• Reading

    In Or Out Tag

    March 2, 2023 /

    I read Olivia’s answers here, and I thought this would be fun to do.

    Reading the Last Page First
    Out. If I’m not feeling the book I will skim, but I will still skim in order.
    Enemies to Lovers
    In. If it’s not deadly enemies or petty enemies, but the true each a strong person with strong reasons and wit Benedict-Beatrice type.
    Dream Sequences
    Out. No. I hate dreams. I find them disturbing. Also it’s a deception/lazy writing issue in fiction.
    Love Triangles
    Out. Overall. I think it technically CAN be done well (rarely, not sure I’ve seen the type when BOTH options are good, but I’ve seen it humorously done well like the Noel, Gay, and Roger triangle in Tangled Web).
    Cracked Spines
    Out. Cracked spines in my experience mean pages falling out.
    Back to My Small Town
    In. If done well. I can’t think of anything but Hallmark and the jokes right now which aren’t well-done but enjoyable.
    No Paragraph Breaks
    Out. Any visually or reading comprehension difficulty is out. I struggle enough to focus, I’m not reading anything that makes me feel crazy.
    Multi-generational Sagas
    In. If it’s done well. Something like the Anne books. The various Little House series.
    Monsters Are Regular People
    Out. Absolutely not. I don’t like grey areas with evil and confusing morality. I don’t want things simplified, but I don’t want anything posing as amorality either.
    Re-Reading
    In. Absolutely, I need my comfort reads.
    Artificial Intelligence
    Out. Not a huge sci-fi person, and I find AI extremely creepy.
    Drop Caps
    In. Quintessential for fairytales.
    Happy Endings
    In. Pretty much a must.
    Plot Points That Only Converge at the End
    In. If done well. It has to be believable, not lazy-minded bad writing that is to neatly wrapped up or to fantastic to suspend disbelief.
    Detailed Magic Systems
    In. Love the details in Harry Potter.
    Classic Fantasy Races
    In. I prefer the Faerie races to Greco-Roman myth (which I’m rather sick of).
    Unreliable Narrators
    Out. Occasionally I can handle it for a change, but I don’t love deception, especially as a major plot point. And confusing moral issues.
    Evil Protagonists
    Out. I don’t like confusing moral issues.
    The Chosen One
    Out overall. I think it can sort of be done well, maybe. But as much as I love Harry and Harry Potter, it got REALLLYY annoying and extremely contrived.
    When the Protagonist Dies
    Out. Happy endings remember.
    Really Long Chapters
    Out. It can work but my attentions span isn’t super.
    French Flaps
    Out. I don’t think I’ve come across this much, but I don’t like the sound of it, I don’t like to many paper layers and complication.
    Deckled Edges
    Out. HATE this look/texture.
    Signed Copies by the Author
    In. If it’s a favorite author. It’s not a huge deal though.
    Dog-Earing Pages
    In for library books (yes, a crime, I need to work on this), Out if it’s my own book.
    Chapter Titles Instead of Numbers
    In. I prefer both though.
    read more
  • Reading

    Classic Club 10 Year Celebration Questionnaire Answers

    August 13, 2022 /

    See post on Classic Club here.

    When did you join the Classics Club?

    Looking through my old posts, it looks like I’ve been part of it since the first year, 2012 (I was not quite 22 at the time of my first post). I didn’t finish my first list, I forgot about it/fell off from it, and since I moved my blog, when the new moderators cleaned up their links, my old ones were removed since I didn’t update the links. Classic procrastinator.

    What is the best classic book you’ve read for the club so far? Why?

    I don’t think I have my old list saved any where (stupid, I need to remember to preserve this one in a post), so I’m going by the reviews I did manage on my blog. I started the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries and fell head over heels for him. I don’t care for all of the novels, but the ones I do are now on my comfort reads list.

    I see that I tried Jeeves and Wooster again (I didn’t get it when I tried for our church bookclub), and this time it stuck. Definitely another comfort read for me.

    What is the first classic you ever read?

    I can’t remember, I know my dad read Narnia to us when small. I know I loved Little Women as a tween and teen. And then later more of Alcott and LM Montgomery. My first “grown up” classics that I can recall was Pride and Prejudice at around 14 or 15, I believe (my mom borrowed after we watched the 95 version with friends, both the film and the book were a touch beyond my total comprehension at the time, but that started my JA novel/movie obsession of the time). I think I’d skimmed the Bronte novels, but I didn’t read the two most famous in their entirety until I was 19 I believe.

    Which classic book inspired you the most?

    I feel like the introduction to Jane Austen as well the homeschool classics blogging world as a teen as well as few years later as being part of a church book club got me more into the classics; my reading/focus ability crashed and burned due to some OCD or some mental break as a teen, all this slowly helped me back.

