Temporary Absence!

I feel like I have abandoned my blog!  I really haven't, but this week has made me feel like it.  The reason... I got a job.  Yes!  Finally!  My goodness took me long enough!  I got a job and started this Monday.  My constant presence on the internet and more specifically FB and my blog has dwindled to 20 minutes (maybe) a day.  And that has made me feel like I've abandoned my blog...  As I've settled into my new schedule/routine/tasks, I have gotten more comfortable with my job.  I should be able to get back to my participation in the blogging world very soon.  Never fear, I am not abandoning my blog.

 

P.S. I absolutely love my job and will be talking about it more in the future.

Top Ten Tuesday - Books to Reread

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. If you can't come up with ten, don't worry about it---post as many as you can!

So many good books, but really I only reread the really really good ones.  There are a few on my shelf...

1. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley -- My favorite dystopian novel.  I still haven't decided if I'm okay with the society or if I want to collapse.

2. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams -- Always a good one to reread.  In fact, I should reread this every year.

3. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon -- Need to reread so I can read the rest of the series.  Plus, it is amazing.

4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald -- A high school favorite.  It's on my list to reread soon.

5. The Fables Series -- Just love it!

6. All of Jane Austen -- Duh!  Have you read my blog?  I love JA!

7. Shakespeare -- Always something more to get out of the Bard.

8. Harry Potter series -- Always good to refresh.

9. Autumn by David Moody -- Very scary zombie book.  Must read again.

10.  The Host by Stephenie Meyer -- I like this better than the Twilight series.  Been meaning to reread it.

Music Monday -- Snow Patrol "Set Fire to the Third Bar"

I just adore Snow Patrol.  Though the new album just doesn't hit the same spot as the old ones.  This is by far my favorite song by them.  I love the slow build.  I love the women's voice.  It's just beautiful.  According to Wikipedia,

The song is about a long distance relationshipand its lyrics talk of a couple involved in one  and their longing to be together again. After their long journey to meet each they would settle down in front of an electric bar fireand enjoy being together and warm

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

I find the map and draw a straight line Over rivers, farms, and state lines The distance from 'A' to where you'd be It's only finger-lengths that I see I touch the place where I'd find your face My finger in creases of distant dark places

I hang my coat up in the first bar There is no peace that I've found so far The laughter penetrates my silence As drunken men find flaws in science

Their words mostly noisesGhosts with just voicesYour words in my memoryAre like music to me

I'm miles from where you are, I lay down on the cold ground I, I pray that something picks me up And sets me down in your warm arms

After I have travelled so far We'd set the fire to the third bar We'd share each other like an island Until exhausted, close our eyelids And dreaming, pick up from The last place we left off Your soft skin is weeping A joy you can't keep in

I'm miles from where you are, I lay down on the cold ground And I, I pray that something picks me up and sets me down in your warm arms

I'm miles from where you are, I lay down on the cold ground and I, I pray that something picks me up and sets me down in your warm arms 

A to Z Movies: Underworld

Title: Underworld

Year Released/Rating: 2003 R

Starring: Kate Beckinsale, Scott Speedman, Bill Nighy, Michael Sheen

Directed By: Len Wiseman

Written By: Len Wiseman, Kevin Grevioux, Danny McBride

Star Rating:  4 /5 stars

Trivia: The name of the city where the film took place is never mentioned. However Michael's address that we can see on Selene's computer is an apparently misspelled Hungarian address (it should be "Lakatos József u. 39." while it is spelled as "Laktos Joszef 39 ut." instead). You can also read "Eötvös utca", a street in the historical downtown of Budapest, many times while driving by to the secret interrogation place and there is an ad in the subway station where the shooting takes place in the beginning of the movie referring to Szentendre which is a small town near Budapest (obviously left there as non-Hungarian viewers don't understand the text anyway).

Some cheesy action fun for the the night.  I love cheesy action films.  There's always a place for cheese.  Kate Beckinsale holds her serious death dealer vampire role well.  But really it's Bill Nighy that steals the show.  I just love him in anything.  Too funny! In a cheesy fun kind of way.

Best Bits: 

[Adam is trying to verify Michael's story of what happened to him]

Dr. Adam Lockwood: A full-grown man bit you?

[Michael shows him the wound]

Dr. Adam Lockwood: Sure it wasn't a dog?

Michael Corvin: [angrily] I said it was a man.

~~

Viktor: Your incompetence is becoming most... *taxing*.

~~

Kahn: [Selene shoots, rather aggressively, at a statue head, when Kahn walks in] I sure hope you never get p.o.'d at me.

~~

Lucian: The vampires didn't realise you were following a human, did they, Raze?

Raze: No.

[He groans as Singe yanks another shuriken out of his chest]

Raze: I mean... I don't think so.

Lucian: You don't think or you don't know?

Raze: I'm not sure.

~~

Viktor: What's... this... *ruckus*?

~~

Selene: We have a serious problem.

The Walking Dead: Book Two

Title: The Walking Dead: Book Two

Author: Robert Kirkman

Publisher: Image Comics 2007

Genre: Graphic Novel; Zombies

Pages: 304

Rating:  5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novels

How I Got It: borrowed from library

This hardcover features issues #13-24 of the hit series along with the covers for each of the issues, all in one oversized hardcover volume. Continuing the tale of Rick Grimes and his band of survivors from the zombie apocalypse that has ravaged the world.

This series just keeps getting darker and darker, and I absolutely love it!  Once again, I was struck by the black and white drawings.  One would think that they wouldn't be enough for a scary zombie story.  Yet they convey the stark world the survivors now live in.  We aren't focused on the zombie but on the desperate reality of the situation.  I love that.  The characters are wonderful.  We meet some new characters in the prison.  We lose some characters.  I won't say who, but you know that people are going to die.  It's the zombie apocalypse for goodness sakes.  However, I was surprised at how many we lost in this book.  It was quite starling.  Overall it continues this feeling of uneasy.  We never know who is going to die next.  The Walking Dead is definitely not a predictable story.  I can't wait to see what's in store for the next book...

A to Z Movies: Tropic Thunder

Title: Tropic Thunder

Year Released/Rating: 2008 R

Starring: Ben Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Jack Black and so many many others

Directed By: Ben Stiller

Written By: Justin Theroux, Ben Stiller, and Etan Cohen

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Trivia: Like his character, Kirk Lazarus, Robert Downey Jr. is a method actor and stayed in character as Sgt. Osiris/Lazarus even while cameras weren't rolling.  Robert Downey Jr. was very reluctant to take the role because he felt wearing the make-up to look African-American was offensive. But Downey later accepted the role because he liked the script and wanted to work with Ben Stiller and Jack Black.

Extra Trivia: The water buffalo that Jack Black's character rides was discovered to have been pregnant when the cast and crew came back to the set one morning and found her nursing a newborn calf.

This movie has so many awesome people in it.  How could it not be amazing?  I just love this movie so much.  It has all the awkward moments, outrageous comedy, and Steve Coogan!  The plot is utterly ridiculous.  Yet somehow it works so well.  So far, Ben Stiller started writing this movie over 10 years ago.  I just love the interaction between all the characters.

Best Bits: 

Kirk Lazarus: I don't read the script. The script reads me.

~~

[Tugg has just killed a panda]

Tugg Speedman: I killed one, Rick... the thing I love most in the world. Rick Peck: A hooker. Oh Jesus, you killed a hooker!

~~

Kirk Lazarus: Same thing happened to me when I played Neil Armstrong in Moonshot. They found me in an alley in Burbank trying to re-enter the earth's atmosphere in an old refrigerator box.

~~

Alpa Chino: That's the theme song for the Jeffersons!

Kirk Lazarus: Man, just cause it's a theme song don't make it not true.

~~

Tugg Speedman: The dudes are emerging...

Kirk Lazarus: [in black voice] He's right, you know? I'm NOT Sergeant Lincoln Osiris...

[rips off fake hair to reveal blonde hair]

Kirk Lazarus: [in Irish accent while taking fake sideburns off] ... nor am I Father O'Mallie...

Kirk Lazarus: [in low growl voice, while removing fake beard] ... or Neil Armstrong...

[Removes contact lenses to reveal blue eyes underneath]

Kirk Lazarus: [in natural Australian accent] I... I think I might be nobody.

Kevin Sandusky: Wow! The insecurity level with you guys is ridiculous! ~~

Kevin Sandusky: Don't drink that water! That water's like a petri dish! Alpa, do you have any Booty Sweat?

Meals a la Tobe! #8

Sunday

-- Leftovers

Monday

-- Boston Market

Tuesday

-- Fish Tacos

-- Red beans and rice

Wednesday

-- Jimmy John's (We were both working on projects and by the time I realized I was hungry, it was too late to cook.)

Thursday

-- Sloppy Joe's

-- Mac and Cheese

Friday

-- Dinner at a friend's house

Saturday

-- J had a last minute meeting, so I had leftover sloppy joe's.

Week summary/comments: Wow!  I made it an entire week by only cooking twice.  I swear this was not intentional.  Things just came up.  Plus we had dinner at a friend's on Friday night.  I really have to spend some time tonight planning dinner for this upcoming week because I start my job tomorrow!  It's going to be a hectic week...  Hopefully I get some good recipes.

Day Zero Project: Week 1 Update

Instead of daily posts, I thought it would be a lot easier for me and you if I did weekly update posts.  These will track my progress each week.  I will highlight what I've done, what I want to do, and any interesting tidbits.  Sometimes I'll add pictures and/or links.  Hopefully these posts will keep me accountable to my list...

What I Did This Week

22. Keep a journal for this project -- Obviously an ongoing goal. I got a beautiful black soft cover journal to use.  I am determined to journal at least a bit each day.

6. See all of IMDB's Top 250 movies (2/250)

• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind -- Adore Miyazaki films and this one was stunning.  Not Howl's Moving Castle stunning, but still pretty amazing.
• Star Trek (2009) -- Read my review

11. Watch 10 foreign films (1/10)

• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind (Japanese)

15. See 101 new movies (2/101)

• Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind
• Super

17. Write a letter to myself to be opened at the end of 1001 days -- A weird letter to write, but I did it.  Left myself a little note at the beginning of the journal to revisit at the end of the time period.

19. Blog 1001 times (13/1001)

32. Read my height in books -- This week's height:  4.5 in So far: 4.5 in

66. Save $5 for every task completed -- $15 this week

67. Sell something on eBay -- Sold a few collectable dolls, collectable plates, and a Vera Bradley purse.  Feeling glad to make a bit of money and get rid of stuff laying around.

55. Try 30 new recipes (1/30) -- Fish tacos with red beans and rice (see Weekly Meal Plan #8)

64. Get a piggy bank --  a pretty shiny silver one!

31. Finish 30 reading challenges (1/30) -- Summer Romance Reading Challenge Finished

What I Plan to Do Next Week

Obviously I am going to continue all the ongoing goals listed above.  More movies, journaling, and reading... heaven!  I also want to start finalizing the monthly goals so I can have a plan.  I always feel beter if I have a good game plan.

Monthly Goal

None -- I wanted a breather month to organize and plan.  I do love my lists!

Overall Progress

3 / 101

Summer Romance Reading Challenge -- Finished!

Timeline: 1st June 2011 ~ 30th Sept 2011. Only books started on June 1st count towards this challenge.

Details:

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. 4 months, 8 books - that's doable, right? Or if you want to push yourself further, double it to 16!!

3. Any book format counts except audiobooks.

5. The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

6. If you decide to participate in this challenge with me, please use the link I have set up below with the button to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun. Also, be sure to create a post telling others with a link back to this post so others can join in.

Romance Sub-Genres:

• Historical Romance

• Paranormal Romance

• Science Fiction Romance

• Contemporary Romance

• Romantic Suspense

• Western Romance

• Fantasy Romance

• GLBT Romance

To be completely honest, I didn't think I was going to finished this one.  I zoomed through the Historical Romance category.  I enjoyed the Paranormal Romance category.  But Comtemporary Romance just stumped me.  I picked up so many and then pratcically threw them down in disgust.  There's so much crap being touted as Contemporary Romance.  I need a good storyline, good characters, and yes, good romance.  But all three must be present.  Finally, I found a few books I really liked.  Yeah me!  I finished another reading challenge!  The following were the books I eventually settled upon.

Historical Romance

1. The Lightkeeper’s Ball – Colleen Coble (8/22/11)

2. The Outlaw’s Bride – Catherine Palmer (6/20/11)

3. A Matter of Class – Mary Balogh (7/12/11)

4. My Lord Scandal – Emma Wildes (7/20/11)

5. One Wicked Mistake – Emma Wildes (7/22/11)

6. His Sinful Secret – Emma Wildes (7/24/11)

7. Lessons from a Scarlet Lady – Emma Wildes (8/4/11)

8. At the King’s Command – Susan Wiggs (8/13/11)

Paranormal Romance

1. Faeries Gone Wild (6/7/11)

2. Kiss Me Deadly: 13 Tales of Paranormal Romance (8/6/11)

3. Tall, Dark, and Dead – Tate Hallaway (8/8/11)

4. The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (8/26/11)

5. Warrior – Zoe Archer (9/4/11)

6. Scoundrel – Zoe Archer (9/8/11)

7. Rebel – Zoe Archer (9/13/11)

8. Stranger – Zoe Archer (9/18/11)

Contemporary Romance

1. Lucky Girl – Cate Lord (8/23/11)

2. Men in Kilts – Katie MacAlister (8/24/11)

3. Perfect Timing – Jill Mansell (8/27/11)

4. Miranda’s Big Mistake – Jill Mansell (8/28/11)

5. The Two Lives of Miss Charlotte Merryweather – Alexandra Potter (8/30/11)

6. Just a Little White Lie – Lynnette Hallberg (9/18/11)

7. The Jane Austen Book Club – Karen Joy Fowler (9/20/11)

8. Staying at Daisy’s – Jill Mansell (9/23/11)

Staying at Daisy's by Jill Mansell

Title: Staying at Daisy's

Author: Jill Mansell

Publisher: Sourcebooks 2011

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 497

Rating:    5 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary

How I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Love and laughter prevail in this charming chick lit romp. Daisy MacLean is the manager of Colworth Manor, a beautiful county hotel. In the year since her cheating husband was killed in a car accident, she's been purposefully single. She doesn't trust handsome and charming men, so former rugby star Dev Tyzack clearly doesn't stand a chance with her, and the two initially grate on each other—but they can't deny their increasing attraction. Unfortunately, Daisy's past is getting in the way of her future, in more ways than one. With a madcap crew of characters, including unlucky-in-love chambermaid Tara and Daisy's gregarious father, this screwball romantic comedy piles on the humor and humanity for a clever, absorbing, and very enjoyable read.

I have finally found a contemporary romance author that I love!  Mansell has all he beautiful zany characters and storylines that keep me entertained.  Sure, sometimes they're predictable, but they're still fun to read.  I haven't come across a main character that I hate.  I love all of them.  They're all so much fun.  (Wow I think I'm done saying fun, but it's all true).

A definite must read for fans of smart romance and good characters.  I want to live in one of Mansell's novels!

A to Z Movies: Star Trek

Title: Star Trek

Year Released/Rating: 2009 PG-13

Starring: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Simon Pegg, Leonard Nimoy

Directed By: J.J. Abrams

Written By: Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman, and Gene Roddenberry

Star Rating:  4/5 stars

Trivia: The film's teaser trailer (welders working on the half-built Enterprise starship, amidst narration from U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Leonard Nimoy's Mr Spock) was personally directed by J.J. Abrams. Real welders were brought in to film the trailer. The words of Spock and Kennedy were taken from the 1960s (the decade where Star Trek began) and thus linked past and present, enhancing the film (as well as hinting at the time-travel). According to Roberto Orci, Kennedy's words were also chosen as he was the one who started the "space race," and so would be appropriate for a space film: "If we're going to have a Federation, it makes sense for Kennedy and his words to be in there."

Extra Trivia: To prepare for his role as Captain James Kirk, Chris Pine watched classic episodes and read encyclopedias about the Star Trek universe. However, his research was rudimentary, as he wanted his performance to be original and not an imitation of William Shatner. He based his performance on Tom Cruise's Maverick and Harrison Ford's Han Solo and Indiana Jones, heroes who Pine felt possessed the archetypal hero qualities Kirk has (humour, arrogance, decisiveness).

Once again we skipped Q for the next letter.  And this time we went for action.  I love J.J. Abram's re-imagination of the Star Trek universe.  It's fresh without compromising the original tv show and movies.  I especially love Chris Pine's Kirk.  He plays it as that arrogant bastard that somehow you still like.  It's a perfect fit.  I also love the little nods here and there to the original.  It has a nice nostalgic nod.  As much as I like this one, I am concerned about the sequel being planned.  J.J. Abrams doesn't have the best track record when it comes to continuations  He has great ideas, but then makes the show more complicated and confusing.  Hopefully he has good people to help guide the sequel.

P.S. This also appears on IMDB's Top 250 movies list.  So it's counting for my Day Zero Project also.

Best Bits:

Christopher Pike: I'm Captain Christopher Pike. To whom am I speaking? Nero: Hi, Christopher. I'm Nero. ~~

James T. Kirk: So what type of combat training do you have?

Hikaru Sulu: Fencing.

~~ Spock volunteers for what could be a suicide mission] I'm coming with you. Spock: I would cite regulation, but I know you will simply ignore it. James T. Kirk: See? We are getting to know each other. James T. Kirk: [slaps his shoulder] ~~ Christopher Pike: Russian whizkid, what's your name? Chanko? Cherpov? Pavel Chekov: Ensign Chekov, Pavel Andreievich, sir. ~~ Christopher Pike: Be careful with the ship Spock, it's brand new... ~~ Spock: Under penalty of court martial, I order you to explain to me how you were able to beam aboard this ship while moving at warp. Scotty: Well... James T. Kirk: Don't answer him. Spock: You will answer me. Scotty: [pause] I'd rather not take sides. ~~ Spock: Get him off this ship.

Card Making Fun!

I went to my first official class as member of the Bellevue Stampers!  I am so excited about being a part of the club.  We have a nice small group of six people and everyone is so nice.  They might be a bit older than me, but they're lovely ladies.   This week we made another three cards. First up was a pretty fallish card with falling leaves.  I am so bad when it comes to ideas that I didn't even think of using a simple stencil to make the circles of colors.  It's such a nice, clean design.  I'm thinking about using this idea for Christmas cards (ornaments?).  Second, we made a cute Halloween card.  Unfortunately, I don't send cards for Halloween (or haven't in the past), so I don't know if I'll be making this again.  But I do like the layering of paper and patterns.  You can't really tell from the photo, but the black paper is embossed with a spider web.  Very cute effect up close.  Finally, we tackled our technic card.  The background card is embossed with grass.  The white piece was then embossed clear with a grass and butterfly stamp.  We then mixed ink into a swirly design in a layer of shaving cream, plopped the card facedown, and then wiped the excess off.  Of all the cards, mine had the darkest colors.  But I love it all the more for it!  It created a beautiful tie dye pattern under the grass and butterfly.  To finish we add a vellum punched out butterfly with small beads.  I love this card!  We all remarked that while it was messy to do one, we could fill a shallow baking sheet with shaving cream and do many at one time.  This card could work well for birthdays, sympathy, Mother's Day, thank yous, or get well.  I love how versatile it is.

I made my first order through Stampin' Up.  It's due to arrive sometime early next week.  I'm thinking that I should start thinking about Christmas cards.  What colors do I want?  Any particular stamps/designs I want?  What about techniques?  So many possibilities...

BTT: In Public

Do you carry books with you when you’re out and about in the world?

And, do you ever try to hide the covers?

As J can attest (and he thinks I'm crazy), I carry a book with me every where I go.  Part of my purse buying requirements is that it has to be big enough for a trade paperback.  I have a few "special occasion" purses that don't meet my requirement, but every other one does.  I have to have my book.  I feel naked without my book.  I read everywhere.  There's always that moment when you get stuck waiting for something and then panic sets in.  What am I going to do?  Never fear!  I have a book to read!

As to the covers, I don't usually try to hide the covers.  But I am slightly embarrassed by the ridiculous romance covers I see.  I read romance, I like a little escapism now and again.  But do they have to be the most awful covers?  I don't think it's necessary.  Laura over at Book Chick City published a great little rant about romance covers today.  Read it Here.  I completely agree with her on every point.  I don't hide them but I do wish they were better looking...

A to Z Movies: Role Models

Title: Role Models

Year Released/Rating: 2008 R

Starring: Paul Rudd, Sean Williams Scott, Elizabeth Banks, Christopher Mintz-Plasse

Directed By: David Wain

Written By: Paul Rudd, David Wain, Ken Marino, Timothy Dowling

Star Rating:  5/5 stars

Trivia: Before Danny proposes, Wheeler tells him that they have to be at Blue Valley Middle School. Blue Valley is the name of the actual middle school that Paul Rudd attended in Overland Park, Kansas.

I can't believe that I haven't watched this movie in years.  OMG!  I just love Paul Rudd.  I will watch him in anything.  And I do mean anything.  Every line he speaks is sarcastic, whether or not he means it.  It's just a beautiful thing!  And all the minor side characters are just a treat.  It makes for a great awkward moment.

PS. The creepiest scene in any movie = dinner at Chipmunk Charlie's

Best Bits: 

[from trailer] Ronnie Shields: Suck it, "Reindeer Games"! Danny: I'm not Ben Affleck. Ronnie Shields: You white, then you Ben Affleck. Wheeler: You *are* white. Danny: That's true, I am white.

Gayle Sweeny: Watch your language, Ronnie. Ronnie Shields: My language is English and this mother fucker tried to grab my junk.

Gayle Sweeny: You know what I used to have for breakfast? Cocaine. Know what I had for lunch? Cocaine. Wheeler: What did you have for dinner? Danny: Was it cocaine?

Gayle Sweeny: [Appropriately hugging Martin] *This* is a perfectly acceptable hug between a little and a big. [Hugging him from behind] Gayle Sweeny: *This* is not. Wheeler: Well, obviously we're not supposed to buttfuck these kids.

Gayle Sweeny: Well, well, well. If it isn't Mr. Bullshit and Dr. I'm-full-of-shit? Wheeler: In what way are we full of shit? Danny: Which one of us has the Ph.D?

Danny: No, I like to rock n' roll all night and *part* of every day. I usually have errands... I can only rock from like 1-3.

Gayle Sweeny: I know why you are here, so don't BS a BSer, Ok? Your "Presence" here, court ordered. Danny: Why did you put presence in quotes? Are you implying that we aren't here?

The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

Title: The Jane Austen Book Club

Author: Karen Joy Fowler

Publisher: Plume 2005

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Pages: 288

Rating:   4/5 stars   Movie: 4/5

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary; Page to Screen

How I Got It: I own it!

This is one of those books that I have tried not to read.  I was afraid that it would take my beloved Jane Austen and butcher her stories.  I was afraid it would try to be clever, but fail miserably.  For some reason, I eventually picked this up on clearance.  And I'm pleasantly surprised.  This book is more about the themes of Austen's books and how they connect to these characters' lives.  I loved  how the book was set-up.  Each month the book club meets at one of the character's houses and discusses one of the books.  Each chapter we get a person's life story and how it relates to the themes of the books.  I love the focus on themes and opinions rather than trying to recreate the stories.  And so, I ended up liking this book way more than I thought I would.

Specifically, I loved Bernadette's story.  Her unconventional life was a real treat to read.  Jocelyn and Sylvia's stories of marriage just didn't connect to me.  But Bernadette's was fun to read.  Grigg seemed like a side character with no much to really learn from him.  Allegra made me mad.  Her anger and constant pessimism really got to me.  And her treatment of Sylvia was just wrong.  Prudie's story was interesting, but then her mother died.  It seemed like after that she disappeared.  Her character comes back from the funeral, but we don't get any deep exploration of what happened and what's going to happen.  I would have liked to hear more from her, but alas none.  So some stories I liked and some not.  But overall, it was an interesting book.

Movie

Disclaimer: I saw the movie before reading the book.  While reading the book, I tried to completely block out the movie.  I did a fairly decent job of it.

In some ways, I liked the movie more.  In this case, the movie focused on less the connection to the books and more on the characters themselves.  I thought the movie did a good job at interspersing the stories with the current action and book discussions.  I especially loved the little shots of each character reading the books.  I love the atmospheric shots.  Very nice.  As to the characters:

• Allegra -- Still annoying and still my least favorite.  She is completely self-centered.
• Prudie -- She irritating, as she should be, but I still do like her character.  I feel sorry for her messed up existence.  I thought the inclusion of the affair with the student makes a lot of sense for her character.
• Sylvia -- The movie makes her more sympathetic to me.  She's much more of  a real person in the movie.
• Jocelyn -- If anything, the movie makes me like her less.  She's self-centered and oblivious, but she is caring deep down.
• Bernadette -- Less crazy than the book, and I love her more for it.  She's definitely my favorite character.
• Grigg -- Much more attractive (in every way) than the book.  He seemed like a caricature, but becomes a much more developed character in the movie.

Overall, I really like the book and the movie.  Big surprise to me!

A to Z Movies: Pleasantville

Title: Pleasantville

Year Released/Rating: 1998 PG-13

Starring: Tobey Maguire, Reese Witherspoon, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen

Directed By: Gary Ross

Written By: Gary Ross

Star Rating:   5/5 stars

Trivia: The Native American in the test pattern behind Don Knotts changes to angry and then sad as the movie progresses.

Extra Trivia: For the sequence where Bud is applying the gray makeup to his mother, the color of the makeup was actually green. When they had to "black-and-white" the scene, the shades of green came out the best for the appropriate shades of her "gray" make-up. Conversely, when Betty first visits the soda shop, she is in full gray makeup which meant that Joan Allen was shot wearing full green make-up that is subsequently removed by Bill Johnson (Jeff Daniels).

This movie is just beautiful.  I love the story, the characters, the dialogue, the colors.  It's just an amazing movie.  I love every scene.  And I forgot how much I loved this one until J picked it for tonight's movie.  Now I remember.  And I'm so glad I did remember.

Best Bits: 

David: They're happy like this. Jennifer: No, David. Nobody's happy in a poodle skirt and a sweater set.

~~

Jennifer: [looking at boobs in mirror] I could, like, kill a guy with these things.

~~

Skip: I don't know if I ever told you this before, but I think you're just about the keenest girl in the whole school!

Jennifer: Oh, really Skip? The keenest?

~~

Jennifer: This place gives me the creeps! Did you know that the books are blank?

David: What? Jennifer: Yeah, I was in the library and I looked, and they have covers and there's nothing inside of them. David: What were you doing in a library? Jennifer: I got lost.

~~

Jennifer: Look at me! I'm pasty!

~~

[Pleasantville's first-ever rainstorm]

Big Bob: Well, we're safe for now. Thank goodness we're in a bowling alley.

Top Ten Tuesday - Books Everyone Has Read But Me

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. If you can't come up with ten, don't worry about it---post as many as you can!

There's so many books out there I want to read.  But there are definitely a few that everyone has read and I just haven't gotten to them.  Sometimes it's because I have issues with waiting between books in a series.  I want the whole series with me before I dive in.  I know crazy, but I just have waiting problems.  Then, there are those books that I want to read, but somehow I haven't gotten to them yet.

1. The Hunger Games -- Have The Hunger Games, but can't justify paying hardcover prices for the other two.  Until I find them or somehow get them from the library (crazy long hold list), I will have to wait.  Hopefully I can get to them before the movie comes out.  I really want to see it, but can't do that without reading the books first.  Such a dilemma.

2. Girl with the Dragon Tattoo -- I must admit that I don't have a huge interest in these, but they've gotten some much press that I feel like I should read them...

3. Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger -- I finally found the 4th book in the series at the Borders closing sale.  I have them up to read before the year is out.  I know there's a 5th coming, but I figure I could possibly wait a few months for that one.

4. Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost -- Almost found all of these on clearance at Half Price Books.  Waiting on an opening in my reading schedule to throw these in.  I've heard so many good things, I have to read soon.

5. Shiver/Linger/Fever by Maggie Stiefvater -- Intriguing and such beautfil covers.  I don't have any of these, so it'll be awhile.  But they're definitely on my list.

6. A Game of Thrones by George Martin -- The tv series was amazing.  I need to read these.  However I don't have any of these and they're so dang long.  This is will be a challenge.

7. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffennegger -- It's been on my shelf for probably two years.  And yet, still it sits.  I have really wanted to read this one.

8. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare -- So intrigued...

9. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead -- Another that fell onto my radar this year.  Everyone seems to love them and I haven't read a single one.

Just a Little White Lie by Lynnette Hallberg

Title: Just a Little White Lie

Author: Lynnette Hallberg

Publisher: Carina Press 2011 (e-book only)

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 194

Rating:   3 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Summer Romance - Contemporary

How I Got It: Net Galley from Carina Press

Lucinda Darling thinks she's ready to get married. Even though Donald doesn't give her butterflies, the heiress is ready to make her marriage work. She's got the dress, she's at the church and her fiancé…is making out with his ex. So Lucinda stuffs her tulle skirts into her tiny sports car and hits the road…only to have her car break down.

Jake Parker knows he's not ready to settle down. But Grandma Hattie is sick, so, to make her happy, he's returning home to find himself a fake fiancée. When Jake rescues Lucy from the side of the highway, she goes from runaway bride to temporary fiancée.

