What have you read lately? Showing 551-600 of 1,703

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I, personally, would read the non-fiction first. But I'm a non-fiction kinda gal!

P.S. The Spanish Armada has now bit the dust.

[Susan C]

Susanna wrote: "I, personally, would read the non-fiction first. But I'm a non-fiction kinda gal!

P.S. The Spanish Armada has now bit the dust."

Thanks!

[Susan]

Susan wrote: "Susanna thanks for keeping us up to date on
I Elizabeth.

Robin you now have me interested in Sunne in Splendour.

This European Royalty blog is great for finding new authors and novels.

M..."

For nonfiction about the early Tudors, you might try The Making of the Tudor Dynasty by Ralph Griffiths and Roger Thomas. It deals with the events leading up to Henry Tudor's victory at Bosworth Field and the early years of his reign. There's also David Starkey's book about the young Henry VIII, Henry: Virtuous Prince, and his nonfiction book about Henry VIII and his wives, The Six Wives of Henry VIII. Six Wives The Queens of Henry VIIIHenry Virtuous Prince

[Susan C]

Susan wrote: "Susan wrote: "Susanna thanks for keeping us up to date on
I Elizabeth.

Robin you now have me interested in Sunne in Splendour.

This European Royalty blog is great for finding new authors an..."

Thanks Susan, I have a few of Starkey's books but Henry:Virtuous Prince sounds interesting.

I will also look into The Making of the Tudor Dynasty.

Would you say then that I should read about the early Tudor period before getting into Henry VIII's life, wives, and children?

[Susan]

Susan wrote:
Would you say then that I should read about the early Tudor period before getting into Henry VIII's life, wives, and children?

I don't think you really need to. Most any decent nonfiction book on Henry VIII will go into his father's history enough to give you a background on the early Tudor period.

[Susan C]

Susan wrote: "Susan wrote:
Would you say then that I should read about the early Tudor period before getting into Henry VIII's life, wives, and children?

I don't think you really need to. Most any decent no..."

Thanks!

[Robin]

Susanna wrote: "I, personally, would read the non-fiction first. But I'm a non-fiction kinda gal!

P.S. The Spanish Armada has now bit the dust."

LOL. I think one of my favorite of Elizabeth's talks to her "readers" comes after the defeat of the Armada. It is when she's discussing how she had a special coin minted in honor of the event and asks the "reader" how he/she likes the verse she put on it...

"It has a nice ring to it, yes?"
"No! Well, I liked it and the people liked it and there was no thought of pleasing you at the time."

Or something along those lines. I got a good laugh out of that one. :)

[Susan C]

Susan wrote: "Susan wrote: "Susanna thanks for keeping us up to date on
I Elizabeth.

Robin you now have me interested in Sunne in Splendour.

This European Royalty blog is great for finding new authors an..."

Susan I just bought The Making of the Tudor Dynasty on alibris.com for a little over $5 dollars with shipping. Thanks again!

[Sara W]

Susan wrote: "Susan wrote:
Would you say then that I should read about the early Tudor period before getting into Henry VIII's life, wives, and children?

I don't think you really need to. Most any decent no..."

I agree that you can start with the wives if that's what you are mostly interested in. That's how I started reading about the Tudors (and European royalty). Non-fiction or well-researched fiction would probably be the best place to start.

[Pat]

If you are looking for a new copy of "Sunne in Splendour", they are available at bookcloseouts.com for $5.99 or as a scratch and dent for $4.19. I recently purchased "Henry VIII with notes by his fool" by Margaret George for $2.99 as a scratch and dent item and couldn't find a blemish. I think it's a great place to buy books, but you have to check often and purchase quickly as some books sell out fast.

[Chrissie]

I have recently read the historical fiction The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. I highly recommend it. Here follows the review I wrote on GoodReads.

