Friday, March 19, 2010

Friday 56: Week 37










Rules:
* Grab the book nearest you. Right now.
* Turn to page 56.
* Find the fifth sentence.
* Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) along with these instructions
on your blog or (if you do not have your own blog) in the comments section of this blog.
*
Post a link along with your post back to this blog and to Storytime with Tonya and Friends at http://storytimewithtonya.blogspot.com/
* Don't dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.


Here's mine from the book I'm currently reading, Liane Merciel's The River Kings' Road: A Novel of Ithelas:

Bitharn whistled. She'd seen the odds. They'd been generous, but not that generous. He must have bet half his money. "I thought that was a sin."

"You told me it wouldn't be a gamble. If there was no gamble, there was no sin."

Monday, March 15, 2010

Book Review of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World by Abigail Reynolds

Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World

Review:
In Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennett tells the proud Fitzwilliam Darcy that she wouldn't marry him if he was the last man in the world. Abigail Reynolds's Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World, she asks the question, "What if Elizabeth hadn't refused Darcy? What would their story have been like if she had said yes?"

The book builds on this interesting premise. Even though Lizzie Bennett has agreed to marry Darcy, she still carries her uncertainties and doubts. George Wickham's insinuations are still unanswered at the time of the wedding and Lizzie hasn't formed a good opinion of Darcy.
In this Pride and Prejudice variation, Fitzwiliam Darcy is particularly interesting: It is clear that he loves Lizzie but he doesn't know her well. It never occurred to Darcy that Lizzie Bennett would refuse his proposal or that she wouldn't be honored and excited to become Mrs. Darcy. The two discover that they'd been blind in their own ways and as Lizzie and Darcy gradually see beyond their prejudices and expectations, they find love.

Overall, I found Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy: The Last Man in the World a fun read. The Lizzie Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy seemed to be closer my own impressions of Jane Austen's characters and thoroughly likeable. I enjoyed the ups and downs of their love story and its satisfying conclusion.

ISBN-10: 140222947X - Paperback $14.99
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark (January 1, 2010), 256 pages.
Review copy provided by the publisher.

A big thank you to Danielle and SourceBooks for this review opportunity!

Join The Center for Fiction and Celebrate Books for New York Schools on April 10!

I recently heard about The Center for Fiction through a special on Groupon, a website that aggregates promotions and deals in NYC (and other cities) and through NY Magazine. The Center for Fiction has a compelling mission: "to encourage people to read and value fiction and to support and celebrate its creation and enjoyment." The Center for Fiction organizes talks, readings, and creative programs and is housed in a beautiful building on E. 47th Street (between Fifth and Madison Avenues) with a sanctuary of a reading room and a large private library.

On Saturday, April 10, The Center for Fiction is hosting the Celebrate Books for New York Schools -
a day of activities for kids, readers and authors. There's plenty for adults to enjoy - with or without kids! The goal is to collect 5,000 books for NYC public schools, youth organizations, and the Coalition for the Homeless' summer camp, Homeward Bound. Each participant is asked to donate at least 2 new or gently used books for kids (K to 12th grade).


From 11 am to 5 pm, The Center for Fiction will host special events.

Adults will enjoy readings and discussions with Elizabeth Gilbert, Rick Moody, Jamaica Kincaid, Rene Steinke, Rob Sheffield, Adam Haslett, Sam Lipsyte, Jonathan Dee, Martha McPhee, Ron Nixon, Darcey Steinke, Kurt Andersen and others. Panel discussions on "How to Get Published" and "The Art of Interviewing Musicians" will surely intrigue aspiring authors.

Kids and their parents will have the chance to write stories at the "Instant Writer" workshops. Well-known children's authors Elise Broach, Miriam Cohen, Tad Hills, Veronica Chambers, Fran Manushkin, and Bob Morris will read to children. Other children can participate in hourly "Make Your Own Book" workshops led by distinguished artists, such as Ruth Root, Roe Ethridge and Chris Doyle.

Middle and high school students can enjoy readings and discussions led by their favorite authors, including Cecily von Ziegesar (Gossip Girl), Scott Westerfeld (Uglies), Natalie Standiford (How to Say Goodbye in Robot) and Justine Larbalestier (Liar).

For the complete schedule or to learn more, call 212-755-6710 or visit the Center for Fiction's website at http://centerforfiction.org/booksfornyckids Or visit the Center for Fiction to see for yourself!

Interested? Sign up!

The price of entry is a donation of at least 2 new or gently used books (grades K-12). For the list of recipient organizations or to learn more about donating, visit the Center for Fiction's Books for NYC Schools page.

The Mercantile Library Center for Fiction
17 East 47th Street, b/w 5th & Madison Aves
New York, NY 10017