Lucy hopes to escape the public eye in small-town Georgia, but she doesn't expect to fall for Jake's charming hometown, let alone Jake himself. Soon Jake and Lucy both start to wish their lie were true. But Lucy knows she must stop their pretense before Jake's family—and her heart—are hurt so badly they'll never recover.

My first thoughts: cute but not great.  A light-hearted romance complete with plot coincidences and sped up time.  I like the main characters: Lucinda has spunk, Jake is a great man's man.  But the other characters fell flat.  We get the two-timing fiance, the desperate ex-girlfriend, the overprotective sister, and the misunderstanding fathers.  I just didn't get the point of the other characters.  They felt like more plot devices than real people.  And all the plot coincidences just made me want to scream.

Rereading my first paragraph, the answer has come to me.  I know why I didn't like this book: it didn't feel like there was any real development.  Everything was rushed.  It was only 194 pages (according to my iPad), but this story could have been 400 pages.  I think 400 pages would have given us enough time to really get to know the characters (both main and side) and the "falling desperately in love" in 4 days wouldn't have been an issue.  Contrived romances just rub me the wrong way.  I liked the idea of the story and the main characters, but this book left me wanting more.

Jack of Fables: The Bad Prince by Bill Willingham

Title: Jack of Fables Vol 3: The Bad Prince

Author: Bill Willingham

Publisher: Vertigo 2008

Genre: Graphic Novel; Fantasy

Pages: 128

Rating:  4 / 5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fables Series; A to Z Titles: J

No sooner have Jack and Gary escaped Lady Luck (see Jack of Hearts) than the Librarians of Golden Boughs recapture them for return to Mr. Revise. Worse still, they’re reunited with Wicked John, the fellow Fable who resembles Jack. An argument ensues, and after a mini-van crash at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, the adventures really begin. Willingham and company are in top form (artist Andrew Robinson’s work on the final chapter is outstanding), so Jack and the crew are witty and snarky as ever, even in what is basically an interlude explaining histories and telling secrets. --Tina Coleman

Another win.  Honestly I don't think any of the Fables series volumes are going to score lower than 4 stars.  I just love them and this one is no exception.  After the incident at Golden Boughs, I thought Wicked John would play a bigger role in a future volume.  I am glad to see the snarky Wicked John make a repeat appearance.  We get to see more of Jack's history and his current mistakes.  I really love see how he screws up these situations.  Just love it.  And the Pathetic Fallacy (aka Gary)!  I knew there was more than meets the eye.  I just love that they've explained more about the entire Storytime world and how the Fables interact with it.  Big reveals in this volume!  And the next one looks just as good.

Jack of Fables:

1. The (Nearly) Great Escape
2. Jack of Hearts
3. The Bad Prince
4. Americana
5. Turning Pages
6. The Big Book of War
7. The New Adventures of Jack and Jack
8. The Fulminate Blade
9. The End

Music Monday -- Eve 6 "Open Road Song"

An oldie from my high school days.  I loved, loved, loved Eve 6 songs.  And every time I hear one on the radio (satellite radio is awesome!) or my big iTunes shuffle, I have to sing along.  It's a necessity.  This song reminds me of summer every time I hear it.  I want to jump in my "pile" and head off with no direction or purpose.  I want to feel the wind in my hair.  I want to sing along at the top of my lungs.  Summer's ending.  I have to get in a few more open window drives before the cold becomes too much. And I really think that my pile starts to shake at 80!

Lyrics (my favorite lines in bold):

Tonight, I feel ambitious and so does my foot As it sicks on the pedal, I press it to the floor I don't need a girl, don't need a friend 'cause My friend 'Lonesome's' unconditional, we're flying forever bored

For a moment I love everything that I see and think and feel I love my broken side view mirror 'Cause it's so perfect, I'm so perfect, you're so perfect, you're not here I hear the change in gears

My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road This is an open road song

The night is beckoning Although I have nowhere to go but home, feels good to be alone With every turn comes a new frame of mind If I could frame my mind, where would it hang?

My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road This is an open road song

I crack a window and feel the cool air cleanse my every poreAs I pour my poor heart out to a radio songThat's patient and willing to listenMy volume drowns it out

Ya, but that's okay 'cause I sound better than him anyway, any day Ya, my voice is sweet as salt I search for comfort and I find it where I found it many times before Times before it could be forgotten, yeah

My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road My pile shakes as I hit 80 on the open road This is an open road song

An acoustic bonus for you: