Showing posts with label Penny Reid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Penny Reid. Show all posts

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Lovely Books and Things - 2.10.18

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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HAPPY THINGS:

1. Visiting with relatives

2. Cricket filled cookies (pictured below) - got this Chocolate Chirps Cricket Cookie Mix from the film screening of Bugs which I attended last week. It was yummy.

3. Finished crocheting an infinity scarf (pictured below) and grabbed The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry from my tbr shelf for the pic ;-)


~*~

Freebie: for kindle

Stranded with the Cyborg
by Cara Bristol
-SciFi, Romance
Amazon | Goodreads

THANKS to Sophia Rose at the Delighted Reader for the review of this one.

Marrying Well for Fun & Profit:
Persuasion's Sir Walter Elliot advises the Upwardly Mobile Miss
by Laura Hile
-Romance, Jane Austen related
Amazon | Goodreads

ANOTHER tip from Sophia Rose -thanks!

For Review:

Comfort Food
by Julia Chen
-Food, Recipes
courtesy of tour -Thanks!
Amazon

GOOD cookbook to sample for the winter season.

Health And Fitness Tips That Will Change Your Life:
Create a healthy lifestyle from beginner to winner with mind-set, diet and exercise habits
by James Atkinson
-Health
Amazon | Goodreads

ANOTHER good review copy for the start of the year.

Friends Without Benefits
(Knitting in the City #2)
by Penny Reid
-ChickLit, Humor, Romance
courtesy of Romance Read-of-the-Month Club -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

CURIOUS to see how knitting plays a part.


OTHER things (kinda book-related):

Good Society
A Jane Austen role playing game
(details)

Good Society is a collaborative roleplaying game that seeks to capture the heart, and the countenance, of Jane Austen's work.


AND watched: on Netflix

On Body and Soul (2017)
Teströl és lélekröl (original title)
Director/Writer: Ildikó Enyedi
Stars: Géza Morcsányi, Alexandra Borbély
-Drama, Romance, Hungary | imdb | my rating: 5
Oscar 2018 nominee

When slaughterhouse workers Endre and Mária discover they share the same dreams - where they meet in a forest as deer and fall in love - they decide to make their dreams come true but it's difficult in real life.

LOVED this story of two people who meet each other through dreams.

Strong Island (2017)
Director: Yance Ford
Stars: Yance Ford, Harvey Walker, Kevin Myers
-Documentary | imdb | my rating: 5
Oscar 2018 nominee

Examining the violent death of the filmmaker's brother and the judicial system that allowed his killer to go free, this documentary interrogates murderous fear and racialized perception, and re-imagines the wreckage in catastrophe's wake, challenging us to change.

THOUGHT provoking with interesting history of Long Island and its racial mix.


AND watched: in theatre

The Radical Story of Patty Hearst (2018)
Episodes 1 and 2
Director: Pat Kondelis
-Documentary | details | my rating: 5

The transformation of Patty Hearst from kidnapped heiress to terrorist is a saga of privilege, celebrity and violence that gripped the nation. Over forty years later, firsthand accounts shed light on one of the most bizarre stories in modern American history. This six-part documentary series includes unprecedented access to Patty’s comrades and confidants and explores who Patty Hearst really is: victim or villain? The Radical Story of Patty Hearst premieres Sunday, February 11th at 9p/et.

THIS screening included a Q&A with author/executive producer Jeffrey Toobin, director Pat Kondelis, and journalist Carol Pogash, moderated by CNN national and international correspondent Sara Sidner.

INTERESTING to note that Patty refused to participate in the making of this series. However, the filmmakers were able to portray her based on past interviews and memoir.

After watching the first two episodes, I am excited to watch the rest of the series. The story is presented well with engaging interviews and archival footage.

Moving Parts (2017)
Director: Emilie Upczak
Writers: Nicholas Emery , Emilie Upczak , Jay White
Stars: Kandyse McClure, Valerie Tian, Jacqueline Chan
-Drama, Trinidad and Tobago, Mandarin | imdb | my rating: 4

After being smuggled into Trinidad and Tobago, Zhenzhen discovers the true cost of her arrival.

THIS screening included a Q&A with producer, John Otterbacher who told us that the movie is based on the director's experience living in Trinidad and Tobago with a social justice message.


AND watched: on DVD

Logan (2017)
Director/Writer/Screenplay: James Mangold
Screenplay: Scott Frank, Michael Green
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen
-Action, Drama, Sci-Fi | imdb | my rating: 4
Oscar 2018 nominee

In the near future, a weary Logan cares for an ailing Professor X, somewhere on the Mexican border. However, Logan's attempts to hide from the world, and his legacy, are upended when a young mutant arrives, pursued by dark forces.

