Aussie Readers discussion

Hey guys, I'm looking for some recommendations as I have become bookfree a few hours ago. I love historical novels with a splash of romance preferably set in WW2. Suggestions please!

The Book Thief by Aussie author Markus Zusak is the way to go.
Its set during the Holocaust, and its absolutely incredible. My favorite stand-alone book EVER.
Its beautifully written, has a bit WWII history, fantastic characters, beautifully written. incredibly heart-breaking and has a bit of romance as well. Did I mention its beautifully written?

Kathy,
It depends on how heavy a book you want -
Have you read (or seen the film) Cross of Iron by Willi Heinrich original published in German in 1956.
The Forgotten Soldier by Guy Sajer - first hand account of a young soldier trapped in total war (he was half French / German)
The Navy's Here - The story of the 'Altmark' affair - she was the supply ship and became a prison ship for the crews of the vessels that the 'Graf Spee' sank - all of the above read like novels.

If you are looking for novels try Douglas Reeman, he's written over 40 WW2 books.

As a final pitch & as you like historical fiction, try 'Ice King', the end of the British slave trade in 1807 - by yours truly - guaranteed discount from the author on the paperback or $2.99 for e-book via Smashwords or Amazon :-o)
cheers
Geoff

Not an Aussie book but La's Orchestra Saves the World is a beautiful story. The setting is in the time of WW11.

You could try The Prince and the Nun (http://www.jacquelinegeorgewriter.com...) which is romantic and set in a beautiful part of the world. [Incidentally, a part of the world that Willi Heinrich fought across as the German Army was pushed back across Slovakia - see his Crack of Doom]

The Prince and the Nun is the story of Therese trying to be human and help people in the worst of times. Love, laughter and very sexy!

(Dear Administrator, sorry for the shameless self-promotion, but the book really is worth reading.)

Thanks for all your recommendations. I've been looking over all the novels and Geoff, I will definitely give Ice King a go as the slavery/racism genre holds a lot of interest for me. The plot reminded of the movie Amazing Grace which follows William Wilberforce as he tries to end slavery through parliament. Have you seen it? The forgotten soldier is another must after going over it. Thanks!

Gail, your recommendation has landed on the to read list, thanks.

Jacqueline, your novel is going on the to read shelf after reading the blurb. It will surely provide a light fun read!

Kathy, I used Wilberforce's historical period as background info and created fictional conversation with the main character and a number of people involved with Wilberforce, but not Wilberforce himself.
The only linkage to Amazing Grace (loved the film) is the anti-slavery movement. Ice King is not involved in making slavery illegal, but the consequences for Liverpool traders (as the largest slave trading port in Europe at that time) who feared for their future. Check out Tracy Falbe's review for the Historical Novel Review site - either via Tracy's GR membership link or just read the review link on 'Ice King' on GR. There are also two main romances running through the book, in addition to the slavery theme.

I read a couple of really good books awhile back that had romance and looked at WW2 a little differetly - one was called "An Act of Love" and the other was "An Act of Peace" by Ann Widdecombe. I would recommend these 2 books. There are others that I have read too, when I remember them I will list them.

Sorry that was "Act of Treachery" by Ann Widdecombe and not "Act of Love".

Some more light reading with romance that takes place during WWII - these are all by Anne Baker "Merseyside Girls", "Echoes Across the Mersey" and "Liverpool Lies". I enjoyed each of them and it like having a history lesson without having one.

Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks was very good and so was Empire of The Sun by J G Ballard (one of my favourite books).

You have totally got to read Paullina Simon's series about Tatiana and Alexander!!! I am a hardcore romance reader and it is the best thing ever! Totally addictive, so WARNING: only start if you've got a lot of time on your hands. As for me, I don't dare start the 2nd book because my schedule is way too hectic to have my mind swimming with speculation!

Wow it seems my next few months of entertainment is decided for me without the fuss of digging through a million reviews and blurbs. Thanks for all the replies!

