You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

Open invite to all,

Myself and Sarah are going to be reading the epic historical-fiction novel The Sunne in Splendour - A Novel of Richard III by Sharon Kay Penman, in February as part of the Chunkster challenge. If anyone else wants to join in with us (for the challenge or just for fun), you are more than welcome. The start date and completion date for this buddy read are open-ended.

I first read this as a teenager. I get 2/3rds through and just don't want to finish it. I know what's going to happen (it having already happened) and so want it to turn out differently.

I'm so excited to start. I was actually just looking on Google at Richard III and apparently a reburial ahs been proposed for this year, interesting. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-...

That is very interesting. It's great that he will finally get a proper burial. I can't help thinking it might be better for him to be buried in York though, seeing as he was a member of the House of York. Although I understand why they want to keep him in Leicester.

I am really excited to start this book too.

I'm learning more about British royalty and this author draws me. Is this a good book to start with for her, or would you all recommend I read something ... maybe shorter? Not sure what works she's best known for.

This is a heck of a brick, you ladies are brave! :)). I hope you both enjoy it.

Lol, this book certainly fits the definition of 'chunkster'.

I am a newbie to this author myself so am not sure how much help I will be here but this book is a stand alone novel about the life and reign of Richard III so I would say that this is a good a place to start as any if you want to learn more about British royalty. I think this is probably her most famous and most acclaimed work too. I have the 30th anniversary edition which has some added material so there are shorter versions of this book out there (it is still a brick though) if you want them.

Hi Laura. The Sunne is Splendour is meant to be her most well known. But if your looking for a shorter read (still in the 500 or 600 pages though) is her Welsh Princes Trilogy. I just finsihed them and I loved them. Here is the first one: Here be Dragons.

Hehe boy does it fit in with the chunkster challenge XD

I still haven't started yet, as the bf wants to play Monopoly =D and he wanted to see what 'The Musketeers' was like. So watched the first episode with him.

But the book will get started tonight =]

Thanks, ladies.

I was just checking, and it seems hardly any of hers are available on audio. Why is this?! They're so long. I saw "Lionheart", and its sequel coming out next month both are available on audio, but they're 4th and 5th in the series, so i don't know if I should read those two without reading the first three (which aren't on audio).

Hmmm. I'm not sure why they aren't on audio. Maybe it has something to do with how old they are? I think the Welsh Princes one I read were written in the 1990's.

And her newer one's may be available on audio, but no one has got round to doing the older ones on audio? Who knows.

But I'd defo recommened the Welsh Princes. And the one 'Lionheart' is the series Plantagenets. I ahven't started them yet, the first one being When Christ and His Saints Slept and my mom recommends those too =]

So I guess just start where you're comfortable.

Audio is way more convenient for me, because I seem to spend most of my time in the kitchen and office. I wonder if Lionheart might be the place to start then. I hate to start a series midway through, but everyone raves about her writing.

She is really good. I don't see why you can't listen to 'Lionheart' the general series is about the line of Plantagenets. And Lionheart and A King's Ransom are both focused more so on Richard I. So maybe give it a try. You can always read earlier ones later on =]

Thanks, Sarah! I think I will try it. I wish this one was on audio, I'd consider this one too. Even though it's a brickety-brick lol.

Your welcome =]

hehe yes it sure is.

I've started I've just got to Chapter 3. I have to keep referring to the first page where the main characters are listed as so many people have the same names. I also have to remember that I'm reading a completely different book and in a different time period to that of the Welsh Princes. I can't help but imagine Edward I and Edmund his brother, whenever I see Edward and Edmund in this book (who are the eldest sons of Richard Plantagent and Cecily Neville).

I like it so far, so gunna have a munch and keep reading.

I've started too. I am up to Chapter 4.

I am really grateful for the character list at the start! I have studied this time period a little bit before so I was familiar with a few of the characters but there are still loads that I am unfamiliar with and they certainly weren't very imaginative with names back then, were they? ;)

I am enjoying it so far. (view spoiler)[I really like the relationship between Richard and Edward, there seems to be a genuine brotherly affection there. Richard is clearly in awe of his eldest brother, I thought it was really sweet of him to lie to his parents about how he got lost in the woods when, in fact, it was Edward's fault for going off with Joan and leaving him alone. Also, I felt really sorry for Richard when Ludlow Castle got attacked by the Lancastrians and he witnessed Joan being attacked by the soldiers. What a horrible thing for a 7 year old child to witness! (hide spoiler)]

I thought the part in Chapter 3, (view spoiler)[where Edmund was killed in cold blood by Lord Clifford, was really sad. Clifford clearly has no real sense of honour and it would appear that even his own Lancastrian soldiers were unhappy with his conduct. (hide spoiler)]

I am going to call it a night now but I am looking forward to continuing with this tomorrow.

