Saturday, December 16, 2017

Lovely Books and Things - 12.16.17

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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I did some holiday shopping and sightseeing (of store holiday decorations) last week which will continue into this week. I may not buy anything else, but I am enjoying just walking amongst the holiday vibe.

Inspired by the Happy Planner, I started a list of goals for next year which I need to now organize and prioritize.

Current happy things:

1. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
2. The Merriest by June Christy (holiday song)
3. Making soup with a blender stick - so easy
4. Mini Dark Chocolate Mint Star cookies from Trader Joe's

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Bought:

Whitefly
by Abdelilah Hamdouchi
translated by Jonathan Smolin
-Mystery, Africa, Morocco
Amazon | Goodreads

JANUARY pick for face-to-face book club that reads foreign mysteries.


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


DECEMBER Box includes:
theme: Seize the Day

- Owlcrate info booklet, button and spoiler cards
- Foolish Hearts by Emma Mills (exclusive cover)
- Signed bookplate, letter and embroidered patch from author
- Wooden ornament inspired by Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon created by Juniper & Ivy Designs
- Soy candle inspired by The Names Tjeu Gave Us by Emery Lord created by Novelly Yours
- Double-sided bookmark inspired by The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner and The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky created by Little Inklings Designs
- Magnet inspired by Percy Jackson created by Ink & Wonder Designs
- Planner and reading journal inspired by Owlcrate created by Blue Star Press
- Tote bag inspired by the Harry Potter series created Bookworm boutique

Foolish Hearts
by Emma Mills
-Contemporary, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

When Claudia accidentally eavesdrops on the epic breakup of Paige and Iris, the it-couple at her school, she finds herself in hot water with prickly, difficult Iris. Thrown together against their will in the class production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, along with the goofiest, cutest boy Claudia has ever known, Iris and Claudia are in for an eye-opening senior year.

Smart, funny, and thoroughly, wonderfully flawed, Claudia navigates a world of intense friendships and tentative romance in this book about expanding your horizons, allowing yourself to be vulnerable, and accepting―and loving―people for who they really are.



OTHER things (kinda book-related):

Happy Birthday Jane Austen!
December 16

Celebrated Jane's birthday last weekend with JASNA. Along with cake and good cheer, the meeting included a wonderful guest speaker panel of Jane Austenesque writers moderated by DiAnn Ellis and starring Abigail Bok, Emmy Z. Madrigal, Jeanette Watts and Reina Williams.


Their books include:

An Obstinate, Headstrong Girl by Abigail Bok
Lord Harrigton's Last Doe by Emmy Z. Madrigal (currently working on a Northanger Abbey retelling)
Jane Austen Lied to Me by Jeanette Watts
Most Truly (Love at Pemberley #1) by Reina M. Williams

Book Blogger Hop
features a book related question
Sponsored by The Coffee Addicted Writer (details)

This week's prompt: Which book(s) would you like Santa to bring you this year?
(submitted by Maria @ A Night's Dream of Books)

Ooo, I would like to see this under my tree...

Retribution Rails
by Erin Bowman
-Historical, Western, YA
just released: November 7, 2017
Amazon | Goodreads

Loved the first book and looking forward to this second in the series.


AND watched: on Netflix

Stranger Things (2016-present)
season one & season two
tv series
Creators: Matt Duffer, Ross Duffer
Stars: Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Winona Ryder
-Drama, Fantasy, Horror | imdb| my rating: 5

When a young boy disappears, his mother, a police chief, and his friends must confront terrifying forces in order to get him back.

GREAT 1980's genre mystery, scifi, horror story.

A Christmas Prince (2017)
Director: Alex Zamm
Writers: Karen Schaler, Nathan Atkins
Stars: Rose McIver, Ben Lamb, Alice Krige
-Comedy, Romance, Christmas | imdb | my rating: 5

When a reporter goes undercover as a tutor to get the inside scoop on a playboy prince, she gets tangled in some royal intrigue and ends up finding love - but will she be able to keep up her lie?

FELL for this one like everyone else.


AND watched: in theatre

Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (original title)
Director: J.J. Abrams
Writer: Lawrence Kasdan, J.J. Abrams, Michael Arndt
Based on characters by: George Lucas
Stars: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver
-Action, Adventure, Fantasy, SciFi | imdb | my rating: 5

Three decades after the Empire's defeat, a new threat arises in the militant First Order. Stormtrooper defector Finn and spare parts scavenger Rey are caught up in the Resistance's search for the missing Luke Skywalker.


Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017)
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (original title)
Director/Writer: Rian Johnson
Based on characters by: George Lucas
Stars: Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver
-Action, Adventure, Fantasy, SciFi | imdb | my rating: 5

Rey develops her newly discovered abilities with the guidance of Luke Skywalker, who is unsettled by the strength of her powers. Meanwhile, the Resistance prepares to do battle with the First Order.

WENT to a fan double feature film screening for this super fun SciFi story. Loved the action and humor.

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* checkout the sidebar for current giveaways

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

:-)
 
Imagination Designs
Images from: Lovelytocu