I had a pretty good reading this year, with many more books that I rated as 5/5 reads. Here are my favourite historical fiction reads of the year. I have also done a list that includes the books from other genres on my own blog.
Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer - I have been reading Heyer in the last couple of years and I have liked them, but this is the first one that I have loved!
This is actually the follow up book to These Old Shades, which featured the father of the hero in Devil's Cub, but this was definitely a case of the son of a rake outraking the father! Fantastic read!
The Endless Forest by Sara Donati - This year saw the end of one of my favourite series, and what a conclusion! I loved it, and yes, I cried. I also read the first book in this series again, Into the Wilderness, as well and absolutely loved that book again too!)
To Defy a King by Elizabeth Chadwick - This was my most anticipated historical fiction read for this year, and it didn't disappoint! Click here to read a conversation about this book from three of the contributors at Historical Tapestry.
It was no surprise to see this book also appear on Alex and Ana's best of lists for this year as well!
The Help by Kathryn Stockett - This appeared on many must read lists for 2009. I can totally see why!
Set in the American South during the 1960s, and concentrates on the relationship between a young white woman who wants to start hearing the stories of the hired help who play such a major part in raising people like herself and her friends.
The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley - After reading The Winter Sea last year (and still gushing about that book to anyone that will listen) it was going to be a requirement to read more from this author. In the end, I read three more books from her this year. I liked the others a lot, but loved this one!
If you are interested in hearing more about Susanna Kearsley's books, then check out Susanna Kearsley week, which includes reviews, a guest post and an interview as well!
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly - For the last two years I have been waiting for the third book in the Rose trilogy to come out. When I heard that Jennifer Donnelly was working on a YA novel before working on that book I was a little disappointed. I mean how much longer did we have to wait! And then the buzz started just before BEA, and then the reviews started. I picked this book up to to read during take off on a flight home with the intention of just reading for the 15 minutes and then swapping to my e-reader. I didn't swap back! What a wonderful book!
Mr Rosenblum's List by Natasha Solomons - What a wonderful charming book this was!
This book might not technically be historical fiction, but it is set just after the end of World War II and is such a fantastic read that I couldn't not include it. The book is about a German Jewish couple who moved to England just before WWII started and Mr Rosenblum's struggle to become the quintessential English gentleman.
Honourable Mentions:
Roses by Leila Meacham (love a big juicy saga, and this was definitely one of those)
The Countess and the King by Susan Holloway Scott
The Confessions of Catherine de Medici by CW Gortner
I've seen To Defy a King pop up on several best of lists. I just got the Donnelly book via Amazon Vine.
ReplyDeleteThe Kearsley was hard for me since I read like all of her books but one in 2010... And, I found the one I hadn't read at the second hand bookstore. Now to find a chance to read it! (Must un-glue self from e-reader...)
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to read some more Chadwick in 2011. I enjoyed The Greatest Knight immensely, but she is not an author I can easily get other than ordering online...
I can't believe I haven't read Revolution yet. I have to start her trilogy this year, though. I was waiting for book 3 and now it looks like it is finally here!
Glad to see The Help made your list. I plan to read it this year.
ReplyDeleteGreat picks, Marg! I cried my eyes out at the end of Endless Forests. I really enjoyed Revolution, too. And Devil's Cub was my first Georgette Heyer and I thought it was great! I've got The Help, Roses, and Confessions sitting on my TBR shelf now. Better get to 'em!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Help as well but I read it in 2009 and well after WWII.
ReplyDeleteRevolution, Mr. Rosenblum, Roses, and Countess are allon my TBR.
I am looking forward to cracking open To Defy a King!
I loved Devil's Cub, To Defy A King and the Shadowy Horses. I read the first Donati and really enjoyed it too, maybe I should continue with that series...
ReplyDelete