Book Review: Inkheart

Full Title: Inkheart (Inkheart Trilogy Bk. 1)

Author: Cornelia Funke

ISBN-13: 978-0439709101

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks

Pub. Date: June 1, 2005

Binding: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 560pp

Genre: Fiction, Children, Fantasy

Read: 1/20/2011 – 2/11/2011 

Where Obtained: Personal Library 

Reason for Reading: Personal Enjoyment/Read the Book, See the Movie

Rating: 8/10, 5/5

Opening Line: Rain fell that night, a fine, whispering rain.

Synopsis:

One cruel night, Meggie’s father, Mo, reads aloud from INKHEART, and an evil ruler named Capricorn escapes the boundaries of fiction, landing instead in their living room. Suddenly, Meggie’s in the middle of the kind of adventure she thought only took place in fairy tales. Somehow she must master the magic that has conjured up this nightmare. Can she change the course of the story that has changed her life forever?

“Beguiling…the story seems to have been sprinkled with some magical fairy dust.”–The New York Times Book Review

Comments:

The Book 

A lovely book harkening back to the classic likening to Tolkien. Some parts seem predictable and simplistic but hang in there. The exciting twists and turns are just around the next page and weave a wonderful story. Truly enchanting. 

The Movie

If one did not know about the book and simply watched the movie, then it would serve as a satisfying family-friendly movie that could stand on its own. However, far too many YA/Children’s books-to-movies these days, the movie version of Inkheart fails to realize it’s full potential.

Recommendation: One’s time would be much better spent snuggling up with your children and reading the book.

Quotes/Passages:

“Every book should begin with attractive endpapers,” he had once told Meggie. “Preferably in a dark color: dark red or dark blue depending on the binding. When you open it’s like going to the theater. First, you see the curtain. Then it’s pulled aside and the show begins.”

Book Review: The Little Paris Bookshop

Full Title: The Little Paris Bookshop

Author: Nina George 

ISBN-13: 9780553418798

Publisher: Broadway Books

Pub. Date: March 22, 2016

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 416 pages

Read: August 26, 2019 – September 12, 2019

Obtained from: McMillan Memorial Library

Reason for Reading:  International Reading Group (facebook)

Rating: 3/5

Opening Line: How on earth could I have let them talk me into it?

Comments & Recommendation:  I had heard so much about this book that I really thought it would be a win for me. I loved the concept of the floating bookstore and “book doctor.” I would have loved to read more of that play out in greater depth along the journey, rather than the journal entries. While the diary played a small part in the end, I don’t think the passages throughout added much and actually slowed the story down. They just felt like filler.

I felt this book had so much potential but fell flat. While I didn’t hate it, I found it predictable, anti-climatic, and uninspiring.  In the end, I was left disappointing and wanting something more. 

If you like stories about books, you might like it. If you’re looking for a really meaty book with references to other books worked into the plot, or, you’re one of those “so many books, so little time” kind of people… skip this one and move on.

Quotes: 

Books are more than doctors, of course. Some novels are loving, lifelong companions; some give you a clip around the ear; others are friends who wrap you in warm towels when you’ve got those autumn blues. And some… well, some are pink candy floss that tingles in your brain for three seconds and leaves a blissful void. Like a short, torrid love affair. (p.29)

Do we only decide in retrospect that we’ve been happy? Don’t we notice when we’re happy, or do we realize only much later that we were? (p.252)

Isn’t it amazing how physical love is? Our body is better at recalling what it felt like to touch someone than our brain is at remembering the things that person said. (p.252)

I think – and correct me if I’m getting too carried away with my ideas about the goal sisterhood— that first there is the love in which we think with our knickers. I know all about that. It’s fine for about fifteen minutes. Second, there’s logical love, the type we create in our head; I’ve experienced that too. You look for men who objectively suit your setup or who won’t upset your life plans too much, but you don’t feel any magic. And third, there’s the love that comes from your chest or your solar plexus, or somewhere in between. That’s the type I want. It’s got to have the magic that sets my lifeblood alight, right down to the tiniest little globule. What do you think? (p. 255)

