An Old Old Story: Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice

I'm reposting this because, despite all of my good intentions, I am still trying to figure out my new life, and my schedule. I am going to shoot for starting this in the beginning of April so that I can finish up the books I'm currently reading, finish up the Esther Bible study...and feel a little more caught up with life.

We will begin reading Pride and Prejudice this week. I have never read Pride and Prejudice before as I generally hate British novels. I am really excited to read with you.

Summary
This rich social commentary—Pride and Prejudice—is sometimes considered to be Jane Austen's finest novel*. It is certainly among her more famous ones. Austen sets her entertaining study of manners and misconceptions against the backdrop of a class-conscious society in 18th-century England.

Spirited, intelligent Elizabeth Bennet is alternately enchanted and affronted by Mr. Darcy. She is quick to suspend her usual, more rational judgment when it comes to him. She also is quick to believe the worst gossip about this haughty, opinionated man, who soon manages to alienate Elizabeth and her family. But is the condescending air that Mr. Darcy wars an indication of his real character? Or has Elizabeth's pride gotten in the way of her chance for true romance? (From Norton Critical Editions .)

"... It is perhaps worth emphasizing what may be called the hardness - at least the firmness - of Jane Austen's thought exhibited in all these undeceptions. The great abstract nouns of the classical English Moralists are unblushingly and uncompromisingly used; good sense, courage, contentment, fortitude, 'some duty neglected, some failing indulged', impropriety, indelicacy, generous candor, blamable trust, just humiliation, vanity, folly, ignorance, reason. These are the concepts by which Jane Austen grasps the world. ... All is hard, clear, definable; by some modern standards, even naively so. The hardness is, of course, for oneself, not for one's neighbors. ... Contrasted with the world of modern fiction, Jane Austen's is at once less soft and less cruel. ... It remains to defend what I have been saying against a possible charge. Have I been treating the novels as though I had forgotten that they are, after all, comedies? I trust not. The hard core of morality and even of religion seems to me to be just what makes good comedy possible. 'Principles' or 'seriousness' are essential to Jane Austen's art. Where there is no norm, nothing can be ridiculous, except for a brief moment of unbalanced provincialism in which we may laugh at the merely unfamiliar. Unless there is something about which the author is never ironical, there can be no true irony in the work. 'Total irony' - irony about everything - frustrates itself and becomes insipid. ... If charity is the poetry of conduct and honor the rhetoric of conduct, then Jane Austen's 'principles' might be described as the grammar of conduct. Now grammar is something that anyone can learn; it is also something that everyone must learn. ... She is described by someone in Kipling's worst story as the mother of Henry James. I feel much more sure that she is the daughter of Dr. Johnson: she inherits his common sense, his morality, even much of his style. ..."

C.S. Lewis 
A Note On Jane AustenIn Essays in Criticism (Oct. 1954)

Book Club will begin next week. 

A little orientation for newbies before we begin

A few guidelines while participating in this book club

How to participate in a discussion
1. Watch your language! Try to avoid words like "awful" or "idiotic"—even "like" and "dislike." They don't help move discussions forward and can put others on the defensive. Instead, talk about your experience—how you felt as you read the book.

---

2. Don't be dismissive. If you disagree with someone else, don't refer to her as an ignoramus. Just say, "I'm not sure I see it that way. Here's what I think." Much, much nicer. 

---

3. Support your views. Use specific passages from the book as evidence for your ideas. This is a literary analysis technique called "close reading." (LitCourse 3has a good discussion of close reading.)

---

4. Read with a pencil. Takes notes or mark passages that strike you—as signficant or funny or insightful. Talk about why you marked the passages you did. 

---

5. Use LitLovers for help. Check out our Litlovers Resources above. They'll help you get more out of what your read and help you talk about books with greater ease.

(Discussion tips by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online of off, with attribution. Thanks!)

Also, it will be easier to work through questions and respond to each other if we join My-Bookclub.com 

 Join the club: 'reEducation of the Feminine Soul'.
 www.my-bookclub.com!

See the Club

You can of course still comment on this page but if you join the book club we can be a little more fluid in our conversation. 

I hope to see you there next week with chapters 1 and 2 read and ready for discussion Saturday April 6th!

