," articles for adults written before the series. It includes one called "Are You Your Children's Confidant?" which seemed like Laura's expression of regret for tension in her relationship with her daughter

Thanks, Kressel!!! I will definitely add those to my TBR pile!

5. byLaura Ingalls Wilder
Finish date: January 28, 2014
Genre: Children’s, Classics, Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: A quick re-read after reading a historical fiction book (A Wilder Rose) on Rose Wilder Lane and Laura Ingalls Wilder during the 20's and 30's. Little House in the Big Woods is still charming reading it as an adult.

I mainly wanted to re-read it along with the others and some of Rose's writing to compare styles. Assuming that Rose basically ghost wrote most of the Little House series.

bySusan Wittig Albert

Rose Wilder Lane

FEBRUARY

6.byBill O'Reilly, Martin Dugard (no photos)
Finish date: February 4, 2014
Genre: Historical
Rating: B+
Review: The latest "Killing..." book by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard is Killing Jesus: A History, and it explores the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth from a purely historical viewpoint. Like their previous booka, O'Reilly and Dugard recount the events leading up to and just after the death of a prominent historical figure. In Killing Jesus, the authors clearly bring the reader into the times of Christ giving one the understanding of the volatile times of Roman hold over Judea (among other places).

I really enjoyed this book. I had just happened to read Antony and Cleopatra by Colleen McCullough shortly before this book and I think it helped in my understanding, as I already knew the story of Antony and Octavian (aka Caesar Augustus). This book is not a religious diatribe and thoroughly puts the reader into life during the time of Jesus. I felt a better understanding of the struggles of Jews following their beliefs at the hands of their own, sometimes corrupt leaders and Roman political leaders. This book allowed you to see the human side of Jesus. I think it is a must read for history buffs as well as Christians to have a better understanding of the man from Nazareth.

byColleen McCullough

7. by Bich Minh Nguyen (no photo)
Finish date: February 17, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: What a delightful book Pioneer Girl is. Bich Minh Nguyen weaves historical facts about Rose Wilder Lane and her mother Laura Ingalls Wilder and wraps them up in a mystery that brings two cultures together in an unseemly situation. The story's main character Lee comes across a picturesque dress pin that an American woman named Rose leaves at her family's restaurant in Vietnam in 1965. Fast forward to present time and find Lee searching for the woman behind the pin. During her search, she uncovers more questions about Rose's family, but finds some answers to her own.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, as a fan of the two Wilder women I loved the books as a young girl and am still captured by the stories and the women behind them now that I am an adult. This was a fun read, but had a lot of heart and a serious message about the sometimes difficult family relationships that we all often must face.

Laura Ingalls Wilder
Rose Wilder Lane

Did you hear the author's interview on NPR?

http://www.npr.org/2014/02/09/2740754...

Between your review and her interview, this book is on my to-read shelf.

Kressel ~

I had not seen the NPR article. I did see her interview in BookPage magazine this month. A good friend got to meet her at her book signing. How fun would that be?

8.byJohn Green
Finish date: February 28, 2014
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: B-
Review: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars but in ourselves". John Green's The Fault in Our Stars follows the relationship of a young girl and a young boy who are dying of cancer. After meeting in a cancer support group, Hazel and Gus find a connection through their various places in the fight to live every extra day that they can. They contemplate their lives and their places in it, looking for answers. Hazel's greatest fear is not the pain she will experience but the pain she will inflict on others upon her death, namely her parents. She must come to terms with destiny.

I was hesitant about reading this book. I am a two time cancer survivor. I am fortunate to be in remission and have always had an excellent prognosis. What I have/had is not fatal....something else will get me long before this cancer will. However, there is always a but. There is always a chance it can come back in the form of a different cancer. That thought alone stays with you constantly, even when the oncologist says "everything looks fine". Dead cells left over from radiation and chemo still sit there. They shrink, they come back. So I knew, reading this, that there was a possibility of the ugly cry. Luckily I did not endure said ugly cry. But I did relate to the character of Hazel. I know that awful waiting for results of PET scans and trying not to think about what the results may or may not be. I delve into books and anything else to not think about it. I don't talk about it much so that others don't constantly ask "how are you doing?" I can also relate to the pain of having some wonderful news yourself and wanting to share it with your "cancer buddy" to find out that their news is not so happy. I know the feeling of wanting answers and trying to make sense of a senseless disease and knowing that no one is immune to it.

