What have you read lately? Showing 401-450 of 1,702

[Elysium]

I started The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. It looks good so far. I don't know that much of Juana so it's interesting.

[[deleted user]]

well the last book i read in the history was queen's fool by philippa gregory & in my shelf are virgin's lover & the other queen. i loved the boleyn inheritance the most!!!

[Sera]

I don't have The King's Grace; I believe that someone else mentioned that one. However, I do have, A Rose For the Crown, and once I read that one, I will definitely let you know how it is!

[Angie]

Thought you would like to know that the bookstore where I work is ordering the Plaidy books on the recommendation of this group! Thanks for your help and I can't wait for them to come in!!

[Sara W]

Angie, that's great! Wow, that's kind of amazing that our little group would get noticed by a bookstore! I love Plaidy. :) I'm so glad her books are being republished, and I'm glad we could help you get them! Yay historical fiction!

[Sara W]

Angie wrote: "Thought you would like to know that the bookstore where I work is ordering the Plaidy books on the recommendation of this group! Thanks for your help and I can't wait for them to come in!!"

I just noticed you're from Chicago. Which bookstore do you work at? I lived around Belmont and Broadway for years and there was a little independent bookstore right around the corner.

[Sera]

I'm currently reading Plaidy's Daughters of Spain and enjoying it very much.

[Elysium]

I'm reading The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir. I just started it but it seems good.

[Mandy]

I finished The Blood Countess a few days ago and haven't started anything since.
I think I'm going to read The Sunne in Splendor next, but I also have a couple that I've been hanging onto for a while...

Blood Countess was good. Interesting. It's the first I've read about Hungarian Royalty and I learned a lot. The story itself was pretty fictional, but the little details about court life were accurate and very interesting.

[Robin]

I'm reading Anne Easter Smith's "Daughter of York" now, which is about Edward IV and Richard III's sister, Margaret. I started her trilogy at the end, haha, and I'm working my way back, but I suppose these don't HAVE to be read in order. So far I'm liking it and I'm already planning on reading the first book, "A Rose for the Crown."

I also picked up SKP's "The Sunne in Splendor" and Kate Emerson's "Pleasure Palace" while on vacation, though those are towards the back of my stack as I need to read the ones I checked out from the library first.

[Joy H.]

This week I went to a meeting at which I heard the author, Anne Easter Smith, speak about her writing. Anne writes historical fiction about early England.

At her website, Anne states: "I spent my childhood in England, Germany and Egypt as the daughter of a British Army colonel." Although she is now a permanent resident of the U.S., she says "my love for English history remains." As she speaks about her writing, that love of English history comes through.

To learn more about her writing and to see an interesting video of Anne speaking about her writing and her research methods, go to her website at the following webpage:
http://www.anneeastersmith.com/defaul...
Also see:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...

Anne Easter Smith has written the following books:

A Rose for the Crown A Novel

Daughter of York A Novel

The King's Grace A Novel

About her books, Anne says:
=====================================================
"In my novels, I strive to serve those readers who are looking for accuracy in historical fact and yet also engage those who are looking for a good story with strong characters, a little romance and lots of period detail."
=====================================================

BTW, Anne is just as nice as she looks in her picture and on the video. I enjoyed meeting her and hearing her informative talk.

I am currently listening to an audio version of _A Rose for the Crown_. Through her characters, Anne draws you in to the period atmosphere of old England.

[Mandy]

Sounds like a cool meeting - I've not read any of her books but have looked at them several times. I'll have to check her out!

I'm currently reading Legacy by Susan Kay. It's really good so far. I've read about all these events before, but for the first time I find myself liking Elizabeth. In the past I've had a hard time sympathizing with her.
I can't remember who here recommended it to me - but thank you!

[Joy H.]

Mandy wrote: "Sounds like a cool meeting - I've not read any of her books but have looked at them several times. I'll have to check her out!"

I hope you'll enjoy Anne Easter Smith's novels.

[[deleted user]]

Jenn wrote: "I am currently attempting to read Daughter of York."

