Book Review- Mr. Darcy's Diary

For the Mount TBR Pile Challenge, the Shelf Love Challenge and the Full House Reading Challenge I read Amanda Grange's novel Mr. Darcy's Diary.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Monday 9th September""I left London today and met Bingley at Netherfield Park. I had forgotten what good company he is; always ready to be pleased and always cheerful. After my difficult summer, it is good to be with him again. ...""The only place Darcy could share his innermost feelings was in the private pages of his diary...Torn between his sense of duty to his family name and his growing passion for Elizabeth Bennet, all he can do is struggle not to fall in love.Mr. Darcy's Diary presents the story of the unlikely courtship of Elizabeth Bennet and Fitzwilliam Darcy from Darcy's point of view. This graceful imagining and sequel to Pride and Prejudice explains Darcy's moodiness and the difficulties of his reluctant relationship as he struggles to avoid falling in love with Miss Bennet. Though seemingly stiff and stubborn at times, Darcy's words prove him also to be quite devoted and endearing - qualities that eventually win over Miss Bennet's heart. This continuation of a classic romantic novel is charming and elegant, much like Darcy himself.

I hadn't been much impressed with the Jane Austen spin off novels I'd read before Mr. Darcy's Diary so I had low expectations going in to reading it. However, I was quite pleasantly surprised.
This novel greatly humored me. Darcy's dry wit really seeped into his writing. Quotes like "Bingley was an optimist" were my favorite. :) I also really enjoyed seeing his character develop. In Pride and Prejudice he talked to Elizabeth about how long the words "If you had behaved in a more gentlemen like manner" had haunted him since she'd said them and you see that played out in his diary as his character improves. At the beginning he seriously is a snob but by the end you see how much he has changed. Amanda Grange writes that really well... though obviously most of the credit should be given to Jane Austen for originally telling the story. Grange just fleshes it out. Grange started the story with the summer before Darcy meets the Bennet family.... the summer Wickham tries to seduce Georgiana. I liked how that worked though as you get to see how much Darcy goes through because of that and see more obviously why he dislikes Wickham so much. Most of the dialogue included in his diary is straight from Pride and Prejudice though there is some that Grange adds between Darcy and Bingley and a little between Darcy and Elizabeth in spots where Austen just indicated that they talked but didn't say what they actually said. Grange also includes a little past the end of Pride and Prejudice into their married life, which was kind of cute. This actually reminds (SPOILER) me that she added a surprise romance.... Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne de Bourgh! Weird but she makes it work. Anne de Bourgh is a character that I think everyone wonders about. What is she really like? Grange goes a little into that. END SPOILER
One particularly adorable quote (I thought at least) was when after Elizabeth visited Pemberly, Darcy is looking around his estates and is contemplating being married to her and thinks "I looked to the house and saw my daughters returning from a walk, their petticoats covered in mud." :D There were many other adorable quotes and funny quotes but I can't include them all!
The one thing I didn't care for so much, but really it's just a preference, is how it makes Mr. Bingley out to be kind of a lovesick idiot that goes from one girl to another as he goes from London to Bath to Netherfield, ect. I can kind of see how it makes sense from a couple things Darcy says in Pride and Prejudice but I just thought it was a little too overboard. I think Grange did that to make Darcy look better though.... to give him more justification for breaking up Bingley and Jane but it still wasn't my favorite. I do think though that Grange never underplays how much Bingely does care for Jane and she shows that his affection for her are deeper than the flings he has had beforehand. So all in all it works and it's not too bad but it kind of irks me.
Overall, if you are a fan of Jane Austen, and more specifically Pride and Prejudice, I would recommend Mr. Darcy's Diary for a fun interpretation of what Mr. Darcy's diary might have looked like.
P.S. Be sure to check out my five year blogiversary giveaway HERE!

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It's Monday! Life After Crochet

This past Saturday there was a craft fair at my church that my little sister and I participated in by selling our crochet products. We spent a hectic amount of time preparing plus my normal work so I haven't really gotten enough sleep recently. However it was a lot of fun and we made more than I anticipated so all in all I'm glad we did it.

Betsy and I at the craft fair. Yes she's taller than me. :(

But on to reading because though I've been crocheting like crazy I've also kept up with my reading

Currently Reading

• Beloved by Toni Morrison (I really dislike this book and want to be done with it) 
• Charlotte's Web by E.B.White (re-read)

Finished this Week

• Betsy-Tacy Go Downtown by Lucy Maud Montgomery (re-read) 

Coming Soon

• Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
• Othello by William Shakespeare 

Rebecca is the last book I have to "officially" finish in 2015 to complete my ridiculous number of reading challenges but I want to get a couple more books in after that. Othello is for the Classics Club spin.
I am trying to get all of my book reviews completed and published before Christmas. There's a lot in the stacks that just need to get brushed up a bit. 

