Top 5 Thursday: Jane Austen Novels

I’m an avid reader and I love all sorts of books. My favorite classics are definitely the Jane Austen books. So sad she only wrote six of them. Here is my top 5.

5. Emma
This book, and “Northanger Abbey” which didn’t make it to my top 5, is the only one that I didn’t rate with 5 stars. I did love “Emma”, but I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I did in the other books.

4. Sense and Sensibility
The most beloved Austen novel, together with “Pride and Prejudice”, is only on my number 4 spot. My favorite aspect of this story is the two completely different Dashwood sisters. Great character development.

3. Persuasion
This was Austen’s final completed novel. “Persuasion” is beautifully written and I love that this books is about second chances.

2. Mansfield Park
It’s Austen’s most controversial novel, but like all the other books she wrote this was again a true delight. Fanny is undoubtedly one of Austen's less assertive characters, although she does mature into a woman who knows what she wants and will accept no less. I loved Fanny and her honesty.

1. Pride and Prejudice
This was easy to pick, because “Pride and Prejudice” is my all-time favorite novel. I can read it over and over again and never get bored. This is such a good book, with one of the best female leads ever. This is just a masterpiece of wit and style.

They almost made the top 5: Northanger Abbey

50 Books Challenge 2012 Update - May

I read four books this month, a great month. I was already super excited about this theme and now even more. A read some great books this month.

# 19. Divergent (Divergent # 1) by Veronica Roth - 5/ 5
# 20. The Maze Runner (Maze Runner # 1) by James Dashner - 2/ 5
# 21. City of Ashes (Mortal Instruments # 2) by Cassandra Clare - 4/ 5
# 22. Gone (Gone # 1) by Michael Grant - 4,5/ 5

Average: 3,9

Favorite of the Month: Divergent

Now the theme for june:

I'm really pining for some good adventours. I already picked up some cool books at the library.

Pinkpop 2012

My second time at Pinkpop this year. Me and my brother Frank only went one day this year, because monday was the only day with and overall good line-up. It started at 12 and we saw Serena Pryne and the Mandevilles, a band from Canada. I never heard of them before, but I'm glad I went to see them. What a great band and a fantastic new discovery. I bought the album right away.

< br/> I also saw Jonathan Jeremiah. Not my genre, but pretty enjoyable, especially his opening.

The highlight for me was "Mumford and Sons" (I'm actually listening to their album right now). I love this band and their unique music. This performance was just perfect.

The headliner of this day was Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. The whole reason we came. What a show and what an energy this man has. After so many years Bruce still enjoys performing and it's so great to watch him perform. His setlist wasn't all perfect because I expected more classics. Instead he did more new songs. But it was great.

I also saw Herbert Grönemeyer, a German singer with a lot of heart and power. And Sea Sick Steve, who made all his own guitars and was only joined by one other bandmember. Real fun guy with great lyrics. Pinkpop 2012 was a succes!

50 Books Challenge 2012 - # 22: Gone by Michael Grant (Gone # 1)

Title: Gone (Gone # 1)
Author: Michael Grant
Story: In the blink of an eye. Everyone disappears. GONE. Except for the young. Teens. Middle schoolers. Toddlers. But not one single adult. No teachers, no cops, no doctors, no parents. Just as suddenly, there are no phones, no internet, no television. No way to get help. And no way to figure out what's happened. Hunger threatens. Bullies rule. A sinister creature lurks. Animals are mutating. And the teens themselves are changing, developing new talents—unimaginable, dangerous, deadly powers—that grow stronger by the day. It's a terrifying new world. Sides are being chosen, a fight is shaping up. Townies against rich kids. Bullies against the weak. Powerful against powerless. And time is running out: On your birthday, you disappear just like everyone else...
Start: may 22nd 2012
End: may 29th 2012
Comment: Michael Grant has taken a very common child's fear, the fear of being left alone, and coupled it with science fiction. Everyone in the ages over 14 disappear for no reason and all the children are left behind and have to take care of themselfs. One of the kids, Sam, is our main characters and he's very relatable. The problem with books that mainly have teenagers in them is that they get cliché and they are very stereotypical. That's not the deal here, there's enough room for character development and you can really relate to a lot of them. I especially liked Sam, Astrid, Lana and Little Pete. As for Caine, not very likeable but a well written antagonist. It's a very exciting book, pretty violent and graphic. It's also a very big book, 550 pages long. Don't let the physical size scare you, because it's easy to read and very exciting so hard to put it down. "Gone" was very captivating and fast paced. Highly enjoyable and I'm definitely going to continue this series.
Rating: 4,5/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (39)