    What is the most challenging one you’ve ever read, or tried to read?

    Lis Mis was challenging in it’s length and tediousness. Same for Brothers Karamazov. Also, the philosophy of the latter was beyond me.

    Favorite movie adaptation of a classic? Least favorite?

    2022 gave me an easy least favorite, Persuasion. Favorite is harder. I’ve many Jane Austen adaptations, and some are more accurate than others, but in the last several years Emma 2009 has become a comfort movie for my sisters and me. I think that Emma herself is one of the least accurate, but the overall movie is peaceful (excluding Box Hill) and hilarious and the scenery is beautiful, the music is wonderful, and I just love the costumes.

    I grew up (at least teens I think) with the 1994 Little Women, so although the Laurie Jo plot still infuriates me to this day, nostalgia, you know?

    A childhood favorite was the 80’s made for tv Heidi. I watched that obsessively, and in my tiny heart crushed on Peter, envied Klara her boots, and called milkmaid braids Heidi braids until I learned as an adult they were already named milkmaid braids.

    I’m sure there are more (like I said, favorites are harder), but this is off the top of my head.

    Which classic character most reminds you of yourself?

    Marianne Dashwood.

    Has there been a classic title you expected to dislike and ended up loving? Respecting? Appreciating?

    Middlemarch was a dark house, and it was a slow start, but then I really got into it. I need to reread it. Talk of underwhelming adaptations and underappreciated classics.

    Also, after a couple other Russian tries, I was pleasantly surprised to find when starting Anna Karenina (I’d skimmed as a teen and maybe early twenties, not ready for it then, so I did know a lot of the story), that I enjoy it.

    Classic/s you are DEFINITELY GOING TO MAKE HAPPEN next year?

    Well, hopefully most of the ones on the list I don’t get to this year, since my end date is next September. I’m currently almost done with Anna Karenina, about to start Count of Monte Cristo, and hopefully will start War and Peace after that.

    Favorite memory with a classic and/or your favorite memory with The Classics Club?

    I love rewarding myself with film adaptations after finishing a novel. I did read a lot (but very repetitively) as a child, but I struggled as a teen, and I’m not naturally drawn to super long novels, so finishing a novel that is a bit harder to get through and then getting to watch a film is fun.

    I also of course love learning about new favorites to add to my comfort reads.

    read more
  • Culture and Entertainment

    Would You Rather: Lovely Edition

    February 19, 2022 /

    I went full-time at the beginning of the year and while I cut out my second weekend job, I still feel like I have so little time; I’ll have to do a catch up post later. As well as other posts when I can get my brain in order.

    I’m joining in Cordy’s Lovely Blog Party with her “Would You Rather.”

    Would you rather wear a ball gown for a formal first date, or would you prefer an active first date?

    A formal date where I could where a ball gown would be so much fun. But it could also be nerve wracking. Ideally, I think this would be my first choice, but as long as it didn’t set the tone for lots of formal or upscale events.

    Would you rather have to matchmake for someone, or have someone matchmake for you?

    Matchmake for someone else, feel I could do it better/make it less awkward.

    Would you rather be serenaded or be the one that has to do the serenading?

    Both are awful, but since I can’t sing, I’ll pick the first and hope it’s private, comic, and he has a good voice.

    Would you rather receive flowers and chocolates or chocolates and a teddy bear as tokens of affection?

    Flowers and chocolates. I genuinely love those “cliche” things and would/have bought for myself. I love teddy bears, but I have several including a little live in my little fur baby.

    Would you rather wear a veil or a flower crown on your wedding day?

    I was honestly thinking about both. But a circlet, small flowers or floral designed circlet.

    Would you rather receive a romantic poem or have to write and gift a romantic poem?

    Yeah, the serenading and the poetry and ooshy, gooshy sentimental words are the cliches I don’t personally like, as in really, really don’t. I prefer simple, sincere direct words. So again, it’d have to be him, and as a spoof.

    Would you rather cook a meal for your date, or have your date cook for you?

    Date cook for me. I don’t love cooking.

    Would you rather watch a chick-flick or an action film as your date-night movie?

    I feel like chick-flicks are more a girls night thing. I don’t love action movies as an overall genre. But if it was action adventure, especially a classic or something like National Treasure, then I think that’s a great date-night movie.

    Would you rather dance in the rain, or stargaze together?

    Probably stargaze if I didn’t have to drive home in the dark, although a warm rain dance I could find more fun in the right circumstances.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

     

    I’m great at decisions.

    “1 or 2?”

    “Well actually, I’d like 3 or 4.”

    read more
  • Culture and Entertainment

    Running Wild in Impractical Outfits Tag

    July 10, 2021 /

    Elizabeth from Autumn Ink tagged me in for this lovely whimsical tag.

