REVIEW OF POPE JOAN BY DONNA WOOLFOLK CROSS

Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross

Okay, I'm going to admit something here (audible gasp!), I thought this book was about Joan of Arc when I first saw it.  Sigh.  So, imagine my confusion when I was about half way through and realized that it was NOT about her. It's  about another possible historical figure, a woman named Joan, who disguised herself as a man and rose thru the papal ranks to become a female pope!  Not that it mattered at all, other than my humility, I FRIGGEN LOVED IT!!  Not like I kind of loved, or sort of loved, I mean the BIG LOVE.  I have always loved historical fiction, and especially anything set in the middle ages (this is considered early middle ages in 800-ish).   This is the kind of book I want my daughters to read when they are older.  This is the kind of book that makes me realize, once again, how full of gratitude I am for the women who broke out of the mold and changed the world for us. 

But this is fiction.  Sort of.

See, the thing is, there is some evidence to support the idea that there was a female pope.  But as in a very "Da Vinci Code" kind of way there is also evidence to show that the Catholic church may have covered up the fact by destroying evidence. 

Either way, it is a darn good read and I personally could not put it down and read it in just a few days.

It starts with Joan's birth, and shows her mother as a pagan who is married to a religious zealot who is constantly trying to "save" her.  Right from the beginning Joan has a constant spiritual battle raging inside her.  Her incredible bond with her mother is rooted in the pagan beliefs she shares with her, but she also has been raised a Christian and feels loyal to that vein as well. Also right from the beginning we can see that Joan is different.  She is not content just being a girl, and is constantly miffed as to why her brothers get to learn to read and write just because of their gender.  This is a common theme through-out the book, as Joan is continually being road blocked by her sex, time and time again. 

But boy does she ever fix their wagon.

I don't want to do a summary of the plot as I do not want to spoil it for anyone, but TRUST me when I say it is a FANTASTIC book that is full of intrigue, suspense, love (oh, love, the super swoony kind!), and action. 

This was a loaner from the library, but I am actually going to buy it as I know I'll be re-reading this one for many more years to come. 

HIGHLY recommend to anyone, man or woman! 

For more about this fascinating book and author you can visit her website here. 

RATING:  5/5

CHALLENGES FOR 2010

Allright, so my very first challenge over at Stainless Steel Droppings I never did complete - my bad.  But I found two for 2010 that I am super excited about! 

Diana over at Bibliophile by the Sea has a great challenge called:  2010 READING FROM MY SHELVES PROJECT. 

Here are the guidelines:

• grab the button
• decide how many books you want to read from your shelves (minimum of 20 - no maximum)
• find a new home for the books once you read them
• post the titles and the authors of books you've read and passed on
• project runs from January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2010
• crossover challenge books are allowed

First of all, just LOOK AT THAT BUTTON!  Is that not GEORGOUS OR WHAT???!!!  And secondly, this is THE perfect challenge for me!  Click here to join!

My second challenge for 2010 is a really unique and cool one called: 2010 BOOK BLOGGER RECOMMENDATION CHALLENGE  over at READING WITH TEQUILA.  This is a cool one with various levels of involvement and she has a huge list of blogger recommended reads to choose from.  And this will cross over nicely with Diane's challenge! 
Click here to join!

BOOKING THROUGH THURSDAY

The question over at Booking Through Thursday today is:  What’s your favorite part of Booking Through Thursday? Why do you participate (or not)?



When I first thought about book blogging I had no idea how awesome the community of book bloggers would be.  I thought I would just chat about books, post the occasional review and giveaway.  I have had a family blog for years, mostly to share the info about the adoption of our youngest daughter, but was not really immersed in any sort of group of bloggers.  Once I learned more about book blogging and then dove in with my own blog, I was thrilled with how things like "Booking Through Thursday" and other memes and events (like the 24 hour read-a-thon) brought all of us together.  It would be very lonely if it was just me posting about books.  Yawn.  So, I love BTT for what I learn about my fellow book bloggers and that it is one of the many things that bring us all in the same "room", so to speak! 

Have a wonderful day!