If you're looking for my reviews of a certain author or genre you can check my tags list. You can also see my list of book reads in 2007 & 2008 and 2009.

This challenge is hosted by the ladies at Lights, Camera... History! It has several levels of difficulty and themes to choose from. I chose the level 3 (Faithful Viewer), in which I have to see 6 movies/(mini) series, from the following themes:
- Victorian Mist (set during the Victorian era)
- Maids & Knights (set during the Middle Ages)

I probably should have chosen "All Over the World" instead of "Victorian Mist", as I'm planning on watching some movies set on different countries but all taking place between the years 1837 and 1901.

Victorian Mist
Anna Karenina (1997) - IMDb - review
Moulin Rouge! (2001) - IMDb
North and South (2004) - IMDb

Maids & Knights
King Arthur (2004) - IMDb
Tristan + Isolde (2006) - IMDb
Robin Hood (2006-2009) - IMDb

I'm starting to think there might be to much challenge for one year. :D But I love Audiobooks, they help me getting through the house chores, so I dedcided to give this challenge a try.

Here are the guidelines:

1) You can join anytime as long as you don’t start listening to your books prior to 2009.

2) This challenge is for 2009 only. The last day to have all your books read is December 31, 2009.

3) You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

4) When you sign up under Mr. Linky, list the direct link to your post where your audiobooks will be listed. If you list just your blog’s URL, it will be removed. If you don’t have a blog, leave the URL blank.

5) You do not have to list your books ahead of time. If you decide to, you can change them as you go.

6) Our goal is to listen to 12 audiobooks in 2009. No need to list your books now. You can do so as you go.

7) Feel free to post a link to your reviews in the comment section below. That way, we can visit your blog and read your review.

1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Book 1) by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry review
2. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Book 2) by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry review
3. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Book 3) by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry review
4. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Book 4) by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry review
5. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (Book 5) by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry review
6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6) by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry review
7. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) by J.K. Rowling, read by Stephen Fry
8. The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, read by Maurice Denham & Cast (BBC Radio Collection: Chronicles of Narnia)
9. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis, read by Maurice Denham & Cast (BBC Radio Collection: Chronicles of Narnia)
10. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis, read by Maurice Denham & Cast (BBC Radio Collection: Chronicles of Narnia)
11. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis, read by Maurice Denham & Cast (BBC Radio Collection: Chronicles of Narnia) (currently listening)
12.

Since I like mysteries and thrillers, thought I could join this challenge.

Rules of this challenge:

* Read TWELVE (12) different sub-genres of thrillers in 2009.

* You do NOT need to select your books ahead of time. Also, you may change as you go.

* Your books can crossover into other challenges.

The sub-genres you can choose from can be found here. I don't have a book list yet but I might be reading these sub-genres:
Action thrillers
Amateur Detective mystery - Why Didn't They Asked Evans? by Agatha Christie review
Conspiracy thriller
Cozy mystery
Drama thriller - The Prestige by Christopher Priest review
Disaster thriller - Pompeii by Robert Harris
Inverted mystery - Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov review
Historical Thriller - Nefertiti by Nick Drake review
Legal thrillers - Aristotle Detective by Margaret Doody (*) review
Murder Mystery - Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn review
Religious thrillers - The Rose Labyrinth by Titania Hardie review
Techno-thrillers - Tom Clancy's Op-Center: Mirror Image by Tom Clancy, Steve Pieczenik and Jeff Rovin review

(*) Considered as part of the action takes place on a Greek institution similar to today's court of law.

(click on the image to go to the hosting blog)
Though I haven't finished the only challenge I set myself to do, I'm still willing to enter new challenges.

This reading challenge will be for all of 2009. Sign ups may begin early, but reading should not.

