The New Poll

Happy Friday! Normally I would throw out a TGIF or two when I post on a Friday... but not this time. If today is Friday, January 8 - then that means tomorrow is Saturday, January 9. My big Praxis II exam is tomorrow, and I could not be more nervous about it. Consider updating this my study break from cognitive development theories. I have a new poll! Allow me to introduce it to you.

Quite simply, which of the following authors would you most want to meet if you had to choose between Stephen King, Ian McEwan, Stephenie Meyer, Rick Riordian, J.K. Rowling, and Alice Sebold. I chose some pretty contemporary authors this time. Next time, we'll see some more oldies but goodies. Here's a little bit about each author's work:

*Stephen King: He's considered the king of horror novels. King knows how to take a ghost story and twist it into something truly terrifying. Best known work: The Shining (though it's tough to pick just one).

*Ian McEwan: This author pens novels that will get you thinking about all sorts of different aspects of being human. With McEwan, you either hate him or love him. Best known work: Atonement.

*Stephenie Meyer: Ah yes, the vampire's best friend. She made vampires totally cool again with her lusty, romantic vamp Edward Cullen, made famous by Robert Pattinson. Best known work: Twilight, DUH.

*Rick Riordian: This guy has tackled it all. He has penned some intriguing adult mystery novels and has even broken into the young adult lit scene with his fabulous Percy Jackson series, being made into a movie coming to theatres soon! Which will make his best known work: The Lightning Thief.

*J.K. Rowling: Does she really need an introduction? She's the wealthiest living author, and it's no wonder why. She penned the phenomena known as Harry Potter, the story of a boy wizard who conquers evil with nothing more than good will and love. Best known work: Any of the Harry Potter books.

*Alice Sebold: This author burst onto the comtemporary literature scene quite suddenly, it would seem. Her novels touch some people, and leave others with a great sense of unease. Best known work: The Lovely Bones.

HAPPY VOTING!

That Lusty King Henry

Well, since I have posted the results to the most swoon-worthy male character, I think it is time for a new poll! This time I will focus on one of my favorite male historical figures: King Henry VIII. He has shot back into popularity lately with the Showtime series The Tudors and the romantic Hollywood film The Other Boleyn Girl.



So who portrayed Henry the very best on screen? That is what I want to know. I have my own opinions, but I am curious to see what you historical fiction nuts think! Here are my choices. At the bottom of this post, I have a link where you can watch short clips of each of the nominees playing Henry, in case you haven't seen their portrayal before. Enjoy!

-Eric Bana - The Other Boleyn Girl
-Richard Burton - Anne of a Thousand Days
-Keith Michell - The Six Wives of Henry VIII
-Jonathan Rhys Meyers - The Tudors
-John Stride - William Shakespeare's Henry VIII
-Ray Winstone - Henry VIII

Check out this link to get a look at all of the Henry's in action and don't forget to vote! http://tudorswiki.sho.com/page/Depictions+Throughout+History+of+The+Tudors

Devastatingly, Inhumanly Beautiful

You have spoken! The votes are in, we have a winner who won by a landslide! The most swoon-worthy "book boy" is none other than my personal favorite, Edward Cullen.

For those of you who live under a rock and do not know who he is, Edward Cullen is Stephenie Meyer's creation. He is Bella Swan's love interest in her best-selling Twilight saga and is a vampire. Upon first seeing Edward, Bella describes him as being "devastatingly, inhumanly beautiful." As you read through the series, you learn that Edward is an accomplished pianist (swoon), is strong and protective (swoon), has all of the qualities of being a good father (swoon), and is ultimately a sucker (no pun intended) for love (SWOON SWOON SWOON). And perhaps one of Edward's greatest appeals is that he can live forever. The idea of possibly living forever in love with him is enough to make any female want to trade in her heartbeat for a life of hunting in Washingtons state's damp woods. (You'd have to read the books to understand that... and you should go read them if you haven't already!)

Oh, and if you need a visual for just how beautiful Edward Cullen really is, I've provided you with a collage of Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Edward in Twilight, the movie. Do I really need to say "swoon" again? The second movie is due out in theatres in late November of this year and is currently filming.

