⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ Dr. Lucy Worsley is one of my favorite author-historians, and I’ve been anticipating her book Queens and Kings: An Unusually Personal History of the Monarchy since she announced it on social media. I enjoyed her previous books on Georgian history: Jane Austen at Home and The Courtiers. She was Chief … More Book Review: QUEENS AND KINGS by Lucy Worsley
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ I’m thrilled to review another virtual course on medieval women! This is my third course with Nathen Amin and Dr. Nicola Tallis, and each course has been a delight. I’ve taken The Tudors: The Creation of a Dynasty and Wars of the Roses: Power and Personalities. Nathen and Nicola are … More Course Review: Women Who Shook the Medieval World
Tracy Borman is a formidable Tudor historian and a purposeful writer. I’ve read many of her nonfiction books, including Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth I, The Private Lives of the Tudors, and Crown & Sceptre. Borman’s work is consistently engaging, lively, and well-researched. The House of Boleyn is Borman’s latest historical novel, and it was released … More Book Review: THE HOUSE OF BOLEYN by Tracy Borman
For the past few years, I have embarked on an independent study of medieval and Renaissance Europe. I’ve read 30+ books and enrolled in several digital courses. I’ve attended live video discussions with historians and participated virtually in a Tudor conference. I’ve just finished Dr. Lacey Bonar Hull’s 16-week course, Women in Late Medieval England. … More Course Review: Women in Late Medieval England
Professor Jill Burke’s How to Be A Renaissance Woman: The Untold Story of Beauty and Female Creativity (Pegasus Books, 2024)is an extraordinary confluence of Renaissance culture, women’s history, and cosmetic history. Jill Burke tracks Renaissance beauty standards, cosmetic trends, and their cultural influences. Burke collects historical, literary, and artistic sources to create a fascinating exploration. … More Book Review: HOW TO BE A RENAISSANCE WOMAN by Jill Burke
Alison Weir’s The Boleyn Secret is hot off the presses — and fresh out of the recording studios. This latest installment of Tudor historical fiction was released in May 2026. I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Rosalyn Landor, who has been an exceptional performer of Weir’s Six Queens series, The King’s Pleasure, and The … More Book Review: THE BOLEYN SECRET by Alison Weir
As a lover of history, I appreciate the precise details and human experience that create the historical novel. Historical fiction can be rife with purple prose, blatant inaccuracies, and needless eroticism. But when it is done well, a historical novel makes characters come to life, building empathy and perspective. The latest stop on my medieval … More Book Review: JANE THE QUENE by Janet Wertman
Several months ago, I began my foray into Tudor history. I’ve found joy in a plethora of history podcasts. In no particular order, here are the five Tudor podcasts I never miss! Some lovely features in common with all five podcasts: Talking Tudors Hosted by Natalie Grueninger, Talking Tudors is a rich exploration of Tudor … More Top 5 Tudor Podcasts
For the past eight months, I have been rediscovering my love of medieval and renaissance history through books and podcasts. I’m having a blast! So I’m documenting my research journey here with some reviews. Today I’m reviewing The Cardinal: A Novel of Love and Power by Alison Weir (Ballantine, 2025). I’ve read all six of … More Book Review: THE CARDINAL by Alison Weir
In March, blind poet and writing professor Stephen Kuusisto released Have Dog, Will Travel: A Poet’s Journey — a memoir about his life with his first guide dog, Corky. This is an exceptional book that will resonate with a wide audience beyond the obvious blind people and guide dog handlers. Kuusisto was featured on the PBS … More Book Review: Have Dog, Will Travel
I am excited to share my latest publication, a review of Jill Khoury’s Suites for the Modern Dancer. Khoury’s book is a full-length poetry collection, published by Sundress Press in 2016. My review was published in Issue #5 of The Deaf Poets Society. Here’s how the review begins: I indulge in the fantasy of maneuvering effortlessly … More Book Review: Suites for the Modern Dancer
Tonight I am dining at Bistro AIX for the first time. While making the reservation through OpenTable, I inserted a note about needing an out-of-the-way table to accommodate my guide dog. I’m curious to see how the restaurant will interpret my specifications. Javier and I arrive at Bistro AIX for our 6:30PM reservation, confirmed by … More Review: BIstro AIX
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