The Pagan Lord by Bernard Cromwell (historical fiction 2013)

I've read historical fiction from the perspective of several other notable characters in this book, but never from Uhtred of Bebbanburg.  I thought it was slow to get going, but then ended too soon.  The battle scenes, Cromwell's bread and butter, were of course harrowing and impossible to put down.

The Shadow Queen by Sandra Gulland (historical fiction 2014)

Pretty good book about a servant girl of Athenais de Montespan, who was a mistress of Louis XIV.  This girl was an actual person, like Varvara in the book about Catherine the Great.  She came from a family of playactors, and actually bore the King a child herself.  Historical details of the palaces and clothing are great.

The Iliad of Homer translated by Stephen Mitchell (fiction 2011)

Wow, if I could translate Greek like this, I would have gotten that MA after all.  This is an amazing effort, and I enjoyed every minute of it.  It is impossible to put down the book.  This is the first time I've read ancient Greek in translation and it was a work of art in itself.

Empress of the Night by Eva Stachniak (historical fiction 2014)

I liked this author's The Winter Palace and I liked this very much.  It gives a pretty plausible and very exciting dramatization of how Catherine the Great might have experienced her unusual life.

A History of Genius - Divine Fury by Darrin M. McMahon (nonfiction 2013)

A history of genius from Plato to today's celebrities, this is a dense book.  I enjoyed the analysis of Napoleon.

The Lost Sisterhood by Anne Fortier (fiction 2014)

This modern adventure mystery is mixed with a myth-based account of Amazons and makes for a fun read.  There's romance and exotic locations.

Girl on the Golden Coin by Marci Jefferson (historical fiction 2014)

Really good historical fiction, not too sappy, full of adventure.  I couldn't sleep until I finished it.

Tudors by Peter Ackroyd (nonfiction 2012)

I've been reading about these people for 25 years and this book is full of surprises.  Unexpected bits of primary sources, little stories, original analysis.  A great read.

Roman Italy by T.W. Potter (nonfiction 1987)

Even though it was written in the 80s, this book had a lot of information about Roman cities in Italy that I didn't know, and great pictures.  I enjoyed it.