Author: June Reads Books

Book Review – Gemina

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Title: Gemina: The Illuminae Files _02
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Published: October 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi

Rating: 5 Stars
Cover: Like It

51qhtzfrfgl-_sx329_bo1204203200_Synopsis:

Moving to a space station at the edge of the galaxy was always going to be the death of Hanna’s social life. Nobody said it might actually get her killed.

The saga that began with the breakout bestseller Illuminae continues on board the space station Heimdall, where two new characters will confront the next wave of BeiTech’s assault. Hanna is the station captain’s spoiled daughter, Nik the reluctant member of a notorious crime family. But while they are struggling with the realities of life aboard the galaxy’s most boring space station, little do they know that Kady Grant and the Hypatia are headed right toward Heimdall, carrying news of the Kerenza invasion.

When an elite BeiTech team invades the station, Hanna and Nik are thrown together to defend their home. But alien predators are picking off the crew one by one, and a malfunction in the station’s wormhole means the space-time continuum may be ripped in two before dinner. Soon Hanna and Nik aren’t just fighting for their own survival. The fate of everyone on the Hypatia—and possibly in the known universe—is in their hands.

But relax. They’ve totally got this. They hope.

Briefing note: Told through a compelling dossier of found documents—and featuring guest journal illustrations by bestselling author Marie Lu—Gemina hurls readers into an enthralling new episode that will leave them breathless.

“You might get only one shot. So shoot.” p. 494

If you missed my review of the first book in the series, Illuminae, you can find it here.

As was completely expected, Gemina was a rollercoaster and I was hanging on tightly to discover the end. This second installment of the Illuminae Files takes place at the space station Heimdall that Hypatia and all the people aboard have been fighting to reach the whole last book. The story opens just before a station-wide celebration of a holiday. Cue Hanna, the spoiled station captain’s daughter who will stop at nothing to get her way. She’s planning the perfect expensive outfit for the perfect date with her boyfriend to the big celebration at the station. Until suddenly the station is ambushed by BeiTech. Suddenly people are dying left and right, and she is cut off from her boyfriend. The only people able to team up with Hanna to save their station are two cousins from a criminal gang. About two thirds of the way through the book, the crew on Hypatia are able to make contact with the space station and both discover themselves in a nearly impossible phenomenon that has caused two alternate universes to merge as one. Not only do Hanna and her team need to save their space station from their invaders, but now they also need to team up with the crew from Hypatia to save their universe from collapsing.

Of course the whole book is filled with strategic ass-kicking and grotesque deaths, because what else would you expect from Kaufman and Kristoff? A cool aspect that separates this book from the previous is the illustrations by Marie Lu. Hanna is a creative thinker and best processes things by doodling in her journal. Many of her journal pages throughout the invasion are included with the files and allow for the reader to connect with her and other characters on a deeper level. I love this addition to the storytelling. My favorite aspect of Gemina, though, was the amount of character growth developed throughout this intense reading experience. Each of the characters (at least the ones that outlived others longer) where fully fleshed out and came out the other end as a changed person. It made me root for the characters even more.

Gemina follows Illuminae as one of my favorite reads this year. Kaufman and Kristoff have this habit of ripping your beating heart out of your chest, crushing it, inflating it with a breath of hope, repeating this a couple times, and then shoving your heart back into your chest, filling you with every emotion in the book. Now dump some delightful romance into the madness that will warm up that very heart that is going through so much turmoil. I anxiously await the third and final installment with bated breath.

Gilmore Girls – Season Two

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Welcome to Season Two of Gilmore Girls through my eyes. I’m sure by now most of you have watched the revival season. I’m watching it with my best friend, who introduced me to the show in the first place, so we’re still working on it – we both work full-time jobs. What do you think of the new season? Nothing spoilery, please!

If you are new here, this is my second installment of my Gilmore Girls Rewatch Commentary! Below you will find a running commentary from each episode, some of my favorite lines, and all of the movie/book/band/pop culture references I could catch. I hope you enjoy!

gilmore-girls-8

Episode 1 – Sadie, Sadie

Commentary:
Michel and his silly diets. *giggle*
Not only does Jackson have a cousin named Rune, but he has one named Bonbon, too!
Dean squiiiiiirming at the grandparents house! I approve – make him uncomfortable. Rory deserves better.
Man. I think the last time I had a Twinkie was when I was in middle school.

Favorite quotes:
Rory: Oh! You should walk down the aisle to Frank Sinatra with a bouquet of something that smells really good.
Lorelai: Pot roast.

Luke: The whole town should be medicated and put in a rec room with ping-pong tables and hand puppets.

Lorelai: I like my bank. It’s small and the teller’s name is Margie and she can’t count, and there’s something so poetic about banking in a place where the teller can’t count.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “I Found Love” by The Free Design, Frank Sinatra, Guns and Roses, Cher, Greg Allman
Movies/Shows: All the Family, Fame, Funny Girl, The Tonight Show
People: Ivana Trump, J Edgar Hoover, Barbra Streisand, Stephanie Seymour, Zelda Fitzgerald, Joan and Melissa Rivers

Episode 2 – Hammers and Veils

Commentary:
Ugh. Dean is so clingy. Don’t tell Rory to blow off things she needs to do! He’s not supportive of her dreams at all. I hate him. I just…like…she’s not ignoring him? She genuinely has things she needs to do and he needs to get a life.
Aaaaall the tension!
Sooooo much pink and purple for the wedding shower desserts! *gag* Please tell whomever throws my wedding shower to avoid these colors?
Of course Lorelai wants Luke at her party. Because she loooooves him!
Jackson just said he’s hip! *dying*
I’m not crying because Lorelai and Emily made up. I’m not crying YOU are.

Favorite quotes:
Rory: Are you seriously going to be mad about the fact that you thought I was going out with Tristan even though I wasn’t for the rest of your life?
Paris: I have great commitments.

L: You have to accept that because I’m the mother, and you’re the daughter. And in some cultures that means you have to do what I say.

Rory: The only way you could be more important to me is if you had a Kit Kat bar growing out of your head.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: PJ Harvey, Bette Midler, Frank Sinatra, The Damned
Movies/Shows: Thelma & Louise, Speed Racer
People: Princess Grace, A. J. Benza, Xuxa, Abbott & Costello, Bob Vila, Fidel Castro

Kirk job #5 –> Party manager

Episode 3 – Red Light on the Wedding Night

Commentary:
I love how clueless Lorelai and Rory are about cooking! Kills me!
Their commentary during the movie is one of my favorite things to do with good friends!
Rory is so supportive of Lorelai and Max getting married, not matter what Lorelai says about how different it will be. What a good kid!
The unnecessary traffic light! I forgot about this episode.
Lorelai running away from things, like she’s so good at.

Favorite quotes:
Lorelai: Who defines right? And if eating cake is wrong, I don’t want to be right!

Dean: If you’re eating pizza, and Lorelai decides that the pepperoni is angry at the mushrooms because the mushrooms have an attitude, and then she holds up a pepperoni and the pepperoni asked for your opinion, don’t just laugh. Answer the pepperoni.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Tom Waits, The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Alanis Morissette, Dave Matthews, Buena Vista Social Club, Enya, Janet Jackson, Celine Dion
Movies/Shows: Holy Grail, Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, A.I.
People: Guy Fawks, Sinclair Lewis, Lord Byron, Mussolini, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, Mike Todd, Yogi Berra

Kirk job #6 –> Photographer

Episode 4 – The Road Trip to Harvard

Commentary:
This B&B makes me want to vomit in my mouth. Wayyyyy too many FLOWERS!
Luke got SOOOO excited when he heard Lorelai and Max broke up. *heart eyes*
Harvard!
Oh my goodness, the guy from Heroes is in this episode! He looks so little.
They have soooo much Harvard paraphernalia. I’m dyyyying!
Lorelai is finally gonna open her own inn! Guess breaking up with Max was the kick in the pants she needed.

Favorite quotes:
Rory: Serendipity has never been kind to us.
Lorelai: Ah, yes but I talked to Serendipity on the phone last night. She feels bad about how she treated us.

Lorelai: Can I ask you stupid question?
Luke: There’s no such thing.
Lorelai: HOW does ink come out of pens?
Luke: Alright, there is such a thing.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “My Highway to Hell” by AC/DC, Hootie & the Blowfish, “Anarchy in the U.K.”, U2, “Gypsies, Tramps, and Thieves”, Yo-Yo Ma, “Valley Girl”, Linkin Park, Elvis Costello, Nico, The Doors, Iggy Pop, David Bowie
Movies/Shows: The Munsters, Happy Days, Midnight Express
Books: Alice in Wonderland, Tuesdays With Morrie, Who Moved My Cheese, Oxford English Dictionary
People: Sigmund Freud, Liberace, Hello Kitty, David Lynch, Henry James, John Adams, W.E.B. Du Bois, Fred Gwynne, Seneca

Episode 5 – Nick & Nora/Sid & Nancy

Commentary:
Lane memorized the address of a record shop she literally JUST discovered! I’m dying!
JESS IS HERE! (See guys, I may be a Logan fan, but I DO appreciate Jess.)
Like half of Jess’s duffle bag is books. *heart eyes for days*
Jess has such a problem with authority. Or even nice people. *rolls eyes*
Okay, okay, okay. I like the fact that Jess loves reading so much that he puts notes in the margins and such. I HATE the fact that he stole Rory’s copy of her book and marked it up without asking. If someone did that to me, I’d blow a gasket!

Favorite quotes:
Rory: Oh my god, I hate her.
Lorelai: Oh, me too.
Rory: You have no idea who I’m talking about.
Lorelai: Solidarity, sister!

Lorelai: Boys like them dumb, right Jackson?
Jackson: If you can navigate yourself around a tree, keep on walking.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Charles Mingus, The Sonics, MC5, Fairport Convention, Bee Gees, Whistler Chaucer Detroit and Greenhill, “This is Hell” by Elvis Costello, “Girl from Mars” by Ash
Movies/Shows: The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, The Regis Show, Breakfast Club, Nick and Nora, Sid and Nancy
Books: The Mojo Collection: The Ultimate Music Companion, Selected Letters of Dawn Powell, Oliver Twist
People: Henry the VIII, Barbara Walters

Episode 6 – Presenting Lorelai Gilmore

Commentary:
Rory is such a people pleaser in the sweetest way possible.
Oh my god, the other debutantes were getting ready since before DAWN and the thing doesn’t even start until 7:30‽ WHAT‽
What even is this snowflake dance thing? This is the most uncomfortable ritual ever.

Favorite quotes:
Dean: So how do you know how to do this?
Christopher: 17 cotillions, a dozen debutante balls, and a brief but scarring experiment with the Children of the American Revolution.
Lorelai: Where you wore nothing but the bow tie.
Christopher: A good idea on conception, but the sudden snowstorm instantly dampened the effect.