I'm up to Chapter 4 now also.

I don't really know much about this time period, only what i read in Kings, Queens, Chiefs And Rulers and it wasn't much at all. So I may be doing some looking up on Google =]

Haha no they weren't, nearly all sons had their father's names didn't they? It can get very confusing.

Yes (view spoiler)[I like the relationship between them. I like the fact that Edward doesn't care too much whether people think he is afraid or not and even told Richard that he was afraid before the Lancastrians came to Ludlow. OMG I know that part was sad and at the beginning of that chapter it just stated that a girl was screaming and then at the end of the chapter Richard says it was Joan =[ (hide spoiler)]

Oh and in Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[I wasn't too shocked about him dying. I just knew one was going to die soon enough. It's horrible how they just killed Edmund because his father happened to kill Clifford's father. (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait to carry on and see what you think =]

Awww in Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[I liked Cecily comforting little Anne, I'm guessing she's going to be the kind-hearted loving Anne that marries Richard later in life. Can't wait for that. (hide spoiler)]

I'm just starting on Chapter 9 now and don't want to put the book down. (view spoiler)[I can really imagine how it felt for Edward to see his brother and father's head on Mickelgate Bar, it must have been so horrible. And I'm really suprised he gave the Duke of Somerset another chance =O but I guess if he hadn't the Lancastrian's would no doubt be rebelling straight away. I'm glad Somerset blew that chance tho, I really didn't like him. (hide spoiler)]

I really liked Chapter 7 when (view spoiler)[Francis comes into contact with Richard, and Richard is kind to him and talks to him just like any other boy would. I was doing a little research just breifly, and Francis becomes one of Dickon's best friends throughout adulthood. So that's exciting. (hide spoiler)]

I only managed to read a little bit today so am now up to Chapter 6.

Sarah, I also liked that bit in Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[Cecily comforting Anne. In fact, I liked the entire part where we got inside her head and discovered her feelings about her children. Also, I found it really cute that Richard has a favourite blanket that he cannot sleep without. I wonder why it means so much to him? Apparently, Richard III is believed to have suffered from insomnia throughout his life, particularly after he became king, so I wonder if this is some kind of early reference to it? (hide spoiler)]

I loved the part in Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[where Edward rode into London after his victory. The descriptions were just amazing! I really felt like I was right there in the middle of it all. The same goes when Edward and Warwick entered York after their victory at the Battle of Towton. I literally winced when Edward saw the heads of his father and brother on Micklegate Bar, I am not surprised that he didn't feel particularly charitable to the Lancastrian prisoners after seeing that sight! (hide spoiler)]

I can't believe that the 'Love Day' that is mentioned in Chapter 5 actually existed! It was on March 25th 1458 and Henry VI led a procession to St Paul's Cathedral and the Lancastrian and Yorkist nobles followed him holding hands or linking arms :)

I am loving this book so far and can't wait to continue.

Haha, you'll find that Sharon Kay Penman does try to be as factual as possible =] (I didn't know it existed either tho hehe). But yes so only bits and pieces here and then she may add some fiction in. You can read her notes at the end of the book. And it'll tell you why she put certain fiction in.

I'm really really enjoying it. I read these quite slow compared to non HF because I really like to understand it and get into it. Sometimes it feels like I'm there when I read her books.

About Chapter 4 that is quite possible (view spoiler)[ I didn't know he suffered with insomnia, I read somewhere that he had idiopathic scoliosis in his adolescense, but no mention of it yet. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, (view spoiler)[I noticed that his scoliosis hasn't been mentioned yet as well. Maybe it is being saved for later? Or maybe she chose not to include it at all because until his skeleton was discovered, no-one really knew for certain if he actually had a hunchback or whether it was all just Tudor propaganda. I guess we will find out what approach she has taken with it. I read recently that although his spine curved sideways and one shoulder was higher than the other, it wouldn't have really been that noticeable when he was fully clothed. (hide spoiler)]

Hmmm interesting. In that case maybe not then. But we'll see.

