This week I had the privilege of getting to live in late Victorian England with the scandalous Lady Randolph Churchill via Stephanie Barron’s latest novel, That Churchill Woman
, which tackles the scandalous life of Jennie Jerome, the American heiress who married the younger son of the Duke of Marlborough (also the mother of Winston Churchill). It provides a very compelling view of what life in late Victorian England would have been like for an aristocratic woman– so if you’re a Downton Abbey fan, I highly recommend That Churchill Woman.
After that, I picked up a book I’ve been wanting to read for ages, but just couldn’t quite get into it, so I’ve resorted to an old favorite, Nancy Mitford’s Love in a Cold Climate
, which never fails to delight– and really does follow rather logically from That Churchill Woman, now that I think about it, since both involve English aristocratic political dynasties, romantic scandal, and upper class absurdities that just beg to be satirized.
What have you been reading this week?
I’m reading the Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton and listening to A Simple Favor on my way to and from work.
The Murder of My Aunt, by Richard Hull, was simply delightful. Originally published in 1934, it was reissued earlier this year, and is as entertaining (and shocking) as it must have been in year of first release. Basically the tone is what I imagine would result if Bertie Wooster decided to keep a journal chronicling his thought processes, resulting in his decision to murder an irritating relative, and his actions after deciding to do so.
Just brilliant.
I haven’t had too much time to read this week. We were in Denver to see Joan Baez in concert. I’ve waited many years for this and she did not disappoint! Love In a Cold Climate is one of my favorite books. I re-read it often. Have you seen the miniseries done for Masterpiece Theater? The one from 1980 or thereabouts? It is fabulous! Don’t bother with the later one. It was nowhere near as good.
Hopefully I’ll get some time for reading next week. I’m sure I’ll love the Jennie Jerome book. I read a biography of her sometime in the 80’s (just named Jennie) and it was very good.
Just continuing my Tasha Alexander Lady Emily binge, just finished Death in the Floating City and started Behind the Shattered Glass. I love these books so much!
I just finished The Broken Girls by Simone St James. I got her name from a suggestion here but this is the first of her books I’ve read. I really liked it! Very creepy but also a good historical aspect. Scary isn’t usually my cup of tea but I would def read more of her books.
I read Fruit of the Drunken Tree and An Unwanted Guest. Both were fantastic and did not disappoint!
Lara by Bertrice Small. If you’re a Sarah J. Maas fan, you’ll love it. It’s Medieval Europe turned into a fantasy world complete with fairies, giants, four moons, and five magical realms. Not to mention, a wonderfully complex heroine.
The Clockmaker’s Daughter by Kate Morton. One of her best. And every one of her books is splendid. I highly recommend any of them, but especially this newest one. Many subtle layers and connections.
Am continuing my re read of The Fiery Cross/Diana Gabaldon. Love in A Cold Climate is also a favorite of mine🎃
Last week I read and really enjoyed The Kennedy Debutante. I was surprised how much I liked it, actually. I also read the 3rd book in the Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas – The Hollow of Fear. It was my favorite in the series so far and I absolutely loved it! I love the combination of mystery and little romance. Reminds me a bit of the Lady Darby Series by Anna Lee Huber.