Wild: She Got Lost on the Pacific Coast Trail and Found Herself Again

This book couldn't have entered my life at a more appropriate time.  No, I did not go backpacking across the Pacific Coast Trail, but have been feeling out of my element and a lot of life changes have transpired (ie. moving to a different city and leaving a city I have known as home my entire 29 years).  So here I was on my one and only week off this summer, laying in the sun along the beautiful west Michigan coastline and I was enthralled.

Cheryl had quite the extraordinary childhood.  Her father was a deadbeat alcoholic who was abusive to her mother and her siblings. Luckily he did them all a favor and abandoned  them, which did leave some internal wounds she would need to sort out in her adulthood.  This left her loving mother to raise Cheryl, her brother, and sister.  The 4 of them lived in the country and grew their food, sewed their clothes, and enjoyed the simple life indeed.  Later her mother met Eddie and he became the father to take them fishing and other things fathers typically do.  It was a charmed life.

Cheryl got older and went to college which encouraged her mother to do the same.  The two ended up going to the same college which sadly got cut short.  Cheryl's mother was diagnosed with Cancer and when she died, this took a part of Cheryl away that she couldn't get back no matter how hard she tried, and believe me she tried everything.

Following the death of her mother, her little family fell apart and she couldn't keep them together.  Add to that the fact that she no longer felt the same about her husband, and Cheryl slowly fell into a horribly dark path.  She threw herself into bed after bed with different men and went as far as heroin to get herself to feel anything.  She hit rock bottom and then got inspired to hike the PCT (Pacific Coast Trail) by herself to find who she was again.  This caused quite a bit of backlash from friends and her ex husband as going backpacking was one thing, but backpacking thousands of miles as a female is quite another situation altogether.

Cheryl did it anyway though and learned so much about life and who she was capable of being. After all, there were so many obstacles to go through such as wild animals, extreme weather from all sides of the spectrum, sketchy individuals, and being so very alone surrounded by mountains and sky.

This book captured her journey in a way that had you walking alongside her as she evolved.  It would be a wonderful read for anyone needing to be inspired to expand your horizons and really live your life.  We all get lost sometimes, but it is up to us on how we find ourselves again.

Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand

Louis Zamperini was a trouble maker growing up,  luckily for him,  he had another skill.  Running.  Louis was fast and soon learned that he could outrun pretty much everyone he encountered.  This later lead him to his destiny of running in the Olympics.   Unfortunately,  his destiny had other things in mind as well.  You see this was during World War 2 which meant a draft was inevitable and Louis would join others in our battle with Japan.  What he didn't know and couldn't possibly imagine was just how much he would endure and what costs it would have on the rest of his life.

Louis' horrific tale begins when his B 24 takes off heading for Japan over the Pacific Ocean.  Not too soon after is it knocked down by a fighter plane leaving Louis and his team fighting for their lives in shark infested waters.  I mean literally shark, infested waters.  These guys are hungry and pretty much stalk these men for weeks.  Time continues to pass and it seems as if there is no way for anyone flying over to see them on their flimsy raft.  The only thing keeping them going is their imagination and heart.   Finally rescue is insight, but unfortunately it isn't the rescue they are hoping for.   They do escape the isolation of being stranded in fierce, oceanic waters, but are now POW for the Japanese.

There are a litany of events that occur at which I will not disclose as I want you to read and get a firsthand experience of what Louis went through.   He was beaten,  starved, and downgraded to nothing and just when he thought he might get some relief at a different POW camp, he meets his match.   They called him The Bird.  The Bird was a self absorbed lunatic who gained pleasure in the destruction of others and for whatever reason, he chose Louis as his prime target.  Maybe it was the fact that Louis refused to let him take him down.  Don't get me wrong, he did beat him to a bloody pulp,  help him back to his feet and do it all over again,  but Louis did get up every time.  Which would cause him to experience defeat in ways no human being should ever have to go through.

Louis did eventually get out.  WW 2 ended and the United States was able to retrieve Louis and others in similar situations.  Louis found love and married later, but had no idea the mental issues he was about to endure.  You see The Bird may have been out of sight, but he was still very real to Louis.  Louis saw him in his dreams as well as his drunken stupor during the day.   Louis was loosing control and falling fast.  Lucky for him, he made a promise to God back on the raft so many years before that he would serve God if he helped him survive.   It was this promise that came back to him when he was at the lowest point of his life and it did indeed save him.

There is so much to this book that I left out because I didn't want to takea away the realness of it all.  At first the language and vocabulary gave me a hard time really getting into it, but once I understood it, nothing could stop me from reading it.  Louis Zamperini experienced such awfulness and yet he still came out on top.  I also must say the author did a fantastic job of including details from this time that give the reader a real image of what such events must have been like.  One example is the details included when the U.S. dropped the atomic bombs, no history book can create for me the picture in my mind as I read word for word,  Louis' account.  For more details and  a truly deep, true story regarding survival of the mind, body, and sprit,  I encourage you to read this book.

This is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper Will Leave You Laughing.....A Lot

We all have family drama and I am sure each have a unique spin to just how quirky our families are.  No family is the same and at the end of the day,  we would do anything for our families.  This novel is all about family and the secrets, life changes, distance, death, and humor that go into it. 

Judd is at an all time low in his life.  He recently walked in on his wife having sex with his boss, quit his job (for obvious reasons), and lost his father.  He is processing all of this and receives a call from his sister saying that his father's last request was that Judd and his siblings sit Shiva.  This is a Jewish practice in which you mourn the loss of a loved one in their home for 7 days while everyone comes to visit and brings ridiculous amounts of food.   It is time spent as a family to reflect and remember.  For Judd, this is prison for 7 days as he and his siblings aren't exactly warm and fuzzy with one another.  Another unsettling thought is that Judd's father isn't a  religious man. Yes, they grew up Jewish, but mom was who dragged them all to temple.  His sister is persistent and his other siblings have agreed as well which leaves Judd without a choice.  He will sit Shiva with his dysfunctional family.  Things should get interesting.

Judd's Shiva experience turns out to be more than he expected.   In addition to his family dynamics that will definitely have you cracking up,  he also is still grabbing with his current life predicament of being cuckolded by his boss.  Then he runs into an old flame who slightly restores his faith in finding love again.  But not so fast, for his wife announces she is pregnant and guess who the daddy is?!  Not to mention the secret affairs of his family.   Let's just say someone comes out of the closet, someone had sex with someone's wife, and a whole list of shenanigans transpires on this seven day adventure. 

