Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
254 pages
Seriously, I don't want to give ANYTHING away about this book.
I read it in two days because I couldn't put it down. At work. Every free second. Disturbing. Amazing.
Gillian Flynn is phenomenal. I can't wait for Gone Girl to arrive tomorrow. I will devour it.
You need to read Sharp Objects. NOW.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
book 35
These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf
337 pages
I read this book because it was recommended based on my rating of Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. It was an okay read. I wasn't too into it, but yesterday I picked it up at page 70 or so and plowed through the rest, because I'm getting really behind on my goal here.
These Things Hidden is a thriller - I guess - that centers around three women. Allison was a perfect teenager, a star student and star athlete, well-liked by everyone. That is, until she gets convicted of drowning her newborn baby girl in the Druid River. When we meet her, she is being released from prison for good behavior, ready to start her life over. Brynn is her sister, a fragile young woman with mental problems and a lot of guilt. She lives with her grandmother and several pets, and wants nothing to do with Allison. Charm is another young woman living in the same town the girls grew up in. She is a nursing student, caring for her sick stepfather, Gus, who has lung cancer and is nearing death. Finally, we have Claire, a mid-40s book store owner and adoptive mother of a 5-year-old boy named Joshua. Claire's shop, Bookends, is the centerpiece around which the characters, except for Brynn, revolve. Charm is a regular customer, and Allison works there after her parole.
The story is told chapter-by-chapter through each woman's eyes. Sometimes they are disconnected, and at other times one leaves off and another picks up right there in the same moment. I was not particularly fond of this method, since there were four women and sometimes I had to stop for a second and realize who was narrating. The chapters are labeled, but still. I've read many books with this method, but maybe because the chapters were so short (1-7 pages each) was what irked me. Allison and Brynn tell the story in first person, Charm and Claire are in third person.
I wasn't very surprised by the reveal, or the ending of the story. I would say I was a little disappointed in the ending. It leaves a lot to be wanted, which I guess is a good sign but I just felt flat. Nothing propelled me to keep reading. I had little sympathy for the characters, although I think I was supposed to. I felt for Charm, she was the most real character to me. I did feel sympathy for her, and at times for Brynn. I understood the characters and their choices. I just kind of felt like I was reading chick-lit with a twist or something. I do not think this book would appeal to men, whereas other thrillers would.
I don't know if I would recommend this book. It kept my attention well enough to read it mostly in one day. Nothing was awful. I wasn't bored. I just felt like "Eh." Therefore, I would say that it isn't one to skip, but not a top priority.
337 pages
I read this book because it was recommended based on my rating of Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. It was an okay read. I wasn't too into it, but yesterday I picked it up at page 70 or so and plowed through the rest, because I'm getting really behind on my goal here.
These Things Hidden is a thriller - I guess - that centers around three women. Allison was a perfect teenager, a star student and star athlete, well-liked by everyone. That is, until she gets convicted of drowning her newborn baby girl in the Druid River. When we meet her, she is being released from prison for good behavior, ready to start her life over. Brynn is her sister, a fragile young woman with mental problems and a lot of guilt. She lives with her grandmother and several pets, and wants nothing to do with Allison. Charm is another young woman living in the same town the girls grew up in. She is a nursing student, caring for her sick stepfather, Gus, who has lung cancer and is nearing death. Finally, we have Claire, a mid-40s book store owner and adoptive mother of a 5-year-old boy named Joshua. Claire's shop, Bookends, is the centerpiece around which the characters, except for Brynn, revolve. Charm is a regular customer, and Allison works there after her parole.
The story is told chapter-by-chapter through each woman's eyes. Sometimes they are disconnected, and at other times one leaves off and another picks up right there in the same moment. I was not particularly fond of this method, since there were four women and sometimes I had to stop for a second and realize who was narrating. The chapters are labeled, but still. I've read many books with this method, but maybe because the chapters were so short (1-7 pages each) was what irked me. Allison and Brynn tell the story in first person, Charm and Claire are in third person.
I wasn't very surprised by the reveal, or the ending of the story. I would say I was a little disappointed in the ending. It leaves a lot to be wanted, which I guess is a good sign but I just felt flat. Nothing propelled me to keep reading. I had little sympathy for the characters, although I think I was supposed to. I felt for Charm, she was the most real character to me. I did feel sympathy for her, and at times for Brynn. I understood the characters and their choices. I just kind of felt like I was reading chick-lit with a twist or something. I do not think this book would appeal to men, whereas other thrillers would.
I don't know if I would recommend this book. It kept my attention well enough to read it mostly in one day. Nothing was awful. I wasn't bored. I just felt like "Eh." Therefore, I would say that it isn't one to skip, but not a top priority.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
book 34
Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin
342 pages
OK, Emily Giffin. I get it. Disloyalty and infidelity are, like, totally your niche. Please leave your niche. Now.
I put off reading this book because I was told it had the SAME THEME as all her other stuff. And it did. But I'm getting low on my book supply here, and I had to suck it up.. As a result, I am now two books behind on my goal. Thanks, Emily.
I gave this book three stars because I think Giffin writes beautifully. The alliteration in her sentences is effortless, flowing, and lovely. Her story-telling prowess is fantastic. Her inability to write about a theme other than infidelity is really annoying. I think Giffen is effortlessly able to tell her tales, and she sucks you in with the inner dialogues of her characters, but is she really a one trick pony? I'm told her latest book FINALLY diverges from her hard worn path of cheaters, but I'm still gonna wait for it to come out in paperback because I'm mad.
Love the One You're With is the story of Ellen, a young married woman living in NYC with her husband Andy. It opens with Ellen crossing paths with an old flame in a NY crosswalk, and goes from there. She must sort out the feelings she never resolved for Leo while moving forward in her marriage to Andy. Giffin explores the dynamic of intense love vs. platonic love in relationships, of worry vs. comfort. She has conflict down pat. Again, the language is beautiful, the sentence structure perfect. I just cannot give this any more stars because I'm so so so so sooooo tired of her hackneyed theme. Although this story is told differently than the others (they are all different), I can't get passed that one detail.. It is not a tiny detail.
Overall, I enjoyed reaping the benefits of Emily Giffin's clear gift for writing, but could not stomach the tale. I'm begging you, lady, just do something different. Skip this one if you've read her other stuff. Nothing new to see here.
342 pages
OK, Emily Giffin. I get it. Disloyalty and infidelity are, like, totally your niche. Please leave your niche. Now.
I put off reading this book because I was told it had the SAME THEME as all her other stuff. And it did. But I'm getting low on my book supply here, and I had to suck it up.. As a result, I am now two books behind on my goal. Thanks, Emily.
I gave this book three stars because I think Giffin writes beautifully. The alliteration in her sentences is effortless, flowing, and lovely. Her story-telling prowess is fantastic. Her inability to write about a theme other than infidelity is really annoying. I think Giffen is effortlessly able to tell her tales, and she sucks you in with the inner dialogues of her characters, but is she really a one trick pony? I'm told her latest book FINALLY diverges from her hard worn path of cheaters, but I'm still gonna wait for it to come out in paperback because I'm mad.
Love the One You're With is the story of Ellen, a young married woman living in NYC with her husband Andy. It opens with Ellen crossing paths with an old flame in a NY crosswalk, and goes from there. She must sort out the feelings she never resolved for Leo while moving forward in her marriage to Andy. Giffin explores the dynamic of intense love vs. platonic love in relationships, of worry vs. comfort. She has conflict down pat. Again, the language is beautiful, the sentence structure perfect. I just cannot give this any more stars because I'm so so so so sooooo tired of her hackneyed theme. Although this story is told differently than the others (they are all different), I can't get passed that one detail.. It is not a tiny detail.
Overall, I enjoyed reaping the benefits of Emily Giffin's clear gift for writing, but could not stomach the tale. I'm begging you, lady, just do something different. Skip this one if you've read her other stuff. Nothing new to see here.
Monday, September 3, 2012
book 33
How to Bake a Perfect Life by Barbara O'Neal
395 pages (copied from my Goodreads review - hence the references to other reviews etc)
I loved How to Bake a Perfect Life. LOVED it. Read it in less than 2 days. Couldn't put it down, couldn't go to bed because I was so into it. I've read a lot of the other reviews that say it's typical chick-lit, but I don't know what kind of chick-lit those people are reading. This has some depth and deals with emotion and growth through generations of women. Sure it was predictable, but whatever. Do we read for surprises, or for the story, how it unfolds, how characters learn and grow? Do we judge a book by the fact that it has a beginning and an end? So what if you can tell what's going to happen - this was not a mystery novel. There was no suspense.
As with most of the books I end up loving, I'd put off reading this after other back covers were more appealing to me. I'm mad at myself for putting it off, though, as it turned out to be utterly fantastic.
Here is a breakdown of the plot without any spoilers:
Ramona is a 40-year-old small business owner. She owns a bakery, or rather a boulangerie, on the first floor of her old Victorian home in Colorado Springs. She is struggling to keep the business afloat when we meet her, as she had not expected the heavy costs associated with the upkeep of a very old home. Ramona got pregnant when she was 15, and has a 25-year-old daughter, Sofia. Sofia is married to a career soldier, deployed in Afghanistan. When we meet these women, they are in Ramona's kitchen when the phone rings. Of course it's the military, reporting that Sofia's husband, Oscar, has been badly wounded in an attack. 8-months pregnant, she rushes to Germany to be by his side, leaving Ramona to care for 13-year-old Katie, Oscars daughter from a previous marriage. Katie's mom is meth addict in rehab, and was due to arrive to live with Sofia for the foreseeable future.
We learn about Ramona at 15, her summer with her aunt Poppy, and her life-changing friendship with a record store clerk named Jonah. Ramona's story is told in first person, Sofia's through journal entries, and Katie's in short third-person chapters. Mainly it is Ramona's story, but the other women have their own sides of what goes on. The women in the story have real feelings and deal with real problems. Don't get me wrong, if you look at my shelves I clearly have NO PROBLEM reading about women who have problems like whether they should purchase the new Prada bag or the new Tori Burch jeans - but those aren't real problems, are they? No, those are CHICK-LIT problems. Grappling with trust issues, learning to love, facing the unexpected - these are real life issues that I wouldn't dare call chick lit.
Do not miss How to Bake a Perfect life! It is gripping and exceedingly well written. Just don't expect a suspense story out of women's fiction.
Friday, August 31, 2012
book 32
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
345 pages
I have zero complaints about this book, not even one little nagging complaint. None.
Dark Places was an amazing read. I could not put it down, and I was mad at bedtime when I literally HAD TO. This morning I awoke thinking I would finish it and, though it took me the greater part of the day, I did.
As I was reading, I was always trying to scan ahead to the next paragraph, desperate to know what was happening. This obviously made it take longer than necessary to read. Although I have a habit of trying to read the end of books first (I'm SO impatient!), and I did here, I was STILL surprised and had to go back and re-read sections to see how I missed that - only to find there was no way to have known. The plot was intricate but not in a way that was forced. No suspension of disbelief needed for even one second. The characters were extremely real, the prose was fantastic, and it is no surprise that this was a bestseller.
As a connoisseur of chick-lit I occasionally tried to shove love into the plot but it wasn't a chick-lit book. That was refreshing to me. Don't get me wrong, I love chick-lit more than any other genre in the world, but I guess maybe I need to broaden my horizons a bit. In fact, I went onto Amazon this morning and ordered Flynn's debut as well.. Her most recent work is not available in paperback, so I'll wait a little to see if it is released in that format before I cave an order it in hardcover.
I highly recommend Dark Places. It's a twisted mystery/suspense novel that would appeal to any gender, race or class. READ IT NOW.
345 pages
I have zero complaints about this book, not even one little nagging complaint. None.
Dark Places was an amazing read. I could not put it down, and I was mad at bedtime when I literally HAD TO. This morning I awoke thinking I would finish it and, though it took me the greater part of the day, I did.
As I was reading, I was always trying to scan ahead to the next paragraph, desperate to know what was happening. This obviously made it take longer than necessary to read. Although I have a habit of trying to read the end of books first (I'm SO impatient!), and I did here, I was STILL surprised and had to go back and re-read sections to see how I missed that - only to find there was no way to have known. The plot was intricate but not in a way that was forced. No suspension of disbelief needed for even one second. The characters were extremely real, the prose was fantastic, and it is no surprise that this was a bestseller.
As a connoisseur of chick-lit I occasionally tried to shove love into the plot but it wasn't a chick-lit book. That was refreshing to me. Don't get me wrong, I love chick-lit more than any other genre in the world, but I guess maybe I need to broaden my horizons a bit. In fact, I went onto Amazon this morning and ordered Flynn's debut as well.. Her most recent work is not available in paperback, so I'll wait a little to see if it is released in that format before I cave an order it in hardcover.
I highly recommend Dark Places. It's a twisted mystery/suspense novel that would appeal to any gender, race or class. READ IT NOW.
Monday, August 27, 2012
movie 18
The Devil Wears Prada
Ok. So I obviously just finished the book and I thought I could watch the movie right away on demand. I was excited. I'm like 30 minutes into the movie right now and I'm already disappointed. I know, that's how the movie always goes.. but seriously. Emily is a huge bitch, which in the book she was bitchy but somewhat sympathetic. Here she is British and very mean. Miranda actually TALKS to Andy, which would never happen in the book. Alex and Andy live together and there hasn't been anything about his job or the fact that they never see each other. Lily is practically non-existant. Andy is mousy and sad instead of being sarcastic and biting. The current scene is one in which Andy and her people are gathered at a bar and she's actually extolling the virtues of Runway. NO.
Where is Jeffy? Why does Nigel have a significant role? Why does Christian have a different last name?
Wait, Alex (is that EVEN his name? Because it's not been said yet) is a chef? Really? No, he's a teacher. UGH. His name is Nate? What was wrong with Alex?
