tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.comments2023-04-14T17:39:20.193+02:00 The Runcible PenThe Runcible Penhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comBlogger228125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-50562827948525768142022-01-16T22:27:20.363+01:002022-01-16T22:27:20.363+01:00Thank you for mentioning my book review post! I to...Thank you for mentioning my book review post! I too love Jane Eyre! I think I only have Shirley left before I say I have read all the Bronte books (not including poetry). Along with Jane Eyre, I loved Anne's Tenant of Wildfell Hall. The others were just okay to me.Elena Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15685353322770187159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-65852124298411126482022-01-16T22:06:55.056+01:002022-01-16T22:06:55.056+01:00Your Scandi challenge sounds interesting - but I ...Your Scandi challenge sounds interesting - but I have to keep reminding myself that my reading goal for 2022 is no goals :)The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-49006301270633556092022-01-15T16:46:02.389+01:002022-01-15T16:46:02.389+01:00I haven't read any of your favorites! But at l...I haven't read any of your favorites! But at least I've read other books by a couple of those authors (Taylor Jenkins Reid and Kazuo Ishiguro). Always interesting to learn about new books and authors!Patricia @ AVikingInLAhttp://www.avikinginla.com/2022/01/what-ive-been-reading-lately-december-2021-scandireadingchallenge-update/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-26640018992837342192021-11-16T21:49:38.799+01:002021-11-16T21:49:38.799+01:00The answer to your question is yes - and yes! Some...The answer to your question is yes - and yes! Some pieces were easy to place because of the detail, others were deceptive. But seeing the original was a wonderful experience, as I've always liked Breughel. Hope you enjoy Clan of the Cave Bear if you give it a try!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-52331728099754793912021-11-16T14:49:49.496+01:002021-11-16T14:49:49.496+01:00I am familiar with that art work! My daughter and ...I am familiar with that art work! My daughter and I did what we call a "picture study" of it one time where we really looked at it closely, noticing all the detail. It has so MUCH detail in it! Amazing! I would think working it as a puzzle would be interesting. Either easier because of the all the detail or harder because of all the detail. What did you think?<br /><br />I've not heard of Clan of the Cave Bear! I will have to look into that. I gave the whole Hunger Games series 5 stars so I'm intrigued that others have described Clan of the Cave Bear as a precursor to YA Dystopian books like The Hunger Games. Plus, I love historical fiction!Karenhttp://thesimplyblog.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-78381836276868202442021-07-16T09:43:28.826+02:002021-07-16T09:43:28.826+02:00Some day - I barely watch TV, so I'll have to ...Some day - I barely watch TV, so I'll have to make a date with myself to do that!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-51782771053962020862021-07-16T09:42:34.221+02:002021-07-16T09:42:34.221+02:00I'm glad you had all those years of literary h...I'm glad you had all those years of literary happiness regarding Villette :) I'm really interested to know why Shirley is your favourite!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-2396230125762041502021-07-16T00:14:16.476+02:002021-07-16T00:14:16.476+02:00I was a blissfully clueless 22 when I read Villett...I was a blissfully clueless 22 when I read Villette the first time. I didn't even think the ending was open ended. I don't know how but I thought all was well. I don't know how long later it was before my (younger yet less clueless) younger sister burst my bubble. I reread it this year, seems pretty clear that its not a happy ending.<br /><br />As far a Brontes go, Shirley is far and beyond my favorite novel.Livia Rachellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02755623391278276925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-35835370456235851492021-07-15T20:09:40.747+02:002021-07-15T20:09:40.747+02:00Remains of the Day ... well, it remains one of my ...Remains of the Day ... well, it remains one of my all time favorite movies. The book did not disappoint. I hope you'll get to see the movie, so beautifully done!Linda Stollhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02170871743323855687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-37626555756939893702021-05-24T18:58:04.847+02:002021-05-24T18:58:04.847+02:00A train wreck, indeed :) I love the reactions to ...A train wreck, indeed :) I love the reactions to Wuthering Heights in the comments. Emily Bronte certainly hit her mark! I don't think any of Charlotte's other novels measure up to Jane Eyre. I've just finished The Professor for the first time, and the narrator did not appeal to me. Popping over to check out your reads!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-33072016615268526532021-05-23T21:45:23.704+02:002021-05-23T21:45:23.704+02:00I think Wuthering Heights is one of the few novels...I think Wuthering Heights is one of the few novels I enjoyed that had unlikable (detestable, even) main characters. I typically don't enjoy novels where I am frustrated with the main characters, but this book had so many dysfunctional people (Catherine especially) that it was a train wreck I just couldn't stop watching/reading. <br /><br />I have Shirley on my Classics Club list, but now I am thinking of letting it go. Villette was a bit of a slog, so I think if I want another Bronte anytime soon, I should just re-read my favorite (Jane Eyre).