Death Comes to Pemberley

Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James.
Alfred A. Knopf, 2011. 291 pgs.

Guess what Santa Mom and Dad gave me for Christmas?  That's right, the New York Times bestselling book, Death Comes to Pemberley by renowned author PD James.

First, the plot:  A murder occurs on the eve of Lady Anne's ball at Pemberley.  At the heart of the murder:  Lydia, Wickham and Captain Denny. Cue mystery to solve; GO!

Ok, so here's the thing: As I write this blog entry this book sits at #12 on the New York Times Bestseller List.  It was #11 last week.  And has been on the list for the last 13 weeks--since it was released.  And here's my thought.  It was good, but I'm not sure it was that good.  I think it's selling like hotcakes because of its author.  Which isn't a bad thing, but it's not the best piece of JA fanfic to come across one's desk.

It's not that I'm an expert or anything.  Or that I have this extremely amazing memory for P&P, but I was distracted at the beginning of the book.  PD James spends quite a bit of time introducing the characters, plot and their nuances to us.  Her exposition is a lengthy twelve pages long.  And I felt like some of it was, well, wrong.  Obviously, there are things to make up with one's own imagination, and I can't put my finger on it exactly (esp. because I write this entry at least 2 weeks after I finished it.  Please blame work/kids/life.).  And maybe it is something as simple as the voice with which James wrote.  The exposition is written as an omniscient narrator, from the view of Meryton's female residents collective thoughts on the the Bennet daughters marriages. Maybe it just didn't sit quite right with me.  I'm not sure.

Once I was past the introduction and on to the novel, it was more enjoyable and a great little mystery.  Albeit, one that was a bit obvious and for that I was a bit disappointed.  (I guess I like a bit more "Oh my gosh! No Way!" plot to my mysteries.) Nevertheless, I did enjoy it and give it 3 Bonnets--with pretty ribbon.

Downton Abbey

Since the season finale of the second season of Downton Abbey aired here in the U.S.  last night, there's been quite a sigh of "Well, finally!" mixed with "More! More! More!"  around our house and with various friends.  That said, I've been on a nostalgic tour of various online articles about Downton today during my down time (aka afternoon nap time.)

I thought I'd share these here with you, Readers, for your perfect amusement.  It should satisfy your Anglophile needs until season three can be ripped from various sources online.  (Not that I would ever condone such behavior.  Ever. Never.  Ermm.  Well.  Right-o.  Changing the subject please...)

Read some great recaps at Vulture.com.  They are sarcastic and witty down to the perfectness of it all.  Ending with Lady Grantham quotables from each episode.  Highly recommended.
http://www.vulture.com/news/downton-abbey

For laugh out loud, gaffing at your work desk during lunch or just because you needed a break, something that will make all of your coworkers stare at you as you bust a gut:
Downton Abbey printable paper dolls.  (Thank you, Amy!)
http://www.vulture.com/2012/02/print-out-vultures-downton-abbey-paper-dolls.html

The Abbey That Jumped the Shark by James Fenton (I was led to this from one of Vulture's articles on Downton.  Both are interesting and anything that invokes the jumping of the shark is worth it.  Can you say, "Mysterious bandaged war vet with amnesia?)
http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2012/mar/08/abbey-jumped-shark/

Downton Abbey: You are Awful...But I Like You from the Guardian, published in November 2011.  The article calls it "warped genius.  And I agree: Actress Michelle Dockery (Lady Mary) is" exempt from all criticism because she is wondrous (fact) and has saved the entire series from near-disaster.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2011/nov/04/downton-abbey-series-two-storyline

Fabulous pictures of Downton stars On-Screen and Off-Screen.  These pictures make me love costumes, makeup and period dramas even more!
http://www.papermag.com/2012/02/downton_abbey_stars_out_of_cos.php

And of course, the official site: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/downtonabbey/
Great exclusives here along with various links to other fun things Downton-ish.  (Like the Guardian's quiz: Which Downton Character are you?)

Enjoy!

Prom and Prejudice

Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg. Scholastic, 2011. 231pgs.


Think Pride and Prejudice at an elitist girls school named Longbourn Academy.  What's the most important thing in their lives?  Not getting married, but going to the prom.

Lizzie is a scholarship student who befriends her roommate Jane.  Jane is excited because Charles Bingley is returning after a semester abroad. At a mixer of students from Longbourn and also Pemberley Academy, Lizzie meets Charles and his friend, Will Darcy.  Mix in the usual Darcy pride, some prejudice of a poor and outcast Lizzie and well, it's pretty much the same P&P we all know and love, but in modern teen time.  Mrs. Gardiner is Lizzie's piano teacher.  Charlotte is another scholarship student and Lizzie's only other friend. Wick is a student who Darcy doesn't get along with and tempts Lizzie with lies about Darcy.

If a teen picks this up and has never read the original, I doubt that they'd get all of the name similarities or the plot resemblance.  But alll in all, a very cute version of Pride and Prejudice for the teenage crowd.

