BasedOnBooks: Period Dramas

If there is one thing I love more than books, it's movies based on books. Especially period/costume dramas. As you probably have concluded from my previous posts, Jane Austen is huge favourite of mine and so are the movie adaptations of her novels. It is a magical thing seeing the characters you love come to life on the movie screen.

Here is a list of my top three favourite period dramas based on books.

3. Atonement - Ian McEwan
James McAvoy really made his mark on this film as a potential leading actor and his performance in it is pretty incredible. Saoirse Ronan, likewise, put in a terrific performance. It's hard to believe she was just 12 years old, but not at all hard to believe that she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress. The cast overall is terrific - you have Vanessa Redgrave, Keira Knightley (again), Romola Garai and Benedict Cumberbatch all turning in huge performances. But what makes the story resonate so much is how it's told. If you haven't seen it, I don't want to give it away, but it's probably one of the most heartbreaking endings you can see. Get the tissues ready, in other words.

2. North & South - Elizabeth Gaskell
This series operates on many levels. At the heart of the series is the tempestuous relationship between Margaret Hale, a young woman from a southern middle class family who finds herself uprooted to the north, and John Thornton, a formerly poverty-stricken cotton mill owner terrified of losing the viability of his business. Around them are class struggles between the workers and mill owners and ideological struggles between the industrial North and the agrarian South. After moving North, Margaret's father befriends his student Mr. Thornton. Margaret has already formed her opinion of Mr. Thornton independently after seeing him treat his workers harshly. As the series progresses, she and we the audience begin to learn that his strict treatment is due to an overarching concern for his mill and by extension, his employees. John Thornton, on the other hand, is attracted to Margaret's independence and position in society as a well-educated Southerner. 

1. Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
There's a theory that you can't have a real period drama without a shot of a man's hands. And if you watch Pride & Prejudice through, you'll note that there are some weird, lingering shots of Matthew McFadyen's hands. I've no idea. Maybe people get off on hands. Either way, Pride & Prejudice is considered the best film version of the famous novel with Colin Firth's BBC-miniseries considered the best TV version. McFadyen's confined and restrained Mr. D'arcy is solid, as is Keira Knightley's Elizabeth Bennet. 

The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires

Let's take a look at the first book in the Half Moon Hollow series, The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires.

Iris Scanlon, Half-Moon Hollow's only daytime vampire concierge, knows more about the undead than she'd like. Running all their daylight errands, from letting in the plumber to picking up some chilled O neg, gives her a look at the not-so-glamorous side of vampire life. Her rules are strict; relationships with vamps are strictly business, not friendship, and certainly not anything else. But then she finds her newest client, Cal, poisoned on his kitchen floor, and only Iris can help.
   Cal, who would be devastatingly sexy, if Iris allowed herself to think that way, offers Iris a hefty fee for hiding him at her place until he figures out who wants him permanently dead. Even though he's imperious, unfriendly and doesn't seem to understand the difference between "employee" and "servant," Iris agrees, and finds herself breaking more and more of her own rules to help him, particularly those concerning nudity. Turns out what her quiet little life needed was some intrigue & romance, in the form of her very own stray vampire.

I'm still not over my vampire crush...have a nice weekend!

Mr. Darcy

Some of my favourite quotes from Mr. Darcy that show the complexity in his character and the mixed feelings he is having towards Ms. Bennet.

In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you.

Darcy tells Elizabeth that he loves her ARDENTLY but is he in fact saying that she is beneath him and that she should be grateful that he even glances her way?

I was given good principles, but left to follow them in pride and conceit. 

Did Darcy actually admit that some of his pride might not have been justified?

What are your favourite Darcy quotes? Would fall in love with Darcy if he lived during this century?

Young Adult: Hush, Hush

I love YA-books! This series, by Becca Fitzpatrick, about fallen angels, high school and forbidden feelings is just right up my alley! 

Nora Grey was never interested in love and guys. But then she met Patch, with his charming smile and mesmerizing old eyes. But soon Nora realizes that Patch's secrets are larger and more dangerous than she had ever dreamed of. As a mere mortal caught between the infinite and the fallen, she must choose sides - and the wrong choice will cost her life.

