TMST: Ideal Book Boyfriend

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog. Feel free to leave your links in the comments if you are participating.

10/15/2024: Who is your ideal book boyfriend/girlfriend?

Oh boy. I feel like I have a lot! But I can't remember all of them. Were they not truly my soulmate-book boyfriend then? 

I know for sure I have been in love with Captain Wentworth from 'Persuasion' for a very long time. He is slightly grumpy and a romantic at heart. He is a gem. Sure he holds a grudge, but I wouldn't be like Anne ;) 

Another one that has stuck with me for a while is Darius from 'Princess' by Gaelen Foley. He is charming and cunning and tough. But he has a weakness for his love. He would make me swoon. 

They may not be perfect for me, but I do adore those complex men. LOL

Book Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Author: Jane Austen

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Genre: Classic, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 400

Published: January 28, 1813

Where I Got It: My shelf (Amazon)

Summary: 

Pride and Prejudice has charmed generations of readers for more than two centuries. Jane Austen's much-adapted novel is famed for its witty, spirited heroine, sensational romances, and deft remarks on the triumphs and pitfalls of social convention. Author Jane Austen (1775-1817) was an English novelist whose works of social realism achieved unprecedented critical and popular success, though Austen herself remained an anonymous writer throughout her life.

Review:

I was given the honors of volunteering at the Whaley House. I was allowed to dress up and sit in the library. I bought this bad boy to take with me. I needed a new copy since my old version was literally being held by tape. Perfect chance to buy a new and pretty copy! This picture doesn't do any justice. 

We all know the story of pride and prejudice. 

This is for sure a classic and timeless. I love the story so much. This is my 2nd favorite of Jane Austen but I could read this over and over. 

100% recommendation from me. 

5 stars. 

ONE WORD SUMMARY: Timeless

Movie Review: Persuasion (2007)

Title: 

Persuasion

Length:  1h 33m

Released: 2007

Genre:  Historical Romance
Rating: Not rated (maybe a PG?)
Where I Got It: My shelf (DVD)

SUMMARY:

Anne was in love with Frederick, who was rejected by her snobby parents 8 years ago. They've now hit hard times and rent out their mansion to his brother-in-law. He returns a Royal Navy captain. Will he remember Anne?

Click here for the trailer

REVIEW:

I haven't watched this in quite some time and it felt perfect to end the month of love with!

Anne was in love with Frederick years ago, but she was convinced to leave him since he was a nobody and had no money. Years later, her family has hit hard times and has to rent out their home. The new tenants are related to Frederick. He returns but now as a Royal Navy captain. She still loves him, but would he even remember her after all this time?

Love, love, love this movie. The best rendition of the book yet! The cast is perfect and the writing is lovely. It really does follow the book pretty well. Like always they make artistic changes, but they did a great job honoring the book and the characters. 

This Wentworth is swoon-worthy. Love him. 

But yes, watch this version if you can. I can watch this a million times and never tire of it. 

5 stars of course. 

Audiobook Review: Emma by Jane Austen

Author: Jane Austen

Narrator: Jenny Agutter

Title: Emma

Genre: Classic, Historical Fiction, Romance

Format: Audiobook

Published: 1815

Where I got It: Audible 

Summary: 

Emma Woodhouse is one of Austen's most captivating and vivid characters. Beautiful, spoilt, vain and irrepressibly witty, Emma organizes the lives of the inhabitants of her sleepy little village and plays matchmaker with devastating effect.

Review:

Getting back on track to doing the Austen audios. Decided to do this one next. The last time I read the book was 2011 so it's been over 10 years. Holy cannoli! 

We have Emma Woodhouse who is beautiful, witty, clever, nosey, spoiled, and vain. She loves to organize the lives of her village and play matchmaker...but this time there will be devastating effects. 

I re-read my previous review of this one. I was being very, very nice. It is one of my least favorite of the Jane Austen books....mainly because of Emma. I love a good matchmaking scheme, but she is insufferable. 

