Top Ten Tuesday #67 – It’s All About the Setting

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created by The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because they are particularly fond of lists at The Broke and the Bookish. They’d love to share their lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

It is NO secret that I LOVE historical fiction. It’s my soft spot so this week’s topic was a fun one to write: “Top Ten Historical Settings You Love/ Ten Historical Settings You’d Love To See or Top Futuristic Books You Love/Ten Futuristic Societies I’d Love To Read in Books.” It’s kinda broad so I’m going to tweak it just a bit because you know I love walking on the wild side ? Today I want to discuss my favorite historical settings and the book that got me hooked on each. Not sure if I’ll make it to ten or not….let’s see ?

 

Greek and Roman Empires

Okay so I know that The Odyssey is an epic poem and there is probably little truth in it, but this time period….I love it!!! It fascinates me to no end. The different mythologies, the conquering empires, the constant wars, all of it!

Medieval Times….Arthurian Legend

What is better than the legend of King Arthur?! Really and honestly nothing! This whole time period is so mysterious. And their fascination with good vs. evil is more than anywhere else! There are witches and wizards, there are knights and princesses. Beowulf anyone?!

Revolutionary Period in America

Johnny Tremain was one of the first historical fictions I ever read and it is what brought the genre into my heart! This time period in America was full of spies and traitors and not knowing who you could trust.

Tsarist Period (1720s to end of WWI) Russia

I didn’t pick a book for this time period because pretty much any book that contains anything to do with the Romanovs interests me ? I love this era in Russian history!  The revolution against the monarchy, the Winter and Summer Palaces, it all seems so grand and unreal when reading about it. One of my favorite stories that contains the Russian monarchy is A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray. Marguerite hops dimensions and finds herself a princess in the monarchy.

Victorian Era (1830s to 1900) England

I don’t even think that I need the above book for this era! Y’all know I’m a huge Pride and Prejudice fan, really anything by Jane Austen. This time period is one of my favorites, especially when set in England or France….just Europe in general. I love the etiquette, the morals, the courting….especially the courting. It was all so romantic. I imagine those that lived through the time are rolling over in their graves at what passes for courting these days.

Western Expansion in America (1800s to 1910s)

Next to the Victorian era, the western expansion in America is my favorite. What the settlers went through crossing the plains into the Rocky Mountains is incredible. The harsh winters, fierce storms, and unforgiving wildlife….it really is a wonder that anyone survived! In Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series, the Davis family’s struggle to survive and settle in the west is followed.

Civil War, Appalachia Area

I grew up in the South and in the Appalachia area so it is no surprise that I like the history of the area. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell will always be my favorite! It’s a unique book in that it shows what life was like on the big plantations (glamorized a bit, yes). The dresses, the courting, the large parties and family….I guess a few things haven’t changed ?

World War II

The second world war was just as tragic, if not more so, than the first and it has always intrigued me. The Diary of Anne Frank was a book I had to read in the 8th grade and I remember reading it and crying. It was so sad to me to see this young girl’s diary, know that what she wrote was really happened, AND then to know the outcome. It was heartbreaking!

Early 20th Century America

Water for Elephants and similar books set in a similar time period (specifically Depression Era) again fascinate me. What these people did to survive, their courage and faith…we lack that today (sorry, not sorry!).

Your Turn!

Well, I didn’t make it to ten….almost, but not quite! What historical settings do you enjoy? Any favorite books?

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