Christopher: Little tip. Never let a person know you’re on a first name basis with the bartender.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Metallica, Neil Young, “The Way You Look Tonight” by Frank Sinatra, Journey
Movies/Shows: Spinal Tap, Battlebots, Dirty Dancing
Books: The Compact Oxford English Dictionary
People: Terrence McNally, George Lucas

Episode 7 – Like Mother, Like Daughter

Commentary:
I would never be able to read four books at the same time. Goodness gracious.
Why does Chilton keep a detailed list indicating whether or not Lorelai talks to other people at Chilton events? What even?
Do the Puffs talk about anything other than Homecoming?
For how much she complained about it, Emily sure is having fun in the fashion show.
Pooooor Paris.

Favorite quotes:
Paris: Well, how nice it must be to be you. Maybe someday I’ll stumble into a Disney movie and suddenly be transported into your body, and after living there awhile, I’ll finally realize the beauty of myself. But until that moment, I’m going to go in there and I’m going to become a Puff.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Bay City Rollers, Barry Manilow, Spice Girls, Duran Duran, Dido, Oliva Newton-John, Mariah Cary, “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
Movies/Shows: Fat Albert, Matrix, Wizard of Oz, Coming Home, Ya Ya Sisterhood, Hunchback of Notre Dame
Books: Snow White and Rose Red
People: Za Za Gábor, Edna St. Vincent Millay, William Faulkner, Gore Vidal, Eudora Welty, Sandra Day O’Conner, Kate Moss, Nancy Reagan, Anne Sexton

Kirk job #7 –> Mechanic

Episode 8 – The Ins & Outs of Inns

Commentary:
Sookie’s inn name ideas are so ridiculous, it kills me!
The mugs at Luke’s are HUUUUGE! *heart eyes*
Luke is arguing with Andrew about something that happened in FIRST GRADE! Goodness, this show slays me.
Nooooo. Lorelai and Sookie, don’t fight! *cries*
Rory is so loyal and sticks up for people. I love that about her.
It’s gotta be hard for Emily to know that Lorelai views Mia as more of a mother than her.

Favorite quotes:
Emily: Lorelai, would you like me to put a mirror in front of you so you can look at yourself while you have this conversation?

Mia: Nice to see you, Lucas!
Luke: You’re the only one in the world that’s allowed to call me that, Mia.
Mia: I know, dear.
Luke: I’m saying it for others who plan to try it later.
Lorelai: Whatever, Lucas.

Taylor: I speak for the Stars Hollow Business Association, the Stars Hollow Tourist Board, the Stars Hollow Neighborhood Watch Organization, and the Stars Hollow Citizens for a Clean Stars Hollow Council.
Luke: All of which are you!

Pop Culture References: 
Songs/Bands: Billy Idol, “Spring Released” and “Nothing Is for Sure” by Grant Lee Phillips
Movies/Shows: Lost In Space, Star Trek
Books: To Kill a Mockingbird, The Catcher in the Rye
People: Vincent Van Gaugh, Thomas Jefferson, Paul Revere, Donald Trump, Keith Richards

Episode 9 – Run Away Little Boy

Commentary:
Ugh. Cider ice cream sounds amazing!
Sookie is most supportive, real, and silly friend ever. I love her to pieces.
Okay. Like. Ugh. Be protective of your girlfriend, Dean. Yes. But don’t feed into Tristin’s taunts. Rory chose you. Ugh. Stop being all macho.
Every time Rory says something about Dean and like monster truck rallies, I get confused. Doesn’t really seem like him that much.
Hehe. Tristin messing with Paris is fun!
Aww. Tristin is being shipped off to North Carolina. That’s okay, I gotchu.

Favorite quotes:
Sookie: Raise your right hand and say, “May Destiny’s Child break up if I count these blueberries.”
Michel: Pick another group!
Sookie: Nope.
Michel: I hate you!

Rory: Mom made the dress.
Lorelai: Not to mention the girl inside of it.
Rory: Hello, gross!
Lorelai: I’m just sayin’.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: The Monkees, Destiny’s Child, Madonna
Movies/Shows: The Shining, Bringing Up Baby, The Sonny and Cher Show, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, On the Town, Twilight Zone, Mystic Pizza, Cocoon, AbFab, Leave it to Beaver, Doogie Howser, M.D.
Books: Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Richard III
People: Garth Law, Emily Post, St. Peter, William Shakespeare, Chang and Eng, Billy Graham, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clare Danes, Stalin, Meryl Streep, Kevin Bacon, Jerry Lewis

Episode 10 – The Bracebridge Dinner

Commentary:
Coffee solves everything.
The kitchen guy came and yelled fire at Sookie and she just went “Okay!” Oh, goodness.
Again with Dean playing the aggressive hero. *eye roll*
A guy could think Rory is swell and WAVE at Dean and he gets defensive. What a loser.
Richard and Emily flirting is so cute! I die!

Favorite quotes:
Sookie: That makes me so mad. And so sad. I’m smad.

Sookie: This needs something, and I cannot think of what it is. It’s that tart, kind of spicy, white–SALT! The word is “salt!”

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: The Pixies, Prince, Bjork, “Prague Symphony” by Mozart, “Hotel California,” “Human Behavior” by Bjork
Movies/Shows: Godfather III, The Shining, Ben Hur
Books: The Iliad, The Joy Luck Club, Dr. Doolittle
People: Francis Ford Coppola, Jack Nicholson, Tammy Faye Bakker, Charlie Parker, Stella McCartney, Washington Irving, Abbot & Costello

Kirk job #8 –> Server/Performer

Episode 11 – Secrets and Loans

Commentary:
Termites are actually terrifying.
I can’t believe Sookie shoved Jackson in the closet with Lorelai and Rory come over and then tried to make plans for hours, which means he’d have to stay in the closet that whole time. Bless her heart.
Whooooa. Lorelai turned on mom-mode! That was a little scary.
LANE IS A CHEERLEADER‽

Favorite quotes:
Kirk: Thanks for the waffles.
Lorelai: Thanks for the horrifying news.
Kirk: Anytime!

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Que Sera Sera” by Doris Day, “Be True to Your School” by Grant Lee Phillips, John Waters, Nico
Movies/Shows: I Love Lucy, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Purple Rain, Coyote Ugly, Silkwood, The Honeymooners
Books: Nancy Drew
People: Shaq

Kirk job #9 –> Exterminator

Episode 12 – Richard in Stars Hollow

Commentary:
Goodness. I love Richard’s enthusiasm, but he’s being suffocating!
The town has a giant slinky and WE HAVEN’T SEEN IT‽
Seriously EVERY episode, Dean has to prove himself to someone and picks fights. Goodness gracious.

Favorite quotes:
Richard: And your boss doesn’t mind?
Lorelai: Oh, well, considering my boss is me, no, she doesn’t. I mean, she did at first, but then I bought her a cup of coffee, and I realized all the hostility she was expressing toward me was just jealousy, and we’ve been best friends ever since.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: The Judds, Tom Petty, Anita Bryant, “A Foggy Day in London Town” by Ira Gershwin
Movies/Shows: Three Days of the Condor, The Show, The Jerk, Three Faces of Costner, Bull Durham, Dances With Wolves, The Postman, Harold & Maude, Rosemary’s Baby, Taxi, Cool As Ice, Hudson Hawk, Electric Boogaloo, Legally Blonde, Star Trek, Bambi, Dumbo, Babe
People: Gustavo Flaubert, Winston Churchill, Ruth Gordon, Nancy McKeon, Angela Lansbury, Frank Capra, Reese Witherspoon, Patricia Krenwinkel, Pat Buchanan, Jerry Falwell, Kathie Lee Gifford

Kirk job #10 –> Video store clerk

Episode 13 – A-Tisket, A-Tasket

Commentary:
Geeeez. Dean always says Jess’s name with such distain. Give the guy a break, man. He doesn’t deserve that from you?
I’ve started singing along with the theme song.
Okay. Noooow he has a reason to be angry at Jess, but Dean is just such a whiny, possessive, angry kid and he needs to go.
Lorelai went to Luuuuuke when she needed help! *heart eyes for days*
Awww. Poor baby Lane and her first breakup.
JACKSON PROPOSED AND I LITERALLY HAVE TEARS STREAMING DOWN MY FACE!

Favorite quotes:
Taylor: Sold to the nice young hoodlum in the back for $90.

Jackson: I think we should get married.
Sookie: What?
Jackson: Soon.
Sookie: Are you pregnant?

Pop Culture References:
Movies/Shows: Sunset Boulevard, Sabrina, Stalag 17, From Here to Eternity, Ghostbusters, Julia
Books: The Fountainhead, The Children’s Hour
People: William Holden, Lenny Bruce, Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, Sigmund Freud, Ayn Rand, Earnest Hemingway, Jane Fonda, Sylvester Stallone

Episode 14 – It Should’ve Been Lorelai

Commentary:
Sherrie gives me the heebie jeebies.
“I’m so forcing myself, it’s embarrassing.” YES, IT IS, SHERRIE! Stooooop.
Daaaaang. Emily is vicious!
Sherrie is literally obsessed with Rory.
Okay, I agree with Chris – Lorelai is blaming him for her failed life. What was even that apology for?

Favorite quotes:
Lane: Hey, I am a fanatic audiophile! That comes with responsibilities that a grounding doesn’t alter. Now. I have to have this single, you have to figure out how to get it to me.

Rory: She’s a very cautious driver. She doesn’t roll through stop signs, doesn’t speed, always signals before she turns.
Lorelai: Commendable. Not the person I want driving our getaway car.
Rory: What are we robbing?
Lorelai: Sephora. We had it all planned out.
Rory: Slipped my mind.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: World’s Famous Polkas, Willie Nelson, Belle and Sebastian, Metallica, Bruce Springsteen
Movies/Shows: Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Two Fat Ladies, Ricki Lake Show, The Peewee Hermon Show, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Producers
Books: The Bible
People: Martin Sheen, Matthew Broderick

Episode 15 – Lost & Found

Commentary:
Jess needs to take his crabby pants off.
Dean looks sooooo bored while Rory is book shopping.
Why does Rory lie about her bracelet? She really didn’t realize it fell off, why can’t she just say that?
Michel’s sassiness is perfection.

Favorite quotes:
Luke: Maybe one place wasn’t so bad.
Lorelai: Oh, good! Describe it to me.
Luke: I dunno. It had walls with a kind of a floor with a light.
Lorelai: Okay, hold on here, Mister. If you tell me it’s got a roof, I’m stealing that baby out from under you.

Lorelai: And don’t worry. Worst comes to worst, if we can’t find it, we’ll follow Dean to work, hide behind the cantaloupes, jump him, blind him, and he’ll never find out.
Rory: As long as we have a plan.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Price Yeah!” by Pavement, The Shags
Movies/Shows: The 2000 Year Old Man, Young Frankenstein, Silent Movie, The Lord of the Rings, Autumn in New York, Bye Bye Birdie, Mission Impossible, Santa Clause
Books: Vanity Fair, Inherit the Wind, Letters to a Young Poet, Franny and Zooey
People: Ida Morgenstern, Mel Brooks, Euell Gibbons, Wayne Gretzky

Episode 16 – There’s the Rub

Commentary:
Emily wants to do everything with Lorelai – has this ever happened…ever?
Rory’s evening alone at home sounds super relaxing.
I like seeing Jess acclimate more and stop being AS rude.
Dean can’t take no for an answer and is freaking clingy and GOODNESS I do not like him.
Awww. Paris just covered for Rory. Is that the nicest thing she’s done for her yet? I think it is! And Rory just called them FRIENDS!
Awww, poor Emily is jealous of Lorelai and Rory’s relationship.

