You, Me, and a Cup of Tea

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Book Review- Code Name Verity

I've been meaning to read Code Name Verity for a while now so it's fitting I started the year out with it. I read it for the Shelf Love challenge, the Full House challenge and the Mount TBR Pile Challenge.

Synopsis from Goodreads: Oct. 11th, 1943-A British spy plane crashes in Nazi-occupied France. Its pilot and passenger are best friends. One of the girls has a chance at survival. The other has lost the game before it's barely begun.When "Verity" is arrested by the Gestapo, she's sure she doesn't stand a chance. As a secret agent captured in enemy territory, she's living a spy's worst nightmare. Her Nazi interrogators give her a simple choice: reveal her mission or face a grisly execution. As she intricately weaves her confession, Verity uncovers her past, how she became friends with the pilot Maddie, and why she left Maddie in the wrecked fuselage of their plane. On each new scrap of paper, Verity battles for her life, confronting her views on courage, failure and her desperate hope to make it home. But will trading her secrets be enough to save her from the enemy? A Michael L. Printz Award Honor book that was called "a fiendishly-plotted mind game of a novel" in The New York Times, Code Name Verity is a visceral read of danger, resolve, and survival that shows just how far true friends will go to save each other.

I'd heard lots of good things about this book going into it so I was intrigued and excited to read it. It didn't disappoint me. It was a definite page turner. I don't want to give anything away about this book because I think it's one you really have to go into not knowing what's going to happen to truly enjoy it. Therefore I'll probably be a little cryptic in this review. The friendship in the story is beautiful, inspiring and fun. The realness of the danger is brutal and honest but the book gives you enough humor and fun moments to get you through it. I really loved all of the books references to classic literature such as Swallows and Amazons and Peter Pan. My main qualm with it is the language. There's some strong language every once and a while, which is why I won't be handing it to my little sister until I'm able to go through it with whiteout. Also it's fairly gritty... torture and all so don't hand it to younger kids for that reason either. Besides that though it is a really enjoyable and fast paced read. I don't really read much YA so it was nice to experience one that I enjoyed.
Okay so minor spoiler so shield your eyes but quick question... does anyone else think Jamie and Maddie got together in the end? I know there's a sequel, which hopefully I'll get to soon, but I'm musing on this right now. End spoiler.
All in all I recommend this book with the qualm mentioned above. :)
P.S. Be sure to check out my five year blogiversary giveaway HERE!

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Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Book (play) Review- Othello

For the Shelf Love challenge, Mount TBR Pile Challenge and the Audiobook Challenge I read (listened) to William Shakespeare's play Othello.

Synopsis from Goodreads: In Othello, Shakespeare creates a powerful drama of a marriage that begins with fascination (between the exotic Moor Othello and the Venetian lady Desdemona), with elopement, and with intense mutual devotion and that ends precipitately with jealous rage and violent deaths. He sets this story in the romantic world of the Mediterranean, moving the action from Venice to the island of Cyprus and giving it an even more exotic coloring with stories of Othello's African past. Shakespeare builds so many differences into his hero and heroine—differences of race, of age, of cultural background—that one should not, perhaps, be surprised that the marriage ends disastrously. But most people who see or read the play feel that the love that the play presents between Othello and Desdemona is so strong that it would have overcome all these differences were it not for the words and actions of Othello's standard-bearer, Iago, who hates Othello and sets out to destroy him by destroying his love for Desdemona. As Othello succumbs to Iago's insinuations that Desdemona is unfaithful, fascination—which dominates the early acts of the play—turns to horror, especially for the audience. We are confronted by spectacles of a generous and trusting Othello in the grip of Iago's schemes; of an innocent Desdemona, who has given herself up entirely to her love for Othello only to be subjected to his horrifying verbal and physical assaults, the outcome of Othello's mistaken convictions about her faithlessness.

I feel like that synopsis sums it up beautifully. I liked this play... more than I thought I would. I felt so bad for Desdemona and was so mad at Othello. It was a little like Hero and Claudio in Much Ado About Nothing only at least that has a happy ending! The love they had for each other was deep and it was moving how Desdemona retained that deep love for Othello even as he started to emotionally abuse her and thereafter. Othello's speech about never being jealous about her was great... until he turned around right after that and was jealous. Iago was absolutely diabolical! How he schemed and connived everything was terrifying.
This play was truly a tragedy. It told the classic tale of jealousy and a friend turning against a friend. With knowing so little about it before I listened to it, I was surprised how much I liked it. I had to pay a lot closer attention to it because of that but I think that caused me to enjoy it more as I focused on Shakespeare's imaginative and beautiful words.

