The most recommended books on Elizabeth I

Who picked these books? Meet our 52 experts.

52 authors created a book list connected to Elizabeth I, and here are their favorite Elizabeth I books.
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Book cover of Skye O'Malley

Susan Corso Author Of Jezebel Rising

From my list on subversive historical fiction.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve been reading historical fiction since childhoodā€”itā€™s my preferred method for learning history. I want to know who people were in an everyday way, not as broad-brush reporting. My tastes are not limited to particular eras although I do my best to skip as much battle detail as I can. I like historical fiction that has character as its throughline. Who are these people? What do/did they want? How did they get it? I think my theatre background and training are what make me ask questions like these. What did they have for dinner? What did they talk about? Their excesses, their eccentricities, their excellences.

Susan's book list on subversive historical fiction

Susan Corso Why did Susan love this book?

Skye Oā€™Malley is one of the first heroines I encountered who lived by her own code, a startling development in a romance. In addition, Bertrice Small was the first to bridge romance and steamy; our Skye is definitely that. Sheā€™s delightful, delicious, de-lovely, and I really admire her outrĆ© behavior with Englandā€™s capricious Elizabeth Regina. She ends up the head of a clan of brothers and a worldwide sea-faring enterprise as well as a lover, a mother, and a remarkable human being. In addition, there are six more about her next generation, Skyeā€™s Legacy. Smallā€™s research into the Far East is exemplary given a time long, long before Google.

By Bertrice Small,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Skye O'Malley as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the incomparable New York Times bestselling author Bertrice Small comes a heroine as breathtaking as she is legendary.

Indomitable and bold in an era of royalty and rogues, Skye Oā€™Malley is a woman who embraces her unbridled sensuality as valiantly as she fights for her children, her lovers, her empire. A woman of justice and honor, she will match wits with and challenge the most dangerous and powerful woman of her time: Queen Elizabeth I.

Though Skye is the object of every manā€™s fantasy, only a handful have had the thrill of tasting her enticing passionsā€“men whose own daringā€¦


Book cover of The Portal

Shelby King Author Of Forest of Realms

From my list on that transport you to another realm.

Why am I passionate about this?

My love of realms and fantastic imagination comes from growing up in the backwoods of Alabama. The woods inspired me and beckoned me to dance and build and imagine among the trees. I created characters and worlds and could be a witch, a fairy, a troll, or a girl lost in time. I owe my love of creating characters to the woods that built me and one day I will go back and thank them for the beautiful life they gave me.

Shelby's book list on that transport you to another realm

Shelby King Why did Shelby love this book?

This series is so enthralling! A perfect series to inspire and transport you. A young girl finds herself taken from her time and flung into servitude 500 years ago. So many twists and turns and truly enchanting moments. I finished this series in a day. It is that good! I also now want to own a greenhouse. You will understand why. 

By Kathryn Lasky,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked The Portal as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 8, 9, 10, and 11.

What is this book about?

"Kathryn Lasky's latest is a sleight-of-hand that will have you clapping your hands. With the brio and big-heart that characterizes all of Lasky's work, this opening salvo of a new series can be heralded with trumpet fanfares and clouds of rose petals." -Gregory Maguire, author of Wicked and Egg & Spoon

For fans of the Royal Diaries series and Gail Carson Levine, Newbery Honor-winning author Kathryn Lasky delivers the first enchanting adventure in a compelling new middle grade series about a newly orphaned girl who finds herself time-travelling between the present day and the court of the two most memorableā€¦


Book cover of A Knight in Shining Armor

Alexandria Blaelock Author Of Christmas Travesties

From Alexandria's 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Knowledge collector Reader K-drama watcher Dog owner (sorry not sorry)

Alexandria's 3 favorite reads in 2023

Alexandria Blaelock Why did Alexandria love this book?

Yes, itā€™s time travel romance!

Our heroine, Dougless Montgomery, literally wishes for a knight in shining armour (something many of us have done hundreds of time), and he appears. Not just any knight, but Nicholas Stafford, Earl of Thornwyck. Her no-account boyfriend has just stormed off and left her alone in a foreign country without her passport or money, so if anyone was entitled to a knight it was her! Coming off a low base, it was wonderful (and amusing) to see her grow and develop as a person.

Meanwhile, Nicholas has his own problems ā€“ when his brother dies in a tragic accident (or maybe assassination), he becomes the Earl. Tried and executed for treason by Elizabeth I. Douglessā€™ earnest desire to help the man sheā€™s fallen in love with sends her hurtling back in time to make it all better. Iā€™m no historian, but the detail was fascinating.ā€¦

By Jude Deveraux,

Why should I read it?

3 authors picked A Knight in Shining Armor as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A time-travel romance featuring a present-day heroine and a dashing hero from the sixteenth century!

Abandoned by a cruel fate, lovely Dougless Montgomery lies weeping upon a cold tombstone in an English church. Suddenly, the most extraordinary man appears. It is Nicholas Stafford, Earl of Thornwyck...and according to his tombstone he died in 1564.

Drawn to his side by a bond so sudden and compelling it overshadows reason, Dougless knows that Nicholas is nothing less than a miracle: a man who does not seek to change her, who finds her perfect, fascinating, just as she is. What Dougless never imaginedā€¦


Book cover of Skye O'Malley
Book cover of The Portal
Book cover of A Knight in Shining Armor

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