Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Bookshelf and Shakespeare Memes

I've been feeling rather scattered lately, like my head has been up in the air for some reason. Not really blogging a whole lot, not really reading a whole lot. Just whatever. So, I thought I'd share a Maggie picture and a few memes that I was tagged for a while back.


A note on the picture above. While Scott was watching TV last night, I grabbed the laptop and did a little bit of blogging. Usually Maggie will come and cuddle with me, but instead she jumped up on Scott's legs and stretched out. Scott greatly dislikes Maggie and all other cats. And he definitely doesn't like her lying on his blanket because of the cat hair. Needless to say, they never cuddle as she generally knows better. The whole thing was too funny and I can't believe she cuddled with him for as long as she did (or that he allowed it for so long!).



Valentina tagged me for Eva's bookshelf meme:

The book that’s been on your shelves the longest:
While I’ve had many of my books for years and years, the ones that I’ve had the longest are the ones that I’ve had since I was a child. They are worn, the spines are broken, pages are colored on, but I treasure them still and can’t wait until I can share them with my own kids one day. My absolute favorite is The Princess and the Unicorn. It's the story of a Princess who doesn't like her unicorn being white, so she tries to change him by painting him purple (see right). Eventually she learns to love him just as he is.













A book that reminds you of something specific in your life (a person, a place, a time, etc.):
As book lovers don’t we all have books that remind us of different things? I may not be able to remember specific plots or even character names, but you can pick up any book on my shelf and I can tell you where I was when I read it and how it made me feel as a reader. I wonder how many times Wuthering Heights will be mentioned in this post, but I really attribute a lot of my current passions to that book. It will always remind me of the day that I stopped sleeping through English class (or passing notes to friends) and started paying attention to the actual language of writing rather than just the stories. I’ve always been a reader—but that book made me realize there is more to just reading the words on the page.

A book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity in a used bookstore, prize, etc.):
Books have always been a favorite birthday or holiday gift, I’ve certainly won my fair share of books, received ARCs from authors and publishers, found special finds at the bookstore, but the books that are the most special to me are the ones that came from my Great Aunt Fran’s library. I used to love going to her house and looking through all of her books. She had thousands and thousands of books in every nook and cranny of her house—and the most eclectic books one could imagine. Especially special to me are the editions of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights that her first husband read while station in San Francisco during WWII. He died during the war, so I never met him, but these two books have a special place on my mantle.

The most recent addition to your shelves:
Watchmen because I couldn’t help it; The Glass Castle and The Woman in White for book club; and White Teeth because I need to read some Zadie Smith.

A book that’s been with you to the most places:
There isn’t a specific book that has been with me to more places than others. Because I’ve moved around so much in the past 10 years, until recently I only had certain boxes of books with me—mostly the ones that I had to read for school and recent purchases.

A bonus book that you want to talk about but doesn’t fit into the other questions:
Well, since I got in the obligatoryWuthering Heights mention I guess I’ll end it here. :P

************************************************************************
Gautami tagged me for the Shakespeare Meme:


What was your first introduction to William Shakespeare? Was it love or hate?
My first introduction was 9th grade English class—Romeo and Juliet. It wasn’t love or hate, just work. But that was the same year that the Baz Luhrmann movie came out, so that was fun.

Which Shakespeare plays have you been required to read?
Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Othello, Hamlet, King Lear, The Twelfth Night, Taming of the Shrew, Midsummer Night’s Dream—seems like I’m missing some. I’ve also been required to read a handful of sonnets.

Do you think Shakespeare is important? Do you feel you are a “better” person for having read the bard?
Yes I think Shakespeare is important; No, I don’t feel like a “better” person for having read his works.

Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play?
Definitely The Taming of the Shrew. There are a lot out there, though, that I haven’t read yet!

How do you feel about contemporary takes on Shakespeare? Adaptations of Shakespeare's works with a more modern feel? (For example, the new line of Manga Shakespeare graphic novels, or novels like Something Rotten, Something Wicked, Enter Three Witches, Ophelia, etc.) Do you have a favorite you'd recommend?
I don’t think I’ve really read any contemporary Shakespeare adaptations, but there are an awful lot of movies based on Shakespeare plays. I think they're a great idea to help make Shakespeare more accessible, but it defeats the purpose if people don’t realize the movies/adaptations are based on Shakespeare. I do think all of the adaptations show how timeless Shakespeare truly is.

