Hi Gloria! Hazel Gaynor is one of my favorite authors. Discovered her many yrs. ago when I read The Memory Of Violets. A few months ago I read The Lighthouse Keepers Daughter. Her writing is soooo good. I don't know how to describe it. I have never forgotten any of her books. Very descriptive, keeps your attention, very feeling, just lovely writing. I LOVED the Snow Child, read that some yrs. ago. Sad, yes, but very good. That author came out w/another one last yr. I belive. I bought it but haven't read yet. I also have I'd Rather Be Reading. Very enjoyable.😊 That author has a podcast called Modern Mrs. Darcy, you can also just get the newsletter which is what I do. I LOVE bks. w/ letters in them. Guernsey, 84 Charring Cross Rd. (old and famous). I have The Bodyguard but haven't read it yet, looking forward to that. This was good, thanks! 🤗
I too loved The Memory of Violets - need to read more by Hazel Gaynor. I haveeee to recommend to you ( and Gloria ) The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. I know some don't like some of her stories - but this is an old book I read many years ago and it still resonates with me as one of my favorite historical fiction reads. Set in Washington state too - find a copy!! Eileen - have you read the Into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati? ( another very good series I'm always recommending ). Jacqueline
I’m so excited to read more from Hazel Gaynor, I own lighthouse keepers daughter, so I think that one is next! And I just finished Ivey’s second book and will have a review for it in my January wrap up. I need to get back into podcasts, I used to listen to a lot more but now it’s just audiobooks 🙃 but when I do I’d def listen to Modern Mrs. Darcy.
always love to hear your take on historical fiction reads! I chuckled a little when you recommended Snow Child, it's sitting on my shelf, just picked it up from a LFL the other day; will have to make it my next read. Just started The Bookshop of Second Chances. have a good week! Jacqueline
I absolutely love your sweater! You look so beautiful in this video. I really need to give Amy Harmon a try. Some of my favorite 5 stars from 2023 were The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. I also loved Jane Eyre and The Last Bookshop in London. 🥰
That's so kind, thank you! 💕 Especially during these post-partum days, I rarely feel pretty, so your words put a smile to my face. I may need to reread the Mark of the Lion series. It's been too long, and the first book was a game changer for me back when I read it. So amazing.
Aw thanks for the shoutout Gloria, I can’t agree with you more. Christmas in Paris was amazing. Audiobook is *chef’s kiss*. I had a lot of favorite historical fiction too! At some point I’ll make my top 10 video lol, newborn life you know how it be.
So many people have mentioned The Bodyguard, interesting...need to look it up! The Snow Child and The Other Bennett Sister are both going on my list! I'd rather be reading sounds great! I loved Blurb your enthusiam and the Literary Almanac this year as bookish non-fiction :)
I really love how you include children's picture books. Great to know current favs for gifts. One of my favs of 2023 was Marilla. Her back story from Anne of GG. It was so interesting and well done. Also read, Caroline, revisiting LHOP from Ma's perspective. I didn't like as well. And this year I want to read Marmee from Little Women. I think you would enjoy these HF.
Love hearing that! Marmee and Marilla are definitely on my radar and ones I hope to try. I’ve never actually read the LHOP books if you can believe it, so I should probably start with those before picking up Caroline. 🙃
The Snow Child made it onto my favorites this year also! And I just finished reading The last Christmas in Paris a week or two ago - I definitely enjoyed it. I've heard a few people recommend A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting, and it sounds right up my alley as far as a fun romance goes. And I'm intrigued by The Frozen River - I've been hearing a lot of buzz and it actually sounds interesting. I loved I'd Rather Be Reading also.
Great list! I'm really looking forward to reading The Bodyguard, Happiness Falls, The Snow Child, The Other Bennett Sister, and anything by Amy Harmon. I am SOO glad you enjoyed Last Christmas in Paris!! Listening to you talk about it makes me want to pick it up again! Wow, The Frozen River sounds like a heavy book but one I would really really love. I need to read it! I also love reading from the perspective of older married protagonists.
One of my favorite reads last year was Echo. I highly recommend the audio version - the voice actors do a great job and the music in the book is played throughout, on the instruments mentioned. I tried to read The Snow Child but just couldn't get into it.
Totally understand Snow Child not being for everyone. Echo has been on my radar for awhile now. I really need to give it a try. Every year around middle grade March everyone sings its praises.
Oh, I love The Show Child! Such an atmospheric read! I also read my first Stephen King this year (Holly) but unlike you, I didn't enjoy it very much. A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting is on my TBR! Good to hear you liked it. Happy new year!