Kathy this is a great thread. I was wondering if you get time you could post a few of your favourite WW11 romances in this discussion for others who might come here for suggestions?

This is one of my favourite eras to read about too.

You really need to read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - such an amazing read!

The Wedding Officer: A Novel of Culinary Seduction by Anthony Capella is good too, as is The Ship of Brides which is set just after WWII.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford might be a little bit light on the romance, although it is there, but it is a good read too, and same for Night of Flames: A Novel of World War II by Douglas W Jacobson.

I will try to think of some more.

Absolutely loved The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I read it for my book club, would never have picked it. It was amazing!!!! Such a great read.

Try Paradise Road: about POW in the islands. Amazing, and true. I was honoured to nurse one of the nursing sisters who had been imprisoned.

Gail found us a great website with a list of Australian historical fiction. Great resource for those who like their fiction set in the past!

http://www.historicalnovels.info/Aust...

Mandy, thanks for the link. I've saved it to my favourites for future reference. I have read a few on that list - the two Anna Jacobs books which were fabulous. The Thorn Birds is one of my all time favourite books. I read it when I was 18 years old and a few times since then. It doesn't matter how many times I read that book it still remains one of my favourites.

RE: The Torn Birds
I find myself having to reorder this book, as I move alot and sometimes dont take it w/ me...funny thing is I have to have the original paperback, the one I remember reading in the 70's. I like having a battered copy of this story. :D

Brenda and Marg. I absolutely adored The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society! Thankyou so much for recommending the gem. It is coming to the big screen too apprently. I am very excited!

Kathy wrote: "Brenda and Marg. I absolutely adored The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society! Thankyou so much for recommending the gem. It is coming to the big screen too apprently. I am very excited!"

You're very welcome Kathy! It was a delight, wasn't it! I hadn't heard about it being made into a movie though, that would be really good!

An Australian book specifically set in that period is Come in Spinner, although I'm not sure it is romance as much as satire. Territory is also set partly in this period with threads running forward into more recent decades.
I like the idea of the thread and as a broad topic I'd be interested in hearing what others regard as 'classic' Australian historical novels - it certainly seems to have gone beyond the scope of the immediate individual request!

Has anyone any knowledge about books set in the mining town of Burra in SA telling about the daily life?

time to revive this thread, anyone read any good Historical fiction lately?

I have;
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
The Son by Philipp Meyer
Painter of Silence by Georgina Harding
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

Ah, Micheal, I never saw this thread and opened up another one somewhere, if you want to delete the other that might be good.

Sharon wrote: "Ah, Micheal, I never saw this thread and opened up another one somewhere, if you want to delete the other that might be good."

we have closed your thread, can you add what you said there here?

I have read a few historical fiction lately. I'm currently reading Out of the Silence by Wendy James and read The Steele Diaries by the same author.

Also, Lily's Leap by Téa Cooper
Penelope by Anya Wylde
The Mine by John A. Heldt
Mine To Avenge by Kerry Letheby

I love reading historical fiction especially when they are loosely based on real life people, like The Burial & The Black Dahlia - 2 of my favourites I've read recently.

I'm keen to read the Burial Rites

A Cargo of Women: The Novel

P.J. wrote: "Hello everyone. Some of you may be interested in my historic fiction "Roxelana and Suleyman". Plenty of history, romance and intrigue.Roxelana and Suleyman"

Hi P.J. this is not the right thread to promote your book but we do have an Aussie Authors Spotlight where you can.

Here's the link. All you need to do is create a new thread for yourself.


http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_...

Two Brothers is very good and set during WW2.

Kathy wrote: "Hey guys, I'm looking for some recommendations as I have become bookfree a few hours ago. I love historical novels with a splash of romance preferably set in WW2. Suggestions please!"

