Chimera

Great video! Thanks for sharing

Sounds fun Kell! And I'm not surprised you didn't mind the rythm. I can't imagine the play being acted with the rythm you described earlier... While I'm all for keeping as close to the original text and feel, a play needs to be approachable.

I don't use it, but I think Project Gutenberg is the place to go to: http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page Thousands of free e-books (classics, since those are the ones that are in the public domain).

Hi Hanaa. that's a vast question, and I don't think there's an absolute guide to creating a bookclub I'd say it doesn't need to be complicated though. Maybe you can start small, with a few friends? Invite a couple of friends, let them invite a few more if they want to, choose a book between yourselves, set a meeting date at one of the 'members' place or caf

You give it a particular rythm when you read? I'm impressed. I just read it as I would fiction basically Except a few parts which called out to me more and which I tried reading out loud, as if I had been acting them Is paying attention to the rythm something you all do?

Soup and a yogurt for me. That new routine seems to stick, and is surprisingly nice

I've finally finished Macbeth, so here I am. I'm glad to see it's stirred up so much discussion already Some basic questions to consider: 1. Who was your favourite character and why? I don't think any of the characters was really 'likable', but if I think of it in terms of "which character would it be most interesting to enact", then it's definitely Lady Macbeth. As others have said, she is such a strong woman, even if repulsive, and the way in which is ready to anything to get what she wants but ends up crumbling, overtaken by the remorse she pretended not to have, seems frighteningly realistic. By contrast I found Macbeth's part too 'artificial' (please don't sue me! ). He goes from being the noble hero to offing anyone in his way, much too fast. 2. Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest? I loved the sleepwalking scene, and also the dialogue between Malcolm and Macduff when he explains that he would be a far more cruel ruler than Macbeth. 3. Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? Not my first, as I read many for school (Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Henry IV, Hamlet...), but this is first time I've read one outside of studies. 4. Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? I struggled with all of it, unfortunately. I found it very difficult to picture in my head and felt that it was too short. To fully enjoy it I would have needed more details, a slower pace of action... I feel like the scholars which Giulia quoted, that there are parts missing (not as in lost parts of the manuscripts, but parts which I wish would be there). I think that's were my doubts about the character of Macbeth come from. He changed too quickly and I dont feel like I had the time to fully appreciate how and why he was changing: I know he was hesitating in the beginning, but these hesitations mostly disappeared in a few lines time. 5. Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? I really wanted it to be one, as I thought this was the opportunity to see Shakespeare under a new (non essay induced) light and I normally love plays. But I'm afraid I was just glad when I finally finished it Some genre specific questions: 1. The validity of reading plays has been debated several times on this forum: some argue that plays are meant to be experienced, not read. Do you believe that is true of Macbeth? I normally feel that plays are as good in the text as on stage but in this case I feel I might enjoy it much more in a production: the actors' interpretation of it and the intonation/ pauses would probably add more flesh to it for me. 2. How did you read this play? Did you read all the indications, or only the dialogues? Did you imagine how it might be enacted, which actor could play which character? I read everything. Always do as I think it helps set the scene. 3. If you've previously seen Macbeth at the theater, how did reading it compare? Did you notice things you hadn't as a spectator? I haven't yet but would really like to do so now and see if it opens my eyes to how great the play really is...

February is here, and with it the time to start discussing Macbeth! But first, I must confess that I haven't finished reading it yet. Shameful for the reading circle host, I know, especially with such a short play. But reading Shakespeare is proving to be a challenge for me. I knew it would be (from school memories), and I debated whether to vetoe it as 'not for me', but you all showed so much enthusiasm in the nomination thread, that I wouldn't have felt right doing that... and I decided it was the perfect chance to give Shakespeare another chance I didn't want to open this thread before finishing the play, as I feel highly unprofessional here , but it is already slightly late and I know some of you are anxious to start chatting.... so off you go, I'll catch up! I'll open this with some general questions, and hopefully your enthusiastic comments will help me, and any other Shakespeare reticent readers out there, get over the block! IT IS ASSUMED YOU HAVE READ THIS BOOK BEFORE READING THIS THREAD, THEREFORE SPOILER TAGS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN USED IN ORDER TO FASCILITATE EASIER AND MORE OPEN DISCUSSION This book is available cheaply from Green Metropolis or through Amazon (please use the link at the top right of this web page) Macbeth by Shakespeare Synopsis (from Amazon): Promised a golden future as ruler of Scotland by three sinister witches, Macbeth murders the king to ensure his ambitions come true. But he soon learns the meaning of terror - killing once, he must kill again and again, and the dead return to haunt him. A story of war, witchcraft and bloodshed, Macbeth also depicts the relationship between husbands and wives, and the risks they are prepared to take to achieve their desires. Some basic questions to consider: 1. Who was your favourite character and why? 2. Was there a particular part you enjoyed/disliked more than the rest? 3. Was this the first book you've read in this genre/by this author, has it encouraged you to read more? 4. Were there any parts/ideas you struggled with? 5. Overall, was reading the book an enjoyable experience? Some genre specific questions: 1. The validity of reading plays has been debated several times on this forum: some argue that plays are meant to be experienced, not read. Do you believe that is true of Macbeth? 2. How did you read this play? Did you read all the indications, or only the dialogues? Did you imagine how it might be enacted, which actor could play which character? 3. If you've previously seen Macbeth at the theater, how did reading it compare? Did you notice things you hadn't as a spectator?

