What have you read lately? Showing 1,601-1,650 of 1,702

[Sara W]

Just posting something to get this topic back on the homepage.

[Susan]

Misfit wrote: "I just finished off The Glitter and the Gold by Michael Dyne. About George IV and Maria Fitzherbert. Really good fun."

Just finished this at the gym. I really enjoyed it, and actually came out liking George for a change.

[Misfit]

Sara W wrote: "Just posting something to get this topic back on the homepage."

I'd be posting here, but everything I've been reading has been non-royalty so off topic. That said, I'll mention one I just finished that will likely be my top read of the year.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Currently reading George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I, and enjoying it.

[Jennifer]

Just started The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court . Been awhile since I read a book germane to this group but I've been looking forward to this one.

[Erica]

Hi Jennifer! I'm reading
The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court by Michelle Moran, too!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Are you liking it?

[Jennifer]

@Erica-- very cool! This is my first Moran but I have Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution on my TBR. Napoleon's sister is a disturbed creature, at least so far!

@Susanna-- yes, I am liking it-- have you read it? I read Gulland's Josephine Trilogy years ago so this story is familiar to me although this perspective is fresh.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

No, I haven't. I've heard mixed things about it, so I was interested in what you thought of it.

[Sara W]

Jennifer wrote: "@Erica-- very cool! This is my first Moran but I have Madame Tussaud: A Novel of the French Revolution on my TBR. Napoleon's sis..."

I really enjoyed Madame Tussaud. It was a group read here a year or two ago. I sadly had no idea she was a real person until that book came out!

[Jennifer]

Finished The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court this morning and really enjoyed it. It was particularly jarring to read the afterward and discover how much of the Bonapartes' outrageous behavior is factually supported. What. A bunch. Of creeps.

Be curious to see what you think, Erica!

[Mary]

I thought about putting this on my TBR. I guess I will go ahead and do so. I sounds interesting!

[Erica]

I just finished The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court this afternoon. I enjoyed it, as well. I was surprised at how tumultuous the life of the Bonaparte family was, and how Napoleon dragged poor Marie-Louise into it. However, I think that Marie-Louise did her best and acted regally despite everything the Bonaparte marriage brought on.

[Jennifer]

Erica wrote: "I just finished The Second Empress: A Novel of Napoleon's Court this afternoon. I enjoyed it, as well. I was surprised at how tumultuous the life of the Bonaparte family was, and how Napoleon dragg..."

I agree. She had class beyond her years.

[Jennifer]

I'm stuck in the courts of France apparently: started The Sister Queens last night. Only one of them is a queen as yet, though.......

[Chantal E. R. H.]

I just finished The Maid and the Queen: The Secret History of Joan of Arc by Nancy Goldstone. I actually wish there had been more information about Yolande of Aragon. There have been so many books, etc. about Joan of Arc. It would have been interesting to go even more in-depth about Yolande. I am currently reading The Royal Stuarts: A History of the Family That Shaped Britain by Alan Massie. I'm only up to King James IV of Scotland.

[Mary]

Have just started reading The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith. The story of Grace Plantagenet (illegitimate daughter of Edward IV) and Perkin Warbeck (allegedly one of the Princes in the Tower).

[Jennifer]

Mary wrote: "Have just started reading The King's Grace by Anne Easter Smith. The story of Grace Plantagenet (illegitimate daughter of Edward IV) and Perkin Warbeck (allegedly one of the Princes in the Tower)."

Be sure to let me know what you think, please ma'am? This one is on my TBR...

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I have George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I back out of the library again; it really is a fascinating read.

[Chantal E. R. H.]

Susanna wrote: "I have George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I back out of the library again; it really is a fascinating read."

I love, love, love that book!

[[deleted user]]

six wives of Henry VIII by Alison weir

[Mary]

Be sure to let me know what you think, please, ma'am? This one is on my TBR...

Will do. So far it is very well written and interesting. But it is a very long book!

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

Finished George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I, and it was excellent.

[Roberta]

I thought so too, Susanna

[Chantal E. R. H.]

Susanna wrote: "Finished George, Nicholas and Wilhelm: Three Royal Cousins and the Road to World War I, and it was excellent."

I need to reread this.

[Chantal E. R. H.]

I just finished The Royal Stuarts: A History of the Family That Shaped Britain by Alan Massie. Informative but dull. Also, Massie focuses on weird things. As an example, he goes on for pages about the Gowrie Plot while the Gunpowder Plot literally gets only one sentence. It's sad that it is dull because the Stuarts are so interesting!

[Jennifer]

Bought one that looks interesting: The Shadow Queen: A Novel of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor .

For any members who live in Florida: Wallis had an uncle who lived in Indiantown and ran an inn there, and Wallis worked there during at least one summer. It's still open, serves a good breakfast-- nice little bit of British royal history in the sticks of Florida!

[Caz]

I'm reading Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV by Karleen Koen. I'm about a quarter of the way through and enjoying it so far. I've learned a lot about British history over the years by reading good, well-researched historical fiction - I thought I might expand my meagre knowledge of French history the same way!