    It’s funny I understood “impractical outfits” to be “impractical dresses” assuming billowing dresses in fields and woods sort of thing. And so that is what mine is going to be, that is what it would mean for me.

    I’ve modified or changed or omitted some of the locations to suit me. And as I know rather too much about copyright laws, I’d rather just make a Pinterest board and link (here is the board, I’ve linked the relevant pins for each location below).

    At the Beach on Corfu

    Vintage sailor dress and I’m bringing Lt. JG Nicholas Holden (Operation Petticoat) in his absurdly perfect white uniform. I want a dress that is a mix of these dresses (truly, I actually want to make this dress).

    University of Glasgow

    Romantic light academia with plaid ruffled skirt and ruffled top and cute outwear like maybe a half cloak or something. Inspiration here. I’ll take Lord Peter Wimsey (I’m seeing him as Anthony Andrews at the moment, I don’t like the actual actor in the adaptations and don’t want to watch the movies) with me to the University, what he doesn’t know, he’ll find out.

    Castle in the snow

    This Elsa inspired dress. And Thandruil. That should be interesting. Maybe we’re captive there or something, he’d throw an interesting fit to be sure.

    Picnic in Switzerland in a woodland area

    A Lena Hosek inspired or actual outfit (inspiration), and I’d take Captain Von Trapp (not the real one, Christopher Plummer as he was of course).

    In a cottage with a garden

    I’d live here and wear all the lovely outfits that Livvy wears in The Magic of Ordinary Days. And I’ll be married to Gregory Peck (oh, not a character, well then an amalgamation of all his gentlemanly characters).

    Fun Bonus Question-
    It’s the 20’s (or some other era) and your husband’s been mysteriously murdered. What’s your outfit?

    I’ll pick the 30’s, and I want Nora Charles’ dress and fur coat, but I can’t find a photo of the one I’m talking about, I’m not even sure which mystery it was in. But she’s wearing this shimmery gold dress with a long fur coat, and it’s when Nick is trying to outsmart her to protect her and he sends her off in cab and then gets himself another, but she outsmarts him. I also love her striped dress.

    Let’s say I wasn’t over fond of my husband, and I get to have detective like Nick Charles (can’t break the power duo!) or Godfrey Parke helping with the case . . . how convenient.

    I think everyone who reads my blog is probably already tagged, but if not and if you want, consider yourself tagged.

    read more
  • Culture and Entertainment

    Mystery Blogger Award

    May 18, 2021 /
    What is the first pairing you remember shipping?
    Hmm, maybe Heidi and Peter from the 1980’s Heidi, but then I also had a crush on Peter myself. That at least was one of my earliest shippings.
     
    What is the weirdest, most unusual, or one-of-a-kind thing you own?
    Trying to catalog things I own in my head . . . I can’t think of anything unusual, but I have vintage clothes (don’t fit into them, but determined to eventually), all 70’s styles. I also bought some dresses from India on eBay, from this shop. I just found it randomly, and I’m going to have to get a few more for fall (I’d seen similar vintage styles on etsy, but these are new and a fraction of the cost).
    Here’s the one I wore for Easter. I love, love medium purple, and it’s hard to find these shades, especially in florals. It’s so light and flowy. I like the prairie/70’s revival/cottacore styles trending now, but I don’t like pale, warm tones they have. This is a nice 70’s feel with more of a boho vibe.
     
    If you had a surprise birthday being thrown for you, what are 3 fictional characters you would want to be there and why? or (What fictional character would you pull a prank on someone with?)
    I’d like to watch Jack Sparrow pull a prank, a shenanigan, anything.
     
    If you could steal a costume or an outfit from a show/movie, which one would you take?
    Hmm, I’ve been really into the glamourous 30’s and 40’s gowns from My Man Godfrey, Holiday, and the Thin Man Mysteries. I’ve not seen The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, but I’ve seen the golden yellow silk dress, and I want it, but in maybe a blush or teal or maybe lemon yellow. The style, the buttons the silk, all soooo lovely.
    What was the last line in a book, line in a movie, or lyric in a song that hit you hard?
    Well, knowing me, it won’t be anything deep and meaningful, not that there aren’t those lines I like (I need to maybe get better and saving and organizing them, I usually just start a convoluted essay of my opinions that such quotes prompt), I’m just sure humorous ones are the ones I have most recently saved. I used my Kindle to find one, its from Mill on the Floss, a book I’m supposed to be currently reading.
    “Mr. Tulliver was on the whole a man of safe traditional opinions; but on one or two points he had trusted to his unassisted intellect and had arrived at several questionable conclusions, among the rest, that rats, weevils, and lawyers were created by Old Harry.”
    Profound, innit?
    read more
  • Culture and Entertainment

    Heidi’s Valentine’s Day Period Drama Party Tag

    February 10, 2021 /

    I’m joining here: Heidi’s Valentine’s Day Period Drama Party Tag.

