Pride and Prejudice

I really think, after reading this for the second time ever, that I much prefer the book over the movies. Which is surprising to me because I watch all the different versions all the time. I asked my hubby a while ago if he'd ever seen the A&E version and he said he didn't have to because he's listened to it so many times and seen bits and pieces. I don't think he could hack 7 hours of culture, rich characters, and a lovely plot. And let's face it--the language is awesome. Steven loves to "imitate" the vocabulary and flow of Regency-era language in a silly british accent, which most likely gets him sent to the other room.

I realized that there's so much more to the characters than I remembered. I thoroughly enjoyed it, much more than I anticipated. Although it doesn't take as much time and brain power, I think I very much prefer the book over the movies. Five out of five stars. I don't want to wait several years to read it again!

The winner is...

Well, first of all I wanted to show you the highly technical means I used to pick the winner. That's right, the old pick a name out of a hat (or Tupperware) trick...

There were 7 out of 11 of you who updated your pages (and I didn't count myself, but I did update my pages) so that is great!

This is the prize!

These are all things that I think are essential for reading. A book light, so you can read at night with out disturbing your significant other, a fun book mark, and some chocolate. Who doesn't like chocolate when they read, right?

And finally.... our winner!

Congratulations Mary! I think it is good karma from being so good about updating that you won.

I hope the prizes help you enjoy your reading time just that much more. :)

As for the rest of you wonderful ladies, I'd love some feed back. How is this book club working for you, any problems with keeping track of your pages or ways we could make it easier?  Should we have another contest or drawing, maybe the most pages next month?

Oh and as I mentioned before I am going to have a Pride and Prejudice movie screening at my house this Saturday. I think we will be watching the Keira Knightly version for the simple reason that the BBC version (while still my favorite) is a six hour miniseries. If you are interested in joining me, please email me and lets see if we can coordinate a time that will work for the most people.

I don't believe you aren't reading...

So where are everybody's pages?  At the rate we are going we are going to be lucky to crack the 100,000 mark this year. I don't want this to be a pressure or a stress in your life, so is there anything I can do to make recording them easier for you?  If you want to send me the information I'd be happy to enter it.  Do you need a reminder every now and then? And don't forget there are no due dates or deadlines, if you haven't entered anything for months but you've been reading you can still count it all!

How about a little incentive? I will have a drawing for a great book related prize (I can't be any more specific right now, because I just came up with this idea while typing so I don't know for sure what it will be yet...) and all you have to do to be entered is record your reading pages between now and 12:00 am on the 23rd! I'll post the winner on the 23rd. Any questions? Alright, so go figure out what you've read and let's get those numbers up!

P.S. To those who have been recording their pages regularly, thank you! And you will still be eligible for the drawing, just keep doing what you're doing and record some pages this week. :)

Do Tell, My Dear

Okay, so I just barely finished S&C and have decided that I officially found it awesome. I think it's perfect for a bit of escapist fun.

I admit I was a little thrown at the beginning when there casual references to magic in the midst of an ordinary description of neighborhood outings and daily doings; but the more I read, the more I enjoyed both girls' level-headed approach to the silly magical mishaps of the gentlemen. (And gentlemen can be so very silly sometimes!...I don't know why they didn't think to smash the darn thing in the first place.)

However, I think what I enjoyed most was the way these two authors--who probably have very different writing styles and ideas of how the story could go--were able to craft such a seamless tale. It makes me wonder whether they had to collaborate on the story outside of the letters, or if it was like a giant Improv game and they just took each others cues to keep the ball rolling. Either way, what a fun idea and great story.

I also really admired the flavor they gave to their characters. (I couldn't think of another word that would convey the meaning I wanted...) I found myself really identifying with the girls and cheering on their every attempt to aid their unwilling cohorts. The whole book reminded me of a quote I read once that said, "There is nothing really wrong with the world that two sensible women cannot solve during afternoon tea." I wish I could remember who said it...

Anyhow, after reading this and starting onto Pride and Prejudice, it has given me an irresistible urge to go buy stationery, break out my calligraphy supplies and start writing lots of letters. Books like this always make me think slightly bitter thoughts towards Facebook and cell phone texting plans. They took all the fun out of waiting for "the post," and turned something as simple as a well-crafted letter into "a lost art" instead of a "social grace." Boo.

Spotlight Wednesdays

In the spotlight today is Emilie! My cousin. (I bet you didn't see that coming....) Emilie is a busy, fun, and creative mommy of four. She is a great listener and just a lot of fun to hang out with, as I think you'll discover from reading her answers... if you didn't already know, that is.


1. Do you have a favorite author or genre? And if so what do you find most appealing about them?

When I was younger it was all about the murder mysteries. But now that I am older, and wise enough not to scare myself on purpose, I find that I gravitate more towards a book with a good plot twist. Lately, that has involved all things fantasy.  

2. If you could have tea (or lunch, or any meal really, tea just feels more book clubbish, doesn't it?) with any three characters from all of literature who would it be?

This is a difficult question. I think it would be a character from any book I am currently reading. 

3. Do you have a favorite reading or book related quote?

No. No I don't.  

4. Where is your favorite place to read?

Anywhere comfortable and in a semi fetal position.  Even when sitting. The closer my knees are to my chest, the better. Except in the bath tub because THAT is just plain weird feeling to be like that in the tub....not that I've...er....um...tried that or anything.

