Let’s ease back into blog posts with a Recent Reads post, shall we? As you know, I share my reads for the previous quarter, and I spent half of last quarter recovering from surgery. This means that I read a lot before surgery, then read almost nothing for a month or so, and then read a couple of Bridgerton books as I got back into reading. 

I also realized a few weeks ago that almost everything I’ve read this year so far has been set in a different time period. I phrase it this way because I’ve read a couple of non-fiction books about different time periods, as well as a book about Old Norse gods set in the Proto-Norse period. So I may or may not be trying to branch out in the second half of the year. (I’m also trying to not spend money, which means using the library and rereading books, so TBD.)

I’ve also gotten into StoryGraph this year, which is how I learned that I’ve read so much historical stuff. But I really enjoy the app, so follow me on StoryGraph. My rating system is: 5 stars for you’ll love it regardless of genre preferences, 4 stars for you’ll only love it if you like the genre, 3 stars for you’ll like it if you like the genre, 2 stars for you may or may not like it, and 1 star for “I can’t believe I didn’t DNF it” or “I DNFd it and hated it”.

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo 

“Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. But when she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? […] Summoned to Evelyn’s luxurious apartment, Monique listens in fascination as the actress tells her story. From making her way to Los Angeles in the 1950s to her decision to leave show business in the ‘80s, and, of course, the seven husbands along the way, Evelyn unspools a tale of ruthless ambition, unexpected friendship, and a great forbidden love. Monique begins to feel a very real connection to the legendary star, but as Evelyn’s story near[s] its conclusion, it becomes clear that her life intersects with Monique’s own in tragic and irreversible ways” (x).

This was the first of many rereads in Quarter 2! It was definitely as good as I remembered, and if you didn’t love other Taylor Jenkins Read books, I think you should give Seven Husbands a try. I listened to the audiobook, which was extra fun because there are different narrators for Monique, Evelyn, and newspaper articles. 

Check out my review from the first time I read this book here.

Content warnings: domestic abuse, sexual assault, period-typical homophobia, and racism. 

2023 Recent Reads: January-March 

The Dark Queens: The Bloody Rivalry That Forged the Medieval World 

“The remarkable, little-known story of two trailblazing women in the Early Middle Ages who wielded immense power, only to be vilified for daring to rule. Brunhild was a foreign princess, raised to be married off for the sake of alliance-building. Her sister-in-law Fredegund started out as a lowly palace slave. And yet – in sixth-century Merovingian France, where women were excluded from noble succession and royal politics was a blood sport – these two iron-willed strategists reigned over vast realms, changing the face of Europe. The two queens commanded armies and negotiated with kings and popes. They formed coalitions and broke them, mothered children and lost them. They fought a decades-long civil war – against each other. With ingenuity and skill, they battled to stay alive in the game of statecraft and in the process laid the foundations of what would one day be Charlemagne’s empire. Yet after the queens’ deaths – one gentle, the other horrific – their stories were rewritten, their names consigned to slander and legend” (x).

I can’t remember how I found this book – maybe it was suggested by Amazon as it was similar to other purchases? If that’s the case, it definitely worked, as I loved this book. Even though when I bought it I thought it was fiction and it wasn’t! 

I had never heard of either of these women, which isn’t too surprising as their time period was a few centuries before most of the royals I’m familiar with. But this was a super interesting read for a few reasons. One, undoubtedly one of the reasons I hadn’t heard a lot about them is the misogyny around female rulers, especially in the dark ages. Their contemporaries wanted to emphasize their failures and minimize their successes – a plan with which future historians were happy to continue. (I mean, if they were viewed positively, there was no reason for Henry I’s advisors to reject his daughter Matilda as queen of England, but I digress.) 

Another reason why it was super interesting is I like to read about complicated women. Most people are neither wholly good nor wholly bad, but the Madonna-and-whore complex is evidence that many men don’t view that as applicable when it comes to women. 