I've read three books, Hush, Hush, Crescendo and Silence, but still haven't gotten around to read the fourth book Finale. Have you read the series? What do you think? Are angels the new vampires? Or am I way off base on this?

Netflix: A.K.A Jessica Jones

I'm not that familiar with the Marvel character A.K.A Jessica Jones. But now that Netflix is creating a series around her, with Krysten Ritter in a starring role and Daredevil being such an amazing show, I've become pretty excited. To my utter delight the marvelous David Tennant is playing Kilgrave.

The premise of show is that following the tragic end to her superhero career, Jessica Jones tries to rebuild her life as a private eye, dealing with cases involving people with remarkable abilities in New York City. 

This kind of reminds me of another show that is up for a "remake", Heroes: Reborn, with Jack Coleman running around trying to help people with extraordinary abilities.

Are you excited for this show? 

List: Historical Romance Novels

I've made a list of historical romance novels, some which I've read and some which I want to read. I thought this could be a treat for those who love Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. These novels have simliar themes, and steamy scenes, to Outlander. They're perfect for those of us who have read all the novels available in the Outlander series and are up to date with the TV show.  Any preferences?

1. The Queen of the Tearling - Erika Johansen
2. The Fortune Hunter - Daisy Goodwin
3. The Midnight Witch - Paula Brackston
4. Mine Till Midnight - Lisa Kleypas
5. Passion - Lisa Valdez
6. Hemlock - N.J Layouni

Discworld: Snuff

Time for me to revisit my favourite character in Discworld, Commander Sam Vimes! I've had this for a couple of years but for some reason I haven't got around reading it.

I think it's because I like to enjoy my time with Commander Vimes and not hurry through the story just so I can see where it ends. The beauty of a Terry Pratchett novel isn't the ending, it's the path that leads to it.

Do you have a favourite Discworld character/book? Why?

BasedOnBooks: Twilight

I know...I know...Twilight isn't a literary masterpiece and nor were the movies. The love story of Edward and Bella took a backseat to the real-life romance of Robert and Kristen. To be honest, their love story was at times even more interesting (I'm looking at you Eclipse/New Moon) than the whole Edward/Bella/Jacob triangle.

This book series that got turned into a movie franchise actually ended up earning millions for Stephanie Meyer and the movie studios.

Plot: Girl moves to new town. Meets a boy who turns out to be vampire. Befriends another boy, who can turn into a wolf. Girl acts like she has a tough time picking either boy.

Summary: Everyone gets a happy ending, except for the people that died. Lame and stupid book.

I wonder if people will look back in a hundred years and go "Twilight...what a brilliant piece of literature". I doubt it.

My copy of the series, waste of space in my bookshelf.

Prudence

I'm reading Prudence at a slow pace on a sunny yet chilly day. I feel like I've taken my time with this book. Mainly because I've been busy with my studies and also because I can't enjoy a book when there are too many things spinning around in my head. How has your Monday been?

Game of Thrones Season 5

The fifth season of Game of Thrones begins tonight. This is actually one of the few shows my husband and I watch together since we don't have similar tastes in movies/series. 

But someone has already leaked the first four episodes of the season online, which is a shame because half the thrill of GOT is the wait between episodes. 

I hope I won't be reading any spoilers any time soon. That would ruin the whole season for me! Are you excited for the new season? Who do you think will stand victorious at the end of this season?

Monstrous Regiment

The book that made me fall in love with Discworld and introduced me to Sam Vimes, my favourite character.

Got it as a gift from a friend in high school, sad to say we lost touch many years ago. Who is your favourite character from Discworld?

Netflix: Daredevil

Finally! Netflix has released the complete first season. I know what I will be doing this weekend! For those of you that aren't familiar with Daredevil I have a small summary below.

Charlie Cox stars as Matt Murdock / Daredevil, a lawyer-by-day who fights crime at night. The series chronicles the character's early days fighting crime, juxtaposed with the rise of crime lord Wilson Fisk, played byVincent D'Onofrio. Besides these phenomenal actors the show also stars Deborah Ann Woll from True Blood.

Outlander

Many years ago when I was a real bookworm, I spent more time at the library than at home, I saw a thick book lying on one of the study tables in the silent section at the library. There was a note in it saying "Best love story EVER. Read it. Trust me". So I did read it and I loved it. Jamie Fraser was one hot character and Diana Gabaldon created a wonderful world.

