2009 in Review: Movies and TV

Even though I don't usually blog about movies or tv, I do like my year end list summaries.

Key:
Green = Favorites of the year
Blue = Guilty pleasures
Red = Why did I watch this?!

Movies I saw in 2009 that were released in 2009
(in order of box office gross)

Up
The Hangover (plane)
Avatar
X-Men Origins: Wolverine
The Proposal (plane)
Taken (plane)
Terminator Salvation (DVD)
Inglorious Basterds
Watchmen (DVD)
Public Enemies
I Love You, Man (plane)
17 Again (plane)
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Bruno
Ghosts of Girlfriends Past (plane)
Funny People (plane)
My Sister’s Keeper (plane)
State of Play (plane)
500 Days of Summer
The International
Gamer
The Road
Adam
The Brothers Bloom (on demand)

Total of 24 (one more than last year)

Notable movies I saw in 2009 that were made before 2009

Battle Royale (DVD)
Slumdog Millionaire (DVD)
The Reader
Revolutionary Road (DVD)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Spielzeugland (Short Film Oscar Winner 2009) (TV)

2009 movies I’d still like to see

An Education
Bright Star
Whip it!

TV series I watched in 2009 (Most on DVD)

24 – Season 7
Battlestar Galactica – Complete Series (4 Seasons)
Dexter – Seasons 2 + 3
Dollhouse – Season 1
Germany’s Next Top Model – Season 4
Lost – Season 5
Mad Men – Seasons 1 + 2
Planet Earth – Complete Series
Pushing Daisies – Season 1
True Blood – Season 1

How was YOUR year in movies and TV?

Books Read in 2009

YA fiction

The Naughty List by Suzanne Young
Candor by Pam Bachorz
Gone by Lisa McMann
The Mark by Jen Nadol
Lips Touch by Laini Taylor
My Invented Life by Lauren Bjorkman
Andromeda Klein by Frank Portman
The Everafter by Amy Huntley
The Waking: Dreams of the Dead by Thomas Randall
Liar by Justine Larbalestier

Crashed by Robin Wasserman
Skinned by Robin Wasserman
Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Dreaming Anastasia by Joy Preble
Wanderlust by Lucy Silag
The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley
The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner
The Devil's Kiss by Sarwat Chadda
Hate List by Jennifer Brown

Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink
Exclusively Chloe by J.A. Yang
Crazy Beautiful by Lauren Baratz-Logsted
The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams
Starfinder by John Marco
Lipstick Apology by Jennifer Jabaley
An Off Year by Claire Zulkey
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Ash by Malinda Lo
Feathered by Laura Kasischke

Dull Boy by Sarah Cross
The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Miles Between by Mary E. Pearson
The Heights by Brian James
Eyes Like Stars by Lisa Mantchev
Milestones by Samira Armin Hodges
Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart
Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog
Stop Me If You've Heard This One Before by David Yoo

Alive and Well in Prague, New York by Daphne Grab
Geektastic by various authors
Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard
20 Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Swoon by Nina Malkin
Kiss of Life by Daniel Waters
Generation Dead by Daniel Waters
Cycler by Lauren McLaughlin
Radiant Darkness by Emily Whitman
Genesis by Bernard Beckett

Death by Denim by Linda Gerber
Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon
Shelter Me by Alex McAuley
Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender
Pure by Terra Elan McVoy
The Fetch by Laura Whitcomb
Look Both Ways by Jacquelyn Mitchard
The Midnight Twins by Jacquelyn Mitchard
Undercover by Beth Kephart
13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson

Willow by Julia Hoban
In Too Deep by Jennifer Banash
The Elite by Jennifer Banash
If I Stay by Gayle Forman
The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan
Absolutely Maybe by Lisa Yee
Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
North of Beautiful by Justina Chen Headley
The Poison Apples by Lily Archer

Fade by Lisa McMann
Wake by Lisa McMann
The Rule of Won by Stefan Petrucha
Triple Shot Bettys in Love by Jody Gehrman
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
Dust of 100 Dogs by AS King
Hot Mess by Julie Kraut & Shallon Lester

