Random
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Film Review: Anna Karenina
Love has finally arrived in theaters! After months of anticipation I have finally seen Anna Karenina. I normally don’t do film or TV reviews/discussions on this blog but I’m totally making an exception since this is a film based on a book…..and since I’ve been obsessing I thought it was only fitting that I do a review. Anna Karenina has been made into a film many times over so then the question becomes, how is this film different from all that have come before it? Hands down, Joe Wright’s vision is artistic and romantic. This is a film about love….the mise-en-scene and artful use of color, staging, and costumes really…
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Blog-iversary
Well Dear Readers, it is official I have been blogging on the Lit Bitch now for two years! 🙂 I can’t believe I’ve been able to keep it up for so long, my blog has come a long way! I must also say, it is people like you Dear Readers that make me keep blogging and reading….it is clear that there are others out there who like to hear me talk….or, well….write 🙂 Thank you readers for following a long and supporting my blog . I love you all and cheers to another year of blogging!
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Discussion: Women of the Downstairs Staff (A Project Downton post)
How you would like to work in a great house like we see every week in Downton Abbey? Well it might not be as glamorous as you might think! In this Project Downton discussion post we talk about the domestic staff. In the Edwardian era which Downton Abbey is set, the domestic service was at its peak. WWI brought the decline of the domestic staff with most of the male staff being drafted to the Great War and the women replacing jobs previously held by men or working in machine factories helping the war effort. The Victorian era in Britain saw a peak in the numbers of servants employed in…
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Help Save Undershaw House (Home of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)
A games a foot! Who could forget the eccentric detective that made forensics so dashing and exciting? Science and investigating became ‘cool’ thanks to Sherlock Holmes. Holmes has become an iconic fixture in pop culture….I hear in the BBC has remade Holmes into a modern day hero in the TV show, Sherlock (which I am dying to watch by the way!), it also goes without saying that the Robert Downey Jr/ Guy Ritchie films have made the classic literary figure and his partner Dr Watson into a charming, sexy heros–thus appealing to new generations and audiences. As a result of the recent ‘Holmes’ craze, the public is re-discovering Sir Arthur Conan…
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Discussion: Architectural History of Downton Abbey (A Project Downton post)
Like many of you, I love both Downton Abbey and trifling historic facts! I just finished reading Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey this week and I couldn’t resist writing a follow up post to my review about a little fun fact I learned from the book. Images of Highclere Castle–also known as it’s alter ego Downton Abbey–are flooding blogs, Twitter, Facebook, and other multi media outlets in a wild frenzy! I don’t know about anyone else, but I found something eerily familiar about Highclere Castle…..maybe I was Lady Mary in my past life LOL :). But honestly the whole time I have been watching Downton, I see the castle and I…
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New Contributor: The Lib Bitch
I am very pleased to announce that I am taking on an additional bitchin’ reviewer for my blog! Please welcome The Lib Bitch–also known as my ever so charming sister! The Lib Bitch (not to be confused with yours truly) will be adding flavor and variety to our blog. She picked the “Lib Bitch” since she is a Librarian. She has similar reading/literary interests as me but they are different enough to add a unique tone and content! I am very excited about this venture 🙂 I will be posting a more complete bio soon…be watching for her reviews! Here is a brief bio for The Lib Bitch: Occupation: Librarian…
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Discussion: Women’s Fashion in the Edwardian Era (A Project Downton post)
This weekend I finally caught up on Downton Abbey….my mom and I watched the entire second season in one sitting. While we were having our tea in between episodes we were discussing the women’s fashions of the era which in turn prompted me to write a post for Project Downton! I’ll be honest, I long for the time when ‘dressing’ for ‘dinner’ meant putting on something fancier than clean PJ’s and sitting in front of the telly eating a microwave dinner. I feel like I was born in the wrong decade by a few hundred years….I long for elegant updos, beaded dresses, extravagant hats, and yes even the corset.
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Discussion: Edwardian Era Fun Facts (A Project Downton Post)
My dad who just turned 71 discovered the internet and email about a year ago and since that discovery my email inbox has been overflowing with forwarded jokes, chain letters, and random pics…..on a daily basis. I usually just skim through and delete most of his emails….until now! My dad FINALLY sent me an email that I found useful 🙂 My dad collects antique cars, in the last few years he has been into hot rods but when I was growing up, he had a fully restored 1911 Model T Ford that he use to show. I loved this car, that is one of the things I loved about the…
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Project Downton! (A Downton Abbey Inspired Book Scavenger Hunt)
I am on a Downton Abbey scavenger hunt and I need your help! Downton Abbey is sweeping the telly cables not to mention the hashtag is blowing up my Twitter feed….the public has gone deliriously mad for PBS’s latest masterpiece. Normally I blog strictly about books (with the rare exception of my travels), but I am totally making an exception with Downton Abbey (DA). And here is why….today my sister sent me a link about to an article in the NY Times about DA and its growing popularity, and she was asking me if I had watched the show. Ironically I just finished watching Season I last night and am…
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Entry: Austen Murder Matchup Contest/Giveaway
An author friend of mine, Lynn Shepherd, is hosting a comparative book review contest on her blog. I couldn’t resist entering as the goal is to review two of the hottest Austen inspired murder mysteries on the market, Murder at Mansfield Park and Death Comes to Pemberley. Shepherd is putting both books together in a head to head compare and contrast style review contest. What is the goal of the comparative book review? I’m pitching these two Janeite murder mysteries together, head to head, to see which one you think comes out on top. I’m inviting anyone who’s read both books to write a short review comparing the two, and giving them…