A Certain Want of Reason

What I liked:
This book made me laugh out loud multiple times! So many hilarious situations and ridiculous banter back and forth- particularly between the "insane" hero and his servant, and also with Geoffrey.
Lucia had a commendable loyalty towards her siblings, given the difficult circumstances, and she truly loved them. Their relationship was really sweet.
The plot was fast-paced and this book is definitely a page-turner! I read over half of it last night.
The hero realizes the selfishness and deceit of his plan when he is faced with the consequences of his actions, and is truly repentant and seeks to make things right, truthfully. 

What I didn't like:
The few cuss words throughout. *sighs* Honestly, this gets on my nerves in any book! :P
The references to being unfaithful in the event of an unhappy marriage, and that no one seems to find anything wrong with it. (Even the hero, [spoiler: at the end when he has resigned himself to marrying Miss Newman to resolve the issues he has caused], states that he will remain faithful to her, as long as she remains faithful to him. What type of true hero is that?)
And then there's Miss Newman...she was...horrible. Most talk of tolerating unfaithfulness was done by her, as well as a good deal of flirting- with.every.one.- and loads of manipulation. She made a very well-played villain, but was also uncomfortably amoral. 
Also, there was some minor-but-distracting lack of editing throughout.

The plot was super intricate and came together well, and I really enjoyed the first half of this book especially; lots of wit and humor. However, I had some serious issues with certain characters and different situations in the second half.

Here are some laughs for you from a few of my favorite scenes:

“And that's how it would start. He would make a ridiculous leaping entrance back into the ballroom.” 

“He collapsed into a chair bedecked with cushions. "Pillows love me," he sighed.” 

“Edmund dashed over to the nearest window. "I'll jump off this ship!" he announced. But the window wouldn't open without more of a struggle than he had time to offer. So he made his exit through the more convenient, albeit less dramatic, doorway with Adrington and Mountdale in close pursuit.” 

“Impossible as it seemed, many of these older ladies, who never stirred from the house past sunset, had either not heard the tales of his behavior two nights ago or had not believed them.

The ones who did obviously has enough manners, or at least enough sense, to keep quiet in the presence of his mother. Had anyone said anything outright, his mother would probably have no qualms about asking the offender to choose a weapon and name her second."

Sincerely,

A Beginning, A Muddle, and An End

“What could I write that has only two words?"
"A very, very short story."
"Could you give me an example?" asked Avon.
Edward thought for a moment. "Here's one: 'He died.'"
"That doesn't seem very lively," said Avon.
"Then you've understood the story perfectly," said Edward.

“An egg is not likely to grow on its own," said the crow crossly.
"She's right," said Edward. "I've never seen a grown-up egg."
"The egg doesn't grow!" cried the bird. "It's what's inside that grows."
"Then why don't you sit on what's inside?" Avon asked.
"Because there's a shell."
"What makes you so sure there's something inside?" asked Edward.
"It's always been that way!" insisted the crow.”

“The last time I looked," Avon pointed out, "the world isn't bigger than the universe, though I'm willing to admit I've never actually measured it.

“Edward," said Avon with a sigh, "maybe I shouldn't be a writer or an author. I had no idea it would be so hard."
"Be a reader then."
"Is that easier?"
"Actually, it's much harder."
"I don't understand," said Avon.
"Avon, what's writing? Scribbled letters on paper. It's the reader who has to make sense of it.”

“An enormous fish poked his head out of the water and stared at them. "Who are you?" he demanded.
"Avon Snail, at your service," said Avon.
"Edward Ant," said Edward. "But I am not at your service.” 

Simply,

The End of the Beginning (Quote-A-Day)

“With great care the two creatures edged to the very tip. From there they looked out at the cloudless sky.
"The end of the branch," said Avon, mostly to himself.
"The beginning of the sky," said Edward, mostly to himself.”

"Yours Sincerely,"

An Honorable Gentleman, by Regina Scott

Simply,

Quote-A-Day: Beyond all Dreams, Elizabeth Camden

With a smile,

Luke 11:9

Blessings,

Some Book-Related Words

Opening a new book & knowing what explorers felt like when they discovered land.

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That hopeful feeling when starting a new book.

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Picking the most worn book in the collection, because it's been read so many times it must be good.

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Maybe it's not about the happy ending, maybe it's about the story.

