Birthday: Oliver Hardy

Oliver Hardy

 

Birth: January 18, 1892

Death: August 7, 1957

I've posted about him: http://austenitis.blogspot.com/search/label/Oliver%20Hardy

It’s his 120th birthday!

You know him because – he’s one of the title characters in the old comedies generally known as Laurel and Hardy. He’s delightful and very hilarious.

Birthday: Orlando Bloom!

I have decided to do short posts for the birthdays that I want to point out. Since I'm not using The Birthday Blog anymore, I figured here was the place to do it! The first two posts (both coming out today) are a bit late for the birthdays they're for, but from now on, they should be on time.

Orlando Bloom

 

Birth: January 13, 1977

It’s his 35th birthday!

I've posted about him: http://austenitis.blogspot.com/search/label/Orlando%20Bloom

You know him because – he’s a movie star. He may be most famous for starring in Pirates of the Caribbean, but I love him as Legolas in Lord of the Rings.

Searching for Guest Bloggers!

I am looking for guest bloggers! I haven’t had anyone here for literally months, which is rather sad. I would love to have you guest blog! Obviously, if you already have a blog, I’d need to check that out first. If you’re interested, you can leave a comment or email me (charityu.austenite[at]gmail[dot]com) and we can arrange it. You can post about almost anything (after I approve the idea). A few ideas I would mention --- you could do something related to Jane Austen or period dramas. Something related to Narnia or Lord of the Rings. You could do a post with your thoughts on the subject in general, a review of some book you’ve recently, or even a Spotlight post! I’m open to the idea or some people posting a short series of posts (up to three) or two people posting together. J So there’s all kinds of things you could do if you’re interested!

I am also open to guest post. In general, I like to do a movie spotlight on the blogs I guest post on. As you may recall, I did three guest posts on Jemimah’s blog, Beautiful Blank Pages, back a few months. I have a waiting list of movies that I can Spotlight on your blog if you’d like! If you’d like me to come by (whether or not you come by here), just leave a comment or email me.

Thanks so much!

Lord of the Rings Posters: Fellowship of the Ring

Another post just because I love Lord of the Rings. I meant to post this months ago, but obviously haven't really had time. I already did the Return of the King post, so if you enjoy this one, make sure you check that out! Without further ado...let's go!

That's all I can find at the moment! I think that Return of the King definitely has the most, and I'd guess Two Towers has the fewest, but I'm not sure.

*NOTE:* I had to go back through, deleting many and adding one because of problems with the links and pictures. Consequently, if the last time you saw this post, it looked better, that's why. My apologies!

Ashes of Remembrance

Author: Bodie Thoene, Brock Thoene

Genre: Life

Series: The Galway Chronicles

Number in series: 1st

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 300

Time period: 1800’s (1843, to be exact)

My overall opinion: I’ve read others by the Thoenes that I’ve liked a lot better. This book I had trouble getting interested in, though when I picked it up and actually read it, I enjoyed it. So. I would read the rest of this series if I could access it (can’t, at present).

The Reluctant Spy

Author: John Kiriakou

Genre: Life (can you tell I put “life” when I’m not sure what to put?)

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Biography (auto-bio)

Number of pages: 192

Time period: Present

My overall opinion: Mostly, I enjoyed it. Learning about this guy’s life as a CIA agent was very interesting! Great book. However, there were some swear words throughout, not a ton, but some rather serious ones. So keep that in mind when you consider reading it.

CD: Michael Buble Christmas

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Singer: Michael Buble (obviously)

Type of music: Christmas, a lot of classic secular songs (about Santa Claus etc)

List of songs:

1.       It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

2.       Santa Claus is Coming to Town

3.       Jingle Bells (with the Puppini Sisters)

4.       White Christmas (with Shania Twain)

5.       All I Want for Christmas Is You

6.       Holly Jolly Christmas

7.       Santa Baby

8.       Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

9.       Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home)

10.   Silent Night

11.   Blue Christmas

12.   Cold December Night

13.   I’ll Be Home for Christmas

14.   Ave Maria

15.   Mis Deseos/Feliz Navidad (with Thalia)

My overall opinion: *sigh* This was definitely one of my favorite Christmas CD’s this year. I should mention (before raving more) that some of the songs are a little bit rocky (as in, the rock type of music), so that may be a drawback. I think my favorites are #9 (which is the type that sticks in your head for hours) and #11 (in which the trumpeter has way too much fun). My siblings love #15 (which is also catchy). Ave Maria is beautiful. So is It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas. The introduction for Jingle Bells is very 80’s, according to my parents…rather strange. You’d understand if you’ve heard it. He changed the words for Santa Baby, or so say the people who know the original. Since I don’t, I don’t know.  Altogether, I love the CD. Definitely worth your money, as long as the rock stuff doesn’t bother you much…it’s not too bad. P.S. #5 is another one that’ll stick in your head. Now you can’t say I didn’t warn you. ;)

Totally Awesome Giveaway!!!!!

This is the best day (IMHO) of Katy's blog birthday giveaways. :) It involves two books: one by an author I've read one book by (which I loved) and one by an author I've read a lot of positive reviews about. They are Lisa Bergren (who wrote Waterfall [read my review!]) and Jill Eileen Smith (who wrote a Wives of King David series, and is starting on a Wives of the Patriarch's series). The books:



Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith

OR

One of the above books by Lisa T. Bergren: Waterfall, Cascade, or Torrent. I'm hoping to win Cascade, if I win one of these, since that's the next one I need to read. :)

So go HERE to enter Katy's giveaway at "Legacy of a Writer" before it closes on Monday, January 16, sometime around noon! 

