Are we living in the age of adaptation? In contemporary cinema, of course, there are enough adaptations --based on everything from comic books to the novels of Jane Austen--to make us wonder if Hollywood has run out of new stories. But if you think adaptation can be understood by using novels and films alone, you're wrong. Today there are also song covers rising up the pop charts, video game versions of fairy tales, and even roller coasters based on successful movie franchises. Despite their popularity, however, adaptations are usually treated as secondary and derivative. Whether in the form of a Broadway musical or a hit television show, adaptations are almost inevitably regarded as inferior to the "original." But are they? Here, renowned literary scholar Linda Hutcheon explores the ubiquity of adaptations in all their various media incarnations--and challenges their constant critical denigration. Adaptation, Hutcheon argues, has always been a central mode of the story--telling imagination and deserves to be studied in all its breadth and range as both a process (of creation and reception) and a product unto its own. Persuasive and illuminating, A Theory of Adaptation is a bold rethinking of how adaptation works across all media and genres that may put an end to the age--old question of whether the book was better than the movie, or the opera, or the theme park.
I originally read this book for a film class which I took and I have mentioned it in my about Pride and Prejudice films, so I decided to share my thoughts on it with you. This is a non-fiction, academic book which will tells you the basics of adaptations. I think it's good for learning about them on a basic level. I say basic because I think this is a good starting point for those just beginning to delve into this realm of academia.

This is a bit of a slow read because there is so much terminology and it can be challenging to absorb every concept that the author introduces. She expresses her ideas with clarity, but because she packs in so much great content I found myself some times setting down the book so I could absorb what I'd just read. She makes the non-fiction subject matter much more accessible by using references that many of her readers would understand. When it came time to write my first paper for my film class, this proved to be a very useful source.

While it's not a page turner, gives its reader plenty to think about. On the whole, this is a very academic book but it's also good if you have any desire to learn more about adaptations.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Dear Jane,

I can hardly begin to describe how happy it has made me to see bloggers spend the past month celebrating you, your work and the adaptations it has inspired. To have so many people with whom I can discuss (or gush) about your work is a wonderful thing, and I am happy that you have so many fans. It is true that any day of the week I will blather about your heroes or the humor of your work.

However, I recently learned that while these may be factors in my adoration of your novels, that your characters and the struggles have inspired me over the years. As I write this letter, I think particularly of the romances between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice and Henry Tilney and Catherine Morland of Northanger Abbey. Both of these are marriages which your characters went into, knowing that family members disapproved because of wealth and social stature. Yet they allowed love to triumph anyways, instead of doing what was expected of them.

I am very lucky. I have a family who would be supportive if I married someone with less wealth than I, so the truth is that I will likely never find myself in the same situation as any of these characters. However, I continue to love these characters because they are bold and defiant for the sake of their own happiness. I’ve just graduated from college and while I keep busy volunteering during the day, I’m still working out a larger plan and at times, watching friends graduate to internships and paying jobs made me feel a bit inadequate at times, and like I’m not quite doing what I should.

No, I’m not defying expectations in the same way that your characters did, but I think I’ll ultimately emerge from this awkward transitional period and be happy, just as your couples are at the end of their stories. Your novels remind me of a question I often ask myself: “What kind of world would we live in if people only did what others wanted them to do?” And ultimately, they remind me that this world would be boring, and probably not one I would I want to live in. Thus I continue doing what I think will allow me to make the impact I want on the world and provide me with happiness, with the help of your guidance. Thank you.

Sincerely,
Liz

In My Mailbox is hosted by Kristi at .

Forget everything you ever knew about unicorns...

Real unicorns are venomous, man-eating monsters with huge fangs and razor-sharp horns. Fortunately, they've been extinct for a hundred and fifty years.

Or not.

Astrid had always scoffed at her eccentric mother's stories about killer unicorns. But when one of the monsters attacks her boyfriend—thereby ruining any chance of him taking her to the prom—Astrid finds herself headed to Rome to train as a unicorn hunter at the ancient cloisters the hunters have used for centuries.

However, at the cloisters all is not what it seems. Outside, the unicorns wait to attack. And within, Astrid faces other, unexpected threats: from the crumbling, bone-covered walls that vibrate with a terrible power to the hidden agendas of her fellow hunters to—perhaps most dangerously of all—her growing attraction to a handsome art student ... an attraction that could jeopardize everything.

by Diana Peterfreund is not a light read, nor is it for the faint of heart, but it is highly enjoyable nonetheless. I have to admit that I was feeling kind of dubious about it, despite all of the praise it’s received. I wasn’t sure how writing a story about unicorns in modern times would really feel believable, but once I got about 150 pages in I did not want to put it down.

Rampant deals frankly with teenage sexuality and violence, especially with questions of virginity. I was so glad that Peterfreund depicted all of these things in a way that teenagers could relate to instead of just sugarcoating it and pretending that everyone was repressed. I loved that Astrid questioned so much around her and about herself throughout the novel. Yet as all of this was happening, she was still strong, and kicked serious butt on the battlefield.

As for the unicorns, let me just say that if I ever go to Rome I may be spend my entire vacation lying awake in terror. The author portrays unicorns in battle as the bloodthirsty, malicious creature that they are. As enjoyable as the battle scenes were, I also enjoyed the scenes with Bonegrinder, the pet zhi that Astrid and her fellow hunters keep. The careful juxtaposition of the zhi’s innocence and malice made me want to coddle her one minute and run away screaming the next.

I had one very small problem with this story. For the most part, I enjoyed the writing, but at times it felt a little bit over the top. Peterfreund is clearly a gifted writer, but I put the book down thinking that Astrid’s voice felt a tad unrealistic at times.