Anyway, if you’re a massive nerd like I am, I recommend this book. (And this biography of Cleopatra if you want to read more non-fiction about complicated women.)

Content warnings: normal historian stuff? Like, there’s no in-depth description of violence or sexual assault, but it’s definitely mentioned.

PS – Before anyone not-all-mens me, the reason I apply the Madonna-and-whore complex to men is that their writings are the primary historical texts we have about the European world, especially regarding royals. 

20+ of the Best History Novels

The Witch’s Heart 

“Angrboda’s story begins where most witches’ tales end: with a burning. A punishment from Odin for refusing to provide him with knowledge of the future, the fire leaves Angrboda injured and powerless, and she flees into the farthest reaches of a remote forest. There she is found by a man who reveals himself to be Loki, and her initial distrust of him transforms into a deep and abiding love. Their union produces three unusual children, each with a secret destiny, who Angrboda is keen to raise at the edge of the world, safely hidden from Odin’s all-seeing eye. But as Angrboda slowly recovers her prophetic powers, she learns that her blissful life—and possibly all of existence—is in danger. With help from the fierce huntress Skadi, with whom she shares a growing bond, Angrboda must choose whether she’ll accept the fate that she’s foreseen for her beloved family…or rise to remake their future. From the most ancient of tales this novel forges a story of love, loss, and hope for the modern age” (x). 

This book is good and interesting, but it’s definitely a slog in the first two-thirds. I don’t know a ton of Norse mythology, but I love mythology, so I kept going, and it was a lot faster in the last third. I liked it enough at the start that I didn’t DNF it, and my overall review was improved because of the last part.  

Content warnings: graphic depictions of violence and child abandonment (unintentional and intentional).

2022 Recent Reads: October-December

It’s in His Kiss 

“All the ton agree: there is no one quite like Hyacinth Bridgerton. Fiendishly smart, devilishly outspoken and – according to some, particularly Gareth St. Clair – probably best in small doses. But there’s something about her – something charming and vexing – that grabs one and won’t quite let go. Gareth and Hyacinth cross paths at the annual – and annually discordant – Smythe-Smith musicale. To Hyacinth, Gareth’s every word seems a dare, and she offers to help him out with a knotty inheritance problem he’s facing. However, as they delve into the mysterious St Clair history, they discover that the answers they seek lie not in the past – but in each other; and that there is nothing as simple – or as complicated – as a single, perfect kiss” (x). 

I found the Bridgerton books in early 2020 – I can’t remember how – and sped through the first five. I later read Francesca’s and then tried to get into this book, but I think I was all Bridgerton-ed out. I was convinced that I hadn’t liked this book the first time I tried it, but when I went back to it this year, I loved it. 

I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect from Gareth, as Hyacinth has been depicted as many the fastest wit in the Bridgerton clan, and how do you create a character who lives up to the buildup of 6 books? He isn’t anywhere near my favorite of the Bridgerton love interests – both because there are others I like better and because he does some questionable things – but I do think his and Hyacinth’s relationship lives up to the hype.

This book also includes a lot of Lady Danbury as Hyacinth reads to her and Gareth is her grandson! If you’re a Lady Danbury fan, you’ll REALLY like this one.

Content warnings: dubious consent and an abusive parent-child relationship.

17 Classic Novels Worth Reading

A Place Beyond Courage 

“It is a time for ambitious men to prosper, and royal servant John Fitz Gilbert Marshal is one of them. Raised high, as the kin of the deceased King Henry battle each other for England’s throne, John reaps rich rewards but pays a terrible price for the choices he makes – as does his family. His wife, fragile, naïve Aline is hopelessly unequipped to cope with the demands of a life lived on the edge and, when John is seriously injured in battle, her worst nightmare is realised” (x). 

I first read this book in 2016, and I had forgotten how much I liked it! While I know a fair amount about this time period, I hadn’t heard a lot about John Marshal other than the famous story of what happened to his face/eye (that’s the body horror listed in the content warnings). To be fair, there isn’t a ton known about him, but Elizabeth Chadwick is SO talented at realistically extrapolating what happened in a little-known figure’s life. 