How many books? No fewer than four. No more than twelve. For example, you might want to read two books by authors from the eighteenth century (1700-1799) and two books by authors from the nineteenth century (1800-1899). Or you might want to read six books by authors from the 18th century, and six books by authors from the 19th century. You get the idea. Me being the *perfectionist* I am would stress the balance between the two. But I *know* that may be just me. So you may read in whatever proportion you like.

What books are allowed? If they're written by a woman who lived and wrote from 1700 to 1900, then they count. What books don't count...if an author was born during this time period, but didn't publish anything until the next century. Post-1900 books are NOT allowed. There is a small loophole here. If a book was written during these two centuries 1700-1900 and was not published until after the author's death...and that publication date just happened to be in the 1900s or 2000s...then that would count.

My reading list:

a)written in the 18th century:
1. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen review
2. The Italian by Ann Radcliffe
3. The Mysteries of Udolpho by Ann Radcliffe
4. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

b)written in the 19th century:
5. Daniel Deronda by George Eliot review
6. The Mill on the Floss by George Eliot
7. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
8. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

Book Title: North and South
Author: John Jakes
Genre: historical fiction
Rating: 3/5

Summary (from book cover): The brilliant American novel that chronicles the lives of two great family dynasties, spanning three generations. The Hazards and the Mains were brought together in a friendship that neither jealousy nor violence could shatter... but they have been torn apart by the storm of events that divided a nation.

My thoughts: I learned about this book, and the other two that compose this series, by chance. I was watching TV when I came across its adaptation, which my parents remembered of seeing it and, tried to portray the American Civil War. Since I know little about it, I thought it would be interesting reading it.

The story of this volume revolves around the years before the civil war, giving the reader a chance to know two families, the Hazards and the Mains, which came from two distinct backgrounds. The first family is from the north, with their wealth based on industrialization and the work of emigrants, while the other comes from the south, having their wealth based on agriculture and slave work. In a period in which social tension is huge, due to the discussion of abolitionism of slavery work, the friendship between these two families is tested.

It's an interesting book, for those who like History, since it tries to show both sides of the question, from the moderate to the radical point of view, which allows the reader to listen to the arguments, even if he doesn't agree with the ideas or actions of some characters. However, the discussion of these subjects becomes somewhat repetitive and tires on a book of this size. The characters, in my opinion, could have more depth to them, but their characterization is enough to let us know the different sections of the movements.

I was hoping for a bit more but it's clear it wasn't thought to be a stand alone, which leads me to hope for a better work on some of the characters.

Since I spoke of the seres, I would recommend it over the book. Of course it isn't a 100% truthful to the book, but it shows in a nice manner the most important bits of the book. A nice option for those who are curious but don't have patience to read it or access to the books, which might happen if you are in Portugal like me.

Fifth book read for the "Historical Fiction Reading Challenge".

Book Title: In the Company of the Courtesan
Author: Sarah Dunant
Genre: historical romance
Rating: 3/5

Summary (from dust jacket flap):

"My lady, Fiammetta Bianchini, was plucking her eyebrows and biting color into her lips when the unthinkable happened and the Holy Roman Emperor's army blew a hole in the wall of God's eternal city, letting in a flood of half-starved, half-crazed troops bent on pillage and punishment."

Thus begins In the Company of the Courtesan, Sarah Dunant's epic novel of life in Renaissance Italy. Escaping the sack of Rome in 1527, with their stomachs churning on the jewels they have swallowed, the courtesan Fiammetta and her dwarf companion, Bucino, head for Venice, the shimmering city born out of water to become a miracle of east-west trade: rich and rancid, pious and profitable, beautiful and squalid.

With a mix of courage and cunning they infiltrate Venetian society. Together they make the perfect partnership: the sharp-tongued, sharp-witted dwarf, and his vibrant mistress, trained from birth to charm, entertain, and satisfy men who have the money to support her.

Yet as their fortunes rise, this perfect partnership comes under threat, from the searing passion of a lover who wants more than his allotted nights to the attentions of an admiring Turk in search of human novelties for his sultan's court. But Fiammetta and Bucino's greatest challenge comes from a young crippled woman, a blind healer who insinuates herself into their lives and hearts with devastating consequences for them all.