Hahaha in Chapter 26 (view spoiler)[I found it so funny when everyone moved aside for Richard's dog to come and greet him. lmao that's how my brother's dog greets me (hide spoiler)]

Wow! You are flying through it! I am really going at a snail's pace. At this rate, I will probably still be reading this in December! Lol.

Awww don't worry. I read quite quickly as it is, and seriously I have nothing to do. I have difficulty sleeping so I tend to read through the early hours of the morning. When I do eventually get to sleep about half 5-6 I'm not up till mid-day *blushes* and then I'll be reading again unless I'm cooking or watching something.

I can't seem to put it down, I keep getting to the end of a chapter and thinking 'Just one more' and it's never-ending lol.

Chapter 27 is quite confusing as I can never understand (view spoiler)[battle formations. So all this vanguard, flanking and stuff. I ahve to keep looking up, but it does get a bit difficult. But the end of the chapter is really sad. I though Warwick would die, but I really like Johnny =[ He was a Yorkist at heart, but he was torn between it and his brother. Poor John (hide spoiler)]

Hmm at the end of Chapter 30 (view spoiler)[I think I just realised why George was looking at Richard so intently. He wanted Warwick Castle, but Anne would recieve that upon the death of her mother. However, I think he just figured out that Richard still wants Anne and that would make Warwick Castle Richard's if they married. (hide spoiler)]

I'm getting really close to Book 2 now. The first one was called Edward, is it like that with your edition? Mostly about Edward being King. So I'm guessing the second one 'Anne' is going to be about her (view spoiler)[returning to England and eventually wedding Richard. (hide spoiler)]

Yes, the first book in my edition is also called 'Edward'.

I am now up to Chapter 15. (view spoiler)[I really like the friendship that has developed between Richard and Francis and how loyal they are to each other because of it. I really like Richard's loyalty to people as a whole actually and I felt a bit sorry for him when he had to choose between Edward and the Earl of Warwick. Obviously, he was always going to support his brother but you could tell that it pained him to regard their cousin as the enemy and that he was at a loss to really explain how things had gotten to be this bad. (hide spoiler)]

Although (view spoiler)[he is not a particularly pleasant person, I am quite enjoying the Earl of Warwick as a character. Although he is now the 'enemy', there is a degree of ambiguity about him and I do feel a little bit of empathy for him at times. I also really like his brother John. He is a very sympathetic character and it's a shame that his relationship with Richard has become awkward due to the falling out between the Earl of Warwick and Edward. (hide spoiler)]

Also, I too was really glad when the (view spoiler)[the Duke of Somerset was executed after betraying Edward only a year after pledging allegiance to him. I really didn't like him either. (hide spoiler)]

So, that's 250 pages down, only another 950 to go! I don't mind at all though because this book is just amazing!

Heh. I'm in love with this book already, it's now on my wishlist. I love how Sharon draws you in and it's liked your trapped within the story. I just keep wanting to know what happens.

I've just got to the 2nd book now and only 29% through. It's strange to see that as I haven't read too many long books (so of course loving the chunkster challenge) so it's weird to think at that amount of pages normally I'd be near enough half way through a book or over.

Yes, I thought that too about (view spoiler)[Johnny I really like him =] He's in the same position as Richard really with brother and cousin. (hide spoiler)]

Your doing well though =] hehe it sure is amazing.

I have just reached Chapter 27.

I really liked the scene in Chapter 25 (view spoiler)[when George went and faced his mother Cecily for the first time since his betrayal of Edward. I liked how she told him to face up to what he had done and to stop blaming other people for his actions. I understand that a lot of what happened was Warwick's doing but no-one forced him to side with Warwick against his brother(s). Sadly, it's a lesson he has learned the hard way as it looks like his relations with much of his family are damaged beyond repair. Funny thing is, I actually feel a bit of sympathy towards George. He is flawed certainly but a lot of his troubles seem to stem from the fact that he feels neglected by Edward. It's like he is crying out for his brother's attention in a way. (hide spoiler)]

I also found it funny when (view spoiler)[everyone moved aside for Richard's dog in Chapter 26. It was like he owned the place! I also thought it was funny when Edward said he had hoped that Richard had lost the dog, only for the dog to knock over his cup of wine as he walked past him. That will teach Ned to insult him! (hide spoiler)]

I felt really sorry for Anne Neville, (view spoiler)[being forced to marry Edouard of Lancaster when she clearly wants nothing more than to marry Richard. Luckily, we all know that things take a turn for the better and that she gets her wish in the end :) (hide spoiler)]

Ooh wow your catching up real quick, I didn't have a chance to read yesterday so I'll still on page 438. When I reached the second book the chapter's revert back to 1, so I'm on Chapter 9 of book 2.

lmao that was hilarious, I just couldn't stop laughing at that part in Chapter 26.

