Mailbox Monday
Here's what I received in my mailbox last week:
Thanks to the author, Gabriele Wills for this book.
Monday, February 15, 2010
Here's what I received in my mailbox last week:
Thanks to the author, Gabriele Wills for this book.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
When I thought about historical books that I could post about for the letter "e", I immediately thought of Jane Eyre. How could I not think of it? It's a historical classic by a Brontë sister, no less.
I believe I have seen every film version of this book ever made, all very good. I fell in love with the story at a very young age. However I didn't read until my adult years. I read it with my Classics Club on Yahoo, before my days of blogging. We had a great discussion of it, which really add to my enjoyment of it.
I won't bore you with writing about the story, seeing as most of you know it. If you don't know it, what planet are you from. It's a classic that should be read, so read it. I would love to hear your thought on it. Do you think it should be considered a classic?
Friday, February 12, 2010
!00 Mile Fitness Challege (I'm aiming for 66 Miles)
Week 6 (5 for me) February 6-12
Friday-2
Saturday-0
Sunday-2
Monday-0
Tuesday-2
Wednesday-0
Thursday-2
Total this week: 8
Total for challenge: 36
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Our Hart: Elegy for a Concubine by Lloyd Lofthouse
Last year, I had the opportunity to review the award winning 'My Splendid Concubine' by Lloyd Lofthouse. I really enjoyed it and told Lloyd that I would love to review his sequel. Luckily, he took me up on and my offer.
'Our Hart' is the continuation of the fictionalized account of the real person, Robert Hart. In 'My Splendid Concubine' he was an interpreter for the British Consulate in China. He fell in love with two concubines, Ayaou and her younger sister Shao-mei. At the end of the book, Shao-mei, was killed by someone out to get revenge on Robert.
In 'our Hart', Robert and Ayaou grieve over Shao-mei and Robert tries to better protect Ayaou. As his career grows, so does his family. Ayaou has children and their eunuch servant, Guan-Jiah becomes a surrogate uncle for the children. Robert became the deputy commissioner of customs for the Ch’ing dynasty in his late 20's. and it kept him away from his family for long stretches at a time. He was indispensible to the dynasty and work for them in to his senior year. They fondly referred to him as "Our Hart".
Our Hart is the story of Robert's lifelong career in China and his relationship with Ayaou and his lifetime servant, Guan-Jiah. Lloyd Lofthouse does a great job pacing the story and keeping the reader engaged. I thought the story got a bit repetitive with Ayaou's whining and questioning Robert's love but other than that it was a great story. Note, that I read an uncorrected proof, so perhaps some of Ayaou's whining was reduced.
Though 'Our Hart' could be read as a standalone book, I highly recommend that you read 'My Splendid Concubine' first, as it gives you quite a bit of background that makes 'Our Hart' a richer read. I highly recommend both of these books to historical fiction lovers who are interested in Chinese culture.
If you are interested in learning more about the books, Robert Hart, and China, Lloyd Lofthouse has a blog with some great links to explore. It is called, Learning China.
If you are interested in learning more about the books, Robert Hart, and China, Lloyd Lofthouse has a blog with some great links to explore. It is called, Learning China.
4/5
Thanks to Paula Krapf and Penny Sansevieri of Author Marketing Experts, Inc. and Lloyd Lofthouse for a copy of this book.
Also reviewed by:
Monday, February 8, 2010
Winners: The Unnamed by Joshua Ferris
Thanks to Anna of Hachette Books for making this giveaway possible!
Thanks to everyone who entered and especially to my followers/ subscribers!
The 3 Winners are:
Sandy Jay
Tina (already won)
BelindaM
Amy
Amy
Winners: The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova-Audiobook
Thanks to everyone who entered and especially to my followers/ subscribers!
The 3 winners are:
Sara
Cheli
Sandy Jay
Mailbox Monday
Thanks to Kevin Howell of Penguin Group (USA)
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Nighttime in the Pool by T. C. Boyle
This week I read 'Nighttime in the Pool', which appeared in the New Yorker, here.