I love Harriet and Mr. Knightely. If I didn't think they would be miserable...I would root for those two to get together.

I do appreciate Jane Austen's pen and how she can really bring these characters to life. She never has a "perfect" character. They all have realistic flaws and it is always a joy to watch the main characters find their footing and find each other. 

The narrator did okay. Her voices were pretty much all the same. I'm not asking for huge voice changes, but if you're not paying attention or miss who is talking...you might have to back up. However, I was able to get through the book quicker with the audio. I remember struggling to read the print version back then. 

I originally gave this a 4 (because I rounded up), but I'm flat out going to give this a 3 now. Being 10 years older has made me more cold-hearted I guess ;) 

Challenge(s):
- #21 for Audiobook challenge

- #17 for Romance Reading Challenge - Re-Read

Audiobook Review: Pride and Prejudice

Author: Jane Austen

Narrator: Rosamund Pike

Title: Pride and Prejudice

Genre: Classic, Romance, Historical Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published:  Published September 28th 2018 by Bolinda/Audible audio (first published January 28th 1813)

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Set in England in the early 19th century, Pride and Prejudice tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's five unmarried daughters after the rich and eligible Mr. Bingley and his status-conscious friend, Mr. Darcy, have moved into their neighborhood.

When Elizabeth Bennet meets Mr. Darcy she is repelled by his overbearing pride, and prejudice towards her family. But the Bennet girls are in need of financial security in the shape of husbands, so when Darcy's friend, the affable Mr. Bingley, forms an attachment to Jane, Darcy becomes increasingly hard to avoid. Polite society will be turned upside down in this witty drama of friendship, rivalry, and love—Jane Austen's classic romance novel

Review:

Book 2 of my Jane Austen via Audio-book challenge (just randomly decided to do this lol). Started with my favorite and now on to my 2nd favorite. 

We all know the story. Elizabeth Bennet meets Mr. Darcy. She is repelled by his pride and prejudice towards her family. Can he win her over? Of course. 

Oooh. Darcy....the epitome of a dumb man. LOL I love him, but he drives me insane. 

The Bennets drive me insane too but I love them too. Except for Lydia that idiot girl. She will learn one day the evils of Wickham and it will be too late. Poor thing. 

I think that is why this story is everyone's fave (my 2nd fave) is because it shows the truth of society and people. Everyone is flawed. Society is flawed. However, one can grow and find love amongst the chaos. 

The narrator was good. I liked her a lot. I feel like I have listened to her work before...can't remember now. Some of the voices fit and some did not fit esp Mrs. Bennet's voice. That grated on my poor nerves. Maybe that was the intent?? And I found she sounded too young and too much like Lydia at times. 

Overall,  this was a good rendition and reading of this classic. It has me itching to watch the movie!! LOL I'll give this 5 stars. More like 4.5 but Goodreads and I do not give half stars and plus I just adore this book even with my minor issues. I would listen to it again for sure.  

Challenge(s):
- #50 for Audiobook challenge

Audiobook Review: Persuasion by Jane Austen

Author: Jane Austen

Narrator:  Greta Scacchi 

Title: Persuasion

Genre: Classic, Historical Romance, Fiction

Format: Audiobook

Published:  January 12th 2009 by BBC Audiobooks LTD (first published December 1817)

Where I got It: Audible

Summary: 

Twenty-seven-year old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret. When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he finds Anne's family on the brink of financial ruin and his own sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall, the Elliot estate. All the tension of the novel revolves around one question: Will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?

Review:

Decided to do the audio of this! I kinda wanna go through all the Austen's and do audio versions for funsies!

We follow Anne Elliot who is 27 now. 8 years prior she was engaged to Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement after being persuaded by her friend that the match is not a good idea. For 8 years Anne has deep regret and wishes she could fix this. Later Wentworth returns to her life as a rich and successful captain. 

This has always been my favorite Austen novel. I love Anne. I love Frederick. I love that they get a second chance. And that letter he writes???!!!! *swoons* 

The side cast is always fun. I hate Anne's family. They are SO selfish and rude ALL the time. Anne really deserves love and to get away from that dang family. Screw them. 

