For The Tudor Book Blog Reading Challenge 2013, go HERE!
After following many a reading challenge on my own, I have decided to host my own!
After following many a reading challenge on my own, I have decided to host my own!
The Tudor Book Blog Reading Challenge is pretty simple:
1) Choose your "goal" position at court:
Lowly Page (1-3 books)
Squire (3-5 books)
Knight (5-7 books)
Lord/Lady of the Court (7-9)
Groom of the Chamber/Lady-in-Waiting (10-12 books)
Prince/Princess (12-15 books)
King/Queen (16 + books)
2) Sign up here with your name, a link to your blog (if you have one), and your "goal" (chosen from above).
3) Start reading! Any Tudor related book (either fiction or non fiction) you read and finish in 2012 counts. To enter each book, write a review (it doesn't have to be long, just a short overview and your thoughts) and post the link to it (if you post it on your own site, fb, etc.). If you do not have a website, do not fear! Each month I will have a new post for the competition. You can post it in the comment box there, or on The Tudor Reading Challenge Facebook Page.
4) All entries must be in by Dec. 25th, 2012. The results will be posted on Jan. 1, 2013.
One lucky winner will be drawn randomly from those who complete their "goal." This winner will receive several Tudor-related items. Throughout the competition, new items will be added to the prize pack. A separate prize will be given to the person who reads/reviews the most books.
You can enter the competition at anytime before Dec. 25, 2012. If you are entering another reading challenge, feel free to use your same reviews/books for this challenge. The more challenges the merrier!
I hope you all enjoy this competition as much as I will! If you have any questions, feel free to ask! Good Luck!
I aim to be Queen! I don't have a website and if I post on my Facebook page my family will remove me as they hear enough of my ramblings. So excited about this challenge and a thumbs up to all the wonderful sites I have encountered on my Tudor quest its quite overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteI wish to be Queen! I do not have a blog but here is my Facebook page
ReplyDeletehttps://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=767774888
Squire (3-5 books)
ReplyDeleteAnthony Paradiso, www.thetudormonarch.com (Andrew from above had the same website but this site belongs to me, not sure if he made a mistake), FB is the http://www.facebook.com/thetudorspage. My goal is Squire but may read more. We shall see how the year goes. Love the idea of this. I wish everyone luck!
3) Start reading! Any Tudor related book (either fiction or non fiction) you read and finish in 2012 counts. To enter each book, write a review (it doesn't have to be long, just a short overview and your thoughts) and post the link to it (if you post it on your own site, fb, etc.). If you do not have a website, do not fear! Each month I will have a new post for the competition. You can post it in the comment box there.
I aim to be a King!!!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Elean, my goal is Lady-in-Waiting. I do not have a blog but I set up an album on facebook to keep track https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.2962685903447.150511.1150572356&type=3&saved
ReplyDeleteThat's great! We also have a FB Page for the Challenge if it's easier for you to post your progress there!
DeleteThe link is above the comments.
My name is Kim and I am going to work on becoming a queen.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Trish and I aspire to be Queen! I don't have a webpage so I will have to use Facebook notes. This sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteVia the Tudor Book Blog Reading Challenge Facebook Page:
ReplyDeleteTrish Mercaldo
I don't have a blog or anything, but I entered on the site so I'll just post my reviews here, if that's OK. Please let me know otherwise! Here is my first review for "Had the Queen Lived: An Alternative History of Anne Boleyn" by Raven A Nuckols
Obviously, this book is a fictional account on what could have happened if Anne Boleyn never fell out of favor and been executed that terrible day in May..., 1536. I enjoyed it however there were certain parts that left me thinking, "Anne would never have done that!" I tried to put those thoughts aside and enjoy the book for what it was, and for the most part, I did. I would recommend this to someone who knows a bit about this time period. I would not tell someone who doesn't know a thing about Tudor history to pick this up first, because they might be confused on certain facts and events. It's nice though to think about what may have happened had Queen Anne lived, however, I don't think she would have been as popular today had that been so. Overall, not bad.
