Cold Sassy Tree, published in 1984, is one tall glass of sweet Southern storytelling. With strong themes of love, compassion, spirituality, and family (with more than a dash of humor and gossip), it’s easy to see why this historical fiction novel was a bestseller in its time. Continue reading
Category Archives: Historical Fiction
Book Review: Semper Fidelis: A Crime Novel of the Roman Empire by Ruth Downie
Semper Fidelis is the fifth book in Ruth Downie’s Medicus Novels series. It’s set in England (formerly known as Britannia) during the Roman occupation somewhere around 122 AD. The time period, setting, characters, and plot make it a light and entertaining read. Continue reading
Book Review: A Test of Wills by Charles Todd
A Test of Wills is a satisfying, traditional English mystery with a nontraditional main character. Ian Rutledge is trying to rebuild his career at Scotland Yard following World War I, but PTSD, lack of clues, and secretive villagers are making it difficult to solve a high-profile murder. Continue reading
Book Review: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Lessons in Chemistry chronicles the struggles of a woman scientist as she tries to succeed in a male dominated industry in the 1960s. It ranges from heavy to amusing, with a persistent hatred for Christians and the Catholic Church woven throughout (not amusing). Continue reading
Book Review: I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys
I Must Betray You is a gripping, historical young adult novel about a teenage boy’s struggle for freedom in the final days of Romania’s oppressive communist regime. It shines a bright light on a topic that isn’t well-known to young people, and I highly recommend it as an account of what true oppression looks like. Continue reading
Book Review: Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel García Márquez
In Love in the Time of Cholera, Gabriel García Márquez takes on some heavy topics, including obsessive, unrequited love; marital love and fidelity; and aging and death. Continue reading
Book Review: Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr
In Cloud Cuckoo Land, author Anthony Doerr weaves a complex and inventive tale about the enduring impact a good story can have throughout the centuries. Strong themes of resilience, hope, and compassion make this novel enjoyable and memorable. Continue reading
Book Review: Flight of Dreams by Ariel Lawhon
In Flight of Dreams, author Ariel Lawhon takes full advantage of creative license to tell the story of the passengers and crew on the Hindenburg’s final, disastrous voyage as well as develop one possible (although farfetched) explanation for the explosion. Continue reading
Book Review: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
This Tender Land is an epic tale of four orphans who canoe along the Gilead, Minnesota, and Mississippi Rivers, escaping from a dark, abusive place and searching for a home in depression-era America. Continue reading
Book Review: The Moor’s Account by Laila Lalami
The Moor’s Account is a fascinating historical fiction novel based on a real-life journey to Florida by 300 Spanish conquistadors in 1528. The story is told by Mustafa, a Moroccan slave who accompanied his master on the expedition and was one of only four survivors. Continue reading
Book Thoughts from Bed 