Pride and Prejudice part 1

Tonight is JANE AUSTIN night once again and tonight we embark on part 1 of 3 in the wonderful Pride and Prejudice starring Colin Firth. I can't wait!!!!

Enna Burning

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale

This is the second book in the Goose Girl trilogy. I actually liked this book as much, if not more, than the first book in the series. I didn't think I would like the main character, Enna, as much as I liked her best friend and main character Anni/Issi, in the last book...but I was wrong. I fell in love with her and enjoyed every page. This series of books is refreshing in it's originality. I started the last book in the series last night and can't wait to see how it ends.

Publisher's Book Summary

Enna and Princess Isi became fast friends in The Goose Girl, but after Isi married Prince Geric, Enna returned to the forest. Enna's simple life changes forever when she learns to wield fire and burn anything at will. Enna is convinced that she can use her ability for good--to fight Tira, the kingdom threatening the Bayern borders--and goes on secret raids to set fire to the Tiran camps and villages. But as the power of the fire grows stronger, she is less able to control her need to burn. In her recklessness she is captured by the Tiran army and held captive by a handsome, manipulative young captain who drugs her to keep her under his influence. Can Isi and her old friends Finn and Razo rescue her without sacrificing themselves? And with the fire still consuming her, will Enna find a way to manage the gift that threatens to destroy her?

Austenland by Shannon Hale

AUSTENLAND by Shannon Hale

Have you ever wished that you could go back in time? Have you ever desired just one afternoon in ball gowns, shawls, bonnets and slippers? Have you ever watched Pride and Prejudice, with Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy and wished you could have been born in 1806, in Regency Era England? I know I have and so discovering Shannon Hale's book, AUSTENLAND was a TREAT.
I really loved it! Really. I started it feeling silly, burying it at the bottom of my library checkout pile,going through the self-check out line, with the hope that the librarian wouldn't see how silly and ridiculous I could be. But I am ashamed no more. Witty,origional, captivating and fun... Hale created a great modern day twist on Ms. Austen that left me smiling and wishing there really was an AUSTENLAND!!!

The Goose Girl

The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale

This book was difficult for me to summarize so I will just use the publisher's description...it explains much better than I can! What an ususaul find, so unlike the books I have been reading lately, and yet very enjoyable. Beautifully written, Hale describes a world so perfectly you can feel the breeze, touch the animals, and experience the sights and smells as our heroine Ani does. There were a few slow parts, and at times I was lost within the descriptions but the end result was magical. There are two more books in this series and I will be starting them today!!

SUMMARY

Anidori-Kiladra Talianna Isilee, Crown Princess of Kildenree, spends the first years of her life under her aunt's guidance learning to communicate with animals. As she grows up Ani develops the skills of animal speech, but is never comfortable speaking with people, so when her silver-tongued lady-in-waiting leads a mutiny during Ani's journey to be married in a foreign land, Ani is helpless and cannot persuade anyone to assist her. Becoming a goose girl for the king, Ani eventually uses her own special, nearly magical powers to find her way to her true destiny. Shannon Hale has woven an incredible, original and magical tale of a girl who must find her own unusual talents before she can become queen of the people she has made her own.

Miss Austin Regrets

Don't forget in all the SUPERBOWL hype that tonight is JANE night. Premiering tonight is, Miss Austin Regrets, based on the life and letters of Jane Austen, Miss Austen Regrets tells the story of the novelist's final years, examining why, despite setting the standard for romantic fiction, she died having never married or met her own Mr. Darcy. I'm excited to see it...It has to be better than last weeks flop!

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!

Peace Like a River

Peace Like A River by Leif Enger

Dear Mr. Enger,
I've never written a letter to an author and so this experience is very foreign to me. When I closed your book yesterday I knew with certainty that I would be writing you. Each page in your book brought me to my grandmas warm country home in the Midwest, me curled up on her couch with a homemade quilt in front of the old wood burning fireplace, grandma cooking some Midwestern delicacy in the kitchen, and grandpa hunting squirrel. Your book visited none of those images and yet it was like visiting the most warm, comfortable and familiar places I'd ever been.
SWEDE!!! What can I say about little nine year old Swede. She's what I wish I could be. You created the most real characters and as I write this I am positive that there was a mistake at the library, this isn't a novel it's non-fiction, because I can't imagine a world that Swede, Reuben, and Davy don't live in. Thank you for this book. It's one that will stay with me and that I will think of often. Oh, how I would love to live one day in your mind...what fun you must have just thinking!!!
Sincerely and with Admiration
Andrea Golding
PS. What ever happened to old Valdez!!!

Dear Bookclub Friends,
READ IT! Please!
Thank you,
Andrea

A Child Called It

I don't have a picture of this book. I would like to review it, though.