Why is Andy getting things right? That's not supposed to happen - the Harry Potter thing is all wrong.
And now Miranda CHOSE to bring Andy to Paris? Wait. No, Emily gets mono. This makes me mad. It doesn't really capture the essence of the book AT ALL.
None of this is right. Read the book. Skip the movie.
Ok. So I obviously just finished the book and I thought I could watch the movie right away on demand. I was excited. I'm like 30 minutes into the movie right now and I'm already disappointed. I know, that's how the movie always goes.. but seriously. Emily is a huge bitch, which in the book she was bitchy but somewhat sympathetic. Here she is British and very mean. Miranda actually TALKS to Andy, which would never happen in the book. Alex and Andy live together and there hasn't been anything about his job or the fact that they never see each other. Lily is practically non-existant. Andy is mousy and sad instead of being sarcastic and biting. The current scene is one in which Andy and her people are gathered at a bar and she's actually extolling the virtues of Runway. NO.
Where is Jeffy? Why does Nigel have a significant role? Why does Christian have a different last name?
Wait, Alex (is that EVEN his name? Because it's not been said yet) is a chef? Really? No, he's a teacher. UGH. His name is Nate? What was wrong with Alex?
Why is Andy getting things right? That's not supposed to happen - the Harry Potter thing is all wrong.
And now Miranda CHOSE to bring Andy to Paris? Wait. No, Emily gets mono. This makes me mad. It doesn't really capture the essence of the book AT ALL.
None of this is right. Read the book. Skip the movie.
book 31
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
360 pages
Funnily enough, although this was Lauren Weisberger's debut novel, it is the las by her that I read. I've now completed her entire line of novels and I'd started with her most recent (at the time). The last time I reviewed a novel by Weisberger, I'd complained it was too much like another I'd read, so I was a little reluctant to read The Devil Wears Prada. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by TDWP and have the movie all set On Demand to start as soon as I finish this review.
Andrea (Andy) Sachs is a bright-eyed recent college-grad looking to get a job in the magazine industry. Her dream is to work for The New Yorker, but she wanders into a job at Runway, the most "it" fashion magazine around. She ends up as the junior assistant to the editor, an insanely demanding woman named Miranda Priestly. The novel reads like a memoir with little flashbacks and changes in time, but mostly follows along chronologically. Andy has a best friend, Lily, who has a drinking problem, a do-gooder boyfriend, and, of course, an extremely challenging boss and a life-consuming job.
The story is told with wit and humor, and I was always eager to find out what was going to happen next. I wanted to see how long Andy would be able to ut up with Miranda, whether she would eventually come around to the fashion world insanity, or if Miranda would ever soften. The progression was satisfying and not as predictable (although not unbelievable at all) as I would have expected. I truly enjoyed reading this book and, as I've literally JUST finished the book, I'm a little sad that it's over.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone at any time. It isn't pigeon-holed into summer beach read or anything, and I think it would appeal to many ages. Although, as it spend forever on the NYT best-seller list, I'm sure most literate people have already read it! But if you haven't, you should!
360 pages
Funnily enough, although this was Lauren Weisberger's debut novel, it is the las by her that I read. I've now completed her entire line of novels and I'd started with her most recent (at the time). The last time I reviewed a novel by Weisberger, I'd complained it was too much like another I'd read, so I was a little reluctant to read The Devil Wears Prada. I was, however, pleasantly surprised by TDWP and have the movie all set On Demand to start as soon as I finish this review.
Andrea (Andy) Sachs is a bright-eyed recent college-grad looking to get a job in the magazine industry. Her dream is to work for The New Yorker, but she wanders into a job at Runway, the most "it" fashion magazine around. She ends up as the junior assistant to the editor, an insanely demanding woman named Miranda Priestly. The novel reads like a memoir with little flashbacks and changes in time, but mostly follows along chronologically. Andy has a best friend, Lily, who has a drinking problem, a do-gooder boyfriend, and, of course, an extremely challenging boss and a life-consuming job.
The story is told with wit and humor, and I was always eager to find out what was going to happen next. I wanted to see how long Andy would be able to ut up with Miranda, whether she would eventually come around to the fashion world insanity, or if Miranda would ever soften. The progression was satisfying and not as predictable (although not unbelievable at all) as I would have expected. I truly enjoyed reading this book and, as I've literally JUST finished the book, I'm a little sad that it's over.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone at any time. It isn't pigeon-holed into summer beach read or anything, and I think it would appeal to many ages. Although, as it spend forever on the NYT best-seller list, I'm sure most literate people have already read it! But if you haven't, you should!
Sunday, August 26, 2012
book 30
Swapping Lives by Jane Green
416 pages
Unfortunately, I finished this book over a week ago and didn't get around to the review until now so it's not really fresh in my head. I did like it, and I breezed through it like all the other chick-lit books I ever read. I really like Jane Green, and I like her style. This book narrates a little differently, and I enjoyed that. It felt almost like we were watching things unfold, it was a little different than I'm used to and a pleasant change.
One thing really annoyed me: TWO characters named Deborah? Really? At first I thought that the Deborah in the US with a British accent would turn out to be the Same Deborah that does work for Vicky in Poise! magazine, but no. It was somewhat confusing. There are gazillions of girls names, why use the same one twice? UGH.
Otherwise, the premise was actually believable - a mid-30s single London magazine editor swaps lives with a mid-30s American rich housewife to see if the grass is actually greener. This is all for an article in the magazine.. the two women don't magically wake up in another body, there's no funny business, and it progresses as I would imagine it would have in real life. I didn't have much reality suspending to do.
I would definitely recommend this book as a good summer read, something easy, light, and great. Another job well done, Jane Green!!!
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
movies 16 & 17
Both of these movies were not anything I would recommend:
The Killer Inside Me - starred Casey Affleck and Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson. The Blu-ray case said it was "visually stimulating." If by that the quoted reviewer meant bloody and disgusting, making me continually LITERALLY want to vomit, then yes. Visually stimulating. I'm just upset we paid money for it.
Badlands - we Netflixed this because we are going to the Badlands in a week. Steve had seen it before and he wanted it. I did NOT enjoy this. Lots of killing, AGAIN. I like GIRLY things. Romantic comedies. Chick lit. I might ban him from choosing movies anymore, because, seriously, I can't do this killing, blood and guts.
For serious, if you like watching people be beat to death or shot in the face and slowly die, see these. If not, no.
The Killer Inside Me - starred Casey Affleck and Jessica Alba and Kate Hudson. The Blu-ray case said it was "visually stimulating." If by that the quoted reviewer meant bloody and disgusting, making me continually LITERALLY want to vomit, then yes. Visually stimulating. I'm just upset we paid money for it.
Badlands - we Netflixed this because we are going to the Badlands in a week. Steve had seen it before and he wanted it. I did NOT enjoy this. Lots of killing, AGAIN. I like GIRLY things. Romantic comedies. Chick lit. I might ban him from choosing movies anymore, because, seriously, I can't do this killing, blood and guts.
For serious, if you like watching people be beat to death or shot in the face and slowly die, see these. If not, no.
book 29
Honey On Your Mind by Maria Murnane
298 pages
I love the Waverly Bryson series! I'm so happy I stumbled on Perfect on Paper a few months back, and I'm thrilled that this has become a series.. I pre-ordered Honey on Your Mind so I could get it the day it was published, and it came last week, and I'm done. Now I'm a little sad, because I know it will be a minute before the next chapter of Waverly's life begins!!!
I like Waverly because she is real. I feel like I'm hanging out with her and she's recounting her drama. I think I probably said that already when reviewing either of the other two books by Maria Murnane, but it's ok.
In Honey on Your Mind, we start out by finding that Waverly's just accepted a job hosting a segment on a new day-time talk show called Love, Wendy. We already met Wendy Davenport in It's a Waverly Life, so this seemed like a natural progression. So Waverly is moving across the country to start a new life in New York City, ready to begin a TV career and launch her Honey line. Being a lifelong New Yorker, I could identify with a lot of what was happening, the locations of course, and the experience. Although I moved to the city when I was 18 and not 32, it was still a similar experience.
I really love the characters, I love how they've grown, how some of Waverly's annoying quirks have disappeared yet her cute ones remain. Jake is still fantastic, her friends are moving along in their lives, and it's just very real and believable (except that all of her friends are very successful - either in sports or banking or whatever else it is they do - where is the failure friend hahaha).
I would STILL highly recommend this series, and even more so to see now how things have developed and progressed!!!!!!!!!
298 pages
I love the Waverly Bryson series! I'm so happy I stumbled on Perfect on Paper a few months back, and I'm thrilled that this has become a series.. I pre-ordered Honey on Your Mind so I could get it the day it was published, and it came last week, and I'm done. Now I'm a little sad, because I know it will be a minute before the next chapter of Waverly's life begins!!!
I like Waverly because she is real. I feel like I'm hanging out with her and she's recounting her drama. I think I probably said that already when reviewing either of the other two books by Maria Murnane, but it's ok.
In Honey on Your Mind, we start out by finding that Waverly's just accepted a job hosting a segment on a new day-time talk show called Love, Wendy. We already met Wendy Davenport in It's a Waverly Life, so this seemed like a natural progression. So Waverly is moving across the country to start a new life in New York City, ready to begin a TV career and launch her Honey line. Being a lifelong New Yorker, I could identify with a lot of what was happening, the locations of course, and the experience. Although I moved to the city when I was 18 and not 32, it was still a similar experience.
I really love the characters, I love how they've grown, how some of Waverly's annoying quirks have disappeared yet her cute ones remain. Jake is still fantastic, her friends are moving along in their lives, and it's just very real and believable (except that all of her friends are very successful - either in sports or banking or whatever else it is they do - where is the failure friend hahaha).
I would STILL highly recommend this series, and even more so to see now how things have developed and progressed!!!!!!!!!
book 28
Sleeping Arrangements by Madeline Wickham
320 pages
Sleeping Arrangements was what I expected. It is typical Wickham, which I enjoy, so there isn't much to say. It wasn't too obvious, which was nice.
Chloe is a dressmaker in a long-term partnership with her guy Philip. They and their two children are about to embark on a much needed holiday to Spain, they have much stress in their lives and are looking forward to the getaway. Hugh and Amanda are married with two little girls and live a very different lifestyle than Chloe and Philip. Their worlds will collide when they arrive at the villa in Spain to find it double-booked, but that's not the only surprise that will be forthcoming.
I didn't feel like I was constantly predicting what would happen next although it did fit into the genre nicely (which overall is a bit predictable). I read Sleeping Arrangements really quickly, and I wanted to keep going to see what would happen and how things would turn out. The subject matter is adult, full of adult choices and sort of real.
Definitely would recommend for a nice beach read!
320 pages
Sleeping Arrangements was what I expected. It is typical Wickham, which I enjoy, so there isn't much to say. It wasn't too obvious, which was nice.
Chloe is a dressmaker in a long-term partnership with her guy Philip. They and their two children are about to embark on a much needed holiday to Spain, they have much stress in their lives and are looking forward to the getaway. Hugh and Amanda are married with two little girls and live a very different lifestyle than Chloe and Philip. Their worlds will collide when they arrive at the villa in Spain to find it double-booked, but that's not the only surprise that will be forthcoming.
I didn't feel like I was constantly predicting what would happen next although it did fit into the genre nicely (which overall is a bit predictable). I read Sleeping Arrangements really quickly, and I wanted to keep going to see what would happen and how things would turn out. The subject matter is adult, full of adult choices and sort of real.
Definitely would recommend for a nice beach read!
Friday, July 27, 2012
book 27
Faking It by Elisa Lorello
288 pages
I purchased Faking It because I'm a Long Island girl. I was very interested in reading a book that took place in my backyard (although I live in NJ now, I pretty much conduct 95% of my life on LI still). I enjoyed reading about places I've frequented and that was nice. Otherwise I wasn't terribly impressed. I wasn't BORED, and I kept on reading (as always), but nothing about the story really enamored me of the characters or the tale being told. I didn't think the story was especially believable. I don't know if life is really like Andi's. I enjoyed the writing in that it was extremely well-written and the characters were well-developed and generally likable. However, nothing really GRABBED me. I didn't feel for Andi much. She kind of annoyed me. I wasn't compelled to root for her. The Devin character was somewhat believable, but the end result wasn't. I'm trying not to give anything away here so what's happening is I'm being extremely vague.
Overall I would recommend this book to people who are interested in grammatically correct, technical fiction. If you want a lazy, fun read, grab a Kinsella or a Weiner instead.
288 pages
I purchased Faking It because I'm a Long Island girl. I was very interested in reading a book that took place in my backyard (although I live in NJ now, I pretty much conduct 95% of my life on LI still). I enjoyed reading about places I've frequented and that was nice. Otherwise I wasn't terribly impressed. I wasn't BORED, and I kept on reading (as always), but nothing about the story really enamored me of the characters or the tale being told. I didn't think the story was especially believable. I don't know if life is really like Andi's. I enjoyed the writing in that it was extremely well-written and the characters were well-developed and generally likable. However, nothing really GRABBED me. I didn't feel for Andi much. She kind of annoyed me. I wasn't compelled to root for her. The Devin character was somewhat believable, but the end result wasn't. I'm trying not to give anything away here so what's happening is I'm being extremely vague.
Overall I would recommend this book to people who are interested in grammatically correct, technical fiction. If you want a lazy, fun read, grab a Kinsella or a Weiner instead.
