Blogger: Michelle Ule
Location: Books & Such Main Office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
I stood behind a young woman at the library on Wednesday and laughed when I realized she juggled at least a dozen “Dear America” series books and four Ann Rinaldi novels in her arms.
“You must have cleared off the shelf,” I said.
She nodded. “I love these books, but I’ve never read anything by this other author before.”
“Rinaldi is wonderful,” I replied. “She explains all her research and tells you what’s true and what’s fictional in her end notes.”
The woman’s eyes brightened. “That will be perfect!”
And so would spending spring break enraptured in historical novels.
Among novels in the past that captured my attention with their fine histocial details are Umberto Eco’s The Name of the Rose; Kathleen Kent’s The Heretic’s Daughter; Anita Diamant’s The Red Tent. And I have to say I enjoyed Jill Eileen Smith’s Michal and Abigail–finished them just last week.
Read any good historical fiction lately? We’re still on spring break in California . . . Tell me what and why . . . I have to go back to the library soon. 🙂
Love the title of this post. This Friday really is the Friday Free For All. Grace, Redemption, Life Everlasting. He paid for it all!
Can’t go wrong with Ann Rinaldi. I’m reading Francine’s and Liz’s new historicals now. You’ve probably already read The Help (I’m not being much help!). How about nonfiction? I recently read Martha Washington, An American Life, by Patricia Brady. Highly recommend it.
I checked my reading list. Have you read Lost Mission by Athol Dickson? That’s a blend of historical and contemporary. A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House, and The Red Heart by James Alexander Thom are two historicals I read this year and enjoyed.
My mom recently read and passed on to me Brodie and Brock Thoene’s First Light series and Lynn Austen’s series on Hezekiah. I’ve waded in, but am hoping to have more time to read this summer.
Lovely post – sat for a few minutes wtih a silly smile on my face, just flipping through the files of my favorite historical novels.
One of my favorite reads is called: A Line A Day, by Juliet Wilbor Tompkins, penned in 1923. A charming girl trying to find her place in life is asked to write a line a day that records the most remarkable thing that happened to her that day. “Just five or six words: Saved a child’s life, made a pudding – whatever it is.” Love it.
Great suggestions all! I’ve read Dickson’s contemporary novels and thinks he’s a fantastic writer. I enjoyed the first book of the First Light series and just haven’t gotten back to the rest. I’ll look for the others.
Right now I’m flipping between a true story of Nazis hunting a Brit in WWII Norway called We Die Alone (a wretched title, the guy survives), Michaelanglo and the Sistine Chapel (we’re going to Rome in June) and Tears of Pearl an historical novel circa 19th century Constantinople.
Hey Michelle – thanks so much for the mention of my books! I’m glad you liked them. 🙂
I’m currently reading (my third time through) one of my favorite historical novels. (I rarely reread a book.) It’s a YA set in ancient Egypt. I read it to my kids when we homeschooled and it can still capture my attention. Love it! The book is MARA, Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. You can still find it on Amazon. Wonderful story!