tristiseye is not currently reading any books.
I’m female, from the United States. I’ve been a DailyLit member since October 03, 2008.
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Question of the Week - Question of the Week #56: Looking Back on 2009
Book that was published this year: The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery.
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #25: Memorable Mothers
I'm surprised no one mentioned Marmee from Little Women! Her fierce spirit, her determination, and her loving care makes her one of my favorite mothers.
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #27: Beachy Reads
I would highly recommend The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society for anyone who a) is a bibliophile and b) loves epistolary novels. It's a witty, heartbreakingly endearing, and charming book that honestly would make a great read anytime, but the summer would be a nice complement to the lightness (and at times sadness) of the book.
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #29: Literary Dads
emilyyoung stole my fictional father, but I also love the Mr. Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. He's witty, albeit his admitted mistake of marrying Mrs. Bennett, and cares genuinely for his daughters.
Etc. - Question of the Week #16: Favorite Female Writers
I have too many favorites, so I'll pick one that I read this year: Muriel Burbery. Her book the Elegance of the Hedgehog is my favorite book of the year (so far). Her writing is simply exquisite; she knows how to balance (deftly) comedy with tragedy. And she creates memorable characters that are (for me) my best friends.
Etc. - Question of the Week: Special CEO Edition
My favorite short story of all time is "On Seeing The 100% Perfect Girl One Beautiful April Morning" by Murakami.
Another favorite is Salinger's "For Esme With Love and Splendor."
The Fall of the House of Usher - Installment 7 format
For some reason, starting from the 2nd paragraph, the text becomes larger and bold. Was this done on purpose? I could see if it were (due to the action that happens), but I don't think it was intended.
Bleak House - Not one of Dickens's best
Not my favorite Dickens, but enjoyable. I think the number of (unimportant) characters drew me away from the story, thus losing my interest in the overall story. I know Dickens was a hack writer, but the endless characters were too much for even a Dickens fan.
Etc. - Question of the Week #12: Unfinished Books
@Mystical Chicken: As a newly converted Salinger fan, I recommend going back and reattempting Seymour: An Introduction. Although I had trouble with it at first, reading S:AI has filled in the gaps as well as raise new questions about Seymour and the Glass family while reading other stories about the Glass's.
Etc. - Question of the Week #12: Unfinished Books
yay! My question got featured!
Wuthering Heights... I couldn't tolerate Nelly's narrative style nor emphathize with the protagonists. I read halfway through the book, then skipped to the scene where Catherine dies, and the ending. I should go back and reread it, as this is the only book I have not finished.
Charles Dickens - Which is the best?
As an avid lover of Dickens (which brings groans and cheers), I have to say: A Tale of Two Cities. I have not read David Copperfield yet, but the ending of A Tale of Two Cities is unforgettable. I still remember where I was when I finished it; what time it was (exactly midnight); and the chill I had when I read it.
Our Mutual Friend is also fantastic.
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #11: Your Questions
@cresswga: Sorry about stealing your question! It's been a fav question among my friends.
How about another question then:
What's a book you've loved but seems to be hated by everyone else (i.e. friends or general population)?
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #11: Your Questions
What book, no matter how hard you tried, could you not finish? (Mine was Wuthering Heights...)
What's the book you've reread most often? And why?
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #10: Dinner with Dickens?
I would have dinner with J.D. Salinger. He has shunned the publicity surrounding him as well as not publishing anything for over forty years. His reluctance to fame as well as his brilliant writing would be more than enough conversation to last over dinner (and dessert!).
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #8: Which books make good movies?
The BBC version of Pride and Prejudice is a fairly faithful adaptation with phenomenal casting. The Cider House Rules is also another adaptation I enjoyed for its casting as well as its faithfulness to the story.
Bad adaptations: Troy. Enough said.
Etc. - Question of the Week #7: Holiday Edition
The Little Prince. I read it for the first time when I was 22, and the lessons in the book are written so simply, yet provide a world of teaching. The book, despite which language it is in, can be appreciated by everyone.
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #6: Where would you go?
@MaggieH: Although I didn't originally posted it, I read Mrs Dalloway while in London, most of the reading done in Regent's Park. Since I was in London while reading the book, I felt that I understood the book better simply because I was in the environment the book was set in. I could visit the exact spots Woolf described and picture the events more concretely.
I read Our Mutual Friend before going to London, and I definitely appreciated the book a lot more than I would have (despite my adoration of Dickens), again due to the same reason as stated above. Being in the pub, where an infamous scene takes place, was like living the book itself.
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #6: Where would you go?
The most hackneyed answer would be the "white cliffs of Dover," where I did go, since I was an English lit major. And they are as beautiful as Arnold's poem states them to be.
I also went to 9 3/4 quarters at King's Cross which was an exciting moment for any HP fan!
And lastly, I went to the pub where Our Mutual Friend (by Dickens) was based, though the name of the pub escapes me.
Not a book, but I went to the house where Notting Hill was filmed- the beautiful white house at the end of the movie. It was the highlight of my group, as we all cherished the movie.
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #5: Which was "the one?"
Anne of Green Gables- the characters. I wanted to be Anne (so I could then marry Gilbert!)- who else wouldn't want to be an intelligent, spunky, and brave girl?
But the book that came to mind first was To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus's line "that you should never lie to children" still rings as clear in my head as when I first read that line.
Question of the Week - Question of the Week #2: The Great American novel?
I agree with To Kill a Mockingbird. Atticus Finch is one of the greatest father figures ever to be written. If not To Kill a Mockingbird, how about Catch 22? Its humor as well as its themes, particularly that of patriotism and heroism, are still highly debated now.