Classics Club Spin 13, Kidnapped Book Review

I completed the book Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson for the Classics Club. This book told the tale of David Balfour and the many adventures he goes on at the sea and in Scotland after the Rebellion. It is a very small book and it seems like we are just kind of getting to know David when the story ends. In some places this book doesn't have a whole lot of dialogue but more of the adventures and their surroundings, so in mentioning any of the characters I feel that I would give some of the story away. At the end I did feel that I wanted to know what else happened to everyone and in fact Stevenson did write a sequel, which now I can't wait to read. I rank this book a 4 out of 5.

Classic Spin Number Is....

   I am late in writing about the Spin Number that was selected yesterday, but was not feeling well at all. The number the Classics Club picked was number 2! This means I will be reading a previous Spin book that I didn't get very far at all called The Railway Children by E. Nesbitt. Have you ever read the book or seen the miniseries? I never have but I think the book looks interesting and I am sure that I will at some point see the miniseries.

Time for another Classic Club Spin

  The Classics Club has announced that there is going to be another Spin #9, so I will find out next Monday, April 6th what my book will be. I have until Friday May 15th to finish the book that is chosen. In case you don't know what the classics club spin is, here are more details of the "rules". Last time I got and finished the book The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton, before that I didn't do too well in finishing the spin books, so my list below includes some former "spin" books (they will be marked with an asterisk).

1. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte*
2. The Railway Children by E. Nesbitt*
3. The Secret Garden by Hodgson Burnett*
4. Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
5. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
6. The Republic by Plato
7. Little Dorritt by Charles Dickens
8. The Idiot by Fyodor Doestoevsky
9. Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
10. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
11. Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane
12. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
13. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
14. The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman
15. Private Yankee Doodle by J.P. Martin
16. The Rights of Man by Thomas Paine
17. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
18. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
19. Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens
20. The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain

Join me in a spin!

 The Classics Club is having another spin! I haven't been able to participate in the past few they have had. So here is my list, those marked with an * will be rereads for me:

1. Walden and Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
2. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton *
3. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
4. Germinal by Emile Zola
5. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson *
6. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
7. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
8. Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
9. Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens
10. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett 
11. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
12. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
13. North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell
14. Main Street by Sinclair Lewis
15. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
16. Larkrise to Candleford by Flora Thompson
17. Persuasion by Jane Austen
18. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
19. Little Dorritt by Charles Dickens
20. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

I will anxiously await to see what book I will start reading on Monday.

My Spin book is.......

 

The Classics Club has picked number 10 for the winner of the Spin List. So I will be reading Persuasion by Jane Austen! It should be a fun read, and I think it will be finished before the deadline of Jan. 1st. If you are participating in the Classics Spin, what book will you be reading?

Behind on Classics Club and other things....

I have gotten really behind in reading books that are on my classics club list. I was unable to finish or even get halfway into my Spin List book of The Railway Children by time the event ended. I hope to get more books read in the next month though.

 

Lest you think it is just reading that has gotten behind, it is also my crafts and love of writing as well. While in some ways I have gotten better in feeling better in others not as much or at all. I made this quilt block about a month ago. It only took me about a half hour or a little more with the sewing and cutting, but unfortunately paid for it afterwards by being in pain in my hands and arms that lasted for hours. Love this block though and hope to make lots of them sometime in the coming months. Enough typing for today as my hands are causing me problems now.

A Little Princess review...

  This is my sixth review now for the Classics Club. I had never read A Little Princess before, but of course seen the movie as a child. I vaguely remembered certain scenes, but couldn't remember the exact ending. The book takes place during the 1800's and the main character Sara is a very imaginative child. She was born in India, her father is a British Captain, her mother is deceased, and she is sent to a seminary school in London for her education. Her father has money and spends lavishly on her, and Sara not really having any friends before in India, pretends that she is a Princess (this continues after making friends with others). Certain events happen and she has to end up being the help at the school instead of a prized pupil. I liked Sara's character, although at sometimes thought she was a little too 'perfect', at being the ideal child. Even though the book was very short, it seemed to me that it could have been quite a bit shorter. It was disappointing that at around the middle of the book you find out certain information, that none of the characters are aware of, this would be ok but for the fact it gives away the ending, thus the end of the excitement of the book for me. Probably if I had read this as a child, it might not have been the case, and thus I would have still been anxious and excited to see what would happen to Sara.

