A long time ago, I decided to choose a name for my romance alter ego. I chose Penelope, after reading Julia Quinn's Romancing Mr. Bridgerton. Penelope Featherington was an invisible wallflower on the outside, but a passionate and talented woman on the inside. As Mrs. Whistledown, she had the chutzpah and courage to say things most people think, but never speak aloud. I adore the romance that develops between charming Colin and spinsterish Penelope.....he finally sees beyond the plain facade, and discovers the real woman Penelope is. Sigh. What a story!
Anyhoo, inspired by the rash of 2012 reading challenges that many readers/bloggers are jumping into with open hearts and positive attitudes, I decided to make up my own challenge. (Because most of the other ones are totally intimidating to me.)
And so, I give you.....The Penelope Project.
How many books do you think I can find with heroines named Penelope? I have no freakin' clue, but so far I have amassed a list of fourteen...including mysteries, children's books, historicals, light BDSM, and The Odyssey. I wonder what kind of qualities most of these Penelope heroines will have....will they be prissy and uptight, as the name suggests? Will they be rough and tumble, courageous and curious, passionate and inspiring? I would love some more recommendations, so if you have any favorite Penelope books, please let me know!
Here's my list so far....
- In For A Penny by Rose Lerner
- Something Reckless by Jess Michaels
- Penelope and The Christmas Spirit by Ron Voigts
- The Ghost and Mrs. McClure by Alice Kimberly
- A Rather Remarkable Homecoming by CA Belmond
- A Rather Charming Invitation by CA Belmond
- A Rather Curious Engagement by CA Belmond
- A Rather Lovely Inheritance by CA Belmond
- The Odyssey by Homer
- The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer
- Penelope and Prince Charming by Jennifer Ashley
- Where The Heart Leads by Stephanie Laurens (re-read)
- Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (re-read)
- A Penny For Your Thoughts by Jess McBride (TSTL heroine, almost DNF)
I'm hoping to read at least one Penelope book a month in 2012. That's my challenge, and I'm sticking to it!
Hope all of you had a wonderful new year's celebration, and are pumped and ready for 2012.
Here's to a year of excellent reading, writing and arithmetic,
Penelope
Posts
