Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)

Far from the Madding Crowd (2015)
Directed by: Thomas Vinterberg
Screenplay by: David Nicholls
Based on novel by: Thomas Hardy
-Drama, Historical, Romance

Starring:
Carey Mulligan as Bathsheba Everdene
Matthias Schoenaerts as Gabriel Oak

My rating: 4.5

Per imdb:
In Victorian England, the independent and headstrong Bathsheba Everdene attracts three very different suitors: Gabriel Oak, a sheep farmer; Frank Troy, a reckless Sergeant; and William Boldwood, a prosperous and mature bachelor.

Neat-o trivia bits from imdb:

-There is a scene in a market with a poster in the background announcing the news in Casterbridge which is a reference to another Thomas Hardy novel, "The Mayor of Casterbridge".

-The movie's title is derived from a poem 'Elegy written in a Country Churchyard' by the poet Thomas Grey.

-The song sung by Carey Mulligan and Michael Sheen in the film is "Let No Man Steal Your Thyme," a traditional British and Irish folk ballad.

PeekInside:



My two-bits:

The initial draw for me to see this was for costumes, setting and location. Loved this film for all.

Farm life and the daily routines of it is beautifully portrayed in the background of a love triangle tale.

Unlike the grandeur of ballroom settings and city life in London, this story takes you mostly outdoors in the country. The brightness and colors of all the outdoor scenes bring about the feeling of fresh and crisp England air.

Oh, the sheep! One scene with them is memorable and just really grips at the heart.

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GET familiar with the original...

Far from the Madding Crowd
by Thomas Hardy
Amazon | Goodreads
In Thomas Hardy’s first major literary success, independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, the soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy, and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Each, in contrasting ways, unsettles her decisions and complicates her life, and tragedy ensues, threatening the stability of the whole community. One of his first works set in the semi-fictional region of Wessex, Hardy’s novel of swift passion and slow courtship is imbued with his evocative descriptions of rural life and landscapes, and with unflinching honesty about sexual relationships.


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* image source for sheep

* part of my Armchair Summer Travel (details) - check it out to enter Armchair Summer Travel Book Box Giveaway

* made me want to visit country? England - YES

Worthy by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Worthy
by Catherine Ryan Hyde

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Blog
Twitter @cryanhyde
YouTube

Just released: June 2, 2015
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Genre: Animal, Women's Fiction
Paperback: 323 pages
Rating: 5

They might’ve been a family.

Virginia finally had the chance to explore a relationship with Aaron when he asked her on a date. She had been waiting, hoping that the widower and his young son, Buddy, would welcome her into their lives. But a terrible tragedy strikes on the night of their first kiss, crushing their hopes for a future together.

Nineteen years later, Virginia is engaged, though she has not forgotten Aaron or Buddy. When her dog goes missing and it comes to light that her fiancé set him loose, a distraught Virginia breaks off the engagement and is alone once again. A shy young man has found the missing pet, and although he’s bonded with the animal, he answers his conscience and returns the dog. Before long, Virginia and the young man discover a connection from their pasts that will help them let go of painful memories and change their lives forever.

First sentence:
"You ready, Buddy?" his dad asked.

Quote to note:
"...My mom used to say it's because we weren't put here on earth to take care of each other. And that it's silly to get mad at someone for letting you down when they're just being who they are. She said it's like getting mad at your dog for not being a cat."
-chapter 32, page 280

My two-bits:

I found this to be a heartwarming road to recovery kind of story. Both main characters finally resolve issues they were subconsciously dwelling over for a big chunk of their lives.

The story moves forward mostly through dialogue. I loved how the simple and honest conversations in this novel made the characters shine.

Dog lovers will relate and like how dogs play an integral role.

Despite a couple upsetting moments, acts of kindness prevail in this story. If only more of it went around in the world...

About the author:

I'm the the author of 28 published and forthcoming books.

