Ep. 149 - 12 Must-Read Historical Fiction Books | August 2026 TBR Book List

It’s time for my annual historical fiction TBR book list. I have a variety of time periods included in this list, and many of them are brand-new releases from this year. Come find out the 12 historical fiction books I’m excited to read. 

Plus, I'll give you a quick life update and let you know about 19 new books coming out this month!

*Please note that this is NOT a recommendation list. I have not read any of these books yet, but they all sound interesting to me, so I'm excited to read them at some point.

You can find the companion blog here.

If you want to join my year-long Closed-Door Romance Reading Challenge, check out this post or listen to episode 129 for more information.

Shop at Book Outlet and use my link to save $5 off your first order when you spend $25 or more.

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Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

It's time for my annual historical TBR book list. I have a variety of time periods included in this list, and many of them are brand new releases from this year. Come find out the 12 historical fiction books I'm excited to read. Hey story lovers, it's time to unwind, relax, and get comfy cozy. You're listening to the Bookmarks and Blankets podcast. I'm your host, Kelly Matsudira. Each week I discuss my favorite forms of art, which are books, movies, and TV series. I also love talking about cozy living, cozy hobbies, and self-care tips. If you like reviews, recommendations, discussions, and a whole lot more, then you're in the right place. Join me with your favorite blanket, beverage, and snack, and let's get cozy together. Welcome or welcome back, my book friends. I hope everybody is doing well and that you are having a wonderful summer and enjoying being outside. If you're able to be outside and to do all the fun summer things, but oh my gosh, you guys, it has been a minute since I have recorded anything because life has been absolutely crazy. And I'm going to explain in just a second. So I hope you have a yummy snack or beverage and you're able to just relax because I think this is going to be a rather long episode. I'm going to give you some life updates about me of what's been going on. I'm going to also talk about some upcoming episodes because I am so behind in recording episodes right now. And then I'm just going to also share what I've been loving lately. I thought that would be a fun new segment that I could start sharing with you guys every month. Then we're going to talk about new releases that are coming out this month. And then I'm going to get into the TBR. So I hope you can get cozy, get all snuggled up, relax, and just enjoy this time with me because I have a lot to talk about. So, first of all, where have I been? Because I have not been putting out episodes. And I do apologize for that. I had so many episodes planned for July and none of it got done because I live in the mountains of Colorado, if you don't know. Also, if you don't know, because it wasn't widely circulated in the national news, but definitely in our local news, it was the top story. But we had probably eight to 10 wildfires going on in Colorado. But the biggest one is called the Aspen Acres Wildfire. Well, I am staying with my mother-in-law for the time being right now. And we live about 45 minutes to an hour away from this wildfire. This started, I think it was the middle of June, is when the fire started. We definitely had been looking at the news and monitoring how things were going and seeing if it was getting closer to us, what the air quality was like. So for a couple weeks, everything seemed to be okay. But then at the beginning of July, things started to shift and the air quality was getting worse for us. So my mother-in-law left this house on July 3rd and we decided to stay because we didn't think it was that bad. But then on July 4th, I woke up and I was feeling a little off. And later that day, I came down with a fever and I got really, really sick. And then I was having a really hard time breathing, and my husband started having a hard time breathing. So we just decided to see if things would improve. But by that evening, they were getting worse. So we ended up packing everything valuable to us up because we didn't know if the winds were going to shift and the fire was going to shift and burn this house down. So we had to pack all of our valuables up and I'm still running a fever. My husband is not feeling well. The air quality is horrendous. We had to pack everything up and we left at 10:30 at night. It was like we were fleeing in the dark to get away from this area because the fires were getting closer and the air quality was so bad. So we ended up going to Colorado Springs, which is about two hours away from us. We were able to get into a hotel and we stayed there, but I was so sick that I ended up having to go to urgent care a couple of days later. And they put me on like five antibiotics because we don't know what we were breathing in with the air pollution and just everything that we were dealing with. So then my sister-in-law and her family lives in Colorado Springs and she was about ready to leave to go on a trip to Europe for 10 days. So she said, why don't you guys come over to our house and house sit while we're gone? So thank goodness I am so blessed that she offered that to us because that was a lifesaver. So we were able to stay at her house and take care of everything. I was still really, really sick. And I was hoping that I could do some recording while I was away from the house. And I brought all my equipment with me, but I had a head cold that was so bad that I could barely talk. I was so incredibly nasally. I was coughing, I was sneezing, I was blowing my nose. It was bad, you guys. I have not been that sick in years. I ended up going back to urgent care like a week later. So I had two trips to urgent care. They gave me more antibiotics because at first they thought it was bacterial, then they thought it was viral, and I was a mess. So I wasn't able to record everything. And then we were gone for about two weeks. And then finally, we were able to come back to the house. So the fire had been contained because it took them forever to contain this fire. Even at the time of this recording, I think the fire is about 65% contained. So it is still going on. And like I said, I don't think the national news was really reporting on this, but it was a big deal. Colorado was on fire, and there were tons of homes lost, tons of structures destroyed. I think it was close to a thousand structures and homes were destroyed. There were some people who lost their lives. There were firefighters coming in from all over the country. I think we had close to 2,000 people fighting this fire, and it was just a huge deal. And I don't think the news was covering it, which is a shame because there were so many people that were displaced. And luckily for us, we were far enough away that we didn't really have to worry too much about the fire, but the air quality was just really, really bad. And that's why we had to stay away for so long. But we finally got back. Everything is better now. It's contained more and more, and we're breathing better. We're not having any problems since we got back. But then I was just still recuperating from my sickness, and I didn't think you guys wanted to hear me being super sick. So I still was giving myself some time. So that is why there were no new episodes in July. It was a crazy, crazy time. I have never been displaced before. I never had to deal with wildfires before. This was a new experience, and I'm just praying for all of those who lost their lives and who lost their homes and their livelihoods because there's a lot of ranchers out here. There's a lot of farmers out here, and it's just really, really sad. So that is what took up most of my time in July. And we're still kind of getting back into the groove of things a couple weeks later because everything was just so up in the air. And we're still monitoring things and we're still concerned about other fires starting. We're still concerned about people being stupid because there is a ban on all outdoor fires. So you can't have campfires, bonfires, you can't light off fireworks. So there were no firework displays this year for 4th of July. And of course, it had to be on the 250th birthday of America. Of course, the big event that everybody was looking forward to. Everything basically around where I was and in Colorado Springs was canceled. So there were no fireworks. You weren't allowed to set anything off. And any open outdoor flames was banned. And everything is still actually in effect as of the time of this recording. You still cannot let off fireworks or have open flames in this region of the state. So they're still fighting these fires. Pray for our firefighters and all that are involved because it is a massive deal that everything is burning out here and there are multiple fires going on, and new ones keep springing up, and they have to put those out. And it's just very, very dangerous. And when it's very dry and with all the brush and the forestry and everything around here, things catch fire so quickly. So I'm just praying for all of those involved. It's just such a horrendous event. But anyway, so that is what has been going on with me in July. And hopefully, we will not have a repeat in August. I'm hoping for a calmer, more peaceful month this month and ending my summer on a good note. So that is why things were not posted. I did have a lot of plans for July as far as episodes. I know I owe you those episodes and they are coming. They're just going to be late now. So I always do the mid-year reakout book tag, which is basically a mid-year check-in of saying, here's the best and the worst books that I've read so far. I am still working on that episode. I