Books, TV, and Everything In Between
Today is my last day of school with kids! YAY! The kids go through Thursday, but they won’t see me. We are celebrating the event by watching Nacho Libre.
Have you guys seen this video? It pretty much makes my day.
Okay, so I’ve been trying to save and post pictures from the net for like, um, a month. And I can finally save the pics on my sweet (cursed, complicated, what the heck) Mac, but it won’t let me access the stinkin’ files. So anyhoo, I have a large stack of books to read this summer and on my vacation. I’m excited to read The Help, which I just randomly found when looking up Ann Brashares new novel. I’m also finally getting with the program and reading The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I love the cover of TGLAPPPS, though that title is so long, I can’t ever remember it. I honestly have no idea what either book is about.
I need to freshed up my YA library, so I bought Sarah Dessen’s The Truth About Forever. Sarah’s a little serious for my reading style, but I’m determined to finish this one and just absorb her greatness. I thought about buying My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult, who is like queen of fiction right now, but I just can’t go there. She may be amazing, but I’m not into gut-wrenching, emotional reads. Still…this movie does look good.
I like the music in the background–Five for Fighting? But Cameron Diaz in a serious role? I dunno. But you know what that movie CLEARLY needs? Will Ferrell.
I’m also reading Same Kind of Different As Me by Ron Hall, Denver Moore, and Lynn Vincent. This book has really gotten a lot of buzz, and I’m excited to read it. I haven’t even read it yet, and it already has the scent of Hallmark movie or something.
Has anyone read Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie? I don’t own it yet, but it sounds really good. And I know this because I just peeked in the People magazine I bought for my vacation ( and swore to myself I wouldn’t touch it until I got on the plane). But it’s a good thing I’m so weak-willed because there’s a whole two pages on summer reads! And some of the books sound really, really good.
Susan Meissner’s The Shape of Mercy is also on my reading list. I’ve read the first two chapters already, and it’s good! It involves present-day and the Salem Witch trials, which always intrigued me. (I always thought I was really lucky to not have lived in that time period because through some comedy of errors, I would do something that would make people think I was a witch. Like sneeze and accidentally cure someone of gout.)
I’m half way through Meg Cabot’s Being Nikki, the sequel to the book about a girl who dies, but yet, no! She doesn’t die because the doctors take her brain and transplant it into Nikki the teen model’s body. It’s a little complicated, but it’s Meg Cabot, so you just nod your head and go along with it because she’s so fun to read. And when you’ve written a million books, you can write about whatever you want. Like brain transplanted teens.
I just finished Breaking Up Is Hard to Do, a Christian YA book. I like how when you pull up that book on Amazon, somebody else’s books come up! And it’s mine! Woo! BUIHTD also has a pretty cute cover. But you can’t see it here. Because my computer won’t allow it. Not that I’m mad about it or anything. (But seriously, if you have a Mac and save an image from the ‘net, what in the HECK could I be doing wrong?) In this book, which I will tell you about AND give away later in the month, the main character has thoughts of breaking up her dad’s wedding. Guess what Bella Kirkwood gives SERIOUS thought to in So Over My Head, book no. 3 of A Charmed Life Series? Stop her dad’s wedding! I have a feeling a lot of teen girls have given this idea some thought. I know I did! But I never did it. But does Bella? You’ll have to wait and see. But I will say NOT crashing a wedding would be kinda boring to write about.
Speaking of Amazon.com, if you’re in the market for a new shirt for summer, check this one out. It has over 900 reviews! Are you kidding me? You HAVE to read some of the reviews. Especially the first one that pops up, if it’s still there. I know what my hard-to-buy for family is getting for Christmas this year! Thursday I had a preppy kid wearing a wolf t-shirt, and I said, “That shirt really doesn’t look like you.” And he said, “Oh, my gosh. I love my shirt. Do you KNOW how hard it is to find wolf shirts?” And I said, “Bernie, I’ve got just the thing for you.” And I printed off the Amazon page. I was so glad to unite those two together. It’s days like that that make my job so fulfilling. I make a difference.
Did you see Taylor Swift on Dateline Sunday night? So glad to see something on Dateline besides unsolved mysteries that they lead you to believe they’re gonna solve, but they don’t because they’re unsolvable. That’s usually a waste of an hour of your life. Taylor has really great hair, and I’m trying not to dislike her for it. I’m also wondering how much is real…I mean EVERYONE has extensions in music and Hollywood these days.