Dancing With Mr. Darcy

Dancing With Mr. Darcy: Stories Inspired by Jane Austen and Chawton House. Edited by Sarah Waters Harper, 2010. 245 pgs.

This collection of stories represent the finalists in the Jane Austen Short Story Competition held by Chawton House Library.

While I enjoyed this collection, I found it not as quick of a read as the previous two collections of short stories blogged about earlier (Jane Austen Made Me Do It and Pemberley Variations).  I found a lot of the stories hard to get through and I can't quite pinpoint why.  To that end, I am annoyed at myself.  But try as I might, I simply can only think that so many of the stories were rather lackluster.  The winning entry in the contest--"Jane Austen Over the Styx" by Victoria Owens--
was by far the best one and was the gold star among them. Jane Austen finds herself in the "infernal regions" and must answer to the "court of the dead."  There she finds many of her characters quite upset with her, saying that she willfully portrayed them as "a snob, a scold or a harpy."  The sentence:  Her books will live on, but letters written to her brother Frank are to burned upon his death and thus, no one else will delight in their "wisdom and shrewdness." Again, a great twist to what really happened to Jane's letters.  Again, a bit feeling like Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series.  But nevertheless, too cruel a fate indeed.

Tug of War

Today is officially the last day of my maternity leave with child numero dos.  I've had the following emotions today:  
Bleck:  Getting out of bed at what time?  
Delight:  That little boy really likes to giggle! 
Wonder:  Another onesie?  Really?  Kid, you do like to spit up.  
OH CRAP:  (Probably said something else, but I'll be polite.) What am I going to book talk 1st hour on Monday morning?  Guess we know who will be doing homework this weekend.  
Frustration: Kid, will you nap so Mama can blog?  
Sadness: Really, I have to go to work and leave him with daycare and he'll never be this small again and that baby smell will soon disappear and ohhhhhh....


Last week I discovered Mommy blogger Glennon Melton from the Huffington Post.  Her post from earlier this week was called "Friendly Fire" and was about the never ending debate of whether or not women should work outside the home.  She'd heard a radio program earlier in the week that had women debating the issue.  Of course, all of the callers, she noted, were women from one side of the issue or the other. 


She says that if you are a working mom you are racked with Mommy Guilt that goes something like this:  "YOU KNOW, THE ONLY WAY YOU'RE GOING TO BE A GOOD MOTHER AND WIFE IS IF YOU QUIT YOUR JOB AND STAY HOME."  And if you are a stay-at home mom you are racked with the Mommy Guilt that goes something like this: "YOU KNOW, MAYBE YOU'D BE A BETTER MOTHER AND WOMAN IF YOU COULD JUST GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND WORK."


She relates these thoughts to a scene in the movie "Liar, Liar" where Jim Carey's characters is in the bathroom and is busy throwing himself against walls and punching himself.  When there is a knock on the door he says, ""I WAS KICKIN' MY ASS! DO YA MIND?" And Melton replies:  "I understand the act of kicking one's own ass. I do it all the time."


Yep.  Let me just say, we are so good at that, us women.  That kickin' our own asses thing when it comes to our jobs as moms.   Melton's post really hit home this week.  Child numero dos went to daycare for the first time.  We did a quick trial day--to let daycare get used to him, for him to get used to daycare, and most importantly: for me to get used to not being around him 99% of the day (and because I needed a good day of errands and back to work shopping).  I cried half of the day.  Blubbering at home.  Holding it in at Caribou.  Sobbing to music in the car.  Trying to contain the continued blubbering on errands.  Seriously.  Seriously? Yep, I spent most of the day mentally kicking my own ass. 


On Monday I start work again.  And it's going to stink.  But then I'll be in the swing of things after a few days and dare I admit it now?  I'll like it. I'll like getting out of the house, dressed and presentable.  I'll like talking books with teenagers.  I'll get really frustrated with them, but it's pretty enjoyable. And then it will happen. I will eventually start kicking my own ass again.  For liking what I do and for spending time with other people's kiddos each day and not my own.  


And so after reading the "Friendly Fire" blog entry, I have to keep reminding myself.  I have the best of both worlds.  I get to be both a working mom for 9 months and then a stay-at-home mom in the summer.  I get it when the working mom screams, "QUIT YOUR JOB AND STAY HOME."  I get it when you need to take a day off (albeit sick or otherwise) and run errands to stay sane or to chaperone your kids this or that.  And I get it when stay-at-home moms screams, "I NEED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!"  I get it when you need to tell your hubby that he's watching the kids so you can get a cup of coffee and read for a whole solitary hour with no interruptions.  I so get both sides of mommyland. And it's a hard choice to figure out which one is right for me or for you. I just wish, for either side, I didn't end up kickin' my own ass so much--that there wasn't such a tug of war pulling at my heartstrings.   

Jane Austen Made Me Do It

Jane Austen Made Me Do It: Original Stories Inspired by Literature's Most Astute Observer of the Human Heart.  Edited by Laurel Ann Nattress.  Ballantine Books, 2011. 445 pgs.

