Summer Heat
What else is there to do when the sun is sizzling in the sky and the temperature soars along with the humidity, but curl up in air-conditioned comfort and read a good book?
(A slight disclaimer here: Although I love historical fiction and write about the romance of centuries past, the idea of life back then is romantic in theory only. Personally, I could never have survived living in the 1800's wearing those suffocating gowns in the sweltering heat of the summer. Air-conditioning is the single-most greatest invention after electricity. I believe that with every heat-sensitive fiber of my being!)
Happily retreating within the delicious coolness of the indoors, I've read some excellent books lately. The first is Philippa Gregory's The White Queen. She is one of my favorite authors and this book was as fabulous as all of her others. It combines some elements of The Mists of Avalon with the intense historical background of England's War of the Roses. Her next book, The Red
Queen, comes out in August and I cannot wait.
Queen, comes out in August and I cannot wait.
After reading The White Queen, I recalled reading a similar story many, many years ago. This was Anya Seton's Katherine, whose story actually leads up to the events that take place in The White Queen. Pulling this one from my bookshelf, I couldn't help but reread it. (There is something about a book with a family tree outlined at the beginning that I simply cannot resist.) I have to say, the romance between Katherine Swynford and John of Gaunt was even better the second time I read it. And I'm a sucker for English history.
I also finally got around to reading Kathryn Stockett's, The Help. This is beautifully written with characters so vivid I could actually hear their voices. I read this in about two days! (It's another book that makes me appreciate the blessing of air-conditioning. Mississippi in the summer. Enough said.)
And of course, I have read some romance novels too! I just finished Sally MacKenzie's The Naked Viscount, which was great fun, and Married by Morning by Lisa Kleypas, which was another wonderful read.
Summer vacation. Air-conditioning. Good books. There's nothing more relaxing!
I love air conditioning, as well - I wouldn't be able to do ANYTHING but lay around in a heat-induced stupor without it.
You indulged in some great reads there, girl! On my recent vacation, I did a lot of ebook reading. One device, 50 books down loaded and at my fingertips. Woo-hoo!
Keep cool, Kaitlin!
G.
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Hey G,
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I looks very artsy.
G.
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Yes, but I think I fixed it!!
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Okay, I am completely insecure now as the only thing I've read in the last two weeks has been Entertainment magazine. I am impressed (and can't wait to see you!) Read on girl, read on!
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I'm glad you had time to read the magazine!! Woo hoo!
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Kaitlin,
Thank you for the great reading list! I love your books & anxiously await for the next one to arrive! Your suggestion of reading The Help was excellent! Keep on blogging! I love to read more!
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Wasn't The Help great?! Thanks for reading my books too!
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Hi Kaitlin, I loved The Help. Kathryn Stockett did a wonderful job writing in the different voices that permeated the novel.
I love your reading list as well. I love Elizabethan England, and I love reading books about that time period. If there was such a thing as time travelling, I would totally go back to that time period. I would have to have the power of invisibility of course because I would be sorely tempted to use my knowledge from the future to help those in the past. I also love the Middle Ages.
Just so you know, I am one of those people who will read whatever you write for your blog, so keep doing what you are doing. See you around.
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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Paula! It's so nice to hear from you! I'm glad we have so much great reading in common.
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Maybe, our subconscious knew that, which prompted me to speak to you at nationals way back when. I have been keeping track of Phillipa Gregory's books, but I want to lower my TBR pile before I start stacking up on her. I almost picked up both the White and the Red Queen last week. It hurt to walk away from a book. Looking forward to your newest too. I hope you have a wonderful rest of the night. Gnight!!!!
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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