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7:39 pm
February 24, 2010
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black_mamba said
In the middle of reading “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte. I can see why this book is a literary classic! It’s a VERY good book.
The characters of Catherine and Heathcliff, are not likable characters. In most romance novels, the heroine is a virginal, doormat or sweet as sugar, friendly, and nice and the hero is a alpha male, with a haunted past. At least in all the romance novels I seem to keep reading, for some reason, and it’s getting on my nerves!! NOT this book, which is why I kinda like it. It’s different. The characters are SO different then what I’m used to reading in romance novels. I’m not even finished yet, and I can’t put it down!!
Wuthering Heights is one of my favorite books. We had to read it in high school. I remember falling in love with Heathcliff even though he wasn’t a most likable character, he was the one for her. In case you haven’t seen the movie, you should watch the one with Laurence Olivier. I know it’s the older one, but I loved it. Can’t watch it too often. I end up…well I won’t tell you how I end up until you have finished reading the book.
8:39 pm
January 18, 2013
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You know what I haven’t read Wuthering Heights but I got it for Christmas and its on my “to read” list. I do know and love hte story though. I had to know the storylines of quite a few Bronte stories since I studied Jane Eyre for my English Lit alevel a few years back.
I really loved the TV adaptation with Tom Hardy, but thats more to do with the fact he’s gorgeous in it.
I finished The Queen’s Confidant and now can officially saying “whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?”. It was entertaining enough as a fiction book, but as a historical fiction book it just got weider and weirder! At one point we had Henry VII crying over Elizabeth of Yorks effigee admitting it ws he who accidentally had the Princes in the Tower murdered and was overheard by a young Henry VIII who proceeded to blackmail him in order to hurry up his installment as Prince of Wales…ooooook!
Woohoo I'm normal...gotta go tell the cat!
2:57 pm
January 31, 2013
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I finished reading “Wuthering Heights” late last night, and I just loved it!! Makes you wonder if Emily Bronte had lived, what other kinds of great books she would have written. I read “Jane Eyre” several years ago, and just fell in love with that book. I’ve always admired women such as the Bronte sisters, and Jane Austen. How hard it must have been to be a woman writer back then!
At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus
5:30 pm
November 18, 2010
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I’m re-reading Pride and Prejudice since the Beeb were making a big fuss about the 200th anniversary.
less zombies than I remember though.
It's always bunnies.
9:20 pm
January 31, 2013
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Just finished reading “Tess of the d’Urbervilles” by Thomas Hardy, about thirty minutes ago. 
Such a sad story! I cried twice while reading this book. The ending is just heart-breaking…
I want to watch the BBC adaption that was produced in 2008, I’ve heard a lot of good reviews on it. Has anyone seen it? I believe Hans Matheson from “The Tudors” is in it. He plays Alec d’Urberville I believe.
At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus
11:53 pm
November 18, 2010
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Anyanka said
I’m re-reading Pride and Prejudice since the Beeb were making a big fuss about the 200th anniversary.
less zombies than I remember though.
Finished P&P…now reading Sense and Sensibility…
It's always bunnies.
9:49 pm
January 31, 2013
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Anyanka said
Anyanka said
I’m re-reading Pride and Prejudice since the Beeb were making a big fuss about the 200th anniversary.
less zombies than I remember though.
Finished P&P…now reading Sense and Sensibility…
I don’t know about you, but I always preferred Pride and Prejudice over Sense and Sensibility (although both are GREAT books!) for one reason: Elizabeth Bennet! She is probably one of my favorite characters from Jane Austen.
At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus
9:21 pm
January 18, 2013
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I’ve just finished Henry VIII: Politics and Personalities by David Starkey. Really good read but more than anything the first chapter finally help me understand how a court is made up and what all the titles i’ve been reading about for so long actually mean.
I’m currently reading three books which may sound odd but i’ll explain why. I’m reading The Women behind the cousins’ war by Phillippa Gregory and 2 other historians…….ok NO ONE read the introduction of that book. I literally wante dto do the book some damage, its a good job it was a library book is all I can say. I can’t believe the woman had the cheek to say that a historical fiction book should be as close to history as record should allow! Erm…is this the same author that had Anne Boleyn sleep with her brother and Elizabeth Woodville as a practising witch? Oooooooooook!
I’m also reading Claire’s “Anne Boleyn Collection” on the Kindle. I’m partially sighted and don’t feel comfortable reading in public since I have to look at a book ridiculously close. I can magnify the print on the kindle. Claire’s fabulous as always and I don’t have to preach to the converted!
I also can’t fall aleep no matter how tired I am without an audio book playing in my ear (some people like music, I like talking haha), so i’m listening to Alison Weir’s “Lady in the Tower”. I’m actually really enjoying it. I’m gonna confess no and say that The Anne Boleyn Files has so far been my only credible Anne resource so its been a new experience for me reading about every single little detail.
