http://misssylviadrake.livejournal.com/28594.html
I discovered a new blog today--new to me, at any rate, thanks to the Jane Austen listserv. The entry that was mentioned discusses Margaret Atwood's Lady Oracle. Among others, she draws comparisons to Northanger Abbey; it's w wonderfully informative piece that has me reaching for some Margaret Atwood books I haven't looked at in many years. She is actually comparing "The Convent", a gothic published when Jane Austen was a young girl. I'm looking forward to settling down to read it at more leisure sometime soon, and probably going back to check out her previous entries.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Summer daze...
Sometimes I wish that I could steal away to a mountaintop or deserted island, all by myself, for just a few days. My provisions would consist of bread, cheese, nuts, fruit, wine and chocolate, and a bag filled with some of the many books I want to read. Real life doesn't often allow for a surfeit of such pleasure, and I suppose I would not want that life I dream about. That's the difference between real life and fiction, I guess, at least sometimes.
I am still plugging way at "The elegant universe" by Brian Green. It's a little old--1992, or thereabout, so I'll have to read something newerto find out what the current thinking on the micro-universe might be. I find physics fascinating, though I don't pretend to have a complete grasp of every facet. I enjoy reading about the smallest bits of the universe much as I enjoy reading about the planets and stars and possibilities of outer space. My only problem is that I can't whiz through these books, because I have to take the time to digest what I'm reading.
One of my vacation eads this year was a slim volume from 1972 entitled "The language of Jane Austen", written in 1972 by Norman Page. Recently, I've been reading a great deal about Austen's use of language on Austen-L where I am a dedicated and long-time lurker. I'm constantly amazed how many layers of meaning are yet to be discovered in Austen's writings. I can remember my first few times through "Pride and Prejudice" and "Northanger Abbey", delighting in the new nuances and meanings I found each time. Page's work discusses ways in which the English of Austen's day differes from 20th century English. Sometimes the difference is subtle, sometimes major, so that a modern reader who did not know the 18th century context might form a wrong opinion--or miss the point of the exchange entirely!
Of course, vacation is also for relaxing reads. Lorna Barrett's "Bookplate Special" was a delicious follow-up to "Bookmarked for death". (See my comment to my previous post). "The cat, the professor and the poison" by Leann Sweeney was another perfect vacation read. Jillian Hart, the heroine, has a knack for becoming embroiled in murder and mayhem (isn't that the way with all good mystery heroines?). Of course, cats are involved! But, in this case, the first animal to go missing is a cow, and Jill can't help but try to solve the mystery--or to help out a kid who needs an adult to calm down his overprotective mother. These are all sidelights, though, because solving the mystery of the cow leads to a much bigger--can cat-filled--mystery. This book went perfectly with both coffee and iced tea--always an important consideration when I'm vacationing!
Now, I'm in the midst of another Sookie Stackhouse novel: I'm reading them totally out of order, but enjoying them completely nontheless. Currently, I'm reading "From dead to worse", and between moments of terror and moments that make me laugh out loud, I'm ready to race to the bookstore to pick up the ones I've not read yet. (No, I have not watched True Blood on HBO--I've currently reached my self-imposed limit on TV watching, so until I get htrough the DVD's in my to-be-watched pile, or until (heaven forbid!) one of my current series is cancelled, there will be no new viewing added.
I am still plugging way at "The elegant universe" by Brian Green. It's a little old--1992, or thereabout, so I'll have to read something newerto find out what the current thinking on the micro-universe might be. I find physics fascinating, though I don't pretend to have a complete grasp of every facet. I enjoy reading about the smallest bits of the universe much as I enjoy reading about the planets and stars and possibilities of outer space. My only problem is that I can't whiz through these books, because I have to take the time to digest what I'm reading.
One of my vacation eads this year was a slim volume from 1972 entitled "The language of Jane Austen", written in 1972 by Norman Page. Recently, I've been reading a great deal about Austen's use of language on Austen-L where I am a dedicated and long-time lurker. I'm constantly amazed how many layers of meaning are yet to be discovered in Austen's writings. I can remember my first few times through "Pride and Prejudice" and "Northanger Abbey", delighting in the new nuances and meanings I found each time. Page's work discusses ways in which the English of Austen's day differes from 20th century English. Sometimes the difference is subtle, sometimes major, so that a modern reader who did not know the 18th century context might form a wrong opinion--or miss the point of the exchange entirely!
