July 27, 2009

Shakespeare - To Read or Not to Read

Recently my hubby and I have been playing a fun game at a friend's house called Shakespeare The Bard Game. It is really fun, but also time consuming. Fun features of the game include trivia questions about Shakespeare and his plays, and performance cards that have excerpts from the plays to perform for the group. While this game doesn't require a vast knowledge of Shakespeare to win, it sure has peaked my interest in reading more of Shakespeare's works.

Now I have a teeny tiny confession to make. I took two Shakespeare courses as part of my Bachelor's degree, and I totally bluffed my way through them. I don't exactly remember every play we were required to read, but I recall more than one that I didn't finish. Oops, my only excuse is I had the complex of not wanting to read something I was being forced to read. Has that happened to anyone else, and if so what books?

Here is a list of Shakespeare plays I've read starting with my favorites:

  1. Twelfth Night, or What You Will (comedy) My absolute favorite, and love the movie version. Favorite character: Viola
  2. Much Ado About Nothing (comedy) I love this one, and love the movie version. Favorite character: Benedick
  3. King Lear (tragedy) Favorite character: Cordelia
  4. A Midsummer Night's Dream (comedy) Favorite character: Bottom
  5. Romeo and Juliet (tragedy) Favorite character: Juliet
  6. MacBeth (tragedy) Favorite character: Lady MacBeth
  7. The Merchant of Venice (comedy) I can't remember much of this one, which leads me to believe I never finished it. Oops.
  8. Othello (tragedy) I never finished this one, but watched the movie version.
  9. Hamlet (tragedy) I didn't finish this either, but want to watch the Mel Gibson movie version.
  10. The Tempest (romance) I may have read snippets from this one.
So I guess I can only say I've read 6. It's time to brush up on my Shakespeare. What is your favorite Shakespeare play? For a reading challenge go to the Biblioshakespeare blog.

July 23, 2009

Harry Potter Reading Challenge

Hi everyone. I am so excited to tell you that I just joined a Harry Potter Reading Challenge! It starts August 1, 2009 and ends July 31, 2010. How do you like that? A whole year to read Potter! Not only that there are prizes involved. Just head on over to Galleysmith for the details and to sign up on Mr. Linky. I'll have a button up soon too, so you can always click the link on that.

Also, I am still accepting submissions for my Harry Potter 6 Haiku Challenge. Come on people, if you read books, you are creative enough to write a haiku. Let's see some haiku!!

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July 16, 2009

My Entry for HP6 Challenge

Mean hairy pincers
With exception of venom -
Farewell Aragog


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July 15, 2009

HP6 Entry #1

Not to spoil it, but
Dumbledore dies.
Bad bad Snape.

Submitted by Kitty Fischer



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July 14, 2009

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Haiku Challenge

I thought I would do a Haiku Challenge in honor of the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince Movie that comes out today. I have been anxiously awaiting this movie along with many others. So I suggest, for those who want to participate, go see the movie, and write a haiku inspired from the movie (or book if you want). I will write one too. I have my tickets to see the movie tomorrow night. Yay!

The haiku format I use is 1st line 5 syllables, 2nd line 7 syllables, and 3rd line 5 syllables. Other than that I don't usually stick to any particular haiku guidelines. Just have fun with it people. Oh yeah, and send your submissions to haikuamy@gmail.com and I will just post them as they come. Remember, this isn't a contest, I don't have any prizes; it's just for fun so have fun y'all!

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July 8, 2009

We have a Gopher

Atop summer's lawn
Scattered piles- freshly dug earth
Pesky culprit hides


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July 2, 2009

Every rose has it's thorns

Razor sharp thorns prick
Tasting blood from my finger
All beauty has pain


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