tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57326758162418038192024-02-07T07:25:39.077-06:00All About Books Etc.(that is, my wonderful homeschooling education)Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-20105257023510899612010-08-28T17:53:00.005-05:002010-08-28T18:44:59.167-05:00An Educational Journey: Sophomore Year<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib99XODkO_voOrMJTMl48xKblUQS9303SCxcaRwdG8l2vEApATocjLrIFG1Uwr7OUuTGVBYyFPQrBW23vZKrIwytFaxLCrCf_bXiI8Sluei12BmYbBhqa_aLdztADeODTqa8rKQ2NxejEp/s1600/waterhouse_ophelia_01.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 204px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510610926769327490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib99XODkO_voOrMJTMl48xKblUQS9303SCxcaRwdG8l2vEApATocjLrIFG1Uwr7OUuTGVBYyFPQrBW23vZKrIwytFaxLCrCf_bXiI8Sluei12BmYbBhqa_aLdztADeODTqa8rKQ2NxejEp/s320/waterhouse_ophelia_01.jpg" /></a> I have been extremely remiss in writing on this blog and I apologize all over the place. Unfortunately, something know as life has prevented me from being more diligent.<br /><br /><br />As a sort of a 'catch-up' post, I thought I would do one of my favorite things: a list. So here is a list of the things I am doing during my second year of high school.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><ul><br /><li>Latin--this is a new thing. I joined a class/discussion group this year and part of the curriculum is latin. Once I got the idea through my head that no work, no gain, it actually became rather enjoyable. I hope that it will make Spanish easier to learn--and English to understand. </li></ul><br /><p></p><br /><ul><br /><li>Biology: I admit, I'm behind the conventional curve with science. But as long as I get the required credits in, it'll all even out in the wash. My class (my mother wasn't excited to have a squeamish student learning hard-core science like that in her house) started two weeks ago and so far I am enjoying it. We'll see how I feel when it comes to dissection. I'll just keep telling myself that it could be, and has been for people I know, worse than dissecting a pig fetus. Moving on.</li></ul><br /><p></p><br /><ul><br /><li>Math: We did math through the summer, but I'm ashamed to say that I slacked off for a good part of the year on Algebra and now I am paying dearly. However, for the last couple of weeks my teacher-of-all-subjects has sat next to me to make sure that I understood what I was learning and I admit, it has eradicated the feeling of throwing spaghetti at the wall. She calls it 'Algebra Camp' and I call it...well, never mind what I call it. It's not the most fun experience in my life, but I'm sure it won't be the worst. I'm just glad I have this option.</li></ul><br /><p></p><br /><ul><br /><li>Reading/History/Language Arts: These three subjects really fit in together. I'm not entirely sure what particular time period in history I'm doing (I'll probably pick books off of the Ambleside list, but we shall see). The group mentioned above seems to have an essay assignment every week, so my writing better be good by the end of this year. </li></ul><br /><p></p><br /><ul><br /><li>Miscellaneous: I hope to start giving violin lessons to beginners, and perhaps finish sewing my 1940s costume--which I started a <em>long </em>time ago. Those are my hopes, but it seems that my main accomplishment in my free time is deep-cleaning my room (I'll get pictures up as soon as possible on Lucie Land) and sleeping. Does anyone have ideas about adding hours to the day? I'd sign a petition. </li></ul>Well, I suppose that's all for now. I'll attempt posting some of the things I write for school here.<br /><br />Adios!</div>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-48089944774700691442010-02-10T18:06:00.001-06:002010-02-10T18:16:05.832-06:00O. Henry: Springtime a la CartePages: 7<br /><br /><br /><br />Teaser: It was a day in March.<br /><br /><br /><br />After this tabooed beginning, O. Henry crafts his comically touching story of a girl, engaged to a farmer's son. She planned to have spring wedding:"at the very first signs of spring." But it is March and the snows have not melted from the streets. Her whole existence has begun to feel rather hopeless...<br /><br /><br /><br />...but no, you'll have to read it to find out what happens.<br /><br />Something To Laugh At: To begin the story, O. Henry says that "it was a day in March," a comment he immediately tells all readers never to copy: it is boring, it is dry. It is an <em>bad </em>way to begin the story.<br /><br />For an poor way to begin the story, he surely does manages to make it a good one!Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-45070131021379888602010-02-08T17:49:00.004-06:002010-02-08T19:17:25.535-06:00O. Henry: Genius of American Short Stories<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eX0JKepMpIjmrPNqs-zaUNpdpjmW1mC1Jr8RcHyza4WiE8A6ZJFL_pd-pbB92S2KJ5C-RIpA2mQ1gLT1vDqZo8BwbkeiM7LsETc6IHRR2HgJ4Y-_mFpjeV_EXMyxqgv5-7TJm218TeBM/s1600-h/7252281.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436046270243972626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1eX0JKepMpIjmrPNqs-zaUNpdpjmW1mC1Jr8RcHyza4WiE8A6ZJFL_pd-pbB92S2KJ5C-RIpA2mQ1gLT1vDqZo8BwbkeiM7LsETc6IHRR2HgJ4Y-_mFpjeV_EXMyxqgv5-7TJm218TeBM/s400/7252281.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I have fallen in love with the writing style of O. Henry. Perhaps it was the wit, perhaps the incredible way he could turn a story. Oftentimes, his story was comedic, sometimes they were philosophical. He could give his characters complex personalities, tell an amazing story and give it a wonderful ending all in the space of a few short pages. And, as a bonus, he lived for a time in my home town, San Antonio TX.</div><br /><div> So for the next week (maybe more) I will have very informal posts appearing, "discussing my thoughts about his short stories. They don't take long to read, so get a copy and follow along. Here is a list of the stories that I will write about for the first week; from Wednesday, the 10th to Wednesday the 17th:</div><br /><br /><div></div><div>Springtime a la Carte</div><br /><br /><div>Schools and Schools</div><br /><br /><div>Defeat of the City</div><br /><br /><div>The Skylight Room</div><br /><div></div>------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Do read the stories...I'd really love to hear what you think!<br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>To read a free copy of his stories click </strong><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=6ZxpPtGziD4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=o.+henry+short+stories&cd=5#v=onepage&q=&f=true"><strong>here</strong></a>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-62218477309542975212009-11-11T18:51:00.006-06:002009-11-11T20:12:00.264-06:00Animal Farm<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROfRst2Jo6Dk6C58mBRP7rwYkPa8SONG4pqwTvtIFZueDi7IROSEMaFnWFMlULKtBEtZk35b3w7enJLPWj8kNJcRCrQSFgEDuafvDH35dzule40vVgxylGhDBL3JksetFTC95FpD_HAsR/s1600-h/animl+farm.