Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Worlds to fantasise about

After having read Pies and Prejudice, I am caught up in imagining my own book club. Every activity can be based on a particular book we choose. For example, in the book, the members mention having dressed up as their favourite character from Little Women. Perhaps my book club can be based on Austenesque novels and it can have activities like an outing which the characters embark on or a ball they go to :) What fun will it be when December comes and the book club can hold a Regency Christmas celebration! When it comes to the modern retellings, these activities will be in accordance with the era the books are set in :) Imagine putting on a P&P play like how it was done in Acting Up!

I am also enthusiastic about the idea of participating in life swaps. Jane Green has already written about it but somehow the portrayal of it in this book seems more appealing to me. An American family swaps their house with another from England for a period of time. I would love to do this with someone from Bath, England so that I can explore Bath. I am very sure my partner would gush about Singapore, where I am from, after having spent some time living here :)

The book poses questions for book clubs and I would like to answer of them here.
What did you know about JA before you read this book? Are you interested in reading her books?
Answer: I knew about some of her novels, her movie adaptations and the spin-offs from her novels. Yes, though only some of them. I would want to read Pride and Prejudice.
Have you ever lived outside of the United States? Where would you want to live?
Answer: Yes, I live in Singapore. I would want to live in England.
Have you ever had a friend move away? How did you stay in touch?
Answer: Yes. I used ICQ chat and snail mail.

Have you ever felt bullied? How did you handle it?
Answer: Yes. I tried to endure their taunting for as long as I could before bursting out with a remark aimed at them and then walking away in a huff.
How would you feel if your family swapped houses with someone else?
Answer: I would feel excited but would also miss my house and be anxious about living in a new house.
Have you ever tried out for something you really wanted? Did you make it?
Answer: Yes to both questions. I wanted to sing as part of the choir for a Catholic musical and I was selected for it after the audition :)
Do you have a blog? Have you ever thought about starting a blog? What would it be about?
Answer: Yes to the first two questions. Different aspects of life, as evidenced by my various blogs under the prefix Pseudo.
Have you ever done something anonymously? If so, why?
Answer: Yes. I felt the gift was more important than the giver.

Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone or something that you didn't want to?
Answer: Yes.
Do you like to bake? What is the best thing you make?
Answer: Yes! Cornflake Bites.
Is there anyone in your life who resembles a character from literature?
Answer: Yep. One of my close friends seems like a Mr Darcy.
Have you ever upset someone unintentionally? Is there anyone that you think would make a great character in a book?
Answer: Yes to the first question. It was through my words.
Is there any famous person, alive or dead, whose hometown you would like to visit? Why?
Answer: Of course! Jane Austen, which I am crazy over.
Has anyone close to you passed away? How did you get through it?
Answer: Yes, my mum. My Catholic faith and my close friends helped a lot.
If you could give any present to anyone you wanted, what would it be? Why?
Answer: Financial help. The person needs it.

New blogs discovered

Looking at the earlier quizzes I posted, you can see that I am an Austen fanatic. This adds to my love for any kind of quizzes. I got wind of them from two blogs. Austenesque Reviews is the main one and Austen Authors introduced me to other gems shared by the former.

The former was discovered through the Goodreads application on Facebook. It had been promoting its Austenesque Extravaganza event running for the whole month of August. Being absolutely crazy over JA, I immediately indicated my attendance for the event. I have no regrets doing that and hope it can be held again and again. Just like the latter, it brought me into new friendships with authors specialising in Austenesque literature, allowed me to immerse myself in the contests, drove me wild with new books about to fly off the bookshelves and gave me the chance to share my favourite books with other participants.

The latter entered my world through Facebook too. It recently celebrated its first anniversary, at which I was a delighted guest. The contests at this celebration were more challenging though. Alas, the celebration lasted for only a week although it did fill the void which the end of Austenesque Extravaganza had left in me.

An exciting activity which I signed up for is the Dear Jane penpal programme initiated by Indie Jane, a blog I discovered on Austenesque Reviews. Austen fanatics will be matched with each other, depending on whether they prefer being done so on a domestic or foreign nature. I chose the latter. They will post handwritten letters to each other for 6 months.

I have always loved the idea of writing letters and cards to my friends. It conveys more love and is more personal, in my opinion. I get the opportunity to paste stickers and imprint patterns on them too. I cannot wait to find out who my penpal is and I hope to continue writing even after the 6-month period has ended, as long as my penpal is in agreement too. Who knows, I may even find a special someone through this, much like the female protaganists in A Weekend With Mr Darcy! I do not believe that there are no male fans of Austen out there :P

Saturday, September 10, 2011


Which Austen are you most like?
Jane Eyre - Jane Eyre You are Jane Eyre. You may not think that you are loved, or you doubt it when you are, but you realize that sooner or later, one person in the world does care for you. You may be labeled as not the prettiest girl in the nieghborhood...but when the occation requires it, you bring up the beauty a few notches. Although you're not the complete beauty, your personality makes up for any shortcomings times 10. Many hold to your endearing charm that keeps things going bright.
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Which Pride & Prejudice character are you????
Elizabeth Bennett You're clever and like to read. You can be stubborn at times , but you always want what's best for your family and friends.
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Pride & Prejudice: which Bennet woman are you?
Jane Bennet Jane is admired for her beauty as well as her character. She is sweet, shy and sensible, but not particularly witty. Her most notable trait is a desire to see only good in others.
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Which Jane Austen Character Am I?
Elizabeth (or Lizzy) Bennet from Pride and Prejudice You are Elizabeth with a mind of your own; you have a strong opinion to match your determination. You like to read, love walks by yourself, and are looking for the perfect guy to marry. Usually you know what to do, but when you don't you are open for suggestions, which you take with a pinch of salt.
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Friday, September 9, 2011


What Jane Austen woman are you most like?
Elinor Dashwood You are sensible and give reasonable advice. You do not portray your emotions to everyone, but keep them to yourself.
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What Kind of Reader Are You?
Your Result: Dedicated Reader
 

You are always trying to find the time to get back to your book. You are convinced that the world would be a much better place if only everyone read more.

Obsessive-Compulsive Bookworm
 
Literate Good Citizen
 
Book Snob
 
Fad Reader
 
Non-Reader
 
What Kind of Reader Are You?
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My Result: You are Chloe Parker, also known as
on quiz: Austen-Inspired Heroine Quiz
You are Chloe Parker, also known as "Miss Parker" from DEFINITELY NOT MR. DARCY by Karen Doornebos.

You are a life member of the Jane Austen Society, you idealize the Regency era, and you feel as if you were born two centuries too late! Still, you are a strong woman, ready to tap into reserves you didn't know you have to make all of your dreams come true.

To find out more, see Karen's website, karendoornebos.com.



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