A story of desire and deception, sin and religion, loyalty and friendship, In the Company of the Courtesan paints a portrait of one of the world's greatest cities at its most potent moment in history: It is a picture that remains vivid long after the final page.

My thoughts: Having loved the previous book I've read from this author, I picked this one up with some expectations. Is not that I feel this book let me down, but is somewhat below what I expected.

In this book we follow Bucino, a dwarf and assistant, lets say so, of Fiammeta, a notorious courtesan, in their journey from Rome to Venice and their adaptation to this place, so different from others due to his liaison with the sea and the contacts this brings.

As in The Birth of Venus, the author, through the story of these two characters, tries to show the thought at this time about various themes. In this book she concentrates more in religion, namely the catholic one, though it has some mentions also to Judaism and the relationship between those who follow this faith and the Catholics, she also talks about the importance of physical appearance and the prejudices linked to it, and the author also talks about sex, how it was perceived by numerous points of view: religion, business, art, love... If this was well done in the mentioned book, in this one it was a bit less achieved, as it bores in certain occasions.

The story is still interesting, as well as the characters which are nicely constructed, but is somewhat predictable. The portrait of Venice is also a bit weak, as the descriptions didn't cause such an impact as the ones of Florence in The Birth of Venus.

It does its job as entertainment and letting us know how was the life of a courtesan in Venice, but for that I would recommend the movie Dangerous Beauty instead.

Fourth book read for the "Historical Fiction Reading Challenge".

Book Title: The Birth of Venus
Author: Sarah Dunant
Genre: historical romance
Rating: 4/5

Summary (from book cover): Alessandra Cecchi is not quite fifteen when her father, a prosperous cloth merchant, brings a young painter back from northern Europe to decorate the chapel walls in the family's Florence palazzo. A child of the Renaissance with a precocious mind and a talent for drawing, Alessandra is intoxicated by the artist's abilities.

But Alessandra's parents have made plans for their daughter, and she is soon married off to a wealthy, much older man. Meanwhile, the reign of the Medicis, with their love of luxury, learning, and dazzling art, is being threatened by the hellfire preaching and increasing brutality of the fundamentalist monk Savonarola and his reactionary followers. As the city shudders with violence and change, Alessandra must find her own way – and finally explore the passions she's kept so long at bay.

My thoughts: My expectations weren't that high so I have to confess myself impressed with this book.

We follow Alessandra, a brilliant girl, turning for adolescence into adulthood in Florence, a city we come to know and full of art and learning, which turns into darkness due to the extremist preaching of Savonarola.

So the author talks about a various number of thematics, namely art, theology and philosophy, but also the role of woman in her family, the various faces Love can take. Adding to this, there's mystery and romance which will satisfy any reader fond of these genres.

A good way to plunge into Renaissance Florence and understand the mentality, namely to how Catholicism was perceived, at that time.

Third book read for the "Historical Fiction Reading Challenge".

Book Title: Voyager
Author: Diana Gabaldon
Genre: historical romance
Rating: 4/5

Summary (from book cover): From the author of the breathtaking bestsellers Outlander and Dragonfly in Amber, the extraordinary saga continues.

Their passionate encounter happened long ago by whatever measurement Claire Randall took. Two decades before, she had traveled back in time and into the arms of a gallant eighteenth-century Scot named Jamie Fraser. Then she returned to her own century to bear his child, believing him dead in the tragic battle of Culloden. Yet his memory has never lessened its hold on her... and her body still cries out for him in her dreams.

Then Claire discovers that Jamie survived. Torn between returning to him and staying with their daughter in her own era, Claire must choose her destiny. And as time and space come full circle, she must find the courage to face the passion and pain awaiting her... the deadly intrigues raging in a divided Scotland... and the daring voyage into the dark unknown that can reunite – or forever doom – her timeless love.

