Recent Reads I Would Like To See On The Big (or Small) Screen

 

We all have those books that we instantly want to see adapted into a movie or television show. Books that read as cinematic. I decided to share a list of recent reads that I would love to see adapted.

In no particular order here are my top five:

1. The Project by Courtney Summers

This book reads as very cinematic and cults are certainly having a moment right now. The casting of Lo and Lev both offer up some intriguing possibilities and it is definitely the casting that would make or break this adaptation. If I had a choice I think I would prefer it to be a movie. Courtney's stories are complex but condensed enough that I don't think anything would be missing if done in this format. I could be persuaded that a three episode limited series would be better though. I would also love for her other novel, Sadie, to be adapted as well.

2. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

This book has already been optioned for film adaptation (which would not have been my first choice after reading this book). I think there is a lot to the story that will work as a film adaptation instead of a television series, but I hope they still manage to capture the characterization and complexity that this book has and that a series would allow.

I had already casted my vote for Cody Fern to play Luc before I read the novel and reading it made me even more confident in that choice. There is a lot of interesting roles to cast though and I am excited to see who eventually does get cast.

3. The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

This adorable read could easily be an animated series on Netflix and it's ending provides enough material for it to continue on outside of the story in the book. I would also happily accept a live action version of the story with the proper CGI budget in place. It's heartwarming and would be an excellent family binge show. I would be most interested in casting choices for Lucy, Arthur and Linus if adapted as live action. 

4. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Taylor Jenkins Reid has an adaptation of her other novel Daisy Jones and the Six on the way. It's already got a (fantastic) cast and I am beyond excited for it, but I recently read another book by her that I equally loved and hope gets turned into a series. I only want this if it is allowed to be the soapy, extravagant Hollywood worthy adaptation that it screams to be. It would have to be on HBO or Netflix where they could give it plenty of time to dive into the story. It's got the old Hollywood glamour via flashbacks, and a more modern setting to frame the story. It boasts plenty of meaty roles that could garner some awards attention if done properly, and casting would be key (especially the role of Evelyn Hugo which would probably need to be played by two different actresses).

I kept picturing Montgomery Clift as one of the characters in this and would love for them to cast an actor who had those same qualities if this ever were to happen. 

5. Grown by Tiffany D Jackson

I can easily see this as a HBO series in the vein of something like The Night Of. It's darker themes, and central mystery would be best suited for this type of adaptation. It could use the central mystery to hook viewers while also diving into the topics of inappropriate, abusive relationships and abuse with the same voice it is done with in this book. Again, the casting possibilities are intriguing with the potential of a newcomer to play Enchanted, and an established, charismatic actor to play Korey (in a perfect world I would recommend Michael B Jordan).

There are also two books that are not released yet that I feel have potential to make this list:

1. Survive The Night by Riley Sager

This 90s set thriller deals with a woman who uses a ride share board at her school to find a ride back home for what I assume is the Thanksgiving holiday. The twist is that she may have just gotten into a car with a serial killer. I love the idea of not having a phone as a life line as a way to increase the tension and dread. Help isn't just within reach so it is going to make for some intense situations. I can see this being a great movie thriller in the vein of Gone Girl if the plot is as twisty as I hope it is going to be.

2. If This Gets Out by Cale Dietrich and Sophie Gonzales

I could see this being a fun young adult adaptation that would follow in the To All The Boys series footsteps. This revolves around two members of a very famous boy band who fall in love and all of the swoons and drama that ensues. I expect it will have the right combination of heart and angst for it to be a hit the same way movie adaptations like Love, Simon were.

Do you agree with any of my selections? What books have you read recently that you think should be adapted? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting on Wednesday ... Take Me Home Tonight

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Take Me Home Tonight by Morgan Matson

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off meets Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist in this romp through the city that never sleeps from the New York Times bestselling author of Since You’ve Been Gone, Morgan Matson.

Two girls. One night. Zero phones.

Kat and Stevie—best friends, theater kids, polar opposites—have snuck away from the suburbs to spend a night in New York City. They have it all planned out. They’ll see a play, eat at the city’s hottest restaurant, and have the best. Night. Ever. What could go wrong?

Well. Kind of a lot?