My newest releases are The Language of Hoofbeats, Take Me With You , Where We Belong, Walk Me Home, Subway Dancer and Other Stories, When You Were Older, Don’t Let Me Go, When I Found You, Second Hand Heart, The Long, Steep Path: Everyday Inspiration From the Author of Pay It Forward, Always Chloe and Other Stories, and 365 Days of Gratitude: Photos from a Beautiful World.

Pay It Forward: Young Readers Edition, an age-appropriate edited edition of the original novel, was released by Simon & Schuster in August of ‘14. It is suitable for children as young as eight.

I have two forthcoming new novels due out in 2015 from Lake Union/Amazon Publishing, Worthy and Joseph Came Home.

Other novels include Jumpstart the World, Becoming Chloe, Love in the Present Tense, The Year of My Miraculous Reappearance, Chasing Windmills, The Day I Killed James, and Diary of a Witness.

I am co-author, with publishing industry blogger Anne R. Allen, of How to be a Writer in the E-Age: a Self-Help Guide.

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* added this to my Books On The Nightstand Bingo challenge - square: With a protagonist/narrator over the age of 50

* review copy courtesy of Summer Reading Challenge 2015. It's not too late! You can join the challenge here. @booksparks #SRC2015
Destination: Bask in the simplicity of a small town

Armchair Summer Travel

Armchair Summer Travel
June to August 2015
An alternative to those who are not able to travel out-of-country this year.

I LOVE vacationing in faraway places. Different cultures, food and sights are such a treat to experience.

I will not be able to take a vacation trip out of the country this year which is something I fell in love doing these past few years. To compensate, I decided to vacation vicariously through books and film.

Along with the BookSparks Travel themed reading challenge, I will be watching films that take place in other countries (not in USA). I will review current ones that are especially good in featuring a country as a character of the story or those that capture a lot of the sights and sounds.

JOIN me by commenting on my review posts or sending me any recommendations you may have.

--~ Special Giveaway ~--
WIN a box filled with some of my summer review book copies read from June to August 2015 including ones listed as part of the BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge (see list here).

Open to US only.

Offer ends: August 31, 2015

TO DO: (2-parts)

1. Let me know if you are interested in this giveaway in comments of this post and I will keep track of your comments.

AND include your email.

2. COMMENT on at least THREE of my review posts listed below.

please note: review links will light up after post goes up

*optional* feel free to let me know if there is a particular book(s) your are eye-ing

Participants:
Carol
Linda
Sherry
Tia

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Contest has ended - (winner is here)

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BOOK list:

Beautiful Ruins
by Jess Walter
Destination: Italy
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

I Am Having So Much Fun Here Without You
by Courtney Maum
Destination: Paris and London
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

It’s You
by Jane Porter
Destination: Travel up the west coast of California
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

Summer Secrets
by Jane Green
Destination: Cross the pond to London
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

One Thing Stolen
by Beth Kephart
Destination: Florence, Italy
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

Pieces
by Maria Kostaki
Destination: Island hop to Athens, Greece
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

The Rocks
by Peter Nichols
Destination: Mediterranean Sea
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

Us
by David Nicholls
-on Man Booker Prize 2014 long list
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

The Witch of Bourbon Street
by Suzanne Palmieri
Destination: Get jazzy in New Orleans
Amazon | Goodreads | my review

The Blue: A Novel
by Lucy Clarke
Destination: journey around the world on a yacht
Amazon | Goodreads | my review -coming

The Diver's Clothes Lie Empty
by Vendela Vida
Destination: Casablanca, Morocco
Amazon | Goodreads | my review -coming

The Little Paris Bookshop
by Nina George
Destination: France
Amazon | Goodreads | my review -coming

MOVIE list:

Coffe in Berlin (2012)
Destination: Germany
Amazon | imdb | my review-coming soon

Far From the Madding Crowd (2015)
Destination: Victorian England
Amazon (classic book) | imdb | my review

Copenhagen (2014)
Destination: Denmark
Amazon | imdb | my review

Night Train to Lisbon (2013)
Destination: Portugal
Amazon | imdb | my review

The Trip to Italy (2014)
Destination: Italy
Amazon | imdb | my review

A Five Star Life (2013)
Destination: Italy, France, Switzerland, Morocco, Germany, China
Amazon | imdb | my review

Pale Moon (2014)
Destination: Tokyo, Japan
imdb | my review

Harajuku Denier (2015)
Destination: Harajuku, Tokyo, Japan
imdb | my review

Uzumasa Limelight (2014)
Destination: Kyoto, Japan
imdb | my review

Have A Song On Your Lips (2015)
Destination: Goto islands, Japan
imdb | my review
~*~
* This post will be updated as more will be added to these lists throughout the summer.

