Top Ten Tuesday: Classic life Lessons

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP TEN THINGS TO LEARN FROM THE CLASSICS  

Don't you just love classic movies. Thanks to Netflix, I've been catching up on old times and learning in the process.

Lesson 1: "You don't know what you have until you idiotically get rid of it."

Sunrise by F.W. Murnau (1927)

A bored married man is convinced by his mistress to kill his wife, but when he takes her on a boat to her doom,  he realizes all she wanted was some attention and falls in love with her all over again. Now -- if he could only deal with that mistress...

Lesson 2: "Sometimes the people we count on the most are the first to run away at a sign of trouble."

High Noon by Fred Zinnemann (1952)

Cooper just retired from his sherif post and is on his way to his honeymoon when a bad guy comes back for revenge. Sadly, no one in town is willing to fight him so Cooper must reclaim his post. Talk about proper ethics.

Lesson 3: "We must always be ready for a close-up."

Sunset Boulevard by Billy Wilder (1950)

In today's times when everyone is taking pictures in day-to-day locations, one must always be ready for the camera flash. Norma Desmond would be ecstatic and definitely an instagram star.

Lesson 4: "First impressions aren't always right."

Singing in the Rain by Gene Kelly (1952)

Don and Kathy despised each other at first. And of course, there is the whole fiasco about who the real star of the movie was. 

Lesson 5: "There is no place like home."

The Wizard of Oz by Victor Fleming (1939)

Yup, even if you live in a dull black and white world where the neighbors are unfriendly. There is no place like home -- so don't waste your time crying about migrating to a warmer and sunnier climate. 

Lesson 6: "No one is immune to heartbreak."

Teorema by Pasolini (1968)

A whole family falls in bed with the same young man: the mother/father/daughter/son and even the maid. After sleeping with everyone, he says goodbye and leaves. We get to see how everyone deals with heartbreak. 

Lesson 7: "Never lower yourself for anyone."

Gilda by Charles Vidor (1946)

While angry, Johnny treats Gilda like a tramp so she decides to settle this matter by doing a striptease in front of all his casino clients. Oh, Gilda! 

Lesson 8: " Karma is a @!*#%"

Psycho by Alfred Hitchcock (1960)

When you least expect it, Karma will be there. Make sure the bad deeds are worth it. 

Lesson 9: "Don't accept strange gifts."

The Exorcist by Friedkin (1973)

Seriously, follow your instincts. Also, a Ouija might not be the best board game out there. You are better off playing Uno.

Lesson 10: " If you spoil your children, you'll all suffer at the end."

Mildred Pierce by Michael Curtiz (1945)

I don't personally believe in spanking, but oh, that Veda!! She deserved worse, like a terrible summer cleaning up the gum wall in downtown Seattle.

Review: City of Lost Souls

City of Lost Souls marks the fifth book in The Mortal Instruments series. The same to hit the screen last year with Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower. This time, Jace finds himself attached to Sebastian by the evil Lilith -- whose spell is so strong that if one suffers so does the other. Now that Sebastian plans to raise a war against the clave, Clary will have no choice but to defend both sides and protect her love.

It's quite impressive to watch Cassandra Clare maintain the tension and intrigue all the way into book 5. She does this swiftly, filling the gaps with Simon's woes of his estranged relationship to his mother, and Alec's unease with his boyfriend's immortality. Most importantly, the story didn't feel exaggerated in any way or prologued for the sake of word count.

Sadly, due to the unpopularity of the first film, the sequel has been postponed. Fans can at least rejoice that the books are now all in print and reread them at their own pleasure.

Feature and Follow Friday: Hands of Time

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: If you had a time machine where would you go?

I would travel back in time -- no doubt about that. As a good citizen of the world, I would stop pointless selfies, bad hair cuts. And cooks who don't wash their hands.


Here are a few books about time travelling you might enjoy:

Review: The Rules for Breaking

The crazy ones are always in for the long run.

Turns out the FBI had a mole in the crew, causing Anna (formerly known as Meg) and her family to live in chaos for the past years. But what are the odds the corrupt agent was working alone? This time around Anna and Ethan won't have to deal with family secrets and backstabbing foes. Instead, they are taken hostage, tortured, and dressed up...?

Sadly, this sequel to The Rules of Disappearing, doesn't stand to it's predecessor. Two thirds of the book are spent locked in vans and buildings, while Anna's sister, Teeny, is mostly there to launch her own spin-off. Elston did try to instill the family life through all the action by creating a plot line for Anna's mother -- and hence providing the novel with well-done emotional scenes.

A great addition for YA thriller fans.

Top Ten Tuesday: To define is to limit

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP FAVORITE CLASSICS

An odd thing about this week's topic, is that I'm currently reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time.So far so good, but it doesn't feel right to add it to my list just yet. 

