One Day by David Nicholls

One Day by David Nicholls

It’s 1988 and Dexter Mayhew and Emma Morley have only just met. But after only one day together, they cannot stop thinking about one another. Over twenty years, snapshots of that relationship are revealed on the same day—July 15th—of each year. Dex and Em face squabbles and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. And as the true meaning of this one crucial day is revealed, they must come to grips with the nature of love and life itself.

Where to begin...

This is an AMAZINGLY-real friends-to-lovers story that captured my attention and brought with it deep emotion on many levels. I was quite excited to read this story after seeing the movie trailer (as mentioned in previous posts it helps me to visualize the characters - and doesn't ruin the book for me).
With any new author, there were about 80 pages worth of 'getting-used-to-it' time. The English verbiage was the biggest obstacle; however, once I adjusted things fell into step.

Emma Morley is a optimistic-pessimist. She knows she wants to change the world...or rather "Not change the world exactly, but the bit around you." But, is quite down on herself and how things in her life tend to not work out.  I felt that she was a very REAL character that is thoroughly good-natured, but not flawless that I found myself fighting for throughout the book.

Dexter Meyhew on the other hand is what I like to call "a fixer-upper" he's your bad-boy that you WANT so bad to do good.  I have to admit (without spoilers - I'll post those farther down) I was extremely concerned I would not find any admirable qualities in Dexter. We know the hansome, arrogant, selfish attitude can only work if there are some redeeming qualities... but without even realizing it I found (by the end) I was fighting just as hard for Dex and desperately wanted him to find happiness too.

The story not only takes you through the encounters of Emma and Dexter (Em & Dex) but allows you to see THEIR lives thoroughly when they are not together.  Which allows you to know these characters in a more complete way. Emma finds herself in relationships that as a reader you want to work -- because she deserves love. Dexter finds himself in orgies and extreme binges - and you really just want him to run home to a cold shower and realize his mess. It was amazing to me how the arrangement of this book worked. I had such intense emotions when reading about their lives and experienced the ups and downs wholeheartedly. Anyone who enjoys a fight-for-love story I feel will become engrossed in this book as I was.

To say I am excited to see this story come to life, is an understatement. I am not like most readers - I know very well that it is VERY difficult and almost impossible for feelings to be transmitted from the book pages to the big screen with the same intensity.  Therefore, I set my standards low. Simply enjoying specific scenes being played out and character reactions being the same - and many times different that what I had imagined. Furthermore, this movie has the potential to tie in some great take-you-back 90's tunes in the soundtrack (however, many are not) mentioned in the book (ie: the Cranberries, Jamiroquai and many more). I really hope that you love this book as much as I did. Let me know what you think - and even if you don't read the book...go see the movie it looks great!

********************SPOILERS********************

So, for lack of being able to contain myself - I MUST jot down these few things that I had certain issues with that can't be mentioned in the review itself.

Dexter is a selfish drunk prick throughout the book, although I was fighting for Dexter by the end and really really wanted things to work out, I found myself extremely angry at his character and up until the end (when he finally redeems) I ... (don't think horribly of me) didn't want things to work out for him. I mean he's rich. He's handsome. He's arrogant. All things that I thing I would have accepted had there not been....

He's a drunk/sometimes drug addict. He takes his family for granted. He takes his best friend for granted.... He's an extreme womanizer (um - he's counting off the women he has slept with while at a wedding - while his fiancee' is pregnant next to him *jerk). He's selfish to the N'th degree!  I suppose this was all part of David Nicholls master plan...hate Dexter for awhile...then feel extreme sadness for him when his life falls apart. It worked.

There were also a few things that I really really wished had of been included but were not. 

The sex between Em & Dex - okay. It's aaaaaaalllll building up to that right? The brushes of the hips, the holding of the hands, the kissing, skinny dipping, the watching each other SHOWER! Then when they finally do, we are left thinking...Good? Bad? Amazing? As they thought it would be? Who freakin knows? I don't.

The baby talk. We all know it happened. Was Dexter a jerk during this? Perhaps this is why it is not included? I really wanted him to realize he's a good guy with her want a child with her as much as she wanted one too. Maybe this is only mentioned in passing and vague because it never comes to head? I think this too could have been a redeeming heart-warming scene that we never got to imagine.

Well, these are all just my rambles, and as you probably can tell - if you have read the book, and aren't peeking at the spoilers - I haven't mentioned the most shocking thing of the entire book! And don't plan on it. I hope you read :)  Till next time.

Dragonfly in Amber

Goodreads book description: For twenty years Claire Randall has kept her secrets. But now she is returning with her grown daughter to Scotland's majestic mist-shrouded hills. Here Claire plans to reveal a truth as stunning as the events that gave it birth: about the mystery of an ancient circle of standing stones ... about a love that transcends the boundaries of time ... and about James Fraser, a Scottish warrior whose gallantry once drew a young Claire from the security of her century to the dangers of his....