To top off this post I have a couple funny memes I collected. :) 

Additionally I have a picture of some beautiful and unique bookmarks a friend of mine made for me. One has a Jane Austen quote and the other a P.G. Wodehouse quote. I use them all the time. :) 

Alright that's it for this post. I hope you all are having a great time preparing for Christmas and I hope and pray that you and I continue to keep our focus on God during the business of the season. :)

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Jane Austen Week- Top Ten Dresses from Pride and Prejudice

In honor of Jane Austen week (hosted over at Wonderland Creek!) I'm posting about my Top Ten Dresses from Pride and Prejudice! Namoi was far braver than I and did her top ten dresses from Jane Austen movies but I cannot limit my selections like that!
Now of course I wish they were all higher cut at the top but oh well. :( I tried to include other dresses besides Lizzie's to be fair but I just adore Lizzie's wardrobe! :)
So in no particular order here we go!

1. 

   I like the lacy overlay look. 

2. 

   The famous ball room scene dress! 

3. 

   Lovely sprigged dress! 

4. 

   One of my very favorite ever dresses! 

5. 

   I love both Jane and Lizzie's ensembles. 

6. 

   I'm not a huge fan of Jane's dresses but I do love this beautiful blue one. 

7. 

   I like this dress of Lydia's. It's one of her few not quite so low cut ones too. 

8. 

   I LOVE this bonnet and this dress! 

9. 

   Generally I'm not a fan of Charlotte's dresses but I do like this one. 

10. 

    The wedding dresses here are so beautiful! :) 

What's your favorite? Any of your favorites that I missed?

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Jane Austen Week 2015- Tag Answers

It's Jane Austen Week over at Wonderland Creek!!!!! Go check it out and join in the fun! Today I'll be answering her tag answers!!!!

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how much of a Jane Austen fan do you consider yourself? 10!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Obviously!!!!!!!
2. If "they" would make a new Jane Austen Movie, and you would be able to be cast in it, which Jane Austen character would you most like to play? Catherine Morland.... because I'm the most like her. But I also think it would be fun to play a goofy character so when I'm older I think it would be such fun to play Mrs. Bennett!
3. Is there any felicity in the world superior to a walk? READING!!!! Duh! ;) But a walk is quite amazing I'll admit.
4. Who's your favourite Jane Austen 'villain'? (As in 'villain' meaning 'the bad guy.') I hate them all!!!!!!!!!! Who do I love to hate the most? Mrs. Noriss from Mansfield Park probably. Who do I think is the "best" of the bad guys? Maybe Frank Churchill though he annoys me to no end also.
5. What/Who introduced you to Jane Austen? I grew up on Jane Austen. Both my mom and my dad are big fans. We grew up watching Jane Austen movies, especially the 1995 Pride and Prejudice and when I was around ten I read Pride and Prejudice. The rest is history. ;)
6. Did you love/enjoy Jane Austen immediately, or has there been a time when you hated (um, prejudged) it? I've always loved it!
7. Who, in your opinion, is the funniest Jane Austen character? That's hard! Maybe Mr. Bennet or Mrs. Bennet but Mr. Collins cracks me up too!
8. Do you quote Jane Austen randomly in public? Yes! I quote Jane Austen randomly wherever I go! There are people who don't? ;)
9. Are children allowed to eat cake on weddings? Their health! My goodness! What would Dr. Perry say? ;)
10. What is your reaction when you hear that an aquaintance (e.g. A lady at Church) of yours loves Jane Austen? Instant friendship!!!!!!! If it's a guy..... instant marriage!!!!!! ;) Just kidding. ;)
11. Who writes better letters, Mr Darcy or Captain Wentworth? (If you forgot what the letters were, shame on you, instead tell me if you prefer Strawberries to Chocolate or not.) Well they wrote different kinds of letters so I'm not sure it's fair to compare them. Captain Wentworth does write a beautiful proposal/love letter though so I guess I'll chose him. :)
12. Which Jane Austen heroine do you relate the least to? Emma Woodhouse. She's grown on me as a character but I don't relate to her.
13. What's your favourite Jane Austen house (from one of the movies)? Pemberly!
14. What's your favourite Jane Austen dress (from one of the movies)? Hard question! Let me peruse some pictures. I love all of Lizzie's dresses but I think my favorite is her dress at the Neverfield dance. I do NOT like Miss Bingley's dress. 

15. Can you turn off lit candles with your fingers? I've never tried to because I've been too afraid but I've always wanted to since I was a child since Mr. Darcy can! 

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5 Male Characters Tag and 5 Female Characters Tag

I've been meaning to do these for awhile and then Olivia from Meanwhile in Rivendell tagged me in the 5 Male Characters Tag and I figured I might as well go ahead and do both. I'm not sure why they have different categories but they do.
AND, before you go any further, make sure to check out my two giveaways going on HERE and HERE!

