Showing posts with label Uppercase. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Uppercase. Show all posts

Monday, August 13, 2018

Happy Mail: Book Box Subscriptions pt 2

Happy Mail
Book Box Subscription Reviews
part 1 (here) | part 3 (here)

~*~

Owlcrate
(every month)
$29.99 (plus shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
New hardcover Young Adult novel either signed or with a signed book plate
3-5 other bookish keepsakes related to the theme
Owlcrate custom made items
Owlcrate booklet - with details on the book

My two-bits:

So far, my favorite YA box as the themes have been fun and I like bookish item selections.


~*~

Uppercase
(every month)
$29.99 (with shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
Signed first-editions of the best new YA books
High-quality, practical items (no trinkets or fandoms)
Exclusive behind-the-scenes content and video from the author
Interactive reading experience to connect and discuss the book

My two-bits:

While I also like this YA book box, my only concern is the packaging. The ones I received were in bubble envelope instead of a box. Because of this, a couple books received had damaged corners from travel.


~*~

Deep Readers Club
(every month)
$35.25 (plus shipping)
details | my boxes

Includes:
A critically acclaimed literary novel
3-5 bookish goods that encompass an emotion
(usually a text print, candle and tea)

My two-bits:

Loved the emotion themes and the usual items included.

~*~

* Please note that subscription prices may have increased since this was posted.

Saturday, April 30, 2016

Stacking the Shelves - 4.30.16

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:

Shelter
by Jung Yun
-Contemporary Fiction
Amazon | Goodreads


=====> Book Passage, Corte Madera, hosted a visit from author, Jung Yun. She mentioned that inspiration sources for the book include a home invasion incident in Cheshire, CT in 2007, her aging parents and the subprime mortgage crisis.

For Review:

Gridley Girls
by Meredith First
-LGBTQ, Women's Fiction
courtesy of blog tour sponsored by BookSparks -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

The Tumbling Turner Sisters
by Juliette Fay
-Historical
courtesy of wunderkind -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

Radio Girls
by Sarah-Jane Stratford
-Historical
courtesy of publisher, NAL -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

Watchmaker's Heart
by Juli D. Revezzo
-Romance, Steampunk
courtesy of author -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads


OTHER things on my shelf: kinda book-related


Once Upon a Zombie
Book One: The Color of Fear
by Billy Phillips
-Zombies, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> JOIN me for some zombies in MAY, Zombies Awareness month.

UNBOXING:

From Uppercase package (details & signup):
A hand-selected young adult book & fun bookish item, delivered monthly #UppercaseBox


APRIL Box includes:
- Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw -signed
- Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here stickers, bookmark for interactive
- Magic Notebook from Literary Emporium
- Hagrid & Buckbeak bookmarks from BeedooTO (exclusive)
- Harry Potter Quote poster from Risa Rodil (exclusive)
- Pin for This Is Teen's #IReadYA Week (May 19-23)

Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here
by Anna Brewlaw
-YA
Amazon | Goodreads

Meet Scarlett Epstein, BNF (Big Name Fan) in her online community of fanfiction writers, world-class nobody at Melville High. Her best (read: only) IRL friends are Avery, a painfully shy and annoyingly attractive bookworm, and Ruth, her weed-smoking, possibly insane seventy-three-year-old neighbor.

When Scarlett’s beloved TV show is canceled and her longtime crush, Gideon, is sucked out of her orbit and into the dark and distant world of Populars, Scarlett turns to the fanfic message boards for comfort. This time, though, her subjects aren’t the swoon-worthy stars of her fave series—they’re the real-life kids from her high school. And if they ever find out what Scarlett truly thinks about them, she’ll be thrust into a situation far more dramatic than anything she’s ever seen on TV…


=====> Thrilled to get this book and box - always a fun treat to receive.

AND binge watching: on Netflix

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
tv series, season two
Creators: Robert Carlock, Tina Fey
Starring: Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess
-Comedy | imdb | my rating: 5

A woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over again in New York City.

=====> Love this show! Makes me smile everytime. I also love that Kimmy's love interest is, Dong Nguyen, played by Ki Hong Lee (aka Minho from Maze Runner film).

AND watched: in theatre

Elvis & Nixon
Director: Liza Johnson
Screenplay: Joey Sagal, Hanala Sagal, Cary Elwes
Starring: Michael Shannon, Kevin Spacey, Alex Pettyfer
-Comedy, History | imdb | my rating: 4

The untold true story behind the meeting between the King of Rock 'n Roll and President Nixon, resulting in this revealing, yet humorous moment immortalized in the most requested photograph in the National Archives.