OH MY where to begin....the series continues with a twist you don't foresee after reading the original Outlander. When I began I will admit that I was kindof very EXTREMELY concerned because things begin in the 1960's.  But, as always, Gabaldon is brilliant when it comes to keeping the audience intrigued.  Obviously, I needed to know the when - what - how and whys for this and thus...I kept reading. 


There are a few new characters which are introduced in this book who you will grow to love.  We learn a little about Claire and Jamie's - Brianna. Roger Mac - who you may remember from book one...when he was just a "wee lad". 


Claire and Jamie's relationship continues to develop throughout this second book and we are enlightened on how - In - The - World - We got to the 1960's.  If you are anything like I was the time frames when Jamie & Claire seemed to draaaaaag on. When all is said and done, you realize that it just makes it that much more exciting when you get back to their story or they are reunited.  With book 2, there are a few changes in scenery; not just the time jump in time; are intriguing.  Gabaldon thoroughly researches and this is apparent throughout her books, specifically this one. 

View of Scotland - Beautiful.

My ONE criticism of this particular book was that I was from time-to-time, a little overwhelmed with some of the historical references and questioned whether or not certain facts would be relevant later in the novel. As a reader, don't fret. Even with the historical information, it all comes together and what needs to be explained - is brought up often so you have a clearer picture and are not confused on who does what...when...where...how (lol).  

Buckle up...this book opens the door to the others - ENJOY!

(You can probably expect a second follow-up post to this one...which will certainly contain spoilers as I am currently re-reading my Dragon Fly in Amber right now. And will without a doubt have many comments that have slipped my mind from my last year read.)

Masterpiece Monday (Week 3)

~Masterpiece Monday~

This week's Masterpiece Monday is from Chapter 2 (Loooooong Night). I hope you laugh at our ramblings of Twilight as much as we did.   

Enjoy the soundtrack which includes...The xx - Infinity and The Intro (true wishlist tunes for the Breaking Dawn soundtrack); The Black Keys - Your Touch; Michael Jackson - Beat It; Kilo Ali - Baby,Baby (very throwback). 

*I am sorry about the sound quality...this is a work in progress*

Divergent By Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Category: MUST READ


Good Reads Book Description:


In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes infuriating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.


One of My Favority Quotes:


"I might be in love with you." He smiles a little. "I'm waiting until I'm sure to tell you, though."
"That's sensible of you," I say, smiling too. "We should find some paper so you can make a list or a chart of something."
I feel his laughter against my side, his nose sliding along my jaw, his lips pressing behind my ear.
"Maybe I'm already sure," he says, "and I just don't want to frighten you."
I laugh a little. "Then you should know better."
"Fine", he says, "Then I love you."



On to the Review:

This book owned my life for 24 hours.  I started reading Friday night at 9:38 pm and finished the book Saturday at 11:38 pm. I didn’t even realize that I was on the last page until I couldn’t turn the page anymore. 

 I get tired of using the words great, fantastic, and amazing, but this book was all of those words and more.  I haven’t pinpointed the exact reason that I love this book, but it has a great mix of suspense, action, and romance.  I was hooked from the first page.  I honestly enjoyed the entire book. I never once felt like a part of the book was dragging or wasn’t interesting

I really enjoyed the author’s writing style. Normally, it takes me just a bit to get used to the style when starting a new book. This was not the case with Divergent.  I fell right in step with Veronica Roth from the first page. She did a wonderful job at creating an image in your mind without overloading you with excessive details.   I knew that if something was described or even mentioned in Divergent, that I needed to remember it because it was coming back up soon.

Something I found interesting was the character descriptions between Four and Tris.  I feel like I got a pretty clear picture in my mind of Four. (See below). However, I never could picture Tris. No matter what, I couldn't conjure up an image of her in my mind. This wasn't due to my lack of imagination or any fault of Veronica Roth's. My theory is that is that way it was supossed to be.  Tris comes from an abnegation background (selfless) so she has been trained to never focus on herself. Since the book is from her point of view, we never get the details that you normally would from a character.  For instance, the character in another book might describe their hair, face, and clothes before leaving for work or when they look in the mirror. We never got that with Tris other than her stating she had plain blonde hair. Just a random thought I had...I actually thought it was quite clever of the author in keeping true to Tris' character.

This is who I had in mind for Four (Tobias). Thoughts?

This was a unique YA love story.  There was not an overwhelming passionate love affair between Tris and Four.  The love story develops along with the plot. We never lost focus of the main story line. The love story stayed true to their characters as well. Four is a quiet, reserved, but fiery instructor. Four didn’t become all clingy and girly when he realized he was attracted to her. He never once babied her because she was small, weak, or female. He pushes her to be stronger, mentally and physically.