    1) Your current three (or up to five!) favorite period dramas?

    Does Cinderella 2012 count? Ever After is an evergreen favorite. I honestly feel that I’ve worn all the other ones (the Jane Austen adaptations) out with over watching, and I’ve not found anything new that I love yet. The Importance of Being Ernest. The Scarlet Pimpernel. The Inheritance.

    I need to watch some versions beyond the basic Bronte, Austen, and Dickens.

    2) What would you recommend to someone who’s never seen a period drama as a starter?

    Ever After. It’s fairytale and period drama and rom com in one, I think it ticks a lot of boxes.

    3) A favorite couple that wouldn’t be included in answer #1 (cause I’m figuring those are already top favorites ;)) and/or a favorite secondary character romance?

    Arthur and Amy in Little Dorrit. 

    Secondary character romances always just add that extra depth and sparkle to a story. I love that the nicer stepsister in Ever After gets her own romance.

    4) What do you consider foundational qualities for a healthy romance?

    Honesty, authenticity (i.e. generally the same in all situations, no one is playing any games, playing hot and cold). Trust. Pursuing interest genuinely (i.e. not dating/playing around or “trying to make up my mind” . . . or flirting to hide a previous attachment or marriage!). Communication (not jumping to conclusions, if the loved one is in a compromising situation, the other would go and honestly ask rather than assume the worst). Forgiveness (you know, not staying out at sea sulking because one was rejected several years before).

    5) Worst villain/antagonist?

    The disgusting would be rapist Pierre le Pieu from Ever After. I think he doesn’t always come to mind, because I try not to dwell on him, he’s so, so vile, actually I think I leave during his parts during recent watches.

    6) A favorite proposal scene?

    the 2007 Persuasion which blends BOTH of Jane Austen’s endings, granted it also includes the most awkward kiss and camera angles to be seen in a period drama. But Wentworth’s letter!

    Also, I don’t know if this is a proposal scene exactly, I think it’s more a profession of love, but that scene in the carriage in Belle, with John shouting, “I love her, I love her!” at Belle’s guardian/father when his intentions are questioned. I think that might have gotten or almost gotten tears from me, which has been rather hard to do.

    Now, if some one could get John Brooke’s proposal to Meg right! I think one of the older version’s gave it some justice, but I haven’t seen that one in ages.

    7) Favorite period drama characters based on a real life couple?

    I don’t think I’ve seen any real life period dramas, oh, wait some about Queen Elizabeth’s father. Yeah, I think that is it. Not really anything romantic. Oh, wait I like the romance in Miss Potter.

    8) Any classic b/w period dramas you like?

    Well, I don’t think we’d have the Anthony Andrews Scarlet Pimpernel without the Leslie Howard one. I wouldn’t say I liked it other than that inspiration for the best Scarlet Pimpernel. I’m not sure what other b/w period dramas I’ve seen. Oh, Jane Eyre, that definitely matched the atmosphere of Jane Eyre, again, not really to my liking though.

    9) Most mature romance in a period drama? (mature as in age and/or characters who are consciously and wisely ripened by life experience, etc.)

    Probably the Westons. I can’t really think of any more main couples. There are plenty with the guy older but they don’t feel very mature always when the girl is younger. Oh, wait, I love the Hamiltons in The Inheritance.

    10) Most excruciatingly long, slow burn romance in a period drama?

    I know Captain Wentworth and Anne feature a lot in this questions, but their story is so fraught with complications and details and intensity! Arthur and Amy also fit this.

    11) A story that has multiple film adaptations where you love more than one of them?

    I started out preferring the Kate Beckinsale/Mark Strong version of Emma (I HATE the Gweneth Paltrow version) but eventually the 2008 version won over. Kate Beckinsale is by FAR the most accurate Emma. I’ve yet to see the new abomination Emma.

    I think I enjoy different aspects of different Jane Eyre’s (as much as I could seeing as how I don’t love that story). I’ve yet to see the Timothy Dalton one.

    12) A book you think needs to be made into a film (or a new adaptation)?

    I wish more of the Alcott and Montgomery novels were adapted (but only by people who strive for accuracy on every point!).

    read more
  • Reading

    Sunshine Blogger Award

    December 8, 2020 /

    McKayla tagged me for the Sunshine Blogger Award. And as usual, I’m quite timely.

    What genre was the last movie you watched? What are your three favorite movies in said genre?