Chosen Chapters 50 to Conclusion

Flu is gone! Yay! 

We're done With the Book! Yay! Celebrate With a Feast courtesy of Ginger Garrett 

Just on Time for Valentines Day!

Perfect for book clubs or for entertaining friends, this Persian dinner can also create a romantic dinner for two, should you find yourself wooing a king. Menu Flatbread with Cucumber-Dill Dip Herbed Feasting Rice Chicken in Pomegranate Sauce Roasted Lamb Kabobs with Mint Rosewater Cookies The Persian Dinner Recipes: Persian food is a wonderful combination of exotic flavors and easy preparation. You’ll find the flavors are cool and mild with sweet hints of fruit and pleasant herbs. This menu will serve eight. If you wish, you may halve the recipes to create a romantic dinner for two. To recreate the mood of Esther’s feast for Xerxes, be sure to have plenty of candles burning. Sprinkle a few rose petals across the table in remembrance of her beloved rose garden. If possible, set the feast on a low table, and invite your guests to recline comfortably on cushions as they eat. Flatbread Many grocers carry flatbread in the bakery section. If you can’t find a Middle Eastern flatbread to enjoy with your feast, it’s easy to make your own. 1. Simply purchase whole-grain pitas, and cut each one into four triangles by cutting down the middle in an “x” pattern. 2. Next, place pieces on a cookie sheet and roast at 250 degrees for 10 minutes, or until firm. Do not allow these to brown, as they will dry out. 3. You can give them a quick drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle these with garlic or onion powder before roasting if you would like a bolder flavor. But not too much—you wouldn’t want a repeat of Cyrus’s flatbread in the market! Cucumber-Dill Dip This refreshing—and healthy—dip is meant to be eaten with flatbread. You can also enjoy it with your roasted meat and rice. 1 (32 ounce) container plain yogurt 3 cucumbers, peeled and diced into small pieces 1 clove garlic, minced 2 shallots, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped coarsely 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper Directions: 1. In a medium bowl, stir together all the ingredients. For best flavor, make this the night before and refrigerate. Herbed Feasting Rice This rice is a delicious accompaniment for chicken or beef. Use fresh herbs if you can. This rice may be made the day before and reheated before serving. 4 cups uncooked long-grain white rice (may substitute jasmine rice if preferred) 3 tablespoons vegetable oil 1 bunch fresh dill, chopped  1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 2 cups fava beans (may omit if your grocer doesn’t carry them) 1 teaspoon ground turmeric (or to taste) 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or to taste) 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper

Directions: 2. Cook rice according to package directions. 3. Stir in all remaining ingredients. Cover and simmer on lowest heat for 5-10 minutes, or until well heated. If you have crispy rice on the bottom of the pan, this is considered a delicacy and served to the most favored guest. Chicken in Pomegranate Sauce This makes a beautiful presentation right from the pan. Pomegranate molasses can be ordered from your grocer, or is often found in whole foods and specialty stores. Save a few whole walnuts for a garnish. 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 onion, chopped 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, each cut in half lengthwise 1 cup finely ground walnuts 1 (10 fluid ounces) bottle pomegranate molasses Directions: 4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and stir-fry until soft and transparent, then remove them from the skillet. 5. Add chicken breasts, several at a time, and brown them on each side. Set them aside until all 8 have been browned. This will not cook the chicken thoroughly, but will seal in the juices before you cook the chicken again. 6. Place the ground walnuts into skillet. Turn heat down to medium, and cook for 5 minutes, or until they are a rich brown color. 7. Place chicken and onions over walnuts in the skillet. Pour over this the pomegranate molasses. Turn heat down to low, and cover the skillet. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes or so, until chicken is cooked through. Before serving, arrange chicken in a starburst in the pan, and sprinkle a few whole walnuts in the middle and along the sides. Roasted Lamb Kabobs with Mint These kabobs are also delicious made with beef. To make preparation even easier, simply buy pre-made kabobs from your butcher, and prepare using the marinade.

