Historical Fictionistas discussion

Welcome 2015 and new Historical Fictionistas!!

Here's a spot for introductions.
Please read our Group Rules --- especially if you are an author. You can mention that you write books, do not use the intro thread as an introduction to your books. We like to get to know you first!! :-D

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

Hi I am Maryann and I am from South Africa. I just discovered this group and do enjoy historical fiction and cannot resist new TBR ideas

I am an author with an interest in ancient Egyptians, Essenes, Gnostics, and secret societies. I hope to find others with similar interests here.

Welcome all new members! This is a great group with lots of good people and great reading discoveries. Enjoy.

Hi my name is Catherine from Perth, Australia.
I love reading Historical Fiction, so I'm sure this will be a great place to find new books I haven't heard of before.

Hi, Catherine, do you have any particular place or time that you like to read about in historical fiction?

Abigail wrote: "Hi, Catherine, do you have any particular place or time that you like to read about in historical fiction?"

I usually go towards the Tudor times, I find King Henry VIII to be a very interesting character.
Or War of the Roses also interests me.

I want to branch out a bit, but not sure in what direction I should go.

I have lurked for, lo, these many months and added many books to my TBR pile(s).

I'm mid-forties, live in the Boston area, have a husband and four kids (two boys at college, one girl and one boy still at home), and a TBR pile that is slowly overtaking an entire seven-foot tall bookshelf.

Historical, sci-fi/fantasy, YA, mysteries, narrative non-fiction . . . I hesitate to say there's any genre or category I absolutely will not read, because odds are I'll almost immediately find something that breaks that pronouncement.

Some of my favorite historical authors: Dorothy Dunnett, Sharon Kay Penman, C.J. Sansom, Laurie R. King, Elizabeth Peters/Edith Pargeter, and Ellis Peters.

Thanks for letting me drop in on your passionate discussions :)

Great list of faves, Laura! I love most of them and only don’t love the others because I haven’t read them yet. Scurrying off to check out Penman and Sansom. (But isn’t it Ellis Peters/Edith Pargeter?)

Welcome everyone --- we look forward to your participation!

I'm also a big fan of Dorothy Dunnett, Sharon Kay Penman, and Edith Pargeter/Ellis Peters. Welcome!

Hi everyone!! I'm a passionate reader of all genres, but my biggest love is historical fiction. I am currently a 29 year old history and anthropology major at the University of Rhode Island and mother of two boys. When I am not doing research, writing a paper, or spending time with my boys, I can be found curled up with a good book. I like any time period ranging from ancient to around the 1920's, but my favorite is the Medieval Era, which is also my main area of study. Among my favorite authors are Sharon Kay Penman, Philippa Gregory, Steve Berry, and William Dietrich. I look forward to having people to discuss books with and getting to know everyone else!

Sigh. Yes, Abigail, it is Ellis Peters/Edith Pargeter. This is why I need a copy editor :)

Laura wrote, “Sigh. Yes, Abigail . . .”

We all need a little copyediting now and then! But I asked because I genuinely wasn’t sure. Makes it confusing when the same author writes under different names.

Hi, I love reading historical fiction set in any period, my favourite time/setting keeps changing, I go through phases!

My favourite authors are Sharon Kay Penman, Elizabeth Chadwick, Susanna Kearsley and Norah Lofts.

I read whatever I can get my hands on really, whether it's straight historical, historical romance, timeslip/sweep and so on.

I think the reason I like HF so much is that I have an opportunity to learn while enjoying a good story. It's more fun to read than non-fiction, and as long as one remembers to take all 'facts' in HF with a grain of salt and look them up properly afterwards, it's a great, (lazier!) way to become more acquainted with history.

Lisa wrote: "...I think the reason I like HF so much is that I have an opportunity to learn while enjoying a good story. It's more fun to read than non-fiction, and as long as one remembers to take all 'facts' in HF with a grain of salt and look them up properly afterwards, it's a great, (lazier!) way to become more acquainted with history. "

IMHO we need to take all the 'facts' in nonfiction history with a grain of salt since it is usually written by the winners to justify their actions, as well as by men, for men, about men. Remember, it's not called "his-story" for nothing. HF is not a lazier way to become better acquainted with history, especially women's place in history, but I have to agree that it is more fun.

