Tuesday Book Club
Today’s book club selection from me gets double-bookmarked under Reading and Jane Austen Geekery. Because if you’re a huge fan of the BBC version (the Colin Firth version) of Pride and Prejudice, you need to give yourself the new treat of renting the BBC series North and South. Why? Because it’s romantic and complicated and features an absolutely dreamy lead character, Mr. Thornton. Swoooooon.
I first learned about it on Meg Cabot’s blog, so I ordered it along with a crop of other chick flicks I decided to treat myself to–actually building a DVD library after all this time, and now I find out DVDs are going to be obsolete, but call me Eight-Track Tape Girl! I’m hanging onto my technology!–and it just so happened my neighbor found it independently while cruising NetFlix, and so there we were last week, two grown women completely obsessing over the final scene in the four-hour series because it is SO romantic.
And so what does all this have to do with the Tuesday Book Club? Because I watched the series three times in a row–that’s twelve hours of viewing pleasure–and then I went to the bookstore and bought the book and downed that in a week. It’s by Elizabeth Gaskell, and the book was first published as a serial in Charles Dickens’s magazine–did you even know he had a magazine? My favorite story about that is that when Dickens was writing Great Expectations, I think, and serializing it in his magazine, he went to a printer’s shop one day to buy more paper and ink. And while he was in there he overheard some woman asking the proprietor if he had the next installment of Dickens’s story in the store yet. And Dickens thought, “I’m here to buy the paper! I haven’t even written it yet!” I love that kind of real-time writing. I love that Dickens made stuff up on the fly, published it that week, wrote the next chapter, published that, etc. What talent and nerve. Love it.
So anyway, my book for this week is the wonderful North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. If you’re a Charles Dickens and a Jane Austen fan, you owe it to yourself to check out Gaskell. I’m so glad I did.
How about you guys? What’s up this week?
Technorati Tags: Tuesday Book Club, Book Clubs, Reading Clubs, 50-Book Challenge, Books, Reading, Novels, Elizabeth Gaskell, North and South, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Mr. Thornton Is Almost As Hot As Mr. Darcy
March 11th, 2008 at 6:54 am
I didn’t post for the book club last week because I had nothing new to say. Not posting never means I’m not reading, though. I’m ALWAYS reading.
I’m halfway through Eat, Pray, Love–at the ashram and quite intrigued by meditation. I’m in a real seeking time regarding my faith, and books like this and the last couple I’ve copyedited for my company are providing great fodder for the journey.
I’ve also begun Libba Bray’s The Sweet Far Thing, aiming to wrap up Gemma’s tale, though it will probably take me several weeks as the book is HUGE and I must read in small increments.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:49 am
Ooh - loved that series and also went and read the book after and loved it too! (Short pause for a swoonlette at the’Look back’ scene.. Eh, inspiration: a teaser to reinforce Robin’s book-push. I do hope that link worked, as I don’t know how to edit a comment here!) On a serious note again, I thought the book was amazingly open-minded about the rights and wrongs of both sides in the situation, especially coming from a realist/moralist 19th century writer.
Anyway - I’m way behind as a friend died the week before last, and then last week I was hit with a migraine, so not sure exactly what was read when, but recently, at least, I’ve read Red Moon at Sharpsburg by Rosemary Wells, The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt and Repossessed by A.M. Jenkins. Civil War from a Southern girl’s P.O.V., the 60s in New Jersey, from a 7th grade boy’s, and one of the Fallen (demon to most of us) experiencing the joys of being a teen boy - about as different as you can get and all highly recommended.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:21 am
Well,I finished Twilight(as Robin knows,since I blogged about it)and am now an official Stephenie Meyer fan. I’ll be reading Meyer’s new book,The Host,pretty soon-I want to catch up on a couple of other books first(not to mention making the pleasure last that much longer by waiting).
So,now I’m reading The Camel Bookmobile and Then We Came To The End,both of which are very different and interesting in their own way.
Robin,I’ve heard alot of great things about North and South,so I definitely have to see it but have you seen Wives and Daughters? It’s another miniseries based on a Gaskell novel(adapted by the brilliant Andrew Davies)and the romance in it is so thick and yummy,you could eat with a spoon:)
March 11th, 2008 at 8:40 am
I finished “Spanking Shakespeare” and moved onto the third book in the Princess Diaries series.
I also watched the BBC’s “Persuasion”, and now I’ll have to check out “North and South”. I just remember my friend trying to get me to watch the Kirstie Alley/Patrick Swayze version, and being like, “No thanks.”
Did you see this great post about your book at Seven Impossible Things?
March 11th, 2008 at 8:48 am
Lady S, since you live in England, you probably got to see this when it first ran! I don’t know why PBS here didn’t pick it up–no excuse whatsoever for keeping us American women from that story and from Richard Armitage. Swoon, indeed. And I love that moment you put in the clip–so terribly romantic and poignant. Sigh. (And so sorry about your friend dying. I hope you’re doing all right.)