"You think my first instinct is to protect you. Because you're small, or a girl, or a Stiff. But you're wrong."
He leans his face close to mine and wraps his fingers around my chin. His hand smells like metal. When was the last time he held a gun, or a knife? My skin tingles at the point of contact, like he's transmitting electricity through his skin.
"My first instinct is to push you until you break, just to see how hard I have to press." he says, his fingers squeezing at the word break. My body tenses at the edge in his voice, so I am coiled as tight as a spring, and I forget to breathe.
HIs dark eyes lifting to mine, he adds, "But I resist it."
"Why..." I swallow hard. "Why is that your first instinct?"
"Fear doesn't shut you down; it wakes you up. I've seen it. It's fascinating." He releases me but doesn't pull away, his hand grazing my jaw, my neck. "Sometimes I just want to see it again. Want to see you awake."

I was hesitant when beginning the book because of the hype surrounding this book.  I didn’t want to be let down. I just recently read The Hunger Games which many people compared this book to. The comparison begins and ends with the dystopian setting.  That is all.  I LOVED The Hunger Games. It was so creative and at times just insane (the books caused stress in my life while reading, lol)  However, Veronica Roth does a great job at creating a series set in dystopian Chicago where every citizen at 16 chooses a faction (what I compare to a district). The purpose is to devote your life to a positive quality: honesty, intelligence, selflessness, bravery, and peacefulness. Well, things don’t always work out the way they are planned. Ultimately, some people are just downright evil. Shit hits the fan from here…

I could say so much more about this book, but I won't. Just go read it! I definitely recommend this book after reading Twilight, The Hunger Games, or any book for that matter.  This is an amazing debut novel from Veronia Roth.  I can’t wait for the next book in the series to be released.

Exciting Note - I just heard that Summit Entertainment obtained the rights to Divergent and they have hired a screenwriter to adapt this novel to a movie! Woo Hoo! Can't wait!!!

Another Exciting Note - Just like 30 seconds I saw the 2nd installment in this series is entitled Insurgent!

A Discovery of Witches

A Discovery of Witches 

by: Deborah Harkness

Good Reads Book Description

Deep in the stacks of Oxford's Bodleian Library, young scholar Diana Bishop unwittingly calls up a bewitched alchemical manuscript in the course of her research. Descended from an old and distinguished line of witches, Diana wants nothing to do with sorcery; so after a furtive glance and a few notes, she banishes the book to the stacks. But her discovery sets a fantastical underworld stirring, and a horde of daemons, witches, and vampires soon descends upon the library. Diana has stumbled upon a coveted treasure lost for centuries-and she is the only creature who can break its spell. 

First things first, Ian Somerhalder reminds us of Matthew, dark and brooding.  Dangerous and alluring. (*I know, I know, he's already Damon - but hey - this is who I pictured, what can I say, he's a perfect vamp.*)

Couldn't you imagine a make-out session next to the apple tree with THIS!

In case anyone wondered what was underneath that.

We read this book kind-of at the same time so we could discuss; therefore, this post will be both of our ramblings on DOW. Here. We. Go!


Our thoughts? We got lots of them.  This was a very interesting read. Deborah did her research before writing this book.  We learn A LOT about things that we never thought we wanted or needed to do.  We now have knowledge of D.N.A., Alchemy, poets, playwrights, wars, the list goes on.  I didn't fact check her, but I am taking the history/medical knowledge in this book like it is a text book because she couldn't have possibly made this shit up, right?

Anywho....Neither of us had ever read a book about witches before.  Witches have made appearances in books that we have read, but we have never had the opportunity to delve in to the world of witchery.  Let's just say...Witches are bad ass.  They can do just about anything; witch-fire, witch-water, witch-wind, time-walk, read minds, the opportunities are endless (well, at least Diana's are). 

We both enjoyed the "mush" we experienced with this book...several different elements from other semi-similar books smashed together (Twilight, Outlander, Vampire Diaries and a little True Blood). We are *VERY* much eagerly anticipating the next installment of Discovery of Witches. If you enjoy Diana Gabaldon's writing style and reading about history, I would really recommend adding this to your book list. If you don't like the "vampire-book-thing", I would say skip this one. Lets face it, if you can't get past a guy wanting a girl AND her blood, you will probably will not enjoy a story focused on VAMPIRES, witches and daemons. 


The romance involved in this story is not over-kill, it instead is the glue that holds the story lines together. With so much inner turmoil with the main character, external conflicts, family issues, why not add romance to the mix. One may think this seems like a lot in one book - and you're right - but it is written in such a way that it all just fits together perfectly. You know a book is good when you go to bed thinking so much about it.

(P.S. Izzy: If Diana complains about her clothes (black trousers and a plain colored shirt), then why doesn't she just pop new clothes in her closet? I mean, hasn't she heard of Sabrina the Teenage Witch, duh?!? lol)

 Matthew, Matthew, Matthew...

