Suburgatory: A TV Pilot Review + An Advance Viewing

Last week I received a bag of goodies in the mail. At first I was confused, what were they for and then I read the note from Dallas Royce and saw the card about an advance screening of Suburgatory which is a new fall tv show from ABC I was excited for!

Oddly enough I was really into some of the things in the bag, what does that say about me, yeah I'm from the suburbs. :)

 Because I was already so excited to see this new sitcom I sat right down and watched the pilot episode and let me tell you, it did not disappoint, I actually liked it even more than I thought I would.

The show features Tessa (I love her look of disgust) and her father George (Jeremy Sisto as a father?! It's crazy, when I think of him I think of Clueless and Six Feet Under, definitely not a father but it somehow works) who move from NYC to the suburbs. 

I found it to be a wonderful fish out of water story filled with sarcastic dialogue and narration, perfect suburban imagery and a whole bunch of laughs. If you like Mean Girls you'll love this!

One of my favorite characters is Dahlia (in the leopard print skirt) who has some of the funniest lines and deadpans them perfectly. Basically this show was awesome and if the creators can keep it going full steam ahead they are going to have a great show on their hands!

Are you interested? Here's the trailer:

 

While the show doesn't premiere until tomorrow (This Wednesday at 8:30/7:30 Central on ABC) I am able to share a code that allows you to watch the episode right now! If you can't tell I'd definitely recommend it!

To view, visit www.abc.com/suburgatoryscreening 

Enter Code: pWNlhSSKa

If you check out the show, now or when it premieres stop back and let me know what you think! This Fall TV season is turning out to be something great!

This Week In Books

Young Artists Draw Manga by Christopher Hart (Just showed up review copy)
Missed Connections: Love, Lost & Found by Sophie Blackall (Accepted review copy-already read this, and boy I loved it!)
Embrace by Jessica Shirvington (Just showed up review copy)

The Lying Game by Sara Shepard

Earlier this summer when I found out the Lying Game was being made into a ABC Family show jut like the author's other series, Pretty Little Liars, I squealed with glee. And while I didn't finish the book before the show started it got me going on it.

For anyone else that has read the first 8 books in the Pretty Little Liars series there is a sort of funny connection (I think) between this series and that one, anyone else notice that? Anyhow onto the story... this is another mystery that involves a set of twins, one living and one dead (?) whom both narrate. The living twin, Emma ends up taking over her sister's life and tries to figure out what happened to her sister Sutton, who is basically a ghost who has no memory of what happened to her.

This first book in the series is very much a set up for the whole series (Just like the first PLL book) so not a ton is revealed or really happens for that matter but I'm really excited to see where it goes. I love the whole concept of the Lying Game, which is actually a game and I hope we get to learn more about that in the upcoming books.

And if you are interested I would definitely suggest the tv show, right now I think I might like that a little more than the book but of course everything happens faster on tv! ;P As it stands now the show is a little different than the book but we'll see how it plays out!

The Lying Game was released on December 7th 2010
Genre: Young Adult
3.5/5 Stars
Got copies from several places!

This Year In Movies: July & August

The last two months I watched a lot of stuff, in July 12 movies and 4 tv shows and in August  5 movies and 6 tv shows. A lot of it was just ok so I'm just going to talk about the ones I have something to say about.


JULY:

Due Date

It's Kind of a Funny Story-I remember this one being kind of interesting.

Country Strong

Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist-Rewatch!

Monk Season 7-I got back into my Monk kick from a few months ago!

Napolean Dynamite-Rewatch

Monk Season 8

Just Go With It-This was sort of fun.

The Other Woman

Scott Pilgrim-Rewatch

Hall Pass

Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallow Part 2-Definitely not my favorite of the series but it did what it had to just like the book did.


Red Riding Hood-A lot of smoke and mirrors and not enough meat.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules-I love the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies, I think this is my new favorite book to movie series!

Life Unexpected Season 1-The people on this show fight so much I'm sort of glad they canceled it, it was stressful!

Life Unexpected Season 2

AUGUST:

The Hard Times of RJ Berger Season 1-I wanted to try out an MTV show, now that they don't really play music anymore, it was better than I thought it would be but still weird.

Dilema

My Future Boyfriend- I finally tried Netflix Instant View on my iPad and sort of fell in love with it!

Revenge of the Bridesmaids

Rio-  This was a cute movie!

The Hard Times of RJ Berger Season 2

Jersey Shore Season 1- I cannot believe I even watched this. I've been curious for years and once I started I couldn't stop!

