Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

I See London, I See France by Sarah Mlynowski 

This was just announced this week on the Publisher Weekly website and it sounds ABSOLUTELY amazing.  Books about European travel (complete with sexy European boys) are my weakness. There is pretty much no quicker way to bait me into needing to read a novel. This one sounds like such a 'me' book.

Here is the blurb in the Publishers Weekly announcement

in which 19-year-old Sydney decides at the last minute to have the summer she's longed for: traveling through Europe with her best friend. But while they dodge (and chase) boys, drama, and their own personal demons, Sydney falls head over heels for a guy she can't have.

Love the slightly older than most YA characters (so perhaps some more sexytimes) and that I am not sure where in Europe they'll be travelling. Hoping it'll remain a surprise until I actually read the book. There is no Goodreads link yet, but keep an eye out to add this one to your to be read list.

Hearts Made Of Black by Stephanie Garber (goodreads)

I've mentioned this one before but some more details were released and it has only increased my desire to devour this novel immediately.

The first in a series about two sisters bound by love and a father they fear, who escape their tiny, secluded island for the wondrous performance of Caraval, where the audience plays along in a deadly game of determining what's real and what's fantasy, and where only one sister might be brave enough to take the chance to forever escape their dark pasts.
Pitched as Night Circus meets Sleep No More. 

Pretty much everything about that blurb has me dying to read this. I love that it is focused on sisters, and the mention of Night Circus has me very intrigued. I'll be keeping an eye out for more details of this one while the long wait until Fall 2016 begins.

TV/MOVIE

Suicide Squad Trailer 

Two words ... Harley. Quinn.

Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn has me VERY intrigued after seeing this trailer. I am also less apprehensive about this movie now. The trailer is actually pretty decent, and the last few moments with Jared Leto's Joker are terrifying. It's pretty clear that this is going to be the Harley/Joker show and with good reason - both actors seem to have delivered stand out performances (if the trailer is anything to go on).

The Affair Season 2 Promo

 I really enjoyed season one of The Affair. In particular it's use of the dual narration. I loved that her version of events was different than his version in sometimes subtle and sometimes glaring ways. The second season seems to promise lots more drama to come!

They also released the promo poster which promises four sides to the story (so that means Cole and Helen's version of events will become part of the narration, too)

No official air date has been announced yet (that I can find), but it'll be sometime in the fall! Really looking forward to seeing what twists and turns await in the second season.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Faves of 2014 (Non Bookish)

If you've visited the blog before you've certainly realized that it is not only books that I fangirl over. TV, movies, and sometimes music can quickly become obsessions.

I thought it might be fun to share some of my favourite non bookish things from 2014 before the year ends.

TV

Breaking Bad

I binged watched this last Dec/Jan during a holiday marathon. It quickly became one of my favourite shows. Not just of the year, but ever. Walter White and Jesse Pinkman are two characters you will never forget and the question of what happens after still haunts me. Without giving spoilers...you want this one character, in particular, to be okay. You want to think that they found their happiness after the events. The idea that they might not have...soul crushing. This show is insanely well written, even more well acted, and all consuming. Trust the hype, and just watch it already if you haven't.

The Affair

The he said/she said storytelling. The subtle, and sometimes not so subtle, differences in events. The brilliant acting. The amazing writing. Take your pick as there are plenty of reasons this show should already be on your radar.

The show plays with perception and our recollection of events. It asks how much of what we remember is based on how we see ourselves and others instead of on actual facts. The person you love for example will always look better to you than they do to themselves. Are our views of someone accurate? Is it something we're projecting onto them? All of this is tackled against a tightly woven plot that keeps unraveling as the story continues to spiral. The main four characters (Joshua Jackson, Ruth Wilson, Dominic West, and Maura Tierney) are electric and the chemistry between them all is palpable. You'll want to watch them connect with each other, destroy each other, and implode over and over.

Penny Dreadful

Eva Green. Those two words are enough to make watching Penny Dreadful a must. She delivers one of the best performances on television this year. I read somewhere that someone said nobody acted harder in 2014, on television, than Eva Green. I 1000% agree with this sentiment. The later half of the season in particular allows her some great material to work with. It stuns me that she hasn't received any nominations as of yet (hopefully an Emmy is in her future).

The fact that the rest of the cast is also very good, and that the show is well written only adds to it's allure. The show itself looks beautiful and the storyline is captivating. Harry Treadaway deserves a special mention for his role as Victor Frankenstein as well. He makes the iconic character his own, and provides something extra to his storylines as a result.

How To Get Away With Murder

The twisty, incredibly fun hit of the fall season also happens to have some of the most brilliant performances. Viola Davis literally and figuratively strips away the layers she hides behind in one stand out moment. Jack Falahee slays as the self destructive Connor Walsh. Alfred Enoch plays an audience stand in of sorts, and does it fantastically. His "WTF" expressions, and puppy like demeanor only add to his charm. The best thing about this show however is that after it's stunning first half of the season it can, pretty much, go anywhere. The possibilities have me excited and may just determine if this show has staying power.

MOVIE

Gone Girl

The book to movie adaptation of 2014 for me. Rosamund Pike's flawless performance as Amy Dunne steals the movie. Once the mysteries behind her character are revealed Rosamund gets her chance to showcase what she can do, and the effect is breathtaking. Too many details would spoil the movie, but her performance left me with goosebumps.The movie itself is a faithful, well done, impeccably acted, adaptation of one of my favourite novels and I left the theatre extremely pleased.

