The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

The Count of Monte Cristo is Alexandre Dumas's riveting tale of romantic rivalries, struggles for power, daring escapes, clever disguises, buried treasure, and solemn promises. What more could an adventurous reader desire? Dumas's hero Edmond Dantes is a man on a mission, tasked with delivering a letter whose contents he does not know, but whose impact, when discovered by the wrong man, could be deadly. Thrown into a dangerous chain of events, Dantes must face his fate alone, forced to rely on his wits, courage, and a strong dose of good luck as he seeks justice against those whose greed and wickedness nearly cost him his life. ~http://www.dailylit.com/books/count-of-monte-cristo

Honestly, how can you go wrong with this book.  It has got to be one of the best books I've ever read.  Before reading it my favorite 'classic' was Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen but this book quickly and solidly has taken the top spot.  It is impossible to compare the book and the movie though so if you've seen the movie and feel like that's enough let me just say "No...it's not."  While the movie is quite good the ending is very different.  The movie appeals to the feel-good-ending movie industry while the book takes a real look at what could and would truly happen.  I don't dare say more though because I desperately want you to read this book. 

When purchasing or checking out this book you may look at it and hesitate because it is so thick but I read it in two sittings.  One was a lay-over at the airport going to my destination and the other was on the plane coming back.  Dumas sucks you into Dantes' life and troubles.  You feel for him and want him to achieve his revenge and make those who hurt him suffer.  In many ways I think we each wish we could exact this kind of justice upon someone who has done us wrong.  Some of us lack the money, others it's the lack of imagination, and yet others don't feel revenge is the best route.  Rarely does revenge make us feel better at the sight of another's downfall but for some reason it truly works in this book.  I definitely need to re-read this book.  It is a classic among classics.

Foe by J.M Coetzee

''T HE Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner'' was published on April 25, 1719. The author of the book was Daniel Defoe or, to revert to his given name, Daniel Foe. In ''Foe'' J. M. Coetzee has written a superb novel by reconsidering the events of ''Robinson Crusoe'' and presenting them from a new point of view. He may have been impressed by Jean Rhys's conversion of ''Jane Eyre'' into ''Wide Sargasso Sea'' or by other experiments in displacing an official perspective."  ~The New York Times

This book threw me for a loop.  I read it several years ago and have not been able to get it out of my head since.  In my 'Book Lust' journal (a book that I used to keep a brief impression of books I read) it says:  "Really good.  I'm missing something and feel like I should read it again.  A 'heavy' read.  It was hard to get used to the writing but I will definitely read it again."  I tried (unsuccessfully) to have several of my friends read this book so that I could talk to them about it.  I'm unsure why they never finished (or perhaps started) it but I encourage you to read it.  Once you do please let me know what you think.  After revisiting my thoughts on this I think I may just re-read it...if someone else will too so that I can talk to them about it.

1001 Ways To Be Romantic by Gregory Godek

Amazon.com Review

Gregory J.P. Godek--dubbed America's Romance Coach--offers "1001 creative, sexy, loving tips and ideas" in the fifth anniversary edition of 1001 Ways to Be Romantic. Packed with advice, from "Little Things That Mean a Lot" to "The Mindset of a Romantic" and "Making Beautiful Music Together," Godek's straightforward approach is perfect for those new to romance or those needing a refresher course in the art of love. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Greg Godek should be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for teaching 1001 Ways to Be Romantic." -- Boston Magazine

"Greg is helping millions of us to better understand our most important value-- love." -- Mark Victor Hansen, co-author Chicken Soup for the Soul

"Worth memorizing." -- Boston Herald

I would honestly have to agree with all of these reviews.  I couldn't decide which one to include so because they are all so pertinent to this book.  If you are romantic, want to be romantic, have a spouse who needs to be romantic then this is the book for you.  It's written as a list and gives ideas on ways to show your spouse that you are thinking of them.  Some ideas are simple like #161 "Learn your partner's 'hot buttons' - and vow to never hit them" or #587 "Songs that celebrate love and marriage.  Make a tape (or play list) for your anniversary, a birthday or just to celebrate your love next Tuesday"  Next is a list of songs you could use.  They are also elaborate or expensive like #886 "The most romantic restaurant in Vienna: Steirereck"  He also includes websites and tourist numbers to several countries in the margin on this page.  He also includes themes, for example #503 "The Gift:  Costume Jewelry.  The Note:  'The diamond is fake - but the love is real.'  The Song:  'Diamond Girl,' by Seals & Crofts. 


Godek offers a variety of other books to help inspire the romantic in you including 10,000 ways to say 'I Love You' and Romantic Mischief: The Playful Side of Love.  An awesome and fun book.  We own several that he has written and I've read through each of them a minimum of once...most of them at least twice.  I'm on the third reading of this book.  A must-have if you want to keep the spark alive in your relationship.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith

Summary:Pride and Prejudice and Zombies — Pride and Prejudice and Zombies features the original text of Jane Austen's beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie action. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead. Complete with 20 illustrations in the style of C. E. Brock (the original illustrator of Pride and Prejudice), this insanely funny expanded edition will introduce Jane Austen's classic novel to new legions of fans.  ~http://io9.com/#!5144913/mr-darcys-brains-taste-foul-in-my-undead-mouth

If you look to the right you'll notice this title is actually missing from the "Books I've Read" section of my blog.  Why?  Because I started it, got half way and couldn't handle it anymore.  Normally I wouldn't write about something I didn't finish but I feel it's only fair to share my opinion about this very popular best seller.  You can certainly guess what I thought about it since I didn't finish it but I will go ahead and tell you...just in case you were wondering.  I didn't like it at all.  The beginning was okay, I guess, but it didn't improve.  I put it down for a few days and realized I had no intention of finishing it.  Apparently my reaction is common among those who thoroughly enjoy the original "Pride & Prejudice" by Jane Austen.  When I returned it to the library the librarian asked me about it and I was honest, he said that was the major reaction to it but he also indicated that those who hadn't read the classic enjoyed the book a lot more.  I can believe that.

So...why did I not like it?  I was mostly annoyed at some of the character traits that Seth Grahame-Smith changed.  I also didn't really like some of the random zombie violence.  I get the need for zombie violence in a book about zombies but it was a tad over done and detracted from the book.  I think the idea of including the supernatural in classic is an intriguing idea but I do not think that the author achieved that purpose.  I was told about another book he's done regarding Abraham Lincoln that was more successful but I highly doubt I'll be reading it.  I think I'll leave the classics...as classics.

What did you think?  If you enjoyed it please, please explain it to me. :)