When wee reader is in his rocker or bassinet, and showing all the signs of sleepiness, he just loves to rub and rub his ears. It doesn’t help his eczema (just makes it worse) so I often find myself trying to hold his mittened hands down, as I rock or pat him to sleep. He likes to struggle so, fighting the zzz monster, even as his eyelids flutter and he yawns his cute little yawn. Not conducive for reading, not even on the iPad, so up goes my favorite iPad app, Netflix!

So here’s what I’ve been watching instantly on Netflix.

The last movie I finished, Mansfield Park. It’s been ages since I read the book, and after watching it, I feel the need to go read it all over again. I wasn’t quite sure of Frances O’Connor as a Jane Austen heroine (I mostly remember her from Cashmere Mafia – yes I am guilty of watching these SATC viewalikes), but in the end she kinda won me over. Of course having Jonny Lee Miller around doesn’t hurt. And hey, it’s Harold Pinter as Sir Bertram!

The BBC production of North and South was quite quite lovely. Oh hello Richard Armitage, aren’t you just the right amount of dashing (as in, not too gallant, and definitely not smarmy, instead rather serious, a little aloof and brooding). Let me backtrack first and say that I’ve not read the book – or any other Elizabeth Gaskell (horrors!), but have since picked up an e-copy and am enjoying myself so far. Margaret seems a lot less silly in the book. I hope it continues that way.

Musn’t forget that I also watched Enchanted April. I quite enjoyed the book and was delighted to see it available for instant viewing. Wonderful cast, lovely setting, quite enjoyable, if somehow a little forgettable (you’re probably going, how could that be? But erm yeah, it’s quite like a beach read, you know? One day you’ve read it, the next you’ve forgotten about it entirely).

Has watching a movie or series based on a book inspired you to read said book?

This is how a lot of my reading is done these days!

*Or, you know, the proper English equivalent.