Cracked Up To Be by Courtney Summers

YA non-fiction

Boyology by Sarah Burningham
Everything Sucks by Hannah Friedman

Middle grade fiction

Dork Diaries by Rachel R. Russell
Half Minute Horrors by various
The Day of the Pelican by Katherine Paterson
Things Are Gonna Get Ugly by Hillary Homzie
The Book of Nonsense by David Michael Slater
Tell Me Who by Jessica Wollman
Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin Dionne
I, Lorelei by Yeardley Smith

Middle grade non-fiction

The Natural Beauty Book by Anne Akers Johnson
Down Down Down by Steve Jenkins

Adult fiction

Generation A by Douglas Coupland
When She Flew by Jennie Shortridge
The Good Thief by Hannah Tinti
The Day the Falls Stood Still by Cathy Marie Buchanan
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Crossed Wires by Rosy Thornton
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
A Change in Altitude by Anita Shreve
How to Buy a Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson
No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay

Sometimes We're Always Real Same Same by Mattox Roesch
Amberville by Tim Davys
Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
Secret Son by Laila Lalami
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
Swimming by Nicola Keegan
Labor Day by Joyce Maynard
Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch
The Glassblower of Murano by Marina Fiorato
The Sinful Life of Lucy Burns by Elizabeth Leiknes

Midwives by Chris Bohjalian
Last Last Chance by Fiona Maazel
Life Sentences by Laura Lippman
The Secret Keeper by Paul Harris
Darling Jim by Christian Moerk
The Night Gardener by George Pelecanos
Red by Jordan Summers
Shadow of Colossus by T.L. Higley
Atticus by Ron Hansen
Turning Japanese by Cathy Yardley

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
First Daughter by Eric Van Lustbader
The Music Teacher by Barbara Hall
This One is Mine by Maria Semple
Eclipse by Richard North Patterson
After the Fires by Ursula Pflug

Adult non-fiction

Notes from My Travels by Angelina Jolie
The Deep by Claire Nouvian
Where am I Wearing? by Kelsey Timmerman
The Customer is Always Wrong ed. by Jeff Martin
Click by Bill Tancer

Book Review: Generation A by Douglas Coupland

Here’s a funny thing about Douglas Coupland: he’s one of my favorite authors because I adore his writing style, but I’ve never considered a novel of his worthy of a five star rating. They always make me laugh and ponder life’s big questions, but they also end up missing something that would solidify them as all-around satisfying reads.

Coupland excels at creating memorably quirky outlines of characters, but he seldom manages to dig deep enough to make us really believe that they are flesh and blood or to get us to really care about them*. In GENERATION A, he introduces 5 20-somethings from around the globe who are all stung by bees, years after bees were thought to be extinct. However, with the exception of Harj, an amusingly clever call center employee from Sri Lanka (and my favorite character by far), all of them speak in a near identical “Coupland” voice: witty, emotionally distant, and very self-aware.

Coupland is also known for his outlandish plots, liberal use of pop-culture references, and willingness to experiment with structure. This one strikes me as a mix of GIRLFRIEND IN A COMA (for the post-apocalyptic elements) and GENERATION X (for the inclusion of a bunch of loosely related short stories a la The Decameron in the second half). It comes together (sort of) in the end, and we learn how these seemingly random individuals are related and what it means for the future of the human race.

Ultimately, I enjoyed reading it - though once again, I didn’t love it. I’m still waiting on that elusive perfect Coupland novel…

GENERATION A is available in hardcover now. Find out more about it at the author's website.

*I most cared about Susan Colgate in MISS WYOMING and Cheryl, Jason and Heather in HEY NOSTRADAMUS! which is why those two are probably my favorite of Coupland's works.

Book Review and Giveaway: When She Flew by Jennie Shortridge

Using the true story of a war vet and his 12 year old daughter found living in the forest as inspiration, Author Jennie Shortridge has written a powerful work not only about the bond between parent and child but also about doing the right thing, even when that’s a hard thing.