Jacke Gyllenhaal in Nightcrawler

Chilling, creepy, perfection. Jake Gyllenhaal has be praised for his acting talents numerous times (Brokeback Mountain, anyone?) but his performance as Lou Bloom is beyond words. His transformation is nothing short of awe inspiring. He both repulses and fascinates you as a supremely driven crime scene journalist who will stop at nothing to get ahead in his career.

Boyhood

A movie that is both a look at growing up and the journey that takes us from childhood to the cusp of adulthood and a nostalgic time capsule. The amount of time, and planning that went into creating this story that spanned 12 years is inspiring. It's uplifting, bittersweet, and shows just how similar everyone's experiences really are.

MUSIC

Taylor Swift's 1989

Only one CD mattered to me this year (yes, this makes me lame, whatever) and it was this one. It has pretty much been on repeat since it's release and I am obsessed with Blank Space, and Wildest Dreams. OBSESSED.

Music was definitely the element lacking this year for me? Anything I should check out? Let me know in the comments.

OTHER

Etsy

This website has quickly become a favourite of mine. There are so many cute, and amazing things to buy. If you're part of a fandom, it's basically got you covered. You'll spend way too much time browsing but you'll undoubtedly leave it pining for some items, and with less money! It's going to be something I continue to use in 2015, especially for gifts for people. 

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

The week of Christmas and up until after New Years Day is always quiet. Nothing is really being released or announced, so my obsessions post is really small this time.

TV

The Affair

The season finale of The Affair aired the Sunday before Christmas. The entire season had been brilliant, but the finale kicked it up a few notches. Joshua Jackson owned that episode, and there were many edge of your seat moments to keep you glued to the screen. I cannot wait for season 2 (and it makes a perfect show to marathon during this holiday hiatus).

MOVIE

Wicked (the musical) becoming a movie

This has been in the works for quite a while, but it is rumoured that during the annual Screen Film Summit Universal revealed an adaptation is slated for 2016 release. Hypable has more details if you are interested. I really hope this happens, and have already been dream casting. If this turns out to be accurate, I expect casting news will follow shortly!

What are you obsessed with this week?

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOK

Cover for Kissing In America by Margo Rabb (goodreads)

This is such a fun cover. It brings to mind a road trip across the USA. It's also a trend with at least two other novels have a similar theme. This one has a great synopsis to go along with this cover, and I am excited to read it.

Cover for Proof Of Forever by Lexa Hillyer (goodreads)

I was immediately drawn to the infinity symbol on the cover. The use of photos to create it is also a fun touch. It's very summer-y which seems to fit the synopsis perfectly. Another book I am very excited about reading next year.

Cover for Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhoinelle Clayton (goodreads)

This cover captures the ballerina elements of the story as well as the dark elements as well. Based on what is currently known it sounds like it could be another Pretty Little Liars and that makes me very excited. I am  hoping for lots of twists and turns.

TV/MOVIE

The Affair 

This ended up being my favourite TV debut of this season. It has a really unique way of unraveling the story by showing the (sometimes glaring) differences in two sides of the same story. We're told two different versions of the same events through the eyes of people who remember them quite different. Is anyone lying, or is this just how they remember it? The show will hopefully answer that as it spins it's mystery. The cast is superb and I urge everyone to check it out.

How To Get Away With Murder

This weeks episode was the best episode of the entire season. This is a splashy, buzz worthy show filled with some incredible twists and reveals. However, the quiet moment this episode featured was just as stunning. Viola Davis is doing incredible work, and Jack Falahee is quickly becoming my favourite on the show. His performance this week was a stand out.

What are you obsessed with this week?

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

The theme this week is TV! Lots of teasers for the upcoming television season!

BOOK

Heather Demetrios' Flail Worthy Surprise

Taken from Heather's Instagram account

If you look at this list you'll see a familiar blog name. I got teary eyed when Heather let us know this was going to be in the hardcover of Exquisite Captive. It's pretty mind blowing and totally awesome. A huge thank you to both Harper Collins and Heather for making this happen. Trust me when I say you want this book, and there is a fantastic pre-order campaign going on right now.

The cover of The Witch Hunter (goodreads)

Such a striking, eye catching cover. The synopsis of this one also sounds amazing so it's high up on my wishlist. I love that the cover is so different from everything else out there right now.

The Conspiracy of Us cover (goodreads)

I love the colour scheme of this cover. The title treatment is pretty awesome too. I am excited to read this because of the awesome sounding synopsis too.

TV/MOVIE

The Affair trailer

So one of my most anticipated shows of the autumn season finally has a premiere date. I am stunned by this teaser. It's intense, and I did not expect the murder mystery aspect to this. Who died?! That is the question and the answer better not be Joshua Jackson's character. (Side note, WHO CHEATS ON JOSHUA JACKSON?!)

American Horror Story: Freakshow trailer

Creepy. That is the first word that comes to mind. The freaky clowns that they've teased already scare me. The teaser has a lot of potential and I cannot wait for it to start.

Gotham 'Heros' Trailer

Heroes Aren't Born, They're Forged says the tagline for this trailer. It's possibly my favourite trailer after the brilliant one teasing the arrival of The Joker. The premiere is so close and I cannot wait.

What are you obsessed with this week?