"And to this purpose"

"If people like to read their books, it is all very well, but to be at so much trouble in filling great volumes, which, as I used to think, nobody would willingly ever look into, to be labouring only for the torment of little boys and girls, always struck me as a hard fate; and though I know it is all very right and necessary, I have often wondered at the person's courage that could sit down on purpose to do it." (In other words: rambling analyses, opinions, ideas, views, and comments from an English major, Essay/paper-writing enthusiastic, Austen-loving Master Librarian on, well, Jane Austen...and a whole lot of other things, too.)

"Celebrated Passages are Quoted"

Heidi's favorite quotes


"What is it really like to be engaged?" asked Anne curiously. "Well, that all depends on who you're engaged to," answered Diana, with that maddening air of superior wisdom always assumed by those who are engaged over those who are not."— L.M. Montgomery

Saturday, January 30, 2010

"That's who I am"

[another day of gratitude to share]
Day 30

Serene is doing a Picture of the Day Challenge. I'm supposed to "look around and find something that speaks who [I] am." At first I wanted to just find something among pictures I've already taken. I take lots. LOTS. On all my "adventures" my camera is in hand. I want to document my life because there is plenty to document even if it is mostly just me and a stuffed turtle.

So I started looking through my pictures. Hmm...it's either me or Bob or no one in the pictures. The posed pictures don't seem to speak as naturally as others. Yet often the unposed pictures are only about one thing here or there. Not really who I am. I am so many things. And it's tough to show that in that one fun afternoon, or that great vacation moment, or....

Then I looked at around me on this snowy (yes! actual snow that stuck and covered the ground!) day.
These are the days I like to be lazy. And perhaps I'll clean that one corner of my room that I always say I need to clean.

Yet I never get to it. Because in spite of my love for cleaning and being in a clean environment, I always have to have some spot where I unload all my gunk and just let it be. In my own apartment, that was my room. As I now live in one room, it has become a section of that room. Which in the last week got particularly messy as I did some of those things that speak of who I am. I saw it and thought, "Aha!" And snapped the photo.


Wow. It speaks volumes.

Then the thought came to me that there is one other picture that speaks even louder of who I am, and always will be.

Today, I am happy and grateful...to be me.

I am Rosemary's granddaughter,

The spitting image of my father,

And when the day is done my momma's still my biggest fan.

Sometimes I'm clueless and I'm clumsy,

But I've got friends that love me

And they know just where I stand.

It's all a part of me

And that's who I am.

-from "Who I Am" by Jessica Andrews

Friday, January 29, 2010

Another Opinion or Two

More "Is it YA" questions. Usually I go by how my library has cataloged an item. But sometimes I don't agree. Or I don't want to agree so I can reach my goal of 75 YA this year!

Chronicles of Prydain - YA or no? Our library has the first few as juvenile, and the rest as YA. (I've seen libraries do that with Little House and Anne, too.) I've only just started the first book, but it seems to me that the guy is teen-ish. I would like to count the whole series as YA.

Chronicles of Narnia - YA or no? Our library has them all as juvenile. I rather agree there, even if at times some of the characters are teens. Yet I have seen some other libraries classify them as YA. Or both. This can be tough because the books were published before YA was an "official" genre. Daddy Long Legs and Little Women and such are often classified as adult fiction because they weren't originally in a YA genre (which didn't "exist!"). I believe they are both YA.

However, it is the two chronicles series that I wonder about right now. What are your opinions?


Another love has come along

[I couldn't not share this from my 2010 Joy and Gratitude Every Day on my LDS blog]:

Day 29

It isn't often that one finds a wonderful period drama film adaptation of a book. There's always some thing, some part, some character, some acting, some scenery, some unnecessary addition, some direction...some thing that doesn't sit well with us. Usually it's enough some things that add up to it being a good movie. But not THE adaptation that you tell everyone they must see.

Yet occasionally, it does come along. Jane Eyre for one. You know the one. The Toby Stephens version. It's amazing! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful. With so many Austen adaptations, I have so many views. I have my favorites, but not many must-sees. The new Northanger Abbey is close, but still missing a couple of my favorite parts. Though JJ Feild is an excellent Henry. I do love his smile. The new Sense and Sensibility, well, I'm exceedingly happy with that one, too. (Except for the opening scene. I do like the behind closed doors of Austen to stay behind those doors--on the other side of me.)

Well, finally a version of Emma has come along that is it. The thing. I'll be fine watching the other versions, but I would be perfectly content to only watch this new Romola Garai and Jonny Lee Miller version for the rest of my time on earth. Wonderful happiness!

What perfect book-to-film period drama adaptations bring you joy?

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Time for #2

Well, friends. It is time to say farewell to Prince Edward Island. I know. I will miss being with Anne and her family and friends. But perhaps our AKB Book Club will make a return journey. There are 7 more books with her. :-)

Until then, my PEI cows bid you a-moo.

And now we're off for our next book! You won't want to miss it. It's the one book my two voters on the AKB Book Club poll voted for unanimously. You bet. Next up is

Ella Enchanted!

I'll give you a week for a refresher and then post some discussion questions. Have fun (re-)reading if you so choose to do!

Your Opinions, Please

I'm getting ready to finally tackle the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I've wanted to read this for years. I'm going the audio version (we'll cross our fingers). My questions are:

1.) Would you consider the trilogy as stand-alone from The Hobbit? I read Hobbit in 9th grade (and loved it). So I'm trying to figure out if I count Fellowship of the Ring as 2nd in a series or not. I guess either way it will go for the challenge, because it would be my second book to read by the author. But, still, I'd like to know if others count the 4 together as a series. Personally, I don't. I always saw it as a trilogy, and a separate prequel-ish book. Yet I think I thought that so I wouldn't feel guilty in 9th grade when I didn't immediately plunge into the other 3 books after I finished Hobbit.

