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What have you read lately?
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Chantelle
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Mar 10, 2010 05:59AM
I justr ordered Katherine from amazon. I can't wait to get it!
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Chantelle wrote: "I justr ordered Katherine from amazon. I can't wait to get it!"I really liked Katherine. I've been meaning to read some of her other novels.
OK, I know I've asked this before but it was a while back and I can't remember the answers. I'm taking my mother-in-law to Borders this weekend and I would like to treat myself to my first Jean Plaidy novel. Knowing that this will influence whether I read more or not, which one should I choose to start with?
Chantelle wrote: "I justr ordered Katherine from amazon. I can't wait to get it!"I just ordered Katherine from Amazon as well, I'm really excited to read it! I've heard such good things about it.
Kelly wrote: "Chantelle wrote: "I justr ordered Katherine from amazon. I can't wait to get it!"I just ordered Katherine from Amazon as well, I'm really excited to read it! I've heard such good thi..."
Me too! My copy will come next week on the plane with my husband. Seyton is a new author to me--can't wait to try her out!
You girls are in for a treat. Katherine might start off slow (it was written in the 50's) but once I was hooked I never rose for air. I love most of her books, but she does have at least one clunker, although that's out of print so don't panic.
I just started "Gilded Prism - the Konstantinovichi Grand Dukes and the Last Years of the Romanov Dynasty", bu Greg King and Penny Wilson.
Amanda wrote: "Right now I'm reading my first Georgette Heyer novel, Royal Escape. It concerns Charles Stewart's escape from England. It is pretty good, but the writing style is making me a bit weary. Has anyo..."I've read Lady of Quality and Black Sheep and enjoyed them. Like others have said, she's a bit like Jane Austin--love that!
My reading has been all over the place this month! A sampling is: The Children of Henry VIII, The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar, The Cellist of Sarajevo, and Never Let Me Go (one I finished yesterday). Next up is The Lady Elizabeth by Weir.Gracious there are some good books out there!
Finished Mary Queen of Scots and the Murder of Lord Darnley by Alison Weir. It was good but I've read better books by her.I started The Sunne In Splendour: A Novel of Richard III by Sharon Kay Penman. Haven't read much but I love it so far!
Jenny wrote: "OK, I know I've asked this before but it was a while back and I can't remember the answers. I'm taking my mother-in-law to Borders this weekend and I would like to treat myself to my first Jean Pla..."I suggest Katharine of Aragon: The Wives of Henry VIII (you get three books in one spanning Katharine's entire life). If you like it (which I really do), then you've set yourself up to read her other Tudor books! If you're a big Anne Boleyn fan, try out The Lady in the Tower. Katharine is written in 3rd person; the Anne book in 1st person. Most of her 1st person books have been republished recently (so easy to find), and some people tend to find them more interesting and less dry (they were the last books she wrote over a 50ish year time period, so they may seem more modern). Katharine never seemed dry to me, but I tend to prefer a 3rd person point of view. I think the Anne book was the first one I read, and I was hooked.
I just finished 3 books on Charles II and his mistresses. THE COURTESAN told the story centered around Barbara Villiers Palmer, Lady Castlemaine. Next was THE ROYAL HARLOT - also about Lady Castlemaine; but included Queen Catherine. This time Barbara was not as innocent as she was in the other book. Lastly was THE PERFECT ROYAL MISTRESS. This is Nell Gwynne's story with a side story of the French mistress, Louise. I found it very interesting comparing all 3 mistresses. Charles II (Stuart) is the King for all 3 books. He is portrayed as a good King with quite a sexual appetite. I enjoyed comparing the 3 women and how different they were. But Charles II remained the same in all 3 books.
Tina wrote: "My reading has been all over the place this month! A sampling is: The Children of Henry VIII, The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar, [book:The Cellist of Sarajevo|36..."If you enjoyed THE KITCHEN BOY, I recommend you read THE ROMANOV BRIDE, also by Robert Alexander. He has another book, RASPUTIN'S DAUGHTER is also a good book. If you are interested in reading more about Lenongrad during WW II, I recommend WINTER GARDEN by Kristin Hannah. THE TRUE STORY OF HANSEL AND GRETEL is a wonderful story of WW II. And, of course, I could not forget SKELETON OF THE FEAST as a fantastic story of WW II.