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 243px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403017728681621794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROfRst2Jo6Dk6C58mBRP7rwYkPa8SONG4pqwTvtIFZueDi7IROSEMaFnWFMlULKtBEtZk35b3w7enJLPWj8kNJcRCrQSFgEDuafvDH35dzule40vVgxylGhDBL3JksetFTC95FpD_HAsR/s400/animl+farm.jpg" /></a> This witty satire by the British author George Orwell is a very intelligent and creative warning about the rise of communism and Stalin's regime. <div><br /><div>The story starts with a wise patriarchal pig gathering the farm animals around him and telling about a dream he just had. Their human oppressors will be overthrown and the animals will live together in peace and cooperation. Not only does his vision divulge this veritable Utopia, but the ancient and long lost song "Beasts of England" is revealed to him. Soon after, the old pig dies, and the animals indeed do revolt against the humans, using this vision and song as their talisman. At first, though life is hard and full of work, the animals feel their freedom like an exhilirating breeze. But the remaining pigs start to subtly become more and more ambitious until things seem to be taking a U-turn back to the days of the humans. </div><br /><div>Of all the books I've ever read, this book probably is most comparative to <em>The Lord of the Flies</em> in that they both express what a race would deteriorate into if there were nobody to hold it accountable. This book was definitely thought-provoking, interesting and entertaining. </div></div>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-10843847292689310302009-09-30T16:28:00.002-05:002009-09-30T18:22:18.199-05:00Great Expectations<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkcYbAqfsM2PBI54-hwtla_92Q4DbTHpskHEAuXyp2kgpKkfHROi_L8_ETOqXFPv_ReDHCS36OEC996hGOsjBCiO5xtymWXm4bXpLnuG3JClCJWA9-edVFThrr7PpcAr355UuEWPJuv82/s1600-h/great+expectations.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 254px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5387404805894576130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkcYbAqfsM2PBI54-hwtla_92Q4DbTHpskHEAuXyp2kgpKkfHROi_L8_ETOqXFPv_ReDHCS36OEC996hGOsjBCiO5xtymWXm4bXpLnuG3JClCJWA9-edVFThrr7PpcAr355UuEWPJuv82/s400/great+expectations.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6ZQzNiebjQ8rLyDSGCpsEEbROVgdm4jqeT5e7PX3OzJFDAYQ0oa9Y7o-PBSO1Zf_qfEiuGXgRBOILno96c23askJTBNqMyx72ZCcAhSPgz0MZiHbZYkXV1adR4MExNB7NITEiHbLC3uQ/s1600-h/g.jpg"></a>My mother once read aloud an abriged version of Great Expectations to my sisters and me. (My writing curriculum told me to start a book review with a startling statement, so there you have it.) All I could remember of the storyline was that it was rather dark and weird, in the truest sense of the word. I just went back and read the un-adulterated original by Dickens himself. It was absolutely incredible.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div>The story is about a young boy named Pip Pirrip who is living with his older sister, and her husband, Joe Gargery, a blacksmith. Pip lives a content life until one day when he is seven or eight, a convict sets in motion a string of events that promise--or threaten--to change his life forever. In front of a setting of fog, marshes and London, Pip meets with many individuals who open doors for him into a land which he thinks he wishes to enter; the land of wealth and influence; the land of the untouchable. He desires to be a man of Great Expectations. </div><br /><br /><div>The beginning and middle of the book are wonderful and enthralling: they seem to promise of an epic and renewing ending. But me and my sensibilities found the ending to be rather sad and disappointing, although it was anything but over-used. That being said, I implore you to read the book solely for the storyline and to prepare yourself to be content with the end. </div></div></div></div>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-31164458109728006862009-09-23T17:58:00.009-05:002009-09-25T17:49:16.830-05:00Where Literature Ties in With Hypotenuses<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61BTooTYRRxJ3yVnRdsL5JvHucrQhEdotOYrN0Q1wGl8iJZ0Jiyg-CzwQ74LruTE0vlFcNnvmI1ew7T5MOM6VXb12E-RcpCeVzxI0zuJ28GKClUhfmBfWe2s4xHnwuDDKTVdQnztrG1SL/s1600-h/waterhouse_the_shrine.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 191px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5385540406065538722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61BTooTYRRxJ3yVnRdsL5JvHucrQhEdotOYrN0Q1wGl8iJZ0Jiyg-CzwQ74LruTE0vlFcNnvmI1ew7T5MOM6VXb12E-RcpCeVzxI0zuJ28GKClUhfmBfWe2s4xHnwuDDKTVdQnztrG1SL/s400/waterhouse_the_shrine.jpg" /></a> <em>Homeschooling is filled with wonders, many of which it is too easy to forget, so I am going write one before the afore-mentioned event occurs.</em> <div><br /><div></div><div>A few days ago, I was watching my math lesson about right triangles, the Pythagorean Theorem, etc. A right triangle is made up of two "legs" and one "hypotenuse."<br /><br />A few weeks ago, I was reading the O. Henry story "Schools and Schools" (I'll have to write about O. Henry very soon--those are some stories that are not to be passed up). The story was about three cousins: Gilbert, Nevada and Barbara. Gilbert and Barbara were raised together, and they have a sort of a tacit agreement that someday they will marry. When Nevada enters the scene, however, that arrangement is upset. To cut a long story short, O. Henry called the trio a "triangle" and Barbara was relegated to the position of "the hypotenuse." I had no idea what that meant until I learned about the Pythagorean theorem. <em>I love it when my educations dove-tails like that. </em></div></div>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-79413300842651540902009-09-16T13:45:00.011-05:002009-09-16T20:24:49.641-05:00Sense and Sensibility<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36GdVsGngR2y3pj87395a91AI-WWNLQC94cNYECAnWLqwLV-yRqUHd-wk2WeO06yeqXHX9zlB96TOXbpqwkZ2OqRejsDF-8AxzWOw2LERNpcbVKqrZTaGVWiSK8maB6E3NoZ8qRGWk0C-/s1600-h/senseandsensibilit.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 260px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382146499118833970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh36GdVsGngR2y3pj87395a91AI-WWNLQC94cNYECAnWLqwLV-yRqUHd-wk2WeO06yeqXHX9zlB96TOXbpqwkZ2OqRejsDF-8AxzWOw2LERNpcbVKqrZTaGVWiSK8maB6E3NoZ8qRGWk0C-/s400/senseandsensibilit.