Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion

Since it's 18.55 (6.55pm) here in Finland right now it means a lot of rockets are shot in the air at the moment. One can shoot rockets between 31st December 18.00 (6pm) to 1st of January 02.00 (02.00am) as a private person and it's the only time of year allowed to do so (though you can buy rockets starting 27th of December and some people start to shoot them then, even if it's illegal). And since I will go outside to party the New Year with my friends, I will wish everyone in this group a Happy New Year 2015! (Even if it's technically not yet 2015 in here, but somewhere in the world it already is).

Maarit wrote: "Since it's 18.55 (6.55pm) here in Finland right now it means a lot of rockets are shot in the air at the moment. One can shoot rockets between 31st December 18.00 (6pm) to 1st of January 02.00 (02...."

Happy New Year Maarit!

And to all of our other members, I wish a very happy new year to all of you as well!!

It's all very quiet in here, seems we've stopped chatting on this thread...no comments at all this year!

Perhaps we can resurrect things? What is everyone up to this weekend?

It's Sunday afternoon in the UK and I'm having a quiet day at home, it's terribly windy and cold outside, with no sign of summer, as usual in England. My kids are revising for school exams next week (GCSEs and A levels) so I'm left to read and amuse myself at home, in-between doing housework. So who has more exciting plans than me?

It's just after 7:30 am.

The forecast calls for a temperature of 91 today.

I don't like the heat and stay indoors as much as possible.

I'm 97% finished with Jane Eyre. Yesterday as I read, I became weary of JEs and Rochester's "sexy talk" and stopped to begin reading for one of my two author of the month selections for one of the groups that edgier naughtier stuff.

I'm going to be very lazy today and just give attention to my numerous reading projects. Heaven

Jane and Rochester's sexy talk? I must have read a different edition to you ;) Though surely it can't be as bad as Cathy and Heathcliff?

I have a vivid imagination, and yes, JE and Rochester are worse than Cathy and Heathcliff bec there is so much more of it in Jane Eyre.

I seem to remember the last section being overly wordy with the love. It was my least favourite part of the book, but I forgave Jane because I loved her! Have you been enjoying it otherwise?

I find Jane a little irritating.

She thinks she knows everything.

I keep having to remind myself that she is very sheltered and had no way of acquiring the knowledge on most of which she speaks with authority.

Also, when she ran away from Rochester's house with only 20 shillings, all of which she spent on coach fare, I struggled to feel sorry for her exposed to the elements and hungry with no stranger taking the least interest in her.

You're harsh to poor Jane! Yes, I think she was very silly, though she never irritated me. Well, maybe slightly at the end.

The thing that irritates me most about Jane is that she'd is impractical to the degree that she impracticality rebellious.

She couldn't bother to try to make herself agreeable to her aunt (though there was no pleasing the woman) with end of perhaps easing her own plight. I think was annoyed with Jane's stubborn refusal to TRY to please her or express any gratitude for being allowed to live in her house. Though children by their natures are not "grateful."

Next along these lines from when she was a child, she still didn't try to make anything easier for herself as dashes off from Thornfield without wages that might have been owed to her, a character reference and her clothing so that she can present herself well enough for someone to give her some sort of job. But, no, she intends to inconvenience strangers into act of XN charity, when she couldn't be bothered to exercise charity for herself by departing from Thornfield in a sensible way. She was willful and willing to inconveniencing others to provide for her no other reason than her own stupidity in the manner she left Thornfield.

Ah, I loved that wilful aspect to Jane, even if she didn't always act in her best interests. Impetuous to the end. I think I can be quite like that, perhaps that's why I liked her so much. For me she was a strong female character, which was a relief to read about in this era.

I thought Jane rebellious.

I admit, she is willful to.

She's no shrinking violet.

Definitely not a shrinking violet. Have you seen a film version? I watched the 2011 film which I enjoyed, though I'd still like to watch the BBC series with Ruth Wilson.

I'm feeling quite into period dramas at the moment. I watched Pride and Prejudice yesterday afternoon on television, the Keira Knightley version and I really got into it. Might look for something else today, though I'm watching the BBC coverage of VE day celebrations in London at the moment.

I would like to see one of the film adaptations.

I'll probably ask around to which is considered the best of them.

I watched both the Knightley version of P&P and the 2011 Jane Eyre not too long ago, and I enjoyed them both. Also, it's one way to be able to talk to my two "not a reader" family members about the stories I've enjoyed reading!

Today, it is a beautiful sunny morning. I'm just getting home after an exhausting night at work, so unfortunately I will be sleeping through it. Time to go curl up in bed with my Kindle until I doze off!

I saw the KK P/P adaptation when it was in theaters and of the BBC version with Colin Firth too many times past counting.

Christine, watching the movies with family/friends so you all can talk about it if they are less inclined to read the book.

There are just so many more options in which one can spend leisure time than when I was young, especially kids, teens and 20 somethings.

I find that too Christine, sometimes we can discuss books with non readers who have seen the film!

