Alas. I've found your blog.

Yet more books to add to the to-buy lists...

~deep sigh~

What a terrible tragedy. :)

posted by Severn at 7:52 am (EST) on Aug 5, 2008

It means a great deal to me for someone with your expertise to say such nice things about my Historical Novels website - I'm so pleased you're planning to include it on your blog and in the new edition of your book. I did notice the higher price Powell's is charging. Perhaps it's an error? I'm sure they'd sell more copies if their price was consistent with what others are offering it for.

posted by margad at 6:25 pm (EST) on Jun 17, 2008

Sarah, I wanted to let you know that I've mentioned both your book and the Historical Novel Society on the new "Resources" page of my website at www.HistoricalNovels.info.

posted by margad at 5:59 pm (EST) on Jun 13, 2008

Hi Sarah! Amanda here from the historicalfiction forum! I am a regular reader of your blog too. You've always got the best info of what we have to look forward too in the new releases!

posted by nellista at 11:20 pm (EST) on Jun 10, 2008

Hi, Sarah! I didn't realize you were a member here. You were listed as one of the people with whom I shared the most books. I clicked on your screen name and laughed when I saw it was you! Seems like we run in the same circles. ;)

posted by JulianneDouglas at 11:59 am (EST) on May 11, 2008

Hi Sarah
If you enjoy Australian historical fiction I though I might just mention a few recommendations that I have read and enjoyed.

The Lambing Flat by Nerida Newton
Mr Darwins Shooter by Roger McDonald
The Dig Tree by Sarah Murgatroyd (Non fiction but brilliant)
My Brother Jack by George Johnston
The Journal of Fletcher Christian by Peter Corris
The True History of the Kelly Gang by Peter Carey

Cheers Jenny

posted by jeniwren at 4:49 pm (EST) on Feb 26, 2008

Hi Sarah
Yes The Captive Wife is a wonderful story and right up your alley if you enjoy historical fiction. I read this with an online bookgroup of mine and we read predominantly Australian literature and a few others thrown in throughout the year. This is based on true events and characters namely Betty Guard who was kidnapped by a Maori cheif along with her two children.It is well researched and I really enjoyed the narrative structure of the different perspectives from each of the characters. I have been looking for more of her work and did find a copy of 'Songs from the Violet Cafe' on Bookmooch but this is not historical fiction.
I will be interested to hear what you think of Black Diamonds =)
BTW are you a Bookmoocher?
Jenny

posted by jeniwren at 4:30 pm (EST) on Feb 26, 2008

Hi Sarah
Just me again. Also looked at the books that we share on our bookshelf. You have a few Australian authors and I have recently read The Captive Wife also and she is a New Zealand author. Do you have a fondness for our authors or just coincidence.
Jenny

posted by jeniwren at 6:41 am (EST) on Feb 26, 2008

Hi Sarah
Just wanted to say we are the only two people listing Black Diamonds. I really enjoyed this and was lucky to receive a free advance readers edition from Harper Collins here in Australia. Where did you find out about this book as it is quite a new release.
Jenny

posted by jeniwren at 6:38 am (EST) on Feb 26, 2008

Hi! I see we are a couple of a very few folks who have read Muireal Donald's Glencoe. I recieved my copy for Christmas and enjoyed it. What did you think of it? As a fancier of historical fiction I value you estimation. What other author of Scottish historical fiction miht you recommend. Thanks. Carolyn

posted by Schotzy at 12:43 pm (EST) on Jan 21, 2008

Hi Sarah,

Thanks for accepting my friend request. I see you have my debut novel--MAIDENSONG--and the related title--ERINSONG--on your shelf. Hope you enjoyed them!

posted by EmilyBryan at 4:56 pm (EST) on Jan 9, 2008

Hi Sarah:

Well, I bought The Fourth King on the strength of your "recommendation" so now there are two of us with this book (but it's ok it wasn't expensive and I'm interested in Pushkin & his wife, Russian lit. & history, and historical novels in general, so it should be fine).

Thanks, Grant

posted by europhile at 5:00 am (EST) on Dec 21, 2007

Merry Christmas Sara

all the best

Cheers

posted by Macbeth at 7:47 pm (EST) on Dec 16, 2007

Hello Sarah:

I see you are the only person on LT who has a copy of The Fourth King by Glen Petrie - I would be interested in your opinion of it (if you have in fact read it) as I am thinking of buying it myself.

