Archive for February, 2012
Cooper and Me and the Military Giveaway Winner

The winner of the Cooper and Me and the Military is…Kim! Congratulations!
Many thanks to all who entered.
What I’m Reading
Posted by booklover in Books, Charles Dickens, Library on 2012/02/28

I’m currently reading Jane Eyre and I’m really enjoying it.
I probably won’t be posting a review when I’m finished it, because I can never find the right words to describe great classics. Just read the book for yourself if you want to see what it’s about.
By the way, I reading a lot of classics these days and I have several books on my TBR shelf. The include – Bleak House, The Olde Curiosity Shoppe, Persuasion, and Charity Girl (By Georgette Heyer. It will be the first book of hers I’ve read.)
Pippin

Author: Xaviére Devos
Genre: Children
My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 10
Type: Picture Book
Time Period: Modern
Main Characters: Pippin
My Review: I just finished reading a book to my four-year-old son and had to put up a review. Pippin has everything a kitten could ever want. Of course, his mama might not always want to wait for him, and his papa may need to wait until later to do something with Pippin, but they do love him. Pippin’s only concern is that he can’t purr. Who will teach him? How can he learn this important cat skill?
My overall opinion: This is a sweet story that children will enjoy listening to and will remind all mamas and papas everywhere to slow down to “kitten” time in our crazy rushed world.
This post was written by Jennifer.
Behind The Personality

Author: Florence Littauer
Genre: Autobiography
My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 7
Type: Life
Time Period: Modern
Main Characters: Florence Littauer
My Review: I usually don’t review books of this type, but I recently read it and since it’s my blog I decided to review it. Behind The Personality tells Florence Littaur’s (the “Silver Boxes” lady). It tells how she started out quite poor and worked her way to becoming an inspirational and talented speaker.
My overall opinion: This book was an interesting and enjoyable read. I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading Christian autobiographies.
Cooper and Me and the Military Givaway Reminder

Don’t forget to enter the Cooper and Me and the Military giveaway. It ends in just a few days. Go here to see the giveaway post.
Little Dorrit
Posted by booklover in Books, Charles Dickens, Library on 2012/02/21
Author: Charles Dickens
Genre: Historical
My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 10
Type: Classic
Time Period: Victorian
Main Characters: Little Dorrit, Arthur Clennam
My Review: Little Dorrit lives in debtors prison with her father. When an unexpected find brings them unexpected riches, will it become a blessing or a curse?
My overall opinion: The reason I did such a short review is because I honestly can’t find words to describe this book. I recently watched Little Dorrit 2008 and I like the book even better. This book is a great read, although quite long.
Announcing My New Blog – Elinor and Emma
Posted by booklover in Uncategorized on 2012/02/21