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I have been told often and much of the merits of the Jane Austen books, of their delicate femininity and beauty. So at last, I decided that I wanted to see if the reports were true. I bought <em>Sense and Sensibilty</em> . </div><br /><div>The story is about the Dashwood sisters, their romances and their follies. Elinor, the eldest, is a wise girl, more level-headed than any of the rest of her family. Marianne is a few years younger, with a intense and loving heart. They live in the perfect setting for timeless romance: an English cottage in the beautiful and quaint English countryside of rolling hills, downs and dew. Now that I have got that in your head, dear reader, here are the romances. Elinor, who is cautious to a fault, though not wholly without heart, has found herself falling hesitantly in love with Edward Ferrars, an equally quiet young man. Though no real, legal attatchement occurs, everybody, even Elinor, are sure of the impending marriage of the two. For Marianne’s part, she falls passionately in love with the handsome and heroic John Willoughby, and it seems that he truly loves her in return. The two girls’s story is full of twists and turns, unexpected incidents and rivalry. </div><div></div><div> </div><div> </div><div> I was simply not expecting a lesson in the wisdom of courtship from this book, but there was one, and that surprised me quite a lot. Although it is not overt, the "moral" (if you must picture me as Mary Bennet, you must) is that a wise mentor to help guide you through the most important decision of your life is most definitely not to be scoffed at. The Dashwood sisters had no wise person to counsel them as to their courtships, the only interested, qualified people in their lives were just as impressionable and gullible as themselves. This made me realize that because not everybody is going to have a wise person to counsel them, having one should truly be counted as a blessing. </div><br /><div>This book was Jane Austen's first novel, and as such I found that it often had trouble moving forward. Especially in comparison to <em>Pride and Prejudice</em> (which Austen herself called "her own darling child"). It tends to feel as if it is dragging in some places. However, this does not take away from the overall slendidly colorful portrait of regency England.</div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:78%;"></span></div>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-71275936104247926212009-06-25T16:40:00.039-05:002009-07-06T14:34:22.081-05:00Top 10 Must-Reads<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kxvfM3qX7Cg4VL9RTeVgo3g0L8rlPoefmd-6wG_cVwXwLJDf-M5RDYIW5CWodcdC3MgIERDbpgtVthKx3FsE1gN_DqaFb6cHAhsrHpWhueQHCvj0GYN87LeQQbcxGcasb2seDSMa_tdQ/s1600-h/08.home_photo_books.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 274px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6kxvfM3qX7Cg4VL9RTeVgo3g0L8rlPoefmd-6wG_cVwXwLJDf-M5RDYIW5CWodcdC3MgIERDbpgtVthKx3FsE1gN_DqaFb6cHAhsrHpWhueQHCvj0GYN87LeQQbcxGcasb2seDSMa_tdQ/s320/08.home_photo_books.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355432764696571474" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">As what should be a requisite for all avid readers, I am now doing my very first</span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" > Top 10 Must-Reads</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;">I'm sure that it will not be my last. But for 2009, I must say that these are my favorites:</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">1.The Sherlock Holmes Series</span>: the brightest, smartest, most brilliant, incredible detective of all time is Sherlock Holmes. If your mother asks why you are reading it in the middle of the week, just tell her that it is a <span style="font-style: italic;">wonderful logic course</span>. I have found my unreasonable mind actually trying to observe and deduce. Amazing. I just finished the second volume (not a happy moment) and am very sad that all those wonderful mysteries are solved. If only Conan Doyle hadn't wasted so much time on other matters. This has become one book that I really could not live without. (Note: I was about to consider petitioning Sir Conan Doyle to resurrect Mr. Holmes yet again when I realized that--well--he's dead so it would be rather useless.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />2. <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2008/08/tale-of-two-cities.html">A Tale of Two Cities</a></span>: by Charles Dickens. Though this book starts out slowly, the supreme sacrifice and love in the end is worth anything. I am putting an excerpt here from the ending because it can certainly speak for itself. The setting is in a cart headed for the guillotine, the speakers are a young woman and a man.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><blockquote>"It cannot be, my child; there is no Time there [in Heaven], and no trouble there."<br /><br />"You comfort me so much! I am so ignorant. Am I to kiss you now? Is the moment come?"<br /><br />"Yes."<br /><br />She kisses his lips; he kisses hers; and they solemnly bless each other... She goes next before him--is gone; the knitting women count Twenty-Two.<br /><br />"I am the Resurrection and the Life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die."<br /><br />...it swells forward in a mass, like one great heave of water, all flashes away. Twenty-Three<span style="font-style: italic;">. </span><br /></blockquote></div><br /><br />Yes, this is a must-read.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">3. <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2008/08/david-copperfield.html">David Copperfield</a></span>: Arguably one of Charles Dickens' best novels, David Copperfield is loosely based on the author's own life. After surviving an abusive boyhood, David Copperfield narrates his journey to manhood, with many loves, losses and lessons .The plot is stellar and each character has a memorable personality--for good or bad.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">4. Ivanhoe</span>: is the well-known historical fiction novel by Sir Walter Scott. Set in the time of Richard Couer de Leon, this book paints a remarkable and exciting picture of life during the Middle Ages. With many memorable heroes and <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2009/05/rebecca-and-rowena-rebecca.html">heroines</a>, a dilemma between reputation and unrequited love, and many rousing fight sequences, this book ranks high.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">5. <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2009/05/watership-down.html">Watership Down</a></span><a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2009/05/watership-down.html">:</a>Though a visceral reaction to this tale by Richard Adams might be "it's about...<span style="font-style: italic;">rabbits</span>???" it really is a book that no library of the brain ought to be without. It is the tale of the journey of a band of dauntless rabbits who leave the safety of their home warren at the seeming whim of a young one who predicts tragedy. They make the harrowing journey to a paradise for rabbits. For more, please read my<a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2009/05/watership-down.html"> review</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">6. <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2009/02/mystery-of-edwin-drood.html">The Mystery of Edwin Drood</a></span>: a murder mystery written by Charles Dickens--up to the twenty-second chapter. It was sadly interrupted by the poorly-timed death of the author (after all, we'll never know how it was <span style="font-style: italic;">really </span>supposed to end). It has been concluded many times but my favorite one (and dare I say the only one I've read) is by Leon Garfield. The ending is very startling yet--I'm just going to shut up now.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. <a href="http://lucie-land.blogspot.com/2009/04/cs-lewis-and-mere-christianity.html">Mere Christianity</a></span>: a book written by C.S Lewis--not a novel, yet a gripping read. It is written so well and so down-to-earth that you can almost hear Lewis' kindly English accent talking to you. It explores the many different facets of the Christian life, bringing new insights to dilemmas and discussing commonplace topics that everyone knows but doesn't give much intelligent thought to.