Summer Reading 2014 Book Review — Austenland

Wow...I did not think I'd be writing any reviews so soon, but this book is really quick and hard to put down. Therefore, I will share a few thoughts with you while it's still fresh in my mind. (Note: I will do my best to avoid spoilers, but I will be giving away a few details. Be warned.)

Description

Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man — perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaption of Pride and Prejudice. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths to her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

Things I Loved

Jane Hayes was more believable in the book than in the movie. Shannon Hale didn't depict her as being a Darcy obsessive for Darcy's sake alone. Rather, her infatuation with the character came from a long history of negative relationships with men she wanted to love the way Austen's heroines loved their heroes. What Jane craved was something deeper than what I've heard called "recreational dating," and she wasn't finding it with any "real" men in her life.

Also, I liked the comparison of the two main romantic interests (I think everyone can guess this is a romance novel, right?)Yes, the ending was predictable, but it was fun to watch Jane's perception of the characters throughout the story.

Ms. Charming was adorable! She didn't have as prominent a part in the book, but she still brought a smile to my lips every time she entered a scene. "Cheerio!"

The situation was real. This is a romantic Austen spin-off novel with outlandish scenarios, but there is a depth to the story that comes from its real world problems. What happens if you're a woman who wants "something more" in a relationship and isn't satisfied with the superficial, lovey-dovey, feelings that only last for a week, or a few months, or even a few years? Jane wants forever! She wants to get married and be a mother with a man she loves who wants to be a father. But none of the men she tries to date are interested in more than dating. Is she being too demanding? Is there something wrong with what she wants? Is she just the kind of person who is born to be a spinster? These are real questions girls and women ask themselves. Austenland simply uses a fun setting in which to deal with these issues. 

Things I Didn't Love

I realize Jane Hayes is a modern-world woman of thirty-two, and I don't recall reading any clues that she had a religious affiliation, but I didn't agree with every conclusion she came to about love and relationships. She goes to Austenland in order to have one last total immersion in her obsession before swearing off men and Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy for good. But while she's there (Spoiler Alert!) she let's herself have a "fling" with one of the romantic interests. Her reasoning is that she's too intense about love, wanting men to commit to her on the first date, and she needs to relax. As a Catholic, I think it's perfectly acceptable to enter a courtship scenario with an expectation that, should it be God's will for things to work out, you will one day marry the person you're going out with. That's not to say you should bombard the other person with serious questions at first, when you're still getting to know them, or agonize over every little detail of your relationship. But I didn't quite agree with Jane's view of things — or how she chose to handle the situation. I did, however, like the ending when the true hero said (SPOILER ALERT), "I need to admit up front that I don't know how to have a fling. I'm not good at playing around and then saying good-bye. I'm throwing myself at your feet because I'm hoping for a shot at forever. You don't have to say anything now, no promises required. I just thought you should know."

Yeah...I like to think she eventually marries the guy.

Conclusion

I, personally, would not recommend this book to someone under sixteen. But, having said that, I LOVED IT!!!!! Romance novels usually don't appeal to me, but this one definitely had enough going on underneath the surface to make the reading worthwhile. 4 1/2 out of 5 stars.   

  

Summer Reading Challenge 2014

 Summer is here! I never check the calendar to see if I'm right. As long as I can roast marshmallows, wear a t-shirt, and sit outside after dark without getting hypothermia, then spring is over.

Why do I like this particular season? Well...it's my busiest season, as well as the most fun (think dancing, friends, travelling, adventures, dancing, warmth, sunshine, opportunities to wear cool costumes...did I mention dancing?) Every year, I put together a list of things I want to do between the end of spring and the first day of fall, and summer isn't over until all are done or I can't feel my toes while wearing flip-flops anymore.

Among the usual items on my list, I have a few new entries, which I will be writing about on this blog.