=====> This was a spur of the moment movie pick which turned out pretty good. It was a piece of history new to me. Loved seeing Colin Hanks (as Krogh) in it.


Rio, I Love You
Rio, Eu Te Amo (original title)
Directors:
Vicente Amorim (transitions)
Guillermo Arriaga (segment "Texas")
Stephan Elliott (segment "Acho que Estou Apaixonado")
Sang-soo Im (segment "O Vampiro do Rio")
Nadine Labaki (segment "O Milagre")
Fernando Meirelles (segment "A Musa")
José Padilha (segment "Inútil Paisagem")
Carlos Saldanha (segment "Pas de Deux")
Paolo Sorrentino (segment "La Fortuna")
John Turturro (segment "Quando não há Mais Amor")
Andrucha Waddington (segment "Dona Fulana")
César Charlone (segment "A Musa")
Writers:
Andrucha Waddington, Mauricio Zacharias (segment "Dona Fulana")
Paolo Sorrentino (segment "La Fortuna")
Antonio Prata, Chico Mattoso (written by) (segment "A Musa")
Stephan Elliott (segment "Acho que Estou Apaixonado")
John Turturro (segment "Quando não há Mais Amor")
Guillermo Arriaga (segment "Texas")
Sang-soo Im (segment "O Vampiro do Rio")
Elena Soarez (segment "Pas de Deux")
Otavio Leonidio (segment "Inútil Paisagem")
Nadine Labaki (segment "O Milagre") and
Rodney El Haddad, Khaled Mouzannar (segment "O Milagre") (as K. Mouzanar)
Fellipe Barbosa (transitions)
Starring: Basil Hoffman, Emily Mortimer, Rodrigo Santoro
-Comedy, Drama, Fantasy | imdb | my rating: 4

A series of short films set in the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

=====> Lovely set of films to showcase the sights and sounds (loved the bossa nova tunes in the soundtrack). Got a paranormal segment with vampires ;-) Being a bit of a foodie, I would have loved to see more of the local foods as well.

Currently flipping through: from the library

Dream Home:
The Property Brothers’ Ultimate Guide to Finding & Fixing Your Perfect House
by Jonathan Scott, Drew Scott
-Reference, How-to
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> Love shelves! I am not planning on selling or buying a home. Just felt like looking at interiors and was hoping to get ideas and inspiration for current and future living quarters. This book is perfect for that planning mode and home dreaming.

~*~

* Happy Indie Book Day! visit your local independent book store and BUY a book ;-)

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

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers

Saturday, March 19, 2016

Stacking the Shelves - 3.19.16

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!

~*~

Freebie: for kindle

Addicted to You (Addicted #1)
by Krista Ritchie, Becca Ritchie
-New Adult, Romance
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> From Stacking Shelves, I decided to give this series a try after reading a recommendation and review from Words With Sarah (here).

For Review:

The Invisible Guardian
by Dolores Redondo
-Mystery, Thriller, Spain
courtesy of publisher -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

Not Always Happenstance
by Rachael Anderson
-Romance
courtesy of eBooks for Review -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

Nikolas and Company Book 4:
Fire of The Lionsbran
by Kevin McGill
-Fantasy
courtesy of author -Thanks!
Amazon | Goodreads

Library:

Kill The Boy Band
by Goldy Moldavsky
-Humor, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> Had to pick this up when I found the library had it. It is one of my anticipated reads for the year.

So Cute It Hurts!!
volume 1
by Gō Ikeyamada
-Japanese, Manga, Humor, Romance
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> From Stacking Shelves post by Waiting for Wentworth (here). So cute I had to give it a try. Gobbled it up in a day. And, yes. Super cute ;-)

OTHER things on my shelf: kinda book-related

Snape Tribute Box
from Fandom of the Month Club (here)

Box includes:
- Info card
- Decal: Always
- Magnet: Snape
- Velveteen bag: Half Blood Prince
- Necklace: charms representing Snape, Lily and James
- Earrings: Snape
- Ring: 394
- Cuff bracelet: After all this time? Always.