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">8. <a href="http://graftedchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2008/01/around-world-in-80-days.html">Around the World In 80 Days</a></span>: the classic written by Jules Verne, <span style="font-style: italic;">Around the World in 80 Days</span> will ring in your memory for many a year. It follows the extremely punctual (if not slightly eccentric) Englishman, Phileas Fogg on an impromptu journey round the world--with a return date exactly 80 days from departure. The book details the culture and geography of many countries in the world.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">9. <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2008/09/eagle-of-ninth.html">The Eagle of the Ninth,</a> <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2008/09/silver-branch.html">The Silver Branch</a>, <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2008/09/lantern-bearers.html">The Lantern Bearers</a></span>: these three books are a series written by Rosemary Sutcliff. Starting with the Eagle of the Ninth, which is about a young Roman centurion, the books covers the history of Ancient Britain from the height of the Roman Empire's power over Britain to its fall and the rise of the real king Arthur. These books really fascinated me with the history of England, especially her Ancient times.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">10. <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2008/10/scarlet-pimpernel.html">The Scarlet Pimpernel</a></span><a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2008/10/scarlet-pimpernel.html">:</a> This book by Baroness Orczy tells the tale of an Englishman who takes condemned Frenchmen from under the guillotine's shadow during the French Revolution. The rebel government employs an Englishwoman living in the center of London society to search out and reveal this man. A fascinating story, it has quite a lot of the flavor of <span style="font-style: italic;">A Tale of Two Cities</span> and a dash of the mysterious content of <span style="font-style: italic;">Sherlock Holmes</span>.<br /><br /><br /><br />I hope that you've enjoyed this post, and I hope that it has inspired you to want to read these books.<br /><br />I am also advertising for people who also have read and truly enjoyed these books...I would LOVE to discuss them!Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-53907302516673538112009-06-08T11:05:00.001-05:002009-06-08T20:04:21.572-05:00Rebecca and Rowena: Rebecca<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifozjIojxJCaKv2ndLs0ecXEBLgnKAsLdgcEXncZEUpn9NsV0mEprYUQahs8hqJjREMXPDezwDiNEvmjLM9exrrE4Bg8KLK7l7B7H-wEUowmKZLeCbGfA_ab34Ak0Wgfs2K_yj6LlonI4w/s1600-h/waterhouse_spring.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifozjIojxJCaKv2ndLs0ecXEBLgnKAsLdgcEXncZEUpn9NsV0mEprYUQahs8hqJjREMXPDezwDiNEvmjLM9exrrE4Bg8KLK7l7B7H-wEUowmKZLeCbGfA_ab34Ak0Wgfs2K_yj6LlonI4w/s400/waterhouse_spring.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343516939685393298" border="0" /></a>When Rebecca is captured along with the household of Cedric the Saxon, an invalid and her father, Isaac, she withstands a harrowing experience in the castle of their captors. Because of her nationality and faith, her very life is often at risk<br /><br />As a Jewess in medieval England, Rebecca is despised on account of her rank in society, not withstanding her extraordinary beauty. She is the loyal daughter to her father, Isaac of York, a moneylender. When troubles rear up about her, she proves that although she is a pariah, she possesses a laudable amount of mettle. After being captured with her father, the wounded Ivanhoe and the whole of Cedric's household, she is separated from her father. Only by entreating an old resident of their prison is she able to attend to Ivanhoe. While doing so, she begins to fall in love with him, knowing that there is no hope because by all accounts in medieval England, he is above her ethnicity; when Ivanhoe discovers that his healer is a Jewess, he treats her with coldness inherent to his breeding and the culture of his land. Throughout the book, she shows that she is kind, ready to help and has a very humble nature.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Many readers and critics regard Rebecca as more interesting than <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooksetc.blogspot.com/2009/05/rebecca-and-rowena-rowena.html">Rowena</a>. Perhaps it is because Scott develops her role and personality in the story, making her seem warmer and more inviting than her counterpart Rowena, who comes off as cold and pious. To amend the rather discouraging finale to the story (when Rowena marries Ivanhoe) another Victorian author, William Makepeace Thackeray even wrote a sequel entitled <span style="font-style: italic;">Rebecca and Rowena</span>, in which Ivanhoe is remarried to Rebecca. I suppose that that is one of the advantages of fiction; you can find a way to change it if you don't happen to like the outcome of the story!Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-79082886652461136852009-05-27T15:19:00.013-05:002009-06-03T14:52:02.670-05:00Rebecca and Rowena : Rowena<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddlabml43Q_Hmpvm519eTROYoF5EvsHgoyAW6RCGNCQLdN9dXbsdKBhwD4KGiRUDPBFcW5XAwpj_ueY8s0Q8dHbI9hJxdPxBG8IkMhlh0yY5rdYslVYDV_0QtM4nUAwGlq54Tkl-NAFeS/s1600-h/waterhouse_my_sweet_rose.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjddlabml43Q_Hmpvm519eTROYoF5EvsHgoyAW6RCGNCQLdN9dXbsdKBhwD4KGiRUDPBFcW5XAwpj_ueY8s0Q8dHbI9hJxdPxBG8IkMhlh0yY5rdYslVYDV_0QtM4nUAwGlq54Tkl-NAFeS/s400/waterhouse_my_sweet_rose.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5340602999230361378" border="0" /></a>As the beautiful and delicate protagonist in Ivanhoe, Rowena is the ward of Cedric the Saxon and the lady-love of the heroic Wilfred of Ivanhoe. When she is captured along with her guardian's household, two Jews and a mysterious invalid, she hopes for Ivanhoe to rescue her, but will he be able to?<br /><br />After being taken captive, she is imprisoned in a Norman lord's castle. The way even her captors treat her in contrast to the way her counterpart, Rebecca is treated is striking. Though only a Saxon woman in the power of Normans, her wealth and rank hold sway over their conduct toward her. They are respectful and treat her with a semblance of the way they would their own, whereas Rebecca is regarded as little more than a slave. Over the course of the book, however, she is shown to have a compassionate nature, even toward what was thought of as the dregs of society: the Jews.<br /><br />It can be argued that she is much too frigid and perfect to make a satisfactory heroine and bride of the hero; even after she is kidnapped <span style="font-style: italic;">en masse</span> with her guardian's household, the two refugee Jews and their patient, she remains (only figuratively), above the fray. I can not say what her deeper personality could have been, this facade that is discernible could possibly only be because Sir Walter Scott did not see fit to put her in circumstances that were as desperate as Rebecca's. Therefore, her personality remains what I, the reader chooses: the icy, pious angel or the rather quiet heroine, misinterpreted because of lack of personality.