THE WIDE WIDE SEA by Hampton Sides covers the final voyage of Captain James Cook. Setting off in 1776, hiThank you Vintage for sending me a free copy!
THE WIDE WIDE SEA by Hampton Sides covers the final voyage of Captain James Cook. Setting off in 1776, his main objective was to find a passage connecting the north Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic. However that goal was not reached as two years into the trip he was killed in Hawaii. Heralded as a great explorer and “discoverer” of new places during his heyday his legacy has now shifted to being one of the faces of colonialism. A complex man which meant this book was a fascinating read. ...more
A good nonfiction writer can open many doors to learning. An 18th century shipwreck is not something I’d typically have an interest in but I was williA good nonfiction writer can open many doors to learning. An 18th century shipwreck is not something I’d typically have an interest in but I was willing to give it a shot because I liked David Grann’s writing style for KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON. Glad I gave THE WAGER a chance as it was a wild read.
In 1740, a British vessel, the Wager, left England on a secret mission during an imperial war with Spain. I’ll pass on giving away specific details but as the cover clearly states, it’s a tale of shipwreck, mutiny, and murder.
The book gets off to a slow start as the author sets the stage but once the shipwreck occurs, I got into a nice reading groove. That’s when things take a crazy turn as the survivors resort to desperate measures. Jaw dropping moments and a conclusion I did not see coming. Truly a fascinating read.
Thank you Vintage Books for sending me a free copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion....more
I took a chance on JANE AUSTEN’S BOOKSHELF as I was unsure if my limited knowledge on her works would be enough to fully appreciate this nonf4.5 stars
I took a chance on JANE AUSTEN’S BOOKSHELF as I was unsure if my limited knowledge on her works would be enough to fully appreciate this nonfiction book. Thankfully, the writing style is on the more engaging side rather than being dry and academic. It was a fascinating read that explored beyond just the writings of the women who inspired Jane Austen but also rare book collecting and the lives of the women writers.
While Jane Austen’s novels have stood the test of time sadly when it comes to other women writers of that era most of their works of fiction, poetry, and plays have fallen out of the public eye. Rebecca Romney, a rare book dealer, made it her mission to seek out these lesser known works and form her own opinions about the writings. Each chapter features a woman writer and gives biographical info as well as discussing common themes and how it relates to Jane’s writing. It was neat learning how the author went about tracking down these rare books and the business of book dealing and collecting.
Thank you to Mary Sue Rucci Books and Simon Element for providing a free advance copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion....more
Ultimately, I'm glad I decided to stick with reading The School of Mirrors after questioning whether to give up more than a few times. This h3.5 stars
Ultimately, I'm glad I decided to stick with reading The School of Mirrors after questioning whether to give up more than a few times. This historical fiction book provides a look into life in France in the 1700s which is partly why I decided to keep reading as it gave me the opportunity to learn something. I just wish the author had come up with a better way to tell the first half or so of the story as too many characters muddled things. Thankfully, the focus does eventually shift to one character which made for a much smoother reading experience.
King Louis XV has grown tired of his wife and mistress, at least when it comes to the bedroom. Teenage girls are selected by one of his staff members to come live in a villa in Versaille. There they receive training in things like proper etiquette. If they are deemed suitable, they will eventually spend time with the king, although the girls are told he is merely a Polish count. Veronique is one of the poor girls who has been chosen to live at the villa and she truly has no idea what is in store for her.
A really sad and disturbing premise and your heart breaks for Veronique. The author was maybe too ambitious by showing royal life, and those working for the king, in addition to Veronique. Following around the king and his minions didn't serve the story well in my opinion.
I often find one of the biggest issues when it comes to this genre is when writers cram in a lot of historical content to the point in which it overshadows the overall story. I do believe that's what happened here but at least it was only a problem for half of the book.
A bit of a bumpy reading journey but if you can exercise some patience, I still would recommend the book if you like the genre and/or are interested in French history.