Favorite quotes:
Lorelai: Rory, you have to do something bad when Mommy’s out of town. It’s the law!

Rory: How much food is in there? This could feed 12.
Jess: Excuse me, I’ve seen you eat.
Rory: Fine, six.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Come Fly With Me” by Jimmy Van Heusen, “Fly Me to the Moon” by Bart Howard, “Someone to Watch Over Me” by Ira Gershwin
Movies/Shows: Risky Business, Driving Miss Daisy, West Side Story
Books: Frankenstein
People: J.D. Salinger, Jack Kerouac, Charles Bukowski, Jane Austin

Episode 17 – Dead Uncles & Vegetables

Commentary:
Awww. Taylor goin’ crazy – guess there IS a way for him to go more nuts!
Lorelai’s diner talk is hilarious.
Oh my goodness. Emily has made Sookie nuts! Who wants a wedding like this?

Favorite quotes:
Taylor: Late again, are we?
Lorelai: Yes, I hope I’m not pregnant.
Taylor: What‽
Lorelai: These seats taken?
Luke: Don’t drag me into this.
Taylor: You really have to work on your punctuality, Lorelai. I banged the meeting in a half an hour ago.
Lorelai: GASP. Dirty.

Lorelai: What are you downloading from Prague?
Michel: Oh, this will much amuse you.
Sookie: Color samples for the big ceramic stands.
Lorelai: Big ceramic stands for what?
Sookie: For the giant papier-mâché mushrooms.
Lorelai: What are the papier-mâché mushrooms for?
Sookie: For the midgets dressed like angles to dance under, silly.

Lorelai: I came up with new diner phrases. Do you know what a “Lucky Duck Cluck” is?
Luke: No, what is it?
Lorelai: It’s Foie Gras with chicken and green shamrock frosting.
Luke: Why would anyone ever order that?
Lorelai: *scoffs* If they’re high!

Pop Culture References: 
Songs/Bands: “Wake Me Up Before I Go-Go” by Grant Lee Phillips, Celine Dion
Movies/Shows: I Dream of Jeannie, David and Lisa, Charlie Rose
People: Stephen Spielberg, Patricia Hearst

Episode 18 – Back in the Saddle Again

Commentary:
Clingy Dean!
Emily is soooo happy that Richard is focused on helping Rory with her business class.
Gack! Dean is ALWAYS there. Does he not have friends? Or school? Or his job?
Yayyyyy. Richard is going back to work!
I ALMOST feel bad for Dean when he comes to the conclusion that Rory likes Jess. Only almost, though.

Favorite quotes:
Michel: What are you doing here? I was to come pick you up at the airport, you wicked creature.
Giselle: I had to come early. I wanted to buy presents before I see you since I know you are a materialistic vulture.

Lorelai: Did your brilliant mother call it or what?
Rory: Yes, she did.
Lorelai: You’re damn lucky to have that magnificent woman in your life. You know that, don’t you?
Rory: It’s whispered in my ear every night when I’m about to go to sleep.
Lorelai: Well, you won’t let me write it in your underwear anymore.

Michel: Yes, well. You know what happens when you assume.
Lorelai: What?
Michel: I don’t know! Something about a donkey – it’s a stupid American phrase!

Pop Culture References: 
Songs/Bands: Ozzy Osbourne, Spice Girls, Elvis Costello
Movies/Shows: The Odd Couple, Who’s the Boss?
Books: Waiting for Godot, Huckleberry Finn, The Bhagavad Gita, The Dirt: Confessions of the World’s Most Notorious Rock Band
People: Paul Cézanne, Mark Twain, David Letterman, Ivan Boesky, David Beckham

Episode 19 – Teach Me Tonight

Commentary:
Ooooh my goodness. Taylor just relinquished his movie picking crown to Lorelai! Is he ill?
BAHAHA! The chalkboard during Lane and Jess’s exam says, “There’s nothing fascinating on your palm, on your shoe, under your desk, on the floor.” I DIE!
Jess needs an attitude check. Seriously.
Luke is so adorable. Geez. Lorelai, get your head checked!
Goodness gracious, Jess. Why you gotta make things so difficult for people?
Where did they DRIVE for this ice cream‽ Stars Hollow isn’t even that big! They’ve been driving foreeeeever.
Okay. Lorelai is upset and hurting. But she said some really hurtful things to her best friend. Come on, man!

Favorite quotes:
Taylor: You’re not serious?
Lorelai: Not often, but just there, yeah, I had some serious going.

Luke: I made some brownies. I thought you might like some.
Lorelai: Oh, gee. Since I just ate half a bag of marshmallows, six pop-tarts, four bagel dogs, and a really stale cheese nip…Yup. It’s brownie time.

Kirk: Lorelai, I need one minute of your time.
Lorelai: I’ll give you two because you scare me.

Rory: Freak of sideshow proportions.
Lorelai: I love you, too.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Guns of Brixton” by The Clash, Coldplay, Kurt Cobain, Stan Freberg, Ash, Sinead O’Connor, Marianne Faithful, “White Lines (Don’t Do It)” by Grandmaster Flash
Movies/Shows: Cocktail, All About Eve, The Yearling, The Wizard of Oz, The Sting, Rocky, Crimes and Misdemeanors, The Singing Detective, Arthur, Sophie’s Choice, Cabin Boy, Desperately Seeking Susan, Fletch, Urban Cowboy, Arctic Flight, Killer Shark, Where Are Your Children?, Sudden Danger, Suspense, Snow Dogs, Seven Samurai, The Facts of Life, Babe, Babe 2, Blue, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, Schoolhouse Rock, Terms of Endearment
Books: Slaughterhouse Five, Please Kill Me, Othello
People: Lon Chaney Jr., Angie Dickinson, Pauline Kael, Akira Kurosawa, Asaad Kelada, William Shakespeare, Paula Zahn, Christiane Amanpour, Shirley MacLaine, George Clooney

Kirk job 11 & 12 –> Mail delivery, film director/producer/actor/dancer

Episode 20 – Help Wanted

Commentary:
So Dean’s world is better because Luke sent Jess back to his mom. Eye rolls for daeaaaays. It’s understandable that he’s upset that Jess crashed Rory’s car and she fractured her arm, I’m understanding of his overly angry outbursts in this minute, but it’s like suddenly no foul done because he doesn’t have to see Jess again.
I LOVE the office supply shopping trip with Lorelai and Richard. Probably one of my favorite scenes this season.
I definitely think Jess has an attitude problem, but I don’t like that people keep blaming him for the accident and looking at Rory as an angel. It was an accident – it’s not like he did it on purpose?
Luke is the only one that listens to Rory about the accident and he’s so sweet and I’m legitimately tearing up because I can’t handle how sweet Luke is.

Favorite quotes:
Lorelai: You’ll need a coffee maker. Let’s see…ugly, crappy, German–Ooo, pretty!
Richard: Oh, well, as long as it’s pretty…

Pop Culture References: 
Songs/Bands: Wu-Tang Clan, “Heavy Metal Drummer” by Wilco, The Who, Rush, Def Leppard
Movies/Shows: Happy Days
Books: The Little Locksmith
People: Don Rickles, Dawn Powell, Dorothy Parker, Sal Mineo, Keith Moon, Neil Peart, Rick Allen

Episode 21 – Lorelai’s Graduation

Commentary:
Oh, my goodness. Rory is so formal when she asks her grandparents to go to her mom’s graduation. I’m dyyying.
I love that Jess likes Washington Square Park more than Central Park. I feel ya, man!
Oh. My. Goodness. Sookie’s chocolate covered espresso beans cake sounds to DIE for!
Doooy. Rory. What are you doing? You’re gonna be late for your mom’s graduation!
Lorelai’s classmates are dumb.
Aaaand Rory missed her mom’s graduation.

Favorite quotes:
Lorelai: Hey, how many margaritas is too many margaritas?
Rory: Umm, if you can’t remember where the living room is.

Pop Culture References: 
Songs/Bands: Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Mick Jagger, “Dance This Mess Around” by The B-52’s, Sting, The Bangles, Slint, The Go-Go’s
Movies/Shows: The Lone Ranger, High Fidelity, Annie Hall
Books: The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test
People: Michael Landon, John Bonham, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Jessica Hahn, David Lee Roth, Woody Allen, Shaun Cassidy, Brax Luhrmann,

Episode 22 – I Can’t Get Started

Commentary:
Heyyyy. I just realized Dean is more bearable. He’s not constantly following Rory around and picking fights anymore.
Nooooo. Lorelai and Christopher, what are you doing? You’re gonna regret this later. You always do.
Jess wants back! The kid has an attitude problem, why is he worming his way into my heart? I mean, he does seem to have worked through some of his issues while he was gone. Maybe that’s it.
Love Emily’s sass.
Rory kissed Jess! *GASP*
Jackson’s little kilt. *giggle*

Favorite quotes:
Lorelai: Oy with the poodles already!

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “I Can’t Get Started” by Ella Fitzgerald, “Hey Jude,” “Seasons in the Sun,” “Cat’s in the Cradle,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” “Walkin’ After Midnight”
Movies/Shows: Girl Interrupted, Basic Instinct, Brigadoon
People: Anne Sullivan, Paul McCartney, John F. Kennedy, Sharon Stone, Joel and Ethan Coen, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Gloria Allred, Richard Nixon, Hubert Humphrey, Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Martha Stewart, James Dean, Jodie Foster, Prince William

No Plain Rebel – Book Review

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Title: No Plain Rebel (No Ordinary Star #2)
Author: M.C. Frank
Published: July 2016
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia 

Rating: 4 Stars
Cover: Like it

51jlw2ncnml-_sx326_bo1204203200_Synopsis:

A soldier is summoned to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix the great Clock for a celebration. He had no idea what to do.

A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear left alive.

A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack.

The world hasn’t known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty.

The year is 2525.

Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in a world where Christmas—among other things—is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace.

Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time.

In No Plain Rebel, Felix finds out the truth. Or so he thinks. He’s trying to come to terms with that, as well as with the fact that the Clockmaster’s shack has been discovered by his fellow-soldiers, but he can’t exactly concentrate. The match girl’s fiery curls appear before his eyes every ten seconds, distracting him, and then he starts talking to her in his head. Because she’s no longer there.

The Stadium is looming in the distance.

It’s ten heartbeats to midnight.

“Silence is not peace, Felix, my hope” (p. 188).

*I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review*

The truth is out there. *Cue “The X-Files” theme music.*

No Ordinary Star ended with a cliffhanger, so naturally I scrambled to continue the story with No Plain Rebel. (You can see my review for NOS here.) I love reading about Felix and Astra and watching them learn, and as they learn, their worlds grow so much bigger. I love how they learn about how humanity was before it was taken away from them, and watch them marvel at it: “They stand for a few more minutes there, absorbing all the newness of the Old World” (p. 25). Felix and Astra learn what knowledge, ideas, beauty, and love are when the world they live in is void of it. This continuation of their story was perfect.

