The Commoner by John Burnham Schwartz is a study of life in the royal circle, the marriage of Japanese royalty to a commoner. It was a very interesting read. I think this would make a great movie.

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks is a fine book. I was especially interested in Jewish history including the fact that King Ferdinand and q. Isabella expelled the Jews from Spain in 1492. Of course, there is more to it than Jewish history, the story is sad and full of violence and every human indignity imaginable. And the main character is from Australia. Lots of twists and turns as they follow the history of an antique book. I really enjoyed it. I'll bet it is made into a movie.