AFTER READING: Wow, another 5 star book. F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S! First let me mention that the status updates are wrong. There are 428 pages in this book! Now, I will try and summarize a teeny bit why I loved it, and let me say I am hooked, bait, line and sinker; I have to read more about the royal history. It is not fluff and swooning love affairs, and banquets and fancy clothing. At least not in this book. It is about what motivates people. All of us - both the common and the royal classes. Both today and yesterday. It is about family ties, mother/daughter relationships, the demands we place on those loved ones whom are strong versus those who are less so. It is about how men and women and how, although we are equal, perhaps do not see things the same way. Of course there are always exceptions. When one has lived in different countries, as I have, you recognize different cultural characteristics. Of course not all French are so and Belgians so, Americans so and Swedes so, but you do see some general tendencies. The same can be said about women versus men and how they look on life issues. And this book talks about Spanish versus Hapsburg cultural characteristics. I found this very relevant to life here in Belgium. I understand Belgians a teeny bit better because their history has molded who they are today. This book was terribly exciting. As it neared the end, I thought OK, now it is over and then in the second to the last chapter, wow you will be blown away! I write in my books. I wrote OMG dozens of times in just chapter 32, the second to the last chapter of the book. VERY EXCITING. This queen Juana is called Juana the Mad. You will truly understand why. One more thing, which is very important, the book ends with a clear explanation of what is fact and what is fiction. For me this is essential. This is a superb author. Thank you C W Gortner for doing this, and thank you for the map! And GooodReads, thank you for bring this book to my attention. It has opened up a whole new genre to me. I was worried that I might not appreciate the book b/c I am kind of distracted by our new puppy, Oscar. Not at all!

Can somebody recommend a good book about Charles V, Juana's son, head of the Holy Roman Empire? I am looking for undry nonfiction or moving but correct historical fiction.


BEFORE READING:Having read Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree by Tariq Ali a while ago, I wanted to learn more. In the book by Ali, Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain threw out the Moors and sent Columbus to America. They had a daughter named Juana, and Gortner's book is about her. Catherine of Aragon, who was the first wife of the notorious Henry VIII, is Juana's sister. Juana and her husband Philip the Fair will raise their son ro become Charles V, ruler of the Holy Roman Empire. Reading about royal European families is a totally new area for me! I hope I am not engulfed with petty descriptions of clothes and balls and all that stuff. Charles V played a significant role in Sarah Dinant's book entitled In the Company of the Courtesan, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am relying on Gortner's good writing skills in the hope that I will be spared fluff! Cross your fingers for me; too much fluff and I might throw out all attempts to tackle European royalty.

[Susan C]

Pat wrote: "If you are looking for a new copy of "Sunne in Splendour", they are available at bookcloseouts.com for $5.99 or as a scratch and dent for $4.19. I recently purchased "Henry VIII with notes by his ..."

Thanks for the heads-up!

[Lisa]

I'm reading The Other Queen about the time of Mary Queen of Scots' imprisonment. It's okay. I've liked her other books better.

[Susan C]

Chrissie wrote: "I have recently read the historical fiction The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. I highly recommend it. Here follows the review I wrote on GoodReads.

AFTER READING: Wow, another 5 star..."

You now have me very interested in the books you mentioned. I did not know In the Company of the Cortisan was royal historical fiction.

I'm now going to look for a copy of Gortner's book.

[Donna]

We just read The Last Queen for my face to face book group and everyone really liked it. Not much has been written about Juana and she has always been refered to as mad - which she wasn't - so we had a lot to talk about.

I think I read a thread about The Last Queen in this group when it was read as the group read before I joined.

[Susan C]

Chrissie wrote: "I have recently read the historical fiction The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. I highly recommend it. Here follows the review I wrote on GoodReads.

AFTER READING: Wow, another 5 star..."

I ordered the Last Queen, you and Donna have me convinced it's a winner! I also ordered Sunne in Splendour.

You all are such great resources.

Thanks again for the suggestion.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I finished I, Elizabeth A Novel last night. Good book, and pretty accurate from what I could tell.

[Susan C]

Susanna wrote: "I finished I, Elizabeth A Novel last night. Good book, and pretty accurate from what I could tell."

Thanks! I'm now looking forward to reading my copy.

[Sara W]

Donna wrote: "We just read The Last Queen for my face to face book group and everyone really liked it. Not much has been written about Juana and she has always been refered to as mad - which she w..."

Yes, we did read The Last Queen as a group read here (last August I believe). I'm pretty sure C.W. Gortner is a member of this group (at least I know he was at one time).

[Sara W]

Chrissie wrote: "I have recently read the historical fiction The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. I highly recommend it. Here follows the review I wrote on GoodReads.

AFTER READING: Wow, another 5 star..."