5 Male Characters

Hero- Mr. Knightley... I just re-read Emma and then re-watched all of the movies so I'm on a huge kick Mr. Knightley kick right now! For me he embodies so much of what I would want in a husband. A man of moral integrity, someone willing to tell me when I am wrong, kind, generous and loving. He's also got a sense of humor. :) My second favorite would be Austen's Henry Tilney. He is similar to Mr. Knightley but is far lighter and so funny!!!  

Villain- Gollum. I like what Peter Jackson did with him in the movies actually, making him an even more complex character then he already was.

Anti-hero- I don't read a lot of books or watch a lot of movies with anti-heroes so this was hard for me to come up with. I think though I'd go with Han Solo from Star Wars and Malcom Reynolds from Firefly. They're actually fairly similar characters. I'd say they are the more hero like of anti heroes but it's what I could come up with.

Best book-to-screen adaptation- After much thought I have decided on Sir Percy Blakeney from The Scarlet Pimpernel and the screen adaptation is OBVIOUSLY the 1982 version.... aka the only version. ;) I think Anthony Andrews perfectly take the character from the books and dazzlingly brings him onto the screen much to my endless laughter! 

Best character perception- This one and the previous seem kind of similar but whatever! I'd go with Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy is a very reserved character so taking him and acting him out would must have been hard but I think Colin Firth did it with so much perception. He just was Mr. Darcy because I think he understood the character. He will always be Mr. Darcy to me.

5 Female Characters

Heroine- I'm torn between Elizabeth Bennett and Molly Gipson so.... both

Villain- I tend to say I love to hate Professor Umbridge from Harry Potter. She irks me so much! Sure she's not the main villain in the series but that does not matter! I hate her so much more than Voldemort! 

Superhero- Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow! Basically she's awesome! 

That I would want to be friend with- I think I would have to chose Anne Shirley! So much imagination and fun! 

That I wish had better development- I'd have to agree with Olivia here and go with Buttercup from The Princess Bride. In the movie she's a bit better developed but in the book she's really just kind of there. :(

These are such fun tags! If you want to participate just steal them away! 

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Top Ten Books That Would Be On My Syllabus If I Taught Classics 101

Today's theme for Top Ten Tuesday is top ten books that would be on my syllabus if I taught X 101. I went with classics because.... duh... this is Lois. ;) Some of these are my favorites others of these I like but they're not my absolute favorite though I think they should be included because they are great literature. I tried to include a mixture of more modern classics and classic classics.
I also included a secondary list. Because if I had this class I would give them extra credit for reading the secondary reading list. Now I really want to teach this class!

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
3. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
4. Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain (I prefer it to Tom Sawyer)
5. Macbeth by William Shakespeare
6. Beowulf by Unknown
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
8. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
9. 1984 or Animal Farm by George Orwell
10. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy

Secondary Reading

1. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
2. The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
3. Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare
4. Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
5. Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
6. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
7. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
8. Emma by Jane Austen
9. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
10. Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

There are obviously a LOT of great classics so of course I missed some good ones. Even though I've read so many classics there are so many I still have yet to read so just because your favorite isn't on here doesn't mean it doesn't deserve to be! Frankenstein, 1984, Animal Farm, David Copperfield, Great Expectations and Anna Karenina are not my favorites but I can appreciate them and I think they are very interesting books to look at and study.
Any you would add?

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Top Ten Characters Who are Fellow Book Nerds

This week's theme for Top Ten Tuesday is Top Ten Characters Who are Fellow Book Nerds. I could only think of five but I'm sure there's some obvious ones I'm missing. :(

1. Elizabeth Bennet 
2. Catherine Morland
3. Anne Shirley 
4. Jo March 
5. Hermione Granger

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Period Drama Tag

I'm not a period drama blogger (as I'm sure you've noticed) but I love watching period dramas and I love reading period drama bloggers. So I'm doing this tag. :)

What is your favorite Austen book?

Pride and Prejudice! I'm cliche that way but I can't help it! It's the best! I love them all though so much. :) Probably my second favorites are Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Mansfield Park. 

One Austen movie you dislike the most

There's two tied for the dislike intensely position in my book. In fact I refer to them as the evil versions. They would be the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice and the 2007 version of Mansfield Park. I'm a book purist, which is sometimes not all it is cut out to be. I also don't tolerate too much mushiness in my stories. 

Favorite Dresses

I'd have to say I love all of Lizzie Bennet's dresses and all of Molly Gipson's dresses so I'll share one of each of them. :) 

  

Least favorite hairstyle

I'm going to agree with everyone I think in saying Lady Harriet's. It's ghastly! 

Favorite Austen book film adaptation 

Pride and Prejudice 1995 without a doubt. It has great actors, witty script (which is really all thanks to Austen), beautiful scenery and costumes and stays very true to the book. I can ask for no more. :)

Favorite Downtown Abbey character

So I'm one of the few people in the world who hasn't seen Downton Abbey. Maybe someday I'll get around to it. My mom watches it and likes it. :) I know she said her favorite character died. Not sure who that was and I didn't ask because I don't want spoilers but I'm sure all of you avid fans know. 

