In typical fashion I am reading three or four things this week, soon to be supplemented by more Bookmooch booty. The theme seems to be England, from 1530-1790:

• Elizabeth: The Struggle for the Throne by David Starkey: A biography of Gloriana up to and slightly past the point when she is crowned. Readable, with some segments more compelling than others, until the last quarter of the book, which I’m barely slogging through at this point.
• Life Mask by Emma Donoghue: I liked her first (?) novel, Slammerkin for its easy-readable-ness and forward-moving plot. Life Mask chronicles the social world of late-18th-century London and is a bit more touch and go. I might leave off for a while.
• Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson: Love Neal Stephenson, but was much put aback by the Baroque Cycle at first. I had in fact pre-ordered a hardbound copy of this first of the trilogy back when it first came out, plunged in with the high hopes still burning from Cryptonomicon and then burned out almost instantly. It didn’t seem quite quick-witted or funny enough for me. I was left with the impression that Stephenson desperately needs an editor. However, I’m giving it another go. I’ll let you know…