First, I would like to point out that every time I sit down at the computer to write a blog entry these days, a certain infant starts to cry.  Nay, scream.  Screams a lot.  And I am not kidding--every single time I open up Blogger.  Without fail.  No wonder my blog entries feel disjointed and I can hardly find a place to begin writing.

Second, a sincere thank you to Laurel Ann Nattress at Austenprose and her publisher, Balllantine Books.  Laurel Ann sent a request out for folks to review her book in late summer, early fall.  I replied with a, "Sure thing, I'd be honored."  I needed to finish another book or two before I picked this one up, and then it was all I could do just to waddle into work during the month of October.  And then there was the fact that every time I picked up this book to read, I read about one paragraph and had to put it down due to fussy baby or neglected three year old.  Le sigh.  Life has simply not  been conducive to reading in my world lately.  Nevertheless, I persevered.  It just took me 2 months.  And what's sad is that is the only book I read in that time.

Jane Austen Made Me Do It contains 22 delightful Jane Austen inspired original stories from noted authors Stephanie Barron, Lauren Willig, Diana Birchall and Laurie Viera Rigler to name a few.  It also holds the winning entry in the Jane Austen Made Me Do It contest that was hosted by Pemberley.com.
Some of the stories are continuations of Jane Austen's original works, some are variations of her novels, some are modern day twists to them and some simply invoke the spirit of Jane Austen.

I could review each and every story, but that's not my style.  Here's a quick lowdown on my favorites and why they are my favorites in this collection.

• "Jane Austen's Nightmare" by Syrie James:  Jane has a nightmare that she is walking the streets of Bath and appearing before her are her beloved characters from her various novels.  And many of them are not happy.  Not happy indeed!  Marianne thinks herself "ridiculous and pathetic."  Elinor and Fanny too "perfect."  You get the idea.  I like this whole characters coming to life bit.  I like that they are a bit ticked off at Dear Jane.  I like that Emma gives Jane a quick warning that the others are looking for her. I like that they speak of "that other book."  (P&P?)  Ultimately, Jane wakes up and is quite inspired to write another novel, but this time with characters not quite perfect etc.
• "Jane Austen and the Mistletoe Kiss" by Jo Beverley:  Widow Elinor Carsholt lives in the village of Chawton in Ivy Cottage that is tucked into a corner of Sir Nicholas Danver's estate.  Elinor and her family still have two weeks left of mourning for the late Mr. Carsholt.  Elinor wonders if Sir Nicholas has eyes for her oldest daughter, Amy.  But Sir Nicholas has eyes for the widow. I like that it was a simple story about a widow who thinks she has no chance at finding love again.  I liked that the characters met Jane & Cassandra and exchanged a brief but telling encounter regarding mistletoe.
• "The Love Letter" by Brenna Aubrey (Winner of the JAMMDI Short Story Contest):  Dr. Mark Hinton opens an envelope addressed in his handwriting.  Its contents:  a fragment from some unidentified book.  Rather than study for his medical boards, he discovers the book and gets caught up in a love story of his own.  I loved this story.  It was a beautiful, modern twist on Persuasion. Sigh...
• "Intolerable Stupidity" by Laurie Viera Rigler:  Meet two lawyers and their clients:  The defendants: Fritz Williams & numerous defendants or authors of "so-called literary works" and the prosecution, Tawny Wolfson & Fitzwilliam Darcy and Elizabeth Darcy.  The court:  The Court of Intolerable Stupidity with Judge Lady Catherine De Burgh.  I loved the vision of Darcy transforming before the court into various modes as others see him, albeit continually drenched with water.  (Think: P&P '95 and the diving into the pond scene.)  Both "Intolerable Stupidity" and "Jane Austen's Nightmarre" remind me of Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series.  Quite funny and delightful.

I really enjoy this collection of short stories and am only disappointed that it took me so long to get to it and read it.  And as such, let me also acknowledge that all views in this post are that of my own and that I was not paid to write a complimentary review.  It really was a delightful read.  

A Pemberley Medley

A Pemberley Medley by Abigail Reynolds
Interdial Press, 2011.  210 pgs.

Warning: What follows are several blog entries about books of short stories.  It appears that in the last several months that's all my attention span could handle.  So, if short stories are not your thing, tough. :)

First, let it be known that I'm a big Abigail Reynolds fan.  Ms. Reynolds writes great Jane Austen fanfic and she's from my home state, so she's a mid-western woman with great taste.

A Pemberley Medley contains five short Darcy and Elizabeth P&P variation stories.  Really, these stories are like so many of Ms. Reynolds other P&P variations. One little twist in the plot that changes a certain part of chain of events in Darcy and Elizabeth's story. In one, Elizabeth actually heeds Charlotte Lucas Collins' remarks that Darcy has feelings for Elizabeth.  In another, Georgiana tries to find out which Herfordshire woman broke Darcy's heart by attending Mr. Bingley's wedding without Darcy in attendance.  But I will fully admit, the story "The Most Natural Thing: A Novella in 3 Parts" was my favorite simply because it cast Mr. Collins as the villain.  Need I say more?

