A couple of events I’m looking forward to in 2013. December 18, 2012

‘Tis the season to for many events!

Children’s Classics Event in January 2013

In January alone I have noted at least four events, all of them very interesting. However, the one to capture my attention the most is the Children’s Classics Event. Amanda and Jean are hosting this event together combining three elements — a reading challenge (where you read as many children’s classics as you want to or can), a read-along (of The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald), and introductory posts to lesser known writers of children’s classics. Thrilling, isn’t it?!

I have oh so many children’s classics on my list, and thought this would be a good way to knock them off my TBR stack. The book for the read-along is one of them. And perhaps I could try and finish another one or two of MacDonald’s Classics. Then there is C S Lewis’ Narnia on my radar and perhaps the last couple of books in L M Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series. Oh, and there is Black Beauty by Anne Sewell.

Of course, I won’t be finishing all of them! But I’d consider this an event well spent if I’m able to complete at least four children’s classics.

The Turn of the Century Salon

Then, there is the year-long event hosted at November’s Autumn. She calls it The Turn of the Century Salon. It is an opportunity to share thoughts, ideas, criticisms, analyses on works by writers from the 1880s to the 1930s. On the 4th day of each month Katherine will have a post to link anything we might have to it. It then works as something of a blog hop where we go a-visiting each other and remarking on the linked posts/articles.

I am not sure if I will be able to participate in this event every month much as I would love to. I will have to see how it goes. I have quite a few works within this time period that I want to read at some point or another. However, even should I not be able to contribute much, I so look forward to seeing what other’s have to say about the writers of the Edwardian and Jazz age.

The ‘Little Women’ Read-along: chapters 19-23 (the end) October 9, 2012

I'm four days late! And again I apologise. I simply haven't been in a good enough mood with sleepless nights and aches and pains, to actually get down to typing out a decent blog post. But, I'm in the mood now, and have time and the inclination…so here goes!

The final chapters of Little Women take us through a trying time in the lives of these four sisters. They're young and their good resolutions to hold the fort while they're mother is away attending to their sick father, soon go down the drain. Only Beth keeps holding on to all the promises she makes her mother, and as a result falls prey to the scarlet fever. I was really quite annoyed with Meg and Jo for not really looking out for the younger ones, and for their negligence as each ones was so involved in herself. I found myself trying to urge them to actually look at Beth and get up and help the Hummels! But then, a wee bit of introspection had me wondering if I wouldn't have been just like them in a situation like this where everything seems to be under control and going smoothly.

Amy has her trials too…quite different from those of her sisters'. And while I still found her selfish, I began to thaw toward her at the point she began writing her will. I can't say I still like her. But perhaps one does understand her a little. I know I can applaud her for making an effort to think of others besides herself.

My favourite part was the whole proposal of Brook's to Meg. I am disappointed, though, that Aunt March could not approve of this match. I kept hoping she would secretly rejoice in the part she plays in their union. But sadly, no such luck…and just as I was beginning to think her a grouchy old dear!

I enjoyed the scene of reunion between March and his family, and the little things he notices about his girls in the few hours he has seen them. Do men usually notice the little things? (tongue in cheek here. )

*spoiler alert for those who don't know what happens in the second part of Little Women, also known as Good Wives*

On reading the constant interactions between Jo and Laurie, is still cannot help but bemoan what Alcott did to them. Surely they were perfect for each other. Theirs would have been a very, well, lively household. I was complaining to mum about it, like we usually do to each other, and mom said something that made me think it the perfect term….how J K Rowling pulled a 'Louisa May Alcott' in her Potter series.

*end of spoiler*

Anyway, this marks the end of this read-along. If you have been reading with me, how did you find the last few chapters? Does the end satisfy you? What do you think of Jo's reaction to Meg's getting married? How about the whole incident with Beth's illness? Do you think it helped mould the girls a little more? How do you feel about the over all experience of this novel? Would you read it again?

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Reading M R James for ‘Gothic in October’. October 1, 2012

This is a sticky post until the end of this month.

