Yet Another Period Drama Tag

I've seen this tag floating around for a week or so now and it looks like fun so I'm going to steal it. With a little searching I found it began over at Musing of a Jane Austen Wannabe and you an see the original post HERE. I've never read this blog before but looking over it I think I've found another kindred blogging spirit.

1. What was the most recent period drama you watched? Share what you thought of it.

I'm watching The Crown right now... halfway through season 2. I like it but parts of it give me complicated emotions. 

2. Do you generally prefer period dramas in the form of a movie or a TV series/mini-series? Why?

It depends but normally I think I lean TV series/mini series. But if a movie is well done it can be just as enjoyable but there just tends to be more period drama mini series and TV series that are well done. I think the genre just lends itself better to the longer format. 

3. What is your favorite musical period drama?

My favorite musical is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, which I guess is technically a period drama so there's my answer! 

4. Read the book first or watch the movie first?

I try to always read the book first and I was definitely pickier about that when I was younger and probably kind of snobby about it. I'm a little laxer now though. 

5. What is a valuable life lesson you learned from a period drama?

Most of the life lessons from period dramas are pretty lovey dovey and unrealistic so probably not the greatest. I think though in Austen's works you get much more solid lessons like that of the danger of first impressions. 

6. Which period drama hero would you be likely to fall in love with in real life?

Probably Mr. Tilney. He's so charismatic yet wise! He'd make me laugh but also keep my head on straight. 

7. Do you ever like to binge-watch a period drama series?

Umm duh! Who doesn't? I remember spending a Sunday afternoon binge watching Pride and Prejudice (1995) one and it was AMAZING!!! 

8. What things go best with watching a period drama?

I think someone to watch it with. I grew up watching period dramas with my whole family but now I mostly watch them with my mom and sisters. And I'm now slowly but surely introducing my husband to them. Besides that though popcorn and some tea are also perfect ingredients. 

9. Which period drama do you think you would fit into best?

Hmm... so many to chose from! Maybe Call the Midwife because I'm a nurse and it's always been my dream (though I don't do so currently) to be an OB nurse or a midwife. 

10. If you could have any period drama character for a best friend, who would it be? And why?

Anne Shirley I think.... but I'm afraid she might drive me crazy at some point... or perhaps I will drive her crazy with my lack of imagination? Oh dear! 

11. Show us a picture of a period drama costume you wish you could wear in real life.

I love pretty much all of Elizabeth Bennet's and Molly Gibson's wardrobes! 

12. Are there any period dramas you like to watch during a particular season or holiday?

We tend to watch On Moonlight Bay and By the Light of the Silvery Moon around Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

13. Which period drama has your favorite soundtrack?

I love period dramas soundtracks so it's hard to narrow down but when it come down to it, it has to be Pride and Prejudice (1995)! I mean... Brian and I walked down the aisle to it!

14. Dream cast your favorite actor and actress in a period drama of your choosing; tell which parts they would play and why. 

Mansfield Park because there has never been a great version of it! 

Claire Foy would play Fanny Price. 

Dan Stevens I think would play Edmund Bertram. 

That's all of the casting I've thought up so far but I'm really really hooked on the idea of Claire Foy playing Fanny. She'd be so perfect! And I just realized that one of the other ladies that filled out this tag suggests the same cast! But I didn't realize that until just now! Not trying to be a copycat! Great minds just think alike! ;)

15. Are there any period dramas you like more than one version of?

I like both the 1995 version and 2008 version of Sense and Sensibility.

16. What are the top three period dramas that you haven't seen on your to-watch list?

Good question! Off the top of my head...

1. Belle
2. The Greatest Showman
3. Return to Cranford 

17. Show a picture of your favorite period drama hairstyle.

18. What was your favorite wedding in a period drama? 

Just kidding!
I love all the weddings! I love going to weddings, watching them in movies just give me more weddings!!!! I think my favorite has got to be the wedding in Pride and Prejudice 1995. Look how happy they are!!!!!

19. What is your favorite biographical period drama?

I'm trying to think of which period dramas I've watched were biographical! As far as movies it's been a long time but I remember enjoying Miss Potter and Amazing Grace. TV shows though I love The Crown and Call the Midwife... though of course Call the Midwife isn't biographical really anymore. 

