Friday, December 24, 2010

Some Banners I Love

Okay. I just had to draw some special attention to the banners designed by the owner of Elegance of Fashion. Don't you love them!



The above three are from Pride and Prejudice. The first one is my favorite scene! 



Then those two are from Sense and Sensibility.


And that one is from Emma.

I love them all! Thank you SO much for allowing me to post them, Elegance of Fashion! To all the rest of you, make sure you check her blog (here) for more delightful things like the above! I'm sure you'll enjoy it. :) 




Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Lady Susan


Author: Jane Austen
Genre: Romance
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7
Type: Fiction
Number of pages: 64
Time period: 1800's
Main characters: Lady Susan, Frederica, Reginald, Alicia Johnson
Exciting events: Frederica runs away, schemes
My overall opinion: This is a really weird Jane Austen. It's made up of letters from a scheming mother to her equally schemey (?) friend. It's pretty terrible, but funny in places too.

Persuasion


Author: Jane Austen
Genre: Romance
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9
Type: Fiction
Number of pages: 219
Time period: 1800's
Main characters: Anne, Captain Wentworth, Mary
Exciting events: Assemblies
My overall opinion: This is a pretty good book. All of Jane Austen's are, but this one was especially good. I think it's become one of my favorites, along with Emma and P&P. I recommend it!

Movie: Sergeant York



My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8
Main characters: Alvin York, Gracie, his mother
Genre: Adventure, war 
Primary actors: Gary Cooper
Based on: Real-life Sergeant York, the person who got the most medals (I think) of anyone in the US after World War I)
Time period: World War I
Exciting events: War
Year it came out: 1941
My overall opinion: A fun movie. Black and white, but pretty cool!

The Hobbit



Author: J. R. R. Tolkien
Genre: Adventure
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5
Type: Fiction
Number of pages: 285
Time period: Fantasy
Main characters: Bilbo Baggins (delightful name), Gandalf, Thorin, a dragon, goblins, Gollum, many more!
Exciting events: Nearly being burnt, catching a dragon, killing the Great Goblin, climbing trees, giant spiders, much much more.
Passage from book or back cover: About hobbits: They are inclined to be fat in the stomach; they dress in bright colors (chiefly green and yellow); wear no shoes, because their feet grow natual leathery soles and thick warm brown hair like the stuff on their heads (which is curly); have long clever brown fingers, good-natured faces, and laugh depp fruity laughs (especially after dinner, which they have twice a day when they can get it).
My overall opinion: This book is a classic. I highly recommend it. Full of adventure and near-escapes, it's very fun for most ages, and not overly  hard to read. My mom read it aloud to us when my sister was 6, and she still remembers a lot of it (she's 11 now). It's a GREAT book.

Little Britches



Author: Ralph Moody
Genre: Life, western, growing up
Series: Little Britches series
Number in series: First
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8
Type: Non-fiction
Number of pages: 260
Time period: Early 1900's
Main characters: Ralph, his father, Hi, Grace, his mother
Exciting events: Rodeos, wolves
My overall opinion: Ralph Moody writes about his life in the early 1900's in this exciting book! A good read, couple of uses of words that I don't use myself.

Angel on the Square


Author: Gloria Whelan
Genre: Adventure, historical fiction
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8
Type: Historical fiction
Number of pages: 288
Time period: World War I
Main characters: Katya, Misha, Anastasia, the Tsar
Exciting events: Revolts, escapes
My overall opinion: A good book, about the years preceding Tsar Nicholas and Empress Alexandra's deaths, with their four girls and son. Very interesting.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

More Than Conqueror


Author: Grace Livingston Hill
Genre: Romance
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Fiction
Number of pages: 248
Time period: 1940's
Main characters: Charles, Blythe, Walter
Exciting events: Near death experience, main characters come to Christ
My overall opinion: This is another favorite from this author. Her style is sweet, clean, and enduring - always a delight to read!

Silver Canyon



Author: Louis L'Amour
Genre: Western
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction
Number of pages: 167
Time period: 1800's
Main characters: Matt Brennan, Jake Booker, Morgan Park, Mulvaney, Moira
Exciting events: Gun battles, fist fights
Passage from book or back cover: ...and he drew from his waistband a gun that needed only wheels to make it an admirable piece of artillery...
My overall opinion: Love the above line. This was a pretty good Louis, I enjoyed it quite a bit. :) I recommend it!

Friday, December 17, 2010

The Man From the Broken Hills



Author: Louis L'Amour
Genre: Western
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7

Type: Fiction
Number of pages: 217
Time period: 1800's
Main characters: Milo Talon, Ann, Twin, Fuentes
Exciting events: Classic: gun battles, fist fights
My overall opinion: A fun read!