When I originally read the Marshal series, I read The Greatest Knight first and later went back to read this one, but when I did my reread of the series I decided to go chronologically. I’m really glad I did, if only because you get the bigger picture when you see how these historical events played out chronologically. 

Check out my review from the first time I read this book here.

Content warnings: graphic descriptions of violence and a small amount of body horror.

2022 Recent Reads: July-September 

The Greatest Knight 

“From humble beginnings and a narrow escape from death in childhood, William Marshall steadily rises through the ranks to become tutor in arms to the son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine. Based on fact, this is the story of William Marshal, the greatest knight of the Middle Ages, unsurpassed in the tourneys, adeptly manoeuvring through the colourful, dangerous world of power and politics to become one of the most powerful magnates of the realm and eventually Regent of England” (x). 

I honestly think William Marshal’s life is the inspiration for a lot of ballads and storytelling in his contemporary time period because his life is truly like a ballad coming to life. He came MINUTES away from death at the age of 5 or so when he was given up as a hostage and his father (John Marsal) reneged on the conditions; he only escaped because King Stephen was famously tender-hearted and his father relied on that. He went on to be a tourney hero. He sacrificed himself as a hostage for Eleanor of Aquitaine. He went on to be the knightly tutor for some of her sons and then led the household for her eldest surviving son. He went on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem (the book about that experience is the only one of the Marshal series that I haven’t read). He married a wealthy and beautiful heiress – as a reward for his service to the crown. And those are just things featured in this book! 

If you couldn’t tell, I love this series, and I’m kind of annoyed that I hadn’t reread it before. Elizabeth Chadwick didn’t have to do too much extrapolating for William Marshal as she did for others! Also, if you’re interested in him but not his father, you should know that you don’t have to read A Place Beyond Courage to understand or get this book.

Check out my review from the first time I read this book here.

Content warnings: graphic descriptions of violence.

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The Scarlet Lion 

“The prowess and loyalty of the great knight William Marshal have been rewarded with the hand in marriage of Isabelle de Clare. William has weathered the difficult years of King Richard’s absence on crusade and is currently serving him on campaign in Normandy. But the stability William and Isabelle have enjoyed comes crashing down as Richard dies and his brother John becomes king. Rebellion stirs throughout the Angevin domains, and William and Isabelle distance themselves in Ireland. As the situation escalates, William steers an increasingly precarious path that will lead him, eventually, to the rule of a country in desperate straits, with Isabelle walking with him every step of the way” (x). 

This is the third book in the Marshal series, and it’s the sequel to The Greatest Knight. While technically you would be okay to read this one without reading the other, I don’t recommend it. 

This book does have as many incredible real-life moments as The Greatest Knight, but this one is definitely more politics-based. King John (aka Prince John from the Robin Hood stories) was such a controlling king that the Magna Carte was written, and he did a lot of objectively bad things. I mention that because he is king for most of this book, and his actions cause a lot of the problems that William Marshal faces. But this is also the part of Marshal’s life that he undoubtedly had the most power, especially after John dies when Marshal was regent for the young King Henry III. 

Check out my review from the first time I read this book here.

Content warnings: graphic descriptions of violence.

2022 Recent Reads: April-June

The Time of Singing 

“When Roger Bigod, heir to the powerful earldom of Norfolk, arrives at court in 1177 to settle a bitter inheritance dispute with his half-brothers, he encounters Ida de Tosney, young mistress to King Henry II. A victim of Henry’s seduction and the mother of his son, Ida is attracted to Roger and sees in him a chance of lasting security; but in deciding to marry Roger, she is forced to make a choice. As Roger’s importance as a mainstay of the Angevin government grows, it puts an increasing strain on his marriage. Against a volatile political background the gulf between them threatens to widen beyond crossing, especially when so many bridges have already been burned” (x).  

