Weekend Ramblings

Hallo!




Happy belated St. Patrick's Day...or Pi Day - choose your poison. I celebrated neither.


BUT.


I  did try hot yoga for the first time ever!


It was Awesome!


This was me afterwards:











Without the grumpy face of course. But I was reeeeally sweaty.


Then Sister and I got cupcakes at this fancy little cupcake-ary.


Anna and Elsa were there.

This is, not kidding, exactly what they looked like. Just imagine them in a frothy cupcake shop eating cupcakes.

Then my mum, sister, and I went to see Cinderella (which was fabulous), and then we ate cupcakes.

I honestly don't know whether having Helena Bonham Carter as my fairy godmother would make my dreams come true...or my nightmares...

Next up is a book review! See you there.






















Coffee! Harry Potter, and C. S. Lewis

On weekdays I work in a office. But, sometimes, I moonlight (or rather "dawnlight"...I'm usually on the early shift) as a Caribou Coffee shop barista on weekends.




I'm one of those people who make  delishious coffee drinks, like this toasty campfire mocha. Observe the teeny marshmallows.

The city in which I live has several is pretty much overrun by Starbucks Coffees.





And as a barista of a  Starbucks competitor I get to take part in many a customer conversation such as this one I had the other morning.

Customer Guy: I'll have a tall regular coffee.

Me (smoothly translating the Starbucks jargon): Oh! A small coffee for you today?

Customer Guy: Tall!

Me (quickly translating the Starbucks jargon into what it means and then retranslating it into what people think it means): A large coffee?

Customer Guy: Yes.

END SCENE.

Sigh. 

Tall, Grande, Venti = small, Medium, LARGE

 



And, with a cheerful smile, I sigh again. Note: I truly do like my little barista gig...even if the only thing that might be keeping me there is my coffee addiction... :P






Sigh....(now one of bliss not weariness)





One of my favourite activities during the chilly winter months is watching movies. Particularly marathon-ing movie series that either have a lot of movies within the series or just plain take a long time to get through. Last month it was Star Wars. This month I have been working through Harry Potter.


Like the above picture suggests, I just got through the third one...Needless to say I am not getting through them very quickly. But I am part of a team that includes my mom and Lil' bro, and if you can't stand by your team with Harry Potter you're not going to stand with them through anything.


I love Harry Potter. I think almost everybody does. And if you don't, well, you're crazy-cats. Part 2 of the Deathly Hallows was my first ever midnight movie showing. I know, a little late to the game...but what a fantastic midnight showing it was! I don't think I have ever been to one since that was as insanely fun and energetic as that one! The line wrapped around the back of the theatre! Sometimes when I look back at movies/shows/book etc. that I loved growing up I realize that I have outgrown them or they actually weren't as good as I had thought at the time. Well, I am here to tell you today, such is not my experience with Harry Potter. No sir!




 


Meanwhile, behold my current reading obsession.









 I've been reading a lot of YA lately. C.S Lewis has been a welcome change of pace. I first read Narnia back when I was middle-school age-ish and loved them. In college I had so many friends and fellow English-types who were J.R.R.Tolkien fans (and I confess I am one of them!). I guess being a C. S. Lewis fan was/is my hipster-ly rebellion against the masses of Tolkien fans out there. Or something. :P


And with that I am off! Hopefully to finally finished Reached by Ally Condie...I am kind of dragging through that one. I'm getting a little traffic jam of TBR books behind it!

Gilmore Girls and the Challenge

So I am a long time fan of the show Gilmore Girls - aka the greatest show Ever! Naturally when Netflix decided to pick it up last October 1st I was simply skipping with delight.





Of course, I wasn't the only one excited. My Facebook news feed was packed with Gilmore-isms, geek charts, articles, lists, pictures - you name it! That is when I first heard about the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge.





And I thought, it's perfect! 339 books all which were either mentioned or seen on the show. What GG fan wouldn't be up to the challenge? It was created by Australian blogger Patrick Lenton. Here is the link to his site: http://goingdownswinging.org.au/site/category/read/regulars/the-rory-gilmore-reading-challenge/




Fast forward to the present. I finished The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay last week. It's book number 4 on the list. I actually started it last November but...yeah, it's over 600 pages and there are plenty of slow bits.



Nevertheless I really enjoyed it. I found the subject of the comic book business during WWII very interesting. I didn't realize how many superhero-type characters were created during this time - and then how many were "killed off" by their respective publishers when the craze eventually died down.