Arkansas finally had it’s second sunny, rainless weekend in a row. And what did I do? Worked the entire weekend. But it was good kinda work. I have this HUGE, monstrous to-do list, and I was able to pare it down a bit. Sometimes I look at my list and think, this would make no sense to anyone besides me. Here’s a sample:
1. Vac to Ronnie
2. Pants hemmed (a permanent fixture on my lists)
3. Email LJH/Kincy
4. Mail ck to Bel
5. Dig Box Back
6. Tulsa PAC/Wicked
7. Ack/Ded
8. Buy Jonas Brothers or Hannah Montana shirt
Yes, that no. 8 is correct. I ended up going with a killer Jonas Brothers shirt. One of them (joe?) has a girly scarf on and everything. I just cannot get into guy’s in scarves unless it’s like for warding off a chill. I saw Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (reminder: stay far, far away from this movie) and Matthew McConaghey wore a frilly scarf too. Gag. Just when you think that boy would look good in anything…nope. Not a scarf. Plus I have a feeling the scarf did not match his bongos. Anyway, I need a kiddy t-shirt for Bible School at my church next Monday night. Last year I had a blast as Super Sally, a super hyper six year old, and we’re resurrecting her again this year. In the script I wrote this weekend (to-do list no. 37), she’s totally pumped to get on a plane. I will have to really act my heart out because as we know, I HATE flying. I’ll be on a plane soon for vacation.So speaking of planes, I am traveling to Ireland and Scotland (so lonnnnng plane ride) and need suggestions of TV shows to download. It can’t be something that I would need to know much to follow along. I like to download Psych for trips because backstory isn’t really important. And then I downloaded Secret Life of the American Teenager because my kids have been going on and on and on about this show for two years, and I’m gonna finally check it out. They’ve promised me it’s about more than just a preggo teenager. Because that isn’t what I call entertaining. That’s more like a good reason to pop blood pressure meds. Anyway, I’d love to have your travel/iPod TV show suggestions. And don’t say Fringe either. I already tried that, and shrieking as brains explode is not plane-appropriate. I guess it makes people nervous.
Have a great week! I know I will!
Student-less,
Jenny
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17 Comments so far
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So this is my last day at school. I don’t know when I will comment again. But I will find a way!!!
Idk what TV shows you should download. Ive been looking for a good show to get addicted to. The Mentalist is a good one.
It’s first hour and Mrs. Harris just gave me the book that I won and then handed me a bunch of bookmarks to give to my friends. I’m super-duper excited to read it though. I feel like I have been waiting forever! Thanks for getting it to me.
I do NOT recommend downloading the pilot episode of Lost for your flight.
The Shape of Mercy is a great book!
I am reading The Help right now too, and Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is on my summer reading list! What a coinkidink! haha
I saw Ghosts of Girlfriends Past too. What a waste of 2 hours.
Have a super time on your vacay! And good luck on getting Mac to cooperate!
Yay! You’re reading The Truth About Forever! Have you read any other Sarah Dessen books? If you want a lighter Sarah Dessen book, you could try This Lullaby too!
As for shows for you to download, everyone is talking about Friday Night Lights. Haven’t seen it myself but it’s a high school show and apparently better than One Tree Hill. So you can watch it and call it research.
I am also tempted to recommend The Hills but I just got convicted by the Holy Spirit. Leading more people into a downward spiral involving Speidi and fake fights and boys that do not only wear girly scarfs but also 3/4 pants with boots (and go by the name, Justin Bobby) is just wrong.
Also, I don’t know if you already watch Grey’s Anatomy but it was good this season!…Sad, but good.
You should try ICarly. It’s played on Nickelodeon but it’s HILARIOUS!
Jenny, FYI, that’s James Blunt’s “Carry You Home” in the trailer.
I’d recommend Better Off Ted for fun, light viewing.
Ok love the duck video-so cute!!!
I’m glad you’re checking out Sarah Dessen-I’ve only read one of her books, but I think she’s wonderful.
I want to read Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie-I’m on hold for the audiobook at my library.
Meg Cabot is another author that makes me laugh-even if her latest stuff has been a little weird. But I’m going with it-I read Airhead and have Being Nikki. The Princess Diaries books are cute but I think Avalon High is her best-and my fave.
My teens rave about Secret Life too, but it seems so 7th Heaven to me that I’ve passed on it. You better post about it because I want to know if it really is dorky.
