tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36885566224473199062024-02-18T21:25:13.210-08:00Two BibliomaniacsWe’re not your parent’s book review website; except we are, only different.Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.comBlogger279125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-6853512814761076962012-02-25T19:57:00.000-08:002012-02-25T19:57:30.259-08:00To Say Nothing of the Dog<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1241904152l/824657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="To Say Nothing of the Dog: or, How We Found the Bishop's Bird Stump at Last" border="0" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1241904152l/824657.jpg" width="133" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To Say Nothing of the Dog – Connie Willis</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evan’s ESS = 10 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Erin’s ESS = out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Content = PG-13</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: grey;">(Adult Content, Mild Violence, Thematic Elements, Time Travel) </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“The reason Victorian society was so restricted and repressed was that it was impossible to move without knocking something over.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Verity’s Lord Peter’s and Monsieur Poirot’s problem was always that they had too many suspects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had never heard of a mystery where the detective didn’t have any.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Why:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">It’s been far too long since we (Evan) awarded top marks to a novel, yet <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Say Nothing of the Dog</i> passed our rigorous 10 point inspection with flying colors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We encountered humor and mystery and love, to say nothing of the fact that this novel was modeled after Jerome K. Jerome’s brilliant masterpiece, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Three Men in a Boat.</i> We’ve got all kinds of rosy things to say, so buckle up, people.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Tired, time-lagged, and harassed by an unpleasant boss, Ned Henry needs to escape.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>19<sup>th</sup> century England is offered as the perfect destination and after performing one small task, the main character will have plenty of time for a little rest and relaxation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only trouble is, Ned doesn’t really know what the task is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other problem is that the small task is actually a large task that could bring on the destruction of the entire time space continuum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ah, the unintended consequences of time travel...</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">Nearly everything about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">To Say Nothing of the Dog</i> was fantastic; from the Chattisbourne girls and their giggly personality to the strange side effects of Time Lag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Albeit brief, there was even a much anticipated cameo by the characters from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Three Men in a Boat; Jerome, Harris, George, and Montmorency</i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>While there was never really a memorable blow-milk-out-your-nose moment, the humorous undertone was significant and appreciated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The corners of our lips were curled up throughout.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">To Say Nothing of the Dog</span></i><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"> was also not a run of the mill time travel book... and instead of a Flux Capacitor our hero uses a much simpler technology called The Net.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An individual’s impact on history is explored as the main character become more and more entangled in a complex mess of matchmaking, cats, and seemingly inconsequential artifacts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At times the complex plot did have us scratching our heads, but this was mainly due to areas of dryness on our scalp.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">The narrative had a definitive P.G. Wodehouse feel with an even wider array of characters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ned Henry was the perfect character to lead us through the chaos and Verity Kindle was the perfect compliment, to say nothing of Terence, Baine, and Lady Shrapnell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really, the only gripe we have was a blatant PPR (Premature Plot Reveal) related to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Moonstones</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before we could cover our eyes, the entire whodunit of this Wilkie Collins novel was reviled....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grrrrr.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";">We didn’t find ourselves head over heels after <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doomsday Book</i>, but this one definitely has us singing the praises of Connie Willis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On second thought, there won’t be any singing on this blog (you’ll thank us later).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, don’t let that prevent you from rushing out to try this multi-genre gem!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-36028099962501350032012-02-21T06:51:00.002-08:002012-02-21T06:54:49.866-08:00Top 10 fiction books we'd save if our house was....<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s1600/TTT3W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s200/TTT3W.jpg" width="200" /></strong></a></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: orange;">Question:</span> Top 10 fiction books we’d save if our house was....<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: orange;">Answer:</span> Whether it’s fire or aliens, this week we’ve been asked to choose our 10 favorite books from our personal library? Really, only 10? A small tear is forming in the corner of our left eye... If nothing else this week has forced us to discuss and update our own HLDP (Home Library Disaster Plan). After several tweaks and multiple dry runs, we feel confident we could save 19 books in a matter of 30 seconds. Of course, then we remembered the kids.... <br />
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Below are the first 10 fiction books and editions we’re going after in case of disaster:</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"></span></span></span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><strong>The Hobbit (J.R.R. Tolkien)</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328953407l/5907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img alt="The Hobbit" border="0" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328953407l/5907.jpg" width="128" /></strong></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>I Capture the Castle (Dodie Smith)</strong></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="I Capture the Castle" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1311903024l/7162323.jpg" width="134" /></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>To Kill a Mockingbird (Harper Lee)</strong></span></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="To Kill a Mockingbird" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328014311l/591213.jpg" width="133" /></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong>Pride and Prejudice (Jane Austin)</strong></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><img alt="Pride and Prejudice" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1288848476l/5576694.jpg" width="139" /></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>The Eyre Affair (Jasper Fforde)</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><img alt="The Eyre Affair (Thursday Next, #1)" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1266467093l/77020.jpg" width="136" /></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Jam</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">es and the Giant Peach (Roald Dahl)</span></span></strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><img alt="James and the Giant Peach" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327935904l/6689.jpg" width="128" /></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams)</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><img alt="The Ultimate Hitchhiker's Guide: Complete and Unabridged (Hitchhiker's Guide, #1-5 + short story)" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327042567l/2321.jpg" width="142" /></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Something Wicked This Way Comes (Ray Bradbury)</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><img alt="Something Wicked This Way Comes" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1181585584l/1167899.jpg" width="133" /></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Life of Pi (Yann Martel)</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><img alt="Life of Pi" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328834311l/680938.jpg" width="154" /></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>The Grapes of Wrath (John Steinbeck)</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><img alt="The Grapes of Wrath" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1248044337l/663498.jpg" width="144" /></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wow that was difficult!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">What novels would you save?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Have a great week and head on over to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">The Broke and the Bookish</span></a></i> to join the fun!</span></span></strong></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><strong><br />
</strong></div></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-69654412072902361752012-02-20T09:39:00.000-08:002012-02-20T09:39:33.127-08:00Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1314883523l/11699323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters" border="0" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1314883523l/11699323.jpg" width="138" /></a>Freshman Year & Other Unnatural Disasters – Meredith Zeitlin</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 7 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS = out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Content = PG-13</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> <span style="color: grey;">(Mild Language, Adult Content, Teenage Angst, High School Drama) </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“Behind us, kids are heading inside, taking pictures, laughing, and generally not having chats with their mothers.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We decided to step a little out of our comfort zone and head back to high school for some good old fashion teenage drama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, the title made this one nearly impossible to pass up...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let’s just start by saying that Kelsey Finkelstein has some lofty expectations for High School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surrounded by her 3 BFFs she sets out to accomplish some serious image building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, as you might imagine, things take a turn for the worse as soon as the first day of school begins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bullies, misunderstandings, and boy trouble quickly become the norm as Kelsey must fight to salvage her year.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Probably the thing we liked best about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters </i>was the way the novel captured the High School-ish feel and everything that goes along with THAT. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The drama at school felt real.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The overreacting and misunderstandings amongst friends came across as genuine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the oft delicate relationship between parent and teen was reminiscent of years gone past.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We also enjoyed reading about the numerous misadventures of Kelsey.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether it was on the soccer field or the stage, nothing came easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s also very difficult to write a character with so much frustration, yet Meredith Zeitlin managed to keep the main character likable throughout.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dialogue at the beginning was a little forced while trying to acclimate the reader to the story, but once things got going the plot contained plenty of unpredictable commotion to keep things interesting until the very end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Overall, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters</i> was an enjoyable read that did nothing to help reduce our own parental fears of the forthcoming high school years... *gulp*</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Editors Note:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This book was generously provided as an advanced review e-book. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-90348153518559705112012-02-16T10:05:00.002-08:002012-02-16T10:10:40.746-08:00Redeeming Love<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166475085l/11422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Redeeming Love" border="0" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166475085l/11422.jpg" width="134" /></a></span></span>Redeeming Love – Francine Rivers </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evan’s ESS = 8 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Erin’s ESS = 10 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Content = PG-13 <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: grey;">(Sexual Content, Adult Content, Violence, Loathsome Men, Redemption)</span></i></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"I want you to love me. I want you to trust me enough to let me love you, and I want you to stay here with me so we can build a life together. That's what I want."</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">It would be unfair to say that the male bibliomaniac went into this one kicking and screaming, but let’s just say it’s been sitting on the shelf for a LONG time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our (Evan’s) excuses officially ran out sometime in January...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After two decades of being manipulated and mistreated, Sarah’s only option was to shut herself off emotionally to the rest of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, as a hardened prostitute, nothing fazes her and no one is able to crack the thick wall she’s constructed around her life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t until she meets a man named Michael Hosea that she learns God is about to turn her life upside down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Redeeming Love gets two thumbs ups and both hands don’t belong only to the female bibliomaniac.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This novel is probably the best Christian Fiction we’ve ever read and loaded with inspiration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To read about the mistreatment of Sarah, almost entirely at the hands of men, was heart-wrenching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The physical and emotional scars the main character had accumulated over her life were so deep that every time she relapsed, it was easy to understand (yet so hard to read). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the villains... oh, did they ever boil our blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hypocrisy of their judgmental attitudes nearly caused us to start popping large quantities of blood pressure pills. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The love experienced between the two main characters was truly remarkable and encouraging.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also fascinating that through all the pain and hurt, it only took a handful of people showing kindness to start Sarah on the path to recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The plot never felt rushed and the problems felt realistic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many of the characters experienced growth and it was great to be able to exert such a wide array of emotions. Whew... now I think we need a nap. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Editor’s Note:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For those male readers out there, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Redeeming Love</i> isn’t nearly as bad as the title suggests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, in case of any temporary eye redness, we recommend two strong doses of Ian Fleming followed by twenty minutes of Clive Cussler.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In more serious cases don’t be afraid to supplement with a movie containing deadly robots or droids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-71423598862091044312012-02-14T07:42:00.001-08:002012-02-16T10:17:27.838-08:00Top 10 Books That Broke Our Heart<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s1600/TTT3W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s200/TTT3W.jpg" width="200" /></a>Question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Top 10 books that broke our heart.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt;">Answer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This year we’re flipping cupid on his head and ranking the top 10 books that broke our heart.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some broke our heart a little and some broke our heart a lot, yet many on the list are our favorite reads of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just hope your Valentine’s Day ends with a little more happiness.... </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>I Capture the Castle</strong> (<em>Dodie Smith</em>) – We love you Cassandra!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Gone with the Wind</strong> (<em>Margaret Mitchell</em>) – Why Rhett?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why Scarlett?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Never Let Me Go</strong> (<em>Kazuo Ishiguro</em>) – What a great novel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We figured out what was going on just in time to enjoy the super sad ending.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Wuthering Heights</strong> (<em>Emily Bronte</em>) – Hopefully your Valentine’s Day looks nothing like this novel.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> <strong> </strong></span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The Book Thief</strong> (<em>Markus Zusak</em>) – It’s never a good thing when death narrates your story....</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Birdsong</strong> (<em>Sebastian Faulks</em>) – Such a complex novel and through it all is a tragic, tragic love story.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The Time Traveler’s Wife</strong> (<em>Audrey Niffenegger</em>) – After <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Back to the Future</i> who would have thought time travel could be so messy... Poor Clare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Poor Henry.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Love Story</strong> (<em>Erich Segal</em>) – It’s been 15 years since we read this one and it still gives us a burning sensation in our throat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So heartbreaking!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>The Notebook</strong> (<em>Nicholas Sparks</em>) – We don’t make a habit of reading too much by this author, but the very, very end of this one did us in. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soooo touching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Anne of Green Gables</strong> (<em>L.M. Montgomery</em>) – Funny, lighthearted, yet incredibly touching at the end.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What other novels broke your heart?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Have a great week and head on over to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">The Broke and the Bookish</span></a></i> to join the fun!</span></span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-48326076139584848172012-02-11T12:22:00.000-08:002012-02-11T12:22:13.527-08:00From Russia with Love<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1304388494l/3131809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="From Russia with Love" border="0" height="200" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1304388494l/3131809.jpg" width="129" /></a></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From Russia with Love – Ian Fleming</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 7 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS = out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Content = PG-13 </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Violence, Adult Content, Sexual Content, Nudity, Narrow Escapes)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Why:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> We knew going into this one that it would be difficult to ignore the expectations set by the movies franchise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, there were questions we needed answered...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would Ian’s Fleming’s Bond live up to the likes of Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and Daniel Craig?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would literary Bond’s Martini be ordered with the same confidence and single-mindedness as seen on screen?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Would Bond’s ability to escape during a prolonged and overly detailed bad guy exposition be just as satisfying in novel form?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmmmm...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Early on, James Bond is identified as the target of a well organized Russian organization bent on taking over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>*cue thematic and equally ominous laughter* Add a highly attractive female as bate and it would seem that the fate of MI6’s favorite child would be all but sealed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not so fast!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Foiling the plan will take every bit of Bond’s survival instincts and award winning smile.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Will he perish in his attempt to save the world?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ending might just surprise you....</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We are happy to report that the literary James Bond met our expectations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, there were a few things we questioned, like why was our hero found wallowing in a profound state of paperwork when he was finally introduced?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What the heck!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s supposed to be out shooting bad guys and playing games of high stakes poker, not filing TPS reports...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, our overall experience was positive and for the most part Bond was just as cool a character in page form as he is on the screen, although he does get injured a little more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh, and some of his one-liners were a bit lacking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Once <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">From Russia with Love</i> got going, the plot was very suspenseful and filled with a cast of great bad guys (and girls).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The scenes on the Orient Express were especially entertaining, although between Ian Fleming and Agatha Christie, this train doesn’t seem like the safest way to travel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, we thought it was awesome that the highly trained, efficient, no personality, assassin had a copy of a P.G. Wodehouse novel at one point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, the only parts of the novel that annoyed us was the occasional politically UN-correctness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point the female lead actually encouraged James to beat her if she ever ate too much and got fat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We do hope to continue reading more James Bond in the near future and thanks to a rare helpful tip from our research department, will be giving <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Casino Royale</i> a try next, which is supposed to be book 1 in the series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any other James Bond aficionados out there? </span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-50081947089354933432012-02-06T09:41:00.000-08:002012-02-06T09:41:01.537-08:00The Last of the Mohicans<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320511322l/38296.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Last of the Mohicans" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320511322l/38296.jpg" width="120px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Last of the Mohicans – James Fenimore Cooper</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 5 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS = out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Content = PG (Violence, Adult Content, Sleepy Narratives)</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Not since <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Moby Dick</i> has a novel come along with such formidable sleep inducing properties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take heed – do not read this novel while operating heavy machinery or swimming after 9 o’clock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No matter how hard we tried, feigned interest was the only type of interest we could muster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We even tried turning to the female bibliomaniac and just before leaping off the couch proclaimed: “Stay alive, no matter what occurs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will find you!