20. Which historical novel will you forever recommend to anyone and everyone?

Coronation of Glory by Deborah Meroff! I love Lady Jane Grey and this is a beautiful book about her. You can't read it and not help but love her too. 

If you love period dramas feel free to grab this tag! 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Book Review- Dear Mr. Knightley

I recently got to chose the next book for book club and naturally I was ecstatic. The trick is to chose a book I've been wanting to read but yet a majority of the other members of the book club would be interested in. I'd been wanting to read Dear Mr. Knightley for a couple years now and had even gotten it when there was a deal for the kindle version but still hadn't yet read it. This was my excuse to force me to finally get around to it and I knew other members of my book club were Jane Austen fans too so it seemed the perfect choice. IT WAS!!!!!
But before I go into raptures... here's a quick synopsis from Goodreads.

Dear Mr. Knightley is a contemporary epistolary novel with a delightful dash of Jane Austen. Samantha Moore survived years of darkness in the foster care system by hiding behind her favorite characters in literature, even adopting their very words. Her fictional friends give her an identity, albeit a borrowed one. But most importantly, they protect her from revealing her true self and encountering more pain.
After college, Samantha receives an extraordinary opportunity. The anonymous “Mr. Knightley” offers her a full scholarship to earn her graduate degree at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. The sole condition is that Sam write to Mr. Knightley regularly to keep him apprised of her progress.
As Sam’s true identity begins to reveal itself through her letters, her heart begins to soften to those around her—a damaged teenager and fellow inhabitant of Grace House, her classmates at Medill, and, most powerfully, successful novelist Alex Powell. But just as Sam finally begins to trust, she learns that Alex has secrets of his own—secrets that, for better or for worse, make it impossible for Sam to hide behind either her characters or her letters.

First off.... SPOILERS FOLLOW!!!! Sorry, not sorry. If you want a non spoiler review though here it is. Basically if you love Jane Austen and classic literature you'll probably love this book too.