This weeks trailers are about a possessed girl, Gatsby, James Bond, Irish mob and a man in his mid-30s who's still living with his parents.

The Possession
Description: Clyde (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Stephanie Brenek (Kyra Sedgwick) see little cause for alarm when their youngest daughter Em becomes oddly obsessed with an antique wooden box she purchased at a yard sale. But as Em's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, the couple fears the presence of a malevolent force in their midst, only to discover that the box was built to contain a dibbuk, a dislocated spirit that inhabits and ultimately devours its human host.
Director: Ole Bornedal
Starring: Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Kyra Sedgwick
Trailer: Trailer "The Possession"

The Great Gatsby
Description: We follow would-be writer Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) as he leaves the Midwest and comes to New York City in the spring of 1922, an era of loosening morals, glittering jazz and bootleg kings. Chasing his own American Dream, Nick lands next door to a mysterious, party-giving millionaire, Jay Gatsby (Leonardo DiCaprio), and across the bay from his cousin, Daisy (Carey Mulligan), and her philandering, blue-blooded husband, Tom Buchanan (Joel Edgerton). It is thus that Nick is drawn into the captivating world of the super rich, their illusions, loves and deceits. As Nick bears witness, within and without the world he inhabits, he pens a tale of impossible love, incorruptible dreams and high-octane tragedy, and holds a mirror to our own modern times and struggles.
Director: Baz Luhrman
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher
Trailer: Trailer "The Great Gatsby"
Comment: It looks amazing.

Skyfall
Description: Bond's (Daniel Craig) loyalty to M (Judi Dench) is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.
Director: Sam Mendes
Starring: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Ralph Fiennes
Trailer: Trailer "Skyfall"
Comment: Not a James Bond fan, but Daniel Craig is sooooo worth watching.

Whole Lotta Sole
Description: We follow Jimbo (Martin McCann), who in a misguided attempt to protect his family and pay back gambling debts to the local mobster, robs a fish market which is owned by the same gangland boss Mad Dog Flynn (David O'Hara) and finds himself in a hostage standoff surrounded by the police.
Director: Terry George
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Martin McCann, Colm Meaney, David O'Hara
Trailer: Trailer "Whola Latta Sole"

Dark Horse
Description: In his mid-30s, Abe (Jordan Gelber) clings to the trappings of his adolescence. Still living with his parents Jackie (Christopher Walken) and Phyllis (Mia Farrow), Abe works for his increasingly disappointed Dad and spends evenings ruthlessly trouncing his Mom at backgammon. When Abe meets Miranda (Selma Blair), whose personal and professional disasters have sent her scrambling back to the safety of her parents' suburban home, he sees what he thinks is a chance at true love. As the couple haltingly prepares to start a new life together, the film swerves into Abe's subconscious, where his crippling self-doubt and dark fears begin to undermine his nearly realized dream of a fuller life.
Director: Todd Solondz
Starring: Jordan Gelber, Selma Blair, Christopher Walken, Mia Farrow
Trailer: Trailer "Dark Horse"

In My Mailbox (48)

Actually six cards, but one came without an ID and I can't trace it. So five cards I'm going to share with you. The first came from Danshui, Taiwan. A fairytale card, Rapunzel. Really nice.

Sent on: may 11th 2012
Received on: may 21st 2012
Distance: 9,459 km (5,878 miles)
Travel time: 10 days

A nice beach sight from Kutno, Poland.

