Every thought I had while watching To All the Boys: Always and Forever [SPOILERS]

Okay, so I’ve done this for the first two movies so I figured I should be consistent and do the last movie as well (first movie, second movie). As a disclaimer, I have always been and will always be #TeamJohnAmbrose despite the fact that Lara Jean doesn’t deserve him so you won’t find any fawning over Peter K in this post. Alright. Let us begin.

• I love that Tree and Mr. Covey are also in Korea with the girls.
• Okay Korean food. Yum.
• Kitty coming in hot with the fart jokes and being perfect Kitty. For record, I completely agree with her that Lara Jean is being wildly over-dramatic about being apart from Peter for one week (eye roll).
• Okay Lara Jean reading P&P. Who reads like that? Literally sitting straight up.
• I do appreciate that Lara Jean really looks like she’s Facetiming Peter. A lot of times in movies they do a fake video call which you can tell is fake because there’s no tiny screen showing the person’s face as they’re making their call…does that even make sense?
• Lara Jean struggling with her identity in Korea really resonates with me. I have people coming up to me all the time thinking I can speak another language when I can’t.
• LARA JEAN IS SO EXTRA I CANNOT HANDLE HER FUTURE MONTAGE.
• Okay but actually the girls looking for their mom’s lock is actually going to make me cry (maybe because I’m full of postpartum hormones, but whatever).
• Kitty with a crush might be my new favorite Kitty though.
• Ah. I’d actually forgotten that the Coveys had been relocated to Oregon so this map was actually helpful.
• How did Peter get in their house. But his “Welcome Home” banner is super relatable.
• Why is Peter acting like it hurts to take off a facemask?
• John Corbett would have a real good disappointed face.
• Chris! My second favorite character in this movie!
• There are not words to describe how happy I am to have graduated high school before promposals really became a thing. Wait. Is this a prom movie.
• I don’t really know why Chris is asking Lara Jean what she thinks about prom. Obvi Lara Jean already has like five Pinterest boards about it.
• LARA JEAN DISSING ON OASIS IS NOT OKAY.
• Not a fan of this “Wannabe” remake especially after Lara Jean crapped all over 90’s music.
• Kitty, Chris, and Gogo are the voices of reason and Lara Jean needs to let them rub off on her at least a little bit.
• YOU ARE A MESS LARA JEAN.
• Classic texting the wrong person. And of course it will be impossible to tell the truth for some strange reason.
• NO PETER K NO.
• This whole situation would be so easy to resolve. Literally a ten second convo.
• Fastest pancakes ever.
• Tree is a better woman than me. I would NOT want to deal with someone else’s angsty teenage daughter.
• Tree is looking at Lara Jean like she’s crazy because SHE IS. JUST TELL THE TRUTH.
• Shouldn’t Kitty be in school too? Why isn’t Kitty in school?
• Kitty missing Lara Jean a 4 is also super relatable.
• I’m a fan of these animations.
• These school chaperones are incredibly irresponsible if they’re getting so drunk that they don’t notice a couple of students leaving the hotel.
• But those cupcakes do look REAL good.
• JUST TELL HIM LARA JEAN.
• From what I remember, Peter’s being a lot more understanding than he was in the book.
• Okay, Lucas is also a star. But also, Trevor presenting Chris with a Subway bouquet is perfect and amazing.
• Ah. So here’s the moment that Lara Jean falls in love with NYU.
• I’m glad that Gen is actually being nice to Lara Jean these days.
• But actually, how are they just taking off to go to a college party but they couldn’t switch tour groups?
• This is not like any college parties I went to…but I guess I didn’t go to college in NYC.
• Lara Jean going to NYU does not seem as meaningful as her falling in love with her mom’s alma mater.
• But stealing a pink couch does feel like classic college hijinks.
• Moody Peter K is the worst.
• Lawls at Lara Jean dumping out her suitcase onto the floor while Gogo is carefully folding her laundry.
• Lara Jean’s room is insane. Her closet is huge.
• How did Lara Jean get a bowling shirt with Peter’s name stitched on it so quickly?
• Cringe at Peter K kissing the bowling ball. So many germs *shudders*.
• Ah. What are the odds that Peter’s dad would be at the bowling alley too?
• Yes Kitty. A valid reason to break up with someone. (Also, her sassing her dad is perfect).
• JOHN CORBETT IS THE BEST DAD.
• I don’t understand how Lara Jean getting into Berkeley makes it easier for them to explore San Fran than if they were both going to Stanford…
• Just seeing the “Class of 2021” banners everywhere. Guess this is an alternate reality where COVID doesn’t exist. Wait…was this filmed before COVID?
• YOU CAN’T MAKE BIG LIFE DECISIONS BASED ON A BOY LARA JEAN
• Good callback on the shoes.
• What are Chris and Trevor talking about in the background?
• Mint chocolate cake…? Come on Mr. Covey.
• I don’t know that a public place was the best place to give Peter K the NYU news, but hey, at least she told him.
• Oh dang. Peter’s going to feel like Lara Jean isn’t choosing him.
• Took you long enough with that whipped cream, Joan.
• Lucas. What a guy. The best hype man.
• Ouch. Come on Kitty. Baseball is great!
• SHOTS FIRED, KITTY. Honestly, she’s totally right and Lara Jean needs to calm the heck down about this wedding that IS NOT HERS.
• I’d love for Chris to go out the window in her prom dress. She is an icon.
• What do we have to do to get a Chris/Trevor movie? 10/10 would watch.
• This seems so much fancier than my prom.
• How are none of these teens ruining their formal wear with this reckless dancing?
• Lara Jean is being SO DRAMATIC rn. She did not need to be a downer.
• Stop. Stop. Stop. So awkward. EVERYONE IS IN THE HOUSE.
• Lara Jean can’t pretend that what Peter’s saying is completely baseless here.
• Chris is the best friend and Lara Jean doesn’t deserve her.
• Ummm…did Chris just make a Community reference? Because if so, I love her even more.
• Kitty. Just always doing what she thinks is best for Lara Jean. (And book Kitty would not actually miss Lara Jean a 12. More like a 1.2).
• Joan has impeccable timing (except with that whipped cream earlier).
• I liked how Gogo’s boyfriend is just there with no introductions or explanations.
• I was going to say that I’m glad Lara Jean is letting herself enjoy the wedding instead of sulking in a corner but…there she is. In a corner. Sulking.
• What if John Ambrose was just in the tent? Because he’s perfect and wouldn’t care about Lara Jean going to NYU. He’d probably go with her tbh.
• Dang this montage from movies past is really doing Noah Centineo dirty. He looks so scrawny in the first movie!
• But also, Peter just pretending like he wasn’t in love with Gen for half of high school.
• STILL NOT A GOOD IDEA, GUYS. STILL PEOPLE IN THE HOUSE.
• Look at Lara Jean with her college girl haircut!
• Lara Jean, YOU ARE EXACTLY LIKE THOSE OTHER COUPLES.
• Okay, here’s the thing. Not all high school relationships last and THAT’S OKAY (not the end of the world).