Rosalie wrote: "Tina wrote: "My reading has been all over the place this month! A sampling is: The Children of Henry VIII, The Kitchen Boy: A Novel of the Last Tsar, [book:The Cellist o..."Ooooo, more for by TBR! Thanks for the recommendations, they look awesome!
I finally finished Sovereign Ladies: The Six Reigning Queens of England today. It was really interesting, I learned a lot of offbeat facts about the queens, especially Victoria (like the fact that she was a mouth breather, haha). I am about to go check the mail to see if Katherine has arrived yet. If so, I will start that.
Just finished The Children of Henry VIII, by Alison Weir. Very good.Katherine is a dandy read, Kelly.
Just finished Year of Wonders by Gwendoline Brooks. I gave it 3 stars--While I did enjoy it, after I read the authors notes, I wondered if she needed the embellishments and plot twists that seemed strange and out of place in the ending--in my humble opinion, I think the village had a touching story to tell without all the extra.
Just read Innocent Traitor by Allison Weir. I liked it.
Just finished Swordsong by Bernard Cornwell.Sword Song
The second time I have read this book.
I am re reading the whole Saxon series again because Bernard Cornwell recently (late last year) released the fifth instalment of Uhtred's story.
Decided to read the four former books in the series so my mind is fresh going into the new book, The Burning Land.
The Burning Land
I just finished THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY by Karleen Koen. I did enjoy this book but found it dragging quite a bit in Part 2. I have the next book NOW FACE TO FACE but I think I am going to take a rest from Barbara, Lady DeVane. Probably read THE GREATEST KNIGHT by Elizabeth Chadwick.
Hello! Im Sarah, and I am new to this site and group.I am currently reading The Spanish Bride by Laurien Gardner. Its pretty good so far, but I am not to far into it yet. Has anyone else read this book? If so what did you think of it?
I'm reading Christina, Queen of Sweden: The Restless Life of a European Eccentric by Veronica Buckley. Haven't read much about her and I'm liking it so far.
I finished The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers last night. It was wonderful!Thanks to everyone that suggested it! Tudor books are like comfort food to me, and this one was like the best mashed potatoes ever.
I loved it.
I'm going to read Avalon: A Novel next - it's been a while since I read one with the group and I love Seton :)
I'm reading The Boleyn Wife by Brandy Purdy about Lady Jane Parker, and I'm so excited, I just got a notification from my library that it's finally my turn for Wolf Hall!
Jenny- Thats awesome! I should put Wolf Hall on hold as well. It sounds so interesting. Oh and how are you enjoying The Boleyn Wife? I read some reviews that havent liked it.
I'm only a couple of chapters in and I will say it's not the best writing I've seen and the author paints Mary Boleyn as a washed up whore, which bothers me because The Other Boleyn Girl is one of my favorite books, but I'll keep at it and see where it goes.
Sarah wrote: "Hello! Im Sarah, and I am new to this site and group.I am currently reading The Spanish Bride by Laurien Gardner. Its pretty good so far, but I am not to far into it yet. Has anyone else read thi..."
Welcome to the group Sarah! I haven't read that book, but it sounds interesting.
Finished Christina, Queen of Sweden and while I liked the book I found starting to hate Christina. But I liked the book itself better than Madame de Maintenon.Now I'm reading Courtesan: A Novel by Diane Haeger. Haven't read anything about Diane's point of view before and I'm liking it so far.
Elysium wrote: "Finished Christina, Queen of Sweden and while I liked the book I found starting to hate Christina. But I liked the book itself better than Madame de Maintenon.Now I'm reading [book:Courtesan: A..."
I hated Christina too. The book was fine. She was incredibly irritating though!
Welcome to the group Sarah! I haven't read that book, but it sounds interesting. Thanks for the welcome. Yes its pretty good, not my favorite book about Catherine. Its told through her lady in waiting, so its a different take.
