It’s Tuesday again and that means another Top Ten Tuesday post! TTT was created by The Broke and the Bookish. Head over to their blog to learn more about TTT and see upcoming themes.
This week’s theme = top ten books every ______________ should read. It was our discretion to fill in the blank. Since I am a historical fiction lover, I thought I would feature some of my favorite historical fiction books.
Let’s get started, shall we?
In no particular order…
If you think a Geisha is merely the Japanese version of a prostitute, you need to read this book.
Did you know that in some ancient cultures when a woman would menstruate, they would be sent to a tent secluded from everyone else for the duration? I don’t know about you, but I’d be all for taking a 5 day break every month 🙂 Don’t let the synopsis scare you off. This book is LOOSELY based off of Dinah from the book of Genisis from the bible, but this book is not about religion. It is about female relationships.
Again, this is a book that would appear to be religious in nature, but isn’t. This is the story of a woman who disguised herself as a man to better her future and ends up sitting on the papal throne.
If you love historical fiction, you really can’t go wrong with Philippa Gregory. The Other Boleyn Girl is probably my favorite of her books.
I LOVE books that create a back story for famous pieces of art. This story centers around Johannes Vermeer’s famous oil painting, Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Another book centered around a famous piece of art. This book creates the back story to Edgar Degas’s Little Dancer of Fourteen Years.
Book Review: The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan
What book worm wouldn’t want to read a book the revolves around the love of the written word? This book has a fresh perspective of Germany set during WWII.
Every HF fan should read the Outlander series. Everything that Diana Gabaldon writes is pure gold.
My favorite HF series. Ever. Do you want to read a series where you feel as if the characters are family? Here you go. You’re welcome.
An amazing story about a period of U.S.history that we don’t hear much about… funny how that happens…
Orphan Train Meet the Author Event – Christina Baker Kline
Book Review: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
Ever heard of the U.S. Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882? I hadn’t either before reading this book.
Book Review: The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes
Oh, such an excellent collection! Those I haven’t read I’ve put on my to-read. Love Diamant & Memoirs of a Geisha but still need to get around to Chevalier and the Book Thief. Thanks 🙂
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Anytime 😊
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I love your list! So many great books are here–The Book Thief, The Other Boleyn Girl, The Red Tent, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Girl with the Pearl Earring. I really enjoyed them all! Thanks for stopping by my TTT earlier 🙂
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Thank you kindly!
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Thanks so much for sharing! I love historical fiction, at the moment I’m reading Outlander and loving it! 🙂 I do want to check out Orphan Train and Into the Wilderness! 🙂
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Are you enjoying Outlander thus far?!
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Yes I am! I’m not very far admittedly but I’m hoping to finish it this month and then start watching the TV series! 🙂
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I haven’t watched the TV show yet… I’m a little nervous that it would ruin the books for me… But I’m also curious… The struggle!
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Memoirs of a Geisha was a little sad for me. I enjoyed reading it, but I wouldn’t want to read it again. My TTT
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Ah, finally a list I’ve read several of. Outlander, The Book Thief, and quite a bit of Phillipa Gregory, though not The Other Boleyn. My TTT.
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Ahh it seems I have found another HF fan! Welcome!
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Oh, I haven’t read any of these…I must fix that! Great list!
My TTT: https://booksbeyondmeasure.wordpress.com/2016/04/12/top-ten-books-every-mystery-lover-should-read/#more-796
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Hahaha I felt the same after reading your list… Obviously I need to step up my mystery reading game. I must admit I don’t typically read mystery.
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Oh, I will have to add these to my TBR list! I love all the Philippa Gregory books about the English court.
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PG is definitely one of the Queens of Historical Fiction! She is an amazing writer!
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I’ve read Memoirs of a Geisha, The Book Thief and Orphan Train and I loved all of them! I know this isn’t a very popular opinion, but I didn’t care for Outlander.
I found one of The Cousin’s War trilogy by Phillipa Gregory at a local thrift store, I read a few pages there and enjoyed it. When I got home I realised it was book 3, so I bought the other two from Book Oulet. Have you read this trilogy? Is it an okay place to start with her books?
The other books you talked about, I haven’t read yet and I don’t own any of them. I can see Mt. TBR growing…
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I think I’ve read the first book in The Cousin’s War trilogy… I think? If it is The White Queen, then yes. The thing about Phillipa Gregory’s books is that, at least in my experience, you don’t really need to read them in order. I feel like they are excellent stand alone books. Also, I think you could pretty much start in the middle of a series without any problem, at least with the ones I’ve read.
Good luck with your TBR. Blogging is hazardous for our habit no? 😂
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Yes, The White Queen is book 2. I just double checked on Goodreads and the series is actually called The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels. It’s good to know that thay don’t need to be read in order. I like to read books in order unless I hear otherwise.
Hahaha Yes, it is definitely hazadous. I have so many books I haven’t read yet and I’m always finding more.
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Great info. Lucky me I recently found your website by chance (stumbleupon).
I have saved as a favorite for later!
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