I would like to be a princess!
ReplyDeletemy first Book is The House of Tudor by Alison Flowden. It covers the complete Tudor Dynasty from Henry VII's life before he won the throne, to Elizabeth I. It reads almost as a text book, but does give the reader a detailed account of their lives and the happenings of other current events in Europe in their time. this book includes many portraits that I have seen rarely, including a sketch of anne Bolelyn by holbein. I purchaed this book because it had the whole palntagenet and Tudor lines inside the front cover, and it is a very good book for reference. I would recommend this book to someone that has a very strong interest in this time period. It is not for the casual reader
I'll be honest ~ I'm only a lowly page, but what kingdom can really thrive without them?
ReplyDeleteI only have two books on my list so far.
"To Die for" by Sandra Byrd
A perspective on Anne from a best friend.
And
"Third" by Q. Kelly
If Anne could have been rescued from tragedy and found what she truly loved.
I read To Die for :) Really enjoyed that book.
DeleteHello Elizabeth, Hello All :)
ReplyDeleteMy name is Joy LaBarr and I aim to be Queen...I did not have a blog, so I made one, and here is the web address... http://queenjoylabarr.blogspot.com/
I will post books as I read them there, as well as on your fb site if that is easier? Just let me know which you prefer, one or both ... I am soooo excited about this, a contest doing something I love, reading about the Tudor Era! Thank You ;)
Welcome to all new entries! I'm very excited you are joining the challenge!
ReplyDeleteIf you are confused about where to post, you can either post on the Facebook page, or here (on this page as a comment). Thanks again! Happy reading :)
TY for the warm welcome Elizabeth, as I said earlier, I am so pleased to be here, TY again :)
ReplyDeleteI choose Lady of the court! I am a homeschool mother so this will allow me to set a good example for my little ones, and motivate me to read more :) Neat idea! I will post on Tudors4Life. My blog is http://www.the-tudor-cafe.com/
ReplyDeleteI posted my first review on facebook for you. Unfortunately, I really did NOT like the book I was reviewing, so it's a little harsh. On to the second now.... thx
DeleteMy name is Kellie and I shall aim for Queen! I do not have a blog, maybe someday if I ever have some free time to myself but you can find me on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=777992847).
ReplyDeleteMy name is Ashley and my goal is Queen. I am absolutely obsessed with the Tudors! Here is a link to my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://arw1992.blogspot.com/
Hi everyone, My name is Sarah, I am aiming for Queen, so far I have read two books (I'm part way through the third), I don't have a blog so will go ahead and post my reviews here....
ReplyDelete1st Book was Murder most royal by Jean Plaidy.
The book starts with Anne Boleyn as a child and follows her through her training at the French court and eventual Queenship and fall, at the same time it introduces Katheryn Howard as a child and her life with the Duchess and ends just after Katheryn's execution. If I am totally honest, it is not the best tudor fiction that I have ever read but it did keep me interested, I particulary liked the relationship between Anne and Katheryn on the rare occasions that the met, but generally it felt as tough too much was being crammed in and the author was only skimming the surface (I understand why though as to write on these subjects in depth would have taken forever and wouldn't have fit into one book!).Overall...I'm glad I read it but doubt I would pick it up again.
The 2nd book was The lady in the tower: The fall of Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir....
When I first heard that Alison Weir had written a book entirely focused on Anne's fall I was as giddy as a school girl and I have to say that I was not dissapointed! The author picks up Anne's story in january 1536 with Henry's fall and Anne's miscarriage and documents (where ever possible) a day by day, blow by blow account of the events from mid January to Mid May, what I like is that the author obviously tries to let the evidence speak for itself. The work has been exquisitely researched and is definitley aimed at those with prior knowledge of Anne and her story. Will be taking pride of place on my bookshelf next to Eric Ives!
