“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight…” – Film Fest Friday

May 30, 2014 by Jessi

The Outsiders Book release: 1967 Movie release: 1983 Where to watch: A drive-in movie theater. Sneaking in would make for a more authentic experience, but that’s your choice. For years I thought that S.E. Hinton was a dude. This could perhaps be because the voice of her characters, mainly boys, are so convincing and authentic. She started writing her first book, The Outsiders, when she was in high school. Seriously, read her biography; Susie was a pretty cool lady. She […]

Categories: Adaptations • Tags: adaptations, Film Fest Friday, The Outsiders

No Blue or Pink Here – Literary Happy Hour

May 29, 2014 by Caitlin

What to read: The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman (for a new take on an old classic); TheSleeping Beauty by Trina Schart Hyman (for a gorgeously illustrated bedtime story), Anne Rice’s The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty (for erotic and weird), or La Belle au bois dormant by Charles Perault or Little Briar Rose by the Brothers Grimm (for the straight up classics) What to drink: a Stinger Disney has done it again and is releasing yet another live […]

Categories: Happy Hour • Tags: Charles Perault, classics, cocktails, Disney, fairy tales, Neil Gaiman, Sleeping Beauty, Trina Schart Hyman

An Open Love Letter to Diana Wynne Jones – Film Fest Friday

May 23, 2014 by Caitlin

While it is indeed Film Fest Friday, I just  want to note that this entry also counts as an accomplishment: I crossed off my “Howl’s Moving Castle” square on Literary Bingo! Howl’s Moving Castle Book release: 1986 Movie release: 2004 Where to watch: I have one request – just try it with the original Japanese voice work. It’s charming, a little deadpan and sincere. And Calcifer! I love that crabby voice. I’ve loved Diana Wynne Jones since I was a kid. It […]

Categories: Adaptations, Book Review • Tags: adaptations, children's literature, Diana Wynne Jones, fantasy, literary bingo

Opening Act: A Rock-and-Roll Romance

May 20, 2014 by Erin

Opening Act: A Rock-and-Roll Romance, Dish Tillman Release Date: May 19, 2014 Rating: ★★★★☆ I must admit, my expectations weren’t exactly stellar when I started reading this romance novel, because the title is ridiculous and the premise sounds distinctly unoriginal: an uptight young graduate student meets a hot young rock star, opposites instantly and passionately attract, and differing personalities, ideals and whatnot must be sorted out before a plausible happily-ever-after is achieved. I have read this type of book before, and it […]

Categories: Book Review • Tags: Dish Tillman, rock-and-roll romance, romance novels, young and angsty

Game of Thrones, Season 4, Ep. 7: Mockingbird

May 19, 2014 by Caitlin

I read a criticism of HBO once, that as a general rule of thumb, their shows start out with lots of nudity to draw the viewer in, and end with lots of violence to shock the audience and keep them hooked with the audacity of it all. I’ve noticed this to be true of True Blood, Deadwood and of course, Game of Thrones. Episode 7, folks – we’re more than half over, and the bloodshed has barely begun. Are you […]

Categories: Adaptations • Tags: game of thrones, game of thrones episode review, HBO, Hot Pie!, Song of Ice and Fire, Television

“My only love sprung from my only hate!” – Film Fest Friday

May 16, 2014 by Caitlin

Romeo + Juliet Movie Release: 1996 Book (play) Release: 1595 Where to watch: Curled up alone on the couch with a blanket, an oversize hoodie and a bunch of tissues. We’re crying through this one. I think it’s been popular to bash it in recent years – heck, maybe always – but at least you’ve heard of it. Maybe you read it in its original glory, or saw a college production of it, or just watched Shakespeare in Love and […]

Categories: Adaptations • Tags: classics, Film Fest Friday, Leonardo DiCaprio, romance, Shakespeare

“You May Feel A Slight Sting” – Literary Happy Hour

May 15, 2014 by Caitlin

What to Read: Where Things Come Back – John Corey Whaley What to Drink: Woodpecker (Peychaud bitters, vodka, ice) Full disclosure – sometimes matching a book to a drink is a bit of a stretch. This is far more a recommendation of the book than the cocktail we’re about to, um, “enjoy,” but we’ll muster through anyway. Let’s have at it, shall we? The weather has officially turned brutally hot and dry here – I write to you from 100 […]

Categories: Happy Hour • Tags: cocktails, coming of age, John Corey Whaley, summer

Game of Thrones, Season 4, Ep. 6 – The Laws of Gods and Men

May 12, 2014 by Caitlin

I’m a day late – sorry folks! I hope that gave you time to watch and re-watch that heart wrenching, spiteful speech! Let’s just dig right into it, shall we? Davos heads to Braavos and Stannis’ plan finally starts to take shape. They plan to cripple the Lannisters by not only exploiting their lack of funds, which Tywin described last episode, but also exacting on the Iron Bank’s reputation for collecting their debts by less than friendly means. While Stannis is […]

Categories: Adaptations • Tags: game of thrones, game of thrones episode review, HBO, Song of Ice and Fire, Television

“I do love nothing in the world so well as you: is not that strange?” – Film Fest Friday

May 9, 2014 by Erin

Much Ado About Nothing Movie Release: 2012 Book (play) Release: 1599 Where to Watch: If you can pull it off, watch the blu-ray DVD poolside with plenty of alcohol and jazzy music Much Ado About Nothing is my favorite of Shakespeare’s comedies, and honestly, I’ve seen the Kenneth Branagh-directed 1993 film…more times than I’d like to admit. Even the horror that is Keanu Reeves spewing a Shakespearean monologue can’t lessen my love for that movie, because Much Ado About Nothing […]

Categories: Adaptations • Tags: adaptations, Film Fest Friday, joss whedon, Shakespeare