This, however, hardly stopped from enjoying this novel. If you are interested in joining the Zombies vs. Unicorns debate, I suggest that whichever side you are on, that you buy Rampant and educate yourself about how awesome unicorns are and how wonderful this book is.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Seventeen-year-old Cassandra Mortmain wants to become a writer. Trouble is, she's the daughter of a once-famous author with a severe case of writer's block. Her family--beautiful sister Rose, brooding father James, ethereal stepmother Topaz--is barely scraping by in a crumbling English castle they leased when times were good. Now there's very little furniture, hardly any food, and just a few pages of notebook paper left to write on. Bravely making the best of things, Cassandra gets hold of a journal and begins her literary apprenticeship by refusing to face the facts. She writes, "I have just remarked to Rose that our situation is really rather romantic, two girls in this strange and lonely house. She replied that she saw nothing romantic about being shut up in a crumbling ruin surrounded by a sea of mud." Rose longs for suitors and new tea dresses while Cassandra scorns romance: "I know all about the facts of life. And I don't think much of them." But romantic isolation comes to an end both for the family and for Cassandra's heart when the wealthy, adventurous Cotton family takes over the nearby estate. Cassandra is a witty, pensive, observant heroine, just the right voice for chronicling the perilous cusp of adulthood. Some people have compared I Capture the Castle to the novels of Jane Austen, and it's just as well-plotted and witty. But the Mortmains are more bohemian--as much like the Addams Family as like any of Austen's characters. Dodie Smith, author of 101 Dalmations, wrote this novel in 1948. And though the story is set in the 1930s, it still feels fresh, and well deserves its reputation as a modern classic.

I want to say a big thank you to Fiona of because she was the one who initially pushed me to read . When I first started this book, I had absolutely no idea what I was going to think of it by the time I finished it. I thought the style and the characters developed well throughout the story and I really enjoyed it throughout the whole.

It's been said before, but the characters in this book are so very real. I had a brief moment where I saw a bit of myself in Cassandra. As a reader, I found myself caring more and more about what would happen to the Mortmains as I went. I loved watching all of the characters grow and develop throughout the novel, and it helped me think of how I've grown as a person.

As for the writing, I wasn't sure about it at first. It almost felt a bit too quaint to me. However, about 200 pages in or so I found that Cassandra's narration became very honest, raw and open. She was an excellent narrator, and definitely not overly sure of herself, which I liked.

I also liked the bits of humor that Smith through into the book. I found myself laughing out loud at certain parts. However, I still also thought that in the end she incorporated some interesting ideas. Also, I would like to say that in regards to the ending, I thought it was really well done. I thought that pairing certain characters off just wouldn't have felt right for them, the author or the reader.

This is a beautiful and original tale and I think that anyone who has been in love or fallen out of love can relate to it.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Greetings, wonderful readers! For those of you who have not heard, April of and Sharon of are hosting Zombies vs. Unicorns week. While today is only Wednesday, this has already proved to be be awesome. It's full of guest posts and giveaways. For example April and Sharon are both giving away pre-orders of , which is an anthology of short stories edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier.

I will admit that I went into this week unsure of what side I was on, but I decided that I should increase my unicorn knowledge by reading by Diana Peterfreund. I'm only just over halfway through it thus far, but one particular quote has perfectly summarized my decision to join Team Unicorn.


Regardless of what team you are, I highly suggest you pick up a zombie or unicorn themed book and come battle it out with the rest of us. I'm eager to finish Rampant and share my review of it with you shortly!

Though Northanger Abbey is one of Jane Austen's earliest novels, it was not published until after her death--well after she'd established her reputation with works such as Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility. Of all her novels, this one is the most explicitly literary in that it is primarily concerned with books and with readers. In it, Austen skewers the novelistic excesses of her day made popular in such 18th-century Gothic potboilers as Ann Radcliffe's The Mysteries of Udolpho. Decrepit castles, locked rooms, mysterious chests, cryptic notes, and tyrannical fathers all figure into Northanger Abbey, but with a decidedly satirical twist. Consider Austen's introduction of her heroine: we are told on the very first page that "no one who had ever seen Catherine Morland in her infancy, would have supposed her born to be an heroine." The author goes on to explain that Miss Morland's father is a clergyman with "a considerable independence, besides two good livings--and he was not in the least addicted to locking up his daughters." Furthermore, her mother does not die giving birth to her, and Catherine herself, far from engaging in "the more heroic enjoyments of infancy, nursing a dormouse, feeding a canary-bird, or watering a rose-bush" vastly prefers playing cricket with her brothers to any girlish pastimes.

Catherine grows up to be a passably pretty girl and is invited to spend a few weeks in Bath with a family friend. While there she meets Henry Tilney and his sister Eleanor, who invite her to visit their family estate, Northanger Abbey. Once there, Austen amuses herself and us as Catherine, a great reader of Gothic romances, allows her imagination to run wild, finding dreadful portents in the most wonderfully prosaic events. But Austen is after something more than mere parody; she uses her rapier wit to mock not only the essential silliness of "horrid" novels, but to expose the even more horrid workings of polite society, for nothing Catherine imagines could possibly rival the hypocrisy she experiences at the hands of her supposed friends. In many respects Northanger Abbey is the most lighthearted of Jane Austen's novels, yet at its core is a serious, unsentimental commentary on love and marriage, 19th-century British style.

Ladies and gentlemen, Jane Austen has done it again. I truly enjoyed reading and look forward to cozying up with it in years to come. As someone who loves reading, contemplating literature and enjoys a Gothic novel

I must confess that I started this novel with some reservation. At first, Catherine seemed a bit meek for my tastes. I’ve read most of Austen’s work right now (four out of the major six) and I’m guilty of comparing her heroes and heroines to one another. I feel like comparison can be a poor habit in a reader, but I suppose I view many of Austen’s works or touchstones, particularly , but you’ve probably figured that out by now.

