Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen: Trish's Review

I am so thrilled that I finished with this challenge and with such a pleasant read!

Pride and Prejudice was my final selection for this challenge. My review can be found on HERE on my blog. Because the story is so well-known I don't discuss the plot so much as a few of my feelings. While I really enjoyed the story, I'm a sucker for the new movie-version with Kiera Knightly. Yes, some parts were butchered out, but certain scenes I think are portrayed so beautifully to show the tension between Lizzy and Mr. Darcy.

If you haven't read this one, I would recommend it as the quintessential romance novel. Enjoy!

Sea Glass - Anita Shreve: Trish's review

Title: Sea Glass
Author: Anita Shreve
Pages: 376
Rating: 4.25/5

This is my fourth Shreve book and my favorite so far (coming in second is The Weight of Water). I picked this up at a booksale and read it for Something About Me - based on Library Lady and Beachreader's selections--thanks ladies!!

Anyway, this book is about a number of characters who are drastically different from one another but manage to come together for a common cause. The book takes place during 1929-1930--the first difference from the other books I've read which are more contemporary--and follows each of the main characters instead of a select two or so--which is also different. Among the characters there is Honora, the naive young wife of Sexton who is not always entirely honest. McDermott, a lower class factory worker who takes in the young Alphonse under his wing. And Vivian, an upperclass socialite who gets mixed in with the others at first just for something to do.

The rest of the review is on my blog: HERE The only book left on my list is Pride and Prejudice!!

High Fidelity - Nick Hornby: Trish's Review

Title: High Fidelity

Author: Nick Hornby

Pages: 322

Rating: 4.5/5

High Fidelity is one of my favorite movies--John Cusack one of my favorite actors--so I was a little worried about what my reception of the book was going to be, especially since I really didn't like Big Fish (the book--read it last month). Anyway, I really enjoyed this book and am glad that I just happened to pick up some of his other books at a booksale a few months ago. (Incidentally About A Boy is another movie I really enjoy--just realized they are the same author).

High Fidelity is the story of Rob and Laura, a couple who has recently broken up. What I love about this book is that the perspective is all Rob's, and Rob is a little bit neurotic and way too analytical. He reminds me of my hero Bridget Jones--except a male version and not quite so silly.

The rest of my review can be found on my blog.

Rhinoa chose this book as her pick: "Another of my favourite authors. This one looks at music (another hobby of mine being a part-time DJ) and the main characters love making lists much like me. The humour is great and it translated really well from London in the book to the USA in the film."

The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield: Trish's Review

Title: The Thirteenth Tale
Author: Diane Setterfield
Pages: 405
Rating: 4.5/5

First, I would like to thank Kristin for nominating this book. She writes, "The main reason I pick this book is that I really, really enjoyed it....I think it's one of the best new books I've read in years!" And I also agree with her that this is a bibliophiles dream--books books and more books! :)

My full review can be found on my blog, but here is a little blurb:

I really enjoyed this book. The frame story is of Margaret Lea, an avid reader and amateur biographer, who is commissioned by the prolific novelist Vida Winter to write her biography. Margaret doesn't quit understand Winter's choice as she has never picked up one of her books (she prefers the Gothic classics), but she agrees to write Winter's biography under a number of conditions. The frame story was OK--Margaret bothered me in a number of ways and I wanted to scream at her several times "Get over yourself!!" But I didn't. :)

The story within the story, though, is what captured me...

If you're reading this book for the challenge, I hope you enjoy it--if not, pick it up anyway. Its a little longish, but doesn't feel like it at all.

Trish's Review of Like Water for Chocolate

Title: Like Water for Chocolate
Author: Laura Esquirel
Pages: 264
Date Finished: August 22, 2007
Rating: 3/5

This is my first selection for Something About Me Challenge. I have wanted to read it for a few years now and picked it up cheap a few months ago at the local bookfair. Perfect! I love when things work out that way. This was Maryanne's selection. She writes, "This is one of the books that made me realize that the best cooks of all are the ones who cook with love." I completely agree with this statement and I believe that it holds very true for this book.

But, this book didn't do it for me. It was good and I mostly enjoyed reading it, but the book was a little too superficial. What I mean by that is that the character development was very weak, and after reading the book I didn't have any strong passions about what happened to the characters. I liked the way the book ended, but there just wasn't enough character/narrative depth. Perhaps there is more symbolic and analytical depth to the book, but if I'm not in a grad course I don't necessarily dig or delve into books the way I probably should (i.e. background research, textual research, analytical research, etc.).

My full review can be found on my blog. (Here I do go into talk about food, which is my favorite aspect of the book).

Trish's List (Finally)

I am sorry I'm getting this out so late. I'm not sure why I'm apologizing to all of you :) I've been Internet-less for about 3 weeks and I'm currently using hubby's labtop, which I hate using because its difficult to type on. Hopefully our Internet will be hooked up early this week so I can catch up on everyone's reviews, as well as my own blog. Urg (we've been on vacation and moving...which is why no Internet).

My list (with alternates, which I'm not sure we are allowed to do but am listing anyway!):

The Thirteenth Tale (Kristen)
Like Water for Chocolate (Maryanne)
High Fidelity (Rhinoa)
Sea Glass (Beachreader and Library Lady)
Pride and Prejudice (Bookworm and Pattie)

Alternates:
The Other Boleyn Girl (Margo)
Bell Jar (Holly and Soleil)
The Robber Bride (Ellen)

Basically I picked these books because I already own them or they are not already cross-posted with other challenges. I'm bored to pieces with my George Washington biography, which is why I'm braving the hard-to-use keyboard to post my list--and find another book to read. :)

Happy reading!

Trish

Trish's Something-About-Me Books

This was actually a lot more difficult than I thought it would be!! I went through the books that I've read, but also through the list to try and not pick books that have already been listed a few times. Here's what I came up with:

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte - This book restored my love of literature as a high school senior. But also because it is the most romantic book--tragic, but who could forget those harrowing words, "I AM Heathcliff."

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult - Picoult always shows all sides to every story, and this one I could especially relate to as my younger sister had a kidney transplant 5 years ago (when she was 18). Although I wasn't in exactly the same circumstances, I could relate to Kate's siblings.

Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery - Because I grew up in Canada, and when I was little I wanted to be Anne so badly. I loved her--still do. Happy Canada Day everyone!

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding - Because I, like Bridget, obsess about strange things, fantasize about what could be, and over complicate things in my head. I love Bridget--she is my hero.

Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf - Her female characters are all so different, but I think that everyone could find a woman in this novel with whom they relate to. And besides, I think we've all had days like Mrs. Dalloway. (If you've read this and like it, you must read The Hours by Michael Cunningham).