I don't know where you begin with this book. It is a horrible tale of a abused child. It really makes you think about what if you were like that. Some of the things him mom doe =s is make him throw up everyday after school to see if he has eaten, "The mirror treatment", shuts him in the bathroom and makes him clean it with a mixture of ammonia and clorox, doesn't feed him, and doesn't consider him a part of the family. It's a trilogy. It is so sad. It is the best child abuse book you can ever read. You definitely HAVE to check it out!

Katie

My Sister's Keeper

Anna is not sick, but she might as well be. By age thirteen, she has undergone countless surgeries, transfusions, and shots so that her older sister, Kate, can somehow fight the leukemia that has plagued her since childhood. The product of preimplantation genetic diagnosis, Anna was conceived as a bone marrow match for Kate - a life and a role that she has never questioned… until now. Like most teenagers, Anna is beginning to question who she truly is. But unlike most teenagers, she has always been defined in terms of her sister - and so Anna makes a decision that for most would be unthinkable… a decision that will tear her family apart and have perhaps fatal consequences for the sister she loves. My Sister's Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child's life… even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less?

This was an amazing book! One of the best I have read this year. I could see both sides of the story and cried my eyes out through the end. I am a big Jody Picoult fan and am reading more of her books. Great read!

Children of the Promise Vol 1-5

Children of the Promise Series by Dean Hughes

I read these books this summer but wanted to list them because I enjoyed them so much. I love history, romance, action and suspense and so it is no surprise that I loved these books. They combine all of that and more. This series is set during World War II and revolves around the Thomas family who find the war affecting each of their children in different ways. I liked that you get to see the war from all points of view, you see what life was like for German soldiers, American Soldiers, Prisoners of War, a Pearl Harbor nurse, Mormons and Jews in Germany and the people left back at home. Good easy reads!

Ok here we go again. I just typed this long thing about this book and went to publish it but it said, "ERROR!" Ok so I hope that this works this time. I am going to copy and paste before I try to publish.

Ok I loved loved loved this book! It's about a girl who always blamers herself for her sister's, andrea, murder. She thinks this because she knew where to tell the police where to look and she didn't because she promised she wouldn't. When she finally did it was too late.

Later when the person convicted of her sisters murder is questioned again about whether to let him out or not she feels it is her duty to make sure that he stays in prison. She doesn't realize that by doing this she is putting her life in danger. (It's called this because andrea was her dads little girl and he is mad at the main character and blames her and they loose touch.

This book is a great book. I would recommed this to anyone who likes mysteries and who doesn't because it is a mystery but then it isn't. It tell the great bond that you share as a daughter and father. I hope that you will read this book and love it!

Katie

the hiding place

this book was amazing and changed my life! i know a lot of people read it during high school english. somehow that class passed me by, i ended up having to read lord of the flies 3 times! whatever. anyway, this book takes place in denmark, in the 1940's during the rule of the nazis. it is the true story of corrie ten boom and she is the narrator throughout the book.

corrie is a 30 something lady living with her father and sister, betsie, who runs the home and helps with the watch shop that is connected to their house. as the nazis continue to harm corrie's fellow villagers and they begin to "disappear" suspiciously, corrie finds herself helping jewish friends and eventually hiding them in a secret room in their home. she is set up and turned in, along with the rest of her family. after solitary confinement and continual mistreatment, she and betsie eventually end up in a german concentration camp for women.

what amazed me was betsie's outlook on life. she continued to be grateful for all of the small blessings that were in her life and share her love of God and the bible with others to give them hope to keep going and survive the nightmare they were in. there was one specific incident was when betsie prayed for the "bedbugs" that were driving them insane. corrie couldn't believe that she had done this and basically thought her sister had lost her mind. well a few days later, while all the women were gathered around the "forbidden" bible, a guard was going to come in and they were going to get in trouble. guess what stopped her from coming in? the bed bugs! corrie was amazed at her betsie's faith and soon her outlook began to match her sister's.

the fact that corrie survived this horrible ordeal and then began to travel around speaking about faith, blessings and the pure love of God inspired me. she and her sister were such an example to me and made me re-evaluate the blessings in my life.

the first 1/3 of the book is pretty slow but overall i absolutely loved it. i would recommend it to anyone!!