Regards, Grant

posted by europhile at 10:58 pm (EST) on Dec 14, 2007

Thanks for the reply and the suggestions, Sarah. I appreciate it. I would be interested in hearing what you think of _Slaves_ when you read it.
Best,
Matt

posted by MLister at 12:59 pm (EST) on Dec 9, 2007

Hi,
I see you've got Justin Allen's novel _Slaves of the Shinar_ too. I really liked it and wonder what you thought of it if you've had a chance to read it yet. I'm not a huge reader of historical fiction but as you obviously are I'm interested to hear what you thought. (My favorite 'general' aspect of the book was how it fell between fantasy and historical fiction but I can see how that might not be for everyone.)

posted by MLister at 10:57 pm (EST) on Dec 6, 2007

Hi Sarah,
Ah, so it's the same HNS. I used to belong to it but had to leave all clubs and societies when money got too stretched. I must rejoin. The review for A Tabernacle for the Sun was great and I've since become friends with the reviewer, Towse Harrison. That was the first novel of a trilogy, and the final proofs of the final novel were sent off yesterday. I sat on them for two weeks unable to say goodbye. In the end I just shoved them out of the nest without saying a word. Now it's the Tudors. . .
Linda

posted by poppi at 3:10 am (EST) on Nov 24, 2007

Hi Sarah,
Thanks for the response. I'll certainly keep you posted about the historical fiction course. Is the Historical Fiction Society in US or UK?
Linda

posted by poppi at 5:50 pm (EST) on Nov 22, 2007

Hi Sarah,
I'm delighted to see that you have one of my books, that you have the same problem with bookshelves, and most of all to hear about your reference work on historical novels which I shall be ordering. I've been asked to do a summer school for Oxford University next year on historical fiction and to my dismay (but not my surprise) found almost nothing on the subject on Amazon uk. Historical fiction in the UK is the genre that dare not speak its name. Perhaps the OU course will do a little to help that situation.
All best
Linda Proud

posted by poppi at 5:23 pm (EST) on Nov 17, 2007

Hi Sarah,

I guess the precise way of putting it is that I've read more of the collection that I've catalouged so far. I have a long way to go before most of my books are added to LT. I am trying to ensure that anything new goes up with the date of aquisition and everything I read gets logged with a start and end date.

I noticed that both you and Hoagy (another of the LT'ers I converse with) have 'She Was A Queen' in common. I very much enjoyed that - and was lucky to find an early edition of the book in Adelaide.

Cheers

David (aka Macbeth)

posted by Macbeth at 2:31 am (EST) on Oct 25, 2007

Hi Sarah,

great collection you have. I loved your link to 'Welcome Back Potter' a few months back.

Just a quick note to say we have half my library in common - I still have a long way to go to catch up to you.

cheers from Canberra

posted by Macbeth at 1:04 am (EST) on Oct 19, 2007

Thank you , thank you, thank you. I finally found a copy of Alison's book on Amazon UK and ordered it. Also, the web site appears to be exactly what I'm looking for.

Marcia

posted by woodbear at 10:35 pm (EST) on Oct 17, 2007

Hi Sarah,

It's Marcia again. I left you a comment earlier about what a wonderful reference guide you've written on historical fiction. I have a question that I hope you won't mind answering if you're able. In all your research have you come across a good web site for the genealogy of royal families? I'm reading a lot in that genre right now and at times I find it very confusing to keep everyone straight, considering they use same names over and over. Family trees to refer to would be extremely helpful.

Thank you for your time,
Marcia

posted by woodbear at 12:27 am (EST) on Oct 17, 2007

Hi Sarah,

After spending a couple of hours Saturday in the library with your wonderful book I then went home and ordered it. What a resource, even for us lay people. I did notice that you're working on an update. Do you have a target release date you're willing to share?

Marcia

posted by woodbear at 3:16 pm (EST) on Oct 14, 2007

Thanks for your answer!

To tell you the truth, I'm working a historical fiction myself right now about ancient Egypt. I hope you like that era. Presuming I get a publisher for it, I'd love to send you a copy.

