42. HOW TO KILL A ROCKSTAR by Tiffanie Debartolo

Freaking goddamn 5 stars, if i can’t have more!

What’s with these rockstar images that i cannot help to resist in reads like this???

RIDGE of Maybe Someday (Click here for the review), ADAM Of Where She Went (Click here for the review), and now you, PAUL HUDSON of How to Kill a Rockstar.  Given with your good looks, and fine built and charming adorable eyes, dash up some that rough on the edges, that “i dont give a damn” act that you always try to show off, that cool and mysterious exterior that you keep on letting on.  But in real, you are as emotional as the girl next door.  The love for music, just like the air you breathe, deeply immersed on that world as sensitive as you can be.  The longing for that somebody, deep and rich that i wish i am that somebody.  Oh, Paul, Paul, peel that mask off, and let me see the real you.

‘This is the story of Eliza Caelum, a young music journalist, and Paul Hudson, a talented songwriter and lead singer of the band Bananafish. Eliza’s reverence for rock is equaled only by Paul’s, and the two fall wildly in love.

When Bananafish is signed by a big corporate label, and Paul is on his way to becoming a major rock star, Eliza must make a heartbreaking decision that leads to Paul’s sudden disappearance and a surprise knock-your-socks-off ending.—goodreads”

Seriously, this book is awesome, complete and worth reading. All the twists and turns, all those lines, and most of the ‘i never saw that coming’ parts kept me hooked.  All those feels that the characters had given me, that i can barely contain.  Those hopeless romantic, sappy, heart tugging simple moments that made my heart went ballistic, each and every other time.  I am telling you, this excited me, surprised me, confused me, made me hope, crushed me, shattered me, made me hope again, went in-denial, accepted willingly but very grateful in the end.  Pretty sums it all up, in that particular order! But it was all worthy of my time.  I guess, what is meant to happen, will happen,anyway.

Truly, it was a knock-your-socks-off-ending! That moment when you abandon all hope and leave it to fate, whatever comes after those tragedies in life.  Suddenly, there was light, a very bright light! Ahhhhh, life is really full of surprises!  Oh, Tiffanie, thanks for this story.

PICK THIS UP, AND READ THIS AS SOON AS! 

Please, let me assure you that this one will truly go up the top of your most favorite books.  If that’s not enough, let me relay to you on how they described Paul Hudson.  Maybe, this will convince you to know him more.

“He possesses the heat of a madman, the soul of a hopeful romantic and the voice of a god!”

And Eliza Caelum, she’s the epitomy of the saying,

“whatever you desire, if you put your heart and soul in it, you can conquer your fear and follow all your dreams.”

 

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

MOVIE DAY: The Memory Keeper’s Daughter (2008)

Another adaptation.  Another tear-jerker.  Another heart-wrenching book and movie.

THE BOOK

I read it late last year.  Click here to read my review.  I got the book from a sale depot in one of the local bookstore back home in the Philippines.  No idea, just armed with the synopsis at the back of the book, I dove into one of the saddest book I’ve ever read.  Heart-tugging at its best, I cannot fathom the burden that all the characters had to endure.

Dr. David Henry, who kept the secret all his life.  He gave away his daughter.

Norah, the wife, who never had any idea of how big the sole decision of his husband put an effect to their marriage and family life.

Caroline Gill, the nurse, an important factor on keeping the secret alive.  Together with Al, the truck driver and the husband, they made it all work out.  Really, there are still many good people with good hearts out there.

Doro, Leo, Rosemary.  Supporting characters that helped shaped their lives.

Paul and Phoebe.  The twins.  They were actually the victims here.

THE MOVIE

I just stumbled upon this on Youtube.  I never had any idea until 2 hours ago that there is a movie based on this book.  When i saw this, I braced myself for I know that this will bring tears in my eyes, like when i first read the story.

 

 

MY REACTION:

Oh man, it was still a painful one.  Watching them brought me back to the time when i was reading it.  There was hurt, anger, relief, joy.  I felt all of these then, i feel them right now just the same.

My heart went to all the characters, even though i really resented some of their actions.  All took shape with just a quick decision, and a hasty one at that.  How can you do such a thing, Dr. David?! It seems you don’t have a heart. 😦  Good thing that Caroline had such a big heart that she carried all the burdens you dumped on her.  Actually, she thought of it as a gift, one will change her life forever.  I can see that she was very kind and noble.  And because of this, this path led her to her husband to be, who was kind-hearted as well.  Thanks to them, Phoebe was raised and had such a good life.

