I first read P&P ages ago, it's my favorite book by the author and it just may be my favorite book, period. I try to read it every year, I love the characters, setting, story, everything about it. A funny thing happens when the kids and the husband see me reading Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. I get the eye-rolls, the giggles and my husband's not-again look. I knew what I was going to have to go through when I went looking for Pride & Prejudice on the bookshelf. I know I may go a little bit overboard with it, I'll read the book, then I want to watch any type of version of movies, mini-series, etc, that I can get my hands on...And that's the main reason for the eye-rolls, giggles and the not-again looks.
I cannot help myself. I lose myself within book with Lizzy and Darcy, and even I know the story so well, there's always something new that pops out at me. My husband says that I get a dreamy eye look, whenever I read or watch the adaptions of P&P. At first he thought it was because of the actors that portrayed Darcy, but I had to explain to him that even though they were great looking, it wasn't what kept me coming back for more and more. It's Darcy's character, his need to improve himself, it almost feels like an inner struggle. He knows his worth to and within society, but there's this singular girl that questions him in the most personal way. He is my favorite character of the novel. Lizzy is wonderful character as well, but I'm Darcy girl. I love the villains in this book, Lady Catherine and Wickham are quite a pair, delicious... I did read the book during the weekend, and yes, I got the eye-rolls, the giggles and the not-again looks. I haven't watched any of the mini-series or movies, yet. Anyway, I read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen for the Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge hosted by Austenprose. But I'm sure I'll be "suffering" throughout the rest of the year, when I explore other P&P versions out there. And I'll love every single minute of it. Because it was a re-read, I won't add it to my reading totals for the year. To see what other people are saying or if you want to join in the fun visit here.
Enough already! I want something good to read. Something that will help me get out of this slump. I haven't had a slump that lasted this long. I pick up a book read a couple of chapters and put it back down. I even tried reading the kids books. Miss S has been reading the Warrior series by Erin Hunter, but a group of talking cats doesn't do it for me (at the moment). Master K just started Frindle by Andrew Clements and although I thought the first couple of chapters were interesting, I quickly lost interest in the book. I'm truly in a pathetic state... I'm desperate!
No, truly I am. I'm just suffering from an acute case of reading slump. I have a ton of books at my disposal (which my husband reminds all the time) and if I can't find anything that strikes my fancy in the Pit (my TBR), there's always my handy dandy Kindle. Oh well.... Hopefully I'll be able to participate on tomorrow's Tuesday Teaser. Well I'm off...I WILL FIND SOMETHING!
It took me two weeks to get the gang to tell me their favorites of last year. We're a family that loves to read (obviously!), watching movies together and listening to music. Just your typical family, I guess.
There are four categories: Book, New to you Author, Movie and Music.
Mr.J:
Hubby's choice for his favorite book was Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol. He chose this one because it was fast paced and he managed to read fairly quickly. He usually takes months to read a book, and this one he read in just two weeks.
Last year he also discovered, H.G. Wells. He read The Time Machine and The War of the Worlds. He chose H.G. Wells as his favorite New to You Author.
Music wise Mr. J could not pick just one particular song, but he did mention that he thought This Afternoon by Nickleback was pretty catchy. I shuddered when he said that. Not that I don't like the song. But....really?
As for his favorite movie, he had no second guesses and gave a straight answer. He loved Inception.
Miss S:
My daughter is alot like me. She loves to read and when she finds a series that she enjoys, she does not rest until she reads all of the available books. She then complains that she needs to wait for the book .... yep, a lot like me.
Her favorite book of 2010 was The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. She started reading books this author right at the beginning of the year, she went the Percy Jackson series very quickly and she read The Red Pyramid (Book 1, Kane Chronicles) during the summer and then she got her hands on The Lost Hero in November. And Rick Riordan is her favorite New to you Author.
When I asked her about her favorite song of the year, she looked at me like I was crazy. Then she told me that it would be hard to choose just one. She likes Katie Perry, Black Eye Peas and Train. She narrowed it down to Train's Hey, Soul Sister. Good choice, kiddo!
When it came to her favorite movie of the year, she did not surprise me at all. I knew she would pick this one....Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Master K:
My son enjoys books but is not what I would call a true bookworm (unlike me or his sister). But there were a few books that he truly enjoys. In 2010, he began reading The Magic Tree House series, and he also discovered the Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey. Truthfully I really don't care for that series, I find it stupid (for the lack of a better word), but if he likes it and he's practicing his reading, I'm a happy camper.
