Remember these books I gushed over before?

There's a second batch!

It's crazy how these are almost non-existent on the internet — I can't find them on the Penguin site, nor Amazon or Chapters... Yet, while I was doing my Christmas shopping today, they were on display in the bookstore I was in. I was so excited and it was all I could do not to pick up a couple for myself. I'm especially excited for Emma and Little Women — at least as far as them being favourite novels already. I love the colours but the designs is a bit bizarre (chairs and scissors). I love the clocks on the cover of Oliver Twist and Shakespeare's Sonnets looks so gorgeous. I really want to collect every single book!

Really, isn't this perfect timing for Christmas? You can pick one up as a gift and maybe another one for yourself...

It's hard to find out online where these are available but so far (in Canada) I believe the first set is at least at Amazon.ca, and I've seen the physical books of the second set at Chapters/Indigo/etc... So I hope that helps some. I'm not sure about other countries/currencies, but in Canada they're selling for $15 each — not bad at all.

(I made this ages ago but never got around to posting it. I'm not sure why, except that I may have been planning to add more — though now I don't quite know what "more" was!)

A [very old] challenge from Weekly Geeks that I couldn't resist:

This week it's all about judging books by their covers! Pick a book--any book, really--and search out multiple book cover images for that book. They could span a decade or two (or more)...Or they could span several countries. Which cover is your favorite? Which one is your least favorite? Which one best 'captures' what the book is about?

My book of choice?


( I've turned it into a picspam of sorts )

My absolute favourite is this hardback by Penguin. (And I own it! &hearts)

My least favourite — aside from the awful e-book covers — is this one by Broadview. I hate how they've used such dark pictures from the entirely wrong time period (though apparently it was purposeful).

I think this Red Classic version by Penguin captures the novel, showing the two sisters and their dress... But it also doesn't hurt that those copies are also my favourite covers of Austen's novels... (I don't own that one — I have the Red Classics of Mansfield Park and Persuasion.)

Which covers are your favourites? Least favourites? Do you own one (or more) of these? Or would you like to?

Tags: books, books/miniseries: sense and sensibility, people: jane austen

Random updates! We'll see how this goes.

I'm slowly transitioning back into work. It's mostly good since I have a tendency of turning into a couch potato at if I'm left at home. Why is it I never have energy no matter how much or little I sleep? Anyway, it'll be good to be in a routine — except that I wish I was getting more hours at the daycare. I'm only working there five days this month, so it's back to the farmer's market for me! Seriously, I can't escape that place, but it's nice to work with my mom, and I'm really grateful I have any kind of job at all right now.

I need the money! I definitely bought those two Penguin Classics books that I posted about previously. I had to hold myself back from getting them all, but I did decide (and it wasn't a hard choice) on Sense & Sensibility and Jane Eyre. Next, maybe Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Wuthering Heights... eventually Pride & Prejudice of course. I'm so excited to even have the two considering I thought they were lost to me forever! Seriously these are the top "collector's items" to me, methinks.

With moving back home, I've been organizing my room a bit and upping the decorative style. (This is, of course, completely coincidental with my deepening obsession interest in design blogs and shows.) Unfortunately I can't do as much as I'd like with my bedroom because it is partly a storage space for my dad's stuff. My family has always been poor at living "lightly" and now that Dad has moved his office home, there's even more random stuff. Like two or three old computer monitors that, really, no one is going to use. Anyway I've still made progress and I love the little touches that at least I can see. Pictures to come (if only to show off my lovely books and other favourite things). I found a handkerchief that my mom embroidered and put it in a cream frame that has been sitting on my desk (empty) for years. It looks really cute! And I've moved my Grandma's Royal Daulton figurine to a place of prominence on the end of my display shelves where it stands out. I always loved her "girls" and she gave this one especially to me. (Her name is "Heather" — lovely.) It was given in secret, sort of... so that makes her even more special.

Click here for an awesome review of Twilight (the books).

When someone reads Twilight, it is the literary equivalent of eating a circus peanut. There is nothing there but pure guilty indulgence. You want drama, you want sex (but we're Mormons here so its very tame...err...did someone just hear a headboard crack?) and you don't want anything to get between them and you. Especially not big words or fancy, thought-provoking ideas.

