Unlikeable Female Characters by Anna Bogutskaya

Title: Unlikeable Female Characters: The Women Pop Culture Wants You to Hate

Author: Anna Bogutskaya

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2023

Genre: Nonfiction - Media Criticism

Pages: 340

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall TBR

Female characters throughout history have been burdened by the moral trap that is likeability. Any woman who dares to reveal her messy side has been treated as a cautionary tale. Today, unlikeable female characters are everywhere in film, TV, and wider pop culture. For the first time ever, they are being accepted by audiences and even showered with industry awards. We are finally accepting that women are—gasp—fully fledged human beings. How did we get to this point?

Unlikeable Female Characters traces the evolution of highly memorable female characters, examining what exactly makes them popular, how audiences have reacted to them, and the ways in which pop culture is finally allowing us to celebrate the complexities of being a woman. Anna Bogutskaya, film programmer, broadcaster, and co-founder of the horror film collective and podcast The Final Girls, takes us on a journey through popular film, TV, and music, looking at the nuances of womanhood on and off-screen to reveal whether pop culture—and society—is finally ready to embrace complicated women.

A decent breakdown of various female archetypes in movies and television. This is my favorite gender studies book in years. It is entertaining and informative without being too dense or overly reductive. Bogutskaya deftly details the nine archetypes and how they have been represented in a variety of movies and television. I especially love the Mean Girl and the Angry Girl chapters. I’ll admit that this book was completely illuminating for me because of my past studies and general reading, but I did enjoying reading this book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Lady from the Black Lagoon by Mallory O'Meara

Title: The Lady from the Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick

Author: Mallory O’Meara

Publisher: Hanover Square Press 2019

Genre: Nonfiction - Biography

Pages: 368

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Ebook; Monthly Theme - January

As a teenager, Mallory O’Meara was thrilled to discover that one of her favorite movies, Creature from the Black Lagoon, featured a monster designed by a woman, Milicent Patrick. But for someone who should have been hailed as a pioneer in the genre, there was little information available. For, as O’Meara soon discovered, Patrick’s contribution had been claimed by a jealous male colleague, her career had been cut short and she soon after had disappeared from film history. No one even knew if she was still alive.

As a young woman working in the horror film industry, O’Meara set out to right the wrong, and in the process discovered the full, fascinating story of an ambitious, artistic woman ahead of her time. Patrick’s contribution to special effects proved to be just the latest chapter in a remarkable, unconventional life, from her youth growing up in the shadow of Hearst Castle, to her career as one of Disney’s first female animators. And at last, O’Meara discovered what really had happened to Patrick after The Creature’s success, and where she went.

A true-life detective story and a celebration of a forgotten feminist trailblazer, Mallory O’Meara’s The Lady from the Black Lagoon establishes Patrick in her rightful place in film history while calling out a Hollywood culture where little has changed since.

Why have I sat on this book for almost a year? I have no idea. I was so excited about this one coming out that I even preordered it and then it sat on my Kindle for almost a year before I picked it up (this is why I really need to prioritize books I own). Anyway… I really enjoyed this biography of Milicent Patrick crossed with Mallory O’Meara’s own sexist experiences in the film industry. We flip back and forth from Patrick’s life to O’Meara’s anecdotes and experiences while working as a film producer and author. My favorite parts were strictly about Milicent Patrick and her very interesting varied career. I loved diving into a fascinating woman at a very strange time in Hollywood. I was less impressed with the feminist asides. Mostly it was a rehashing of a lot of information I already knew. Those passages didn’t open my eyes to anything really, but I think they were necessary for the overall story O’Meara was attempting to tell. Overall this was a very interesting biography. I might just want to own it in physical form (the paperback version is releasing in March).

Next up on the TBR pile:

Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents by Douglas Brode

Title: Fantastic Planets, Forbidden Zones, and Lost Continents: The 100 Greatest Science Fiction Films

Author: Douglas Brode

Publisher: University of Texas Press 2015

Genre: Nonfiction - Movies

Pages: 411

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (NonAd); Nonfiction; 52 Books - W24

Whether you judge by box office receipts, industry awards, or critical accolades, science fiction films are the most popular movies now being produced and distributed around the world. Nor is this phenomenon new. Sci-fi filmmakers and audiences have been exploring fantastic planets, forbidden zones, and lost continents ever since George Méliès’ 1902 film A Trip to the Moon. In this highly entertaining and knowledgeable book, film historian and pop culture expert Douglas Brode picks the one hundred greatest sci-fi films of all time.

Picked this up from the new books shelf at the library. While J and I debated some of the choices on the Top 100 list, it was a very entertaining read. In reality, we've got into a few debates owing to our fairly extensive scifi movie experience. I loved all the tidbits about how the movie got made, influences, and trivia. Very enjoyable read for the past few days. Plus we've made a list of those movies we've somehow not seen before.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

Title: The Count of Monte Cristo

Author: Alexandre Dumas

Genre: Classics

Pages: 1276

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Classics -- Adventure; Mount TBR; Blogger Recommendations; Book to Movie; Fall into Reading; Rory Gilmore (perpetual)

How I Got It: iPad

Thrown in prison for a crime he has not committed, Edmond Dantes is confined to the grim fortress of If. There he learns of a great hoard of treasure hidden on the Isle of Monte Cristo and becomes determined not only to escape but to unearth the treasure and use it to plot the destruction of the three men responsible for his incarceration. A huge popular success when it was first serialized in the 1840s, Dumas was inspired by a real-life case of wrongful imprisonment when writing his epic tale of suffering and retribution.

I had put off reading this classic for far too long.  When it showed up on the list for the Blogger Recommendations Challenge, I knew I had to add it to my 2013 TBR list.  After taking forever to finish it (I blame the baby and Dumas' lack of brevity), I found that overall I really enjoyed the book.

The Good

Dumas can create very interesting and intriguing characters.  I especially loved Dantes, but of course the audience is supposed to connect with him throughout the adventure. The other supporting characters play their parts well.   I also enjoyed the storyline even if I knew it before reading the book.  I couldn't wait to see what happened next.

The Bad

As this was published in serial form in the 1840s, the novel lacks any sense of editing.  Dumas rambles on and on, especially the dialogue sections.  Characters take 20 pages to say something that could have been conveyed in 2 pages.  There were times that I had to put the novel down because I was getting tired of the slow pace.  As such, it took me three weeks to finish it.  Also, I loved the passages with Dantes as the main point of view, but felt distracted by chapters from the other characters.  Those chapters just didn't seem as engaging.  The switching of narrators was tiresome.

While, I had some issues with the novel, this is a classic that everyone should experience at some time in their lives.

Movie:

We happened to own the 2002 version of the novel, so I watched that one.  While I enjoyed the film on its own, it definitely changes much of the novel.  Dantes is still imprisoned and enacts his revenge once he escapes.  But most of the other parts and even character relationships have been changed.  I found the weird renewed romance between Dantes and Mercedes to be the most troublesome aspect of the changes.  I just couldn't get behind it, even if they made Albert their son instead of Mercedes and Fernand's son.  On a much happier note, I loved the action scenes and the introduction of the Count by way of hot air balloon.  To any thinking they can watch this movie instead of reading the book, you will miss so much...  Go read the book first!