I have started a new blog all about Jane Austen. You can visit it here. I think it’s started out quite well and I hope that all my readers will like it.
This is an important development because from now on I will not be posting any more Jane Austen-related posts here. I will be doing my favorite Jane Austen film proposals series at Elinor and Emma instead. I hope you enjoy my new blog as much as you are this one.
Jane Austen Film Proposals Part 1
Posted by booklover in Uncategorized on 2012/02/20
I’m going to do a short series of my favorite Jane Austen film proposal scenes. There will be three. Note: All of the posts in this series will contain serious spoilers.
My first proposal scene will be…
Pride and Prejudice 2005!
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I love this scene. It’s so beautiful – the sun rising and coming up between them (by the way, that was pure accident – but what a lovely accident!) And the script is wonderful too. Let’s compare the script and the book.
Script:
LIZZIE: I couldn’t sleep
DARCY: Nor I. My aunt?
He stops, looking wretched.
LIZZIE Yes. She was here.
DARCY: How can I ever make amends for such behavior?
LIZZIE: After what you have done for Lydia and for all I know, for Jane also, it is I who should be making amends.
Darcy looks at her for one deep moment.
DARCY: You must know – surely you must know, that it was all for you.
Lizzie is still as stone.
DARCY: (cont’ d) You are too generous to trifle with me. I believe you spoke with my Aunt last night, and it has taught me to hope as I had scarcely allowed myself before. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me forever.
Lizzie is silent.
DARCY: (cont’d) If, however, your feelings have changed. .
Darcy looks at her. Something in her eyes gives him confidence.
DARCY: (cont’ d) I could, I would have to tell you, you have bewitched me body and soul and I love and love and love you. And never wish to be parted from you from this day on.
Lizzie looks at him very serious, very simple.
LIZZIE: Well, then.
Darcy takes a step towards her, one hand stretched out. Lizzie takes hold of his fingers.
LIZZIE: (cont’d) You’re hands are cold.
Darcy nods. Their heads touch as the sun rises behind them.
Book:
“Mr. Darcy, I am a very selfish creature; and, for the sake of giving relief to my own feelings, care not how much I may be wounding your’s. I can no longer help thanking you for your unexampled kindness to my poor sister. Ever since I have known it, I have been most anxious to acknowledge to you how gratefully I feel it. Were it known to the rest of my family, I should not have merely my own gratitude to express.”
“I am sorry, exceedingly sorry,” replied Darcy, in a tone of surprise and emotion, “that you have ever been informed of what may, in a mistaken light, have given you uneasiness. I did not think Mrs. Gardiner was so little to be trusted.”
“You must not blame my aunt. Lydia’s thoughtlessness first betrayed to me that you had been concerned in the matter; and, of course, I could not rest till I knew the particulars. Let me thank you again and again, in the name of all my family, for that generous compassion which induced you to take so much trouble, and bear so many mortifications, for the sake of discovering them.”
“If you will thank me,” he replied, “let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on, I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you.”
Elizabeth was too much embarrassed to say a word. After a short pause, her companion added, “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. Myaffections and wishes are unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on this subject for ever.”
Elizabeth, feeling all the more than common awkwardness and anxiety of his situation, now forced herself to speak; and immediately, though not very fluently, gave him to understand that her sentiments had undergone so material a change, since the period to which he alluded, as to make her receive with gratitude and pleasure his present assurances. The happiness which this reply produced, was such as he had probably never felt before; and he expressed himself on the occasion as sensibly and as warmly as a man violently in love can be supposed to do. Had Elizabeth been able to encounter his eye, she might have seen how well the expression of heartfelt delight, diffused over his face, became him; but, though she could not look, she could listen, and he told her of feelings, which, in proving of what importance she was to him, made his affection every moment more valuable.
*************
I think that both the book and the script have their undeniable merits and I like both of them very, very much. (Although I must say the script was more romantic.)
The Guardian Duke – Review and Giveaway

Author: Jamie Carie
Genre: Christian Historical Fiction
My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 8
Type: Romance
Time Period: Regency
Main Characters: Alexandria Featherstone, Gabriel
My Review: Duke Gabriel and Lady Alexandria Featherstone only know each through writing letters. When Alexandria sets off on a dangerous quest to find her parents, her guardian, the Duke follows, trying to protect her. But somehow, he is always one step behind. This thrilling adventure/mystery is a must-read
My overall opinion: This book is definitely on my favorites list. I like the adventure and the characters and I would recommend it to anyone.
By sure to watch the live-action trailer for this book here.
A little bit about the author:
Road trips with her dad—to and from Bible studies across Indiana—were filled with talks of things beyond earth’s bounds – creation and the fall, God and Jesus and the rapture, the earthly walk compared to the spiritual walk, and how we are born for more than what we can see or touch.
The highlight of those nights was stopping at a truck stop in the middle of the night where her dad would spend a little of the offering basket on two slices of pie and a couple of Cokes. Nothing ever felt so special as a middle of the night slice of pie with her dad. And nothing could stop the writing pouring out of her.
As Jamie’s relationship with God grew, she discovered her heart was filled with songs and poetry. During high school she wrote lyrics for her brother’s band. (And she sang them too!) After college, Jamie married, had two sons and decided to stay home with them. While she homeschooled she wrote skits, poems, plays and short stories for school and church.
When her eldest son turned five she dove into the world of novels. She’d read romance novels for years, but couldn’t relate to the flawless, saintly heroines in Christian romance novels. So she decided to write her own.
Snow Angel was born on a frosty night in an old farmhouse in Fishers, Indiana, where the cold floor gave plenty of motivation for the snow scene. Jamie loves to write late at night when the house is quiet and the darkness seems alive. Elizabeth and Noah had been playacting in herhead for a long time, so the story went fast.
Ten years later Snow Angel was published and won the ForeWord magazine Romance Book of the Year winner, was a National “Best Books 2007” Awards winner, and a 2008 RITA Awards® Best First Book finalist. It was the beginning of her dream career.
Jamie and her husband Tony have been married for twenty-one years and live in Indianapolis with their three sons and a giant of a dog named Leo.
If she could only say one thing to her readers it would be, “Live the dreams God has destined you for!”
Giveaway Rules:
- Subscribe to this blog. (If you have already done so, put up an extra comment telling me, or else it won’t count.)
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Pride and Prejudice Photo and Sense and Sensibility Photo
Posted by booklover in Uncategorized on 2012/02/18
Someone was very clever putting this together…

