I recently read "Year of Wonders" too and loved it. My favorite of hers is "The People of the Book" and I loved "Horse" too. "March", the book that she won the Pulitzer for...was good but I liked the others I've read more... "The Dutch House" has been on my list for awhile...so you convinced me to push it higher on my TBR.
Oh no, I wasn’t finished. So sorry. When I was much younger I read Katherine by Anya Seton, and loved it so much, just a wonderful historical novel, and wanted to read it again, so had to find another copy. So I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it so much too. I am reading another very good historical read by Elizabeth Goudge, The White Witch. She is such a wonderful writer and I’m enjoying it so much.😊😊😊
I read The Sparrow a couple of years ago and I still think about it some times. I'd never read a first contact story before and I was not prepared for what happened. I was taken completely by surprise. LOL I didn't expect to enjoy the story as much as I did.
Best historical fiction in June "No Mans Chattel" by Lee Swanson Best of the year so far "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See Most looking forward to "Agrippina" by Emma Southon
Ann Patchett has the best narrators who can bring a story to life. The Dutch House was a brilliant book and Tom Hanks made it even more special. We are huge Tom Hanks fans in our house too. My husband wrote him one time to thank him for something he had done and he wrote a personal, handwritten note back! We had to go online to check the handwriting to be sure that he actually wrote it. ❤😊 And Tom Lake as read by Meryl Streep was spectacular too. Streep makes you feel like she is just telling her personal story to her children and you are getting to listen in! Love your insights!
I loved the Dutch house too. I listened to it and it is one of the best audios, because it Tom Hanks😊. I forgot most of the book because I read it a while ago , but it’s amazing that what I remember is like what you said, the sibling relationship and in particular their discussions in the car, and how they would sit in the car and watch the house and talk. Now I want to reread it.
Its funny to hear your thoughts on "When We Lost Our Heads" because I didn't pick up the quirkiness but I did really enjoy how everything was pushed to its furthest limits. I've been really into almost surrealistic novels recently, and I think it fits my exact niche at this moment. I do see how it could be very grating though, if that isn't something you enjoy
Hi Shelly, I recently found you and saw your historical fiction video and loved it so much because I got so many ideas of things I would enjoy and because you are so detailed I feel I can really choose some books that are to my liking! Thank you. I am a retired elementary teacher and wonder what you teach?
Great recap of Fox and I! I enjoyed it very much. I’ve been bouncing all over with my reading. Decided to get into The Three Body Problem then went to the second book The Dark Forest. Fascinating subject but oh boy… hit a wall halfway through Dark Forest. Honestly it came down to length. And knowing the next book was about 600 pages. 😬 When you can only read about 30-50 pages M-F (of course more on the weekend) those big books can be daunting so DNF’d Dark Forest. Reading None of this is True by Lisa Jewell right now and LOVING it. Will finish it today.
@@jobuckley2999 Jo! Hi! It’a so good to see your name pop up! I loved Doc’s character! He was incredibly well-drawn. Have you read the follow-up book about the O.K. Corral? I’ve heard that book is a real banger.
Yay! One of my favorite videos every month. Also on Summer break so was able to get a lot of reading & listening done. Took on the challenge of reading a volume of a graphic novel every time I finish a regular book and my friend recommended a bunch. Added Year of Wonders to my list for July! Morning Star by Pierce Brown (Finale for the Red Rising Trilogy, the whole series was fantastic) Vagrant Soldier Ares: Vol 1 - 8 MAR: Vol 1 - 8 Psyren: Vol 1 - 8 Vinland Saga: Vol 1 - 8 Somehow: Thoughts on Love by Anne Lamott Mobi by Kobi Yamada (Went back to read it with my youngest siblings and they really liked it) Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller Jackal by Erin E. Adams James by Percival Everett (Love love love, couldn't stop listening to it from the moment I started it. One of my first for #readhistoricalfiction 2024) The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (One of my absolute favorites) Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Listened to part of this on the road to a backpacking trip with some friends and they became so invested that we would sit around our campfire listening to it at night) Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
You did a wonderful job explaining the Sparrow...and you can see why it's one of my favorites. I'm glad it surprised you in a good way. It does stick to you. And you can understand why I thought this was a better start for you than Doc.
I loved The Wife. I am older than you are and it may resonate more who lived through those situations. I’m thrilled that women don’t have to go thru that. Much anymore.
I enjoyed the movie adaptation of The Wife but haven't read the book. Nice to hear your thoughts! I do plan on reading The Interestings by Wollitzer, soon, as my friend has recommended it to me.