At the start of the book I came to really like Joe - probably because much of the story focused on his character. But by the end of the book Sammy was the one who inspired me most. I don't want to give away any spoilers...but I thought the sacrifices he made later on were especially noble.


BONUS FACT: there were a couple of times the name Timely Comics (aka Marvel Comics) made an appearance. Stan Lee is present in one scene as well (why in the world am I not surprised) and is thanked by the author in the acknowledgments at the end. My inner geek was tickled pink.





Next up...
 #5: An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser.
This fella is, brace yourselves, over 800 pages!!! I've hit a big book patch in the challenge and make no mistake. :)




I am currently up to my neck in books I bought during my January free Amazon Prime trial. So if you need me I'll be under the pile of pages in the corner. :P

Geek Out!

Happy New Year!


There are several things I would like to geek about.


Current Obsession = Ender's Game

I work at a computer all day at my current job and am allowed to listen to books or music while working. I take full advantage, of course. I listened to an awesome audio of this book last November. It. Was. Awesome. I really enjoyed it. Then I rented the movie. And then I bought it, 'cause it was just that good. Up to this point I have not really read a lot of science fiction. I love it when a book surprises me and I end up loving it.

OTHER Current Obsession = The Maze Runner

 

It was because of this book that I bumped up Ender on my TBR list. I read somewhere that Ender's Game was an influence in this series. I went to see this one twice in theaters - something which I hardly ever do. I am the proud owner of this one now as well to say the least. But does anyone else thing that Thomas looks like a completely different person in this poster? I mean, I am pretty sure that kid is suppose to be Thomas.  

Biggest Thing to Geek About = The Hobbit: Battle of Five Armies

Loved it. I know there are many differences from the book. But I don't care!

Biggest Disappointment (kind of) = Percy Jackson

Finally got around to watching this with my sister last week. It was...ok. I suppose "disappointment" is a bit harsh. I thought it was fun. I want more Percy Jackson movies. I just didn't fully get into this one. To be fair though, I can't say that the book itself was my favorite of the series. Right now I am reading through the Heroes of Olympus series which are awesome so far.

Ok, I think that's all the geek-ing I have for now. Bye!

 

Summer Sips: 5 Beverages for Books

Hello! I have a slightly different post today.


Confession Time: I have a serious drinking problem.

Notice the pile o' drinks to go with the pile o' books. :P

 See? I like having things to sip on while I am reading. And it changes from season to season.

AND SO, here is what I am going to have at my hand while I'm lounging with my books this summer.

1. Coffeeee!!!





I mean, duh, I am only addicted to this stuff. I like it hot, not iced, thank you. Yes, even in the hottest summer, people think I'm crazy.
I might try more of THIS though:


Though probably from Starbucks...sorry McDonald's...Starbucks is just more literary then you are (also they have iced caramel machiatos...which, come to think of it, is sounding better then an iced mocha right now...hmm).

2.  Tea 


I know, I'm boring. But I finally got myself all in and stuff with a Teavana Perfectea Maker and my FIRST loose leaf green tea. I plan to have it both hot and iced this summer. ALSO I have a somewhat humorous video of me using the tea Maker for the first time...will be sharing for laughs.



3. Coconut Water

Vita Coco is going to be raking in my dollars this summer. This is literally the most hydrating drink that isn't ice water that I have ever had. I recently discovered I like the one with pineapple especially. :D

4. Chia Fresca 
 
  http://ohsheglows.com/2013/03/01/chia-fresca-a-natural-energy-drink/
  

Yes, okay, I like this kind of stuff because I am weird. People don't say it, but I get strange looks so I figure they are thinking as much. BUT. In addition to being very good for you, this delightful drink is also hydrating. It does take a little getting used to, I tried it once, but during the winter-time I think. I'm keen to try it again this summer!

5. Sangria 
 

Okay, this may or may not actually be something that I drink while reading (it's more of the kind of thing you have with friends on a warm summer evening). But I look forward to sipping ice cold sangria every summer, so I decided to include it. Also it's so pretty!

Do you like to have something to drink while you're reading? 

My hot drinks tend to get cold before I actually get to drinking them when I'm reading...:P
- Jessica
 

Summer Reads and...Watches? I Guess?

Guess what guys...It's SUMMER!!!

I don't know about you but I've been dreaming about beaches (or pools, which is actually more realistic where I live), sunshine, and of course BOOKS and MOVIES 'cause I like 'em both.