As for Austen’s take on the Gothic and description of the Abbey, I really enjoyed it. While I have not read by Ann Radcliffe, it was intriguing to watch Catherine and Isabella read this novel and compare it their day to day lives. I intend to read The Mysteries of Udolpho, and my edition, by Broadview Literary Texts, spoiled a few small parts of Radcliffe’s novel. I don’t mind too much, but just wanted to provide a word of warning for those who intend to use this edition of Northanger Abbey.

And Henry Tilney. Oh, Henry Tilney. I loved him as a hero. I’ll admit that I was attracted to John Thorpe, but by the end of the story my mind was changed. I don’t want to spoil the novel, but I think Austen fans will love Henry Tilney.

What more can I say? I waited too long to read Northanger Abbey, but am so glad I finally I did. If you are an Austen fan but haven’t read this novel, check this book out as soon as possible. You won’t be disappointed!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Madison is an average pre-teen living in Maine. For the most part, Madison has a happy life: a loving mother and good friends. But there's just one catch: the mean girls, who Madison and her friends used to be close with, often pick on the girls. After a particularly bad hair day, Madison takes matters into her own hands and before she knows it, finds herself turning mean. Will Madison make amends before she's left friendless? (I wrote this summary, as none was provided on GoodReads.)

I was initially intrigued by Meanicures’s cover so when I had the chance to read this book through an ARC tour I thought, “Why not?” Once I received the book and started reading it I realized it was probably aimed at more of a middle grade than a YA audience, which is not what I expected. However, I still had high expectations after reading a few chapters. I can relate to Madison’s experience of not quite being the coolest kid in school, and the story was set in Maine. I have a particular soft spot for Maine as my mom grew up there and we go back to visit practically every summer. Unfortunately, I didn’t really leave this story feeling satisfied.

The plot of the story was fine. At one point I feared that it was going to take a turn towards ridiculous, but by the time I finished this story it felt more realistic. The very ending felt a little bit off to me, and I think this was the case of how Madison decided to phrase things.

For me, my main hang up with this story was the characters. I felt that I got to knew Madison and the mean girls fairly well, yet was totally unable to connect to Taylor and Olivia. I was really frustrated at how malleable and easy to sway they seemed. I realize this may have been part of Clark’s point about bullying, that it’s easy for people to get caught up in it. Olivia particularly annoyed me, as she was insensitive and oblivious and I feel like I never actually learned anything about what was going through her head, which made it really challenging for me to connect with her. Otherwise I think I may have liked her a bit more. If this were to become a series and Olivia were developed more throughout, I think this might have made more sense, but this book appears to be intended as a standalone (I could be wrong, though).

I think if Meanicures had been a bit longer with more plot and character development, I may have enjoyed it more. Overall, however, this story was a light, quick and enjoyable read which I think lots of young girls will be able to relate.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this book through .

Happy Father’s Day to any fathers out there!

I have to say that I love my dad for many, many reasons from his support of my education to his affinity for puns. I think two traits make my dad particularly unique: he is very organized and loves to have projects. He’s the type of person who doesn’t want to exercise for the sake of exercising, but wants to be doing something, like playing a game of tennis or mowing the lawn.

The rest of my family often ends up somehow involved in Dad’s projects. Sometimes these are my dad’s idea, sometimes my mom’s. Over the years the projects have included kicking me out of my room at 8 a.m. to have the inside of my closet painted, putting dividers on the shelves of the coat closet to divide winter accessories by categories and ridding the yard of invasive species. I will admit that at times, I have innocently teased my father, pointing out that some of these projects might be a bit obsessive. However, the outcome is always good. It’s easier to find my hat and the yard looks a lot nicer.

So, Dad, thanks for, among your many other gifts, giving us an organized and aesthetically pleasing place to live. May the world continue to provide projects until the house and lawn look utterly idyllic.

After consulting with random.org, the winner of the Jane In June Giveaway has been chosen. The lucky winner of a hardcover copy of Pride and Prejudice and the movie Bridget Jones's Diary on DVD is...*drumroll*....

If you haven’t figured it out already, I love films that have been adapted from books. I love seeing how a story is brought to life and depicted on screen. That said, I've decided to start this feature entitled Adaptation Corner. Since it's Jane In June, today I intend to focus on . As may have guessed by my praise of Jane Austen on this blog and the giveaway I’m currently holding, I’m a big fan of adaptations of Austen’s work. Most of her six major works have had multiple films or miniseries made of them. I don’t know if you all are quite as nerdy as I am, but I love to talk about which are my favorite. Many people compare them and I think that two that compete with each other the most are of Pride and Prejudice: the miniseries made in 1995 which at a length of six hours incorporates many details from the novel and the 2005 movie directed by Joe Wright. I feel particularly compelled to examine this film and miniseries side by side because these two movies maintain the original time period and place, whereas Bride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones’s Diary are both set in modern times (if you have not seen these movies I highly recommend both). I originally felt compelled to write this post because I think sometimes Wright’s film is accused of straying too far from the story.



















Before I continue, I should make a point of saying that when I watch an adaptation, I’m not necessarily on a quest for fidelity to the original story. If you’re interested in the academic study of adaptations, I highly recommend that you read A Theory of Adaptation by Linda Hutcheon. She talks a lot about fidelity in her book, and I think one sentence in particular sums up my thoughts nicely.


I think sometimes modifications need to be made in order for a story to work or be more entertaining on the big screen. I also think part of the point of adaptations is to give the viewer or reader a new perspective on a story.