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Reading is a conversation. All books talk; but a good book listens as well.

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Nothing says "I mean business" like using a shopping cart in the bookstore.

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Sincerely,

Lovely Words

Watching the 1999 version of Alice in Wonderland (my personal favorite!). So many profound lines that make me stop and think. I'll never get tired of this unique story. ♥

Sincerely,

Quote-A-Day: Courting Miss Lancaster

I've laughed SO hard SO many times reading this book!!! Definitely a new favorite...

“I have no desire to spend every night of the next few months at balls and soirees or drowning in tea with morning callers.” 

“I believe that your lack of partners had everything to do with the fact that the Duke of Kielder was standing at your shoulder with his hand resting rather ominously on the hilt of his dress sword."
"He scared them off," Athena surmised.
"Precisely.” 

“(Athena)"You must have an opinion, then, of who shares with you the distinction of being 'nearly flawless.'"
"There are many," he replied, "who come close."
"But do not equal your level of..." Athena searched for the right word.

"Perfection," Mr. Peterbrook supplied without a hint of hesitation.”

“After a moment of stunned silence had passed, Persephone spoke. "Adam will be so pleased to know he is considered 'well-togged.” 

“I have found that sometimes a person is the last to know when she is in love. One's heart does not always share it's secrets with one's mind.” 

Coming up:
-"Courting Miss Lancaster (Review)"
-"Sarah M. Eden (Interview)"
:D

Sincerely,

Quote-A-Day: Dr. Seuss

“Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened.” 

“I like nonsense, it wakes up the brain cells. Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living.” 

“Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.” 

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.” 

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” 

“A person's a person, no matter how small.” 

“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?” 

“I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!” 

“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!” 

“You're off to Great Places!
Today is your day!
Your mountain is waiting,
So... get on your way!” 

“If things start happening, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too.” 

“From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!” 

“Today was good. Today was fun. Tomorrow is another one.”

“I meant what I said and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful one-hundred percent!” 

“Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!” 

“You’ll miss the best things if you keep your eyes shut.”

“They say I'm old-fashioned, and live in the past, but sometimes I think progress progresses too fast!” 

“I’m glad we had the times together just to laugh and sing a song, seems like we just got started and then before you know it, the times we had together were gone.” 

“Remember me and smile, for it's better to forget than to remember me and cry.” 

“Be awesome! Be a book nut!” 

“When beetles fight these battles in a bottle with their paddles 
and the bottle's on a poodle and the poodle's eating noodles...
...they call this a muddle puddle tweetle poodle beetle noodle 
bottle paddle battle.” 

“So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.” 

“You'll get mixed up, of course, as you already know. You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go. So be sure when you step. Step with care and great tact and remember that Life's a Great Balancing Act. Just never forget to be dexterous and deft. And never mix up your right foot with your left.” 

“There's no limit to how much you'll know, depending how far beyond zebra you go.” 

“It's not about what it is, it's about what it can become.” 

“Try them, try them, and you may! Try them and you may, I say.” 

Stay awesome! :)

Quote-A-Day: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

“Once a King in Narnia, always a King in Narnia. But don't go trying to use the same route twice. Indeed, don't try to get there at all. It'll happen when you're not looking for it. And don't talk too much about it even among yourselves. And don't mention it to anyone else unless you find that they've had adventures of the same sort themselves. What's that? How will you know? Oh, you'll know all right. Odd things, they say-even their looks-will let the secret out. Keep your eyes open. Bless me, what do they teach them at these schools."

“If you've been up all night and cried till you have no more tears left in you - you will know that there comes in the end a sort of quietness. You feel as if nothing was ever going to happen again.” 

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver; “don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.” 

“He'll be coming and going" he had said. "One day you'll see him and another you won't. He doesn't like being tied down--and of course he has other countries to attend to. It's quite all right. He'll often drop in. Only you mustn't press him. He's wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.” 

“To the glistening eastern sea, I give you Queen Lucy the Valiant. To the great western woods, King Edmund the Just. To the radiant southern sun, Queen Susan the Gentle. And to the clear northern skies, I give you King Peter the Magnificent. Once a king or queen of Narnia, always a king or queen of Narnia. May your wisdom grace us until the stars rain down from the heavens.” 

“All shall be done, but it may be harder than you think.” 

“If there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most, or else just silly.” 