Friday, July 13, 2012
book 26
Then Came You: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner
338 pages
Then Came You is the story of four VERY different women. Annie is a young housewife and mother. At 24 years old, she had married her high school sweetheart straight out of high school as was the way in the town she grew up in. Annie and her family have very little money and she wants to contribute to the household in order to have a nicer life. Jules is a college senior who has trouble connecting to other human beings. While she has relationships with others, they are all sort of at the surface - she has acquaintances and colleagues, not friends. Jules' father is an addict, and she would do anything to help him get sober. Jules is also a girl of limited means, attending Princeton on full scholarship. India is a very wealthy woman from humble roots. While looking for a rich man to marry, she meets Marcus and they do marry, giving her everything she ever dreamed of - except she cannot have a baby. The worlds of these three women collide at Princeton Fertility Clinic, where Jules' sells her eggs to get her father into rehab, Annie becomes a surrogate to help her family with the much needed cash, and India is the one supplying both women with the money they are looking for. Finally, Bettina is Marcus' daughter, who, upon meeting India, becomes very suspicious that she is a gold-digger and only marrying her dad for the money.
The story is told through each woman in a series of chapters from each perspective. Something I really enjoyed about this book was the very complex relationships established between men and women - not only do the characters struggle within their romantic relationships, they have relationships with each other and must navigate through unchartered waters at times. Each woman discovers something about herself as the story progresses, their layered and complex personalities and histories becoming clearer and more entwined as time passes. Additionally, one finds the theme of class throughout the novel, something that isn't always addressed in "chick lit" (as Weiner notes in the interview at the end of the book). I picked up on this theme prior to reading the interview, and I thought it was refreshing as well as adding another layer to an already complicated story. However, the complications and complexities did not take away from the story - they only served to enhance the tale as it was told.
I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book to women of all ages, all classes, and all genre-favoring groups. Read it NOW!
338 pages
Then Came You is the story of four VERY different women. Annie is a young housewife and mother. At 24 years old, she had married her high school sweetheart straight out of high school as was the way in the town she grew up in. Annie and her family have very little money and she wants to contribute to the household in order to have a nicer life. Jules is a college senior who has trouble connecting to other human beings. While she has relationships with others, they are all sort of at the surface - she has acquaintances and colleagues, not friends. Jules' father is an addict, and she would do anything to help him get sober. Jules is also a girl of limited means, attending Princeton on full scholarship. India is a very wealthy woman from humble roots. While looking for a rich man to marry, she meets Marcus and they do marry, giving her everything she ever dreamed of - except she cannot have a baby. The worlds of these three women collide at Princeton Fertility Clinic, where Jules' sells her eggs to get her father into rehab, Annie becomes a surrogate to help her family with the much needed cash, and India is the one supplying both women with the money they are looking for. Finally, Bettina is Marcus' daughter, who, upon meeting India, becomes very suspicious that she is a gold-digger and only marrying her dad for the money.
The story is told through each woman in a series of chapters from each perspective. Something I really enjoyed about this book was the very complex relationships established between men and women - not only do the characters struggle within their romantic relationships, they have relationships with each other and must navigate through unchartered waters at times. Each woman discovers something about herself as the story progresses, their layered and complex personalities and histories becoming clearer and more entwined as time passes. Additionally, one finds the theme of class throughout the novel, something that isn't always addressed in "chick lit" (as Weiner notes in the interview at the end of the book). I picked up on this theme prior to reading the interview, and I thought it was refreshing as well as adding another layer to an already complicated story. However, the complications and complexities did not take away from the story - they only served to enhance the tale as it was told.
I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book to women of all ages, all classes, and all genre-favoring groups. Read it NOW!
Sunday, July 1, 2012
movie 15
Marley & Me
Ok, so I totally neglected to update my Netflix queue when I sent back my last movie and this is what came. Now I love Jennifer Aniston, so it wasn't like I dreaded watching it, but I was like "oh, this might be lame." I was wrong wrong wrong!!! I really enjoyed the story, watching this couple from their wedding day, adopting a puppy, and starting/growing a family together all told through this crazy family pet.
As a cat owner I could relate to an animal getting older, how it is so intricately intertwined in your family, and how painful it can be to say goodbye. I've had several cats and my current cat is now almost 7 years old, so the fragility of her life is always on my mind even though I know it's totally premature.
I watched alone, I laughed and I cried. I know there is no way in hell that Steve would have watched this with me even though I don't think he would have hated it.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves animals!
Ok, so I totally neglected to update my Netflix queue when I sent back my last movie and this is what came. Now I love Jennifer Aniston, so it wasn't like I dreaded watching it, but I was like "oh, this might be lame." I was wrong wrong wrong!!! I really enjoyed the story, watching this couple from their wedding day, adopting a puppy, and starting/growing a family together all told through this crazy family pet.
As a cat owner I could relate to an animal getting older, how it is so intricately intertwined in your family, and how painful it can be to say goodbye. I've had several cats and my current cat is now almost 7 years old, so the fragility of her life is always on my mind even though I know it's totally premature.
I watched alone, I laughed and I cried. I know there is no way in hell that Steve would have watched this with me even though I don't think he would have hated it.
I would recommend this movie to anyone who loves animals!
book 25
Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger
368 pages
I recently read Everyone Worth Knowing and I loved it. Last Night at Chateau Marmont? Not so much. It followed the structure of EWK so closely - a young woman gets thrown into the spotlight and tabloids overnight. Celebrity names abound. Yadda yadda yadda. I felt like yelling "Hey Lauren, you already did this, just a little different!" So that was lame.
Actually, it's kind of a strange coincidence that I read this book randomly right now. My boyfriend is currently in Japan on tour with his band (that broke up in 2003.. apparently Japanese people still dig them) and I'm grappling with some of the same issues that Brooke struggled with while Julian was away. In that way, I could REALLY relate to the story.. Feeling left out, how it feels bad to work so hard and not get to share in the rewards he is reaping.. So there's that, which kept me pretty glued to the book.
A couple of things annoyed me (as usual). Well, I can really only think of one thing besides the above mentioned similarity to another book by the same author.. The book is told in third person, which I sort of enjoyed, but Weiseberger uses the same phrases repeatedly - "it was all Brooke could do not to [insert action]".. '[character] was holding court..." .. "[character] slammed the table with his/her palm".. it happened less as the book progressed, but I don't know, these things bother me. Maybe they don't bother other people. Maybe I'm crazy.
As I got to the last two-thirds of the book, I was anxious to finish and see how it all played out so that was also a redeeming factor. Overall, it was a decent read and I think I'd have liked it much better had it not been a rehashed tale told differently.
368 pages
I recently read Everyone Worth Knowing and I loved it. Last Night at Chateau Marmont? Not so much. It followed the structure of EWK so closely - a young woman gets thrown into the spotlight and tabloids overnight. Celebrity names abound. Yadda yadda yadda. I felt like yelling "Hey Lauren, you already did this, just a little different!" So that was lame.
Actually, it's kind of a strange coincidence that I read this book randomly right now. My boyfriend is currently in Japan on tour with his band (that broke up in 2003.. apparently Japanese people still dig them) and I'm grappling with some of the same issues that Brooke struggled with while Julian was away. In that way, I could REALLY relate to the story.. Feeling left out, how it feels bad to work so hard and not get to share in the rewards he is reaping.. So there's that, which kept me pretty glued to the book.
A couple of things annoyed me (as usual). Well, I can really only think of one thing besides the above mentioned similarity to another book by the same author.. The book is told in third person, which I sort of enjoyed, but Weiseberger uses the same phrases repeatedly - "it was all Brooke could do not to [insert action]".. '[character] was holding court..." .. "[character] slammed the table with his/her palm".. it happened less as the book progressed, but I don't know, these things bother me. Maybe they don't bother other people. Maybe I'm crazy.
As I got to the last two-thirds of the book, I was anxious to finish and see how it all played out so that was also a redeeming factor. Overall, it was a decent read and I think I'd have liked it much better had it not been a rehashed tale told differently.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
movie 14
Friends With Benefits
I really enjoyed this movie!!!!!!!!!!! I looove Mila Kunis, so that worked out for me, and I hadn't seen anything else that Justin Timberlake had done, but I was pleasantly surprised. My cousin Angela and her husband were flipping through channels and this was just starting.. They said they had seen in like five times, but it was great and watched it again. I'm glad they did!
I like how Friends With Benefits consistently points out that movies aren't like real life while also being a movie not like real life.. In some ways it was, but it was definitely a bit satirical in the way it was made. The movie kept my attention throughout and I would even go so far as to say I was sad when it ended!!!!
I would HIGHLY recommend this movie to men and women alike, as it has tons of appeal and even more laughs. Go see it now!!!
I really enjoyed this movie!!!!!!!!!!! I looove Mila Kunis, so that worked out for me, and I hadn't seen anything else that Justin Timberlake had done, but I was pleasantly surprised. My cousin Angela and her husband were flipping through channels and this was just starting.. They said they had seen in like five times, but it was great and watched it again. I'm glad they did!
I like how Friends With Benefits consistently points out that movies aren't like real life while also being a movie not like real life.. In some ways it was, but it was definitely a bit satirical in the way it was made. The movie kept my attention throughout and I would even go so far as to say I was sad when it ended!!!!
I would HIGHLY recommend this movie to men and women alike, as it has tons of appeal and even more laughs. Go see it now!!!
movie 13
That's My Boy
UGH. hahaha. I was in Florida and it was a tropical storm, so we couldn't go to Universal or the beach as we'd planned, so my cousin and I drove to Clermont to see a movie. When we got there, our choices were Prometheus, Men in Black II, or this. We chose That's My Boy since it was a comedy.
I really don't love these movies that were totally made for dudes. I kind of like Adam Sandler, but mostly in his serious funny roles.. It was funny to see Vanilla Ice, though, and I guess it was basically a good movie. The end was WEIRD WEIRD WEIRD and it was totally dreamt up by a VERY SICK mind. That's all I will say about that.
Overall I was satisfied by the movie's intent, which was to pass time on a rainy day. I don't think I would recommend it at all, though.
UGH. hahaha. I was in Florida and it was a tropical storm, so we couldn't go to Universal or the beach as we'd planned, so my cousin and I drove to Clermont to see a movie. When we got there, our choices were Prometheus, Men in Black II, or this. We chose That's My Boy since it was a comedy.
I really don't love these movies that were totally made for dudes. I kind of like Adam Sandler, but mostly in his serious funny roles.. It was funny to see Vanilla Ice, though, and I guess it was basically a good movie. The end was WEIRD WEIRD WEIRD and it was totally dreamt up by a VERY SICK mind. That's all I will say about that.
Overall I was satisfied by the movie's intent, which was to pass time on a rainy day. I don't think I would recommend it at all, though.
book 24
The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
338 pages
Actually, I wasn't too impressed with The Wedding Girl. I mean, it was okay but it was VERY unrealistic. The thought of someone neglecting to admit that she had married someone so he could stay in the country is sort of absurd.. like, if you were getting married, don't you think you might think to yourself "I'd better make sure I'm not still married"????
Milly was an overall likable character (except, of course, for the above mentioned stupidity). You could get in her corner and hope it all works out for her. You wanted her to be happy. Simon was not at all likable, I have no idea what Milly saw in him.. he came across as a brat who would never be happy ever. Also, the Isobel/Milly relationships weird stuff was just that - weird. I won't say anything and give it away, but it was bizarre and I don't think I liked it.
I found this bok to be very readable, I finished it quickly and wasn't bored, it was just unrealistic and weird at times. I hope the other books by Madeleine Wickham have better story lines since I've read all of her work published as Sophie Kinsella already!!!!!!
3 stars
Saturday, June 16, 2012
book 23
Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts by Claire LaZebnik
288 pages
Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts is a great title. It kind of ends there. The premise is really good - Keats Sedlak is the only average member in her family of intellects and geniuses. She is in a regular relationship with a regular guy, and they've been together for 10 years. Her family is comprised of crazy people who lack social skills. This could have been really funny or really moving or really good. It was none of those things. The chapters were very formulaic - each one ended with a single sentence thought and progressed similarly.
I cannot, cannot, CANNOT STAND when book characters have completely abnormal names. Who would name their kids after the LAST NAMES of their favorite authors? Hopkins, Keats, and Milton. The first two are girls. I found that really hard to get passed. Really hard to read and I'm not one of those people that can just sub in a normal name. I get that it was part of the family quirkiness and how Keats seems to lament her name but I don't go for it. Too weird and annoying. In fact I've had this book for months and I put off reading it because of the names of the characters. That's how much I knew it would bother me. AND when I went to restock and B&N the other day, I purposely avoided all strangely named character books, even if it looked like the story might be good.
I read the whole book because it was tantamount to a train wreck for me. I wanted to see how the gore would unfold. I was not moved at all, I did not feel bad for any characters and I didn't particularly like any of them. Mostly I didn't find them respectable. I didn't see any of the characters as people I would like in life, not even the normal Keats. So i plowed through it with the goal of starting a new book as soon as possible.
I would not recommend this book.
288 pages
Families and Other Nonreturnable Gifts is a great title. It kind of ends there. The premise is really good - Keats Sedlak is the only average member in her family of intellects and geniuses. She is in a regular relationship with a regular guy, and they've been together for 10 years. Her family is comprised of crazy people who lack social skills. This could have been really funny or really moving or really good. It was none of those things. The chapters were very formulaic - each one ended with a single sentence thought and progressed similarly.
I cannot, cannot, CANNOT STAND when book characters have completely abnormal names. Who would name their kids after the LAST NAMES of their favorite authors? Hopkins, Keats, and Milton. The first two are girls. I found that really hard to get passed. Really hard to read and I'm not one of those people that can just sub in a normal name. I get that it was part of the family quirkiness and how Keats seems to lament her name but I don't go for it. Too weird and annoying. In fact I've had this book for months and I put off reading it because of the names of the characters. That's how much I knew it would bother me. AND when I went to restock and B&N the other day, I purposely avoided all strangely named character books, even if it looked like the story might be good.
I read the whole book because it was tantamount to a train wreck for me. I wanted to see how the gore would unfold. I was not moved at all, I did not feel bad for any characters and I didn't particularly like any of them. Mostly I didn't find them respectable. I didn't see any of the characters as people I would like in life, not even the normal Keats. So i plowed through it with the goal of starting a new book as soon as possible.
