Weekly Obsessions

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The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Sunday post this week is thanks to the nasty end of summer cold I got this week. I was pretty much in bed for two days straight and am now behind on pretty much everything. I expect that I caught something on the flight back from Orlando.

BOOK

Cover of Undercover Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams (goodreads)

The sequel to The Bromance Book Club recently had it's cover revealed and it is just as fun as I expected it would be. This entire series has me really excited and I cannot wait to read the The Bromance Book Club and begin eagerly anticipating this sequel.



The animated style covers that have been popular with romance novels recently are some of my faves! They're cute and offer up something a little different.

TV/MOVIES

American Horror Story: 1984 Trailer

The first official trailer for AHS: 1984 was recently released and it is giving me major slasher film vibes! I love the camp setting, and the obvious nods to some classic horror tropes.



I am expecting there to be two killers running around thanks to the casting reveal trailer BUT I think one is going to be more featured than the other. I cannot wait for the soundtrack this season!

The Aeronauts Trailer

Heights are not really my thing but this takes them to a whole new level. Some of the images are breathtaking and dizzying. I image it is going to look stunning in IMAX.


The plot also sounds interesting. I have no clue how accurate this is but I predict it'll be a fun, visually stunning film that will offer plenty of tense moments of the characters almost falling to their death.

Joker Final Trailer

This movie is going to be polarizing. It is going to have a bunch of strong opinions behind it (both for and against) and I predict there will be a ton written dissecting it. The trailer, however, indicates a beautifully shot, and incredibly acted movie. A, perhaps, controversial one.


We'll have to see what critics and fans think once it is released but I do like the grittier look of the trailer.

Joker Movie Poster

We also got a new poster to go along with the new trailer. We actually got a few but I love this new poster the most out of all of the new ones we got.


OTHER

New Stranger Things Funkos

I enjoyed both Robyn and Alexi in this new season of Stranger Things. I was excited that Funko would be releasing Funko Pops for both of them in the next wave and both are featuring moments from the third season that are fan favourites.



What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

A Glass Of Wine At The Movies - My TIFF Choices

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Fall film festival has begun. The Venice Film Festival is happening this week and TIFF is just around the corner. I had talked about some of the titles being showcased at TIFF that caught my eye when the first part of the schedule was revealed. The entire schedule has now been revealed so I figured I would share my top five movies that I would want to see at TIFF this year.

You can see the full list of movies that are being showcased and the schedule by visiting the TIFF website.

My choices for the five movies I would most like to see at TIFF:

1. Marriage Story



Marriage Story stars Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson and tells the story of a marriage falling apart. There is quite a bit of buzz about this one and the dual his/her trailers are amazing.

2. Lucy In The Sky



This movie is, rumouredly, loosely based on a true story. Astronaut Lisa Nowak is who Natalie Portman's character is apparently based on. Lisa was charged with assaulting another woman who was the girlfriend of a man Lisa had an affair with.  Natalie's performance, based solely on the trailer, looks incredible.

3. Judy


This seems like a very straightforward biopic but Renee is giving what appears to be a noteworthy performance. I also am excited to see Finn Wittrock in something different than what he usually gets to do with Ryan Murphy. I am really hoping for this to be good.

4. Joker


Rumour is that Joaquin Phoenix is going to blow everyone away with his performance in this movie. It certainly doesn't look like the usual comic book fare. It seems to have more in common with King of Comedy or Falling Down than any Batman movie I've seen. It certainly looks like Joaquin is giving a mesmerizing performance. I am mainly curious as to what comic book fans are going to think of this highly unusual, and perhaps Oscar worthy, comic book movie.

5. Knives Out


This murder mystery looks like it is going to be a ton of fun. It may end up being the more popcorn fare that is counter programming to all of the Oscar releases that normally pepper November. It will probably end up being perfect Thanksgiving watching for people visiting their parents. Chris Evans looks to be having a blast! I love every scene of his in this trailer. 

