Books Read: 21 and 22

Hi everyone, It has been quite some time since I last posted on my blog about the books I am reading in a year. Mostly due to senior year, but the few breaks I have had I did get some reading done. I have finished 2 books recently. I am getting close to my goal of 25, but I have very little time left, so I may just be close this time around we shall see.

I finished the book Lady Elizabeth by Alison Weir. Its basically her view of Elizabeth I before she became queen. Basically 2 years old until she receives the coronation ring from her sister proving that she has died and Elizabeth is the new Queen of England. It follows her learning about her mother's death, living with her step mother Catherine Parr and then switching from court, to own house, tower, court and finally house arrest. Her most intriguing theory is that Catherine Parr's husband Thomas Seymour slept with Elizabeth at age 15 and she became pregnant, but had a miscarriage. It is not exactly and well accepted theory although it is believed that Thomas Seymour and Elizabeth flirting extensively while living under the same roof and a scandal did occur that require that she leave the household. As to the pregnancy, there is no way to prove or disprove that theory. It is a very interesting book with a different twist to the story of young Elizabeth. An easyish read, but nevertheless a nice one.

The other book I have read is a biography of Joan of Arc called The Virgin Warrior the life and death of Joan of Arc by Larissa Juliet Taylor. It looks at the life span of Joan of Arc, with specific focus on her 2 years in battle, trial and death. She also examines her influence in society not just France, but Catholic Church and the world. She uses a lot of primary texts and is able to quote several people involved or influential in Joan of Arc's story. She takes away the idolized version of her and brings her down to earth as a young girl who really believed in her faith and in a unified France. She gives several interpretations of certain events or decisions Joan had made allowing the reader to decide what sounds more plausible in the story. Overall it was an amazing read and an interesting biography (for someone who usually finds biographies boring!) Definitely a good one to start out on if you have never read a true biography before.