will have that coming in August. I'm almost done with a Pages to Popcorn episode. That will be coming in August. I'm also going to be talking about a lot of the summer books that I've read. So I'll have a recent read episode coming up. And then you guys, I am already planning for fall. So let's talk about fall because August in the book world equals fall. If you don't know or if you're new, everybody is already talking about fall books and getting ready for fall and getting in the mindset. I'm already seeing some of my booktubers putting out fall-related videos, which is a little crazy to me because I feel like it's a little early. I think once you get to middle and end of August, it's okay to start talking about fall, but I saw people start talking about fall at the end of July. So that was just wild to me. I feel like maybe people are getting over all of this heat. I know the United States, I don't know about the rest of the world, but I know in the United States we have had a heat wave this summer. It has been a much, much hotter summer this year. And I am living in a house without air conditioning, and I am definitely feeling these 88, 90 degree days. And I know that we're 10 degrees cooler in the mountains, but it doesn't feel cool up here. I don't have AC. So I just am dying of this heat. I'm over it. I am so ready for fall. So I have definitely been more in the fall mindset, and I've already seen that Dunkin' Donuts is released their fall menu and they're gonna start. I think it's August 19th, that their drinks and food for fall start coming out. I haven't seen when Starbucks is gonna start their fall menu, but August is the start of fall, especially with a lot of foods in the grocery store and again the coffee places. So I am really excited. My husband actually went online and was looking up some fall coffee and syrups, and we already started drinking pumpkin spice lattes, you guys, because DaVinci, and this is not sponsored or affiliate or anything, but just to let you know, I love Da Vinci sauces, and their pumpkin spice was on sale. So my husband went ahead and got it before they sold out, and then he got us the fall blend of Starbucks from the grocery store, and he's already started making us pumpkin spice lattes. So I am already giving a taste of fall, and I am just so so excited. I'm seeing so many booktubers and Instagram people talking about the fall release books that are coming out. And like I said, I'm already starting to plan my blogs and my episodes for fall. So I am very, very excited to get to that month. But we have a little bit more of summer to go, and I'm not trying to rush time, I'm not trying to rush the seasons. So I do want to enjoy summer for a couple more weeks, but then I think once we hit the middle of August, I'm definitely gonna be in that fall mood. So that's where my mind's at right now. All right, what am I loving right now? I had a feeling that this would be really fun to just let you know some other things that I've been interested in because I don't just read books all the time. There are TV shows I'm watching, movies I've watched, music that I listen to, and I just thought I would let you know what I'm into right now. As far as movies, I don't actually watch a lot of movies because I will say the new movies, a lot of them just don't interest me or they just seem really woke and they're just ruined, and I just don't want to have those messages thrown in my face. So a lot of new movies I don't watch, but there were a few that I have seen, and I just wanted to mention them because I thought they were pretty good. So my husband, he is a guy's guy at times, and he's all into the action guy movies. So I have recently watched Mortal Kombat 2 on HBO Max, and then we watched the new He-Man movie, Masters of the Universe, and that's on Amazon Prime. I thought both of those were actually really good. Mortal Kombat, I've seen the first movie, and I thought the second one was better because it has the character of Johnny Cage in it, and I thought he brought a lot of humor, and I really like the action scenes. It's very fantastical. I thought it was just a really fun popcorn action movie. And the same thing with He-Man. Now, the He-Man movie was actually really funny. It doesn't take itself seriously, it's a bit cheesy, but it also just has fun with itself and it makes fun of itself and it makes fun of some culture things. I was actually laughing so much during this. It was just very nostalgic because I grew up with two younger brothers and they had all the He-Man action figures, and we watched the 80s cartoon. I also watched Shura. So that was just part of my childhood. I'm a child of the 80s, and He-Man was just a huge cultural thing back in the 80s. So I actually enjoyed the movie a lot more than I thought that I would. I definitely recommend those. And then we watched a drama called Rental Family with Brendan Fraser, and that was a very surprising movie. So Brendan Fraser, he lives in Japan now, and in Japan, and this is actually true in real life, that there are these companies or these agencies that rent out people who are basically actors and they act however you need them to act. So you could hire an actor to play as your grandmother, or you could hire an actor to go to a funeral and be part of a funeral. You could hire an actor to be part of your wedding. You could hire an actor to be your best friend, your whatever. So Brendan Frazier is an actor trying to get a job, and he ends up with this company, and he goes on these assignments where he has to act as whatever they're hiring him for. And it was just really, really unique to see this culture and how they do things. And then, of course, he gets connected and relationships start developing with the people he's being hired with. But it was a really good movie. I actually really liked it. It was very heartfelt and heartwarming. I think I teared up a little bit, but it was just a very unique premise because in the United States, renting somebody out is not a thing, but it is in Japan. So I just thought it was a really unique movie. And then I was in the mood to watch a documentary, and I got on Netflix and I watched the new Martin Short documentary. I love Martin Short. I grew up with him. I've watched a lot of his movies from the 80s and the 90s. It was just really interesting to learn more about this actor. I mean, he's a legendary comedian, and it was just fun to learn about his life because I really didn't know anything about him. And of course, you see all the A-list celebrity friends of his and other stars that he's been in movies with. I thought it was a really good documentary. There's a lot of celebrity documentaries on Netflix that I want to go through. So I thought I would start with Martin Shore, and I just really enjoyed watching that. So let's move on to the TV shows that I'm watching right now. So we have started re-watching Shits Creek on HBO Max. We watch that while we eat dinner, and I've seen that once, and so we're watching it again for a second time, and I just love that show. It's so funny. It just puts a smile on my face. We also started watching Resident Alien on Netflix. My husband said he wanted to check it out. I've kind of had mixed feelings about this. At first, I had a hard time getting into it, and then I was really liking it. But now we're towards the end of season one and I'm kind of losing interest again. So I don't know. This one's okay. I mean, it's funny. There's definitely funny moments, but I'm just really not into aliens. So I don't know. It's okay. I think we're gonna keep going with it, but we have kind of paused and we were going between watching Resident Alien and Shits Creek while we eat dinner, and we've been watching Shits Creek instead because it's just better. But I am still watching for my shows, I'm still watching Vampire Diaries. I told you guys a while ago that I started re-watching this series because I never finished it. Well, I've been b-watching, and I'm on season four now. I know there's eight seasons, so I'm only halfway through the series, but every season is so long. There's like 23 episodes per season. So I feel like I've been binging a lot lately, but I'm not making a lot of headway. I'm almost to the middle of season four, and I think this was the last season that I watched before I stopped. So starting with season five will be brand new to me. But I will say, re-watching this, it all feels like I'm watching it for the first time because I just didn't really remember a lot of stuff. But I've been watching vampire diaries and I've been enjoying it. My husband has even gotten into it, and it's helping me get through the Twilight Saga. If you haven't listened to one of my more recent episodes, I read Eclipse and I'm actually in the middle of breaking down right now. So I'm trying to finish the Twilight Saga, and I think it helps to watch the vampire diaries just to keep me in that vampire mindset, in that mood. So I've been watching that. But the biggest show that my husband and I are both obsessed with right now, and we're like 20 years late to the party. But we started watching The Walking Dead. Again, I know I am so late to the party, but I was not interested in this show whatsoever when it first came out. I know it was a huge cultural phenomenon. Everybody talked about this show. I think it won a ton of awards. It was all over the place. But I was not interested in zombies. But my husband wanted to start it. We had finished another series, and he's like, I really want to try The Walking Dead. So I was like, all right, whatever, you can watch it, and I'll just maybe watch it passively because I just am not interested in zombies whatsoever. Vampires, witches, and werewolves give me that all day, but zombies. But then he was like, Well, I think it's less about the zombies and more dystopian story about how these humans survive after the world