• ·         Camp counseling in California (things I've learned from being a counselor)
• ·         Vacationing in California
• ·         Going to my first concert (Daughtry!)
• ·         reading every book on my shelf that I haven't read yet

This particular post is about the last goal on that list. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm horrible about buying cheap books at used bookstores and then forgetting to read them for different reasons ( most often because I find another cheap book, ha ha).  The other day I actually counted them, and there are over twelve novels in my possession which I've never even opened. Well, that's going to change this year. Longer days equal more time to read I hope, which equals some bookshelf exploration on my part.

So, this is my personal Summer 2014 Reading Challenge. I will list all the books I own that I haven't yet read, along with a brief description taken from the back cover. Then, between now and September 30th, I will try to read every single one and review them on this blog. No more library visits for me until I can pick up any book on my shelf and tell you all about it.

The Black Arrow, by Robert Louis Stevenson:  England is in the throes of the War of the Roses. As the houses of Lancaster and York vie for the crown,  young Richard Shelton eagerly serves under his guardian, Sir Daniel Brackley, whose lessons he hopes will make him worthy of becoming a knight. But Sir Daniel and his allies have been targeted by the outlaws known as the fellowship of the Black Arrow. This band of archers has a different lesson to teach Richard about loyalty, honor, revenge, and the ambiguities between good and evil. Originally serialized in a periodical of boys' adventure fiction, The Black Arrow furthered the genre of the historical novel through its swashbuckling action and its portrayal of a young man's journey to discover the heroism within himself.

Silas Marner, by George Eliot: Silas Marner, the heartwarming novel of a miser and a little child, is one of the great all-time classics, a tale so rich in human understanding that it will capture hearts and minds as long as books are read. Filled with the qualities that made George Eliot world famous as a writer, it is a narrative at once bold, compassionate, and dramatically powerful.

The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: The restless, questing intellect of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle spurred him far beyond the ingenious puzzles he constructed for Sherlock Holmes. In The Lost World, Doyle, a devotee of the occult and fantastic tales of adventure and discovery, introduces his readers to Professor Challenger, an eccentric paleontologist, on his suspense-filled search for prehistoric creatures in the wilds of the Amazon. Professor Challenger's doughty troupe includes a skeptical sportsman, Lord John Roxton, and the narrator, the intrepid reporter Edward Malone. When their bridge to civilization collapses, the explorers find themselves marooned among the dinosaurs and savage ape-people.

Ben-Hur, by Lew Wallace: No description available.

Rainbow Valley, by L.M. Montgomery: Anne's wonderful, lively children found a special place all their own. Rainbow Valley was the perfect spot to play, to dream and to make the most unusual friends, like the Merediths. They were two girls and a boy who had no mother. What they did have was a minister father who was looking for a wife but so far had found nothing but heartbreak. Between the minister courting a young spinster and the escapades of the restless children, the town was bubbling with scandal. But in the end, the warmth and laughter of Anne of Green Gables taught all an unforgettable lesson of love.

Hans Christian Anderson Classic Fairy Tales: No description. I actually have read several stories from this book, and I've read them all at one point or another in my life. But I want to read this book in its entirety.

Austenland, by Shannon Hale: Jane is a young New York woman who can never seem to find the right man — perhaps because of her secret obsession with Mr. Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaption of Pride and Prejudice. But when a wealthy relative bequeaths to her a trip to an English resort catering to Austen-obsessed women, Jane's fantasies of meeting the perfect Regency-era gentleman suddenly become more real than she ever could have imagined. Is this total immersion in a fake Austenland enough to make Jane kick the Austen obsession for good, or could all her dreams actually culminate in a Mr. Darcy of her own?

The Prince and the Pauper, by Samuel L. Clemens: Slum urchin Tom Canty and Edward Tutor, heir to the English throne, looked enough alike to amaze themselves, and when they met at the Palace, it was fun — just briefly — to exchange clothes. But then Fate stepped in and...  (I think pretty much everyone knows what the rest of the story is about)

Shadows on the Rock, by Willa Cather: In 1697, Quebec is an island of French civilization perched on a bare gray rock amid a wilderness of trackless forests. For many of its settlers, Quebec is a place of exile, so remote that an entire winter passes without a word from home. But to twelve-year-old Cecile Auclair, the rock is home, where even the formidable Governor Frontenac entertains children in his palace and beavers lie beside lambs in a Christmas crèche. As Cather follows this devout and resourceful child over the course of a year, she re-creates the continent as it must have appeared to its first European inhabitants. And she gives us a spellbinding work of historical fiction in which great events occur first as rumors and then as legends — and in which even the most intimate domestic scenes are suffused with a sense of wonder.

