Top Ten Books that were Hard for me to Read

The theme this week is Top Ten Books that were Hard for me to Read for whatever reason. Most of these were long (and kind of boring).

1. Lorna Doone by R.D. Blackmoore- Long and wordy. I would like to re-read it at some point to see if I would like it now that I'm older. 
2. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott- Long and hard to read... even my Dad agreed with me on this. However, I think I'll chance a re-read with this one as well to see if I'd appreciate it more now. 
3. The House of the Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne- I was so completely confused by what was going on in the story that I didn't even want to read it... but I did. :(
4. The Old Man and the Sea Ernest Hemingway- Another one where I was a little confused with what was going on. I think I was just too young to be reading it... maybe I should re-read it too. 
5. The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss- My siblings swear by how amazing this book is but my Dad agreed with me that it was just hard to read. Again though, I will give it another chance and re-read it. 
6. The Odyssey by Homer- How it's written plus it's length was just too much for me. I might not have been at the right age to appreciate it though. Not sure if I'll bother to re-read it or not. 
7. The Aneid by Virgil- Just hard to read. 
8. Van Til's Apologetics Readings and Analysis by Cornelius Van Til- Just the title is hard to read! Don't get me wrong this is a great book and I would highly recommend it but it was really long... maybe not boring but really long. 
9. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens- It was my first long Dickens (I read Oliver Twist and The Christmas Carol before it) and I just did NOT like Miss Havisham at all! 
10. Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy- Really long, but still good... just really long. Plus there isn't really a single character to like in it. 

You'd think from this that I just don't like long books but really it's more I don't like long books that are confusing, have characters I don't care about and/or are boring. Most of these I think I might have read when I was too young to appreciate them so I'm planning on re-reading many of these. 

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Today is Monday and I'm reading....

Amongst my school work I did get some reading in this week and even posted a book review!

Finished

• Perelandra by C.S. Lewis (great!)
• Book Clubbed by Lorna Barrett (okay)

Currently Reading

•  Christian Love by Hugh Binning

Coming Soon (Hopefully)

• That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis
• The Book of Lost Tales part two by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs
• Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
• King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard
• The Jane Austen Handbook: Proper Life Skills from Regency England by Margaret C. Sullivan
• What Matters in Jane Austen by John Mullan

Bought this Week

• Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
• This Present Darkness by Frank E. Peretti

I made these great bargains at Goodwill for $2.50 for both! :)

Book reviews posted this week

• The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Bronte 

I have my first of two pharmacology tests coming up on Friday so I'm not sure how much reading I'll get done this week but hopefully some! :)

P.S. If you aren't my friend on Goodreads I'd love to fix that! Find me here! 

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Book Review- The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

Another book I forgot to write a review for until now even though I read it a couple months ago at least. I read Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall for the Classics Club.

Here's the synopsis from Goodreads: Gilbert Markham is deeply intrigued by Helen Graham, a beautiful and secretive young widow who has moved into nearby Wildfell Hall with her young son. He is quick to offer Helen his friendship, but when her reclusive behavior becomes the subject of local gossip and speculation, Gilbert begins to wonder whether his trust in her has been misplaced. It is only when she allows Gilbert to read her diary that the truth is revealed and the shocking details of her past.

This review will contain spoilers.
Ultimately, I thought it was okay.  It was an interesting enough story but with, in my opinion, lousy characters. I thought Gilbert wasn't at all very nice to the lady he previously liked and I'm shocked that he kissed her even after he liked Helen. I just found it disturbing that he continued to give her attention even though he never really planned to marry her.
I didn't care much for Helen either. She is laid out as a discerning and wise character and even though she knew that her husband to be wasn't a great guy she continued to pursue an eventually marry him. I am never a fan of divorce but I honestly think she should have left her husband sooner than she did and than I definitely don't think she should have gone back to him. The whole point is she NEVER SHOULD HAVE MARRIED HIM!!!!!
That Gilbert and Helen got together in the end was fine with me but the whole journey to that point was dumb. I did like that they developed their relationship through deep discussions and books. An amazing way to do so in my opinion. ;)
This earned three stars on Goodreads from me.
All in all, it's just not Austen. ;)

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Talking Tea- New flavors!

Though my blog is named "You, Me and a Cup of Tea" I honestly don't talk about tea much except in passing. However, in preparing for the impending colder weather, I went and bought some new tea a couple weeks ago so I'd like to share with y'all some thoughts on the different flavors and brands I bought.

These are my newest flavors... as you can see, I do love chai tea. :)

The Private Selection brand is more expensive but there was a deal to get two so I thought I'd try it out. You can tell when tasting them that they are a higher quality. I love the green tea a lot. It's far better than the Lipton green tea that I normally get of the same flavor.

I've always been pleased with the STASH brand of tea. The chai white tea was different than any other chai tea I have tasted but incredibly delicious. It is a subtler, creamier and sweeter taste than black or green chai tea. Chocolate Hazelnut is one of my favorite teas I've tasted yet (my absolute favorite reserved for the Harvest Pumpkin Spice) and it's great that it's decaf so I can get those comforting tastes late at night as caffeine really affects me.

Do you have a favorite flavor or brand of tea? Share in the comments below!

