A History of Royals discussion

A few people have asked me if we would be doing group reads in this group. I thought we could start out doing every other month beginning in January so as not to coincide with The Tudor's Lovers Group Reads as many of this groups' members are members of that groups as well (actually all the members of this group so far!). We'll see how that goes and maybe later down the road we can do one every month.

As this group covers such a large group of potential reads, I thought we could get a few nominations and then do a poll vote for the January read. It's a bit early but it will give people time to get the book and/or put it on their Christmas list.

So, please nominate a book you'd like to read in January and indicate both who the book is about and whether it is non-fiction or historical fiction.

Please have votes in by Saturday, October 31.

I nominate The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland about Josephine Bonaparte. This book is historical fiction.

Jennifer wrote: "I nominate The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland about Josephine Bonaparte. This book is historical fiction. "

I have read that one. It is really good. It is done in diary form from her earlier years. Would be a great group read. I would try and flip through my copy to tag along if it were the group read.

Wow - not sure what I want to nominate, there are so many areas I want to know more about. How about Catherine de Medici Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Frieda. Actually, there are so many here to choose from, anything would be good for me.

Wen wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I nominate The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland about Josephine Bonaparte. This book is historical fiction. "

I have read that one. It ..."

Thanks Wen. Do you have one you'd like to nominate?

Good one Lyn and one I have at home waiting :)

So far so good, both these books are on my shelves!

Don't forget to nominate one Tisha :)

Jennifer wrote: "Wen wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I nominate The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland about Josephine Bonaparte. This book is historical fiction. "

I have read t..."

Hmm well right now historical wise am reading one on Catherine of Aragon. The Spanish Bride but Laurien Gardener so am getting my tudor fix right now.
I would suggest Margaret Georges book on Mary Queen of Scots but we are already doing the Cleopatra one starting Nov. I am on a bit of a Scotland kick after reading A Question of Guilt on Mary so how about Fatal Majesty by Reay Tannahill. I just got it in the mail and looking forward to reading it.

I am in for what ever is picked though. :D

Awesome Wen. Yet another one I have at home :)

But the one I want is already nominated! Haha.

I forgot to put that my book is listed as a biography, therefore would be non-fiction, correct?

Jennifer - As you can tell from my note, I forgot which book I ended up nominating. Told you I had a hard time.

Which of the books did you want Tisha? Josephine or Marie Antoinette?

It's okay... we'll do a pole vote in November and I'm sure I'll have a hard time voting. I probably won't even pick my own nomination! LOL

That's okay Lyn. Yes, that one's non-fiction but I knew that anyway so I didn't have to go searching :)

I vote for Plaidy's book Madonna of the Seven Hills about Lucrezia Borgia.

OOH Susan - great nomination. Lucretia Borgia has always fascinated me.

I'm so happy someone likes my vote. Yeah!!!!

Susan C wrote: "I vote for Plaidy's book Madonna of the Seven Hills about Lucrezia Borgia."

Giggle here I have at least a dozen Plaidy books about half have not read and that one is Not one of them...go figure.. but she is an interesting character.

I have only read a little about her. I read
Lucrezia Borgia and the Mother of Poisons
which was good, kinda like a mystery since she was trying to discover who murdered a lady in waiting named Bianca.
I am presently reading Mirror Mirror
which is the Retelling of Snow White where Snow White is named Bianca and of course the wicked step momma is Borgia.

Made me curious about her.

Oh Mirror Mirror sounds interesting. Lucretia would so fit the bill for the wicked witch. Let me know how you liked it. I tried to read Wicked, by him, but couldn't finish it.

Lyn wrote: "Oh Mirror Mirror sounds interesting. Lucretia would so fit the bill for the wicked witch. Let me know how you liked it. I tried to read Wicked, by him, but couldn't finish it. "

I really liked Wicked. Made me look at the Wizard of Oz in a new light. This book is like that too. I am about half way into it. Borgia is not a 'step mom' but is looking out for young Bianca...while her daddy is off on an errand for Borgias brother. There has been a blip of the dwarves and per the back of the book are 8 instead of 7 and some other differences...but so far is fitting pretty good to the fairy tale story.

Wen, I really liked Wicked too. And I agree, I looked at the Wizard of Oz in a totally different way. Made me feel sorry for the Wicked Witch.

Susan C wrote: "I vote for Plaidy's book Madonna of the Seven Hills about Lucrezia Borgia."

Susan, that's a great nomination! My only concern is that it has been out of print since the 70's (unless there's a reprint that I missed?). I'm wondering if it would be too difficult for people to get their hands on?

Abe books has it! But it's a little pricey. I'm flexible on what we read!

Okay, I'll add it to the poll and we'll all vote so if that one wins I'll track it down somehow :)

If you want an used copy,of couse it's not as expensive. It's one that Arrow publishers republished recently.

Mandy wrote: "Wen, I really liked Wicked too. And I agree, I looked at the Wizard of Oz in a totally different way. Made me feel sorry for the Wicked Witch."

I recently went to and loved the broadway show of Wicked, but reading the book 2 years prior left me wanting. I think it's a book I would need to read twice.

Jennifer wrote: "Which of the books did you want Tisha? Josephine or Marie Antoinette?

It's okay... we'll do a pole vote in November and I'm sure I'll have a hard time voting. I probably won't even pick my own n..."

Josephine. :)

Sawyer wrote: "I am seconding Hannahr's mention of "Idylls of the King", by Tennyson. That was my intro to Arthur, along with the movie "Camelot." I have always meant to read Stewart's trilogy, could that be considered for a group read?"

(From King Arthur Thread so that I remember to add it to the group read poll)

I cant decide but these two look very interesting.
Marie Antoinette The Journey - Antonia Fraser (NON FICTION)
The Devil's Queen A Novel of Catherine de Medici- Jeanne Kalogridis (FICTION)

Jennifer wrote: "I nominate The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland about Josephine Bonaparte. This book is historical fiction. "

I just got this book and it's sequel (I guess there are three) at the library bookstore for $1.00 each, and they are in pristine condition.

I nominate The Kingmaking
It's fiction, an Arthurian legend that's supposed to be a bit different from the others. Looks good to me!

Kate wrote: "I cant decide but these two look very interesting.
Marie Antoinette The Journey - Antonia Fraser (NON FICTION)
The Devil's Queen A Novel of Catherine de Medici- Jean..."

I would also vote for The Devil's Queen.....

List of nominations so far:

Historical Fiction
-The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland
-Fatal Majesty A Novel of Mary, Queen of Scots by Reay Tannahill
-Madonna of the Seven Hills by Jean Plaidy (Lucrezia Borgia)
-The Kingmaking by Helen Hollick (King Arthur)
-The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart (King Arthur)
-The Devil's Queen A Novel of Catherine de Medici by Jeanne Kalogridis

Non-Fiction
-Catherine de Medici Renaissance Queen of France by Leonie Freida
-Marie Antoinette The Journey by Antonia Fraser

Jennifer wrote: "List of nominations so far:

Historical Fiction
-The Many Lives & Secret Sorrows of Josephine B. by Sandra Gulland
-Fatal Majesty A Novel of Mary, Queen of Scots ..."



Oh those all look good. I even have some of them so will be all set. :D

I nominate the awesomeness that is Sharon Kay Penman's The Sunne in Splendour. I know its long...but its sooooooooo worth it!

Thanks Robin ;)

OOOO The Sunne in Splendour is on my to read very soon list. I cant wait for the final results ! More shopping YAY