<br /><br />Here are my recent reads: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2021/04/april-book-reviews.htmlElena Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15685353322770187159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-46284026672104656562021-05-18T17:30:54.874+02:002021-05-18T17:30:54.874+02:00As a former US college teacher, I am so glad that ...As a former US college teacher, I am so glad that you had a good experience with the novel in Lit class! Hopping over to your blog now...The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-66946042567939014642021-05-15T22:51:36.366+02:002021-05-15T22:51:36.366+02:00Thanks for your reviews - I loved Wuthering Height...Thanks for your reviews - I loved Wuthering Heights when I read it for a Lit Class in college - rereading it sounds like a "delicious" idea as Caroline described it above :)<br /><br />Here’s my quick lit for the month (and my family’s reads are in there too) with a wide range of genres – https://www.everyoneslibrarian.com/blog/quick-lit-may-2021Lis Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05929530694922894003noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-68088637336341351312021-05-15T21:36:17.495+02:002021-05-15T21:36:17.495+02:00Delicious - what a perfect word. I think it seems ...Delicious - what a perfect word. I think it seems more romantic when teenage hormones are raging through your body!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-67797805312011441952021-05-15T21:34:42.265+02:002021-05-15T21:34:42.265+02:00Once you've seen Wuthering Heights in interpre...Once you've seen Wuthering Heights in interpretive dance, you really can't forget it :)The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-13044170430934305732021-05-15T20:02:16.599+02:002021-05-15T20:02:16.599+02:00Yes to the Kate Bush song! Thanks for good reviews...Yes to the Kate Bush song! Thanks for good reviews, as usual. Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12463332371535167975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-15457053094826287172021-05-15T15:02:36.584+02:002021-05-15T15:02:36.584+02:00I reread Wuthering Heights last year with my book ...I reread Wuthering Heights last year with my book club. Give me all the overwrought drama and windswept moors! It was just as delicious as I remembered. I was surprised to learn many readers count it as their favorite romance. Romantic it is not!Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.carolinestarrrose.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-64816135288587649392021-04-16T16:23:58.862+02:002021-04-16T16:23:58.862+02:00I literally only found out last week that Ibbotson...I literally only found out last week that Ibbotson also wrote adult novels, which I think are now being rebranded as YA. The same source gave a wonderful quote from her about these novels: "I write for extremely intelligent women who have the flu"!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-80835244368625764872021-04-16T16:21:25.492+02:002021-04-16T16:21:25.492+02:00I saw the miniseries of The Far Pavilions way back...I saw the miniseries of The Far Pavilions way back in the 80s - I didn't know it was a book!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-44326912518605989152021-04-15T19:09:07.731+02:002021-04-15T19:09:07.731+02:00What a unique experience to re-read both Jane Eyre...What a unique experience to re-read both Jane Eyre and Mr. Rochester. I loved both very much, but read them quite spread apart in time, so it would interesting to see what my thoughts were if I re-read them side-by-side like you! A fun experiment, for sure. I have only read one Ibbotson, and I enjoyed it a lot! It is The Morning Gift. A unique WWII novel! <br /><br />Here are my recent reads: https://elle-alice.blogspot.com/2021/04/march-book-reviews.htmlElena Alicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15685353322770187159noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-11217884558160974572021-04-15T18:38:57.091+02:002021-04-15T18:38:57.091+02:00I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to ...I know exactly what you mean about not wanting to be disappointed by re-reading. I have had both satisfying and disappointing re-reading experiences. I'm glad Jane Eyre didn't fall short! It's been a very long time since I've read it. In this month's update I wrote about re-reading Graceling. My husband and I are reading The Far Pavilions together - it's a first for him, but I have read it a couple of times, last time in 2001 when Afghanistan was in the news and I wanted to revisit the background on Afghanistan in that book. Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12463332371535167975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-6732046601504199232021-03-16T08:57:23.046+01:002021-03-16T08:57:23.046+01:00Old phrase books sound like a fun idea, too!Old phrase books sound like a fun idea, too!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-36973145831914869552021-03-16T08:56:42.310+01:002021-03-16T08:56:42.310+01:00I can see it would be entertaining if the narrator...I can see it would be entertaining if the narrator had the correct Flavia voice. Maybe I should try one more in audio!The Runcible Penhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11404638468437546854noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-36506854291924291982021-03-15T18:36:57.102+01:002021-03-15T18:36:57.102+01:00I love your suggestion of "time travelling fr...I love your suggestion of "time travelling from the comfort of your armchair." I have had similar experiences reading old phrasebooks - and enjoying the kinds of phrases that were considered necessary.<br /><br />I'd also really like the Daphne du Maurier memoir, I think. Putting it on my list. Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12463332371535167975noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7360883111566430056.post-84852645027399015402021-03-15T13:38:40.133+01:002021-03-15T13:38:40.133+01:00I really enjoyed the first Flavia, and a big part ...I really enjoyed the first Flavia, and a big part of that was because it was an audiobook. Delightful! Interestingly, I've got Anne's book on my own Quick Lit list this month.Caroline Starr Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04597510685273079757noreply@blogger.com