Booknotes 4.31

Bring Up the Bodies, by Hilary Mantel, published 2012, historical fiction. I rarely read two books in a series back to back but made an exception here. Compelling. And while the writing in Wolf Hall wasn’t at all bad, Mantel leveled up with this book, at least in my view. It’s spicier, though. (Which fits given how much of the book revolves around Henry VIII trying to spawn an heir but does admittedly make it harder to recommend.)

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish, published 1980, nonfiction. I read this for book club. Lots of good advice about parenting in ways more humane and compassionate and respectful.

The Eclogues, by Virgil (translated by John Dryden), published 38 BC (translation published 1697), poetry. Liked the rural imagery, and the poetic contests that felt kind of like rap battles, and Dryden’s translation. The last eclogue is apparently the origin of “omnia vincit amor” (love conquers all). Looking forward to the Aeneid and, separately, to more Dryden.

Half a King, by Joe Abercrombie, published 2014, fantasy. The first book in his Shattered Sea trilogy, and far less earthy than his First Law books, though there’s still a fair bit of graphic violence. While this one didn’t feel as much like an Abercrombie book to me, I really liked it and look forward to the rest of the series.