Saturday, December 8, 2012

Historical Fiction Reading Challenge 2013

I enjoy reading historical fiction and I read a lot of historical mysteries. So I am joining in on the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge for the second year. It is sponsored by Historical Tapestry ... a very interesting site.

The rules are:
  • everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog
  • any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)
  • The challenge will run from 1 January 2013 to 31 December 2013.  
  • Choose one of the different reading levels:
20th century reader - 2 books
Victorian reader - 5 books
Renaissance Reader - 10 books
Medieval - 15 books
Ancient History -25+ books
Go here to review the rules in more detail. And to sign up for the challenge.

This year I am going with this level: Medieval - 15 books.That level is challenging but not out of reach, keeping in mind all the other books I plan to read.

These are some historical novels in my TBR stacks that I can choose from:

The Return of Captain John Emmett by Elizabeth Speller
The Alienist by Caleb Carr 
An Impartial Witness by Charles Todd
Murder on the Yellow Brick Road by Stuart Kaminsky
A Night of Long Knives by Rebecca Cantrell 
Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis
Silesian Station by David Downing
The Nightingale Gallery by Paul Doherty

Books read and reviewed for this challenge:
The Smoke by Tony Broadbent
Archie Meets Nero Wolfe by Robert Goldsborough
Devil in a Blue Dress by Walter Mosley
Eye of the Red Tsar by Sam Eastland
Except the Dying by Maureen Jennings
A Red Herring Without Mustard by Alan Bradley

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Tracy - I like historical mysteries too, so I can certainly see why you would be interested in this challenge. I'm tempted myself, 'though I have to say I'm not one to sign up for these challenges. I am looking forward to your reviews though. I'm especially interested in what you'll think of the Todd, the Cantrell and the Mosley.

TracyK said...

Last night I was reassessing the challenges I have signed up for so far and thinking maybe I have bitten off more than I can chew. I have so much I want to read this year... and let's face it, I don't read that fast anymore. But I am still glad to have these goals. Another goal will be to blend challenge goals with personal reading goals.

Susan said...

I really love historical fiction, so the HF reading challenge is a natural fit. I thought The Alienist was wonderful, although many in my book club thought it was too detailed with too much history (just exactly why I liked it). I love Charles Todd's books, enjoy a book by Lindsey Davis once in a while. I plan to read Elizabeth Speller's book next year, too.

carol said...

Have fun with the challenge. I'm still trying to decide what my plan is going to be for next year, if I have one.