Waiting On Wednesday ... Layoverland

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 Layoverland by Gabby Noone

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Two teens, one stuck atoning for her sins and one destined for heaven, fall in love in purgatory in this darkly hilarious and heartfelt rom-com, perfect for fans of The Good Place.

Beatrice Fox deserves to go straight to hell. At least, that's what she thinks. On her last day on Earth, she ruined the life of the person she loves most--her little sister, Emmy. So when Bea awakens from a fatal car accident to find herself on an airplane headed for a mysterious destination, she's confused, to say the least. Once on the ground, Bea receives some truly harrowing news: not only is she in purgatory, but she has been chosen to join the Memory Experience team. If she wants another shot at heaven, she'll have to use her master manipulation skills to help 5,000 souls suss out what's keeping them from moving on.

There's just one slight problem. Bea's first assigned soul is Caleb, the boy who caused her accident, and the last person Bea would ever want to send to the pearly gates. But as much as Bea would love to see Caleb suffer for dooming her to a seemingly endless future of listening to other people's problems, she can't help but notice that he's kind of cute, and sort of sweet, and that maybe, despite her best efforts, she's totally falling for him. And to make matters worse, he's definitely falling for her. Now, determined to make the most of her time in purgatory, Bea must decide what is truly worth dying for--romance or revenge.

This novel is been compared to The Good Place which I am sure will delight fans of that television show (which I have not yet watched). I can certainly see why that comparison was made from the synopsis.

I already love that there is going to be a romance at the heart of this story! It sounds like it will be a cute read that will offer up some summer time reading vibes in the winter.

The book doesn't release until January 2020 so save your holiday gift cards and pre-order as a belated present to yourself.

Expected release date - January 21, 2020

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.

It is, obviously, Sunday but I had a lot going on this week so I wasn't able to get this post done in time for Saturday.

Another small post this week as not much was revealed that caught my eye.

BOOKS

Cover For Layoverland by Gabby Noone (goodreads)

The cover of Layoverland is eye catching and filled with bright colours that don't necessarily fit the description of the book but also manage to be absolute perfect.

It is teased as being perfect for fans of The Good Place and I can certainly see why after reading that synopsis. It sounds like a great mix of a unique premise with a complicated romance.

TV/MOVIES

All Of Marvel's San Diego Comic Con News

Marvel revealed quite a bit at San Diego Comic Con. They released details on the new Doctor Strange and Thor movies. They introduced us to The Eternals. They gave us details on the Black Widow movie and even revealed that we would be getting a Blade reboot.

I love that Natalie Portman's Jane will be following her comic book path. I love that Scarlet Witch will feature prominently in the new Doctor Strange movie. I am excited to see who Valkyrie's Queen is (I expect it a new Captain that we just met recently). I cannot wait to see what Mahershala Ali does with the Blade character.

They also revealed more details about their Disney+ television shows that will tie directly into the new movies.

It's all made me very excited for the future of Marvel and the new characters we're going to meet.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - TIFF 2019 Early Line Up

It may seem like the autumn months are far away but the TIFF line up is here to remind us that the fall film festivals are just around the corner.

As someone who follows Oscar buzz these festivals always ensure certain movies get a little boost going into awards season. Green Book won the People's Choice Award, which is the award given by the festival audience, at TIFF last year and went on to win Best Picture. 

I personally have never been to TIFF but there are always movies being showcased that I am interested in seeing and this year is no exception.

Here are my thoughts on some of the movies selected that I want to personally see or that I think will create some buzz. This is by no means an exhaustive list and I am sure I am missing some must see movies. Each is linked to the TIFF page for that particular movie if you want to learn more about any of them.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

The documentary about Fred Rogers did well both at the box office and during awards season. Only time will tell if people got their fill of Mr Rogers nostalgia with that documentary of if that success will translate to this movie as well. The movie focuses on a writer who is assigned to write a profile piece on Mr Rogers for Esquire magazine).

Tom Hanks is always a potential Oscar favourite, but this movie could pop up in many categories if it does well. 

Endings, Beginnings

This is a movie that I am personally interested in. There isn't much known other than a young woman is trying to get her life back together and ends up in a love triangle with two friends. I enjoy everyone in the cast (which is Shailene Woodley, Jamie Dornan, and Sebastian Stan) and it just sounds like a movie I would potentially enjoy. Excited to see a trailer once one is released.

Ford v Ferrari

Focusing on the 1966 "24 Hours of Le Mans" endurance race that saw Ford taking on Ferrari. Christian Bale is an awards favourite so he is always a possibility and this one could show up in tech categories if done well. It was moved from its original summer spot to a more awards friendly fall release which speaks to confidence in the movie from the people releasing it.

Harriet

Cynthia Erivo already has a lot of buzz attached to her portrayal of Harriet Tubman. I think it is more expectation than from anyone having seen it, but there is a large interest. The movie itself looks like it could have some promise in multiple categories.

How to Build a Girl

This is based off of Caitlin Moran's book of the same name and stars Beanie Feldstein as a teen who is trying to reinvent herself as a music critic in London. I think this one is going to be fun and I really enjoyed the book it is based off of.

