The History Book Club discussion

Samanta, here is your new thread in 2016. Happy reading in the new year.

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2016
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.

JANUARY

1. by Elizabeth Gaskell
Finish date: 06.01.2016.
Genre: Classic British literature
Rating: A-
Review: Gaskell was, in her own time, famous for tackling topics that were just not talked about. She did it in tackling the topic of poverty and lack of any rights whatsoever of the working class in the industrially developing UK in her novel North&South, and she did it here with the topic of "fallen women". I have read somewhere that, after publishing this book, even some of her friends refused to associate with her. That alone shows how sensitive the topic really was.

The story is about a 16-year old Ruth, who, early in life, lost both her parents and is now working as an apprentice to a seamstress. She meets a young man, Mr. Bellingham, of a higher social class, who sets his eyes on her and goes on a mission to get her. Ruth falls in love and while one day taking a walk with him, encounters her boss, who immediately dismisses her (just because Ruth was in a company of a man). Mr. Bellingham convinces her to come with him to Wales as his companion. They spend some time there and Mr. Bellingham falls ill. His mother takes him home, leaving Ruth behind under accusations that she seduced him. Ruth almost commits suicide, but is saved by Mr. Benson, who, along with his sister takes her under his protection. We later find out Ruth is pregnant, and that is when the real story starts.

The story spans through several years. The Benson invent a new identity for Ruth, that of a young widow, because they know she would otherwise be shunned by society. Eventually the truth is out and Ruth and her son become pariahs, but their characters and good deeds redeem them in the eyes of the unforgiving society.

This was a very dangerous topic to openly talk about back then, and I applaud Gaskell for her bravery. It was generally thought that women were always the ones who seduced the men, and they ended up being pariahs. It's really infuriating and I felt a lot of anger reading this book. At 16 and without proper guidance, you can't decide well for yourself, but at 23 (Mr. Bellingham), and being already in the world, you certainly can discern right from wrong if you want to. So, he practically destroyed her life, making her a liar, and she was accused and sentenced as the culpable one, while he went about living his life, unknown to the world as her "partner in crime". After reading this book I am so glad, I live in this day and age, where a woman can make mistakes (because we all make mistakes) and can be a single parent and be respected in the world.

by Elizabeth Gaskell

2. by Monica Murphy
Finish date: 07.01.2016.
Genre: NA Romance with a twist
Rating: A
Review: I read Monica Murphy's work before, and her work ranges from light NA romance reads to those with a slightly heavier tone. But this one was the heaviest and in my opinion her best one yet.

Katie, an "almost thirteen year old" girl is kidnapped by a man, while enjoying a day in an amusement park with her parents, sister and friend. For three days, she is chained in the shed, while he comes and rapes her and beats her repeatedly. In the meantime, his 15 year-old son Will, who is also abused by his addict psycho father, finds Katie in the shed and decides to help her escape. Katie's kidnapper is eventually caught and sentenced to death and Will and Katie, who have formed a deep bond, secretly correspond, but when her parents find out they forbid her to talk to him, because they consider him an enemy, even though he saved Katie.

Eight years later, Katherine is a quiet girl with many issues and she finally decides to publicly tell her side of the story. Will, who now has a completely new identity, sees her on TV and decides to check up on her, but he can't stay away and they reunite.

This is a two-part story and the next book is due out in May. The story was written from 4 POVs. Katie and Will then and Katherine and Ethan now. At times it was very hard to read because of how abused both were, but at the same time I couldn't stop reading. I am impatiently waiting for the sequel.

3. by Monica Murphy
Finish date: 10.01.2016.
Genre: NA romance
Rating: A
Review: One of Monica Murphy's light reads. Fun and I think my favorite of the series.

Great start, Samanta!!

4. by Philippa Gregory
Finish date: 10.01.2016.
Genre: YA historical fiction
Rating: B+
Review: I stumbled upon this book quite accidentally, while browsing through my favorite bookstore. I was already familiar with Gregory's work, found the synopsis intriguing and the copy at a discounted price. :)
Phillipa Gregory wrote in her Author's note that she wrote this for fun. The tone of this story is so different from her other work, less serious, aimed at younger audience.