Now I don't mean this to be offending — just interesting. And possibly entertaining. ;)

soteria recommended singer Lisa Hannigan. She's got such a pretty, natural voice and whimsical style. Check out her MySpace!

That's all for now... I'm watching Grey's Anatomy. Who the heck goes to work — especially at a hospital — on their wedding day?!

Tags: books, journal, journal: work

They're available in Canada!!!



"Fine Books" from Penguin

I think it was the lovely lalumena who brought these books to my attention first. You can see the Penguin Blog/Interview with the designer here to find out more and see all the drool-rendering copies of classics.

I can't help myself — I've wanted them so badly. And up 'til now, they've been virtually un-obtainable for me! I was even hoping my boyfriend would be able to get some for me when he visited England this month but THEN Penguin discontinued them. Arrrrrrrrgh >:(

But now I can get them with no fuss and no conversion rate! I'm definitely getting Jane Eyre and Sense and Sensibility. Yes, I have them both, but those are my favourite designs and I could really use a prettier copy of Jane Eyre. (And S&S is just too pretty to resist. Not as crazy about the Pride and Prejudice design, which is just as well.

Why oh why must I be the annoying combination of all graphic designer, bookworm AND collector? Add lover of all classic novels and it makes for a very expensive hobby.

I guess to be original I could use "In which" instead of "where" — from what I remember, all the chapter titles in Vanity Fair follow that pattern. Anyway, Charlotte, not that this is anything new, but I like the idea. ;)

I will try to make this short and sweet but there are a lot of random things to share!


New layout! Well, since the past week or so. I love how the colours in the layout match so well with the background — I didn't touch a thing. And the Marie Antoinette icon (by dragonclouds) fits perfectly — soft and spring-like. It just makes me happy! (Layout by knotloved and background by appletooth.)

- I'm very tempted to have a Jane Austen movie marathon — but not her adaptations. Rather, the "biographies" — Becoming Jane and Miss Austen Regrets would be extremely fun together, methinks. This comes from my finally finishing Just Jane by Nancy Moser, a fictional autobiography/novel. It was very nice, starting from her early twenties (with Tom LeFroy, thankfully a minor event) to her blossoming success and writing of Persuasion. It is bizarre knowing how things go, though. I liked learning more about her family. Another wonderful novel is The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen by Syrie James. It's much more fictional and focuses on a smaller part of Jane's life (and "possible" love affair). I recommend it! I've also got Cassandra's Sister by Veronica Bennett still sitting on my bookshelf at home, waiting to be read. Yet one can never have too many Jane Austen-related books!

Oh, dear, I'm failing miserably with length already. ( Etsy purchase, Music, Blogs, &c. )

This bring me to a question: Does anyone know if you can add RSS feeds to your LJ friends list in any way? I know that someone can created a syndicated LJ account that will post there blog here on LJ, but is there anyway to incorporate other blogs onto my f-list? I'd love a way to easily see updates but I'm not going to constantly be checking these individually.


- I've crawled out from the rock under which I've been hiding! I've started watching Twilight. ( &c. )

I do believe that's it. I've got some real life updates but I'll post those separately — there's enough here as it is. (That'll make you think twice about wishing I ever updated more — not that any of you do, but in theory...)

Something I started and thought I'd do for this year. I'm not going to keep track of everything, but what I do keep track of I'll post here. ;)

( Movies, TV Shows, Books )

I'll probably be adding to it. This is more for my benefit than anyone else's, but you might enjoy the list and helping me add to it!

The Dashwood Sisters' Secrets of Love by Rosie Rushton

So... if you've heard anything about this book, you probably already know what a waste of time it is. I picked it up at the library having never heard about it, and of course I would want to read a modern-day version of Sense and Sensibility. Even the bad reviews I read once I got home didn't deter me from reading it.

The result? It really was awful. Yet for some reason, I enjoyed it just enough to keep reading. I say this is a combination of my picturing the Dashwood girls as the recent cast of the 2008 BBC miniseries: Hattie Morahan, Charity Wakefield, Lucy Boynton and Janet McTeer, all in their period hairstyles with "modern clothes." Trust me, it was bizarre. Elinor and Margaret (or "Ellie" and "Georgie") were in overalls, for some reason, and Marianne (or "Abby") was in a red shirt and a black skirt. I don't know why I picture things like I do, but whenever I read a book, settings and characters just look a certain way and then I'm stuck. :P

So, as much as the premise of this book sounds like a good idea — bringing Jane Austen's beloved Sense and Sensibility to the modern teenage world, à la Clueless — it really didn't work here. At all.