Top Ten Tuesday -- Movies Wanted

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

I struggle with this topic.  There are many books I would love to see come to life, but there's always that little bit of me that fears for the results.  I've seen too many great books become bad bad movies (looking at you The Golden Compass).  In a perfect world, I think these books would make great movies:

1. Locke and Key comic series -- A very dark and demented horror story.  I love the characters in this series.  It could be very spooky!
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn -- An awesome psychological thriller.  My only concern would be how they set up the main characters.  Both are twisted, but the audience shouldn't figure that out until halfway through the movie.
3. Sarah Addison Allen's books -- Not picky on this one.  Choose any of her books, they would make great romantic movies.  I'm thinking in the vein of Practical Magic or Hope Floats.
4. The Magicians by Lev Grossman -- Would never get made because it would have to be rated R and people would complain that it was a ripoff of Narnia.  But I would watch it in a heartbeat.
5. Sunshine by Robin McKinley -- To break the reliance on the cuddly sparkly vampires.  Con is none of those things and yet this story is just beautiful.
6. Looking Glass Wars series by Frank Beddol -- Love, love, love this retelling of Alice in Wonderland.  I think it would make a fun, yet dark adventure tale.
7. Blades of the Rose series by Zoe Archer -- These would make some great adventure movies.  Pretty generic, but the locations would be gorgeous.
8. Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger -- How awesome would this movie be?  I absolutely love the characters in this series.
9. Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz -- Maybe not a movie, but a CW series a la The Vampire Diaries.
10. The Affinity Bride by George Mann -- Great steampunk detective adventure.  Would love to see the world created on screen.

The Host by Stephenie Meyer

Title: The Host

Author: Stephenie Meyer

Publisher: Back Bay Books 2008

Genre: Paranormal

Pages: 620

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Paranormal -- Aliens; TBR Pile; Book to Movie; Bingo -- 3 rereads

Melanie Stryder refuses to fade away. The earth has been invaded by a species that take over the minds of human hosts while leaving their bodies intact. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, didn't expect to find its former tenant refusing to relinquish possession of her mind.

As Melanie fills Wanderer's thoughts with visions of Jared, a human who still lives in hiding, Wanderer begins to yearn for a man she's never met. Reluctant allies, Wanderer and Melanie set off to search for the man they both love.

A reread for me.  With the release of the movie this year, I wanted to reread the book and do a bit of comparison.  I remember that I enjoyed The Host more than the Twilight series, but I wanted to see if my memories lived up.  They do live up to my memories.  I really enjoyed this book.  The story of the aliens taking over Earth through body snatching isn't anything new.  But Melanie/Wanderer's story of understanding and identity is nice and unique.  I loved following their slow realization that neither of them are the enemy.  And watching the love triangle (or is it a square?) develop did not annoy me like in the Twilight series.  This one felt genuine.  I loved rereading this book.  And I'll even admit to ugly crying in parts.

Movie:

Overall, I quite enjoyed this adaptation. I'll admit that the voiceovers for Melanie and Wanderer's internal conversations were awkward, but the movie kept them to a minimum.  The actors actually portray their characters well.  The movie spent a lot of time following the searcher, but it added to the heightened fear of capture.  My favorite character was Jeb played by William Hurt.  He captured that exact mix of crazy and genius that I loved from the book.  I went into the viewing thinking I would hate the movie, but it turns out that I really enjoyed it.

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

Title: A Game of Thrones (Song of Fire and Ice #1)

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Bantam 1996

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Pages: 835

Rating:  5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: T4MC -- Fantasy/Scifi/Steampunk; Genre -- Epic Fantasy; Mount TBR; New Authors; Page to Screen

How I Got It: I own it

Long ago, in a time forgotten, a preternatural event threw the seasons out of balance. In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes to the north of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom’s protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens.

Here an enigmatic band of warriors bear swords of no human metal; a tribe of fierce wildlings carry men off into madness; a cruel young dragon prince barters his sister to win back his throne; and a determined woman undertakes the most treacherous of journeys. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of the Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance, as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones.

I've been meaning to get around to reading this for awhile, but somehow I kept putting it off.  Well, I finally starting reading while traveling home to California.  And I'm so glad I did.  It was unbelievably amazing.  Martin has created such an intricate world with a variety of peoples and histories.  I wept with Daenerys and raged against the Lannisters (except for Tyrion).  I feared with Jon Snow and the Night's Watch and delighted in Arya's swordplay.  I speed through all 835 pages in a few days.  I couldn't wait to see what happened next.  Even the changing points of view didn't bother me like they usually do.  I have no idea how Martin will wrap any of this up, but I'm definitely reading them all.

Television Series:

I watched the series before reading the book, but no matter.  The creators changed little things here and there, but mostly kept right to the storyline.  I love the actors, but Peter Dinklage is my absolutely favorite.  He is amazing as Tyrion Lannister.  And Kit Harrington has an amazing strength as Jon Snow.  And Emilia Clarke as Daenerys is just gorgeous.  I can't wait to see what happens in season 2.

A Song of Fire and Ice:

1. A Game of Thrones
2. A Clash of Kings
3. A Storm of Swords
4. A Feast for Crows
5. A Dance with Dragons
6. The Winds of Winter

Wanted by Mark Millar, JG Jones, and Paul Mounts

Title: Wanted

Author: Mark Millar, JG Jones, Paul Mounts

Publisher: Image Comics 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 208

Rating:  4/5 stars  Movie: 4/5

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel; Mount TBR; 52 Books in 52 Weeks -- Week 1; Book Bingo -- 2 from TBR; T4MC -- M Author (15 points)

First review of 2013!!!!

What if everything in your life was out of your hands and those around you propelled your fate? Your girlfriend left you for your best friend; your boss gave your job to someone better. What if then, after all this, someone gave you back total control? What if he revealed you were the next in line to join a secret society of super-villains that controlled the entire planet? Mark Millar and J.G. Jones provide a look at one man who goes from being the world's biggest loser to the deadliest assassin alive.

My initial reaction was "that reminded me of Kick-Ass."  And then I actually looked at the authors and realized that Millar wrote both.  Silly me.  This volume still reminds me of Kick-Ass with the hyper-action violence and larger than life characters.  But at the core, we get a story of lifelike characters.  Even with the costumes or superpowers, at their core these characters are just like us.  I really enjoyed the story of Wesley's transformation.  As an extra note, this volume also reminds me of The Boys, but without the really interesting political angle.

Movie:

I saw the movie two years, obviously before reading the comic.  At the time I thought it was a somewhat interesting story, but I wasn't over the moon for it.

After reading the comic, I have a new found appreciation for the film.  It's definitely different, but keeps the main story of Wesley Gibson intact.  We see his transformation from pathetic loser to top assassin.  The movie ditched the superhero and supervillian angle, but the story and tone stays.  And the movie is shot beautifully.  All of the special effects and stunts pull the watcher into a fantastical world.  Plus James McAvoy is just outstanding...

52 Books Week 1: Journey to Your Imagination

This week's theme was books set in Canada.  Unfortunately I have a limited selection this week as I am not at home.  Instead of the theme, I am just going with the first read of the year.  

2012 Reading Challenge Round-Up -- Completed Edition

I hear 2013 calling my name.  I think it's time to call 2012 quits and start my end of the year posts.  In total I entered 27 reading challenges this year.  Let's see how I did...  Completed challenges edition.