The two main characters, Isolde and Luca, are people out of their time. Luca is a future priest with too-much-for-his-own-good curiosity in 15th Century Europe, who was expelled from his monastery under accusations of heresy, because he pointed out that the "relics" of saints are fakes. He is subsequently recruited by a mysterious man to become and inquirer and record the "end of times" across Europe. Isolde, a learned girl, who was brought up by her father to someday rule his lands, is tricked by her brother and forced to become the Abbess at the nearby nunnery. The two will eventually meet at the nunnery and the adventures start.

This is the first book of the "Order of darkness" series. It has received average rating here on GR, but I find it quite interesting and fun. It's full of superstition and "men were created to rule the world" and "women are beneath men and can't think for themselves" way of thinking (even from Luca, which bugged me immensely), which is why I gave the book B+ (even though it was normal for that period in history). The great thing about my copy is that it has "Book group notes" at the end of the book, which consist of the description of the story and all characters as well as of a very interesting "Period overview and Background information", where Gregory gives historical facts about the time and place of the story. I am already on book two, and am enjoying it.

I like this series too. Not as good as her other stuff, as you mention, but still fun and a great way to introduce history to the younger audience.

The difference in style and tone can be noticed immediately. It actually took me awhile to get used to it.

5. by Elle Kennedy
Finish date: 12.01.2016.
Genre: NA romance
Rating: A+
Review: A much anticipated third book in the series. It came out yesterday and it's already one of the top books of the romance-reading community. I have to say that this one is, without a doubt, my favorite of the three published so far (there are more coming) and Elle Kennedy once again proved that she is one of the queens of NA romance genre.

6. by William Shakespeare
Finish date: 12.01.2016.
Genre: Classic British literature, Audiobook
Rating: A+ for the story, B for the audiobook
Review: I took up an audiobook to listen to something while working and because another one of my book challenges require me to listen to an audiobook. I chose A Midsummer Night's Dream because it's my favorite Shakespeare's work. I've loved it since I first read it in high school (I think!) and I still feel the same. I listen to the audiobook from the beginning till the end, but I just came to the conclusion (though I suspected it already) that I am a reader. Listening to someone read it like this just doesn't do it for me. I have to personally read the words to make them alive in my head. But, at least I tried.

I feel that way too, Samanta.

Good, I'm not the only one. I feel like there is a rapid increase in popularity of audiobooks. I don't know if it's easier for people or are they just not willing to pick up a book. I am usually a multitask-er, but, for some reason, I find I can't concentrate on the book when I'm listening to it.

I am often the same; however, I do listen to books occasionally. I do better when it's something like a radio production of a book or a comedy book (like some of the comedians that are doing their memoirs). I mostly listen to audiobooks when I'm driving on long trips by myself, but even then I find my mind drifting to something else.

I try to listen to books that are "re-reads" - that way, if my mind drifts, at least I haven't missed something in the story.

I think it worked well for me with choosing A midsummer night's dream. I know the story, so I could catch up when I got sidetracked. I loved the charater of Bottom, and loved the man who read him. He had this crazy good British accent. And the man that read Oberon, what a voice! :)

Great start to the year

Thank you!

7. by Philippa Gregory
Finish date: 16.01.2016.
Genre: YA historical fiction
Rating: B+
Review: In the second installment the plot thickens. The "gang" (Luca, Freize, Brother Peter, Isolde and Ishraq) get a new mission to travel to Zagreb, Croatia (Imagine that!!! I was thrilled!) to look for the signs of the end of days. On their way there, they stop at a village called Piccolo, where there is a huge gathering of Christian children, convinced they are called by God to undertake children's crusade to the Holy Land. There, they will face a parting of the sea, thought to be a miracle sent from God, just a it was sent to Moses centuries before (turned out to be a natural disaster with devastating consequences), angry mob looking for culprits and blood, death, grief, jealousy, long friendships put to test and shady figures managing our heroes as pawns in their game of chess. The characters are growing up in different manners and I can't wait to see what will happen. Unfortunately, they never manage to reach Croatia or Zagreb (sigh!) and are now on their way to Venice for another adventure.