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Alas, nothing...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The novel starts when a party of British soldiers are deceived by their guide and nearly led into an ambush of scalp losing proportions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The effort however, is thwarted by frontiersman and all around good guy, Natty Bumpo, and his two Mohican pals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rest of the novel is an elaborate game of cat and mouse with various characters being captured by the Huron Indian tribe and then rescued and then captured and then rescued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the end of the day, we were unable to fight through the tedious prose that destroyed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Last of the Mohicans</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow Cooper managed to extract all the excitement from the French and Indian War.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not one of the many high speed forest pursuits and suicidal rescue attempts managed to register on our internal adrenaline-o-meter (yes we have one of those).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe we went into this novel expecting something too much, but it probably doesn’t help that Daniel Day-Lewis was flipp’in awesome as Hawkeye in the 1992 film adaptation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">From a historical perspective it’s hard to argue against this novel’s merit. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything from geography to the culture was presented in painstaking detail, though we’ll let someone smarter than us judge the accuracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In a way, this novel was like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Swiss Family Robinsons</i> where all the excitement was overshadowed by the overly descriptive narrative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For instance Natty Bumppo (Hawkeye) had something like eleven different names (maybe closer to 4 or 5) depending on which character was addressing him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">All we can do is pat ourselves on the back for not abandoning this read well before the finish line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We consider this a glorious accomplishment not for the faint of heart...</span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-25233012043067564522012-02-02T09:44:00.000-08:002012-02-02T09:44:36.703-08:002012 Reading Progress - January<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdOO0hGLDzdtNc5DzBX8llzYPzdVBstWHtsPexQM_UZHfkY62zytL2geZnAkS32_O9gAMCTqxpdaUgLoncRN0C0GyHVR6tbvOIaM0RR3sRsrhM89seBmgFCi_Vxnwqm0Ob2AVW3V5iIM/s1600/Progress1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwdOO0hGLDzdtNc5DzBX8llzYPzdVBstWHtsPexQM_UZHfkY62zytL2geZnAkS32_O9gAMCTqxpdaUgLoncRN0C0GyHVR6tbvOIaM0RR3sRsrhM89seBmgFCi_Vxnwqm0Ob2AVW3V5iIM/s320/Progress1.bmp" width="108px" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">To kick off 2012 we allowed Shakespeare to thoroughly invade Two Bibliomaniacs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>6 plays in 31 days felt like an impossible task, but we’re happy to report victory!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or at least continued existence and more than a couple of battle scars...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, we have a new respect for the Bard of Avon and next time we come face to face with Shakey we promise not to run screaming in the other direction! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">As we return to our normal scheduled programming we have a ton to look forward to this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At this particular moment, nothing really comes to mind, but we’ll think of something soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, sit back, relax and reflect on some of our favorite reviews throughout the month (<em>Don’t for get to check out our groundbreaking Graphic Review of Anya’s Ghost</em>)!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here are some of our favorite reviews that we posted in January.</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2012/01/anyas-ghost-graphic-review.html"><span style="color: purple;">Anya’s Ghost</span></a> – Vera Brosgol</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2012/01/hamlet.html"><span style="color: purple;">Hamlet</span></a> – William Shakespeare</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2012/01/othello.html">Othello</a> – William Shakespeare</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2012/01/midsummer-nights-dream.html"><span style="color: purple;">A Midsummer Night’s Dream</span></a> – William Shakespeare</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2012/01/as-you-like-it-william-shakespeare.html"><span style="color: purple;">As You Like It</span></a> – William Shakespeare</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2012/01/macbeth.html"><span style="color: purple;">Macbeth</span></a> – William Shakespeare</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2012/01/unbroken-world-war-ii-story-of-survival.html">Unbroken</a> – Laura Hillenbrand</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Here’s an update on our 2011 Challenges. All the thrilling details can be found <a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/p/2011-challenges_29.html"><span style="color: purple;">HERE</span></a>.</span></b><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mount TBR Reading Challenge – 7/40</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Back to the Classics – 2/9</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Terry Pratchett Reading Challenge – 0/5</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Good Reads 2012 Reading Challenge – 17/101</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Looking ahead into February we have all kinds of good stuff waiting for us:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To Say Nothing of the Dog, The Art of Fielding, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, and The Mysterious Flame of Queen Loana.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">How did everyone else do in their January reading endeavors? Send us a link so we can check out your progress!</span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-46042189776026736062012-02-01T09:31:00.000-08:002012-02-01T09:31:20.599-08:00We Have a Winner!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It’s with unmanageable excitement that we get to announce the winner of <em>Start Something That Matters</em>!!!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320563711l/10723236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Start Something That Matters" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320563711l/10723236.jpg" width="132px" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Drum roll if you please.......</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Congratulations to<strong> Jennifer O.</strong> over at </span><a href="http://litendeavors.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><strong>Lit Endeavors</strong></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We apologize for the complete lack of confetti and noise makers to help set the mood for this momentous occasion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Thanks again to everyone who participated! </span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-29558058241938162012-01-31T05:25:00.000-08:002012-01-31T06:10:53.918-08:00Top 10 Books We Think Would Make Great Read-Alongs!<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s1600/TTT3W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s200/TTT3W.jpg" width="200px" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt;">Question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Top 10 Books We Think Would Make Great Read-Along Picks.</span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt;">Answer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Sorry, but we’re hijacking this week’s topic and turning it into an appeal for more read-alongs!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we’re taking a hard look internally as well, but we’d love to be involved in more read-alongs in 2012!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Below are the books we have on our radar that we think would be fun (less painful) to experience with other readers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be really clear, if we just so happened to come came across any events with the below titles included, we’d be forced to sign up.......... </span></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Hobbit</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">J.R.R. Tolkien</i>) – With the movie coming out later this year, a reread over the summer is a must.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What better way to visit Middle Earth than with a few friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">House of Leaves</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mark K. Danielewski</i>) – *Gulp* Our knees are shaking with this one and it would be helpful to utilize the whole strength in numbers thing for this read...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Men at Arms</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Terry Pratchett</i>) – This one might be a little short for a read-along, but the Discworld is way too exciting to visit alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any number of titles would work as we’re hoping to make several return trips to the Discworld this year. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For Whom the Bell Tolls</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ernest Hemingway</i>) – Anything by Hemingway has a menacing stigma attached to it, at least for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, we’ve heard this book has plenty of weighty themes to discuss. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Dandelion Wine</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ray Bradbury</i>) – We’ve been told time and again that this novel is a perfect spring read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve marked our calendars for April (in pencil) to host some kind of read-along... Yipeee! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">6.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Insomnia</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stephen King</i>) – We found this one at our local bookstore a couple months ago and lugging it home nearly gave us a hernia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There’s got to be all kinds of good stuff to debate within this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">7.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Adventures of Don Quixote</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra</i>) – We really, really want to check this one off our list in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We know there’re windmills, but that’s it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d be a lot less intimidated going through this with a group.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">8.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wuthering Heights</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Emily Bronte</i>) – The first time we read this novel our blood was boiling so much that we apparently missed all the “love” radiating from the main characters. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re quite frustrated with ourselves for missing a really fun read-along last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, we may need to partake in some serious Heathcliff venting when the time comes. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Cold Comfort Farm</span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stella Gibbons</i>) – This book’s supposed to have us rolling on the floor laughing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laughing alone, while fun, is kind of weird...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">10.</span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Wolf Hall </span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hilary Mantel</i>) – The female Bibliomaniac did not like this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like, she didn’t even finish it and it sent her off on a tailspin of book depression.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It could be very difficult for the male Bibliomaniac to try this one without large numbers... the whole misery loves company thing. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So what else?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re anxious to see if any other titles need to be added to our list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Have a great week and head on over to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">The Broke and the Bookish</span></a></i> to join the fun!</span></span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-58863921041000820512012-01-30T08:10:00.000-08:002012-01-30T11:13:12.638-08:00King Lear<a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327936505l/12938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="King Lear" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327936505l/12938.jpg" width="150px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">King Lear – William Shakespeare</span></span></b> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 6 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS =<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Content = PG <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Adult Content, Violence, Conspiring, Poor Decision Making, Madness)</i></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN;">“Child Rowland to the dark tower came,<br />