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Sunday, January 10, 2016

Fifth Blogiversary!!!!!!! And HUGE Giveaway!!!!!

As crazy as it may sound to you and to me, this is the fifth year that I've been blogging which of course puts us in order for a blogiversary giveaway!

I'm forever accidentally buying copies of books I already own so I have tons of duplicates. These beloved duplicates will be my giveaway prizes! When I ran out of bookshelf space earlier this year I finally pulled all of my duplicates off of my shelf and since then they have been sitting on my desk taking up more space than they should. They need to go... and to a deserving home.

First off I have the complete Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.... okay semi complete. I don't apparently own a second copy of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe but Lois is a generous soul and I will supplement that with a used copy from Amazon to be sent to the winner. They are all in good condition and only lightly used. Fair warning, some of them are from different publishers so the books don't all match in how they look. Lois gives this series five stars. :)

Second I have yet another copy of The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis (don't even ask how on earth I managed to obtain three copies of The Horse and His Boy). It's lightly used. Lois gives this book five HUGE stars.... cause it's amazing. :)

Third I have a copy of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Two Towers. It is a more heavily used copy but still in one piece. Lois of course gives this book five stars!

Next I have a copy of Anthony Hope's The Prisoner of Zenda. It is a lightly used copy. Lois gives this book five stars!

Next up are Little House on the Prairie and On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The first is lightly used the second is heavily used.... the front cover is only half there. Lois gives the overall series five stars but these two in particular I would probably rate four stars each.

Then we have E.B. White's The Trumpet of the Swan which is in very lightly used condition. Lois would give this book four stars.

Then Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander which is also lightly used. I won a copy of it from Hameltte then forgot I won it and bought a copy. Don't worry though Hamlette.... I'm not giving away my giveaway copy! That is a treasure possession! ;) Lois hasn't read this book yet so cannot yet rate it.... Lois is very ashamed. Lois plans to read this book this year though. However, Lois knows Hamlette likes this book so Lois assumes it must be good. ;)

Then a copy of Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre which is basically new. Lois gives this book five stars... maybe 4 ½.

Lastly and very leastly I have a copy of William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. You can read my review of it HERE. I do not much care for this book, which is why I'm getting rid of it. It was a freebie for me and it is lightly used. Lois gives this book two stars and spits on it's memory. ;)

Now here's the Rafflecopter thingy (thingy is a VERY scientific word) so enter and join in the fun!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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It's Monday! 22!

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling 22! ;)
Last week I celebrated turning 22! After the 21st birthday it seems like it is all downhill skiing. There's nothing special after that.... except when I get to 50 I guess..... :( I did have a fun time celebrating with my family though and we had an Oreo cake that I made. :)
They also gave me some awesome presents! A fun nursing mug, a crochet book, the book Far From the Madding Crowd and a Celtic Woman CD and DVD. They know me so well. :)
Also, my 5th Blogiversary is Monday January 11th so be sure to check out that post and read about the giveaway HERE.

Currently Reading

The Complete Stories of Flannery O Conner by Flannery O Conner- These stories just get weirder and weirder!
The Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin- Still amazing but oh so dense!

Finished this week

Othello by William Shakespeare (audiobook)- I knew next to nothing about this play but I really enjoyed it.
Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange- I was surprised by how much I liked this! Review forthcoming!

Coming Soon

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (audiobook)
Colonel Brandon's Diary by Amanda Grange
Hannibal by Ross Leckie

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Friday, January 8, 2016

Birthday Month Reading Challenge and Hard Core Re-Reading ChallengeWinners

I'll admit I almost forgot but here's the announcement for the winners of the 2015 Birthday Month Reading Challenge and the 2015 Hard Core Re-Reading Challenge.
Winners were chosen randomly.

Birthday Month Reading Challenge

A LOT of people participate in this challenge which was amazing!
The grand prize winner (your choice of a book or literary momento costing $20 or less from Amazon) is: Sherrie
The second prize winner (your choice of a book or literary momento costing $15 or less from Amazon) is: Courtney
The third prize winner (your choice of a book or literary momento costing $10 or less from Amazon) is: C Riedel

Hard Core Re-Reading Challenge

Not quite as many people participated in this challenge but those that did were very dedicated and I was impressed with how many books they re-read! Good job everyone!
The grand prize winner (your choice of a book or literary momento costing $20 or less from Amazon) is: Becky
The second prize winner (your choice of a book or literary momento costing $15 or less from Amazon) is: Amanda
The third prize winner (your choice of a book or literary momento costing $10 or less from Amazon) is: Selah

If you were a winner please contact me and let me know what you would like your prize to be and I will get it sent off to you ASAP. I will try to contact all of the winners to let them know. Deadline to contact me is next Saturday (January 16th) and if you haven't contact me by then I will chose another winner.

