Mansfield Park

Another Austin classic will be playing tonight at 9pm on PBS. I am anxious to see how this one turns out. I read it last summer and I am nervous because in the previews the characters seem modern and very Hollywoodish and so I hope they don't butcher this book. I''ll let you know how it goes!

Twilight the movie

Okay, Okay I know this is a BOOK club and not for movies, but we have to mention that they have cast edward and bella in the twilight movie. I found this clip on youtube that shows a montage of photos on the new edward and bella.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh39sgIMP8g

My thoughts are like this..

1) I love bella- I think she is perfect

2) I don't like edward, but there were a few shots of him where I was like "Now that could be edward" so maybe I won't mind him too much. But, lets face it, pretty much anyone they choose was going to a disappointment since he is the best in your imagination.

3) they are still looking for jacob black, so if you know any tall and ridiculously good looking Indian boys, let them know.

4) I have decided how the story should end. If you have not read the books, you might not want to read this: It turns out that just like a vampire bite makes you a vampire, a werewolf bite makes you human. Jacob has to make the big sacrifice and agree to bite edward to make him human so he can save bella, even though he still won't get her. Then edward and bella can grow old together. And then jacob finds some nice girl he's imprinted on and they all live happily ever after. The end.

And I love these books way too much, I think I need therapy.

The Hiding Place

The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom

This morning, when I woke up I hugged my pillow. I lay awake in bed, savoring my blanket, and attempting to feel every inch of my smooth sheets with my fingertips.

When Tyler woke, in the wee hours of the morning, I was anxious to go to him. A tiresome chore was changed. I held his little body, memorizing his breath turning my thoughts to mothers whose children were taken from them. Mothers who spent long, lonely nights in Barracks crying to hold their sons.

Yesterday, I told Preston these stories and I cried.

Last night, as I prayed, I found myself overwhelmed with gratitude. Not just for what I perceived as blessings, for everything. Grateful for the pain and trials, things that days earlier had threatened to break my heart were lifting my spirit and reminding me of the Lord’s mercy.

And now, as I type this, I remember the five Bible’s that lay on assorted shelves throughout my home and I feel shame. Ashamed that women risked their lives for this gift, a gift I too often forget to read.

How can I describe a book that has changed my life? I have read countless Survivor stories from those inhumane events that took place during World War II and loved them all, and yet, this was different. While reading those pages my heart changed. I ached as I witnessed the depths of evil that man can allow himself to fall. And I rejoiced over the beauty, resilience, and power of the soul that trusts in God.

Thanks Lynsey for recommending this book…it must have passed me by in high school English too. I am kinda glad, I think I may not have appreciated it as much when I was 14.

Let's Talk about LIFE OF PI!!!!

OK...I can't wait any longer. I need to know what you guys(those of you who have finished the book) think. So let's discuss it. In order to not spoil it for those of you who haven't finished, I thought I would ask some questions in the comments. I would love to get your take on it!

OK I know this is a book club blog not a movie blog but since I am SUCH an Austin fan I had to comment on tonight's showing of Northanger Abbey. Loved it! I do wish it was longer, 90 minutes barely does the book justice, but aside from my complaints that it was too short I have nothing but praise for the adaptation of the book to the screen. I loved that they didn't try to make it fit in our modern world but stayed true to the world Jane lived in when she wrote the book at the age of 23.
Thanks PBS. I think I may for the first time actually make a pledge next time they do one of those annoying "Support Public Television" marathons. All these Austin movies are making me want to revisit her books.

Dont forget Jane Austin night tonight at 9:00pm on PBS. YESSS!!! I am getting the popcorn ready!

The Chosen

The Chosen by Chaïm Potok

OK so I am sorry to report a book that I didn't love. If you Google search it it is highly rated and was once a best seller in the sixties when it was written but...I am sorry to report it wasn't my favorite. There were redeeming parts...
A huge part of this book is Judaism, which I enjoyed learning about. I found a group of people so different from me and yet hugely familiar. The things that are important to them are to me- Faith, culture and family all play a huge part in this book.
I enjoyed the father son relationships in this book . A book with no female dialog, completely filled with father son conversation was unusual and I enjoyed this new dynamic.
BUT overall I would not recommend it. It was too wordy with descriptions that made no sense and I found myself skipping pages upon pages of description just looking for the next set of dialogue. Sorry...not my favorite. Hopefully I have better luck in my reading endeavors next time!