Arthur

Jersey Shore Season 2

Jersey Shore Season 3

10 Things I Hate About You Season 1- When I heard about this show I decided I would never watch it, why mess with a classic right? But then I saw it on Netflix Instant View and gave it a try, and actually it was really good and different enough. Too bad it got canceled!

This Week in Books

All purchased at Borders, apparently it is closing in 10 days. :(

29 by Adena Halpern
The Book of Even More Awesome by Neil Pasricha
The English American by Alison Larkin
You Dropped a Blonde on Me by Dakota Cassidy

This Week In Books

Just Showed Up for Review Copies:
Ingenue by Jillian Larkin
The Project by Brian Falkner
The Game of Triumphs by Laura Powell
Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay
Tiffany's Table Manners For Teenagers by Walter Hoving
Hooked by Catherine Greenman
Reaching Through Time: Three Novellas by Lurlene McDaniel
The Poison Diaries: Nightshade by Maryrose Wood
Fabulous Finds by J. Lee Drexler & James R. Cohen

This Week in Books or The Last Few Weeks

Just Showed Up Review Copies:
The Dark Glamour by Gabriella Pierce 
The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt Jr
The pace Between by Brenna Yovanoff
Bloodlines by Richelle Mead (came with a cute bag, flower and tattoos)
Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber
Jesus, My Father, The CIA and Me by Ian Morgan Cron
The Seduction of Scandal by Cathy Maxwell
Bronxwood by Coe Booth
Underdogs by Markus Zusak

Purchased at Target:
Never Have I Ever by Sara Shepard

Borders (3 trips to 2 Borders): :(
How to Knit a Heart Back Home by Rachael Herron
How Did You Get This Number by Sloane Crosley
Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
P.S. I Made This by Erica Domesek
Semi-Sweet by Roisin Meaney
The Corporate Creative by Andy Epstein
Been There, Done That by Carol Snow
The Icing on the Cupcake by Jennifer Ross
Small Town Sinners by Melissa Walker
Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Lookalikes 143

 The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

 The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner

Shadowman by Erin Kellison

Here is another interesting one, B +  C = A basically! While Shadowman isn't an exact match it's very similar to the girl on The Name of the Star. My vote instantly goes to The Silver Blade.  The other two have too much going on for me and have a mixed bag of elements on their covers that make me stop and go "Huh?"

Thanks to Khy and Gail who helped me piece together this puzzle! 

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

The Lying Game Sneak Peek

Yesterday I found a package on my front step containing a copy of Sara Shepard's The Lying Game. But since it was sent by ABC Family I figured it was no ordinary copy so I flipped it open.

At first glance I didn't notice anything inside of the book beyond that note until I sat down and slowly started flipping the pages. I noticed that certain letters were underlined.

Turned out the message read "Search Secret Sneak Peek on YouTube."

My search revealed this video! I'm so excited to read the books and watch the show! Are you?

#NinePaths Question Answered by Grace Phipps (Amy)

When the Nine Paths game ended I had the opportunity to ask Grace Phipps who plays Amy a question! Here is her answer!

Are you guys watching The Nine Lives of Chloe King? Are you enjoying it! I've been enjoying the show so far! I love how a normal girl can one day all of a sudden basically kick everyone's butts if she needs to! I like how she's been using her powers to help her friends and people in need!

Anyone excited for the new ABC Family show, The Lying Game? Even thought I haven't read the book yet, I popped out today to buy the second book! I want to read it before the show starts on the 15th! Fingers crossed!

This Week in Books Or Really, Recently In Books

My intake of books has been rather slow lately so I decided to hold off posting for a few weeks. It's rather nice because all that getting rid of piles of books recently really took it out of me so seeing them not pile up up again has been great!

Shelter by Harland Coben (Just Showed Up Review Copy)

The Probability of Miracles by Wendy Wunder (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
When She Woke by Hillary Jordan (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Craft-In edited by Kathleen McCafferty (Purchased at a local craft store)

New England Knits by Cecily Glowik MacDonald and Melissa LaBarre (Purchased on KnitPicks.com)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins + A Chance to Win Lola

Unless you are living under a rock you probably have heard at least a little something about Anna and the French Kiss. Maybe how squee worthy St Clair is or how it is the best type contemporary fiction out there. And you know I'd definitely agree with all of that. It was just a fun book but not a fun book you'd just brush off and go on your way, a fun book that stays with you. If every book had just a little bit of Anna's magic that would be a dream come true.

