About Books & Literature: Spotlight on Jane Austen

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor Mark Twain famously hated Jane Austen's writing. Hated it. Despised it with a fiery passion. Being an artful old coot, though, he made hilarity out of his loathing. Jane Austen - The Collected Works Mark Twain: "I haven't any right to criticise books, and I don't do it except when I hate them. I often want to criticise Jane Austen, but her books madden me so that I can't conceal my frenzy from the reader; and therefore I have to stop every time I begin. Everytime I read 'Pride and Prejudice' I want to dig her up and beat her over the skull with her own shin-bone." If you've never read Jane Austen before, check out our collection of E-Texts of her novels and see if you agree. Read More... Jane Austen Biography and Selected Quotes More Mark: "To me his prose is unreadable -- like Jane Austen's. No, there is a difference. I could read his prose on salary, but not Jane's. Jane is entirely impossible. It seems a great pity that they allowed her to die a natural death." A grumpily hilarious old codger, he was. Learn more about Jane Austen's life and work. Read More... Search Related Topics:  jane austen  women writers  english literature Jane Austen Quiz Even more Mark: "She makes me detest all her people, without reserve. Is that her intention? It is not believable. Then is it her purpose to make the reader detest her people up to the middle of the book and like them in the rest of the chapters? That could be. That would be high art. It would be worth while, too. Some day I will examine the other end of her books and see." Grumpy old Mr. Twain would never have passed this quiz, but maybe you can? Read More... Search Related Topics:  jane austen  literature quizzes  english literature Jane Austen Movies And a last one from Mark: "Jane Austen? Why I go so far as to say that any library is a good library that does not contain a volume by Jane Austen. Even if it contains no other book." Well, you big galoot, how about a movie, then? Here are some of the better adaptations of Austen's books onto the big screen. Read More... Search Related Topics:  jane austen  movies  books made into movies Related Searches Jane Austen Books Amazon Books Reading Books Fiction Books Authors Literature Featured Articles Robert Frost: 'The Mending Wall' Video Review: 'Both Flesh and Not' by David Foster Wallace Review: 'In the Shadow of the Banyan' by Vaddey Ratner Best Illustrated Books of 2012 Review: 'Every Never After' by Lesley Livingston Review: 'Water by the Spoonful' by Quiara Alegria Hudes   More from About.com The Perfect Engagement Ring How to find a gorgeous ring with a style and price that suit your needs. Read more...> Best U.S. Destinations Experts pick the top U.S. destinations for 2013 based on budget, special events, and more. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2012 About.com   Even More Jane Austen 22 Facts About Jane Austen Review: 'Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict' Jane Austen Quotes Advertisement

About Books & Literature: A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor This week, we're just going to have a quick glance at a few different little things from around the literary world. Review: 'Things That Are' by Amy Leach This slim volume of nonfiction essays almost slipped past our radar upon its release last summer, but thankfully we caught it, because our Guide to Contemporary Literature, Mark Flanagan, gave it a whopping five stars. The essays talk about gambling and pandas and caterpillars and far-off stars, and they're a delight to read. Read More... Search Related Topics:  amy leach  creative nonfiction  essays Poem: "One Day" by Richard Blanco If you weren't watching the U.S. Presidential Inauguration yesterday, you missed out on a lovely piece of poetry, written by poet Richard Blanco. Titled "One Day," it's an inspirational piece about the United States and all of her people. Read More... Search Related Topics:  presidential inauguration ceremony  richard blanco  The Greatest Tragic Couples in Literature Don't have time to read a whole classic right now? No worries! Get just a little taste of a few miserable favorites with this handy list of the greatest star-cross'd lovers in literature. Read More... Search Related Topics:  greatest tragic couples-in-love  romeo and juliet  tragic love stories The Lighter Side of Language Little bits of linguistic fun are found not only in books, but newspapers, television shows, movies, and more. Have a peek at some of these bits of, as our Guide to Grammar puts it, "Waffle, Claptrap, Bafflegab, and Poppycock" and other fine language-related tidbits. Read More... Related Searches Authors Literature Kids Books Free Books Literature Books Books for Children Featured Articles Readers Share: Favorite Books to Read in Winter Kids' Nonfiction Books About Baseball Review: 'The Fairy Ring' by Mary Losure Character Analysis: Iago From 'Othello' Toronto Comic Arts Fest Announces Manga Guests 'Cowboys and Idiots' - A Free Play   More from About.com The Perfect Engagement Ring How to find a gorgeous ring with a style and price that suit your needs. Read more...> Best U.S. Destinations Experts pick the top U.S. destinations for 2013 based on budget, special events, and more. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2012 About.com   Upcoming Fairy Tales-Into-Movies 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters' 'Jack the Giant Slayer' 'Oz The Great and Powerful' Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Martin Luther King Day, Inaugural Poets, and More!