The Official Illustrated Movie Companion for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe



Author: Perry Moore
Genre: Guide to movie
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type: Non-fiction
Number of pages: 226
My overall opinion: Just going by what we have down so far, it sounds like a really boring book. But believe me, it isn't! All the behind the scenes info and pictures from the 2005 The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. It's a really great book, I've spent hours reading it. Highly recommended!

Jerusalem's Heart



Author: Bodie & Brock Thoene
Genre: Historical fiction, adventure
Series: Zion Legacy series
Number in series: 3rd
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7
Type: Historical fiction
Time period: 1940's
Main characters: Moshe, Rachel, David, Ellie, Abe, Yacov, Lori, Jacob, Madame Rose
Exciting events: Battles, near-death escapes
My overall opinion: I've had others by these authors that I liked a lot better. Obvious, from my rating. I found the book interesting, but if I put it down, it was hard to pick it up again. Also, it had just a little too much  battle stuff to hold me. But hey, you might enjoy it!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Movie: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe



My rating on a 1-10 scale: 6
Main characters: Peter, Susan, Edmund, Lucy, Tumnus, Aslan, the Beavers, the White Witch
Genre: Adventure, fantasy
Series or set: Chronicles of Narnia
Number in series: 2nd in chronological order. First in movie order.
Primary actors: Richard Dempsey, Sophie Cook, Jonathan R. Scott, Sophie Wilcox
Based on: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S.Lewis
Time period: 1940's
Exciting events: Battle, Edmund's capture
Year it came out: 1988
My overall opinion: Okay, first make sure you know that this is the old one. I recommend that if you want to watch a version of this, make sure you get the 2005 one. It's SO much better. The Beavers and other animals (wolves, etc) are just people in animal costumes, and that's very obvious. They're outfits kids might wear to a costume party. Aslan is better than most, but still it's quite obvious it's someone's hand or something opening and shutting the mouth and blinking the eyes.
The CG effects are terrible. The animals (like flying horses and other unique "animals") are very obviously computer generated. The colors in them are too bright and they literally shimmer.
The battle is on a very small scale, especially after seeing the '05 one. It's got maybe 50 fighters to a side. And of course the unique CG animal thingys. :)
The four kids are all about the same height, with the exception of Lucy, who's slightly shorter. They also all look about the same age.
All that to say, it was a good movie sort-of, but the 2005 one is WAY better. I recommend that one highly.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Movie: Pride and Prejudice



My rating on a 1-10 scale: 10!
Main characters: Jane, Elizabeth, Bingley, Darcy, Collins, Lydia, Wickham
Genre: Romance  
Primary actors: Jennifer Ehle, Colin Firth
Based on: Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Time period: 1800's
Length: Almost (ahem) 5 hours.
Exciting events: Lydia's elopement
Quote(s): See the book Pride and Prejudice review.
Year it came out: 1995.
My overall opinion: I think this may be my favorite movie. It's definitely in my top five. Yes, it's long. Some of the dresses aren't very modest. But it follows the book almost exactly, and the actors are superb. A must-see for ANY girl. :)





My favorite scene. :)


I should really stop posting pictures...I could do this all day. One more!


Oh, one last thing: a link to a great Pride and Prejudice diagram/family-tree. Click here.

Monday, December 13, 2010

A Woman Named Damaris



Author: Janette Oke
Genre: Romance, childhood, life
Series: It's in the Women of the West set.
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8
Type: Fiction.
Time period: 1800's.
Main characters: Damaris, Abbie, Gil, Miss Dover
Exciting events: Riding in a wagon train, leaving home, finding orphans
My overall opinion: This is a fun book! It's a unique Janette Oke.

Silas Marner



Author: George Eliot
Genre: Childhood (but not for children), life
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 6

Type: Fiction.
Time period: 1800's
Main characters: Silas, Eppie
Exciting events: Finding Eppie and more.
My overall opinion: I didn't really enjoy this book. It had several intersting sub-plots, though.

Strega Nona



Author: Tomie de Paola
Genre: Story with a moral, children, comedy
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Children's book
Time period: Unknown
Main characters: Strega Nona, Big Anthony
Exciting events: Too much pasta!
Passage from book: Big Anthony rushed in and shouted the magic words again, but the pot kept bubbling. He took the pan off the floor, but pasta kept on pouring from it. Big Anthony grabbed a cover and put it on the pot and sat on it. But the pasta raised the cover, and Big Anthony as well, and spilled on the floor of Strega Nona's house.
My overall opinion: I gave this book an eight because it was pretty funny. Make that very funny. Any kid will love it (and maybe the adults too?).

