Reading Royalty Challenge

[Christine]

Review for the Princess Book -Spy Princess.

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Kit]

Incredible! I vote for this book. :D
Does it qualify for our challenge?

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

It does since she is considered a princess of the royal line in India.

[Kit]

Yeah. A new Asian novel!

[Christine]

Noor Khan is my hero.

[Alex]

Historical Royal Fiction is my favourite! So I may as well join in seeing as I've got so many related books on my tbr list. I'll be fitting books to categories and editing this as I go.

1. Read a book where the male ruler is the central character. Lionheart Completed July 20th

2. Read a book where a female ruler is the central character. Queen of This Realm: The Tudor Queens Completed October 10th

3. Read a book where a Prince is the central figure. (the character must be a prince through at least 75% if the book.)

4. Read a book where a Princess is the central figure. (the character must be a princess through at least 75% if the book.)

5. Read a book where a castle figures prominently. Shields of Pride Completed 15th August

6. Read a book where the central character is either the mistress of a male ruler or the paramour of a female ruler. The Darling Strumpet

7. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in England. The Boleyn Inheritance Completed April 2nd

8. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in Europe. Devil's Consort Completed 3rd August

9. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in Asia.

10. Read a Royalty related book set before the 16th century. Nefertiti Completed June 5th

11. Read a Royalty related book set in the 16th or 17th century Myself, My Enemy Completed March 28

12. Read a Royalty related book set after the 17th century.

[Rebecca]

And here is another review for my list: Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile -- click here for the longer review: http://www.epinions.com/review/Julia_...

[Kit]

Rebecca wrote: "And here is another review for my list: Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile -- click here for the longer review: http://www.epi..."

I loved it! :D Glad you did as well.

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Rebecca wrote: "And here is another review for my list: Sister Queens: The Noble, Tragic Lives of Katherine of Aragon and Juana, Queen of Castile -- click here for the longer review: http://www.epi..."

I am looking forward to reading this one.

[Nicola]

So I have done 1/12 - a book set in England:

7. ****

[Antje གརས པཅ]

I know one of the books I'm going to read but I need to get my hands on it

[Denise]

Okay, I'm in. Have a lot of royalty related books on my TBR list.

1. Read a book where the male ruler is the central character. Peter The Great

2. Read a book where a female ruler is the central character. Becoming Queen Done. April 3. 4 Stars

3. Read a book where a Prince is the central figure. (the character must be a prince through at least 75% if the book.)

4. Read a book where a Princess is the central figure. (the character must be a princess through at least 75% if the book.) Princesses: The Six Daughters of George III

5. Read a book where a castle figures prominently. Versailles: A Biography of a Palace

6. Read a book where the central character is either the mistress of a male ruler or the paramour of a female ruler.

7. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in England.The Traitor's Wife: A Novel of the Reign of Edward II

8. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in Europe. She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth Done. March 13. 5 Stars.

9. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in Asia. Catherine the Great: Portrait of a Woman

10. Read a Royalty related book set before the 16th century. Lady of the English Done. March 25. 5 Stars

11. Read a Royalty related book set in the 16th or 17th century

12. Read a Royalty related book set after the 17th century. We Two: Victoria and Albert: Rulers, Partners, Rivals

[N]

I am just joining this group and actually just learning about "challenges". We will see what happens and how far I am able to get in the next few months....

[Christine]

I've read The Murder of Tutankhamen for a book about a king.

The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily for European.

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Nancy wrote: "I am just joining this group and actually just learning about "challenges". We will see what happens and how far I am able to get in the next few months...."

Good luck, Nancy. Hope you have fun with it!

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Chris wrote: "I've read The Murder of Tutankhamen for a book about a king.

The Lady Queen: The Notorious Reign of Joanna I, Queen of Naples, Jerusalem, and Sicily for European."

Those both sound like interesting books, Chris. How did you like them?

[Rebecca]

Well. I was seriously disappointed by my entry for a book set after the 17th century: The Queen Mother: The Untold Story of Elizabeth Bowes Lyon, Who Became Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother by Lady Colin Campbell. The longer review is here:
http://www.epinions.com/review/The_Qu...

