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Historical Fiction That Gets It Right
Trivia: Which author wrote the James Bond novels?
RetireHub
March 18, 2026
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 | By: Leah Orr Love a cozy mystery? You'll Love The Retirees. Pour yourself a spiked coffee, grab a slice of sugar cream pie, and settle in because murder has never been this much fun! |
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Dear Joanne
Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind.
Does anyone look forward to watching the Oscars anymore? Although I do not
recognize most of the faces and certainly haven’t seen most of the movies currently
featured, I look forward to watching the gowns, tuxedos, and always the “In Memoriam”.
This year was no different.
From 6:00 p.m. watching Live from the Red Carpet on “E” to the Oscars themselves, to
the afterparty features, I sit on my couch with popcorn and Diet Pepsi and wait for the
excitement. The gowns go anywhere from breathtakingly beautiful to something that
scrunches up my nose indicating my confusion – did they forget the rest of the dress?
Same with the men. I love the dapper actors who class up the joint with their handsome
features and tailor-fitted suits. But then again, in some instances, there goes my wrinkly
nose again – what was that?
The event should offer a night of elegance and reflection – Hollywood’s timeless charm
with tear-jerking remembrances. For those of us that have watched over the years, we
have seen it evolve, sometimes not for the better in my opinion. I love the classics!
The “In Memoriam” always honors the icons that we have lost in that particular year,
and this year was no exception. Those that stood out in Part One were Catherine
O’Hara, Diane Keaton, Robert Redford, Val Kilmer and Giorgio Armani. Then the long-
anticipated segment which held honor to Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer
Reiner. Love them or not, Billy Crystal gave an emotional tribute to his dear friends Rob
and Michelle. Then, at the end, when the curtain went up and a number of actors were
standing in tribute, those that starred in Rob’s most famous films, I was glued to the set,
sobbing as usual.
After the show, it hit me that Brigitte Bardot had not been mentioned in the tribute, and
that made me sad. Ms. Bardot was one of my Mom’s favorites…
I also expected Eric Dane to be mentioned, but I understand why. I am hoping the
Emmy Awards does a special tribute to Dr. McSteamy.
My winners – I loved Kate Hudson’s gown, and Michael B. Jordan was handsome as
always.
My “not so winners” – I won’t name names, but some of those faces that had so much
work done to themselves are unrecognizable. Just because I won’t name names, you
certainly can! Can’t we all just grow old gracefully? Now, I am not saying there is
anything wrong if someone wants a nip/tuck, but jeesh… some of these faces are
pretty dreadful! I have nothing against it, but I am afraid of what the outcome would be.
Last week many of you emailed me that “yes, women and man certainly can be friends”!
That seemed to be the general consensus. This week’s feedback – do men age more
gracefully than women? Send me your thoughts to [email protected]. I’d
love to hear your feedback on that topic.
Forever glamorous in my pajamas,
Joanne
Regarding the Oscars: |
On this day in 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov made the first spacewalk ever performed by a human during the mission of Voskhod 2. Leonov floated outside the spacecraft for about 12 minutes, opening the door to the extravehicular activities that astronauts routinely perform today.
Historical Fiction That Gets It Right
Historical fiction has a unique power: it transports readers to another time, letting them live alongside characters who navigate the joys, struggles, and everyday life of a bygone era. But not all historical fiction is created equal. The best examples combine meticulous research with compelling storytelling, immersing readers in the sights, sounds, and emotions of the past without feeling like a history textbook.
One standout is “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah, which brings World War II France to life through the eyes of two sisters, each grappling with love, loss, and courage under occupation. Readers can feel the fear, tension, and resilience of ordinary people facing extraordinary circumstances. Similarly, “Beneath a Scarlet Sky” by Mark Sullivan tells the true story of a young Italian man navigating the dangers of Nazi-occupied Italy, balancing history with suspense and unforgettable characters.
