We are pleased to announce the formation of the Delicious Reads Golden Book Award!
And the NOMINEES for the Delicious Reads Golden Book Award are . . .
Friday, January 30, 2015
Delicious Reads Best Books from 2014: Golden Book Award Nominees
And the NOMINEES for the Delicious Reads Golden Book Award are . . .
Monday, January 19, 2015
Delicious Dish: Fast and Easy No-bake Mini Cheesecakes
I love to try out new recipes and every once and a while I do like to delve into some of the insane Pinterest desserts and appetizers. BUT, as a mom of five, sometimes I don't have the time or money to do something extravagant. That's why I like to have a few fall backs when it comes to bringing something fun to book club or any other event for that matter.
I try to always keep a no-bake cheesecake mix in my cupboard at all times. I stock up on these when they are on sale or I have a coupon. I love making things from scratch, but I have found that it is cheaper to do it by the box
Monday, December 29, 2014
Author Interview with Patricia Bracewell about "Shadow on the Crown"
Title: Shadow on the Crown
Author: Patricia Bracewell
Number of Pages: 416
Publisher: Viking Adult
Summary:
A rich tale of power and forbidden love revolving around a young medieval queen
In 1002, fifteen-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.
Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.
Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers.
In 1002, fifteen-year-old Emma of Normandy crosses the Narrow Sea to wed the much older King Athelred of England, whom she meets for the first time at the church door. Thrust into an unfamiliar and treacherous court, with a husband who mistrusts her, stepsons who resent her and a bewitching rival who covets her crown, Emma must defend herself against her enemies and secure her status as queen by bearing a son.
Determined to outmaneuver her adversaries, Emma forges alliances with influential men at court and wins the affection of the English people. But her growing love for a man who is not her husband and the imminent threat of a Viking invasion jeopardize both her crown and her life.
Based on real events recorded in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, Shadow on the Crown introduces readers to a fascinating, overlooked period of history and an unforgettable heroine whose quest to find her place in the world will resonate with modern readers.
Star Rating:
We all loved this book. We gave it 4.5 stars.
Our moderator Brooke, contacted the author and we video-chatted with her for the evening. Her manner was so warm and kind hearted, I think we all loved her instantly. We learned about her process of writing and researching, some of her favorite things in life, and that there are 2 more books to complete this story! Here is a sample of some of the questions and answers from the interview - most answers are paraphrased.
Interview with Patricia Bracewell
Patricia: I used to teach high school English, literature and composition. She also raised a family.
Moderator: How did you choose to write about Emma?
Patricia: I think she found me, I saw an online bulletin post that mentioned Emma of Normandy, I had never heard of her. I started doing a little research and I was hooked. I could never find the post again. I guess the universe lined it up.
Moderator: What was your process for researching and writing about Emma?
Patricia: I began by reading general histories of the Anglo–Saxons, the Normans, and the Vikings. From there I progressed to books that dealt specifically with Æthelred II and Emma of Normandy. At the same time I began to research details about the period in academic journals—clothing, weaponry, warfare, land ownership, architecture, trade, roads, ships, horses, food, and much more. I drove through Normandy, visiting Rouen and the abbeys along the Seine. I went to England and followed Emma’s route to Exeter, spent several days in Winchester, took a two week summer course on the Anglo–Saxons at Cambridge, visited the Anglo–Saxon village at West Stow, and watched a reenactment of the Battle of Hastings. What surprised me the most was just how little is left from the eleventh century.
Moderator: Tell us a little bit about your writing process. Do you outline, brainstorm, or just write?
Patricia: Every author has a good dose of butt glue. I write out scenes, and think in scenes - who is there, who are they, what do they want etc... "Sitting down and facing a blank page is just dreadful."
Moderator: How did you decide to choose several characters viewpoints to write from?
Patricia: Because it was a man's world, I didn't just want someone saying what happened, I wanted people that were experiencing it.
Moderator: One of the themes that emerged throughout the narrative is how little power women had in this society, in which even their brothers could control their fate, and yet Emma is something of a proto–feminist
character. What is it about Emma that enables her to have the power that she does?
