What is it about cats and books? Why do cats love books so much? Are they really the most comfortable beds around? Or are the cats actually reading on the sly?

Or do cats perhaps grow jealous of the attention we pay our books, and conspire to stop us from reading them? (Or, in a related theory, do they see where our attention is focused, and opt to lie there?)

Why do I ask? Well, after Lois won the biography of the Prince Regent here a couple weeks ago, she found she had to share the book with her cat — as you can see in the above picture!

Very cute cat. I love cats. And books.

Hmm… Is there a link somewhere here?

Is it possible that we’re dealing with more than just the love cats have for books?

Might it be possible that book people tend to be cat people? (Or is that a lie perpetuated by cat-lovers to bolster their own egos?)

What do you think? Are you a cat person? do you think readers tend to be cat people? If so, why? Or are all those cats in bookstores merely a coincidence, or evidence of yet another cat conspiracy?

And what’s your theory about why cats love to lie on books???

All opinions welcome!

Cara
Cara King — author of MY LADY GAMESTER, in which there is a brief mention of a kitten, but sadly little else in the feline line

I recently heard there’s a new version of PERSUASION in the works! It’s a TV version currently planned for sometime in 2007, directed by Adrian Shergold. I found this information at IMDB and of course anything might change, but it looks intriguing so far.

The role of Anne Elliott will be played by Sally Hawkins. Here’s a picture of her playing the character of Sue Trinder in Fingersmith, a BBC series set in Victorian London.

Rupert Penry-Jones is cast as Captain Wentworth. Here’s a shot of him as Adam Carter in Spooks. He’s also played St. John Rivers in a production of Jane Eyre.

I don’t know much more about these actors. I’m not sure which of their past works have made it across the pond and I’m way behind in TV and films anyway. Does anyone know more about them?

It’s hard to imagine anything to top the beautifully done 1995 version starring Ciaran Hinds and Amanda Root. But then I felt that way about the 1995 version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE and still enjoyed the very different interpretation of the story by Matthew McFadyen and Keira Knightly. I’m definitely open to a new version, which could be particularly interesting if it’s not under the time constraints of the 1995 version.

While I was googling around (it’s an addiction I try to fight-usually!) I also ran across this 1971 version, a 5-part miniseries starring Ann Firbank and Bryan Marshall. Has anyone seen this and what did you think? Am I wrong in thinking the guy’s hair looks a tad Victorian?

Anyway, if anyone knows more about the 2007 production, please share!

Elena
LADY DEARING’S MASQUERADE, RT Reviewers’ Choice, Best Regency Romance of 2005
www.elenagreene.com

When I encounter a friend or relative who sneers at romance — or maybe just doesn’t read it — I don’t ignore the matter. I try to challenge their assumptions, and open their minds. I point out that Jane Austen, Dickens, Shakespeare and the Brontes wrote romances. I point out that the most-mocked literary subgenre is also the one that is most female — that often provokes some interesting discussion.

And if the skeptics I’m talking to are readers, and willing, I give them a few specially-chosen romances to read that I think they’ll like.

What do I choose? Romances that I think are really good, for starters — but also romances that I think will particularly appeal to non-romance readers. Maybe they have some particularly interesting history in them. Or great humor. Or interesting characters.

In the past, particular books I’ve had luck “converting” people with include:

Georgette Heyer — FRIDAY’S CHILD, VENETIA, FARO’S DAUGHTER, THE UNKNOWN AJAX

Joan Smith — SWEET AND TWENTY, IMPRUDENT LADY

Sheila Simonson — LADY ELIZABETH’S COMET

Jennifer Crusie — STRANGE BEDPERSONS, WHAT THE LADY WANTS, WELCOME TO TEMPTATION

So, what conversion books have you tried? Which have worked best?

Or do you just ignore ignorant remarks, and go off and read what you want?

Cara
Cara King — author of MY LADY GAMESTER, winner of the Booksellers’ Best Award for Best Regency of 2005

It’s Day 3 of our Pride & Prejudice contest. After yesterday’s eye-candy I hope this post isn’t a disappointment!

Since we’ve talked about heroines and heroes, I’ve decided to talk about villains.

Years ago, I read about a scholarly debate as to who is the villain of P&P. Is it Wickham, Mrs. Bennet, Mr. Bennet, Lydia, Mr. Collins, Miss Bingley or Lady Catherine De Bourgh? I laughed, because I doubt Jane plotted her story around any literary concept of protagonist/antagonist. She was writing about people. More specifically, about families.

You have Elizabeth and Jane—two perfectly lovely sisters with a most Embarrassing Family. Mrs. Bennet–the archetypal foolish, matchmaking mamma. Mr. Bennet, the witty but lax father. Younger sisters including poor, pedantic Mary and the terminally featherheaded Kitty and Lydia.

This mix doesn’t surprise me. As the eldest of 4 (and the only girl) I know that the oldest siblings often turn out more responsible than the rest.

Then let’s not forget the other relative, the painfully pompous Mr. Collins who pays court to Elizabeth once he’s told Jane is taken.

My favorite Embarrassing Family moment from P&P is the Netherfield ball. Poor Elizabeth! Not only does she not see Wickham there, but Mr. Collins makes a fool of himself trying to seek Darcy’s favor. Her mother openly boasts that Jane will marry Mr. Bingley. Her younger sisters behave like hoydens, except for Mary, who shows off at the piano until her father admonishes her, perhaps a bit too glibly “You have delighted us all enough.”

(That last incident reminds me of my once-little brother, who liked to come to the door to entertain my dates with solos on his recorder. One of my own Embarrassing Family moments.)

But Darcy himself isn’t immune to the Curse of the Embarrassing Family. He’s got the stiff, censorious Lady Catherine De Bourgh trying to match him up with her “sickly and cross” daughter. His little sister Georgiana, though sweet and inoffensive in herself, has a potentially embarrassing secret in her past.

Even Wickham is related in a sense; he’s Darcy’s father’s godson. He and Lydia nearly ruin things for Elizabeth and Darcy.

Then in the secondary romance of the story, you have poor Mr. Bingley, a darling of a young man with two poisonous sisters, one of them with the hots for Darcy, or possibly, for Darcy’s ten thousand a year.

I was relieved Jane and Lizzie got the happy ending they deserved…far away from their relations!

“Mr. Bingley and Jane remained at Netherfield only a twelvemonth. So near a vicinity to her mother and Meryton relations was not desirable even to his easy temper, or her affectionate heart. The darling wish of his sisters was then gratified: he bought an estate in a neighbouring county to Derbyshire; and Jane and Elizabeth, in addition to every other source of happiness, were within thirty miles of each other.”

If you’re interested in what happened to the rest of the characters, check out Chapter 61 at the Pemberley website.

So who’s the P&P villain you most love to hate? Who do you think played the role best?

What is your favorite Embarrassing Family moment in P&P?

Any other favorite Embarrassing Family moments (real or fictional) you dare to share?

Answer any or all of these questions for a chance at one of TWO 10th Anniversary Collector’s Editions of A&E’s Pride and Prejudice. If you haven’t already, check out the contest rules and learn more about the prizes at the A&E store. Comment on each of this week’s posts for more chances to win!

Elena Greene
LADY DEARING’S MASQUERADE, RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Best Regency Romance of 2005
www.elenagreene.com