My 5 star reads were: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, An Immense World by Ed Yong, The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis, and All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes. Hope you check some of these out!
Amanda Dykes is high on the priority list to try and read soon! And I've heard nothing but amazing things about Braiding Sweetgrass. Thanks for sharing your favorites.
My favorite book from 2023 was Drowning by T J Newman. It is a thriller about a plane crash off the coast somewhere in Hawaii. It is clean except for some foul language but it fits the situation. It is very suspenseful as each chapter ends on a cliff hanger. I highly recommend it but be prepared for some characters to die in very tragic ways. Not everyone dies, but I won't spoil the ending.
I too really enjoyed that one! If I did honorable mentions, I would have included it in my list. I’ve loved Newmans two books, can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
I had several 5 stars that matched yours.. A Girl Called Samson, 11/22/63, and from a few years ago the I Would Rather be reading. Dear Mrs. Bird was 5 for me as well but I know you read that one already 😛 I also would say The wedding Dress Sewing Circle but it was 4.5 for me and I think you would like it but might not love it (multiple perspectives and a few tropes I think you don't care for.. not knowing something about a past generation.. though it is just a small detail and not a primary point of the book).
I wasn't a fan of Gurnsey but I've had Last Christmas in Paris on my Kindle FOREVER! I'll definitely have to get into it next Christmas season! I've put The Frozen River on hold at the library as "midwife" is one of my personal buzz words!
I hope you enjoy Last Christmas, it was lovely! Ooo yes I think you’d love Frozen River then. I think midwife is a bookish buzzword for me too. I just need to read a few more to confirm that. Any others you’ve read and loved?
@@GloriaZThompson I really liked The Secret of Midwives by Sally Hepworth. After reading it I even wrote to the author, commending her for the VERY realistic birthing descriptions. After attending many births, I just hate phony birthing scenarios! Ms Hepworth actually wrote back to me with words of thanks :-) That was pretty exciting! In historical fiction, I loved the book by Sandra Dallas - The Last Midwife. By Patricia Harmon (an actual midwife) The Reluctant Midwife.
A definite "I knew it, I knew it, I knew it" that I should have picked The Frozen River from BOTM! Back in December! It's in my cart for February though! So many people's are talking about it.
So many people are raving about Lemon Trees that I must try it! And the Amari series is on my radar. I just want it to be complete before I start an unfinished series. 😊
Hi Gloria Im new to your channel, so glad I found you I've been trying to find a booktuber that loves historical and who I have similarities with. Looking forward to checking out more of your videos!
I gave A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting 4 stars. It was a delightful read. I am really bummed to hear about the trigger warnings in A Frozen River. It sound like a wonderful story, but not for me. I own the book about a woman named Samson. It is about time I read that one. I am also looking forward to Matilda. I think I will love that one. I just finished the first book in the Myrtle Hardcastle series. It is entitled Premeditated Myrtle and I loved it. 5 stars. Thank you for all the recommendations.
Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts, Katie! I always look forward to your comments. I hope you'll love Matilda like I did! The audiobook is the way to go, if you are a fan of them.
Hi Gloria! I recently found your channel and as a fellow historical fiction lover…I’ve been binging your videos! 🤩 I looked you up on Instagram and saw we are from the same neck of the woods! I’m right across the river in Washington 🤗 Can’t wait to follow along with you this year! 💜
Hi! Thanks so much for saying hello and welcome! 💕 I joined booktube because I thought there weren’t too many people reading like I do so I wanted to share my reads. You from Portland too?
I completely agreed with what you said about Stephen King m/horror, but I also read 11/22/63 this year and it was one of my favorites of the year, too.
I’m so glad to hear that it worked for you too! I’m hesitant to try another one of his books, but I’m sure there’s another one that would also be good and not too much for me.
I just finished Frozen River and I really liked it. I get so annoyed at the way women are treated . Sometimes I think we have come a long way and other times I think we are stuck in the same old ways. Did you read The House is Fire by Rachel Beanland it was my favorites this year.
Im reading the Dragons of Rashid. True book. Husbands letters to wife in 2007-8 in Irag as a soldier for American army🇺🇸. So far i really like it and im learning things. I so appreciate our military!🫡
Sophie Irwin’s books (she has 2) were my favorites of 2023 too! SO good
@@Catloudan Yes I read both! Hope she comes out with more soon.
Frantically taking notes! I want to read an Angie Kim. ❤ Oh! And Snow Child. I’ve loved Matilda since I was a child.
I think Snow Child would be right up your alley!