For my second book, I have just finished reading Bloody Mary by Carolly Erickson. It begins before Mary's birth, with her brother 'the New Years Boy", building from the grief of his death to the further disappointment of Henry and Katherine having a girl(Mary) right after. It then follows Mary through her life, from being favored by her father to bastardy, to the marriage to a man the she passionately loved (Philip II) only to not have him turn his back on her. Much detail about the workings of her government and her inner circle. The book has a slow pace at times, but is very informational. Well worth reaing.
DeleteHi Guy's...Me again!
ReplyDeleteJust finished a book called Threads by Nell Gavin, read it in 3 days, I just couldn't put it down!!
it has a reincarnation theme which I know is not everyone's cup of tea, but it really captured my imagination.
It starts with Anne Boleyn's execution and at the second she dies her soul is released and she has to start trying to come to termes with the events of the life she has just left.
Anne and Henry as soulmates have spent several lifetimes together and are destined to be together again but only if Anne can learn to forgive Henry for the pain and betrayal he has inflicted during their most recent incarnation. We follow Anne's soul as she looks back on her life and then further back into past lives while she tries to understand the choices and mistakes that have been made along the way and culminated in things going so badly wrong in 1536. We also see some of her future lives as she tries to make amends. I loved every second of this book and particularly enjoyed the ancient Egyptian Henry!!
it is raina, I am aim to be a princess !!
ReplyDeleteAND this way i will start my new blog
with a new username :)
Hello, my name is Stephanie and I will take thia challenge with the aim of Queen. I too have no blog but my Facebook is www.facebook.com/SAJones79. I will also like your FB page. Please tell me where the best place is for me toplease write mythe reviews. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
With regard,
Stephanie
Welcome Stephanie! You can post your reviews as either a comment here or a comment on the Facebook page. Whichever is easiest for you!
ReplyDeleteHi, I'd like to join in this challenge. I'm aiming for Lady in Waiting. I've read a lot of Tudor books but I'm sure I can find more to read this year! My blog is here http://thetwolittlebirdsblog.blogspot.com/. Looking forward to reading everyone's reviews!
ReplyDeleteHI! I want to join please!
ReplyDeleteI'm signing up for Lady in Waiting but will strive for Queen.
I do not have a blog because the new web site is not up....my in house programmer is dragging his feet. LOL
Hello all, I wouldlove to aim for Queen but feel with other considerations I feel that I shoudl aim for Princess! Currently I am reading "Six of One" and finding it pretty entertaining (it is totally fiction). I do not have a blog page so i will post reviews on Tudor Challenge page.
ReplyDeleteMemory
Lady in Waiting--12 books.
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of the Tudor Challenge before. I'm super excited to try my first one. I'm currently reading 'The Queen's Captive' (The Thornleigh series),which I've already read the previous two.
ReplyDeleteI aim to be Queen!
I aim high! I aim for Queen! I am currently reading The Queens' Gamble by Barbara Kyle. Reading on....
ReplyDeleteI adore the idea of this contest. I love reading and I have always love this time period. I don't have many friends that like reading as much and so I never get to talk about books afterwards so this will be great! I just started The Boleyn Inheritance by Philippa Gregory. She is the only author I've read on the Tudors (other than looking up information). Would love some suggestions for a reader who is just diving into the Boleyn/Tudor family!
ReplyDeleteI am aiming for Lady of the Court this year, but I want to be a Princess next year! I don't have a blog, but my fb account is Facebook.com/hcrouse.
Lady Heather :)
Princess, although I hope to make Queen.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently reading "The Winter King, Henry VII and the Dawn of Tudor England," and "Sister Queens", Julia Fox's dual biography of Katherine of Aragon and her sister Juana of Castille.
Sandi Steinberg
Arlington, VA
My third book was The Lady in the Tower by Allison Weir. What a wonderful book. It covers from the time of her arrest in Jan 1536 to her death may 19, 1536. Allison Weir then goes on to describe the many varied opinions of Anne from that dreadful day to the present, and explains how these opinions came to fruition based on who was on the throne as well as political situations. The appendix includes a bit of folklore and legend on where Queen Anne's ghost has been seen over the centuries. A little fun at the end of a very serious, concise and well researched novel.
