Touted as a combination of Water for Elephants and The Nightingale, Pam Jenoff ultimately has created a story about choosing a path and finding refuge in the family you make in
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
You may have seen the movie release with Kate Beckinsale and Chloë Sevigny, or even read the original by Jane Austen. But today I have a review of the audiobook version written by Whit Stillman, in which he works to vindicate Lady Susan Vernon. Please read on for my review of
A Debut author’s first offering is on the blog today – a mix of historical fiction, romance and family saga with several clever twists, all brought together cleverly by Joy Callaway. This book is releasing tomorrow – go ahead and grab
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Following up on The Kitchen House, I’ve got Kathleen Grissom’s new stand alone novel that brings back some of those favorite characters, and introduces some new ones. Please read on for my audiobook review of
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Most of my time with the television is spent with PBS when I’m not immersing myself in the latest cable-produced drama. I’m a fan of history, and particularly intrigued when the lesser-known major players in that history are shown. Moving away from my fictional reads, I have a book today that looks at the real nurses and nursing that is the backbone of the PBS drama Mercy Street. Please read on for
In keeping with my obsession with all things historic, today I present The Gilded Hour by Sara Donati. I had this review scheduled to go live on 4 September, but issues with my hosting provider and their not following through and meeting the timeframes they established have this post going late.
A lengthy and involved tale of late 19th century New York and two female physicians dealing with the changes, attitudes and ills of the city. Please read on for my review of this wonderfully engaging title, perfectly suited to the historic fiction fan that is me.
Do you remember the Wizard’s Chess game where Ron deftly maneuvered Hermione and Harry through the board? The pieces on that board played exactly as every other chess set out there, with one great distinction: they destroy their opponents. Not only did the pieces “look” unlike others many had seen, they actually modeled the set after the Lewis Chessmen, a set of ivory Norse netsuke, discovered on the Isle of Lewis, an outer Hebrides island. Unique and evocative, the history of these little figures are presented in today’s review of Ivory Vikings by Nancy Marie Brown.
While you may find the long title daunting, or think that antique advice cannot possibly be interesting or funny or even hold your attention, let me present this fun collection of facts and humorous explanations by Elizabeth P. Archibald.
Ever wonder if the ‘rules’ or advice given to your grandmother was different from that given to her grandmother? Read more of this post
Today I bring you another dual-timeline story, more focused on romance than history in Amherst, a release from William Nicholson. Utilizing the work of Emily Dickenson as the common tie in, this story utilizes the true events of an affair had by Austin Dickenson, brother of Emily in the past, and the current story of Alice Dickenson, an Englishwoman researching a screenplay and a married professor.
In her U.S. literary debut, Bina Shah takes readers on a journey through the often twisted and incomprehensible political and social history of Pakistan in the recent past. Using a young journalist and the events leading to Benazir Bhutto’s return from exile. This was my 2015 readathon day choice, and it was perfect for the challenge. Please read on for my review of
While it is impossible to encompass all of the social and perspective-based impressions from the characters, Shah does present an attitude that is based in both tribal, cultural and religious beliefs, and thoroughly steeped in the history of the people. Read more of this post