A Being So Gentle

Author: Patricia Brady

Genre: Life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 7.5

Type: Biography

Number of pages: 250

Time period: Early 1800’s

My overall opinion: This book was pretty interesting! It’s “The Frontier Love Story of Rachel and Andrew Jackson.” Sounds cool? It is. I learned all kinds of stuff about them…and feel like I know them. They had a not-so-great start, but were still greatly in love in their forties, writing each other sweet letters. If you like biographies (which is kinda what this is) you might want to check this one out!

Song: Into Battle

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type of music: Soundtrack

Composer: David Arnold

From the movie: Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Length: 11:04 (yes, it's one song)

My overall opinion: It's quite the song! Don't listen to at night...it may freak you out. Pretty awesome, though!

The Hobbit!!!

I should certainly hope that you all know I’m greatly anticipating seeing The Hobbit part one when it comes out this December! I can’t remember at the moment if it’s the 14^th or the 16^th, but whichever it is, I’m terribly excited. Looked it up...it's the 14th!!! Anyway, one reason this movie is cool, because as they’re filming and producing it, the director (Peter Jackson, who also directed all three Lord of the Rings films) is bringing out little video blogs which are posted on the movie web page. I just recently finally watched the fourth and fifth ones (which came out in November and January) and thought maybe a few of you haven’t seen them yet. Follow the link at the bottom of this post to go to movie home page and see them there! They’re definitely worth seeing. If you haven’t seen the first three yet, I’m sure they’re on there too. Enjoy! Oh, make sure you watch the trailer too!

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/

A Girl Named Faithful Plum

Author: Richard Bernstein

Genre: Life, growing up

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Biography

Number of pages: 270

Time period: Late 1900’s

My overall opinion: Wow, this was quite the book! It’s actually an inspiring story. A young Chinese dancer, who goes to a really selective ballet school! It was very interesting, aimed at middle-school age, I suppose. An adult would enjoy too though, methinks. Definitely check this one out if you can find it!

Book Giveaway!

Katy, over at Legacy of a Writer, is having a blog birthday party including many wonderful giveaways! I'm not entering any (though I'd like to) until this one, the fifth one, I think. It's for a book by Ronie Kendig, called Wolfsbane. According to Katy, it's an absolutely wonderful book...she loves it. :) So naturally, I really want to read it!

Go here to enter the giveaway! It's open through January 16...hurry to enter! One awesome giveaway. :) Thank for hosting, Katy!

Spotlight: Maria

Maria Von Trapp (Sound of Music)

 

Maria was acted by Julie Andrews, and based on the original Maria Von Trapp, though the story was changed a lot.

That's the real Maria and her Captain.

That is a pretty dress. Except I don't really like the jean (?) bodice...but the feathery leaves all over are sweet!

Maria's at the top.

She's on the far left.



The Girl in Blue

(((impossible to find the right cover)))

Author: P. G. Wodehouse

Genre: Life, humor (not technically humor, I suppose, but it IS funny)

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 190

Time period: Early 1900’s

My overall opinion: It’s funny and fun! I really enjoyed this, and am definitely going to read more by Wodehouse. I had read his Jeeves books before, but it’s been awhile. This one was worth the read!

Meet the Austins

Author: Madeline L’Engle

Genre: Childhood

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 192

Time period: 1950’s, maybe?

My overall opinion: It was really good! I read L’Engle’s “Wind in the Door” series, and thought they were fine...but this one was better, IMHO! Fun story.

Titanic

Note: this is a special review. I’m doing a three-book series all in one post. The series is Titanic, with the three books being: Unsinkable, Collision Course, S.O.S.

Author: Gordon Korman

Genre: Adventure

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Historical fiction

Number of pages: About 170 per book

Time period: Early 1900’s

My overall opinion: These books are grade-school reading level, so quite easy. I really enjoyed them, and if the Titanic interests you, these are good. Full of adventure. Very interesting!

Cover Focus: The Lightkeeper’s Ball

The Lightkeeper’s Ball by Colleen Coble 

Book blurb from goodreads.com : “Olivia seems to have it all, but her heart yearns for more.

Olivia Stewart's family is one of the Four Hundred-the highest echelon of society in 1910. When her sister dies under mysterious circumstances, Olivia leaves their New York City home for Mercy Falls, California, to determine what befell Eleanor. She suspects Harrison Bennett, the man Eleanor planned to marry. But the more Olivia gets to know him, the more she doubts his guilt-and the more she is drawn to him herself.

When several attempts are made on her life, Olivia turns to Harrison for help. He takes her on a ride in his aeroplane, but then crashes, and they're forced to spend two days alone together. With her reputation hanging by a thread, Harrison offers to marry her to make the situation right. As a charity ball to rebuild the Mercy Falls lighthouse draws near, she realizes she wants more than a sham engagement-she wants Harrison in her life forever. But her enemy plans to shatter the happiness she is ready to grasp. If Olivia dares to drop her masquerade, she just might see the path to true happiness.”

Why I like this cover: This is one of the two covers that inspired me to start Cover Focus. Just plain and simple, it’s one of the most beautiful covers I’ve ever seen. Ever. That dress is amazingly eye-catching, don’t you think? A deep crimson. I love that dress. And the white lace around the sleeves? Enchanting. Then I love her dark hair, mostly caught up, but falling down some too. Her face is turned just far enough sideways to show that she’s a beauty. Even the background is amazing. Looks like a ballroom to me, which would fit the title. J I love the chair..and all the gold coloring. Very pretty.

I’ve only read Colleen Coble’s first book in this series (The Lightkeeper’s Daughter, which is reviewed on here) but it was good and someday, hopefully, I’ll read the rest of the series.