Catch Up

I am so embarassed that I haven't posted in so long. I have been so distracted with my class and taking the GRE and the Literature Subject Test that I haven' t had a chance to write. I have read many books this semester, some for school and some for pleasure.

Anatole le Vampire: An abridged version of the story of a vegetarian vampire. The publishers combined three books into one. I have read the original three when I took French a couple of years ago. The condensed version I found disturbing because Anatole's love, Virginie, (who he spies on while she is in her bedroom, so voyeuristic, so French) falls in love with him and they have their small half-vampire children so quickly, not giving Anatole's parents enough time to get used to their son's lifestyle change and that he has fallen in love with a mortal. My only complaint is that I don't like abridged books. I do like the story. It's nice to be able to read a book in another language even though it is at a 3rd grade level.

Enna Burning: After reading Don Quixote, I need some Shannon Hale. Enna Burning is a sequel to The Goose Girl. It is also a wonderful story. I love Hale's writing ability and her way of using nature and the elements. Great story. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.

Waverly: My first experience with Sir Walter Scott. I really liked the story because it was about Scotland during the Bonnie Prince Charlie era. I didn't finish the book. His writing is difficult and something I think you have to get used to. I plan on finishing it, but I just don't know when.

Inkspell: The sequel to Inkheart in which the characters from Inkheart return/travel and live in the Inkheart story. I enjoyed it. I know it seems like that I read a lot of books at that 9-12 year old age. It's true; it's a nice break from reading books that are too thick to think about.

The Scarlet Letter: Like this one.

Pierre, or the Ambiguities: And this one, both of which I finished. This was my first experience reading Melville (which I didn't mention in class because my teacher is a Melvillian scholar and probably wouldn't understand why I hadn't read any Melville).

Le Petit Prince: This book we read for French class. It made me want to be young again. I enjoyed how the author made the story philosophical, reminding the readers of the innocence of children and how they should try to be.

The Portrait of a Lady: My first experience with reading James. I know I watched the movie years ago and hated it. I actually stopped watching it because I hated the way John Malkovich's character manipulated Nicole Kidman's. It made me angry. The book is different. I think Isabel's character is stronger. It's a book that I had to read. I don't know how I feel about it yet.

Absalom, Absalom: I like Faulkner, but I'm not sure about the book. It's so hard to enjoy something when you have to hurry and finish it then write a 4-6 page paper. The more I think about it, the more I like it, but I'm still thinking.

The Drawing of the Three: Chapter 2 of 7 in the Dark Tower series. It had some interesting character development. King really spends time developing characters which is something I admire in a writer. I just started reading the next book.

The Sot-weed Factor: I haven't finished it, and I don't think I ever will. It was entertaining with the way Barth wrote it like Tom Jones, but the length made me tired; plus, I was suffering from bronchitus at the time. I wasn't really in the mood. I am mentioning it though because I did read 450 pages. So there!

Princess Academy: I took a break from the Sot-weed Factor with another Shannon Hale. I am thinking that I've read most of her books, and I need to slow down. I think she only has two left that I haven't read. Princess Academy was great. I don't even know what to say about it. Just great!

Enchantment: Oooohhh! This is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story by Orson Scott Card. It was very fun. I really liked how he took Russian folk tales and wove them into the story. The main character was a Russian Jew born in Kiev in the late 1960s. While staying at a cousin's home in eastern Ukraine he goes out to the woods and notices something that looks like a girl on a pedestal. He dreams of that image while growing up. He studies folklore, like his father, and returns to the Ukraine later, and the adventure continues. Wow. I won't say anymore. I enjoyed it a lot.

The Goose Girl

Shannon Hale Rocks! Everytime I read her books I am so inspired by her writing that I want to write. The Goose Girl is a wonderful story full of the wonderful elements that Hale brings to her writing. Her characters are unique. I love Enna and the other workers. I appreciate her imagination and the cool way in which the goose girl is able to speak to Falada. Just beautiful. I also loved the gifts that Hale gave Ani, her ability to talk to the birds and the wind (which was part of the origingal fairy tale). It's interesting because I knew how the book would end (it is a fairy tale), but I didn't care. I loved every minute of the ride and was surprised by some of the ways Hale told the story. I can honestly say I loved the book and will read it again. First, I need to read Enna Burning and River Secrets which are about two characters she created in The Goose Girl, Enna and Razo. I am debating between reading the second book of the Dark Tower series or Enna Burning. I think I choose Enna. Shhhh.

Now reading: Don Quixote (for the second time)

The Gunslinger

After much hassling from my husband and brother, I have read The Gunslinger, the first book in the Dark Tower series. It is the first book I have read by Stephen King, and I am impressed by his writing style. He doesn't waste any words which I am impressed with because I like to ramble. It is a great quest story, and I am excited that all of the series is out in print. I don't have to wait for any more of the story. If I wanted and if I didn't have anything else to do, I could listen to the books one right after another. There are so many complexities in the story. I feel like I am missing a lot, but I am enjoying the ride so far. Now I can at least understand some of the inside jokes between C & D like the significance of the number 19. Anyway, long days and pleasant nights.

Now reading -- Don Quixote again (for class officially), The Goose Girl
Still waiting impatiently to be finished -- Eragon, Vanity Fair and I Capture the Castle

Austenland

I had to read it again. I finished it today. It is so great! What a nice treat after reading Don Quixote for school. Something easy and short and lovely.

Don Quixote

I finished it yesterday while driving to Tucson for class. It was very funny. Sancho Panza is hilarious. I think for Sancho Panza makes the book.

I found the story enjoyable and understand why it is considered a classic. Great characters and memorable stories. It's just really long, and I did read it again after I read it the first time because I had to write a paper about it. My teacher has a thing about "first readings" versus the rest of the readings. The first reading is supposed to be magical; after that, it should be a closer more analytical reading. Therefore, I had to read it again. I really wonder if there is anyone out there who has read Don Quixote twice in like two months. WOW.

Eclipse

I finished it this morning. I don't know what to say. There were things I liked about it, like some of the characters and story line, but once again annoyed at the unhealthy relationship between Bella and Edward. I know it is so romantic that Edward loves her so much that he won't rip her throat out - blah blah blah - I just find it disturbing how obsessed they are with each other. Edward is always there. Bella has no time alone unless she is in La Push and Alice can't see her. Someone is ALWAYS watching her. Edward is there every night with her while she sleeps. Creepy. These are not signs of a good relationship. I guess the comparison between their relationship and Cathy and Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights should have clued me in. That relationship is disturbing on so many levels and should never be emulated. At least, it' not a love that I am interested in.
The only part of the book that intrigued me was the truce between the wolves and vampires and their anticipation of the newborns coming to Forks.
I am debating whether I should read the new book that just came out. Some people have told me that it is different from the other books. Maybe that's a good thing, but I have so many other books that I want to read.

Now laughing at - Don Quixote
On hold - Vanity Fair, Eragon, I Capture the Castle

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Finally, it's finished. We finished the last night at about 11 pm, the three of us lounging in Chris' and my bed. I can't believe how much I missed while reading it this second time. I think when I read it at first I was consumed with whether Harry was going to die or whether Snape was evil that I forgot the details. It was great to read again, especially with Ben. Every morning after his dad would go to work, he would say, "Mom, do you want to listen to Harry Potter?" Of course. I love that he would rather listen to a book than watch the Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Hannah Montana or Drake and Josh. He told me this morning that he wants to read the whole series again. I think we will finish Eragon, then he can read it again. To be honest, I was sad that it has ended.

Now enjoying: Don Quixote and Eclipse
Backburner: I Capture the Castle, Eragon, and Vanity Fair

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

Ben and I listened to this book. It's so awesome to watch his face while we listen to the book learning about Dumbledore and Snape and how he can't wait to listen to it. We are listening to the last book in the HP series right now. Wish we were doing it right now!

New Moon

Last night, I finished the second book in the Twilight series. I am intrigued by the werewolves and Bella's relationship with Jacob. The werewolves are different from what we traditionally think of as werewolves.
I am annoyed with Bella's brooding obsession with Edward. I like the Cullens. They are unique characters, but Bella's attitude after Edward leaves to save her life is irritating. Their relationship is a horrible example of what a true relationship based on love is like. I think with all the comparisons to Romeo and Juliet clinched it for me. I hate that story, and though it has some beautifully written phrases, it one of my least favorite Shakespearean plays. I don't really like the tragedies, and I hate how the story is bandied about as an example of true love. What a load! And people fall for it, especially teenage girls. Ugh!
I like Jacob. He saved her from her depression though she used him so she could hear Edward's voice when she did something crazy. Annoying! I am going to finish the series because I felt like it was left in the middle of the story. There were different aspects that were unresolved that I want to have resolved.

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

We listened to this book while driving to Washington and back home to Arizona. It was perfect because it was something all of us could listen to and enjoy, and it's long. Perfect for the 26+ hour trip. Ben had never finished it and wanted to read it badly. It was enjoyable. I think it's one of my favorite HP books and reading it made me want to read the series again. It reminded me of the great characters that I love -- the Weasleys, Dumbledore, Lupin and others.

Currently reading - Don Quixote; New Moon
Books put on hold because I am reading Don Quixote for school - Vanity Fair, Eragon, I Capture the Castle. I will finish them soon.