An excellent book by Roland Perry is ' Bill the Bastard' It is a true story actually about a great Australian War Horse, an Aussie Waler. Adventure on every page and I can guarantee once you start to read you won't put it down. It is set during WWI in the Middle East and ends in Gallipoli. Bill was much admired by Banjo Paterson who at the time of the war was in charge of the Army remount section.

Bill the Bastard is the story of Australias greatest war horse. Sadly he never returned to Australias shores but of the 107000 horses that went over only one returned and that was 'Sandy'

Be prepared to laugh and to cry when reading this book, it is one you won't forget.

ISBN number - 978-1-74331-262-9

Cheers

Maureen

Maureen wrote: "Kathy wrote: "Hey guys, I'm looking for some recommendations as I have become bookfree a few hours ago. I love historical novels with a splash of romance preferably set in WW2. Suggestions please!"..."

Bill the Bastard: The Story Of Australia's Greatest War Horse by Roland Perry

I've just posted this week's blog: "Researching Historical Fiction ... A Lived Experience.' Hope you like it. Post a comment, pro or con, I don't mind. Let's get a conversation going! http://www.anthonyhillbooks.com.au/re...

I'm reading The Glass Palace which is set in 19th century Burma and India. Really loving it and would recommend it for its historical insight. The impact of the British in Burma was devastating.

Michael wrote: "Sharon wrote: "Ah, Micheal, I never saw this thread and opened up another one somewhere, if you want to delete the other that might be good."

we have closed your thread, can you add what you said ..."

Hannah was featured in a recent 'Australian Story' - great episode which offered insight into how the book came to be and I'll definitely be reading it

Yeah, I read the

The Book Thief damned good read that.

James wrote: "Yeah, I read the

The Book Thief damned good read that."

A brilliant book James:)

I'm so glad you like it. A mate at work put me onto it. I saw the young writer, on ABC TV quite a dashing young fellow. Good sense of humour and doesn't take himself too seriously. But obviously he is a genius.

He's written quite a few different books, all good:)

I'll look into that. Got A Game of Thrones to get through and then I'll chase his other works up. Cheers for the info.

Enjoy!

Recommend to fans of WW11 settings this spy/esp novel of post war Berlin:
Pavel & I by Dan Vyleta

I recently read set during both the first and second world wars....a really lovely sweet read...about love, romance, and betrayal.

Stella Bain by Anita Shreve. Set is WW1, it has romance, loss, a bit of mystery, redemption. 3.5★

Sterling wrote: "Here's one or two perhaps that may appeal..."

Sterling, you need to promote your work in the author section please... go to this folder https://www.goodreads.com/topic/group... and create your own thread to chat about your new release and any other work you have. Thanks:)

Readers might be interested in the 2013 list of favourite historical fiction authors. Details at http://wp.me/p29Qar-vf. This year's survey reached more than 2400 participants.
M.K. Tod

M.K. wrote: "Readers might be interested in the 2013 list of favourite historical fiction authors. Details at http://wp.me/p29Qar-vf. This year's survey reached more than 2400 participants.
M.K. Tod"

Thanks for that! I am on the prowl for Historical Fiction, almost any era, that is written from the view point of 'ordinary' people rather than the nobility. And that is available in Audiobook format in Australia. Any suggestions? :)

Katherine wrote: "M.K. wrote: "Readers might be interested in the 2013 list of favourite historical fiction authors. Details at http://wp.me/p29Qar-vf. This year's survey reached more than 2400 participants.
M.K. To..."

Well … at the risk of being self-serving, you might try Unravelled, which is my own novel about WWI and WWII :-) C.J. Sansom has a series of historical mysteries set during Henry VIII's time. Susanna Kearsley writes about unusual things that happen to ordinary people (at times with a time travel to them), Geraldine Brooks is good, Tracy Chevalier incorporates ordinary people with figures of historical note, Kate Morton is also very enjoyable, and I am a fan of Anne Perry's WWI series (not her other historical mysteries though). I hope that helps!