So many of these are faves for me too. I can’t wait to read Happiness Falls and The Frozen River now. And Ladies Guide to Fortune Hunting sounds fun!
I definitely think you’d enjoy all of those! 💕
Hi Gloria! Hazel Gaynor is one of my favorite authors. Discovered her many yrs. ago when I read The Memory Of Violets. A few months ago I read The Lighthouse Keepers Daughter. Her writing is soooo good. I don't know how to describe it. I have never forgotten any of her books. Very descriptive, keeps your attention, very feeling, just lovely writing. I LOVED the Snow Child, read that some yrs. ago. Sad, yes, but very good. That author came out w/another one last yr. I belive. I bought it but haven't read yet. I also have I'd Rather Be Reading. Very enjoyable.😊 That author has a podcast called Modern Mrs. Darcy, you can also just get the newsletter which is what I do. I LOVE bks. w/ letters in them. Guernsey, 84 Charring Cross Rd. (old and famous). I have The Bodyguard but haven't read it yet, looking forward to that. This was good, thanks! 🤗
I too loved The Memory of Violets - need to read more by Hazel Gaynor. I haveeee to recommend to you ( and Gloria ) The Violets of March by Sarah Jio. I know some don't like some of her stories - but this is an old book I read many years ago and it still resonates with me as one of my favorite historical fiction reads. Set in Washington state too - find a copy!! Eileen - have you read the Into the Wilderness series by Sara Donati? ( another very good series I'm always recommending ). Jacqueline
I’m so excited to read more from Hazel Gaynor, I own lighthouse keepers daughter, so I think that one is next! And I just finished Ivey’s second book and will have a review for it in my January wrap up. I need to get back into podcasts, I used to listen to a lot more but now it’s just audiobooks 🙃 but when I do I’d def listen to Modern Mrs. Darcy.
Thanks for the recommendation Jacqueline! Haven’t heard of that one before.
always love to hear your take on historical fiction reads! I chuckled a little when you recommended Snow Child, it's sitting on my shelf, just picked it up from a LFL the other day; will have to make it my next read. Just started The Bookshop of Second Chances. have a good week! Jacqueline
Thanks for your recommendations Jacqueline!
That's too funny! Seems like a wonderful coincidence. I hope you enjoy it too! ❄️
I’m glad to hear Snow Child is good. I’m was planning on reading it this month. I also loved A Girl Called Samson!
Snow Child is perfect for this time of year. Cold & atmospheric ❄️ hope you like it!
I absolutely love your sweater! You look so beautiful in this video. I really need to give Amy Harmon a try. Some of my favorite 5 stars from 2023 were The Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. I also loved Jane Eyre and The Last Bookshop in London. 🥰
That's so kind, thank you! 💕 Especially during these post-partum days, I rarely feel pretty, so your words put a smile to my face. I may need to reread the Mark of the Lion series. It's been too long, and the first book was a game changer for me back when I read it. So amazing.
Aw thanks for the shoutout Gloria, I can’t agree with you more. Christmas in Paris was amazing. Audiobook is *chef’s kiss*. I had a lot of favorite historical fiction too! At some point I’ll make my top 10 video lol, newborn life you know how it be.
Totes understand. There is no uploading schedule to be seen. When I get to it, I get to it. Applies to everything in my life right now 🙃🙈
So many people have mentioned The Bodyguard, interesting...need to look it up! The Snow Child and The Other Bennett Sister are both going on my list! I'd rather be reading sounds great! I loved Blurb your enthusiam and the Literary Almanac this year as bookish non-fiction :)
Thanks for sharing your recs! More bookish books needs to happen for me. Hope I love them too!
I really love how you include children's picture books. Great to know current favs for gifts. One of my favs of 2023 was Marilla. Her back story from Anne of GG. It was so interesting and well done. Also read, Caroline, revisiting LHOP from Ma's perspective. I didn't like as well. And this year I want to read Marmee from Little Women. I think you would enjoy these HF.
Love hearing that! Marmee and Marilla are definitely on my radar and ones I hope to try. I’ve never actually read the LHOP books if you can believe it, so I should probably start with those before picking up Caroline. 🙃
The Snow Child made it onto my favorites this year also! And I just finished reading The last Christmas in Paris a week or two ago - I definitely enjoyed it. I've heard a few people recommend A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting, and it sounds right up my alley as far as a fun romance goes. And I'm intrigued by The Frozen River - I've been hearing a lot of buzz and it actually sounds interesting. I loved I'd Rather Be Reading also.