I'm SO glad you enjoyed this book and that you've discovered this genre! Sure, there will be some fluff every now and then (depends on the author mostly), but there are so many great books and authors that focus on the things you described in your review.

Unfortunately I don't know a good book about Charles (or well, any book about Charles). We were actually just discussing that in another thread here (I think called HRE Charles). He's such a huge player during that time period, and no one can think of a book about him!

[Sara W]

Pat wrote: "If you are looking for a new copy of "Sunne in Splendour", they are available at bookcloseouts.com for $5.99 or as a scratch and dent for $4.19. I recently purchased "Henry VIII with notes by his ..."

Thanks for sharing this!

[Robin]

Pat wrote: "If you are looking for a new copy of "Sunne in Splendour", they are available at bookcloseouts.com for $5.99 or as a scratch and dent for $4.19. I recently purchased "Henry VIII with notes by his ..."

Wish I'd known this before I spent $15 on my copy of "Sunne in Splendour"....

[Chrissie]

Hi Sara and Susan, I am having trouble finding my way around in the European Royalty Group. This is completely my fault - I am not very good at this stuff. First of all I couldn't see that my review of The Last Queen even got in. Now I finally understand that the discussions entitled "What have you read lately?" both occur under history and european royalty. By searching through discussions I found that my message had occurred and that you both had replied, but I did not get emails about your replies. Strange, all the proper boxes were ticked! If I don't reply it is simply because I get lost easily, so please forgive me.

It is fun that we will be discussing The Last Queen August15-Sept15.

Sara, I saw that you have read it but preferred Plaidy's book on Juana. Hmm, maybe I should read that too! Susan, Dinant's In the Company of the Courtesan is not primarily about European royalty. However it is the book that got me interested in the genre and it did discuss Charles V and his role in the Roman siege which triggered the main characters move to Venice. Venice was accurately depicted. After reading Dinant's book I also wanted to read more about the glassworks in Murano. I highly recommend the book. Please remeber if I do not respond it is not due to rudeness but to getting lost in all the discussions. I love the group but please understand if I mess things up. SIGH. Yes, I am slso quite tired b/c I get very little sleep due to Oscar. Getting him house trained is something else. I have never before had a dog that cannot hold himself during the nights. I get up 3 times a night! It is like having a baby. Oh and I am loving Sharon Penman's When Christ and His Saints Slept. I hope you both see this message......

[Mandy]

The Last Queen is on my "to-read" shelf - you're review was very intriguing, Chrissie!
I'll definitely be picking it up - after I've read down the pile in my bedroom, I mean!

[Susan C]

Chrissie wrote: "Hi Sara and Susan, I am having trouble finding my way around in the European Royalty Group. This is completely my fault - I am not very good at this stuff. First of all I couldn't see that my revie..."

I have! Thanks Chrissie! I still don't understand how to follow the whole site either. Live and learn!

[Robin]

Working on right now for one of the group reads. Going to have to put it down for a little bit because I have a book club meeting this weekend and its covering all 4 of those Twilight books (which I SWORE I'd never even pick up). Really liking The Conqueror so far!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I guess the up side of that, Robin, is that I think all the Twilight books are fast reads?

[Susan C]

From what I hear too, Robin, they are a fast read. Oh the things will do for book club!

[Sara W]

Susan wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Hi Sara and Susan, I am having trouble finding my way around in the European Royalty Group. This is completely my fault - I am not very good at this stuff. First of all I couldn't ..."

I will try to post a thread discussing how the entire group is set up. It did not start like this, believe me!

[Sara W]

Chrissie wrote: "Hi Sara and Susan, I am having trouble finding my way around in the European Royalty Group. This is completely my fault - I am not very good at this stuff. First of all I couldn't see that my revie..."

Chrissie, I'm sorry you're having problems finding your way around the threads. We actually discussed The Last Queen last year, but when I post the thread discussing how the entire group is set up, I will tell you how to get to those threads so you can read them (and comment if you want to).

[Susan C]

Sara wrote: "Susan wrote: "Chrissie wrote: "Hi Sara and Susan, I am having trouble finding my way around in the European Royalty Group. This is completely my fault - I am not very good at this stuff. First of a..."

Thanks Sara!

