Can I please have some book recommendations?

[happytobemrsg]

In 2023 & 2024 I re-read books I already had on my kindle (with the exception of the first Bridgerton book). In 2025 I will ONLY read new books!

Can I please have some recommendations? I have previously enjoyed these books

Anything by Philippa Gregory (I really love historical romance)
Anything by Dan Brown
Anything by Khaled Hosseini

As you can see, not very high brow 😂

I do like a series so I can get really into the characters.

Thank you!

Dorothy dunnett? Historical fiction set in Scotland. There is a series that starts with the Game of Kings. I’ve just finished that book and really enjoyed it - and have just bought the next in the series!

if you like Dan brown type books then you might like Lucy Foley. real page turners.

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Ooh I’ve read a historical series based in Wales so a Scottish one would be interesting! I’ll also give Lucy Foley a look also. Thanks!

Lois McMaster Bujold has written 3 quite different series, each speculative fiction. Each series is exciting but she is really most interested in relationships. I started reading them after a recommendation on Mumsnet and I think I have reread each about four times. I started with Shards of Honour, the beginning of the Vorkosigan saga. Still enjoy reading it!

The easy option would be to order the next Bridgerton book but I want to branch out a bit…

This is just one standalone but I think you'd enjoy it!
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell

My favourite light reading is Georgette Heyer’s Regency romances. They’re mainly standalone but they’re good fun.

I'm recommending Kate Mosse to anyone who will listen at the moment. She writes historical fiction with women at the heart. I've just finished the Joubert family chronicles which I thought were all fabulous.

I have just finished the first of the Lucinda Riley series 'The Seven Sisters' and I can't wait to start the second one - I think it may suit your description.

Have you read The Blood & The Beauty by Sarah Dunnant? It's about Lucretia Borgia and I found it engrossing.

I'd definitely recommend the Seven Sisters series, I loved them all and they make a great read.
Also, take a look at Kristin Hannah. I've just finished the Winter Garden which I really enjoyed.

Was about to mention Georgette Heyer. Just read my first one and really enjoyed it. Funnily enough, the Brigerton tv series helped me picture the settings more clearly.

Seven Sister series - Lucinda Riley (or her stand alone books)

Sounds similar to how Philippa Gregory writes

Oooh the Seven Sisters series sounds popular!! Will add that to my wish list along with Georgette Heyer. Thank you!

If you like historical sagas then have you read the Century trilogy by Ken Follett? I'm
half way through the first book, Fall of Giants, and I absolutely love it. I'm loving the historical side of it as the first one is set during the First World War following families in different countries and of different classes.

Stacey Halls has some good historical novels.

I’m a big fan of Jodi Taylor’s Chronicles of St Mary’s books, which combine sci fi and history.

Pat Barker has written a trilogy about The Iliad told by the women of Troy.

The Silence of the Girls
Women of Troy
The Voyage Home

Any non historical recommendations? I loved Kite Runner & A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

These are books I’ve enjoyed in the last year but do.

Thrillers
Hostage - Claire McKintosh
Three Hours - Rosemary Lupton
The Hide - Nell Pattison

Older women protagonists
Away with Penguins
Mrs Benson beetles
The Lido
Patricia Fisher cozy mystery series

Misc
west with Giraffes
Woman in the Photograph
Robert Harris books - historical
John Marr books

Never Look Back by Lesley Pearse. You'll 100% get your historical romance fix!

I haven't read the others but I thoroughly enjoyed Miss Bensons Beetle. So much that I bought my DSIL a copy too.

The Master and Commander series by Patrick O’Brian is excellent. Based on the Napoleonic wars.
Bit further back in history- the Macro and Cato series by Simon Scarrow. They are Roman centurions and this is another excellent series.

If you enjoy Philippa Gregory then you may enjoy Elizabeth Chadwick. Historical romance and she has a large back catalogue although her books are set earlier than Philippa’s.

For a slightly more highbrow version have you tried Sharon penman? Her Welsh trilogy beginning with Here be Dragons is wonderful

That Welsh trilogy looks good.

I was going to say I'm also enjoying the seven sisters. Got into a right reading slump and had only read 2--3 books all year. I've read the 1st and just started the 2nd. Will be following to see what gets recommended to you for my next read!

I’ve read that Welsh trilogy! The first book in particular was brilliant!