First up:

MOVIES

So I have this little thing that I call Friday-Eve (the evening before Friday!) movie night (aka: Thursday night movie night). I'm a huge fan of the show Gilmore Girls...and I think that's where I got the idea from...I don't actually know if they watched there movies on Thursday nights specifically, but whatever.

Basically this is my way of watching new movies/films that I have never seen before - this includes classics and pop culture films. I decided on Thursday nights because a lot of these films that I am watching are not guaranteed to be ones that I like. I watch the movies I know I will like, or hope to like, on Friday.

Anyway this Thursday I saw Rear Window with Grace Kelly and Jimmy Stuart AND Rosemary's Baby with Mia Farrow...I actually watched this Sunday night in reality but whatever. I LOVE Grace Kelly and it is my goal to watch more of her films this summer. She was just awesome, and I enjoyed Rear Window but I think I actually liked Grace in To Catch a Thief better.

 

  

Rosemary's Baby on the other hand... I only kinda knew what I was getting into...they make several references to it on Gilmore Girls, though I've heard it mentioned elsewhere. But...I didn't like it. I liked the 60's fashion in it. But I didn't like it.

HOWEVER I can see why it is considered a classic film, the cinematography is excellent, and the plot had me on the edge of my seat from the beginning. But the story left a yucky taste in my mouth, horror/thrillers usually do that to me.



I couldn't end my evening on that note, so I downloaded and watch a season 2 episode of Gilmore Girls on my kindle. Though I ended up picking a "drama" episode and not a really light-hearted "funny" episode...so yeah. First world problems. :P


On a happier note, The Fault in Our Stars is out in theaters this weekend! :D

BOOKS: SUMMER 2014 TBR

I started reading Summer and Bird this last week, but I have decided to put it down. It just isn't the right season to be reading it. I what to read it but I can't read it now with my summer TBR tugging at my sub-conscience. It just isn't fair to the book or author. So it's being shelved right now.

 

BUT. I have some exciting news. Are you ready for it? I am attempting to begin vlogging. I actually am in the process of putting together my summer 2014 TBR List in a video and putting it on my newly-made channel on Youtube. AH! This is slightly scary for someone like me...I am both a private, introverted-type person, and camera-shy. SO, this will be interesting! It's the summer of trying new things, I say!

I should have it up before the end of this week, and I will post the link to it here as well. Here is the link to my full and complete summer reads list on Goodreads. Check it out if you want!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/26440361?shelf=summer-2014-tbr


Question of the Day: What are YOU looking forward to reading/watching this summer? 

I am hoping to get through quite a goodly number of books...we'll see how far I get before I get distracted by other books.

- Jessica


   

Book Chat: Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Who's ready for summer? It is very hot here, so I guess I'm getting summer whether I am ready for it or not!

First, I really would like to share my thoughts and feels on this:



As you may have seen, I read Siege and Storm during the Bout of Books Read-a-Thon...and it was just fabulous -oh yes! This is the second book in the Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo and I have got to say that I thought it was even better then the first, hands down.

The first book is Shadow and Bone. Here's the synopsis courtesy of Goodreads:

 The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka. Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him. But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?

Glorious. Epic. Irresistible. Romance




I read this earlier this year for the first time after hearing about it in the blog universe. And though I really enjoyed it, I actually think that "second book syndrome" was sort of reversed in this trilogy. Shadow and Bone definitely seemed to spend more time on developing the characters and setting up the plot. Siege and Storm on the other hand is much more fast paced and action packed.  And stuff happens. I'm telling you guys. It's really good. Trust me.

I think one of my favorite aspects of Leigh Bardugo's writing (though there are many!) is her character dialog. There were scenes in Siege and Storm that had me laughing out loud (and I'm a silent reader type, I'm not vocal at all). It was so snappy and tongue-in-cheek. There is also a character who doesn't make an appearance but is mentioned briefly in Shadow and Bone. He is finally introduced in Siege and Storm. And let me just say he's pretty dang awesome. I am in love! :P

Ruin and Rising, which is the third and final book is out June 17th, and I can't wait!



Isn't it beautiful? I know what's going to be included on my summer 2014 TBR!

I recently saw on Goodreads that Leigh Bardugo also published some short stories based on this trilogy. I've heard they're folk tales from that world? Has anyone checked these out?!

QUESTION OF THE DAY: What new book releases are YOU most eager for this summer!? 

This is probably the one I am most excited for, but I know there are some others that have been getting a lot of buzz lately. However, in the real world I am the only person I know who has read the Grisha books. So geeking-out type comments are VERY welcome. Or geeking-out about any books for that matter. ;)

ByE!
Jessica