This is a very broad question, but I'm looking for a historical fiction reading list, partly because I like the stuff and partly to figure out where I belong, since I recently had an epiphany that I'm more of a historical fiction writer than a historical romance writer.

So. As y'all know, I've already read scads of Patrick O'Brian. I'm up-to-date on Diana Gabaldon, and I'm going to try more Sara Donati. I'm avoiding the Sharpe books as long as I'm writing Rifles myself, but I'm up to trying other Cornwell. I know I need to try Dorothy Dunnett again--I tried the first Lymond book once and didn't get very far, but it took me two tries to get through Master and Commander, and I now adore the Aubrey/Maturin series and want to have its babies. One of my critique partners just recommended the Poldark saga. In high school I devoured Pearl Buck, Herman Wouk, and Leon Uris.

Who else? Recently published is good, woman-centric is good, 18th and 19th century settings are good, but I'm not being exclusive about it. I'm just trying to expand horizons, while hopefully getting a feel for who publishes what and who I might mention in the "my book would appeal to fans of X" section of my query letters.

I like both Steven Saylor and Lindsey Davis. They have different takes on life in the Roman Empire.

I own most of the Falco series, but wasn't able to get into the one Saylor mystery I tried.

Charles Palliser. Big chunky reinventions of the victorian potboiler. The Quincunx is fantastic.

Susan, I'm not sure how far back you want to dig. But Hervey Allen wrote quite a bit of historical fiction, and his Anthony Adverse (published around 1933) was a huge best-seller and remains a great read. Quite long at 1200 pages, but a great read.

Do y'all have any recommendations for paperback action adventure/thrillers? I want to get some books for a cousin who's having surgery. He likes Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, Clive Cussler and John D. MacDonald. He likes history. He's also seemed to like the various popular mystery writers I've thrown at him like Sue Grafton. I'm just out of ideas.

How about James Patterson, Ginger? The nursery rhyme titled ones. And maybe some Modesty Blaise novels?

I've enjoyed the James Patterson. Also the Mary Higgins Clark.

Be careful with the Patterson, though. There are some execrable ones that have come out in the last five years. Easy enough to spot, since they feature winged children.

Robert W. Chambers wrote some fairly well-received romances about fien de siecle Paris and the artists's community there in addition to his better known horror works. In fact, the second half of The King in Yellow is actually those sort of stories rather than the creepy fantastic stuff.