Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Top Ten Unread Books on Jana's Bookshelf



Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This feature was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.



For future Top Ten Tuesday topics through January, can be found right here!

Hi all, Jana here! Again. Are you getting tired of me yet? I've posted three times in a row now! I just love you guys. 

If only I had more hours in the day. If only I had more money in my bank account. If only my only responsibility was to read books. Those three little things would make my to-read list much less ominous and overwhelming. Do you ever sit in front of your collection of books and want to read so many of them all at once that you just give up and do something else? I do. Or… I’ll look at all my books and decide I’m not feeling any of them, and hop on Amazon to buy something new! The following is a list of books I’ve been wanting to read for so long, but other books (or life) has continually gotten in the way.

1. Juliet by Anne Fortier – A great friend of mine on Goodreads posted her love of this book over a year ago. I’d had my eye on it for a while, but it was really expensive so I decided to wait for a few months until I found it cheaper. She loved it so much that she sent it to me! I was ecstatic! Why have I not read it yet? This is the story of modern-day ancestors of Romeo and Juliet, who believe they are victims of a curse that has plagued the families for 600 years, ever since Romeo and Juliet were not allowed to be together. Conspiracy… romance… Romeo and Juliet. I should have read this forever ago.

2. North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell – Two words. Richard Armitage. I’ve been wanting to read this ever since I saw BBC’s mini-series. I’ve heard the book is just as amazing as the show. I wonder if Elizabeth’s Thornton will live up to sexy Richard.

3. Heat Wave by Richard Castle – I absolutely LOVE the TV show Castle. It’s one of my favorites, and I own all of the seasons so far. The main guy in the show, Richard Castle, is a writer who assists the NYPD with their cases so he can gather information for his latest crime fighter book series. This book was written by someone the studio hired to write under the pen name of Richard Castle. Every season, a new book is released. I love that the books he spends the different seasons writing can be purchased! It makes the show seem more real to me. I can only assume this is as wonderful as the show, and book 3 was just released! I have to get moving on this!

4. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Ok, shoot me. I know, I know. I claim that Austenland is one of my favorite books, yet I have never read the INSPIRATION for it. I even bought the sexy Barnes and Noble leatherbound classic! I feel like I have sinned for not reading this yet.

5. Beauty by Robin McKinley – Magical. I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, and I feel bad that I read Alex Flinn’s (Beastly) first. This has been collecting dust on my shelf for years, and I don’t know why.

6. Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier – Gah. Not only does this book sound amazing, and have a reputation of being pure awesomeness, but it’s a historical romance/mystery! MY FAVORITE.

7. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder – Ok, I read Poison Study forever ago and I swear I have forgotten the entire thing. I don’t even know the main girl’s name now. I should have read this sooner, because now I’m going to be really confused. This might never get read.

8. The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig – I’ve been hearing great things about this series for years now. Again, historical romance/mystery. MY FAVORITE!

9. Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares – Christmas and New York are my two favorite things. If you put them together, I’m basking in celestial glory. Why have I NOT read this romance that takes place in NYC at Christmastime? Ugh!

10. The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux – Other than the Beach Boys, this story provided some of the most beloved music of my childhood. I remember dancing to this in my living room as a wee thing. Why have I not read the book that inspired Andrew Lloyd Webber to be a genius and create one of the best soundtracks I’ve ever tuned my ears to? I love this show! 


So, what books are really desirable to you, yet you haven't picked them up yet? Do they intimidate you? Do you have too many other book-reading commitments that you have no time to read what you really, really want to read? Are they out of print, so you're attempting to find a used copy in some second-hand store? Link up your lists and share these awesome titles!




75 comments:

  1. What?! You need to stop what you're doing and read Pride & Prejudice. One of my favorites EVER!

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  2. You have some awesome books on your list! Aaaah I don't feel so bad about having Jane Eyre on mine now that I've seen you have P&P, lol. Rebecca and The Secret History of the Pink Carnation are both great! And I bought Poison Study not so long ago but it'll probably sit on my shelves for a long time.

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  3. Beauty and Rebecca are amazing books. I highly recommend them.

    I plan on reading Dash and Lily's Book of Dares in December (I'll be checking it out from the library since I don't have my own copy). You should join me! Now's the perfect time to read it. :)

    -Kayla

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  4. I've done the 'buy a book because I'm not in the mood for any of my other ones' thing before. It's too easy to do and too easy to be swayed by what we feel when it comes to choosing books to read.

    I definitely recommend Dash & Lily's. It's a very sweet, cute, and funny little book that I think all book/word loving nerds can appreciate.