[Chrissie]

Mandy, I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did. Susan, that you don't get it all either makes me feel a bit better! And Sara thank you for offering an explanation of how to get around the site. What I find most confusing is the thread "What have you read lately" under European Royalty. There are 588 posts but sometimes I will get an email about a comment and the posts visible are numbered in the 30s. I have finally figured out to click on newest and then I will get to the latest comments. As Susan said - live and learn! YUP!

[Nona]

I got to the part wher Henry divorces Anne of Cleves and 'proposes' she be his dear sister, makes me want to ball up my fist and sock him in the jaw!

[Susan C]

Nona wrote: "I got to the part wher Henry divorces Anne of Cleves and 'proposes' she be his dear sister, makes me want to ball up my fist and sock him in the jaw!"

He can definitely get under your skin! I looked back and couldn't find which book you are reading. What is it?

[Susan C]

Chrissie wrote: "Mandy, I hope you will enjoy the book as much as I did. Susan, that you don't get it all either makes me feel a bit better! And Sara thank you for offering an explanation of how to get around the s..."

Chrissie, it helps to go to Home at the top of any page you're on and it will show you on the left which group you've visited like European Royalty. You can then click on expand and it will show you all the threads in this category.

If you pick groups at the top of the page, it will show you all the groups that are out there. There are a ton,but if you look around there's a search on the right to use to find groups with threads that appeal to you.

That's about the extent of my knowledge so far. Hope it helps!

[Chrissie]

Thanks Susan, yes it did help. I am quite happy - finally I don't feel so lost and I love the group, it offers not only European Royalty but also just general history. I am getting great tips for books to read, not that I need more....... I have so many books I simply MUST read. Still, reading about books that I should read is almost as fun as reading the books themselves! And Sara, thank you for all the time and effort you put into the group!

[Susan C]

Your Welcome!

[Nona]

My Lady of Cleves by Maragret Campbell Barnes

[Susan C]

Thanks Nona

[Sara W]

Chrissie wrote: "Thanks Susan, yes it did help. I am quite happy - finally I don't feel so lost and I love the group, it offers not only European Royalty but also just general history. I am getting great tips for ..."

You're welcome! I'm glad you enjoy it!

[Sara W]

I'm working on an explanation about the site. I didn't realize how much was in my head until I started typing! I should have it posted in a day or two.

[Jayde]

Hello! New member here.. I just wanted to suggest carolyn meyer to any of you other Tudor royalty fans out there! Her books are great for anyone 12 and up! (Younger members try her Young Royals series!)

[Sara W]

Welcome to the group Rose, and thanks for the recommendation!

[Robin]

Yay. Finished that thing called Twilight #1 and now I can get back to what I WANT to read. The book club discussion is supposed to be over all 4 of those God awful books but I CAN NOT bring myself to read anymore.

Back to The Conqueror!

[Misfit]

Lol, someone just told me it's worth reading all of them just to get to the last one and pick on it for being so bad.

[Patricia]

Nona, IMHO, Anne actually got the best part of the deal although I agree it was very arrogant of Henry. But considering that he was old, fat, cantankarous and prone to cutting off his wife's head if she displeased him, being a "dear sister" doesn't sound so bad! Also, she was set up in her own household and didn't have to return to Cleves to be married off again by her family so she ended up relatively independent for a woman of her times. So, for my money, she got the best deal!

[Susan C]

Misfit wrote: "Lol, someone just told me it's worth reading all of them just to get to the last one and pick on it for being so bad."

You and Robin now have me feeling foolish. I was swayed by others and bought the first 2 even though I really don't like vampire books. Friends told me they were addictive because they were so good.

I think I value your opinions more because you're both real readers. They were cheap, could always be swapped or donated.

[Misfit]

Susan, I've not tried them yet and haven't decided if I will or not. I just can't get over the thought of Forks as a hot bed of vampires and werewolves.

[Sara W]

I read the first Twilight book. It was okay. I haven't decided if I'll bother reading the next books. I have been told the next books are much better than the first one. If you're reading the Courtesan with us and are annoyed by Diane's "alabaster" skin and Anne's "shrill" voice comments, just wait until you read how "breathtaking" and "beautiful" Edward in the Twilight series is - I think it comes up in every reference to him! Very obnoxious!

[Jayde]

I would strongly recommend you ALL read at least Twilight, for more than one reason; a)ITS TRULY AMAZING! and b) it will help you understand what the youth is both intersted in and why everyone is going MAD over these books!