“She did not shut it properly because she knew that it is very silly to shut oneself into a wardrobe, even if it is not a magic one.” 

“Daughter of Eve from the far land of Spare Oom where eternal summer reigns around the bright city of War Drobe, how would it be if you came and had tea with me?”  (love this one! ^_^)

“None of the children knew who Aslan was any more than you do; but the moment the Beaver had spoken these words everyone felt quite different. Perhaps it has sometimes happened to you in a dream that someone says something which you don't understand but in the dream it feels as if it had some enormous meaning--either a terrifying one which turns the whole dream into a nightmare or else a lovely meaning too lovely to put into words, which makes the dream so beautiful that you remember it all your life and are always wishing you could get into that dream again. It was like that now. At the name of Aslan each one of the children felt something jump in it's inside. Edmund felt a sensation of mysterious horror. Peter felt suddenly brave and adventurous. Susan felt as if some delicious smell or some delightful strain of music had just floated by her. And Lucy got the feeling you have when you wake up in the morning and realize that it is the beginning of the holidays or the beginning of Summer.” 

“Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,
At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,
When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,
And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.” 

“You have a traitor there, Aslan," said the Witch. Of course everyone present knew that she meant Edmund. But Edmund had got past thinking about himself after all he'd been through and after the talk he'd had that morning. He just went on looking at Aslan. It didn't seem to matter what the Witch said.” 

“And so for a time it looked as if all the adventures were coming to and end; but that was not to be.” 

“The castle of Cair Paravel on its little hill towered up above them; before them were the sands, with rocks and little pools of salt water, and seaweed, and the smell of the sea and long miles of bluish-green waves breaking for ever and ever on the beach. And oh, the cry of the seagulls! Have you ever heard it? Can you remember?” 

“And Peter became a tall and deep-chested man and a great warrior, and he was called King Peter the Magnificent. And Susan grew into a tall and gracious woman with black hair that fell almost to her feet and the kings of the countries beyond the sea began to send ambassadors asking for her hand in marriage. And she was called Queen Susan the Gentle. Edmund was a graver and quieter man than Peter, and great in council and judgment. he was called King Edmund the Just. But as for Lucy, she was always gay and golden-haired, and all princes in those parts desired her to be their Queen, and her own people called her Queen Lucy the Valiant.”

“What do they teach them at these schools?” 

“And what about you? You must be some kind of beardless dwarf?"
"I'm not a dwarf! I'm a girl. And actually I'm tallest in my class."
"You mean to say, that you're a daughter of Eve?"
"Well my mum's name is Helen..."
"Y-yes, but, you are in fact... human?” 

“This must be a simply enormous wardrobe!” 

“For Narnia and for Aslan!” 

Sincerely,

Quote-A-Day: The Three Musketeers

“All for one and one for all, united we stand divided we fall.” 

“You are very amiable, no doubt, but you would be charming if you would only depart.” 

“Never fear quarrels, but seek hazardous adventures.” 

“As a general rule,'he had once said, 'people ask for advice only in order not to follow it; or, if they do follow it, in order to have someone to blame for giving it.'"

“A rogue does not laugh in the same way that an honest man does; a hypocrite does not shed the tears of a man of good faith. All falsehood is a mask; and however well made the mask may be, with a little attention we may always succeed in distinguishing it from the true face.” 

“I do not cling to life sufficiently to fear death.” 

“The merit of all things lies in their difficulty.” 

“Besides we are men, and after all it is our business to risk our lives.” 

“Within six months, if I am not dead, I shall have seen you again, madam--even if I have to overturn the world.” 

“I do not often laugh, sir, as you may perceive by the air of my countenance; but nevertheless, I retain the privilege of laughing when I please.” 

“I came to Paris with four écus in my pocket, and I’d have fought with anybody who told me I was in no condition to buy the Louvre.” 

“What fragile and unknown threads the destinies of nations and the lives of men are suspended.” 

“In which it is proved that, notwithstanding their names' ending in OS and IS, the heroes of the story which we are about to have the honor to relate to our readers have nothing mythological about them.” 

“I have lost my friends," D'Artagnan said ruefully, burying his head in his hands. "I have nothing left but the bitterest of recollections..."
Two large tears rolled down his cheeks.
"You are young," Athos answered. "Your bitter recollections have the time requisite to change into the happiest of memories.” 