There was no character and no storyline that came close to anything half as good as the original. What really bugged me was the pace of the whole thing — the author spent the first half of the novel on the weird situation with "Mr. Dashwood" — who, in this version, has run out on his wife and daughters and married a bimbo half his age. He then dies suddenly of a heart attack, and, as a result of his leaving the estate "Holly House" to his new wife, leaves his old family homeless and penniless. I much prefer Austen's short but satisfying introduction on the Dashwoods, with a loving husband who had nothing to do with the estate being "taken" from the girls.

After all of this boring setup, the rest of the story whizzes by and leaves you wondering where the "fairy tale romances" happened.

Edward — excuse me, "Blake" — is going out with Lucy for no believable reason, and unlike the Austen original, is very much a jerk in that he is not excused for his treatment of Elinor. I mean, Ellie thinks he is a jerk and is angry at him during parts of the book, which is completely untrue in S&S. Then again, I don't know how you would modernize the Edward/Lucy story without tarnishing Edward's charcter, but still...

Abby/Marianne is the most superficial brat who also manipulates anyone she has to to get what she wants — which is usually a date with the hottest "it" boy and drinks at the club. (Keep in mind that she's only sixteen, so I don't know why she is clubbing so easily...) Her relationship with Willoughby/"Hunter" is predictable and pointless — he's the hot, super-rich, arrogant guy who everyone can see is bad news except for Abby. Whereas everyone is supposed to be charmed by Willoughby, so it doesn't add up. The Colonel Brandon/"Nick" character was sweet, though I don't understand why he would ever fall in love with Abby.

Margaret also gets her own storyline/romance. In this version, her name is Georgina (or is it Georgiana? "Georgie" for short.) She's thirteen and is a tomboy who also has a boyfriend by the end of the book. *facepalm*

So, my final advice would be — don't waste your time. Unless, like me, you can't resist and your curiosity gets the better of you, and you feel like something mindless to read.

As a side note, it turns out that this author has written two other teen Jane Austen "remakes" — one of Northanger Abbey and one of Emma. Eeek! Check them out.

Why are all these Jane Austen tributes so terrible? It's like Debra White Smith all over again.

I'm not sure why I gave this so much space, but I really felt like reviewing something. :P Like a big check mark, ticking something off of my ever-growing reading list and accomplishing something, heehee.

In no particular order:

Remember that Robin Jones Gunn contest I entered? I WON!!!! Along with nineteen other people, I won an autographed copy of Sisterchicks Go Brit!. I'm so excited because, a) it's about England, so that puts it at the top of the Sisterchick list, and b) IT'S SIGNED BY MY FAVOURITE MODERN AUTHOR!!!!!!!! How amazingly exciting. I still can't believe it.

There's another 1991 version of Robin Hood that I just recently discovered, via UKTV's list of the top 10 Robins. Shortly after, it was on TV so I couldn't help but watch it. The most exciting part? David Morrissey plays Little John! That takes my interest level up by few thousand. Not exactly George Kennedy, eh? But a very good Little John nonetheless. And they had a Much the Miller, and Will Scarlett was Robin's right-hand man. And Uma Thurman was Marian, which bizarre. She had the modern girl spirit, but still, I much prefer Lucy Griffiths. I didn't like that Robin and Marian didn't know each other before the story began — I like the idea that they have they're own complicated history. This version also focused on the tension between the Saxons and the Normands (eek, spelling?) which I didn't know was part of the "Robin Hood" story. So all in all, it's been worth watching, but nothing worth keeping. But I did like this quote:

Maid Marian: [watching Sir Miles Folcanet ride away from them] My future husband is sulking.
Will Scarlett: [watching Robin Hood ride up to them] Oh, I don't know, he looks quite happy to me.