I won a copy of this book in a giveaway. All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
One of the reasons I love the historical fiction genre is it gives me the opportunity to learn about a person or event. In this instance, I w4.5 stars
One of the reasons I love the historical fiction genre is it gives me the opportunity to learn about a person or event. In this instance, I wasn't familiar with midwife Martha Ballard before picking up The Frozen River. Wow, what a fascinating woman! Highly recommend checking this book out.
Martha Ballard was a midwife in Maine back in the late 1700s. She keeps a diary noting her work as well as various things going on in the Hallowell community. After a man is found in the frozen Kennebec River, Martha is certain he was murdered. The dead man is one of two men accused of raping a woman a few months ago. Martha's diary could provide key evidence if the rape case against the other suspect is brought to trial.
While the story has heartbreaking moments, it's also an incredible tale of a woman fighting for justice. The laws in place and the general attitudes during this time period made it no easy feat, but Martha refused to back down. Her work as a midwife was also interesting to read about as well as all the work it took to keep the household running as smooth as possible.
The Author's Note is worth reading after you finish the book as it provides good insight into the writing process. I think she did a fantastic job brining Martha Ballard's story to life.
Thank you Doubleday for sending me an advance reader's copy! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
So glad I stepped a bit out of my reading comfort zone to give this one a try. I don't normally read very many books set in the 1700s but the premise So glad I stepped a bit out of my reading comfort zone to give this one a try. I don't normally read very many books set in the 1700s but the premise for this one sounded intriguing. Turned out to be a really good read!
Mickel Cardell, a former soldier, is living in Stockholm when he finds a mutilated body. Together with Cecil Winge, a consulting detective for the police, they set out to determine the identity of the deceased and the circumstances behind his death. The story also travels back in time to earlier in the year and follows Anna-Stina, a young woman wrongly accused of being a whore by the local priest and committed to a workhouse with absolutely horrendous conditions, and Kristofer Blix, a man training to be a surgeon who finds himself on a dangerous path. Bit by bit you will learn how everything is connected which makes for a fascinating read.
This is definitely a dark, disturbing, brutal, and graphic novel so don't go into this read thinking this will be some run of the mill type mystery. However, it really is the strength of the novel as you actually feel like you are right there on the streets of Stockholm with the characters. I absolutely loved how the author chose to tell the story by setting the stage first with the men investigating and then going back and showing how certain characters were connected in some way to the case, and finally the last part featuring Cardell and Winge piecing everything together. The alternating timelines is more of a modern and trendy way to tell a story but when you add in the 18th century setting, it just felt like a unique combination.
My favorite parts of the book involved Cardell and Winge as they made for an interesting duo but I did enjoy Anna-Stina's storyline as well. Really glad I took a chance on this one as the time period of the late 1700s is not something I know that much about, particularly what was going on in Europe so it was also nice to get a mini history lesson while reading as well. Definitely recommend as a good read!
Thank you to Atria Books for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
IT's 1799 and it seems like just about everyone in New York is corrupt. Justy Flanagan has just returned from Ireland after studying to become a lawyeIT's 1799 and it seems like just about everyone in New York is corrupt. Justy Flanagan has just returned from Ireland after studying to become a lawyer. He is intent on proving his father did not commit suicide years ago and is hoping to find the murderer. As he searches for answers, he uncovers a massive fraud that runs deep and continues to claim lives.
I was excited to read this book that takes place in the late 1700s because while I like to read historical fiction, I rarely read anything that takes place prior to the Civil War. I found the whole son looking for his father's killer to be intriguing at first but I have to admit my interest in the mystery started to wane as the book progressed. The book incorporates Irish words and phrases so much that there is a handy dandy glossary of terms at the back of the book. There were a few instances in which I wondered if the words were being overused and certain dialogue exchanges that didn't feel entirely realistic. Overall, this isn't a bad book, I just wish it would have sustained my interest a little bit more.
I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion. ...more
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