Friday, March 9, 2018

My February Wrap Up!

Hey everyone and welcome back to my blog! I'm Genni, and today I'll be looking at my February! Unfortunately, I did not read much on February. I've been super busy, but my spring break starts next weekend, so hopefully I will catch up on some books I've wanted to read for a while now. I also saw some movies (not as much as January), and I'll be talking about those as well!


Books
1) Our Dark Stars by Krystal Wade and Audrey Grey
I received Our Dark Stars via Netgalley! The cover is what drew me in, but the plot is what sold me. Told in dual POVs (and at times two different time periods), Our Dark Stars follows a galaxy where humans and mocks (think androids) are at odds with each other. In the past, humans ruled, and now, mocks do. The book follows Talia Starchaser, a human meant to rule the galaxy, and Will Perrault, a half mock captain. I did have my issues with the book, but I enjoyed it overall. Here is my review!  

2) Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
I could not WAIT for Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett! After reading Alex, Approximately last year (and loving it! review here), I was sold on Starry Eyes. When I got the ARC I could not believe it, and was ecstatic! Starry Eyes did not disappoint, and my review will be up closer to the release date. 

3) The Martian by Andy Weir
Honestly, I picked up The Martian on a whim and I don't regret it at all. I've heard amazing things about the book and the movie, and I completely understand. I might not have understood the science talk, but I was completely immersed. Hopefully I'll watch the movie this March!
 
4) Under the Lights by Abbi Glines
Under the Lights is the sequel to Until Friday Night, which I read last year and had some problems with. I liked Until Friday Night, but I thought there was some problematic areas with how the relationships were taken (review here). The same problems existed with this sequel, and I just thought this book was okay. I wouldn't recommend it, but I can see why people love it. 
 
5) Bookish Boyfriends by Tiffany Schmidt
Lastly, I read Bookish Boyfriends by Tiffany Schmidt. I won't be talking about this as long (I'm writing my review right now!) but I thought it was enjoyable!  






Movies
1) Miss Stevens
I watched Miss Stevens, which is available on Netflix in the USA, after I watched Call Me By Your Name. I am obsessed with Timothee Chalamet now, and after I saw CMBYN, I wanted to see another movie he was in. I really enjoyed Miss Stevens! I didn't like it as much as CMBYN, but I thought it was really well done. The performances were spectacular, specifically that of Lily Rabe! It was fun seeing Chalamet again, and Lili Reinhart was also in this, which was a pleasant surprise. 

2) Darkest Hour
There was a free screening on The Darkest Hour at my college campus, so I went! I heard amazing things about Gary Oldman's performance as Winston Churchill, and I thought he did a great job (so did the Academy, considering he won the award for best actor)! I just don't think this movie was for me. There were scenes that I thought were compelling, but the movie was slow and I felt the length of it. Technically, this movie is superb, but the emotional impact was lost on me.  

3) Lady Bird
It feels so long ago since I saw Lady Bird! I saw this in the theaters with my mom, and it was a great experience. I loved the humor, and I thought that the relationship between Lady Bird and her mother was so raw and well acted. Soairse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf were amazing, and well deserving of their Oscar nominations! 

4) The First Time
So I really wanted to see this movie back in 2011 when it released. I saw it on Netflix and was bored, so I decided to give it a go. Though Britt Robertson and Dylan O'Brien have chemistry together, the movie falls flat. The characters are one-dimensional, and even the main characters feel contrived. Also, there was a good deal of slut-shaming soo....no. 
 
5) When We First Met
Another movie that I saw on Netflix! When We First Met wasn't horrible, but I didn't particularly love it either. 

6) Camille
I really, really liked Camille! I watched it for a film class I'm in, and thought that the movie was so captivating. The costume design is spot on, and I loved Greta Garbo's performance. I don't have too much to say about this, but I do think it is a movie worth seeing! 

7) Marie Antoinette
Lastly, I watched 2006's Marie Antoinette, directed by Sofia Copalla. I didn't hate Marie Antoinette, but the movie never felt like it had a plot. Yes, Marie Antoinette is an interesting character, but without a concrete plot, the movie was weakened. The costume design on this was beautiful as well, and I thought the movie did a great job combining the fashion of the late 1700s and 1950s, as well as adding in some modern influence.  


So those are the book I read and the movies I watched in February! As for what I'm reading right now, I am listening to the audiobook of My Lady Jane and reading an ARC for Nyxia: Unleashed

Have you read or seen any of these?

Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!

Happy Reading!

Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!

18 comments:

  1. The Martian was such a good book - I really enjoyed the movie, too!

    We watched "When We First Met" on Valentine's Day, we were just looking for a rom-com on Netflix and decided to try it! Not too bad!

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    1. That's great to here! I just taped it on the TV, so I'm going to be seeing it (probably) tomorrow!

      It wasn't horrible! When We First Met could have been a lot worse, honestly!

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  2. A good month for you! I loved The Martian as well. Happy March!

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    1. Thanks Freda! I just recorded the movie, so I'll be seeing that soon! You too. :)

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  3. I've really been wanting to see Lady Bird!! I'm glad to hear you liked it! I also recently rewatched Marie Antoinette and found it interesting, but not as good as I remembered.

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    1. It was such a real and raw movie. I thin that anyone can relate to some part of the movie! Marie Antoinette was this modern day mixed with historical France, which was a breath of fresh air, but I don't think it really worked unfortunately. :/

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  4. I've been wanting to try your top three movies - I hope I can get to them soon! :)

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    1. I hope you like all three! My movies weren't in order, but Lady Bird, Miss Stevens, and Camille were the stand outs! Enjoy Lauren. :)

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  5. Starry eyes looks awesome, I'm looking forward to finding out more about that one. I need t check out the reviews...

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    1. It was great! There was also maps and drawings, which was really endearing!

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  6. I'm so glad you enjoyed The Martian! I absolutely loved both it and the movie (and I was slightly excited about all the science because I'm a biology major in university and was just lovely!). I feel like if the book was written by anybody but Andy Weir, the plot would have dragged because it is just one guy by himself trying to survive (it kind of reminds me of Hatchet, actually) but all the humor really moves it along. I hope you have a lovely March, Genni!

    Laura @BlueEyeBooks

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    1. I didn't understand a lot of the science (I'm and English and Women and Gender Studies double major!) but I could tell a lot of thought was put into it. I was worried that I would get bored with just one character, but I found the book to actually be very compelling! I loved what was happening on Earth, and the third-person POVs at time. Plus, like you said, the humor was spot on. :) Thank you Laura! You as well. :)

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  7. Wow you watched a lot of movies this month! I'm so excited for Lady Bird - it looks incredible. I'm disappointed Gerwig didn't win Best Director though! It would've been nice to have a woman win the Oscar :)

    Hope you enjoy your spring break, Genni! Have a great March.

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    1. I did! My January was even more packed because school started halfway through the month. Let's just say I watched way too many, haha! I'm a bit disappointed too, but I really loved Shape of Water and understand why Guillermo won! Plus, it's great that a minority won it this year! Though it would have been amazing for a women to win, I think it's great that an immigrant did! Maybe next year another minority or women will win (or both!!)

      Thank you Amy! Have a great March too. :)

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  8. You've interested me in Our Dark Stars with your interview and the fact that it's a retelling.

    I want to read My Lady Jane. Oh my poor TBR. I hope you're enjoying it!

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    1. It's a pretty good book! Ah, My Lady Jane! It was so good. :)

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  9. Oh it is so great that you got to read Starry Eyes already, I can't wait to read that one :) so happy you enjoyed it :)
    I hope you're having a wonderful month so far! :) x

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    1. Right as I got approved, I had to read it! I hope you love it Marie! Thank you, you too!

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