jenmck

Chili and Corn bread. Mmmmmm.

I read "Frayed Tapestry" and reviewed it on my blog today. Frayed Tapestry by Imogen Howson

I LOVED "Falling" and have a copy of "Tapestry". I'm hoping to have time this weekend to read it. Immi is well on her way to becoming one of my favorite authors.

;Howdy Immi!!!!! I'm SO glad you made it!!!!!

Well, I had trouble sleeping last night and I finished the whole thing. It was a great book. Reilly really knows how to create a complicated stunning plot. I enjoyed it AND it had romantic elements in it which made my little romance heart happy. I love how he incorporated female Marines in this and the backstory of his main character is BRILLIANT. I have to say he's one author that surprises me. I've got another Reilly "Area 7". At this rate, I won't have anything to read!

My Dad reading "Winnie The Pooh" to me and my sister. He also read "Paul Bunyan" and "The Wizard of Oz" to me. My Mom reading "The Secret Garden" to me when I was sick. Staying up until 3am when I was twelve to read "Dune" and then discovering Terry Brook's "The Sword Of Shannara" a little later (those two will always be paired in my memory. Weird.)

1- What do you think of inheritance arrangements and how do they affect the various characters? How does this compare to how wills are orchestrated nowadays? What does this say about how women as descendents were viewed by society at the time? Since Jane Austen's audience was well acquainted with the arrangements of the day, I sometimes lose track of how it all works. But I take it context and understand that society was strict in her day. 2- How do men and women interact? Which interactions in particular did you find interesting and why? How do these relationships and interactions compare to engagements and marriages today? I'm always amazed that love ever happened at all. The constrained relations between Elinor and the men she comes in contact with seems so cold and distant. (Which in her society becomes an advantage as opposed to Marianne's impulsive actions). There are pros and cons to both the constraints of Austen's society and today's. But, frankly, I'd be a Marianne and probably get in trouble. LOL. 3- Are the characters in Sense and Sensibility conventional in their thoughts and actions according to the time in which the novel is set? In what ways do they conform (or not) to conventions? What is expected of them and how do they react to those expectations? I think it's interesting. Marianne flouts conventions of the day, but I do want to slap her for her selfishness and judgmental attitude. She neither listens nor speaks to any purpose until the end. But Elinor was also annoying with her hidden angst and unrequited (because she did not show her preference) attraction. I feel for her, but I don't understand her. 4- Who was your favourite character and why? I love Elinor. I know I'm nothing like her and I wish, as Marianne eventually does, to have her fortitude and ability to keep her feelings within her. She is admirable both in action and in thought. She treated all she came in contact with in a kind, generous manner. I admire her. 5- Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest? I disliked Marianne's reaction to her deserved set down. She clutches her bosom and drags everyone into her little drama. I thought she would have been better off just having a good cry and getting over it. 6- Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? No. The first was P&P. I read this after P&P and Emma. 7- Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? That a few of the people who deserved to suffer, didn't seem to get their comeuppance. Which I guess is like real life. 8- Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? Yes, absolutely. 9. In your opinion, does Sense and Sensibility have a happy ending? Yes. Except for the stuff I mentioned in #7.

I just bought this book today. I've read "The Seven Deadly Wonders" and reviewed it This one is an earlier book that began his career (He's an Aussie) and I've been looking out for it. I figured I'd start this thread as I read it and for anyone else who has read it. Antartica is the last unconquered continent, a murderous expanse of howling winds, blinding whiteouts and deadly crevasses. On the edge of Antarctica is Wilkes Station. Beneath Wilkes Station is the gate to hell itelf. A team of U.S. divers, exploring three thousand feet beneath the ice shelf, has vanished. Sending out an S.O.S., Wilkes draws a rapid deployment team of Marines, and someone else.... The heat is on. First comes a horrific firefight. Then comes a plunge into a drowning pool filled with killer whales. Next comes the hard part as a handful of survivors begin an electrifying red-hot, non-stop battle of survival across the continent and against wave after wave of elite military assassins--who've all come for one thing: a secret buried deep beneath the ice. I'm looking forward to it. I'll keep you up to date.

I watched the UK version when it came on The Comedy Channel here in the states a million years ago. (Okay. More like fifteen) And THEN they did a U.S. version and I loved that. Drew Carey did a good job and I thought the new version was alike yet different from the UK one. I LOVE Ryan Stiles. And Colin. I adore Colin Mockery. I used to love it when Stephen Fry would come on too.

Well, I can't wait to see the results and I hope you keep us updated.

My husband bought Alterbridge's new one and Diana Krall's Christmas CD.

Oh wow! I hope that works out! You'll write a book about the experience right?

I'm starting to think my problem is with the heroine. Of course, I'm reading this as a romance reader. I expect my heroines to be smart, savvy and make sense. In other words, not anything close to reality. *shakes head* I didn't see the reason. Maybe I missed it. Will the guys weigh in?

I've experienced some weird things and every one of them could be "explained away". But to me, I know what it was. I may know where I'm going, but I don't discount the paranormal. Just a question. Do you find now you've done research and are paying attention that more things come to you?

I'm VERY sorry to hear about this. Several of my friends love his books.

I. Have. No. Idea. *panics*

WOW!!! Very cool. I'm glad she donated the money.

I've finished it. I don't know how to hide the spoilers so I won't give my final opinion until the end of the month. I liked the writing. I loved the characters and the twist at the end was great. But I never did get on board with the hero. I wonder why? Mmmmm maybe he reminds me of some men I know. I don't know if I'd pick up another Baldacci book in this genre, but I might try his testosterone packed stuff.

The Haunted Bookshop--Christopher Morley Parnassis On Wheels--Christopher Morley AWESOME books largely forgotten.

Well, as a romance reader I'm having a tough time. Recognizing that Baldacci is NOT a romance writer still hasn't made the story line appealing to me. Even though this is touted as a Christmas romance, it's not meant to be like other romances. And it isn't. I like Eleanor, but I just can't get on Tom's team. Ellie nails him when she says he needs to grow up. I'm almost finished with the book and he STILL hasn't. *shakes head*.

Frankly, up until he was shoved down the stairs, the guy was a bit annoying and a bit whiny. Poor guy. Two Pulitzers and they didn't make him happy. And his pseudo Hollywood bimbo doesn't really make him happy either. Then Agnes Joe barreled him to the bottom of the steps. I found myself cheering.

Gosh, that must have been terrible for her and her family. Did they find another way to help her? Not really. Her family tried. She moved to another state that had much better mental health care. I think that's the one thing that really isn't talked about is the effect on the family of the person with the illness. When my husband was married to her, he called the Mental Health hotline locally and they told him the only thing to help him deal with his wife's illness was individual therapy. What he saw was that the people who live with the ill person are often frightened, resigned, abused and unable to help. I wondered if you covered that in your book--not only the destruction of a mind, but the helplessness of those who love that person.

I think that's crazy. Other religions are important to understand even if I don't agree/believe in them. I totally agree. I will add that I don't have a problem with "a good story" that has atheist undertones. I think my issue with this particular work is that I get the impression there is a subtle deception going on. Instead of doing an adult film that depicts anti-religious beliefs, this work is marketed toward children with intent to influence indirectly. But at least Pullman has come out and declared his intentions. Frankly, I just don't like ANYTHING being aimed at children this way. Indirect sexual messages or pushy marketing techniques to make them buy toys irritates me to no end. Again, I still haven't decided whether I'm going to see the movie or not. Perhaps NOT seeing it is giving the thing too much importance. When it comes to my kids, I try very hard to keep an eye on the messages they get. It's a tough decision.