 

Rating: I liked this book but can't see myself rereading it, so it will be given a 3 out of 5.

 

Once I watch this movie, I will also review it as well.

 

Next book: Heart of Darkness & Other Short Stories by Joseph Conrad

Review of Oliver Twist

I think there is so much to learn about society in reading Oliver Twist. The poor tale of Oliver in his upbringing, how some things have changed in the world while some have remained unchanged. There is still poverty in the world, criminals, people of higher power abusing their authority (in thinking they are above the law), etc. It does give one a lot to think about. I often thought perhaps if Dickens himself could see and relate to Oliver as he was writing this book, I guess this maybe answered if I read Little Dorrit. Everyone's life experiences shape who we are in same way, this can of course be either good or bad. Oliver Twist I think also shows the resilience of humans, as far as Oliver never giving up, even though he was not treated kindly by a great majority of people and didn't have much of a support system in several instances. In reading Oliver Twist I wanted to keep reading to see what occurred, and I enjoyed knowing the end of all the characters in such detail. This is a definate reread. I rate this book a 5 out of 5. This is my third book review for the Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge, second for Historical Fiction Challenge, and fifth book for Classics Club.

My next book to read is The Little Princess. I still plan on having movie reviews for Ivanhoe and Oliver soon.

Results of Classics Spin....

The number picked for the Classics Spin is number 14, so I will be reading;

I already started but need to finish Oliver Twist first. I have seen the 1995 movie version of Pride and Prejudice but never read the book. While reading a little bit today, I kept on imagining the scenes from the movie, lol.

Classics Spin.....

The Classics Club is having has the option of us clubbers to participate in the Classics Spin, basically we pick 20 books of our club list; 5 we want to read, 5 we are indifferent, 5 we don't want to read, and 5 others. Then we number them, tomorrow on Monday Feb. 18th they will then list one number, whatever number matches on a clubbers list, we then have until April 1 to finish reading the book.

If you want to join click on the button;



Books I want to read:

Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
Larkrise to Candleford by Flora Thompson
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Emma by Jane Austen
Little Dorritt by Charles Dickens

5 other books:
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
 North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell
The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
 Walden & Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau

Books I am indifferent:

Germinal by Emile Zola
The Memoirs of Gluckel of Hameln
Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
Five Little Peppers & How They Grow by Margaret Sidney

Books I am dreading:

Othello by William Shakespeare
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Heart of Darkness & Selected Short Fiction by Joseph Conrad
War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy
The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

Here is my list, I am mixing it up the order;

1. Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
2. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
3. Germinal by Emile Zola
4.Othello by William Shakespeare
5.Larkrise to Candleford by Flora Thompson
6. North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell
7.The Memoirs of Gluckel of Hameln
8.My Antonia by Willa Cather
9.Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
10.Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
11. Heart of Darkness & Selected Short Fiction by Joseph Conrad
12.Emma by Jane Austen
13.The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
14.Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
15.Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
16.War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy
17.Little Dorritt by Charles Dickens
18.Walden & Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
19.Five Little Peppers & How They Grow by Margaret Sidney
20.The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

Ivanhoe Review....

