What a great weekend we've had here! Went out with friends Friday night and had friends and family in for a dinner party last night. Today we're off to my parents for another dinner party. As much fun as I've had, that's about enough socializing for this bookworm! I haven't gotten any reading done at all this weekend but I'm going to make good use of the car trip today for just that purpose. The Big Guy and Mini-Him have been working on my computer this weekend and have yet to get my pictures loaded back on, hence no Sunday Salon image. There may also be glitches I'm unaware of as of yet. Please let me know if you notice anything off or not working when you visit!
I came across this book in an email from Random House. Without knowing anything at all about the story, I'm anticipating
Hooked by Catherine Greenman will be making waves amongst the parents of its intended audience. People who prefer their children not to read anything that smacks of the real world and almost certainly not going to want them to even pick up a book with a pregnant teen on the cover.
The Atlantic had an article this week, "
Can A Bestselling Book Guarantee A Hit Movie?" The conclusion, after looking at two of the most recent movie adaptations, Kathryn Stockett's
The Help and David Nicholl's
One Day, is a resounding "no." The movie still needs to be good, it's as simple as that. Of course, if your protagonist is Harry Potter, then question is moot; the movie will be huge. And the latest Winnie-the-Pooh movie is also something of an exception to the rule. It has not done well at all at the theaters; shame on parents of young children for not making this one a hit. It's so hard to get Hollywood to make movies for children that are good. Hopefully the sales and rentals of the DVD version will be big enough to convince movie makers that a profit can be made with movies aimed at children.
Last night my sister was raving about a book she recently read,
A Dog's Purpose, which will appear later this week when "Mama Shepp's Family Recommends.." returns. Also up this week, reviews of
The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine by Alina Bronsky and
Skipping A Beat by Sarah Pekkanen both of which I thoroughly enjoyed. This week I'm reading Joan Leegant's
Wherever You Go" for an upcoming TLC Book Tour. What are you reading this week?
Oh wow, I also think the cover of Hooked will cause trouble!
ReplyDeleteI have not yet read Pekkanen but I keep saving her for when I need a light read. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have many such books, so haven't gotten to hers yet! :-)
I really do want to read The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine, and have heard such amazing things about it. Also, I am not that sure that I would be upset by my daughter reading Hooked. I think it's a parent's job to educate about things like teen pregnancy, and if you've done your job, you shouldn't have to worry and fret over a book or a book cover!
ReplyDeleteHooked is definitely a book my mom would not have wanted me to read as a teenager. I am tempted to read it now to see how the author portrays teen pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you have to put the books down and get out and socialize a bit. Why is it that it always seems to be an all or nothing situation? At least that's what hapens to me. I need a weekend where I have one good night out and can read the rest of the time. I hope you had and are having fun, it sounds like it.
ReplyDeleteI'm about to start reading Wherever You Go, too. I though I'd have started it by now but I got a little waylaid.
I've heard great things about A Dog's Purpose so I'm looking forward to your sister's review!
I agree that a movie still has to be good on it's own. I'm specifically thinking of Tom Wolfe's bestseller "Bonfire of the Vanities" from the '90s. The book was fantastic, the movie despite lots of major stars, was pretty much a bomb!
What a busy weekend?! But at least you h ad fun. We stuck in the house due Hurricane Irene that felt more like a drizzle and some wind but we were lucky so, I should just stop.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I am also reading Wherever You Go and I am intrigued. I just met Glassman and looking forward to third person. So far so good.
Have a great week :)
Sounds lik a fun weekend! Can't say I've done much reading lately. My daughter-in-law has given me several book recommendations, so once the holiday period is over I shall be looking them up, although they are mostly classics.
ReplyDeleteAnother great book that was made into a bad movie is Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I went to see it with a friend, and as we walked out of the theater, my friend said, "I feel sorry for Lisa See."
ReplyDeleteI also think it's sad that parents don't take their kids to see the Winnie The Pooh movie. Even I wanted to see it, and I didn't even read Pooh when I was a kid!
ReplyDeleteI think it's just a sign of the times... parents will take their kids to see Cars, but not a movie based on such a classic kid's character!
Sounds like you had a great weekend! I have that Skipping a Beat on my TBR list, so I'm looking forward to your review. I just reviewed Wherever You Go, so I can't wait to see what you thought of it. Hope you have a great week! Cheers!
ReplyDeleteJust the cover alone would cause trouble!
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know there was new Winnie the Pooh movie out! Of course, I don't have a young one anymore and I don't watch that much tv so I guess that's why I'm in the dark.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you had a great weekend! We did too, even though with Irene. Impromptu BBQ's by candlelight, dinners with friends... a surprise holiday... okay a hotel room with three dogs but a gal can daydream right? :)
ReplyDeleteThat does look like an interesting and controversial book! I'd love to hear your thoughts on The Help movie. I read the book over a year ago and don't remember how the two compare. Some movies are better than their books, though. Rare but it sometimes happens!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I don't have to worry about such things just yet. Think we'll stick to Goodnight Moon for a few years at least. ;)
ReplyDeleteDid The Help not do well at the movies? I saw it with my mom and sister and we all really enjoyed it. Some differences with the book of course but overall I thought the movie was a good one. I'm listeing to the audio right now and falling in love with the story all over again.
One Day previews looked depressing. Didn't realize it was a book (yes, I live under a rock).
Hope all is well with you Lisa. :)