Macbeth Sees the Ghost of Banquo by Chasseriau (1854)

It hadn't been my intention to take part in any of the gothic challenges and events taking place this month. There were especially two that I liked that I had to force myself to keep out of considering time constraints and my not knowing how things will be during the second half of October. However, Jean at Howling Frog Books, who has gone Gothic in October is hosting a month long read-along of M R James ghostly short stories wherein participants read one assigned short story each day and hop in over at her blog to discuss them.

I had never heard of James until Jean announced the event. Like I mentioned above, I had had no intention of being a part of it. But now, I think, I just might read along with a few stories. I think I can manage it well enough up until the 10th or twelfth of this month. Ten out of thirty-one can't be too bad, can it?

I've decided to use this very post to summarise and note down my reaction to the short stories I manage to read this month along with the dates in which the read-along was done. If you'd like to join just hop on over to the blog where it is happening and take part! I've also decided to count these readings towards the October Short Story Initiative hosted by Nancy.

1 October — “Canon Alberic's Scrap-book” (online text)

Today's story is a short narrative (and James' first short story as Jean has pointed out) about an English gentleman who visits the chapel of St Bertrand de Cumminges along with a rather nervous looking sacristan as guide. A couple of odd things happen till it is time to leave. The sacristan, seeing that the Englishman is interested in art, history and books invites him over to his place where the mystery of the little man's odd behaviour begins to unfold.

While I did not find this story particularly creepy or even eerie, I thought it was well told. There is, however, much left to the reader to imagine…gaps that need to be filled by the reader's sense of reasoning and creativity with what the writer has given out. I cannot say that I have been hooked by this story. But I am interested in reading James further. Let's see what tomorrow's short story brings us!

2 October — “Lost Hearts” (online text)

Stephen Elliot is an orphan whose 'fortune' changes when his elderly cousin, Abney, decides to house him. However, strange things are up with cousin Abney and his house. The only normal person seems to be the housekeeper who begins to dote on Stephen. Stephen learns that his cousin has always had a kindness towards lost, young souls but has sadly been repaid only by their disappearances. Of course, we learn why by the end of this story.

Hmmm…I'm not quite sure what to say about this one. There seemed to be something lacking in this particular piece. While I am always relieved that a scary story does not turn out as scary as you thought it might, one does feel that the piece does not achieve its purpose if it does not manage to creep you out…just a wee bit. On the whole, I felt this story was extremely predictable. Right from Abney's first greeting of Stephen and the tale of the two children expounded by the housekeeper I knew what the end was going to be which completely got rid of the element of suspense. Will have to see how tomorrow's story pans out.

3 October — “The Mezzotint” (online text)

Today's story is about a mezzotint of a house that is sent to a museum curator by the name of Williams. Williams is not much impressed with the rather rough looking sketch of a manor whose identity is not even clear. But as the evening progresses and different people take a look at the mezzotint strange things are observed as the pictures seems to take on a life of its own.

I am beginning to get used to James' style and the fact that his ghost stories are not as scarily narrated as they could be. This particular one's narrative seemed quite watered down since it is told by someone who knows someone who knows the curator who narrated his strange experience with this unusual mezzotint. However, it was very interesting, and unlike the previous story, I was unable to guess what was to happen next.

4 & 5 October — 'The Ash Tree' and 'Room 13'

I wish I could summarise these for you folk as I did the first three, but I really don't feel upto it. For one thing, after all my complaining that James wasn't scary at all, I got a little freaked out by these. Secondly, my mind is a bit hazy right now to put the story facts together. However, I can say this, after getting used to James' reporting style and imagining an oral rendition of his ghost stories, they become quite effective. I see that James' demons/ghosts are all hairy armed creatures. Spiders or spider-like maybe?

I've decided to stop with M R James at this point. In three more days we're expecting the newest addition to our family, and I'm in no mood for darkness and horror. I'm more in the mood for fluff and good will stories. Perhaps, sometime next year, I'll continue with these stories.

So, I'm done with this read-along. I'd intended reading the first 10 stories, but I've decided to stop at 5.

