The White Queen By Philippa Gregory
Genre: Historical Fiction
Have you heard of the book The Other Boleyn Girl? This book, by the same author, is yet another intriguing look into the world of British monarchs and their tenuous hold onto the Crown.
In the time of the War of the Roses, we are swept away by the granddaughter of the water goddess Melusina, Elizabeth Woodville. As the most beautiful lady of the realm, she mesmerizes the newest challenger to the throne, Edward, who is from the dreaded House of York (white rose). Even though she is from the Lancaster line (red rose), she aspires to capture his heart and form a dynasty together.
At times it’s a bit difficult to keep track of all of the different Edwards, Elizabeths, Margarets and Richards, since they tended to name their children the same names over and over again, but Gregory weaves the mystical witchcraft skills that Elizabeth and her mother Jacquetta possess into the action, keeping the reader wondering how the spells and curses will change the course of action.
Have you heard of the book The Other Boleyn Girl? This book, by the same author, is yet another intriguing look into the world of British monarchs and their tenuous hold onto the Crown.
In the time of the War of the Roses, we are swept away by the granddaughter of the water goddess Melusina, Elizabeth Woodville. As the most beautiful lady of the realm, she mesmerizes the newest challenger to the throne, Edward, who is from the dreaded House of York (white rose). Even though she is from the Lancaster line (red rose), she aspires to capture his heart and form a dynasty together.
At times it’s a bit difficult to keep track of all of the different Edwards, Elizabeths, Margarets and Richards, since they tended to name their children the same names over and over again, but Gregory weaves the mystical witchcraft skills that Elizabeth and her mother Jacquetta possess into the action, keeping the reader wondering how the spells and curses will change the course of action.
The Grimm Legacy By Polly Shulman
Genre: Young Adult Fantasy
Strolling along with Elizabeth, readers sense a strong kinship when she deals with the tangled culture of every day high school. At first, even the part time job she lands seems somewhat benign and normal. However, her job at an unusual lending library whirls her into a world of secrecy and enchantment.
This book is not just an easy-read. Author Polly Shulman crafts her characters to exude honest, believable personalities, ones that anyone can identify with. The aspect I find most refreshing is that her characters are forth-coming with their thoughts. She doesn’t hold her readers hostage by making her characters withhold what they really think for the sake of “suspense”. Even so, there is plenty of intrigue and fast-pace action as co-workers Elizabeth, Marc, Anjali and Aaron try to unravel the dangerous mysteries cropping up every time they shelf an item. They want to trust each other, but too many furtive actions threaten to pit friend against friend as enemies plot to expand their evil obsessions.
Strolling along with Elizabeth, readers sense a strong kinship when she deals with the tangled culture of every day high school. At first, even the part time job she lands seems somewhat benign and normal. However, her job at an unusual lending library whirls her into a world of secrecy and enchantment.
This book is not just an easy-read. Author Polly Shulman crafts her characters to exude honest, believable personalities, ones that anyone can identify with. The aspect I find most refreshing is that her characters are forth-coming with their thoughts. She doesn’t hold her readers hostage by making her characters withhold what they really think for the sake of “suspense”. Even so, there is plenty of intrigue and fast-pace action as co-workers Elizabeth, Marc, Anjali and Aaron try to unravel the dangerous mysteries cropping up every time they shelf an item. They want to trust each other, but too many furtive actions threaten to pit friend against friend as enemies plot to expand their evil obsessions.
The Bone Garden by Tess Gerritsen
Genre-Historical Fiction/Time Travel
Since I have been interested in TV shows like CSI and Bones, the title drew me in. This is a story of a divorcee` who buys a house badly in need of TLC, and actually flip-flops between modern day and the early 1800s after some human bones were found in the backyard. She bought the house so that she could immerse herself in the project and try to forget the hurt inflicted upon her by her former husband. One of the descendants of the previous owner contacts her and asks for some help going through some old letters, which might be helpful in trying to discover the owner of the bones in the backyard. While reading the letters, the lives and shenanigans are revealed from previous generations. A fun twist at the end.
