Although it’s not a book, this week I have been enjoying Peter Jackson’s extended edition Blu Ray of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition directed by Peter JacksonGenres: Epic FantasyFormat: Blu Ray DVD Starring: Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Ian McKellanLength: 3 hours 2 minutes Buy from Amazon • Now, The Lord of the Rings is the first book that I can remember being truly gripped by back when I was a teenager. I just couldn’t put that book down. I took it with me on a family holiday and couldn’t keep my nose out of it. When Peter Jackson made The Lord of the Rings trilogy a decade ago I was initially anxious until I saw the initial trailer. I knew then that my beloved tale was in good hands with Peter Jackson and crew. For the trilogy, Jackson tended to release an extended edition several months after the theatrical version release on DVD/Blu Ray. This extended edition contained additional/extended scenes as well as commentary and hours and hours of background material and he has done the same for The Hobbit. While I don’t necessarily agree with all of the creative storylining decisions made on The…
On this week’s reading roundup I ended up getting sucked into Cassandra Clare’s/Joshua Lewis’s Shadowhunter’s Codex. This is an accompanying book to Clare’s Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices series. [book-info] I hadn’t intended to read this right now; I have so many other books I need to read. However, it was one of those times where you think you’ll just leaf through a page or two and the next thing you know, it’s three hours later and you’re half way through the book. Cassandra Clare’s world is totally captivating and I REALLY want to just sit and marathon my way through the rest of the Mortal Instruments series (I’ve only read the first book, City of Bones) but I have other books I must read and review first. The Shadowhunter’s Codex provides background information to the two series. I have seen some very minor spoilers in there – for example, I didn’t know about Simon’s status – but nothing that would spoil the series. Although I am an advocate of ebooks, this is one book I would strongly recommend buying in hardback format. Part of the fun of the book are Clary’s and Simon’s in-world notes in the margin of this…
On this week’s reading roundup I ended up getting sucked into Cassandra Clare’s/Joshua Lewis’s Shadowhunter’s Codex. This is an accompanying book to Clare’s Mortal Instruments/Infernal Devices series. [book-info] I hadn’t intended to read this right now; I have so many other books I need to read. However, it was one of those times where you think you’ll just leaf through a page or two and the next thing you know, it’s three hours later and you’re half way through the book. Cassandra Clare’s world is totally captivating and I REALLY want to just sit and marathon my way through the rest of the Mortal Instruments series (I’ve only read the first book, City of Bones) but I have other books I must read and review first. The Shadowhunter’s Codex provides background information to the two series. I have seen some very minor spoilers in there – for example, I didn’t know about Simon’s status – but nothing that would spoil the series. Although I am an advocate of ebooks, this is one book I would strongly recommend buying in hardback format. Part of the fun of the book are Clary’s and Simon’s in-world notes in the margin of this…
I think my reading of House of Hades must have infected me with some demigod ADHD because I am trying to read no fewer than four books at the same time. Sigh. So many great books, so little time. I couldn’t decide what audiobook to listen to at work so I used a random number generator to help me choose. The selection landed on The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March. For those of you who don’t know, this is set in the same world as Finding Colin Firth but written and set earlier. So far I’m enjoying it – I loved the setting and the characters are relatable. A full review will come shortly. After listening to a few chapters though I realised I was more in the mood for some YA dystopia, so I picked up Alexandra Bracken’s The Darkest Minds. I’d been hooked by the preview on Bracken’s website and I am continuing to enjoy it. Ruby seems an interesting, if damaged character, and I look forward to reading more of her story. Again, expect a full review soon. I had been asked to review Paul Levine’s State vs. Lassiter so I have added it to this…
I think my reading of House of Hades must have infected me with some demigod ADHD because I am trying to read no fewer than four books at the same time. Sigh. So many great books, so little time. I couldn’t decide what audiobook to listen to at work so I used a random number generator to help me choose. The selection landed on The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March. For those of you who don’t know, this is set in the same world as Finding Colin Firth but written and set earlier. So far I’m enjoying it – I loved the setting and the characters are relatable. A full review will come shortly. After listening to a few chapters though I realised I was more in the mood for some YA dystopia, so I picked up Alexandra Bracken’s The Darkest Minds. I’d been hooked by the preview on Bracken’s website and I am continuing to enjoy it. Ruby seems an interesting, if damaged character, and I look forward to reading more of her story. Again, expect a full review soon. I had been asked to review Paul Levine’s State vs. Lassiter so I have added it to this…
