My house has tried to catch up on our Marvel Comic movies during the Christmas holidays. We watched "Thor" and "Captain America".
Neither movie really evoked strong feelings of like or dislike out of me. They were both just kind of "ehh". They were both more entertaining than anything that could be find on our selection of television channels.
First one we watched was "Thor." From the previews it looked promising. And it wasn't a disappoint so to speak but it also wasn't "oh I hope they make a sequel and soon" kinda good either. It was just worth the $1 rental. It helped that Chris Hemsworth is easy on the eyes. I wonder if I could convince my hubby to hit the gym with Thor as his goal!
Next we watched "Captain America." The most amazing part of that movie? The special effects that created his "pre" Captain America look! That was truly shocking! He went from looking like someone who had never seen a good meal to Thor's workout partner! But like with "Thor" it just didn't grab me. I guess maybe it has something to do with the fact that Robert Downey Jr. is on a whole other acting level than these two guys and he just makes Iron Man so dang entertaining. "Iron Man" is the standard to which I hold all other comic book movies and so far I have not seen another that gets close to it.
So far our holiday movie watching has done nothing more than fill the void of nothing to watch - nothing that I could recommend!
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Monday, December 19, 2011
Outlander Update
I have been trying my best to read Outlander, but like I said it always seems like I need to be picking up the living room, tossing toys back in the playroom, folding laundry, etc., that I just have trouble finding time to read except at night once everyone is asleep. And sadly, my eyes can't stay open as long as they used to!
The beginning of the book has been a little slow, which I think contributed to my inablilty to really get going on it. I might have given up had I not heard and read so many wonderful things about it. So I have powered through and happy to report it is starting to pick up. I was able to read about twice as many pages last night as I had in the first three days. With the holidays coming, we will be spending quite a bit of time in the vehicle which hopefully will allow me to get lots of reading done!
The beginning of the book has been a little slow, which I think contributed to my inablilty to really get going on it. I might have given up had I not heard and read so many wonderful things about it. So I have powered through and happy to report it is starting to pick up. I was able to read about twice as many pages last night as I had in the first three days. With the holidays coming, we will be spending quite a bit of time in the vehicle which hopefully will allow me to get lots of reading done!
Friday, December 16, 2011
Outlander
The twins and I had a successful trip to the library this morning. For once! I was able to find "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon. It was first published in 1991 and I am just now finding out about it! (so weird to think that when this book was written I was all of 9 years old and totally obsessed with Judy Bloom books and the Sweet Valley Twins books...and now I have twins! Oh and my husband was a rookie police officer! LOL!)
It is about a British combat nurse who is reunited with her husband following WWII. They decide to take a second honeymoon and while exploring the Scottish countryside she stumbles upon a magical stone that sends her traveling back in time to the year 1743. She finds herself thrust into a world at war yet again and she must use her nurse's training, wit and humor to survive. Oh and to really throw a kink in things - she begins to fall madly in love with a warrior from 1743. Does she choose the future she left behind or the past in which she finds herself.
All the customer reviews of the book absolutely loved it! Most talked about how they simply couldn't put the book down and could not read the sequels fast enough! When I told my mom what book I was in search of she immediately knew it. She too had read it long ago and loved it. While it is an oldie, hopefully it will be a goodie! It is a lengthy 627 pages but if it is as good as everyone says, it shouldn't take me long to get through it! The hubby might be on dinner duty for the next couple of nights!
It is about a British combat nurse who is reunited with her husband following WWII. They decide to take a second honeymoon and while exploring the Scottish countryside she stumbles upon a magical stone that sends her traveling back in time to the year 1743. She finds herself thrust into a world at war yet again and she must use her nurse's training, wit and humor to survive. Oh and to really throw a kink in things - she begins to fall madly in love with a warrior from 1743. Does she choose the future she left behind or the past in which she finds herself.
All the customer reviews of the book absolutely loved it! Most talked about how they simply couldn't put the book down and could not read the sequels fast enough! When I told my mom what book I was in search of she immediately knew it. She too had read it long ago and loved it. While it is an oldie, hopefully it will be a goodie! It is a lengthy 627 pages but if it is as good as everyone says, it shouldn't take me long to get through it! The hubby might be on dinner duty for the next couple of nights!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Rio
Big Disappointment! Last night I knew there was going to be NOTHING on TV so in an attempt to avoid the inevitable screaming, running, and all out general chaos that my house becomes in the evenings I rented a movie during the week! Rio was one no one in the family had seen and from what I heard it was a cute little movie. Seemed to me like it would be a hit with the kids...bright colors, talking animals, action, singing and dancing....and it had all that but it just missed the mark.
