Just a quick note to let you all know that I will be taking a brief blogging hiatus. This week has been exhausting work wise and just draining in other areas too. I am working a different shift time that has turned my usual schedule upside down.
I will be back next week with new posts. I have some reviews I am excited to share as soon as I can write them this weekend.
A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda. Meet Jane. Newly arrived to Birmingham, Alabama, Jane is a broke dog-walker in Thornfield Estates––a gated community full of McMansions, shiny SUVs, and bored housewives. The kind of place where no one will notice if Jane lifts the discarded tchotchkes and jewelry off the side tables of her well-heeled clients. Where no one will think to ask if Jane is her real name. But her luck changes when she meets Eddie Rochester. Recently widowed, Eddie is Thornfield Estates’ most mysterious resident. His wife, Bea, drowned in a boating accident with her best friend, their bodies lost to the deep. Jane can’t help but see an opportunity in Eddie––not only is he rich, brooding, and handsome, he could also offer her the kind of protection she’s always yearned for. Yet as Jane and Eddie fall for each other, Jane is increasingly haunted by the legend of Bea, an ambitious beauty with a rags-to-riches origin story, who launched a wildly successful southern lifestyle brand. How can she, plain Jane, ever measure up? And can she win Eddie’s heart before her past––or his––catches up to her? With delicious suspense, incisive wit, and a fresh, feminist sensibility, The Wife Upstairs flips the script on a timeless tale of forbidden romance, ill-advised attraction, and a wife who just won’t stay buried. In this vivid reimagining of one of literature’s most twisted love triangles, which Mrs. Rochester will get her happy ending?
Fans of Jane Eyre will want to get their hands on this upcoming book from Rachel Hawkins. This twist on the classic novel sounds really captivating and I cannot wait to have a Gothic suspense novel to read this winter.
Be sure to add it to your Goodreads so you can join the wait with me. I hope it is as fun and twisty as I am expecting.
As we are halfway through the year I thought it would be a good time to check in with my progress on my #2020PopCultureResolution.
I have so far managed to read every book and watch each movie that I set out to. I am enjoying it so much that it will return in some capacity next year (same format but the genres are changing).
First up are the books I have read so far. Each links to my review if you are interested.
I enjoyed all of them to varying degrees, and could not pick a favourite between Seduction, Catch and Kill and In Cold Blood. They are all captivating reads that will probably make my Best Of list at the end of the year. Only The Devil In The White City stood out as a bit of a disappointment and that was more for my expectations than anything else. It is a well written read that I am sure others will enjoy immensely.
Next up are the movies that I have watched so far. This has widened the list of movies I want to see and introduced me to some actors whose work I want to continue to watch and directors I am looking forward to working my way through their filmography. They all link to my review.
Just like when talking about the books I would have a hard time choosing a favourite. Rear Window is, objectively, the best made of all of them, but A Streetcar Named Desire is certainly right on its heels. All of them are worth the watch though and have sparked a renewed interest in classics for me and I cannot wait to experience more of them.
Here are my initial reactions as shared on Instagram:
I cannot wait to see what the next 6 months brings. There are certainly some choices I am very excited about coming up. I look forward to checking in at the end of the year to see if I could possibly choose a favourite from each list but I am fairly certain it is going to be impossible.
Have you read any of these books/watched any of these movies? If so what did you think? Leave your thoughts in the comments. If you are also filling in some of your own pop culture blind spots this year let me know what you have been reading/watching/etc.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a young woman who desires a law career must be in want of a case. So when sixteen year old Lizzie Bennet hears about a scandalous society murder, she sees an opportunity to prove herself as a solicitor by solving the case and ensuring justice is served. Except the man accused of the crime already has a lawyer on his side: Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, the stern young heir to the prestigious Pemberley Associates law firm. Lizzie is determined to solve the murder before Darcy can so that she can show the world that a woman can be just as good as a man. (The fact that Darcy is an infuriating snob doesn’t help.) But there’s still a killer on the loose, and as the case gets more complicated, Lizzie and Darcy may have to start working together to avoid becoming the next victims themselves.
