Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update
Linking up with: Sunday Post (details) Mailbox Monday (details)
~*~
HAPPY THINGS:
1. Back to long daily walks in fresh air! - yay! smoke-free again in San Francisco
2. Jane Austen's Persuasion adapted by Kerry Skam by Iowa Stage Theatre on YouTube - watch it free (here)
3. Snail mail
~*~
Library:audiobook
Death on the Nile
by Agatha Christie
Mystery, Crime, Egypt | Goodreads
Freebies: from Free Little Library
The Last Book Party
by Karen Dukess
Contemporary, Coming of Age, Cape Cod | Goodreads
We Went to the Woods
by Caite Dolan-Leach
Contemporary, Thriller, New York | Goodreads
The Christmas Boutique
by Jennifer Chiaverini
Christmas, Quilts | Goodreads
Virtual Author event: hosted by New York Times Books
Listen to archive of this (here)
A conversation between:
Homeland Elegies
by Ayad Akhtar
Literary | Goodreads
The Mars Room
by Rachel Kushner
Literary | Goodreads
Black Leopard, Red Wolf
by Marlon James
Literary | Goodreads
~*~
AND watched: on Netflix
Frances Ha (2012)
Director/Writer: Noah Baumbach
Writer: Greta Gerwig
Stars: Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, Mickey Sumner
Comedy, Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 5
A New York woman (who doesn't really have an apartment) apprentices for a dance company (though she's not really a dancer) and throws herself headlong into her dreams, even as the possibility of realizing them dwindles.
Beautifully done coming of age story filmed in black and white.
~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently
*** THANKS to those on the front line during these times ***
Shelter In Place - Day 188, Week 28
Camp ToB 2019
summer reading program (details)
from the Tournament of Books
I am really digging the selections from the Tournament of Books. I am creating another self-challenge and reading through this list.
Reading list:
American Spy
by Lauren Wilkinson
-Historical, Mystery, Africa | Goodreads | my review | my rating: 4
Black Leopard, Red Wolf
by Marlon James
-Fantasy, Africa | Goodreads | my review: DNF
Bowlaway
by Elizabeth McCracken
-Historical | Goodreads | my review | my rating: 4
Daisy Jones & the Six
by Taylor Jenkins Reid
-Historical | Goodreads | my review | my rating: 4
Lost Children Archive
by Valeria Luiselli
-Literary | Goodreads | my review | my rating: 5
Trust Exercise
by Susan Choi
-Literary | Goodreads | my review | my rating: 5
Camp ToB 2019 Reading Schedule:
June 5: Bowlaway, first half
June 12: Bowlaway, second half
June 19: Daisy Jones & the Six, first half
June 26: Daisy Jones & the Six, second half
July 3: VACATION
July 10: Lost Children Archive, first half
July 17: Lost Children Archive, second half
July 24: Trust Exercise, first half
July 31: Trust Exercise, second half
Aug. 7: American Spy, first half
Aug. 14: American Spy, second half
Aug. 21: Black Leopard, Red Wolf, first half
Aug. 28: Black Leopard, Red Wolf, second half
Sept. 4: Summer champion announced - Lost Children Archive by Valeria Luiselli
Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
~*~
Bought:
A Brief History of Seven Killings
by Marlon James
-Historical, Literary, Mystery Amazon | Goodreads
=====> This is one of those special must-read books that has been winning awards and recognition all-around.
Expedition
by Chuck Palahniuk
-vinyl --> yes, going to play it on a record player Amazon
As the official vinyl audiobook accompaniment to both Dark Horse's Fight Club 2 ten-comic maxiseries and Doubleday's new story collection, Make Something Up: Stories You Can't Unread, Rare Bird is very pleased to announce the first vinyl audiobook release featuring Chuck Palahniuk's Fight Club prequel, Expedition, in a beautiful single LP and format with art by David Mack.
=====> Spotted this in my local bookstore and curiosity made me pick it up. And of course, HAD to pick up one of those nifty portable record players from Urban Outfitters - xmas gift to self ;-)
Freebie: (from contest)
The Silent Sister
by Diane Chamberlain
-Mystery, Thriller, Women's Fiction
courtesy of publisher -Thanks! Amazon | Goodreads
=====> This is one of those surprise prizes! I got this book a few months ago as a review copy, so it is my second copy received. IF you would like to read this, I will send it to you. Let me know in comments with your email address and I will send it your way. Offer ends: December 31, 2015.
Library:
The Mistletoe Inn
by Richard Paul Evans
-Holiday, Romance Amazon | Goodreads | my rating: 5
At thirty-two Kimberly Rossetti, a finance officer at a Lexus car dealership, has had her heart broken more times than she wants to remember. With two failed engagements, a divorce and again alone with no prospects, she hardly seems the type to dream of being a published romance author. Dreading another holiday alone, she signs up for The Mistletoe Retreat, a nine-day writing retreat in Savannah, Georgia. Deep inside Kimberly knows she's at a junction in her life and it's time to either fulfill her dream or let it go. The other reason she decides to attend the conference is because famed romance writer, H.T. Cowell, once the best selling romance writer in America, and the author whose books instilled in her the desire to be a writer, will be speaking in public for the first time in more than a decade.