I went for the highest goal on this one, 16 books, 16 categories.  It really wasn't a hugely difficult challenge as I read nonfiction all the time.  But it did encourage me to pick up different types of books.  My favorite book from this challenge was the Science Fiction and Fantasy pick of The Magicians by Lev Grossman.

• Classics – Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte (11/8/12)
• Biography – Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun by Gita May (9/21/12)
• Cookery, Food, and Wine – Chocolate by Shara Aaron and Monica Bearden (12/4/12)
• History – The Lost Millennium by Florin Diacu (9/12/12)
• Modern Fiction – Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (5/22/12)
• Graphic Novel and Manga – Bad Doings and Big Ideas by Bill Willingham (4/23/12)
• Crime and Mystery – Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (5/17/12)
• Horror – The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan (3/1/12)
• Romance – An Offer You Can’t Refuse by Jill Mansell (11/14/12)
• Science Fiction and Fantasy – The Magicians by Lev Grossman (1/21/12)
• Travel – Paris in Love by Eloisa James (5/16/12)
• Poetry – Poems of Emily Dickinson (11/23/12)
• Journalism and Humor – The Year of Living Biblically by A.J. Jacobs (2/26/12)
• Science and Natural History – The Ghost Map by Steven Johnson (4/18/12)
• Children’s and Young Adult – The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (6/27/12)
• Social Sciences and Philosophy – This Book is Overdue by Marilyn Johnson (9/1/12)

 I had been meaning to read more classics.  After reading only classics back in high school, I haven't really gotten around to any for a few years.  This was my chance.  My favorite read from this challenge was The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (a once very few years reread for me, but still awesome).  I'm joining this one again next year.

• 19th Century – The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (8/6/12)
• 20th Century – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1/26/12)
• Reread Classic – Persuasion by Jane Austen (10/3/12)
• Classic Play – The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde (8/29/12)
• Classic Mystery/Horror/Crime – The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde (4/26/12)
• Classic Romance – Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (8/23/12)
• Translated Classic – Arthurian Romances by Chretien de Troyes (12/3/12)
• Classic Award Winner – A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle (11/21/12)
• International Classic – Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson (11/16/12)

An odd challenge for me.  I struggled to find books that I was already going to read to fit the topics.  Once I did I really loved my choices.  My favorite read was The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman, part of His Dark Materials trilogy.

• Topographical Feature –  The Bridge of Scarlet Leaves by Kristin McMorris (12/2/12)
• Something in the Sky – Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (1/13/12)
• Creepy Crawly –  You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay (2/27/12)
• Type of House – Palace Circle by Rebecca Dean (3/8/12)
• Something from Your Pocket – The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman (8/16/12)
• Something on a Calendar – The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O’Connor McNees (12/1/12)

I always love reading books and then see the movie.  It's even better when I have read the book before seeing the movie, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way.  My favorite combo was Do Androids... and Blade Runner.  While the movie doesn't exactly follow the books it does have the same feel.  Loved them!

• Something Borrowed (Emily Giffin) (5/22/12)
• Blade Runner (Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep — Philip K. Dick) (11/27/12)
• The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) (1/11/12)
• A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare) (1/27/12)
• Much Ado About Nothing (Shakespeare) (8/28/12)
• The Dark Compass (Philip Pullman) (8/12/12)
• Richard III (Shakespeare) (8/28/12)
• Persuasion (Jane Austen) (10/3/12)
• Dorian Gray (The Picture of Dorian Gray — Oscar Wilde) (4/26/12)
• Beastly (Alex Flinn) (4/15/12)
• Kick-Ass (Mark Millar and John Romita Jr) (5/23/12)
• Starship Troopers (Robert Heinlein) (6/1/12)
• Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter (Seth Grahame-Smith) (5/25/12)
• The Wizard of Oz (L. Frank Baum) (8/6/12)
• Tin Man (The Wizard of Oz – L. Frank Baum) (8/6/12)
• Northanger Abbey (Jane Austen) (8/23/12)
• The Importance of Being Earnest (Oscar Wilde) (8/29/12)
• Twelfth Night (Shakespeare) (9/1/12)
• Ran (King Lear – Shakespeare) (9/4/12)
• Jane Eyre (Charlotte Bronte) (11/8/12)

J has been trying to get me to read more science fiction for years now.  And I finally warming up to the genre, although I tend to go for softer scifi.  My favorite read was Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein.

• The Martian Chronicles — Ray Bradbury (11/23/12)
• Snow Crash — Neal Stephenson (10/30/12)
• Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? – Philip K. Dick (11/27/12)
• Stranger in a Strange Land – Robert Heinlein (1/8/12)
• Starship Troopers — Robert Heinlein (6/1/12)

I super hard challenge to finish.  I think I just picked a ton of mediocre books and it made it really difficult to finish.  As it stands, I want to try to again next year, but with only 5 reads and hopefully better books.  From this year, my favorite read was The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale.

• The Goose Girl — Shannon Hale (11/7/12)
• Mythology — Edith Hamilton (11/27/12)
• Beauty — Robin McKinley (6/5/12)
• Beastly — Alex Flinn (4/15/12)
• The Frog Prince — Stephen Mitchell (5/14/12)
• Sirena — Donna Jo Napoli (6/1/12)
• Adrianna’s Fairy Tales by Adrianna White (7/5/12)
• The Princess and the Hound — Mette Ivie Harrison (10/22/12)
• The Princess and the Bear — Mette Ivie Harrison (10/24/12)
• Flower Fables — Louisa May Alcott (11/16/12)

This was quite an interesting challenge.  Out of the 12 we read, I had already read only four.  So I got a ton more Shakespeare.  My favorite is still A Midsummer Night's Dream, followed closely by Much Ado About Nothing.

• January – A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1/27/12)
• February – Macbeth (2/22/12)
• March – Henry V (3/25/12)
• April – Much Ado About Nothing (8/28/12)
• May – Antony and Cleopatra (8/30/12)
• June – Richard III (8/28/12)
• July – As You Like It (11/18/12)
• August – King Lear (9/4/12)
• September – Cymbeline (11/19/12)
• October – Twelfth Night (9/1/12)
• November – Othello (11/19/12)
• December – Pericles (11/19/12)

I adore zombies!  Reading 24 zombie books was not difficult, but picking my favorite definitely is.  I think I will have to choose the Newsflesh trilogy (Feed, Deadline, and Blackout), but only if you make me choose.

• You are So Undead to Me — Stacey Jay (2/27/12)
• Undead Much — Stacey Jay (2/29/12)
• Allison Hewitt is Trapped — Madeleine Roux (4/26/12)
• Night of the Necromancer — Kyle West (2/3/12)
• Feed — Mira Grant (10/8/12)
• Deadline — Mira Grant (10/14/12)
• Blackout — Mira Grant (10/17/12)
• Zombie Blondes — Brian James (2/4/12)
• Sadie Walker is Stranded — Madeleine Roux (10/2/12)
• The Dark and Hollow Places — Carrie Ryan (1/8/12)
• The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks — Max Brooks (1/7/12)
• Brains: A Zombie Memoir – Robin Becker (1/9/12)
• Autumn: Purification – David Moody (1/24/12)
• Autumn: Disintegration – David Moody (1/27/12)
• The Stupidest Angel – Christopher Moore (2/11/12)
• Rise Again — Ben Tripp (3/15/12)
• The First Days — Rhiannon Frater (10/4/12)
• As the World Dies — Rhiannon Frater (10/5/12)
• Siege — Rhiannon Frater (10/6/12)
• Eat, Slay, Love — Jesse Petersen (3/16/12)
• Aftertime — Sophie Littlefield (4/5/12)
• Hater — David Moody (7/19/12)
• Dog Blood — David Moody (7/25/12)
• Them or Us — David Moody (7/28/12)

This was a great chance to reread all seven HP books and rewatch the movies.  I haven't read these in a few years, so lots of great fun.

1. HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone (1/7/12)
2. HP and the Chamber of Secrets (2/22/12)
3. HP and the Prisoner of Azkaban (3/29/12)
4. HP and the Goblet of Fire (5/13/12)
5. HP and the Order of the Phoenix (5/29/12)
6. HP and the Half-Blood Prince (6/22/12)
7. HP and the Deathly Hallows (9/28/12)

This was one of the easier challenges to complete.  I turn to romance novels when I need a break from the heavy.  I love predictable romances.  My favorites were the 2nd and 3rd books of the Tudor Rose trilogy (The Maiden's Hand and At the Queen's Summons).

• At the Queen’s Summons — Susan Wiggs (9/11/12)
• Regency Romance (3/23/12)
• A Lady Never Tells — Candace Camp (1/23/12)
• A Gentleman Always Remembers – Candace Camp (2/7/12)
• An Affair Without End – Candace Camp (2/10/11)
• Definitely Not Mr. Darcy — Karen Doornebos (4/12/12)
• Intentions of the Earl — Rose Gordon (6/29/12)
• Twelfth Night (anthology) (7/11/12)
• Carole’s Christmas by Anne Glynn (7/11/12)
• The Maiden’s Hand by Susan Wiggs (9/8/12)

This was my own challenge.  I started reading the Fables series in 2011 and fell completely in love with it.  My goal this year was to finish the back catalog.  Next year I'm definitely going to finish catching up with the published titles.  My favorite was definitely Vol. 14 Wtiches.  Amazing read!

• Vol. 14 Witches (1/6/12)
• Vol. 15 Rose Red (1/10/12)
• Vol. 16 Super Group (2/2/12)
• JF: Vol. 9 The End (1/6/12)
• Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love (9/2/12)

Another easy challenge for me.  My favorite was The Hunger Games trilogy, but I also really loved Anna Dressed in Blood.

• The Hunger Games — Suzanne Collins(1/11/12)
• Catching Fire — Suzanne Collins (1/12/12)
• Mockingjay — Suzanne Collins (1/13/12)
• A Great and Terrible Beauty — Libba Bray (5/15/12)
• Rebel Angels — Libba Bray (7/6/12)
• The Sweet Far Thing — Libba Bray (7/12/12)
• The Golden Compass — Philip Pullman (8/12/12)
• The View from Saturday — E.L. Konigsburg (4/20/12)
• Anna Dressed in Blood –Kendare Blake (6/5/12)
• Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher — Bruce Coville (7/7/12)
• Ashfall — Mike Mullin (7/30/12)
• Ashen Winter — Mike Mullin (8/2/12)

I also do love vampires.  This challenge was dominated by my reading of the Vampire Academy series, but it was a good one.  For my favorite, it was easily Sunshine by Robin McKinley.  That one is going into my reread pile.

• American Vampire — Jennifer Armintrout (2/2/12)
• The Radleys — Matt Haig (4/27/12)
• Sunshine — Robin McKinley (2/17/12)
• Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter — Seth Grahame-Smith (5/25/12)
• Vampire Academy — Richelle Mead (6/11/12)
• Frostbite — Richelle Mead (6/22/12)
• Shadow Kiss — Richelle Mead (6/27/12)
• Blood Promise — Richelle Mead (7/14/12)
• Spirit Bound — Richelle Mead (7/15/12)
• Last Sacrifice — Richelle Mead (7/19/12)

With J's influence, I really got into some comics this year.  While I stay away from the big Marvel vs. DC debate, I found some great titles out there.  My favorite was the first five volumes of The Sandman series.  I will be finishing that series next year with my Neil Gaiman RC.

• Hatter M Vol. 1 (1/15/12)
• Hatter M Vol. 2 (1/17/12
• Hatter M Vol. 3 (1/18/12)
• The Boys: The Big Ride (1/8/12)
• The Walking Dead Book 4 (4/22/12)
• Manga Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1/27/12)
• Doctor Who: Through Time and Space (2/22/12)
• The Boys Vol. 10: Butcher, Baker, Candlestickmaker (6/7/12)
• Doctor Who: The Forgotten (3/26/12)
• Wonderland by Tommy Kovac and Sonny Liew (5/23/12)
• Kick-Ass by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. (5/23/12)
• League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 1910 (5/30/12)
• The Sandman: Volume 1 Preludes and Nocturnes (6/4/12)
• The Sandman: Volume 2 The Doll’s House (6/6/12)
• The Boys Vol. 11: Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men (6/12/12)
• The Sandman: Volume 3 Dream Country (6/30/12)
• Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood (7/2/12)
• The Sandman: Volume 4 Season of Mists (7/2/12)
• Persepolis: The Story of a Return (7/4/12)
• The Sandman: Volume 5 A Game of You (7/5/12)

Easy peasy.  Although next year, I am putting myself on a library ban for at least the first four months (except for my book club selections).

1. Jack of Fables: The End(1/6/12)
2. Fables: Witches (1/6/12)
3. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (1/8/12)
4. The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks (1/7/12)
5. Brains: A Zombie Memoir by Robin Becker (1/9/12)
6. Fables: Rose Red (1/10/12)
7. Autumn: Purification by David Moody (1/24/12)
8. Autumn: Disintegration by David Moody (1/27/12)
9. Undead Much by Stacey Jay (2/29/12)
10. The Stupidest Angel by Christopher Moore (2/11/12)
11. Rise Again by Ben Tripp (3/15/12)
12. You are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay (2/27/12)
13. Manga Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1/27/12)
14. Fables: Supre Group (2/2/12)
15. Doctor Who: Through Time and Space (2/22/12)
16. Macbeth by Shakespeare (2/22/12)
17. Aftertime by Sophie Littlefield (4/5/12)
18. Eat, Slay, Love by Jesse Petersen (3/16/12)
19. Doctor Who: The Forgotten (3/26/12)
20. Everneath by Brodie Ashton (4/1/12)
21. Definitely Not Mr. Darcy by Karen Doornebos (4/12/12)
22. The Walking Dead: Book Four (4/22/12)
23. Bad Doings and Big Ideas by Bill Willingham (4/23/12)
24. The Frog Prince by Stephen Mitchell (5/14/12)
25. Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie (5/17/12)
26. Wonderland by Tommy Kovac and Sonny Liew (5/23/12)
27. Kick-Ass by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. (5/23/12)
28. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Century 1910 (5/30/12)
29. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead (6/11/12)
30. Sirena by Donna Jo Napoli (6/1/12)
31. Beauty by Robin McKinley (6/5/12)
32. The Sandman Volume 1 Preludes and Nocturnes (6/4/12)
33. The Sandman Volume 2 The Doll’s House (6/6/12)
34. Frostbite by Richelle Mead (6/22/12)
35. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead (6/27/12)
36. The Sandman Volume 3 Dream Country (6/30/12)
37. The Sandman Volume Season of Mists (7/2/12)

Another fairly easy challenge.  Although those Es gave me some difficulty.

