Book-to-Movie: Sense and Sensibility (2008)

 

Synopsis: Widow Dashwood and her three unmarried daughters, Elinor, Marianne and Margaret, inherit only a tiny allowance. So they move out of their grand Sussex home to a more modest cottage in Devonshire. There, the prevailing ambition is to find suitable husbands for the girls. With help from wealthy neighbor Sir John Middleton, suitors for Elinor and Marianne are soon found, but not landed. They include dashing Willoughby, future vicar Edward Ferrars and retired colonial gentleman Colonel Brandon.
Director: John Alexander
Producer: Anne Pivcevic
Actors: Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield, Dan Stevens, David Morrissey

Friday Hops, 8/29/13

This hop is hosted by Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Every week bloggers answer a question and then visit other blogs that are participating.  This week's question is:

Have you ever ended up reading a book with its last or last few pages missing? What book was it? And how did you managed to get to the end?

Book-to-Movie: Sense and Sensibility (1995)

 

Synopsis: Rich Mr. Dashwood dies, leaving his second wife and her three daughters poor by the rules of inheritance. The two eldest daughters are the titular opposites.   
Director: Ang Lee

Writers: Jane Austen (novel), Emma Thompson (screenplay)    

Stars: Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet,  Hugh Grant, Alan Rickman      

 

My thoughts: After struggling through Jane Austen's novel, Sense and Sensibility, I thought that I would give the movie a try and see if I could understand the story more. Though the movie adaptation was not accurate, I was able to enjoy it and get a better sense on what the plot of the book was about.

BLOG TOUR + GIVEAWAY: Keeper of Reign by Emma Right

Tour Schedule

 

 

  Keeper of Reign by Emma Right

Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it? For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema. Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble

 

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesdays #56

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser:

Bout-of-Books 8.0 Wrap-Up

 

It is over. I wished I could have done better than I did but hey, it was my first time.

 

Here's what I accomplished:

 

Audiobook: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

 

Read by Carolyn Seymour

Synopsis: In one of the most universally loved and admired English novels, a country squire of no great means must marry off his five vivacious daughters. Jane Austen's art transformed this effervescent tale of rural romance into a witty, shrewdly observed satire of English country life. A selection of the Common Core State Standards Initiative.

Blog Tour: Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore

Tour Schedule
 

 

  Finding Sheba by H.B. Moore

An ancient legend is reborn . . . One that might prove the Bible false. For centuries, historians have theorized the Queen of Sheba as only a seductive legend, and scholars have debated over the legitimacy of King David or King Solomon. When undercover Israeli agent, Omar Zagouri, stumbles onto a tomb in Northern Jerusalem he unknowingly finds the final clue that threatens to overthrow government claim to the Holy Land, pits wealthy collectors against one another, and sends ruthless archaeologists scrambling to find the queen’s secret burial place. An assassination attempt on the Coptic Pope, His Holiness, Patriarch Stephanus II, is only the first in the chain of lethal crimes. Omar must find a way to prevent the greatest discovery of the century from becoming the most deadly.

Add to Goodreads

Purchase on Amazon

 

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Synopsis: When two sisters appear to be deserted by the young men they had intended to marry, the stage is set for a delicious comedy of manners that not only showcases Austen's perception, humor and incomparable prose, but offers a splendid glimpse of upper and middle-class English society of the early 19th century.

My thoughts: I love Jane Austen's story of Pride and Prejudice, but her writing style is really hard for me to get into. So, I read Sense and Sensibility with caution. I was not hooked in to the story as much, but it did have it's good moments. I found myself having a harder time reading this book compared to P&P.

Web Series Review: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

*My post was featured for "Austen in August" over at The Book Rat*

 

 

Title: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries
Cast: Ashley Clements, Daniel Vincent Gordh, Julia Cho, Laura Spencer, Mary Kate Wiles, Christopher Sean, Jessica Jade Andres, Wes Aderhold, Maxwell Glick, Craig Frank, Allison Paige, Briana Cuoco, Janice Lee

Created By: Hank Green and Bernie Su

Official Synopsis:  Lizzie Bennet Diaries is a modernized adaptation of the classic Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice. The story is told primarily through Lizzie Bennet‘s Video Diaries, while being supported by her and other characters social media streams.

 

MY THOUGHTS

Teaser Tuesdays #55

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teasers:

Bout of Books 8.0- Goals and Updates

 

It has started! I have been super busy these past few days and I would get busier this week. BUT...I am determine to get some reading done!

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

I am also participating in The Book Rat's "Austen in August" event, so I have to get my Jane Austen books read. I have been doing horrible with this so I am hoping that this read-a-thon will help me get my reads accomplished.

MY GOALS

It has started! Austen in August!!!

 

Today starts the 4th annual "Austen in August" event hosted by Misty over at The Book Rat. This is my first time participating and I am looking forward to it.
 
Misty has a great line up over on her blog. There's going to be giveaways, guest blogs, reviews...all related to Jane Austen. I will also have a guest post/review on her blog soon, which I'll also put up here on my blog.
 
My goal for this event is to get myself acquainted more with Austen's books (I've only read Pride and Prejudice). Here are my goals:

Friday Hops, 8/15/13

This hop is hosted by Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Every week bloggers answer a question and then visit other blogs that are participating.  This week's question is:

Were you a born bookworm or somebody got you into the habit of reading? 

Author Interview: The Sojourn by Rupansh Gupta

Synopsis:
The true knowledge can be obtained by knowing oneself. But to know
oneself, light has to be shone on the way to knowledge. 'The Sojourn'
is a book which helps to discover oneself. In the midst of any
problem, it helps to bring out the solution from within. After reading
and understanding this book, the reader will never remain the same. He
will see the world in its true grandeur. The secrets embedded in all
creations of God, have been telling the truths from time immemorial.
In a poetic style, the words bring out the beauty in all the
creations. When included in the education system, it will build the
foundations of children. Thus, 'The Sojourn' helps to live an
enlightened life.

18+Review- Alluring Tales: Awaken the Fantasy

Authors: Sylvia Day, Sasha White, Vivi Anna, Delilah Devlin, Cathryn Fox, Myla
Jackson, and Lisa Renee Jones

Synopsis: What is your most wicked fantasy?

Pleasure beckons and satisfaction is guaranteed in seven titillating stories of love that know no boundaries. Surrender to the passion and follow your desires into unexplored realms of sensuous delights. Awaken the fantasy!

My Thoughts: I was in the mood to read some erotica and I've had this book on my shelf for a few years now. I figured it was time to "awaken" my fantasies and this book did a decent job in doing that.

Teaser Tuesdays #54

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser:

A to Z Survey

This fun survey was created by Jamie over at The Perpetual Page-Turner for us book bloggers. Got to love these book surveys!!

Author you’ve read the most books from:
According to Shelfari, I've read Anne Rice the most, followed by R.L. Stine (back in my youth), and then Lisa Kleypas.

Best Sequel Ever:
Well, the whole Harry Potter books for me :)

Currently Reading:
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen, Alluring Tales: Awaken the Fantasy by Various Authors, and Pride and Prejudice (audiobook) by Jane Austen

Audiobook: The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

Read by Kimberly Schraf


Synopsis: Six Californians join to discuss Jane Austen's novels. Over the six months they meet, marriages are tested, affairs begin, unsuitable arrangements become suitable, and love happens. With her finely sighted eye for the frailties of human behavior and her finely tuned ear for the absurdities of social intercourse, Fowler has never been wittier nor her characters more appealing. The result is a delicious dissection of modern relationships.

My Thoughts: I saw the movie first many years ago and quite enjoyed it. In fact, the movie encouraged me to try to read Jane Austen books.  Thinking that the books are better then the movies, I thought The Jane Austen Book Club was going to be a delightful read.  Well, I was proven wrong.

Friday Hops, 8/9/13

This hop is hosted by Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Every week bloggers answer a question and then visit other blogs that are participating.  This week's question is:

If you don't like a book that you said you would review, do you graciously turn it down and explain why or do you struggle through it and hopefully come up with a half decent review?

