February Book Challenges

Before I give you February's Book Challenge updates, let me just say that YES! I am still planning on finishing the Hunger Games trilogy in our AKB Book Club. I just need to be in the right frame of mind to answer the questions. If you've read the series, you may understand.

OK.

February

Read a book about an animal

1. The Black Stallion by Walter Farley - 10 points

Read two nonfiction books

1. A Girl Named Zippy by Haven Kimmel - 10 points

2. An American Plague by Jim Murphy- 10 points

Other

1. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney - 5 points

2. The Work and the Glory: Like a Fire is Burning by Gerald Lund - 5 points

3. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney - 5 points

4. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Do-It-Yourself Book by Jeff Kinney - 5 points

5. Stand Tall by Joan Bauer - 5 points

6. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney - 5 points

7. The Work and the Glory: Truth Will Prevail by Gerald Lund - 5 points

8. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl - 5 points

9. Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg - 5 points

10. The Total Tragedy of a Girl Named Hamlet by Erin Dionne - 5 points

11. Close to Famous by Joan Bauer - 5 points

12. The Work & the Glory: Thy Gold to Refine by Gerald Lund - 5 points

12. Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens - 5 points

February Points = 90

There was another animal book that I was going to try, but I never got around to it. I'm just shocked by how many of these are print copies! (9!!) Maybe my curse is broken. Maybe.

And since it just hurts the heart to count such huge books (which I wasn't able to get around to throughout all of last year) for a mere 5 points, I have set a new goal for myself. I have a goal to read 25, 000 pages this year. 

By month, I'm counting pages of books finished in that month. SO, the goal won't be wholly accurate, since 400 of the 1,000ish pages of Little Dorrit were read last year. But if the majority is this year, I'll count it.

-In January, I read 1,820 pages

-In February, I read 5,345 pages (funny, considering it is the shortest month)

30-Day Challenge...in One Post

I saw this on someone's Facebook wall. And I was thinking what a neat idea. But I am impatient and don't want to go day by day. Plus, I'm honest with myself--I won't remember to do this every day! So I'm doing this now. And I figured this blog would be a fun place to do so, since a lot of my likes, loves, and gushings come forth here. I have altered a few of the challenges, because I don't see the point of focusing on the negative, or dwell on my faults, failings, or things I wish I could forget. I realize that there are so many more photos that I could use and which certainly apply. But these were the things that came to mind for me at this time and place and point in my life. (And I cheated and some times put more than one photo.)


Day 01 - A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.

1. I love my hair.
2. I love playing with my hair (if you couldn't tell).
3. I am ever striving for period drama-like hair-dos. I often fail, but still enjoy the challenge and some of the outcomes.
4. I have forgotten to floss for the last 4 weeks, and my teeth cower in fear of of the pain I have to go through all over again when I start up again.
5. I can't stand seeing my face up close, and really worry about my husband having to see it so as well.
6. Some words I love include: muffin, cupcake, turtle, noodle, and idiosyncratic
7. Some words I do not like: well, obviously I don't like them--so I don't want to put them on my blog!!
8. I have been faithfully performing my hair ritual for 5 years.
9. I cried hard enough last night that it drove sleep away and I was wide awake for three hours.
10. I listened to "Mahna Mahna" this morning.
11. I'm so-so at crossword puzzles
12. I often put my ring on my left-hand when I buy kid's meals...for myself
13. I used to do the previous item when I had to buy embarrassing girl stuff--especially if the cashier was male. ?!?!?
14. I keep my apartment heat at 60 in the winter.
15. I keep my apartment A/C at 80 (or more) in the summer. 



Day 02 - A picture of the person(s) you have been close with for the longest.

Day 03 - A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
(at least, one of my favorites right now)

Day 04 - A picture of your night.

Day 05 - A picture of a favorite memory.

Day 06 - A picture of a person(s) whose company you never tire of.

Jess and Jessica (and Brad) = Best Visiting Teachers Ever

Day 07 - A picture of your most treasured item.

Day 08 - A picture that makes you laugh.

Day 09 - A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.

Day 10 - A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.

Day 11 - A picture of something that makes you happy.

Day 12 - A picture of something you love.

Day 13 - A picture of your favorite band or artist.

Day 14 - A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.

Day 15 - A picture of something you want to do before you die.

Day 16 - A picture of someone who inspires you.

Day 17 - A picture of someone that has made a huge impact on your life recently.

Day 18 - A picture of your biggest temporal dream.

Day 19 - A picture of you when you were little.

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel.

Day 21 - A picture of someone you could never forget.

Day 22 - A picture of someplace you wish you could visit often.

Day 23 - A picture of your favorite book.

Day 24 - A picture you just love.

Day 25 - A picture of a favorite movie couple.

Day 26 - A picture of your current craving.

Day 27 - A picture of yourself and a family member.

Day 28 - A picture of something that gives you confidence.

Day 29 - A picture that can always make you smile.

Day 30 - A picture of someone you miss.

Admission? Confession?

I have to be honest and admit this. At first, I was furious that they were making a new Jane Eyre. I mean--you can't mess with perfection!!!

*sigh*

What? Oh, right. The 2007 version was the best version EVER. And I've seen about 5 or more. I would know.

Every fan of the book agreed with me--this is the best.

Every fan of the story agreed--this is the best.

