Homeschool Friday - Mr. Popper's Penguins

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Mr. Popper's Penguins

By: Richard Atwater & Florence Atwater

Publication: January 1, 1938

69 pages

Genre: Children's, Classics, Fantasy, Animals, Humor, Middle Grade

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--It was hard enough for Mr. Popper to support himself, Mrs. Popper, Bill and Janie Popper. The addition of twelve penguins to the family made it impossible to make both ends meet. Then Mr. Popper had a splendid idea—the talented penguins would be a sensation on the stage. And so they were....

A classic of American humor, this story of a gentle house-painter and his high-stepping penguins has delighted children for generations.

I've been doing chapter read-alouds with my kids for a few years now, but we finally have a rotational system where we rotate who gets to pick the book I read. We go in age order, and I also get a turn. Mr. Popper's Penguins was actually my pick. I thought it would be a good read-aloud for the Christmas season without being a "Christmas" book, and it was a good choice.

My kids range in age from 10 to 4 (almost 5--at the time of reading this book) so this was a good choice for the three of them. The story wasn't complicated or long. It wasn't too much for them to pay attention. The chapters were short enough that I would read two in one sitting without them even realizing it, and at that pace I was able to read about 10% per night that I read. I read this during our bedtime routine on the nights it was my turn to put the kids to bed. (Husband and I alternate nights.)

Mr. Popper is a painter. And the majority of his work comes during the spring. It seems that he mostly has the winter off work. But sitting around the house with nothing to do can cause him some depression as well as get on Mrs. Popper's nerves. Mr. Popper also loves reading about travelers and explorers. Apparently, he wrote a letter to Admiral Drake who is at the South Pole doing a study and the Admiral sent him a penguin. Of course, as an adult, I know this is ridiculous, but it makes sense to the children.

Mr. Popper is so excited to have a penguin as a pet. Mrs. Popper is surprisingly on board, even when they turn their refridgerator into it's home. I actually found this as refreshing as I did unreasonable. So often, husbands and wives are displayed in literature as being at odds. Mr. & Mrs. Popper were different while not being on opposing sides of their marriage. Their children Bill and Janie also love the penguin.

However, Captain Cook (the penguin) began to get sick overtime. Mr. Popper writes to a couple of people to ask for advice and gets sent a female penguin which does bolster both penguins, but it also results in like 10 babies. Mr. Popper and Mrs. Popper end up entertaining their penguins by creating a show with them. They travel around the country to different theaters to show off their penguins, but by the summer the penguins begin to be unhappy again. I won't tell you how the book ends, but I will say that we enjoyed it.

Mr. Popper's Penguins was just a fun book all around. It wasn't too complicated. The stakes weren't too high. It wasn't filled with too much action. It was just an all-around good classic book that I and my children enjoyed. Mr. Popper's Penguins gets a stable 4 Stars. Have you read Mr. Popper's Penguins? What did you think? Let me know!

Homeschool Friday - The Children's Book of Virtues

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

The Children's Book of Virtues

Edited By: William J. Bennett

Illustrated By: Michael Hague

Publication: October 1, 1995 by Simon & Schuster

112 pages

Genre: Children's, Classics, Philosophy, Short Stories, Picture Book

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--The perfect companion to William J. Bennett's number-one bestseller; The Book of Virtues, The Children's Book of Virtues is the ideal storybook for parents and children to enjoy together:

With selections from The Book of Virtues, from Aesop and Robert Frost to George Washington's life as well as Native American and African folklore, The Children's Book of Virtues brings together timeless stories and poems from around the world.

The stories have been chosen especially for a young audience to help parents introduce to their children the essentials of good character: Courage, Perseverance, Responsibility, Work, Self-discipline, Compassion, Faith, Honesty, Loyalty, and Friendship.

Lavishly illustrated by the well-known artist Michael Hague, these wonderful stories and the virtues they illustrate come to life on these pages.

The Children's Book of Virtues is an enduring treasury of literature and art that will help lead young minds toward what is noble and gentle and fine.

I decided that my children needed a course on manners, and since we homeschool, I could easily incorporate manners into our daily study time. I pieced together my own "unit" on the subject. And even though we're *one week shy of finishing the school year, I still plan to incorporate manners study into our next year as well. This might end up being an ongoing unit. The unit that never ends. All of that to say, I got The Children's Book of Virtues to go with our manners unit in our homeschool.

This is a book that includes various stories on topics covering courage and perseverance, responsibility, work and self-discipline, compassion and faith, and honesty, loyalty, and friendship. The selections are pulled from Aesop, Robert Frost, George Washington's life, and even Native American and African folklore. The stories and poems included are all informative about the good character we all need to develop. Many of these stories are familiar to me from my childhood as well.