While the world of Dr.  David went tumbling down, I can see how he regretted his decision and tried to make up for it.  By being a good dad to Paul.  But it was not enough.  You cannot undo the past, especially if you are still living with the secret at the present.  Truly, the truth will set you free.  And i think, if Dr. David did confess at the early stages of their lives, it would make a great difference in their future.

Norah made decisions in life because she felt left-out and neglected, and empty.  Paul had a not so good teenage years, with all those parental problems.  They were deprived of the truth.

And Phoebe, though she was well taken care of, and was surrounded with love and attention, was still deprived of the truth, as well.

Though, they dispensed some of the characters in the book like Doro and Leo and Rosemary, I really didn’t notice since the message of the movie  was clearly and successfully brought about.

The ending in this movie was such an emotional scene.  Despite of all the lost time, no words needed to express how much they were grateful now that the secret was out in the open and a secret no longer.  You can never bring back the past, but the present time, and the future… those were the ones they were trying to focus and to look forward to.

READ AND WATCH.  It wants us to learn one basic fact in our life.

“the truth will set us free”

 

GOODREADS 2014 READING CHALLENGE

Today, i’ve reached that goal.  To read 50 books in 2014.  I know, we are just halfway of the year but i’ve finished my original target.

 

It was not an easy journey.  Most of the time, work gets in the way.  Add family and friends, too. I am not complaining, you know. haha! But because i love to hang out with them, and i cant do both since I want to concentrate on just one, I tend to leave some of my readings unattended.  I felt bad letting the dog-eared book stay unread for few days.  But hey, i did it! and I want more! So before i re-evaluate my books-to-read goal, I would like to share my first 50.

Some i do love, some so-so, some not my cup of tea, but never will i say some i hate, coz i believe that a book is good as any of the bestsellers out there, just your preference and likings aside.

Here they are!

From all of these list, here is my top 5, oopps make it 6, so far:

1. MAYBE SOMEDAY by Colleen Hoover tied with WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman

I was BOOK-HANGOVERED with this two.  Ridge and Adam are quite at the top of my book boyfriends nowadays.  And the story, well-written, not forced, just a good flow that aimed directly straight to the heart.

2.  MAZE RUNNER SERIES by James Dashner

Mainly, ive been waiting to view my Dylan crushie on its movie adaptation come August.  But this action-packed series will never disappoint.  The twists and turns, the problem-solving, the characters, the cliffhangers, arrggghh! need i say more? these books will blow your minds.

3.  ELEANOR & PARK by Rainbow Rowell

Sweet, innocent, engaging, this one melted my heart. young, cheesy, but i just took 10 hours to swallow this whole.. not a page-turner action story that i normally wanted to know what happens next..but the kind of story that you want to leaf those pages after another and another simply because it warms your heart. Park is such a sweetheart!

4.  THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson

I like the book as much as i like eleanor & park. You can really feel the love and bond.  Youve got to read this book.  Lennie and Toby. Big no. Lennie and Joe. Big yes.

5.  THE GIVER by Lois Lowry

The way the story was written was simple and direct. It was actually written as a children’s book but have adult substance.  And this won an award, the 1994 Newbery Medal (The John Newbery award (Medal) given by the Association for Library Service to Children.  “Im the new receiver of memory of this book.”

 

Since i reached 50…. I AM ADJUSTING MY CHALLENGE THIS 2014 TO 100 BOOKS.

Yay! 50 more books to love and enjoy! I’d better start now… ciao! Happy reading everyone!

 

POEM made is POEM shared!

2nd CHAnCeS

Shattered things,
Broken wings,
Heart doesn’t beat,
To all of its whim.

Soul that pure,
Mind that rule,
Logic ridicule,
Still, heart’s a fool.

Love is sweet,
Second time meet,
Air we breathe,
Please,
Just take the bull out of your sssshhh!

Movie Day: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

I cried, when i read the book last year.

I cried, when i watched it just a few minutes ago.

It doesn’t matter if  i met Augustus Waters and Hazel Gray Lancaster in words separated by a year plus a half maybe before i get to see them alive in my eyes.  What matters most is the effect it had on me while reading and watching them.  More so, i waited for another month before i let it be played, because i don’t wanna be just on the “now showing” hype or the bandwagon.  I wanted to really feel the “feels” and to ready myself for such a cry fest or for the attack of the emo-s.  And indeed,  I am not mistaken. I am telling you, the impact is the same.  It hit me BIGTIME, like when i read them the first time.

