Cedar Falls Public Library discussion

Since historical fiction won the poll we'll be discussing historical fiction in November. Read a historical fiction book that you haven't read before and tell us what you think of it.

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett - Since I've been working on indexing WWI Service League cards from war bond drives in Waterloo, Iowa, I am interested in books telling of that era. This is an excellent book telling of the onset of WWI from British, German, and Russian perspectives. The family life is portrayed for each country with the thoughts of people from various classes in each locality.

That sounds good Ruth. I like that it is told from all the different perspectives.

Just finished reading "My Name is Mary Sutter" by Robin Oliveira. In this stunning historical novel, Mary Sutter is a brilliant, headstrong midwife from Albany, New York, who dreams of becoming a surgeon. Takes us through the difficulty of treating wounds and disease on the battlefields of the Civil War from the first battle at Bull Run to the Antietam.

Great! I read "My name is Mary Sutter" a while back. It was one of those books where I learned a lot about what it was like living during the civil war. I wish I learned more of these kinds of things in school besides just the dates.

I also learned a lot about the Civil War period and I thought I was pretty knowledgeable.

Wow. It would be great if there was a way to incorporate books like "My name is Mary Sutter" in the curriculum. I know there is only so much time and they have several subjects they need to cover.

My new historical fiction is "The Nightingale" by Kristen Hannah. I really enjoyed it. It takes place during World War II in France. It is about the experiences of two sisters. One who stays in her home and ends up having a German soldier billet with her and the other is part of the rebellion. I learned a lot about what it was like living in France at the time.

I just finished Jackaby, which is YA historical fiction/fantasy. Jackaby is a detective in 19th century America, and has the gift of seeing supernatural creatures the rest of us don't notice (fairies, ghosts, demons). Abigail Rook is a young woman looking for adventure as well as a job and a home, and she becomes Jackaby's assistant. Great for young readers who enjoy Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who, as well as mysteries and fantasy.

I just completed Miss Hazel and the Rosa Parks League. I was a little slow getting into it, but enjoyed the intricate interactions between the characters, Hazel and Vida. With the recent news of racial tensions of the past week, this book brought out some of the trials in the early Civil Rights period of the 60's.

Also this week I finished reading Pillars of the Earth. I don't often enjoy reading novels of the 1100s, but did enjoy this although it was a little heavy when it details the battles, etc.

"Jackaby" sounds interesting. I like to mix up my genres sometimes.
Wow Ruth. You are on a roll! My daughter did a multi-genre project last year on the civil rights movement. This summer we went to Dearborn and saw and sat in the bus Rosa Parks sat in. I think she would especially be interested in reading it.
I don't think I've read anything that takes place earlier than the 1700s.

I also read The Nightingale and My Name is Mary Sutter recently. I enjoyed them both. What really struck me was the bravery shown by the two women. Don't know that I could have done that. Well--I KNOW I couldn't have. The detailed descriptions of the medical procedures during the Civil War were startling, and sad. I also recently read Flight of the Sparrow, by Amy Belding Brown. 1676, Massachusetts Bay Society, a group of women and children attached and taken captive by native Americans. Again--bravery, and the harsh reality of what life was like versus what I enjoy now. Very interesting.

Just finished reading "Carolina Gold' by Dorothy Love. Brings out the trials, resiliency and adaptation of women in the South following the Civil War. Some of the discussions were voting rights for the Negroes vs. voting rights for women.

Sheryl, all three of the books you read makes you ponder what you would do in that situation. I wonder if I would rise to the occasion or not. Sometimes I think I would, but mostly I don't think I would.
Ruth, it is interesting that they were discussing voting rights that long before it actually happened.