Historical Fictionistas discussion

Post what you are currently reading in 2015.
(2014 thread will be closed for comments).


I can start....starting off the year with some biggies: A Dance with Dragons and War and Peace. I'm sure I'll take some breaks for some smaller stuff but I'm deeming 2015 - the year of the chunkster :-D

I'm starting off my year with historical mysteries. I just finished The Iris Fan: A Novel of Feudal Japan by Laura Joh Rowland, the last in her series about a samurai detective. Rowland isn't writing any more of these, but she ended fairly strong.

Next I'm picking up a Phryne Fisher, Murder In Montparnasseby Kerry Greenwood. These take place in the 1920's and the central character is elegant,witty and courageous.

So many art historicals coming out: Paris Red and Rodin's Lover: A Novel. Still need to read How to be Both. Currently reading Telegraph Avenue prior to attending a talk by MIchael Chabon.

The Secret World of Christoval Alvarez - hidden Jews in London, Elizabethan spies, and Mary Queen of Scots, oh my.

I just started reading Longbourn by Jo Baker. Pride and Prejudice from the servants' point of view. Enjoying it so far!

I started

Busy reading Mr. Rosenblum's List: or Friendly Guidance For The Aspiring Englishman

Seventh Son and Red Rising, both of which are very good.

Also hoping to start The Name of the Wind soon!

**Question for the mods** are we going to be doing the HFU challenge again in 2015?

Just started Dragonfly in Amber, because I am finally reading the Outlander series.

Ashley wrote: "**Question for the mods** are we going to be doing the HFU challenge again in 2015?"

Yes, but we're still working on it so it will be a few weeks until it gets posted.

Lariela wrote: "Just started Dragonfly in Amber, because I am finally reading the Outlander series."

I loved Dragonfly in Amber

I just finished The Last Prince of the Mexican Empire and am starting Braile House

Shomeret wrote: "I'm starting off my year with historical mysteries... Next I'm picking up a Phryne Fisher, Murder In Montparnasse by Kerry Greenwood. These take place in the 1920's and the central character is elegant,witty and courageous."

I just started watching the "Miss Fisher Mysteries" TV series on Netflix and loved it. I had no idea there were novels too. Thanks for letting me know.

**Question for the mods** are we going to be do..."

Many of the tasks will be the same and you will be able to use anything that you start in 2015. We are looking to update a few of the tasks, but the general idea will be the same.

I'm about 2/3s of the way through Songs of Willow Frost. I'm liking it. Will have to check out the author's earlier novel Hotel on the corner of bitter and sweet which seems to be highly praised.

I read two historical fiction books that I had trouble with. I choose not to mention the books but simply to ask other readers how to get past errors in historical references. One book was set during the Middle Ages and the other was set in the Nineteenth Century. I have done a great deal of reading in history (non-fiction) and feel bothered by obvious errors such as using weapons that had not existed at the time or innacurate references to people who could not have been alive during the time spoken of. And the books are by well established authors. I got so upset with one that I refused to finish it. The other, well, I read it all. The stories were really good and the characters were well drawn. But I just could not get past the obvious lack on the authors' parts to do their research. Any suggestions on this?

@Herb,
you may want to post this question in the historical fiction discussion section. In fact, there is probably already a thread there that discusses this fact.

JoLene wrote: "Post what you are currently reading in 2015.
(2014 thread will be closed for comments).


I can start....starting off the year with some biggies: A Dance with Dragons and Wa..."</i>

I'm also planning on reading a bunch of books that are chunky lol. This is their year I guess. I want to get to [book:Anna Karenina just to name one biggie.

JoLene wrote: "**Question for the mods** are we going to be do..."

Many of the tasks will be the same and you will be able to use anything that you start in 2015. We are looking to update a few of the tasks, bu..."

Can we finish our 2014?

Yes -- we don't delete the threads

ok, thanks.

Tammy wrote: "Lariela wrote: "Just started Dragonfly in Amber, because I am finally reading the Outlander series."

I loved Dragonfly in Amber"

Liking it so far. How many books are in this series?

Just finished A Burnable Book, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Am about to try both Tyrant and The Ludwig Conspiracy. I was interested to see that the latter was included under a challenge. Hope to finish both by the end of January.

I recently finished Anne of Green Gables and We, the Drowned. Both were fantastic books.

I don't know why, but I had a bit of mental block with Anne of Green Gables. I didn't think I was going to like it, but I read it for my library bookclub and ended up enjoying it. I'll most likely read the rest of the series.

We, the Drowned is a brick but it was worth it. The author did a good job of portraying a sailor's life. I wouldn't classify it as HF, but it did include some historical events in the background.

I loved the Anne of Green Gables series when I was a kid!!! I also loved Trixie Belden -- she was much better than Nancy Drew in my book.

Jackie wrote: "I recently finished Anne of Green Gables and We, the Drowned. Both were fantastic books.

I don't know why, but I had a bit of mental block with Anne of Green Gables. I ..."

I read that entire series probably about 5 times over the years. I was sad when I had to sell my collection to pay some bills. There are more books about Avonlea after that series.