The fictional tale is told in alternating chapters - some from the point of view of 12 year old Lindy who lives off the grid with her PTSD-plagued father and some following police officer Jessica Villareal, a grandmother already at 38 who is estranged from her 19 year old daughter, as she responds to the call that a transient preteen has been seen in the woods.

Lindy’s chapters are spare yet haunting as she describes her life in the forest as well as her “capture” and subsequent ordeal. In some ways, Lindy is mature beyond her years, in others, completely naïve and Shortridge absolutely pulls off the voice. That Jessica’s chapters feel so completely different – down to earth yet pulsating with that mix of frustration and compassion that adulthood brings – is a testament to Shortridge’s skill.

Oddly, though Lindy’s chapters are first person and Jessica’s are third, I felt I got to know Jessica much better. Lindy remains a bit elusive, much like the blue herons she so loved to catch a glimpse of.

I enjoyed this one immensely and highly recommend it to those who like modern day stories with fully fleshed characters and a compelling storyline.

WHEN SHE FLEW is available in paperback now. Find out more about it on the author’s website.

This review is part of the TLC blog tour for WHEN SHE FLEW. See other stops on the tour at the TLC website.

I have one signed copy of the book up for grabs - to enter for it, simply tell me what news story you think would make a good jumping off point for a novel. Since it's coming directly from the author, this one is US and Canada only and I'll keep it open until 11:59 PM CST on January 11th.

Tuesday (86) = Picture of Emmy

We're back in Germany and delivered Hans and Silke's (my father and stepmother's dogs) presents to Emmy and Finn.

They didn't tear into the wrapping paper like the dogs did on Christmas day, but they seem interested....

The bouncy toy with a squeaky mouse inside is fun and we are still looking for batteries for the other one.

It's nice to be back (and the kitties sure are happy to have us back too)!

My Favorite Reads of 2009 (with giveaway of top 2 favorites!)

Today I am guesting over at The Book Smugglers for their Smugglivus Celebration and there you can see my top 5 YA reads of 2009.

Well, I will go ahead and reveal that my #1 was Lips Touch by Laini Taylor...because I bought a hardcover copy I want to give away to addict someone else to its utter brilliance! Keep reading for contest details. To view #2-5 you'll have to click over to the Book Smugglers. (Yes, I am making you work for it!)

My next ten YA reads of 2009 (#6-15) in no particular order:

My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison

Rampant by Diana Peterfreund

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

Genesis by Bernard Beckett (the only male author on the list!)

Swoon by Nina Malkin

Nothing But Ghosts by Beth Kephart

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley

Fire by Kristin Cashore

And my favorite non-YA read this year was The Help by Kathryn Stockett, followed by How to Buy a Love of Reading by Tanya Egan Gibson and Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scotch.

So want to win my favorite book of 2009, Lips Touch? Or maybe the library queue is too long for The Help and you'd like me to buy you a copy of that one? Just tell me what YOUR favorite book of 2009 was in the comments. I'll pick one winner for Lips Touch and one for The Help so make sure you also tell me your preference in your comment.

I'll give extra entries for:

+1 Leaving a comment at my guest post at The Book Smugglers

+1 Linking to my contest from your blog (sidebar is fine)

+1 For tweeting (include @lenoreva in your tweet)

I'll keep the contest open until January 11th at 11:59 CST, and I will send internationally! Happy reading in 2010.

24 Hour Vampire Series 3 Book Contest!

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! Today I have 3 vampire series books I want to give away to someone who reads them (or is interested in reading them). I got them for review (unsolicted), but since vampire fiction isn't really my thing, I thought I'd pass them on.

HEARTS AT STAKE by Alyxandra Harvey, Book 1 of The Drake Chronicles

Solange Drake's sixteen birthday is finally here, but in her family, htthis day triggers the transformation from human to vampire. Her seven older brothers each made it throught the potentially deadly passage, but since she's the first female-born vampire in almost 800 yeaars, and since her birth was foretold in a prophecy that predicts she will united all the vampire clans as their queen, this birthday isn't looking quite so sweet. Solange could be killed by the transformation itself, or by one of the existing queen's followers who are after the bounty on her head.

