Laura from Laura’s Reviews has planned a wonderdul new book challenge for the coming year: All About the Brontës.

The challenge starts on January 1st and will run through June 30th 2010. The objective is to read, watch, or listen to 3 to 6 (if not more) works by, about, or inspired by the Brontë sisters.

See this post for information on how to join the challenge.

—

For my part, I have decided to read:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte

Villette by Charlotte Bronte

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James

And watch:

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (1996 – Masterpiece Theatre starring Tara Fitzgerald and Toby Stephens)

Wuthering Heights (Masterpiece Theatre 2009)

I was in the mood for a light, fun read this week, so I checked out Joanne Fluke’s Cherry Cheesecake Murder–a read as sweet as the desert after which it was named.

The little town of Lake Eden gets caught up in a blur of excitement when a famous Hollywood director decides to film on Main Street. Local baker and amateur sleuth, Hannah Swensen finds herself drawn into the mix when an old college buddy turns out to be the film’s writer. But it seems that the real drama concerns the film’s director, womanizer and perfectionist, Dean Lawrence. When a murder occurs on the set, it’s up to Hannah to put her best snooping skills to use and solve the mystery.

–

Other than a few Miss Marples, I haven’t read many mysteries. My selection was based entirely on the cheesecake illustration on the cover. I had no idea what I was getting into but the idea of a mystery with recipes was enough for me.

I did not realize at the time that this is the 7th volume in Fluke’s Hannah Swenson series, but I had no trouble becoming familiar with the characters and the main plot did not require continuity within the series.

Overall, the novel was an enjoyable, quick read and just what I expected–a light and fluffy read that made me want to bake everytime I came across a recipe.

Much of the novel explored the relationships between Hannah, her family, her beaus, and the people of Lake Eden, so much of the novel didn’t seem to be a mystery. The whodunit plot was a bit predictable, but no less enjoyable because of it.

Last week, I finished reading:

Happy Birthday or Whatever by Annie Choi (Review)

I started reading:

Cherry Cheesecake Murder by Joanne Fluke

I’m still reading:

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Eventually, I will return to:

Cecilia by Frances Burney

I want to read:

Jane Austen’s Letters

Annie Choi’s Happy Birthday or Whatever: Track Suits, Kim Chee, and other Family Disasters is an absolutely delightful memoir about the family, identity, and the pressure to live up to expectations.

A Korean-American born and raised in LA, Annie Choi explores the complicated relationship between mothers and daughters and the multicultural experience.

It’s funny, fast-paced, and very sweet.

—

I don’t read many memoirs, but this one caught my attention and I couldn’t wait to read it. I wasn’t disappointed. Annie’s story struck a chord, recalling my own experiences with multiculturalism, language, and my own lovingly disfunctional relationship with my mother and family.

Finished reading Anne Brontë’s The Tenant of Wildfell Hall at long last. I picked this one up while browsing the shelves at the library and decided to give it a try. Other than Jane Eyre, I’d never read any of the Brontës (though Wuthering Heights has been on the TBR pile for a while).

Tenant is part epistolary novel, part journal, part mystery, and part romance.

Set in the early 19th century English countryside, you have all the gossip and quarrels that are associated with small town life. Told in three parts, the story tells of the mysterious young woman, Mrs. Helen Graham, who moves into the long tenantless Wildfell Hall. A widow with a young son, she causes a stir when she refuses to mingle with the locals or take their advice as to the care and keeping of her child.

The novel is narrated by the tenacious Gilbert Markham, who wishes to relate to his brother-in-law the events surrounding the arrival of Helen Graham and his part in what followed; presenting evidence from the lady’s diary and letters to account for his story.

Slowly, a tale of heart-break, betrayal, and dejection unfolds as the trials of Mrs. Graham’s former life become known.

—

It took me a while to get into this novel, but I’m glad I finished it because the story really builds when you reach Volume 2. Helen’s diary brings her character forth in a way that reveals the nuances of her personality and the difficulties that led to the seemingly bitter and desolate attitude that Mr. Markham so resents when they first meet.

The novel deals with the position of married women in society and the liberties allowed to their husbands. The double standards of 19th century conduct are illustrated in a very revealing manner as Helen’s plight and ultimate flight from a life made unbearable by a callous, hateful, and drunken husband comes to light.

While not as passionate as Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, there are similarities between the two. The narrative style is reminiscent of Jane, you almost hear Mr. Markham say “Reader, I married her” when he finishes his letter, and Arthur Huntingdon’s life of dissipation could probably reflect the kind of life that Mr. Rochester led before he found reason to regret it.

