I've Been Reading: Book Review

 The Favored Queen 

by

Carolly Erickson

Historical fiction/Tudor era

295 pages/hardcover

 

Quote: "Why must you go out of your way to stir up conflict?" ~ King Henry VIII 

From the cover: Born into an ambitious noble family, young Jane Seymour is sent to court as a maid of honor to Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIII's aging queen. She is devoted to her mistress and watches with empathy as the calculating Anne Boleyn contrives to supplant Catherine as queen.

My Review:

I honestly have been putting off and debating whether to do this review. I truly wanted to love this book, but it didn't pull me in as I thought it would. In actuality, I felt myself starting and stopping over and over. Either I just couldn't get into the story, or I found myself pausing to do some "fact" checking.

I am aware this is labeled historical fiction, but I also know that Carolly Erickson is considered a distinguished historian. I have read other books by her, and do not remember struggling throughout any of them.

Furthermore, I feel, even as a fiction book, Ms. Erickson has taken too many liberties in changing or adding to Jane Seymour's life and story.

To me, this wasn't a  fill in the blanks, where there is no actual record. It was more of, let's just create a whole affair that has no proof or make doubtful assumptions in history.

Historical researchers, Jane Seymour is known to have been kind-hearted, docile, subservient, silent, virtuous, and having good sense.

Erickson has made her to be more of a naive, flighty woman who is easily persuaded from one love to another.

In chapter 12, page 123 she is talking with Will Dormer(there was an engagement between them IRL) of their marriage plans and is having her gown made. Less than ten pages later, she has met Galyon Hone(actual Tudor glacier, but NO record Jane ever met him) and agrees to meet him in secret. Two pages later, quoted "So easily, did I leave girlhood behind that night and not with dear Will, but with a stranger."~ Jane

Sorry, Will, you're out.

The book goes on to her marrying King Henry VIII less than 120 pages later.

Also, I felt this book, while being read as Jane's voice, actually was more about Henry's first 2 wives, their lives, relationships, and all that was going on at court around Jane. She only becomes the main character after Anne's beheading, more than halfway through the book. 

I did give it 3 stars.

1. Carolly Erickson is a wonderful author. I've read a few of her other books

2. Anything Tudor is a win for me

3. It was an entertaining book. If my knowledge of Tudor history was less, I may have enjoyed it more as a historical fiction.

If you'd like to give this one a try, you can find it here

The Favored Queen: A novel of Henry VIII's Third Wife by Carolly Erickson

I hope you've enjoyed this book review. I am always reading something, so check back for more reviews.

How to Build Confidence in Our Children

National Youth Confidence Day

is

October 20th 

Confidence by definition is,

• The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; strong trust
• The state of feeling certain about the truth of something
• A feeling of self-assurance arising from one's appreciation of one's own abilities or qualities.
• Similar to: trust, faith self-assurance, belief, credence, conviction, reliance

I feel such a need to write this post. I am a mother of three girls, and I have seen how quickly their confidence can whither. It may be for a few hours, days, or weeks. I know how it feels to have one event or test crush every ounce of confidence you had.

I am a firm believer in building each other up! Spread kindness and acknowledge someone's strengths and accomplishments, no matter how small.

Having confidence isn't about boasting or being arrogant, and I think somewhere along the way, it has been given that vibe. We've lost the true definition and replaced confidence with words like diva, cocky, and sassy. We've allowed bad behavior and disrespect to be diluted and made to look "cute" or given an excuse for it.

"Boys will be boys."

"She gets it from me."

"She/he won't take any crap."

I'm just using these as examples.

I want to use this post as an example, or guide, to get back to building the confidence in our youth in a positive way.

 Now, I'm not saying every kid, parent, or adult is going around encouraging or flaunting bad behavior.

I just think we can all use a boost in the right direction. A positive reinforcement to pass on to the younger humans. 

Be an example.

"Children will follow your actions before they repeat your words."

Here I have listed a few books that help parents encourage and teach self-confidence.

Being Me: A Kid's Guide to Building Confidence and Self-Esteem by Wendy L. Moss

Empowering Teens to Build Self-Esteem by Suzanne E. Harrill

Bully Busters and Beyond by Phil Nguyen

Raise Your Child's Self-Esteem!:99 Easy Things to Do by Nancy E. Krulik

Positive Self-talk for Children!:A Parent's Guide by Douglas Bloch

There is so much sadness, hurt, uncertainty, and meanness in the world right now. It is heartbreaking.

 I know I want to build my children up as much as possible. Many people need that reassurance every day.

 I like being reassured and acknowledging my own accomplishments.

I like knowing I have support and a cheering team.

Who doesn't need a confidence booster every once in a while?

Can you imagine how humanity could change if we gave out just one compliment or encouraged someone every day?

It takes less energy to be kind than it does to be mean.