The best part is that the network Starz has now created a show about Claire and Jamie called Outlander! The show tells the story of Claire Randall, a married combat nurse from 1945 who is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743, where she is immediately thrown into an unknown world where her life is threatened. When she is forced to marry Jamie Fraser, a chivalrous and romantic young Scottish warrior, a passionate relationship is ignited that tears Claire's heart between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

Read it, you won't regret it!

My Favourite Writers

This is a list of some of my favourite writers in no specific order. 

I've included my favourite novel in italics.

• Jane Austen (Persuasion)
• Shakespeare (Much Ado About Nothing)
• Paulo Coelho (By The River Piedra I Sat Down And Wept)
• Stephen King (The Green Mile)
• Iraj Pezeshkzad (My Uncle Napoleon)
• Bali Rai (Rani & Sukh)
• Terry Pratchett (Night Watch)
• Neil Gaiman (Good Omen)
• Roald Dahl (Matilda)
• Haruki Murakami (Kafka on The Shore)

As you can conclude I'm not a one genre type of reader ;)

Netflix: Bloodline

Kyle Chandler!!! He has been my celebrity crush since his series "Early Edition". 

I love Bloodline and I love the fact that Netflix released the complete first season right away. 

Some people have been very critical towards this show because of the pilot episode, but it is like a fine wine. You have to have patience and wonderful things will happen. The twists and turns the plot takes leaves the viewer baffled. 

It is a real treat for a connoisseurs of drama shows. Give it a chance and you won't regret it.

The Accidental Series

Four years ago I started reading the Accidental Series by Dakota Cassidy and I felt that I had found an author that would give what I wanted from the paranormal genre. Lot's of steamy lovemaking and fun from start to finish. Then I found Dakota Cassidy's Youtube channel and I couldn't stop laughing. The woman was absolutely nuts and amazing. I don't know what happened but I stopped reading the series after book number three. At the moment the series consists of NINE books. Talk about not wanting to let go of your characters Dakota. I'm thinking about reading the rest of series, are the books worth it?

The Accidental Werewolf
When Marty Andrews gets bitten by a mangy mutt while walking her teacup poodle, her blond hair darkens, the hair on her legs starts growing at an alarming rate, and her mood swings put her dream job as a sales rep for Bobbie-Sue Cosmetics in serious jeopardy.
Then a drool-worthy man shows up at her door claiming that he accidentally bit Marty. And since he's a werewolf, she is now, too. Thinking Keegan Flaherty is clearly insane, Marty refuses to believe a word until a kidnapping makes her realize there's more at stake than just her highlights. And she must put her out-of-control life in the hands of the man who makes her blood run wild in more ways than one...

The Accidental Vampire

Nina Blackman has a tough first day on the job. She gets bitten by a patient who had just come out to the recovery room. He was certainly cute, but Nina does not like to be bitten. She wakes the next morning with fangs, enhanced senses and an unquenchable thirst for blood. Luckily she and vampire patient, named Greg, seem Made for Each Other. (Greg is actually my favourite male lead in this series).

The Accidental Human

Wanda Schwartz sells cosmetics at home parties. It is a particularly female world, so Wanda gets a tad shocked when a man - and a hunk additionally - pops up. The shock is followed by the revelation that she suffers from a fatal disease. It does not mean the end. She has both werewolves and vampires in the circle of acquaintances who can give her an afterlife of the ordinary. But it requires a bit of thought. And in the midst of all this reveals the beauty from the sales party, Heath, that he loves her.

Reading Time

I alternate between reading A Dance of Cloaks and Prudence. I feel like I'm more inclined towards reading Prudence. Maybe it is because I've read the series about her mother and have a stronger connection to her than A Dance of Cloaks. We will see. Time will tell which series I prefer in the end.

Into The Woods

Into the Woods is a modern twist on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales. This humorous musical intertwines Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rapunzel. It is about a baker and his wife, their desire to start a family and the witch who put a curse on them.

I know this movie has been out a while, but it actually premieres today in Sweden. Anna Kendrick is a far way from the Twilight movies and that's good for her. We know she can sing (Pitch Perfect) so this shouldn't be such a challenging role for her. I'm looking forward to watching it and I hope it's better than Cinderella with Lily James. Such a shame...