Well, to get me back into the swing of things I went back to my old crutch- Jane Austen spin offs. I love strong willed women and period literature. Always have, always will. I love the formality, the characters, and the social context that the story takes place in. I also like to reflect on the social context that the writer was in when they were writing the piece. I find it fascinating that I can get so lost in a romantic love story while building my vocabulary of little used English words. Ahh, the joys of reading right there.
Anyway, because of my love of these types of books the spin offs are a lot of fun. Fan fiction comes in several forms- the amateurish stuff that you will find a la Harry Potter. The nod to the original but I've done it my own way type such as Bridget Jones' Diary, The Jane Austen Book Club, and movies 10 Things I Hate About You, and Clueless, etc and it can also be a sequel to the originals, a continuation. The later, for me, is the hardest to believe and read because it is so hard to create authentic replicas of characters and context. You have to be precise to the language, the context, the characters and the author. It is the later that Pemberley or Pride and Prejudice Continued falls into. The edition of this book, by Emma Tennant, I picked up from the library feels like a little pocket book I may have picked up from some long ago period as well. Small and fitting nicely in one hand held open I began feeling transported to the time period the second I picked it up. The cover art helps too with tranquil little drawing that I might find done by Miss Georgiana Darcy.
This is one of the best Austen spin offs I have come across, and from my readings online, it is generally felt that way by many. The characterization is so true to Austen's works that I really enjoyed it-mostly. The language is a little less authentic but I was OK with that as it allowed me to read faster and made it easier to sink into the plot. I loved how true to Mrs. Bennet and to Elizabeth that Ms. Tennant was. The author wrote like Elizabeth was thinking- fast and frantic. At times this was very effective. You felt the urgency, the chaos and irrationality that can sometime be Elizabeth's character. However, at times, it almost made it difficult to follow the storyline. There was one large fault that Tennant had in writing Elizabeth and it almost ruined the book for me. It dealt with the communication between Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is rescued from actually having to communicate with her husband and yet all is well in the end. This doesn't match up with the strong willed character. She has stood up for herself and has spoke her mind many times before to Darcy in the book and the original P & P, so to not confront him, if eventually, was disheartening. She sort of does, but she is not 100|% forthcoming, which I don't believe is her character. So Jane saves her. This ruined the whole book for me as in P & P its her ability to speak out and stand up for herself even within her social contexts that makes me love Austen's works, and the Elizabeth Bennett (Darcy) character.
I also don't like how her mother's engagement was played out. I expected it to play a larger role and the falling out to have played out, not just be summarized. Or the big "to do" made over Wickham staying under the Pemberley roof so they make other arrangements only for them all to stay under one roof.
There are many moments I enjoyed, having less to do with Elizabeth and more to do with Jane, Mary and the other sisters but I can't give away the whole books. On the whole though it did feel quite authentic and was a fun read!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Inspired
So I have a family member who is a teacher. An elementary school teacher at that. And she hates reading. I was flabbergasted at this proclamation. How can you be a teacher and not like to read. I've always secretly held it against them. How can you inspire a generation of readers and increase literacy in our world if you yourself don't enjoy the task. Its like expecting a couch potato to produce a star athlete for a child.
Then, unexpectedly, I received a phone call from this family member. They wanted to know if I had a couple of books because they needed them for their book club. PARDON?! You're in a book club!? Yes, and they love it! HAZZAH!!!!! I was so impressed. I have yet to ask what inspired the decision to take up a book club and I plan on asking soon. However, they are reading and they are loving it. Just goes to show you that it is never too late to take up a new hobby, increase your literacy levels or to simply fall in love with books.
But all of this led me to feel a little hypocritical. I, lover of all books, who has bought many books since moving back to Regina, hadn't read a full book since....well, the last time I really posted on this blog actually-so January. So, for me, it feels like forever. So I got rid of our extended cable package. Decided I no longer needed to nap every time QT does. And tada! My house is cleaner and I've read several books in the last couple of weeks! yay me!
So thank you dear family member for showing me its never to late and there is always time to read! And that means I have four reviews, and growing, of books to post! :)
Then, unexpectedly, I received a phone call from this family member. They wanted to know if I had a couple of books because they needed them for their book club. PARDON?! You're in a book club!? Yes, and they love it! HAZZAH!!!!! I was so impressed. I have yet to ask what inspired the decision to take up a book club and I plan on asking soon. However, they are reading and they are loving it. Just goes to show you that it is never too late to take up a new hobby, increase your literacy levels or to simply fall in love with books.
