Time Travel To: Westward Expansion

Time Travel To: Westward Expansion

Dec 7, 2015

"Ordnance Survey One-Inch Map" by bull_de is licensed under CC BY 2.0

I'm really excited about teaming up with Alexa from Alexa Loves Books and Kelly from Belle of the Literati for Time Travel To, a feature celebrating our love of historical fiction! Each post will highlight a historical place, time period or event that we find particularly fascinating. We'll post on the same day, but we'll often be focusing on a different time period. In each post, we'll tell you why we love a time period (Departure), recommend a few books we love (In Transit) and share some from that time period on our TBR (Arrival). Enjoy this first edition!

When we started talking about what time periods we wanted to cover in today's posts, Alexa and I discovered that we were both interested in highlighting books about the west. In recent years, I would have told you I wasn't a fan of books set in this time period, but that's because I forgot that how much I adored reading about it growing up. Thankfully, I've found a few books recently that reminded me of what I loved about it! Since it's a broad time period, we're calling it Westward Expansion. Occurring from 1807-1912, it includes the Oregon Trail, pioneer life, the Gold Rush, the resettlement of Native Americans, and more. 

Clockwise from Top: 1, 2, 3, 4

I believe my initial interest in the west stemmed from my love of the Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder and from the Dear America books I read that were set during that time period. There was something so exciting about the idea of packing up everything and traveling on a dangerous journey in hopes of a brand-new life! Americans moved west looking for land and gold - sold on the promise of freedom and prosperity. Sadly, it was also a period dominated by the removal of Native Americans from their homes and the resettlement of them on reservations. But it's a setting rich with detail and filled with the kind of action that's made for fiction.

Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink - I don't remember very much about this book, but I do know that I loved it growing up. It reminded me of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series, and I found Caddie so exciting and adventurous! I love that it's based on the life and memories of the author's grandmother.

Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan - I think this was one of the first books I read involving a mail-order bride, and I was fascinated by the concept. It shocked me that people traveled so far to marry someone they didn't even know! Honestly, I still enjoy reading books about this topic, even as an adult.

Our Only May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm - Holm was one of my favorite authors, and Our Only May Amelia was the first book (I believe) that I read by her. I enjoyed reading about being a pioneer in Washington, and I loved May Amelia's sense of adventure. This is another book inspired by the author's relative!

Boston Jane by Jennifer L. Holm - My favorite series from Holm! I read this book a little later on (I think when I was in middle school), and I was immediately hooked. Jane doesn't want to be a proper young lady. She's a bit of a spitfire, which won me over. I recently re-read this series and thoroughly enjoyed it all over again!

Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie by Kristiana Gregory - And now we get to the Dear America portion of this post. I was OBSESSED as a kid! I loved playing the Oregon Trail computer game, so it was only natural that I'd be crazy about this Oregon Trail diary. I remember thinking that I'd never survive the journey.

Valley of the Moon by Sherry Garland - One thing I loved about the Dear America books was reading about different voices from the past. This book, the story of a servant in a Spanish home in California, opened my eyes to an aspect of that time period I'd never read about before. It taught me so much!

My Face to the Wind by Jim Murphy - This book always reminded me of the later books in the Little House series when Laura becomes a teacher. It's the story of a young girl who traveled West to earn money teaching and make a new life for herself. I was so impressed by everything she had to do at a young age.

The Girl Who Chased Away Sorrow by Ann Turner - This book made me incredibly sad! It's the story of a young Navajo's forced 400-mile Long Walk from their ancestral home. It broke my heart to read about what happened and added a completely new perspective to the way I'd always viewed westward expansion.

Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee - I read this book earlier this year and absolutely fell in love with it! I shared 26 reasons to read it, but my favorite is that it depicted the diversity on the Oregon Trail. Plus, I became so fond of the characters and their relationships. It exemplifies why I love historical fiction! 

These is My Words by Nancy E. Turner - This was another book I discovered earlier this year, and it's definitely earned a spot on my all-time favorites list. I fell in love with this brave heroine who is filled with gumption and grit. The writing was amazing, but the romance is what blew me away. I'm so obsessed with it. 

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers - This is classic Christian fiction book is inspired by the book of Hosea in the Bible, and it's set in California's gold country in 1850. It was my one of the first books I read by Francine Rivers, and I fell in love with her writing. This was one of my favorite books in high school!

The Doctor's Lady by Jody Hedlund - I've read a number of books by Hedlund, but this one is my favorite so far. This is a book about a marriage of convenience (one of my favorite tropes), and I was absolutely hooked. Reading about their journey on the Oregon Trail reminded me of why I loved the time period growing up!

More: Rachel's Journal by Marissa Moss, Little House by Laura Ingalls Wilder, Walking Up a Rainbow by Theodore Taylor, Vengeance Road by Erin Bowman, Walk on Earth a Stranger by Rae Carson, The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander,  Orphan Train by Christine Baker Kline and The Diary of Mattie Spenser by Sandra Dallas 

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose - I read a review of this book a few years ago that made me so curious about it. Written in verse, it's the story of a young girl who helps out on a neighbor's Kansas prairie homestead but becomes trapped in the snow-covered house while miles from her family. I'm hoping she finds her way home!

