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 had a slow reading week. While I am enjoying Stephen King's
It, the reading is not going as fast. Going to do a big push to catching up with the read-along in time for the movie release. There are so many details of doings. It is amazing how Stephen King can churn out so many works - many of which are quite lengthy.
The seasonal weather changes and unusualness (currently feeling a heatwave in San Francisco) have affected me. Feeling out of sorts. I am feeling the need for change, but still want the comforts of stability.
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Bought:
Green Apple Books on the Park hosted an evening with Gabriel Tallent with his debut novel,
My Absolute Darley. He had some interesting comments on writing about courageous characters that touched me.
My Absolute Darling
by Gabriel Tallent
-Literary, Coming of Age
Amazon | Goodreads
I was attracted to the feisty main character mentioned and the story is set near my neck of the woods, Mendocino county, California.
For Review:
Happy Dreams
by Jia Pingwa
-Literary, China
courtesy of Wunderkind -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads
From one of China’s foremost authors, Jia Pingwa’s Happy Dreams is a powerful depiction of life in industrializing contemporary China, in all its humor and pathos, as seen through the eyes of Happy Liu, a charming and clever rural laborer who leaves his home for the gritty, harsh streets of Xi’an in search of better life.
=====> GIVEAWAY
I got a second review copy. If you would be interested in it, let me know in comments with your email address. -offer ends 9/30/17
UNBOXING:
The Crowns of Croswald
by D.E. Night
-Fantasy, Middle Grade
courtesy of JKS Communications -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads
Cool delivery for an ARC.
This box includes:
-The Crowns of Croswald by D.E. Night (signed)
-Postcard of book theme
-Letter from author
-Glanagerie bottle (that glows)
OTHER things (kinda book-related):
The Fall Film Challenge
September 1 to November 30, 2017
hosted by Quirky Pickings (details) | my list
JOINED the Film Fall Challenge. Looking forward to getting to some films that have been wanting to watch.
AND watched: on DVD
Saving Mr. Wu (2015)
Jie jiu Wu xian sheng (original title)
Director/Writer: Ding Sheng
Script advisor: Alex Jia
Starring: Andy Lau, Ye Liu, Qianyuan Wang
-Action, Crime, Drama, China | imdb | my rating: 4
Mr. Wu (Andy Lau) is kidnapped in Beijing by Zhang Hua (Wang Qianyuan) and three accomplices, all disguised as cops and demanding a ransom of 3 million RMB. In the ensuing 20 hours, the Chinese detectives led by Chief Xing (Liu Ye) quickly form a task force and sweep the city. Time is of the essence as Mr. Wu is ordered to be killed at 9 PM regardless of whether the money is collected or not. The police eventually apprehend Hua alone. As the deadline approaches, the detectives and captors collide. -Written by UEP North America
For Fall Film challenge: about greed
BASED on a true event. Interactions and motivations play out with suspense.
The Intouchables (2011)
Director/Writer: Olivier Nakache, Eric Toledano
Starring: François Cluzet, Omar Sy
-Biography, Comedy, Drama, France | imdb | my rating: 5
After he becomes a quadriplegic from a paragliding accident, an aristocrat hires a young man from the projects to be his caregiver.
For Fall Film challenge: about charity: an organization, an individual, a cause, an act... interpret this as you will.
BASED on a true story. Heartwarming and hopeful despite circumstances.
AND watched: in theatre
Ingrid Goes West (2017)
Director: Matt Spicer
Writers: David Branson Smith, Matt Spicer
Starring: Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen
-Comedy, Drama | imdb | my rating: 4
An unhinged social media stalker moves to LA and insinuates herself into the life of an Instagram star.
CYCLED through creepy, sad and then hopeful feelings.
AND watched:
Game of Thrones
Season 7
Creators: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Based on book by: George R.R. Martin
-Fantasy | imdb | my rating: 5
Nine noble families fight for control over the mythical lands of Westeros, while a forgotten race returns after being dormant for thousands of years.
WINTER has arrived.
Lots of OMG moments with reveals and such as well as amusing dialogue which catered to fans. In general it felt rushed and a bit off in the storytelling - maybe because it was lacking George RR Martin's details.
Season 8 will most likely be released in 2019.
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* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently
:-)
