Thursday Threads - Faithful Autumn Re-Reads.....

Hello, I am back after a few weeks to recharge the grey cells and the batteries. Hope you have all been well.

We have just entered a season change here in the UK, the sun is still out, occasionally, but the evenings are turning colder and the evenings are drawing in, so that is a sure sign we are into Autumn. I read something in one of our newspapers this week, that we are potentially going to have snow as early as October!

Of course, some of you are in warmer climes and are working your way to Spring and then Summer - lucky you! In the meantime, I thought we could have a few suggestions of those books, the faithful ones that are re-read when snuggled up on the settee with a blanket.

One of my faithful reads is A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute and I would say that it is probably time for my annual re-read. What about you?

Thursday Threads - Inspired by Fiction?

The County library service has for the last few years selected a "Summer Read".

This year, the book of choice is The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman.

When I was at the book group a week or so ago, I was handed a copy in response to my reservation.

I started the book a day or so ago and love it. I can see why it has had some great reviews and one will be published here soon.

Within a few pages I had to remind myself to look a few things up on Google, and so my question this week is...

Do you find yourself inspired by fictional reading?

Thursday Threads - What are you reading?

Well, July has been a busy month in my household. We had a staycation and spent sometime visiting a few National Trust properties including the holiday home of the author, Agatha Christie.

Called Greenways and now owned by the National Trust the house is only about 15 miles from where I live. The last 6 weeks or so the south west of England (and most of the Country) has had some fantastic weather so getting out and about appeared on many personal agendas.

So I have done a lot less reading that normal.Coupled with that and a failing (exhausted and worn out) laptop, which was replaced over the weekend I am getting use to Windows 8.

I am currently between books and have a few book reviews to share as soon as I can.

So whilst I select my next read, what are you all reading?

Thursday Threads - Where and What are you reading?

Well another Thursday is here, which means it's Thursday Thread

I have spent several weeks reading White Mughals by William Dalrymple, which was set in India during the 18th Century. It was the latest book for my book group and what a whopper it was! You can read my review HERE

So I have just moved onto my next read which is The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht, which is set in the 20th Century and features Yugoslavia, which technically does not exist!

So, what are where are you reading this week?

Thursday Threads - What Do You Want to Read?

I am writing this post on Wednesday UK time, so for some of the globe it is already Thursday, so I am sure I am forgiven for posting a wee bit early!

I have just read a review of a book which is perhaps not in the strictest sense a historical fiction book, but one that perhaps tells a story of times, not really that long ago.

For me, that review sold me the book; and just as soon as I have posted this I shall buy the kindle version of the book and read it. So my question for this week's Thursday's Thread is

What book do you feel that you just have to read?

And just before I close, I had best tell you the book - Listening to Country by Ros Moriarty and the review was written by ANZ LitLovers and you can read it HERE

Thursday Thread - Historical Fiction Authors

I was recently looking at some old family photographs and wishing that I could have known this particular family member. Did she read, sew, enjoy walking? All these things that I wish I knew about someone who to some degree shares my genetics. Then I thought, if I could wind the clock back and sit with her what would we talk about?

In turn, that gave way to thoughts for a Thursday Thread and I wondered........

Q - Which historic author or character would you invite for dinner?  In fact, if you could meet any historical fiction author, who would you choose and what question would you ask?

A - As a reader who tends not to read science fiction or books that do not have a dose of reality or almost reality I surprisingly love the Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon. On Diana's web page she explains how she came to write the series, but would it not be wonderful to have dinner with Diana and Claire and Jamie (the two central characters of the Outlander Series).

As the books are predominantly set in Scotland, we would in Jamie's honor have a traditional Haggis Supper, which is Potato, Neep or Suede and Haggis, a lovely glass of chianti and a good old chin wag about the period of history that is used as the setting for the novels.

Now as I come back to reality I wonder who you would invite for dinner?

Thursday Threads - What and Where are You Reading?

Well, another week has just flown by, where does the time go?

On Monday the book group I attend every month met up and discussed the last book which was The Behaviour of Moths by Poppy Adams. You can check out my review HERE. 

As always the discussion that flowed through our meeting was informative and interesting and left clutching next month's book, which is proving to be very interesting and enjoyable. 

The book in question is The Last Mughal by William Dalrymple. This is actually a non fiction book and was not selected by me, so I am quite intrigued to discover who in the group chose this title. As regular readers will note I am fascinated in India especially on the period pre Independence. This is fuelled by my family connection to the East India Company.

This weekend in the UK is a day extra as Monday is a public holiday. The forecast for the weekend is looking promising, or it least it was this morning, so I plan to get some reading done as the Last Mughal is a little over 600 pages.

What and where are you reading this week?

Thursday Threads - What are You Reading?

Well, another week has just flown by and I have only been to the library once in the last week and that was to collect a book I had reserved. So what have I been reading?

I have recently read a Debbie Macomber Christmas Book - a library book that I have renewed several times! Review will be up at Anglers Rest during the festive season.

More recently I read a genealogical mystery called Murder by the Homeplace by William Leverne Smith. Which I enjoyed immensely and I plan to purchase the rest of the series.

What are you reading this week?

Thursday Threads - How important is Historical Fiction?

When I shared my Thursday thread question with my husband he stated he thought it was a bit "deep".

As an family historian I believe that historical fiction is quite important. Whilst the storyline might be completely fictional the idea has to come from somewhere.

I mean no one gets up and thinks today I am going to write a novel about Tudor England unless they have an interest in the historical setting of Tudor England. Or am I wrong?

I am finding that I am writing more notes than ever when I am reading historical fiction. Things occur to me and I wonder how that particular situation or scenario impacted on previous generations of my family.