Alright, so that’s over. Here’s the thing. The movie wasn’t bad or anything, but like I said at the beginning, I’ve always been all in for John Ambrose. However, I have created a fanfic in my head that I’m okay with: Kitty (the sassy queen that she is) grows up and goes to college. Her grad student TA happens to be John Ambrose. She remembers him from his Lara Jean days and they develop a friendship that turns into something more. Lara Jean is mad because John Ambrose is HERS (even though she’s like gaggingly happy with Peter K or whatever). But Kitty, (the sassy queen that she is) doesn’t care and dates John Ambrose anyway. They live happily ever after while Lara Jean seethes jealously in the background. The end.

DREAM CAST: The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Last May, Netflix optioned three Sarah Dessen books which was very exciting news in my opinion. The three books were This Lullaby, Along for the Ride, and Once and For All. I’m not sure where they are in the process of actually becoming movies, but the other night I couldn’t sleep and started creating a cast for my personal favorite Dessen book, The Truth About Forever.

Auli’i Cravalho as Macy

What I’ve Seen Her In: Moana, Rise, All Together Now

I think Auli’i is incredibly talented and I think this is a great opportunity to add some color to one of Dessen’s books.

Charlie Gillespie as Wes

What I’ve Seen Him In: Julie and the Phantoms

Charlie doesn’t look exactly how I always pictured Wes, but after watching him in Julie and the Phantoms, I think he’d bring a really good energy to the character and I think he’d be great opposite Auli’i.

Jordan Fisher as Jason Talbot

What I’ve Seen Him In: Teen Beach Movie, Grease Live!, To All the Boys, Work It

I love this as a bit of a role reversal for Jordan. He’s typically played these “good guy” characters and Jason is still kind of that…but also he’s not the good guy of this story.

Madeleine Arthur as Kristy

What I’ve Seen Her In: To All the Boys

I thought Madeleine was AMAZING in both To All the Boys movies–honestly, she was the best and most natural in my opinion. I would love to see her in such a dynamic role as Kristy.

