Welcome back to Movie Monday!! This is (I hope to eventually be) a semimonthly feature on my blog where I compare and discuss books and their movie adaptation. It’s been a while since my first Movie Monday, but I’m so excited to be doing another one!
This week, I’m discussing Room by Emma Donoghue and its highly successful 2015 movie!
Like last time, please be aware that there will be spoilers.
Title: Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen
Pages: 281
Genres: YA, Romance, Contemporary
Published by: Penguin (May 1st, 1998)
Summary
Halley has always followed in the wake of her best friend, Scarlett. But when Scarlett learns that her boyfriend has been killed in a motorcycle accident, and that she’s carrying his baby, she was devastated. For the first time ever, Scarlett really needs Halley. Their friendship may bend under the weight, but it’ll never break–because a true friendship is a promise you keep forever.
What I Thought
Sarah Dessen, in my opinion, is the queen of YA contemporary. There is not a single book of hers that I have read and have not loved. However, there are a few books that are just exceptional. Someone Like You is one of them.
September was a bit of a slow reading month for me. I started out great by reading 2 entire books in 4 days, but then I actually didn’t read that much the rest of the month. Honestly, I feel like September flew by so fast! It was Labor Day, and then all of the sudden the entire month was over…what happened??
BOOKS READ
I ended up reading a total of four books this month. Three of them were physical, and one was an ebook that I got from my library! I also started Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver, but I’m still working my way through it.
Pretty Little Liars not shown. It was an ebook!
– Into The Wild by Erin Hunter \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Beastly by Alex Flinn \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (reread) \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STANDOUT BOOK OF THE MONTH
I think I’m going to go with Beastly. While it wasn’t necessarily spectacular, I thought this book was so nice. It was just very enjoyable, and I ended up liking it more than I expected.
BOOKS REVIEWED
Dance of Fire by Yelena Black \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Beastly by Alex Flinn \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Into The Wild by Erin Hunter \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
CLASSIC READ
I actually ended up not reading any classic for the Pretty Books 2016 Classic Challenge this month! 🙈
BOOK HAUL
I only bought two books this month:
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton!
MISCELLANEOUS
I posted my Summer Reading Goals-Wrap Up!
Also, this isn’t quite blog related, but sort of – I got a Litsy! For those of you who don’t know, it’s like a mix of Goodreads and Instagram. So, if you want to follow me on there, I’m @thecalicobooks. 🙂 Do any of you have one? Let me know; I’d love to follow you!
That wraps up September! I cannot believe how fast that month flew by. I hope your September went well, and that October will go just as well, or even better. Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram to continue to stay updated on what I am reading in between blog posts.
Hey everyone! So, I wanted to let you all know that I’m going to be participating in the Halloween Read-A-Thon hosted by Lauren @ Wonderless Reviews. I love Halloween! I think it is such a fun holiday, and I absolutely love reading spooky, atmospheric books in October, and so when I saw this read-a-thon, I just knew I had to participate! Be sure and check out Lauren’s blog to get all of the details! 🙂
Today I’m going to let you all know my [tentative] TBR for this readathon. However, if you’ve been following me for a while now, you know that I am the absolute worst when it comes to actually sticking to planned TBRs, so these books will probably change!
Okay, so let’s get started!
💀 The read-a-thon is going to run from the 10th October – 31st October. This was decided by an extremely scientific Twitter poll.
💀 You can join in at any time until the end of the read-a-thon.
💀 You can read as many or as little books as you want!!!
💀 The books HAVE to be horror, thriller and/or have some kind of supernatural element!! Except for one challenge, but more on that below. I’m sorry if these genres aren’t your cup of tea, but it wouldn’t really be a Halloween themed read-a-thon otherwise.
💀 When posting your TBR link back to this post so other people can join in!! Share the spooky love!! If you don’t have a blog that’s okay!! You can post your TBR on Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads, YouTube – ANYWHERE!!
💀 Use the hashtag #HalloweenWR to share your progress on social media!!
For this one, I’m going to go with The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury. I know this isn’t necessarily a super scary cover, but with that big skeleton head on the cover, I think it’s creepy, and plus, it has such a Halloween vibe to me, so I’m going with it.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman is my choice for this challenge. I checked out from the library last year for Halloween, but I never got around to actually reading it, so I’m trying again this year!
I’m going to go with We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson for this challenge. From what I’ve seen, this book is more of a mystery/horror novel, as opposed to a full on Gone Girl/Girl on the Train -esque thriller, but I still think it counts.
Honestly, I read the most after sunset (especially now that it gets dark at 7:30), so really, I could count just about any book. However, I’m going to go with A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, because it’s short, and I could see myself actually exclusively reading this book in the evening (because I’ve heard it’s sad, so I can read it in my room and cry to myself after everyone has gone to bed…haha).
Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie is a book I’ve been meaning to read for years. I finally bought it earlier this year, and I think it is the perfect book to read for this category. It’s not necessarily going to be super scary, but it doesn’t really quite fit in any of the other challenges.
For my last book, I’m going with Slasher Girls and Monster Boys, an anthology edited by April Genevieve Tucholke. I admit, I’m a little nervous starting this one, because I’ve heard it’s super scary, but that’s also why I think it will be perfect for Halloween and this read-a-thon!
I think this read-a-thon is going to be so much fun! Let me know if you are planning on participating, or even just if you are planning on reading something spooky this October.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram to stay up to date on what I am reading!
I’m also now on Litsy, so be sure to follow me, @thecalicobooks, on there as well for even more updates! 🙂
Yikes! We are only 3 days away from October, and I’m just now posting about August’s classic…oops? Better late than never, right?
August’s Classic
Check it out on Goodreads
Originally Published: 1895
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
Synopsis: Here is Oscar Wilde’s most brilliant tour de force, a witty and buoyant comedy of manners that has delighted millions in countless productions since its first performance in London’s St. James’ Theatre on February 14, 1895. The Importance of Being Earnest is celebrated not only for the lighthearted ingenuity of its plot, but for its inspired dialogue, rich with scintillating epigrams still savored by all who enjoy artful conversation.
From the play’s effervescent beginnings in Algernon Moncrieff’s London flat to its hilarious denouement in the drawing room of Jack Worthings’s country manor in Hertfordshire, this comic masterpieces keeps audiences breathlessly anticipating a new bon mot or a fresh twist of plot moment to moment.
This finely produced volume is an unabridged, unaltered reprinting of an authoritative early British edition.
WHEN I Discovered This Classic
I had heard of this book, along with Oscar Wilde’s other works, probably since early high school. However, it wasn’t until I discovered this book while cleaning, that I took an interest in actually reading it.
WHY I Chose To Read It
I’ll be honest, it was almost the end of August, and I still hadn’t read anything that could be considered a classic, and The Importance of Being Earnest was the smallest classic I could find…
WHAT Makes It A Classic
Oscar Wilde was such an incredibly gifted author. This play, in particular, is one of his most well-loved pieces.
WHAT I Thought Of This Classic
I was so pleasantly surprised by this one! I went into this book knowing almost nothing about what it was about, other than the fact that it was a play, and people love Oscar Wilde. Honestly, I did not know what to expect before starting this book.
The Importance of Being Earnest is so well-written. The dialogue is witty and clever; I literally laughed out loud in parts. The premise of the story is actually quite silly and unrealistic, but I think that is what makes it so great. The characters are so fun as well. Yes, everyone is a little shallow, especially the girls, but that is what makes the story.
Also, I absolutely love the title as well. After reading this story, you’ll see it’s such a clever play on words.
This book is super short, so you could easily read it in an hour or two. I definitely see myself re-reading this one in the future.
WILL It Stay A Classic
I definitely think so! This story is so clever, and very likable, I imagine people will continue to read this for years and years to come.
WHO I’d Recommend It To
First of all, if you love reading plays, you definitely need to read this one. Also, I’d recommend this book to someone who is interested in reading more classics. I find that sometimes classics can be quite intimidating, and this one was not at all! Actually, it sort of reminded me of that old ’90’s movie, The House Sitter starring Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn. So, if you like that movie, I’d recommend The Importance of Being Earnest to you, too!
Title: The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
Pages: 519
Genres: Contemporary, YA, Romance, Fiction, Family
Published by: Simon and Schuster (May 3rd, 2016)
Summary
Andie had it all planned out.
When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.
Important internship? Check.
Amazing friends? Check.
Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).
But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.
Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected.
And where’s the fun in that?
What I Thought
When I found out Morgan Matson was coming out with a new book, I just knew that I was going to read it. I had read Since You’ve Been Gone when it first came out, and I absolutely loved it, and so I just knew I was going to love The Unexpected Everything, and it did not disappoint!
Title: Into The Wild by Erin Hunter
Pages: 288
Genres: Adventure, Children’s/Middle Grade, Fiction, Animals, Fantasy
Published by: HarperTrophy (January 9th, 2003)
Summary
For generations, four Clans of wild cats have shared the forest according to the laws laid down by their warrior ancestors. But the ThunderClan cats are in grave danger, and the sinister ShadowClan grows stronger every day. Noble warriors are dying– and some deaths are more mysterious than others. In the midst of this turmoil appears an ordinary house cat named Rusty . . . who may turn out to be the bravest warrior of them all.
What I Thought
After reading this book, I’ll never look at stray/wild cats the same again! After much encouragement from my sister, I finally entered the world of Warriors, and I’m glad I did. This book was so much fun!