Sent on: may 6th 2012
Received on: may 22nd 2012
Distance: 929 km (577 miles)
Travel time: 16 days

From Bejing, China a very cute and cloudy postcard. I really like it and I discovered there are many different once.

Sent on: may 11th 2012
Received on: may 22nd 2012
Distance: 7,866 km (4,888 miles)
Travel time: 11 days

This card from Singapore really made my day. HARRY POTTER. So awesome.

Sent on: may 18th 2012
Received on: may 24th 2012
Distance: 10,441 km (6,488 miles)
Travel time: 6 days

A card from Cuxhaven, Germany. i don't know exactly what it is on the card, but it's pretty.

Sent on: may 2oth 2012
Received on: may 24th 2012
Distance: 349 km (217 miles)
Travel time: 4 days

Last a card from Los Angeles, California, US. Mickey Mouse playing volleyball. Love it.

Sent on: may 18th 2012
Received on: may 26th 2012
Distance: 9,107 km (5,659 miles)
Travel time: 8 days

Thanks Ching, Michaisa, Stella, Ng, Daniela and Sherry for the great postcards.

The Many Faces of... Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio is an actor that started out as a kid, did a sucky movie like "Titanic" and then only choose the good movies. He did some fantastic films and here are some of he different looks he had in those films.

Face # 1: What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Role: Arnie Grape
Comment: He is mentally challenged, so looking good wasn't part of the role.
Rating: 2/ 5

Face # 2: The Quick and the Dead
Role: Kid
Comment: The boyish looks already!
Rating: 3/ 5

Face # 3: Romeo + Juliet
Role: Romeo
Comment: Leonardo wasn't a real dude when he was younger, but so many girls (indeed girls) where in love with this 'boy'.
Rating: 2/ 5

Face # 4: Titanic
Role: Jack Dawson
Comment: I don't get it. Why did every love this look so much?
Rating: 2/ 5

Face # 5: The Beach
Role: Richard
Comment: Still not completely the Leonardo I like.
Rating: 3/ 5

Face # 6: Gangs of New York
Role; Amsterdam Vallon
Comment: This is where his movies, roles and looks got better.
Rating: 3,5/ 5

Face # 7: Catch Me If You Can
Role: Frank Abagnale Jr.
Comment: "Fly me to the moon..."
Rating: 4/ 5

Face # 8: The Aviator
Role: Howard Hughes
Comment: A bit slick, but mighty mighty fine.
Rating: 3,5/ 5

Face # 9: The Departed
Role: Billy
Comment: This is the Leo I like.
Rating: 5/ 5

Face # 11: Blood Diamond
Role: Danny Archer
Comment: My favorite look.
Rating: 5/ 5

Face # 11: Body of Lies
Role: Roger Ferris
Comment: Cool!
Rating: 3, 5/ 5

Face # 12: Revolutionary Road
Role: Frank Wheeler
Comment: Is it because he's working with Kate Winslet again that he looks like he's twelve years old? Too boyish again.
Rating: 2,5/ 5

Face # 13: Shutter Island
Role: Teddy Daniels
Comment: Why so serious?
Rating: 4,5 /5

Face # 14: Inception
Role: Cobb
Comment: I'm just wondering... does this guy ever smile?
Rating: 5/ 5

Face # 15: J. Edgar
Role: J. Edgar Hoover
Comment: He looks like J. Edgar Hoover... oh that's right... ;)
Rating: 3/ 5

Top 5 Thursday: Characters in “The Avengers”

Last week I ranked the five most handsome men from “The Avengers”. Again I picked this movie, but now I’m going to make a top 5 of the characters from the movie.

5. Tony Stark/ Iron Man
Tony Stark is a very handsome man, but he’s so arrogant and in love with himself. I forgive all of this because of the great sense of humor he has.

4. Bruce Banner/ The Hulk
I genius brain with a short temper. Bruce struggles with two sides of himself, which he manages to do pretty well.

3. Natasha Romanoff/ Black Widow
Natasha is a very serious woman and a skilled spy. You really don’t want to mess with her, because she will kick your ass.

