Darles' Chickens

Yet another.

2010-12-28T22:53:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you've all heard of this one before- at least the first line or two

Solitude
By Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Laugh, and the world laughs with you;
Weep, and you weep alone.
For the sad old earth must borrow its mirth,
But has trouble enough of its own.
Sing, and the hills will answer;
Sigh, it is lost on the air.
The echoes bound to a joyful sound,
But shrink from voicing care.

Rejoice, and men will seek you;
Grieve, and they turn and go.
They want full measure of all your pleasure,
But they do not need your woe.
Feast, and your halls are crowded;
Fast, and the world goes by.
Succeed and give, and it helps you live,
But no man can help you die.

There is room in the halls of pleasure
For a long and lordly train,
But one by one we must all file on
Through the narrow aisles of pain.

A POEM. FOR YOU.

2010-12-18T12:04:00.000-08:00

I love this:

A Dream Within a Dream
By Edgar Allan Poe

Take this kiss upon the brow!
And, in parting from you now,
Thus much let me avow-
You are not wrong, who deem
That my days have been a dream;
Yet if hope has flown away
In a night, or in a day,
In a vision, or in none,
Is it therefore the less gone?
All that we see or seem
Is but a dream within a dream.

I stand amid the roar
Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand-
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep- while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem
But a dream within a dream?

It's almost Christmas!!! Merry Christmas, everyone!

Fairy Tales Retold

2010-12-10T18:13:00.000-08:00

Hello All! Happy December! I can hardly believe that we are just around the corner from bringing in the new year of 2011. Ridiculous. I think I'm getting old.

Anyway, this time around, I read a series of books called the "Fairy Tales Retold Series" by Regina Doman. There really is too much to say about these books. Maybe over time we should discuss each one individually. Anyway, the series consists of five books, set in modern times, that are based off of a traditional fairy tale. They are:

-Shadow of the Bear (based off of Snow White and Rose Red)
-Black as Night (based off of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
-Waking Rose (based off of the classic Sleeping Beauty)
-The Midnight Dancers (based off of the 12 Dancing Princesses)
-Alex O'Donnell and the 40 Cyber Thieves (based off of Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves)

The first three books follow the story of sisters Blanche and Rose and their adventures with two mysterious young men who call themselves Bear and Fish. Shadow of the Bear focuses mainly on the beginning of their adventure when they first meet the two young men. Black as Night was centered largely on Blanche, and Waking Rose about Rose. The other two, The Midnight Dancers and Alex O'Donnell focus on characters that are introduced in Waking Rose, but no longer really follow the story of the original four characters.

As for the plot... it's pretty complex. The stories are mystery mixed with fantasy, and I thought it was beautifully done. The characters were very real and relateable, set in modern day New York. There is a great mixture of fascinating elements like criminal activity, mistaken identities, dark pasts, secrets, and mysteries. At the same time it is filled with the fairy tale lover's bliss of love, fantasy and princes and princesses, evil witches and frightening spells. It's hard to explain how that can all fit together without having a serious continuity issue, but somehow, it happens. By the end of the book, you're thinking, "Oh my gosh... that is SO clever! I never would have come up with that!" Also, there are many many references to classic literature that my book loving comrades will appreciate. There is also a strong thread of rich Catholicism throughout all five, which I thought was impressively done because it was not over the top at all, which I appreciated.

Now, some girlfriends of mine recommended this book to me and I was like "Fairy Tales Retold? Yeah. Right. Chick novel, NOT for me or any other guy with any dignity." But, I read it, and I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't entirely "chick" oriented. Much of the story is told from the guys' points of view, and there is enough "real man" stuff in there to keep us interested. While I do think these books are probably most popular for teenage girls, I do admit that guys shouldn't be embarrassed to check them out.

On a precautionary note, however, I do want to point out that there is some "older kid" content in some of the books. Drugs, jail, criminals, violence and messed up people are met and dealt with. Nothing immoral is ever looked upon as a good thing. The author is a pretty staunch Catholic, and on her website has a "Picky Parents" guide to her books, so that you can find out just exactly what kind of stuff is in there. So, if you're younger, maybe have an older sibling or mom or friend read it first for you.\

Here is Miss Doman's website: http://www.fairytalenovels.com/index.cfm

I really encourage you all to read these books; once you start, I promise you WON'T be able to put them down!

Ciao~
Tony D.

Shadow of the Bear - 4/5 Recommended
Black as Night - 4/5 Recommended
Waking Rose - 5/5 Recommended
12 Midnight Dancers - 4/5 Recommended
Alex O'Donnell and the 4- Cyber Thieves - 4/5 Recommended

The Color of Water

2010-11-21T20:59:00.000-08:00

by Jame McBride

This is no where near a "classic bookie" type novel. Therefore, I should not be posting on it. However, I wanted to post on SOMETHING, and this is what I've been reading so...yeah. I had to read it for school.
Well, it's "A black man's tribute to his white mother". It's a memoir.

James' mother was a white Jew who became and Christian and married an African-American in the 30s'. She went against every rule she had lived by to marry this good and honorable black man, Dennis McBride. She loved him with her whole heart. She embraced the black community, which she found to be very welcoming and kind. They never judged her. She was happy with them, despite the public rebuke she and her kids had to deal with. She had twelve half-black children, one of which was James.
James spends half his life trying to discover his mother's past, which is something she would like to forget. She finally tells him her remarkable life story, and that's what this book is about. Ruth tells James about her miserable childhood as a Jew who was abused by her father and all she had to endure as a kid. She tells about how God, her husband, and children changed her life. What ensues is a rather heart wrenching story.

A sweet little excerpt....

"Ma, what color is God?"
"God doesn't have a color. God is all colors."
"What do you mean? Is God white or black?"
"God is the color of water."

Or something along those lines... :D Anyway, that was cute.

I didn't love this book. I'd rather be reading the classics. It was good. It was interesting. But I didn't love it.

Recommended #2

You should be at least thirteen to read this book, in my opinion.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

~Lady Arwen

Booklist

2010-11-12T09:54:00.000-08:00

Here is the booklist again so that everyone can read up!! I should be posting on "Fairy Tales Re-told" later today or possibly tomorrow. Enjoy! -T

Hello All,

I'm so sorry that it has been so long. But I promise to make a valiant attempt to keep this blog going strong.

Now, I mentioned in a previous post that we are going to try a new method in order to fit our busy lifestyles. Here, I will post a list of books that I will be reviewing- in the order of the list. So, as followers, you will know what's coming up! As time and schedules permit, our other contributors will post on something of their own choice, for some variety.

Lately, I've been really into the fantasy, "this isn't really happening" style of book. So, I think that sort of reflects on the list. :)

Here's the list, and I hope to be posting on the first one within the next week:

-The Last Unicorn, Peter Beagle
-The Hobbit, J.R.R. Tolkien (finally, right?)
-The Fairy Tales Retold Series, Regina Doman
-Animal Farm, George Orwell
-Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
-Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte
-Cyrano de Bergerac, Edmond Rostand
-All Creatures Bright and Beautiful, James Harriot
-Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes
-Come Rack, Come Rope, Robert Hugh Benson
-Pinocchio, Carlo Collodi
-North to Freedom, Anne Holm

Well, that's probably good for now. Happy reading!!

~Tony

The Hobbit

2010-11-02T08:44:00.001-07:00

Hello All,

Let me first begin by apologizing for the serious delay in activity. I have some ideas to maybe enliven things a bit, but renovations are slow.

Now, in lieu of the fact that The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien, is being made in to a movie, supposedly coming out in 2012, I think it is probably a very good thing for everyone to read and re-read this tale, just in case the movie is nothing like the book. It will be such a shame if people think that the movie is the same as the book if it really isn't. Perhaps the movie will be exactly like the book, and all will be well. :) Who knows what will happen, but regardless, it is a good book to read, especially if you have read the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, and have always wanted to read "that first one that has something to do with the Lord of the Rings!"

If you have read (or seen- I highly recommend read) The Lord of the Rings, then you know how the story ends. The Hobbit follows the beginning of the tale, when Bilbo Baggins first comes in to possession of the ring. This book really is more of an adventure story than the Trilogy because it follows Bilbo as he travels through unknown lands with a band of dwarves, battles with a dragon, finds hidden treasure and becomes a legend in his own time.

If you have read The Lord of the Rings, then you are probably thinking, "Gosh, I don't have enough time to read The Hobbit- the Lord of the Rings took me three months!!" Don't be dismayed. The Hobbit is actually written in a much easier style than the Lord of the Rings, and the plot line is miraculously more simple. I read somewhere that Tolkien had actually written the Hobbit with the intention of children in mind, so, hopefully this book won't take you a few months to down. :D

I highly recommend reading this book because it is fun to know "the beginning" of the Lord of the Rings saga. It is totally not necessary to read it before the Trilogy, but is absolutely worth reading at some point in time. I don't like this book as much as the Trilogy, but it is still very well written and a good adventure story for a rainy day.

I also highly recommend the Lord of the Rings movies, which follow the books pretty well, surprisingly. (I have high hopes for the Hobbit too.) Don't get super super critical though because there are a few things that are wrong. I admit that I like them anyway. Some book lover I am. :)

Thanks for reading! And pass us on.... it feels like DC is dying.

~Tony

Recommended 4/5

Coriolanus

2010-09-26T13:55:00.001-07:00

By William Shakespeare

I read this because I've always truly enjoyed Shakespeare's histories, and I also love Roman history in general. It took me a while to get through this one though...the thing about the histories is that, there is A LOT of dialogue. I really did like it! But it got just a little slow at parts. I felt like Caius Martius (aka Coriolanus) kept repeating himself over and over again. Luckily, though, the language was suprememly amazing, and that made the draggy parts wayyyy more enjoyable!

This play is about a man who is an excellent military leader. He leads the Roman army to a great victory. The common people love him, until the conspiring bad guys, Brutus and Sicinius, cunningly turn them against him. They convince them he is proud and too high and mighty (sounds a lot like Julius Caesar, doesn't it!). In a way this is true; in a way it is not. On one hand, Caius is very condescending towards the plebeians (commoners), but at the same time, he is so humble that he detests all the praise he is getting for being victorious. He's a rather confusing character! Anyway, they eventually get him banished, so he turns against them and amalgamates his powers with...THE ENEMY (the Volscians). At this, Cori's very strong-willed and controlling mother, Volumnia, begs and convinces him to relent. He returns to Rome, a hero. But the Volscians, feeling slighted, assassinate Coriolanus.

It definitely got exciting at times. I delighted in studying the awesome vocabulary!

Recommended 3 / 5

If you're into Shakespeare or Roman history, I would recommended this higher than if you are not.

Next, I am going to read a Mark Twain and post on it! We'll see how long it takes me to finish this time :P
Hope everyone is having a GREAT school year so far!!

~Arwen

Hi

2010-09-22T08:17:00.000-07:00

I AM GOING TO POST ON CORIOLANUS SOON. YOU BETCHA. JUST WAIT AND SEE. I HAVE NOT FORSAKEN YOU, DARLES CHICKENS!!!!

Love forever,
Arwen

The Last Unicorn

2010-08-31T09:52:00.000-07:00

What a strange book.

This book puzzled me exceedingly on every level. At times, I couldn't decide if it was a children's book or an adult book. And I still don't know what the message or "moral of the story" was. Also, I had a really hard time placing it in a specific era because the language ranged everywhere from Medieval to Modern slang. Peter S. Beagle really wrote something strange here.

But somehow, I liked it.

