#24 Northanger Abbey

by Jane Austen

Classics Challenge #5

This is my final book for the Winter Classics Challenge. I actually finished it on Sunday, but I haven't had a chance to write the post until now. I chose this book for a few reasons.

1. I love Jane Austen books, so it was pretty safe that I would enjoy this one as well.
2. It is short and I didn't have a lot of time until the end of the challenge.
3. My library had it checked in, so I didn't have to wait for it.
4. It was available on audio CD.

I'm really glad I chose this one, because it was interesting and fun. Not nearly as in depth as Pride & Prejudice or Sense & Sensibility, but it was also not as long as those. It's about Catherine, who is the youngest of 10 children. She goes with some family friends to Bath for vacation. She meets new friends and new beaus while she is there. She is interested in Henry Tilney, but there's always the series of happenings that get in the way.

My favorite part of the book is when Henry is driving her to Northanger Abbey, his father's home. She's going there as a personal friend of his sister's, and by invitation of his father. When Henry discovers her fascination with staying in an Abbey he teases her about how scary it might be. He says things like:

-Won't you be scared when the servant leads you to the opposite side of the house from the family rooms, down a long dark hallway, to a bedroom that hasn't been used since some relative died there 20 years ago?

-What will you think when the only light in the room is a small candle that casts an eery shadow on the old tapestries and the huge portrait of a knight over the mantle?

-How will you resist wondering what the strange old chest holds, and why does it resist every effort you employ to open it?

These aren't direct quotes, just close to what he says, as far as I can remember. To each of these questions Catherine doesn't really give an answer, but acts flushed, scared, and excited all at the same time. It made me laugh out loud because the entire dialog was delivered so well.

If you want a quick, fun read, definitely check this book out. It doesn't come close to contending for the position of my favorite Austen book, but I did enjoy it.

#23 Sense and Sensibility

by Jane Austen

Classics Challenge #4

Okay, I admit it. I'm a Jane Austen fanatic. I love her books! There's something about the romanticism and way people act in 18th century England that is really intriguing to me. I wouldn't want to live back then; even if I was in the upper classes, but I enjoy reading, listening, or watching stuff from that time period.

This is another book that I saw the movie prior to reading. The movie is a great representation of the book and follows it quite well. There are some differences in characters, events, and even sequence, but not a lot. I didn't enjoy it nearly as well as Pride & Prejudice, but I did enjoy it. I listened to the majority of this book while traveling with my cousin over the weekend. There was a part toward the end when Willoughby appears and my cousin and I both exclaimed at the same time, "WHAT?!" That was kind of fun, because it was unexpected and exciting. I would recommend this book, but if you don't have time to read it or don't feel like it, I would tell you to definitely watch the movie. I actually think I like the movie better than the book.

Note: One problem I've found while listening to, instead of reading, books is that I don't get as many memorable quotes to write in my posts. Please forgive the lack of great quotes while I'm unable to actually read anything.

#22 Little Women

by Louisa May Alcott

Classics Challenge #3

I excessively enjoyed listening to this book. I've always meant to read it, but had never gotten around to it. I saw the movie along time ago, so I knew some of the things that were going to happen, but I didn't remember everything. I am glad that I knew about one sad thing that would take place, because it allowed me to not cry while driving.

I'm not going to tell about the story because I'm sure most everyone knows the basics. There were many touching moments and many triumphant moments. The ending was great because everyone found they were happy and contented with the life they had and didn't need all the things they dreamed about as girls.

One thing I didn't know, this was a semi-autobiography by Alcott. Jo is actually herself. I'm not sure how much is fictitious and how much is truth, but it was interesting to find out that it was at least partly based on her own life. This book comes highly recommended by me for anyone out there who hasn't read it.