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Jody wrote: "What are you reading for this category?
11/22/63 by Stephen King.

Which historical figure is featured?
Primarily John F. Kennedy & Lee Harvey Oswald."

I'm reading this one too. Just started yesterday.

I've bever read Robin Hood and yet I own two copies. This is the year :)

I have just read Chairman Mao Would Not Be Amused: Fiction from Today's China - a collection of short stories written after the death of Mao when society was changing so rapidly and there was suddenly some freedom of expression

What are you reading for this category?

Jane and the Waterloo Map

Which historical figure is featured?

Jane Austen is featured and she's trying to solve a murder.

I read The Severed Streets by Paul Cornell.

It's set in modern London, but Jack the Ripper is a murder suspect. It also features a current well known author as a character, which I thought was very cool.

For this topic I read The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert. The protagonist, Alma Whittaker, is an amalgamation of famous female pioneers in science-related fields of study. It's a sprawling complex story that covers decades and continents yet has a sense of intimacy that made it quite compelling. I really enjoyed it and would recommend it without reservation.

What are you reading for this category? Remarkable Creatures

Which historical figure is featured? and are the protagonists.

I read The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, an interesting account of Catherine's life and a history that I was completely ignorant of. Well written.

Just finished The Day of the Jackal for this prompt. A potential assassination threat against Charles DeGaulle (former president of France) is the overarching plot of this book. I also read it to cover the PopSugar challenge prompt for a book where the author's first and last name begin with the same letter (Frederick Forsyth). It left me cold, which is surprising given it was the first of its kind when published in the 60s and has an average rating on GR of 4.25 stars. May have become dated...

What are you reading for this category? The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Which historical figure is featured? Lale Sokolov, a Jewish prisoner held for three years in Auschwitz-Birkenau

My rating (3/5) is for the book, and not for the story behind it. I feel bad for giving such a middle-of-the-road rating, but I really didn't feel that the book lived up to the story. This is based on the real story of the lengths Lale went to in order to survive and protect those he cared for in the camp whilst falling in love with a fellow prisoner.

Morris' writing is...spare. I wasn't surprised to find that this book started life as a screenplay, because honestly it didn't read much deeper than that even in novel form. I found it really lacked the emotion and atmosphere that this incredible story deserved. The writing left me feeling quite cold towards Lale, which was probably my biggest disappointment. This is very much his story and he is obviously the centre of it, but in the telling it made him come across as almost arrogant, as if he was the only person who was willing to strive and try for himself or others. But I think it only came across that way because the other characters were so underdeveloped.

This book is not all bad. The pace is really good, and there are moments which really grabbed me - such as when Lale is sent into the gas chamber to confirm the identity tattoo on one of the bodies. And nothing can detract from what it is at it's core - a survivor's account of staring into the abyss of human nature and using all his strength, courage and wit to survive, a love story against all odds, and a powerful reminder of the true evil which powers prejudice.

I can see why this has been such successful book, as this is a story that needs to be told. I just wish it had been told in a better way.

dalex wrote: "Here are some lists if anyone is looking for ideas:

12 Historical Novels Inspired By Real-Life Bad-Ass Women
14 Historical Fiction Books About Real-Life Women
10 Upcoming Historical Fiction Books ..."

I followed one of these links and found Terrible Virtue.

The historical figure is Margaret Sanger, the founder of Planned Parenthood.

I am not a fan of historical fiction as a general rule. And I get really irritated with books that throw in historical figures willy-nilly. When you are reading a book set in a certain time and the main character is friends with Shakesphere.

- What are you reading for this category?
The Spy by Paulo Coelho
- Which historical figure is featured?
Mata Hari

Pam wrote: "My Dear Hamilton sounds good! I have had True History of the Kelly Gang on my plan for the last 3 years so I'm going to try again this year to read it!"

I read Kelly Gang for the Chinese Zodiac prompt (horses on the cover). It was a good book.

I read The Whip about a woman who lives nearly her entire life as a man - and became one of the most renowned stage coach drivers in the west. Follow the link to my full review. Good, not great.

/review/show...

Nanette wrote: "I'm either finishing Ron Chernow's Hamilton or The Hamilton Affair or My Dear Hamilton."