The story follows a unicorn on her journey to discover if she is the last unicorn in the world. She meets a magician named Schmendrick and a nice lady named Molly who help her. Eventually she gets turned into a human and falls in love. The story does manage to have a climactic ending. At times, the book just does not seem like it could possibly have a "happy ending," yet somehow, it ends on an "upbeat."

Like I said, I'm not quite sure what the moral of the story was, except that all of the characters had moments of self-realization. There is a great display of the typical fantasy story- magic, witches, heroes who slay dragons, unicorns.... It was fun, in that respect. It didn't end like a normal fantasy story though.

Reading this book was very strange because it was boring and interesting at the same time. I always wanted to not sit down and read it, but once I did, I usually couldn't put it down. I don't know why.

As a side note, as a kid, I saw the animated movie of this book which I remember being extremely strange. Now, going back and re-watching the movie, I realized that somehow, they managed to capture the emotion of this book. I was impressed considering it was animation. I wouldn't suggest watching the movie before reading the book though. Read the book and enjoy it for what it is, and then watch the movie. It isn't a hard read at all.

I hope someone else reads this because it would be great to have another opinion!

Thanks,

Tony

Recommended 3/5

Booklist

2010-08-25T08:15:00.000-07:00

Acting in Shakespeare

2010-08-14T14:16:00.000-07:00

by Robert Cohen

This is a book about how to play Shakespeare. It is just fascinating. It covers so much from how to deal with the text (scansion, which is pivotal to reading and acting Shakespeare well, how to tell the story, why Shakespeare used the words he did, and more) to body language and what to do with your voice.

If you do not act Shakespeare or act at all, but you love Shakespeare, you will love this book. It is enthralling to find out all the things Shakespeare was thinking about as he wrote his works and how much actors have to think about it too.

If you are a Shakespeare player, you will really love this book. It is a terrific book to have on hand, as it has so many tips!

I read the "Revised and Expanded Edition." You can't get it at the library, but you can buy it on Amazon!

Recommended #3
Recommended #5 if you are a Shakespeare player!

Always,
Lady A

Re-construction and New Ideas

2010-08-07T11:29:00.001-07:00

Hello all,

So, I'm thinking that DC needs an energy boost.

To start, I think everyone should suggest some books they would like to see us review on here. Not that we can do all and everything, but it's worth a shot to maybe gain more interest.

Second, I think we will have a new system where you will know what is coming up to be reviewed by me. Besides the scheduled reviews, Lady A., the Dodge, and Tini will post on whatever, randomly. It's different, but I think we should try it for a while. I think it will be good to have some organization.

Lastly, pass this blog on! Facebook us, email, post it on a website, tell your friends!! We need some vibrant interest and I swear on my honor to keep a tight schedule so there is new stuff often.

Thanks for your time!

Tony and co~

Hey there :)

2010-08-02T17:02:00.001-07:00

Yeah...I know. We forgot about the Bronze Bow discussion :/ But before I explain that, I need you to do me a favor.
It's nothing taxing. Fear not.

Simply comment on this post telling me honestly how often you check this blog. I just want to see something.

Please take a sec to do this for me. Many thanks!

Fare you well, fellow geeks.

Always,
Lady Arwen

Jane Eyre

2010-07-09T09:53:00.000-07:00

by Charlotte Bronte

Jane Eyre. Ahhhh yes. I shall tell you directly, when I began this book, I did not expect to enjoy it. I wasn't really in the mood for a dark and mysterious read. But I read it, because I thought it was about time I read something from the DC book list. Well, it didn't take long for me to become enraptured in the story! I found almost the entire book to be very compelling and wonderfully written. I can only remember two parts I thought were somewhat slow. The rest of the book was delightful. I was under the impression it would be exceedingly difficult to read, but I found it to be easy to understand, yet not in the LEAST unintelligently (Is that a word? It's telling me it isn't...) written. I really enjoyed it- a great deal more than I thought I would.

Jane tells the story. She begins by telling about her miserable childhood. She then moves on to tell about her stay at the Rochester mansion, where most of the story takes place. I won't say anything else. I wouldn't be doing the story justice, and I don't want to give anything away.

I recommend this for ages 13 and up. (I just think older kids would get much more out of it.)

Recommended #5
Most girls consider this a book they should probably read at some point in their lives, and I agree with that.

I've seen two movie movie versions, one of which I really liked, one of which I did not. But look, if you enjoyed the book, don't bother seeing any movie. They will never make a Jane Eyre movie that's as good as the book.

Reminder- The Bronze Bow discussion starts July 24th! Read it! And join us.

Always,
Lady A

Woodward Shakespeare Festival

2010-07-01T07:57:00.000-07:00

Greetings again...I just thought of something I should post about again, so when you are finished reading this, you may go back and read the poem I just posted!

For those of you who live in Fresno...

The Woodward Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit company that puts on FREE Shakespeare at Woodward Park! This year, the plays they are performing are The Merchant of Venice and King Lear. I have seen The Merchant of Venice, and it was great! I have heard great things about King Lear coming up as well.

Woodward Shakes has always put on awesome plays. They are an amazing company. PLEASE go enjoy a night under the starts, watching Shakespeare's great works--they are FREE, after all!

Like everyone, they are having serious financial issues. On top of that, right before the opening of The Merchant of Venice, someone stole $3000 worth of cables. AHH!!! This means for the first week or two, the cast of Merchant could not have microphones or enough lighting. They did a great job with dealing with it, but they are in the process of fixing the problem with money they don't have.
It is up to YOU to give donations if you enjoyed the show and want more of them! Even if you cannot give money, if you show up, the more people they count in the audience, the more grants they get, which is good.

@ the 13 Acre area in Woodward Park.
Show starts at 8:00.
$5 to get into the park. (Well, the park isn't free, but the Shakespeare is!)

I have always been a fan of these peeps. This season is looking fantastic! I encourage all of you to get out there and enjoy it!

Always~~
Arwen

The Brook

2010-07-01T07:50:00.000-07:00

Hi guys. I PROMISE I will post on Jane Eyre soon. I've been trying to juggle a lot of small art projects on top of the big summer activities I am a part of. It's so busy. I am sure everyone is busy. I plan to be more devoted to the blog when fall comes around. We are thinking of making some changes also. So start checking more regularly when that time comes.

Here is a really pretty poem. I like it.

The Brook
by Alfred Lord Tennyson

COME from haunts of coot and hern,
I make a sudden sally,
And sparkle out among the fern,
To bicker down a valley.

By thirty hills I hurry down,
Or slip between the ridges,
By twenty thorps, a little town,
And half a hundred bridges.

Till last by Philip's farm I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on forever.

I chatter over stony ways,
In little sharps and trebles,
I bubble into eddying bays,
I babble on the pebbles.

With many a curve my banks I fret
by many a field and fallow,
And many a fairy foreland set
With willow-weed and mallow.

I chatter, chatter, as I flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may comeand men may go,
But I go on forever.

I wind about, and in and out,
with here a blossom sailing,
And here and there a lusty trout,
And here and there a grayling,

And here and there a foamy flake
Upon me, as I travel
With many a silver water-break
Above the golden gravel,

And draw them all along, and flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on forever.

I steal by lawns and grassy plots,
I slide by hazel covers;
I move the sweet forget-me-nots
That grow for happy lovers.

I slip, I slide, I gloom, I glance,
Among my skimming swallows;
I make the netted sunbeam dance
Against my sandy shallows.

I murmur under moon and stars
In brambly wildernesses;
I linger by my shingly bars;
I loiter round my cresses;

And out again I curve and flow
To join the brimming river,
For men may come and men may go,
But I go on forever.

The Bronze Bow - Discussion

2010-06-14T10:06:00.000-07:00

Hey Everyone!

I was thinking we should have a discussion on "The Bronze Bow" by Elizabeth George Speare because there has been some interest and just because- because it's a good read! I was thinking we should all read it and have the discussion Saturday, July 24th. I think I'll be around, but I mean, we usually just catch each others comments whenever we get on, so it doesn't really matter. Sound like a plan?? I'll find some discussion questions and post them asap.

~The DC Board.

The Bronze Bow

2010-06-07T15:47:00.000-07:00

Hello All-

Sorry it's been so long! Today, I decided to post on "The Bronze Bow," by Elizabeth George Speare. I have read this book so many times it's crazy. I haven't actually read it recently, but I know this is a good book.

This book is set in first century Judaea. The lead character, a young man named Daniel Bar Jamin, lives at the same time as Jesus of Nazareth.

Daniel's father was crucified in front of him by the Roman occupiers (as his uncle did not have money to pay the tax) so even at the age of eight, he immediately hates and distrusts the Romans and vows that he will avenge his father's death. His mother dies of grief after her husband's death. Daniel's younger sister, Leah, is traumatized by these events, possessed by demons, and never leaves the house. The children are both taken in by their grandmother, but as she becomes ill and poor over the years, she sells Daniel to Amalek the blacksmith. Daniel escapes his cruel master, running away to the mountains where he meets Rosh, the leader of an outlaw band of rebels,who plan to someday overtake the Romans.

Several years after these events, he meets two old childhood friends: Joel bar Hezron and his twin sister Malthace, who climb the mountain for a holiday. Joel fiercely wants to join Rosh's band, so he promises Rosh that he will be a spy in Capernaum, the city to which he is moving.

One of Rosh's missions has Daniel capturing a slave. The crew names him Samson (a character in the Biblical book of Judges with immense strength and quite a temper) for his brute strength. Samson doesn't talk or understand anything, but he sees Daniel as his master and follows him. One day, Simon the Zealot, Daniel's friend from the village, comes to tell Daniel his grandmother is dying. He returns to his village of Ketzah and sees his grandmother. She passes on and Daniel is left in charge of Leah. Later, Simon tells Daniel he is going to follow Jesus and leaves Daniel in charge of his shop; Daniel and Leah move. At some point a Roman soldier younger than Daniel (a conquered German) befriends Leah after he sees her. Daniel eventually finds out, and goes into a fit of rage. Leah, who had seemed to be in the process of being cured, falls back into fully being possessed by her demons.

That was from Wikipedia- but I don't want to ruin the ending. I like this book so much, I think we should have a discussion on it. What does every one else think?

~Tony D.

5/5 Recommended

Some Emily Dickenson poems

2010-06-03T09:08:00.000-07:00

Salvete!

Emily Dickinson has written so many poems! She is a great writer. Lord Anthony will be posting any time, but here are a few her poems in the meantime.

I've always liked this one - it's only an excerpt:

To take us lands away,
Nor any coursers like a page
Of prancing poetry.
This traverse may the poorest take
Without oppress of toll;
How frugal is the chariot
That bears a human soul!

Another:

Heaven is what I cannot reach!
The apple on the tree,
Provided it do hopeless hang,
That "heaven" is, to me.

The color on the cruising cloud,
The interdicted ground
Behind the hill, the house behind, --
There Paradise is found!

Well, that is all for now. Have a great weekend, all of you. And remember, you may always invite your friends to follow Darles Chickens too!
Hopefully we'll hear from Lord Dewhurst soon. Also, we are in the process of  making some changes on this blog. I have some ideas I need to
talk to the crew about. So stay tuned :)

Always,
Lady Arwen

Mere Christianity aka The Case for Christianity

2010-05-16T11:07:00.000-07:00

by C.S. Lewis

Well, helloooo, fellow geeks! How have you all been? I'm glad we've had posts from Dewhurst and Dodge of late, so there is some variety. We should probably get organized again as to who posts when and all that...I'll talk to the DC peeps, and we'll see.

Anyway! This is a great book. Basically, Lewis lays down the chief points of Christianity. I love the style in which he wrote this book. He lays down a principle, then he gives examples of things we can easily understand so we can get it. He repeats himself in different ways so one can grasp the point. I like the way he wrote this far better than the way he wrote the Chronicles of Narnia.