They’re barely off the train before they’re dealing with destroyed phones, family drama, and unexpected Pomeranians. Over the next few hours, they’ll have to grapple with old flames, terrible theater, and unhelpful cab drivers. But there are also cute boys to kiss, parties to crash, dry cleaning to deliver (don’t ask), and the world’s best museum to explore.

Over the course of a wild night in the city that never sleeps, both Kat and Stevie will get a wake-up call about their friendship, their choices…and finally discover what they really want for their future.

That is, assuming they can make it to Grand Central before the clock strikes 

I have loved pretty much all of Morgan Matson's previous books and was excited to learn that her next book would be released this year.

It is set in one of my favourite cities and focuses on friendship! The fact that it takes place all in one night is a fun hook and I cannot wait to see what situations Kat and Stevie find themselves in.

Morgan's books signal the start of summer reading season for me so I am excited that this one comes out in early May so that tradition can continue.

Expected release date - May 4, 2021

Rush by Kandi Steiner

Rush by Kandi Steiner

Release Date - August 25, 2015

Publisher Website - Self Published 
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 339 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Written like your favorite drama television show, the Palm South University series has been called "a mix of Greek meets Gossip Girl with a dash of Friends." Follow seven college students as they maneuver unrequited love, teacher/student romance, the tangles of “no strings” relationships, love triangles and more. Each “season” has six “episodes,” and just like when your favorite show hits Netflix, you can read just one episode at a time or binge the entire thing. With the perfect mix of angst, emotional romance, and romantic comedy, the Palm South University series is your next guilty addiction.

Drama. Lies. Sex.

Welcome to Palm South University.

The weather isn’t the only thing heating up in South Florida. At a school where fraternities and sororities don’t exactly play by the rules, relationships are bound to be tested. Parties and sex are definitely key ingredients in the Palm South recipe, but what happens when family issues, secret lives, and unrequited love get tossed in the mix?

Follow Cassie, Bear, Jess, Skyler, Erin, Ashlei, and Adam as they tackle college at a small, private beach town university. Written in television drama form, each episode of this serial will pull you deeper and deeper into the world of PSU.

Where the sun is hot and the clothes are scarce, anything can happen

Sometimes a book's hook is the style in which it is written. Rush is written to mimic your favorite binge worthy television shows with each book being a season and broken down from there into 'episodes' (or chapters/sections). This hook definitely made me curious and after finishing the first book in the series I would say it proved to be quite entertaining as well.

Greek life is something that I have no first hand experience with. My familiarity extends to what I have seen on television/movies or heard about in the news. This book's world revolves around the sororities and fraternities of the University it is set at. I have no basis to determine how authentic it is but it fits my understanding of what it means to belong to these organizations. It all seems a realistic scenario that feels heightened for dramatic impact which fits the television show vibe the series has going for it.

The only downside is that the cast of characters is rather large and I didn't feel like I got to spend a lot of time getting to know them. It is very plot driven novel filled with dramatic events and that makes it extremely readable but I hope the characterization expands in subsequent novels.

The large cast equals a few different points of view that the story is told from. I anticipated that it might be hard to follow, but once you settle into the rhythm of the book it is not an issue at all. It, in fact, allows for more secrets and interesting story arcs as you follow the different characters. I am interested in some story arcs, like the budding love triangle, over others but they are all interesting enough to keep the reader's attention. 

This book really has all of the plot elements you would expect to find in a book like this. It focuses on the friendships, romantic entanglements, and struggles that these students would face. It packs a good balance of angst and intrigue to make the story progress.

Rush is an entertaining, quick read that will be perfect for those who are fans of the soapy, drama filled CW television shows. It offers the kind of escapism that I predict many will be happy to discover after a heavier read.

#PopCultureResolution - Jennifer's Body

Jennifer's Body

Director: Karyn Kusama

Length: 103 minutes

Cast: Megan Fox, Amanda Seyfried, Johnny Simmons

Release Date: September 18, 2009

Synopsis: When a demon takes possession of her, high-school hottie Jennifer (Megan Fox) turns a hungry eye on guys who never stood a chance with her before. While evil Jennifer satisfies her appetite for human flesh with the school's male population, her nerdy friend, Needy (Amanda Seyfried), learns what's happening and vows to put an end to the carnage.

