Can we use this thread to match various books with the wishlists of other Challenge particpants (Item #C, Wishlist Category)?

For example, is Doc, by Mary Doria Russell on anyone's WL? (Linda & I have this book & could get it read sooner rather than later if it would work for this category for someone else in the Challenge.)

Kelly

Yes, I have Doc by MDR on my wish list.  I would love to read it sometime this year, but I am not in a rush.  I love westerns of any kind.  Lately I have been reading Sci Fi western type stories. 

Item B - a book that has been featured on the PBS blog

I read Persona Non Grata by Ruth Downie.  This is the third book in the series about Medicus.  I love the characters Ruso and Tilla, lots of humorous situations along with the murder and mayhem.  Looking forward to book 4 which will be released next week.

Linda

I read Leaden Skies by Ann Parker and posted it to Jeanne's WL ... thus fulfilling my obligation for Item C of this Course.

I enjoyed this book. As with the previous titles in the Silver Rush mystery series, I like the characters, the setting and believe the author does a credible job of developing her plot. The mystery & suspense build nicely & while I was on-track with the majority of the solution; it wasn't so dummied-down that it was a complete yawner ... and there is always a slight surprise or two to give that "aha" moment.

The book gets a 4/5 from me; perhaps undeservedly (?). It is not the author's fault that I read this book right after reading Doc by Mary Doria Russell ... 

Kelly

Item E - a book from the Essentials List

I read Moloka'i by Alan Brennert.  Earlier, when we listed our top reads for 2011, I noticed many listed this book, some saying it was the best of the best.  I was fortuate enough to snag it when Holly listed it under 'available books' and saved it back to read this year.  What a wonderful story!!  Easy to understand why so many ranked it so highly.  To say it was "touching" is a vast understatement; I found myself tearing up over and over - so many emotional moments near the end of the story that I was relieved to finally reach the author's notes. 

Linda

I read Medicus by Ruth Downie for the Mini-Challenge category of this course (Item D). This book fit a category in the Historical Mystery challenge ... 

This was an enjoyable book, set in 2nd century Brittain, when Brittain was under the control of the Roman Empire. Our main character is a medic for the 20th Legion and has the somewhat irreverent approach to authority & bureaucracy that I love. Devoted to his medicine with a genuine desire to ease suffering, he also has a common-sense, somewhat self-deprecating awareness of the world in which he lives.

As most already know, this is a fun series and one I will continue.

Kelly

I finished Here Be Dragons by SKP for the PBS Blog section. Loved this book and continue to marvel at how easy Sharon makes writing seem!  I have never read about Wales before and now want to read the rest of the trilogy!

Bonnie, I have said this before, but in my opinion, the most romantic line of all time is in "Falls the Shadow"

Mimi what line would that be?

Yes, Mimi share share!!!!

Item F - book on TBR for over 2 years.

I read Etta by Gerald Kolpan.  Etta Place was a real person, a member of Butch Cassidy's Hole-in-the-Wall gang, but historically very little is known about her.  So this novel is strictly, purely fiction - an enjoyable read but I wish I could believe some of it.

Linda

,A.  Read-Alongs:  Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart 2/2012:  See my comments under the book discussions for the read-along.  It is enough to say that I enjoyed the book.  However, since I had just finished a Stephen Lawhead series about the same topice it was not as refreshing as it might have been.  3 stars

B.  PBS Blog:  Lionheart by Sharon Kay Penman:  Enjoyed this one about Richard, his marriage and his crusade to help capture Jerusalem, deemed a failure by Richard himself and others of his time.  Certainly enjoyed his battle exploits!  What a warrior!  4 stars

C.  Wish-list:  Grail by Stephen Lawhead:  It  took me awhile to to get into but once I did I couldn't stop reading.  It's a good, good read and I'd recommend it to anyone who wants to read more Stephen Lawhead.  4 stars