The Mutual Friend, by Frederick Busch: No description available. All I know is that it's got something to do with Charles Dickens.

Cold River Rising, by Enes Smith: While on a spring break from college, Native American Tara Eagle was kidnapped in a foreign land. She and her friends struggle for survival, first against terrorists, and then against the army. Her relatives become frustrated, and then angry at the slow response from the United States Government. There are over five hundred Indian tribes recognized by Congress. In modern times a group of Indians used their sovereignty for something other than a casino. The Cold River Indian Nation of Oregon declared war on a foreign country. They were joined by others.

Julius Ceaser, Troilus and Cressida, and Twelfth Night, by Shakespeare: No description available (or necessary, ha ha). These are the old English versions. Thank goodness they come with footnotes on every page!

Fourteen books — four months, give or take a week.

I've got a pretty interesting mixture of light and heavy reading and every kind of reading in between. If you see something you're interested in here, then keep an eye out for reviews.  Right now I'm starting Austenland.

Anyway, that is my Summer 2014 Reading Challenge. What will you be up to during this wonderful season of sunshine and warm weather?

Top Ten Tuesdays — Literary Romances

Hello again, everyone! It's Tuesday, and this time I'm going to list my favorite literary couples. I haven't read most of these books in a while, so I'm basing my opinions on memories of the plot lines. Hopefully you enjoy reading about them.

 1. Anne and Gilbert from The Anne of Green Gables Series. I actually didn't like Anne of Green Gables much, but reading it in conjunction with the rest of the series made me like the characters
much more. There are eight books all together; and they span Anne's life from her childhood to her fifties, where she is married to Gilbert and trying to raise her children in a nearby harbor village during World War I. The last book is actually about her youngest daughter, Rilla Blythe, but it still includes Anne and Gilbert as a secondary characters.


2. Taran and Eilonwy from The Prydain Chronicles. They weren't very lovey-dovey throughout the series, but I liked the gradual development of their relationship.  In some books Eilonwy was Taran's helpmate, and in others she is the damsel in distress. Lloyd Alexander did a good job of including both scenarios without overdoing either one or being cheesy. They matured together through their adventures (and misadventures), starting out as friends and ending up in love.

3. Jo March and Frederick Bhaer from Little Women. This was actually one of the first classics I ever read, at ten years old, and I totally fell in love with Mr. Bhaer.  Now that I'm older, I still have a soft spot for the ragged German tutor. His patience and tenderness get to me every time, and I often find myself smiling when I think of the scene where he proposes to passionate, hotheaded Jo.

4. Elizabeth Bennett and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. Who doesn't like this couple?

5. Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark from The Hunger Games. Team Peeta! Despite the fact that he wasn't a "career tribute" I don't think Katniss would have made it out of the arena without him. She had the brawn (and most of the brains), but he had the emotional stability to keep her sane when she was about to fall apart. Not to mention he was selfless enough to set his mind on saving her rather than himself. When I read the book, I pictured him as a strong, personable, outgoing guy with a heart of solid gold. I liked Katniss too, but to be honest I mostly like the relationship because of Peeta.

6. Rose and Mac from Rose in Bloom. They didn't "fall in love" until near the end of the book, but it was still a cute story.

7. Westley and Buttercup from The Princess Bride. Sometimes I like a light romance, and I classify this as very light. Although the whole story is about Westley trying to rescue his true love from Prince Humperdinck, it's mostly a lighthearted play on princess tales. Gotta love the classics!
 
8. Teagan and Finn from Tyger Tyger.  They knew they liked each other in the beginning of the book, and most of their story consists of fighting to stay together during their struggles. The romantic aspect of the story is a sub-plot to the overall conflict, but the author tied it together well. Unlike most of the heroes and heroines I've mentioned in previous listings, he is more flirtatious and rough around the edges while she is more independent and cynical of  true love.