Kelley, I know what you mean about Eat, Pray, Love helping you in your own spiritual journey. There’s a lot to contemplate from her experiences. And taking your time with it sounds good–so much to absorb.
Lady T, I’m so glad you liked Twilight! And yes, you’ll love The Host, too–very different plot, very different characters, but equally dramatic and enthralling. And yes, please do check out North and South–you might love it as much as P & P.
Katie, did you love Spanking Shakespeare? I hope so! Now please, please go get North and South–it would be perfect for your time off. (Or has that time come and gone?) And are you sure the Kirstie Alley/Patrick Swayze version isn’t of that American miniseries by the same name? Either way, I’d say you were right to pass.
Yes, I saw the Seven Impossible Things review! So wonderful!
March 11th, 2008 at 8:50 am
I have not seen North and South, but I love Pride and Prejudice (BBC version). Did you know there is a drinking game using that particular version? Everytime you see Colin Firth do specific things (there is a whole list), you drink! It is great!
As for reading, I am listening to James Owen’s Here There Be Dragons again for a refresher so I can read his second book and I just started reading The 13th Reality by James Dashner. I will let you know how it turns out.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:32 am
I finished The Luxe by Anna Godbersen. It was good, but I thought there were stlll loose ends by the end of the book–so annoying.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:37 am
I finished the last book in Kerry Madden’s Maggie Valley trilogy. She rocks. I wanna interview her.
And, I finished Steven Herrick’s latest free verse novel. And I started a book I’m supposed to co-review with Eisha for the next One-Shot World Tour Day thingy, and I promptly LOST IT. I’ve never, ever lost a book I was reading. I’m distraught. Shows you how scattered I am. Anyone have any book-retrieving calls?
(My anti-spam word is “fire.” Anyone else remember Phil Hartman’s wonderful Frankenstein impersonation on SNL — “Fire. Bad.” Ah, Phil. God rest his talented soul. But I digress. See? Scattered — again).
Back on topic — I’m also reading some
great new picture books, but I’ll try to post about them this week.
Eisha and I also read Sweethearts fairly recently and plan to interview Zarr soon and co-review the book. Good stuff.
That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:38 am
Oh I just saw that someone linked to our review. Thanks!
I also meant to say that what you’re reading sounds good, Robin. Do you know I’VE NEVER READ JANE AUSTEN? I want to remedy this (and I’ve also never read Little Women — I’m ducking now).
I’m a big children’s lit poseur, I think.
March 11th, 2008 at 11:52 am
I finally finished reading Order of the Phoenix to my kids (and can now see the movie). We started The Half-Blood Prince and am really liking that so far. I’m halfway through last Sunday’s newspaper. And I sure hope work reading counts: I’m just beginning to read over 5,000 (!!!) pages of a Motion to Expunge Lis Pendens.
March 11th, 2008 at 12:17 pm
Jules, you’ve never read Jane Austen? Everyone, we need to head out to Tennessee RIGHT NOW and pound on her door to let us in. Then, we’ll take turns reading our favorite passages from Austen’s novels until Jules cries, “Stop, stop, you win!”
Who’s in?
I’m currently reading The Last Wife of Henry VIII by Carolly Erickson. Has anyone noticed that all these Tudor novel covers are looking alike these days? They all have a woman wearing a full-skirted, low-necked sumptuous dress that looks as if it rustles, and the woman has her head turned away from the viewer. Here’s the cover of the novel:
http://www.amazon.com/Last-Wife-Henry-VIII-Novel/dp/0312352182
Here are the covers of Philippa Gregory’s three novels (though one actually faces the viewer, albeit obscured): http://www.amazon.com/Philippa-Gregory-Queens-Boleyn-Virgins/dp/B000Z9VVH2/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205262844&sr=1-9
Here’s Alison Weir’s novel about Lady Jane Grey: http://www.amazon.com/Innocent-Traitor-Novel-Lady-Jane/dp/0345495349/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1205262955&sr=1-1
March 11th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I just discovered Gaskell myself not so long ago (February). I read Wives and Daughters and loved it. Just loved it. North and South is on my list of books to read though this year. And I’m hoping to see the movie at some point too. (I like to read first, then watch.)
As to what I’m reading, I just finished Dragon Flight by Jessica Day George. Loved it. Now I’m a few chapters into Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow.
March 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
Lady T - I’m currently reading Then We Came to the End - only about 1/3 of the way through. It’s kind of like a sentimental version of The Office, isn’t it? And I must say, I was tempted to photocopy novels on the Xerox machine and sit at my desk and pretend to be doing work with the printed pages! Brilliant!
I’m about halfway through Sara Zarr’s new one, Sweethearts, which I’m loving (I wasn’t a HUGE fan of Story of a Girl, which was an NBA finalist in 07) and also finally getting to the last disc of Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (having the car in the shop for a week and a half set me back on audiobook listening) which is really, exhaustively descriptive (Stephenie Meyer fans, you might like it!