basically ends because of this virus that turns everybody into zombies. So, yes, there are zombies in it and they're fighting the zombies, but it's not all about that. It's about the group of people and what happens to them. So I got through season one and I was like, eh, this is okay. And then we got into season two, and I was still not sure if I wanted to keep watching it. But the last three episodes of season two, that's when the shift happened. I totally got invested in the last three episodes because the action really increased, and there was a lot more happening in that last few episodes of the second season. So it took me almost two seasons to really get fully invested into this show. But now I am obsessed, you guys. I am so obsessed. And we watch this every single night. Sometimes we will binge two, three, even four episodes because the seasons are pretty decent. I think there's 16 episodes. We're on season seven right now, and I have so many feelings about what's going on right now. But anyway, we're not here to talk about The Walking Dead. But that is the show that I'm obsessed with right now, and I just need to know what happens. Now, my husband and I, we did look ahead at some spoilers online. So there were some things that we knew. And then I've also looked up actors and you can see how many episodes they're in. Because the one thing about The Walking Dead is kind of like with Game of Thrones, is they'll kill off main characters. I mean, they kill people off left and right. So you don't know who's gonna be around long term, who's gonna be around short term. So we did look ahead and like, oh, okay, like Daryl's through the entire thing. Carol's through the entire thing. Rick, we know at some point he's gonna die or something's gonna happen to him because he's not through the whole thing. So we've looked at episode numbers and maybe that spoiled some things, but I don't. We're always introduced to new characters, and I am just obsessed with this show now. And it really is less about the zombies. They're there, but it's really about this group of people and they formed this family together and just what happens to them. Where do they go? I mean, everything that can go wrong goes wrong to this group of people. And I'm just always rooting for them. And I'm just like, gosh, they can't catch a break. There's always something that happens. Like they finally get to a place where they feel like they can settle down and rest. And then something happens. And then they have to go somewhere else. And then they're there for a while. And then something else happens and they have to leave. And it's just crazy. But it also creates a lot of conversation with my husband and I about what would the world look like in a dystopian place? Like if this actually happened, I feel like I wouldn't survive. I feel like I'd probably be dead the minute it happens. But I don't know, it's just created a lot of interesting conversations. But anyway, if you've never given The Walking Dead a chance, I highly recommend it because I am somebody who is not into these types of shows at all. And I am so obsessed with it right now. So at least suggest that. All right, so let me just quickly talk about some music that I've been interested in. Evan Essence has this brand new album that is out. So I've been listening to that. Madonna released a new album and I listened to that, and you guys, I did not like it. I think there's maybe two songs out of the entire album that were decent, but I didn't even really like those that much. And Madonna is somebody that I have been a huge fan of since the 80s. I mean, I grew up with Madonna. She is a legendary musician. I have followed her entire career, and I have all of her albums. I had a poster of her on my wall. I've watched all of her concerts on TV. I've watched all of her music videos. I mean, I have been a huge, huge fan since I was like 10 years old. But sometimes it's just like, you know, it's okay to retire. She's in her late 60s and she's acting like she's still in her 30s. I'm just like, lady, I think it's time for you to retire, and it's okay to retire. I think she's lost her touch, and I just did not like this album at all. But you know who I am so obsessed with right now is Ella Lingley. And she is everywhere right now. And if you don't know who that is, she is a country star that is topping the charts. She has skyrocketed to like make a stardom right now. She is like the biggest thing. She's actually been around since 2023, I think, but she just dropped her dandelion album this past spring. Oh my gosh, there are so many hits. And choosing Texas is her biggest hit. And that song has been at the top of the charts on the like hot 100 billboard music for like 15 or 16 weeks. She has beat out legendary singers who have been at the top of those charts forever. She's beat out Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and she, I think, is the biggest female artist that has the longest number one running in history right now, what she's in Texas. And I heard her for the first time. I think it was back in April. I was sitting in Starbucks and they always have music playing. And I recognized the voice. They played a few of her songs. And so I looked up, I was like, who is that singer? I really like the song. And I looked her up and I found her online. And so I've been listening to Ella since I think it was April or May, but now she has just exploded. I think she won like the CMA Artist of the Year and Album of the Year. I don't know. There's all these awards that she just won. I've watched all her music videos. I watch her concerts online, like her videos. And I am just completely obsessed with Ella Langley right now. And I'm not even that big of a country music listener. I do listen to country. I have playlists of country music, but I don't always listen to it. I'm more of a classic rock, 70s, 80s, 90s rock, pop kind of girl. And I am just obsessed. I've made my own playlist of Ella Langley and I listen to all her music. I listen to her past albums too. So if you're into Ella Langley or if you want to check her out, her dandelion album is amazing. That's her newest album. But check out her older albums too, because she has some really, really good songs on her older albums, and there's also some singles. So I have just been listening to her almost every single day. And yeah, I've just been loving her music right now. Okay, so that was a lot on the updates. Let's move into the books because that's why you're here. So let me try to quickly talk about new releases that are coming out this month because I don't do episodes talking about new releases. So I include those in my book list. There's actually a lot that's coming out in August. So I have 19 books to talk about. So August 4th is a huge, huge release day. I have a ton of books that are coming out on August 4th that I am looking forward to so much. The biggest one, and I think everybody is looking forward to. We are getting another Riley Sager book. I don't know if there's magic in this or if it's witchy, but I think it's supposed to take a little bit of a turn of what he normally writes. But The Unknown is coming out on August 4th, and it says in 1926, five women disappeared from a remote island in Vermont. Now, 100 years later, it's happening again. So we have past-present timelines. I thought I saw somebody talk about that this may be witchy, but I'm not sure. Of course, I'm going to listen to this. I'm already in line for the audiobook through my library app. I should be getting it the day that it comes out. So I'm very excited to read another Riley Sayor book because he is just one of the best mystery thriller horror writers out there today. The next book that's coming out on August 4th that I'm very excited about, but I'm not ready to read yet because I am behind in this series. But it is Adversary to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Mayer. And this is book four in the Assistant and the Villain series. So I did read Assistant to the Villain, the very first book. I really enjoyed it. It was a lot of fun, but I haven't continued in the series, and now book four is coming out. So I'm very behind. And I'm not going to read anything what this book's about because I don't want any spoilers. But I'm just very excited that the next part of the series is coming out. So I may just binge two, three and four at some point. Another book coming out on August 4th that I'm very excited about is When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston. So this is the author of the best-selling novel, The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife. I actually just read that a couple months ago. It was in a real times reaction episode that I did when I was reading really popular books. I really, really enjoyed this. It was four stars. It's a contemporary fiction. So she has another one coming out. And it just says that this is a heartfelt and inspiring story that is deeply human about love, forgiveness, redemption, and rediscovering joy when life has lost its flavor. So I'm expecting to cry. I'm expecting to be emotional because her other book was emotional. But I'm just excited to read another book by this author, and I'm sure it's going to be very heartfelt. Another book coming out on August 4th is Alchemy of Souls by Adriana Mather. I read from this author a couple years ago. I read How to Hang a Witch. So that actually was part of another real-time reaction episode where I was reading some witchy books. So if you are interested in that episode, you can go back and listen to that. I actually really, really enjoy that book, and I still need to read the sequel because it is a duology. But she has a brand new book coming out. It is an Enemies to Lovers, Fake Dating, and a Magic School Romance. I think this is YA, and it should be clean. I don't think she writes spice in her books. At least the one