8. by Philippa Gregory
Finish date: 18.01.2016.
Genre: YA historical fiction
Rating: A
Review: I am loving this series more and more. After another (mis)adventure, this time in Venice, the gang is finally starting to ask the right questions and question the orders instead of following them blindly (except Brother Peter; he is not quite there yet, poor soul). I really want to know what exactly is Milord's agenda. I already have my suspicions about his identity, but what exactly is he trying to accomplish, is still beyond me. Can't wait for the next one. According to Gregory, it should have been published in 2014, but there is no indication of a title as of yet, much less a publication date, on her page.

9. by Saša Petar (no photo)
Title in English: Say it loud and clear
Finish date: 20.01.2016.
Genre: Management
Rating: A
Review: The book gives all the important details on how to make a good presentation, from your poise, voice, body language and emotions to equipment. It's a very short guide (less than 100 pages) laced with humor and quirky illustrations. The book was also translated to English and German.

10. by Vi Keeland (no photo)
Finish date: 21.01.2016.
Genre: Contemporary romance
Rating: B+
Review: Newly released story from a famous writer of the genre. Witty and fun to read, but not my favorite from this author.

You might want to check your author picture, Samanta.

I did. I was confused at first too, but then checked it out and she put the new book cover as her profile picture.

I figured you had checked.......I think I would delete that "author" photo and use the format for (no photo) with link. Thanks.

11. by Linda Kage
Finish date: 23.01.2016.
Genre: Contemporary romance
Rating: A
Review: The sixth book in one of my all time favorite series. Just as good as the rest of them and I read it in one sitting.

12. by Linda Kage
Finish date: 23.01.2016.
Genre: Contemporary romance
Rating: A
Review: Seventh book in the series, but apparently not the last. I love each and every character in this series and it was good to see all of the characters from previous books play a part here too.

13. by Saša Petar (no photo)
Title in English: Negotiate with the Devil and keep a white shirt
Finish date: 27.01.2016.
Genre: Marketing
Rating: A
Review: A concise manual on how to successfully negotiate. The author describes various types of negotiators and various negotiating scenarios, dos and don't s when negotiating.

FEBRUARY

14. by Hendrik Hartog (no photo)
Finish date: 03.02.2016.
Genre: Cultural history, History of law
Rating: A
Review: A gem I stumbled upon in my local library. It's a easily read summary of the legalities of marriage in 19th-century USA. I have to say I read a lot of things here that made me cringe and bring the feminist in me roaring to the surface. The style of writing makes it easy to go through what can be a very dry and boring topic. What I love the best about this book is that it made me want to research my rights as a person and a woman if I ever found myself in this situation (read: married or divorced).

15. by Melissa Foster
Finish date: 06.02.2016.
Genre: Contemporary romance
Rating: B
Review: Another lovely addition to Melissa Foster's ever-growing "Love in bloom" series.

16. by Portia de Rossi
Finish date: 12.02.2016.
Genre: Memoir
Rating: A
Review: A colleague at work recommended and gave me a copy of this book to read. I knew about anorexia and bulimia, and I knew that those are primarily psychological diseases, but getting an insight into the head of a person suffering from them is a completely different experience.

Portia de Rossi (or Amanda Rogers) has, it turns out, suffered from these diseases since she was 12 years old. She was so preoccupied with her looks (and later on with her sexuality), that she was constantly going through diets and then eating her heart out again after. By the time she became an actress, she was so obsessed with maintaining (although she would consider it achieving) the image and body weight, the society today demands women to have. For that purpose she starved herself until, at age 25, she could barely stand on her feet because of joint pain, she developed osteoporosis, cirrhosis and lupus. And even after she witnessed her brother and mother breaking down crying in fear for her life, and after her doctor told her what serious health issues she developed, she struggled with conquering anorexia and bulimia.