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Thursday, January 7, 2016

Cinderella Party Tag 2016

Heidi at Along the Brandywine is hosting a Cinderella Party this week! Go check it out and participate in the fun HERE. Disclaimer.... I haven't seen the 2015 live action Disney version of Cinderella yet.

Cinderella Party Tag:

1. In the vast array of fairytale heroines, what particular character qualities most define Cinderella? Kindness. In all of the versions and spinoffs of Cinderella I've seen that is the quality she always shows.

2. What are some of the deeper, big picture differences you see between retellings where both stepsisters are nasty and others where one is nasty and one is kind? How do you think the two takes differently develop/illuminate/affect Cinderella’s character and also the overarching story itself?

I'm thinking of Ever After off the top of my head as the one where one sister is nice(ish) and the other isn't. Honestly I think it's done more for comedic effect than anything. The nice(ish) sister ends up being stupid as well. I think that it effects Cinderella's character in giving a little relief from the cruelty around her and also maybe encouraging her in her kindness.

3. Are you an animal lover? Would you eagerly count mice, lizards, cows, and geese as friends? Dogs and cats? Dogs yes. Some of those others I might have to get used to.

4. After asking question #3, I realized how remarkably many of the adaptations I’ve seen have Cinderella either horseback riding or involved with horses. Have you ever ridden? If so, have you ever ridden sidesaddle or bareback? I don't think I've ever ridden sidesaddle or bareback but I haven't ridden since I was a wee child so I don't remember my horse riding experiences well.

5. Your favorite Cinderella dress/s? I love the ball dress from Ever After. From the pictures I've seen of 2015 Cinderella I really like her ball dress and her wedding dress too. I also like the ball dress from the animated version. So basically they haven't one wrong with the ball dress yet. ;)

6. Do you ever think of Cinderella while doing your household chores? :) Of course! Especially when mopping. When we were kids we used to joke around and say "Cinderella do this and that" in our most snobbish portrayal of the stepmother that we could manage. Cause we were cool. ;)

7. What major character traits do you think are essential in a faithful prince? Honesty, loyalty, kindness and a sense of humor.

8. Your top THREE favorite fairy tales (as in the original folk tales, not adaptations). Beauty and the Beast (absolutely my favorite fairytale... the heroine reads!), The Twelve Dancing Princesses (I'm not sure why but I loved reading this story as a kid) and The Emperor's New Clothes (because of it's political implications).

9. Your top FIVE current favorite fairy tale/legend type films (BESIDES any Cinderella adaptations)- Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Disney's Tangled, Enchanted, The Princess Bride (does this count?) and The Swan Princess (very sentimental here). The first two were obvious for me but I had a hard time choosing the rest just because I'm kind of "whatever" after the first two. I almost chose Frozen but it gets enough hype without my help.

10. If you could play Cinderella and the story could be set in any region of the world and any time period, what would you pick? And what would your dream ‘ball gown’ for it be like? I like the 1800s time period that the Brothers Grimm created. Off the top of my head I'd just go with the ball gown from the 2015 Cinderella.

11. And (purely for fun :))… what color/s do you immediately associate with Cinderella? Blue.

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Monday, January 4, 2016

It's Monday! A New Year

Welcome to 2016! I'm absolutely thrilled to be in a new year and perhaps a little bit giddy thinking about all of the new books I'll get to experience in it. :) New Years eve, after staying up until New Year's day playing games with the family, I started reading a book just so I could start the year off right. It felt so satisfying. :)
As I mentioned last week, one side of the family got together this past week and we celebrated Christmas together. My aunt got me tea and a mug.... it's like she reads my blog. ;)
My dear cousins got me a Doctor Who T-shirt that says "Cross my hearts and hope to regenerate" and has two anatomically correct hearts on it. Very Lois approved. :) We spent lots of time playing games together, quizzing each other randomly on movie trivia and laughing. :) I even introduced my cousin to Leverage. :) To top it off we all (all 19 of us!) went to go see (the 2nd time for my immediate family) Star Wars: The Force Awakens!
All in all it was a delightful conclusion to the Christmas season.
But on to reading...