Now reading: The King's Favorite by Susan Holloway Scott - I've been reading historical fiction for most of my life now, and the genre certainly helped develop my love for history and led me to earn two degrees in the field. Unfortunately, for every Jean Plaidy and Sharon Kay Penman (who do their research), there's also a Phillipa Gregory (who writes whatever she wants). I'm always a little wary to try new authors, so if I don't have a friend's recommendation, I usually pass them up unless their book is in the bargain section.
Although her books have been relegated to the bargain section at Books-a-Million, let me go on record and officially recommend Susan Holloway Scott as a legitimately good historical fiction author. So many things are right with her books, from the unique subject material (Charles II instead of Henry VIII) to the believable dialogue (when Nell Gwyn is remembered for her wit as much as for her affair with the king, you'd better be able to make her witty). Most of all, though, she follows the established historical narrative when possible and only uses her imagination to fill in the gaps. The King's Favorite is the second in a trilogy about Charles II's most infamous mistresses, and each book is told from the mistress's point of view. I particularly love that Scott spends at least the first third of each book on the women's lives before they met the king and that we get descriptions of the king and his mistresses from multiple points of view. This trilogy truly shows all three women as individuals, which is exactly how Charles II saw them.
Now watching: Parks and Recreation - I started watching Parks and Recreation when it premiered a couple of years ago, partly out of habit (I always watch NBC's entire Thursday night line-up) and partly because it was a spin-off of The Office. About half-way through the second season, the show really hit its stride, and it's now my favorite comedy on TV. Every character is so hilarious on his or her own, and scenes just get more and more outrageous when the whole ensemble is interacting with each other. In my opinion, the current season is the best yet because the blossoming romance between Leslie and Ben is the most natural and perfect one I've ever seen on TV. They are so adorable together that I break down giggling during every episode and actually spend my free time reading all the fanfiction I can find.
Now listening to: "Bread" by Charlie McDonnell - Charlie is one of my favorite youtubers, and I was very excited when he announced that he was releasing an album. He occasionally writes songs for his channel (and most were featured on the album), and he's a member of my favorite/the only Doctor Who tribute band, Chameleon Circuit. Sadly, the album came out while I was unemployed and had cut my extraneous spending, but a friend gave me a copy of This Is Me and I've been listening to it in the car every since. Although all the songs are catchy and creative and nerdy, "Bread" is by far my favorite song on the album.
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