Britt Robertson as Monica

What I’ve Seen Her In: Dan in Real Life, Tomorrowland

This was actually a really hard role for me to cast. Honestly, I think the best person for this role would be Aubrey Plaza, but she’s probably too old at this point. Despite that, I think Britt Robertson could be really good as well.

Trevor Larcom as Bert

What I’ve Seen Him In: Fresh Off the Boat

Trevor is absolutely Bert. If you’ve seen him in any episode of Fresh Off the Boat, I think you’d agree. He’s overly serious while simultaneously hilarious. He and Charlie probably don’t look quite enough alike to be brothers…but I’m willing to make that sacrifice.

Minnie Driver as Delia

What I’ve Seen Her In: Return to Me, Ella Enchanted, The Phantom of the Opera, Speechless

I think Minnie Driver is such a great actress and she would totally be able to bring to life Delia’s chaotic energy.

Christina Chang as Deborah Queen

What I’ve Seen Her In: The Good Doctor

She seems like this really tough type of lady and I could perfectly picture her as Macy’s mom.

Timothy Olyphant as Macy’s Dad

What I’ve Seen Him In: I Am Number Four, The Office, The Good Place

This was another tough casting decision. Macy’s mom was really easy for me, so I knew I wanted to find a white actor to be her dad. I felt like he needed to be a bit rough around the edges, but also someone fit as he’s a runner. But then he also needed to seem really kind and a good contrast to Deborah.

Shay Mitchell as Caroline

What I’ve Seen Her In: Pretty Little Liars

I feel really confident with Shay as Caroline. As I reread the book, I could really picture her in this role. She’s emotional and compassionate, but also has a hidden layer of strength.

Nelson Franklin as Wally

What I’ve Seen Him In: Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, The Office, Abby’s

Wally isn’t actually in the book much and I think he could have a slightly bigger role in a movie. I think Nelson could portray the perfect combo of nerdy and sweet.

Madelaine Petsch and Bethany Antonia as the Library Girls

What I’ve Seen Them In: Riverdale and Get Even respectively

The two library girls are interchangeable to me, but I feel like both of these actresses would be great in portraying a stuck up smart girl.

What do you guys think of my cast list?

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Rereading Twilight as an adult

It was always my plan to reread Twilight this year, but with the Midnight Sun announcement I thought I’d better do it sooner rather than later to avoid long wait times on a hold list.

I remember the first time I saw Twilight. My older sister had checked it out from the library and I remember reading the cover flap. I don’t remember what my immediate thoughts were, but it was during the period of the time that I read many of my sister’s library books without her knowing in the middle of the night. Regardless of when I ended up reading it, I loved it. I loved the entire series though I was never Team Edward or Team Jacob (I was Team Jasper). Since then, a lot of criticism has come out regarding the Bella/Edward relationship. I was too young at the time to recognize any potential abusive situations so I was really curious how the books might read as an adult.

So here I am rereading the books over 10 years, a husband, two degrees, and a kid later. I am in as different a stage of life as I could possibly be from when I first read these books. First, I just want to talk about the writing. I found the first person narrative to be really grating. I’ve read other books that were narrated in the first person that didn’t seem so self-absorbed. I didn’t particularly enjoy being in Bella’s head that much. It was also clear to me that Meyer was trying to write in this really lush and descriptive way, but it doesn’t come off smoothly. Her descriptions end up bogging down the entire story. Honestly, I would love to take a red pen to these books because I think that we could cut out about 200 pages from EACH BOOK (probably 300 from the last one). Especially in the last book, I just noticed that it took FOREVER to get through the story. There were so many pages and chapters where nothing happened. Absolutely nothing. We get this huge internal monologue about nothing and when the character comes back to the present, five seconds have passed. It was just so infuriating, especially in the last book when I just wanted to be done.

The plot itself isn’t bad. It’s not a bad story by any means (despite the love triangle). I actually do find this entire community of vampires to be interesting. In the later books it gets more into vampire history and I thought that part was different and perhaps could have been expanded on. It just didn’t need to take as much time as it did.