It's been years since I read The Sparrow and do remember enjoying it. (It was so different than anything else I have read.) I didn't realize there's a second, and I'm curious if you think you would read it. I'm curious about Fox & I and Doc. Happy Reading!
Mary Doria Russell's A Thread of Grace is a fantastic historical fiction book! I love The Sparrow, couldn't stand Instance of the Fingerpost (😭) and loved Year of Wonders, even with the tricky ending.
I haven't read The Sparrow, but I've heard one of its biggest themes is about colonisation and missionary work; and how you can mean so well and yet completely unintentionally destroy a culture. I don't know though, I haven't read it. Some very interesting reads here I want to try!
@@lauras4472 oh! Well, I’m on summer break as a teacher. ☺️ I do have more free time than normal. During my “slowest” reading months, I’ll read about 4 books.
You're my new favorite booktuber I found today. Historical fiction is also my favorite genre.
@@kwiyopta2024 thank you!
I recently read "Year of Wonders" too and loved it. My favorite of hers is "The People of the Book" and I loved "Horse" too. "March", the book that she won the Pulitzer for...was good but I liked the others I've read more... "The Dutch House" has been on my list for awhile...so you convinced me to push it higher on my TBR.
I certainly hope you do continue this next year! I need to read Instance of the Fingerpost.
@@StephanieJCohen Stephanie, thank you! I’m encouraged to host another HF readathon next year.
Oh no, I wasn’t finished. So sorry. When I was much younger I read Katherine by Anya Seton, and loved it so much, just a wonderful historical novel, and wanted to read it again, so had to find another copy. So I’m thrilled that you enjoyed it so much too. I am reading another very good historical read by Elizabeth Goudge, The White Witch. She is such a wonderful writer and I’m enjoying it so much.😊😊😊
I’m adding The White Witch to my TBR! Thank you for sharing! I’ve never ever heard of the novel. ☺️
I read The Sparrow a couple of years ago and I still think about it some times. I'd never read a first contact story before and I was not prepared for what happened. I was taken completely by surprise. LOL I didn't expect to enjoy the story as much as I did.
Loved The Sparrow! :)
Best historical fiction in June "No Mans Chattel" by Lee Swanson
Best of the year so far "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See
Most looking forward to "Agrippina" by Emma Southon
Nice dawg!
Ann Patchett has the best narrators who can bring a story to life. The Dutch House was a brilliant book and Tom Hanks made it even more special. We are huge Tom Hanks fans in our house too. My husband wrote him one time to thank him for something he had done and he wrote a personal, handwritten note back! We had to go online to check the handwriting to be sure that he actually wrote it. ❤😊 And Tom Lake as read by Meryl Streep was spectacular too. Streep makes you feel like she is just telling her personal story to her children and you are getting to listen in!
Love your insights!
Tom Hanks is truly a gem! Loved that we all couple appreciate his narration of The Dutch House.
I loved the Dutch house too. I listened to it and it is one of the best audios, because it Tom Hanks😊. I forgot most of the book because I read it a while ago , but it’s amazing that what I remember is like what you said, the sibling relationship and in particular their discussions in the car, and how they would sit in the car and watch the house and talk. Now I want to reread it.
Its funny to hear your thoughts on "When We Lost Our Heads" because I didn't pick up the quirkiness but I did really enjoy how everything was pushed to its furthest limits. I've been really into almost surrealistic novels recently, and I think it fits my exact niche at this moment. I do see how it could be very grating though, if that isn't something you enjoy
Hi Shelly, I recently found you and saw your historical fiction video and loved it so much because I got so many ideas of things I would enjoy and because you are so detailed I feel I can really choose some books that are to my liking! Thank you. I am a retired elementary teacher and wonder what you teach?
Hi! Welcome! I teach 6th grade (all the subjects) and I love it.
Great recap of Fox and I! I enjoyed it very much. I’ve been bouncing all over with my reading. Decided to get into The Three Body Problem then went to the second book The Dark Forest. Fascinating subject but oh boy… hit a wall halfway through Dark Forest. Honestly it came down to length. And knowing the next book was about 600 pages. 😬 When you can only read about 30-50 pages M-F (of course more on the weekend) those big books can be daunting so DNF’d Dark Forest. Reading None of this is True by Lisa Jewell right now and LOVING it. Will finish it today.
