What are you reading? April 2011

Telynor · Post by **Telynor** » Sat April 9th, 2011, 7:52 am

[quote=""cw gortner""]
In the meantime, I polished off James McGee's Ratcatcher, which was a lot of fun and offers a creepy look at the underground world of late 17th century England; as well as Philippa Gregory's The Queen's Fool, which I didn't expect to love nearly as much as I did. It's now my favorite of hers, followed by The Boleyn Inheritance.
[/quote]

Really? I loathed The Queen's Fool, as I found it rather insulting as a Jewish person and the mangling that Gregory put the Marrano experience through. What did you like about it?

Misfit · Post by **Misfit** » Sat April 9th, 2011, 4:51 pm

[quote=""Telynor""]Really? I loathed The Queen's Fool, as I found it rather insulting as a Jewish person and the mangling that Gregory put the Marrano experience through. What did you like about it?[/quote]

I did enjoy that at the time I read it, but it was very early into my HF reading days and pre- EC and Penman. I doubt I'll go back. I tried another by this author and didn't get very far.

I've started Beyond the Shining Mountains by Doris Shannon. 1812, and I believe the action will switch from England soon to western Canada and the fur trade. Really like the way she writes, there's a very nice understated sense of humor there.

princess garnet · Post by **princess garnet** » Sun April 10th, 2011, 1:03 am

Elizabeth & the Prince of Spain by Margaret Irwin (reissue)
It's my first time reading this. Unlike the 1st 2 novels in the trilogy, Elizabeth doesn't come on the scene right away. A few chapters in after Philip arrives in England, does their meeting (which was the ending of Elizabeth, Captive Princess) bring Elizabeth back on stage.

Susan · Post by **Susan** » Sun April 10th, 2011, 12:14 pm

Going to start the fifth book in the Outlander series today, The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon.

Sintra · Post by **Sintra** » Sun April 10th, 2011, 9:15 pm

I've read about a half of George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman. The hero is a total douche with no redeeming qualities whatsoever or complicated childhood to explain his attitude.
But it's so much fun to read and pretty accurate from what i've heard (i'm not really into Victorian era).

SonjaMarie · Post by **SonjaMarie** » Mon April 11th, 2011, 2:30 am

I've finished 2 books today:
"The Second Duchess" by Elizabeth Loupas (374pgs, 2011). Excellent historical fiction mystery, well written and engrossing. High recommended.

"Old London Bridge: The Story of the Longest Inhabited Bridge In Europe" by Patricia Pierce (322pgs, 2001)*. Also a very good book, interesting and enjoyable.

SM

Telynor · Post by **Telynor** » Mon April 11th, 2011, 3:12 am

[quote=""Sintra""]I've read about a half of George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman. The hero is a total douche with no redeeming qualities whatsoever or complicated childhood to explain his attitude.
But it's so much fun to read and pretty accurate from what i've heard (i'm not really into Victorian era).[/quote]

Yes, but Flashy is a complete ass, that's half of his charm.

Bouncing between Terry Pratchett's Making Money and Freda Lightfoot's The Hostage Queen.

And for those of you who are into great book deals and have a Nook, two Ciji Ware novels are available -- the brand new one, about San Francisco and the 1906 EQ, is just 4.99 and Cottage by the Sea is for FREE!

Vanessa · Post by **Vanessa** » Mon April 11th, 2011, 8:06 am

Yes, I've downloaded the free Ciji Ware book. It sounds quite intriguing.

Brenna · Post by **Brenna** » Mon April 11th, 2011, 5:56 pm

I am taking a small break from Georgette Heyer's The Conqueror to read Susan Fraser King's Queen Hereafter that I picked up from the library. I also got a copy of Joan Wolf's The Edge of Light. I have a lot of reading to do!

LoobyG · Post by **LoobyG** » Mon April 11th, 2011, 9:06 pm

Guilty Pleasures, book one in the Anita Blake vampire hunter novels by Laurell K Hamilton