Two-year-olds are the greatest indication of the quality of a movie. It started out slow and just never found a good grove. There were moments that caught their attention but it just didn't hold it. And to be honest, it didn't even hold mine. About 30 minutes in, I was searching the internet for the running time of Rio. It was a LOOONNGG 96 minutes. The twins gave up on it pretty quick. They were running around and getting into things and it doesn't take much for my 8-year-old to loose focus, so pretty soon the movie was just providing background noise to the noise of the kids. The hubby was volunteering to go to the store in the rain, I was reading blogs and the kids had abandoned the movie and were playing in the playroom!
Now my youngest son is my movie watcher and when he bores with a movie, it is a given the other two will as well! Rio had all the elements of a great kid movie - it just didn't get there for some reason. It was like that perfect steak. Looks so good and you can't wait to take that first bite only to discover it is as tough as boot leather! Such a huge let down!
The movies that hit that mark and are on a continous loop in my household....All the Toy Story movies, Planet 51, Shrek, Tangled, Monsters Inc., and Astro Boy. My children will plop themselves on the couch and not move during these movies no matter how many times they watch them. I had hoped to add Rio to that list, but nope! At least I used a Free rental on it and it didn't cost me any money! I would be a lot angrier if I had wasted a $1.20!
On a brighter note - I checked my library's online catalog and it looks like one of the books I wanted has been checked back in, so the twins and I will be making another trip to the library.
Two-year-olds are the greatest indication of the quality of a movie. It started out slow and just never found a good grove. There were moments that caught their attention but it just didn't hold it. And to be honest, it didn't even hold mine. About 30 minutes in, I was searching the internet for the running time of Rio. It was a LOOONNGG 96 minutes. The twins gave up on it pretty quick. They were running around and getting into things and it doesn't take much for my 8-year-old to loose focus, so pretty soon the movie was just providing background noise to the noise of the kids. The hubby was volunteering to go to the store in the rain, I was reading blogs and the kids had abandoned the movie and were playing in the playroom!
Now my youngest son is my movie watcher and when he bores with a movie, it is a given the other two will as well! Rio had all the elements of a great kid movie - it just didn't get there for some reason. It was like that perfect steak. Looks so good and you can't wait to take that first bite only to discover it is as tough as boot leather! Such a huge let down!
The movies that hit that mark and are on a continous loop in my household....All the Toy Story movies, Planet 51, Shrek, Tangled, Monsters Inc., and Astro Boy. My children will plop themselves on the couch and not move during these movies no matter how many times they watch them. I had hoped to add Rio to that list, but nope! At least I used a Free rental on it and it didn't cost me any money! I would be a lot angrier if I had wasted a $1.20!
On a brighter note - I checked my library's online catalog and it looks like one of the books I wanted has been checked back in, so the twins and I will be making another trip to the library.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
2010 Writer's Market Deluxe Edition
My To Do List for today consisted of making a trip to the dollar store to stock up on some final stocking stuffers and cheapy toys to fill out the kiddos Christmas and then head to the library. The dollar store I was headed for is a national chain and puts out a flyer in the paper on Sundays, so I had high hopes of the "deals" I would find! I think the store in my area is probably the worst in the nation! It had absolutely none of the things the ad claimed would be there. I know the small print always says "selection may vary by store" but I figured there would be something there! Even with as disappointed as I was, I still managed to gather up $40 worth of junk! (FYI- trying to christmas shop for toys with 2 toddlers should be an olympic sport. I would attempt to divert their attention to one thing on the shelf while I then frantically grabbed what I wanted and hid it underneath the shopping cart! I didn't always succeed, but that is also the nice thing about toddlers...they have short memories!)
Next we headed to the library. (Yet again, an almost impossible feat when you have two book loving kiddos who want to pull down every book and look through it! The cranky old library ladies just LOVE to see us coming!) But I had done my research and had a list of possible books I wanted to give a try and I figured it would not be too difficult to locate them. All well and great if my crummy little neighborhood library actually HAD any of them on their shelves! So frustrating that my library seemingly does not carry anything written prior to 1985 or resembling interesting. I could not find one book on my list - so I made a quick scan of the biography and history books but my choices there were a Jane Fonda autobiography (A big hell to the NO!) or super boring book about Gettysburg (I couldn't even get through the jacket description!) I could drive the few extra miles and go to the main library but I am so cheap I don't want to waste the gas. I figure I could go to the closer half price books and get the book for the same amount it would cost me in gas to drive to the big library! I know, even I exhaust myself sometimes!