I think what I loved most about this was Judd's whole demeanor.  His sarcasm was easy to relate to and I often found myself laughing out loud......even at the bookstore.......sitting by myself.   It was a great read that left me open to my own predictions for how the character's lives turned out.  This is a great read for men and women from twenty something and on.

Dark Places by Jillian Flynn

Jillian Flynn has done it again!  If you read her novel Gone Girl, you will surely be enthralled with this one as well.  If you have not read Gone Girl then I encourage you to go purchase that and the book I am currently reviewing.  The plot twists will keep you engulfed until the last page.

Libby:  Libby is the soul survivor of the famous Day family murders.  Her mother and two other sisters were brutally murdered leaving her to survive.  Libby is now in her thirties and attempting to live her life.  It is a slow process and can be very difficult to complete the day to day tasks such as getting out of bed.  She has made it her life's mission to shut everyone out and keep to herself.  All of this comes to a stand still when she is out of cash and subjects herself to help out a local group of "murder enthusiasts".  This group of dynamic individuals research murders and come up with theories.  The Day family murders have their attention as they do not believe the person placed in jail is the one who killed them.  The thing with this is, Libby was the one who stated the killer.  Who in fact, is her brother Ben.  As Libby works with the group by giving them information about her family and that night, she not only drudges up painful memories, but begins to wonder herself if she really knows who killed her family.

Ben: Born into a poor family surrounded by women was pretty horrific for Ben.  His mother had too many children than she new what to do with, his father was an absent drunk who never gave him the time of day, and he constantly felt like a loner.  This all changed for him when he met her.  Diondra was a vivacious, free spirit who introduced Ben to the person he could be.  He felt whole with her and like he was important.  Sure, Diondra hung around an interesting crowd, but he belonged here.  Unfortunately, as all good things must come to an end, so did Ben's brief fairy tale.  You see, after one hectic night, Ben lost his mother, sisters, and life all in one.  As a senior in high school, he was placed in prison for the murder of his family.

Patty:  She was drowning and didn't know how to swim to the top.  Patty had 4 beautiful children she couldn't afford to raise, a drunk ex husband who still thought he had claims on her, and situation after situation that continuously brought her down.  It took everything she had just to get out of bed.  She knew the troubles each day would face and she just couldn't do it.  Patty did love her children.  Even her son whom she didn't understand and who she was convinced hated her.  Unfortunately, Patty's life was cut short along with the lives of two out of three of her daughters.

Only a few people really know what happened that night and 3 of them are dead while one is in jail.  It is up to Libby to figure it out.  But what will she do when she finds out the truth?  Is this one of those situations where knowing more could actually be worse?  Find out who killed the Day family.  I promise you will not know until the end no matter how convinced you are throughout the novel.  

The Giver by: Lois Lowry

Wouldn't it be nice if we could eliminate all the stupid decisions people make?  What if we could end suffering, war, irrational thought?  Think of how peaceful life would be.  Life is like this for Jona.  He lives in a time where everyone speaks eloquently and without agenda.  Each family consists of a mother, father, and two children.   Each child is transitioned into adulthood at age 12 and is assigned a job.   Leading up to this point in his life is exciting for Jona.  What job will the elders of his community assign him?  Will he be the right fit? 

Little does Jona realize that his whole world and what he has always known is about to change forever.   Jona is assigned a job alright, the job of a Receiver.   The Receiver is a one man job in which he is to receive all of the memories of the world from the Giver.  Once all the memories have been transferred, Jona will be the Giver.   Not only is this a lonely job,  but Jona soon finds out it is a painful job as well. You see the memories he receives are actually components of the world that you and I experience everyday. Colors, sadness, happiness, love, war, anger, starvation, music, and so much more are all concepts Jona never knew until the Giver transferred them to Jona.  The whole idea behind having a Receiver is so that when the unexpected occurs in the community, the Receiver can inform the leaders what to do based on memories and experiences unknown to those seeking advice.  Why doesn't the community see colors or experience love?  It is all because of "sameness."  Everyone dresses alike, thinks alike, reacts alike, and even take pills so sexual urges are removed.   Parents  receive children,  they do not conceive them.  This is all part of maintaining order and keeping a structured and thriving human population.  But what if they got it all wrong?

The more Jona learns the more he questions the world he's always known.  So it is no surprise when he wants to change it.  You see Jona transform from an ignorant child simply doing what has always been done, to a boy who desires the world beyond his familiarity.  This genius novel will leave you visualizing Jona and the world beyond. 

The Hundred-Foot Journey by: Richard C. Morais

When I first acknowledged that I would be reading this book, I wasn't in the least bit excited.  But it was on the Buzzfeed.com's list of books to read before they hit theaters for 2014, so I had to committ.  After reading the back, it reminded me of Eat Pray Love which only added to my lack of excitement.  Looking back, I feel guilty for my first thoughts after purchasing it.  "Yes. It's only 242 pages so this won't take long at all."  With that said my friends, I am here to tell you that my first impressions were wrong once again.

Hassan learns at a young age how unfair life can be when his mother's life is taken.  From there his father must uproot their lives in hopes of doing what he does best, and that is cook Indian cuisine.  With the help of family money,  Hassan's father takes them to France of all places to open an Indian restaurant.  You'd think that Indian cuisine would have no place in such an upscale area, but Hassan' s father leaves the cooking to his son who has a gift even he is unaware of until later in life.   The problem is not the cuisine, but the uptight control freak who happens to be the owner and chef of an elite French restaurant.   The problem is Madame Mallory.  Madame Mallory has quite the number of issues with the loud and unconventional new restaurant across the street.   Music, scenery, and evident competition slowly make her crazier than usual.  She tries to use her leverage in town to file complaints and eventually wins when the restaurant is asked to shut down.  This all changes when she has a taste of the competition who happens to be Hassan.  Her taste buds and heart know what takes her a long time to confess which is that Hassan has the talent and skills even she lacks. Which leads her to her new obsession.   She will not rest until Hassan joins her restaurant as her apprentice.  Hassan's father is livid with this request and naturally turns it down, over and over again.  Until finally when Madame Mallory is sitting on his front lawn without food or water for days, he concedes.   And so begins Hassan's journey.