Animal Farm

George Orwell

Don't trust a pig!! Guess that saying not only applies to relationships but farms as well.

Gone with the Wind

Margaret Mitchell

I so give a damn about this book. It is extremely long (used to be that way back then) but meaningful. 

Pollyanna

Eleanor H. Porter

Taught me to see life through a more positive light.  

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Oscar Wilde

My favorite classic by far. Dark and disturbing, should appeal to all who refuse to accept old age.

Which book made your list?

Review: The Book Thief

In Zusak's The Book Thief, Death narrates a story that changed him forever. It appears a little orphan girl, Liesel, triggered his humanity as he sees her adapt to an outspoken adoptive mother and a kiss prone neighbor, but also to the political changes in Germany, 1939, that leads the family to hide a young Jewish refugee.

Although, many have seen the talented cast in the film bring the well-adapted script to life, the book remains deeply poetic, and worth every page and tear. Liesel's struggle to fit into her new life, especially to learn how to read and write despite the insults from the other kids, was inspiring. She doesn't learn to prove them wrong -- she develops a love for books -- staying up late every night with her Papa studying words. Every character had their moment, including Rudy, who gets told off for painting himself with mud to look like his favorite runner only to receive a disappointing lesson on racism.

I leave you with the official movie trailer

Caught my arrow #35

Caught my Arrow is a meme similar to In my mailbox and  Stalking the Shelves featuring books that were purchased, borrowed or received that week.

It's Sports Week at BookCupid's house!! I'm counting the hours until the FiFa games take over again. Until then, I can always pass the time with some reading. 

Purchased

Catching Jordan

Received from Publisher

Riley Mae and the  Rock Shocker Trek

What are you reading this week?

Feature and Follow Friday: Shopping Ideas

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Post a photo of your favorite coffee mug (or mugs if you can't choose just one)

Tea aficionado with no artistic coffee mug?!? I'm in serious need of help. Keep seeing these around Chapters lately. The resemblance they share with Harry Potter's owl is appealing.

Review: Her Dark Curiosity

The past always comes back to haunt us.

Although, Juliet's heart still yearns for Montgomery and her body aches for the medicine that maintains her animal urges under control -- Juliet wants to rebuild her live. Creating a cure is her only hope, then she can forget everything. Forget Moreau Island. Unfortunately for her, someone something followed her off the island making sure the horrific secret that happened there is out. Will she be able to cure herself before her Dad's friends decide to keep her as an experiment?

Once again, Megan Shepherd used the retell pattern, basing the story on Jekyll and Hyde. The effect wasn't as moving as The Madman's Daughter but only because Dr. Moreau was an evil genius badass and is a tough act to follow. The love triangle remained with a steamy hot sex scene worth rereading. All in all, the book is a nice follow-up to the first, even if, one can't help but ask themselves ''Where is this all leading to?''

Review: Not Exactly a Love Story

Vinnie's mom is tired of being the sole provider for the family. Her solution: divorce -- marrying Vinnie's gym teacher and moving him across the city. One can't blame his rebellion when he picks up the phone, calls his pretty new neighbor and tells her obscenities. Or can we? Will Vinnie learn to control his impulses before he ruins his chance with the only girl who understands him?

Audrey Couloumbis author of Love me Tender gives us another story that deals with parental separation. Vinnie is so composed with his family's rupture, that we sort of expect him to fall apart sooner or later. As always the parents where very well written. Both mother and father played their role in the end of the relationship, making the story quite believable.

A short yet interesting read taking place in the late 70s.

Top Ten Tuesday: Sun gone shine

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP SUMMER 2014 TBR LIST

With school behind me, I can fully concentrate on my passion -- books and FIFA 2014. Lots of sports themed books made my list this year.

10-A Blind Spot for Boys

Justina Chen

Romance, sports and Machu Pichu!! Can't wait to dive into this one. 

9-The Bridge from Me to You

Lisa Schroeder

Secrets and sports again. The cover just screams summer to me. 

8-Vengeance

Megan Miranda

Been looking forward to reading this sequel the entire winter. Sadly, exams got in the way. 

7-Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen

I always try to read a classic as often as possible. This is my summer pick. 

6-Catching Jordan

Miranda Kenneally

Starting this sports novel next week. Comes highly recommended.

5-The Indigo Spell

Richelle Mead

Need to catch up on this series. 

4-No One Needs to Know

Amanda Grace

Love triangle plot -- including twins!! How awkwardly entertaining.

3-Endless

Kate Brian

The end of the series. 

2- Wish You Were Italian

Kristin Rae

Best example of reading to escape -- the country that is. Wishing I was in Italy right now.