Hang in there, it gets better and better as you go along. I got a little bored with reading Certes over and over again but at least I did learn that word! LOL!

[Robin]

Alice wrote: "Jenn wrote: "I am currently attempting to read Daughter of York."

Hang in there, it gets better and better as you go along. I got a little bored with reading Certes over and over again but at l..."


I liked "Daughter of York" more than "The King's Grace" I think. I have the first on, "A Rose for the Crown" on its way to me right now and I'm looking forward to getting it.

Right now I am reading "The First Princess of Wales," a novel about Joan of Kent who married the Black Prince and I'm really, really loving it.

[Misfit]

I'm about 50 pages into , about Ana Menoza, Princess of Eboli of Spain. I'll let you know more later but there is info on Wik, as well as this awesome (but takes forever to load) page on You Tube, http://www.myspace.com/princesadeeboli

[Sera]

I finally finished Team of Rivals, which was awesome. I'm going to try a Victoria Holt book next.

[Sara W]

Sera wrote: "I finally finished Team of Rivals, which was awesome. I'm going to try a Victoria Holt book next."

Considering my obsessive love of Jean Plaidy, I don't think I've read a Victoria Holt book yet (although I do own a handful). Definitely let me know what you think!

[Sera]

Will do, Sara! I've only read a few pages, but so far, it reminds me of a Bronte novel - a house on a cliff next to the sea, a young governess arriving at her benefactor's house for the first time...

I'm not a big romance person when it comes to reading so this will be interesting.

[Robin]

I know I've asked this somewhere recently but I can't find the thread where I did!

I know a lot of Jean Plaidy's books are being republished and some are with new titles. Where can I find a list of the books being republished with these new titles and what their old titles were? I don't want to end up with duplicates! :)

[Sara W]

Robin wrote: "I know I've asked this somewhere recently but I can't find the thread where I did!

I know a lot of Jean Plaidy's books are being republished and some are with new titles. Where can I find a list o..."

I would be interested in this too. I know I (briefly) tried looking for a list online and couldn't find one. At least some of the books say somewhere on the actual book what the old name was.

[Susan]

Sara wrote: "Robin wrote: "I know I've asked this somewhere recently but I can't find the thread where I did!

I know a lot of Jean Plaidy's books are being republished and some are with new titles. Where can..."

We've listed some of the new titles here:

http://www.historicalfictiononline.co...

[Sera]

The way Amazon does it really confused me so I don't know if you would find it useful either.

The Holt book was just ok. I'm not a big romance reader, but the book held my interest just fine. It's just I found it to be very predictable. I doubt that I would read any of Plaidy's books under her pseudonyms. I intend to stick with her historical fiction only going forward. It's just that I doubt find the genre to be my thing.

[Sara W]

Sera wrote: "The way Amazon does it really confused me so I don't know if you would find it useful either.

The Holt book was just ok. I'm not a big romance reader, but the book held my interest just fine. ..."

Plaidy's Philippa Carr might be okay. I believe she used that name to write a series that spans multiple generations of the same family. I read two of them a few years ago (I think the last two before I read it might be a series). They were decent - I think they were mysteries which aren't really my thing, but the Carr name always seemed more appealing to me than the Holt name.

[Sera]

Sara wrote: "Sera wrote: "The way Amazon does it really confused me so I don't know if you would find it useful either.

The Holt book was just ok. I'm not a big romance reader, but the book held my interest..."

Based upon my research, I would agree, Sara. Some of the Carr books are also closer to some of her historical fiction works than her books under the Holt/Hibbert name. The problem that I had though is finding the Carr books in print. Amazon had only 2 or 3 (and none for Kindle). My local library didn't have any either.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

I'm reading [Book: Innocent Traitor] by Alison Weir. It's the first book I've read about Lady Jane Grey. I remember being fascinated by her when we learnt about her in school because she was so young and ruled for only 9 days. I'm gripped so far!