For me, I feel better about myself(more confident) when I am showing kindness or complimenting others.

Sometimes, as parents, we forget to build up our children. Sometimes, we unintentionally break down their confidence.

I know I am guilty. We get busy, tired, or distracted. We get aggravated and frustrated. There are times, we don't even think twice about something that is important to them.

Little things to us, may be huge to them.

Let's build up their confidence. Even in little ways.

Here are some great ways to enforce this.

I really want to continue this post and lean more into positive affirmations. Not only for youth, but for anyone.

It isn't just the younger ones that need these.

Let's build each other up and spread healthy confidence in each other!

Happy Youth Confidence Day!

Go give someone a compliment!

National Coffee Day!

National Coffee Day!

It's gonna be a great day!

Hi y'all.

I really love doing these "Fun National Holiday" posts. It's just fun to celebrate and learn something new.

You know this will probably be one of my favorites.

National Coffee Day began on September 29, 1983, in Japan as a way to promote fair trade and to raise awareness for the plight of coffee growers. 

The beginnings of coffee:

It is believed that in Ethiopia, Kaldi, a goat herder, noticed his herd having an energetic manner and being unable to sleep after eating berries from a certain tree.

It is said that Kaldi shared his finding with an abbot, who proceeded to make a drink from the berries, and discovered he could stay awake longer hours during prayers.

Coffee moves east:

After word spread of this energizing drink, "coffee" spread to the Arabian Peninsula, Persia, Egypt, Turkey, and, Syria in the 15th century. This is around the time that coffee houses, known as qahveh khaneh which were used as entertaining and meeting houses.

By the 17th century it had been brought to Europe, quickly became popular and spread across the continent.

Some were feared or were suspicious of the beverage and referred to it as "bitter invention of Satan".

Coffee quickly replaced the breakfast beverage of beer or wine, and people became more alert and able to focus on their work.

By the mid 1600s there are reported to have been over 300 coffeehouses in London alone!

Modern day coffee:

Coffee was brought to what is now New York, by the British around the mid 1600s, although it didn't gain popularity as quickly here.

It wasn't until 1773, when the colonists revolted against a heavy tax on tea imposed by King George III. The revolt, known as the Boston Tea Party, would forever change the American drinking preference to coffee. 

By the 1800s coffee was produced and shipped all over the world.

The first coffee maker, made in 1818 was the percolator. Invented by a Persian metalsmith. His percolator design is still used today.

Here's my favorite part!

In 1886, Joel Cheek, began making Maxwell house. He named the brand after the famous hotel.

The first espresso machine was made in 1901 by Luigi Bezzera.

In 1971 the first Starbucks opened in Seattle, Washington.

In 2020 studies showed that Folgers Coffee was named the most popular brand among Americans.

We know that today we can choose from a wide variety of coffee drinks. You can get it hot or cold. Regular or decaf. Breakfast, mild, medium, Columbian blends.

There are frappés, lattes, iced coffee, espressos, cappuccinos. There are even coffee flavored energy drinks, but I'm still unsure why. Coffee is already a caffeine.

Oh, and the creamers, sweeteners, and more! There are a ton of ways to enjoy your coffee.

On a regular day, I'm a Maxwell House, bold blend, with half-and-half.

If it's from a coffeehouse, usually I'll go for basic iced coffee, one shot sweetener, and cream.

I do occasionally get one of the seasonal or fancier choices, usually something mocha or white chocolate, but I have to be careful. I mean, I am the #coffeewastedmomma

So, I have to limit myself...

I do.

This is the coffee maker that I own, and we love it. My daughter and I love the single brew/Kerig for our "fancy coffees", and I love the programmable 12 cup side. My husband leaves at 5am, so having his coffee already to go when he is, works great!

Plus, he only takes about 8 or 9 of the cups, so when I get up at 6am, the other 3/4 cups are still hot and ready for me. It has a two-hour time after brewing, and then the burner shuts off automatically.

Hamilton Beach Flexbrew Coffeemaker

My daughter has really been wanting one of the iced coffee makers, but we've not found an affordable one. Also, I'm not sure if we would use it enough to make it worth it, or we'll use it way too much!

Either way, I'm holding out on that purchase for now.

What is your favorite coffee maker?

I love going to Pinterest to find new, easy recipes for coffee drinks. Especially now, with the holidays coming around, and all the warm flavors being more available.

How do you like your coffee?

Do you have a favorite drink recipe you'd like to share?

Does anyone buy coffee beans and grind them at home?

I would LOVE to do this more. I do own an antique coffee grinder, but it is a more decorative piece than functional.

Any recommendations on a new one?

Here is a bit of my coffee obsession. I love collecting coffee mugs. The wackier, the better.

Hope everyone enjoys their day!

Celebrate National Coffee day!

Make sure to comment your favorite or choice of coffee for today!