Ah, I'm sick and slept so late that I forgot to put up a new hop blog! Hi to all who have and will hop by on this lovely Friday!
I'm done with school for a few months now, so my time will be fully devoted to reading, and blogging and fun things instead of excavating fish fossils and writing papers. Because my summer has official started I though i'd pose a question to all of you - What are some of your favorite summer time reads? Do your tastes change with the seasons?
My next review on Claude and Camille should be up shortly, now that I actually have time to read and more information on A Summer at Hogwarts will be posted closer to the June 1st starting date.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Sunday, May 9, 2010
A Summer at Hogwarts (Part 2)
For those of you who read my last Harry Potter post, you'll know I'm trying to do a summer reading of the series.
The biggest concern that people voiced was that a month was to short to read the entire series. I agree, a month probably would be to short and cause way to much stress to read all 7 books. So here's what I've come up with:
Starting June 1st all people interested in participating are encouraged to pick up the nearest copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers (Philosopher) Stone. I'll post weekly (and sometimes more frequent) discussion posts as well as get to know the other readers activities. I know that many of the people interested have already read through the Harry Potter series, but one of the things I love about it is how I find new things each time I read them.
I've cross posted this over at the bookish community on livejournal as well as mentioned it to a few friends.
For those of you interested in my inspiration, and far more elegant set up you can find my original post here.
I hope some of you are interested in reading with me, and even if you're not feel free to join in the discussions as they happen, so long as you know what's going on.
One last thing, if you want to read the series for the first time let me know if you want me to institute a no spoliers (within reason) policy.
Labels:
Harry Potter,
Summer at Hogwarts
Friday, May 7, 2010
Hop!
Welcome all hopper from Crazy-for-Books Friday hop! Let me know you've stop by.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Labels:
Hop
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Top Ten - Love Stories
Top Ten Picks is a meme hosted by Random Ramblings! Every week, there will be a different and specific topic given.For this week, the topic is on our all-time favorite love stories. For this topic, we can include love stories from multiple -- and unlimited -- sources; books, TV, films, plays, etc. So in no particular order, here are my picks!
**
Top Ten Favorite Love Stories Of All Time
Top Ten Favorite Love Stories Of All Time
Books and Plays :
Beatrice and Benedick
By nature I'm sarcastic, and so are these two. They are one of my favorite couples of all time. The fact that they go from absolutely hating each other to being tricked in to love serves as a reminder that sometimes others can see what is better for us than what we really think. Plus Shakespeare's great, and these two are hilarious.
By nature I'm sarcastic, and so are these two. They are one of my favorite couples of all time. The fact that they go from absolutely hating each other to being tricked in to love serves as a reminder that sometimes others can see what is better for us than what we really think. Plus Shakespeare's great, and these two are hilarious.
Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy
What girl hasn't wanted of being Elizabeth Bennett? What has always struck me about Pride and Prejudice is how drastic feelings can change. Even as a reader it is hard to like Darcy the first time you meet him. They're both so proud that they destroy almost all chances of having a real relationship but somehow end up together in this happy world where he saves her sisters and she overcomes her negative perceptions of him. They're really just adorable, and Darcy's proposal is one of my favorite speeches ever
Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger
I'm a huge Harry Potter Fan. Ron has always been one of my favorite characters. I love how their relationship develops. I love how hurt he is when he sees her with Krum and how upset she gets when he is with Lavender. It's the perfect transition from friends to lovers. I think the one thing that really puts them on this list for me is how different they are. Ron is pretty lazy, into sports and by all accounts and purposes average. Hermione is smart, accomplished and and always nagging.
Landon and Jamie
This is the first book that ever made me cry, and I can garentee that wouldn't have happened had Jamie and Landon been anything but ordinary. They're young, They find themselves in love. What I love the most about A Walk to Remember is how Jamie brings out the best in Landon. She teaches him that he can be more than just one of the cool kids. If you've just seen the movie I really recomend the book, it's a million times better and also one of the only Nicolas Sparks novels worth reading (also, if you must read Nicolas Sparks, avoid the Notebook.)
Leo Gursky and Alma
Without them, The History of Love doesn't exist. Their story is all told in the past. However, nothing is more romantic to me than the fact that Leo wrote The History of Love for her. I think this passage will describe it better than I can.
"He died alone, because hew as too embarrassed to phone anyone.
Or he died thinking about Alma.
Or when he chose not to.
Really there isn't much to say.
He was a great writer.
He fell in love.
It was his life."
TV:
Jim Halpert and Pam Beasley
PB&J! Watching Jim hopelessly love Pam from across the office for three full seasons was heartbreaking. These two could not catch a break. When they were finally able to get together it was so obvious that they really are perfect for each other. Their pranks, turbulence and occasional run ins with Dwight put them on this list.
Robin and Marian
I'm not a big fan of the actual folktales but I love how they were portrayed in the BBC series. They both want the same things out of life. They both want to help others. The only difference is how they go about doing it. Marian is Robin's Achilles heel. He loves her more than anything, and that is always apparent. Best Scenes: End of Season 1 when Robin declares his love for the supposedly dead Marian. All of Season 2.
Movies:
Holly Golightly and Paul Varjak
She's damaged, he's reasonably normal. She's a little crazy and he's infatuated. Who couldn't love Holly Golightly? Their story isn't about mushy love, but he learns from her and she from him. I love that they run around doing things they've never done. I love that he is willing to let her go because he can't reason with her, but that she goes back. Really I just love the rain scene at the end.
Guy and Girl (Once)
They're both poor, they're both still in love with someone else and they never kiss. None of this matters, I think they have one of the best love stories of all time. She inspires him to record his music and get his girlfriend back, he inspires her to contact her estranged husband but really they do love each other. I think that's what makes their story so great. The best love stories are the ones where no one kisses, no one confesses their love or makes a huge, outrage romantic gesture, they're the ones that are all about the feeling, and because it's just about the feeling they don't need to be together. That doesn't mean it doesn't kill me every time I watch, but still.
Amélie Poulain and Nino Quincampoix
I love that Amélie's attempt to bring happiness to others is what leads her to Nino. I love that they're both slightly crazy but mostly I love that Amélie is just like me. She's painfully shy, slightly weird but still a hopeless romantic. I like that her games don't deter him. They're both so odd that they're a perfect match.
Alright, I'm done being slightly vague for now!
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane
Katerine Howe
Connie Goodwin has just completed her orals and as her PhD in sight. If only she didn't have to spend the summer cleaning out her grandmothers old house. The house, covered with vines and mostly hidden, contained many secrets. The first which is discovered is the name Deliverance Dane and a key inside of an old bible. Connie. Connie's research leads her to the Salem Witch Trials and to meet Sam, a church restoration specialist with a tough side. Connie's quest to find out more about Deliverance turns into an obsession with the book she left behind, but she isn't the only one who wants it. Told from alternating perspectives of Connie and Deliverance (and sometimes her children), Howe offers a new perspective on the Salem Witch Trials.
I was intrigued by the story being told here. It seemed fresh and interesting. The further in I got the writing style and all of the unnecessarily long interludes sections where Deliverance and her children live made it difficult to stay interested. Connie's story is more interesting, she has several important historic discoveries and is an all around likable character. The introduction of real magic is a bit much, given the academic background the story originally had. Other than that, the villain was the most transparent character I have read in ages, but the rest of the supporting, modern, cast is delightful.
I really wanted to like this book, and was willing to overlook some of the weirder aspects of it. However it didn't live up to my expectations, and was really a bit of a disappointment.