And so often we learn so much from stories. Including good stories with good moral character and moral lessons helps to build us up and strengthen our ethics. Reading these types of stories to your children will pay dividends down the road.

The Children's Book of Virtues almost feels like a staple for any library of a family with young children. Including stories with good morals and life lessons into our children's daily life will help them grow in these areas as they see from outside themselves. The Children's Book of Virtues gets 5 Stars. Have you or your child read The Children's Book of Virtues? What did you think? Let me know!

*This review was written in May 2025, but not posted on my blog until later.

All Things Halloween/Homeschool Friday - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a mini-review for each.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

By: Roald Dahl

Expected Publication: January 17, 1964

196 pages

Genre: Children's Fiction, Classics, Fantasy, Humor

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Goodreads description--'The ultimate children's story' - David Walliams

Greetings to you, the lucky finder of this Gold Ticket from Mr Willy Wonka! I shake you warmly by the hand! Tremendous things are in store for you!

One miraculous moment changes Charlie Bucket's life forever.

A boy who only gets to eat cabbage soup for breakfast, lunch and dinner finds a Golden Ticket that will take him into Willy Wonka's magical chocolate factory.

Joining him on the tour are four horrible

Augustus Gloop - a great big greedy nincompoop, Veruca Salt - a spoiled brat, Violet Beauregarde - a repulsive little gum-chewer and Mike Teavee - a TV addict.

With a chocolate river, crafty squirrels and mysterious Oompa Loompas, Mr Wonka's chocolate factory is the strangest, most magnificent place Charlie has ever seen.

What other surprises are in store for the lucky ticket winners?

Now you can listen to CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY and other Roald Dahl audiobooks read by some very famous voices, including Kate Winslet, David Walliams and Steven Fry - plus there are added squelchy soundeffects from Pinewood Studios!

I'm not looking to add to what's been said about Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by many smarter and more in-depth reviewers already. I only want to review our experience of the book. We got into a habit of listening to an audiobook in the car when driving around places. For one, I wanted to give the kids something to "do" when they weren't allowed to use their tablets in the car. Also, I wanted to get to a few more books as a family than we were doing. And since working these into our homeschool hasn't been too successful yet (we're only in our first year), I thought audiobooks in the car might help us get around to a few more books. And so we chose to listen to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory on our way home from a field trip where we had an hour and a half drive. 

The audiobook version of this was well done. Douglas Hodge did a wonderful job narrating.

The two movies that have been made based upon this book have both done a wonderful job and between the two of them, I could picture what was happening based upon each movie. I think I pictured Johnny Depp's version of Willy Wonka the most, as well as Freddie Highmore as Charlie. But I had flashes of both movies during the book. The kids all enjoyed listening, and I think it also helped that they could picture the movies as well. And of course, they wanted to watch both versions after we finished.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is probably my favorite of Roal Dahl's book (that I've read so far out of four). It's just weird enough to be a fun fantasy for me without being too weird and too realistic. See, I don't like when books are supposed to be realistic but there's a bit of magic. And books like James and the Giant Peach are a little out there (too fantastical) for my preferences. 

Of course, there are many important moral lessons that we can learn from the children and parents included in the story. I won't expound upon those just now, but I always love when fiction has a nice moral and lesson to be learned. It isn't always as easy as eating chocolate to apply those lessons to our own lives, but I am a firm believer that little bit by little bit, these types of stories influence our character and our worldview. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory gets 4 Stars. Have you read (or listened to) Charlie and the Chocolate Factory? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Homeschool Friday - The BFG

Homeschool Friday is a feature here at Somewhere Only We Know that showcases books my family reads during homeschool and provides a review/mini-review for each.

The BFG

By: Roald Dahl

Publication: August 16, 2007 by Puffin Books

208 pages

Genre: Children's Fiction, Humor, Chapter Books, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Classics

Source: Borrowed from the Elibrary

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Goodreads description--Roald Dahl's beloved novel hits the big screen in July 2016 in a major motion picture adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg from Amblin Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures. When Sophie is snatched from her orphanage bed by the BFG (Big Friendly Giant), she fears she will be eaten. But instead the two join forces to vanquish the nine other far less gentle giants who threaten to consume earth’s children. This beautiful hardcover gift edition of Dahl's classic features the original illustrations by Quentin Blake, as well as a silk ribbon marker, acid-free paper, gilt stamping on a full-cloth cover, decorative endpapers, and a sewn binding.

So Roald Dahl is not my favorite author, but he is a classic children's fiction author. And I want my kids to be exposed to classic literature of all kinds. They both loved Matilda so I figured I would introduce The BFG next. I've also been trying to find a way to incorporate more books into our day-to-day. I mean we read from a chapter book every other night before bed, my daughter has independent reading to do, but I want to incorporate more family reading. I decided that we'd try listening to audiobooks in the car whenever we're driving around to various places. And I chose The BFG for our first book.

