arun srini#amreading I usually read 3 books at the same time but this one's so good that I haven't gone back to the others. Chesapeake by Michener.
Has anyone read this? @bookstodon
Has anyone read this? @bookstodon
EllenInEdmonton 
@arunsr1ni SO long ago!! Sometime after I started reading adult novels, and again after university destroyed my recreational reading, I read a lot of Michener, Clavell, and Uris. These days, I'd really struggle to make it through all of their manly colonialism, but once, that was what I loved.
@EllenInEdmonton could you expand on the manly colonialism part please? I went into this blindly because of a recommendation and enjoying it. Do these writers glorify colonists?
@arunsr1ni
I'm generalizing here on my impressions of these writers, decades after reading them. There were very few bestsellers that were written by women/BIPOC writers at the time they were written. Michener sets an excellent background to give a detailed history of a place and an era. Enjoy the well-written book. When I think back on a lot of my early reading now, I've got mixed emotions about it. I occasionally think about rereading some of these books but they're long and not very diverse.
I'm generalizing here on my impressions of these writers, decades after reading them. There were very few bestsellers that were written by women/BIPOC writers at the time they were written. Michener sets an excellent background to give a detailed history of a place and an era. Enjoy the well-written book. When I think back on a lot of my early reading now, I've got mixed emotions about it. I occasionally think about rereading some of these books but they're long and not very diverse.
progressiveartist@EllenInEdmonton @arunsr1ni Have you tried Margaret George's historical fiction? All but a couple are written about strong historic women.
@progressiveartist @arunsr1ni
No, it appears that I haven't read her although I've read an incredible number of Philippa Gregory novels! I'm just a bit jaded with the whole Rule Britannia thing, these days. I've read many novels about Asian women who ruled as regents and am always curious about how they managed against all odds.
No, it appears that I haven't read her although I've read an incredible number of Philippa Gregory novels! I'm just a bit jaded with the whole Rule Britannia thing, these days. I've read many novels about Asian women who ruled as regents and am always curious about how they managed against all odds.
@EllenInEdmonton @arunsr1ni I've not read any Gregory, but have read some of George's books more than once. Even if you're weary of British monarchy, her Mary, Queen of Scots book is excellent. They're all are.
Of the two about historic men, I liked the one abt Henry VIII least, but found her last two, about Nero, very interesting. She's also good abt explaining her research.
The other excellent book by a woman author about an historic woman was Michelle Moran's book about Madame Tussaud.
@progressiveartist I'll add her to my (very lengthy) TBR list! Although #HistoricalFiction is still my most likely genre, most that I'm currently reading is by BIPOC/Asian writers.
@EllenInEdmonton I'm working my thru Toni Morrison in fiction and have spent the last 5 years or so reading a lot of Black history.
For some reason I've yet to figure out, I have trouble getting into Asian books/authors. I did enjoy The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka. I hate to say I need to put more effort into reading, but should try more. Do you have a rec in that area?
@progressiveartist I don't know that any of us #readers "need to" read anything in particular but there are a lot of amazing stories based in south Asia and north Asia. Many that I've read have focussed on the diasporas. #TheJoyLuckClub by #AmyTan was one of the books that started me on my Asian journey (literally since I eventually moved to Việt Nam, twice). #AmitavGhosh is another writer that I've read a great deal of. #TheKiteRunner, by #KhaledHosseini. There are so many.
@EllenInEdmonton I did read Joy Luck Club waaay back when it was first published. So long ago, that I totally forgot!
I've been aware of Khaled Hosseini's books, but have intentionally been avoiding them since everyone says they're very sad. Can't right now.
Thanks!
@progressiveartist
Sure, we have times when sad works and times when it doesn't. I find there's very little #HistoricalFiction that isn't sad, on some levels.
Sure, we have times when sad works and times when it doesn't. I find there's very little #HistoricalFiction that isn't sad, on some levels.