After listening to this I want to watch the movie and find some variations. I do not recall the last time I even read one? Mmmmm. 

But yes - I want to find some variations. I want Anne's widow friend to find love and happiness. Poor girl. I always feel so bad for her. I really hope Anne moved her in. 

The narrator was good. I liked her. I wish she shook up the voices a little bit more. I had to really pay attention when there was dialogue. 

In the end, I enjoyed this audio. The narrator was good and I simply LOVVVVVEEEEEE this novel by Austen. Of course 5 stars

Challenge(s):
- #45 for Audiobook challenge

- #22 for Romance Bingo - second chances

TMST: Favorite Authors

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

  

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I have sooo many different authors I adore. I'll just name a few just to save space and time!

Jane Austen

Kate Quinn

Tricia O'Malley

J.R.R. Tolkien

Lauren Willig

Edgar Allan Poe

Sandra Schwab

Haruki Murakami

Cecy Robson

Courtney Milan

Hannah Fielding

Book Review: Sanditon by Jane Austen

Author: Jane Austen
Title: Sanditon
Genre: Historical Fiction & classic
Pages: 60
Published: 1817
Where I Got It: My shelf (Used book store)

A gentleman and a lady travelling from Tunbridge towards that part of the Sussex coast which lies between Hastings and Eastbourne, being induced by business to quit the high road and attempt a very rough lane, were overturned in toiling up its long ascent, half rock, half sand. The accident happened just beyond the only gentleman's house near the lane—a house which their driver, on being first required to take that direction, had conceived to be necessarily their object and had with most unwilling looks been constrained to pass by. He had grumbled and shaken his shoulders and pitied and cut his horses so sharply that he might have been open to the suspicion 

This piece of work was one that Miss Austen never got to finish. She died before being able to complete this. So it is a hard rough draft for sure and only about 60 pages (depending on what edition you read). 

Even though this was never finished it is a must read, especially if you are an Austen fan. It is interesting to see a work in progress by an accomplished author like her. There is not a lot of plot here. It just seemed like possible scenes and possible dialogue. There is some character building that began but there was still some work to do. 

I do want to read some "completed" versions by other authors...just for curiosity-sake.I do feel like this would be fun to explore. I wish that Miss Austen was able to complete this, because I do feel like this might have been a really popular one. It sure was good in just the little she left us. 

Now that I have all her works read, I am not sure where to go now. LOL. Maybe I can do some re-reading and write reviews for those that do not have my "official" review on here. We shall see...I do have lots to read. On the other hand...I am addicted to her works.....soooo we shall see. 

Again, this is a rough draft, but worth the read just to see what might've been. I'll give this a 3. 

  

Book Review: The Watsons by Jane Austen

Author: Jane Austen
Title: The Watsons
Genre: Classics, Short Stories, Historical Fiction, & Romance
Pages: 40
Published: 1923 (but technically unfinished)
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Used bookstore)

Mr. Watson is a widowed clergyman with two sons and four daughters. The youngest daughter, Emma, has been brought up by a wealthy aunt and is consequently better educated and more refined than her sisters. But when her aunt contracts a foolish second marriage, Emma is obliged to return to her father's house.




I am really bummed that the author never got a chance to finish this novel. Sure, there are some versions that authors attempted to finish. For some reason, Goodreads does not have just the plain version listed, which is silly to me. Oh well.

From what the author had, I enjoyed it and wanted more. This was bound to be a great story. Maybe someday I'll read some other adaptions from other authors. 

The aunt was an idiot and I felt bad for Emma for having to return home. 

According to some articles, this was bound to be really sad. I could sense it was going to be a wee bit dark. Gah. I am so bummed. Maybe someday they'll find more of this story. 

In the end, I for sure recommend it even if it is not finished. I'll give this 4 stars.

