Book Beginnings

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Book Beginnings

October 5, 2012 by pictureperfectcooking

It’s Friday so that means it is time for another bookish post. Please join me over at Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings. Today’s first lines comes from a genre that I usually don’t read…non-fiction, but I made an exception. I enjoy watching or reading about Great Britain so when I saw a new biography about Queen Elizabeth II at my local library, I snatched it up.

This has been a very enlightening read about the British monarchy and what it was like growing up in that spotlight. I know that I never would want to have to endure or my children to endure that kind of scrutiny.

Here are the first lines of “Elizabeth The Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch” by Sarah Bedell Smith:

“At the end of the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton on April 29, 2011, the radiant couple turned before walking down the aisle at Westminster Abbey and stood before his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. The newlyweds were celebrated for their romantic love match, and for the young prince’s determination to marry his soul mate despite her being a “commoner” – having neither royal nor aristocratic origins. The bride and groom gave a low curtsy and neck bow to the Queen, who looked sturdy and stoic at age eighty-five. She signaled her approval with an almost imperceptible nod.”

Sturdy and stoic are usually good adjectives to describe the Queen that the public sees, but this book takes you behind the scenes and shows you more of the real woman.

Posted in Books | Tagged Book Beginnings, Books, Elizabeth The Queen The Life of a Modern Monarch, Sally Bedell Smith | 8 Comments

8 Responses

on October 5, 2012 at 10:20 am | Reply laurelrainsnow

Wow, a really current story….this one sounds good.

Here’s MY FRIDAY MEMES POST
- on October 5, 2012 at 7:12 pm | Reply pictureperfectcooking
  
  Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
on October 5, 2012 at 11:38 am | Reply rosecityreader

I have this book, but haven’t read it yet. I am looking forward to it.

Thanks for posting on Book Beginnings on Fridays! Sorry I haven’t been around for a while. This is the first Friday I am actually in town and at my computer in several weeks.
- on October 5, 2012 at 7:13 pm | Reply pictureperfectcooking
  
  Thanks for the comment! Don’t worry about not being as present as you would like to be. We all completely understand.
on October 5, 2012 at 5:43 pm | Reply Bev@My Reader's Block

Sounds like a very interesting read! Hope you enjoy it.

Here’s my Friday Post.
- on October 5, 2012 at 7:14 pm | Reply pictureperfectcooking
  
  Thanks for stopping by and commenting! Can’t wait to check out your beginning for today.
on October 6, 2012 at 8:19 am | Reply Jo @ Mixed Book Bag

I’ve looked at the book and considered reading it. Sound like I should. THanks for visiting.
on October 7, 2012 at 5:32 am | Reply Fiction-Books (@Fiction_Books)

Hi Tammi,

I think that the Queen has done a marvellous job over the last few years, of managing to adapt to 21st Century life. She is still very astute in her understanding of political and social issues, which affect the country and I don’t think that much gets past her! There has definitely been a shift in the persona which we see here in her engagements and even in her everyday life. She is obviously hugely proud of her grand-children and extended family, although I think that the crunch will come when The Duke of Edinburgh passes away. I am sure that we shall see her relinquish her position at that time.

She is a definite asset to the country, despite anti-royalist opposition and I think that we should continue with a Monarchy into the future … the idea of the UK becoming a Republic with a President, is horrifying … at least to me!

I hope that you enjoy the book.

Yvonne