So Edward Cullen, you are the most desired "book boy" out there! But here are our other honorable mentions:

1. Edward Cullen .................... 48%
2. Jamie Fraser ....................... 24%
3. Fitzwilliam Darcy ................ 18%
4. Frederick Wentworth ........... 6%
5. Rhett Butler ......................... 3%

What A Wonderful World

Georgette Heyer - The Grand Sophy

Well, Book One under category "Georgette Heyer" in my 999 Challenge is complete. And to be honest, it was the perfect way to kick off that category. The Grand Sophy is the story of the extremely social Sophia Stanton-Lacy, nicknamed the Grand Sophy by all who know her. While her father is away in Brazil, this bold young lady stays with her aunt, uncle, and cousins. While there, she plays match maker for her cousin Cecelia, wins over her younger cousins by giving them a monkey as a gift, and drives her eldest cousin, Charles completely mad. Naturally, this independent headstrong girl sends the Rivenhall family into an uproar as she is the talk of London society with her behavior. She becomes quite popular with everyone except for Charles, who loves to hate her and hates to love her. This story has love, humor, and paints a fantastic historical London scene!

I absolutely loved this book. It is my second Heyer that I have read, after Cotillion. I've had this book recommended to me by anyone who has read it. And I will now pass on the gospel: If you enjoy Heyer, you should definitely read this! If you enjoy historical fiction, you should definitely read this! If you would like to have an easy entrance into authentic historical fiction, you should definitely read this! In case you haven't gotten the point, I think that you should read this book.

A quick side note, please make sure to vote in my poll. So far, Edward Cullen is crushing the competition to be the most swoon-worthy literary character!

Now Reading: Charlaine Harris - Dead To The World

The Crowned Winner: Jane Seymour

The results are in! Your favorite wife of Henry VIII's is none other than third wife, Jane Seymour!



Jane Seymour was born roughly 1508-1509. She was not a very educated woman, according to historians. It was said that she could read and write only her name. Her studies focused more on needlework and the instruction of how to run a household. She served as a lady to both queen Catherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn. While she was serving under Anne Boleyn, she caught the king's eye because she was the anti-Anne. Instead of being hot tempered with dark eyes, hair, and skin, Jane was of a mild temperament and had pale skin and blonde hair.

Jane became betrothed to Henry VIII only a day after the execution of her predecessor, Anne Boleyn. It was said that while Anne was being brought to the block, Henry was riding out to Jane's home to secure her hand. She was soon after named Queen Consort of England. She was, however, never crowned. Historians believe that Henry refused to crown her until she did her duty as a queen and gave him a male heir. Jane achieved this feat when she gave birth to her only child, Edward (who would later become king). Shortly after the birth of Edward, Jane died.

Henry honored Jane in a manner that befit a true queen. He mourned her death and called her his "one true wife," because she gave him the thing he wanted most: a son. He did not remarry for three years after her death. The painting below was painted when Henry was married to his sixth wife, Katherine Parr. He said he wanted a family portrait of himself, his son, and his two daughters, with their rightful mother. When the painting was revealed, Jane Seymour's face had been painted in place of Katherine Parr's.



Here are the full results:
1. Jane Seymour....................27%
2. Anne Boleyn......................24%
3. Catherine of Aragon...........20%
4. Anne of Cleves...................18%
5. Katherine Parr....................9%
6. Katherine Howard...............2%

Thanks for taking the poll! Try my new one! We're going to find out which Jane Austen heroine is most popular!

Cast Your Vote

No no, this has nothing to do with any sort of political voting. After the 2008 Presidential election, I don't even want to think about that kind of stuff for another four years. Nope, my vote is about the poll that you've probably already seen to the left.

I'm always curious as to who is the most popular of Henry's queens. Research has shown that Henry's subjects loved and adored Catherine of Aragon and Anne of Cleves. But what about now? So much literature is focused on Anne Boleyn. Let's face it, she's an intriguing woman! I personally cannot read enough about her. But is she my personal favorite of Henry's six trials at matrimony? No, I don't think so. I started thinking about that and I would like to see what everyone else thinks!

So do me a favor and cast your vote! After Christmas I will post the results and recommend some good fiction and maybe even some nonfiction about the winning queen.

Meanwhile, I am in the midst of my finals for my teaching program and have been ridiculously busy. I am still working on my Hilda Lewis novel, I Am Mary Tudor. I'm about 2/3 done with it, and I really do enjoy it. I'll post a review once I finish.

P.S. For those of you who are looking for the Historical Queen quiz, here is the link:

www.helloquizzy.com/tests/the-which-historical-queen-are-you-test