All of the questions left in NOS are answered in the second installment. Felix learns the truth about who he is, who his family is, and where the world is headed. I think I could feel his mind blowing as his knowledge grew. Both characters learn who to extend a trusting hand to and who is perpetuating the bleak future of their world. There is a delightful part of NPR where Felix is forced to swallow a giant pill of humility and face reality in the fact that he can’t help change the problem without recognizing he’s part of the problem. Whoa! The character growth is through the roof!

Astra and Felix {finally} start realizing their feelings for each other, even with the knowledge that any sort of romantic relations is illegal. Heck, everything they do in this book is considered illegal. I can’t imagine living in a world where reading is treason! I was disappointed, though, that this story seemed to be mostly focused on Felix, and we don’t hear much from Astra in the second half of the book. I am a fan of that feisty red head.

Ultimately, I think book one is my favorite of the two, specifically because of the world immersion rather than the overflow of information. However, as I said, this book didn’t disappoint – and of COURSE it ended on another cliffhanger. Where’s book three?

Love. Hurt. Betrayal. The story continues.

No Ordinary Star – Book Review

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Title: No Ordinary Star (No Ordinary Star #1)
Author: M.C. Frank
Published: November 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Dystopia 

Rating: 5 Stars
Cover: Like it51pe2yum8l-_sx324_bo1204203200_

Synopsis:

A soldier is summed to the North Pole, days before the year changes, told to fix the great Clock for a celebration. He has no idea what to do.

A girl, hunted for the crime of being born, almost dies out on the ice. She is rescued by the last polar bear life alive.

A library waits for them both, a library built over a span of a hundred years, forgotten in the basement of an ice shack.

The world hasn’t known hunger or sickness in hundreds of years. It has also forgotten love and beauty.

The year is 2525.

Inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury, this futuristic novel is set in a world where Christmas – among other things – is obsolete and a Clock is what keeps the fragile balance of peace.

Written in three installments, this is the breathtaking and sensual story of how two unlikely people change the world, and each other, one book at a time.

“How can such a small person cause so much chaos?” p. 74

*I received a free copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review*

In the beginning of No Ordinary Star, the author writes an introduction about how these books are inspired by the short stories of Ray Bradbury. When I saw this, I knew immediately that this was something I needed to read—Ray Bradbury is a genius. While M.C. Frank has her own unique voice, I can definitely see the influences from Bradbury. Frank does not disappoint.

NOS takes place a couple weeks before the turn of the New Year—2525. This futuristic, dystopian novel explores ideas that are not completely new, specifically creating a world of advancements that have lost touch with humanity and the beauty of the world around them. Though this concept, wrapped up in a dystopia, is becoming increasingly popular, M.C. Frank does an excellent job capturing the reader’s attention and describing something that feels completely new, creating vivid descriptions and wonder inducing images of things we consider the norm in our world today.

In this new world, people don’t have families and pills keep them alive. Each person is created, their personalities and characteristics are chosen, and their flaws basically eliminated. This is why it comes as a surprise when, one day, the soldier receives a message from his grandfather—a familial role he had never heard of. The people in this future have no need for sleep, no need to eat, and are just driven to keep moving. Food, vitamins, health maintenance including rest otherwise gained by sleep—all these necessities are rolled into pills taken every day. Food is just an excessive attempt to connect with the old times, and animals are far less populous. With no need to sleep, many of the men join the military and run drills and missions for 23 hours a day. Ideas are discouraged and the norm of society is to follow orders. Those who rebel are thrown into “the Box,” along with the women, who are punished for even being alive. Diversity, beauty, and love are non-existent. What a bleak, hopeless future. However, one man begins a new awakening that begins to blossom in this book, and, I’m assuming, will reach full bloom in the next two.

One of my favorite things about NOS is that Frank doesn’t take an extended period of time to build the world, but rather dunks you right in and explains the absolute necessary things as you go. This allows for more of an immersive experience that calls for collaboration with your imagination. This book does not explain the world, but shows it. Plus, let me tell you, the descriptions and writing are just so beautiful: “…he feels himself falling away from sight, sinking into the snow, its crystals parting to welcome his weight” (p. 6).

Frank uses this book as a commentary on society, much like her hero, Bradbury. If our world were to strive for perfection and order, would we lose our humanity? Our choices, uniqueness, ideas, and even our mistakes are the building blocks that create the rich world we live in. I look forward to see how Frank continues to weave this world, knowing I will struggle to put the next book down just as I did with this one.

Soulmate – Cover Reveal, Giveaway, & Review

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Today Shaila Patel and Month9Books are revealing the cover and first chapter for Soulmated, which releases January 24, 2017! Check out the magical cover and enter to receive a eGalley! I recently befriended Shaila on Twitter because we both live in North Carolina—actually, she befriended me; that’s just who she is. She’s one of the sweetest authors I’ve met, and I had the privilege to receive an eGalley of her book to read. After you get to see the cover and learn what the book and Shaila are all about, you can hear my thoughts on this really fun book!

Title: Soulmated (Joining of Souls #1)
Author: Shaila Patel
Publishing: January 24, 2017
Publisher: Month9Books
Pages: 300
Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD

Synopsis:
Two souls. One Fate.
Eighteen-year-old Liam Whelan, an Irish royal empath, has been searching for his elusive soulmate. The rare union will cement his family’s standing in empath politics and afford the couple legendary powers, while also making them targets of those seeking to oust them.
Laxshmi Kapadia, an Indian-American high school student from a traditional family, faces her mother’s ultimatum: Graduate early and go to medical school, or commit to an arranged marriage.
When Liam moves next door to Laxshmi, he’s immediately and inexplicably drawn to her. In Liam, Laxshmi envisions a future with the freedom to follow her heart.
Liam’s father isn’t convinced Laxshmi is “The One” and Laxshmi’s mother won’t even let her talk to their handsome new neighbor. Will Liam and Laxshmi defy expectations and embrace a shared destiny? Or is the risk of choosing one’s own fate too great a price for the soulmated?
A quick note from the author:
 
When people find out that I’ve written a book, invariably the first question is, “Where did you get the idea for the story?” If I had a quick and easy answer like, “I checked BookIdeas.com,” my phone calls with the family would be so much shorter! Anyway, the truth is a bit more complicated—much like my family’s recipe for the perfect cup of chai.
 
After years of writing literary short stories, I thought I’d try my hand at a paranormal romance. Perfectly normal leap of logic, right? (I have Twilight to thank for that!) For whatever reason, I’d been thinking of how emotionally perceptive my mom was and that if there were such a thing as an EQ test (where the E stands for emotional intelligence), my mom would score through the roof. She just always had this uncanny ability to read my feelings. I’d never seen a story about empaths—people who could read emotions like psychics could read thoughts—but the idea grabbed on and wouldn’t let go. And that, my friends, was the beginning. Soulmated is finally ready to be released, and I hope you all enjoy it as much as I had fun writing it!

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1 – LIAM

They’re calling this a test?

Not even a ping grazed my mind as the five Elders tried to slip past my mental blocks and into my emotions. A sheen of sweat over William’s lip proved he wasn’t faring as well. Of all the cousins now come of age, William and I were the last to be sitting before the Elders. I’d have felt guilty for his not doing so well had he ever shown an interest in leading the family. But, we all knew he’d rather have his head in a library. Now his heart was with his wife Colleen. He at least seemed to have a choice about his fate.

I sighed. Not so for me.

“Are we boring you, Prince Liam?”

I snapped my eyes up to Elder Adebayo. He wore his trademark bow tie with a traditional fila atop his head. In the fraction of a second it took me to untangle the meaning from his heavy Nigerian accent, I’d blanked my expression and sat upright. The Elders sat along one side of an antique conference table, facing William and myself. The manor staff had rearranged the study to hold both the testing and signing-over ceremonies. Gone were the leather club chairs and stained glass lamps normally dotting the large space, giving it the air of a posh library. Now it seemed more an election-night headquarters, like the sort you saw on the telly, with bright lights and a gathering of family strewn about, waiting for the results. A photographer hung out in one corner, camera in hand. Not far from him stood a team of solicitors guarding rolling briefcases that were no doubt stuffed with legal documents for the victor to sign.

My throat-clearing echoed in the now silent room, and my cheeks warmed. “No, sir, not at all. Although, uh … I’d like to know when it is you’ll begin with me.” I pasted on an oh-so-innocent smirk and watched William shake his head and smother a grin. I shrugged at him, hoping to lighten the mood.

Four of the Elders cocked an eyebrow—all except for Elder Claire Brennan, our lone Irish representative. She leaned ever so slightly forward from where she sat at the center of the group.

So much for having a bit of craic.

The familiar knocking on my brain—like the distant sound of drums—told me someone had got past my first line of defenses with their probe. The rest of my mental blocks held up though. The corner of Brennan’s lip stretched upward. Toying with me, was she? I leaned back with a matching smile and loosened my tie. Mum and I were the only ones in the family who’d mastered the skill of probing and manipulation. A handy skill that, especially when the burden of the entire clan’s financial success might well be resting on my shoulders.

As if sensing the end of the ritual, Mum whispered to the house staff and pointed toward the main doors, directing them to begin preparations, most likely. She turned and nearly ran into a Mediterranean-looking man with a grotesque mole on his left cheek. He wasn’t a relation or a solicitor, so I assumed he was a council minister. Their stances were stiff, and despite being too far for me to hear, I sensed Mum’s replies seemed short and clipped. He moved around her, and on his way out, his eyes met mine. He lifted his lips in a smirk.

Arse.

My attention darted to Mum. She was smoothing out the front of her dress, and her shoulders heaved a time or two before she turned back to face the room. I mentally sent her my curiosity, but she ignored me with a smile. She did at least send me her love before she weaved herself into the crowd.

Within a few minutes, Elder Brennan squared her shoulders and opened the portfolio in front of her. The rest of the Elders relaxed back in their seats and passed her folded slips of paper.

Jaysus Christ. Thank you. This bleedin’ muck-up was about done.

After tallying the results, she stood with the help of a finely carved cane. Rumors about her age had always been entertaining—the last one I’d heard was that Claire Brennan was well over 140 years old. Apparently, documents as to her history had disappeared. Her regal manner and piercing blue eyes—the sort that’d make a gutless gobshite piss his pants—set her apart from the rest of the Elders. She now set those sights on me.

“Prince Liam, please stand. It is our unanimous decision that the Royal Empath House of O’Connor will now be led by you, Prince Liam Joseph O’Connor-Whelan, on this day, the
sixth of June, in the year 2015.” Flashes from the camera punctuated every other word, and spots began to form in front of my eyes. “You have proven your worth to lead your clan by exhibiting the strength of your empath skills to the satisfaction of the presiding group and by extension, the Council of Ministers.”

Brennan rattled on about allegiances and legal mandates, all of which bore down on me like the weight of history, dry and inescapable, yet … a bit liberating. Now we could stop our search and stay in Ireland—better of two evils and all that. I could make that happen now.

An explosion of clapping hands, and thumps on my back from a relieved-looking William, forced me to plaster a smile on my face.

