Welcome!
Intro and books of 2024
Welcome to The Tudor Notebook!
This is a shared space of Amy McElroy and Rebecca Batley where we will be posting about history, book reviews, and some guest posts. If you don’t know us, there is a little intro below and keep reading for our favourite reads of 2024.
Rebecca
Rebecca (Bec) Batley is by profession an archaeologist and historian with over 20 years experience and a particular interest in women’s history. She has worked for the Museum of London, the Louvre, Wessex Archaeology, TVAS, EACHTRA and various archives. She is also a writer who has had her work published in publications such as New Scientist, Nautilus, History Scotland and the Essex Journal of Archeology.
Amy
Amy was born and bred in Liverpool before moving to the Midlands to study Criminal Justice eventually becoming a civil servant. She has long been interested in history, reading as much and as often as she could. Her writing journey began with her blog, sharing thoughts on books she had read, before developing to writing reviews and culminating in her first book, Educating the Tudors.
Amy's second book, Women's Lives in the Tudor Era, was published in February 2024. Amy’s next book Mary Tudor, Queen of France, is due to be published in February 2025 and she is now working on Desiderius Erasmus.
Amy has been a guest on podcasts and blogs and a HWA Gold Crown Award judge for two years.
Our picks of 2024
Amy and Bec have chosen their top 5 fiction and non-fiction reads of 2024. In a year when we have read so many excellent books this was difficult! The order of the books is randomised and not in any order!
Non-fiction
Amy’s Top 5
Henry V - Dan Jones - a book that belongs on everyone’s shelves!
Son of Prophecy - Nathen Amin - THE book on the rise of Henry Tudor.
Blood, Fire & Gold - Estelle Paranque - an incredible portrayal of two incredibly powerful queens in Europe.
Heroines of the Tudor World - Sharon Bennett Connolly - brings the women of Tudor Europe out of the shadows and into the forefront.
Richard III - Matthew Lewis - a must have for anyone interested in the Wars of the Roses regardless of whether you prefer the white or red rose!
Bec’s Top 5
The Scapegoat - Lucy Hughes-Hallett - It breathes real humanity and humour into the life of the Duke of Buckingham.
The Private Life of James II - Justine Brown - I love it when a book surprises me and makes me question my previously held opinions.
Hattusili, the Hittie Prince Who Stole an Empire - Trevor Bryce - The archaeologist in me cannot resist any book so heavily focused on archaeology and forgotten ancient history.
Medieval Saints and their Sins - Luke Daly - A really refreshing study which breathes life into the medieval saints.
The Eagle and the Hart - Helen Castor - An absolutely gripping political and violent tale.
Fiction
Amy’s Top 5
The Book of Days - Francesca Kay - A beautifully written novel based in Tudor England.
Disobedient - Elizabeth Fremantle - A compelling tale with an incredible character named Artemisia. Her story will have you hooked. Disobedient is the winner of the HWA Gold Crown Award 2024.
Enemies of Mercia - MJ Porter - The sixth book in The Eagle of Mercia Chronicles, one of my favourite series that just keeps getting better and better.
Frances, Tudor Countess - Tony Riches - Book 5 in the Elizabethan Series and another excellent instalment taking the reader back to Tudor England.
A Court of Betrayal - Anne O’Brien - The enthralling story of Johane de Greneville, wife of Roger Mortimer, Earl of March. An engaging and beautifully written tale.
Bec’s Top 5
The Bandit Queens - Parini Shroff - this is not a period I usually read about but it is viciously funny as well as emotional.
Babylonia - Costanza Casati - Brings the archeology of Babylon back to life.
Estella’s Revenge - Barbara Havelocke - A feminist retelling of Charles Dickens most famous work.
The Briar Club - Kate Quinn - A new book from my favourite author, dealing with mid twentieth century female empowerment.
The Toll House - Carly Reagon - A gothic thriller.
So there you have it! Have you read any of these?
Reviews will be coming up for some of these books so keep an eye out if you are interested!
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