But all of this led me to feel a little hypocritical. I, lover of all books, who has bought many books since moving back to Regina, hadn't read a full book since....well, the last time I really posted on this blog actually-so January. So, for me, it feels like forever. So I got rid of our extended cable package. Decided I no longer needed to nap every time QT does. And tada! My house is cleaner and I've read several books in the last couple of weeks! yay me!
So thank you dear family member for showing me its never to late and there is always time to read! And that means I have four reviews, and growing, of books to post! :)
Monday, June 6, 2011
Failing at blogging,..
So I have kept a list of things to write about. But then I got pregnant, and we were moving again- back to Regina. and I wasn't going to spend 9+ months complaining or complimenting prenatal, perinatal,postpartum and parenting books, though trust me, I could. WHAT CRAP is out there is astounding. And it is only now that my sweet daughter is 2 months old that I'm starting to read again. I still want this blog. I still want to make it work one day. I have lots of great recommendations and links for my friends. But alas, I am failing at blogging. So I am going to give it a few more months and see how the reading and schedules go and I may relaunch. Or maybe I'll restart as an online book club since I can't seem to find one because my evenings are busy but my days are looong and drawn out right now. Hmmmm.... I am reading How to Survive in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu if anyone wants to join me! :)
In the meantime... keep fit and have fun??? lol nope. see. I'm so uncreative lately I can't even come up with my own "see you later"... how abouts just keep on reading anything and everything.
In the meantime... keep fit and have fun??? lol nope. see. I'm so uncreative lately I can't even come up with my own "see you later"... how abouts just keep on reading anything and everything.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Packing for Mars by Mary Roach
So occasionally I like a good science fiction novel. Particularly when the reviews come in as being the Douglas Adams of our generation (Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fame). Now I had put two books on hold at the same time. One was a non-fiction book that Brad was interested in and the other was such a book as described above. So when Packing for Mars came in I mistook is for a funny sci-fi book that I had ordered, when in fact it was the book for Brad- and am I ever happy to have made this mistake.
I got about 10 pages in and thought, gee this doesn’t read like a novel. I looked at its call number and behold! It’s non-fiction! So having been already hooked by a hilarious intro involving monkeys and sex, I decided to make a go of it. And I will forever love Mary Roach as a result. First, she’s a woman. Second, her books are all science based. Third- they are absolutely hilarious and informative all at once.
This specific book is her newest and latest and is about science exploration. B O R I N G in my world. Never would I pick up a book where the prime location of most of its content takes place in a NASA lab or space shuttle. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. But this book was insightful, didn’t make many assumptions of its audience in the way of knowledge or vocabulary, and informed me that sex in space is a very serious topic!
Nearing the end there are a couple of chapters I breezed over because they did get a little “sciencey” on me, but when Brad was home on weekends we fought over who got to read it until I was done. In fact, I never read the last chapter because he took it to Regina and returned it in Regina and I never got it back! Hrmph!
Anyway, so if you’re looking for something a little different I highly recommend Ms. Roach. I have also read Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and found it just as funny and informative. Who knew!
I know this review doesn’t go into the specifics of the book but I can’t do it justice explaining what this book is about. If I told you it covered the intricacies of relationships on the international space station, covered the history of launching monkeys into space,and science experiments on gravitational pull, I would worry it will start to sound boring. But know that there is dead bodies, sex and alcohol, as well as swearing and university student shenanigans throughout the book- and its all true! So just go read it, and trust me. Its funny. Even my hubby gives it 2 thumbs up.
I got about 10 pages in and thought, gee this doesn’t read like a novel. I looked at its call number and behold! It’s non-fiction! So having been already hooked by a hilarious intro involving monkeys and sex, I decided to make a go of it. And I will forever love Mary Roach as a result. First, she’s a woman. Second, her books are all science based. Third- they are absolutely hilarious and informative all at once.