I'm sooooo addicted to The Supersizers Go... TV series. It's about two people who go "back in time" for a week and eat only the food of that period. It's fascinating and usually very disgusting. (A Victorian boiled calf's head, anyone? Or a Restoration pie with every kind of meat you can imagine, including whole chickens heads?) They also experience how the people of that time lived — roles of the wife and husband, things they did for pleasure, how they entertained, etc. It's very funny and educational, and Sue Perkins and Giles Coren make a great team. I started a little backwards and watched the Victorian episode first, followed by the Restoration and the Wartime episodes. I'm most looking forward to the "Regency" episode! I just love seeing history and how people used to live...

David Morrissey and Lucy Griffiths to be in a new ITV film about a stalker. At first I thought David Morrissey was going to be the stalker which wouldn't be hard to picture given his Bradley Headstone role in Our Mutual Friend, but no, he plays the guy being stalked. Lucy plays a new love interest... Should be interesting.

Lots of new dramas from the BBC. There's a new Little Dorrit in the making, whose cast includes Freema Agyeman and Matthew Macfadyen! The BBC always does wonderful Dickens adaptations, so my hopes are high. Yet it sounds like they're trying to cash in on the success of Bleak House:

Adapted by acclaimed writer Andrew Davies (Sense And Sensibility, Bleak House) Little Dorrit will play out in soap opera format with 14 half-hour episodes following an initial hour-long episode.

Also, it looks like Tess of the D'Urbervilles is the next fall drama for the BBC. I've never read the book (by Thomas Hardy) but I know enough of the story. I prefer happy stories, but that doesn't mean I won't enjoy this — I guess I'm just not looking forward to it as much. but oooh, Hans Matheson!

I finally got to the library today and picked up A Room With a View by E.M. that I've been wanting to read for ages. I also found Mansfield Park (1983) and Vanity Fair (1998) on DVD, and the books Enthusiasm by Polly Shulman (which looks good and has good reviews) and The Dashwood Sisters' Secret of Love by Rosie Rushton, which has less-than-favourable reviews but looked too fun to pass up. (It seems like the other five Austen novels are much more neglected, so a Sense and Sensibility remake/tribute is at the very least a fun read... hopefully.) It's exciting having some books that I want to read! I've been in a lull for awhile.

And last but not least, I watched The War Bride the other day with Anna Friel and I really enjoyed it. It's about a London girl in WWII who falls in love with and marries a Canadian soldier. Soon she finds herself sent with her little girl to live with his family in the prairies of Alberta. Nothing extremely unique, but it was still well done — good acting — and a very enjoyable story about history and romance and enjoying life through hardship. Definitely worth watching.

Oops, one more thing — I found this video on YouTube which features the 1976 version of Our Mutual Friend. I though some of you fellow OMF fans would like to see it. I wish I could see the actual series... (And how bizarre to see other actors playing Bella, John, Lizzie and Eugene?!)

There's a new book out by Robin Jones Gunn called Sisterchicks Go Brit and it looks wonderful! They've got a contest which I'm entering with this post, but you should really check it out too! I have to admit, it appeals to me even more since I've now visited London for myself. YAY! Robin Gun + London/England = MUST READ.

But honestly (contest aside), Robin Gunn is an amazing author and you should really check her out! I fell in love with the Christy Miller Series and since then I've been hooked. If you're a fan, too, be sure to check out the new Katie Weldon Series which starts right where we left off with Christy and Todd's wedding. I think it's great that she's taken a turn to focus on Katie and explore her character more. It's a great read, especially if you liked the Christy Miller and Sierra Jensen books.

Robin Gunn's Official Site | Sisterchicks | Christy Miller and Friends | Forever, my Fansite

(Um, I'm thinking I took this a little too far when the site said you just had to post that picture on your blog to enter the contest, but I want to spread the Robin Jones Gunn love. ;P )

There are so many movies, books, and TV shows that I want to catch up on that are on my mental list, that I though I'd write them out. And if you have any suggestions on things I should check out, let me know! ( The List )

I'll probably be adding to it. This is more for my benefit than anyone else's, but you might enjoy the list and helping me add to it!

It's weird — I feel like posting but at the same time I don't. Blah.

Actually, first I'll say that last night I had the weirdest dream. And I guess part of the weird thing is that it was pretty mild as far as my dreams go! ( &c. )

So I finally went to Chapters today to use my gift certificate. I didn't mean to, but I ended up buying two Jane Austen-related books. *sheepish grin* It's official; I'm an Austen addict! The books I got are Old Friends and New Fancies, which is the first Jane Austen sequel, and it includes characters from all six novels, as well as Cassandra's Sister. I couldn't resist; they both looked so good! I'm excited that the sequel is about all of Austen's characters — I don't feel like reading just a Pride & Prejudice-themed book. I've got Mansfield Park on the brain, if you haven't noticed, and Northanger Abbey.

Uh oh. I just realized I'll be picturing both Kitty Bennet and Isabella Thorpe as Carey Mulligan! Lol. And I'm afraid I keep flip-flopping between the 1995 and 2005 versions of Pride & Prejudice when it comes to picturing Lizzy and Darcy. I'll let you know how I enjoy it. I've heard good things so far, and at the very least I'm sure it will be entertaining enough. :)

Some more upcoming books that look interesting: there's a new Jane Austen biography coming out from Bethany House (a Christian publishing company) called Just Jane. It looks good, and I'm also excited that it's done by a Christian authour. There's also a new version of Pride & Preudice by the same company which is called an "Insight Edition" — looks good too! Except I've already got the '95 miniseries companion. ;)

Last but not least, some knitting things inspired by Jane Austen. This "lace shrug"</i> looks very pretty and is called Marianne Dashwood. This book here looks really nice with some wonderful patterns I would love to try. Apparently there's an Elizabeth Bennet pattern — you should be able to use the "search inside" feature to check it out. (Unfortunately I can't because that feature isn't available on the Canadian site. The other patterns look nice, though.)

And I thought this was incredibly cute — they've got yarn colours named after literary characters! There's Elizabeth Bennet, Marianne Dashwood, as well as Anne Shirley and even Jane Eyre. :D How fun!

So it's about time I let you know what I've been up to! Though it could take awhile and I'm not sure how long I feel like writing for, but anyway... I'll do my best from rambling about fandom things, but I'm not making any promises. ;P

But first, check out my pretty new layout! I love it. :) It's made by minty_peach and features one of my fave stock icons by smelltheflowers/raptureicons. The original layout was pink and gray but I wanted it to match the icon, and well, I also wanted to call my layout "Green and Gray" after the Nickel Creek song.

... so I've actually had a little break since that last paragraph. It's my mom and dad's anniversary tonight and we all had a yummy dinner of Pickle Barrel take out. I also caught up with "The Pursuit of Happyness" which my parents had already started and we will hopefully finish tonight...

I want to write about so many things but I don't feel like I have the time or energy for it! And I really can't stay up late because I have to babysit bright and early tomorrow again. (I find babysitting more tiring than working at the daycare, too — even though there are only three kids it ends up being more work...)

I'll try a point form list and then expand on it all later. (I hope!)

- Camp was amazing — even though it's a 24/7 job, there's such a peace about being up there away from the distractions and stresses of everyday life back here. I drew closer to God and, well.. it was nice! Plus I had a blast hanging out with old and new friends, doing crafts, leading campers, leading worship at the end of the summer...I honestly can't believe that my six weeks are already up! It's sad. :'(

- England is coming up crazy-fast and I don't even want to think about it. I can't think about it without getting scared and stressed out about all the details and things that need to be prepared, as well as how I'm going to be able to see the few things that I really want to see/do while I'm on the other side of the pond.

( &c. )

- And I finished Mansfield Park and I really enjoyed it! A lot more than I thought I would. I guess it was because I wasn't expecting much so it turned out to exceed my expectations. ;) I've been reading reviews and it's sad that most people don't like Fanny Price at all. Personally, I loved her and I found it so refreshing that she was so different from the stereotypical heroine: she was quiet and moral but steadfast when it came to the things that really mattered. I don't think it was Fanny's character that detracts from the book at all, but rather Edmund and his foolish love for Mary and the total lack of any satisfying romantic storyline between Fanny and Edmund. The ending was really disappointing and hard to embrace because it was all so quick and barely mentioned Fanny and Edmund, but I had been forewarned so it wasn't too bad. I find it funny how much Mansfield Park resembles Wives & Daughters, at least between the lead characters (Fanny and Molly) and the romantic storylines. (The Fanny-Edmund-Maria storyline vs. the Molly-Roger-Cynthia storyline. Of course there are many differences too, but they are similar, you have to admit.)

( &c. )

So there we go. ;D You'll have to comment here and let me know what you've been up to! If you don't mind. (I don't think I'll be able to properly catch up on all your journals individually.)

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

This makes me bouncing-off-the-walls excited!!!! Robin Gunn, authour of my favourite book series and creator of my favourite world and characters (Christy Miller and all her friends) is writing a series about Katie! i.e. Christy Miller's best friend.

June, 2007 - Announcing Peculiar Treasures, Book 1 in the Katie Weldon Series

I’ve been so eager to tell you this amazing God thing!

Okay. Here it is. Six years ago when I finished writing I Promise, Christy and Todd had just walked down the aisle and my 14 years of writing about these characters had ended.

The day I typed the last line I clearly sensed the Lord impressing on me that I had finished what He invited me to do when I started writing for teens. So I asked Him, “What’s next, Lord?” What followed was the Glenbrooke Series, the Sisterchicks Series, Gardenias for Breakfast, Finding Father Christmas and four non-fiction books. But no more teen novels.

Every week I received requests from readers all over the world asking me to write more novels for teens. With every letter I asked the Lord, “May I, please?” The answer was always silence. Over the past six years I tried writing about Christy and Katie in Glenbrooke novels and Sisterchicks novels but it never fit quite right. I even approached two different writers about the possibility of them writing about these characters. Both times the projects didn’t develop. So I kept surrendering, stepping back and asking God, “What’s next?”

The answer came in a unique way one afternoon last summer. I was stretched out on the couch for a little nap. In my heart I distinctly sensed the Lord saying, “I’m giving Katie back to you.” I opened my eyes and looked around to see who spoke because the words seemed so clear. Out loud I said, “Am I making this up or are you directing me?” Just then the music on my computer switched to a song I have long considered Christy and Todd’s. I felt a rising sense of excitement. God was doing a new thing.

From there all the doors swung wide open, and I am overwhelmed, grateful, and thrilled to tell you I’ve just finished writing the first of three Katie Weldon novels.

Peculiar Treasures will be available from Zondervan in March, 2008, and picks up where I Promise ended.

Can I just say that I think God and His timing are amazing? This story rolled off my heart and it was SO great being back with these characters! I really hope you like the story. I think you will.

In sweet anticipation of the fictional reunion of Katie, Rick, Christy, Todd and the rest of the gang, I’ll be offering some fun contests in my Robin’s Nest newsletter over the next few months. We’ve just announced the winners of our first contest, so stop by the Contests page for more info. And don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter to get insider details about your next opportunity to win!

"...picks up where I Promise ended."

AHHH!!!! You guys, tis is the most exciting thing ever. It's like Rose Tyler is coming back to Doctor Who, and Gilmore Girls is being brought back. You have no idea how excited I am.

WE'RE GOING TO GET TO SEE MORE CHRISTY AND TODD!!!!!! ONLY THE BEST OTP EVER.

March 2008 is way too far away. Funny, that's about the time I'll be coming back home from England...

I'm definitely going to finish reading A Promise is Forever (where Christy goes to Capernwray — the school that I'm going to!) and then reread Christy and Todd: the College Years.

How cool is it that the book is called Peculiar Treasures? That's what my email address is! And my website — all inspired by Robin Jones Gunn.

AHHHHHHHHHH best thing ever

ETA: Here's a summary:

Katie Weldon catches more than just the bouquet at the wedding of her best friend, Christy Miller. She also snags a job offer that launches her into an adventure she never imagined.

Katie eagerly accepts the job as resident assistant at Rancho Corona University, only to find herself in a community of conflict. She thought this was where God wanted her, but how can God use her—love her—when everything is falling apart? Especially with her boyfriend, Rick.

Katie turns to the women in her life for solace. In the safety of their love and encouragement she finally allows herself to spill her heart about her relationship with Rick. But even their advice can’t postpone the decision Katie must face, a decision that will define who she is and the woman she’s becoming.

The first book in the Katie Weldon Series, Peculiar Treasures follows Katie as she struggles to believe that God can love her, faults and all.

Aw, I love Katie, and I love that she's getting her own series! She deserves it. :)

I'm really loving the Penguin's Red Classics series — they all looks so pretty. Or cool. I like visually appealing books, I guess, but it makes me want to collect all my favourites in that series. Of course, I'm already collecting my favourite classics in the Oxford World's Classics.