*************PLEASE BEWARE LOTS OF SPOILERS BELOW***********

IM's relating to A Discovery of Witches: 

Sassy - 5/24/11 - 12:09am     =     It's 12 o'clock and I'm just finishing chapter 17! It's officially ON! I'm now losing  sleep b/c I neeeeeed to know what is happening next. Lucky for u I have to wk tomorrow & need to go to the gym during lunch, so I won't get much reading done.

I can't wait to discuss!

Izzy - 5/24/11 - 7:24am     =     Lol I read just a couple pages. I had every intention of reading last night but Nicole called and we ended up talking until 11:00. That's past my bedtime so no more reading was done! Maybe today on lunch I will read though.

Izzy - 5/25/11 - 12:59pm     =     Just starting chapter 8!

Izzy - 5/26/11 - 7:44pm     =      They are having lots of wine with dinner! Is this about to get exciting? Lol

Izzy - 5/26/11 - 9:41pm     =     Starting chapter 16 tomorrow. Am I almost caught up to you yet?

Sassy - 5/27/11 - 6:21am    =     Yes! I think I'm on 19

Izzy - 5/27/11 - 4:53pm     =     Got a bottle of Moscato to start the weekend off right

Sassy - 5/29/11 - 11:05am      =     Did u read? Need to ck your chapter... To see whether I can read yet or not. -lol   (**Wow - I'm a book bully - lol**)

Izzy - 5/29/11 - 1:08pm     =     I read some not much though. I think I am on chapter 20. They went horse back riding.

Izzy - 5/29/11 - 4:23pm     =     Starting chapter 22 now. Reading on my phone makes me so sleepy! 

Izzy - 5/30/11 - 12:56am     =     Starting chapter 27. What chapter are you on?

Sassy - 5/30/11 - 10:29am     =     Ooooh! I'm only starting 25 :) wooooohooooo!

Sassy - 5/30/11 - 1:28pm     =     So when he came home....They totally had a makeout session and full on grope-fest right next to his car?! Buddy's grabbing her boob when his mom walks out? Nonetheless, now they're sleeping in the same bed!

Izzy - 5/30/11 - 2:31pm     =     Lol. they get you worked up just to be blocked!

Sassy - 5/30/11 - 2:41pm     =     Holy freakin cow! Boyfriend just barged in holding a towel! Things are getting more interesting.   (**Or so I thought)

Sassy - 5/30/11 - 2:44pm     =     And now naked!   (**girlfriend just didn't know this was AAALLLLL the action she was going to be getting for awhile**)

Izzy - 5/30/11 - 3:23pm     =     You are pretty much caught up with me then!!

Izzy - 5/30/11 - 4:29pm     =     What chapter are you on?

Sassy - 5/30/11 - 5:37pm     =     Just about to start 29. She was just kidnapped I think!

Izzy - 5/30/11 - 6:13pm     =     I am right ahead of you. Craziness!

Sassy - 5/30/11 - 6:16pm     =     I just finished 29 she's trapped in some hole and doesn't know how to fly out

Sassy 5/30/11 - 6:18pm     =     Matthew is going to be so pissed! She promised not to leave, and then she goes gallivanting out after all sorts of fondling fun the night before! She's in heaps of trouble!  (**bahhhh-haaaaaa - we were wrong, again**)

Izzy - 5/30/11 - 7:10pm     =     I thought so too

Izzy - 5/31/11 - 9:04pm     =     We need to talk ASAP! craziness!

Sassy - 5/31/11 - 9:22pm     =     Book?

Sassy - 5/31/11 - 10:28pm     =     Hold on! The tea is a contraceptive!? There's gotta be something to THAT!

Izzy - 6/1/11 - 9:33pm     =     This is going to be a big cliff hanger. I just know it! Only 15 pages left and so much to do!

Sassy - 6/1/11 - 9:45pm     =     Okay I met Juliette! She just kissed Diana?! WTF? She is crazy!

Izzy - 6/1/11 - 10:11pm     =     Now what?

Sassy - 6/1/11 - 10:18pm     =     She's giving him blood b/c the bitch almost killed him! Holy freakin cow!

Izzy - 6/1/11 - 10:18pm     =     Intense, huh? I just finished!

Sassy - 6/1/11 - 10:21pm     =     Yes! They r trying to keep her alive now since Matthew drank so much

Sassy - 6/1/11 - 10:34pm     =     Just jotting...Deal made?   (**this helps me not forget important things that need to be discussed in actual phone conversation - sorry, most of these will make absolutely no sense whatsoever.**)

Izzy - 6/2/11 - 9:54pm     =     Reading?

Sassy - 6/2/11 - 10:08pm     =     Just got home :( bout to start though.

Izzy - 6/2/11 - 10:08pm     =     Late start!!

