TGIF / 25

Apologies for the seemingly random posting schedule, but like many of you, I haven't had the time or motivation to read/write as often as I'd like. I keep telling myself not to feel pressured because this is supposed to be fun, but it's hard not to. I'm hoping that the weekend will be filled with lots of nothingness so I can get myself caught up and back in a more relaxed state of mind. What's on your agenda, amigos?

Bookish News

Sacrilege or bookish works of art?

So it's been confirmed, Veronica Roth is going to release four e-stories from Four's POV.

Announcing Amazon's best books of 2013, so far. Do you agree with this list?

Legendary sci-fic author, Richard Matheson, has died.

A handy list of books to read before they hit the big screen. These are gonna be good!

Five facts about YA.

Book nerd approved greeting cards.

Entertainment News

A definitively comical ranking of Harry Potter dude hotness. Well, damn! It's about time!

A fun interview with Monsters University director, Dan Scanlon.

Here are the top ten most paused video moments.

This is the best of movie improv.

Oh god, World War Z is getting a sequel, but here's the real reason I refuse to watch it.

Pop Culture!

We've entered the fictional friendzone with these 20 fictional guys who should've gotten the girl. Aww!

Nerdy photographer, JD Hancock, creates geeky scenes with toys and they are FANTASTIC!

J Scott Campbell does these amazing character drawings and you should check them out.

If you've ever wanted to see exploding Disney princesses, well, here's your chance. Enjoy!

Excuse Me, But You're Being Very Rude!

Is it just me or are audiences getting ruder?

I was thinking about this the other day after I got home from the movies. As much as I wanted to enjoy myself, I couldn't help but be distracted by the people around me. At first I thought that rising ticket prices were keeping me away from the theatre but I've come to the conclusion that, more often than not, it's actually the people.

See, movie-going has always been a favourite pastime of mine. Where most kids in college were drinking and partying, I was spending my time at the local theatre. Going to the movies is sort of a sacred experience. It's one of the few places where I can go to decompress and lose myself in new world, even if only for a little while. It's cathartic, much like how reading can be, so it's quite upsetting when ill manners rob me of my enjoyment.

I don't know if I'm old fashioned or, perhaps, if it's the age we live in now, an age where desensitization and oversharing reign supreme, but am I the only one who thinks audiences have gotten too comfortable? They treat watching a movie as if they're doing so from privacy of their own home. They have no regard what-so-ever for the patrons around them and there's a total lack of awareness of personal space. It's beyond frustrating! 

So in an effort to make going to the movies a more enjoyable, I've decided to compose a list of the inappropriate behaviours that can often ruin it for everyone. I hearby dub these "Movie Theatre Problems."

Movie Theatre Problems (aka The Dont's)

 

Popcorn is noisy, I know, but there is absolutely no excuse for you to chew like a barn-yard animal. It's not cud. You are not a cow. You're a person. So please, for the love of god, don't shovel that popcorn/nachos/candy into your mouth like this is your final meal. Your obnoxious crunching wasn't intended as an addition to the movie's soundtrack and it's disgusting.

I don't understand why you pay all this money to sit down and chat/text/tweet when you have a perfectly good couch or local coffee shop in which to do this. This is a movie and you really should be watching it. The fact that you're more interested in your phone hurts my head more than a flying wrench does.

Movies can sometimes be shocking. Scary. Sad even! They're meant to evoke emotion, and if done well, that's exactly what they do. That being said, I understand that a gasp here and there is sometimes warranted. A scream on ocassion, okay even. I get it, I really do. But is the woeful blubbering or crazed maniacal laughter really necessary? Get it together, man! Or if you can't, then step out until you do.

Stop. Kicking. The. Back. Of. My. Chair. This also goes for slapping my arms and/or legs during one of those crazed, uncontrollable bouts of laughter. If I wanted a massage, I would've paid that shady guy in the mall the extra $15 to get one. In other words, NO TOUCHY!

Is your name Roger Ebert? Do you work for an established publication such as The New York Times writing movie reviews? Wait... you don't? Well then. If this is the case, your commentary is not only under-appreciated, it's unwelcomed. Save the criticism for when you blog about it later, mmmk.

Laughter during inappropriate times (i.e. - during scenes of graphic violence, misogeny and/or torture and abuse) is not socially acceptable and I worry about the state of your mental health. You really should see a therapist and/or doctor about this. It's not normal.