My rating
3/5
Katerine Howe
Connie Goodwin has just completed her orals and as her PhD in sight. If only she didn't have to spend the summer cleaning out her grandmothers old house. The house, covered with vines and mostly hidden, contained many secrets. The first which is discovered is the name Deliverance Dane and a key inside of an old bible. Connie. Connie's research leads her to the Salem Witch Trials and to meet Sam, a church restoration specialist with a tough side. Connie's quest to find out more about Deliverance turns into an obsession with the book she left behind, but she isn't the only one who wants it. Told from alternating perspectives of Connie and Deliverance (and sometimes her children), Howe offers a new perspective on the Salem Witch Trials.
I was intrigued by the story being told here. It seemed fresh and interesting. The further in I got the writing style and all of the unnecessarily long interludes sections where Deliverance and her children live made it difficult to stay interested. Connie's story is more interesting, she has several important historic discoveries and is an all around likable character. The introduction of real magic is a bit much, given the academic background the story originally had. Other than that, the villain was the most transparent character I have read in ages, but the rest of the supporting, modern, cast is delightful.
I really wanted to like this book, and was willing to overlook some of the weirder aspects of it. However it didn't live up to my expectations, and was really a bit of a disappointment.
My rating
3/5
Labels:
Historical,
Howe,
Magic,
Salem
Saturday, May 1, 2010
It was the weekend before finals and all through the apartment -
I'm right in the middles of finals right now. Needless to say life has been hectic. I feel bad that all of my blogging this week has been less about what I'm actually reading then about other, random things. I do keep an addition day to day blog on livejournal (part of a documenting my life project, on year two). In a funny, almost universal occurrence both mine and one of my roommates room's are horrid messes. I always forget how quickly cleaning goes out the window when one has a five projects due on the same day. Plus two of my roommates and two of my best friends have had birthdays in April, which has been a exciting but still unfortunate drain on my book funds.
I know, I know. I'm babbling. This blog is about my unadulterated love for books. I doubt I'll finish The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane tonight, but that is what I'm currently reading. I'm not sure if I've got to much on my mind or if the book really isn't captivating but I'm having to force myself to read a few pages a day. Thankfully it's short, and homework will let up for a day or so on Monday.
Which brings me to the reason for this entry. I got another Award today! Though I feel like I've totally been neglecting Loving Books, I'm still very appreciative.
1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award and his or her blog link.
2. Pass the award to other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
A Thousand Books with Quotes
Bookend Diaries
Let Them Read Books
Page Turners
Random Ramblings
I know, I know. I'm babbling. This blog is about my unadulterated love for books. I doubt I'll finish The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane tonight, but that is what I'm currently reading. I'm not sure if I've got to much on my mind or if the book really isn't captivating but I'm having to force myself to read a few pages a day. Thankfully it's short, and homework will let up for a day or so on Monday.
Which brings me to the reason for this entry. I got another Award today! Though I feel like I've totally been neglecting Loving Books, I'm still very appreciative.
2. Pass the award to other blogs that you’ve newly discovered.
3. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
A Thousand Books with Quotes
Bookend Diaries
Let Them Read Books
Page Turners
Random Ramblings
Friday, April 30, 2010
April in Review
Near the end of the month I start to see a lot of (MONTH) IN REVIEW posts. I usually like to read other peoples but rarely think of doing them myself. Mostly because several of the ones I see are posted hastily on LiveJournal and lack substance. However I was reading through Lily's Bookshelf today and I like her system, so in an attempt to put off homework and organize my thoughts I bring you Aprils in Review
Books Read:
Remarkable Creatures by Chevalier (review)
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by Garner (review)
The Seduction of Water by Goodman (review)
A Vintage Affair by Wolff (review)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Larsson (review)
The Heights by Hedges (review)
Total Number of Books Read: 6
Most Anticipated: The Heights, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Biggest Let Down: The Heights, Remarkable Creatures
Favorite Read: A Vintage Affair, The Seduction of Water, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories
Highest Rank: 5/5
Lowest Rank: 2/5
Overall Reflection:My spring break was at the end of March and I remember being in a reading frenzy for those two weeks. When I got back to school at the beginning of April I was restless and couldn't settle on anything. I started Nausea, Lolita, The Book of Dead Languages, Jane Erye and rarely got more than a dozen or so pages in. I'd ordered Remarkable Creatures, The Constant Princess, The Book of Dead Languages and The Phsyicks Book of Deliverance Dane online, but they came in about 3 weeks after I ordered them.