Mrs. De Winter

This is the sequel to Rebecca (reviewed a while back). I finally read the rest of the story and it was really good. It was written by a different author, but she wrote it so much like to original that if I hadn't read the cover I wouldn't have guessed it wasn't by Daphne Du Maurier. It is pretty verbose and very descriptive, but I really liked it. I caught myself skimming over the more in depth descriptions of flowers and trees, but the story was great. Sad and depressing too, but it really finishes the story well.

Calling All Austin Fans!

Anne Elliot

Captain Wentworth

PBS is airing all of Jane Austin's novels on the screen! Last night I watched Persuasion and LOVED it! I am a huge Jane fan and so have to tell all of you this good news. I think they will be replaying Persuasion twice more this week and then next Sunday they will play Northanger Abbey. So every Sunday from now until April 6th a new Austin classic will be shown! I printed the schedule off PBS and have it hanging up (I know I am a geek!) But I can't help myself I LOVE JANE!!!

Click here for the Jane Austin Schedule!

Great! Love it! This is a classic and I re-read it today for my Young Women lesson and felt so inspired.

Read "The Purifying Power of Gethsemene" by Elder Bruce R McConkie

Listen to "The Purifying Power of Gethsemene" by Bruce R. McConkie

I have been trying to search out a new talk by a general authority everyday and study it. I thought it might be nice to share some of them here. So...I will be adding occasionally some of my favorite talks here and would love it if you guys did too!

Read "Refined in our Trials" by President James E Faust

Life of Pi

Wow. Where to begin. Well I must say that I finished the book last night close to midnight and I think I will begin it again tonight. In all my days of reading I have never needed reread a book so soon after finishing. I don't want to spoil it...but I wish everyone would hurry and read the book so we can discuss because I have so many things I want to ask and talk about.

Praise for Life of Pi
'It is a story so magical, so playful, so harrowing and astonishing that it will make you believe imagination might be the first step (to believing in God). . . Every page offers something of tension, humanity, surprise, or even ecstasy.'
Glyn Brown, The Times

I am anxious to begin this book again, seeing it with new eyes now- I can't wait to have a good discussion on this one!

Life Of Pi

I'm so pleased to be the first one to review this book because I love it so much! The intro. (which you should definitely not skip) starts you on a great journey as it states "I will tell you a story that will make you believe in God". And it's true - this book has deepened my understanding of what faith is and why it is so important. It has made me examine my heart as to how I feel about religion in general. And it has broadened my view of who God is and the role he plays in our lives. However, it is not an overly preachy book. In fact, you will want to read it with an open mind if you are to find these deeper meanings. On the surface, it is a fascinating tale about an Indian boy whose family is on a cargo ship that sinks in the middle of the ocean. He is the only human survivor, stranded on a boat with a tiger, an orangutan and a hyena. They remain adrift for over 200 days as he struggles to survive and overcome amazing obstacles. There's a stunning twist at the end which prompts obvious and interesting discussions between readers. I can't wait for you all to read it and let me know what you think!

new moon & eclipse

ok here we go! over christmas break, during the 2 days we had NO CLIENTS HERE (a moment of silence please for how fantastic that was) i had the chance to read the rest of the series. it was great! ok so here are my two cents, for anyone who cares (if you haven't read this series but plan to, don't read on):

1) even though edward is beautiful & perfect & everything else
2) i would pick JACOB!!!

i like a man with a dark, tormented side. that is why i married ben (ha ha!). not that edward doesn't have that but he's just TOOOOO perfect for me. and in the end, i think bella would get tired of it. and then it would be too late, she would be a vampire, and she would have to spend eternity with him. i just am not a hopeless romantic and i would get tired of all those smoochies and perfect compliments and that is all i have to say about that.

so there you go. i am on team jacob. loved the books, can't wait for the movie, can't wait for the 4th book.

***for all you doubters out there, i was one too! read the series!

PS-andrea, could you send lauren another invite to the book club blog? she thinks you hate her. that is a joke, but if you could send another invite, i have no idea how to do it so i told her i'd let you know. thanks muchly!