D.  TBR:  Oregon Country by T.J. Hanson:   This one was written as a day by day chronicle about the first group to travel overland by covered wagons to Oregon Territory.  It's a interesting read told by a woman who drives her own wagon.  Abby has lost her new husband and her baby so has little reason not to follow her husband Caleb's dream to move to Oregon Territory.  Few understand the determination of a young lovely woman who drives her own oxen team.  Fortunately, she spent considerable time planning for the trip asking many people what she needed and took trip after trip to the store to gather supplies.  Following the advice of many, she purchased a well contructed wagon, eight strong oxen, and hired a mountain man to be her drover.  His advice kept her wagon and animals in better shape than most of the other members of the wagon train.   Most interesting read.  3 stars

I don't want it to be a spoiler, so scroll down to read:









































 When Llewelyn says on his deathbed, "I was told to never keep a woman waiting" after Joanna predeceases him.  Sniffle. Sob.

*Sniff sniff*  Yup,  I think I cried more in Falls the Shadow than any other, Sunne and The Reckoning as close seconds.

Item A - Read-Along:

Thoroughly enjoyed The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart.  Kelly who read lots of Mary Stewart back when she was in high school couldn't believe that I had never read anything by this author.  So it was a delight to experience her wonderful writing, while at the same time reading a great story and legend.  Other novels I've read about Arthur have, of course, included Merlin, but this is definitely my favorite characterization of him.  Loved the part of the book that covered his childhood.  Actually, I loved the book, loved Merlin.

Linda

This was my fourth book in Course 1, so this completes that part of the challenge.

As usual Linda, your leaving the rest of us in the dust.   Good job on finishing your first course.

I finished The Crystal Cave, and I think that this version of Merlin shall be my standard; any other Merlin books will be held up against Mary Stewart's.  I enjoyed this just as much as I did the first time I read it, many years ago.

Way to go, Linda!

I think I cried most in The Reckoning.

I finished The Crystal Cave last night for the February read along. Very enjoyable. I plan on reading the reast of the series throughout the year.

Well, after participating in the Read Along for February, I went on to finish this course by reading a book that had been on my TBR for more than two years, Fire from Heaven (Actually, I've been hanging on to this book since the mid-80's, believe it or not!!!) and then read its sequel, The Persian Boy, which was on the HF Essentials list.  As well it should be!  I liked Fire, but I loved Persian Boy!  I'm also participating in the mini-challenge that Jeanne created, the HF Mysteries.  So..yay!  I'm done with two courses already, and I'm just reading whatever strikes my fancy!  This could be a good plan for me...

ETA:  Hold on.  Persian Boy, while on the list, is NOT in the top 50!  Okay, so perhaps I haven't finished this course! 

Well, Vicky -- I just voted for The Persian Boy which moved it up five spots. If EVERYONE else votes for it, we can get it moved up lots -- hopefully, into the top 50. So folks, here's what you have to do:

1) Click here: Essential HF List (The Persian Boy)

2) Wait a few seconds -- the link should take you to The Persian Boy. (Otherwise, you'll have to scroll to find it.)

3) Click 'VOTE."

Your reward for doing so is the satisfaction of helping out Ms. Bell's Palsy!! (This will undoubtedly prove more gratifying than casting your vote in the current presidential election.)

(ETA: The book is currently #163.)  

Remember, Team ... Christa expanded this item to be the Top 100 of the HF Essentials list!

So, for the newbie in the crowd, the idea is to go to Christa's book list titled Essential Historical Fiction and vote? Is that right?

LOL...YAY!  You guys are too sweet.  This is sort of like getting the Miss Photogenic Award during the Bell's Palsy pageant, isn't it?  

I moved Persian Boy to the Wedding Scene challenge.  At one point, Alexander and 80 of his top commanders all get married in a huge ceremony---I do believe they were the first Moonies.    So I can still use the book for the challenge. 

But out of the top 50, there were only 8 that I had not yet read--so I'm glad to see it was expanded to the top 100!! (Thanks for that info Kelly!)