Wreck It Ralph

Ah! Disney you got me! Wreck-It Ralph is a clever flick. It was also just as I expected for it's awesomeness :-) Loved it not just for the animation and plot, but the integration of... nostalgia. 5/5 Stars.

Gatsby

Viewed twice, despite other skeptical reviews. I loved The Great Gatsby. I think viewers who go and don't like the film were actually those who've had never read or enjoyed the book.... so yeah, there's some bias to this review.

I first read Gatsby back in high school and re-read it a couple summers ago, just out of a whim. I liked it then, I still like it now. The only thing I couldn't get past was the music. It's far too modern for the era, and it didn't fit well to begin with. I'm told that's good ole Luhrmann. Too bad he has a bad ear for sound. 4/5 Stars.

Argo

There isn't very much I can say to Argo - it is a very smart film. It's impressive. 5-Stars.

Invisible Monsters

It's been a while (maybe 8-ish years) since I've picked up a Palahniuk novel. My friend recommended and loaned me Invisible Monsters based on the "model in a car accident" theme from Look At Me, which I also loved. Obviously VERY different books - this novel is a bit more graphic and is filled with twists and turns and "I didn't see that coming!" 4-Stars.

Exit Through the Gift Shop

I really enjoyed Exit Through The Gift Shop. I have to admit I have little to no fascination with street art, but I am intrigued with some of the concepts. Where I live, you don't get to witness too much of the Banksy-style installations... more just sad-sad tags. I will be heading to LA later this summer, so I've promised myself to really keep an open mind. 4/5 Stars.

Chicken With Plums

You've got to have a slightly dark, but light-hearted sense of humor to really like Chicken With Plums. I adored this film! I'd been hankering a Jean-Pierre Jeunet style film for some time now, and this was an excellent substitute. 5/5 Stars.

I'm Leaning, Ms. Sandberg

There isn't a whole lot I can say to Sheryl's book, which would heighten anyones urge to read it. I recommend starting with her TED talk, which will give you a rough idea of the book. Just as everyone else rushing off to read this book, I was pulled in by Sandberg's NPR interview. If you're a library dweller, such as myself, it may still be a bit hot right now, so just be prepared for a long wait list. The facts darted throughout are actually very upsetting (to me,) so I did walk away from my read feeling small - hence the 4/5 Star rating.

Never Let Me Go

I had a difficult time getting into Never Let me Go. It was vague and continued to be so for like 40 pages. I was shocked a bit and then returned to feeling slightly bored. The novel is classified as "dystopian" but it is quite in this variety. Eerie but still quiet. 3 Stars.

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Also attending the recent New England chapter SCBWI conference was the talented Grace Lin. This novel is very fascinating in the fact that it was published with some color on the interior. At least, I found that interesting. The story itself is wonderful as well. Thankfulness is a great theme which I think we overlook at times... maybe more-so in adult literature. 4-Stars.

Walk Two Moons

Since Sharon Creech was scheduled to speak at the New England SCBWI conference this spring, I thought the least I could do was read one of her books. This Newbery winner was worth the read... yes I cried a little in the end! I don't know how the novel would pan out with today's Middle Grade audience just because it pre-dates mass consumable cell service, and even I thought once or twice "why don't they just call... oh yeah." 4-Stars.

The Lady and The Panda

So here's another audiobook I indulged in during my trips here and there. The Lady and The Panda is based on Ruth Harkness's book of the same title. If you can find a printed version of either books, I recommend that over this audio-format. I spent the majority of the time imagining Lorna Raver reading the book to a microphone while holding a martini in one hand, cigarette in the other. The occasional pauses were to sip from the martini, or light a new cigarette. 

The impression I got from Harkness is that she was very full of herself. Well how hard could it be to get a panda out of China and keep it alive? (Sarcasm). She kept running on expeditions to prove... something, I suppose. 3-Stars.

Milk

I don't have a whole lot to say to Milk. The cinematography was really what won me over for this film. 4-Stars.

Middlesex

There's so much I wish I could talk about for this novel. Eugenides is incredible, is probably the overall theme. I actually took this novel to an audiobook format just because I'd hoped I could listen to it while I worked... it took me 5 renewals to get through due to my sudden time constraints. This novel is so great, but I don't recall why I rewarded it 4-Stars instead of 5.

A great quick read

If you find yourself in need of a book to plow through in maybe an hour, pick up Lies, Knives and Girls in Red Dresses. The only flaw I found in Koertge's short story/prose/poetry collection is that I'm left craving MORE. Many of the stories are quite morbid, but they all take off on faery tales from childhood, so the familiarity makes them quite funny. Andrea Dezso gets 5-Stars for the uber awesome illustration spots and cover. Book: 4-Stars.

The Men Who Stare At Goats

I have added this film to my growing list of favorite movies. Hilarious! :-) 5-Stars.

Schindler's List

How could I gone all these years without ever seeing Schindler's List? Incredible... with a "but": I doubt I'll want to see this film again. It's heartbreaking and at times very difficult to watch. 5-Stars.

The Trip

I did not like The Trip. I was expecting to be swept off my feet from funnies, but it's essentially 2 actors reviewing B&B's, eating a lot of scallops, while also doing movie impressions. 2-Stars.

This is why you lost a star

The reason one should read Why We Broke Up is simply for the illustrations. I kept spotting the spine all over the place and I thought, "Sure! Why not?!" Maira Kalman's illustrations really completed this novel.

I didn't really like this book - I couldn't get past the protagonist's voice. She just wasn't authentic to me. She also seemed a little too perfect to me, since she's so different from all the other girls. Unfortunately, all teen girls think they're different from everyone else, even those who blend in with the "It" crowd. Bits of the novel were cute, but the voice was just too old/worldly for me. 2-Stars.

Graphic Design Inspiration

On Goodreads, I believe I gave this 4-stars. Despite the decade time difference, all the essential design premises are still the same. Some of the designs crossed as dated, which is be expected in this field. I liked Martin's book for the most part. Unfortunately, nothing really stuck with me and I read this nearly 3 months ago? It lost a star: 3-Stars. Sorry!

I should probably update my progress

I really should be updating my progress as I go. Sorry It's been months since I last posted :-(. I've been keeping close to track with READING and movies... we're about so-so.

So here we go!