Reading Wednesday

[starspray]

The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt, by Kara Cooney - This was very good! Most of the more personal aspects of Hatshepsut's life are by necessity speculation, but Cooney was very clear about what was guesswork (and offered multiple possibilities every time) and what we actually know. It was really fascinating to learn about Egypt at the time of Hatshepsut's life and reign and about the role women in the royal household typically played, and how she used preexisting beliefs and power structures to justify taking the throne--and then prospered.

Sabriel, by Garth Nix - A reread for I'm not sure which time. Libby's got the audiobooks, and Tim Curry is a fantastic narrator.

The Bachelor and the Bride, by Sarah M Eden - The fourth in this series about Penny Dreadful authors fighting crime in the form of a rapidly growing criminal organization that loves its pseudonyms and arson. Things are getting very intense in that regard, and there were two plots twists at the end that took me very much by surprise.

Comments

[shirebound]

Hatshepsut's mortuary temple is so gorgeous and unusual. I should learn more about her.

[starspray]

She's fascinating! And her temple is so beautiful. Apparently she did a LOT of construction work, and began the practice of using stone rather than mud brick.

[chestnut_pod]

Tim Curry is a fantastic pick to narrate the Abhorsen books! Wow, I can't believe I never thought of that.

[starspray]

He's so good! He did Sabriel, Lirael, and Ahborsen--someone else, I forget who, did Clariel. If there was ever to be a film or tv adaptation I'd definitely want Curry to voice Mogget.

Hatshepsut ♥

[sauronnaise]

Hatshepsut is an interesting figure indeed! I would recommend The History of Egypt podcast, episodes 61 to 66 inclusively, they're about her.

Re: Hatshepsut ♥

[starspray]

Thanks for the rec! Love to have a new podcast to binge. 😄