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

I find myself this morning a bit sad that this book is over. I now understand why first published in 1847, not only never has been out of print but is still widely read and considered a classic. I finished reading this book last night( well actually this morning at 2:30 a.m.) and found my dreams afterward were filled with the beautiful language of the era. I heard myself say, "I am much obliged to you," and "His temperament is much disposed to contentment." This book was such a contrast to her sister, Emily Bronte's Book, Wuthering Heights. Wuthering heights was a dark considerably ugly novel filled with hate, revenge and the weirdest most bitter love I have ever read. Contrastingly, Jane Eyre is filled with beauty, love in it's most selfless forms and a heroine in Jane. I am now sure that if I ever( keep your fingers crossed) am lucky enough to have a daughter her name must be Jane. Jane Eyre who was often noted as being plain and dull looking, had a beautiful mind and pure spirit that made her irresistible to those she was with. I don't want to say too much about the story because there are quite a few surprises and plot twists but I was amazed at Charlotte Bronte's ability to describe and create characters that you fall in love with, and create a novel that is unpredictable and engaging. This is a book you own and read over and over. It left me with a desire to be more like Jane - smart, thoughtful, morally strong, fair, and loyal. It is rare to find a book that inspires you to rise higher...it will definitely be on my Christmas list this year(hint hint Preston!) Thanks Ms. Charlotte Bronte for this brilliant classic!

Ok so many people have posted about this book and I feel that I should post about my thoughts on this book. It was a spectacular book and in my opinon was MUST read! It's a very very sad story and kinda depressing but it opens your mind about the horrer of going through what she did. Her family took it pretty hard and that is understandable. She was tough through and through and it shows that not all deaths have to be painful.

I think that every girl and women she get the chance to read this book. It will change your life I swear to it. It's the clostest I've every came to crying at a book. (I might add that I have never even thought or felt like crying at a book but this one got to me.)

This author is a wonderful author and I look forward to reading more books by her. I love her writing techniques and skills. Except for a couple of bad scenes and words this was an exception book. I look forward to rereading it many many times!

A Thousand Splendid Suns

"Both born in Afghanistan a generation apart and with very different ideas about love and family, Mariam and Laila are brought together by war, by loss and by fate. As they endure the ever escalating dangers around them -- in their home as well as in the streets of Kabul -- they form a bond that will ultimately alter the course of their lives and the lives of the next generation. With heart-wrenching power and suspense, Hosseini shows how a woman's love for her family can move her to shocking and heroic acts of self-sacrifice, and that in the end it is love, or even the memory of love, that is often the key to survival."

This author also wrote Kite Runner, but I liked this book better out of the two. Because it was centered around women and their interactions and relationships, I could relate and understand it better. I cried a few times at what these women went through. Knowing that things like this did and are still happening around the world was just too much to take in. It was a great book that made me appreciate the respectable men I know and strong female bond I have with my girlfriends.

Rating: PG13 for sexual content and violence;
Nothing too graphic or raunchy, but there are some sexual encounters

P.S. I'm Lindsay. Lynsey's friend from college...thanks for the bookclub eVite!

the secret life of bees

"The Secret Life of Bees has a rare wisdom about life--about mothers and daughters and the women in our lives who become our true mothers. A remarkable story about the divine power of women and the transforming power of love, this is a stunning debut whose rich, assured, irresistible voice gathers us up and doesn't let go, not for a moment. It is the kind of novel that women share with each other and that mothers will hand down to their daughters for years to come."

okay, so i have yet to do a post on a book that i don't like. i think it's because i get so enveloped in any story that i end up liking at least something out of it. this one i also really enjoyed. it's a story about a young girl named lily who loses her mother in a tragedy at a young age. she runs away with her "stand-in" black mother, rosaleen and they end up staying at a home owned by 3 beekeepers & honey makers. it is a story about overcoming racism, and coming to terms with your past and taking responsibility for your future. it took me a couple of chapters to get into it, but i ended up loving it. i also read about how handy beeswax can be. who knew you skin and hair care could get so creative? go burt's bees chapstick!

the memory keeper's daughter

"This stunning novel begins on a winter night in 1964, when a blizzard forces Dr. David Henry to deliver his own twins.
His son, born first, is perfectly healthy, but the doctor immediately recognizes that his daughter has Down syndrome. For motives he tells himself are good, he makes a split-second decision that will haunt all their lives forever. He asks his nurse, Caroline, to take the baby away to an institution. Instead, she disappears into another city to raise the child as her own. Compulsively readable and deeply moving, The Memory Keeper's Daughter is a brilliantly crafted story of parallel lives, familial secrets, and the redemptive power of love."

Basically that just gave away the entire story but it really is worth reading. You start out despising the father, asking how he could make the decision he did. Then you begin to see how it changed another character's lonely life for the better. You are able to go through a span of around 20 years to read how one person's decision can devastate one and heal another. All in all, a book I would recommend. I read it a while ago and can't remember if there are a lot of curse words or not, but I am 99% sure there are no "spicy" scenes. Sorry, Ms. Golding, I know you love your spices.