CraftLit - Serialized Classic Literature for Busy Book Lovers

Welcome to a world of corsets, courtship, and sparkling wit! For our very first book, we're diving into the delightful universe of Jane Austen's timeless masterpiece – Pride and Prejudice! We'll be exploring Regency-era England, where matchmaking mamas rule the social scene, and a well-timed ballroom dance can change your fate. And speaking of balls, I promise we'll have our own virtual ball – no worries, no dance skills required! So, buckle up, because it's time to venture into the world of grand estates, romantic misadventures, and a whole lot of delightful drama. Whether you're a die-hard Austen fan or a first-time reader, get ready to fall head over heels for Pride and Prejudice all over again!

Brace yourselves, for this hair-raising journey that will take us to the most haunted corners of a dimly-lit mansion, an isolated countryside estate, a handful of creepy kids, and of course, the classic English fog creeping through the pages. Trust me, it's going to be a literary rollercoaster ride you won't want to miss! So, get ready for goosebumps, laughs, and a deep appreciation for The Turn of the Screw of hauntings and hidden secrets!

Having finished with Henry James, I thought we needed a REAL woman to freshen our pallette.... Not so much Doris. Don't know if you've watched (NOT for sensitive ears!), but it at least started out as far as I can tell. My son and I got to see Wild Bill and Jane's graves when we drove through there in early August. We ate where Bill was killed by Jack McCall--which sounds more morbid than it is...he was killed in the poker room of a saloon. They stage reenactments of his murder every night, I think. Jane was quite something. CHEERS! And here in the "costume" of her sex. I'm sorry it's a guy reading the autobiography, but it's still amazing to hear her own words. She was one tough cookie. And while she has the reputation for being, um...not the most attractive woman of her time, I think she was actually a rather handsome woman--far less...weathered than I would have imagined for one of Custer's scouts. And then a little Bret Harte For some more local color and American Realism. Let's bring ourselves back from the mannered Victorian brink into a little good old American...Puritanism? Victorianism? Ah... When everyone knew their place... And then some really cool links sent by really cool listeners like Spider_Knit who sent me the and Dawn who sent the and ! Whoo hoo! WARNING: Some of you were good enough to let me know pronto that there was a problem with the file. I fixed the glitch in the audio file and replaced it, but not before some podcatchers downloaded it. Sorry about that. If you re-download you should be fine. Many apologies!

! America! "oooooooh beautiful, for spacious skies..." (I can't think of that without hearing Fozzy Bear say "patriotism swells in the heart of the American Bear!" as he does after singing that song on The Muppet Movie soundtrack.) --boy do I love him--who is an appropriate precursor to our next novellist (I think). Teresa in Scotland (Go Clan MacPhearson!) wanted me to pass on these links to you: first, two mosquito attacking . She recommends a product rather than a soap or shampoo...especially for people like me who are Mosquito Magnets. And second, a new . Mmmmmmm...extruded protein! Love it!

A shout out to SyrenMuse who sent me the link to the ! Who knew! ABC was such a punk when I asked them nicely if they'd be releasing it. I had no idea they listened to me! Maybe your library will have it... This week we end with our American Regional writers, , though we won't be listening to her best-known book, The Country of the Pointed Firs. Instead we'll hear her short story, "The White Heron" written in 1886-ish. And thanks too, to WingLake who sent this , and this that I've signed up for! I think I'll be leaving some wrist warmers and water colors at undisclosed locations around the Old Pueblo. You? ...it's never too early to make a date with fiber. And it's never too late to (not to mention cash...which you can then spend on fiber...). Next week we'll start our new novel (drum roll...how appropriate!) A Tale of Two Cities. With apologies to Mr. Piccone (my freshman year English teacher). A (and amazing celtic knot weaving pattern to boot!), (can you ever really have too many?), a , and a reminder to read (hey Janel!)

Buckle up your metaphorical horse-drawn carriages because we are diving headfirst into Charles Dickens' masterpiece: A Tale of Two Cities! So, get ready for a rollercoaster of emotions, fascinating insights, and a good ol' dose of Dickensian charm! The best part? You don't even need a passport, just a love for literature and a sprinkle of curiosity!

Our humble podcast has been graced by the Editor-in-Chief of SoHo Publishing's magazine  (SoHo also does and ). Aside from being awful fun to talk to, Adina is a knitter, crocheter, painter, sketcher, purveyor of fine books (new ones!), and--my fave--a Nationally Ranked Scrabble Champ. Really! How cool is that!?! We might get a chance to talk to her again later this year. I'll keep you posted. So, kick back, enjoy a peek into the secret world of Knitting Mag creation, then go get yourself a copy of Knit.1's new Green Issue. Chock full-a good stuff. And for those who are non-knitters (I know you're out there!) you may want to take a look at the instructions at the back of the magazine. They're so clear, it may convince you to pick up some pointy sticks. Me? I'm off to weave for a bit. No, really!

—NOT FOR LITTLE EARS— The Long Awaited (and heavily edited to remove the worst of my guffaws---yes, that's how much fun they are) , authors of Some of the books they recommended: Scott Spencer's and , Russell Banks' , and Tom and Dan's (Oh go buy a copy. Make them feel better.) And don't forget to stock up on . And, as a goofy bonus: the (according to other people, not me).

Join us as we dive headfirst into the enchanting world of knights, love potions, and medieval mischief! That's right, we're setting sail on the high seas of romance as we explore the legendary story of Tristan and Isolde! If you're in the mood for a gripping saga with passion, intrigue, and a sprinkle of fairy dust, join us on this literary journey as we unpack the epic romance of Tristan and Isolde. We'll laugh, we'll cry, and we might just learn a thing or two about love along the way.

Join us as we journey through graveyards as we unravel the stitches that hold Mary Shelley's classic tale together, literature's most infamous creation: Frankenstein! Prepare to be thrilled as we explore the hauntingly beautiful Alpine landscapes that set the stage for this epic tale. And let's not forget the spine-tingling moral dilemmas that Frankenstein raises!

Prepare to be whisked away to the quaint 19th-century setting of Concord, where we'll meet the indomitable March sisters. Get ready for heartwarming tales of laughter, love, and the occasional sibling squabble, as we follow the girls through their trials and triumphs. From their charming domestic escapades to their daring adventures, there's never a dull moment in the company of these spirited young ladies! And hey, if you've ever felt the irresistible urge to shout, "I am Jo, the writer of my own destiny!" or "Amy, please stop burning my manuscript!", you're definitely not alone! We've all been there, right? So buckle up because we're about to immerse ourselves in a world where love, laughter, and lemonade spills are aplenty. The episodes are filled with literary delights and sisterly insights that'll warm your heart like a cozy fire on a winter's night!

Prepare to be utterly enchanted and a little spooked as we embark on a mysterious and thrilling adventure through the twisted streets of Victorian London! Grab your magnifying glasses, slip on your detective hats, and join us on an escapade into the captivating world of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde! So, get ready for literary shenanigans, mind-boggling revelations, and more than a few tea-time discussions about the duality of human nature. Join us as we explore the dark alleys of literature's most iconic dual personality and embark on a podcast journey that's as captivating as a hidden treasure map!

Today, we're diving into a sassy and delightfully dramatic world of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter! We're stepping back in time to explore the Puritanical streets of 17th-century Boston, where fashion faux pas were the least of anyone's worries. We'll explore the story's hidden depths, the characters' secret rendezvous spots, and the scandalous rumors that would put modern-day tabloids to shame. We'll laugh, gasp, and maybe even shed a tear or two, but we promise it'll be a rollercoaster ride you won't soon forget!