You brought a toddler/child/infant into a movie theatre. Into a PG-13/R rated movie nonetheless. WTF are you thinking?!  I understand your need for a night out but you seriously couldn't have hired a babysitter just this once? I know I'm not a parent or anything, but I'm pretty sure this is frowned upon in most social circles.

Don't touch me, my seat or my stuff. If I'm in your way, please ask me to move NICELY. I promise I'm not intentionally trying to be rude. Reaching for my bag or pushing my hand off the armrest IS NEVER OKAY!

Conversely, if I am the one politely asking if that seat is taken (and it legitimately isn't), quit your grumbling and just move your shit. Chances are, the theatre is packed and I'd like the opportunity to actually sit next to my friend/hubby/mum sans dagger-like stares and backhanded comments. Truthfully, I probably don't want to sit next to you either but I may not have a choice. So be an adult and deal with it like one.



Can't we all just get along?

So there you have it, fellow movie patrons, just a few little tips to make the movie-going experience a little more enjoyable for us all. We're all paying a lot of money to be there so noone wants to hear loud chewing, annoying commentary or to generally be assaulted by your rudeness. A public movie theatre is neither the time nor the place. Please don't ruin it for us. A little bit of courtesy goes a long way. Trust me.



Am I the only person who thinks people are getting ruder in public? What are some of your movie pet peeves? Tell me about your experiences and let's commiserate in the comments below!

Book Review: Anatomy Of A Boyfriend by Daria Snadowsky

Title: Anatomy Of A Boyfriend
Author(s): Daria Snadowsky
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher / Date: Delacorte Books for Young Readers / January 9, 2007
Series: Anatomy (Book #1)

Disclosure: I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. 

"It's like I've discovered the meaning of life---to love and be loved. Sure, my parents and I love eachother, but we have no choice. We're family. Love seems so much more special when it comes from someone who has no obligation to feel it."

Case Study

Before this all happened, the closest I'd ever come to getting physical with a guy was playing the board game Operation. Okay, so maybe that sounds pathetic, but it's not like there were any guys at my high school who I cared to share more than three words with, let alone my body.

Then I met Wes, a track star senior from across town. Maybe it was his soulful blue eyes, or maybe my hormones just started raging. Either way, I was hooked. And after a while, he was too. I couldn't believe how intense my feelings became, or the fact that I was seeing—and touching—parts of the body I'd only read about in my Gray's Anatomy textbook. You could say Wes and I experienced a lot of firsts together that spring. It was scary. It was fun. It was love.

And then came the fall.  (synopsis from Goodreads)

The Game's Afoot

This is a book about sex. Let's talk about sex baby. Let's talk about you and me. Let's talk about all the good things and the bad things... okay, sorry. I just wanted an excuse to hum a few bars of that song. But yeah, Anatomy Of A Boyfriend is totally a sex book. And it's not just about any ol' kind of sex. Oh no. It's about teenage-first-time sex. Awkwaaaaard.

Exactly. So I have a confession. I really didn't know too much about this book before I read it but Daria was kind enough to send me a copy and I thought, "Hey! Cool!" Plus, I saw the naked Ken doll on the cover and had an inkling it would be juicy. And you know what? I love it when I'm right!

Though Anatomy Of A Boyfriend features sex, it's one of those books that's about more than just raunchy foreplay. Rather, it's a coming of age story that explores one girl's tumultuous journey through first love, devastating heartbreak and self discovery. Dom isn't a super hero. She doesn't save the day or have any special powers. She's just your average-bordering-on-goody-goody teenage girl who's got a serious case of the book smarts. And in addition to all her nerdiness, this book features positive female friendships and strong parental relationships which is something that seems to be lacking in many popular YA books. Authors: More of this please! And what made Dom really resonate with me was the fact that she wasn't perfect. She was far from it! But that made her easy to connect with, faults and all. She's naive and vulnerable and inexperienced despite, at times, thinking she's got it all figured out. I mean, isn't that everyone in high school though?

On a side note: Apparently some reviewers were surprised by the sex-stuff, which I really don't get because, hellooo! The book is called ANATOMY Of A Boyfriend. And, well. There's a naked Ken doll on the cover. So yeah. I really don't think Snadowsky could've spelled it out any more literally. But that's beside the point. 