In one of her breakout sessions Kimberly meets another aspiring writer, and one of the few men at the conference, Zeke, an intelligent man with a wry wit who seems as interested in Kimberly as he is in the retreat. As Kimberly begins to open up to him about her stories and dreams, she inadvertently reveals her own troubled past. As Zeke helps her to discover why her books fail to live up to their potential she begins to wonder if he's really talking more about her life than her literature. But as she grows closer to him, she realizes that Zeke has his own darkness, a past he's unwilling to talk about.
The theme of The Mistletoe Inn is that like literature, relationships must be lived with passion and vulnerability to succeed.
=====> Wonderful, feel good holiday romance :-) Just right for the season! Looking forward to next year's addition to this series.
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:
- Da Vinci's Tiger by Laura Malone Elliott
- Da Vinci's Tiger themed poetry magnet set
- Reading journal
- Book Lovers' Soy Candle by Frostbeard Studio
- To Do list pad by Boy Girl Party
- The Little Prince Magnet by Sandra Vargas
Da Vinci's Tiger
by Laura Malone Elliott
-Historical, YA Amazon | Goodreads
Young, beautiful, and witty, Ginevra de’ Benci longs to take part in the artistic ferment of Renaissance Florence. But as the daughter of a wealthy family in a society dictated by men, she is trapped in an arranged marriage, expected to limit her creativity to domestic duties. Her poetry reveals her deepest feelings, and she aches to share her work, to meet painters and sculptors mentored by the famed Lorenzo de Medici, and to find love.
When the charismatic Venetian ambassador, Bernardo Bembo, arrives in Florence, he introduces Ginevra to a dazzling circle of patrons, artists, and philosophers—a world of thought and conversation she has yearned for. She is instantly attracted to the handsome newcomer, who admires her mind as well as her beauty. Yet Ginevra remains conflicted about his attentions. Choosing her as his Platonic muse, Bembo commissions a portrait by a young Leonardo da Vinci. Posing for the brilliant painter inspires an intimate connection between them—one Ginevra can only begin to understand. In a rich and enthralling world of exquisite art, elaborate feasts, and exhilarating jousts, she faces many temptations to discover her voice, artistic companionship, and a love that defies categorization. In the end, she and Leonardo are caught up in a dangerous and deadly battle between powerful families.
AND binge watching:
Secret Garden (2010)
tv series, season one
Director: Kwon Hyuk-Chan, Woo-Cheol Shin
Writer: Eun-sook Kim
Starring: Ji-won Ha, Hyun Bin, Sang-Hyun Yoon
-Korean Comedy, Drama, Fantasy, Romance imdb | my rating: 5
A rich young CEO falls for a poor stuntwoman despite class differences, cultural traditions and the man's firmly objecting mother.
=====> With elements of Pride and Prejudice courtship, it is sure to please Jane Austen fans. First foray into the Korean drama tv series realm. Enjoyed it! This series it a delightful hoot and made me happy this holiday break.
A little cheer...
Pentatonix
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy
at NYC's Empire State Building
-be treated to the sounds and check out the lovely light action
~*~
* some of these may be offered as giveaways within the next two months
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently
* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers
Stacking the Shelves
hosted by Tynga's Reviews (details)
Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
~*~
Bought:
Aquarium
by David Vann
-Contemporary, YA Amazon | Goodreads
SIGN up to win this here -expires Apr 6
=====> Along with the scaly cover look, there are color photos of various sea creatures interspersed within the novel.
For Review:
One Thing Stolen
by Beth Kephart
-Contemporary, Italy, YA
courtesy of publisher
Thanks ! Amazon | Goodreads
Years and an Ocean
by Jo Noelle
-Historical
courtesy of book tour
Thanks ! Amazon | Goodreads
FYI: 2015 Rooster Award goes to...
Morning News Tournament of Books
11th Rooster Award
for best fiction (details)
Station Eleven
by Emily St. John Mandel
-dystopia Amazon | Goodreads
=====> Fun to note that this book was resurrected in the Zombie Round and won. And then, it went on to win in the final round.
I did read this and liked it. The review will be posted later this week.
After following the lively discussions for the books in competition, I plan on adding these to my tbr pile...
An Untamed State
by Roxane Gay
-Contemporary Amazon | Goodreads
A Brief History of Seven Killings
by Marlon James
-Crime, Historical, Mystery Amazon | Goodreads
Silence Once Begun
by Jesse Ball
-Japan, Mystery Amazon | Goodreads
Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay
by Elena Ferrante
-Italy Amazon | Goodreads
=====> This is the third part of a trilogy and I am contemplating whether or not to start with book one. If you have read this and can comment about it, I would love to hear it.
AND binge watching:
Portlandia
tv series, season 5
-comedy
Per imdb:
A sketch-comedy series that parodies life in Portland, Oregon.
Love the theme song:
Feel It All Around
by Washed Out
~*~
* comment and TELL me what you have acquired for your shelves recently
* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers
