Dating, Dinner Parties, and Book Meme Days 10-12

[apple_pathways]

Went on THE DATE this afternoon, and it was nice: he's a good conversationalist so I didn't have to spend the whole time babbling at him like a fool. (Though I will admit, there was *some* of that; hey, it's what I do!) It went well enough that I've agreed on a second date, but I'm still on the fence for anything beyond that. I'm just happy that it's over, so now I can relax. I seriously thought I was going to have to pull over to puke on my way out there.

(The last first date I went on was a DISASTER. Well, the date itself wasn't that bad, other than being incredibly awkward: we had zero chemistry, and I had to carry the conversation the whole time. Also he kept staring at me. When he called me for a second date, I explained that I didn't think it was going to work between us and wished him well. He wanted specifics as to what was wrong with him. I politely refused, and then hung up when he persisted. He then called me FOUR OR FIVE TIMES in the next few weeks after that to try to get out of me why I wouldn't go out with him anymore. It was rather traumatic, and left me a little wary; so I'm glad I can at least put today's date in the "win" column.)

My dinner party was a lot of fun. I made roast chicken, green beans, and a potato and leak gratin; dessert was peach crisp. The potatoes and the leeks came from my garden, and the dish was a big hit! I was very glad as I'd never made it before. One for the books!

We also played Trivial Pursuit, and I totally dominated. (Father of modern frozen foods? Why, Clarence Birdseye, of course! How/Why do I know that? Beats me.)



Day 10 - A book you thought you wouldn’t like but ended up loving

Pride and Prejudice. Honestly, I resisted getting into Jane Austen for SO LONG! I just had this image in my mind of the kind of women/girls who read Austen, and wanted nothing to do with it! (Prissy, weepy-eyed girls who wear floral cardigans and name their cats after Disney characters.) I've since accepted my inner romantic, and have read her entire canon.

Day 11 - A book that disappointed you

I honestly can't think of one. I tend to give up on books that I don't find myself enjoying, and I can't think of a book who's publication I've awaited only to be disappointed in the result.

Day 12 - A book or series of books you’ve read more than five times

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Good Omens
A Room With a View
Lord of the Flies
Alias, Grace
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime
Pride and Prejudice
Nine Stories

Comments

[housemaid79.livejournal.com]

I so understand your Austen-reluctance. For the longest time I thought of myself as a Bronte-only girl. I don't know, I think I had the impression that Austen was "weak" or something (like you said, prissy girls with Disney-named cats, etc.). Of course, once I actually got into Austen, I found myself pleasantly surprised.

And "YAY" for the date going well! That's always a very nice thing. :)

[apple-pathways.livejournal.com]

BRONTES! YES! I haven't read Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights as many times as I've read Austen, but they are still much-loved treasures. (In fact, I probably should read them again!) Have you read any other Bronte novels, and would you recommend them?

I'm really glad to hear other women were reluctant to read Jane Austen! All of my friends were into her in high school (this was around the time of the BBC miniseries of P&P and the movie version of S&S), and I just REFUSED to give her a try! Far too sentimental, I thought! Then in college I had to read Mansfield Park for a class, and I ended up liking it. (We won't go into how much I disagreed with the ending, though.) After that, I was hooked!