Oh yes, that was a good scene in Chapter 25. I guess I see what you mean, (view spoiler)[Ned has always been very close to Richard and George feels left out, maybe like he's not valued. But I feel no sympathy for him, I actually quite disliked him from the beginning. (hide spoiler)]

I felt very sorry for Anne too (view spoiler)[forced into a marriage to please her father, so he may have a chance at gainign England back for Margaurite. I can't wait to see when she gets with Richard. (hide spoiler)]

When you get to book 2 it take a different turn, of course it's about Ned being King, but a lot more focused on Anne, and I'm really enjoying it. I think Sharon is very good with her writing, she can really make you feel as if you can understand all the feelings her characters feel. And she can do it well with both the male and female characters.

I have only managed to read one chapter today (I got hooked on the Winter Olympics) so am now up to Chapter 28.

The Battle of Barnet has just taken place. (view spoiler)[I felt so sad when Johnny got killed! I knew Warwick got killed in this battle and I kind of guessed that Johnny might as well but it was still really sad when he did. What made it worse was the fact that he went into the battle wearing the Yorkist colours hidden underneath his armour. He ultimately supported York but his loyalty to his brother Warwick won out in the end and this sadly cost him his life. Both Richard and Edward seemed genuinely upset by this loss, particularly Richard who was obviously very close to Johnny. It will be interesting to see how much this battle affects Richard as it seems to have cost him a great deal on a personal level. (hide spoiler)]

That's the 400 page mark reached. I am looking forward to reaching book 2 and having the focus of the story shifted to Anne Neville.

I am up to Chapter 3 of Book 2 (page 535).

I am loving the focus switch to Anne Neville. (view spoiler)[She is such a nice character and I love how kind and caring Richard is with her. It sounds like she had a really difficult time in being married to Edouard of Lancaster so it's great that he is now out of the way and she has the chance of happiness with Richard. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[George is now starting to annoy me. He seems hell bent on destroying himself with his selfishness and greed. I know he didn't mean to, but I hated how he grabbed hold of Richard's bad arm thus causing him a lot of pain. It seems that the damage is now done between himself and Richard and he only has himself to blame. (hide spoiler)]

Also, I laughed at the part in Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[when George accuses Richard of not taking long in going whining to Edward and Richard retaliates by saying "I'm beginning to think that what you know could be inscribed upon the head of a pin and with space to spare!" 1-0 to Dickon! (hide spoiler)]

I agree with you Sarah, I think Sharon is a great writer. She really gets inside the heads of her characters and writes from both male and female perspectives incredibly well. Her knowledge of this time period comes across brilliantly too. She clearly loves her history and has definitely done her research.

Awesome =] I'm in the last book now 'Richard, by the Grace of God...' and I'm getting a little sad cuz I know I'm not far from the end now =[

This has got to be one of the most enjoyable books I've read this so far this year, I love Anne Neville and Richard is awesome. Edward makes me laugh and I really like Francis. I feel like I'm been transported back in time and can feel all the emotions they are feeling.

I really enjoyed the focus to Anne (view spoiler)[she is such a sweet character and is very loving towards Richard and many others in her household. (hide spoiler)]Wow, I can really see that difference now in your edition. Chapter 3 in Book 2 in my book is page 383. Is that LONDON May 1471?

I can't remember chapters now and I don't want to ruin anything for you, so maybe at the end I'll be able to explain more of my favourite parts with you. I don't mind looking back though.

lmao yes that was funny. It's good cuz there are quite a few funny parts where I've laughed and found it funny (view spoiler)[how George sort of stands still and doesn't know what to say, and seems to want to storm out. However now he has to wait for permission to leave whilst in Edward's presence. (hide spoiler)]

I've been looking on ebay and Amazon for this book, I've found your edition for £12 at the cheapest. Wow, tis expensive need to do some more surveys to save up for vouchers lol.

I know, that is the only problem with this book, the fact that we know that it is going to be sad at the end :( It sounds like you are going to be finished soon :) I was aiming to finish before the toppler starts on Saturday but that probably won't happen as I am not even halfway through yet.