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor Two big national events are happening early next week: first, we celebrate Martin Luther King Day and the accompanying Day of Service (remember that most literacy organizations are always looking for volunteers, as are many local libraries), and then on Tuesday, we inaugurate President Obama for a second term, an event that will undoubtedly provide several artistic moments (and outfits) that we'll be talking about for weeks. Ten Things You Should Know About "I Have a Dream" Probably the most influential speech ever given, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech is also a fascinating case study for word nerds and grammar geeks, as well as history buffs and, well, pretty much anyone who's ever heard it. Read More... Search Related Topics:  classic essays and speeches  rhetoric  'Martin's Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.' There are oodles of children's books about Dr. King on the market, but if you're trying to pick out just one to share with your children, our Guide to Children's Books suggests that this one is a great place to start. Read More... Search Related Topics:  african american heritage in children's books  picture books  Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes Need a quick bit of inspiration? Look no further than these soul-stirring quotes. Read More... Search Related Topics:  martin luther king  freedom quotes  black quotes Obama's 2nd Inaugural Poet Inauguration Poems aren't a part of every President's swearing-in ceremony, but they are often a feature, and President Obama has chosen to have poetry represented at both of his inaugurations. This time around, the chosen poet is Richard Blanco. Learn more about this wordsmith. Read More... Related Searches Literature Books Books for Children Kids Books Top Books Writing a Books Featured Articles How To Read Like a Kid 'This Cake is for the Party' by Sarah Selecky 'The Twelve' by Justin Cronin 'Once Every Never' by Lesley Livingston 'Juicy and Delicious' by Lucy Alibar Emilia from 'Othello'   More from About.com The Perfect Engagement Ring How to find a gorgeous ring with a style and price that suit your needs. Read more...> Best U.S. Destinations Experts pick the top U.S. destinations for 2013 based on budget, special events, and more. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2012 About.com   More Martin Luther King Quotes Inspiring Words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Famous Martin Luther King, Jr. Quotes Quiz on "I Have a Dream" Speech Advertisement

About Books & Literature: Good Books to Read in Winter

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Books & Literature From Megan Romer, your About Books & Literature Editor The early part of winter is always the easy part for me -- the holidays are warm and festive, and the falling snow is new and fun. Once the New Year has come, though, I prepare to settle in for a grueling few months, during which good books seem like the only thing that'll keep me sane. Good Books to Read in Winter There aren't many books that I'm unwilling to read in winter, but some really lend themselves beautifully to the season, either because of their theme or just because they have that intangible literary quality that pairs so beautifully with hot chocolate. Read More... Search Related Topics:  book recommendations  the thirteenth tale  her fearful symmetry Winter Poems, Classic and New I always make "Read More Poetry!" an entry on my New Year's Resolutions. Even though I read more now than I ever have, I still think there's no upper limit to how much poetry a person should read. Read More... Search Related Topics:  winter poems  william shakespeare  thomas campion Best Picture Books About Winter and Snow Okay, I'll let you in on a secret: where I live, it doesn't really snow. I grew up where it did, though, and have fond memories of wintery books and... well, hot chocolate. It's sort of a theme, this hot chocolate business, snow or no. Read More... Search Related Topics:  children's books about holidays  children's books about seasons  picture books Funny Books Funny books are always timely, but they can really help in chasing away milder cases of the winter blues. This list includes David Sedaris, Steve Martin, Chelsea Handler, and more: Read More... Search Related Topics:  book lists  recommended reading  funny books Related Searches Nonfiction Books Literature Books Free Books Books for Children Reading Books Featured Articles French Literature on Film Comic Book Charities Trends in Teen Reading for 2013 12 Wonderful Things About Writing New Years' Quotes Review of 'The Hobbit' Stage Adaptation   More from About.com The Perfect Engagement Ring How to find a gorgeous ring with a style and price that suit your needs. Read more...> Best U.S. Destinations Experts pick the top U.S. destinations for 2013 based on budget, special events, and more. Read more...>   Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Books & Literature newsletter. If you wish to change your email address or unsubscribe, please click here. About.com respects your privacy: Our Privacy Policy Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 © 2012 About.com   Reviews of Recent Releases 'The Round House' by Louise Erdrich 'The Raven Boys' by Maggie Stiefvater 'The Casual Vacancy' by J.K. Rowling Advertisement