Netflix -- The Tudors

If you're in to shows like Game of Thrones and Desperate Housewives, you will like this. Lot of drama, lust and death. (Disclaimer: this show is not for younger audiences, with multiple sex and nudity scenes. Also, some of the blood and execution scenes may make you queasy.) Being an art history major, I was able to tie in what I learned and really understand what was going on. Don't worry! You will understand what is happening without taking Art History courses. The classes helped me understand the roles of women during this age. My feminist side of me was yelling during all the episodes. "You don't need a man to complete yourself!!" I would never go back to any age of time before the 2000's.

Tudor Talk Time:

I loved all the queens. With them all being different I felt I was able to relate some to each of them. I became emotionally attached to all of them. They all wanted to be loved and make a difference in the world. Yet, during this time women were seen as the "sinful creatures" that bring the fall of man. (Ex: Eve ate the fruit of knowledge bring the fall of mankind).  There is the irony of the wife to be the virgin and the whore. Where the men want a wife that is pure with her "maidenhood", yet they also want her to be the best sex expert out there. How is a virgin to know everything about sex, without doing it? And if the men wanted the expert in sex, she wasn't deemed worthy because she slept around for experience. Its the ridiculous expectations for women. Not only that, but the men could have mistresses and sleep around. But, God-forbid if the woman slept with any other man. Totally objectifying women. Anyway, feminist rant over.

I loved loved loved all their costumes and jewelry. I wish we could go around wearing clothes like that today. The music was graceful and fit every moment. There were times I couldn't keep up because everyone talks to fast and uses these crazy elaborate names. Then suddenly King Henry will give a guy a promotion, having him get a new name. The saddest thing about the show was the amount of deaths that happened. In our classrooms we learn about these wars and memorize large amounts of death toll numbers, but when you bring it to reality, it was heartbreaking. People dying from others' lies. The people you thought you could trust, stab you in the back and get you killed. (Similar to Game of Thrones, with George RR Martin killing off every character.) Also, what was up with everyone signing treaties and ally papers and backing down on it every second? C'mon France, England,  and Emperor guy, get along or don't, make up your damn mind!

After watching so many seasons, I started to loath and bitterly hate King Henry. How dare he?! He is an incompetent and conceited ass. One minute he loves his queen then hates her. Ends up killing her, then wanting her back. Ridiculous. UGH. SO MAD. Also, he is so rude to his first daughter, Princess/Lady Mary. She is his true heir. She is a strong and independent female that will take no shit from no one. I loved her the most out of all the women. (Scary to think about that she becomes Queen 'Bloody Mary')

 

One of my favorite actors is Henry Cavill. (I just realized he is the new Superman, I must go and see that RIGHT NOW) He is soooo handsome. I swooned, in season 4, when he showed us his manly sword fighting skills. Can I order one of him for me? Haha. Even though his first marriage failed from him being a cheating ass. I loved how he developed on his second marriage. He made me feel hope, that during that era not everyone was whoring around. Some people were happy in love with their significant others. He even continued to love his wife and sleep with no one while they were fighting for several episodes. I really admire that. Finally, a semi-sane character.

So funny, I didn't realize I owned Season 1. I will probably watch it again and make some sketches.
Leave a comment below of who is/was your favorite character and why?

Book Boyfriends of 2013

This is an oldie, from an old blog. I will be making a new version for 2014 real soon. C:

I chose my book boyfriends based upon books that I read in 2013. (I cant do books that were only release in 2013, because I read a lot of 'older' books)
This will be so difficult. D:

Also, I know I did many in the same series. But you love who you love. Cant help it!

1. Daemon Black (Lux Series by Jennifer Armentrout)
These covers don't give him any justice. He is oh-so dreamy. Being all manly and protective. Also, he is witty and a smart ass. LOVE IT.

2. Shane (Morganville Series by Rachel Caine)
Another protective smart ass. He is tough and doesn't take no shit from no one. Acts like a playboy, but he is really sweet and caring. A guy you know you will have fun with.

3. Michael (Morganville Series by Rachel Caine)
Shane's best friend. Always calm and knowledgeable. Playing his guitar, making me swoon. Basically, Shane's opposite.

4. Brennus (Premonition Series by Amy A Bartol)
I have this thing for bad boys. I find them so attractive. No wonder my dating life isn't the best. Haha. He has his moments of cruelty and being rude, but that is only his exterior. All he wants to love and be loved in return. Oh, and also take over the world.

5. Reed (Premonition Series by Amy A Bartol)
Dreamy, handsome, and sexy. What is there to not like?

6. Russell (Premonition Series by Amy A Bartol)
Some times he can be overbearing, but he only wants the best for you. I wish he was my soul-mate. I wouldn't be complaining.

7. Myrin (Morganville Series by Rachel Caine)
Another bad boy. He is coy, twisted, tricky, and spontaneous. Yet, very appealing and trusting.

8. Sebation (Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason)
I swear, I sould make a theme about 'Top 10 Bad Boys to Date'. A little sleazy and also sexy.

9. Jordan (Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt)
The only true good guy. Open, honest and trustworthy. Not going to lie, I love how he got jealous over his girlfriends' best-friend. That BFF doesn't stand a chance to this hunk.

