Top Ten Fictional Crushes

When I saw this topic I knew I just had to participate in Top Ten Tuesday (hosted by The Broke and the Bookish) this week. I love me some literary man candy. I used to do a meme called My Book Boyfriend so I have whole posts devoted to my many fictional crushes, but I managed to get the list down my faves…

1. Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Do I even need to say why?

2. Captain Wentworth from Persuasion by Jane Austen. The lady sure knew how to write amazing heroes who write amazing letters. Swooooon.

3. Westley from The Princess Bride. He’s actually the perfect man.

4. Etienne St Claire from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. I know he’s not everyone’s cup of tea because of the whole, er, cheating thing, but he sure got my heart beating. He has great chemistry with Anna, is obsessed with history and does things like give books with hidden messages as gifts. Sigh.

5. Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. He’s so broody but still has a great sense of humour. I adore the way he treats Jane with respect and meets her as an equal. Let’s just not mention the whole crazy wife in the attic, though…

6. Mr. Thornton from North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. He just wants to be a gentleman! And be loved. I could give him so much love.

7. Dimitri Belikov from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. He’s the strong, silent and sexy type, with badass fighting skills and a killer bod. Literally.

8. Eric Northman from the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. He’s a tall Viking vampire with a cheeky sense of humour and a lot of, er, talent. Ahem.

9. Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. He immaturely shows a girl he likes her by insulting her and spends the next five years trying to make up for it. Silly, adorable boy.

10. Alex Fuentes from Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. This book is totally cheesy but completely hot – just like its hero, Alex.

Friday Link Dump: BSC Fashion, Homo Sapiens and Old-Timey Hotness

I am not obsessed with The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. OK, I totally am.

What would Claudia Kishi wear today? I think the clothes on this list - along with the other updates to childhood style icons - are pretty spot on. I kinda want to buy all the things.

Love, love, love this site featuring the stories of the books people have been given by the people they love. 

There's a new Les Mis trailer out, this time with people who aren't Anne Hathaway doing some singing. I haven't seen the musical or read the book, so I have nothing to compare it to, and frankly, I'm excited.

I started this Cracked clip sending up Hollywood's version of high schoolers for the The Lizzie Bennet Diaries stars, but I stayed for the lolz. Speaking of Darcy and Fitz, this happened this week. Then this. The awesomeness of which only makes sense if you've been watching The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. If you haven't, you don't deserve the awesomeness. (Just kidding. But seriously, you should watch it.)

I love a good pun. But a bad one is often even better.

Buzzfeed has a look at the "now and then" of popular magazines, compiling their first issues alongside their most recent, and it's awesome. Some have changed so much - and others, barely at all (granted they're younger mags). And who knew Better Homes and Gardens started life as Fruit Garden and Home?!

Yep, everything is better in mini.

Are you OCD-inclined? This blog will probably make you happy.

Pedestrian has a pretty great list of their favourite music moments in movies. Some of my faves that they didn't mention include those in Pretty in Pink, Beetlejuice, Wayne's World, Reservoir Dogs and Say Anything.

These cakes filled with hidden surprises are the best things I've ever seen.  

Thing I learnt this week: Our bodies have more bacterial cells than human cells in them. Ten times more. Also: humans started wearing clothes around 70, 000 years ago. Also: Oh, just read the article on the history (and future) of Homo Sapiens; it's absolutely fascinating.

What could be better than hot guys? Old-timey hot guys.

What could be better than old-timey hot guys?* Hot guys with puppies.

Still on the subject of old-timey things, they used to give hilarious (in hindsight) advice back in the day.

Jimmy Kimmel got his viewers to torture their kids on YouTube again by filming their reactions to being told all their Halloween candy had been eaten, and of course it's hilarious. Until the end, when I may have cried just a little bit at the awesome kids who don't mind sharing, especially the little dude who's like: "I don't care that you ate all my candy, mommy, I just want you to feel happy." Awwww.

If that didn't make your heart burst with squee, this cat that adopted baby hedgehogs will.

*Well, at least as awesome, if not better.

YouTube Clip of The Week
So much logic! It's amazing.

Bookish Buys: Pride and Prejudice

I am completely addicted to The Lizzie Bennet Diaries at the moment, which has in turn renewed my obsession with Pride and Prejudice. Which is why I'm trying really hard not to buy everything on this page (ahem, I may or may not already own the paper dolls)...