Joker

This first 'comic book' inspired movie to premiere at the festival (I believe anyway). It is being presented as a origin story for the infamous Batman villain. There will obviously be an awards campaign for Joaquin Phoenix so it makes sense that it will do the festival rounds. It only makes sense if they are serious about him getting a nomination. The trailer certainly makes it look like he is giving one heck of a performance.

Judy

Renee Zellweger stars as Judy Garland and the trailers that have been released showcase what seems to be an incredible performance. It is probably your standard biopic but Renee could walk away with a nomination if her performance is as strong throughout the the movie.


Just Mercy

The cast of this one caught my eye - it has Brie Larson and Michael B Jordan in it. It doesn't reveal much about the plot, and I haven't seen a trailer yet, but I enjoy both of those actors immensely. It follows a lawyer going to defend a man who was wrongfully convicted of a crime despitet there being evidence proving him innocent.


Knives Out

This one just looks like it is going to be a lot of fun! The trailer boasts that it is a 'whodunit like nobody has ever done it' and it certainly has an impressive (and large) cast filled with both big stars and character actors.


The Goldfinch

This is being adapted from the book of the same name. I saw it pop up on a lot of early Oscar lists and hopefully it is a good as everyone thinks it is. Ansel Elgort stars as a man who lost his mother when he was much younger in a museum bombing. I don't know much more about it other than it takes it name from a painting that is important to the plot.

The Report

This sort of reminds me of the movie Spotlight. It is about investigative reporters who are looking into the CIA's use of torture tactics after 9/11. Another impressive sounding cast and it rave reviews after its premiere at Sundance. 

My pick for movie that wins the audience award this year? I have to go with It's A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood. Something about the notion of Tom Hanks playing Mr Roger's feels like a combination that could be especially people pleasing.

What movie that is being showcased at TIFF would you most like to see? Did I miss anything that you feel is a must see? Let me know in the comments. 

Waiting On Wednesday .... Infinity Son

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 Infinity Son by Adam Silvera

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Balancing epic and intensely personal stakes, bestselling author Adam Silvera’s Infinity Son is a gritty, fast-paced adventure about two brothers caught up in a magical war generations in the making.

Growing up in New York, brothers Emil and Brighton always idolized the Spell Walkers—a vigilante group sworn to rid the world of specters. While the Spell Walkers and other celestials are born with powers, specters take them, violently stealing the essence of endangered magical creatures.

Brighton wishes he had a power so he could join the fray. Emil just wants the fighting to stop. The cycle of violence has taken a toll, making it harder for anyone with a power to live peacefully and openly. In this climate of fear, a gang of specters has been growing bolder by the day.

Then, in a brawl after a protest, Emil manifests a power of his own—one that puts him right at the heart of the conflict and sets him up to be the heroic Spell Walker Brighton always wanted to be.

Brotherhood, love, and loyalty will be put to the test, and no one will escape the fight unscathed.

Adam Silvera's new novel, a fantasy, is on its way and the early buzz is only growing for this one. I have seen so many advance readers singing this one praises that it is making it hard to not read it immediately.

I love the premise of one brother really wanting powers and the other not wanting them (and that it is the brother who doesn't want them that ends up having them). It should provide a really interesting dynamic between.

Save those holiday gift cards and pre-order this one! It comes out in January and seems poised to help chase away those post holiday blues.

Expected release date - January 14, 2020

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory

The Wedding Party by Jasmine Guillory
Release Date - July 16, 2019
Publisher Website - Penguin Random House Canada

Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  320 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Maddie and Theo have two things in common:

1. Alexa is their best friend

2. They hate each other

After an “Oops, we made a mistake” kiss, neither one can stop thinking about the other. With Alexa’s wedding rapidly approaching, Maddie and Theo both share bridal party responsibilities that require more interaction with each other than they’re comfortable with. Underneath the sharp barbs they toss at each other is a simmering attraction that won’t fade. It builds until they find themselves sneaking off together to release some tension when Alexa isn’t looking.

But as with any engagement with a nemesis, there are unspoken rules that must be abided by. First and foremost, don’t fall in love. 

The Wedding Party has a little bit of everything you could want as a romance reader. It has some great banter, chemistry, a unique slow burn, and the added bonus of returning favourites. The Wedding Date series continues to charm with this next installment while showcasing why Jasmine is a must read romance author.

The relationship between Maddie and Theo is a fascinating one. It isn't a slow burn sexually but it is in every other way. They begin sleeping together which leads to them feeling more tolerable towards each other which eventually leads to something more. This felt so natural to who the characters are. Their sexual compatibility clicks before everything else does and that slow burns makes every other element feel more earned.

There is a touch of Pride and Prejudice in this one. Both Maddie and Theo can be stubborn, proud people. They also both have very set opinions about the other without taking the chance of getting to know each other first. Snap decisions are made and those prejudices will not be easily changed. Each made judgements based on the other person's job, style, and perceptions and reacted based on those opinions. Seeing those opinions shift and grow as the relationship progresses was the heart of the novel for me.

