Read
The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare (physical and audiobook)
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I have a system for reading Shakespeare: If I’m unfamiliar with a play I read a “children’s version” first. Charles and Mary Lamb’s “Tales from Shakespeare”, Edith Nesbit’s “Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare”, and David Timson’s “Stories from Shakespeare” are great resources. Reading a simplified version helps me understand the plot, and creates a structure on which I can mentally hang the poetry.
Next, I download an audio recording of a full cast performance of the play (unabridged, if at all possible). I prefer L. A. Theatre Works and Arkangel recordings.
I listen to the recording while reading along in the text. This helps tremendously to keep me focused. Shakespeare is meant to be seen and heard.
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Can we talk about how gorgeous this Wordsworth Classics cover is?! The bear (indicative of the most famous stage direction in history), two crowns, baby princess, shepherd’s crooks, broken hearts, and flowers are all elements from the play. Hilariously, my daughter asked me if the bear ate the baby!
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Overall, I found the plot over-the-top, and thought both Leontes and Hermione were difficult to relate to. Paulina was easily my favorite character, as she was surprisingly modern. Mamillius deserves the most pity.
Prose and Cons by Amanda Flower (audiobook / library)
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Another convoluted, over the top mystery, with Violet being dimmer than last time. This series, like many Cozies, is all about the characters – Grandma Daisy and Chief Rainwater are my favorites.
Dogsledding and Extreme Sports by Mary Pope Osborne (physical / library / with kids)
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
The history of dogsledding is interesting, but I didn’t enjoy reading about other extreme sports.
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne (audiobook / library / with kids)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
OMG, I’d forgotten how hilarious this book is! Eeyore is so passive aggressive (which is funny since it’s not directed at me). The narrator does these weird little pig snorts for Piglet, and I swear they sound like farts. Somehow neither that, nor the excess of music between chapters and “discs”, detracted from our enjoyment – we were all literally falling out of our chairs with laughter.
With Vics You Get Eggroll by Diane Vallere (audiobook / library)
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Once again, the mystery was all over the place, but the characters are fun. I’m thrilled that Madison made a decision about her love life instead of dithering around for 20 books. I hope it sticks
Challenges
GOODREADS
115 of 260
AGATHA CHRISTIE READ ALONGS
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#shakeit2017
The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare
CLASSICS CHALLENGE
The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare
BACKLIST READER CHALLENGE 2017
None
POPSUGAR READING CHALLENGE 2017
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A BIBLIOPHILE'S STYLE 
I’ve been wondering about Prose and Cons. I love Amanda Flower’s Appleseed Creek mysteries, but wasn’t too sure about the paranormal aspect of Prose and Cons. I read more for the characters than any mystery, so sounds like I’d enjoy it.
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The paranormal aspect is very benign – basically the bookstore makes just the right book appear wherever the customer is – “How did this Abraham Lincoln biography end up in Home Improvement? It’ll be perfect for my father-in-law!”
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Thanks, Selah. That’s what I thought it sounded like from your review. I’ll give it a try. First I want to try her Living History Museum series. Maybe by the time I finish that my library will have the book before Prose and Cons.
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