His word was still 'Fie, foh, and fum<br />
I smell the blood of a British man.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Okay, so before we get started we need to get something on the table all nice and pretty like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll just say it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male Bibliomaniac could be dealing with a touch of PTSS (Post Traumatic Shakespeare Syndrome).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Six books in 25ish days is a lot for someone who made a specific pact not to touch Shakespeare with a 10 foot stick post college.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our opinions relating to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">King Lear</i> may or may not be compromised due to our PTSS...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">King Lear makes a bad decision when he decides to split up his inheritance based on the level of flattery expressed by each of his three daughters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make matters even worse, he decides to cut off his youngest daughter when she decides not to take part in his foolish game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pretty much everything goes down from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Scheming and conniving transpires at every turn, primarily led by a guy named Edmund.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, there’s not much reason for optimism when everything is all said and done... <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We got lost in some bad stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No, like some really bad stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even the cliff notes for this play made our eyes cross.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were so many people plotting and wearing disguises that it was impossible to keep up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, of all the plays we experienced this month it felt like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">King Lear</i> had the most to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We just couldn’t figure out what it was.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Really, the most interesting thing we encountered in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">King Lear</i> was the quote listed above.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first line gave us shivers and got us really, really excited to continue our journey through Stephen King’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Dark Tower</i> series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was also entertaining to watch King Lear slowly lose his mind and he had some pretty great lines the further down the rabbit hole he fell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cordelia was a great character and should be acknowledged for her honesty and the </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">perseverance that Edgar displayed through so many murder plots was impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Otherwise the play was very dark and depressing and not our favorite.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Don’t forget to head on over to </span><a href="http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/11/shakespeare-reading-month-coming.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Literary Odyssey</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> for all your January Shakespeare needs!</span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-5531820202707213072012-01-26T05:32:00.000-08:002012-01-26T05:35:16.387-08:00Macbeth<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51270laz19L.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img alt="Macbeth" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51270laz19L.jpg" width="120px" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Macbeth – William Shakespeare</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 7 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS =<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Content = PG <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Adult Content, Violence, High Death Counts, Hand Washing)</i></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“By the pricking of my thumbs,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Something wicked this way comes.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Macbeth or MacLOONY?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both Macbeth and his wife were certified nut-jobs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, nut-jobs often make the most interesting characters to read about....</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The play really gets going when a group of three witches make a Trelawney-like prophecy regarding the fate of the main character (our people are currently searching the hall of prophecies for the original).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When Macbeth hears of his fate, several events are set in motion; all that will leave blood on the hands of the two main characters – literally and figuratively.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like Lord Voldemort, Macbeth’s downfall comes through a whole lot of misplaced ambition and a simple misinterpretation of the prophecy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Okay, so that was probably the worst summary of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Macbeth </i>ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ever.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, we’ve read, listened to, and watched more Shakespeare in the past weeks than we ever dreamed, and our mental state is very delicate right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Macbeth</i> was another solid play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The characters were once again superb and we still can’t get over the image of Lady Macbeth trying to scrub all the blood from her hands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Three Witches were also excellent and their presence at the beginning of the play really set the tone for all the chaos that followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This play was a bit disturbing at times and similar to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Othello</i> in that it showed what a few misplaced ideas can do to a person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The killing authorized and carried out on MacBeth’s behalf was horrible and made it hard not to do a little old fashion reveling in his demise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re not suggesting any kind of choreographed number here, but maybe a well timed jig or a quick <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Discount Double Check</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anywho, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Macbeth</i> didn’t make our top three, but was still a worthwhile play that we’d love to see performed on stage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, and don’t forget to head on over to </span><a href="http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/11/shakespeare-reading-month-coming.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Literary Odyssey</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> for all your January Shakespeare needs!</span><br />
<br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Editor’s Note:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we did make several Harry Potter references in our review of Shakespeare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t hate us cus’ we’re play’azzz!!!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Editor Editor’s Note</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry, the above was a very lame attempt to relate to a younger demographic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We promise to keep these types of thoughts to ourselves in the future.</span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-8904593956652770532012-01-22T15:45:00.000-08:002012-01-22T15:45:36.579-08:00As You Like It<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JQJj2mQJL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="As You Like It " border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JQJj2mQJL.jpg" width="110px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">As You Like It – William Shakespeare</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 9.9 out of 10</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS = out of 10</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Content = PG </b>(Banishment, Mild Adult Content, Feats of Strength)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>“All the world’s a stage.” </em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><em>“The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool.”</em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Why:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="line-height: 115%;">Oh, we like it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, we like it a lot!!!<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Upon suffering an unjust banishment, Rosalind and her best friend decided to flee to the Forest of Arden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They solicit the help of the friendly court jester and mask their true identities before setting out on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the forest the two women encounter various sheep herders and other banished individuals, including Rosalind’s primary love interest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Her path is hardly conventional but in the end love triumphs... or does it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We’re back above the surface with Shakespeare!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, our first reaction is to brand <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As You Like it</i> as our favorite Shakespeare to date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not exactly sure why this one in particular had such an impact, but we found ourselves really getting into the plot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Talk about a super-duper happy ending!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The characters of Rosalind and Orlando were our favorites and the element of disguise in their forest encounter was a nice touch and maybe a wee bit weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, not many people could pull off Orlando’s excuse for standing up Rosalind: Lion attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That would never work for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, honey, this huge flippin lion came along and, um, I had to wrestle it and ya, that’s why I’m late. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Um, why are you looking at me like that...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>seriously, here’s a bloody handkerchief to prove it.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Also, we’re not sure if a court jester would be our first selection for protection on the road, but Touchstone was quite impressive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At one point he proclaimed in the name of love that: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I will kill thee a hundred and fifty ways</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t even know there were that many different ways to exterminate an individual.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Tragedy or Comedy? That IS the question (sorry for that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">As You Like it</i> might just have tipped the scales...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 2006 film directed by Kenneth Branagh is being added to our Netflix queue immediately and local theatre companies within a 50-75 mile radius are being searched! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, and don’t forget to head on over to </span><a href="http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/11/shakespeare-reading-month-coming.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Literary Odyssey</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> for all your January Shakespeare needs!