A Bookworm's Adventure

I realize now that I've only ever mentioned this great passion of mine once: when I referenced my excitement over the book The Autobiography of King Henry VIII [with notes by his fool, will somers].

I just finished my second Shakespearean novel by Robert Nye, Falstaff, and I am still in love with him (Nye). The book is told as a narration from Fastolf to his secretaries (Worcester, Norton and Horton, and Bussard [the farter]). They are commanded to take down EVERY word he says, even the naughty words (especially the naughty words), even the insults against them, even lies about themselves. And they do. It's a fantastically woven tale of Shakespeare's Henriad from lusty Jack, and the end was, as I knew it had to be, hard to part with. It is in no way chronologically accurate, and holes are poked in with extra malice by Jack's stepson, Scrope. I honestly loved this book, and I can't wait to read The Late Mr. Shakespeare.

I started Helen of Troy because Heather lent it to me, and books on loan must be read before the literal MOUNTAIN of books I bought or traded for. It's hard to be me :-D I'm pretty excited about it because I like Margaret George (she wrote the Henry VIII book that I book-gasmed over). It's going to be hard to have her follow Nye's Falstaff with Helen of Troy, but it will be a nice change of pace.

Oh, please allow me to explain: my book tastes lean toward fiction, historical fiction now, mostly involving INTERESTING historical figures.

I have a whole shelf dedicated to Shakespearean fiction (Favorites: My Father Had a Daughter - Grace Tiffany; Lady Macbeth; and Mrs. Shakespeare, The Complete Works - by Robert Nye)

Then I love fiction based on actual historical people. Namely: Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and their daughter Elizabeth. This all started two summers ago when I read The Other Boleyn Girl. I also loved Autobiography and I, Elizabeth by Rosalind Miles. Threads by Nell Gavin, I don't know if it can count, but I loved it too. In fact, I am so into this topic that I bought my first non-fiction book: The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Allison Weir. I am very excited.

Not to be out dorked, I had a passing interest in re-told fairy tales, but I'm very specific about it now. I can't abide Young Adult fiction anymore, and most adult fiction takes itself too seriously. Because my favorite tale is Sleeping Beauty it's no surprise that the only two books I would still read again from that genre are Beauty by Sheri S Tepper and Enchantment by Orson Scott Card. Both are Awesome. Awesome.

Then of course there's the popular series: Harry Potter and The Lost Years of Merlin. Very good books there. There's rumor that Merlin will be a movie series soon. I hope it does well. Harry's doing quite well, wouldn't you say? I eagerly anticipate the before-and-after collection!

Well that's killed about 30 minutes at work on a Sunday. Ha!