Of course, vacation is also for relaxing reads. Lorna Barrett's "Bookplate Special" was a delicious follow-up to "Bookmarked for death". (See my comment to my previous post). "The cat, the professor and the poison" by Leann Sweeney was another perfect vacation read. Jillian Hart, the heroine, has a knack for becoming embroiled in murder and mayhem (isn't that the way with all good mystery heroines?). Of course, cats are involved! But, in this case, the first animal to go missing is a cow, and Jill can't help but try to solve the mystery--or to help out a kid who needs an adult to calm down his overprotective mother. These are all sidelights, though, because solving the mystery of the cow leads to a much bigger--can cat-filled--mystery. This book went perfectly with both coffee and iced tea--always an important consideration when I'm vacationing!
Now, I'm in the midst of another Sookie Stackhouse novel: I'm reading them totally out of order, but enjoying them completely nontheless. Currently, I'm reading "From dead to worse", and between moments of terror and moments that make me laugh out loud, I'm ready to race to the bookstore to pick up the ones I've not read yet. (No, I have not watched True Blood on HBO--I've currently reached my self-imposed limit on TV watching, so until I get htrough the DVD's in my to-be-watched pile, or until (heaven forbid!) one of my current series is cancelled, there will be no new viewing added.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Austentation?
One of the geat pleasures of going on a trip, especially one sans child (much as I dote on my one and only!) is the opportunity to enjoy some uninterrupted quality time with a book or two. I recently returned from a week of cruising the Western Caribbean with a good friend, and in between snorkeling, sightseeing, shopping, and (of course!) earing and drinking, I managed to make my way through several books and one carefully hoarded issue of Archaeology Magazine.
Magazine first: apparently I have well hidden from most of my acquantance my decades-old secret desire to be an archaeologist. I have of course devoured all of Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody novels, among others, but this is a desire for information that goes far beyoond the ability of novels to quench. I always save my newest issue of Archaeology for a time when I'm alone and have uninterrupted freedom to read and make notes of things I want to look up later. You can imagine the joy in not only having the magazine and the time, but the ability to read while soaking my feet in the beautiful turqoise waters of the Caribbean...while sipping a decadently delicious rum drink. And pondering: should we clone Neanderthals? What was revealed about Civil War tactics by digging the "burnt district" in Missouri? A touching love story from 16th century Korea...
One of my other interests, as I think many of my friends know (and share) is the writings of Jane Austen and the history of the time period in which she lived. I'm always willing to try the spin-offs, sequels, re-imaginings, and even embraced the entire genre of "Regency Romance" at its height...still look for them, truth be told. Anyway, my interest was piqued when Colleen McCullough took on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, fashioning an entire novel around Mary Bennet, the unfortunate middle sister, and in spite of some very lackluster reviews, I was determined to read it for myself.
Now, one person who read it, and who knows much more of Jane-related matters than I can ever hope to, said that she thought Ms. McCullough was putting us on. I'm willing to consider that possibility. I was even disposed to judge gently when she turned the plainest of the Bennet girls into a creature with "suporating spots" and a tooth that grew sideways. Heavens! And, of course, she had to have the requisite trials and tribulations, marked by heaving bosoms, torn clothing, evil kidnappers...I had hoped it might be great fun. Unfortunately, it left me flat. If she were trying to put on her readers, she could have done a better job of it.
Entering back into the world of light fiction, I read a cosy mystery that takes place in a bookstore, "Bookmarked for death" by Lorna Barrett. Set in a charming New England town--which is rapidly losing its charm thanks to the local Canada goose population, which is leaving messy droppings all over the main street--the sotry finds local bookstore owner Tricia Miles discovering a second corpse, much to the non-amusement of local law enforcment. Filled with charminly quicky character, it's just right for curling up on a deck chair with a lovely rum-laced drink. Or a cup of tea, I suppose...