***********************************************

Jennifer's Body surprised me by being feminist, razor sharp, and much better than I was expecting. Diablo Cody's quip filled, darkly funny script was something that stood out to me. It feels both of its time and something that will still be enjoyable after multiple viewings. 

This 'review' really could be called 'Society Owes Megan Fox An Apology' because my main take away was how good she was in this and how quickly people turned her into a joke right after. She's actually pretty talented and people either made it all about her looks or her personal life. It makes me angry at myself that I even bought into it and never really sought out her work to judge for myself. 

I went in knowing this was very loosely inspired by the murder of Elyse Pahler. Jennifer's murder closely resembles that of Elyse (the reasons are the exact same) and this made that scene a little hard to watch. I found myself, while watching, feeling the same rage that I had when I first heard about Elyse's murder.

Jennifer's death made it a little hard for me to consider her the villain of the story because all of her actions are because of something that was done to her. It would have made it easier to root for her if she had made some different choices with who she was hunting but I still do not fully consider her the villain.

The friendship between Needy and Jennifer really is the heart of the story. Some could even say it is the love story underneath the horror. We know, of course, that there are only so many ways this can end (Jennifer is dead after all) but their connection is what carries the movie and gives it some emotional stakes.

I will end each of these 'reviews' with the question of whether or not I personally found the movie scary. It seems an apt way to end something that will feature horror movies. So, was Jennifer's Body scary? The answer, for me at least, was no. I, did however, find it darkly humourous, sharply written, and definitely quotable. It makes sense to me that this became the cult classic that it did.

Waiting On Wednesday ..... Not Your Average Hot Guy

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Not Your Average Hot Guy by Gwenda Bond

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

A paranormal romantic comedy at the (possible) end of the world.

All Callie wanted was a quiet weekend with her best friend. She promised her mom she could handle running her family’s escape room business while her mom is out of town. Instead a Satanic cult shows up, claiming that the prop spell book in one of the rooms is the real deal, and they need it to summon the right hand of the devil. Naturally they take Callie and her friend, Mag, along with them. But when the summoning reveals a handsome demon in a leather jacket named Luke who offers to help Callie stop the cult from destroying the world, her night goes from weird to completely strange.

As the group tries to stay one step ahead of the cult, Callie finds herself drawn to the annoying (and annoyingly handsome) Luke. But what Callie doesn’t know is that Luke is none other than Luke Morningstar, Prince of Hell and son of the Devil himself. Callie never had time for love, and with the apocalypse coming closer, is there room for romance when all hell’s about to break loose?

From New York Times bestselling author Gwenda Bond, Not Your Average Hot Guy is a hilarious romantic comedy about two people falling in love, while the fate of the world rests on their shoulders. 

A romance featuring the son of the devil combined with a cult and impending apocalypse? Yes, please.

It sounds like this may be a fun mix of romance and humour along with some thrilling paranormal elements. It's October release date is perfect and it will offer those wanting a spooky season read that is not specifically horror.

I cannot wait to 'meet' these characters and I hope this is as fun of a read as I am expecting.

Expected release date - October 5, 2021

A Glass of Wine at the Movies - Promising Young Woman

Promising Young Woman

Rating: R (USA)/ 14A (Canada)

Director: Emerald Fennell

Language: English

Length:  113 minutes

Cast: Carey Mulligan, Bo Burnham, Laverne Cox

Viewing Method: Advance Screening

Release Date: December 25, 2020 (cinemas)/ January 15, 2021 (streaming)

Synopsis: Nothing in Cassie's life is what it appears to be -- she's wickedly smart, tantalizingly cunning, and she's living a secret double life by night. Now, an unexpected encounter is about to give Cassie a chance to right the wrongs from the past.

********

Promising Young Woman is a lollipop wrapped in barbed wire. It's a tale of revenge backdropped against a bubblegum pink veneer. It's the story of a woman hell bent on payback regardless of anything else. I expect a majority will feel rage after finishing this movie and with good reason.

Cassie was once a promising young woman with a whole future ahead of her. So was her friend Nina. One night changed all of that and now Cassie spends her time trying to right the wrongs that have occurred. It a fresh, exciting take on a story we've heard before and this one has teeth.

