A Bookish Question For You...



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As I was reading the other day, I got to thinking about writers and their descriptions of characters. Some authors describe in great detail about what their characters look like, while others give the barest description they can get away with. Either way is fine by me, except that I will say that too much description can take the focus away from the story. Isn't there a writerly saying about "show, don't tell"....??

Anyway! My point is, as I was reading I realized that I was picturing the scenes in my mind. But I wasn't actually putting faces on the people I was reading about. It was more that I had a general picture of the hair color and body size and height and all that, but nothing in great detail. Kind of like I had the outline of the scene rather than all the colors and wrinkles and every single facial expression. In fact, I've noticed that I tend to make myself the main girl character when I'm imagining a scene. (Is that strange? Or do other people do that too?) Which led me to wondering what other readers' imaginations create.

I realize that it helps a lot if there's a cover model that fits the description well or if there's been a movie and I picture the actor or actress while reading. But that doesn't always guarantee that I will picture the cover model or actor while reading! Our imaginations are so very personal (obviously) and interesting. And I bet we all do differently. Or maybe not. But I'd sure like to find out!

So! What about you? When you're reading a story, do you instantly have a picture of the characters in your mind? If so, to what degree of detail do you imagine?

And please, won't you comment and answer? I'm so curious! (Pretty please? With sugar on top? :)

Review: Dauntless by Dina Sleiman

What a fabulous take on Robin Hood! I confess that I haven’t read many Robin Hood stories, but I do know the general plotline well enough. And I can say that Ms. Sleiman has written a wonderful addition to the list. Action, adventure, romance, and a swashbuckling good time! What’s not to like?

Merry is such an intriguing young woman. Circumstances have led her to this place and these people where she has formed a new family for herself. From her men who “thieve” alongside her to the young orphans in their care, this ragtag group loves each other fiercely. And Merry, as their leader, understands all too well the way life throws some really hard knocks at you sometimes. But she determines that their present situation won’t be forever. I do love how she teaches them and cares for them. She refuses to accept defeat! Her care and concern, yet utter confidence in their abilities to save one another when needed or do their part in the care of the group is lovely to witness. Yet that courage (and fiery temper!) also cause her to be unable to accept help when it comes in ways that she hasn’t figured into her plan. So she has some learning to do herself.

I confess to not really being a fan of love triangles, so that part of the story disappointed me a bit. Even though there really is never any doubt which guy Merry is going to choose, the rejected one is such a good guy that I just wished he had more of a plotline than simply trying to convince Merry to love him. Yet the romance is cute and sweet. Most of the buildup has happened in the past since they’ve known each other for years, so present day is more focused on accepting what their hearts are telling them.

I did love the introspective moments! There are several times where Merry has a lot of time for thinking and writing. I really enjoyed her poetry as well. Even Timothy and Allen has moments where they had to do some thinking and/or plotting their next plan. Somehow the mix of narrators worked for me. I was a bit afraid I wouldn’t be able to keep track, but no worries there! And it helped keep the action going, which I appreciated. These are the times I like being the omniscient reader who knows what everyone is doing, while the characters themselves don’t! :D

So overall, this is a very fun adventure. Ms. Sleiman impressed me with her skill at writing a great story and now I’m anxious to read more of her writing. As well as go back and reread a few favorite scenes. Which is the nicest compliment I can give a book! Plus that cover is simply beautiful. The colors are perfect and that's just how I could picture Merry. Yay for great cover designers! :)

** I received a complimentary copy from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.

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Death always spiraled about them in this realm, brushing against their shoulders, reminding them they might be next…
An odd sound met her ears from just outside the door. The call of a wood warbler…or rather a childish imitation of one.
Thanks be to God,” Allen said. “Our prayers have been answered." Robert rushed to the door and opened it.
In tumbled Gilbert, red cheeked and panting for breath. “All…is clear.” He collapsed against the wall. “But I lost….the berries."

Movie Quote Monday :: Kate and Leopold

[Talking on the phone]
Stuart: Are you sitting down?
Kate: [standing] Yes.
Stuart: No, you're not.
Kate: Yes, I am.
Stuart: No, you're not.
Kate: Ye...
[Kate sits down in chair with a thud]
Kate: Okay.
Stuart: I found it.
Kate: What did you find?
Stuart: The portal. A crack in the fabric of time. It was over the East River, Kate, just where I said it would be.
Kate: You found the portal?
Stuart: A portal into April 28th, 1876. I jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge and took a walk in 1876 today. I followed the Duke of Albany around old New York. Are you listening?
Kate: Avidly.
Stuart: This here's the twist, Kate. Here's the kicker.
Kate: What's the kicker?
Stuart: [whispering] He followed me home.

I know! Kind of funny to post a picture of Kate with Leopold and then a quote of Kate with Stuart. But I love that convo! Stuart and Kate's friendship and how well they know each other is just sweet. Of course, neither of them would think so. At least not at the beginning of the movie. :) But then there's Leopold! Oh my goodness, what a gentleman! When I watched this with Amber the other weekend, I'd forgotten how much fun this movie is. And how much I wish there was an actual Leopold for me! The way he sweeps Kate off her feet? *swoon* And she's so determined to be this modern woman, but learns exactly how lovely it feels to be a bit old fashioned. This movie is too adorable! :)

Adding To My Jane Austen Collection...

Why yes! That would be Pride and Prejudice in comic book form. Isn't that awesome?! I happen to think so. :) Do you want the whole story? Of course you do. Right? I knew it.

We begin around three weeks ago. I was staying with some friends and I happened to look at their bookshelves. (As one does.) And what to my wondering eyes should appear? A cover that looked very familiar! I confess to being unable to let it out of my sight the entire rest of my stay. Because I couldn't believe what I'd found! Perhaps y'all were aware that this book existed, but I was not. Oh, I'd seen the picture of that exact cover several places online, but I guess I'd never read the fine print where it says that it's a real, live book. So I truly was surprised when I saw it. A happy surprise though! :D

I'm sure you can guess the rest of this story. I parted with said book, quite sad that I had to leave it at their house. And proceeded to come home determined to find a copy for myself. Which brings us to this past week when it finally arrived on my doorstep! I couldn't stop grinning when I saw it and sat right down and read the entire thing through. Again.

 

It's awesome, you guys! I mean, seriously. Just look at this artwork.

I love the fact that Jane is dancing with excitement! :)

 

And so begins perfect happiness... ;)

 

 

Another friend of mine saw my pictures and said how much it looks similar to the movie version. I hadn't thought about it until he mentioned it, but I do think he's right. Whether that was intentional or not, I am absolutely thrilled to have this as part of my book collection. It's currently still sitting on my kitchen table as I haven't found just the right spot for it yet. It deserves a special place, don't you think? :)

 

It was originally published in actual comic book form. So at the end of the book it has copies of all five comic covers.

 

I think my favorite here is "Does Darcy Deem Dames Detestable? (don't dare delay!)".

 

I like the one of Lizzy by herself. On one of her walks! :)

 

 

And here's the happy couple! Except they don't look anything like they do in the artwork inside.

 

 

And there you have it! Isn't it fab? Don't you think you need to add it to your collection? Or perhaps you already own it?! In which case, we are both awesome. :D