Hope you get some much needed sleep :)

Nice weekend with good weather. Which unfortunately meant garden work and not so much reading. But spring is so beautiful here in the countryside. Nice long walks with my dog and then some training as well.

How could you not love Jane Eyre?! I probably love her for her passionate idealism and her courage to act on her morals/ideals in the face of extreme situations. Was she being wholly impractical? Of course! That's what makes it a Victorian novel of passion. She actually gets to follow her inner-most convictions. She is mentally beholden to no one unless she chooses to be. What freedom!
I tried to watch the 2011 movie but it didn't spark my interest and I never finished it. I adore the BBC version with Toby Stephens and Ruth Wilson. Some love the old Timothy Dalton one. Btw, Sandy Welch is the screenplay writer for the Wilson/Stephens adaptation. And Sandy is brilliant at bringing out all the passion in these Victorian novels. She is a master at it. Her crowning achievement must be her adaptation of Gaskell's "North & South." I don't think there's any romantic literary adaptation from the BBC that can top North & South.

I've recently heard BBC Radio's rendition of Mansfield Park with Felicity Jones, Benedict Cumberbatch, and David Tennant.

Oh, lord, such a good casting. I was at the edge of my seat listening to it. I wish they made a film with that cast.

Trudy, that's good to hear about North and South as I'll be reading it for our June revisit the shelf choice and I plan on watching the BBC adaptation afterwards.

IB, that radio version does sound a great cast, I like all of the actors you mentioned. I'm sorry to have missed it, unfortunately it isn't available on BBC iPlayer, shame.

Pink wrote: "Trudy, that's good to hear about North and South as I'll be reading it for our June revisit the shelf choice and I plan on watching the BBC adaptation afterwards.

IB, that radio ver..."

Oh! I listened to it on Youtube. Hopefully, it's still there. Do you want me to search the link, Pink?

I didn't even think of looking on Youtube for a radio adaptation! I think I've found it, posted in 10 episodes. Thanks for letting me know :)

Pink wrote: "I didn't even think of looking on Youtube for a radio adaptation! I think I've found it, posted in 10 episodes. Thanks for letting me know :)"

Oh yay! That's good!

The only good side being sick is, that you can just lay in bed and read…but this time I´m having the stomach bug of my life. Second day and can´t keep nothing inside, not even liquids. Also pretty high fever which adds to the dehydration. And I´m feeling so nauseate that most of the time I just stare the wall.
My husband had this and it lasted 6 days…it´s going to be long days :(

Desertorum wrote: "The only good side being sick is, that you can just lay in bed and read…but this time I´m having the stomach bug of my life. Second day and can´t keep nothing inside, not even liquids. Also pretty ..."

I am so sorry.

The symptoms sound dreadful and very distressing...and you can't even read while in bed!!!!

Desertorum wrote: "The only good side being sick is, that you can just lay in bed and read…but this time I´m having the stomach bug of my life. Second day and can´t keep nothing inside, not even liquids. Also pretty ..."

I'm sorry to hear about it. Hopefully, you get well soon. Or at least feel better enough to read. Pray get well sooner.

Desertorum, I hope you feel better soon, fingers crossed it won't last as long as your husband's illness.

Thanks guys! Hope to get back to reading soon ;)

Has anyone ever tried the Gutenberg Project? What do you think? www.gutenberg.org

Laura wrote: "Has anyone ever tried the Gutenberg Project? What do you think? www.gutenberg.org"

Yes, I use this quite a bit. A tip if you're looking for a particular book that you can't find, is to try using other countries Project Gutenberg site, as they differ in their content due to copyright. For instance on the UK site there is no George Orwell, but on the Australian version I can read Animal Farm, 1984 or 50 of his essays (which I'm currently working through). It's a great way of accessing classics for free.

I'm so happy right now, because finally we got a dishwashing machine in our home, as it was delivered just a few minutes ago! The previous places we lived didn't have a place for one, so we didn't buy one until now (six months after moving in here) as we have the place for it. So no more hand dishwashing for me except for those few things one cannot put in a dishwashing machine as it's my least favorite household job of all times.

Maarit wrote: "I'm so happy right now, because finally we got a dishwashing machine in our home, as it was delivered just a few minutes ago! The previous places we lived didn't have a place for one, so we didn't ..."

I'm very jealous of the dishwasher! Washing dishes is one of my least favorites chores too, but I live in a tiny house (around 700 sq ft) so there's no room either. Oh well, I wouldn't trade my house for anything! Congrats and enjoy! :-)

Pink wrote: "Laura wrote: "Has anyone ever tried the Gutenberg Project? What do you think? www.gutenberg.org"

Yes, I use this quite a bit. A tip if you're looking for a particular book that you can't find, i..."


Thanks! I'm so excited I found it!

Maarit, congrats on the dishwasher, I'm very thankful for having one, especially when cooking for all the family and you end up with mountains of dishes and pots to clean. I hope you enjoy using it, until the novelty wears off, then it's just moaning about who's job it is to load and unload the dishwasher!

