I finished my re-read of Mansfield Park one or two days ago, and I must say that I think I really appreciate it- being the storyline, the (good) characters, the morals and lessons, the themes. Indeed, all in all I really enjoyed it! I used to think, being much younger when I first read it (okay, perhaps two or three years younger) that it was boring, or at the very least, dry, but I don't think so anymore. I think I've just got a better appreciation and respect for it. I realize it may not be everyone's book, but for me it's a great book. I posted some thoughts pertaining to the book here on my blog. (Also, if anyone should be interested, I posted my informal-ish review of Dombey and Son here)

Aww that's sweet. I haven't been in here in ages and you are still checking in. I'll admit, taking 3 lit classes this quarter has really put any and all pleasure reading on hold. One of my really good friends is a HUGE Dumas fan and he puts me to shame (and he's a biochem major!). He's read way more than me; he finished it and then moved on to The Man in the Iron Mask. I've only read 2 or 3 chapters this quarter.

Yes, I suppose classes would do that to one's reading... but don't worry! Summer is coming!

I'm glad you liked Dombey and Son. I own it, and I'll get to it eventually. My copy is in two volumes, so it looks kind of intimidating.

Two volumes...do you have an older edition of the book then?

So lately I've finished the whole Percy Jackson series, The Demigod Files, and Persuasion. I'm almost done with The Fellowship (finally! )- it should take me another week or two. Ooh and I'm about halfway through The Iliad so I should be done with that in another two months or so.

Ooh and I'm about halfway through The Iliad so I should be done with that in another two months or so.

That's about where I am, I love it so far! I love the stories of Greek Mythology!

I have the Barnes and Noble leather-bound, I love the cover!

After I finish the Iliad I'm going to read the Odyssey.

Finally read Perelandra today.

In this one, the Christianity is VERY explicit- in fact, I think it is even more explicit than in Narnia.

It is curious that the Sun is called Arbol- which means "tree" in Spanish. Perhaps a parallel to the Tree of Life?

And what does Maleldil mean exactly- and in what language is it in?

*the door bell rings*

Ooh, a books thread!

It's been a while since I read Perelandra. *looks through her copy* Do you possibly mean Maleldil, Aravis Narnia?

I finished Sunrise by Erin Hunter. I like her books, but I'm not sure about this one. It was sad. Has anyone else read any books by her?

Also, I'm still working on The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrún by Tolkien. It's set up in the form of a poem, and it's a little hard to follow. I'll get through it eventually.

After I finish the Iliad I'm going to read the Odyssey.

That's a nice looking edition!

I think you'll enjoy the Odyssey. When I first read it I was delighted to find the 'official' versions of those mythology tales I'd read as a kid (in a 'kid's version') - the cyclops, Circe's island, the Sirens, and so on. In fact, I read it before the Iliad and found the latter work harder to get through. I should pick it up again sometime.

And speaking of mythology, having recently viewed the new Percy Jackson movie, I'm inclined to try the book now, since the comments almost universally indicate it's better.

Yup, Maleldil. Corrected the typo. Just asking for Lewis' reasons for the specific names. Identity I figured out quickly. At least through MN, Aslan was still undercover.

Oops! Well, since I didn't know either, I Googled it

Here's the source: http://conlang27.tripod.com/oscorpus.html

I guess it doesn't help much because it says the meaning is unknown, but at least it gives some insight.

Maleldil
’mal · el · dêl per. n. : Old Solar name for Jesus Christ, second Person of the Trinity; meaning unknown, possibly “lord of the eldila” or similar8
[possibly Old Solar *mal + eldil]

stargazer: the book is much better. I love the books while the movie was merely ok.

7chronicles: I thought I would enjoy The Iliad more than I am. I have loved Greek mythology since I was really young, and I've been familiar with the story for ages, having read many different adaptions and such. But Homer seems to drag it out sooo much. Nearly every chapter is just another telling of more gory deaths and battles. I'm going to read The Odessesy after as well. Then Plato's Republic.

I read the Iliad last year, and it was great, I thought. There were some parts that got boring (Character A kills character B. We recieve a page summary on the life of character B, his conception, and his parentage, none of which is relevant to the story.We then recieve details on the gory death of Character B. Repeat many times.). Those bits aside, I enjoyed the story and the style.
I liked the Odyssey better, though, and the Aeneid best of all.

Good grief, I can't believe the Books thread has fallen to the second page. That's just wrong.

New Artemis Fowl book coming out this summer! Hopefully it'll be better than the last one, which I thought was kinda meh.

http://www.amazon.com/Artemis-Fowl-Atlantis-Eoin-Colfer/dp/1423128192/ref=pd_rhf_shvl_2

Thanks for understanding, Fanny! Yes, I much prefer very light books that can be easily crammed and dropped and picked up again. I've already forgotten who almost everyone is in W&P.
And, mhm, Mansfield Park wasn't my favourite Austen, but I did enjoy it, largely for the parts you mentioned. My favourite line is one near the end where the Uncle is talking to Fanny about all the mistakes they made, especially in raising the cousins. *can't recall the line and doesn't have a copy of the book*

Mel, eh, sorry. I got two McKillip books. I believe Cygnet (which is one book) contains two McKillip stories in it. Sorry for the confusion!
Have you read The Knot in the Grain yet? If so, is it one of her collections of short stories or not?
And I have no idea about Prester John. I haven't read either of the books you compared it to (nor it! ).

*looks up The Switch* It's by Anthony Horowitz, IlF, like I was wondering. I haven't read it, but perhaps I'll get it sometime if the library has it. Have you read any other books by the author?

Congrats on getting the second hold on CoK, Rivulus!

Thanks, Bella! Hey...if you came and visited at the right time, you could go to the booksale with us.

7chronicles and GtG, I haven't read The Iliad, but I love The Odyssey! I hope you both enjoy it.

*joins Booky in being shocked* Hm, a new AF? Thanks for the heads up! I do hope it's better than the last one, too. It had some funny bits, but, overall, not great.

As of now, for the next week, I am on Spring Break!!! This is mainly of interest to you all, because now I can actually get some reading done hopefully. I checked out East and Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow earlier this week in anticipation of this. They're both rereads, but I was struck by a desire to reread the latter and then decide I might as well get the former too and see how they compared. I also placed a hold on The Hunger Games and was told I was fourth in line.
Today I also went to the uni library and cleared out half their stock of Suzanne Collins. I got books 4 and 5 of the Gregor series (I own 3 and just need to sit down and read it) and picked up The Hunger Games and Catching Fire since I figured it would be a while until the public library got the first to me (the second was just kind of a why not decision ). It was very hard, but I resisted the strong temptation to let out a peal of delighted diabolical laughter as I walked out. The idea of an entire week with no classes, minimal homework, and tons of books to read just does something to me.
Of course, the library just called and The Hunger Games is in for me. I'll probably just pick it up and return it as soon as I can, without reading it.
And I'm also hoping to reread the Attolian books before the fourth comes out the week after next!

I'm currently re-reading: A Wrinkle In Time. The sparse writing is tiresome but the story is pretty good.
I'm also reading Heaven by Randy Alcorn.

has anyone ever read the Simon Bloom books!??

Fanny: Yes, my copy of Dombey and Sons is an older one. I don't have it with me in my apartment, it's at home, so I don't know exactly when it was printed.

I've finally been able to start reading for fun now that it's finals week and I've plowed through about 300 pages in The Count of Monte Cristo. I've enjoyed learning to love to read for fun again. It's like falling in love all over again! And the book is so good.

I forget, since I've read this book over such a large expanse over time