Cat Thursday (1)

A weekly meme all about cats. Hosted by Michelle at The True Book Addict.

Welcome to the weekly meme that celebrates the wonders and sometime hilarity of cats! Join us by posting a favorite LOL cat pic you may have come across, famous cat art or even share with us pics of your own beloved cat(s). It's all for the love of cats! Enjoy!

Cats need hugs too:

Here is one of my own (Frodo napping):

One Line Movie Reviews (4)

Silver Linings Playbook (2012): Love makes things better, even for those with mental illness.

Rating: A

The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2011): You're never too old to love, live, and dream.

Rating: B

End of Watch (2012): Powerful story of the dangers, trauma, heroism, sexism, racism, etc all rolled up into being a cop in L.A.

Rating: A-

Salmon Fishing in Yemen (2011): Finding your dreams, making the impossible possible, learning to love, and learning to find hope in humanity all make this an amazing movie.

Rating: A-

The Hurt Locker (2008): A day in the life of a bomb diffusion company in the army...the deaths, fears, isolation.

Rating: B

Flight Behavior by Barbara Kingsolver

Kingsolver opens her book with a delightful and imaginative first chapter. I was really drawn in. What did Dellarobia actually see? We finally find out that her "vision" was a completely natural, or at least one that shouldn't be natural. Butterflies have landed on her family's land when they're actually supposed to be hanging out in Mexico.




Kingsolver really combines the consequences of climate change with how it effects those who still make their living on the land. She gives us characters to love, who change, reflect, and think ahead. She mixes a story of faith and science and how the twain can meet. And for that reason alone, this is a book worth reading.

But alas, I only give it a 3ish star because it wasn't a page turner. It took me awhile to read the book and it dragged in the middle. So I didn't love it but I like it and it was worth reading because it's an important topic and needs to be addressed.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Hester wasn't the only one living in fantasy land with righteousness on her side; people just did that, this family and maybe all others. They built their tidy houses of self-importance and special blessing and went inside and slammed the door, unaware the mountain behind them was aflame." p.22-23

"But being a stay-at-home mom was the loneliest kind of lonely, in which she was always and never by herself." p.59

"When she walked among these girls (ewes) they parted slowly like heavy water and looked up at her with an outlandish composure, their amber eyes eerily divided by horizontal pupils." p. 332

"...citizens of their own cheerful universe despite their full awareness of its unraveling." p. 341

One Line Movie Reviews (3)

Adventures of Tintin (2011): Surprisingly fun adventure/mystery story!

Rating: B+

American Pie (1999): Finally saw the "modern-classic" and am glad I did because it was funny, overall, but really misguided in a few scenes.

Rating: C+

Game Change (2012): Amazing and insightful portrayal of the McCain/Palin 2008 campaign...crazy!

Rating: A-

Frankenweenie (2012):  Heart-breaking story about a boy and his dog told "Frankenstein's Monster" style.

Rating: A

Bourne Legacy (2012):  Boring and uneventful side tale about how insidiously evil and power-hungry Treadstone has gotten.

Rating: C-

Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier

Juliet Marillier did her homework. It was a beautiful and magical and romantic experience while reading her book. She really did take me away to another time and place. Granted, I never ever want to return to a time where I didn't have indoor plumbing or the Internet...that being said I wish I lived in a place where I grew up around Nature. Becoming to in tune with Nature that you feel her talking and walking with you. You know how to survive and help heal others.

I loved the magic associated with Paganism. I've been studying a lot about Paganism and I find it beautiful and I love reading about it like this. I recognized so many elements of circle casting and calling the elements, leaving gifts for the Spirits and Faeries. And also the clash of culture and religion between the Celts and the Christian Britts.

I cared about all of the characters. Sorsha's brothers. Each one had his own personality, and there were a lot of brothers. You could feel the pain of their father. You could feel the EVIL of the new wicked step-mother.

Even her love interest. I didn't even realize who was going to be THE one for a bit. But boy, such a pleasure to see her and Red's relationship blossom and grow. The love for her forest, her mother, brothers, and Red was palpable.

Just a beautiful story about humanity and love.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Wow. This was a fast-paced thriller. Lots of twists and turns. I really didn't see where this was headed. It's worth a read just for the sheer craziness of it all. Before you pick up this book to read, you must commit one whole day. You will not be able to put it down till your are finished. Your kid and/or loved one could be choking and honestly, you will not notice ;)

Moving on...we meet Nick and Amy Dunne. They take turns with chapters so we get to see this fabulous couple and how their marriage and their lives went down a rabbit hole. On their 5th anniversary, Nick comes home to his wife missing. Did he do it? Who else could have done it?

I think Flynn has a lot of human insight that she expresses through the characters and how they deal with the world. The suspense is palpable and addicting. I really loved that. And I really wanted to love this book! But the ending ruined it for me. I feel it was a cop out of epic proportions. But oh well. It is worth the read and I'll recommend it to anyone.

It's worth the ride.

One Line Movie Reviews (2)

The Sound of My Voice (2011): Creepy pseudo-documentary-style movie about a cult.

Rating: C

Hotel Transylvania (2012): Cute but a bit too simplistic in its style and I didn't necessarily like what it was teaching in the end.

Rating: C+

Butter (2011): Great story about forgiveness and achieving your dreams without selling out your humanity.

Rating: B+

Austenland (2013): Laugh out-loud hilarious!

Rating: B

Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012): Fascinating and depressing story of how a girl comes to grips with life after she loses her home.

Rating: B+

Sundance and Seeing Austenland

Monday night I took my husband to attend a screening as part of the Sundance Film Festival here in Utah. It was so much fun. We headed up through Salt Lake City and grabbed a bite to eat and then another hour up to Ogden.

Ogden seems a bit out of place for the Sundance Film Festival but they have an amazing theater, the Peery's Egyptian Theater. It holds over 800 people and there were more than enough to fill all those seats.

Inside the Egyptian Theater

Stock photo from Austenland

We had to stand in line for a long time to get in but I got our tickets early and so we were one of the first people in line and in the theater. My husband is such a fun person. When he's really excited and feeling good, he's such a people person. So he talked to everyone in line and found out where they were from, how long they had been attending/volunteering. He even found a fellow Portlander where they talked about the old days of organs and bubbles of his youth...

Archie and I chilling before the movie

The theater also hosts one of the few pipe organs left in the country and so we were serenaded by organ music before the movie started. So amazing. The atmosphere is electric with people excited to see everything. I know I was.

Pipe organist!

This showing was not the premiere of Austenland. That happened two nights before down in Park City so I didn't think we'd get any of the actors up in Ogden, but the director and writer (they're locals) were there and after the movie, they answered questions.

Drinking chai tea by the fire before movie

The movie is FUNNY! Jerusha Hess managed to take subpar material and really turn it into something visually as well as do a script upgrade with the actual author. The whole audience just guffawed almost through the whole movie. I was crying! Busting a gut, what have you. Romance didn't work very well, but it didn't in the book either so I wasn't expecting much in that area but if you want a really funny movie, this is it. You can tell the actors and the crew just had a blast. It really does make the movie come alive.

I was soooo excited for this to start!

After the movie there was a Q&A session. It was just fun and exciting to see the director and writer up there just being funny and personable and talking about their experiences. How can I put it? It was just really cool.

Jerusha Hess (director) and Shannon Hale (book author)

They even had a live band next door and a few appetizers to eat and we sat and listened to music and ate a few cucumber sandwiches.

It was an amazing experience and one we look forward to experiencing every year!

Saturday Snapshot (1)

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky at At Home With Books book blog. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

I thought this would be a fun meme to post on today!

I really love Fall and this is a local hike we went on in Provo Canyon, Utah.

I love corn mazes and I caught this one as the sun was setting.

Sundance Film Festival 2013

I live in Utah and I have never ever attended the Sundance Film Festival. It's literally less than two hours away from me, and it's really not too expensive if you want to make a day out of it and see 1 or 2 movies and maybe a bite to eat. So....I finally decided this year was the year! My hubby and I are seeing Austenland, a book-to-movie film by Shannon Hale. The film has been written and directed by the same people who did Napoleon Dynamite and Nacho Libre (Jerusha and Jared Hess). While I know those films weren't everyone's favorite, they are two of mine. Napoleon Dynamite reminds me a lot of my own childhood--similar boredom, dresses, paneled walls, 70s green lamps, and crazy creatures in the backyard.

Austenland was not my favorite Austenesque book, but it had its moment,s and since it had a lot of potential, I'm hoping it will turn into a great homage to Austen and her characters, along with some funny romance.

My devoted husband is taking the day off, mom's watching our son, and we're heading up for the whole shpeel next Monday! I don't know if I'll see any celebrities, but I'll keep my eyes peeled. In any case, it's a date without our child. It'll be fun no matter what.

Gabe moment this week: He's potty training....and this is what he came up with while playing with his Tiggers:

One Line Movie Reviews (1)

Invisible War (2012): Documentary on the prevalence of rape in the U.S. military, well-done and timely.

Rating: A-

Tropic Thunder (2008): Silly and bloody movie about a movie that was in a movie?

Rating: C

Total Recall (2012): Better than I expected with good action fights.

Rating: B-

Looper (2012): Fantastic sci-fi movie with story, action, and heart.

Rating: A+

Pitch Perfect (2012): A wonderful take on the Glee singing montage with humor, romance, and of course, singing!

Rating: B+

Vessel by Sarah Beth Durst

Summary: Liyana is a vessel. Her goddess Bayla will inhabit her body while her soul moves onto the Dreaming. The other desert clans all have vessels being prepared for their god or goddess to come down and help save their people. Until 5 gods do not show up. Liyana's family leaves her banished when Korbyn the trickster god finds her. They set out on a quest to free the other gods and save their people from an encroaching enemy.

My thoughts: World and character-building are big ones for me when reading any kind of fantasy novel. It seems nowadays that authors just kind of throw together a world without fully fleshing it out and some two-dimensional characters to feel it. Not Durst. She packs this novel with myths, histories, and people. I was thrown in and immersed from the beginning. I love mythology and I am amazed when authors can make up their own for their stories and make them sound credible.

Goddesses and gods inhabit this world but they are all very human, with much to learn. I loved the interaction between Korbyn, learning to be in a body again, and Liyana who knows she should not be having feelings for her goddess' lover.

In the beginning Durst threw out a few stereotypes with her cast of characters but I think it was intentional to get the best changes and growth out of them she could. Liyana was a bit on the unquestioning and shy side but she really let her grow into a role of leadership and free-thinking. Is it really necessary that the gods kill those they inhabit? Why can't the vessels learn magic like the gods? The gods are supposed to love us, why are they so petty and selfish?

I just can't give enough praise for this book. It combined all of my required elements beautifully. I am definitely picking up more of her books in the future. And a big fat YAY to some quality young adult fiction.

Looking Forward in 2013

Last year was a bit lackluster for me on the blogging and reading front. I had new projects I wanted to try and do....Well, I don't know how well that all turned out. But I always try to read a bit more from the already-own books and I didn't do too well on that goal. So once again my goal is to read a bit more from my own pile. I have two book clubs one for strictly non-fiction books and the other one it just depends on who's picking for the month. So I'll probably have to buy a few more this year to keep up with the book clubs but overall I just want to stick with what I've got. I've found a lot of great classics finds at second-hand stores, so I want to get to a few more classics. I also want to get to a few re-reads. Little Women and Gone With the Wind have been on my mind lately.

For blogging purposes, I'd like to include books I read with my son (so a pic or two with him a month), some more short movie reviews, maybe some TV posts, and I may even get back to the 'things-I-liked/loved' posts for the week.

2012 in Review--Favorites!

 I was going to do a big post on all my books and all my movies but then realized that it would be way too long and way too boring! You are welcome. I'll do top ten lists instead. It'll still be long and boring but be grateful it wasn't longer. I'll even throw in a cute pic of my adorable son if you scroll all the way to the end ;)

Top 10 Books of 2012 (in no particular order)

1. Assassin's Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke. Loved it. Pirates and magic and a strong female lead :)
2.  Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai. Beautiful poetry and strong and heart-wrenching story. Perfect combo.
3. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. Probably the best novel I've read (audiobook so listened to) all year. Gorgeous.
4. Self-Made Man: One Woman's Journey Into Manhood and Back Again by Norah Vincent. Fascinating journey to read. Gave me new insights and she's a great writer.
5. Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir) by Jenny Lawson. Funniest book I read/listened to this year! Awesome.
6. Rot and Ruin by Jonathon Maberry. One of the best and most heart-warming zombie stories ever. Love stories that make me sit back and think and ponder about what I just read. Love it!
7.  Doubt: A History: The Great Doubters and Their Legacy of Innovation from Socrates and Jesus to Thomas Jefferson and Emily Dickinson by Jennifer Hecht. One of the best history books I've ever read. Fascinating look at doubt and dissent throughout history.
8. The Many Lives and Secrets Sorrows of Josephine Bonaparte by Sandra Gulland. Great historical fiction about France's crazy revolution and its notorious emperor told through the eyes of his wife. Really great stuff.
9. Bad Science by Ben Goldacre. Great discussion of how science is carried out and why and how to spot the bad science. Brilliant.
10. Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan. I love everything John Green writes and this one is no exception. Heart-warming and funny.

Top 10 Movies of 2012 (in no particular order)

1. Blood Diamond (2006): Got rid of all my diamonds and cried myself to sleep...
2. Vagina Monologues: Eve Ensler (2002): Funny, poignant, and oh-so needed.
3. The Descendents (2011): Wow. So moving. I loved it.
4. Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close (2011): Book and movie were fabulous. Such a great human story.
5. Beginners (2011): Beautiful story about finding love and living life to its fullest.
6. Les Miserables (2012): I sang, I bawled. Gorgeous...meh to Russell Crowe, though.
7. The Sessions (2012): Beautiful story on how a disabled man finds love and peace.
8. The Avengers (2012): Greatest superhero movie thus far!
9. Cabin in the Woods (2011): Joss Whedon and horror and pop culture makes this a winner!
10. Saved! (2004): Great comedy on religious intolerance and the importance of doubt and tolerance.

Gabe's fun Christmas....see I told you'd get some cute pics :)

After Christmas ice cream.

We're nerds. Lots of Carl Sagan love in our home :)

Meowy Christmas from Wolfy to you.

May all your goals, wishes, and dreams come true in 2013!