that I read before didn't have any spice in it was YA as well. And it says that this follows two magically bound teens as they raised to solve the mystery of an ancient mystical key before it's too late. So it kind of sounds like some dark academia. I'm very interested in checking that one out. Also coming out on August 4th is The Roman Holiday Rule. This is by Andra Loy. I've never heard of this author, but I've seen a lot of the clean closed door no spice pages and readers that I follow talk about this book. So it looks like it's just going to be a clean, fun romance. It looks like it's going to be a take on the Roman holiday. If you've ever seen that Audrey Hepburn movie, which I have, it's really cute. And it says, you can't fall in love with someone who lives somewhere else and expect a happily ever after. So it looks like this is an Italian adventure and it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun. Another book coming out on August 4th. As I've mentioned earlier, we have a lot of fall books coming out. So this is Autumn at the Cat Cafe by Kathleen Fuller. I think this is a Christian fiction author, so there shouldn't be any spice in this. And it says this is a cozy, kisses-only romance about fresh starts, fall leaves, and finding love right next door. Perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls and Sarah Adams. And I'm assuming the Sarah Adams before she started writing spice. But this looks really, really cute. I actually have a neck alley arc to this. So when I'm in the mood to pick up a fall book, I'm definitely going to be picking up this one. Another book coming out on August 4th is The House of Boleyn by Tracy Borman. This is by an acclaimed tutor historian who weaves the dramatic history of the Boleyn family into a richly imagined novel of ambition, bloodlines, and the opulent and deadly court of Henry VIII. Anything with Henry VIII or Anne Boleyn or the Boleyn family, I'm just really interested in. I've read some other books and watched some movies about the Tudor family, and I've just really, really enjoyed them. So when I'm in the mood for historical fiction, I'm definitely gonna pick this up. And then the final book coming out on August 4th is actually a graphic novel, and that is Mayhem at Misfit Mansion by Kay DeVault. This is actually the second book in the Misfit Mansion series. I loved the first book. Misfit Mansion was such a fun, it's a middle grade fantasy. It'd be really good for fall time or spooky season. And I did not realize that there was going to be a sequel, but a sequel is coming out, and I'm definitely want to get my hands on it. And this just says a monster girl and her mythical housemates work together with their human friends to save the town from an unexpected new threat in this delightful spooky and sweet graphic novel companion to Misfit Mansion. And Misfit Mansion was a five-star graphic novel for me. So if you're looking for a fun, juvenile-ish, just maybe a palette cleanser graphic novel, definitely pick that up. Alright, so that was a lot of books coming out on August 4th. On August 12th, I have two books. The first one is Escape to Lighthouse Cove by Kate Hewitt. This is the beginning of a new romance series by this author. This author has so many books out. I think she writes contemporary romance as well as historical. I've only read her contemporary romance, but I really, really enjoyed it and they're clean, there's no spice. So this is just a brand new romance series that I'm really interested in. And it says, Grace came to the rugged main island of Lighthouse Co. for peace. Will reconnecting with nature and the quiet magic of the coast help her find love and happiness? It looks very summery. The cover is beautiful. Check out the cover. It looks like this might be a summer romance. So if I'm interested in getting any last-minute summer romances in, I'm gonna pick this up. I think this might be coming to Kindle Unlimited. She has a ton of books on Kindle Unlimited, so I'm definitely interested to read more by this author. And then the other book coming out on August 12th that I'm really excited about is Wicked Sweetfall by Beth Labonte. And this is actually book three in the Autumnborough Sweet Romance series. So I read the first book, Pumpkin Everything, last year. I actually have a Pages to Popcorn episode up on the podcast if you want to listen to it, if you haven't yet. But I was really in the fall mood last year and I had subscribed to Hallmark Plus. And so I was able to get this movie because they made a Hallmark movie off of the book. So I read the book and then watched the movie. So I made an episode about it. And I haven't continued in the series. I still need to get through book two, but now book three is coming out. So I think that'll be really fun that maybe I could binge through two and three this year, but definitely interested in that. All right, and then moving on to August 18th, I have two books. The first is Ideal Life by Evelyn Skye. She is a magical realism author that is one of my favorites. I don't think she really writes too much spice. If there is any spice, it's very, very low, like maybe one pepper. So I just really like her stories. I read one of her more recent a couple months ago and I really enjoyed it. And this one says that this is a warm-hearted and lightly magical novel. An opportunity to turn back time gives a scientist the chance to pursue her ideal life, only to realize it might keep her from truly living. And it says it's perfect for fans of Rebecca Sarrell, who I really enjoy, and Taylor Jenkins Reed. So I think this could be really fun. And any magical realism, I've really been into magical realism this year. So I want to read more from these authors. And the other book coming out on August 18th is That Night by Gillian McAllister. This is a mystery thriller author. I have read from her before. I've only read one of her books, so I am very curious to read more by her to see what she's like and if I really enjoy her. But I read Wrong Place, Wrong Time, and that actually is perfect going into spooky season. It takes place around Halloween. It's more mystery than thrilling, but it was really good and I enjoyed it. But it says that this is an electrifying thriller about three siblings torn apart by the cover-up of a death while on a family vacation in Italy. So this sounds like this could be a fun summer thriller. So if you're looking for any end of the summer thrillers, this could be a good one to pick up. All right, and then moving on to my final date is August 25th. We have four books. And the first book is Big Little Truths by Leanne Moriarty. And this is actually the sequel to Big Little Lies. Now I have seen the TV show on HBO I watch both seasons, and I really enjoyed it, but I have not read the book yet, and now this is the sequel. So I thought it might be fun to get in line for this book and then read the first one, and then when I'm done with that, binge and read the second one. So this says in this highly anticipated sequel, the author explores the complexity of modern women's lives shining light on family dynamics and long-hidden truths with wit and compassion. Whether you've read Big Little Lives or not, this is the perfect novel for longtime fans and new readers alike. So maybe you don't have to read the first book, but I think it would probably be better if you did. But that was actually a really good show, and I really do want to read the book at some point. Another mystery thriller coming out on August 25th is Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier. This is actually, I think, either a sequel or a companion to Wonderland. And I know Wonderland is one of this author's really popular books. I have not read it yet. I read another book by her and I didn't really care for it, but I'm willing to give this author another chance. And I thought it would be fun to pick up Wonderland and then pick up Heart of Glass. But I think this takes place after whatever happens in Wonderland. Another mystery thriller, I think this might be more of a horror or cozy horror, is They Say a Girl Died Here by Sarah Pinborough. I have not read anything from this author. I know We Live Here Now was a really popular book last year, but I haven't read anything by her yet. So I'm really curious to check this author out. And it says, Two murdered girls, A Town with Dark Secrets, A Race to Break a Deadly Cycle. It says that this is a devastating genre-bending mystery at its core, and is a novel of thrilling and terrifying secrets with a twist that could only come from this author. So I guess maybe she's known for her twists. I don't know. I haven't read anything from her, but it looks really interesting. And the final book that I have for August 25th is Practically Magic by Jen Calanetta. This is a YA magical romance fantasy book. The cover is absolutely adorable. And it says on the eve of Halloween, a sister's well-intentioned love spell turns into a curse in this witchy flirty rom-com, perfect for fans of the X-Hex, Gilmore Girls, and Practical Magic. It says Love Curse Gonna Rye, Sister Witches, and Spooky Flirty, Cozy All For Halloween. So this is definitely gonna be perfect for spooky season. For me, I probably will pick this up in October. I actually have the net galley arc to this, and I don't think there's supposed to be any spice in this. I don't think this is a spicy author. I have read from her before. She writes middle grade or YA books, and she has a series called Fairy Tale Reform School. And the first book is called Flunked, and it was really cute. I really enjoyed that. I think I gave it four stars. I haven't continued in that series, but I want to. So when I saw that she had another book come out, I definitely was interested in it because I really liked her writing and I thought that other book was really good. But this sounds really cute. It's perfect for October. So