Book Review: The Last Testament

Complete Title: The Last Testament: A Memoir by God

Author: David Javerbaum

ISBN-13: 9781451640182

Publisher: Simon Schuster

Pub. Date: January 1, 2011

Binding: Hardcover

Pages: 383 pages

Read: September 2, 2018 –  January 7, 2019

Obtained from: McMillan Memorial Library

Reason for Reading: Brain Candy

Rating: 3/5

Opening Line: In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Comments & Recommendation: This book was a fun read. It was very reminiscent of Christoper Moore’s Lamb: the Gospel according to Biff, Christ’s Childhood Pal. Although, due to the occasional political preaching, not quite as “laugh out loud” funny as Lamb. 

People are way too serious these days, especially when it comes to religion and politics. We need to get over ourselves and learn to laugh more. If you’re someone who enjoys a funny, entertaining read, then you should definitely pick up this book. And if not, lighten up and read it anyway. It might be good for you. And you might just enjoy it!

Musical Monday: Hakuna Matata

IF THIS VIDEO IS UNAVAILABLE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Title:  “Hakuna Matata”

Artist: Lebo M,  Jimmy Cliff

Album: Rhythm of the Pride Lands

Released: January 1, 1995

Genre: Soundtrack

Label: Walt Disney Records

Songwriter(s): Elton John, Tim Rice

Producer(s): Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Fabian Cooke

Lyrics: You can find the lyrics here.

Why I chose it: The Lion King (the original animated film) was the first movie I took my oldest son to see at the movies. It holds a special place in our hearts. Who doesn’t love the duo of Timon and Pumba teaching young Simba to let his cares go and not bother having any worries? This version of the song was on an album that came out later called Rythm of the Pride Lands.  It as a beautiful album of music inspired by the movie. I love this version of the song. I like being able to listen to it (and singing) without feeling like I’m just belting out a movie soundtrack song. It makes me want to move. It’s an inspiring version of the song.

Where to find the song:

On Spotify – https://tinyurl.com/y52lz7jd

On Pandora – https://tinyurl.com/yyg2xwld

On Google Play — https://tinyurl.com/y2xa3q39

On Apple Music – https://tinyurl.com/yxnsxart

On Shazam – https://tinyurl.com/yyzmbgpo

Musical Monday: November Playlist

I thought I’d change it up a little bit today. Instead of simply sharing one song that I like, I’ve decided to share a whole playlist. Think of it as a soundtrack for your month of thankfulness and gratitude…

If this playlist is not available, please click HERE.

I tried to make this list as diverse as possible. I was quite disappointed that the majority of songs I found had to do with romantic love, rather than life and blessings in general. Sure, love is important, but there is so much more to be grateful for than romantic love. Maybe my search was simply too short-sighted or simplistic? I certainly hope that is the case. I did the best I could to mix it up.

What about you? What are your favorite songs about gratitude? And what are you most grateful for today? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Today, I am so incredibly grateful you stopped by and read this blog post. I hope you find a song that brings you joy and reminds you of your blessing.

Have a wonderfully abundant day!

Namaste,

Christina

Book Review: Dracul

Title: Dracul (Stoker’s Dracula series #1)

Author: Dacre Stoker,  J.D. Barker

ISBN-13: 978-0735219342

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Pub. Date: October 2, 2018

Binding: Hardcover

Pages: 512 pages

Read: November 10-15, 2018

Obtained from: McMillan Memorial Library

Reason for Reading: Fall Brain Candy

Rating: 4/5

Opening Line:

From Goodreads:

The prequel and continuation of the classic work “Dracula” by Bram Stoker written by his descendant Dacre Stoker and international bestselling author, J.D. Barker.

Comments: Written by a descendant of Bram Stoker along with J.D. Barker, Dracul is advertised as a prequel to the infamous gothic novel Dracula. It tells the (fictional) tale of how young Bram grew up and was influenced by life events which lead to the writing of his famous novel. Dracula is one of my favorite novels. I love it for the way Stoker tells the story and not for the fact it’s a vampire tale. I feel this book as a new dimension to the tale and makes to whole thing more enjoyable. It was a wonderful accompaniment to the original novel. 