Patricia: Women could own land and things at this time in history, but it was still a patriarchal society. Women had to use their power however they could. That usually meant manipulating men. Emma recognizes and accepts her role as a woman in a patriarchal society, but she also recognizes her power as a queen and she understands what alliances she must make in order to fully achieve it. I made the decision to give her the language gift.
Moderator: Emma makes a profound choice, between love and honor. How did you arrive at this decision on her behalf?
Patricia: My function as the author was not so much to choose honor over love on Emma’s behalf, but to put her in a situation where she had to make that choice. It doesn’t appear anywhere in the histories. It is where history ends and storytelling takes over. The Emma that I created, I hope, could not have made any other decision and still have been true to her nature. It is fiction with a tendril of truth.
Moderator: Which character's perspective did you like to write from best?
Patricia: Emma
Moderator: Which character would you choose to go back and live out their life?
Patricia: Emma
Moderator: Can you give us any hints on what happens in the next two books?
Patricia: Book two is written with the same 4 character viewpoints and ten people get killed off. Book three is war, war, war.
Book Club member: Does Ange make an appearance in the second book?
Patricia: Yes! (This sparked a discussion about how she writes her horse scenes and has fellow writers that ride horses read those sections to make sure they are realistic.)
Moderator: What are some things about yourself that may surprise us?
Patricia: I play guitar and sing folk music. I used to sing in a bar - think Carol King.
Moderator: What is one of your guilty pleasures?
Patricia: Listening to mysteries on my MP3 player. I really like Ian Rankin's books.
Moderator: What is your favorite TV show?
Patricia: Vikings, on the History Channel
Moderator: What is one item that you could not live without?
Patricia: Earl Grey Tea
Moderator: What is your favorite book that you have read this year?
Patricia: This is the Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett
Moderator: What do you like to do in your leisure time:
Patricia: Play tennis, work in the garden, go for walks, travel
As you can see, we had a wonderful evening visiting with Patricia Bracewell. We would definitely recommend Shadow on the Crown as a book club pick. There are many interesting themes, complex characters and tricky dilemmas to discuss.
Go pick up this book today. You won't be disappointed.
Elizabet
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Into the Woods {Book to Movie}
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The much anticipated movie Into the Woods comes out on Christmas Day. I know I will be going to this because we are big into going and seeing movies on Christmas Day. This movie and Unbroken are the two movies I will be seeing. Yay!!!
Our book club was so excited about this movie we also did a photo shoot with Classy Cosmetics, Looks for Lovelies and Summer Nicole Photography of our own rendition of the Sandro Botticelli painting "Primavera"
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Book/Play Synopsis
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Into the Woods is the imaginative account of what happens when the lives of new and old fairy-tale characters dramatically and humorously come together. Cinderella, Jack (of bean-stalk fame), Little Red Ridinghood, and the Baker and his Wife set out for the forest on a quest to find "happily ever after." Along the way they meet Rapunzel, a Wicked Witch, a lascivious Wolf, vengeful Giants, a couple of charming Princes, and their own destiny. With wit and wisdom, the authors have given us a parable about the loss of innocence, the joys and sorrows of adulthood, and the price paid for getting the things you really want.
Movie Synopsis
A witch tasks a childless baker and his wife with procuring magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse put on their family tree. Want to know about anything your children might be scared of in this movie check out this Parental Guide from IMDB
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Entertainment Weekly
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Meryl Streep as The Witch
Meryl Streep has won three Oscars and you probably know her from these movies: The Devil Wears Prada, The Hours, Julie and Julia (we are reading My Life in France a story about Julia Childs in February) and The Iron Lady. She has been in so many movies there is no way I can name them all. Her current projects are: Suffragette, Ricki and the Flash, and Florence Foster Jenkins all coming out in 2015.
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| (Photo Source) (Photo Source) Anna Kendrick as Cinderella We saw her first on Twilight where I think she stole the spotlight. But her biggest film so far is Pitch Perfect (the funniest movie I have ever seen, Classic) and they are coming out with Pitch Perfect 2 yay! She also was in Up in the Air with George Clooney and in 50/50. Other upcoming projects for Miss Anna are: Get a Job, Digging for Fire, and The Hollars just to name a few. This girl is busy. |
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Chris Pine as The Prince
You all know Chris Pine from the Star Trek movies, Rise of the Guardians and This Means War. He has a couple movies coming out next year: Z for Zachariah, The Finest Hours, and Mantivities.