I'm going to make myself a visual — here are the ones I would get:



Come to think of it, I already own all of these, save for Mansfield Park and Persuasion. I would really like to get those copies of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights, though. Maybe. Maybe I'd finish reading Wuthering Heights if I had such a pretty copy, haha. (How shallow, eh?)

I think the next book I'd like to get is Mansfield Park — it's next on my "to read" list. But which copy should I get? ( &c. )

Or maybe I'll just get the Red Classics' Wuthering Heights.

Does anyone have any of the Red Classic books? Or is there a certain series in which you collect your (classic) books?

Also on the shopping list (for sure) is the Gothic Classics grahpic novel (featuring Northanger Abbey) and Robin Hood Season One. I don't know why I'm buying so mcuh, but I really want it, and they're fairly priced!

Oh, and have I mentioned that I'm getting my own laptop? The MacBook. I've finally reached the point where our trusty ol' blue iMac isn't enough anymore. Plus, the laptop will be great for next year, and the years after that, in school. It will be expensive, though. :/ Oh, well, it'll be worth it — no more using my brother's computer. I can watch movies and do whatever I want whenever I want. I can't wait!

Snagged from rynmorianqueen:

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Literature Nerd   Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works. It's okay. I understand.
Musician
Social Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Drama Nerd
Anime Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

I started reading the Christy Miller book A Promise is Forever (the last in the series) where she goes to England on a missions trip. It's one of my favourites (can you guess why?) And wouldn't you know the place they go to? Capernwray! I can't believe it! I really will be living a Christy Miller story, heehee. (Right, lovelife? :D) In the story, it's called Carnforth Hall (which I recognized immediately), it's in Lancaster and was started after WWII as a retreat centre for youth and missions — which is the same as Capernwray. Ah! How exciting. I can't believe I'm going there. :D

On another note, you can check out some "Becoming Jane" pictures here. :) I hope you enjoy!

I know I've been a little MIA here, but this week is March Break, which I have off, so I'll be back with more.

...author of the beloved Ella Enchanted. :D It's called Fairest and it's all about Snow White. I remember hearing about it awhile ago, but it hadn't been published yet. Now it's available and I can't wait to read it.

You can read an excerpt here.

AHHH! She's Areida's older sister! In Ayortha! (I'm sorry if you have no clue what I'm talking about. All I can say is you better read Ella Enchanted if you haven't already.)

I hope something is mentioned about Ella and Char, like when Char stays at their inn ... :P

"I am tired, sir."

He looked at me for a minute.

"And a little depressed," he said. "What about? Tell me."

"Nothing — nothing, sir. I am not depressed."

"But I affirm that you are: so much depressed that a few more words would bring tears to your eyes — indeed, they are there now, shining and swimming; and a bead has slipped from the lash and fallen on to the flag. If I had time, and was not in mortal dread of some prating prig of a servant passing, I would know what all this means. Well, tonight I excuse you... Good-night, my—" He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptly left me.

— Jane Eyre, ch. 17, p.158

Aw! I was reading this today, and I loved that last part: "Good-night, my—" He stopped, bit his lip, and abruptly left me.

(This is in the middle of the large party that comes to Thornfield Hall, with Blanche Ingram. Jane has realized her love for Rochester, and, of course, Rochester is in love with Jane, but she doesn't know it...)

I've been quickly reading the novel along with watching the miniseries. Quickly, so I may not be getting everything out of it, especially when it comes to Charlotte Brontë's description. But anyway, I love the book, and I've really enjoyed the miniseries!

I agree, more time could have been spent on Jane's childhood. I found it odd that they went from the red room straight to everything being back to normal — they didn't mention her being sick. They also seemed to pass over any of the good things — Bessie, Miss Temple, Lowood being turned around. I love Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson, though both are obviously not plain, but I'm not complaining. I thought the first episode would have gone farther, but it's good that they've put so much in, and Jane and Rochester having time together.

Anyway, that's my academic analysis (humph — yeah right) and I'm looking forward to next week's episode. :D

I keep meaning to update in here, but I keep putting it off. :/ I'm lazy like that. But I will spend lots of time and effort making a huge set of icons on a movie that's not that popular, haha. Oh, well, I like how a lot of my "P&P (2003)" icons turned out, especially as I got a style that's more my own.