Yes, Chapter 3 in Book 2 is London May 1471. I think my edition is over 300 pages longer than most other editions. I know it contains an extended afterword by Sharon but there is no way that that is going to account for all those extra pages so I am assuming that there must be extra detail in the story as well.

I got my copy on Amazon when it first came out in September last year and they had a deal on it where it only cost £8 which I didn't think was too bad for a new hardback. Fingers crossed that they lower the price again at some point as £12 cheapest is pushing it a bit. I do surveys as well! Sadly, I haven't done enough yet to earn a voucher :(

I couldn't sleep very well yesterday at all and only got to sleep at half 6 this morning. So I'm doing an all-nighter tonight. So I may be done by tomoz. I ahve 12 books scheduled for this month and so far read 1, but after tomoz I'll have read my 2 chunksters for the month. but I joined so many challenges, I need to catch up.

I dunno tho, you may get there before sat =] You're doing really well.

Oh wow an extended afterword oooh me wanna read >.< Yes must defo have some extra details in. That is a really good deal. I'll keep my eye out for it then, as you got it at a really good price. So if I do some more searching around and be patient (or at least try to) I can find it too.

What survey sites are you on? I am on 'Valued Opinions' (but it takes absolutely ages to get enough points for a voucher. The other site is 'MySurvey' And it's really good, you earn points and it turns into actual items or paper vouchers or electronic vouchers. I'm on 'Toluna' as well but again, takes absolute ages to even get up to a decnt voucher =[

It sounds like you will get it finished tonight :) I hope your all-nighter goes ok. It's horrible not being to sleep though. Hopefully you will get a better night's sleep tomorrow. Wow, 12 books in a month! That is a lot of reading you have got ahead of you! Good luck with it, although I am sure you won't need it :) I am such a slow reader that I don't sign up for that many challenges. I just tend to stick with the YLTO yearly and monthly challenges, topplers and the occasional group read.

It would be great if I could finish this before Saturday. I have just read another 50 pages but still have a long way to go. I should be able to get some decent reading done tomorrow though.

I am only on one survey site at the mo, 'Panel Opinion'. It is good but it also takes ages to earn enough money to cash out. I actually signed up to 'Toluna' but I then cancelled my membership because I was hardly getting any surveys. I looked at 'MySurvey' but didn't actually sign up. I think I will now though because it sounds like it is one of the better ones.

Hopefully *fingers crossed* I tend to get sleepy at about noon and then try to keep myself awake till 10pm and sleep much better. It's just staying awake in the day, when doing the all-nighter. At the same time, it's like urgh, what do i do. But I'll probs just read. I was doing some surveys my 'My Survey' just went down =[

I'd defo suggest that one tho. I did about 5/6 surveys and then had enough points for a £5 voucher for Amazon, so I got my bro and bf something. And then I did another 5 surveys and just got another voucher, spent it on my mom and bf again. I've just actually completed a survey that's got me up to the £5 voucher mark, but I think I'll add to it and get a paper voucher towards clothes. Cuz I just can't resist.

Yes 12 bookies is a lot. I did 8 last month. But some of these ones are shorter. As last month I read 3 chunksters, I've already my chunksters now, so all the rest are relatively short. Around 300 pages or so.

If you're a slow reader anyway, I'm still sure there are plenty of opportunities on YLTO. I've noticed a fair few on there. I like the monthly ones with the points system. I haven't done one yet but maybe within the next few months I'll get round to doing one. I'm a bit of an addict with challenges. Here are all mine look =/ https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... lmao.

Oh I think I was on that survey site too. But I rarely got survey's on there =[ I guess it depends on age, where you live and what you do as well.

I'm quite curious to know how Sharon portrays the 'Princes in the Tower' as I've been doing a little extra research into the time period. It's quite strange that know one knows for sure whatever happened to them, so looking forward to seeing what happens in the book =]

Lol, you certainly are a challenge addict! I really enjoy participating in them too, they are so much fun and it's great that there are challenges to suit all reading speeds.

New clothes are always nice. I try to resist wherever possible but it doesn't often work. Still, I am better at resisting new clothes than I am at resisting new books! I have just put myself on a book buying ban, it has lasted 2 days so far and I am already struggling to resist! Haven't given in yet though :D

I am curious to see how she portrays the 'Princes in the Tower' as well. It is one of the great unsolved mysteries and I know that there are quite a few theories as to what might have happened so it will be interesting to see which one she decides to run with.

