Tuesday, July 31, 2018

July in Review - Books and Movies




As one of those people who believes summer ends with Labor Day, it's hard for me to believe we only have one more month of summer, but, I should not complain after seeing all the CA fire devastation -- so sad.  We managed to make the best of the of often hot, humid and rainy weather we experienced in July.  We just got back from a little getaway to Hanover, NH, Home of Dartmouth College (founded in 1769). Hanover, NH is also home to a favorite author, Jodi Picoult.  We had fun touring Dartmouth -- what lovely grounds and the array of gorgeous buildings typically found at these Ivy League schools. We loved the quaint town with fun shops and food stops.

In July, I finished 9 books (4) audio (4) print and (1) ebook, for a total of 59 YTD.  I need to play catch up with some mini reviews over the next week, but here are the completed books and ratings (some with links to the book/overview itself). 

 I/We also watched 7 movies - Curious? (see below)






















MY BOOK RATINGS
  1. The Hand Maid's Tale; Margaret Atwood (REREAD/audio) - 4.5/5 - July/2018
  2. 84, Charing Cross Road; Helene Hanff (library) - 5/5 - July 2018
  3. Tin Man; Sarah Winman (library) - 3/5 - July/2018
  4. A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership; James Comey (audio) - 5/5 - July/2018
  5. Beartown; Fredrik Backman (print) - 4/5 - July/2018
  6. Moon Glow; Michael Chabon (book group) - 2/5 - July/2018 -  (Our Book Group 12/13 really disliked this book, many did not even finish it)
  7. The Ones We Choose; Julie Clark (eGalley) - 4.5/5 - July/2018
  8. Educated: a memoir; Tara Westover (audio) - 4/5 - July/2018
  9. The Death of Truth: Notes on Falsehood in the Age of Trump (NF); Michiko Katutani (audio) - 4.5/5 - July-2018





















My Movie Ratings



25 comments:

  1. I really enjoyed Educated...and Handmaid's Tale, book and movie.

    Whenever I see Days of Wine and Roses, and hear that song playing, it takes me back to my younger days and the poignant moments that tug at my heartstrings.

    I also loved the movie Doubt.

    As for New Hampshire, I often imagine visiting there...I can see it in the movies and it captures me. I love Jodi Picoult, too; and Joyce Maynard, whose books are often set there where she lived for a while in her youth.

    Enjoy August!

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    1. Laurel, isn't it funny when a book or movie so resonates with our life or a past experience. New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut are all lovely states to live or visit.

      Hope your August is lovely.

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  2. Looks like you've been having a good time, Diane! I think I'm ready to read another Jodi Picoult book - which is nice since her new one comes out this fall. Have a good August!

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    1. Kay, I do love Jodi's books, probably because the style is always familiar. Enjoy your August as well.

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  3. Diane, you've had a great month! My daughter goes to Dartmouth, so I've been there a few times; it's a wonderful school and Hanover's so charming! I will keep your books and movies in mind for the future.

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    1. I remember your pics of Dartmouth; I hope your daughter loves her experience at Dartmouth. She is one smart and lucky young woman to have the Dartmouth experience; what a great future she has in store for her.

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  4. You sure had a good month of good books and movies. I want to read Educated & see a few of those movies.

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    1. I liked Educated; good on audio. We did think some of what she experienced seemed hard to believe.

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  5. 84 Charing Cross Road is one of my favorite books. I also enjoy Educated! Have you watched the Anne with an E series? I binge watched while visiting my daughter last week. It is not the Anne we fell in love with years ago, but it is so enjoyable. I hope you are having a good week. Hugs!

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    1. Bonnie, I am not familiar with that series. Now, I will have to look for it. 84, Charing Cross was a wonderful book.

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  6. There sure is lots more good ones that not so good ones, like that 2 outta 5, oops!

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  7. We need a break in California from wildfires and other natural disasters! I have Educated on my shelf and really need to get to it.

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    1. I feel bad for you in CA and wish we could send you some of the rain we've had with 2 more" predicted later today. Educated was interesting, although some of it seemed hard to imagine.

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  8. The Great Outdoors is a dumb, silly movie but I still like it.

    Summer this year in California feels very different. It's more humid this year and the temps have remained high without any break in sight. The fires. Everywhere it seems. Only in California are wildfire names required. I swear they are hard to keep straight. So much heartache. Two small grandchildren died in one of those fires while on the phone with their grandfather who was trying to get to them and his wife. So sad.

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  9. You had a great reading month indeed. I loved Moonglow but I realize it would not please everyone. Here is what I thought: https://keepthewisdom.blogspot.com/2016/12/moonglow.html

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  10. You did great! I loved the Handmaid's Tale, as hard as it was to read sometimes. Happy August!

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  11. Nice reading for July. I don't know how it's already August--and I hope it's another good reading month for you.

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  12. I'm so glad you enjoyed 84 Charing Cross Road. It's one of my favorite books but I've always been scared of the movie. Maybe I should give it a chance. Educated is on my TBR so I'm glad to see you enjoyed it. I've heard Dartmouth is lovely. We're in the middle of the hottest and most humid point of the summer here in Alabama and school has just started back! It already feels like summer is over to me!

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  13. Hi Diane,
    Ken and I watched Days of Wine and Roses for the first time earlier this year. I agree, incredibly powerful performances. And I agree with your rating. It's a shame that Lee Remick died so young (56)--she was a great actress, and, of course our love of Jack Lemmon's acting is what made us watch the movie.
    We didn't think much of Lady Bird either, by the way, but we will definitely get a hold of The Choice. So interested that you include what you're "watching."
    I listened to Educated: A Memoir, too, and as excellent as it was, I found it a difficult book to listen to. It remains, though, the top book of the year so far for me.




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    1. Oops! There I go again, Diane. I meant to write that Doubt is the movie we will see, not The Choice. Eee gads.

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  14. It has been years since I've read (and loved) 84 Charing Cross Road, but it is one of those books that meant a lot to me at the time and has remained fresh in my mind.

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    1. I do love when you find a book that just resonates with where you are or where you have been in life.

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  15. Hanover is such a beautiful town! My SIL went to Dartmouth and my husband's uncle & family live there, so we've visited several times. I finished Educated last week - it was harrowing! Read the first few pages of Tin Man and it hasn't grabbed me yet. Thinking I may add in the audio version. Happy August!

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  16. You didn't go to Base Camp by any chance, did you?? I love that restaurant.

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