Hassan begins as an apprentice with Madame Mallory and learns what talents he has and how to use those talents in preparing French cuisine.  He gains the confidence and expertise while making friends along the way.   His love life is rather complex as the only commitment that he can make is with the kitchen.   This is definitely a result of his mother's passing.  Then Hassan finally out grows his surroundings and has to say goodbye to Madame Mallory in order to continue growing to become what he was meant to be which is a master chef in his own restaurant.   Sadly he is also saying goodbye to the girl who wouldn't follow him. 

Our talented Hassan continues to increase the level of his cooking skills and learns the most valuable lesson.  Only by reinventing can you truly succeed in this business.  Remaining stagnant is simply not an option.  He also learns how hard this path can be as his close companion ends his life.  It is at this point that Hassan redirects himself and who he wants to become. 

This novel is decadent and delicious.   The dynamics of Madame Mallory and Hassan keep you engaged as you continue to route for Hassan as his journey continues with many bumps along the way.  This journey far exceeds the 100 feet eluded in the title.

A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby

There is nothing worse than feeling like you are suffocating, going nowhere, or like all hope is lost.  We have to be honest with ourselves.  At some point, we have all been there.  When life didn't take the course we wanted or maybe there was never a course, we have felt that sense of sadness.  Maybe a loved one was lost from death or simply left.  Our job security wasn't as secure as we thought.  The debt seemed never ending and there was no way to recover.  Whatever the reason for our saddness, it was real.  For most of us,  we were able to get out of our"funks."    Sometimes all it takes is faith or loved ones to get us out of it.   For others, it may be making a plan of action.  What happens to those that never recover?  More specifically, what happens to those who are depressed in such a manner that death seems like the only option? 

Maureen-  Maureen is a devout Catholic who has a son whom is basically a vegetable.  She must clean him, change him, feed him, and everything you would need to do for an infant.  He can't communicate to her, so she spends her days talking to him as if he could.   She even makes up stories to tell him just to break up the monotony.  One day she realized he was a teenager with a bedroom of a baby.  The walls and decor hadn't been changed since he was little.   What was the point?  It wasn't like he noticed.  She did however.   So Maureen bought items teenage boys would want to see on the walls such as famous athletes and pretty girls.   He had Walkmans still in the packaging.  It was really more for her than for him.  Day in and day out, this was all her life had consisted of.  She felt guilty for being so sad,  but couldn't do it anymore.  She knew he would be taken care of by excellent nurses in her absence.   The idea of leaving him made her sad and she would have felt worse abandoning him to live a more exciting life.  She felt this life was her punishment for having premarital relations and she just couldn't bare it any longer.  So on New Year's Eve, Maureen went to Topper's on the roof to end her life.

JJ- JJ was destined for great things. A musician at heart with a rocking band that would make it big someday and a girl friend that worshipped him was all he needed.  Unfortunately both ended up not lasting forever like he thought.  His band broke up as did his friendship with Eddie,  his best friend and long time band mate.  His girlfriend left him shortly after, leaving him in a state of despair.   He dropped out of high school for music and that didn't last, so his options were flipping burgers or delivering pizzas for the remainder of his life.  But this brilliant young mind who was well versed in Virginia Wolf and other such literary geniuses couldn't bare the path that seemed to be his only option.   So JJ created another option.   On New Year's Eve, he delivered what would be his last pizza to a party at Topper's,  and walked to the roof with one mission, to kill himself.

Jess- Being the daughter of a somewhat political leader is hard enough, but throw in a sister who left one day and never came back,  and life can be just unbearable.   Jess also happens to be an expert on pushing people away.  Needless to say, with never being able to fill the void of her sister and friends never sticking around,  Jess is alone.  With her less than desirable,  pushy,  and bold personality,  this isn't entirely shocking even to her.  Jess can't seem to get anything right, except for maybe one thing......ending her life, going out with a bang.  What would be the perfect night to do this? New Year's Eve of course.   So she makes her way to the roof of Toppers with one mission, to not come back.

Martin- Martin used to have it all.   A thriving TV career, beautiful wife, lovely daughters,  and all the money you could want.  The only problem was that having it all was never enough.  Then the drugs were never enough, the drinking, and the  youthful women willing to show him a good time.  He was living life in the fast lane  and crashed into a brick wall, head first, when a 15 year old who happened to look 18 changed the course of his path.    After her father pressed charges,  Martin was thrown in jail which lead to him loosing his wife, daughters,  TV career, and money.  He still had his fame, but it wasn't the desirable kind.   There was nothing left to live for, so he thought the only way was to get out.   This all lingered in his mind as he sat, drunk, on the roof top of Topper's on New Year's Eve.  All he had to do was jump.

Little did this foursome know that their plans had quite a few detours before making their final leaps into eternity.  After interfering on one another's plans, and one crazy night,  they decided to wait until Valentine's Day (apparently the other big night to end it all)  to make their final fairwells.   What they did not account for was just how long of a journey they were in for and what self realizations they had to make.   Then on Valentine's night, unfortunately someone would jump, and it changed them forever.  

This story has such a morbid concept when you read the back,  but don't let that fool you.   There is so much wit, charm, and relatable themes that will resonate with most readers.  It truly captures just how sensitive the human heart is, our need for companionship,  and how loving life can be painful.    A wonderful novel.

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead : Yes, it's another teen vampire book, and you will like it!

This novel could not have come at a better time.  I recently finished Winter's Tale and if you read the book or read my blog about the book, you'd know it was 748 pages of extensive, poetic vocabulary.   Needless to say, I needed my next book to be an easy read with an entertaining plot.  Cue in the vampires!   Now, I did read and was a a HUGE Twilight fan and can tell you, if you are looking for that kind of obsession,  this is not the novel or series for you.  However, if you are looking for a novel with fantasy,  good verses evil, forbidden love, and some steamy moments, then you have come to the right place.

Our story starts with Rose and Lissa. These girls are thick as thieves and on the run from the academy they've spent most their lives in.  Their escape has lasted longer than they had expected until it all comes to an end when they are caught and brought back. Going back is terrifying for the girls as they discovered deep dark secrets about who they are and what they are capable of.  Although they are resistant at first, Rose and Lissa slowly get back into their routine at the academy and are back to their original social status amongst their peers. 

