N E W Y E A R !!!
* image source: vintage new year's card (here)
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Wrap Up: Books
by Julia Quinn
Romance, Regency | Goodreads | my rating: 5
My two-bits: Read this to prepare for Bridgerton. Loved it and going to continue with the series as I want to see how the rest of the Bridgertons fare in love and romance.
edited by Otto Penzler
Mystery, Christmas | Goodreads
Includes stories by Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, Ed McBain, Ellis Peters, Ellery Queen, and more
My two-bits: I read a couple stories which I liked. Will continue with this book next year.
by Frank Herbert
SciFi, Classic, Space Opera | Goodreads| my rating: 5
My two-bits: Good start to the series. But, did not feel the need to continue with series. Again, read this to prepare for the film adaptation.
by E.K. Johnston
YA, Historical, LGBTQ, SciFi, Romance | Goodreads| my rating: 4
My two-bits: Fun romp in the Victorian era.
by Martha Wells
SciFi, Novella | Goodreads| my rating: 5
My two-bits: Fell for the characters and this storyline. Must continue.
by Naomi Novik
YA, Fantasy, Magic | Goodreads| my rating: 4
My two-bits:Interesting world and magical elements to the story that got me curious and confused.
Wrap up: Films
The end of the year is upon us and I have been away from the blog for most of this month.
Holidazing.
So, I thought I would do a little catchup regarding films I watched this month. Most of the films were for the Fall Film challenge (here) that I turned into a self-challenge. I was not able to finish them by today. But I like the picks, so I will continue to watch the rest of them next year.
I got one holiday movie in the mix which I loved :-)
Watched: on Netflix
Director: Stephanie Laing
Writer: Bess Wohl
Stars: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Michiel Huisman, Steve Coogan, Christopher Walken
Comedy, Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 2
A couple who have known each other since 8 are destined to be together until death do them apart.
FELT flat.
Director/Writer: Greg Pritikin
Stars: Chevy Chase, Richard Dreyfuss, Andie MacDowell, Chris Parnell
Comedy | imdb | my rating: 2
When retired talent manager Al Hart is reunited with his first client, Buddy Green, a comic who quit show business 50 years ago, he convinces Buddy to escape their retirement community and hit the road for a cross-country comedy tour.
JUST okay funny.
Director/Screenplay: Jeff Baena
Based on book: The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio
Stars: Alison Brie, Dave Franco, Kate Micucci, Fred Armisen
Comedy, Romance | imdb | my rating: 5
In the Middle Ages, a young servant fleeing from his master takes refuge at a convent full of emotionally unstable nuns. Introduced as a deaf mute man, he must fight to hold his cover as the nuns try to resist temptation.
HILARIOUS. Funny witchery moments.
Director/Writer: Noah Baumbach
Stars: Adam Sandler, Grace Van Patten, Dustin Hoffman, Ben Stiller
Comedy, Drama | imdb | my rating: 5
An estranged family gathers together in New York City for an event celebrating the artistic work of their father.
LIKED the individual storylines and relationship growth.
Director/Writer: David E. Talbert
Stars: Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Madalen Mills
Family, Fantasy, Musical | imdb | my rating: 5
An imaginary world comes to life in a holiday tale of an eccentric toymaker, his adventurous granddaughter, and a magical invention that has the power to change their lives forever.
FUN with steampunk aesthetic. Has become one of my favorite Christmas films.
aka Mr. Pig
Director/Writer: Diego Luna, Augusto Mendoza
Stars: Danny Glover, Maya Rudolph
Drama | imdb | my rating: 4
A beautiful road movie, and a chance to talk about love for Mexico through the eyes of an American.
TOUCHING. Despite the imdb description, the pig is also an integral part of the story.
Director/Writer: Chris Kelly
Stars: Jesse Plemons, Molly Shannon, Bradley Whitford
Comedy, Drama | imdb | my rating: 3
A struggling comedy writer, fresh off a breakup and in the midst of the worst year of his life, returns to Sacramento to care for his dying mother.
SAD, but opportunity for the characters to bond.