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">The second installment to this two-part post--Rebecca-- is due out sometime by next week. Please check back. </span>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-28718473164645943002009-05-20T13:03:00.006-05:002009-05-21T18:18:05.745-05:00DisneyNature's "Earth"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlV2XyTpEoBTTls-IfY5dSklmrviOnBM5t4_1GI2_DC4tKfiO-EV92HuTJzdpV9sYY41-56syXOOT9ZtwHbewU6hxkDvVXUGwpEKMt7QizbgudoTMiVPnxhfKp5oA2f8VR2fvU_BXemFP/s1600-h/earth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSlV2XyTpEoBTTls-IfY5dSklmrviOnBM5t4_1GI2_DC4tKfiO-EV92HuTJzdpV9sYY41-56syXOOT9ZtwHbewU6hxkDvVXUGwpEKMt7QizbgudoTMiVPnxhfKp5oA2f8VR2fvU_BXemFP/s400/earth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338420442447900722" border="0" /></a>The herd is suddenly fleeing. Bucks, does and calves all match the thumping of their neighbor's hooves in the desperation to escape. A white wolf of the tundra is in hot pursuit. Suddenly, a little calf finds herself alone. Her mother has been consumed into the frantic speeding press. Another step is heard galloping behind her--it is not familiar. Another moment tells her that it is the wolf, no longer following the herd in general, but targeting <span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;">her</span></span></span>. </span><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>Now her only thought is to escape the dreaded feel of the wolf's jaws closing on her. Running at a speed she has never attained, the calf forsakes all hope of going to the herd. If only she can escape. Running in circles, she flies over the ground. She can escape if only she doesn't lose her footing. That would be fatal. Just one slip and--<br /><br />Two shapes are barely discernible through the thick white dust. The muffled plodding of the feet of a mother elephant and a baby elephant can just be heard. They are all alone. Separated from the herd--exhausted, thirsty and blinded by dust, a mile away from security--what will they do? Will they be able to rejoin the herd or simply lay down to die?<br /><br />These are only two of the many thrilling, amusing and heart-wrenching instances that you can view in stunning display during the new movie <span style="font-style: italic;">Earth</span>. It chronicles the high points of the lives of animals from the Arctic to the rainforest to the Sahara desert. While it falls within the same genre as <span style="font-style: italic;">March of the Penguins</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Arctic Tale</span>, it follows a wider range of species, in more climates. It is definitely worth seeing; it offers a front row seat for the first-hand experience of the amazing and often harsh circle of life that God created. As with all movies about nature that have emerged in the past few years, there is attention called to "global warming," but regardless of your viewpoint on this matter, this movie really is a fantastic window to watch the way God has orchestrated the natural world.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-76376448839772842332009-05-07T14:03:00.012-05:002009-05-21T18:29:28.673-05:00Watership Down<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDFgCnxozsXhqWMMwr7Hnmzt8WadwWyHH-swCymVCgEDf54WhF4RMNjuV5Z2lBDdNR-fyLdD9rbGGKe0RFOqKDZTSmoEJITBA0FsF5drPJjZBH64oHae8WQZjfiH3YnRbJJ0h3yBS4VxY/s1600-h/index.aspx.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDFgCnxozsXhqWMMwr7Hnmzt8WadwWyHH-swCymVCgEDf54WhF4RMNjuV5Z2lBDdNR-fyLdD9rbGGKe0RFOqKDZTSmoEJITBA0FsF5drPJjZBH64oHae8WQZjfiH3YnRbJJ0h3yBS4VxY/s400/index.aspx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337999554352584226" border="0" /></a>By Richard Adams<br />Age:13-14<br /><br />I was supposed to read this book over the course of 36 weeks. It was so good that I couldn't put it down.<br /><br />Set in the quaint countryside of England, Fiver has shown a surprising ability to know if something was safe or not, if something was going to end in disaster or be a blessing in disguise. One night he gets a feeling--a "mist" hanging over the entire warren (did I mention that they're rabbits?). He tells his brother, Hazel, convincing him that some unknown tragedy was going to overtake their home. Hazel pulls a small band of bucks together to make an emigration from the supposedly doomed warren to a place far away in the downs. The journey is harrowing and exciting, the fictitious culture and language of the rabbits fascinating, and the wit amusing.<br /><br />There are mild expletives used in this book.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-14492203577800776382009-02-11T01:27:00.004-06:002009-05-13T15:04:05.677-05:00The Mystery of Edwin Drood<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvKEScPYWX9VjehF50cW3jGXiP9eVC_25K7r9K0GwfTBxtL3Sm7_KqO47ZF9FvVmdTFAinGkZ1NyLqZ1zn8D5U3qvH71KT967JulMIzx4vlqKp_1TCWOeGcexIn5mlVecej9HVn-bURgT/s1600-h/edwin+drood.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXvKEScPYWX9VjehF50cW3jGXiP9eVC_25K7r9K0GwfTBxtL3Sm7_KqO47ZF9FvVmdTFAinGkZ1NyLqZ1zn8D5U3qvH71KT967JulMIzx4vlqKp_1TCWOeGcexIn5mlVecej9HVn-bURgT/s320/edwin+drood.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300627741143067154" border="0" /></a>By Charles Dickens CONCLUDED BY Leon Garfield<br />Rating: 10+<br />Recommended Reading Age: 15<br /><br />This was the last book that Charles Dickens wrote, and he had only reached the twenty-second chapter when he died in 1870, leaving this book far from finished.<br /><br />After Edwin Drood disappears, suspicion of murder is harbored toward two men: John Jasper, Edwin's uncle, and Neville Landless, a mysterious young man who has recently settled in the the town with his twin sister, Helena. For the next 11 months, dread and conjecture circulate in this book. Did someone kill Edwin Drood? If so, who and why? Or did he leave of his own accord?<br /><br />As I neared the the twenty-second chapter of this book, I got the feeling that I get when something that I really love is about to be gone. As that chapter was the termination of Dicken's writing, I felt as if no great expectations could be held for the writing skill of this person <span style="font-style: italic;">Leon Garfield. </span>However, I feel that he did an excellent job of simulating the signature style and wit of Dickens in his writing. At times I could not tell if it was the added author, or Dickens himself. Also, Mr. Garfield did an exceptionally imaginative job of resolving the mystery. I couldn't have done it myself.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Please note that there are other conclusions to this mystery, done by other authors, and I only review the one done by Leon Garfield.<br /></span>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-13320211817914323372008-12-15T17:14:00.011-06:002009-05-13T15:04:29.908-05:00Little Women<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrsMuhQV8-qakeNNGhzV3_kquDOlaPajEfsfwaWBgA4-czwnVKVvxf-5zlx_h1Mt1mW_htxu1KoQmekaqBcjvOmsjI91Au3qUX_JL6oQi1BKAW4VrNr2_MRBA3Rb7fD_Daa7i9A1Owf-W/s1600-h/index.aspx.