Kabobs: 2 pounds lamb or sirloin, cut into large cubes 1 package cherry tomatoes 1 onion, quartered 1 green pepper, cut into thick wedges Marinade: 1 (8 ounce) container plain low-fat yogurt  1 onion, finely chopped  1 teaspoon dried mint flakes, available with in the spice rack at most grocers (do not use mint extract) Directions: 8. Create kabobs, alternating meat with vegetables. 9. Combine all marinade ingredients and spoon over each kabob. Marinade 6 hours, or overnight. 10. Heat grill to high, then return to medium-high heat. Grill each kabob, turning as needed, until the center cut of meat is grilled to desired degree. Rosewater Cookies Rosewater adds a delicate Persian touch to any pastry or cookie and is the perfect ending to your feast. Rosewater is available from cake and pastry shops, or at specialty and whole foods stores. Orange water may also be substituted for a delicious Persian variation. 1 cup butter 1 cup oil 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup powdered sugar 2 eggs 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons rosewater 11. Cream butter, oil, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar. Add eggs and rosewater and mix gently. 12. Combine flour, cream of tartar, and salt and stir thoroughly, then gently stir into creamed ingredients. 13. Drop in small teaspoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet lined with foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes, but do not allow to overly brown.

Author: Ginger Garrett is a novelist with a passion for exploring the lives of biblical women and understanding how their ancient stories impact our lives today. Ginger also enjoys writing nonfiction for women and teens. Beyond writing, her interests include supporting The For Pete’s Sake Foundation, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds for children with Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome. You can learn more about Ginger’s books, including her newest NavPress novels, by visiting her at her website:

CHOSEN BOOK CLUB CHAPTER 50- Conclusion

A few guidelines while participating in this book club

How to participate in a discussion
1. Watch your language! Try to avoid words like "awful" or "idiotic"—even "like" and "dislike." They don't help move discussions forward and can put others on the defensive. Instead, talk about your experience—how you felt as you read the book.

---

2. Don't be dismissive. If you disagree with someone else, don't refer to her as an ignoramus. Just say, "I'm not sure I see it that way. Here's what I think." Much, much nicer. 

---

3. Support your views. Use specific passages from the book as evidence for your ideas. This is a literary analysis technique called "close reading." (LitCourse 3has a good discussion of close reading.)

---

4. Read with a pencil. Takes notes or mark passages that strike you—as signficant or funny or insightful. Talk about why you marked the passages you did. 

---

5. Use LitLovers for help. Check out our Litlovers Resources above. They'll help you get more out of what your read and help you talk about books with greater ease.

(Discussion tips by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online of off, with attribution. Thanks!)

We'll conduct this discussion in a similar fashion as the bible study. I will post a series of questions. You can use them as a jumping off point for the discussion. Answer any you like, or none at all and come up with your own comments or questions.

At what point do you believe Esther’s feelings for King Xerxes became authentic instead of forced? Do you believe love is a purposed decision or a feeling over which you have no control?

When Esther had to confront King Xerxes with his error and beg for the life of her people, why do you think she chose to feed and dote on him for two nights first? Would you have chosen this strategy?

Have you ever had to confront someone who was much more powerful or influential? What happened? How did you feel?

When Xerxes trusted Haman as an adviser, how did the kingdom suffer? When Xerxes chose Esther and Mordecai as his closest advisers, how did the kingdom prosper? What insight does this give you in picking your closest friends?

In reviewing Esther’s life, what do you think served her better: her faith or her beauty? If you could choose between having great faith or great beauty, which would you choose, and why?

Is the ending satisfying? If so, why? If not, why not...and how would you change it?

Has this novel changed you—broadened your perspective? Have you learned something new or been exposed to different ideas about people or a certain part of the world?

Chosen Chapters 5-15

This, then, is the curse of love: that every moment apart be as slow as the turning of the seasons, and every moment together as fleeting as a dream. pg 38

So I admit I've read ahead of you...I just started getting into it. Sorry! No spoilers though! Did anyone else read ahead? How are you liking the book so far?

Today I thought I'd show you how to make turkish coffee Persian style.  And leave you with  a few questions for discussion. Remember, you can always sign up for the book club on my-bookclub.com.

I didn't make my coffee exactly right. I freaked out when the coffee dropped and thought it was going to burn.