Rose and Lissa are more than bffs.  Rose is Lissa's guardian in training as Lissa is royalty in her vampire community. Gaurdians sre to protect their Moroi at all costs. Rose is a Dhampir which means she is human and fights to protect vampires such as Lissa.  What do you protect a vampire from you ask?   A more severe vampire.   Lissa and those like her are called Moroi.  Moroi are vampires who feed on Dhampirs but do not kill them.  It is quite the opposite actually.  Feeding on the Dhampir gives the Dhampir a high.   They feed just enough to satisfy their own hunger and do this without causing harm to them.  Basically the "good" vampires.  Some vampires aren't so nice and feed until their victim is dead.  These vampires are dead themselves.   They are called the Strigoi.  Strigoi are powerful and deadly to the Dhampir and Moroi, so it is imperative they be destroyed.

As the girls try to figure out things back at the academy, more unfolds and they find themselves in the same situations before running away the first time.  Lissa has powers that are rare for Moroi and quite powerful. These abilities are slowly destroying her and Rose must do everything in her power to protect her.  Rose and Lissa's bond is quite strong as Lissa used her healing powers to bring her back from the dead many years ago.  This bond allows for Rose to get into Lissa's mind which saves Lissa throughout the story.   The girls continue to rise above the difficult scenarios they are put in as someone or something is out to get Lissa.  They don't know why but as they begin to figure it out, they are blind sided by the truth and it is almost too late when Lissa is taken.

Rose and her tall, dark, and handsome mentor must save Lissa from her capture and ignore their attraction and connection for one another while doing so.  Will Rose get to Lissa on time?  Who has Lissa and what will become of her?  More importantly,  will she be strong enough to endure that is about to occur?   Find out and read Vampire Academy!

The relation to Twilight is apparent with there being good and bad vampires.   I also see a common theme with this and most novels recently becoming popular which is the protagonist having secret abilities unknown to themselves.  I saw this in Twilight,  Divergent, and now this. Richelle Mead does a great job keeping you in suspense and you try to uncover the many secrets entailed as well as the relationship between Rose and Dimitri (the mentor).  I read it in 4 days and was quite content after.  I am definitely looking forward to seeing the movie!  Look for that review on Thursday.  Until next time.

Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin

I remember first picking up this book at the local bookstore and thinking......oh my gosh, how many pages is this?  After looking through it, I soon found out it was in fact 748 pages.  Not 748 pages with large print and an easy to read flow.  This seemed to be 748 pages of poetic and extravagant wording, which was exactly what it turned out to be.

Peter Lake didn't always make the right decisions,  but on one day, making a poor choice, such as robbing someone, ended up being just the right choice.  While attempting to Rob the house of the Penn family, Peter meets the love of his life Beverly Penn.  His breath is taken away and all else no longer matters.  Peter and Beverly's romance blossoms and their love story enfolds.  Unfortunately Beverly is sick and eventually Peter has to say goodbye.

What transpires after this is rather complex.  You see, for  reason, Peter Lake lives a long time after this.  We are talking over 50 years.......but he doesn't age at all.  This along with many other characters and their complex connections to Peter Lake,his past,  and his infamous white house,  make for a quite complicated novel.

Mark Help in did a beautiful job giving so much imagery to this novel, but it distracted me from the plot. I felt that I read as if I was waiting for more to happen and was unimpressed in the end.  The author left up most concepts to the imagination of the reader, which could be considered a positive thing.   It truly depends on your preference.

I don't regret reading it as it challenged me to read one of the most difficult books I have  ever read.  As a reader,  challenging yourself to try new genres and reading more complex text will only help you be a more well rounded reader,  which for me is the goal.

Labor Day by Joyce Maynard: A Weekend You'll Never Forget

Well folks, Buzzfeed posted another list. It is very similar to the last in that it contains books that are becoming movies.  This list is for 2014 and the good thing is that I have read 6 of the books because they were on the previous list.  I encourage you to check out the list as it has very good reads including the first in which this post will be reviewing!

Without further ado, I give you a review on Labor Day.

Our story begins with Henry and his mother getting groceries and supplies. This sounds like a common scenario,  but Henry's mom never leaves the house.  Ever.   Her husband leaves her for another women and leaves her abandoned and outside herself. The once confident dancer who laughed, took care of things, and was just more together, now lives in isolation with her son.  Henry, beginning his 7th grade year, is extremely helpful and is definitely the man of the house.  That is until their world is turned upside down.

While at the grocery store, Henry is stopped by a tall man who appears to be bleeding.   He asks Henry if he can have a ride and although Henry doesn't know him and the situation seems alarming,  he trusts Frank.  As Frank and Henry find Henry's mother, Adelle, in the store, Frank insists they give him a ride. Both are aware this is not a question.   But there is something about Frank that reassures them he will not hurt them.

As the title alludes,  it is Labor Day weekend and the three end up spending the most pivotal Labor Day anyone could fathom.   They discover Frank has escaped from prison, and more importantly,  what got him there in the first place, which is truly tragic.  As the weekend continues,  they become sort of a family.  A family that wants to stay together, but how can this be possible with the police getting closer.

More complications arrise as a new friend of Henry's finds out the truth.  Will they be discovered? Or will they get to fulfill their plan of escaping their home to build a new one where they don't have to hide?  Frank truly saved Adelle and brought her back to who she was, but who will save him? 

Once you start reading you won't be able to put it down.   This is definitely a book you could start and finish in one weekend.  A truly great read!

An Abundance of Katherines: Great Read, Good Laughs, Valuable Lessons

 Do you ever wish you could prevent getting your heart broken?  Wouldn't it be nice if you were able to predict the future of relationships?  Do you have a tendency to over worry which eventually pushes people away?  You could very well be another Colin Singleton.  One more thing, has every girl you've ever dated been named Katherine?  (Never with a C)  Well, our dear Colin seems to have a problem and their names are all Katherine.

 When Colin is dumped by Katherine XIX, he finds himself more heart broken than from the other 18 Katherine's.  Colin is a noted prodigy and therefore very intelligent, almost to his demise.  He has felt the pressure throughout his life to be somebody, be important, matter, and this drive has gotten in the way of his relationships.

