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pixilated_momma
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Karen T wrote:
I downloaded S&S to listen to, but haven't started it yet so I can't comment on it.
I'll have to give Tenant of Wildfell Hall another chance, too, then. I read about 40 pages I think and lost interest. I love the rest of the Bronte novels (Jane Eyre is my favorite)
Karen T |
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Do post once you've listened to S&S. I'd love to hear someone else's take on it.
Yeah, "Tenant" starts out very slowly. I struggled through the first couple of chapters, but then it very much picks up so well in the middle and roars right down to the ending. Methinks Anne needed an editor for the beginning, though. 
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Veronica Maria
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Kelly
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Hey Pixilated Momma--
I got a real chuckle out of your "Go Nerdy Fun" comment. Going on a reading rampage IS great fun though, isn't it!
Kelly in FL
PS I just finished "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid" by Bill Bryson. In keeping with most of his books, it errs on the irreverent (and sometimes nasty) side, but so many of his descriptions of growing up in the 50s were so incredibly on point (and funny) that I was crying I was laughing so hard. He has a very clever turn of phrase-inheirited from his journalist parents, I suspect. (He quoted a line out of one of his father's sports columns -covering a baseball game- that said, "Burns fiddled while defense roamed"-gave me another good chuckle!)
Also just finished Allen Eckert's fabulous biographical novel of Simon Kenton, "The Frontiersmen". It is a wonderful read---as is another of his books that takes place in the same time period, "The Court Martial of Daniel Boone". Great living history book.
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Erin
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Okay, only knowing snippets of American history, what was Daniel Boone court-martialed for?
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Erin
Faith Filled Days
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Rachel May
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I just finished Tom Dooley's books Thy Will Be Done and The Night They Burned the Mountain both about his time in Laos. Beautiful, inspiring,  .
Then I read A Boat to Nowhere which is a junior high level book about boat people escaping from Communist Vietnam. I'm reading it out loud to the 8 year olds now.
I also read Belles on Their Toes which is the sequel to Cheaper By the Dozen. I liked seeing how the children described Lillian Gilbreth. She's an inspiration.
I'm curious about Daniel Boone too!
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Rachel
Thomas and Anthony (10), Maria (8), Charles (6), Cecilia (5), James (3), and Joseph (1)
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Karen T
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hey, where has everyone been? I must say I haven't read as much lately, other than knitting or sewing books, but I have been listening to Sense and Sensibility on mp3 (not quite done yet). Anyway, I just checked out The Scarlet Pimpernel DVD from our library and noticed there are 2 versions (more? they had 2) I got the one with Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen to try - just wondering if anyone's seen it or other versions and has a recommendation?
Karen T
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pixilated_momma
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| Posted: Nov 26 2007 at 2:01pm | IP Logged
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Kelly wrote:
Hey Pixilated Momma--
I got a real chuckle out of your "Go Nerdy Fun" comment. Going on a reading rampage IS great fun though, isn't it! |
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You know it! I love immersing myself in the world o' books for a while ... but then I get disoriented when I'm done. I look at the kids and DH and think, "Wait, where'd you come from?"
Thanks for the book recommendations. I love historical fiction and will definitely check those out. Now that I frequent this board, I need to keep a list on hand of books to get at the library. (Usually, I just wander around and grab stuff. LOL)
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Veronica Maria
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pixilated_momma
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Karen T wrote:
hey, where has everyone been?
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I've been busy ... reading. LOL 
No, I wondered the same thing. I could easily begin to obsessively post here (I could talk books forEVAH) but am controlling myself. Slightly.
And, no, I've never even read "The Scarlet Pimpernel" ... shame on me. 
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Veronica Maria
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pixilated_momma
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I just finished a junior-high-level book (for me, yes, I like kids' historical fiction ... and if the books are too advanced for the little ones, I read 'em myself. LOL)
"Fever 1793" by Laurie Halse Anderson
It's about the yellow fever epidemic that just slew Philadelphia in 1793. OK, that doesn't sound like a "Woo-hoo, let's read THIS!" sort of description. I'll do better. It's about a 15-year-old girl named Mattie who lives with her widowed mom and her grandfather in Philly. She's lazy, childish and doesn't help much at the Cook Coffehouse, which her mother owns. Then the plague comes, and she suddenly isn't a little kid anymore. She has to figure out what matters, how to survive and also help others during this turbulant time.
Awesome little read. 