Um, I think that’s all-I’m super jealous of your trip. Why can’t there be a library conference in Ireland that I get to go to? That would be awesome.
I might consider reading some of the books listed. They sound interesting.
Some tv shows you should download:(note: It depends on what you like)
Army Wives! LUV this tv show! It starts season 3 on June 7!!!! Season 2 is better than the season 1 and season 3 looks like it’s gonna be the best of all!
Comedy: Big Bang Theory, Two and a half men, etc.
if you want to download a movie, I suggest maybe All you’ve got (about volleyball. it’s is good. one of my fave movies. it has sierra and adrienne bailon as main actresses)
Drama:The Hills. one of my fave tv shows.
To see a show about teenagers in school: Degrassi: The Next Generation. One of my fave tv shows as well.
If you want to see a heartfelt one: maybe The Locator. It’s about a guy,Troy Dun, who reunites lost loved ones.
Reality shows: Little People Big World, Jon and Kate Plus 8, any of the shows from The real world.
More movies: Speak, The tenth circle (Jodi Picoult), Past tense, Carolina moon (if want to see, ill let you borrow the movie), many more.
Thats actually it.
Hoped I helped you.
oh and yea. Watch The Secret Life of an American Teenager. It is good. I loved it and cant wait for the new season to start soon.
oh and one more, Gilmore Girls.:)
My Sister’s Keeper is a hard read, but I really like Jodi Picoult. She tackles some really tough things. There is some language in her books, but they definitely keep you sucked in!
Tabitha, glad you finally got the book!
Shauna, people survived on Lost. I’m going to take hope in that. If we crash, I totally want to find a weird wheel thing and people from previous decades and unseen forces to throw fiery darts.
Amy, WORST movie I’ve seen in a long time. I just kept thinking, “Did NOBODY actually read the script before they signed their contracts?” And downloading the last episode of Grey’s is an EXCELLENT idea. I heard it was phenomenal.
Sarah, Speidi wears me out–and that’s just from what I see of them on the Soup. There’s just way too much awkward pausing on that show.
Lauren–iCarly! WHAT a great idea. I have never seen the show, but I hear so much about it. I’m gonna do that!
Stacey, James Blount! Of course. Good ear!
Sarah B, I would have to disagree–Mediator series is THE BEST of CAbot’s!!! I never could get into the 1-800 series or even Princess Diaries, but I LOVED LOVED LOVED the Mediator series (minus the last book–not my fave). Have you read her older chick lit series that’s done in emails? Sounds terrible, but also really good. Boy Next Door..can’t remember the rest. I couldn’t get into Avalon, but I love how it’s now in Manga.
Renee, I know people ADDICTED to Army Wives!! Good suggestion! And Gilmore Girls is always a hit. Love and miss that show.
Laura Peez, I’m mailing you a book (and your library) Tuesday. All I know from Sister’s Keeper is from you. I remember you talking about it, and it stuck with me. Still can’t read it tho…
Then you know one more! I cant wait to get season 2 on dvd for my bday and then season 3 for xmas, if possible.
How about the Office? I love that show! If you do, though, start with season 2, it’s the best.
.
Or you could finish Chuck like you said you wanted to
Jenny,
Jodi Picoult is awesome. As a warning her books are gut wrenching. I don’t know of any that aren’t going to hit you in the core. My Sister’s Keeper is about a family whose daughter has lymphatic cancer and the parents have a child that is genetically able to be a donor for her. As the “donor” child gets older she realizes that she’s only there to be a “donor” she decides she doesn’t want to do that anymore. The story is about what pursues in the family when she doesn’t want to be poked and prodded for her sister. Jodi does an excellent job with this story. I was living in California when a family actually did this. Had a genetically perfect baby for their daughter.
Have you ever read “Hope Was Here” by Joan Bauer? I’d DEFINITELY recommend it for summer reading. Really really good.
As for shows, The Office is hilarious.
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past was awful. He was such a jerk in that movie and I didn’t think his jerkness had subsided by the end. And also, the movie was very unfunny. Matthew used to be dependable for fun chick flicks but something has snapped and I no longer find him interesting. Or cute. Also! If you are still looking for shows, have you seen “How I Met Your Mother”? It is hilarious to the lol degree. I started watching DVDs of the first season and couldn’t stop
Aside from being funny (moving effortlessly between smart funny and fart joke funny), it has some very sweet moments too and an awesome mystery that keeps you guessing. The whole thing is that you have no clue who the mother is … my whole fam is addicted.