Wow I ramble! Sorry!!!
Woohoo I'm normal...gotta go tell the cat!
6:40 pm
February 24, 2010
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I recently finished Uneasy Lies the Crown, A novel of Owain Glyndwr, by N Gemini Sasson. I’m not use to reading about Welsh history, and the names and places were killing me. I finally gave up trying to pronounce the words and really got into the story. Great book. Hint, in the back of the book there is an explanation of sorts on how to pronounce everything. Of course I had the book on my kindle so I didn’t find that until I was done with the book. 
I have three more books by Elizabeth Chadwick about Wales to read and they are next on the list.
I am reading another of her books called, Lady of the English. This one is about Henry I’s second wife Adeliza and her friendship with Queen Matilda. So far, so good. Chadwick never disappoints me.
Kelly, I read the intro to the cousin’s war and nearly lost it. Never did read that book.
6:45 pm
June 7, 2010
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Sharon, I loved Chadwick’s Lady of the English. I hope you do, too. I recently finished John Grisham’s The Firm. I am also working my way through Alex Kava’s series about a FBI profiler.
"By daily proof you shall find me to be to you both loving and kind" Anne Boleyn
10:43 pm
January 18, 2013
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Sharon said
I recently finished Uneasy Lies the Crown, A novel of Owain Glyndwr, by N Gemini Sasson. I’m not use to reading about Welsh history, and the names and places were killing me. I finally gave up trying to pronounce the words and really got into the story. Great book. Hint, in the back of the book there is an explanation of sorts on how to pronounce everything. Of course I had the book on my kindle so I didn’t find that until I was done with the book.
I am reading another of her books called, Lady of the English. This one is about Henry I’s second wife Adeliza and her friendship with Queen Matilda. So far, so good. Chadwick never disappoints me.
Kelly, I read the intro to the cousin’s war and nearly lost it. Never did read that book.
I’ve been hearing Owain Glyndwr a lot recently, has there been some new development or event about him or something?
I know, PG’s aragonce took a whole new level in that intro, she literally slagged off all other historians and made herself out to be some sort of pioneer as if nobody else looked at women’s history! She was also giving examples of how historins were wrong but was completely off the mark. She was talking about the contraversy of COA and Aurthurs marriage and very aragontly basically said that historians were stupid for suggesting that COA refused to consumate her marriage. She kept on reasserting this idea of COA having a hissing fit and not letting Aurthur near her. Or is it me thats wrong? As far as I was aware, I thought that the debate was whether Aurthur was capable of doing the deed or their mutual decision to not have sex? I’m by no means an expert and I may have simply not read this view point shes referring to but the way she was talking it was as if it was the view of every other historian….huh?
Woohoo I'm normal...gotta go tell the cat!
2:27 pm
January 31, 2013
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Sharon said
I recently finished Uneasy Lies the Crown, A novel of Owain Glyndwr, by N Gemini Sasson. I’m not use to reading about Welsh history, and the names and places were killing me. I finally gave up trying to pronounce the words and really got into the story. Great book. Hint, in the back of the book there is an explanation of sorts on how to pronounce everything. Of course I had the book on my kindle so I didn’t find that until I was done with the book.
I am reading another of her books called, Lady of the English. This one is about Henry I’s second wife Adeliza and her friendship with Queen Matilda. So far, so good. Chadwick never disappoints me.
Kelly, I read the intro to the cousin’s war and nearly lost it. Never did read that book.
Several weeks ago, I finished reading the Robert the Bruce Trilogy by N Gemini Sasson, and it was very good. I thought she was a pretty decent historical writer. I can totally see Liam Neeson as portraying Robert the Bruce…..sigh… 
I know how you feel Sharon! Try doing Welsh genealogy! Talk about confusing. I think “Ap” in a name such as Rhys Ap Tudor means “son of” and “ferch” means “daughter of”. Patronymics were essentially a genealogical history of the family (or its male line), and names such as Llewelyn ap Dafydd ab Ieuan ap Griffith ap Meredith were not uncommon.
At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus
5:14 pm
February 24, 2010
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Kelly,
I haven’t heard of any new info coming out about Owain. Maybe you were reading about this book. It has been too long since I read that intro by Gregory. I think you are right about what she said about KOA. Didn’t she also write a diatribe about the woman’s movement. I could be wrong, it’s been a while.
black_mamba,
The ‘ap’ and ‘ferch’ was the easy part. I really did enjoy that book. Rhys ap Tudur and another brother Gylym (sp) fought alongside of Owain in this book. It is their younger brother who sired Edmund and Jasper. I have read the Bruce trilogy and enjoyed it. That’s why I took the chance with this book. I’m so glad I did. She is an excellent storyteller.