ReplyDeleteMy fourth book is The Boleyn Inheritance by Phillipa Gregory. I devoured this book in 2 days. I thought that I had read everything she wrote until I took a second look at this one. It is somewhat of a continuance of The Other Boleyn Girl (the Story of Anne and Mary Boleyn). She winds a great story between 3 women; Anne of Cleves (Heny VIII's 4th wife),jane Parker(Boleyn), and Katherine Howard (Henry VIII's 5th Wife.)I have always loved to hate Jane Boleyn and Gregory makes it so easy. She goes into the twisted mind of Jane to try to explain what prompted her to send her husband and sister in law to the scaffold with her false testimony of their incest. Then her betrayal of Anne of Cleves, and finally, her attempt at escaping the scaffold in her guilt in the affair between Queen Katherine and Thomas Culpepper. The intrigue in the novel is very well written and it is very hard to put down. It is obviously historic fiction, but has many accuracies and Gregory's attempt to fill in the empty pieces is some of what I love the most about this book. As cunning and imaginative as her mind is, I think she could actually survive Great Harry's court!
ReplyDeleteI would like to enter! :-) I read a lot of books, I'm ordering and reading new every month so I think I can do it :-)
ReplyDeleteMy goal is: The Queen (16 books +)
My blog where I will be adding book reviews:
www.anne-boleyn./eng
Best wishes for all of you,
Sylwia xx
I joined the challenge in March and have finished 2 (almost 3) books so far. I am finally getting around to writing the reviews and I created a blog just for the occasion. Thanks again for the challenge and giving me the motivation I needed!
ReplyDeleteFirst book review is up. The Other Boleyn Girl- Philippa Gregory http://www.tumblr.com/blog/ladyheathercrouse
I would like to set a goal as Queen but with my schedule a Lady in Waiting is more reasonable.Today I will finish two books hopefully and create my review.
ReplyDeleteHi. Just wanted everyone to know that I've finished Giles Tremlett's biography of Catherine of Aragon, "Catherine of Aragon, The Spanish Queen of Henry VIII". Tremlett is the Guardian's Madrid corespondent and has lived in and written about Spain for 20 years.
ReplyDeleteI really recommend the book. Tremlett is a terrific writer who avoids bogging down in minutiae while using primary sources as well as secondary ones. He also avoids the romance of rely as victimization of poor Catherine. His coverage or Catherine v. Henry's attempts to save/annul their marriage is priceless and to me, quite modern in presentation, despite the issues involved. (At one point, Henry charges that Catherine "smiles too much", surely a sign of royal desperation to get on with this life with Anne....
I've just started my third Tudor book, Hester Chapman's double biographies of Henry Howard, Earl of Surry and of Katherine Grey, one of two surviving sisters of Lady Jane Grey, the 9-Days Queen.
Best to all my fellow Tudorheads,
Sandi
I just finished Hester W. Chapman's "Two Tudor Portraits: Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey and Lady Katherine Grey". I really don't care for the author's style of writing and I think the book could have been edited better.
ReplyDeleteChapman does a much better, straight-forward biography with the shorter piece on Grey, in my opinion.
The book is a library book, which didn't stop a previous reader from making some pencilled crossouts and "Corrections" to the book. Since I know only the outline of Surrey's life, I don't know if the reader or Hester Chapman is correct, but here goes:
Chapman refers to Surrey as a descedant of Edward III, which the reader crossed out and replaced with Edward l. He claimes (P126) that the reference to "Sir Christopher Barker, Garter-King-at-Arms" should be Sir Jon Baker of the Privy Council
on P. 128, she mis-identifies King Edward as Edward the Confessor rather than Edward IV.
I did not know, before reading this, that Surrey was a major poet of his time--actually, in Chapman's view--ahead of his time.
I have begun John Guy's "A Daughter's Love: Thomas More and His Dearest Meg". which is far better and beautifully written.
