Happy Tuesday, reader friends! It’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday post thanks to That Artsy Reader Girl. Today’s topic is actually Things That Would Make Me Pick Up A Book, but I did a post on that topic aaaages ago, so I thought I’d change it up a bit today and share with you ten settings that would immediately pique my interest. And here they are, in no particular order:
1. Australian Setting
As an Australian, an Australian setting will always pique my interest, particularly Australian historical, and particularly if it’s Christian fiction, such as Carry Me Home by Dorothy Adamek.
2. Medieval Setting
There’s something about the medieval period that really appeals to me, particularly the 11th and 12th Centuries. William the Conquerer, Henry I and his daughter Mathilda and her son Henry II. And, of course, Eleanor of Aquitaine. And in case you haven’t guessed by that, I love medieval fiction that is rooted in actual history, even if the characters are fictional, like Tamara Leigh’s Merciless from her new Age of Conquest series.
3. Reformation Setting
I find the reformation period fascinating historically, socially, and theologically, and I’d love there to be more fiction that not only tells the stories of those who were pivotal in the unfolding of the reformation (such as in Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund) but also how these changes affected the general populace. So often, history focuses on the overall picture, but fiction gives us the chance to zoom in and consider how individual people were affected by historical events.
4. Exotic or Unusual Setting
This could be either contemporary or historical, but historical is more unusual and therefore more likely to pique my interest, such as Lisa T. Bergren’s current series set in the Caribbean in the 1770s. Incidentally, the second book in the series, Verity, releases today, and it’s a cracker of a read, set on the cusp of the War of Independence or the Revolutionary War (I can never remember who calls it what!).
5. French Setting
There’s something about France, isn’t there? I don’t know quite what it is—I guess you could say it has a certain je ne sais quoi… Sorry, it was kind of begging to be said! Allison Pittman’s The Seamstress is set at the beginning of the French Revolution, but I love the centuries leading up to it too. And even a modern French setting would capture my interest, particularly if the setting is an integral part of the story.
6. Regency Setting
This is a very popular setting for historical romances, but not all Regency romances are created equal, so simply being a Regency romance doesn’t mean I’ll pick it up. This is one of those genres where I do a lot of judging a book by its cover! But I do enjoy many Regency romance authors, Carolyn Miller being among them. The Captivating Lady Charlotte remains one of my favourites of hers.
7. Biblical Setting
I love biblical fiction! I love the way it brings the Bible to life and I love the insight it can give to the historical and social context of biblical events. If it’s biblical fiction, you can almost guarantee it’s going on my TBR. The Prophetess by Jill Eileen Smith is just one of so many examples I could have chosen, but I particularly loved the way this book portrayed Deborah and her story from Judges 4 & 5.
8. Musical Setting
I have to include a little disclaimer here and state that I am heavily biased toward classical music settings. Because my knowledge of popular music is virtually non-existent, and what knowledge I do have is very eclectic and limited to my parents’ small record collection and what played on the bus radio on the way to school. Lol. So you can imagine how quickly I snatched up Rachel McMillan’s Rose in Three Quarter Time. I mean, Shosta-freakin’-kovich! Although, I do have to say there are some very eclectic music references in this book, too, which you learn more about in this interview.
9. Bookish Setting
What book reader doesn’t love reading about books? That’s why The Secrets of Paper and Ink by Lindsay Harrel is on my TBR. And bonus points for the bookstore being located in Cornwell, England.
10. 1920s & 1930s Detective Fiction
I’m not sure what it is about this interwar period, but I’m really drawn to detective fiction set in this time, particularly amateur detective fiction. I grew up reading Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers, so perhaps that’s where the seeds were sown, but I think it’s also the shifts in society following the end of WWI. Whatever it is, Drew Farthering, created by Julianna Deering is one of my favourite amateur detectives, and his adventures begin in The Rules of Murder.
I’m always one for books with a book-ish setting or a French setting. I’ve even written an entire post about the lure for me of Eiffel Towers on book covers!
I love the Medieval setting, but I am very hard to please. If its really inaccurate, or just silly then I really don’t like it. I want my historical fiction to be credible: or historical. If its not set in a real time or place, its fantasy as far as I am concerned.
I’m definitely with you on that one! In fact, I think medieval fantasy should be its own genre 🙂
Ooh yes, I love reading books about books!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/04/02/top-ten-tuesday-205/
That’s why I LOVE Tamara Leigh so much because her medieval books are so outside the box. She doesn’t just have the corner market on this time period, she owns the city block! Also, I enjoy MaryLu Tyndall’s ‘high seas’ adventures. Pirates, ships and treasure?? Sign me up! And for Biblical….Connilyn Cossette has won me over to this genre that I use to avoid like the plague.
“Owns the city block” Lol! That’s a great way of putting it. And Connilyn Cossette is wonderful!
I’m definitely more likely to pick up a book if it’s set in Australia! Mostly because it seems like a great country to travel around.
Oh, it is! So much varied and beautiful landscape!
Thank you for including Drew. He’s so pleased. 😀
I’m always pleased to be able to include him! I trust he and Madeline are well? 😉
They’re very well, thank you, and just dying to have a new adventure. 😀
Love a lot of these settings! I’ve been curious about Biblical fiction as of lately. I had a friend who used to read a lot of them and was always trying to get me to read the genre more, but I would avoid it. I’m growing more curious though. Someday!
I interviewed Mesu Andrews recently about her approach to writing biblical fiction–you may find it interesting if you’re curious about the genre: Author Interview + Giveaway with Mesu Andrews
I’m loving Australian authors and settings right now! Jane Harper has become a favorite. Her descriptions of the Outback and its people are vivid and evocative. I also really like Liane Moriarty and John Marsden.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
I’ve heard of Liane Moriarty and John Marsden, but I’ll have to check Jane Harper out. Thanks for the tip!
Definitely the 1920’s! I love 💕 that era of history.