Now on to spoilers!
I've had pretty good luck with the Jane Austen spin offs that I've dared to pick up because I've been pretty selective. This was no exception. I've also heard that it's kind of a re-write of Daddy-Long-Legs but I've never read it... however from the synopsis I read it does look similar. What I was excited about though was all of the Austen references... from the title right through to the end they were everywhere. I LOVED IT!!! There were also references to the Bronte sisters, Dumas and other classic works but the majority of references were definitely Austen. I think someone who wasn't a big fan of classic literature might think it was too heavy handed or perhaps get lost but I really enjoyed them. I quote books and movies all day long so I found Samantha quite relatable in that respect. The parts of the book that had to do with her life as a foster child or Kyle's (a teenaged friend who has also been in the foster care system) I found very real and touching. There's a lot to say in the book about how hard it is to open up about one's past... especially if it was hard. It's risky being vulnerable. As someone who came from a "normal" family upbringing I can't imagine what Samantha and other kids in the system go through. While I did like Sam for the most part sometimes she irked me. I could definitely understand what Hannah was thinking throughout the book. Sometimes I wanted to take her by the shoulders and say OBVIOUSLY JOSH IS TERRIBLE!!! BREAK UP WITH HIM!!! I get why she started dating him I get why she stuck around for awhile.... sometimes the idea of dating someone.... especially when you never have before.... is so idealized that you want to experience it enjoy it... blinded to the fact that you're in the relationship with the wrong person. Never be in a relationship just for the sake of being in a relationship! I was just surprised she stuck around so long especially when there were so many warning signs. I started to suspect he was cheating on her not long before they broke up so wasn't surprised at all. Anyways, at that point I REALLY wanted her to break up with him so she could MARRY ALEX INSTEAD!!!!! DUH!
Let's talk about Alex.... I like him! He doesn't question Sam's oddness. He's sweet and understanding. He likes literature and is even a writer to boot! All of these great things! But he's also kind of reserved and seems to have his own secrets. When he open up about his father and his family I assumed that was it. I didn't really expect him to be SPOILERS our own Dear Mr. Knightley! I'd had various theories about the identity of Mr. Knightley throughout the book varying in their imaginativeness but I discarded the idea of it being Alex because it just seemed to ludicrous. Boy was I wrong! Overall I felt bad for him.... it kind of got out of hand.... they ran in to each other and became friends before either really knew what had happened. It was sweet, and adorable... but he should have told her long before he finally did. It ended up just hurting them both. How do you explain something like that though? I can't even begin to imagine. Frankly I feel bad for him. What an awkward situation! It's kind of funny and weird to think about all the times she was writing about him to him not knowing it was him. Talk about messed up... and funny!
All's well that ends well though... and it did end well. :)
Now that I'm past the mushy stuff (or am I? I just love it!!!!) I can talk about a couple of the other secondary characters. I really liked Mr. and Mrs. Muir. If I didn't have my own amazing parents I'd want them to come adopt me ASAP!!!! I especially loved the Christian aspects they added to the novel. I didn't feel like it was too heavy handed (which happens so easily too often). Speaking of Christian aspects let's expound on that. Samantha isn't at all religious starting out but throughout the influence of the Muir's it seems by the end she is definitely headed that way. She worries often about whether or not she's a prude because she's never slept with a guy and keeps turning down Josh's offers. I really liked what Hannah said about that when they had that phone conversation. I'm so glad that despite her not being religious at that point, Sam didn't go down that road ever because it kept the book nice and clean. I want to hand it to my little sister and that makes it easier. There is some kissing though and sex is mentioned in the context that Sam is unwilling to sleep with Josh. It was refreshing to get this clean perspective in a novel especially one that's not overtly Christian. I didn't expect it and definitely appreciated it. Thank you Katherine Reay!
I also liked Sam's friends Ashley and Debbie. You got to know Ashley more and it was interesting to see her develop on the pages. I think part of her development though was Sam getting to know her better so her first impressions evolved. I'd love a sequel devoted to Ashley because I don't feel like we get a proper conclusion to her story.
I'm not sure what else to say about this book except I LOVED IT and was so pleasantly surprised by it. I started it Saturday while I was at work and had a little downtime. I finished it Monday, reading feverishly fast not wanting to put it down for a second. Once Alex was introduced I loved it even more and could not stop reading it! Sure it was kind of mushy and admittedly more mushy than I would normally go for but I loved it nonetheless. It was such a refreshing change of pace and now I'm excited to read more of Katherine Reay's novels. I haven't been this excited about a newer book in a long time. I'm not giving it a stars rating.... I'm giving it a hearts rating. FOUR HEARTS!!!! Sorry.... five hearts are for the very greatest books like Pride and Prejudice and you can't give a spinoff the same stars as the original.... or can you? I'd give it four and a half hearts but then I'm breaking hearts and that seems a little ridiculous! So.... FOUR HEARTS!!!!!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Tag: I Love Austen Week!

Hamlette at Hamlette's Soliloquy is having an I Love Austen Week! Umm yes please! Go check it out pronto HERE!!!! One of the delightful parts of this week of Austen is a fun tag to fill out, which I shall do below post haste!

1. Which did you experience first, a Jane Austen book or a movie based on one?

I was born and raised on the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice as well as the 1995 version of Sense and Sensibility and the 1996 version of Emma (The Kate Beckinsale one). It wasn't until I was ten that I read Pride and Prejudice and the rest of the books came not long after. The've consumed me body and soul!

2. What is your favorite Austen book?

Pride and Prejudice hands down. I also really like Northanger Abbey. I love them all!!!!!

3. Favorite heroine? Why do you like her best?

Lizzy Bennett. She's funny, clever and basically everything I wish I was.

4. Favorite hero? Why do you like him best?

Mr. Knightley and Henry Tilney. They are both great brotherly figures. They don't mind telling the harsh truth. And Henry Tilney is HILARIOUS!!!! :)

5. Do you have a favorite film adaptation of Austen's work? 
The 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice... duh!

6. Have your Austen tastes changed over the years? (Did you start out liking one story best, but now like another better? Did you think she was boring at first, then changed your mind? Etc.)
I've always been a pretty big fan of Austen. The first time I read Pride and Prejudice it wasn't my favorite but it soon became my favorite. Emma has definitely grown on me a lot in recent years.

7. Do you have any cool Austen-themed things (mugs, t-shirts, etc)? (Feel free to share photos if you want.)
I have some Jane Austen themed bookmarks, which I love.