Hello, y'all-
My name is Beth Duke; I live in the mountains of northeast Alabama with three loyal dogs and eleven adorable chickens (oh yeah, and my husband--loyal and mostly adorable). I am a ridiculously avid reader and historical fiction is definitely my favorite genre. I look forward to discovering new favorite books here!
And yes, I am an author, and no, I am not plugging my books here.

Beth wrote: "Hello, y'all-
My name is Beth Duke; I live in the mountains of northeast Alabama with three loyal dogs and eleven adorable chickens (oh yeah, and my husband--loyal and mostly adorable). I am a ridi..."

Beth, I'd like to recommend "A Circle of Earth" by a goodreads author and friend Patricia Weil.

Thank you, Harold--that looks good, and I flagged it to read!

Hi! My name is Carol and I live in Connecticut with my husband, our daughter; and our two sons live in Austen TX. (They love it there. It is quite a unique place!) I have been a writer and graphic designer for many years, working in non-profit (American Red Cross Blood Services) but no longer. In my opinion, Susanna Kearsley is an excellent author. So far I've read three of her books. I really enjoy biographies and historical fiction. Looking forward to discussing Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman.

Carol wrote: "Hi! My name is Carol and I live in Connecticut with my husband, our daughter; and our two sons live in Austen TX. (They love it there. It is a quite unique place!) I have been a writer and graphic ..."

Carol, I've also enjoyed reading Susanna Kearsley books. My favorite book was 'Mariana" and is a must read.

I've read The Rose Garden, The Shadowy Horses, and currently reading The Winter Sea. I have Mariana and Season of Storms on my night stand.

Carol wrote: "I've read The Rose Garden, The Shadowy Horses, and currently reading The Winter Sea. I have Mariana and Season of Storms..."

I've read all of those except 'Season of Storms' - should add that one to my 'to read book shelf'.

Hi, I am Dana and I live in Oakland California. I love reading historical fiction and I am currently reading the book for this month Red Lily Crown and would love to read the discussion about it but I am not sure how that works.

Carol wrote: "Hi! My name is Carol and I live in Connecticut with my husband, our daughter; and our two sons live in Austen TX. (They love it there. It is a quite unique place!) I have been a writer and graphic ..."

Hey, Carol! I'm from CT too. Shelton to be exact. Welcome!

Dana wrote: "Hi, I am Dana and I live in Oakland California. I love reading historical fiction and I am currently reading the book for this month Red Lily Crown and would love to read the discussion about it bu..."

Dana, the discussion thread can be found through this link: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Just jump in! :)

Jackie wrote: "Jackie wrote: Hey, Carol! I'm from CT too. Shelton to be exact. Welcome!"

Thank you Jackie! I'm in Bristol, not too far from Shelton.

Hi, I'm Ericka and I live in central Kansas. I've been a huge fan of historical fiction since childhood. It's pretty much all I read these days. I'm really looking forward to reading along with this group.

Hi all! Just joined good reads, and am an author. Love all historical fiction, but am especially interested in Victorian London. I have an MA in London Studies (weirdly, it's a real thing). So let's chat! :)

Rachel wrote: "Hi all! Just joined good reads, and am an author. Love all historical fiction, but am especially interested in Victorian London. I have an MA in London Studies (weirdly, it's a real thing). So let'..."

Have you read It's non fiction but a very interesting read about Victorian London. I'm currently reading it as research for a period dollhouse.

I haven't read that one yet! I just discovered Judith Flanders and absolutely love her. I just finished her book on Murder in Victorian London and just started her book "The Victorian City." Have you read either of those? The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' LondonThe Invention of Murder: How the Victorians Revelled in Death and Detection and Created Modern Crime

Rachel wrote: "I haven't read that one yet! I just discovered Judith Flanders and absolutely love her. I just finished her book on Murder in Victorian London and just started her book "The Victorian City." Have y..."

Not yet, this is my first book by her but I plan on reading her others!

hi!! my name is alex. i'm from california, usa. it's really wonderful that there's a bookclub for historic fiction booklovers. i love and enjoy reading historic fiction. it's really a marvelous genre. i'm happy to join this group.

Hi! My name is Mimi and I'm from Miami, Fl. I enjoy reading Historical fiction to include Romance

Ericka wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Hi all! Just joined good reads, and am an author. Love all historical fiction, but am especially interested in Victorian London. I have an MA in London Studies (weirdly, it's a real ..."

I just finished The Victorian City: Everyday Life in Dickens' London by Judith Flanders.

