Beach Read "Semi-Finals"

I decided to share more info on the books that were mentioned more than once in the beach read poll. I included a description and the approximate number of pages from the amazon ad, as well as how many mentions it got in the original poll. For comparison: Gone With the Wind has 1,024 pages. I started taking out all the blue linked words but it got to be too much trouble, so I left them. Also, I didn't include any books that any of us have read before. I also included if there is a movie version.

2 mentions
approximately 255 pages
animated film

from Wikipedia: "The Phantom Tollbooth is a children's adventure novel and a modern fairy tale published in 1961, written by Norton Juster and illustrated by Jules Feiffer. It tells the story of a bored young boy named Milo who unexpectedly receives a magic tollbooth one afternoon and, having nothing better to do, drives through. He finds himself in the Kingdom of Wisdom. There he accepts a quest to rescue the princesses of the kingdom, acquires two faithful companions, and has many adventures. The book is full of puns, and many events, like Milo's sudden jump to the Island of Conclusions, are the consequences of taking English Language Idioms literally.

2 mentions
approximately 560 pages
no film

from Wikipedia: "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values is the first of Robert M. Pirsig's texts in which he explores his Metaphysics of Quality. The 1974 book describes, in first person, a 17-day motorcycle journey across the United States by the author (though he is not identified in the book) and his son Chris, joined for the first nine days by close friends John and Sylvia Sutherland. The trip is punctuated by numerous philosophical discussions, referred to as Chautauquas by the author, on topics including epistemology, ethical emotivism and the philosophy of science."

3 mentions
approximately 400 pages
1962 film

from enotes: "Published in 1934 by New York-based publisher Charles Scribner’s Sons, Tender Is the Night is one of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s last works. Although the novel was generally well received and has come to be regarded as one of Fitzgerald’s most important works, it was less popular at its publication than his previous novels and was considered a commercial failure. More autobiographical than his other works, Tender Is the Night tells the story of American psychologist Dick Diver and his wife, the wealthy but psychologically unstable Nicole. Set largely in the small French coastal town of Tarmes between the years 1925 and 1935, the book portrays a cast of characters typical of Fitzgerald’s fictional universe: wealthy, idle, sophisticated, and, in many ways, “troubled.”

3 mentions
180 pages
film in production

from Wikipedia: "The Giver is a 1993 soft science fiction novel by Lois Lowry. It is set in a future society which is at first presented as a utopian society and gradually appears more and more dystopian; therefore, it could be considered anti-utopian. The novel follows a boy named Jonas through the twelfth year of his life. The society has eliminated pain and strife by converting to "Sameness", a plan which has also eradicated emotional" depth from their lives. Jonas is selected to inherit the position of "Receiver of Memory," the person who stores all the memories of the time before Sameness, in case they are ever needed to aid in decisions that others lack the experience to make. When Jonas meets the Giver, he is confused in many ways. The Giver is also able to break some rules, such as turning off the speaker and locking his door. As Jonas receives the memories from the previous receiver—the "Giver"—he discovers how shallow his community's life has become.

2 mentions
453 pages

from Wikipedia: "Catch-22 is a satirical, historical novel by the American author Joseph Heller, first published in 1961. The novel, set during the later stages of World War II from 1943 onwards, is frequently cited as one of the great literary works of the twentieth century. It has a distinctive non-chronological style where events are described from different characters' points of view and out of sequence so that the time line develops along with the plot. The novel follows Yossarian, a U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bombardier, and a number of other characters. Most events occur while the airmen of the fictional Fighting 256th (or "two to the fighting eighth power") Squadron are based on the island of Pianosa, in the Mediterranean Sea west of Italy."

2 mentions
560 pages
film in production

from Wikipedia: "The Book Thief is set in Germany before and during World War II. The story is told from the point of view of Death, who narrates the story and gives a whole new image to the "death" image we the people see. "Death" finds the story of the book thief, Liesel Meminger. Liesel's story begins when she and her brother are sent to a foster home by their Communist mother when she is interned in Dachau Concentration Camp. She later arrives at the home of foster parents, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, near Munich"
(this summary told the entire story, so I had to just cut it off randomly, lol)

A couple of these (I won't mention any names) seem a little depressing and heavy for the beach, so if they are chosen I will most definitely be bringing something else to read as well so I can sleep! ha ha! Make your voice heard again, and then we'll set up a final poll between the top two or three! :)

Alice in Wonderland (2010)

Corey and I had a date night tonight to go see the new Alice in Wonderland movie. We did see it in 3D. Alice is 19 years old and has dreams about the happenings of the original movies....