[Gayle]

My progress thus far:

1. Read a book where the male ruler is the central character.

The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George

2. Read a book where a female ruler is the central character.
The Queen of Last Hopes: The Story of Margaret of Anjou by Susan Higginbotham

3. Read a book where a Price is the central figure. (the character must be a prince through at least 75% if the book.)

by Robert Hutchinson

4. Read a book where a Princess is the central figure. (the character must be a princess through at least 75% if the book.)
The Irish Princess by Karen Harper

5. Read a book where a castle figures prominently.

The Tower: The Tumultuous History of the Tower of London from 1078 by
Derek Wilson

6. Read a book where the central character is either the mistress of a male ruler or the paramour of a female ruler.

by Posie Graeme-Evans

7. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in England.
The Favored Queen: A Novel of Henry VIII's Third Wife by
Carolly Erickson

8. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in Europe.

The Confessions of Catherine de Medici: A Novel by
C.W. Gortner

9. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in Asia.

Tiger Claws: A Novel of India by John Speed

10. Read a Royalty related book set before the 16th century.

Queen of Kings by Maria Dahvana Headley

11. Read a Royalty related book set in the 16th or 17th century
Gilt by Katherine Longshore

12. Read a Royalty related book set after the 17th century.

Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch by Sally Bedell Smith

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Good job, Gayle. I am so far behind in mine it is not even funny.

[Nikki]

1. Read a book where the male ruler is the central character.
Achieved: The Heart of the Lion

2. Read a book where a female ruler is the central character.
Achieved: Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch

3. Read a book where a Price is the central figure. (the character must be a prince through at least 75% if the book.)
Achieved: Here be Dragons

4. Read a book where a Princess is the central figure. (the character must be a princess through at least 75% if the book.)
Achieved: Once Upon a Time: Behind the Fairy Tale of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier

5. Read a book where a castle figures prominently.
Achieved: The Tower, The Zoo, and The Tortoise

6. Read a book where the central character is either the mistress of a male ruler or the paramour of a female ruler.
Achieved: The Untold Story of Eva Braun

7. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in England.
Started but never completed - I just couldn't get into it: The People's Queen
Achieved: The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers

8. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in Europe.
Achieved:The Winter Palace: A Novel of Catherine the Great

9. Read a Royalty related book that takes place in Asia.
Achieved: Empress Orchid

10. Read a Royalty related book set before the 16th century.
Achieved:Captive Queen: A Novel of Eleanor of Aquitaine

11. Read a Royalty related book set in the 16th or 17th century
Achieved: The Darling Strumpet: A Novel of Nell Gwynn, Who Captured the Heart of England and King Charles II

12. Read a Royalty related book set after the 17th century.
I didn't manage to start this: That Woman: The Life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor.

So I completed The Autobiography of Henry Viii on 5th Jan after reading it for 11 weeks (it's very long)! So I have included that one as I did start the challenge a week or two in also. So I achieved 11/12. Wish I hadn't chosen such a long book there at the end as I would have completed the challenge, but it was well worth the read! I have read some excellent books as part of this challenge.

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Welcome to the challenge Nikki. You have made a good inroads here. As for #6, I did say ruler, not specifically royalty, so that would fit.

I am really enjoying looking at everyone's updates and seeing what books you are reading.

[[deleted user]]

How did I miss this challenge? I already have a lot going on and I'm behind but I hope you'll be doing this again in 2013 - I will definitely participate!

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Amber wrote: "How did I miss this challenge? I already have a lot going on and I'm behind but I hope you'll be doing this again in 2013 - I will definitely participate!"

This is a lot of fun, Amber. Sorry you missed it. I'm not sure if we will be doing this exact challenge next year, but we will be doing a challenge, or maybe two.

[[deleted user]]

Ah okay! Well I will definitely try to keep up with the group more so I see it!

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Of course, that doesn't mean that you can't do this one next year. I will leave it up as a yearly challenge and people can either do it over with new books, or those that didn't do this can do it then. I have a very similar one that I am working on, but it is a little different in the task choices.

[[deleted user]]

Oh okay - that's fantastic!

[Gayle]

Edited post #68 to reflect latest book finished.

[Miss Melly]

Can I use books that I've read earlier this year even tho I am just signing up for the challenge today?

[~Brandy~]

Would Cleopatra's Heir work for task #3?

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Brandy wrote: "Would Cleopatra's Heir work for task #3?"

Yes, it would

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Miss Melly wrote: "Can I use books that I've read earlier this year even tho I am just signing up for the challenge today?"

That is up to you, Melly. If it is only a few books, I would say okay. I want this to be both fun and challenging.

[~Brandy~]

Lyn M wrote: "Brandy wrote: "Would Cleopatra's Heir work for task #3?"

Yes, it would"


Thank you so much Lyn M!!

[April]

I read Shadow of Night and though the main characters are not royalty, they interact with Elizabeth I in 1590 and spend the majority of the book in England in 1590.

