Random thoughts about books, television, things, life, whatnot

Life is not whatnot, and it’s none of your business. That was a John Hughes reference. Sixteen Candles, John Hughes? You know that guy? That guy. I think I may have said this before, but I think that John Hughes needs to be part of youth education. He is timeless.

I recently saw a hilarious book review on YouTube. Then it got me thinking what if there is no such thing as a bad book. Wait, hear me out. What if it’s just a matter of preference? Because someone, even if it’s one person, liked the book. Right? (She asked not to confident.) Maybe what I mean by preferences, is maybe since our brains function differently. It’s like when I read a book that I can’t get into, I can’t say that I don’t like the book because that would not be fair since I have not finished the book. And I will try reading the book later because my mind is not in the right frame of mind in a manner of speaking.

I often joke with my husband that I should put out an ad for a work friend. I used to have one, we talked about movies, funny things we’ve read and seen on the internet. While it is stuff that I already talk to my husband about those things first, during breaks I can continue that conversation during the work day. So then I started thinking about what my work ad would say. Would I just list a bunch of things that I like? You know looking for a work friend, must like some or most of the following. Also should know that this list does not include everything that I like, and I’m happy to be lead to read/watch recommendations as well.

Doctor Who

Firefly (not just the show but the actors as well)

Star Trek

Star Wars (Yes, I like both.)

Babylon 5

The Guild

Parks and Rec

Scott Pilgrim (comic series and film)

Battlestar Galatica and Caprica

Defiance (On that note, I also enjoy the music of Bear McCreary.)
Books (While I know that is a broad subject. It’s good to read, discuss and share.)

Speaking of books is there a certain copy of Mockingjay that everyone else read? With all the teasers and movie trailers that I have come out I have to say, I liked the ending of the book.

Speaking of books I recently read Rat Queens, 1-5. While there is some language in the series, it is not said just to be funny, crud, etc. I like that my husband tells me about the comics and books he reads because then I get introduced to series like Rat Queens. For those of you who have not read this series, it about a questing team of misfits who like to have fun as much as they like to fight. And I have say, Gary is my new hero.

Speaking of my better half aka my best friend, I often wonder if people give us a strange looks because he waits for me to get in the building. That needs some context. Since we first started dating, when he would drop me off he would wait until I was in the house before driving away. My husband and I carpool because his work is nor too far away from mine. Now he does the same thing when he drops me off at work. Call me old fashion but I like that he does that. And I like the fact that I can turn around one last time and see him smile before my work day begins. I just realized old fashion is not the right phrase, I think being in love would be more accurate. Just because you’re married does not mean that you should stop being in love. And just because you are a certain age does not mean you’re heart stops leaping when you hear their voice on the other end of the phone.

Love blossoms at the con. –lovely couple from Comic-con: Episode IV – A Fan’s Hope

My thoughts after reading Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

This blog may not be a review in the sense that it’s going to sum up the whole book chapter by chapter, or comparing it to other literature. I am going to write more about my thoughts and how the book made me feel. Because isn’t that what books should be? Books should for an extension of human emotions, a place to escape within our imaginations, as a companion, etc.

If anyone reads my tweets, you know that I finished the Attachments in two days, and feel in love with the characters. I wanted to blog a little more about the book because I feel that 160 words are sometimes just not enough. Hopefully it’s not a spoiler for those who have not read the book, and it’s just enough for those of you who have read the book to understand what I am discussing. Perhaps, someone has already mentioned these things since the book has been out a while. And that’s okay because it just means that I am not alone in my falling in love with this book.

As some of you may or may not know, Attachments is a love story where boy reads girl’s emails, and boy falls in love with girl before even knowing what she looks like. Girl also crushes on boy, not knowing he has been reading her emails. She crushes only because she has a boyfriend. In my opinion underneath the romance is a story of how when faced with certain situations, the outcome will reveal who we truly are.

When reading the emails between Beth and Jennifer, I could not help but laugh at loud at their inside jokes, which did not make me feel like an outsider. I liked how their emails were written in a way that helped you see how they viewed themselves, how they think, and acted without having to go into your traditional book description of characters or places. When I was reading Lincoln’s chapters where he was putting it together why Beth and Jennifer had not emailed, my heart broke for Jennifer, as I put it together myself.

Oh Lincoln. You can’t help but feel for the guy. When you read Lincoln’s chapters you can’t help but smile at his victories, and find his awkwardness endearing and cute. What can I say I love dorks, which is why I married one. When Beth and Lincoln finally kissed, and realized they love each other, I could not help but do a happy dance and smile the whole next day in sharing in this happy ending.

I tweeted that I feel in love with the characters of this book. I laughed, cried, and smiled with them. I have not read a book like this in a while. It’s the kind of book that I could not put down. The only reason it took me two days to read is because at work I can sit a read a book. However, during my break time I could not help but think will Beth finally put two and two together with who her “cute guy” is. I wonder how the book is going to end. I hope it ends on a happy note. I only have a couple of more hours left in the day before I can start reading again. Not to mention this was the kind of book where I felt my husband needed to be informed of the major events that had occurred as I read the funny moments, and said my oh no’s during the sad times.

After reading Attachments, I could not help but wonder what if they made this book a movie? Then I thought no better not think that because only few movies based on books have, in my opinion, captured the essence of the book. The essence being what I have wrote about, how the book makes you feel. But that’s a whole other blog.

ebooks or books?

Hello my name is Melissa, and I am addicted to buying books.

With anything there are pros and cons. I will not go into a full list, as I’m sure it will vary from person to person. These are my pros and cons, not a rant, and sprinkled with some of me getting sidetracked.

Pros to ebooks: it saves space, and you can buy them at any time of day.

Cons of ebooks: you need to make sure the battery of your electronic device does not die, and don’t forget to blink.

Sidetrack: Blink? In this case, Whovians, blinking is good. At my work, we spend eight hours a day on the computer, and often people forget to rest their eyes and blink after starring at a computer screen too long.

Pros to books: you can fall asleep with a book and not have to worry about breaking it, maybe just bending the pages a little. You need not worry about getting books recommendations via email, or your online account.

Another pro, the amazing feeling you get when you find a book you have been looking for. *Cue in the background music. Perhaps a Bear McCreary piece that begins with a decrescendo.*

Con, depending on the book it may add some weight to your handbag or backpack.

As a book buying addict, and someone who has ebooks on their phone, I would have to say I prefer books. I just love the feeling you get when you order books online and they come to your house - it’s like an early birthday present. Or, when you’re in your local library and you pass by the new book section and something catches your eye.

Sidetrack: Visit your local library folks. If you are on a budget and do not have cable, libraries do get awesome tv series on DVD like Doctor Who, or BSG (Battlestar Galactica).

Another wonderful thing about books, they can easily be shared with loved ones. It’s like a handwritten letter, while email is quick and efficient, nothing compares to holding onto something from a loved on.

ebooks or books? The important thing is we read to learn, have adventures, and simply fall in love with the stories and their characters.