Script Review: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Title: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Series: Harry Potter

Authors: J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany, and Jack Thorne

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Publication Date: July 31, 2016

Source: Purchased

The Eighth Story. Nineteen Years Later.

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, a new play by Jack Thorne, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is the eighth story in the Harry Potter series and the first official Harry Potter story to be presented on stage. The play will receive its world premiere in London’s West End on July 30, 2016.

It was always difficult being Harry Potter and it isn’t much easier now that he is an overworked employee of the Ministry of Magic, a husband and father of three school-age children.

While Harry grapples with a past that refuses to stay where it belongs, his youngest son Albus must struggle with the weight of a family legacy he never wanted. As past and present fuse ominously, both father and son learn the uncomfortable truth: sometimes, darkness comes from unexpected places.

A Very Harry Potter Appreciation Story

Today is a very special day for the oh-so-many Potterheads in the book community as it marks Harry Potter's thirty-fifth birthday. But that's not all! If you're a huge fan, you already know that Miss Rowling gave Harry her own birthday. To honor both Harry and Jo, I'm finally giving the Harry Potter series a post of its own on The Hardcover Lover.

Book Review: Very Good Lives

Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination

Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company

Publication Date: April 15, 2015

Source: Purchased

Goodreads | Amazon

In 2008, J.K. Rowling delivered a deeply affecting commencement speech at Harvard University. Now published for the first time in book form, Very Good Lives offers J.K. Rowling’s words of wisdom for anyone at a turning point in life, asking the profound and provocative questions: How can we embrace failure? And how can we use our imagination to better both ourselves and others?

Drawing from stories of her own post-graduate years, the world-famous author addresses some of life’s most important issues with acuity and emotional force. 

Top Ten Tuesday (11)

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly list-making meme that is hosted by the ladies over at the blog, The Broke and Bookish. For more information on the meme, feel free to visit their page about it.

This week's list is all about re-reading books. For me... I try to read as many new books as I can in a year. I don't re-read much, even though I'd love to re-read so many books. I try to take the time to re-read a few books a year, and I am going to dedicate more time to it in the future.

I'm cheating on this list by including some series and books that I've already re-read. I'm also including some plays.

Top Ten Books I'd Like to Re-Read:

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
2. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
3. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. The Divergent trilogy by Veronica Roth
6. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
7. The Crucible by Arthur Miller
8. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
9. The Selection series by Kiera Cass
10. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Top Ten Tuesday (4)

Top Ten Tuesday (TTT) is a weekly meme hosted by the ladies over at The Broke and Bookish. Each week, there is a different topic, and all you need to do is give your answers in the form of a top ten list. They love making lists. I love making lists. It's a win for them, and it's a win for me.

This week is about book recommendations, more specifically the top ten books that your friends recommend to you because they think you'll love it or because the book is just so popular that it is just being recommended all of the time.

This one is kind of tough for me because people often recommend books to me that I just don't want to read. I try to be as polite as I can, but sometimes, I just know that I don't want to read a book. When I get a recommendation on Goodreads that I know isn't for me, I just ignore it. It's a little bit tougher when it happens in real life, though.

I recently opened another recommendation on Goodreads, so I am using some of the books from there. I'm also using some books that I've been told to read in the past.

1. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling -  I'm not afraid to admit this, but I didn't read the Harry Potter books until I was twenty-three despite so many middle school and high school friends practically begging me to read them. I tried to read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone when I was in sixth grade, but it wasn't for me. After more people in college told me to give them another try, I finally did, and I couldn't be happier with myself. They are by far the best books I've ever read.
   
2. The Twilight Saga by Stephanie Meyer - These were another set of books that my high school friends wanted me to read. I gave them a shot after my younger sister read and loved them, but I threw Twilight book at her head after three pages. Meyer's style just wasn't for me.
   
3. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green - Everyone was passing this book around and recommending it. Everyone. Even some of the students I interact with thought I would enjoy it. I read it. I hated it. End of story.
   
4. The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer - It seems like everyone is reading these books, and I'm currently binge reading the released books in the series. I am actually really happy that people told me to read these because I kept passing them up in the store. So far, I'm enjoying them.
   
5. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell - As a substitute teacher, I saw a lot of young girls reading this book. When I was in a long-term substitute position, I spent my prep periods in a middle school library. The school librarian was the one who finally convinced me to read it. I enjoyed it, and I went on to read all of Rainbow's books.
   
6. Say What You Will by Cammie McGovern - I got an email that said I would enjoy this book. It's also been recommended to me on Goodreads a few times. I haven't read it yet.
   
7. If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman - Obviously these two go hand in hand. For the longest time, I ignored the recommendations on these ones just because I wasn't sure that I would like them. I thought about it for a bit, and gave them a try. These are two of my favorite books, and I even passed If I Stay on to my mom because she was really curious about the movie.
   
8. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes - My one friend from college keeps telling me to read this. She's told me to read it so many times that I've lost track, but I am going to keep my promise and eventually read it because she's not much of a reader.
   