• T – Rise Again by Ben Tripp (3/15/12)
• O – The Boys Vol. 11: Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men (6/12/12)
• B – The Zombie Surivival Guide: Recorded Attacks by Max Brooks (1/7/12)
• E – Jack of Fables: The End (1/6/12)
• F – The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1/26/12)
• R – HP and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling (1/7/12)
• A – Autumn: Purification by David Moody (1/24/12)
• N – Night of the Necromancer by Kyle West (2/3/12)
• C – The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (1/11/12)
• E – Evermore by Alyson Noel (3/2/12)
• S – Harry Potter Film Wizardry by Brian Sibley (1/29/12)
• B – The Boys: The Big Ride (1/8/12)
• U – Undead Much by Stacey Jay (2/29/12)
• F – Doctor Who: The Forgotten (2/26/12)
• F – Beastly by Alex Flinn (4/15/12)
• E – Eat, Slay, Love by Jesse Petersen (3/16/12)
• N – Blue Moon by Alyson Noel (3/4/12)
• B – Brains: A Zombie Memoir by Robin Becker (1/9/12)
• A – Autumn: Disintegration by David Moody (1/27/12)
• R – The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (1/8/12)
• G – The Magicians by Lev Grossman (1/21/12)
• E – Everneath by Brodie Ashton (4/1/12)
• R – Fables: Rose Red (1/10/12)

Movie Quotes -- 1990s Edition

Back in high school, I kept a quote notebook.  Anytime I ran across an interesting or funny quote I would put it in the book.  I eventually filled that notebook and started another.  I recently unearthed those notebooks to use for ideas for my Quote Wednesday posts.  While perusing the notebook, I ran across a huge section of movie quotes from the 1990s.  These were the movies that I watched over and over again in high school.  For today's fun, I thought I would share those quotes.  But you have to guess what movie they are from...  (don't worry, answers will be at the bottom of the post) 1. What's with you today, Lucas?  Yesterday you were normal, today you're like the Chinese guy from the Karate Kid.

1. What's with today, today?

2. Slappy, Swammy, Swans, Swanson?  Maybe it's on the briefcase.  Ah, Samonsite, I was way off!

3. If I saw myself dressed like that, I'd have to kick my own ass.

4. Yeah, but when the Pirates of the Caribbean breaks down, the pirates down eat the tourists.

5. Men should be like Kleenex: soft, strong, and disposable.

6. I figure we demand some weird stuff so that later we can plead insanity.

7. Go, go Buffalo!

8. I'd like to quit thinking of the present as some minor insignificant preamble to something else.

9. What, you think just cause a guy reads comics he can't start shit?

10. Have I stepped over some line in the sands of coolness with you?

11. What was that?  You're trailing off... and did I catch a "niner" in there?  Were you calling from a walkie talkie?

12. A gun rack?  A gun rack. I don't even own ahh gun, let alone many guns that would necessitate an entire rack!

13. I guess in the end I'm just a trendy ass poser.

14. Are you asking me out?  That's so cute; what's your name again?

15. I think most Scottish cuisine is based on a dare.

Make your guesses now...

Go on... you know you quote some of these at any given opportunity...

And now for the answers...

Answers:

1. Empire Records (1994)

2. Dumb and Dumber (1994)

3. Happy Gilmore (1996)

4. Jurassic Park (1993)

5. Clueless (1995)

6. Airheads (1994)

7. Idle Hands (1999)

8. Dazed and Confused (1993)

9. Mallrats (1993)

10. Reality Bites (1994)

11. Tommy Boy (1995)

12. Wayne's World (1992)

13.  SLC Punk (1998) -- love Heroin Bob!

14. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)

15. So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 734

Rating:   5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me.  It's been awhile since I read the series.  I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants.  SO that's what eight years ago?  I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts.  Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc.  And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

Favorite scene:

• Ron and Hermione's row at the Yuletide Ball.  I love that we get to see their love blossoming this early in the series.  They're so cute.
• Harry-Hermione-Krum love triangle nonsense.  The hate mail in the lunch room was beautiful.  Hee hee.
• Amazing Dumbledore speech at the end of the movie.  So moving!

Favorite character(s):

• Definitely Fred and George.  I just adore those two.  They pop up from time to time and always say the right thing.  I love their' backstage antics and wild dreams.  I really wish we could have gotten more from them.  As a side note, I also really enjoyed Bill and Charlie in this novel.
• And as little as she's actually in it, Rita Skeeter makes an excellent villainous figure.    I love that Hermione traps her as a beetle at the end.  Hee hee!

Favorite expressions: Loads of Ron's "blimeys"

Other odds and ends:

• Forgot how much time we spend with the Dursleys at the end of the summer.  They are so icky.
• And how much we get to see of the Quidditch World Cup.  I really love those scenes.
• The explanation of the Dark Mark's appearance at the World Cup makes much more sense than in the movie.
• I felt like we already knew Hagrid was half-giant, but guess I was wrong...

Favorite quotes: 

• "Why do they have to move in packs?" -- Harry in reference to having to ask a girl to the Yuletide Ball.  Love the uncomfortable match making.  (pg. 388)
• "Aren't you two ever going to read Hogwarts, A History?" (Hermione) "What's the point?" said Ron, "You know it by heart, we can just ask you." -- Hee hee.  I love Ron's little comebacks.

Movie fun

My favorite scenes:

• All three tasks, especially the lake task.  I love the visuals on all three tasks.  They really put me on the edge of my seat every time I watch.
• Final showdown with Lord Voldemort.  It was amazing to see Voldemort in the flesh.
• All the scenes with David Tennant as Barty Crouch Jr.  I just love David Tennant.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

• Nifflers, blast-ended skrewts, unicorns, and all the crazy magical creatures Hagrid takes a fancy to.  They're so real in the book, I really wanted to see them in the movie.
• Sirius.  He has a couple of great scenes in the book that just don't make it into the movie.  Boo!
• The stunning of Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle on the return tain.  Man, I really wish I could have seen that.

Other odds and ends:

• They really cleaned up Krum and Karkaroff for the movie.  I liked them much more in movie than the book.  Hmm.  Interesting...
• While slightly interesting, I am glad they didn't include the House Elf Liberation Front in the movie.  It gets a bit tedious towards the end of the book.
• Miranda Richardson is delightfully evil as Rita Skeeter
• Trivia from IMDB: In the first draft of the script, a subplot featuring the Weasley twins and Ludo Bagman, the head of the Ministry's sports department, was featured prominently. In fact, it was reported that Martin Landham was cast as Bagman. In the subsequent drafts, the subplot was dropped, and the character of Ludo Bagman makes no credited appearance in the movie. -- wish they had kept it

Harry Potter:

1. The Sorcerer's Stone
2. The Chamber of Secrets
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. The Goblet of Fire
5. The Order of the Phoenix
6. The Half Blood Prince
7. The Deathly Hallows

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Title: Beastly

Author: Alex Flin

Publisher: HarperTeen 2007

Genre: YA Fairy Tales

Pages: 304

Rating:  4 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Telling Tales; Book2Movie; Read Your Name - F

How I Got It: Library Loan

I am a beast. A beast! Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright. I am a monster.You think I'm talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It's no deformity, no disease. And I'll,stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I'll tell you. I'll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I'll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.