Sassy - 6/3/11 - 7:12am     =     10 pages left!

Izzy - 6/3/11 - 7:32am     =     You will be done today!!!

Sassy - 6/3/11 - 5:56pm     =     WTF - Again no consummation!    Matthew in love w/a man?!

Sassy - 6/3/11 - 5:56pm     =     Nevermind

Sassy - 6/3/11 - 5:59pm     =     Playhouses?

Sassy - 6/3/11 - 6:23pm     =     WTF! I'm done but WTF!

Sassy - 6/3/11 - 6:27pm     =     I'm still confused.

Izzy - 6/3/11 - 7:16pm     =     Call me!

We love us some Matthew, but a few things need to be said here. WFT!?!? NO SEX.  Normally, this is not a big deal. We aren't crazy pervs that demand sex in every book we read, but can we say COCK BLOCK? (Can we say that word on here? I guess so, since it's our blog, lol) But seriously people, Deborah got us worked up SEVERAL times in the book (didn't EVERYone think when the entire fam left the house and they were completely alone THAT would be the time???)  and they never consummated their relationship! I (Sassy) had a very hard time with this aspect of the book when all was said and done. But...how can Harkness tell us that Diana 'used' men in the past for her personal 'needs' (never mind she's in her mid 30's), and then you go below the border with your HOT boyfriend/husband but decide you're not going to press the issue of sex? BABE - I think a serious convo would have taken place - BEFORE they traveled hundreds of years in the past. Can we say anti-climatic - LITERALLY!

I must say there were quite a few scenes that we just LOVED imagining while reading. All that talk of wine tasting really had me wishing I could taste caramel, berries, purple grapes, etc just by taking a sip of wine. (Matter of fact, we are planning on a wine tasting date very soon.) We also, quite enjoyed the descriptions of when Diana's magic went hay-wire...it was so exciting discovering (he-he) it  when Diana did too!

Another thought, during the the book Matthew mentions his rules about "not telling other people's tales" and it seems it is more of an almost 'don't ask, don't tell policy', it just SPELLS trouble! Don't you think?  Poor Diana! Shit keeps hitting the fan before she can even recover from the last episode because of Matthew's rather extensive past!

Overall, the books started off a little slow to us. There were lots of details that at times slowed the story line down, but after around chapter 16 (?) things definitely picked up speed. So many clever characters throughout - Marcus (Surfer-ish?), Marian (misunderstood?), Sarah (condescending Bitch!) - Nathaniel & Sophie (what the heck - you just came from no-where into our family?). Your mind can go anywhere with this story.

Nonetheless, the home stretch of the book, we couldn't even put it down. But, man, were we left hanging. BIG TIME! Nothing in the book really got resolved. Conflict after conflict, question after question, were presented, but none of it was answered. Call us OCD, but sometimes we like things to be tied up in a bow with a little resolution.  Resolution - we did not receive.  Definitely, looking forward to the next book.  We have lots of questions that need answers. We're hooked!

Favorite quotes from the book:

"Somewhere in the center of my soul, a rusty chain began to unwind. It freed itself, link by link, from where it had rested, unobserved, waiting for him. My hands, which had been balled up and pressed against his chest, unfurled with it. The chain continued to drop, to an unfathomable depth where there was nothing but darkness and Matthew. At last it snapped to its full length, anchoring me to a vampire. Despite the manuscript, despite the fact that my hands contained enough voltage to run a microwave, and despite the photograph, as long as I was connected to him, I was safe."

"Yes, I see that you are behaving like a prince but that doesn't mean you won't behave like a devil at the first opportunity."

"Are you smelling me?" After yesterday I suspected that my body was giving him all kinds of information I didn't want him to have.
"Don't tempt me," he murmured." 

"We kissed each other, long and deep, while my legs opened like the covers of a book." (Reader's note - This shit didn't get us anywhere...don't get your hopes up)

Water For Elephants: The Movie

We went to see the movie last night. Though we are still processing our thoughts on the movie, our opinions are running rampant! Thus, we decided to do a JOINT blog post to banter and discuss...all things WFE.

First thoughts though...WOW!  We were impressed.  Being both concerned that we had hyped the movie up so much that we would be let down, just to tell you...that is not the case. (Though, we do see through Rob shaded glasses, lets be honest) Rob Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz were excellent. Of course, Rob, was our favorite. He WAS our Jacob Jankowski. 

A few SEXY pictures (I really couldn't resist)

The movie stuck so closely with the book! I haven't ever watched a movie that accurate. The book even capturing some of the dialogue.  The whole movie felt so authentic. The look/feel was exactly as I had visualized, it was absolutely beautiful. Walking out we both felt we were born in the wrong decade.


We can think of at least 10 - 15 times throughout the movie that we looked at each other and said "Oh My, He-is-SOooooo-Hot!".  No one prepared us for the level of hotness that we would witness. (Pictures beforehand really were NOT the same!) And after all was said and done - its been decided - Rob looks best with a tan and some scruff...working, shoveling Rob = WHOA! I think my heart stopped during that scene where is shoveling horse maneauer in a wife-beater. I mean come on, he is shoveling shit but it doesn't even matter, he looks AMAZING!

This pic does not do him justice, but it is the only pic I could find...

So, just as we thought we had it under control, our love/obsession with Robert Pattinson came back with full force after watching this movie. This whole post could go on for days about how great Rob Pattinson is, but we digress.

Having read the book, we both connected with the characters in the movie easily. We were able to follow the love story and know where Marlena's heart lay.  However, we do wonder if it was as easy and heart warming to a movie-goer who hasn't read the book. Did they feel it? Did they love it as much as we did? I found myself sometimes wondering, "if someone hasn't read this book, do they think he's getting played by Marlena?".

A few of our favorite parts:

• Um....Hotel scene! (Except that some girl was giggling throughout - I mean, EXCUSE me - I'm trying to fantasize visualize watch the movie - keep your trap shut!)

• The clips at the end of the movie that were the home movies of Jacob, Marlena, and their children. We LOVED that. It was so sweet. (I thought quite a little creative move which allows you to actually SEE just a bit of their "happily-ever-after")

• The stampede played out exactly like we thought it would. We were so excited to see that come to life and it was amazing. 

• Jacob getting drunk in August and Marlena's cabin. Well...the part we really thought were actually - the effects of it. Barbara and the girls getting ahold of Jacob and dressing him up....neither of us were prepared for the level of AWESOMENESS.  I want to find that picture of him when he emerges out of that trunk.  WE NEED IT! We have searched all morning and cannot find it. If anyone out there has it, please help a girl out and send it. It it going to be our twitter wallpaper, phone wallpaper, hell it might even become by bathroom wallpaper (I kid, I kid). It really was epic...wig, makeup, costume, TASSLE. (Can't help but imagine Rob Pattinson may have ACTUALLY had a night or two like that himself? Hmmm? Drunk-man-walking...I think played suspiciously accurately. Bah-ha!)

If you haven't seen this movie yet, GET YOUR KEYS, GET IN THE CAR, and SEE IT NOW. It is worth it.

Let us know what you thought about the movie. Was there something they missed that you felt should have been included? Did you hate? Did you love it? Can you NOT stop thinking about Rob Pattinson now?

Tag your it...

Outlander (Part 2)

Best Fan Made Outlander Video Yet!

 

Okay, so I'm going to let you in on a little secret. I just finished my re-read of Outlander (book 1). Since this is no small book it took me awhile to decide to pick it back up (Izzy is probably pounding her fist shaking her head because I have about 30 books to read to catch up on what's going on in the books she's already read.). That being said, I just couldn't stay away - I have re-read my Twilight series (and I'm sure I will continue to pick them up from time to time *duh*) but, my need of some Jamie and Claire action outweighed all logic. So, just gotta say... re-reading is sooooo much more interesting - and *cough, cough - steamy*! With these books yes, you have to use your imagination to create the scene - no movie to give you an idea where the author was going - but in some instances it is THAT that makes it much better. (Oh! and I need to mention...please don't let the slow start discourage you - I PROMISE - it's worth the time.)

During my first Outlander read - I stumbled upon a fellow blogger who's blog became my companion during my "all things Outlander read" (no exaggerations - if I wasn't reading - I was Internet searching about it). Carol @ MyOutlanderPurgatory.com. I strongly recommend her blog for several reasons.

1. She gives you a chapter by chapter re-cap of her reading, feelings, and even funny predictions- giving all the info in a nice, neat, clever little package.
2. She is one witty little lady - seriously...Laugh Out Loud funny.
3. Although her opinions may not have ALWAYS been the same as mine, her feelings on certain things may open your eyes to another way to see a "situation". (However, most of the time they were spot on.)
4. She has playlist for the book - nuf' said - and pretty good taste in her "soundtrack". (This really stuck with me since I am a true sucker for music and I LOVE soundtracks!

AND NOW....A few additional notes that I would like to mention about Outlander. Upon my reading, I was reminded of yet ANOTHER reason to love this book - Memorable quotes and passages! I'm going to share a few of my favorites from Book 1. 

~ "Does it bother you that I'm not virgin?" He hesitated before answering.

"Well, no," he said slowly, "so long as it doesna bother you that I am." He grinned at my drop-jawed expression, and backed toward the door.

"Reckon one of us should know what they're doing," he said. The door closed softly behind him; clearly the courtship was over." (Chapter 13) 

~"Are you scared of me?" He didn't look it. Perhaps he was nervous though...He looked into my eyes and smiled. 

"Aye, More scairt than you, I expect. That's why I'm holdin' your hands; to keep my own from shaking." (Chapter 15) - Simply precious!

