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.

The Uncommon Reader

The Uncommon Reader, by Alan Bennett,  120 pages

The Queen of England is out for a walk, runs across a bookmobile, and realizes she has never really read.  So begins her discovery of books and literature, but can the world handle a Queen who is learning to think for herself?  I don't know about this book- novella, really; maybe it's witty, in a British way?  But it just felt like an endless string of name-dropping authors that sound good on paper to have read.  The ratio of corgis to pages was also dismally low.

Anne Of Cleves: Henry VIII’s Discarded Bride

Anne Of Cleves: Henry VIII’s Discarded Bride by Elizabeth Norton, 191 pages

This was an interesting biography.  I admit that from this time period, Anne of Cleves is probably the wife that I knew the least about.  Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn are the two that I would have known most about, of course, but I’ve read quite a lot about the Tudor dynasty, so knew a fair bit about the other three wives also.  However, Anne of Cleves was actually pretty interesting.  She had very good family connections and, while not a major player, still was considered a pretty good partner for a marriage contract.  I had always been under the impression that she wasn’t very attractive and that was the reason that Henry VIII rejected her, but, according to this writer, that probably wasn’t the case.  For whatever reason, Anne didn’t appeal to him, but by many accounts, she was an attractive woman, probably more attractive than his sixth wife, Katherine Parr.  I found lots of interesting tidbits in this book that seemed to be a fairly good summary of Anne’s life.  Anyone wanting to find out more about this era and Anne of Cleves specifically, would probably like it.

Queen of the Tearling

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
434 Pages


The book opens with nineteen year old Kelsea Glynn being escorted back to the kingdom from an isolated location.  It turns out she was being fostered by a couple until she came of age and could take the throne of the Kingdom of Tearling. Tearling evolved when a group traveled from Earth some time in the past and attempted to create a new society with the problems of the old world.  The book deals with her finding her way to power and fighting off attempts to undermine her rule and end her life.  

The first volume of what will probably be a series of books, a lot of people are upset with the publishing marketing campaign that compares the book with Game of Thrones and Hunger Games.  It isn't at all like either book.  It is however a good fantasy novel and if you aren't entertaining impossible comparisons in your mind, should prove to entertain.