Favorite BBC Show

Doctor Who! It isn't period drama but it's my favorite BBC show! I also love The Adventure of Merlin. When I get around to watching more of Call the Midwife I'm sure I can add that to the list too. 

Favorite Austen Heroine

Lizzy Bennet, Anne Elliot and Fanny Price. :)

One BBC you watched which you disliked very much

I haven't watched any BBC period dramas I disliked. There were some that were meh but I didn't dislike any. I haven't seen as many as some have though. 

Colin Firth or Matthew Macfayden

As Mr. Darcy? Colin Firth! Matthew Macfayden was simply not meant for that role. He does however do a fine job as Arthur Clenham in Little Dorrit. :)

Jane Austen, Margaret Mitchell or Lucy Maud Montgomery?

I love them all but obviously I can't help but go with Jane Austen. She is my favorite author for her wit, wisdom, enduring characters and strong morals. I really have never had a complaint with Austen on anything in her books... except maybe Edward Ferras.... sometimes he aggravates me. 

Which Charlotte? Claudie Blakley or Lucy Scott?

I prefer the 1995 version so Lucy Scott but I don't recall having any real problem with Claudie Blakley as Charlotte... just stupid writing on the part of the screenwriters. 

So that was fun! 

Random fact that I found out when writing this post... Hayley Attwell (from Captain America  and Agent Carter) plays Mary Crawford in the 2007 version of Mansfield Park! I didn't realize that! I actually thought she did a good job as Mary Crawford. :)

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Top Ten Tuesday- Freebie

This week's Top Ten Tuesday theme is a freebie so I'm going with my Top Ten Literary Couples! :)
When I'm reading a book or watching a movie a lot of what I look for in a couple is respect and a great sense of humor. :) I think that is reflected in this list. :)
Obviously I couldn't just stop at ten! So here you go in on particular order!

1. Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
2. Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
3. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
4. Eowyn and Faramir from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
5. Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland from Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey
6. Mr. Knightley and Emma Wodehouse from Jane Austen's Emma
7. Fanny Price and Edmund Bertram from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park
8. Anne Elliot and Captain Wentworth from Jane Austen's Persuasion
9. Elinor Dashwood and Edward Ferris from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
10. Marianne Dashwood and Colonel Brandon from Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility
11. Molly Gibson and Roger Hamley from Elizabeth Gaskell's Wives and Daughers
12. Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe from L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables and others
13. Arthur Clenham and Amy Dorrit from Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit
14. Mr. Thornton and Margaret Hale from Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South
15. Beatrice and Benedict from William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing
16. Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series
17. Sir Percival Blakeney and Marguerite St. Just from Emmuska Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel 

And for the fun of it.... movie and TV show favorites as well! 

1. Parker and Hardison from the TV show Leverage
2. Amy and Rory from the TV show Doctor. Who
3. The Doctor and River Song from the TV show Doctor. Who
4. Martha and Mickey from the TV show Doctor. Who
5. Nick and Nora from the Thin Man movies
6. Han Solo and Princess Leia from the Star Wars movies
7. G.W. McLintock and Katy McLintock from the movie McLintock
8. Patty and Canoe from the movie That Darn Cat
9. Marjorie Winfield and Bill Sherman from the movies On Moonlight Bay and By the Light of the Silvery Moon.
10. Dr. Bradford and Paula Bradford in the movie The Ex-Mrs. Bradford

I'm sure I missed some great ones so comment and remind me! 

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I Mustache You Some Questions Tag!

I saw this tag over at Spoonful of Happy Endings and you all know I love tags so naturally I couldn't resist!

Four names people call me other than my real name

1. Lo-Lo- Mostly my Dad :)
2. Peppernut- A nickname since birth... long history behind it.
3. Lega-Lois- After Legolas from LOTR.... that has a long history to it as well.
4. Lois Lane- Please just do NOT ever call me this! I've never seen any Superman movies and I know minimally about Superman but I promise you basically everything I know is relate to people always relating my name to Lois Lane! I'm sick of it! Don't do it! Rant over. ;)

Four jobs I've had

1. Waterer at a nursery
2. Student worker at my college's library
3. Pig farmer (not sure what my title was actually) at a pig farm
4. No more yet but hoping for a nursing job soon once I graduate! 

Four movies I've watched more than once (I've watched plenty more than once but these are my favorite to rewatch and probably the movies I've rewatched the most... not necessarily my favorite movies).

1. Pride and Prejudice 1995
2. National Treasure
3. Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
4. Charade

Four Books I would Recommend (so many but I'm narrowing it down!)

1. The Bible (of course!)
2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (duh!)
3. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien 
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Four places I have visited- I'm not much of a traveller as evidenced here. Not that I don't want to travel because I do, I just haven't much. 

