It’s day two of reading along with Matt Lauer. The Today Show and all of it’s viewers found Matt ‘outstanding in his field’ (ha ha) of Tulips early this morning. Lots of great reading suggestions for books set in and around this land of windmills, tulips, Gouda cheese and wooden shoes.

For romantic fiction fans, there are three great reads that revolve in and around the 17 century Dutch art world. All introduce female protagonists that sit as models for pensive male artists who seem to paint pictures of intriguing women. “Tulip Fever” by Deborah Moggach, “Girl In Hyacinth Blue” by Susan Vreeland and “Girl With A Pearl Earring” by Tracey Chevalier.

“Niccolo Rising” by historical fiction writer Dorothy Dunnett is the first volume of Dunnet’s five-book House of Niccolo series about the madcap adventures of young men in the wealthy dye and trading house business of 15th century Bruge.

Biography fans can choose between the poignant “The Diary of A Young Girl” by Anne Frank or “Lust For Living” by Irving Stone, a fictionalized biography of the life of artist Vincent Van Gogh and/or it’s companion piece “Dear Theo”.

One last suggestion for those kids on tour with you is “Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates” by Mary Mapes Dodge.

Let’s get going and start reading!