Monday, December 7, 2015

Musing Mondays (42) Holiday Movies

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm, that asks you to muse about something book related each week.

My Musings for the Week...

Despite the title of this post, it actually does have something to do with books. But first, I'm going to start with the random weekly question that I missed last week:

What makes a book really enjoyable for you? And, conversely, what would turn you off about a book?

Just to name a few: good characters, interesting story, and world building most of the time. Mainly it’s a combination of reasons, and even if something is missing I might still like a story anyway just because I enjoy it. After all, I read to be entertained. If it’s got my attention, I’m bound to stick with it despite the faults. There’s no telling how I’ll react to a book until I’ve picked it up and started to read it.

Now things that I don’t enjoy could also be things that could make me like a book. It just depends on the book—like in some cases repetitive dialogue could be used to make a point and indicate moments of suspense/worry, which works, but in other instances the effect might end up as an element that I didn't enjoy. Really, it could go either way.  

Other Musings:

The holiday season is here! Well, technically it started a while ago, but Christmas is just weeks away. So, for today I wanted to talk about a few of my favorite Christmas movies based off of books. (**Note: just because I like the adaptation(s) doesn't necessarily mean that I've read the book; yet, this fact doesn't affect my enjoyment of the film(s)**)
  1. First and foremost, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, which is a classic. I think what I enjoy most is how Scrooge learns his lesson by the end. So far, I’ve enjoyed many of the adaptations of this book. Currently, my favorite is the 2009 version.
  2. This one is kind of obvious: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. This is just a movie I enjoy every year (the animated version). 
  3. The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Oh gosh, I absolutely adore the movie! The animation was done so well that even now I still enjoy watching the movie when it comes on.
A Christmas Carol How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Polar Express

What about you? Do you have any favorite Christmassy movies? Or, what’s your favorite seasonal food/drink? (A favorite of mine is the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride Tea, which is absolutely fantastic.)

Friday, December 4, 2015

The Friday 56 (46) The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Synopsis from Goodreads...

After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by a blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in.

Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that makes him question everything he previously believed about their mission. Faced with this devastating realization, Iolanthe is forced to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—and forging a divergent path to an unknowable future...
"Wintervale was on his feet. "I am all for it."
"And everyone else?" Sutherland gestured at the rest of the room.
"They too, of course," Wintervale answered for them."--The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas


Which do you prefer: a gift card or a book as as gift?

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo CabretTitle: The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Author: Brian Selznick
Source/Format: Won, Hardcover
More Details: Middle Grade, Historical Fiction
Publisher/Publication Date: Scholastic, April 1, 2007

Goodreads     Amazon     Barnes & Noble     Book Depository

Synopsis from Goodreads...

An orphan and a thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy train station. He desperately believes a broken automation will make his dreams come true. But when his world collides with an eccentric girl and a bitter old man, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy...
The Invention of Hugo Cabret is the kind of book I want to share with my entire family. It was just really lovely, and I have no idea why I never read it before, though I’m happy I finally did.

The story belongs mainly to Hugo, an orphan after the death of his father and his uncle soon after. He secretly takes care of the clocks in the station, stealing food just to keep from going hungry. There were other characters too—Isabelle, Etienne, Georges, Jeanne—who were tied into Hugo’s story and affected his life in different ways. The story paired with Selznick style was the perfect combination. The way it was told was just fantastic—partly through pictures that depicted scenes throughout the novel.

From start to finish The Invention of Hugo Cabret was wonderful. I have two more of Brian Selznick’s books on my shelf, and I definitely plan to read them soon.

Monday, November 30, 2015

Musing Mondays (41) What I'm Reading

Musing Mondays is a weekly meme hosted by Jenn at A Daily Rhythm, that asks you to muse about something book related each week.

My Musings for the Week...

I have an ARC to finish, but that review won’t be going up for a while. So, for my musing’s this fine Monday morning, I’m going to share about the book I will read this week: The Perilous Sea by Sherry Thomas. After the ending of book one, The Burning Sky, I'm excited to continue on with this trilogy.

The Perilous Sea (The Elemental Trilogy, #2)About the book (Synopsis from goodreads)… 

After spending the summer away from each other, Titus and Iolanthe (still disguised as Archer Fairfax) are eager to return to Eton College to resume their training to fight the Bane. Although no longer bound to Titus by a blood oath, Iolanthe is more committed than ever to fulfilling her destiny—especially with the agents of Atlantis quickly closing in.

Soon after arriving at school, though, Titus makes a shocking discovery, one that makes him question everything he previously believed about their mission. Faced with this devastating realization, Iolanthe is forced to come to terms with her new role, while Titus must choose between following his mother's prophecies—and forging a divergent path to an unknowable future...

What are you reading this week?

Friday, November 27, 2015

The Friday 56 (45) The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

My 56 this week comes from The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. The quote below is from page 51 instead since page 56 is an illustration.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

An orphan and a thief, Hugo lives in the walls of a busy train station. He desperately believes a broken automation will make his dreams come true. But when his world collides with an eccentric girl and a bitter old man, Hugo's undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in jeopardy...

The Invention of Hugo Cabret"Reluctantly, one by one, Hugo pulled out dozens of objects: screws and nails and bits of metal, gears and crumpled playing cards, tiny pieces of clockworks, cogs, and wheels."--The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick 


What are you reading this week?
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