Worst Movie Ever!

So over the weekend I saw that movie, Love and Other Drugs and OMG! You guys, this was not my favorite!

Want to know why?

Let me break it down for you.

It's 1996! Which ok, is kind of awesome. And the movie opens to....Two Princes! One of my favorite songs! And there is Jake Gyllenhaal and ok he is kind of awesome too! He's funny, charming, flirtatious, dancing with everyone in the electronics store and possibly has ADD and then oh...he takes the bosses girlfriend in the back to uh...inspect some equipment...and then accidentally calls the boss while they're... plugging the stereo IN! SCANDAL. He's fired, and within seconds, scams on another girl. Oh Jake!

And then from here on out, the movie becomes a lot LESS awesome.

Jake starts working for Pfizer as a drug sales rep.

Bonus Points. The movie was filmed in Pittsburgh and my sister lives in Pittsburgh so she was pointing out all these things to me. But if you've never been to Pittsburgh or your sister doesn't live there, then this probably isn't a bonus point for you. Sorry. I guess this isn't really a bonus point at all.

Anyway, as charming as Jake is...man I can't even remember his movie name, he le sucks at pharmaceutical repping because there's another rep in town and he was in the marines!

But finally! (after sleeping with one of the receptionists A LOT) he gets in with the doctor...I think he also paid him 1,000 dollars.

So Anne Hathaway shows up. She has Parkinsons at 26! Which is horrible. But she's also kind of a bi-atch. Anyway Jake pretends to be an intern. And sees her boob. Note--you will see Anne Hathaway's boobs approximately once every 10 seconds for the next 45 minutes of the movie. She was contracted to show her boobs more times than Taylor Lautner was expected to show ABS in all the Twilight movies put together--and now that's saying something!

Anyway... Anne and Jake (Gylenhaal, not Black) hook up. A lot. And BOOBS! Yes, we know, Anne has them.

But like an hour later, you realize--that despite the fact that they finally could admit they like each other and have a relationship--there is a SERIOUS lacking of 90' s songs in a movie that took place in 1996! You know what songs were awesome in 1996? I'll tell you! Oasis' Wonder Wall, Alanis Morisette's Ironic, No Doubt's Just a Girl, and Bush's Machine Head. Seriously! Thank you for my dose of Spin Doctors, but you could have really brought it with the 90's awesome. And you failed!

Oh yeah, also I realized that both Jake and Anne were COMPLETELY unlikable characters. And thus I totally stopped caring about their relationship.

Anyway, at some point, Jake realizes that WAIT! Even though he's a drug rep and went to a little bit of medical school, it turns out Parkinson's will really ruin Anne's life and he'll have to take care of her--and so he goes on a crusade to cure her. He also sells Viagra. And then...Anne is like--DUDE--you can't love me unless you can cure me, and so we are over. Which is ridiculous, and also...OUT OF CHARACTER for Jake! You're smart, you should know these things up front.

And then things happen and they get back together.

Now WHY was this movie not my fave?

Two characters who are unlikable. I couldn't fall in love with Anne Hathaway at all! Anne Hathaway of the Princess Diaries! I could not love you. So I couldn't understand why Jake did. And Jake...eh...he's Jake, so I forgave him a little for being a womanizer, but seriously...they ended up at the end, where they were at the middle of the movie.

So there was also no character growth! Um...not liking this is self explanatory.

Bad Chemistry You guys, I didn't buy Anne and Jake at all...and you know...maybe it's because I couldn't buy them last time they were together, but also that's because Jake was in love with Heath! Oh Heath! Moving on...

Gratuitous Imagery...and things... Fine if this is moving the plot forward...or showing growth in character...oh wait, this movie didn't have that.

So basically, if you are going to write a love story--the characters must be likable, or at least sympathetic, or redeem themselves in some way! Also, they must grow! AND if you are going to claim it's 1996--then for the love of all things Gwen Stefani--please please please play some No Doubt!

