Books and Pins

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.

And you ALSO need to make this (I made it tonight, but with Shrimp – and without tomatoes)

Laugh at this because IT’s TRUE

And finally – hair I want…can somebody please teach me how to style my hair?

What are YOU reading and pinning this week?