What have you read lately? Showing 151-200 of 1,703

[Amy]

I wish I could sit down and reread it again today. It is a perfect winter day to fall in love with Joan and Llewellyn again. aahh!! Enjoy!

[Amy]

I really enjoy Penman's portrayal of King John in this series. I find him very believable, complex, round and fascinating. He has been so demonized in the past. I enjoy her showing a complete person instead of the predictable evil caricature.

[Amy]

One more comment. Joan really did burn his bed! I love it when the best parts happen to be true!

[Misfit]

What's interesting about Penman and Here be Dragons is that she said that originally the book was supposed to be all about John, but then she went to Wales and found Llewellyn and well folks, the rest is history.

[Nona]

you know I have the triology in softcover cause I couldn't wait to own and read them and right after I finished then SKP emailed me and sent me 1 editions in hardcover and signed them for me, she even used a quote that Llewellyn was known for saying to his subjects. Anyhow, we discussed the accuracies of the book and so forth and she did say that Joanna burning the bed did cause some wariness from the people cause women were not supposed to act that way. lol, I would have done the same and besides her spunk is one of the many traits he loved about her.

[Mandy]

Misfit,
I don't remember you mentioning Legacy before - it sounds great! I tried to put it on hold at my library, but they don't have it. I'll go look for it on Amazon - thanks for the recommendation!

I did put Here Be Dragons on hold at my library, though! It sounds wonderful, I've had it on my to-read list for months.

[Misfit]

Mandy, looks like its a bit spendy, shop around some of the other used sellers.

Ahh, thriftbooks has a paperback much cheaper, http://www.thriftbooks.com/viewDetail... and Abe has several,
http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/Searc...

[Mandy]

I found it on Barnes and Noble used for $1.99! It's hardback and says it's in good condition, I can't wait to get it!

I found B&N used a month or so ago - they often have better prices than Amazon. It's individual sellers, but they go through B&N, so you can use a gift card to purchase, which is really nice.

Anyway, I'm excited :)

[Nona]

you can use B&N gift cards on used books at B&N? I've tried several times and every time it says its only good for new books

[Misfit]

**bites nails** Now that I've talked you in to it I hope you like it :)

It pays to shop around the used book sellers, one can get quite lucky.

[Mandy]

Nona - both times I've bought from B&N used sellers I've used my gift card. I don't know what the difference would be...
Maybe something has changed since you tried it last?

I just added the book to my cart and then when I paid for it entered the numbers on my gift card instead of a credit card.

Misfit - I like almost everything, so don't worry! Even if I don't, I won't blame you. It was less than $6, including shipping - no worries.

[Nona]

hmm I've still got about $35 in gift cards so i'll check it out, thanks.

[Misfit]

I got a head start on the rest of you and picked up The Far Pavilions yesterday. This will be the third time read for me -- not only is this group reading it but the folks at historicalfictiononline.com have it as January's BOM as well. I do love MM Kaye.

[Nona]

whats Far Pavilions about ? I hear about it alot but never seen it or looked it up.

[Misfit]

Nona, TFP is set in 19C India. As a very young boy Ash is orphaned and he and the Indian woman entrusted with his care to return him to his people are caught up in the Sepoy rebellion and flee to a remote country north in the mountains. There he meets Anjuli a young, unwanted princess and they become fast friends as children. Fast forward, he's returned to England and his family and eventually returns to India in the millitary service, part of which is escorting to princesses to their wedding -- and guess who one of them is?

That's as far as I'm telling. I love MM Kaye, she spent a great deal of her life in India and knows the country and culture well.

[Sara W]

I ordered The Far Pavilions on half.com a couple of days ago, but I don't think it's shipped yet due to the holidays (at least I haven't received an email saying it's shipped or anything). I'm still finishing up The Winthrop Woman though (which I would highly recommend).

[Mandy]

I'm reading the Winthrop Woman, also!
Loving it. I started it yesterday and finished the first part last night.
It's really very good. I wish I'd had time to get to it while the rest of the group was reading it!
Next time :)

[April Ann]

I think "Mary Queen of Scotland and the Isles" is going to be my next one. It's been on my TBR list (along with George's other books). I'm going to start it after the group read in the History forum.