Lynn

posted by bastet at 6:37 pm (EST) on Oct 10, 2007

Hi. You are the only one I know besides myself who has "Hudson Lake," which was written by my friend Laura Mazzuca-Toops. I was wondering how you heard of it? I've got a book out, "Excited Light," which is on Amazon, and she and I have been going through all the hoops trying to publicize our work, which is really hard. I'm glad you heard of her book somehow. If I knew how you found out about it, maybe it will give me some ideas on how to publicize mine.

I am with you on the double-shelving. There is no way on earth we have room for all these books, and they keep coming, because I can't stop buying them. We already rented a storage unit for stuff and some of our books are in there. (Unfortunately, I always want the books that are in there.)

Lynn

posted by bastet at 12:08 pm (EST) on Oct 10, 2007

Sarah, I might have expected the only other person to have Openwork by Adria Bernardi here on LT would be you! I just picked it up after coming across a recommendation for it from Margot Livesey. Of course, the reviews are quite good also. Have you read it yet? I might not get to it for a while, as I have a new Laurel Thatcher Ulrich to read before my classes start up again... Best, Lois

posted by avaland at 7:04 am (EST) on Aug 31, 2007

I'm a librarian too, but retired. Thanks for writing that reference book: I plan to put it on my Amazon wish list. I have been using Jacques Barzun's Catalog of Crime to track down obscure books by forgotten authors. I have been reading historical fiction on Ancient Rome lately and loving it. The latest: Medicus, which I believe is on your list too. She has written a sequel which is not yet published.

Strangely enough, I have friends who lives in Charleston, IL: small world, isn't it?

posted by bentheo at 3:57 pm (EST) on Aug 29, 2007

I just joined, so I may be posting in error, but I think it says you've read "Light" by Margaret Elphinstone.
My online book club is reading it in July, and Margaret will be chatting with us online.
If you're interested, you can check out the book club at
http://bookbuzz.torontopubliclibrary.ca

posted by BBB2 at 4:32 pm (EST) on Jun 22, 2007

I just started listing my library two days ago, but we already share over half of my books. I will definitely be looking at your guide to historical novels. I'm an English professor, but I love to read these in my downtime. Fiction keeps me sane amidst the madness of a a 4/4 course load and department politics.

posted by Cariola at 1:09 pm (EST) on Jun 21, 2007

I have started using your book as a guide in my latest book-hunting expedition. A marvelous resource ! Thanks !

posted by Romanus at 10:28 pm (EST) on Mar 12, 2007

We do not share so many books, at least not yet, but I couldn't resist to have a peek at your library. What a staggering amount of historical fiction and mysteries! I am learning much from your listing - and I expect to learn even much more from your book (I have just bought it ...) Thanks!

posted by Romanus at 4:59 pm (EST) on Feb 21, 2007

How are things on Naxos02?

posted by denseatoms at 7:16 pm (EST) on Feb 11, 2007

P.S. I noticed you recently entered a new Susanne Alleyn novel...I read one of her previous books. Far Better Rest which was a companion/spin-off to Tale of Two Cities. I thought it a good read at the time. I don't make a habit of reading spin-offs but there are occasionally some good ones.

posted by avaland at 12:15 pm (EST) on Nov 7, 2006

I am endlessly fascinated by checking out others with whom I have books in common with. I've only logged in about 1200 of several thousand books but we share a great eclectic mix of titles. Mere peanuts numerically, of course; but it's the mix I'm delighted with.

posted by avaland at 12:09 pm (EST) on Nov 7, 2006

I'm just getting started, but so far we share the most amount of books, maybe because we are both librarians. I just discovered the site yesterday and have added 200 books so far, but have to wait until my membership payment shows up so I can get back to work. I am also an author, one historical fiction, Haggerty's Curse.

posted by MarshaLytle at 1:15 pm (EST) on Oct 14, 2006

Thanks for the recommendation - I own Heaven of Mercury but haven't read it yet, actually. My TBR pile numbers in the hundreds if not thousands! Scary, I know...

posted by ariadne02 at 10:19 am (EST) on Sep 6, 2006

I just finished The Heaven of Mercury and really enjoyed it. Watson's prose is wonderful. There don't seem to be too many people here that have this book listed. I was curious as to your thoughts of the book.