9. Anna and the French Kiss series by Stephanie Perkins - I had seen this book everywhere, and then it started showing up in my automatic recommendations from Goodreads. Then my Goodreads friends started recommending it to me, so I when I found it at a used bookstore, I grabbed it. I loved it, and I'm currently waiting on Lola and the Boy Next Door to get here.
   
10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky - My eleventh grade English teacher was obsessed with this book. I paid enough attention to his fanboy moments to know that I wanted to read the book. I kid you not... my English teacher was a Stephen Chbosky fanboy. He would rave about the book and Jericho all the time. When I finally got to college, the whole English department started recommending it. It turns out that they were planning to bring Mr. Chbosky in to speak to us. It's one of my favorite books ever. I had Stephen sign it, and then a year later, I met him again.
    

The Opposites Book Tag

I was tagged by Gloria. You can see her post here.

Basically all you have to do is answer some questions about books on your shelves. It deals with opposites!

1. The First Book in Your Collection/The Last Book You Bought

There are so many books that I had from being a kid, and the first ones I remember are Screamy Mimi and Where the Sidewalk Ends.

The last book I bought was Say What You Will. I'm still waiting for it to get here.

2. A Cheap Book/An Expensive Book

I bought a hardcover of Cinder for $4.99 on Book Outlet. It's a good website, but I've noticed that it is very hit or miss.

I bought an autographed copy of Four: A Divergent Collection for $17.99. It's not nearly as expensive of the signed copy of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone that I want, but it's the first book I've paid full price for in a while.

3. A Book with a Male POV/A Book with a Female POV

I'm going with the ever popular If I Stay duo. If I Stay is told from Mia's perspective, but Adam narrates Where She Went.

4. A Book that You Read Quickly/A Book that You Read Slowly

I read Anna and the French Kiss rather quickly.

The Fault in Our Stars was a really slow and boring read for me.

5. A Pretty Cover/An Ugly Cover

I'm quite fond of the cover for My Name is Memory. It is shiny and the colors are great.

I can't think of a book cover that I dislike right now... I'm sure one will come to me later.

6. A National Book/An International Book

I'm not so sure I understand this, so I am going to go with Harry Potter. Even though I know that it's set in the UK, I realize that readers in the United States are the only ones with our covers. The covers are the same in the UK and the rest of the world. I like how there are different versions of the covers. I really like the original U.S. covers, but the redesign is nice too. I really like the redesign of the UK versions, but in most of them, Harry doesn't really look like he is growing up like he does in the story.

The redesign and original US covers

Original and redesigned worldwide covers

I don't know. I love all four versions, and I hope to get the new U.S. box set and both sets of the British versions. Road trip to Canada, anyone?

7. A Thin Book/A Thick Book

I won Ghost Songs through Goodreads, and was surprised by how thin it was. I still have to read it, but I'll be sure to let everyone know how I like it.

I own quite a few thick books, and the thickest one I own is my dictionary.

8. A Fiction Book/A Nonfiction Book

I own many fiction books, so it's hard for me to choose just one. I'm going with Wonder because the story is so realistic that it hurts. If you haven't read this wonderful book, you should. I highly recommend it to everyone.

My choice for nonfiction is very near and dear to my heart. Ever since I was a little girl, I've been fascinated with the RMS Titanic. Many of my Christmas presents were books about the doomed ocean liner. My edition is different, but I couldn't find a working image of the book on my shelves.

9. A Romantic Book/ An Action Book

I have a lot of romance books on my shelves because I've read a lot of Nicholas Sparks.

For my action book, I'm going with The Hunger Games because of the games.  Need I say more?

10. A Book that Made You Happy/ A Book that Made You Sad

I laughed so hard when I read Me and Earl and the Dying Girl. I know the title is a bit morbid, but this book is hilarious.

Now for a book that made me sad. If you've read this one, you know why.

So, I'm tagging anyone who reads this to post your answers. Leave a comment with a link to yours because I'd love to see what opposites you have on your shelves.

Book Review: Landline

Title: Landline

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: July 8, 2014

Source: Purchased from Target

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble. That it’s been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems besides the point now.

Maybe that was always besides the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn’t expect to him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything.

That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts . . .

Is that what she’s supposed to do?

Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

My Review

Warning: Some foul language. But only what Rainbow tweeted and includes in her book. 

 

I feel like I waited an eternity to get my hands on a copy of this book. I entered every giveaway possible on Goodreads and on other websites because I NEEDED this book in my life. You see... I somehow became a huge Rainbow Rowell fangirl (forgive the pun). Alas, I did not win it, so I had to wait until it came out to buy it. Needless to say, I got myself to Target on release day and purchased it.

It's definitely not my favorite Rainbow Rowell book, but is sure is sweetly captivating and hella entertaining. And who doesn't love the idea of a "magic fucking phone" that someone can use to call someone in the past? I loved that idea. It made for an entertaining novel with some unexpected events. Seriously... I want a phone like that!