[Sara W]

Boof wrote: "I'm reading [Book: Innocent Traitor] by Alison Weir. It's the first book I've read about Lady Jane Grey. I remember being fascinated by her when we learnt about her in school because she was so you..."

Oh, I loved that book! It's probably the best book by Alison Weir that I've read.

[Angie]

Sara wrote: "Boof wrote: "I'm reading [Book: Innocent Traitor] by Alison Weir. It's the first book I've read about Lady Jane Grey. I remember being fascinated by her when we learnt about her in school because s..."

I love Innocent Traitor and I'm reading The Lady Elizabeth right now. It's rare when an historian can move easily in fiction, but Weir has and does. Her storytelling is fluid. I can't recommend this book enough. I hope she keeps at the fiction.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

I agree, Sara and Angie. I am hooked and I also have to keep reminding myself that she hasn't made this all up. It is the first Weir I have read and I will definitely be getting more soon. How is The Lady Elizabeth Angie?

[Robin]

Boof wrote: "I agree, Sara and Angie. I am hooked and I also have to keep reminding myself that she hasn't made this all up. It is the first Weir I have read and I will definitely be getting more soon. How is..."


I read it a few months ago and while I enjoyed it (it was well written), I didn't really agree with the take she took on something that happened in Elizabeth's younger years (I won't mention it here so as not to spoil it). But I did enjoy the book over all.

[Misfit]

Robin wrote: "Boof wrote: "I agree, Sara and Angie. I am hooked and I also have to keep reminding myself that she hasn't made this all up. It is the first Weir I have read and I will definitely be getting more..."

I read Innocent Traitor and loved it but decided not to read the book on Elizabeth, and probably for the reason Robin mentioned. I understand she added something to the story that had no basis in fact and didn't even address that in her notes. Again, I'm only taking other's words for it, since I have not seen it for myself.

I know I've mentioned it before, but one of the best fictional takes on Elizabeth Tudor is
Legacy by Susan Kaye. Out of print but worth the effort. I loved it to bits, every one that I know who's read it loved it and better yet - when was the last time you saw a book's reviews on Amazon and they were all five stars (without being fake author accounts)?

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

I finished Innocent Traitor in the early hours this morning; I just had to keep reading. I have another Weir at home waiting for me ( The Six Wives of Henry VIII ) which I am looking forward to reading soon.

Misfit, fake author accounts? What can you mean? Surely we would never come across that? ;o)

[Mandy]

I followed Misfit's advice and bought Legacy (used from Amazon or B&N for CHEAP) a few months ago. I'm finally reading it now - less than 100 pages to go and I've loved every minute of it.
It's wonderful. If you don't like Elizabeth (as I didn't!) read it. It doesn't try to sell Elizabeth as likable...in fact, she's often times unlikeable...but she's always very human. Legacy has totally changed my opinion of Elizabeth.

[Misfit]

Boof wrote: "I finished Innocent Traitor in the early hours this morning; I just had to keep reading. I have another Weir at home waiting for me ( The Six Wives of Henry VIII ) which I am looking forward to r..."

Boof, no we have never ever seen fake author accounts have we? Thank goodness at least the worst of them is history *keeps fingers crossed against a resurrection*

[Elysium]

Finished Life and Death of Anne Boleyn by Eric Ives. Good book but little too slow for me. Now I'm reading Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory.

[Sara W]

Robin wrote: "Boof wrote: "I agree, Sara and Angie. I am hooked and I also have to keep reminding myself that she hasn't made this all up. It is the first Weir I have read and I will definitely be getting more..."

Yeah, I didn't care for the twist Weir took in Lady Elizabeth either. The book itself was fine, but I didn't enjoy it as much as Innocent Traitor.

[Robin]

I am reading "The Traitor's Wife" at the moment. As I've never had a good opinion of Hugh Despenser how the author is portraying him so far is quite different from what I had expected. I am enjoying it, though not as much as I enjoyed "The First Princess of Wales!"

[Misfit]

Mandy wrote: "I followed Misfit's advice and bought Legacy (used from Amazon or B&N for CHEAP) a few months ago. I'm finally reading it now - less than 100 pages to go and I've loved every minute of it.
It's wo..."