I tend to think of the 1995 miniseries as something most readers of Austen and women who enjoy attractive men have seen. No doubt it is hard to resist six hours of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy. *swoon* That being said, the length of the miniseries allows it to stay loyal to the book because it leaves room for detail. I worry at times that this might steer casual readers away, but for me it is so worth it. I see the countryside that we see in this film as idyllic, charming and picturesque, and the music strikes me the same way. Quaint, yet never trying to overwhelm the viewer or play the dominant role in setting the emotional tone of a scene.

The 2005 film, however is very different. The Bennet household is depicted as rustic and more farm-like, which could serve to emphasize the difference in wealth between Elizabeth and Darcy. I generally think of the landscape of this film as more dramatic and emotional than quaint and that this film relies heavily on nature to convey the emotions of the characters, and I think at times they do a lovely job of tying the music into this idea, such as the scene where Elizabeth stands on the edge of a cliff. I love the fact that you can imagine how overwhelming this must all feel to Elizabeth and contemplate how her place in the scenery could be indicative of changes n her life, but so many elements of the film are intertwined to depict this, and not just Knightley herself.


I think another major issue that is interesting is the sexuality in each adaptation. I imagine that a lot of people would be swift to argue that the 2005 film is far more sexualized, and I don’t entirely agree with this viewpoint. Between its interpretation of the portrait gallery, the proposal scene and the final scene of the film, it is clear that physicality is on Elizabeth and Darcy’s mind.

I think that the miniseries also emphasizes the physical attraction between Elizabeth and Darcy, but does so in a more subtle way. One thing which really came to my notice in my second viewing of this miniseries was the women’s costumes. I had admired some of the dresses before, yet hadn’t given a lot of thought to how they are cut. They may be floor length, the certainly show off other physical attributes. And let’s not forget the scene in which Elizabeth visits Pemberley and her first sighting of Darcy. The next time you watch this scene, be sure to watch Elizabeth’s face and where her eyes travel. Once it was pointed out to me, I giggled rather childishly.


I have saved my favorite part of this post for last, and I think that being as fanatical about Mr. Darcy as I am, I would be remiss if I did not address the subject of how I feel about Matthew Macfayden’s and Colin Firth’s interpretations of this swoon worthy character. I will not try to deny that Matthew Macfayden is attractive. I think the version of Darcy that he plays is sweeter and often more earnest, but I have a hard time thinking of him as assertive. Then again, I also think that this adaptation modernizes the physical affection in this relationship simply by adding more of it, and for me, by the time I reach the end of the film, it gives the entire romance a more tender feel. He doesn’t come across as nearly as bossy and when he and Elizabeth get engaged, his stuttering makes it clear that he’s feeling insecure and struggling with large emotions in strained social settings. The lighting is enchanting and the fact that the sun rises between the characters in their moment of physical and emotional closeness is beautiful. I personally really like him in the final scene of the film, when he and Elizabeth are sitting together. I’m sure some people might say that him saying “Mrs. Darcy” is incredibly cheesy and this is what I thought at first. However, at this point Darcy has made a major violation of his aunt’s wishes and referring to Elizabeth as “Mrs. Darcy” very clearly indicates that she is the mistress of Pemberley and to me, his repeating it further acknowledges that they’ve caused a good deal of discontent.
I’m sure you all have an idea of how this argument will end, since I’ve mentioned several times that I find Colin Firth to be a very dashing individual and for me, he really is the perfect Darcy. He’s a stubborn, smoldering, contemplative Darcy, yet he’s also very assertive and composed. Yet as assertive as he is as he makes his second proposal of marriage to Elizabeth, I can somehow tell that he’s nervous. I like that the viewer can perceive how emotional this is for him, especially because he seems so much more relaxed after he says he yes.

Ultimately, I think these are both great adaptations, but I must be honest and say that I am not without bias. If forced to choose, I would likely pick the miniseries. I think it does a wonderful job of maintaing Austen’s wit and social criticism, and to me Ehle and Firth do an impeccable job of depicting the liveliness and intellect of Elizabeth Bennet and the financially endowed yet ever learning Fitzwilliam Darcy. By the end of this miniseries I usually feel the need to break out the tissues. I feel like I tend to pick up the 2005 film when I want to see Austen’s romance portrayed not through dialogue but through landscape, bodies and music interwoven beautifully together. I think one of the best parts about watching adaptations is sometimes the anticipation of wondering how one of your favorite stories will be re-imagined. It’s not entirely fair of me to compare them, but what I’m trying to argue is that I think that they accomplish similar goals, such as depicting the physical tension between the lovers, yet do so in different ways. I’m able to love both of these stories because for me, they both capture the romance of Elizabeth and Darcy, yet they both do it in unique and unconventional ways.

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Katniss. And what’s worse, President Snow has made it clear that no one else is safe either. Not Katniss’s family, not her friends, not the people of District 12. Powerful and haunting, this thrilling final installment of Suzanne Collins’s groundbreaking The Hunger Games trilogy promises to be one of the most talked about books of the year.

Much like many other bloggers, lovers of literature and bibliophiles, I am eagerly awaiting . I think the words, “I wish I had Mockingjay now!” run wistfully through my head at least once a day. If you haven’t realized it yet, I am a big fan of a pretty book covers, but I think the covers for The Hunger Games trilogy are particularly interesting to analyze. While I admired the covers before I read the books, after reading them I feel that the colors of the covers connects with the plot line of the series. I’d also like to mention that Jessica of wrote a very interesting post a while ago in which she discusses the geometry of the images and the bird on the cover. Click to check it out!