Before diving into the complicated tale of the Katherines, you need to know more about Colin. His life has comprised of his parents and his one and only friend (best friend) Hassan. Colin is fully aware of his inability to bond with others. The guy is a literal person with a mind always going, who doesn't always pick up on social cues. Or, maybe he does, and just doesn't like them.  The one person besides Hassan that Colin does connect with is Katherine.  This has been the case since elementary school. The only thing is, he has dated several Katherines and each have broken up with him.  The last Katherine,  however, left him miserable,  heart broken,   contemplating life, and very reflective.  Let's just say our  Colin is at the lowest of lows.

So what do you do when you are 18, have the summer ahead of you, and you just got dumped? You take a roadtrip with your best friend.  Together,  Colin and Hassan discover life outside of Chicago in the an odd yet endearing town in the south. These two witty, city boys have quite the eye opening experience when their trip takes them to a small town in the middle of nowhere.  You'd think this destination wouldn't be the ideal way to spend a senior year summer,  but Colin and Hassan discover things about themselves they didn't think possible.

What I loved most about this book was all of the moments I laughed out loud.  Colin and Hassan are quite the pair and the realism in their banter is hilarious.   You truly feel for Colin and can relate with his insecurities in relationships.  At some point we have all been there,  when we are so affraid to lose someone that we end up pushing them away anyway.   What's astonishing is how Colin thinks he can devise a theorem to predict the rise and eventual fall of relationships.  Wouldn't that be nice to know the liklihood of a relationship lasting?  Or would it?

This novel would be enjoyable for men and women as you truly see both sides of relationships as well as what it's like to grow as an individual, post high school.  A truly endearing tale.

He Won't Stop Searching Until Her Finds Her: Paper Towns by John Green

Quentin has lived next door to Margo Roth Spiegelman his most of his life.  So I guess you could say for most of his life, his heart has belonged to one girl.  Even her name indicates the power she holds on him.  Saying Margo just doesn't give her justice.  She is, and forever will be, Margo Roth Spegelman, the girl who captured his heart and then ran away.

Quentin is a very down to earth senior which is not surprising as both his parents are psychologists.  He has a healthy relationship with them as well as his two best friends.  Quentin also has a very realistic look on life.  He hangs around the band kids whom are all aware they are not the cool kids but are happy with that and their surroundings.  So before this point in his life, Quentin is quite content.  Then comes this point I'm referring to in which the girl next door whom he has always admired from afar changes his whole world.  Quite literally.

Margo, sorry Margo Roth Spiegerlam and Quentin were friends in elementary school when life was simpler, that is, until they encountered a scary experiment that no child should ever have to encounter.  After that life got more complicated and Margo started hanging with the cool crowd.  This wasn't surprising for Quentin as Margo (yeah let's just stick with her first name for my purposes) knew just how to draw people into her world.  She had charm, charisma, and this aura about her that you had to be apart of.  Quentin never stopped noticing her every time they were within a certain distance from one another.  She was his dream girl living in a completely different life.

This all changed one night when Margo opened her world to Quentin as they went on a memorable wild ride serving justice to those deserving. Quentin's "play it safe" methods were pressed to their limits until he learned to just let go.  He was changed forever and feeling like he finally made a connection that fit into Margo's life.  Then she was gone.

Margo being the queen be she was, didn't grow up with the best family situation.  Her parents didn't have the most loving methods towards her and didn't quite know how to handle Margo's lifestyle.  She was the girl who would go missing from time to time only to amaze you by her adventures and life experiences.  So in this final adventure, they decided enough was enough and locked the doors.

Quentin was at a loss.  Here he thought he had finally gotten his in, and she just left.  No note, just a final goodbye.  This left Quentin with too many possibilities and some were too much to bare.  But Margo, being Margo, she did leave him clues and as he was able to put connections together, his worst fear of all became a possible reality.  Had she killed herself?  Was this her big "f you" to the world?  Or in a better scenario, did she leave all these clues just for Quentin to find her?  Was she done with her current life and ready to move on to better things with Quentin at her side?  The more he searched the grander the idea of Margo became in his mind.  It truly became an obsession for Quentin.  Luckily he had a wonderful support group from his trust best friends.  

So with Margo being gone, and in her absence effecting the senior student body in the most intriguing of ways (Was this her whole purpose in leaving?), Quentin would not stop his search until he found her.  Which I cannot tell you here, but I can say that Quentin learned more about himself than he knew was there in this search for another and you truly evolve with him as his story continues.  

This story teaches many lessons, but for me it truly shows just how we place people on pedestals and know them in our own way, but is that who they really are?  

Looking for Alaska: The Things We Do For Love

This novel was recommended to me after reading The Fault in Our Stars. It was my first John Green book and I was engrosed.  When my sister told me I should read Looking for Alaska, I told her I was worried it wouldn't live up to my first John Green experience.   After reading it, I've learned that just like a first love,  you always have a special place for a first novel in your heart, but can still love other reads by the same author and get complete different kinds of enjoyment out of them.

This is a boy meets girl story. He finds the girl of his dreams, a friendship blossoms,  and following one of the most monumental points of their relationship,  she is gone.  Looking for Alaska is a gripping tale of friendship, life, and love.

Miles Halter, is in need of a change in his nonexciting life.  He desires to find his "Great Perhaps" and leaves for boarding school in Alabama.  Once he arrives, Miles meets his roommate and new best friend Chip, called the Colonel, and is immediately introduced to a new school with new customs.  As Miles, now called Pudge (which is funny considering the guy is a twig) , acclimates to his new life, he meets her. The bold, the beautiful, Alaska.  Everything about her lures him into her sometimes cool, sometimes mysterious, sometimes complicated life. 

Pudge (Miles) develops a bond with Alaska and his newfound friends after he is the victim of his welcome prank.  Pranks are a big part of what keeps things moving in this academically acclaimed school.  It's the cool kids verses the regulars and you have to watch your back.  But these pranks seem meaningless on the night of one of the most pivotal points for Pudge, Alaska,  and their friends.   He finds his great perhaps and is lost within hours after. Nothing will ever be the same for this group of friends.  After a phone call and tears, Alaska is gone. 

Find out what happened to Alaska, Pudge's path leading up to losing Alaska,  and the path after she is gone.  You will not be dissapointed as this novel will leave you reflecting on life, last words, and finding your Great Perhaps.