Turkish Coffee Persian Style

Ingredients

Turkish ground coffee: Do this at the Grocery Store

Sugar

Water

1 tablespoon and 2 cups of water per cup. Add sugar to taste

place the coffee sugar and water in a small deep saucepan (DO NOT STIR ANYTHING)

This is Rock Sugar from Teavana

Turn heat on Medium high. Watch the coffee until the grounds sink to the bottom.

Stir the coffee and let the sugar dissolve.

Turn the heat to low and continue stirring until there is a froth in the coffee (DO NOT LET IT BOIL!)

Keep the coffee frothing without boiling. The thicker the creme the better the taste. 

(This is where I freaked out)

So then the froth is suposed to fall and then rise up again a couple of times. Once it's done this once or twice THEN it's supposed to be done.

It's a prety thick coffee.

To accompany your coffee make some

 Persian Butter Cookies

I found this recipe on Food.com. 

1 cup butter
2 egg yolks
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup sugar
1 lemon, rind of, grated
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
Directions:

1
Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg yolks. Make sure you use a rubber spatula to push down the accumulation on the sides.

2
Stir in grated lemon rind. I didn't have a cheese grater so I used a peeler to peel off the rind. Then I used a chopper to chop the rind really fine. The rind is what gives the cookies their color and intense lemon flavor.

3
Add lemon juice and vanilla

4
Add flour.

5
Form into small balls. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and flatten into rounds.

6
Bake at 300°F for 20 minutes or until done.

7
Transfer to wire rack and cool completely.

Read more at: http://www.food.com/recipe/persian-butter-cookies-149689?oc=linkback

Chosen Book Club Chapter 5-15

A few guidelines while participating in this book club

How to participate in a discussion
1. Watch your language! Try to avoid words like "awful" or "idiotic"—even "like" and "dislike." They don't help move discussions forward and can put others on the defensive. Instead, talk about your experience—how you felt as you read the book.

---

2. Don't be dismissive. If you disagree with someone else, don't refer to her as an ignoramus. Just say, "I'm not sure I see it that way. Here's what I think." Much, much nicer. 

---

3. Support your views. Use specific passages from the book as evidence for your ideas. This is a literary analysis technique called "close reading." (LitCourse 3has a good discussion of close reading.)

---

4. Read with a pencil. Takes notes or mark passages that strike you—as signficant or funny or insightful. Talk about why you marked the passages you did. 

---

5. Use LitLovers for help. Check out our Litlovers Resources above. They'll help you get more out of what your read and help you talk about books with greater ease.

(Discussion tips by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online of off, with attribution. Thanks!)

We'll conduct this discussion in a similar fashion as the bible study. I will post a series of questions. You can use them as a jumping off point for the discussion. Answer any you like, or none at all and come up with your own comments or questions.

How are you experiencing the book? Is it a quick read?  How are you feeling as you read it?

Is there anything that is confusing you about the book?

At the end of chapter 5 Esther writes in her diary,

 But I knew now that it was time to leave them and become one with another. I leaned out my window and whispered to them among the stars, “Good night, Mother. Good night, Father. I know it is time to let you go and embrace my new love. I will look for you again on the shores of heaven. Watch over me as I make my way to my destiny

 In this Novel, how old do you get the impression Mordecai is? How would his age affect how you see the relationship between him and Esther?

Why do you think that Mordecai counts his money every night? 

I know now many things, many things I wish to forget. I know now there are monsters, and calm waters can boil with danger at any moment. pg 46

What are some of the monsters and boiling waters that Esther might be talking about? Have you had times when you felt the same way?

What is your favorite quote from this part of the book? Why?

  

Do you think the panther is symbolic of anything? What purpose does it serve?

How do you feel about Cyrus by the end of this section of reading? How do you think Cyrus feels about his father? 

What would you do if you were Esther or Mordecai at the end of Chapter 15?

Esther prays fervently to avoid the selection day in the village. Yet she is taken against her will and despite her prayers. Have you ever prayed about something and received “no” for an answer? In the long run, was this a positive or negative event in your life? Were other people benefited in the process?