Mum hurried over with open arms. “Darling! We’re so happy for you.” Da and my older brother Ciarán, a non-empath, followed, both decked out in a suit and tie. After her hug and kiss and Da’s pat on my back, they congratulated William on his effort and made room for the Elders to come around with their well-wishing. Ciarán smirked and punched my shoulder. The strobe-light effect of the flashes had me squinting.

Elder Santiago from Spain shook my hand. He sported a thick mustache and proudly wore his Catalonian flag pin on his lapel. He’d been wooing our clan for support in Catalonia’s bid for secession from Spain. Ciarán had thought it a good cause to be getting behind—especially if we beat another royal clan from doing so first. We had several holdings in Barcelona, after all. Now that it was my call to be making, a hasty decision didn’t seem wise. Santiago always had the look about him of a tapas dish drowning in olive oil.

He sidled closer. “Your strength is most impressive. And at the age of eighteen too. It is not hard to believe you will be the next soulmated empath, in truth. Some have doubts though, eh?”

He wants to discuss this now?

Da pointed to his own temple, stabbing at an unruly black curl. “No need for doubts. If I’ve seen it, it’s as good as true.”

I resisted rolling my eyes. Admitting I had my own doubts about Da’s visions wouldn’t be wise. “Time will tell, yeah?” No point kissing Elder arse.

The other Elders came one by one, congratulating me and posing for photos. Brennan was last. The crowd dispersed enough to give us a bubble of privacy. She tipped her head back and studied my face.

Without being able to read her blocked emotions, her body language was all I had to go on. A smile like before tugged at her lips.

I leaned in. “So were you toying with me earlier?” My bold question would either be living up to the liberties given to the heads of the four remaining Irish royal houses, or it’d be taken as the yipping of a whelp learning to growl. I hoped for the former and straightened up just in case.

“The test need only be as strong as the weakest candidate.” She curved her gloved hand around the crook of my elbow and turned me to face the patio. “Come now. Walk me outside.”

Leading an Elder outside for a private conversation wasn’t as nerve-racking as I’d thought. With her hand resting on my arm, she exuded an unexpected grandmotherly warmth. The stone patio ran the length of the building on this side of our manor home. It overlooked the meadows of our property—now mine—and with the cloudless days we’d had of late, the scent of heated earth surrounded us. I inhaled deeply. Definitely better here than returning to the States.

The few who lingered outside turned and meandered back to the study once they spotted us. Elder Brennan patted my arm, then released it, flattening her palms upon the balustrade, her ever-present white gloves in sharp contrast to the weathered stone.

Her gaze floated over the view. “It seems you are to have a very interesting future ahead of you.”

“Possibly.”

Her features relaxed with another one of her enigmatic smiles. “When will you be returning to America?”

“I’m thinking to stay here,” I said.

A disapproving frown appeared, and she tapped a sole finger on the stone.

How the hell was this any of her bloody business? I forced my expression to remain neutral and unclenched the hands I’d not realized I’d fisted. If only Da had kept his mouth shut over the years.

“Choices are a funny thing, Prince Liam. We often treat them as black and white, but rarely are they.”

I pocketed my hands. What was I meant to say? Yes, Zen Master Brennan.

A breeze picked up and coaxed a few strands of her silver hair across her cheek. She tilted her face into the wind and closed her eyes. “You should return to your search.” She turned and pinned me with a stare.

“What? Why? Are you trying to boot me from Ireland? Away from the estate? Is something happening you’re hiding from me?”

She held up her hand. “The demesne will be in capable hands. Go now. Enjoy your celebration. Congratulations and happy eighteenth birthday.” With a nod, she summoned two of her gendarmes, who came to her side and escorted her down the patio.

Mum must have been watching because she rushed outside. “What did she want?” Her concerned gaze scanned my face as if to get a read on my emotions, but as usual, I had them blocked.

I rolled my shoulders and took a breath. “She wants us to go back to the States.”

Her mouth opened and closed.

I knew that look. “Just say it, Mum.”

“Your father had another vision during the night.”

I snorted. “Where now? Alaska?”

“Liam, you used to believe—”

“Do you think we’ll be seeing some actual igloos? We could even go to the North Pole and watch the ice cap melt—”

“What harm could one more year—?”

“Have you tried whale blubber, Mum? I hear it’s a right treat.”

An elderly couple came out onto the patio. With a huff, Mum crossed her arms and broadcast her emotions as clearly as any mother’s scowl would convey. Waves of her irritation registered in my mind like seaweed washing in and wrapping around my toes. I moved a few steps away and leaned over the balustrade, resting my forearms on the sunbaked stone. A good fifty yards out, a hare popped up to scan its surroundings and then chased a second one into the shrubbery.

After a few moments, Mum joined me. “We know this isn’t easy, Liam, but we’re doing it for you. We’ve sacrificed so much. Please understand.”

I ground my back teeth and straightened. So much for making it happen my way. “Fine. One more year.”

I stormed back into the study so the signing could begin, passing by several girls in long glittering dresses, tittering behind their fingers. No doubt my pain-in-the-arse brother had arranged for them to be here.

If the Elders knew about our search, so did the rest of the empath community. Speculation would be flowing like whiskey tonight, but it didn’t change the fact we’d not be finding our target in Ireland.

  
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As an unabashed lover of all things happily-ever- after, Shaila’s younger self would finish reading Cinderella and fling her copy across the room because it didn’t mention what happened next. Now she writes from her home in the Carolinas and dreams up all sorts of stories with epilogues. A member of the Romance Writers of America, she’s a pharmacist by training, a medical office manager by day, and a writer by night. She enjoys traveling, craft beer, and teas, and loves reading books—especially in cozy window seats. You might find her sneaking in a few paragraphs at a red light or connecting with other readers online at: http://www.shailapatelauthor.com
 
Find Shaila:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Goodreads

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Giveaway Details:
3 winners will receive an eGalley of
SOULMATED. International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Rating: 4 Stars
Cover: ARC; Cover Reveal

“With everyone else, I was someone specific—a dancer, an Indian girl, an American, a daughter—but with Liam, I was no one in particular. I was just me. And for the first time, I had a million colors to choose from.”
P. 159

Can we talk about how great it is that YA literature is making a push for diverse books? I feel it so important to learn about other people’s culture, as well as seeing things from their world, through their eyes. And to have diverse books written by diverse people? Hello, world! We’re making changes! Can we also talk about how this book ripped out my heart at the cliffhanger at the end and is now holding it until Book 2 is out? That’s a real thing.

This book was a ton of fun to read. Shaila Patel’s descriptions are so vivid, I felt like I was there: that the characters emotions and confusion was MY emotions and confusion. I could see the world and could almost touch it. The book is written from both Liam’s and Laxshmi’s points of view, each chapter switching the narration. This was perfect for this story, and I could really understand each point of view and get deeply immersed in each person’s culture and families. It was fun to read Liam’s chapters in his Irish accent, and I even learned some of his language when looking words up. The text was even more interactive than this, though. (What? How could it be? I’ll tell you if you’ll stop being impatient.) Patel has also created a Pinterest board and a music playlist for readers to really dive head first in the story. This is a pretty cool trend happening in YA, but it makes me a little concerned that it will cause the book to lose relevance down the road, as does brand dropping in YA.

Now, I’m not a love-at-first-sight kinda gal, so I appreciate the magical elements behind it, rather than just another cheesy love story. It made it more believable and caused me to root for the characters more. The magical world fit so seamlessly into reality, there was no reason for unbelief. Plus, Liam says kind of cute things when he’s in love: “She needed me, and it gave me hope. The sort of hope that cured diseases and stopped wars” p. 240. But sometimes the scenes between Liam and Laxshmi were just: HELLO, HORMONES!

I love the multi-cultural aspects, including the Indian-American culture of Laxshmi’s family, the Irish culture of Liam’s family, as well as the culture of this magical world that Liam’s family is a part of. The cultural aspects of this book are the foundation that the story is built on and the selling point of the whole book. Throughout Soulmated, Laxshmi and Liam both are struggling to learn how to create their own futures, to fight for their own dreams, while respecting their parents, and their parents’ desires for their children to pass on and live through their cultural norms. This is a typical stage of life for teenagers in high school—boy oh boy, do I remember going through that. Patel makes this very relatable, real experience even more interesting by showing the way it affects a diverse type of teenagers. Teenagers need to be able to see themselves in their books, but they also need to learn how to have an empathetic viewpoint of differences between people of different backgrounds, experiences, dreams, and ultimately, characteristics. Books like these are important.

I am a huge fan of fantasy in YA, specifically because there’s the ability to deal with real things that people go through, but through a lens of the magical, the dangerous, and the stretched imagination. Fantasy and the paranormal allows for ideas to be ideas, allows for the readers to explore different perspectives and experiences, while being engaged through the magical storytelling. Soulmated takes a look at first love, searching for your future, and learning how to relate to your parents as you approach a time in life where you have to make your own decisions, and relating to people who are different than you, all through an engaging lens of magical culture.

Gilmore Girls – Season One

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Welcome to my head. I’ve decided to rewatch the Gilmore Girls show (this is my 3rd time) in preparation for the new series! Unfortunately, I started a little late, but I think it’s actually perfect because, by the time I post about the new episodes, most of you will have watched it and I don’t have to worry about spoiling anyone! Without further ado, let’s get started with my rewatch.

For every episode I have written a running commentary while I watched it, some of my favorite lines, and all of the movie/book/band/pop culture references I could catch. This was fun to do, though a little more time consuming than I thought. I hope you enjoy this as much as I do!

gilmore-girls-2

EPISODE 1 – Pilot

Commentary:
I freaking love the theme song!
I FREAKING LOVE MICHEL!
Love, love, love how Sookie is the clumsiest, but most genius cook.
Rory got into Chilton!
The witty back and forth is what makes this show.
I don’t want to like Dean, because I know I’ll ultimately hate him, but he and Rory first bond over movies, so I guess I should give him a chance.
Why is one of the first things Dean tells Rory (besides talking about Rosemary’s Baby, obviously) that he needs to go find a job? What a random thing to say? Plus, why does he not even acknowledge the fact that Rory is packing up her locker?
Ugh. Rory wants to give up her life dream of going to Chilton because she met a boy that day. What a dumb thought.

Favorite quotes:
Luke: How many cups have you had today?
Lorelai: None.
Luke: Plus?
Lorelai: Five…but yours is the best!

Lorelai: Michel, the phone.
Michel: I know. It rings.
Lorelai: Could you answer it?
Michel: People are particularly stupid today and I don’t want to talk to any more of them.
Lorelai: Why don’t you tell that to the unemployment agency?
Michel: Independence Inn, Michel speaking

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “There She Goes” by The La’s, “Where the Colors Don’t Go” by Sam Phillips, “My Little Corner of the World” by Kit Pongetti, “I Try” by Macy Gray
Movies/Shows: Rosemary’s Baby
Books: Moby Dick, Madame Bovery, The Little Match Girl
People: Ruth Gordon, Lyle & Erik Menedez

EPISODE 2 – The Lorelais’ First Day at Chilton

Commentary:
Lorelai’s laundry day hillbilly outfit for Rory’s first day of Chilton KILLS ME!
She uses a trench coat to “cover” her ridiculous outfit, but she doesn’t close it, so it just makes it worse?
Paaaaris and her perpetual cynicism *heart eyes!* She’s such a sassy pants!
CHAD MICHAEL MURRY! *swoon!*
Jackson’s sarcasm gives me life!
Rory apologizes to the locker! *dies laughing* I’d totally do that.
Tristin is such an ass for calling Rory “Mary” but he is just so beautiful.
Luke is jealouuuuuus of the Chilton daaaad! *hehe*
Lorelai thinks Luke is cuuuuute! I can’t believe Rory is denying Lorelai Luke.