So I opted for the 2010 Writer's Market Deluxe Edtion. Maybe by reading this I might know where to send that book I am going to write someday! I have all these ideas in my head, but when I go to put them on paper - they get lost in translation between my brain and my pen! But someday I will and I will know where to get my first rejection letter! LOL!
Next we headed to the library. (Yet again, an almost impossible feat when you have two book loving kiddos who want to pull down every book and look through it! The cranky old library ladies just LOVE to see us coming!) But I had done my research and had a list of possible books I wanted to give a try and I figured it would not be too difficult to locate them. All well and great if my crummy little neighborhood library actually HAD any of them on their shelves! So frustrating that my library seemingly does not carry anything written prior to 1985 or resembling interesting. I could not find one book on my list - so I made a quick scan of the biography and history books but my choices there were a Jane Fonda autobiography (A big hell to the NO!) or super boring book about Gettysburg (I couldn't even get through the jacket description!) I could drive the few extra miles and go to the main library but I am so cheap I don't want to waste the gas. I figure I could go to the closer half price books and get the book for the same amount it would cost me in gas to drive to the big library! I know, even I exhaust myself sometimes!
So I opted for the 2010 Writer's Market Deluxe Edtion. Maybe by reading this I might know where to send that book I am going to write someday! I have all these ideas in my head, but when I go to put them on paper - they get lost in translation between my brain and my pen! But someday I will and I will know where to get my first rejection letter! LOL!
Saturday, December 10, 2011
The Bridges of Madison County
With Christmas being only a couple weeks away, I am not spending any money on myself and my local libarary has been pretty picked over any good books, so I am relegated to "watching" right now. Today for quite possibly the 568th time, I watched "The Bridges of Madison County." It is a movie I can watch over and over much to the amazement of my husband who can't even sit through a movie the first time!
The thing about movies that are so good that you can watch them over and over, is that each time you pick up on some little something you missed the first time around. Case in point, "The Bridges of Madison County." Francesca (Meryl Streep) cringes every time her husband and children come in through the screen door because they let it slam. She is cooking dinner and as they all come to dinner, they each let the door slam behind them and she jumps. But today when I watched, I noticed for the first time when Robert (Clint Eastwood) is helping her cook that first night and he goes outside, she braces in anticipation of him letting the door slam, but he doesn't and she slowly relaxes. (My deep thinking sees this as symbolism...with her family she is always uptight and on edge and they are kind of oblivious to her and see her as merely a hired hand. She even refers to herself as a hired hand when talking with her husband. But with Robert, she relaxes and lets things flow and finds a calm place.)
That small moment had escaped my attention for the 567 times I had watched the movie before - but today I caught it. Even though my husband will still not understand my ability to re-watch a movie, this is one of the reasons I like to do so.
But I also like to watch really good movies over and over just simply because they are so good. I especially enjoy movies that have great writing and acting (shocking, huh!). But when a movie's dialogue is good enough that the entire movie can basically take place in a kitchen and not get boring then count me in! It also helps that Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood are on my list of "if they are in it, I will give it a try." When I am watching this movie I feel as though I am really a fly on the wall of a 1965 housewife's kitchen and they really are Francesca and Robert Kinkaid. I don't feel like I am watching Meryl and Clint pretend to be these people, they really are them. It is truely agonizing to watch her sit in the pickup with her husband and have her hand on the door handle wanting so badly to open the door and run to Robert, but she never does. And honestly you kind of want Robert to walk up to the pickup and just open the door for her, but he never does. He is too respectful - he has to be or else you would hate him for having an affair with a married woman.
I know that the movie was based on the book by Robert James Waller and I have yet to read the book. But this is one that I might actually go back and read even after seeing the movie. I resisted watching the movie for a long time just because I didn't really like the whole affair plot. Don't agree with it and am generally turned off from watching anything relating to it. But then I watched the movie and even I was left conflicted. It was obvious there was no passion in her marriage. It was just one of friendly love and respect and out of nowhere she meets someone who brings her to life, ignites her passion and yet she can't be with him.
