I have always had a slight obsession with royalty. I remember making my Barbies play princess as a child. In college, I stayed up all night to watch Prince William marry Kate Middleton. And my mom and I went to a theater to watch Prince Henry marry Meghan Markle. For me, it doesn't matter if it's fictional, historical, or modern-day royalty, I love the escapism that comes with imagining myself in a ballgown and tiara. So here are the books I have found help me imagine myself as a royal, and should immediately go on any royal-watcher's TBR.
1. The Royal Game by Linda Keir
While this book starts feeling very much like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle fanfiction, what it turns into is a pretty fascinating murder mystery. Whether you are a fan of the controversial royal couple or not, it is clear the fanfiction element was more of a hook to get people interested. There's drama, intrigue, and a murderer on the loose - one who Jennie Jenson is sure has already killed once, though nobody in the Royal Family believes her. It's a fascinating look into expectations versus reality and a great way to think about how easily it is to cover up a murder if you have a family better known as The Firm on your side.
The Royal Game is available though Blackstone Publishing
2. Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen by Alison Weir
I have always loved Henry VIII's wives more than the man himself, which I think is a very common sentiment. However, Alison Weir's Six Tudor Queens series is partially to blame for this ongoing historical obsession. Not only is she one of the leading historians on the subject, but she has a way of using historical fiction to help make these Queens come to life. I loved getting to read about Katherine's early life - especially as most only know her for refusing to divorce Henry. She's bold, daring, and stubborn - and after reading this book, I felt like I truly knew who she was. In addition, I could imagine exactly what the court would have been like during the Tudor Era.
Katherine of Aragon, The True Queen is available through Penguin Random House
3. The Selection by Kiera Cass
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you crossed The Hunger Games with The Bachelor? Kiera Cass' series does exactly this. However, where the dystopian aspects of the setting are fascinating, there is a giant part of the series asking the question "What does it mean to be a leader?" I appreciated the emphasis on not only the glamor of royal life but also the responsibility - and I found it made the series a lot more fun to read because of this delicate balance.
The Selection is available through HarperCollins Publishers