) but I generally like the characters and respond to their feeling, so I will likely pick up Dessen’s new one, Lock and Key, in April.
March 11th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Alkelda, if that gets you to Tennessee to visit me, I’ll take it!
March 11th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Soounds like a cool series maybeh I should try it!
BTW I watched the last 2 days of the Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and it was very good! Interesting to see how the elizabeth in that version and the oine in the newer one act a lot a like! It was cool and slightly freaky! XP This week I finished the 8th sweep book “Changling” , (unless I said that last week in wich case woopsie!) and fell inlove with two totally diffrent people! hehe none better then edward of course but I really like them! *swoons* I think tht’s all… I hve the feeling I finished a book or scchool but I can’t think of what it is… Oh well!
March 11th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Alkelda, thanks for the cover reviews! Too funny. And yeah, I’m totally with you on the ambush-Jules thing. But it was awfully brave of her to confess it.
Jules, let me say that to your face: you’re so brave, and you’re in big trouble. You’re missing a key part of your young womanhood here! Please go read Pride and Prejudice, then rent the BBC version starring Colin Firth. Then you will officially be a Woman and it won’t be so weird that you already have kids. Plus then you can help them along when it’s their time for Jane Austen.
Also Jules, thanks for the sweet reminder of Phil Hartman. What a pointless ending to a life that was.
Shai, I had no idea there’s a drinking game connected with our man Colin Firth. I’ll bet the wet shirt scene is one of the big chug-a-lug moments. I don’t drink, but I’m all for celebrating Colin Firth.
Vivian, too bad! Better luck next book!
Deborah, I pity, pity, PITY you for having to read a 5,000 page legal document. Thank goodness you inoculated yourself with some Harry Potter first. And how disciplined of you not to see the movie until you’d read it! Excellent role model for your kids.
Becky, thanks so much for the tip on Gaskell’s Wives and Daughters! I’ll read it! And please treat yourself to the BBC version of North and South very, very soon. I saw on the previews to it that they also did Wives and Daughters!
Molly, thanks for the tips on Then We Came to the End and Sweethearts. So many great books to read . . .
Dylan, for sure give it a try–especially now that you finally finished reading (and watching) Pride and Prejudice! I’m telling you, Mr. Thornton is as dreamy as Mr. Darcy.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Now how much fun would it be to hang out with Jules reading Pride and Prejudice out loud? Very.
This week it was two ARCs for me: Smiles to Go by Jerry Spinelli and Bird Lake Moon by Kevin Henkes. Neither one changed my world, but I enjoyed them even so. You can always depend on Spinelli and Henkes for a good story.
March 11th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
Tennessee would be Awesome! Who’s Jane Austen?
I bought The Ark of Truth today and watched it immediately. That’s got to count for something.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:25 pm
I refuse to even start Pride and Prejudice ’til you’re all actually here in the flesh, and we can take turns reading chapters. Mwhahahahaha. My evil plan to get you all here.
Hey, I’d have coffee. Good coffee. Yes, I’m talking to YOU, Adrienne.
Hey, guess what? I found my book that was missing. Woot! Someone must have done a book-retrieving call for me.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Jules, that’s how all cults work. We all take turns reading from the book.
March 11th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
So I’m reading this little book called Mr. Pip, about a military takeover of a tropical island and the man who stayed behind to teach the children all about Dickens’ Great Expectations. I just found it browsing at the library yesterday but now I’m thinking it might be a gem!
And Jules, I promise I won’t tell Kelly Fineman, but honey you better get crackin’ on P&P or she’s gonna find out on her own…
March 11th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Ok I will!
Oh wow! hehehe I will have to try then! 
March 12th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Hi,Molly-I’m finding that Then We Came To The End has alot of riffs similar to both The Office and the movie Office Space(loved the part where the guy got the security guard to do all of his computer work for him by giving him a “tutorial” on Photoshop!)but it seems much snarkier to me,so far,anyway.
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:24 am
What a fun blog!!!! I’ve been researching books for my book club and stumbled-happily in to Robin’s. I am a HUGE Pride and Prejudice fan. Colin Firth…Oh Yea AND the newest Mr. Darcy…Matthew M. Oh Yea-squared. I can’t even count how many times I’ve watched these two movies or read the book. Thank you Jane Austen :>)
Anyway, I’m so enjoying reading this blog. I’m looking for good reads for my club. We just finished a wonderful book by first-time author Paul Miller. It’s called A Place To Belong. It’s a Memoir, or Fiction based on fact. The biggest message from Mr. Miller: After 50 years of hating his father, he finally found how to forgive. It’s a really courageous story. Don’t forget to bring the Kleenex box!
Thank you for allowing me to look into your club, have some fun and share what we’re up to.
Mary :>) Animal, Chocolate and Coffee Lover!