I totally agree with she took a vow and had kids, so leaving was not an option but also should she have to live her life less than happy? What should she do? Even I have not been able to decide if I think she made the right choice. The only way I can think to avoid this situation is to not marry anyone unless you are crazy, madly in love with them and have a full and complete relationship with them. I am a firm believer that you marry someone who is also your best friend so when the passion settles (I refuse to say dies...it just smolders hopefully) you still just flat out enjoy spending your time with your spouse. So you hold out until you meet your Robert Kinkaid or Francesca and you don't marry a Richard just because he is clean! You hold out for that passion and friendship. (I did!)
And this concludes todays session of "life lessons by grace!"
The thing about movies that are so good that you can watch them over and over, is that each time you pick up on some little something you missed the first time around. Case in point, "The Bridges of Madison County." Francesca (Meryl Streep) cringes every time her husband and children come in through the screen door because they let it slam. She is cooking dinner and as they all come to dinner, they each let the door slam behind them and she jumps. But today when I watched, I noticed for the first time when Robert (Clint Eastwood) is helping her cook that first night and he goes outside, she braces in anticipation of him letting the door slam, but he doesn't and she slowly relaxes. (My deep thinking sees this as symbolism...with her family she is always uptight and on edge and they are kind of oblivious to her and see her as merely a hired hand. She even refers to herself as a hired hand when talking with her husband. But with Robert, she relaxes and lets things flow and finds a calm place.)
That small moment had escaped my attention for the 567 times I had watched the movie before - but today I caught it. Even though my husband will still not understand my ability to re-watch a movie, this is one of the reasons I like to do so.
But I also like to watch really good movies over and over just simply because they are so good. I especially enjoy movies that have great writing and acting (shocking, huh!). But when a movie's dialogue is good enough that the entire movie can basically take place in a kitchen and not get boring then count me in! It also helps that Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood are on my list of "if they are in it, I will give it a try." When I am watching this movie I feel as though I am really a fly on the wall of a 1965 housewife's kitchen and they really are Francesca and Robert Kinkaid. I don't feel like I am watching Meryl and Clint pretend to be these people, they really are them. It is truely agonizing to watch her sit in the pickup with her husband and have her hand on the door handle wanting so badly to open the door and run to Robert, but she never does. And honestly you kind of want Robert to walk up to the pickup and just open the door for her, but he never does. He is too respectful - he has to be or else you would hate him for having an affair with a married woman.
I know that the movie was based on the book by Robert James Waller and I have yet to read the book. But this is one that I might actually go back and read even after seeing the movie. I resisted watching the movie for a long time just because I didn't really like the whole affair plot. Don't agree with it and am generally turned off from watching anything relating to it. But then I watched the movie and even I was left conflicted. It was obvious there was no passion in her marriage. It was just one of friendly love and respect and out of nowhere she meets someone who brings her to life, ignites her passion and yet she can't be with him.
I totally agree with she took a vow and had kids, so leaving was not an option but also should she have to live her life less than happy? What should she do? Even I have not been able to decide if I think she made the right choice. The only way I can think to avoid this situation is to not marry anyone unless you are crazy, madly in love with them and have a full and complete relationship with them. I am a firm believer that you marry someone who is also your best friend so when the passion settles (I refuse to say dies...it just smolders hopefully) you still just flat out enjoy spending your time with your spouse. So you hold out until you meet your Robert Kinkaid or Francesca and you don't marry a Richard just because he is clean! You hold out for that passion and friendship. (I did!)
And this concludes todays session of "life lessons by grace!"
Friday, December 9, 2011
Mickey Mouse Choo Choo Express
Not only is my book list diversified but so is my movie list. And I am in fact watching Mickey Mouse Choo Choo Express as I type this. Not entirely by choice. I had just stared watching "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" when my insomniac two-year-old woke from her nap. Not quite ready to be awake but refusing to go back to sleep, Mickey was the key to her happiness.
I don't think I was going to make it very far into "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" anyways. It is the film adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play. It stars Vivien Leigh and Warren Beatty. Yes, I will stop and generally watch anything staring a young Warren Beatty. But as with most Tennessee Williams plays I could see this one headed for a depressing ending. Maybe I am wrong, but probably not. Plus, Warren's attempt at an Italian accent was pretty painful. So I gladly gave in and switched over to Mickey Mouse Choo Choo Express.
Here are my issues with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I know you were just dying to know! Now be prepared, this may come close to that deep thinking which I am so opposed to! Mickey is great for teaching to count, learn colors, share and be nice. It has great colors and lots of action, which my twins require of all their TV programs and movies. But here is my issue. When they have a problem and they call upon the Mouseketools for help, things take a turn for the unrealistc! (As if a mouse with a pet dog is totally plausible!)
Come on Disney - you are teaching my kids that if a bunny rabbitt gets accidentally painted blue, just find an elephant and have the elephant use its trunk to blow the paint off, or when the cows at the petting zoo get out, simply put them on a sail boat and sail them back home. Or how about when Donald Duck's boat had a leak? Well, plugging it with an ice cream cone will surely solve that problem!
I guess I will just have to relax my need for all things to be plausible (I don't do fantasy very well) so that my children can enjoy their childhood. Otherwise we might as well go ahead and tell them there is no Santa Claus!...oh wait, we already did that to my 8-year-old! LOL! I better go, the gang is getting ready to do the Hotdog Dance!
I don't think I was going to make it very far into "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" anyways. It is the film adaptation of a Tennessee Williams play. It stars Vivien Leigh and Warren Beatty. Yes, I will stop and generally watch anything staring a young Warren Beatty. But as with most Tennessee Williams plays I could see this one headed for a depressing ending. Maybe I am wrong, but probably not. Plus, Warren's attempt at an Italian accent was pretty painful. So I gladly gave in and switched over to Mickey Mouse Choo Choo Express.
Here are my issues with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. I know you were just dying to know! Now be prepared, this may come close to that deep thinking which I am so opposed to! Mickey is great for teaching to count, learn colors, share and be nice. It has great colors and lots of action, which my twins require of all their TV programs and movies. But here is my issue. When they have a problem and they call upon the Mouseketools for help, things take a turn for the unrealistc! (As if a mouse with a pet dog is totally plausible!)
Come on Disney - you are teaching my kids that if a bunny rabbitt gets accidentally painted blue, just find an elephant and have the elephant use its trunk to blow the paint off, or when the cows at the petting zoo get out, simply put them on a sail boat and sail them back home. Or how about when Donald Duck's boat had a leak? Well, plugging it with an ice cream cone will surely solve that problem!
I guess I will just have to relax my need for all things to be plausible (I don't do fantasy very well) so that my children can enjoy their childhood. Otherwise we might as well go ahead and tell them there is no Santa Claus!...oh wait, we already did that to my 8-year-old! LOL! I better go, the gang is getting ready to do the Hotdog Dance!
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Eat Pray Love - The Movie
Today was one of those days when I was actully caught up on laundry, cleaning the kitchen and the twins had only done minor damage to the house, so I got to sit and relax during their nap. I happened to catch the movie "Eat Pray Love" just as it was coming on and decided to give it a try.
I had looked into reading the book back when it was on the best-seller lists, but it just didn't grab me. I think the whole traveling to find oneself, meditation, spiritual awakening thing kept me away. I will be honest...you aren't going to find that I spend a lot of time reading the great philosophers or poets. There will be no Tolstoy, W.B Yeats, Walt Whitman, probably won't even find much from Jane Austen, and much to my oldest brother's dismay any JRR Tolkien or George R Martin. My theory is real life and my life in particular is complex enough, I don't want to have to spend too much time reading complex novels. Give me romance, suspense, mystery, humor. I tend to like "surface" stuff. Nothing too deep! So, I think the synopsis of the book "Eat Pray Love" scared me away from it.
Since there was nothing else on and I don't currently have a book in my hands to read, I decided to watch the movie. And I am happy to report I really enjoyed it. It did a wonderful job of making me wish I could be instantly transported to Rome, Italy because it was just beautiful and I so wish the American culture could learn something from the Italians. Don't just take a break but learn to take pleasure in things. Just breathe. A lesson I certainly need to learn.
A lot of time novels like this can bog down in the descriptions of the places, the people, and the surroundings so much that I begin to skip along to get to the action. This is the wonderful aspect of a movie. They can SHOW you these things rather than having to write them out. While I appreciate the talent it takes to describe something so vividly that it can instantly be seen in the readers imagination, sometimes it is more enjoyable to just see it! This movie did that wonderfully. It made me very hungry for pasta, but I can't take on her attitude of just buying bigger pants! I remember what my body looked like back before child birth and I long for it!!
It also helps that Javiar Bardem was the Love part of the movie. If my wonderful and handsome husband that I love dearly is reading this...Now is the time you might want to stop! I am pretty sure I could watch him in any movie and still come away thinking "that Penelope is one lucky lady". Well, maybe not "No Country For Old Men." He was rather terrifying in that movie and so was his hair! But in this movie -Spoiler Alert!- I was going to be really mad if she did not fall in love with him...which she did. I mean how could you not. He is one of those guys that may not be Brad Pitt good-looking but is so much more of A MAN if you know what I mean. I would choose him any day of the week and twice on Sunday over a Brad Pitt or George Clooney!
The movie had a good happy ending, which I like-call me a romantic-but I like everyone to be happy in the end. It was good, light, and fun. And I am good with that. Sometimes a movie or book doesn't need to have some profound meaning, Sometimes just making me feel good can make it be the best book or movie ever! Since I have already seen the movie, I don't think I will go back and read the book. What if the description of Felipe doesn't match the gorgeousness of Javiar Bardem!
I had looked into reading the book back when it was on the best-seller lists, but it just didn't grab me. I think the whole traveling to find oneself, meditation, spiritual awakening thing kept me away. I will be honest...you aren't going to find that I spend a lot of time reading the great philosophers or poets. There will be no Tolstoy, W.B Yeats, Walt Whitman, probably won't even find much from Jane Austen, and much to my oldest brother's dismay any JRR Tolkien or George R Martin. My theory is real life and my life in particular is complex enough, I don't want to have to spend too much time reading complex novels. Give me romance, suspense, mystery, humor. I tend to like "surface" stuff. Nothing too deep! So, I think the synopsis of the book "Eat Pray Love" scared me away from it.
Since there was nothing else on and I don't currently have a book in my hands to read, I decided to watch the movie. And I am happy to report I really enjoyed it. It did a wonderful job of making me wish I could be instantly transported to Rome, Italy because it was just beautiful and I so wish the American culture could learn something from the Italians. Don't just take a break but learn to take pleasure in things. Just breathe. A lesson I certainly need to learn.
A lot of time novels like this can bog down in the descriptions of the places, the people, and the surroundings so much that I begin to skip along to get to the action. This is the wonderful aspect of a movie. They can SHOW you these things rather than having to write them out. While I appreciate the talent it takes to describe something so vividly that it can instantly be seen in the readers imagination, sometimes it is more enjoyable to just see it! This movie did that wonderfully. It made me very hungry for pasta, but I can't take on her attitude of just buying bigger pants! I remember what my body looked like back before child birth and I long for it!!
It also helps that Javiar Bardem was the Love part of the movie. If my wonderful and handsome husband that I love dearly is reading this...Now is the time you might want to stop! I am pretty sure I could watch him in any movie and still come away thinking "that Penelope is one lucky lady". Well, maybe not "No Country For Old Men." He was rather terrifying in that movie and so was his hair! But in this movie -Spoiler Alert!- I was going to be really mad if she did not fall in love with him...which she did. I mean how could you not. He is one of those guys that may not be Brad Pitt good-looking but is so much more of A MAN if you know what I mean. I would choose him any day of the week and twice on Sunday over a Brad Pitt or George Clooney!
The movie had a good happy ending, which I like-call me a romantic-but I like everyone to be happy in the end. It was good, light, and fun. And I am good with that. Sometimes a movie or book doesn't need to have some profound meaning, Sometimes just making me feel good can make it be the best book or movie ever! Since I have already seen the movie, I don't think I will go back and read the book. What if the description of Felipe doesn't match the gorgeousness of Javiar Bardem!
Next on My Reading List
I am a stay-at-home mom to an 8-year-old and twin 2-year-olds. Most days it feels like I barely have a spare moment to sit down let alone read a book. I have time at night after the twins go to bed but I am usually so wiped out - I promptly fall asleep myself. Taking the time to read a book is a luxury I just don't seem to get very often. Alot of the time I am kinda behind in getting the latest best selling book read - but my goal is to do better because I love to read and that is something that has been pushed aside and I would like to be able to have that "me time" more often.
So, what will be my next read? I am leaning towards "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Since the movie is set to come out this month, I have been seeing the previews and it looks intriguing. And generally if the movie adaption of a movie looks pretty good, then I want to read the book before I see the movie. That way I can really get a sense of how badly Hollywood has botched an author's great work!
Often a movie being made of a book is what leads me to read the actual book. I am almost 30 and there is no way I would of ever even stopped to read the jacket cover of a teen romance...but there it was all over the news. Teenage girls were basically causing riots, like the ones caused over the Beattles, over some guy named Robert Pattinson, who had been named to play the lead in a movie adaption of the novel "Twilight." Before that movie even had a release date it was all you were hearing about, so I figured I better see what all the fuss was about.
I read all 4 novels in the span of a week. And those were long novels! I mean, Stephanie Meyer really had something there. But then again I am a sucker for a good love story with a happy ending. But I never would of known about it had it not been for the movie. (which I might add have been a pretty big disappointment to me. I get that the first movie was basically an independent and they had no idea it would be such a success, and therefor got no name actors that are not very good...but it is just kinda annoying to have to watch the bad acting not live up to what my imagination created reading the book.)
Although, Stephen King's latest book just came out and it looks pretty intriguing, "11/22/63" It revolves around the day of the Kennedy assassination. Another topic I have been interested in since I was capable of reading. My book list is long and diversified!
So, what will be my next read? I am leaning towards "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo." Since the movie is set to come out this month, I have been seeing the previews and it looks intriguing. And generally if the movie adaption of a movie looks pretty good, then I want to read the book before I see the movie. That way I can really get a sense of how badly Hollywood has botched an author's great work!
Often a movie being made of a book is what leads me to read the actual book. I am almost 30 and there is no way I would of ever even stopped to read the jacket cover of a teen romance...but there it was all over the news. Teenage girls were basically causing riots, like the ones caused over the Beattles, over some guy named Robert Pattinson, who had been named to play the lead in a movie adaption of the novel "Twilight." Before that movie even had a release date it was all you were hearing about, so I figured I better see what all the fuss was about.
I read all 4 novels in the span of a week. And those were long novels! I mean, Stephanie Meyer really had something there. But then again I am a sucker for a good love story with a happy ending. But I never would of known about it had it not been for the movie. (which I might add have been a pretty big disappointment to me. I get that the first movie was basically an independent and they had no idea it would be such a success, and therefor got no name actors that are not very good...but it is just kinda annoying to have to watch the bad acting not live up to what my imagination created reading the book.)
Although, Stephen King's latest book just came out and it looks pretty intriguing, "11/22/63" It revolves around the day of the Kennedy assassination. Another topic I have been interested in since I was capable of reading. My book list is long and diversified!
To Read or Not To Read
I am at a crossroads. Do I read Janet Evanovich's latest novel "Explosive Eighteen" or do I just scan the last couple of pages at the bookstore? Honestly, I have already made the decision and done so. The reason? I am exhausted. Eighteen novels of Stephanie Plum being chased, narrowly escaping catastrophe, and being unable to decide between Trenton Cop Joe Morelli or ever so mysterious Ranger, has worn me out! And from the quality of the books from about 13 on, I think so is Janet Evanovich.
I was hooked when I read One for the Money. It was witty, raunchy, funny, suspenseful and had plenty of romance too! The novels that followed left me supremely satisfied and always wanting to read more of Stephanie, her men, and her crazy friends and family. But over time, the novels have seemed to just be a formula with different protagonists and the never ending confusion of will she choose Joe or Ranger.
So, I have decided to save my $20 and I just looked at the last couple of pages as I was browsing books. And from what little I read, this book seems to end just like the 17 before it....with no clear ending. Here is to hoping Janet Evanovich will choose not to totally ruin this great series she created and find the strength to go out before it hits rock bottom. Just like any great sports star - please choose to go before all we remember are the negatives. Give us the ending and closure we so want and let Stephanie and Joe get married and live their crazy yet happy life together. It is what we all want! Right?
I was hooked when I read One for the Money. It was witty, raunchy, funny, suspenseful and had plenty of romance too! The novels that followed left me supremely satisfied and always wanting to read more of Stephanie, her men, and her crazy friends and family. But over time, the novels have seemed to just be a formula with different protagonists and the never ending confusion of will she choose Joe or Ranger.
So, I have decided to save my $20 and I just looked at the last couple of pages as I was browsing books. And from what little I read, this book seems to end just like the 17 before it....with no clear ending. Here is to hoping Janet Evanovich will choose not to totally ruin this great series she created and find the strength to go out before it hits rock bottom. Just like any great sports star - please choose to go before all we remember are the negatives. Give us the ending and closure we so want and let Stephanie and Joe get married and live their crazy yet happy life together. It is what we all want! Right?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)