What movies that are being shown at TIFF would you most want to be able to see if you could attend the festival? Let me know in the comments. 

Waiting On Wednesday .... Chosen

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Chosen by Kiersten White

** Spoilers for Slayer**


Here is the Goodreads synopsis
Nina continues to learn how to use her slayer powers against enemies old and new in this second novel in the New York Times bestselling series from Kiersten White, set in the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Now that Nina has turned the Watcher’s Castle into a utopia for hurt and lonely demons, she’s still waiting for the utopia part to kick in. With her sister Artemis gone and only a few people remaining at the castle—including her still-distant mother—Nina has her hands full. Plus, though she gained back her Slayer powers from Leo, they’re not feeling quite right after being held by the seriously evil succubus Eve, a.k.a. fake Watcher’s Council member and Leo’s mom.

And while Nina is dealing with the darkness inside, there’s also a new threat on the outside, portended by an odd triangle symbol that seems to be popping up everywhere, in connection with Sean’s demon drug ring as well as someone a bit closer to home. Because one near-apocalypse just isn’t enough, right? 

The darkness always finds you. And once again, it’s coming for the Slayer.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is one of my all time favourite shows. I was originally hesitant to read the first book in this series but I ended up loving it a lot. It's a perfect blend of nostalgia and something new.

I am now excited to see where Nina's journey takes her (and hopefully see more of her and Leo) next and what other cameos may happen in this sequel.

Expected release date - January 7, 2020

Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer

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Call It What You Want by Brigid Kemmerer
Release Date - June 25, 2019
Publisher Website - Raincoast Books/Bloomsbury
Publisher Social Media - Twitter
Pages -  384 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis
When his dad is caught embezzling funds from half the town, Rob goes from popular lacrosse player to social pariah. Even worse, his father’s failed suicide attempt leaves Rob and his mother responsible for his care.

Everyone thinks of Maegan as a typical overachiever, but she has a secret of her own after the pressure got to her last year. And when her sister comes home from college pregnant, keeping it from her parents might be more than she can handle.

When Rob and Maegan are paired together for a calculus project, they’re both reluctant to let anyone through the walls they’ve built. But when Maegan learns of Rob’s plan to fix the damage caused by his father, it could ruin more than their fragile new friendship...

This captivating, heartfelt novel asks the question: Is it okay to do something wrong for the right reasons?
You never know what someone might be struggling with or facing behind the persona they present in public. There is always more to the story than the rumours that swirl, and the truth is usually different than you think it is. Call It What You Want To looks at the ways in which we don't really see others, the ways in which we hide things from others, and how our mistakes don't need to define who we are.

Rob and Maegan, much like all of Kemmerer's other characters, are complex and authentic. They are, for me, a perfect example of what characters in a young adult novel should feel like. They are dealing with issues and problems that are just as complex as they are and that radiates through the characterization. There isn't a perfect solution or answer to the things they are facing. There is no right way to act in their situations and that makes for some interesting, and dynamic relationships. Even though they are going through some pretty adult circumstances these characters always feel like the teenagers they are. They cannot do this alone and that is evident throughout the entire book. There are adults who are there to help them. It was nice to see teen characters not having to deal with everything on their own.

This is about that is partially about mistakes and the ways in which they can define us, but also how the perception of others defines us. Rob's painted with the actions of his father and begins to act out to become what everyone says he is. Maegan made a mistake and is dealing with how it changed people's perspective of her and carrying that with her going forward. It paints these characters and their actions as neither good nor bad. It's this murky middle ground where things are not so easily definable and that resonates into the entire premise of the story.

The theme of things not being black and white weaves itself into all the side characters as well. There are a few characters who could have been cliches. They could have easily been one note villains but care was taken to show them as just as complex and layered as the story around them. People are not all one thing and sometimes perspective matters. The book asks if you can do the wrong thing for the right reason and that is integral to a lot of the plot within these pages. Plenty of the plot points are things that feel like they should have a definitive right or wrong answer, and we are continuously reminded that life doesn't always work that way. Things can be messy and there are varying degrees to things. The book really embraces those nuances and looks at all angles of a situation rather than just presenting it one way.