This specific book is her newest and latest and is about science exploration. B O R I N G in my world. Never would I pick up a book where the prime location of most of its content takes place in a NASA lab or space shuttle. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. But this book was insightful, didn’t make many assumptions of its audience in the way of knowledge or vocabulary, and informed me that sex in space is a very serious topic!
Nearing the end there are a couple of chapters I breezed over because they did get a little “sciencey” on me, but when Brad was home on weekends we fought over who got to read it until I was done. In fact, I never read the last chapter because he took it to Regina and returned it in Regina and I never got it back! Hrmph!
Anyway, so if you’re looking for something a little different I highly recommend Ms. Roach. I have also read Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex and found it just as funny and informative. Who knew!
I know this review doesn’t go into the specifics of the book but I can’t do it justice explaining what this book is about. If I told you it covered the intricacies of relationships on the international space station, covered the history of launching monkeys into space,and science experiments on gravitational pull, I would worry it will start to sound boring. But know that there is dead bodies, sex and alcohol, as well as swearing and university student shenanigans throughout the book- and its all true! So just go read it, and trust me. Its funny. Even my hubby gives it 2 thumbs up.
Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
So 2. 5 months ago I said I had to books to give you reviews on and was excited to do so. And then....what happened? I can't actually say. I can't even remember what books those are! But tonight, I have one for you. Largely because it is a book that may or may not be done at the Library book club once I'm gone and moved on, and it was on my to read list anyway. It was a fun book, and here is my review.
And for the record I hope that this will get better once I am no longer trying to work full time, take care of the dogs, sell a house and be pregnant. I am hoping that I can settle back in to some semblance of a normal reading schedule in the somewhat near future. But that could also be my naiveness as a new first time mom too. Who knows.
OH! I just remembered one of the books from 2.5 months ago...And I shall review it. I will work on it immediately following this post. It was another non fiction and I loves it. My husband loved it. I almost gave it to my brother for Christmas. Anyway-that one is by Mary Roach. I love her.
Now, back to Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
At first I was sorely disappointed. If I’m going to read non fiction I want to feel educated, like I understand something new for reading it. Hence, I expected this book to give me an insight into the Mennonite culture…and I’m still not sure I really got that. I got sarcasm. I got humorous stories. I got a world that is full of contradiction and different viewpoints-not unlike my own (which was refreshing in its presentation). Sure there were some culture specifics-terms that are never explained, unique foods and hymns. But I didn’t come away feeling I knew anything more about the Mennonite culture and faith, nor really about the author, something essential to me in a book calling itself a memoir.
But Chapter 10 kind of saved the book for me. What she does examine is religion and this is a great chapter where she changes her voice and brings you into the discussion. She challenges you to consider things, as she did. She shares anecdotes that finally feel meaningful. That I enjoyed. And even as the rest of the book proceeds there is a new “coming together” of most of the rest of the book.
The sarcastic appendix was of little help to anyone wanting serious answers though.
The book is self depreciating, humourous and read like chick lit. Not a waste of my time but something I am still up in the air about actually recommending. I think if someone who traditionally enjoyed Sophia Kinsella and ilk but wanted something different, I would suggest this. It would be a great book club book for a club who likes mostly lighter reads but wants something different and doesn’t mind approaching the topic of religion. I still stand by that I was expecting I am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby with a slight sense of humor and got Sophia Kinsella with a touch of culture.
Now to go review the stuff from 2 months ago!
And for the record I hope that this will get better once I am no longer trying to work full time, take care of the dogs, sell a house and be pregnant. I am hoping that I can settle back in to some semblance of a normal reading schedule in the somewhat near future. But that could also be my naiveness as a new first time mom too. Who knows.
OH! I just remembered one of the books from 2.5 months ago...And I shall review it. I will work on it immediately following this post. It was another non fiction and I loves it. My husband loved it. I almost gave it to my brother for Christmas. Anyway-that one is by Mary Roach. I love her.
Now, back to Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
At first I was sorely disappointed. If I’m going to read non fiction I want to feel educated, like I understand something new for reading it. Hence, I expected this book to give me an insight into the Mennonite culture…and I’m still not sure I really got that. I got sarcasm. I got humorous stories. I got a world that is full of contradiction and different viewpoints-not unlike my own (which was refreshing in its presentation). Sure there were some culture specifics-terms that are never explained, unique foods and hymns. But I didn’t come away feeling I knew anything more about the Mennonite culture and faith, nor really about the author, something essential to me in a book calling itself a memoir.