My favorite part of the this book was definitely the first book, specifically chapters 4 and 5. I LOVE the way he spoke of agnosticism. What he said about it is precisely my opinion of it, but he wrote it in such a clear and perfect fashion.
Here's probably my favorite quote in the whole book:

"One reason why many people find Creative Evolution so attractive is that it gives on much of the emotional comfort of believing in a God and none of the less pleasant consequences...All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has yet seen?"

Those words made me tremendously excited, because I have always thought about it exactly like that! It was thrilling to read words that I so fully agree with and am passionate about. Here are some more quotes I loved:

"God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from. He is our only possible ally, and we have made ourselves his enemies."

"In religion as in war and everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth...in the end, despair. Most of us have got over the pre-war wishful thinking about international politics. It is time we did the same about religion."

So I liked when he talked about the meaning of the universe and about whether there is or is not a God in the first place. As the book moved on, I did not get as much of a thrill, but it was still very good.

I actually disagreed with a bit of what he said. (I don't remember what chapter it was.) He acted as if this one point was a fact, but I disagreed. I won't go into the problems I had with it now, but if you want to talk, I definitely will.

Rated #5 - Watch out for the ninjas.

Thanks for reading. I hope you'll read the book.

Always,
Lady Arwen

Johnny Tremain

2010-05-10T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hello All,

I apologize for the crazy long delay in everything. I'm sure most of us have been busy with finals and what not- so hopefully no one was too bored.

This time, I chose to write about "Johnny Tremain," by Esther Forbes- I have a feeling most of you have heard of it. I have read it more than once! So, because I think everyone should read this book at least once, I pulled up the "Sparknotes" plot overview, which I pasted here. I think it is probably the best description of the book written, because it gives you the plot without ruining anything amazing. Also, it probably describes the book way better than I could! So- enjoy this overview and I hope you are interested enough to read the book!

"Fourteen-year-old Johnny Tremain is the gifted apprentice of Ephraim Lapham, a silversmith in Revolutionary-era Boston. The pious and elderly Mr. Lapham is more interested in preparing his own soul for death than in running his silver shop, so Johnny is the chief breadwinner of the family. Dove and Dusty, Lapham’s other apprentices, are expected to bow to Johnny’s authority, and Mrs. Lapham is determined to have Johnny marry her daughter Cilla. Johnny’s enormous talent and his special status in the Lapham household go to his head, and Johnny often bullies the lazy, insolent Dove, as well as Dusty and the four Lapham daughters. Although Mr. Lapham tries to contain Johnny’s arrogance, Johnny is unwilling to rein in his quick temper or impulsive acts.

The Lapham’s fortune and Johnny’s fame as a silversmith appear to take a turn for the better when the wealthy merchant John Hancock puts in an order for an elaborate silver basin. Mr. Lapham hesitates to take on such a difficult project, but the rash Johnny accepts the job on behalf of his master. That night, Johnny reveals his family secret to Cilla. He is related to Jonathan Lyte, a wealthy Boston merchant. Johnny’s mother revealed his ancestry to him before she died and gave him a silver cup engraved with the Lyte’s coat of arms. She instructed him to steer clear of the Lytes unless he had no other recourse.

Johnny struggles to design the silver basin’s handles, but he is dissatisfied with the result. After consulting Paul Revere, Johnny creates a mold for a perfect set of handles. While he is casting the wax model in silver, Dove deliberately hands him a cracked crucible. Dove’s intention is only to humble Johnny by playing a practical joke on him, but his prank results in a terrible accident that disfigures Johnny’s hand. No longer able to work as a silversmith’s apprentice, Johnny loses his status in the Lapham household. After the burn heals, Mrs. Lapham begins to complain of Johnny’s idleness and the expense of feeding him. She begins negotiating a business partnership with Mr. Tweedie, a silversmith from Baltimore, and forbids Johnny from marrying Cilla. Mr. Lapham urges Johnny to find a new trade, but promises to house him until he finds a new master. During his fruitless search, Johnny drops into Mr. Lorne’s print shop, where a Whig newspaper, the Boston Observer, is published. Mr. Lorne’s enigmatic nephew and apprentice Rab immediately intrigues Johnny. Johnny confides the story of his accident to Rab, and the boy promises Johnny a job delivering newspapers if he fails to find any skilled labor.

Depressed and desperately trying to find a new craft, Johnny finally decides to approach Jonathan Lyte. He produces his silver cup as proof of their kinship, but Lyte accuses Johnny of stealing the valuable heirloom and has the boy arrested. Johnny appeals to Rab for assistance, and Rab not only finds a lawyer to defend him for free but also arranges to have Cilla testify in his favor. After Johnny is cleared of the charges, he tries to sell the cup to Lyte, but Lyte steals it from him. Only then does Johnny approach Lorne to ask for the delivery job.

While delivering newspapers, Johnny becomes well acquainted with the key members in Boston politics and is transformed from an apathetic political bystander into an ardent Whig. The Lornes treat him kindly, as if he were a member of their family. Johnny participates in the Boston Tea Party, and becomes a confidant, small-time Whig spy, and errand boy for all the Whigs of Boston. During this period of Whig scheming, in the months leading up the Revolutionary War, Johnny slowly changes from a selfish, arrogant child into a selfless, idealistic man. Rab’s quiet influence teaches Johnny to control his temper, and the colonial situation provides Johnny with something larger than himself to care about. Johnny also matures through his growing recognition of his feelings for Cilla, who has gone to work as a servant in the Lyte home.

On the eve of war between the colonists and Britain, the Tory Lytes plan to flee to England. Immediately before their departure, Lavinia Lyte approaches Johnny to tell him that she has investigated his claims of kinship and found them to be legitimate. She insists that her father had sincerely believed that Johnny was lying when he accused him, but admits that both father and daughter recognize that Johnny has a right to some of the Lyte property.

Rab is mortally wounded when war breaks out in the battle of Lexington. Johnny is deeply shaken by Rab’s death, but he vows to continue the struggle for the human rights for which Rab sacrificed his life. Doctor Warren, an esteemed rebel leader, examines Johnny’s hand while Rab’s lifeless body lies upstairs. He discovers that the thumb is fused to the palm by nothing but scar tissue, and that Johnny’s handicap can be easily remedied with minor surgery. Although he cannot promise that Johnny will ever be a silversmith again, he assures Johnny that he will soon be able to fire the musket that Rab bequeathed to him before dying. "

My only other comment would be that I thought the book was a little strange in the way the dialogue was formatted- but you get used to it after a while. The sentences are short, which I guess is more realistic, it's just different from the extensive sentences from other books! I hope that makes sense. Anyway, happy reading.

Tony

4/5 Recommended

Special thanks to Sparknotes. You are amazing.

Painting of a Forest

2010-05-02T20:16:00.001-07:00

Check. It. Out.

This painting is so enchanting and enrapturing, do you not think? Click it for a large view.

You may think this is so random and not about books---but it is! When I saw this, I thought it would be a perfect illustration for so many scenes in books I have read. Here's some DC homework! Tell us what book scene this reminds you of! What book does it bring to mind?

Always,
Lady Arwen

Around the World in 80 Days

2010-04-21T14:14:00.000-07:00

Hey People,

I'm incredibly sorry that it has taken so long for me to get around to posting. I know I told Lady A. I would post some time ago, but I have been busy. My apologies. Alright, this time I am writing about Around the World in 80 Days, by Jules Verne. I have read this book about four or five times, and I think it just might be one of the best books I have ever read. That's saying a lot. I know that at an earlier time I wrote a post on 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne and surprisingly I didn't like it. But this is very different. The story takes place in London, England in 1872. The story begins with a rich gentleman named Phileas Fogg, who lives a uniform life with no variation and no excitement. The story is seen through the eyes of Mr. Fogg's man servant, Passepartout, who has just come to work for him when Mr. Fogg decides to take up a friend on his bet to travel around the world in 80 days. Passepartout and Mr. Fogg set of on their wild adventure, but for some reason are being followed by an English detective named Mr. Fix. We follow them on their journey around the world and see lots of interesting places and people, such as a lovely young lady named Aouda. I personally think this book is amazing! It is fast paced and surprisingly humorous for the type of book it is. The book is filled with adventure, danger, romance, and the obvious anxiety of traveling around the world in 80 days! So in other words if you like adventure and world travel you should definitely pick up a copy of this book... and even if you don't you should read it anyway. If you have any more questions on the subject let me know because I wrote the post quickly and probably left important things out. Thank you for your patience.

$ The Dodge$

5/5 recommended

Join me in reading "Mere Christianity"!

2010-04-15T11:57:00.000-07:00

I have something exciting to tell y'all! I am reading a brilliant book called "Mere Christianity" or "The Case for Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. So far, I have only read five chapters, but I am simply enthralled. Even though it is not on the book list, I am going to post on it after the Artful Dodger posts on his book. (Unless someone else wants to post. Everyone seems really busy, but let me know when you guys want to post on something; I just keep posting cause no one else is.)
Since I am finding this book to be superior, I have a challenge for you all: read it too! That way, when I post on it, we can have a discussion. If not enough people get it read before my post, perhaps we can have a discussion on it just as we did on Romeo and Juliet. Let me know what you guys want to do!
This book is so good! I hope you all will read it. I'm not suggesting it to get any non-Christian peeps to convert, if there are any on the site. In fact, so far this book is not at all about the Bible, or preachy stuff like that. It is simply analyzing people's beliefs on God or whatever life force they believe in and other things. Lewis is analyzing people's views and arguing for both sides. It's really interesting; that's why I recommend it.
Some tips on how to read this: #1. Do NOT read fast. Read it slowly. Perhaps just take one chapter a day. #2. Re-read. I just re-read chapter two slower than before, and I got a ton out of it. #3. I usually don't agree with how teachers make students read stuff like Shakespeare for the first time and make them analyze and dissect the details so that they student can't enjoy it. But for this book, do analyze it! It's that kind of book. Think about what you read and maybe see if you can apply it to people in your life. I sure can. This way, if you ever get in a conversation with those people, you can defend your faith and beliefs!
Ok, well, I will email Dodge and see when he's planning on posting. Thanks for reading.

~Arwen

Pinocchio

2010-03-19T15:40:00.000-07:00

Greetings, folks.

I read Pinocchio for the second time a while ago. It was veery interesting to read the first time, having grown up watching the Disney movie version. Well, I don't know what the heck Walt Disney was thinking, because the book is nothing like the movie. He must have had a heck of an imagination; he pretty much changed the whole plot. I don't know about you, but it bothers me when people do that when the book was already terrific....
It's about a little wooden boy made by a dude named Geppetto.(That much the movie got right.) Even before Geppetto carved him, he was making mischief and being impossible to control. He was a real ham. But he always dreamed of becoming a real boy. When he meets a beautiful fairy girl who tells him she will grant his wish if he becomes a well-behaved puppet, Pinocchio is inspired and determined to behave the rest of his life. But Pinocchio has EXTREMELY bad will power. It's so bad, in fact, half way through the book I couldn't even believe it. You see, Pinocchio keeps saying he will be a good puppet, but then he doesn't go through with it. The fairy keeps re-appearing and telling him she will give him another chance, but he just doesn't get it. Just when he's soooo close to getting his wish, he blows it again. It's rather frustrating to read! But it's so funny! It's a very comical story, and it's very, very unique. It is a little scary though; it's a bit bizarre. It has this spooky-ness about it the entire story, and some really weird things happen. It's not exactly the jolly, innocent children's story everyone assumes it is.
It's great thought! My family and I have always loved it. I definitely recommend it.

Rated #4, maybe even #5 (It was a while since I finished it, so I can't remember which I decided on...)

Thanks for reading. I hope you will read this book; it's a real treat.

Arwen

Two Dead Boys and some other stuff...

2010-03-14T18:18:00.000-07:00

Hey people,

First, thanks to all who participated in the discussion! It was great. Thank you for reading the book. If anyone has any suggestions for book discussions, let us know.

I'll post in a few days, but I thought I would post this poem in the meantime. It's really interesting - the author is anonymous, and there a few different variations; because of this, it's not exactly considered "real" poetry. But I love the ironic and bizarre humor of it.
Here's my favorite version:

One fine day in the middle of the night,
Two dead boys got up to fight.
Back to back they faced each other,
Drew their swords and shot each other.

One was blind and the other couldn't see,
So they chose a dummy for a referee.
A blind man came to see fair play,
A dumb man came to shout hooray!

A paralized donkey, passing by,
Kicked the blind man in the eye,
Knocked him through a nine inch wall,
Into a dry ditch and drowned them all.

A deaf policeman, hearing the noise,
Came to arrest the two dead boys.
If you don't believe this lie is true,
Ask the blind man; he saw it too.

Very strange, very funny. Yeah?

I also wanted to re-post what is left of the booklist, just to remind you of what you can be reading. (Most the time we post on these books, but I have posted on other books too.)

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
The Bronze Bow - Elizabeth G. Speare
Little Britches - Ralf Moody
Johnny Tremain - Esther Forbes
Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne
The Spectre Bridegroom - Washington Irving
Two Gentlemen of Verona - William Shakespeare
North to Freedom - Anne Holm
Pinocchio - Carlo Collodi

If you want to know which of these books you should read first (or read at all) please talk to me; some of these books are fantastic, and I'd love to recommend them.

Well, thanks for reading the books and following the blog - please invite your friends to follow too!

Always,
Lady Arwen

Romeo and Juliet disucussion

2010-03-06T13:29:00.000-08:00

Here's the start of the discussion - this is going to last a few days. That way everyone can get a chance to participate. Here are the questions again:

1. What effect does the accelerated time scheme have on the play’s development? Is it plausible that a love story of this magnitude could take place so quickly? Does the play seem to take place over as little time as it actually occupies?

2. Compare and contrast the characters of Romeo and Juliet. How do they develop throughout the play? What makes them fall in love with one another?

3. Compare and contrast the characters of Tybalt and Mercutio. Why does Mercutio hate Tybalt?

4. Apart from clashing with Tybalt, what role does Mercutio play in the story? Is he merely a colorful supporting character and brilliant source of comic relief, or does he serve a more serious purpose?

5. How does Shakespeare treat death in Romeo and Juliet? Frame your answer in terms of legal, moral, familial, and personal issues. Bearing these issues in mind, compare the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and Mercutio, and Mercutio and Tybalt.

Sorry I couldn't get this going until now. I hope it's not too late.

Happy Birthday Darles' Chickens!

2010-03-04T16:42:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLES' CHICKENS!!

Ok everyone, this month was the month that we founded this blog! To be exact, March 28th, 2009 was the official date.

Fun facts:

1.) Darles' Chickens is Charles Dickens with the first letters reversed.

2.) We've had one official discussion - two, come Saturday.

3.) The Hobbit has been on the booklist since the original booklist.

4.) After two comments, usually they aren't about the book anymore.

5.) In one year, we've managed to have the love/hate relationship of the decade.

6.) 22 of the 47 posts have actually been on books.

7.) The most number of comments was 34, on The Tempest and Out of the Silent Planet. The least was 1, on Fabiola.

8.) We have 19 followers- 3 of which have never commented.

9.) There has been at least one post every month.

10.) "Poetry" has the most tabs with 9,- the next highest number being 5 for "Romance."

Can anyone think of anything else? Thanks to Tini who started this and to everyone else who had kept it alive with comments and posts for the last year! May the next be as good!

~DC Board

P.S. Let me know if the info is wrong. I did the best I could.

Roughing It

2010-03-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

Hey people,

This time I read Roughing It by Mark Twain. Now believe me, this was a big surprise for me, but I didn't really like it. I usually like Mark Twain's stuff, but this failed to intrigue me. I was really sad about it too. I had made up my mind that I would probably like it, just because it was Mark Twain, but I was wrong. :(

The story was basically a semi-autobiographical account of Mark Twain's adventures in the Wild West from the years 1861-1867. Sounds alright, right? Wrong. I dunno what was up, but it just seemed really random and disconnected. He spent wayyyyyyyy too long on a stagecoach and felt it was necessary to explain everything. Everything he explained had some connection to the story of course, but was it really necessary? For instance, when traveling through a dreary section of nothingness somewhere in the middle of the United States, he made the comment that it was dangerous robbery territory. Then, he expanded upon the subject and told about a famous outlaw who used to roam the territory and how he wanted revenge in some guy blah blah blah blah blah. You get the point. He spent a whole chapter on it. He expanded upon everything from jackrabbits to Indian outlaws. Did this advance the story? I didn't think so, but maybe I missed the point.

In my opinion, if you would like to try Mark Twain, don't start with this one. Try Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn and The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County or The Prince and the Pauper.

Considering that this book wasn't poorly written, but just rather not my style, I rate it a 3/5.

Tony

3/5 recommendation

MY MISTAKE

2010-02-27T13:04:00.000-08:00

Hey guys, sorry if I confused anyone; I just posted that the Romeo and Juliet discussion is today. It is NOT today, but next week!! I was confused and out of sorts, so I am VERY sorry about that. My mistake. Please forgive me.

Hopefully there will be a post before the talk, but if not, I will talk to you all next week.

Thank you for being patient with me :)

Arwen

Which Cartoon Character Are You?

2010-02-19T11:13:00.000-08:00

Hey guys,

I know this is completely irrelevant, but I was bored. It is a test to see which cartoon character you are. Let me know who you are! Have fun!

See ya,

Tony

p.s. let me know if it doesn't work

naucon.net | Fun Stuff | Thuy's Fun Tests Collection | Which Cartoon Character Are You?

Romeo and Juliet Discussion

2010-02-09T14:00:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Because of the marked intrest in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, it has been decided to have an open discussion about it. In order to allow our followers time to read it, our discussion will begin on Saturday, March 6th. The time- TBA. Maybe we won't restrict it to a specific time, because of possible time differences? While you read, here are some questions to think about:

1. What effect does the accelerated time scheme have on the play’s development? Is it plausible that a love story of this magnitude could take place so quickly? Does the play seem to take place over as little time as it actually occupies?

2. Compare and contrast the characters of Romeo and Juliet. How do they develop throughout the play? What makes them fall in love with one another?

3. Compare and contrast the characters of Tybalt and Mercutio. Why does Mercutio hate Tybalt?

4. Apart from clashing with Tybalt, what role does Mercutio play in the story? Is he merely a colorful supporting character and brilliant source of comic relief, or does he serve a more serious purpose?

5. How does Shakespeare treat death in Romeo and Juliet? Frame your answer in terms of legal, moral, familial, and personal issues. Bearing these issues in mind, compare the deaths of Romeo and Juliet, Romeo and Mercutio, and Mercutio and Tybalt.

So, of course these don't have to be answered by each person individually, but it should hopefully give a direction to our discussion. If you'd like, here is a quiz about Romeo and Juliet that I found. It's a good way to see how much you know!

SparkNotes: Romeo and Juliet: Quiz

Anyway, talk to you all on the 6th!

~DC Team

All Creatures Great and Small

2010-01-31T11:56:00.000-08:00

Hey people,

Gracious it has been a long time since I posted, I apologise for my absence. The book I read this time was All Creatures Great and Small, By James Herriot. It is the true story of a country vet named James Herriot who went to school in the city and then was sent to the Yorkshire Dales to practice his profession. Things are a little bit rough for James at first but he soon falls in love with His partner Siegfried Farnon, Siegfried's crazy brother Tristan, the simple people of the Dales, and the beautiful country around him. It is the story of the troubles that a country vet goes through told in a humorous and entirely relateable fashion. Walking through life in the mind of James, hearing every thought and working through every problem is laugh out loud hysterical. You could call it a documentary, but I prefer to think of it as the life of a poor vet who just can't win. You really have to read them to understand. It is a 4 book series starting with All Creatures Great and Small, then All Things Bright and Beautiful, All things Wise and Wonderful, and finishes with The Lord God Made them All. I just have to say I love them! I don't really like reading about animals, and I don't generally care for documentary type things, but these are different! He is so simple in the way he puts things, I guess you can say he speaks right to the heart of the average Joe. The countryside where he is sounds so beautiful, it makes me want to go to the Dales. Hopefully by know you have all gathered that I highly recommend these books, so please read them and let me know what you think! James Herriot has also written Children's Treasuries which are very good as well, but go for the real thing.

Thanks for listening and happy reading!

$ The Artful Dodge $

5/5 Recommended

Shadow Hawk

2010-01-22T10:18:00.001-08:00

Hello all,

Gee, it seems like it has been forever since I posted on something. Well, this time, I read Shadow Hawk by Andre Norton, which was recommended to me by a friend who hated it. Well, I don't know if she hated it, but she didn't really like it either.

Set in Egyptian times, this book follows the adventure of a guy who is the captain of a group of desert scouts. He has no land to call his own, because his evil brother kicked him off of it or something like that. (I skimmed through some of it) :/ The story follows how he rises in the favor of the pharoah, and gradually earns all that he deserves.

That sounds really general, but I'm telling you, that is almost literally all that happened. There are several moments of suspense that either were too short or lasted too long, ruining the whole "suspense" device. Also, several threads of the storyline that started in the beginning were never followed up later, which might have given the story more depth. I guess the best way to put it is that it was boring. Also, it was disappointing because none of the main characters died. That sounds horrid, I know, but seriously, how realistic is it that all of the main characters take part in a battle, and the worst thing that happens is someone got a scratch!? Come on!

One thing that did catch my attention was that the desert scouts were all archers, which definitely produced some cool stuff. I think archery rocks. So yeah, that part of the whole thing was cool. Other than that.... I don't think I'd read it again by choice.

To sum it up, some parts were cool, but as a whole, the book really wasn't that interesting.

~Tony

1/5 Recommended

Pride and Prejudic - An Eaternal Classic

2010-01-08T17:17:00.000-08:00

By Jane Austen

I love this comedic Romance - which, of course, is entirely predictable. Every girl loves Pride and Prejudice. It's just so clever and romantic. Most of you know the story, but let us review anyway, shall we?

Elizabeth Bennet and her sister, Jane, are two very likable gals, despite their unfortunate relations. Elizabeth is witty and smart. She does not believe in marrying for money. Living in the era of Regency, in which you were only respected if you were rich/high in rank, this is not a very popular sort of attitude. She is considered the "odd duck" of the family, being sensible. Jane is also a lovely girl, and she is ready to think the best of everyone around her. When two rich young men come into town, (Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley) everyone immediately falls in love with Bingley, he being agreeable, enjoyable, and all-around very likable. Jane takes particular interest in him. Mr. Darcy, however, is twice as rich as Bingley, and ten times as disagreeable. Basically, everyone hates him and thinks he is proud, especially Elizabeth. No one has an any idea of Mr. Darcy's past, however, which is surprising and interesting. In the end, it turns out he is not so bad after all, and Ms. Elizabeth's opinions about him take a turn in the opposite direction ;)

A lot of you have read and enjoyed this as well as many other of Austen's books. They truly are brilliant.
I highly recommend the OLD BBC movie version of P&P (with Jennifer Ehle and Collin Firth.) I like it much better than the new version, but of course, that is only my opinion.