[Jennifer]

Caz wrote: "I'm reading Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV by Karleen Koen. I'm about a quarter of the way through and enjoying it so far. I've learned a lot about British history over the years by readi..."

Love to hear what you think-- this is on my TBR.....

[Roberta]

I'm reading The Perfect Prince by Ann Wroe. It is history made as exciting as a modern mystery.So far, I love it.

[Caz]

Jennifer wrote: "Caz wrote: "I'm reading Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV by Karleen Koen. I'm about a quarter of the way through and enjoying it so far. I've learned a lot about British history over the ye..."

I've just finished it and enjoyed it very much. I'll post my review very soon :)

[Jennifer]

Caz wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Caz wrote: "I'm reading Before Versailles: A Novel of Louis XIV by Karleen Koen. I'm about a quarter of the way through and enjoying it so far. I've learned a lot about British hi..."

Sigh, another book moves up on my ridiculous list.....

[Jennifer]

I'm about 20 percent into Her Highness, the Traitor . I like Higginbotham a lot, but am fed to the teeth with the Tudors, so this one's a mixed bag. Plus keeping the characters straight is a challenge! Still, I'm liking it quite a bit.

[Jennifer]

Her Highness, the Traitor. I always enjoy Higginbotham but I liked her earlier four better than this one. (But like I said, I'm over the Tudors, and in fact wouldn't have read this if H hadn't written it.)

[Zinaida]

I tried to read George, Nicholas, and Wilhelm but couldn't get through it. I think I made it as far as either Nich or Wil becoming Emperor.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I really enjoyed that one a lot.

[Miss Melly]

Jennifer wrote: "I'm stuck in the courts of France apparently: started The Sister Queens last night. Only one of them is a queen as yet, though......."

I liked this one Jennifer. But if you want to read about all four of the sisters Four Sisters, All Queens is a fantastic novel - I gave it 5 stars

[Jennifer]

Miss Melly wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I'm stuck in the courts of France apparently: started The Sister Queens last night. Only one of them is a queen as yet, though......."

I li..."

It's on my TBR! So glad to hear it's that good!

[Trine]

I am the author of the new novel "Queen of Deception," which is contemporary fiction about a royal family in a small, northern kingdom.
Does anyone have any suggestions to contemporary fiction about royals?

[Mary]

I just bought Blood Sisters the Women Behind the War of the Roses
written by Sarah Gristwood.

[KOMET]

Recently read "Loyal in Love: Henrietta Maria, Wife of Charles I" by Jean Plaidy.

[Carolina]

Reading Queens Consort: England's Medieval Queens and The Boleyn Women: The Tudor Femmes Fatales Who Changed English History

[Mary]

I just finished Blood Sisters and thought the author did a lot of research on all the powerful women during this time period. It was not too overwhelming or dry. I thought having a family tree included in the book was so helpful too. There were a lot of Margarets and Elizabeths that played important roles and going back to the family trees to keep track of everyone made it easier to follow which sides family loyalties played a part.

[Susan]

I have just finished reading The Iron King by Maurice Duron. This tells of the consequences for King Philip of France, known as Philip the Fair, of condemning to death thee Knights Templar - was his family really subsequently cursed to the thirteenth generation? This book was first published in French,1955, but its translation is excellent and I will certainly read the rest of the series.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I read that earlier this year and really enjoyed it, Sue.

[Carolina]

That's a good book Sue, the next book in the saga is good too "The Strangled Queen".
Currently reading George Boleyn Tudor court poet by Clair Cherry and Claire Ridgway. So far so good.

[Mary]

I just finished "The Assassination of the Archduke" by the authors
Greg King and Sue Woolmans. I never really read anything about the Habsburg dynasty. Very interesting regarding all the protocols that this monarchy adhered too. This is a true love story between Sophie and Franz Ferdinand. This book painted a portrait of a loving and devoted family that had to endure humiliations due to the fact Sophie was a morganic wife and their children would never be considered members of the imperial family. The book takes you through the events leading up to the assassinations and the aftermath for the Habsburg dynasty.

[Mary]

Have "The Iron King" on my Kindle Fire to read. And "The Strangled Queen" on my WL. Glad to hear they're good reads.

[KOMET]

About 10 days ago (it's October 7th, 2014 as I write this), I finished reading "The King's Revenge: Charles II and the Greatest Manhunt in British History" by Don Jordan.



Of all the non-fiction I've read thus far this year, this book, "THE KING'S REVENGE", has given me a full and complete education about the events surrounding both the trial and execution of Charles I of England in 1649 and the 1660 Restoration with his son Charles II as King. (Feel free to read my review of this book.)

[Juliew.]

Just finished Anne Boleynby Hester ChapmanI enjoyed it because it had so many details of Anne's life with Henry VIII.It's an older book published about forty years ago but if your looking for details about their relationship you won't be disappointed if you read it.