What to Watch this December

Going to the movies is one of my favorite things to do. This December, it looks like I'd have to save up for those tickets! Here are some picks that I want to see myself, and think you should go check out too.

1. Les Miserables - December 25

The trailer for this movie... gives me chills EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. I can't wait for this. It looks like it will be such a masterpiece. While the music has always been familiar to me, I recently just saw the play live for the very first time during the Summer of this year, so it's still very much fresh in my mind. I can't wait. Anne Hathaway looks like she will be amazing.

2. This Is 40 - December 21

Okay, so maybe I won't see it, but I might! I can see watching this on a lazy rainy day, with a girl friend, when there's nothing else for us to do. It could be fun and it has Paul Rudd in it, who is usually on point! I like the seemingly light premise, so hey, like I said... maybe.

3. Django Unchained - December 25

Quentin Tarantino's films are always crazy and insane and out there, and they're either a hit or a miss for me. I do want to see this because it has Christoph Waltz in it (who was the main villain in Inglourious Basterds - which is probably one of my favorite movies) as well as Leonardo di Caprio. It seems to have the same dark humor Tarantino films usually have, and I may or may not enjoy it. Seems promising though.

4. The Hobbit - December 14

There are no words.

See you at the movies!

the last book I read.

I bought this book the morning it was released. I was anticipating to get my hands on it since they announced that my favorite author - and probably one of my biggest inspirations - is releasing a new book! I went into this lowering my expectations, knowing very well that I was reading an 'adult' novel. I finished it in about a week, and I was beyond sad for a while knowing I'd have to give it a 2 star rating.

What went wrong?

I think the characters went wrong mainly. There were just too many of them, and none of them were developed well enough for me to care about them. I didn't care if this person died or lived or got hurt or what... I just didn't care. The truth is, while reading this book, I just kept hoping it would end soon.
The plot was alright, but again, it just didn't seem like it was something I should care for.

I have to say the writing as expected is good. Simply put, Rowling knows how to paint a picture in her reader's mind. Or maybe, at least in my mind.

2 stars though, is all I can give for this unfortunately.

living with the worst case of reading slump ever.

I'm wondering if you still have any go-to bookstores around you or at least near your area. Here where I live, there's literally none. I have to drive at least 20 miles just for the nearest big box bookstore. This may not be a big deal for most people, but for me - as I'm sure you all can understand - this is an upsetting thing. I haven't really gone in a bookstore in a very long time where I live, and I truly think the lack of these visits - that used to inspire and motivate me to keep trying new titles and authors - have contributed to my lack of posts here. I miss blogging, I miss talking about books, and I definitely miss reading.

Lately I just have been so uninspired. This is probably the biggest reading slump I have ever had, and I am not a fan of it. 

I know a lot of you can understand that it's a big deal, and may have gone through the same thing. Your thoughts, as always, are more than welcome here. Thanks for listening. 

a little bit of what I'm working on.

I am very shy when it comes to things I write about. I usually don't share it. I have no idea if it's even any good, or if it's absolute garbage, but I figured it won't hurt to get some opinions. Thanks for reading.

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I took a first look at her and I knew I couldn’t tell her how she looked like for fear that I might describe my appearance instead, which in itself, is beyond recognition. My mouth fell and my eyes were wide, I couldn’t believe how she was able to lay there almost dead, yet full of breath. I tried hard to keep the shadow of my tears from falling; she can not (should not) see the weakness in me when I see her ravaged and damaged by reality. Fear itself, they say, should not be feared, but if it’s alive and ready, will we be secure enough not to fall when it attacks? Its power is in its wings, and to make it fall means to crack your bones to even begin to reach. So I just sat there and held her hand. There was not much I could do. But they were so cold that I felt my veins and the blood in my body freeze, stopping my breaths for a minute or two. I was afraid, and felt stupid that I felt afraid. But it was a moment of realization; a figure of that somebody began to mean more than just the colors on her hair. Unexpectedly, she took my ability and my power, almost instantly. Remarkably.

When she finally opened her eyes to look at me, I saw the view of what she had to go through. It’s dark and gritty, and fluid can’t help but trickle down her soft body. She broke and she turned around, unable to even speak. Clouds hovered over her, and the nature of the room changed its course on its own. I sat still, not knowing what to do. Her face lit up and she managed to smile when she saw me. I was not sure what I was able to conjure, what type of magic or spell I said to see that ray come through. But it was there, and I knew, while he had broken her loudly, piece by piece, and I can hear the depth of the darkness that she was in, her flat pulse and the complex beating of her heart, instead of me promising her the echo of my footsteps, she was reaching over me and promising me hers. Right then and there, she had become my weakness.

August Recommendations!

I usually only do book recommendations on this blog seeing as this is essentially a book blog, but I thought I would start doing monthly recommendation lists from now on. These recs range from movies, music, television... books, of course. As I will try to do this at the start of every month, I encourage and invite you to write a list of your own! We can never have enough recommendations after all.