5 Bonnets just for that lovely plot twist alone!

Kate DiCamillo: Master Storyteller

The Magician's Elephant by Kate DiCamillo
Candlewick Press, 2009. 201 pgs.

Confession time:  I have had this book, ahem, a library book, sitting on my shelf since last summer.  I think I may have grabbed it from school as a summer read and didn't get to it then.  I managed to pick it up this winter and devoured it in about a day.  (It's really a one sitting book, but in my world right now, I am lucky to read a simple paragraph in about an hour.  I read, folks, but I read a lot of Mo Willems, Margaret & H.A. Rey and Richard Scarry.  That is my world right now.)

The Magician's Elephant is about a young orphan boy, Peter, who goes to a fortune teller to ask one simple question.  Is his sister still alive?  The answer:  "She lives."  When Peter presses further to find out where she is, the fortune teller gives Peter a cryptic answer, "You must follow the elephant."  And so Peter's quest for his sister begins, and we learn about the mysterious elephant that a magician brought forth instead of a bouquet of lilies.

The genius of Kate DiCamillo never ceases to amaze me. Her prose is so simple and true.  The voice that she writes with speaks to us in a gentle, yet unassuming manner.  I love it!  This book, with its sense of nostalgia, sparkles with love.  'Nuff said.

Regarding another Dicamillo story:  It should be known that my hubby appreciates Kate DiCamillo's writing, too.  We did, after all, read The Tale of Despereaux out loud to one another.  I did, also, drag him to a book event at the U of MN in grad school where Ms. DiCamillo spoke and read aloud the first chapter of Despereaux.  (I cannot recall if this was just before or just after her winning the Newbery Award for Despereaux.)

Late this last summer or early fall, I found that hubby started to read our not quite 3 yr. old Despereaux.  I think that it was on a bookshelf downstairs and one of the two of them saw it while playing downstairs and somehow they started it together.  I was truly amazed that she'd sit still for the story (it does have rather short chapters, though). Kate mesmerized her with delicious soupy storytelling and we read the entire book in the next month or two during bedtime stories!  Even last night, she pointed to it on her bookshelf and said, "We read Despereaux, but we're not going to read it tonight."  I said, "Maybe again in a while (meaning several months or so in my mind)."  She replied, "Yep, I like Despereaux."

Yep kiddo, I liked it too.  Kudos to Kate.

Friday's Child

Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer
Sourcebooks Landmark, 2008 (org. 1944), 223 pgs.

I am a newbie to the world of Georgette Heyer.  See first blog post about her book The Grand Sophy here.  This summer (I told you, dear readers, I've had a stack of neglected books to blog about!) I picked up another Heyer book to read--Friday's Child.

Quick plot summary: Lord Sheringham (Sherry) has just been denied the hand of Miss Milbourne.  He's upset and vows to marry the next woman he sees.  That woman happens to be Miss Hero Wantage, a childhood friend.  He takes her to London and marries her.  Scrapes and mishaps abound as the two navigate marriage and society together.

And now here's the honest truth.  I'm not sure how I feel about Heyer after reading another one of her novels.  I felt like I was reading the same plot as I did with The Grand Sophy and it left me bored. (Which, by the way, is simply not ok when one is at the lake on summer vacation.)  I had to pick up Friday's Child several times after putting it down for a couple of weeks and try again.  Once I got into it, I enjoyed it but still, the same plot--silly girl heroine, serious or sometimes equally as silly hero, numerous misunderstandings and hijinks, and then end up declaring they love one another.  And there it is.  Same thing.  Both times.

So I ask, is there a Heyer Regency romance that doesn't follow this prescribed plot sequence?  To be fair, isn't this plot repetitiveness the same in so many novels by the same author or similar genres?  (See previous post about dystopian science fiction.)  Could the same be said for Jane Austen? (Insert audible GASP here!  I may have just written blasphemy!)  Just throwing the idea out there.  Isn't that why kids like series books so much?  (Much to this librarian's chagrin at times, but who am I to judge?  In my parents' basement there resides a crate of about 100 Babysitter Club books by Ann M. Martin from my elementary school days.)  I guess what I'm saying is that the jury is still out for me on whether I'll read more Heyer or not.

Dystopian Novels = Cold Hard Cash

In the last several years, one of the biggest trends in young adult literature is that of the dystopian novel. (If you're lost the definition is: "a society characterized by human misery, as squalor, oppression,disease, and overcrowding." From dictionary.com) When I talk with the students at my middle school, I say something like this, "Think the future and something horrible has happened and the human race is just trying to survive.  Add some teenagers.  Some romance.  Some good adventure or race to survive and that's the gist of the dystopian novel."  Oh, and they tend to be series books.  Or trilogies.  

The Hunger Games (and its subsequent books) is one of the most popular dystopian trilogies from the last several years.  The movie for the 1st book comes out March 23rd. (EEEE! Squeallll!--Yup, it really was that good.  And the author helped write the screenplay and approves, so I'm hopeful for the movie.)

 Another series that my students love is Matched by Ally Condie.  The second book just came out and is called Crossed.  It's on my to read list (I haven't read it because I wasn't sure if I wanted to buy it or just snag it from the library.)