My thoughts are....... that it was just okay. We will not be taking the kids to see it at the theater. First and foremost, I think they would be bored. The beginning is very slow to get going and the plot would kind of be over their heads I think with her being rebellious about corsets and stockings, and then attending a party that turns out to be her engagement party. That doesn't ruin the plot I don't think. She eventually chases after the white rabbit and falls in the rabbit hole...etc., etc.

It was very much like the movies I have seen before..just different looking. The plot is a little different but several of the same things happen, but with less "childishness" about them.

My conclusion is that...it wasn't serious and deep enough to make it interesting enough for adults, but it wasn't childish and silly enough to make it fully appropriate for children either. The gruesome aspects (stepping on human heads to cross a moat, monster eyes being plucked out by straight pins) make it just too much for little kids, so then the lack of more makes it slightly too simple for adults. I think it should have gone one more step one way or the other.

It does look very interesting and beautiful. The 3D affects are great. There are some really funny parts with the Red Queen when she goes on her tirades, but I don't think kids would "get it." The March Hare is pretty funny. The Mad Hatter is typical of what you would expect with Johnny Depp playing that part. The White Queen is whimsical. There is a good message of good conquering evil and the Red Queen's demise. I even picked up on some easy to make comparisons between the overall story/characters/storyline and Christianity.

Overall...if I were rating on a scale of 1-10 with 1 being Mystery Science Theater level and 10 being like Epic Life Changing Films...I would give it a ....... 6. I would watch it again maybe, the story is good because the story was already good, but it will be hard to find the just right age for our kids so we can watch it together as a family. Better versions of this movie have already been made, in my opinion the Disney one is the best because it makes me laugh a lot! Even though they said it is not supposed to be "the original movie" it kind of is. A good version, but disappointed because it could have been so much better. I think the fault lies with whoever wrote the screenplay.

My take on the PluggedInOnline review:
I agree with most everything written in this review, although I think their take on the "sexual content" wasn't as bad as it sounded. The wardrobe issues weren't issues at all for me nor would it be for my kids. Any innuendo was extremely disguised and rare. The only really odd thing was with the people who all had exaggerated features to fit in with the queen's big head...there is the lady like it says in the review....which was just kind of trashy looking, for older boys it could be more inappropriate though the glimpses of that particular lady are just two very fast glances. The main part that strikes it out for me is the "Violent Content" it reviews in detail. It is definitely all as described if not more.

Cast Your Vote Please!

I just had a fun idea! I think that since my brother and I are both doing the 451 Challenge, and we are going to the beach at the same time in May, that it would be fun to read the same book and discuss it! Like a "beach reading challenge." ha ha. My husband and my brother's girlfriend also enjoy reading....

So..I am taking a vote/suggestions. Then I will create a poll for the suggestions...

Click on the 451 Challenge box at the top left, and read over the list (in the right column of that blog). Leave a comment listing the one you think would be the best read for a group consisting of a 21 yr old girl (girlfriend), 27 yr old guy (brother), 28 year old girl (sister), and TURNING 30 while we are there guy (my husband).

I will post my own choices soon...

Tess of the d'Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy

I feel almost positive that we read this book when I was in high school at some point. The plot seemed slightly familiar to me but at no point in time did I really know what was going to happen, so I guess if I did read it, I did not comprehend or remember it very well at all!

This novel, by Thomas Hardy, is a tragedy. Not as much of a depressing and chaotic tragedy as Wuthering Heights, but just sad. The difference is that this book has many more happy parts than Wuthering Heights, so it isn't just one crazy thing after another, but one unfortunate thing after another, if that makes any sense.

Tess is the oldest daughter of the "Durbeyfield" family, who find out that they are actually descendants of an old knighted family by the name of "d'Uberville." The family reminds me a little of the family in Pride and Prejudice in that they have all these ideals after they find out what they used to be and try to get what they can out of it. Not that they are the same, but it just made me think of them a little but with the dad in this novel being like the mom in that novel in some ways.