I really adored the setting of this book, boarding school in Paris, can you say jealous? I know I can. It sets the stage for Anna and what a beautiful stage it is. And St Clair, what a sweet character. I really think this book could become a wonderful movie. All the lusting these kids do it's crazy!

I'm going to keep this review brief but I wanted to touch on the very few things that bothered me in the book, I thought Anna cried a bit too much, I mean yes she's a teen, far away from home and going through some emotional stuff, but still. Too much. And the way something played out (vague to avoid spoilers), I wasn't so happy with it, but oh well.

Luckily I've had the chance to read Stephanie Perkin's next book, Lola and the Boy Next Door, the companion to Anna and I like it even more! Ahh Stephanie Perkin's has a gift and I hope she never stops using it.

Anna and the French Kiss was released on December 2nd 2010
Genre: Young Adult
4.5/5 Stars
Review copy provided by the publisher

Speaking of Lola, I have an extra copy I want to give away to one of you!

Here's how to enter to be the winner of an ARC of Lola and the Boy Next Door !

Fill out the entry form here.

Entries left in the comments of this post will not be counted.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

You must be 13 years or older to enter this contest.

The giveaway will end August 17th at 6:59 pm Central Time.

I'm asking for your address straight up.  I will also email you so you know you have won. I will delete the spreadsheet once I have got the winner's information.  

GIVEAWAY: One Day Prize Pack

Anyone else really excited to see One Day. Truthfully I got the book awhile back and still haven't read it but I'm so excited by the concept of the book it's hard to believe it won't be at least a little awesome as a book and a movie!

Synopsis

Twenty years…two people. Directed by Lone Scherfig (director of “An Education,” Academy Award-nominated for Best Picture), the motion picture “One Day” is adapted for the screen by David Nicholls from his beloved bestselling novel One Day. After one day together – July 15th, 1988, their college graduation – Emma Morley (Academy Award nominee Anne Hathaway) and Dexter Mayhew (Jim Sturgess of “Across the Universe”) begin a friendship that will last a lifetime. She is a working-class girl of principle and ambition who dreams of making the world a better place. He is a wealthy charmer who dreams that the world will be his playground. For the next two decades, key moments of their relationship are experienced over several July 15ths in their lives. Together and apart, we see Dex and Em through their friendship and fights, hopes and missed opportunities, laughter and tears. Somewhere along their journey, these two people realize that what they are searching and hoping for has been there for them all along. As the true meaning of that one day back in 1988 is revealed, they come to terms with the nature of love and life itself.

In theaters August 19th.

Here's how to enter to 1 of 2 winners of the One Day prize pack!

Fill out the entry form here.

Entries left in the comments of this post will not be counted.

The giveaway is open to addresses within the U.S.

You must be 13 years or older to enter this contest.

The giveaway will end August 1st at 6:59 pm Central Time.

I'm asking for your address straight up.  I will also email you so you know you have won. I will delete the spreadsheet once I have got the winner's information.  

The prize pack includes:


*Autographed* copies of the book (movie tie-in edition, paperback, signed by David Nicholls)
Clear cosmetic case
Necklace
Moleskin Journal

 Prizing values: $30.95 per pack

Giveaway provided by Focus Features

 

 Official Website
Readers Guide
Novel Featurette:

Lookalikes 142

 French Lessons by Ellen Sussman

The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright

Similar setting with a different pose. Usually I like symmetrical things in my design but in this case the symmetry in The Forgotten Waltz is kind of boring so my vote goes to French Lessons. I also really like the type treatment on that cover.

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

Weekly Dose of Crafts

Tami told me a few weeks ago about the Year of Projects and I thought it was a really neat idea! While I'm not really joining I started to make a list of things I would like to accomplish with my yarn crafts over the next year. This is my list:

Finish some WIPS (I have 23 right now) and specifically:
Finish 1 of my 3 WIP blankets
Finish 1 of 2 pairs of WIP socks
Make a pair of socks from Knit Picks Felici
Make a garment
Learn a new technique (like Entrelac or Brioche)
Utilize my books, magazines and booklets to make something (I have a lot)

Speaking of Tami, did you guys know she started a Raverly Group? And in that Raverly group we are going to do a Knit Along! I'm really excited!

Can I also say how happy I am that I am back to crafting!!! Onto a few WIPS, I'm working on a bunch of my existing WIPS but here are the highlights.

What's this purple thing you may ask? Well last weekend in a newsletter from a local craft shop that I love I noticed an upcoming class for a Knitted Tank Top. I've really been wanting to make a garment but wanted my hand to be held a little so this turned out to be the perfect opportunity. My first class was last Wednesday!