ALTHOUGH I have not watched the previous Wolverine films, this story does well as a standalone.

Kong: Skull Island (2017)
Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts
Screenplay: Dan Gilroy, Max Borenstein, Derek Connolly
Based on story by: John Gatins
Based on characters by: Merian C. Cooper, Edgar Wallace
Stars: Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson
-Action, Adventure, Fantasy | imdb | my rating: 4
Oscar 2018 nominee

A team of scientists explore an uncharted island in the Pacific, venturing into the domain of the mighty Kong, and must fight to escape a primal Eden.

NOT what I expected. Enjoyed it as it was not campy. Make sure to watch all the way past the end credits for a little extra.


~*~

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

:-)

Saturday, January 6, 2018

Lovely Books and Things - 1.6.18

Lovely Books and Things
My Weekly Books and Films Update

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

~*~

After being in a reading slump for the past couple months, I am getting back into habit of reading novels everyday! Yay!

Current happy things:

1. Setting up my Happy Planner for 2018 - goal setting, doodling, decorating with stickers and hand lettering

2. Enjoying a good cheeseburger (with cheddar) and fries

3. Blooming amaryllis - this is my first. I spotted it at Trader Joe's with the notation that no water or care was needed. I says to myself, "Really?" and bought one for the heck of it. And look what it did...


~*~

Bought:

The Last Mrs. Parrish
by Liv Constantine
Amazon | Goodreads

CATCHING up with the December pick for Reese Witherspoon's Book Club.

Freebie:

Truth or Beard
by Penny Reid
-Romance
Amazon | Goodreads

SPOTTED this on someone's Stacking Shelves last week. The cover and title just tickled - so do the covers for the rest in the series.


For Review:

The Birdwoman's Palate
by Laksmi Pamuntjak
translated by Tiffany Tsao
-Literary, Indonesia
courtesy of Amazon Kindle First -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

STILL feeling tropical from my Bali trip last year. Picked this up for some arm chair traveling.

Gift:

Choices
A Two-Family Love Story
by Magda V. Grant
-Contemporary Fiction, Family
Amazon | Goodreads

MY mother-in-law self published her first book! Exciting!


OTHER things (kinda book-related):

Romance Read-of-the-Month Club
(signup & details)

JOIN the club for free romance ebooks from a wonderful lineup of authors.

Now able to read on a larger variety of devices, including a Kindle, Nook, phone, and laptop!

Badass Herstory
instagram details | signup
#BadassHERstory

EXPLORING craftivism.


AND watched: in theatre

Phantom Thread (2017)
Director/Writer: Paul Thomas Anderson
Stars: Vicky Krieps, Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville
-Crime, Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 5

Set in 1950's London, Reynolds Woodcock is a renowned dressmaker whose fastidious life is disrupted by a young, strong-willed woman, Alma, who becomes his muse and lover.

GOT a Q&A with the director at this screening. He shared his excitement for working with Daniel Day Lewis a second time - first being with the film There Will Be Blood.

LOVED this gothic romance story with its fashion and decor. A great film for Daniel Day Lewis to end his activing career with. Going to watch it again for the details ;-)


AND watched: online

Tin Men (1987)
Director/Writer: Barry Levinson
Stars: Richard Dreyfuss, Danny DeVito, Barbara Hershey
-Comedy, Drama | imdb | my rating: 3

A minor car accident drives two rival aluminum-siding salesmen to the ridiculous extremes of man versus man in 1963 Baltimore.

For post-Fall Film challenge bonus round: nine. it's always sunny in philadelphia. Danny DeVito

GOOD acting but unlikable characters.

Logan Lucky (2017)
Director: Steven Soderbergh
Writer: Rebecca Blunt
Stars: Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig
-Comedy, Crime, Drama | imdb | my rating: 4

Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina.

For post-Fall Film challenge bonus round: sixteen. parenthood. David Denman

SLOW start but gradual heist action plays out well. Adam Driver is becoming a favorite to watch. LOL - another part for him where he is missing a hand.


AND watched: on DVD

Atomic Blonde (2017)
Director: David Leitch
Screenplay: Kurt Johnstad
Based on graphic novel series The Coldest City by: Antony Johnston
Stars: Charlize Theron, James McAvoy,
-Action, Mystery, Thriller | imdb | my rating: 5

An undercover MI6 agent is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents.

BEEN meaning to watch this sooner because of Charlize. And got prompted to see it after reading the graphic novel, The Coldest Winter, it was based on which I loved. The 80s soundtrack rocked. Charlize was awesome as this action heroine. Loved her persona and style.

~*~

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

:-)
 
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