This book is her story of struggle. It shows how the image the society demands of people to maintain, is ridiculous and just plain wrong, and can lead to problems with serious consequences. I was shocked with the better part of this book, because, although not completely satisfied with the way I look, I've never gotten to the point where I would call myself worthless and starve myself to loose weight. I also remember her from the few episodes of Ally McBeal I watched when I was a kid, and I just can't connect the person I saw on TV with the one in the book. I t was like I was reading about a completely different person (her wife, Ellen, had the same reaction). It goes to show that looks can be deceiving and you never know what is going on in someone's head or behind closed doors.

I've seen a lot of reviews here on Goodreads that were not favorable towards Portia. Some said that she shouldn't have published the book because it wasn't a "How-to" guide and it didn't tell people how to get rid of the disorders. Also, a fan accused her of being selfish throughout her illness. Well, the book wasn't meant to be a how-to guide. It was, first and foremost, her way of letting go. And she did give advice on how to conquer the eating disorders: Accept yourself as you are, eat whatever you want and use your body as a calorie counter. It will tell you everything you need to know. It's definitively a process, but it's achievable. As for her being selfish, I don't know what person isn't selfish when sick (especially if he/she doesn't acknowledge the existence of the disease). It's always easier to be in denial and think that the whole world is against you, than accept that the problem lies with you.

All in all, the book is great and so gripping you can't stop reading, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get a look inside an anorexic's head.

You are on a reading roll, Samanta. Great progress.

17. by Alice Walker
Finish date: 13.02.2016.
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: A+
Review: This is a re-read so I'm just going to copy my review from the first time I read it, because nothing really changed for me as I still love the book.

I first found out about this story through one of Oprah's shows where she recommended the movie. I watched it and fell in love with it. I stumbled upon the book in my local library and immediately borrowed it because I wanted to see what the book is like. And I loved it too.

The story is written as Celie's (the main character) prayers to God and later through letters between her and her sister, who she was separated from when they were young. It is written in crooked English, because Celie was not well educated; is very fast-paced and you loose the count of years until it is mentioned that 12 years has passed...or in the very next letter another 2-3 years.

The story is very sad (Celie had a very unhappy life with abusive stepfather and later husband), but at the same time and in many places very funny.

Upon re-read, as part of another group read with a certain theme, I noticed some aspects of the book I didn't notice before. For example, the level of racism inside the Black community and the issue of women bashing women, which is, unfortunately, extremely present even today.

The book also has some very nice notions about God and religion and I will put some of my favorite parts here.

No. 1
"Don't kill, she say. Nettie be coming home before long. Don't make her have to look at you like us look at Sofia.
But it so hard, I say, while Shug empty her suitcase and put the letters inside.
Hard to be Christ, too, say Shug. But he manage. Remember that. Thou Shalt Not Kill, He said. And probably wanted to add on to that, Starting with me. He knowed the fools he was dealing with."

No. 2
"Here's the thing, say Shug. The thing I believe. God is inside you and inside everybody else. You come into the world with God. But only them that search for it inside find it. And sometimes it just manifest itself even if you not looking, or don't know what you looking for. Trouble do it for most folks, I think. Sorrow, lord. Feeling like shit.
It? I ast.
Yeah, It. God ain't a he or a she, but a It.
But what do it look like? I ast.
Don't look like nothing, she say. It ain't a picture show. It ain't something you can look at apart from anything else, including yourself. I believe God is everything, say Shug. Everything that is or ever was or ever will be. And when you can feel that, and be happy to feel that, you've found it."

No. 3
"Big a devil as you is, I say, you not worried bout no God, surely. She say, Wait a minute. Hold on just a minute here. Just because I don't harass it like some peoples us know don't mean I ain't got religion."

No. 4
" I feel a little peculiar round the children. For one thing, they grown. And I see they think me and Nettie and Shug and Albert and Samuel and Harpo and Sofia and Jack and Odessa real old and don't know much what going on. But I don't think us feel old at all. Matter of fact, I think this the youngest us ever felt."