BRIEF REACTION

CAN I JUST START WITH OKAY?  OKAY!

The story for me is not only about grief, not only about even pity for those who have life threatening sickness such as cancer.  It is not only about on how to cope up with the loss of a loved-one or the journey of life for those who were running out of time for it.

For me, it’s more of a story about HOPE.  That in this world we live in, no matter how unfair, devastating, cruel and tragic the situations we are in, we find hope.  In love and friendship and family. Because of hope we build the courage, find strength, conquer fears and pain and experience joy and the source of happiness and fulfillment no matter what.  Because of hope, we live in this world with a purpose, not thinking about the grandest gesture but to even just make one person smile.  I think, it is enough.

I really like Hazel and Gus.  They made themselves perfect for each other despite for their imperfect world.  

UNFORGETTABLE  QUOTES:

“You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world…but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”

===

“Maybe ‘okay’ will be our ‘always”

===

“It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.”

===

 

“You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.”

===

“You say you’re not special because the world doesn’t know about you, but that’s an insult to me. I know about you.”

===

 

“I will not tell you our love story, because-like all real love stories-it will die with us,as it should.”

 

And that last letter of Gus… it breaks my heart, every time!

Van Houten,

I’m a good person but a shitty writer. You’re a shitty person but a good writer. We’d make a good team. I don’t want to ask you any
favors, but if you have time—and from what I saw, you have plenty—I was wondering if you could write a eulogy for Hazel. I’ve got
notes and everything, but if you could just make it into a coherent whole or whatever? Or even just tell me what I should say differently.

Here’s the thing about Hazel: Almost everyone is obsessed with leaving a mark upon the world. Bequeathing a legacy. Outlasting death.
We all want to be remembered. I do, too. That’s what bothers me most, is being another unremembered casualty in the ancient and
inglorious war against disease.

I want to leave a mark.

But Van Houten: The marks humans leave are too often scars. You build a hideous minimall or start a coup or try to become a rock star
and you think, “They’ll remember me now,” but (a) they don’t remember you, and (b) all you leave behind are more scars. Your coup
becomes a dictatorship. Your minimall becomes a lesion.

(Okay, maybe I’m not such a shitty writer. But I can’t pull my ideas together, Van Houten. My thoughts are stars I can’t fathom into
constellations.)

We are like a bunch of dogs squirting on fire hydrants. We poison the groundwater with our toxic piss, marking everything MINE in a
ridiculous attempt to survive our deaths. I can’t stop pissing on fire hydrants. I know it’s silly and useless—epically useless in my current
state—but I am an animal like any other.

Hazel is different. She walks lightly, old man. She walks lightly upon the earth. Hazel knows the truth: We’re as likely to hurt the universe
as we are to help it, and we’re not likely to do either.

People will say it’s sad that she leaves a lesser scar, that fewer remember her, that she was loved deeply but not widely. But it’s not sad,
Van Houten. It’s triumphant. It’s heroic. Isn’t that the real heroism? Like the doctors say: First, do no harm.

The real heroes anyway aren’t the people doing things; the real heroes are the people NOTICING things, paying attention. The guy who
invented the smallpox vaccine didn’t actually invent anything. He just noticed that people with cowpox didn’t get smallpox.

After my PET scan lit up, I snuck into the ICU and saw her while she was unconscious. I just walked in behind a nurse with a badge and I
got to sit next to her for like ten minutes before I got caught. I really thought she was going to die before I could tell her that I was going
to die, too. It was brutal: the incessant mechanized haranguing of intensive care. She had this dark cancer water dripping out of her
chest. Eyes closed. Intubated. But her hand was still her hand, still warm and the nails painted this almost black dark blue and I just held
her hand and tried to imagine the world without us and for about one second I was a good enough person to hope she died so she
would never know that I was going, too. But then I wanted more time so we could fall in love. I got my wish, I suppose. I left my scar.

A nurse guy came in and told me I had to leave, that visitors weren’t allowed, and I asked if she was doing okay, and the guy said, “She’s
still taking on water.” A desert blessing, an ocean curse.

What else? She is so beautiful. You don’t get tired of looking at her. You never worry if she is smarter than you: You know she is. She is
funny without ever being mean. I love her. I am so lucky to love her, Van Houten. You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world,
old man, but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices. I hope she likes hers.

I do, Augustus.
I do.

41. WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman (If I Stay #2)

EPILOGUE

They say, it’s lonely at the top.
I say, not with you by my side.
We can pluck out the moon and the stars,
Together, as we kiss in the shining moonlight.