Every fan of just this movie agreed--this is the best!

So every one of us was in shock as to why "they" would make another adaptation. Why are we beating these poor stories over and over again? There are so many other classics that could use a good film adaptation!

And while I am still a bit annoyed and wondering why in the world they are making another adaptation--and so soon after perfection!--here is what I must admit.

I am growing more intrigued every day...especially as the release is only a month away.

Well, you look at the cast and see if you resist even the slightest twinge of interest.

OK. You may be intrigued. You may not. But my admission is not just that I am intrigued. But it is something we all probably figured out, considering this entire blog:

I am a Period Drama film addict.

And in such confession, I would like to list those that I have seen--with my Thumbs Up (+) and my Thumbs Down (-). Granted, I have seen so many of these in the last 3 years--they were my great sustainment in a trying chapter of life--that I know I'll forget some. I borrow much of this list from the wonderful Enchanted Serenity--where I get most of my Period Drama news, info, etc. And I, like her, include a few that are not technically Period Dramas, but fit so well into the whole aura of the genre for me. (This list is certainly not complete, as I'm not including many of the much older versions of some classics!)

A Walk to Remember +
Amadeus + and -
An Ideal Husband +
Anastasia (animated) + (though - for the Rasputin parts)
Anne of Avonlea (BBC) + (much closer to the book)
Arsenic and Old Lace +
Ballet Shoes + and -
Becoming Jane + and -
Berkeley Square + and -
Bleak House (new one) +
Britannic -
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang + and -
Chocolat + and -
Cranford +
Daniel Deronda +

David Copperfield 1999 +

Downton Abbey +
Emma 1996 + 

Emma 2009 +++!
Finding Neverland + and -
From Time to Time +
Goodbye Mr. Chips (1969) +

Great Expectations 1999 +
He Knew He Was Right - (only because "he" bothers me!)
His Girl Friday +
Jane Eyre 1943 (I think) -

Jane Eyre 1983 -

Jane Eyre 1996 + and -

Jane Eyre 1997 +

Jane Eyre 2007 +++
Jude --- and another ---
Lark Rise to Candleford (season 1) +
Lark Rise to Candleford (season 2) +
Lark Rise to Candleford (season 3) +
Lark Rise to Candleford (season 4--still on!) +
Les Miserables (Liam Neeson) - with a bit of +
Les Miserables in Concert ++ (and so excited for the 25th concert in month!!!!)
Little Dorrit 2009 ++
Little Women 1933 -

Little Women 1978 +

Little Women 1994 +
Lost in Austen + and some -
Love Comes Softly +

Love's Abiding Joy +

Love's Enduring Promise +

Love's Long Journey +

Love's Unending Legacy +

Love's Unfolding Dream +
Love Finds a Home -
Love Takes Wing + and -
Man in the Iron Mask - and a little +
Mansfield Park 1999 - and a little + 

Mansfield Park 2007 + and -

Martin Chuzzlewit +
Mayor of Casterbridge -
Miss Austen Regrets +
Mr. Holland's Opus +
My Fair Lady +

Nicholas Nickleby 2002 +
North & South +
Northanger Abbey 1987 - with a little + 

Northanger Abbey 2008 ++

Oliver! +
One Night with the King +++
Our Mutual Friend ++
Persuasion ++
Persuasion 2007 + and a little -

Pride & Prejudice 1940 - (even with the amazing Greer Garson)
Pride & Prejudice 1980 - and a little +

Pride & Prejudice 1995 ++

Pride & Prejudice 2003 ++
Pride & Prejudice 2005 + and -
Return to Cranford (2009) ++
Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves + and a little -
Sense & Sensibility 1971 + and -
Sense & Sensibility 1981 - and a little +
Sense & Sensibility 1995 +
Sense & Sensibility 2008 ++
Shadowlands +
Somewhere in Time + and -
Tess of the D'Urbervilles + and -
The Barchester Chronicles (part of it) - and a little +
The Buccaneers --- and triple that
The Count of Monte Cristo 2002 - with a tiny +
The Inheritance +++
The Lost Prince +
The Moonstone +
The Princess Bride +
The Scarlet Pimpernel 1982 +

The Scarlet Pimpernel 1999 +
The Secret of Moonacre +
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall + and -

The Way We Live Now - and +
The Woman in White +
The Young Victoria +++!
The Young Visiters - and a little +
Twelfth Night 1996 + and a little -
Under the Greenwood Tree +++
Washington Square - and a tiny bit +
Wives and Daughters +++
Wuthering Heights 1939 -
Wuthering Heights 1992 -

January Book Challenges

The Brambler was quite smart to post her month's challenges completed after the month, instead of waiting until the end of the year as I was thinking I'd do simply from habit. This will save having a ginormous post at the end of the month.

January

Read a book you've been meaning to read for a long time

1. The River between Us by Richard Peck - 10 points

2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney - 10 points

3. A Pillar of Light by Gerald Lund - 10 points

Read two nonfiction books

1. The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane by Russell Freedman - 10 points

2. The End of Overeating by David Kessler - 10 points

Other

1. The Report Card by Andrew Clements - 5 points

2. A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck - 5 points

3. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart - 5 points

4. Tennis Shoes: Sorcerers and Seers by Chris Heimerdinger - 5 points

5. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney - 5 points

January Points = 75