Emerald Fennell has written and directed a gut punch of a movie. A fact that is made all the more impressive when you consider it is her directorial debut. It's smart, sharp, and demands to be heard.

Carey Mulligan is breathtaking in this. Her performance should definitely be part of Oscar talks this year. Not since my beloved Amy Elliott Dunne has a female character captured my interest with all her fury and rage. They are very different characters but there is something similar that beats at the center of both of them. Carey plays this with just the right amount of unrestrained anger and exhaustion. Grief is crushing and Carey nails it beautifully. She's literally (and figuratively) a nightmare dressed as most men's daydream.

The idea of the 'nice guy' is tackled with the movie showcasing that plenty of these men are not as nice as they claim they are. Their toxic entitlement is displayed in all its ugly honesty. All the men in this are the absolute worst. Phrases like 'I'm a nice guy' are uttered in one breathe while their actions show that they are anything but. They claim to be gentleman even as the movie showcases that these 'gentleman' can often be the worst of them all. It especially highlights that silence is complicity and that their lack of action makes them just as culpable regardless of what they protest. The fact that these guys are played by the likes of Adam Brody, Chris Lowell, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse, who are guys known for playing nice guy characters, only serves to add another layer to this element.

As for women this movie doesn't pretend they are innocent in victimizing their fellow women. It is sure to remind us that they can play into victim blame culture too. Familiar phrases we hear are ones about how a woman shouldn't have worn that skirt, or gotten so drunk and they are usually coming out of the mouth of another woman. It's a stark reminder that society thinks she got what was coming to her because of her choices. It gives a free pass to the guy because, after all, the woman should have been smarter.

I feel like this cannot be reviewed fully without talking about the ending because I think the ending really showcases the entire point behind the movie. I am going to put it in spoiler tags so that anyone who doesn't want to read it can skip it. 

The ending is going to be polarizing. I can see how it feels like just another piece of violence against women. I get how that could upset and anger people. I, sadly, think this ending is realistic. Cassie ends up dead at the end of the movie and I feel like her character was always headed in that direction. A woman doing what she was doing would likely meet that same fate. Her death at the hands of one of the men she goes after is violent, shocking, and altogether unsurprising in its realism for anyone who devours true crime. It is also a sad testament to how we view sexual assault. Cassie knew that nothing was going to be done about what happened to Nina because rape is not taken seriously. Murder, on the other hand, is. She knew it was the only way to make Al pay for what he did and so she made herself a martyr. I feel it is more a commentary on how society doesn't want to ruin the lives of these 'promising young men' for raping a women because they don't feel like a crime has been committed. He has to kill her first. Al may not have murdered Nina but to Cassie he was responsible for her death but she knew he wouldn't be punished for it and she was right.

We hear the phrase 'promising young man' tossed about when a privileged guy commits a sexual assault and people are hesitant to wreck his future because of all that potential he has. This movie screams a reminder of the promising young women on the other end of those crimes. What about her potential? What about her life and future? This movie is asking us to ask those questions while also offering a smartly written screenplay, and a beyond excellent soundtrack. 

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas

Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas 

Release Date - January 12, 2021

Publisher Website -  Harper Collins Canada
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy

Pages - 320 pages
My Rating - 5/5
**received for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

International phenomenon Angie Thomas revisits Garden Heights seventeen years before the events of The Hate U Give in this searing and poignant exploration of Black boyhood and manhood.

If there’s one thing seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter knows, it’s that a real man takes care of his family. As the son of a former gang legend, Mav does that the only way he knows how: dealing for the King Lords. With this money he can help his mom, who works two jobs while his dad’s in prison.

Life’s not perfect, but with a fly girlfriend and a cousin who always has his back, Mav’s got everything under control.

Until, that is, Maverick finds out he’s a father.

Suddenly he has a baby, Seven, who depends on him for everything. But it’s not so easy to sling dope, finish school, and raise a child. So when he’s offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. In a world where he’s expected to amount to nothing, maybe Mav can prove he’s different.

When King Lord blood runs through your veins, though, you can't just walk away. Loyalty, revenge, and responsibility threaten to tear Mav apart, especially after the brutal murder of a loved one. He’ll have to figure out for himself what it really means to be a man.

