This Week in Review – Aug. 1
what else i did: saw if i stay
This one gets a category of its own: I went to an early screening of the If I Stay movie! AHHH! Those who want my honest thoughts, read on. Those who don’t want to know anything, skip to the next category!
(Book friends at the movies!)
I liked it, but I’m not sure I loved it. I think I adored the book so so so very much, there is no way the movie could have lived up to my emotional connection to the book.
I came in expecting to cry, but didn’t until the last 20 minutes or so. Which means I kept thinking “What’s wrong with me? Am I a robot?!?!” instead of focusing on the movie.
A few lines came off a little cheesy, and Mia spent too much time in voiceovers, running around the hospital. The movie itself is very well done and the acting superb — but there’s just not much anyone can do to help voiceovers match the emotional intensity you get when reading the character’s words, directly from them, in the narration of a book.
The setting was beautiful. Mia’s parents and Kim and Teddy were all PERFECTION. The scene with Gramps stole the show (and made me cry so hard tears went down into my bra). Adam was just WOW. Even their hand-holding had fireworks-level chemistry for me. And based on how amazing the Mia/Adam fight scenes were…OMG if they ever make Where She Went.
The day after, I kept finding myself thinking back on perfect Mia/Adam moments, which I think shows you that the movie really captured the spirit of the book in beautiful little ways.
There were a few minor changes from the book, but none that would bother anyone. I think you’ll all really enjoy it and you should absolutely go see it! But be warned that friends you drag along who haven’t read the book might not have the emotional reaction you want them to have. We’ll see!
After the showing, Gayle Forman and Chloe Grace Moretz (Mia) did a Q&A. What fun what fun! Pardon the blur:
books i added to my shelves
I am aware that this week’s post features a ridiculous amount of books and I am spoiled beyond words. But I’m also thankful beyond words to everyone who shared these stories with me (Little Brown Books for Young Readers, HarperTeen, Balzer Bray, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, Doubleday, Ecco and Point)!
For my Kindle:
I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Geek Girl by Heidi Smale
My Hearts and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga
The Last Time We Say Goodbye by Cynthia Hand
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
The Distance Between Lost and Found by Kathryn Holmes
A Wicked Thing by Rhiannon Thomas
Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes
Everything That Makes You by Moriah McStay
Print copies:
Winterspell by Claire Legrand
Close Your Eyes, Hold Hands by Chris Bohjalian
The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton
Famous Last Words by Katie Alender
Rumble by Ellen Hopkins
And, purchased for myself (I CANNOT WAIT): Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead
books i read
Only one (Riding the Wave by Lorelie Brown) because I started, like, three books and put them all down halfway through. Ugh! The one I read was an adult romance novel recommended by friends but I didn’t really care for. But at least I finished it!
Hope you have a lovely weekend. Let me know what you’re reading and if you’re going to go see the If I Stay movie!