Magazine first: apparently I have well hidden from most of my acquantance my decades-old secret desire to be an archaeologist. I have of course devoured all of Elizabeth Peters Amelia Peabody novels, among others, but this is a desire for information that goes far beyoond the ability of novels to quench. I always save my newest issue of Archaeology for a time when I'm alone and have uninterrupted freedom to read and make notes of things I want to look up later. You can imagine the joy in not only having the magazine and the time, but the ability to read while soaking my feet in the beautiful turqoise waters of the Caribbean...while sipping a decadently delicious rum drink. And pondering: should we clone Neanderthals? What was revealed about Civil War tactics by digging the "burnt district" in Missouri? A touching love story from 16th century Korea...
One of my other interests, as I think many of my friends know (and share) is the writings of Jane Austen and the history of the time period in which she lived. I'm always willing to try the spin-offs, sequels, re-imaginings, and even embraced the entire genre of "Regency Romance" at its height...still look for them, truth be told. Anyway, my interest was piqued when Colleen McCullough took on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, fashioning an entire novel around Mary Bennet, the unfortunate middle sister, and in spite of some very lackluster reviews, I was determined to read it for myself.
Now, one person who read it, and who knows much more of Jane-related matters than I can ever hope to, said that she thought Ms. McCullough was putting us on. I'm willing to consider that possibility. I was even disposed to judge gently when she turned the plainest of the Bennet girls into a creature with "suporating spots" and a tooth that grew sideways. Heavens! And, of course, she had to have the requisite trials and tribulations, marked by heaving bosoms, torn clothing, evil kidnappers...I had hoped it might be great fun. Unfortunately, it left me flat. If she were trying to put on her readers, she could have done a better job of it.
Entering back into the world of light fiction, I read a cosy mystery that takes place in a bookstore, "Bookmarked for death" by Lorna Barrett. Set in a charming New England town--which is rapidly losing its charm thanks to the local Canada goose population, which is leaving messy droppings all over the main street--the sotry finds local bookstore owner Tricia Miles discovering a second corpse, much to the non-amusement of local law enforcment. Filled with charminly quicky character, it's just right for curling up on a deck chair with a lovely rum-laced drink. Or a cup of tea, I suppose...
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Tom Shippey: The Road to Middle Earth--how J R R Tolkien created a new mythology
I mentioned this one earlier. I've been trying to read it for nearly six months; no fault of the author, I just have not had time to concentrate, and it's a book that needed concentration.
It sometimes seems that Tolkien has been done to death, and every reader I know brings his own ideas and perspectives, which is, to my mind, as it should be. One of the aspects of this book that made it interesting to me was the philological tack he took toward Tolkien's writings. In his afterword, the author points out that, while he published in the hope of widening the scope of criticism on Tolkien's works, in recent years the opposite has happened. Many readers and critics can't tell the difference between Old English, Old Norse, or Icelandic, and don't think that the difference matters; whereas to Tolkien, an eintire story can hinge on the origins of a word. As the author traced through some of the permutations that various parts of Tolkien's writings went through, including the changes he chose to make in various languages, one has a better sense of how deeply Tolkien was involved with the creation of Middle-Earth. It did not spring, full-grown, from his head, but rather was created in stages and evolved through those stages as well.
Next up, I will give myself over to the pleasures of Jane Austen in the several back issues of Persuasions that are sitting before me, an issue of Archaeology that will accompany me on a tropical vacation (okay, not everyone imagines the palm trees, white sand beaches, a hammock, cool tropical drink, and the latest news from the world of bone-diggers, but to each his own.)
I'm also trolling for some new romance series to exercise with, but nothing has caught my eye lately.
I may also be looking for a book on how to persuade cats to get along with each other...or perhaps I'll have to write one! With six cats currently in residence, we don't have nearly enough window sills or laps to keep everyone happy!
I mentioned this one earlier. I've been trying to read it for nearly six months; no fault of the author, I just have not had time to concentrate, and it's a book that needed concentration.