Buzzfeed's Books to Read Before They Hit the Big Screen Changed My Life

This blog post has been building up in my mind for awhile now.  I know the title seems a tad extreme, but it is true.  It isn't that it turned me into a reader, I was beforehand, but it did help me widen my reading genres by reading books I wouldn't have glanced twice at.  This is the girl who used Sparknotes in high school for EVERY book report.  Sorry Mrs. Boardman.........I still want to kick myself for not appreciating To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby.  Then in college I saw The Notebook and heard it was based on a book.  That is when my reading kicked off.  The only problem was, I was devoted to all things Nicholas Sparks.  Don't get me wrong, the guy can write, but I think anyone who enjoys reading for pleasures needs variety.  So this creature of habit needed more once the relationship with Mr. Sparks was over.  This brings us to June 2013.  At this point I had read The Hunger Games Series, The Twilight Series, many Jodi Picoult books, and other novels, but I felt they all served the same demographic and I like to think I don't fit one mold of anything.  Then one fateful, summer night.  A friend on Facebook posted this link....http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalderon/books-to-read-before-they-hit-the-big-screen .  For those of you who know me, know that I love having tasks to do and can get carried away by new things.  After all I am a 4th grade teacher, once vegetarian, once vegan, once blond, obsessive painter, now photographer....you get the point.  I love trying new things and have that addictive personality to where I hone in on whatever task it may be and it consumes me.  Sometimes it's good (I was refreshed when removing meat from my diet) and sometimes not so good (I was REALLY blond...and I am Lebanese...you do the math).  I digress.  So when seeing this list, my task oriented self got excited and dove right in.  I began this book journey July and just finished last night.  14 books in roughly 6 months.  Each book helped me appreciate a variety of genres.  One of them is a horror book (and amazing at that)!  I think what drew me in the most was the fact they would all at some point become movies.  Some haven't hit the big screen yet which was a bit disappointing as released dates were pushed back, but that's when I realized this was so much more than reading books to satisfy the movie buff in me (because I do see movies at least 2 times a week and often a movie will be seen 2 to 3 times..I told ya..obsessive), this became about appreciating literature.  Words on a page that will have some impact on you.  Whether you are laughing with the character, cursing him/her in your mind for making  a bad call, crying when you feel their pain.  In one of my earlier posts, I compared a book to a relationship.  Well, I do believe that to be true and feel like I just got out of a 6 month relationship with this list.  So without further ado, here are my thoughts and insights on these amazing books that did change my life for the better (I mean come on..I did go to my first author signing for the Maze Runner!).  I now have authors to explore such as John Green and series' to finish such as Mortal Instruments and Divergent.  Okay, enough of my rambling. I hope you can take away from this a great book to add to your list, your own ambition to read this list, or create your own book list.  

1. Divergent by Veronica Roth

This fantasy novel will leave you turning each page rampantly as you crave to know what happens next.  A girl must choose between following her family or her heart.  We are not talking relationships.  This is during a time where teens get to a certain age and must take a test that determines their knew path in life or which group they belong.  Most result in staying in the group of their family, but what happens if the test is inconclusive?  For one brave girl, she proves to be Divergent which is more dangerous than she could possibly understand in the beginning.  She chooses the exact opposite group of her family and is thrown into a world of danger and excitement.  What makes things even more complex is that nobody must know she is Divergent.  As she continues initiation into her new group, new life, she proves herself to be quite talented which raises eyebrows and unwanted attention.  She then begins to find out secrets, not just about her group, but about the entire system and how it is run.  A soon to be corrupt system with a power hungry leader and secrets about her family constantly battle in her mind.  Throw in a love interest who proves to be her companion and possibly more like her than she realizes (whom gets taken from her during the most difficult point in her existence) and you have a compelling novel.  I dare you to not finish the series after reading this.

2. Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

You were created for a purpose.  In a world where two children are the maximum allotted and your parents are granted a third, but for one purpose.  To save the world from destruction.  By the way, as you begin to put the pieces together and are involved in intense training, you are six years old.  Ender is a talented young boy with the ability to do things he didn't know he could do.  He has the compassion but also the strength and hardness to become a great leader, but as he continues his journey and is out through the most difficult tasks with friends (whom are hard to come by at times when you are a prodigy) are dying, your mind is constantly being manipulated, and you are trying to determine if you truly want this path or if you even have a choice.  Ender is a character you truly care for and you feel his inner battles as he does things he doesn't necessarily want to do.  You watch an innocent, brave boy become hardened by his reality.  Ender is involved in a game but what he doesn't realize is, the game isn't  a game at all.

3. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Every family has secrets and most teenage girls have overbearing mothers, but for one girl it seems a bit much and she finds out nothing is as it seems.  Her mother is involved in a secret life that is beyond her wildest imagination and is taken from her.  Her mission is to rescue her mother with the help of her mysterious rescuer who'd been observing her from afar when she was at the wrong place at the wrong time when our story begins.  As the story enfolds, she finds out about a world she never knew existed.  Yes, maybe in stories, but this was real life.  Vampires, werewolves, immortal beings, and much more are becoming a normal crowd for her as she continues fighting to save her mother who was taken by the all powerful Valentine.  Valentine is one of the most powerful and evil beings, so what does he want with her mom?  The secrets unveil themselves and she soon realizes not only was her mother much more than what she seemed, but she herself has more to her than simply being a teenage girl.  So she and her immortal partner conquer evil together as they battle their own personal dilemmas such as their love for one another.  But as fate would have it, and with most love stories is does, their complicated relationship gets even more complex when they truly are separated by the most surprising detail. 

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Anyone who has read this will tell you how amazing it is.  I promise they are not exaggerating.  Hazel is a teenager with typical teenage problems, and oh yeah, she has terminal cancer.  What is most memorable about Hazel is her very realistic outlook on life.  She has accepted what she has, and for obvious reasons does not like it, but makes the best of it however she can.  When she meets Augustus Waters, her life is changed.  This charming, handsome, and recovering from cancer guy comes into her life at the perfect time.  What starts out as one simple and beautiful date, turns into a relationship filled with love and an appreciation for life.  Without giving too much away and knowing that cancer is an evil menace, you must know there will be tears, but I promise you won't regret it.  It is a love story and a life story that will positively affect you and hopefully make cancer free hard days, seem a bit lighter. 