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The “Little Women” Read-along: chapters 9-18 September 29, 2012

I'm a day late with this discussion post, I know, and I apologise. I should have been able to make my post yesterday only that I had a guest over and was busy the whole day.

As I mentioned before, I'm really enjoying my ride through Alcott's Little Women. Sometime last week, I came across a blogger who found she could not finish this book since she found it too good and sweet. I suppose one could make a complaint of that. But for some reason, this does not seem to bother me. I feel like I'm getting a glimpse into a way of life of ordinary folk during Alcott's time. And sometimes one needs to read something that isn't depressing. I do find myself wondering, though, about Alcott's state of mind or views about women at this point. I still find it so hard to believe, while reading Little Women, that she also wrote Behind a Mask (an amazing little novel by the way…powerful!). However, I will leave this thought for another day, and move on to a quick summation of my feelings on the next eight chapters I've read for this read-along.

I love how this novel is episodic in nature and so detailed. There is so much we learn about each character and we grow to love them for themselves….even Amy! While each episode seems to have a moral attached to it, I find that I don't mind it at all! Some times a person needs to be reminded about the simple things of life and, in a world where everything is fast becoming amoral, I guess we need to be reminded about morality. I think, perhaps, my favourite chapter among these we've read is The P.C. and P.O.. I enjoyed those little tid-bits that the sisters, posing as the Pickwick crowd, wrote for their paper. I also couldn't help but wonder at how creative people had to get to keep themselves occupied without things like the tv, radio, computers, video games, and I found myself wishing that we had such an opportunity to really use our brains and creativity! With machines being so much a part of our lives we are almost becoming brain dead!! I was reminded of the times when my sister, cousin and I would spend weeks getting ready for our summer holidays as children. How? We would write songs that would fit the rhythm of a trains that we might sing them during the long hours of the journey! And the stuff we used to come up with in order to fill our summer days with fun. I pity children who don't know how to do those things any more, and even we didnt have as much to go as our parents did (I love listening to their childhood stories…they sound like something out of Enid Blyton!).

I'm also really excited about the whole Brooke-Meg business. When Meg began noted that only one of her gloves had been returned I thought to myself 'Ah ha! Mr Brooke!'. Jo's reaction to learning of the latter's interest in her sister really surprised me. But then she is still a child, not wanting to grow up yet, and that's understandable. The whole Rigmarole game in Camp Laurence was simply hilarious. I loved how each addition was so different from the others, so spontaneously showing the age, gender and temperament of each participant!

I would like to go on a bit more, and like last time list the books mentioned in these chapters. However, I'm in a bit of a hurry with this post. My mum just called to say she would be here in ten minutes, and I'm really excited! Also, I need to get things ready to welcome her. I'll likely fill in the extra details in next week's post.

Hope you all had a lovely time reading these eight chapters. What did you think of them? Do you find yourself getting more involved with the characters? Do you find things are too sweet and moralistic? Or is it just fitting? Do you feel nostalgic while you read this novel? Tell me all!

 

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The “Little Women” Read-along: Chapters 1-8 September 21, 2012

 

This is the first discussion post for Little Women that I am reading along with Sam and Debbie. Naturally, then, this piece is going to be chock full of spoilers. If you haven’t read this book before I suggest you stop reading this post now. But if you have read it and would like to join in on the discussions please take a seat and get comfortable.

Okay, so I was only a couple of pages into chapter one when I realised that, like Sam, I had never read the original Little Women. And yet I know it so well! Anyway, I’m glad I decided to get myself a copy of this Penguin Popular Classic so that I might enjoy the original. As always (even when reading abridged versions or watching several film versions) I felt so cozy reading these first few chapters. I’ve always loved how the girls wait for their mother to come home, and make her comfortable; how they plan to spend their Christmas money on her, and how Amy exchanges her small bottle of perfume for a bigger one. I love how they wake up Christmas morning only to have to share their breakfast with the poverty-stricken Hummels. And later, how they perform their play. It was good fun reading the story of Jo’s play as it is performed. I must admit to getting rather disoriented as to who was playing who…especially between Meg and Beth…but it was enjoyable. The whole thing was rather juvenile, don’t you think?….and yet so full of imagination! It reminded me so much of the days when I would gather my sister and cousins together during Christmas day and we would all put together a little play. I used to store all kinds of materials and stuff in a box just for such an occasion so that we could dress up for our acts. So it wasn’t hard to imagine how much fun it was for the March sisters to put up the play.