The series I just completed that my students have also been crazed about this school year is The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner.  And it's this series that I want to talk about today.  You know how when you read a book (or in this case a series) and it just leave you sort of annoyed or unsatisfied?  That's my problem with this one and I need some others to read it so we can talk about it.  (Hint, hint dear readers.)   I just finished the last book and it's just got me irritated. 

Here's the low down on the plot:  Teenager Thomas wakes up in what is called The Glade. He has no memories of before he woke up. He is surrounded by other teenage boys.  Only boys.  They live in The Glade and it is surrounded by walls, and in turn a maze.  During the day, the doors to the maze open and certain boys (called Runners) go out and try to figure out a way out of the maze and thus, hopefully, out of The Glade.  At night the doors close.  If you are still in the maze at night, a creature called a Griever appears in the maze and comes after you.  The next day it's lather, rinse, repeat, except that the maze has changed.  The walls have moved.  This is the standard pattern of The Glade and the maze until a teenage girl appears.  Things are about to change. The only thing she remembers is that WICKED is good.


Long story short, without trying to spoil too many of the plot points of the trilogy, the maze is run by an organization called WICKED which stands for "World in catastrophe, killzone experiment department."  WICKED hopes that the teens hold the secret to a cure for a disease called The Flare that is killing humans around the world.


Ok, and if I talk about more than that right now, I will completely give away the plot. 

But here's the deal, Mr. Dashner.  I expected more.  I really did.  I expected a little more conclusion.  None of this "It's a trilogy, but it's probably not because my publisher thinks we can push a few more books out of it and make some dough." The Maze Runner leaves you hanging.  That was to be expected.  The Scorch Trials.  Yep, still left you hanging.  Again, to be expected and in a good way.  But seriously?  The Death Cure (what claims to be the conclusion) isn't much of one in my opinion.  Great story but did it really end?  It never really ties things up nice and neat and I'm thoroughly annoyed by that.  Suzanne Collins (author of The Hunger Games trilogy) took a lot of flack for tidying up the plot in the last book of the series, but it's what readers wanted.  But here....sheer annoyance. Someone read it, so we can talk about it ok? 


Epilogue:  After writing this blog post, I found Dashner's website and found that a PREQUEL to the series is out sometime this fall, called The Kill Order.  See!  I knew it!  There is soooo going to be another book in the series besides the prequel.  I smell a fourth book and I smell money.  There's also rumor of a movie deal...

2012 Goals

First, before the Jane book blogging can begin, I am going to share my 2012 goals.  Notice how I'm not calling them New Year's Resolutions?  The word goals seems a bit more attainable.  I was listening to the news earlier this week and they said it was good to have set times to meet resolutions or goals, so I even have those this year.  (Hey, at least I didn't write my own personal goals in SMART format, ok.  That would have been a bit overdone for even me...)

1. Lose 15 lbs by the last day of school, June 8th.  I did just have child numero dos and even my fat "I purchased these after the birth of numero uno to go back to work" pants don't fit.  No good.  No good at all.  Must control chocolate habit.  Must drink more water (Dr. Oz claims this is key to losing weight and jump staring one's metabolism.  Did I mention I have been watching a lot of daytime TV?).  Eat more vegetables.  (More Dr. Oz.) Probably should add exercising in there, too.  But I do have 2 young children and will soon be working full time again at a job where I'm on my feet a lot.  Remember, I'm starting with attainable.

2. Finish numero uno child's 1st year scrapbook by end of Winter.  (Spring Starts Tuesday March 20th, I guess that's my day!) She's 3 now, I think it's about time.  And I'm not sure my marriage can take my scrapbooking crap all over our den much longer....

3. Blog.  ONCE A WEEK.  By Friday.  With some connection to Dear Jane.  In each one.  No problem, right?!

4. Learn to make a decent pot of coffee.  It's come to my attention, recently, that I can't do this.  It all tastes like crud.  I should be able to do make a pot of coffee....

Other Thoughts and Ruminations on these goals:
A. I've never owned a scale in my adult life.  Maybe now's the time if I'm serious?
B. There might need to be a chocolate purse in this house.
C. Child numero dos will be lucky to get a scrapbook at all at the rate I'm going.
D. Need to not let blogging pile up.  (Like right now, seeing as I have a large stack of books to write about.)
E. Since I got a new coffee pot for Christmas, I can't blame the coffee pot anymore. Darn it!
F: Jane would probably suggest I make a nice pot of tea instead.  (See, there's the Jane Connection for this entry...weak, yes, but there nevertheless) And I might agree with her right now...

Where The Heck Did She Go?

Where the heck did she go?  No blog posts for a solid three months.  This will not do!

Answer:  Little man born on October 30th, now 2 months old.  We have our feet more firmly planted on the ground, we are sleeping, we have managed to survive The Holidays.  And alas, now that there is time to read and blog again, this Jane Austen Addict is beginning to end her maternity leave and go back to work. Le Sigh.  But before that can happen, there is some serious blogging to be done.

And begin...now!....

What Time Is It?