I recommend to both read the book and watch the movie (especially the most memorable scene, you'll know it when you see it :)). The movie is beautifully made and the book gives depth to some relationships that are not so understandable in the movie.

18. by J.K. Rowling
Finish date: 14.02.2016.
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: B
Review: A funny and cute little addition to the beautiful world of Harry Potter. This is a short collection of folk tales of the wizard world that keenly resemble the ones from the muggles' world. The editor of the edition s famous Hermione Granger, who, with the permission of Professor Minerva McGonagall, published these stories along with late professor Dumbledore's notes on each of the story. Dumbledore's notes are accompanied by footnotes made by the editor, with further explanations of some of Dumbledore's thoughts.

19. by Pierre Dukan (no photo)
Finish date: 15.02.2016.
Genre: Health
Rating: B
Review: The rating refers to the book, and not the actual diet. For that I will have to wait a few months. This system is based on eating pretty much what ever you like, with a few exceptions depending on the phase of the diet (there are four). I never believed in diets, but I've seen results of this one in my close circle of friends so I decided to try. The book is, in my opinion, at least 30 pages too long and some parts could have been left out. The rules of the diet are very clear and repeated several times, which is a good thing, because it makes people remember. I'm still trying to figure out when and if I can consume olive oil and honey again. That's the only thing I don't like in this diet. The diet is very strict, especially in the first three phases, and it takes will to keep it up.

20. by Penelope Ward
Finish date: 19.02.2016.
Genre: Contemporary romance
Rating: A
Review: A beautiful best friends to lovers story of second chances and learning what's important to you in life. I really enjoyed it. Penelope Ward is a great writer and her stories are always interesting and struck a chord.

21. by George Orwell
Finish date: 23.02.2016.
Genre: Dystopian fiction
Rating: B
Review: This is my second reading of the book, and I think it might well be my last. I love the book, but hate it at the same time because of the doctrine it presents. Although to a lesser extent, it still produced the same feelings of anxiety in me, as it did when I read it 10 years ago.

22. by Jennifer Ashley
Finish date: 23.02.2016.
Genre: Historical romance
Rating: B
Review: This is one hilarious book and it's over the top, but I love it. I loved the character of Beth, such a bad-ass, no nonsense kind of woman. I think I'm going to read the rest of the series, just for the laughs.

23. by David McCullough
Finish date: 24.02.2016.
Genre: Biography
Rating: A
Review: I knew next to nothing about the brothers Wright, except their accomplishment. Now I know so much more and I am so glad I read the book, because now they are people to me, and not just a fact in a history book. I love McCullough's style of writing and I'm seriously considering reading the rest of his work.

24. by Jennifer Ashley
Finish date: 25.02.2016.
Genre: Historical romance
Rating: B
Review: It's been a while since I read a good historical romance series, one that I would want to read again someday. This one definitely goes in the category.

25. by Grupa autora (no photo)
Title in English: Arabic- Islamic influence on European Renaissance
Finish date: 26.02.2016.
Genre: Cultural history
Rating: C
Review: This book was a chore to read, despite it being about a topic I'm really interested in and made in cooperation with UNESCO. Suffice to say, it took me more than a year to finish it, and it's only 300 pages.
The book is a sort of a "short" overview of how Arab culture and Islam influenced European Renaissance. It tackles topics of literature, philosophy, math, science, medicine, geography, seafaring, history, architecture and music. Now, I know that there was a lot of Arab cultural influence in Europe (the most prominent example is Andalucia in Spain), but frankly, if this book is to be believed, we copied almost everything from them. Hm....
The one thing that bugged me the most, besides the style of writing, is the translation. The edition I read was translated from Arabic to Croatian-Serbian language in 1987, which means you have a mixture of Croatian and Serbian words (which I am ok with). BUT, those who are familiar with the rules of ex Croatian- Serbian language and Serbian today (someone correct me if I'm wrong) will know that there was that "tiny" annoying rule, made by Vuk Karadžić, which says that you have to "write the words as you would read them". It's very difficult to read foreign names like that, especially if you are familiar with the languages and you are a Grammar Nazi, like I am. It literally made me cringe, and I am grateful that this stupid rule no longer applies to Croatian language.

