The End of Austen In August (2013)

The end of Austen In August has come.  I meant to read and watch so much more.  There's always next year.  I really enjoyed sharing the love for Jane Austen with so many people.  I've found a few more blogs to stalk follow.  I hope everyone else had a great time too.  

Here is what I read:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel

Emma

Here is what I watched:

Clueless

I think I might continue reading Austen related works for a while. I really wanted to read Dawn of the Dreadfuls after PPZ:TGN, but I thought I should read one actual book by Jane Austen for Austen in August.  Emma was fantastic and Clueless was the perfect followup.

Thanks to Adam at Roof Beam Reader for hosting this fun event.  What was your favourite Austen in August  book or movie this month?

Emma

Emma was so clueless! Emma is the story of Emma Woodhouse, a very vain girl who basically thinks herself better than everyone else. She assumes that she is smarter, higher class and more clever. She fancies herself a matchmaker, which takes her on an interesting adventure through the lives of her friends and family. I can see why someone decided to make a modern interpretation of Emma. Emma is vain, but endearing. Jane Austen fills her novel full of drama and distinct personalities. It is all seen through Emma, but the personalities of the other characters shine through (wasn't Mrs. Elton insufferable?!). Emma takes a journey and I think she becomes a better person. 

I was excited and enthralled by Emma.  It's pretty close to becoming my favourite Austen...  I often found myself talking to Emma or rolling my eyes at her. I connected with her even though she was not always sympathetic.  I really enjoyed her cluelessness. I called all the matches, even the ones that didn't relate to Clueless, but I was an outsider looking in.  Emma saw what she wanted, used her ideas of society and propriety and wishful thinking.

After reading Sarah's guest post on Roof Beam Reader (the host of Austen In August), I've been thinking about marriage in Austen's novels and in Austen's time.  You really did not want to be an unmarried woman. Except for maybe Emma, if the women in the novel did not get married or have some other man to take care of them, what would become of them?  Become a governess?  A low-paying job with little respect (which I don't understand, wouldn't you want the person taking care of your children to feel some sort of attachment to them?  If you didn't respect or pay them well, how well would they teach your children?).  Look at what happened to the Dashwoods in Sense and Sensibility. In Pride and Prejudice Mrs. Bennet's overly-eager behaviour regarding marrying off her daughters can be understandable if they would be left destitute otherwise.  I suppose that was another time.  At least now, a woman can make a living (almost as much money as a man, but that's another topic) and not worry about being homeless if she doesn't marry.  (For more, read Sarah's post.)

Was "Jane" a common name in Jane Austen's time?  Or does it signify something in the characters who bare the author's name. Jane Bennet, was a quiet, lovely girl and so was Jane Fairfax (I really liked and felt sorry for Jane Fairfax for most of the novel). After difficulties and misunderstandings, they find love, though not front and centre like Lizzy and Emma.

Emma certainly left me thinking more than I expect it would.  I knew I would like Emma, I just didn't know how much I would love it..... Now I have to watch Clueless! 

Title 7/60 for The Classics Club.

Austen in August is hosted by Adam at Roof Beam Reader.

Austen In August

Austen in August starts today!  From the host, Adam, at Roof Beam Reader: “This event was inspired by a Twitter conversation that took place between three founders of The Classics Club. Last year was a huge success, and I am hopeful that this year will be another knock-out!” You can still sign up if you head over to Roof Beam Reader.  The goal is to read as many of Jane Austen’s novels as you want during the month of August, as well as Austen-related works, like biographies or re-imaginings.

Over the years I have read from Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Persuasion.  I have also read a few related works: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, and Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict.  I have also watched: Sense and Sensibility, Mansfield Park, The Jane Austen Book Club, Bride and Prejudice, and Clueless.  So, while I haven’t read and watched everything (I’ve never seen any version of Pride and Prejudice – Shh…don’t tell anyone), I do have a healthy love for Austen.

What I plan to read this month is Emma.  I might read one of Austen’s other works; I’m thinking maybe Northanger Abbey or Lady Susan, but maybe not.  I’ve decided that I want to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Graphic Novel.  The Hubby bought it for me shortly after I read the novel and I never got around to reading it.  This August seems like a good time.  I’ve also been thinking about reading Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict.  I was excited when I picked it up after having read and enjoyed Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict.  I don’t know why I never got around to it either; I’m not guaranteeing I’m going to read it this month.  Whether or not I read the other books, I’m excited for Emma and the PPZ Graphic Novel.

If you’re on Twitter, check out what’s happening with #AustenInAugustRBR .

Austen in August from Roof Beam Reader

I'm challenging myself... though not by very much.  Here it is, Austen in August from Roof Beam Reader.  It's a month of Jane Austen.  The challenge is to read as many of Austen's works and Austen-related work in the month of August.  I plan on (hope to) read Emma.  I've been wanting to read it for a while.  I also might read Rude Awakenings of a Jane Austen Addict which is the sequel/companion to Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict; I read that a few years ago.  I supposed by saying (posting) this, I'm committing myself to actually reading the book(s).  