But Chapter 10 kind of saved the book for me. What she does examine is religion and this is a great chapter where she changes her voice and brings you into the discussion. She challenges you to consider things, as she did. She shares anecdotes that finally feel meaningful. That I enjoyed. And even as the rest of the book proceeds there is a new “coming together” of most of the rest of the book.
The sarcastic appendix was of little help to anyone wanting serious answers though.
The book is self depreciating, humourous and read like chick lit. Not a waste of my time but something I am still up in the air about actually recommending. I think if someone who traditionally enjoyed Sophia Kinsella and ilk but wanted something different, I would suggest this. It would be a great book club book for a club who likes mostly lighter reads but wants something different and doesn’t mind approaching the topic of religion. I still stand by that I was expecting I am Hutterite by Mary-Ann Kirkby with a slight sense of humor and got Sophia Kinsella with a touch of culture.
Now to go review the stuff from 2 months ago!
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Great Googa Mooga, it's a new entry!
Holy Cows, I have read! That is right, after close to 4 months of not reading anything more than Sheldon comics and Pearls Before Swine comics, in the last two weeks I have put away 2 books and another 2 books halfway through.
I still don't really understand why I hit a dry spell. Maybe I couldn't bring myself to read knowing how much else there was to do, even if I was procrastinating and not doing what needed to be done. Maybe it was the "pressure" of now having a blog about the books I'm reading-like there are many of you reading this.
Maybe I was watching too much TV. But now that the fall schedule is back I seem to PVR Glee on Tuesdays, SYTYCD is over, and Thursdays is Big Bang THeory and I wait till hubby is home on the weekend to watch that.
Maybe its also the realization that is absolutely no more than 5 months from now I will no longer be working at a library and will be able to discuss books 100% uncensored! Woo woo!
In the meantime I am excited to say that I have read two books and both I think will interest you! So until then my friends...
I still don't really understand why I hit a dry spell. Maybe I couldn't bring myself to read knowing how much else there was to do, even if I was procrastinating and not doing what needed to be done. Maybe it was the "pressure" of now having a blog about the books I'm reading-like there are many of you reading this.
Maybe I was watching too much TV. But now that the fall schedule is back I seem to PVR Glee on Tuesdays, SYTYCD is over, and Thursdays is Big Bang THeory and I wait till hubby is home on the weekend to watch that.
Maybe its also the realization that is absolutely no more than 5 months from now I will no longer be working at a library and will be able to discuss books 100% uncensored! Woo woo!
In the meantime I am excited to say that I have read two books and both I think will interest you! So until then my friends...
Saturday, October 2, 2010
So, it's been a while...
I feel really guilty guys. I had beautiful intentions for this blog. And I still do. But it seems like the minute I started the blog, I stopped reading!
What?! Taren stopped reading? Yah, kind of. I have only read the library book club book and re-read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows since my last post. So the question is, why?
Well, as the two of you who I know read my blog already know, I found out in July that I am expecting! Which is really exciting and also meant I dropped all other reading for What to Expect When You're Expecting. Then I even gave up on that.
And I don't know I just have fallen off the wagon in favor of the TV. Likely because I can fall asleep while doing that where as I get soo involved in my books I have a hard time putting it down.
I'm slowly getting back into the "mode" of reading but its still just fluffy books that I want and none of which are worth discussing here.
So to tide you over I have recently discovered that someone told the entire Hamlet play by Shakespeare in social media updates. It really is hilarious.
What?! Taren stopped reading? Yah, kind of. I have only read the library book club book and re-read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows since my last post. So the question is, why?
Well, as the two of you who I know read my blog already know, I found out in July that I am expecting! Which is really exciting and also meant I dropped all other reading for What to Expect When You're Expecting. Then I even gave up on that.
And I don't know I just have fallen off the wagon in favor of the TV. Likely because I can fall asleep while doing that where as I get soo involved in my books I have a hard time putting it down.
I'm slowly getting back into the "mode" of reading but its still just fluffy books that I want and none of which are worth discussing here.
So to tide you over I have recently discovered that someone told the entire Hamlet play by Shakespeare in social media updates. It really is hilarious.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)