RaeAnna + A Nerdy Lifestyle
I don't like historical fiction because history is so interesting it doesn't need to be changed, but writers are constantly changing history... Alison Weir is a popular historian, so she writes better historical fiction than the vast majority out there. In her latest, she explores the oft overlooked fourth wife of Henry VIII and a possible secret love child.
The Water Dancer delves into magical realism and familiar themes of justice, humanity, freedom, and equality. Ta-Nehisi Coates sets his debut novel in pre-Civil War Virginia. Though the prose is excellent and interesting, I found the story largely forgettable.
Anthony Trollope is an amazing novelist. He brings so much empathy and intensity to the crazy characters filling his stories.
Christmas in London by Anita Hughes isn't a good book, but it's not the worst I've ever read. It's definitely full of the romantic clichés people have come to expect at the holidays....
Letters From Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien is one of my favorite books I've read all year! It's so sweet. I love Santa stories and Tolkien, so it was an obvious read for me.
Hiddensee by Gregory Maguire is a really interesting anti fairy tale. Maguire deconstructs a well known supporting character into a vibrant and interesting man.