Sense & Sensibility

I finally finished "Sense & Sensibility". I enjoyed this book much more than persuasion. I got to know these characters so much better, and there were so many interesting side characters too. I'm no good at reviewing books, but if you're interested I found a good book review written by someone else.

Now I will move on to "Northanger Abbey". And staying true to form, I'm also reading a Yoga book and got a nice thick book that will hopefully help me gain a little bit more knowledge of HTML and CSS.

If anyone who reads this post is particularly good at HTML, web design, or anything like that let me know. I need all the help I can get.

Persuasion

I had a hard time getting into this book in the first few pages. I think that had to do with my experience with Pride & Prejudice. I watched two movie versions before reading the book so by that time I was well acquainted with all the characters. I didn't instantly feel that connection to the characters in this book.

Once I got past that I completely loved this book. I love that Anne Elliot was a level-headed, smart, sensible woman despite having two very selfish sisters and an even more selfish father who didn't much care for her.

I especially got a kick out of Mary. She reminds me perfectly of someone close to me who will remain nameless. She is so ridiculous and maddening that she actually becomes comical.

I admire Anne for her ability to deal with everyone with patience and kindness. Especially the two girls that become Captain Wentworth's potential loves.

I've enjoyed the two Jane Austen books that I've read because she writes realistically about the pain and heartache that goes along with love. I could feel Anne's regret about ending her engagement to Captain Wentworth and found myself completely miserable thinking about him with Louisa. In the end when he wrote her that note my heart was racing with the possibilities of what it would say. It was as if I was Anne Elliot reading the note that would change my life forever.

I highly recommend this book to anyone. As for me, it will now go on my shelf and I will read it again in a couple years.

Classics Challenge 2009

I'm a sucker for a good book. After I became a full-time mother I found it hard to fit reading into my busy schedule. This year I decided to put more of a priority on reading BIG GIRL books as opposed to such books as "Green Eggs & Ham".

About a year ago my mom was on this huge Pride & Prejudice kick. She has two versions of the movie and she read the book. I turned up my nose and had no interest in it (mostly because Kiera Knightly was in the most recent movie, and I've made it a priority to not like her).

A few months ago the boys and I had a play-date at a friends house and she told me I had to watch the Kiera Knightly version of the movie. I tried to say no, but I was afraid she might shove it down my throat so I took it, and amazingly, I watched it. To say that I love it would be an understatement. For about a week I watched it twice a day. I felt guilty sleeping next to my husband because I knew that at some point every night Mr. Darcy would make an appearance in my dreams.

After watching that version of the movie I needed more. In my laziness I decided to watch the long Collin Firth version of the movie. That one was hard for me to watch because aside from Collin Firth, all the other actors bothered me. So I finally got a copy of the book, read it, and of course I loved it.

I found a classics reading challenge on another blog so I signed up for it and figured I would just read two more of Jane Austen's books. This is where my love of books got me in trouble today. I was ready to start reading, but the library didn't open until 10:00. When I have my mind set on something, I want it right then. It's a really bad characteristic. So I figured I'd just go to the book store and buy one of the books. Then I'd just go to the library later in the day and get the other one.

The problem here is that I hate checking out books. I love having my own copy so I can read, re-read, then put it on my shelf and read it again in 5 years. It didn't help me at all the Borders was having a buy 4 get the 5th one free sale. I went in the the store with the intention of spending $7 on one book, walked out of the store spending $30 on 5 books. These are the moments when I wish I had more will-power. (But hey, having a book addiction is better than having a crack-cocaine addiction)

So, in light of my purchase of 5 Jane Austen books, I decided to assign 6 books to my challenge (since I've already completed one).