Category: Uncategorized
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Mini Thoughts on Major Books
The following two books have already received lots of attention, publicity and accolades (or criticism) so I am just going to give my very brief thoughts on each title. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson – Ursula Todd is born in the harsh winter of 1910 and thereafter experiences re-birth and a circular life cycle…
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Cover Collection: Death on the Nile
1. Harper // 2. Black Dog & Leventhal // 3. Harper Paperbacks // 4. HarperCollins // 5. Penguin Putnam // 6. HarperCollins I have very fond memories of Death on the Nile because it was one of the first Agatha Christie novels that I ever read. I’ve always had a romantic fascination with Egypt…
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State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
At the first meeting of my new book club a few weeks ago, we had a riveting and lively discussion about State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. Most of us liked it, one person didn’t very much, but I think we all agreed that it was beautifully written and completely absorbing. Marina Singh is a…
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Dario Marianelli
The most recent Jane Eyre film starring Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender is my all-time favorite adaptation of Charlotte Bronte’s classic novel. Not only does it have great acting, a beautiful look and the perfect dark, romantic atmosphere, it has the most stirring music that entirely captured my soul. After my first viewing of the film…
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Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple
Ellen North lives at Netherfold with her publisher husband Avery. Her children live away from home; Hugh is in the army and Anne is at school, but they visit during breaks and adore their parents and their beautiful home. Their grandmother, Mrs. North, lives quite close by and is bored and lonely so she engages…
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New Arrivals
I find new books making their way into my home despite my plans to stop spending so much money on them! Here’s what’s arrived lately: The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale – This is my book club’s April read. I’ve wanted to read it for a while as I’ve seen such positive reviews…
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Struggling to Stick Around
Since January, I’ve noticed that several of my favorite bloggers have either shut down their blogs or announced a hiatus (Jane Brocket, Book Snob). I’ve wondered if the death of blogging is imminent, if people find blogs helpful or relevant anymore and if I should take this opportunity to quit blogging myself. I haven’t felt…
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Marmalade Cake
I recently bought Jane Brocket’s Vintage Cakes and the very first cake featured is marmalade cake. To me, it seemed like an easy recipe and a perfect cake to trial as a possible treat for my book club. Last Sunday night, still feeling sad about my cousin leaving, I whipped it up and noticed right…
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Mrs. Miniver by Jan Struther
I bought a copy of this 1940 edition of Mrs. Miniver about a year ago, but only chose to read it after I read that it is one of the books that most inspires Jane Brocket (in her book The Gentle Art of Domesticity ). The book is constructed of short, comic chapters that were…
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Cover Collection: Tess of the D’Urbervilles
1. Penguin Classics // 2. Oxford World’s Classics // 3. Vintage Orange Inheritance 4. Vintage Classics // 5. Pocket Penguin Classics // 6. HarperTeen These are very interesting covers and I don’t think I have a definite favorite. I’m leaning toward #5, but I also like #2. I’m intrigued by the strawberry covers, too, but…
A Certain Fondness 