Characters…this is ultimately where I feel the books really suffer. As a kid, I think I remember liking both Jacob and Edward fine. Bella was just okay for me, even back then. With this reread though, I realize that all of these characters are AWFUL. Bella is extremely codependent. She goes from an over-reliance on Edward to an over-reliance on Jacob. She also has this recurring problem of underestimating the paranormal creatures in her life. Or perhaps it’s less an underestimation of their skill, but an overestimation of their willingness to die for her? Anytime one of the groups (vampires or werewolves) decides to go fight someone, she has this freakout because she thinks everyone is going to die and it’ll be her fault. It’s such a complete overreaction and she does it time and time again. It’s infuriating. Obviously, they’re going because they think they can win–maybe give the paranormal creatures (who you really know nothing about) a little more credit, Bella.

This time around, I can definitely see that Edward is super controlling. In Eclipse, he literally is trying to tell Bella who she can be friends with. She has to ask his permission to do anything and it drove me crazy. It’s also super creepy that he crept into Bella’s room to watch her sleep. That will never not be creepy. He doesn’t start treating Bella as any sort of an equal partner until like…the end of Eclipse. He’s also terrible at communicating with her (as in, he doesn’t).

Jacob is hotheaded and not at all respectful of any of the choices that Bella makes unless he completely agrees with it. My jaw was literally on the floor when Jacob sexually assaults Bella not once, but TWICE. And he thinks he did nothing wrong! He sort of apologizes? But in a way that’s clear that he would definitely do it over again.

And now…the relationships. Bella and Edward quickly jump into being “in love” when “in lust” is more like it. What is their relationship based off of? Nothing of substance, that’s for sure. Bella can’t control herself when they kiss and if that’s not the definition of “in lust”, then I don’t know what is. Even as a kid, I remember being really confused by Bella’s physical overreactions. Later on in the series, Bella finds that she’s actually in love with BOTH Edward and Jacob. I know she’s supposed to be really mature for her age (even though she doesn’t act like it), but I just have a hard time seeing how a teenager could be truly in love with both Edward and Jacob to the extent that she seems to be. It’s just too much.

Lastly, let’s talk about Renesmee. Now, this part of the plot was a tad more of a stretch for me. Why does Renesmee grow and develop so fast? No one knows. On a side note, let’s talk about her name. Renesmee Carlie–the ultimate name mashup. So cringe. The cringiest of the cringe names. So bad. But back on topic, because of her quick development, I had a really hard time keeping an image of her in my head. Does she look like a toddler but act like a ten-year-old? Or is she just like…a mini ten-year-old? On another note, I didn’t love her interactions with Bella. Or rather…I didn’t love Bella’s interactions with Renesmee. I remember this from before as well–Bella never reads like a mom to me. Especially now that I AM a mom, I feel like Bella reads more like an older sister or something. There’s so much internal monologuing about literally everything else, but I just don’t feel from Bella what it’s actually like to be someone’s mom.

Overall, this was a very interesting experience and I’m glad to be done with it. I can safely say that I will not be rereading these books ever again and I have no interest in picking up Midnight Sun. Twos across the board.

Have you read or reread the Twilight series as an adult? What were your thoughts?

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Every thought I had while watching To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You [Spoilers]