    Hallmark, but I’m not going to count that. I think non-Hallmark is Princess Diaries which is I guess modern Rom-Com. At the moment, that is one of my three, Leap Year, and Clueless.

    If you were to attend Hogwarts, which subject do you think you’d be best at?

    I’m not sure. I’d like to be good at Charms, Potions, and Defense Against the Dark Arts. But I think I’m rather too impatient to have stable success in Potions (I’d probably do great one time and abysmal the next) and too chicken for Defense. I’d like to think I’d be great at Charms, but I’m a history person and major, so I’m guessing History of Magic. Fascinating skill, I know.

    Would you play Quidditch? If so, what position?

    Honestly, I think Quidditch, if we could get the hovercraft/flying thing down with science, would be a super cool game in actual fact. I think I could play any position. I’m thinking Beater although you don’t want me as one, I’d probably seriously hurt someone.

    Favorite fantasy subgenre?

    Low fantasy. By which I mean where there is a distinct real world and a distinct fantasy world. I consider magical realism as different, its a small level of magic in the real world.

    What is a book that you think should have a movie adaptation?

    I’m rather afraid of what Hollywood filmmakers do to stories. I used to trust BBC more, but lately they’ve been doing ludicrous things to film adaptations as well I feel. Also, I feel like a lot of my favorite authors have had a least one of their works turned into a movie. If a non-cheesy, non melodramatic (melodrama ruins dramatic effect) independent company could do a movie, I think Mara, Daughter of the Nile would make a good film.

    What is a book that you think shouldn’t have had a movie adaptation?

    The Eagle of the Ninth. In fact, I’m rather glad it’s forgettably bad. Stay away from Sutcliff all ye sacrilegious filmmaker story ruiners.

    What is your favorite type of donut [man, now these are just getting weird]?

    Chocolate glazed yeast doughnuts. Granulated sugar yeast doughnut twists are good to, as well as the boxed chocolate with sour cream cake doughnut holes.

    Does Aaron Samuels’ hair look sexy pushed back?

    I’ve not seen that movie, and that actor is gay, and he looks it, so he’s not attractive to me.

    If you had to spend 24 hours locked in an elevator with three fictional characters to keep you company, which three characters would they be?

    Jack Sparrow, Kusco, and Chandler. Can you imagine?!!!

    Or maybe Chandler, Ross, and Joey just to listen to them and their responses to the situation.

    If you could rule the world for enough time to make one law that everyone had to follow, what would that law be?

    Something along the lines of mind your own business or leave everyone else alone. I think that should knock out quite a few of the worst evils (murdering or raping someone is about as much getting in their business as you can get) as well as the worst annoyances all at one blow.

    What is your love language?
    Quality time I think. Specifically, quality discussions.

    read more
  • Reading

    Narnia Tag

    November 24, 2020 /

    Narnia is so Christmassy, my sisters I think have made watching Narnia during Christmas a tradition.

    I saw Katie do this tag, (origin of tag here) and I decided to consider myself tagged as I do whenever I like a tag.

    Rating My Narnia Fanatic Level

    1. Nostalgic Fanatic — you read the book and/or watched the movies as a child and the word Narnia gives you a warm feeling

    2. Serious Fanatic — you rediscovered the wonder of Narnia after you were older and have read the books and watched the movies

    3. Maniacal Fanatic — you have lived Narnia from childhood, hid in closets on more occasions than is healthy, have read and watched all the movies including the BBC version

    I think I’m between Serious Fanatic and Maniacal Fanatic.

    Dad read the books to us twice as children (with the full color illustrations from the church library very important, but when we later bought them we got the black and white illustrations, do you know how important knowing the children’s hair color is, I kid, sort of, the full color illustration bring Narnia to life)

    Then we watched several or maybe all of the BBC movies.

    Then we watched the three new movies.

    Then I think I read some of the books as an adult.

    Then I read them straight through a few years ago.

    Then I reread them straight through beginning last December to this fall.

    The Tag Questions:

    1. Who’s your favorite Pevensie sibling?

    Edmund. The bad boy became the deepest, truest, sweetest one. This happened with Eustace too.

    2. What is the most underrated Narnia book?

    Aren’t most of them underrated compared to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe? Probably The Horse and His Boy. Its not exactly part of the main story line, so I think it gets left out. But I like the unique look, and all the characters.

    3. Who is your favorite Narnian king?

    Edmund, obviously.

    4. Who is your favorite Narnian queen?

    Lucy.

    5. Which non-human Narnian do you like best?

    Hmm, maybe Reepicheep?

    6. Which book deserves a movie?

    Um, my least favorite? I dread book adaptations now. Filmmakers spoil things.