Best,
Sandi
my name is Lisa and my goal is Queen :) So far I have read both of Clair Ridgeway's books - The Anne Boleyn Collection: The Real Truth about the Tudors and The Fall of Anne Boleyn: A Countdown
ReplyDeleteThe real truth about the Tudors - I really liked, especially that Clair went into each individual wife of Henry VIII, what was said about them, and separating 'fact from myth'. Anne Boleyn: A Countdown was interesting as it goes day by day up until her execution. Learned new things about Anne Boleyn and that time I didn't know.
I have to be made a princess, we'll see. Just started the Tudor Wife by Emily Purdy, written from the point of view of Lady Jane Packer, George Boleyn's wife. Easy to read and full of lust and resentment,so far so good!
ReplyDeleteBook Review #2 (The Boleyn Inheritance- Philippa Gregory) and #3 (The Queen's Fool- Philippa Gregory) are up on my blog. Working on Review #4 and book #5:)
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tumblr.com/blog/ladyheathercrouse
I've just read the Queen's Secret by Victoria Lamb, would definitely recommend it! My review is on my blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://thetwolittlebirdsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/the-queens-secret-by-victoria-lamb.html
Fraid it's only review #1 but plenty of time left to read more!
Joining challenge - hoping to be at least a knight! - will post reviews when I figure out where . . .
ReplyDeleteI'm joining even though it's November! I think I'm going just to be a Lowly Page. I'll post a review on my blog.
ReplyDeletewww.sororitylifearmywife.blogspot.com
Lisa
Just reached my goal! - my goal was 5, and I read 5 so far and am halfway through #6 (bio of Katherine Parr). I have posted reviews for Wolf Hall, Bring up the Bodies, Mary Tudor: England's First Queen, Blood Will Tell: A Medical Explanation of the Tyranny of Henry VIII and A Tudor Tragedy: The Life and Times of Catherine Howard on my goodreads reviews page here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/2797569-mer?shelf=read
ReplyDeleteMy fifth book is "Kathryn" by anne Merton Abbey. Kathryn is not who you think it is. She is a fictional character placed as a lady in waiting to all 6 of Henry's wives. she meets and falls in love with her husband, who is very close to Henry VIII, but they have a very rocky friendship, as Henry rules England, and Kathryn's husband owns the only independent duchy in England...Windsgeat. How this situation comes to be is the heart of the story. To tell youmore would ruin the story, but the princes in the tower are involved, as well as Henry VII and Richard III. It is a stretch historically, but a really good read.
ReplyDeleteBear with me, I will have many entries, as I have reached my goal of novels, but haven't blogged in a long time...so here we go!
ReplyDeleteMy sixth novel was "The Life of Elizabeth I" by Allison Weir. This is exactly as expected of Allison Weir, very organized, accurate and well researched. It starts with background. Who reigned before her, all the places she lived before her coronation, the state of the county, etc.
Most of the book examines her character. could she have had Amy Dudley killed???? Possibly why she never married and the impact that events in her life had on her for this to happen. It gets into great detail as to the workings of the court;jealousies, intrigues, gossip and finance. I learned more about Elizabeth from this book than anything else I have read as of yet. Allison Weir is a superior biographer and I look forward to reading more of her books.
My seventh book is "The Constant princess" by Pilippa Gregory. This is one of my favorite books, as it is about katherine of Aragon. It goes from her life as a child in Spain and how much of a warrior her mother Isabella was and why Katherine took so much pride in being her daughter and proving it when Henry was away in France after their marriage and how she defeated the Scotts as regent to England. It shows cultural differences between the 2 countries, and how they were often disregarded, especially by Henry VII in her early years in England preparing to marry Henry VIII's brother Arthur. Philippa does a wonderful job in bringing Katherine to life. Katherine was a beautiful human being with great resolve. Philippa certainly did her justice.
ReplyDeleteMy Eighth novel is "The Other Boleyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. As most everyone knows, this is the story of the two Boleyn sisters; Mary and Anne. Everyone knows the plot of the story, so I will just state my opinion on how it was written. I always wondered how Mary and Anne would relate to each other after Anne becomes Henry's love interest.If Mary ever had children by Henry, how would that play out between the two sisters? Philippa covers all of that nicely. The dynamic between these two sisters is so intense that you could absolutely believe that things happen just as Philippa wrote them. Anne is wonderfully mischievous, Mary is divinely sweet and innocent. Yin and yang. I feel that Mary did get the better end of the deal in the end. She had the chance to love a powerful King- although being rejected by him, she has proof of her love through her children and a new husband that loves her unconditionally. She no longer fears for her life. She mourns for those she lost, but her future in the end is bright.
ReplyDeleteMy Ninth novel is "the Tudor Rose", by Margaret Campbell Barnes. It centers around Elizabeth of York and her life as a pawn for England. Her father Edward IV has died and many forces are fighting for the throne. Richard, Edward's brother has imprisoned her brothers in the tower, and no one can figure out what has happened to them. Was Richard or Henry VII to blame? Richard proposed marriage to Elizabeth to secure his claim to the throne, but Elizabeth hopes that Margaret Beaufort will come through with a marriage proposed to her son, Henry,because she didn't want to marry her uncle who was seen to have possibly murdered her brothers in the tower. After Henry and Elizabeth are married for the sake of England- not love, rumors start that her brother Edward, the duke of warwick could still be alive. Is it him or just an impersonator? The intrigue is very well written in this novel. It is a complicated time in history, and Barnes writes it well and organized to make it an easy read.
ReplyDeleteMy Tenth novel is the Six wives of Henry VIII by Allison Weir. As concise as you would expect a Weir novel to be. She paints a very vivid picture of each of his wives using letters, household reports and house accounts. She spends the most time on Anne Boleyn as expected given her importance in the change of England. It is a very enjoyable read and helps you to see each woman as her own person...not just the wife of Henry VIII. I am a staunch supporter of Katherine of Aragon so I don't necessarily like how she portrays her as a clueless woman with more principle than brains. They may be being a little harsh, but she definitely portrays her as deluded. Overall a good read.
ReplyDeleteI have read 5 Tudor related books so far in 2012!! How can I send the reviews? They are ready! Please, tell me! :-)
ReplyDeleteSo sad - I forgot all about this and though I have read some tudor related books this year, at least 8 or more (I read more than 2-3 novels a week). Unfortunately, now I can't remember the titles I read AND never did a review on them. Oh, dang!
ReplyDeleteGADawn
My eleventh book is The Children of Henry VIII, (formerly The Children of England) by Allison Weir. Not sure why it was changed to The Children of Henry VIII's it contains his children; Mary, Elizabeth and Edward but also Jane Grey, who was his niece. It is basically about the events after Henry's death; Edward's ascension, and the influence his Seymour uncles had on him, his relationship with his sisters and the circumstances of his death. It then goes to Lady Jane Grey and her supporters plot to get her on the throne and of course he death. Weir spends the most time on Mary and her story. Elizabeth is only in the epilogue as regards her reign. Not sure why she did this unless it was that many are familiar with Elizabeth's story and not Mary's. It is a good story if you want to get into the inner workings of the children's relationship with each other and all of the plotting that went on in those 11 years from Henry VIII's death in 1547 to Elizabeth's coronation in 1558.
ReplyDeleteMy twelfth and final book of the challenge is The Queen's Fool by Philipa Gregory. It is about a girl named Hannah. She and her father had to leave Spain for England as the inquisition flies through Spain. She becomes betrothed to a man she doesn't love and doesn't really want to marry as she loves the life at court and working as the royal fool, as she has the ability of "the sight"- to forsee the future. Robert Dudley is the one that brings her to court to act as his little spy, first in Mary's court and then in Elizabeth's. Hannah finds that she has fallen in love with Dudley and therefore makes the temptation to stay at court stronger. It is a really great read as she goes through her challenges and situations and sees all of the things that happen behind closed doors...
ReplyDelete