I’ve written a list of the books I am hoping to read and review during 2011. I unashamedly spend a lot of time stalking other blogs for reading suggestions as well as using my Amazon recommendations and looking at the reviews.
Embrassing as it may be, mainly I will just judge a book by its cover, which can be quite fickle, but I will often get many surprises this way by discovering new authors and styles of writing that I wouldn’t have throught were ‘me’.
Take a look at the list – which isn’t exhaustive my any means! I own a lot of books!
Firstly, I will have to start with a disclaimer that the ‘white library’ isn’t mine. It comes courtesy of a Martha Stewart Living feature, but oh how I wish it was mine!
Each image or text link will open the relevant page on Amazon so you can add the book to your own wish list or look further at reviews from other readers.
What I am currently reading.
Wideacre by Philippa Gregory
The Reading List
The White Queen by Philippa Gregory
I am a huge fan of Philippa Gregory, particularly the series set during the reign of Henry VIII. I pre-ordered this book back when it was first released but am ashamed that it has sat on the shelf gathering dust bunnies since. The White Queen is set in an earlier period to what I have read of Gregory’s books so far. I’m looking forward to her evocation of another period and style.
The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir
I suppose you realise by now that I am a bit of a history-fiction buff. I love to read fiction based on real-life historical characters, especially those during the Tudor times. For me, as much as this may have been a time of courtiers, pretty dresses and politeness, it was actually a dangerous time for women, particularly those of the court and of social standing. people were out to chop each others heads off it seems! The story of Anne Boleyn intrigues me, I wonder if she really was as determined and malicious as they make her out to be. I am excited to read about her through the eyes of an author other than my beloved P.Greg.
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Put simply. I’ve heard great, great things about this book and the author. The story is inspired by the book of Hosea from the Bible. Its central theme is to portray the redeeming love of God towards sinners. An historical love story with a central theme of spirituality, forgiveness and God gets my vote. I am very excited about this one.
A Winter’s Tale by Trisha Ashley
This one was picked up at Christmas purely on the cover art, but it was such a busy Christmas, I never got round to reading it! I think I’ll save it for next Winter. I’ve not read a Trisha Ashley novel before, but she has been likened to Katie Fforde – if you are a fan of hers?
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
This one was recommended to me by my Mother who likes to read a lot of novels with common threads of how women relate to one another. The synopsis was enough to grab me, as well as the 449 reviews and 5* ratings on Amazon. This may well be the next one to devour after I finish Wideacre.
What a bookworm!
I have never practically set out to challenge myself to read a set number of books before, but I thought I’d give it a go to spare my poor family from tripping over all the spare unread books in the house as once I read them, I like to pay it forward and pass on much-loved novels to friends and family. Great reads should be shared.
I do have another list, which is more fact-based, as I love those types of books too. Perhaps I’ll put that up if anyone is interested… but expect a lot of how-to and spiritual enlightenment books.
Do you have any suggestions for me to add to the list? Have you read these books, or other titles by the Authors?
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I have read “The Help” and absolutely loved it! Could not put it down till I finished it
Thank you for linking this up to my booky post! I’ve read a couple of Philippa Gregory books before but not heard of any of the others…..looks like a great list to work through!
You must must MUST read Wideacre – I found out today that it is actually a trilogy and cannot wait to head over to Amazon for the others. I have about 2 chapters left of Wideacre and can honestly say that a book has never gripped me as much as this one. It certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted though!
We seem to have some similar book “likes.” I am a freak for all things Tudor. I need to get that Alison Weir book though – haven’t read that one. I liked her book about Jane Grey (Innocent Traitor).
I finished Wideacre eventually, not exactly Tudor, but still historical – it took me so long to get through, mainly because I had to take a break from it from time to time because it was so SHOCKING! I must do a review on it.
Finished ‘The Help’ too, which I loved, but won’t review that one as I think everyone has read it by now. Really looking forward to seeing the movie!
I love Jane Grey, my favorite picture in London’s National Portrait Gallery is of her (The execution of Lady Jane Grey by Paul Delaroche) so you have just done my credit card some damage! ;o) Will buy Innocent Traitor on my next jaunt over to Amazon.
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