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  5. Haha. Anna, I KNOW! I really do need to start that ASAP. I've got it on my list for the GR College Students winter challenge. I WILL read it. :)

    1girl2manybooks, I forgot to put Jane Eyre on there! Gah.

    Kayla, Dash and Lily is also on my December reading list! I'll definitely be joining you as soon as Turkey Day is over. :)

    Bonnie, I am SO excited! I'm definitely a book nerd.

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  6. You have some great books on here you should definitely read! I LOVED North and South. And also - You should read Dash & Lily to get into the Christmas spirit =)

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  7. Rebecca! I know! It took mr forever to finally get to that one too. It is indeed awesome.

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  8. Writing this made me realize just how many more books I have on my shelf gathering dust! It is very easy to get swept up in the new & buzzed about releases- especially as a reviewer/blogger.

    P.S. Read P&P, it really is wonderful :)

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  9. Beauty is an absolutely fabulous telling of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed it and I hope that you do, too, when you get the chance to read it.

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  10. I love books that are based on Pride & Prejudice, but I've only ever read half of the original. So I'm with you on that one! Dash & Lily's Book of Dares was a really cute read, and it's a good read for Christmas :0)

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  11. I've read The Phantom of the Opera, and I had to concentrate on it because the language is much different, but I still loved it. The musical is fantastic and started my Phantom obsession.

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  12. Heat Wave is almost like watching an episode of the show. I'm almost in the same boat- I read Heat Wave last summer, and have the other two on my shelf.

    I loved both the miniseries and novel North and South. There's a little difference, but I still love both

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  13. You should read P&P! I'm actually your opposite; I read P&P years ago but not Austenland. That one is still on my shelves--I was a little iffy on what I'd read upon first attempting it. Now, though, it's being made into a movie with some actors and actresses I love, so I'll have to try again!

    I'm in the same boat with N&S and Dash and Lily--both are on my list for winter break, when I finally have time! Especially Dash and Lily; I was a fan of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist practically from the day it came out, and I can't wait to read that and the other collaboration Rachel Cohn and David Levithan did.

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  14. Sarah, I'd heard Heat Wave is SO much like the show. I'm kind of excited!

    Traci, I am SO excited for the movie! I just read Midnight in Austenland, the sequel... and it was great!

    Nick and Norah is on my winter reading challenge list. I'm trying to find it cheap somewhere! SO excited for Dash and Lily. :)

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  15. When I bought Pride and Prejudice, I immediately read it luckily but I have to admit that it's my one and only Austen book. I have yet to read her other books which I am trying so hard to get the mood and start reading! I am not a big fan of classics but I do enjoy them! :)

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  16. I want to read magic study! I hope you get around to your reads but if not, dont feel bad. We all have a hugh TBR shelf!

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  17. Thanks for not making me feel guilty for hoarding unread books in my house. Now I know that many out there are just like me.:)

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  18. We all have unread books in our homes because if you own a little library, it's almost impossible to read everything.
    For example I have many books that I don't like....should I throw them away or let them unread?

    Now I found the best method to fix this problem: a friend suggested me all you can books, a e books site with quality books. When I download one I am careful to choose it right and off course I finish reading it.

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  19. I don't think I have any of those books on my list waiting to be read, but I have already read a couple. Though Dash and Lily's Book of Dares sounds like one I might want to add.

    Quite an interesting list! Thanks for sharing.

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  20. This topic was right up my alley. There just aren't enough hours in the day. I want to read everything, but that's just not possible.

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  21. I love the topic this week!

    Though it didn't make my list I've had beauty sitting on my shelf for a while now to. I do hope you get to read magic study, it's a brilliant series!

    Here's my list

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  22. i've been meaning to read North and South too after I saw a preview for the miniseries! looks awesome! i'm saving to watch it after i've read it though.

    great list! some goals for 2012!

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  23. That feeling you describe of looking at the books on your shelf and wishing you could read them all at once...that is so me, I do that daily. I'm actually really glad for the list this week; my resolution is that my Top Ten list will be the first 10 books I read next year. No excuses.

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  24. Heat Wave is a good read. Not as good as the show. And it starts slow, because you have to figure out who is who. Castle is now Rook. Seriously? But they at least get together in the books ;)

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  25. I still haven't gotten to Rebecca yet either!

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  26. You have so many of my favourite books on that list! Pride and Prejudice, Rebecca and the Secert History of the Pink Carnation are all amazing books - I just read the third Pink Carnation book last week and it's every bit as good :)

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  27. Great list! Rebecca is an awesome book!