Emma


Author: Jane Austen
Genre: Romance
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type: Fiction
Time period: 1800's
Passage from book: Emma Woodhouse, handsome, clever, and rich, with comfortable home and happy disposition, seemed to unite some of the best blessings of existence; and had lived nearly twenty-one years in the world with very little to distress or vex her.
My overall opinion:

12-13-10 (original): Yes, another great book. I recommend you watch the 2009 movie before reading the book as it can be a bit confusing, especially if you're young. But having seen the movie several times, the book was almost a piece of cake. :) A really delightful fun read (and funny in places too!).

12-25-12 (update): I first wrote the above review over two years ago. Today, for probably the first time, I came back and read it again. Now it truly is fully a "piece of cake" for me to read! I very highly recommend this book, and certainly hilarious in parts! It's a classic you should all read. (Incidentally, the 1996 version of Emma with Gwyneth Paltrow is also good) If you haven't read it yet, make that a goal for this year!

The Scarlet Pimpernel




Author: Baroness Emmuska Orczy
Genre: Romance, adventure
Series: Hmmm...it has several sequels.
Number in series: First.
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5
Type: Fiction.
Time period: 1700's
Main characters: The Scarlet Pimpernel, Marguerite, Percy
Exciting events: Chases, rescues, discoveries...exciting!
Passage from book or back cover: We seek him here, we seek him there, Those Frenchies seek him everywhere. Is he in heaven? -- Is he in hell? That demmed; elusive Pimpernel?
My overall opinion:

12-13-10 (original): Another terrific book. And for the record, there's a great movie that goes with it. Like I said, it has several sequels too.

12-25-12 (update): Having just read my original review again, I think it's abundantly unclear what I meant to say is as follows: 1. It's a great book. 2. It has several great sequels. 3. There's a good movie version (1982). That's all. This book has remained a favorite, and I recommend both it and the movie! You'll enjoy, I have no doubt.

Crimson Roses

For the record, mine has a nicer cover.
Author: Grace Livingston Hill
Genre: Romance
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 10

Type: Christian fiction
Time period: 1900's
Main characters: Marion, Lyman
Exciting events: Kidnapping!
My overall opinion: One of my definite favorite books. This is the sweetest, most romantic love story I've ever read. Completely clean, as all Mrs. Hill's books are. Highly recommended!

Favorite Sherlock Holmes Detective Stories



Author: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Genre: Mystery
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Fiction
Time period: 1900's
Main characters: Sherlock Holmes, Watson, many others
Exciting events: Chases, murders, theivery, much more!
My overall opinion: While it is true that I NEVER solve these mysteries on my own (for goodness sake, I can't even solve Nancy Drews!), I enjoy these books a lot.

One Grain of Rice



Author: Demi
Genre: Math, children
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9
Type: Children's book
Time period: Unknown
Main characters: Sultan, girl
Exciting events: Multiplying rice ;) (Better than it sounds)
Passage from book or back cover:"Your Highness," said Rani, "I do not deserve any reward at all. But if you wish, you may give one grain of rice...Today, you will give me one grain of rice. Then, each day for thirty days you will double the rice you gave me the day before."
My overall opinion: This is one fun book. It's cool!

Gennie the Hugenot Woman



Author: Bettie M. Ross
Genre: Adventure, family, romance
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 6

Type: Historical fiction
Time period: 1700's
Main characters: Gennie, Thomas
Exciting events: Birth, mind-loss, war
My overall opinion: I didn't really like this book. I don't wish to read it again. It just wasn't my kind of book!

They Called Her Mrs. Doc



Author: Janette Oke
Genre: Romance, family
Series: Part of the Women of the West set.
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7
Type: Fiction
Time period: Early 1900's
Main characters: Cassandra, Samuel
Exciting events: Having children, learning doctoring
My overall opinion: Not my favorite book by Janette Oke, but it's good.

The Man Called Noon

Author: Louis L'Amour
Genre: Western
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9
Type: Fiction
Time period: Early 1900's
Main characters: Ruble Noon, Peg Cullane, Judge Niland, Fan Davidge
Exciting events: Gun-fights, escapes, and much more!
My overall opinion: This is my favorite book by Louis L'Amour. Try it!

Look-Alikes Christmas



Author: Joan Steiner
Genre: Rhyme, I spy
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9.5

Type: Children's book
Time period: Present
Main characters: None
Exciting events: None
Passage from book or back cover: Grandma's baking cookies to ward off winter's chill. They're crisp, just like her apron -- a brand new dollar bill.
My overall opinion: This is totally one of the coolest books I've EVER read. There are about 8 or 9 pictures in this book, each composed of everyday objects. Each one has from 110 to 168 items you can find it. These include spool of thread, dollar bill, gummi vampire teeth, bingo cards, birdcage, blueberry pie, suctino cup, flat clothespins, chess pawns, pecans, circus peanut, gold chain, roses, broccoli, overalls buckle, gumdrops, raccoon fur, dollhouse chair, and SO much more! At the end there's a list for each picture, telling how many look-alikes there were and what each one was. This is an amazing book. Worth buying! I LOVE this book and look forward to browsing it each Christmas.