9. Calina and Marcus Vinicius from Quo Vadis. It's been a long time since I read this book, but I remember they really impressed me. I think it was interesting, because it's a romance  rooted in Christianity. They love each other, but she has to convert him before they can be together, and they both live in Rome at the very beginning of the Christian persecution. To make matters more interesting, he is a Roman soldier. It's not an easy situation, and as you can imagine they end up in a lot of danger together. 

There is so much more I could tell you about this book, but I would have to spoil it for potential readers in the process. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend you do so. Every chapter is worthwhile.

10. Eowyn and Faramir from "The Lord of the Rings." When I first read this book, it really upset me that Aragorn was in love with Arwen. I mean, she's great and all, but what did she do? She was constant and faithful, but she wasn't fighting alongside her "true love" in the battlefield. Yes, she saved Frodo's life in the Fellowship movie, but that wasn't in the book. My favorite female character was Eowyn, because I loved her courage, loyalty, and nobility of spirit — qualities I did not see in Arwen on account of my inexperience. (I was only eleven at the time). There were occasions when I actually cried during the scene where Aragorn told Eowyn that he did not have the same feelings for her.

In hindsight, however, it makes a lot more sense that they wouldn't get together. I think in some ways Aragorn and Eowyn would have harmed each other emotionally. He was tired of the battles he had to fight in order to serve his people, and his courage manifested itself in selfless sacrifice every time took a leadership/warrior role. She, on the other hand, was of a much more ambitious disposition. Although I remember Eowyn's motives being based on admirable ideals like love of family, friends, and homeland, her feelings for Aragorn were born of the courage he displayed in his role of warrior and protector. She found the "something more" she hungered for in him. I mean, come on, who wouldn't be impressed by a charismatic guy who nearly everyone respects and looks to for leadership? Even her Uncle, who she loved like a father, placed a lot of faith in Aragorn's opinion towards the end. I don't believe her motives were wrong, but they were based on who she wanted Aragorn to be rather than who he really was.

Enter Faramir...in one chapter, Tolkien wrote a "love story" that still moves me more than any other fictional couple I can think of. Unlike Eowyn, Faramir did not have the support of a father who fostered nobility in his soul. In fact, I thought Denethor was kind of a jerk to him. But Faramir still grew into a courageous, kindhearted man who was willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of honor and doing what he believed to be right. He recognized the hunger for something above the mundane in Eowyn and treasured this trait in her. She strengthened his courage and goodness, while he reminded her that true honor is not found on the battlefield and in great renown. It's found in a pure heart nourished by virtue and love. 

As you can probably tell, I feel strongly about this, ha ha. Okay...I'm done ranting now.

Anyway, those are my top ten for this week. If you liked them, then keep an eye out for more updates in the future. And if you have an idea for a top ten list that you like me to use because you're curious, feel free to let me know in the comments section. I always enjoy interacting with other bloggers, internet surfers, readers, writers, etc...

Have a great Tuesday.

Until next time...

Top Ten Tuesdays — Dancing

Recently (today), I saw a post on a fellow blogger's site that caught my attention. The idea was very simple, and it's a great way to share favorite things with you more than once a month  after I've probably forgotten most of the best stuff. It's call Top Ten Tuesdays, and I can't promise that I'll post every week, but I'll post as often as possible. I will just pick a subject each Tuesday and make a list of the top ten items, books, movies, whatever relates to that subject.

Today I've been think a lot about dancing, so I'll share youtube videos of my favorite dances. That way you can see what I'm talking about. (Hint, hint: It's all pretty awesome).

1. Beauty and the Beast. When I thought of dancing stuff, this is the first thing that sprang to mind, ha ha. Yes, I had to add it.

2. Irish River Dance...At A Wedding. I found this video while looking for something else. There are so many cool wedding dance videos out there it's crazy! If I ever marry, people, know that I'm developing expectations, ha ha. (just kidding...sort of).