His favorite book was The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby by Dav Pilkey. And said author is his favorite New to you Author of 2010.
Master K is a huge Black Eye Peas fan but when he told me that his favorite song last year was Pink's Raise Your Glass, it didn't surprise me. He loves his Pink - his words not mine.
It took him a while longer to pick his favorite movie, but it wasn't a surprise to me though...He loved this one in the theatre and he watches it at home all the time. His pick was Despicable Me.
Me:
When it came for me to pick my favorite book, I blanked. Truly. And then one book came to mind. The author is also my choice for New to you Author. I remember reading this book, not only enjoying it but marveling on how humorous it was. It kind of reminded me of the older Julia Quinn's novels. My pick was Nine Rules To Break When Romancing A Rake by Sarah MacLean.
Like the rest of the family I love music. And I think I may just have a broader taste in music. I love to listen to different types and styles not mention music other than English sang music. But this time I stayed close to home and chose a Canadian band with a very catchy song, Hedley's Cha Ching.
Now for the movie...Like my husband I really liked Inception, but I didn't like as much as this one...True Grit.
I got a new cookbook this weekend. I'm not sure how many of you know that I'm Portuguese, well Portuguese-Canadian. Anyway, I've been searching for a good Portuguese food cookbook in English for a very long time, and I finally found one that has recipes that I know and love and new ones that I cannot wait to try. The New Portuguese Table by David Leite is full of gorgeous pictures, and tidbits of food info from the different regions of continental Portugal and the islands, Azores and Madeira.
If you're curious on the recipes, I'll be sharing them on my other blog, Wandeca Cooks.
This year I've been having a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit. I'm not sure if it had anything to do with a series of illnesses brought home by the children or just feeling like Christmas has became such a commercial holiday that it's turning me off. But I'm ready to enjoy the last fews days before the big day arrives.
And I'm using music to help me along the way. Although I may complain about hearing it played too early, I'm still a huge fan.
I dare you not to sing along with this song! I've been humming this song for the last day or so...
Another catchy tune:
A little Canadian humor with Bob and Doug:
I wonder if Michael can come over and sing this for me:
I'm off to get some chocolate! I hear a chocolate orange calling my name!
I have several reviews to write but I just can't seem to sit down and do it...It's either the kids wanting to do or go somewhere or it's them wanting to use the computer or it's just my addiction to all things Facebook. I can spend hours exploring and playing their very addcitive games.
The worst part is that I cannot find anything to read, which makes my husband laugh. I can find lots to read but nothing that will hold my attention for long. So, I'm taking a little vacation from reading...maybe I'll be able to write the reviews for the books that read in the past couple of weeks. I hope...
After a series of problems with my computer, and a bad case of food poisoning that made me visit the hospital for three days... I'm back!
While I was MIA I read:
Promises In Death by J.D. Robb (4.5/5) Romantic Suspense; Alternate Future; Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons (09); Series: # 30, Eve Dallas; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (55); 2009 Support Your Local Library (50);
Getting What You Want by Kathy Love (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: Kensington Publishing Corp. (04); New Author; Series: # 1, The Stepp Sisters; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (56);
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver (4.5/5) Mystery Thriller; Published: A Signet Book (1997); New Author; Series: # 1, Rhyme & Sachs; 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (57); Keeper Shelf;
Blame It on Paris by Jennifer Greene (3/5) Contemporary Romance; Published: HQN (2008); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (58);
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell (5/5) Classic Literature; Published: Chapman and Hall (1855); 2009 100 + Reading Challenge (59); 18th & 19th Century Women Writers' Reading Challenge (5); Romance Reading Challenge (5); Spring Reading Thing (4); Keeper Shelf;
Lent is upon us, and last night the kids and I were discussing what we are giving up for Lent.
Sophster: What are you giving up, Mommy? Me: One of my favourite foods. Chocolate. Master K: I'm giving up cupcakes! Me: Good for you kiddo. What about you Sophie? Sophster: I'm giving up being mean to Kyle.
Well, after a little talk with the Sophster about kindness and the meaning of Lent. I think she's reconsidering her choice.
I managed to stop by the library this morning. I needed to return a few books and movies, I wasn't planning on getting any books. But a few managed to drop in my library bag.
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