The Queen's Vow: A Novel of Isabella of Castile by C.W. Gortner (historical fiction)

Isabella is a controversial figure, highly intelligent, an effective ruler, and yet the author of much destruction and bigotry in Spain and the "New World."  Gortner gives the reader a plausible analysis of Isabella's personality in a fun piece of historical fiction.

The Unfaithful Queen by Carolly Erickson (historical fiction)

Awesome, fun fluff about Catherine Howard. Ms. Erickson's historical fiction is heavy on the fiction, but that doesn't matter when the novel is a simple pleasure to read.

Constantine the Emperor by David Potter (nonfiction)

Though it is nice to see a book about Constantine that doesn't focus on the conversion, some of this book became a tedious slog through official papers.  Some of it was exciting, interesting, and cool, but the reader wants to know what the author believes is the significance of Constantine's administrative rulings, not just that they exist.

Queen's Bounty by Fiona Buckley (historical mystery)

I've read several books in this series now, and this is by far the best.  It was hilarious, touching, exciting, and fun, which made it go fast.

The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory (historical fiction)

One of Gregory's best, breathing new life into historical fiction.  At first, I was confused and annoyed by the choppiness, but as I stuck with it, I realized that Anne Neville, the protagonist and daughter of Warwick, was only 11 years old as the book opens.  This is a gripping tale, a truly interesting and plausible telling of some stories that we will never learn for certain.

Spartacus, directed by Stanley Kubrick (DVD)

This movie seems slightly goofy and very innocent by today's standards, but it originally shocked audiences with its sexual suggestions.  I still think it is a classic.  The music is great.

The Devil's Brood by Sharon Kay Penman (historical fiction)

About the later years of the marriage of Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, I've always thought this author was pretty good at writing the hearts and minds of historical characters without getting sappy or assuming too much.  This is an epic.

The Omnivorous Mind by John Allen (nonfiction)

Mr. Allen brings together evidence from many different scientific disciplines to explain how our ability to eat everything made our brains into our special human brains.  Thought-provoking, funny, learned, insightful.  He talks over everything from gourmands to why we had to cook with fire.