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I'm thriving, yes, thanks. I do lift all sorts of heavy things (bookstore job). It's an aerobic work-out every morning. I actually injured my back a couple days ago, though -- but that was from dancing. Now I can't lift anything.

"I stand my ground but I think — surely he's not going to kneel, as another man knelt at my feet, just yesterday, and covered my hands with kisses? But if this mountain of a man ever got down, he would have to be hauled up with ropes, like an ox stuck in a ditch; and besides, he kneels to no-one."

Nice! You've convinced me to read this. I've only read one by Philippa Gregory so far: The Other Boleyn Girl. I read it a few years ago & remember thinking "now that's how to open a book!" Right in the scene. I was hooked immediately and loved the voice of Mary throughout. My sister is more familiar with Tudor history than I am and says the book may be gripping but it's bad history. She recommends Alison Weir, but I think Weir writes mostly non-fiction. I think my sister has read everything by Weir. Speaking strictly as a fiction writer, I feel Gregory knows how to create tension and hold it to the last second, at least in the one book I've read by her. I agree with you that she does voice very well.

My sister STRONGLY encourages me to read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I didn't know time travel was "good history." By the way.

One of my favorite books about a female in history that I've read so far is an older book called Sally Hemings by Barbara Chase-Ribound. I read it a few years ago and don't own a copy, so I can't cite a favorite passage, but I love the way the author tried to consider the viewpoint of a character largely lost to history. Of course, the novel is very speculative, but I really, really liked it. 

We also have Joyce Carol Oates, who writes in that excellent choppy poetic style I love:

Sure he was a pimp.

But not just any pimp. Not him!

He was a pimp par excellence. A pimp nonpareil. A pimp sui generis. A pimp with a wardrobe, and a pimp with style. A pimp with a classy Brit accent. Posterity would honor him as the President's Pimp.

A man of pride and stature: the President's Pimp.

At Rancho Mirage in Palm Springs in March 1962 there was the President poking him in the ribs with a low whistle. "That blonde. That's Marilyn Monroe?"

He told the President yes it was. Monroe, a friend of his. Luscious, eh? But a little crazy.

Thoughtfully, the President asked, "Have I dated her yet?"

From Blonde. I started this book but had to return it to the library unfinished. I'll definitely get back to it. I found the quote on Amazon.

I haven't had my muse in a LONG TIME. When I'm in school writing papers and studying every second, there seems to be nothing creative left in me -- and if there were, I'd have no time to capture it. I was afraid it had died! But it's definitely still in me.

Sounds good!

Proverbs 4:7 - “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.”

I was completing the quote you cited. You left off the first part.

Thoughts? Or are you waiting until you finish? A friend of mine says I was made to read My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin, a little-known Australian classic from the early 20th century. I'll probably pick up that soon. I've been dipping in and out of a lot of books lately (as only I can). I'd say my main read is a fourth pass through Jane Eyre in an annotated edition which discusses the novel on every page, a bit like our shreds, only rather than going into the mechanics of particular passages, the author discusses how each passage (or many of them) contribute to the story's larger structure. QUITE INTERESTING.

"Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom."

Thanks!

1) Go to your list of groups (using the dropdown at the top of the screen -- "Groups" then "My Groups.")
2) Click the dropdown to the right of the group you want to leave. There should be a "leave group" option.
3) Say "SEE YA." I would.

I just finished My Name is Mary Sutter by Robin Oliveira, about a midwife who longs to be a surgeon in 19th century New York. The American Civil War breaks out, and she joins the nurses. Extremely well-written. Photographic in places. It was a little slow to start, but I love the way the intensity (and detail, and emotion) in the story builds. The Lincoln cameo was EXCELLENT. x

Shiver me timbers.