Thursday, August 31, 2017

Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002 by David Sedaris

Theft by Finding: Diaries 1977-2002
by David Sedaris
narrated by author

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Facebook

Just released: May 30, 2017
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Genre: Memoir, Humor
Hardback: 528
Rating: 5

First sentence(s):
Not long after deciding to release a book of diary entries, I came upon a five-pound note.

For forty years, David Sedaris has kept a diary in which he records everything that captures his attention-overheard comments, salacious gossip, soap opera plot twists, secrets confided by total strangers. These observations are the source code for his finest work, and through them he has honed his cunning, surprising sentences.

Now, Sedaris shares his private writings with the world. Theft by Finding, the first of two volumes, is the story of how a drug-abusing dropout with a weakness for the International House of Pancakes and a chronic inability to hold down a real job became one of the funniest people on the planet.

Written with a sharp eye and ear for the bizarre, the beautiful, and the uncomfortable, and with a generosity of spirit that even a misanthropic sense of humor can't fully disguise, Theft By Finding proves that Sedaris is one of our great modern observers. It's a potent reminder that when you're as perceptive and curious as Sedaris, there's no such thing as a boring day.


My two-bits:

I love to listen to David telling his stories and experiences. His observations of ugly things in life are thoughtful and humorous.

This is definitely a treat for fans.

Looking forward to the next batch of diary entries!

~*~

* Listened to audiobook version.

Wednesday, August 30, 2017

The Fall Film Challenge

The Fall Film Challenge
September 1 to November 30, 2017
hosted by Quirky Pickings | details | facebook group
MY BONUS ROUND picks (here)

I spotted The Fall Film Challenge at Happy Pretty Sweet (here) and felt that this would be a fun way to binge some films that have been on my to-watch list.

WATCH 25 films that you’ve never seen before and that fit into one of the 25 categories.

the categories:

one. starring anthony hopkins.
The Human Stain (2003) | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

two. listed on nathan bransford's best hundred movies challenge (here).
Schindler’s List (1993) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

three. about charity: an organization, an individual, a cause, an act... interpret this as you will.
The Intouchables (2011) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

four. starring robert downey, jr.
Wonder Boys (2000) | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

five. about envy: a character, a plot device... use your imagination.
The Beguiled (1971) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

six. about faith.
Secret Sunshine (2007), Korean | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

seven. about greed.
Saving Mr. Wu (2015), China | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

eight. about hope.
Bakuman (2015) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

nine. starring jeremy irons.
Assassin's Creed (2016) | imdb | my review | my rating: 2

ten. about justice.
Trumbo (2015) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

eleven. starring kevin bacon.
Patriots Day (2016) | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

twelve. about lust.
Lust, Caution (2007), Taiwan | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

thirteen. starring ian mckellen.
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

fourteen. set in a castle.
I Capture the Castle (2003) | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

fifteen. about fortitude.
It (2017) | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

sixteen. about pride.
Pride and Prejudice (2003) | imdb | my review | my rating: 3

seventeen. starring alan rickman.
Alice Through the Looking Glass (2016) | imdb | my review | my rating: 3

eighteen. released last year and reviewed on slothsandmovies.com (here).
The Accountant (2016) | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

nineteen. about temperance.
The Innocents (2016) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

twenty. about prudence.
This Beautiful Fantastic (2016) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

twenty-one. starring val kilmer.
Heat (1995) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

twenty-two. about wrath.
Unforgiven (1992) | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

twenty-three. set in an exotic locale.
Tharlo (2015), Tibet | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

twenty-four. about gluttony.
Dumplings (2004), Hong Kong | imdb | my review | my rating: 5

twenty-five. set in space.
Rogue One (2016) | imdb | my review | my rating: 4

the results:

I am down for 254 points.

As part of the top 5 to finish early, I won a prize :-)

~*~

* Whew! It was a challenge to pick out some of these - like prudence and temperance - huh?

Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Happy release: A Short History of the Girl Next Door by Jared Reck

A Short History of the Girl Next Door
by Jared Reck
-Humor, YA
Release date: September 26, 2017
Amazon | Goodreads

Seriously, how can you see a person nearly every day of your life and never think a thing of it, then all of a sudden, one day, it’s different? You see that goofy grin a thousand times and just laugh. But goofy grin #1,001 nearly stops your heart?

Right. That sounds like a bad movie already.