1. Costa Rica
2. Canada
3. Colorado
4. Yellowstone National Park

Four places I would rather be now

1. England
2. Ireland
3. Scotland
4. Italy

Four things I don't eat (actually two... I'm not a very picky eater)

1. Bell peppers
2. Fish (I do eat it sometimes) 

Four TV Shows I watch (A lot.... But I'll just include some of my favorites and of course I couldn't keep it down to just four)

1. Doctor Who
2. Leverage
3. Stargate: Atlantis
4. Psych
5. Monk
6. Firefly

Four things I'm looking forward to this year (2015)

1. Graduating from nursing school!!!
2. Startin a job as a real nurse!
3. Regaining my sanity ;)
4. Spending more time with my family once I'm free from the clutches of school! 

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The Classics Booktag

I saw this book tag over at Fly but it originally came from It's a Book World. I love tags and I love classics so I'm going to fill it out! :)

An overhyped classic you didn't really like

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald- I hope to re-read it sometime and see if maybe my opinion has changed with time. 

Favorite time period to read about

Whatever the Pride and Prejudice time period is. ;)

Favorite fairy tale

Hmmm. Good question. I'm partial to Beauty and the Beast but that might be because of the Disney film. 

What is the most embarrassing classic you haven't read yet

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Top five classics you'd like to read soon

1. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
2. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
3. Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens
4. The Importance of Being Ernest by Oscar Wilde
5. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

Favorite Modern book/series based on a classic

Beauty by Robin McKinley 

Favorite movie version /TV-series based on a classic

1995 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice obviously!!!

Worst classic to movie adaptation

The 2005 adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and the 2007 adaptation of Mansfield Park are tied. I've heard the 1999 adaptation of Mansfield Park is pretty bad but I haven't bothered with it.

Favorite editions you'd like to collect more classics from

Hmmm. I don't normally pay attention to additions but let me think. I'd say the Barnes and Noble collectibles are very nice indeed and I'd love to have more of them. :)

An under hyped classic I'd recommend to everyone

I feel like Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey don't get the credit Jane Austen's other novels do so I'd say those two. Also, Our Mutual Friend, Little Dorrit and Hard Times are three Dickens novels I read last year that I don't hear as much about either that are awesome! 

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Chocolate Book Tag

Arwen over at Meanwhile, In Rivendell... posted answers to a Chocolate Book Tag and I love the idea so I'm posting my answers too. By the way, you should definitely check out Arwen's blog! I just found it recently but I love it already! :)

Dark Chocolate (A book that covers a dark topic)

The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang- I read this last year and it is so sad and definitely dark. However, it's non-fiction so let me think of a fiction novel also. :) So I'm thinking of C.S. Lewis's The Screwtape Letters. It definitely has dark themes about sin but is incredibly interesting. If you haven't read it you should! Someday I mean to re-read it. 

White Chocolate (A light and humorous read)

I read a lot of light and humorous books. I love any books by P.G. Wodehouse... they are all very light and humorous. 

Milk Chocolate (A book with a lot of hype that you're dying to read)

The Golem and the Jinni- There's probably not as much hype about it now but I remember a year ago or so everyone was raving about it. I'm hoping to read it this year. :)

Carmel-Filled Chocolate (A book that makes you feel all gooey inside) 

You know, despite my not calling myself a romantic over and over again on my blog, I do find that I have a soft spot for a nice romance. However, I still don't like straight up romance and I don't like anything over the top mushy gushy. Anyways... I digress... Any book that has a happy ending where the guy and girl get together in the end makes me feel pretty happy. I tend to get a really sappy grin on my face to be honest (blushes). To be honest, Pride and Prejudice is the first book I think of that makes me feel like that every time I finish it. 

Wafer-less Kit-Kat (A book that surprised you)

I'd have to agree with Arwen and say Beowulf. It wasn't at all what I expected and I LOVED it! 

Snickers (A book you're going nuts about!)

Recently probably Beowulf and Peace Like a River. However, long-term the books I will forever go nuts about are Pride and Prejudice and The Lord of the Rings. 

Hot Chocolate with marshmallows (The book you turn to for comfort)

Hmmm. There are a lot of books that I have gone back to time and time again that aren't comfort reads necessarily but I definitely go back to them like they're an old friend. They're also not necessarily exemplary novels, I just love them. :) These would be Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, This Present Darkness, Piercing the Darkness, The Harry Potter series and Coronation of Glory. 

A Box of Chocolates (A series you feel has something for everyone)

I think I'd agree once again with Arwen and say The Chronicles of Narnia. 

