SPRING 2024 BOOK HAUL | I've entered my historical fiction era!

[@LaurieInTexas]

I read Year of Wonders about 6 months before the Covid shutdown, and I certainly thought about the book during 2020 because the villagers in the story voluntarily quarantined to stop the plague from spreading from the village. Brooks' story is based on an actual village from that time, and it was a very selfless act to quarantine. I liked the book, but I had an issue something near the end. It didn't ruin the book for me but I wished she had left it out. When you read it I will be interested to see what you think.

[@Dinadoesyoga]

I'm a yoga instructor, so I've read The Bhagavad Gita a few times now, though not that edition. It is a spiritual text, even religious. Lord Krishna is in dialogue with Arjuna the warrior. Funny that Penguin seemed to gloss over that. It's good yogic instruction, but not much of a story per se.

[@Shellyish]

This is very helpful! THANK YOU!

[@Justine_S]

I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read from Geraldine Brooks so far. I have March on my shelf and hope to get to it this year.

[@Shellyish]

That's great to know! THANK YOU!

[@depressedtv]

For weird historical fiction, you may like Voice of the Fire by Alan Moore It takes place in Northampton, England and spans millennia. Each chapter is from the perspective of a character in their own time period. Each character speaks in a manner relevant to their time period. The first chapter is in caveman era times, and the character's language is very rudimentary and simple. Some of the chapters get weird, for instance there is a chapter from the perspective of a decapitated head.

[@Shellyish]

Weirdly! I own that book!

[@hellobookworm]

I like your book credit system. I've been on a similar train; currently on year four of reading every book I buy in a given year. Knowing that if I buy a book this year, I have to read it this year stops me from buying too many books at once.

[@BboyKeny]

I've got some catching up to do 😮

[@Shellyish]

That is awesome!

[@t3cchan]

Great haul! I love your philosophy on book purchases; I try to stick to similar tenets. I'd like to recommend a historical fiction manga called Golden Kamuy, which is set in Hokkaido during the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War. I think it'd be a great manga addition to your historical fiction reading. It's equal parts funny, charming, heartbreaking, and informative.

[@Shellyish]

I looked up Golden Kamuy and it looks like I can read it on the web. :) Maybe a summer read for me!

[@t3cchan]

@@Shellyish awesome! Thanks for actually taking the time to check it out, I appreciate it

[@Shellyish]

@@t3cchan my pleasure, honestly.

[@novelideea]

I have Cavalier and Clay to read also.

[@dhauri1958]

I really enjoy your channel. You've inspired me to do a re-read of Kavalier & Clay. I'd also recommend another favorite of mine: The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet by David Mitchell

[@Shellyish]

I'll check it out! Thank you for the recommendation!

[@HannahsBooks]

I really enjoy most of Geraldine Brooks-especially March, but not Horse. I’ve been thinking about People of the Book really regularly since I read it years ago.

[@Shellyish]

Oh! That bodes well for me. Thank you!

[@HannahsBooks]

@@Shellyish I hope you will enjoy it-but not everyone does!

[@andeeheartsbooks7447]

I read The Dragonriders of Pern 30ish years ago. I did like it though I was not much of a fantasy reader then.

[@Shellyish]

I hope to like it.

[@novelideea]

I’ve never read Dragonflight, but I LOVE Dragonsong and Dragonsinger and Dragondrum

[@Shellyish]

That bodes well for me. :)

[@jacksontalley]

I loved Kavalier and Clay. When you read it, let me know if you agree with me that it would be a phenomenal movie. It has such a cinematic quality to it. It’s long and I hit a brick wall during a section of it but it’s great overall.

[@Shellyish]

I'll definitely update you when I get to the book! :)

[@starlasell5698]

❤📚 Oh wow, memories! I read Anne McCaffrey Harper Hall of Pern Trilogy when I was in my twenties and loved them.

[@Shellyish]

Oh! That's exciting! :)

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Yes! Brooks won the Pulitzer for March. The content IS heavy and difficult to read at times, but i can see why it won. I think people who LOVE LOVE LOVE Marmee may not appreciate that book. It wasn't until i finished with it that i found it sticking with me and thinking more abt it. I definitely want to read more from her.

[@Shellyish]

Good to know! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@bjminton2698]

Nice haul! Dragonflight was hard for me to get into. The made up words and names are confusing for the first half of the book. Then, it gets pretty good! The Harper hall books in the series (still the same world of Dragonflight) are the best! My favorite fantasy author, though, is Robin Hobb. She writes beautifully with wonderful characters! Start with Assassin's Apprentice.

[@Shellyish]

Thank you! I'm hoping to get to Dragonflight sooner rather than later. :)

[@ChristyLuisDostoevskyinSpace]

Nice haul! I enjoyed Dragonflight, but it didn't make me want to carry on with her series. Yesss those types of papersbacks (like your copy of Chabon) are my favorite as well! Hardbacks are hard on sore wrists 😅 Thanks, Shelly.

[@Shellyish]

Thank you, Christy! :)

[@kt1x954]

cant wait for the skypiea review!

[@Shellyish]

I've STARTED IT!

[@novelideea]

I like Brooks writing but not her content choices. You don’t have the aversion to things that I have though so maybe you’ll enjoy her more. I have read People of the Book & recently tried to read March and DNFd it.

[@Shellyish]

Thanks for warning me about Brooks! I do appreciate it.