The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum

Emily Huxby is a girl who's life is imploding upon its self. After breaking up with her perfect boyfriend just before he can propose her life seems to spiral out of control. Emily is smart, funny,extremely likable, and a mess. How Emily picks up the pieces of her life and puts it all back to together makes for a great story.

Emily is the kind of character you want to be friends with. Actually, she is like a lot of us out here. Looking good on the outside, falling apart inside. Who has not destroyed something they really wanted out of fear of getting it? I know I have. Emily is like me with a much better career and a lot more drinking. Unless you are one of those perfect girls I think you will relate Emily and her spinning out of control life. I gave this book five stars on Good Reads, its that good.

The Maid by Kimberly Cutter

You all know Joan of Arc. You know she was a French peasant who led the Daupin's army against the English. You know she had the French Dauphin crowned king. And you know the king betrayed her in the end, allowing her to be sold to the English, who burned her as a witch. But who was she really and what did she feel inside?

This book attempts to answer those questions, letting Joan tell the story. At 12 years old Joan was just a poor peasant girl who loved God as her mother taught her too. She prays constantly to God. Asking God to tell her how to serve him, to show her a sign of his love. When God answers it is not what she expects. Lead an army against the English? Joan knows this is crazy, impossible really, but Joan loves and trusts God so she does as she is asked. I could not help but to believe in and care for this character. Joan is naive and sweet and when she suffered I felt her pain. Joan knew her fate almost from the beginning but she still did as God told her giving up all chance of a normal life. It is amazing when you think about it. What this girl did during her short life.

While I was reading The Maid I heard a story on NPR about current French president, Nicolas Sarkozy attending Joan of Arc's birthday celebrations in an effort to shore up votes in the upcoming French elections. So a poor peasant girl from the 14th century is still making news today. Confirms the importance of history and my love of history.http://www.npr.org/2012/01/11/145020765/joan-of-arcs-star-power-in-demand-in-france