Here’s what I’m reading:

The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë (20 pages to go!)

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Last week, I finished reading:

Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery

The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley

I want to start reading:

Happy Birthday or Whatever by Annie Choi

I need to get back to reading:

Cecilia by Frances Burney

I did it! After putting it off for years, I finally finished all the Anne books. I have to admit, the books about Anne’s children just do not interest me as much as the books about Anne herself, but I really wanted to get through the whole series. A couple of weeks ago, I sat down and started reading Rilla of Ingleside, and while it wasn’t the most interesting volume in the series, it was alright.

Unlike Anne, Rilla has no ambition to speak of and does not feel ashamed to admit it. She just wants to be pretty and have fun. A little vain and a little proud, Rilla is nonetheless a very loyal sister and friend. At 15, Rilla has nothing on her mind but enjoying herself at her first dance, and that pesky war is not going to ruin her evening.

But when the war truly breaks out and Canada is called upon to send her troops, Rilla finds that there’s more to life than worrying about your lisp when a handsome boy takes you for a moonlit walk.

Like Anne, Rilla is a full of heart and makes the best of any situation. When her brothers leave for Europe to fight, Rilla is left to wait and comfort her mother, but she does not do so with her hands crossed. Though she wants nothing more than to be the wife of Kenneth Ford when he returns from the battlefront, Rilla grows and matures into a capable young woman.

Like many of L.M. Montgomery’s stories, the book is a bit preachy in parts, but the anxiety and terror brought on by the war serves to balance the many references to the divine. Rilla’s story is interesting as an account of the lives of women left at home during WWI. She experiences loss and grief but stands firm to support those she loves, even when the other girls call her cold.

Overall, I liked the book, but I could have done without some of the passages about the Glen St. Mary crowd.

—

After I finished Rilla, I told myself that I would also finish Robin McKinley’s The Door in the Hedge.

I started this four story collection of fairy tale retellings a few months ago, but didn’t get around to reading the final story until yesterday.

McKinley’s second published book, the collection includes “The Stolen Princess,” “The Princess and the Frog,” “The Hunting of the Hind,” and “The Twelve Dancing Princesses”. The characters in the stories are often unnamed, identified by their descriptions and titles and representing the sort of archetypal personalities often featured in traditional fairy tales.

Of the four stories, I enjoyed “The Hunting of the Hind” most of all, but though I like fairy tales, I prefer McKinley’s novels. The stories almost feel incomplete, which might explain why McKinley often notes that her stories have a tendency to turn into full-length novels when she starts to work on a short story collection. The descriptions are lush and airy, almost dreamlike, but I prefer a bit more depth.

That said, I still want to check out Water, and McKinley’s latest addition to the elementals story series, Fire.

Enter to win a copy of Hush. Hush and Fallen at The Story Siren’s blog!

Contest: Because Angels are HOT.

Scott Westerfeld came to Books & Books on Sunday afternoon to promote the first book in his new steampunk trilogy, Leviathan.

I have yet to read the Uglies series, though it has been on my “I will get around to it one day” list for a while, but after reading a blurb for Leviathan and seeing the wonderful book trailer, I knew I wanted to get to this one soon.

When I learned that Westerfeld was going to be making an appearance, I bought a copy and marked it down on my calendar.

The event was one of the most interesting ones I have attended, and they’ve had some interesting YA events. Mr. Westerfeld of the steampunk masterpiece presented a highly entertaining lecture on the history of illustrations in books and the idea of emergent technologies at the turn of the century… and deadly dart pooping birds. He was funny and informative and the images, many of which will be published in the companion guide to the series, were amazing.

Here are some pictures from the event (click to enlarge):

]]> http://things-she-read.org/2009/10/26/what-a-steampunk/feed/ 2 emperatrix http://things-she-read.org/2009/10/26/its-monday-what-are-you-reading/ http://things-she-read.org/2009/10/26/its-monday-what-are-you-reading/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:18:19 +0000 Gricel http://thingssheread.wordpress.com/?p=237 ]]>

My first Monday reading post how exciting!

I’m reading:

Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery

The Tenant of  Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë

An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon

I really want to finish Rilla by the end of this week. Tenant is my book to read at work, as Echo is too heavy to carry around with all my other stuff, so those two will take longer to get through.

I want to start reading:

Happy Birthday or Whatever by Annie Choi

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

A Scholar of Magics by Caroline Stevermer