Tag: Best historical fiction novels
The Courage to Turn the Page: Finding Light and Resilience in Hard Stories
Why do we choose to read about the things the world prefers to keep locked away? Subjects like systemic poverty, addiction, abuse, and the history of racial oppression are the heavy, shadowed truths of human experience. Honestly, when our book club chose Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead, Percival Everett’s James, and Rebecca Rosenberg's Silver Echoes, I felt that familiar pull of hesitation. Like many readers, I was seeking stories that felt safe, easy, or overtly joyful—a welcome escape from the weight of the real world. I worried these books would only drag me down.
But I discovered a profound truth: The stories we try to avoid are often the ones that uplift us the most.
Rebecca Joins Off the Shelf Books Podcast
History, passion & lavender! Rebecca Rosenberg joins Denise Turney on Off The Shelf Books Podcast—stories that inspire and captivate. Join the conversation as Denise and Rebecca discuss their personal histories, why they write, and the background of Silver Echoes and Gold Digger.
Listen to the Episode Now!
Houdini Halloween Seances
Why are Houdini Halloween séances held every year, and what did Houdini tell his wife, Bess, from beyond the grave?
Houdini was devastated when his mother died and tried to reach her through spiritualists who tried to trick him. This angered him so much that he spent the rest of his life testing and debunking spiritualists who claimed to communicate with the dead. But Houdini still held out hope that it was possible and devised a coded message he’d relay to his wife after his death. Only Bess Houdini knew the code.
What Drove Houdini to Death-defying Escapes?
Harry Houdini grew up as Ehrich Weiss, the son of a Jewish rabbi who could not keep a job because he spoke no English. When Ehrich turned twelve, his father called him to his bedside. “I am poor in this world’s goods, but rich in the wonderful woman God gave me as my wife and your mother. Promise me that after I am gone your dear mother will never want for anything.” Young Ehrich put his hand on his father’s holy book. “I promise with all my heart and soul.” His father died of cancer, and Ehrich worked as a messenger boy, cutting neckties, boxing, and giving all of his money to his mother, Cecilia.
At seventeen, he changed his name to Houdini and performed magic at Coney Island, married Bess Rahner, and traveled the vaudeville circuit for a decade, but it wasn’t enough to do magic. He wanted to use his sharp intellect and powerful body to do things that had never been done.