2.) Would you consider this YA or no? I hear back and forth. And as my definitions of what exactly is YA lit (even after a YA lit class) vary, it's hard to say. It's quite appealing to many of the age group. But there aren't any main characters of that age. I'm going to go with a no, but I wanted to check with all of you first.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

AT LAST!!!!!!!!!!!!

Over a year of anxious waiting and I finally can watch the Romola Garai Emma! Thank you Masterpiece Theater. The next 3 weeks shall be wonderful!

I'll let you know my Austen Expert Thoughts.

(ha ha ha ha ha ha)

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

My Answers for AoGG Discussion Part 2

1. What is one of your favorite parts of the book?

All of Anne’s mishaps. Nothing seemed to compare, and they just kept going. It made me laugh so much. I think accidentally getting Diana drunk was my favorite of them all.

2. What is one of your least favorite parts of the book?

It took me forever to get used to how much Anne talks. In fact, I couldn’t get beyond the first couple of chapters on my first try. But a few months later, someone convinced me to try again. I’m glad I did. As she talked less, I liked her more. There’s an irony for you—perhaps that’s why I annoyed my own self while growing up. And still do!

3. Who is your favorite character and why?

Matthew. So kind, sweet, tender gentle, patient, and all things good.

4. Who is your least favorite character and why?

I guess Josie. Though Rachel used to really bug me with her know-it-all, gossipy ways. At least her ways were a bit more kindly intended than Josie’s.

5. What do you think of L. M. Montgomery's writing style? (Think Mr. Harrison from Anne of Avonlea, if you've read it.)

I loved it so much! And it’s a chicken-and-the-egg thing to figure out just how much Montgomery’s writing style influenced my own. Of course, that's a love-hate relationship right there.

6. Have you met anyone in your life who had similar traits and qualities to characters from the book?

There were times growing up that I felt my mother was very much Marilla—extremely practical and no-nonsense. At least, compared with my over-reactive, silly personality. But I also knew she very much loved me.

I have had many tell me I have a lot of similarities to Anne. And yet I was always “made” to be Diana because of my dark hair. The curse of not having red hair!

7. Which character do you relate to the most?

There are many times I think it’s Anne. Getting caught up in the loveliness of everything, being a bit scatterbrained, doing well in school (and enjoying that), being overly fanciful. That's another love-hate thing there. I wish I could be more practical like Diana or Marilla. Or more kind-hearted, loving, and accepting like Matthew

8. Which character do you relate to the least?

Gilbert. I know, it’s terrible. I just don’t feel I know him very well in the first book. Happily that changes as the series goes on.

9. If you were Marilla, would you have kept Anne--knowing how much a boy was needed and seeing...well, what you did of Anne up to that point?

Honestly, I don’t think I would have. Until, like her, meeting Mrs. Bluett.

10. Have you read the prequel to Anne of Green Gables? What did you think of it? Did you think the author did a good job in staying true to Anne? Did you like what the author did in and with the story?

This was my GoodReads review of the book:
** spoiler alert ** A prequel to a well-loved series? I was a bit skeptical. But after seeing it advertised in so many review journals, I figured no true fan who also works in a library would pass up reading it to at least know how well it was done and be able to recommend it or not. I checked it out from another library system. It was not an engrossing read, but it was calm and gentle flow and style which I liked reading at my leisure. Didn't expect it to take me 3 weeks to read it. But oh well.

I think Wilson did an excellent job. It was her own style while still being true to Montgomery. You could slightly tell with various references/topics/handling of subjects that it was a book written of a time 100 years ago instead of a book from 100 years ago about its current time. However, the time period was apparently well researched. And I loved that Wilson received permission and encouragement from Montgomery's heirs to work on the prequel.

What surprised me--an avid Anne-Fan--was how well connected the prequel was to the series, particularly the first book. For example, I remember Katie Maurice. I figured Violetta was someone Wilson made up. I checked Anne of Green Gables. I was wrong. Anne talks about Violetta, too. Or that there were two other children besides Mrs. Hammond's 3 sets of twins. It wasn't made up--Anne mentioned the 8 children in the original book. I liked that Wilson stuck so closely to these details.

And while there are some aspects of Anne's past that I may have envisioned differently in my own imagination, Wilson's version in no way hurts or detracts from it. They are both good and I am happy to have both at my disposal to think on

11. If you were Anne, would you have gone as long as you did before forgiving Gilbert?

Unfortunately, I am one to hold on to anger when it was someone else’s actions. However, I would like to think that I’m more forgiving once the offending party has gotten past my Don’t-even-think-of-speaking-to-me exterior and explained/apologized sincerely. It may take a while for the hurt feelings to go away, but I do not like being angry with others. And I do not like being at odds with anyone. Once I can blow that steam off, I’m all about making amends (if necessary) and making the relationship stronger.

I believe the longest I’ve ever been angry and unforgiving towards someone else was, well, a couple of years. But only because I was not confronted with the person until later and realized that it was silly I was still holding on to something that was long past and not horribly detrimental. While it was never spoken of again, and she certainly didn’t apologize (I often wonder if she even realized what had happened), all was forgiven. Typically, my anger lasts only for a few hours or even a couple of days. A week or more and it’s pretty bad, but also very rare.

12. Did you ever have friendly--or unfriendly--competitions with others in school?

There was a friendly one with my Jr. High bosom friend. I didn’t even realize it was there until she kept bringing it up. I probably should have felt bad that my good grades in those years came rather naturally with not too much studying. She worked so hard to get the grades she did. I think she stressed herself more than necessary and probably would have done better if she’d eased up a little.

I think I had a lot of other friendly rivalries with others during the elementary and jr. high days—some with close gal friends, some with good guy friends. It was usually in mocking fun, but I did pretty well. I think the most prominent one was in 6th grade and the weekly spelling bees we had. I think I won all but one or two. It was fun to finally have people want to be on my team!