Lariela wrote: "Liking it so far. How many books are in this series?"

There are eight. The most recent is

Written in My Own Heart's Blood.

Diana has reported that there will be a ninth.

JoLene- I don't think I've heard of Trixie Belden. I'm going to have to look for those at the library.

Jayme- Yes, I have a friend who is a HUGE fan of the series and she outlined the books for me.

The library bookclub I belong too focuses on children's classics, so as we go along I'm discovering all these authors and books I've missed during my childhood.

I always liked the Judy Bolton books better than Nancy Drew - didn't have Trixie Belden.

@Jackie -- too bad we don't live closer since my mom saved all my Trixie Belden, and Little House on the Prairie books and a few others so I could pass them along to my kids. Unfortunately we didn't have kids so they are just sitting in boxes :-D

I'm in the FYA bookclub (Forever Young Adult) --- it's actually nation-wide if you anyone is interested. The monthly books are chosen by a committee --- but they try to mix in classics as well as current books. If anyone is interested, you can see the books (past and present) as well as if there is a local chapter (if not, you can start one) FYA Bookclub

thanks, I will check it out.

JoLene wrote: "@Jackie -- too bad we don't live closer since my mom saved all my Trixie Belden, and Little House on the Prairie books and a few others so I could pass them along to my kids. Unfortunately we didn..."

I checked out the site and they didn't have any city closer than Chicago. That's too far for me to go.

You can always start your own group --- they actually send out ice breaker and questions for each selection so leaders have something to start with :-D

I saw that.

Eric wrote: "Lariela wrote: "Liking it so far. How many books are in this series?"

There are eight. The most recent is

Written in My Own Heart's Blood.

Diana has reported that there will b..."

Thanks. I am only one book two. So I'm way behind.

For those who loved Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, Cherry Ames and the rest, you should check out Confessions of a Teen Sleuth. It's the eye-popping confessions of Nancy herself - apparently Nancy's college roommate Carolyn didn't get the story right!

As a fan of those old favorites (my personal favs were Robin Kane and Sue Barton!) this was a hoot to revisit as an adult, with the characters aging as well.

I just started reading The Invention of Wings for my book club, and I like it so far. I have to admit that I have a bit of a mental block with Sue Monk Kidd. I loved The Secret Life of Bees, but a few years after I read it, I heard her speak and she said something that really annoyed me (which I don't want to go into here because it could cause a tangent). I'm trying to separate that from my reading of this book.

Lariela wrote: "Thanks. I am only on book two. So I'm way behind." (re "Outlander" series)

No need to rush. Enjoy them!

I've started Silk Road for another group. I've already read the January group read for this book. Yay! I'm starting out the New Year ahead in something!
I'm also reading Queen's Bounty but Ursula Blanchard is starting to bore me. I don't know if I will continue this series.
I have an arc of
The Marriage Game: A Novel of Queen Elizabeth I but it's slow going. I am about half way through and it's definitely not Weir's best work so far.

Jackie wrote: "We, the Drowned is a brick but it was worth it. The author did a good job of portraying a sailor's life. I wouldn't classify it as HF, but it did include some historical events in the background. "

Good to know you enjoyed it, thanks. I have it, but did not know much about it, so I wasn't sure if to "attack" it or not. Yes, It's a brick :)

JoLene wrote: "I loved the Anne of Green Gables series when I was a kid!!! I also loved Trixie Belden -- she was much better than Nancy Drew in my book."

I still have my Trixie Belden books. My kids read all of them growing up, too. I always thought it would be so cool to be Honey Wheeler!

I have just finished Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra. A brilliant book my best since [ book:All the light we cannot see. 5 stRs

Margaret wrote: "I have just finished Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra. A brilliant book my best since [ book:All the light we cannot see. 5 stRs"

This book seems to be everywhere!!! I have added it to my list.

I stayed up late last night to finish The Tiger Queens: The Women of Genghis Khan, and now I think I'm paying the price, haha. I started Dreaming the Eagle this morning.

I am about to start The Anatomy of Deception, another historical mystery. It's a standalone and the author is new to me. I'm reading it for a buddy read. It takes place in late 19th century Philadelphia.

I'm starting

Have been reading In the Kingdom of Ice:[book:The Red Lily Crown: A Novel of Medici Florence The Grand and Terrible Polar Voyage of the USS Jeannette|20897517]; also have been reading Something Dangerous; and have just started The Red Lily Crown: A Novel of Medici Florence.
I also loved the Trixie Belden books! Though I enjoyed Nancy Drew, I probably read through Trixie Belden (the ones I had anyway) several times.

My library doesn't have "The Red Lily Crown" anywhere in their inter library loan. There is a library by my work and they don't have it either. My library said they can get it but they have to get it from an outside source.

Nor is it available through kindle?

I am reading Hollow City, and will probably finish it today. Not sure what I will read next...this is the year I need to bring down the number of series in progress, so it will definitely be one from those series. Plenty to pick from...27. This is crazy, I know, lol.