The Ribbon Book Club

Historical Note: Amanda Matta and the Nuances of Cleopatra

Dear Diary,  Our esteemed royal commentator, Amanda Matta [https://www.amandamatta.com/] (aka Matta_of_Fact [https://www.tiktok.com/@matta_of_fact?lang=en]), is back for another fascinating conversation! This time, we're discussing Cleopatra and her portrayal as a young girl.  How does an author do justice to a historical figure who has often been reduced to a trope? Not to mention a trope that is not always kid-friendly. We chat about walking this literary tight-rope, as well as the very real historical drama that was the court of the Ptolemys. Tune in, and afterwards, check out the episode [https://open.spotify.com/episode/2UTp3vXJ8UPBGAlQAo73fq?si=aabcc2571dbc4d92%20] of Amanda's podcast, The Art of History, where she discusses a famous sculpture of the Egyptian queen.  Yours truly,  Cate and Jen    Want to hear more from Amanda? Check out her podcasts [https://www.amandamatta.com/podcasts] Off With Their Headlines and The Art of History, or read her Substack, The Fascinator [https://mattaoffact.substack.com/].   Join our Discord [https://discord.gg/H66HU8xvxN]! RibbonBookClubPod.com [https://www.ribbonbookclubpod.com/] @RibbonBookPod on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RibbonBookPod] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ribbonbookpod/]   Edited by Danny Heck [danieltheck@gmail.com]   Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage [https://www.instagram.com/theerickapage/]  Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub [https://www.instagram.com/thetrumpetclub/] Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit [https://www.instagram.com/_likethefruit/]

Daughter of the Nile: Cleopatra VII part 2

Dear Diary,  This week, we are finishing our recap of Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile! Will Cleopatra gain the respect of the Romans? Will she see her beloved home and friends again? Will she get a Disney Channel-worthy montage of her summer by the sea? Get the answers to these questions and more when you tune in! Yours Truly,  Cate and Jen    Join our Discord [https://discord.gg/H66HU8xvxN]! RibbonBookClubPod.com [https://www.ribbonbookclubpod.com/] @RibbonBookPod on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RibbonBookPod] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ribbonbookpod/]   Edited by Danny Heck [danieltheck@gmail.com]   Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage [https://www.instagram.com/theerickapage/]  Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub [https://www.instagram.com/thetrumpetclub/] Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit [https://www.instagram.com/_likethefruit/]

Daughter of the Nile: Cleopatra VII part 1

Dear Diary,  Calling all ancient Egypt girlies! This week, we are recapping the first half of Cleopatra VII: Daughter of the Nile. First published in 1999, Kristiana Gregory explores what the Egyptian queen was like as a precocious 12-year-old.  Turns out, the court of the Ptolemaic Pharaohs was full of schemes and deadly plots! Tune in to see if Cleopatra can navigate through the court intrigue and help her father keep his throne.  Yours Truly,  Cate and Jen   Join our Discord [https://discord.gg/H66HU8xvxN]! RibbonBookClubPod.com [https://www.ribbonbookclubpod.com/] @RibbonBookPod on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RibbonBookPod] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ribbonbookpod/]   Edited by Danny Heck [danieltheck@gmail.com]   Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage [https://www.instagram.com/theerickapage/]  Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub [https://www.instagram.com/thetrumpetclub/] Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit [https://www.instagram.com/_likethefruit/]

Historical Note: Royal Commentating with Amanda Matta

Dear Diary, This week, we got to speak with a very exciting guest, Amanda Matta [https://www.amandamatta.com/]! Known on social media as Matta_of_Fact [https://www.tiktok.com/@matta_of_fact?lang=en], Amanda has made a niche for herself as TikTok's number 1 royal commentator. Amanda shared with us her extensive knowledge of Tudor history: the court life, art, and family drama.  If you want to hear more of Amanda's takes on royal history, check out her podcast, Off With Their Headlines [https://shows.acast.com/off-with-their-headlines], which she co-hosts with Meredith Constant, or her substack, The Fascinator [https://mattaoffact.substack.com/].  Tune in! Cate and Jen   Join our Discord [https://discord.gg/H66HU8xvxN]! RibbonBookClubPod.com [https://www.ribbonbookclubpod.com/] @RibbonBookPod on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RibbonBookPod] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ribbonbookpod/]   Edited by Danny Heck [danieltheck@gmail.com]   Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage [https://www.instagram.com/theerickapage/]  Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub [https://www.instagram.com/thetrumpetclub/] Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit [https://www.instagram.com/_likethefruit/]

Red Rose of the House of Tudor: Elizabeth I part 2

Dear Diary,  This week, we are recapping the second half of Red Rose of the House of Tudor: Elizabeth I, and it is JAM PACKED! We've got intrigue, marriage plots, and confirmation that Kat's fear of poison is justified! All this drama has our princess wondering if she'd rather trade the money and privilege for the "simple" life of a peasant. Tune in to hear all about it!  Yours Truly,  Cate and Jen    Join our Discord [https://discord.gg/H66HU8xvxN]! RibbonBookClubPod.com [https://www.ribbonbookclubpod.com/] @RibbonBookPod on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/RibbonBookPod] and Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ribbonbookpod/]   Edited by Danny Heck [danieltheck@gmail.com]   Theme music by Ericka Page @theerickapage [https://www.instagram.com/theerickapage/]  Cover art by Chelsea Tanis @TheTrumpetClub [https://www.instagram.com/thetrumpetclub/] Research help by Callie Cherry  @_likethefruit [https://www.instagram.com/_likethefruit/]