Showing posts with label Historical Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Historical Fiction. Show all posts

Thursday, January 24, 2019

Why I Don't Have A Favorite Genre

Happy Thursday!

 Today I decided to do a different post than what I have done before. I always get the question posed to me of what my favorite genre is, and I honestly have to say I love every type of genre. I love reading YA, Romance, Historical Fiction, Biography, Memoirs, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Fiction, True Crime, Mystery, recently getting more into poetry, and lots more categories. I know that some people do have a favorite genre, and honestly that is okay. I have learned that a lot of people only like to read certain books, and that is fine. As long as you love what your reading, and your reading than there is nothing wrong with it. My grandfather for example loves reading classics and biographies.It's just that I am slightly more different in deciding what I am going to read.

The first thing that draws me to a book is honestly the cover. When I see a cover that draws me in, I pick up the book and read the description. If the description seems really interesting to me than I will buy the book. However, even through a book does have a pretty cover, after reading the description my attention isn't caught than I won't buy the book, and will place it back on the shelf. I have also started to download samples of books on my Kindle that I maybe on the fence about, so I can see if it's a story that will capture my attention, before I spend the money to buy the book.

I also have to be in the mood to read a certain type of book, which I have learned is okay, because I know when the mood strikes I will have the chance to enjoy it. By doing this I have actually discovered many books that I have absolutely fallen in love with, and some I haven't really liked. I also love recommendations that are provided to me by co-workers and friends, which have also led me to authors that I have fallen in love with, and continue to read them when they put new books out.

Now granted, when I read biographies, they are normally on topics that I am interested in, however I am open to reading other one's it's just that I know these books will catch my attention more. It is also in my opinion that if I would have settled only on one genre than I would have missed so many amazing books and I would have missed so many amazing adventures that I have been on.

If you are like me and read any book that grabs your attention, no matter what genre it is, know that it is okay not to have a favorite, and it is okay to tell people I like every genre. When you love every genre, you get to go on so many adventures, and learn things you never knew before. Reading is a journey to various places with no end, and allows you to escape reality with each turn of the page. As long as we have books, and people love what they read, then no judgement should be passed on people who chose to live several lives. Never be embarrassed  by what you are reading. If you love it than you go ahead and read until your little heart is content. Don't afraid to be who you are and to read what you want, because you may just find your reading soulmate!

Enjoy the various journeys my friends!

Image result for reading is an adventure quotes

Thursday, January 17, 2019

Books On My Reading List For 2019

Hey Guys!

  So I decided to do a different type of post today than what I have recently done. I wanted to list some books that I am looking forward to reading in 2019. This is the year where a lot of amazing books are going to come out, and I am excited to read each one of them! I also thought this may interest my readers as well, in case you are looking for that special book to add to your reading collection this year. I have also made it a goal of mine to read more books this year, since I don't have to do homework anymore on the weekends! Some of these books will be published in 2019, and some have been previously published, but I haven't read them yet.

Let's get this list started! (These books are in no particular order)


  • Stain by A.G. Howard
34842208

  • Anastasia and Her Sisters by Carolyn Meyer
22457410

  • Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley
31450766

  • Again, But Better by Christine Riccio
41147279

  • Romanov by Nadine Brandes
40590407

  • Enchantee by Gita Trelease
36613718

  • Descendant of the Crane by Joan He
36430989

  • The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
42730332

All images taken from the Goodreads website. 

There are a lot more books that I can out on this list, but I decided to make this a two part post, because there are a lot of amazing books out there that I can't wait to get my hands on!

Enjoy the journey of reading friends!

Monday, January 14, 2019

The Secret Daughter of the Tsar: A Novel of the Romanovs Review

Happy Monday Readers!

 So today I will be reviewing a book that had me mesmerized and captivated until the very end. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar: A Novel of the Romanovs by the amazing Jennifer Laam. This book was the best book I have read in 2019 so far, plus I have always been obsessed with the story of the Romanovs, which lead me to getting this book in the first place.

The book description was taken from the Goodreads website:

 "A compelling alternate history of the Romanov family in which a secret fifth daughter—smuggled out of Russia before the revolution—continues the royal lineage to dramatic consequences

In her riveting debut novel, The Secret Daughter of the Tsar, Jennifer Laam seamlessly braids together the stories of three women: Veronica, Lena, and Charlotte. Veronica is an aspiring historian living in present-day Los Angeles when she meets a mysterious man who may be heir to the Russian throne. As she sets about investigating the legitimacy of his claim through a winding path of romance and deception, the ghosts of her own past begin to haunt her. Lena, a servant in the imperial Russian court of 1902, is approached by the desperate Empress Alexandra. After conceiving four daughters, the Empress is determined to sire a son and believes Lena can help her. Once elevated to the Romanov's treacherous inner circle, Lena finds herself under the watchful eye of the meddling Dowager Empress Marie. Charlotte, a former ballerina living in World War II occupied Paris, receives a surprise visit from a German officer. Determined to protect her son from the Nazis, Charlotte escapes the city, but not before learning that the officer's interest in her stems from his longstanding obsession with the fate of the Russian monarchy. Then as Veronica's passion intensifies, and her search for the true heir to the throne takes a dangerous turn, the reader learns just how these three vastly different women are connected. The Secret Daughter of the Tsar is thrilling from its first intense moments until its final, unexpected conclusion."

I know a lot of people are hesitant about reading books that are told from multiple characters point of view, however the way Jennifer transports the reader over different timelines is so seamless that the story just keeps flowing together, and all of the empty spaces are filled in perfectly. The story starts with Lena who's timeline is the same as the Romanovs, Charlotte is after the tragedy of the Romanovs, and Veronica's is present time. These three women are each special and strong in their own right, and their stories play a bigger role in the novel. I'm trying not to say too much about this book, because I don't want to give anything away, because trust me when the bomb is dropped, you won't see it coming until the moment Jennifer wants you to. Let's just say when I read it, I was screaming in the bathtub.

This story made me laugh, cry, and think about the possibility of this being true. The tragedy of the Romanovs was horrible, but Jennifer provides the reader with a historical fiction novel, that does not romanticize or disrespect the tragedy in any sort of form. If you love stories that make you get lost in time, with mystery, suspense, and just love history, you need to read this amazing book!

Have an amazing journey into the lives of the Romanovs my friends!

17286831

Image taken from the Goodreads website.