Adoption Day ROCKS!

We are so excited to be able to share the news that after 28 months of living with us, 

10 of them spent waiting for this specific day to be realized, 

Tabatha, Jenna and Kami are official members of our family.

 Eve

 Jenna

 Tucker

 Samantha

 Kami

 Tabatha

Gwen

Challenge Review... a little late

So, I have now completed book 3 in the challenge I joined at the beginning of the year and loved it!  Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange retells the story of Pride and Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's point of view.  I had been wanting to read a book told this way for a while and really debated which version would be best because I feared being disappointed.  Grange did a very good job of using the language as she should have to sound Austenesque and we see a side to Darcy's pride and inner struggle that wasn't discussed from Austen's point of view.  It is sweet, it is clean, it is refreshing.  My 13 year old has read it twice now, after I did, and marked with postit notes about 2 dozen pages that are her "favorite".  So much of a keeper that I plan to read Captain Wentworth's Diary now, my other favorite Austen book.  If you love the story of Pride and Prejudice and have often wondered what Darcy was thinking at times, give this one a try!

Find it here!

Challenge Review "Austenland"

I love Austen, so many people love Shannon Hale.  I thought I would try this mix of both.
While it is fun in many parts, I was disappointed in a few too many places that were just crude.  Why were they even in there?  I like a good clean story that doesn't make me cringe.  For instance the reference the gardener makes to his balls if he gets in trouble, and also her jumping up an wrapping her legs around same gardener's waist, even IF there were layers of fabric from her skirt and underthings there.  These are just two examples, and there were more.  Maybe I am a bit of a prude, but I think I can enjoy a book without that in it.
The relationship between Jane and Mr. Nobley was fun to watch change, and it did end well, especially the stuff at the airport.
The idea for this story had merit though.  Yes, all Austen fans usually want a Mr. Darcy, I have had my moments.  But, when it all boils down to it, I'd prefer my Captain Wentworth instead.

Review based on reading "Austenland" by Shannon Hale

Challenge Review "Prom and Prejudice"

I reviewed the book "Prom and Prejudice" by Elizabeth Eulberg.

This was a fun, quick read.  Lizzie Bennett is attending on scholarship at a snob filled school but lucked out to have two good friends, Jane and Charlotte.  She is picked on and is a bit judgmental, but learns a lesson about this.  Will Darcy seems to fit the snob role, but we find out that he is just being a bit prejudiced himself.  A fun modern retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that you can read easily in one lazy book filled day, or spread it out one chapter a night as the chapters aren't long.  Fun, clean, great for a mom or her teen daughter to enjoy.  You can't help but fall for the gallantry of Darcy.  My daughter and I LOVE the part where Lizzie doesn't want Will to show up where she works, so she tells him her schedule.  This isn't a deterrent for him, he gets said schedule memorized and shows up on purpose to walk her home from work.

Here is the link for the book on amazon, but you can get it at the library most likely, also.  We did.
http://www.amazon.com/Prom-Prejudice-Elizabeth-Eulberg/dp/0545240786

Pride and Prejudice Bicentenary Challenge

Pride and Prejudice marks her 200th year since publication in 2013.  We (my girls and I) have already planned to have a costume party some time in the summer. 

I have also decided to join this challenge to read or reread Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice and additional spin offs.  What fun!  I wonder if Eve will join me since she already has such a deep affection for the original book.  My goal is 5-8 books or movies in the year, and a review of each one.  I am sure that if I shut down my life beyond reading I could tackle even more, but I need to stay realistic also.  Enthusiasm has a tendency to do the opposite and I would likely find myself unnecessarily swamped. 

Here are my beginning plans, the rest will be added as I decide.
1. Reread the original (byJane Austen in paperback)
2. Prom and Prejudice (by Elizabeth Eulberg)
3.Watch Pride and Prejudice BBC 1980's version with my girls (my daughter's favorite edition).
4. Reread Pride and Popularity (by Jenni James)