If I was 15, I would have loved this book.  As I am 30, I liked it.  Overall a cute read, but nothing I will gush over.  I liked Lindy, Will, Magda, and Kendra.  All were great characters.  Kyle/Adrian was so-so.  I get that he was supposed to be the villain in the beginning and find redemption in the end, but I never found him charming, at any point in the book.  This maybe my 30-year-old self not being attracted to 15-year-old boys.  But I also think part of it lies with his personality.  The change seemed rather abrupt and disgenuine.  I just didn't believe him.  Oh and the chat room transcripts... seemed really hooky and silly.

Movie

I have to confess that I saw the movie before reading the book.  After watching the movie, I would have rated it 3 stars.  But after reading the book, I now give the movie 4 stars.  Raising the age of the main characters made the true love romance feel real.  I just can't believe in 15-year-olds finding their one love.  While I am not a fan of Vanessa Hudgens in general, she did a decent job as Lindy.  I loved Alex Pettyfer as our Beast.  He had the right amount of vanity in the beginning, but we also really get to see his gradual change.  I could have done without Olsen twin (which one?) as Kendra.  She's supposed to be ugly at the beginning.  She was just too glamorous to be believed.  Neil Patrick Harris' Will was great.  And the change in makeup really did it.  He was still a Beast, just an interesting looking Beast.

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 435

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me.  It's been awhile since I read the series.  I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants.  SO that's what eight years ago?  I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts.  Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc.  And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

• Favorite scene: For this book there were a few great scenes.  1) The Knight Bus.  Although I loved what they did in the movie, I did enjoy this little episode in the book.  2) Harry's argument with Snape about James.  We see the tension build between these two characters.  And even though Harry doesn't know the whole story, I love how he stands up for his father.  3) Hermione standing up to Malfoy.  Gold!
• Favorite character: I could decided between Professor Trelawney, Crookshanks, or Lupin.  All had great qualities.
• Favorite expressions: "Mischeif managed" -- words to wipe the Marauder's Map. "Flibbertigibbet" -- password for the dormitory.  "Collywobbles" -- what thinking about the dementors gives to Ernie, driver of The Knight Bus
• I forgot that we get to meet Cedric Diggory and Cho Chang in this book.  Obviously they become more important next book.
• Professor Lupin teaches the students about grindylows and kapps which reside in the lake.  They also play a part in the next book.  He also teaches them about Red Caps.  Those guys show up in all kinds of fantasy books.  Love it!

Favorite quotes:

only one from this book

• "You think the dead we lvoed ever truly leave us?  You think that we don't recall them more clearly than ever in times of great trouble?  Your father is alive in you, Harry, and shows himself most plainly when you have need of him."  -- Dumbledore Pg. 427

Movie fun:

My favorite scenes:

• Loved The Knight Bus scene.  It plays so beautifully and gives some comedic releif to the much darker turn later on.
• Time-turner scene.  I loved to see the replay of events from a slightly different perspective

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

• More Crookshanks.  Love that cat.
• The fight with Malfoy by the Shrieking Shack.  In the book, it was a mud fight.  They changed it to a snowball fight. I would have like to see it as a mid fight.
• More Professor Trelawney.  Emma Thompson is just too wonderful.  I wanted more and more of her.

Harry Potter:

1. The Sorcerer's Stone
2. The Chamber of Secrets
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. The Goblet of Fire
5. The Order of the Phoenix
6. The Half Blood Prince
7. The Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 1999

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 352

Rating:   5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP; My Years

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me.  It's been awhile since I read the series.  I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants.  SO that's what eight years ago?  I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts.  Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc.  And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

• Favorite scene: From this book I have a few favorite scenes.  First, the introduction of Gilderoy Lockheart in Flourish and Blotts is too cringe-worthy.  I want to get away from him just like Harry.  But the way Rowling writes it, I see everything play out in my mind.  Second, I love Harry and Ron's arrival to Hogwarts (car and whomping willow), but especially the scolding they get from Snape.  He's so scary.  I love it.  Finally, I love the Deathday Party for Nearly Headless Nick.  I can almost smell the rotten food.
• Favorite character:  I'm going to have to god with Tom Riddle for this book.  Even though we don't meet him until Chapter 13, it's just an amazing reveal.  We're as much in the dark as Harry until the final showdown in the Chamber.  He is such a memorable character!
• Favorite expressions: "Definitely dodgy" (Ron) {I really think we Americans need to start using the word dodgy, Love it!], "load of dung" (Fred), "great sizzling dragon bogies" (Filch)
• I forgot how slow this book seems to be.  The basilisk doesn't petrify it's first victim until page 146.  And then everything just seems to happen at once.
• Rowling spends a lot of time in the beginning of the book discussing the wizarding world and points from the first book.  I guess given the that this is book two and it was targeted at elementary students, it would make sense.  But for me, I skimmed through parts of a few chapters to get to the new information. If I'm remembering correctly, this decreases as the books go on.
• Tom Riddle was a prefect and won a trophy for "closing" the Chamber.  I completely forgot how accomplished he was while at Hogwarts.  It puts a whole new spin on the sociopath angle.

Favorite quotes:

• "Because that's what Hermione does," said Ron shrugging.  "When in doubt, go to the library" (255)
• "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." (Dumbledore) (333)

Movie fun:

Overall I really like this movie adaptation.  It follows the book fairly completely.  The story retains the suspense and disbelief without all of the repetition of the backstory.  The Hogwart's world is beautiful and moody.  And of course, Alan Rickman's Snape is one of my favorite characters to see on the big screen.  It's great to see the kids starting to grow up and come into their own.

My favorite scenes:  The dueling club.  I absolutely love the grandeur.  Plus, Lockheart versus Snape is just the height of movie drama.  And don't you just love Lockheart's dueling outfit.  Hee hee

Things I wished to see, but didn't:  The Deathday Party.  I love the house ghosts and wish they could have worked in more scenes with them, especially Nearly Headless Nick.  I know it would have added too many minutes to the movie, but still it would have been nice.

Harry Potter:

1. The Sorcerer's Stone
2. The Chamber of Secrets
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. The Goblet of Fire
5. The Order of the Phoenix
6. The Half Blood Prince
7. The Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter Film Wizardry by Brian Sibley

Title: Harry Potter Film Wizardry

Author: Brian Sibley

Publisher: Harper Design 2010

Genre: Media; Movies

Pages: 160

Rating:  5  / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Dewey - 790s; Read Your Name - S

How I Got It: Library Loan

Immerse yourself in the world of the spectacular "Harry Potter" film series, and learn why Yule Ball ice sculptures never melt, where Galleons, Sickles and Knuts are really "minted", how to get a Hippogriff to work with actors, about the inspiration behind Hogwarts castle, and why Dementors move the way they do. Written and designed in collaboration with the cast and crew that brought J.K Rowling's celebrated novels to the silver screen, "Harry Potter: Film Wizardry" delivers an enchanting interactive experience, transporting readers to the wizarding world by sharing filmmaking secrets, unpublished photography and artwork, and exclusive stories from the stars.

