Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession

Anne Boleyn: A King’s Obsession by Alison Weir, 541 pages

“In this second novel of Alison Weir's epic Six Tudor Queens series, the acclaimed author and historian weaves exciting new research into the story of Anne Boleyn, Henry VIII's most infamous wife, a woman ahead of her time whose very life--and death--forever changed a nation.  Born into a noble English family, Anne is barely a teenager when she is sent from her family's Hever Castle to serve at the royal court of the Netherlands. This strategic move on the part of her opportunistic father also becomes a chance for the girl to grow and discover herself. There, and later in France, Anne thrives, preferring to absorb the works of progressive writers rather than participate in courtly flirtations. She also begins to understand the inequalities and indignities suffered by her gender. Anne isn't completely inured to the longings of the heart, but her powerful family has ambitious plans for her future that override any wishes of her own. When the King of England himself, Henry VIII, asks Anne to be his mistress, she spurns his advances--reminding him that he is a married man who has already conducted an affair with her sister, Mary. Anne's rejection only intensifies Henry's pursuit, but in the absence of a male heir--and given an aging Queen Katherine--the opportunity to elevate and protect the Boleyn family, and to exact vengeance on her envious detractors, is too tempting for Anne to resist, even as it proves to be her undoing. While history tells of how Anne Boleyn died, this compelling new novel reveals how fully she lived.” I’ve always loved both fiction and nonfiction about this time period in history.  Weir is a fantastic writer and researches her books thoroughly, such that even her fiction is historically as accurate as possible.  This is a great choice for people who like historical fiction, especially about the Tudor era.

X: A Novel

X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon, 348 pages

“Cowritten by Malcolm X's daughter, this riveting and revealing novel follows the formative years of the man whose words and actions shook the world.  Malcolm Little's parents have always told him that he can achieve anything, but from what he can tell, that's a pack of lies--after all, his father's been murdered, his mother's been taken away, and his dreams of becoming a lawyer have gotten him laughed out of school. There's no point in trying, he figures, and lured by the nightlife of Boston and New York, he escapes into a world of fancy suits, jazz, girls, and reefer. But Malcolm's efforts to leave the past behind lead him into increasingly dangerous territory. Deep down, he knows that the freedom he's found is only an illusion--and that he can't run forever. X follows Malcolm from his childhood to his imprisonment for theft at age twenty, when he found the faith that would lead him to forge a new path and command a voice that still resonates today.” This was a fascinating story.  Although it was fictionalized, it was true to Malcolm X’s life when he was young.  The events happened, although some of the names were changed and some of the characters were composites of people that he knew.  Even though parts of it were hard to read, knowing that the outcomes of his decisions wouldn’t be good, it was very well done and hard to put down.

Girl With A Camera

Girl With A Camera by Carolyn Meyer, 234 pages

“Tells the story of how Margaret spent her early years observing the natural world before mastering the art of photography and became the first female war photojournalist in World War II.” Although this was a work of fiction the author relied heavily on biographical information.  She did take liberties with some details, especially about her childhood, but stayed fairly true to life otherwise.  This is an excellent choice for kids who like historical and biographical stories.

The Other Boleyn Girl

The OtherBoleyn Girl by Phillippa Gregory, 664 pages

“When Mary Boleyn comes to court as an innocent girl of fourteen, she catches the eye of the handsome and charming Henry VIII. Dazzled by the king, Mary falls in love with both her golden prince and her growing role as unofficial queen. However, she soon realizes just how much she is a pawn in her family's ambitious plots as the king's interest begins to wane, and soon she is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. With her own destiny suddenly unknown, Mary realizes that she must defy her family and take fate into her own hands.” Even though I knew the inevitable outcome of the book, I really wanted it to be different for Mary’s sake.  This was a wonderful fictional account of what Mary might have been feeling and thinking during her own time with the king, as well as her sister’s rise and fall.  People who like historical fiction will love this book.