Matt Wainwright is constantly sabotaged by the overdramatic movie director in his head. He can’t tell his best friend, Tabby, how he really feels about her, he implodes on the JV basketball team, and the only place he feels normal is in Mr. Ellis’s English class, discussing the greatest fart scenes in literature and writing poems about pissed-off candy-cane lumberjacks.

If this were a movie, everything would work out perfectly. Tabby would discover that Matt’s madly in love with her, be overcome with emotion, and would fall into his arms. Maybe in the rain.

But that’s not how it works. Matt watches Tabby get swept away by senior basketball star and all-around great guy Liam Branson. Losing Tabby to Branson is bad enough, but screwing up and losing her as a friend is even worse.

After a tragic accident, Matt finds himself left on the sidelines, on the verge of spiraling out of control and losing everything that matters to him. From debut author Jared Reck comes a fiercely funny and heart-wrenching novel about love, longing, and what happens when life as you know it changes in an instant.


Excerpt:

Chapter One

The Moment I Know It’s Over

I know it’s over when Liam Branson’s black Accord pulls in front of Tabby’s house before school.

I’m shooting free throws in my driveway, like I do every morning, waiting for the bus to deliver me to another memorable day as a freshman at Franklin High. It’s late October, which means the weather is perfect for my before-school shootaround ritual. Warm enough that I don’t have to shove my fingers into my armpits, panini-style, after every few shots to prevent frostbite, and cold enough that I’m not a sweaty mess when the bus pulls up.

I’m about fifty free throws in when Branson’s car rolls into our circle, going around and stopping in front of Tabby’s house, straight across from mine. I try not to stare too much between shots. But what is a senior guy--one of the senior guys, varsity starter on our Black Bears football and basketball teams--doing picking up a freshman girl before school?

He beeps his horn, and an instant later Tabby’s front door flies open. Tabby throws her book bag over her shoulder and jogs across her front lawn, beaming, looking amazing in that not-even-trying way that Tabby has--worn jeans and a T-shirt, her red hair pulled back into a sloppy bun. It’s perfect.

(read more excerpt here)

Monday, August 28, 2017

Book Blast Giveaway: The Pursuit of Lady Harriett by Rachael Anderson

The Pursuit of Lady Harriett
(Tanglewood #3)
by Rachael Anderson
-Historical, Romance
Release date: August 28, 2017
Amazon | Goodreads

When wills clash and hearts collide, who will reign victorious?

Termed an Incomparable during her first London season, Lady Harriett Cavendish is beautiful, spirited, and confident, capturing the attention of a great many suitors. Unfortunately, they all failed to capture her attention, and she concluded the season as unattached as she’d begun it.

Only weeks prior to her second season, Harriett encounters Lieutenant Christopher Jamison while visiting Tanglewood Manor. Recently returned from war, the lieutenant is everything that Harriett's previous suitors were not. He’s arrogant, ungentlemanly, irritating, and challenges her at every opportunity. When he goes too far, Harriett decides that it’s time to turn the tables on him. But as she sets out to put the lieutenant in his place once and for all, she discovers there is more to him than meets the eye, and when it comes to matters of the heart, she has no control whatsoever.

Excerpt:

The corners of the man’s eyes crinkled in a mild show of amusement. “Lady Harriett, I presume?” Rather than look at her with appreciation as most men did, he appeared amused.

At her nod, he tucked his hands behind his back, remaining a few steps above her. “I am Lieutenant Christopher Jamison, an old friend of Jonathan’s.”

“I was expecting you days ago,” she answered. “Lord Jonathan charged me with the unhappy task of informing you he and his new bride are currently away on their wedding trip. He is sorry he cannot be here to meet with you and has asked that I relay his apologies.”

“May I inquire as to how long they will be away?” he asked.

No, you may not, she wanted to say. Her neck was beginning to ache from looking up at him, but she forced her gaze to remain steady. “They expected to be gone a fortnight, sir.”

“And they have been gone how long, exactly?”

She felt an unaccountable hesitancy to tell him. “A week.”

“Ah.” He sounded disappointed but seemed to take the news in stride, glancing at Charlie as though wondering whether he ought to retrieve his horse or not. Harriett prayed that he would.

When his gaze strayed back to her, he took the unwelcome, and ungentlemanly, liberty of perusing her figure. When his eyes met hers again, his lips twitched into a slight smile. “Forgive me, my lady, but you appear to have had a run-in with a mud puddle and lost.”

How kind of him to point that out. Harriett kept her hands at her side rather than attempt to brush the dirt from her face and pelisse yet again. The damage was done, and no amount of brushing or shaking would remove the muck. What she needed was a hot bath and a change of clothes.

