Book Fest Round 2!

We had the second book fest this past week (Monday and Wednesay) and I had to present on Wednesday.

I read Ann Radcliffe's The Romance of the Forest from 1791. It's considered the greatest of all gothic novels and the jewel of Radcliffe's career. "Gothic" doesn't mean the same thing in literature as it does to us today. A gothic novel is anything that has to deal with something supernatural - for example, Bram Stoker's Dracula is a gothic novel. As is Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga.

I LOVED this book. It's outlandishly ridiculous but it's amazing. It's Victorian, but with ghosts and murder and kidnapping and sword fights. As I was explaining it during my presentation, one of the girls in my class said, "So kind of like The Princess Bride?" And that seemed about right.

I redesigned my book cover yet again so I could play on InDesign some more. (Still love it, just in case you were wondering.) So here it is:

Before:

oooooo....

After:

aaaaahhhh.....

For my presentation (since the last one wasn't such a hit, apparently) I decided to play a little game again, but this time I had typed up little scenarios from the book involving all of the characters several times over. For example, I had: "The man you love - who has just saved you yet again from the evil Marquis - has been hit on the head and is bleeding profusely. You don't think the doctor is capable, what do you do?" And then the person reading would explain what they would do and why, and I'd explain what the characters did.

I think this round went over a lot better than the last round because Sister Hawker complimented me several times and was using my presentation and book cover as good examples in class on Friday as we discussed Book Fest.

If you're looking for something interesting to read - pick it up!

Things that induce laughter/smiles/happy feelings in me toady:

1. Alli. Thank you so much, love, for Friday. You're the bestest ever. For reals.

2. Elliot started a conversation with me about killing John on Saturday. If only he knew... Bwahaha.

3. I designed a website for Sister Soper over the weekend and we'll see on Monday morning if my design gets chosen.

4. Laundry Day.

5. I've seen Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince 4 times in theatres. I've only paid twice. :o)

6. I got an invitation to a certain someone's bridal shower. ;o)