It sometimes seems that Tolkien has been done to death, and every reader I know brings his own ideas and perspectives, which is, to my mind, as it should be. One of the aspects of this book that made it interesting to me was the philological tack he took toward Tolkien's writings. In his afterword, the author points out that, while he published in the hope of widening the scope of criticism on Tolkien's works, in recent years the opposite has happened. Many readers and critics can't tell the difference between Old English, Old Norse, or Icelandic, and don't think that the difference matters; whereas to Tolkien, an eintire story can hinge on the origins of a word. As the author traced through some of the permutations that various parts of Tolkien's writings went through, including the changes he chose to make in various languages, one has a better sense of how deeply Tolkien was involved with the creation of Middle-Earth. It did not spring, full-grown, from his head, but rather was created in stages and evolved through those stages as well.
Next up, I will give myself over to the pleasures of Jane Austen in the several back issues of Persuasions that are sitting before me, an issue of Archaeology that will accompany me on a tropical vacation (okay, not everyone imagines the palm trees, white sand beaches, a hammock, cool tropical drink, and the latest news from the world of bone-diggers, but to each his own.)
I'm also trolling for some new romance series to exercise with, but nothing has caught my eye lately.
I may also be looking for a book on how to persuade cats to get along with each other...or perhaps I'll have to write one! With six cats currently in residence, we don't have nearly enough window sills or laps to keep everyone happy!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Vampire mania
OK, I'll admit it--I love Stephanie Meyer's "Twilight" series, even though it goes contrary to the vampire lore I've devoured since my first reading of "Dracula". I love it in spite of being a confirmed Buffy-holic. I read all four books in the stretch of a little over a week, have watched both movies, and have participated in several discussions of the Edward vs. Jacob kind. However, I must also say that I am a little wary of the portrayal of teen obsessiveness that we have in Bella, and I have talked with my 10-year-old daughter, who is currently reading "Twilight" about some of the more unhealthy traits that Bella shows over the course of the series. (She wanted to read it after several of her friends did so, but I doubt I'll let her read the entire series right now.)
When I was looking for new reading fare to get through my workouts (I can bike 12.5 - 13 MPH while reading, and do a pretty good job on the elliptical machine as well), I came across a couple of series that I enjoyed as a change from my usual historical romances. One, "Undead and Unemployed" by MaryJanice Davidson, is a hoot. The recently-undead heroine is, to her utter dismay, queen of the vampires. She also has a major shoe addiction. I'm looking for the rest of the series next time I hit the bookstore.
Another one I thoroughly enjoyed--this time based on magic rather than blood-sucking--was "Secondhand Spirits" by Juliet Blackwell. A goblin who masquerades as a pot-bellied pig, spot-on descriptions of San Francisco, and a believable cast of characters kept me exercising longer than I thought--almost doubled my time a couple of days!
Madelyn Alt's " Bewitching mysteries" series is another that I will continue to read and look for more. The main character, Maggie O'Neill is as appealing a reluctant heroine as I've seen in a long time.
When I was looking for new reading fare to get through my workouts (I can bike 12.5 - 13 MPH while reading, and do a pretty good job on the elliptical machine as well), I came across a couple of series that I enjoyed as a change from my usual historical romances. One, "Undead and Unemployed" by MaryJanice Davidson, is a hoot. The recently-undead heroine is, to her utter dismay, queen of the vampires. She also has a major shoe addiction. I'm looking for the rest of the series next time I hit the bookstore.
Another one I thoroughly enjoyed--this time based on magic rather than blood-sucking--was "Secondhand Spirits" by Juliet Blackwell. A goblin who masquerades as a pot-bellied pig, spot-on descriptions of San Francisco, and a believable cast of characters kept me exercising longer than I thought--almost doubled my time a couple of days!
Madelyn Alt's " Bewitching mysteries" series is another that I will continue to read and look for more. The main character, Maggie O'Neill is as appealing a reluctant heroine as I've seen in a long time.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Not much of a blogger, I'm afraid
It really was last June that I posted my last update. How time flies! I envy those who have the discipline to post regularly. I still have trouble getting through my e-mail quickly enough to respond to queries sent to me!
