Well, we've been talking about doing this for a couple weeks now. I guess you've gone and made it official and there's no backing out, eh? Well alrighty then. I'm in. Looking forward to it. I don't really know what we're getting ourselves into here... but it should be interesting.

I too got the new translation of War and Peace for Christmas. This is probably the best way to do it: a friendly race amongst bloggers. Let's help each other through it. And NO CLIFF NOTES! Hee hee.

February 1st it is...

Word.

Oh Alicia, what have you done?

This is one of the books on my list of "Oh Em Gee, I better not die in a tragic accident before I get a chance to read this book." It is also on my list of "Hm, I can't take that on the subway," and "Wow, this heavy book doesn't fit in my clutch." But, despite the fashion dilemma it poses, I am up for the challenge. I have a mad love affair with the Russians and it's about time I took this book head-on. Richard Pevear is a brilliant translator and did a wonderful job with another of my favorite Russian books, The Master and Margarita.

BTW: Here's a one line summary of War and Peace, for those of you who don't mind a plot spoiler.

So why do I want to do this? Well I wanted to test my literary muscles. It's been so long since I've read anything even nearly this long. And with the buzz about the new translation of War and Peace by Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky, I found my challenge. Plus, my sister got me the book for Christmas.

All I need now is a little Time and ... (you know). It's going to be hard now that I have a full plate of work, school, etc. etc. etc. I really question whether I can do it. (Thoughtful pause)

Wait, (thoughtful pause over) I have an idea. This is great. I have just the incentive I need. A race to finish War and Peace!

OK, calling my fellow bloggers, Bryon, Audra, Deb, and Jess! Who's in? Come on I dare you!

Check back soon to see whom the contestants and terms of the race will be. For now, I'm going to rest my arm.

Say it isn't so.

In the saddest news since Barbie left Ken, today it was announced that one of comic books' most beloved couples, Peter Parker and Mary Jane are breaking up.

No!

I wonder what went wrong in the relationship. Did Spidey leave his webs all over the house? Was MJ just not as exciting as she used to be?

It's so sad when fictional characters break up. (And no, that's not sarcasm.) Even though they aren't real, people are invested in these relationships, and it's kind of sort of, well, heartbreaking. When people are little, they imagine what their significant other will be like, and often hope the story will be like one of their favorite literary romances. Or maybe that's just me? Well anyway ...

There are so many great couples in literature and comics. Superman and Lois Lane. There's everyone's classic choice, Romeo and Juliet. (Although I do hope you take the romance figuratively, in the sense that they do everything in their power to be together and that love is the only thing that matters. The whole "both people end up dead and everything ends in tragedy" thing is a little much for a real-life romance.) There's Scarlett and Rhett from Gone With the Wind. Oh, and Jennifer Cavalleri and Oliver Barrett IV from Love Story. (Although that romance ends in tragedy as well.) The list goes on and on.

My favorite literary couple is Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy from Bridget Jones's Diary. (Actually, they're just a modern version of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, which is also a super-romantic couple.) And no, I don't just love them because Colin Firth plays Mark in the movie and he's completely gorgeous. (Although that doesn't hurt.) It's just that Mark comes to her rescue and is always there for her and you just know that he really loves her ... swoon.

Anyway, what are some of your favorite literary couples, and why do you like them? What do you think of the breakup of Peter Parker and Mary Jane? And are you just as upset as I am that a fictional couple just broke up? I really thought those crazy kids could make it work. Well, if you'll excuse me, I think I need to eat a pint of ice cream and blast some Alanis Morissette ...