Saturday, July 29, 2017

Lovely Books and Things - 7.29.17

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update

Linking up with:
Stacking the Shelves (details)
Sunday Post (details)
Mailbox Monday (details)

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Felt a little crafty and created some paper cut creations which I added to the Glossies Made Me Do It post (here).

Been thinking of cutting down on doing requested reviews for the Fall and Winter seasons. I want to devote some time with Jane Austen themed and Dystopia genres.

Also, started to work on reorganizing bookshelves. It is a daunting task to start. But I ended up emptying shelves and creating "keep" and "donate" stacks. It is going to take awhile. My goal is to be done with this part of the project by the end of August.

And, culling my written tbr lists (including on Goodreads) by removing titles that no longer appeal - at least 10 per week. I've seen other book bloggers who read excerpts to help decide on whether or not to keep a title on their list. I might do this too.

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Bought:

Gork, the Teenage Dragon
by Gabe Hudson
-Fantasy, YA, Dragon
Amazon | Goodreads

GOT this for my daughter, but plan to read this as well.

Everyone's a Aliebn When Ur a Aliebn Too: A Book
by Jomny Sun
-Graphic Novel, SciFi, Humor
Amazon | Goodreads

ANOTHER one for my daughter. Sounds hilarious.


UNBOXING:

From Owlcrate package (details & signup):
OwlCrate is a subscription service that sends you magical monthly boxes tailored to a chosen theme. Each OwlCrate will contain one new Young Adult novel, as well as 3-5 other bookish treats to help you get your nerd on. @owlcrate


JULY Box includes:
theme: Wanderlust
- Owlcrate spoiler card (not pictured)
- Owlcrate button - monthly theme
- The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee (exclusive cover)
- Signed bookplate, letter and art print map from author
- Backpack inspired by Lord of the Rings created by Owlcrate
- Luggage tag, Owl, created by Mudpuppy
- Keychain, Newt Scamander, created by Funko
- Pocket mirror inspired by A Darker Shade of Magic, created by Miss Phi
- Pocket journal, map theme, from Ooly

The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
by Mackenzi Lee
-Historical, LGBTQ, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

A hilarious and swashbuckling teen historical fiction novel, named one of summer's 20 must-read books by Entertainment Weekly! A New York Times bestseller!

A young bisexual British lord embarks on an unforgettable Grand Tour of Europe with his best friend/secret crush. An 18th-century romantic adventure for the modern age written by This Monstrous Thing author Mackenzi Lee—Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda meets the 1700s.

Henry “Monty” Montague doesn’t care that his roguish passions are far from suitable for the gentleman he was born to be. But as Monty embarks on his grand tour of Europe, his quests for pleasure and vice are in danger of coming to an end. Not only does his father expect him to take over the family’s estate upon his return, but Monty is also nursing an impossible crush on his best friend and traveling companion, Percy.

So Monty vows to make this yearlong escapade one last hedonistic hurrah and flirt with Percy from Paris to Rome. But when one of Monty’s reckless decisions turns their trip abroad into a harrowing manhunt, it calls into question everything he knows, including his relationship with the boy he adores.

Witty, dazzling, and intriguing at every turn, The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue is an irresistible romp that explores the undeniably fine lines between friendship and love.



OTHER things (kinda book-related):

JASNA
Jane Austen Society of North America (details)

FINALLY joined a Jane Austen face-to-face group. Been meaning to go beyond Jane's words see what all it out there. Let me know if you are part of a JASNA or any other Jane Austen organization. Would love to hear any of your experiences.


AND watched: in theatre

Body and Soul: An American Bridge (2016)
Director: Robert Philipson
-Documentary | imdb | my rating: 5

The performance history of the most recorded song in jazz reveals the influences, creations and conflicts between Blacks and Jews in American popular song.

THE SF Jewish Film Festival featured this show along with a brief intro from the director and a live jazz quartet performance after the screening.

Loved how the song, Body and Soul, was featured and learning about its history.

Dunkirk (2017)
Director/Writer: Christopher Nolan
Starring: Fionn Whitehead, Aneurin Barnard
-Action, Drama, History | imdb | my rating: 4

Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire and France are surrounded by the German army and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.

Nice visual history story that captures the air, sea and the mole.

The Vietnam War (2017)
Director: Ken Burns and Lynn Novick
-Documentary | imdb

Award-winning filmmakers Ken Burns, Lynn Novick and Sarah Botstein share the epic story of the Vietnam War with testimony from nearly 80 witnesses, including many Americans who fought in the war and others who opposed it, as well as Vietnamese combatants and civilians from both the winning and losing sides.

WE watched a preview of this series with filmmakers and two people in the documentary in conversation with Scott Shafer, KQED's senior politics and government editor.

Seven clips were just the right amount to tease. Now we are properly excited to see this documentary which starts September 7 on PBS.

*event photo by Aberswyth N.T.

Blind Detective (2013)
Man tam (original title)
Director: Johnnie To
Writers: Ryker Chan, Ka-Fai Wai, Nai-Hoi Yau, Xi Yu
Starring: Andy Lau, Sammi Cheng
-Comedy, Crime, Drama, China | imdb | my rating: 5

A cop is forced into early retirement due to retinal damage. But after witnessing a bank robbery along with a female inspector - who believes he has acute senses - they team up in hope to solve the case.

PART of a Johnnie To film festival at the SF MOMA. This film captures all the Johnnie To film elements that he is famous for including scenes for foodies to get chuckles from. More on the fun side.

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

:-)
 
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