The very first chapter had my big kids on the edge of their literal seats. I knew what was coming, but I happened to look in the rearview mirror to see their jaws dropped and I don't know that my car has ever been that silent except when all three have been asleep. I knew this was the right choice for the first audiobook for them. They went through phases of requesting to listen to the book in the car and phases of asking not to listen. Some chapters hooked them more than others, but of course, towards the end, they were excited to see how things were going to end.

As for me, I'm also glad that I chose to listen to the audio version of The BFG instead of reading it out loud to them. I don't always do well reading aloud nonsense words. And The BFG is full of nonsense or mixed-up words. The audio version made these funny and enjoyable rather than frustrating for me stumbling over them had I been trying to read them aloud. And we had a fun discussion after the book was over about which nonsense BFG words were our favorites.

My kids immediately wanted to watch the movie after we finished the book, and so I think they both enjoyed it. Even my two-year-old asked to listen to the book about the giant. As for me, these stories aren't my favorite. I enjoy anything that's going to help my kids enjoy books and stories, but I'm thankful I didn't have to read it myself. I never read The BFG growing up, so there's no nostalgia for me. The BFG still gets 4 Stars. And I highly recommend the audiobook. Have you read (or listened to) The BFG? What did you think? Let me know!

All Things Halloween Review of Matilda

Matilda

By: Roald Dahl

Publication: October 1, 1988

384 pages

Genre: Children's Fiction, Fantasy, Middle Grade, Classics

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Goodreads description--*A very special edition, celebrating everyone's favourite young genius! Includes tips and activities for creating your very own story, and incredible pull-out illustrations of Matilda all grown-up*

'A true genius - Roald Dahl is my hero' - David Walliams

These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: you are not alone.

Matilda is a brilliant child with a magical mind.

But her parents have decided she's just a nuisance who wastes too much time on reading and stories.

And her headmistress Miss Trunchball is a terrible bully, who thinks children are rotten and awful and should be locked up.

Now it's time for Matilda to find the power to change her story, and show them just how extraordinary children can be . . .

This very special version of Matilda includes writing tips to tell your OWN story, and pull-out-and-keep grown up Matilda illustrations to inspire you to think big, big, BIG!

I never read Matlida growing up. I never really watched the movie either. I remember the movie being put on at school, but for some reason, I wasn't interested in it. I can't remember well enough to tell you why. But I've been doing read-aloud chapter books to my kids more and more the older they've gotten, and my daughter was given Matilda by her grandmother for her 7th birthday. So we finally read it.

At the beginning, I worried when Matilda was pulling pranks on her parents--most specifically her father. Obviously, Matilda's parents are horrible. But I worried that my prankster son, who's been struggling with self-control and impulse control, might take it into his head to find some similar pranks as Matilda to use in retaliation for any time he might be getting in trouble at school or at home. Thankfully, that didn't happen.

And it's funny because while we were reading Matilda, my daughter had a book fair at school, and she wanted to buy The Hidden Girl by Lola Rein Kaufman and Lois Metzger, but the librarian told her that she wouldn't be able to read it and didn't let her buy it. I was a little miffed about that, and I told my daughter that people said the same thing to Matilda.

I don't plan to do much analysis of the story or the characters because this is a classic book that has been analyzed over and over. I don't think I could add much to what's already been said. But I will say that my 7-year-old daughter has been obsessed with this story. We watched the original movie and the more recent musical after finishing the book, and she's rewatched them both during her allotted device time. She's also been playing "Matilda" with her dolls.

Oh and, I also want to say that my 5-year-old son was the one who called out the big twist about Miss Honey's aunt out loud before even my daughter. I had, of course, already speculated, but I was so impressed that he was paying attention to the story so well and that he saw the foreshadowing and could pick up on the clues. My daughter was shocked, but she agreed with him.

My only real negative is that I don't like to mix fantasy with realism. This is my own grown-up issue that I find I dislike in books. But I liked the tidbit of fantasy for my kids to latch onto to build and explore their imagination.

Matilda is a classic, and we will definitely be reading more of Roald Dahl's books as a family in the future. Matilda gets 4 Stars from me, but I have a feeling my daughter would give it 5. Have you read Matilda? What did you think? Let me know!

This review is part of my All Things Halloween event--a month of fantasy, paranormal, supernatural, mystery/thriller, etc reviews and books.

Charlotte's Web - Review

Charlotte's Web

By: EB White

Expected Publication: first published October 15th 1952

260 pages

Genre: Classic, Children's Fiction, Fantasy

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Goodreads description--Now available for the first time as an ebook! Illustrations in this ebook appear in vibrant full color on a full-color device and in rich black-and-white on all other devices.

