Pride & Prejudice, pt.1

 "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife." This is the opening line of one of the most beloved novels, Pride and Prejudice. I'm sure many of you all have read it. For those who haven't, please do one day. It's a classic. 

 One of my friends told me years ago that, though she tried to read it, she just couldn't understand what was going on. She liked the Kiera Knightley film version, though. (Que all Austen fans: groaning and pulling hair.) I saw that one and while it was good(cinematically speaking), it had way to much angst. The best film version is the Colin Firth one from the 90's. You can't perfect perfection.

 I would love to write about all the retellings and fanfiction that exists, but I would be here for the rest of my life (I don't think this is an exaggeration). I can't even begin to tell you all my favorites. So what I will tell you is this, if you've found that you understand only one word in ten of Miss Austen's classic, try watching the 1990's BBC miniseries starring Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. You should be able to understand that. Also,check out one of the retellings. But please, on behalf of most tried and true Austenites, avoid anything with Zombies and/or Vampires. We really hate those. 

This will definitely not be the last time I talk about Jane Austen's work, so I am going to label this part one and leave it at that. I have read all but two of her novels after all. I could talk about her for forever. Don't worry, though. I'm not going to.

As always, feel free to leave a message below.

Tricia Levenseller

 I recently discovered this wonderful YA author I wanted to tell you all about. Tricia Levenseller has a way of writing that draws you in and absolutely refuses to let you go until you either finish the book or you collapse from sheer exhaustion from staying up all night reading. And yes, that is exactly what happened to me.

If you're a fan of The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Tricia Levenseller's duology, Daughter of the Pirate King and Daughter of the Siren Queen is most definitely the series for you.

In DotPK, Alosa is the daughter of the Pirate King sent on an undercover mission to find a treasure map. She finds herself thwarted at almost every turn by the very handsome First Mate, Riden. The darn man is just a bit to obvant for Alosa's comfort. No bother. She can handle him. Right?

In DotSQ, Alosa has completed her mission and now has all the map pieces her father needs. Upon returning home, she makes a devastating discovery. With the help of Riden and her loyal crew, she sets out to right a wrong and get revenge. But the foe she faces is one who knows her every weakness. He is her father, after all.

In her standalone, Warrior of the Wild, Rasmira is the youngest daughter of the Chieftain and his chosen heir. While utterly beloved and spoiled by her father, she is hated and mistreated by her most of her peers and mother. On the day of the Trial each warrior must take, she is horribly betrayed. Banished into the wilderness, her only hope is to complete an impossible task if she is to ever return home. While struggling to survive, she meets two other outcasts who are also facing impossible tasks. Will they be able to complete their missions or will the challenges they face destroy them?

I do hope you get a chance to read one of Tricia Levenseller's books. I read three of her books in two days. She is that good. As always, feel free to leave a message below and tell me what you think.

If you're a fan......

 If you all loved WandaVision, then I know that you will love Defy the Stars by Claudia Grey.  We have an evolving AI robot who falls for a spunky orphaned soldier (who lost her parents and brother tragically) who is determined to save her world, no matter the cost.

I am in the middle of the second book the series, Defy the Worlds. I can't wait to start the final book, Defy the Fates.

Let me know below what you think.

Family Get-togethers

 Yesterday, my cousin and her children came by. It was nice to see someone I'm distantly related to. Normally, it's just me, the sibs, and my parents all surrounded by people we share no genetic tie to.

It was nice to talk to them, to watch the younger ones run around and shout. Before COVID-19, this used to happen more often. I have a cousins I haven't seen in over a year and they lived in the town newt door. 20 minute drive. 

So thanks, COVID-19, for making it just that much harder (or easier) to get in touch with people. Totally loving that.

As always, feel free to leave a message below.

So late.....

 I am so sorry that this post is late. I let my mom go on before me and she took longer than expected.

I was going to tell you all about the Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga film with Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams. It is an endearing barrel of laughs that is so worth watching as we wait for the contest. Can you believe that it's that time of year again?

As always, feel free to leave a message below.

That's what sisters do

 Let me give you a bit of a back story: I got two sisters. One never gets into fights with me. She is mega chill. My other sister is kind of like a temperamental grenade. You never know what will set her off. I sometimes feel like I'm military crawling through a field of glass shards, trying not to get cut. She is also very hard to please. 

That said, I have been cranky all week. Like, I will laugh at your saddest moments while throwing darts at Smurfs kind of cranky. After months of back and forth, I got the fabric I wanted for a lovely black shawl. As I started to work on it, She started caress the fabric and cast longing glances at it.

Now, I had told them I wasn't sharing. But one look at her face and I knew I couldn't keep it. So, I am going to give it to her. I know I sound like a pushover. I just want to see her happy. If this little thing will make her happy and show her that I do pay attention to her, then I will do it. I can wait a little longer for a black shawl. I mean, it's not like I don't already have a mini-collection going on.

This is what a sister does. She looks out for her sibs and when she can get a good thing their way, she makes that work for them. Do they recognize all you do for them? Not really. Do they get beneath your skin and make you long for the days when you could think in peace? Yep. Can you imagine life without them? No. Do you want to? Never! They give my life color. Without them, I'm a black and white movie. Good, but lacking something vital. Even on my crankiest days, they can find a way to make me smile. 

I guess you could say that I need them as much as they need me. They know me better than I know myself at times, down to the exact number of books I got in a single day (no, I will not share that number with you). If they can still love me on my cranky (and mean) days, then I know I can too. After all, isn't that what sisters are for?

If any of you out there can relate to me, please feel free to leave a message below.

I'm falling apart!

 My hand is in a brace, my head is pounding, and my leg is trying to give out on me. The thing is, I'm not that old. I shouldn't be breaking down like this. I personally think my insomnia is partly to blame.

I am going to try and get some rest. Feel free to leave a message below.