So now I'm craving chocolate! ;)

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Top Ten Favorite Heroines from Literature

For Broke and Bookish's Top Ten Tuesday meme, this week's theme is my Top Ten Favorite Heroiens from literature. Choosing favorites is always hard but here goes in no particular order. :)

1. Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
2. Fanny Price from Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
3. Anne Elliot from Persuasion by Jane Austen
4. Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
5. Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
6. Amy Dorrit from Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens
7. Lady Jane Grey from Coronation of Glory by Deborah Meroff- Kind of cheating because she is a real historical figure that I admire but there's a book about her so there! 
8. Molly Gipson from Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
9. Precious Ramotswe from The No. One Ladies Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith
10. Luna Lovegood from The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling- I know she isn't exactly the heroine of the story but I actually kind of prefer her to Hermione. 

You may notice a Jane Austen theme here and I do not apologize. ;) She is my favorite author. :)
P.S. If you haven't already be sure to check out my newest project: The 1000 Book List!

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Literary Heroine Blog Party 2015

Kellie from According to Kellie is hosting the Literary Heroine Blog Party and Givewaway and I'm joining in on the fun!
Here's some fun questions that we get to answer! :)

~ The Questions ~

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random! Well my name is Lois and I'm one of seven children that grew up in the land of Kansas. I was homeschooled through high school and I'm now in my final semester of nursing school. My life's vision is to glorify God in all I do and aspire to hopefully be a wife and mother. I like reading, crocheting, tea, Jane Austen, J.R.R. Tolkien and Doctor Who. I dislike Rose Tyler, the 2005 film version of Pride and Prejudice, excessive romance and not getting enough sleep. 
2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine? Me... obviously. ;) Just kidding. I wish. Elizabeth Bennet for me forms the essence of a true heroine. She's witty, smart and kind but she still has faults. 
3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to. Well obviously Elizabeth Bennet as aforementioned so I won't count her here. Admire: Fanny Price, Anne Elliot, and Molly Gipson. Relate to: Catherine Morland and Anne Shirley. So I know that was five but I'm a rebel child! ;)
4. Five of your favorite historical novels? There are some novels I don't consider historical novels that I know others do and it's just a personal preference. Basically my rule is that if a book is written about the same time period in which it is being written I don't consider it a historical novel. Coronation of Glory by Deborah Meroff is my absolute favorite and if you haven't read it you should! Besides that I always enjoy G.A. Henry's historical novels, especially In the Reign of Terror, St. Batholomew's Eve and Coronet of Horse. Additionally I like The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare and To Kill a Mockinbird by Harper Lee. 
5. Out of those five books who is your favorite major character and why? Lady Jane Grey without a doubt. Read the book people! 
6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why? My mind is blanking on secondary characters. :(
7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do there? England, Scotland and Ireland. I would visit all of the historical sites and traverse the countrysides! Duh! 
8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about? 18th century. 
9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation, tap dancing… what is your act comprised of? Recitation. Trust me, you don't want me singing. ;)
10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent? Well I would secretly wish I could be Elizabeth Bennet but know I could never represent her with justice so I'd resort to being Miss Bates because then I know I could talk as much as I want and it would be fine because everyone would expect that of my character. ;) Just kidding.... again. :) I would go as Catherine Morland because I would feel quite natural in that role. 
11. Favorite author(s)? Jane Austen and J.R.R. Tolkien
12. In which century were most of the books you read written? It's hard to tell on my Goodreads stats page but I think it is the 19th century but the 18th century is right behind it. 
13. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in all literature is… Well my favorite (not necessarily the best), heroes are Mr. Knightley (from Austen's Emma) and Mr. Tilney (from Austen's Northanger Abbey). 
14. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is... Can we do villainess? Cause my choice is Dolores Umbridge from Harry Potter. I do not like that woman. In fact, I dislike her more than Voldemort. Other dastardly villains though are Uriah Heap, Henry Crawford, Mr. Wickham, Mr. Willoughby and Grendel. 
15. Describe your ideal dwelling place. A charming cottage in the countryside. 
16. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence. I try to be a somewhat fashionable while still being modest. :)
17. Three favorite Non-fiction books? Chosen by God by R.C. Sproul, The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton. Honorable mentions: Christianity and Liberalism and Miniatures and Morals: The Christian Novels of Jane Austen. 
18. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon? Well if I wasn't terribly allergic to poison ivy I would go down to the woods/river area on the family property but as I am I would probably read, catch up with a TV show or if the kids were up for it, go swimming. 
19. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character. All I can think of is the hat that Anne Shirley makes up in Anne of Green Gables to wear to church. It was a nice brimmed hat when she left Green Gables but by the time it got to church it was adorned with a crazy assortment of flowers. That's me... I've got all the crazy on the outside but there's a sensible interior. :) 
20. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year. It was a hard year last year actually. My Grandpa on one side passed away in the spring and then my other Grandpa passed away in December. Those have made a huge impact on me and how I think about life and death. They've also mad me irrationally emotional at odd moments. ;) I also worked at a pig farm this last summer that will always be a very special memory in my mind. 
21. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently. Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.- Philippians 4:6-7

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Top Ten Things I Like/Dislike When it Comes to Romance in Books