This beloved book by E. B. White, author of Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan, is a classic of children's literature that is "just about perfect."

Some Pig. Humble. Radiant. These are the words in Charlotte's web, high up in Zuckerman's barn. Charlotte's spiderweb tells of her feelings for a little pig named Wilbur, who simply wants a friend. They also express the love of a girl named Fern, who saved Wilbur's life when he was born the runt of his litter.

E. B. White's Newbery Honor Book is a tender novel of friendship, family, and adventure that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come. It contains beautiful, classic illustrations by Garth Williams, the acclaimed illustrator of E. B. White's Stuart Little and Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series, among many other books.

So I watched the 1973 movie version of Charlotte's Web as a child. I thought Wilber was annoying back then, but the movie's overall story was worth putting up with him. I never read this book as a child, but I knew I wanted to read it to my children. And I'm so glad that I did. This was my children's first experience with a story that didn't have a completely happy ending. They haven't dealt with much death, and I'm thankful for that, but I want them prepared for it at the same time, if that makes any sense whatsoever. We all know that experiencing something as a child and re-experiencing it as an adult usually produces a different thought process. And that certainly happened to me.

If Wilber annoyed me as a child, boy, did I struggle with him as an adult. He's even whinier than I remember. Either that's the difference between the book and the movie, or it's my childhood memory versus what I just read. Even though the mysterious messages on the web were about Wilber, I always thought that Charlotte was the extraordinary one. I could never understand why the adults in the movie were more interested in the pig than in the spider writing messages on her web. I suppose the book tries to deflect this by saying that spiders can't possibly read or write so it would have to be a supernatural thing that the messages appear on the web. Almost as if the spider didn't have anything to do with the messages.

As an adult, I see this in an entirely different way. Of course, the entirety of the story is about friendship, about giving your all to someone else, about loving and caring about someone else more than yourself. But what I took away from it as an adult is how Charlotte was perfectly content with not receiving recognition for her actions. She was truly only concerned about Wilber's well-being and happiness. She didn't always sugar-coat things for him exactly as a truly good friend should be honest. At times, Charlotte mothered Wilber. She was behind the scenes working to lift him up. And she used the last of her energy to be there with him. Boy, I tell you this book got me a little emotional as an adult much more than as a child.

Charlotte's Web is a classic for a reason. I love books that can make a child's imagination grow and expand while also providing wonderful life lessons in the process. Ultimately, I'm sure that I took more away from this book than the kids did. Charlotte's Web gets 4.5 Stars. Have you read Charlotte's Web? What did you think? Let me know!

Anne of Green Gables - Review

Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, # 1)

By: LM Montgomery

Published: first published 1908

320 pages

Genre: Classics, YA, Historical Fiction,

Source: Audiobook Sync Free Download

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Goodreads description--Everyone's favorite redhead, the spunky Anne Shirley, begins her adventures at Green Gables, a farm outside Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. When the freckled girl realizes that the elderly Cuthberts wanted to adopt a boy instead, she begins to try to win them and, consequently, the reader, over.

Anne of Green Gables is a reminder straight to my childhood. I remember my mom had the first five books of the series. I tried to read Anne of Green Gables once as a child, but I just couldn’t get into it. I did, however, love the movies starring Megan Follows (who also plays Queen Catherine on Reign). My sister and I still quote the movies back and forth to each other periodically. So when Sync Audiobooks offered Anne of Green Gables as a free download this past summer, I swooped it up.

Colleen Winton did a great job narrating the audiobook. She was so enthusiastic during Anne’s parts. It was great because I was enthralled by Anne and exhausted by her at the same time—which is I think the exact reaction that LM Montgomery was going for. As an adult, I can see how Anne might have gotten on my nerves had I not been as attached to her as I was in childhood. What I didn’t think much about in childhood was the optimism and positivity that Anne has. Of course, she often finds herself in the “depths of despair.” Marilla observed that Anne feels her highs and low so intensely, but even with the hand she’s been dealt, she’s mostly able to appreciate the most simple and basic things in life that really make her an adorable character—one I dare you to try to not fall in love with.

I can’t help but remark about how perfectly the cast of the movies were. Marilla, Matthew, and Anne especially. Marilla is so stubborn. She refuses to admit how fond she is of Anne for a really long time and seeks to make a moral lesson out of almost everything—she kind of reminds me of myself. Matthew is perfect. He’s so quiet, but he just loves Anne from that first ride home with her. And he spoils her and showers her with such quiet affection. It’s beautiful.

I absolutely loved Anne’s relationship (or lack thereof) with Gilbert. Of course, I already know how that ends, but it was even better to see how LM Montgomery worked this in the story. How Anne was so mad at him that she wanted to refuse to acknowledge him, but she’d slip up and mention him (not completely) in relation to their school rivalry. Pretty brilliant.