Luckily her protective older brothers and her very kick-butt best firned, Lucy, have her well being at heart. And it will take all of them- plus the help of their nemesis, Kiernan Black- to make sure Solange survives. By the stroke of midnight, her fate will be sealed, one way or another.

BAD BLOOD by Mari Mancusi, Book 4 of the Blood Coven series

Sunny McDonald is in the ultimate forbidden relationship. Her boyfriend Magnus is a vampire, and the leader of the Blood Coven. Their differences have never been an issue, until now…

When the Blood Coven decides that Magnus needs a mate to be his co-ruler, Sunny’s humanity puts her out of the running. The Coven’s chosen candidate is Jane Johnson, a magna cum laude graduate of Oxford University who just happens to look like a vampiric celebutante. Sunny is suspicious of a Rhodes Scholar who can’t answer the most basic poly-sci questions, but Magnus brushes it off as petty jealousy. Still, when the Blood Coven goes to Las Vegas for a vampire convention—where Magnus and Jane’s bonding ceremony will be the main event—Sunny and her sister Rayne secretly tag along. And Sunny’s not going home before she learns the truth about Jane. Because not everything stays in Vegas—especially bad blood…

FADE OUT by Rachel Caine, Book 7 of The Morganville Vampires

The resident vampires have made major concessions to the human population. With their newfound freedoms, Claire Danvers and her friends are almost starting to feel comfortable again...

Now Claire can actually concentrate on her studies, and her friend Eve joins the local theatre company. But when one of Eve's castmates goes missing after starting work on a short documentary, Eve suspects the worst. Claire and Eve soon realize that this film project, whose subject is the vampires themselves, is a whole lot bigger-and way more dangerous-than anyone suspected.

Contest is open internationally until noon CST Dec 27th. Just comment telling me what your fave vampire series is to be entered! One winner gets all three books.

Tuesday (85) = Picture of Emmy

While we're away, Emmy and Finn have a complex catsitting plan involving several friends and Daniel's brother Wossi.

Here are a couple of pictures of the kitties first leg at Jay's place.

They are back at home now getting visitors several times a day and night! They need lots of cuddles after all.

Book Review: The Naughty List by Suzanne Young

Head cheerleader Tessa is also the head of a super-secret organization - the Society of Smitten Kittens - that investigates boys possibly cheating on their girlfriends. Tessa knows her own boyfriend Aiden would never cheat though... or would he?

The Naughty List is a very cute book. Perhaps a bit TOO cute (for my taste anyway). Tessa is perky, positive, and very sweet - so sweet she won't let anyone swear around her and uses the names of baked goods for her own exclamations.

The plot is inventive enough to keep you guessing and although it feels kinda fluffy and very teen (as in, not a YA title that is ripe for a crossover adult audience), it does touch on more serious topics such as the importance of trust and communication in relationships.

THE NAUGHTY LIST comes out on Feb 4th with the second book, SO MANY BOYS, due in June 2010 and the third book, A GOOD BOY IS HARD TO FIND, set for October 2010. Find out more about this fun new series at the author's blog.

Book Review: The Natural Beauty Book by Anne Akers Johnson

Last year I reviewed THE GREEN BEAUTY GUIDE by Julie Gabriel and one thing that made that book less than ideal for me on a practical level was that most of the home spa recipes were complicated, requiring high-tech kitchen appliances and lots of exotic ingredients.

THE NATURAL BEAUTY BOOK, aimed at teens, is definitely more my level of difficulty. Almost all the recipes are simple and use common ingredients. The appealing package includes two bottles of essential oils (lavender and tangerine) that are required for some of the fancier recipes. Also included are other fun home spa items such as nail tools, a headband, loofah, and pumice stone.

The advice in the book - from the right way to wash your hair to the truth that your feet prefer comfortable shoes - is very basic (that's where the GREEN guide excels), but I can imagine the fab and fun DIY spa recipes being a big hit at slumber parties.

THE NATURAL BEAUTY BOOK is available now in paperback. Find out more about it at the publisher's website.

PS. If you are doing any last minute Christmas shopping for a younger teen girl, this would be a great choice!