Yarn used:

Blue Sky Alpaca Worsted Cotton in Hycinth

 I received my stack of Berroco booklets a few weeks ago and 3 skeins of Boboli for this pattern. I started on it right away! I know it's going to take me forever and a day to finish but it's so pretty!

Yarn Used:

Berroco Boboli Bon Bon

A side note, last weekend I worked an entire color sequence on my Ripple blanket so I thought it was fitting to use it as a background here! I love how that pattern sucks up yarn!

I've been getting some new crafty magazines and such lately so I wanted to share a picture of some of that as well. Does anyone else adore Knitscene? I think it's my favorite Knitting magazine! Also last weekend I found out about this Mollie Makes magazine out of the UK and literally rushed out of the house a few minutes later to purchase a copy at Joann's. I'm sad I missed the first issue but I'm glad that Joann's will be carrying the magazine! 

I've been contemplating getting the KnitPicks Nickel set of interchangables, and luckily enough the store that I'm taking my garment class at carries some of their needles and notions and I couldn't wait any any longer and picked up a set!

One final thing, someone at work is having a baby very soon and we are having a baby shower for her so I thought it might be fun to make some bibs for her baby as part of my present. I'm not sure how many I will have a chance to make but here is the first one!

For more crafty goodness be sure to stop over at WIP Wednesday! And find me on Raverly as mint910.

Hardcover vs Paperback 129

Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin

Hardcover

 

Paperback

Amazon.com:

Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange new girl in school, and the two soon become as close as sisters. Then Mallory's magnetic older brother, Ryland, shows up during their junior year. Ryland has an immediate hold on Phoebe - but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself. Soon Phoebe discovers the shocking truth about Ryland and Mallory: that they are from the faerie realm, here to collect on an age-old debt. And the price of that debt could cost Phoebe everything. But with the help of her friend Ben, Phoebe ultimately learns her own worth and breaks the generations-old curse.

I'm sort of torn on this one. I love the look of the Hardcover, a sort of down the rabbit hole look yet the eye contact on the paperback is fabulous. I wish we could have gotten that eye contact in the setting of the first.

Have you spotted a Hardcover vs. Paperback you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Year In Movies: June

6 movies for me in June.

No Strings Attached- Extremely predictable but cute. Fun seeing Natalie Portman in a chickflick.

The Tourist- This movie was kind of slow going but I adored the ending!

Tangled- I kept hearing how wonderful this movie was and thought I'd give it a try and it totally was!

Megamind- Also cute, reminded me a little of The Incredibles. Some laugh out loud moments.

The King's Speech- Finally saw this! It was enjoyable.

He's Just Not That Into You- Rewatch, I love movies that are told in vignettes.

This Week in Books or the Long Winded Post

For some reason I have a lot to say this week!

Twisted by Sara Shepard (Purchased at Borders-I actually committed the ultimate betrayal to get this book... I went to Borders, my beloved bookstore and they had run out apparently they didn't get their full shipment and when asked if I wanted them to order it for me, I told them I was going to Target, I really wanted the book THAT second! I have started it and am still so giddy there are more books in the series!)

Love Story by Jennifer Echols (Requested Review Copy-I LOVE her books and it was funny, right before it showed up in the mail someone let me know I was quoted in it, it was the same quote from Forget You!)

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson (Just Showed Up Review Copy-I sighed with happiness when I saw this cover, so much better than the US version)

Tighter by Adele Griffin (Duplicate Just Showed Up Review Copy- I don't usually show duplicates but it snuck in there.)

You Don't Know Me by Brian Meehl (Just Showed Up Review Copy)

Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Welcome to Bordertown by Various (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
Worst. Vampire. Ever. by Caissie St. Onge (Just Showed Up Review Copy)
My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher (Just Showed Up Review Copy)

Lookalikes 141

 The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan (Paperback)

Never Knowing by Chevy Stevens

In this case I like the Forest of Hands and Teeth better (though when it comes to that series I much prefer the first attempt at covers, they were so beautiful). The focus of Never Knowing doesn't do much for me.

Thanks to Book Chic who also spotted this lookalike!

Have you spotted a Lookalike you would like to contribute? Send me an email!

This Week in Books

Cherished by Kim Hargreaves (Purchased on Kyarns.com I was so excited to find this since I believe it is out of print. I also got a nice big stack of Berroco booklets!)

Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter (Just showed up review copy)
Dark Souls by Paula Morris (Just showed up review copy)