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| The White Queen ~ Elizabeth Woodville (Image from http://www.starz.com/) |
Sometimes, the best things in life are free – like getting the chance to preview an engaging new TV series and seeing my favorite author in person! I am looking forward to watching this TV show. If you haven’t got a subscription to Starz yet which it is previewing on, you may want to click here and see how you can get settled in front of the TV and give this a watch and perhaps make it your new favorite show. Yes, we’re in week four of furloughs and still trying to make the best of it by exploring our local area and all it has to offer.  It’s kind of amazing to be able to jump in the car and be in Hollywood in an hour & a half.
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| John in the park next to the library |
Philippa Gregory is one of my favorite authors (the other is Barbara Wood).  I was so excited when I saw a  post on her Facebook page that she was going to be in West Hollywood showing a sneak preview of her new television series, The White Queen that will premiere on Starz on the 10th of August.  If you are an Anglophile, set your DVR because you won’t want to miss this series!  The costumes, cinematography, and actors are incredible.  The story focuses on the women behind the Wars of the Roses and includes material from three of Philippa’s books.  She’s still writing to continue the saga, so I’m hoping this series is will be so successful that a follow-on will be made.  Here’s an article about her.
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| A bit of whimsy in the park! |
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| Pacific Design Center at Melrose & San Vicente |
Philippa Gregory holds a doctorate in 18th Century Literature.  She’s published 26 books and I’ve read 17 of them.  So, you can imagine how excited I was to have the chance to see her in person.  John attended high school in London and Aberdeen and he’s an English history buff, so I always enjoy talking to him about the history behind Philippa’s books.  The show was remarkable and she’s a compelling speaker.  It was an intimate gathering with only about 60 people and we were in the center of the 3rd row.  It was a great experience and a beautiful day in Los Angeles.
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| Pacific Design Center view from the library |
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| Public Swimming Pool in the park |
After the talk, we walked around the area.  The West Hollywood Library, where the talk was held, is directly across the street from the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art and the Pacific Design Center and adjacent to a lovely family park with a community swimming pool.
On the way home, we drove down Santa Monica Boulevard, through Beverly Hills, then stopped for dinner at Toscanova in Century City.  You may have gathered that after growing up in Italy, I’m incredibly picky about Italian food.  Well, this place was fantastic.  Our waitress was from Rome and she was passionate about Italian food.  John ordered the a glass of Sangiovesse, Buffala e Pomodoro (Caprese Salad) and Pappardelle allo Stracotto di Cinghiale (Pappardelle with wild boar ragu).  I had a Kir Imperial, Carciofi Marinati (Marinated Artichokes), and Rigatoni alle Melazane (Rigatoni with eggplant and dry ricotta cheese).  The food was fabulous, the service was great, and the atmosphere was comfortable and elegant.  If you are looking for a place to eat in west LA, I highly recommend it.
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| Creativity Hollywood style – the side of the parking structure we parked in! |
It was a gorgeous, entertaining, and engaging evening! Â We drove home with the sunroof open to the stars.
Wow! Great post, Susan! How exciting to meet a favourite author! Lucky you!! It looks like it was a fabulous outing. (One you will remember with fond memories.)
I have been reading all your Facebook posts about The White Queen but really didn’t understand it. I was patient. And, now, I get it. I envy you the time with Gregory and love that John was so supportive of it. I have read many of her books but didn’t know she had written 26. I’ll have to check those titles. I, like you, love historical fiction and, with Gregory, it’s a walk through English history that is pretty true to itself. She does a great job. Thanks for sharing this. You and I have talked about Barbara Wood before but I’ve yet to read anything by her. Loved reading this, Susan.
I lived in Hollywood for a year – your photos take me right back to that once-in-a-lifetime experience! 🙂
You guys have so much fun Susan! You adventure sounds delicious! And The White Queen looks amazing, I hadn’t heard about it before. Thanks for the tip!
Oh, I wish I had had you as a tour guide when we were in Hollywood…
Love Philipa Gregory – I wish my library’s e-library system would start carrying her work…