So i am thinking of getting into reading books and I like fantasy and medieval. Like I almost watch nothing else than medieval setting. like If something is really good and set in modern era vs something basic but set in medieval era. My first preference would be medieval one. Anyways my first problem is that I'm a complete beginner and I don't know how to read books with long descriptions and backgrounds… I don't get a catch of the plot with this and it feels boring. The second problem is that if i buy a book and I don't like it i will have to keep it on my shelf forever.. I did do my research and found some books but i am not sure. So please kindly suggest me some books as per my likings. Thank you
by Aromatic_Resolve_992
11 Comments
The _Brother Cadfael_ books follow a medieval monk who solves a series of whodunnit mysteries. The series was written by a medieval scholar, and her expertise comes through clearly. The books are also really short, so hopefully they won’t be too intimidating.
“The second problem is that if i buy a book and I don’t like it i will have to keep it on my shelf forever..”
Go get a library card instead
the once and future king by t h white is a classic! its a telling of the story of king arthur, written in the 1940s
another book that i love is the once and future sex: going medieval on women’s role in society. its a short nonfiction book about comparing the roles of women between then and now
another popular book is lapvona by ottessa moshfegh – i havent read it, but it’s something that lots of people seem to either love or hate.
also, i totally relate to your problem with buying books – i recommend going to the library instead! i often find that because my library books have a deadline for when i have to return them, i’m more motivated to pick them up and start reading
Perhaps Wizard of Earthsea? I see in another comment you’re a teen, and Earthsea is a fun, easy read under 200 pages.
Are you okay with fantasy? You might like the Thief by Megan Whalen Turner.
>The king’s scholar, the magus, believes he knows the site of an ancient treasure. To attain it for his king, he needs a skillful thief, and he selects Gen from the king’s prison.
It’s a fun adventure book.
You should consider reading the play, [Cake for the Queen](https://www.youthplays.com/play/cake-for-the-queen-by-robin-blasberg-513). It’s short and funny and it has a castle setting. It’s also only dialogue so you won’t get bored by descriptive paragraphs.
For medieval historical fiction, I love the authors Sharon Kay Penman and Nigel Tranter. They did extensive research and their books are labors of love. I’m reading “The Bruce Trilogy” by Tranter now, and it’s very exciting.
For non-fiction, I might start with “The Plantagenets” by Dan Jones, which broadly covers the whole of that dynasty.
I also enjoyed “Thomas Becket” by John Guy, “How the Scots Invented the Modern World,” by Arthur Herman, and “Mysteries of the Middle Ages” by Thomas Cahill
The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
Give Bernard Cornwell a try, he’s a master of historical fiction. The Last Kingdom is set in early medieval Saxon England as she battles Vikings. Great stuff, made into a great TV series too. He has a series about the Grail Quest as well! And a great single novel about the battle of Agincourt.
Philippa Gregory books may work like The Other Boleyn girl, The Red Queen, etc. She has an extensive collection of books that may work and are easier to read. Not Medieval though, she sets most of her books in the Tudor period.
A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay or some of his other books. They are fantasy and not real places for the most part, but are in settings inspired by the Medieval period or other older periods like the Renaissance, etc.
Timeline. Michael Crichton