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  28. Hey, great list!
    I'm new at this feature and I like it very much! Thanks for hosting! :)

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  29. I read North and South last year, because I enjoyed the BBC / Richard Armitage version so much; and I loved the book even more. As mentioned earlier, there are some differences but the social message came across so much better in the book. My review of the book is here.

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  30. Goodness... what a great list this week! Beauty is such a fast read, it flows. I bought the British cover 'cause sometimes a new cover does the trick!! :-) McKinley also wrote Rose Daughter, a second retelling of Beauty & the Beast - it's grittier and not so "dancing thru the rose petals - happy" as Beauty. But Beastly was not of the same caliber at all, I don't think. Happy Petals = Beauty, Thorns = Rose Daughter. :-) This is one list I have to check out all the blogs to... goodness!!

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  31. Oh you so need to read some of these!

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  32. Thornton is even sexier in Gaskell's version!!! Enjoy!

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  33. You're far braver than I. Pride and Prejudice should have probably been on mine, along with all of the other Austen's but I didn't want the mob to come after me with the pitchforks and torches. It's bad enough I put the last Harry Potter down. :o

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  34. Ironically, I had to read Pride and Prejudice for British Literature in college. lol And double irony, I'm currently reading Dash and Lily's Book of Dares! It's one of my shorter and (hopefully) lighter in tone books, which is why I'm reading it now. :) Too many heavy books can be problematic in the reading inspiration area. And while it's not my favorite of the Study trilogy, you must read Magic Study in order to see the results of Yelena's story in Fire Study! Thank you for stopping by my blog, Jana, it's always good to see meme hosts there! :D

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  35. I absolutely loved North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell and Rebecca by Daphne duMaurier. I hope you'll read them soon ;)

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  36. The Gaskell book is on my list for this year. Since I put it down for a challenge, it will get read! (that's a directive to myself)

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  37. I can't shoot your for not reading P&P yet because I haven't read it yet either. Maybe we should read it together, lol.

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  38. I just checked out Juliet from the library. I'm excited to read it. I just hope I have time to squeeze it in before it's due back. Story of my life. :-)

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  39. i love richard armitage, too! now i have to put north and south on my list. i have a friend who LOVES rebecca and i keep saying i'll read it but haven't yet.

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  40. So in reading your list I was reminded of lots of other books that should have been on *my* list. Rebecca is a killer. I've owned a copy since high school. MY SISTER has read it (she's not a reader). But I also have to implore you to hop on the Pink Carnation bandwagon ASAP. Those books are fantastically delicious!

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  41. I only got around to reading Pride & Prejudice last year, but I ended up loving it more than I thought I would. You should read it! :)

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  42. I have Pride and Prejudice on my shelves, too ... I just can't seem to read a lot of the classics, though I can't stop buying them, either. I think Magic Study is the last in the Study trilogy? If it is, I didn't even finish it. I loved the first book in the series, but felt like the whole thing started to fall apart halfway through the second book.

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  43. You will love Phantom of the Opera--so much more to the story than the movie even hinted at. I had no idea there were books that went with Castle--I'm going to check that out :) kaye—the road goes ever ever on

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  44. 1st week doing this meme :) I am scared to look at my TBR. I call it my "Always growing, never shrinking TBR"
    I have heard so much about P&P & I have yet to read it.
    I really want to get back to the basics or in this case classics. I read a ton of really fun YA books but have forgotten about the classics that are getting dusty on my shelf :(

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  45. I should really read the classics you listed & dash and Lilys book of dares.

    Most of the books I have had sitting for ages mostly don't appeal to me but a lot are still down to too many books and a matter of time!

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  46. I've actually read some of these! I only read (or rather listened to) Pride and Prejudice a couple of years ago and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I also recommend The Phantom of the Opera. I have mixed feelings about Beauty by Robin McKinley, it was magical and the writing is good but there's no twist to get around the Stockholm syndrome issue, which is a big problem for me.

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  47. This is a great list!! North and South is AMAZING and very much like the BBC movie...and Gaskell's Thornton is AMAZING!! :D

    Pride and Prejudice is definitely a good book - not a favorite, but good.

    I just finished Rebecca and was SHOCKED by its pure awesomeness. Read it soon!! :D

    As for The Phantom of the Opera...meh. A DNF for me. If you liked the movie and soundtrack, prepare for something nothing like them. But that's just a personal opinion. I know people who love both the movie and book, no matter how different. I just thought it was boring. :/

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  48. I had a great time writing this post.It was my first Top Ten Tuesday. Plus it was a good way to keep the momentum going on my blog while I try to get through another book! I'll be participating more often.