“Actually, sir, I was merely an innocent bystander.”

“Indeed?”

She picked up her skirts and ascended the steps, stopping on the stair above him so that she was eye level with him. “Are you always such a reckless rider, sir? Do you not pay heed to your surroundings?”

“Of course I do.”

“If you had, you would have seen me standing at the side of the road and, I would hope, thought to slow your animal down so as to not splash mud all over my pelisse.”

Her chilly set down did not have the desired effect. He did not appear the least bit repentant. Rather, he looked ready to burst into laughter. “And your face, apparently.” He leaned forward and squinted. “If I’m not mistaken, there is a splash or two of mud on your bonnet as well.”

Harriett glared at him. “How observant you are, Lieutenant Jamison. One can only wonder why you didn’t put that skill to good use earlier. If you had, perhaps my pelisse, face, and bonnet would still be clean.”

“I am always observant, my lady,” he said. “But might I suggest that if you would like to be noticed at the side of the road, you should wear a color that does not blend so perfectly with your surroundings. That particular shade of green looks quite lovely on you, but only someone with the eyes of an eagle would have spotted you in front of a landscape of evergreens.”

Harriett opened her mouth to respond, but no words were forthcoming. The man did not even attempt to behave like a gentleman. How could he be so . . . so . . .

“Have you no apology to offer, sir?” she finally spluttered.

“Oh, did I not apologize? Forgive me.”

“For what? Forgetting to apologize or for not doing so in the first place?”

About the author:
A USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Facebook
Twitter

—~ Giveaway ~--

WIN $75 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 9/22/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, August 27, 2017

Swing Time by Zadie Smith

Swing Time
by Zadie Smith
narrated by Pippa Bennett-Warner

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Tumblr

Paperback release: September 5, 2017
Publisher: Penguin Books
Genre: Literary, Dance
Paperback: 464
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
If all the Saturdays of 1982 can be thought of as one day, I met Tracey at ten a.m. on that Saturday, walking through the sandy gravel of a churchyard, each holding our mother’s hand.

An ambitious, exuberant new novel moving from North West London to West Africa, from the multi-award-winning author of White Teeth and On Beauty.

Two brown girls dream of being dancers—but only one, Tracey, has talent. The other has ideas: about rhythm and time, about black bodies and black music, what constitutes a tribe, or makes a person truly free. It's a close but complicated childhood friendship that ends abruptly in their early twenties, never to be revisited, but never quite forgotten, either.

Tracey makes it to the chorus line but struggles with adult life, while her friend leaves the old neighborhood behind, traveling the world as an assistant to a famous singer, Aimee, observing close up how the one percent live.

But when Aimee develops grand philanthropic ambitions, the story moves from London to West Africa, where diaspora tourists travel back in time to find their roots, young men risk their lives to escape into a different future, the women dance just like Tracey—the same twists, the same shakes—and the origins of a profound inequality are not a matter of distant history, but a present dance to the music of time.


My two-bits:

With thoughts on dance, talent, friendship this story also incorporates experiences of Black British and African women in the contemporary world.

This is one of those stories that blends it all together really well.

~*~

* Listened to audiobook version.

* New York Times bestseller
Finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction
Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize

* part of Man Booker Prize Reading Challenge (here)



Saturday, August 26, 2017

Lovely Books and Things - 8.26.17

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update

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

~*~

The fog eclipsed the eclipse in my part of the world. So the viewing was done online which was fine as I did not get around to picking up a pair of those special solar eclipse glasses.

I had a quiet week at home with reading. Also, started a french themed craft project of a small purse which includes some embroidery. I will post about it upon its completion. And, went shopping at Joann's to pickup yarn for the upcoming Bernat Blanket Mystery Crochet Stitch Along (details) that starts September 18. I thought this would be a cozy project for the fall season.

~*~

Bought:

Theft by Finding:
Diaries 1977-2002

by David Sedaris
-Memoir, Humor
Amazon | Goodreads

GOT the audio version of this because I love listening to David telling his stories.

Domina
(Maestra #2)
by L.S. Hilton
-Mystery, Thriller
Amazon | Goodreads

SEQUEL to Maestra, which has been on my shelf waiting for this partner. Perhaps a binge read is in order.


For Review:

Perfectly You
by Robin Daniels
-Romance, YA
courtesy of tour -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

LOOKING forward to the second book in this fun series.