I rate it...um...#4.

Thank you kindly for reading. I am sorry it took to terribly long.

As always,
Lady Arwen

O Captain! My Captain

2010-01-08T12:29:00.000-08:00

O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!

by: Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up -- for you the flag is flung -- for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths -- for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

Booklist - 2010

2010-01-04T09:55:00.000-08:00

First off - Happy New Year, my fellow DC Geeks! Well, I figured that I would re-post the old booklist, to remind everyone of the books that should be coming up. Nothing is added or changed, because we want to finish this list before we start another. The books will be taken off as they are reviewed. Thanks for your comments and support, and let's hope that 2010 is a great year for Darles' Chickens!

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
Little Britches - Ralf Moody
The Spectre Bridegroom - Washington Irving
Two Gentlemen of Verona - William Shakespeare
North to Freedom - Anne Holm
Pinocchio - Carlo Collodi

Thanks again!

~The DC Peeps

Pawn of Prophecy

2009-12-21T14:54:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone!

Good news! I'm posting. Just kidding, that wasn't my news. My news is that I think I fixed our stupid Hindu translation problem. (I don't think they're Hindu, but whatever.) So yay! Things will be in English!

So anyway, a while back I read Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings. In a word... incredible. I was absolutely hooked. There are five books in all: Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, and Enchanter's End Game - all of which are equally incredible. I read the whole series in about a week. I can't tell you much of the story because it would seriously ruin it. :( Basically, there are the good guys and the bad guys and they all have different powers and assets, and they end up in an epic battle and so on... if you've read fantasy, you've read that pattern before, I'm sure. This was a really fun book that included many personalities and many relatable characters. When I say relatable, I mean characters that you would want to be similar to. That is always cool. The books really draw you in and make you desperately connected to the adventures and fates of the characters.

If you need an awesome journey into a fantastical world, I would definitely recommend Pawn of Prophecy and the rest! Although these were fairly easy reads, if you are younger, I would have an older sibling read them first and make sure that all of the content is a-okay! I hope you enjoy! I really want everyone to read at least the first book so that I can make sure that I'm not just biased. Thanks!!

~Tony

5/5 Recommended

Benjamin Franklin

2009-11-28T09:28:00.000-08:00

By Steven Vincent Benet

Ben Franklin munched a loaf of bread,
While walking down the street,
And all the Philadelphia girls
Tee-heed to see him eat.
A country boy come up to town,
With eyes as big as saucers,
At the ladies in their furbelows,
The gempmun on their horses.

Ben Franklin wrote an almanac,
A smile upon his lip,
It told you when to plant your corn,
And how to cure the pip,
But he salted it and seasoned it,
With proverbs, sly and sage,
And the people read "Poor Richard,"
'Til Poor Richard was the rage.

Ben Franklin made a pretty kite,
And flew it in the air,
To call upon a thunder storm that happened to be there,
And all our humming dynamos and our electric light,
Go back to what Ben Franklin found
The Day he flew his kite.

Ben Franklin was the sort of man,
That people like to see,
For he was very clever, but as human as could be,
He had an eye for pretty girls,
A pallet for good wine,
And all the court of France were glad to ask him into dine.

But it didn't make him stuffy,
And he wasn't spoiled by fame,
But stayed Ben Franklin to the end,
As Yankee as his name.
"He wrenched their might from tyrants,
And its lightning from the sky,"
and oh, when he saw pretty girls he had a taking eye.

The End

I love this poem! It's really cute. Go Ben Franklin!

Old Ironsides

2009-11-12T18:27:00.000-08:00

THE frigate Constitution, which had figured valiantly in the history of the United States navy, and had won the famous sea-fight with the English ship Guerriere in the War of 1812, was popularly called Old Ironsides, and had won a warm place in the hearts of the American people. On September 14, 1830, the Boston Daily Advertiser announced that the Secretary of the Navy had recommended that the Constitution be broken up, as no longer fit for service. As soon as he heard this Oliver Wendell Holmes wrote his poem Old Ironsides, which appeared two days later. It immediately became a battle-cry; was repeated all through the country; and caused such a wave of feeling for the time-scarred frigate that the plan of dismantling her was given up, and instead she was rebuilt, and given an honored place among the veterans of the country's navy.

OLD IRONSIDES

by: Oliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894)

Aye, tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rung the battle shout,
And burst the cannon's roar;--
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more!

Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood
And waves were white below,
No more shall feel the victor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee;--
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea!

Oh, better that her shattered hulk
Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave;
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the God of storms,--
The lightning of the gale!

It's kind of sad, isn't it?

Tony D.

The Destruction of Sennacherib

2009-10-28T15:32:00.000-07:00

Here is a poem to keep us occupied while Dewhurst is reading his book.

It is written by George Gordon Byron.

I believe Dewhurst just started his book, so her or I might post another poem before the next post.
Enjoy this poem. I like it a lot.

https://englishhistory.net/byron/poems/destruct.html

P.S. Has anyone posted The Lady of Shalott poem yet??

Question

2009-10-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

Important question: How do you add a link to your post??

I want to post a poem, and I am sure the rest of the posters would want to know too. Please comment and let me know!
Thank you.

Arwen

The Importance of Being Earnest

2009-10-03T19:32:00.000-07:00

Greetings! And now for my long-awaited, highly-anticipated post!

I recently re-read (re-re-re-re-read) my favorite play, The Importance of Being Earnest. This is not only my favorite play ever, but one of my favorite THINGS ever. The plot is much to complicated to explain in any detail here, but it begins with a man who's name is Earnest in the town and Jack in the country. What ensues is probably the funniest and most clever thing I have ever read. To give you an idea of how hilarious it is, here are a few of my favorite quotes:

"The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last."

"I hate happy endings, they depress me so much."

"If I am occasionally a little over-dressed, I make up for it by being immensely over-educated."

"I never change, except in my affections."

I HIGHLY recommend this book for those of you who haven't read it already. It's a pretty quick read and I'm sure you'll all love it.

5/5 Recommended

The Scarlet Pimpernel

2009-09-19T15:40:00.001-07:00

Hey everyone!!

It seems like I haven't posted in a really long time!!

Ok:

The Scarlet Pimpernel, by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, is the story of a daring, bold and adventurous band of noble Englishmen who risk their lives to rescue innocent aristocrats from "Madame Guillotine." Set during the height of the French Revolution, this book follows the story of Sir Percy Blakeney, his wife Marguerite, and their involvement with the society of the Scarlet Pimpernel. I don't want to give to much of the story away!!

This book is incredibly fascinating, and if you like adventure stories, love stories, history, or if you just like a good book, then you will definitely like this book.

If you like this one, there at least 10 more books in the series, including "Eldorado," "The Elusive Pimpernel" and "The League of the Scarlet Pimpernel."

Oh! Also, this is where my name is from!

Read it and let me know what you thought.

~Tony Dewhurst

4/5 Recommended

Anne of Green Gables

2009-09-07T12:21:00.000-07:00

Written by L.M. Montgomery, this is a classic, bestselling novel that I am sure most of you have read and enjoyed.

A quirky, imaginative, read-headed, freckle-faced, romance-loving, chatter-box orphan named Anne, who, by means of a great accident, goes to live with Marilla (a sensible, straightforward middle-aged woman) and her brother, Matthew Cuthbert (a shy, awkward fellow, who takes a liking to Anne right from the start.) She gets herself into countless catastrophes such as: dying her hair green because she hates it's red color, smashing a slate over a boy named Gilbert Blythe's head because he called her "Carrots" (this causing Anne to strongly despise Gilbert), and accidentally getting her "bosom friend," Diana drunk. Despite her talkative and quirky nature, she is incredibly smart and wins awards and scholarships for her intelligence. Towards the end of the book, Anne really begins appearing as an accomplished and attractive young woman, who has learned a lot from her amusing mistakes.

This book was delightful. Anne is such a charming character whom one wishes she could be like. It was both funny and heart-rending, both light-hearted, and true-to-life. I must warn you though, it did drag at parts because Anne is such a chatter-box! But even so, I think it's a book every girl should read. It's appropriate for all ages.

Rated 4 or 5/5. (I can't remember because I haven't read it in a while.)

Thanks,
Lady Arwen

The Good Master

2009-08-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

Hey People,

Well It's my turn to post again, this time I read The Good Master, by Kate Seredy. It is the story of a boy named Jancsi Nagy who lives on the Hungarian planes. His cousin Kate comes for a visit from Budapest. At first he is not quite sure what to think about his cousin, but they soon become friends and have many wild adventures together. Surprisingly I have only good things to say about this one. I loved it. I thought it was the perfect picture of happiness, love and friendship. It was very enjoyable to see the characters grow and change throughout the story. The book was given a Newberry Honor and I think it really deserves it. The Singing Tree is the Sequel to The Good Master and I can't waite to read it.

Thanks!

$ The Artful D. $

4/5 recommended

Thank You, Jeeves

2009-08-12T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hello all,

I finally finished reading "Thank You, Jeeves," by P.G. Wodehouse!!! It started out kind of slowly, and I had difficulty actually making time to sit down and read it. The end was pretty good though, and once I hit chapter 15, things started to get more interesting. I liked it, but I didn't absolutely love it.

It was basically about this guy, named Bertram Wooster, (who was a bit -in my opinion- thoughtless and airheaded - although he really was a likeable fellow.) who has a bad knack for getting into trouble. The story beings with his insisting upon playing a banjolele and he is kicked out of his apartments because he is a nusiance. After releasing his manservant, Jeeves, who also thinks that his banjolele playing is anything but pleasant, he decides to rent a cottage from his friend, Lord "Chuffy". Of course, things go wrong and he gets mixed up in his friend's romance and must seek out the aid of his ingenious and practical servant, Jeeves.

It was definitely a comedy and the humor was classic. I did laugh quite a lot. The ending was very satisfying, and overall, I think I will end up looking for the other "Jeeves and Wooster" books at the library.

My only problem is this: I have heard the Jeeves and Wooster series compared to Sherlock Holmes, but I really couldn't see anything that even closely resembled Sherlock Holmes. Not even the style of writing was similar to Arthur Conan Doyle's. Can anyone clear this up?

Anyway, I think everyone at some point should try this book. You may end up loving it! Thanks for reading!

Lord Anthony Dewhurst

4/5 Recommended

The Old Huntsman

2009-08-09T16:14:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting poem that I found - I thought it was ... well, interesting. I didn't quite get the end. I kind of liked it though. What do you think of it? TD

THE OLD HUNTSMAN

by Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

HERE'S a keen and grim old huntsman
On a horse as white as snow;
Sometimes he is very swift
And sometimes he is slow.
But he never is at fault,
For he always hunts at view
And he rides without a halt
After you.

The huntsman's name is Death,
His horse's name is Time;
He is coming, he is coming
As I sit and write this rhyme;
He is coming, he is coming,
As you read the rhyme I write;
You can hear the hoof's low drumming
Day and night.

You can hear the distant drumming
As the clock goes tick-a-tack,
And the chiming of the hours
Is the music of his pack.
You may hardly note their growling
Underneath the noonday sun,
But at night you hear them howling
As they run.

And they never check or falter
For they never miss their kill;
Seasons change and systems alter,
But the hunt is running still.
Hark! the evening chime is playing,
O'er the long grey town it peals;
Don't you hear the death-hound baying
At your heels?