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Veronica Maria
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Karen T
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Karen T wrote:
hey, where has everyone been? I must say I haven't read as much lately, other than knitting or sewing books, but I have been listening to Sense and Sensibility on mp3 (not quite done yet). Anyway, I just checked out The Scarlet Pimpernel DVD from our library and noticed there are 2 versions (more? they had 2) I got the one with Jane Seymour and Ian McKellen to try - just wondering if anyone's seen it or other versions and has a recommendation?
Karen T |
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Well, we watched it last night and I absolutely *loved* it, though it doesn't follow the book that well. most of the same things are in the movie, but not always in the same order, and the main thing that I didn't like about it is that you know right from the start who the Scarlet Pimpernel is, vs. the book where you think you know but it's not revealed until the end. But I did love the actor playing Percy. Ian McKellen is good as Chauvin but it's hard to reconcile him with Gandalf in my mind I may check out the other version the library had just to compare them.
Maria, I had completely avoided this book most of my life, not knowing anything of what it was about. It is set during the French Revolution, when many aristocrats were being executed by the revolutionists and the Scarlet Pimpernel is a spy who sneaks them out of France. It's a great spy story as well as a romance.
Karen T
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Natalia
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We have watched both versions of the SP and everyone here likes the Jane S. version better.
As far as my reading goes this is what I have read lately:
A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich- the story takes place in a day in a Siberian prison camp. I really liked the book. I was dreading reading it because I thought it was going to be depressing but it manages to present a situation that is horrible (the prison camp) without being totaling depressing and devoid of hope.
The Wave- a small book about an experiment that was conducted in an American high school regarding the pressure of a group and it consequences. The book is a novel but it based on real events. A history teacher conducts the experiment to try to show how organizations like the Nazi party worked.
Angel in the Square and the Incredible Journey both by Gloria Whelan. Historical Fiction for children (Middle School)that takes place in Russia.
Plain Truth - by Jodi Picault. I love the way Picault writes. Her themes are always intense and lend themselves to more than one point of view. This book is about an Amish girl that gets pregnant and have a child out of wedlock. The infant dies and she gets accused of killing the infant. But it is also the story of her lawyer that in the process of defending her client, learns a lot about herself. The book is beautifully written with a strong intelligent prose.
I am currently reading 1984 by Orwell. I never read it in high school we'll see how I like it.
Natalia
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pixilated_momma
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[/QUOTE]
Maria, I had completely avoided this book most of my life, not knowing anything of what it was about. It is set during the French Revolution, when many aristocrats were being executed by the revolutionists and the Scarlet Pimpernel is a spy who sneaks them out of France. It's a great spy story as well as a romance.
Karen T[/QUOTE]
LOL Yeah, I've avoided it too. I don't know why. Is it the name? It makes me want to break out.
I should give it a chance. Really. OK. FINE. I will, next visit to the library ....  It is a classic, after all ....
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Veronica Maria
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Rachel May
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Karen T wrote:
Well, we watched it last night and I absolutely *loved* it, though it doesn't follow the book that well. |
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From what I remember they combined the first 2 books to make that movie version. I loved the books and that Jane S./ Anthony Andrews movie version.
I'm drooling my way through Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I think I'm going to get the poster and frame it for our livingroom. We're definitely going to do a food growing/farmers' market study come spring.
On my bedside table are Balzaac and the Little Chinese Seamstress, Kabul Beauty School, and Omnivore's Dilemma (again, I hope to finish it this time!).
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Rachel
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pixilated_momma
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Natalia wrote:
The Wave- a small book about an experiment that was conducted in an American high school regarding the pressure of a group and it consequences. The book is a novel but it based on real events. A history teacher conducts the experiment to try to show how organizations like the Nazi party worked.
I am currently reading 1984 by Orwell. I never read it in high school we'll see how I like it.
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Oh, flashback. I remember seeing a movie about "The Wave" when I was in high school. It was based on the book, and it really shook us all up.  Very thought-provoking conversations followed.
Let us know what you think about "1984." That is one gritty book. I found it an extremely powerful read. It's one of my favorites, though that word makes it sound like a cozy, comfy read with hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Not quite. But the sections about the power of words and the need for thoughts to form those words really struck me.
I could talk endlessly about that book and ask questions endlessly, but I'll be patient and await your feedback regarding such a read.
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Karen T
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pixilated_momma wrote:
LOL Yeah, I've avoided it too. I don't know why. Is it the name? It makes me want to break out.
I should give it a chance. Really. OK. FINE. I will, next visit to the library .... It is a classic, after all .... |
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I think the reason I avoided it ( in addition to it sounding like a disease, like you alluded to), is the scarlet part reminded me of The Scarlet Letter, which I didn't care for. And frankly, most of what we were told to read in high school bored me, probably b/c we were forced to discuss them to death, instead of just enjoying them. Funny, now I *love* to discuss books, and themes within them, etc.
But, the reason I picked it up finally was based on someone's here mentioning it a few mos back I think. I've read a lot of classics the last couple years that I either missed or didn't appreciate before.
Karen
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Karen T
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Rachel May wrote:
From what I remember they combined the first 2 books to make that movie version. I loved the books and that Jane S./ Anthony Andrews movie version.
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yes, it did say at the beginning it was based on the two books (I think Desparado was the other?) but I really didn't see much in the film that wasn't in the first book, just that it was re-ordered some, and of course individual scenes definitely had some poetic license taken.
I haven't read any of the other books, but I'm going to look for them tomorrow at the library.
Karen
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Karen T
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Do post once you've listened to S&S. I'd love to hear someone else's take on it.
[/QUOTE]
OK, Maria, I'm finally done with it! I actually read very fast, but listening to a book on tape, while enjoyable, is much slower b/c I'm limited both by the narrator's speed of reading aloud and also I only listen while I'm sewing or knitting alone.
Anyway, I liked parts of it, but certainly not as much as P&P. I thought the women were way too forgiving of Willoughby and of Edward, among other things. Also, it seemed a little strange that the 3rd sister was out of most of the book and then suddenly reappeared at the end. I wasn't sure how young she was, though, so maybe that's why.
Karen
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Natalia
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pixilated_momma wrote:
Oh, flashback. I remember seeing a movie about "The Wave" when I was in high school. It was based on the book, and it really shook us all up. Very thought-provoking conversations followed. |
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The book is certainly thought provoking. I didn't know there was a movie. Maybe I'll see if it is available at our library.
pixilated_momma wrote:
| Let us know what you think about "1984." That is one gritty book. I found it an extremely powerful read. It's one of my favorites, though that word makes it sound like a cozy, comfy read with hot cocoa and a warm blanket. Not quite. But the sections about the power of words and the need for thoughts to form those words really struck me. |
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I haven't gotten far into it ( I lost it briefly) but I'll let you know how I like it.
pixilated_momma wrote:
| I could talk endlessly about that book and ask questions endlessly, but I'll be patient and await your feedback regarding such a read. |
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Exercising self control, eh?  When I finish I would love to hear your thoughts. I am not currently part of any book club and I sorely miss having somebody to discuss books with. You sound like a woman after my own heart!!
Natalia
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KristinaP
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I just finished Michael O'Brien's new novel, The Island of the World. If you're a fan of his novels, you won't be disappointed but I have to warn you that the violence in it is quite graphic and I was appalled at the some of the things these poor people suffered through in concentration camps.
It was a very thought provoking and spiritually insightful read and WOW, its amazing to see how accepting God's grace in small things can bring about some changes in reeeellly big things. :-) Its definitely a worthwhile read.
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insegnante
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I've finished four more books since my last posting, bringing the total to a whole six for the year to date:
Deep Conversion/Deep Prayer by Fr. Thomas Dubay, S.M. (an excerpt is available at http://www.ignatiusinsight.com/features2006/dubay_conversion _feb06.asp)
Me, Myself and Bob by Phil Vischer of VeggieTales fame
Suffering: The Catholic Answer by Dom Hubert Van Zeller
Left to Tell by Immaculee Ilibagiza
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Theresa
mommy to three boys, 3/02, 8/04, and 9/10, and a girl, 8/08
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Chari
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I wanted to chime in the last couple of conversations....but I just could not get here...argh.
Anyway, I think I have a couple of books to add, but I can only remember one....
The Family Nobody wanted
I cannot remember the author, the book is on my desk at home. It was a very fun read, and I highly recommend it....for any large or adopting family. It is written in a 50's style.......fun and quick read.
So, please join me in adding the last of the books you have read for 2007....and let's get going in 2008!!
Thanks to all of you for joining me here  ...in one of my favorite fora.... 
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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4Real Forums : Book Club
Topic: Our 2007 Book List
