Literally Correct

Top Ten Bookish Confessions

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I’ve been told by friends and co-workers that my treatment of books borders on Obsessive Compulsive. Maybe they’re right? You tell me…

1. I don’t dog-ear, use a book mark, write in, break the spine, or damage the sleeve of any of my books.

2. When I buy a book I have to go through every book on the shelf to make sure I get one that looks as near perfect as possible. Meaning no rips, tears, bent pages, smudges, or scratches on the book.

3. If I can’t pronounce the names of the characters in a novel I don’t read it. No exceptions.

4. I can’t start a book if I know there are several books before it that involve the same character. I must go back and read the first one. (Ex. I showed interest in M is for Malice when it came out but had to read A through L before I could read M…I did it in 3 months though!)

5. I owe $32 on my NYPL card going back to 1992 that I still haven’t paid! Why they still have that in their records I’ll never know! I haven’t checked a book out from the library since that time! I haven’t stepped foot inside a library since before 2000!

6. Every few months I reorganize my books so they don’t stay in the same position for too long. I’m not the only one who does that ok!?

7. I cannot visit a Barnes & Noble without buying a book before I leave.

8. I’ve discovered the joy and inspiration that can be gained from book signings and have been building quite a library of books you can see here.

9. If a movie I want to see is based on a book I must read the book before I see the movie. If the book is getting good, I won’t finish it, instead I let the movie end the book for me.

10. I refuse to ever use an e-reader to read books. I prefer the hard/soft covered book every time.

See, I’m not Obsessive Compulsive when it comes to my books right?! :-)

Original Article

The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell

Written By: Chris Colfer

Cover Artist: Brandon Dorman

About the Author: Chris Colfer is a Golden Globe-winning actor best known for his role as “Kurt Hummel” on Glee. He was recently honored as a member of the 2011 TIME 100, Time Magazine’s annual list of the one hundred most influential people in the world. The Land of Stories is his first novel.

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: July 17^th, 2012

Pages: 438 pages

Age: Young Adult

Buying Options: Amazon.com or BN.com

Genre(s): fairy tale/fantasy/magic

Synopsis: Alex and Conner Bailey’s world is about to change, in this fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the enchanting realm of classic fairy tales.

The Land of Stories tells the tale of twins Alex and Conner. Through the mysterious powers of a cherished book of stories, they leave their world behind and find themselves in a foreign land full of wonder and magic where they come face-to-face with the fairy tale characters they grew up reading about. 

But after a series of encounters with witches, wolves, goblins, and trolls alike, getting back home is going to be harder than they thought.

My Review: Even though this book is geared towards young adults ranging from 8 - 12 years old, I read this 400+ page book for two reasons: 1. Chris Colfer wrote it & 2. Who doesn’t like a good fairy tale? You’re never too old to read fairy tales.

I found this book to be rather inventive. How he was able to intertwine all those fairy tales and still manage to leave himself room for several follow-up books in this made-for trilogy opener. While I feel the editing could have gone a bit deeper than I imagine it did considering it was left at over 400 pages! Then again, after Harry Potter I suppose there is no reason to shorten a book meant to be read by a younger audience. These kids devour books so quickly now!

The twins and main characters of the story are believable in their dialogue, except for the range of emotions the female character, Alex, goes through. I can’t say I remember what it was like when I was 12 but this girl would tear up over the littlest thing! The brother - sister relationship was spot on and I found a little bit of myself in each other them. There were lessons to be learned, as with any good fairy tale, and morals to be remembered. All in all, it’s a book any parent could and should read with their child and discuss as they go along.

I hear rumors of a possible movie being made out of this book? If so, I hope it’s completely animated. Some things are better depicted drawn and come off too corny when you take a children’s book and portray it with real people. Or if not completely then let it start with real people and when they fall into the book they become animated, like The Page Master or Rock-a-doodle.