</span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-24016390978233821792012-01-20T09:26:00.000-08:002012-01-20T12:06:24.682-08:00BOOK GIVEWAY - Start Something That Matters!!!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320563711l/10723236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Start Something That Matters" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320563711l/10723236.jpg" width="132px" /></a>By definition a bibliomaniac has a terribly difficult time parting with a book in their possession.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with two in the picture... hopefully you can see our crisis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Yet, after thirty-six straight hours of intense shock therapy and three large bowls of double fudge ice cream (and a second copy generously donated from the author) we can joyfully announce our <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Start Something that Matters</i> by Blake Mycoskie giveaway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rules are so simple that even a non-reader can do it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Provide a comment below stating your interest in participating.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Provide an e-mail address where you can be contacted in the event of winning</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The deadline for signing up will be February 1<sup>st</sup> at which time a name will be drawn by means of some kind of random number generator thingy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ya, get excited!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2012/01/start-something-that-matters.html"><span style="color: purple;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Click anywhere on this sentence for our review of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Start Something that Matters</i></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good luck and don’t forget to tell your peeps!</span></span>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-17708461329079773112012-01-19T08:37:00.000-08:002012-01-20T09:11:44.540-08:00Start Something that Matters<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320563711l/10723236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Start Something That Matters" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1320563711l/10723236.jpg" width="132px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif';"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Start Something That Matters – Blake Mycoskie</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 8 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS = 8 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Content = PG (Thinking outside the Box, Shoes, Inspirational stories)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“One day when I own a house, I’ll keep a full library of books.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Books are different from other possessions – they’re more like friends.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“A leader can create a Company, but a community creates a movement.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Why:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> One of us entered this book a skeptic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The other entered wearing her own pair of TOMS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To further set the stage, normally, when it comes to non-fiction reviews, we here at Two Bibs respond with a resounding, “homey don’t play that”!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet, we’re even bigger suckers for a free book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keep reading and you might also find yourself a recipient of your own free book...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Start Something that Matters</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> tells the story of Blake Mycoskie and his quest to start something that matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While on a rare vacation in Argentina an idea started that would spawn a movement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TOMS Shoes was quickly born, along with the company’s One for One philosophy: “With every pair purchased, TOMS will give a pair of new shoes to a child in need.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The novel explores Blake’s journey to set up a new kind of company and helps set the roadmap for others to start something that matters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">At the heart of TOMS is a great story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seems only fitting that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Start Something That Matters</i> is also filled with countless great stories (seriously we could count, but hopefully you’ve come to expect nothing less from this blog).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No two are alike, yet each account was about individuals harnessing their entrepreneurial spirit to start organizations that have a positive impact on the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were examples of large organizations like charity: water, which helps distribute clean drinking water to those in need, and examples of much smaller organizations, like SENDaBALL, which mails handwritten notes on balls to people as a unique gift idea. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Start Something that Matters</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"> can be read in one or two sittings and will provide plenty of career food for thought.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The concepts aren’t wildly unique, but seeing them combined together in a flourishing business model that balances charity and profit was inspirational.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, the maturation of TOMS was incredibly interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everything from company culture to maximizing resources was discussed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And just when you’re ready to think up an excuse why starting your own something that matters won’t work, Blake drops a quick “overcoming obstacles” story that inspires you all over again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sorry to go all Tony Robbins for the past two paragraphs, but this topic seems to have us both charged up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, in the spirit of One for One, we received a review copy along with a second to give away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sooooo, it is with great excitement that we can officially preannounce a giveaway of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Start Something That Matters</i> (Official announcement and details will follow tomorrow).</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Now, what type of business could we start???<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hmm, maybe we need to head on down to Argentina and drink a nice big glass of Malbec wine...</span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-4311715957957174502012-01-16T07:38:00.000-08:002012-01-16T07:38:21.405-08:00A Midsummer Night's Dream<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51N7qyfwcHL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="A Midsummer Night's Dream" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51N7qyfwcHL.jpg" width="116px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Midsummer Night’s Dream – William Shakespeare</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 7 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS = out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Content = PG </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Adult Concepts, Love Potions, Partial Animagi)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">“The course of true love never did run smooth.”</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“I have had a dream, past the wit of man to say what dream it was.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our first two encounters with Shakespeare this month, were experienced above the water, treading hastily, yet above the water nonetheless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is with sweet sorrow that we report <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Midsummer Night’s Dream</i> was experienced just below the surface.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d come up for a fantastic breath of fresh air, only for the complex plot to pull us back under.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, we agree, the treading water metaphor has gone on far enough....</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">How to summarize a play that we only mildly comprehended ourselves... hummm?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were several young people in love but depending on the effects of an enchanted flower, the recipient of said love varied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were some quarreling fairies and a dysfunctional band of stage performers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, someone was partially transformed into a Jackass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Precious little beyond those facts can be confirmed or denied. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is a tag line that comes to mind upon finishing this play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What happens in the woodlands stays in the woodlands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had we been the young lovers waking up the following morning, we could have seen ourselves pleading; please, please, please tell me last night was only a dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reading about the many misadventures, however, was at least fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As much as we could feel the weight of Shakespeare’s tragedies, we could certainly feel the humor and non-tragic spirit in this one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We may have been a little overdramatic with our intro (why does this always happen?), because there were parts of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Midsummer Night’s Dream</i> that were really enjoyable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We laughed on more than one occasion especially during the scenes involving Puck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The personalities within the acting troupe were also interesting and we couldn’t help but feel sad following their final performance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That being said, there were too many times we got lost amidst the changing love interests...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Don’t forget to head on over to </span><a href="http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/11/shakespeare-reading-month-coming.html"><span style="color: purple; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">A Literary Odyssey</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> for all your January Shakespeare needs!</span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-33511279369757190922012-01-13T05:43:00.000-08:002012-01-13T05:43:23.139-08:00Hamlet<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BP0-8FxVL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Hamlet" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51BP0-8FxVL.jpg" width="110px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hamlet – William Shakespeare</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Evan’s ESS = 8 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Erin’s ESS = out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Content = PG </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Adult Content, Fiery Speech, High Death Count, Ghosts, Madness)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“To be, or not to be: that is the question.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“Conscience doth make cowards of us all.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Something IS rotten in the state of Denmark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only, after finishing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hamlet</i>, we’re still trying to place our finger it....<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news - now that we have a full understanding of Hamlet, we can go back and read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Something Rotten</i> (Book 4 in the Thursday Next series) and laugh at all the hilarious references we originally missed! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the urging of his father’s ghost, the young Prince of Denmark sets out at once to seek revenge on his uncle for poisoning said father.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Errr.... on second thought he decides to brood on the subject and quickly plummets into a puddle of despair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nay, on with the original plot of vengeance!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Errr... wait, more brooding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, there is a great deal of brooding before Hamlet finally takes action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s his decision?