I’m sure that I’ve not said (nor will I say) anything that hasn’t already been said about Anne of Green Gables, but I just had to weigh in since this has been on my TBR list since I was a child. And if nothing else, listening to this book on audio has sparked my desire to go back and re-watch the old movies. I even put them on my Christmas Wish List. Anne of Green Gables gets 5 Stars from me. Have you read Anne of Green Gables? What did you think? Let me know!

Top Ten Favorite Classics

Top 10 Tuesday is a post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish and this week's topic is Top Ten Favorite Classics.

I haven't read near as many classics as I want, but I'm making progress.

1. Jane Austen – Pride and Prejudice
2. Jane Austen – Persuasion
3. Jane Austen – Emma
4. Charlotte Bronte – Jane Eyre
5. Jane Austen – Northanger Abbey
6. Mary Shelley - Frankenstein
7. J R R Tolkien - The Lord of the Rings series
8. Khalil Gibran - The Prophet

For once, I don't have OVER the limit. What about you guys? Which are your favorite classics? Let me know!

Emma - Review

Emma

By: Jane Austen

Published: first published 1815

474 pages

Genre: Classics, Romance, Historical Fiction

Source: Personal Library

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Goodreads description--'I never have been in love; it is not my way, or my nature; and I do not think I ever shall.'

Beautiful, clever, rich - and single - Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her life and sees no need for either love or marriage. Nothing, however, delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others. But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend Mr Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protegee Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected. With its imperfect but charming heroine and its witty and subtle exploration of relationships, Emma is often seen as Jane Austen's most flawless work.

It’s always been a goal of mine to work through all of Jane Austen’s published works. I can now say that I’ve read the majority of them. Emma makes for the 4th of Jane Austen’s books that I’ve read (Pride and Prejudice, Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, and now Emma). A friend recommended Emma to me as her favorite Jane Austen book several years ago, and so I’ve been excited to read it ever since. While I do try to read a few classics every year, sometimes I put them off because they often take more thought than modern literature. The period language has been a deterrent for me in the past, but I think I’ve read enough Jane Austen at this point that it doesn’t take me as long as it once did.

I can’t say that Emma has surpassed Pride and Prejudice or even Persuasion in my heart as my favorite Jane Austen book. Pride and Prejudice was the first Jane Austen that I’ve ever read and it will always hold that special place in my heart as first and favorite. Persuasion holds the second place because it was one of first gifts my husband ever gave to me as well as the beautiful language that Jane Austen uses as Captain Wentworth lays his feelings before Anne. That scene is one of the most passionate scenes that I’ve seen Jane Austen write. However, at this point Emma does feel like the most complex piece by Jane Austen—at least of her works that I’ve read so far.

Emma Woodhouse, as the description says, enjoys match-making. And the majority of the book is revolved around Emma’s attempts to find the perfect match for her friend Harriet. Emma has taken Harriet under her wing, yet unfortunately Harriet doesn’t have the same social standing as Emma. While Emma attempts to find a match for Harriet, the difficulty she finds is that the matches she seeks to make for Harriet far outreach Harriet’s actual station in life. While Emma is aware that some of her schemes are a bit of a stretch, she’s a bit blinded by her friendship with Harriet to see the forest for the trees. I said before that Emma is the most complex of Jane Austen’s works that I’ve read so far because Ms. Austen weaves so many threads into the background and main story at the same time. All of the characters have their own agendas and not all of them are as upfront as the others.

Emma is well-meaning in her attempts to matchmake for Harriet, but she is flawed as well. Her actions and thinking is often checked by her longtime friend, Mr. Knightly. He is intimately connected with Emma’s family because his brother, John, is married to Emma’s sister, Isabella. I loved Mr. Knightly. He pulls no punches. He tells Emma exactly like it is. He doesn’t hold the truth back from her to protect her feelings. He often reprimands her also. But I loved this about him. Mr. Knightly wanted to improve Emma, but often times, he really just thought she was above her own behavior. I love when a character makes another character want to grow and to be better. Emma doesn’t realize how important Mr. Knightly’s opinion was to her for a long time. Watching their relationship grow and change over the course of the book was really enjoyable.

The other characters, Harriet, Frank Churchill, Mrs. Weston, Jane Fairfax, Ms. Bates, were all really fleshed out. Harriet comes into her own throughout the book. From the beginning she is so influenced by Emma’s thoughts and ideas that she hardly seems capable of thinking for herself. Over the course of the book, Harriet learns to separate herself from Emma and forges her own path. Mrs. Weston is everything that a best friend should be to Emma. Frank Churchill and Jane Fairfax have one of those storylines that make me want to re-read this book since I now know how it ends so I can watch what Jane Austen does with each of their characters in the background more closely. And Ms. Bates…well Jane Austen can’t have a book without having a completely ridiculous character somewhere within her pages.