It's 2 am and I'm sitting in bed reading on my laptop.  I'm not sure this is the best thing to be doing--should be well, 1. SLEEPING.  2. reading a book from my pile that is growing exponentially or 3. at least emptying the dishwasher or folding clothes.  Instead, I woke up for my usual mid-sleep potty break and find myself here.  AWAKE.  How is it possible to be so extremely exhausted, and not able to sleep?  Seriously.  Since starting back to work, I haven't had the preggo insomnia that got to me in the summer--I think pure exhaustion from work (school) is the *nice* cause of my ability to sleep and sleep hard but somehow it's back tonight.  Again, seriously?  I was so exhausted trying to put the kiddo down to bed, and then talk on the phone to both parents and hubby (did I mention it's Single Mom Week Here at JAA?) that I was barely coherent and hardly able to stand straight...and now....Hmmm....

I lament the at least 2 books sitting to be reviewed/blogged about on my nightstand.  Really, I need to find the time to at least blog the 2 books I'm done with...I lament the entire basket of books to read--both JA fanfic and YA.  Instead, I'm catching up on my favorite organizing blog (nesting much these days?) and stalking random friends on FB.  Not good. I might need to "block" FB and Google Reader from myself for a while.

In other excitement, I received my first, sort of, official book to review from an author/publisher yesterday.  There was some giddy excitement as I ripped open the envelope and looked at it!  Really, if I could get my act together and work on my book review skills, I'd blog more and work on reviewing a bit more full time.

But in the meantime...
I cringe at /wallow in/get through (and yes, sometimes delight, I admit)  A: the perils of iMovie 6 and its bugs at work. (Insert several swear words here.)  B: The eternal:  "Mrs. B. do you remember that one book that's blue and has a tree on the cover?  It's about this girl...." (Seriously, kiddo there are X number of books in the library and N are blue....but yes, I do actually....) and finally...

C: Did I mention that tomorrow is an evening equivalent to Parent/Teacher Conference night at work?  Beware of the Sleep Deprived (Pregnant) Mom.  'Nuff Said.

The Phantom of Pemberley

The Phantom of Pemberley: A Pride and Prejudice Murder Mystery by Regina Jeffers

Ulysses Press, 2010. 416 pgs.

The Basics:  An impending visit from Mrs. Wickham, an impromptu visit from Lady Catherine and Cousin Anne, a harsh winter storm that brings some travellers to Pemberley and add a strange ghost that seems to be haunting the halls of Pemberley and Darcy and Elizabeth get some unwanted craziness in their lives.




There is suspense, the dynamic duo of Darcy and Elizabeth and a maturing Georgiana.  The book is  a fun romp at Pemberley.  But now I'm going to get a little picky.  Of course the strange ghost or shadow man that keeps haunting Pemberley is Wickham.  Duh!  While a fun read, I found the plot a bit tedious and frankly, obvious.  Yep, strange travelling companion with Mrs. Wickham is somehow related to mysterious murders.  Yep, Wickham and the usual greedy lust that he breeds.  And, yes, I guessed the plot twist at the end (which I won't tell you, but it is a good one.)  I just found the book to be a bit too predictable for my tastses.





3 Bonnets.

HP Alternate Ending

DH shared this one with me and I can't help but share it here.  It is the HISHE (How It Should Have Ended) for the Harry Potter series.  While I do not agree with all of the blog/video, it couldn't agree more with the Time Turner thoughts.  Where the heck is it?  Come on J.K!?!  Come on editors!  Read the blog for some description or just watch the video for kicks.  Enjoy.

Birthday Celebrating!

Having just celebrated a birthday I’m feeling contemplative on the whole birthday thing….Especially the summer birthday thing.  Since my birthday falls in what I have always deemed “the exact middle of summer” it is both wonderful and crummy all at once. It is wonderful because it is summer –I’ve hardly ever worked on my birthday being that I chose education as a profession (maybe I did in college when I worked at the canning factory? I don’t recall.).   So there’s that and well, heck, it’s my birthday.  There’s usually some kind of cake or dessert and presents with ribbons.  That’s pretty good. 

While, yes, it’s true I hardly ever got the paper birthday crown in elementary school. ---Well, maybe once for a half birthday in January and I never got to bring treats in to celebrate--except for that one time when I had a crown?—Really, this lack of inclusion stopped bothering me at some point.  Let’s be realistic here, I looked on with bits of jealousy, but for the most part this lack of recognition fits my personality—the introvert in me finds no need to draw extra attention to myself.

Back to reality.  Being that my day is the 15^th of July that means it’s the middle of summer.   The summer countdown begins and it’s over, this summer business, I mean and that means back to school or work or whatever it is. (Target and Staples had back to school supplies advertised last week!) Le sigh…

Usually, a nice quiet dinner and dessert with family has sufficed and I’ve been quite content.  But as I work my way through the decade of my, gulp, thirties, I think I’ve finally hit on something.   Here it is:  Let’s just make this virtually a whole week of celebrating and craziness and exhaustion!  What’s more, this year I documented the celebration with a photo blog story.   