I've got a lot of opinions about romance and you probably know this if you've read my blog. I tend to disparage mushy gushy stuff. I will admit that I am somewhat a romantic myself but I can't stand the mushy gushy that pervades what I would call the "typical romance novel", of which I don't think I've ever read any but I think it's safe to say I've picked up enough.
I am though a big fan of Jane Austen's novels but in my opinion there is a world of difference between her books and romance novels. Read my full rant on that HERE.
So anyways, with the Top Ten Tuesday for this week being things I like/dislike when it comes to romance in books, you are going to get even more of my thoughts on the matter. I'm going to split it up into a list of aspects I like and a list of aspects I dislike. And no... I don't actually have ten. I couldn't think of ten but I'm sure there are ten out there. ;)

Likes

1. I really enjoy the brother sister friendship that develops into love. My favorite example of this is Jane Austen's Emma and it's also done pretty well in the Harry Potter series.  
2. I like some tension in my romance in books. The example I think first of isn't even a book but I think of Han Solo and Princess Leia from Star Wars. However, there are tons of book examples for example in my all time favorite Pride and Prejudice Lizzie and Mr. Darcy have lots of tension going on. 
3. Respect is very important for me in a romance. Again I think of Pride and Prejudice and I compare Mr. and Mrs. Bennet's marriage of zero respect to say Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner's marriage of mutual respect and I anticipate that same kind of marriage for Lizzie and Mr. Darcy. 

Dislikes

1. As said earlier, my major dislike is mushy gushy, kissy, ucky, bleh. Especially if they're kissing during an action scene. Hello! Bad guys attacking and you're kissing? 
2. Love at first sight... unrealistic. Here's how it happens: Girl- "He's hot." Guy- "She's hot." Conclusion: We're in love. Reality: They think each other is hot. 
3. A romance that doesn't seem to make sense. If two characters get together that I didn't see together either I think "Oh, I didn't see that coming but it actually really works" or "Where in the world did they get that idea from?" So no, I'm not necessarily going to dislike a romance that surprises me, but it needs to make sense once I think about it. 
4. I'm sure there's a lot more negative things out there but since I haven't read any actual romance novels I can't think of anymore off the top of my head. I've heard love triangles are normally horrible, and I think they would be but from what I've heard but I've never read a book that I can think of that has one. 

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Top Ten Tuesday- Top Ten Characters You Wish Would Get Their Own Book

This week for top ten tuesday the topic is "Top ten characters you wish would get their own book".

1. Luna Lovegood from J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series
2. Merry and Pippin from J.R.R. Tolkien's LOTR
3. Gandalf from J.R.R. Tolkien's LOTR
4. Aragorn from J.R.R. Tolkien's LOTR
5. Legolas and Gimlie from J.R.R. Tolkien's LOTR
6. Mr. Collins from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice... can you imagine the potential for a satirical novel on Mr. Collins... and Lady Catherine de Bourgh too of course??? :)
7. Reepicheep from C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia 
8. Jane Bennet from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
9. Tom Bombadil from J.R.R. Tolkien's LOTR... though actually I am pretty sure there is a book about him but I haven't read it yet so let's pretend I'm still in ignorance. ;)
10. Eomer from J.R.R. Tolkien's LOTR

As you can see, my LOTR and Jane Austen love shines ever bright. ;)

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Janeite Tag

Ashley from the blog A to Z did a Janeite Tag, tagging anyone who felt the urge to do it. Well being a Janeite myself (though I'm not sure I'm in love that term) I think I'll join in. :)

1. Why do you like Jane Austen? Where to start. What's not to like? Honestly. She has good meaningful stories that look at life and character while at the same time being witty. That's what I love in a story, one that makes me think and laugh all in one. I think also, that Austen really has a way of creating characters to be very lifelike. She doesn't describe much about how they look, she describes their character, and she does that by letting them talk (or not talk). 
2. What is your favorite book? Without a doubt, Pride and Prejudice. I grew up with the movie and as soon as I could I read the book and I've been re-reading it ever since. ;) I love all of her books but probably after Pride and Prejudice it would be Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, and Mansfield Park. 
3. Have you ever studied her life? Yes. A little. I did a speech on her and her books a few years ago for 4-H. 
4. What is your opinion of Fanny? In my opinion Fanny is the perfect heroine. She makes pretty much no mistakes, is always good and kind and does not think of herself. I'm given to understand that some people dislike her and I really wonder why. At a guess I would say that it would be because they think she is too boring and doesn't make mistakes. They want someone with more spirit like Lizzy or Emma because they can relate to their flawed nature. However, I love Fanny for her meekness and selflessness and if there is any heroine from Austen that I wish I could be like, it would be her. Because of her reserved and discerning nature, and thinking before she opens her mouth she manages to avoid the perils of Austen's story such as Henry Crawford and Mrs. Norris by boldly and simply sticking to her boring beliefs.  This is convincing as I find myself and many others too often desert our "boring beliefs" and prove ourselves to be cowards consequently. 
5. Do you like Knightley and Emma together? Yes. Emma needs Knightley... though I'm not sure he needs her. Okay, to be fair, she has lots of good qualities but she just needs to be reigned in at times and he provides that reign. I guess if I think about it, he does benefit from her wit and cheerfulness. All in all they are happy together and that is what counts. :)
6. Who do you ship Mary Bennet with? Never really thought about it much except that Mr. Collins should have chosen her but as he didn't I can't think of anyone else for her. 
7. Which books haven't you read? None. I've read them all, even her unfinished works and her novella. 