I'm definitely going to save this for further into spooky season. So those were all the books, but before I finish with all of the new releases, you guys, I am so, so excited because there is a multi-author fall romance collection that is coming out starting this month. I screamed when I saw the announcement. They announced this back, I think, in June. And this is the same set of authors who wrote the Falling for Summer series, which I read that entire series last summer. They're all clean, no language, no spice, and they all take place on this fictional island off of Florida. They were all four and five stars. It was a phenomenal series. I actually have a blog about it up on my website. So if you are curious and still want to check out some summer romance books, definitely give that series a look because they were so good. And they're all available on Kindle Unlimited if you're a member. But this same set of authors plus one more. So we're getting eight books in the Falling for Autumn series. And I am so, so, so excited. I think I'm gonna binge through this probably starting this month, August, September, and October. So these are going to be released once a week. So the first book is The Bodyguards Fall by Cindy Steele, coming out on August 12th. The second book is Autumn on My Mind by Gracie Ruth Mitchell, that comes out August 19th. Resisting the Fall by Jess Heileman comes out August 26th. Then we have Falling for Keeps by Casey Stockton on September 2nd. Once Upon a Fall by Becky Monson, September 9th. Fall Fake Out by Courtney Keisel on September 16th. Forbidden to Fall by Martha Keyes September 23rd. And then the new author to the group that wasn't in the summer series is Autumn Kiss by Deborah Hathaway. And that comes out September 30th. So I will have all of this information on my website. I will have the link to the series if you're interested to follow along when these release. But I am so excited that we're getting a fall series from this group of authors because they are absolutely phenomenal writers. Again, four or five-star authors, and they're witty. The chemistry is off the page without any of the spice. You don't have to worry about the spice. You don't have to worry about language. I love these authors so much, and I just can't believe we're getting a fall romance series from them. So I cannot rave enough about how excited I am. I am for this series, and I am definitely going to read these this fall. Okay, so those are all of the new books, and this was a super, super long intro, but we are done. So let me hop to the logistics for those that are new. As I do with this type of episode, I'll let you know the books I put into my pile of possibilities. I'm gonna read you the Goodreads description and then briefly explain why I chose that book. I do want to make note that this is not a recommendation episode because I have not read any of these, so I don't know which ones are good to recommend. We're gonna find out together. These are just all books that interest me and that I want to read at some point. We all know that I'm not gonna read all of these this month. I'm hoping to maybe pick up a couple, but these are definitely books that are on my radar. I also encourage you to check out the cover art for these books because some of them are just absolutely gorgeous. As always, you can head over to my website to the companion blog. I make a companion blog for every episode that I do. Just go to bookmarks, the letternblankets.com. You can learn more about the books, learn more about all the new releases. I'll have all of that information over there. Also on my website, I have a blog. I post every Tuesday and Thursday. So if you're interested in book discussions, reading tips and tricks, book crafts, book lists, I post twice a week. So check back every week. It is very seasonal. So I have lots of summer blogs and ideas and book lists over there, but I'm also going to be getting ready to post for fall. So definitely check over there if you're interested in any of that kind of content. If you want to know what I'm reading in real time, I invite you to follow me on Goodreads. I'm in there every single day. I read multiple genres and multiple formats, all kinds of different authors. Really, I'm a mood reader. It's really whatever is tickling my fancy in the moment. So I would love for you to follow me over there and see what I'm up to. You can also probably get some ideas of projects I'm working on. And I also post all of my written reviews on that platform as well. And then finally, I would love to know what you thought if you've read any of these books, or you can just let me know what you're interested in reading this month. How are you ending your summer? What are you excited about that's coming out this month? Anything you'd like to share with me. I invite you to follow me on social media. I'm in all the places: X or Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest. I make graphics for this type of episode. So you can just get in there and leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you. All right, enough chit-chatting. I have talked already for so long, but we still need to get to the best part. Here are all of the historical fiction books that I am very interested in reading. So if you're not already, let's get comfy, let's get cozy, and let's dive in. So if you're new and noticed that I said my annual historical fiction TBR list, that is because when I first started this podcast, I didn't know what type of book list I wanted to read in August. And I happened to choose historical fiction because I was exploring that genre. And then the next year, again, I just didn't really know what to do because August is a weird month. You're kind of past the summer reading, but it's a little too early for fall. And so I just chose historical fiction again. And then I just kind of continued doing it. So August has just become my annual historical fiction book list. So that is why I said that. And all of these books are books that I'm very interested in reading. They don't contain any Regency romance this year. So if you are interested in Regency Romance, I have past episodes that talk about that genre. I have tons of book lists on the website that have Regency Romance recommendations if you're interested in that. But the list this year does not contain any Regency romance. I just want to make note of that. And these are in no particular order. So let's get started. So book number one is Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Allward. And this takes place in 1912, and on Goodreads, it has a 4.16 average rating. The description reads: Aboard the Titanic, where opulence knows no bounds and the horizon seems limitless, two women fight for the future they dream of, fraught with secrets that could change everything. Hannah Martin is clinging to the hope that six days on this grand ship will heal the wounds in her marriage to Charles. Beneath her poised exterior lies a desperation to mend what was shattered and conceal a secret that could upend their lives forever. Louisa Phillips, spirited and uncompromising, is escaping her family's insistence on a passionless marriage. But this daring step could also sever the deepest bond in her life. As the quote-unquote unsinkable ship strikes the iceberg, amidst the chaos and icy waters, lives are changed forever. In the face of impending doom, what dreams will Hannah and Lou decide are worth saving and at what cost? So, this one obviously takes place on the Titanic, so I think that just sounds interesting in and of itself. But I read When the World Fell Silent last year and absolutely loved it. You guys, it was so good. It's a World War I story. It takes place in Canada about the Halifax explosion, and it read like a Kristen Hannah book. So if you like that author, I really think you'll like this author. That was her debut. So this is her sophomore book. And this sounds really interesting, but her debut book was in my top 10 of last year. So I just want to read another book by this author because her writing was impeccable. I felt like I was there. I guess I'm just ready to be on a sinking ship on the Titanic. So I'm very interested to read that one. All right, book number two is Meet Me in Paris by Kristen Harmel. I'm not really sure when this takes place. I think this is in the 1950s. But on Goodreads, this has a 4.22 average rating. And the description reads, Love actually meets the notebook in a tale of love, loss, and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris. Julia Glover has brought her 23-year-old daughter Piper to Paris for the first time, but they know it will also be their last trip here together. Julia is dying, and as the mother and daughter desperately try to make memories together as the clock ticks down, the world opens up around them. Piper meets a cute French waiter who might just understand her better than anyone she's ever met. And Julia meets a man at a dive bar and struggles with how to tell him the truth about her future. Rockstar, Jackson Quick's glory days are behind him. He had a handful of hit songs 30 years ago, but he hasn't toured in decades. This week, he'll launch his reunion tour in Paris, the city where it all began. But he wants more out of life than being defined by fame. When he meets a woman who finally sees him for who he is at his core, the ground shifts beneath his feet. Henry McGee has been writing hit songs for decades, including Jackson Quick's biggest hit, City of Light. But his secret is that every love song he's ever written is for a woman named Celeste, whom he loved a lifetime ago when they were both teenagers in Paris during World War II. He has spent 80 years believing she died. But when a letter arrives telling him the opposite, he's on the first flight to France. Can he break through the haze of her dementia using the songs he's written all these years to