Land of the Buffalo Bones by Marion Dane Bauer - I really took an inventory of all my Dear America books to figure out which ones I was missing. I want to have a complete collection! When I discovered this one, I was instantly mad I'd missed it growing up. I have no doubt that I would have loved it.

Jubilee Trail by Gwen Bristow - After reading These is My Words earlier this year, I was searching for similar adult fiction titles. I came across this one and instantly added it to my wishlist. It doesn't hurt that the foreword is written by Nancy Turner. What more do I need? That's recommendation enough!

The Outcasts by Kathleen Kent - I've always loved the cover and title for this book, but I've never gotten around to reading it. I'm not sure why, however, because it's got buried treasure, a manhunt, and a heroine trying to make a life for herself out west. That sounds exactly like something I'd love!

Little Century by Anna Keesey - I spotted this in a bookstore a few years ago and was so drawn in by the cover! The ratings for this one make me a little nervous, but I think I need to see for myself if it's right for me. The summary sounds fascinating, so I'd hate to miss out on a book that would totally work for me.

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry - I think this is considered a classic story of the west. The Goodreads summary says it's "a love story, an adventure, and an epic of the frontier." Plus, it won a Pulitzer Prize. I hadn't heard of this before researching this post, but it's definitely moved up on my wishlist now!

The Son by Philipp Meyer - I read a chapter of this book and was unsure of it, but I do love a good multigenerational saga. This follows a Texas family through the years and "maps the legacy of violence in the American West." I'm a little wary but definitely curious. I need to read more reviews of it to decide.

Sarah's Quilt by Nancy E. Turner - I've been hesitant to read this sequel to These is My Words because I loved that book's ending and have read mixed things about this one. However, I think I'm curious about it to pass it up completely! I'll probably read this next year, and I hope I don't regret it.

 Check out Alexa's post about Westward Expansion 

and Kelly's post about Imperial Russia!

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Time Travel To: World War II

Time Travel To: World War II

Aug 24, 2015

"Ordnance Survey One-Inch Map" by bull_de is licensed under CC BY 2.0

I'm really excited about teaming up with Alexa from Alexa Loves Books and Kelly from Belle of the Literati for Time Travel To, a feature celebrating our love of historical fiction! Each post will highlight a historical place, time period or event that we find particularly fascinating. We'll post on the same day, but we'll often be focusing on a different time period. In each post, we'll tell you why we love a time period (Departure), recommend a few books we love (In Transit) and share some from that time period on our TBR (Arrival). Enjoy this first edition!

We're doing something special for today's post and all focusing on World War II. The war was fought from 1939 to 1945, though the tension that led to it started earlier. It involved numerous countries around the world and was characterized by two military alliances: the Allies and the Axis. And I believe it was the deadliest war in history with an estimated 50 million to 85 million fatalities. Here are a few photos from the time period:

Clockwise from Top: 1, 2, 3 and 4

Even as a kid, I was always drawn to books set during this time period. I think non-fiction sparked the interest - reading Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl and Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place is an experience I'll never forget. There were so many lives lost - millions of stories that will never be told and voices that will never be heard. Because the war involved so many countries, I think I'm drawn to how much there is to learn about it. There were so many different experiences during the war, and I've found that reading historical fiction set during this time period helps me understand what led to it, what life was like during it and how people were changed because of it. It's a time when the world saw the both the best and the worst in humanity.

Under a War-Torn Sky by L.M. Elliott - This is one of the earliest World War II books that I remember reading. It's a YA book about a nineteen-year-old American whose plane is shot down above occupied France and attempts to rejoin his unit with help from members of the French Resistance. I loved the action!

Good Night, Maman by Norma Fox Mazer - This is another childhood read! Karin had a happy life in Paris before the Germans overtook her city,   but everything's changed now. She and her brother are sent to America, but they must leave their mother behind. So, Karin writes her letters... I think I loved the emotion of the story.

Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian - I didn't remember that this was set during WWII until I started looking up books for this post, and then I was shocked I'd forgotten it! This story of an elderly man and the young evacuee he houses was one of my favorite books growing up. And I'm pretty sure my mom loved it, too.

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein - Kelly is writing about Code Name Verity, but I had to write about this one. In some ways, I think this book hit me harder. It's the story of young pilot who is shot down, captured and sent to Ravensbrück, a women's concentration camp. It gutted me, especially knowing these things really happened. 

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak - If I could only feature one book in today's post, it would be this one. I love everything about this story! It's narrated by Death and tells the story of a German girl who moves in with foster parents during WWII. I've read it three times at this point, and I find more to love with each re-read.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - This was a recent read for me, and I'm so glad I didn't miss out on it! It focuses on two main characters - a blind girl in France and a young German man who joins the Nazis - and it cleverly and expertly weaves their two stories together. The writing was absolutely gorgeous!

Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum - I'm pretty sure I added this book to my TBR after Jamie recommended it. For years, Trudy's mother refused to talk about her life in Germany during WWII. Wanting to know more about her heritage, Trudy starts investigating the past and discovers the heartbreaking truth. It sounds moving!

The Time in Between by María Deuñas - I can't remember where I heard of this book, but I ended up snagging it one day when it was on sale for Kindle. Originally published in Spain, it tells the story of a seamstress who passes information to the British Secret Service during WWII through a code stitched into the hems of her dresses.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - I bought this book when it was released because I loved the cover, and it's past time for me to finally read it. The Nightingale tells the story of two sisters during WWII and is said to focus on women's experience during that time. I've read rave reviews from friends, so I can't wait to read it for myself.

The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen - I found this book while researching for this book, and I can't remember whether or not I read it growing up. It seems familiar, but I'm not sure! The main character, Hannah, is mysteriously transported back to 1942 on the night of her family's Passover Seder. It sounds unforgettable.

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Time Travel To: The Civil War

Time Travel To: The Civil War

Apr 6, 2015

"Ordnance Survey One-Inch Map" by bull_de is licensed under CC BY 2.0

I'm really excited about teaming up with Alexa from Alexa Loves Books and Kelly from Belle of the Literati for Time Travel To, a new feature celebrating our love of historical fiction! Each post will highlight a historical place, time period or event that we find particularly fascinating. We'll post on the same day, but we'll all be focusing on a different time period. In each post, we'll tell you why we love a time period (Departure), recommend a few books we love (In Transit) and share some from that time period on our TBR (Arrival). Enjoy this first edition!

I decided to focus on the Civil War because I've loved reading about this time period since I was a kid. It only made sense that I start here! The Civil War was fought from 1861 to 1865 when the South seceded from the US and formed the Confederate States of America. The war was, essentially, fought over the issue of slavery. The North ultimately won, but not without great loss of life. It was the deadliest war in American history.

Clockwise from Top: 1, 2, 3 and 4

I've always found the war fascinating, and yet I can't explain why it's a time period I gravitate towards in historical fiction. But I do know that the Dear America and American Girls series were my favorites and, in many ways, formed the reading taste and preferences that would follow me into adulthood. And of all the defining events in American history, the Civil War marked a unprecedented turning point that changed this country forever. I find that kind of shift - the emotions that led up to it, the tragedy that occurred during it, and the events that came out of it - makes for emotional and thought-provoking reading.

Meet Addy by Connie Rose Porter - I had to include the book that started my love of Civil War fiction! I loved this series so much that I even had the Addy doll (and yes, she's saved in a box for my future children). I can't remember much about what happens in these books, which means I'm due for a re-read.

When Will This Cruel War Be Over? by Barry Denenberg - After the Addy series, I devoured this Dear America book set in the South during the Civil War. I'm curious about reading it as an adult now that I know more about slavery in the South. Are the attitudes and opinions in this book historically accurate or glossed over?

The Last Silk Dress by Ann Rinaldi - I was obsessed with this book as a teen. I'm pretty sure I read it at least four times. At least. Set in Virginia, a significant aspect of the book involves the heroine's eyes being opened to the truth about the South. This is one of the few books I still own from childhood, so I plan to read it again soon.

A Candle in the Darkness by Lynn Austin - This is the first book in a Christian fiction trilogy, which I read just as many times as the Rinaldi book. Each book focuses on a different perspective of the war, which was one reasons I loved the series so much. I'm definitely planning on revisiting these and seeing how they hold up!

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell - I read Gone with the Wind in sixth grade, and I have no doubt that I didn't even fully understand what I was reading. It's certainly a problematic read for its racism, but I remember it being highly readable and absolutely engaging. As with almost every book in this post, I want to re-read it.

I Shall Be Near to You by Erin Lindsay McCabe - Finally, a book I read recently and can heartily recommend! I fell in love with I Shall Be Near to You last year, and it reignited my love for Civil War fiction. This story of a woman who disguises herself as a man to follow her husband into war is heartbreaking and unforgettable. 

Wedded to War by Jocelyn Green - This is a Christian fiction series, and I have it on my Kindle waiting to be read. I hate this cover, but I'm really hoping that the book is better! The rest of the series sounds promising, too.

Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles - I found this while browsing on Goodreads a few months ago, and I bought it not long after. The summary sounds great, and I love this cover! I'm just nervous about the writing style.

The Mapmaker's Children by Sarah McCoy - This upcoming release as been on my radar for months. From the gorgeous cover to the incredible summary, it sounds like everything I want in historical fiction.

Killer Angels by Michael Shaara - The cover says this is "The Classic Novel of The Civil War," so I must read it. It helps that the Goodreads average rating is super high, which makes me want to read it that much sooner!

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