I have never read anything by Sir Walter Scott before.  I vaguely knew  a little bit about this classic book, that it took place during the 12th century in England. During this time the ruler was Prince John (while his brother King Richard was away), of course if this reminds anyone of then Robin Hood (how can it not with the saying the name of Prince John?), combine all of that with a few damsels and Knights is the main setting of the tale. Ivanhoe has just returned from fighting in the Crusades and wants to marry his beloved, Rowena. There is opposition to this and even to who Ivanhoe represents for other people. This book is rampant with the distrust of several groups against each other and even within them; saxons, normans, knights or common people, templars, holy orders, christians, muslims, jews, unbelievers, etc. It brings to mind of the injustices, superstition, and corruption done in history, especially during this lawless time in the medieval era. It was a wonderul read, and I can only say that I am disappointed in not knowing more detail of what happened afterwards to a few characters. I rate this a 4.5 out of 5. The first 100+ is mostly about the history and setting of this story, which some may feel drags on or is boring. I actually enjoyed this part, but I am a huge fan of reading history. After this the characters are talked more of and we are then introduced to more as well, the issue with that is it is harder to remember who was who. The version I had consisted of thee's and thou's among other type of old English language, so just be prepared for that (maybe there are versions without it?).

The version I had also had an index which helped. This is my fourth book review for the classics club and the first for outdo yourself reading challenge as well as my first review for historical fiction reading challenge.  The next book up to read is Oliver Twist.

Period Drama Challenge!!

Over at Old-Fashioned Charm blog they are having a Period Drama challenge. I will be reviewing anywhere from 12-15 period dramas. I love period dramas, and will be combining this will my classics club challenge. My original idea was to watch any film that was based off classic books that I read. So you will get to see my book and then film review.   Here are just a few of the films I will be reviewing for the Period Drama Challenge. I might end up changing these around or adding others instead.

1. Ivanhoe
2. Oliver Twist
3. A Little Princess
4. Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
5. Germinal
6. Treasure Island
7. Kidnapped
8. Jane Eyre
9. Wives & Daughters
10. Grapes of Wrath
11. Othello
12. The Prince & the Pauper
13. Lord Jim
14. The Secret Garden
15. Little Women

If you want to join me, click on the button below!

Period Drama blogs.....

I love the BBC period dramas, and own several of the movies. I think this is mostly due to my love of history and the dresses. Most of the period dramas I have yet to actually read the books, although they are on my classic club list to read soon. I recently found the following blogs, and wanted to share:

Review of The Children by Edith Wharton

I have never read any books from the author Edith Wharton. It appears that perhaps The Children by Edith Wharton isn't one of her most famous books. The book takes place after WWI. The main character in the book is Martin Boyne who is in his 40's. One day while on a trip by boat he happens to meet a variety of seven children; some are full siblings, some half-siblings while the others are step-siblings or no relation at all. Turns out the eldest teenager of the group is Judith who is 15 almost 16. He happens to know both of her parents before the arrival of any children. Judith's parents had gotten divorced, remarried and then married each other again. Sound complicated? It is, and keeping track of who all the children belonged to was as well. Judith and all of children want to stay together, and Martin wants them to be able to stay together as well. The parents either seem neglectful, selfish or see their children as perhaps a bargaining chip against an ex-spouse. Martin sees Judith as sometimes as a child, while other times as a grown woman. Considering the time of the book, Martin brings up several times what will become of the children, since Judith is probably thinking of marriage soon in the near future. I never really got the impression that Martin was in love with anyone. To me he either seemed to be rather nostalgic of what could have been or about the past, and he seemed to want to be protective and care about people but the way he goes about it comes out wrong. This book was a easy read, although at times I was mad at certain characters, and had mixed emotions sometimes about the people. The first 100 pages it doesn't have a lot of dialogue which does take some getting used too. I do plan on reading more books from Edith Wharton. Although, this book isn't one that I will re-read over and over again, it did keep me guessing as to what would happen in some parts. I rate this book 3 out of 5.

Next book on the List...

of the classic book challenge is The Children by Edith Wharton. I started it today and I am enjoying it. As I am just getting into the various characters that are being introduced it is a little hard to remember who is who. In case you do not know anything about the book, it is about a man named Martin Boyne who is in his 40's and on a ocean voyage when he mets the Wheater children (who are a mix of siblings and step siblings). That is as far that I have gotten so at around 25 pages.