Twilight

People have been recommending this book to me for some time. My sisters love it! The were both down this past weekend and finally convinced me. I have intended on reading it for some time, but there were other books that I found to be more pressing - Whatever that means - Books that appealed to me at the moment because I am a selfish reader.
I do have to say I am not used to reading any modern day romance stories. I read Austen and the Brontes but there is a different feel with modern romance. I love the setting of the story. It's a place I am not too familiar with but love to imagine while drying up in the Arizona heat. Bella is the perfect example of a teenage girl in love. She's completely devoted. I have always been creeped out by vampires, but I really like the characters of Carlisle and Esme. Carlisle is so sacrificing of his own desire and cravings to help others, and Esme is a lovely counterpart to him. I have been intrigued by Team Edward and Team Jacob, but until I read all the books, I cannot truly have an opinion.

Till We Have Faces

I finished this book last night. It is a wonderful (I say wonderful a lot) rendition of the story of Psyche and Cupid. I have always loved mythology, and I am sad that I had never read this before. In high school, my AP English teacher gave us a list of books to read for the upcoming year. I read one: The Edith Hamilton version of Greek and Roman Mythology. I still have it, and it's trashed. There were times when I forgot that this story was written by CS Lewis. It had some beautiful and imaginative sections. There were moments that I felt it went slowly because I was listening to it, but overall I liked the story, and I think it is so far my favorite book that I have read my CS Lewis.

Ella Enchanted

Ok, ok. I know I wasn't even reading this book when I finished my last post, but I had to read it. My sister loves it, so I went to the library to check it out. It was so lovely. What a wonderful rendition of the Cinderella story. The characters were wonderful, and I liked them so much more than the movie. The movie cannot be compared. The book is spectacular; the movie's less than mediocre. I don't know why they couldn't have just kept it similar to the way it was written. Whatever. I loved the ogres and giants. They were written in unique ways, not at all the stereotypical way that they are portrayed in other stories. I loved the elf gifts. And I absolutely loved the letters written between Char and Ella. What a great romantic story. I'm happy. Now that the book is over, I need to do some housework.

Reading --- I Capture the Castle, Vanity Fair and Eragon.

Pleasure of My Company

I just finished listening to this fun novella written by Steve Martin. It is written with Steve Martin's sense of humor and wisdom. It's one of the things I like about his writing. He has these quirky characters with an underlying sage-like quality. The book is about a man who has some psychological problems. He can't walk to the Rite-Aid unless he crosses between two driveways, not at the corner curbs, so it takes him a hours to get anywhere. Another one of his quirks that I enjoyed was that he had to have a certain amount of wattage on in his apartment, so if the lights were on in the living room and kitchen, he would have to turn off the lights in the kitchen to turn on the lights in his bedroom. Very funny! One line of wisdom he wrote at the end of the story was "There were still many takers for the quiet heart." Great read.

Right now I'm reading Vanity Fair, I Capture the Castle, and Eragon with B.

The Thirteenth Tale

I finished The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield last night. What a wonderful story. I had a hard time getting into it at first because I was listening to it a little bit every night before I went to sleep, but I haven't been able to stop listening to it these past two days. I love the twists and turns, and though there were parts where I knew where the story might be going, there was a twist that I didn't know was going to happen. Throughout the whole book, I was sad that Vida Winter was not a real author and that I could not read her books. She was such a wonderful complex character. It was a wonderful gothic story, and I love gothic stories. Jane Eyre and The Woman in White were mentioned. I love those stories and want to reread them again, and I think I will when I finish Vanity Fair. I am actually quite sad that the story is over. I just went online to see if Setterfield had any other books to read, and she doesn't.

Right now, I am reading Vanity Fair, I Capture the Castle, and The Pleasure of My Company.

Book of 1000 days

I just finished this book. Wow! I love to read books where I am entertained, and then when I look at it closely, I can tell it's written well. Shannon Hale has a great talent for stringing words together in a beautiful way. It's her first YA book that I have read. I read Austenland a few months ago and enjoyed it too. She has a great sense of humor, and it comes out in her characters and their dialogues. I will definitely be reading more of her books. I was looking at her website yesterday. Very fun. She has some great suggestions for writers and readers. http://www.squeetus.com/

It's over

Tonight I finished the last of my classes. I had one 20 page paper due tonight that I emailed my teacher. Friday was my last class. I graduate Thursday. I cannot believe I am finally done. It's strange to think about being done with my English degree. Strange and surreal. I have a lot to do to get ready to take the GRE and prepare for the Lit subject test, but at least my classes are finished for now. School won't start for a couple of months. It will be a nice break.

Which Jane Austen character I am

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I just want to hide

I hate making decisions. I'm not any good at it. I graduate in May, and I feel like I have been going to school for so long that I don't know what to do next. I wish someone out there would make a decision for me about my life, but only if it's something I like.

You Belong in London

A little old fashioned, and a little modern. A little traditional, and a little bit punk rock. A unique soul like you needs a city that offers everything. No wonder you and London will get along so well.

What City Do You Belong In?