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.

Take Four

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Genre: Life

Series: Above the Line series

Number in series: 4th

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 360

Time period: Present

Passage from book: “Bailey Flanigan’s legs shook and her arms felt like limp noodles. Outside, the heat in the heart of New York City sweltered, the humidity some of the worst of the summer. If the dance studio had air conditioning, it wasn’t working. The mix of sweaty bodies and thick air made it almost impossible for Bailey or any of the dancers to catch their breath.”

My overall opinion: Bailey’s one of the college girls previously mentioned. J *sob* This is the last book in the series. L And it didn’t resolve everything either...to learn more, you have to start another series, the Bailey Flanigan series, with the first book Leaving. I can’t wait to read it! This was a pretty awesome series. I loved learning about everything talked about in here. J

Take Three

Author: Karen Kingsbury

Genre: Life

Series: Above the Line series

Number in series: 3rd

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 329

Time period: Present

My overall opinion: I’m enjoying this series a lot! Definitely attached to the characters. I love the movie-making part of the story, and the struggles of the college girls are also very interesting. A wonderful read.

Movie: The Man from Snowy River

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Genre: Adventure, classic, touch of romance, western (in Australia)

Series or set: It does have a sequel: Return to Snowy River

Primary actor: Kirk Douglas

Length: An hour and forty minutes or so.

Time period: 1800’s

Exciting events: A death, a fight, wild horses, and more!

Year it came out: 1982

My overall opinion: I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped to. My problems with it were as follow: 1. I felt almost like it was over-cliched. Does that make any sense? :P I guess I found it pretty predictable. Not completely, but quite. Now, I realize that it’s old, and maybe all those classic story things are based on it…that may be, I don’t know. J 2. There were a few suggestive comments…which, I admit, were pretty hilarious, but still suggestive. They weren’t awful, but not constructive either, so to speak. 3. Finally, the music. It was either there, or it wasn’t. I didn’t feel it at all remarkable, and it seemed to me like it didn’t really blend in…I don’t recall noticing this much on other movies. When it was there, I realized it. When it wasn’t, that stood out too.

SO, those were my things against it. Oh, and the female heroine’s hairstyle was totally inaccurate for the time period. It was just romantic. ;)

However, it was a fun story, and while I certainly won’t buy the DVD, it was worth a one-time watch, and I’m glad I saw it.

A Girl of the Limberlost

Author: Gene Stratton-Porter

Genre: Life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 338

Time period: Early 1900’s?

My overall opinion: I’ve read this one twice now, and I enjoy it. It’s a very interesting story. A young, rather poor girl, a touch of mystery, a tad of romance (with a Prince Charming!), and a happy ending. And an irate and stuck-up girlfriend for the Prince Charming. Worth a read or two!

Soliciting Your Suggestions!

Hello, everyone! Yes, I am soliciting your suggestions. And to make sure I was using that first s word right, I looked it up. The meaning I’m going for here – “to ask or seek, earnestly or pleadingly; appeal to or for.” Yup, that’s what I’m doing.

As you know, I’m always reading and always looking for new book ideas. So I want your help to find more books to enjoy. And at least as importantly, I want to review the books that you want to hear about. If you can answer (or help me with in any way) any of the questions below, please do so in a comment!

·         Is there a book that you’re wondering if I’ve reviewed? I probably know if I have or not, so ask. J

·         Is there a book that you don’t think I’ve reviewed, but would like to see a review of? Maybe even (*delightedly*) several books? I really love books. J Again, ask! I’m not allowed to read most romances that are being written more recently (in other words, Jane Austen, yes, a newer author, probably not).

·         How about movies? I’m far from being a complete movie junkie who watches tons, but I’m always open to suggestions. Have you seen a good one that you want my thoughts on? Maybe a period drama? Maybe something newer?

·         We’re really getting off the book theme here, but do you have a singer to recommend? You probably have noticed that most “modern” music (ie, the stuff enjoyed by many teens [yes, I called it “stuff” not “music”]) is not something I enjoy. But Christian singers? Or at least ones who are clean?

·         Do you have an author who you’ve really enjoyed, but think that maybe I haven’t read? Suggest them (yes, plural). I love finding new authors. It might be an author who you think I’d enjoy reading some books by and then interviewing. It might just be an author who you think I’d like to check out!

·         Do you have any random suggestions for or thoughts about this blog? No, this has nothing to do with reading, but yes, I’m still curious. If you’re shy, comment for this under the anonymous setting. J

There you go! Surely most of you can think of SOMETHING for a question or two. J I’d love to have tons of suggestions! Feel free to leave a long list if you’d like (I would totally love that ;). I will try to reply to your comments as I publish them, so check back.

And if you can think of a book, movie, singer, or someone/something else that doesn’t fit into the above categories, but that you think would interest me, mention them too.

P.S. If none of the above questions brought a suggestion to mind…have you read a good book (or two or three or four or five etc) lately? Tell me the title. J I’m always curious what others are reading.

Now comment! I’m dying of curiosity down here. Really.

A Proud Taste for Scarlet and Miniver

Author: E. L. Konigsburg

Genre: Life

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8

Type: Historical fiction/biography

Number of pages: 200

Time period: 1500’s

My overall opinion: This is a sort of biography of Eleanor of Aquitaine. She and some friends are in Heaven, and those friends look back and tell the story of Eleanor’s life from their view-points. I found it interesting and informative.

Giveaway Winners!!!!

The time has come to announce the four lucky winners of the four giveaways I recently hosted! Much thanks to Lena Nelson Dooley, Julie Lessman, Sarah Sundin, and Allison Pittman, each of whom offered to give away one of their books. It is now my pleasure to announce the winners!

The winner of Lena Nelson Dooley’s Maggie’s Journey is…

Miss Dashwood!!!!

The winner of Julie Lessman’s A Heart Revealed is…

Jen!!!! (jen.whitney08@....)

The winner of Sarah Sundin’s Blue Skies Tomorrow is…

Angelica!!!!

And the winner of Allison Pittman’s For Time and Eternity is…

Lyn H!!!! (spooler@....)

Congratulations, winners! I will be emailing each of you for your snail mail addresses to forward on to the authors. (Miss Dashwood, I need you to leave me your email address in a comment so I can write you! Or just write straight to me -- charityu.austenite[at]gmail[dot]com  )) Again, congrats everyone!

The Ezekiel Option

Author: Joel Rosenberg

Genre: Adventure (suspense, really)

Series: The same one that The Last Jihad, The Copper Scroll, etc seem to be in. I believe this is the third book.

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 9

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 413

Time period: Present/future

My overall opinion: I think this is my favorite Rosenberg yet! It was really exciting, and I loved it. Read it for sure, if you’re planning to read Rosenbergs!

Cover Focus: Livvie’s Song

Livvie’s Song by Sharlene MacLaren 

Book blurb from goodreads.com : “Life is far from a breeze for Olivia Beckman, owner of Livvie's Kitchen, a favorite of locals in Wabash, Indiana. The widowed mother of two is struggling to make ends meet–no simple feat, especially when her cook turns in his resignation. Yet she's determined to pull through on her own, just as she did when God failed to save her beloved Frank.

Newly released from a ten–year prison sentence, Will Taylor is ready for a fresh start. With harmonica in hand–the only possession he values, aside from his Bible–he makes his way to Wabash, where a late–night meal at Livvie's Kitchen turns into a job opportunity when the outgoing cook learns about his restaurant experience. What he doesn't know is that the "restaurant" was a prison cafeteria.

But Will became a new man behind bars, thanks to a Christian friend, and he credits God's providence with landing him a job he loves. Soon, he cooks and bakes his way into the stomachs of his customers–and the heart of his employer. Both are hesitant, though, still healing from past hurts. A recipe for love between them will require sharing secrets, braving dangers, and believing God for a bright future.”

Why I like this cover: I believe I’ve mentioned before that there were two books that I had in mind when creating Cover Focus. Well, this is one of the them. I absolutely adore this cover. Not to mention the story inside. First, look at the woman. She’s Livvie. For your information, she looks just like she does in the book. J I love her brown eyes. I love that hair…it’s actually strawberry blond! And I love that half-smile. It’s SO Livvie. I think the “Open” sign behind her is perfect. Looks exactly like the one hanging in “Livvie’s Café”, her restaurant. And then the red and white striped umbrellas. No, not umbrellas…you know what I mean. And that car? Wow. It all goes so perfectly in the story. And besides, even if it didn’t, wouldn’t you have to admit that car is mighty cool? The peaceful sidewalk behind…

Ummm, yeah, I love this book. And this cover. You can find an interview with the author, and my review of “Livvie’s Song,” and an extra post about “Livvie’s Song” by clicking on the Sharlene MacLaren tag below. I highly recommend this book. It’s a top favorite of mind. Definitely read it. J

Spotlight: Gene Kelly

(note that this isn't quite a normal Spotlight post -- I'm doing an actor, instead of a movie character. But this guy doesn't have enough pictures of any single character for me to do that, so I'm doing him instead. P.S. I'm very sad...I haven't done a Spotlight since August! My apologies.)

Gene Kelly

(in Brigadoon, my favorite of the three Gene Kelly films I've seen)

(also from Brigadoon)

(yes, those are also Brigadoon pictures...there's more out there than I thought!)

(starting in on Singin' in the Rain pictures, from here on down to further notice. Love that smile!)

(he's on the far right)

(end of Singin' in the Rain pictures)

(beginning American in Paris pictures until further notice)

(end of American in Paris)

(those two are from The Pirate which I haven't seen yet)

(yes, that's him)