What's your favorite movie version of a Shakespeare play?
I’m going to cheat and list a live theatre production of a Shakespeare play: Taming of the Shrew by American Conservatory Theater. Katherina and Petruchio have such great chemistry. I could watch this production over and over if it didn’t drive my husband nuts. Although, he will watch the 10 Things I Hate About You movie over and over with me. :)

I'm not going to tag anyone because these memes have been around the block a few times, but if you haven't done either, feel free to play along! What are your favorite books on your bookshelf? Do you have a favorite Shakespeare play?

25 comments:

Amanda said...

Woo-hoo! I'm doing Woman in White with my book club this year too! Not til October, though. We decided to read it over Halloween, for the atmosphere, haha! ;)

Melody said...

Maggie is adorable! I was smiling away after I read about the post on her and the cuddles. ;)

I still haven't read Wuthering Heights and The Woman in White! I'm hoping to read more classic this year though.

Michelle Fluttering Butterflies said...

We must be the same age - the Baz Lurhman Romeo and Juliet came out when I was in the 9th grade as well!

samantha.1020 said...

Thanks for sharing that picture of your cat. Awww, I miss having cats but not the hair. We have a golden retriever and it is all I can do to keep up with the hair that she sheds. Yuck! I have Wuthering Heights on my TBR challenge list for this year :)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Amanda - October will be a great month for it! I'll probably start it next week as with my current reading speed it will take me a while. Have you read anything by Collins before?

*Melody - Maggie is hands down the best cuddler--but my husband doesn't enjoy her company quite as much. It was funny to watch him squirm a little bit. Wuthering Heights isn't the most popular classic; I seem to be the only one who likes it!

*Michelle - I'm almost positive I was in 9th grade because the movie came out shortly after we read the play. I'm 27 going on 28 (in August). :)

*Sam - I look forward to hearing what you think of WH! We also have a chocolate lab, so there is hair everywhere--I'm constantly sweeping and vacuuming. It's funny because the cat hair doesn't bother me but the dog hair does and my husband is the opposite. I guess it's just what you grew up with?

Anonymous said...

Maggie's so pretty - she just wanted to snuggle up with that warm blanket!

Michelle said...

Maggie is so cute! With three dogs and a cat, I know exactly the frustration with all of the hair everywhere. It is so hard to keep up. I love your meme's. I too have just been "eh" with blogging and reading. For some reason, I have not been able to get my little life back together since the holidays. My house needs cleaning in a major way. I am so jealous of the books you got from Aunt Fran. I know that you really appreciate them so much.

Darlene said...

Awwww, Maggie is so cute. Was she looking right at Scott-it almost seems like she's taunting him stretched out on his legs. It's great picture!

I've missed you in the blogging world but sometimes you just need a break.

Literary Feline said...

What a great photo! I'm glad Scott allowed Maggie a little cuddle time last night. Maybe she's growing on him? Wishful thinking, I'm sure. :-)

I have Watchmen sitting next to me here on my desk. I need to get to it one of these days.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your week, Trish!

Debi said...

I'm sorry you've been feeling out of whack, Trish! I think I know the feeling you mean...not really bad, but not quite right. Anyway, I hope the reading urge returns soon...I can't live without your reviews! :)

Now, I'm very sure that Scott's a wonderful guy and all, but what's up with not wanting to cuddle with Maggie?!! I'd gladly take his place...she's such a beauty!

The Bookworm said...

maggie is so cute!
The Princess and the Unicorn looks sweet.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

Ana S. said...

The Princess and the Unicorn sounds so cute :D And you know, Trish, you really are convincing me to give Wuthering Heights another try. I plan on reading White Teeth this year too. If I enjoy it half as much as On Beauty I'll be happy!

I SO love 10 Things I Have About You. It's my very favourite teen movie. Speaking of Shakespeare retellings, did you know that The Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett is a retelling of Macbeth? I think you'll like that one.

And as everyone as rightly pointed out, Maggie is adorable :)

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Bermuda - She's not allowed to snuggle on that particular blanket, so when I catch her sneaking a nap I try to shoo her away as quickly as possible! Cats...!

*Michelle - When the cousins were going through Aunt Fran's things, mom kept a special eye out for a few books for me. I guess Fred got the bulk of the books--still really irritates me. :) Oh, and then the 1st ed Huck Finn that Aunt Terry has!!