I read DOC and thought the dialogue was brilliant. The Doc Holliday character that she created was pretty amazing. It is a favorite western of mine :)
@@jobuckley2999 Jo! Hi! It’a so good to see your name pop up! I loved Doc’s character! He was incredibly well-drawn. Have you read the follow-up book about the O.K. Corral? I’ve heard that book is a real banger.
I bought Doc recently and I think now I’m going to bump it up on my TBR stack👍
@@Shellyish Yes. More of a regular western though. 😊
Even if I agree with the message, I hate being hit over the head with preaching on a certain topic. A little subtly goes a long way.
Loved Year of Wonders and The Dutch House!
Yay! One of my favorite videos every month. Also on Summer break so was able to get a lot of reading & listening done. Took on the challenge of reading a volume of a graphic novel every time I finish a regular book and my friend recommended a bunch. Added Year of Wonders to my list for July!
Morning Star by Pierce Brown (Finale for the Red Rising Trilogy, the whole series was fantastic)
Vagrant Soldier Ares: Vol 1 - 8
MAR: Vol 1 - 8
Psyren: Vol 1 - 8
Vinland Saga: Vol 1 - 8
Somehow: Thoughts on Love by Anne Lamott
Mobi by Kobi Yamada (Went back to read it with my youngest siblings and they really liked it)
Star Wars: The Living Force by John Jackson Miller
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
James by Percival Everett (Love love love, couldn't stop listening to it from the moment I started it. One of my first for #readhistoricalfiction 2024)
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (One of my absolute favorites)
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Listened to part of this on the road to a backpacking trip with some friends and they became so invested that we would sit around our campfire listening to it at night)
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
You did a wonderful job explaining the Sparrow...and you can see why it's one of my favorites. I'm glad it surprised you in a good way. It does stick to you. And you can understand why I thought this was a better start for you than Doc.
I agree. Well done Shelly.
@@pamelatarajcak5634 thank you! I can see why you love this book, Pamela!
Mary Doria Russell is one of my favorite authors. I encourage you to read more of her work. I am enjoying your videos. Gives me lots of reading ideas.
Russell is a brilliant author!
I loved The Wife. I am older than you are and it may resonate more who lived through those situations. I’m thrilled that women don’t have to go thru that. Much anymore.
I enjoyed the movie adaptation of The Wife but haven't read the book. Nice to hear your thoughts! I do plan on reading The Interestings by Wollitzer, soon, as my friend has recommended it to me.
@@MyCozyLittleLibrary let me know how The Interestings works for you!
It's been years since I read The Sparrow and do remember enjoying it. (It was so different than anything else I have read.) I didn't realize there's a second, and I'm curious if you think you would read it. I'm curious about Fox & I and Doc. Happy Reading!
The Sparrow really does stick with you. An excellent book.
Ann Pratchett has a book store, Parnassus Books in Nashvill. Maybe you & your sister's would enjoy a long roardrtrip up there?
That would be amazing!
Mary Doria Russell's A Thread of Grace is a fantastic historical fiction book! I love The Sparrow, couldn't stand Instance of the Fingerpost (😭) and loved Year of Wonders, even with the tricky ending.
Thank you!
I definitely need to read more Ann Patchett. I enjoyed The Dutch House and I loved Tom Lake. Perhaps I'll head to Bel Canto next.
I didn’t love Bel Canto. I’m hoping to get to Tom Lake soon. ☺️
Fox and I sounds good I will put that on my tbr
Enjoy!!
I will forever remember The Sparrow. I love her writing but I’m not sure I liked where she took the story.
Excellent writing, for sure!
If you have not read the Green Darkness by Anya Seton you are missing out!
Thank you!
I haven't read The Sparrow, but I've heard one of its biggest themes is about colonisation and missionary work; and how you can mean so well and yet completely unintentionally destroy a culture. I don't know though, I haven't read it. Some very interesting reads here I want to try!
I respectfully write that the explorers in The Sparrow go with a anthropological mindset and not one to change. Interesting take though.
Sounds like the purpose of Pope Joan was in trying to answer the question you asked here at 3:36 and it did so too linearly.
That’s exactly right.
@@Shellyishthank you for your amazing reviews
How do you read 11 books in one month?!
I have no idea. I spend a lot of time doing it.
@@Shellyish wish I could read all day, but I guess that’s your job☺️
@@lauras4472 oh! Well, I’m on summer break as a teacher. ☺️ I do have more free time than normal. During my “slowest” reading months, I’ll read about 4 books.
@@Shellyish a book a week is great! I get a book every two to three weeks 🫤