I love that Jane Austen so openly makes fun of other people with her characters. Every single book I’ve read by her has had some character that doesn’t know when to stop talking, that seems oblivious to the cues of the social culture at the time, and is usually just a generally annoying character. I think she must have been making fun of people that she either knew personally or just the ridiculous way that some people behave. I love this about her writing.

While I enjoyed that this book has multiple love stories within, Emma definitely wasn’t as romantic in speech or dialogue as Pride and Prejudice or Persuasion. Yet, I found myself moving at such an easy pace with this book. Both Pride and Prejudice and Persuasion had a couple of lulls—parts that were much slower than others. Emma didn’t feel that way to me at all. I’m sure that I haven’t added anything particularly interesting to the hundreds thousands of reviews (papers, etc) that have been written on Emma or Jane Austen, but I did want to share what I thought and felt about this one.

Emma gets 4 stars from me. Have you read Emma? What did you think? Let me know!

Armchair BEA 2013 - Day 1 Part 1 - Introductions

Day 1 of Armchair BEA is introductions and a genre discussion of the classics. I'll be posting my part about the classics next. For more information on Armchair BEA, please click the link above.

Introduction to Me

1) Please tell us a little about yourself: Who are you? How long have you been blogging? Why did you get into blogging?

I answered this question in my post for last year's introduction, but instead of directing everyone back to that post I'll answer it again.

My name is Sandy. I'm a Christ-follower. I'm 26 years old. I married my best-friend 4 years ago. I hope to be a mother in the next year or so. And I'm a computer programmer for an insurance company.

I started blogging in March 2011, so I've been blogging just over 2 years. I started blogging because I love reading. I have several friends who read as well, but we don't all read at the same pace even though we usually read similar books and genres. Blogging became a way for me to get my thoughts about a book into a more permanent form and a way for me to keep up with everything I'm reading. It was also my way of letting my friends who read know what I've read, what I thought about it, and what I would recommend them to read. But over time blogging has become so much more to me, and I've loved every minute of it.

2) Where in the world are you blogging from? Tell a random fact or something special about your current location. Feel free to share pictures.

I live in central Alabama about 25 minutes (we measure distance by time here in the South) away from Montgomery--the capital of Alabama--in a city called Wetumpka. There's a good bit of history surrounding Montgomery--most of it involving the Civil Rights Movement. Rosa Parks & Martin Luther King Jr. type of stuff. But a fun fact about Wetumpka is that the movie Big Fish was actually filmed here. And another interesting tidbit is that my husband was an extra in the movie.

3) Have you previously participated in Armchair BEA? What brought you back for another year? If you have not previously participated, what drew you to the event?

I did participate in Armchair BEA last year. I still plan to try to make it to New York to BEA one year, but that just wasn't in the cards for this year. And Armchair BEA is a great way to participate from afar. It's a great networking opportunity, and not only did I have a lot of fun participating last year, but I also learned a lot as well.

4) Name your favorite blog(s) and explain why they are your favorite(s).

I follow MANY blogs. And it's hard to keep up with all of them sometimes, but I find that it's helped me as a blogger. Not only do I follow tons of book blogs, but I also follow other types of blogs. I'll start with those first.

Cleaning/Organization blogs (these help me to stay inspired for cleaning and organizing my house which is one of my goals for 2013): Clean Mama, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Organization Made Fun, and FLYLady

Hair & Beauty/Fashion blog (while I have yet to perfect ANY of these hair tutorials, I love the ideas that I get to try something new with my hair): The Small Things Blog

Christian blogs (these help me keep my focus where it needs to be): Brightly Salted (my husband's blog/website), Chasing A Lion (my brother's website/blog), A Wordy Woman, Word Points (Diligently Seeking God, Reaching Forward, and Enthusiastic Ideas)

Book blogs: Words Fueled by Love (my SNL's blog), The Caffeinated Reviewer (love her originality), A Librarian's Library (fellow Alabamian and we typically like the same stuff), The Aussie Zombie (she has different preferences than I do, but I like being exposed to the different books she reads), Anna Reads (the first book blog I ever stumbled upon)...I could keep going.

5) What is your favorite part of the blogging community?

I love how open this community is. There is room for all different kinds of opinions on books. There is room for love for all different kinds of genres. I just love it.

I recently tried to participate in a meme that wasn't based in the book blogging community, and while the bloggers were all about linking up to the host site, they just didn't appear to visit the other pages linking up, and they definitely didn't comment on each other's posts. I found that kind of sad. The book blogging community is so good about encouraging you to visit many sites and comment on many posts. And while sometimes I get overwhelmed with all of that because I'd rather be reading, it's a great way to really engage in the community.