I was debating between this one and a Plaidy book.

[Nona]

I just fiished thistle and the rose by Plaidy. I'm now starting Sand of the Arena by james duffy, set in 63 AD about a gladiator.

[April Ann]

Oh I loved "Thistle and the Rose"! I'm changing my mind, I forgot that Santa brought me "Katherine" by Anya Seton. That's going to be my next "royal" read!

"The Winthrop Woman" is what brought me to this group. When I posted the book it tagged this group, so voila, here I be! TWW was awesome by the way.

[Misfit]

I've really enjoyed reading Seton's books although some are more three star quality - they're not all to the caliber of TWW and Katherine.

I'll be interested to see what April Ann thinks of George's book on Mary. Her writing and research were excellent but Mary is so darned irritating and at times TSTL that the last 1/3 went quite slowly - I used it as a treadmill book.

[Sara W]

Mandy, you can still comment in The Winthrop Woman threads if you want to. I'm in the last section of the book, and I'm still commenting in the threads (even though I'm about two weeks behind everyone else). People will read it! I'm going to be the same way with The Far Pavilions unfortunately (where are you my little book?).

I really liked Thistle and the Rose too. If you liked that, you should read Plaidy's book about Mary (her and Henry's other sister). I think it's called Mary Queen of France.

I love hearing how people find this group! I like that groups are tagged on the books.

[Misfit]

"(where are you my little book?)."

LOL, first time I've heard TFP referred to as "little". It does go fast though :)

[Mandy]

Sara,
I will comment on the Winthrop Woman threads. I'm really enjoying the book. I'll probably finish before the end of the week. I just started it yesterday, but I'm spending a lot of time reading right now (trying to recover from an icky head cold.)

I think I'm going to read Here Be Dragons next. Have you started it yet? I'm excited - everyone here has said such wonderful things about it!

[Sara W]

Mandy, I haven't started Here Be Dragons yet, but I should get to it pretty soon. At least I own it now so it's ready and waiting for me! Ha, my husband got yet another B&N gift card which I plan on stealing, so I may pick up the second book just to have it ready too. I can't wait to read it based on what people here have said. Have you read Sunne in Splendour yet by SKP? It's the only book I've read by her so far, and it's outstanding! I love Jean Plaidy's books because of how many she wrote and the fact that she covered EVERY English monarch from William the Conqueror to Victoria (plus other monarchs from other countries), but SKP definitely seems to be the better author.

[Mandy]

Sara,
I'm still picking myself up off the floor, because I fell off my chair when I read your post!
did you really say you think SKP is a better author than Plaidy????
You? The Plaidy girl???
I'm in disbelief.
;)
Totally kidding, of course - but seriously, SKP couldn't ask for a better testimonial than that!

I haven't read Sunne in Splendour yet, but I've heard good things about it, as well.

[Sara W]

LOL!!! Yeah, I know, I'm surprised too! I recently had someone ask me why I love Jean Plaidy so much. I never really thought about it before, but I realized it was because of the amount of people she managed to write about as opposed to her actual writing ability and/or style (well, and the fact that the books seem very well researched). Plaidy's the only one out there (that I know of) who provided me with the historical fiction timeline that I wanted, but I am starting to understand the complaints people have about her books.

Ha ha, if you ever hear me say Philippa Gregory is a better author though, that would be a sign that I've completely lost it!

[Nona]

In my opinion SKP is a far better author then Jean Plaidy.

[Misfit]

Coming from someone who has only read 1.5 Plaidy books I'll agree with you on that. Besides, Penman's use of dialogue to move her story is awesome, especially in Devil's Brood. She brings those battling Plantagenets to life like no one else.

[Nona]

That and I feel like SKP gets under the skin of history while Plaidy skims along the top, I still enjoy some of Plaidy's work but if I had to make a chioce it would be an easy one..

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I finished Tudor Wench and found it charming. It's about Elizabeth I's early life, from about age 6 to her coronation day. Old-fashioned (1932, I think), but charming.

[Mandy]

Sara,
I can understand why you love Plaidy so much! The fact that she wrote about EVERYONE is very attractive!
I've only read 2 of her books - really liked one, didn't like the other. But I just got your favorite - Katherine of Aragon - from the library, and I'm excited to read it.

