Lottie becomes the queen of bad decisions after any breakup,
so when her boyfriend asks her on a business trip, instead of proposing like
she thought, she gets mad, meets up with an old ex boyfriend, and they decide to get
married right away. But Lottie’s sister, Fliss, has constructed a scheme to
stop the wedding night before anything can happen, hoping to make Lottie see
reason and annul the marriage.
I just love when a book is truly just an escape from
everyday life, and this one is just that. Nothing I had to think too hard
about. It’s just a fun, fluffy read that left me feeling refreshed and happy,
and ready to take on the heavier stuff.
I give this one a B.
Sophie Kinsella is also the author of the Shopaholic books.
The seventhbook in that series, Shopaholic
to the Stars, is now available.
It’s 1986, and Eleanor, (Stereotypical
“Red-Headed-Stepchild” who comes from an abusive home), is the new girl in
school. Park (good family, good grades,
good life)is the only one who feels
sorry enough for her to let her share his seat on the bus. Little does he know
that when he does, his whole life will change. First love, man.
I read this book in about two days. It was sweet, and smart,
and even cringeworthy and abrasive (Warning: LOTS of F-Bombs!) at times. It
took me right back to high school, when I thought my clothes and taste in music
were what defined me, but eventually realized it really is what’s inside you
that truly makes you who you are. Also, if this book had a soundtrack, I’d
totally buy it!
I give Eleanor &
Park a B+.
Also by Rainbow Rowell: Attachments,
Fangirl, and Landline.
David Fincher's film version of Gone Girl hit theaters this weekend, and since my book club read this book a few months ago (click here to see my review), we decided to go see it as a group.
And oh boy, did Fincher capture the book pretty much perfectly on film or what? There were some aspects that were even darker than the book (Desi's "offing" especially), and only a few differences and characters left out or downsized, probably because of time restraints (the movie is already over two and a half hours), but he pretty much got the twists and turn of the plot down pat. And, contrary to rumors that had been going around prior to release, the ending is pretty much the same as the book. I know many had their hearts set on a new conclusion... sorry guys.
The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, and Rosamund Pike as his wife Amy, who move from New York to Nick's home town in Missouri after losing their jobs during the recession, and when Nick's mother becomes ill. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing, and Nick is blamed for her disappearance and suspected murder.
Affleck was perfect as the sometimes (or more-than-sometimes) unlikeable Nick, and Pike's "Amazing Amy" was just that. Spot on. Oscar worthy even. And Trent Reznor's score was perfectly haunting.
This film is rightly rated R for very strong violence, language, adult and sexual situations, and nudity. I would definitely recommend it only for VERY mature high schoolers (we're talking the oldest of the senior class here), possibly even college-age and up.
After a fun weekend at a family wedding in Ojai, my parents offered to keep my little man Eli there with them for a few days.
It's been nice (even though I really, really miss my guy!) to have some one-on-one time with my almost-9-year old, Sophia.
We've gone out to breakfast a couple times, gone shopping, planned out and chosen all the party supplies for her upcoming birthday tea party, and this afternoon, I surprised her with a trip to the movies, and dinner and ice cream after, since my hubby had to work late.
After her homework was all done, I suggested we put our cozy jammie pants on, because I had a surprise for her. We NEVER go to movies during the week, unless we're on some sort of break from school, so she was surprised when we pulled into the theater's parking lot.
She's been begging to see The Boxtrolls since she saw the first trailers a few months ago, and honestly I've been pretty antsy to see it myself.
The Boxtrolls comes from the same studio (Laika) that made one of my all time favorites, Coraline, as well as Paranorman, and it took YEARS to make. The story was fun, and original, there was a great message of acceptance and not judging someone before you know them, and the animation was AMAZING! Plus I LOVE anything Steampunk, and there were Steampunk elements all throughout this one. It was happy times!
I'd recommend The Boxtrolls, which is rated PG, for kids first grade and up. There are some somewhat scary elements, mostly having to do with the villain, who is allergic to cheese, eats it anyway, and has major, kind of gross, reactions to it, all the way up until the end. There is also some peril, to the point where Sophia, who is pretty emotional anyway, was crying, for fear that characters had died.
So this "challenge" post ( you know, the "pick ten books that have stayed with you... don't think too much! Tag 9 friends to find out what their ten books are, and the person who nominated you so they can see your list" one...) has been floating around Facebook for a few weeks now, and I thought that in honor of Banned Books Week, which it happens to be this week, I'd post my answers here as well as on my page, since many of the books that have made a lasting impression on me have at one time or another been either banned or challenged.
To me, (and I KNOW some of you will disagree), banning books is just silly. I understand wanting to shelter and protect your kids, but do this by making sure the books your kid is choosing are age appropriate, reading the books first, and being open to discussion about the topics in the books. And maybe stop being so uptight about things (I'm looking at you Harry Potter banners! Last I checked, magic wands aren't real, and these books are not corrupting our children's minds! Giving them hope, and instilling a love of reading? Yes! Corruption. Not so much.).
I didn't have to read this in school, which is probably why I loved it so much. I feel like even though it was written in the 40's and takes place in the early 1900's, the ideas throughout the book (trying to overcome family issues, the importance of education, pursuing dreams, etc.) still ring true today.
Again, I never read this one in school. Actually, it wasn't until just over a year ago that I read it for the first time. I love Scout's undying hope and innocence, and the way she tries to see the good in people. Which I'm sure has all to do with the relationships between Atticus and his children, really listening to what they have to say and being respectful of them. An example all of us parents can learn from, I'm sure.
This is also one of very few cases where the movie, starring the impeccable Gregory Peck(whom Harper Lee hand picked for the role.), is just about as good as the book.
Speaking of banned books, this book which has been banned/challenged itself, is about a little girl in Nazi ruled Germany who, get this, STEALS banned books! What!? Liesel is a being fostered by a German couple after her mother can no longer care for her. This family also happens to be harboring a Jew. Such a fantastic, and so very sad, story, which happens to be narrated by Death himself.
The film version of this book also did a pretty good job sticking to the story, and the casting is perfect. I definitely recommend watching it after you read the book, if your heart can handle it.
This one I did read in school! We read this in 9th grade, and I just loved the lively, interesting characters, how visual it was, and the plot twist. I could never understand what Pip saw in Estella, and this is the first time I can remember NOT wanting the characters to end up together. And poor Miss Havisham.
If I were you, I'd totally skip the 1998 movie version. It was so not good, and nothing like the book. In fact, I'm not sure there's been a truly decent film version, and there have been many movies made based on this book.
This was the first book to ever make me cry. I was probably going into 4th or 5th grade, and I was at my Grandparent's house visiting during summer vacation. Going to the library was always a highlight whenever I stayed there. She checked this book out for me, and I DEVOURED it! And absolutely sobbed at the end. I've since reread it, and it still gets me. Such a great tale of friendship, love, and tragedy.
I'm not normally a fan of non-fiction, but this one sucked me right in! Mary Roach keeps it interesting and entertaining, without being disrespectful. And I totally want to donate my body to science now!
Does one really need a reason to love Harry Potter? After all, there are so many. Adventure, humor, love, loss, friendship. Magic! I first read these when I was in my late teens, and it's the only series I've reread multiple times, just because it's that good. JK Rowling got kids (and adults) to READ! And that is so important. I'd rather have my kids fall in love with reading by reading these books about magic, than never to experience the love of books because I couldn't get past the darkness that is in them. Rowling wrote them to grow with the reader, therefore, when Harry is 17 in the last book, the reader should be of the same mind. (You know your kid better than anyone. If you don't think they can handle it, hold off until they can. But PLEASE don't hold off on these wonderful, beautifully written books forever. Besides, your kids will get to them sooner or later!)
And yes. I loved every one of these movies as well. Maybe not as much as the books, but they're still some of my favorites to watch as a family.
The last book I've read that made me sob! Like a baby. I knew what was coming. It was no secret. In a book about kids with cancer, it's never a secret. It still hit me hard. The characters are witty and fun and full of life despite the cancer. Hazel and Gus will stick with you for a long time. Okay> Okay.
Definitely check out this movie. It may not be exactly the same as the book, but man, they did a good job. And Shailene Woodley IS Hazel.
Not because they're good, but because they're a fun escape. I've been keeping up with the antics of Rebecca Brandon (Nee Bloomwood) for the past 10 years, and I'm not giving up anytime soon, especially with the next book coming out next month! Becky Bloomwood-Brandon feels like a good friend. A good friend, whom I sometimes want to slap some sense into!
Skip this movie! Although Isla Fisher is adorable, it tries to cram the first three books into one movie, and loses it's charm completely.
Once again, I never read this in school, which, again, is probably why I love it so much. I love to get lost in the language. And oh that Mr. Darcy. I even tried to get my husband to name our son Fitzwilliam after Darcy, but no such luck. (I did get to name him after Walt Disney, so it wasn't too sad...). It's funny that even after a couple hundred years, this book is still so true on so many levels. If it's one you didn't like because you were forced to read, it may surprise you to find that if you go back to it now, you might just enjoy it after all.
Honestly, 10 book that have changed my life in some way or another, and stuck with me through the years, is not enough...
So, now YOU can accept the challenge! What are your 10 ten books that have stayed with you or touched you in such a way, that you still think about them?
The 1930's are a time of great dreams for the Stopka family,
who own a French fry concession stand at the fabulous Palisades Park in New Jersey. After
seven year old Toni Stopka sees a high dive act perform for the first time, she
knows that is what she wants to do, even while The Great Depression, WWII, and
even the Korean War threaten to tear her family apart.
This book was magical for me! I don't know if it's just this
era (Mainly the 1930's through the 1950's), which I absolutely love, or the idea of having such a grand amusement park
at your every whim (I could practically smell the fresh French fries and candy floss, and hear the sounds of the rides and their riders!), or even the fact that there's mention of Doc Carver's High Diving Horse and Diver act,
which is what my favorite childhood movie, Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, was about, but I loved this book, and I've been
recommending it left and right since even before I finished it.
Alan Brennert is also the author of the books Moloka'i and Honolulu.
When Al finds a portal to 1958 in his diner, he talks Jake
Epping, a local English teacher,into
going on a mission back in time to stop the assassination of JFK from
happening. But they find you really can't change the past without drastically
changing the future.
I'm not usually a reader of Stephen King novels, mostly
because he creeps me out. But I actually really enjoyed this book. I loved how
King made references throughout to some of his other books (IT, Shawshank
Redemption, The Body, etc.) and how I really didn't know what was going to
happen next. It was also interesting to know that King spent over a decade
researching the JFK assassination for this book. 11/22/63 is a little long, but
well worth the 700 pages or so.
