Despite how wonderful my current reads might be, I really enjoy being able to look over my shelves and drool over the as-of-yet unread goodies. I don’t know about you, but I could spend a half hour or more just touching the spines and, because I have to double park my books for lack of space, pull out the first row so I can rediscover what’s behind them. Granted, this is most likely to occur when I’m procrastinating getting the laundry started or doing the dishes, but I would enjoy it just as much if I planned to do it. So, why not plan on deliberately combing my shelves? Going forward, I’m going to take a look at my (horrifically gigantic) TBR pile and highlight a book that I’d really like to pick up right now if it weren’t for … Sigh. Here you’ll find the who, what, why, when, and where of one of my greatest literary temptations of the week.
Welcome to my inaugural Tuesday’s Temptation post!
Who?
Susan Higginbotham! She is the author of Hugh & Bess (which I loved!) and of my first Tuesday’s Temptation. I first ran into her on a board called Historical Fiction Online. After reading The Other Boleyn Girl, I wanted to know all there was to know about this genre and this board proved an invaluable resource. I haven’t been on the board in a long time, but she was a prolific contributor at the time. While not necessarily a fan of Philippa Gregory (ack! LOL!), she was so knowledgeable and friendly. I’ve also enjoyed her blog about Medieval Women. She began her career as a self-published author, but recently her work has been picked up by Sourcebooks, one of my favorite sources of historical fiction.
What?
Why?
I can’t remember for certain which book it was that introduced me to the concept of drawing and quartering (it may have been Norah Loft’s Queens of England, a quick look at each of the queens of England – another book I highly recommend if you can find it. I’m not sure if it’s still in print), but that book led me on a quest to find out more. I couldn’t watch a movie where something like that took place, but I couldn’t stop reading more. It didn’t take me long to happen upon more information on Hugh le Despenser. When I saw that Higginbotham had written a novel about him, I was sold.
Here is the synopsis from Barnes & Noble:
In fourteenth-century England, young Eleanor de Clare, favorite niece of King Edward II, is delighted with her marriage to Hugh le Despenser and her appointment to Queen Isabella’s household as a lady-in-waiting. It soon becomes apparent, however, that Eleanor’s beloved uncle is not the king the nobles of the land–or his queen–expected. Hugh’s unbridled ambition and his intimate relationship with Edward arouse widespread resentment, even as Eleanor remains fiercely loyal to her husband and to her king. But loyalty has its price…Moving from royal palaces to prison cells, from the battlefield to the bedroom, between hope and despair, treachery and fidelity, hatred and abiding love, The Traitor’s Wife is a tale of an extraordinary woman living in extraordinary times.
Doesn’t that sound fantastic?
When?
I’ve wanted to read The Traitor’s Wife
Where?
This novel is sitting right now on the second shelf from the top of the six shelf bookcase we have in out bedroom. It’s 18 books from the left (approximately in the middle of the shelf) and has three hardcovers sitting on top of it.
I can’t wait to give in to this temptation!
What a fun idea for a meme. I get so caught up in my “temptations” that sometimes I don’t even want to finish my current read.
My sister was here recently and she and I sat and looked at my books. When Carl saw us, he wondered what we were doing. I think he thought we were crazy when we told him. I can totally relate to your post.
Hee hee! Weren’t we just saying we needed to join a twelve step group? This is really quite an ingenious idea. If you can’t necessarily read your heart’s desire right this minute, at least you can emote over it. I have Hugh and Bess on MY heart’s desire shelf. It is just one of a large number of books I want to read immediately. BTW, my mom and I do come and sit in front of my bookshelf and touch and look. I am her personal library.
What a great feature! I read The Traitor’s Wife a few years ago and thought it was really good. I hope you enjoy it (whenever you get around to reading it…).
Thanks, ladies! I have really enjoyed planning this out. I’m glad to know that I love to peruse my bookshelves as much as you do. I wish I had someone to do that with, though. Friday night at my bookshelves anyone? LOL!
Daphne, your recommendation makes this temptation all that much more tempting!
You have given me a new phrase to describe the books tumbling off my bookcase: “double-parked”!
For those interested in historical fiction (mine kind of crosses genre boundaries), I’ve just started reading an interesting book, whose title is A Very Great Profession: The Woman’s Novel, 1914-39.
This is such a fun feature! I completely get what you’re talking about : I love to look at my books too, filled with so many stories just waiting to be read!
I have heard a lot of great things on this book, I’m sure you’ll have a great time once you get to it!
Great idea! I love when I don’t feel alone in my literary quirks. I have several books right now that are so tempting I think they are talking to me!
I think I’d “drool” over my TBR pile more if it were organized better — on shelves rather than stacked up in my office closet!
Every time I hear about Susan Higginbotham, I keep thinking I should read her books. I’m descended from Eleanor de Clare’s sister, so what’s keeping me?!
Looking forward to your future Tuesday’s Temptations.
This does sound like an interesting read. I’m in the same boat as you are with my tbr piles/shelves. Can I play, too?!
This is a great idea and I remember thinking that I would also love to read The Traitor’s Wife. I have my fair share of temptations at home, that’s for sure!
My shelf is purposely much lighter in weight than’s years past. I need to come stare at your shelves especially if you set aside one just for historical fiction.
I have read Susan’s other books, but not this one! I have it here, and I want to read it.
What a fun idea! I might have to borrow it every now and then. Sometimes I forget what’s hanging around in the deep forest of TBR Purgatory, and this would be a good way to refresh my memory.
[...] Tuesday’s Temptation ~ I’ve started a new meme called Tuesday’s Temptation yesterday as a result of a wonderful suggestion I received on creatively highlighting books before reading them. While this probably won’t be my only outlet for bringing some of the books I’ve requested into the light, it’s a great start. Most importantly, I had FUN thinking about it and preparing for it. Having fun with my favorite hobby – imagine that! [...]
[...] Jennifer at The Literate Housewife Review started a new book meme called Tuesday’s Temptation. Here’s how Jennifer describes Tuesday’s Temptation: Despite how wonderful my current [...]
I do the same exact thing! My books are double-parked, as you say, as well and I have to move them around to see what is behind them, too. I like to sit on the edge of my bed and stare at the bookcase as if picking out a freaking diamond or something. I feel insane! lol
I haven’t read any Higginbotham, but I want to. This is a cool feature. I look forward to seeing what tempts you next week!