Since I have been interested in TV shows like CSI and Bones, the title drew me in. This is a story of a divorcee` who buys a house badly in need of TLC, and actually flip-flops between modern day and the early 1800s after some human bones were found in the backyard. She bought the house so that she could immerse herself in the project and try to forget the hurt inflicted upon her by her former husband. One of the descendants of the previous owner contacts her and asks for some help going through some old letters, which might be helpful in trying to discover the owner of the bones in the backyard. While reading the letters, the lives and shenanigans are revealed from previous generations. A fun twist at the end.
Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
Genre: Historical Fiction
Stories set in Europe in the Dark Ages or in this case the Renaissance often swirl with shadowy mystery. We Americans can never feel the same mystique since we live in a relatively new country. We don’t have all of the gothic history that comes with the exquisite architecture and powerful ruling classes. Most of the time we are thankful that we escaped the oppression, and have the choice to pursue our chosen happiness whatever our station. But sometimes, we peek into the past and wander through a warren of scuffed cobblestoned passageways. Twisting and turning
Stories like this one beckon with rich imagery, inviting us to discover what is waiting just around the corner.
A tale of Renaissance Florence just as the Black Plague hits. Alessandra, a self-assured, educated young woman winds her way through trials of a wealthy, yet cloistered privileged existence. At sixteen she is married to a much older bachelor in order to escape being sent to convent for safety. He is tolerant and actually encourages her to paint, giving her access to his personal library and artists materials. However, there is a horrifying secret behind his benevolent smile. One that threatens to tear her family apart.
Characters:
Alessandra-daughter of a wealthy textile merchant
Plautilla-Alessandra’s older beautiful, yet dim sister
Tomaso-Alessandra’s handsome brother
Luca-Alessanda’s oafish brother
Painter-Alessandra’s true love
Savronella-zealous priest
Erila-Alessandra’s personal black slave
Stories set in Europe in the Dark Ages or in this case the Renaissance often swirl with shadowy mystery. We Americans can never feel the same mystique since we live in a relatively new country. We don’t have all of the gothic history that comes with the exquisite architecture and powerful ruling classes. Most of the time we are thankful that we escaped the oppression, and have the choice to pursue our chosen happiness whatever our station. But sometimes, we peek into the past and wander through a warren of scuffed cobblestoned passageways. Twisting and turning
Stories like this one beckon with rich imagery, inviting us to discover what is waiting just around the corner.
A tale of Renaissance Florence just as the Black Plague hits. Alessandra, a self-assured, educated young woman winds her way through trials of a wealthy, yet cloistered privileged existence. At sixteen she is married to a much older bachelor in order to escape being sent to convent for safety. He is tolerant and actually encourages her to paint, giving her access to his personal library and artists materials. However, there is a horrifying secret behind his benevolent smile. One that threatens to tear her family apart.
Characters:
Alessandra-daughter of a wealthy textile merchant
Plautilla-Alessandra’s older beautiful, yet dim sister
Tomaso-Alessandra’s handsome brother
Luca-Alessanda’s oafish brother
Painter-Alessandra’s true love
Savronella-zealous priest
Erila-Alessandra’s personal black slave
Jester by James Patterson and Andrew Gross
Genre: Historical Fiction
James Patterson is known for his murder mysteries, so when I saw this title, I was immediately intrigued. Knowing that jesters were present at court a thousand years ago, I wondered whether this book would propel me into a Dark Ages fairy tale. I was not disappointed.
Set in France in the late 1000s and early 1100s, the serfs are weary of the constraints of feudal life and long to be free. Many join Peter the Hermit to fight in the Crusades for the glory of God. But things are not what they expect. One man, who has grown up a jongleur and performer discovers horrors on the battlefield and returns home early to discover even greater horrors. His wife has been abducted and wildly sets off to rescue her. Eventually he takes on a jester persona to gain information as to her whereabouts. In the meantime he makes several friends in high and low places. This man holds a treasure more valuable than anything, and he doesn’t even know it. In the end, using the treasure, he will fight for everything true and just in the world.
If you like thrilling action and quick wit, you’ll eat this book up. Every once in a while it’s beneficial to read about ancient lifestyles and the lack of conveniences and technology that we take for granted. After reading this book I thanked my servants. Their names? Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher, Car, Computer, Phone, TV, Faucet, Plumbing, Electricity...
