Books I have read recently

  • Shirley by Charlotte Bronte — I'm reading a giant biography of the Brontes "Wild Genius on the Moors" By Juliet Barker (amazing!! but I'll post on that when I finish) So I'm reading each novel as it's discussed in the book. I loved Shirley. I have to agree with the critics that it is a slow painful start and it does take about 150 pages till we meet the title character Shirley. But besides that, it is so well written. Caroline Helstone’s angst is beautiful and poignant. And knowing that the last third of the book was written after Emily & Anne died explains so much about the change in the book. Charlotte likes to fix her world by writing about it and in her version the sick heroine recovers where her sisters did not. I definitely recommend Shirley for the Bronte fan. Don’t skip it.
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas --- It took me a couple chapters to really dive in but after that I was in love. I had read somewhere that it was based on Beauty & the Beast, which is great. What I did not know is that it is a retelling of one of my favorite fairytales: East of the Sun, West of the Moon!!! What a treat when I discovered that. I love that story. It's whimsical and the girl saves the day which I love love love. Sarah does a beautiful job of it and I can't wait for the next one!!
  • Miss Buncle’s Book by D. E. Stevenson —What a little treat. My mom gave these books to me for my birthday and there are so much fun. It’s a light easy read and it made me chuckle.
  • Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder— I adore her soul finder books. I’ve been reading them for years. She builds beautiful strong women and sweeping romance. Her magic system is unique and I want to live in her world.
  • The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and E. B. White — A must read for every writer. Thanks to Stephen King for the recommendation. It has all those little things that I had questions about and answered them quickly and succinctly. It’s not the funnest read but it’s helpful.
  • Click of Titles to go to the book's Amazon page

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Librivox.org : Heaven's gift to man

As the blog title suggests Librivox.org just may be the greatest website of all time. It has come to my aid on countless occasions.
What is it?
www.Librivox.org : Acoustical liberation of books in the public domain
Doesn't that sound lovely.
People from all over the world volunteer to narrate books that anyone can download/ listen to online for FREE.
Some of the readers are treasures (Ezwa from Belgium is my favorite) and some are dreadful. I love it so much I've saved it on my phone so I have it when in need, like tonight for instance. (Or actually this morning seeing as it's 3:30 am)
What did I listen to: Jane Eyre Chapter 27 read by Ezwa. That is my favorite chapter. I have listened to her narrate it at least 3 times. For those of you who don't know what happens in that chapter just by the number, Jane has decided to leave Mr. Rodchester because he has a crazy wife in the attic and she will not be his mistress. His sorrow and her strength is so beautiful and tragic to listen to. I have always seen Jane Eyre as a great role model for me and used her example of purity and a standard for myself in my dating years. Not that Matt has a crazy wife ( as far as I know).
So back to why I am posting as early. I have been sick for a couple days and since yesterday I have had a debilitating headache that is not abiding by the rules of the treaty. 1.Letting me sleep it off 2. Admitting defeat with drugs. So when laying on the bathroom floor (the last resort for healing and rest) after taking many pills, I plugged in my headphones and listened to Jane Eyre. What a relief. What a great solace to my pain and suffering. That my words may some day span the generations to comfort some young woman in the depths.
For those of you unfamiliar with Jane Eyre and for those who love to hear that words here are some of my favorite lines from Chapter 27:

**"That I am not Edward Rochester's bride is the least part of my woe," I alleged: "that I have wakened out of most glorious dreams, and found them all void and vain, is a horror I could bear and master; but that I must leave him decidedly, instantly, entirely, is intolerable. I cannot do it."

**"Jane, my little darling (so I will call you, for so you are), you don't know what you are talking about; you misjudge me again: it is not because she is mad I hate her. If you were mad, do you think I should hate you?"

"I do indeed, sir."

"Then you are mistaken, and you know nothing about me, and nothing about the sort of love of which I am capable. Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own: in pain and sickness it would still be dear. Your mind is my treasure, and if it were broken, it would be my treasure still: if you raved, my arms should confine you, and not a strait waistcoat--your grasp, even in fury, would have a charm for me: if you flew at me as wildly as that woman did this morning, I should receive you in an embrace, at least as fond as it would be restrictive. I should not shrink from you with disgust as I did from her: in your quiet moments you should have no watcher and no nurse but me; and I could hang over you with untiring tenderness, though you gave me no smile in return; and never weary of gazing into your eyes, though they had no longer a ray of recognition for me.--

Good Night Readers or Good Morning, I hope sleep will find it's way to me soon.

Want to listen for yourself
http://librivox.org/jane-eyre-by-charlotte-bront/

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

sorry to hear you are sick! I loved loved the excerpts though.

If i can be so bold, i recommend Anna Karenina for some more terribly depressing love stories. And Steinbecks Cannery Row or Sweet Thursdays.

Hope all is well in your world. We will be in South Florida 23-30th of Dec in case you find yourself there too!!

Megan Erin Allen said...

dearest Lizzie,
I love Anna Karenina very much. i will add the steinbeck books to me reading list.
We are trying to come for Christmas but Matt only has the 24th, 25, 26th off for work :( But we are working on it. What I am excited for is being able to talk to you on the phone. Please call me from Fanny's home phone whenever you have a few free hours!!
I would still love you if you went mad

Candace said...

This is my Christmas break reading! :) One of the best pieces of literature - heartbreakingly beautiful!

Love you cuz!