We started off with a black cover for , indicating the darkness in Panem at the start of the series, and the red color of portrays that fire that Katniss has started and changes that could be on the rise. I realize that I’m partially analyzing the cover according to what I want to happen in the series, but hopefully I’m not the only person who’s guilty of this. The burst of white light immediately around the bird fading into the blue of the cover could emphasize that not only is the mockingjay the catalyst of revolution in Panem, but that it’s power and meaning is rapidly spreading. To me, the light blue color is particularly optimistic. Not only do I think of clear blue skies when I see it, but the lighter blue feels less ominous than the red or black. Since I’m being so optimistic about the fate of Panem here, I’ll take a brief moment to look at it from the opposite perspective. I feel like the mockingjay is more exposed here than it has been in the past, and thus more vulnerable. The fact that it seems to be suspended in flight enhances the tension that readers are feeling, and seems to remind us that the Capitol is still trying to stop a revolution and bring down the mockingjay.

I think this is a really interesting cover, and I’d love to have this book now. I at least take comfort in the fact that my Mockingjay widget is still counting down, and that time has not in fact stopped in some cruel trick to force me to wait longer for this book.

Meghan Chase used to be an ordinary girl...until she discovered that she is really a faery princess. After escaping from the clutches of the deadly Iron fey, Meghan must follow through on her promise to return to the equally dangerous Winter Court with her forbidden love, Prince Ash. But first, Meghan has one request: that they visit Puck--Meghan's best friend and servant of her father, King Oberon--who was gravely injured defending Meghan from the Iron Fey.

Yet Meghan and Ash's detour does not go unnoticed. They have caught the attention of an ancient, powerful hunter--a foe that even Ash may not be able to defeat....

Winter’s Passage has done me a kindness in easing the wait between The Iron King and The Iron Daughter. I will be upfront and say that I have a minor complaint about this book: I wanted more! I confess that a few parts of the novella felt a tiny bit rushed to me, particularly the climax. Otherwise, I think Winter’s Passage did a great job of tying up a few loose threads from The Iron King while still presenting a bit of a cliffhanger as readers wait for The Iron Daughter.

For such a short volume, Kagawa managed to really alter my impressions of some of the characters. While I always liked Meghan, I felt like she explained some of her decisions in a much more logical way. I was glad to see her express more of an understanding of the consequences of her actions. As for Ash, I really did not like him in this book, and for the time being I am no longer Team Ash. The fact that he was so stubborn bothered me a little before, I’ll admit, but it felt like a slap in the face here. I may consider rejoining his Team if he rectifies in The Iron Daughter, but I can definitely see the appeal of Team Puck (certain things about Puck annoy me as well, though I won’t get into that here). So for the time being I am *gasp* not on anyone’s team. At any rate, I think the fact that Kagawa can make me feel so vehemently about all of these characters in a 50 page novella is a testimony to her talent as an author.

Winter’s Passage has simultaneously satisfied one craving and increased another. Kagawa’s novella, though brief, is a powerful read. I look forward to getting my hands on The Iron Daughter!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila of . The past two weeks have been a bit slow for me, but I've really enjoyed everything I've been reading.
Read:
by Lauren Oliver (Check out my review )
by Julie Kagawa (I'll post my review of this tomorrow.)
Currently reading:
by Jane Austen (I'm loving this so far!)
(I did make some progress on this one. It'll get done eventually.
I plan to read:
by Catherine Clark (This just arrived today from a tour site.)
by Maureen Lindley
by Sarah Addison Allen
by Katherine Langrish
by Jennifer Hubbard

That's it for me. I'm really excited to read all of those and am hoping to have a productive week. What are you reading this week?

Hello followers! Bloggiesta draws for a close to me as I must awaken early tomorrow and go about my week. I have to say that while I enjoyed Bloggiesta, I was not able to participate as much as I hoped. Friday and Saturday night I switched locale and when I reached my destination, the internet was down. However, between reading, typing up posts in Word and having the internet back this afternoon and evening, I've still managed to accomplish the following things.

• Written one review (I thought I had more, but I was otherwise caught up).
• Updated my review archive.
• Updated my blog roll. If you are still not on my blog roll but would like to be, please send me an e-mail.
• Drafted a Jane In June post.
• Responded to interview questions.
• Organized physical bookshelf (I forgot to include this on my original list, although I meant to).
• Filmed and posted my first IMM vlog.
• Read half of Northanger Abbey.
• Updated my contests sidebar.

I put a grand total of 11 hours into Bloggiesta this weekend. I had a lot of fun, and hope that next time it rolls around I will have internet all throughout and get even more accomplished.

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by Kristi at . This post covers the weeks of June 6th and June 13th.
EDIT: I realize now that the book titles are showing up backwards. I filmed this with the webcam on my laptop, so it was like using a mirror. Sorry! I will try and fix this next time.

Swag:
Post card signed by Lisa Schroeder
Rae bookmarks
Books:
by Katherine Langrish (Check out Amelia's review .)
by George R.R. Martin
by Eoin Colfer
by Roald Dahl
by Jodi Picoult
by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
by Jane Austen (Click to win this book AND Bridget Jones's Diary on DVD.)
by Gail Carriger
by Louise Erdrich
by Gayle Forman
by Libba Bray
by Ally Carter
by Jackson Pearce
Heidi R. Kling
DVDs:
x2 (One for me, one for the lucky contest winner!)

Bloggers and blogs mentioned:

Amelia of
April of
Chelsea of
Emma of
Other mentions:

Music:
Save Ginny Weasley by Harry and the Potters

***IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE HUNGER GAMES BUT INTEND TO, DO NOT READ THIS SUMMARY OR REVIEW! YOU WILL BE SPOILED!***

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

Is it August 24th yet? What about now? Now? I want ! Allison of wrote that she can imagine sitting at her computer and laughing as she reads all of the reviews of this book, I can agree. I want to know what happens! If you haven't already read , be thankful that your wait is not too long. For those who read The Hunger Games and Catching Fire long ago, I pity you and am sorry for whining, but am now one of your anticipatory ranks.

