Welcome to Into the Archives April!

Welcome to my month-long feature for April in which I will celebrate my favourite genre of fiction, historical! I'm very excited to welcome lots of fellow bloggers today, and some incredible YA historical fiction authors over the course of the month (plus, of course, some really awesome giveaways)! I hope you'll come by and help celebrate along with everyone here!

For today, some amazing bloggers have agreed to help me celebrate by sharing why they love historical fiction, and giving some recommendations of their favourite historical fiction novels! I also have a special "swag" giveaway from lots of historical fiction authors at the end of this post that will run all month.

But now, without further ado, I present some fabulous bloggers talking about historical fiction!

Shelver, from Bookshelvers Anonymous:
"I love historical fiction because it combines the best elements of so many genres. Good historical fiction, in my opinion, requires the rich and detailed world-building that I love about fantasy. For what modern-day reader could truly be comfortable in Feudal Japan without some background information? With that, good historical fiction also shares similarities with well-constructed sci-fi and dystopian tales, in that it must set up the story organically and avoid indulging in an unwieldy info dump. I love that historical fiction takes us to a world that is so different from our own. However, historical fiction is also a kin to contemporary in that it is familiar and recognizable as a part of our world, despite being in a different time. Essentially, good historical fiction is as close to perfection as I can get as a reader.
Recommendations: Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers (some paranormal elements), The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy, Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montogmery (and the entire Anne series, really, but esp. Rilla), any of the Dear America/My Name Is America books (MG but very good)."


Kim from Pingwing's Bookshelf:
“Part of what I love about reading a good book is its ability to transport me to another place. Sometimes, that includes a trip back in time. Historical fiction not only tells a story, it immerses the reader in a world that used to exist. I have always loved history, and to try and imagine what it was really like to live in a completely different time and place. It fascinates me to read about a life that is so different from what I know, but that was real. Details about clothing, food, medicine, religion, and the sights, smells, and minutia of daily life in a time long ago- it lets me imagine myself in that world. Some of my favourite YA historical fiction reads are Libba Bray’s The Diviners, Robin Lafevers’ Grave Mercy, and Kenneth Oppel’s This Dark Endeavour and Such Wicked Intent. My favourite adult historical fiction includes Matthew Pearl’s The Last Dickens, and Kate Morton’s The Distant Hours. ”

Dahlia Adler:
"I love the way historical fiction makes events that feel so distant and unrelatable come alive. It helps me not only remember historical events but visualize them, attach senses and images to them in a way learning them out of textbooks never did. It also brings my attention to times, places, and people I might never have learned anything about if they weren't covered in the classroom. My education focused strongly on European and Middle-Eastern history, so I love reading books set in the Far East, for example. I have so many favorites in this category, but the top of the list are probably MOLOKA'I by Alan Brennert, about turn-of-the-century Hawai'i; YEAR OF WONDERS by Geraldine Brooks, about a plague-ridden town in 17th-century England (or MARCH, also by her - can't decide! She's so good!); THE DOVEKEEPERS by Alice Hoffman, about the fall of Masada; and SHOGUN by James Clavell, which is part of a greater series about the Far East that spans the latter half of the millennium."

Alyssa from The Eater of Books:
"Historical fiction is easily one of my favorite genres - whether the age level is middle grade, young adult, or adult. There is something about books written in bygone times that attracts me; perhaps it is the simplistic complexities of the time periods so unfamiliar to me, or the system of royalty we see in the medieval times, or even the beautiful gowns that the women wore to those times to glamorous social events! My favorite Young Adult historical fiction novel (and my favorite for the year of 2012) is Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers. I cannot begin to describe to you how much I enjoyed this book, and how many times I have re-read it. The authenticity of the book - in terms of the setting, the characters' attitudes, the war, the schemes - was flawless. I love the action of the book, the politics centered around the queen's marriage, and the subtle and progressive romance in Grave Mercy. It is the best example of Young Adult fiction that I can think of, and I highly recommend the title. Historical fiction novels have always captured my interest, with their rich settings, light politics, and intriguing scandals."

Thank you to all of the lovely bloggers who helped share why they love historical fiction! Make sure you check out their recommendations.

And now for the giveaway! I have a big swag pack full of bookmarks and bookplates and whatnot from lots of different historical fiction novels! I also have a special addition from Dianne Salerni, author of the upcoming THE CAGED GRAVES (Clarion/HMH May 2013) (which I'll be reviewing later this month as part of the feature)! She has very kindly donated a THE CAGED GRAVES t-shirt which will be included in the prize pack!

So fun!

Some Rules (aka the not so fun but important part):
~ This giveaway is open to residents of the US and Canada only.
~ No P.O. boxes.
~ Must be 13 or older to enter.
~ Winner will be chosen randomly and contacted via email. The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email, otherwise they forfeit their prize and I will choose another winner, who must abide by the same rules.
~ I am not responsible for lost or damaged packages.
~ No cheating! In this case, I have the right to disqualify entries as I see fit.
~ By entering the giveaway, you are agreeing to these rules.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

So tell me, why do you love historical fiction?