This book is an interesting one in that it is both the fourth book in the Marshal series and the first book in the Bigod series. William Marshal is a supporting character here! The other Bigod book is also the fifth book in the Marshal series, and it’s about William Marshal’s daughter and Ida and Roger’s son, who were married. 

While you’ll certainly enjoy this book more if you read any of the others in the Marsal series, you don’t have to at all. This is really a separate book and story that happens to feature cameos from other books.

In general, very little is known about Ida de Tosney, and only slightly more is known about Roger Bigod. But her story is absolutely one that applies to not just her but also to many royal mistresses. I feel so much for her, both because of her circumstances but also because of Elizabeth Chadwick’s depictions of her. 

Check out my review from the first time I read this book here.

Content warnings: graphic descriptions of violence and depictions of what was absolutely a coercive/rapey relationship; Ida does not want to be Henry II’s mistress at any point. While we have no way to know if that was true, it is absolutely the story of many royal mistresses across time and country.

19 Retellings of Classic Fiction You Need To Read

Romancing Mister Bridgerton 

“Penelope Featherington has secretly adored her best friend’s brother for . . . well, it feels like forever. After half a lifetime of watching Colin Bridgerton from afar, she thinks she knows everything about him, until she stumbles across his deepest secret . . . and fears she doesn’t know him at all. Colin Bridgerton is tired of being thought of as nothing but an empty-headed charmer, tired of the notorious gossip columnist Lady Whistledown, who can’t seem to publish an edition without mentioning him. But when Colin returns to London from a trip abroad, he discovers nothing in his life is quite the same—especially Penelope Featherington! The girl who was always simply there is suddenly the girl haunting his dreams. When he discovers that Penelope has secrets of her own, this elusive bachelor must decide . . . is she his biggest threat— or his promise of a happy ending?” (x) 

After I read In His Kiss, I figured a good step back into reading books would be another Bridgerton book. It had been a while since I first read this book, and the next season of Bridgerton is Colin and Penelope’s book, so I figured this book would be a good next step. 

It’s so cute! 

You might remember at the end of season 2 of the show that Penelope hears Colin say something like “I would never marry Penelope Featherington,” which happens at the start of this book. I remembered that, but I couldn’t remember how realistic it was that the two of them come back from that moment to being married and in love. It was much more realistic than I remembered! 

Check out my review from the first time I read this book here.

2022 Recent Reads: January-March

To Sir Philip, With Love 

“Sir Phillip knew that Eloise Bridgerton was a spinster, and so he’d proposed, figuring that she’d be homely and unassuming, and more than a little desperate for an offer of marriage. Except . . . she wasn’t. The beautiful woman on his doorstep was anything but quiet, and when she stopped talking long enough to close her mouth, all he wanted to do was kiss her . . . and more. Did he think she was mad? Eloise Bridgerton couldn’t marry a man she had never met! But then she started thinking . . . and wondering . . . and before she knew it, she was in a hired carriage in the middle of the night, on her way to meet the man she hoped might be her perfect match. Except . . . he wasn’t. Her perfect husband wouldn’t be so moody and ill-mannered, and while Phillip was certainly handsome, he was a large brute of a man, rough and rugged, and totally unlike the London gentlemen vying for her hand. But when he smiled . . . and when he kissed her . . . the rest of the world simply fell away, and she couldn’t help but wonder . . . could this imperfect man be perfect for her?” (x) 

This is another one where I originally read the book before the series came out, and now my image of Eloise is the version in the show, and I wasn’t sure how the book would seem now that she is my idea of the character. In this case, though, I now think they’ll have to do something different in the show compared to the book because the characters (at this point) are too different.

That being said, this book shows a great build-up and relationship between the book series version of Eloise and Sir Philip. The best way I can explain it is that I can see that TV Show Eloise might be a lesbian or not interested in relationships or love, while Book Eloise mostly just doesn’t want to do anything with London and the Ton. 

Check out my review from the first time I read this book here.

2021 Recent Reads: October-December

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