I'm enjoying all the love this author is getting today! So I just had to join in with my own little tribute post.
Two hundred years ago on this day Charles Dickens was born! And then, what awesome books he wrote!
Here's what I've read:
Oliver Twist
Nicholas Nickleby
A Christmas Carol
David Copperfield
Bleak House
Hard Times
A Tale of Two Cities
Great Expectations
My favorites from the above are Great Expectations and A Tale of Two Cities. But I also really loved David Copperfield. Hard Times was not my favorite at all. Bleak House, the most recent one I've read, was hard going, but I enjoyed it in the end.
Here's what I want to read some day:
The Old Curiosity Shop
Martin Chuzzlewit
Little Dorrit
Our Mutual Friend
And I'm really anxious to re-read A Tale of Two Cities, then watch the movie again. But what I really wish is that they'd do a remake of this movie. That would be awesome!
So here's the thing about Dickens books. They are a strange breed. They are hard to read, and hard to understand... yet... they are so full of both amazing characters and crazy plot that once you get the hang of reading this style, you are sucked in completely. They get better and better each time they are read over and over again. I don't know, but I really truly love them!
How do you feel about Dickens and his books? Read any lately?
This week's prompt over at The Broke and Bookish is to list books you would hand to someone who doesn't read. Well, guess what? I did that list just a few weeks ago! ARGH! So, here's what I've decided to do... I asked my family what books are their all time favorites from their whole long lives. Of course, it goes without saying that because they are favorites, this would be really great choices to hand to someone who doesn't like to read. Especially given the fact that a couple of these family members aren't really huge readers themselves. (Actually, some of these are repeats of what I put on my list a few weeks ago. Whatdyaknow!)
FAMILY FAVORITES
(sorry, there's a little more than ten!)
Toto's Favorites (age 12 girl, 7th grade) Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale The Old Willis Place by Mary Downing Hahn Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
Moder's Favorites (age 17 boy, 11th grade) 1984 by George Orwell The Universe in a Nutshell by Stephen Hawking
JJ's Favorites (age 20 girl, college sophomore) Les Miserables by Victor Hugo Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Bud's Favorites (age 22 boy, college sophomore)Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Skinnybones by Barbara Park Clapton: The Autobiography by Eric Clapton
Oh wow, it's been awhile since I've done an Authors Pick Five post. It's only fitting that I start up again by asking blogging buddy and now author, Caroline Starr Rose, my favorite question:
What five books are most important or influential to you?
Here is how she answered:
1. Beverly Cleary's Ramona Quimby books
The thing that has really struck me as an adult re-visiting the Ramona books is the compassion Beverly Cleary has for her character. Though she doesn't shy away from awkward moments, there is a tenderness in the way Cleary deals with Ramona when she throws up in class, when she kicks her bedroom walls in anger, when she names her doll the most beautiful name she can think of -- Chevrolet.
These books have reminded me what it was like to be a child. They've nudged me to be more patient with my own children. They've encouraged me to treat my characters with compassion.
2. The Selected Journals of L. M. Montgomery, volumes 1-5
L. M. Montgomery, author of the Anne of Green Gables and Emily Starr books (as well as dozens of others), kept a journal from the age of fourteen until the time she died. The two of us share a lot in common -- teachers who later became authors, pastor's wives, mothers to two boys -- though her life was decidedly harder than mine. As much as I love her books, I love these journals even more. Getting a real picture of her experiences, from the mundane cleaning of her kitchen chimney to her writing routine, has made her world, her moment in history, and her stories even more dear. I plan to re-read her journals this year.
3. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn -- Betty Smith
I've always felt Francie Nolan and I would have been good friends. Plus, this quote says it all: "Let me be something every minute of every hour of my life. Let me be gay; let me be sad. Let me be cold; let me be warm. Let me be hungry...have too much to eat. Let me be ragged or well dressed. Let me be sincere--be deceitful. Let me be truthful; let me be a liar. Let me be honorable and let me sin. Only let me be something every blessed minute. And when I sleep, let me dream all the time so that not one little piece of living is ever lost."
4. Silence -- Endo Shusako
I have never been more moved, more disturbed, more changed by a book as by this one.
5. Catherine, Called Birdy -- Karen Cushman
I discovered this book in my adolescent literature class in college. I loved the way the history was so accessible and Catherine was such a real girl. Karen Cushman has taught me so much about writing historical fiction for young people.
Awesome fun list! Thanks for sharing!
Caroline Starr Rose has had quite the adventurous upbringing. Living in all sorts of places from Saudi Arabia to Australia and all over the US, she learned early the joy of reading, including the ones mentioned above. She was especially inspired to write May B. after being obsessed with the Little House books. She currently lives in New Mexico with her husband and two sons. This is her first novel. Be sure to check out her website for more information.