Movies

1. The Dark Knight Rises

I only have one recommendation this month, and I can not tell you how much you need to see this movie. If you are a fan of Nolan's epic take on the Batman character and the entire franchise as a whole, you MUST watch. It is seriously, probably, the best portrayal of Batman's true story. I am a fan.

Television

1. The Big Bang Theory

I only started watching this amazingly hilarious and smart television show at the beginning of this year. They're already on the 6th season, and I am not sure how I survived the last few years without ever watching this. It's genius. It's currently on a break but will be returning on October! Can't wait.

2. So You Think You Can Dance

I'm not really a fan of reality/talent shows, but this one is truly an exception. I have been obsessed with this show ever since it came out in 2005. I have been watching it religiously every summer. It just sort of started, so you can still easily catch up if you'd like. This show features talented dancers all competing to be the favorite. Think American Idol, but with amazing dancers and better judges instead.

Music

1. The Honey Trees

I am in love with this indie band. Their style is so original. I can listen to their music for days. Unfortunately, they don't have a lot out yet, but the songs they do have at the moment, are breathtaking.

Books

1. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

I mentioned this already at a separate post, but this was a book that I read a while ago but haven't really talked about. It's what I believe fantasy books should be. The writing is perfect, and the plot and character development is so effortless. It's a great read and I highly recommend it to true fantasy readers.

Do you have any movie, music, television, book recommendations for me for the month of August? Let me know. I am looking forward to reading what you all have to say. Happy Monday!

a confession + what inspires you to read?

I haven't read in a while. And even when I did read, I feel as if I am no longer in love with it. This feeling is totally frustrating to me, because even when I try to get engaged in a book, I just can't. Maybe it's just the books I've been reading. Maybe I just need something truly amazing to jump start my love for books again. At the moment, I have no idea just yet.

As always, I turn to you. I would really like to know what gets you inspired to read. What makes you excited to pick up a book? What are some books that always make you love reading? Help me, friends. I feel a bit at a loss here. You all know how passionate I feel about this as a whole, and I just want it back!

Recommendation of the Month!!

I know I have been M.I.A. lately, mainly due to me slacking off and being completely uninspired. I haven't read much lately to be honest, but today, a friend of mine reminded me of a good book that I have already read but have yet to recommend to you.

If you are a fantasy reader and fan like I am, you have to try The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss. The first book in the series is The Name of the Wind, and it is simply fantastic. I can't tell you what it's about since I don't want to spoil too much, but it's just one of those books you can not help but adore. It is wonderfully crafted by the author; its characters and settings so rich it'd be hard to tear yourself away from them.

Simply put, these novels make up one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. It has everything that I love about books and reading, and if you like the said genre, try it out. If you don't trust me, I hope the thousands of 5-star reviews will encourage you even more! Happy reading!

Fifty Shades of Complete Nonsense

For about two months now, I have been so out of the loop when it comes to books and what people are reading. I don't know if it's because of lack of inspiration, lack of ideas, or just pure laziness, but I just wasn't feeling it unfortunately.

However, these past few months, statuses about a certain not-so-little book from my friends on Facebook are being posted. You may have heard of it.

The reader in me just knew I had to pick Fifty Shades of Grey especially when my non-reader friends started raving about it, and asking me what I thought about it. Going into this, I had no idea what the book was even about - that was how out of the loop I was! I then found out its genre, which I haven't even tried before. To be honest though, my curiosity got the best of me. Why were so many people reading and raving about it? Is it really as good as everyone says it is?

So I read it. I finished it in a day. Here's my opinion. This has got to be one of the worst stories I've ever read. It was, and I don't think I've called a book this, just a complete waste of time.

First, the writing. It was like reading the worst fan fiction story ever. Fifty Shades of Grey was repetitive and unimaginative, as if the author found it impossible to come up with other ideas to make up this story. Chapter 14 sounded like Chapter 1, Chapter 17 sounded like Chapter 14 again, which makes it sound like Chapter 1... you get the point. There's no plot development whatsoever. Also, the events and situations just felt so incredibly forced (like a horribly acted soap opera) that I couldn't help but laugh in some parts.

The characters - just pure cliches! Predictable, abusive, self-indulgent, messed up, and obsessive - scary combination, and not executed very well either. There's of course the needy, dim-witted girl, who just needs a tough man to fill in the emptiness in her life. She wants her life to be spontaneous, exciting, exhilarating, and complete. Then there's the brooding male character. Good looking. Attractive in every way. Mysterious. A little dangerous. Actually has a huge heart. Note that he can be a little intense, abusive, and degrading, but "she likes it, so it's okay!" Yeah. That makes total sense!

As for the plot... was there even one?

Overall, I tried to enjoy this for the sake of entertainment. I tried. I failed. This book had no purpose, no plot, no likable and believable characters... I can go on and on. I will tell you this; if you like this genre and this style - PLEASE go to good, quality fan fiction websites. They will be so much better. I promise you.