Read and Reading:
I read/am reading some good stuff this month. Here's my list:
Instructions for a Heatwave
Human Remains
The Storyteller
Life After Life
Covet
Faith and Doubt
The Snow Child
Wolf Hall
TV:
Revenge - my rich, decadent, very guilty pleasure show. They're the most awful people but my Monday nights are incomplete now without a Victoria/Conrad epic slapdown.
Call the Midwife - best show on right now. After missing Sunday night's episode I watched it crowded around my sister's computer with her and my mum - very undignified, especially with mum sniffling all over the keyboard!
Movies:
Blue Like Jazz
I enjoyed this much more than I expected. I'm glad that because it was an independent rather than a 'Christian' film the creators could ask better questions, include more nuanced characters and stories and be free to leave some things a bit open for the audience. The ending was the best.
Wish You Were Here
Wow. Intense and quite terrifying but so well acted and beautifully crafted. I loved the incredibly layered, textured quality. You can absolutely never go wrong with a Hopscotch production. I worried about his character but my adoration of Joel Edgerton stands! Undiluted bloke that one.
Music:
Loving Ed Sheeran's Small Bump but I cannot listen without getting a big lump in my throat. (Warning for anyone who has miscarried or struggled with infertility - super triggering.)
This post is part of the Hopefulleigh link-up.
Have a lovely Easter, everyone!
I've been wanting to dive in to Mantel's Tudor books. I need an extended period of time with few distractions, just so I can keep all of the names straight. I checked it out from the library and read the beginning chapters, but I couldn't keep engaged at home.
I felt the same way about Blue Like Jazz. I typically do not love "Christian film." I liked how the filmmakers tried to address Christianity with some nuance, and yes, I loved the ending, too!
Posted by: Kelly | 03/30/2013 at 08:44 AM
Yes. It's not really about 'Christian film' though; I always react badly to any movie/book/song that says 'this is exactly what you should think after watching/reading/listening to us' I appreciate being able to seek out meaning and draw at least some of my own conclusions. And I think Blue Like Jazz allowed for that. :)
Posted by: Adele Chapman | 03/30/2013 at 09:43 AM
I haven't heard that song by Ed Sheeran, but I seem to love everything I hear from him. So I'll probably love this one, too. However, since I've been a crazy emotional mess this week (hormones? allergies? stress? I DON'T KNOW BUT IT'S GETTING OLD.), I'm going to wait a few days.
I've heard GREAT things about Call the Midwife and have several friends who love Revenge, but sadly, I don't watch either one. I'd like to check out the Midwife, but considering I still have all of Downton Abbey's season three waiting for me on the DVR, I'd better wait on that.
Posted by: Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect | 03/30/2013 at 10:26 AM
Under no circumstances should you listen to 'Small Bump' while an emotional mess - danger, danger! I'm not sentimental nor a crier but this one kills me.
But YES you should watch Call the Midwife even with Downton Abbey waiting - it's just so much better!
Posted by: Adele Chapman | 03/30/2013 at 12:07 PM
Oooh, The Snow Child sounds like my kind of book. Thanks!
Posted by: Christie Purifoy | 04/01/2013 at 04:27 AM
I keep hearing about Call the Midwife....must watch!
Posted by: Cara | 04/01/2013 at 05:45 AM
I'm glad to hear you liked Jodi Picoult's latest. I'd kind of given up on her and haven't read her last 2 or 3 books. But I so want her to get back to good form. I'll have to give her another chance!
I agree that Blue Like Jazz's ending was the best part of the film. I'm a little behind on Revenge but it is still enjoyable. Definite guilty pleasure.
Posted by: Leigh Kramer | 04/01/2013 at 06:14 AM
Oh yes. I feel sure you will love it, Christie. It is based on the Russian fairytale but Eowyn Ivey sets her story in Alaska - she evokes the beauty of that frontier so vividly. I enjoyed it very much. :)
Posted by: Adele Chapman | 04/01/2013 at 08:31 AM
Absolutely you should! Glorious show.
Posted by: Adele Chapman | 04/01/2013 at 08:31 AM
I happily recommend The Storyteller, Leigh. It did read more like old school Jodi Picoult. Difficult subject matter but she dealt with it creatively and left me thinking about the nature of forgiveness and possibility of redemption. Unfortunately I did pick the twist about 100 pages in :/ but I kept reading and really liked it.
Posted by: Adele Chapman | 04/01/2013 at 08:36 AM
Oh, Wish You Were Here looks really good!
Posted by: Caris Adel | 04/02/2013 at 12:57 AM
I've seen parts of two episodes of Call the Midwife, and I MUST MUST MUST see them all! Although I do have to say I cringed more than a few times at some of the birthing procedures - thank goodness modern medicine keeps on modernizing!
Posted by: Jessica H | 04/02/2013 at 01:25 AM
It was!
Posted by: Adele Chapman | 04/02/2013 at 07:06 AM
The birthing scenes can get pretty graphic! It's interesting how, especially in the second series, they show the development of many modern interventions in childbirth.
Posted by: Adele Chapman | 04/02/2013 at 07:08 AM
I've been hearing good things about Ed Sheeran for some time - think I need to check his stuff out. Always enjoy reading your linkups Adele - thanks for coming by my blog as well!
Posted by: Sarah Caldwell | 04/03/2013 at 11:03 PM
The Snow Child, and Life After Life are both on my reading wishlist so I'm glad you enjoyed them both.
I read Wolf Hall a few years ago. It's one of the densest books I've ever read but I did enjoy it. Mantel actually made me LIKE Cromwell, which is a miracle in itself after all the school history lessons on him I endured.
I got Call the Midwife for my birthday (the book and the DVD) so I'm excited to start watching it!
Posted by: fiona lynne | 04/12/2013 at 03:44 PM