I wanted to provide a better format for us to discuss this book. Of course you can discuss it here, but my-bookclub.com seems like a good platform to keep you in the loop.

For next week I would like us to make the goal to read to chapter 40.

 Join the club: 'reEducation of the Feminine Soul'. on www.my-bookclub.com!

See the Club

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther by Ginger Garrett Chapters 1-5

If you are doing this book club with a group of friends, I’m going to try to provide you with some recipes for treats you can serve at your meeting.  I hope you enjoy!!!

Moon cookies

A few guidelines while participating in this book club

How to participate in a discussion

1. Watch your language! Try to avoid words like "awful" or "idiotic"—even "like" and "dislike." They don't help move discussions forward and can put others on the defensive. Instead, talk about your experience—how you felt as you read the book.

---

2. Don't be dismissive. If you disagree with someone else, don't refer to her as an ignoramus. Just say, "I'm not sure I see it that way. Here's what I think." Much, much nicer. 

---

3. Support your views. Use specific passages from the book as evidence for your ideas. This is a literary analysis technique called "close reading." (LitCourse 3has a good discussion of close reading.)

---

4. Read with a pencil. Takes notes or mark passages that strike you—as signficant or funny or insightful. Talk about why you marked the passages you did. 

---

5. Use LitLovers for help. Check out our Litlovers Resources above. They'll help you get more out of what your read and help you talk about books with greater ease.

(Discussion tips by LitLovers. Please feel free to use them, online of off, with attribution. Thanks!)

We'll conduct this discussion in a similar fashion as the bible study. I will post a series of questions. You can use them as a jumping off point for the discussion. Answer any you like, or none at all and come up with your own comments or questions.

How are you experiencing the book? Is it a quick read? Were you brought into the book immediately or did it take you awhile to get into it? How are you feeling as you read it?

Is there anything that is confusing you about the book?

 In this Novel, how old do you get the impression Mordecai is? How would his age affect how you see the relationship between him and Esther?

What is your favorite quote from this first part of the book?

  

I wanted to provide a better format for us to discuss this book. Of course you can discuss it here, but my-bookclub.com seems like a good platform to keep you in the loop.

For next week I would like us to make the goal to read to chapter 15.

 Join the club: 'reEducation of the Feminine Soul'.

Hi there, I thought you might like to join my club on www.my-bookclub.com!

See the Club

Announcing Feminine Soul’s first Book Club!!!

Book Club Launch January 9th

In conjunction with our reading of Esther in our bible studies, we will be reading the novel, Chosen by Ginger Garrett.  

Our goal is to have the first five chapters read by January 9^th.  I encourage you to start your own book gatherings in your area.

To actively join our online book gathering, just click in to this blog every Wednesday and post a comment under the discussion questions posted. Check in as often as you want to engage in discussion.

You can join the Book Club at any time.

Chosen: The Lost Diaries of Queen Esther

"There is only one ransom for a woman's heart, and that is love, given in honor."

Based on the historical account of Queen Esther of Persia, the novel also includes contemporary accounts that support the ancient story. Recognized by the ECPA as being one of the five best novels of 2006, and awarded the Reviewer's Choice Award from Romantic Times Magazine, Chosen continues to be a favorite among Ginger's readers.

Wrenched from a simple life for her beauty, Esther finds herself at the mercy of King Xerxes. Leaving behind her only relative, her cousin Mordecai, and her first true love, Cyrus, she is thrown headlong into the unrestrained extravagance of palace living. Quick of mind and strong in spirit, she refuses to suffer the fate of her harem sisters and boldly challenges Xerxes to give of his heart before taking his pleasure, thus sealing her place beside him as queen. While conspiracy spins its diabolical web, Esther's mind and spirit waver, and she is forced to confront the past in order to save her future—and that of an entire nation.

"This book defies normal boundaries…a truly astonishing first novel."

Best-selling author Davis Bunn

"A story that is sure to be a classic! Exciting, dramatic, and filled with truth. A great read from the first page!"

Best-selling authors of the Zion Covenant Series and the A.D. Chronicles

"An exciting novel from a talented new author."

Karen Kingsbury, best-selling author of the Redemption series

Purchase from Amazon.com

*information from Ginger Garrett’s website