I think I should have seen Tangled instead....

Did you guys see anything good over the holiday weekend?

Too Cute Turkey Overload

Guys,

It's Thanksgiving. I got nothing. BUT...I did take the liberty of finding really, really adorable turkey videos on youtube in honor of the holiday! Your welcome.

In which a Turkey falls in love with a human! Too cute! Also Hercules the Turkey is GORGEOUS!!!!



If Turkeys sang like The Supremes... the tofu in this video makes me giggle.



And...Pour Some Gravy On Me! If you went to college, then you probably like Def Leppard...don't ask me how I came to this conclusion, just go with it. Anyway, you are bound to like this video!



Ok! I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday and not eating too much turkey feeling thankful! :-)

Ok yes, I may have been attempting to subliminally convince you not to eat turkey.

But I'm vegan. I can't help myself.

And actually, I'm not subliminally tryin to convince you because I just told you.

So...forget that.

But seriously, whatever you eat for Thanksgiving, I hope you all have a fabulous feast and get to relax and be happy with loved ones and....finish Nanowrimo! Yeah!

XOXOX

Potter! Potter! Potter!

So OF COURSE I saw The Deathly Hallows last night at midnight and it. was. awesome!

Like it was THE BEST of all the movies.

First of all--splitting the movie into two parts? HELLZ YES! Seriously why didn't they make every one of the movies come out in 2 parts (besides the fact that the actors were growing and child labor laws and gah!). But soooooo much of the original dialogue from the books--dialogue I loved was in there and that made me ridiculously happy!

So here are my highlights: (BTW there are "spoilers" I guess--I mean you guys know what happens because you read the books right? Well anyway, read on at your own risk if you haven't seen the movie).

1. Bill Weasely!!!!!!!!! OMG--Where have you been all my life? You were adorable and charming and I wish you had been around for the last few movies too because you deserved to be since you were working your job at Gringotts and giving Fleur EEnglish lessons. But so happy to have had you this time, and I was so glad to be at your wedding. Why can't we meet Charlie? Seriousy--if the Cullens get to keep all of their siblings why can't Weaselys represent? Haven't they suffered enough people!?!? We just want some more Bill! And Charlie too!

2. 7 Harrys!!! I laughed so hard at this scene, especially seeing Fleur-Harry in her bra! Hilarious and awesome. I think Fleur-Harry was my favorite--especially when she/he cuddled up against Bill before he rode off on the back of that creature whose name I'm forgetting which just reminds me again that Bill was awesome! Also George's HOLEY joke made it in! SQUEE!

3.Hermione Obliviates Her Parents! We got to be there when she did it! Awesome--emotional! Nuff said. And then when she has to obliviate those death eaters in the coffee shop! My heart! And when she takes Harry to the Forest of Dean...because she went there with her parents....OMG--Hermione girl! You stole the show! Hermione was all kinds of fantastic in this movie. ALL KINDS! So fantastic, that I'm ready to start calling it Hermione Granger and The Deathly Hallows, because lets face it--and even movie Ron agrees--ya'll wouldn't make it 2 minutes out there without Hermione! WIN! Every scene with Hermione=win...which brings me to....

4. Ron got splinched! This probably doesn't say much about me but I LOVE when Ron gets splinched in the book (I'm really not an evil person). I love it because it forces Hermione to let down her guard a bit and really take care of her man like you know she wants to and she DOES! She's sooooo sweet and concerned when it happens and just getting right in there to fix it. Le sigh. So much love for....

5. Ron. They did such a good job with Ron. He was funnier than usual, and more charismatic. AND SQUEEEE! They showed the first morning after in Grimauld place when Hermione slept on the couch and Ron on the floor and they were reaching toward each other like they held hands all night!!!! These little details just killed me! And when Ron came back....