posted by rdixon98 at 3:11 am (EST) on Sep 6, 2006

Oops, my email was down over the weekend and I nearly missed your comment.
Nice to see someone else with a copy of Book 6! I bought Dowerless Sisters from Amazon UK back when it was still in print, which was maybe ten years ago. I don't think many people are aware that it exists. Had no idea it was a collectors' item, but you're right, the prices! yikes. Mine isn't hardcover, so probably not as collectible, but I'm glad I have it anyway.

posted by ariadne02 at 3:06 pm (EST) on Sep 5, 2006

Hi there - I see you have become only the second person, after me, to list The Dowerless Sisters, the final book in Valerie Anand's Bridges Over Time series. Did you find it hard to get hold of? Her books are very hard to obtain on this side of the Atlantic and I had to scour eBay and Amazon third party sellers to get the full set.

John

posted by john257hopper at 3:59 pm (EST) on Sep 2, 2006

Thanks for your comments on Scroll of Seduction - I haven't read it yet (still in the TBR pile) and it's not actually out in stores yet, is it? I got a copy at BookExpo this year because I enjoy novels about royalty. Hmm. Anything particular you didn't like about it?

You have a nice historical fiction collection. I see you're in Chicago - I'm a few hours south, down in Charleston.

posted by ariadne02 at 4:54 pm (EST) on Aug 7, 2006

We share 157 books! Of course, I only have 450 or so, so that number seems a lot higher to me than to you :-) What did you think of The Scroll of Seduction? We're the only two people on here that have it listed. I didn't much care for it- in fact, I didn't actually finish it. It didn't do much for me, really. But Dorothy Dunnett and Guy Gavriel Kay- glad to find another fan of those two :-)

posted by aarti at 4:40 pm (EST) on Aug 7, 2006

Hey, the comment notification feature is working!

Yes, I remember enjoying Beyond the Sacred Page. I think there's a sequel, isn't there? Have you read that one?

Water for Elephants is a pretty new acquisition, and I haven't gotten to it yet. Nor Poisonwood Bible. Are you a library cataloger? That's one big advantage - I like getting books as soon as they arrive!

posted by ariadne02 at 8:28 pm (EST) on Jul 20, 2006

we are the only two people who own Beyond the Sacred Page by Cavanaugh. I just started reading it...I'm about 8 chapters in. So far, I'm really liking it. Did you enjoy it? :)

I'm also wanting to get Water for Elephants...it looks really good. How did you like that one?

Anyhoo, we share only a few books, but they are good books! :) Poisonwood Bible is one of my favorites. I remember cataloging it for my library when it came out...and I was one of the first to take it on loan! :)

posted by annabethblue at 9:20 am (EST) on Jul 20, 2006

J. Robert Janes may be a good choice for people who like Furst - he writes atmospheric crime novels set in Occupied France. John Altman is another (A Gathering of Spies, A Game of Spies) - both spy thrillers set during WWII. His later books have more modern settings, I think. Hope one of these works out!

posted by ariadne02 at 10:52 pm (EST) on Jul 12, 2006

Can you recommend a new author or two in historical fiction to someone that is addicted to the likes of Alan Furst?

Thanks.

posted by Shiloh at 6:06 pm (EST) on Jul 12, 2006

You're very welcome - I'm happy to hear you're using it. I'm in the middle of Lincoln country here, so I know what you mean. Funny, I don't catalog books at work either, but I spend enough time doing it at home!

posted by ariadne02 at 11:17 pm (EST) on Jul 7, 2006

Just wanted to thank you for your own book. I'm a reference librarian at a small college, and it's been a big help with the "Do you have anything here I'd actually WANT to read?" kids--especially cause we're in Civil War central and that honestly never appealed to me.

posted by carratona at 5:58 pm (EST) on Jul 7, 2006

They wouldn't be my books if they weren't eclectic!

posted by Jaie at 12:29 am (EST) on Jul 6, 2006

It's kind of an eclectic group of 56, but they're all great reads! Some of my favorite novels are in that bunch.

posted by ariadne02 at 5:31 pm (EST) on Jul 5, 2006

I saw we had 56 books in common. So I had to look. Of course your nearly 8,000 to my paltry 350 that I've listed so far are nothing. But thanks for having those 56 not be the usual sci fi. They are actually 56 books that really count in my opinion. Thanks SO much. You made my night.

