magic the new bridget jones

Tuesday, 31 December 2013

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

I have considered Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding my favorite book for around a decade now. I can't remember the last time I read it and it is holiday themed so I thought it would be perfect for The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge. (Unfortunately I finished it around 1 am January 1, 2014 so can't count it for my yearly challenges. Yeah I was reading New Year's Eve. I party hard! lol)

I understand why it was my favorite book in my twenties. I was a socially awkward woman who was obsessed with my weight obsessed, with finding the perfect husband, and the genre of chick lit was all the rage. This is the book that launched the chick lit genre.

Bridget is the most realistic character I have ever read about in a novel. She screws up over and over but she's got a good heart. She was my kind of heroine. I remember thinking in my 20's that I wanted to be like Bridget Jones when I was in my 30's.

Well now I'm in my 30's and while I still believe she is the most realistic character I have ever read about in a novel, most of the time I wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake some sense into her. She's not the sharpest crayon in the box. Most of all I wanted her to punch Daniel in the face. He treated Bridget like utter crap. He was rude, verbally abusive, and I don't know why Bridget put up with it. Daniel was the kind of guy I dated in my 20's. By my 30's I knew better! It's almost a warning to women about the kind of guy they shouldn't date.

Yet there were things that still resonated with me: the obsession with food and losing weight, trying to find inner poise, and being respected in my career. And of course....finding the perfect husband. I'm a widowed single woman in my late 30's and like Bridget, I worry about my sell by date. The difference is that I've had two husbands, have five kids ranging in ages 11 months to 20 yrs old so I just can't relate to Bridget's single lifestyle. Why was a thirtysomething year old drinking soooo much? Seriously?

The book was still laugh out loud funny in places. I also could relate to her relationship with her parents on a different level now that I'm older. And like always, the book makes me want to run to the store, buy a diary, and write in it every single day.

While no longer my absolute favorite book of all time (which is now The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern) it is still one of my favorites. My rating:

The Movie

This is one of the few instances where I love the movie more than I love the book. The book and movie are pretty similar except for the hilarious beginning of Bridget singing All By Myself by Celine Dion and that epic fight between Daniel and Mark. That makes the movie far better in my opinion. There's nothing sexier than two men fist fighting over you. (I suppose the fact that I think that is proof I have not matured in all areas.)

Oh yeah, and the ending of the movie which actually is about her diary. That wasn't in the book. Another thing that is cool and funny about the movie and book is that in the novel there are places where Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are talked about. Hugh is even insulted in the book which makes it even funnier that he starred in the movie. And not to mention Colin Firth played the part of Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. I suppose this may be why he was cast for the part. I'e often heard that Bridget Jones's Diary is a modern day Pride and Prejudice.

Friday, 20 December 2013

The Nativity Story by Angela Hunt

I don't usually read Christian novels or novels based on movies, but I was curious about this book. I wanted to read something told from the point of view of Mary; what she felt and thought about being the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. This novel (Nonfiction novel? Historical? Not sure how to actually categorize this book.) was exactly what I was looking for.

One criticism is that I would have liked to know more about Joseph and his background. I'm pretty sure Joseph is ignored in most of the versions of the Nativity Story though and no one ever tells the story from his point of view.

*Warning: Minor Spoilers*

I also wonder why Joseph only dreamed of the prophecy and was never actually visited by the angel Gabriel. But then again, Elizabeth was never visited by the angel either.

I could have done without the scene where Herod's soldiers were killing all the babies under the age of two. I know in good writing there is the rule to "show don't tell" but when it comes to graphic scenes like this I would have been okay with Angela Hunt just telling me.

My biggest complaint is that the story ends right when it gets really good. This is not the authors fault because people have wondered what Jesus was like as a baby and child for two millennia. Did he cry like other babies? Did he fall and skin his knees? Did he have to learn to walk and talk or was he born knowing how to do that stuff?

In the book, there are a few descriptions of baby John the Baptist having knowledge beyond his infant years so one could only imagine what a baby Jesus was like. The odd thing is that what baby John experiences can only be described as being psychic.

Overall I really enjoyed this book. Honestly, I just don't think the movie would be as interesting. Without knowing what's going on inside Mary's mind, I think it would be rather boring. I do plan on watching the movie though. I'm curious to know how the story was done compared to the novelization.

My book rating:

Movie review coming soon!

Friday, 22 November 2013

The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

Note: This review is of the 20th anniversary edition **and contains spoilers.** I normally don't include spoilers but since it's really more of a short story than a full length book it's hard to review it without the spoilers. I am counting it for my Mental Illness Advocacy Reading Challenge because it deals with bereavement.

