I’ve finally taken my own advice again and read a book AFTER I’ve watched the movie it’s based on. Although in this instance, I don’t believe it really would have mattered. That’s because The Silence of the Lambs was filmed so long ago, that I feel like directors and writers took source material more seriously. I’ll get into that shortly. It struck me that since I’ve watched Hannibal, read Red Dragon, and watched The Silence of the Lambs that it only makes sense that I should read the book that film is based on. So I did!
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Book Review: Normal People by Sally Rooney
Since Normal People had been published a few years ago, I had seen it reviewed extensively in the most praising and positive light. After finally giving it a read because of the overwhelming reception the Hulu series adaptation received, I have been swayed by it’s intensity. I am gearing up to watch the show very soon, and I can only imagine what it’s going to be like. With twelve episodes, though, I believe it will capture many nuances and details that were woven throughout Sally Rooney’s pages.
Read moreBook Review: The Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr
After nearly two years, TNT finally premiered the second season of The Alienist, which is based off of Caleb Carr’s second novel in the Dr. Kreizler series, The Angel of Darkness. Rather than wait to read this novel, I decided to get the jump on the series and read the book first! This was no small feat by the way. Clocking in at over 600 pages, and with a divine amount of detail, this book took me longer than the average to crank out, but I managed to do so just a day before the second season premiere! As expected, the novel was fantastic. Everything depicted with such vivid detail and a fine amount of humor laced within the serious context of the story.
Read moreFandoms, Interviews, and Zoom Panels During Quarantine
Look, COVID-19 has prevented a lot of cool things from taking place this year, and I imagine it will continue to steam-roll the rest of 2020. This makes me really sad, as I’ve had to miss out on countless concerts and a handful of semi-local conventions. I look forward to these types of events because, if it’s not obvious, I love all things famous! And what better way to hear from, gaze at from afar, or straight up meet in person than at a convention?!
Read moreBook Review: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Look, if you read the title of this article and claim you have never heard of this book before, then I declare that you are a liar. Liar! Yes, Twilight was released 15 years ago, and it was a cultural phenomenon. Compounded by the movie series adaptation that was released several years later, and you could call this one of the most successful literary franchises that has ever existed. And for good reason! This young adult novel is so addictive from start to finish.
Read moreBook Review: The Jetsetters by Amanda Ward
The Jetsetters is a pretty fun beach read. You get to live vicariously through the tumultuous and tattered lives of one family as they travel through various cities in Europe via cruise ship. Having been on a cruise myself in the past, I can at least relate to that aspect, but the rest of their messy lives I cannot.
Read moreBook Review: Never Have I Ever by Joshilyn Jackson
Yes, the title Never Have I Ever makes me think of that dumb game, but that’s the point. That, coupled with a fairly demure cover, had me seriously underestimating the twisted nature of this book! It was a serious thriller with lots of sharp turns that I never truly expected.
Read moreBook Review: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance
At the insistence of one of my friends, and the promise of a film adaptation, I finally decided to give J.D. Vance’s memoir, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, a chance. It was quite a thought-provoking and somewhat somber read. While he grew up in Ohio like me, there was a lot that I couldn’t relate to personally, but there were many things he described that I’ve at least witnessed in my lifetime.
Read moreBook Review: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen McManus
I know the title sounds reminiscent of Pretty Little Liars, and I totally agree. It doesn’t help that Two Can Keep a Secret is a young adult novel, but I promise you, this mystery novel by Karen McManus is highly entertaining. Also, unlike the other two books I’ve reviewed from McManus, this one is totally unrelated to that world.
Read moreBook Review: One of Us is Next by Karen McManus
Lucky for me, Karen McManus is awesome, and published the sequel to One of Us is Lying back in January, so that means I just finished reading One of Us is Next! It was as entertaining as the first installment, and it makes me just want to read everything this woman puts out. The text is easy to read, and her characters are described in such a vivid way that I almost feel bonded to all of them.
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