The first of that lot to come in was Remarkable Creatures. I've been a Tracy Chevalier fan since I became a book fanatic when I was 12. I wasn't really looking forward to matter but knew sooner or later I would end up reading it. I write all of this because while I was reading Remarkable Creatures I had an interesting conversation with my roommate. It turns out we read very different ways. For me, if I find a book I absolutely love (Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Unbearable Lightness of Being) I go on an author marathon, reading everything they've written that I can get my hands on. Often times this leads to some dud's (Remarkable Creatures and the Queens Fool being some on my list) by I've also found other favorites through this system, and I while on these marathons I read quicker, falling into the authors writing style early in the first book and letting it carry me through the 3- 7 i'll read. My roommate is different. She thinks my method is crazy. For her to read something It must be well reviewed and of interest to her. For her the author isn't very important unless they're J.K. Rowling or Mark Twain. I just thought it was interesting how opposed our views could be.
Overall this month was a very productive one, reading wise. I didn't really love much. I have found memories of several books but remember being annoyed and frustrated while reading them. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was the best example of this. It's a sad month when i've read nothing that will ever go into a reread pile, but I guess we need to have off months to really appreciate the good ones.
-Sarah
Books Read:
Remarkable Creatures by Chevalier (review)
Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by Garner (review)
The Seduction of Water by Goodman (review)
A Vintage Affair by Wolff (review)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Larsson (review)
The Heights by Hedges (review)
Total Number of Books Read: 6
Most Anticipated: The Heights, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Biggest Let Down: The Heights, Remarkable Creatures
Favorite Read: A Vintage Affair, The Seduction of Water, Politically Correct Bedtime Stories
Highest Rank: 5/5
Lowest Rank: 2/5
Overall Reflection:My spring break was at the end of March and I remember being in a reading frenzy for those two weeks. When I got back to school at the beginning of April I was restless and couldn't settle on anything. I started Nausea, Lolita, The Book of Dead Languages, Jane Erye and rarely got more than a dozen or so pages in. I'd ordered Remarkable Creatures, The Constant Princess, The Book of Dead Languages and The Phsyicks Book of Deliverance Dane online, but they came in about 3 weeks after I ordered them.
The first of that lot to come in was Remarkable Creatures. I've been a Tracy Chevalier fan since I became a book fanatic when I was 12. I wasn't really looking forward to matter but knew sooner or later I would end up reading it. I write all of this because while I was reading Remarkable Creatures I had an interesting conversation with my roommate. It turns out we read very different ways. For me, if I find a book I absolutely love (Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Unbearable Lightness of Being) I go on an author marathon, reading everything they've written that I can get my hands on. Often times this leads to some dud's (Remarkable Creatures and the Queens Fool being some on my list) by I've also found other favorites through this system, and I while on these marathons I read quicker, falling into the authors writing style early in the first book and letting it carry me through the 3- 7 i'll read. My roommate is different. She thinks my method is crazy. For her to read something It must be well reviewed and of interest to her. For her the author isn't very important unless they're J.K. Rowling or Mark Twain. I just thought it was interesting how opposed our views could be.
Overall this month was a very productive one, reading wise. I didn't really love much. I have found memories of several books but remember being annoyed and frustrated while reading them. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was the best example of this. It's a sad month when i've read nothing that will ever go into a reread pile, but I guess we need to have off months to really appreciate the good ones.
-Sarah
Labels:
Month in Review
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