Here goes:

Wednesday AM: Run around in the morning trying to get toddler to cooperate after she declares she doesn’t not want to go to storytime (one of her favorite activities).  Mom bribes child with cheerios to get her in the car and at least return books/movies to the bookdrop that cannot be renewed another day….

Wednesday early PM:  Uncle Dan arrives for his first solo babysitting adventure after sitting in traffic for an extra 45 minutes. We’re all a little flustered but said toddler is excited to play “pay-doh” with Unc Dan.  Score! (No photo available, photographer preoccupied with getting out the door.)

Wednesday evening:  Indigo Girls concert at the MN Zoo.  1. Yay that the zoo is open.  2. Yay for no rain during the outdoor concert. 3.Thank you to KC for the bleacher seat.  This pregnant lady would not have made it through the evening with out the back support!

We had a great time as per usual at the concert. Our seats this time ‘round weren’t the greatest we’ve ever had (last time was something like row 3 or 4 smack dead center!), but it’s not about seeing their faces as much as hearing the music.  Besides, their roadie/tuner gal was fun to watch as she chucked guitar picks at the Skippy the security guard.    

That all said, I have a small IG problem.  Later this week, my dad asked how many times I’d been to see them and the conversation went something like this:  “So, that was your second or third concert?”  “Um, no.”  I held up my hand and displayed all five fingers.  “Yes, I guess you really are a groupie.”  (And I’m making DH, dear hubbie, a groupie, too.  It was his third.) 

(Set List photo shamelessly yanked from the IG's FB page. They did not play Watershed and the question mark was an awesome rendition of Chickenman/Bitter Root mixed together.)  Thanks, ya’ll.  

Thursday AM:  Toddler dropped off at daycare.  Check.  Mini-cat nap on the couch.  (Have I mentioned I’m not sleeping very well right now?)  Check. 

Thursday Noon:  For my mom’s birthday, I’d said I’d take her out to lunch and shopping.  We did this on Thursday, which added to the birthday hoopla, we were celebrating someone’s birthday, right?  We had a delightful tea luncheon at the Mad Hatter in Anoka.  Unfortunately, the rain kept us from perusing the shops in downtown.

Thursday PM:  Pick toddler up from daycare and stop by the theatre on the way home for tickets.  Harry Potter tickets!

Friday AM:  Package on table with ribbons.  Wait wasn’t the concert my birthday present?  Guess not.  Teehee! Convinced toddler to hop in the car, despite the thunder to get Mom her ‘Bou Day Birthday Coffee.  Oh sweet decaf skinny almond cappuccino, it’s been a while! 

Friday AM cont.:  Matching Thomas and Friends with toddler.  Note that Mom’s spot is supposed to be RIGHT next to toddler and Little Nut Brown Hare on the floor.  Thank you thunderstorm!

Friday AM:  Grandma Sue and Grandpa Bruce arrive to spend part of the day with us.  We attempt the library musical program but it’s beyond packed.  Instead we do puzzles together at the library. 

Friday Noon:  Lunch at Chile’s.  DH joins us in the downpour.  Good food, albeit a bit slow in the service department.

Friday PM:  Naptime for toddler, birthday cake time for adults.  MMMMMM!  Say goodbye to parents, attempt to cat nap on couch.

Friday PM:  Papa Murphy’s pizza pickup (Ok, so it’s not Punch Pizza like last year, but this was pretty good stuff and what awaited was even better!)

Our church friends, Audrey and Al arrive to babysit.  They’ve offered to babysit pretty much since kiddo was born and it’s just never happened until now.  We show them the ropes, eat pizza together and head down the road several blocks to the theatre….

Friday PM:  Much Harry Potter Goodness.  And Crying.  And saying Goodbye to Dear Friends.  Sigh.  Gulp.  It was like finishing the last book for the first time—bittersweet.  It was awesome and even the small bits that were changed were perfect.  And can I just say what a pleasure it’s been to have all of the same actors and actresses play the same roles each time? 

The Star Tribune's review said this:  "For all the movies' dazzle and flash and Hippogriffs, the characters are more vivid than the special effects.  It is out emotional involvement with the three-dimensional heroes and villains, sidekicks and background players that draws us back time after time.  The final chapter ends with an epilogue that puts a lump in your throat and makes you want to watch them all again from the beginning.  That's the definition of a classic."  So true--as Albus Severus Potter found his seat on the Hogwart's Express, a chocolate frog jumped across the window of the train and I uttered, "Oh, a chocolate frog!"  Yep, time to start from number one again.

(See photo with Snape/Alan Rickman.  I Heart Alan Rickman.  Not that I think he's hot or anything but he's an awesome actor.  Love him!)

I’d also like to thank Baby Boy in utero for cooperating for a whopping 2.5 hours and allowing me not to have to get up to use the restroom.  Not even once.  Thank you, Son.  Much appreciated. 

Friday Later PM:  Birthday cake whilst watching the Thursday episode of “So You Think You Can Dance.” Who will be in the Top 10? One we pegged and one was a bit of a surprise. 

