So from two days after my wedding on Dec. 15 to about, oh, two days ago, I have been down with a majorly fun case of strep/ear infection/general winter blahs. I am finally feeling better and tackling the WIP (which just happens to be due at the end of the month! Fun!). But my Kindle has been a lifesaver, and I spent a whole afternoon trawling around on it looking for some obscure historical sources. Here are a few I found:
–For people like me, who like to plan fantasy trips to England, Gravestones, Tombs, and Memorials by Trevor Yorke and London’s Blue Plaques in a Nutshell (last time I was in London, I drove my mom crazy because I stopped to read every blue plaque we saw–this one is a guide to many more obscure figures memorialised there, and I am def carrying it with me next time I’m in London!)
—The Smart by Sarah Bakewell, a fascinating tale of an 18th century adventuress named Mrs. Rudd who managed to get herself into (and out of) a tremendous amount of trouble (including being imprisoned for forgery–she was acquitted, but her supposed allies the “unfortunate” Perreau brothers, hanged)
—An English Lady in Paris by Michael Allen, another fascinating 18th century woman, Mrs. Crewe, friends with the Duchess of Devonshire, a society beauty and great traveler
—The King’s Smuggler: Jane Whorwood, Secret Agent to Charles I by John Fox: the title says it all
—Tunnels, Towers, and Temples: London’s 100 Strangest Places by David Long: another great travel source!
—Beauty and Cosmetics: 1550-950 and The Ephemeral Nature of Perfume and Sense in Early Modern England
—All the King’s Cooks: The Tudor Kitchens of Henry VIII at Hampton Court by Peter Brears
—Wicked Women of Tudor England by Retha Warnicke (both because she’s an historian I admire, plus I can never resist any book with the words Wicked Women in the title)
In my quest to read more romance, I also downloaded the new Cecilia Grant (since Megan said it’s great!) and Courtney Milan’s The Duchess War. Plus I got a pile of magazines featuring spring fashions because i cannot WAIT to get out my sundresses and sandals again…
What have you been doing lately? What are some obscure/fun/great titles you’ve come across??
Hi Amanda,
Hope you are feeling better. Like you, I haven’t been reading much romance, so I bought a copy of Jane Feather’s novella ENGAGEMENT AT BEAUFORT HALL which was wonderful. I’m also reading MRS. LINCOLN’S DRESSMAKER and a biography of Louise Bryant (immortalized by Diane Keaton in the film REDS).
I’m so sorry you’ve been sick. It seems a bad season for illness. I have two friends with bronchitis, one with pneumonia and I’ve apparently been covering up the flu with regular doses of Advil Cold for the past month. Feeling better now and getting back to writing. 🙂
Everyone I know has been sick lately!! It’s a plague…
Elizabeth, I remember reading Jane Feather years ago! I didn’t know she was writing again–have to find that novella. Right now I’m reading a book about the Russian Revolution, “From Splendor to Revolution,” it’s fascinating
Amanda, you are such a prolific reader AND writer! All these books sound fabulous. This is not the ideal way to start a marriage or to celebrate the holidays–being sick, I mean. Not the reading part!!
Hope you are feeling better and can just dive into that book and make your deadline!!!
So sorry you have been so sick. Talk about bad timing. I am glad you are feeling better. Don’t overdue trying to meet that book deadline.
I am doing the usual, trying to dig out our house. We went on a three week trip in Oct. and two weeks after getting home, before I completely unpacked and got caught up on my emails, I deployed with the Red Cross for Hurricane Sandy. I got home Thanksgiving and have been trying to catch up since. I didn’t even read a book for four weeks. I find that hard to believe, but there just wasn’t time.
I have pinned this post. I want to remember all these great books you have listed. Thanks.
Hi Amanda! What a rotten way to spend the Xmas & New Year. Hope you are all better soon. I’ve just read The Duchess War – it’s absolutely awesome. Courtney Milan is the most amazing writer! I came across a new author to me that whose book I really liked; Moriah Densley’s Song for Sophia. Highly recommend it.