Book Review: Lady Susan by Jane Austen

Author: Jane Austen
Title: Lady Susan
Genre: Classic, Historical, & Romance
Pages: 80
Published: 1871
Where I Got It: My Shelf (Used bookstore)

Beautiful, flirtatious, and recently widowed, Lady Susan Vernon seeks an advantageous second marriage for herself, while attempting to push her daughter into a dismal match. 

I needed a little bit of Jane Austen in my life and I haven't read this one yet, so why not?

This is a short story compared to the other novels and told in a different format. The story is told in a series of letters from multiple different people. It was an interesting way to tell the story, because we get to see the characters from their own POV and from the POV of others. I did like this format a lot and I think the author did a good job. However, this is all I can really say I liked. 

The characters were all horrible. Lady Susan was a viper under her beauty and charm. The Vernons are nice enough and care about Frederica, but weak and annoying. Reginald is nice too, but an idiot. Alicia was an enabler and just as bad as Lady Susan. Frederica is sweet and so abused, but my goodness I wanted to slap her all the time. Having characters like these make stories hard to care about. 

I did not care about anyone and so I really didn't care. I began losing interest about halfway, but since that meant there was only 40 pages left, I kept on going. But I barely remember the outcome. I had to do a quick reminder course when I decided to write this review. 

The writing style was a-typical Austen, but I feel she missed the mark on her characters in this one. 

Big bummer for me, but not the worse thing I ever read....2 stars. I gave this a star for the format and writing style.  

A Late Cast that Book

A weekly meme that showcases my "cast" of a book if it were to become a movie. Anyone can join!

Happy Sunday. Sorry about this not being posted yesterday, buuuuuuuuuuuuut it slipped my mind due to work and then going to the club with my friends in celebration of my friend's 20th birthday.

This week I'll be sharing my cast for Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. I haven't seen the movie yet, so my views on the characters have not been influenced. Hahaha.

CAST:
Catherine Morland - Ellen Page

Henry Tilney - Sebastian Stan

*swoons* Couldn't resist sharing this too.

Isabella Thrope - Hayden Panettiere

John Thrope - Hayden Christensen

Mrs. Allen - Brenda Vaccaro

Mr. Allen - Alan Alda

Captain Tilney - Wes Bentley

Eleanor Tilney - Tamzin Merchant

James Morland - Ben Barnes

General Tilney - Alan Dale (with a beard)

Who would you cast?

================================
<3CaroleRae

Bookish Blog Hop & Jane Austen's Novels

Happy Tuesday! As you may know, I finally accomplished a goal of mine....I read all of Jane Austen's novels! I still have her short writes to read, but oh well. Now I'll give my official opinions of the Austen world. Woot woot.

Favorites from Best to Least:
-Persuasion
-Mansfield Park
-Pride and Prejudice (tied for third)
-Northanger Abbey (tied for third)
-Emma
-Sense and Sensibility

Favorite Heroines from Best to Least:
-Elizabeth Bennet
-Fanny Price
-Anne Elliot
-Catherine Morland (tied)
-Elinor Dashwood (tied)
-Emma Woodhouse
-Marianne Dashwood

Favorite Men from Best to Least:
-Captain Wentworth (*drools*)
-Mr. Darcy (^.^)
-Colonel Brandon
-Edward Ferrars
-Henry Tilney
-Mr. Knightly
-Edmund Bertram


Jane Austen is one of the best authors ever. After reading her novels, the evidence is clear as day as to why she is so highly remembered. Her novels has lasted so long and they'll still be remembered for hundreds of years to come. Hopefully my future kids will love her like I do.

Next on my list? I'm going to watch a version of 'Emma' and 'Northanger Abbey'. Now I'm going to re-watch 'Jane Austen Book Club', which I watched a while back, but missed some of the inside jokes because I had only read a couple of the novels. Exciting!

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Welcome to Charisma Media's Bookish Blog Hop Party! Charisma Media supports authors, indie authors, book reviewers and bloggers alike! If you love to read, this is the perfect blog hop for you! Connect with fellow bloggers, book reviewers and authors! Discover new friends, authors, or books to read! Have fun!

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