Royal-watchers everywhere know that this past weekend marked the coronation of King Charles III of England. If that got you hungry for a royal reading list, hold onto your fascinators!
George VI and Elizabeth: the Marriage That Saved the Monarchy is a new book– so new our copy isn’t on the premises yet– about Charles III’s grandparents. When King Edward VIII abdicated the throne in 1936, shattering the Crown’s reputation, his younger brother, known as Bertie, assumed his father’s name and became King George VI. Shy, sensitive, and afflicted with a stutter, George VI had never imagined that he would become King. His wife, Elizabeth, a pretty, confident, and outgoing woman who became known later in life as “the Queen Mum,” strengthened and advised her husband. With his wife’s support, guidance, and love, George VI was able to overcome his insecurities and become an exceptional leader, navigating the country through World War II, establishing a relationship with Winston Churchill, visiting Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in Washington and in Hyde Park, and inspiring the British people with his courage and compassion during the Blitz. Simultaneously, George VI and Elizabeth trained their daughter Princess Elizabeth from an early age to be a highly successful monarch, and she would reign for an unprecedented seventy years. Place a hold here.
American Royalty is a sexy rom-com inspired by the life-changing (perhaps even world-changing?) relationship between Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Rapper Danielle “Duchess” Nelson is on the verge of signing a deal that’ll make her one of the richest women in hip hop. But an incident with a rising pop star has gone viral, unfairly putting her deal in jeopardy. Concerned about her image, she’s instructed to work on generating some positive publicity… or else. Brilliant professor and reclusive royal, Prince Jameson prefers life out of the spotlight, only leaving his ivory tower to attend weddings or funerals. But in a quest for good press, the Queen puts Jameson in charge of a tribute concert in her late husband’s honor. And what’s more appropriate for a royal concert than a performer called “Duchess”? Too late, Jameson discovers she’s not what the Queen wanted… although he’s having an entirely different reaction. Dani knows this is the good exposure she needs to cement her deal and it doesn’t hurt that the royal running things is fine as hell. Thrown together, they give in to the explosive attraction flaring between them. But as the glare of the limelight intensifies and outside forces try to interfere, will the Prince and Duchess be a fairy tale romance for the ages or a disaster of palatial proportions? You can read it in print, hoopla ebook, Libby ebook, hoopla audiobook, or Libby audiobook.
Finally, if you’re interested in the man himself, a recent biography called The King: the Life of Charles III is your ticket. Since the day Charles Philip Arthur George was born, he has been groomed to be King. After more than seventy years of waiting, he finally ascends the throne. The King examines the private life of this historically important and controversial figure, set against the grand, thousand-year sweep of the British monarchy. This richly detailed biography covers it all, from his military training to his marriage to Lady Diana, through their separation and her tragic death to his marriage to Camilla Parker Bowles. In the process, it provides a balanced but fully honest look into the life of the new monarch. This book will tell you what the King–a man who has remained something of an enigma, shrouded in speculation and intrigue–is really like. You can read it in print, large print, or Libby audiobook.
