Pic Spam: Ian Somerhalder

"The Vampire Diaries" is one of the best new TV shows of last season. And you know how I always like the bad boys. Dean from "Supernatural", Sawyer from "Lost" and now Damon from "The Vampire Diaries". Ian Somerhalder already caught my eye in "Lost" but we didn't get to enjoy Boone for a long time, for he died. So here are some pictures of Ian.

New books

I recently ordered some books and I got them in the mail today. I have a lot of books to read, so I'll have to wait to read those. But here's what I got:

- "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert: It's a true story about Liz Gilbert, who has everything she could ever dream about: a husband, a house and a succesfull career. Yet like so many others, she found herself lost, confused, and searching for what she really wanted in life. Newly divorced and at a crossroads, Gilbert steps out of her comfort zone, risking everything to change her life, embarking on a journey around the world that becomes a quest for self-discovery. In her travels, she discovers the true pleasure of nourishment by eating in Italy; the power of prayer in India, and, finally and unexpectedly, the inner peace and balance of true love in Bali. There's also a movie coming out, with Julia Roberts but I want to read the book before I go see the movie.

- "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger: Henry DeTamble has a genetic anomaly that allows him to travel in time; however, he is not able to control the moment or the destiny of his voyages. When the stranger Clare Abshire meets him in the library, she invites him to have dinner with her, where she confesses that she has been in love with him since she was six years old. Henry learns that he had visited her many times in the real state of her parents and he falls in love with her. Sooner they get married, but the life of Clare becomes troubled with the successive unexpected travels of her beloved husband. I've seen the movie with Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana, which I loved, and I didn't know it was a book until after I saw the movie. So that made me want to read the book.

- "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold: Susie Salmon is a 14-year-old girl who gets murdered by her neighbour Mr. Harvey. She tells the story from heaven and sees how her family tries to move on or is still trying to deal with Susie's death. I also saw this movie, but I wanted to read the book anyway.

Can't wait to start reading those, but like I said there's a pile waiting for me. So, lots of reading to do in my summer vacation!!

Best of... Leonardo DiCaprio

I'm liking him more and more. Almost every new movie I watch with him is awesome. And then I haven't seen "Shutter Island" and "Inception" yet. I'm excited to see both movies (I didn't get the chance to see "Shutter Island" yet and I'm planning on going to see "Inception" very soon). But for now I made a list of my favorite Leo movies.

"What's Eating Gilbert Grape?"
Also good because of Johnny Depp, but Leonardo kinda steels the show in this one. And he got his first Oscar nomination for this film and he was such a young boy here.

"This Boy's Life"
Great story, very dramatic at some points. Robert DeNiro is actually the best one here, but I also loved Leonardo.

"Gangs of New York"
The character with the weirdest first name (Amsterdam? Really?). But it's a fantastic movie. I also mentioned this on Cameron Diaz' list. I really love the scenes with the gang fights. Beautifully shot!

"Catch Me If You Can"
One of the most genious characters he ever played. Great story, nice combination of comedy and light drama. Kind of a cat and mouse game. Thumbs up!

"The Aviator"
This is his best role, fantastic performance and he also got nominated for this movie. His role is very intense and he really surprised me. Great job Leo!

"The Departed"
Just great. Can't say anything else.

"Blood Diamond"
Touching story and sometimes a little disturbing. I can't imagine that it went down like that there. People say Leo's African accent was a little fake, but my brother said it was authentic. He went to Africa so he knows. Leonardo DiCaprio was very good, also in combination with Jennifer Connolly, who I also love!

Like I said, I didn't see "Shutter Island" and "Inception" yet, but when I do, you'll probably see them as movie tips (that's if I liked them). And you might have noticed that "Titanic" isn't on my list. I think that's one of the most overrated movies EVER. I think it sucks and it never should've won so many Academy Awards. But that's just my opinion, so don't shoot me please ;)

My to-read pile

It's summer and I love reading in the summer. Just sitting back in the yard, with a good book. Great for relaxing. Recently me and some of my co-workers exchanged books, we sort of liked started our own little book club. Loes borrowed "P.S. I Love You" by Cecilia Ahern, Petra got my copy of "Sense & Sensebility" by Jane Austen and Aukje lend "The Girl with the Pearl Earring" by Tracy Chevalier and "Atonement" by Ian McEwan. I also got some books from them:
- "Little Bee" by Chris Cleave;
- "Meisje met Negen Pruiken" by Sophie van de Stap (translation: "Girl with Nine Wigs")
- "Daughter of the Ganges" by Asha Miro
- "Schaduw Zuster" by Simone van de Vlugt (Translation: "Shadow Sister")

I also got another book that I have to read and that's "The Kite Runner" by Kahled Hosseini. I'm probably the only one that hasn't read it yet, but I just never got to it. There were so many books I had to read.

If you want to keep up with me and my reading, check the picture on the right. I'll keep you updated on the book that I'm reading at the moment.

Adoring Natalie Portman

I made a new wallpaper, this time with Natalie Portman. It was the first time that I made one featuring Natalie. She's a natural beauty and one of the best actresses of her generation. Her best role is Evy from "V for Vendetta", but her roles in "Leon", "The Other Boleyn Girl" and "Closer" were also memorable. I didn't see her in "Brothers" yet, but I would really like to see that film. Here's the wallpaper:

Pic Spam: Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams is one of my favorite actresses. She's so radiant and I love her performances. In "Red Eye" she's really good and I also loved her in "Wedding Crashers", "The Notebook", "Sherlock Holmes", "The Time Traveller's Wife" and "State of Play". Here are some pictures.

CSI's Upcoming Season 11

I'm so excited that CSI decided to create another season: number 11. Awesome! I can't wait, but unforntunately we all have to. Everyone but Wendy Simms (played by Liz Vassey) is going to return and I heard a lot of news about the new season. Here's what I hope for seeing:

- Well, after Wendy Simms left there's a new lab tech on the way. Her name is Kacey Monohan and she is a bomb expert. Cool huh? She will team up with Nick. Maybe they will team up in another way too..
- I've been hoping for a Doc Robbins centric episode for a long time. That guy has been on the show for so long. The same goes for David Phillips. Get them in the spotlight already!
- I want to find out more about Catherine and Detective Vartann.
- Will Ray Langston live? (Off course he will, kind of a retorical question)
- Will Sara be a series regular again, like appearing in the opening credits?
- What about Grissom? I thought he would come back again, at least for one episode. I wasn't a Grissom fan, but maybe he could show his face just one more time.
- I want a memorable guest star. It appears that the first episode of the season has Justin Bieber in it. Well, he's not really memorable. In five years, nobody remembers him anymore. No, I'm talking big guest stars like Tom Hanks, Uma Thurman, Sean Penn or Robert Downey Jr. Other shows have stars of this caliber, why can't "CSI" have 'em?
- I want to learn more about Langston's private life and the same goes for Greg.
- Lots of action and tension and I want an episode like "Appendicitement", that was my favorite of season 10.
- More screentime for labrats Archie and Bobby, my two favorite labguys.