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s just say there’s a reason this play is a tragedy....</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Well, we’re happy to report that Shakespeare’s two for two in our household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We loved <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hamlet</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had no idea what any of the characters were saying, but we loved it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only joking (kind of).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, we did rely heavily on scene outlines, but even though we went into each act with full disclosure, the writing was extraordinary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, did Shakespeare really have to use words like hugger-mugger?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes it feels like he’s trying to be difficult on purpose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We refuse to believe that our own vocabulary could be lacking...</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The imagery formed from the writing heighted our experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first scene with the guards on the castle wall and the ghost was perfect in setting the tone for everything that followed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In all of his glorious madness, Hamlet was a fascinating character with one of the most elaborate and brilliant ideas for investigating a person’s innocence: stage a play.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That should seriously be the first chapter in Vengeance 101.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only we here at Two Bibliomaniacs had the means to confront any wrongdoers </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">by means of stage production.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This has now become our number 1 new resolution in 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re completely off track.... sorry.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Onward with </span><a href="http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/11/shakespeare-reading-month-coming.html"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shakespeare Reading Month</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">! Onward towards the comedies!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will kind of be strange to read something by Shakespeare where a majority of the cast remains intact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Editor’s Note:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously, how many people knew that the definition of Hugger-mugger is secrecy or confusion, muddle?</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-60449456206489326132012-01-08T12:32:00.000-08:002012-01-08T12:32:03.873-08:00Anya's Ghost - A Graphic Review<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Anya’s Ghost – Vera Brosgol</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 8 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS = 7.5 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Content = PG </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Mild Adult Content, Violence, Ghosts, Thematic Elements)</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why:</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, it’s time for another graphic review!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like the first (</span><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/08/persepolis-graphic-review.html"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Persepolis</span></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">), we’re not making any promises. For your viewing pleasure... <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Anya’s Ghost - </i>A Graphic Review (its okay to get really, really nervous)!</span></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tt5YGaCtC42T3rQuStNTwsWFP3rgoDxNNaSv_1eW8OR7BsndO_3sOOvjTrrdvj7S7_ZS_nI6GXejiR5szJyS_XYnIunvb2xd1SYFJOQDOiGfyo9KXSed-VARvroyPoRxcPDsQ_Mrspk/s1600/Anya's+Ghost5.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Tt5YGaCtC42T3rQuStNTwsWFP3rgoDxNNaSv_1eW8OR7BsndO_3sOOvjTrrdvj7S7_ZS_nI6GXejiR5szJyS_XYnIunvb2xd1SYFJOQDOiGfyo9KXSed-VARvroyPoRxcPDsQ_Mrspk/s1600/Anya%2527s+Ghost5.bmp" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrD73L1sfxIsQJpDAS1wv5occro0_PatHF7t0jOl9a0cuxSx48nUVXnPUZrdJuv14gA2A_YOFVOUtDejYgsoiDygEBlVEd4CxIggE1aLD6hv4rLus0bx9YPpXEaUz0co2ExJQL1ZaUco8/s1600/Anya's+Ghost6.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrD73L1sfxIsQJpDAS1wv5occro0_PatHF7t0jOl9a0cuxSx48nUVXnPUZrdJuv14gA2A_YOFVOUtDejYgsoiDygEBlVEd4CxIggE1aLD6hv4rLus0bx9YPpXEaUz0co2ExJQL1ZaUco8/s1600/Anya%2527s+Ghost6.bmp" /></a></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-3801228368650206322012-01-06T17:01:00.000-08:002012-01-06T17:01:47.198-08:00Othello<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309281867l/286804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Othello" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309281867l/286804.jpg" width="126px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Othello – William Shakespeare</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 9 out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS = out of 10</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Content = PG (<span style="color: grey; mso-themecolor: background1; mso-themeshade: 128;"><em>Adult Content, Violence, Jealousy, Fiery Speech, Deadly Pillows</em></span>)</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“O! beware, my lord, of jealousy; </span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">It is the green-ey’d monster which doth mock </span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The meat it feeds on.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">“The Robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.”</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> We hatheth looketh Shakespeare in the eye and hatheth slaineth this frightening beast of our youth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sorry, we got a little carried away...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Actually, what we meant to say in our own primitive speech is that Shakespeare is our new hero – be gone villainous preconceived notions of past literature classes!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, we’ve only read two of his tragedies thus far, but Dareth we geteth ahead of ourselves and say that we now loveth Shakespeare?</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Sensible and even tempered Venetian general, Othello, is at the top of his game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s respected by the government and recently won the unyielding love of a rare beauty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enter the villainous Lago. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jealousy, anger, and madness quickly consume Othello’s character as lies are implanted at every turn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When a family heirloom turns up missing, the path towards complete destruction becomes too great to avert.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wow, we (Evan) can now say with great pleasure that we are no longer kicking and screaming into Shakespeare!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Othello</i> far surpassed our expectations (and so did <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hamlet</i>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did we scan the cliff notes before each scene?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did we understand every conversation?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, we were struck by how much raw emotion was infused into every sentence, nay, every word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The language Shakespeare uses is so powerful that he forces the reader to listen to every word.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we were one of his characters, we’d probably have high anxiety issues by the age of seven.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">While the plot was surprisingly simple the emotions portrayed by the characters were not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The raw jealousy displayed by Othello forced shivers down our spine on several occasions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For something known as a tragedy, the death count as a percentage to the number of main characters was still impressively high.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remind us not to give the gift of a handkerchief next anniversary. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Two weeks ago we were hesitant, but now we can’t wait to get to the more Shakespeare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And with 25ish more days left in <a href="http://aliteraryodyssey.blogspot.com/2011/11/shakespeare-reading-month-coming.html">Shakespeare Reading Month</a> things are definately looking up. Next, it’s time to try something where the entire cast doesn’t snuff it!</span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-53802163076514929772012-01-03T08:33:00.000-08:002012-01-03T08:33:37.463-08:00Top 10 Books We're Excited about in 2012<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s1600/TTT3W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s200/TTT3W.jpg" width="200px" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></b></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Top 10 Books We’re Excited about in 2012.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt;">Answer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We can’t think of a better way to start the New Year than discussing those reads that have us amped up and drooling with anticipation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Without further ado, here are 10 books that we can’t wait to get our grubby little hands on this year...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Birdsong</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sebastian Faulks</i>) – This is the highest ranked BBC Big Read book that we still haven’t read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Word on the street it’s pretty awesome.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Thursday Next: First Among Sequels</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jasper Fforde</i>) – How can you not get really excited about a Thursday Next book?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seriously we want to know!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Captain Corelli’s Mandolin</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Louis de Bernieres</i>) – This is the second highest ranked BBC Big Read book that we haven’t read...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The street’s been a bit more quiet on this one, but we’re still very excited.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Redeeming Love</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Francine Rivers</i>) – This novel made the female Bibliomaniacs’ all time favorite list...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The male Bibliomaniacs has committed to see what all the hoopla is about.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wolves of the Calla</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stephen King</i>) – This is the next book we need to read in the Dark Tower series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With any luck we’ll also have the next 2 or 3 whipped by December.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Hogfather</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Terry Pratchett</i>) – Hopefully this is one of many Discworld novels we read this year!</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Dandelion Wine</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ray Bradbury</i>) – A <a href="http://matthewdbeers.blogspot.com/">dear friend</a> refuses to stop frothing over this book and has repeatedly mentioned that it’s a fabulous spring read (his words).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll have to wait until April (maybe May), but said friend has yet to fail us on a book recommendation.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The Hobbit</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">J.R.R Tolkien</i>) – We’re committed to reread some of our favorites in 2012 and with the new movie scheduled for December, there’s no excess not to delve back into Middle Earth.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Wuthering Heights</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Emily Brontë</i>) – We can honestly say that we LOATH, LOATH, LOATH the main character in this one, yet someone who can stir our emotions so greatly deserves a second read.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7pt 'Times New Roman';"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Away Laughing on a Fast Camel</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Louise Rennison</i>) – We’ve read the first 2 in this series and laughed hysterically all the way through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Georgia might not be the best teen role model, her exploits are super fun to read about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So what’d we miss?