Hi Everyone,

My name is T.A. Uner and I'm really excited to be a new member of this group. I've been a historical fiction fan since 1992 when I first read: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Since then I've gone on to real tons of other historical books.


Respectfully,

T.A. Uner

Hi, I've just joined the group. I absolutely love hf - Sarah Waters and Sara Dunant are two of my favorite authors - plus I write it myself. I'm from Ontario, Canada, and a Goodreads Author. Any other Canadians on here? Just curious.
I especially love hf about Japan and China.

Rachel wrote: "I haven't read that one yet! I just discovered Judith Flanders and absolutely love her. I just finished her book on Murder in Victorian London and just started her book "The Victorian City." Have y..."

These sound really fascinating. Thanks for posting.

Sheila wrote: "Hi, I've just joined the group. I absolutely love hf - Sarah Waters and Sara Dunant are two of my favorite authors - plus I write it myself. I'm from Ontario, Canada, and a Goodreads Author. Any ot..."

Welcome Sheila, Yep, I'm a Canadian married to a Scot.

Frances wrote: "Sheila wrote: "Hi, I've just joined the group. I absolutely love hf - Sarah Waters and Sara Dunant are two of my favorite authors - plus I write it myself. I'm from Ontario, Canada, and a Goodreads..."
Hi, Frances. That is quite a coincidence. My late husband was born in Scotland. He was actually half-Cree, half-Scottish, and all Canadian. Where do you live in Canada?

My name is Helena P. Schrader. I'm the author of both history and historical fiction, with a focus on Ancient Sparta, the Middle Ages (currently the crusader kingdoms and 3rd Crusade), and WWII. I have a PhD in history from the University of Hamburg. You can find out more about me on Goodreads, Amazon, on on my own website: http://helenapschrader.com or follow me on my blog: http:schradershistoricalfiction.blogspot.com. I look forward to following the discussions in this group to learn more about reader interests and concerns.

Helena wrote: "My name is Helena P. Schrader. I a writer of both history and historical fiction, with a focus on Ancient Sparta, the Middle Ages (currently the crusader kingdoms and 3rd Crusade), and WWII. I have..."

Good to meet you, Helena.

Hello,
I am new to this group and have always loved reading historical fiction, especially from the 19th and 20th century. Some of my favorite authors are John Steinbeck, Leon Uris, John Jakes, and Daphne du Maurier. I am looking forward to discovering new authors.

Hello, I'm Katharine.

I live in Yorkshire in England and I am an author of Young Adult historical fiction - my first book is coming out in March.

My favourite period is early Tudor/ late medieval, and I've never found an author to beat Norah Lofts, but I'm also a keen reader of Young Adult historical - there are some amazing authors writing at the moment! Particular favourites are Eve Edwards (who also writes as Julia Golding), Mary Hooper, Sally Nicholls, Jennifer Donnelly, B.R. Collins, Susan Price... but I am very keen on realistic fiction and an awful lot of Young Adult historical either veers over to fantasy or includes 'real' magic (witches and sorcerers doing actual magic...) which tends to spoil it for me! In adult fiction I've also recently enjoyed Sarah Waters, C.J.Sansom and SOME Philippa Gregory (probably the earlier ones rather than the later ones).

Hi, I guess it's time I introduced myself. I've been lurking around since late last year. I love to read both history and historical fiction; so thought this was a good group to join. I live in the middle of the U.S.--Missouri. Some of my favorite HF authors are, ken Follett, Edward Rutherford, Robert Harris, Susan Vreeland, and, and , and. . . I just posted my review of The Red Lily Crown: A Novel of Medici Florence. I read Massie's Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman a couple of years ago. I love to read books such as that on my iPad so I can look up people and places mentioned in the book. Looking forward to the next selection.

Hi. My name is Melissa. I'm from Ontario, Canada. I love to read, and I love history books and historical fiction. (Among many other genres!)

Hello - I am an active reader of historical fiction. Now I am a writer of historical fiction. But it is the research that is most addicting to me.

Welcome.

Wes

Melissa wrote: "Hi. My name is Melissa. I'm from Ontario, Canada. I love to read, and I love history books and historical fiction. (Among many other genres!)"




Welcome.

Wes

Sheila wrote: "Hello - I am an active reader of historical fiction. Now I am a writer of historical fiction. But it is the research that is most addicting to me."


I too enjoy the research. The analogy is old, but it is true. It is like peeling an onion. Each topic yields more topics to be explored. The findings help immensely in developing characters. Wes