5. Do you have any funny reading quirks? (Like having to read things in numerical order or not reading books that start with the letter Q? Something like that?)

I like to read every book in a series. First to last. The last book in the Wee Free Men series is hilarious! ...Oh, and there's that whole reading in a fetal position thing ;) 

6. How many books are currently by your bed (on your nightstand or on the floor?) How many of those are you in the middle of reading?

1 and 1.  

7. Do you have a favorite children's book?

The Jolly Postman. Who doesn't like a book that contains letters, in envelopes, inside of said book? It's the best. 

8. What is your earliest book related memory?

My mom reading to us at night. 

9. What is most amount of money you have ever had to pay in library fines?

Not much. maybe a dollar or two. 

10. Do you have any great story to share about trying to multi-task while reading? (i.e. walking into something while your nose was in a book?)

You would think I would. And maybe I do, but at the moment I can't recall any. Mostly it's just quoting something hilarious from a book I am currently reading and then having to take 15 minutes explaining the plot and circumstance of the quote so others around me will understand just WHY it is so funny and that they should in fact be rolling on the ground laughing instead of looking at me strangely while trying to discreetly dial the number to the loony bin without me noticing.

Spotlight Wednesdays

This week's spotlight is my favorite sister in law on my side of the family! :)  Elena is one of those people who's smile is just infectious and she always brings happiness and sunshine into any room she enters. She works from home and takes care of her busy two year old son, while my brother is working his way through a master's program at the University of Maryland. We miss them like crazy, but they are having such an adventure getting to be back east surrounded by all that history and culture!

1. Do you have a favorite author or genre? And if so what do you find most appealing about them?

I enjoy fiction. I still consider myself a new reader, so I'm finding what I like to read. I enjoy things that make me laugh and cry and help me learn something new, or see a new perspective in life.

2. If you could have tea (or lunch, or any meal really, tea just feels more book clubbish, doesn't it?) with any three characters from all of literature who would it be?

That's a tough one! I guess Elizabeth from Guernsey Literary P.P.S., Shakespeare, and maybe Ender.  It would be quite entertaining and enlightening!

3. Do you have a favorite reading or book related quote?

"I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves."  ~Anna Quindlen

"You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend."  ~Paul Sweeney. 

This last quote came quite true just recently for me when I finished These Is My Words. I really did cry when it was over, not just because of the story, but I was sad it was over!

4. Where is your favorite place to read?

Lately it's been on our recliner. I get 2 pillows and a big puffy down blanket and snuggle up. It's heavenly. Our bed is nice too, except that requires 5-6 pillows instead of just 2. I find I like to ready while sitting up more than laying down.

5. Do you have any funny reading quirks? (Like having to read things in numerical order or not reading books that start with the letter Q? Something like that?)

Not particularly. But I am not the type of person that reads the ending to see if I'll like it or not. If I do read a series, of course the first one has to come first!

6. How many books are currently by your bed (on your nightstand or on the floor?) How many of those are you in the middle of reading?

There are 2 actual paper books on my nightstand, 3 in the bathroom, but another 23 in my new kindle ♥

7. Do you have a favorite children's book?

Love You Forever always makes me cry. There is this cute book called "A Pair of Red Clogs" that I loved when I was younger. The little girl gets a shiny new pair of red clogs, and then while playing a game where you kick your shoes up in the air and depending on how they land you get a certain fortune. I'd always be kicking my shoes on the way home from school after that. Luckily, unlike hers, mine didn't get broken.

8. What is your earliest book related memory?

I was lucky enough to have my mom read to me at night up until I was maybe 6 or 7 because I loved it! I think it was her chance to get a quiet moment after teaching for the day. I always thought it was funny that she would fall asleep while reading the story. I'd always have to nudge her awake to keep reading. Now as a parent, I can totally understand how that can happen!

9. What is most amount of money you have ever had to pay in library fines?

Wow... maybe like $1.50. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, I'm not sure!

10. Do you have any great story to share about trying to multi-task while reading? (i.e. walking into something while your nose was in a book?)

Not really walking into anything, but I am not good about keeping control of myself while reading in public. I laugh out loud, and very often cry while reading books.  I remember during silent reading time in 3rd grade, the book I was reading was hilarious, and I just busted out. Every one thought I was crazy I'm sure!

Pride and Prejudice

Happy March!  So. Like I said before, I'm not a big reader.  I got through high school (with A's, mind you) reading only two novels.  (I'm a big fan of Cliff Notes.)  Reading was never really that important to me, but now that it's time for me to start thinking about my children's education, I've realized that I don't want them to miss out on reading and all the good things that come from it.  So, I need to set a good example, and become a woman well versed in literature.  I don't know.  It sounds nice.  I figured I wanted to go back to "classics" that I never read and start there, which leads us to:

 I'm probably the only girl on the planet that hasn't read Pride and Prejudice or even seen any of the multiple movie versions.  My sister loves it, and one summer watched the A&E version every night, which made me kind of loathe it.  I refused to watch with her, but by the end of the summer, started to secretly want to watch it.  So, I hope you all like it enough to read it again (I'm sure you've all read it before), and here's to my new, super reader-y self.  

Enjoy!