When mystery meets historical fiction, you can be almost certain that the book will be exciting. This was definitely the case for These Shallow Graves. The moody 19th century setting fit perfectly with the murder mystery plot.
MARGOT & ME by Juno Dawson
Margot & Me, while set in contemporary times also grapples with the past set during World War II through a diary. What I loved about this book was how the stories of three generations knitted together. Fliss and her grandmother, Margot, were so at odds that Fliss’s mother was the only reason they put up with one another. Watching that relationship develop throughout the pages was immensely touching. Although, how Fliss came to read Margot’s diary didn’t entirely sit well with me. But you know, curiosity and what not…
THE DARK DAYS CLUB by Alison Goodman
When I first heard of The Dark Days Club, I was intrigued. Though I hadn’t read Jane Austen novels nor any of the popular series of Cassandra Clare, I knew those names held promise. Yes, Alison Goodman is an author unto herself but sometimes it’s hard to discount influences. With that, I first picked up Pride & Prejudice. It took me more than a month to reach page 84 before I got too exasperated and put it on hold. I didn’t try City of Bones. I dove into The Dark Days Club, not wanting to postpone it too long.
THE GIRL FROM EVERYWHERE by Heidi Heilig
Time travel in books is my weakness. I used to actively seek them out as a kid. Nowadays reading about such stories feels like visiting old friends. Sadly, The Girl from Everywhere didn’t quite have enough of it. The setting of The Girl from Everywhere was predominantly Honolulu 1884. There were glimpses of India, New York and China from various eras but not a lot happened in these places. Being stuck in Hawaii for so long gave rise to a slower moving plot than I had anticipated.
REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly
Revolution presented the obsession with music and 18th-century France in the face of post-traumatic stress disorder and mental illness. The combination of these added so many layers, I was immersed in Revolution for the entire duration of the audiobook. Living in contemporary times, Andi’s grief over the loss of her brother was palpable as she and her mother had completely fallen apart.