The Pursuit of Lady Harriett
by Rachael Anderson
-Historical, Romance
courtesy of tour -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

LOOKING forward to the third book in this lovely series.


OTHER things (kinda book-related):

Austen in August
hosted by The Book Rat (details)

HEAD over there if you haven't already for some awesome Jane Austen treats!


~*~

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

:-)

Friday, August 25, 2017

The Hawkweed Legacy by Irena Brignull

The Hawkweed Legacy
by Irena Brignull

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Just released: August 15, 2017
Publisher: Weinstein Books
Genre: Paranormal, YA, Witches
Hardback: 384
Rating: 4

Hawkweed Prophecy series:
Hawkweed Prophecy
Hawkweed Legacy

Zombie sighting:
Like zombies, they shuffled to the door
page 462, chapter 23


First sentence(s):
She had been sleeping for months now, stirring only rarely to nibble on nuts and seeds. During her hibernation, she'd hardly woken from the dreams that had drifted her so far from the darkness of the hole in which she lay. But today she felt a shift in the temperature and a warmth on her back. It was spring.

From screenwriter Irena Brignull, the stunning sequel to her critically acclaimed YA debut, The Hawkweed Prophecy ("Full of romance, heart and suspense...completely absorb[ing]." -Madeleine Roux) about a young witch forced to choose between love and magic.

Poppy is discovering a purpose for her powers in Africa, but she is haunted by a vision of her own death. Taken in by a boy and his great-grandmother, a healer, they vow to keep her safe-even if that ultimately means holding her captive. But Poppy never stops longing for Leo and, when she feels his magic begin to spark, she will do anything to be reunited with him.

Desperate to regain Poppy's trust and bring her home, Charlock embarks on a plan to reunite Leo with his mother. What Charlock doesn't foresee are the string of consequences that she sets into motion that leave Ember all alone and prey to manipulation, the clan open to attack from other witches, Sorrel vulnerable to Raven's ghost, Betony determined to protect her son from his father's fate, and which leave both Leo and Poppy in terrible danger.


My two-bits:

The story continues with issues of sisterhood, friendship and love that swirl about in this tale of witches.

History of the mothers and their pasts is shared.

The use of magic and creates some action packed scenes.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of publisher

Thursday, August 24, 2017

Book Blast Giveaway: Perfectly You by Robin Daniels

Perfectly You
by Robin Daniels
-Romance, YA
Release date: August 24, 2017
Amazon | Goodreads

The Perfect series:
Perfectly Oblivious
Perfectly You

Ivy Nixon is the student body Vice President at Franklin High School. Each year, the school holds a date auction to raise funds for the senior class graduation party, and this year, Ivy’s in charge. Planning the event is a huge task and Ivy is determined to prove she can get the job done right. Unfortunately, she’s still one participant short and her deadline is looming.

Andy Walker, her cute but socially reclusive art class table mate, is her last resort. He may not be popular, but he’s funny, talented, and full of surprises. With a makeover and some major social marketing, Ivy is sure he could fetch a decent price at the auction.

Andy reluctantly agrees to help, but the more time Ivy spends with him, the more her feelings shift from professional to romantic in nature. To top it off, she’s done her marketing so well, that other girls are starting to notice Andy too. Come auction time, will Ivy be able to let him go to the highest bidder? Or will she find a way to keep him for herself…

Content Description: This is a stand-alone YA contemporary romance with companion novels set at the same high school. It contains minor language, innuendo, and crude humor, some steamy kissing, a party scene where underage drinking is taking place, and a brief but tasteful conversation about sex. The author has attempted to write characters who make good choices in questionable situations, in effort to keep the content appropriate for teens. This book contains no sex, written or implied, and no explicit language. Recommended for ages 14 and up.


Excerpt:

I nodded my head. “I know, you’re right. But I still have a problem in that I need another volunteer for the auction, regardless of Rob being on my case about it.”

Andy laid his charcoal on the table. “Ok, so let’s solve your problem. There are about a dozen guys in here. Surely one of them would be an acceptable and willing volunteer?”

I surveyed the room and gave Andy the play-by-play of my thoughts. “Let’s see now. Curtis is so tall and gangly that his pants always look like they’re waiting for a flood. Scott’s a good artist, but in our limited interactions, I’ve drawn the conclusion that he has more bong residue in his head than brains. While cute, I’m pretty sure both Todd and Tim are gay, so the pool of seniors willing to bid on them would be exceptionally small.