Also, this community is really great about spreading tips and tricks around. There are several bloggers that I know that do regular posts on tips on blogging in general, on coding, on all different kinds of stuff. It's a community of people who want to grow and who want to share what they've learned.

I said this last year, and I still feel the same way, I've never encountered someone in this community that I really just wish I hadn't.

So, now it's your turn to tell me about you! Answer these questions (if applicable) in the comments below, or link me to your introduction post!

Jane Eyre - Review

Jane Eyre

By: Charlotte Bronte

First Published 1847

507 pages

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon )

Goodreads description--Orphaned into the household of her Aunt Reed at Gateshead, subject to the cruel regime at Lowood charity school, Jane Eyre nonetheless emerges unbroken in spirit and integrity.

She takes up the post of governess at Thornfield, falls in love with Mr. Rochester, and discovers the impediment to their lawful marriage in a story that transcends melodrama to portray a woman's passionate search for a wider and richer life than Victorian society traditionally allowed.

With a heroine full of yearning, the dangerous secrets she encounters, and the choices she finally makes, Charlotte Bronte's innovative and enduring romantic novel continues to engage and provoke readers.

My 5th and 6th grade reading teacher read Jane Eyre to us one of those years (I can't remember which), but she skipped some sections, and I truly didn't remember too much about the story. I remembered there being a crazy woman living in the house and I remembered Jane being a governess because that was the first time I learned what a governess was. So when I decided this year to add reading six classics to my goals for the year, Jane Eyre made obvious sense to me. Plus I saw the recent film adaption and loved it--which of course ruined any surprises for me, but that's okay. I'm not complaining.

It took me a while to get into the story. I guess it was really by the time Jane reached Lowood school that I really ended up getting into it. Helen is one of my favorite characters in a long time. While she doesn't have a huge part in the story, she makes a huge impact on Jane. She helps Jane to see past her anger and hatred. She tames her in a sense. Plus in a world that is so largely anti-Christian, I eagerly devoured a character that appeared to me to demonstrate true faith and true Christianity. Today's YA literature sorely lacks a representation of accurate Christian characters. Mind you, I'm not talking about Christian literature. While I realize this story takes place in an entirely different era than the one we're now living, it was entirely refreshing to find talk of God, religion, and spirituality so repeatedly mentioned, discussed, and indicated as part of their daily lives. Of course, we do have to throw in a Mr. Brocklehurst who completely misuses and abuses Scripture and religion. There must be one of those--and in truth there are many Mr. Brocklehursts alive today that give Christianity a bad name.

I applaud Jane over and over for making the hard choices. For sticking to her beliefs when the very core of her being wishes to follow after it's desires. She sees that she must respect herself because if she does not then no one else will. She sees that Mr. Rochester truly would have lost respect, admiration, and love for her had she indeed stayed, for she would no longer be who and what he fell in love with. And I can't help but wonder, if this book had not been a classic but a modern day story, how many readers would have thrown the book across the room and been utterly angry with Jane for not staying? For not satisfying her every whim and desire?

St. John was utterly confusing to me. While I appreciated how much Jane could still look at him as a brother and a good person, it was hard to watch that relationship develop. It reminded me of an emotionally abusive relationship and again I have to applaud Jane for standing her ground in not marrying him and being able to see that to do so would be to commit a suicide of sorts. I wish our teenage girls today were as self-aware.

Jane Eyre was another story where one party decides to better himself in order to be worthy of the other party. Yet again, another aspect I wish we saw in today's world more often. While Jane was utterly terrified of what would become of Mr. Rochester--what he would run off and do--after she left, he did nothing of which she feared, and it's because of her that he didn't.

I realize that reviewing a classic such as Jane Eyre is a bit risky and there's probably nothing I can say that hasn't already been said, but I enjoyed the overall story so much that I couldn't help but want to spread the love.

Jane Eyre gets 4 stars from me. Have you read Jane Eyre? What did you think? Let me know!

Northanger Abbey - Review

Northanger Abbey

By: Jane Austen

Published: first published 1818

251 pages

Genre: Classic, Historical Fiction

Source: Own, Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depositor are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A wonderfully entertaining coming-of-age story, Northanger Abbey is often referred to as Jane Austen’s “Gothic parody.” Decrepit castles, locked rooms, mysterious chests, cryptic notes, and tyrannical fathers give the story an uncanny air, but one with a decidedly satirical twist.

The story’s unlikely heroine is Catherine Morland, a remarkably innocent seventeen-year-old woman from a country parsonage. While spending a few weeks in Bath with a family friend, Catherine meets and falls in love with Henry Tilney, who invites her to visit his family estate, Northanger Abbey. Once there, Catherine, a great reader of Gothic thrillers, lets the shadowy atmosphere of the old mansion fill her mind with terrible suspicions. What is the mystery surrounding the death of Henry’s mother? Is the family concealing a terrible secret within the elegant rooms of the Abbey? Can she trust Henry, or is he part of an evil conspiracy? Catherine finds dreadful portents in the most prosaic events, until Henry persuades her to see the peril in confusing life with art.

