Recommended Reads for English Learners

Often reading a novel in another language can seem like a daunting prospect. Many times over the years I have enthusiastically picked out a foreign text full of determination only to become bogged down in a sea of unfamiliar vocabulary and an underwhelming plot. I therefore thought it might be useful to compile a short list of English novels recommended by tutors and staff at OISE Oxford to help more advanced English learners select a book that will hopefully nurture an interest in English literature and culture:

Bridget Jones’ Diary by Helen Fielding (1996)

For those looking for a light-hearted read, this novel chronicles a year in the life of Bridget Jones, a thirty-something single working woman living in London and contains her highly entertaining musings about her career, self-image, vices, family, friends, and romantic relationships.

The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold (2002)

The moving story of a teenage girl who, after being raped and murdered, watches from her personal Heaven as her family and friends struggle to move on with their lives while she comes to terms with her own death.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (1911)

A classic of children’s literature, this is a beautiful tale of a young orphan who is sent to live on her estranged uncle’s estate where she begins to uncover the secrets of her family’s past.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (1813)

More ambitious readers may like to try this quintessentially English tale which follows the main character Elizabeth Bennet as she deals with issues of manners, upbringing, morality, education, and marriage in the society of the landed gentry of early 19th-century England.

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J K Rowling (1997)

Not to be written off as a children’s book, this magical world will capture your imagination and teach you all sorts of wizarding vocabulary. 

Literary Quotes Gone Wrong!

Many literary quotes have worked their way into everyday conversation due to their ability to capture basic human truths or much-loved characters. But in a lot of cases it seems we are unknowingly misquoting them. Here are a few of the most common errors:

1. "Elementary, my dear Watson"

Although Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories contain a number of ‘elementaries’ and a handful of ‘my dear Watsons’, the phrase ‘Elementary, my dear Watson’ never actually appears in the books.

2. "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"

The line from William Congreve’s 1697 poem The Mourning Bride is ‘Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned/Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned.’

It seems a shame to lose the first half of the couplet in the misquotation, but the addition of ‘hath’ gives it a charming Olde Worlde feel.

3. "Bubble, bubble, toil and trouble"

Or even ‘hubble, bubble’ to many! Interestingly, the witches at the opening of Shakespeare’s Macbeth actually say “Double, double, toil and trouble”, referring not so much to the bubbling cauldron but to the toil and trouble that is being multiplied by their incantation.

4. "Please, Sir, can I have some more?"

In Charles Dickens’s Oliver Twist, the orphan rises from the table, advances towards the master and says "Please, sir, I want some more.", the same line that is used in the 1968 musical film Oliver! Perhaps we modified it to make poor Oliver seem more polite...

5. "Shaken, not stirred"

Ian Fleming’s James Bond asks a barman in Dr No for "A medium Vodka dry Martini – with a slice of lemon peel. Shaken and not stirred”. Ok, so it's just a single word that has been left out but the line “shaken, not stirred” has now been used so often in the Bond films that it's become ingrained in our image of Bond.

Source: The Telegraph

Jane Austen Gets a Makeover

Jane Austen is one of the most celebrated British authors of all time, known for her witty and insightful novels about love, relationships, and society in the context of early 19th-century England. Although her novels did not receive much recognition during her lifetime, she now has millions of fans world-wide. Her six completed novels have all been made into popular TV series and Pride and Prejudice is often voted the nation’s favourite book.

But if the idea of wading through the rich language of 18^th/early 19^th century literature doesn’t quite do it for you then never fear! Each of Jane Austen’s novels are about to receive a 21^st century makeover as part of ‘The Austen Project’, an initiative by publisher Harper Collins. As part of the project, six bestselling authors will write their own take on Austen’s classic novels. Joanna Trollope is the first to take on the challenge, bringing Facebook, iPods and premarital sex to Barton Cottage. Here are the novel/author pairings that have been decided so far:

‘Sense & Sensibility’ - Joanna Trollope

Joanna Trollope has been writing for over thirty years she is the author of seventeen highly acclaimed contemporary bestselling novels including, most recently, The Other Family, Daughters In Law and The Soldier’s Wife. She has also written a study of women in the British Empire, Britannia’s Daughters, and ten historical novels published under the pseudonym Caroline Harvey.

‘Northanger Abbey’ - Val McDermid

Val McDermid is a Scottish crime writer, best known for a series of suspense novels starring her most famous creation, Dr. Tony Hill.

‘Emma’ - Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is a Rhodesian-born British writer and Emeritus Professor of Medical Law at the University of Edinburgh. He is most widely known as the creator of the The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series.

‘Pride & Prejudice’ - Curtis Sittenfeld

Curtis Sittenfeld is an American writer and is the author of four novels: Prep, the tale of a Massachusetts prep school; The Man of My Dreams, a coming-of-age novel and an examination of romantic love; American Wife, a fictional story loosely based on the life of First Lady Laura Bush, and Sisterland, which tells the story of identical twins with psychic powers, as well as a number of short stories.

‘Persuasion’ and ‘Mansfield Park’ are still up for grabs!

Joanna Trollope’s Sense and Sensibility is now available to buy but unfortunately you will have to wait until 2014 for the other 5. Click here to go to the Austen Project website.

Jam, Joy and Traffic

Traffic jams come in all shapes sizes and are one of the most frustrating parts of life on earth. The average Brit spends an astonishing 8 months in traffic. There's only so much 'I spy with my little eye' one can play to quell this irritation. But alas, the OISE Oxford office have some great ideas to help ease the pain. Please note that these activities are strictly for non-drivers.

While away the time with a book - the Harry Potter series should keep you going for a while. Other top sellers at the moment include 'Bring up the Bodies' by Hilary Mantel, 'Sweet Tooth' by Ian McEwan, and Yann Martel's 'Life of Pi'!

Download Whatsapp and spend the spare minutes/hours being in touch with friends and family around the world at zero cost. Whatsapp also offers the opportunity to send photographs - you can keep your friends entertained with various traffic images!

Finally, log on to Itunes and get some decent music on your smart phone. There's all sorts you can listen to. Click here to read up on some of the up and coming Oxford acts!