Austenland

Posted on January 13, 2020July 3, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Thirty-something, Jane Hayes, has never had much luck in love. While she claims to be disinterested, deep in her heart she knows she is secretly measuring each man against a very high standard–the one and only, Mr. Darcy. Apart from her fascination with the Jane Austen books, she has also watched the BBC Pride and Prejudice mini-series more times than she’d care to admit. When Jane is given an opportunity to spend three weeks immersing herself in Jane Austen’s world at an exclusive experience/stay called Austenland, Jane hopes this will be her chance to finally say good bye to her fantasy. With all the outfits and dinners and twists and turns of an Austen novel, Jane finds herself wavering between finally living out her daydreams and realizing maybe, just maybe, reality, even with its disappointments, might be better.

As with so many books I’ve read and reread, I have the amazing gift of a forgetful memory. And so, on the most recent reread of Austenland, I found myself staying up late each night to read just one more chapter to find out what happens. Having also just rewatched the BBC Pride and Prejudice twice in the last few weeks (at the request of our six-year old), I found this book all the more fun. Thank you again, Shannon Hale.

P.S. Gotta love Ms. Hale’s letter to Colin Firth.

A Time Apart

Posted on September 1, 2019September 14, 2019 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

A Time Apart (1999)
by Diane Stanley

When 13-year old Ginny finds out her mom has cancer, she also finds out she’ll be spending her summer with a dad she barely knows. Not only that, she’ll be heading from Texas to England where her dad is a professor heading an Iron Age project. Ginny is plopped in the middle of this experiment, living and breathing life as an Iron Age girl would have. Along with a small group of families and couples, Ginny must give up the luxuries of modern life to become a participant on this farm.

Diane Stanley is the author of one of my favorite books, Bella at Midnight. A Time Apart is definitely an enjoyable and interesting read. Since I usually gravitate towards “lighter” books, it was different for me to read something discussing a serious illness and a strained father/daughter relationship. There wasn’t anything too horribly depressing or dramatic, just a touch more reality than I typically read in my light-hearted children’s books.

Apparently, there was a 1970s early “reality show,” where participants did live on an Iron Age farm similar to the one discussed in the book. I’m excited to watch and read more about that.

A Knot in the Grain and Other Stories

Posted on August 30, 2019September 13, 2019 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

A Knot in the Grain and Other Stories (1994) by Robin McKinley

This is a re-read for me, although like so many books, I had hardly any memory of the stories. There are five stand-alone tales included in the book. The first four are of an old-timey nature, including hints of magic and fantasy. The last, “A Knot in the Grain,” is the story of a modern teenager. While not a book I feel compelled to own, the tales were quite enjoyable and hard to put down. My favorite, “The Healer,” tells the story of a young woman who is a healer without the ability to speak. When a stranger shows up who is able to communicate to her telepathically, Lily is thrilled, and the beginning of a romance ensues.

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone

Posted on May 1, 2019July 17, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Princess Academy: Palace of Stone (2012) by Shannon Hale

(second book in the series)

Miri of Mount Eskel is traveling to the city of Danland for a year to help prepare for Britta’s royal wedding and to attend the university there. Joining her are five other academy graduates and Peder. Life isn’t quite as ideal as they had all imagined it would be in the big city. The king has been demanding higher and higher tributes, the people of Danland are hungry and scared, and it seems only a matter of time before a revolution. Miri is caught between her determination for fair change and her loyalty to her best friend, the future princess. She also finds herself confused by feelings for a new admirer and her realization that her world has become bigger than her simple life on Mount Eskel.

As with all of Shannon Hale’s books, this novel is masterfully told. The humanness, courage, intelligence, and humor of Hale’s characters is endearing. Palace of Stone is definitely a weightier story than the first Princess Academy book. Our young daughter begged me to read and tell her the first book and was giddy with excitement about hearing this second one. This book definitely required a lot more edited summarizing, rather than reading. It’s a wonderful book, and I love how Miri is able to find a courageous balance to hold on to all that is important and dear to her.

Princess Academy

Posted on May 1, 2019July 17, 2020 by keepinthesunlightblog@gmail.com

Princess Academy (2005) by Shannon Hale

Fourteen-year-old, Miri, lives in the small village of Mount Eskel where almost everyone works in the quarry mining a special stone called linder. Miri, who is exceptionally small for her age, has been forbidden by her father to join in quarry work. Although she has her insecurities about not being able to contribute, Miri covers them with her funny stories, carefree talk, and good-natured personality. Life is rough on the mountain, but nobody ever leaves. That is, until, one day, a delegate from the palace arrives to announce that Mount Eskel was prophesied as the location of the prince’s future bride. Now a princess academy is being set up at the base of Mount Eskel for all girls of eligible age. Not many are pleased by this news, but they must obey the king. An unfair tutor presides over the small academy, but despite a rough start, Miri proves her intelligence, determination, and bravery will change the fate of their village forever.

This book is a beautiful story that hits all the marks–friendship, courage, romance, family, learning, suspense, self-worth, community, and, yes, even a ball. I have read this book too many times to count, but I will say that when I first stumbled across it many years ago, I was hesitant. I’m wary of the “princess” culture that has bombarded our young girls in recent years and wasn’t so sure how I would feel about a book with the title, “Princess Academy.” In truth, it was the lovely folk art style of the cover that drew me to the book (which I cannot find a link to now), and I’m so glad I judged this book by its cover, because everything inside is beautiful and perfect. I’m delighted beyond belief that this is only the first of a trilogy of books, but I’ll always return to this one as my favorite. This was also the book that brought me to Shannon Hale, and for that, I am forever grateful.

You might also enjoy:
Princess Academy: The Palace of Stone
Princess Academy: The Forgotten Sisters