I haven't read any SKP, but the reviews of her Wales trilogy have me very excited. I'm going to start Here Be Dragons today :)

[Nona]

The Library called and had book 1&2 of Norah Loft's House triology ready for pick and I can only read one book at a time really so I put Sand of the Arena on my night stand so I can read these two from the library. I'm only on page 12 or 13 but it sounds really good.

[Laura]

Just finished The Daughter of York and started Queens' Play: Second in the Legendary Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett

[Nona]

Norah Lofts Town House triology does anyone know the oder?

[Mandy]

Amazon says The Town House is book one, The House at Old Vine is book two and The House at Sunset is last. I haven't read them - they look good, but so long! Let us know how you like them.

I'm reading Here Be Dragons and loving it. It's really wonderful! I didn't realize that the English royalty of the time would play such a large part - I was expecting it to be more focused on Llewelen. I love stories of Eleanor, and I'm loving this portrayal of John, too. Everything else I've read of him has been so one dimensional and damning - this is very humanizing.
It's a longer book than it seemed at first! When I looked at it I figured it would be a one week read. Then I opened it! It's one of those with very thin pages and very small type. 700 very thin pages with very small type.
I should be reading instead of posting!

[Misfit]

Mandy, good to see a new Penman fan. I read the author mention that HBD was originally to be focused on John, but then she went to Wales and found Llewllyn and well he kind of took over. Don't quote me for sure, but I also understand the bed burning bit (you may not be there yet), did happen.

PS -- no matter what, STAY OFF THE INTERNET and don't go searching for info if you don't want spoilers.

[Sara W]

Oh my, Here Be Dragons is 700 pages? I have it sitting on my shelf and thought it looked shorter too for some reason!

[Misfit]

I didn't think it was that long, I thought it was around 500 pages. Either way, much shorter than The Far Pavilions.

Sarah, don't worry its a once you start and get into it book the pages fly.

[Mandy]

She burned the bed last night :)
I'd heard mention of it before, but it still took me by surprise. I loved it.
I'm flying through it - can't put it down! It's one of the best I've read in a long time. I like almost everything I read, but this is a re-read for certain. I wish I'd bought it, rather than borrowed it from the library!

Are the other 2 in the series as good?

[Misfit]

Mandy, yes but very very different. Falls the Shadow deals more with England and Simon de Montfort and the baron's rebellion against Henry III. The Reckoning is about Llewllyn the Last and his Eleanor, Simon de Montfort's daughter and cousin (I think that's the relationship) to Edward I. Fabulous reads but have the tissue handy.......

[Laura]

...specially for read Falls the Shadow!!

[Misfit]

I dunno, it was The Reckoning that really did me in. Had to put the book down and have a good long cry......

[Sara W]

Welcome to the group Fiona! I've read Fraser's Marie Antoinette book and her book on Henry VIII's wives and enjoyed them both. I haven't read her Charles II one, but if it's like the ones I've read it should be a pretty interesting and easy read. Fraser was one of the first non-fiction authors I read when I was on a Tudor kick, and I like her writing style. I've never read anything about Charles II yet, so I don't know anything about him as a subject. If the book seems interesting to you I'm sure it would be a pretty good choice.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

I read Antonia Fraser's Charles II years ago, but I remember enjoying it.

[Laura]

I also loved Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser.

[Mandy]

I need to add Antonia Fraser's Charles II to my list. I've read a couple of fictional works about him and loved them both.

Thanks for the reviews of Falls the Shadow and The Reckoning! I plan to read all 3, eventually. The country of Wales is fascinating to me. My dad's family has always claimed English genealogy, but I recently found that their surname is actually Welsh in origin.
I'm totally making my husband take me on a tour of England some day.

[Laura]

Mandy, after reading the Welsh trilogy, don´t miss another SKP trilogy: When Christ and His Saints Slept, Time and Chance and Devil´s Brood based on Eleanor of Aquitaine saga. This author started to write the fourth book, Lionheart.

[Donald]

Fraser has a good bio of Mary Stuart.

[Susanna - Censored by GoodReads]

What's it called, Donald?