remind her of who they once were to each other and to tell her he came back for her? Henry's granddaughter, Melody, has just discovered that her husband of 20 years, Giles, a French cosmetics executive, is having an affair. When she confronts him, he tearfully apologizes and begs her to forgive him. But can she? And perhaps even more importantly, does she want to? Or is there a different kind of life out there for her if she chooses to be alone? These intertwining stories, plus several others, unfold over a few breathtaking spring days as an unforgettable group of Americans in Paris must find their way to their own versions of Happily Ever After in the City of Lights. Okay, so maybe this isn't set in the 1950s, because it talked about 80 years later, but I think this might be past present timeline. So we'll count it as historical fiction. But this is actually a brand, brand new release that just came out at the end of July. So I am very excited to read this because earlier this year I read this author for the very first time. I read The Stolen Life of Cola Marcu and absolutely loved it. I gave it five stars. It's probably one of my favorite books of the year so far. So when I saw that she had a new book coming out, and this sounds like a really cute love story. I mean, love actually meets the notebook. Yes, plays. I actually have the net galley arc to this. So I think I'm just gonna get in line for the audiobook and then read along. I am just really excited to see what this one's about. I loved this author. I loved her writing. It's so immersive. Again, she's another Kristen, she's like Kristen Hannah, where you just get immersed in the story and it's just an emotional ride. So I'm very excited to read from this author again. Book number three is The Lumber Baron's Wife by Lynn Austin. This is set in the 1870s. This is a Christian romance, and on Goodreads, this has a 4.27 average rating. And the description reads: When the young wife of a powerful lumber baron vanishes into the wilds of frontier Michigan, her friend is left to unravel the truth in this captivating dual timeline. 1873. After a devastating loss, Hannah Wagner never imagines she'd leave her comfortable home for the harsh, unfamiliar wilderness near Lake Michigan. But when Henry Abernathy, a friend of her husband John, offers them a fresh start in a booming lumber town where John's skills as a doctor are sorely needed, Hannah reluctantly agrees. There, she meets Kate Abernathy, Henry's spirited, much younger wife. Kate's sharp tongue and outsider status have made her unwelcome among the town elite. As she begins confiding in Hannah, it becomes clear her marriage is not what it seems, and that a secret from her past could destroy everything. Present Day. Ashley Gilbert never planned to settle in Michigan, but when her husband lands his dream job as a conservationist, she agrees to follow. While restoring their historic home built in the 19th century for a doctor and his wife, Ashley becomes captivated by its past and its connection to the nearby Abernathy Mansion now being transformed into a museum. While volunteering with the restoration, Ashley stumbles upon the unsolved mystery of Kate Abernathy's disappearance. What begins as a curiosity soon becomes a quest for the truth, one that will connect her to two women whose stories and struggles echo and inspire her own. So again, this is another author that I read for the very first time earlier this year. I read Hidden Places, absolutely loved it. Again, five stars, one of my favorite books of the year. I just wanted to read something else by her. This is a brand new release. This just came out in April of this year. And I've already seen some of the Christian booktubers that I follow read this and rave about it and say that it's really good. But I really just want to read more by this author. I thought her writing style was amazing. It's again very immersive. And this sounds like a really interesting premise. And I do like the dual timeline, the past and present. And I always like to see how they weave the past and present together. So I think this could be a really good story to read. Alright, book number four is An Ocean of Stars by Imogen Martin. And this is another book set in the 1870s, and on Goodreads, it has a 4.10 average rating. And the description reads: Boston, 1879. Phoebe Van Bergen has poured everything into the Van Bergen's Women's Hospital. Her inheritance, her defiance, her desperate need to be more than society's gilded ornament. Within its cramped wards, she matters. Here, she is not the obedient fiance of a man whose charm masks something darker. Here, she can breathe. Then, Dr. Douglas McLennan arrives from Scotland. Brilliant, abrasive, and haunted by a loss so devastating he's vowed never to love again. He dismisses Phoebe as a privileged do-gooder. She thinks him insufferably arrogant. Neither expects their clash to become the most honest conversation of their lives. But Phoebe is keeping secrets that could destroy her. And when Douglas becomes the one person who knows the truth, the shame she carries, the violence she survived, she knows he's seen her at her most broken and she might lose him forever. When Phoebe finally breaks free of her engagement and travels to Scotland for a medical symposium, she never expects Douglas to be on the same journey, or for a catastrophic disaster on the Tay Bridge to strip away everything but what matters most. Faced with death, they must finally confront the question they've been running from. Is the risk of heartbreak worth the chance at being truly known? So this is another new release that came out earlier this year in March. I have read from this author before. I read Under a Gilded Sky and To the Wild Horizon, and I really enjoyed both of those stories. Now, Under a Gilded Sky didn't have any spice in it, but The Wild Horizon did have a tiny bit of spice. So I'm not sure if there's spice in this one or not. I'm hoping that there's not, but there may be a little bit. But because I've read from this author before, I just wanted to read another book by her. And I actually received this arc a while ago, so I need to read it. But I really enjoyed her writing, and this is just a different time period and a different scenario from her other books. Her other books were more like Western romances. So I just wanted to read something different from this author and to check it out. All right, book number five is A Founding Mother by Stephanie Dre and Laura Kamoe. And this is a revolutionary era. I think this spans over a large time period, but I think it starts in the 1770s. And on Goodreads, this has a 4.32 average rating. And the description reads: In time for the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States comes a sweeping intimate portrayal of Abigail Adams, wife of one president and mother to another, whose wit, willpower, and wisdom help shape the fledgling republic. In the heart of revolutionary Boston, Abigail Adams raises her children amidst riots, blockades, and the outbreak of war. While her husband John Adams rises from country lawyer to nation builder, often away for years at a time, Abigail builds her own independence, managing their farm, making lucrative investments, amassing savings, battling plagues and loss, and defending their home. Unafraid to speak her mind, she famously offers fearless political counsel, urging John to remember the ladies in the new government. Through it all, she becomes his most trusted confidant and indispensable ally. When peace is secured, Abigail steps into the world stage, exchanging ideas with Thomas Jefferson in the French countryside, navigating court life as the wife of the minister to Great Britain, and presiding over the parlor politics of the early American Republic in New York, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Even after her husband's presidential administration, she continues battling political foes and working behind the scenes to advance her family, secure independence for the women closest to her, and ensure a better life for the next generation of Americans. From more torn streets to the chandeliered halls of power, a founding mother is the unforgettable story of a woman ahead of her time, one whose voice, vision, and valor still resonate powerfully today. So again, this was another new release that was released earlier in May of this year. And I've heard so many good things about Stephanie Dre. And she is known for her historical fiction. And I don't think there's any spice or anything like that in her books. And since this is a newer release, I've seen a lot of people reading this, specifically a lot of the Christian booktubers that I follow like to read from this author. And I just thought this was sounded really interesting. I know nothing about the second president and his wife. So I think this would be a really fun story just to be in the revolutionary era. I haven't read many books in this time period. And I just thought it would be really interesting to read a fictional story about these real-life historical people. Alright, book number six is The Mad Wife by Megan Church. And this is set in the 1950s and has a 3.86 on Goodreads. The description reads Lulu Mayfield has spent the last five years molding herself into the perfect 1950s housewife. Despite the tragic memories that haunt her and the weight of exhausting expectations, she keeps her husband happy, her household running, and her gelatin salads the talk of the neighborhood. But after she gives birth to her second child, Lulu's carefully crafted life begins to unravel. When a new neighbor, Bitsy, moves in, Lulu suspects that something dark lurks behind the woman's constant smile. As her fixation on Bitsy deepens, Lulu is drawn into a web of unsettling truths that threaten to expose the cracks of her own life. The more she uncovers about Bitsy, the more she questions everything