Questions 1. I’d like to read one or more solid but entertaining history books or memoirs to help me understand the War of 1812. I’m especially interested in how it played out in Prince George’s County, MD. I keep seeing all of these historical markers, and I don’t really have a concept of the war. I did enjoy Chernow’s Hamilton and Goodwin’s No Ordinary Time, so I can handle a pretty hefty read. -Krista 2. I’ve gotten into romance lately and I like historical fiction so naturally I wanted to try out historical romance. I tried some books but I disliked the unequal power balance between the female love interest and the male love interest. I also disliked that the women do not seem to have a life or interests outside of the ballroom. I really liked The lady’s guide to celestial mechanics and the follow-up, The care and feeding of waspish widows by Olivia Waite. These books have women who live great lives without men and have interesting jobs/skills. Do you know of more historical romance with women who have interesting lives before they meet their love interest? I don’t care whether it’s M/F or F/F.