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Top Ten Books on My Fall To Be Read List

These to-be read lists I make for the Top Ten Tuesdays never seem to get done... however, here I go again. ;)

1. Book of Lost Tales Part 2 by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo
3. What Matters in Jane Austen by John Mullan
4. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs
5. Christian Love by Hugh Binning
6. The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
7. Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
8. King Solomon's Mines by H. Rider Haggard
9. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland Bainton
10. Peralandra and This Hideous Strength  by C.S. Lewis

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It's Monday! Reading and Post Test Joy

Friday I took my second test of the semester for nursing school and I actually did better on it than I've ever done on a nursing school test... which still wasn't as good as I would want to be but I'm still pretty happy. :)))) The reason I did so well on the test though was that I studied (revolutionary concept I know) and since I was studying little room was left for reading. However I got a little in, which I'm thankful for and hopefully I can get some more read this week. Next I have to prepare for my first Pharmacology test (there are two this semester). The studying never stops. :)

Finished

• Christianity and Liberalism by J. Gresham Machem
• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (re-read) by J.K. Rowling

Currently Reading

• Perelandra by. C.S. Lewis
• Becoming Jane: The Wit and Wisdom of Jane Austen edited by Anne Newgarden (a compilation of Jane Austen quotes. Says it's related to the movie but it isn't and believe me if it was I wouldn't be reading it).

Coming Soon (Hopefully)

• That Hideous Strength by C.S. Lewis
• Christian Love by Hugh Binning
• The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs
• The Bruised Reed by Richard Sibbes
• Peace Like a River by Leif Enger
• The Jane Austen Handbook: Proper Life Skills from Regency England by Margaret C. Sullivan
• What Matters in Jane Austen by John Mullan

Reviews Posted this Week

• Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

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Book Review- Peter Pan

I honestly don't remember reading this the first time so I'm really glad I read it again because it is truly a great work of literature. Most of what I have ever know of the story of Peter Pan has always been from the Disney movie but there really is so much more to the actual story.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Peter Pan, the book based on J.M. Barrie's famous play, is filled with unforgettable characters: Peter Pan, the boy who would not grow up; the fairy, Tinker Bell; the evil pirate, Captain Hook; and the three children--Wendy, John, and Michael--who fly off with Peter Pan to Neverland, where they meet Indians and pirates and a crocodile that ticks. 

One of the first things that impressed me about the book was it's very British sense of humor. I really enjoy British humor so this made me love it even more. If you don't like that type of humor you probably won't like the book. Let's just say that the book is darker than the movie but darker in a Bristish humor sort of way. :) Peter's never wanting to grow up was fun and sad at the same time. I guess I probably relate to him in that respect a little bit. There's a lot I could say about each character but I don't feel like I could do them justice. I love them all! :) The plot is well done and even though we wish it wouldn't end as it did, I think we all knew that is how it would conclude. Peter Pan will never grow up but everyone else must.
So I would highly encourage you to read this book. It's fun, sometimes touching and adventurous! :)

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Top Ten Authors I've Only Read One Book from but REALLY need to read more

Starting out on this list I failed to see how I could come up with ten authors I'd only read ONE book from because when I like an author normally I'll read all of their books or at least two. However, I diligently scrolled down my Goodreads list and sure enough I found ten authors, even a few extras but here are the top ten authors, I've only read one book from but I REALLY need to more of their books.

1. Frank Herbert- I read his sci-fi novel Dune and enjoyed it but never got around to reading the others in the series. :(
2.  Sir Arthur Conan Doyle- I read his complete Sherlock Holmes (you may count that as multiple books but the copy I had was one humongous book with all of the stories). I would like to get around to reading some of his other works someday. 
3. Emmuska Orczy- I read The Scarlet Pimpernel a few years ago but never got around to reading the rest in the series, which I hear are great also. 
4. Victor Hugo- I read Les Miserables some years back and I'm hoping to read The Hunchback of Notre Dame this year. 
5. Charlotte Bronte- I've only read Jane Eyre and while I'm not dying to read more of her books Shirley is on my Classics Club list so I really should read it. :)
6. Chaim Potok- I read his book The Chosen a few years ago and enjoyed it but never read any of his other books. 
7. Richard J. Maybury- He wrote the World War I book I reviewed recently and he has other historical books out that I would also like to try out. 
8. Richard Adams- Wrote Watership Down, which I loved as a kid. Little did I know he wrote many other books that I'll now need to look into. 
9. Pierre Boulle- He wrote The Bridge on the River Kwai which I finished a couple weeks ago. I looked him up and to my surprise I find he is the person who wrote Planet of the Apes! 
10. Oscar Wilde- He wrote The Picture of Dorian Gray which I was raving about earlier this year. He also wrote The Importance of being Ernest that I'm hoping to read soon.

Linking up with Broke and Bookish.

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It's Monday and I'm Reading!

I've had a busy week with preparing for my test this coming Friday but I did get a little reading done and hopefully I'll get some squeezed in amongst my studying this week too. :)

Finished

• The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Currently Reading

• Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling (re-read)
• Christianity and Liberalism by John Gresham Machem
• Perelandra by C.S. Lewis

Coming Soon

• That Hideous Strength C.S. Lewis
• Peace Like a River by Leif Enger

Book Reviews Posted this Week

• The Bridge on the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle

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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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