• Okay, but who actually needs a recap for this series? It’s not THAT complicated.
• Kitty remains the best character, “Have you even showered?” This is the Kitty we want and deserve. #JusticeforKitty
• John Corbett also remains the best actor to portray Dr. Covey.
• This is clearly too nice of a restaurant for your average teenagers to be going to on a date.
• Lara Jean not being able to keep her purse on her shoulder is super relatable.
• Definitely thought they were watching a Youtube video–not chatting with Gogo.
• I’m loving this sassy Kitty that wasn’t in the first movie. So much closer to book Kitty (but still not quite there unfortunately).
• Oh man. That Korean food looks SO good.
• There’s nothing wrong with not dating until college…HAVEN.
• John Ambrose is the best.
• Here’s hoping Gen gets more depth this movie.
• Nope. Still just your basic mean girl.
• How was Peter supposed to let Lara Jean know he was going to be late when he was literally practicing the whole time?
• What carnival game gives out snow globes??? And if this means John Ambrose ISN’T going to give her a snow globe at the end, there will be blood.
• Tree!!!
• Wow. When I get old this is EXACTLY the kind of retirement community I’d like to live at.
• I’m getting very anxious about Stormy spilling her Bloody Mary.
• Classic Lara Jean being a complete spaz when John Ambrose shows up.
• Does Lara Jean think she and John Ambrose would still be together or something if he’d gotten the letter back in middle school? Because that seems unlikely.
• Two eggs seems a bit excessive for an egg wash for eight turnovers.
• Jenny Han cameo.
• These singing valentines would never actually happen at a real high school, right? Certainly not the high school I went to.
• Okay, wait a second. It’s just dawning on me that it’s Valentine’s Day and Lara Jean is wearing short sleeves OUTSIDE. IN OREGON. No.
• I’m glad Subway is still sponsoring these movies.
• I like the angle of John Ambrose being Stormy’s great-nephew or whatever better than him being another volunteer.
• All of the sets in this movie are amazingly beautiful.
• This seems extremely awkward for John Ambrose. Lara Jean has left him alone for a really long time.
• It is super weird for Lara Jean to just be sitting on the counter like that. Shoes on and everything.
• Was Ross Butler a character in the last movie? Maybe I DID need that recap.
• I feel like this scene in the car needs some music or something. It’s weirdly quiet.
• John Ambrose continues to be perfect for Lara Jean in every way.
• Who was in charge of setting up the Bingo stuff in the first place? Why are Lara Jean and John Ambrose responsible for draggin everything to the basement?
• Oh man. Lara Jean is making it so awkward for when John Ambrose finally discovers that she’s dating Peter.
• Okay. Now I’m imagining the teacher spending hours drawing a chalk octopus on the board.
• Why didn’t Lara Jean and Peter show up to the time capsule thing together?
• Chris. MVP.
• Of course John Ambrose plays piano. Because he’s PERFECT.
• Fakesgiving sounds great. I would LOVE to have Thanksgiving twice a year! (But I don’t remember this from the book?)
• Get a bag for the Brussels sprouts, Lara Jean!
• Lara Jean is being a little too dramatic right now re: Peter and Gen.
• The picture of Slot Canyon on Lara Jean’s wall seems kind of random? I don’t feel like it really fits the rest of her decor.
• I don’t totally remember from the book, but I feel like Lara Jean should be trying to get advice from Margot or something. She’s hardly been in this movie!
• The music video-ish part in the hallway is kind of weird and doesn’t really fit with the rest of the movie.
• I just feel on such a deep level that Lara Jean and Peter shouldn’t be together. Especially when compared to John Ambrose.
• I’m glad that Gen did get a little more depth in this movie, but I still feel like the book helps their whole dynamic to make more sense.
• Old people dancing is the best.
• More product placement! It just would look so much less staged if SOME of the Bubly labels weren’t directly facing the camera.
• I’m glad John Ambrose is drawing attention to it snowing so late in the year (he continues to be perfect).
• GET OVER PETER, LARA JEAN.
• Get out of here, Peter. This doesn’t happen in the book and now I’m mad that they’re making movie Peter more likable than book Peter.
• Those construction people are there very early to take down that tree house.
• Peter and Lara Jean floating into the air at the end…just why. Every once in a while this movie tries to get a shot that’s just a little too weird and doesn’t match the feel of the rest of the movie.

My concluding thoughts–despite their best efforts, I am still strongly on #TeamJohnAmbrose. Peter Kavinsky is better in the movie than he is in the books, and they took out some of the things that made John Ambrose especially perfect for Lara Jean, but it’s still not enough. At least they cut Lara Jean’s “Peter was there first” line.

Non-fiction in the summer | Mini-Reviews

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

Stiff is one of those book that you’re always hearing about. It was inevitable that I’d eventually read it. With that being said, I was a little disappointed. I’ve read some really good narrative non-fiction over the last few years. While this was good, it wasn’t as entertaining or easy to read as some of the other non-fiction books I’ve read. Roach definitely has a sense of humor that comes through in the book, but she uses a lot of big words. Overall, this book has more of an academic feel than I was hoping for. With that being said, I still thought this book was really interesting. I learned so many things about what happens after you die and I feel more than ever that I want to be an organ donor one day. This book is not for those with a weak stomach as she goes into plenty of detail. Lastly, this book was published a while ago (back in 2003) and I’d love to read an update or something. In the book she talks about the future of the funeral business and options other than a ground burial, but I feel like I personally haven’t heard about any recent developments. 3/5

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The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession by Mark Obmascik

I loved this book! My husband and I watched the movie a few years ago (starring Jack Black, Owen Wilson, and Steve Martin–link to trailer below) and then he read the book it was based off of and highly recommended it. I finally got around to reading it this month and just fell completely in love with the idea of birding. I know literally nothing about birds but this book made me want to do a big year. Just reading about the preparation leading up to the three big years was really exciting for me! And then the author does a really good job of keeping the suspense up throughout the big year as well. This book was just great. Even if you know nothing about birds, like me, I’d highly recommend this book. 5/5

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Movie: Trailer | Rent