And each chapter is its own short story. So it’s easy to pick up and put down.
Posted on 05/16/2021 10:41:07 AM PDT by LilFarmer
I hope it’s ok to post this vanity -
I am headed on vacation and I want something to read that is not political, PC, preachy or self-help. I just want to read something that is well-written, light and interesting. I already read the Bible daily so this is in addition to that.
I don’t mind romance added in, but I prefer historical fiction. I don’t like historical fiction that has been edited to the point of being unrealistic or or with a liberal agenda. I don’t mind action, mystery or drama, but not a fan of murder mysteries or anything gory.
For the past year, I have read nothing but political news and message boards, informative books, self-help and inspirational, but I am looking for just a good story I can loose myself in and unplug for a while at the beach.
Ideas?
A Land Remembered (excellent)
Alas Babylon!
David Niven’s “The Moon is a Balloon” and “Bring on the Empty Horses.”
I always grab something I’ve already read and know I enjoy, like The Hobbit, Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, Tom Sawyer, Animal Farm, Watership Down. I always find something new. I still worry about Bilbo, wonder if Eliza and Darcy will ever get together, sympathize with Jane, laugh at Tom, shake my head at the hogs and root for the rabbits.
"Gettysburg" by Newt Gingrich and J. Forschten (alternate history)
"Kim" by Rudyard Kipling
"Quiet - Introverts in a world that can't stop talking" by Susan Cain
"Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen (just a fun read)
"Day of the Triffids" by J. Wyndham (1940s apocalyptic)
"The Soul of Science" by Nancy Pearcy (Christian Faith and Natural Philosophy)
And each chapter is its own short story. So it’s easy to pick up and put down.
Agree with the first one. A Land Remembered is surprisingly OUTSTANDING.
Also - everything I have read by Thomas Fleming has been excellent.
“Blue Highways” by William Least Heat Moon. The author took a trip across the U.S. on back roads in the 1970s. The name of the book comes from the color scheme for secondary roads in the road atlas he used for the trip.
the “Masters of Rome” series by Colleen McCullough will keep you enthralled for weeks, if Roman history is of interest to you.
years ago I read 2 different books by Jared Diamond.
‘Guns, Germs, and Steel’ and the later ‘Collapse.’ Collapse was very good and informative, but it is not dry at all and is by no means fiction. I liked Collapse because it is more like 5 or 6 short books in between 2 covers.
Since it is now banned by the woke mob, I would recommend To Kill a Mockingbird.
What is you - RACIST?
If you like audio books I suggest: Washington—A Life by Ron Chernow.
It was one of the most enlightening books on Washington that I have listened/read.
I loved that book and many others that have been suggested, All Creatures Great and Small, plus all books by Jane Austen and Emily Bronte, Elizabeth Gaskell, Louisa May Alcott, Charles Dickens (but a little depressing for the beach, lol), Mark Twain
I like some some authors as well, I loved Seabiscuit and Unbroken
And anything by Alexander McCall Smith - the #1 Ladies Detective Agency was another series I enjoyed.
It’s been long enough since I’ve read some of those, I should look through my own bookcase too!
Any P G Wodehouse short story anthology.
Perhaps the best writing in the English language.
A kind and insightful portrayal of humanity, and humorous.
If you’re already familiar with the Jeeves and Bertie stories I suggest the Blanding Castle ones.
Have you read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s historical novels? Thought by many to be superior to his Sherlock Holmes work.
Available for free at Project Gutenberg.
The White Company
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/903
A tale of knights, men at arms, and chivalry in the 100 Years War.
Sir Nigel
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2845
Prequel to the above.
The Adventures of Gerard
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1644
The Exploits of Brigadier Gerard
https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/11247
Tales of a French cavalryman in the Napoleonic Wars. Based on a true story.
I’ve been reading books from the 30s & 40s..as we’ve been going thru hubs family stuff...read Mr. Lincoln’s Wife this spring...now reading Benjamin Franking autobiography, (from Great Books) but it’s a bit tedious at times. Read SISU (Tokoi) about Finnish man who lived in US as young adult went back to Finland to become first Premier.
Last Stands - Why Men Fight When All Is Lost
Erle Stanley Gardner, the Perry Mason series.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.