3. Masquerade. This one is actually more personal for me, because I dance it quite often with my folk dancing group. It's a parody of the three classes. The rich class is the first part, where they have their noses kind of stuck in the air. The second part, with the waltz, is the middle class. And the last part, where they kick up their heels and have lots of fun, is the poor class.

4. Fiddler on the Roof — "To Life" Dance Scene. I chose the live performance version because I thought it felt more pressured that the movie, if that makes sense. They've got one go, and if they screw up they screw up. For me, that makes the shows more interesting.

5. Mixed Scandinavian Performance. I actually had the pleasure of being in the audience when this video was taken (it's not mine). If I remember correctly, they actually travelled to Oregon all the way from Norway.

6. Sweidish Clap Dance. This is another one that I've danced. I chose this particular video, because you can see what the dancers are doing better than in the other videos. Also, it crosses over with music, because they use a Hardanger fiddle, which is one of my favorite musical instruments. (Also Howard Shore's apparently, since it was one of the main instruments used in the LOTR Rohan Theme. It's the heart-breakingly beautiful fiddle sound you hear).

7. Scottish Foursome Reel. Just because...

8. Hallingdans. Because I have to, he he. 

Well, it looks like it has to be eight for now. I won't have any more time today, but next week I'll be sure to include all ten. Hopefully you enjoy them.
 

Until next time...

April Favorites 2014

Hello again, everyone! Time to see what kind of random stuff I've discovered last month. The lineup for April is pretty slim, but there are a few cool things here.

Favorite Movie: The Monuments Men
Awesome movie! It's about a group of men who fought during World War II, and their job was to protect valuable pieces of art from being destroyed in battle or confiscated by the Nazis. Based on a true story, this movie will give you a whole new appreciation for art and what it means to society.

For any parents reading this blog, it's been over two weeks since I've seen the movie, but I believe the PG-13 rating is mostly for wartime violence and language. There is, however, one part that deals with mature content which you may want to be aware of. Nothing actually happens, and the man in question apparently chooses to do the right thing at the end of the scene, but it's something to keep in mind if you're considering letting young children watch the movie with you.

Otherwise, this is only a brief description of the film based on what I saw. If you want to research it more, here is the official website. I haven't checked out how historically accurate it is, but I thought it was enjoyable for its own sake. Hopefully you enjoy it too.


Favorite Music
There are several songs I want to share this week, since I've been spending a lot of time going through my collection of Celtic/Scandinavian music. I'll keep it brief and link to a video for each one.

Eriskummainen kantele, by Loituma, is now (and probably always will be) my favorite Scandinavian song. I can say I've heard this five hundred times, and I wouldn't be exaggerating too much. Yes, it's sad; but watch the video once and play it again with your eyes closed. Does it feel sad? Nope. Maybe I'm just biased, because I dance to this song every year in the Scandinavian Festival, and it also happens to be one of my favorite dances, ha ha. Either way, it absolutely earned its place on my favorites blog post.

Lover's Heart, by Silly Wizard. Yes...their name is Silly Wizard, and I'm totally biased because of that. Perhaps it's more than a coincidence, because this is a song I've loved since I was little. I can remember listening to this in my room at eight years old, before I was old enough to fully grasp everything he was talking about. Now I listen when I write scenes with Hugoh in them (people who have read my book will understand).

When Juniper Sleeps, by Seamus Egan. I love, love, love, love this song!

Siuil a Run, by Celtic Woman. The version I own is actually sung by an artist called Anuna, but this is the closest thing I could find on youtube.

Nil Se'n La, by Celtic Woman. Just so you know that I DO like uplifting music, ha ha. This song is great for writing fun scenes. (Hint...hint...winking eye at Abecedarian readers).


There are so many more songs I could list, but I'd be sitting here for another several hours surfing youtube. After going through all this work, I notice a definite pattern of melancholy tunes and themes, but they're beautiful sad songs. One of these days, I'll compose a blog post with nothing but music I listen to when I'm writing, which includes a wide variety of moods and popularity.

Hopefully you enjoyed this update and discovered a few new favorites for yourself.

Thanks for reading.

Until next time...