The Confessions of Catherine de Medici, by C. W. Gortner

Wow.  Another great book! I really do like historical fiction novels, they really bring what could've happened to life and leave me wanting to learn more about what really DID happen.

Besides the few parts where the author was a little too detailed on the love scenes, he told this story so well.  I kept thinking, first of all, that it had to have been written by a female, but also that it was so much like Michelle Moran's books.  The style, as well as the theme (royalty) was similar and all so fun to read!

The author's note at the end of this book leads one to believe that Catherine de Medici was not a favored queen, or one with happy memories tied to her story, but he writes it so that one can feel her pain, sympathize with her, but still see how others may not have liked her.  The trials she had to face in life and the decisions she had to make - all of which are similar to any woman of royal descent - make me so glad I live in the world as it is today, and that I'm just some nobody living in a free country.  I never knew much about this time when Rome was full of itself in power, and religion was either you're Catholic, or you're a heretic.  To be a queen and to promote tolerance of those of other faiths, is something I am glad I have the pleasure of reading about, and not living.  What a brave woman she was, to face what she did, to strive for power when she had to fight with everything she had to obtain it.  Amazing.

Next I want to learn about Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots. 

I Capture the Castle, by Dodie Smith

I just wanted to tell a little about why I love this book.  I want to see if I can do it in short sentences, while still getting the point across.

• It's charming.
• It sounds like something I would write and how I would write it.
• I can relate to the main character's personality.
• Some parts are funny, some are romantic, some are wonderfully descriptive.
• It's a simple, quick, easy read.
• It goes well with the fall weather.  (Yes, that's when I usually read it.)
• The story never gets old or boring.
• Every time I read it, I "feel" it differently.

Love it.  Can't wait to read it again some autumnal season when I'm waiting for another good book to arrive.  :)

All about the three books I've read in the last three weeks...

The Cage, by Ruth Minsky Sender - Another excellent memoir from a Holocaust survivor, always a good category to choose from while waiting for another book in a series to BE RETURNED.

The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins (book 1) - Totally just read this because other people said it was so good.  And it was.  Really good.  Can't wait for whoever has it checked out from my library to RETURN IT SO I CAN HAVE A TURN.

Actually, I don't think there was a third before that... so, there.  I'm caught up.  ;)

I'm currently reading my OH!!! I totally just remembered what the third book was!!! DUDE! How could I forget?

Promise Me, by Richard Paul Evans - You know, I was sort of like, what? As I read this and finished it... truthfully, not one of his best novels.  It was still well-written but the plot was so unlike anything he's written - I guess I'm just holding him to his normally higher standard.  Huh.  Next April will bring another good one, I'm sure!


As I was saying, I'm currently reading my go-to book for Fall, absolutely one of my faves:

One of the greatest books ever.  I'm on my fourth time reading it.  It's basically written as the journal of a 17 year old girl who's family lives in an old ruined castle.  Her father was a famous author at one point but has seemed to lose his fire, her mother is dead, her stepmother is a former model, her sister complains of their situation a lot, her friend is in love with her and then two men come into their lives and change everything... that's all I'm going to tell you because I really think it's an enjoyable book that must be read by everyone.  Go on, read it.  I dare you.  ;)