My 7 questions (I'm going to steal some of Ashley's and the person who tagged her before's questions) 

1. Why do you like Jane Austen?
2. What is your favorite of Austen's novels?
3. What's your favorite film adaptation of Austen's novels?
4. Which is your favorite major couple?
5. Which is your favorite minor couple?
6. Favorite heroine?
7. Favorite hero?

If you want to join just jump in! I'm not feeling invigorated about tagging people but I know I have plenty of other Jane Austen fans following the blog so feel free to join. :)

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Top Ten Book Characters that would be Sitting at my Lunch Table (back to school theme)

I've been back to school for two weeks now! This back to school thing is a lie! ;)
Anyways...
Here are my top ten book characters that I would be super duper happy to have sitting at my lunch table. Maybe not all of them at the same time though. :)

1. Elizabeth Bennett- From Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
2. Henry Tilney- From Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey
3. Mr. Knightley- From Jane Austen's Emma (I would be able to have a serious conversation with all three of these Austen characters listed here and above but they would still interject witty comments in occasionally to make me laugh.)
4. Bertie Wooster- From P.G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster novels (Who knows what Bertie will say!) 
5. Anne Shirley- From L.M. Montgomery's Anne of Green Gables series 
6. Bilbo Baggins- From J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (His stories, songs and poetry will be one of my favorite parts of the table conversation)
7. Sherlock Holmes- From Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories (He'll annoy everyone at the table with making deductions about them.)
8. Mr. Collins- From Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (I know he's really annoying but he's also really funny because of that!)
9. Mr. Bennet- From Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (He'll mostly sit and listen but every once and a while he'll pop up with a witty comment that will make me laugh.)
10. Luna Lovegood- From J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series (I'm sure I'd hear about some interesting things from her.) 

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Top Ten Favorite Classic Books

Between not having Wifi during the week while I'm at work on the pig farm and going on my mission trip to Costa Rica I haven't really been churning out blog posts. Don't worry, this trend shouldn't continue once the summer is over. :) So for today I'm giving you a top ten tuesday and the theme is my favorite classic books. :)

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- Duh!
2. Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien- Again... duh!
3. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
4. Persuasion by Jane Austen
5. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
6. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
7. Leave it Psmith by P.G. Wodehouse
8. Little Dorritt by Charles Dickens
9. The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
10. The Golf Omnibus by P.G. Wodehouse

Except the first two these books aren't in any specific order. I was kind of in a hurry making the list so don't sue me over the books I chose. These were just the favorites that first came to mind. :) I love most every classic work of literature these are just my favorites. 

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Top Ten Books about Friendship

This should be a fun list!

1. Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling- I think some of the greatest books about friendship written in my honest opinion. I'm not an obsessed fan about Harry Potter but there are several great points to them and this is one of them. 
2. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien- Through thick and thin Frodo and Sam... You know what I mean. There's also Legolas and Gimli. The whole fellowship though is just a great picture of friendship. You know, I might take my above statement about the Harry Potter series back. I'm not sure. 
3. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery- Bosom friends! 
4. The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis- I love Bree and Shasta and their fun and crazy friendship. This is my favorite of C.S. Lewis's novels. 
5. Poroit series by Agatha Christie- Poroit and Captain Hastings are such a fun duo! I also like Poroit and Inspector Japp. :) 
6. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak- I enjoy the friendships that Liesel has with Rudy and Max. 
7. Redwall series by Brain Jacques- There are always fun and touching friendships in Jacques's books that I have always enjoyed. 
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen- There are a lot of friendships I enjoy in this novel and they are all familial. Lizzy and her father is one of my favorite relationships/friendships in all of literature. I also love Lizzy and Jane's friendship. 
9. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen- Fanny and Edmund's friendship is another great relationship and I appreciate that they ended up SPOILER getting married in the end. END SPOILER. The book shows a beautiful transition from friendship to marriage. In my opinion, friendship is a good start to entering into a romantic relationship. 
10. Emma by Jane Austen- Knightley and Emma's friendship is another relationship that SPOILER resulted in marriage. END SPOILER. It is a lot like a brother-sister friendship, which I love.

What friendships do you enjoy in literature? I would have included more Austen but I don't want to completely override all of my lists with my obsessions so I just included my favorites. ;)
Linking up with The Broke and the Bookish. 

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