UNBOXING:

From Uppercase package (details & signup):
A hand-selected young adult book & fun bookish item, delivered monthly #UppercaseBox


March package includes:
- Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton
- Signed bookplate
- Stickers: Rebel of the Sands theme
- Bookmark with links for book interactivity
- Earrings: Quote Couture (18k gold) from JewelSugar
- Magnet: Read More

Rebel of the Sands
(Rebel of the Sands #1)
by Alwyn Hamilton
-Fantasy, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

Mortals rule the desert nation of Miraji, but mythical beasts still roam the wild and remote areas, and rumor has it that somewhere, djinn still perform their magic. For humans, it’s an unforgiving place, especially if you’re poor, orphaned, or female.

Amani Al’Hiza is all three. She’s a gifted gunslinger with perfect aim, but she can’t shoot her way out of Dustwalk, the back-country town where she’s destined to wind up wed or dead.

Then she meets Jin, a rakish foreigner, in a shooting contest, and sees him as the perfect escape route. But though she’s spent years dreaming of leaving Dustwalk, she never imagined she’d gallop away on mythical horse—or that it would take a foreign fugitive to show her the heart of the desert she thought she knew.

Rebel of the Sands reveals what happens when a dream deferred explodes—in the fires of rebellion, of romantic passion, and the all-consuming inferno of a girl finally, at long last, embracing her power.



AND binge watching: on Netflix

Bob's Burgers
tv series, season one
Creators: Loren Bouchard, Jim Dauterive
Starring: H. Jon Benjamin, John Roberts, Dan Mintz, Eugene Mirman, Kristen Schaal
-Animation, Humor | imdb | my rating: 5

Bob Belcher, along with his wife and three children, try to run their last hope of holding the family together, which is running Bob's dream restaurant.

=====> Watching it for the odd humor and chuckles derived.

AND binge watching: on YouTube

IISuperwomanII
vlogger
Starring: Lilly Singh
-Humor | YouTube channel

Hi! My name is Lilly and I make funny videos every Monday and Thursday. I rant, create sketches and sometimes even dress up as my parents! Most importantly, I smile a lot and want to make you feel happy.

=====> Loving her sense of humor! Came across this Canadian comedian after seeing an ad about her in Entertainment Weekly.

AND watched: in theatre

Knight of Cups (2015)
Director/Writer: Terrence Malick
Starring: Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Natalie Portman
-Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 3 but turned into 5!

A writer indulging in all that Los Angeles and Las Vegas has to offer undertakes a search for love and self via a series of adventures with six different women.

=====> At first I did not take to this. First, note that I went into this without knowing premise. Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Natalie Portman were the main draws for me.

The film was artsy with metaphors to figure out and lots of voiceovers (which I haven't been keen on lately). BUT, I was forced to seriously think about it when a someone sitting next to me in the theatre started a conversation with me about it. Spent a delightful dinner with the person dissecting the film and came to appreciate and really like the film.

Got me interested in learning about tarot cards and interpretations.

The Wave (2015)
original title: Bølgen
Director: Roar Uthaug
Writers: John Kåre Raake, Harald Rosenløw-Eeg
Starring: Kristoffer Joner, Thomas Bo Larsen, Ane Dahl Torp
-Action, Drama, Thriller, Norway | imdb | my rating: 5

Even though awaited, no-one is really ready when the mountain pass of Åkneset above the scenic narrow Norwegian fjord Geiranger falls out and creates a 85-meter-high violent tsunami. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.

=====> Went to see this for the cinematography as Norway is one of those place I want to visit some day. Loved it. The story was just as gripping.

AND watched: on DVD

Me, Earl and the Dying Girl (2015)
Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon
Screenplay: Jesse Andrews
Based on book by: Jesse Andrews
Starring: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke
-Comedy, Drama | imdb | my rating: 5

High schooler Greg, who spends most of his time making parodies of classic movies with his co-worker Earl, finds his outlook forever altered after befriending a classmate who has just been diagnosed with cancer.

=====> So glad I watched this. I thought it might be too sad which is why I had not seen it sooner. Yes, there were sad parts as cancer is a sad topic. However, overall the story is true and touching with its portrayal of friendships and character growth.

Loved the mini-films and animation presented.

~*~

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

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers

Saturday, February 20, 2016

Stacking the Shelves - 2.20.16

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:

Bats of the Republic:
An Illuminated Novel
by Zachary Thomas Dodson
-Historical, SciFi
Powells | Goodreads

Review:

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
by Kim Barker
-Memoir, Pakistan
Amazon | Goodreads

=====> Stay tuned, I will be posting a giveaway offer for this on Tuesday.

OTHER things on my shelf: kinda book-related


Participating in the Love-A-thon this weekend (details).