I didn't mind that the book was "overly sentimental." Most inspirational Christmas stories are. I was inspired by the story. I was inspired to hug and squeeze my babies and be grateful that they are alive and well.

The death of a child, especially a very young child, just isn't uplifting. I liked the story and was moved by it, but I was left feeling more sad than joyful. It's a Christmas book, so shouldn't it make me feel joyful?

What I did like about the book was that it included a sort of Christmas magic. Often I find books that are Christian are afraid to include anything that is extraordinary for fear if it seems magical it is evil. This book had a good balance of the secular idea of Christmas (such as magic and Santa Claus) and the Christian idea of Christmas.

I wish Keri had been more developed as a character. I found it odd that Mary was upset with how much Keri's husband worked and ignored their daughter, but Keri herself never voiced a complaint. It would have made more sense if there had been at least one scene where Keri expressed this displeasure to her husband. Or perhaps a scene where Mary tells Keri she needs to put her foot down and not tolerate it. Although perhaps Keri knew what Mary was up to when she says, "She's trying to tell you something and you're not seeing it."

My last complaint is about how Mary's brain tumor seemed to progress a bit fast from the time that she first learns of her condition. And like any Christmas story, the entire story culminates on Christmas Day. Uh huh. That part was a bit contrived, but again, like any Christmas story it's to be expected. No one ever has their epiphany the day after Christmas.

Overall I give it

This story has been made into a tv movie. I was disappointed that it wasn't available through Netflix but it turns out the movie is available here on Youtube. I'll try to have my review of the movie posted soon.

Saturday, 16 November 2013

2013 Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

It's time! The 5th year of the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge! Like last year, there are multiple levels for participation, like children's books and watching Christmas movies...and I have an extra special twist this year...so read on!

Details and sign up:

challenge will run from Friday, November 22, 2013 through Monday, January 6, 2014 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany).
cross over with other challenges is totally permitted AND encouraged!
These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and for the first time...a children's Christmas books level!
Levels:

            --Candy Cane: read 1 book
            --Mistletoe: read 2-4 books
            --Christmas Tree: read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)
Additional levels:
  --Fa La La La Films:  watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!
  --Visions of Sugar Plums:  read books with your children this season and share what you read

*the additional levels are optional, you still must complete one of the main reading levels above

New this year! It's the Christmas Spirit Read-a-Thon to kick us off the weekend of Friday, November 22 through Sunday, November 24! Details and sign-up for the read-a-thon are over at my read-a-thon blog, Seasons of Reading, HERE.

Christmas Spirit Read-a-thon

To kick off my annual Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge this year, I've decided to have a weekend read-a-thon!
Details:
Read-a-Thon dates: Friday, November 22 at 12:00am CST until Sunday, November 24 at 11:59pm CST (adjust your time zone accordingly)
You do not have to be signed up for the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge to participate (but I sure would love for you to join us!)
I am not requiring that you read Christmas/holiday books during the read-a-thon, but I hope you will pick up one holiday tale, even if it's just to read some children's books with your kids or some holiday short stories
to check in on Twitter, we'll use hashtag #CSreadathon
as usual, you do not have to have a blog to participate...feel free to link up and check in from Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
If you're interested in joining us for the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge, which runs all season long, you can do so at my Christmas blog, The Christmas Spirit. Would love to have you!

This reading event is hosted by Seasons of Reading. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

Thursday, 5 September 2013

2013 Witches and Witchcraft Reading Challenge

A lot of the books I have in my TBR Pile are paranormal books featuring witches. I have joined a paranormal reading challenge already but it's for different supernatural creatures not just witches. So I've decided to add this challenge from Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf.

Challenge Rules:
This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013.

I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post (below), reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)

Grab the reading challenge button (code & button below) and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.

Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts. They may be fiction or non-fiction. However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.

Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).

Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.

You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.

When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2013 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.

You can move up levels, but no moving down.

Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year. Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

The Levels:
Initiate: Read 1 – 5 Witchy Books
Maiden: Read 6 – 10 Witchy Books
Mother: Read 11 – 15 Witchy Books
Crone: Read 16 – 20 Witchy Books

The Prize: Witchy book of choice up to $10 from The Book Depository! Participants who have officially signed up by linking up a sign-up post declaring their level will be given one entry for every review they link up. The more reviews you write and link up, the more entries in the contest! Link up your reviews on that months Review Link Up Post. Winner will be chosen on Jan 11th 2014 to give everyone a chance to link up their end of year reviews. All Challenge Posts can be accessed from my menu bar under my header!