Hugh du Lac-peasant who fights in the Crusades and later becomes the jester
Sophie-Hugh’s wife and true love
Baldwin-unjust lord of Treille and Hugh’s village
Norcross-ruthless knight of Baldwin’s
Emilie-a noblewoman who sees a leader in Hugh
Lady Anne-Lady of Boree
Stephen-ruthless Lord of Boree
Norbert-jester at Treille-teaches Hugh his tricks
Morgaine-Black Cross knight, responsible for unspeakable cruelty
James Patterson is known for his murder mysteries, so when I saw this title, I was immediately intrigued. Knowing that jesters were present at court a thousand years ago, I wondered whether this book would propel me into a Dark Ages fairy tale. I was not disappointed.
Set in France in the late 1000s and early 1100s, the serfs are weary of the constraints of feudal life and long to be free. Many join Peter the Hermit to fight in the Crusades for the glory of God. But things are not what they expect. One man, who has grown up a jongleur and performer discovers horrors on the battlefield and returns home early to discover even greater horrors. His wife has been abducted and wildly sets off to rescue her. Eventually he takes on a jester persona to gain information as to her whereabouts. In the meantime he makes several friends in high and low places. This man holds a treasure more valuable than anything, and he doesn’t even know it. In the end, using the treasure, he will fight for everything true and just in the world.
If you like thrilling action and quick wit, you’ll eat this book up. Every once in a while it’s beneficial to read about ancient lifestyles and the lack of conveniences and technology that we take for granted. After reading this book I thanked my servants. Their names? Washer, Dryer, Dishwasher, Car, Computer, Phone, TV, Faucet, Plumbing, Electricity...
Hugh du Lac-peasant who fights in the Crusades and later becomes the jester
Sophie-Hugh’s wife and true love
Baldwin-unjust lord of Treille and Hugh’s village
Norcross-ruthless knight of Baldwin’s
Emilie-a noblewoman who sees a leader in Hugh
Lady Anne-Lady of Boree
Stephen-ruthless Lord of Boree
Norbert-jester at Treille-teaches Hugh his tricks
Morgaine-Black Cross knight, responsible for unspeakable cruelty
Driftless by David Rhodes
Genre: Realistic Fiction
At first I didn’t want to read this book. Driftless seemed to be lumbering and cumbersome, lurching through rural Wisconsin. But, since my best friend from childhood gave it to me, I decided to give it another go.
I must admit; it unnerved me. I had to set it down and leave it alone intermittently, anticipating some of the foreshadowing and subsequent occurrences and religious rhetoric.
Some of it was all too familiar. This book is astonishingly accurate when it comes to fundamental Christian beliefs, actions and reactions. Even though I’m not familiar with Wisconsin, I can see similarities that I saw in my grandparents’ lifestyle in Michigan: milking (Jerseys and Holsteins), haymows, peach pies, barnyard smells and pickup trucks. In this book I see parallels with my dad’s struggle to rise from a quicksand of poverty. It sucked him down with every newborn child, harsh Michigan winter of no work, and his profession that left him bone tired and broken.
Capturing the nuances of his characters’ lives this author weaves a masterful tale that intrigues, yet dismays his readers. They hope for the best, all the while realizing that there are no fairy tales.
I always knew farming was dangerous.
At first I didn’t want to read this book. Driftless seemed to be lumbering and cumbersome, lurching through rural Wisconsin. But, since my best friend from childhood gave it to me, I decided to give it another go.
I must admit; it unnerved me. I had to set it down and leave it alone intermittently, anticipating some of the foreshadowing and subsequent occurrences and religious rhetoric.
Some of it was all too familiar. This book is astonishingly accurate when it comes to fundamental Christian beliefs, actions and reactions. Even though I’m not familiar with Wisconsin, I can see similarities that I saw in my grandparents’ lifestyle in Michigan: milking (Jerseys and Holsteins), haymows, peach pies, barnyard smells and pickup trucks. In this book I see parallels with my dad’s struggle to rise from a quicksand of poverty. It sucked him down with every newborn child, harsh Michigan winter of no work, and his profession that left him bone tired and broken.
Capturing the nuances of his characters’ lives this author weaves a masterful tale that intrigues, yet dismays his readers. They hope for the best, all the while realizing that there are no fairy tales.