Maarit wrote: "I'm so happy right now, because finally we got a dishwashing machine in our home, as it was delivered just a few minutes ago! The previous places we lived didn't have a place for one, so we didn't ..."

Congrats on the dishwasher!

I'm jealous! :)

Thanks everybody :). There is one small problem though, and that is one little knob blocking the waterpipe, and it doesn't want to come loose so that we could put waterhose in it instead. So no water means no using the machine and my boyfriend tried to loosen it for more than an hour before giving up. Gladly there is not so much dishes right now, so they can wait a little while or to be washed by hand. We'll see what happens.

Maarit wrote: "Thanks everybody :). There is one small problem though, and that is one little knob blocking the waterpipe, and it doesn't want to come loose so that we could put waterhose in it instead. So no wat..."

Good luck!

Considering many here like Victorian novels, here is a recipe for Victorian Mulled Wine for children's parties from 1861: http://www.wineintro.com/mulled/negus...

I found it first in a book called "1001 Cocktails" that was on sale. I had seen it before but didn't want to pay too much because I won't actually use it that much. :D But it looks great (all silver) and the cocktails are very pretty, at least most of them (Brain Hemorrhage would be great for Halloween). But yeah, unfortunately I don't have or even plan on buying the alcohol needed to try some of them but as my friend said, it's nice book to have to check some of the cocktails mentioned in books and also their history. It has some mocktails as well and they look good, too. And generally when I go out I prefer to just have a cocktail or two and nothing more, so now I can choose a couple that I can ask from the bartender. :-)

Mulled wine for children's parties? And I thought it was just for Christmas! That looks an interesting book, even if you don't make the cocktails yourself at least you know what to ask for now.

But you don't have to use port, you can use sherry or some sweet white wine. And the wine doesn't have to be old or expensive because it was meant for for example a child'd birthday party. In the book there are many literary drinks, too, like Scarlett O'Hara, Rhett Butler, Scarlet Pimpernel and Scarlet Letter, maybe others as well. One drink includes meat broth...

Yes I noticed the recipe said you could use old or less expensive wine, so it wouldn't be as strong. This makes sense and plenty of cultures still allow children to drink a small amount with meals, to have a taste, but not to get drunk. I think this takes away the mystery of alcohol.

I like the name of those cocktails...I'll have a Rhett Butler please, though I don't know what I'll be in for!

You DON'T have to use old wine, as they are usually more expensive... :-) Also the age or price doesn't correlate with the alcohol content. Port wine is actually quite strong because of how it's made, and it's pretty sweet, too. In Porto we visited one of the port wine houses, it was quite interesting to hear how it's made.

And yes, in some cultures children are given wine but I think they are starting to agree that it's not good for their liver. I'm not really sure if that is needed to "take away the mystery". I think I would have become more curious because I wouldn't have understood why people drank something that doesn't even taste good.

Oh, and the Rhett Butler has a base of Southern Comfort, obviously: http://cocktails.about.com/od/cocktai...

Ah yes, old as in vintage quality, not a leftover bottle from the shelf, I see now! I'm not good as distinguishing types or strengths of wines/ports as I never really drink, except at Christmas, when I tend to join in with a glass of Baileys or Tia Maria.

Southern Comfort makes sense for Rhett Butler, funny that they described his drink as more sour than the sweetness of the belle's. Sounds nice, but I don't know what curaçao is.

The Rhett Butler sounds pretty yummy, but I would probably use orange juice instead of the curacao since I wouldn't want to buy a bottle and never use it again. I don't think that would be a problem with the Southern Comfort.

I would like to try blue curaçao just because of the colour but you would need orange curaçao for that drink. I've never tasted it but it seems it's not that different from Cointreau which is pretty nice because of the orange flavour. I think it is used a lot in baking... Oh, there's also a drink called Great Gatsby (of course).

I know what Cointreau is, but I'm not sure I've ever actually tasted it. These drinks sounds fun, they'd be great for a party.

Does any one else feel overwhelmed with their list of books to read?! Every time I get on this website there is something else to add to my list and I get so afraid that I will never be able to add them all to my list, much less get around to reading them!!! lol

The stress of a wanna-be avid reader... if only I didn't have to provide for myself... working takes up too much time... :-)

Oh, Laura, I truly feel your pain! My "To Be Read List" is ENORMOUS! I read whenever I can but I don't feel like I've made a dent in my list! And you're right, when I see what people are reading on here, I add more books! It's a vicious cycle! We shouldn't get stressed about it though. Reading is for enjoyment and if we keep this in mind, we should be okay!

Laura wrote: "Does any one else feel overwhelmed with their list of books to read?! Every time I get on this website there is something else to add to my list and I get so afraid that I will never be able to ad..."

Sort of, but then I realised I'll never read every book I want to. I use my yearly challenges to work through books that I think are important, then join in group reads if I have time. My tbr shelf at home is massive, so I'm trying to work through this at the moment. I don't mind how many books are on my tbr shelf on goodreads, some I might get to, some not, but I edit it every so often to keep it in check.