6. The Silver Doe! You guys, THIS is my favorite of favorites! My most favorite favorite favorite Harry Potter chapter of all time--of all the books! I LOVE this chapter so hard it hurts. And it was awesome! And Volde-Harry and Volde-Hermione killed it--though I was not expecting nekkid making out. But the way they appeared all ghostly white and beautiful...it was just how I imagined it! And then Ron destroyed the horcrux and it was awesome!

7. Dobby! Every scene with Dobby. Nuff said. You KNOW what I'm talking about.

8. Hermione's Torture! AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Emma Watson killed that scene! My only complaint here though is A) Ron was not freaking out screaming HERMIONE HERMIONE in the basement like he does in the book which I just love! And B) there's kind of a weird --Oh hey Luna, what's up--moment that slowed down the tension for me in that scene. But whatever, still freaking awesome.

9. Runcorn-Harry When Harry sneaks into the Ministry of Magic--LOL! From the toilet flushing in, to the looks on his face--even though this was not actually Harry acting--err Dan Radcliffe--whatever I loved him. And Cattermole-Ron! Hilarious--especially he starts worrying about his wife! Minor complaint--they didn't really rescue any "mudbloods" just got Mary Cattermole out. I wanted more people saved, but the way they showed people being taken away...soooooo chilling.

10. Godric's Hallow I loved their visit there! And the Bathilda scene was shot SO well, I'd kind of crawled out of my seat and was half on the floor--because when Nagini strikes--she STRIKES!

Ok, I'm probably forgetting 100 things because I got like 2 hours of sleep last night. But it was AMAZING! And I'm going to see it as many times as I can! :-) EEEEEH! So happy they got it right this time!

Oh wait I just remembered what scene was MADE of AWESOME! There are so many in 2 and half hours, its easy to forget.

The Three Brothers! This was some SERIOUSLY SERIOUSLY cool animation and totally unexpected. I could just watch that piece over and over again! It was just...I can't describe it--but that was one of my favorite features in the film--despite my momentary memory lapse.

Ok! Excitement again! (Can you tell I'm sleep deprived?) And end post!

My Favorite Conversation Ever

Anyone who has a CP, particularly one you've known for say....3 years, knows that you and your CP(s) will have a tendency to bond on a very deep level--to the point where you finish each other's sentences, can decide what kind of food the other will like, and always understand exactly what the other is saying--even when what they are saying MAKES NO SENSE. Actually, especially when what they are saying makes no sense.

Case in point, last night at dinner:

Me: You know that guy who took that class with me?

Janine: Yeah.

Me: Oh, you didn't take that class with me, Sara did. But it was all about that one author.

Janine: Aha.

Me: I can't remember her name....what was the name of that author...it starts with an O. Something with an O.... O....

Janine: Willa Cather!

Me: YES!

Janine's Husband: ....  :O

Me: Oh yeah, she doesn't have an O in her name.

Janine: No.

Me: But she did write O Pioneers.

Janine: That's where you got the O from.

Janine's Husband: You got that from that?!?!?!?!?!? *is scarred for life*


:-) We really do speak a secret language sometimes.

Also...HARRY POTTER at midnight tonight! SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My Crazy Writing Habit

Yesterday, I spent most of my day at my FNC CP Janine's writing with her--which is SO much fun, because you have someone there you can quickly read a scene to or bounce an idea off of and know right away if it works!

But I realized, as I was working with her--that I do this really weird thing--sort of.

When I'm revising, I ACT out almost every single thing on my page, as I'm writing.

Am I the only one who does this?

I was sort of aware I had this habit, because I consciously tone it down when I'm at say...Barnes and Noble writing and people might think I'm insane, though they probably do anyway, because it comes out still a little--I make a TON of faces as I write. But I realized sitting across from Janine that if she looks up from her computer she WILL think I'm pyschopants.