With that rant out of the way, I have to say that Catching Fire did not disappoint. After some careful thought, I'd definitely say I liked it as much of The Hunger Games, but the two books are quite different, so it's somewhat challenging to compare them. I think it was a little easier to put this down, but not by much. The settings in the two books are a little different. Catching Fire begins in District 12, and the story stays there longer than it did at the beginning of The Hunger Games, so while there is still action and plot, I find it's a bit slower than the action in the arena that readers saw during The Hunger Games. I will say that I think Collins did a nice job of tying up some of the loose ends from the first book, while still leaving her readers with plenty more to think about.

I'd say I had two favorite aspects of this book: learning more of the back stories of different characters and learning more about the different districts of Panem. I also loved how I felt that the characters were being tested even more and really contemplating what they were doing, especially Katniss. And I loved how action packed the end of the book was--not what I saw coming!

Of course, I feel that I must mention the love triangle. I love that Peeta brings out a passionate and empowered side of Katniss, but part of me is also very attracted to Gale. Perhaps I'll just swoop in and take Gale for myself. I'll have to think this one over.

To be honest, I don't really have any complaints about this book that strongly altered my overall impression of it. There was the cliffhanger, but I'll only have to wait exactly three months from today to find out about that, and I have plenty to read in between. I'm really glad I've decided to read this series, and like many of you, eagerly anticipate Mockingjay!

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Hello, wonderful readers! This weekend I am participating in a challenge called Bloggiesta, hosted by . The idea behind Bloggiesta is to devote a weekend to working on one's blog. If you'd like to find out more, click on the picture of Pedro (Pedro stands for Plan Edit Develop Review Organize). I'm really excited, because I think this will give me a chance to catch up on some little tasks. Here's what I hope to accomplish during Bloggiesta.

• Catch up on my reviews.
• Update my review archive.
• Update my blog roll.
• Write another Jane in June post.
• Respond to interview questions.
• Prepare miscellaneous posts for the coming weeks (such as Waiting on Wednesday, etc.).
• Film my first IMM vlog (to be posted this Sunday).
  
• Read Northanger Abbey (I can't review books if I don't read them!).
• Interact with my fellow participants and visit other blogs.
  

I'm sure I'll find other things to do as well, but this seems like a good starting point. Ready...set...blog!

Matilda is a little girl who is far too good to be true. At age five-and-a-half she's knocking off double-digit multiplication problems and blitz-reading Dickens. Even more remarkably, her classmates love her even though she's a super-nerd and the teacher's pet. But everything is not perfect in Matilda's world. For starters she has two of the most idiotic, self-centered parents who ever lived. Then there's the large, busty nightmare of a school principal, Mrs. ("The") Trunchbull, a former hammer-throwing champion who flings children at will and is approximately as sympathetic as a bulldozer. Fortunately for Matilda, she has the inner resources to deal with such annoyances: astonishing intelligence, saintly patience, and an innate predilection for revenge.

She warms up with some practical jokes aimed at her hapless parents, but the true test comes when she rallies in defense of her teacher, the sweet Miss Honey, against the diabolical Trunchbull. There is never any doubt that Matilda will carry the day. Even so, this wonderful story is far from predictable--the big surprise comes when Matilda discovers a new, mysterious facet of her mental dexterity. Roald Dahl, while keeping the plot moving imaginatively, also has an unerring ear for emotional truth. The reader cares about Matilda because in addition to all her other gifts, she has real feelings.

Some of you will remember me mentioning that Matilda is one of my all time favorite books. Even today when I asked to list my top 5 favorite novels, I still always give mention to Matilda. There are many things which I love about Dahl's tale of an adventurous and intelligent girl.

Every time I read this book Dahl makes me laugh out loud consistently. I particularly love it when he talks about the comments he would make to parents about children who he believes are unintelligent.

"A particularly poisonous little girl might sting me into saying, "Fiona has the same glacial beauty as an iceberg, but unlike the iceberg she has absolutely nothing below the surface." p.9

Considering that I already tend towards frankness and that if I were a teacher, these passages would only fuel my fire, I don't think I could ever be as wonderful as Miss Honey, who I find to be one of the most heartwarming and charming characters in children's literature. I think Roald also does a fantastic job of depicting how Matilda deals with her family. Normally, passive aggressive behavior annoys me to death, but her pranks are so creative in contrast with her father ordering her to watch television that I can't help but smile.

As much as I talk about Dahl's brilliant humor, this book definitely has some serious elements. When I looked back at this book with older eyes versus as a young child, the family dynamics are slightly more disturbing. I consider myself a very family-oriented person and am lucky to have awesome parents, so I find that the parents lack of concern for Matilda's happiness or well being rather unnerving. Ultimately, Matilda is my absolute favorite character in this novel. When I first read this book, I loved her (and still do) because she is a voracious reader who is very intelligent and funny. However, what has always stuck with me is the fact that this book inspired me to read more and explore new books (cheesy, but its why I love it!). I think there is one critical sentence about the new knowledge sense of agency which Matilda got from reading that truly inspired me.


Matilda is one of the first books that gave me this very feeling, and I've gotten it from many since, as well as many other reactions from inspiration to looking at something in an entirely different light. To finish this review, I can only express my gratitude towards Roald Dahl for writing a book which encompasses all of this in such an entertaining and lovely story.