 

~"I didna realize that ye did it face to face. I thought ye must do it the back way, like; like horses, ye know." (Chapter 15) - priceless.

~"I'll thank ye," said a cool, level voice, "to take your hands off my wife." (Chapter 21) 

~"...Keep to your bed, laddie, and, er. . . rest."

"Why is it," I demanded, looking after the crusty old horsemaster, "that everyone seems to assume we've no more on our minds than to get into bed with each other?"

"For one thing, we've been married less than a month," he observed. "For another --" He looked up and grinned, shaking his head. "I've told ye before, Sassenach. Everything ye think shows on your face." (Chapter 24) 

~"I mean to be sure you'll remember me while I'm gone." (Chapter 24) - Mmmmph!

~"...Because I wanted you." He turned from the window to face me." "More than I ever wanted anything in my life," he added softly.

I continued staring at him, dumbstruck. Whatever I had been expecting, it wasn't this, Seeing my openmouthed expression, he continued lightly. "When I asked my da how ye knew which was the right woman, he told me when the time came, I'd have no doubt. And I didn't. When I woke in the dark under that tree on the road to Leoch, with you sitting on my chest, cursing me for bleeding to death, I said to myself, 'Jamie Fraiser, for all ye canna see what she looks like, and for all she weighs as much as a good draft horse, this is the woman.' " (Chapter 27)

~"My love," he whispered. "Oh, my love. I do want ye so."

"Not the same thing, is it?" I said. "Loving and wanting, I mean."

He laughed, a little huskily. "Damn close, Sassenach, for me, at least" (Chapter 27) 

~"Ye know," he observed letting go at last, "you've never said it."

"Neither have you."

"I have. The day after we came...."

"And I said that loving and wanting weren't necessarily the same thing," I countered.

"....I wanted ye from the first I saw ye -- but I loved ye when you wept in my arms and let me comfort you..."

"...You first"

"No, you."

...He leaned across the fence, reaching, and I stepped into his arms, feeling the heat of his body and the beat of his heart.

"I love you." (Chapter 31) LOVED the vision of this!

 

~"And if there was eternity, or even the idea of it, then perhaps Anselm was right; all things were possible. And all love? I wondered I had loved Frank; I still did. And I loved Jamie, more than my own life. But bound in the limits of time and flesh, I could not keep them both. Beyond, perhaps? Was there a place where time no longer existed, or where it stopped? A place where all things were possible. And none were necessary." (Chapter 39) - perhaps this sums up what Claire has been trying to figure out through the ENTIRE series? I thought it stated everything perfectly.

~"I meant it, Claire," he said quietly. "My life is yours. And yours to decide what we shall do, where we go next. To France, to Italy, even back to Scotland. My heart has been yours since first I saw ye, and you've held my soul and body between your two hands here, and kept them safe. We shall go as ye say." (Chapter 41) - deep sigh. 

***I'm certain I have forgotten several (since it is 12:30am) but feel free to remind me. I shall add to this when I stumble upon more and re-read again***

Water For Elephants

Category: MUST READ, Robert Pattinson, Romance

Book Description by Borders

Though he may not speak of them, the memories still dwell inside Jacob Jankowski's ninety-something-year-old mind. Memories of himself as a young man, tossed by fate onto a rickety train that was home to the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on Earth. Memories of a world filled with freaks and clowns, with wonder and pain and anger and passion; a world with its own narrow, irrational rules, its own way of life, and its own way of death. The world of the circus: to Jacob it was both salvation and a living hell.

Water for Elephants…  I LOVE THIS BOOK.  I read the book in just two days and when I was done, I didn't want it to be over. I find that the books you love the most are the ones that are the hardest to talk about.

I had thought about buying this book so many times. To be honest, I had ulterior motives when beginning this book. I will let you in on a small secret.  I might have picked this book up shortly after hearing that Rob Pattinson was going to play Jacob Jankowski (don’t judge).  I knew I would want to see the movie since I am a fan of Mr. Pattinson.  So I bought the book and sat down to see what all the fuss was about.

Well, now I know. The book is great. The author does a great job of creating a beautiful world to let you get lost in.  The relationship between Marlena and Jacob is so sweet and believable. There is nothing over the top or desperate about their relationship. It is just real. Upon their first meeting, I was cheering for them. 

Jacob is an endearing character with a kind soul. Jacob’s journey has many twists and turns. Your heart breaks for him as he experiences life at its worst and you find yourself smiling when Jacob gets the happiness he deserves. The author also does a great job writing the secondary characters.  Each character is so unique....August, Camel, and Walter (Kinko). Sara Gruen is able to paint a vivid picture of the circus life in the 1930's.