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’re anxious to see if any other titles need to be added to our list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="color: black;">Have a great week and head on over to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">The Broke and the Bookish</span></a></i> to join the fun!</span></span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-74005322728367484152012-01-02T11:55:00.000-08:002012-01-02T17:29:44.110-08:00One Final Challenge for 2012.... for now<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/challenges/1324418912p3/207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">2<img alt="2012 Reading Challenge" border="0" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/challenges/1324418912p3/207.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Wow, can you believe it’s already January 2<sup>nd</sup>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year’s been flying by and we’ve already lost valuable time signing up for the Goodread’s 2012 Reading Challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ve never participated in this challenge before, but we can no longer ignore this fantastic bookish website and all the glorious content for book enthusiasts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">For the adventurous type, find us on Goodreads... we’d love to be your friend</i>).</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We decided to set our book target for this challenge at 101 – less than our final results in 2011, but still three figures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, our goal is to actually read LESS books this year and in doing so, slow down and enjoy the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’ll track most of our future reads on our similarly named Goodreads shelf and our completed reads on this very blog (2012 Challenge page still under construction). </span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Hope everyone else has their 2012 reading goals locked and loaded.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bring home the gold!</span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-24645232431660190572012-01-01T18:09:00.000-08:002012-01-01T18:14:01.153-08:00Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption<div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517gOImApNL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption " border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517gOImApNL.jpg" width="131px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption – Laura Hillenbrand</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 8 out of 10</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS =<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out of 10</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Content = </b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">(Adult Content, Violence, Language, The Bird, Survival, Resilience, Redemption)</i></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“Louie would give away anything, whether it was his or not.”</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why: </b>Rarely have we wanted so genuinely for a work of nonfiction to be fiction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the title suggests <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unbroken</i> is a tale of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption; plenty of pain, hardship, and sadness are also thrown in the mix.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And while the life of the novel’s primary character may be accurately described, for countless other WWII POW’s, their story is much more tragic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that we’ve effectively destroyed all happiness in the room we can continue with the review...</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Following the 1936 Olympic Games Louis Zamperini was certain his legacy would be on the track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the world decided to go to war.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a bombardier in the United Sates Air Forces a cruel fate would strike Zamperini’s plane during a routine search and rescue mission in the Pacific Ocean.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Armed with only a raft, two other companions, and a really fun last name, the main character thought surely things couldn’t get any worse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Never before has one person been proven so wrong by that oft paradoxical statement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And in the case of “The Bird”, never before has one human been so brutal to his fellow man (okay, history would probably prove us wrong here, which is only more discouraging).</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The fact that we don’t read a lot of nonfiction probably made this story hit us even harder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d be reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unbroken</i> and suddenly we’d be reminded; oh man, this actually happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And what actually happened was terribly hard to fathom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story is emotional and delivers exactly what the subtitle suggests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The novel felt well researched and gave us a completely new perspective on WWII.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How Louie or Allen or any of the POW’s could have endured their hardships and moved on with life is unimaginable.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In our opinion, if <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Unbroken</i> was missing anything it was in the area of redemption.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were very much inspired by the form that redemption took, the process felt rushed compared with all the survival and resilience. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wanted to learn so much more about his spiritual transformation given how deep his scars penetrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nonetheless, we came away in awe of Mr. Zamperini and his incredible story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Definitely make this one a priority next time you need a solid nonfiction read, just make sure your emotions are all limbered up and ready to be pushed to the edge. </span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-64007921907460262832011-12-30T10:34:00.000-08:002011-12-30T10:34:26.832-08:00A Year in Review... plus a few graphs<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zH06V25Mv_1ifjHE1m6lXJvHSkkE8ndt6ytcWzVi4-wPmrRu2SeTpk9DGJrdvZ27vkAPUr_wSbHMbD7U2kPOlhEJMAJo_DgXi7yZ6WieAtX4efbxP8_TVmM8SFg-7Ze8SkmGfU3YfHE/s1600/Book+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5zH06V25Mv_1ifjHE1m6lXJvHSkkE8ndt6ytcWzVi4-wPmrRu2SeTpk9DGJrdvZ27vkAPUr_wSbHMbD7U2kPOlhEJMAJo_DgXi7yZ6WieAtX4efbxP8_TVmM8SFg-7Ze8SkmGfU3YfHE/s320/Book+Picture.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Up until yesterday we had been planning this glorious year end video summarizing our reading exploits. We had planned to make you laugh, cry, and basically rethink your life's purpose as we reflected on 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All this sounded great up until the point when we actually had to shoot the video... nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least nothing that could stir the aforementioned emotions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Soooo, instead we’ve decided to bore you with some awesome statistics....</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">For those of you who have been following our (Evan’s) reading progress throughout 2011 with bated breath, the following graphs contain all the fascinating details that will help you nerd up your New Year a little more!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">First, let’s have a quick look at our (Evan’s) reading statistics by month.</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByVRdrgx5BHx9XqwNNwmJB4mBAiRsHTFxJnXlma3lFmaSQHV37Txl_PD-Z-iR1F8fTKI-RiGmjSwCIFX3gBrxUxrq105TYeZZlY9oYMCfilzafiSaSeTq4F0OqHeDZb4Hrp-cc1m79Ek/s1600/Graph1.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="174px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByVRdrgx5BHx9XqwNNwmJB4mBAiRsHTFxJnXlma3lFmaSQHV37Txl_PD-Z-iR1F8fTKI-RiGmjSwCIFX3gBrxUxrq105TYeZZlY9oYMCfilzafiSaSeTq4F0OqHeDZb4Hrp-cc1m79Ek/s320/Graph1.bmp" width="320px" /></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The heavenly bodies aligned in October, however there was definitely room for improvement in July, November, and March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Honestly, the entire second half of the year was a bit light compared to the first half... huh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Overall, 126 books surpassed our wildest dreams (yeah, we have weird dreams).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But let’s take a deeper look at the gruesome details...</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR1rikZFBfj5iXYGHCCTNpK2iVt_Vx3zf1FO9XKDEHTngMZDLeIqFtO4cff_s0EGjUeSSMIZoeE86Zc5nPalGzkVH6auELudHZo_L-HdKqNshcZb8yTLUg9jfQagYAAxn9ETF2Y9oE7w/s1600/Graph2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="173px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnR1rikZFBfj5iXYGHCCTNpK2iVt_Vx3zf1FO9XKDEHTngMZDLeIqFtO4cff_s0EGjUeSSMIZoeE86Zc5nPalGzkVH6auELudHZo_L-HdKqNshcZb8yTLUg9jfQagYAAxn9ETF2Y9oE7w/s320/Graph2.bmp" width="320px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In 2011 we read 12,212 pages and listened to 989 Compact Discs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>March was the month we did the most actual reading and May was the month we did the most listening.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure what that means, but the bars and lines look pretty neat combined together.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, assuming each CD was an hour long, (which most are longer) we spent 11% of 2011 just listening to books!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Awesome!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One more chart....</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbOGgOon6QFzmz7l-sBvnLRM2E07WE4xkhA6Bi1nR3oLIsGamPJ2fbIFur1pzeynJS5WbVlLHWA98De-lbXDDI9AIcX_h7Ex6gjq7uBJTc_9JLp2CfuYxYzCWf-40arYuksxERfPsVtQ/s1600/Graph3.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><img border="0" height="246px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkbOGgOon6QFzmz7l-sBvnLRM2E07WE4xkhA6Bi1nR3oLIsGamPJ2fbIFur1pzeynJS5WbVlLHWA98De-lbXDDI9AIcX_h7Ex6gjq7uBJTc_9JLp2CfuYxYzCWf-40arYuksxERfPsVtQ/s320/Graph3.bmp" width="320px" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span> </div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Our literary awakening was partially inspired by the BBC Big Read list, so in the shadows we continue to have our eye on the prize.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Come to think of it, maybe people really don’t win prizes for completing reading lists...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any rate, we checked off 27 BBC Big Reads this year and given our current progress we should complete book 200 sometime in the year 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bounce house and balloons are already reserved....