8. If you could ask Jane Austen one question, what would you ask her?
Which version of Pride and Prejudice is the best? ;)

9. Imagine someone is making a new film of any Jane Austen story you choose, and you get to cast the leads. What story do you want filmed, and who would you choose to act in it?
Mansfield Park! For Fanny Price I would cast either Claire Foy (Little Dorrit) or Anna Maxwell Martin (Bleak House). I could see either of them doing a great job with the roll. For Edmund I don't have anything specific in mind though I've seen others cast Dan Stevens (Sense and Sensibility '08) in the role and I think that could work. Part of me really wants to cast Johnny Lee Miller (Emma '09) but then I remember that he already did the role in the 1999, which I haven't seen. I wonder though if Matthew Macfayden (Little Dorrit) could play the role?

10. Share up to five favorite Jane Austen quotations!
Only five? Ha! You mean five for each book right? ;) And sorry, some of these are pretty mushy... I'm a newly engaged I can't help it! Normally I'd be all over her funny quotes but I'm simply too sentimental right now.

"It is a truth universally acknowledge that a single man in possession of a large fortune must be in want of a wife."- Pride and Prejudice


“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.”- Pride and Prejudice

“I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.”- Pride and Prejudice

“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love”- Pride and Prejudice

“An unhappy alternative is before you, Elizabeth. From this day you must be a stranger to one of your parents. Your mother will never see you again if you do not marry Mr. Collins, and I will never see you again if you do.”- Pride and Prejudice

“Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.”- Pride and Prejudice

"If I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more."- Emma 

“Now I must give one smirk, and then we may be rational again."- Northanger Abbey


Follow my blog with Bloglovin

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. 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

And Yet Another Liebster Award!

I've lost track of the number of Liebster Awards I've been nominated for but here goes another one. This time Hamlette from Hamlette's Soliloquy nominated me.
Here's my answers to the eleven questions Hamlette asked me. :)
1. Are there any movies you like better than the books they were based on? No! That's sacrilegious! ;) Just kidding. Actually there is one... but only one. I liked the movie of The Book Thief better than the book. Sue me. ;)

2. Have you ever liked a remake better than the original film? I'm really racking my brain trying to think of a film where I've seen both the remake and the original. I even talked to my dad about it who is a movie genius and we could come to no conclusion on one. Part of it is I think it's unfair to include films based off of books but apparently that's what I'll have to go with. I prefer the 2015 version of Far From the Madding Crowd to the 1967 version and I prefer the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice to the 1980 and 1940 versions but I do NOT prefer the 2005 version to the 1995 version... which if you're a long time reader of the blog you'll know already. :)
3. What movie do you enjoy introducing other people to? Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is fun to introduce to people because it's so odd.
4. Do you identify strongly with any movie characters? Anne Shirley, Catherine Morland, Jo March... which are all book characters also... cheating again!
5. Do you have any favorite film score composers? John Williams! I also adore Howard Shore's LOTR and Hobbit soundtracks.
6. What's the oldest movie you've ever watched? I've actually watched the first ever made movie, which if you've seen Hugo you'd be familiar with. It is about some scientists that travel to the moon and their rocket hits the eye of the man in the moon. It's.... odd.
7. What's the newest movie you've watched? Captain America: Civil War!!!!
8. Do you have any favorite movie-watching snacks? Popcorn for sure.
9. Whose movie recommendations do you tend to trust? My dad's.
10. What was the last movie you watched? Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.... My brother was watching it with a friend and I got sucked in because I can't get enough of Kenneth Branagh playing Gilderoy Lockhart!
11. What's the next movie you plan to watch? We need to finish rewatching the LOTR. Return of the King is next! :)

Steal the questions and consider yourself tagged if you have the mind!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Back to the Future Book Tag

I saw this tag over on Spoonful of Happy Endings and had to steal it. :)

Name a book/movie/show that makes you want to go back in time when you were younger and enjoy it all over again? 

Book- Pride and Prejudice, Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter. Those are all some of my favorites and I would love to go back and experience the wonder of entering those worlds again. 

Movie- LOTR for sure. My siblings and I are rewatching the films right now and that was just something I mentioned the other day. Experiencing the world of LOTR on screen for the first time must have been incredible but I can scarcely remember the first time I watching the movies the first item and I grew up watching them! 

Show- Since I never really watched TV shows growing up I'm not sure. I guess I'll go with Doctor Who. It would be interesting to watch it for the first time again and see if my opinions of characters were different. 

What's your favorite sci-fi and/or fantasy book/show/movie?

