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

Purchase: Hardback | Paperback | eBook

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

Purchase: Hardback | Paperback | eBook

Movie: Trailer | Rent

MOVIE TRAILER: The Sun is Also a Star

A lot of you may have already seen this, but the trailer for The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon dropped yesterday. You’ll have to tell me what you think since I haven’t actually read the book myself yet…

So….what do you guys think? Does it look like it’s going to be as good as the book (which I’ve only heard good things about)? Do you think they chose the right people to play the main characters? I, personally, love an Asian actor as the romantic male lead–I know that wasn’t really a casting decision since I think the character was written as Asian, but still.

And this is probably your last chance to purchase the book before the movie tie-in version is everywhere.

eBook | Hardcover | Paperback

Let me know what your reaction is in the comments!

Pin this!

MOVIE TRAILER: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

It’s here!!!

What do you guys think about the trailer? Despite my initial reservations about some (one) casting decisions, I think this movie looks like it’s going to be great! I mean, I stand by my original post, but I’m excited for the movie despite that. I still think John Corbett is the best (and only) decision for Mr. Covey so I’m SUPER EXCITED for that.

To be honest though, I’m a little nervous about this movie because Netflix has gotten some serious backlash recently about certain shows/movies like 13 Reasons Why and The Kissing Booth (not making a comment on whether that backlash is deserved, just stating that it exists). I’m really, REALLY hoping that TABILB rises above all of that and is just a quality movie. The last thing I’ll say is that if that’s what John Ambrose McLaren is going to look like in future movies…I will be very upset (#TeamJohnAmbrose).

What were your guys’ initial thoughts after watching the trailer? Let me know in the comments!

MOVIE TRAILER: Crazy Rich Asians

I’m so happy this is going to be a movie! The books themselves are so outrageous that I bet this movie is going to be hilarious and outrageous as well. I love all of the Asian representation and I love seeing new (to me at least) Asian faces! I feel like a lot of the time, they get the same five Asian actors to do everything, but there are way too many characters in this movie for that to work.

What do you guys think? I love the fact that they’ve got Mateo from Superstore playing Oliver. IT’S SO PERFECT. I’ll admit though, it’s a little weird for me to hear Constance Wu without her accent from Fresh Off the Boat. Anyone else?

Who else has read this book? What did you think of the trailer? What is something you really hope makes it into the movie?

TRAILER: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

I loved this book the first time I read it 6 years ago and it definitely held up when I reread it last year. I’ve recommended it to my husband and his brothers who have all loved it as well and I cannot tell you how PUMPED I am for this movie.

Warner Brother’s just released a featurette which may or may not have given me goosebumps:

Doesn’t it look AMAZING??? Here’s the original trailer too for anyone who hasn’t already seen it:

I’m usually pretty hesitant when my favorite books are made into movies, but I feel really good about this one. Just the fact that Spielberg is doing it (obviously) and it sounds like Cline was really involved with the process as well.

What do you guys think? Can the movie possibly live up to the book? Are you going to be at this movie opening weekend like me?

TRAILER: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This trailer is a couple of weeks old now, but I haven’t seen many people posting about it. I read this book a couple years ago for one of my classes and I absolutely loved it. This is a book that I want all of my kids to read. The movie looks like it’s going to be amazing and it definitely has an all-star cast with some up-and-coming child actors who look like they know what they’re doing. Overall, I anticipate this movie being a MAJOR tearjerker.

What do you guys think? Have you read the book? Will you see the movie? Will you be bringing a pack of tissues with you like I will?

TRAILER: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

I’m sure most have you have already seen the trailer, but I just watched it for the first time. The casting looks pretty perfect and it seems like things stay pretty true to the book. Maddy is such a spunky character and I hope that comes across in the movie (I LOVED her book reviews). Check out my review for the ARC of Everything, Everything here. And here’s the trailer if you haven’t seen it at this point:

What do you guys think? Is the movie going to live up to the book/reader expectations? Or is that impossible? How do you feel about the casting?

A Monster Calls Trailer

I know I haven’t been on much lately, but I needed to share this with anyone who hasn’t already seen it. If you haven’t read this book, GO READ IT NOW. It’s not a long read.

TRAILER: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

I usually don’t post three times in one day, but I saw this today on Facebook:

Despite any of the differences between this and the book, I think the movie still looks like it’s going to be AMAZING and really well-done. See my post here about how I feel when movies are different from the book. Also, the Wights? They look terrifying.

DISCUSSION: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

How do we feel about this movie? The trailer came out today and it got me wondering what the feeling about it is in the bookish community. I read the book years ago (I was still in high school) and liked it alright, but not enough to read any of the other books (ex. Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters).

I’ll admit, I find the book to be a little unnecessary. Why rewrite a classic romance and incorporate zombies? Personally, I’m actually very afraid of zombies and don’t like reading books or watching movies that involve them. Let me go on a tangent here…ZOMBIES COULD BE REAL SOMEDAY. Obviously not the living dead, but I really feel like some virus could come and attack our brains and turn us into walking vegetables that just want to eat other people. Okay, sorry, tangent over. So yeah, zombies creep me out. That being said, I still have a strange fascination with the movie and will probably want to watch it (even though I’m sure I’ll be covering my eyes whenever a zombie comes onscreen).

Take a look at this trailer and let me know what you think:

Is it too much? Is it okay? Is it completely tarnishing the name of Jane Austen?