I always knew farming was dangerous.
The Ruby Notebook by Laura Resau
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
They say that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but while perusing a local library, this book was on top of one of the shelves. “Ruby” justcalled to me. The fact that ruby is my birthstone, is a gorgeous color, and with that fancy font, this book beckoned and willed me to pick it up. Looking closer at the cover made me wonder where the girl was heading and into which “old town”. When I turned the book over and saw that the setting was in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, I knew I was hooked.
Ever since elementary school, where we learned conversational French for 20 minutes every day, everything French has intrigued me. This feeling has intensified after my sweet husband and I visited France a few years ago, experiencing THE BEST FOOD WE HAVE EVER TASTED in every café, patisserie and restaurant we visited! We delighted in exploring the vieux villes and marveled at the architecture and the markets that have continued for hundreds of years. So, for me, if I can learn more about France, Aix (pronounced “X”) really does mark the spot.
And indeed, the main character, Zeeta, is awed by Aix’s “hyper cool” architecture and its many fountains. She and her mom, whom she calls by her first name Layla, are travelers, never staying in one place very long. While she is receiving a wide and varied education, she is often the responsible party of the two. Zeeta understands that she needs to contribute to the family’s income and does so by tutoring French students in English. This does not curb her social life, however. She stumbles on several mysteries while tutoring, involving the love of her life and after discovering random objects in her bag with cryptic messages attached to them. She records all of her musings in her ruby notebook, while trying to get to the bottom of the mysteries.
Rich and varied this book hooks its readers and bathes them in the rejuvenating waters of Aix-en-Provence. The Ruby Notebook is an easy and charming way to wind your way along the ancient paths in Aix. Your mouth will water just thinking about all those delectable croissants you’re missing.
They say that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but while perusing a local library, this book was on top of one of the shelves. “Ruby” justcalled to me. The fact that ruby is my birthstone, is a gorgeous color, and with that fancy font, this book beckoned and willed me to pick it up. Looking closer at the cover made me wonder where the girl was heading and into which “old town”. When I turned the book over and saw that the setting was in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France, I knew I was hooked.
Ever since elementary school, where we learned conversational French for 20 minutes every day, everything French has intrigued me. This feeling has intensified after my sweet husband and I visited France a few years ago, experiencing THE BEST FOOD WE HAVE EVER TASTED in every café, patisserie and restaurant we visited! We delighted in exploring the vieux villes and marveled at the architecture and the markets that have continued for hundreds of years. So, for me, if I can learn more about France, Aix (pronounced “X”) really does mark the spot.
And indeed, the main character, Zeeta, is awed by Aix’s “hyper cool” architecture and its many fountains. She and her mom, whom she calls by her first name Layla, are travelers, never staying in one place very long. While she is receiving a wide and varied education, she is often the responsible party of the two. Zeeta understands that she needs to contribute to the family’s income and does so by tutoring French students in English. This does not curb her social life, however. She stumbles on several mysteries while tutoring, involving the love of her life and after discovering random objects in her bag with cryptic messages attached to them. She records all of her musings in her ruby notebook, while trying to get to the bottom of the mysteries.
Rich and varied this book hooks its readers and bathes them in the rejuvenating waters of Aix-en-Provence. The Ruby Notebook is an easy and charming way to wind your way along the ancient paths in Aix. Your mouth will water just thinking about all those delectable croissants you’re missing.
Sandstorm by James Rollins
Genre: Action and Adventure
Delving below the surface we uncover treasures in this book that amaze and intrigue us. Seemingly impossible, Rollins suggests scenarios that could be summarily dismissed as a brilliant fictitious storyline, and yet, we wonder, could this actually happen? Always at breakneck speed, the action careens through the exotic environs, this time in Britain and the Arabian Peninsula, leaving the reader breathless. Mystery swirls around Painter Crowe and his elite Sigma Force crew as they are called in to investigate an other-worldly explosion at the Egyptian collection at the British Museum. The accomplished and gorgeous curator, Safia al-Maaz and her best friend and millionaire patron of the collection, Lady Kara Kensington, seem to be at the heart of the trouble, but they don’t know why. A small kernel of doubt begins to grow about a major event in Lady Kensington’s past and she insists on joining the investigative team.