Teaser Tuesdays #53

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading.

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Teaser:

Still Water Saints by Alex Espinoza

Synopsis: Still Water Saints chronicles a momentous year in the life of Agua Mansa, a largely Latino town beyond the fringes of Los Angeles and home to the Botánica Oshún, where people come seeking charms, herbs, and candles. Above all, they seek the guidance of Perla Portillo, the shop’s owner. Perla has served the community for years, arming her clients with the tools to overcome all manner of crises, large and small. There is Juan, a man coming to terms with the death of his father; Nancy, a recently married schoolteacher; Shawn, an addict looking for peace in his chaotic life; and Rosa, a teenager trying to lose weight and find herself. But when a customer with a troubled and mysterious past arrives, Perla struggles to help and must confront both her unfulfilled hopes and doubts about her place in a rapidly changing world.

Audiobook: The Prey by Andrew Fukuda

Read by Sean Runnette

Synopsis: With death only a heartbeat away, Gene and the remaining humans must find a way to survive long enough to escape the hungry predators chasing them through the night.  But they’re not the only things following Gene.  He’s haunted by Ashley June who he left behind, and his burgeoning feelings for Sissy, the human girl at his side.

Their escape takes them to a refuge of humans living high in the mountains.  Gene and his friends think they’re finally safe, but not everything here is as it seems.  And before long, Gene must ask himself if the new world they’ve entered is just as evil as the one they left behind.  As their enemies close in on them and push Gene and Sissy closer, one thing becomes painfully clear: all they have is each other…if they can stay alive.

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon Sign Ups

The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, August 19th and runs through Sunday, August 25th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 8.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Beautiful Creatures: The Manga by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

 

Art by Cassandra Jean

 

Synopsis: Lena Duchannes is unlike anyone the small Southern town of Gatlin has ever seen, and she's struggling to conceal her power and a curse that has haunted her family for generations. But even within the overgrown gardens, murky swamps and crumbling graveyards of the forgotten South, a secret cannot stay hidden forever.

Ethan Wate, who has been counting the months until he can escape from Gatlin, is haunted by dreams of a beautiful girl he has never met. When Lena moves into the town's oldest and most infamous plantation, Ethan is inexplicably drawn to her and determined to uncover the connection between them.

Friday Hops, 8/1/2013

This hop is hosted by Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Every week bloggers answer a question and then visit other blogs that are participating.  This week's question is:

How do you turn down a review request?

2013: July's Wrap-Up and August's Plans

Well, July was interesting. I had more time to read but I couldn't make myself read. I kept getting distracted by EVERYTHING around me. I felt like I had ADD. Luckily, I did get some books done:

1. 14 by Peter Clines  4 stars
2. Dreams of Joy by Lisa See (audiobook) 4.5 stars
3. Blood and Bone by Don Hoesel 4 stars
4. Catalyst by Marc Johnson 3.5 stars
5. Dance the Moon Down by Robert Bartram 5 stars!!!

Review: Dance the Moon Down by R.L. Bartram

Title: Dance the Moon Down
Author: R.L. Bartram
Publisher: Author's Online
Publish Date: November 4, 2011

In 1910, no one believed there would ever be a war with Germany. Safe in her affluent middle-class life, the rumors held no significance for Victoria either. It was her father's decision to enroll her at university that began to change all that. There she befriends the rebellious and outspoken Beryl Whittaker, an emergent suffragette, but it is her love for Gerald Avery, a talented young poet from a neighboring university that sets the seal on her future. After a clandestine romance, they marry in January 1914, but with the outbreak of the First World War, Gerald volunteers but within months has gone missing in France. Convinced that he is still alive, Victoria's initial attempts to discover what has become of him, implicate her in a murderous assault on Lord Kitchener resulting in her being interrogated as a spy, and later tempted to adultery. Now virtually destitute, Victoria is reduced to finding work as a common laborer on a run down farm, where she discovers a world of unimaginable ignorance and poverty. It is only her conviction that Gerald will some day return that sustains her through the dark days of hardship and privation as her life becomes a battle of faith against adversity.

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