I love history, finding out how people lived in the past, the discoveries they made, how similar and different their lives are to ours. I read history magazines, read books, listen to podcasts and watch documentaries. I also enjoy historical fiction. Its a really good way to get inside the lives of ordinary people from a particular time period, especially if the writing is done well.
Prophecy by S J Parris
This is a crime ficton murder mystery with a difference – its set in Tudor England during the reign of Elizabeth the First.
One of Elizabeth’s maids is killed and on her body are strange astrological symbols. There are already prophecies foretelling the Queen’s death.
Giordano Bruno, our detective, is an Italian Monk. He’s tasked by Francis Walsingham to find out what happened. When Bruno discovers links to a Catholic plot and Mary Queen of Scots he realises that not just the Queen’s life is in danger.
I’m really familiar with this period of history and these characters. This book felt like looking into this period of history with new eyes. Its well researched and the characters are interesting. The crime element is enough to keep you reading and is a match for any modern detective series.
The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes
This book is set in 1930’s Kentucky – a deeply traditional and religious part of America. When Alice meets and falls for a handsome American touring Europe her life is flipped upside down when she marries him, leaving England and moving to America.
Kentucky is completely different to England and Alice is soon deeply unhappy and lonely.
Life improves when she starts working for the Packhorse Library, delivering books on horseback to people living on the mountains. She loves the work and the friends she makes – until something happens that threatens this happiness and that of the people she loves.
I loved this book – partly because delivering books by horseback is my dream job! For a relatively short book Moyes packs plenty of action and drama into the plot while managing to create a cast of characters that feel completely real and stay with you for a long time once you close the book.
It covers many themes – class, gender roles, the segregation of black people and women, the importance of friendship and how reading can bring a community together and change lives.
Just beautiful.
Pixie Chronicles 