Book- Well LOTR again for fantasy. I don't read much science fiction so I'm not sure I feel qualified to speak to that. Maybe Ender's Game? 

Show- I think the only fantasy show I've watched is The Adventures of Merlin, which is excellent. For sci-fi definitely Doctor Who! I also love Stargate: Atlantis.

Movie- LOTR and Star Wars! 

What's a moment in a book that takes place in the past or future that you'd like to revisit?

I would love to sit in on the trial in To Kill a Mockingbird. 

What's a fictional store, cafe, ect. in a book/movie/show that you'd like to visit?

Book- I'd love to visit the shops from Harry Potter. The Leaky Cauldron, The Three Broomsticks and all of those! I also think it would be cool to visit The Prancing Pony from LOTR. 

Movie-The cantina from Star Wars. ;) 

Show- The postoffice from Lark Rise to Candleford. 

Name an automobile or way of a travel in a book/movie/show that you'd like to take for a ride.

Book- A carriage from Jane Austen's books. Classic. :)

Movie- The Millennium Falcon! 

Show- The T.A.R.D.I.S. obviously! 

Favorite Fiction Sicentist

Rodney McKay from Stargate: Atlantis. 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Jane Austen Would you Rather

I first saw this tag over at Wonderland Creek but it's originally from Write on Cordy. You should definitely check out both blogs! I will make a special plug for Naomi's answers..... they made me laugh so hard! :)

• Who would you rather have act as your matchmaker, Lady Russell (from Persuasion) or Mrs. Jennings? Mrs. Jennings. I think she would annoy me but she would also humor me. Lady Russell just annoys me. 
• Who would you like as a pen pal from Jane Austen's works? I think if it was a female friend I would like Catherine Morland. If I wanted a pen pal that would make me laugh it would be Mr. Collins. However, if I wanted a beautifully romantic letter I'd have Captain Wentworth be my pen pal. ;) 
• Who would you rather go on a walk with, Colonel Fitzwilliam or Captain Benwick? I'm not a fan of poetry so Colonel Fitzwilliam. He always struck me as a great conversationalist and friendly. 
• Who would you rather have to befriend, Mrs. Elton or Lucy Steele? Gah! I think it would have to go with Mrs. Elton. Lucy is just too annoying and Mrs. Elton would at least humor me. 
• Who would you rather have as a sibling, John Knightley or Mary (from Persuasion, not Mary Bennet)? Mary really annoys me in Persuasion so I guess John Knightley. I think I could handle his tempers. :) 
• Who would you rather dance with? Mr. Tilney! We would have such conversation while dancing and hopefully one smirk before we may be rational again. ;)

  

  The Henry Tilney smirk. :) 

• Who would you rather refuse, Mr. Collins or Mr. Elton? Mr. Collins! Mr. Elton disgusts me but Mr. Collins humors me. 
• Who would you rather match-make for, Miss Bates or Mary Bennet? Mary Bennet! Because we all know she's destined for Mr. Collins! 
• Who would you rather have as a best friend? Elizabeth Bennet! :) 
• Who would you rather argue with? (Mrs. Bennet, Lady Catherine, Emma Woodhouse, Mr. Woodhouse, Mr. Palmer, Mrs. Jennings, Fanny Dashwood, Captain Wentworth, Mr. Darcy, ect.) Lady Catherine. I think it would divert me excessively though it might make her seriously displeased. However, arguing with Mr. Darcy is fun and will most likely cause him to fall more in love with me so there is that. ;) 
• Would you rather wander the grounds of Pemberly and risk being 'discovered' or wander over the downs surrounding Barton Cottage in the rain and twist an ankle? Discovered by Mr. Darcy? Yes! ;) Actually in all seriousness I'm not sure. It's really awkward running into someone you've turned down... especially when it's quite unexpected so actually I'd probably be like Lizzy and (try to) avoid Pemberly like the plague. I do love the scenery around Barton Cottage though so I think I'll chose it. A twisted ankle will just have to be one of the unpleasant side effects. 
• Where would you live in Austen's works? With whichever Austen hero I marry obviously! I hope it's Darcy though because I kind of want to live at Pemberly. ;) But Donwell Abbey and Northanger Abbey and respective owners are acceptable to me as well. ;)

Love this tag? Consider yourself tagged! :) 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin