Everything Austen Challenge II: Murder at Longbourn by Tracy Kiely

For this month's task in the Everything Austen Challenge, I read Murder at Longbourn by Tracy Kiely.

And I read it on "Eliza", of course.

(Which I am loving, by the way.)

I've been to a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater and thought it was great fun... since that's the backdrop for this story (as well as it having some Austen flavor), I thought this book might be right up my alley.

I was so right! I really enjoyed this book!


Jane Austen fans will welcome Kiely's spirited debut, a contemporary cozy that introduces Elizabeth Parker, a fact-checker for a D.C.-area newspaper who's struggling to lead a healthier lifestyle. Elizabeth resolves to give up fatty foods, along with her two-timing beau, before leaving northern Virginia for a restorative New Year's Eve at her great-aunt Winnie's bed-and-breakfast on Cape Cod. In tribute to Jane Austen, Winnie has named the property the Inn at Longbourn (Longbourn being the name of the Bennet family's residence in Pride and Prejudice). There Elizabeth encounters dashing, Darcyesque Peter McGowan, her childhood antagonist; a Clue-worthy clutch of guests gathered for Winnie's gala murder mystery fete; and then—you guessed it—an actual murder. That, and an abundance of clam chowder, are among the few predictable elements of an engaging adventure that will hopefully be but the first of many.

I found Murder at Longbourn to be cleverly written, and it kept me guessing up until the very end. It's a fairly quick read, great for a lazy Sunday or weekend at the beach. And though there are several Austen tie-ins, you don't have to be familiar with Pride & Prejudice to enjoy this book.

I look forward to reading more by this author!

---

For next month, I plan on listening to the audio book version of Emma on the drive down to Disney World.

And speaking of audio books...

(well, not really)

I found this clip of Matthew Macfadyen reading a passage of Pride and Prejudice...


You're welcome.

Good reads?

Most of the books I've read have been due to being recommended by friends or family. Some books I do find on my own, but had it not been for the input of others, I might not have ever picked up (and therefore would have missed out on) Outlander, Twilight, The Hunger Games... or even my beloved Harry Potter books.

I recently finished reading a book that I should have loved. It had several ticks in the "plus" column:

• it's an international bestseller
  

• recommended by my mom and several friends
  

• I'd heard nothing but good things about it

• the film version is in the works and will star my movie-boyfriend
  

Of course, the book I'm talking about is The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. And yes, I said I should have loved this book. But when I finished reading it? I thought it was just...


Meh.


I think the story is okay... that is, once you get about 400 pages into it. Up until then, there's a lot of background information (and I mean a LOT)... and while this info is essential to the story, it moves at a snail's pace. But when the story does pick up, it goes full-throttle and is very exciting up until the end.

Also, I didn't care for the characters all that much... I found many of them to be unlikable ("Ericka", especially).

I've started reading the second book (The Girls Who Played With Fire) but I only made it about 23 pages in before I put the book aside. Based on my feelings for the first book, I'm not sure whether I want to read more of Book 2 or not.


Have you read The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo? If so, what did you think of it? Has there been a much-hyped, uber-popular book that you've read and you thought was "just okay"?

Table Topics Tuesday: a work of art

The summer before my sophomore year of high school, I spent two weeks with my aunt at her beach house on Long Island. It was during this trip I took my first visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

I've since been to NYC twice, visiting the Guggenheim and Museum of Modern Art during those trips. While both museums are great... in my opinion, they just don't compare to the Met.

I've never been a fan of modern art. I am a fan of the Impressionism movement, and the Met has many works by Impressionists such as Degas, Cassatt, Monet... and my favorite artist, Renoir. In fact, my all-time favorite painting by Renoir is housed at the Met:

It's an oil on canvas, titled "In the Meadow". I can't really describe why this is my favorite painting... there's just something about it. I do love the the soft colors... but I think the reason I love this painting so much is that the girls remind me of my sister and myself.


Do you have a favorite work of art?

---

Join the conversation!

what is your favorite
work of art?

Answer the question in the comments... or on your own blog, then come back here to link your post! Either way, I'd love to hear your answer.