5. The Maze Runner by James Dashner

One boy wakes up in a world he's never seen.  He doesn't remember what life was before this nor does he know how he got here.  He soon learns some already know him, and hate him, for reasons he can't begin to comprehend.  As time passes friend are made and this strange world they are part of begins to have a flow.  You have various groups in charge of various jobs and the job he wants most is to be a maze runner.  These brave souls go out into the unknown fighting off deadly creatures and trying to explore the world around them to hopefully get some answers.  After proving himself, he does become a maze runner and finds out secrets to this mysterious world he can't make sense of.  What are these flash backs he's been having?  Why do some know and hate him?  Why does he feel like this is part of something much bigger than what it seems?  Book one will give you some answers, but I encourage you to read the whole series.  There are 3 books and very fast reads.  The creativity and post apocalyptic essence will keep you wanting to read more. 

6. The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort

The phrase "more money more problems" rings true with this autobiography. Jordan was in his early twenties when he first entered the business world in New York City. He was an average guy making an average paycheck. Then he was exposed to the rich, wise, and greedy. Then average Jordan became a power hungry, corporate jerk with a drug problem and sex addiction.  Why read this then? Surprisingly you end up feeling for Jordan. Deep, deep, down he is a well intended person, but he is falling and falling fast in this toxic environment.   The question is.....what happens when he hits rock bottom? It's quite surprising how many times you think he does and then falls even harder and further.  This book truly does have heart and once you look past all the insane scenarios he gets himself in, you begin to route him on.  Find out what he does on his way to the top and what happens when he reaches the lowest of lows.

7. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Please refer to my previous post.  http://allthingsbooksmovieslife.blogspot.com/2013/12/gone-girl.html

8. The Monuments Men by Robert M. Edsel

This was the hardest book for me to get through. It was quite informative of the WWII time period but from an aspect I'd never thought of before. Hitler not only affected the lives of millions, but had a greedy passion for art.  This is where the monuments men came in.  Their mission was to find and seize all of the sacred pieces of art Hitler was hoarding.  This task was not easy as one of the most devastating wars was going on around them. As you can imagine, their bond grows as they experience some of the darkest moments in their lives. After reading this, I truly appreciate the story it tells and the information I never knew during WWII.  

 9. T

he Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Reading a book narrated by death seemed eerie, but honestly, I loved it! Death had this humanistic vibe and he genuinely seemed to care about his victims. One young girl he focused his tale on was a young girl who lost her mother to death himself on her way to meeting her new adopted family. This was during Hitler's reign which she later finds out is why she was sent to a new family in the first place. Once she arrives in her new home in a small town in Germany, she meets her new family. Her mother is a harsh appearing woman with a kind heart (you find out later) and her father becomes her saving grace. Leisel never learned to read and desires to read all and everything (even a book about grave digging). So her father teaches her which becomes the most rewarding experience for them both.As time passes, Leisel begins to feel Hitler's reign coming closer to this small town of Germany as her best friend is being bread as a future Nazi (against his will), her father is forced to defend the Nazi's, and their home becomes the secret storage for a young Jewish man whom Leisel looks up to as a brother. The irony of this is that Leisel, her best friend, mother, and father are all German. They are Germans who do not hail Hitler, not at all. Leisel's frustration grows as she sees how hurtful Hitler is to humankind. So what does this brave girl do during the infamous book burnings to help her cope with her frustration? She steals books. This novel has meaning and gives yet another perspective on the dark times of WWII.

10. Serena by Ron Rash

It's 1929 in a small town in North Carolina, and little do the people of this town know just how much their lives will be affected.  George and Serena wish to build a timber empire which seems innocent enough.  That is where you are mistaken my friends.  Serena has this mysterious power over her husband that makes him do all and anything she asks......even kill others who stand in the way of her vision.  I wish I could say this never happens, but it's quite the opposite.  Many people in town are dying and most can guess by who but are too afraid to say anything.  Then things get more intense when George discovers he has a child from a previous woman and, Serena, whom cannot have kids, feels threatened.  Nobody makes Serena feel inadequate, so this child is on her hit list.  Pathetic George tries in his own ways to protect the child and mother but is it really enough?  This novel has a mysterious affect that resonates throughout.  You know you can't trust Serena and are fully aware of her capabilities but still find yourself stunned when she raises the bar.  Just wait until the end when you see what she truly is capable of.  It truly is a gripping tale that will leave you in suspense.

11. Horns by Joe Hill

I remember first trying to find this book.  I searched all over the fiction section, then wondered if maybe it was in the young adult section, and finally settled in the teen section, but it was nowhere to be found.  Alas, one of the friendly Schuler's staff pointed me in the right direction which, to my surprise, was in the horror section!  This would be my first horror book and I was not exactly thrilled.  I just didn't know what to expect and was worried I wouldn't care about the characters.  I was very wrong.  

Poor Ig is devastated over the horrific death of his beloved Merrin who was brutally raped and murdered.  What Ig soon realizes is that he is the prime suspect!  All the evidence points to him as they just broke up after a fight and he was found near the location.  Needles to say, it isn't looking good for Ig and as the reader you begin to wonder if he really did it?  Then just when you think things can't get any worse, he grows horns and has this devilish aura about him. When he has the horns they give him the ability to extract the truth from whoever he talks to.  Whomever he comes into contact with says everything they are thinking, which in his case is awful.  His own family, he finds out has turned against him.  He truly is alone with nowhere to turn.  Ig eventually is able to use his power to find out what really happened the night of Merrin's death.  You truly feel for him when he finds out who did it, what Merrin went through, and why they broke up in the first place.  His next steps are to determine what to do.  Should he make it so the person is found out by the police or take things into his own hands?  He is battling with his inner devil that I think most could sympathize with given his circumstances.  Find out who wins, Ig or the devil inside.

12. If I Stay by Gayle Forma

Please refer to my previous post. http://allthingsbooksmovieslife.blogspot.com/2013/12/if-i-stay-will-stay-in-your-heart.html

13. The Spectacular Now by Tim Thar

Sutter Keely is  a fast talking, fast living high school senior with his bright future ahead of him.  That is until his longtime girlfriend breaks up with him leaving him devastated.  Sutter is fun, energetic, and very well intended.  So what is the problem you ask?  He is all talk.  Oh yeah, and he drinks..... a lot.  Sutter is the guy who puts hard liquor in his fountain pop at 10 am to get through the day.  Ask him if he has a problem and he can't understand why this question was even thought of.  So here we have Sutter drinking away his life when he meets a girl.  The sweet, innocent Aimee.  Aimee comes from a poor family and mother who doesn't appreciate her.  The goodhearted Sutter helps her develop the confidence she needs to live the life she deserves. As Aimee develops a strong attachment to Sutter, his friends question his motives.  Does he really like her or is this a charity case?  Aimee does help Sutter with his problems, well, not the drinking, he actually turns her to the dark side with that one, but she does help him find his long lost father whom he idolized as a child.  Sutter has some hard life lessons to learn and does so.  You truly want what's best for Sutter and often wonder if he will ever "get" it.  Find out if Aimee can rescue Sutter from himself or if he drowns in his own bottle.

14. Reconstructing Amelia by Kimberly McCreight

Kate is on her way to meet with the principal at her daughter's prep school in Brooklyn.  As she arrives, their are ambulances and police everywhere.  Parents, students,and teachers are all crying or in a panic.  She is finally allowed to enter the building not allowing herself to think this could be anything to do with her. Sadly, she is very mistaken.  Originally, Kate was asked to come to the school because her straight A student was accused of cheating, but now that doesn't matter because her Amelia is dead from jumping off the school building.  The torment, heartache, and devastation take their tole on Kate as she tries to continue living her life which doesn't feel like a life without Amelia.  Then she gets texts from blocked numbers saying she didn't really jump.  So after being told it was a suicide and a closed deal, Kate finds a detective willing to work with her and they embark on a journey that unveils the secrets of Amelia's life, the school she attends, and other people in Amelia's life that Kate never knew existed.  It is hard for Kate as she finds out more about her daughter than she ever thought possible such as a secret club with awful girls, a love for another girl, and loneliness from growing up with a workaholic mother and father she never knew.  This story is told from Amelia's and Kate's perspectives which gives you the inside of Amelia's mind the days leading up to her death.  Throughout the story you are confident in who killed her, and then at the end are blown away when you discover the truth.  This story is a true reminder of how important it is to communicate with our children, the awful effects of bullying, and what people are capable of during desperate times.  You also discover the strength and bond a mother and daughter have.  Kate did have the guilt of not knowing some hidden truths about her daughter, but Amelia loved her dearly and Kate could hold onto that.  Mother's everywhere will have a hard time with this one, but it is worth it, I promise.

Okay folks, that is all for now.  Go get your reading on!  :)

If I Stay will Stay in Your Heart

Wow.  I just read if I Stay by Gayle Forman and was going to wait until tomorrow to post about it, but I couldn't wait.  This was a book I couldn't put down no matter where I was, such as but not limited to: lunch breaks, waiting for a movie to start at the theater,  stop lights (ssshhhhh, our little secret), and any other chance I could get.

Mia is a 17 year old who wakes up one day with her amazing team of a family.  Dad is a post punk rock band guy turned teacher, mom is the rock of the family with an edgy demeanor but soft spot for all things her family.  What I love most about Mia's parents is their love for music which is apparent in their children.  Now, Mia's parents are the rockers of the family, so you'd expect Mia to follow, especially given that she is a teenager.  Not a chance. Mia is a classical gal who plays a mean cello.  The cello is not just a part of her, but who she is. 

As the day continues, you are introduced to her adorable little brother who idolizes her and you find out later the reason for their powerful connection.  Then enters Adam.  The love of her life.  What's unique about their relationship is what bonded them together.....music.  Even though Adam is similar to her parents with his passion for punk rock,  he appreciates all music and their first date illustrates how music can truly move you no matter what sprectum you may fall on.

I hesitate in telling you what happens next as it was a horrific point in Mia's life.  This Juliard bound girl with the world at her hands and an amazing support system for a family gets in a car accident.  Her mother and father are taken from her instantly.  Mia is left in a coma witnessing the evens that transpire after the accident from afar.  She is there when her loved ones beg her to stay and later tell her it's okay if she can't hold on anymore.

Mia now has a choice. Does she fight to stay?  As each day passes, she becomes tired, and peaceful with the idea of dying.   Her parents are gone and living without them is too painful.  She knows everyone will be okay and eventually live their lives.  

This was one of those reads that left me laughing outloud, shedding a few tears, and getting those goosebumps only a great book can provide.  Find out what Mia decides.

Gone Girl

We like to think when we meet a person and begin "courting" if you will, that each individual shows their best side.  Known to many as the honeymoon phase. Eventually this subsides and we see the good, the bad, and the ugly.   When you can truly get a person and appreciate their positive qualities, while accepting their flaws, and are still willing to wake up to them every morning for the rest of your life, than you truly have found your person.  But what if this person isn't who you think he/she is and you don't find out until 5 years into the marriage?

This is what happens to Nick and Amy Dunne in Gone Girl,  by Gillian Flynn.  On their 5th wedding anniversary, Amy is missing.  All that is left of her is a crime scene with large amounts of blood,  a scavenger hunt she set up for her husband which she does every year, and a diary retelling the past 5 years of their lives.

Their story will leave you wondering if Nick could really kill his wife and who both partners really were.  This is a must read as it is filled with plot twists that always leave you wondering what will happen next.   Find out what happens to the Amazing Amy Dunne.

The Hunger Games Catching Fire Will Catch Your Eye

The government uses fear in order to have control of its people. Sound familiar?  I think that is one of the appealing aspects of this series.    This concept is not so far fetched from our imaginations to seem unrealistic. 
I have heard from various readers of The Hunger Games Trilogy and agree that the movie held true to the text as much as possible.  (To be honest,  though, I hate when people pitch fits when one does not match exactly with the other. You create your own movie in your mind when reading a good book,  so let's calm ourselves a bit when movies don't fit all 300+ pages of details.) I digress.
For those who haven't read the books. This movie is one with a gripping tale of a girl who just wants what is fair but continues to upset the wrong people because she encompasses what can hurt the control established which is hope. Hope to fight what is far from just and hope for a better life. You cry with her as lives are taken, encourage her when it seems her path can't get any worse, and are left in antipation of what is next to come.  
Don't forget her torn heart.  Does the boy who she fights to protect  have her heart or the boy she's known her whole life?  Not even Catniss can figure this one out as her mind is too occupied with protecting the lives of those she loves while trying to survive another round of Hunger Games that are much more serious than previous if, you can imagine.  
This is a must see as the stakes are higher and I promise you will be left needing to see the next movie whether you are a reader of the series, or simply a lover of movies.