I haven’t had much time for reading this month, (colossal understatement: NO time whatsoever), what with two looming writing deadlines and a grant proposal that needs to be written (not to mention jury duty and other torture fun stuff). So I thought I’d dedicate this post to books I read last year, when I apparently had time to read. (And yanno, sleep and eat).
Best Ancient Historical Fiction
Empress of the Seven Hills by Kate Quinn
I love anything by Kate Quinn and enjoyed her latest romp through Rome with ex-gladiator Vix and spoiled Sabina. One of my favorite things about Quinn’s novels is that I often end up rather attached to the secondary characters–everyone is terribly flawed and occasionally hilarious. This is one of those tear-through-the-pages novels full of non-stop action and drama!
Best “Modern” Historical Fiction
Hemingway’s Girl by Erika Robuck
*whispers* I hate Ernest Hemingway’s books. Okay, maybe that’s not true as I’ve only ever read Old Man and the Sea, but I’m pretty sure I’d rather be stuck on that fishing boat with Santiago than ever have to read that book again. However…
I apparently love reading about Ernest Hemingway. While I doubt I would have liked the man in the flesh, he’s a pretty phenomenal character to read about, and Robuck brings him to life in this novel.
Favorite Historical Saga
The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman
(Yes, I’m totally cheating with the categories so I can list multiple historical novels, but it’s my list. I can do whatever I want.) This book about four very different women during the Masada seige during ancient Roman is simply stunning. This is not the kind of rip-through-the-pages novel waiting to be devoured in a couple nights, but one you savor for as long as possible. (Part of that also might be because it’s like reading about Titanic: you know tragedy is on the horizon).
Favorite Non-Fiction
Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman by Robert Massie
This biography kept the pace of a novel and made me want to both cheer and slap Catherine several times. A sort-of Russian Cleopatra, I think Catherine the Great is better known for her many lovers than she is for the coup in which she swiped the throne from her (incompetent) husband (who liked to play with dolls). She was also pen pals with Voltaire which brings me to my next category…
Best Really Old Novel
Candide by Voltaire
I’ve told you all before that I love Voltaire because he can still make me laugh even though he’s been moldering in his grave for over 200 years. And seriously, Candide has it all: fair maidens turned to harpies, a trip to Eldorado (where women have *relations* with monkeys), shipwrecks & volcanoes AND several characters who seriously refuse to die. It’s like watching Days of Our Lives (is that even still on?), but during the Enlightenment.
So those are some of the best of the best. Now let’s hope things calm down soon–my TBR pile is probably taller than my daughter right now!
I love Alice Hoffman's books. And I'm always looking for new historical fiction, so thanks for the list. Oh, and I got a jury summons for this month too. blah. I don't have time for that!.
I have always wanted to read Candide but haven't had the motivation. It sounds like so much fun, though.
Great book choices! I'll have to checkout the Hemingway one…as I do read Hemingway:)
I'm sensing a trend… 🙂
I don't read many historicals, but I generally like the ones I do. I'll have to try some of these (I did enjoy Candide once upon a time…)
If you like books about Hemingway, you'd probably like The Paris Wife by Paula McClain. Amazing! And how she captured the peculiar accent of the time, in the voices of Hemingway and Hadley, his first wife.
I loved Candide but I have not read the rest of these books and I need to!
L.G.- I only had to go for one day and then was dismissed. I got interviewed though so that was kind of exciting!
Julie–Candide is pretty hilarious, even for my high school students. I highly recommend a read when you have time!
Mark–My husband has read all of Hemingway's books, but I just can't make myself pick up any more of his novels. Maybe one day…
Jemi–These ones are good, I promise!
Renee–I'm reading The Paris Wife right now! (Okay, I'm reading maybe a couple pages a day as I juggle three simultaneous edits on three different books).
Meg–Candide is classic! I totally wish I could go back in time to meet Voltaire!
I love Kate Quinn's books too. Mistress of Rome blew me away. I haven't read the second one yet, but there was no way I was missing out on the continuation of Vix's story in Empress of the Seven Hills.
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