“And then, of course, there’s Mason. Good old Mason, who just last week, I saw pick his nose and wipe the booger on the underside of his table.” I scrunched up my nose in disgust. “Eeeew, no. Just…no.” I finished scanning the male occupants and was more discouraged than when I started. I gave Andy my best pouty face.

He laughed heartily, something I rarely heard from him. “I agree, Mason does not make the cut.”

About the author:

Robin Daniels is a wife, mother of five and avid consumer of books. She loves reading SO much that she was actually grounded from it as a twelve year old. No Joking! Her mom caught her reading when she was supposed to be cleaning, which was a common occurrence. At that point mom took the books and instructed her to go watch TV or play outside like a normal kid.

Robin is a sucker for home design shows and magazines, watches way too much Netflix and has a very codependent relationship with with a certain diet soda who’s brand shall not be named. (Though anyone with a similar problem could probably guess which one.)

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Blog
Facebook

—~ Giveaway ~--

WIN $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway

Ends 9/15/17

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Perfectly Oblivious by Robin Daniels

Perfectly Oblivious
by Robin Daniels

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website

Just released: June 30, 2017
Publisher: Bluefields Publishing
Genre: YA, Humor, Sports
Paperback: 310
Rating: 5

The Perfect Series series:
Perfectly Oblivious
Perfectly You

First sentence(s):
A New Family was moving in across the street. The house next door to the Perkins's had been vacant for over six months. The couple that lived there before had had no kids, were hardly ever home, and kept to themselves. So, when the house went up for sale, my heart wasn't exactly broken.

Cameron Bates (Cam) could have almost any girl at Franklin High School... except for the one he wants. Unfortunately Bebe seems to be immune to his flirty charm and good looks, which means one of two things: a) she’s completely oblivious to how he feels, or b) she’s just not into him. If that’s the case, declaring his love would be disastrous for their friendship.

Bianca Barnes (Bebe) has a huge problem: the universe hates her. Every time she admits feelings for a boy, he ends up falling for her sweet, popular, and beautiful sister Beth. To avoid a broken heart, Bebe has sworn herself to secrecy. Nobody can know how she feels about Cam... Ever!

Neither person wants to confess their feelings, but the universe has its own plan. Out of the blue, Bebe is courted by a secret admirer. Cam has to step up his game and Bebe has to make a choice. Play it safe and accept the affections of her mystery man or challenge fate and take a chance on the boy she loves.

Content Description: This is a stand-alone YA contemporary romance with companion novels to follow. It contains minor language, innuendo, crude humor and steamy tension but is generally very clean. No sex. Recommended for ages 14 and up.


My two-bits:

Loved the banter between the two main characters as well as the individual perspectives of each.

And, loved the romantic shenanigans involved in pairing this couple.

Some fun one-on-one basketball scenes are cause for giggles in this YA romance.

Makes me want to check out the film, Love and Basketball.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of author

Tuesday, August 22, 2017

The Little Queen by Meia Geddes

The Little Queen
by Meia Geddes

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website

Just released: Release date: August 1, 2017
Publisher: Poetose Press
Genre: Fairy Tale, Coming of Age
ebook
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
On a little world, upon a little hill, a little tear fell down a little face.

When her mother and father pass away, the little queen must figure out how to be a little queen. And so she begins her adventures, journeying away from her palace and into the world to determine how she should go about going on. The little queen soon encounters numerous folks who teach her a thing or two: the book sniffer, the dream writer, and the architect of silence are just a few. Along the way, the little queen finds friendship, love, and meaning in being a leader in her world. THE LITTLE QUEEN is a magical exploration of self-discovery, vocation, community, and home.

PeekAbook:


My two-bits:

This sweet whimsical-like book is a story of a journey where nuggets of wisdom are found with each person met.

~*~

* review copy courtesy of author

Monday, August 21, 2017

Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane

Since We Fell
by Dennis Lehane
narrated by Julia Whelan

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Just released: May 9, 2017
Publisher: Ecco
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Hardback: 432
Rating: 4

First sentence(s):
On a Tuesday in May, in her thirty-fifth year, Rachel shot her husband dead. He stumbled backward with an odd look of confirmation on his face, as if some part of him had always known she’d do it.

Since We Fell follows Rachel Childs, a former journalist who, after an on-air mental breakdown, now lives as a virtual shut-in. In all other respects, however, she enjoys an ideal life with an ideal husband. Until a chance encounter on a rainy afternoon causes that ideal life to fray. As does Rachel’s marriage. As does Rachel herself. Sucked into a conspiracy thick with deception, violence, and possibly madness, Rachel must find the strength within herself to conquer unimaginable fears and mind-altering truths.

