What Are You Reading? March 2011

SCW · Post by **SCW** » Mon March 28th, 2011, 6:54 am

The Lucretia Borgia series were among my favourite Jean Plaidy novels. I've just started The Borgia Bride and I've got Here Be Dragons by Sharon Penman in case I don't like the first book

SonjaMarie · Post by **SonjaMarie** » Mon March 28th, 2011, 7:33 pm

[quote=""MLE""]Second the rec. Very well researched, and readable besides.[/quote]

Wasn't it though? It was certainly a lot easier read then "The Scourging Angel: The Black Death In The British Isles" by Benedict Gummer. I only wish it had images!

SM

LoobyG · Post by **LoobyG** » Mon March 28th, 2011, 9:07 pm

Finished 'The Turquoise' by Anya Seton this morning and loved it, another gem from Seton! Highly recommended

Just started 'Requiem for a Wren' by Nevil Shute.

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Tue March 29th, 2011, 5:54 pm

I shall be starting Queen of Silks (aka Figures in Silk) by Vanora Bennett soon. Why did they change the title???

annis · Post by **annis** » Tue March 29th, 2011, 5:58 pm

I'd say to cater to the American obsession with royalty. Anything with "Queen" or "Princess" in title is much more likely to attract the buyer's attention.

Ariadne · Post by **Ariadne** » Tue March 29th, 2011, 6:04 pm

[quote=""annis""]I'd say to cater to the American obsession with royalty. Anything with "Queen" or "Princess" in title is much more likely to attract the buyer's attention.[/quote]

Actually Queen of Silks was never used for US publication - they kept the original title. Rather, it was the UK title for the paperback

annis · Post by **annis** » Tue March 29th, 2011, 6:37 pm

Posted by Ariadne

Actually Queen of Silks was never used for US publication - they kept the original title. Rather, it was the UK title for the paperback

Can't blame the American market for that, then

What a confusing thing to do! It can really be a trap for readers and lead to unfortunate duplication. I recently grabbed a copy of San Barone's Quest for Honour from the library thinking it was a new title, only to discover it was a reprint in small p/b format of Conflict of Empires. Luckily I hadn't bought it!

Ariadne · Post by **Ariadne** » Tue March 29th, 2011, 7:05 pm

I hate when that happens too. I'm almost used to titles changing between the US and UK by now, but now we have variations between the hb and pb like the Barone. For which he's had to post an explanation/apology on his website! These things are never the author's fault but I'm sure they get unfairly blamed...

My latest read is Suzannah Dunn's The Confession of Katherine Howard. Which looks to be narrated by a friend of hers, so maybe not really a confession... but I've just read the first few pages so far. I love the UK pb, in which Katherine has an almost elfin look to her on the cover. The US one is drab in comparison.

cw gortner · Post by **cw gortner** » Wed March 30th, 2011, 4:20 am

[quote=""Misfit""]A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin[/quote]

Oh, you've taken the plunge. Let us know what you think. I love this series, despite his maddening delays in getting subsequent books out.

annis · Post by **annis** » Wed March 30th, 2011, 6:16 am

Martin keeps pleading writer's block, though I notice that he manages to fit other work in during the gaps between the "Ice and Fire" books

Currently reading Death and the Devil by Frank Schätzing (author of The Swarm). It's a historical mystery set in 13th century Cologne, and is pretty good so far - just the sort of twisty, textured story I enjoy.