I made this myself.

Emma 2009 Review

Let’s just say that I love this movie. Even though I’ve watched it only once, it’s on my top three Jane Austen films (the other two being S and S 1995 and P and P 2005). The things I like most about it are…Well, more about that later.
Miss Dashwood recently did an Emma 2009 review. She was so clever in the way she summarized the plot that I decided to *borrow* it for my own review. Apart from that all the rest of my review is all mine.
Character A is happy, wealthy, beautiful, and an incurable matchmaker. She takes Character B under her wing and tries to make a fine lady out of her, but in the process foolishly advises Character B to turn down an offer of marriage from Character C, who isn’t rich enough to suit Character A. Character D, an old friend of Character A’s family, frequently has to reprove Character A for her thoughtlessness. (I’m tired of typing the word Character and so will abbreviate it to a plain C–so Character A will become C-A.) C-A tries to make friends with C-E, the niece of the talkative C-F, but C-E is standoffish and shy.
C-G, a church rector, comes calling on C-A and C-A immediately sets him up with C-B. C-B falls in love with C-G, but all is apparently lost when C-G declares his feelings for C-A, not C-B. Poor C-B. Anyway, the dashing young C-H comes to town and quickly captures the attentions of C-A, despite C-D’s warnings that C-H is far too full of himself. C-A fancies herself in love with C-H, but soon drops the idea when she is led to believe that C-B is in love with him–though, in fact, C-B actually has a bit of a crush on C-D. Meanwhile, C-G forgets C-A and marries C-I, a snobby young lady from London who is rude to everyone. At a picnic, C-A is thoughtless and rude to C-F (C-E’s aunt) and is severely scolded by C-D, who says that her meddlesome ways will catch up with her one day.
C-A, though not realizing it, is slowly falling in love with C-D. She is still not sure, however, about C-H, and is most surprised when she learns that C-H and C-E were engaged all this time and didn’t tell anyone–a shock indeed, since C-H was always rather rude to C-E in public. Then C-A finds out that C-B wasn’t interested in C-H at all, but rather C-D, and she realizes that she herself is in love with C-D. C-D, who had gone to visit his brother in hopes of forgetting C-A (he knew all along that he was in love with her) returns and proposes to C-A (best. scene. ever.). She joyfully accepts, and C-B ends up marrying C-C, who she shouldn’t have turned down in the first place. And everyone lives happily ever after, including C-A’s father, C-J, who likes to sit by the fire wrapped in scarves and eat gruel.
______________
Ok, back to my own thoughts.