What I really appreciated was how tastefully the sex stuff was written. There is no S&M, 50 Shades shit going on. It's authentic and clumsy and awkward as hell. It'll make you uncomfortable. But let's be real here---isn't that the point? I mean, was your first time this super lengthy, totally orgasmic, glamorously erotic sex fest? I don't think so. This is the real deal, baby, and it'll make you cringe. Snadowsky presents sex (done safely!) and teen relationships in a very honest way and that's something I can and do support. 

I will say this, though. I did get pretty frustrated with Dom  frequently throughout the book. For starters, I really didn't get what she saw in Wes. As a character, I found him kind of blah. So apparently they've got this instant connection and from there she goes from reserved and sensible to being crazy obsessed (or just plain crazy). Eventually, she let's Wes completely dictate her happiness and that drove me nuts. I often found myself with the need to play the older-sister-with-more-wisdom and sit down and talk some sense into the girl. If I could have, I would've given her the following advice: Happiness should be on your OWN terms. You can't expect to make anyone else happy if you can't first be happy with yourself. This isn't it. I know it feels like it is, but it's not. It does get better, TRUST ME on this one.

SPOILER ALERT: Then there's the matter of Dom's broken heart. Honestly, I liked that her and Wes' relationship ended, So many times contemporary books set readers (specifically the younger ones) up for unrealistic expectations when it comes to relationships. But life just isn't that way. Things don't always work out, and when they do fail, it never ends in the way you think/want it to.

But I guess that's why this book was so great, because it evoked such strong emotions out of me. It was relatable on nearly every level. It brought about those "does he, doesn't he like me" memories. It made me think of when I had my heart broken for the first time. And yes, I thought about sex. It's funny reading it now with the hindsight and wisdom of someone who's been through it all before. It makes me wish I had read it as a teenager, if only to see what my reactions would've been back then. Either way, it was an enjoyable read with astoundingly realistic characters in easily relatable situations and I'm happily devouring the sequel as we speak. 

Summary Prognosis

I think Anatomy Of A Boyfriend is the perfect book for young girls because, not only is it teen-worthy, but it teaches so much. Even for us "older" folks, it serves as a great walk down memory lane. This is the type of book that shows no matter how smart you might be, when it comes to emotions and relationships, everyone has the potential to go a little crazy. And it shows us that that's okay because that's what high school is all about. It's about doing and loving and learning and always, always, always growing from those experiences. If I had a younger sister, I'd definitely be giving this book to her!


Rating: ★★★★


Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble 
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website 

Cover Reveal: Into The Still Blue by Veronica Rossi

You guys. OMG! OMG! OMG!

If you hadn't noticed, I am completely in love with Veronica Rossi's Under the Never Sky series (my reviews of book 1 and book 2) and this morning I was delighted to see the cover reveal of Into The Still Blue. What do you think?!

The final installment of this AH-MAZING series is due for release on January 18, 2014. I KNOW! So to tie yourselves over during the angonizing wait, head on over to EW and grab a sneak peak at the first three chapters.

You're welcome.

Book Review: Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

 
Title: Beautiful Darkness
Author(s): Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Genre(s): Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult
Publisher/Date: Little, Brown and Company / October 12, 2013
Series: Caster Chronicles (Book #2)

"If she had known what she was choosing, would she have chosen differently? I owed my life to her, but I didn't feel happy. All I felt was brokenness. The fear of dirt and nothingness and being alone. The loss of my mom and Macon and, in a way, Lena. And something else. The crippling sadness and incredible guilt of being the one who lived."

Warning: This review may contain spoilers concerning Beautiful Creatures.

Case Study

Ethan Wate used to think that life in Gatlin was boring and ever-so ordinary, that is, until he met and fell in love with Lena Duchannes. Ever since then, Gatlin has become a place of mystery, a place of incomprehensible magic. And death. A dark curse looms over Lena and her family, one that can alter the course of history for man and magickind for forever. One that has already taken a deep toll on the powerful caster girl.

After suffering a devastating loss, Lena pulls away from everyone, particularly Ethan. Instead, she finds solice in the dark magic that once terrified her so. With the aid of an unlikely band of misfits, Ethan sets out on a journey not only to save the girl he loves, but to uncover the hidden secrets that have bound him and his family to Gatlin for decades. Ethan was lucky to defeat death once before, but will luck be enough to save his hide (and Lena's) for a second time?

The Game's Afoot

So I've pondered Beautiful Darkness for over a week and I'm still not sure how I feel about this book.Part of me really enjoyed it and part of me, well, part of me was less than impressed.  If you remember, my feelings on Beautiful Creatures were also all over the place, though that had more to do with my comparing it to the movie version (bad habits die hard!). But despite any reservations that I may have had with the first book, there's definitely a good foundation for the story so I decided to continue on with the series. Andeven  after reading this book, all hesitation aside, I probably will pick up Book #3. 

Beautiful Darkness is exactly what the title suggests --- it's dark (much darker than its predecessor) and in it, both Ethan and Lena explore the sinister sides of Gatlin. And, consequently, themselves. The story takes place during the immediate aftermath of Lena's 16th birthday as she struggles to deal with the loss of Macon. Basically, she feels like Macon's death is her fault and her belief that she's doomed for darkness leads to a surprisingly gothic transformation. I really enjoyed seeing Lena-gone-bad, although, at times it got a little too emo. And of course, there's the inevitable romantic tension between Ethan and Lena. Unfortunately, this causes the beginning to drag as Ethan's constant brooding takes over. Enter Liv (a keeper in-training) and John Breed (the mysterious loner dude) to amp up the ambiguity in their already strained relationship.

The story didn't really pick up until about 100 pages in with the appearance of an old fan favourite, Ridley. And let me just say, the mischief that her and Lena get into is well worth the wait. Ridley has quickly become one of my favourite characters. Honestly, where I loved Ethan in the first book, the side characters (Link, RIdley and Liv) really stole the show here. Each of them becomes central to the story, serving an integral purpose. Their choices all have life (or death) altering consequences. Garcia and Stohl flip the script on what we think we know and we quickly learn that people are more than what they initially seem. Especially Ethan.There's a reason he's so deeply bonded with Lena and he learns just how much his destiny is irrevocably intertwined in the caster world.

Again, the pacing starts lacking until Ethan, Liv and Link team up on a hero's quest to save Lena from the clutches of evil. During their journey, there are many anticipated and unanticipated helpers along the way. However, the problem I had with this was in the too-convenient timing and in the identities of some of their saviors. I dunno, it felt too easy. I never really felt scared for the characters in the way I should have been, rendering the shock-value ineffective. Justice is never really served so there's no sense of loss or vindication. There was an emotional disconnect for me as a reader. And like the ending in Book #1, we're left with yet another non-ending. You can tell how Garcia and Stohl are setting the story up for future installments.Needless to say, it was somewhat frustrating.

Beautiful Darkness is a book full of deceit, jealousy, love, loss, confusion and sacrifice. It's one of those stories that reveals many new truths that were previously unknown to key figures in the story. We're  driven deeper into the underbelly of the caster world and shown a darker sort of magic. Just about every character experiences some sort of transformation.

"Lena and I would never be the same. Link and Ridley were so supernaturally altered, they weren't even in the same universe.."

Can I just go on a side rant for a second regarding Link's big change --- umm, why? Can anyone tell me? Because it comes up out of nowhere and then they act like it's all a big joke. What was the point of that? 

I digress.

By the end of the journey, many revelations are made, albeit some were more effective than others. Where there were things I liked (like their quest), there were plenty of things that offset the good. While the story wasn't predictable, it didn't leave me on the edge of my seat. I found it to be amusing in some places and contrived in others. I had kind of hoped that writing all of my thoughts out would help me to sort my feelings more definitively, but it hasn't so I'll leave you with this: I liked the book enough to want to finish the series, but I thought the first one was marginally better (again, probably due to its wayward charm).

Summary Prognosis

Beautiful Darkness is an amusing follow-up to Book #1 in the Caster Chronicles. While the pacing is uneven, the story is magically intense. Featuring some unbelievable appearances from an unlikely band of misfits, it's a dark journey into the bowels of the caster world and not everything is as it appears to be. The book, like Ethan and Lena, has its ups and downs but if you're like me, and you dig the foundation, it's definitely worth a read.

Rating: ★★★

Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible
Discuss It: Goodreads | Author's Website 

Tweet! Tweet!

Hey everybody! Hey! Guess what?

 

The bird is the word.

That's right, my friends. I finally got with the times (thanks a lot Kat) and joined Twitter. You can find me here @foiltheplot or by clicking the little birdie on the sidebar. So yeah, let's link up and chat!

Nerd Alert: Fits To A Tee!

"Nerd Alert” is a new feature to FTP that highlights bookish accessories, movie-related news and all-around geeky goodness that isn't otherwise covered in my TGIF posts. It’s my way of indulging in the latest nerd trends and is the ultimate excuse to peruse Etsy. So sit back, relax and prepare to work up some wallet sweat!

Disclosure: I am in no way responsible for any self indulgences and/or purchases brought on by theses posts. So buyer, beware --- AWESOMENESS directly ahead!

Thanks to the ladies over at Forever Young Adult, I’ve now discovered the wondrousness that is Busted Tees. These t-shirts are the definition of “Geek Chic” and I’ve already ordered more than is humanly necessary for one broke individual. Because what’s cooler than a closet full of memes and irony for low, low price of $20? Nothing.

Haters Gonna Hate / Support Our Troops / I'm A Keeper

Planet Express / ISIS / Callahan Auto Parts

I Bill Murray, Bill Murray / Dino DNA / Baloo's Air Service

90's Heartthrobs / Blow Me / Jesse and the Rippers

Time Machines / Camp Anawanna / T.J. Eckleburg

Which t-shirts are your favourites? And how many of the featured TV shows/movies can you identify? This sure does bring back some memories!

Book Review: Rita Moreno: A Memoir by Rita Moreno

Title: Rita Moreno: A Memoir
Author(s): Rita Moreno
Genre(s): Memoir
Publisher/Date: Celebra / March 5, 2013
Series: Stand Alone

"I just don’t let my feelings show. Pretend to be someone I’m not. This idea lasts through my whole life: I always play a part. For so many years, I have to be a 'smoldering sexy spitfire.' Rita Moreno—funny and bold and golden as all her statuettes. The Hispanic heroine with all four gleaming prizes—Oscar, Tony, Emmy, Grammy—big money, hot lovers, 'perfect' forty-five-year marriage, with a gold medal hanging around my neck and shelves filled with award statuettes but still, inside, who is she? Who am I? Rosita Dolores Alverio? Or Rita Moreno? Rita or Rosita? Who am I?"

Case Study

In this luminous memoir, Rita Moreno shares her remarkable journey from a young girl with simple beginnings in Puerto Rico to Hollywood legend--and one of the few performers, and the only Hispanic, to win an Oscar, Grammy, Tony and two Emmys. 

Born Rosita Dolores Alverio in the idyll of Puerto Rico, Moreno, at age five, embarked on a harrowing sea voyage with her mother and wound up in the harsh barrios of the Bronx, where she discovered dancing, singing, and acting as ways to escape a tumultuous childhood. Making her Broadway debut by age thirteen--and moving on to Hollywood in its Golden Age just a few years later--she worked alongside such stars as Gary Cooper, Yul Brynner, and Ann Miller.

When discovered by Louis B. Mayer of MGM, the wizard himself declared: "She looks like a Spanish Elizabeth Taylor." Cast by Gene Kelly as Zelda Zanders in "Singin' in the Rain" and then on to her Oscar-winning performance in" West Side Story," she catapulted to fame--yet found herself repeatedly typecast as the "utility ethnic," a role she found almost impossible to elude.

Here, for the first time, Rita reflects on her struggles to break through Hollywood's racial and sexual barriers. She explores the wounded little girl behind the glamorous facade--and what it took to find her place in the world. She talks candidly about her relationship with Elvis Presley, her encounters with Howard Hughes, and the passionate romance with Marlon Brando that drove her to attempt suicide. And she shares the illusiveness of a "perfect" marriage and the incomparable joys of motherhood.

Infused with Rita Moreno's quick wit and deep insight, this memoir is the dazzling portrait of a stage and screen star who longed to become who she really is--and triumphed. (synopsis from Goodreads)

The Game's Afoot

Most of us probably know of Rita Moreno from her role as Anita in West Side Story. Her trademark? Being the Latina "spitfire." She's the "Hispanic Elizabeth Taylor." If you know anything else about her, it's probably that she's the first Hispanic woman to win the Oscar. Or more notably, that she's one of the only performers to EVER receive an Oscar, a Grammy, a Tony and an Emmy. Well, now she can add best-selling author to that ever-growing list of talents. In her self-titled memoir, Moreno opens up about life on and off the screen, touching on family, love, loss and her tumultuous rise to fame. Quintessentially, she's the all-American dream. 

Moreno's story is broken down into four parts, each one chronicling her evolution from humble little Rosita Dolores Alverio from Juncos into the sizzling songstress/screen siren, Rita Moreno. It's a tumultuous journey of insecurity, doubt, passion and self-discovery told in the most raw and honest of ways. In it, she describes the lush landscape of her native Puerto Rico, her struggle to break on to the Hollywood scene and her harrowing and debilitating relationship with bad boy, Marlon Brando. On the surface, Moreno's life seems so perfect but underneath it all it's one built atop broken promises --- by her mother and father, by Hollywood and by many lovers --- the strength she pulls from all these experiences though, that's what makes this book such an incredible one to read. Her story is as captivating as she herself is on screen.

You can really get a feel for Moreno's personality solely by looking at the way she tells her story --- it's exotic, wild, imaginative, vivid and rich with detail. As a reader, I became keenly aware of all of my senses and was atune to the world in an entirely new way. It's particularly evident in the first part where she relives her childhood. Moreno speaks of it as though she's still that child. You view the world through her young eyes and get to experience that sense of wonder and magic and blissful unawareness that comes with being an innocent, little kid. This book is packed with insight as Rita recounts her rise to fame and her experiences on the silver screen. I loved how she reviews her past performances in a more objective way. It's interesting to see what she's most critical about and what of those early performances she can really appreciate. Also, the black/white photographs don't hurt either!

Rita goes into detail on how much the film industry has changed since the 50's and 60's. Back then, stereotyping was common practice and she was viewed as the "universal ethnic girl." She's worked hard to break way from the trade-marked Latina "spit-fire" image that was portrayed of her, instead vying for roles that cast her as a genuine, realistic person. I was really excited to read about her time on the West Side Story set, but much to my dismay, this chapter of her life is somewhat glossed over. What I did love was how Moreno touches on fond and not-so-fond memories of the more well-known contemporaries of her time (Gene Kelly, Joan Crawford, Natalie Wood, Elvis --- to name a few) which acts as a tribute to them, in a way. Ultimately though, this book isn't about Hollywood, it's about her and appropriately so. Each intricate detail and every little story chronicles some important facet of her amazing life and incredible journey.

One of the most evident things she talks about are the hardships she's endured. The issues in her working life are nothing compared to the ones she endures in her love life though. Her tumultuous relationship with Marlon Brando coupled with constant abuse led her to attempt suicide, but it's her inner strength and determination that pulls her through it. And this is why she's so admirable. She's got the fortitude and gusto to walk away having learned something. Moreno's journey is a tragic one, but unlike many of the Hollywood greats, hers has a happier ending than the Judy Garland's and Mario Lanza's of her day. Rita is a woman who did what she had to do to survive and become successful. She's a woman who never loses sight of the end goal. She is admirable and brave. In the end, Moreno is shaped less by the characters she played and more by the experiences behind them. 

Moreno is a multi-faceted woman --- she's strong, passionate, vivacious, demure and incredibly self-concious. Despite wearing a tough and sexy visage, like many of her contemporaries, she's more than just another pretty face. This book is her personal narrative on how she conqured the world and, if anything, it's one of the most authentic books I've ever read. She's had quite the journey and even though it wasn't alwasy the easiest, it was certainly an incredible one.

Summary Prognosis

Rita Moreno: A Memoir is the story about respected singer/actress, Rita Moreno. The story chronicles Moreno's journey from Puerto Rico to America and her struggles for fame, love and leading a fulfilling life. Featuring vignettes on her films, behind-the-scenes gossip on her fellow actors, intimate details about her love life, it's a tale of survival, reinventing yourself and overcoming crippling self doubt.


Rating: ★★★★★


Read It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible 
Discuss It: Goodreads
Extras: NPR Interview | Excerpt

Surf's Up, Dudes!

Top Ten Tuesday is an original weekly feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Combining both a passion for all things bookish with an obsessive love of list-making, this rad meme was born. This week's post is Top Ten Beach/Poolside Reads.

This is an interesting topic this week because I’ve never really pondered what classifies a book as “beach-readable” to me. What I’ve noticed is that my beach reads don’t typically conform to one specific genre or subject matter. I guess it boils down to me preferring something on the lighter side, something that will make me laugh. Also, books heavy on the action are usually a safe bet because they’re likely to be paired with a deliciously summery cocktail (or two)!

Married With Zombies by Jesse Petersen – I read this book on my Costa Rican honeymoon and it was super funny and loaded with zombified action (which I can never get enough of). I think I read the entire thing in one pool-side, piña colada fueled marathon and loved every minute of it.

