What is everyone reading for Historical fiction this month?

I just finished Lucinda Riley's Sun Sister. It is part of the seven sisters series. This is book 6. Takes you back to Kenya during WWII. Excellent series.

Beginning The Nickel Boys, Pultizer Prize winner and a take on a reform school and the atrocities that occurred there, particularly from the black viewpoint.  It's moving and so well done.  This is an exceptionally talented author.

I am reading Louise's Lies by Sarah R. Shaber.  Absolutely excellent set in Washington DC during WWII.

Finished The Book of Speculation by Erika Swyler, a first novel for her.  Haven't yet decided what I think.  The author did a very nice job moving back and forth between the present and the past.  There were two romances, a love triangle and a curse affecting the family.  Supposedly the curse was attached to a pack of tarot cards passed from mother to daughter over the years.  I had a bit of trouble with that.  All the women drowned on July 24.

Hello!  Sorry I've been MIA.  Lots going on this time of year.  Reading has been slow as well, so I don't have a ton to report.  

I finished listening to "The Castle of Kings" last week.  Eh.  It was okay, but very long. I finished reading "The Gilded Hour" by Sarah Donati last night.  Again, okay.  I know I'm in the minority, but Donati's work never grabs me like it does so many others.  I kind of slogged through it. Toward the end it started getting interesting, and then BAM!  It was over and at least 2 storylines were totally unresolved. Uggh. I hate that.  Apparently there is a sequel, but I don't know that I want to invest the time reading it to possibly find out what happens with those storylines.  

I started listening to "The Witchfinder's Sister" on Sunday, and I am enjoying that.  Not sure what I'll actually read next.  TBD.  

Just finished The Skull Beneath the Skin by P.D. James.  Very good mystery.  It was a bit long but well worth the read.  In brief, an actress is receiving poison pen notes periodically.  Cordelia Gray is asked to pose as a secretary to the actress whose next performance is at a theater on an island.  When the actress is killed, the police appear and their investigation centers on everyone who was there the night she died.  Cordelia follows the clues but because she is always a step behind almost loses her life.  I liked it a good deal.

Also read Anatomy of Murder by Will Thomas.  What a read!  Exciting and very well done.  The book focuses on investigation into the murders of several women by a man called The Ripper.  Fast moving and a most excellent one.

Where is everyone?  I'm starting a couple of HF books - Queen Hereafter by Susan Fraser King about Margaret of Scotland and Mary, Queen of France by Jean Plaidy.  Have been collecting Plaidy books for some time.  Decided I should read some of them.

Not sure if anyone remembers me, but I'm back and glad to still see some names I recognize. I used to be active several years ago and had some big life changes that took me away, but am slowly making a return!

I've just started The Royal Governess by Wendy Holden. Not sure about this one, there's something about the voice of it that I find distracting. But I like the concept at least. 

I remember you name Aimee. Did you used to play in swaps?

I finished Conjure Women by Afia Atakora. It was an okay read for me. Seemed to drag but characters were interesting. Her first novel.

I did used to play in swaps, Alice. Those were always fun. 

I picked up The Dry Grass of August by Anna Jean Mayhew last night before bed, intending to read a couple chapters. Ended up staying up until 3am (whoops!) and finished it all in one sitting. It felt very authentic to the time period--you can tell the author grew up during that time--and I enjoyed the narrator. A very good first novel. 

Hi Aimee!  Glad you are back.   And, I read The Dry Grass of August some time ago.  Good, good book.  Finished both my books about queens.  Both were excellent reads.  I loved the writing by Plaidy and the story she wrote about Mary, Queen of France was excellent.  Queen Hereafter by Susan Fraser King about Margaret of Scotland was awesome.  It rated five stars and once again, I found her discussion about the book gave fascinating highlights about why she wrote what she did..  Margaret was one outstanding woman and her marriage was a rather famous love match that did not begin in that manner.  Nothing more.  If interested one has to read the novel to find out.

Those sound like interesting reads, REK! And thanks, I'm very glad to be back. I've just started The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue, set in an Irish maternity hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic. Not a happy read by any stretch, but I figured it was timely and I'm enjoying it so far. Not an era or location I've read much about. 

Hi, Aimee!  I'm glad you're back.  I have been very sporadic here over the last several years, which always makes me sad as I remember all the action and fun we used to have around here - read alongs, holiday swaps, etc..  It's nice to have more people around, and I hope others join us!  I'm trying to post more regularly.