I was also struck by the whole set up from The Pilgrim’s Progress. I found it absolutely delightful! Even the chapter names dealing with each sister’s burden was so apt (Beth Finds the Palace Beautiful, Amy’s Valley of Humiliation, Jo Meets Apollyon, and Meg Goes to Vanity Fair…we have as yet to read this last one, of course). I think what makes this book precious to little girls is that, in one way or another, one is able to relate to one of the four sisters. I’m quite surprised at myself…I’d never identified with Jo until now. That whole chapter dealing with Jo’s temper could so easily have been about me! I must admit, while reading of how Amy takes her revenge, I could feel my blood boiling….it always does when I read how Amy destroys all Jo’s hard work just because she was refused an outing! The latter half of that chapter was also calming because of the conversation Jo has with Mrs March. I found it peaceful and it was like a little sermon without getting preachy…just the sort of thing young people need when they need to be set aright or need comfort…someone non-judgmental but full of advice drawn from experience.

Oh! And I have to mention this! Every time I read about Laurie and Jo I feel a rather bitter sweet emotion. But I won’t go into it as this is Debbie’s first time with this novel, I think.

Something else I noticed while reading these first eight chapters, Alcott seems to refer to other works quite often. In fact, except for chapters six and seven, every other chapter till eight has at least one work mentioned in it:

• Chapter 1: The Pilgrim’s Progress
• Chapter 2: The Bible
• Chapter 3: Heir of Redclyff
• Chapter 4: Belsham’s Essays; The Vicar of Wakefield; Uncle Tom’s Cabin
• Chapter 5: Ivanhoe
• Chapter 8: (writers mentioned) Bremer, Scott, Edgeworth

Have you folk read any or all of these before? How did you find them? Bremer and Belsham sound unfamiliar to me. I have yet to read something by Maria Edgeworth.

Since there’s only the three of us reading together, I’ve decided to make this a rather informal post. Which means, there aren’t any official discussion questions. But just to set the ball rolling…

How has the reading been for you so far? Have you a favourite sister yet? What do you think of Laurie?

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The “Little Women” Read-along: sign-ups and how it works. September 14, 2012

Good morning and welcome to the Little Women mini-read-along that begins today!
Dates
14 September 2012 – 5 October 2012

Sign-ups
To sign-up for this read-along all you need to do is state your interest in the comments section.

How this read-along works

• This is a three-week long group read with discussion posts up every Friday.
• Bloggers and non-bloggers alike are welcome to participate.
• Each Friday I will have a post up with questions to encourage discussions in this venue. You are welcome to make a post on your blog, if you have one. But I would like to request you to answer the questions or continue the discussion at this venue so that things are not spread too thin. After all, the purpose of reading a book with others is to share our perspectives of what we glean from the reading, and if we’re going to spread it out over more than one blog then there is barely any scope for discussion.

Chapter/discussion break-up

• Chapters 1-8 for September 21
• Chapters 9-16 for September 28
• Chapters 17-23 for October 5

Regarding the read-along button
I am aware that the one I have in this post is a bit shabby. But as I haven’t much means to make a decent button (my laptop is down and my husband’s does not even have the paint programme), you are welcome to make one for your own blog (should you decide to post about it).

I’m looking forward to reading Little Women with you!

Announcing a read-along. September 12, 2012

Three days ago I put up a poll asking if there would be anyone interested in doing a read-along of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women. I got five positive responses and that was more than enough for me.

So, this is an official announcement stating that the Little Women read-along will begin this Friday, i.e., on September 14, 2012. It will run for three weeks ending on October 5, 2012.

With 23 chapters divided into 8+8+7 chapters for the three weeks, I think the pace should be reasonably slow.

I will have a starting post and the official sign-up list for this read-along up early on Friday, September 14.

Until then…take care!