Sunbursts or Marble Halls: June 2009

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

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

A Little Culture For You

Here are some quotes I have come across lately

Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Dimples, too, in cheeks and chin! "A woman with dimples always gets her own way." thought Valancy in a recurring spasm of bitterness at the fate which had denied her even one dimple."

Emily Dickinson Life XIII
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The soul selects her own society
then shuts the door;
On her divine majority
Obtrude no more.

Unmoved, she notes the chariots pausing
At her low gate
Unmoved, an emperor is kneeling
Upon her mat,

I've known her from an ample nation
Choose one;
The close the valves of her attention
Like stone

"He wishes for the Cloths of Heaven" - William Butler Yeats
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Had I the heaven's embroidered clothes
Enwrought with gold and silver lights
The blue and the dim and the dark cloths
Of night and light and half-light
I would spread the cloths under your feet;
But I being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Everything a young man ought to be

It is said that fictional heroes ruin young woman for "real-life" men. But I must disagree. Well I guess I am the exception of the rule. In a world full of Jacobs and Mr. Collins I found the one Edward-Darcy. I could sing his praises all my days.
Thank you my love for everything. Especially for taking care of me when I was sick at 2:30 in the morning.
For those of you who are visual learners.