Oscar Contenders – They were books first!

February 21, 2013February 21, 2013 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

Many of the best picture nominees this year are based on books – from serious non-fiction (Argo: How the CIA and Hollywood Pulled Off the Most Audacious Rescue in History by Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio) to the classics (Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables) to literary fiction (Life of Pi by Yann Martel) to history (Spielberg’s Lincoln had roots in Doris Kearns Goodwin’s Team of Rivals) and to a well-reviewed quiet novel (Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick).

How many have you read? How do the movies compare to the books?

Why Do The Classics Matter?

February 20, 2013February 25, 2013 / Jenn / Leave a comment

You had to read them in high school, or maybe for a college English class. Some you may have liked, some you may have hated. There may have been titles you really wanted to read, but never quite got to. Some may have even been banned in your area of the country.

What are they? They are “the classics”.

Works of fiction that are considered classics have stood the test of time, have something important to say about their contemporary time period, or were a “first” of some kind. They are not daunting, or scary, or frightening to read.

Why read a classic? For all of the reasons listed above. Reading a classic tells you something about a particular time period, or the thoughts, feelings, prejudices, motives of contemporary people. They tell us something about us as people. You may find that we are not that different than some of these infamous literary characters.

Many of us have read only a small selection of the world’s greatest books. The Cheshire Cats Classics is a book club for people who want to delve deeper into the world of classics to discover people, places and things which have become a part of our culture.

Book Review – Sex And The Single Fireman by Jennifer Bernard

February 18, 2013May 1, 2015 / Linda / Leave a comment

This is book three of Jennifer Bernard’s sizzling series ‘The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel’. The books do not have to be read in order to enjoy the series.

Do not be put off by the title as it is very deceiving. You are half way through the book before you hit an actual sex scene, although sparks are flying throughout the book. Yes, the characters are good looking, hot and sexy, but the book is really an emotional, touching story of not so perfect humans.

Firefighter Rick Roman has decided to move from New York City to San Gabriel, California with his teenager son to escape the memories of the death of his firefighter wife at the World Trade Center on 9/11.

Sabina Jones is a former star child actress trying to escape her past. She’s worked hard to become a decorated, top notch firefighter at the notorious fire station of San Gabriel – where everyone is unaware of her past.

These two main characters meet in the most unlikely circumstances – Thanksgiving Day in Las Vegas. I must admit the way they meet and the time spent in Las Vegas had me worried that the book was going to live up to its title of fluff and no substance. But once I got past chapter 3, that all changed.

The story is a gripping, emotional tale of how two very flawed people who couldn’t trust, and thought couldn’t love, overcome many obstacles and their own stubbornness to realize their hot chemistry and mutual admiration is really love.

The other wonderful thing about this book is how all the supporting characters are woven into the story. From their fellow firefighters, to their friends and family, you want to get to know them all – thus ensuring that you are going to want to read the whole series!

Are you ready for another Pride and Prejudice movie?

February 13, 2013February 19, 2013 / cheshirelib / Leave a comment

The tale of Elizabeth Bennet’s push-and-pull affections toward Mr. Darcy have been endlessly imitated, adapted, modernized, and satirized. There have been three film adaptations, seven miniseries adaptations, a play, and even a Broadway musical. Now, author Jo Baker’s yet-to-be-released novel, Longbourne, which explores Austen’s story from the point of view of the servants in the Bennet household, has been optioned to be turned into a film by Focus Features and Random House Studio Films.