Bookish {and Not So Bookish} Thoughts :: Edition Three

This is a weekly meme hosted by Bookishly Boisterous where we write about stuff. I happened to see this via Birdie at Lady of the Manor and thought I'd join in.

1. Okay, so I am waaayyy behind on my blog reading (per my usual), but I happened to stumble across Naomi's awesome summary of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Go. Read. Laugh. The girl can write! :)

2. I've been trying to crank out my long overdue reviews around here, but it seems slow going! However, that does not mean I haven't been reading. I have been finding so many wonderful stories recently and I hope to share the happy with y'all soon! Until then, know this: fairytale retellings are awesome, so you should definitely check out Stitching Snow, if you haven't already. It's loads of fun!

3. Speaking of reading, have any of you read Jane Austen's Mansfield Park? I confess I have not. I have seen a couple adaptations of it, and wasn't properly impressed. But Lianne states a pretty great case for reading it, so go read her informative (and fabulous) post! And incidentally, while she was rereading the book back when, we happened to have a twitter convo about whether Fanny should have ended up with Edmund or not. I happened to recall this when I saw that Sherwood Smith had written a new ending for the book and out of curiosity, I started it and actually really enjoyed it! Do any of you happen to have any feelings on this subject?

4. Still interested in more Austen info? I happened to see this picture on pinterest the other day, which led to me seeking out more info. This post I found was fun, plus it has another shot of Jane Bennet and Mr. Bingley 20 years later, aka 2015 (from the '95 P&P). They've both aged very gracefully!

5. I just read Rachel's review of the third? or fourth? Signed, Sealed, Delivered movie. It reminded me that I recently discovered the series on dvd and need to watch it! I've watched the first movie that started it, as well the Christmas movie last year and loved both. Amber and Rissi have exclaimed over how much they adore this series and all the movies as well. Since it comes so highly recommended, perhaps you ought to check out it? Just a suggestion. ;) Will let you know more later of my own thoughts on the series! {Also, I heart Oliver O'Toole.}

Here he is, in all his old-fashioned wonderfulness.

6. Cinderella came out on dvd last week and let me just say once again that it is DELIGHTFUL. You know, I never realized how much I loved fairytales until the last few years. There's just something about them. I do think I'm a bigger fan of fairytale retellings than the actual fairytales themselves (and quite happily there are so many out there for me to devour! :), but the real deal is still very fun. And Lily and Richard as Cinderella and her Prince are absolutely adorable! You should watch it.

7. Are you an avid reader? I read over this list and decided I definitely fit that category. (I know. Big surprise.)

"Autumn, the years last, loveliest smile."

~William Cullen Bryant

8. Autumn begins tomorrow! I can't believe how fast this summer has flown. I say that for every season, but it's true every single time! Where does time go anyway? I admit, as much as I'm going to miss my sandals (because I will), it has been nice to have cool nights and crisp mornings. Especially when they're rainy like yesterday! Rainy days make me happy. Yes, I'm one of those weirdos.

9. Birdie is hosting a watch-along of Far From the Madding Crowd (the '98 version, not the new one) in October. Head over to her blog for the info! I haven't seen any versions of this story myself, but have heard great things about the newest one. Hopefully I get the chance to watch one of them soonish.

10. And last, but not least, I am planning a trip in October in which I will get to spend some time with dear friends that I have not seen in entirely too long! Needless to say, I am beyond excited for October to arrive. (And also fully cognizant that I just got through wondering how time goes so quickly and here I am wishing it away. I'm contradictory like that. ;)

So what's new with you?