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 weekend.

Another small post this week, but as movies slowly make their way back into theatres we should start seeing more trailers.

I am also anticipating cover reveals for books being released in winter 2021 very soon as well.

TV/MOVIES

The Devil All The Time Trailer

This trailer will certainly not appeal to everyone but I think it is worth watching for that cast alone.

Most of the cast is British or Australian so I am impressed with the level of accent work being done here. I like that Tom Holland is taking on a role that is so very different from what we have seen him in. 

This also has a lot of Marvel movie connections and that is not even taking into account that Sebastian Stan's role was originally supposed to be played by Chris Evans who had to back out due to scheduling conflicts and suggested Sebastian for the role. 

The Devil All The Time Poster

The marketing team for Netflix released the poster for The Devil All The Time at the same time as the trailer. I love how simple it is while still being very eye catching.

Seeing it broken down like this really makes you realize how stacked this cast really is. I am fairly certain it is going to have people interested just for that alone. I am keeping my fingers crossed that it also happens to be good.

 

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

#2020PopCultureResolution - Humoresque

Humoresque

Director: Jean Negulesco

Length:  123 minutes

Cast: Joan Crawford, John Garfield

Release Date:  December 25, 1953

Synopsis: A wealthy women falls for an ambitious violinist, but their love affair may be more than she can afford.

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Wikipedia describes humoresque as 'a genre of Romantic music characterized by pieces with fanciful humor in the sense of mood rather than wit.' which makes it a perfect title for a romantic melodrama revolving around the romance between a violinist and his wealthy patroness (even if there is not much humour in the movie itself).

Joan Crawford is known for movies like this. It is a decent fit for her acting skills and makes use of her glamour and star quality in a way that works for both the character and the movie.

John Garfield also gives a decent performance as a gifted violinist who falls for his married patroness. The entanglements that this causes are the crux of the story and his character. There is a bit of an age gape between the two (with Joan's character being older) and his casting also works in this regard.

The music is the centerpiece of the film. Beautiful and lush at times, it offers a perfect backdrop to the troubled romance. The music drives even the romance in a lot of ways. The scene in which Paul and Helen first meet is driven by music with her coolly watching him perform while smoking a cigarette. We can sense her interest and through her outward cool detachment. 

The movie ends up being fairly predictable but still rather enjoyable. It is the performances that managed to make this one for me in the end.

Much can be said about the ending and the viewers opinion on it. I have seen it touted as both the greatest ending in history and the worst. I think it is a ending that fits the story arc even if it perhaps not the ending you want. You understand why Joan Crawford's character might think she is (allegedly) holding John Garfield's Paul back even if you don't agree.

This ended up being a fairly straight forward melodrama. It is not one that will make my best of list but it is a solid watch and certainly a must see for those who are interested in Joan Crawford's work.

Waiting On Wednesday ... Second First Impressions

 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 Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

From the USA Today  bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

Distraction (n): an extreme agitation of the mind or emotions.

Ruthie Midona has worked the front desk at the Providence Luxury Retirement Villa for six years, dedicating her entire adult life to caring for the Villa’s residents, maintaining the property (with an assist from DIY YouTube tutorials), and guarding the endangered tortoises that live in the Villa’s gardens. Somewhere along the way, she’s forgotten that she’s young and beautiful, and that there’s a world outside of work—until she meets the son of the property developer who just acquired the retirement center.

Teddy Prescott has spent the last few years partying, sleeping in late, tattooing himself when bored, and generally not taking life too seriously—something his father, who dreams of grooming Teddy into his successor, can’t understand. When Teddy needs a place to crash, his father seizes the chance to get him to grow up. He’ll let Teddy stay in one of the on-site cottages at the retirement home, but only if he works to earn his keep. Teddy agrees—he can change a few lightbulbs and clip some hedges, no sweat. But Ruthie has plans for Teddy too.

Her two wealthiest and most eccentric residents have just placed an ad (yet another!) seeking a new personal assistant to torment. The women are ninety-year-old, four-foot-tall menaces, and not one of their assistants has lasted a full week. Offering up Teddy seems like a surefire way to get rid of the tall, handsome, unnerving man who won’t stop getting under her skin.