If I am being completely honest, I did find one draw back to the book.  I did get a little bored when the story line flips to present time and the "older" Jacob is no longer narrating the flash back. I am sure the present time story line was relevant to the book, but my focus was on Jacob and Marlena.  I wasn't quite as interested in the "older" Jacob harassing the nurses and his fellow peers. I felt that it slowed the story line down. I found my self speed-reading through these parts to get back to the flashbacks with Marlena and Jacob.  That being said, it isn't a big enough negativity that it would hinder me from recommending this book to anyone out there. It truly is a great book and deserves its spot on the best sellers list.

The book is a must read. I fell in love with the world that Sarah Gruen created. The circus has never been more intriguing. I CANNOT WAIT to watch this book come to life.

 Movie Release Date: April 22nd, 2011

Let me know what you think...tag your it.

-Izzy

The Time Traveler's Wife

Category: Must Read, Romance, What to read after Twilight

Publisher's Summary: A dazzling novel in the most untraditional fashion, this is the remarkable story of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who travels involuntarily through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Henry and Clare's passionate love affair endures across a sea of time and captures the two lovers in an impossibly romantic trap, and it is Audrey Niffenegger's cinematic storytelling that makes the novel's unconventional chronology so vibrantly triumphant.

What Do I think?

Let me begin by saying that I read this book after seeing the movie that was released in 2009. My reasons to read were strictly because I LOVE Rachel McAdams. And of course, like 99% of other book-to-movies, the book certainly surpassed the movie by a long shot. The movie left a lot of unexplained situations in my eyes. Knowing what we know about book-to-movies...I needed clarification. I started off very hesitant. This being my first book after my Outlander series - I knew another time travel story wouldn't compare. However, these books were completely different - in a million ways. The main difference was that the ongoing problem throughout the book IS time travel, unlike in Outlander, where the time travel is important, but it's certainly not an on-going issue. The love in Time Traveler's Wife seemed to me to be more "understood" than developed. You have to accept that when Clare meets Henry (again), she loves him and knows they will marry. But Henry is meeting her for the first time. I was a little thrown off by the mood that is given throughout their dating time. Their love story has such a complexity that I had a lot of trouble trying to envision how a "REAL" person could ever really deal with such a situation. The author does a remarkable job of helping it make sense. If there was one occurrence that explains the pain of the characters and changes the entire mood of the story it's the miscarriages Clare endures, at times alone.

The author's unique style of writing allows us to have glimpses into the past and present, explaining wondrous amounts information for both characters without extensive (overwritten) descriptive paragraphs. This book is absolutely a recommended read. I was pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up missing this book (or the characters) when I was done with it. I hope you enjoy it as well - let me know! You're up :)

Outlander

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Category: Must Read, "What to read after Twilight"

Book Synopsis:

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon - when she innocently touches a boulder in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach - an "outlander" - in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of our Lord... 1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life... and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire...and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

********************************************

If I could recommend ONE book to read after Twilight - it would be Outlander!

MY Take on this epic love story - So, how many times have you Google searched "What to read after Twilight?", well, I did it all to often before I stumbled upon this glorious series. Every time I did a search for my next book, the only thing that seemed to be recommended reads were teenage vampire stories. For me, when I fell in love with Twilight, I was anxious to read a more sexy adult version. Something that didn't leave EVERYTHING up to the imagination, but still had substance. My next attempt was pointing toward the Charlaine Harris series, True Blood. While I'll say it had some of what I wanted, there was something missing. I was left wanting something more. I stopped reading at book 2. So the search to find "what to read after Twilight" continued for me.

During a casual visit to Borders one day, I remembered a conversation with Izzy where she mentioned a different recommended read, which didn't involve vampires. I was intrigued, and decided to go for it (although it's no small read).

Claire's accidental travel into eighteenth century Scotland begins with disorientation and turmoil. Her confused feelings are accompanied by heartache while her husband Frank remains in 1945. When she is put into a situation where her nursing skills are needed there's an unexpected chemistry between her and her patient is not even acknowledged by her until later.

Jamie and Claire's remarkable star crossed lovers story has everything from passion, intense adventure, anguish and even (surprisingly enough) comedic relief. These characters are developed so well (although many criticize Gabaldon's OVER descriptions from time to time) that you are able to relate to their experiences even when we can not even begin to imagine what these times were like. While the endeavors are an important part of this novel (duh!), the core of the novel is still based around Jamie and Claire's relationship (much the way I felt about Twilight). It is very difficult for me to describe the intimacy you feel within the relationship between Jamie and Claire, maybe because I have never read a book that has such gripping descriptions of the steps this romance takes.

To say simply to read Outlander after Twilight, I believe does this book an injustice. If you simply read the first book, you WILL read the others. It is NOT another vampire story, however, it does have the supernatural twist of time travel. So, if you are like I was...googling away...looking for your next read. STOP NOW! Pick up this book, and you'll be hooked.

Don't forget to give me your feedback (Isn't that the best part?).