<a href="http://shannonsnuthouse.blogspot.com/"><img scr="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/?action=view&current=TTTbutton-1.jpg" target="_blank" /><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/TTTbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>
If you play along, link your post and grab the button! And for good comment karma, don't forget to visit the other TTT posts!

The topic for Tuesday is...

what is your favorite
work of art?

<a href="http://shannonsnuthouse.blogspot.com/"><img scr="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/?action=view&current=TTTbutton-1.jpg" target="_blank" /><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/TTTbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

If you want to play along, post the answer the the question on your blog on Tuesday (9/28)... then come here to link up your post! Don't forget to grab the button!

8 for me, 8 for them

Julia recently tagged me for a meme... it's been awhile since I've done one of these, so I thought 'why not?'

I'm to answer 8 questions asked by Julia, tag 8 people to play along, and ask 8 new questions for them to answer.

Let's give this a whirl, shall we?


1. What is your favorite board game?

I'd say my favorites are any kind of trivia game... Trivial Pursuit and Scene It?, but I also like word games, such as Scattergories and Scrabble.


2. If someone gave you $100 that you had to spend on yourself, what would you do with it?

This is going to be such a dull answer, but I'd probably just use the 100 bucks towards my Amazon.com wish list. I think there are currently 62 items on said wish list, so an extra $100 would be nice to make a dent in it.


3. What U.S city would you most like to visit?

4. What are your top 3 favorite TV shows?

Of all time? Or currently? If I'm going with current shows, I'd have to say Glee, Modern Family, and The Amazing Race.

Of all-time, I'd go with Lost, Quantum Leap, and Little House on the Prairie.


5. Do you speak a foreign language? If so, how well?

After taking three years of French in high school and a semester in college, you'd think I'd be rather proficient in the language. Sadly, I am not.


6. What is your middle name?

Michelle


7. Is there one thing you totally suck at?

One thing I cannot do at all is read a map. Thank goodness for my GPS.


8. What is the least favorite job you've ever had?

Calling this job my "least favorite" would be putting it nicely; I'll just come out and say there has been one job I've had that I hated. Hated every single minute of being there. I briefly worked at a copy and print service shop (rhymes with Winko's). The place was downtown, right across the street from the university... but also about 2 blocks away from a crackhouse. I was only there a few months, but guess who they had come in at 6 a.m. to relieve the 3rd shift guy? And who was there by herself for an hour before the next person was scheduled to come in? I was scared witless every single morning I had to go in. The only good thing about the job was that I had a friend who worked there with me.



OK, here are the 8 lucky ladies I tag for this meme:

Angie @ Angie's Spot
Brandy @ You Don't Know
Lizzy @ The Journey to the Hot Tub
Jane @ Jumpin' in the Jungle
Melissa @ My Version of Sanity
Kathie @ Just a Happy Housewife
Fiona @ A Reader's Random Ramblings
Missy @ Two Little Monkeys


And here are their 8 questions:

1. What was the 1st car you drove?
2. Who is your favorite author?
3. Do you collect anything? If so, what?
4. What is your favorite vacation destination?
5. What season is your favorite? What is it about that season that you like best?
6. What song can you listen to over and over and never get tired of hearing?
7. At what age did you receive your 1st kiss?
8. What fast food restaurant is your favorite?
   

Just because I didn't tag you doesn't mean you can't play along! Feel free to use this meme if you need some good blog fodder! ;)

First day of fall, my ass.

Table Topics Tuesday: I got the remedy.

There is nothing worse than being sick.

Especially if you're a mom. 'Cause even when I'm not feeling well, I still have to pack lunches, take the girls to school, do the laundry, make dinner... in other words, everyday life doesn't stop just because Mom is sick!

Fortunately, there are some things that make me feel better:

• a soothing cup of hot tea

• taking a nap or at the very least, curling up on the sofa with a soft blanket
  

• if my nose is stuffy, taking a hot shower so the steam will loosen the congestion

• a good, old-fashioned bowl of chicken noodle soup
  

What remedies to you use when you're sick?

---

Join the conversation!

what makes you feel better
when you're sick?

Answer the question in the comments... or on your own blog, then come back here and link your post! Either way, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the topic!