Director: Cindy Chupack
Screenplay: Mark Andrus, Cindy Chupack
Based on book: Whatever Makes You Happy by William Sutcliffe
Stars: Angela Bassett, Patricia Arquette, Felicity Huffman, Heidi Gardner
Comedy | imdb | my rating: 4
A grounded, soulful, celebratory comedy about three mothers and their adult sons. The film explores the stage after motherhood, Otherhood, when you have to redefine your relationship with your children, friends, spouse, and most importantly, yourself.
INTERESTING exploration of an aspect of motherhood.
Watched: virtual theatre
Director/Writer: Francis Lee
Stars: Kate Winslet, Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Jones
Biography, Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 5
LOVELY and sad take of the times. Beautiful scenes and sights.
Friday, December 25, 2020
Saturday, December 19, 2020
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Verity
by Colleen Hoover
Published: 2018
Publisher: Independently published
Paperback: 331
Rating: 5
Thriller, Mystery, Romance | Goodreads | Website
First sentence(s):
I hear the crack of his skull before the spattering of blood reaches me.
Zombie sighting:
Most of the time, I cry in my shower and stare at my computer screen like a zombie, wondering how so many other authors can promote their books with so much confidence.
-chapter 4, page 41
Lowen Ashleigh is a struggling writer on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime. Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen to complete the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to finish.
Lowen arrives at the Crawford home, ready to sort through years of Verity's notes and outlines, hoping to find enough material to get her started. What Lowen doesn't expect to uncover in the chaotic office is an unfinished autobiography Verity never intended for anyone to read. Page after page of bone-chilling admissions, including Verity's recollection of what really happened the day her daughter died.
Lowen decides to keep the manuscript hidden from Jeremy, knowing its contents would devastate the already grieving father. But as Lowen's feelings for Jeremy begin to intensify, she recognizes all the ways she could benefit if he were to read his wife's words. After all, no matter how devoted Jeremy is to his injured wife, a truth this horrifying would make it impossible for him to continue to love her.
My two-bits:
Pleasantly surprised with the way this book played with its characters. I was torn on who to side with. Perfectly creepy and haunting in some parts.
* part of ibc book club (here)
Sunday, December 13, 2020
Lovely Books and Things - 12.13.20
My Weekly Books and Films Update
Linking up with:
Sunday Post (details)
Mailbox Monday (details)
HAPPY THINGS:
1. Holiday decorating in each room of the apartment.
2. Tasting a variety of Panettone from Rainbow Grocery.
3. Baby abominal snowman in puff jacket in Aritzia's holiday window display
Library: audiobook
by Julia Quinn
Romance, Regency | Goodreads
Getting reading for the Netflix release of Bridgerton!
Library:
edited by Otto Penzler
Mystery, Christmas | Goodreads
Includes stories by Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark, Ed McBain, Ellis Peters, Ellery Queen, and more.
by Julie Klassen
Romance, Regency, Christmas | Goodreads
AND watched: on Netflix
Director/Writer: Alex Lehmann
Writer: Mark Duplass
Stars: Mark Duplass, Ray Romano
Comedy, Drama | imdb | my rating: 4
An unlikely friendship between two misfit neighbors becomes an unexpectedly emotional journey when the younger man is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
LOVELY friendship. note: scene with a jigsaw puzzle
Director/Writer: James L. Brooks
Stars: Reese Witherspoon, Paul Rudd, Owen Wilson
Comedy, Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 3
After being cut from the U.S.A. softball team and feeling a bit past her prime, Lisa finds herself evaluating her life and in the middle of a love triangle, as a corporate guy in crisis competes with her current, baseball-playing beau.
CUTE romance with baseball theme.
Director: Alex Richanbach
Screenplay: Lauryn Kahn
Stars: Gillian Jacobs, Michaela Watkins, Vanessa Bayer
Comedy, Romance | imdb | my rating: 2
A young American woman and her two best friends seek out a hot DJ in Spain.
JUST a couple chuckles.
Director: Blayne Weaver
Writer: Patricia Harrington
Stars: Barry Bostwick, Jennifer Stone, Devon Werkheiser
Comedy, Romance, Holiday | imdb | my rating: 5
Santa's daughter gets a chance to attend college for one semester in the 'real' world before heading back to the North Pole to fulfill her duties under her father.
FUN take on Santa's daughter.
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently
Thanks for stopping by :-)
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