10. Gavin (Horrorscape Trilogy by Nenia Campbell)
Dont hurt me. I know he is a psychotic killer, but something about him is... sexy. I can relate to the main character why she was entranced to him and felt like she couldn't escape. His speech and manners, graceful, cunning, and powerful. Did I mention hypnotic and twisted?

Question: What is one of your Book-Boyfriends that you wish you could have?

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt

 

This is one of the few classics that I love. It was a short and quick read, but I was fully involved and had an emotional connection to the characters. While reading, I did not read any CliffNotes, but I feel like I may be missing somethings with the symbolism and details. It was still a good novel nonetheless.

Book Talk Time:
This book really made me think. What if I could really live forever? It sounds nice at first, being young and immortal. But then the book brings up good reasons to why it is sad and not something you want. Made me really think that my mortality is something I should cherish. I need to live no matter what age and take in that I get to see my family grow and live. I could really relate to the Tucks (not for being immortal), but for moving many times for centuries. I have moved a lot and I know how much of stress it puts on a family, let-alone not being able to age is a red flag.

I admired the hope from Jesse Tuck. Hoping he could live his life with Winne. To try to escape the fact that they could love together forever. It was sweet and endearing. Which made the ending even harder to read. I had to keep from getting teary-eyed.

If you have an extra hour or two, you should pick this up. I loved reading and "feeling" the August dry heat compared to the cold around me right now. : ) Happy Holidays, Liz

Leave a comment below with your answer: Would you want to live forever? Why or why not? What would be the first thing you would want to do if you knew you would live forever?

 Amazon // Goodreads

Two Way Street by Lauren Barnholdt

This was my first Lauren Barnholdt book, and all I can say is, I will be reading the rest of her novels. I do not usually like contemporary novels. I prefer reading dystopian, action, paranormal, ect. I rather read about a world and live in that book rather than one about reality. I already live in the real world, I want to go somewhere different and exciting. (Do you know what I mean? I hope I make sense.)
I really enjoyed this book. It was quick, witty, and engaging. I still cant get the image of a drunk tall teenager dressed up as a leprechaun out of my mind. If you want to know what I am talking about, read the first couple of chapters.

Book Talk Time:

I didn't hate any of the characters. I loved Courtney and Jordan. They all had their flaws and were completely relate-able (Even Jocelyn, B.J. and Lloyd). We all have friends similar to them. We all have/had the party-flirty friend, the party-thinking-everyone-wants-them friend, the bff-that-we-love-but-never-tell-them friend. Made me feel like I was Courtney and was really relate-able. You learn to love them. (Well, some.)

I liked how the author changed perspectives to see both views. It helped show both sides of the story and their train of thoughts. So I don't have to assume how they are thinking or feeling, or even worse, having the main character interpreting how the other feels-- when we know they don't know what they are truly feeling. Also, going back and fourth from past to present was good. I usually don't like that either in books, but it was great. It was nice to see that they grew as a couple and developed. Though I wish I could have seen Courtney and Jordan more during their dating time, and deep conversations. I want to see scenes of  Jordan and Lloyd not getting along. Then of Courtney and Jordan sharing deep secrets to gain trust between them. My favorite part was their first "date". Those are my favorite kinds of dates.

Also, kudos Miss Barnholt, for not letting them have insta-love. Because love in movies and in many books are very unreal. It felt like true growing and bonding love. Not "looking into each other eyes and then they knew they were soul-mates".

I was a bit disappointed with the ending. It ended so abruptly. I was hoping for some more closure. I even Google-d to see if this was in a series because it didn't feel finished. Alas, it is not. There was so much emotions and fighting and not enough talking to clear things up. Suddenly things were better. But over all it was a fun read. I will be reading it again during summer, or on a road trip. I loved it.

I was able to find this book at my local thrift store. I got it for $1.50! Score! Don't be afraid to look at thrift store, they are full of treasures. (Now, I am noticing my copy doesn't say "Companion Novel to 'Right of Way'. I will have to read that ASAP!)

EDIT: I forgot to add, I liked how they didn't make sex taboo. There were no sex scenes, but they did talk and think about it. Like normal teenagers would. I liked that.

Until next time! Happy Holidays, Liz

Leave a comment below with your answer: If you were stuck on a long road trip, what music would you bring to listen to? And what would you do to keep yourself occupied?

Amazon // Goodreads

Premonition Series by Amy A Bartol

 

This is my FAVORITE series of ALL TIME. This a YA, closer to NA series. (New Adult) I wish more people would know about it. It would have more hype than other books right now.

Inescapable by Amy A Bartol; The first book in this wonderful series

The rest of the series is...

Intuition 

Indebted

Incendiary

Iniquity (Hopefully coming in Summer 2015)

I read this series about a year ago. Sadly, I have forgotten many of the details. I will be re-reading this series soon, and then writing new reviews. I miss the the action, the love, and the bad guys. The crazy part about this series is that you don't know who to root for. Everyone has a place and reason. They all make sense to be with each other, and yet you still want the other person. Hell, there are many times I cheer for the bad guy. I have a huge crush on him... and every other male in the book. I. NEED. MORE. Read this series. You wont regret it.

 Amazon // Goodreads