UNBOXING:

From Uppercase package (details & signup):
A hand-selected young adult book & fun bookish item, delivered monthly #UppercaseBox


February Box includes:
- Starflight by Melissa Landers -signed
- Starflight themed quote poster and bookmarks
- Starflight themed nail wraps
- Anne of Green Gables infinity scarf (Uppercase exclusive)

Starflight
(Starflight #1)
by Melissa Landers
-SciFi, YA
Amazon | Goodreads

Solara Brooks needs a fresh start, someplace where nobody cares about the engine grease beneath her fingernails or the felony tattoos across her knuckles. The outer realm may be lawless, but
it's not like the law has ever been on her side.

Still, off-world travel doesn't come cheap; Solara is left with no choice but to indenture herself in exchange for passage to the outer realm. She just wishes it could have been to anyone besides Doran Spaulding, the rich, pretty-boy quarterback who made her life miserable in school.

The tables suddenly turn when Doran is framed for conspiracy on Earth, and Solara cons him into playing the role of her servant on board the Banshee, a ship manned by an eccentric crew with their own secrets. Given the price on both Doran and Solara's heads, it may just be the safest place in the universe.

It's been a long time since Solara has believed in anyone, and Doran is the last person she expected to trust. But when the Banshee's dangerous enemies catch up with them, Solara and Doran must come together to protect the ship that has become their home-and the eccentric crew that feels like family.


~*~

AND watched: on Netflix, Oscar nominee

Chau: Beyond The Lines (2015)
War Within the Walls (original title)
Director: Courtney Marsh
Story: Courtney Marsh and Marcelo Mitnik
Starring: Le Minh Chau
-Documentary Short, Biography, Vietnam | imdb | Website | my rating: 5

Chau, a 16-year-old boy living in a Vietnamese peace camp for kids disabled by Agent Orange, battles with the reality of his dream to one day become a professional clothing designer.

Chau's artwork: view more (here)

=====> Interesting to learn just how Agent Orange has affected Vietnam and the people living there.

I am finding that watching Documentary shorts are a good way to get into the genre of documentaries. The timing is just right for those not used to it.

AND watched: in theatre

Race (2016)
Director: Stephen Hopkins
Writers: Joe Shrapnel, Anna Waterhouse
Starring: Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Eli Goree
-Biography, Drama, Sport | imdb | my rating: 5

Jesse Owens' quest to become the greatest track and field athlete in history thrusts him onto the world stage of the 1936 Olympics, where he faces off against Adolf Hitler's vision of Aryan supremacy.

=====> Fascinating bit of history about Jesse Owens. He is finally getting a proper spotlight for his part in Olympic history.

AND watched: in theatre

Deadpool (2016)
Director: Tim Miller
Writers: Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick
Characters by: Fabian Nicieza and Rob Liefeld
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller
-Action, Adventure, Comedy, Superhero | imdb | my rating: 5

A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool.

=====> Loved the pop culture references and snarky dialogue.

AND watched: in theatre, these next three are part of Mostly British Film Festival SF (details)

A Royal Night Out (2015)
Director: Julian Jarrold
Writers: Trevor De Silva, Kevin Hood
Starring: Sarah Gadon, Bel Powley, Emily Watson
-Comedy, Drama, Romance | imdb | my rating: 5

On V.E. Day in 1945, as peace extends across Europe, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret are allowed out to join the celebrations. It is a night full of excitement, danger and the first flutters of romance.

=====> Lovely whirlwind evening of the V.E. day festivities. The soundtrack really pulls you in.

Cut Snake (2014)
Director: Tony Ayres
Screenplay: Blake Ayshford
Starring: Sullivan Stapleton, Alex Russell, Jessica De Gouw
-Thriller, Australia | imdb

An ex-convict is trying to make a new life for himself in a new city. But his new life is challenged when his foreboding and charismatic former cell mate arrives in town.

The Long Good Friday (1980)
Director: John Mackenzie
Screenplay: Barrie Keeffe
Based on book by:
Starring: Bob Hoskins, Helen Mirren, Dave King
-Crime, Drama, Mystery, Noir, Thriller, UK | imdb

Harold, a prosperous English gangster, is about to close a lucrative new deal when bombs start showing up in very inconvenient places. A mysterious syndicate is trying to muscle in on his action, and Harold wants to know who they are. He finds out soon enough, and bloody mayhem ensues.

~*~

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

* per usual, check out the sidebar for my current giveaways offers


 
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