Romola Garai and Johnny Lee Miller were both really, really good as Emma and Mr. Knightley (although I will always be partial to Gwenyth Paltrow’s and Jeremy Northam’s acting). R.G. has captured Emma’s slightly annoying personality with her charm and wit and J.L.M. is the *almost* perfect Mr. Knightley. Even my brothers (who profess to hate Jane Austen films) said he was the best one. They should know because they’ve watched the 1996 and 1997 versions also.
[A little bit of Emma/Knightley dialog. I'm not sure if I'm doing it exactly as it is.]
Emma: “He [Frank Churchill] has gone to London. On an important errand.”
Mr. Knightley continues writing.
Emma: “To get his hair cut.”
Knightley: (now I’m sounding like Mrs. Elton!
) ”Of course. Imperative business indeed.
[End of quote]

Mr. Woodhouse was perfectly played by Michael Gambon. You got a sense of his anxiousness about Emma or Isabella, or in fact anyone. My mom and I both really liked him. He was a good father for Emma.

Mrs. Weston was, I believe, to young to be Emma’s governess. But I still liked her a lot in her role. And I like how they gradually make her become bigger and bigger throughout the movie until finally…Surprise! she has a baby.
Some other characters – Miss Bates, Jane Fairfax, Frank Churchill.

Miss Bates might have been a little too young for her role but I think she played it very well. Especially at Box Hill. You literally feel how bad she felt when Emma insulted her. Overall I found her to be a good Miss Bates.

Mom and I both agreed that Laura Pyper, who played Jane Fairfax would also make a good Jane Eyre. She is sweet and shy and pretty. I think that she plays Jane Fairfax’s role to perfection and as with Miss Bates, her best acting (IMHO) comes to play at Box Hill.

At the beginning of the film, Frank Churchill seems quite honest and gentlemanlike. But then as the story gets deeper we find out a different side to him. I think that he is the most believable (and likeable) Frank Churchill from any of the adaptions.

Mrs. Elton is the most annoying in this Emma then in any of the other Mrs. Eltons. Mr. Elton (played by Blake Ritson who was Edmund in Mansfield Park, 2007) was also very annoying but I think Mrs. Elton won out.

Harriet Smith is perfect in this adaption. Pretty but very, very silly ( “Ship-court!”). She very much looks up to Emma and follows her leading – very complacent. Although I prefer Samantha Morton’s portrayal, Louise Dylan runs her a close second.
I think I’ve covered all the major characters and so now for some random bits and pieces. If you haven’t watched the movie, you might not find this very interesting. If you have, just sit back and enjoy.

I absolutely love this dress of Emma’s. It seems to be royal blue silk with a ribbon sash. I think it’s really beautiful.
All of us were laughing at Emma’s fantasy of how Frank Churchill rescued Harriet ( “It’s alright now – You’ll be alright”) It was just so ridiculous but she was so serious.
I really enjoyed the music. It was so sweeping and cheerful.
The dance – the Mr. Knightley/ Emma dance. Oh my. They fall in love right then and there and they don’t even know it. So wonderful.

And finally the proposal. *sniff, sniff*

And the white cliffs of Dover…

All my photos came from here.
What I’m Watching
Posted by booklover in Uncategorized on 2012/02/14

That’s right. I’m watching Emma 2009 with my mom and sibs. I watched the first part yesterday and am planning to watch the second today. I really like it so far and I’ll def be posting a review when I’ve finished it. If you want to check out a good review just go here.
The photo I used came from here.
October Song

