When my mother was 18, the movie “When Harry Met Sally” came out. She loved it, of course. She said she’s pretty sure it was always playing somewhere in the all-women dorm. 31 years later, I am 18, so she showed it to me. And I’m so glad she did. Because it was beautiful. And hilarious. And heart-wrenching. And I loved it, too. There are many enemies-to-friends-to-lovers slow burn romances out there, but few as phenomenal or as iconic as this one. And few with so much hair. If you don’t know the movie, here is the basic premise: Sally (Meg Ryan) drives Harry (Billy Crystal) from the University of Chicago and New York City, not because she likes him, but because they were going to the same place. It was both the practical and the kind thing to do. I believe she later describes the drive to a friend as “the longest night of [her] life.” When they get to the city, she drops him off at his new apartment and drives away. This was first time I wanted to squeal. They said goodbye as if that were it! “They don’t know,” I’d said to my mom then, “That this is only the beginning of their movie.” Of course, they meet again. And again. And again in another random place by coincidence. And soon they become friends, best friends, even though Harry has always claimed that men and women can’t really be friends (the sex part always gets in the way). This movie made me laugh so hard I couldn’t breathe while also leaving me teary, clutching my heart. The beauty is in the details. The writing, the dialogue especially, was incredible. The characters were in the most interesting situations, including setting and activity. And it all worked perfectly. The conversations were incredibly clever in both the writing and the delivery. I don’t know what more I can say about it. I had to write this down before I could go to sleep. It was simply too good to wait. I 100% recommend this movie to any romantics, for I think it will please your hearts. And for anyone who doesn’t usually watch romantic comedies, I still recommend it. It is that good. Oh, one more thing, I do not know if I am in love with Sally or if I merely relate to her very much. Either way (maybe both), I think she is a fantastic character. Director: Rob Reiner Writer: Nora Ephron
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Romantic comedy Director: Blayne Weaver Screenplay: Patricia Harrington Can you hear the sleigh bells ringing? Tis’ the season for Hallmark Christmas movies! I think Santa Girl had a fresh take to share. What if Santa (Barry Bostwick) wasn’t quite so jolly? He has a business to run after all. His latest matter of business? Convincing his daughter to marry her betrothed, Jack Frost’s (Hank Stone) son, to save the family business. Jack Frost, by the way? Terrifying man, I mean, absolutely despicable. But, with his money and Santa’s elves and toy-making business, they would be a perfect team. Except, Cassie Claus (Jennifer Stone) doesn’t want to marry someone she’s never met. She wants to travel the world and find herself before she has to settle back down in the North Pole for the rest of her life. As a compromise, her father lets her go to college for one semester, just until Christmas, if she promises to come back and get married. Since when do things go as planned in movies? The entry into the real world isn’t a smooth ride, but she makes two friends quickly. Well, she has two boys who have crushes on her (or do they?) and, well, it’s mutual. But, she can’t date or let herself have these feelings because she’s engaged. But, neither JR (Joshua Cody) or Sam (Devon Werkheiser) are going to give up easily.
