Tag: Historic Fiction

There is something about books set on a beach with a rocky coastline that really speaks to me. Probably because the Oregon coast is rocky and stormy, so whenever I see books set in other locations with a rocky coast, I am often drawn to them! Haven Point is set in Maine and promises to be a fantastic beach read even if the beach itself isn’t a white sandy beach with pina coladas! This setting is a little more rocky but no less captivating!

This book caught my eye for a couple of reasons, one of which being the generational feel of the book. It hits some key points in history, the 1940s, the 1970s and a more modern 2008. I liked how the author wanted to connect multiple periods in American history with the larger character driven narrative. It sounded like a great read and I am super excited to read this one a little later this summer.

I think the setting of the book is going to offer readers a new type of beach read and something they can sink their teeth into while they are hitting their road, beach or the skies for vacations this summer. The book is currently out now and being met with critical acclaim! Full of drama, secrets, beaches, and of course history, this one hits the high notes for me so make sure to get this one on your radar!

Continue reading “Special Feature: Haven Point by Virginia Hume” →

I am so excited to be sharing this book with you guys today. Not only does it have a historical element that includes a library, but I think the social commentary will give readers so much to sink their teeth into! This book features the story of Belle da Costa Greene who works for J.P. Morgan collecting rare books.

While she might pass as ‘white’ she is actually the daughter of Harvard’s first black graduate. She keeps her identity secret and the book explores her life as well as the struggles she faced as a person of color in the 1920s. I am so excited for this one and the only thing I am sad about is that my review calendar is full for June otherwise I would be reading it now!

If you love untold stories with a lot to unpack I think this is going to be a great book for you to pick up. When I read the description my other thought was it would be a good fit for book clubs too considering some of the content. No doubt historical fiction fans have already had this one on their radar for some time now and with good cause! Early reviews are strong and overwhelmingly positive, it’s coming out a little later this month so be sure to check this one out!

Continue reading “Special Feature: The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict” →

C. W. Gortner is such a wonderful writer when it comes to reimagining the lives of famous women. I have read many of his books and enjoyed every one! It’s so rare that a male writer can capture the essence and stories of women to such an exacting degree but he does it every single time! If you haven’t read any of his books you definitely need to.

If you have been reading historical fiction for a while, Gortner will no doubt be on your radar. His latest book, The First Actress, is out now in paperback and since its hardback release last year, it’s been getting a lot of high praise from readers. It follows the story of Sarah Bernhardt who is the first ‘film star’ and in this book, her story is told from her own POV which I think is powerful and exciting.

I am hoping to read this one in the fall but since the paperback is out now, I thought I would share a bit about this book with you guys today! Gortner has a practiced hand when it comes to story telling and he also does a fantastic amount of research for all of his novels. I have no doubt that this book will be equally as well thought out and researched as his others. Be sure to snag yourselves a copy today!

Continue reading “Special Feature: The First Actress by C.W. Gortner” →