There are those books you pick up knowing you are going to be immersed in something icredible. Those books that you know are going to be good before you even turn to the first page. I knew that Concrete Rose was going to be a great reading experience, but it might also be Angie Thomas' best book to date.

Maverick Carter, Starr's father from The Hate U Give, takes the focus in this historically set novel that showcases how he became the man we meet in The Hate U Give. While it may technically be considered historical I think that as a coming of age story this book will still easily resonate with young readers.

Some books are mirrors and others are windows. This book is obviously a window for me as a reader but I am most excited for those who will find this to be a mirror to discover this book. Representation is important and Angie Thomas has created a beautiful, affirming story of a black teen finding his way. It can (and should) be enjoyed by everyone but I think this book will offer pure magic when it finds those readers it will most resonate with.

Logically I knew how close in age Seven and Starr were while reading The Hate U Give. I, however, did not get how hard that would have been on Maverick until I read this book. The Hate U Give's Maverick is so put together that it just doesn't register in the way that it should until you experience it in this book. It gave me a different perspective on the character which I think is entirely the point. There is a sympathy brought out in the reader for the choices he has to make and a deeper appreciation for the character we know he becomes.

This book really showcases the power and need for a strong support system. Maverick has people who care about him surrounding him. These people care enough to let him make mistakes and encourage him to own up to those mistakes. It is easier to believe in yourself when you know others believe in you and not everyone is afforded that gift. I really enjoyed all the supporting characters and their role in shaping Maverick's path both for the positive and negative.

If you loved The Hate U Give you will absolutely want to pick up Concrete Rose. Angie Thomas once again provides a book that is thought provoking, well written, compulsively readable, and engaging. It really is a must read for young adult fans.

Waiting On Wednesday ..... Elizabeth and Monty

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship by Charles Casillo 

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Violet-eyed siren Elizabeth Taylor and classically handsome Montgomery Clift were the most gorgeous screen couple of their time. Over two decades of friendship they made, separately and together, some of the era’s defining movies—including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Misfits, Suddenly, Last Summer, and Cleopatra. Yet the relationship between these two figures—one a dazzling, larger-than-life star, the other hugely talented yet fatally troubled—has never truly been explored until now.

“Monty, Elizabeth likes me, but she loves you.” -Richard Burton

When Elizabeth Taylor was cast opposite Montgomery Clift in A Place in the Sun, he was already a movie idol, with a natural sensitivity that set him apart. At seventeen, Elizabeth was known for her ravishing beauty rather than her talent. Directors treated her like a glamorous prop. But Monty took her seriously, inspiring and encouraging her. In her words, “That’s when I began to act.”

To Monty, she was “Bessie Mae,” a name he coined for her earthy, private side. The press clamored for a wedding, convinced this was more than friendship. The truth was even more complex. Monty was drawn to women but sexually attracted to men—a fact that, if made public, would destroy his career. But he found acceptance and kinship with Elizabeth. Her devotion was never clearer than after his devastating car crash near her Hollywood home, when she crawled into the wreckage and saved him from choking.

Monty’s accident shattered his face and left him in constant pain. As he sank into alcoholism and addiction, Elizabeth used her power to keep him working. In turn, through scandals and multiple marriages, he was her constant. Their relationship endured until his death in 1966, right before he was to star with her in Reflections in a Golden Eye. His influence continued in her outspoken support for the gay community, especially during the AIDS crisis.

Far more than the story of two icons, this is a unique and extraordinary love story that shines new light on both stars, revealing their triumphs, demons—and the loyalty that united them to the end.

Thanks to my 2020 #PopCultureResolution I became a fan of Montgomery Clift and have wanted to find out more about him and his work. I previously mentioned that I felt he had a vulnerability that comes through in his performances. I am not sure if it is just because of his accident and the turn his life took after that or something more undefinable.

I was aware that he and Elizabeth Taylor had a close friendship and loved A Place in the Sun with them in it so when I found out this book was being released it immediately went on my reading list. I hope it dives into who they both were aside from their friendship as well. I have a feeling it is going to make me want to watch more of both their movies.

It comes out in May and means it will offer a juicy nonfiction read for pool season.