True! I might even end up going to harvard/ yale by procuration That bit where Rory freaked about the Harvard library was indeed very funny. I also loved the simultaneous freakout of Emily, Lorelai, Rory and Paris when the Harvard applications came in... Who knew these four could have so similar fears and opinions Thanks Kylie!

I'm now hopelessly addicted to this series... 2 seasons down, 5 to go. That's some 75 hours left to view I blame you guys!

Great, I hope you' enjoy it as much as I did! It is indeed, and I certainly will pick up his other titles! I had my eye more on Mirror Mirror but will have a look at these as well. Thanks for the suggestion

I'm so glad to hear you finally got yours Giulia! I don't know if your secret santa revealed itself to you in the package, but that mistake would be due to her country of residence I hope everyone has received their book by now. If not, please let me know and I'll see what can be done.

Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire A great gift from my secret santa, this book is an excellent read and really made me look forward to getting hold of more of this author's books Blurb from Amazon: We have all heard the story of Cinderella, the beautiful child cast out to slave amongst the ashes. But what of her stepsisters, the homely pair exiled into ignominy by the fame of their lovely sibling? What fate befell those untouched by beauty ... and what curses accompanied Cinderella's looks? Set against the backdrop of seventeenth-century Holland, CONFESSIONS OF AN UGLY STEPSISTER tells the story of Iris, an unlikely heroine who is swept from the lowly streets of Haarlem to a strange world of wealth, artifice, and ambition. Iris's path becomes intertwined with that of Clara, the mysterious and unnaturally beautiful girl destined to become her sister. While Clara retreats to the cinders of the family hearth, Iris seeks out the shadowy secrets of her new household - and the treacherous truth of her former life. Review: I was puzzled by the parallel between this novel and the tale of Cinderella at first. Not that it’s not apparent –there are lots of pointers right from the start – but because it didn’t really seem necessary… What I was expecting was a kind of ‘pastiche’ of the centuries’ old tale, a novel holding up mainly because of that parallel. But that’s not what I got. I got much better. With it’s historical setting, intriguing story-line and subtle characters Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister is a fascinating read. We kind of know how it’s going to end of course, but that’s not what’s most important… what’s important isn’t who’s going to end with whom, but how they will get there. And who everyone really is. Because the fairly stereotyped characters we are introduced to at first might very quickly change faces. Nothing is at it seems, not least because none of them really want to face the truths. And that’s where Cinderella comes in really: one more way to dress up the stark truth a little, make it glimmer, transform it in an exciting adventure. Cinderella isn’t the foundation of the novel, it’s the narrator’s way of relating to her own story, a much darker, real one.

saved for later

January The man who planted trees - Jean Giono (short story)

January Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister - Gregory Maguire

So, my last book blog got abandoned on the wayside a long time ago, due to a failing mojo and lack of reviewing motivation, but I'm going to give it another go. See where 2010 takes me book wise... I don't have particular targets but I do hope to read more than I have recently and want to pick up my Disney Classics challenge. I've alseo recently discovered audiobooks, along with walking to work. In this thread I'll list the books I've read, along with links to my reviews wether they be on the forum, the BCF Review Blog or my own blog. On the other hand I won't list my wishlist/ mount TBR as that would just put me off it Please feel free to jump in with comments/ questions/ suggestions/ or just any random comment

I sure hope not! That's not about manners imo, just basic truthfullness...