I would not recommend this book.
book 22
Everyone Worth Knowing by Lauren Weisberger
435 pages
Everyone Worth Knowing was a fantastic read. At first I found it a little slow, but once I got a few chapters in, I could not put the book down. I had it on me at all times just looking for a free second to devour even one page if that's all I could. I read Chasing Harry Winston probably two or three years ago and I don't remember being crazy about it, so I had sort of put this book off thinking it wouldn't be my style. I was VERY pleasantly surprised to find that Everyone Worth Knowing is exactly 100% my style of book.
I loved the theme of romance novels throughout the book. I feel like maybe these chick-lit books are the new romance novel for a tamer generation of ladies - not that as a whole we are tamer, but for different groups. Honestly, I couldn't read 50 Shades of Grey - I am way too prudish with my literature and I would feel embarrassed - but these books have just enough sex, yet not too much information to make me feel squeamish. Bette was extremely likable, as were Penelope and Sammy and Will and Simon.. Weisberger created lifelike characters that had real personality and charm. The characters that the reader wasn't supposed to like or trust came off as unlikable and untrustworthy. No one was extremely needy or annoying. None of the characters had stupid personality traits or ridiculous names (my BIGGEST PET PEEVE!!!!)
Overall this was a FANTASTIC read and I'm so glad I picked it up! I think I will be giving the other novels by Lauren Weisberger a chance now and I hope they live up to the same standards set by Everyone Worth Knowing!
Saturday, June 2, 2012
book 21
The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen
377 pages
The Opposite of Me is about sisters and their triumphs and tragedies. Lindsey and Alex are fraternal twins with nothing in common except having shared a uterus for nine months. Lindsey is a successful marketing exec in New York, while Alex is a model and TV personality in the DC area. Lindsey always strived to be smarter than her sister because she was always overlooked since they were small children. When everything goes terribly wrong at work, Lindsey is forced to make changes she never imagined would happen. She moves back home to Bethesda and starts her life over, expecting to resume her high powered successul life in DC but life happens and her goals change.
There are some surprising twists and turns in this story. I never had a sister so it was interesting to see these women bond over time. I don't know what that's like, but apparently they hadn't either until circumstances drove them together. Some aspects were strange, like Alex dating the guy who had always loved Lindsey - I'm just not sure that's realistic because ladies are territorial and also I think there is some level of disrespect there, but that's just me.
Overall I enjoyed this book and I think four stars is perfect!
377 pages
The Opposite of Me is about sisters and their triumphs and tragedies. Lindsey and Alex are fraternal twins with nothing in common except having shared a uterus for nine months. Lindsey is a successful marketing exec in New York, while Alex is a model and TV personality in the DC area. Lindsey always strived to be smarter than her sister because she was always overlooked since they were small children. When everything goes terribly wrong at work, Lindsey is forced to make changes she never imagined would happen. She moves back home to Bethesda and starts her life over, expecting to resume her high powered successul life in DC but life happens and her goals change.
There are some surprising twists and turns in this story. I never had a sister so it was interesting to see these women bond over time. I don't know what that's like, but apparently they hadn't either until circumstances drove them together. Some aspects were strange, like Alex dating the guy who had always loved Lindsey - I'm just not sure that's realistic because ladies are territorial and also I think there is some level of disrespect there, but that's just me.
Overall I enjoyed this book and I think four stars is perfect!
book 20
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
435 pages
I love Sophie Kinsella's books. I really do, and there is nothing bad about them, ever. The only tiny complaint I have is that the main characters are strikingly similar to each other, but since I love them, that's kind of a moot complaint..
I really enjoyed the paranormal take on this story, it was really well done and not cheesy. I sort of put off reading Twenties Girl for a while because I was genuinely scared that it would be really corny and stupid, because we all know our dead great aunts do not follow us around yelling in our ear. I was, however, pleasantly surprised. I don't mind suspending disbelief, but in this case I didn't really have to - it was just natural and Sadie felt like just another character in the book, not a silly ghost.
I would highly recommend this book and I'm so so sad that I have now read everything Kinsella has published. I guess it's time to try Madeline Wickham!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
movie 12
The Haunting
so obviously i am doing VERY BADLY at watching 50 movies this year... so when this was on tv after the mets game ended, i kept it on and figured even if it was awful it would count toward my 50 so i'd win. The Haunting was awful. like AWFUL. now maybe you see why i don't watch many movies, i mean the majority of what i'm reviewing here is like.. awful, awful films.
i was a little surprised to be honest. the movie is from 1999 but the production was like 1980s. there were major names in the cast: owen wilson, catherine zeta-jones, liam neeson... i mean, did they READ the script? did they practice their lines? the dialogue was awful. the acting was awful. the plot was... well, awful!
i understand this is a remake of a previous film that may or may not have been good. i won't be finding out any time soon.. this movie was so bad i used the word "awful" 900 times in this review. please don't watch it. please.
so obviously i am doing VERY BADLY at watching 50 movies this year... so when this was on tv after the mets game ended, i kept it on and figured even if it was awful it would count toward my 50 so i'd win. The Haunting was awful. like AWFUL. now maybe you see why i don't watch many movies, i mean the majority of what i'm reviewing here is like.. awful, awful films.
i was a little surprised to be honest. the movie is from 1999 but the production was like 1980s. there were major names in the cast: owen wilson, catherine zeta-jones, liam neeson... i mean, did they READ the script? did they practice their lines? the dialogue was awful. the acting was awful. the plot was... well, awful!
i understand this is a remake of a previous film that may or may not have been good. i won't be finding out any time soon.. this movie was so bad i used the word "awful" 900 times in this review. please don't watch it. please.
Friday, May 18, 2012
book 19
Bookends by Jane Green
358 pages
I read Jemima J last year, so I thought it would be cool to give Jane Green another shot. I enjoyed Bookends.. it was a little slow at first, but as I read, I got more and more into it. I like that Ms. Green creates characters that come off as real - they aren't little stick figure girls who live a life you can't imagine living.. they are sometimes insecure, they have bad hair, and they are regular sized women.
I had a couple of issues with the book, first of all the language.. like when Lucy talks she is a little annoying, "the lovely James" "young James" "Cath, my love" it's a little over the top. Sometimes Cath goes on and on and repeats herself, and I wish she would get to the point. And the last 100 pages of the book were EXTREMELY depressing. I don't think it was meant to be so depressing, but it was, and I didn't like that.
I would still give this book 4 stars, however, because all in all I really enjoyed reading it and am glad I chose it. :)
Saturday, May 12, 2012
book 18
Bitter is the New Black
Jennifer Lancaster
Bitter is the New Black was a great read. Very funny, attention-holding, and full of energy, it kept my attention thoroughly. I understand that Jen Lancaster has written a couple other memoirs, but I'm not sure I will read them.. seems a little too much for me - like who needs to write three memoirs, really?
Anyway, I digress.
What I really loved about this film was the moral of the story - Lancaster lives this insane lifestyle of spending nonstop, needing to have the best of the best, and when she loses her job and finds herself in a very bad situation, she looks back and thinks "Why did I think buying this stuff was a good idea?" I can relate to this sentiment. Though I am quite lucratively employed, I seem to always have financial problems, and when I look around at the stuff I own it's insanely frustrating.
Lancaster has sharp wit and makes keen observations. Although I can't imagine working with her or for her, or even socializing with her, I enjoyed her book. I really think I would hate her as a person, but her story was good and I would highly recommend it to people who enjoy laughing or who overspend as a life lesson :)
movies 10 and 11
10 - The Pelican Brief
I watched this because it was on tv when i was in georgia, and everyone else was watching it. not my type of movie. though parts were thrilling, overall i had a hard time maintaining my attention to it. i have nothing more to say about that.
11. Dakota Skye
i watched this film in the airport while my flight was delayed and i LOVED it. i liked the narration that dakota does, i liked her boyfriend even though he was sort of a loser, and i really loved Jonah. i wish i had the kind of adoration in my life that dakota does. i am 100% a sucker for romance, especially when there is an intense connection that has sparks and chemistry on screen.
i don't want to give too much away, so i'm going to stop here, but this was one of the best films i've seen in a long time, and i HIGHLY recommend it to saps like myself.
I watched this because it was on tv when i was in georgia, and everyone else was watching it. not my type of movie. though parts were thrilling, overall i had a hard time maintaining my attention to it. i have nothing more to say about that.
11. Dakota Skye
i watched this film in the airport while my flight was delayed and i LOVED it. i liked the narration that dakota does, i liked her boyfriend even though he was sort of a loser, and i really loved Jonah. i wish i had the kind of adoration in my life that dakota does. i am 100% a sucker for romance, especially when there is an intense connection that has sparks and chemistry on screen.
i don't want to give too much away, so i'm going to stop here, but this was one of the best films i've seen in a long time, and i HIGHLY recommend it to saps like myself.
Monday, April 9, 2012
book 17
Getting Warmer by Carol Snow
282 pages
I loved this book. Getting Warmer is about a woman named Natalie Quakenbush, a high school English teacher who invents stories to tell in the bar scene for entertainment. That's all well and good until she meets Jonathan, a guy she actually likes, but has already spun her tales and now has to come clean. For the record, I am a high school Social Studies teacher, so a lot of what I read resonated with me - feeling like you aren't making a difference, parent involvement, connections with kids who can't see their own potential - and I really enjoyed that.
I was extremely interested in what would happen in the story and I wanted to read it all the time. It helps that it's baseball season and I can't watch TV again until September. However, I think I would have chosen to read this without having the TV occupied by the Mets.
Natalie seems incredibly real. She could be any woman, she is true and not at all forced. None of the characters in the book are forced, at that. I really enjoyed that everyone had traditional names - Natalie, Shelly, Jill, Robert - I really hate the license authors take with bizarro names these days.
Overall I was extremely pleased with this book and I will be recommending it to some teacher friends who enjoy chick lit like me :)
282 pages
I loved this book. Getting Warmer is about a woman named Natalie Quakenbush, a high school English teacher who invents stories to tell in the bar scene for entertainment. That's all well and good until she meets Jonathan, a guy she actually likes, but has already spun her tales and now has to come clean. For the record, I am a high school Social Studies teacher, so a lot of what I read resonated with me - feeling like you aren't making a difference, parent involvement, connections with kids who can't see their own potential - and I really enjoyed that.
I was extremely interested in what would happen in the story and I wanted to read it all the time. It helps that it's baseball season and I can't watch TV again until September. However, I think I would have chosen to read this without having the TV occupied by the Mets.
Natalie seems incredibly real. She could be any woman, she is true and not at all forced. None of the characters in the book are forced, at that. I really enjoyed that everyone had traditional names - Natalie, Shelly, Jill, Robert - I really hate the license authors take with bizarro names these days.
Overall I was extremely pleased with this book and I will be recommending it to some teacher friends who enjoy chick lit like me :)
Friday, April 6, 2012
book 16
Declaring Spinsterhood by Jamie Lynn Braziel
227 pages
Declaring Spinsterhood is the story of Emma Bailey, a luckless thirty-year-old woman tired of dating. Since she has decided men are too difficult, she announces to her family that she is declaring spinsterhood. Her best friend is her neighbor, Brian. They are obviously going to end up together. You wonder the whole time why Emma was so dense.
This book would appeal to a woman who is religious. Emma is waiting until marriage to have sex, attends church every Sunday, doesn't drink and doesn't swear. "Hell" is referred to as a curse word. She says "drat" and "dang" and "heck". There was no sex. There was no passion. It was boring as heck. (Ha). Declaring Spinsterhood reads like a memoir, and is not anything special AT ALL.
It would really probably appear to mostly members of Young Republicans. Female members. I am not surprised that the book was self-published because I can't imagine any major publishing house (outside of, apparently, Amazon Encore) publishing it.
Declaring Spinsterhood wasn't horrible, it just really wasn't for me.
227 pages
Declaring Spinsterhood is the story of Emma Bailey, a luckless thirty-year-old woman tired of dating. Since she has decided men are too difficult, she announces to her family that she is declaring spinsterhood. Her best friend is her neighbor, Brian. They are obviously going to end up together. You wonder the whole time why Emma was so dense.
This book would appeal to a woman who is religious. Emma is waiting until marriage to have sex, attends church every Sunday, doesn't drink and doesn't swear. "Hell" is referred to as a curse word. She says "drat" and "dang" and "heck". There was no sex. There was no passion. It was boring as heck. (Ha). Declaring Spinsterhood reads like a memoir, and is not anything special AT ALL.
It would really probably appear to mostly members of Young Republicans. Female members. I am not surprised that the book was self-published because I can't imagine any major publishing house (outside of, apparently, Amazon Encore) publishing it.
Declaring Spinsterhood wasn't horrible, it just really wasn't for me.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
book 15
I Remember You by Harriet Evans
439 pages
this book was boring. there were too many words. way too much description. i feel like there was no story. no drama. i've read other books by harriet evans, and i enjoyed them, but i really, really, really did not like this. i wouldn't say i hated it, but i never had any motivation to pick it up. it was obvious what would happen, and getting there wasn't exciting. the book was overpopulated with characters, i couldn't keep them all straight.
if you like books that have heavy description and no real story, this is the book for you. otherwise, skip it.
439 pages
this book was boring. there were too many words. way too much description. i feel like there was no story. no drama. i've read other books by harriet evans, and i enjoyed them, but i really, really, really did not like this. i wouldn't say i hated it, but i never had any motivation to pick it up. it was obvious what would happen, and getting there wasn't exciting. the book was overpopulated with characters, i couldn't keep them all straight.
if you like books that have heavy description and no real story, this is the book for you. otherwise, skip it.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
movie 9
The Ringer
Another movie put on us by Steve's very mature colleagues over in probation. Ugh. I'm not sure if this movie was supposed to make fun of mentally challenged people or point out their strengths. I thought it was sort of offensive. Ok, I thought it was really offensive. Strangely, it was ALSO a waste of 94 minutes of my life.