But this is just the beginning of a quest for answers that leads them to the Arabian Desert and valuable secrets that have been protected for millennia. Evil forces threaten to uncover the secrets and exploit them for their own agendas. Swept along with the sandstorm of riddles and captivating action the colorful characters keep us guessing: Who’s the good guy?
As usual Rollins crafts his stories with a futuristic element that seems farfetched. However, even though we know this is a work of fiction, we always file it in the back of our psyches, thinking, “maybe, someday…”
Delving below the surface we uncover treasures in this book that amaze and intrigue us. Seemingly impossible, Rollins suggests scenarios that could be summarily dismissed as a brilliant fictitious storyline, and yet, we wonder, could this actually happen? Always at breakneck speed, the action careens through the exotic environs, this time in Britain and the Arabian Peninsula, leaving the reader breathless. Mystery swirls around Painter Crowe and his elite Sigma Force crew as they are called in to investigate an other-worldly explosion at the Egyptian collection at the British Museum. The accomplished and gorgeous curator, Safia al-Maaz and her best friend and millionaire patron of the collection, Lady Kara Kensington, seem to be at the heart of the trouble, but they don’t know why. A small kernel of doubt begins to grow about a major event in Lady Kensington’s past and she insists on joining the investigative team.
But this is just the beginning of a quest for answers that leads them to the Arabian Desert and valuable secrets that have been protected for millennia. Evil forces threaten to uncover the secrets and exploit them for their own agendas. Swept along with the sandstorm of riddles and captivating action the colorful characters keep us guessing: Who’s the good guy?
As usual Rollins crafts his stories with a futuristic element that seems farfetched. However, even though we know this is a work of fiction, we always file it in the back of our psyches, thinking, “maybe, someday…”
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Genre: Action and Adventure, Historical Fiction
When September floats into our senses, it’s time once again to curl up with a delicious book. One of my favorite series is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.
I’ve always been intrigued by the notion of time travel. Even cooler is the mystery surrounding “standing stones” in Scotland and their supposed power. Gabaldon ventures into a fairy land of possibilities suggesting that “travelers” (unexplained phenomena) have moved between eras in order to accomplish what others cannot. Taking place between different centuries in Scotland and then later America and the Caribbean, Gabaldon at once shows us how fortunate we are to have all the modern conveniences, and also how we could actually survive on a lot less. However, she is not preachy.
I was delighted to discover that both of the main characters, Claire and Jamie, (present in the whole series), have a fire burning in them, fueling the reader’s appetite. Strong, yet likable. Their souls are forever connected.
It is clear that Gabaldon researched extensively. Where boring High School History classes fails, novels like these show a whole new way to learn about how our ancestors interacted. Her dialog is snappy; her descriptions send the reader into the bog/mountain/hold of a ship/ and we feel every ache, revel in every spectacular sunset. The reader gallops along chuckling at the sharp, witty ancedotes. Too soon, even after such a thick book, the adventure is suspended, at least until Claire and Jamie meet again.
Here are the titles in this series:
Outlander
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
An Echo in the Bone
When September floats into our senses, it’s time once again to curl up with a delicious book. One of my favorite series is the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.
I’ve always been intrigued by the notion of time travel. Even cooler is the mystery surrounding “standing stones” in Scotland and their supposed power. Gabaldon ventures into a fairy land of possibilities suggesting that “travelers” (unexplained phenomena) have moved between eras in order to accomplish what others cannot. Taking place between different centuries in Scotland and then later America and the Caribbean, Gabaldon at once shows us how fortunate we are to have all the modern conveniences, and also how we could actually survive on a lot less. However, she is not preachy.
I was delighted to discover that both of the main characters, Claire and Jamie, (present in the whole series), have a fire burning in them, fueling the reader’s appetite. Strong, yet likable. Their souls are forever connected.
It is clear that Gabaldon researched extensively. Where boring High School History classes fails, novels like these show a whole new way to learn about how our ancestors interacted. Her dialog is snappy; her descriptions send the reader into the bog/mountain/hold of a ship/ and we feel every ache, revel in every spectacular sunset. The reader gallops along chuckling at the sharp, witty ancedotes. Too soon, even after such a thick book, the adventure is suspended, at least until Claire and Jamie meet again.