* Always looking for recommendations, so if you have any please comment!

Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer by Lisa Pliscou

Young Jane Austen:
Becoming a Writer
by Lisa Pliscou

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
BookExcerpt
Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter @LisaPliscou

Just released: April 20, 2015
Publisher: Wyatt-MacKenzie
Genre: Biography, Jane Austen
Paperback: 188 pages
Rating: 5

What was Jane Austen like as a child? What were her formative influences and experiences, her challenges and obstacles, that together set her on the path toward becoming a writer?

Drawing upon a wide array of sources, including Austen’s own books and correspondence, Lisa Pliscou has created a “speculative biography” that, along with 20 charming black-and-white illustrations, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of young Jane Austen. Also included is a richly detailed, annotated version of the narrative and an overview of Austen’s life, legacy, and the era in which she lived, as well as a timeline of her key childhood events.

YOUNG JANE AUSTEN is sure to intrigue anyone interested in Jane Austen, in writing and the creative process, and in the triumph of the artistic spirit.

PeekAbook:


My two-bits:

This is a small cute gem of a book.

A third of the book is speculative biography of what Jane might have been like in her childhood. Brief passages of what could have been Jane are presented like snapshots from a family album.

The next two-thirds of the book is an annotated version with tidbits that include things related to Jane's novels. Fun for those into trivia.

And the final third of the book is a short bio of Jane with a timeline for period covered in the book.

I really like how this story is presented. Sprinkled throughout the book are illustrations with an old classic vibe. The pages are also outlined with a pretty floral background which brings about a cozy feeling while reading.

--~ Book Giveaway courtesy of author ~--signup to win this book
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* review copy and giveaway courtesy of author

* added this to my Books On The Nightstand Bingo challenge - square: Six Words or More in Title

Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

Eight Hundred Grapes
by Laura Dave

Find out more about this book and author:
Amazon
Goodreads
Website
Facebook
Twitter @lauradave

Just released: June 2, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Genre: Chick-lit
Paperback: 272 pages
Rating: 4.5

There are secrets you share, and secrets you hide…

Growing up on her family’s Sonoma vineyard, Georgia Ford learned some important secrets. The secret number of grapes it takes to make a bottle of wine: eight hundred. The secret ingredient in her mother’s lasagna: chocolate. The secret behind ending a fight: hold hands.

But just a week before her wedding, thirty-year-old Georgia discovers her beloved fiancé has been keeping a secret so explosive, it will change their lives forever.

Georgia does what she’s always done: she returns to the family vineyard, expecting the comfort of her long-married parents, and her brothers, and everything familiar. But it turns out her fiancé is not the only one who’s been keeping secrets…


First sentence:

My Father has this great story about the day he met my mother, a story he never gets sick of telling.

My two-bits:

Intermingles several love stories within a family set in the wine country. So, it felt a bit like a family drama rather than focus on one particular person which I liked just fine. Each character were equally engaging and interesting.

The Wine country backdrop provides a brief look into the world of wine making and selling. This would be a fun one to read before embarking on a wine country tour/tasting.

About the author:

Laura Dave is the author of the critically acclaimed novels The First Husband, The Divorce Party and London Is The Best City In America.

Her novels have been published in fifteen countries, and three of her novels, including Eight Hundred Grapes, have been optioned as major motion pictures. She resides in Santa Monica, California.

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* added this to my Books On The Nightstand Bingo challenge - square: With a number in the title

* review copy courtesy of Summer Reading Challenge 2015. It's not too late! You can join the challenge here. @booksparks #SRC2015
Destination: Drink in Sonoma wine country