Now, everything--well mostly everything is acted out from my seat--but this includes EVERY single facial expression I describe, every hand shake, pat, touch, tip of the hat, nod...I do it all! So if you ever actually saw me working, you wouldn't just be watching me sitting straightbacked and typing...I'd pretty much look like a really odd one woman show. Or like I was having a psychotic fit.

So, tell me...do you guys act out your books as your writing? Or is that just me?

Bonus Question: Have you ever gotten your CPs to act out other characters in your book with you? Because um...I have...

J.K. Rowling's Cafe

In honor of The Deathly Hallows this week I thought I'd post a little blast from the past--some of the postings I did when I was a creative writing student in Edinburgh, Scotland AKA The PLACE where J.K. Rowling LIVES and the place (the REAL place) where she wrote Harry Potter!!!


There was a bit of a hunt --several places claim to be the original cafe where she wrote, but there is only ONE cafe and...as it turns out...it was a Chinese Buffet when I got there--but it was the real place. And I sat...where she sat...and it was magic!

So here you go...

Laura and I decided we needed to skip lunch again and instead went for Chinese Buffet, particularly the Chinese Buffet that used to be Nicholson's Diner where JK Rowling ACTUALLY DID write the Harry Potter books. We recruited Justin to come along to and had the best meal. The atmosphere in there was very simple and yet very charged. I kind of felt excited in there and euphoric in a way that I hadn't at The Elephant House (where they claim she wrote it but didn't), it was almost like I could feel the creative waves in the air. It was amazing, and the food wasn't bad either. 

Isn't it crazy that this little spot is where it all began...well there and on the train ;)

Hanukkah For Picture Book Lovers--Tour My Library

Every year when Hanukkah rolls around I get to stage the children's library I run for the holidays. That means that EVERY single holiday book we own (and we own quite a few) comes off the holidays book shelves and goes up to look really pretty and really festive.

For about 5 minutes.

Once the teachers and parents and kids get wind that the Hanukkah books are out, my lovely displays kind of go to pieces and then I rebuild and redecorate and redisplay until Hanukkah is over.

But for once I thought...I really ought to take some pictures and show the blogosphere all the picture books I've been playing with for the last few years. And actually give you all a mini-tour of my library.

My main wall o'books!

Close up of some shelves--yeah, Simba lives there all year except when he follows certain kids home:-)

Moar Hanukkah books!

And here's another wall of my library--including a signed Amelia Bedelia Poster!!!!!

And more Hanukkah books! Plus my snakes and dragons! They guard the books.

That's my desk...from the outside...the inside is a bit messy scary. I was reorganizing... ;)

You can see part of my "reading carpet." The kids like to sit on different holidays.

And that's my Cat in the Hat poster--we're very big on Dr. Seuss (we share the same B-Day!)

So...I hope you enjoyed my tiny tour--I bet most of you didn't even know I worked with so many picture books considering how YA centric my blog is:-) But there you go--Hanukkah books are out!

One day I'll have to do a tour of my own personal home library...after I buy some more shelves...

If You Thought Your Family Was Weird...

Ok normally I say crazy family antics should be kept within the family--whatever happens at Thanksgiving dinner STAYS at Thanksgiving dinner, but I just HAVE to tell you this story!

In order to protect the innocent--I will not name names, but said person involved in this incident was in fact related to me! And not in some kind of uber-distant way. But in a you-changed-my-diapers and have totally watched-me-grow-up my entire life kind of way!

So I'm at a family thingy on Sunday night and things are kind of chill and quiet and I decide to pull out my copy of ZOMG--Anna and the French Kiss! Yes--it's my second read. Yes--it's that good.

And then THIS happens...

Pause!

--A little backstory--

EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE in my family knows that:

A: I'm a writer

B: I'm the kind of writer who writes novels

C: Ok maybe this is just me but I would assume that if a person writes novels they also like novels, so....

D: I'm a writer, I write novels and I like novels

-------

And then this occurs:

Me: *face buried in Anna and the French Kiss*

Relative: What are you reading?

