Tag Archives: classic

Tribute to Jane Austen

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“You pierce my soul, I am half agony half hope.”
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On this day Dec. 16th in 1775 the brilliant
Jane Austen was born. I am a huge fan, and have read every novel (I think) she has written.

Jane Austen was an amazing English writer born at Steventon rectory to a substantial gentry family. She had only 1 sister, and 6 brothers. Both her and her sister never married and both almost died from Typhus.

Jane Austen was said to be very fond of dancing. This of course makes us Kindred Spirits. 🙂 One of my favorite Jane Austen quotes is:
“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love”
(Pride and Prejudice)
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My personal favorite Jane Austen novel is
Pride and Prejudice
(although Sense and Sensibility is one of
my favorite movies…)

Here is a great list of things you quite possibly never knew about Pride and Prejudice:
http://article/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-pride-and-prejudice

Jane Austen died in Winchester on the 18th of July 1817, at only 41. The cause of death was somewhat speculative between Addison’s disease, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bovine tuberculosis, and/or Brill–Zinsser disease. Persuasion and Northanger Abbey were both published after her death, by her parents Cassandra and Henry.rl1adh2glggyomed-edited
Fun fact: Her works, though usually popular, were first published anonymously and brought her little personal fame and only a few positive reviews during her lifetime, but the publication in 1869 of her nephew’s A Memoir of Jane Austen  introduced her to a wider public. Janeite fan culture emerged in the second half of the 2oth century. (fun fact found via Wikipedia.)
I didn’t know the last part of this,
about her nephew.

Now I will HAVE to read
this Memoir!!!

“If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more.”
What is your favorite Jane Austen book and/or movie?
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Honoring Hemingway

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Today July 21 in 1899 one of America’s greatest novelist was born.
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“There is nothing to writing.

All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”

Ernest Hemingway

An American novelist, short story writer, and journalist.
ErnestHemingway
Hemingway’s economical and understated style had a strong influence on 20th-century fiction, while his life of adventure and his public image influenced later generations. Hemingway produced most of his work between the mid-1920s and the mid-1950s, and won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1954. He published 7 novels, 6 short story collections, and 2 non-fiction works. Additional works, including 3 novels, 4 short story collections, and 3 non-fiction works, were published posthumously.
Many of his works are considered classics of American literature. wiki.



(Click any of these pictures for some of Hemingway’s great works.)

“There is no friend as loyal as a book.”

And Hemingway gave us so many loyal friends!
Which is your favorite?

Saga Saturday II

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My pick for this Saturday is a favorite of mine.

Here is my Saga Saturday Selection:

(Click title or picture for more info.)

Little Women
I adore this book written by author Louisa May Alcott. It is such a great story about family, friendship, and love. The story is about the life and relationships of the four March sisters. I can especially relate, as I have 4 sisters of my own, which makes it special for me. I can identify a little bit with each of the sisters, but mostly the character of Jo. She is the main protagonist of the story, Jo is a very passionate person and writer. The story follows her and her sisters through many joys, adventures, and tragedies.

This books is so delightfully old fashioned, which is one of the things I love most about it. I know there are so many people out there who love and cherish this heartwarming book as much as I do.

orange_mocha_5Rated 4.4 on amazon.com
Book Bean: Orange Mocha
I love chocolate and orange! Try adding a bit of orange extract, zest of orange, or orange syrup/liqueur to your next mocha or hot chocolate. It is simply heaven.

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Little Women as many know, was also made into a movie three times, once in 1933, again in 1949 and lastly in 1994. I think the book is best, which sort of goes without saying.lwwp
However, I loved all of the movies that were made as well.

 

Have you read Little women,
or perhaps seen any of the movie adaptations?

Share your thoughts.

Fun Fact: Little Women was originally published in two volumes
in 1868 and 1869.

“I’d rather take coffee than compliments just now.”

Novel Treasures Wishlist

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There are a few books that I have that I would absolutely love to get a special edition of. These books are favorites of mine and the special editions make such timeless pieces.

Here are a few books I want to upgrade:

(Click any picture or title to see more info.)

The Last Unicorn
I own and love the original book, but I am so excited about this deluxe edition. The illustrated comic rendition has me in awe. Peter S. Beagle is a fantasy author who also wrote the screenplay for the animated film version of “The Hobbit.” Looking at the preview of it, I can only imagine how stunning the rest of the art work is going to be! The story is so beautifully enchanting. I hope to one day add this visually rich book to my personal library.

The Princess Bride
An Illustrated Edition of S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure. One of my all time favorite books. So of course I want this beautifully illustrated edition. This books was created as the 25th anniversary. This book is such an amazing story, and now it gets illustrations! I hope I get to own this book in all it’s quirky swashbuckling glory.

 


The Chronicles of Narnia
Full-Color Oversize Gift Edition Box Set: The Magician’s Nephew; The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Amazon doesn’t even offer a preview of this editions, but I have no doubt that it’s contents are brilliant. Narnia is such a beautiful place and C.S. Lewis created such enchanting and magical things. Illustrating those creations further is a perfect extension of his work. I only hope it lives up to the brilliance of Lewis. One day I will own this book, I am over the moon at the very idea of it.

There are many other books I’m sure that have great illustrated editions, but for now this is my eminent wishlist. These books are true treasures, and I would be so lucky to be able to add them to my library one day.

Two other books I’m on the fence about:

The Hobbit
AN ILLUSTRATED EDITION OF THE FANTASY CLASSIC. The Hobbit was also adapted into a fully painted graphic novel, a classic in its own right

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
The Illustrated Edition (Harry Potter, Book 1) Illustrated by award winning artist Kate Greenaway.
These are two books which I love, and these editions both look intriguing and well made. However for one reason or another I’m not necessarily ecstatic about them. I would be happy to own them, but they do not share the excitement I have for the other three books.

What Illustrated novels do you own, know of, and/or wish you had?

 

2014-12-23-09-00-54b Happy Christmas Eve everyone!