This had me sold with the premise of a Pride and Prejudice retelling that has Lizzie and Mr Darcy competing to solve a murder. I can see this having a whole lot of potential. I am certainly excited to see what will eventually bring this Lizzie and Mr Darcy together.
This doesn't come out until early 2021 so be sure to add it to your 'to be read' list so you'll remember to pick yourself up a copy when it releases in March.
A woman on the verge of divorce recalls her heartbreaking attempts to adopt a child.
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One of the things I have enjoyed most about my #2020PopCultureResolution event is discovering actors and directors whose work I am really enjoying. Cary Grant falls into this category so I was particularly excited to check out this month's pick of Penny Serenade.
Penny Serenade revolves around a couple on the brink of divorce. We look back, via flashbacks, on the events of their relationship and what brought them to their current state. It is a movie that is guaranteed to make you cry and probably more than once. Its drama is steeped in realism that makes it really work on the audience.
Cary Grant is his usual charming self in this one. This is a role that he seems well suited for. His chemistry with Irene Dunne is what holds every other aspect of the movie together. You buy that they love one another.
There is a feeling of nostalgia throughout this movie that I couldn't quite put my finger on. I think it stems from the journey of romance, marriage, parenthood that this couple takes being recognizable. This type of story arc was (and often still is) steeped in to the media we consume. You feel for this couple and their pain because you recognize their story.
The romance starts out so light and joyous. It has a few laughs thrown in and some genuinely swoon worthy moments that Cary Grant sells completely. Its these moments that make the sadder, more heartbreaking parts of their journey felt all the more sharply. Their initial meeting is a particular stand out moment.
As sad as this movie is, I ended up feeling buoyed with hope by the time the credits rolled. It is therapeutic in a way and it is a perfect movie to put on when you want to have a good cry. I would only offer thr spoiler warning of
a death of a child due to illness
for those who need it.
A classic for so many reasons and one that I found holds up as worthy of a watch today. It is currently my favourite Cary Grant movie and I do not see anything unseating it from that throne any time soon.
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 weekend.
BOOKS Morgan Matson Book 6 (goodreads)
Morgan recently released the title of her upcoming book as well as a release date. Take Me Home Tonight will be out May 4, 2021. We know it takes place all in one night, and revolves around a friendship. Morgan has described it as Adventures in Babysitting meets Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist so it sounds like it is going to be fun.
The cover and other details should be revealed soon-ish so I'll share them once they are available.
Cover of Lore by Alexandra Bracken (goodreads)
I did not know much about this book until I saw this attention grabbing cover.
Amazing right? It immediately draws your eye and stands out. The book, obviously, involves Greek mythology and the cover perfectly captures that. I am looking forward to this now and am so glad it came to my attention because of this amazing cover.
TV/MOVIES The Umbrella Academy Season 2 trailer
I loved season one of this show so much. I love the dysfunctional family dynamic mixed with superpowers vibe that it has got going on.
This trailer makes it look like we're in for the same great combo of incredible action with some great humour. I hope we get just as much focus on the family bonds as we did in the first season. This show works because we care about the characters so I hope that is continued.
Lucifer Season 5 trailer
It was just announced that Lucifer will be getting a sixth and final season which made me really excited. I was even more excited when they released the trailer for the upcoming season.
The fact that they are willing to spoil the twin reveal means that it is probably not a secret for long which I am happy about. This trailer makes me confident that they can pull off another great season that is comparable to the fantastic fourth season and I cannot wait to end the summer with this.
What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.
We are in July which means we are half way through the year. This means it is time to do my list of the best books I have read this year (at least so far).
I have not read nearly as much as I have in previous years but I am.doing okay on my Goodreads goal at this point. I am, however, finding it hard to make a top ten list this year which is why this will only include seven books.
Here, in no particular order, at the seven books that have stood out to me during the first half of this year.
Penny Serenade