As I am moving onto a month of nightshift work this week, I will be primarily listening to audiobooks. I’ve used Amazon’s Matchmaker page to pair up some of the books in my TBR with Audible books so I might be able to get through some of them. This week has been more of a re-reading week in preparation for some upcoming new releases. The first of these was Sapphire Blue from Kerstin Gier’s Gem Trilogy. [book-info] I have read all three books in the Gem Trilogy, although the third one I read in German some while ago – I shared my thoughts in my Emerald Green review. My German is good, but I’m sure I’ll have missed a few things, so I am looking forward to reading Anthea Bell’s translation which is excellent. Having compared the translations of the two earlier books, she has really captured Gwyneth’s spirit and humour. As it’s been a while, I’m rereading Sapphire Blue to refresh my memory before jumping into Emerald Green. I’d forgotten just how adorable Gwyneth is! Insurgent by Veronica Roth Series: Divergent Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult Format: eBook Pages: 544 pages Buy from Amazon • Kobo • iTunes • Audible • Next…
As I am moving onto a month of nightshift work this week, I will be primarily listening to audiobooks. I’ve used Amazon’s Matchmaker page to pair up some of the books in my TBR with Audible books so I might be able to get through some of them. This week has been more of a re-reading week in preparation for some upcoming new releases. The first of these was Sapphire Blue from Kerstin Gier’s Gem Trilogy. [book-info] I have read all three books in the Gem Trilogy, although the third one I read in German some while ago – I shared my thoughts in my Emerald Green review. My German is good, but I’m sure I’ll have missed a few things, so I am looking forward to reading Anthea Bell’s translation which is excellent. Having compared the translations of the two earlier books, she has really captured Gwyneth’s spirit and humour. As it’s been a while, I’m rereading Sapphire Blue to refresh my memory before jumping into Emerald Green. I’d forgotten just how adorable Gwyneth is! Insurgent by Veronica Roth Series: Divergent Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult Format: eBook Pages: 544 pages Buy from Amazon • Kobo • iTunes • Audible • Next…
This week on my reading roundup I will be discussing some non-book format but book related content. The first of these is the movie Rubinrot, which is the German made adaptation of Kerstin Gier’s Ruby Red. Rubinrot (Ruby Red) Movie directed by Felix FuchssteinerSeries: Gem TrilogyGenres: Epic FantasyFormat: Blu Ray DVD Starring: Jannis Niewöhner, Maria EhrichLength: 122 minutes Buy from Amazon • One of the trilogies I’ve loved most this year has been Kerstin Gier’s Gem trilogy. I was very excited to hear that they were making a movie of it. First the practicalities. I live in Canada, so I was concerned that a Blu Ray bought from Amazon Germany would not play on my North American Blu Ray device. However Rubinrot is sold region free in Blu Ray (DVD is European region locked). It also comes with the English dubbed soundtrack. I had no issues playing it on my Blu Ray player. I loved this movie. The script and casting were excellent. Maria Ehrich really captures Gwyneth’s humour and spirit. I found myself liking Jannis Niewöhner’s portrayal of Gideon much more than I liked the character in the book. Even the smaller roles are perfectly cast – most notable for me…
This week on my reading roundup I will be discussing some non-book format but book related content. The first of these is the movie Rubinrot, which is the German made adaptation of Kerstin Gier’s Ruby Red. Rubinrot (Ruby Red) Movie directed by Felix FuchssteinerSeries: Gem TrilogyGenres: Epic FantasyFormat: Blu Ray DVD Starring: Jannis Niewöhner, Maria EhrichLength: 122 minutes Buy from Amazon • One of the trilogies I’ve loved most this year has been Kerstin Gier’s Gem trilogy. I was very excited to hear that they were making a movie of it. First the practicalities. I live in Canada, so I was concerned that a Blu Ray bought from Amazon Germany would not play on my North American Blu Ray device. However Rubinrot is sold region free in Blu Ray (DVD is European region locked). It also comes with the English dubbed soundtrack. I had no issues playing it on my Blu Ray player. I loved this movie. The script and casting were excellent. Maria Ehrich really captures Gwyneth’s humour and spirit. I found myself liking Jannis Niewöhner’s portrayal of Gideon much more than I liked the character in the book. Even the smaller roles are perfectly cast – most notable for me…
This has been another quiet week in my reading roundup. I really wish I didn’t need to work so that I could concentrate on my TBR list! [book-info] Steelheart is the first in a new series by Brandon Sanderson – sparks, that writer is prolific! It tells the story of David, a young man seeking revenge for the death of his father at the hands of Steelheart, an Epic, one of many super powered humans in this new world. Steelheart has taken over Newcago (a dystopian version of Chicago) and appears all but invincible. But David has a secret; he has seen Steelheart bleed. He teams up with the Reckoners, a group of people attempting to work against the Epics to bring Steelheart down. I have commented on the free five chapter sampler and the full book does not disappoint. I have said it before, and will doubtlessly say it again, Sanderson’s strengths as a writer are in worldbuilding, magic systems and pacing. All of these are top notch in Steelheart. Sanderson takes us through David’s tale at a brisk clip, and the twists and revelations are as well thought out and logical as you would expect from the writer…