she thought she knew. And soon others begin questioning her sanity. But is Lulu truly losing her mind, or is she on the verge of discovering a reality too terrifying to accept? Okay, so this book has been making its rounds. If you are really into the book world, this has been everywhere. Now, I've heard that this is very hard to read. I heard it is very, very heavy, it is heartbreaking, and to check trigger warnings. So I was like, oh my gosh, I don't know if I want to read something like this. But everybody has been talking about it. The hype is so real for this book. And I honestly just want to check it out for myself. But I think the hype is really getting to me. That's really why I put this on the list. I mean, it sounds interesting. It's not something that I would probably read and be like, ooh, I've got to read that. But I think because of the hype and what people are saying, I'm just kind of feeling FOMO, fear of missing out, and just want to see what it's like for myself. And I don't think a lot of things really trigger me too bad. So I personally don't feel like I need to check the trigger warnings. But for sensitive readers, definitely do that with this one because I heard that this is really, really hard to read. I think this is more of a feminist-y book. I'm thinking maybe there's domestic abuse or something like that. But anyway, I just wanted to see what this is like and if this lives up to all the hype or not. All right, book number seven is Ross Puldark by Winston Graham. And this is set in the 1780s and has a 4.08 on Goodreads. The description reads: Ross Pull Dark is a heartwarming, gripping, and utterly entertaining saga that brings to life an unforgettable cast of characters and one of the greatest love stories of our age. Ross Puldark returns to Cornwall from war, looking forward to a joyful homecoming with his family and his beloved Elizabeth. But instead, he discovers that his father has died. His home is overrun by livestock and drunken servants, and Elizabeth, having believed Ross dead, is now engaged to his cousin. Ross must start over, building a completely new path for his life, one that takes him in exciting and unexpected directions. Thus begins an intricately plotted story spanning loves, lives, and generations. The Polderk series is the masterwork of Winston Graham, who evoked the period and people like only he could and created a world of rich and poor, loss in love, that listeners will not soon forget. So this is a beginning of a huge series. So this is the first book in the Puldark saga, and there's 12 books in the series. And this first book was published in 1945. I absolutely had no idea that this was such an old book. It started being published in the mid-40s, and then the last book was published in 2002. So it spanned a wide range of years to get all of these books out. But what led me to this book is that there is a TV show made off of this series. And the series, I think, was on PBS for the longest time, and it just came to Netflix. So I was like, ooh, I love historical series. And I know that it was based off of a book. So I thought, why not read the first book at least and see what it's like and then watch the TV show. Depending on how it goes, I'll either continue with the book series if I like it. Or if not, I may just continue with this TV series if I like that. But just because this just came to Netflix and I saw that it was there, I thought that I would check it out. But I really wanted to try the book first. So that's why I have this on my list. But yeah, this is a super old book. And when I was looking up more information about it, I didn't realize that it was so old. So it'll be really interesting to see what that reads like. But I am interested to see, and again, another revolutionary era because I'm just interested in that time period for some reason. Because I just haven't really read a lot. So I wanted to check out another story, and it's supposed to be one of the greatest love stories, which funny enough, I've never even heard of this story. So I just wanted to see if it really lives up to that. Book number eight is Dear Mrs. Bird by A. G. Pearce. This is a World War II book, so in the 1940s, and this has a 3.80 on Goodreads. The description reads: London, 1940. Bombs are falling. Emmy Lake is doing her bit for the war effort, volunteering as a telephone operator with the auxiliary fire services. When Emmy sees an advertisement for a job at the London Evening Chronicle, her dreams of becoming a Lady War correspondent seem suddenly achievable. But the job turns out to be a typist to the fierce and renowned advice columnist Henrietta Byrd. Emmy is disappointed, but gamely bucks up and buckles down. Mrs. Byrd is very clear. Any letters containing unpleasantness must go straight in the bin. But when Emmy reads poignant letters from women who are lonely, may have gone too far with the wrong men, and found themselves in trouble, or who can't bear to let their children be evacuated, she is unable to resist responding. As the German planes make their nightly raids and London picks up smoldering pieces each morning, Emmy secretly begins to write letters back to the women of all ages who have spilled out their troubles. Prepare to fall head over heels with Emmy and her best friend Bunty, who are spirited and gutsy, even in the face of events that bring a terrible blow. As the bombs continue to fall, the impressible Emmy keeps writing, and readers are transformed by A.J. Pierce's hilarious, heartwarming, and enormously moving tale of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and ordinary people in extraordinary times. So this is the first book in the Emmy Lay Chronicle series, and there are four books out. I have heard nothing but really, really good things about this book. A lot of the historical fiction booktubers that I follow have said this book is one of their favorites, and they say that it's heartfelt, it's hilarious, there's emotion, there's drama, it has a little bit of everything. So I just really wanted to check this out. I've never read anything by this author, and I just really wanted to see what the series is like. Alright, book number nine is Eleanor of Avagon by Elizabeth Delozier. And I apologize if I butchered that name. This is set in the 1340s. So we're going way back with this one, and this has a 4.30 on Goodreads. The description reads, Province, 1347. Eleanor, or Aliah, Blanchett, is a young midwife and herbalist with remarkable skills. But as she learned the day her mother died, the most dangerous thing a woman can do is draw attention to herself. She attends to patients in her home city of Avagon, spends time with her father and twin sister, gathers herbs in the surrounding woods, and dreams of the freedom to pursue her calling without fear. In a chance encounter, Aliyah meets Yugo de Schausilac, again, sorry if I butchered that name, the ignomatic personal physician to the powerful Pope Clement, and strikes a deal with him to take her on as his apprentice. Under Shokalak's tutelage, she hones her skills as a healer, combining her knowledge of folk medicine with anatomy, astrology, and surgical techniques. Then, two pieces of Earth's shattering, the Black Death, has made landfall in Europe. And the disgraced Queen Joanna is coming to Avagon to stand trail for her husband's murder. She is pregnant in need of a midwife, a role only Aaliyah can fill. The Queen's childbirth approaches as the plague spreads like wildfire, leaving half the city dead in its wake. The people of Avagon grow desperate for a scapegoat, and a group of religious heretics launch a witch hunt, one that could cost Aaliyah, an intelligent, talented, unwed woman, everything. So this book, first of all, sounds really interesting. I don't know if I've really read anything in the 14th century. I don't think I've read anything about the Black Plague. So I think this just could be a really interesting time period to read about. But this came on my radar because one of my favorite booktubers, she reads a lot of nonfiction, but when she does read fiction, I think she reads a lot of historical and contemporary. And one year, I don't remember which year it was, but this was her book of the year, I think a couple years ago. So this definitely came on my radar because she was just raving about this. But again, I think this just sounds really interesting. It's a time period I don't think I've ever read in. So I wanted to check this one out. Book number 10 is Julia by Heather B. Moore. And this is set in the 1940s, and this has a 4.18 average on Goodreads. The description reads: Before she stepped into the spotlight as a master of French cooking, Julia Child navigated the shadows as a World War II intelligence officer. On the sunny shores of California, Julia McWilliams is poised to embrace a life of comfort and financial security with a marriage proposal from a wealthy man to consider. But as World War II erupts in the US, her patriotic fever compels her to abandon her secure future. Trading country clubs for covert codes, Julia joins the Office of Strategic Services, where her sharp mind aids the Allied cause in the shadowy realm of espionage. Amid strategic missions in Ceylon and China, Julia crosses path with Paul Child, a fellow OSS officer whose delight in art, culture, and cuisine awakens a new hunger within her. Their chance meeting ignites a spark that blossoms into romance, leading to a proposal that Julia eagerly accepts. Together, they embark on a new chapter in post-war Paris. In the City of Light, Julia grapples with a different kind of challenge. She refuses to be confined by the societal expectations of a married woman. Drawn to the tantalizing world of French gastronomy, a pursuit her peers deemed superfluous, she enrolls at the fame Les Court en Bleu, and with Paul's unwavering support, Julia immerses herself in her new passion. Facing