My Rating: ★★★★

Read In: 3 ½ days

As Told By…

Original Article

Blacklash

Written By: Deneen Borelli

Cover Artist: N/A

About the Author: Deneen Borelli is a Fellow with Project 21, a network of black conservatives that is an initiative of The National Center for Public Policy Research, a national public policy group based in Washington, D.C. She is also a Fellow with FreedomWorks and currently serves as an official contributor on the Fox News Channel programs. She has appeared on programs, such as The Glenn Beck Show, Your World with Neil Cavuto, Hannity, and Fox and Friends. Deneen has also appeared on MSNBC, CNN, the BBC, and C-SPAN.

Publisher: Threshold Editions

Publication Date: 3/6/12

Pages: 304pgs

Age Range:

Buying Options: Amazon.com or BN.com

Genre(s): politics & government

Synopsis: This country is at a crossroads. We can either reverse direction or nosedive into a cycle of dependency that is turning America into a welfare nation—a “government plantation” where the underclass are doomed to 21st-century servitude. Now, Deneen Borelli, one of the most visible and outspoken black conservatives in the country, is fighting back—taking action, not just talking—and speaking up for those who can’t or are too afraid to do so.

Borelli’s argument is a solid one: the problem begins with President Barack Obama, whose policy overreach has frozen racial tensions in this country when he should have been thawing them. The Left, having introduced the race card to defend Obama from the massive unpopularity of his policies, has turned a blind eye to the leadership failures that have spread down through black career politicians—traitors to minority success—who are causing a cycle of oppression in America: specifically Charles Rangel, Al Sharpton, and Jesse Jackson, each of whom has enriched himself at the expense of his community. Borelli also challenges the ninety-five percent of the black Americans who voted for Obama without caring about or vetting his dangerous politics.

Borelli doesn’t stop there. She speaks out against the elites and crony capitalists who drive expensive government policies such as needless green initiatives and ObamaCare. She exposes government regulation and the NAACP as nothing more than a liberal front group. She points out each grave flaw in the current administration, big government, unions, and special-interest groups. She demands that new black leaders abandon the false rhetoric and inexcusable lies of so-called progressive politics. She asks the questions that people of all colors are afraid to ask, and delivers the honest, unyielding, and controversial answers that have made her the favorite of the left-wing firing squad.

Today, with taking a stand against Obama, comes the fear of being called a racist. There is no fear in Deneen Borelli. Her outspoken voice gives everyone the courage and ammunition needed to stand up against destructive progressive tyrants. She is a brave critic, bold and proactive—not reactive. Hers is a story a lot of people don’t want to hear—no matter how firmly they believe it to be true. Deneen Borelli is here to ignite a fire in independent-minded Americans. Blacklash is the fuse.

My Review: All the reasons why I am not a registered Democrat and probably never will be are espoused in this book. It’s a very telling reason for why many Black Americans don’t stand behind the Democratic Party. It’s ashame that those who continue to believe the Republican Party hates minorities will never read this book, and the few who do will deny there is any truth to Daneen’s statements.

She specifically targets (yes, I used that dangerous word) certain politicians and pundits directly associated with the Democratic Party who can currently are to blame for the bad reputation of a once decent party. I won’t go any further in my review except to say, this is a book for someone willing to have an open mind and also to see where people (like myself) came to the common sense conclusion that the Republican Party and what they mostly stand for are is the best choice for Americans who wish to remain free of choice and from government.

As for the other review I choose to share with every one of my book reviews. I could have chosen one that gave a more glowing review of the book but chose instead to allow the Liberal’s opinion of this book. You will find that review in the link below. Enjoy!

