Fiction

Finished Longsword's Lady, by J.P. Reedman, a long but fascinating recounting of the life of Ela, Countess of Salisbury, who was betrothed at the age of 9 to William Longespee, baseborn half-brother of Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland, two royal sons of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine (she also figures prominently in the early part of the book). I was not familiar with her at all, but what an amazing woman! The author has done his research well. Then it was on to The Secrets That Shape Us, by Diane Winger, which deals with some interesting concepts--suicide, end of life issues, overprotective parents, and gay teens--from dual viewpoints, those of a grandmother and the teenager sent to spend five weeks with her while her father (her custodial parent) is on a business trip to Europe. Also fascinating, but in a very different way. I got up early yesterday to finish it.