Bibliophile

I love to read all genres but my favorites is 19th century British Literature.

"“Our lives are not our own. From womb to tomb, we are bound to others. Past and present. And by each crime and every kindness, we birth our future...”"
Cloud Atlas: A Novel - David Mitchell

Somni 451 Coud Atlas

Easy

Easy - Tammara Webber I didn't think the relationship between Lucas and Jackie was believable. No passion at all. Wish it would have been told from Lucas' point of view. Wasn't impressed.

Reflected in You (Crossfire Trilogy Series #2)

Reflected in You - Sylvia Day Can't wait for book three!

Bared to You (Crossfire Trilogy Series #1)

Bared to You - Sylvia Day Love Gideon Cross! Very fifty shades feel as far as the romance plot is concerned. Recommend for anyone looking for something to read to get their Christian Grey fix.

Slammed (Slammed, #1)

Slammed (Slammed, #1) - Colleen Hoover I didn't enjoy this one as much as Beautiful Disaster. Good read but found myself towards the end just wanting to get through it.

Beautiful Disaster

Beautiful Disaster  - Jamie McGuire LOVE LOVE LOVE Travis Maddox! Couldn't put this book down. I can't wait to read 'Walking Disaster' next!

The Green Dwarf (Hesperus Classics)

The Green Dwarf: A Tale of the Perfect Tense (Hesperus Classics) - Charlotte Brontë, Libby Purves Great for those who are already Bronte fans.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle

We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Shirley Jackson Reserved this book at the library and got it yesterday. Finished it tonight. Very quick read but very eerie and gothic story. I loved Merricat and her thoughts towards those who taunted her.

Shirley (Modern Library)

Shirley (Modern Library) - Charlotte Brontë Just finished 'Shirley' and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I actually preferred the story of Caroline more than Shirley, but loved Shirley's character just the same. It's not often in literature that you see a female character who is so steadfast in her beliefs and stands up for what is right and is charitable to those less fortunate....and she doesn't end up tragically dying at the end. At over 600 pages, it's kind of a beast to get through, but it's worth it. If you are a Bronte fan, I definitely suggest you check out 'Shirley'.

Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell This is one amazing book. You owe it to yourself to experience this. After reading it I look over and there are tons of sticky notes and bookmarks sticking out. Sad to leave the 6 interwoven stories.

House of Leaves

House of Leaves - Mark Z. Danielewski Just finished 'House of Leaves'. Took me two weeks to read and I have to say this book is amazing! If you like the horror genre, you're definitely in for a treat. The infamous House and everything in it really stayed with me. This is a book I'd want to definitely re-read and take notes the second time around.

Jude the Obscure

Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy, Rosellen Brown Just finished 'Jude' last night. I am so glad that I read all of Hardy's other novels before this one. If this was the first novel I read of Hardy I probably wouldn't be such a HUGE fan of his works. The first novel I read of his was 'Far from the Madding Crowd' which I LOVED. Then 'Desperate Measures', 'Tess' and 'Return of the Native'. I've been so in love with Hardy's writing from these novels...and then 'Jude'. Which besides 'Tess' I would say is one of his most well-known novels. There were some moments of writing that were so beautiful but then there were moments that the narration just ran on and on. I wanted some more passion from Sue the entire book and I think that was my problem. She was so uptight and thought so much of her self and her 'intelligence'. I wanted to read about Jude and Sue actually being physical but that didn't happen. They were debating getting married and then BOOM, there's 3 kids in the mix! She even couldn't stand to be touched by her legal husband Mr. Phillotson. There was just a lot of marrying and separating going on, but no divorcing. Did people really get around with each other this much in the 19th century? Seems like such a taboo thing even now so that was interesting to me that such a topic was touched on by Hardy. There were countless times I wanted to reach in and smack Arabella! She was rude from the beginning all the way until the last sentence. I hate to have such negative feelings about my favorite author but this was definitely not my favorite of his works. I did get through this beast of a book and I'm quite proud of myself. Hardy still continues to be my favorite author but I doubt I'll read 'Jude' again but I'm glad I do know the story.

Villette (Modern Library Classics Series)

Villette (Modern Library Classics Series) - Just finished Villette and I must say I have so many mixed feelings. I've been reading all the Bronte sisters' work and I feel Villette was the closest to home to Charlotte's real life experience. Lucy tends to play almost mind games with the reader as she doesn't let you in on certain things which definitely had me reading parts over and over because I felt like I was missing something. I'm sure I'll read it again at some point in the future.

The Secret of Charlotte Bronte the Secret of Charlotte Bronte: Followed by Some Reminiscences of the Real Monsieur and Madafollowed by Some Reminiscen

The Secret of Charlotte Bronte: Followed by Some Reminiscences of the Real Monsieur - Frederika Macdonald Just finished this in one sitting and if you are a lover of Charlotte Bronte and specifically 'Villette' you will love this! It's so interesting to read something from someone who experienced time in the same school that gave Charlotte her inspiration. I am so intrigued by the 'alleged' unrequited love between Charlotte and M. Heger. This book contains Charlotte's incredibly touching letters to M. Heger and it honestly gave me a whole different perspective for Charlotte. I've always been so enamored with Jane Eyre and am currently 3/4ths of the way through reading 'Villette' and am loving the character of Lucy Snowe. I've been on a 'Bronte Binge' and have been devouring any and all things Bronte. 'Wuthering Heights' has been my favorite book my whole life but I just recently started reading the work of the other sisters, convinced that nothing could top the story of Heathcliff and Catherine. I was urged by a my 'book buddy' to read Jane Eyre and have been in love with Charlotte's writing every since and Jane's story ever since. Not to begrudge the work of Anne and 'The Tenant of Wildfell Hall' and 'Agnes Grey' which I also absolutely love. Upon digging online I stumbled upon this book by Frederika Macdonald and desperately wanted to learn more about the real Professor Emanuel and I belive Mr. Rochester. My hope is that in my lifetime they make a film of the story of the Bronte family that actually does them justice for creating stories that have stood the test of time and stayed current for over 160 years.

Tess of the d'Urbervilles

Tess of the d'Urbervilles - I recently read 'Far from the Maddding Crowd' and decided to continue with my Hardy fascination. It's a long read, but worth every second. I got sad the closer I got to the end because I knew my time with Tess and Angel was ending. The landscape, the characters, they come alive in the story and I'll definitely revisit them in the future. I LOVED Tess' story and I can't get enough of Hardy's writing.

Currently reading

Emma (Fourth Edition) (Norton Critical Editions)
George Justice, Stephen M. Parrish, Jane Austen
North and South
Elizabeth Gaskell