The story opened with two couples traveling in Belize and Guatemala, on the cheap. They traveled on the regular buses and were staying away from the all inclusive spots. They even stayed in a cheap hotel across from an insane asylum, "where day and night the inmates pressed their faces against the iron bars and moaned and shook and shouted unintelligibly?"'
The two couples could hardly wait until they arrived in Mexico, where they "would spring for a real hotel a little luxury by way of compensation for all the rough--but illuminating--living." When they arrived at the more luxurious hotel in Mexico, they were so excited to find out there was a swimming pool. "Here was a chance to shed some of the grit of the road."
There was very little light at the pool and the water felt funny, but that didn't stop one of the men from going in and doing a couple of laps. They next morning the man went to the pool and "made some overlapping discoveries".
This is a very short story of only one page. Too short you say, for anything of substance? Not true, good stories can come in tiny packages. Believe it or not Boyle did it again. This time he developed an entire story only one page in length. If you haven't read anything by . T. Coraghessan Boyle, what are you waiting for? Go now, be sure to start with Chicxulub, here.
If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!
If you would like to participate in Short Story Mondays or just find out about some great short stories, go to John of The Book Mine Set. He has a short story review every Monday and a place for you to link your short story reviews. Come join in the fun!
Thursday, February 4, 2010
100 Mile Fitness- Update
Week 5 (4 for me) January 29-February 5
Friday-0
Saturday-0
Sunday-2
Monday-2
Tuesday-
Wednesday-2
Thursday-1
Total this week: 7
Total for challenge: 28
Okay, I'm not the type of person who goes around complaining about ailments. However, I decided to mention that I have Fibromyalgia and it has been very active lately. That is why, from the beginning of the challenge I said that I didn't think I would be able to really make the 100 mile goal.
I joined to motivate myself to exercise more and I am. Any miles that I do at this point are more miles than I was doing before. I really want to thank everyone for their support and encouragement.
I don't want to go around complaining about my aches and pains, in fact I find that counter-productive in feeling better. I just wanted you to know why I am pretty happy with how I am doing with the challenge so far.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Giveaway: The Crazy School By Cornelia Read
Thanks to Valerie Russo of Hachette Books, I giving away up to 3 copies of this book.
Description:
From the acclaimed author of A FIELD OF DARKNESS comes another compelling novel featuring the acerbic and memorable voice of ex-debutante Madeline Dare.Madeline Dare has finally escaped rust-belt
About Author:
Cornelia Read grew up in New York, California, and Hawaii. She describes herself as a reformed debutante who currently lives in Berkeley. This is her second novel. Her website is www.corneliaread.com.
The number of entrants to this giveaway will determine how many copies of this book I will giveaway:
1-10 entrants= 1
11-20 entrants= 2
21-30 entrants= 3
Here are the rules:
1. For one entry, leave a comment. Please be sure to include your email address (if it isn't available in your profile), so that I can contact you if you win. If I can't find your email either in the comments or your profile, you will be disqualified!
2. For two more entries, post about this giveaway on your blog and leave link to your blog post in the comments. You will also get an entry for each person who tells me that they learned about this
giveaway from you.
3. For another 5 more entries: Become a Follower of my blog or subscribe to my blog through Google Reader or other subscription service. If you are already a subscriber or follower you still get the five extra entries! Please do not comment that you are a follower five times! I will give you the extra entries myself. I will delete any extra entries that you make as it will just confuse me when I go to pick the winners.
Sorry, the giveaway is only open US and Canadian residents only.
The winner’s mailing address: NO P.O. Boxes.
Only one entry per household/IP address.
This giveaway will end on Friday, February 26th at 11:59 P.M. E.S.T. The winners will be notified by email, so remember to include your email address in the comments, if it isn't available in your profile! Winners must respond within three days or will be disqualified.
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