So, at the risk of being a bit "deep"

How important is historical fiction to you?

Thursday Threads - Where and What are you reading?

Well, the last week has simply zipped by, so an easy thread this week....

I have just finished Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach and thoroughly enjoyed it. Not an historical fiction, more of a memoir/travelogue, but I loved it and a review will be up soon on Anglers Rest. In the meantime....

Where and What are you reading?

Thursday Threads - ANZAC Day Reading

Here in the UK & parts of Europe are at the start of Thursday, those in the US & Canada are still (probably asleep) and those in Australia, New Zealand are approaching the end of Thursday. For those Down Under it has been a public holiday in honour of ANZAC Day. The day on which thanks and memory is given to those men and women who joined the various forces and played their part in the First World War.

Last year I spent 5 weeks in Australia and did manage to revisit the War Memorial in Canberra. I took lots of pictures and I am going to share just 2 with you here. The first shows the Austalian & New Zealand losses from just this one campaign. The War was to rage for a total of 4 years. A generation completely lost.

Australian War Memorial - Oct 2012
Taken  by Julie Goucher

Outside the main exhibition is the Wall of Honour. There listed are the names of every individual that was lost during the Great War.

Australian War Memorial - Oct 2012
Taken  by Julie Goucher

So, the question for this week's Thursday Thread is

"Have you ever visited a museum or exhibition that has stimulated your reading and if so what did you read and why"

One of the reasons I found this particular visit so special was that I spent the day with my Cousin and her young daughter. On this Wall of Honour is the name of my Cousin's Great Uncle, a man who lost his life during the Second World War, but his memory lives on because his sister, my Cousin's Grandmother has a photograph of her brother on her wall. As we looked for his name and then explained the details to young G, we were enabling the past to head into the future. I found that very moving, as I did seeing the names of my own family commemorated on this wall.

Stimulating my reading has of course happened as I explore the details of the regiments of those lost soldiers and read about the Gallipoli Campaign. Furthermore, I turn to my trusty & faithful companion

In Memoriam by Edward Thomas

"The flowers left thick at nightfall in the wood

This Eastertide call into mind the men,

Now far from home, who, with their sweethearts, 

should

Have gathered them and will do never again"

Thursday Threads - What are you reading?

I have just started a book which I was itching to get my hands on! - The Pen and The People by Susan Whyman. Whilst it is not historical fiction, it I believe has a great emphasis on those who perhaps do use historical facts and sources as the groundwork for fictional novels.

As soon as I finish dabbling, a review will be up.

So an easy question for this week; Where and what are you reading?

Thursday Thread - Other Historical Fiction Series

On the back of last week's Thursday Thread about the Morland Dynasty books by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles, you can read that that thread HERE, I thought about a comment made by several readers that the series builds on through the same family and encompasses major historical events.

Suddently, out of nowhere, the contemplation of other sets that have that same process, of developing a family over the Centuries or a period of time.

I wonder if there is such a series set in India? Nothing springs to mind. So the question for this week is....

What other sets of books are there that you can think of, or have enjoyed or plan to read?
Please do share!

Thursday Threads - Morland Series by Cynthia Harrod - Eagles

I have a pending house move and as a result I shall be having a bit of book cull. I noticed that on my pile of books to be read is the wonderful Morland series by Cynthia Harrod - Eagles.

I read the first book a few years ago as a taster and enjoyed it, and then preceeded to gather the rest in the series. Over time I have picked up a few books but do not have the complete series. The plan is to have a series read, (not until I have moved!). When I want to read a series of books I have to have at least the first 3 books, as I find nothing is more irritating that not having the next book as that interupts my reading flow. So the question this week is -

Has anyone else read this series and what do you think of it?

Thursday Threads - Easter Reading

Here in the UK the snow has been falling and rather substantially too in some places. Thankfully, we have escaped, although yesterday it snowed on and off all day. In my bit of Devon very little settled so that is definitely a result!


Easter is almost here, for us it is the first public holiday since New Year. It means Spring is here, even if it does not feel like it!

Hopefully this will mean a 4 day break for you all where ever you are, which might include some chocolate and perhaps an Easter bunny or two! but the big question is......

What are you reading?

I have just started The Friendship Bread by Darien Gee and at first glance it looks a great read.

Thursday Threads - Favourite Time Periods

Which is your favourite period of historical fiction?

I like a variety of time periods. My current favourite is the 1770 - 1860 period.

What is your favourite time period?

Thursday Threads - Who would you be?

Of all the wonderful historical fiction characters and settings there are, which historical setting would you like to be in and even which individual?

I would love to be a character in the setting for Pride and Prejudice. Perhaps a fly on the wall in the library or living room with the enduring Mr Bennett. I wondered what he really thought of his beloved?

Over to you!

Thursday Threads

With the sun out (finally) in England my thoughts have turned to spring and summer.

If you were off to a remote island for a few weeks in the sun and could only take ONE piece of historical fiction with you what would you take?

I would take the very first book in the Outlander series, so that I can familiarise myself with the series ready for the pending release of the next installment.

Over to you.....

Thursday Threads - Where and When are you reading?

I am just coming to the half way mark of reading The Ruling Caste by David Gilmour  - a review will be up soon.

That book is set in India in the Victorian period. I am really enjoying it, although I am having to keep a notepad and pencil with me to jot down things, which is why it is taking so long to read.

Where and when are reading?

Thursday Threads - Historical Fiction Surprises

Carrying on from the genealogical research that I have been doing of late and I spotted in the library The Ruling Caste by David Gilmour. I turned to the index to have a look for any references to the name of Bellasis, and instead found a mention of a family member, Lewin Betham Bowing, which was a great surprise.

So this week's question is -

Have you had any Historical Fiction Surprises?