FYI, a member over at historicalfictiononline just posted an email reply from Sourcebooks - they have contracted to republish this book in Spring 2010. Yay! http://www.historicalfictiononline.co...

[Mandy]

I'd highly recommend it to anyone. It's been fantastic.
I have about 75 pages to go, I think, but have been so busy that I'm only able to read 2-3 pages at a time. It's killing me not to finish it! At night I go to bed so exhausted I'm falling asleep just a few pages in.
Last night I dreamed about Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria all night long. It was NOT restful. lol
I woke up several times thinking "I'll have to ask the people at goodreads for some Queen Victoria recommendations..."

So? Anyone have any?

[Robin]

Mandy wrote: "I'd highly recommend it to anyone. It's been fantastic.
I have about 75 pages to go, I think, but have been so busy that I'm only able to read 2-3 pages at a time. It's killing me not to finish i..."

While I'm not incredibly interested in the doing of the British monarchy after Elizabeth I, I enjoyed Jean Plaidy's "Victoria Victorious."

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

Mandy, I dream about books I'm reading all the time. LOL to this one not being restful for you!

I was looking at some Jean Plaidy books on Victoria today and almost bought one. There was one called something about Kensington Palace and one about Victoria's husband. They both looked really good.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

I just started The Queen's Sorrow by Susannah Dunn today, about Queen Mary's marriage to Prince Philip. I'm only about 10 pages in but enjoying it so far. I've never read any of her stuff before; has anyone else?

[Misfit]

Boof wrote: "Mandy, I dream about books I'm reading all the time. LOL to this one not being restful for you!

I was looking at some Jean Plaidy books on Victoria today and almost bought one. There was one cal..."

Yeah, and you Brits get all those nice pretty new covers.

[Robin]

Boof wrote: "I just started The Queen's Sorrow by Susannah Dunn today, about Queen Mary's marriage to Prince Philip. I'm only about 10 pages in but enjoying it so far. I've never read any of her stuff before;..."

I read that one about a month ago. Pretty good.

[Sara W]

Plaidy has a lot of books on Victoria. One is the last book of her Georgian saga, 4 make up a Victoria-only saga, and then Victoria Victorious covers all of Victoria in one book (and it's probably 1st person POV where the others are probably 3rd person POV). Haven't read them, but I own them all!

[Sera]

I have a biography that is sitting at home, waiting desperately to be read. It's entitled Queen Victoria: A Personal History by Christopher Hibbert. I bought it some years ago. I think that it may be time for me to dust it off and see if it's any good.

I loved Weir's The Innocent Traitor - completely heartbreaking!

Legacy sounds fantastic. I can't wait until it is available again.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

I'd be interested to hear what you think about Queen Victoria Sera.

I have just ordered [Book: The Sisters who would be Queen: The Tragedy of Katherine, Mary and Lady Jane Grey] by Leanda de Lisle after having loved Innocent Traitor so much. It's still out in HB but I couldn't wait until October so I hunted down a cheaper version and I can't wait for it to arrive now.

[Sera]

Will do, Boof. Hopefully, I can get to it this summer. The de Lisle book looks interesting, too. I've seen it in HB; let us know how you like it. If it's good, I will pick it up.

[Sara W]

Boof wrote: "I'd be interested to hear what you think about Queen Victoria Sera.

I have just ordered [Book: The Sisters who would be Queen: The Tragedy of Katherine, Mary and Lady Jane Grey] by Leanda de L..."

I've never heard of that book, but it sounds great! I added it to my to-read shelf.

[The Book Whisperer (aka Boof)]

Sara, I hadn't heard of it either but I popped up on my Amazon home page (probably because I rated Innocent Traitor about Lady Jane). It looks really good and has good reveiws. There's a lot about Katherine and Mary and their older life after Jane which I am really interested to read about now as they seem to get neglected. Apparantly Elizabeth was really wary of them too as pretenders to the throne.