I can’t say that these past few weeks have been the most exciting. I’ve gotten into the routine during the week of occasionally getting out of bed before the ass-crack of dawn to work out (being a morning person is not easy), running around the house frantically getting everyone ready, working at well, work, suffering through traffic to make it home in time to make dinner and spend time with my family, and then watching copious amount of TV before heading to bed. While I love doing most of these things, they do not make for exciting blog posts. However, I do have a few books and Pinterest recommendations for you!
First the books…
The Kingmaker’s Daughter by Philippa Gregory
Synopsis: Spies, poison, and curses surround her…. Is there anyone she can trust?
In The Kingmaker’s Daughter, #1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory presents a novel of conspiracy and a fight to the death for love and power at the court of Edward IV of England.
The Kingmaker’s Daughter is the gripping story of the daughters of the man known as the “Kingmaker,” Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick: the most powerful magnate in fifteenth-century England. Without a son and heir, he uses his daughters Anne and Isabel as pawns in his political games, and they grow up to be influential players in their own right. In this novel, her first sister story since The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa Gregory explores the lives of two fascinating young women.
At the court of Edward IV and his beautiful queen, Elizabeth Woodville, Anne grows from a delightful child to become ever more fearful and desperate when her father makes war on his former friends. Married at age fourteen, she is soon left widowed and fatherless, her mother in sanctuary and her sister married to the enemy. Anne manages her own escape by marrying Richard, Duke of Gloucester, but her choice will set her on a collision course with the overwhelming power of the royal family and will cost the lives of those she loves most in the world, including her precious only son, Prince Edward. Ultimately, the kingmaker’s daughter will achieve her father’s greatest ambition.
My verdict: I LOVE how Philippa Gregory can turn history on it’s side and give a accurate, but still fictional spin on it. Especially regarding somewhat minor players in grand scheme of “The Cousins’ War” (aka The War of the Roses). In The White Queen, we side with Elizabeth Woodville as she becomes Queen to King Edward. In, The Kingmaker’s Daughter we are shown the flip side of that story. And man, is Elizabeth Woodville vindictive! I definitely recommend this series if you are at all interested in British history. It is actually not necessary to read these books in order (this is Book #4 in the series) because they are told from a different point of view – but I do recommend that if you read one, you read them all. There is at least one more book in this story on the horizon about Elizabeth York, mother of King Henry the 8th.
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Synopsis: The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.
But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.
My verdict: I was supposed to read this book for my book club this month, but I didn’t finish it in time (sorry Jackie Jovi!). Now that I’m done, I’m really bummed I missed out on the conversation!! I really loved the way this story was revealed — almost like I was part of the circus. The build up is slow and mysterious, much like the circus itself. The competition is confusing, but it’s comforting to know that you know as much as much as the key players involved. The ending was almost a little too brief for me, for those who read it — I wanted to know more about Bailey’s character (in particular — why him?) — and really so much about the other minor characters involved. But if you are looking for a truly strange and magical book – it’s worth a read.
As for my pins… check these out.
First off, you need to make these. Like stat.
Source: bloghungry.typepad.com via Michelle on Pinterest
And you ALSO need to make this (I made it tonight, but with Shrimp – and without tomatoes)
Source: skinnytaste.com via Michelle on Pinterest
Laugh at this because IT’s TRUE
Source: imgfave.com via Kristin on Pinterest
And finally – hair I want…can somebody please teach me how to style my hair?
Source: hair.allwomenstalk.com via Marina on Pinterest
What are YOU reading and pinning this week?
I ready The Night Circus a couple years ago and really enjoyed it! …but sadly, now I can’t recall very much of it…I guess I don’t retain books very well. True story: I once read Sole Survivor buy Dean Koontz twice & didn’t realize I was on my second time through until the very end! (The ending made me just as mad the second time around…otherwise I might not have ever remembered I read it once before…)
Is it bad that I still haven’t tried Pinterest? I know I’m missing out. But I’m afraid I’ll be addicted if I give in and check it out!
I am the SAME WAY with reading. I call it book amnesia. It’s nice when you don’t want to buy anything new – you just pick up a book you haven’t read in a while!!
I LOVE Pinterest for recipes, workouts, and hair ideas — but I am really a visual person. It’s basically like visual bookmarking, in my opinion. You should try it!
I’m a slow reader. It takes me quite a while to finish a book just because I find it hard to find time to just sit down and read and do nothing else. So, with that being said, I’m reading The Help.
That food you posted looks SO good. It’s 11:18 pm and I’m starving. I so shouldn’t have looked at those pictures. Haha!
The Help is a GREAT book! I actually read that one slower to enjoy it longer 🙂
Pinterest is dangerous. I always check it out to get ideas for my weekly menu and I end up wanting to cook/bake a lot of unnecessary (but delicious looking!) food.
Haha! The packing/closet one is priceless. ANd I hope that couch was good to you last night. 😉
I DEFINITELY enjoyed it! As much as I feel guilty that it was day #3 of relaxing – it was needed and allowed me to really kick it up during my workout today!