I’ve had Hilary Mantel’s books on my TBR pile for some time, and I’m finally going for it. I’m starting WOLF HALL, to be followed by BRING UP THE BODIES if I like WOLF HALL. I love the Tudors, and reading about Henry VIII, so I think I’m going to love it.
From Barnes and Noble:
WINNER OF THE 2009 MAN BOOKER PRIZE WINNER OF THE NATIONAL BOOK CRITICS CIRCLE AWARD FOR FICTION A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
England in the 1520s is a heartbeat from disaster. If the king dies without a male heir, the country could be destroyed by civil war. Henry VIII wants to annul his marriage of twenty years and marry Anne Boleyn. The pope and most of Europe opposes him. Into this impasse steps Thomas Cromwell: a wholly original man, a charmer and a bully, both idealist and opportunist, astute in reading people, and implacable in his ambition. But Henry is volatile: one day tender, one day murderous. Cromwell helps him break the opposition, but what will be the price of his triumph?
In inimitable style, Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall is “a darkly brilliant reimagining of life under Henry VIII. . . . Magnificent.” (The Boston Globe).
What are you reading? What was the best book you read in 2012?
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
I have been reading this book for about 5 months now. I LOVE historical books but this one I just cannot seem to get into. I am halfway through it and just do not have the heart to like it.
I heard they are making this into a tv movie. Maybe after seeing it I will enjoy it more, like Pillars of the Earth. I had that book forever trying to get into it but then I saw the series and fell in love with it and now I love the book.
Game of Thrones was also a very hard start the first book but after that they were addictive.
Oh no, Ti. Not a strong endorsement.
Haven’t read in a while because I’ve been trying to focus on writing with limited time for leisure. Best Book in 2012 ( besides my two critique partners books ahem) that I’ve read would by All Necessary Force by Brad Taylor.
The CPs books are definitely right up there, I’m sure.
Oooh! This sounds good. I saw it somewhere on line the other day, too, but didn’t know what it was about.
As for best book of 2012 … I don’t know! I loved Graceling and Gone Girl, and though it wasn’t a 2012 book, I finally read bk 1 in Game of Thrones and absolutely loved it.
Listening to Gone With the Wind now (started in 2012) and I really think it’s fabulously done. Scarlett is so flawed, but so wonderful
Sherri -
They are making a tv series out of that book in the UK…. some history peeps were sooooo excited about it. I’ll see if I can find the info for you.
I just read – back to back – A Discovery of Witches and Shadows of the Night by Deborah Harkness. Talk about history! She’s an expert and used it well in these first 2 of 3 in her All Souls Trilogy. I’d heard about it last year when the first one came out and declined because it’s in that dreaded (for me) first person POV…. but I persevered and loved these.
Now waiting on the third one coming out “sometime” in 2013….
Oh, cool! I will have to read those. Have seen them, but haven’t read them yet. And I love 1st person, so yay!
I love 1st person, too. Deborah Harkness graduated a few years ahead of me at Mount Holyoke College. She was actually in my SIL’s graduating class, and they’re friends.
Okay, that book has been sitting on my Kindle forever. I am going to read it now that you said that, Sherri.
Cool! We can compare notes.
I haven’t been reading at all lately–too many other things happening. But need to dig into something! Halfway through a book that shall remain nameless and haven’t felt at all compelled to finish. Not a good sign. Think maybe it’s time to call it and move on.
Sometimes, you have to call it. I hate when that happens. Failure to engage. But I’m dying to know which book, hahaha.
Dee I have been feeling a lot less than my normal self and I realized why. I think I have SAD (which means not enough sunshine). Since I am from Florida and used to a lot of hours of sun, it is hard to get used to no sun from 4pm to 8am.
Ti, I always get a little bluesy this time of year. Hang in there. I think we need to invest in sun lamps (but it’s still not the same).