Back to the Classics Challenge Wrap Up

While I did fall off the bandwagon with many of my challenges this year I couldn't forsake one of my favorite challenges: the Back to the Classics Challenge! This challenge is hosted by Books and Chocolate. I didn't complete as many categories as I wanted to but I still got quite a few done!
So here's my wrap up post of all the books I completed for the challenge.

1. A 19th Century Classic- Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
2. A 20th Century Classic- All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren 
3. A classic by a woman author- The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton 
4. An adventure classic - Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester  
5. A fantasy, science fiction, or dystopian classic- Farmer Giles of Ham by J.R.R. Tolkien 
6. A classic which includes the name of a place in the title- The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens
7. A classic which has been banned or censored- Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert 
8. Re-read a classic you read in school (high school or college)- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
9. A volume of classic short stories- The Complete Stories of Flannery O Conner by Flannery O Conner

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Book Review- Jane Eyre

This summer I re-read Charlotte Bronte's novel Jane Eyre. It's a book I've been meaning to re-read for a long time and I'm glad I finally got around to it.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead and subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity. She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed.

It had been a long time since I read Jane Eyre originally but since then I have seen several different film versions so I was pretty up on the storyline. However, I soon realized while re-reading it that there is so much in the book that you simply can't put into a movie. Jane Eyre's personal thoughts are what drives this story. There isn't a lot of dialogue. Translating thoughts onto film is never easy. I remember there was one miniseries that I saw that basically had Jane narrating the movie... though of course there was still dialogue and all of that but you got to hear her thoughts. It's been a long time since I've seen it but I think from looking at IMDB it was the 1973 miniseries. I don't remember how practically that turned out but I remember really liking it and wishing all movies were like that... which is definitely not practical. ;)
There's a lot going on in this book. There are plot points and characters that are introduced at the beginning and not resolved or reintroduced until later. Each detail contributes to the genius of the story.
Then there's Jane Eyre herself. Jane is quiet, patient and kind but she has no problem speaking up for herself and doing what she knows is right. Her narrative is thought provoking and beautiful.
Rochester on the other hand I'm not so crazy about. He's manipulative to Jane and he has a lot of self-pity going on that I can't respect. Yes I feel sorry for him and he's in a pretty tough spot but that gives him no excuses for his actions.
I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said. Jane Eyre is a great book with a lot to learn from it's pages. I would definitely recommend it!

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Yet Another Period Drama Tag

I know I've done period drama tags before but there's another one out there and I'm bound and determined to do it!

What's your favorite period drama movie?

I know it's a mini-series but forever and always the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice.

What's your favorite period drama series?

TV series I'm thinking they're meaning? Either Call the Midwife or Lark Rise to Candleford. I love them both. Merlin is also kind of a period drama show though and I love that one too so... Don't make me chose! 

Which period drama do you dislike the most?

It's a tie between the 2005 Pride and Prejudice and the 2007 Mansfield Park. I loathe them pretty equally. 

Anne of Green Gables or Little Dorrit?

An incredibly unfair question! I grew up with Anne of Green Gables and It's always been a part of my life so I have very sentimental feelings for it. However, Little Dorrit I was only introduced to in the last couple years. Nevertheless I think Little Dorrit is the better show. 

Your favorite period drama dresses?

These two! I basically love everything in Molly Gipson's and Elizabeth Bennet's wardrobes. 

Who's your favorite period drama character? (okay pick at least five)

Ladies- Elizabeth Bennet, Molly Gipson, Amy Dorrit, Esther Summers and Anne Shirley. 

Men- Mr. Darcy, Mr. Knightley, Gabriel Oak, Sir Percy Blakeney and Henry Tilney. 

If you could join a royal ball, which dress would you go in? (pick a period drama dress) 

I don't know! There's not any specifically "ball dresses" that stick out to me so I'm going with this one of Molly's from Wives and Daughters. 

What's your favorite Jane Austen movie?

Well obviously as mentioned above the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice but since I've already used that once I'll mention my second favorite which I think would be the 2007 version of Northanger Abbey though I also really enjoy both the 1995 and 2008 versions of Sense and Sensibility. 

Downtown Abbey or Call the Midwife?

As I haven't seen any Downtown Abbey I'll have to go with Call the Midwife. :) 

Sybil Crawley, Jenny Lee, Emma Woodhouse or Marian of Knighton?

Jenny Lee hands down! 

Which couple from a period drama do you like the most? (pick at least four) 

So many! I narrowed it down as best as I can. 

Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice

Molly Gibson and Roger Hamley from Wives and Daughters

Amy Dorrit and Arthur Clenham from Little Dorrit

Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables

Alfie and Minnie from Lark Rise to Candleford

Shelagh and Patrick from Call the Midwife (I also love Chummy and Peter but I only wanted to include one of the couples so I sided with Shelagh and Patrick)

At last, which period drama villain do you like the most? 

Probably Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She makes me laugh. 

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Ten Books I've Added to my TBR List Recently

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme is ten books you've added to your TBR list recently. These aren't the the absolutely most recent but they're the ones I'm most excited about of the ones I've most recently added to my TBR list.

1. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child by J.K. Rowling
2. The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J.K. Rowling 
3. Tales From the Perilous Realm by J.R.R. Tolkien
4. A Severe Mercy by Sheldon Vanauken
5. Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Win
6. I Wasn't This Strong When I Started Out: True Stories of Becoming a Nurse by Lee Gutkind 
7. The Legend of Sam Miracle by N.D. Wilson
8. Lessons From a Hospital Bed by John Piper
9. The BFG by Roald Dahl
10. Openness Unhindered: Further Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert on Sexual Identity and Unity in Christ by Rosaria Champagne Butterfield 

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It's Monday! My Blogging Friends

With being away from blogging for awhile I didn't keep up with my blogging friends as well as I wanted to. :( I try to go back and visit all of their blogs as much as I can and remember but I'm sure I missed a lot. :( Sorry guys! I do love you all!

Currently Reading

• St. Bartholomew's Eve by G.A. Henty (re-read) (audiobook)
• Total Truth by Nancy Pierce 

Finished Reading

• Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander/J.K. Rowling

Coming Soon

• Tales From the Perilous Realm by J.R.R. Tolkien

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Ten Favorite Musical Moments

I've been on a listening to music from musicals kick recently (cause I don't have time to actually watch them!). This has sparked this post of my Ten Favorite Musical Moments!
There are plenty of musicals I have not yet seen so don't assume I hate the musical because I don't have your favorite one represented here on this list. Also, don't presume I love the musical because it is represented on this list. I may just like it's music.
In no particular order.

1. Tradition!  From Fiddler on the Roof
2. Do, Re, Mi from The Sound of Music
3. Singing in the Rain from Singing in the Rain
4. The Barn Dance from Seven Brides from Seven Brothers 
5. Salesman Song from The Music Man
6. Do You Hear the People Sing from Les Miserables
7. I Could have Danced all Night from My Fair Lady
8. Step in Time from Mary Poppins
9. The Black Hills of Dakota from Calamity Jane 
10. All I Ask of You from the Phantom of the Opera 

And some Disney honorable mentions. :)

1. Be Our Guest from Beauty and the Beast
2. Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid

If you are a musical lover as well feel free to consider yourself tagged! I'd love to see what your favorite musical moments are. :)

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