The Second Mrs. Darcy

In an inovated style of Jane Auston, writer Elizabeth Aston wrote the novel "The Second Mrs. Darcy" which follows the story of the (how do you say it?) the recently widowed second wife of the late Mr. Darcy (Jane Austen fans, do not be alarmed... Mr. Darcy was the P&P Mr. Darcy's cousin, an officer in the navy). Mrs. Darcy is left "virtually penniless" in her step-sibblings' minds, because her late husband's fortune, according to law, is handed to the closest male relative.

However, in an unsuspected turn of events, the second Mrs. Darcy aquires a fortune in her own right, which she, to the astonishment of all, takes charge of. But, of course, Mr. Darcy's cousin is really rather greedy, so he attempts to take hold of her new fortune. Mrs. Darcy wants only to be an independant woman in the man's world of the 1800's, and it is proving to be a very great challenge.

I really enjoyed this book, and I think that anyone who loves Jane Austen stories, but find the origional works a little dragging, would relish it just as I have.

Ghost Girl

When I recently joined book club, they handed me of a new release; Ghost Girl. The story was about a girl, Charlotte, who feels "invisible" to the world, but is always trying to fit in. One day, however, she chokes on a gummy bear (of all things) and finds herself a ghost with unknown and unfinished business to attend to (how cliche).

I liked the book, except for how nasty some of the scenes were- I really didn't need to know every thought and feeling that went through Charlotte as she choked! (morbid!) The style was also different from what I am used to. It felt like a childish novel in some ways, and a little sinister in others.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox

This novel, by Mary E. Pearson, reveals to us in a futuristic world, the effects, maybe even consequences of a parent's affection toward their child. The main character is Jenna Fox, actually, only ten percent of her is Jenna Fox. The original was "killed" in a car crash, but her father saved the "most important part," ten percent of her brain called the "butterfly." With the butterfly, he was able to re-create his daughter out of synthetic organs and his invention, Bio Gel, which keeps the organs alive. The book begins as Jenna just begins to re-learn the world, remembering nothing of her former life, and knowing nothing about what her parents have done.

The re-creation of Jenna was actually illegal, because rules had been made dictating the amount of synthetic flesh for each person. As she was totally reconstructed, she was clearly an issue.

I really liked this book as a quick read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone.

Jane Austen

I really am bored by my biography on Jane Austen by Carol Shields. Non fiction is fairly monotonous to me, but I can also see how reading non fiction could be fascinating to some. For me, the format of the biography makes engrossing details about her life boring. But, it is interesting to learn the facts about Austen's life, instead of speculating on what information is reliable from movies like "Becoming Jane" (awesome movie by the way.... I cry every time I watch it).

For readers, having some knowledge of Austen's work really helps you make connections between her life and her novels. For example, in a few of her books, there is usually a wealthy man who falls in love with a non-suitable girl, and is removed from her life quickly by his family. Later, the man always comes back and they have a second chance at a happy life together. This same scenario is based on her own life experience with a young lawyer, Tom Lefroy. We can only assume that the endings of those novels are snapshots of what she was still hoping for in her own life. It's connections like these that help me force my eyes to continue line by line.

One thing I liked about this biography is that instead of just telling us what happened in her life, Shields tells us exactly why these things occurred as they did (social structure, time period quirks, personal experiences, etc.).

Jane Eyre

I needed reading material. Badly. My mom handed me a paperback copy of Jane Eyre. I was very doubtful about it's abilities to draw me in, but then again, I was desperate. It was long. It had small print. ick. But there I was, turning the cover and settled in for a long read.
Jane Eyre was boring. Then it got worse. I was literally falling asleep reading it. But then, Jane left her former school and got a job as a governess. That's when I got glued to the pages. Surrounding the large manor, Thornfield, is a mystery. Footsteps and maniacal laughter echo in the throughout the night. In addition, the master is nearly burned alive in his bed. Jane becomes entangled in the family's affairs, which nearly ruin her life.
I give it 4 1/2 stars. (1/2 taken for the start of the book which is rather gray)