Favorite quotes:
Lorelai: This is a jumbo coffee morning. I need coffee in an IV.

Lorelai: I have a fuzzy clock and it didn’t purr on time.
Luke: It didn’t purr?
Lorelai: It’s fuzzy. It purrs.

Emily: There are five days in a week.
Lorelai: Really? Because my days of the week underwear only go until Thursday.
Emily: Is that a joke?

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: XTC
Movies/Shows: Hunchback of Norte Dame, Dukes of Hazzard, The Shining
Books: Alice in Wonderland

Kirk job #1 –> a internet installer

EPISODE 3 – Kill Me Now

Commentary:
“The most odious woman alive” – Richard’s opinions slaaaay me!
Lorelai just picked a fight with Rory about how big their boobs are just because she doesn’t like that Rory is becoming close with Lorelai’s estranged parents. *sigh*
Sookie is literally chasing Jackson down the street to apologize for buying fruit from another seller. *dies laughing!*

Favorite Quotes:
Michel: I’m not talking to them.
Lorelai: Yes you are.
Michel: Well then, I’m not talking to them nicely.

Emily: I think to have a place to go to socialize—that’s very important to a young girl.
Lorelai: Well, now especially that the crack den has closed on the corner, all her really good friends are gone.
Emily: *exasperated look*
Lorelai: What do you think, Mom? Should I pursue the career in comedy?

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “We Are Family” by Sister Sledge, “Here They Go” by Sam Phillips
Books: A Mencken Chrestomathy

Kirk job #2 –> deliverer of the swans

EPISODE 4 – The Deer Hunters

Commentary:
Rory got a D?!
Go Rory standing up for herself! Go Lorelai standing up for Rory!

Favorite Quotes:
Luke: You look like you need pie.
Rory: I do?
Luke: Violent pencil-tossing usually signals a need for pie.
Rory: What if I had thrown a pen?
Luke: I would’ve brought you a trout.
Rory: What?
Luke: I don’t make the rules; I just carry them out.

Lorelai: And now this goes on the “Boy, was I wrong” list—right above gauchos but just below the Flashdance phase.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: The B-52’s
Movies/Shows: Saved By the Bell, Flashdance
Books: Comedy of Errors, Richard the III, Shakespeare’s Sonnets

EPISODE 5 – Cinnamon’s Wake

Commentary:
Awkward interactions between crushes are awkward. But Dean is weirdly intrusive anyways, blocking Rory’s way to ask if she wants paper or plastic? Trying to keep an open mind about Dean, but he’s already giving me weird vibes.
Rory is the most empathetic, supportive kid ever.
Thank you for apologizing to Rory for bugging her so much, Dean!

Favorite Quotes:
Max: Do you like coffee?
Lorelai: Only with my oxygen.

Miss Patty: Fresh fruit always has such a…sensuality about it…Are you too young for this?
Rory: Definitely.

Lorelai: Why should we date?
Max: Because were clearly attracted to each other.
Lorelai: Well, I’m attracted to pie. It doesn’t mean I feel to need to date pie.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Rancid
Movies/Shows: The Sixth Sense
People: M. Night Shyamalan, Jim Carry, Jean-Paul Sartre, Oliver North and Fawn Hall (Iran-Contra scandal), Angelina Jolie, Billy Bob Thornton

Kirk job #3 –> assistant manager at Doose’s

EPISODE 6 – Rory’s Birthday Parties

Commentary:
Kumquat and raspberry? I need to taste this! The only problem with this show is they eat so much good food that I can’t taste!
I get that Rory feels like she’s preserving whatever relationship is starting between her mom and her grandmother, but seriously, why does she not tell Lorelai that Emily is throwing her a birthday party and invited her whole school?
More awkward Rory and Dean eye contact!
True friends make sure your feather boa doesn’t catch fire on your birthday cake candles. Lane is a true friend.
Rory, why you gotta be sneaky about Dean?

Favorite Quotes:
Luke: She’s not here yet.
Lorelai: Okay, well, you’ll have to entertain me until she arrives. Okay, Burger Boy, dance.
Luke: Will you marry me?
Lorelai: What?
Luke: Just looking for something to shut you up.

Lorelai: You know what they say when you assume things.
Emily: No, what do they say?
Lorelai: That…you shouldn’t.

Lorelai: No, this is your party, you do not work. You lounge and mock those who are. Have I taught you nothing?

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Elvis, Jim Morrison
Movies/Shows: The Fly, I love Lucy, The Waltons
Books: Freaky Friday
People: Barbara Hutton, Farrah Fawcett, Edith Wharton

EPISODE 7 – Kiss and Tell

Commentary:
Luke and Lorelai’s back and forth banter gives me life!
I can’t decide if Rory and Dean’s first kiss is cute or uncomfortably forced.
Yeah, Rory, I’d be wigged out about my first with a guy being with my mom, too.
Sookie is just the best! I can’t handle. She might be my favorite character—it’s hard to choose a favorite.
Dean is rudely sassy when Lorelai gives him the run down on how to treat her daughter. I’m starting to remember why I don’t like him.

Favorite Quotes:
Rory: That’s my mom.
Dean: She’s got energy.
Rory: Yeah, she’s 90% water, 10% caffeine.

Lorelai: He kissed you and you said thank you?
Rory: Yes.
Lorelai: Well, that was very polite!

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Pink Moon” by Nick Drake
Movies/Shows: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Way We Were, Ice Castles, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, Boogie Nights, Magnolia
People: Nancy Walker, Chuck Heston, Robert Redford, Barbra Streisand, Marky Mark

EPISODE 8 – Love and War and Snow

Commentary:
I wish I liked snow as much as Lorelai.
Rory is so self-centered now that she and Dean are dating—Hey, Lane is talking to you about HER life!
I wonder if I would like Max more if Luke was never in the picture.
Richard and Emily eating PIZZA!
I love the way Luke looks at Lorelai. Poor guy.
Yayyy—Rory and Lane worked things out!

Favorite Quotes:
Michel: You do know that not everyone finds the idea of being pelted with frozen water appealing.

Lane: Don’t be sorry, be here.

Lorelai: Everyone screws up, Lane. That’s what happens. It’s what you do with the screw-ups—how you handle the experience—that’s what you should judge yourself by.

Pop Culture References:
People: Jane Austen, Hunter Thompson, Charlotte Bronte, Errol Flynn

EPISODE 9 – Rory’s Dance

Commentary:
I love that Lorelai encourages Rory to go to the dance, even though she personally hates it, but because she doesn’t want Rory to miss out on experiences.
Rory’s dress is so beautiful! I would totally wear that dress! Can I have a Lorelai to make me pretty dresses?
I wish Tristan wasn’t an ass, because he’s way more beautiful than Dean.
Paris brings her cousin as a date, but they were totally holding hands?
Ughhh. Dean. Don’t pick fights. He’s annoying me. I really tried to not dislike him!
Okay, but wouldn’t going into Miss Patty’s dance studio when it’s closed be considered breaking and entering? I feel like Rory would be more cautious about this.

Favorite Quotes:
Emily: I’m not leaving my daughter stranded on the couch. What if you need to go to the bathroom?
Lorelai: I don’t go anymore, Mom. I gave it up cold turkey.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Tom Waits
Movies/Shows: Sixteen Candles, A Streetcar Named Desire, V. I. P.
Books: The Outsiders, The Portable Dorothy Parker
People: Emily Post, Barbara Stanwyck

EPISODE 10 – Forgiveness and Stuff

Commentary:
Luke made Lorelai a Santa burger because she misses her parents’ Christmas party *heart eyes!*
The first time Luke yells at someone using a phone in the restaurant!
Luke is the most loyal person ever.
How many times can Lorelai and Luke say they weren’t on a date? *rolls eyes* Why couldn’t they have been on a date?
Emily calls Lorelai and Luke idiots because they’re “just friends.” YESSSSS!

Favorite Quotes:
Rory: So, you just wanna hold a grudge?
Lorelai: Yes, it burns more calories.
Rory: That’s not true.
Lorelai: Yes, it is. How do you think your grandma got those legs of hers?

Luke: Hey, you gotta think positive thoughts. Rainbows, unicorns…clowns…little, cute…furry…Okay, I’m out.
Lorelai: Thank God.

Pop Culture References:
Movies/Shows: The Miracle Worker
Books: Metamorphosis

EPISODE 11 – Paris Is Burning

Commentary:
Rory and Max interaction is so delightfully awkward.
Zucchini tush—Jacksons genetically altered fruits and vegetables are hilarious. I wonder what they actually taste like.
Lorelai’s ice skates were in the drawer with the roasting pans? Haha. I think her system of organism would cause me pain.
Lorelai runnin’ away from her happiness. Pshh.
Sookie asked Jackson out. YESSSSS! They are my favorite.

Favorite Quotes:
Rory: It’s 1:00 in the morning.
Lorelai: I know, but my watch stopped during a terrible car wreck, and I had to save kittens and small children and four baby chicks.
Rory: Did you have a nice time?

Rory: Well, I’d take some dance classes because the way you express yourself needs a little work.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Livin’ La Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin
Movies/Shows: Psycho, Heathers, The Odd Couple
Books: Swans Way
People: Marcel Proust, Michael Crichton, Emily Dickinson, Marilyn Monroe, Arthur Miller, Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya Harding, Rick James, Hugh Grant, Walt Whitman, Homer, Dante, Shakespeare, Edna O’Brien

EPISODE 12 – Double Date

Commentary:
Sookie is so adorably flustered about asking Jackson out. *Heart eyes for days*
How does Lane not know Todd is a total stoner, boring person before going out with him?
Ugh. Luke was so close to asking Lorelai out!

Favorite Quotes:
Lorelai: Hey. I’m studying in there.
Rory: I know.
Lorelai: Yeah, I have, like 6000 pages of case studies to memorize and this whole big test on the Wal-Mart phenomenon coming up on Friday, and because I have a life and a job and business school’s not the only thing I have to concentrate on, I’m behind and I’ll probably fail, and then that little 18-year-old annoying gnat who sits behind me will get another “A” and make that “I’m smart, your dumb” face for the rest of the week, and I’ll be very upset and will possibly cry.
Rory: The music is too loud.
Lorelai: Yes.
Rory: Got it.

Lorelai: Four more.
Luke: You can’t have four more. Those are the four I dealt you.
Lorelai: Well, these don’t help me, and I have vowed to discard anything negative in my life. First Rune and now these four cards.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Earn Enough For Us” by XTC, Blondie, Kraftwerk, Young Marble Giants, Yoko Ono, The Beatles, Granddaddy, “God Only Knows” by Claudine Longet, Beck, Foo Fighters, The Velvet Underground, Nico, Fugazi, “Everlong” by Foo Fighters
Movies/Shows: Mask, Beethoven, Attack of the 50 Foot Woman, The Great Santini
Books: The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath
People: Richard Simmons, Robert Duvall

EPISODE 13 – Concert Interruptus

Commentary:
Sometimes I just wonder why Paris is friends with Madeline & Louise. They don’t talk about anything Paris is interested in. They’re just relatively good at school.
Lorelai is soooo jealous that Luke has an ex!

Favorite Quotes:
Lorelai: Who wants cheese?
Rory: Are there crackers?
Lorelai: Somewhere in the state of Connecticut, yes there are crackers.
Rory: And in the Gilmore house?
Lorelai: Who wants cheese?

Lorelai: Take heart, my dear. Suffer today, party tonight.

Luke: I was having a bad day, that’s all. Now I’ve got magnetic sushi, so all is right in the world.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: The Bangles – “Hero Takes A Fall” and “Eternal Flame”
Movies/Shows: Joanie Loves Chachi
People: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer, Elle Macpherson

EPISODE 14 – That Damn Donna Reed

Commentary:
First town troubadour sighting!
Dean is so bad at jokes.
Uuuugh. Why doesn’t Luke just kiss Lorelai?!
Sookie knows Luke and Lorelai should be together. She’s not stupid. Apparently Lorelai is.
CHRISTOPHER IS HERE!

Favorite Quotes:
Lorelai: I love to paint.
Luke: Yeah?
Lorelai: Yes, I do.
Luke: You love it?
Lorelai: I want to marry it.
Luke: You’re a strange person.
Rory: She likes washing dishes, too. She’s multifaceted abnormal.

Rory: You know, Mom, when I go off to college, I’m gonna be gone every night. What will you do then?
Lorelai: Well, I will go with you. I will sleep on the floor in your dorm next to your bed.
Rory: Well, at least you’ve got a plan.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Foo Fighters, Siousxie and the Banshees, Bon Jovi, Duran Duran, The Wallflowers, Bush, Frank Sinatra, “Mr. Tambourine Man,” “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “Beautiful Dreamer” by Stephen Foster
Movies/Shows: The Donna Reed Show, A Street Car Named Desire
People: Paul and Linda McCartney, William Shatner, Marcel Marceau, Marlin Perkins, Vivien Leigh, Jessica Tandy, Joan and Melissa Rivers

EPISODE 15 – Christopher Returns

Commentary:
Kirk and his insults. *dies*
All of the town people are calling each other about Christopher being in town. Part of me LOVES it, but part of me also feels it’s super intrusive—I’d hate to be in his shoes. I’m awkward enough already.
Jackson runs with his arms by his side and I’m dyyyyying. This whole episode is killing me!
Go Richard! Stand up for your daughter!
*sigh* I don’t know what my emotions are about Lorelai and Chris hooking up. I just want Luke, but I knew it was coming.
Lorelai forgot about her Luke painting date. *tears for days* And he knows there’s another guy. Ugh. Whyyyy?
Chris PROPOSED? Girl, Lorelai, yes. Tell him how crazy he is!

Favorite Quotes:
Luke: So, Rory was at the game today.
Lorelai: Oh, yeah.
Luke: Yeah, she was with some guy.
Lorelai: Dean.
Luke: No, I know that punk. Some…some older guy.
Lorelai: Oh, that would’ve been her dad.
Luke: Really? So that’s, uh…
Lorelai: The guy who impregnated me with Rory—yes.
Luke: Oh. Well, he did a good job.
Lorelai: Impregnating me with Rory?
Luke: Now, this has taken a very weird turn.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple, “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” by the Rolling Stones, The Offspring, Metallica, Black Sabbath
Movies/Shows: Fiddler on the Roof, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, Citizen Kane, I Love Lucy
Books: The Compact Oxford English Dictionary
People: Charles Dickens, Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Billy Crudup, Chuck Berry, Tony Randall, Charlie Manson

EPISODE 16 – Star-Crossed Lovers and Other Strangers

Commentary:
Stars Hollow is so obsessed with their traditions. Haha.
Why is a three month anniversary worth celebrating to the extent that Dean is pestering Rory to cancel her required weekly dinner with her grandparents? Ugh, Dean. It’s not worth it.
It drives me nuts when Taylor calls Lorelai/Rory young lady. I hate being called young lady.
Introduuuuucing Rachel. *jazz hands* Luke looks so uncomfortable to be in the same room as her.
I just don’t think three months in a teenager relationship is worth building her a car. Definitely not something you do to someone who hasn’t even told you they love you yet. And UGH! I have to keep reminding myself that they’re teenagers because I just think it’s ridiculous to break up with someone because they aren’t able to say “I love you” yet.

Favorite Quotes:
Lorelai: Coffee please with a shot of cynicism.

Lorelai: You’re full of hate and loathing and I gotta tell ya I love it!

Lane: You could run over me on your way out. Maybe my mother won’t make me go if I was in the hospital.
Lorelai: I wouldn’t count on it.
Lane: Yeah, you’re right.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “Heavenly” by Grant Lee Phillips
Movies/Shows: Lady and the Tramp, Misery, Christine, The Amazing World of Kreskin, Bambi
Books: Anna Karenina, Gone With the Wind, Tuesdays With Morrie
People: Tito Puente, Elizabeth Barrett Browning, Johnny Depp

EPISODE 17 – The Breakup: Part 2

Commentary:
Yesssss. Luke beat up Dean! Somebody had to—he drives me nuts.
Aaaaand back to Max. I am happy that Lorelai took hold of the horns and broke the silence. But obviously still like Luke better: always will.
Yuuuus. Tristin kiss! So many mixed feelings about him but I just want him to learn to be sweet so his personality matches his looks.

Favorite Quotes:
Rory: I have things to do. I have school and Harvard to think about.
Lorelai: Honey, Harvard’s like three years away.
Rory: But now is the time to be preparing for it. I mean, Harvard is hard to get into, and I don’t know why I even spend my time thinking about anything else.
Lorelai: Because you have a pulse and you are not the president of the audiovisual club.

Luke: Do you see a smile on this face?
Dean: No, but what’s different about that?

Pop Culture References:
Movies/Shows: Love Story, The Champ, An Affair to Remember, Ishtar, Old Yeller, Footloose, Sesame Street, G.I. Jane
Books: Nancy Drew, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, The Bell Jar
People: Kevin Bacon, Chris Penn, Robin Leach, Madame Curie, Jennifer Lopez

EPISODE 18 – The Third Lorelai

Commentary:
I can’t imagine being terrified of your mother.
I love that Paris and Rory are beginning to put down arms and learn about each other and respect each other.
The original Lorelia (great-grandma) is the queen of sass.
Poor Paris got the “just friends” talk. The worst talk ever!
Doooooy RORY! Tristin likes YOU!

Favorite Quotes:
Emily: Someone…say something!
Lorelia: Do you know that a butt model makes $10,000 a day?

Paris: I just think it’s strange that you didn’t want to be queen.
Rory: You know, not all girls want to be queen, Paris. Even Barbie ended up being a stewardess.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: “It’s the Life” by Grant Lee Phillips, The Cranberries
Movies/Shows: Casablanca, Dawson’s Creek, Grease, I Love Lucy, Cabaret, Gaslight
Books: Hamlet
People: Kennedy family , Madonna, Barbie, Marx Brothers, Sarah Lawrence, The Unabomber, Frederick Nietzsche , Ricky Ricardo, William Shakespeare, Liza and Joan Rivers

EPISODE 19 – Emily in Wonderland

Commentary:
Apparently Rune is one of those people who thinks that going on a date is considered dating that person. *rolls eyes*
Why is Lane’s dad never in the picture? She refers to her parents plural often, but we haven’t seen her dad?
Rory chose *NSYNC over the Backstreet Boys. Good girl.

Favorite Quotes:
Sookie: So, I was thinking that if he could get another job and then he could save up some money, and afford his own place and move out, then I wouldn’t end up stabbing him in the neck with a grapefruit spoon.

Rachel: This town, you know, is like living under a microscope. Everyone here is just waiting for you to screw up.
Lorelai: No, that’s not true.
Rachel: Miss Patty?
Lorelai: Oh. Well, yeah.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Joy Division, Nick Cave, Robert Smith, Johnny Cash, Charlie Parker, *NSYNC, 98 Degrees, the Backstreet Boys, Prince
Movies/Shows: Working Girl, Queen of Outer Space
People: The Williams sisters

EPISODE 20 – P.S. I Lo…

Commentary:
“One, two, three” game—I totally have played this before with my best friend while in college. It’s such a silly game.
Is Lorelai fixating on helping Luke with Rachel because it makes her uncomfortable to see Luke with someone that’s not her? IT SHOULD MAKE HER UNCOMFORTABLE!
Not that I would ever side with Dean, but I do feel sorry for him that his whole town has turned against him assuming he was the cause of the breakup.

Favorite Quotes:
Luke: I’m not trying anything on.
Lorelai: Hey, it’s not like the lumberjack look will ever go out. It won’t. But just once, wouldn’t it be nice not to be dressed like an extra from “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers?”
Luke: Take it back.
Lorelai: Come on, just the jacket. Just once, be too sexy for your shirt and do a dance on the catwalk.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: Bee Gees
Movies/Shows: Out of Africa, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Books: Out of Africa, The Art of Fiction
People: Anna Nicole Smith, Mary Kay Letourneau, Meryl Streep, Isak Dinesen, Henry James, Fabio, Howard Cosell, Taylor Hanson

EPISODE 21 – Love, Dasies and Troubadours

Commentary:
Sookie’s hair is red!
Tristinnnn. Why you gotta be that way?
Yesssss. Town troubadour battle! The other guy didn’t even put up a fight. Bleh.
Awww. Rachel. You’re feeding exactly the impression Luke had by leaving. He was gonna try! Ultimately, though, she gets it. Luke and Lorelai are MEANT to be together.
Luke and Max ruffling their feathers and puffing their chests over Lorelai! *Hehe*
Poor Tristin. Maybe you should’ve tried a different tactic. I was slightly rooting for you, if you’d stop being an ass.
Ugh. You think the only solution to fixing fights with your girlfriend is marrying her? NAH!

Favorite Quotes:
Lorelai: I need coffee. Extra strong. Double caf. Triple caf. No, forget the caf, throw in the whole cow.

Lane: Have you heard a word I’ve said?
Rory: Nope.
Lane: I resent that. I’m a witty conversationalist.

Taylor: We are two peas in a pod, Luke.
Luke: Scary thought, Taylor.

Rory: Because I love you, you idiot.

