Friday Favorites

I went through a phase several years ago - many years ago, actually - of reading almost only true crime novels.  I can't really stomach them, now.  I think it's because I've had children.  Now that so many years have passed since I read that genre, I can't remember which ones I've read, what they're about, or even who the popular true crime authors are.

But there is one book that sticks in my mind like glue.  I'll never forget it.  It's Ann Rule's Small Sacrifices, which was published in 1988.  That was the year I read it and I still remember it well.  I even think about it when I hear Duran Duran's Hungry Like a Wolf, which played a supporting role in this novel about Diane Downs, an Orgeon mother who shot her three children to get them out of the way of her and her married boyfriend.

If you're looking for a fast read and if you like true crime, this is one you absolutely have to pick up. 

Here's a link to Ann Rule's other novels.  She's a fantastic writer and makes true crime reading such a juicy guilty pleasure!

Friday Favorites

This week I would like to share with you what I love about one of my favorite books, The Constant Princess, by Philippa Gregory.  This book has got to be one of Gregory's best-written stories about a young royal woman in Tudor England.  

Catalina, the daughter of two of the greatest monarchs of all time, was promised to marry into another famous monarchy: the family of Prince Arthur of England.  You may not remember much of him from your World History class because he died young, and after only two years of marriage to Catalina. 

You probably have heard of her second husband, though:  Prince Arthur's younger brother, Henry.  You know the one: Henry the VIII.  The one who took off the heads of all his many wives?  Catalina was his very first wife.  She was also one of only two (if I remember my history correctly) who got out of there with her head intact.

This story isn't really about all that, though.  It's about her.  And it's really, really good.  If you like this era, or any books about royalty or about history, you will love this book!

Enjoy reading!
~Kristan