Not much has happened in the last couple of weeks. Mostly I've been on the computer, watching TV (like re-runs of "Grey's Anatomy" — cool show), and working at the farm. I don't really like working but my shifts have been short and it's not like I'm doing anything else. My life is quite pathetic at the moment, actually.

I really hope something changes this year. I need a change. Then there's this guilty feeling that I should be doing something more about it. I just don't know what, exactly — nothing I think of is very good, and it gets to teh point where I'm just tired and want to veg out anyway. That's just not good when it keeps happening on a regular basis. I don't know if this makes sense, but it's like my little flaws combine to make a bigger problem.

What I really would like to do is go to England. It seems like everyone gets to go there except me. I'm just not sure how to go about it: when would I go? Who would I stay with? How would I go everywhere? I'm making a mental list of places I want to go. There's a couple of friends I would visit, and I also want to visit different historical places and castles and homes. Of course, a couple of Jane Austen museums, and Chatsworth House along with the other P&P estates are a given... *sigh* Someday I will go.

Currently I'm reading a Pride & Prejudice sequel called "Presumption" by Julia somebody or other (I'm too lazy to go look right now) and it's interesting — I've never read a P&P sequel before. I'm not crazy about her characterization, and her language, while trying to imitate Jane Austen's style, is wordy and doesn't feel like Austen's work. It's funny, though, because at the same time it almost seems like something I'd write, and it's still enjoyable to read more about my favourite story.

That's it for now. I just can't believe it's already September! At least that means that all the TV seasons are starting up again. :P

P.S. Would anybody mind uploading KT Tunstall's "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree" for me? Limewire doesn't seem to have a good copy. I'll upload a song for you if you'd like, too!) Thanks, la_belle_ange!

I'm still here! I actually didn't leave for camp yet, but I haven't been on because I wasn't allowed on the computer... (My parents weren't thrilled with my procrastinating and me being on the computer all the time...)

First of all, I just wanted to do this meme that I've seen floating around and I've been tagged to do by at least one person. Ya know, "List seven ten songs you're into right now." ( &c. )

More "Love Comes Sofly," comes I'm really into the whole series right now. :P I saw the first couple movies (finally — but did I mention that already?) and they're really good. I bought the third movie at the video store, too, as it was a cheap previously viewed copy. Unfortunately, these movies only seem to be available in full screen :(. The third movie was good, and I love Erin Cottrell as the new Missie — she's a better actress and more interesting and, well, outgoing, I guess. I was just disappointed with the chemistry between her and Logan Bartholemew (SP? too lazy to check). They didn't fit for some reason, but part of it is because she seems older — I'm sure the actress is older than him. Oh, well, it was still good. And Willie is absolutely gorgeous... and they were still cute together. I'm currently reading the third book, and I picked up the fourth book for $5! Score.

Again, I got Plumb's new CD, "Chaotic Resolve," which is really good. It's just different than "Candycoatedwaterdrops" — more edge and a little less pop. I also discovered a new Christian book series called "The Austen Series"! I was so excited, lol. Debra White Smith has taken every Austen book and rewritten them into modern times. I picked up "Amanda" based on, you guessed it, "Emma." However, I'm a little disappointed so far. The style is driving me crazy, as it doesn't flow very well and sometimes there's too much description. It's as if what is supposed to be adding to the narrative is taking away from it. I'm still hopeful it will get better, though I don't think I'll be buying any more of the books...

Onto more "serious" things, I now have a job for the fall! (I don't know if I've said this before, but I'm taking a year off from school to work and prepare for college, and just taking a break from school.) A friend of my family called wondering if I'd be interested in working part-time at her home-run daycare. She said four people had suggested me! Anyway, the whole thing has worked out wonderfully, and I'm looking forward to what this next year will bring. She was so excited that she had found someone, as she was really stressed about it, and needed the right person. And this job was literally just given to me!

So now I'm getting ready to leave for camp for six weeks. I leave on Saturday, and still haven't done a whole lot in way of packing, but it's hard to pack clothes too early, anyway.

I hope you are all doing well, and have a wonderful summer! Hopefully I'll be back on by the end of August/early September... I miss not being on everday, lol. :D

P.S.

Happy (belated) Canada Day!