My thoughts: Though the writing confuses a bit at the start as we follow, just like it happened on the second volume, many characters besides Claire, which makes the reader jump between different points of view but also in time, once you get into it, the book becomes very easy and pleasant to read.

It starts where the previous volume left us. Having passed 20 years since Claire left Jamie in Culloden, she discovers that he has survived the battle and decides to go back in time to get to him, her all time lover. However things aren't easy. Much happened to both in the years they were apart, which forces them to discover each other all over again. This was very well done. The author has in her characters her strongest point in the story, since the relationships are nicely created and very credible. The story is also very interesting, it keeps you turning the pages as you follow the main characters embarking on a voyage which will lead them to America, a land of hope and new beginnings.

I also liked how the author picked up characters and other details from the previous volumes, giving to the book a sense of continuity. I also liked how she introduced, in the 18th century, some things from the 20th, like photos. It was very well done and even funny.

I still prefer the first volume, but this one was far more interesting than the second one. I look forward to the next, as I can't stop to think if Claire and Jamie will find they're daughter. It would be interesting to see what would come of such encounter.

Second book read for the "Historical Fiction Reading Challenge".

Book Title: Northanger Abbey
Author: Jane Austen
Genre: romance
Rating: 4/5

Summary (from book cover): Northanger Abbey is Jane Austen's amusing and bitingly satirical pastiche of the 'Gothic' romances popular in her day.

Catherine Morland, an unremarkable tomboy as a child is thrown amongst all the 'difficulties and dangers' of Bath at the ripe of seventeen. Armed with an unworldly charm and a vivid imagination, she must overcome the caprices of elegant society, encountering along the way such characters as the vacuous Mrs Allen, coquettish Isabella and the brash bully John Thorpe. Catherine's invitation to Northanger Abbey, in her eyes a haven of coffins, skeletons and other Gothic devices, does lead to an adventure, though one she didn't expect, and her misjudgement of the ambitious, somewhat villainous General Tilney is not wholly unjustified. However, with the aid of the 'unromantic' hero Henry Tilney, Catherine gradually progresses towards maturity and self-knowledge.

My thoughts: Being one of the lesser known books of the author, I thought it would be of inferior quality than the praised Pride and Prejudice or Emma; however I found it much more agreeable and accessible than these, just like what had happened to Persuasion, which remains my favourite.

Jane Austen presents us a heroine, Catherine Morland, much younger and naïve than others, which made it impossible not to like her and wish her the best, when she confronts the Thorpes as in the end. Also, Catherine has a vivid imagination from reading so many gothic novels, criticized by the author, whose voice is clearly present throughout the book, making every avid reader relate to her. Who never thought how would it be if some castle we visited held secret passages or some other obscured secrets?

Beside the critic to society, mainly marriages by interest, this book gains by showing us the growth of its main character who, by the end of the book, is less naïve and more known of human nature.

It's a little and really very nice book, great for a little escape for daily routine.

First book read for the "Historical Fiction Reading Challenge".

I like to read and of late I've found myself fond of historical fiction so, when I found this challenge today, I wondered why not enter it. Of late, my reading time has been severely cut down to some minutes before I give myself in to the tiresome day and fell asleep, but still I might be able to manage it. The challenge consists in reading 6 historical novels over 6 months, beginning 1st April to 1st October.

So here is my list:
1. Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
2. North and South by John Jakes
3. Love and War by John Jakes
4. The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant
5. In the Company of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant
6. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen.

This list might suffer some changes, as I'm planning on reading all the "Outlander" series but I don't have the books.

Edit 16/June: Daniel Deronda, by George Elliot, and North and South, by Elizabeth Gaskell, were replaced by The Birth of Venus and In the Company of the Courtesan, both by Sarah Dunant.

Edit 30/Sept.: Wasn't able to finish the challenge. Only read 5 of the 6 books.