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrsMuhQV8-qakeNNGhzV3_kquDOlaPajEfsfwaWBgA4-czwnVKVvxf-5zlx_h1Mt1mW_htxu1KoQmekaqBcjvOmsjI91Au3qUX_JL6oQi1BKAW4VrNr2_MRBA3Rb7fD_Daa7i9A1Owf-W/s320/index.aspx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5280159943004633490" border="0" /></a>by Louisa May Alcott<br />Rating: 10<br />Recommended reading age: 10<br /><br />This is a book that a book review blog really can't be without. I first read it at about the age of nine or ten. Though this is not one of my very favorite books--it's not a terribly challenging read for me at my age--but it still has a certain<br />amount of whimsy that is very refreshing. I could have some reserve because the author was a Unitarian, but most of the hints that are spiritual don't really lean that way, as far as I can tell. Even so, I would be on my guard when reading this book for false doctrine.<br /><br />Many of the lessons in this book are useful, but more true-to- life than many a book written in that era. There are some hilarious parts, such as the one in "Amy's Will" where an impertinent parrot squawks out some very well-timed insults to various persons concerned. I found that very funny.<br /><br />For those of you who have not read this book, and don't know the general story plot, here it is:<br /><br />Taking place during the civil war, the book opens to the four March sisters complaining and being generally discontented about a meager Christmas. The rest of the book outlines various instances, trial and experiences that the March family goes through-- particularly the girls-- to come out as lovely "little women." This is, I think, a worthwhile read, if only for the interest of watching a semi-fictitious family go through their semi-fictitious life together. Of course, don't get stuck on this reading level or genre for ever, as other posts on this blog suggest. All the same, don't forget to read this one if you haven't.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-85702523826662960022008-11-17T17:18:00.014-06:002009-05-13T15:05:25.095-05:00Julius Caesar<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLLVgDoTtUKG7DFbc8bKAE38QS3NE5-ovIPwAYCuaNQQ8ugcQrP0MloWgkxkCbhyphenhyphenkKrtBSR8mkZ9jpIPg0vd55jmCGYRloCj6vd3ballGc3G3A5GF92EevV4PYsKLAwiXitGfr-RzJM6u/s1600-h/index.aspx.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 190px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkLLVgDoTtUKG7DFbc8bKAE38QS3NE5-ovIPwAYCuaNQQ8ugcQrP0MloWgkxkCbhyphenhyphenkKrtBSR8mkZ9jpIPg0vd55jmCGYRloCj6vd3ballGc3G3A5GF92EevV4PYsKLAwiXitGfr-RzJM6u/s320/index.aspx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5269774014636416034" border="0" /></a>by William Shakespeare<br />Rating: 10+++<br />Reading age: 14<br /><br />Now, I haven't read any of Shakespeare's plays apart from this one: I just don't need to know all the sordid details...*ahem*. However, this one is completely void of that, because it is about politics in ancient Rome. (There is one inappropriate mention in the beginning from the notes of "the Annotated Shakespeare" copy, but it may or may not be translated from old English correctly).<br /><br />Anyway, I devoured this play in about two days--it was that interesting. It is, as the title says, about Julius Caesar, but instead of stopping with the assassination, it goes on through the decisive battle of Philippi (Brutus and Cassius vs. Octavian and Antony). It is very interesting to read of such well-known events as the Triumvirate and the soothsayer who is said to foretell the happenings of the Ides of March as written by somebody who lived 400 years ago.<br /><br />All in all, this book was a satisfactory read: well written (of course, it <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> Shakespeare) and void of the inappropriate intrigue and debauchery.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-27162394009071902882008-10-30T15:08:00.005-06:002009-05-13T15:06:00.162-05:00The Bronze Bow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYz5JwmEtdtx06fFSIKOpAvjueMketVLK9yDC-fBPPtJ3JBH7Wj0wSyB5fB7HMUwOimZ21bjsI_SxdLwMxTl0cDcF5qcQhhZEiT5a0YAeCwLrlSK2OpTLF8g_HHVxjOOo3rj2pFBaPi-PH/s1600-h/index.aspx.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYz5JwmEtdtx06fFSIKOpAvjueMketVLK9yDC-fBPPtJ3JBH7Wj0wSyB5fB7HMUwOimZ21bjsI_SxdLwMxTl0cDcF5qcQhhZEiT5a0YAeCwLrlSK2OpTLF8g_HHVxjOOo3rj2pFBaPi-PH/s400/index.aspx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5263426591689344050" border="0" /></a>The Bronze Bow: by Elizabeth George Speare<br />Rating: 10<br />Recommended Reading Age: 12<br /><br />Though not terribly challenging to read, this book is an excellent story about the time of Jesus. The story is about a young man who is part of a guerrilla rebel band. They are bitter about the Roman conquest of Israel and are waiting for the Messiah to come, who they envision as a great military leader coming to beat back the Romans.<br /><br />The main character, Daniel, is one of the most bitter because of the cruelty inflicted on his family by the Romans. Through a complex series of events he is forced to leave the rebel band. He lives in the village, caring for his mentally troubled sister. He eventually meets Jesus and subsequently has to let go of his preconceived notion of a vengeance-wreaking Messiah. The climax is very touching (I don't usually cry with books, but I think that I cried at the end of this one). I really love this book, it has a wonderful plot as well as some good points to help understand this period of Ancient and Jewish history.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-59432347963279196722008-10-27T16:55:00.012-06:002009-05-13T15:06:35.291-05:00The Scarlet Pimpernel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVqomD03vt2FElG0xSV-zafe8J6RReU4wblO-SwhpQN4Y6RGLp2APUpsy_SCOYBlTq5b-H6H8n-lXfDf0mQ9xkbe9TL0OHf1bzoaxTIXTYXaZP8KoJ6qaoZ6vylaHLHXjIPff-O5SLRy0/s1600-h/index.aspx.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVqomD03vt2FElG0xSV-zafe8J6RReU4wblO-SwhpQN4Y6RGLp2APUpsy_SCOYBlTq5b-H6H8n-lXfDf0mQ9xkbe9TL0OHf1bzoaxTIXTYXaZP8KoJ6qaoZ6vylaHLHXjIPff-O5SLRy0/s320/index.aspx.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261976524373888850" border="0" /></a><br /><br />By Baroness Emma Orczy<br />Rating: 10++<br />Age: 13<br /><br /><br />I suppose that before I read this book, I had preconceived notions about its storyline, partly from a Looney Tunes that is called <span style="font-style: italic;">The Scarlet <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pumpernickel</span> </span>and from an old movie with Hermione-something-or-other. Neither of these even bordered on the suspense-full storyline of this book. Especially not the Looney Tune.<br /><br />The story is about a mysterious English man who seems to spirit condemned aristocrats right from the guillotine during the French Revolution. The rebel "French government" has worked itself into a tizzy over the fact that even their wittiest spies are unable to apprehend the elusive character. This is why they send over Chauvelin, a spy disguised as a diplomat, to try to find out who the man is. Through a series of events, Chauvelin uses threats about Marguerite Blakeney's brother to force her to help spy out the Scarlet Pimpernel. Marguerite is the wife of Lord Percy Blakeney, an intimate friend of the Prince of Wales and therefore the center of London society, making Marguerite a likely person to be of help spying. This task sends Marguerite into a whirlwind of agony over whether to betray the national hero, or save her brother from death. I <span style="font-size:130%;">could</span> go on and on, but I don't want to ruin the story!<br /><br />This was such a wonderful book that I could not bear to put it down. Even at 1:30. AM. I had had some Mountain Dew the evening before, thinking it an innocent equivalent of Sprite in regard to caffeine (lol. ahem). So I was up all night. What a perfect time it was to finish the novel!Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-9158271353705775562008-10-03T18:26:00.002-05:002009-05-13T15:07:47.397-05:00The Shining Company<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wpua7UmIWBLgchNbtrKh0CrCAdOEQvEVIBvvhAL98HDhHPqgUSJV4ugoFG6s_PYk5xjcSmO-fz3g8Bx-Tgj9uv0goFebpN7NSpokp0skSvPtYgTNG2jplNIX_QWmfjIo2wCnb00v7Td9/s1600-h/shining.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wpua7UmIWBLgchNbtrKh0CrCAdOEQvEVIBvvhAL98HDhHPqgUSJV4ugoFG6s_PYk5xjcSmO-fz3g8Bx-Tgj9uv0goFebpN7NSpokp0skSvPtYgTNG2jplNIX_QWmfjIo2wCnb00v7Td9/s400/shining.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253426108869635554" border="0" /></a><br />The Shining Company by Rosemary Sutcliff<br />Rating: 8<br />Recommended Reading Age: 13<br /><br />When I first started this book, I thought "oh, this one isn't half as good as <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooks.blogspot.com/search/label/Rosemary%20Sutcliff">The Three Legions</a>." So I put it down. Later, when I was really bored, I picked it back up and read it. I am so glad that I did!<br /><br />The book is about when a king of the British called for extra warriors to beat back the Saxons. The main character is Prosper, who is chosen as a prince's shield bearer. He follows his lord into the ensuing conflict, where both his fellow shield bearer and master are killed. He then rescues another man after he was wounded the rest is very exciting.<br /><br />There were quite a few *ahem* disgusting moments, where some deaths were described enough so that I could get the idea about just how awful they were.<br /><br />All in all, however, I really enjoyed this book.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-3217382494873478712008-09-28T18:55:00.004-05:002009-05-13T15:08:31.886-05:00The Lantern Bearers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCdKH6-UrZUxh8ruASS9VVAb30JsqQUZ7oaQtEQnSOF9ITpJiHpuJ0WaQGadBpV8XjTdG6xK1X3zSMeUZDF78Vyor_QEWsLjXe4l5v2xKbF6wFuXa2QIq7jVvezQVcCYqwfBOkpaKdr0f/s1600-h/lantern+bearers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCdKH6-UrZUxh8ruASS9VVAb30JsqQUZ7oaQtEQnSOF9ITpJiHpuJ0WaQGadBpV8XjTdG6xK1X3zSMeUZDF78Vyor_QEWsLjXe4l5v2xKbF6wFuXa2QIq7jVvezQVcCYqwfBOkpaKdr0f/s320/lantern+bearers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5300632763362962402" border="0" /></a>The Lantern Bearers by Rosemary <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Sutcliff</span> <br />Recommended Reading Age: 13<br />Rating: 10<br /><br />This is the third and last book in the "trilogy*" that consists of <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/eagle-of-ninth.html">The Eagle of the Ninth</a>, <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/silver-branch.html">The Silver Branch</a> and this book, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Lantern Bearers</span>. I thought that this book was very bitter-sweet.<br /><br />It starts on a rather happy note: the main character is Aquila, a Roman soldier on leave at the family farm. About a chapter into this book, however, things begin to change, when Aquila is called back to the fort. After a disastrous episode, he is taken captive by a band of raiding Saxons. The rest of the book is all about his escape and subsequent joining of a British war band.<br /><br />I really enjoyed how this book showed him as he really grew up, from being a bitter and angry young man to being a more mature person in his mid-thirties. There are many parts that really touched my heart.<br /><br />*This, along with the three books being a chronological series, has been published as one volume called The Three Legions.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-17398513352941518462008-09-19T09:52:00.005-05:002009-05-13T15:08:51.957-05:00The Silver Branch<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHRVZdJvWQdp9tW22KHJ_qaCzfLzUv9rdfzmdXmZeaR4OCio_sCQh4LVW8bb6q8NQLnwP8eAHtxAmxUSu1JfnoNPXJaG3Hsenb654R2yMRZQxbw-EuSkAGcs5Bo9ghh35VOgNaPP_Aqq9/s1600-h/Silver+Branch.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLHRVZdJvWQdp9tW22KHJ_qaCzfLzUv9rdfzmdXmZeaR4OCio_sCQh4LVW8bb6q8NQLnwP8eAHtxAmxUSu1JfnoNPXJaG3Hsenb654R2yMRZQxbw-EuSkAGcs5Bo9ghh35VOgNaPP_Aqq9/s400/Silver+Branch.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5247749894133718194" border="0" /></a><br />The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff<br />Rating 10 +<br />Recommended Reading Age: 12<br /><br />This book (like The Eagle of the Ninth) was a very good story about Britain close to the end of Rome's rule over her.<br /><br />When the main characters warn the emperor of an internal plot, he acts angrily and sends them away. Later, at the exiled characters new post, they hear that the usurper, Allectus, has succeeded in murdering the emperor and acceding the throne. For the rest of this story, they work to bring together a band to fight Allectus, seek revenge for the old emperor's life and save the future of Britain.<br /><br />I would recommend reading this <span style="font-size:130%;">after</span> reading <a href="http://luciesallaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2008/09/eagle-of-ninth.html">The Eagle of the Ninth</a>, because there are points in this book that, for people who have read the before mentioned, will bring many "Oh, wow, I remember that" moments.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-86181785462718714222008-09-16T18:24:00.003-05:002009-05-13T15:09:10.573-05:00The Eagle of the Ninth<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyz-jJRpPm7a3F8CIMfGlKZUey1xUKH_l0EsVZ8yIhGNk2T3e81H1pR64GPsa0yA2mafgUaVJ3TLJfL-qAMFZWoFrdZ9Td8pF9CG3ZMmxi_dJxez08ZwJ60-Ek72eyzX2rUo-GGzo5LtP/s1600-h/eagle+of+the+ninth.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyyz-jJRpPm7a3F8CIMfGlKZUey1xUKH_l0EsVZ8yIhGNk2T3e81H1pR64GPsa0yA2mafgUaVJ3TLJfL-qAMFZWoFrdZ9Td8pF9CG3ZMmxi_dJxez08ZwJ60-Ek72eyzX2rUo-GGzo5LtP/s400/eagle+of+the+ninth.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246779699377168466" border="0" /></a><br />The Eagle of the Ninth by Rosemary Sutcliff<br />Recommended reading age: 12<br />Rating: 10+++<br /><br />After borrowing this book from the library about a year ago, and returning it after reading the first page, I have finally read it to completion. It was wonderful!!!