LBD Buttons

Pride and Prejudice scarf

Pride and Prejudice brooch

Marathon print

Literary chocolates

Pride and Prejudice map

Set of five postcards

Mr Darcy poster

Characters and places print

Mr Darcy's proposal collage

Mrs Bennet mug

Lizzie and Darcy tote

Pride and Prejudice ring

Pride and Prejudice tea set

Pride and Prejudice paper dolls

Darcy's proposal mouse pad

Pride and Prejudice mug

Pride and Prejudice finger puppets

Pride and Prejudice earrings

Greeting card

Miniature pop-up book

Mr Darcy's proposal canvas

Friday Link Dump: DARCY DAY, Cover Twins and Emergency Compliments

 
Darcy finally made an appearance on The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I loved the video, although Darcy seems like he's got something lodged far up his bum. I guess that's appropriate at this point in the story line. I hope we get to see his soft side on video, and not just off-screen. I thought the way they incorporated this scene into the "diary" aspect was clever, and it was a good scene to bring him in on. Does this mean he'll watch all of Lizzie's videos now? Will he film a video response of his own - the modern day letter? I can't wait for the next ep. Meanwhile, Tumblr is having a collective squeegasm.

Cover twins and cousins - when books look alike, things get confusing. And a bit boring. 

This is what happens when two bloggers pair up to write about each other's greatest fears. Spoiler: It's awesome.

Looking for a UK YA book to read? Check out Readventurer's amazing wall of books. It follows their brilliant Aussie YA wall and short YA wall.

There are a crazy amount of adaptations of YA books coming out or in development at the moment.  I'm excited about The Night Circus (though it's not technically YA) and If I Stay, but really dreading The Book Thief - it's such a beautiful story, and there's so much potential to screw it up.

I freaking love it when celebs do Halloween. Chloe Grace Moretz as Bellatrix Lestrange = love! 

Then there's Celebrities in Pony Form. My Little Pony form. Genius.

Did you know Taylor Swift's whole album is basically about Jake Gyllenhaal? Except when it's about Conor Kennedy.

Sometimes, disasters can bring out the best in people. Click here to have your heart warmed.

Still having a bad day? Get an emergency compliment. 

YouTube Clip of the Week (other than Darcy Day, obvs)

Bookish (And Other Awesome) Links: The BSC, Mr Darcy and Trolls

Awful Library Books: the place where terrible books go to live.

These videos about the history of certain words, told in animation using paper cuttings, are awesome.

Only one of these facts about The Baby-Sitters Club blew my mind (Kirsten Dunst was a cover model for Claudia and the Phantom Phone Calls!), but it's still a fun list.

Three words: Darcy paper doll. Go now. Lizzie is there too.

The story of how one man confronted his online troll. You'll never guess who it was. Intense reading. On a lighter note, this parody video about trolls made me chuckle.

As if my obsession with Joseph Gordon-Levitt wasn't already intense enough, Buzzfeed handily compiled a list of every gif from his Magic Mike dance you will ever need. And oh, will you need them.

The greatest moments in Australian history - Lego-fied. Not surprising that it's heavily sports-oriented, though I appreciate the The Castle inclusion.

The 50 most romantic photos of all time are as lovely as they sound.

Speaking of lovely, the gallery of Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward will renew your faith in celebrity love. Plus Paul Newman was a total fox.

While we're on that subject - Alec Baldwin was, like, such a Baldwin when he was younger. 

I was obsessed with the Little Giants as a kid, so this kind of destroyed my childhood memories.

Have you ever seen Flamingos do their mating dance? Move over, Swan Lake...

Random YouTube clip of the week

Bookish Fun: The Lizzie Bennet Diaries

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen has to be one of the most adapted novels in the world. There are so many different versions out there, and while some are pretty weak (*cough*Zombies*cough*), there are a few that are surprisingly original, clever and fun. The most unique of these has definitely got to be The Lizzie Bennet Diaries, created by Hank Green and Bernie Su. Told primarily through Lizzie's YouTube vlogs, and supplemented by social media sites like Tumblr (Jane has a fashion blog!) and Twitter, it's a thoroughly modern take on the classic. It's incredibly clever and so many levels of awesome.

Check out episode 1 below, and see the full list of videos here.

You can follow the Bennets and friends at the links below. Warning: You're about to have hours of your time sucked away. This series is addictive and so much fun.

Lizzie
Google+, Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook.

Jane
LookBook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook.

Lydia
Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook.

Kitty
Twitter 

Mary
Twitter

Charlotte
Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook.

William Darcy
Twitter 

Bing Lee
Twitter
 
Caroline
Twitter 

Gigi Darcy
Twitter

Rick Collins
Twitter

PS. Go to the official site for non-fictional content.

My Book Boyfriend: Mr Nobley

My Book Boyfriend is a weekly meme hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader, all about fictional boys who make us swoon. This week I'm loving Mr Nobley from Austenland by Shannon Hale. As I mentioned in my review of the book, he's very Darcy-esque; coming across as proud and kinda dull at first before slowly revealing the passion, romance and sense of humour that's bubbling underneath. One of my favourite things about him is the way he really listens to Jane, as evidenced by his sneaky gift of a paint set after she reveals how she misses the hobby. I also love that he tries to protect her from getting hurt, even if she doesn't realise it. He's pretty lovely. Although JJ Feild has been cast as Nobley in the upcoming movie adaptation of Austenland, unfortunately he doesn't really do it for me. I pictured him as Elliot Cowan, who played Mr Darcy in Lost in Austen.