skepticism and prejudice in the male-dominated kitchens of Paris, Julia's resolve never falters. Her relentless pursuit of culinary mastery not only transforms her own life, but also introduces a revolutionary change in the kitchens throughout America. From intelligence officer to beloved chef, Julia takes readers on an extraordinary journey. So this says that this is a biographical novel that covers 20 years of Julia Child's life and it starts in 1941. If you've been here a minute, I've actually had a couple Julia Child fictional books on previous book lists, and I've actually never read any of those, but I love Julia Child. I have watched the Julia TV show on HBO. I've watched her regular cooking show. I love the movie Julie and Julia. I've seen so many things about Julia Child. There was also a reality cooking show where chefs were competing for some prize money, I think it was, and they were creating Julia Child's recipes. And I just love anything with Julia Child. I just think she was such a phenomenal person and just her personality. And I just felt she was so lovable. I love the way she talked and bon appetite. And so just anything about Julia Child, I'm interested in reading. So this was just another historical fiction about her that I came across that I would like to read at some point. All right, bear with me, guys. We are almost done. I have two more books to go. Book number 11 is The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton by Jennifer N. Brown, and this is set in the 1500s, and this has a 3.62 average on Goodreads. The description reads: A dual timeline murder mystery set in an English country manner when an ambitious professor discovers the long-lost manuscript of a Reformation era prophetess. Historian Alison Sage has made a groundbreaking archival discovery. She found a manuscript containing the prophecies of a 16th-century nun, Elizabeth Barton. Barton's prophecy, condemning Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, led to her execution and the destruction of all copies of her prophecy, or so the world believed. With Alison's discovery, she is catapulted to academic stardom and scores an invitation to the exclusive Codex Consortium, a week of researching among a select handful of fellow historians at a crumbling manor in England, located next to the ruins of the priory where Elizabeth herself once lived. What begins as a promising conference turns into a nightmare as the eerie house becomes the site of a murder. Suddenly, everyone is a suspect, and it seems that answers lie at the root of a local legend about centuries-old hidden treasure. Allison's research makes her best suited to solve the mystery, but when old feelings resurface for a former colleague and the stakes of the search skyrocket, everyone's motives become murky. Allison's cutthroat world of academia is almost as dangerous as Elizabeth Barton's 16th century England, where heretics are beheaded, visions can kill, and knowing who to trust is a deadly art. The Lost Book of Elizabeth Barton is a thrilling novel, crackling with the voices of the past and propelled by a mystery that will leave readers in suspense until the very last page. So this seems like this might be a past prison timeline. And I actually have the net galley arc, so that's why this is on the list because I need to read this. But it also sounds really, really interesting. And again, anything about the Tudor family, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, all of that just sounds really interesting. I also think a nun has these prophecies. It's just something that I've never really read about. This recently became available on my library app. So I have the digital arc, but now I can listen to this as well. So I thought I would give this a shot. And then our final book, book number 12, is The Lawyer and the Laundress by Christine Hill Sons. And this is a Christian romance that is set in the 1830s and has a 4.15 on Goodreads. The description reads: Lawyer James Kinney isn't looking for love, and laundress Sarah O'Connor doesn't want to be found. When their paths cross in a British colony on the brink of rebellion, a marriage of convenience may be their best hope of survival. Canada, 1837. Widower James Kinney knows his precocious daughter Evie needs more than his lessons on law and logic, but Toronto offers few options. Classes with the neighbor children seem ideal until James discovers Evie is secretly spending her time with Sarah O'Connor, a kind and mysteriously educated servant. For propriety's sake, James forbids their friendship. But then Evie falls victim to the illness ravaging the city, and James must call upon Sarah's medical knowledge and her special bond with Evie to save his daughter's life. When Sarah's presence in his household threatens scandal, however, James offers an unexpected proposal. Become his wife in name only and help him raise Evie to be a proper young lady. If Sarah can ignore the spark she feels when they're together, his logical proposal could keep her secret secure forever. But soon the forces of rebellion unravel their tidy arrangement. When James is accused of treason, Sarah must find the courage to face a past that could save her husband's life. So this is a Christian fiction author that I have not read from yet, but I saw a lot of Christian booktubers read this book and give it such high praise that it definitely turned my head and got me to notice this book. And I thought, you know, I don't read a lot of Marriage of Convenience. I really like the single parent trope, but I haven't read a lot of Marriage of Convenience. Also, the setting, it's set in Canada in the 1830s. I thought that was an interesting setting. And it definitely has the class structure, the lower class and the higher class. They have to come together. So just one of those dynamics that sounds like it could be really fun to read about. And of course, romance. So I put this on my radar because it just sounded like it could be really good. And being a Christian fiction book, I know there's gonna be no language and no spice. So we're good there. Those are all of the historical fiction books that I am really interested in reading. If I do get to any of these, I may not make any recent read podcast episodes about them, but I will try to get my written reviews up. So again, you can either check those out on the website or you can go over to Goodreads because I post over there as well. So I will try to get those up if I read any of these. But yeah, these are some historical fiction that I want to get into. I was really, really in the mood to read historical fiction at the beginning of the year. But where I'm at now, I think my interest has kind of waned a little bit. But as I was putting this list together, I think it triggered that mood again. So I think I may try to pick a few of these up because I think I'm getting interested in historical fiction again. But I was kind of lingering for a little bit like, do I want to read historical or not? But usually historical is pretty good for me. Now I will say this year I've kind of been all over the place. I think I've read 14 or 15 historical fiction, and they've ranged from two-star all the way up to five star. So my range has been very wide with what I've been picking up. So I just don't know what to expect. But hopefully, this is a good batch of books, and hopefully I can find some winners and maybe some five stars in this. So very excited to read this. And again, I invite you over to social media and like I said, good reads. If you want to follow what I'm reading, if you want to let me know what's going on, if you've read any of these, let me know what you think. And if you are here to the end of this very, very long episode, thank you so much for sticking around. Again, I apologize for being MIA in July, but as you heard, there was a lot going on. I was not expecting to have to evacuate for two weeks and then getting really, really sick the first time that I've gotten that sick in years. So that just threw me for a loop. Was not expected. I did not intend for that to happen. So I do apologize. Again, that there weren't a lot of episodes last month, but I really hope to make up for that this month and then moving forward through the rest of the year. But I really do appreciate you being here listening to me. I don't take that for granted. I know your time is precious, and I am just so grateful that you enjoy hearing me talk about these books and what's going on with me. So again, just thank you, thank you, thank you. But I think that is all I have. My voice is starting to get a little sore. I am still getting over the sickness. You can probably hear the congestion. I am still a little nasally. But I think that is all I have for this episode again. Just be on the lookout for more episodes dropping throughout this month. But I'm really hoping to get into more of a routine when it comes to publishing. But even if something comes up as far as podcast episodes are concerned, I am able to get blogs up. So if you do follow my blog, there are blogs every week that you can check out, and I'm always creating new content for the website. All right, I think that's all I have for this episode. Until next time, my sweet book friends. Happy reading. Well, that's all I have for this episode. If you missed anything, you can find the companion blog on my website at bookmarksandblankets.com. That's bookmarksthelternblankets.com. If you enjoyed today's discussion, please consider subscribing to the podcast so you don't miss any episodes. Also, if you feel called to do so, please share this podcast with others who you think may be interested in this type of show. Or if you have a few minutes, I'd love for you to write a quick review. This helps me reach more people, and I would greatly appreciate it. Until next time, my friends, please remember to take care of yourself and always stay cozy.