I've yet to read Chernow's Hamilton (but it is on my potential list for this prompt!) but I'd recommend My Dear Hamilton over the Hamilton Affair. It felt like it was better researched and I loved seeing the story from Eliza's perspective. She was a very fascinating woman in her own right.

Rachelnyc wrote: "Nanette wrote: "I'm either finishing Ron Chernow's Hamilton or The Hamilton Affair or My Dear Hamilton."

I've yet to read Chernow's Hamilton (but it is on my potential list for this prompt!) but I..."

I appreciate this recommendation. There are almost too many options for this category, I was having a hard time settling on something.

I am so torn about this one. I was reading Einstein: His Life and Universe but that wasn't working for me so it was a DNF. Now I am thinking of The Mists of Avalon, based on the King Arthur legend. Do you think it would fit this category?

Still listening to my book for this prompt - Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco

This category might be the reason that I finally read Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Of course, it could also work for "on my TBR for over a year", but I have plenty of other options already for that one! :-)

I'm reading HHhH by Laurent Binet. It's about the assassination of Reinhard Heydrich, one of the most heinous Nazi leaders.

- What are you reading for this category? I am listening to Princesses Behaving Badly: Real Stories from History—without the Fairy-Tale Endings
- Which historical figure is featured?
Minibiographies 30 princessess

Sofia wrote: "I am so torn about this one. I was reading Einstein: His Life and Universe but that wasn't working for me so it was a DNF. Now I am thinking of The Mists of Avalon, bas..."

Depends on where you fall on the question of whether or not Arthur was real. Some historians think definitely not, whereas others think he was probably a real person, but that basically everything else is not (in the same manner that there was a real person named Nicholas who became a catholic saint but who probably does not currently live at the North Pole).

Rachelnyc wrote: "Nanette wrote: "I'm either finishing Ron Chernow's Hamilton or The Hamilton Affair or My Dear Hamilton."

I absolutely loved MY DEAR HAMILTON! Excellently researched & written. Also enjoyed a recently published YA book about Peggy Hamilton, Eliza's sister - can't recall the title, but "Peggy" is in it. Next I have to visit the Schuyler Mansion, where those ladies grew up - I grew up in Albany, NY too and don't live very far from it now either; yet have never been there!

Sofia wrote: "I am so torn about this one. I was reading Einstein: His Life and Universe but that wasn't working for me so it was a DNF. Now I am thinking of The Mists of Avalon, bas..."

If you think it meets the definition of an historical novel, then that's what matters. Personally, I would think it does - the period setting is certainly historical even if some consider it purely fantasy. The book is a personal favorite of mine!

What are you reading for this category?
I read My Plain Jane
Which historical figure is featured?
Charlotte Bronte and her brother Branwell (and for even more fun, Jane Eyre!)

When looking at ideas for this prompt, I discovered that I haven't read one of the most recent Philippa Gregory books - The Last Tudor! I have no idea how I missed it since I am usually waiting for the next one to come out - so have that one sitting beside me bed to start asap, but just need to get my IRL book club book read by tomorrow first. I realized when reading it that it could loosely fit in this prompt (A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles) as it references a lot of actual historical figures during the Russian Revolution etc but I wouldn't say "featuring," so I'm going to stick with the Gregory. Plus I really want to read that one :)

- What are you reading for this category?
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
- Which historical figure is featured?
Theodore Roosevelt

Celia wrote: "- What are you reading for this category?
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
- Which historical figure is featured?
Theodore Roosevelt"

Celia - I was going to read this but then I received a book featuring Picasso. How did you like The River of Doubt?

Lizzy wrote: "Celia wrote: "- What are you reading for this category?
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey
- Which historical figure is featured?
Theodore Roosevelt"

Celia - I ..."
Here is my review. I DID like it.
/review/show...

What are you reading for this category?
This wasn't my original choice for this category, but I found myself listening to John by Niall Williams, and realised it would work for this.

Which historical figure is featured?
The historical figure is John - a disciple of Jesus, writer of several books of the New Testament including Revelation.

- What are you reading for this category? March
- Which historical figure is featured? The primary figure is Louisa May Alcott's father (A. Bronson Alcott), but also included are his friends Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, and the abolitionist John Brown.

Marilyn wrote: "Rachelnyc wrote: "Nanette wrote: "I'm either finishing Ron Chernow's Hamilton or The Hamilton Affair or My Dear Hamilton."