Recommendation: If you looking for a pop culture fluff read like current vamp novels on the market (I’m looking at you Twilight and True Blood) this may not be for you. If you are looking for something a little more substance and mystery, a Stoker fan or simply lover of gothic novels then this would definitely be worth your time. 

Currently: October 2019

What’s going on this month…

Starting: Neil Gaiman MasterClass

Reading: Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel by A.W. Jantha, Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, The Self-Love Experiment by Shannon Kaiser, The Untethered Soul by Michael A. Singer

Listening to: The Shrink Next Door podcast

Watching: A Million Little Things, Madam Secretary, Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago PD, Halloween movies, The Travel Channel.

Loving: Changing colors of the leaves

Hating: Football “refs”

Enjoying: Quiet mornings

Considering: Letting go of the small stuff. What IS the small stuff exactly? And why do we need to let it go? Is that a blog post asking to be written? Hmmm…

Grateful for: Patience

Finishing: Margaret Atwood MasterClass

How has your October been? What are you currently up to?

Namaste,

Christina

Musical Monday: This is Halloween

IF THIS VIDEO IS UNAVAILABLE, PLEASE CLICK HERE.

Title:  “This is Halloween”

Artist: Marilyn Manson

Album: The Nightmare Before Christmas (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)

Released: October 12, 1993

Genre: Soundtrack

Label: Walt Disney Records

Songwriter(s): Danny Elfman

Producer(s): Danny Elfman

Lyrics: You can find the lyrics here.

Why I chose it: I love when artists do covers of songs in different genres. I’m not usually a metal kinda girl, but sometimes a song just hits it. This is one of those times. I hope you like this rendition of the modern Halloween classic.

Bonus: Just for fun, I’m adding a link to a clip of the song in the movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. You can find the clip HERE. Enjoy!

Where to find the song:

On Spotify – https://tinyurl.com/y39prpvt

On Pandora – https://tinyurl.com/y6fskj5o

On Google Play — https://tinyurl.com/y6dkq6nn

On Apple Music – https://tinyurl.com/y6bch7r5

On Shazam – https://tinyurl.com/y24pkz3d

Book Review: Hocus Pocus

Full Title: Hocus Pocus and the All-New Sequel

Author: A.W. Jantha

ISBN-13: 978-1368020039

Publisher: Freeform

Pub. Date: July 10, 2018

Binding: Hardbound

Pages: 528 pp

Genre: Fantasy

Read: 10/7 – 10/25/2019

Where Obtained: McMillan Memorial Library

Reason for Reading: Brain Candy

Rating: 3/5

Opening Line: “The world was full of wild things then.”

Comments:

The first part of this book is basically the story as told in the Disney movie of the same title.  The only difference is a handful of clues that lead to the sequel. The second part of the book is the sequel. It takes place 25 years after the events of the original story and involves several of the original characters, as well as a handful of new characters. 

Recommendation: 

This is not the typical case where the “book is better than the movie,” as the book was written AFTER and is based on the movie. If you have seen the movie don’t waste your time reading the first story. Instead, skip right to the sequel. Yes, there are clues to the sequel in the first story, but they are not important enough to bother reading the first story. 

The sequel is cute. It is a sometimes predictable but still enjoyable story and a fun Halloween tale. And, there’s even an opening for another sequel. If you are one of those people who count the days til Halloween and watch Hocus Pocus on repeat, then pick up this book. It’s a nice addition to your holiday traditions. 

Musical Monday: I Put a Spell on You

If the video is unavailable, please click here.

Title:  “I Put a Spell on You”

Artist: Bette Midler

Album: Hocus Pocus Soundtrack (special edition)

Released: September 30, 2013

Genre: Soundtrack, Classical

Label: Intrada Records

Songwriter(s): Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

Producer(s): John Debney

Lyrics: You can find the lyrics here.

Why I chose it: This is one of my favorite  Halloween songs! Many people have recorded this song, but I like this one because it is simply So. Much. Fun!

Bonus: You can hear the original version of the song HERE.

Where to find the song:

On Spotify – https://tinyurl.com/y39apuf9