    7. What is the one thing you did as a Narnia fan that you do not regret?

    All of it!

    read more
  • Reading

    Disney Prince Tag

    October 10, 2020 /

    Alison from Alison’s Well tagged me a few weeks ago. Here’s the link to her original post.

    It’s taken me awhile to figure out some good ones, I wanted to try to get as many lesser know characters as I could . . . not sure that really worked. I’ve not watched enough movies, and I need to read more and maybe less to type or more lesser known works.

    PRINCE FLORIAN – A Character Who Stumbles Into Things

    Timothy stumbles into the world of faeries in Rebel book 2 of Faerie Rebels.

    PRINCE CHARMING – A Character Who Looks Past The Exterior Of Those Around Him.

    Jip (in the book of the same name) and his friend who does it for him. People cast out together have to do that or they will be just like those who cast them out. Read this book without any prior knowledge, it is WAY more impactful that way.

    PRINCE PHILLIP – A Character Who Fights For Those He Cares About

    Aquila in Lantern Bearers. The problem is, sometimes he doesn’t know when to stop fighting or who to stop fighting or how to stop fighting, in his heart and soul.

    PRINCE ERIC – A Character Who Fulfills The “Dreamy Soft Boy” Trope.

    Peeta Mellark, I mean who else.

    THE BEAST – A Beastly Character Who Is Redeemed

    If beastly can stand for “bad” because as you will see, my mention has a different style of bad. Read these books.

    Martin from Rebel (books 2 of Faerie Rebels by R.J. Anderson), Arrow (books 3 of Faerie Rebels Trilogy) by R.J. Anderson), Swift and Nomad (books 1 and 2 from the now named and finally to get a third book in the connected Flight and Fire Trilogy). I think this prompt feets Martin better than Scoundrel with A Heart of Gold. I think. You decide.

    Presumably he will also in be Torch (which from what I got from the Nomad will be a LOT about him, no spoilers) which will hopefully still be coming out next February 6 years after Nomad, I cannot WAIT!* Read these people!

    Oh, also, I bought all mine from Amazon UK, so they match and because Arrow, Swift, and Nomad weren’t given U.S. editions. Also Knife, the first book of all of them and Rebel have different names in the U.S. and The Flight and Fire trilogy are being redone. Did I mention, READ THEM?!

    ALADDIN – A Character Who Assumes A False Identity.

    Phaedrus in Mark of the Horse Lord. YOU have to find out. 

    JOHN SMITH – A Character Who Loves To Explore.

    Spiller in The Borrowers series. I had such a crush on him growing up.

    LI SHANG – A  Character Who Is A Tough, Military Leader.

    Alexios Flavius Aquila in Frontier Wolf. 

    FLYNN RYDER –  A Character Who Is A Scoundrel With A Heart Of Gold.

    Jack Sparrow.

    PRINCE NAVEEN –  A Character Who Undergoes A Transformation.

    Costi in Wildwood Dancing.

    KRISTOFF –   A Character Who Is A Down-To-Earth Hero.

    Jamie in Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton-Porter.

    EMPEROR KUZCO – A Character Who’s Obnoxious But Still Lovable.

    Ah, Kuzco. How could I get even close to Alison’s pick? Or to matching the pizzazz of Kuzco himself. Algernon Moncrieff maybe? Jack Sparrow also fits this.

     

     

     

    *The publishing industry . . . has problems, I know the author always had this book planned/written, and I know another series that got dropped, the Martha series about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s grandmother, that stuff is so irritating.

    read more
  • Reading

    Medieval Queens Book Tag

    September 28, 2020 /

    Catherine from Based on the Book tagged me for this historical tag weeks ago, possibly months. I thought this was a fun take on tags, but I was less than inspired in my answers. I really need to not read in such predictable patterns, at least on occasion.

    Empress Matilda (1102-1167)
    After her father, Henry I, died naming her his heir, Matilda’s cousin, Stephen, subsequently took the throne for himself. Matilda never stopped fighting for what was rightfully hers. Though she would never be named Queen of England in her own right, she was able to convince Stephen to name her son, the future Henry II, his successor over his own children. Choose a book with a protagonist who stands their ground. 

    Swift and Nomad by R.J. Anderson, Ivy stands her ground to discover her mother and the truth about her world, actually all the protagonists in the first series (Faery Rebels) do as well.

    Eleanor of Aquitaine (1122-1204)
    Before she married Henry II and became Queen of England in 1152, Eleanor was Queen of France as the wife of Louis VII. She sought an annulment from her marriage to Louis and he eventually agreed because 15 years of marriage had produced no sons, only for Eleanor to go on to have eight children with Henry—five of whom were sons. Ouch!
    Choose a book or series in which the heroine has more than one romantic relationship.