I started The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy. I don't know much about Queen Claude but Plaidy describes her slightly deformed and had a limp. Never heard that before. Does anyone know if its true?
I'm sorry to admit that I don't know who Queen Claude is, so I can't be of much help! I just finished The Scarlet Lion and it was fantastic!
Elysium wrote: "I started The Lady in the Tower by Jean Plaidy. I don't know much about Queen Claude but Plaidy describes her slightly deformed and had a limp. Never heard that before. Does anyone kn..."I've also read novels before where she has a limp and some have even suggested that she had a club foot. Wikipedia states that she was very short and suffered from scoliosis, and therefore had a humped back.
I don't know a lot about her but seeing as she died young (aged 24, after she had given birth to seven children no less!!)) it would seem probable that she did have some health/physical problem which mad life difficult. Unless of course she died in childbirth, but I haven't ever seen that stated anywhere.
Elysium -- Yep, I've read that in a couple of different books. One called her "practically deformed," I believe.
Haven't posted in a while but I've finished numerous books in the past month or so.
I'm currently reading After Elizabeth: The Rise of James of Scotland and the Struggle for the Throne of England, which is very interesting. It suggests, among other things, that James VI/I had both cerebral palsy and ADD.
I read that last (I think) summer and really enjoyed it.
Haley wrote: "I highly recommend I Elizabeth, by Rosalind Miles. I'm slightly obsessed with Tudor England, but I really, really loved this book!"I just downloaded THE QUEEN'S GOVERNESS by Karen Harper onto my new NOOK. I also love the Tudors.
Susanna wrote: "I'm currently reading After Elizabeth: The Rise of James of Scotland and the Struggle for the Throne of England, which is very interesting. It suggests, among other things, that Jame..."Mmm, I like the sound of that . I have just read Alison Weir's Life of Elizabeth and this sounds like just the way to find out more about her somewhat reluctant heir. Heaven knows his mother gave Elizaeth enough trouble in her lifteime !
I finished some time ago Mary, Queen of Scots: A Study in Failure by Jenny Wormald. I thought it was interesting, it focused on Mary's political life and not her personal life. I'm reading The Perfect King: The Life of Edward III, Father of the English Nation. Haven't read much about him before and I'm liking it so far.
Just started Lord of Sunset by Parke Godwin. About Harold Godwinsson and Edith Swan Neck (his hand fasted and most beloved wife of many years).
I am reading my 1st Jean Plaidy, The Reluctant Queen and am enjoying it since it is about a period I am less familiar - with the War of the Roses and Richard III.
reading the French Misstress by Susan Holloway Scott
Finished Lords of the White Castle. Really liked it!Started Henry I: King of England and Duke of Normandy by Judith A.Green. Don't know much about Henry so it's very interesting.
Just finished A Favorite of the Queen and have started The Founding. I also received Royal Blood: Richard III and the Mystery of the Princes in the mail today so I HAVE to start that one as well.
After reading the Plaidy about Richard III Queen the Royal Blood would be an interesting follow up for me I can see both sides.
Finished Henry I and I liked it but it was little annoying that the author used peoples first names. I mean William and Hugh isn't excatly rare name... And she used both William and Rufus for william Rufus. It was kinda confusing.Now I'm reading The Conqueror by Georgette Heyer. It's my first Heyer book and I'm not liking it that much...
I read the Conqueror last year and I liked it though it was a bit dry. Good information though.
Robin wrote: "I read the Conqueror last year and I liked it though it was a bit dry. Good information though."I couldn't finish it.
European Royalty
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book of Royal Useless Information: A Funny and Irreverent Look at the British Royal Family Past and Present (other topics)Katherine (other topics)
Queen of the North (other topics)
Victoria and her daughters (other topics)
The Heir Apparent: A Life of Edward VII, the Playboy Prince (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Noel Botham, Bruce Montague (other topics)Alison Weir (other topics)
Alison Weir (other topics)
Alison Weir (other topics)
Jean Plaidy (other topics)
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