I just finished the wonderful story of The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner. I won’t go into too much detail yet because I’m actually reviewing this book a bit later as part of a book blog tour but I’ll just say that I really enjoyed finally reading something about this famous Spanish Queen.
It’s funny because while I was growing up I always heard my mom talk about the kings and queens of different countries. She was really into historical fiction and non-fiction. And aside from Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, and Marie Antoinette, the woman I heard most about around the house was Juana La Loca.
As a kid I was fascinated by this woman who I thought didn’t care about anything but her husband, Felipe El Hermoso (Philip the Fair) and I loved imagining the beautiful country she was from. But even though I knew of this famous couple I didn’t really know anything about their history so this book has been a fantastic peek at what their life might have been like. The virtual book tour has already started with a kick off at Historical Tapestry and you can see the rest of the scheduled stops here.
Now I’m in the middle of trying to figure out who killed Sir Arthur in Georgette Heyer’s novel The Unfinished Clue. A lovely country house, a Mexican temptress, a minister, an unhappy son and a bunch of other people who visited the house on the weekend all have something they hold against Sir Arthur but who could have killed him?
I’ve enjoyed the few Heyer books I’ve read but had been wanting to check out one of her mysteries so thanks to Sourcebooks for sending me two of her books. You’ll hear more about this one and the other soon.
Now, you know me, I typically like to have a couple of books going so I think tonight I may start Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford. This is also for another upcoming book tour.
Here’s a bit on the book: In the opening pages Henry Lee comes upon a crowd gathered outside the Panama Hotel, once the gateway to Seattle’s Japantown. It has been boarded up for decades, but now the new owner has made an incredible discovery: the belongings of Japanese families, left when they were rounded up and sent to internment camps during World War II. As Henry looks on, the owner opens a Japanese parasol. This simple act takes old Henry Lee back to the 1940s, at the height of the war, when young Henry’s world is a jumble of confusion and excitement, and to his father, who is obsessed with the war in China and having Henry grow up American.
I know some of you have already read this book and have read some good reviews for the most part. I know I’m looking forward to it.
Know what else I’m looking forward to? Maggie’s Southern Reading Challenge! I know I shouldn’t be even thinking of more challenges as I’m kind of stalled on all of mine but I have lots of books that would be perfect for this challenge and plus I missed out last year and don’t want to miss out again. So I’m off to stare at my shelves and compose a list.
I really liked The Last Queen. I was lucky enough to have an opportunity to review it when it first came out, and I think it deserves all the praise it is getting!
Lezlie
Damn. I signed up. How can I call myself a southerner and not add this to my list? It’s only three books. I can do this. I can’t believe I allowed you to convince me, but there you go! As us southerners say “bless your heart”!
Those books sounds great, Iliana!
I too can’t wait to read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet! Don’t you think the cover is beautiful?
Happy reading and have fun with the challenge! 🙂
I’ve got both the Georgette Hayer and Jamie Ford books in my pile. Both sound very good and I’m glad you’re having some great reading time. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is saved for my next vacation, which is coming up soon—just the break between spring semester and summer session.
I haven’t read either books but have read mixed reviews for Hotel on the Corner. I’m glad you’re joining the Southern Reading Challenge. I really shouldn’t join either but I have. I can’t wait until it starts! Happy reading!
My mom used to talk about Juana La Loca also. But, it’s kind of funny, that she didn’t know anything about Juana’s sister, Catherine of Aragon until she came here to the US and started reading about Henry VIII.
I guess the histories of your countries shape what you learn about the past. Since she lived in a former Spanish colony, she was taught more Spanish history. But since the US is more Anglo-centric in history (for the most part), it took living here to find out more about Catherine.
However, we both agree, the mother, Isabella, was brutal to both daughters and cared only about expansion of her empire.
I’m looking forward to your review of The Last Queen. I’ve had my eye on the Hotel book for some time. Can’t wait to hear what you think of it.
Lezlie – I remember when there was quite a bit of buzz last year about the book. I need to go back through your archives to read your review! I love historical fiction and thought this was just a great read!
Sandy – Ha,ha… That’s right, you had to sign up otherwise your Southern badge might be revoked 🙂 Glad you are joining. I still need to come up with my list!
Melody – It has such a great cover. It just looks so peaceful. I think it’s the type of story I can really sink into!
Matthew – Wait a sec, didn’t you just have a vacation?! I’m just jealous 🙂 But, yay for books to read on vacation. I forget, have you read Heyer before already? I really like her books.
Vasilly – You are joining the challenge too right? It’s going to be fun! And, yea, I have seen quite a few mixed reviews for the novel but I have high hopes anyway 🙂
Isabel – OMG, that’s exactly what happened to me too. I didn’t connect Juana with Catherine of Aragon! After reading this book I’m actually more curious now about Isabela la Catolica too. She was a fearsome woman wasn’t she? Also what’s funny to me as I read the book I kept thinking of the characters in their spanish names because that’s how I learned them first. Isn’t that funny?
Anna – I need to stop by and visit the other tour stops because I’m really curious what others had to say on this book. I didn’t start Hotel yet but tonight I will 🙂
I really will have to read The Last Queen one of these days! It look like a good book. I haven’t read very much historical fiction this year. I am not sure why that is!
i’d like to offer you a book for review (one i know you’ll love!!) but your contact info isn’t currently available on this blog (it seems to be a broken link or something.) if you email me at sarah.goldstein@stmartins.com, i’ll tell you all about the book/send you a free copy if you’re interested. (again, trust me, you will be!!)
Kailana – I love a good historical novel but I don’t think I’ve read as much historical fiction this year so far either. I usually just go as far back as the late 1800s and that’s it! ha.
Sara goldstein – No problem about leaving a comment. I was getting lots of spam so I took my contact info down for a bit. I’ll send you an email 🙂
I have The Last Queen in my pile to get to soon! I’m really glad to hear that you enjoyed it..makes me look forward to it 🙂 Sounds like you are reading some good books…Enjoy!
The Last Queen does sound good. I’ve been wanting to read it since it first made the rounds last year. And I was supposed to take part in the tour for Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet this month but never got sent the book, so I’m rather disappointed about that. I look forward to your reviews.
The Last Queen sounds intriguing—I’ll be watching for your full review. I’m catching up on Showtime’s The Tudors and my husband just published a biography of Katherine Parr, so I’m suddenly inundated with 16th century royalty!
I like the sound of The Last Queen! I’m looking forward to your full review.
I loved The Last Queen!! And, I’m going to start a Heyer, soon: The Nonesuch. I also have a copy of The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet, but it’s a swap book so there’s no hurry getting to it. Yay.
The Last Queen does look good. I look forward to your full review. I’ve been into historical fiction lately, but haven’t read any from this period. I’d love to check it out.
I really enjoyed The Last Queen, and will have a review up on Historical Tapestry and my blog in the next couple of days!
The other book you mentioned that caught my eye is Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet.
you’ve been busy reading. I loved the last queen…what a fantastic book