Author: Beverly Lewis
Genre: Amish Fiction
My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 7
Type: Christian Fiction
Time Period: Modern
Main Characters: Katie, Daniel, Sarah, and lots of others
My Review: I enjoyed reading October Song because it included sequels to two of the books/series I’ve read – The Redemption of Sarah Cain and The Heritage of Lancaster County series. My favorite part of the book (there are three parts) was probably the first one – Hickory Hollow. I also enjoyed the last section, a sequel to The Redemption of Sarah Cain, but I skipped the middle part because I had not read the book(s) it was a sequel to.
My overall opinion: A great read for anyone who has read and enjoyed B.L.’s works should read this. However, if you have not read the books they are a sequel to, I suggest you read the originals first.
What I’m Reading
Posted by booklover in Books, Charles Dickens, Library on 2012/02/13
After watching the wonderful Little Dorrit 2008 miniseries, I resolved to read the book. I had heard such good reviews of it from other bloggers and so far I’ve not been disappointed. It’s a very interesting book. When I’m done it, I will definitely post a review.
11 Random Things Tag
Posted by booklover in Uncategorized on 2012/02/11
You know how much I love answering tags so when I saw the one on Miss Abby’s blog Newly Impassioned Soul, I planned to do it as soon as possible.
- Post these rules.
- Post 11 random things about yourself.
- Answer the questions set for you in their post.
- Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.
- Go to their blog and tell them they are tagged.
- Tag 11 people.
- I currently listening to classical music
- I love to write
- My Pride and Prejudice soundtrack is missing. :(
- I wear glasses
- I have two blogs
- I love grape juice
- I a wearing a plaid shirt right now
- I am currently reading Les Miserables – it’s tough but I’m working on it
- One of my favorite books is Uncle Tom’s Cabin
- I like playing around with the My Memories software
- My absolute favorite movie is Sense and Sensibility 1995
- What was the last thing you wrote (grocery list, note, letter, instructions, novel, etc.)?
- What color are your eyes?
- Spaghetti or lasagna?
- Do you like Jane Austen’s novels?
- How many friends do you have on facebook (if you have a facebook account)?
- Do you keep a journal or diary?
- How many books do you estimate you own?
- What kind of music do you like listening to?
- What’s your least favorite color?
- What is your favorite food?
- What are you wearing right now?
I will never be able to find 11 blogs to tag so just use this tag. Please link back to me.
LOL – Mr. and Mrs. Palmer
Posted by booklover in Uncategorized on 2012/02/10
I made up this page in My Memories today. One of my favorite funny lines from the movie.

Cooper & Me And The Military Review and Giveaway
Posted by booklover in Books, Uncategorized on 2012/02/09

Author: Monique and Alexa Peters
Genre: Children
My rating on a 1 – 10 scale: 9
Type: Picture book
Time Period: Modern
Main Characters: Cooper and Trooper
My Review: Cooper and Me and The Military is a wonderful children’s book. With rhyming text, fun pictures, and an interesting story, it is the perfect book to hold children’s attention. I read it to my little brother, and he enjoyed it very much and carries it with him everywhere. It tells of a boy and girl (and their dog) who send a special gift to their parents who are overseas.
My overall opinion: A very interesting book that I would highly recommend for young children.
- Subscribe to this blog. (If you have already done so, put up an extra comment telling me, or else it won’t count.)
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Put this button on your blog/website to spread the word about this giveaway.
<img src=”http://evajoy.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/397448_278061248920819_214695101924101_827671_366116131_n.jpg?w=490″ alt=”Alternative Name” /></a>
Pride and Prejudice 2005 Banner
Posted by booklover in Uncategorized on 2012/02/08
Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Elegance of Fashion has made an Elizabeth Bennet banner from P and P 2005. She has made several other lovely banners, but this is the first one she has made from P and P 2005.

I was the one who asked her to make it since I feel very strongly about P and P 2005. Even though it’s not her favorite version, she graciously agreed to spend her time making it. She e-mailed it to me this afternoon. Isn’t it beautiful?
Elsie Dinsmore Week?
Posted by booklover in Elsie Dinsmore on 2012/02/08




















A Spirited Discussion
Posted by booklover in Uncategorized on 2012/02/11
I have a blogging weakness. (Actually I have several but we won’t get into that right now.) Whenever my readers post delightful, well thought out comments (not the generic “nice post” comments), I want to post them and let the whole world see their cleverness. Usually I resist but in this instance I couldn’t (or wouldn’t).
You remember the post I did a few days ago about Pride and Prejudice 2005? (I also did a page, but that’s another matter.) Anyway, I received a lot of comments on this post, all by one person – Maria Elisabeth of Miss Georgiana Darcy. Now if there’s one thing I like, it’s a good discussion, especially by comments on my blog. And Maria did just that. She challenged my to a verbal duel and I accepted. Here is our discussion:
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