Sincerely,

Quote-A-Day: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

“I like to imagine that the world is one big machine. You know, machines never have any extra parts. They have the exact number and type of parts they need. So I figure if the entire world is a big machine, I have to be here for some reason. And that means you have to be here for some reason, too.” 

“Maybe we are all cabinets of wonders.” 

“ If you lose your purpose ... it's like you're broken. ” 

“If you've ever wondered where your dreams come from when you go to sleep at night, just look around. This is where they are made. 

“Maybe that's why a broken machine always makes me a little sad, because it isn't able to do what it was meant to do...Maybe it's the same with people," Hugo continued. "If you lose your purpose...it's like your broken.” 

“Even if all the clocks in the station break down, thought Hugo, time won't stop. Not even if you really want it to."

“I hope the snow covers everything so all the footsteps are silenced, and the whole city can be at peace. ” 

“She walked to the rear door and took out a bobby pin from her pocket. Hugo watched as she fiddled with the pin inside the lock until it clicked and the door opened. "How did you learn to do that?" asked Hugo. "Books," answered Isabelle.”

“In that moment, the machinery of the world lined up. Somewhere a clock struck midnight, and Hugo's future seemed to fall perfectly into place.” 

Sincerely,

Quote-A-Day: Sense and Sensibility

“The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love. I require so much!” 

“When I fall in love, it will be forever.”  (one of my favorite Jane Austen quotes!)

“If I could but know his heart, everything would become easy.” 


“She was sensible and clever, but eager in everything; her sorrows, her joys, could have no moderation.” 

“Mary wished to say something very sensible, but knew not how.”  (poor Mary ;))

“It isn't what we say or think that defines us, but what we do.” 

“It is not everyone,' said Elinor, 'who has your passion for dead leaves.” 

“Know your own happiness. You want nothing but patience- or give it a more fascinating name, call it hope.” 

“It is not time or opportunity that is to determine intimacy;—it is disposition alone. Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.” 

“I never wish to offend, but I am so foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my natural awkwardness ... Shyness is only the effect of a sense of inferiority in some way or other. If I could persuade myself that my manners were perfectly easy and graceful, I should not be shy.” 

“I come here with no expectations, only to profess, now that I am at liberty to do so, that my heart is and always will be yours.” 

“I will be calm. I will be mistress of myself.” 

“Elinor could sit still no longer. She almost ran out of the room, and as soon as the door was closed, burst into tears of joy, which at first she thought would never cease.” 

“Eleanor went to her room "where she was free to think and be wretched.” 

“I have not wanted syllables where actions have spoken so plainly.” 

“I never wish to offend, but I am so foolishly shy, that I often seem negligent, when I am only kept back by my natural awkwardness."

“Mrs. Jennings was a widow, with an ample jointure. She had only two daughters, both of whom she had lived to see respectably married, and she had now therefore nothing to do but to marry all the rest of the world.” 

“I am excessively fond of a cottage; there is always so much comfort, so much elegance about them. And I protest, if I had any money to spare, I should buy a little land and build one myself, within a short distance of London, where I might drive myself down at any time, and collect a few friends about me and be happy. I advise everybody who is going to build, to build a cottage.” 

“What do you know of my heart? What do you know of anything but your own suffering. For weeks, Marianne, I've had this pressing on me without being at liberty to speak of it to a single creature. It was forced on me by the very person whose prior claims ruined all my hope. I have endured her exultations again and again whilst knowing myself to be divided from Edward forever. Believe me, Marianne, had I not been bound to silence I could have provided proof enough of a broken heart, even for you.”  (poor Eleanor!)

“That is what I like; that is what a young man ought to be. Whatever be his pursuits, his eagerness in them should know no moderation, and leave him no sense of fatigue.” 

“Yes, I found myself, by insensible degrees, sincerely fond of her; and the happiest hours of my life were what I spent with her.” 

“He listened to her with silent attention, and on her ceasing to speak, rose directly from his seat, and after saying in a voice of emotion, 'To your sister I wish all imaginable happiness; to Willoughby, that he may endeavor to deserve her,' took leave, and went away.” 

“At first sight, his address is certainly not striking; and his person can hardly be called handsome, till the expression of his eyes, which are uncommonly good, and the general sweetness of his countenance, is perceived.” 

