Books for...A Castle!

Avast, thou readerly folk! Dost thou liketh thine books? Eth?

Today’s books are good when you want to get away from it all – really, really far away from it all, like into another time, or another world. Full of fairies (some), fortunes (more), and fine fellows (all), these books make me want to jump on my black stallion and gallop across the moors on an epic adventure.

BOOKS TO READ…

…IN A CASTLE!

• CITY OF BONES by Cassandra Clare: The first book in the MORTAL INSTRUMENTS trilogy that is really a collective novel (you really shouldn’t read just one – they are so much better all together), this is the story of a girl in modern-day New York City who discovers that she’s part of a whole other world of demons, shadows, and other creatures that her mother has been purposefully hiding her. As Clary learns about this new world and it competes with her old world, there is – of course! – a dangerous and vital battle in her future. Scary, fun, witty, and moving, this book features one of the most tantalizing guy characters I have ever read in Jace Wayland. If you like him, you must read the next two books, as well!

• PILLARS OF THE EARTH by Ken Follet: This book is epic in every sense of the word: the years-long arc of the building of a cathedral in a town in medieval England, it is several hundred pages long (okay, fine, it’s 973). Don’t be scared, though! It is a heart-filling tale, with important and delightful portrayals of love, greed, power, family, grief, and faith. It walks a fine line between literary and popular fiction: it is enjoyable, simply written, and easy to read, but I cried while reading it, and it’s hard to forget. It is good to read if you are ever actually near castles, too: the book was inspired by Salisbury Cathedral in Salisbury, England.

• THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE PINK CARNATION by Lauren Willig: This is the first in a whole series of books about women who were spies at important times in world history, without anyone having a clue. Told both from the present through a female historian and from the past, these books are fun, sexy, and even a little informative about history, if not everything is factual. Fiction is way more fun than fact, anyway!

• THE QUEEN’S FOOL by Phillipa Gregory: This is my favorite of the famous Gregory’s many books about the English Royal Court in Tudor England. The chronicle of Jewish exiles from Spain Hannah and her printmaker father, there is plenty of pain, love, sex, power, and royal intrigue in this pretty-covered tome. Gregory’s other books can be overlong and over-plotted, but this one is clean, powerful, and a delightful journey to read.

• WICKED LOVELY by Melissa Marr: Set in a present day city, this books (and its fabulous sequels) follows Aislinn’s journey as she learns about the evil world of fairies of which she has an important role she never knew existed. I swear it is TOTALLY DIFFERENT than CITY OF ASHES – the language is much more artsy and the story itself is less closely plotted. There are many hot guys and some cool fashions, and the book is short: a sharp, quick read that might make you look at a few people differently.

Yet again, feedback is encouraged! I’d also love tips from you, if you know of any books I should read and consider including in future lists. Thank you for taking the time to come here and consider reading any of these great books, and THANK YOU for reading anything at all, period! Best wishes!

When we meet again…

BOOKS TO READ…

…ON THE BEACH!