Tess is sent to see if she can claim relations with some of their better off distant relatives and ask for help because their finances are in ruins. She is embarrassed but does it anyway because she is a very dutiful and obedient daughter. This begins the (for lack of a better word) Series of Unfortunate Events in the life of poor Tess. The novel follows her through many circumstances, acquaintances, and places. Her job for most of the book is that of a milkmaid. I found that interesting to hear all about the culture and the lives of milkmaids. It was a refreshing change after so many governesses in the Bronte books, ha ha. She is a very interesting girl and we watch her grow in many ways, but stay immature in some. I can't say much without giving away the plot, but I very highly recommend this book. I found it to be a little easier to stay interested in for myself than it was to stay interested in Bronte's Wuthering Heights or many other novels of the time that I have read. I think it is because of the shocking and extreme plot involved and to see how she handles it and how it plays out throughout her entire life. Thomas Hardy writes about sin and religion, including very unheard of views of marriage and divorce (for the time). It is frustrating to see the way Tess is treated and how unfair it is for her. If the Bronte sisters were shocking, then Thomas Hardy is appalling! I guess maybe it has to do with the fact that he lived all the way into the 1920s, so he lived to see the ushering in of an entire new generation of thoughts concerning what exactly should be tolerated and accepted concerning women and marriage.

I do wish that I had been able to get a copy of one with footnotes because there were expressions and some dialect that I didn't completely understand, but it didn't ruin the story or anything.

This is definitely a sad story with a tragic ending, but it wasn't depressing to me. I can't explain why it wasn't depressing without giving away the plot, but I would love to be able to discuss it with someone who has read it. It is just a good sad ending. I found the spark notes page helpful in enjoying some of the themes and symbols used in the novel. I linked to the spark notes page from the photo of the book above.

I was thinking of adding another Thomas Hardy to my list, but after reading about a few of his other novels, I think I will not. (they are all very tragic) I think I will go for more variety.

Overall: Read it. It's a good one.

My favorite quote from the book:

"When sorrow ceases to be speculative sleep sees her opportunity." Ch. 35

Other Reading.....

I thought I would post my other reading on here also.... just to keep up with what I've read for the year.

I don't know if this would count for 09 or 10, because I started it before Christmas and just finished it in January....

Same Kind of Different As Me, by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.

This is the description from Amazon:

"A dangerous, homeless drifter who grew up picking cotton in virtual slavery. An upscale art dealer accustomed to the world of Armani and Chanel. A gutsy woman with a stubborn dream. A story so incredible no novelist would dare dream it. It begins outside a burning plantation hut in Louisiana . . . and an East Texas honky-tonk . . . and, without a doubt, in the heart of God. It unfolds in a Hollywood hacienda . . . an upscale New York gallery . . . a downtown dumpster . . . a Texas ranch. Gritty with pain and betrayal and brutality, this true story also shines with an unexpected, life-changing love."

This is a true story. My pastor's wife passed it along to me to read as a possible book club selection, so I gave it a try. It is not a book I would have read if it had not been suggested for that purpose, but I am glad I did read it. I decided that it wasn't the right book for our book club right now, but maybe in the future. It does have some pretty rough imagery and ends up being a pretty sad story, but ultimately "good." If the description intrigues you, you should definitely give it a try. For me, it was slow reading. I couldn't just read through it in a night like I do with many books. It is a very good read though, and truly eye-opening.

Monday Morning Faith, by Lori Copeland

From Amazon:
"The New Guinea jungle holds many fascinations, but not for librarian Johanna Holland. Johanna is simply aghast at the lack of hot showers and … well … clothing! She is positive the mission field is most certainly not God’s plan for her life, but will that mean letting go of the man she loves?"

This is the book I ended up picking for our next book club selection. We wanted something light and romantic for February, and this got great reviews everywhere. It was a pretty easy read, but again, I did not finish it in one night or anything. It is funny, and revealing of the true nature of the mission field (well, I've never been, but it seemed pretty real to me and people who reviewed it said it was! ha!). One thing about it that was unique from most "romantic Christian fiction" was that I did not know how it was going to end! A very cute book and sweet story. (and the ending is perfect!)

"Readers everywhere have discovered Mitford is good for the soul. Peopled with a lovable cast of characters and filled with mysteries and miracles, Mitford has become one of the most memorable small towns in recent literature."

A Common Life, by Jan Karon

Now, on to some classic Jan Karon! My pastor's wife introduced me to the Mitford Series, by Jan Karon, a couple of years ago. It is the story of an older Presbyterian priest and his town, church family, and personal life. This is the novel that tells all about "The Wedding Story" between him and his love. If you have never read the Mitford Series and enjoy Christian fiction, I highly recommend it. I don't even think it is truly geared toward women...as the main character is a man. It can be slow reading to begin with (I had to call Bethany to convince me to finish the first book!) but after that you are hooked. It is rich in character development. In the middle of the series I decided that it was a little like the Anne of Green Gables series... where the books take their time,but it means a richer cast of characters and ones that you really feel like you know. A Common Life fits perfectly in the series, with laughs from the favorite funny characters and sweet tender moments with the priest. Don't read it if you haven't read the rest of the series because it would be a huge spoiler, but if you do love the series, give it a go! (btw, I did finish this in one night! It is one of the shorter, lighter books in the series!)

Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, 1992

This time the photo does not link to a trailer, but to the entire opening credits and scene.
(The only thing available on IMDb.)

I am even more convinced that I am not going to tackle reading Wuthering Heights. At least, not anytime soon! This movie version was so extremely depressing!!! And, I know that the story itself is very depressing..I get that. But, I guess I appreciated the changing of the story in the one version I saw to make Heathcliff a little more loving and exciting and less.... psychopathic.

I was pleased to find this short plot summary from IMDb:

Heathcliff is Cathy Earnshaw's foster brother; more than that, he is her other half. When forces within and without tear them apart, Heathcliff wreaks vengeance on those he holds responsible, even into a second generation. Written by Cleo {frede005@maroon.tc.umn.edu}

I noticed on that site that many people love this version and it is their favorite. Well..I understand why they say that. This one does seem to keep most of the original dialogue and wording from the book. I could tell that even from not reading the book for some reason. Ralph Feinnes does a perfect job of playing a mean, abusive, and crazy Heathcliff...not so much of the "wild" version shown in the other one I watched.

Juliette Binoche plays Cathy. She does a good job, though I really didn't like her hair in this one. It almost seemed like they tried to make her hair more from the time the movie was made instead of the time period it was set. That constantly bothered me throughout the movie. I couldn't find a good photo of it to share, but if you watch it you will see what I mean. Juliette Binoche also plays young Catherine, the daughter of Cathy and Edgar. While it made sense to use her because she would, of course, be identical, I thought it was a little too easy and actually kind of creepy. While she looked the same, they didn't age Heathcliff very much, so it was like they were the same couple, which I guess could have been the point since the story is so tragic and all, but I haven't read it, so that's just my opinion from watching this movie version.

One thing that was very different about this version, was the opening. It opens with Bronte herself walking the lands and sort of setting up the story as one from her imagination and telling viewers to "be sure to not smile at any part of it." or something similar. *shudder* Yeah, that set me up for the entire depressing 1hr 46 minutes of film. ha ha.

If you like a true to story, depressing and sad film version of this book, then go for this one! If you want to kind of put a wild and romantic spin on it, then go to the Masterpiece Theater 2009 version.

Vanity Fair (2004)

(click photo to watch trailer)
The movie Vanity Fair (2004) is based on one of the most beloved of all 19th century novels, by the same name, written by William Makepiece Thackeray, a contemporary and friend of Charles Dickens.

From IMDb:

"The British Empire flowers; exotic India colors English imaginations. Becky Sharp, the orphaned daughter of a painter and a singer, leaves a home for girls to be a governess, armed with pluck, a keen wit, good looks, fluent French, and an eye for social advancement. Society tries its best to keep her from climbing. An episodic narrative follows her for 20 years, through marriage, Napoleonic wars, a child, loyalty to a school friend, the vicissitudes of the family whose daughters she instructed, and attention from a bored marquess who collected her father's paintings. Honesty tempers her schemes. No aristocrat she, nor bourgeois, just spirited, intelligent, and irrepressible. Written by {jhailey@hotmail.com}"

This is another film based on a book I have not read. The book was written as a satirical commentary on English society.
It starts out with Becky leaving her boarding school and heading out on her first assignment as a governess. I won't repeat what the plot summary above says, but I will say that I was very interested in this story and in the character of Becky. She is very smart and I enjoyed watching her manipulate the people around her in society and proving them wrong. Reese Witherspoon is great at this role and I enjoyed watching her.
One thing I also really enjoyed about this movie was the costuming. It is AMAZING! I loved the dresses and different colors and outfits that were shown during everyday scenes and in the scenes where they showcased different cultures, especially India. It makes me very curious to read the book and find out how it is described by the author.
This has a great, but very tragic love story, so be prepared. It has happy parts but does not have an overly happy ending (for the "main" characters), so I am guessing the book does the same.
I would easily recommend this movie to anyone who enjoys historic romance. I don't believe I have ever read any of William Makepeace Thackery's work. I actually just confirmed that fact by looking him up. He was actually born in Calcutta, India, so that would explain all the vivid images of India in the movie! I think I will put this one on my "Victorian Reading Challenge" to do list!

update: I just found an alternate ending to the movie that was filmed. It actually includes the guy who plays Edward in the Twilight movies, but it was completely cut out of the final film. I actually really like the alternate ending. I thought it was sweeter than the actual ending. You can search for it if you end up watching the movie. Now I am even more intrigued to read the book and see what the "real" ending includes!