I did like the book overall despite having to re-live some of my own thoughts and fears. I had a few issues with things that no cancer patient would do (um...you would not offer an unknown child your cannula to try on) and felt the story was a bit juvenile for me, although I realize it is a YA book. I do think that the story will make a great movie and I will likely watch it, although probably at home with a box of tissue.

MARCH

9.byDiana Gabaldon
Finish date: March 5, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Rating: A
Review: Who needs Christian Grey when you have Jamie Fraser? Why go grey when you can go tartan? Diana Gabaldon brings the much loved Jamie and Claire Fraser to 1767 America in Drums of Autumn, her fourth book of the Outlander series. Jamie, Claire, young Ian and Fergus land in America, where they will build their home and attempt to gather the exiled clans of Scotland. Meanwhile, in 1970s England/Scotland, Roger and Brianna learn of their families fate and make the only decision they see possible...they go back in time to find the Frasers.

I didn't think this story disappointed in the least. This book becomes more about Roger and Brianna and less about Jamie and Claire. Actually, it is all about the relationship between father and daughter. I was not bothered by the change in focus and found this book as riveting as the others.

byDiana Gabaldon

10. by Amit Majmudar(no photo)
Finish date: March 8, 2014
Genre: Fiction
Rating: B
Review: Amit Majmudar explores the subject of familial relationships in the face of death/dying in The Abundance. Siblings Mala and Ronak grew up in mid-west America in a loving Indian home, dealing with old-fashioned parents and the occasional strained relationship between them. It is the typical story of children taking their family for granted until they they have to face the mortality of their parents. This book is less about cancer and death and more about mending and strengthening family relationships and having the chance to preserve one's heritage, even if it was something that went unappreciated for most of a lifetime.

The story takes place between Ohio and the parents home of Ahmedebad in India and is told through the mother's viewpoint as she helps to teach her daughter to cook in the old traditional Indian way. I would have liked to see some of the actual recipes that were discussed, since the book centered so much on the food.

11byJennifer Chiaverini
Finish date: March 16, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: I think a better title for Jennifer Chiaverini's latest historical fiction is Mr. Sprague's Thoroughly Annoying Playtoy instead of Mrs. Lincoln's Rival. Whereas Chiaverini did touch upon a rivalry between Kate Chase and Mary Lincoln, it did not seem to be the focal point of the story. Kate Chase was the daughter of Salmon P. Chase who was Secretary of Treasury under Lincoln, as well as Chief Justice. This story was more about the life and times of Ms. Chase acting as her father's secretary and the long and tumultuous relationship between her and her future hustand William Sprague, one-time governor of Rhode Island. Chiaverini portrays Sprague as a drunken, abusive man who likely cheated on Chase often without her knowledge. There were also hints that Chase herself was not so...well, chaste. And by the way, Mary Todd Lincoln hated her and the feeling was likely mutual.

I liked the book, although I was often annoyed with Chase and Sprague, and Salmon Chase...well, really everyone. However, the book is well written and is stated that it is a work of fiction based on real people, some characters being a mesh of two or more others. Chiaverini is very descriptive and can bring a story to life and makes you feel for the characters, whether you like them or not.

12 by Bapsi Sidhwa
Finish date: March 19, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: C
Review: Cracking India relates the events of the partition (i.e. cracking) of India and Pakistan. Bapsi Sidhwa uses the event to discuss the political and religious upheaval at the time between the different groups of India such as the Sikhs, Muslims and Christians. The central character is Lenny a young Indian girl with polio. Besides interacting with her parents and brothers, she grows close with her nanny and the men who visit her. The story also helps the reader to understand the atrocities happening during the time like violence against women and forced castration.

I didn't totally dig this book. It was interesting and brought to light the issue of violence against women, that I didn't know as much about; however, I thought the writing was sporadic, in that at times the story was very clear and other times I was a bit lost. I didn't have a clear picture of the characters or what was happening and the political debate was not completely understandable. I think this is a better book for someone that is familiar with the partition/events. I knew some of it so I was able to follow most of the story. I think if I had known nothing about events of the time I would have not liked the book at all. I suspect that it is better as a movie. Deepa Mehta related the story in the movie Earth.