Swoon-worthy Quotes (Spoiler Alert!)

"Just ahead, the path was drenched in a puddle that could not be bypassed. The men walked through fearlessly. Colonel Andrews took Miss Charming's hand and helped her step across. Mr Nobley placed his hands around Jane's waist and lifted her over. As he set her down, their bodies were much nearer than was seemly in the early nineteenth century. They held still for a breath, their faces close together. He smelled good enough to kiss... He had the kind of face you wanted to kiss - lips, forehead, cheeks, eyelids, everywhere except his chin. That you wanted to bite."

"He tackled her. He actually leaped up, grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her down to the ground. She screeched as she thudded down on top of him... Then he looked at her. He breathed in. His forehead tensed as if he were trying to think of words for his thoughts, as if he were engaged in some gorgeous inner battle that was provoked by how perfectly beautiful she was. (That last part was purely Jane's romantic speculation and can't be taken as literal.) Nevertheless, they were on the ground, touching, frozen, staring at each other, and even the trees were holding their breath."

“'Miss Hayes, have you stopped to consider that you might have this all backward? That in fact you are my fantasy?'”

"'I need to admit up front that I don't know how to have a fling. I'm not good at playing around and then saying good-bye. I'm throwing myself at your feet because I'm hoping for a shot at forever.'"

Pash, Pick or Pass: A Mr Darcy Threesome

Here's a peek into my random thought processes (there's a point, I promise): This week I read Austenland (review to come soon), which made me think of Lost in Austen, which made me think of the different Darcy portrayals over the years, which made me want to do something slightly different for Pash, Pick or Pass this week and make it all about Darcy! Yep, rather than characters battling it out for our affections, I've decided to pit Darcy against Darcy.

The Contenders
Um, Mr Darcy, Mr Darcy and Mr Darcy... Oh, you want more information? Some visual aides? OK, OK, if I must...

Mr Darcy, as played by Colin Firth in the 1995 Pride and Prejudice mini-series

Mr Darcy, as played by Matthew MacFadyenin the 2005 Pride and Prejudice movie

 Mr Darcy, as played by Elliot Cowan in the 2008 mini-series Lost in Austen

My Choices

Pash: Elliot's Mr Darcy. Did you see that picture?! Dare I say it, he pulls off a wet shirt better than Colin Firth. He also has a very sexy voice, and I wouldn't mind him whispering sweet nothings in my ear while we pashed.

Pick: Firth. Do I even need to explain this choice? He's Colin Firth. He IS Mr Darcy. Handsome, passionate, loving, intelligent, selfless, kind... *sigh*

Pass: MacFadyen. To be fair, I thought he was the least offensive thing about the movie (I HATED it) and made an OK Darcy, and even an OK Darcy is better than an awesome version of just about anybody else. Plus that mist scene is pretty swoony (if totally out of character and illogical, but I'm not here to rant). Still, between the three Darcys he's definitely the one I'd pass on.

Which Darcy would you pash/pick/pass?

My Book Boyfriend: Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy

My Book Boyfriend is hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader. It's all about fictional boys who make us swoon. This week my book boyfriend is perhaps my greatest fictional love - Mr Darcy from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. I haven't chosen him in the past because, well, it's just so obvious, but I thought it was about time I devoted a post to him. I know he's a bit of a snob at first, but deep down he's amazeballs (it's true, I got that straight from Austen). Can you really blame the guy for being a bit standoffish when he's saddled with a name like Fitzwilliam?! Anyhoo, I love him for a bazillion different reasons, some of which include his tenderness, (hidden) passion, devotion, intelligence, protectiveness, sense of humour (yes, he has one) and his very large... estate. But most of all I love his connection with Elizabeth and the respect he has for her; the way he loves is amazing (even if his first go at a proposal is totally botched - hey, he comes good in the end!). He's been played by many actors over the years, some great, some average - but none more Darcysauce than Colin Firth!
 
Swoon-worthy Quotes

"In vain have I struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." 

"If you will thank me, let it be for yourself alone. That the wish of giving happiness to you might add force to the other inducements which led me on I shall not attempt to deny. But your family owe me nothing. Much as I respect them, I believe I thought only of you." 

"I cannot fix on the hour, or the spot, or the look, or the words, which had laid the foundation. It is too long ago. I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun."

PS It's not from the book, but I couldn't resist including this...

Bookish Buys: Pretty in Prints

There is a ridonkulous amount of awesome prints available on Etsy. Here are some of my faves...

Alice in Wonderland by Prrint

As You Wish by Zavalick Designs

Jane Austen quote by Tag Team Tompkins

Mr Darcy card by Little Minnow Designs

A Fairy Tale Ending by Type Posters

Harry Potter typographic print by Balanced Personality

Click Your Heels by Penny Wishes

Make Believe by Please Be Still

Yearning by In The Nook

Flying Lessons by The Gorgonist

The Secret Garden by Kate Fete

A Remarkable Book by The Little Chickadee