Teehee, yes just a teeny bit of an addict.

Wow how many books do you usually buy in a year do you think? Or even a month? I love buying books, but in general they can be so expensive (to me anyway) £7.99 from waterstones. I just can't do it =[ I haven't brough any actual books in ages =[ Probs since last September *cries*. I have to make do with zee library. I got given a bunch a books my mom didn't want anymore (a lot of vampires) and my bf went 'oh no more books' lmao.

I think I'm worse with clothes. I cannot go into them or I have to get something. So haven't really been physcially shopping, just mooching online, but I'm trying to cut it down, as I'm getting sad I have no money to get anything.

Ooh there are so many things I want to say about what I read, I'll keep an eye on your progress and talk about them when you get there. I've made little notes so I don't forget =]

Too many books per month is what I buy! Lol. Tbh, it varies month on month. I know I bought over 20 books last month (mainly because I had Christmas money to spend) and I have already bought several more this month (although I did have a voucher to use up). I am running out of space to put them now though which is why I want to stop buying them for a while. I agree, Waterstones is very expensive. I do buy from there occasionally but I mostly get my books from Amazon or The Works. Lol at your bf's comment, is he not much of a reader then?

It's not nice is it, seeing something you want to buy when you can't afford to get it :( Still, there is always another time I suppose.

Hehe, I m glad you have made some notes on the book so that you don't forget. I will finish as quickly as I can, I promise :)

Wow 20 I'm so jealous! Haha I'll bet there's hardly any space. I have had to put some of mine in the bed drawers lol. Have you ever watched 'Gilmore Girls'? If you have it's sort of like my bedroom used to be. Books evrywhere, shelves packed and in drawers and under the bed. Now I only have 1 bookshelf. I got rid of a lot of them, and just tend to keep my ultimate favourites.

No he doesn't read much at all. He's more of a gamer. He does like autobiographies but can't get into anything else. I ahve a friend who doesn't like reading any fiction she only like's reading true stories and memoris. I'm not a fan of those things, prefer HF, and fantasy, anything with vampires, witches, werewolves, is good with me).

Yes, I'm thinking of just getting them from Amazon, when I do have money. It's just I;m really pikcy, i like to see exactly what I'm buying, it can't have any marks on, no creases in the spine, no bent corners lol. I'm so careful with books. I must look funny when I read, cuz I am scrunched up with a book hardly opening it as I don't want to ruin the spine lol.

Ooh I've starting to read about the 'Princes in the Tower' now.

No worries, don't rush =] I won't forget.

I have watched 'Gilmore Girls' a couple of times so I know exactly what you mean about the room. Some of my books are in boxes now under my bed because I ran out of space and now they are getting full as well!

It's funny, most of the guys I know are not into reading either. My ex certainly wasn't, he definitely preferred gaming. I do read some true stories and non-fiction but I enjoy fiction a lot more. HF and fantasy are also my favourite genres but I enjoy a lot of other genres too. I do love a good vampire tale though.

You know, I am exactly the same when it comes to books! I hate damaging/creasing the spine and I don't like buying books if they have any marks or dents on them. I am also really picky about who I lend them to because I get really paranoid about what condition they are going to come back in! Lol. That is the only thing I dislike about buying books online, the fact that you can't see what you are getting. Luckily, most of the ones I have bought from Amazon so far have been in perfect condition. Phew!

Enjoy reading about the 'Princes in the Tower'! I am off to bed now. Night night.

Hehe. I once saw an amazing idea, I think it might have been from Ikea. Where under the stairs within line of each step was a bookshelf =] I thought it was pretty cool. Shame I'm in an apartment. But when I get a house one day, I want to do that.

I know, what is it with gaming lol. The only game I like is 'The Sims' I could play on that for hours lol. I used to play games a fair bit but recently the games on xbox and ps aren't too my liking. I cannot play shooter games, and the car racing games are really hard now =[ I'm a board game fan though, love Monopoly!

What true stories do you read? My friend likes war and stuff. I don't think I could read true-crime, I think enough of that goes on, don't want to read it. I think CSI and crime stuff is interesting the way they find out who did things, but in general it can be a bit like.. 'what is the world coming to'.

Hehe same fave genre's. I quite liked some sub-genre's of sci fi like dystopian and steampunk =] The vampire books my mom gave me is this series: https://www.goodreads.com/series/4914... Have you heard of that before? Hopefully start it sometime this year.

Haha. We must look strange. I know I get some looks in shops when checking out books, I'm like 'argh be careful of the corners' when they just shove them in the bag. And I go through every book on the shelf to get the best looking one. If it's damaged in some way I won't get it lol. OMG YES! I knwo who not to lend books to now. My bf's sister borrowed a book of mine, and she left it on top of a lamp. So it got all shrivelled up and faded, and the spine was real bad. Thankfully she got me a new one and kept that one. But I haven't lent her one since. My bf when he does read bends the spine. So when I do get him a book, it's used as it doesn't bother him anyway.

Nearly finished. But as I get closer to the end, I tend to read slower as I don't want it to end =[ Me so sad!

That sounds like a great idea, having bookshelves under the stairs in line with each step. I am definitely going to do that some day.

I quite like 'The Sims' as well but haven't actually played it for years. I used to quite like car racing games too because I really love Formula 1 but they are a lot more difficult now than they used to be as you said. I like Sonic the Hedgehog though! I have the Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games on my Nintendo DS and it is really fun!

Most of the true stories I have read have been true crime, mainly about Jack the Ripper. I have always had a morbid curiosity about the Jack the Ripper case, I think it's because he was never caught and no-one knows for sure who it actually was. I have also read this book Monsters: History's Most Evil Men And Women which I really enjoyed. I have heard of the 'Midnight Breed' series but haven't read any of the books. It is meant to be quite a good series from what I've heard.

Lol, I get funny looks in bookshops too! I go through all the books on the shelves until I find the best one as well. I once asked a shop assistant in Waterstones to look in the stockroom for another copy of the book I wanted because the ones on the shelves were all damaged. I bet he wondered what was wrong with me! Lol. I can't believe that your bf's sister left your book on a lamp! Of all the places to leave it. At least you got a nice, new, shiny copy out of it :)

It is isn't. Something like thi

But I think this is pretty cool too

I want want of these. I'd love that, a whole cosy book room for myself =D

Mario and Sonic are awesome =] I ahven't played on them in such a long time. They have so many Sims expansion packs now and they cost so much =[ So I just play the standard one.

Hmm they sound quite interesting. I'm not sure I'd read them, I may find them a bit depressing =/ if you know what I mean.

Hehe. That's funny =] But we want good quality books *shakes fist at store people*

I know.. but yes a nice shiny new copy. Yippee. I really want a new book now. Been moovhing on amazon again oopsie. Looking at the edition you have. £13.40 atm. Going to wait tho. Need it to come down in price some more. How much was your postage?

How much have you ever spent on 1 book?

How you doing with SIS?

They all look like great ideas. I would love a cosy book room for myself too! :)

I know what you mean about possibly finding the true crime books a bit depressing. Sometimes you want/need a book to be uplifting. I have just always had a curiosity for the darker side of history and human nature. I just find it quite interesting for some strange reason.

Yes, I noticed that my edition of SIS is now £13.40 on Amazon. It seems to be going up in price for some reason rather than coming down. I got free postage when I bought it because it qualified for Super Saver delivery. Sadly, they have now changed Super Saver, you can only get it if your order comes to more than £10 whereas before there wasn't a minimum spend amount to get it.

I think the most I have ever spent on 1 book is £15. It was on the Barnes and Noble leather-bound edition of Grimms Fairytales, Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales. It was so pretty that I had to have it. Actually, I got it for a good price because it is normally around £25 (I think). What's the most you have ever spent on a book?

I am now up to Chapter 4 of Book 3 (page 693) of SIS. (view spoiler)[Richard and Anne are married! Yay! I have to admit, I was a bit concerned when Richard went to see his daughter Kathryn and Kate came on to him. I was worried that he may go back on his promise to Anne about not sharing another woman's bed once they were married. I shouldn't have worried though, should I? This is sweet, honourable, loyal Richard we are talking about here :)

I like how Sharon tackled the subject of his hunchback by hinting that his right shoulder is a tiny bit higher than the other as a result of it being set badly after he broke it in his youth. It actually ties in very nicely with what we now know about his deformity since his body was found, that he did have a curved spine due to his scoliosis but it wouldn't have really shown other than one shoulder being slightly higher than the other.