13. What think ye of the movie adaptation(s) for this book?

Heh heh. Well, that’s a couple of posts right there. I’ll just say that I enjoy the standard movies we all know of. (Yes—even the dreadful 3rd one. I have my reasons. One day I will write them up.) I have whole-heartedly avoided any of the cartoon versions. Just because. And having now seen the 70s movie version of the 2nd and 3rd books, I wish the 70s version of the 1st weren’t missing. But the 1st Megan Follows film is wonderful and one I can watch repeatedly. (As recently as last week, in fact.) However, I’m glad that it did not influence the Anne world that I created in my imagination.

14. Have you read other books in the series? What are some of your thoughts? (I know, I know. A separate discussion could be had for each of those!)

I’ve read them all. I love them all! (OK, there are a couple that were less appealing than others. But I still enjoyed them.) My two favorites are #3 and #8. It was my happiest discovery that summer of ’94 when I went into the BYU bookstore and saw 8 lovely colored books in a box that were all about Anne. My exclamations of “There are more?!” were instantly followed by my purchase of said books. And the rest truly is history.

Before We Move On...

I thought we might add an extra week to our tour in allowing for a bit more discussion of Anne of Green Gables. Please feel free to take part and answer any or all of the following questions. Again, answers can be posted here, or emailed to me to be put into their own separate post. Don't forget to take part in AoGG Discussion Part 1 if you're still interested!

1. What is one of your favorite parts of the book?

2. What is one of your least favorite parts of the book?

3. Who is your favorite character and why?

4. Who is your least favorite character and why?

5. What do you think of L. M. Montgomery's writing style? (Think Mr. Harrison from Anne of Avonlea, if you've read it.)

6. Have you met anyone in your life who had similar traits and qualities to characters from the book?

7. Which character do you relate to the most?

8. Which character do you relate to the least?

9. If you were Marilla, would you have kept Anne--knowing how much a boy was needed and seeing...well, what you did of Anne up to that point?

10. Have you read the prequel to Anne of Green Gables? What did you think of it? Did you think the author did a good job in staying true to Anne? Did you like what the author did in and with the story?

11. If you were Anne, would you have gone as long as you did before forgiving Gilbert?

12. Did you ever have friendly--or unfriendly--competitions with others in school?

13. What think ye of the movie adaptation(s) for this book?

14. Have you read other books in the series? What are some of your thoughts? (I know, I know. A separate discussion could be had for each of those!)

Enjoy one more week with Anne before we move on to our next book!

My Time with Anne

“[P]lease call me Anne spelled with an E."
What experiences have you had with others misspelling your name? Did you ever get really upset over a misspelling? Have you ever been insistent about your name being spelled correctly?

My name is frequently misspelled. It can be interesting to see what some people come up with. I find it funny that so many forget the “i before e” rule in regular spelling, but they remember in my name. (As in “hie me home.”) I can understand that having a name of German derivation can throw people, but still. Have they never seen the book or one of the movies? Can they not just see that any other spelling besides H-e-i-d-i is, to quote Anne, “simply dreadful?” Some spellings I’ve seen are Hiedi, Hidy, Hidee, Hidey, Heidy, Hedi, Hidi (that was just last week). I once had a school fellow spell my name with a j or k in it somewhere. ?!?! I know!

I’m usually only insistent about my name spelling if it’s something official (driver’s license, certificates, any kind of record). I’m used to it being misspelled, and if it’s something from somewhere that is of little consequence (like a call-in order), I don’t really care. If it is someone whom I would call a friend, I prefer that they figure out how to spell my name. Like that poor Heidi from CP in the BYU days who had a guy propose to her in chalk on the sidewalk all the way up to the JKHB (the same building I had to do to). Over and over “Hiedi, will you marry me?” I was questioned plenty about it. I finally replied, “Look, if it was me, I’d say ‘no.’ By the time a guy wants to marry me, he had better know how to spell my name!”

The only time I was truly upset in any way was when I ordered a pizza for my friend in celebration. It was delivered to his apartment. But the silly pizza people included the receipt. (Uh…gift = usually not knowing how much it cost!) So my friend’s roommate came to return the receipt to me. And I was embarrassed beyond all get out when I saw my name printed on the receipt for crushed-on roommate to see: Hiney.

"Will you please call me Cordelia?" she said eagerly.
Did you ever wish you had a different name? What other imaginations did you have about your life being different than what it was?

You know, I’m pretty sure I did. But it wasn’t that I didn’t like my name. It was because there were other names that I liked and there were only so many girls I would have and female characters I could create whom I could give those names to.

Sometimes while growing up, I wished that I could have some younger siblings. So a few years later when one came along, I was pretty happy! I also used to imagine myself as famous dancer or writer. But I think the only real imagination that I had growing up was when I was the repeated guest star on “The Young Riders.” I was Jimmy’s girl—the one he stayed with and no death happened to either of those.

I’ve had other imaginations, but those were more recent and not while I was growing up. :-)


This was Green Gables and they didn't want her because she wasn't a boy!
Have you ever felt that you were passed over, neglected, ignored, or unwanted because of your gender?

I’ve often been looked at with suspicion that I would not be able to handle something because I was a girl and not a boy. But as a young girl, I showed them. When Dad went to help people move and the guys of the ward showed up, I was right there with them—carrying one end of a table, dresser, or mattress. I’d do it today if it didn’t cause as much pain and I weren’t as unsteady on my feet now. Newspapers? You bet. I was right there all dirty and smelly with the rest of the boys. Sports? Well, I was terrible at all of them, but I still took part. I guess with all my brothers, I just wouldn’t let myself get passed over.

