Reading The 1000 Books to Read Before I Die

Pride and Prejudice is a marvel of vivid dialogue, winning characters and lavish settings, but it is by no mean frivolous.   James Mustich P ride and Prejudice Greetings 1000 Bookies!  The next stop on our adventure of the 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die , we actually remain in Regency England and enter the world of Jane Austen—the world of Pride and Prejudice .  This novel is one of the most famous in history.  The characters are some of the most famous and beloved, specifically Elizabeth Bennet and the dashing Mr. Darcy. Having never read any Jane Austen novels, I must say I was thoroughly charmed by the story and the characters.  Any preconceived notions I had were proven unfounded.  The story teaches some valuable lessons about life and love.    The novel was published in 1813, the second of six that Ms. Austen would eventually publish. All six appear in the august list of 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die .  Pride and Pre...

“As for confidence of the Crown.” She exclaims, “God Knows! No Ministers, no friend EVER possessed it of entirely as this truly excellent Lord Melbourne possesses mine.”   Queen Victoria Melbourne by David Cecil Hey 1000 Bookies!! The 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die has all genres of books, not just classic novels by such luminaries as Jane Austin, Charles Dickens, Mark Twain or Leo Tolstoy.   This week I am discussing a biography included on this very august list.   Melbourne is a personal and political biography regarding the life of William Lamb, the 2 nd Viscount Melbourne.   Viscount Melbourne was the two-time Prime Minister of Great Britain.   He served his first time in 1834, and again from 1835 to 1841.   The biography was written by David Cecil, himself the grandson of a British Prime Minister.   Cecil’s grandfather, Lord Salisbury, was a three term Prime Minister and a favorite of Queen Victoria.   Lord Salisbury was Prim...

“If you can imagine a plot that has imbibed too much champagne, you’ll have some idea of the giddy pleasures of this classic 1946 mystery…” James Mustich, The 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die Hi 1000 Bookies, I hope your shelter in place is not getting you down.  If it is, I have a funny comedy/mystery for you to read. This mystery will cheer you up.   Like the slapstick, screw ball comic situations showcased in the novel, so was my progress to reading the book.  Our reading portal brings us to 1938 England at Oxford University, where we again meet Literature Professor and Don, Gervase Fen.  The Moving Toyshop is the third book written in the Gervase Fen Mystery Series.  The first two books, The Case of the Gilded Fly and Holy Disorders were very good reads.  Of the two I enjoyed Holy Disorders more.  However, The Moving Toyshop is the superior book and I understand why it was included on the 1,000 Books to Read Before You Die...