But funny, life, oh so it seems,
That when i finally reached my dream.
I stretch out my hand for you to hold,
I gasped, no longer there, just air, biting cold!

Where he went, i keep on repeating.
Where he went, my heart wants to stop beating.
Where he went, as i close my eyes,
Where he went, oh where is my goodbye?

They say, it’s so lonely at the top.
I believe, because i’m just at that.
What use am i being here,
Just take me, and let’s dive in that cold empty sphere.

Where HE went-track 1
OBLIVION (my album-to-be)
Or better yet DELUSION

Nope. Adam is not here. I made that up, since in real life, i am my own Adam Wilde. Minus the fame and the meds and the rockstar image, i really can relate. This book got into me, Big time! Three years and still wondering what happened, what went wrong. That is so cruel. This is my own version of where she went. But unlike Adam, he got his answers at the very end, at least. Me, still up in the air. I just really don’t want to care. Enough!

The Book

Yes, if you read If I Stay, by the same author, you can pick up from where the story left off. If not, i strongly advise to get it right before you turn that pages over. Read so you can get the full history. Bits and pieces will not do any good, though this time, Adam’s narrating his POV, not Mia.

Yes, Mia stayed. Despite all those tragedies in her prime, she battled it out, and she chose to stay. But where she went after? New York was the literal response since becoming a professional cellist is her biggest dream and Juilliard School is in New York. Off she went, took a plane never looked back. And Adam, Adam do not know where to pick up all the pieces. No signs, no clues, no breadcrumbs, no Mia. Mia really stands for her name, Missing In Action.

I remember Adam being Mia’s loyal boyfriend. When she was still fighting for her life in that hospital bed in Oregon, he was her lifeline. He loves her and would do anything, everything, just to make her stay. And stay, she did. But after few months of recovery, she had a change of heart. Why? I cannot tell you why. But i am telling you this, Adam felt so devastated. His world shattered, his heart smashed into pieces. But what was surprising was Mia who caused this broken heart of his was the one who revived not his heart, but his musical dreams. Full of not so happy emotions, he focused on the anger and depression through making lyrics. Then, together with his band, they spiraled into the world of rock and roll. Instant stardom, money and fame. He had it all, even women. He really live up to his name Adam “the Wildman” Wilde.

Despite all the world can offer, he still felt empty and we know why. MIA. Mia whose performing that same night in New York, his last before he traveled to London. I knew it, Adam cant resist the opportunity to see her even from a distance, so he went.

Meeting her was not at an option, much more talking and spending the night with her. But that night sealed the deal. That night was the night of explaining, understanding and closure. That night, Adam got his answers. And that night, he was the one to choose to stay or let go.

For the sake of Adam, i tried not hating Mia so much. I tried to understand. At one point, i failed.

A heart-wrenching tale at that, i am assuring you. I cried! Buckets and buckets for pain, confusion, memories, disappointments, regrets, tearful and happy ones too. What made it worse, i listened to Adam. His voice or that voice over the audiobook was truly a heartbreaker. I sympathized with him, i suffered. But most of all, i fell in love. Got that? Deeply. I fell in love with a rockstar! 🙂

Waiting for your one true love, even if it hurts, rarely happens these days. And Adam did that for Mia. I cant fathom how big is his love. But i wish, oh i really wish there are more of you, Adam Wilde, in the world i live in. I would love to be loved by you! ❤ ❤ ❤

— “But i’d do it again. I know that now. I’d make that promise a thousand times over and lose her a thousand times over to have heard her play last night or to see her in the morning sunlight. Or even without that. Just to know that she’s somewhere out there. Alive.— Adam”

— “Hate me. Devastate me. Annihilate me. Re-create me. Re-create me. Won’t you, re-create me.” —

— “Her hands are freezing, just like they always were, so i warmed them, just like i always did. – Adam” —

— “You don’t share me. You own me. -Adam” —

— “You made me stay!- Mia” —

This one goes straight to my favorites! No question, no doubt!

40. ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins

Who wouldn’t be excited if your parents suddenly decides sending you to a boarding school in Europe?  I will be excited, SUPER, no doubt!  BEST.  PARENTS.  EVER.  Right?  With matching cartwheels and happy dances,  I will be the most obedient daughter in town.  Because new places for me means new adventures, new people, new life.  Besides, it’s PARIS, freakin’, FRANCE.  If not the most romantic city in the world, I don’t know where else is.  Unfortunately, I am not ANNA OLIPHANT.  She had a different view and she is not so happy about it.

“Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris–until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all…including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?—goodreads”

But you ETTIENE ST. CLAIR.  You, cute boy with an accent.  You had Anna’s heart by the first glance.  It should have been sweet and promising, especially with all the closeness and the caring you were showing to her.  But I keep on always forgetting that Ellie, the girlfriend, existed.  Sometimes, I would root for you and Anna, but when i come to my senses, I would just feel defeated.

ABOUT THE STORY:

Because it was only written to be cute and adorable. Don’t get me wrong.  The  way of writing is superb, it was the flow of the story i was not much into.  I would love to elaborate my take on this matter but that would be giving away the most delicate and important parts of the story.   I visited paris too many times now and indeed it is a very romantic city, a city of love and lights. Who will never be affected and get swooned by a guy as charming as st. clair when ure all alone and in the middle of it? I feel for anna, really. Totally acceptable.  But when matters got out of hand, I was just disappointed in these two.  Hmmm… Please feel free to be the judge.  Read on about their decisions and actions.  Read it so you will understand where Im coming from. In real life, im guilty of these things too… when i was younger. the antics that they made towards each other, the sweet-nothings, the care and concern were straight to the heart mushiness but when you come to think of it, when u mature, your perspectives in life mature also.    It quite struck a nerve or two in my past, maybe that is why I am getting all sensitive and serious.  But hey, did i say that this book has some cute parts? I say, the email exchanges and the point zero were the ones.

—♥ ♥ ♥ —

36-39. VAMPIRE ACADEMY SERIES (#2-6)

Finally.

It might sound a relief, but it is a relief in a good way for me.  Not exasperated or tired but glad.  Im glad to experience the ride of Rose Hathaway’s not so boring life from day 1.  How was she described, wild and dangerous?! True, most of the times.  But together, we explored St. Vladimir’s Academy, Siberia, the Court even go all the way to Michigan to finally find the one thing that will complete the puzzle.  From being a stowaway back to student to a novice then a graduate to a full guardian.  Rose did mature  in this series.  I read it by my own two eyes, and sometimes heard it since i alternated between reading and listening to its audiobook counterpart. She experienced a one-heck-of-a-rollercoaster-ride.  Friendship, family, love relationship, betrayal, secrets, truth and lies, miracles, the possible and impossible, bravery.   She had bonded with a lot of Moroi, Dhampirs, Strigoi, including my favorites Lissa, Christian, Dmitri and Adrian.  Lots of lives have been lost and restored, loves lost and then found, chaos exploded but then peace restored at every end.  Each character had contributed to the very essence of the story, HOPE.  Hope for a person gone astray, hope for the love bound to end, hope for the great change.  Overall, this series is entertaining.  I wanted to include summaries for each of the 6 books, but im afraid i might spoil the fun of enjoying their adventures.  Heck, i might even give away some important details, or reveal some secrets that you were not supposed to know yet.  No, i am not going to do that.  You can do it on your own.

But take note of this, I may not agree on some Rose’s decision but in the end, well, what can you ask for.  You cannot make everybody happy.  You cannot force anything. You cannot undo the past.  But if it can make you the better version of the person that you can be, then go ahead, hurt and break along side.  In this life, as long as there is love, there is hope.  For everyone, especially for the people who sincerely gave their heart away.

Ooooooh! is this review getting serious in life or what?! Rose Hathaway never got this deep… 🙂

Ill just focus on watching the  movie.  At long last, i am allowing myself to see this since i vowed i won’t till i finish reading them….. and now the time comes!

 

… and after almost 2 hours of watching, all i can say is that im gonna stick to my own picture of Rose in  my mind.  Or Lissa or Dmitri more for Christian.  I guess, they cannot really put into life the beauty of the words written in the books of Vampire Academy.  I am proud of Richelle Mead on that matter.  She successfully made them alive in my mind.   Thank you for their stories.  Thank you for the Vampire Academy.

***LOVE AND LOYALTY RUN DEEPER THAN BLOOD***

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

35. BRADY REMINGTON LANDED ME IN JAIL By Tijan

I picked this up randomly.  I didn’t have any idea about this book or the author.  I just needed something short and new to read after finishing the Vampire Academy series, and boy that was a long one.  Here i am, here it is.

BRADY REMINGTON LANDED ME IN JAIL

So, who is Brady Remington and why was he up there getting the title?

Curious?