Again, you knew from the start that there would be trouble, as the Johnny Knoxville character (Steve/Jeffy) definitely has the hots for Lynn, the Special Olympics lady. And, as it ALWAYS seems in these movies, her fiance is a douche - a total pretty boy, a fake, and a cheater. I swear, I'm going to start calling these films dude chick flicks because they are the exact same as chick flicks but have dumb comedy and are made for dudes. You know he's gonna get caught cheating, and it's gonna be a disaster and boooooring.
I just want to watch a good movie. And read a good book. March was totally a fail.
Another movie put on us by Steve's very mature colleagues over in probation. Ugh. I'm not sure if this movie was supposed to make fun of mentally challenged people or point out their strengths. I thought it was sort of offensive. Ok, I thought it was really offensive. Strangely, it was ALSO a waste of 94 minutes of my life.
Again, you knew from the start that there would be trouble, as the Johnny Knoxville character (Steve/Jeffy) definitely has the hots for Lynn, the Special Olympics lady. And, as it ALWAYS seems in these movies, her fiance is a douche - a total pretty boy, a fake, and a cheater. I swear, I'm going to start calling these films dude chick flicks because they are the exact same as chick flicks but have dumb comedy and are made for dudes. You know he's gonna get caught cheating, and it's gonna be a disaster and boooooring.
I just want to watch a good movie. And read a good book. March was totally a fail.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
movie 8
Made of Honor
Funny that I should have watched this after recently having claimed to have never heard of nor seen anything with Michelle Monaghan (spelled wrong, I'm sure) in it. Still don't like her. Maybe even like her less now.
I really thought this movie would be right up my alley, but I was a little disappointed. It was MEGA predictable, which is usually fine by me, but in this case it was kinda boring. Maybe doesn't help that the book I'm reading (and HAVE BEEN READING FOR LIKE A MONTH!!) is sort of the same premise - old friends and their destiny to be together. And the book SUCKS. But I digress....
The man character - I can't even remember who played him. Patrick Dempsey? - realizes he is in love with his best friend and he wants to tell her when she returns from a month-ish long trip to Scotland. Except she comes back, and she's engaged to some Scot who, as it turns out, is semi-royalty. The guy is weird and you have no idea what the Michelle M character is doing with him. You KNOW they can't go through with the marriage. So..... Basically what transpires is like two hours of getting to that point and seeing the two people end up together. Yaaaaay.
Yeah, I didn't really like it. Also, I'm majorly failing at movies.
Funny that I should have watched this after recently having claimed to have never heard of nor seen anything with Michelle Monaghan (spelled wrong, I'm sure) in it. Still don't like her. Maybe even like her less now.
I really thought this movie would be right up my alley, but I was a little disappointed. It was MEGA predictable, which is usually fine by me, but in this case it was kinda boring. Maybe doesn't help that the book I'm reading (and HAVE BEEN READING FOR LIKE A MONTH!!) is sort of the same premise - old friends and their destiny to be together. And the book SUCKS. But I digress....
The man character - I can't even remember who played him. Patrick Dempsey? - realizes he is in love with his best friend and he wants to tell her when she returns from a month-ish long trip to Scotland. Except she comes back, and she's engaged to some Scot who, as it turns out, is semi-royalty. The guy is weird and you have no idea what the Michelle M character is doing with him. You KNOW they can't go through with the marriage. So..... Basically what transpires is like two hours of getting to that point and seeing the two people end up together. Yaaaaay.
Yeah, I didn't really like it. Also, I'm majorly failing at movies.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
movie 7
Grandma's Boy
the people at steve's job insisted he watch this because it was "hilarious."
if by hilarious they meant totally juvenile and a waste of 94 minutes of my life, then yes, hilarious.
i have nothing more to say about this film. at least it counted toward my 50.....
the people at steve's job insisted he watch this because it was "hilarious."
if by hilarious they meant totally juvenile and a waste of 94 minutes of my life, then yes, hilarious.
i have nothing more to say about this film. at least it counted toward my 50.....
Sunday, February 26, 2012
book 14
It's a Waverly Life by Maria Murnane
262 pages
I loved Perfect on Paper, and I loved It's a Waverly Life, too! The story picks up where Perfect on Paper left off.. Waverly has moved on to the next phase of her life, writing her column for the San Francisco Sun and producing her Honey Notes. She and Jake are working on their long-distance relationship and things are not going as planned. While perfect for each other, something holds Waverly back...
It's a Waverly Life has just the right amount of conflict, drama, sadness, and joy. I read the book in under two days, it was just a real page-turner and I wanted to keep reading, even when it ended. I know my book choices are highly superficial, but I like to think they are something of a sophisticated superficial.. I love love. I can't help it.
Near the beginning of the book we meet Red, Waverly's new neighbor. He is an elderly man who is very insightful and seems to always know just what to say. While seemingly a minor character (we only meet him a handful of times), he is an integral part of the plot. Every character in the book is likable, and you can't help but want them to be happy however that may happen.
Like Perfect on Paper, It's a Waverly Life reads like a movie. In fact, it's really just like a sequel, filled with cameo appearances. Kristina is back for one scene, Brad Cantor has one scene, etc. It's nice to revisit these characters. McKenna has also moved on to the next stage of her life, and plays a very minor role. It's almost like they made the sequel, but the actors were busy and couldn't make the whole shoot.. And I'm okay with that. The plot focused more an Waverly's growth, her dealing with change, and her coming into the woman she is and will be. It was very fulfilling, and even left open for part three. Which I am hoping beyond hope that Maria Murnane is at home, writing, right now.
I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it but only once you have read Perfect on Paper. Enjoy!!!!!
262 pages
I loved Perfect on Paper, and I loved It's a Waverly Life, too! The story picks up where Perfect on Paper left off.. Waverly has moved on to the next phase of her life, writing her column for the San Francisco Sun and producing her Honey Notes. She and Jake are working on their long-distance relationship and things are not going as planned. While perfect for each other, something holds Waverly back...
It's a Waverly Life has just the right amount of conflict, drama, sadness, and joy. I read the book in under two days, it was just a real page-turner and I wanted to keep reading, even when it ended. I know my book choices are highly superficial, but I like to think they are something of a sophisticated superficial.. I love love. I can't help it.
Near the beginning of the book we meet Red, Waverly's new neighbor. He is an elderly man who is very insightful and seems to always know just what to say. While seemingly a minor character (we only meet him a handful of times), he is an integral part of the plot. Every character in the book is likable, and you can't help but want them to be happy however that may happen.
Like Perfect on Paper, It's a Waverly Life reads like a movie. In fact, it's really just like a sequel, filled with cameo appearances. Kristina is back for one scene, Brad Cantor has one scene, etc. It's nice to revisit these characters. McKenna has also moved on to the next stage of her life, and plays a very minor role. It's almost like they made the sequel, but the actors were busy and couldn't make the whole shoot.. And I'm okay with that. The plot focused more an Waverly's growth, her dealing with change, and her coming into the woman she is and will be. It was very fulfilling, and even left open for part three. Which I am hoping beyond hope that Maria Murnane is at home, writing, right now.
I loved this book, and I would highly recommend it but only once you have read Perfect on Paper. Enjoy!!!!!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
movie 6
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
We started watching this movie through the Blu-ray player like a month ago but it kept buffering and we couldn't live like that, so we rented it from Netflix and finally got around to watching it tonight. I thought it was funny. I don't really like shooting scenes, though, they give me agita. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stars RDJ and Val Kilmer. I think RDJ is very quirky and funny. Kilmer was also really good. The female lead was Michelle Monaghan, I don't think I'm familiar with anything else she has done.
My thoughts were as follows: I did not read the book on which this film was based, so I can't say how it related. The obvious narration was slightly annoying but you got used to it after a while. Sometimes it was over-acted, mainly on Monaghan's part. Val Kilmer did a great job and I think he played his part well.
Some good laughs, but overall a little confusing and I kind of kept wishing it would just wrap up already. Clearly I lean toward chick flicks. I'm not that interested in anything else. That's a little sad. Well, no, I like indie films, too. I don't know. Maybe if I had more patience for cinema it would be different, but I like TV shows because they are neatly 30 minutes or an hour. Or at least it's just an installation, then you have to wait. This is why the movie part of this challenge is so hard for me.
I digress....
Overall, I sort of enjoyed this film. It was mysterious-ish, which is fine by me. I didn't really figure it out but I wasn't really trying. It was a decent Saturday night movie, and it kept my attention 90% of them time.
We started watching this movie through the Blu-ray player like a month ago but it kept buffering and we couldn't live like that, so we rented it from Netflix and finally got around to watching it tonight. I thought it was funny. I don't really like shooting scenes, though, they give me agita. Kiss Kiss Bang Bang stars RDJ and Val Kilmer. I think RDJ is very quirky and funny. Kilmer was also really good. The female lead was Michelle Monaghan, I don't think I'm familiar with anything else she has done.
My thoughts were as follows: I did not read the book on which this film was based, so I can't say how it related. The obvious narration was slightly annoying but you got used to it after a while. Sometimes it was over-acted, mainly on Monaghan's part. Val Kilmer did a great job and I think he played his part well.
Some good laughs, but overall a little confusing and I kind of kept wishing it would just wrap up already. Clearly I lean toward chick flicks. I'm not that interested in anything else. That's a little sad. Well, no, I like indie films, too. I don't know. Maybe if I had more patience for cinema it would be different, but I like TV shows because they are neatly 30 minutes or an hour. Or at least it's just an installation, then you have to wait. This is why the movie part of this challenge is so hard for me.
I digress....
Overall, I sort of enjoyed this film. It was mysterious-ish, which is fine by me. I didn't really figure it out but I wasn't really trying. It was a decent Saturday night movie, and it kept my attention 90% of them time.
movie 5
The Change-Up
This movie was... I don't know. Kooky? Bizarre? Not for me? I'm not sure. I think I enjoyed it sometimes, but other times I was like "why am I still watching?" and I think the answer is because it cost $12 at the hotel.
The Change-Up is about two guys who claim to want each other's lives, and after peeing in a fountain their wishes come true. Sounds like 14 other movies that have already been done, like that movie with Jamie Lee Curtis where she like changes lives with her daughter or whatever. Way to be original. Jason Bateman's character, Dave, is a successful lawyer about to make partner. He is married with a little girl and twin babies. While he has a great life, he wishes he could change with Ryan Reynolds' character, who is still smoking weed all day and living the life of a bachelor. Reynolds' character, Mitch, is an actor. As soon as they wake up in each other's bodies, they realize that it was a mistake. Insanity ensues for like two hours. It's ridiculous. How come no one notices when normally even-keeled and mild-mannered Dave begins cursing like a sailor and acting like a crazy person? I mean, the other switch is fine really, except that Dave has to do things that make him very uncomfortable. I think if my boyfriend started acting like a whole different person it wouldn't just be something I'd raise an eyebrow out. I'd be like "what the hell is wrong with you?".
There were a lot of boob scenes. There was a lot of physical comedy. I really think this movie was for dudes. Not for me. I mean, I don't think it was a total waste of time, but I wouldn't really recommend it to people who, like me, generally prefer chick flicks, romance, drama, etc. But if you enjoy antic comedies, then this would probably be fun for you. There were laughs throughout, though mostly there was a lot of disgust. Like in the opening scene, when Dave goes to change a diaper and the baby squirts poop into his mouth. Not at all believable and really not funny to me. But I suppose there is a market (of teenage boys) out there for that kind of idiocy.
I would give this film 3 stars, and that is generous of me.
This movie was... I don't know. Kooky? Bizarre? Not for me? I'm not sure. I think I enjoyed it sometimes, but other times I was like "why am I still watching?" and I think the answer is because it cost $12 at the hotel.
The Change-Up is about two guys who claim to want each other's lives, and after peeing in a fountain their wishes come true. Sounds like 14 other movies that have already been done, like that movie with Jamie Lee Curtis where she like changes lives with her daughter or whatever. Way to be original. Jason Bateman's character, Dave, is a successful lawyer about to make partner. He is married with a little girl and twin babies. While he has a great life, he wishes he could change with Ryan Reynolds' character, who is still smoking weed all day and living the life of a bachelor. Reynolds' character, Mitch, is an actor. As soon as they wake up in each other's bodies, they realize that it was a mistake. Insanity ensues for like two hours. It's ridiculous. How come no one notices when normally even-keeled and mild-mannered Dave begins cursing like a sailor and acting like a crazy person? I mean, the other switch is fine really, except that Dave has to do things that make him very uncomfortable. I think if my boyfriend started acting like a whole different person it wouldn't just be something I'd raise an eyebrow out. I'd be like "what the hell is wrong with you?".
There were a lot of boob scenes. There was a lot of physical comedy. I really think this movie was for dudes. Not for me. I mean, I don't think it was a total waste of time, but I wouldn't really recommend it to people who, like me, generally prefer chick flicks, romance, drama, etc. But if you enjoy antic comedies, then this would probably be fun for you. There were laughs throughout, though mostly there was a lot of disgust. Like in the opening scene, when Dave goes to change a diaper and the baby squirts poop into his mouth. Not at all believable and really not funny to me. But I suppose there is a market (of teenage boys) out there for that kind of idiocy.
I would give this film 3 stars, and that is generous of me.
book 13
Family Affair by Caprice Crane
347 pages
Family Affair is the story of Layla and Brett and their imploding marriage. They have been together since high school, and Brett's family basically took Layla in after he mother died in the 10th grade. So when Brett unexpectedly wants a divorce, Layla is thrown for a loop. She won't only be losing him, but she might also lose the only family she has known for over a decade.
The story is told chapter by chapter through Layla, Brett, Trish, and Scott's perspectives, with a letter from Ginny to her sister thrown in every so often. I liked this method of story-telling, but I have to admit that I was sometimes confused as to who I was reading. I don't know why, but I occasionally had to stop and think about it, or look back at the chapter heading. That was a little annoying, but very overlook-able.
As usual with Caprice Crane, I greatly enjoyed this book. I plowed through it while on vacation and couldn't finish it fast enough. I wanted to see what would happen, what would be the outcomes of the various conflicts, etc. I love Crane's dialogues, they are fantastic and highly believable. Very witty, but not over-the-top-this-would-never-happen-in-real-life witty, which is fabulous. I could identify with the characters, feel their struggles, and sympathize with their pains and their happinesses. I didn't want them to end!
This book had way fewer music references, which was sad for me, but I suppose you can't build a career on music references and have to do something different on occasion. I'm a little sad that I have only one Crane novel remaining, I don't know if I should save it or read it! It's making me crazy a little!!! I really want to read it but then they are gone forever.. or at least until a new novel is published!
Anyway, I loved this book, and I continue to highly recommend Caprice Crane to anyone who likes books, music, fun, love, or pretty much anything else under the sun! Go get her books today!!!!!
347 pages
Family Affair is the story of Layla and Brett and their imploding marriage. They have been together since high school, and Brett's family basically took Layla in after he mother died in the 10th grade. So when Brett unexpectedly wants a divorce, Layla is thrown for a loop. She won't only be losing him, but she might also lose the only family she has known for over a decade.
The story is told chapter by chapter through Layla, Brett, Trish, and Scott's perspectives, with a letter from Ginny to her sister thrown in every so often. I liked this method of story-telling, but I have to admit that I was sometimes confused as to who I was reading. I don't know why, but I occasionally had to stop and think about it, or look back at the chapter heading. That was a little annoying, but very overlook-able.
As usual with Caprice Crane, I greatly enjoyed this book. I plowed through it while on vacation and couldn't finish it fast enough. I wanted to see what would happen, what would be the outcomes of the various conflicts, etc. I love Crane's dialogues, they are fantastic and highly believable. Very witty, but not over-the-top-this-would-never-happen-in-real-life witty, which is fabulous. I could identify with the characters, feel their struggles, and sympathize with their pains and their happinesses. I didn't want them to end!
This book had way fewer music references, which was sad for me, but I suppose you can't build a career on music references and have to do something different on occasion. I'm a little sad that I have only one Crane novel remaining, I don't know if I should save it or read it! It's making me crazy a little!!! I really want to read it but then they are gone forever.. or at least until a new novel is published!
Anyway, I loved this book, and I continue to highly recommend Caprice Crane to anyone who likes books, music, fun, love, or pretty much anything else under the sun! Go get her books today!!!!!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
movie 4
Just Go With It
So last night my mom asked me if she should get a movie from the Redbox for my visit. I Googled some of my favorite actresses and this came up. I had no idea what it was about, but it was vaguely familiar once I started watching it.
I really enjoyed this film!!! It was light, funny, and heart-warming.. Basically everything you expect from stars like Jennifer Aniston (don't hate me, but I adore her!) and Adam Sandler (who I can sort of take or leave, but more often than not I enjoy his performances). Here's the thing: I'm really not into Sandler's comedic style. I kind of get embarrassed for the characters when they are moronic, it doesn't make me laugh. Now Sandler himself doesn't usually play that person but the characters surrounding him do. This time, though, I found it bearable because the story was so cute although it was TOTALLY predictable.
Some things I liked a lot: chemistry between Aniston and Sandler was good! As his assistant, Jen really connects with Adam, they play off each other and it's mostly believable. Seriously also, Jennifer Aniston has a rockin body for a woman her age. And she's still gorgeous. Not that she's old but you know. She's my favorite darling, so it's nice to see she's still fabulous post-Brad. There is a scene later in the film when Dolf is in the hotel room and he has a swimmies tan, I almost died laughing there. I don't know why.
As I said already I'm so not into the physical comedy (like giving a sheep CPR). I really didn't like the Palmer character although I think I was supposed to. She annoyed me. A lot. That's pretty much it.
I would DEFINITELY recommend Just Go With It to anyone looking for a mindless, funny, and heart-warming film that will please everyone. It has enough testosterone and laughs for dudes and plenty of romance for the chick-flick connoisseur (such as myself!). Lots of laughs, lots of smiles, and overall a nice time.
FOUR STARS :)
So last night my mom asked me if she should get a movie from the Redbox for my visit. I Googled some of my favorite actresses and this came up. I had no idea what it was about, but it was vaguely familiar once I started watching it.
I really enjoyed this film!!! It was light, funny, and heart-warming.. Basically everything you expect from stars like Jennifer Aniston (don't hate me, but I adore her!) and Adam Sandler (who I can sort of take or leave, but more often than not I enjoy his performances). Here's the thing: I'm really not into Sandler's comedic style. I kind of get embarrassed for the characters when they are moronic, it doesn't make me laugh. Now Sandler himself doesn't usually play that person but the characters surrounding him do. This time, though, I found it bearable because the story was so cute although it was TOTALLY predictable.
Some things I liked a lot: chemistry between Aniston and Sandler was good! As his assistant, Jen really connects with Adam, they play off each other and it's mostly believable. Seriously also, Jennifer Aniston has a rockin body for a woman her age. And she's still gorgeous. Not that she's old but you know. She's my favorite darling, so it's nice to see she's still fabulous post-Brad. There is a scene later in the film when Dolf is in the hotel room and he has a swimmies tan, I almost died laughing there. I don't know why.
As I said already I'm so not into the physical comedy (like giving a sheep CPR). I really didn't like the Palmer character although I think I was supposed to. She annoyed me. A lot. That's pretty much it.
I would DEFINITELY recommend Just Go With It to anyone looking for a mindless, funny, and heart-warming film that will please everyone. It has enough testosterone and laughs for dudes and plenty of romance for the chick-flick connoisseur (such as myself!). Lots of laughs, lots of smiles, and overall a nice time.
FOUR STARS :)
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
book 12
Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson
319 pages
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. It was really slow. There was WAY too much description for my taste. I'm really not into gourmet food at all. I am one year younger than Georgia, but I felt like her character was sooo much older than I am, she didn't really fit into my experience as an early 30s New Yorker, which I am! None of the characters in the book felt real to me. I could not imagine any of them existing in real life.
There WERE redeeming qualities, which merited Georgia's Kitchen three stars. First of all, I finished it. It began to hold my interest more in the second half. Secondly, I liked that the book wasn't about relationships (although I suppose subtly it was). Don't get me wrong - those are my favorite kinds of books! Just in this sense it worked. It was more a tale of perseverance, and working through adversity to find out what it really good and right for you. So I guess the theme was along the lines of "When one door closes, another opens." In the end, I was happy for Georgia. I felt like she did everything she needed to do, and all-in-all everything was resolved. I liked that most aspects of her life improved, it wasn't like she ended up with some dude and everything was fine.. You are left to write your own future for Georgia (although in the author's interview, she does say she might revisit Georgia in the future!)
Overall I found Georgia's Kitchen to be slow but fulfilling. I think three stars is just right for this tale.
319 pages
I'm not really sure how I feel about this book. It was really slow. There was WAY too much description for my taste. I'm really not into gourmet food at all. I am one year younger than Georgia, but I felt like her character was sooo much older than I am, she didn't really fit into my experience as an early 30s New Yorker, which I am! None of the characters in the book felt real to me. I could not imagine any of them existing in real life.
There WERE redeeming qualities, which merited Georgia's Kitchen three stars. First of all, I finished it. It began to hold my interest more in the second half. Secondly, I liked that the book wasn't about relationships (although I suppose subtly it was). Don't get me wrong - those are my favorite kinds of books! Just in this sense it worked. It was more a tale of perseverance, and working through adversity to find out what it really good and right for you. So I guess the theme was along the lines of "When one door closes, another opens." In the end, I was happy for Georgia. I felt like she did everything she needed to do, and all-in-all everything was resolved. I liked that most aspects of her life improved, it wasn't like she ended up with some dude and everything was fine.. You are left to write your own future for Georgia (although in the author's interview, she does say she might revisit Georgia in the future!)
Overall I found Georgia's Kitchen to be slow but fulfilling. I think three stars is just right for this tale.
Monday, February 20, 2012
movie 3
The Mothman Prophecies
Okay, I admit, I've seen this before. But it was almost ten years ago and I'm certain I wasn't sober (I was almost never sober back then). Thus seeing it again was like seeing it for the first time! I actually read the book back in 2002 or 2003 right before I saw it the first time. I was into the book, I found the theories about time and parallels fascinating, and of course I wanted to see the movie. I do remember going to the Blockbuster in Greenpoint, Brooklyn for it, which was not a close walk and sucked. But seriously I remembered nothing else. In fact, when it was an option on Crackle, Steve (boyfriend) said "Richard Gere is in that" and I immediately responded "I've seen that, he was not". Yet he was. Therefore, although I have seen it before, I contend that it counts toward my 50.
As for the the film... eh. All I remember about the first time was that I felt like there was NOTHING in common with the book. I still feel that way. The movie is creepy without being forthright with it's creepiness - mothman appears for a split second like twice. The description on Wiki says it's a psychological thriller, which I guess I agree with. I understand that some of what happened in the movie was true (the bridge) BUT even those were done with liberty - for example, more people than accounted for in the film died in real life, and the cause of failure has been determined.. The story was interesting. The undeclared romance between Gere and Laura Linney was pretty good. The former physics prof was really weird, though, and I found his character really, really unbelievable. I almost wanted him to come out and say he was Indrid Cold. But alas, no.
Overall I was pleased with my evening spent watching the movie, although at the end I felt a little unsatisfied, like a lot just hadn't been resolved. Though some stuff WAS resolved and the concepts were interesting (Connie's dream in particular), I felt like there needed to be a little more mothman. Don't get me wrong, those two little views of the creature weren't bad, just would have liked a little more info maybe, some later sightings info, etc.
Just as an aside, I liked that it was directed by Mark Pellington, who has directed a mountain of music videos, including what was once my favorite: "Jeremy" by Pearl Jam. I looked up his videography history and it was impressive. I hadn't even known he directed anything other than videos, but I always remembered seeing his name at the bottom of the "credits" on the "Jeremy" video.
I say a solid three stars for The Mothman Prophecies.
Okay, I admit, I've seen this before. But it was almost ten years ago and I'm certain I wasn't sober (I was almost never sober back then). Thus seeing it again was like seeing it for the first time! I actually read the book back in 2002 or 2003 right before I saw it the first time. I was into the book, I found the theories about time and parallels fascinating, and of course I wanted to see the movie. I do remember going to the Blockbuster in Greenpoint, Brooklyn for it, which was not a close walk and sucked. But seriously I remembered nothing else. In fact, when it was an option on Crackle, Steve (boyfriend) said "Richard Gere is in that" and I immediately responded "I've seen that, he was not". Yet he was. Therefore, although I have seen it before, I contend that it counts toward my 50.
As for the the film... eh. All I remember about the first time was that I felt like there was NOTHING in common with the book. I still feel that way. The movie is creepy without being forthright with it's creepiness - mothman appears for a split second like twice. The description on Wiki says it's a psychological thriller, which I guess I agree with. I understand that some of what happened in the movie was true (the bridge) BUT even those were done with liberty - for example, more people than accounted for in the film died in real life, and the cause of failure has been determined.. The story was interesting. The undeclared romance between Gere and Laura Linney was pretty good. The former physics prof was really weird, though, and I found his character really, really unbelievable. I almost wanted him to come out and say he was Indrid Cold. But alas, no.
Overall I was pleased with my evening spent watching the movie, although at the end I felt a little unsatisfied, like a lot just hadn't been resolved. Though some stuff WAS resolved and the concepts were interesting (Connie's dream in particular), I felt like there needed to be a little more mothman. Don't get me wrong, those two little views of the creature weren't bad, just would have liked a little more info maybe, some later sightings info, etc.
Just as an aside, I liked that it was directed by Mark Pellington, who has directed a mountain of music videos, including what was once my favorite: "Jeremy" by Pearl Jam. I looked up his videography history and it was impressive. I hadn't even known he directed anything other than videos, but I always remembered seeing his name at the bottom of the "credits" on the "Jeremy" video.
I say a solid three stars for The Mothman Prophecies.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
book 11
Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Crane
317 pages
Another lovely book by Caprice Crane! I believe this is her debut novel (though I could be mistaken) and I loved the way it was written from two perspectives, and that one is a woman while the other is a man. Stupid and Contagious really captures the nuances between two people, the way people can see a situation with difference and sameness, and the way two people interact.
Crane created likable characters and made it easy to dislike the ones you weren't supposed to like... which I have written before in a review but don't ask me what book I wrote it about (ha i really can't remember).
What I really like about Caprice Crane is her obvious interest in music. I love that I know and love the indie rock bands, as well as the more mainstream ones, that she uses in her stories. I love the conversational, almost screenplay-esque tone of the stories (which other people have held against her in reviews). I enjoyed everything about this book...
... Except one thing: and that is the use of the "n" word, even coming from a fictional friend of P. Diddy and Russell Simmons. I cringed when I read it, I really can't stand that. It bothered me just enough to demote my star rating by one. Sorry Caprice Crane, that's just how I roll.
Otherwise, I still highly recommend this and the other Crane novels!!!
317 pages
Another lovely book by Caprice Crane! I believe this is her debut novel (though I could be mistaken) and I loved the way it was written from two perspectives, and that one is a woman while the other is a man. Stupid and Contagious really captures the nuances between two people, the way people can see a situation with difference and sameness, and the way two people interact.
Crane created likable characters and made it easy to dislike the ones you weren't supposed to like... which I have written before in a review but don't ask me what book I wrote it about (ha i really can't remember).