Ruthie doesn’t count on the fact that in Teddy Prescott, the Biddies may have finally met their match. He’ll pick up Chanel gowns from the dry cleaner and cut Big Macs into bite-sized bits. He’ll do repairs around the property, make the residents laugh, and charm the entire villa. He might even remind Ruthie what it’s like to be young and fun again. But when she finds out Teddy’s father’s only fixing up the retirement home to sell it, putting everything she cares about in jeopardy, she’s left wondering if Teddy’s magic was all just a façade.

Sally Thorne has another book coming out so you better believe I am excited. I loved her previous two novels and this one also sounds pretty cute!

Sally's novels have great love interests and I expect that Teddy will be no exception. I am looking forward to 'meeting' him. 

This may feel really far away with that April release date, but hopefully that wait means it can be enjoyed on a nice spring day.

Expected release date - April 13, 2021

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson
Release Date - June 2, 2020

Publisher Website - Scholastic
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 328 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**purchased**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay -- Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.

The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?

There are some books that leave you with a feeling when you are done. This feeling becomes the thing that you most strongly associate with the book. In the case of You Should See Me In A Crown that feeling would be joy. It's easily a must read for young adult contemporary fans and offers up a delightful distraction when you need it.

This book reminds me of a modern John Hughes movie. The focus on the race for Prom Queen makes it feel so classically high school in a way that those movies also capture. The entire vibe is a much more updated version of the tone of those movies. It made the book feel very comforting in a way that those movies have when I watch them while feeling ill. 

Leah Johnson's writing is a stand out of this novel. The book reads as breezy and light and that takes a lot of skill. It's pacing and flow are a testament to the writing skills that are displayed. This author is definitely one to watch and one I would put on par with any of those authors considered the greats of young adult contemporaries.

Liz is the type of main character that the reader wants to root for. She's such a winsome character and so well crafted that she leaps off the page. I could easily see both this story and this character in a movie on Netflix. Her story arc is going to be relatable to so many people. It's a coming of age story with Liz finding her voice and discovering things about herself along the way.

The romance is really sweet and filled with just the right amount of conflict and angst. It's woven into the plot effectively so that it feels integral to the story instead of an afterthought. It has those beats of a high school set romance but still feels fresh and exciting.

This book does tackle some more serious and important topic and does so with a lot of heart. It manages to deal with topics in a way that keeps the tone of the rest of the novel. It is part of the story rather than being the story. Things like family member illness, and grief are given the heft they need while still keeping the lighter tone of the story. Racism  and homophobia are also touched upon throughout the story. The biggest element though is Liz feeling like an outsider and learning to love herself. This is what is given the most weight and what makes the story as charming as it is.

This is a joyful read that will ultimately leave you with a smile on your face. I would highly recommend reading it for anyone who loved Simon vs The Homosapiens Agenda as reading this gave me many of the same feelings. It has a great message of self acceptance and being proud of who you are and is just the feel good read we could all use right now.

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 weekend.

There isn't a whole lot to be excited about right now. Things are pretty not great. However, I do have a few things providing some brightness in all of this.

It's a very Ratched focused post this week!

TV/MOVIES

Ratched Key Art Posters

I was sold instantly because of Ryan Murphy and Sarah Paulson being attached to this. The posters have a very specific vibe. I love how similar to American Horror Story: Asylum it feels.

Those who love One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest will want to check out this origin story of an iconic character. I predict Emmy love for Sarah Paulson.

Rachted Trailer

I love everything about this. I've watched it at least 20 times. The use of the song, Sarah freaking Paulson absolutely killing it, and a supporting cast that looks fantastic. 

 

Love the glimpses of Finn Wittrock that we've seen! I am very excited to learn more about his character. This is my September must watch and I predict it'll become one of my faves of the year.

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

Cover Reveal: Empire High Elite / Empire High Betrayal

 

Today we are celebrating the exciting double cover reveal in the EMPIRE HIGH Series by Ivy Smoak! It includes the next two titles in the series, EMPIRE HIGH ELITE (releasing October 15) and EMPIRE HIGH BETRAYAL (releasing January 14). They are both new adult, contemporary romance titles. 

