You know what's great about summer? PRODUCE.

[krickets]

How is everyone's summer going? Mine is busy, sunny, eventful and fun so far. I really should get a job where I have the summers off. Truly. There's just not enough time to do all the fun things!

A few random things:

→ So from the beginning I was skeptical, but still mostly excited, about Go Set a Watchman. And then the first chapter's release last week made me even more skeptical, and a lot less excited. So I wasn't sure I was going to read it at all at that point... but I decided to go ahead and use one of my remaining audible credits to get the audiobook (narrated by Reese Witherspoon) and so I will report back what I think when I'm done. Is anyone else giving it a go?

→ I finished my third John Green book this week. I liked The Fault in Our Stars. I loved Paper Towns... and now that I've finished it I can definitely say that I (fugging) HATED An Abundance of Katherines. Sad, but true. I was considering giving Looking for Alaska another shot because that was actually the first John Green book I attempted to read several years ago but never got past the first couple of chapters. But now I am not so sure. Can't say I never finished it because the book was bad or good... I just... I start a lot of books.

→ I've been to the movies more in the past month than I have in the past year probably. I saw Aloha, Jurassic World (twice), Dope, Me Earl and the Dying Girl (good book), and Inside Out. After I see Paper Towns I might have to put the breaks on summer movies for a little while. It's a budget buster!

→ Switched from Netflix digital to the disc option and am enjoying that. Really liked The Good Lie with Reese Witherspoon (I'm really just trying to mention her as often as possible in one post... lol.) and also LOVED The DUFF with Mae Whitman. I've got Chappie at home right now (I'm in it for for Dev Patel!) and next up is This is Where I Leave You which... I wasn't all that excited about but somehow it ended up on my queue anyway. Anything you think I should put on my queue?

→ I haven't seen much from Comic-Con. Anything worth checking out? Was Reese Witherspoon there? (Third mention! Was it too obvious?)

→ I'm behind on PLL which is pretty much the only tv show I'm watching right now. Slight exception for Graceland but I'm just not into it so it barely counts.

Comments

[gonzostar.livejournal.com]

I plan on listening to Go Set a Watchman, it's intriguing that Reese Witherspoon is the author. I almost feel like I need a refresher on To Kill a Mockingbird though! It is one of my all time favorite books and of course I remember the story but all the nuances are a fuzzy haze. Do you think I need it to help understand the new release?

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Yeah well Sissy Spacek recently narrated the audiobook version of To Kill a Mockingbird. Sometimes with big books they get big stars to do the narration. And both of them have the true southern accent. Spacek is from Texas and Witherspoon was born in Louisiana.

I don't know if you will. I only recently read the book for the first time actually. (Somehow I missed that one!) Maybe just read the spark notes? Haha. If you have most of the characters and plot lines in your brain it all should come back to you. I have only listened to the first hour, but it doesn't seem like you'll need more than that.

[tsuki-no-bara.livejournal.com]

i'm super skeptical about go set a watchman, so i'm curious what you think of it. i've heard really good things about chappie so i'm curious what you think of that too.

so you like reese witherspoon, huh? :D i bet she has a good audiobook voice.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I think Watchman was good but also be prepared for a few things. It's not as good as Mockingbird. It's not as plotty as Mockingbird (more like a character drama - "my relationship with my dad" kind of thing). And it might change the way you view Mockingbird, so maybe don't read it if you're not ready to let go (or you can't keep them separate in your mind.)

She does have a good voice for it. I am not a huge fan of hers, she just came up a lot in the post so I made a little joke of it, haha.

[blighted-star.livejournal.com]

I never read TKAMB. I saw the movie once and liked it. I need to put TKAMB on my list and eventually read GSAW.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I only recently read Mockingbird. Like a month before GSAW was announced actually. I definitely recommend Mockingbird.

[sandrine]

I'm curious what you'll think about This is Where I Leave You. It's such a weird movie. I mostly watched it for Tim Olyphant, but it left me really frustrated.

Slight exception for Graceland but I'm just not into it so it barely counts.

LOL, I had to giggle so hard when I read that. I'm actually enjoying S3. It's so much better than the mess that was the last season.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I didn't end up watching it before my netflix disc trial ended and I had to send it back unwatched! I do love Timothy Olyphant (in anything not Justified.) I should try again sometime!

I think I haven't had the focus to really stay on track with it, which is why I haven't gotten into it this season. Overall though I do think it's better than s2 by a lot.

[sandrine]

Well, to be fair, I don't see how it could possibly have been WORSE than S2... :p

[girlwhowaited.livejournal.com]

I loved The Fault In Our Stars (movie and book!). I did a big ugly cry for both. Paper Towns started out real good, big set up for the climax of the book and then it fell flat for me. :/ I haven't read anything else by him. I saw Jurassic World and planning to go and see Inside Out with some friends soon :)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Did you see the movie yet? (paper towns) I didn't get a chance and am wondering if it's worth it.

How did you like Inside Out?

[girlwhowaited.livejournal.com]

I've read the book but I'm in no rush to see the movie. The ending to Paper Towns was such a let down. Never saw Inside Out either :/ Have no luck with movies!

[daybreak777.livejournal.com]

How were the movies?

I liked Chappie!

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Never ended up watching This is Where I Leave You... didn't love Chappie.

[geckoholic]

I might have to put the breaks on summer movies for a little while. It's a budget buster! -- Lol, tell me about it. I can sympathize. XD

[crickets.livejournal.com]

God, now that I'm getting an apartment I don't know the next time I'll see the inside of a movie theater.

[favoritexrecord.livejournal.com]

I loved TFIOS and Paper Towns. I liked Looking for Alaska but it wasn't my favorite. Haven't read any others yet, they're on my list but I haven't heard great things about any of his other books.

[crickets.livejournal.com]

Did you see Paper Towns in theaters? I haven't had a chance yet. I want to check it out before it's not in theaters anymore but am not sure if it's worth it! I loved the trailer though.

[favoritexrecord.livejournal.com]

I haven't yet, I'm hoping to see it soon but I'm not sure when I'll have the time/find someone to go with me.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Sad, but true. I was considering giving Looking for Alaska another shot because that was actually the first John Green book I attempted to read several years ago but never got past the first couple of chapters. But now I am not so sure.

I don't think you need to. I felt like Looking For Alaska was John Green TRYING to deconstruct the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope and not succeeding, and Paper Towns was him being successful at it (thus far, Paper Towns is my fav John Green Novel.)

[crickets.livejournal.com]

I think I am going to take your advice on this one and take Alaska off my to-reads list for the time being. I'll wait until he publishes something new!