Pat of Silver Bush Review

I have finally finished reading Pat of Silver Bush by LM Montgomery. I have mixed feelings about the book, first off it took about 100 pages in for me to start enjoying it. The book starts out with Pat being 7 and living with her family in a rural community from Prince Edward Island. Besides her immediate family she has no friends. She believes in fairy tales and such almost until the age of around 12 or so, even after getting a few friends named Jingle and Bets. The latter half of the book was a lot more interesting, as it focuses more on Pat's relationships. There is a sequel to this book called Mistress Pat, but I am unsure if I will read it or not. Although I do want to see what happens to Pat in the end, so perhaps I will.

Check In for The Classics Club

Well, I haven't gotten very far as I would have liked too. I am still on my first book, Pat of Silverbush by LM Montgomery. It wasn't until around page 100 that I felt the book became interesting. I am not even halfway through and hope to be able to read more soon. I am really excited to start reading some of my other books, but if I do this I fear I will not finish them all. Since joining this club, I have looked into other books that I think might be good, which has led me to buy a lot more books. I don't plan on reading them though until after I have reached my goal for this challenge (around 67 books or so).

Sign up for the Classics Club

Ok, so I will admit to being one of those people who have a lot of classic books, but have not read any of them. I know a shame, right? I have been thinking that I need to read them, especially since I have seen a few of the movies based on the books and really enjoyed them. I than came across The Classics Club which members assign themselves a certain amount of books to read, and try to read them in a certain amount of time (most people have 5 yrs as their goal). So I figured what better way to find other classics books that I may not have heard of and at the same time challenge myself to actually read the books I have. I am thinking perhaps of watching any movies that are based on my list of books below. Here is the list of classic that I plan on reading. The asteriak mark * means this is a reread for me, yes this is allowed. I hope to complete this list by Aug 1 2017. I consider memoirs to be classics. Here is my list;

1. Pat of Silverbush by L.M. Montgomery
2.The Children by Edith Wharton
3. The Cossacks & the Raid by Leo Tolstoy
4. Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott
5. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens
6. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
7. Heart of Darkness & Selected Short Fiction by Joseph Conrad
8. The Republic by Plato
9. Child of the Dark by Carolina Maria de Jesus
10. Walden & Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau
11. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton *
12. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
13. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
14. Germinal by Emile Zola
15. Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson *
16. The House of the Dead by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
17. The Memoirs of Gluckel of Hameln
18. Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson
19. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
20. Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell
21. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck *
22. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
23. Othello by William Shakespeare
24. The Prince & the Pauper by Mark Twain
25. Barnaby Rudge by Charles Dickens
26. Rights of Man by Thomas Paine
27. Maggie: A Girl of the Streets by Stephen Crane
28. Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad
29. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
30. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
31. The Book of Margery Kempe
32. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis
33. The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
34. The Horse & His Boy by C.S. Lewis
35. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
36. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
37. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
38. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
39. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton
40. The Death of Ivan Ilych & other stories by Leo Tolstoy
41. Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott
42. War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy
43. The Railway Children by E. Nesbit
44. Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy
45. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
46. Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen
47. Emma by Jane Austen
48. Persuasion by Jane Austen
49. Five Little Peppers & How They Grow by Margaret Sidney
50. Little Dorritt by Charles Dickens
51. The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
52. The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
53. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
54. Poor Folk & other stories by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
55. North & South by Elizabeth Gaskell
56. Main Street by Sinclair Lewis
57. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
58. The Pioneers by James Fenimore Cooper
59. Private Yankee Doodle by J.P. Martin
60. The Idiot by Fyodor Dostoevsky
61. Love Letters of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn
62. Kilvert's Diary by Reverend Francis Kilvert
63. My Antonia by Willa Cather
64. The Oregon Trail by Francis Parkman, Jr.
65. The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy
66. The Letters of the Rozmberk Sisters
67. Larkrise to Candleford by Flora Thompson