Join Ivy's Group for access to bonus content from the book and visit Ivy on her facebook page for an exclusive cover reveal giveaway.     

Join Ivy's Facebook Group for Details. 

Empire High Elite by Ivy Smoak

A Contemporary Romance | Coming October 15

Add it to Goodreads

Book Blurb: Welcome to the world of the elite. My mom fell in love with a monster. I know he’s dangerous. And I know my mom never wanted him in my life. I don’t want him in mine either. But I’m being forced to live with him. I’m stuck in his haunting apartment in a world where I don’t belong. A world full of beautiful people with ugly souls. A world filled with secrets. And the one person that I thought I could rely on was Matt. But he says my new family is a disease. Does that make me toxic too? Is that why Matt wants to keep me his dirty little secret? I should have known that all the secrets would come crashing down soon. I just never expected more to break than Matthew freaking Caldwell breaking my heart.   

 Empire High Betrayal by Ivy Smoak

A Contemporary Romance | Coming January 14

Add it to Goodreads

------------------------

GRAB THE FIRST BOOK IN THE SERIES Read EMPIRE HIGH UNTOUCHABLES (Kindle Unlimited)

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

 

BY INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLING AUTHOR IVY SMOAK

★★★★★ “My favorite book this year!!”

 ★★★★★ “Gahh! My heart. I adored this book.”

 ★★★★★ “IT WAS AMAZING.”

 ★★★★★ “Oh my, plot twist! I did NOT see that one coming!”

 ★★★★★ “It’s literally IMPOSSIBLE to put down.” 

★★★★★ “Buckle in for this emotional roller coaster!”

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Ivy Smoak is the international bestselling author of The Hunted series. When she's not writing, you can find her binge watching too many TV shows, taking long walks, playing outside, and generally refusing to act like an adult. She lives with her husband in Delaware.   

FIND IVY SMOAK:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Bookbub | Instagram | Goodreads | Amazon

Monthly TBR and Wrap Up

It is August! The end of summer is quickly approaching. I am normally excited about the return of autumn and everything pumpkin spice. This year feels different though and I just hope we get through the rest of it as quickly as possible.

Before I get into what I am hoping to read in August I have to wrap up July. July was a pretty decent reading month even if I didn't read everything I wanted to.

The books that were on my list are:

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (goodreads)
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (goodreads)
The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (goodreads)
Who Killed These Girls by Beverly Lowry (goodreads)

Plus I had some ebooks on my list:

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson (goodreads)
Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy (goodreads)
More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn (goodreads)
Mayhem by Estelle Laure (goodreads)

Here is what I managed to read in July:

Faith: Taking Flight by Julie Murphy (goodread)

You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson (goodreads)

Empire High Untouchables by Ivy Smoak (goodreads)

Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin (goodreads)
The Heir Affair by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan (goodreads)

Who Killed These Girls by Beverly Lowry (goodreads)

The Last Book On The Left by Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks and Henry Zebrowski (goodreads)

My #2020PopCultureResolution book for July was Who Killed These Girls by Beverly Lowry and the movie was Penny Serenade. My review of the movie was already posted if you were interested in checking that out.

Here is what I hope to read in August:

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (goodreads)
Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer (goodreads)
Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer (goodreads)

Life and Death by Stephenie Meyer (goodreads)

And not pictured is my #2020PopCultureResolution pick for August:

The Stranger Beside Me by Anne Rule (goodreads)

As you can see they are mostly the Twilight books. I am hoping to get through them quickly so I can read Midnight Sun.

I also have some ebooks I am hoping to get to:

Where Dreams Descend by Janella Angeles (goodreads)
The Comeback by Ella Berman (goodreads)
More Than Maybe by Erin Hahn (goodreads)
Mayhem by Estelle Laure (goodreads)

My August #2020PopCultureResolution choices are The Stranger By Anne Rules (as mentioned above) for the book and Humoresque for the movie. Looking forward to both them.

What books are you reading this month? Have you read any of the ones on my list? If so, let me know what you thought in the comments.