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  49. Great topic! I've got at least 40 unread books on my shelves and couldn't decide which ones I wanted to include in my post. I just closed my eyes and picked a few. This makes me realise that I need to shop less and read more.

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  50. I want to read Phantom of the Opera! I love the musical!

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  51. I've got Pride and Prejudice, Rebecca and The Phantom of the Opera on my shelves as well...so many book, so little time :(

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  52. Awesome awesome topic. I haven't read a bunch of the books on your list but I do love Pride & Prejudice. In fact, I loved it then I hated it and then I loved it again. Jane Austen is kind of awesome (have you read Jane Austen Book Club or seen that movie? It's one of my guilty pleasures.) I also want to read Book of Dares. In my little Moleskin book, waiting to be read. :)

    Loved participating today! :)

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  53. I loved "Beauty" and "The Secret History of the Pink Carnation"! "Rebecca" is on my Top Ten list as well.

    New follower!

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  54. I have Pride and Prejudice on my list too...I'm glad I'm not the only one! :)

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  55. Don't worry about not reading P&P, I haven't read a bunch of classics either. New books always get in the way, don't they? We need to have a publishing hiatus so we can all catch up on classics!

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  56. Rebecca is a really mysterious and beautiful novel!

    And please stop whatever you are reading now and go read Pride and Predjudice! It's amazing. I've only read it once but it made a huge impression on me. :)

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  57. Once again, I had an impossible time choosing just ten. I think I need to start working on reading what I own rather than buying new books next year...

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  58. Rebecca is one of my absolute favorites! It sets the bar for it's genre and to this day still gives me chills.

    With my TBR least a million miles long, I don't think 100 books would have been enough for all those dusty tomes I have laying around.

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  59. Dude, seriously? Drop everything you are doing and read every book on this list. Starting with Pride and Prejudice. Do it! Right now! :p

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  60. You have some great books on your list! I am guilty of buying more books than I can read and therefore many amazing titles remain unread on my shelves. It is truly sad.

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  61. Oh my goodness, you haven't read Rebecca?! That's an absolute favorite of mine, one that will stay on my shelves for to the end of time. That and Pride & Prejudice.

    Magic Study (and Poison Study for that matter) and Phantom are now on my to-read list... once I get through this to-read list I just wrote for the meme!

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  62. Juliet is also sitting on my bookshelf, waiting patiently! I really liked Rebecca and The Secret History of the Pink Carnation (I still have to read the rest of the series). And of course you need to get on Pride and Prejudice. You've got some great books on this list! Hopefully you can find some time to read them soon :)

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  63. I love the Pink Carnation books. I have read all eight of the books. You should bump this one up!!

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  64. I'm itching to read Heat Wave. I love the show!

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  65. OMG YOU NEED TO READ BEAUTY BY ROBIN MCKINLEY!! It is my favorite book of all time. I must have read it 100 times. Do you not have a copy? Cuz I'll send you one. You must have it!!

    Lindsey from Babiesbooksandsigns.com

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  66. Can't believe that you haven't read P&P! It is such a funny book!

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  67. Like so many others, I'm really surprised that you haven't read Pride & Prejudice. I couldn't NOT read it after watching the BBC/A&E miniseries for the first time however many years ago, and I've reread it many times since. It'd make a great "curl up and read with tea" book for the winter.

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  68. Dash & Lily! How could I have forgotten? I really need to read that book, but I'm waiting for Christmas season. :)

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  69. Wow, that seems like really great books! I've always loved the story of Beauty and the Beast but I've never actually read any of it! Guess I should add another book to my endless TBR list! :D

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  70. I haven't read any of the books on your list, not even Pride and Prejudice (which I'm kind of embarrassed about).

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  71. Such a challenging list! Especially when all my books are so far away from me at home!

    http://bellsbeautifulbooks.blogspot.com/2011/11/top-ten-tuesday-books-left-unread-for.html

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  72. um..yeah. Pride and Prejudice is a must. I just barely read it this year(after it had been on my TBR shelf for forever!) and it was great. :) I probably would have loved it even more if it weren't for the fact that I knew the story pretty much by heart because of the number of times that I've seen the 6 hour Colin Firth miniseries. Both are fabulous though. :)
    I also would really like to read Beauty, North & South, and The Phantom of the Opera. Among like a billion others. ;P

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  73. Love this TTT!! Happy Thanksgiving! :)

    -Meredith

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