Hopefully you can blow up the above picture and see the dog bones etc in it. :)

Crooked House



Author: Agatha Christie
Genre: Mystery
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8
Type: Fiction
Time period: 1940's
Main characters: Charles, Sophia, Brenda, Josephine, Lawrence, Eustace, Edith
Exciting events: Two murders, one near death encounter, mysterious circumstances.
My overall opinion: A good book, one anyone should enjoy.

Chancy



Author: Louis L'Amour
Genre: Western
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8
Type: Fiction
Time period: 1800's
Main characters: Otis Tom Chancy, Stud Pelly, Caxton Kelsey, Kit, Jim Bigbear
Exciting events: A fist fight, exciting cattle herding
My overall opinion: A fun read. :)

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Eighth Shepherd



Author: Brock and Bodie Thoene
Genre: Historical fiction.
Series: The A.D. Chronicles.
Number in series: Surprise! Eighth.
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5
Type: Historical fiction.
Time period: Bible times.
Main characters: Zachai, Yeshua, Salmon, Shimona
Exciting events: the whole book!  
My overall opinion: Brock and Bodie Thoene write a lot of historical fiction. This particular series is about Jesus, from His birth to (I presume, though I haven't ended it yet) His death. This book was about Zaccheus. These are REALLY great books, making those stories come to life more than ever before.

The Baked Bean Supper Murders



Author: Virginia Rich
Genre: Mystery
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7

Type: Fiction.
Time period: Present.
Main characters: Mrs. Potter, Persy, Rodney, Laurie, Olympia, Curly
Exciting events: Two murders, one dying dog, house stoning, etc.
Passage from book: Carter Ansdale beamed at the southern pecan pie, crisply topped with pecan halves suspended in a clear, sweet, brown, praline-tasting jelly.
My overall opinion: One of the really cool things about this book was that Ms. Rich minutely describes the food. It's SO luscious. Makes your mouth water. However, she also weaves an intricate murder. A fun book!

Ella Enchanted



Author: Gail Carson Levine
Genre: Romance, fantasy, adventure
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9
Type: fiction.
Time period: Fantasy.
Main characters: Ella, Char, Hattie, Olive
Exciting events: Almost being eaten by ogres, going to a giant wedding, being obedient
My overall opinion: Gail C. Levine is great at re-telling fairy tales. That's exactly what she did here; this one is a re-telling of Cinderella. It's a really great book and I highly recommend it!

Saturday, December 11, 2010

The Sword and the Flame


Author: Stephen R. Lawhead
Genre: Fantasy, adventure
Series: The Dragon King Trilogy
Number in series: Third.
My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8
Type: Fiction
Time period: Fantasy.
Main characters: Quentin, Toli, Theido, Ronsard, Bria, Esme, Durwin, Nimrood (yes, he's bad)
Exciting events: A dis-heartened king, a kidnapped prince, a large battle...
My overall opinion: A good book. I found it hard to pick it back up again each time I put it down, but when I did, I thoroughly enjoyed it! It's a book that any boy or girl will enjoy, but not a quick read.

Movie: The Importance of Being Earnest



My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8
Main characters: Algernon, Jack, Gwendolen, Cecily, Miss Prism
Genre: Romance, comedy
Primary actors: Rupert Everett, Colin Firth, Frances O'Connor, Reese Witherspoon
Based on: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde
Time period: 1800's
Exciting events: The name changes, the humor in general!
Quote(s): See the post on the book.
Year it came out: 2002
My overall opinion: A good movie! Follows the book very closely, using many quotes from it. I enjoyed it! On a side note...I like Colin Firth better as the 1995 Mr. Darcy than as this weird guy.

Movie: Polar Express



My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7.5
Main characters: a boy, a girl, another boy, and a know-it-all
Genre: Children's, fantasy, holiday
Primary actors: Tom Hanks, Leslie Zemeckis, Eddie Deezen
Based on: the children's book, Polar Express
Time period: Present
Exciting events: Meeting Santa, riding on the Polar Express, making friends
Year it came out: 2004
My overall opinion: A fun movie. Nothing really scary for kids. Nothing kinda scary either, that I noticed. It's a great holiday movie that your whole family can enjoy. :)