Disclosure: This is an advertisement for SheSpeaks/St. Martins Press
This time of the year there is nothing better than taking time for yourself with a good book, something warm to drink and a cozy blanket. The holiday season is upon us and that usually means we all start feeling stressed, busy, tired and anxious for the holidays that are quickly approaching. It is really important that through this time of the year that you remember self-care. Keep healthy friends. One way that I do this is by finding a good book to get into and making sure I make time to read it. Escape the stress and find a captivating story to help you unwind. Perfect.
Recently, I was introduced to a new book called Victoria by Daisy Goodwin. The moment I read about it I knew that I would not want to put it down. I adore the smell of new books, well honestly, any book. There is something so relaxing about a good book in my hands that instantly help me forget the struggles of the day. I dove right into this novel and loved every moment of it.
To really help myself to remember to enjoy this holiday season but keep my self-care in mind I decided to enjoy some of my new favorite cider that I made over the weekend. This Cranberry Apple Cider recipe is simply amazing. It is easy to make, thanks crock pot, tastes delicious and makes my house smell like the holidays. Hello relaxing!
About Victoria: Drawing on Queen Victoria’s diaries, which she first started reading when she was a student at Cambridge University, Daisy Goodwin―creator and writer of the new PBS/Masterpiece drama Victoria and author of the bestselling novels The American Heiress and The Fortune Hunter―brings the young nineteenth-century monarch, who would go on to reign for 63 years, richly to life in this magnificent novel.
Early one morning, less than a month after her eighteenth birthday, Alexandrina Victoria is roused from bed with the news that her uncle William IV has died and she is now Queen of England. The men who run the country have doubts about whether this sheltered young woman, who stands less than five feet tall, can rule the greatest nation in the world.
Despite her age, however, the young queen is no puppet. She has very definite ideas about the kind of queen she wants to be, and the first thing is to choose her name.
“I do not like the name Alexandrina,” she proclaims. “From now on I wish to be known only by my second name, Victoria.”
Next, people say she must choose a husband. Everyone keeps telling her she’s destined to marry her first cousin, Prince Albert, but Victoria found him dull and priggish when they met three years ago. She is quite happy being queen with the help of her prime minister, Lord Melbourne, who may be old enough to be her father but is the first person to take her seriously.
On June 19th, 1837, she was a teenager. On June 20th, 1837, she was a queen. Daisy Goodwin’s impeccably researched and vividly imagined new book brings readers Queen Victoria as they have never seen her before.
My Review:
I really do enjoy historical novels and Daisy Goodwin certainly knows how to write a good historical novel. I did not want to put this book down, sleep really got in the way of my reading! ha! While I do believe there may have been some pieces of the true history missing from this novel I would not let that steer you away from this book.
Goodwin can describe the setting to the point that you feel like you are sitting with Victoria through her struggles, life experience and daily routines. Being such a young lady, I could really relate with Victoria as she took the throne. There were some moments of intensity that had me turning pages like crazy, don’t you love books like that?
I would recommend this novel to anyone that wants to escape and feel intimately attached to a book. Especially if you enjoy the Victoria times and style, which I do so this book was perfect for me.
Pre-orders can be placed now, but the book is available for purchase on November 22. Make sure you get your hands on this book and if you are looking for a great gift idea for the book lover on your holiday list you must pick up this new release! To learn more about Victoria and purchase the Novel visit here.
First, I could not agree more. I LOVE reading and just snuggling up with a good book and a hot cup of tea. Second, I have a confession. I've never made a drink in the crockpot before! My family is coming to visit me for Thanksgiving, so now I have a recipe (thanks to you) to impress them with- especially since they're coming from Florida and it's going to be COLD up here for them LOL. Lastly, thanks for the book review. I've been reading Tudor history and I'm on the Life of Queen Elizabeth I right now – I will check this out!
This sounds like a great read. I've always loved historical novels, especially from this time period. It's just so romantic. There's a vibe from this period that you cannot get from any other setting.
Thank you for the wonderful review! This looks like a wonderful read. The artistry of the cover alone had me drawn in. I love historical fiction…and this looks and sounds like one to add to my list of books to read!
I haven't been able to read a book for pleasure in so long. Teacher here, so I am always reading curriculum. But I have winter break coming up soon and I need a book to chill my brain out, I will have to keep this in mind for December.
Reading is how I unwind and this book sounds like something I could really get into. My mom and I always swap books when we finish reading them and I think she will love this too.
Hmmm and the good thing about that cider recipe in the crock pot is on a cold day, you can enjoy the book uninterrupted while it's being made and you don't have to be over it so much watching it to make sure it does what it is supposed to do.
I am right there with you! I love when I have the time to sit down and curl up with a NEW book that I have been wanting to read – I love the smell too. 😉 AND that cider recipe looks like it smells so fragrant!!
I'm definitely going to check this out. I love that you said you were turning pages like crazy. I've been looking for a good book. I always read half the book and never finish it. I'm determined to finish an entire book before the end of the year!
I love reading a good book, though murder mysteries are the ones I usually turn to. It has been a long time since I've made the time to read, as it does tend to halt anything productive! I have always been fascinated by the Victorian Era, though!
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love to visit a place I'll never get to visit in real life. I haven't read a good story in quite a while. This is my next read, for sure.
Looks great!!
First, I could not agree more. I LOVE reading and just snuggling up with a good book and a hot cup of tea. Second, I have a confession. I've never made a drink in the crockpot before! My family is coming to visit me for Thanksgiving, so now I have a recipe (thanks to you) to impress them with- especially since they're coming from Florida and it's going to be COLD up here for them LOL. Lastly, thanks for the book review. I've been reading Tudor history and I'm on the Life of Queen Elizabeth I right now – I will check this out!
This sounds like a great read. I've always loved historical novels, especially from this time period. It's just so romantic. There's a vibe from this period that you cannot get from any other setting.
I love to read and this is a great one. I'm so adding it to my list.
Thank you for the wonderful review! This looks like a wonderful read. The artistry of the cover alone had me drawn in. I love historical fiction…and this looks and sounds like one to add to my list of books to read!
I haven't been able to read a book for pleasure in so long. Teacher here, so I am always reading curriculum. But I have winter break coming up soon and I need a book to chill my brain out, I will have to keep this in mind for December.
Reading is how I unwind and this book sounds like something I could really get into. My mom and I always swap books when we finish reading them and I think she will love this too.
Hmmm and the good thing about that cider recipe in the crock pot is on a cold day, you can enjoy the book uninterrupted while it's being made and you don't have to be over it so much watching it to make sure it does what it is supposed to do.
I am right there with you! I love when I have the time to sit down and curl up with a NEW book that I have been wanting to read – I love the smell too. 😉 AND that cider recipe looks like it smells so fragrant!!
I'm definitely going to check this out. I love that you said you were turning pages like crazy. I've been looking for a good book. I always read half the book and never finish it. I'm determined to finish an entire book before the end of the year!
I love reading a good book, though murder mysteries are the ones I usually turn to. It has been a long time since I've made the time to read, as it does tend to halt anything productive! I have always been fascinated by the Victorian Era, though!
Historical fiction is my favorite genre. I love to visit a place I'll never get to visit in real life. I haven't read a good story in quite a while. This is my next read, for sure.