*Dar - She is looking right at Scott. I kept trying to get her to come cuddle with me instead, but she wasn't having any of it! Stubborn little cat. Hopefully things will smooth out soon and I'll be around more often--I try not to feel guilty and just do the best I can do.

*Literary Feline - I don't think it's her who doesn't like him, although it is unusual for her to go up to Scott. I really look forward to reading what you think of Watchmen!! I've heard such great things.

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Debi - I guess I've been reading a fair amount, but it doesn't help that the book I'm reading (Kafka on the Shore) is a little longer than what I'm used to. For some reason I'm constantly finding myself short on time, and I hate that feeling! Nothing really wrong, just feel like there is so much to do and too little time. Come on over and cuddle away! Maggie is the best (except when she starts meowing), but Scott's just not a cat person. Ah well. :)

*Naida - Thank you! Maggie definitely has her moments (and not so great ones, too). :)

*Nymeth - I really love 10 Things I Hate About You. I think it's probably my favorite adaptation. I don't think I realized that Wyrd Sisters was a retelling of Macbeth, but I guess they are the three witches, huh? :P I think I'm going to hold of on those blasted challenges for a little longer so that I can get some of the books read that don't nicely fit anywhere--like Light Fantastic (although isn't the Once Upon a Time Challenge coming up? Hopeless!!). And don't feel bad about Wuthering Heights. I think I'm alone in my passion for it!

Laura said...

There is something extra cute about cats cuddling with husbands! I love Scott's blanket, and Maggie looks so soft and nice!

Is there a song that goes along with the Princess and the Unicorn? If not, you definitely should make one up!

How special to have those books from your Aunt!--I bet they would have some interesting stories to tell (outside of the actual stories on their pages...maybe I'm not making sense...) :)

Bookfool said...

Maggie is trying to reform Scott! Cats are very determined to fix that cat-distaste problem. My childhood cat reformed my hubby early on. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen, the first time she snuggled up on his legs and he reached out a tentative hand to rub her neck.

The unicorn book looks like something I'd have loved!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Laura - you too could have this Texas Tech blanket. I made it a few years ago, but it's just two pieces of fabric sewn together. I saw the Tech fabric again at Joann's. Unfortunately I didn't get the books until my Aunt passed away, but I always loved looking through her library when we would go visit. The Bronte books were signed on the inside cover by her husband in 1943, so that's kind of cool.

*Bookfool - Unless Maggie stops meowing and suddenly loses her hair, I don't think Scott will become a reformed man. :P It was fun to watch them 'bond' for a little while, though. Is your hubby not a cat lover??

tanabata said...

Those copies of Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are wonderful treasures!
And Maggie is very cute! :)

Jeane said...

I really enjoyed reading your answers to the memes. That Princess Unicorn book looks really cool! I love old picture books. As I went through your answers I realized I'd accidentally left one out when I did the meme, so I've just gone back to edit mine.

Anna said...

I go through blah phases at least one or twice a year. Right around Thanksgiving it started for me, but I perked up after the holidays. You'll get back in the swing of things soon, I'm sure. Btw, Maggie is adorable!

--Anna
Diary of an Eccentric

Joanne ♦ The Book Zombie said...

Oh Maggie is just so sweet! I think I'd have to cheat on the last Shakespeare question too - my favorite wouldn't be a movie but the live-action theatre shows done locally in my town by The Shakespeare By The Sea Theatre Company.

Amanda said...

Trish, no, I haven't read anything by Collins before. I'm looking forward to it. I've heard Woman in White is really good.

LisaMM said...

Maggie's so sweet! My neighbor has a cat that could be her twin- they call her Oreo!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

*Tanabata - I'll pass the word to Maggie. She'll probably say, Mewwww. The books look great on the fireplace mantle, but I don't know if they could withstand an actual reading. I still really like them, though.

*Jeane - I saw you posted this one too but I haven't had a chance to pop by and read your answers! I think this meme has been passed around so many times that I'm sure things get lost.

*Anna - And I don't even really feel all that blah--just don't feel like I have enough time lately. How do you do it all with the daughter and your job and the commute??

*Joanne - I haven't actually seen any real live productions, just recorded ones. What have you seen in your town?

*Amanda - Hope you enjoy it! We'll have to compare notes.

*LisaMM - I love the name Oreo for a cat! Maggie actually had her name when I got her, so I didn't name her. Thanks for coming by!

Serena said...

i just love the taming of the shrew its one of shakespeare's best