“Marianne was silent; it was impossible for her to say what she did not feel, however trivial the occasion…” 

“I think him every thing that is worthy and amiable.” 

“His temper might perhaps be a little soured [...]'Mr. Palmer is just the kind of man I like,” (Lol ;))

“And Elinor, in quitting Norland and Edward, cried not as I did. Even now her self-command is invariable. When is she dejected or melancholy? When does she try to avoid society, or appear restless and dissatisfied in it?” 

When it comes to Jane Austen's I could post quotes all day! :D

Sincerely,

Quote-A-Day: The Grand Sophy

My current read, that I am thoroughly enjoying (as I do all the Heyers)! :)

“You are shameless!” he said angrily.
“Nonsense! You only say so because I drove your horses,” she answered. “Never mind! I will engage not to do so again.”
“I’ll take care of that!” he retorted. “Let me tell you, my dear Cousin, that I should be better pleased if you would refrain from meddling in the affairs of my family!”
“Now, that,” said Sophy, “I am very glad to know, because if ever I should desire to please you I shall know just how to set about it. I daresay I shan’t, but one likes to be prepared for any event, however unlikely.”

“Is it not unsupportable to be held down to a canter when you long to gallop for miles?” 

“Since he was himself of a forthright disposition he was inclined to like Sophy's frank, open manners, and obstinately refused to agree that she put herself forward unbecomingly. He did not think that she put herself forward at all, which made it difficult to see just how it was that she contrived to introduce quite a new atmosphere into the house.” 

“I shall be much obliged to you, cousin, if you will refrain from telling my sisters that she has a face like a horse!’
‘But, Charles, no blame attaches to Miss Wraxton! She cannot help it, and that, I assure you, I have always pointed out to your sisters!’
‘I consider Miss Wraxton’s countenance particularly well-bred!’
‘Yes, indeed, but you have quite misunderstood the matter! I meant a particularly well-bred horse!’ 
'You mean, as I am perfectly aware, to belittle Miss Wraxton!'
'No, no! I am very fond of horses!' Sophy said earnestly.
Before he could stop himself he found that he was replying to this. 'Selina, who repeated the remark to me, is not fond of horses, however, and she-' He broke off, seeing how absurd it was to argue on such a head."

“Only trust me! You have fallen into a fit of despondency and there is not the least need! In fact, nothing could be more fatal, in any predicament! It encourages one to suppose that there is nothing to be done, when a little resolution is all that is wanted to bring matters to a happy conclusion.” 

Sincerely, 

Quote-A-Day: Pride and Prejudice

“It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.” 

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” 

“A lady's imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony in a moment.” 

“I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! -- When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library.” 

“In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.” 

“There are few people whom I really love, and still fewer of whom I think well. The more I see of the world, the more am I dissatisfied with it; and every day confirms my belief of the inconsistency of all human characters, and of the little dependence that can be placed on the appearance of merit or sense.” 

“Angry people are not always wise.” 

“Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.” 

“I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look or the words, which laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun.” 

“What are men to rocks and mountains?” 

“There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me.” 

“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.” 

“I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve.” 

“For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbors, and laugh at them in our turn?” 

“Laugh as much as you choose, but you will not laugh me out of my opinion.” 


“From the very beginning— from the first moment, I may almost say— of my acquaintance with you, your manners, impressing me with the fullest belief of your arrogance, your conceit, and your selfish disdain of the feelings of others, were such as to form the groundwork of disapprobation on which succeeding events have built so immovable a dislike; and I had not known you a month before I felt that you were the last man in the world whom I could ever be prevailed on to marry.” 

“To be fond of dancing was a certain step towards falling in love.”

 “I am the happiest creature in the world. Perhaps other people have said so before, but not one with such justice. I am happier even than Jane; she only smiles, I laugh.” 

“You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” 

“You must learn some of my philosophy. Think only of the past as its remembrance gives you pleasure.” 

“Till this moment I never knew myself.” 

“He is a gentleman, and I am a gentleman's daughter. So far we are equal.” 

“My good opinion once lost is lost forever.” 

“Oh, Lizzy! do anything rather than marry without affection.” 

“She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no humor at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men.” 

“It's been many years since I had such an exemplary vegetable.” 

“I am excessively diverted. ” 

“You have bewitched me, body and soul.” 

Sincerely,