Good day my keen kelpies!
On September third, I crossed a once in a lifetime opportunity off my bucket list. My local library (shout out to Arapahoe Libraries) often brings amazing authors into town to discuss their new books, living that author life, and much more. But a few weeks ago, my library brought none other than Philippa Gregory!
Philippa Gregory has been an idol of mine for many years. I first discovered her when I was a freshman in high school. On one of my many Barnes & Noble adventures, I wandered up and down aisle after aisle, pausing to read the back cover of any book that caught my eye. I started with The Queen’s Fool, but quickly went back to read The Other Boleyn Girl. Needless to say, the historical romance- real history- British loving- nerd in me anxiously awaited every new book in the Plantagenet and Tudor series.
The way she captures history and weaves it into gorgeous storytelling is awe inspiring. Whether you enjoy historical novels, want to learn a bit more about Britain’s turbulent history with badass women, or you want some steamy romance, she’s got a book for you.
What struck me about her talk was how much she champions women. I always find myself falling in love with her strong female characters. Gregory wants nothing more than to tell the stories of ordinary women in extraordinary circumstances.
In her new book Tidelands, she has departed from the royal families of England to share stories of ordinary women in everyday life. Gregory shared that she is also working on a history of women in England. She is not content with how little progress women have made in social and political arenas since medieval times. She calls us all to challenge the status quo. After all, quiet women rarely make history. Gregeory seeks to bring to light women who have no recorded history, women that time has forgotten. Just because history has traditionally been written by men doesn’t mean women don’t have a story to tell.
Have you read any Philippa Gregory books? If so, which is your favorite? Drop a comment below.
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