Hey everyone! So, in the beginning of summer I wrote a post telling you all about my reading goals for the summer. Well, since summer 2016 is over now (*sad face*), I thought I’d look back at my goals and see which ones I accomplished, and which goals I need to work on for next summer!
1. Read at least 15 books
I diiiid it!! From Memorial Day to Labor Day I actually read 20 books! I am super pleased with myself, and actually am very surprised that I not only reached my goal, but surpassed it!
2. Complete my library’s summer reading program
Check! I read for all 50 days and ended up with a nifty T-shirt and a free smoothie coupon!
3. Reread some old favorites
This is one goal I still need to work on. I am currently rereading Twilight, so maybe this one half counts…or maybe half of a half…or not. lol It’s just so hard for me to reread books when there are so many books I haven’t read yet, but then I really do want to revisit my old favorites…! #thestruggleisreal
4. Read more classics
My goal was to read at least 2 classics each month. I ended up only reading 1 classic a month, but hey, at least I stayed on track for the Classics Challenge! Also, I truly enjoyed all three of the classics I read. So, even though I didn’t read as many classics as I intended to, I still feel like I sort of achieved this goal. I’d say this one half counts, though! 😉
10 points if you know who Wishbone is! 😉
5. Conquer my TBR…or at least tame it…
I feel like I achieved this goal. Obviously, I still have a huge TBR pile, but I ended up reading some books that I’d had for quite a while. Also, I didn’t really buy very many books, and I only checked out 4 library books all summer – which is unheard of for me! I really wanted to focus on reading the books that I already owned this summer, and I feel like I did that.
6. Participate in the Hedgeathon 2016
The Hedgeathon was a summer read-a-thon, and it was created by Natalie at Books and Quills. I just narrowly managed to finish it on time, but it was so much fun! I actually wrote wrap-up post specifically for the Hedgeathon. If you’re interested, here it is!
Well, that wraps up my reading for summer 2016! Overall, I had a pretty great summer, and I hope you all did, too. I’m super sad summer is over, but I admit, I am looking forward to fall now. Nothing is cozier than a nice cup of tea (or a Pumpkin Spice Latte, if that’s more your style 😉 ), a warm blanket, and a really good book.
This may be late, but I’m doing it anyway! I had a pretty great August, bookish and non-bookish! I cannot believe that we are already almost halfway through with September though. Where has 2016 gone?!
BOOKS READ
I read a total of six books in August!
A Long Way From You not pictued because it was overdue from the library! haha
– A Long Way From You by Gwendolyn Heasley \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Someone Like You by Sarah Dessen \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– The Program by Suzanne Young \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– Dance of Fire by Yelena Black \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
– The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STANDOUT BOOK OF THE MONTH
I’ve decided I’m going to start featuring a book or two each month that really stood out to me. Maybe it will be one I found to be surprisingly good, or one that I knew was going to become a favorite. This month I’m going to feature:
The Importance of Being Earnest
and
The Program
I was so pleasantly surprised with both of these books! I did not expect to like them nearly as much as I actually did.
BOOKS REVIEWED
Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Program by Yelena Black \\ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
CLASSIC READ
For the Pretty Books 2016 Classic Challenge, I read The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. Be sure to look for my post about it, coming soon!
BOOK HAUL
I only bought one book in August: The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey! I loved The 5th Wave, so I cannot wait to read this second book in the series and find out what happens next. 🙂
MISCELLANEOUS
I also participated in the #ReadThemAllThon that went from August 14th through September 3rd. Click here to find out which books I was reading, and my progress for that read-a-thon!
I also started a new feature called Movie Monday! I’ve only made one post, so far, about it. To hear my thoughts comparing Matilda by Roald Dahl to its movie, click here. 🙂
I finally, very slowly, started to catch up on tags! I was nominated for the Liebster Award a couple months ago, and I finally got around to doing it.
That wraps up my August! I had a really great month filled with swimming, the fair, and camping, along with some really great books. I hope you all had an excellent August as well, and I hope your September is going great, too! 🙂
Be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram to continue to stay updated on what I am reading in between blog posts.
Title: Beastly by Alex Flinn
Pages: 304
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Romance, Retellings
Published by: HarperTeen (January 1, 2007)
Summary
I am a beast.
A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog but a horrible new creature who walks upright—a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.
You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever—ruined—unless I can break the spell.
Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and the perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly . . . beastly.
What I Thought
I was pleasantly surprised with this book! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from it. I had heard about Beastly, and I knew there was a movie, but I hadn’t heard a lot about what people actually thought of it. All I knew was that it was a modern-day, Beauty and the Beast retelling, and its cover looks like it was designed for fans of Twilight. I recently saw this book at the thrift store, and at only $0.40, I figured I had nothing to lose!
the calico books 