1-Only Everything

Kieran Scott

Ahh!! A book about Cupid. How could this not top my list. 

Which book made your list?

Review: Shift

Sometimes a relationship ends not by choice, but because someone dies. 

Logan overdosed on his birthday, and now, everyone born after the shift, including his girlfriend Aura can see him until he decides to cross over. In this sequel to Shade, Aura thought she'd lost Logan forever, but it turns out he's still around with plans to start a band made out of post-shifters. Unfortunately, his presence still means turmoil for Aura's current boyfriend, Zachary. How will they get through this again?

Although Shade had an intense amount of romance and tension, Shift was too explanatory. Why are ghosts visible in the first place? What role does Aura play in it all? This time around, Aura was harder to connect with. Guys are not toys -- and playing with other people's feelings just because one is confused doesn't make it right.

Hope she redeems herself in the third installment.

Feature and Follow Friday: Paris, je t'aime

Parajunkee / Alison Can Read

FEATURE & FOLLOW FRIDAY

Once you answer be sure to leave me your link so I can follow you back

Q: Armchair travel! Tell us about your favorite book in a setting you'd like to visit.

J'aime Paris -- and yet I've never been. It's the idea of it. Imagine the late night walks in the city of lights. The Moulin Rouge. The culinary experience. Imagine Versailles.

A book that sells France quite well is Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. A great romance/contemporary story worth the read.

Film Review: The Fault in our Stars

John Green's bestseller The Fault in our Stars premiered last thursday -- shocking the film industry with a $48.2M gross so far.

Whether it was John Green's presence on set, or the cast incredible performance, the film remained true to the novel. I can't think of one scene that was altered.

Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort shared a raw chemistry on screen, and Nat Wolff taking over the role of best friend Isaac, kept us smiling regardless of the tears impossible to contain.

Just when I had run out of tissues, a woman in the front row let out a loud sob, and bang, the whole theater exploded in tears.

Make sure you bring lots of kleenex.

Review: We Were Liars

An ambiguous plot that will leave you guessing until the very end. 

Summers hold the best memories for Cadence -- and all because she gets to spend them with the Liars, a group of relatives and friends. Laughter. Swimming. Romance. This pose goes through everything together. Until one summer everything changes. Now, Cadence is being left out. If only she could remember what happened the night that scared them all away.

Lockhart's writing seems unusual compared to her Ruby Oliver series. Lots of fragmented sentences, short chapters, and a pace that will make you want to tear your hair out along with Cadence.

Thankfully, the gratification comes at the last chapter. Can you guess the ending? Read and find out!

Top Ten Tuesday: Beach Savers

 

Hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

TOP BOOKS FOR THE BEACH

Summer is around the corner. Just a few more weeks of school, and I will be sipping sangria by the pool with as many books as I can handle. Here is my list for best summer reads: 

1-We Were Liars

E. Lockhart

Summer is the best time to feel mysterious. Pick this one up on a hot night when you want to live a little, and unravel this crazy vacation plot. 

2-The Maze Runner

James Dashner

The film will be out in September 2014. There's still time to read it before the premiere. Not sure the book is up your alley, watch the movie trailer.

3-Inhuman

Kat Falls

Summer is the perfect time to start a new series. The best part about Inhuman is that you won't have to wait long for the sequel. It comes out in the fall!!

4-Twenty Boy Summer

Sarah Ockler

Inspiring, heartbreaking story that takes places during a summer getaway.

5-Keeping the Moon

Sarah Dessen

Summer job story about friendship and self-esteem problems.

6-Ten

Gretchen McNeil

Getaway weekend on an island that turns deadly!! Need I say more.

7-Roomies

Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

Is this the last summer before you start college? Then this could be the book for you. 

8-Queen of Babble

Meg Cabot

Escape to France for the summer through this funny YA chick-lit read.

9-Perfect Chemistry

Simone Elkeles

This series has some of the sexiest covers out there. This one in particular has an embarrassing beach scene that makes it impossible to put the book down. 

10-Chopsticks

Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral

Want to experiment this summer? Chopsticks is told through a recollection of IM's, photographs, drawings... a trip down a character's memory lane.

Which book made your list?

Review: Desires of the Dead

She can see sense dead people. 

Although Violet is used to sensing the dead, keeping it hushed has always been a priority. The problem is what do you do after you find the body. Let's face it, what harm could come of placing an anonymous call to the cops -- it's not like it might get the FBI on your trail?

This sequel to The Body Finder is much more emotional than the first, dealing with domestic abuse and the rollercoaster ride of considering sex with that special someone. Derting introduces new characters such as Mike and Megan, charming siblings that will stir up lots of troubles for the happy couple.

Bring on book three.