Book: May B. by Caroline Starr Rose Genre: MG Historical Fiction Rating: ***** For: Review From: Copy sent by publisher
Caroline and I have been following each other's blogs for a long time, maybe even from the beginning? I have no idea. So awhile back when she said she had a book coming out and would I read and review it, of course the answer was yes! That book finally came the other day (there was a little mix up and delay I think) and I pretty much instantly took it and read it in one sitting.
This is the story of May, a pioneer girl living in a sod hut with her family on the Kansas plains. They are struggling a bit and so her family has hired her out to another family, 15 miles away, to help them with chores. It's a newlywed couple and the wife appears to be one of those mail order brides (though she denies this) and knows absolutely nothing about life on the prairie.
So May, who is only 12 years old, goes very unwillingly to work for them. And then stuff happens that I'm just not going to tell you all about because it would be a SPOILER! But this stuff tests May in a very big way, and she finds out that she is much more than she thought she was. She is one tough cookie. She is smart and brave and resilient. She went into this thinking was nothing and nobody, but she came out with a whole new look about herself.
This story is told in verse form, and can I just say, it always surprises me how much I love this.The story is much more powerful, because less words are used, so everyone of them is very meaningful and strong. Am I making sense? Well, whatever it is, it always works for me. I love it.
May is an awesome strong character too. It was actually a hard story for me to read because, as you may or may not know, my youngest is this very same age. I freak if she goes out for a bit and doesn't text to report in now and then. I can't even imagine sending her on an adventure such as May went on, and then not checking in on her now and then. Fifteen miles? They could do that once or twice, in a five months time, right? It's hard to imagine a world where that literally wouldn't be possible. What a hard hard life.
Today (Saturday) we've been celebrating the birthday of this kid:
This picture taken while on our trip this past past summer
with the Smokey Mountains
in the background.
It was 17 years ago he was born, and wow, can it have been that long ago? It blows me away really. He got a sonic screwdriver for his birthday... the 10th Doctor edition. He seems pretty pleased!
Song of the week: It's another 80s flash back for you. In listening to my 80s Pandora station all week stuff comes up that I suddenly am totally taken back to the time. It usually makes me very happy and wistful. Here's the song that did that this past week:
TV Talk: American Idol is doing nothing for me right now. I'm ready for Hollywood week and let's see who they've got. Downton Abbey was heart-wrenching last week! Gah, poor Matthew! Vampire Diaries is crazy as usual with all the originals suddenly back. And much tension between Damon and Stefan too.
Reading Report Books I've finished: May B. by Caroline Starr Rose, and Partials by Dan Wells. Books I've started: Started no new books since then... I actually haven't read for days.... again. Inheritance is what I'm working on... again. Books I want to start: I got some books from the library: Rot and Ruin, Finnikin of the Rock, and Linger.
I am thinking: that I wish everyone could just be happy, you know?
I am grateful for: the fact that my dentist appointment if over. But I do have to go back for one little tiny cavity filling and one old filling replacement. Joy.
What I learned this week: that it will be my duty to plan and prepare food for church girls camp. Joy. Around the house: Dude! I cleaned the very worst kitchen counter messy problem this week! And the clutter cubbies! It was amazing! And last week I forgot to tell you... I organized the DVDs! Yep. You should be very very proud.
Recipe of the week: I can't even remember a thing I made this week. Today (Saturday remember) we had a pretty nice spaghetti dinner for the birthday. With strawberries on angel food cake for dessert. That was his birthday cake of choice. Yum.
Favorite things of the week: hauling our two college kids to see a college basketball game and then making fun of it the whole time since we just don't get sports... being so un-sportsy people at this house. Like I said... in the title... Superbowl? Starting letter month was a favorite thing of the week for sure. I'm having a blast gathering supplies! I've written (and mailed) some stuff (several family birthday cards, a postcard and a card to the author who started the whole business.)
Family matters: You know... same old same old. School, homework, a birthday, lessons, etc.
Things I hope to accomplish in the coming week: another author event! Rebecca Stead! And also a science fiction/fantasy conference that I think I will go to after all (I was thinking to skip it this year.) And Suzuki violin graduation too (book five for those in the violin know.) And some crazy stuff at work (storytelling midwinter festival for those in the local storytelling know.) And more letter writing.
Awhile back when I was about to commence watching BBC's new version of SherlockKailana of The Written World mentioned she was about to do the same thing. Then Melissa of One Librarian's Book Reviews chimed in that so was she! You've heard of read a longs? Well, we decided to do a "watch" along. It took us a a few months to watch these three 1 1/2 hour episodes, but yes, we've finally done it!