7:31 pm
January 31, 2013
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Sharon said
Kelly,
I haven’t heard of any new info coming out about Owain. Maybe you were reading about this book. It has been too long since I read that intro by Gregory. I think you are right about what she said about KOA. Didn’t she also write a diatribe about the woman’s movement. I could be wrong, it’s been a while.
black_mamba,
The ‘ap’ and ‘ferch’ was the easy part. I really did enjoy that book. Rhys ap Tudur and another brother Gylym (sp) fought alongside of Owain in this book. It is their younger brother who sired Edmund and Jasper. I have read the Bruce trilogy and enjoyed it. That’s why I took the chance with this book. I’m so glad I did. She is an excellent storyteller.
That does sound like a good book. I’ll have to check it out.
At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus
8:20 pm
January 18, 2013
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Sharon said
Kelly,
I haven’t heard of any new info coming out about Owain. Maybe you were reading about this book. It has been too long since I read that intro by Gregory. I think you are right about what she said about KOA. Didn’t she also write a diatribe about the woman’s movement. I could be wrong, it’s been a while.
black_mamba,
The ‘ap’ and ‘ferch’ was the easy part. I really did enjoy that book. Rhys ap Tudur and another brother Gylym (sp) fought alongside of Owain in this book. It is their younger brother who sired Edmund and Jasper. I have read the Bruce trilogy and enjoyed it. That’s why I took the chance with this book. I’m so glad I did. She is an excellent storyteller.
Maybe your right, my memory is like a seive sometimes. Yes I think she did, I really don’t understand what the point of that long introduction was about. Why did she feel the need to “define” what history was?
Anyway, taking my 7 year old brother to the library tomorrow, he wants me to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to him.
Woohoo I'm normal...gotta go tell the cat!
1:36 am
November 18, 2010
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black_mamba said
Anyanka said
Anyanka said
I’m re-reading Pride and Prejudice since the Beeb were making a big fuss about the 200th anniversary.
less zombies than I remember though.
Finished P&P…now reading Sense and Sensibility…
I don’t know about you, but I always preferred Pride and Prejudice over Sense and Sensibility (although both are GREAT books!) for one reason: Elizabeth Bennet! She is probably one of my favorite characters from Jane Austen.
I’m halfway through S&S..and I’m remembering how much I dislike Austin’s writing..I find her female characters very “Mary-Sue”.. I find it hard to empathise with the hard-done-by upper-middle class as I do with Dicken’s suffering poor..
It's always bunnies.
3:07 pm
January 31, 2013
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Just finished reading “North and South” by John Jakes the first book in the North and South Trilogy, and started the second book, In Love and War last night. In case your not familiar with this series, check out:
qid=1361804121&sr=8-12&keywords=north+and+south
I just LOVE this series and John Jakes writing style. After this series, I plan on reading his Kent Family Chronicles. He really makes the characters come to life, and sometimes it seems as if the Hazard and Main families actually existed! I’m really enjoying these books and I can’t seem to put them down at night!
At times I almost dream, I too have spent a life the sages' way,
And tread once more familiar paths. Perchance I perished in an arrogant self-reliance
Ages ago; and in that act, a prayer For one more chance went up so earnest, so
Instinct with better light let in by death, That life was blotted out—not so completely
But scattered wrecks enough of it remain Dim memories as now, when once more seems The goal in sight again. -- Robert Browning, Paracelsus
6:27 pm
February 24, 2010
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The TV mini series of these books was just recently shown on Encore. Loved those books. Patrick Swayze played Orrie Maine. The Kent Chronicles were great books too. Excellent writer.
6:41 pm
January 3, 2012
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Sharon said
I recently finished Uneasy Lies the Crown, A novel of Owain Glyndwr, by N Gemini Sasson. I’m not use to reading about Welsh history, and the names and places were killing me. I finally gave up trying to pronounce the words and really got into the story. Great book. Hint, in the back of the book there is an explanation of sorts on how to pronounce everything. Of course I had the book on my kindle so I didn’t find that until I was done with the book.
I am reading another of her books called, Lady of the English. This one is about Henry I’s second wife Adeliza and her friendship with Queen Matilda. So far, so good. Chadwick never disappoints me.
Kelly, I read the intro to the cousin’s war and nearly lost it. Never did read that book.
The trouble with Welsh place names is that you have to have half a ton of phelm in your throat just to pronounce them.. If you ever go to Wales Sharon make sure you carry an umbrella otherwise you will find yourself drenched in dribble. LOL.
Semper Fidelis, quod sum quod
8:14 pm
February 24, 2010
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HA! HA! Boleyn, I’ll keep that in mind!
I finished reading Lady of the English. If anyone is interested in Matilda, I highly recommend this book.
I just started Le Temps Viendra, by Sarah Morris. It is a time travel book. Very intriguing! Caught my attention from the get go.