Executed with high-spirited gusto, Northanger Abbey is the most lighthearted of Jane Austen’s novels, yet at its core this delightful novel is a serious, unsentimental commentary on love and marriage.

So it’s time to review another classic. Ugh, these are probably the hardest ones to review for me. I’d give Northanger Abbey 3 Stars. I did like this book and it definitely had moments where I was extremely curious to know what was going to happen next, but as with all of Jane Austen’s novels that I have read thus far, there are moments that are more boring in nature and therefore allow me to put the book down easily.

The more I read of Jane Austen’s writing and the more familiar I am with other works from the same time period, the easier it is to read these works. I’m more familiar with the phrasing and general canter of her writing style than I once was, but sometimes I still have to slow down in order to absorb what it is that she’s trying to say.

Northanger Abbey’s heroine, Catherine, appears to me to be surrounded by several people who’s speech is contradictory to their actually feelings or actions, Isabella, John Thorpe, and Mrs. Allen. And Catherine herself appears to me to be one of the most ignorant of Jane Austen’s heroines. I don’t mean that in a bad way necessarily. It’s just that Catherine doesn’t always know what is proper and usually defers her own judgment to those around her assuming that they know better than she does. While Catherine does appear perceptive in some cases, as in disliking John Thorpe very early on, she also appears the opposite in other cases, such as Isabella’s true nature as well as John’s supposed attraction to herself.

I like the fact that while Jane Austen’s heroines seem to be similar in some ways, they all have very different circumstances and experience which makes each story very much unique to itself. I do find that there has been in at least 3 of the novels that I’ve completely finished a character that I wholly dislike…and it’s usually the one that talks the most about things they know nothing about. In this case, it’s Isabella Thorpe. One thing I was disappointed in was the ending. It’s not that she didn’t satisfy my desire to know what happened or that I wasn’t pleased with the end result; however, she essentially summarized the ending rather than letting the reader experience it as it happened.

Anyway, a short read, but well worth it if you’re an Austen fan. If not, I wouldn’t suggest reading this one first, but work up to it.

*Updated: September 6, 2013

Persuasion - Review

Persuasion

By: Jane Austen

Published: first published December 1817

308 pages

Genre: Classic, Historical Fiction

Source: Own/Personal Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository | Booksamillion.com )

*Note: The above links to Amazon, Book Depository, and Booksamillion.com are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Twenty-seven-year old Anne Elliot is Austen's most adult heroine. Eight years before the story proper begins, she is happily betrothed to a naval officer, Frederick Wentworth, but she precipitously breaks off the engagement when persuaded by her friend Lady Russell that such a match is unworthy. The breakup produces in Anne a deep and long-lasting regret. When later Wentworth returns from sea a rich and successful captain, he finds Anne's family on the brink of financial ruin and his own sister a tenant in Kellynch Hall, the Elliot estate. All the tension of the novel revolves around one question: Will Anne and Wentworth be reunited in their love?

Jane Austen once compared her writing to painting on a little bit of ivory, 2 inches square. Readers of Persuasion will discover that neither her skill for delicate, ironic observations on social custom, love, and marriage nor her ability to apply a sharp focus lens to English manners and morals has deserted her in her final finished work.

I'm hesitant to review a classic such as Persuasion, but I will anyway. 5 Stars.

This is actually my second time reading Persuasion. I've found that the beginning of every Jane Austen book that I've read has had a slow start--not so much so with Pride and Prejudice. I think she just gives a lot of background information on several of the main characters up front and sometimes that can make for a boring start. However, I thoroughly suggest pressing through because once you get into the story, the story itself is well worth it. When Jane Austen's on a roll with her writing, she's on it for sure and it is beautiful. This is exactly the case with Persuasion. The entire story is build up to the last section. But the climax is perfect--in my humble opinion.

Anne is one of my favorite of Austen's female leading characters. Having turned down Captain Wentworth eight years prior, Anne has some life experience that most of Austen's main characters do not have. I love how Anne carries the regret of her past mistakes. She has to live with the possibility of watching the one man she has always loved fall in love with someone else. While Anne once put more stock into her friend and father's opinions, she has since learned to think for herself and follow her heart.

Though Captain Wentworth has had his heart broken and ego bruised by Anne, he doesn't come out too jaded. He is intent on ignoring Anne and moving on with his life. But sometimes life has a different plan.

I feel like the words I have to say about it really don't do the book justice. I love Jane Austen. And I love this book.

*Updated: September 6, 2013