I love that we have so much crossover, it's fun finding like-minded readers. Hope you like Lady's Guide when you get to it!
Great list! I'm really looking forward to reading The Bodyguard, Happiness Falls, The Snow Child, The Other Bennett Sister, and anything by Amy Harmon. I am SOO glad you enjoyed Last Christmas in Paris!! Listening to you talk about it makes me want to pick it up again! Wow, The Frozen River sounds like a heavy book but one I would really really love. I need to read it! I also love reading from the perspective of older married protagonists.
I’m so thankful you shared about Last Christmas in Paris, ah loved it! Yes, Frozen River I think would be a historical fiction you’d love.
What a great list! Love that you included some picture books too 😊
Will forever be included in favorites!
One of my favorite reads last year was Echo. I highly recommend the audio version - the voice actors do a great job and the music in the book is played throughout, on the instruments mentioned.
I tried to read The Snow Child but just couldn't get into it.
Totally understand Snow Child not being for everyone. Echo has been on my radar for awhile now. I really need to give it a try. Every year around middle grade March everyone sings its praises.
Happiness Falls sounds right up my alley, I yet have to try Angie Kim! Great picks, I hope you’ll have an even better reading year in 2024 😊
I think you’d totally jive with an Angie Kim novel! And thank you, happy reading to you too 💕
Great list and super happy 11/22/63 made your list too- yay! ❤ ps that’s a great sweater!
Aw thank you! ❤️
11/22/63 is so good! I DNFed A Girl Named Samson but you’re making me want to try it again. I def want to read The Frozen River
I think you’d be all about Frozen River!
Thanks for the nudge with the Stephen King book - it's on my shelf (has been for a few years!), and I think I may pick it up now.
I hope you enjoy it!
Oh, I love The Show Child! Such an atmospheric read! I also read my first Stephen King this year (Holly) but unlike you, I didn't enjoy it very much. A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting is on my TBR! Good to hear you liked it. Happy new year!
Happy new year to you too Audrey! You may want to give King another try with a non-horror book of his. But he’s not for everyone!
I completely agree about The Frozen River, great book that I couldn't put down. Loved it!
Yes! So glad it’s getting some love. I’m so interested in picking up Ariel Lawhon’s other books now.
My 5 star reads were: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, An Immense World by Ed Yong, The Echo of Old Books by Barbara Davis, and All the Lost Places by Amanda Dykes. Hope you check some of these out!
Amanda Dykes is high on the priority list to try and read soon! And I've heard nothing but amazing things about Braiding Sweetgrass. Thanks for sharing your favorites.
I've never heard of Last Christmas in Paris. I'll have to try it, even though I don't typically like epistolary novels. Thanks for the list!
It was so well done! Hopefully you’ll enjoy it too if you give it a try.
Love these I’m getting my first Amy Harmon today. “Beartown” by Frederick Backman my fave.
I hope you love the Harmon book! I’ve tried a few Backman and he isn’t a fave, but I haven’t given up yet.
I loved The Other Bennet Sister! I agree with you. It gave Mary a voice and Jane Austen would approve.
My favorite book from 2023 was Drowning by T J Newman. It is a thriller about a plane crash off the coast somewhere in Hawaii. It is clean except for some foul language but it fits the situation. It is very suspenseful as each chapter ends on a cliff hanger. I highly recommend it but be prepared for some characters to die in very tragic ways. Not everyone dies, but I won't spoil the ending.
I too really enjoyed that one! If I did honorable mentions, I would have included it in my list. I’ve loved Newmans two books, can’t wait to see what she comes out with next.
Congratulations on your baby!🤍
Thank you! 💕
I had several 5 stars that matched yours.. A Girl Called Samson, 11/22/63, and from a few years ago the I Would Rather be reading. Dear Mrs. Bird was 5 for me as well but I know you read that one already 😛 I also would say The wedding Dress Sewing Circle but it was 4.5 for me and I think you would like it but might not love it (multiple perspectives and a few tropes I think you don't care for.. not knowing something about a past generation.. though it is just a small detail and not a primary point of the book).
Love that so much of our reading tastes align! Also hope pregnancy continues to go well ❤️ Thanks for the rec, that one is on my radar for sure!
The Bodyguard made my list too. Totally not my typical type of book!
Me too! Though I hope to find some more fun romance reads this year that I *actually* enjoy. 😊
I wasn't a fan of Gurnsey but I've had Last Christmas in Paris on my Kindle FOREVER! I'll definitely have to get into it next Christmas season! I've put The Frozen River on hold at the library as "midwife" is one of my personal buzz words!