Here are the titles in this series:
Outlander
Dragonfly in Amber
Voyager
Drums of Autumn
The Fiery Cross
A Breath of Snow and Ashes
An Echo in the Bone
Crucial Conversations
The notion of “fight” or “flight” when people feel threatened constitutes many communication challenges in the workplace. Either people want to stand up for what they believe in, question why they have not gotten a promotion or just plain argue (fight), or they completely walk away from an argument, becoming disengaged, silent and non-communicative, fearing the badgering or dogmatism of a colleague (flight).
But do people have to choose one or the other? How about trying to change the climate of your workplace or your home life by making it safe for all members to voice their opinions without fear of repercussions or condescension? Making it safe requires all parties to suspend their own agendas for a while in order to hear other perspectives. And when ideas surface, they usually give rise to productive, viable options, rather than controlling, sometimes nearsighted, dictatorial mandates.
Here is an example. A worker was hired in a government position where he had several tasks to complete each day. His, as well as his colleagues’ case load increased to a level that it was unable to be completed as usual. The rest of the group became stressed and angry that they were not given some extra help, nor were they being validated compared with other governmental departments. Instead of becoming upset at what he could not control, this particular person offered solutions for organizing the work more efficiently. He also realized that running and doing shoddy work would not benefit the reputation of the department, nor would the managers realize how much they needed help. In addition, when he was left in charge, he implemented sound strategies for organizing work, so that the work could be finished professionally and in a timely manner. The climate of the office changed and everyone went home stress-free, feeling validated, looking forward the next smoothly productive day.
In one of his professional development seminars, this particular worker was introduced to the book Crucial Conversations. He used many of the ideas covered in this book to cleanse his toxic workplace atmosphere.
Crucial Conversations offers many strategies to make the climate and the conversations safe for people to share ideas in the workplace as well as on the home front. When people feel safe, morale rises, thus expanding productivity.
Check out these useful ideas to better communication.
Of course, in order for these strategies to be completely effective, every member of the working community would benefit by the education of reading and applying this plan of action.
But do people have to choose one or the other? How about trying to change the climate of your workplace or your home life by making it safe for all members to voice their opinions without fear of repercussions or condescension? Making it safe requires all parties to suspend their own agendas for a while in order to hear other perspectives. And when ideas surface, they usually give rise to productive, viable options, rather than controlling, sometimes nearsighted, dictatorial mandates.
Here is an example. A worker was hired in a government position where he had several tasks to complete each day. His, as well as his colleagues’ case load increased to a level that it was unable to be completed as usual. The rest of the group became stressed and angry that they were not given some extra help, nor were they being validated compared with other governmental departments. Instead of becoming upset at what he could not control, this particular person offered solutions for organizing the work more efficiently. He also realized that running and doing shoddy work would not benefit the reputation of the department, nor would the managers realize how much they needed help. In addition, when he was left in charge, he implemented sound strategies for organizing work, so that the work could be finished professionally and in a timely manner. The climate of the office changed and everyone went home stress-free, feeling validated, looking forward the next smoothly productive day.
In one of his professional development seminars, this particular worker was introduced to the book Crucial Conversations. He used many of the ideas covered in this book to cleanse his toxic workplace atmosphere.
Crucial Conversations offers many strategies to make the climate and the conversations safe for people to share ideas in the workplace as well as on the home front. When people feel safe, morale rises, thus expanding productivity.
Check out these useful ideas to better communication.
Of course, in order for these strategies to be completely effective, every member of the working community would benefit by the education of reading and applying this plan of action.
Books that Make Great Anniversary Gifts
Now I know some people do not like to read. However, here are a few ideas for book lovers as well as those who think they don’t love books:
Find a coffee table book on a destination you plan to visit in the future
A book showcasing your partner’s favorite art
A new recipe book
A travel guide book
A comedy book like Dave Barry or Jerry Seinfeld
The Language of Flowers
A rare first edition of your partner’s favorite classic
Find a coffee table book on a destination you plan to visit in the future
A book showcasing your partner’s favorite art
A new recipe book
A travel guide book
A comedy book like Dave Barry or Jerry Seinfeld
The Language of Flowers
A rare first edition of your partner’s favorite classic