I absolutely loved MY DEAR HAMILTON! Excellently researched & written. Al..."

I didn't realize the Schuyler Mansion was open to the public! I am definitely going to try to plan a road trip to visit now that the weather is getting nicer!

I was planning to do another historical fiction for this prompt but I'm trying to increase my non-fiction reading so I went with Leadership: In Turbulent Times which I just started listening to. I am a big fan of Doris Kearns Goodwin so I have high expectations.

- What are you reading for this category? The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding
- Which historical figure is featured? It's about Queen Elizabeth's wedding gown- so she features as do other members of the royal family, Norman Hartnell and even Christian Dior and his sister (who knew she was an active member of the Resistance). But more than the people whose names we know, the book is about the women who worked on the wedding gown and it is interesting to think that an object which is such a part of our memories was the result of many women's creative and physical skills.

As soon as I saw this prompt, I was like "great, an excuse to read a biography" because I do love them, but I've resolved as I read each book this year I will find it a home, so this is where this one is landing. And the JFK book I'm reading will end up in STEM bools

What are you reading for this category?
I read The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared

Which historical figure is featured?
Well lets see this one had:
Joseph Stalin, Robert Oppenheimer, Harry S. Truman, Lyndon B. Johnson and Winston S. Churchill and more!

- What are you reading for this category?
Read for ATY prompt #10 A book featuring an historical figure:
The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict

- Which historical figure is featured?
Hollywood actress (and scientist!) Hedy Lemarr



My rating is 3/5. No arguing that Hedy is a very compelling woman and her life story is unique, but there was something with the 1st person narration that had me doubting what was really real vs. creative license. I may have preferred reading her life story through an official biography. Still, she's an interesting person to know about.

Rachel wrote: "-No arguing that Hedy is a very compelling woman and her life story is unique, but there was something with the 1st person narration that had me doubting what was really real vs. creative license. I may have preferred reading her life story through an official biography. Still, she's an interesting person to know about. "

I started reading the Ill-Behaved Woman book about Alva Vanderbilt and had to quit for the same reason- the creative license part drove me batty and I would rather read an official biography. I think that is why my book worked- the historical figures drifted in and out but it was really about mad up people so I didnt care about creative license.

Do you think King Arthur may count do this prompt? I want to reread the The Mists of Avalon books and I think one of them may fit in this category.

Sofia wrote: "Do you think King Arthur may count do this prompt? I want to reread the The Mists of Avalon books and I think one of them may fit in this category."

He is based on historical facts

I wil be reading 'The Maid' by Kimberly Cutter, story of Joan of Arc
The Maid

What are you reading for this category?
I am reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Which historical figure is featured?
Multiple figures from Greek mythology, but most notably, Achilles, who was a Greek hero during the Trojan War

What are you reading for this category?
Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald by Therese Anne Fowler

Which historical figure is featured?
Zelda Fitzgerald

For this prompt, I read The Four Seasons: A Novel of Vivaldi's Venice by Laurel Corona. The Baroque musician, Antonio Vivaldi, plays a prominent role in it.

Would Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier count? I think the painter Johannes Vermeer features in the book.

I read The List 2/7/19

What are you reading for this category?
I'm reading Victoria

- Which historical figure is featured?
Queen Victoria of England

What are you reading for this category? Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino
Which historical figure is featured? Kublai Khan and Marco Polo.

What are you reading for this category?
I read The Life of John Wesley Hardin by John Wesley Hardin

Which historical figure is featured?
John Wesley Hardin. A notorious outlaw and gunslinger of of the old west of America

- What are you reading for this category? The Zookeeper's Wife
- Which historical figure is featured? Hitler

I am seeing the historical figure a slightly different way in this book. Hitler was mentioned, but the entire book was what he caused by trying to take over and the Nazi regime. Without being a main character in the book, he influenced everything that happened in the book.

I went with No Time Like the Past. It's a time-traveling academia group, so historical figures flitter in and out all the time.
This book had a large section at the battle of Thermopylae so Leonidas and Xerxes had cameos.

What are you reading for this category? Valiant Ambition: George Washington, Benedict Arnold, and the Fate of the American Revolution by Nathaniel Philbrick

Which historical figure is featured? There are two: George Washington and Benedict Arnold.