posted by Jaie at 10:14 pm (EST) on Jul 4, 2006

Yep, I got an early copy. It looks pretty good, doesn't it? Enjoy, once you get your own copy! It's interesting, we have a bunch of books in common, mostly fantasy, some historicals, but also Tom Clancy.

posted by ariadne02 at 8:58 pm (EST) on Jun 20, 2006

Oh, you lucky thing. You got an advance of the new Susan Wittig Albert "Cottage Tales" entry. Dang, I have to wait a whole 'nother week. Happy reading!

posted by Bestine at 3:08 pm (EST) on Jun 20, 2006

Haven't read Glass Books yet. I admit I'm intrigued, and thanks for your recommendation. I've got a couple books I'm obliged to read/review before I can get to it, but it looks good. Speaking of big fall books that may take off a la Jonathan Strange, if you get a chance to read Diane Setterfield's The Thirteenth Tale, I highly recommend it. I spent a whole weekend reading it, then I sat down and read it again from the beginning.

posted by ariadne02 at 9:26 am (EST) on Jun 16, 2006

I see that we are 2 of 3 people who have already nabbed Glass Books of the Dream Eaters. Have you read it yet? I must confess it kept me up late three nights in a row. I think it just make take off a la jonathan strange when it finally comes out.

posted by austenheroin at 11:21 pm (EST) on Jun 15, 2006

Re: my own book - yes, I tried to make it as comprehensive as I could, at least in terms of new historical novels that were easy to obtain (but there are some older ones listed too).

I own a few of the Aristotle series. Haven't read any of them yet either, but friends have recommended them. I wish my TBR pile wasn't so huge - it's getting to be a problem!

posted by ariadne02 at 2:52 pm (EST) on May 8, 2006

Hi, I see we're the only ones with Margaret Doody's "The SEcrets of Life". A friend gave it me for my birthday last year, and on the strength of it I bought "Aristotle Detective" and "Aristotle and Poetic Justice", but I haven't read them yet. I gather she's just had a new one published.

posted by Robertgreaves at 10:12 pm (EST) on May 7, 2006

Gosh, your own book looks like it cover a lot of ground!

posted by vidalia11 at 3:35 pm (EST) on May 7, 2006

Yes, I've read quite a few by Nigel Tranter. The Master of Gray trilogy is my favorite of his. Whenever I start one of his books, it takes a while to get used to his writing style - I find his dialogue unnatural - but he covers Scotland's history like nobody else.

Re: Alfred Silver, I just found his author page on the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia website. Shame that more Canadian historical novelists aren't well known in the US. I hadn't realized he'd written so many.

posted by ariadne02 at 12:37 pm (EST) on Apr 30, 2006

If you like royalty and historical fiction, at least of the Scottish variety, ever read any Nigel Tranter?

posted by bluetyson at 10:48 am (EST) on Apr 30, 2006

Alf Silver also authored at least one series of radio mysteries that aired on the CBC's Mystery Project. Quite good, but they haven't been on for a couple of years now.

posted by sluggo at 8:21 am (EST) on Apr 29, 2006

Sluggo - Actually, I haven't read Red River Story yet. It's a fairly recent purchase - found it at Half Price Books last month, and it looked pretty good.

Latrell - Thanks for the recommendation. I'll check it out! I enjoyed Eugenia Price's novels.

posted by ariadne02 at 4:14 pm (EST) on Apr 28, 2006

Hello,
We share a love of historical novels. We both have Eugenia Price's Florida trilogy. I am a Florida native of Minorcan descent, and I a writer. My book INDIGO is a historical novel set in 18th century Florida. I'll bet you would love it. It has romance, mystery, adventure, tragedy, triumph, Indians, Minorcan colonists, and pirates under the English and Spanish flags. Check out my profile.
Latrell Mickler (Lmickler@bellsouth.net)

posted by LatrellMickler at 3:33 pm (EST) on Apr 28, 2006

how did you like Red River Story? My mum's side came throught the settlement and wound up in the states partly as a result of the events of the story.

You and I are alone in having this one, I see.

posted by sluggo at 12:34 pm (EST) on Apr 28, 2006