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Friday, September 27, 2013

Book Review: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

This book is simply beautiful.

Written by best selling author, Neil Gaiman,  The Ocean at the End of the Lane, is an adult fairy tale that is thoughtful, beautiful, terrifying, and nostalgic all at the same time.


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Interview with an Author: Valerie Wicks, Part 2

Last week, I published the first part of my interview with first time author, Valerie Wicks. Valerie is the author of the middle-grade/Y.A. series Seven Spectral. The first book in the series has been released and the second is due out this fall. 

With seven books in total, this is an ambitious book series. But what makes it even more ambitious is that Valerie has been self-publishing. It is a very involved process that requires dedication and research, and I was able to get an insider look into just how much it takes.
Valerie Wicks signing copies of Into the Red World

Friday, September 20, 2013

Book Review: The Cuckoo's Calling

J.K. Rowling thought she could get away with secretly publishing her latest book under the pseudonym, Robert Galbraith. But we caught her! As soon as it was revealed that Rowling had published a new book, the sales of The Cuckoo's Calling went through the roof, and you should definitely add to that profit margin. Not to mention the new announcement that Rowling will be drafting a script based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them! You've got to get back in full J.K. mode.

I did have mixed feelings about her first departure from Harry Potter, The Casual Vacancy. But I was left with no mixed feeling about this one. I loved it, no questions asked.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Interview with an Author: Valerie Wicks, Part 1

The Seven Spectral Series is a seven-part middle-grade/Y.A. series that takes place in a very interesting universe. There are seven worlds, each one completely toned one color of the rainbow.

The first and only published installment of the series, Into The Red World, is a promising start to what will be a long literary journey. The next book The Orange World Outlaw is due to be released in the fall of this year.

After I read the first book and learned that the author, Valeria Wicks, had six more to come, I knew it would be a great opportunity to do an interview and get a behind the scenes look at this ambitious series from a first time author.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Book Review: The 100-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared

Yes, that's really the title. And the book is as unique as its title. But in a really good way.

Written by Swedish author Jonas Jonasson, the book is literally about a centenarian, Allan, who climbs out of his window at the nursing home (because he dislikes the head nurse and could really use a drink) and disappears on an adventure. This unbelievable adventure includes stealing a suitcase full of cash, a disorganized crime organization, an elephant, misprinted bibles, and plenty of alcohol.

But it is also about his one-hundred years of life leading up to this new adventure. And the reader is in for quite a surprise as to what Allan has been up to for the past 100 years.

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Adaptations: The Book vs. The Movie

The latest trend in Hollywood seems to be leaning towards making anything but original content. There are sequels. There are movies based on plays, based on video games, based on other movies! But the most popular things to base movies on are books.

This is great for the kids in high school who have refused to do their summer reading, because there's probably a movie based on whatever book they've skipped. But is it great for all of the book fans of the world? It's fun to see your favorite characters come to life, but it can be heartbreaking when it's done poorly.

I work in the entertainment industry, and I know that movies can't be the same as the books. There are certain things that work in a book that just will not work on screen. I get it. And yet I still get disappointed if my favorite scene is taken out or something is just completely wrong. But what really disappoints me is when the adaptation misses the whole point of the book.
The Lovely Bones, for example, is a great book that is about how everyone deals with death differently, including the deceased. I felt like the movie adaptation missed that. It was a thriller, a mystery who-done-it, which does make for a better movie, but everything I loved about the book seemed to be muted in the background.
And let's not even talk about Life of Pie! I LOVED the book, and really did not like the movie. It was so bland compared to the book. The book inspired so much awe, I got goosebumps while reading. The movie was just me thinking how fake Richard Parker looked.

But there are some movies that, I think, actually enhance the book. The Help is a great book and movie. The two compliment each other. And I don't have any problems with the changes made for the big screen, because the movie stuck to the heart of the book.
The Great Gatsby is another great example of this. I am not a huge fan of the book. The characters, especially Daisy, were spoiled and boring to me. But when I saw them in the theater, I understood them. They truly came to life for me. Now, if you don't like Baz Luhrmann's style, you probably won't like the movie. But I actually liked it more than the book.

So what do you think? Do you love adaptations? Hate them? Do you get really excited or really nervous when you find out one of your favorite books will make it over to the big screen?






Friday, September 6, 2013

Book Review: The Ender's Game Saga

I'm sure many of you have seen the movie trailers and posters for the upcoming holiday movie Ender's Game. Based on the best selling book by Orson Scott Card, this adaptation is most likely going to take the holiday box office by storm. 

If you're wondering whether you should try and squeeze in a quick read before the release, I'd say definitely. And don't stop there. Even people who have read Ender's Game don't realize that the book is just the beginning of an epic saga. But you better believe that I have (almost) read the entire thing and am going to try my hardest to convince you to as well.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

eReaders vs. Books

This will be a fight to the death, and I think we all know which one will inevitably come out on top. With iPads, Kindles, Nooks, and other reading tablets being so convenient, books in hard copy really don't stand a chance for much longer. And I think that's really sad.

I love the bookstore, the smell of books, and how cool and intelligent I seem with an overflowing bookshelf. I love being able to flip through pages and see and feel my progress. I love seeing the the spine get new creases as I keep reading. And don't even get me started on my love of bookmarks.

But I also love my Kindle.
I'm so guilty! I used to carry around books everywhere, and my shoulders would hurt from my purse being so heavy. Now, I can carry around as many books as I want with barely any weight. Plus being able to download samples, highlight and save quotes, and buy whatever book whenever I want is oh so wonderful.

However, I don't think I will ever buy a Kindle version of a book I already own, and I will still go to the bookstore and buy a book in hard copy if I want to.

I don't want books to die! But I'm afraid they will soon.

What do you guys think? Do you have a preference between e-readers and books? Do you have both? Would you be upset if books as we know them were no more?