I have felt that a lot of young men during my high school, college, and post-college years have ignored me thinking I’m only a girly-girl when they don’t realize I also have some great assets (brought on by the aforementioned 6 brothers) that a lot of other girls didn’t have. Why wouldn’t they realize that I came already packaged knowing that certain subjects were not discussed in male crowds, and guys were this way, or liked to do that, etc. Oh well. At least one apartment of boys figured it out, and I had one of the best years of my life then.

“I felt that he was a kindred spirit as soon as ever I saw him.”
Who are some of the kindred spirits in your life? How have they affected you and your life?

My sister—a definite kindred spirit. Always nice when that happens. And I have discovered that anyone who shares a love of Austen, Anne, and/or musicals has a kindred understanding with me. Indeed, most of the friends that I’ve held on to since college would be kindred spirits. They are the people who just…knew. And what else needed to be said? They are the people that even though we have changed over the years, the friendship will always remain.

And as I think on it, I believe I was more of a kindred spirit friend person than a whole bunch of friends person. I was never one to hang out in large crowds. I still don’t do well in them. But put me in a small group with people who understand me and I them, and I’m thrilled!

"I never took the brooch out of your room and that is the truth, if I was to be led to the block for it—although I'm not very certain what a block is.”
Were you ever in a situation where you knew you were in the right but were thought in the wrong? Were you ever expected to do something wrong to bring about a right?

Funny. I know I have an experience or two with this. But the memory is just beyond my reach.

“And then, when I was leaning over the bridge, it just slipped through my fingers—so—and went down—down—down, all purply-sparkling, and sank forevermore beneath the Lake of Shining Waters. And that's the best I can do at confessing, Marilla."
Do you have any “creative lies” from your past?

Probably. Luckily my lying days were when I was much younger and I’ve forgotten quite a lot of what I did or said then. Thank goodness. However, one experience always stands out, but I don’t know if it would be called a creative lie. I was supposed to wash my hands—not just with water. My father was adamant, though I don’t think he specifically implied soap. I don’t know why I felt rebellious right then, but I did. So my 7-year old self went to the bathroom and washed my hands with toothpaste instead of soap. When asked if I washed with soap, I flat out lied and said yes. But the minty smell kind of did me in and I had a push-up punishment come my way.

"A bosom friend—an intimate friend, you know—a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul. I've dreamed of meeting her all my life. I never really supposed I would, but so many of my loveliest dreams have come true all at once that perhaps this one will, too. Do you think it's possible?"
Did you have a bosom friend growing up? What were things you shared in common? What were some of your differences? What were some of the things you two did together?

Personal Note: when I think on a bosom friend, it applies only to friends of the female gender. Male friends, especially the close ones throughout my life, are in an entirely different category altogether.

I would like to say that I did have one growing up. But it was not equal. She was a social butterfly and had scads of friends. I had a few here and there, and she was my bestest of them all. We did quite a lot together, at school and church (always a novelty for me). Her mom taught us ballet, we did some school singing things, we had two of the same homerooms during elementary, I actually got to go to her house to visit (rare for many of my siblings). We both took piano, but it was some time before it was from the same teacher. Often she was off doing her own thing and I was left “alone” at home. I think that’s one reason I became as much of a loner as I am. I got used to being surrounded, and yet all on my own. I don’t think it’s anything to be pitied for. I’ve gotten rather used to it!

I definitely had a bosom friend in Junior High. We often had sleepovers at her house where we’d watch Anne (ha ha!) or something JTT while eating pizza! We went to a republican convention where a cleaning lady saw us doing the can-can in the bathroom. Oops. We talked of our love of books, particularly the works of L.M. Montgomery. She introduced me more to the world of ice skating. My interest in musicals was starting to grow and she aided me there. We were in all the singing groups together at school. It was when she went the Journalism route in Freshman Year and I did not that things began to grow apart. We were still friends, but our time was divided as she hung out more with the journalism staff and I ran alone on the long distance track team.

BYU years brought another bosom friend. Another Anne fan. One who I still spend hours talking without either of us ever running out of things to say. While much has changed and we rarely spend any time together now, BYU would not have been what it was for me without that bosom buddy. I have another bosom friend, whose name I won’t mention but I know she knows who she is. We met at BYU, but the closeness did not come until post-BYU—right when I needed it in my life. And it hasn’t left since.

And, though I know it contradicts its definition, I have a second bosom friend in my post-BYU roommate.(I could even argue a 3rd or 4th, but then it seems unfair to the rest. So we’ll have to class them at the very tip top of my kindred spirits list.) I have never clicked with anyone as I have her. And what’s funny is that we share some similar interests, but nowhere near as much as I did with the other friends. Yet we love sitting around talking, and going so many places together. We passed on personal interests to the other while retaining some for our own that we respected the other for. In truth, I think she and I are more the kind of bosom buddies that Anne and Diana (alike but very different were than any of my others.

“Are you ready for bed? Let's run a race and see who'll get to the bed first."
Do you have any jump into bed stories?

Yes. Only it isn’t mine. It was just my bed. Our family friends (they’re pseudo-cousins, practically!) were visiting us. I was moved over to one room while the older girls roomed with my sister. The oldest girl of the family came running in from the bathroom, called out “Superman!” and took a flying leap at my bed. She landed. She didn’t know it was a trundle bed. And the bottom half of my bed came crashing to the floor. I had to sleep on a tilt for a few days before we figured out how to lower the whole thing. Then I was just inches off the floor before we could figure out how to raise the thing. The sad thing of the story was I had to deal with the effects of the partial bed collapse. I wasn’t present for any of the flying part.

I do occasionally like to flounce myself into bed now. It’s a perfect bed for flouncing in.

"Then I dare you to do it," said Josie defiantly. "I dare you to climb up there and walk the ridgepole of Mr. Barry's kitchen roof."
Were you ever dared to do something dangerous/silly/dumb? Did you go through with it?

No one dared me. But seeing the triple dog dare on “A Christmas Story,” I took it upon myself to test the theory that “You can’t believe everything you see on TV.” Was I supposed to believe that my tongue could stick to a pole on a cold day? Well, I found out for myself.

"Yes, it's green," moaned Anne. "I thought nothing could be as bad as red hair. But now I know it's ten times worse to have green hair. Oh, Marilla, you little know how utterly wretched I am."
What things about your appearance did/do you wish were different? Have you ever done anything drastic to change your appearance?

I didn’t necessarily want my dark brown hair to be different, but I did always find red hair to be so beautiful—even before my discovery of Anne. But I love my curls and I’m glad I’m one of the few curly heads who appreciates it and keeps it. I still wish I could at least by 5’4”. And I wish my face were not as splotchy red as it is. But otherwise, I guess I’m pretty happy with my appearance right now. Anything else that I don’t like is completely under my control. So, I try not to complain on that.

My “drastic” appearance changes would be related to the hair chops I’ve done. Some cuts were obvious. Some were excruciatingly extreme. At least 4 times the hair has gone above the shoulders…and it required a lot of inches to go away to become that short. But the haircuts weren’t related to wanting to look different. They were related to that female thing of wanting to change something about one’s self immediately and cutting hair seems to be the only quick and easy thing to do. Just one I usually regretted for months (sometimes years) afterwards. I would say the bangs incident was my most drastic and horrific. I was trying to hide what I thought was a scar and I cut my own bangs. And they weren’t too awful to start out with. But as the (curly) hair got longer, they became more unruly and rather ugly. Well, now I know that the “scar” was the beginning showings of psoriasis. Hiding it with hair wasn’t going to do much. Thus, I’ll just appreciate my “high brow” instead.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Hurry, friends!

It's the last day to enjoy the AKB Book Club's tour of PEI.

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

The AKB Book Club Tour of PEI

Welcome to Prince Edward Island, inspiration for the setting of the beloved novel Anne of Green Gables. We know you will enjoy taking a little tour of the island where Anne's adventures took place before we reach our final destination.

First, we have the famous red hills, cliffs and, yes, roads.

"But those red roads are so funny. When we got into the train at Charlottetown and the red roads began to flash past I asked Mrs. Spencer what made them red and she said she didn't know and for pity's sake not to ask her any more questions."

Then we bring you to the lovely shore.

"We're going to the shore some day to gather shells."

I'm sure you have heard about some of the towns on PEI. You must be quite interested.

"White Sands is a pretty name, too; but I don't like it as well as Avonlea. Avonlea is a lovely name. It just sounds like music. How far is it to White Sands?"

Go ahead, have a little scavenger hunt.

§ Campbellton
§ Charlottetown
§ Georgetown
§ Hampton
§ Souris
§ Summerside
§ Tignish
§ White Sands
§ Gulf of Lawrence
§ Northumberland Strait

And now we come to the pinnacle of our tour.

"Oh, don't tell me," she interrupted breathlessly, catching at his partially raised arm and shutting her eyes that she might not see his gesture. "Let me guess. I'm sure I'll guess right."


Welcome to Green Gables.

We hope our little tour has put you in the mood for a little bit of a discussion. We know this may not be the kind of book discussions you are familiar with, but we hope you will indulge us. Sometimes we find that one of the best things about books and reading are how one can relate to them.

So we would like to see all of us relate to Anne's World while relating to each other. If you only want to give "Yes" or "No" answers, that's fine. But there will be a lot more fun, enjoyment, and friendshipping if we provide a few details. We all love a good story--tell us some of yours! You can reply to one, some, or all the questions via comment or email. (Email enables better comment conversations pertaining to your personal answers.) If there are any comments or suggestions of your own that would improve this experience, please be sure to leave them.

We hope you enjoy your stay in Anne's World here on Prince Edward Island. Our scheduled departure date will be a week from now, so please do take part in all that you can to make your stay more exciting.


“[P]lease call me Anne spelled with an E."

What experiences have you had with others misspelling your name? Did you ever get really upset over a misspelling? Have you ever been insistent about your name being spelled correctly?


"Will you please call me Cordelia?" she said eagerly.

Did you ever wish you had a different name? What other imaginations did you have about your life being different than what it was?


This was Green Gables and they didn't want her because she wasn't a boy!

Have you ever felt that you were passed over, neglected, ignored, or unwanted because of your gender?


“I felt that he was a kindred spirit as soon as ever I saw him.”

Who are some of the kindred spirits in your life? How have they affected you and your life?


"I never took the brooch out of your room and that is the truth, if I was to be led to the block for it—although I'm not very certain what a block is.”

Were you ever in a situation where you knew you were in the right but were thought in the wrong? Were you ever expected to do something wrong to bring about a right?


“And then, when I was leaning over the bridge, it just slipped through my fingers—so—and went down—down—down, all purply-sparkling, and sank forevermore beneath the Lake of Shining Waters. And that's the best I can do at confessing, Marilla."

Do you have any “creative lies” from your past?


"A bosom friend—an intimate friend, you know—a really kindred spirit to whom I can confide my inmost soul. I've dreamed of meeting her all my life. I never really supposed I would, but so many of my loveliest dreams have come true all at once that perhaps this one will, too. Do you think it's possible?"

Did you have a bosom friend growing up? What were things you shared in common? What were some of your differences? What were some of the things you two did together?


“Are you ready for bed? Let's run a race and see who'll get to the bed first."

Do you have any jump into bed stories?


"Then I dare you to do it," said Josie defiantly. "I dare you to climb up there and walk the ridgepole of Mr. Barry's kitchen roof."

Were you ever dared to do something dangerous/silly/dumb? Did you go through with it?


"Yes, it's green," moaned Anne. "I thought nothing could be as bad as red hair. But now I know it's ten times worse to have green hair. Oh, Marilla, you little know how utterly wretched I am."

What things about your appearance did/do you wish were different? Have you ever done anything drastic to change your appearance?