Me: Oh it's this really good book called Anna and the French Kiss.

Relative: Hmmph. What's it about?

Me: Well this girl goes to boarding school in France and...

Relative: *glares at me* Oooooh. It's one of those novels.

Me: ... Those novels? What are those novels? Novels that are about France? About girls named Anna? WHAT!

Relative: So do you like LIKE novels?

Me: ... OMFG are you KIDDING ME! Ask me if I like Oxygen! Um....yeah.

Relative: Oh well I hate novels. They're all just about a bunch of made up stuff that people made up and I like real things that are real.

Me: :O But...But...But...But I WRITE NOVELS! My goal in life is make up a bunch of stuff and write it down and make it into a novel full of things that I made up!!!!!!! Oh ok...cool.... *deflates* *headdesk*

So yes...even though I am known in my family as a NOVELIST, this actually happened.

I then spent the next hour on the phone with my BFF completely SHOCKED that this had happened and that I shared the same DNA with this person and then coming up with a hundred variations on the conversation to illustrate my point.

Example:

Relative: What are you doing?

Chef: I am making food.

Relative: Oh do you like LIKE food?

Chef: Ummm... Yes...

Relative: Well I hate food. In fact, I don't eat!

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So in case you thought your family was weird or didn't understand your fascination with breathing reading, well, you're not alone.

Please, please tell me you've had some crazy comment about writing or books from your own family!

All the leaves are brown...

And orange and pink and bright red.

And I went for another nature walk.

But this time two of my favorite things got to come with me!

1) My boots!

2) Fingerless Gloves (I have a collection)

So here a few pics from my walk.

Happy Friday! :-)

Secret Notes Fairy--Pay It Forward

So in my quest last week to kind of relax and take a chill pill about this whole writing thing, I had an idea! Oh yes!

I was opening up my copy of John Green's Paper Towns and suddenly found a tiny little post it note that a nerdfighter had put in there before I bought it telling me "hey, I bothered to leave you a secret message because this book is THAT awesome."

And it got me thinking...how fun would it be to write notes to anonymous strangers and leave them in my favorite books.

Everyone in the blogosphere is super passionate about promoting books and the publishing industry. And we do a kick-butt job if I may say so.

BUT, how often do we really reach out to the average person who doesn't check out blogger/goodreads/amazon reviews.

What about the people who just walk into a bookstore to see what they find? How can we gush to them about our favorite author?

Because you know I love me some gushing and sometimes you have to take it off the internets and into the real world.

So....I left a few notes...Shhhh!

I hid this inside a copy of Leila Sales' Mostly Good Girls.

Dear Reader,

If you love your friends and you love to laugh then read this book. It is perfect!

:-)

And inside a copy of Andrea Cremer's Nightshade...

Dear Reader,

This book is full of awesome--romance, suspense, passion. Buy it--I promise you won't be disappointed.

:-)

And I didn't get a decent picture but some unsuspecting person will be picking up a copy of Maggie Stiefvater's Lament and finding a little purple post it note that says this:

Dear Reader,

Take this book home tonight. Curl up with it and a cup of cocoa and you will be in love.

:-)

It's a small thing to do, but it's definitely bringing the fun :-) 

Laurie Halse Anderson!!!!!!!!!

OMG! I just got back from seeing Laurie Halse Anderson on her Forge tour and holy crap! It was AMAZING! Seriously, seeing Laurie is like being blessed by a guru--she is just so amazing, and inspiring and personable and...Gah! Love her!

Also I am MAJORLY loving the staff at Childrens Book World in Haverford, PA--this was my second night in a row with them--last night I was there to see David Levithan, Rachel Cohn, Matt De La Pena, E. Lockhart, and Sarah Mlynowksi. Indies Rule!

But anyway....LAURIE!

She's very dramatic when she talks!