What I really like about Caprice Crane is her obvious interest in music. I love that I know and love the indie rock bands, as well as the more mainstream ones, that she uses in her stories. I love the conversational, almost screenplay-esque tone of the stories (which other people have held against her in reviews). I enjoyed everything about this book...
... Except one thing: and that is the use of the "n" word, even coming from a fictional friend of P. Diddy and Russell Simmons. I cringed when I read it, I really can't stand that. It bothered me just enough to demote my star rating by one. Sorry Caprice Crane, that's just how I roll.
Otherwise, I still highly recommend this and the other Crane novels!!!
Sunday, February 12, 2012
book 10
Mr. Maybe by Jane Green
368 pages
Mr. Maybe is a book about a Londoner named Libby, searching for a fling or for love, but getting really confused all the while. The book begins with Libby seeing this guy Nick who is not at all her type, but who she thinks she can just have a fling with.. The story progresses from there, and is full of laughs. There aren't really any surprises, but the plot is believable, especially when you are a woman who is beyond the typical married age and obsessed with entering that world.
In the end, I was really pleased with the story. It wasn't a nail-biter or so awesome that I could hardly put it down, but I was excited to keep reading throughout. I really enjoy the work of Jane Green, she has a fun writing style and creates characters that are very likable.
I could relate to Libby and sometimes found myself wondering if I am at all similar to her in terms of relationships and even getting a little introspective at times. I could really understand her desire for the wedding and the life that comes along with being someone's wife, knowing that you will (hopefully) never have to be single again. So in that respect I really understood the book. I was also happy with the ending - it was believable, it wasn't some junk that makes you roll your eyes and think "typical" although in some ways it was.
I would definitely recommend Mr. Maybe!
368 pages
Mr. Maybe is a book about a Londoner named Libby, searching for a fling or for love, but getting really confused all the while. The book begins with Libby seeing this guy Nick who is not at all her type, but who she thinks she can just have a fling with.. The story progresses from there, and is full of laughs. There aren't really any surprises, but the plot is believable, especially when you are a woman who is beyond the typical married age and obsessed with entering that world.
In the end, I was really pleased with the story. It wasn't a nail-biter or so awesome that I could hardly put it down, but I was excited to keep reading throughout. I really enjoy the work of Jane Green, she has a fun writing style and creates characters that are very likable.
I could relate to Libby and sometimes found myself wondering if I am at all similar to her in terms of relationships and even getting a little introspective at times. I could really understand her desire for the wedding and the life that comes along with being someone's wife, knowing that you will (hopefully) never have to be single again. So in that respect I really understood the book. I was also happy with the ending - it was believable, it wasn't some junk that makes you roll your eyes and think "typical" although in some ways it was.
I would definitely recommend Mr. Maybe!
Friday, February 3, 2012
book 9
Single in Suburbia by Wendy Wax
368 pages
I enjoyed this book for what it was worth, though I had a hard time relating to the characters. I liked them enough, and I wanted to keep reading, but I wasn't crazy hooked so much that I couldn't put it down.
Single in Suburbia is about three women - Amanda, Candace, and Brooke - and their respective relationships. Amanda's husband has left her and their two teenage children for a young vixen named Tiffany. Candace needs to learn to live her life for herself. Brooke has a deep secret she's been hiding from everyone, her husband included. The dynamic between the women and the men in their lives was believable mostly. I was interested to keep reading and see how the story ended.
Overall, I think this was a decent book that met it's potential. I think, honestly, that the fact that I couldn't relate to the characters is what hindered me from loving the book. I don't know if I would recommend it, but probably it would be a fair recommendation for women a bit older than myself or ones who have families of their own.
368 pages
I enjoyed this book for what it was worth, though I had a hard time relating to the characters. I liked them enough, and I wanted to keep reading, but I wasn't crazy hooked so much that I couldn't put it down.
Single in Suburbia is about three women - Amanda, Candace, and Brooke - and their respective relationships. Amanda's husband has left her and their two teenage children for a young vixen named Tiffany. Candace needs to learn to live her life for herself. Brooke has a deep secret she's been hiding from everyone, her husband included. The dynamic between the women and the men in their lives was believable mostly. I was interested to keep reading and see how the story ended.
Overall, I think this was a decent book that met it's potential. I think, honestly, that the fact that I couldn't relate to the characters is what hindered me from loving the book. I don't know if I would recommend it, but probably it would be a fair recommendation for women a bit older than myself or ones who have families of their own.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
book 8
Recalculating by Jennifer Weiner
eBook - short story
first of all, i REALLY hated reading this on my phone kindle thing. my eyes were going nuts. maybe i needed to adjust the brightness or something, but i had to hold the phone a mile away and squint to see the words. it was awful. that said, i'm not sure this counts toward my fiftyfifty goal because it was a short story, but as i see myself reading greater than 50 books at my current pace, i will include it anyway.
Recalculating is a short story that Jennifer Weiner released only on eBook format, hence my earlier complaints. i didn't know it was going to be quite as short as it was. i thought it was good, but i wasn't spectacularly impressed. i love Weiner's writing style and her characters are typically likable, but this time i felt like i was left wanting more. the writing style was great as usual, but Maureen was not exceedingly likable and the premise was more than a little unbelievable. i am a pro at suspending disbelief, but in this case i had a little bit of a hard time.
overall i just wasn't that impressed with the story. and, as a side note, when all books go electronic and i have to deal with reading on a screen i will give up reading all together and be the saddest woman in the world.
eBook - short story
first of all, i REALLY hated reading this on my phone kindle thing. my eyes were going nuts. maybe i needed to adjust the brightness or something, but i had to hold the phone a mile away and squint to see the words. it was awful. that said, i'm not sure this counts toward my fiftyfifty goal because it was a short story, but as i see myself reading greater than 50 books at my current pace, i will include it anyway.
Recalculating is a short story that Jennifer Weiner released only on eBook format, hence my earlier complaints. i didn't know it was going to be quite as short as it was. i thought it was good, but i wasn't spectacularly impressed. i love Weiner's writing style and her characters are typically likable, but this time i felt like i was left wanting more. the writing style was great as usual, but Maureen was not exceedingly likable and the premise was more than a little unbelievable. i am a pro at suspending disbelief, but in this case i had a little bit of a hard time.
overall i just wasn't that impressed with the story. and, as a side note, when all books go electronic and i have to deal with reading on a screen i will give up reading all together and be the saddest woman in the world.
book 7
What Came First by Carol Snow
356 pages
I was really disappointed with this book. I didn't like ANY of the characters. I was bored. Usually when I read any books in the chick lit genre I plow through them in a matter of 1-3 days, but this took me a week because I was undermotivated to pick it up.
What Came First is the story of three women, their lives connected by one man. Laura is a single mother who has an 8 year old son from a sperm donor. Wendy has twins also from a sperm donor, though she is married. Vanessa has a boyfriend, Eric, who might want to marry her but probably not. The story follows these women, each chapter told through one of their perspectives.
Nothing in this story made me particularly joyful or sad. I was not moved even a little. Sometimes I could empathize with Vanessa, especially toward the end, but the other women were very annoying. Wendy was a model of the type of mother I never want to me. Laura seems very selfish. Ugh.
I do not recommend this book. I'm giving it two stars only because it held my attention enough to finish it.
356 pages
I was really disappointed with this book. I didn't like ANY of the characters. I was bored. Usually when I read any books in the chick lit genre I plow through them in a matter of 1-3 days, but this took me a week because I was undermotivated to pick it up.
What Came First is the story of three women, their lives connected by one man. Laura is a single mother who has an 8 year old son from a sperm donor. Wendy has twins also from a sperm donor, though she is married. Vanessa has a boyfriend, Eric, who might want to marry her but probably not. The story follows these women, each chapter told through one of their perspectives.
Nothing in this story made me particularly joyful or sad. I was not moved even a little. Sometimes I could empathize with Vanessa, especially toward the end, but the other women were very annoying. Wendy was a model of the type of mother I never want to me. Laura seems very selfish. Ugh.
I do not recommend this book. I'm giving it two stars only because it held my attention enough to finish it.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
book 6
With a Little Luck by Caprice Crane
303 pages
i loved this book from the start. seriously, i always say that, but really truly loved it. when i came to it in my pile, i was a little eh about reading it because caprice crane is an author i have never read before. sometimes that causes me a little hesitation, since i'm unsure if it's going to be horrible.. another amazon recommendation. but wow, i was completely blown away. i was so into this book that when we were watching a movie this morning, my boyfriend got up to use the little boy's room and i picked it up and read during the two minutes he was gone. that how good with a little luck was.
with a little luck is a story about a woman named Berry (short for Beryl), who is a radio DJ in LA. She is very superstitious. she is also VERY funny. i really wanted her to be happy in the end (although, let's face it - this is chick lit. she would be happy in the end). she totally buys into all the hype and superstitions about everything - black cats, rabbits feet, horseshoes, and bad things happening in threes, just to name a few. when she meets man number three, she is sure it won't work as he would be the bad third, so it's almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy. i won't give anything else away, but suffice it to say that she is very funny, very real, and someone i would definitely want to be friends with if she were a real person.
i will be adding every other book written by caprice crane to my amazon wishlist today, and possibly ordering them when i get paid next week. i cannot wait to read everything she's written, and i am hopeful that they are all just as amazing as this book was!
303 pages
i loved this book from the start. seriously, i always say that, but really truly loved it. when i came to it in my pile, i was a little eh about reading it because caprice crane is an author i have never read before. sometimes that causes me a little hesitation, since i'm unsure if it's going to be horrible.. another amazon recommendation. but wow, i was completely blown away. i was so into this book that when we were watching a movie this morning, my boyfriend got up to use the little boy's room and i picked it up and read during the two minutes he was gone. that how good with a little luck was.
with a little luck is a story about a woman named Berry (short for Beryl), who is a radio DJ in LA. She is very superstitious. she is also VERY funny. i really wanted her to be happy in the end (although, let's face it - this is chick lit. she would be happy in the end). she totally buys into all the hype and superstitions about everything - black cats, rabbits feet, horseshoes, and bad things happening in threes, just to name a few. when she meets man number three, she is sure it won't work as he would be the bad third, so it's almost like a self-fulfilling prophecy. i won't give anything else away, but suffice it to say that she is very funny, very real, and someone i would definitely want to be friends with if she were a real person.
i will be adding every other book written by caprice crane to my amazon wishlist today, and possibly ordering them when i get paid next week. i cannot wait to read everything she's written, and i am hopeful that they are all just as amazing as this book was!
movie 2
In the Loop
This was a very funny satire of politics and war in the UK and US. I laughed out loud lots and lots. The plot of the film was that the US is spearheading getting involved in the Middle East and it really revolves around the British policy people and the US State Dept.
I really don't know what to say about this film except that it was hilarious. There was a lot (A LOT) of foul language, which I am ok with but just a head up to any of the (non) people reading this blog.
I definitely would recommend this film to anyone who wants to laugh out loud for 106 minutes. It was a really good portrayal of politics and how stupid they are, which is something I completely agree with. Put it in your film queue!!!
This was a very funny satire of politics and war in the UK and US. I laughed out loud lots and lots. The plot of the film was that the US is spearheading getting involved in the Middle East and it really revolves around the British policy people and the US State Dept.
I really don't know what to say about this film except that it was hilarious. There was a lot (A LOT) of foul language, which I am ok with but just a head up to any of the (non) people reading this blog.
I definitely would recommend this film to anyone who wants to laugh out loud for 106 minutes. It was a really good portrayal of politics and how stupid they are, which is something I completely agree with. Put it in your film queue!!!
book 5
Been There, Done That by Carol Snow
270ish pages (I forget!)
As I understand, Been There, Done That is the debut novel by Carol Snow. I've read one or two of her other books, and I enjoyed them, so when Amazon recommended others, I gobbled them up. I really enjoyed this book. It was not as predictable as I'd expected (although there were no huge surprises). I didn't want to put it down. The book had just enough characters to be interesting, but not so many as to where you lose track of who is who in the overpopulation. The premise is not entirely believable, but it is *somewhat* believable. I am incredibly good at suspending disbelief, though, when reading.
Been There, Done That is the story of a 32 year old journalist named Kathy. Previously, she had been in an 11 year relationship with this dude Tim, who reappears when he gets a lead about a supposed prostitution ring at a liberal arts college in the suburbs of Boston, MA. Since Kathy can easily pass for a teenager, Tim asks her to go undercover at the school to see if she can find out the skinny on the ring and break a huge story. She enrolls in the college and the story follows her through about eight weeks. She meets some interesting people and gets to live the life of a college freshman with the wisdom of a 30-something. I think this was a very interesting premise, though there is definitely more that could have been done. I am not holding this against the book, though, because overall, it may have added to the density and changed the story.
Carol Snow is a great writer with some very nice ideas, and I am looking forward to reading more of her novels as soon as possible! In fact, I have two more at home (though I have them a little spaced on my list so as not to either OD on Snow or run out if they're amazing!)
Been There, Done That comes highly recommended by me for my usual recommended group: people who enjoy a breezy, if not fluffy, read for an escape or on vacation. There isn't much to not like about this novel!
270ish pages (I forget!)
As I understand, Been There, Done That is the debut novel by Carol Snow. I've read one or two of her other books, and I enjoyed them, so when Amazon recommended others, I gobbled them up. I really enjoyed this book. It was not as predictable as I'd expected (although there were no huge surprises). I didn't want to put it down. The book had just enough characters to be interesting, but not so many as to where you lose track of who is who in the overpopulation. The premise is not entirely believable, but it is *somewhat* believable. I am incredibly good at suspending disbelief, though, when reading.