This is me writing a review of a book I didn’t like. Reading it won’t kill you, but I don’t recommend it. Here goes. To give her credit, Anica Mrose Rissi wrote a novel about something that is very hard to write about. In Almost Forever Maybe, Betts falls hard when she meets Aiden. The reader can see signs that the relationship is abusive and might get worse, but Betts does not. I’ve talked about, read about, and even done workshops about unhealthy relationships. I know common signs that I hope I could catch in my own relationship or of someone close to me. But, this book challenged that already weak confidence. Betts was so sure that Aiden was right for her. She didn’t listen to her best friend or her parents; quite the opposite, she started to isolate herself from them. Betts had a reason, an explanation for everything, even when Aiden, her boyfriend, hit her for the first time. The transition from bliss to abuse didn’t feel abrupt, which is important, but it also happens over two weeks, which is kind of insane. Overall, I feel like I learned something from Betts thought-process in reaction to Aiden. It felt real. It felt relatable and it forced me to face the possibility of finding myself in a similar situation in a way I hadn’t before. The writing itself was often inconsistent. At some points, it was strong and descriptive, but then it would go flat, or the message would become unclear. Overall, I liked the character descriptions. But, the dialogue was awkward and felt forced. Betts is a teenager, and like many YA novels written by adults, she wasn’t always a believable character. It’s one thing when something is exaggerated that adds to the story, but the details given of Bett’s high school were painted with child’s paint on cardboard. The teenager’s voices and speech all felt immature (apparently this author normally writers middle grade books). There were also two female characters Betts when to school with who did not have a purpose. She just hated them for no reason? These how-old-are-they-supposed-to-be-again characters go through some hard stuff. Betts best friend, Jo, was the only good character, in my humble opinion. Not only did she have a strong personality, she did all the right things to help her friend when she saw how Aiden was treating her and I like that she was shown doing that. Content warning for the book: two sort of detailed sex scenes. They were weird and didn’t need to be there, but they were. So, yeah, there it is. Proof that I don’t love every book I read. Note: I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator, Brittaney Pressley, did a nice job, given what she had to work with. Spoiler Alert: analysis of the ending belowUpdate: includes details added to the synopsis's and small edits to mechanics. Originally posted 7/29/19. I read the first book in the “Rosie Project” series two years ago, adored it, and wrote a review on this website (click Read More to read it). This summer, I happened to see the two new books in the series on the shelf at the library. It was definitely a wonderful act of fate- I read them within a few days. On every page, the author, Graeme Simsion, surprised me and drew me in closer. I will probably re-read these soon. Overview of the series (slight spoilers) PS. All three of these books are amazing. The Rosie Project (Book 1) - Don Tillman (POV) is a socially awkward, but incredibly intelligent, genetics professor. One day, he decides that he wants to find a woman to be his life partner. It is a struggle, but when he meets Rosie, she changes everything. Trust me, you’ll fall in love with Rosie right alongside Don.
Simsion’s writing is nothing like anything else I’ve ever read. His stories are sweet, but also tackle heavy, emotional issues with grace. I definitely cried a few times. Each of his characters have strong, defining personalities. Don’s voice as a narrative is incredibly well-done and thought-provoking. I love these books so much and hope you read them soon.
Also, I have not read any of it, but Graeme Simsion has other writing published. He has two other novels, as well as short stories and plays. Where do I start? Ibi Zoboi might be the most amazing writer of all time. I’m not exaggerating- okay, maybe I am, but she’s really, really good. After the first chapter or two, I realized the book was heavy with exposition. But, hear me when I say that I hadn’t been noticing it. Ibi wove the details of the character’s family, world, and mind in flawlessly, it flowed like water into the action of the book. The writing, overall, gave my this feeling: imagine you are carrying a heavy-but-not-terribly-heavy cardboard box around. It’s big, but fits perfectly in your hands, and against your body. Dust slips off, but you keep walking forward. It is a constant reminder as to what you are doing, what you are tasked with- bringing this box to its destination. The writing was strong and held its own, I couldn’t stop reading it. Zuri’s (1st POV) was incredible. She is a 17-year-old badass, black Haitian-Dominicana with four sisters and two parents and a landlord that everyone called Madrina (“godmother” in Spanish). She has opinions and biases and mistakes and dreams. The writing made her feel real, like she was talking to me. She was strong and her voice matched it and- I want to meet Zuri! She grew up in Bushwick, a neighborhood in Brooklyn or, as she calls it, just the hood. She loves the tight-knit community and the music and the people and the bookstand on the corner. The story begins with a family moving in across the street. The thing is, the house they are moving into didn’t used to be there. It used to be a beautiful, collapsing, rotting, old house, but now it’s a brand-spanking-new mini mansion that does not fit in it at all. Neither does the rich family that comes along with it. Will Zuri clash with the new boys next-door? Oh, you bet she will- she never backs down from a fight. But, what happens when it turns out to be something else? I don’t want to sound like a broken record, okay? but, I cried. I finished it in the car, just as I got to the house, and I for sure screamed. I definitely worried my father. The book just left me with so much emotion and so much to mull over that I didn’t know where to put it. I didn’t know how much I was going to be able to relate to Zuri, it ended up being a lot. Now, I worry I don’t have much credibility left, as a reviewer- mostly given to the fact that I get really excited about pretty much every book I read- but you have to read this one. Trust me, you won’t be able to put it down. If you're anything like me, you will laugh, cry, want to scream (and then maybe scream), but just don't forget to breathe. Ibi is telling an important story here. She’s telling the story of a character that doesn’t often have a voice. A story that is too often forgotten. It’s one of those books that I can’t stop thinking about. I listened to this Rosamund Hodge fantasy novel on audiobook (narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden) and the character’s voice still sings in my head, weeks later. I keep stumbling around in my mind trying to remember the plot over and over because it gets more interesting every time. I didn’t think much of the book when I started it, I just needed something. The review that popped up under the book’s synopsis that I didn’t read, said that it fell along the archetypes of Beauty and the Beast. And while I see that resemblance, I think it does the book a terrible injustice. Arcadia is led by the demon king. They call him the Gentle Lord. Those foolish enough can make deals with him, as one does the devil in other stories, but he always requires a heavy price. Nyx’s father made a deal with him before she was born. He and his wife weren’t able to bear children, so he went asking for a son to carry on his name. Instead the Gentle Lord offered him twin girls, if and only if, he gave one of them up to marry him when they turned a certain age. Now, that “sacrifice” was Nyx. And so the story starts. Everything she has ever believed about her world will be turned upside down. Those moments are the kind that leave my mind whirring; the idea of good and evil, about ever being able to draw the lines. Times that show the power of truth and how missing even one piece of it can skew your whole understanding. Nyx was born and raised to marry a monster, given the weight of being the only one who could save the world. She thought that made her callous, but it didn’t, not like it could have. She still felt compassion and saw beauty in horrible things. She knew true forgiveness. This was a tale laced with hints of Greco-Roman mythology and new ideas of what lies in the darkness. To say it is merely a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, is to ignore deeper messages inside the pages. Nyx comes face to face with a demon, the thing humans get told horror stories about, the thing she has trained to kill, and doesn’t flinch. She tries to learn all that she can about him and his mysterious castle, and doesn’t stop even when those truths don’t match what she has been told all of her life. I would put this book on the shelf of fantasy/ romance/ fiction for older YA readers. It is dark and, at times, disturbing to the point of feeling trippy, but not horror or all depressing. Powerful shifts between character voices and fascinating setting that I’ve never heard before, very much descriptive enough to visualize. There is so much more I could say on this book. I could go on about how it's funny and surprisingly sweet, but I guess you'll have to read it yourself to find out. Explicit; would rate R for sexual content. TW for homophobia. A graphic novel where, essentially, two stories are being told, simultaneously. Clementine comes to a house, in the first scene, to collect her ex-girlfriend’s old journals. Emma, the girl, recently passed (reason unknown) and wanted Clementine to read them. And read them she does. They cover the entire story of their relationship, and give insight into her thoughts at the time. The past told in narrative and the present that Clementine lives in, blend together in that way that time can do.
I don’t often reread a book without reason. It is not unheard of, but I usually have too many new stories I’m excited to read next. I remember reading this Tahereh Mafi novel back in December 2016. I know the date because I was in a hammock on my cousin’s porch in Panama. The breeze was in my hair and I could smell plantains being fried in the kitchen. She didn’t mean to. Juliette doesn’t want this curse. Whoever she touches dies- painfully. She was alone in a cell for 264 days, until one day a boy is shoved in there as well. She knows him from grade school, before she was locked up, but doesn’t think he remembers her. Where is the truth? It seems many people have different pieces of it. This is a dystopian where morals are questioned and power plays are made. Something about how the author writes; the prose is scrambled to justify all that goes on in this girl’s mind. I give it a high recommendation or, at the very least, a read to have some new things to think about. I’m on a roll with good books lately, aren’t I? Gretchen starts. She hasn’t gone back to school after she was attacked. She’s okay now, except for she doesn’t usually leave the house, hates crowds, and gets panic attacks. Her biggest coping skill is solving calculus equations. Phoenix enters, and I wasn’t sure why they were connected. He and his brother escaped gang activity in El Salvador. But, they are separated now. And he is just trying to keep his head down. They keep each other going. I love the writing, and it is hard to read without rooting for the two. Marie Marquardt writes two things so accurately it’s hard for me to believe they aren’t real because I’ve seen it done badly so many times. Gretchen has panic attacks and other forms of PTSD and anxiety. Phoenix misses home but knows he can never go back. He points out funny cultural differences that Americans have from him- and it is always spot on! Maybe the book hits close to home because I relate to the characters so much, but that is what makes the best read, right? Intense and meaningful, but well balanced with humor and sweetness. Complete recommendation from where I'm standing. The over all affect made me hate the system and want to change things, but also realize that the little things count. All successes have value. Your words affect other people. And you can get affected by others. But, what if that wasn't true. What if you were just "nix?" Jennifer Lynn Barnes gives you a point of view of what it might be like to be a nobody. Or, even worse, to be this and grow up having no idea. Claire and Nix, two kids who have never been noticed, are trying to do the right thing. To a world that has never done the same to them. So, I think that is pretty brave. I think the best part is how the two describe each other. They scream with emotion at the feeling of finally being seen. The plot could move faster and it wouldn't receive 5 stars, but I enjoyed the read because it made me think. Still, I will say the ending caught me by surprise, a little unexpected to be anything but anti-climatic. To end on a positive note: A+ for being the sweetest thing. Time. It's a funny thing. And what if you are lead to believe that you are crazy all of your life because you see dead people. But, what if it's because you somehow have a connection to the past? Myra McEntire makes your brain hurt. What if one event could change everything? But, you are allowed to change too much? Emerson has been through a lot. I mean, at one of her brother's events she saw a whole jazz trio playing around a piano. That no one else saw, and that was expected because they weren't really there, right? But, Michael did. And then he crashed her world. Nothing made sense anymore. Except Michael, of course. Physics crashed with stretches and some philosophy. Untapped potential in a romance. Mixed strings of purpose and maybe fate. What is really set in stone? You may know the author from her first book, Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Becky Albertalli Renamed when made in a recent movie dubbed: "Love, Simon." I've decided that I like her writing. She gives you characters with a wide range of personalities and relationships between them. Meet Molly, a girl who has had 26 crushes that never went anywhere, who has a twin sister that is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Cassie is no rookie to dating, but Mina throws her world. Molly's house is getting a bit thrown around, with same-sex marriage legalized, her moms are getting married. And growing up is wanting to push the twins apart. Busy much? It reminds you that young love is hard. And complicated. And messy. And really freaking beautiful. The 'Project Paper Dolls' series is by Stacey Kade. At first, I picked it up as a decent sci-fi-ish novel... I mean, yes, but it's amazing! Ariane holds a lot of secrets- to survive. As a reader, they unfold in front of you. Like the fact that she's not human. Friendship, family, and romance gets tangled up in a racy plot. It is very interesting how Ariane describes and reacts to the world. You feel the crooked lines and unstable ideas of society inside Ariane, and it's fascinating. It's hard to write a point of view like this, and it is contrasted by a human character having another. I can't say it's hard to make me comment or laugh out loud while reading... but, isn't that a sign of a good reader? One who understands the author's message in a way that... anyway, I did that. A lot. I yelled so suddenly I scared my parents while they were driving. Multiple times. Oops? That's my way of saying that this story will take you on a roller coaster (which I don't usually like in a literal sense) of emotions. Laughing. Screaming. Crying. You'll get it all. And this is just book one. A Tale of Rivalry, Romance, and Existential AngstNever know quite what to do about such titles. They are long, I'm saying, they're long. Feel about it as you'd like. But, the book itself? Stupendous! With YA fiction from the first perspective with this type of humor and mix of things, it is hard to write well. It follows a teenage boy named Tom Grendel who's crush moves in next door. Who's brother and cousin make hell for him. They party all night, every night, and it drives his dad to take a work trip out of town. It bothers everyone around, but he is the only one who can do anything to fix it. So he tries. And he tries. And it becomes a whole mess. One thing I noticed, as a writer, is one detail. Grendel lived in a neighborhood known for being a quiet place to retire and, therefore, inhabited mainly by the elderly. The boy interviews them to capture life stories. He wants to make sure the memories are not lost, that someone knew them. I love the growth that happens throughout the book on this small, seeminly insignificant, aspect. This book is high on the recommend list. I tagged on my personal book list as 'made me want to:' think and write. "It’s a similarity I’ve noticed between little kids and old people — they’re both always so surprised when anyone actually treats them like humans." That day. Sitting in the library, looking around... I didn't think the library would have the book so soon! It was a pretty awesome moment. So, yeah, I liked the book. I often search for new reads based on authors well known, or I previously liked. Fortunately, Sarah Dessen is not one to let down. The story is told by Louna... who told Dressen about me? I didn't know she wrote that much from real life! Louna is tight. She is working for her mom's wedding business, as she has for a long time, with her friend and associate William. A lot has happened to her. And it changes a person. She's kind and funny, but has trouble letting loose, especially around new people. For good reason, but even as I reader it takes a while for her to explain exactly why. And then comes Ambrose. He's goofy and free flowing. He's everything that drives Louna crazy. But, he also might just what she needs to finally let go. And fly. Grow with Louna as you see what a wedding planner might just really think about your special day! I was at a gay prom and there were too many references to this book. I just had to read it. So I did. And it was amazing. I could not put it down! It was so personal; uncensored and honest. You have to open your mind to read this- let go of judgements and enjoy the ride. Charlie writes letters to an anonymous person who only goes by the name "Dear friend." He learns from his two new friends: Sam and Patrick. He started smoking and got into drugs. He learned about sex. He learned all the wrong things in all the right ways. He got asked out by a girl named Mary Elizabeth and they went to a dance together. He didn't kiss her then, not later either. She talked a lot. It was alright, but Charlie got drunk and messed it all up. That seems to accurately describe most of his life. There isn't much of a plot. It is life. It shoves a character, someone you can relate to, flaws and all. They felt real and raw. My favorite was Charlie's older sister. She was a mess. She had an abusive boyfriend who she stayed with for too long. She was insecure and used to using a destructive offense as a way to protect herself. She was bitter and sad, and yet she put trust in her brother. She loved him so much. And that touched my heart. And in that moment, I swear we were infinite. This humorous, fast-paced, musical kept me on the edge of my seat. After reading it's companion novel: Will Grayson, Will Grayson*, it was the perfect dessert. Written like a script with songs that will get you laughing out loud! The director and main character is the only and only: Tiny Cooper. He is anything but small. Even his huge, football-player build can't contain his personality! He is big and gay and not afraid to show it- not that he could even if he wanted to! He uses this musical to explore all the past- failed- relationships. He shows off his parade of boyfriends #1 - 18. He writes side comments that put it all together. Levithan and Green take you on a journey of what love really means. Even his song titles hold your attention: The Ballad of the Lesbian Babysitter; OH! What a Big Gay Baby; The Size of the Package; Stating the Obvious. The character of Tiny is so strong, I want to reach into the pages and give him a big hug! This is a must-read break from all of those psychological thrillers! Even thought Tiny sees her as being effortless old, she's really just a sixteen-year-old girl dealing with everyone's shit, including her own. The time she spends with Tiny is her escape from the outside world, and she wants to teach him a few things about life before she inevitably leaves him for Oberlin. * Will Grayson, Will Grayson, was co-written by David Levithan and John Green and is the first book of these two. I recommend to read this first.
I finished the book and immediately thought, "What the hell do I do with this information?" This was a "psychological thriller" that left goosebumps on my arms even after I finished frantically searching the back of the book for more pages. A novel told from many different perspectives between a girl named Syd, who I classify as the main character, and her sister, Allyson, and friends: Becky and Declan and Graham. Graham is the new kid who moves next-door. His creepy need to capture all parts of his life on film catches Syd's attention even as no one believes her. Graham seems like a gracious, shy kid with a merely a troubled past. But is there more behind the lens? If you read other reviews, many comments are bashing how nonsensical the entire production is. It may be what I love most about it. Olson isn't trying to make you thing any one thing, every reader has to come to their own conclusion. It's unapologetically raw. While some characters feel underdeveloped at times, I greatly enjoy the attributes of Sydney. She is a straight-A student. Her friends include a tech-savvy computer hacker and a genius boy who can ace the SSAT in his sleep. valedictorian material, the friends part ways to go to fill their obligations as president of the Model UN club and to figure out how to create a software that will find only indie music from anywhere on the web. In their free time, the three teens enjoy skateboarding whilst getting high off of their old friend: marijuana. At least... when they aren't in detention. "I'm not one of those girls who does what everyone wants," I tried to explain, "Hell, Tate, I don't think you could get a bad grade if you tried. But you can sure make yourself get stuck here by other means, and you seem to be working hard at it. You don't have to wrestle with being a certain way, with being good or bad. You're just who you are." Above are two excerpts from a conversation Syd has with her, slightly eccentric, guidance counselor.
I didn't know much about superheroes. I watched the occasional Marvel movie, but never read any of the comics. These TV shows changed that for sure! SPOILER ALERT - I may spoil some details without even realizing it! Also I am not close to being done with all the shows - try not to spoil it for me! Haha! I'm going to start with the Flash, since that is where it all began for me. Barry Allen is struck by lightning when a particle accelerator explodes, is in a coma for nine months and then wakes up with the ability to run at super speed (a little over mach 2 on average). His team consists of geniuses like bio-engineer Caitlin Snow and mechanical engineer Cisco Ramon. Funny and sweet on the romance this show will make you wish you could even meet this guy! It gives all of it's villains well rounded backstories and interesting powers. Watch to find out more! Oliver Queen doesn't have super powers. He's not an alien (see Supergirl below) and not a metahuman (that's what the Flash is). At first glance, he is just the son of a billionaire. But after surviving five years on a horrific island named Lian Yu, which means purgatory in Mandarin, he has seen too much death and violence for it not to have changed him. He returns to his home city to avenge his father's dying wish and protect his home. But his methods may be a little bit less than legal, or even morally okay. This show has the best combat out of all of them. Supergirl depends on her brute strength and the Flash depends on his speed, but Oliver Queen has his hands and a bow and arrow to defend himself. And he does! His team grows a lot of the course of the show, but it begins with just him and his bodyguard John Diggle and IT girl genius Felicity Smoak. Steamy romance and wobbly friendships follow this show and hopefully so will you! Kara Danvers is an alien from the planet Kyropton. Yes, the same Krypton that Superman is from (they're cousins). After years of hiding her powers one inciting incident causes her to shed her fear and put on a suit. With the help of the secret alien hunting division of the U.S. government, the D.E.O. Kara helps save the world! Sisterhood is strong in this show and WARNING: it might make you cry sometimes. I've only seen a few episodes of this show, but it seems really fun! It's a team of misfits: people picked because they won't be missed from the timeline. FIRESTORM with Martin Stein and Jefferson Jackson, Sara Lance as the White Canary, Ray Palmer as the ATOM, Leonard Snart as Captain Cold, Mick Rory as Heat Wave, Kendra Saunders as Hawgirl, Carter Hall as Hawkman, and Rip Hunter leading them all. Phew! That was a lot of names! But they all fight to make a difference... sort of. Right now they are all causing trouble to fix their personal problems. I can't tell you much, but if it's anything like the others it is worth the watch! Especially for a badass like the White Canary. I love her because she uses a bo staff (like me) and turns them into Filipino kali sticks when she fights. I've never read a book with such a distinct point of view. Graeme Simison writes with a different pen that makes you need to read what's she's written. Don Tillman has Asperger's, but like most adults with the condition, he has no idea. So he begins his story giving a talk for his friend on the subject. Then the book takes a turn and he decides he needs to find a wife. The perfect wife. And he thinks that he can determine this all through a complex algorithm shaped into a questionnaire. This questionnaire should be able to sift out any unwanted candidates. Then in walks a woman who gets all the answers wrong. Could she be enough to get Don out of thinking that this was the best way to find a wife? Hilarious and charming, this book will take you on a romantic journey! It made me smile and I hope you read it so that you can get the same reaction! |
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