Ahhhh, a brand new year of reading. I made it to exactly 100 books for 2015; I am proud of myself for that! However, until I am retired I will be sticking with a smaller goal, to give me more time to read longer books and really ruminate on things. I’m pretty excited about my 52 book goal on Goodreads! I have a few people on my friends list who set and achieve goals of 200+ books in a year, and I wish I could be that dedicated. Reading that many books won’t allow me to paint or do puzzles or even just watch tv without feeling guilty that I’m not reading. This is the year of fun and enjoyable reading for me! So, what was the last book I read of 2015?
The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great, Eva Stachniak
This is another one of those books that I have been considering for quite some time now, and it was one of the books in the Boxing Day sale on Kobo! $4.99 instead of $13.99?? Yes, please! All of the reviews said that the first book was certainly worth reading, but the remaining books in the series were not. (I decided to break my usual pattern, and only read the first book.) I enjoyed this book, despite it being more about Elizabeth of Russia, rather than Catherine. It covers the beginning of Catherine’s time in Russia, up to the death of Elizabeth. The court really feels like a decadent and frivolous but fraught place, with wholly developed characters. I was compelled to keep reading, and I very much enjoyed it! I would have rather it written from Catherine’s point of view, not a third party, but it didn’t ruin it by any means. If you are interested in historical fiction from Russia, certainly give it a go!
Onto my first books of 2016! These are both from the Kobo Boxing Day sale, as well. (It worked out well for me, I ended up with 6 books for less than $30.)
The Scent of Secrets, Jane Thynne
I normally do not read modern historical fiction, especially set outside of England. (I enjoy Kate Morton, but that’s mostly it for modern.) This tale of a half-British, half-Jewish actress sent to spy on Eva Braun (Hitler’s girlfriend) drew me in- as a handful of the reviews on Goodreads discuss, Thynne does a wonderful job of presenting the Nazi leaders as people, rather than inhuman monsters. Given how atrocious and unspeakable their crimes were, this must have been an incredible task. She does relay the feelings of horror and disgust we all have through Clara’s thoughts when she finds out their plans, but it almost feels like she should feel even more strongly. It moves at a slow and measured pace which might not reflect the heightened terror of Berlin under the Nazi regime, but does reflect time itself. A good read I am glad I picked up!
Christmas at Tiffany’s, Karen Swan
Yet another author on my list for years, that sale was made for me! A more serious piece of chick-lit, it was an easy read- in the sense that you wanted to find out what Cassie would do, and where her friends would lead her and mold her into next. I can’t give any specifics without spoiling it, but I loved who I was supposed to love, and hated who I was supposed to hate. Not necessarily my favourite chick-lit, but certainly up there!
Now, what books did I buy on my trip??
Matriarch: Queen Mary and the House of Windsor, Anne Edwards
Okay, this entire post is just books I’ve been looking at for years. This is the first time that I’ve seen it, so I figured I might as well grab it! Look fascinating, and that will be my next read!
I was so excited when I saw the Cozy Cap Murder by Jenn McKinlay! It was out on the shelf before the actual release date!!!! I love this series, it is a cozy series about a hat shop in London (two of my favourite things!), and I have been waiting since the date was released in the summer! I’m currently working on this one 🙂
Do you have any 2016 reading goals?? Are you doing any specific reading challenges?? Have you read anything so far this year??
Until tomorrow,
The Historian!