</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">And finally, below are the Two Bibliomaniacs Book Awards for the books we read in 2011 (Links available on any book reviewed):</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Fantasy / Science Fiction:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/06/well-of-lost-plots.html">Well of Lost Plots</a></i> (Jaspier Fforde)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Dystopian:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/03/hunger-games.html">The Hunger Games</a></i> (Susan Collins)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Mystery / Suspense:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/04/shutter-island.html">Shutter Island</a></i> (Dennis Lahane)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Laugh Generating Novel:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/06/mort.html">Mort</a></i> (Terry Pratchett)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Novel Involving a Boat and Three People:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/08/three-men-in-boat.html">Three Men in a Boat</a></i> (Jerome K. Jerome)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Love Story:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/09/town-like-alice.html">A Town Like Alice</a></i> (Nevile Shute)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Classic:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/03/count-of-monte-cristo.html">The Count of Monte Cristo</a></i> (Alexandre Dumas)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Sleep Inducing Read: </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Vanity Fair</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (William Makepeace Thackeray)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best non-Fiction:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Love Wins</i> (Rob Bell)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Book that’s a Fairly Popular Movie from the 80’s: </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/06/princess-bride.html">The Princess Bride</a></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (William Goldman)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Movie Interpretation of a Novel:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2010/10/rebecca.html">Rebecca</a> (Masterpiece Theater’s 1997 version)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Children’s Novel:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/02/swallows-and-amazons.html">Swallows and Amazons</a></i> (Arthur Ransome)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Biggest Pleasant Surprise:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/05/looking-glass-wars.html">The Looking Glass Wars</a></i> (Frank Beddor)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best ReRead:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-capture-castle.html">I Capture the Castle</a></i> (Dodie Smith)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Long Novel:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/08/les-miserables.html">Les Miserable</a></i> (Victor Hugo)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Biggest Disappointment: </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Middlemarch</span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">George Eliot</i>)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Scary Novel Other Than Bag of Bones:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/05/haunting-of-hill-house.html">The Haunting of Hill House</a></i> (Shirley Jackson)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best YA: </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/12/howls-moving-castle.html">Howl’s Moving Castle</a></span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> (Diana Wynne Jones)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Best Novel Involving a Gentleman with Thistle Down Hair:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/06/jonathan-strange-mr-norrell.html">Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell</a></i> (Susanna Clarke)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Author Most Deserving of a Flick in the Nose:</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <a href="http://twobibliomaniacs.blogspot.com/2011/03/ulysses-read-along-part-4.html">Ulysses</a> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">James Joyce</i>)<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">We offer our sincerest apologizes to anyone who may have inadvertently fallen asleep during the reading of this post and smashed their nose into their keyboard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hope your literary endeavors were as enjoyable as ours!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">God bless and here’s to a great 2012! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-20166879066921753882011-12-27T07:22:00.000-08:002011-12-27T07:22:24.342-08:00Top 10 Favorite Books We Read in 2011<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s1600/TTT3W.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="153px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXStrpnrUtR_OxuxzAAdY8hxxJBJSG78y7w4CJr4B0dXwDOYEQ7O9BbM0RK4ftJ92CMOyK3MTHShwZGFkNq6692kqY9zX9rvdpuri0k7BM80Q2lhywrpl25gx07nuKX2y0WTHCTsWVJVud/s200/TTT3W.jpg" width="200px" /></a>Question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Top 10 Favorite Books We (Evan) Read in 2011</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Answer:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></b><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;">What better way to close out 2011 than reviewing our favorites of the year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With 126 books read since January this will require some serious reflection...</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #e36c0a; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
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</div><ol style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Well of Lost Plots</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jasper Fforde</i>) – The Thursday Next series is one of our favorite science fiction / alternate history series of all time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Book 3 was another gem and our favorite of the series.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">A Town Like Alice</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Nevil Shute</i>) – A great love story and a great novel about perseverance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Have we mentioned before that we love Joe Harman?! </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Shutter Island</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dennis Lehane</i>) – Delightfully Disturbing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Had us guessing until the last 10 pages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Les Misérables</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Victor Hugo</i>) – Jean Jaljean won the Two Bibliomaniacs Man of the Year award in 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We apologize for complete lack of clout tied to this award.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, great story, a little long, but great story!</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Hunger Games</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Suzanne Collins</i>) – It took us a while to finally give this series a try, but once we started it barely took a weekend to finish!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait for the upcoming movie.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Mort</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Terry Pratchett</i>) – This is the novel that single handedly redeemed the Discworld series.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now we’re fully drinking the Kool-Aid. </span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Waste Lands</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Stephen King</i>) – We started The Dark Tower series in 2011 and book 3 was momentous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Can’t wait to find out what else lies ahead for Roland.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Princess Bride</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">William Goldman</i>) – We weren’t sold on this one right out of the gate, but upon further reflection this book has to be in our top 10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Such a fun reading experience.</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Three Men in a Boat</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jerome K. Jerome</i>) – There wasn’t another book in 2011 that produced so many laughs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Classic literature at its funniest!</span></span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: black; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Help </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">(<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kathryn Stockett</i>) – The cast made this novel so memorable and several characters were nominated for the Two Bibliomaniacs Woman of the Year award in 2011.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who won?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Considering this award didn’t exist five minutes ago, the judges are still deliberating....</span></span></li>
</ol><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Good luck closing out those last few 2011 reads and be sure to head on over to <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="http://brokeandbookish.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: black;">The Broke and the Bookish</span></a></i> to join this week’s fun!</span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3688556622447319906.post-917327655593226992011-12-23T12:09:00.000-08:002011-12-23T12:09:00.367-08:00The Three Musketeers<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309197147l/10558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Three Musketeers" border="0" height="200px" id="coverImage" src="http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1309197147l/10558.jpg" width="132px" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">The Three Musketeers – Alexandre Dumas</span></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Evan’s ESS = 8 out of 10</span></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Erin’s ESS =<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>out of 10</span></span></b></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Content = PG </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(Adult Content, Violence, Hot Tempers, Treachery, Stabbing)</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></b></span></div></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">“I do not often laugh, sir,” answered the unknown.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“As you may yourself discover by the expression of my countenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But yet I mean to preserve the right of laughing when I please.”</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Why: </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The title of this novel is deliberately misleading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dumas really missed the boat on this one by not calling this masterpiece <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Three Musketeers and One er, Guardsman</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who knew that “all for one, one for all” actually meant “all FOUR one, one FOUR all?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We didn’t, although the list of things we don’t know can at times be staggering (really, people actually make blankets with arm holes?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyway, today, let’s concentrate on the things we do know... </span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">In route to ask the captain of the Musketeers for a job, young d’Artagnan makes a habit of challenging anything with breath to a duel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Three men in particular who fit this category are the infamous musketeers; Athos, Aramis, and Porthos and end up scheduling duels with d’Artagnan all on the same day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just as the first swordfight commences enemies of the Musketeers approach and three friends quickly become four.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From that point on, the group is nearly inseparable and find themselves engaged in a disturbing scheme involving the royal family and the Cardinal and a few other sinister people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Love, honor, and life are all at stake as d’Artagnan and his three Musketeers fight to uncover the plot. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Alexandre Dumas had us at <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Count of Monte Cristo</i> and now after <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Three Musketeers</i> he’s officially entered the very elite Two Bibliomaniacs Favorite Dead Author club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dumas was a brilliant writer and was able to pack oodles of action, mystery, and humor all into a great narrative.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The story was thick with storylines, yet easy to follow and the characters were all unique – although a tad bit touchy.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">While the 3 musketeers were certainly admirable with a sword, they did struggle in the departments of money, love, and sobriety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although, come to think of it, even their swordplay could be called into question due to the frequency in which each member of the group was stabbed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course, they were all mere flesh wounds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, it was easy to root for the band of four friends and even more fun to question their rash decision making. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We only wish it was somehow possible to enjoy more of d’Artagnan adventures....</span></span></div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Oh, snap!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something else can officially be remove from our above referenced list of things we don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Three Musketeers is actually the first in a series that make up the d’Artagnan Romances.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Has anyone ever read <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Twenty Years After</i> or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later</i>?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least the titles seem to be pretty clear on the timeframe covered in the novels; although given Dumas’s record they probably take place something like 12 years later...<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>Two Bibliomaniacshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02442484227213602009noreply@blogger.com3