Harry Potter is one of those book series that I absolutely adore.  I really enjoyed learning more about the behind-the-scenes of the movies.  This was a truly enjoyable read.  I recommend this to all fans of the books and movies.

A Midsummer Night's Dream by Shakespeare

Title: A Midsummer Night's Dream

Author: William Shakespeare

Genre: Classic Plays

Pages: 128

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Shakespeare; Book2Movie

Play

I think this is my favorite of Shakespeare's play.  I've always loved the comedy of errors... especially Puck.  He's always my favorite character.  So many of Shakespeare's line and words have become commonplace in English.  We hardly recognize that it's Shakespeare.  Reading the play again reminded me of all those wonderful words.  And even though I felt a little weird, I had to read the play out loud to get the true feeling.  Love it!  Side note: I saw this performed in Stratford, Canada back on high school trip.  It was beautifully simple, focusing on the words and characters.

Movie Adaptation 2003

 I love this adaptation.  Overall my favorite character is Bottom.  Kevin Kline is just perfect, especially his introduction of hiding from his wife.  Helena is especially annoying, but such is her character.  The others all play great supporting roles.  My only problem is the creepy longing looks of Oberon.  A bit much maybe, but overall lots of fun.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

I'm reposting this review as it still holds true.  I reread the first Harry Potter and loved it just as much as the first time.

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 1997

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 309

Rating:  5  / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: HP; Read My Name - R

How I Got It: Own it!

This one is a reread for me.  It's been awhile since I read the series.  I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants.  SO that's what eight years ago?  I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts.  Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc.  And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book.

Book fun:

• Favorite scene: Diagon Alley, you can just see the wondrous shops and Harry enchantment.  I love that moment!
• Favorite character: Hagrid.  He's just such a character in this book.  And I loved seeing him on the movie screen.
• Favorite expressions: "Gulpin' gargoyles" (Hagrid), "Load of old tosh" (Uncle Vernon), "Codswallop" (Hagrid), "All right, keep your hair on" (Fred), "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak" (Dumbledore)
• Didn't notice (or didn't pay attention) to the fact that Hagrid borrowed the motorcycle at the beginning from Sirius Black! I probably thought it was just another name when I read the first time.
• I feet sorry for Petunia Dursley.  As nasty as she is, I can't help that think that everything she's done has been because she's jealous of Lily.  Maybe if she had more love, or acceptance, or a talent than she wouldn't have turned out so urgh!
• How much foreshadowing is there when we meet Professor Quirrell?  Good graciousness!  And that story that he met a vampire... yeah he met a vampire, named Voldemort!
• The password for the Gryffindor tower was "pig snout." Awesome!!!
• I almost feel sorry for Professor Quirrell at the end.  Almost, but not quite...

Favorite quotes:

• "Couldn't make us a cup o' tea, could yeh? It's not been an easy journey..."  -- Hagrid's entrance (pg. 47)
• "I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter.... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things--terrible, yes, but great." -- Mr. Ollivander (pg. 85)
• "Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling" -- back of chocolate frog card (pg. 103)
• "Troll--in the dungeons--thought you out to know." -- Professor Quirrell (pg. 172)
• "You haven't got a letter on yours," George observed.  "I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name.  But we're not stupid--we know we're called Gred and Forge." (pg. 202)
• "The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." (pg. 298)

Movie fun:

Overall, I just adore this movie.  It's the closest movie to book transition.  It brings the world to life.  Much lighter than the later movies, but the first book is much lighter anyway.  The set pieces are just amazing.  I couldn't have pictured Hogwarts better in my mind.  And the icing on the cake: the final lines of the movie about Harry not going home, not really.  So much better than the ending of the book.  Kudos to the film makers.

My favorite scenes:

• Diagon Alley -- All the shops!  All the things!  The introduction of all the wizards in the background.  Such detail!
• Sorting ceremony -- All those kids!  All those nervous, excited kids!  And the way that the sorting hat talks to Harry is priceless!
• Christmas at Hogwarts -- It's just too pretty.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

• More scenes with the ghosts.  They severely underused the genius that is John Cleese in the movie!  The ghosts are great; the little intrigues and mysteries are so much fun.  And Peeves should have at least made an extended appearance.
• Charlie and the escape of Norbert the dragon.
• Snape's logic puzzle after the chess match -- really showed Hermione's intellect

Harry Potter:

1. The Sorcerer's Stone
2. The Chamber of Secrets
3. The Prisoner of Azkaban
4. The Goblet of Fire
5. The Order of the Phoenix
6. The Half Blood Prince
7. The Deathly Hallows

2012 Book2Movie Reading Challenge

From Martina Bookaholic:

The goal for this challenge is to read a book/ watch a movie in each of the 12 categories, which are further down, during the year of 2012 + 1 bonus category, if someone can’t find a book in one of the 12 categories.

You want to join?: Then please write me an e-mail to: martina.bookaholic@gmx.net with your book choices with the category #number and your blog address and the name, which I should use in this post.

Blogger Info:‘Book 2 Movie’ Button which should be linked back to this MAIN POST on my blog. Thanks

Categories -- Read a book/watch the movie:

1.  … where the movie is more famous than the book
2.  … to a TV- Series
3.  … which is based on a cartoon/ fairy tale or where the main characters are animals
4.  … where your favorite actor/ actress is playing in the movie.
5. … to a book classic which was made into a movie after 1990
6. … where the book was written for the movie
7. … from an author of your home country (for English joiners: from an author who is not  from an English speaking country)
8. . … where the story is about love and where you’ll probably cry OR where the story is about blood, murder and horrific killers.
9. … which is focused on a social critic topic (misogyny, racisms, cruelty,…)
10. … where the story is set at least 100 years ago.
11.  … where the story is playing in the future OR where the story is playing in Asia or Africa
12. … where the movie to the book is coming to the cinemas 2012
13. bonus category: … for all who have a problem to find a book/movie in one of this categories.

I’m happy and I’m really looking forward to this challenge and I’m also excited and so curious how everything will work out! So please, join and send me your details and tell all of your friends. That would be fabolous!! Thanks Greetings, Tina

I loved doing this challenge last year, so I thought I would repeat it this year.  Plus I am increasing my goal to 20 books to movies for this year.  For purposes of variety, I will not be including the Harry Potter movies even though I will be reading the novels and watching the movies.  I am going to try and seek out movie versions that I haven't seen...  Tentative TBR:

1. Water for Elephants -- Sara Gruen (2007)
2. Something Borrowed -- Emily Giffin (Adventures of Darcy #1) (2005)
3. P.S. I Love You -- Cecelia Ahern (2008)
4. The Hunger Games -- Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games #1) (2009)
5. TBD
6. TBD
7. TBD
8. TBD
9. TBD
10. TBD
11. TBD
12. TBD
13. TBD
14. TBD
15. TBD
16. TBD
17. TBD
18. TBD
19. TBD
20. TBD

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

Title: TheHitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Author: Douglas Adams

Publisher: Del Ray 2002

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 143

Rating:   5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Science Fiction; Page to Screen; A to Z Author: A

How I Got It: I own It!