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Johnny Depp as The Wolf
We all love us some Johnny Depp. He is most well known for Pirates of the Caribbean but also Edward Scissorhands, Alice in Wonderland and Sweeney Todd. His upcoming projects include: London Fields, Mortdecai, Black Mass, Alice in Wonderland: Through the Looking Glass (I feel another book to movie here) and another Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.
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Lilla Crawford as Little Red Riding Hood
Most of her work has been done on stage, that is the Broadway Stage. Into the Woods is her first film and she has another movie coming out next year called Little Miss Perfect.
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Emily Blunt as The Baker's Wife
Emily is most well known for her films: Looper, Edge of Tomorrow, and The Devil Wears Prada. Her current projects are: Sicario, Barton & Charlie & Checco & Bill.
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James Corden as The Baker
He is a British actor most well known for: Begin Again, The History Boys, and One Chance. He has two films so far coming out next year: Kill Your Friends and The Lady in the Van.
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Mackenzie Mauzy as Rapunzel
She is on the soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful and has been in many TV shows. The other movie she was in is Brother's Keeper. Her upcoming project is Construction.
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Billy Magnussen as Rapunzel's Prince
He is in the soap opera biz also on As the World Turns. He was in the movies: The East and The Brass Teapot. His current projects are: The Great Gilly Hopkins and I Smile Back.
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Daniel Huttlestone as Jack
He was in Les Miserables in 2012 and doesn't have any future films in the works yet.
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Christine Baranski as Cinderella's Stepmother
Christine was in How the Grinch Stole Christmas with Jim Carry and is in the TV show The Good Wife.
Lucy Punch and Tammy Blanchard as The Stepsisters
Lucy was in Bad Teacher, Dinner with the Schmucks and Ella Enchanted. Tammy Blanchard was in Moneyball, Blue Jasmine and soap opera Guiding Light. She has a couple projects coming out soon: The Inherited and The Invitation.
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Director Rob Marshall
He is most well known for directing: Chicago, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Memoirs of a Geisha and Nine. No projects currently but I'm sure we will see his work again.
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Do you want to see more Book to Movie Posts?
Have a fun time at the movies! Leave your review in the comments.
xoxo,
Kellie
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Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Unbroken {Book to Movie}
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This movie comes out Christmas Day! Get your tickets early.
We as a book club loved this book. It is one of those books that almost everybody gave it a 5 star rating (and that is unusual). If you want to read this book for your book club then check out our Book Club Ideas and our Book Review.
Book Synopsis
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The lieutenant’s name was Louis Zamperini. In boyhood, he’d been a cunning and incorrigible delinquent, breaking into houses, brawling, and fleeing his home to ride the rails. As a teenager, he had channeled his defiance into running, discovering a prodigious talent that had carried him to the Berlin Olympics and within sight of the four-minute mile. But when war had come, the athlete had become an airman, embarking on a journey that led to his doomed flight, a tiny raft, and a drift into the unknown.
Ahead of Zamperini lay thousands of miles of open ocean, leaping sharks, a foundering raft, thirst and starvation, enemy aircraft, and, beyond, a trial even greater. Driven to the limits of endurance, Zamperini would answer desperation with ingenuity; suffering with hope, resolve, and humor; brutality with rebellion. His fate, whether triumph or tragedy, would be suspended on the fraying wire of his will.
In her long-awaited new book, Laura Hillenbrand writes with the same rich and vivid narrative voice she displayed in Seabiscuit. Telling an unforgettable story of a man’s journey into extremity, Unbroken is a testament to the resilience of the human mind, body, and spirit.
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Movie Synopsis
A chronicle of the life of Louis Zamperini, an Olympic runner who was taken prisoner by Japanese forces during World War II.
The movie is rated PG-13 and if you are a parent like me then you might want to know beforehand if this is a movie you would take your kids to so find out here on IMDB's Parental Guide.
Usually I end with the Director of the movie but come on not this time when the director is...
Angelina Jolie {Director}
Angelina is the one who got this movie going. The rights to Louis Zamperini's story were bought by Universal clear back in 1956. And it has been dead in the water ever since. But when Angelina saw that they were looking for a director for this movie (for 11 years now) she wanted this to be her next project. You've got to read the whole story of the history of the movie in the making here. It is amazing that Angelina was the one who "breaks the curse of 'Unbroken'" This is her third film that she has directed. The first was a documentary "A Place in Time" and her second film was "In the Land of Blood and Honey". And if you like her directing then I think you're in luck because it looks like she's not stopping any time soon. She has two more movies announced that she will be directing "By the Sea" starring herself and Brad Pitt (How fun to work with your honey!) and "Africa". Some of the other movies that she has acted in are "Maleficent" , "The Changeling", "Salt" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". This beautiful lady married her long time love Brad Pitt this year on August 23 in France with all their children there. Congrats Angelina!!!
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On set doing her thing!
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Angelina got very close to Louis while preparing and filming the movie. It's so sad that he passed away before he was able to see the portrait of his life on the big screen.
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Louis Zamperini {The Man, The Hero}
You must read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. This book will change your view on World War II and change your look on life. This is a man who never gave up and he never lost hope. He was an Olympian, a WWII Vet, a POW, a brother, a son, a husband and a father. He recently died on July 2, 2014 at the age of 97. He was a true American Hero.
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I found a few Magazine Covers Angelina and Jack were on together. If you want to read the full articles on them in each of the magazines then click on the photo source.
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Since there are so many men in this movie I thought I would spot light a few of them and dive a little deeper into their personal lives by seeing who they are dating or married to.
Jack O'Connell {Louis Zamperini}
You may recognize Jack from several movies and a certain British TV show "Skins". He was in "300: Rise of an Empire" , "Starred Up" , "Eden Lake" and "This is England". He has a few upcoming films next year: "Tulip Fever" (where he meet the girl he is rumored to dating now fellow actor: Cara Delevingne), "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" and "Money Monster".
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Garrett Hedlund {John Fitzgerald}
You will remember him from "Tron" , "Four Brothers" , "Troy" , and "Death Sentence" . And his upcoming films are: "Mojave" , "Pan" (playing Hook), "War on Everyone" and the next untitled Tron Sequel. He is also dating the famous Kirsten Dunst for many years now. Love her!
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Jai Courtney {Cup}
Okay I know you are thinking right now where have I seen him. Just think lots of piercing and you might remember him playing "Eric" in "Divergent" . He was also is "A Good Day to Die Hard" , "Jack Reacher" and "I, Frankenstein". He has a bunch of upcoming projects: "The Water Diviner" , the much anticipated "Insurgent" (which I will do a Book to Movie post on), and "Terminator Genisys". He was dating Gemma Pranita up until a couple of days ago so it looks like he is a single man again ladies. But who knows the real truth I think this is all speculation as of lately.
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Domhnall Gleeson {Phil}
You may first think of Domhnall in the Harry Potter Movies playing Bill Weasley but he has recently been in "About Time" with actor Rachel McAdams (whom he is not dating) and really I looked really hard to find out who he was dating and I couldn't find the answer so if you know let me know in the comments and I will update his status. Other movies are "True Grit" and "Frank". He does have a few upcoming films coming out next year: "Brooklyn" , "Ex Machina" , "The Revenant" and he is going to be in the next "Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens".
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Finn Wittrock {Mac}
You would have seen Finn in "Noah" , "Winter's Tale" , soap opera "All My Children" and currently in "American Horror Story". His upcoming projects are: "My All American" and rumored to star in "The Submarine Kid" plus his work on TV show "American Horror Story".
Finn recently married long time girlfriend Sarah Roberts in a surprise wedding in October of this year.
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Laura Hillenbrand {Author}
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Movie Trailer
Do you want to see more Book to Movie Posts?
Have a fun time at the movies! Leave your review in the comments.
xoxo,
Kellie
