The Weight of Angels – by John Boyne – independent book review – Fiction/Fantasy

This is a What IF book – in that Boyne is imagining what might have occurred had Irish writer Oscar Wilde not sued the 9th Marquess of Queensbury.

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The Lion Women of Tehran – by Marjan Kamali – independent book review – Historical Fiction (Iran)

An emotionally powerful story of the deep friendship between two girls/women before, during, and after the Iranian Revolution

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Braiding Sweetgrass – by Robin Wall Kimmerer – independent book review – Non-fiction

An award-winning, environmentally-hopeful bestseller that will permanently alter how you walk through the woods and think about nature.

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When You Loved Me – by Beatriz Williams – independent book review – Historical Fiction (United States)

If you, like me, have read many books by prolific, bestselling author Beatriz Williams, then I guarantee that this is another one that will keep you turning pages.

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The Witches of Cambridge – by Alice Hoffman – independent book review – Historical Fiction (U.S.)

Continues Alice Hoffman’s fascination with the historic relationship between women, power, and witchcraft.

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The Diamond Eye – by Kate Quinn – independent book review – Historical Fiction (WWII)

I found myself drawn in immediately and never losing interest.

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The Library of Lost DollHouses – by Elise Hooper – independent book review – Historical Fiction (France, United States)

A book that celebrates the accomplishments of women that are so often overlooked.

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A King Under Siege – by Mercedes Rochelle – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England)

Historical fiction that works best for those who enjoy a play-by-play recounting of battles, meetings, and political posturing.

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Daughters of the Sun and Moon – by Lisa See – independent book review – Historical Fiction (United States)

Relates a deeply disturbing event in United States history that few people have heard of and many prefer to keep buried

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The Love Knot – by Elizabeth Chadwick – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England)

Covering the years 1140-1155, THE LOVE KNOT is about a romance, set against a period of civil war.

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Portrait of an Unknown Woman – by Camille De Peretti – independent book review – Historical Fiction – (Austria, United States)

A creative though largely fabricated novel, based on mysterious circumstances surrounding a painting by Gustav Klimt.

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The Original – by Nell Stevens – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England)

The book is full of surprises and you won’t know literally until the last page how everything fits together.

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Incantation – by Alice Hoffman – independent book review – Historical Fiction (Spain)

A surprisingly powerful novella about faith, religious persecution, friendship, and family.

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The Ladies Hall – by Vanessa Miller – independent book review – Historical Fiction (US)

Congratulations to Vanessa Miller for finding this exceptional but little-known story from American history.

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The House of Boleyn – by Tracy Borman – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England)

What strikes me as unique in this story is the author introducing some new motivations, plot twists, relationships, and romances.

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The Amateur – by Chris Bohjalian – independent book review – Fiction

This is well worth your time. It’s an intriguing story and a well-crafted narrative.

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The Calamity Club – by Kathryn Stockett – independent book review – Historical Fiction (U.S.)

Sometimes you read historical fiction and everything comes together perfectly.

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We Were Made for These Times – by Kaira Jewel Lingo – independent book review – Non-fiction (Buddhism)

A short, concise, and powerful book, that offers some simple tools to help all of us navigate the uncertainly and anxiety in today’s world.

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The Sky Beneath Her – by Mary Ellen Taylor – independent book review – Fiction, Mystery (WWII)

Best for fans of Liane Moriarty.

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A Perfect Hand – by Ayelet Waldman – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England)

Not traditional historical fiction, but one of the most enjoyable books I’ve read in a long time.

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The Henna Artist – by Alka Joshi – independent book review – Historical Fiction (India)

A debut novel about one woman’s fierce fight for autonomy after the end of British colonial control over India.

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Villa Coco – by Andrew Sean Greer – independent book review – Fiction

What I liked best was looking inside Italian culture with vastly different priorities than in the United States.

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Land – by Maggie O’Farrell – independent book review – Historical Fiction (Ireland)

Another spectacular creation from the mind of Maggie O’Farrell

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Revelations – by Mary Sharratt – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England, Europe, Middle East)

Historical fiction about the connection between two fascinating religious women authors from the Middle Ages.

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Loving Kindness – by Sharon Salzberg – independent book review – non-fiction

How we human beings can interpret and direct our lives in ways that will lead us to greater personal happiness.

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The Crownless Queen – by Elizabeth Chadwick – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England)

I recommend both books which introduced me to a fascinating and intelligent woman from English history, during a period of time I will now look to learn more about.

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The Boleyn Secret – by Alison Weir – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England)

fiction

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My Friends – by Fredrik Backman – independent book review – Fiction

My second favorite book by this author.

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Oh What a Paradise It Seems – by John Cheever – independent book review – Fiction

I was enchanted by the beautiful way this author manufactured detail, to create a rich mental picture in my mind.

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The Royal Rebel – by Elizabeth Chadwick – independent book review – Historical Fiction (England)

Some historical novelists make every book a treat to read.

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