13 by Ashton Lee (no photo)
Finish date: March 23, 2014
Genre: Southern Women’s Fiction
Rating: C+
Review: I have to admit that the title of Ashton Lee's debut novel The Cherry Cola Book Club intrigued me and sucked me in. The premise of the story is that the local Cherico, Mississippi librarian, Maura Beth Mayhew, is about to lose her job as the city council would rather fund a new industrial park than fund the fledgling library. Given a few months reprieve to turn things around Miz Mayhew decides to fight to the end like Scarlett trying to save Tara. Her fight comes in the form of the Cherry Cola Book Club. After rounding up a sordid cast of characters, Miz Mayhew finds friendship among the masses and strength to carry on.

This was a cute and entertaining book and a nice respite from some of the heavy books I generally read. This is not a book of substance and is quite predictable and kitschy. It is worth the read if you're looking for something a bit mindless and a bit cozy. I look forward to Lee's follow up that is soon to be released, with the hope that we see more structure and less predictability. If not, I am sure it will still be a cute read.

14 by Jhumpa Lahiri
Finish date: March 26, 2014
Genre: International/Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: What does your name say about you? Everybody has a legacy and every name has a history. Jhumpa Lahiri focuses her novel The Namesake on the Ganguli’s, a Bengalese family from Calcutta, and their journey to make a life in America. Ashoke and Ashima come to Massachusetts after their arranged marriage, starting a new life and a family. Naming their children is a tedious process and an important part of imparting their family legacy on future generations. Instead of giving their first born an Indian name or even and Americanized version of a family name, Ashoke names his son for his favorite Russian author, Gogol. Throughout the story we follow the Ganguli’s, particularly Gogol who struggles to find his way in the world as an American born Indian with a seemingly senseless name. Gogol’s life seems to follow the odd legacy that his name has placed on him.

This book shows the struggle of growing up as a first generation American to immigrant parents who struggle to maintain their heritage while conforming to a new society. Lahiri shows well how conflicted a person can be that is born and raised in America, following the culture and social norms of the country, but whose parents are expecting them to also follow their familial legacy. I found this book moving and emotional. I can only imagine how hard it is to move to a country so very different from my own. Like the Ganguli’s, I would expect to surround myself with other people from my home country. After reading this book, I realize that it likely would be harder to be the children of immigrants who really only know of the country they grew up in. Returning to the “home country” every few years for a few weeks or months really would only seem like a vacation to a foreign country and not a visit to a place that you “know”. For that generation, I can see how it might seem like you’re turning your back on your heritage when you’re really just trying to find your way in the only place you've known as home. Lahiri excellently portrays that struggle. My only really complaint is that there didn't seem to be a real defined plot line. It was more of snippets in the life of the Ganguli’s from different points of view within the family. It is a neat concept and a nice change, but I felt a bit like it left me hanging in the end with no real closure. I am anxious to watch the movie now, as it seems like many think that they movie does a better job at bringing the story full circle.

Great review, Teri

15 by Ashton Lee (no photo)
Finish date: March 28, 2014
Genre: Southern Women’s Fiction
Rating: C
Review: The Cherry Cola Book Club reconvenes in Ashton Lee’s follow up The Reading Circle. Now they’ve taken the club into the bedroom. It’s springtime in Cherico, Mississippi and it seems like everyone in the book club has marital or relationship problems. Those that are married have issues and those that are not, want to be married. The men are talking football and the girls are….concerned about the bedroom. Then there is the ongoing battle with city council to save the library led by veteran librarian Maura Beth Mayhew. This short read is another cozy conundrum about small town life in the south.

This was a cute and entertaining book and a nice respite from some of the heavy books I generally read. This is not a book of substance and is quite predictable and kitschy. It is worth the read if you're looking for something a bit mindless and a bit cozy. I enjoyed getting to know these characters a bit more, but I would have like a little less of the relationship issues. Most every couple was having a problem. I would have liked some of the struggles to be something completely different. It was still a cute read and I am starting to really enjoy the characters. It looks like Mr. Lee has another couple of volumes in the work to bring us back once again to The Cherry Cola Book Club, so I’ll definitely check back in to the Greater Cherico Library.