Saturday:  Recovery Mode. We’ve all slept a lot.  For the first time in 2.5 years, the child slept until almost 8 AM.  What a blissful summer schedule!

Only Mr. Darcy Will Do

Only Mr. Darcy Will Do by Kara Louise
Sourcebooks Landmark, 2011. 353 pgs.

Ahem, I have realized that I have another book to add to the mix of lost time.  I could have sworn I did a blog entry on this book, but alas, I did not. Let me clarify, it was not because this book was forgettable that I forgot to write about it....Darn pregnancy brain.  Let me also acknowledge that I read this sometime mid-winter and some of the minor plot details have started to escape me. Forgive me if I miss something or get something incorrect.

Kara Louise takes us on the "what if Mr. Bennet died before Elizabeth and Darcy could get things figured out" plotline in this lovely novel.  Mr. Bennet dies, Elizabeth becomes a governess for the Willstones and much to her surprise discovers that they are acquaintances of the Bingleys and Darcys.  Long story short, they are invited to Pemberley for a visit (Elizabeth included) and Darcy does what he can to catch Elizabeth's fancy despite Mrs. Willstones sister's (Rosalyn) obvious interest in Darcy and Mrs. Willstones obvious objections when she notices the attention that Darcy pays a simple governess.

I enjoyed this novel because it showed Darcy putting to use the second chance he receives in becoming (re)acquainted with Elizabeth.  He is persistent in regards to Elizabeth and oblivious to the fact that Rosalyn admires him.  Elizabeth being invited to Pemberley as a governess was a nice twist to the P&P plot.  It is not far fetched and the feelings of the characters realistic.  The Willstones were a bit cold to Elizabeth but it was due to their recognition that Elizabeth and Rosalyn were rivals for Darcy's attentions.  This story worked for me and was another quick light read.

4 Bonnets.

Jane Goes Batty

Jane Goes Batty by Micheal Thomas Ford
Ballantine, 2011. 295 pgs.

We're moving on into the time when I was coming out of hardly awake stage here.  I am pretty sure I read Jane Goes Batty sometime in May (Or was it June?).  Well, either way, it was a true delight.  Really. For someone NOT particularly enamored with Twilight or the whole vampire thing, I can say that these books are just great.  Sure, they might not be "high" literature, but they contain a wit and sparkle that I, personally, think other Vampire fiction lacks (and other mash-ups for that matter as well).

To pick up where Jane Bites Back left off, Jane Goes Batty, starts with well, Jane going a bit batty!  Jane Fairfax's (aka Jane Austen) world is topsy turvy and out of control.  Her best-selling novel, Constance, is being made into a movie right in her hometown, she's still getting 'How To Be a Vampire" lessons from Lord Byron, and she keeps dodging her boyfriend Walter's hints at getting married.  Add that Walter's Jewish mother arrives in town, there's a camera crew following Jane around for DVD extras and that "Our Gloomy Friend" (aka vampire Charlotte Bronte) is still out there and Jane can hardly keep her fangs in check.

Hilarity ensues and laugh out loud moments populate this book.  Really and truly.  Micheal Thomas Ford's talent at witty storytelling shines through in this series.  He's creative and here's what I love--I didn't get bored at all!

Again 5 out of 5 bonnets!  Bravo!  (And did I mention that a 3rd in the series comes out Feb. 2011?  Jane Vows Vengeance!)

Jane Austen Ruined My Life

Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo
Guideposts, 2009. 270 pgs.

Here's yet another piece of JA Fanfic that I read during that "I just lost 3 months of my life" timespan.  Hmmm....Here goes:

Emma Douglas' life is falling apart:  her husband cheated on her and then helped create a scandal at the college where she taught.  Needless to say, her tenure track, let alone is position, at the college is gone.  She escapes to Britain to find some inspiration in Austen's England and to find some of Austen's missing letters.  A recluse named Mrs. Parrot claims to have some of these letters and sets Emma on a quest to find more of them.  Add an old friend and love interest, Adam, to Emma's time in England and she truly starts to believe that Jane Austen really did ruin her life.

This book fell sort for me.  I was kind of bored with it and I can't quite put my finger on it.  This is the author's earlier book (I'd already read Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart) and I think that might be the problem.  Or rather that the two books are very similar, not connected per se, but similar in terms of the secret society of ladies protecting Jane's letters and/or manuscripts.  I think that the plots blended together too much for me and I was hoping for more.  Had I read this novel first, I think I would have liked it more, but then would have not like Mr. Darcy as much.  At least that's my hunch.  It also might be that the main character, Emma, was a bit of a whiner, complainer, "whoa is me" type and it just got downright old for me.  I simply wanted something new and fresh.

2 Bonnets.

An Homage to Anne Shirley

I know I posted this on Facebook for some of my friends, but I feel that this link needs to be shared here since Anne of Green Gables is on my Ultimate Top 10 Book List.  Again, Fug or Fab makes me Gafaw, Chortle and any other form of laughing you can figure.... I've posted it below,  but it does cut off Kate's ensemble, so clicking on the picture will take you to the original.  LOVE IT!