Friday Night Date Night

Friday Night Date Night is a feature on my blog that showcases movie review (mostly movies that were adapted from books). Hopefully some of these reviews will help you decide what to watch on your date night or a night of relaxing at home.

from splashpage.mtv.com

I am not much of a comic book reader, yet when these comic book heroes are staring in movies I'm all about it.  That is why I knew I had to see The Avengers in the theaters.  Was it worth the $10 ticket, $6 ICEE and $3.50 Twizzlers?  Definitely! 

from theverge.com

The Avengers brings together a group a super heroes to save the earth.  What happens when you get big-ego super-heroes with a save-the-world complex together?  Complete chaos.  It was great!  I loved Stark's (Iron Man) witty comments.  I laughed so hard as he bickered with the other heroes.  Thor and Captain America were kind-hearted, sweet, and incredibly good looking.  Together the Avengers were one kick-butt team ready to take on the world of evil.  I, however, want to know how I can be one of those token humans on the team.  Seriously how did they get that job among the heroes?

from www.vibe.com

I still don't think I completely understand the plot, but the action and humor totally make up for it.  Even if you are not a fan of comics, I highly suggest you see this movie. 

Want to see more?

 

Review of Virals by Kathy Reichs

Title: Virals
Author: Kathy Reichs
Narrator: Cristin Milioti
Published by: Penguin Audio
Length: 8 sound discs (9 hr., 30 min.)
Source: Library
Format: Audio
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Tory Brennan, niece of acclaimed forensic anthropologist Temperance Brennan (of the Bones novels and hit TV show), is the leader of a ragtag band of teenage "sci-philes" who live on a secluded island off the coast of South Carolina. When the group rescues a dog caged for medical testing on a nearby island, they are exposed to an experimental strain of canine parvovirus that changes their lives forever.

As the friends discover their heightened senses and animal-quick reflexes, they must combine their scientific curiosity with their newfound physical gifts to solve a cold-case murder that has suddenly become very hot if they can stay alive long enough to catch the killer's scent.

Fortunately, they are now more than friends they're a pack. They are Virals

Virals is like no other book I've ever read...er... listened to.  I'm glad I didn't really know what the book was about when I checked it out from the library because Virals is not the typical type of book I read and I probabaly wouldn't have picked it up.  However, I ended up really enjoying it. 

The Virals are a group of friends who end up catching an experimental virus that gives them special powers.  I love this idea; it's kind of a Heros and X-Men mix.  At first Tory and her friends' new abilities were kind of freaky, but as they learned to control their new powers and use them for good I was more on board.  The scenes were really funny as each person dealt with their changing bodies and emotions in different ways. 

Tory and her friends were also great characters.  They each had their own vibe, but meshed really well as a group.  I did, however, wish there was a little more character development.  While I liked these characters, I never felt like I really got to know them or understand them.

The best thing about this novel was definitely the mystery that the Virals had to solve.  There are twists and turns in the plot and you're never quite sure who are the bad guys and who are the good guys.  I was a bit shocked when we found out who was responsible.

The narration of this book was done really well.  It was easy to follow and flowed really well.  I loved how the audio indicated the change from when the Virals were in their normal mode and when they went into their paranormal mode.  It always nice when an audio does something a bit extra to help the readers/listeners out. 

Virals definitely taught me it is worth trying a book outside your normal comfort zone...you just might be pleasantly surprised. 

Review of The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

 Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Published by: Poppy/Little Brown
Pages: 236
Source: Library
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 4 stars

Summary from Goodreads: Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan’s life. She’s stuck at JFK, late to her father’s second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley’s never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport’s cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he’s British, and he’s in seat 18C. Hadley’s in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver’s story will make you believe that true love finds you when you’re least expecting it.

Do you believe in love at first sight?  When asked this question I always respond that no I don't believe in love at first sight, but I'm open to the possibility of love at first "meet." 

Jennifer E. Smith takes this common concept of love at first sight and puts an interesting twist on it.  I loved the story itself.  For some reason the thought of two people meeting at an airport and falling in love throughout their flight is just inspiring.  Hey, maybe I should hang out at airports more often!

Hadley was a little sullen at first.  I think Oliver really brought out the good side of her and got her out of her "funk."   She's had a rough time since her father left and I think that not dealing with those emotions has made her a little bitter.  Oliver on the other hand seems fun loving and carefree when you first meet him.  Jennifer E. Smith picked the perfect balence of characters with these two.  They make a great pair and though their journey together was short they made a lasting impression on each other and me.  I really liked Oliver.  He was so cute and adorable that you can't help but fall in love with him. 