Historical fiction can also shine closer to home. “The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes highlights the brave women of Kentucky’s Packhorse Library program during the Great Depression. Through beautifully detailed settings and heartfelt relationships, readers experience the hardships and triumphs of small-town life in 1930s America. For a more classic approach, Philippa Gregory’s “The Other Boleyn Girl” immerses readers in the intrigues of Tudor England, blending political machinations with human drama.
What makes these books resonate is their attention to detail. Authenticity matters, from the way characters speak and dress to the events that shape their lives. Readers appreciate historical fiction that respects the era while offering stories that feel personal and relatable. It’s not just about kings, queens, or battles—it’s about humanity, connection, and the choices people make in extraordinary circumstances.
For newsletter readers looking for a weekend escape, diving into these titles offers both entertainment and education. Historical fiction can spark curiosity about real events, inspire empathy, and even motivate readers to explore history further. When done right, it’s more than a story—it’s a vivid journey through time.
Which type of historical fiction do you enjoy most? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: How do you feel about smart appliances in your home?
The results suggest a clear preference for keeping things simple at home. Over 42% of respondents said they prefer traditional appliances, making it the most popular choice by a wide margin. Another 26% don’t think smart appliances are worth it, reinforcing a general hesitation around newer technology. That said, there’s still some curiosity — about 28% either already use smart appliances or are interested in trying them, showing that while many value simplicity, a growing group is open to exploring the convenience of smart home features.
TOP COMMENTS
“One more electric device to pay for, manage and costs more with more components that fail and can’t get parts for so need to be replaced with a new appliance. Definitely not worth the money or the hassle!!”
“Not sure they are all for me, but I appreciate when my washer reminds me that it's time to do a clean cycle or something similar. I also appreciate that I can see how much electricity/energy each appliance is using just by looking at the app.”
“The initial cost is the first detrimental issue, then add the additional concerns about security, keeps me from being interested. The connivence would be nice, but not worth it to me. At our age, it's good for us to get up and move around anyway.”
“‘not so smart’ appliances are fine, as long as they get the job done.”
“I miss the old appliances. The smart dryer senses my clothes are dry when in reality they are still slightly damp. We went on a trip in our RV for a month and our "smart appliances" still used electricity because they have the little convenient blue lights and our electric bill was around $350 and no one lived there for a month.”
“Don't know enough about them to have an opinion.”
“I don’t have wi-fi and smart appliances need that to work. I still prefer to use dials.”
“Haven’t thought much about them.”
Why Assumptions Hurt Relationships and How to Break the Cycle
Assumptions — the conclusions we jump to without asking questions — are a common source of conflict and misunderstanding in friendships and romantic relationships alike. When we fill in the gaps in someone else’s behavior with our own interpretations, we often create stories that aren’t true, which can lead to hurt feelings or resentment. Learning to check assumptions by asking gentle, open questions and focusing on clear communication can strengthen trust, deepen connection, and help relationships thrive instead of faltering under unspoken expectations.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Go off
Meaning: To passionately express yourself, show confidence, or do something impressively.
In a sentence: “When my friend told that story about her trip to Italy, she really went off — everyone at the luncheon was captivated by her enthusiasm!”
Good News of the Day
Webb Telescope Captures Galaxy Light Dating Back to the Time of the T. Rex
Astronomers using the James Webb Space Telescope captured an image of a distant spiral galaxy whose light has been traveling toward Earth for millions of years — all the way from an era when dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus rex still roamed the planet. Because light from distant objects takes time to reach us, the image reveals the galaxy as it existed long before humans appeared. This stunning discovery offers a vivid window into the ancient universe and showcases the telescope’s remarkable observational capabilities.
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RetireHub Trivia
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Want more trivia? Sign up for RetireHub Premium and play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Which European river flows through the city of Budapest? |
Which company introduced the first commercially successful personal computer mouse with the Lisa computer in 1983? |
Which author wrote the James Bond novels? |
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