New Books

Here are some books that I recently purchase and can't wait to read!

Iowa State Fair: Tractors, Flowers and Butter Cow

Here are more pictures of tractors, flower arrangement contests and the butter cow. The butter sculptures this year, besides the cow of course, was of Lincoln and a map of the United States celebrating Lewis and Clarks adventure.

Septemb-Eyre Chapters I-XI: My Thoughts

The book first starts by explaining to us, the dismal life Jane Eyre has with her relatives, especially a cousin named John (if your a Harry Potter fan think Dudley, but meaner). After, she leaves her relatives, the circumstances are better, but not by much. However, it gradually improves until she is a governess. She likes her new residence and her charge, Adele. Everything seems fine, but somehow I get the feeling that not everything will be roses for long in this book. This might be one of those books that while it is good, at the same time it is a tad depressing, which will be a theme throughout the book. Only time will tell though if I am right.

 

It was asked; What was the most noticeable thing about Jane?

 

Jane was a outspoken child who did not have any problem speaking her mind, which during that time period and her station in life, was not received very well. This was the first thing that I most noticed about her, not that it is necessarily a bad trait, but one does need to be mindful of when to keep their opinions to themselves sometimes. I think it would have saved her some trouble, this doesn't excuse the actions of her relatives though. I think Bessie at sometimes, and certainly people at Lowood tried to show her that such as Helen and Miss Temple. Children, especially poor orphans, were usually not treated kindly throughout history, especially during this time period. I think the book tries to show that in various ways.

Joining others in reading Jane Eyre

Ok, I will admit Jane Eyre is my September Spin List book that I should be reading. However, I saw a fellow classic clubber Kerry was having a Jane Eyre read along. So I figured I would join in. I have never read anything by Charlotte Bronte. The only Bronte I ever read, was the book Wuthering Heights, and I was not a fan. Perhaps I will be surprised, and enjoy it after all.

Scary October Reads Event

In thinking about Halloween next month, I have decided to host a reading event. Most of us have an author(s) or book(s) that we have not been able to get the courage to read. Pick out a book that "scares" you to read, it can be because of any reason; number of pages in the book, subject, author, etc. In signing up for this, please introduce yourself why you are joining, etc. The sign ups will close on October 1st. The first check in will be on October 1st, everyone will need to list then what book they are reading. After that then every Thursday in October there will be a check in event. Please then share your accomplishments, fears, etc. about the book you are reading. Hopefully, by the end of the month we will have achieved success in overcoming our fear of a scary author or book.

 

Please use the link below to sign up

Iowa State Fair: Animals and Carriages

It has taken me quite awhile, but I am finally showing you some pictures and videos of the Iowa State Fair when I was there. Since I have so many, I am going to be doing several different posts at a time. This first one is all about animals and carriages. Then, I will blog about flower competitions, quilting, cross stitch, crochet, weaving, photography, wood burning, etc. Enjoy!

Emma Review..

I read this book for the Austen in August event over at roofbeamreader.com. I know I am a little bit late in finishing Emma by Jane Austen. I hadn't originally planned on already reading this book yet for the classics club blog or Pride and Prejudice bicentenary challenge. I couldn't resist the Austen in August and wanted to read another Austen book anyways, after reading Pride and Prejudice earlier in the year. Anyways, on to my review. I really liked the book, and in some cases thought it was better than Pride and Prejudice. At least the fact I felt more connected to the characters, but this might have been because of the style of writing, that we knew more of the various thoughts of a few characters. One thing I have noticed or did think after reading Emma was that, her  books are not that descriptive in regards to the manner of dress etc. I loved learning about the community and the people's lives. I did think that Emma should have let things alone in a few instances, however I think because of her place in society (so to speak at least for the small town) that she felt obligated to "try" to help people. I don't think most of the time she realized the chaos she sometimes created, until well afterwards. In the beginning of the book I do think she is a little inexperienced and immature, which at some point everyone in life goes through. I was not a fan of either of the Elton's, they were very annoying and mean. I am still a little meh about Frank Churchill, I still didn't quite forgive him, he could have acted a little differently. I enjoyed many of the characters and to learn their different types of lifestyles.  Have you read Emma? What are your thoughts?

I rank this 5 out of 5