So, I arrived at Children's Book World a few minutes before the signing, met up with FNC Sara bought my books--shiny new copies of Chains and Forge.

Frankie and Sara (we have a zillion shots like this)

AND I ran into my 6th grade teacher, Mrs. Staroba! EEEE! She recognized me immediately because apparently I don't look any different from how I looked when I was in 6th grade:-) I think that's a good sign.

The store was MOBBED! And that was because Mrs. Staroba was there with a bunch of 6th graders from MY middle school! EPIC!!! 

Also, I found Lucy, one of my favoritest people ever and her daughter Molly--Lucy is a librarian and also a bookseller at SCBWI events. She's also my adopted mom when I'm at conferences and makes sure the kitchen feeds my vegan food:-)

Lucy!

And here are the highlights from Laurie's talk:

-She started writing Chains because of research she was doing for Fever 1793--she discovered that Ben Franklin who she apparently had a mad historical crush on was actually a slave owner (before he saw the error of his ways). And she was shocked!

-This fact led her to realize she didn't fully understand her own history and culture--which is everyone's history in the U.S.

-There has been movie optioning interest in Chains, but Laurie is holding off until she completes the trilogy--she thinks its more interesting as a whole

-Her biggest author inspiration is Christopher Paul Curtis

-Laurie never took a creative writing class--she comes to her writing through stories

-Social Studies was her fave class in school

-She does an INSANE amount of research down to even walking in the snow without shoes, cooking rabbit that her husband shot in the backyard, and tasting gun powder. 

-Laurie feels historical can be as popular as fantasy because it appeals to kids in the same way--they are stories that deal with very harsh and real realities but that are kept at a safe distance--in another world (fantasy) in another time (historical).

So after the talk, I got to meet Jessica Tudor! Meeting Jessica tonight was really exciting because I got to meet her literally hours after she signed with her agent, Suzie Townsend--she was glowing a little:-) Congrats, Jessica!

And, epicness of epicness, we met The Steph Su!

And fellow book blogger Jamie!

The four of us spent the majority of the time hanging out in this corner while Laurie went through the line and finally it was our turn to see her--we went last.

Laurie was uber sweet and remembered meeting us last November when we actually saw her twice in one day at two different book stores. I'm beyond impressed that she knew which bookstore exactly she had met us at!

Then right after this picture was taken, Sara had some kind of spontaneous combustion where 4 books she'd just had signed by Laurie ended up flying into the air.

We were all in hysterics, and then got hugs from Laurie! I have such an author crush on her right now I can't even tell you. And what author signing post would be complete without...

Reader Porn!

She wrote this after I filled her in on my epic 10 copies of SPEAK giveaway for #SpeakLoudly

And this I have my fingers crossed for!

Thanks, Laurie!

And now...I must pass out. But it's a happy exhaustion:-)



David Levithan Rachel Cohn and Friends Signing!

So last night Donna and I went to Children's Book World for an epic reading and signing with David Levithan, Rachel Cohn, Matt De La Pena, E. Lockhart, and Sarah Mlynowski!

Excited Donna before the reading!

E. Lockhart, Rachel Cohn, Matt De La Pena, David Levithan, and Sarah Mlynowski

Everyone took turns reading from their latest books, then David led a question and answer session, followed by epic signage!! :-)

Check out The First Novels Club soon where Donna will be posted all the info from the Q&A session.

But you know what I have for you guys?

Reader Porn!

Rachel and David's signature on DASH & LILY'S BOOK OF DARES

Matt De La Pena's signature on I WILL SAVE YOU plus a bookmark!

Rachel and David again for NICK & NORAH'S

E. Lockhart's signature plus a bookmark. Also I was officially the first Frankie to get a copy of Frankie Landau-Banks signed! :-)

The night was a blast and it was so fun to hear the authors read and just sit there in awe of so much talent and love of words. I definitely left the night on a high AND I'm going back tonight to see Laurie Halse Anderson! SQUEEE!