I made a list this week of the books I plan on reading this summer.  It was a little all over the place and did  NOT include Emma.  I'll do it though, I'll read Emma and maybe some of those ten (twenty) books I listed.  That's a lot for me... Usually three months would only yield six to eight read books.

Am I off topic now?

Austen in August!  Do it!  Yay!

Book Quizzes

You Are a Hardcover Book

When it comes to reading, you tend to stick to old and modern classics. You are picky about what you read. You probably anticipate certain books' releases, and you snatch them up the moment they're available. You have been building a library of books that mean a lot to you. You carefully consider every book before deciding to add it to your collection. You believe that if a book is worth reading, it's worth paying more to have it in hardcover.

Are You a Hardcover Book or a Paperback Book?

Blogthings: If Quizzes Are Outlawed, Only Outlaws Will Take Quizzes

You Are Fantasy / Sci Fi

You have an amazing imagination, and in your mind, all things are possible. You are open minded, and you find the future exciting. You crave novelty and progress. Compared to most people, you are quirky and even a bit eccentric. You have some wacky ideas. And while you may be a bit off the wall, there's no denying how insightful and creative you are.

What Kind of Book Are You?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

Your Blogging Type is Pensive and Philosophical

You blog like no one else is reading... You tend to use your blog to explore ideas - often in long winded prose. Easy going and flexible, you tend to befriend other bloggers easily. But if they disagree with once too much, you'll pull them from your blogroll!

What's Your Blogging Personality?

Blogthings: Take a Quiz. Annoy Your Friends.

You Are a Couplet

You're not much for words, so you write a little ditty. It might not be a novel, but at least it is witty.

What Type of Poem Are You?

Work is Hard. Time for Blogthings!

I saw this over at Roof Beam Reader and couldn’t resist. I should be using my time more constructively, but oh well.

Back and Stylish

I’ve been awarded the Stylish Blog Award by Teacher/Learner at Whatcha Readin’, Books? Thank you! For just over a month now, I’ve been out of the blogosphere. It’s nice to know that I’ve been missed. So what’s kept me away from blogging for the last little while? Two words, my friends, Morning Sickness. That’s right. My husband and I are expecting our second baby this summer. I’m hoping that with the second trimester now starting, I’ll get back to my usual blogging pace and back to life in general. That is, until the baby is born and life gets turned upside-down all over again.

Back to my lovely, first award ever! Here are the rules:

- Thank the person who gave you the award and link back to them in your post.

- Tell us 5 things about yourself.

- Award 5 super-stylish bloggers this award

- Contact those bloggers and let them know they have won.

I did the first thing (thanks again!)

Five things about myself:

1. I already told you one thing; it’s baby time again!

2. My average novels read per year is just over 50.

3. I majored in English and philosophy.

4. My favourite movies are probably Dirty Dancing and The Fifth Element.

5. My toddler doesn’t say, “blueberries”, she says, “boobies”. I’m serious. I guess that’s not really something about me, but I think it’s hilarious and I have to tell everyone.

Five Stylish Bloggers:

1. Adam at Roof Beam Reader

2. Lydia at The Lost Entwife

3. teadevotee at amused, bemused and confused

4. Brenna at Literary Musings

5. Robbie at Pink Sheep Café

They are five different blogs with intersesting reading tastes, review styles and looks. I enjoy them all.

I have a few posts on the go. I hope to have them up soon. I’d also like to get back into participating in the memes I enjoy so much. I’ll probably not do every meme, every week. My participation will likely be part topic based and partly based on how yucky I’m feeling. Yay Babies!

Roof Beam Reader: Saturdays, Uncensored! (And Banned Trilogy Giveaway!)

Check out Adam at Roof Beam Reader. He's giving away the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy. If you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for? I can't believe they were burned, only 9 years ago, in 2001 as Satanic.

Roof Beam Reader: Saturdays, Uncensored! (And Banned Trilogy Giveaway!)

Let’s Hop

The Book Blogger Hop is hosted by Jennifer at Crazy-for-Books. In honour of Book Blogger Appreciation week, each participant is sharing their love for a couple favourite blogs (like Crazy-for-Books).

Roof Beam Reader is a fantastic blog. Every week Adam posts Uncensored Saturdays and takes a look at books that have been banned and why. As a result, I learned that I’ve read quite a few banned books.

amused, bemused and confused has two things I love. Books and tea! Teadevotee has read many of the same books that I’ve read or want to read.

The Book Mine Set is probably the first book blog I started to follow. John Mutford writes insightful and interesting reviews. He hosts The Great Wednesday Compare every week and I can’t wait to see who the battle is between. I think my guy might lose this week.

I could go on about other blogs I’ve discovered, like The Lost Entwife and The Book Brothel and so many more, but there’s only so much time in the day. Plus, I hear my little one calling me (she’s almost 16 months!) I hope to find many more fine book blogs this hop.

Have a great weekend!

Roof Beam Reader: The 100+ Followers Super Giveaway!

He's giving away books! I love books. All you have to do is be a public follower of his blog, then fill out the form. It's a great blog. I just discovered it and I enjoy the reviews.

Roof Beam Reader: The 100+ Followers Super Giveaway!