Jaws by Peter Benchley – Worst beach read ever? How about BEST beach read ever!?

The Second Assistant: A Tale from the Bottom of the Hollywood Ladder by Clare Naylor & Mimi Hare – This fun, lighthearted book was one of the first contemporary reads I’d ever picked up. Plus I can never resist stories about Tinseltown!

The Zombie Survival Guide by Max Brooks – Because you can never be TOO prepared. I mean, who’s to say the zombie apocalypse won’t begin at the beach?! Have you ever played the game Dead Island? Beaches and pools, people! HELLOOOO!

Angels & Demons by Dan Brown – Predictable maybe? But full of action, mystery and history. This is one book that’s easy to read and hard to put down!

You Might Be a Zombie and Other Bad News: Shocking but Utterly True Facts by Cracked.com – I’m a HUGE fan of the humour sites articles and this compendium is chalk full of them.

The Maze Runner by James Dashner – Though I didn’t love this book, I certainly liked it enough to recommend it given a few reservations. I guess most of my warm fuzzies come from the fact that I read it at an outdoor café during the summer with a latte in hand. It was a good experience that I think would translate well for dystopian beginners who are on the beach.

Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris – This is the first book in Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series and still one of my favourites to date.

The Ex-Factor by Andrea Semple – I had to add at least one girly book to my list. This one is heavy on the drama but doesn’t make you think too much which isn’t to say all girlie books are this way, but I like that in a beach read. Plus it’s deceptively British which is always a good thing!

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater – Welp, it takes place on the beach. And has killer horses, so why not?

What do you look for in a beach read? Do you tend to pull books by genre or is your list more varied, like mine? Have you read any of these books? If so, do you think you’d enjoy them pool-side as well?

TGIF / 24

I'd really like to tell you something interesting and fun but because I had my head drilled yesterday (root canal) all I can think about are the days when my mouth wasn't so sore and also deliciously solid foods (that I can't eat). So yeah. Awesome stuff, I know! FOOOOD.

But alas, there is some good news. I author, Daria Snadowsky, was kind enough to send me two of her books which I look forward to reading and reviewing for you all. So at least I know what I'll be doing this weekend. Do you have any special weekend plans? 

Bookish News

These are some redesigned covers for classic books. I, personally, enjoy War of the Worlds and Frankenstein best!

Apple is in the spotlight again as accusations of e-book price-fixing surround the powerhouse company. The trial began in NYC on Monday.

Harry Potter gets a makeover! Here are the revamped covers for Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Popular YA author, Sarah Dessden, reveals her secrets to success in an interview.

Suzanne Collins is planning a new YA series. In other news, I will buy anything she writes.

Entertainment News

Biopic actors and their real-life counterparts.

My man, Danny Trejo, returns as Machete in the Robert Rodriguez sequel, Machete Kills.

Umm, Neville Longbottom got HOT!

Overused twist endings that need to be retired. What are some twist endings that you're sick of seeing?

Yes, folks. The people who produced the Twilight parody, Twiharder, have filed a $500 million lawsuit against Summit Entertainment. FOR MAKING SO MUCH MONEY OFF TWILIGHT! Aaaaand I don't wanna live on this planet anymore.

As if we needed any more proof that George R.R. Martin is one sadistic sonnofabitch after watching the GoT episode, "The Red Wedding."

Pop Culture!

This Disney princess street art is killer... quite literally.

Guy chases his dream girl through this adorable 80's themed music video.

An informational look at where to go during a zombie apocalypse. The more you know!

I must own a street legal bumper car! But since I can't, I think I'll settle for a poster of iconic cars in TV and movies. How many can you identify?

Movie Review: The Great Gatsby by Baz Luhrmann

 
Title: The Great Gatsby
Director(s): Baz Luhrmann
Genre(s): Classic, Drama, Romance
Rating: PG-13
Release Date (USA): May 10, 2013

"Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter - tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther... And one fine morning - So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." -Nick Carraway

I think most of us, at this point, have read Fitzgerald's famous work, The Great Gatsby --- and if you haven't read it, you've at least heard about it. The Great Gatsby is one of America's greatest literary achievements, and Gatsby, one of the most iconic characters written. When you take one of the most celebrated pieces of literature and turn it into a movie, I think it's safe to say, you have some pretty big shoes to fill.

To date there have been a number of movie adaptations of Gatsby, the 1974 version starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, being my favourite; so when I heard Gatsby was about to get the Baz Luhrmann treatment, I wasn't quite sure what to think. See, like the decidedly mixed reviews on this film, I share similar feelings about Luhrmann's movies in general. While I adored his modernised interpretation of Romeo + Juliet, I could barely make it through Moulin Rouge. Seeing Gatsby was a gamble for me because while there's no doublt Luhrmann has a monopoly on contemporary flare and visual excess, he also has a tendency to skim the surface, missing much of the underlying detail. So what was the end result?

His Gatsby fell somewhere in between the two.

It's hard to know where to start because my thoughts on this movie are all over the place. Though I did enjoy the theatrical experience in a visual sense, emotionally it was incredibly unfulfilling. Not exactly what you expect or want from an adaptation of one of the most hailed novels, like, ever. So yeah. But honestly, was I surprised by this? Not really. It ended up being exactly what I thought it might be: visually striking but lacking in depth and character. It all boils down to way too much focus placed on the aesthetic parts and not enough on the "meat and potatoes" of the film. Sure, there are brief sparks of something special, but overall, it lacked a lot of the heart and soul that comes from the original source material.

Luhrmann's Gatsby is imposing, in-your-face and brash which works both for and against it. This forwardness has a tendency to highlight the obvious making it lack the subtlety that makes earlier versions of the movie so much more effective. For instance, you're beaten in the face with the symbolism of the green light so much so that it feels like you're being insulted. Look Baz, the green light is important, I know, but we're not all that dense, okay? There's something to be said for leaving an air of mystery, of which this movie did none of. However, that being said, I do think he excels in creating striking cinematography which keeps you riveted to the screen. He makes you not want to look away because his world stands out from all the rest. The opulence of this movie matches the excess of the Roaring 20's to near perfection and it sets the stage well while enhancing the mood. I also really liked Luhrmann's use of contemporary music when contrasted against the vintage-inspired glitz and glamour. I know this isn't something that will please everyone, but it worked for me. It's Luhrmann's trademark and he does it well. 

That being said, good visuals aren't enough to carry a movie. I think my biggest issue was the lack of personality. Don't get me wrong, the setting had plenty of it but where it mattered, it had little to none. There was very little natural chemistry between Leo DiCaprio's Gatsby and Carey Mulligan's Daisy. They were solid individually, but not when they were together. I mean, this is the key relationship in the movie and it didn't feel real. And if I'm being real here, I wasn't vibing on Leo's take of Gatsby at all. He was too disingenuous and self-serving for my liking. If you ask me, Robert Redford pretty much has the monopoly on the multi-faceted character. He was self conscious and refined in all the right places. Leo's angry, angsty Gatsby was fitting only in bits and pieces. What I did enjoy, though, was Mulligan's Daisy. She brings a stronger, more defiant side to Daisy's otherwise flighty, dainty damsel-in-distress act. It's a refreshing twist on the character, for sure.

Another thing I noticed (and not in a good way) was how the story was told. More often than not, Nick Carraway's (Tobey Maguire) narrative was mistimed and misplaced, frequently jarring me out of the story. It made every second of the 2hr 23min running time seem that much longer. So that on top of the characters not feeling true to the characters in the book, it was hard to foster a connection to anyone of them --- and in a story that ends so tragically, you want to, no, need to be moved. I, on the other hand, couldn't care less. Baz Luhrmann's Gatsby, unfortunately, was a swing and a miss It's not that the movie is terrible, it's actually pretty enjoyable if you can take it at face value. It's got jazz in all the right places, if you know what I mean. I just happen to like prior versions better, that's all. 

And on a side note: I still think Baz Luhrmann's interpretation of Romeo + Juliet was the pinnacle of his directing career so he's definitely got that going for him because that movie is AMAZING.

Summary Prognosis

While Baz Luhrmann's signature flare worked in tandem with the rich excessiveness of the decade, his version of The Great Gatsby missed the mark in just about every other way. There were strong performances by each of the characters individually but when together, they lacked chemistry. I found caring more about the way the film looked than I did any of its characters which defeats the purpose of translating such a deep and meaningful story to the screen. This movie is all about face value in a world where there's so much more beneath the surface.


Rating: ★★★


Watch It: This movie is currently out in theatres
Discuss It: IMDB | Rotten Tomatoes
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