He is the apple of the eye of our first person narrator, Rayna Janke.  Good girl, Bad guy but Best friends for life.  They were at the threshhold of committing the great leap from friendship to a relationship.  They’ve known each other their whole lives but they were so different in many ways.  Parties for Brady and libraries for Rayna.  Brady is the popular guy while Rayna is almost always on the sidelines.  But what keeps them together, what draws them to each other, is a big question mark.  Brady calls Rayna to bail him out of jail, always.  Brady is a fixture in Rayna’s household, Grandmother Viola and Grandfather Neil loves him.  Brady treats Rayna differently from any other girls, but not quite obviously for Rayna to assume he’s in love, Clarissa Cumberly exists as a proof of that.  Is Brady just using Rayna?  Suddenly, one act from Brady made Rayna and all the things around them, vague.   For what its worth, it jumpstarted the whole controversy.  They started to wonder more about their lives, the truths, meanings and consequences.  It confuses them more and more each day.  The question is, will they survive it all, despite the secrets and lies?   How about when the truth comes out, will they be able to handle them?  Will their feelings survive, even when Kidrick Stephens, both from their past enters again in the picture?  Who knows?!! You have to read it to know the answers.  I did read and i have the answers, but i will not squeal.  🙂

But this, I will share.  This is written to confuse you, in a good way.  The ups and downs, the roller coaster ride of feelings, Brady and Rayna’s indecision, going back and forth, skirting around their emotions.  The added complications and distractions will surely keep you hanging at times.  A lot of dramas, unnecessary ones at that.  But i promise you, you will have your answers before the story ends.  No cliffhangers, just plain wide resolution.  I believe that this is not as great as the others we have in the book market nowadays (Tijan, I’m sorry, just my opinion, but you’re still amazing!).  You may think that even the story line is not as new, not as deep, not as engaging.  But Brady and Rayna made my day.  Some even stirred my not so distant past.  It brought back memories.  That made the difference.  That is all I need.  🙂

Movie of the Day: THE MAGIC OF ORDINARY DAYS (2005)

It was one of those days.  Those days when i usually wake up at the very crack of dawn, finding nobody to talk to yet, nothing to do much, so instead i browse the net over.  Youtube to be exact.  The title caught me.  Who wouldn’t?  I just woke up to one of those ordinary days, and i needed some magic to brighten it up.  That made me press the play button, clueless as I was.  I felt hopeful.  The movie is complete and the actress is a familiar face too, Keri Russell.

THE MOVIE

The Magic of Ordinary Days

Genre Period romance
Created by Hallmark Hall of Fame
Directed by Brent Shields
Produced by Andrew Gottlieb
Written by Ann Howard Creel (novel)
Camille Thomasson (adaption)
Starring Keri Russell
Skeet Ulrich
Mare Winningham
Country United States
Language English
Original channel CBS
Release date January 30, 2005

 

It was set on the early 1940’s.  Livvy Dunne was introduced as a single lady who got impregnated by a soldier and was banished by his own father to Colorado to marry Ray Singleton, a farmer.  An awkward first meeting but they managed to go on directly to the arranged marriage and proceed to their new life together in the farm.

At first, you can see and feel the hesitations of Livvy being there at the middle of nowhere, with nothing else but the old house and farm and Ray.  Obviously, she was not happy.  Ray, on the other hand, was as polite and as gentle as a man can be, ready to offer all the things to make his new wife happy.  You cannot just imagine how he did all of those things without the grand gesture,but  just the simple and kind acts in their everyday lives.

As the movie progressed in its slow pace, the characters grew before me.  Though there were still some hesitations and doubts in Livvy’s eyes, you can definitely feel the changes in Ray’s longing gaze.  The only question was, will they see it through until the end?

THE REACTION

I am not going to answer that.  I am not a very fan of spoiler alerts.

You can see it for yourself as you watch their story unfolds right before your eyes.

This is a simple and yet a compelling romantic tale.  I am not going to reveal the ending, predictable as it may seem.  You have to experience it to feel it.  The only thing i am assuring you is the possibility of falling in love with Ray.  He is definitely not perfect, and not the type of man who can usually sweep me off my feet.  But hey, his character got me.  If this happened to me, those ordinary days with him, I might feel the magic, too.

MORE REACTION

And i never knew this was based on a book!!! Until i saw it in goodreads, just now, at the actual time of writing this review.  I cannot believe it that is why i am currently searching for a copy right at this moment.  This is a love story, which is I am fan of,  and yes, I want to fall in love again, reading it. 🙂

For you, watch it if you can’t read it first.  I really recommend this one!

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