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

They Just Keep Coming!

Dear Roger.
Faithful Gilbert.
Sweet John.
O Henry.
Meet Albert.
Amazing, devoted, loyal, supportive, inspiring, encouraging, loving husband of Queen Victoria.
Whose love story is most wonderfully portrayed in the recent movie The Young Victoria
(which I was more than fortunate of getting to see last Saturday).

A love story which perfectly shows why, how, and what marriage is meant to be.
I am in love.

Hmm?


What?


Well, OK. Yes.



Again.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Confessions of a Period Drama Lover

[Day 11 of my 2010 Joy and Gratitude Every Day]:

Staying up much too late 3 nights in a row
+
Finishing Season 2 of "Robin Hood"
+
Watching the rest of Disc 2 of the 70s Anne of Avonlea
+
Seeing 2 movies about Queen Victoria (in 1 day!)
=
2 slightly red and puffy eyes on a Monday morning at work
<
1 unerasable smile on my face!

Friday, January 8, 2010

My New Period Obsession

Many of us are familiar with the recent film adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. Mostly because of Richard Armitage, and the glorious train scene.
*sigh*
How do I fall into these female traps? Armitage does an excellent job as Mr. Thornton. When others hear I have liked him in that, they often suggest "You should watch [insert movie/show here]." Lately, whether it is Richard Armitage's name or not, I feel I've had a lot of people recommend watching "Robin Hood." I'd been hearing enough about it, but had never looked into it. I guess at some point I must have seen it recommended on my Netflix account, because apparently I added it.

I didn't realize I had until last Monday. Well, I was in between actual DVDs, and having just watched a version of Ivanhoe (eh, it was so-so), I was in a Medieval mood. So I thought "What can it hurt?" Somehow I didn't realize that "Robin Hood" was a TV show. But lo and behold, Season 1 and 2 were available Watch Instantly. (Gotta tell you--Watch Instantly is worth every penny I pay from my monthly Entertainment budget.)

So there I went. I started watching Season 1, Episode 1.
Various thoughts, of course:

-That's Robin Hood? You'd think they'd fine someone a little better looking.
(Oh all right--he did grow on me eventually. But I still don't faint at the site of him. I don't even flutter.)

-What's with the clothes? They look like clothes from our day that have been stretched, discolored, made raggedy and passed off for the time period. That is so obviously a plain T-shirt!
-Oh no. What's with the making out with the not-Marian girl? Is this going to be one of those kinds of shows? I knew there were many reasons besides commercials that I don't watch TV.

However, I was still intrigued. Who played which character? (Armitage, by the way, is one of the bad guys. Some times he looks and acts it, and you despise him. Other times...well... See for yourself.)
How was the acting? What were the sets like? How does a story I am fairly familiar with get adapted into a 3-season TV series?

Well, the first episode ended. If not for the last 5 minutes or so, I probably would have passed it off as all right but not worth my time. With time to kill, I thought Why not? and went ahead with episode 2. I don't know what happened in those 43 minutes, but by the end...
I was completely hooked!

It's hilarious, because when I tell people I've gotten hooked onto the TV show "Robin Hood," they ask "It's good?" And my immediate reply is "No!" For its obvious modernified nature (think Keira Knightley P&P), its costuming and the one-liners so obviously not time appropriate, and so much more if I really wanted to pick it apart. But I don't. I somehow came to love it in only 2 episodes.

I was worried that it would take a raunchy turn, but it hasn't. Not yet. Called family friendly and by some standards, yes. I wouldn't have my under 10 year old watch it, but it's considerably and surprisingly clean.

I kept watching when I had any spare minute, and loved it more and more. To the point that I finished Season 1's 13 episodes at *ahem* 1:20 am this morning. Yes. It's that good. Or, at least what I've been wanting right now. Great characters and decent acting from them.
Love the episode story lines. Love the development. It can be light while still being deep. I just...I love it! Embarrassingly so!

And if I didn't already love it by episode 3, episodes 12 and 13 made me absolutely adore it.
Oh. My. Word.

My other DVD has come and it's being put on hold. Season 2 starts tonight! Let's just hope it doesn't get worse (like Beauty and the Beast series did).

Thursday, January 7, 2010

What You've All Been Waiting For...

*drumroll*

The Austen Knows Best Book Club!

*applause*

I know. Y'all are thrilled, aren't you? Were just waiting for this to come about, right?

Wait...you weren't? Oh. Must be losing my touch.

Huh. Well. Oh well. It's come anyway!

Just to note--this is not to be confused with the Austen Book Club run by Author Bee. She's on (hopefully temporary!) hiatus giving all kinds of loving to her new baby. We at this blog are an e-chapter of that club and I'll keep you informed if and when it starts up again.

This Book Club will have me as moderator and will be of all kinds of books. Well, OK. Honestly, it's probably going to be more of what the Brambler and I want to read and discuss with each other. :-) But everyone is welcome to participate! And if you have suggestions, please feel free to give them. You can make suggestions in a comment, or you can email me (link on the upper left) what you would like to discuss. It can be long. It can be short. It can be deep. It can be fluff. It just has to be something I want to discuss, too! :-)

To start out with, I'm choosing the first book.

Ha ha! The power of blog owner.

Succeeding books will depend on suggestions from you readers. Some of what I'll be picking will be things I've/we've already read, since there is plenty out there I know I would like to discuss, yet of the books I'm going to read I don't really know if I want to discuss them.
I will come up with a few standard questions, and we'll let things spin off from there. Please keep answers, comments, reviews, suggestions, and discussions clean and respectful.

You can also vote on the new poll of various books you would like to discuss so I can have an idea of what our readership likes. If you've been reading this blog long enough, I think you can take a guess as to what I like!

And so, the very first book of our Austen Knows Best Book Club will be...

*drumroll...again*

Anne of Green Gables!