Expected release date - May 25, 2021

2021 Reading Challenges

I am taking part in a few different reading challenges this year and wanted to share so everyone could follow my progress.

First up is a reading challenge hosted by the ladies over at the What You Should Read podcast. If you're a fan of The Bachelor you'll definitely want to take part but it can really be done by anyone with the book prompts being pretty open.

Here are my choices for the books I will read:

1. Tayshia Adams: A book by a Black or Latina author - Happily Ever Afters by Elise Bryant

2. Bachelor Nation: A book about or set in a reality dating show - If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy

3. Chris "The Most Dramatic Season Ever" Harrison: A book about or set in a theatre or a book featuring a play - Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

4. First impression rose: An author's debut book - Further to Fall by Catherine Cowles

5. One - on - One date: A romance novel - One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston

6. Group date: A book that is part of a series - Isn't it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

7. Two -on-one date: A book written from two POV's - My Favorite Souvenir by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

8. Not here to make friends: A book featuring a strong friendship group - Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli

9. Here for the right reasons: A book with a main character facing a moral dilemma - Marriage for One by Ella Maise

10. Hometown dates: A book set in you hometown or the town/city you live in now - Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks by Nathan Burgoine

11. Fantasy suites: A fantasty book - Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard

12. Men/Women tell all: A gossipy 'tell-all' celebrity memoir - Open Book by Jessica Simpson

13. After the final rose: A sequel, or a book with a sequel  - Isn't it Bromantic? by Lyssa Kay Adams

It states that I am allowed to use the same book for multiple prompts and so I have where appropriate. I may have gotten a few recommendations from friends and I am looking forward to reading all of these.

Next up is a challenge I saw floating around Twitter. I am not sure who the first person to come up with this was so if it was you please let me know so I can credit you properly.

The idea is to get twelve friends to recommend twelve books and you read one a month. I reached out and got people to recommend some titles and certainly have come up with a delightful mix of genres.

Jan - The Seven Husband's of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid (Kelly)

Feb - The Birthday List by Deveny Perry (Emilie)

Mar - Mouthful of Forevers by Clementine Von Radics (Ciara)

April - Marriage for One by Ella Maise (Katie)

May - Written In The Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur (Christy)

June -  The Miseducation of Cameron Post by Emily M Danforth (Christa)

July - The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (Jess)

August -  The Grace Year by Kim Leggitt (Christa)

Sept - Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi (Meaghan)

Oct -   Among the Beasts and Briars by Ashley Poston (Katrina)

Nov - Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott (Kim)

Dec - Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney (Julia)

Are you doing any reading challenges this year? Are you taking part in the same ones I am by chance? Let me know in the comments as I would love to see your reading lists.

Recapping my 2020 #PopCultureResolution

As you may have seen yesterday I shared my selections for this year's #PopCultureResolution. I am exposing myself to more horror movies, and some mystery/thriller reads. I am excited to get started on them.

I wanted to take a few moments to wrap up last year however before moving on. I read the following books:

January -  Seduction: Sex, Lies, and Stardom in Howard Hughes's Hollywood by Karina Longworth

February - The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher

March - The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

April -  Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow

May - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

June - All That Heaven Allows: A Biography of Rock Hudson by Mark Griffin

July - Who Killed These Girls by Beverly Lowry

August - The Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rule

September - Lords of Chaos by Michael Moynihan

October - 5th Avenue, 5 AM by Sam Wasson

November - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt

December - Bonnie and Clyde: The Making of a Legend by Karen Blumenthal

First off, all of these link to the reviews I wrote. You may have noticed that The Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rule does not have a review. It's because I have had a hard time finding something to say about a subject that has pretty much had everything said about it. I'll try to get one up in the next little bit however. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil also doesn't have a review. Again, I am struggling with what to say but expect a review soon.

I enjoyed all of these books to some extent. I think the one I was most disappointed by was The Devil in the White City. This is mostly my own doing as I was expecting something else from the book, but it wasn't one I connected with as strongly as the others.

The books that stood out to me in particular were:

Seduction by Karina Longworth - Karina is amazing. I would love to sit and just listen to her talk about old Hollywood for hours while enjoying a glass of wine. Her book about Howard Hughes sort of used him as a means of getting the reader to know the women he didn't treat very well which delights me even further.

Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow - Everyone loves Ronan Farrow and after reading this book I also think he is one heck of a journalist. This book is 'WTF' bananas and is a huge part of the #meetoo movement. I cannot wait to read whatever Ronan writes next.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote - It's a classic for a reason and this is the book that basically launched the true crime genre. Capote may have been a complete jerk, but he could actually write. It's a fascinating look at a case that held everyone's attention.

Next up are the movies that I watched. Again, each of these links to my reviews of these films.

January - A Place In The Sun

February - A Streetcar Named Desire

March - An Affair To Remember

April - Sabrina

May - Niagara

June - Rear Window

July - Penny Serenade

August - Humoresque

September - It Happened One Night

October - Gaslight

November - Pillow Talk

December - It's  A Wonderful Life

Here are my initial reactions to each of these films that I posted to my Instagram (via stories).

I stand by my assessment that young Marlon Brando was ridiculously good looking (and a great actor too). I have become a huge fan of Jimmy Stewart and his movies. I have also come to love watching Cary Grant in pretty much anything. I want to learn more about Montgomery Clift because there is something about him that intrigues me (perhaps it's that vulnerability that shines through his performances). 

My favourite movie of the bunch is probably Rear Window. It's definitely one of my top (if not the top) Hitchcock movie. The most fun and ridiculous may have been Niagara. The most touching was probably It's A Wonderful Life. A Place In The Sun and A Streetcar Named Desire are right on Rear Window's heels (that Marlon Brando performance alone makes A Streetcar Named Desire worth watching). I have also added Hitchcock as a director whose work I want to check out more of.

I am definitely going to continue watching old Hollywood classics that I've missed seeing and I will be adding in some non fiction from time to time to my reading. It was nice to focus on both of them this past year and I definitely have some new favourites, and a few actors/directors whose work I want to continue watching.

Are you making a #PopCultureResolution this year? Did you make one last year? Let me know what they are / how you did in the comments.

#PopCultureResolution for 2021

We all have pop culture blind spots. It might be that genre you barely read, or that movie you have been meaning to get to. I have been thinking about the books I read and what my own pop culture blind spots are.  I am going to make an effort each year to help fill some of those blind spots and hopefully make my reading choices more varied and diverse than what I currently consume in the process.

With this goal in mind I launched my #PopCultureResolutions last year. I had so much fun doing it, and managed to keep with it for the entire year so I figured I would do it again.

I love thrillers and mysteries. I have read quite a few but there are still so many books I haven't managed to get to. In terms of movies I haven't watched that many horror movies, and it's not a genre I normally gravitate toward without some extra hook or incentive. 

I decided for 2021 I would read twelve thriller/mystery books and watch twelve horror movies.

My twelve thriller/mystery books are:

My schedule looks like this (and if anyone wants to read any of these as well, I am happy to chat about them). Each of them links to their Goodreads pages for more details.

January -  The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins (goodreads)

February - The Flight Attendant by Chris Bohjalian (goodreads)

March - When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole (goodreads)

April -  The Other Mrs Miller by Allison M Dickson (goodreads)

May - The Sun Down Motel by Simone St James (goodreads)

June - I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll (goodreads)

July - Survive The Night by Riley Sager (goodreads)

August - The Golden Cage by Camilla Lackberg (goodreads)

September - Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane (goodreads)

October - Goodnight Beautiful by Aimee Malloy (goodreads)

November - The Guest List by Lucy Foley (goodreads)

December - Mistletoe Murder by Leslie Meier (goodreads)

Here are the horror movies I am going to watch for this event:

The schedule for this will be as follows (and again, if anyone else wants to watch and chat just let me know).

January - Jennifer’s Body

February - My Bloody Valentine (2009)

March - The Stepfather (1987)

April - Frankenstein (1931)

May - Final Girls

June - Sinister

July - Frailty 

August - Ready or Not

September - Rosemary's Baby

October - Halloween (2019)

November - Rope

December - Better Watch Out

What are your own pop culture blind spots? Have you read any of the books, or seen any of the movies that I am going to tackle this year? Let know in the comments.