It's safe to say that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the funniest science fiction novels ever written. Adams spoofs many core science fiction tropes: space travel, aliens, interstellar war--stripping away all sense of wonder and repainting them as commonplace, even silly.  This omnibus edition begins with The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, in which Arthur Dent is introduced to the galaxy at large when he is rescued by an alien friend seconds before Earth's destruction.

Book

A wonderful reread.  I just love the wackiness of Adams' universe.  From the ship Heart of Gold to Marvin the Robot, this book gets me every time.  I read this today during the down times are work.  And I'm sure some of my coworkers think I'm that crazy giggling girl.  I can't help but laugh out loud at the passages.  I decided to just reread the first book in the series.  I just wanted to remember how this crazy train started. My favorite parts are still the excerpts from the Guide.  But this time I really stuck on the introduction of Zaphod from the Guide.  All of Adams' characters are fun and slightly quirky, but Zaphod takes the cake. 

Beeblebrox, the man who invented the Pan Galatic Gargle Blaster, ex-confidence trickster, once described by Eccentrica Gallumbits as the Best Bang since the Big One, and recently voted the Worst Dressed Sentient Being in the Known Universe for the seventh time...  -- Pg. 67

The best introduction note in all of literature. 

Movie

Now what to say about the movie...  I really have mixed feelings abotu this one.  I love some of the actors and scenes.  And then I'm just dissapointed with some of the other aspects.

The Good -- I just adore Martin Freeman, Sam Rockwell, and Zooey Deschanel.  They are perfect (but I'm going with Sam's Zaphod as my favorite).  They embody the characters well.  And I can't forget about Bill Nighy as Slartibartfast.  He plays the best "is he daffy or increibly wise" character.  Love him!  I did like the interludes of the Guide entries.  The one about the Vogons is especially fun.  

The Not-So-Good -- I feel like the movie mostly missed the tone of the book.  They made it this romance between Arthur and Trillian.  They wrapped the story up at the end.  The book doesn't have those things.  I felt like the movie tried to be too much of a "normal" story; something the book just isn't.  

The book is amazing; a must read.  The movie: not so much.   

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

Title: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Scholastic 1997

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Pages: 309

Rating:  5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Page to Screen; HP readalong

How I Got It: Own it!

In Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Harry, an orphan, lives with the Dursleys, his horrible aunt and uncle, and their abominable son, Dudley.

One day just before his eleventh birthday, an owl tries to deliver a mysterious letter the first of a sequence of events that end in Harry meeting a giant man named Hagrid. Hagrid explains Harry's history to him: When he was a baby, the Dark wizard, Lord Voldemort, attacked and killed his parents in an attempt to kill Harry; but the only mark on Harry was a mysterious lightning-bolt scar on his forehead.

Now he has been invited to attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, where the headmaster is the great wizard Albus Dumbledore. Harry visits Diagon Alley to get his school supplies, especially his very own wand. To get to school, he takes the Hogwarts Express from platform nine and three-quarters at King's Cross Station. On the train, he meets two fellow students who will become his closest friends: Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger.

Harry is assigned to Gryffindor House at Hogwarts, and soon becomes the youngest-ever Seeker on the House Quidditch team. He also studies Potions with Professor Severus Snape, who displays a deep and abiding dislike for Harry, and Defense Against the Dark Arts with nervous Professor Quirrell; he and his friends defeat a mountain troll, help Hagrid raise a dragon, and explore the wonderful, fascinating world of Hogwarts.

But all events lead irrevocably toward a second encounter with Lord Voldemort, who seeks an object of legend known as the Sorcerer's Stone.

This one is a reread for me.  I found a great Harry Potter series readalong from Pretty Deadly Reviews and thought "Why not?"  It's been awhile since I read the series.  I remember reading the first couple of books out loud to the boys when they were infants.  SO that's what eight years ago?  I read the last few books as they came out, but overall it's been awhile.  It was great to step back into that world, especially with the release of the last movie.  J and I definitely went to see the day it came out.  (but more on that movie when I get to the reread of the book...)

Instead of doing a traditional review, I thought I would just give you some of my reread thoughts.  Things I noticed, things I loved, quotes I like, etc.  And then I will have a mini review of movie vs. book for my Page to Screen Challenge.

Book fun:

• Favorite scene: Diagon Alley, you can just see the wondrous shops and Harry enchantment.  I love that moment!
• Favorite character: Hagrid.  He's just such a character in this book.  And I loved seeing him on the movie screen.
• Favorite expressions: "Gulpin' gargoyles" (Hagrid), "Load of old tosh" (Uncle Vernon), "Codswallop" (Hagrid), "All right, keep your hair on" (Fred), "Nitwit! Blubber! Oddment! Tweak" (Dumbledore)
• Didn't notice (or didn't pay attention) to the fact that Hagrid borrowed the motorcycle at the beginning from Sirius Black! I probably thought it was just another name when I read the first time.
• I feet sorry for Petunia Dursley.  As nasty as she is, I can't help that think that everything she's done has been because she's jealous of Lily.  Maybe if she had more love, or acceptance, or a talent than she wouldn't have turned out so urgh!
• How much foreshadowing is there when we meet Professor Quirrell?  Good graciousness!  And that story that he met a vampire... yeah he met a vampire, named Voldemort!
• The password for the Gryffindor tower was "pig snout." Awesome!!!
• I almost feel sorry for Professor Quirrell at the end.  Almost, but not quite...

Favorite quotes:

• "Couldn't make us a cup o' tea, could yeh? It's not been an easy journey..."  -- Hagrid's entrance (pg. 47)
• "I think we must expect great things from you, Mr. Potter.... After all, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named did great things--terrible, yes, but great." -- Mr. Ollivander (pg. 85)
• "Professor Dumbledore enjoys chamber music and tenpin bowling" -- back of chocolate frog card (pg. 103)
• "Troll--in the dungeons--thought you out to know." -- Professor Quirrell (pg. 172)
• "You haven't got a letter on yours," George observed.  "I suppose she thinks you don't forget your name.  But we're not stupid--we know we're called Gred and Forge." (pg. 202)
• "The truth." Dumbledore sighed. "It is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution." (pg. 298)

Movie fun:

Overall, I just adore this movie.  It's the closest movie to book transition.  It brings the world to life.  Much lighter than the later movies, but the first book is much lighter anyway.  The set pieces are just amazing.  I couldn't have pictured Hogwarts better in my mind.  And the icing on the cake: the final lines of the movie about Harry not going home, not really.  So much better than the ending of the book.  Kudos to the film makers.

My favorite scenes:

• Diagon Alley -- All the shops!  All the things!  The introduction of all the wizards in the background.  Such detail!
• Sorting ceremony -- All those kids!  All those nervous, excited kids!  And the way that the sorting hat talks to Harry is priceless!
• Christmas at Hogwarts -- It's just too pretty.

Things I wished to see, but didn't:

• More scenes with the ghosts.  They severely underused the genius that is John Cleese in the movie!  The ghosts are great; the little intrigues and mysteries are so much fun.  And Peeves should have at least made an extended appearance.
• Charlie and the escape of Norbert the dragon.
• Snape's logic puzzle after the chess match -- really showed Hermione's intellect