<a href="http://shannonsnuthouse.blogspot.com/"><img scr="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/?action=view&current=TTTbutton-1.jpg" target="_blank" /><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/TTTbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

If you link your post, don't forget to grab the button. And for good comment karma, visit the other TTT posts!

Get ready to discuss...

Not sure if I'll be able to participate in this week's Table Topics Tuesday myself... my BFF and I are heading to Birmingham to see Kings of Leon in concert this evening!

(Yes, again.)

Anyway, since it will be the wee small hours of the morning before I get home, I'm just not sure I'll have time to get my answer post ready for tomorrow. But I wanted to go ahead and throw out the topic for anyone who was interested in playing along!

what makes you feel better
when you're sick?

<a href="http://shannonsnuthouse.blogspot.com/"><img scr="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/?action=view&current=TTTbutton-1.jpg" target="_blank" /><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/TTTbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

Wanna play along? If so, post the answer to this week's question on your blog tomorrow (9/21)... then come back here and link up! Don't forget to grab the button!

Table Topics Tuesday: "The world is waiting for you. Travel safe. Go!"

One of the things I claim to be addicted to is reality TV. More specifically, reality TV games shows. So You Think You Can Dance, The Biggest Loser, America's Next Top Model (the ultimate guilty pleasure!)... and the mack daddy of 'em all, Survivor.

But the one reality competition show I'd love to be a contestant on? The Amazing Race.

Shane: "You're kidding, right?"

me: "No, I'm serious. I think it would be awesome! I'd be perfect for the show."

Shane: "You? The girl who doesn't like flying, has no sense of direction, can't read a map to save her life and hates being outside?"

me: "Yeah."

Shane: *stares at me in silence*

me: "Just for that, you can't be my partner on the Race."

Shane: "Trust me... I know better than to even think about doing something like The Amazing Race with you."



Alas, I'll just have to settle watching the show from the comfort of my sofa.

Here's a clip from the upcoming season (which starts Sept. 26th!):



Dude!

How that poor girl wasn't knocked out cold (or at least had a tooth knocked out) is beyond me.

And I will never be able to look at a watermelon the same way again.

---

Join the conversation!

what reality TV game show would you
most like to be a contestant on?

Answer the question in the comments... OR on your own blog, then come back here and link your post! Either way, I'd love to hear your answer.

<a href="http://shannonsnuthouse.blogspot.com/"><img scr="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/?action=view&current=TTTbutton-1.jpg" target="_blank" /><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/TTTbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>


If you do play along, please link your TTT post below! Don't forget to grab the button... and for good comment karma, be sure to visit the other TTT posts!

more blah, blah, blah

Let's start this week off with some random thoughts, shall we?


I watched "The Back-up Plan" last week. Total cliché of a romantic comedy, but I thought it was a cute movie.

Also? Alex O'Loughlin is very easy on the eyes.

I give you Exhibit A, from the film's "tractor scene":

And here's a photo from the recent issue of Entertainment Weekly:

Oh, my. I think I may just have to add him to my list.

---

I am completely enamored by the work of this artist!

The Dark Starry Knight

And this one? Is both adorable and awesome:

---

I love a good steak as much as the next person (and don't even get me started on bacon... mmmmm), but not enough to slap it all over my body and call it a bikini.

---

It's just occurred to me that I may have a thing for hot actors in blue swim trunks:

Get ready to discuss...

what reality TV game show would you
most like to be a contestant on?

<a href="http://shannonsnuthouse.blogspot.com/"><img scr="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/?action=view&current=TTTbutton-1.jpg" target="_blank" /><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/TTTbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

If you'd like to play along, answer the question on your own blog on Tuesday (9/14)... then come back here and link up! Don't for get to grab the button!

I know I'm not the only one who does this.

"This" being the habit of naming one's electronic devices.


Scarlett is the name I've given to my laptop, since she can be feisty and temperamental at times.


We use the "British male" voice for our GPS... naturally, I've named him Daniel.

(Although, his pronunciation of some words sounds more like an Irish brogue, so maybe I should have named him Liam.)


And now, I'd like to introduce you to my latest purchase, Eliza...

Isn't she pretty?

Table Topics Tuesday: They're Bringing Sexy Back

It's all about the eye candy today, ladies. Grab a cool beverage, sit back, and enjoy.


