Friday, July 18

(Historical) Fiction

I've been reading a ton, as usual. I started off in Bali with "The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn." I just finished "The Other Boleyn Girl" (no, I haven't seen the movie yet). Both were really good, though they portrayed Anne in completely different ways. And I've become a bit obsessed with Tudor history. I traded "The Other..." for "The Constant Princess," both written by Phillipa Gregory, but this one presents the life of Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's first wife; the one Anne Boleyn convinced him to divorce so that he could marry her. The stories are so fascinating. I think when I get back to Moscow, I'll need to look for some non-fiction of Henry VIII's wives because if half of what's these stories say is true, then I no longer need to ready trashy romance for my fix.

Also, very randomly in Bali I borrowed "Code Noir" from the pension which was a sequel to I don't know what, but it was a bizarre sci-fi. And this is a reminder to try and find the first and subsequent volumes at my school library.

I also read "The Alchamist" on this trip, brought along from my book shelf along with "The Secret Diary" for the reason it was small and light and while not historical fiction, was also really good and a very quick read. It has me on the look out for omens.

Also, I've got "The Omnivores Dilema" with me which is not at all fiction, but also very good and relavent. And always makes me think of the great friends who gave it to me :)

2 comments:

Mickey said...

I've been recommending "The Omnivore's Dilemma" to everyone. Good stuff.

Nate said...

I think The Alchemist is one of Coelho's better books. I've read a number of them and after a while they get somewhat repetitive in their messages.

And I thought it interesting that you read The Alchemist considering the protagonist makes a long journey only to find that what he was seeking was in his own backyard. But, of course, he had to take the journey to find that out.