16 by E.M. Forster
Finish date: March 30, 2014
Genre: International/Historical Fiction
Rating: B+
Review: In 1920s Chandrapore, India during the Raj regime, British and Indians find themselves having to co-exist in a country in turmoil. E. M. Forester’s A Passage to India delves into the subject of colonizer vs. colonized. Can the British live amongst the Indians and be friends or must there be segregation between the races? This story follows several Indians, particularly Dr. Aziz and his relationships with English people that are living in India to “educate” the local citizens. They are sent to deal with the “white man’s burden” (see Rudyard Kipling). Dr. Aziz meets Mrs. Moore and her soon to be daughter-in-law Miss Adela Questal. Circumstances lead Miss Questal to falsely accuse Dr. Aziz of a horrible crime. We see relationships between the races and between friends strengthen and deteriorate throughout the ordeal.

I enjoyed this book and Forster’s prose. He is able to paint quite the picture of 1920’s India. This is a classic book that everyone should read. The only downside is that he can drag out some of the narrative, but overall it is a finely crafted story of social oppression and racism.

by Rudyard Kipling

Teri.....if you are a movie watcher, you might want to view the 1984 film version of this book. It was the last film directed by Sir David Lean and has an all star cast. I think it captures the book beautifully.

by E.M. Forster

Jill wrote: "Teri.....if you are a movie watcher, you might want to view the 1984 film version of this book. It was the last film directed by Sir David Lean and has an all star cast. I think it captures the boo..."

Thanks, Jill! I knew there was a movie so I have it on my to be watched list along with The Namesake. A Passage to India (the book) was much better than I had expected. I think I expected a long, difficult read but I thought it was well written. I look forward to watching both movies.

by E.M. Forster
by Jhumpa Lahiri

Great job as usual Teri.

This is the actual format:

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: March 2008
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

Thanks! I went through and took out the added spaces. Good to see you back and posting. I hope life is treating you good.

Bentley wrote: "Great job as usual Teri.

This is the actual format:

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by [author:Winston S. Chur..."

Well Sandy has been a challenge and I still am knee deep in alligators with that - but I thought I would relax a bit and come back to my beloved group with all my fabulous mods who have done and are doing such a great job keeping things moving.

Teri - I actually thought that you were doing quite well and I did not see anything with the spacing - looked fine to me - but just wanted to post the format since I saw it was missing in post one. Thought it would be helpful to have a reference on the thread.

Everything on your thread looks great as always and very interesting.

Just wanted to post and let you know that I was reading your reviews and enjoying your posts.

APRIL

17. by Lily Koppel
Finish date: April 4, 2014
Genre: History
Rating: B-
Review: What an amazing, yet difficult life the wives of astronauts live. I can only imagine how hard it is to enduring the stress of a spouse being away for an extended length of time, but to also know they are literally on the other side of the moon must be terrifying. Lily Koppel details the lives of these women in The Astronaut Wives Club. This was a group of women who bonded far closer than any set of military wives. They supported each other through each space flight and were there for each other through good times and bad. They dealt with paparazzi, lack of information, long waits, and cheating husbands. Not all would come out unscathed. A very interesting and candid read.

This was a fascinating read for the most part, but at times the writing seemed to be a bit juvenile. I occasionally got the women mixed up. Would have been nice to have a list of the men and their wives for each mission listed somewhere in the book for reference. Overall, it was a worthwhile read that will encourage me to read more about the early years of the US space program.

Good job, Teri.

Teri wrote: "

APRIL
17. by Lily Koppel
Finish date: April 4, 2014
Genre: History
Rating: B-
Review: What an amazi..."

I watched Lily Koppel discuss her book on C-Span. She is very young and, well, just very young, so I am not surprised by your comment about the writing, Teri. But she was so enthusiastic about her subject(s) in a way that was charming and contagious.

Lily Koppel

Teri wrote: "

APRIL
17. by Lily Koppel
Finish date: April 4, 2014
Genre: History
Rating: B-
Review: What an amazi..."

I watched Lily Koppel discuss her book on C-Span. She is very young and, well, just very young, so I am not surprised by your comment about the writing, Teri. But she was so enthusiastic about her subject(s) in a way that was charming and contagious.

That's interesting Donna. At times it seemed like it was geared toward young adults and at other times it seemed like a Master's thesis that had gone a little off tract, not sticking to the main theme. She seemed a little wishy-washy on whether or not the women got along. At times you got the impression that a lot of them didn't like each other but then at the end she wrote as if they were all very close. Despite all of that, I think it was a great read to get an understanding of what all they had to deal with and what the astronauts themselves went through. We live 3 hours from Houston so now I'm wanting to go tour Johnson Space Center.

