In January I began a Kay inspired Bookish Nostalgia feature that I call A look back. I’m revisiting my 2010 blogging life to see what was going on. So far, this has been a lot of fun!  If you care to revisit your own blog in June 2010 and want to share your favorite post, I’ll add it here.

I posted 21 times, reviewed seven books, watched six movies, posted four quizzes, participated in three Monday Movie Memes, and wrote about my Favorite Film #24 A Few Good Men.

My favorite (and only) photo – Me at 6+ months preggers…

Wow. This seems like a lifetime ago.

My favorite post – Historical Romances…

…Many people don’t read romances.  Think they are predictable, all about sex, or poorly written and some of them are, but not the good ones.  I’m a romantic and I like knowing that when I pick up a romance it is not going to depress me.  It is a comfort read…

I’m surprised I’ve only added one new author to my favorites list, Eloisa James.  I’m picky about my historicals.  I need to go back and see how many of the recommendations I read.

My Favorite Book(s) – a tie between

The Weight of Water by Anita Shreve

…It is haunting, sad, and drew me in right away.  Beautifully told by alternating the past with the present I was even more invested in the old mystery surrounding a double murder and life on the inhospitable islands at the time.  It was made better because it is based on a true story.  Shreve used the old courtroom transcripts word for word, but made up the rest.  It definitely made me curious about the real murders.

This is not a long novel and one that will keep you riveted.  I never did fully connect with Jean, but I was fully engaged in the story.   It left me thinking well after I finished reading and that is about as good a recommendation as I can give.  I absolutely loved it!

White Fang by Jack London

Let me start by saying that I am a girl who cannot even watch the nature channels once one animal kills and eats another.  It’s a little too much reality for me.  I am much more likely to cry in a movie if a beloved animal is killed than a person.  So, when I say that I love White Fang and all of his wild ways it is no small thing.   I am sure that part of it is London’s writing – I loved The Call of the Wild as well- but the story itself is so compelling that I was riveted by White Fang’s life.

The book is mostly told from White Fang’s perspective once he is born, but the opening scenes that tell the tale of a sledding team on the run from wolves was perfect.  I won’t tell you who wins, but it was as good as any thriller I’ve read lately.  There was so much cruelty and abuse that White Fang never really had a chance until someone took the time to try to save him.  It is a lesson in humanity and redemption and I loved it.

My Favorite (new) Movie – Inception…

My five word review…

Dreams. Orginal. Ending Greatly Debated.

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So what was going on in your blogging life in July 2010?

Tarzan received 33% of the vote for the movie this month so Jason and I saw it last night.  I should point out that the only knowledge about the original Tarzan cam from the book Jane that I read several years ago and really enjoyed.

I liked the movie and gave it 8 stars on IMdB (although I’d have given it 7.5 if I’d been allowed).  I loved the beautiful locations, the CGI jungle animals (yes, you can tell they are CGI but still so well done it took me to the heart of the Congo), and the story felt modern even though it took place over 100 years ago. George Washington Williams, played by Samuel L Jackson , was based on a real person, a reporter who exposed the atrocities of King Leopold, King of Belgium.  That was the starting point of the story. GWW wanted Tarzan to go to Congo and poke around and see what was happening there and so he, Tarzan (John Clayton, Lord of Greystoke), his wife Jane head off to Congo. What they discover is what GWW expected, the enslaving of the people, and their journey is full of danger from the animals and the man hunting them, Rom, who has a boat full of soldiers with him.  The story of Tarzan’s birth and childhood living among the apes is one I think most everyone is familiar with and is told in such a moving way, both the beauty and the hate lighting the screen.

My favorite character was feisty Jane, played by the talented Margot Robbie.  She was brave and warm and worthy of the love from Tarzan. As for Tarzan, played by Alexander Skarsgard, he was strong and stoic with the quiet wildness you’d expect from a wild child turned English gentleman.  Rom, played by the ever talented Christoph Waltz, was properly  treacherous and got the end he had coming to him.

This is a thoughtful story told with action but it is not a modern action film.  It’s slower and I enjoyed my time in the Congo.

So, I’d like for you to add your post in the comments so that I can link it to this post.  I’d also like if you’d answer one or all of the questions and add one of your own for the next person 🙂

*How familiar are you with the original Tarzan books written by Edgar Rice Burroughs ?

*Did you like the CGI?

*Did you have a favorite character or actor?

I’m looking forward to seeing what you think!

 

I’ve been reading some fun picture books with Gage lately about real people.  Here are the three I have checked out of the library and I’d recommend them for any toddler/kindergartner that you know.  If you have any recommendations for me, comment away!

Albie’s First Word:A Tale Inspired by Albert Einstein’s Childhood.  Written by Jacqueline Tourville. Illustrated by Wynne Evans. 40 pages.

I think many people know the story goes that Albert Einstein didn’t say his first word until he was four or so.  This is the story of what his family went through when their toddler couldn’t talk. Mostly truth, but some imaginings.

I love this book. I love the illustrations and being able to read it to Gage and tell him the truth of it.  You don’t have to be like everyone else to change the world.

Young Frank Architect. By Frank Viva.40 pages

MoMA’s first picture book, this tells the tale of Young Frank and his grandfather Old Frank who have different views about architecture.  The Franks go to the Museum of Moder Art (MoMA) to learn about real architects, Frank O. Gehry and Frank Lloyd Wright.   Although Old and Young Frank are not real people the fact that this book explored architecture by two icons made this feel like a true story.

I loved the book and the illustrations. I loved the invitation to creativity as the two Franks created a city by using only everyday items around the house.

A Boy Called Dickens.  Written by Deborah Hopkinson. Illustrated by John Hendrix.  40 pages.

Beautifully illustrated of young  Charles Dickens growing up working in the factory to support himself while the rest of his family was in debtor’s prison.

In my opinion, the language was a little too much for kids, but the story is one to bring out when you feel like your kids don’t appreciate what they have in life.  Being thankful is one of the takeaways for kids in this one.

Last month 57.14% of you voted to watch Me Before You this month for our first Monthly Watchathon.

The movie is based on the bestselling book by JojoMoyes. Sorry I’m getting this up so late, before I left for vacation Genius was winning and that didn’t come out until this weekend.

So, since we’re a little late and you may have seen it and even written about it already, let’s keep it simple.  I’m going to offer up a few questions for your post, feel free to answer just one or all.

After you post your review, leave the link in a comment AND add one question to add to mine. I’ll add both to this post.

Questions-

Did you read the book first?

Who was your favorite character in the movie and if you read it too was it different from the book?

In the end, did you understand Will?

 

I’m off to see the movie tomorrow and then I’ll add my review. I look forward to seeing what you all thought.

As the first round of Quizzes comes to a close we have a winner

Nise from Under the Boardwalk who wins an $18 B&N gift card

and another winner

Tara from Tales of a Book Addict who was the randomly selected winner and will receive a small bookish prize from me soon.

Congratulations 🙂

Thank you all for participating. Starting next week, Wednesdays will be home to my new Movie Meme and Movie Watch posts.  Quizzes will most likely return this fall.

Eligible. Finished 5-15-16, rating 4/5, romance, 492 pages, pub. 2016

A Modern Retelling of Pride and Prejudice

This version of the Bennet family—and Mr. Darcy—is one that you have and haven’t met before: Liz is a magazine writer in her late thirties who, like her yoga instructor older sister, Jane, lives in New York City. When their father has a health scare, they return to their childhood home in Cincinnati to help—and discover that the sprawling Tudor they grew up in is crumbling and the family is in disarray.

Youngest sisters Kitty and Lydia are too busy with their CrossFit workouts and Paleo diets to get jobs. Mary, the middle sister, is earning her third online master’s degree and barely leaves her room, except for those mysterious Tuesday-night outings she won’t discuss. And Mrs. Bennet has one thing on her mind: how to marry off her daughters, especially as Jane’s fortieth birthday fast approaches.

Enter Chip Bingley, a handsome new-in-town doctor who recently appeared on the juggernaut reality TV dating show Eligible. At a Fourth of July barbecue, Chip takes an immediate interest in Jane, but Chip’s friend neurosurgeon Fitzwilliam Darcy reveals himself to Liz to be much less charming. . . .

And yet, first impressions can be deceiving.      from Goodreads

I read this book for book club and, as luck would have it, Curtis spoke at a local library a week before our meeting. She was funny and charming and those of us that attended really liked her.  I waited until after meeting her to start reading the book and am glad I did.  She stressed that this was a fun ‘romp’ not an exact retelling of Pride & Prejudice.  This helped frame the book and that description was used a few times at our book group meeting.  Everyone really liked it. Here I am with Curtis…

As for the story itself, it was good, but I did have one major issue from the beginning.  Elizabeth had spent most of her adult life involved with a married man.  It just didn’t mesh with my vision of Lizzie and it took me a while to get past it.  Sittenfeld did a good job of making Pride & Prejudice ultra modern.  She took on hoarding, reality tv, artificial insemination, transgenders.  Hardly a current hot button issue not included.

There was chemistry between Liz & Darcy, and Liz’s family was something to behold. A modern, beach romp for sure and P&P fans will enjoy visiting with old friends.

 

This will be the last quiz for the summer.  I’ll be spending as much time as I can entertaining my KINDERGARTNER!  He graduates from Pre-K today, where he has been with much of the same staff for three years and I anticipate some tears (mine, not his).

This quiz is from June 2010 and you just need to guess the Seuss titles.

No Googling or looking at other commenter answers.  Yes, we’re going by the honor system  Play every week or just one time, you are always welcome 🙂  It only takes once to be eligible for a prize.

Leave your guesses as a comment. Good luck!!

1-Happy Birthday to You  2-The Sneeches and Other Stories  3-Oh, the Places You’ll Go  4-Yertle the Turtle and Other Stories  5-And To Think That I Saw It On Mulberry Street  6-Dr. Seuss’ Sleep Book  7-Horton Hears a Who  8-How the Grinch Stole Christmas  9-Daisy-Head Mayzie  10-The Lorax