Lately I have been on a bit of a history kick bookwise. I remember liking it in school but dont remember being taught nearly the types of things I have read in books. My little venture towards more historical books started with seeing Both Elizabeth movies with Cate Blanchett and then seeing The Other Boleyn Girl. I remember the basics but some things did not remember ever learning about. I figured most was just made up so I started reading some books. I DO admit to prefering some historical fiction on certain people cause they take them and into Real people for me. I only like the ones that have a good amount of research listed in the back where they state what was actual and what was speculation based on research. Most have a pretty extensive reference section in the backs as well.

I still have not found the books the 2 Elizabeth movies were based on but did get the Phillipa Gregory Novel The Other Boleyn Girl. If you liked the movie will most likely LOVE the book. As per the norm there are many more detail included in the books that can be put in a movie....unless were to be a mini series. After reading this book I got several others to read on this time period.

The book titled Katharine of Aragon by Jean Plaidy is actually a reprint of 3 short novels complied into one. This book goes through the Katherine of Aragons life. From her move to England, marriage to and widow of Arthur (Henry Viii older brother), her trials of living in England and then eventual marriage to Henry VIII, the struggle to keep him and eventually the loss to Ann Boleyn and her Death. Was well written. Jean Plaidy wrote countless books on this time period so if you pick this one up make sure to check out others by her as well. She has other pen names the most known being Victoria Holt.

The book The Sixth Wife by Suzannah Dunn is about Katherin Parr who was the 6th and final wife of Henry VIII. This book tells of her like After Henry died and gives insight into what she had given up to be basically his nursemaid and then some of the challenges over the thrown with Henrys children by different wives (which were and were not legitimate would depend on whos version of things is believed)

The book The Secret Bride by Diane Haeger is about Mary Tudor who was Henry VIIIs younger sister. It is her story and on a lesser front her view of things with Henry and Ann Boleyn. Mary was married (bartered) to the aging Louis of France. There was a large age difference and according to sources she had Henry promise she could be free to marry whom she pleased when Louis died. In the book tells of her devotion to her brother and her love of Henrys close friend Charles Brandon. As the title hints she does become a bride in secret after her first hubby passes but Henry was not pleased. I really enjoyed this book.

The book Portrait of and Unknown Woman by Vanora Bennett is about the Thomas Moore family. It is told from the view point on his adopted daughter and shows a different side of Thomas Moore and also gives a sorta outsiders view on the changes the happened in England at the time when Henry started the Church of England. Well written.

The book Brief Gaudy Hour by Margaret Campbell Barnes is another about Ann Boleyn. This one takes a different stand on what her life had been like and how she was as a person in general. I have now read several books mainly focused on Ann Boleyn and this one so far has been my favorite. Yes she is still in a way the bad guy but she is also made into a real person and there are some speculated real reasons she did what she did and so on. Very worth picking up if you enjoy a good historical fiction novel.