When I logged in tonight, I noticed that there was a post from a blog I follow, by author Jean Kalogridis about her novel "The Devil's Queen". I read and reviewed it--it was an excellent novel. Recently, I was sent another novel on the same subject, by a different author, and it was interesting to compare the two. I can't tell you yet the name of the more recently book, as it has not yet been released. I'm thinking of going back and picking up a few more novels about Catherine de Medici just for fun to see how other authers have protrayed her.
Currently, I'm reading "The road to Middle-Earth: how JRR Tolkien created a new mythology) by Tom Shippey. Absolutely fascinating, especially if you are a lover of language and revel (as I did) in the philology of Tolkien's books.
I'm also trying to catch up (still) on all my volumes of Persuasions (yearly publication of the Jane Austen Society of North America). That has been a goal for well over two years, but since I'm lucky to have time for one essay at a sitting, rather slow going.
Of course, I've managed a load of fiction throughout the last year. I find that romances of various kinds are perfect for keeping my eyes off the clock when I sit on an exercise bike or stride on an elliptical machine. Better yet, they do not require all my concentration, so I can keep up a good pace! I've even tried reading while using the treadmill, but I found that if I try to increase the incline while reading, I'm in danger of stumbling and flying off the back of the machine! So, for the treadmill I stick to my MP3 player.
My latest guilty pleaseure in those romances are the supernatural ones, mostly vampires and witches. I still enjoy the historicals, but it gets harder and harder to fine good historicals without graphic sex scenes. Not that I'm a prude, I just prefer to use my imagination sometimes rather than read about someone else's! Sometimes it just doesn't add anything to the story. I prefer the tension between a Darcy and Elizabeth, perhaps, or the barely-controlled passion of a Cathy and Heathcliff...
And then there was the Twilight Series. Devoured that in less than a week, saw the movies, put the posters in my daughter's room. It's been years since I've gone through a series like that. I read 9 Camber of Culdi/Deryni books back to back my senior year of college, as preparation for actually writing the research papers I was supposed to be working on and styuding for my finals. Picked one up, couldn't stop reading. And Judith Tarr. And Tolkien, which brings me back to where I began tonight.
When I logged in tonight, I noticed that there was a post from a blog I follow, by author Jean Kalogridis about her novel "The Devil's Queen". I read and reviewed it--it was an excellent novel. Recently, I was sent another novel on the same subject, by a different author, and it was interesting to compare the two. I can't tell you yet the name of the more recently book, as it has not yet been released. I'm thinking of going back and picking up a few more novels about Catherine de Medici just for fun to see how other authers have protrayed her.
Currently, I'm reading "The road to Middle-Earth: how JRR Tolkien created a new mythology) by Tom Shippey. Absolutely fascinating, especially if you are a lover of language and revel (as I did) in the philology of Tolkien's books.
I'm also trying to catch up (still) on all my volumes of Persuasions (yearly publication of the Jane Austen Society of North America). That has been a goal for well over two years, but since I'm lucky to have time for one essay at a sitting, rather slow going.
Of course, I've managed a load of fiction throughout the last year. I find that romances of various kinds are perfect for keeping my eyes off the clock when I sit on an exercise bike or stride on an elliptical machine. Better yet, they do not require all my concentration, so I can keep up a good pace! I've even tried reading while using the treadmill, but I found that if I try to increase the incline while reading, I'm in danger of stumbling and flying off the back of the machine! So, for the treadmill I stick to my MP3 player.
My latest guilty pleaseure in those romances are the supernatural ones, mostly vampires and witches. I still enjoy the historicals, but it gets harder and harder to fine good historicals without graphic sex scenes. Not that I'm a prude, I just prefer to use my imagination sometimes rather than read about someone else's! Sometimes it just doesn't add anything to the story. I prefer the tension between a Darcy and Elizabeth, perhaps, or the barely-controlled passion of a Cathy and Heathcliff...
And then there was the Twilight Series. Devoured that in less than a week, saw the movies, put the posters in my daughter's room. It's been years since I've gone through a series like that. I read 9 Camber of Culdi/Deryni books back to back my senior year of college, as preparation for actually writing the research papers I was supposed to be working on and styuding for my finals. Picked one up, couldn't stop reading. And Judith Tarr. And Tolkien, which brings me back to where I began tonight.
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