Here's my Top 5 list:

I struggled with who to choose for the #5 slot... previously, this spot had been filled by Rodrigo Santoro, but alas, he has slipped off my radar lately.

Who to choose? John Krasinski? Henry Cavill? James Franco? All worthy choices, indeed.

But I finally decided on...


5. Ryan Reynolds

I, personally, love the beard. And his abs. Ahem.

But also? He is wicked funny, and I find that extremely sexy. Ryan's comedic timing is genius... forget "The Proposal", have you seen "Just Friends"? That movie is a tad juvenile, but it is hysterical!


4. Gerard Butler

His recent movies may have been flops, but that's ok. Do I think he'll ever win an Oscar? No. Do I think the man is hot? YES.

I've had a soft spot for Gerry ever since I first saw him in "Dear Frankie"... such a sweet movie.


3. Eric Bana

Oh, my stars, this man is beautiful. BEE-YOO-TEE-FUL.


2. Christian Bale

He may have gone off on a crazy, raving rant last year, but I have loved this guy since "Newsies" and I am not ashamed to admit it.


Finally, the hottie who has captured the top spot on my list (this will come as no surprise to anyone)...

1. Daniel Craig

That accent! Those eyes! Those lips! Whew, is it getting hot in here or is it just me?!

---

So there's my list... share yours!

Tell me what hotties make your Top 5 in the comments... or on your own blog and link your post below! Either way, I'd love to hear who's on your list and why!

<a href="http://shannonsnuthouse.blogspot.com/"><img scr="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/?action=view&current=TTTbutton-1.jpg" target="_blank" /><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/TTTbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

If you do link your post, please link your TTT post and not your main blog URL. Don't forget to grab the button... and for good comment karma, be sure to visit the other TTT posts!

Get ready to discuss...

After two weeks of pain and suffering, I think I am starting to get over the shingles. This rash looks a lot better than it did even a few days ago.

If I can think of one plus to having the shingles, it's this:

The pain medication makes me woozy... which makes me want to lie down.

The Rx to calm the nerve endings actually does put me to sleep.

So basically, all I've done for the past 5 days is nap.

It's been awesome.

You know, other than the constant (and I mean con.stant.) prickling and stabbing pains.


But as I am slowly getting better, I can think of something that will lift my spirits... eye candy!

I want to see some hotties, whether they be actors, musicians or athletes!

So come on, ladies! Tell me...

who is in your Top 5?

(with pictures, please!)

<a href="http://shannonsnuthouse.blogspot.com/"><img scr="http://s219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/?action=view&current=TTTbutton-1.jpg" target="_blank" /><img src="http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc115/PixieMama_2007/TTTbutton-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a>

If you'd like to play along, answer the question on your own blog tomorrow, Tuesday (9/7)... then come back here and link up! Don't for get to grab the button!

Remember, you're only as old as you feel...

Happy Birthday, Mom!

There's just something about a man in uniform.

I'm a few days late in getting this posted... but many things have been pushed to the side since I came down with the shingles.

But for August's part of the Everything Austen Challenge 2, I read Captain Wentworth's Diary by Amanda Grange.

This is the 5th or 6th book by Amanda Grange I've read... she is a masterful storyteller! If you haven't read anything by this author yet (and you're a fan of Jane Austen), I highly recommend any of her books.

As with the other books in Grange's "Diary" series, Captain Wentworth's Diary gives you the story from the hero's point of view. In Austen's Persuasion we know that Wentworth and Anne Elliot had met eight years prior. Grange starts her book in 1806, when Frederick Wentworth and Anne's first meet, fall in love... and then are separated. The second half of the book is set in 1814 and picks up where Persuasion begins... Wentworth and Anne meet again and both realize they are still in love with each other.

I truly enjoyed this book. Amanda Grange does a fabulous job of filling in the blanks and giving more insight to Austen's leading men. In fact, after reading this book, I now have a better understanding as to why Wentworth was so bitter in Persuasion.

If you're a fan of Austen (and don't mind when an author gives their own spin on Austen's work), I think you'd enjoy this book as much as I did.

At the very least, you should watch "Persuasion", just so you can ogle Wentworth...

So what is it about a man in uniform? {sigh}