1.) For the majority of my life (including at present) I've lived in an assortment of small college towns.
2.) I ran cross-country in high school and at the collegiate level. I ran two full seasons in college, was abroad junior year, and tried to run senior year but sprained my ankle early on in the season.
3.) I need to learn how to cook more foods, but I can bake fairly well. I recently made a rhubarb crisp for my father's birthday. It turned out fairly tasty, if I do say so myself!
4.) I hope to get a dog at some point. My family had one for 15 years of my life (I'm 22, so that's most of it!) named Troy, an incredibly sweet but spoiled black lab mutt.
Unfortunately, we had to put him down over Thanksgiving. I miss him, but am also glad he's not suffering anymore. I miss owning a dog in general, and would eventually like to get one.
5.) Father of the Bride (1991) is probably my all time favorite movie. I remember my parents had to do a bit of persuading to get me to watch it as a child, but I thought it was hilarious (and still think that). It's probably one of my favorites because I've loved it for so long.
6.) I love most animals but tend to shriek if I see an insect in my living space. While I think some are interesting, it creeps me out when they get indoors or on me.
7.) Impatiens are one of my favorite types of flowers. I think they can really brighten up one's yard!

In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place.

After reading a couple of raving five star reviews of this over the summer, I knew I wanted to check it out for myself. Once I finished some major schoolwork I decided to buy this and sit down and read it, since the final book of the trilogy comes out in August. If you haven't heard of The Hunger Games or heard it raved about but generally consider yourself up-to-date on news regarding books, then I'm sorry, but I don't know what rock you have been living under and you should really go track it down at your preferred bookstore or library. Seriously, don't even bother finishing my review, just go. I don't consider myself a huge fan of dystopian literature, but for me, this book had it all. This is one of my favorite reads of 2010 thus far.

The premise of this story is definitely disturbing, and one which had me intrigued right away. I didn't realize how sucked into the story I would get. As the the book went on it became harder and harder to tear myself away. Collins knows to write and develop plot, leaving the reader wanting more at the end of every chapter. Furthermore, her prose is tight and concise yet still descriptive, and definitely something by which I was very impressed. I'm really glad I have , this book's sequel, right on hand because I want to find out what happens ASAP.

I loved Collins's character development. I was intrigued and wanted to know more about each character, but was still left constantly wondering who I should and shouldn't trust. She definitely had me choking up over some characters while feeling much less sympathetic towards others. I will admit that at first I wondered how realistic Katniss really was, because she seemed so adept at hunting and defending herself in the arena. However, when I really thought about it, it made sense. What other choice has she had all her life to become a skilled hunter? I liked that Katniss was humbled and expressed some awareness of her strengths and weaknesses in comparison to the other tributes. Her emotions felt real and honest to me, especially as I can't imagine having to be in her position and make some of the choices she does. Of course, in talking about characters, I can't neglect to mention Peeta and the love triangle. The romance had me bursting out laughing at points and going "Awww!" in others. It took me until near the end of the novel to trust Peeta, and I wonder how he will transform and grow in the coming books. I also noticed that Collins characterized Gale largely through Katniss's opinions of him, and I look forward to seeing more of him. I have to say that while maybe I should be better at this by now, but I'm honestly not sure who Katniss will ultimately choose, and I look forward to finding out.

The dystopian elements of this novel absolutely blew me away. Not only did I find it very original, but I also thought it was woven excellently into the story. That may sound kind of irrelevant coming from someone who hasn't read much dystopian, but I think for me the mixture of brutality and emotion is what did it. I think Collins drew some interesting comparisons to our own society and that these are excellent concepts to have readers contemplating. The back of my book jacket mentions that this is a book which "explore[s] the effects of war and violence on those coming of age" and I think that this is a timeless concept to contemplate. I've thought about sharing a quote here, but ultimately, I want you to read it for yourself.

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, or to have such a hard time putting it down, yet both of these things happened. If you haven't already, be sure to read it, but be sure to clear your schedule in advance. I don't think you'll be sorry.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all—looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12th should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it’s her last. The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. In fact, she re-lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she had ever imagined.

After being intrigued by the premise, lured in by the cover and hearing many, many bloggers sing its praises, particularly Sharon of , I was very interested in reading Before I Fall and followers, allow me to assure you that I was not disappointed. This has quickly jumped to being among my favorite reads of 2010.

I had seen some reviews of this book talk about how people didn’t like the main character, Sam, yet were drawn to the story anyways. I didn’t hate Sam at first. I definitely grew annoyed and frustrated with her, particularly her apathy. I was really annoyed that the only thing she seemed to care about was maintaing her position at the top of the social ladder. Yet as the novel went on, I noticed that Sam put a lot more thought into the little things: she thought about what exactly made her happy and how what she did affected others. I was really intrigued by her friends, particularly Lindsay, and I think Oliver did an amazing job of using back story to develop her characters.

The writing, to put it quite frankly, blew me away. Oliver is truly gifted with setting the emotional tone, and I particularly felt this whenever Sam was with Kent. In some of those passages I just forgot about everything else around me and became completely lost in the story.

This novel deals with so many issues that relevant to teenagers and adults including bullying, acceptance coping mechanisms and what things seem to be versus what they actually are. Oliver kept me thinking all throughout her book and long afterwords about how I would change any given day in my life. It made me think about some times I feel pressured to do things not necessarily because what I’m passionate about them but because I know it’s what society expects of me.

As sad as this book was, I felt a mixture of sadness and joy when I was finished. This book made me really want to get out and savor every moment. I read this book about a week ago, but Oliver’s words and the poignancy of her writing have remained with me, and I think they’ll continue to do so. If you haven’t read this book yet, I highly suggest you obtain a copy and remedy this situation. Oliver has provided a truly fantastic debut novel, and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next.

Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.

Book Blogger Hop is hosted by . Thanks for stopping by my blog! As you can see, I've been blogging for a short time--only about a week. However, I've been having lots of fun putting my blog together and creating posts (admittedly, I've struggled a bit with HTML, but I'm getting better!). This is my first Book Blogger Hop!

I first discovered the concept of book blogging thanks to . I realized that some of my friends had websites listed on their profiles so I clicked on the links to discover that these websites were, in fact, blogs! For some reason it never occurred to me that people would start blogs entirely to discuss books but I immediately wanted my own. Last week I finally decided to start one!