The writing was done well and very captivating.  The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was super cute and definitely a great summer read. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Six Books I'd Recommend As Good Beach Reads

1. The Gallagher Girls Series by Ally Carter.  These books are light, fun, and about girls training to be spies.  I'm quite jealous of their school and all the cool things they get to do.

2. Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins.  This book is just too cute.  Make sure to set a timer to reapply that SPF because you won't want to put this book down.   

3. Sleeping Tigers by Holly Robinson.  While this may not be considered a typical beach read, it is captivating and inspirational.  It's definitely a book you should read this summer.   

4. The O'Malley Series by Dee Henderson.  Full of action and romance, these books will hook you from page one. 

5. Beauty Queens by Libba Bray.  You're on a beach, they're stranded on a beach; it's perfect.  Plus you'll be laughing so much that everyone flock to you to find out what's so funny. 

6. The Lonely Hearts Club by Elizabeth Eulberg.  If your feeling lonely without that summer romance, this book will get you out of that funk.   

I can't wait to hear about your beach reads.  I'm definitely in the mood for some summer fictional romance. 

Review of Paper Towns by John Green

Title: Paper Towns
Author: John Green
Narrator: Dan John Miller
Published by: Brilliance Corporation
Length: 7 sound discs (ca. 8 hr.)
Source: Library
Format: Audio
Rating: 4.5 stars

Summary from Goodreads: When Margo Roth Spiegelman beckons Quentin Jacobsen in the middle of the night - dressed like a ninja and plotting an ingenious campaign of revenge - he follows her. Margo's always planned extravagantly, and, until now, she's always planned solo. After a lifetime of loving Margo from afar, things are finally looking up for Q . . . until day breaks and she has vanished. Always an enigma, Margo has now become a mystery. But there are clues. And they're for Q.

Does the nice guy ever get the girl?  What I've noticed in John Green books is that there is a nice, cute guy chasing, a hot, popular girl.  Paper Towns is no exception. 

Margo Roth Spiegelman is the unattainable next door neighbor to Quentin, "Q."  She's definitely fun, quirky, a bit moody and completely crazy, but in a good way.  She eccentric and fun.  Despite her disregard for other's feelings and her self-centeredness, I did enjoy her as a character.  She was carefree and adventuress.  I think part of me wanted to be her a little bit; to have to worries or cares and to let loose and just have fun. 

As always John Green's characters are FABULOUS.  They are so much fun and so completely real at the same time.  They are refreshingly witty and comical and I promise you'll be laughing throughout the novel.  Ben and Radar are the perfect best friends.  They make a great balance to Q and are almost larger than life, yet they are band geeks.  You can't help but love them. 

As for the story, I loved the mystery.  The clues Margo left were extremely cryptic and it was fun trying to decode them along with Q and his friends.  It kind of felt like a big scavenger hunt or a treasure map.  It was so much fun and I really felt like I was part of it.

The narration of this books was done extremely well.  It had a good pacing and was really easy to follow. 

Under the weather

Sorry for the bit of an absence around here and on commenting.  I have been feeling a bit under the weather lately.  Hopefully I'll kick this thing soon and be back next week. Have a wonderful weekend. 

Top Ten Tuesday

Today I'm participating in Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Today is Top Ten Rewind which is where we can pick a past topic and go from there.  I'm going to switch it up a little and show you my seven favorite items inspired by books.

These are items that I have purchased:

This is from I Adorn U ^TM: handmade jewels © by Mary Beth Heishman found on etsy.com.  I have this bracelet and absolutely love it. 

I purchased this from the Dallaluna shop on esty.com for a bookmark exchange.  I just loved the dragon and thought it was a great representation for Rhage. 

This is the Sam (Shiver Inspired) necklace from the shop cynthial11 (WhimsicalFiction) on etsy.com.  I like Cole better in the series, but this necklace was gorgeous with the amber colored beads.  I get compliments every time I wear it. 

This ring is made from the corner of pages on the Harry Potter books.  I love wearing this because it's unique and most HP fans recognize it but others don't.  It is from the CraftyMuggle shop on etsy.com

This is one of my favorite shirts.  I laugh every time I wear it.  This shirt can be found at shop.cafepress.com 

I have this brass plated bracelet except my leather cuff is teal.  This is probably my favorite purchase in a long time.  It is a made by  Lenny & Eva and can be found at various boutiques.  The picture is from piccsy.com.

This item is on my wish list:

This cuff is stunning.  I feel like the leather would be really soft but it seems edgier than a metal cuff.  It can be found at the Cjohannesen shop on etsy.com