I Tried the First Chapter of 10 Popular Historical Fiction Books // TRY A CHAPTER READING VLOG

[@nancypickard3456]

I am watching this late and know you have had your son! Congratulations! What a blessing to your family! My daughter was due the day before you and had her baby boy on Oct. 5th...2 weeks late! Book related...I loved Giver of Stars! Didn't love This Tender Land and DNFd another on your list (won't taint your thoughts). I do have My Dear Hamilton that I'm excited to read and A Piece of the World that I'm not excited about. Looking forward to your final thoughts on these books!❤

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you, and congrats to your daughter too! 💕 It's such a special time. It's been a hard month of adjustment, but I'm also so in love with my little dude so much. Hopefully will get some of these historical fiction books read soon-ish. 🙃

[@debc.345]

I always love your videos, Gloria! Thank you for sharing! I have read 5 of the books you mentioned. My favorite genre is historical fiction as well. I will be anxious to hear your feelings on some of these. Love your little free library, too! Many blessings to you and your family in the weeks ahead. ❤

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you so much for the sweet, encouraging words! 💕 And I hope I really enjoy most of these reads -- they are popular for a reason.

[@beeheart6529]

I love the idea for this video! Thanks for all the recommendations.

[@victoria9663]

I am incredibly impressed at you reading so much and ranking these books so eloquently at 40 wks pregnant! I was so out of it at that point in my pregnancies, I could never have done this! 😆 I did love listening to audiobooks while in the newborn phase - nothing like listening to Jim Dale read Harry Potter while up at night with a snuggly new baby. I hope that your new little one is here by now and things are going well!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Haha, you are sweet! I was distracting myself which was necessary because I was getting so antsy to meet baby and move on from being pregnant. The Jim Dale narration of the Harry Potter books are my absolutely favorite and they are what turned me on to audiobooks and Libby. Complete game-changer for my reading life!

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

So many good books to look forward to. Looking forward to your thoughts on what you get to. 😊💙

[@JacquelineCaron]

fun video - haven't read any of these ... yet! your LFL is so cute - and am sure the bees you paint on will be adorable! sending you good vibes for an easy labor/delivery of your baby!! 👶🍼

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you so much for the kind words and well wishes! 💕 I'm loving being a LFL steward. It's like my tiny little bookstore.

[@juliebahr3736]

I've read The Address, This Tender Land, My Dear Hamilton, and Giver of the Stars. They were all 3-5 star reads for me. I won't spoil any for you. Also, the authors of My Dear Hamilton have another book, about Thomas Jefferson's daughter, that I also enjoyed, America's First Daughter. Praying for your delivery and recovery as you welcome the baby!!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you so much for the kind words and well wishes! 💕 And I'm glad to hear that the historical fiction you've read from this list were mostly positive experiences for you. I'm hoping they will be for me as well! I own America's First Daughter as well, so if I love My Dear Hamilton I will certainly pick it up.

[@bytesofmemory]

Yay for a try a chapter and for non of them really being duds right off the bat! I have too many books I am in the middle of and I want to finish some off but I am really in the mood for some historical fiction!

[@GloriaZThompson]

I'm in the mood for historical fiction too, but only seem to be reading nonfiction newborn and parenting books at the moment. I've yet to finish a book in Oct. 🙃

[@karaa2507]

I've read The Giver of Stars and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet - both were 4 stars to me! I've enjoyed a couple of Fiona Davis' books as well - and understand your hesitancy with the first chapter there... if that is setting up the story then ugh! Loved this video and I've added a few more books to my TBR. Prayers for a smooth ride for you and baby

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you for the kind words! 💕 And sharing your reading experiences with these reads. I'm almost done with Giver of Stars already which I love for me. Glad I can actually follow through with some of these reads.

[@heyitslori]

Your #10 is one of my favorite books of all time, so don't give up on it! It's slower, but it's just so good.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Oh that's so great to know! Thank you for the encouragement to read it. I won't give up because I've really enjoyed Kline's other books.

[@jewellparker8813]

Interestingly, The Giver of Stars is the only Jojo Moyes book that I've read, and I very much enjoyed it - even more than I expected. I hope you like it as much. All the best to you and your baby!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you so much for the well wishes! I'm almost done with Giver of Stars and am happy to report that I'm really liking it!

[@wendyp6198]

I have read mostly of the list! All good stories......Bluebird is next! Many blessings on the coming days❤

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you so much 💕

[@LaynasBookshelf]

Great minds think alike! I have a try a chapter video coming out tomorrow for underrated thrillers

[@GloriaZThompson]

Of fun! Can't wait to watch (:

[@beeheart6529]

I just saw the musical Hamilton and just adore Eliza. Thanks for recommending this book about her.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Glad I could put it on your radar! I hope it's a good one.

[@tammys5687]

I've read two on your list - The Kitchen House and The Giver of Stars. I enjoyed both! To compare The Giver of Stars, and The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek, I think I enjoyed the latter a little more, but I still enjoyed The Giver of Stars.

[@GloriaZThompson]

I read Bookwoman last year and I'm interested to see how I'll compare it with Giver of Stars once I finish it. Also, Kitchen House is high on the priority list to get to soon.

[@michalaharesnape5434]

I loved The giver of stars so much. I also really like This tender land when you’re ready to get to it. I recently read Yellow Wife by Sadeeqa Johnson and really liked it, historical fiction is my absolute favourite genre though I’m increasingly enjoying gothic and horror books too, especially at this time of year. I wish you so much luck and love for your new arrival, will we get to see the baby? Please? Xxx

[@GloriaZThompson]

I read Yellow Wife last year and that was a fantastic read! And I'm happy to report that I'm reading and really enjoying The Giver of Stars, so love that for me, haha. Yes, I will definitely introduce baby at some point in a future video when he arrives!

[@insearchofwonder]

My Dear Hamilton is the only one I've read of these, and I really enjoyed it. Several of the others are on my TBR - I'll get to them eventually. 🤣

[@GloriaZThompson]

Glad to hear My Dear Hamilton was an enjoyable read for you because that's a long one! I hope to get it read before the year is up. We shall see!

[@andeeheartsbooks7447]

I gave your lowest rated book a 4 so adding several of these to my list. My granddaughter is 5 weeks old, enjoying every minute. Hope yours is here soon...or by now!

[@GloriaZThompson]

I still have high hopes for liking Christina Baker Kline, it just didn't grip me right away compared to others. I'll give it a go at a later time. Oh so sweet! Can't wait to snuggle by baby.

[@cathy2142]

Congratulations❤❤❤❤

[@mizsuzee]

I've enjoyed a bunch of these. Did you know that there was a bit of a "book scandal" when The Giver of Stars came out? The person who wrote a similar book - The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek - seemed to think that JoJo Moyes may have "borrowed" some of her ideas , as many aspects of the books were similar. I enjoyed them both 🙂

[@GloriaZThompson]

I did not know about the drama! I have since finished Giver of Stars and liked it a bit more than Bookwoman but still very much enjoyed both reads.

[@eileennielsen5165]

I read quite a bit of Historical Fiction. Here are some of my faves: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah, The Rose and The Whistle by Laura Frantz. I could name you 100 more, but that's A start! Frantz has written so many good historical fiction bks. Alot based on her descendants. I'm assuming g you had your baby?

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks for sharing your favorites! I've read all of those but Laura Frantz -- I'll have to try her out as an author. Yes, baby is happy and healthy and we are all doing good, almost 3 months in!

[@maryflaherty7096]

Waiting to hear that you have your baby and loved a couple books you have not read yet.

[@GloriaZThompson]

No baby yet, but hoping soon!

[@amid5830]

I loved The Giver of Stars. Great choice.

[@GloriaZThompson]

I've since finished it and really enjoyed it too! Yay!

[@marallshouse6831]

Have you tried Greenwood by Michael Christie? Historical fiction is my wheelhouse and I haven’t found a real good historical fiction book lately until this one. This book is worth pressing in someone’s hands.

[@GloriaZThompson]

I've heard wonderful things about it and it feels beautiful and autumnal, so it's on my radar! If I ever come across it at a used book store, I will 100% snag it up. Thanks for sharing a recommendation.

[@jaynehunter-ar]

When you read the Rachel Beanland book, I'll be interested to hear how you think it compares to Florence Adler. Have you read The Bookwoman of Troublesome Creek? It's a similar story as The Giver of Stars and I'd love to know which you like best if/when you've read them both. Co-sign on JW's male voices! Good luck with the baby!

[@GloriaZThompson]

I'm curious to see what I think of it as well! I liked Giver of Stars just a bit more than Bookwoman but both were great reads to me. And thanks for the well wishes! Baby boy is happy and healthy! 💕

[@lizlittle1641]

I wish I could visit your Little Free Library. It's so cute.

[@GloriaZThompson]

I wish too! Thanks! 💛

[@tammyripp998]

The House is on Fire is a winner, great book!!!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Love hearing that! It will definitely get read this year.

[@glendaw5221]

Funny thing. I don’t mind Julia Whelan but I don’t listen to any book that Xe Sands narrates. I think other people love her voice but it grates on my last nerve. You are right about This Tender Land. It is HEAVY. Can’t wait to hear about the baby!!

[@GloriaZThompson]

It's funny how we respond to different audiobook narrators. This year I decided to keep track of the narrator and highlighted in green if I like their voice or red if they didn't do a great job. And in the future I'll know if I come across an audiobook recommendation. Good to know about This Tender Land -- I'll put it off for now, but am excited to return to it another time.

[@maryflaherty7096]

One is Giver of Stars and Tenderland.

[@beeheart6529]

Forgive my ignorance, but did Canada have a prohibition too?

[@GloriaZThompson]

I had no idea, and had to look it up. I guess they had one too but it was shorter than the US. I'm curious to learn more when I finish Bluebird.

[@ruthlounsbury4024]

A Piece of the World was wonderful.

[@GloriaZThompson]

That's great to hear! I'm a little hesitant after reading the first chapter and not immediately being sucked in, but I will definitely give it another go later on.

[@melissachapman7027]

I’m so glad you said that about Julia Whelan! I also think she’s very good at what she does but I won’t listen to her audiobooks because her voice grates on me too much. Unpopular opinion!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Glad to hear I'm not the only one who doesn't love Whelan's voice 😅

[@paperbacksandponytails]

I also do that too, I have unpopular opinions of popular books usually😂.

[@GloriaZThompson]

I usually don't like being controversial, but with books I don't hold back, haha.

[@KatieReadsKoziesAndMore]

Many of these books sound good to me. Please know I am pacing the floor in hopes that will make baby ready to enter this world. Hugs, prayers and best wishes.❤

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you for your sweet words. 💕 I'm eagerly waiting for him as well!