I Like Big Books

Hmmm, so I was going through my current reading list to decide which books I would do for my next rambling when I realized...they are all big books.  Seriously 4 out of 5 of my current books are over 300 pages with at least two of them being in the 400 range, and one of them is in itty bitty print with super thing pages!  So it may take me a while to get to the next books on my pile, but that is ok 'cause if the book is good (and so far all of these are awesome!) then I want as many pages as possible.  As I gaze longingly at my bookshelves I realize that I have books of every shape and size, some are big honkin annotated tomes of classics, some are short little paperback quickies, some are beautifully illustrated stories, some are fat, juicy little things, but they all have a story

 hidden in there pages.  That being said I do have a soft spot for big books...if it is a good one.  I am not a fan of a book that goes on and on and on when it could have gotten the point across better with about 200 less pages.  However to me the mark of a good book is when you are on page 200 and still have 2/3rds of the book to go and you can't wait to read every single page, or you finish and realize that you just consumed 500 pages of awesome goodness and didn't even realize how long the book was!  If you can not only maintain my interest for that long, but make me want to continue reading, then you madam or sir have done an exceptional job.  Of course the down side to my big books is that they do take a little longer to read (not a bad thing for me, saves me money, but a bad thing for a blog that is supposed to have ramblings on it), and they are a bit more awkward to haul around.  Usually for these big books I either get a copy in paper back (seriously have you tried hauling around Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in hard cover?!?  I still need regular physical therapy to straighten out my spine) or I use my handy e-reader, which means I can carry a literal ton of 600 pagers in one little portable device.  Of course all of these big fat books (especially the ones I splurge on and get a hard cover edition to keep on the shelf) look really impressive and make me look really smart :-)
What kind of books do you like to read (long, medium, short)? Is it easier to read big books in hard cover, paperback or e-reader form?  Does a huge collection of short stories count as reading a big book?  Have you ever tried to read a big book in the bathtub

Pride (POW!) and Prejudice (BAM)

The other night I spent absolutely exhausted, stumbling through the stacks at one of my bookstores.  I am sure the people working there either thought I was drunk, or the zombie apocalypse had finally happened.  I had a gift card just begging to be used, and I was going to use it come hell or high water or zombies.  Did I mention I was really really tired.  So here I was stumbling through the stacks and just running my fingers along the books, hoping to suck a little energy from then when all of a sudden I just had to sit down and rest (seriously tired folks).  As I was sitting there I looked to the shelf across from me and lo and behold I was in the Jane Austen section.  With all the places I could randomly collapse in, this was a pretty good one.  I started scanning the shelves to see what other things I could add to my already extensive Austen collection, when I saw a thin book covered in plastic.  Hmmm, I picked it up and lo and behold it was Pride and Prejudice in comic book/graphic novel form!  Yep somebody had taken my beloved book and turned it into a series of five comic books, the collection of which I held in my hand.  Of course I had to buy it (along with a Zombie Choose-Your-Own-Adventure book for the Hubbin) and so I did.

Last night me, my bubble bath and my glass of wine decided to have a go at this little concoction that was essentially a 50 page Pride and Prejudice.  Are you ready?  If you haven't read the orginial (shame on you) then beware 'cause SPOILERS AHEAD!

The book itself kept the story line of the original book.  Bingley arrives. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett tease/annoy each other. the ball where Bingley falls in love with Jane and Darcy scorns Elizabeth.  Jane gets sick, Elizabeth staying to comfort her...while Darcy unscorns her. Elizabeth meets Wickham and hears his tale of woe. Darcy dances with Elizabeth at the Netherfield Ball, rest of Bennet family makes fools of themselves (except Jane). Mr. Collins proposes and is refused by Elizabeth. Mr. Collins proposes and is accepted by Charlotte Lucas.  Bingley and co move back to London. Jane goes to London, Elizabeth visits Charlotte in Kent. Elizabeth meets the formidable Lady de Bourgh. Darcy and cousin visit Lady de Bourgh and spend time with Elizabeth. Darcy proposes against his very character and Elizabeth obviously refuses and throws his meanness back in his face. Darcy writes letter explaining everything. Elizabeth is confused. Jane is rejected by Caroline and decides that Bingley is never coming back (aw sad). Elizabeth goes with her aunt and uncle to where Darcy lives, she runs in to him at Pemberley (think life styles of the rich and famous times 100) his family estate. Elizabeth is introduced to his sister and they all seem to be having a grand old time. Elizabeth gets a letter informing her that her youngest sister Lydia has run away with Wickham (back when this was the worst thing EVER!). Elizabeth tells Darcy everything, Darcy says goodbye.  Elizabeth goes home while her father and uncle search London for the naughty lovers.  Lovers found and married.
Lydia and Wickham come to the Bennets house and flaunt there stupidity.  Lydia lets slip that Darcy arranged everything.  Bingley and Darcy return to Netherfield.  Darcy, Bingley, Jane and Elizabeth take many walks.  Bingley proposes to Jane and of course Jane says yes.  Lady de Bourgh comes to forbid Elizabeth to marry Darcy (which is hard considering Elizabeth said no in the first place) to which Elizabeth says she will do whatever she wants.  Darcy proposes again, Elizabeth of course says yes.  Elizabeth moves and becomes the Real Housewife of Pemberley, with favorite sis Jane near by.  Everybody lives mostly happily ever after. The End.
Yep that is pretty much how the comic book went, technicaly all of the story line was in there, but in a very abrupt on to the next thing sort of way. It was strange because for each of the points mentioned above, there is specific
quotes that fans of the original book will identify and remember and that was pretty much all the dialog consisted of, if you had never read the book you would probably be a little lost.  The art work was pretty good, with only a couple things that did not appeal to me.  For some reason all the smiles looked like deranged clown which was a bit disturbing.  The sisters were all drawn gorgeous super model style, and Darcy...well lets just say I might have a crush on another cartoon man now (don't judge me :-) ).  All of the other characters are drawn in a fairly stereotypical buffoonish way, even characters like Charlotte (who looks like a shrew-witch) or FitzWilliam (who looks like a fat bank owner) get treated badly by the artist.  This is not to say he is not talented, the art work is very well done, I just don't like the portrayal of most of the characters.  There were several characters and side story lines left out (which makes sense considering how short it was) so overall it felt like I was watching Keira Knightly's movie version of the book compared to the Collin Firth mini-series version of the book.  The first one again gets the basic idea across, but loses most of the richness and depth of the full blown six hour mini series.  Overall I am glad I own it, it is one more unique piece to the collection, and it is fun to read the whole thing in like an hour.  I give it 6 out of 10 accomplished ladies.

What do you think of adapting classics to other mediums?  How do different peoples interpretations of classics change there specific adaptions? Should I probably stay away from Etsy with my Austen obsession?

Reading Will Fix It

Hi All, just a word of warning, I am tired, sore, cranky, snuffly, tired, sore throaty, achy, tired.  I think you may get the idea.  Had a super long night at the station last night, a very good and productive night, but a very long night all the same.

But no worries, I have a stack of books and a fairly easy day at work today.  So I'm just gonna get through the day (mmmm coffee, sweet blessed nectar of all things good!) and go home and curl up with a glass of wine, chocolate, a good book, and a bubble bath until I feel all better.  Happy Reading Everybody!