My Rating: ★★★★

Read In: 20 days

As Told By…

Original Article

Bringing Up Baby (1938)

Director: Howard Hawks

Screenwriter(s): Dudley Nichols & Hagar Wilde

Producer: Cliff Reid & Howard Hawks

Distributor: RKO Radio Pictures

In Theaters: February 18th, 1938

Run Time: 102 minutes

Starring: Katharine Hepburn & Cary Grant

Genre(s): comedy/romance

Storyline: Mild mannered zoology professor Dr. David Huxley is excited by the news that an intercostal clavicle bone has been found to complete his brontosaurus skeleton, a project four years in the construction. He is equally excited about his imminent marriage to his assistant, the officious Alice Swallow, who is interested in him more for his work than for him as a person. David needs the $1 million endowment of wealthy dowager Mrs. Carleton Random to complete the project. Her lawyer, Alexander Peabody, will make the decision on her behalf, so David needs to get in his favor. However, whenever David tries to make a good impression on Peabody, the same young woman always seems to do something to make him look bad. She is the flighty heiress Susan Vance. The more David wants Susan to go away, the more Susan seems not to want or be able to. But David eventually learns that Alexander Peabody is her good friend…

Movie Trailer:

My Review: I remember the first time I watched Bringing Up Baby. I was lucky enough to have a mother who brought home VHS tapes of countless classic movies, and not just starring Katharine Hepburn. For me, when it came to my understanding of comedy, it came from actors like Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn before I even discovered Lucille Ball. But being able to see a movie like this on the big screen just can’t compare. If you ever get a chance to see a classic on the big screen I cannot stress enough how much you should jump at the opportunity to see whatever it is.

These two have done a few others movies together but this one is my favorite. It truly showcases Katharine’s sense of humor, something many, including herself, have said she never truly had. In fact it was Cary who showed her the art of timing. And boy did she master it beautifully. Unlike other duos of their day (Mickey Rooney & Judy Garland or Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers) they didn’t have singing or dancing that made them flow together so well. It was their fantastic acting ability and it didn’t hurt that they both have larger than life personalities on the screen. It’s hard to notice anyone or anything else other than them when they are on the screen but do try because the ensemble cast in this movie just helps in so many ways to move this comedy along.

My Rating: ★★★★

Original Article

The Expendables 2

Director: Simon West

Screenwriter(s): Richard Wenk & Sylvester Stalone

Producer: Avi Lerner

Distributor: Lionsgate

In Theaters: August 17th, 2012

Run Time: 103 minutes

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Jet Li, Dolph Lundgren, Chuck Norris, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Liam Hemsworth, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Bruce Willis & Arnold Schwarzeneggar

Genre(s): action/adventure

Storyline: The Expendables are reunited when Mr. Church enlists them to take on a seemingly simple job. When things go wrong, the Expendables are compelled to seek revenge in hostile territory, where the odds are stacked against them. Hell-bent on payback, the crew cuts a swath of destruction through opposing forces, wreaking havoc and shutting down an unexpected threat in the nick of time - five tons of weapons-grade plutonium, more than enough to change the balance of power in the world. But that’s nothing compared to the justice they serve against the villainous adversary they seek revenge from. Written by Lionsgate

Movie Trailer:

My Review: Have you seen the first one? Stallone has truly outdone himself! More gory scenes, blood, and damn good fighting. The storyline isn’t half bad either. But honestly, whoever is going to see this movie for the story should just stay home. This movie is for someone looking for non-stop action. The fighting and bloodshed starts from the very beginning and never truly stops. If you love the heros who aren’t “super” by any means except for in the good deeds they’ve done in their own previous movies then you’ve come to the right place.

And for those select few who have never seen Terminator, Die Hard, Rocky, Rambo, or any movie with Jet Li or Chuck Norris in it, this movie will surely make you wish you had. There are classic one liners in it that not matter how many times you hear them said it never gets old. I was also glad to see Bruce and Arnold’s roles expanded in this movie.

My only disappointments came when Jet Li’s character only was in the first 15 minutes or so of the movie and the female character they introduced fell far short of what I was expecting. It would have been nice if that role were filled with an equally amazing star we all would have recognized. The only ones I could think of off the top of my head would be Angelina Jolie or even Milla Jovovich? Another good one would have been Michelle Rodriguez? Perhaps next time?

And a question I’m sure I’m not the only one asking (aside from who else can and will the get for the 3rd movie) is where was Mickey Rourke?

My Rating: ★★★★

Original Article