26. by Jennifer Ashley
Finish date: 27.02.2016.
Genre: Historical romance
Rating: B
Review: Not my favorite, but the series in general is great. I love the heroines of the series, this one included.

27. by Kristina Koren (no photo)
Title in English: A glance of a woman in love
Finish date: 27.02.2016.
Genre: Poetry
Rating: A
Review: I got this book as a present from my father. I don't read poetry that much (not that I don't like it, just more into prose). The author of the poems is my father's friend and he wanted to buy me something and, I presume, support her at the same time, so I couldn't say no. I have to admit that the collection got me hooked from the first page, and I have already marked favorites. This particular collection is that of love poems, and, the author herself states, are a reflection of her life journey and a sort of a diary.

Is there an English translation of that book, Samanta? I have a weakness for good love poetry although I seldom admit it!!!!

Not sure, I will have to ask the author. I've just finished reading the second one I have and I'm going to put it here.

28. by Kristina Koren (no photo)
Title in English: Lost in Mist
Finish date: 27.02.2016.
Genre: Poetry
Rating: A
Review: Another collection of poetry, equally good as the last one I read, although dedicated to unhappy love.

29. by Gjuro Szabo (no photo)
Title in English: About Zagreb
Finish date: 28.02.2016.
Genre: History
Rating: C
Review: I've been struggling with this book for days, and I finally gave up today. The book is a collection of articles about Zagreb by a prominent figure in the history of Zagreb of the first half of the 20th century. The articles could have had potential, if not for the author. Gjuro Szabo was, what we would call today, a hater, of the worst kind. Almost all of the articles are some kind of attack on the changes made in Zagreb in the last decades of the 19th century and first decades of the 20th century. All of that would not be a problem, if he gave reasonable arguments for his opinions, but no, only attacking and offending people (especially Hermann Bolle, whom he hated with a passion). I do not know how it was during his lifetime, but in mine and in my book, if you are writing a historical book, you cannot be subjective. This, to me, is unprofessional and doesn't give credit to the person stating his/her opinions. I love how Zagreb looks today, so I disagree with him on another level too, but his style is what I really have problem with. This collection is saved only by those few articles (or maybe even paragraphs inside articles) that are somewhat objective and beautiful photograph and paintings of Zagreb, which gives us a glimpse of it when it was only a small town.

MARCH

30. by Jennifer Ashley
Finish date: 01.03.2016.
Genre: Historical romance
Rating: A
Review: I love a good historical romance with strong and funny characters and an interesting background story. This one has all of it.

Jill wrote: "Is there an English translation of that book, Samanta? I have a weakness for good love poetry although I seldom admit it!!!!"

Hey, Jill! There is no English translation at the moment.

Darn, it looked like something that might be nice to read. Is there a French translation?

Jill wrote: "Darn, it looked like something that might be nice to read. Is there a French translation?"

Don't think so. The sad thing is that our literature is not translated that much, and she is self-published. Maybe my mentioning it will make her think about the possibility of translating. She has a few more collections which I tend to buy at some point, and I know she is writing her first novel (and I was promised a copy of it :) ).

31. by Pauline Réage
Finish date: 11.03.2016.
Genre: Erotica (the official genre, but I'm reluctant to use the term)
Rating: D
Review: There is all kinds of wrong with this story. I am not into the lifestyle presented here, but was never appalled to read about it, until this book. From what I could gather, the lifestyle is all about consent and satisfaction for all parties involved, and not only some of them. And definitely not forcing your desires on another. There were definitely physical "Hell no!s" in this book for me. But, the physical "Hell no!s" were far surpassed by emotional "Hell no!s". The relationships are so emotionally toxic, it's ludicrous, and that toxicity transfers to the physical relationships. My sheer stubbornness, and unwillingness to leave books unfinished, made me continue reading it past page 10-ish and finish it at page 132. I want a reward for perseverance. :D