<br /><br />It is a story about the Roman rule over Britain. The main character is Marcus, a young commander of a cohort. He comes to Britain and takes charge of a frontier outpost. Soon trouble brews and Marcus's leg is maimed in the ensuing battle and he has to retire from service. Through a series of events, he finds himself on a dangerous search for a Roman banner lost to the British. For the rest of this very exciting adventure, I was turning page after page, anxious to know what happens next. I refrain from going into details because I know just how frustrating it can be to have a story spoiled.<br /><br />One thing about this book I wonder at was the obvious ingenious ways of idol-worshipers. They somehow found a way to make their beliefs seem real, even though they were manufacturing them "behind the scenes." But what is even more astounding is that (at least some of the time) the people orchestrating the ceremony actually believed that the gods were a reality. I find that amazing.<br /><br />Anyway, I give this book an A+, 10+, 10/10 and 100%. That's all.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-61341568515687290772008-09-05T18:04:00.002-05:002009-09-05T18:07:11.558-05:00Open Questions ForumThis is a place where all book lovers and potential book lovers can convene and share their opinions and thoughts...comment away!!! I look forward to hearing from you!Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-42364303482069743022008-09-05T17:29:00.004-05:002009-09-12T16:01:25.247-05:00Meet the Bookworm:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW9e7XuWseYonvm02OB8S36YfmGKSPvNpXPFVBH5gmI_3A5uf9pZcl3fmzGbKfIH-dPzGx95YQLqKqOGtoaI2JpgJTLi1mg8HnsnOcI5mfTnAklZbraMqc-VvRGSHwYckT1MZHbbWgHwF/s1600-h/12.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW9e7XuWseYonvm02OB8S36YfmGKSPvNpXPFVBH5gmI_3A5uf9pZcl3fmzGbKfIH-dPzGx95YQLqKqOGtoaI2JpgJTLi1mg8HnsnOcI5mfTnAklZbraMqc-VvRGSHwYckT1MZHbbWgHwF/s200/12.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5378122659476493442" border="0" /></a>I am a 14-year-old Christian girl from (or at least almost) Texas. Great place, Texas. A little hot, perhaps, but great. But! You are probably reading this to get to know me a little better...so I had better oblige you. I'm homeschooled, the sister of two and everything that that entails (I can elaborate on that if you want). My interests are(in order): Violin, Reading, British Lit., London, Drama, old movies,the 1940's,Narnia, Charles Dickens and Jane Austen.This is my blog and I hope you enjoy!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340"><span style="font-size:85%;">Click to view my complete profile</span></a><br /></div><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/COMPAQ%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg" alt="" />Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-20185792391367435332008-09-02T12:38:00.002-05:002009-05-13T15:10:08.501-05:00Oliver Twist<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlW0538nk82vbm9S20m8YfNimpilVS85gZgSOmC63gvFBwYsMhq3zFaOzhYhCyUDTmYWChrrRUWqXRWC_0zms1xYNfuhyphenhyphenu40THNu_vRFSVQZkScpRUAUj-0vaqY4PxXP0zeXZalEnrTj7/s1600-h/Oliver.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFlW0538nk82vbm9S20m8YfNimpilVS85gZgSOmC63gvFBwYsMhq3zFaOzhYhCyUDTmYWChrrRUWqXRWC_0zms1xYNfuhyphenhyphenu40THNu_vRFSVQZkScpRUAUj-0vaqY4PxXP0zeXZalEnrTj7/s320/Oliver.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241479918471549154" border="0" /></a>Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens<br />Recommended Reading Age: 14<br />Rating: 10+<br /><br />Oliver Twist was probably one of the best books I have ever read. The literacy was great and the plot was enthralling.<br /><br />The story starts with the main character, Oliver, being born in a parish workhouse. He lives in squalor there for the first years of his life. Through a series of events, he goes to London. While on the road there he meets a boy who is part of a gang of reprobates which is made up of pickpockets and a harlot. They try to lead young Oliver into their life but he escapes, for a time. All to soon, however, he is recaptured and held by the gang. Eventually, he is saved yet again and he goes to live in happiness. The grand finale is wonderful for him, yet justly awful for the criminals.<br /><br />This book was clearly written for an adult audience, so you're going to come across drinking, smoking, murder and harlotry (there are no details on this, I think that it was included so that the woman could have an occupation befitting a criminal). There were also some bad words. However, all of these things were clearly explained by Dickens in his preface. He said "<span style="font-style: italic;">As I saw no reason, when I wrote this book, why the dregs of life (so long as their speech does not offend the ear) should not serve the purpose of a moral..." </span>I was struck by this reason and I think that it is a very good one. In this book, the criminals are not to be envied. They are painted in such a way so as to reveal just how frightening they are and how undesirable their life is.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong, that is not the bulk of the book. I don't want to paint it as all bad, because it wasn't. I haven't told half the story, so that it will be just as suspenseful if and when you read it. There were some touching and humorously sarcastic parts. It also reflects well the general views of the different classes in Victorian England. A wonderful read.Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5732675816241803819.post-79859270338466362582008-08-30T22:34:00.002-05:002009-05-13T15:10:39.919-05:00A Tale of Two Cities<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM5zS1qTiT5kF0YQZ2zuoLqhhQJGtoGOmUl_BcjGCs7cuuFrLMs_U1J03Ap2pc9iSbdCwchCHHVw4t1qEOF3GdiJZ8KehIC_ygmjcY0qECmFdtFZG297Em3Tk0u67ftoHv4t_J8lc0ee1/s1600-h/dickens.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCM5zS1qTiT5kF0YQZ2zuoLqhhQJGtoGOmUl_BcjGCs7cuuFrLMs_U1J03Ap2pc9iSbdCwchCHHVw4t1qEOF3GdiJZ8KehIC_ygmjcY0qECmFdtFZG297Em3Tk0u67ftoHv4t_J8lc0ee1/s200/dickens.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240520535111912226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:georgia;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens<br />Rating: 10+<br />Age: mature 13 and up<br /><br />A Tale of Two Cities is a wonderful book written by the illustrious 19th-century author, Charles Dickens. It is a thrilling, fast-paced story set in England and France both before and during the French Revolution. While off to a rather slow start, do not let this discourage you. Press through, trust me. It's worth it.<br /><br />It is a very exciting story, but it does do a good job *ahem* describing the cheerful and nonchalant blood-thirstiness of the French Revolutionaries. It has a very touching climax which is very sad and shows real love. It is, as the back of the book published by Cathay Books, "a story of injustice and betrayal, but also of love and supreme sacrifice."<br /><br />The way Charles Dickens weaves together a plot with the use of wit and good writing, truly does make a story worth reading. I strongly recommend this for everyone. You'll see what I mean.<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"></span></span></span></span></span>Lucie Manettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863854085157401340noreply@blogger.com4