Where is there an earth or burrow?
Where a cover left for you?
A year, a week, perhaps to-morrow
Brings the Huntsman's death halloo!
Day by day he gains upon us,
And the most that we can claim
Is that when the hounds are on us
We die game.

And somewhere dwells the Master,
By whom it was decreed;
He sent the savage huntsman,
He bred the snow-white steed.
These hounds which run for ever,
He set them on your track;
He hears you scream, but never
Calls them back.

He does not heed our suing,
We never see his face;
He hunts to our undoing,
We thank him for the chase.
We thank him and we flatter,
We hope -- because we must --
But have we cause? No matter!
Let us trust!

Interesting.......

New Booklist

2009-08-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,
Here is a new list of books that you can choose from to write your posts on. Included are the rest from the last list and some new choices suggested by Lady Arwen and the Dodge. The order will progress in the same way as before, unless otherwise stated. Try to pick the books that you haven't read, so that you will have a fresh opinion and be able to discover new favorites. I will take off the books as we go along.

Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
Roughing It - Mark Twain
All Creatures Great and Small - James Harriot
The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien
The Bronze Bow - Elizabeth G. Speare
Little Britches - Ralf Moody
Johnny Tremain - Esther Forbes
Around the World in 80 Days - Jules Verne
The Spectre Bridegroom - Washington Irving
Shadow Hawk - Andre Norton
Two Gentlemen of Verona - William Shakespeare
North to Freedom - Anne Holm
Pinocchio - Carlo Collodi

That should keep us busy for a while. Thank you for participating in our search for good literature!

Thanks again,

The DC Board

Comedic and Tragic poems

2009-08-04T16:50:00.000-07:00

Hey DC folks,
Unfortunately, I've been too busy to seriously read anything, much less a book on the book list, so if you would, please skip my turn. Hopefully next time around I will have read something to post on.
Meanwhile, I have two short poems for you.

How To Tell the Wild Animals
by Carolyn Wells

If ever you should go by chance
To jungles in the East,
And if there should to you advance,
A large and tawny beast,
If he roars at you are you're dyin'
You'll know it is the Asian Lion.

Or if some time when roaming round,
A noble wild beast greets you,
With black stripes on a yellow ground,
Just notice if he eats you.
This simple rule may help you learn
The Bengal Tiger to discern.

If strolling forth, a beast you view,
Whose hide with spots is peppered,
As soon as he has lept on you,
You'll know it is the Leopard.
'Twill do no good to roar with pain,
He'll only lep and lep again.

Though to distinguish beasts of prey
A novice might nonplus,
The Crocodiles you always may
Tell from Hyenas thus:
Hyenas come with merry smiles;
But if they weep, they're Crocodiles.

And the second:

Oh Captain! My Captain!
by Walt Whitman

Oh Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weather'd every rack, the prize we sought is won:
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart! The bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

Oh Captain! my Captain! Rise up, and hear the bells;
Rise up -- for you the flag is flung -- for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths -- for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain, dear Father! This arm beneath your head,
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.

My Captain does not answer, his lips are cold and still;
My Father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will;
The ship is anchor'd safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object done;
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

The Man Who Was Thursday - Revistited

2009-08-01T16:17:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Welcome to our first long termed discussion. Our book is "The Man Who Was Thursday," by G.K. Chesterton.

Ok, here is a summery of the book:

"In a surreal turn of the century London, Gabriel Syme, a poet, is recruited to a secret anti-anarchist taskforce at Scotland Yard. Lucian Gregory, an anacrchist poet, is the only poet in Saffron Park, until he loses his temper in an argument over the purpose of poetry with Gabriel Syme, who takes the opposite view. After some time, the frustrated Gregory finds Syme and leads him to a local anarchist meeting-place to prove that he is a true anarchist. Instead of the anarchist Gregory getting elected, the officer Syme uses his wits and is elected as the local representative to the worldwide Central Council of Anarchists. The Council consists of seven men, each using the name of a day of the week as a code name; Syme is given the name of Thursday. In his efforts to thwart the council's intentions, however, he discovers that five of the other six members are also undercover detectives; each was just as mysteriously employed and assigned to defeat the Council of Days. They all soon find out that they are fighting each other and not real anarchists; such was the mastermind plan of the genius Sunday. In a dizzying and surreal conclusion, the six champions of order and former anarchist ring-leaders chase down the disturbing and whimsical Sunday, the man who calls himself "The Peace of God"."

Ok, now here are some questions that we are to discuss:

1. Who was your favorite character and why?

2. What is the point of the story?

3. Who and what do the characters represent -if any?

4. What is the purpose of the "secret council" and who is Sunday?"

5. What was interesting or engaging about the book?

5. What was not interesting or boring about the book?

6. What is your general opinion of the story, style of writing, characters, themes... etc.?

I can't wait to hear from you! Thanks for participating!

Thanks a million,

The DC Board

"Don't you see we've checkmated each other? [...] I can't tell the police you are an anarchist. You can't tell the anarchists I'm a policeman." ~Gabriel Syme

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

2009-07-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

Hey People,

I am very sorry for the long delay in the arrival of my post. Well let's get down to buisness. The book I read was 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, by Jules Verne. It is the story of Professor Pierre Aronnax, his servant Conseil, and a Canadian harpooner named Ned Land. Together they set off on a mission to kill a disasterous sea creature. They run into some problems along the way,and the rest of the story is their crazy adventure 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. I hope I don't sound to much like i'm selling something.

Now for what I thought of it. Well to tell you the truth... I wasn't crazy about it. I am a huge fan of Jules Verne but, I didn't really like this one. I thought it was incredibly boring, there was barely any movement in the story, there were parts I liked but not many. The beginning was especially boring, there was way to much info and not enough excitement. Before I finish I just want to say that I don't want to discourage you. please read lots of Jules Verne including this one, He's a great author, in fact one of my favorites. Thanks for listening.

$ A. Dodger $

Recommended 3/5

The Raven

2009-07-20T20:44:00.000-07:00

Here is an amazing piece of poetry, that everyone should be required to read, in my opinion. It is rather dark, gloomy and depressing, but it is irresistibly good.

The Raven - by Edgar Allen Poe
[First published in 1845]

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
`'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door-
Only this, and nothing more.'

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore -
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Nameless here for evermore.

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
`'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door -
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; -
This it is, and nothing more,

'Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
`Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; -
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before
But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!'
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!'
Merely this and nothing more.

Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
`Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore -
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; -
'Tis the wind and nothing more!'

Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door -
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door -
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
`Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven.
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore -
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!
'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door -
Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as `Nevermore.'

But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only,
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered -
Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before -
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.
'Then the bird said, `Nevermore.'

Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
`Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore -
Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore
Of "Never-nevermore."

'But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore -
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking `Nevermore.'

This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!

Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
`Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee
Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!
'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! -
Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted -
On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore -
Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!
'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

`Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore -
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore -
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?
'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

`Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting -
`Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!
'Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.'

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted - nevermore!

Ok.... Now that is just downright creepy. Did you find yourself reading faster and faster? TD

Beautiful Dreamer - revisited

2009-07-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

Ok,

Here are several musical versions of the poem "Beautiful Dreamer," by Stephen Foster which I have previously posted.

#1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wtgklHQ52WE

#2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3WDhd4oAyY

#3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8upNzshEidg

#4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7INEy-yoeg

I have to say that number 4 is my favorite. The Beatles definitely put a different spin on it. Anyway... which one do you guys like?

The Ransom of Red Chief

2009-07-11T18:13:00.000-07:00

Hello Everyone!

This is my first post on this blog!

While reading "The Ransom of Red Chief," by O. Henry, (of whom I am an enthusiastic fan) I could not help but notice the amount of humor implemented throughout the story. It is definitely written solely for the amusement and enjoyment of the reader.

It is a story about the adventures of two robbers and a boy who they have kidnapped for ransom. However, they have absolutely no idea who they are dealing with, and soon the tables are turned and it becomes a story of life, death, and unimaginable torture... Kind of. To tell more would indeed be a crime, seeing as I have already said too much.

Indeed, go find this story at once and do yourself the honor of reading it.

Rated 4/5

-jumpingfrog

Poems for the Artistic and Romantic

2009-07-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

Here is a poem by Alfred Noyes, that I think our art lovers will enjoy. The second is just a sweet romantic poem, by Stephen Foster, that reminds me of a lullaby. What do you think? TD

The Elfin Artist

In a glade of an elfin forest
When Sussex was Eden-new,
I came on an elvish painter
And watched as his picture grew,
A harebell nodded beside him.
He dipt his brush in the dew.

And it might be the wild thyme round him
That shone in the dark strange ring;
But his brushes were bees' antennae,
His knife was a wasp's blue sting;
And his gorgeous exquisite palette
Was a butterfly's fan-shaped wing.

And he mingled its powdery colours,
And painted the lights that pass,
On a delicate cobweb canvas
That gleamed like a magic glass,
And bloomed like a banner of elf-land,
Between two stalks of grass;

Till it shone like an angel's feather
With sky-born opal and rose,
And gold from the foot of the rainbow,
And colours that no man knows;
And I laughed in the sweet May weather,
Because of the themes he chose.

For he painted the things that matter,
The tints that we all pass by,
Like the little blue wreaths of incense
That the wild thyme breathes to the sky;
Or the first white bud of the hawthorn,
And the light in a blackbird's eye;

And the shadows on soft white cloud-peaks
That carolling skylarks throw,--
Dark dots on the slumbering splendours
That under the wild wings flow,
Wee shadows like violets trembling
On the unseen breasts of snow;

With petals too lovely for colour
That shake to the rapturous wings,
And grow as the bird draws near them,
And die as he mounts and sings,--
Ah, only those exquisite brushes
Could paint these marvellous things.

Alfred Noyes

Beautiful Dreamer

Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd a way!

Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
--Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

Beautiful dreamer, out on the sea
Mermaids are chaunting the wild lorelie;
Over the streamlet vapors are borne,
Waiting to fade at the bright coming morn.

Beautiful dreamer, beam on my heart,
E'en as the morn on the streamlet and sea;
Then will all clouds of sorrow depart,
--Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!

- by Stephen Foster

DC Update...

2009-07-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

This is going to be our first book that we actually spend time to discuss.

If you would like to join the discussion, then please read
"The Man Who Was Thursday" by G.K. Chesterton
by August 1st.

On that day, (roughly) we will begin to discuss the book more in depth, and hopefully have a good conversation going. Sound good? Alright then, have fun reading!

Thanks,
The DC Board

The Man Who Was Thursday

2009-07-03T10:16:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone,

Originally, I had planned to post on Sunday, but I realized that I wouldn't be able to. That being said, let's move on.

Lately, I read for the first time the book "The Man Who Was Thursday," by G.K. Chesterton. I was pretty convinced that I would like it, but I was really not sure what to expect (in the storyline). Much to my pleasure, I was not disappointed. I can honestly say that I have no definite idea why I thought the book was FANTASTIC. I shall try to explain this to the best of my abilities.

I liked this book because of the suspenseful and mystery-like storyline. (Not scary, though.) After reading a few chapters, I had already been extremely surprised at the turn of events, and I decided that this story could not possibly surprise me again. I was very wrong. It continually surprised me until the very last page. Never before have I read a book that entirely grabbed my attention and held it until the last page. This book had just the right amount of everything, from fantasy to reality. You may ask how any one book could be so real, but yet so... imaginary. Believe me, I am still baffled. I don't want to tell about the storyline, because if you knew one part, then I would have to tell you the whole story. When I finished, I could not believe that it was over... I was majorly depressed afterwards.

This book was truly enthralling, and everyone should give it a try because even suspense-haters may end up liking it... a lot. I feel like I could read it over and over again. It was not particularly difficult to understand, but it could be frustrating for younger readers. Anyway, everybody: I beg you to read this book and then tell me what you thought. Oh, and feel free to ask me questions if I did not speak/write clearly. Thanks so much!!

~Dewhurst

5/5 Recommended

Out of the Silent Planet

2009-06-27T17:05:00.000-07:00

Greetings, my lords and my ladies, aka fellow book-wormy geeks!

Out of the Silent Planet is by C.S. Lewis. He wrote it because Tolkien challenged him to write a book about outer space. (They had somewhat of a dare exchange. Tolkien agreed he would write a book about time travel if Lewis wrote one about space travel.) I believe it is considered a children's book, though it has a much higher reading level than the Chronicles of Narnia, a series also written by C.S. Lewis.
This book is about a man who gets kidnapped and taken into outer space, the things he discovers and meets there, and how he eventually finds his way back to earth.
I began reading this book thinking I would really enjoy it. I've read every one of the books in the Chronicles of Narnia and loved almost every one. So I was almost sure I'd love this book too. Well, to be frank, I was wrong. My attention was never conquered at any part of the book, and therefore most of the time I kind of had to force myself to sit down and read it. It contained nothing very intriguing in my opinion. It was considerably dull at some parts, and as for the others, I simply was not amused at what was happening. I'm not that interested in outer space. If I was, perhaps I would find it more compelling. I'm just not. So I just didn't.
It's not that I hate this book; indeed there is nothing wrong with it. But nothing in or about it interested me other than the fact it was written by C.S. Lewis, of whom I am an avid fan.

Rated 2/5

I apologize if I have offended those who are a fan of this book :) but this is my honest opinion. Thanks.
~Lady Arwen

P.S. Regarding my last post on The Tempest: if I may, I'd just like to let you know that after giving it much thought I have changed my rating for The Tempest. I've changed it to 3/5 instead of 2/5. Thank you.

The Highwayman

2009-06-22T10:55:00.000-07:00

Good morning!!
Here is a really cool poem by Alfred Noyes. This poem, like Longfellow's Paul Revere's Ride, has a beat like the drummimg of horses hooves. While your reading it, see if you can feel it. It is bizarre, but awesome. TD

The Highwayman - Alfred Noyes (1880-1958)
PART ONE
I
THE wind was a torrent of darkness among the gusty trees,
The moon was a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
The road was a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
And the highwayman came riding—
Riding—riding—
The highwayman came riding, up to the old inn-door.
II
He'd a French cocked-hat on his forehead, a bunch of lace at his chin,
A coat of the claret velvet, and breeches of brown doe-skin;
They fitted with never a wrinkle: his boots were up to the thigh!
And he rode with a jewelled twinkle,
His pistol butts a-twinkle,
His rapier hilt a-twinkle, under the jewelled sky.
III
Over the cobbles he clattered and clashed in the dark inn-yard,
And he tapped with his whip on the shutters, but all was locked and barred;
He whistled a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.
IV
And dark in the dark old inn-yard a stable-wicket creaked
Where Tim the ostler listened; his face was white and peaked;
His eyes were hollows of madness, his hair like mouldy hay,
But he loved the landlord's daughter,
The landlord's red-lipped daughter,
Dumb as a dog he listened, and he heard the robber say—
V
"One kiss, my bonny sweetheart, I'm after a prize to-night,
But I shall be back with the yellow gold before the morning light;
Yet, if they press me sharply, and harry me through the day,
Then look for me by moonlight,
Watch for me by moonlight,
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way."
VI
He rose upright in the stirrups; he scarce could reach her hand,
But she loosened her hair i' the casement! His face burnt like a brand
As the black cascade of perfume came tumbling over his breast;
And he kissed its waves in the moonlight,
(Oh, sweet, black waves in the moonlight!)
Then he tugged at his rein in the moonliglt, and galloped away to the West.

PART TWO
I
He did not come in the dawning; he did not come at noon;
And out o' the tawny sunset, before the rise o' the moon,
When the road was a gypsy's ribbon, looping the purple moor,
A red-coat troop came marching—
Marching—marching—
King George's men came matching, up to the old inn-door.
II
They said no word to the landlord, they drank his ale instead,
But they gagged his daughter and bound her to the foot of her narrow bed;
Two of them knelt at her casement, with muskets at their side!
There was death at every window;
And hell at one dark window;
For Bess could see, through her casement, the road that he would ride.
III
They had tied her up to attention, with many a sniggering jest;
They had bound a musket beside her, with the barrel beneath her breast!
"Now, keep good watch!" and they kissed her.
She heard the dead man say—
Look for me by moonlight;
Watch for me by moonlight;
I'll come to thee by moonlight, though hell should bar the way!
IV
She twisted her hands behind her; but all the knots held good!
She writhed her hands till her fingers were wet with sweat or blood!
They stretched and strained in the darkness, and the hours crawled by like years,
Till, now, on the stroke of midnight,
Cold, on the stroke of midnight,
The tip of one finger touched it!
The trigger at least was hers!
V
The tip of one finger touched it; she strove no more for the rest!
Up, she stood up to attention, with the barrel beneath her breast,
She would not risk their hearing; she would not strive again;
For the road lay bare in the moonlight;
Blank and bare in the moonlight;
And the blood of her veins in the moonlight throbbed to her love's refrain .
VI
Tlot-tlot; tlot-tlot! Had they heard it? The horse-hoofs ringing clear;
Tlot-tlot, tlot-tlot, in the distance? Were they deaf that they did not hear?
Down the ribbon of moonlight, over the brow of the hill,
The highwayman came riding,
Riding, riding!
The red-coats looked to their priming! She stood up, straight and still!
VII
Tlot-tlot, in the frosty silence! Tlot-tlot, in the echoing night!
Nearer he came and nearer! Her face was like a light!
Her eyes grew wide for a moment; she drew one last deep breath,
Then her finger moved in the moonlight,
Her musket shattered the moonlight,
Shattered her breast in the moonlight and warned him—with her death.
VIII
He turned; he spurred to the West; he did not know who stood
Bowed, with her head o'er the musket, drenched with her own red blood!
Not till the dawn he heard it, his face grew grey to hear
How Bess, the landlord's daughter,
The landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Had watched for her love in the moonlight, and died in the darkness there.
IX
Back, he spurred like a madman, shrieking a curse to the sky,
With the white road smoking behind him and his rapier brandished high!
Blood-red were his spurs i' the golden noon; wine-red was his velvet coat,
When they shot him down on the highway,
Down like a dog on the highway,
And he lay in his blood on the highway, with the bunch of lace at his throat.
* * * * * *
X
And still of a winter's night, they say, when the wind is in the trees,
When the moon is a ghostly galleon tossed upon cloudy seas,
When the road is a ribbon of moonlight over the purple moor,
A highwayman comes riding—
Riding—riding—
A highwayman comes riding, up to the old inn-door.
XI
Over the cobbles he clatters and clangs in the dark inn-yard;
He taps with his whip on the shutters, but all is locked and barred;
He whistles a tune to the window, and who should be waiting there
But the landlord's black-eyed daughter,
Bess, the landlord's daughter,
Plaiting a dark red love-knot into her long black hair.

The Cricket on the Hearth

2009-06-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Hi People,

A book by our very own Charles Dickens! Finally!

I recently finished for the second time The Cricket on the Hearth, by Charles Dickens. It is the story of a man named John Peerybingle and his wife Dot. The story is basically the narrative of an incident in the life of these two people. The cricket's role in the play is simply to bring them good luck, he is the guardian of the home. The cricket is not very important. Other characters weave in and out of the story with most of the time little importance. The plot is so small I could tell the whole story in two sentences, so I will say no more. I think the moral of the story is to never judge things by appearance. Now for my opinion. The first time I read it I thought it was the weirdest thing ever but, the second time it made more sense. One of the things that threw me off the most was that it was very unlike any Dickens book I have read yet. The story line was well... simple. There was nothing big and complicated about it. There was no major twists in the story. I'm not sure if that is a Plus or a Minus . There were a few things that threw me for a loop but over all I enjoyed the book the second time around. I am really going to enjoy all the comments on this one.
$ The Dodge $

3/5 Recommended

Captains Courageous

2009-06-09T18:25:00.000-07:00

Greetings, followers!

I have just finished reading Rudyard Kipling's novel, Captains Courageous. Having never read a book by Kipling before, I had almost no idea what to expect. I had been meaning to get into his books for a long time, and this seemed like a good opportunity.

Captains Courageous tells the story of Harvey Cheyne, a spoiled rich kid who falls off the side of an ocean liner and gets picked up by a bunch of fishermen, led by captain Disko Troop (coolest name ever.) Disko won't take him back to his parents, so he has to stay on the boat and learn to be a sailor.

I found Kipling's style to be very appealing. He's sort of a tough-guy writer, not unlike Mark Twain, but not nearly as funny. Much of the dialog in this book is in heavy dialect, which may be confusing to some people. You just have to pay close attention to know what's going on when the sailors are talking. I thought the plot was pretty exciting and the narritive pretty well-structured. Although I did enjoy this book, I get the sense that this isn't Kipling's best book by a long shot. That being said, it may be a good place to start if you aren't familiar with his work. After having read this, I'm excited to read some of his more well-known stuff, like Jungle Book.

3/5 Recommended.

Now, how about some questions for the comments...

1. Have you ever read a Kipling book before? What do you think of his style?
2. Is Disko Troop the coolest name ever or what?

Selected Works

2009-06-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!!

Here are two selections of literature that I really liked. I hope that everyone enjoys them as much as I do! Some of them give a slight background, so that it makes more sense. Anthony D.

Macbeth - William Shakespeare

Macbeth became king of Scotland after murdering the previous king. He has held the crown through violence and more murder. His wife supported him, then went mad, and he has just learned that she has died. However, he knows that he must shortly fight a battle for his crown, and his life, and he knows that he will lose. These are the reflections of an evil man who realises that he has lost everything.

Macbeth: She should have died hereafter;
There would have been a time for such a word.
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time,
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death.
Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Charge of the Light Brigade - Alfred Lord Tennyson

I.
Half a league, half a league,
Half a league onward,
All in the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.
‘Forward, the Light Brigade!
Charge for the guns!’ he said:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

II.
‘Forward, the Light Brigade!’
Was there a man dismay’d?
Not tho’ the soldier knew
Some one had blunder’d:
Their’s not to make reply,
Their’s not to reason why,
Their’s but to do and die:
Into the valley of Death
Rode the six hundred.

III.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon in front of them
Volley’d and thunder’d;
Storm’d at with shot and shell,
Boldly they rode and well,
Into the jaws of Death,
Into the mouth of Hell
Rode the six hundred.

IV.
Flash’d all their sabres bare,
Flash'd as they turn’d in air
Sabring the gunners there,
Charging an army, while
All the world wonder’d:
Plunged in the battery-smoke
Right thro’ the line they broke;
Cossack and Russian
Reel’d from the sabre-stroke
Shatter’d and sunder’d.
Then they rode back, but not
Not the six hundred.

V.
Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Cannon behind them
Volley’d and thunder’d;
Storm’d at with shot and shell,
While horse and hero fell,
They that had fought so well
Came thro’ the jaws of Death,
Back from the mouth of Hell,
All that was left of them,
Left of six hundred.

VI.
When can their glory fade?
O the wild charge they made!
All the world wonder’d.
Honour the charge they made!
Honour the Light Brigade,
Noble six hundred!

Good huh? Got to love stuff by Tennyson and Shakespeare! ~T.D.