    I was trying to think of one that wasn’t super basic YA like the Hunger Games or Twilight. Or a sort of perfunctory rite of passage before the best guy friend realization such as in the L.M. Montgomery novels. There is the realistic, yet boring and sad option of books like Hannah Coulter where her first love is killed in war.

    Eleanor of Castile (1241-1290)
    A keen patron of literature and a successful businesswoman in her own right, Eleanor was Edward I’s first wife. He was so heartbroken when she died that he erected the Eleanor Crosses, 12 stone crosses marking the places where her body rested over night on its journey from Lincolnshire, where she died, to her burial place in London. Three of the crosses still survive today.
    Choose a bittersweet book.

    Rilla of Ingleside.  The youngest of Anne Shirley Blythe’s daughters comes of age in PEI during WWI and watches all three brothers, her suitor, and two close childhood neighbor friends among many other go to war, and one doesn’t come back.

    Isabella of France (1295-1358)
    Often known as the ‘She-Wolf of France’, Isabella was Edward II’s wife. Unfortunately for Edward he wasn’t particularly good at being king, and Isabella soon grew tired of his (possibly homosexual) relationship with his favourite, Hugh Despenser. After she began an affair with English nobleman Roger Mortimer while on a diplomatic mission to France, the pair returned to England with an army and she deposed Edward and acted as regent until their son, the future Edward III, came of age.
    Choose a book where the romance overtook the plot.

    Scarlet by Marissa Meyer. This was my least favorite of the Lunar chronicles proper. Wolf and Scarlet were SO gross. Actually, their romance gets grosser. And their plot was the most boring, scary, yet boring scary.

    Philippa of Hainault (1310/15-1369)
    Queen of England as the wife of Edward III, Philippa was beloved by the English people for her compassion and kindness. The Queen’s College, Oxford, founded in 1341, is named in her honour, so
    Choose a book set at a university.

    Gaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers. This is a Lord Peter Wimsey novel but the novel is from Harriet Vane’s perspective. It involves the climax of the Peter Wimsey Harriet Vane romance, it’s also I think the only mystery that doesn’t involve a murder, although two are attempted, the investigation doesn’t start because of murder. It takes place in the first women’s college at Oxford, I believe.

    Joan of Navarre (1368-1437)
    Joan was Henry IV’s second wife. Six years after his death, Joan was accused of attempting to poison her stepson, Henry V, through witchcraft and was imprisoned for four years until he ordered her release, just six weeks before he suddenly died.
    Choose a book about witches.

    Most of the books I read with magic have people who are faeries or enchantresses, but witches tend to be in either very popular books (Harry Potter and The Witch of Blackbird Pond) or the evil counterparts. Catherine mentioned the lesser known ones by Diana Wynne Jones. I can’t think of any others.

     

    Anyone who is interested, consider yourself tagged.

     

    read more
  • Reading

    Would You Rather Fictional Grab-bag Edition

    May 11, 2020 /

    I saw this tag Ivy did that Cordy created and I thought it looked super fun.

    Would you rather, be a tenant of Mr. Darcy or Mr. Knightley?
    Mr. Knightly, he is less intimidating.
     
    Would you rather spend a day in the 100 Acre Wood or Neverland?
    100 Acre Wood. I’m about to metaphorically, because there are some bbc radio dramas of Winnie the Pooh, and I need something soothing to listen to.
     
    Would you rather attend a tea party with the Mad Hatter and company or meet the Wizard of Oz?
    The Mad Hatter, that would be funny. I’m not a big Wizard of Oz person.
     
    Would you rather spend a summer at Netherfield with Jane and Mr. Bingley, or at Hamley Hall with Squire Hamley?
    Netherfield and Jane and Bingley, Hamley Hall is only worthwhile if Roger were there and single, and well, he’s taken.
     
    Would you rather be “rescued” by Gilbert Blythe or Colonel Brandon?
    Gilbert, can’t stand Colonel Hum Drum. Unless he was played, as he should have been by Matthew McFayden. But still, Gilbert.

    Would you rather marry Laurie or John Brooke?
    Laurie, if he’d grown up as he should. People, growing up doesn’t mean becoming staid and boring. That isn’t how Laurie really would have grown up, he’d have kept his personality and added some sense of responsibility not turned into a boring, sanctimonious prig. John Brooke is underrated. But I tend to like the teasing guys.

    Would you rather have to participate in a skirmish as a member of Robin Hood’s Merry Men, or as a member of the Musketeers?
    Robin Hood’s Merry Men. I rather think they had better morals (yes, I realized this is ironic coming after my above comments).

    Would you rather have a jolly holiday in a chalk painting or enjoy a tea party on the ceiling with Uncle Albert?
    Not sure what this reference is from, but holiday.

