The History Book Club discussion

Francie, here is your new thread in 2016. Happy reading in the new year.

Our Required Format:

JANUARY

1. by Winston S. Churchill
Finish date: January 2016
Genre: (whatever genre the book happens to be)
Rating: A
Review: You can add text from a review you have written but no links to any review elsewhere even goodreads. And that is about it. Just make sure to number consecutively and just add the months.

Thank you, Jill.

JANUARY

1. by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Finish date: January 10, 2016
Genre: Nonfiction
Rating: A+
Review: Such a wonderful book with a powerful message. I agree with many others that it should be required reading. Ta-Nehisi Coates' writing is beautiful.

2. by Erik Larson
Finish date: January 11, 2016
Genre: History
Rating: A+
Review: This is the story about the last crossing of the Lusitania. I thought it has all the drama of a wartime thriller and kept the suspense building throughout. Larsen gives you a personal glimpse of some of the people traveling on the magnificent boat as well as keeping track of the U-boat and its captain who launched the torpedo killing so many innocent people. I loved this book and enjoyed it a little bit more than The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Chnaged America. Highly recommend.

by Erik Larson

I love that book, Francie. Read it last year.

Francie wrote: "2. by Erik Larson
Finish date: January 11, 2016
Genre: History
Rating: A+
Review: This..."

Great review of a fantastic book.

3. by Jill Barnett
Finish date: January 16, 2016
Genre: Historical Romance/Magic
Rating: B+
Review: An arrogant duke raised to always be in control. A witch who can't always control her witchcraft. The two get married and the chaos and fun begin. Normally, when I read a historical romance, I like a little murder, mystery, mayhem, but this book was so much fun. I giggled and laughed out loud throughout the book. Very entertaining.

4. by Talia Carner
Finish date: January 17, 2016
Genre: Political thriller
Rating: B+
Review: Brooke Fielding and a group of successful business women travel to Russia shortly after the fall of communism to teach Russian women entrepreneurial business skills. All I'll say is I stayed up until the early morning hours because I couldn't put the book down. If it hadn't been for the slow beginning, I probably would have given it an A. Seat of your pants reading.

Good start, Francie.

Thank you, Jill.

You certainly read a wide variety of books! (So do I)

I love reading. I often add books from your 50 books to my TBR, as well as other recommendations.

my to read pile is huge

5. by Jon Godden (no photo) and Rumer Godden
Finish date: January 27, 2016
Genre: Autobiography
Rating: A-
Review: This is the story of Jon and Rumer's childhood days in India and their perspective of life in this fascinating country. The prose is absolutely beautiful, such vivid descriptions of the scenery. The ending was just a little too abrupt and left me wondering what happened.

6. by Evan Osnos
Finish date: January 28, 2016
Genre: Chinese Culture, nonfiction
Rating: A
Review: I really enjoyed reading this book. Such insight into the political culture and such vivid characters to help tell the story. It definitely made me thankful I live in the United States where I am free to think and speak whatever I choose.

7. by Annette Blair
Finish date: January 29, 2016
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: B
Review: A nice love story with a good mystery behind it. My kind of simple, cozy reading.

8. by Barbara Karnes (no photo)
Finish date: January 31, 2016
Genre: Death/Dying Process
Rating: A
Review: I read this during the final days before my husband's death. It was a great help in letting me know what to expect over those final days. Thanks to the Hospice nurse who gave it to me.

FEBRUARY

9. by Kristin Hannah
Finish date: February 11, 2016
Genre: Historical Novel
Rating: A+
Review: This is the story of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France. They have totally different personalities, one who follows the rules and one a rebel. Although they follow different paths, they find a sister's love cannot be broken. Such a beautiful book. Loved it!

I'm glad it helped you to deal with his passing or at least to have a better understanding. I am glad you are back, Francie. Missed you.

10. by Yukio Mishima
Finish date: February 16, 2016
Genre: Novel
Rating: A
Review: Mr. Mishima's writing is mesmerizing. I felt like I was reading poetry. The story is much like Romeo and Juliet, a boy and girl in love in pre-war Japan, but forbidden to be together. Great book.

by William Shakespeare

11. by Annette Blair
Finish date: February 18, 2016
Genre: Historical Romance
Rating: B
Review: An arranged marriage, and the groom doesn't know that his bride-to-be is pregnant and has twin boys. A little laughter and a little mystery. Cute book.

Jill wrote: "I'm glad it helped you to deal with his passing or at least to have a better understanding. I am glad you are back, Francie. Missed you."

Thanks, Jill. I'm glad to be back.

12. by Robert Upton (no photo)
Finish date: February 22, 2016
Genre: Mystery
Rating: B-
Review: Amos McGuffin's ex-wife and daughter are missing and he is on a manhunt for a couple of post-war Nazi soldiers. It was an okay story. I guess I just didn't like the writer's style on this one.