Troll Sat Alone on His Seat of Stone

2009-06-04T10:35:00.000-07:00

Good morning everyone!! Here is a hilarious poem by J.R.R. Tolkien. This time I decided to post in directly on the site, rather than connect a link to it. What does everyone like better?
~Tony D

Troll Sat Alone on His Seat of Stone

Troll sat alone on his seat of stone,
And munched and mumbled a bare old bone;
For many a year he had gnawed it near,
For meat was hard to come by.
Done by! Gum by!
In a cave in the hills he dwelt alone,
And meat was hard to come by.

Up came Tom with his big boots on.
Said he to Troll: 'Pray, what is yon?
For it looks like the shin o' my nuncle Tim.
As should be a-lyin' in the graveyard.
Caveyard! Paveyard!
This many a year has Tim been gone,
And I thought he were lyin' in the graveyard.

''My lad,' said Troll, 'this bone I stole.
But what be bones that lie in a hole?
Thy nuncle was dead as a lump o' lead,
Afore I found his shinbone.
Tinbone! Skinbone!
He can spare a share for a poor old troll,
For he don't need his shinbone.

'Said Tom: 'I don't see why the likes o' thee
Without axin' leave should go makin' free
With the shank or the shin o' my father's kin;
So hand the old bone over!
Rover! Trover!
Though dead he be, it belongs to he;
So hand the old bone over!'

'For a couple o' pins,' says Troll, and grins,
'I'll eat thee too, and gnaw thy shins.
A bit o' fresh meat will go down sweet!
I'll try my teeth on thee now.
Hee now! See now!
I'm tired o' gnawing old bones and skins;
I've a mind to dine on thee now.

'But just as he thought his dinner was caught,
He found his hands had hold of naught.
Before he could mind, Tom slipped behind
And gave him the boot to larn him.
Warn him! Darn him!
A bump o' the boot on the seat, Tom thought,
Would be the way to larn him.

But harder than stone is the flesh and bone
Of a troll that sits in the hills alone.
As well set your boot to the mountain's root,
For the seat of a troll don't feel it.
Peel it! Heal it!
Old Troll laughed, when he heard Tom groan,
And he knew his toes could feel it.

Tom's leg is game, since home he came,
And his bootless foot is lasting lame;
But Troll don't care, and he's still there
With the bone he boned from its owner.
Doner! Boner!
Troll's old seat is still the same,
And the bone he boned from its owner!
~ JRR Tolkien

Ben Jonson: To... William Shakespeare

2009-06-01T16:58:00.000-07:00

This is a cool poem about William Shakespeare that I thought would give everyone something to look at. ~T.D.

Click here --> Ben Jonson: To... William Shakespeare

The Call of the Wild

2009-05-25T20:37:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone!

I read The Call of the Wild, by Jack London for school last year, and I remember that I absolutely hated it. After skimming it, and reading an in-depth synopsis, I can perfectly recall why. Set during the 19th century Klondike Gold Rushes the main character, a dog, named Buck, is the pet of a well-to-do judge from Santa Clara, CA, who allows him anything. Later, he is "dognapped" and forced to become a sled dog for some cruel, greedy men who are planning to mine for gold in Alaska. Finally, he is rescued by a kind owner. This story doesn't sound so bad, does it? Wrong. His kind owner is killed, Buck goes literally berserk and becomes the savage leader of a wolf pack. That is pretty brief, but considering the storyline, there really is not much to write about. I found this book extremely boring and had entirely too much detail about everything. The men are extremely cruel and the book hardly lets go of gloom. I would not suggest this book to anyone. Animal lovers would freak out and probably never read a Jack London book again. Romantics would give up two chapters in, and even adventure people would say that this has a poor storyline. (I won't go in to science geeks...) If you need more specific reasons, then ask in a comment, and I will do my best to explain! Of course, this is my own opinion, and I hope to hear other people's thoughts. I would not give up entirely on Jack London, however, because he has written some fine stories. Thanks for listening!

~ Tony Dewhurst

1/5 Recommended

The Tempest by Shakespeare

2009-05-18T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hey guys,
I read the comedic play, The Tempest (W. Shakespeare) a while ago.
It's been rather difficult for me to decide whether I liked it or not. In the end, I would probably say, comparing it the other Shakespearean plays I've read, "just OK." This is partly because I'm not a huge fan of Shakespearean comedies in general and also because it was queer. It was unlike the other Shakes plays I've read. I'm not sure how accurate this is, but some people say the reason he wrote The Tempest was because his friends dared him to try something new and different. So some say he wrote it to prove he had the ability to write fantasy. Whether this is true or not, I did notice a slight difference of style in this play. That's not a bad thing; it was just something I noticed.
The story line wasn't all that attractive to me. It's basically about a sorcerer who tries to avenge his enemies who arose a tempest in order to banish him. Some of the characters are sprites and jolly fairies that make the storyline more playful. It was funny, amusing, and playful, and I consider it good literature, but it didn't amaze me.
I'm anxious to see what everyone's opinions are on this one. I rate it #2.
By the way, I'm sorry all I've done so far is Shakespeare. Next time I will write about a book on the book list, and it won't be another Shakespeare. Thanks, amigos!

Treasure Island

2009-05-05T21:15:00.000-07:00

Hey People,
I recently read for the first time Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson. Honestly I loved it! Since this is a pretty well known book I won't give any background. I thought that the storyline was well thought out and beautifully articulated from beginning to end. He did an excellent job at grabbing your attention early on in the story and holding it there until the last page.The whole story is action packed and a real thriller. There were parts in the book that made my blood run cold, it was that good! It was creepy in parts, yet not so bad that you didn't want to read it anymore. Despite the previously stated points , there was enough humor throughout the book to keep it from getting depressing. Another thing I enjoyed about the book was that the language was much easier to understand than many other books I have read by Stevenson. I guess there weren't many things that I didn't like about the book, I was pretty well satisfied all the way around. Well thanks for listening to me gab.
$x Dodge x$

4/5 recommended

List of Suggested Books and Who's Turn it Is

2009-05-01T17:46:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, here is the list of recommended books for you to review, proposed by Dewhurst and edited extensively by me.

The Hobbit, Tolkien
The Cricket on the Hearth, Dickens
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Verne
Thank You, Jeeves, Wodehouse
Treasure Island, Stevenson
Captains Courageous, Kipling
Roughing It, Twain
Two Gentlemen of Verona, Shakespeare
Anne of Green Gables, Montgomery
Jane Eyre, Bronte
The Man Who was Thursday, Chesterton
Out of the Silent Planet, Lewis
The Importance of Being Earnest, Wilde
The Spectre Bridegroom, Irving
The Scarlet Pimpernel, Orczy
The Call of the Wild, London

Ok, here is the order in which we will tentatively go:

Artful Dodger
Laura
Lady Arwen
Lord Anthony Dewhurst
Me

And if anyone else joins the blog, they can go to the back of the line. Start reading a book ahead of time so that you're ready to go when it's your turn.

-Tini

A Man for All Seasons

2009-04-22T17:12:00.000-07:00

Greetings, fellow geeks! I have recently finished re-reading one of my favorite plays, Robert Bolt's A Man for All Seasons. This is one of the two non-Shakespeare plays that I actually like. It is interesting to note that the author was not a Catholic or even a Christian; he was an agnostic, which is a wimpy athiest. However, he is still able to portray Catholicism accurately and fairly.
The play's setting is probably familiar to most of you. It is sixteenth century England, and King Henry VIII wants a divorce from his wife, which the Vatican refuses to allow. This sets the stage for Thomas More's epic struggle with Cromwell and the King, who try to get him to go along with the divorce. More is ultimately martyred for his refusal. Through this struggle, Bolt portrays More as the ultimate man of conscience, who remains true to his beliefs and to himself no matter what the circumstances.
The play is incredibly entertaining, with vivid characters and an efficient narrative. There are no boring parts in this play. Most of you should be able to get through it in maybe two or three days.
If you want to see a movie version, there's a great one from 1966 that won the Academy Award.

3/5 Recommended.

Fabiola

2009-04-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

Ok, so according to our rating system, I would say that this book is "Highly Recommended". What is so great about Fabiola anyway? I really can't put my finger on it, except to say that it is a really powerful story about love, revenge, faith, treachery, friendship and sacrifice. Sounds pretty well rounded, doesn't it? Since this book is not very well known, I will give a bit of a background.

The story is set during the time of the Holy Roman Empire under the reign of Diocletian. The title character is a typical Roman noble woman; proud, selfish, vain, pagan and beautiful. The story tells not only of her pagan life before her slow conversion to Christianity, but also gives a thrilling account of the lives and martyrdoms of Sts. Sebastian, Cecilia, Agnes, Tarcisius, and so many others. The ending is truly triumphant and satisfying. I don't want to give away too much of the story, so I guess you will just have to read it to find out exactly what happens!!

Now for some critique!

Although this book has many real people as characters, several of the characters' actions are not historically correct. Several of the deaths happen differently than how they really occured. I found that the way the "deaths" were written suited the story perfectly, and I wouldn't change them at all. Also, there are no documents that state that the real people who are mentioned even knew each other, or lived within the same years. But who really wants to work out historical details anyway? If you are a history freak who would just go nuts because this isn't perfect, then maybe you shouldn't read it. Usually, I am seriously particular about history, but this did not seem to bother me. The storyline bounces back and forth between Fabiola and the other characters very well. All of the seperate plots are masterfully entertwined by the end of the story, and it will make you wish that there was a sequal! I just love how peacefully and lovingly the martyrs accept their fates. I wish I was that brave! In my opinion, this story has just the right amount of love, comedy, tragedy, and all out heroism. I think everybody should definitely give this book a try, even if ancient Rome is not your forte.

Everybody, please read this book and tell me what you thought!

~Lord Anthony Dewhurst

Let's Implement a Ratings Sytem, Shall We?

2009-04-01T20:48:00.000-07:00

Ok guys, when you write a post, how about you rate the book on a scale of one to five. And don't just rate everything five, either. I know you'll probably only post about books that you like, but be critical. Here's how the scale should be:

1: Not recommended. As in none of us will like it.
2: Recommended only if it's particularly your up your alley.
3: Recommended.
4: Highly recommended.
5: Frickin' awesome and if you don't read it ninjas will invade your house in the middle of the night.

Make sense?

Also, make sure you tag your posts. Put the author and any other tags that you deem necessary. You do this at the bottom of the post thing where it says "Labels for this post:". You just separate the words with a comma.

-Tini

Here it goes...

2009-04-01T14:36:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading Romeo and Juliet!! (by W. Shakespeare) Wow. I just loved it! What I really like about W.S. is that he can put what everyone else is thinking into beautiful words. He explains peoples' thoughts perfectly. He has the power to do that. Every line seems so well thought out.
As for the story itself, it was incredible. It's so annoying how usually whenever someone thinks about Romeo & Juliet, they think, "Ewww...mushy love stuff...no thanks!" Now, of course it had romance. However, that does not mean there wasn't also excitement and drama! There was, and quite a bit. And it was so tragic! Hence the last lines of the whole book,...
"Never was there a story of more woe,
Than that of Juliet and her Romeo."
My favorite line in the whole play is when Tybalt says, "Have at thee, coward!" while in a fight at the very beginning.
You all probably know the story line, so I won't try and explain that. It was fantastic though, and I highly recommend it. Especially if you like tragic romances...
I am awed, and you will be too!
Thanks for reading.
~Lady Arwen

Hey Everybody!

2009-03-31T11:26:00.001-07:00

After this post this blog will just be about BOOKS....
Is this working? Is this how I'm supposed to do it? I've never done this before. Thanks. Hope to hear from y'all real soon.
~Lady Arwen