Just the Two of Us

Hmm. Two voters. I'm going to say it's because readers were too busy doing all of these things during the Christmas season that they weren't able to vote about them. I have a guess who the other voter was. But I'll be silent. This is what the two of us like (or don't like) doing the most.

Favorite Christmas Festivities

Caroling 1 (50%)
Gift Giving 2 (100%)
Secular Christmas Story Reading 0 (0%)
Spiritual Christmas Story Reading 2 (100%)
Playing Games 2 (100%)
Eating 2 (100%)
Baking 2 (100%)
Cooking 0 (0%)
Listening to Christmas Music 2 (100%)
Christmas Parties 0 (0%)
Sleeping In 1 (50%)
Sunday Christmas Church meeting 1 (50%)
Christmas Concerts 1 (50%)
Decorating Gingerbread/Cookies 0 (0%)
Gift Opening 0 (0%)
Velvet Sunday 1 (50%)
Special Family Traditions 2 (100%)
Something related to sports 1 (50%)
Visiting Relatives 1 (50%)
Family Togetherness 2 (100%)

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

MORE Challenges!

It looks like this year I might become a challenge fiend! I figure with all that I read (even if I lessen from last year's tally), I could probably manage to complete a few other challenges. Plus, some of them I think will be really good in helping my complete the YA Book Challenge, as well as deplete many on my Currently Reading GoodReads list.

In my browsing after accepting the audio challenge, I noticed that Royal Reviews is hosting a whole bunch of other challenges. So many. I'd love to try them, but I may get completely confoozled. So I'm just going to join these 3. For now.


Finish That Series Challenge

With this challenge you count series completed, not books read. It doesn't matter how many books are in the series or if you've read most of them and only have one or two left to read. The object of this challenge is to finish the series.

There are four levels:

Curious – Finish 2 series
Fascinated – Finish 3 series
Addicted – Finish 5 series
Obsessed – Finish 10 series

Other info:

Any genre counts.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

Challenge runs January 1st thru December, 2010.


This should be fantastic with my YA Challenge, because there are plenty of series that I have begun and want to--or should--finish. There are also a few that I have wanted to start (Among the Hidden and Keys to the Kingdom) and this would give me incentive to start and finish them. So,


I'm going for Obsessed!


The 2nd Reading Challenge

The great thing about this challenge is that it's not just for your second in a series books, but the second time you've read an author as well. This encourages you to give authors another try if you haven't liked the book you've read or simply another excuse to read a book by an author you loved.

There are 4 levels:
Curious – Read 3 novels that are 2nd in a series or second time you've read the author.
Fascinated – Read 6 that are 2nd in a series or second time you've read the author.
Addicted – Read 12 novels that are 2nd in a series or second time you've read the author.
Obsessed – Read 20 novels 2nd in a series or second time you've read the author.

Other info:

Any genre counts.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
Challenge runs January 1st thru December, 2010.


Why not? With trying to finish a bunch of series and filling in books for the YA and SH Challenges, I think I'll be doing a lot of 2nds. However, 20 seems a bit ambitious and I want to go on the safe side. Thus,


I'm going for Addicted!


1st in a Series Challenge

There are four levels:

Curious– Read 3 novels that are first in a series.
Fascinated – Read 6 novels that are first in a series.
Addicted – Read 12 novels that are first in a series.
Obsessed – Read 20 novels that are first in a series.

Other info:

Any genre counts.
You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

Challenge runs January 1st thru December, 2010.


Well, goodness, if I'm going to be doing all those series, why not count a few of the ones I want to start. Of course, in this I know I'm not going to begin too many as I'll be trying to finish a bunch of others. And trust me to start some new ones and then get hooked and have to read all the rest, thus "distracting" me from the other things I was intending to read. (Like last year with the Books of Bayern series, or now with Betsy-Tacy.) Therefore,


I'm going for Fascinated!


Well, Good Luck, Me!

Monday, January 4, 2010

2010 Book Challenge Changes

We're only 4 days in, so we can make some changes. I highly doubt anyone has read a 600 page book, yet. And if you have, I'm jealous. Where do you find the time?

#1 - Instead of 600 page book for the 25 points, it only needs to be 550 pages.

#2 - Children's books, in order to count for full points, need to be at least 100 pages long. For easy readers and such that are shorter than 100 pages, but longer than a picture book, we've decided that we'll give .5 points for each of those. So ten pictures books to get 1 point and two easy reader books to get 1 point.

Oh, and one book counts for one category even if it could fit into multiple categories. No double-counting a book. (Not even if you read it twice!)

2010 Audio Challenge

I figured I could sign up for the 2010 Audio Challenge at the beginning of the year instead of the end. But I'm worried it's cheating if I'm involved. However, I figured out a way to make it work. :-)

This year, the challenge is being hosted by Royal Reviews. (I love the look of this blog. Makes me happy to be a reader!) The main gist:


Only audio books.

List them in advance or in a wrap-up post.

There are four levels:

Curious – Listen to 3 Audio Books.
Fascinated – Listen to 6 Audio Books.
Addicted – Listen to 12 Audio Books.
Obsessed – Listen to 20 Audio Books.

So, I'm going to sign up and say I'm obsessed--3 times over! Yes. That means I'm going to try to listen to 60 audio books. As I achieved 75 last year, I think I can make it. But this gives me some leeway in case I listen to a few longer ones (i.e. - more than 8 CDS--those just feel so long!!).

And to start off, I will begin with Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. I've been wanting to read this for about 4 years. Should be interesting in an audio version.

Happy Listening!

And I'm Off!

I've officially begun my 2010 Reading Challenge. And what better way to began Sara Lyn's and my challenge than with a book Sara Lyn recommended?

Yep. I'm on to #2 of the Betsy-Tacy series, Betsy-Tacy and Tib. And I'm getting overly anxious about all of the other things I can delve into. Gotta hold the reins a bit. 361 more days. I can ease up.