This could be a book that had an issue with too much going on. There is a lot to unpack here from the aftermath of an attempted suicide, an embezzlement scandal, bullying, teen pregnancy, and academic cheating. It could have easily gone into a territory where it felt too crowded, or unrealistic that it would all be contained within this one story. Kemmerer's writing, however, meshes it together perfectly. Each of these situations is nuanced and layered in a way that make them feel entirely believable.

Those who have read Kemmerer's other contemporary novels will absolutely love this one, as will those who are just reading her for the first time. Her contemporary novels nail a realistic, complex feel that comes naturally. I highly recommend any of her books, but particularly suggest her contemporary to those who love the genre.

Weekly Obsessions

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The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Sunday post this week thanks to a really quick trip to Orlando. I am probably behind on so many things but here is what is making me excited this week.

TV/MOVIES

A Marriage Story Trailers And Posters

This movie already had Oscar buzz before the release of the trailers but after watching both of these I think it might be warranted.

This is a story of a marriage crumbling and these trailers managed to make me invested in these characters. I also love the 'his and hers' marketing that they are doing for this.




Along with  these two trailers we get two movie posters that compliment each other. These seem to reflect a west coast / east coast vibe. Nicole is California and Charlie is New York, maybe?


I love the colour palette used for these two posters. They both invoke a specific feeling and I imagine that is going to come into play in the movie as well. It's high up on my list of movies to check out during Oscar season.

El Camino Trailer

I am both excited for and terrified of this movie being a thing. I loved Breaking Bad. It is easily one of my top five television shows EVER. Jesse Pinkman remains one of my favourite characters from a television show. I am one of those people who think that revivals/continuations/etc are a double edged sword. You are getting more of something you love BUT it has a high chance of being disappointing or ruining what you loved so much about the show in question



This trailer seems like it is going to answer the question of what happened to Jesse Pinkman after the events of Breaking Bad and I have such a detailed head cannon of what I wanted for that character that I am probably going to be disappointed in anything else (he better have kept driving that car all the way to Alaska and became a carpenter). I do, however, trust Vince Gilligan and the rest of his team to create something amazing. We'll see how it all plays out but I really don't want Jesse Pinkman to suffer anymore, he did that enough.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.

Waiting On Wednesday ... Yes No Maybe So

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Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pick is Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed


Here is the Goodreads synopsis
New York Times bestselling authors Becky Albertalli and Aisha Saeed have crafted a resonant, funny, and memorable story about the power of love and resistance. 

YES
Jamie Goldberg is cool with volunteering for his local state senate candidate—as long as he’s behind the scenes. When it comes to speaking to strangers (or, let’s face it, speaking at all to almost anyone), Jamie’s a choke artist. There’s no way he’d ever knock on doors to ask people for their votes…until he meets Maya.

NO
Maya Rehman’s having the worst Ramadan ever. Her best friend is too busy to hang out, her summer trip is canceled, and now her parents are separating. Why her mother thinks the solution to her problems is political canvassing—with some awkward dude she hardly knows—is beyond her.

MAYBE SO
Going door to door isn’t exactly glamorous, but maybe it’s not the worst thing in the world. After all, the polls are getting closer—and so are Maya and Jamie. Mastering local activism is one thing. Navigating the cross-cultural romance of the century is another thing entirely. 
Becky Albertalli always writes really cute and adorable books. I have pretty much loved everything I have read from her so I was immediately interested in checking out what her new co-written book is about. I haven't read anything from Aisha Saeed yet but I am excited to discover her style and how her and Becky's writing meshes together.

The premise sounds really adorable and it'll be out just in time to read for Valentine's Day.

Expected release date - February 4, 2020