I hope you enjoy Last Christmas, it was lovely! Ooo yes I think you’d love Frozen River then. I think midwife is a bookish buzzword for me too. I just need to read a few more to confirm that. Any others you’ve read and loved?
@@GloriaZThompson I really liked The Secret of Midwives by Sally Hepworth. After reading it I even wrote to the author, commending her for the VERY realistic birthing descriptions. After attending many births, I just hate phony birthing scenarios! Ms Hepworth actually wrote back to me with words of thanks :-) That was pretty exciting! In historical fiction, I loved the book by Sandra Dallas - The Last Midwife. By Patricia Harmon (an actual midwife) The Reluctant Midwife.
Amazing! Thank you for these recs, they are now on my radar for sure. I actually own The Last Midwife so now am eager to get to that sooner.@@mizsuzee
You are my kind of reader! I need realistic too!
A definite "I knew it, I knew it, I knew it" that I should have picked The Frozen River from BOTM! Back in December! It's in my cart for February though! So many people's are talking about it.
I'm so happy it's getting all the hype, such a brilliant read! Hopefully you'll love it too.
My favorite was the Childrens blizzard
I read the historical fiction one but want to pick up the nonfiction by the same name.
Frozen river was one of my favorites for sure. I also loved As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow and the Amari series
So many people are raving about Lemon Trees that I must try it! And the Amari series is on my radar. I just want it to be complete before I start an unfinished series. 😊
@@GloriaZThompson I think there's at least one more coming - is that your understanding too?
I'm not sure!@@jaynehunter-ar
Hi Gloria Im new to your channel, so glad I found you I've been trying to find a booktuber that loves historical and who I have similarities with. Looking forward to checking out more of your videos!
Hi and welcome! 💕 I’m honing my reading tastes so hoping to review and recommend some great reads this year.
I gave A Lady’s Guide to Fortune Hunting 4 stars. It was a delightful read. I am really bummed to hear about the trigger warnings in A Frozen River. It sound like a wonderful story, but not for me. I own the book about a woman named Samson. It is about time I read that one.
I am also looking forward to Matilda. I think I will love that one. I just finished the first book in the Myrtle Hardcastle series. It is entitled Premeditated Myrtle and I loved it. 5 stars. Thank you for all the recommendations.
Thanks for being here and sharing your thoughts, Katie! I always look forward to your comments. I hope you'll love Matilda like I did! The audiobook is the way to go, if you are a fan of them.
Hi Gloria! I recently found your channel and as a fellow historical fiction lover…I’ve been binging your videos! 🤩 I looked you up on Instagram and saw we are from the same neck of the woods! I’m right across the river in Washington 🤗 Can’t wait to follow along with you this year! 💜
Hi! Thanks so much for saying hello and welcome! 💕 I joined booktube because I thought there weren’t too many people reading like I do so I wanted to share my reads. You from Portland too?
@@GloriaZThompson Of course 🥰 I am over in Vancouver, Washington!
I completely agreed with what you said about Stephen King m/horror, but I also read 11/22/63 this year and it was one of my favorites of the year, too.
I’m so glad to hear that it worked for you too! I’m hesitant to try another one of his books, but I’m sure there’s another one that would also be good and not too much for me.
LOVED The Other Bennet Sister!
So glad, me too! I hope the author writes more.
I loved the last Christmas in Paris!!
An underrated one I think! It was wonderful. ❤️
I totally agree with you about the bodyguard. I thought it was funny.
Yes! I’m definitely going to keep trying Katherine Center books, and I know she has a backlist to get into as well.
10:30 hear hear happy marriages in literature 🥂
Yes we need more of that please!
I’d rather be reading was lovely 🥰
And I LOVE Farmhouse! Its an all time fave picture book ♥️
The Audiobook of Roald Dahl’s Matilda is FANTASTIC!!! For all ages!
Yes! 💯
Snow child is so good❤
So atmospheric ❄️
I just finished Frozen River and I really liked it. I get so annoyed at the way women are treated . Sometimes I think we have come a long way and other times I think we are stuck in the same old ways. Did you read The House is Fire by Rachel Beanland it was my favorites this year.
Yes I enjoyed House is on Fire! I would have included it in honorable mentions because it was so interesting.
❤📚📚❤️
You said Snegurochka without accent) do you speak Russian? 😊
Yes I do!
Im reading the Dragons of Rashid. True book. Husbands letters to wife in 2007-8 in Irag as a soldier for American army🇺🇸. So far i really like it and im learning things. I so appreciate our military!🫡
Sounds interesting, never heard of that one!