February Reading
My February reading was pitiful with only three books completed.
1) The Queen’s Fool – Philippa Gregory
If I had to choose my favorite reading genre it would be historical fiction. Philippa Gregory’s Tudor series very nicely fits that bill. She has an incredible way of taking historical events and weaving them with a fictional story without compromising the facts. With each book I read I become a bigger fan of her’s.
The Queen’s Fool covers the span of time from right before King Edward’s death to the death of Queen Mary. It’s told from the viewpoint of Hannah, a Jewish girl from Spain pretending to be first Protestant, then Catholic – depending on the monarch – who has The Sight. Robert Dudley comes across her when she’s 14 and takes her to be King Edward’s fool. When Edward dies she’s sent to Princess Mary, who then becomes queen.
This series is a fascinating look into the lives of the Tudor Court which was as fickle and corrupt as any government has ever been. It also tells the interesting fictional story of Hannah Verde who becomes Hannah Green and includes a bit of romance, which never hurts a book.
2) Grave Peril – Jim Butcher
This is the third book in the Harry Dresden Files. If you’ve never read these books, but have watched the SciFi Channel show, you don’t know what you’re missing. The books are infinitely better. And if you don’t know, Harry Dresden is a Private Detective in Chicago who does some consulting work with the Chicago PD. What makes him interesting is that he’s a wizard and the cases he works on are inexplicable. And yes. I watched the X-Files religiously for years.
3) Beyond Temptation – Mary Reed McCall
I bought this book for two reasons. One reason is because Mary frequents one of the same message boards I do and I always like what she has to say. I figured I might like her books. The other is because I like medieval era books and they’re far and few between.
This is the first in a series about Templar Knights. It starts on Black Friday, which was October 13, 1307, when King Phillippe of Frances rounded up the Knights Templar and had his priests conduct a horrible and false inquisition.
This book is historical romance, so while there’s an interesting bit of history involved, the romance is the main thing. The hero, Richard de Cantor, is a Templar and returns home after five years away. His emotionally unstable wife is being cared for by her cousin, Lady Margaret, who was sent as penance for a scandalous indiscretion. I don’t think I’m giving anything away when I tell you the wife dies, Meg and Richard both mourn, and fall in love.
They encounter numerous obstacles – both past and present – and there’s a bit of a twist at the end that I never saw coming. Looking back I can’t believe I didn’t see it. But I’m glad I didn’t because I love a good surprise like that.
I enjoyed the book very much and am looking forward to the next one. Mary’s writing is very reminiscent of Julia Garwood’s historicals, but it’s a bit edgier and has more history. And I love me some well-researched history!
I am planning to read the Dresden files books once I get through the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine. I have heard lots of good things about his series.
Jenster,I like the new margins. Didn’t know I had any trouble till you fixed them! ;-)How do you pick your books? Do you review them on your blog just for fun? And do you have some special ones set aside for Hawaii?Katy
I enjoyed The Queen’s Fool a lot though I read it about three years ago. Have you read her others? The Other Boleyn Girl and The Virgin’s Lover? I’m pretty sure she has a new one out now, but I haven’t read it. My favorite was definitely The Other Boleyn Girl.I’ve got Grave Peril sitting in my TBR. I’ve been meaning to read that soon. 🙂
oops!! I left my comment on the wrong post. It is under your “Format” post. Sorry..my little pea has been workin overtime tonight. Brain for rent anyone?
I go in such spurts with my reading. The last thing I read was Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn … it was good, but pretty dark (I knew it was a suspense novel, but the darkness of it surprised me since she’s Entertainment Weekly’s TV critic!). I am dying to read Jodi Picoult’s new book that comes out this week, but I’m afraid it will make me cry!
Hum! I have been looking for someone who has actually read Phillipa Gregory and their opinion on her. She gets great reviews but I am always hesitant to read new authors as I am so picky! Maybe I will pick one of her books up. Which do you recommend if you don’t mind me asking!The other two books look interesting also. I am a HUGE book fan so thank you for the recommendations! I will have to check them out!!!!
I really need to make time to read something besides People mag. I’m such a loser.
Queens Fool sounds a lot like “Pope Joan” which I enjoyed very much.Good list.
Don’t forget…. February is a short month and you were very busy with Doctors, rashes, buying Sally, wine tasting dinners, etc. You still finished more books than I probably will for the year! On the wine tasting, the only difference I know is white or red or the pinkish one, and does it come from a bottle or a box! Sounds like you had lots of fun.
Oh, forgot to mention the format. Don’t forget to keep it easy for old eyes to read. Your old sister needs all the help she can get! LOL
Marg – the Dresden books are fun. Lot’s of dry humor and usually a pretty decent paranormal mystery.Katybug – I have about 100 books on a bookshelf that I’ve picked up here or there, mostly on recommendations from people on a readers’ board I go to. I just pick whichever one tickles my fancy at the time. LOL And no, I don’t have any particular books picked out for Hawaii yet. That should be a priority, though. Just letting my reader friends know what I read this month. :o)DC – I’ve read “The Other Boleyn Girl” and that’s what hooked me. I have “The Virgin’s Lover” and “The Constant Princess” on my shelves and I’m hoping to get “The Boleyn Inheritence” as soon as it’s released in PB. I just find all that stuff fascinating.April – LOL. Three books in a month is horrible for me. I used to read about three books a week. I’m just not as into it as I used to be, which I think may be a good thing. :o)Swishy – I’ve had to prepare myself emotionally for some of the books I’ve read in the past. Just be sure to take off the mascara and have the Kleenex ready.T-Girl – If you like historical fiction than I can’t imagine not liking the Gregory books. What do you like to read?Slackermommy – You have little ones at home. That makes a HUGE difference in reading time. Besides, I think People can be very academic!Trish – I haven’t read Pope Joan, but I have no doubt I’d like it. The more history, the better – as long as there’s an entertaining story going on. I think I may be a geek.Terri – Thanks for pointing out all those excuses that I hadn’t come up with! You’re the best! :o)And I didn’t change the font, even though it’s HUGE on the desktop. It reads like I’m screaming. LOL
I like the Dresden series so far. Febuary is a short month and it seemed to be over just as it started.
I love Phillipa Gregory, I’ve a couple more of her books on my TBR pile. This MRM series is very good. And I really need to try Jim Butcher.
I can’t remember the last book I read that wasn’t about some sort of parenting topic. I need to buy myself a book that interests me soon!