    Would you rather have to chaperone, through their entire courting experience, Lydia Bennet or Anne De Bourgh?
    Anne De Bourgh, she’s quiet and not interfering, basically the opposite of Lydia. Can you imagine how annoying Lydia would be, not to mention the telling at the top of her voice of anything embarrassing?

    Would you rather marry Mr. Wickham or Mr. Elton?
    Mr. Elton. I think I could whip him into some shape. Wickham would just continually cheat.

    Would you rather spend the rest of your life in Middle Earth (starting from the time of the journey of the ring), or Narnia (starting from the time of the Pevensie’s first visit)?
    Narnia, Narnia all the way! And marry Tirian. And change the entire course of the last book starting with banning all primates from Narnia or uninventing them or something.
    read more
  • Culture and Entertainment

    Shakespeare Tag

    May 2, 2020 /

    So PioneerGirl from Tearoom Time blog tagged me with this awesome Shakespeare tag. Now, I feel like I’ve done a lot of the same or similar themed tags or ones where I gave them same answers, but this one, like the fairytale tag is like a breath of fresh air, and the last question is the BEST!

    I’m usually too lazy to tag/everyone’s already been tagged, but I will tag others because its so fun.

    1. What was the first exposure you ever had to Shakespeare?

    Some of the histories in high school as well as some versions made into stories to understand.

    2. How many of Shakespeare’s plays have you seen?

    In play form: Two, A Midsummer Night’s Dream at our local Shakespeare in the Park, and The Tempest at my college for my college Shakespeare class.

    In movie form: The Hollow Crown Henry IV parts one and two and Henry V (still need to watch the rest of the Hollow Crown). Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing. I got part of the way (not very far) through the 60’s Romeo and Juliet years ago, still need to go back to that.

    3. What is your favorite Shakespeare play?

    Much Ado About Nothing.

    4. What is your favorite non-Shakespearean play? {musicals are permissible}

    The Importance of Being Earnest. Of course.

    5. What is an adaptation of one of Shakespeare’s plays that you like? Why?

    Kenneth Branagh’s Henry V and Much Ado About Nothing because it’s my Shakespeare play and it’s hilarious.

    6. Who is your favorite Shakespearean character?

    Benedick and Prince Hal.

    7. What is your favorite Shakespeare quote?

    Totally forgot to answer this one. I don’t think I had my quote book started when I read Shakespeare, but I might have some on my Pinterest, yes I do! But just tried to verify two good ones . . . and they were wrongly attributed to Shakespeare (figures, the English was too modern).

    So I’ll find an Beatrice and Benedick exchange and make sure to verify it (Sparknotes has original and modern side by side, I think I know how I’m reading Hamlet now).

    BEATRICE I wonder that you will still be talking, Signor Benedick.
    Nobody marks you.

    BENEDICK What, my dear Lady Disdain! Are you yet living?

    8. If you were in a Shakespearean production which play would you want to be in and which character?

    I can’t act and won’t act.

    9. Have you read any of Shakespeare’s sonnets, and if so, which is your favorite?

    Not a poem person, I’ve read them, had to for school, but didn’t get them.

    10. Have you ever written/tried to write a play?

    Can’t write and won’t write.

    11. Cast one of the big five {Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Richard III, or Much Ado About Nothing} with modern actors from either the stage or the screen.

    Much Ado About Nothing. Proceeds to forget every actor and actress ever. Why?!

    Ok, as far as I can figure: Don Pedro is older then it goes something like Benedick and then Beatrice, Claudio, and Hero. I feel like I watch a lot of movies that the actors were perfect at their age then, but now they are too old, and then other people are the right age now, so this was hard. I also feel like Don Pedro is hard to cast, all the guys of the proper age have a “type” like the bad guy or the good guy. While honest, open-hearted soldier seems a younger type, but that is him from my memory.

    Tom Hiddleston as Benedick. He’s a bit too old, BUT! I want to see him in this role.

    Saoirse Ronan or Daisy Ridley as Beatrice. This is a hard pick, I think they’d both be great, and I want to see either with Tom Hiddleston, not just a whole other cast, I’d want to see how they play against him.

    Felicity Jones as Hero. I was leaning Lily James, but since I picked Richard Madden, I didn’t want to have Lily, too much matching, too lazy. I also feel like Hero and Claudio are fairly easy to cast, pretty, meek, gullible. Claudio, the boy version pretty boy handsome and easily manipulated.

    Claudio. Richard Madden.

    Don Pedro. Richard Armitage.

    Don Juan. Luke Evans.

    I’m tagging

    Hamlette

    Catherine

    Ivy Miranda

    Cordy

    And anyone else who wants to join. I tried to pick people I thought perhaps liked Shakespeare AND tags. So, if that means you, you’re tagged.

    read more