Task 7 says Royalty related in England. Does this count? If not I have another, just thought I'd ask.

[H]

Challenge completed! Well... I actually finished like a month ago and was just too lazy to post.

[Alex]

Does Bonnie Prince Charlie count as royal for this? Because I'm currently reading Dragonfly in Amber where he features quite prominently.

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

April wrote: "I read Shadow of Night and though the main characters are not royalty, they interact with Elizabeth I in 1590 and spend the majority of the book in England in 1590.

Task 7 says Royalty related in..."

So sorry that I haven't answered your question, April. I have been out of state for 6 weeks and had really spotty internet access. Again, I apologize. As for Shadow of Night, I loved this book as well as her first one, but I would not class them as royalty related. Our definition of a royalty related book states, "NOTE: To be considered "Royalty related" at least one of the central characters must be considered Royalty.". Sorry.

[April]

Lyn M wrote: "April wrote: "I read Shadow of Night and though the main characters are not royalty, they interact with Elizabeth I in 1590 and spend the majority of the book in England in 1590.

Task 7 says Roya..."

Thanks anyway. I loved them too and could not put them down. I am really looking forward to the last in the trilogy and anything else she might write.

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

April wrote: "Lyn M wrote: "April wrote: "I read Shadow of Night and though the main characters are not royalty, they interact with Elizabeth I in 1590 and spend the majority of the book in England in 1590.

Ta..."

Same here. She is a great writer.

[Gayle]

Edited post #68

[Christine]

Could The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors count as the mistress? (I'm just curious because I'm reading it now. I have a book about Mary Bol. waiting in the wings). Anne was a mistress and wife.

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Chris wrote: "Could The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors count as the mistress? (I'm just curious because I'm reading it now. I have a book about Mary Bol. waiting in the wings). Anne w..."

I would say it fits, Chris. As you said, she was a mistress and a wife. In fact, I think she was a mistress much longer than she was a wife.

[Gayle]

Edited post #68

[Nikki]

I'm on holiday using the app so can't edit my previous post at the moment to update it however I have finished Here Be Dragons which I loved, also finished Empress Orchid which again I really enjoyed. It definitely took me out of my comfort zone as I have never read about royalty outside of Europe but I found the descriptions very interesting and this has certainly peaked my interest for more so thanks to the challenge for stretching me. Also Here Be Dragons had been on my TBR list for a long time as it always comes well recommended but being a slow reader I had always put it off due to size until this challenged me to finally read it. I have given up on the book I was reading for the English one, The People's Queen so need to start something else for that and then just the Wallis Simpson non-fiction to go which I am looking forward to. So just two left to complete the challenge. :-)

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Nikki wrote: "I'm on holiday using the app so can't edit my previous post at the moment to update it however I have finished Here Be Dragons which I loved, also finished Empress Orchid which again I really enjoy..."

Glad that we were able to get you out of your comfort zone during this challenge, Nikki. And glad you liked that book. It is one that I have been wanting to read.

[~Brandy~]

Here are the challenges that I have completed so far. All I have left to complete is challenge number 1.


1. Read a book where the male ruler is the central character.

2. Read a book where a female ruler is the central character.
Song of the Nile

3. Read a book where a prince is the central character.
Cleopatra's Heir

4. Read a book where a princess is the central character.
Lily of the Nile

5. Read a book where a castle figures prominently.
Queen Hereafter: A Novel of Margaret of Scotland

6. Read a book where the central character is either a mistress or a paramour.
The Course of Honor

7. Read a royalty related book that takes places in England.
The Perfect Royal Mistress

8. Read a royalty related book that takes place in Europe.
The Countess

9. Read a royalty related book that takes place in Asia.
The Twentieth Wife

10. Read a royalty related book that takes place before the 16th century.
The Palace of Illusions

11. Read a royalty related book that takes place in the 16th or 17th centuries.
Shadow Princess: A Novel

12. Read a royalty relatd book that takes place after the 17th century.
Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette

[Lyn (Readinghearts), The mod of last resort/Mod #3]

Good job, Brandy. Way to go.

Congrats to all of you who have either finished this challenge, or are going to finish it before the end of the year.

[Gayle]

updated post #68, 2 books left to go

[April]

Only one more to go!

[Kit]

I so want to finish this challenge; but I'm three books short at the moment. Lost some momentum here-hoping to get my second wind and finish. Yeah, to everyone reaching the finish line!!!!

[Gayle]

Updated post #68. Finished!