Good Reads & Views

Today Matters by John C. Maxwell
Nonfiction

What it’s about: John Maxwells’ Today Matters is a power packed book on why today matters and how to live better today so that tomorrow will be better than yesterday. This book has plenty of reading potential to pick it up again and again.

Is it for you? Any person who is looking to grow in any area of life will be challenged, inspired, and stirred up to make some “today changes”.

You might also like: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

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The Power of Noticing by Max Bazerman
Nonfiction

What it’s about: Bazerman's book reads like a novel and examines how mistakes are made when we fail to investigate the details, notice trends, identify our blind spots, and more.

Why you might like it: He examines in detail several business disasters that could have been averted and offers counsel so we can learn how to examine our own work, actions, the significance of delegation, and how to reduce error margins.

You might also like: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown.

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The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: This is a very engaging novel focusing on Hannah Verde/Green. She is a young (secretly) Jewish girl who had just escaped the Spanish inquisition to England with her father, who is a bookseller. In an unusual twist, her father, to protect her, disguises her as a boy. The author makes it clear how difficult it was to be Jewish in Tudor England.

Why you might like it: It's a view from someone who must hide in full view; completely unfamiliar to the courtly lifestyle, who must figure out which alliances to cling to, and which secrets to keep all to save her life as she becomes increasingly part of this new world.

You might also like: The next book in this series, The Virgin’s Lover by Philippa Gregory.

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The Taming of the Queen by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: In this book Gregory’s focus is on Kateryn Parr, Henry VIII’s last queen who, by the age of 30, was twice widowed. Kateryn is then offered the toxic charge of becoming Henry’s next wife. Like any woman Henry wanted, she didn’t have a choice but to accept. She survives a terrifying abusive marriage, raises 2 stepdaughters (hugely ignored because they came from a previous marriage), while living in a royal court, all while determined to study and fulfill her thirst for knowledge. She became the first woman to publish a book in England.

Why you might like it: If you like historical fiction, then Philippa Gregory is the author for you! I love her "Tudor" series for its characterizations and views into what a royal court and lifestyle was like.

You might also like: The next book in this series, The Queen’s Fool by Philippa Gregory.

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The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: The Red Queen tells the story of Margaret Beaufort, heiress to the red rose of Lancaster, a mother at fourteen, and a woman determined that her son would reign as King of England. Margaret is a patient manipulator, working behind the scenes. In the end she conceives one of the great rebellions of her time.

Why you might like it: Author Philippa Gregory is a genius at conveying character. We are able see into their hearts and minds. We see their struggles, the twists and turns that surprise them and us, as the suspense carries us forward.

You might also like: The next book in this series, The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory.

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The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: The young and beautiful Mary Queen of Scotts encounters many trials and endures great hardships and humiliations at the hand of her cousin Queen Elizabeth of England. Mixed in with this account of the time of Queen Mary's imprisonment under George Talbot’s watchful eye, the Earl of Shrewsbury, there is a tragic romance that gnashes at the very heart of the reader. I recommend this historical fiction novel to anyone who is interested in the uncertain and dramatic times of early England.

Why you might like it: If you like historical fiction than you will LOVE any book by Phillipa Gregory!!

You might also like: The next book in this series, The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory.

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The Constant Princess by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: I had always thought of Katherine of Aragon as a boring and devout first queen of Henry VIII, not as her own person or as anyone of great accomplishment. I am sure this is not uncommon when compared to the allure of Anne Boleyn’s role played in this court as well. I have a greater admiration for the original and true Queen of England now that I am more aware of the greatness she realized for England and a greater sadness and understanding for the betrayal of the country that she had dedicated her life to and loved.

Why you might like it: If you love stepping into history and discovering people, places, and the inner workings of a royal court, you will love this book. I know it’s historical fiction but it sounded real and wonderfully written.

You might also like: The next book in this series, The White Queen by Philippa Gregory.

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The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: Philippa Gregory has written a plethora of books about the Tudor dynasty based in England in the 1500's. This book is written from the viewpoints of 3 women: Jane Boleyn, whose testimony at her husband's trial led to his beheading (along with Ann Boleyn, his sister). She served as a lady-in-waiting to many queens, who were all wives of Henry VIII; Anne of Cleves, Henry's 4th wife; and Katherine Howard, Henry's very young 5th wife, who was beheaded.

Why you might like it: This is a riveting and gripping novel. Gregory's writing style changes as each woman speaks. It makes the reading experience feel more intimate: you feel as if you know these ladies, and this feeling leads you to care about them.

You might also like: The Other Queen by Philippa Gregory is the next book in the Plantagenet and Tudor Book series.

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The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
Fiction

What it’s about: This is the story of Mary Boleyn, a woman who is often lessened to a footnote in history. It is notable, however, that she was the only Boleyn sibling to survive the Tudor court in sixteenth century England. It is also the story of Anne Boleyn, her rise and fall, as seen through the eyes of her sister, Mary, with whom Anne was to have a lifelong conflict of jealousy, greed, and ambition.

Why you might like it: This story is one that is sure to enchant all those with a love for well-written historical fiction.

You might also like: The Tudor Saga Series written by authors Jean Plaidly and Philippa Carr.

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Little Black Dress by James Patterson
Fiction

What it’s about: A young woman determined to experiment with making her fantasies a reality.  With all decisions, there can be delightful and enjoyable consequences OR there can be ghastly and unpleasant consequences. The storyline is enticing to witness how a little black dress transforms her personality. I LOVE Patterson’s new co-author, Emily Raymond. I could not stand to put it down once I started reading it. I’m already looking for more books written by both of them.

Why you might like it: BookShots are an excellent read for people who do not have time to sit down and enjoy a much longer book.

You might also like: Let’s Play Make-Believe, written by James Patterson and co-author James O. Born.

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