Been There, Done That is the story of a 32 year old journalist named Kathy. Previously, she had been in an 11 year relationship with this dude Tim, who reappears when he gets a lead about a supposed prostitution ring at a liberal arts college in the suburbs of Boston, MA. Since Kathy can easily pass for a teenager, Tim asks her to go undercover at the school to see if she can find out the skinny on the ring and break a huge story. She enrolls in the college and the story follows her through about eight weeks. She meets some interesting people and gets to live the life of a college freshman with the wisdom of a 30-something. I think this was a very interesting premise, though there is definitely more that could have been done. I am not holding this against the book, though, because overall, it may have added to the density and changed the story.
Carol Snow is a great writer with some very nice ideas, and I am looking forward to reading more of her novels as soon as possible! In fact, I have two more at home (though I have them a little spaced on my list so as not to either OD on Snow or run out if they're amazing!)
Been There, Done That comes highly recommended by me for my usual recommended group: people who enjoy a breezy, if not fluffy, read for an escape or on vacation. There isn't much to not like about this novel!
Monday, January 16, 2012
movie 1
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
so, um yeah. i didn't get it. i mean i know what happened, but only at the end. was it supposed to be like that? i have no idea. most of the time i was just confused. mind you, steve warned me in an advance that i was likely to be confused. he said it would probably be "boring and cerebral" which is right up his alley and nowhere near mine.
i enjoyed the two hours in the theatre. the last movie we saw in the theatre was unstoppable, and that was probably over a year ago. i very much enjoyed my nachos!
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is a film based on the books by John le Carre, which i am to understand is a pen name for someone who actually was a British spy during the Cold War. the premise of the film is that there is a mole among the "circus" which apparently is the spy organization, and this dude Smiley is called out of retirement in order to figure it out. i basically got all that. the story is told in layers, it moves around a lot, in the past and in the present. sometimes i had a hard time following the switching, although that is all me, and probably will not affect the casual viewer.
anyway, i would say i was bored, but that was really only in the beginning, and then i couldn't be bored because i was very busy trying to figure out what was happening. i think it was well worth my time, and it helped that steve explained a lot to me afterward. i'm no dummy, i just have a hard time following complicated movie plots. i have a short attention span.
if you are into spy films (not spy THRILLERS.. this was no thriller though there was a handful of gore), you should see this. also if you like confusing films that are critically acclaimed. i will stick to shallow fluff and dark comedies :)
Saturday, January 14, 2012
book 4
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
251 pages
I did not like this book. I mean, I get that it's a classic, and that everyone should read Hemingway, but eh. Nothing happens. There is so much description of the land. The whole time I was thinking of that chapter in the Grapes of Wrath where the turtle crosses the road. I was bored out of my mind.
I understand that this was the lost generation. I am a social studies teacher, and I understand the feeling encapsulated in the story. I get the Lost Generation. I appreciate the sentiments, the angst, the hopelessness, and the "tomorrow we die" attitude. I just don't think I needed 251 pages of it. Some of the description was nice, like the bull fights and all that, but overall I just wanted to be finished with the book so I could start a new one as soon as possible.
My favorite annoying part of the book was the following line: " The girl came in with the coffee and buttered toast. Or, rather, it was bread toasted and buttered." Really? Isn't that time same thing? I read it out loud to everyone I could.
251 pages
I did not like this book. I mean, I get that it's a classic, and that everyone should read Hemingway, but eh. Nothing happens. There is so much description of the land. The whole time I was thinking of that chapter in the Grapes of Wrath where the turtle crosses the road. I was bored out of my mind.
I understand that this was the lost generation. I am a social studies teacher, and I understand the feeling encapsulated in the story. I get the Lost Generation. I appreciate the sentiments, the angst, the hopelessness, and the "tomorrow we die" attitude. I just don't think I needed 251 pages of it. Some of the description was nice, like the bull fights and all that, but overall I just wanted to be finished with the book so I could start a new one as soon as possible.
My favorite annoying part of the book was the following line: " The girl came in with the coffee and buttered toast. Or, rather, it was bread toasted and buttered." Really? Isn't that time same thing? I read it out loud to everyone I could.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
book 3
Leaving Unknown by Kerry Reichs
358 pages
This was a lovely book. Definitely a great read, and, as usual, I couldn't put it down. A much better story than the first book by Kerry Reichs - this book didn't take 100 pages to get into. Although there was a lot of attention to detail again, and there were also quirks among characters that were really annoying, such as Maeve always rhyming stuff even when they don't necessarily rhyme (What's up, duck").
Maeve Connelly decides to take a road trip to start over in L.A. On her way, her car breaks down in Unknown, Arizona, and she is stuck there for a very long time. First she has to wait for the town's only mechanic to return from a gambling binge, then she has to raise the money to pay for the part to her 1970s car (a 1978 plymouth road runner, admittedly a very hot car!!!). The town's many characters are endearing and very cute. The whole time, you totally want Maeve to stay, although it is clear she wants to finish what she starts and make it out to L.A. HEt long pit stop is definitely an unfortunate accident, where she discovers much about life, people, and mostly herself.
There are parts of the plot that were unexpected and others that were very expected. Overall, it was a pleasant mix of the two. This book didn't make me cry (a sign of an amazing story!), but it did make me laugh and definitely warmed by heart.
A few gripes: like the debut novel by Reichs, there were some typos and misprints that made me feel like her editor or publisher kind of blows it on the details. The drawings for the picture book were very dark. This annoyed me to no end, because I'd have liked to see the details and not have to strain to see what was going on in some of the pictures. And, of course, my earlier gripe about the stupid rhyming. The dialogue was better than the first novel, though, and totally less forced. The wit came easily, instead of forced, as it had seemed in The Best Day of Someone Else's Life.
I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for a light read that has some seriousness to it. Enjoy!
358 pages
This was a lovely book. Definitely a great read, and, as usual, I couldn't put it down. A much better story than the first book by Kerry Reichs - this book didn't take 100 pages to get into. Although there was a lot of attention to detail again, and there were also quirks among characters that were really annoying, such as Maeve always rhyming stuff even when they don't necessarily rhyme (What's up, duck").
Maeve Connelly decides to take a road trip to start over in L.A. On her way, her car breaks down in Unknown, Arizona, and she is stuck there for a very long time. First she has to wait for the town's only mechanic to return from a gambling binge, then she has to raise the money to pay for the part to her 1970s car (a 1978 plymouth road runner, admittedly a very hot car!!!). The town's many characters are endearing and very cute. The whole time, you totally want Maeve to stay, although it is clear she wants to finish what she starts and make it out to L.A. HEt long pit stop is definitely an unfortunate accident, where she discovers much about life, people, and mostly herself.
There are parts of the plot that were unexpected and others that were very expected. Overall, it was a pleasant mix of the two. This book didn't make me cry (a sign of an amazing story!), but it did make me laugh and definitely warmed by heart.
A few gripes: like the debut novel by Reichs, there were some typos and misprints that made me feel like her editor or publisher kind of blows it on the details. The drawings for the picture book were very dark. This annoyed me to no end, because I'd have liked to see the details and not have to strain to see what was going on in some of the pictures. And, of course, my earlier gripe about the stupid rhyming. The dialogue was better than the first novel, though, and totally less forced. The wit came easily, instead of forced, as it had seemed in The Best Day of Someone Else's Life.
I'd recommend this book for anyone looking for a light read that has some seriousness to it. Enjoy!
Friday, January 6, 2012
book 2 - finished!
Perfect on Paper by Maria Murnane
Perfect on Paper roped me in from page one. I was a little unsure at first because I just recently read a different book that began with someone being left at the altar, but the casual way in which the story was written grabbed my attention immediately. The main character is a woman in her late 20s named Waverly Bryson. I was really able to relate to her in that many of the things she said are things I would say. In fact, more than once I read a line or two from the book to my boyfriend because I was so surprised by the coincidence!
A few things I really liked about this book: It was really funny and fast-paced, I never wanted to put it down! I love how the story didn't focus on Waverly and one particular love interest, although one man, Jake, makes several appearances. I enjoyed that it wasn't just constant Jake action or constantly running into each other all the time insanity. Murnane did a fantastic job of creating likable characters, and you didn't like the ones she probably didn't want you to like. Something that I noticed that I found really unusual was that I didn't feel like I had to root for Waverly.. she kind of just did stuff, and you knew whatever happened, she'd be ok, even if in the end she fell on her face. I think what I mean is that I never had to pity her, or find myself hoping she would end up happy, because, although the character was insecure, you never had to really feel bad for her. I enjoyed that!
A few things that kept me from going five stars: The characters have annoying catch phrases. Like Andie (one of Waverly's two best friends) always says "Way." after another character says "No way!" I get that that's like real life, but it sort of niggled at me. Also, Waverly has a habit of saying "Have we met? I'm Waverly Bryson." A lot. It's in situations where she's like "duh, isn't it obvious?" or "you should know this about me" kind of thing, but maybe if she said it twice it wouldn't have been so annoying.. However, it happened like nine times. These are petty, I know, but they were little thorns in my side that didn't really keep me from enjoying the story, but stood out enough to make me think more than once that it was worth dropping a star. There are a couple of other things, but I don't want any spoilers here, so I shall omit them!
Perfect on Paper is a perfect beach read, vacation read, or just a breezy light story for any day, really. I would highly recommend it despite the little annoyances I suffered. Enjoy!
Four stars!
Perfect on Paper roped me in from page one. I was a little unsure at first because I just recently read a different book that began with someone being left at the altar, but the casual way in which the story was written grabbed my attention immediately. The main character is a woman in her late 20s named Waverly Bryson. I was really able to relate to her in that many of the things she said are things I would say. In fact, more than once I read a line or two from the book to my boyfriend because I was so surprised by the coincidence!
A few things I really liked about this book: It was really funny and fast-paced, I never wanted to put it down! I love how the story didn't focus on Waverly and one particular love interest, although one man, Jake, makes several appearances. I enjoyed that it wasn't just constant Jake action or constantly running into each other all the time insanity. Murnane did a fantastic job of creating likable characters, and you didn't like the ones she probably didn't want you to like. Something that I noticed that I found really unusual was that I didn't feel like I had to root for Waverly.. she kind of just did stuff, and you knew whatever happened, she'd be ok, even if in the end she fell on her face. I think what I mean is that I never had to pity her, or find myself hoping she would end up happy, because, although the character was insecure, you never had to really feel bad for her. I enjoyed that!
A few things that kept me from going five stars: The characters have annoying catch phrases. Like Andie (one of Waverly's two best friends) always says "Way." after another character says "No way!" I get that that's like real life, but it sort of niggled at me. Also, Waverly has a habit of saying "Have we met? I'm Waverly Bryson." A lot. It's in situations where she's like "duh, isn't it obvious?" or "you should know this about me" kind of thing, but maybe if she said it twice it wouldn't have been so annoying.. However, it happened like nine times. These are petty, I know, but they were little thorns in my side that didn't really keep me from enjoying the story, but stood out enough to make me think more than once that it was worth dropping a star. There are a couple of other things, but I don't want any spoilers here, so I shall omit them!
Perfect on Paper is a perfect beach read, vacation read, or just a breezy light story for any day, really. I would highly recommend it despite the little annoyances I suffered. Enjoy!
Four stars!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
book 1 - finished!
Skipping a Beat by Sarah Pekkanen
I have a tendency to buy any book that Amazon recommends to me. This usually works in my favor, though occasionally I am very disappointed with the recommendation. At the outset of Skipping a Beat, I was convinced this book fell into the disappointed category. The story is about a woman named Julia who is in her mid-30s. She has essentially gone from rags to riches, and is now living the life in her DC mansion. Julia is (surpise!) an event planner (which seems to be the career of choice in women's fiction lately) who owns her own business, and her husband is also an extremely successful entrepreneur. I pretty much wrote the book off immediately, thinking I could never relate to these characters, which is a MAJOR part of reading for me. I am never one to give up on a book, however, so I gave it a chance.
The book opens with her husband going into cardiac arrest. After being dead for 4 minutes and 8 seconds, he realizes he's done it all wrong, and wants to give all of his money away. The rest of the story revolves around Julia's feelings in trying to reconcile a broken marriage when the gravy train is also coming to an abrupt halt.
Despite my original misgivings about Skipping a Beat, I quickly became really involved in the story. Sarah Pekkanen created nuanced characters who have very real emotions. Although some aspects of the book did require a suspension of disbelief, overall I was very satisfied with the development of the personalities, the feelings, and the ultimate resolution. I was even a little surprised at times. I plowed through this book in anticipation of the ending, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in character development. I felt the story was untraditional, although perhaps it was simply unfamiliar to me as I usually read more frou frou literature.
Five stars!
I have a tendency to buy any book that Amazon recommends to me. This usually works in my favor, though occasionally I am very disappointed with the recommendation. At the outset of Skipping a Beat, I was convinced this book fell into the disappointed category. The story is about a woman named Julia who is in her mid-30s. She has essentially gone from rags to riches, and is now living the life in her DC mansion. Julia is (surpise!) an event planner (which seems to be the career of choice in women's fiction lately) who owns her own business, and her husband is also an extremely successful entrepreneur. I pretty much wrote the book off immediately, thinking I could never relate to these characters, which is a MAJOR part of reading for me. I am never one to give up on a book, however, so I gave it a chance.
The book opens with her husband going into cardiac arrest. After being dead for 4 minutes and 8 seconds, he realizes he's done it all wrong, and wants to give all of his money away. The rest of the story revolves around Julia's feelings in trying to reconcile a broken marriage when the gravy train is also coming to an abrupt halt.
Despite my original misgivings about Skipping a Beat, I quickly became really involved in the story. Sarah Pekkanen created nuanced characters who have very real emotions. Although some aspects of the book did require a suspension of disbelief, overall I was very satisfied with the development of the personalities, the feelings, and the ultimate resolution. I was even a little surprised at times. I plowed through this book in anticipation of the ending, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in character development. I felt the story was untraditional, although perhaps it was simply unfamiliar to me as I usually read more frou frou literature.
Five stars!
Monday, January 2, 2012
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