Cameos in companion novels are always my favourite but it is even better when some of your favourite characters have a larger supporting role in a subsequent book. As the synopsis reveals the novel is leading up to Alexa's wedding to Drew (the couple from The Wedding Date) and Alexa is a significant part of the story. Seeing all of these characters was comforting and familiar. It made easing back into this world feel effortless and provided the most satisfying payoff for readers who have loved and followed the series. Past events are shown from a new perspective which created a dynamic that can only be enjoyed by someone who has read all the books. It feels like a secret the author is sharing with the fans of this series.

The Wedding Party works as both a fun romance read and a wonderful goodbye to these characters. It is like a wonderful thank you to the readers who have devoured all three books. It was a delight to read and I cannot wait to experience whatever Jasmine Guillory writes next.

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.

BOOKS

The Beautiful Pre-Order Campaign

Penguin Teen just announced the pre-order campaign for Renee Ahdieh's The Beautiful and it is amazing!

This enamel pin is a must get for me. I cannot wait to devour this book and I am fairly certain I am going to be obsessed.

TV/MOVIES

The Witcher Trailer

I don't know much about this other than it originally was a book that got adapted into a video game and is now going to be a Netflix series.

I've heard that it is a serious contender for the next big thing that could take the place of Game of Thrones now that it has ended.

The first trailer definitely hooked me. Excited to learn when we'll be able to watch the first season.

His Dark Materials Trailer

I haven't read this book series (I know, I know) but I had seen the original movie that was released at one point or another. I am pretty sure everyone agreed it was not a great adaptation of the book series.

HBO is releasing a series this fall and released a trailer at San Diego Comic Con. A television show seems to make much more sense for a series that expansive and complex. The trailer certainly seems to indicate it was a better choice.

The CGI for the bear is incredible. I am excited to watch this in the fall and hopefully pick up the books eventually.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - My Favourite Book To Movie Adaptations

Some of my favourite things after books are movies and television shows. I especially love it when the two come together and an adaptation of one of my favourite books gets released. I am sure there are probably a lot of people who dislike when one of their favourites gets turned into a movie or television show. There is a high likelihood that it will not be satisfying. It might end up being miscast. Your favourite scene could be cut from the show or movie. The story could change so much to make it unrecognizable from the source material. There are, however, the few exceptions where the adapted version lives up to the source material.

I was thinking of good adaptations and how they can honour the source material and create something entirely new. We all discuss when we've been disappointed but rarely spend as much time discussing when Hollywood gets it right.

Here are my favourite book to movie adaptations. These are mostly in no particular order but I especially like my top three. They are among some of my all time favourite movies.

1. Stand By Me (adapted from a short story by Stephen King called The Body)

One of my favourite movies of all time and one that is basically a comfort movie to me. It is one of the movies I watch when I am sick in bed, or just when I need an evening filled with all of the things I love.  River Phoenix may break my heart every time I watch it but it is perfection to me.

2. Gone Girl (adapted from Gillian Flynn's novel of the same name)

Everything from the setting, the casting, the directing, script writing, and editing was amazing here. Rosamund Pike brought one of my favourite characters to life with a delectable precision and all of the major moments from the book translated to screen perfectly.

3. Goodfellas (adapted from Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi)

This movie is an incredibly faithful adaptation of Nicholas Pileggi's book. It's one of  the best, if not THE best, gangster movies ever made and it is filled with some iconic performances.

4. Room (adapted from the book by Emma Donoghue)

Both the book and movie are heartbreaking and hopeful. They both allow you to believe that your experiencing things through Jack's eyes for the first time. The movie boasts electric performances by Brie Larson and Jacob Tremblay (who gave the best performance by a male actor that year).

5. A Simple Favor (adapted from the book by Darcey Bell)

Here's where I offer a confession ... I tried to start this book and had to put it down. I might go back and try again later, but I think this may be a case where I like the movie more than the book it was adapted from. Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick are both on top of their game and the blend of dark comedy with an absolutely bananas plot works perfectly in this campy, over the top thriller.

6. Brokeback Mountain (adapated from the short story by Anne Proulx)

Another faithful adaptation of the source material (the length of the source material may account for this a little) that boasts a career defining performance from Heath Ledger. The movie is also beautifully shot and I am still angry it was robbed at the Oscars.

7. Silence  of the Lambs (adapted from the novel by Thomas Harris

I feel like this one is given. The movie is a classic for a reason. The acting is incredible, and I felt the same tone and atmosphere that I did while reading the book. It also doesn't hurt that it is just a well made movie with some truly memorable moments.

8. Interview With The Vampire (adapted from the novel by Anne Rice)

I recently rewatched this and was surprised with how much it holds up. Tom Cruise gives an impressive performance as Lestat and Brad Pitt broods rather well as Louis. New Orleans is the perfect back drop for this story and it makes for one heck of a beautiful film.

This is, obviously, not an exhaustive list. I am sure I left many amazing movies out. What adaptations are your favourite? Let me know in the comments.