This year, I’m focusing on reading more diverse books, which includes reading books about other countries. And so far this year I’ve made a good effort. Of the 30 books I’ve read this year, 8 are by authors of color. That may not sound like a great percentage but it’s a big increase for me. For…
Kostova’s new novel is reminiscent of The Historian, in that it’s a big, sweeping tale that will take the reader all over modern-day Eastern Europe. It’s quite different, however, in that there are no vampires. But there’s still horror. The weakest part of this book is the beginning, because the story seems implausible at first,…
I loved everything about this book, from its understated tone to its slowly developing relationship between a retired Civil War Captain and a young girl who was stolen by the Kiowa at age four and given back again six years later. News of the World tells the story of Captain Kidd, who travels from town…
I loved Burns’ two books of short stories, Catching the Barramundi and The Settling Earth so I was happy to receive a copy of her first novel, The Bishop’s Girl. It’s a story about a team of archivists who are trying to solve a 100-year old mystery about an unknown woman found in the grave…
There’s no shortage of great historical novels written about World War II. This is a good one – probably not one of the best, but I found it more interesting than the Pulitzer Prize-winning All the Light We Cannot See. Although it’s not really fair to compare one book to another; World War II played out…
I don’t normally write catch-up reviews, for two reasons. First, I read these books in the middle of July so I don’t remember them so well, and I wasn’t exactly taking notes. And second, I’m not a big fan of the mini-review. You know I like to go on and on about a book. But…
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday, hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, is about books that are set outside the U.S. I try to read a lot of books that are set in other countries, although I don’t always succeed. For purposes of this list, I’m not including anything in the UK either, since a…
If you’re looking for really good historical fiction with a touch of romance, I highly recommend Donna Thorland, who writes about the American Revolution. This is my second book by Thorland; I previously reviewed her Mistress Firebrand. Thorland’s writing stands out to me because it’s so rich in detail, and it focuses on historical settings…
This was a strange book; I was fascinated with the story and loved Mazie’s unique voice. But by the end I wasn’t quite in love with it. Mazie is based on a real-life woman who helped the poor during the Depression. Her family owns a theater and she spends most of her time sitting in…
The Longest Night is a novel based on true events that took place at one of the country’s earliest nuclear reactors in Idaho Falls in 1961. Paul and Nat Collier are a young couple who move to Idaho Falls in 1959 so Paul can take a job at the nuclear reactor. Paul is an Army…
Brooks writes good, well-researched historical fiction and this book is no exception. If you want drama and romance, her books may not be the ones for you. Brooks focuses on really setting the reader in a specific time and place. Caleb’s Crossing takes place around the 1660’s, around what is now Martha’s Vineyard. Her heroine,…
I liked everything this book – it’s a semi-true historical story with a strong female character, and it’s set in an interesting time. More than that, it’s a fun story full of drama and adventure. Constance Kopp lives with her two sisters on a farm in New Jersey in 1914. At the age of 35,…
The Book Stop 