Pop Culture References:
Songs/Bands: The Blue Man Group, Peter Frampton, Blur, Nico, PJ Harvey, “My Little Corner of the World” by Yo La Tengo, Grant Lee Phillips – “Honey Don’t Think,” “Sadness Soot, ” “Everybody Needs a Little Sanctuary”
Movies/Shows: Matrix, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves
Books: Dick Tracy
People: Margot Kidder, Judy Garland, Courtney Day, Lee Harvey Oswald, John Muir, The Unabomber, Henry David Thoreau

Kirk job #4 –> flower delivery

 

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Book Review

/ June Reads Books / Leave a comment

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – Parts I & II
Author: J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, & Jack Thorne
Published: July 2016
Genre: Fantasy, Play

Rating: 2 Stars
Cover: It’s okay

518vha3dh9l-_sx329_bo1204203200_Synopsis:

Nineteen years after the Battle of Hogwarts…

It was always difficult being Harry Potter, and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband, and a father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: Sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne. It is the eighth Harry Potter story and the first to be officially presented on stage. This special rehearsal edition of the script brings the continued journey of Harry Potter and his friends and family to readers everywhere immediately following the play’s world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

Harry: I’ve never asked you how you felt about me naming him after you, have I?
Dumbledore: Candidly, Harry, it seemed a great weight to place upon the poor boy.

Before I dove into this book, I felt I had to mentally prepare myself for the different formatted storytelling of the characters I’ve loved the majority of my life. This is not a book, but a play; therefore it should have different expectations. Even with this in mind, I felt the execution was less than expected. It felt like the writer didn’t know whether they were writing a play or a novel, often being excessively descriptive in the stage directions or using unnecessary details, such as the specific number a character dialed in the telephone booth entrance to the Ministry of Magic. An audience member is not going to be able to see what number is being dialed. It was a little confusing to keep going back and forth between mindsets – is this a script or a novel?

First, let me give you a quick overview of the plot in non-spoilery fashion. Harry and Ginny’s son, Albus, and Draco’s son, Scorpius, become friends over their societal outcast—Albus’s being self-inflicted because of his apparent hatred of his relation to his father, and Scorpius because of persistent rumors that his father and mother used a special Time Turner to go back in time, resulting in Scorpius being Voldemort’s heir. For some reason, Albus becomes obsessed with Cedric Diggory’s death, and ropes Scorpius into running away from school in order to find this alleged special Time Turner, go back in time to save Cedric, and alter time, as well as Harry’s fame. They are encouraged and accompanied by Cedric’s cousin, Delphi.

The script starts off where the 7th book ended, the next generation of Potter’s, Wesley’s, and Malfoy’s boarding the Hogwarts train. However, we barely get to see Hogwarts, which was a surprise to me. For the first 20-ish% of the book, the new characters are being introduced in quick glimpses, flashing through years at a neck breaking speed without giving much of an in depth look at characters’ lives. This whole beginning was just a fast paced view of Albus getting moodier and more self-centered over the course of four years. When the pacing does slow down, we are then thrown back and forth in time without a moment to breathe. It was hard to get connected. On top of that, the dialogue is not natural and often awkward. I cringed several times when characters spoke to each other, particularly when Albus and Scorpius interact with the trolley lady on the train to Hogwarts. You know, the one that comes around and sells sweets? Apparently she is nuts. I would like to scrub that scene from my cranium.

My biggest complaint was the lack of depth to the characters. I’m not just talking about the fast forward introduction to the new ones, but also the characters that are iconic to the Harry Potter industry. Ginny’s character was completely flat and uninteresting (Flashback to the movies?), Ron is constantly trying to make awkward jokes and works at the Joke Shop now (What happened to George? I thought Ron was an Auror?), and Hermione’s intelligence isn’t anything special. Draco’s character was the only that seemed relatively close to what we would expect, and he brought some of those nostalgic feelings back. Three cheers for Draco! Oh, and of course we have a Dumbledore cameo. He appears through various picture frames as a painting in two scenes. I feel that his addition is completely unnecessary; his scenes could be cut out of the play completely and make no difference. The first scene in which he makes an appearance, he offers Harry advice that is promptly ignored, instead causing Harry to respond in the opposite direction. In the second, Dumbledore’s lines are extremely uncharacteristic and he proceeds to make an awkward and emotional apology to Harry for the way he’s treated him over the years. It feels that Dumbledore’s role was specifically to give fans some closure they felt they deserved, though uncharacteristic. This is completely unnecessary because we often don’t get closure in our real lives.

Hands down, beyond a doubt, Scorpius is by far the best character. His wit cuts through the awkward dialogue and brings humor to the angsty characters. He responds to situations with normal emotions and questions that one would expect. He is loyal, even when his best friend is caught up in his get-back-at-his-dad-for-being-famous schemes. He kept me going. *fist pump for the witty, strange Scorpius*

Some of the scenes were inconsistent with things readers know to be true of the Wizarding World. On many occasions, characters would come and go from Hogwarts grounds without any dancing around security spells. Harry, Ginny, Ron, Hermione, and Draco all come through Professor McGonagall’s chimney by Flu Powder and nothing is said about it other than Professor McGonagall’s complaint about the carpet getting dirty. Is anyone allowed to come onto school grounds now? Did security become lax after the Battle of Hogwarts? Isn’t this a little overzealous? One of the first things the new trio does in their vengeance scheme is use Polyjuice Potion to transform into Ministry of Magic employees AKA the parents. Did the author(s) forget that Polyjuice Potion takes a month to make? There is no way they could’ve whipped it up so fast! Apparently all Wizarding World rules are out the window though, since Time Turners play such a huge role in the story, even though they were all destroyed in the Battle of Ministries in the 5th book. However, these are special Time Turners that break all the rules because they are able to go back years instead of being limited to an hour or so. Who would’ve thought? To top it off, during one of their leaps through time in attempt to save Cedric, the three appear in the maze portion of the Tri-Wizard Tournament. Somehow they are able to navigate the twists and enchantments of the maze, while remaining completely unseen by the scorekeepers, announcer, and crowds. There are a lot of things that don’t quite connect throughout.

In an attempt to be spoiler-free, I have not talked about Delphi in depth, nor the big plot twists in the second half of the book. Please comment if you’ve read this so that we can talk about these things!

The suspension of belief required during this read is exceptional and the dialogue cringe-worthy. The most redeeming quality of The Cursed Child is the humor Scorpius and Draco bring to the table. If you are hoping to reconnect with the story and the familiar characters, you may be left wanting more.

Book Review – Illuminae

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Title: Illuminae: The Illuminae Flies _01
Author: Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
Published: January 2015
Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Rating: 5 Stars
Cover: Like it

51vpagsvayl-_sx329_bo1204203200_Synopsis:

This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do today. This afternoon, her planet was invaded.

The year is 2575, and two rival mega-corporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, exes Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto the evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.

But the warship is the least of their problems. A deadly plague bas broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results. The fleet’s AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what the fuck is going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it’s clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she swore she’d never speak to again.

Briefing note: Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—Illuminae is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.

This is my first read by either of these authors, though I have the beautiful UK edition of Nevernight by Jay Kristoff on my shelf to read and I’ve already preordered the second book in the Illuminae series. After finishing this book, I will keep an even closer eye on these authors and their work.

Illuminae is the most engaging book I’ve read in a while. I thoroughly enjoyed the formatting of the text, using files, footage, and communications between ships. It felt like I was reading a real case file on an incident. Black pages are used for Kady’s diary entries and for the Artificial Intelligence’s, AIDIN, readings. Words dance across the pages in twists to illustrate the Cyclone ships flight paths, or to create a picture of the ships at war. Some words break to pieces to show a life lost during battle. I took extra long to read each page as the digital aspects through the illustrations mesmerized me, completely engaging me in the plot line. My only frustration with the format of the book was that I was constantly leaving fingerprint smudges on the black pages. When I complained about this to my boyfriend, he told me I should just buy two copies of every book—one to read and one to stay pretty looking. A girl can dream, can’t she?

Disclaimer as I move into the plot: PEOPLE DIE. So many people die. Three ships are able to escape the Kerenza colony when it is attacked by Bio-Tech. Though the ships suffer damages from the battle, they are able to save thousands of civilians and make headway as they escape the only Bio-Tech ship left standing, Lincoln. Before long, however, they are faced with troubles among their own fleet, including a plague that causes severe paranoia and their AI—which is programmed to protect them—suddenly and inexplicably killing their own people. The violence is not for the faint of heart. The hardest death for me in the whole book was the hardest one for Kady. I could almost hear the sound of my heart breaking and sinking into my stomach.

Kady is one of my favorite characters I’ve read. She is determined, feisty, and refuses to sit down and do nothing. Even AIDIN is charmed by her: “She tosses lank hair from her eyes. Eyes narrowed to knife cuts. Refusing to kneel. To break. To fall. I can see why they loved her” (p 548). She will not let the truth be hidden, but instead fights for knowledge through hacking into documents and even escaping one ship to help another. While rule-breaking never should be encouraged, Kady’s spunk and struggle for the truth to be known universally is admirable. We need more women like her in America today.

While Kady is primarily preoccupied in her illegal hunt, a part of her is preoccupied with her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Ezra. The morning before their home was invaded, she had broken up with him, much to his dismay. However, since he is on a separate ship than her, he has access to information she needs. She finally breaks the silence and starts to work with him. It is apparent he is still smitten by her when he continues to send her cheesy love poems in the shape of hearts and roses (insert eye roll) and tells her sweet encouragements like this (insert melting of my heart):

“Mason, E, LT 2nd: you have me
Mason, E, LT 2nd: until the last star in the galaxy dies
Mason, E, LT 2nd: you have me” (p 232).

While their relationship does not take up the whole plot line, it plays a big part. It’s encouraging to see people fight for each other in the midst of chaos, and to chose to work out their issues instead of ultimately running away.

The amount of twists revealed in Illuminae are innumerable. I constantly found myself gasping in shock at new information or even the shear brutality of everything. This book is well advertised by the line “Am I not merciful?” (p 307), but once I actually got to that part, I was completely horrified by what it meant. Once again, this book is not for the faint of heart. Every twist and turn provided more shocks, more horror, and hope was constantly handed to me and then ripped away. This book was so engaging, I’d think about it even when I wasn’t reading it. It is gripping and perfectly descriptive. I am counting down the days until book #2 hits the shelves.

Birthday Giveaway! {CLOSED}

/ June Reads Books / 4 Comments

I recently was fortunate to win a giveaway hosted by the author Adam Ingle. He was generous enough to give me EXTRA stuff to give to my lovely followers. In lieu of my upcoming birthday, I would like to celebrate by doing this giveaway.

birthday-giveaway-instagramFirst up, the prizes.

One winner will receive

  • A signed copy of Necessary Evil and the Greater Good by Adam Ingle
  • Two large t-shirts (one grey and one black)
  • Swag

The shirts are super comfortable, yo.

Haven’t heard of this book? I’m reading it this month, but the description sounds super interesting! Check it below.

For best friends Mestoph and Leviticus the end of the world can’t come fast enough. Mestoph is a demon and troublemaker from Hell Industries, while Leviticus is an angel and cubicle jockey for Heaven, Inc. They might be unlikely friends, but they have something in common – they both hate their jobs.

Unfortunately for them the end is nowhere in sight. The two take matters into their own hands when they come up with a scheme to get themselves kicked out of the afterlife without spending an eternity in purgatory. Their misadventure will take them from the tiny town of Truth or Consequences, NM to the highlands of Iceland as they cross paths and pantheons with Ned-Vikings, Greek and Norse gods, and a Scottish terrier named Sir Reginald Pollywog Newcastle III.

{GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. CONGRATULATIONS LEIGH FROM PIECEOFTHESTORY!)