2. Thor
Thor is strong, calm and quiet. Pretty serious and always tries to find the best in people.

1. Steve Rogers/ Captain America
Steve is the complete opposite of Tony Stark. He’s selfless, serious and doesn’t want to be in the spotlights. Steve is a real American hero.

They almost made the top 5: Clint Barton/ Hawk Eye

50 Books Challenge 2012 - # 21: City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments # 2)

Title: City of Ashes (The Mortal Instruments # 2)
Author: Cassandra Clare
Story: Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father. To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
Start: may 14st 2012
End: may 21st 2012
Comment: I started this series last year and I was so excited to find the second book in our bookstore. Like the first book, it's very fast paced and action packed. Those action sequences in the book were again my favorite parts. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I also liked the parts with all the different sort of demons. It was very exciting. "City of Ashes" is equally as good as the first book in the series and just as well written by Cassandra Clare. I liked Clary more then in the first book. She grew stronger and is beginning to grasp her role as a Shadowhunter. Jace is a strong male lead, still very witty and cinical. He's slightly more bitter after the revelations he received in "City of Bones". Valentine didn't feel like much of a villian to me. He stepped it up in this book, but I'm hoping that in "City of Glass", he will truly encompass evil. I'm kind of missing that. "City of Ashes" is a good sequel and I hope this series will continue on this foot because I like it a lot.
Rating: 4/ 5

Movie Trailer Sunday (38)

This weeks trailers are about a young doctor, two mother fighting a school, a struggling writer, divorce and a getaway driver.

The Good Doctor
Description: Martin Blake (Orlando Bloom) is an ambitious but anxious young doctor, eager to impress his superiors and colleagues: Chief Resident Waylans (Rob Morrow), self-assured fellow intern Dan (Troy Garity) and no-nonsense nurse Theresa (Taraji P. Henson). But things are not going Martin�s way and he can�t seem to shake off his insecurities. When 18-year-old patient Diane (Riley Keough) is admitted for a kidney infection, Martin steps in, getting the much-needed boost of self-esteem he craves. But things take a dark turn as his enthusiasm begins to become an obsession
Director: Lance Daley
Starring: Orlando Bloom, Riley Keough, Michael Peña
Trailer: Trailer "The Good Doctor"
Comment: Not an Orlando Bloom fan, but this trailer actually looks really good.

Won't Back Down
Description: Two mothers from different backgrounds--a postal worker and a reporter--join forces to take on a failing public school system and institute a charter school for children in the neighborhood, including their own.
Director: Daniel Barnz
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Holly Hunter, Oscar Isaac, Rosie Perez,
Trailer: Trailer "Won't Back Down"
Comment: Want to see this!!!

The Words
Description: We follow a writer (Bradley Cooper) who, at the peak of his literary success, discovers the price he must pay for stealing another man's work.
Director: Brian Klugman, Lee Sternthal
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Jeremy Irons, Olivia Wilde, Dennis Quaid, John Hannah, Ben Barnes, J.K. Simmons
Trailer: Trailer "The Words"

What Maisie Knew
Description: The story centers on Maisie, a six-year-old girl enmeshed in the bitter divorce of her mother (Julianne Moore), a rock and roll icon, and her father (Steve Coogan), a charming but distracted art dealer.
Director: Scott McGehee, David Siegel
Starring: Julianne Moore, Steve Coogan, Alexander Skarsgard
Trailer: Trailer "What Maisie Knew"

Hit and Run
Description: Charlie Bronson (DaxShepard), a former getaway driver who busts out of the Witness Protection Program to drive his girlfriend (Kristen Bell) to Los Angeles so she can land her dream job. Their road trip grows awkwardly complicated, when they are chased by the feds (led by Tom Arnold), and increasingly dangerous, when Charlie's former gang of criminals (led by Bradley Cooper) enter the fray.
Director: Dax Shepard, David Palmer
Starring: Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell, Tom Arnold, Bradley Cooper, Beau Bridges, Kristen Chenoweth, David Koechner,Michael Rosenbaum
Trailer: Trailer "Hit and Run"