And now, we feel the need to review the experience just as we would a book read along. Here are a few questions we've asked each other with my responses.
What's your favorite thing about this show?
The banter between Sherlock and Watson. Priceless and so funny. As is my norm, I get more out the character interaction than I do the actual plot. These characters are wonderful and definitely my favorite part of the show.
What's your least favorite thing?
There's not a whole lot to NOT like, but as in all mystery type stories, I don't really care about solving the actual crime, but this show makes the "how" interesting and very fun.
Let's talk more about the characters...
Sherlock... he's a strange boy he is. Very witty, of course and extremely observant, but harsh and a bit mean and wow, does he ever rub people the wrong way or what? I think there's some vulnerability down under there somewhere that maybe we'll see eventually. The actor has the most awesome voice ever, I love it.
Watson... he has some issues, does he not? A little jumpy, a little leery of everyone. Does he like Sherlock, or just tolerate him? Is he a little scared of him? I'm not sure, but I get that feeling anyway.
What was your favorite episode of the three?
I think the last one. The middle one I watched while distracted, so maybe that was the problem there. I need to re-watch it or something. But that last one was crazy fun! (Should I know the name of it? Okay, looked it up... The Great Game.) Meeting Moriarty creeped me out big time! Wow, he was insane!
Do you like how the show is set in the present day?
Yes, I like it. I think it's really fun. Though I saw someone somewhere say that the first episode of the next season doesn't work so well in the present day, so I'm anxious to see if I agree or not. But it does give quite a different feel for it. I wonder what Mr. ACD would think?
Have you ever read the original novels? If so, how do you think the characters compare to those in the books? (And if you haven’t, does watching the spin-off shows and movies make you want to?)
I've read two of the original books... A Study in Scarlet (which I did not like) and Hound of the Baskervilles (which I liked.) I don't remember what I thought of the characters much from the books (it was probably more about the mystery and less about the characters) so I think these TV characters are much more fun and three dimensional.
What do you think of how while Sherlock is thinking words appear on the screen instead of the watcher being left in the dark.
I absolutely LOVE this! I think this is one of the best things they've thought of for this remake of the stories. It's so cool. The directing and special effects, and even the music, are all wonderful.
What do want to see in the second season?
I think Sherlock likes that nurse, yes? And he is going to give himself away before it's over! I want Watson to stand up to Sherlock a little more and gain some confidence. And like I said above, I want to see Sherlock show some vulnerability.
Bottom line: I'm loving this show! I can't wait to watch the next set of three, whenever they become available, or I find them online somewhere. I highly recommend this show to you all, especially if you love stuff the BBC does like I seem to be doing these days. I swear, anything they do will be amazing.
Oh, and P.S. Did you guys catch the blogger line? Because Watson is a blogger, and he asked Sherlock, "should I come too" and Sherlock says something like "yes, of course, what would I do without my blogger along?" That was great.
Be sure to check out Kailana's and Melissa's take on the show (links above.) Also, another awesome blogging buddy, L from omphaloskepis has been raving much about the show lately. And she's watched the second series too even.
Book: Where She Went by Gayle Forman Genre: YA Romance-ish Rating: **** For: Fun From: The Library
I read If I Stay last year and really quite loved it. I truly felt the pain and agony and sadness. My review here. And now spoilers for that book to follow in reviewing its sequel!
This book picks up a few years after the first one ended. Do you remember what Adam told Mia in the first book? He made a promise. Do you remember? This promise comes back to haunt him in this second book.
So, when she woke up she felt the need (which is explained in this book as it goes on) to distance herself from him. So they went their separate ways. Adam is now a famous rock star living the life, which, according to this book, is quite hellish. He is basically falling apart. It's extremely sad.
Mia is a famous cellist and is making her own name in the music world. They've had no contact these many years.
Then, when he is about to take off on tour, they bump into each other, and spend the evening/night/day talking, and remembering. Well, it's all from Adam's point of view this time around, so he is doing the remembering, and it's interesting to see how he perceives things. But the question throughout the whole book is... is there any hope for these two? Will they get back together, or just talk and continue on their separate ways?
The thing I found fascinating about this book is the detail of a what it might be like in the life of a rock star. Did the author go interview guys for research? Seriously, I want to know if it's this "bad" and sad and lonely and exhausting and wow... it does not seem like fun at all. Why would anyone aspire to this career? It's the dream for so many kids it seems and I wonder if when they make it, are they happy?
Anyway, but the book is really about Adam and Mia and for the most part I enjoyed the tension between them and the ever present question mentioned above. It's still a sad story, just like the first one. With hope though. Yes, there's hope.
Here's what I've read:
