Saturday, February 20, 2016

Stacking the Shelves - 2.20.16

Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

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Bought:

Bats of the Republic:
An Illuminated Novel
by Zachary Thomas Dodson
-Historical, SciFi
Powells | Goodreads

Review:

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
by Kim Barker
-Memoir, Pakistan
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> Stay tuned, I will be posting a giveaway offer for this on Tuesday.

OTHER things on my shelf: kinda book-related


Participating in the Love-A-thon this weekend (details).

UNBOXING:

From Uppercase package (details & signup):
A hand-selected young adult book & fun bookish item, delivered monthly #UppercaseBox


February Box includes:
- Starflight by Melissa Landers -signed
- Starflight themed quote poster and bookmarks
- Starflight themed nail wraps
- Anne of Green Gables infinity scarf (Uppercase exclusive)

Starflight
(Starflight #1)
by Melissa Landers
-SciFi, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

Solara Brooks needs a fresh start, someplace where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. The outer realm may be lawless, but
it's not like the law has ever been on her side.

Still, off-world travel doesn't come cheap; Solara is left with no choice but to indenture herself in exchange for passage to the outer realm. She just wishes it could have been to anyone besides Doran Spaulding, the rich, pretty-boy quarterback who made her life miserable in school.

The tables suddenly turn when Doran is framed for conspiracy on Earth, and Solara cons him into playing the role of her servant on board the Banshee, a ship manned by an eccentric crew with their own secrets. Given the price on both Doran and Solara's heads, it may just be the safest place in the universe.

It's been a long time since Solara has believed in anyone, and Doran is the last person she expected to trust. But when the Banshee's dangerous enemies catch up with them, Solara and Doran must come together to protect the ship that has become their home-and the eccentric crew that feels like family.


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AND watched: on Netflix, Oscar nominee

Chau: Beyond The Lines (2015)
War Within the Walls (original title)
Director: Courtney Marsh
Story: Courtney Marsh and Marcelo Mitnik
Starring: Le Minh Chau
-Documentary Short, Biography, Vietnam | imdb | Website | my rating: 5

Chau, a 16-year-old boy living in a Vietnamese peace camp for kids disabled by Agent Orange, battles with the reality of his dream to one day become a professional clothing designer.

Chau's artwork: view more (here)

=====> Interesting to learn just how Agent Orange has affected Vietnam and the people living there.

I am finding that watching Documentary shorts are a good way to get into the genre of documentaries. The timing is just right for those not used to it.

AND watched: in theatre

Race (2016)
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Writers: Joe Shrapnel, Anna Waterhouse
Starring: Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Eli Goree
-Biography, Drama, Sport | imdb | my rating: 5

Jesse Owens' quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy.

=====> Fascinating bit of history about Jesse Owens. He is finally getting a proper spotlight for his part in Olympic history.

AND watched: in theatre

Deadpool (2016)
Director: Tim Miller
Writers: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
Characters by: Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller
-Action, Adventure, Comedy, Superhero | imdb | my rating: 5

A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool.

=====> Loved the pop culture references and snarky dialogue.

AND watched: in theatre, these next three are part of Mostly British Film Festival SF (details)

A Royal Night Out (2015)
Director: Julian Jarrold
Writers: Trevor De Silva, Kevin Hood
Starring: Sarah Gadon, Bel Powley, Emily Watson
-Comedy, Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 5

On V.E. Day in 1945, as peace extends across Europe, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are allowed out to join the celebrations. It is a night full of excitement, danger and the first flutters of romance.

=====> Lovely whirlwind evening of the V.E. day festivities. The soundtrack really pulls you in.

Cut Snake (2014)
Director: Tony Ayres
Screenplay: Blake Ayshford
Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, Alex Russell, Jessica De Gouw
-Thriller, Australia | imdb

An ex-convict is trying to make a new life for himself in a new city. But his new life is challenged when his foreboding and charismatic former cell mate arrives in town.

The Long Good Friday (1980)
Director: John Mackenzie
Screenplay: Barrie Keeffe
Based on book by:
Starring: Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Dave King
-Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Thriller, UK | imdb

Harold, a prosperous English gangster, is about to close a lucrative new deal when bombs start showing up in very inconvenient places. A mysterious syndicate is trying to muscle in on his action, and Harold wants to know who they are. He finds out soon enough, and bloody mayhem ensues.

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* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers


 
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