One thing I don't understand is why Elizabeth Woodville dislikes Richard so much. It's not like he has ever done anything to warrant those feelings from her. My guess is that she is jealous of his close relationship with Edward. I don't really like Elizabeth as a character to be honest, she just seems a bit too smug and self-satisfied to me. (hide spoiler)]

Absolutely. One day we'll have our own amazing book room =D

Aww that's a shame there is a min spend now =[

That's not bad. lmao erm... £65 on [book:Companion Animals: Their Biology, Care, Health, and Management|4965531]. That was from WHSMith when I was doing my animal care course. It did come in very handy. I know my mom spent £35 on Mammalogy for me. Other than that, it's just standard priced books.

Oh man since, I've been up so long, I just want to eat everything *grabs loads of food and sits down to read and munch*

YAY! I know so happy right =] (view spoiler)[I did feel sorry for Kate though, as it seemed to me she must have really loved Dickon, and to ask him not to come back must have been really hard. But Richard only had eyes for Anne =]

Oh man, yes I really dislike her too. I'm pretty sure that is the main reason why she is jealous of Richard, his relationship with Ned is pretty amazing, ever since an early age. And seeing as Richard didn't like the marriage to Elizabeth anyway, she probs could see it in his face, the dislike for her and her Woodville kin. (hide spoiler)]

Ok, just reached Chapter 9 of Book 3.

I really liked the scene where (view spoiler)[Anne went to the Chapel to say goodbye to Isabel following her death and George came in drunk. It just goes to show how sweet natured Anne is, that she was able to still feel some pity towards George despite him treating her badly in the past. George did seem pretty distressed by Isabel's death, although whether that was just the drink talking, I don't know. He did say earlier on in the book that he married Isabel because he loved her so it would appear that his tears were genuine. (hide spoiler)]

Also, (view spoiler)[Veronique and Francis! I didn't see that coming at all! They do make a nice couple, it's just a shame that he is married. Still, that doesn't stop Edward does it?! I like him but he is such a womaniser! I know it was a fairly common thing to do at that time, especially if you were a king or high ranking nobleman, but he just seems insatiable! Lol (hide spoiler)]

I suppose £65 is not that bad for a book if you are using it to study for a course. At least you get plenty of use out of it and it's a book that you can keep forever as you never know when it will come in handy.

I haven't managed to read much at all these past couple of days, real life has gotten in the way somewhat :(

I am now up to Chapter 13 of Book 3.

(view spoiler)[So, it looks like George is finally facing the death penalty but it would appear that he is only really facing it because he knows about Edward's secret involvement with Nell which means that his marriage to Elizabeth is technically invalid and their children illegitimate. In a way, it's no more than George deserves after his numerous betrayals (what he did to that former lady servant of Isabel was awful) but Ned previously excused him on those counts so it's understandable why Richard is confused about why George is now facing execution. I can see why Lady Cecily is heartsick about the whole debacle too. (hide spoiler)]

I will hopefully get around to reading a bit more tomorrow before the toppler starts but once it does, I may have to put this on hold for a bit and pick up where I left off once toppler week is over.

I have just read up to Chapter 17 of Book 3.

(view spoiler)[George has just been executed. I felt a bit sorry for him in the end, that no-one came to visit him before he died. I can't believe Edward refused to let Richard and Lady Cecily visit him! I thought that was very cruel. Elizabeth has really started to show her true colours now, I hate how she is always trying to stir up trouble between her husband and Richard. I couldn't believe that she dared to question Richard's loyalty in front of Ned when he requested an audience with George and also that she tried to convince Ned to put Robert Stillington to death as well! (hide spoiler)]

On a lighter note, I loved this little bit of sarcasm from Anne: (view spoiler)["Richard? Not that I want to rush you, love, but cobwebs are forming on your pawn". (hide spoiler)]

I have finally picked this up again after putting it to one side for the toppler :D

I am just up to the beginning of Book 4 (page 883). (view spoiler)[Edward has just died! I knew it was coming but it was still sad :( It was interesting to see how Bess views her mother Elizabeth. She respects her but she doesn't seem to have much of a daughterly relationship with her. I can't say I am surprised though, Elizabeth does have a way of rubbing people up the wrong way so it is little wonder that Bess got on better with her father. I really like Bess as a character, she seems to be a really kind-hearted and caring person. (hide spoiler)]

I am so glad to be back reading this again and I can't wait to see how Sharon Kay Penman tackles/handles the upcoming events :)