The Content Reader

I recently visited Florence, which you can read about on my other blog The Content Reader Goes Outdoor .  Florence is one of the prominent city-states during the Italian Renaissance. I am currently reading various books about the de' Medici family and will return to the subject later on. While searching for books about this time, I happened to find a book about Caterina Riario Sforza (1463-1509). She was the illegitimate daughter of Galeazzo Maria Sforza, Duke of Milan. The story of her life is more than life itself. She was an incredible woman; mother, wife, warrior, and icon.  She met many of the important men of her time: " Pope Sixtus IV , Caterina's benefactor and uncle by marriage, who commissioned the Sistine Chapel frescoes in which she is immortalized.   Count Girolamo Riario , Caterina's first husband and an originator of the Pazzi conspiracy, whose corrupt ways led to their flight from Rome to Forli.   Niccolò Machiavelli , the Florentine politic...

A little bit late to summarise my reading for 2019, but better late than never. I use inspiration from Books in Bloom , who got inspired by  Jamie@The Perpetual Page Turner  and Esther@BiteInBooks  for various surveys. Best In Books 1. Best books you read in 2019: - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 2. Book you were excited about & thought you were going to love more but didn’t: - La fille qui lisait dans le metro by Christine Féret-Fleury 3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read: - Med Örnen mot polen by Svenska Sällskapet för Antropologi och Geografi (Scientific account of the Andrée expedition 1897) 4. Book you “pushed” the most people to read (and they did): - A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (I have pushed a lot, if people read, well, that is another matter). 5. Best series you started in 2019. Best sequel of 2019. Best series ender of 2019. 1793 by Niklas Dag och Natt 6. Favourite new author, you discovered in ...

During December and January, we made a trip to the Caribbean. If you are interested, you find a few posts on The Content Reader Goes Outdoor. St Lucia , Martinique , Dominica , and Guadeloupe . I would love to hear your views of the islands, if you have visited, or intend to visit. A magic beach in Martinique

Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC Publication date: March 3, 2020 I received an ARC of this book from the author for a fair & impartial review I am always excited when I have a historical fiction novel in my hands. Especially, if the story is based on real life persons and events. I visited Florence recently, and am reading books (nonfiction) about that city, its history and famous persons. Its history is also connected to the history of other city states and kingdoms in the peninsula that today is Italy. Jane Ann McLachlan's historical novel The Girl Who Tempted Fortune , is set in the Kingdom of Naples. I have not read much about this kingdom, although its history is closely connected to other European history. I was therefore pleased when I got the opportunity to read this book. The summary: "In the royal courts of medieval Europe, where aristocrats vie for power and royal cousins battle over crowns, is it possible for the lowly daughter of a fisherma...

I have decided not to join too many new challenges this year. However, this is too good to be true. Just in line with my own reading plans. I want to read more Non Fiction this year. Book'd Out  is hosting this challenge. Here a few of the rules (head over to Book'd Out for more). The aim is to encourage you to make nonfiction part of your reading experience during the year. The challenge will run from January 1st to December 31st 2020. Participants may join at any time up until December 1st 2020 So far I have read two books; The Raphaelite Sisterhood by Jan Marsh and a book about the Medicis by Göran Hägg. More of the Medicis will come up. I recently visited Florence and would like to read up on its history and important citizens. Having been to the Caribbean in December/January, I would also like to read books about the 'discovery' of the Continent. Just started Columbus, The Four Voyages by Laurence Berggren, and ordered  Empire's Crossroads: A Histo...

In Sweden there is a big book sale going on in February every year. Yesterday, I did go to have a look, aiming for two books that I had already checked out. Considering the state of my book shelves, I have to restrain myself. Did not help much since I came back with seven books, of which four were VERY thick. I don't count the Soduko book I bought. Love soduko, and find it very relaxing. I did concentrate on the non fiction books. I live in Sweden now and can easily borrow books from the library, including e-books. So convenient. Three books about Skåne. Love the covers. I could not resist a series of three books on the history of Skåne. This is the province in which I live. Until 1658 the southern part of Sweden belonged to Denmark. The history of this part is therefore very interesting. One of our famous historians, Gunnar Wetterberg has written the history of Skåne covering the periods; 11500 BC - 1375 AC, 1376 - 1720 and 1720 - 2017. He is also a great writer. I have s...

Through Readerbuzz , I stumbled upon First Book of The Year hosted by Sheila at Book Journey . A little bit late maybe, (been travelling extensively since beginning of December, making the blog suffer) but I wanted to say a few things about my first book this year. First of all the idea of this Meme. Sheila encourages us to pick a book to start out the new year. The criteria is flexible: A guilty pleasure book... A favourite book that you never got around to read or want to re-read... All in all, whatever you like to read as the First Book Of the Year... My first book was just a book I choose by coincidence. Since I was travelling, I had my ipad with me, full of downloaded books. Having read a few easygoing, historical fiction books at the end of the year, I fancied a non fiction book next. It turned out to be The Pre-Raphaelite Sisterhood by Jan Marsh. We have heard about the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, but Marsh (who is quite an expert on the group) choose to focu...