As you can see, I've only posted a few reviews so far, but I plan on sharing many more. Some genres I read a lot of YA, contemporary fiction, classics and fantasy. If you'd like to know more about my taste in books feel free to to follow the link in my sidebar to my GoodReads profile. I'm looking forward to visiting lots of new blogs!

I wanted to note that I’m sharing this review as part of , which is hosted by Misty at . if you’d like to participate in Jane in June, there’s still plenty of time to join the fun!

I’ve read Pride and Prejudice twice and I have to be honest and say that this will be a review in which I gush a lot about this novel. I enjoyed this book even more the second time around than the first and I honestly have no complaints about it. It’s one of my all time favorite books, and is definitely a feel good read for me.

A lot of people berate the plot of Pride and Prejudice as unoriginal, and this is a statement with which I disagree. I find it to be sort of classic love tale, and a lot of works are actually loosely based around its plot, such as , not to mention the fact that modern adaptations have been made of some of her other books, such as the movie which is based off of . As an aside, I have seen Clueless but have yet to read Emma. At any rate, even knowing the plot of Pride and Prejudice I still enjoy reading it and watching adaptations of it. I have to say that the ending always leaves me very satisfied.

I really love the characters which Austen gives us here. I love the snarkiness of Mr. Bennet, the fact that Mrs. Bennet is so obnoxious, and the descriptions of Lady Catherine de Bourgh's haughtiness. Last time I read this book my family and I discussed it over dinner and my mom mentioned that one of her favorite quotes from the novel is actually something which Lady Catherine De Bourgh says.


My brother quickly followed this comment with, "Someone should drop a piano forte on Lady Cahterine de Bourgh's head!" and I was quick to agree. This, friends, is the type of dramatic emotion which this novel elicits in me. I enjoy watching Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth throughout the novel, and I have to say that during this read, I found Elizabeth to be quite relatable. I definitely don't think the anxieties she experiences throughout the novel are exclusive to her admiration for Darcy and I think Austen wonderfully crafts and develops them throughout the novel. She does a fabulous job of tying social norms and expectations of the time period into her work, which really shows in her characterizations of Elizabeth and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. Obviously she doesn't pay as much attention to Kitty and Mary, but she is still careful to tie up their stories at the end of the novel.

One reason why I think I enjoyed this novel even more the second time around is because I've matured as reader since I first read this, and I found Austen's prose to be much more readable, yet still not dry. I don't feel weighed down by the prose and I still feel as though I see so much of the characters' emotions.

I could probably go on for a while about how much I love this novel, but I think I'll leave it at this. I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read it. If you haven't had the chance to read this book but would like to, don't forget that I'm giving away a Penguin hardbound copy of the book and a copy of on DVD to one lucky winner. If you'd like to be entered to win, leave a comment on my post about with your e-mail address. Until next time, happy reading!

Monica Ali's gorgeous first novel is the deeply moving story of one woman, Nazneen, born in a Bangladeshi village and transported to London at age eighteen to enter into an arranged marriage. Already hailed by the London Observer as "one of the most significant British novelists of her generation," Ali has written a stunningly accomplished debut about one outsider's quest to find her voice.

What could not be changed must be borne. And since nothing could be changed, everything had to be borne. This principle ruled her life. It was mantra, fettle, and challenge.

Nazneen's inauspicious entry into the world, an apparent stillbirth on the hard mud floor of a village hut, imbues in her a sense of fatalism that she carries across continents when she is married off to Chanu, a man old enough to be her father. Nazneen moves to London and, for years, keeps house, cares for her husband, and bears children, just as a girl from the village is supposed to do. But gradually she is transformed by her experience, and begins to question whether fate controls her or whether she has a hand in her own destiny.

Motherhood is a catalyst -- Nazneen's daughters chafe against their father's traditions and pride -- and to her own amazement, Nazneen falls in love with a young man in the community. She discovers both the complexity that comes with free choice and the depth of her attachment to her husband, her daughters, and her new world.

While Nazneen journeys along her path of self-realization, her sister, Hasina, rushes headlong at her life, first making a "love marriage," then fleeing her violent husband. Woven through the novel, Hasina's letters from Dhaka recount a world of overwhelming adversity. Shaped, yet not bound, by their landscapes and memories, both sisters struggle to dream -- and live -- beyond the rules prescribed for them.

Vivid, profoundly humane, and beautifully rendered, Brick Lane captures a world at once unimaginable and achingly familiar. And it establishes Monica Ali as a thrilling new voice in fiction. As Kirkus Reviews said, "She is one of those dangerous writers who see everything."

When I initially picked up this novel, I had very little idea as to what to expect, but the premise had me intrigued within the first chapter. As I read, I couldn’t help but think, “This feels similar to White Teeth [by Zadie Smith:] in terms of its premise.” I ultimately left the book feeling satisfied with it, but wasn’t particularly blown away.

Ali does a great job of characterization. I found myself laughing at the characters, but still feeling empathetic, while at the same time wondering what kind of response the story hoped to illicit. I think that Ali did a good job of constructing both characters and a plot which were realistic.

I think this is a somewhat challenging book to actually read, because parts of it are told in the form of letters written in particularly broken English, so that takes some adjusting. Ali’s writing captivated me most when she talked about cooking. I found it easy to imagine myself in the kitchen of Nazneen and Chanu’s kitchen, inhaling all of the different spices.

I’ll confess that I’ve struggled a bit with this review. I enjoyed this novel and was satisfied with it, but don’t have any real criticisms of it. I think if you consider yourself to be someone who’s interested in subjects of fate, agency and cultural tourism that this book is definitely worth your read.


Disclosure: I purchased a copy of this book.