Historical Fiction TBR & Recommendations | February 2023
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- Опубліковано 5 вер 2024
- I haven’t done one of these videos in ages but as an old historical reading recommendations video was suddenly getting some love, it made me wonder why I’ve not read any and what I would really like to head to. So here’s a little #TBR I have some #bookrecommendations that kind of fit this category but I’m hoping you’ll give me even more reading recommendations to head to in this genre… oh and the random sub genre I mention. Ha. #BookTube
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Mercedes @MercysBookishMusings video • Books for Sarah Waters... (not as queer as I had made it in my head but brimming with fabulous historical reads, ha!)
Books Mentioned…
The New Life by Tom Crewe
The Dreaming by Andre Bagoo
The Shards by Bret Easton Ellis
Love, Leda by Mark Hyatt
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
A Place Called Winter by Patrick Gale
The Prophets by Robert Jones Jr
Variations by Juliet Jaques
Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens
White Houses by Amy Bloom
Marlo by Jay Carmichael
My Government Means to Kill Me by Rasheed Newson
Me Elsewhere…
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Christopher Isherwood is always good, 'A Single Man' being my favourite of his.
I loved A Single Man. Haven’t been a fan of his others so much so far sadly.
I love the energy in this video 😂❤
I also prefer factual historical fiction to nonfiction 🤷🏻♀️
I like ‘faction’ a lot too. That said I do like narrative non fiction a lot when I get to it.
Just bought the Love, Leda book and I can't wait to read it. Loved all your insights on the other books too!
Awww thanks Laura. That’s a lovely thing to say. Hope we both enjoy Love, Leda.
Oh Christopher Castellani's 'Leading Men' might appeal? 1950s, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams & the like.
Thank you for your video, Simon! I love historical fiction and it's always great to get new recommendations. I currently have Fingersmith, The Prophets and Briefly, a Delicious Life on my TBR. Almost 20 years ago, I read The Book of Salt, by Monique Truong, which is a novelization of the relationship between Gertrude Stein and Alice Toklas. I remember liking it a lot, although the details are a bit hazy :)
And about "historical documents", maybe Dusty Answer, by Rosamond Lehmann? I read one of her novels recently, immediately fell in love with her writing style, and now all her full catalogue is on my TBR as well.
Oooh The Book of Salt sounds super interesting.
I used to think I didn’t like historical fiction... until I realized wtfffff many of my favorites are exactly that.
Appreciate the video as always 📖 🪱 💚. So hypeeee for that long list video too
'House of Impossible Beauties' (Joseph Cassara - sp?).
I think tjis fits with your definition of 'historical'. About a drag 'House' and Family.
I have this. A perfect choice.
We thrive in the higgledy-piggledy!
Awwww Olivia. That means so much!
I loved Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, and Death in Venice by Thomas Mann. Both wonderful.
I need to try more James Baldwin as sadly I didn’t like Giovanni’s Room, I read it in Paris and everything.
I've always been meaning to read and just learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt! Thank you for putting White House on my radar!
Hope you enjoy it if you get to it and do watch The First Lady!
I’m new here and loving this video…🎉
Welcome to the channel Claire. I hope you keep enjoying it!
I love your chatty, rambling videos… they are very cozy.
Awwww thank you. I was feeling a bit out of kilter with myself in that video. But that’s me some days so it was uploaded regardless.
I’d love to see you film a video all about the books that have made you cry.
Ooooh that might not be many but I could definitely look at doing that. Though don’t expect me to cry on camera… not a good look for me.
@@SavidgeReads That would be great! (The video, not you crying on camera). I’m always keen to hear about which books touched people emotionally. Admittedly, there have only been a couple books that have made me cry but those books are ones I’ll never forget.
The Prophets is AMAZING! Read it a few years ago and honestly, it is so beautiful & so interesting how that relationship is dealt with how based within racism homophobia is.
It’s incredible. I love it. Love Robert too.
Reminds me of two books you’ve recommended in the past that I absolutely LOVED, Tin Man by Sarah Winman and The Haunting of Henry Twist by Rebecca F. John!
Ooooooh yes those two would count.
So many thoughts! The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue is wonderful. Also The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn (the queer aspect is not as prominent but it’s integral to the story). Also, please no vlog or video doubt! Your content is terrific!!! So looking forward to a few weeks of extra Simon!
I was going to take all the ‘wobbles’ out of this video but decided against it cos it’s just how I am with filming occasionally and usually hide it. Not today. I’m actually pleased with myself in hindsight that I didn’t just delete it which I was considering.
Ooooh I bladdy love a good historical fiction. Although I sometimes get stuck in ww2 era so it's nice to hear of some different times. Thanks for those recommendations Simon 😁 (I ADORED Briefly, A Delicious Life 😍)
Ooh good to know I’ve a corker ahead. I’ve just bought a queer WWI book called In Memoriam which I am super duper intrigued by.
'At Swim Two Boys' (Jamie O'Neil). One of my favourite books, set in Ireland, during the run up to the Easter Rising, 1916. Definitely historical, definitely queer, definitely amazing 😊
Footnote 😉: You mention "The Colour Purple" the other day 💜 and that is an excellent historical novel with sapphic themes. It is also my favourite read of the year, and I will be surprised if something bumps it off.
Don't give in to vloggers doubt because I find your vlogs very relaxing, love watching day to day moments & your reading.
Ooooh I am planning on reading The Colour Purple in March possibly. For my Savidge Prompt, though could also read Sula. May read both!
@@SavidgeReads Good plan, both are mighty 👌
I loved this blog, always informative. I, too am fascinated with Eleanor Roosevelt and have read many books about her. A new book coming in July 2023 called The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, looks at the friendship she had with Mary McLeod Bethune (a black woman) and the allyship between Black and white women. I'm soooo looking forward to your Italian vlog 😊
Oooh that sounds like an interesting book. I’ll have to look that up. Thanks Jennifer. Hope you enjoy the vlog when it arrives.
There is The Binding by Bridget Collins. It’s a bit mismarketed as fantasy, but it’s more like a historical fiction (19th century) with one magical element and a queer romance.
See it’s sad because she’s become really problematic with her views and I had used to recommend that book a lot until that.
Oh, I didn’t know that. Read it a few years back.
I LOVED The Prophets soooo much. I thinkkkk I read it in 2021? But whatever year it was, it was my favorite read of that year.
It’s an amazing amazing book. Think was my book of the year the year I read it too.
Me too ! Thoroughly agree
😊loved the video, it’s natural when you just chit chat and forgot the thingy bobs in books, i do it all the time! Nettleblack is a book i saw Jen Campbell talk about which might be one that would fight your reading, I have it but haven’t read it yet.
Ooooh that’s a very good call. I have Nettleback on the shelves so will have to get to it! Thanks for the reminder. And the lovely comment.
That t-shirt is everything🙌. So excited for extra vids and especially can’t wait for your Women’s Prize reaction with @LouiseSavidgeMuses Don’t forget Stella Prize longlist announced 2 March too!!
Ha. I haven’t forgotten. There’s only so many book prizes I can cover and longlists I can read though. Hahaha. I’m intrigued to see what the judges pick.
Middlesex!!! Though I feel you’ve probably read it , as I vaguely recall your mentioning it before 🤔 and seems like a book you’d have already been hip to regardless, but JIC - Middlesex!
Sadly I DNF’d Middlesex.
I used to read a lot of historical fiction but got stuck in a WWII cycle for some reason and got burnt out on it. I've slowly gotten back into it without realizing the books were historical fiction. I wonder if they just arent marketed as HF like the war setting books are...hmmm
I appreciate the stream of conciousness videos because that's what my brain does as well. I do tend to cycle back to my original thoughts* it just takes me a minute. For me, I'm trying not to forget to say the important bits and get ahead of myself. At work, if it's not written down it gets forgotten.
*footnotes. I bet you remembered as soon as you stopped thinking about it.
I did. That’s what I added the text over it at that point. Well not literally but quite soon after. I am thinking of doing a health update video as sadly I’ve developed on one the more unusual symptoms of Dercums which is the lose of words. Is becoming more common for me. Ugh. Anyway… glad you’re out of that WWII cycle. I avoid WWI and WWII books as we were taught so much about it at school.
I just finished reading The Spirit Engineer by A.J. West, a historical novel set in Belfast shortly after the sinking of the Titanic. It deals with the interest at that time in spiritualism and seances. It wasn't until well into the book that I discovered the characters were all real historical figures. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini even put in appearances!
Oooh. I have that on my shelves. Again, another book I didn’t realise had a queer twist.
Have you read Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski? It is about white people and a bit more recent history, but I found the political backdrop of 1980s Poland fascinating and I thought the writing was beautiful too!
I have. I thought it was ace. I need to check if it’s on my shelves as that one I should have recommended. You know my taste well Julia 😉
I mentioned on another video, so sorry for the repeat, but Martha Moody by Susan Stinson! It was published by a small press in the U.S. so I'm not sure how widely available it is. Setting is the American Pioneer West, it's a Sapphic literary romance novel. I loved it so much. I'm not sure how historically accurate it is, lol! But it is lovely. Also the Adventures of China Iron by Gabriela Cabezón Cámara in 1872 Argentina.♥
Oh and I'll add that NEITHER of those books end sadly! =)
Never apologise for delightful repeat information Sarah. Thanks for sharing these again.
Thank you Simon , really interesting as always
A pleasure Jane. Glad you enjoyed it.
Really enjoy your videos Simon …
Im really interested in reading ‘White Houses’
Thank you for sharing!
A pleasure. Glad you’re enjoying the videos!
A pleasure.m Sarah. Glad you’re enjoying the videos!
I read Patrick Gale s Mothers Boy recently and really enjoyed it. I presume as you mentioned him here that you have already read that one, but if not, I recommend. I particularly liked the mother , Laura and her adventures with the evacuees....I'll say no more incase you haven't read it. I need to get to Sarah Waters soon, I have a couple of her books by my bedside and I can't believe I haven't read them yet!
I have indeed read that one and enjoyed it very much. Based on history too which I love. I think A Place Called Winter is simply just my very very very favourite of his.
I really liked White Houses & was oblivious about that entire thing until I’d read that
Sarah Waters' debut novel is the gorgeous "Tipping the Velvet" 😀 (I know you knew)
Actually I didn’t mean her debut. I meant Affinity her second novel. I’ve not read Tipping The Velvet. Ha.
I haven't seen Mercedes 's video yet but I immediately thought about Emma Donoghue books as similar to Sarah Waters.
Ha. That’s one author she mentions. Lol
For whatever reason, i am SO intrigued to read Tom Crewe’s The New Life like I’m absolutely foaming at the mouth for it. And now I’m intrigued by Amy Bloom’s White Houses and historical fiction about American First Ladies in general - what a niche genre! Love it. I’ve never heard of the show and yet I’m american! 🙈
Hahaha. The show was blinking brilliant. I think The American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld is based on the life of Barbra Bush.
@@SavidgeReads literally just came back from the library w White Houses and The New Life 👀📚
I would recommend The house on half moon st by Alex Reeve it’s a series but I’ve only read the first one so far, set in Victorian London it’s about Leo Stanhope who was born Charlotte but has fled his family home and is living as Leo. It’s a historical fiction mystery thriller.
Oooh this sounds like a corker. Thanks for the recommendation.
Hi SimonNot higgledy piggledy at all, lke a conversation with a friend where one thought triggers another. Also, u spke a wee while ago about determining wot kind of reader u r. Well, i think you're doing that....all those mused about what kind of historical fiction/non fict u prefer. Finished Birnam Wood and my review of it on goodreads which took a bit of thinking.
Hahaha thank you Kathleen this is a lovely and very generous comment. I guess sometimes with videos like this one they make you ponder, which can make you feel like you’ve no structure… but there is.
Hey Simon, one of my favorite books is Damage by Josephine Hart little joy of punch to the heart I would compare it to Lolita same actor played in both movies I will definitely be putting the prophets on my tbr 🙂
Ooooh I’ll look Damage up. Thank you. Hope you enjoy The Prophets when you get to it, if enjoy is the right word.
Anther First Lady recommendation, Jackie and Maria (USA) called The Second Marriage (UK) by Gill Paul. A fictionalized story of Jackie Kennedy and Maria Callas' rivalry with Ari Onassis
Oooh thank you
Here are a couple of book recommendations , Historical Fiction , about former First Ladies, Courting Mr Lincoln and Jackie and Me, both written by Louis Bayard. Also, Steven Rowley, author of The Guncle, has a book called The Editor. The Editor of the title being a fictionalized Jackie Kennedy Onassis
Ooooh these sounds fantastic. Thanks so much!
I guess you already know about the two novels/fictionalised novels on two first ladies, American Wife (Laura Bush) and Rodham (Hillary Rodham Clinton), both by Curtis Sittenfeld.
Hahaha. I do. I did whisper not Rodham under my breath I think. But it was very subtle. I thought that book was good. Until all the cupping of Bills balls. Ha. So I DNF’d.
Oh it was you that mentioned Marlo! I wondered why it made it into my Waterstones wishlist 😅
Yes, it was me. I take full responsibility.
Thank you. It’s nice to finally see influencers taking accountability for their actions.
Walter Scott prize longlist for historical fiction thew up some good ones! I am looking forward to reading Paterson Joseph`s novel The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho, Black history but in the UK!
I don’t think that’s LGBTQ though which is what this video was about. Ha. I have it on my shelves though.
OMG Tom Selleck! 😍 Sorry what books did you recommend again? 😏
Hahaha. I’ve just found a TV show he is now and he’s still an absolute sort.
The Broken River Tent by Mphuthumi Ntabeni might give you an idea of what amaXhosa think about the nine Frontier Wars they fought with the British over hundred years from the late 19th century to late 20th one.
Ooooh I haven’t heard of this so will look it up! Thank you so much for the recommendation.
Hi Simon, I’d like to recommend you a beautifully written book- Days Without End by Sebastian Barry. It’s a wonderfull queer historical fiction. FromWikipedia „The novel is narrated by Thomas McNulty, an Irish émigré who flees to Canada and then America to escape the Great Famine. In America he befriends John Cole and the two fall in love, working first, as young boys, as cross-dressing entertainers and then enlisting in the army and taking part in both the Indian Wars and the American Civil War.” 5 Star read.
I have read this one. I really liked it. I can’t believe I forgot to talk about. I have the sequel which I really need to read at some point.
Try In the Distance by Hernan Diaz.
Oooh I didn’t know that that had a queer storyline.
White Houses is sooo good
Really looking forward to it.
Love the video, I'm a huge historical fiction fan. Have you read As Meat Loves Salt by Maria McCann? It's a book that has stayed with me for a long time after reading and might be one for your TBR pile 😊
I have read As Meat Loves Salt, thought it was pretty great. I would like to read some of her other books actually.
Have you read any of these? After Sappho, Mr Loverman, The Adventures of China Iron, Last Night at the Telegraph Club, The Prettiest Star, Under the Udala Trees, Delayed Rays of a Star?
Mr Loverman I have read and LOVED though in my head isn’t historical fiction. Not sure why. Thank you for the other recs. I have three of them on my shelves. Hooray!
Loved A New Life and currently reading Briefly a Delicious Life. Have you read Days Without End by Sebastion Barry? It fits your queer/rural request I think.
It does. Though maybe I’m hankering the Peak District and I need to head to some books from there. Though the Barry has a sequel so that could be a good one. I’ve that on my shelves. Thanks for the recs.
Queer historical fiction?
Devotion by Hannah Kent
A Marvellous Light
The Hearts Invisible Furies
These Days by Lucy Caldwell
The Ghost Road & Regeneration
I’m running out of ideas. I may have to come back to you on this one.
Ha. Those are plenty. Thank you Jacqueline. I am shocked with myself for still not having read Devotion as I love Hannah.
Have you read Damian Barr’s You Will Be Safe Here? Bit of a cheat as it is dual timeline and only one of the timelines has a queer theme, but it is astonishingly good. Afraid that’s all I can think of right now. I just borrowed White Houses from the library. I really want to pick up Briefly, A Delicious Life, but I am bummed that the brilliant narrator Jen mentioned in her video is replaced by a very dull American voice over here. (In fairness, she may be a lovely narrator, but just not what I was hoping for.) So, I’ll be looking to read it in physical form or ebook.
Do you like books with dual timelines? Have you heard about Katie Lumsdens book? Her channel is books and things.
I haven’t. I’ll have to look it up as i love a dual timeline.
I’m born and bred in Sheffield, it made me chuckle when you said mardy. Nah then mardy bum 😂
Ooh I used to come to Sheffield loads from Matlock. Mainly cos of John Lewis RIP. I was also there again loads last year with work.
Tom Selleck before he channeled Theodore Roosevelt. Non-fiction Housman Country by Peter Parker, academic but poignant about Housman's writing and his unrequited love for a straight man. Death in Venice by Thomas Mann, Judgment of Paris by Gore Vidal, if you read plays then Tennessee Williams' Suddenly Last Summer and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, American Wife was a novel plot loosely based on a First Lady. There must be some based on Jacqueline Kennedy, but can't think of any title.
Oooooh thank you!
Also The City and the Pillar and Myra Breckenridge by Gore Vidal. Burr, Lincoln and 1876 are very fine historical novels by Vidal.
Hey... ... I like your shelves.
Thanks!
Have you read Days Without End by Sebastian Barry?
I have. I loooooved that. I need to read the follow up sequel actually. Thank you for the reminder.
I always say I don’t like historical fiction but when I think about it the books that stick in my mind are historic fiction. Bamboo Doctor. The Physician. Dreams of other Days. They are not queer books but all ones that I still remember from when I was much younger and Hamnet. Violets and of course the Sarah Waters ones. I loved Fingersmith and Tipping the Velvet. Oh yes, A Place called Winter was brilliant. See I think I do like historical fiction. The Lamplighters probably come into that list as well.
I gave The New Life a go but it wasn’t for me. I can’t think of any that fit your criteria - sorry.
No apologies necessary!
It’s not historical fiction, but since you mentioned not having read much about the trans experience - The Parcel by Anosh Irani is a devastating book about a Trans person in India.
Oooh now I feel like I have this on my shelves. I shall investigate, I need to make a spreadsheet. Thank you for the recommendation.