18. by Philippa Gregory
Finish date: April 9, 2014
Genre: Young Adult/Historical Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: Philippa Gregory's third novel in the young adult Order of Darkness series is Fool's Gold. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The story follows five characters during the time of inquisition in 1454 Venice, Italy. Full of historical detail, mystery, comedy, and romance, Gregory offers readers another page turning piece of historical fiction with a look into the attitudes of lusty and greedy Venetians during Carnevale. As Luca, Frieze, Brother Peter, Isolde and Ishraq continue on their journey through Christendom, the men work toward their mission of Inquiry for the Church and the women's goal is of reaching Isolde's godfather's son. Their mission in this book has Luca and his friends looking for counterfeiters and the source behind the fools gold circulating in Italy. Luca also comes closer to finding his parents, especially his father, who he believes have been sold into slavery.

Gregory promises more characters and more detail into the Order of Darkness series. I'm thrilled to see that she is working on book four of the series. Readers should be reminded that this is a Young Adult series and not geared toward the heavy historical/romance books that most readers are expecting

19. by Alan Brennert
Finish date: April 26, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A-
Review: Step back in time and head to the Palisades Park where you can ride endless rides, listen to the Carney's bark their bally, have some cotton candy and french fries and watch the death defying feats of the high divers and human cannon ballers. Alan Brennert brings Palisades Park of yesteryear alive to the reader as we follow the Stopka family from the 1920s through the park's closing in the 70s. The reader will get to know young Toni Stopka, the young tomboy who would rather pitch softball and learn to high dive at the pool rather than wear skirts and makeup. She so badly wants to be a female high diver, but life and all it's troubles through two wars and a dysfunctional family cause the odds to stack against her. Toni is a tenacious girl who turns into a woman throughout her summers at Palisades Park.

I really enjoyed this coming of age book that is rich with historical information about the park and the New Jersey coast. After reading the author's notes at the end, the line begins to blur on what is fact and what is fiction. I'm saddened, now, that I'll never get to visit this park, but Brennert certainly brings it to life in this novel.

20. by Diana Gabaldon
Finish date: April 28, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: Oh I love me some Diana Gabaldon! The Space Between is another novella in the very popular Outlander series, giving readers a little tidbit to tied them over until her eighth installment, Written in My Own Heart's Blood is released in June. This novella follows Jamie's nephew Michael Murray who is escorting Jamie's stepdaughter, Joan, to France. Joan is joining a convent and her underlying reasoning is to get help to understand the voices in her head. The two run into Comte St. Germain the time traveling acquaintance of Claire. This novella will continue to bring clarity into the background of the Comte and the stones and hints at a future relationship between the young travelers.

As always, I enjoyed this bit of Outlander story. I actually about three books behind this story, but know enough background that it really didn't matter. Looking forward to getting caught up with the rest of the story before In My Own Heart's Blood is released.

by Diana Gabaldon

You are rolling on toward 50 books, Teri. Good job!!

MAY

21. by Diana Gabaldon
Finish date: May 28, 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Rating: A
Review: Diana Gabaldon brings us back to pre-revolution America in The Fiery Cross. In 1771, Jamie and Claire seem comfortably settled on Fraser's Ridge along with Brianna, Roger and Jemmy, as well as Jamie's extended family. The main premise of this fifth installment of the Outlander series is to marry off Jamie's aunt Jocasta to Duncan Innes and to hunt down Stephen Bonnet in hopes to make him atone for his myriad of crimes. There is one incident after another throughout the story. Poor Roger is almost killed...several times. The rest of the family should quit leaving him alone. Many nefarious characters die, while a beloved family member returns to the fold.

This is a long, long edition of the Outlander series, but I think it is worth the read. Brianna comes off much less whiny, but Roger becomes helpless. The final few chapters delve deeper into the details of the traveling stones setting the story up for more travel in future books. This story is less on romance and history and heavier on murder and mystery. I still like the books set in Europe more, but did enjoy the history on the Regulators in North Carolina.

You are making good progress, Teri!!!

Jill wrote: "You are making good progress, Teri!!!"

Thanks! Trying to keep up with an average of 1+ per week but that last one was 1000ish pages and I've been so busy with work and "life" that it took me a month to read, but it was worth it.

That is what slows down my reading too, Teri......those massive history books that I love....500+ pages or more. But they are worth it!!!

I know. I am doing better this year, but I keep reading these 700-900 page history books...what?! They are good, though. Sigh.

I alternate. One heavy history book, followed by one light fiction.