There are some killer pop culture references in this one, my favorite being the one about Amy Sherman-Palladino, my favorite TV writer/producer. Like I've said before, I feel like reading a Rainbow Rowell book reminds me so much of watching a Amy Sherman-Palladino show. (Gilmore Girls and Bunheads). On a side note, can you imagine how freaking awesome it would be if these two women did some sort of collaboration. We need to make it happen. OMG. I just love how Rainbow includes all these pop culture tidbits in her novels because it really sets the scene. It makes the reader feel like they know her characters wholly because you know all of their likes and dislikes. 

The writing in this one is okay. I felt like it dragged on a bit, but otherwise, I really enjoyed this unique, new novel. 

Also, the rumors are true that Georgie will encounter a couple from one of Rainbow's other novels in this book! I won't ruin it for you, but I will tell you that they aren't named in this book. You actually have to remember their physical descriptions... So reread her other books if you must!

Anyways, this is an adorable book about trying to fix what you think is ruined, and I'm glad that I was so patient to wait for it.

Book Review: Eleanor and Park

Title: Eleanor & Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

 Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: February 26, 2013

Source: Purchased from Amazon

Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.

Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.

Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

My Review

All in all, I was really impressed by this book by Rainbow Rowell. It was the first book that I read by this author, and I am now a fan! I will admit that I was frustrated with the ending of the novel, but it seems many people were as well. But hey... that's what reading is all about. Not everything gets tied up perfectly because life is messy. Ms. Rowell makes her novel that much more realistic by not tying things up nicely. Sometimes, there isn't a perfect ending in life, and books that give that message are, at least to me, one hundred percent more perfect because they show that life isn't perfect.

Other than that, I really did enjoy this book. It was a cute tale of two kids who fall in love but realize they aren't really right for each other. It is also a serious novel with the many things that Eleanor has gone through in her life. It is something that I think teenagers should read because it's not just a book about falling in love. It's about falling in love when your whole world is collapsing. It's dangerous. It's stunning. It shows that so many people really have it worse than you do, and that is something we all need to understand to become better people.

I would be thrilled to see a sequel to this novel to learn more about Eleanor and her life after she left town. I think she still has quite a bit to tell us. On the other hand, I think Park has a story of his own to tell. Even if we don't get a sequel, these two characters have made me think, and that's the wonderful thing about reading.

I would recommend this book for fans of contemporary YA novels, but also for fans of the ABC Family show The Fosters.

Reviewer's Note: If you haven't done so already, check out some of the fan art for Eleanor and Park. It is fabulous. You can even find some of it in the Collector's Edition of Eleanor & Park from Barnes & Noble. 

Book Review: Fangirl

Title: Fangirl

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Publication Date: September 10, 2013

Source: Purchased

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

Book Review: Attachments

Title: Attachments

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Publisher: Dutton Adult

Publication Date: April 14, 2011

Source: Purchased

"Hi, I'm the guy who reads your e-mail, and also, I love you ... "

Beth Fremont and Jennifer Scribner-Snyder know that somebody is monitoring their work e-mail. (Everybody in the newsroom knows. It's company policy.) But they can't quite bring themselves to take it seriously. They go on sending each other endless and endlessly hilarious e-mails, discussing every aspect of their personal lives.

Meanwhile, Lincoln O'Neill can't believe this is his job now- reading other people's e-mail. When he applied to be "internet security officer," he pictured himself building firewalls and crushing hackers- not writing up a report every time a sports reporter forwards a dirty joke.

When Lincoln comes across Beth's and Jennifer's messages, he knows he should turn them in. But he can't help being entertained-and captivated-by their stories.

By the time Lincoln realizes he's falling for Beth, it's way too late to introduce himself.

What would he say . . . ?

My Review

I smiled so much while I was reading this, but I couldn't figure out just why I was smiling so much. Why? Because there are just so many things to smile about when reading Attachments by Rainbow Rowell. Yes, it's hilarious. Yes, it's fresh. Yes, it's weird. It is everything you can ask for in a book, and while I was about halfway through the book, it hit me like a truck; this book, and all of Rainbow Rowell's books are filling a void I've been trying to fill since Gilmore Girls was cancelled. Her writing is reminiscent of Amy Sherman-Palladino's work, and therefore, I cannot get enough of it!

Attachments is just as witty as any episode of the adorably cute show, Gilmore Girls. Rowell seamlessly includes references to 90s pop culture while telling the stories of co-workers Lincoln, Beth, and Jennifer.

Jennifer and Beth are the dynamic duo of best friends that I needed in a book. I sometimes find it hard to connect with characters in adult fiction books, but these two are one hundred percent real. They get themselves into some sticky situations at work. They know they are breaking the rules at work, but they just don't care. They have some insane conversations on their work emails, but sometimes, their conversations are just normal and about life. I just loved them, and I would not mind having a friend like either one of them.

Then there's Lincoln. Lincoln's story made me wish that he were somebody that I knew in real life. Like how adorable is he? He cares so much for people, even people that he doesn't really know. He really doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings. That is why he never reports Beth and Jennifer, even though it's part of his job description. I'll admit that it's a bit odd and strange that he reads their emails, but in the end, it's worth it. He also cares so much for his mom. He is an all-around great character.

I seriously did not want to put this book down! It's one of those books that every adult reader or fan of chick-lit should read because it breaks the mold of what we think women's fiction should be.