Sunday, January 3, 2010

Sara Lyn's Mad Lib 3

Love Letter

My genius darling,

I love you more than ornament itself. Each minute away from you is a doctor, each hour a fair eternity.

I can't stop thinking about the color of your horse, the way you wear your document, the way you toss your yarn. This morning when the mail basket brought your special delivery cards, my toe skipped a beat, my knee was in my throat, and my hat trembled so much, I could hardly carry your gun. What you said set my journal on fire.

Do write again. Until then, I love you from the bottom of my knuckle. I will reach you always.
-Morgan

Sara Lyn's Mad Lib 2

Happy Birthday!

This is a surprise party for Sam. We are here to celebrate his remote. All of his most remote friends are here, including me, his devoted and faithful pen. I must say that he doesn't look a day over 5.

Naturally, we have some beautiful presents for him. Lily bought him a beautiful copper cloud that he can wear on his lovely dog. And our hostess got him a dozen cats that he can hang in his blanket. And we had the bakery send up a huge messy orange with 23 candles on it.

We all want to wish him a very white birthday and many happy puzzles. Now, let's all sing together: "Happy towel-day to you!"

Sara Lyn's Mad Lib 1

What is a Dinosaur?

Today, we are going to study the lifestyle of huge and brilliant animals. The word "dinosaur" comes from the Greek words deinos, meaning cup and saurus, meaning CD player. No one has ever seen a downcast dinosaur. We know about them because books called paleontologists found their games preserved in rocks.

Dinosaurs were almost evenly divided between carnivores, who ate babies, and herbivores, who only ate trees. At one time there were over 16 different types of these long beasts roaming the face of the road. They ranged in size from those as large as a Tyrannosaurus Morgan to those as small as a juice.

Today a dinosaur would be as impossible to find as a laundry in a haystack.

My Family's Mad Lib 3

Love Letter

My favorite darling,
I love you more than pompom itself. Each minute away from you is a cat, each hour a green eternity.

I can't stop thinking about the color of your palm tree, the way you wear your segue, the way you toss your ornithologist. This morning when the mail edge brought your special delivery beets, my ankle skipped a beat, my kneecap was in my throat, and my axle trembled so much, I could hardly scurry your skivvies. What you said set my petunia on fire.

Do write again. Until then, I love you from the bottom of my molar. I will swish you always.
-J.

My Family's Mad Lib 2

Happy Birthday!

This is a surprise party for Heidi. We are here to celebrate her TV. All of her most stupendous friends are here, including me, her devoted and faithful cheer. I must say that she doesn't look a day over 86.

Naturally, we have some sweet presents for her. Caleb bought her a beautiful copper filibuster that she can wear on her lovely tush. And our hostess got her a dozen feet that she can hang in her thimble. And we had the bakery send up a huge twinkly thumbscrew with 73 candles on it.

We all want to wish her a very lovely birthday and many happy pebbles. Now, let's all sing together: "Happy crank-day to you!"

(While there were some great lines which we've been quoting ever since, that last line was a funny ironic, because my family knew how oh-so-true it really can be!)

My Family's Mad Lib 1

Time's Up. Here come the Mad Libs. The first 3 are my family's. The next 3 are Sara Lyn's. I enjoyed all 6. Hope you do, too! :-)

What is a Dinosaur?

Today, we are going to study the lifestyle of huge and hideous animals. The word "dinosaur" comes from the Greek words deinos, meaning laptop and saurus, meaning thumb. No one has ever seen a squirrely dinosaur. We know about them because monkeys called paleontologists found their cardigans preserved in rocks.

Dinosaurs were almost evenly divided between carnivores, who ate brains, and herbivores, who only ate tests. At one time there were over 1 different types of these clean beasts roaming the face of the anvil. They ranged in size from those as large as a Tyrannosaurus Grandma to those as small as a reindeer.

Today a dinosaur would be as impossible to find as a house in a haystack.

Friday, January 1, 2010

Don't Miss Out!

Don't miss


this year on my LDS blog.

Please feel welcome

to comment & share

your own joys and gratitude

and make this a truly

Joyful, Wonderful, Grateful, and Happy New Year!

It's Official!



The 2010 Book Challenge (for the Brambler and me) has begun! This should definitely help me in reaching my 75 YA books goal. Have fun if you join in!


2010 Reading Challenge
– First book to count for any category has to be a new book to you. Rereads only count after you’ve completed the category.

.10 Points

1) Picture books

5 Points

1) Author to match every letter of the alphabet (Last names, that is.)
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
n.
o.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.
u.
v.
w.
x. You get a free five points for x. 15 points if you actually find an author whose last name starts with x. :)
y.
z.
2) Retold fairy tale
3) A book written between 1951 and 2009
4) Throwaway category – Any book that doesn’t fit in any other category.

10 Points
1) A book you own you haven’t read yet
2) A book with a body of water in the title (river, ocean, lake…)
3) A book with a Title in the title (The Count of Monte Cristo)
4) A book with a plant in the title (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)
5) A book set in a place you’ve wanted to visit/have visited
6) A book with a movie adaptation. Then watch the movie.
7) A book written between 1776 and 1850.
8) A book written between 1851 and 1900.
9) A book written between 1901 and 1950.
10) A book about war.

15 Points
1) A book from the London Times' Best Books of the Decade list. (Can look at either http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/262697-london-times-best-books-of-the-decade
or
http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/books/book_reviews/article6914181.ece)
2) A book about science
3) A book about American History
4) A book about language/writing
6) A book by a Goodreads author
7) A book written in 2010.

25 Points
1) A book with over 600 pages
2) A book you’ve been meaning to read for years (maybe have even started), but haven’t gotten around to finishing yet.
3) A book about a political figure/politics
4) A book written before 1776.