My two-bits:

Slow burning kind of story with a couple mysteries going on. Interesting twist in the last third of the book which was also action packed.

~*~

* Listened to audiobook version.

Saturday, August 19, 2017

Lovely Books and Things - 8.19.17

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update

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

~*~

Slow reading week. Instead, have been going the audio route with a couple starts and stops before finding a couple stories that grabbed me.

Still working on culling the bookshelves and creating donation and to-sell piles. I want to get to the point where there isn't an overflow from my shelves. It takes a good chunk of time so I have just been doing a little here and there and patting myself on the back when I manage to fill a bag ;-)

I am training myself to be more mindful and picky of book acquisitions.

Things to consider...

- Is it just cover love?
- Is it the hype surrounding it that appeals?
- Can I pass this on to share with another person, so that the book gets at least two readings?

~*~

Bought:


Book Passage at the Ferry Building hosted an author event with Tom Perrotta to celebrate the release of his latest, Mrs. Fletcher. Part of the inspiration for the novel was to explore the empty nest syndrome parents experience while their kids are experiencing the college world.

Mrs. Fletcher
by Tom Perrotta
-Contemporary Fiction
Amazon | Goodreads

THE exploratory vibe of this book catches my attention.


For Review:

Good Boy
(WAGs #1)
by Sarina Bowen, Elle Kennedy
-New Adult, Romance, Sports
courtesy of Romance Read-of-the-Month Club -Thanks!
BarnesNoble | Amazon | Goodreads

FOR the romance pile.


OTHER things (kinda book-related):

Jane Austen in August
hosted by Faith Hope & Cherrytea
instagram: #austeninaugustrbr #jausteninaugust

ENJOYING Jane Austen related posts on instagram.


AND watched: in theatre (live)

Chicago
Gloriana Musical Theatre

GOOD fun with snappy tunes.


AND watched: in theatre

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017)
Director: Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk
Starring: Al Gore
-Documentary | imdb | my rating: 4

A decade after An Inconvenient Truth (2006) brought climate change into the heart of popular culture comes the follow-up that shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution.

THE current status of climate change with the political aspects. Although some measures have been taken to address climate change, we need to continue.

The Battleship Island (2017)
aka Goonhamdo
Director: Seung-wan Ryoo
Starring: Jung-min Hwang, Su-an Kim, Joong-ki Song
-Action, Drama, Fantasy, History, South Korea | imdb | my rating: 4

During the Japanese colonial era, roughly 400 Korean people, who were forced onto Battleship Island ("Hashima Island") to mine for coal, attempt to escape.

SOME Korean history with action scenes. I do not know much about Asian history, so this was interesting to learn.

Wind River (2017)
Director/Writer: Taylor Sheridan
Starring: Kelsey Asbille, Jeremy Renner
-Action, Crime, Mystery | imdb | my rating: 5

An FBI agent teams with a town's veteran game tracker to investigate a murder that occurred on a Native American reservation.

SET in snow, this mystery captures a bleak world. Some scenes included a droll sense of humor that manages to create some light moments in this sad tale.

AND watched: in theatre - part of the YBCA New Filipino Cinema 2017 festival (details).

Sunday Beauty Queen (2016)
Director: Baby Ruth Villarama
Starring: Rudelie Acosta, Cherrie Bretana
-Documentary | imdb | my rating: 5

Sunday Beauty Queen is a real-life Cinderella tale of a Filipina house helper who dreams to be a Beauty Queen in Hong Kong.

WE were treated to guest appearances from the director and producer for Q&A. While in Hong Kong in 2011, they happened upon pageant festivities on Chater Road which is what inspired the film.

THE plight of overseas domestic workers is touched upon in this tale. But a bit of escapism in the pageantry world provides some entertainment in a dreary life away from home.

Inside The War On Drugs With Photojournalist Raffy Lerma (2016)
slideshow presentation by Raffy Lerma
-Documentary | details | my rating: 5

For twelve years he worked as a staff photographer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer, covering the daily news beat in metro Manila. He recently shifted into working independently to focus on documenting the government’s “war on drugs,” which he has covered since the beginning of the Duterte presidency. Lerma shot the photo that went viral and came to be known as “The Pieta,” and he was featured in the 2017 New York Times documentary When a President Says, “I’ll Kill You.”

THE killing continues with reported numbers of deaths over 8,000 since last year.


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