My Thoughts on The Upside

I went to see The Upside with my mom a couple weeks ago and we had a great time. This isn’t going to be a full review, just a few of my thoughts.

I felt a little iffy about going to see The Upside, but my brother mentioned that this was one of Kevin Hart’s first really serious roles. I think he and Bryan Cranston did a great job portraying these roles. Just because they were playing serious roles, doesn’t mean there weren’t a bunch of good laughs thrown in.

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Mini Review Monday – Room (The Movie)

I’m trying out a new series! If you’d like to participate, just comment down below. Mini-Review Monday is just that, a mini-review on a Monday. It can be on books, products, or TV shows/movies.

I recently watched the film adaptation of Room on Netflix and all I can say is that I was bawling for a chunk of it. It’s about a woman who was kidnapped and had a child, who she names Jack, for her captor. Her son is five years old and she plans to have him escape the room, with or without her.

Hunger (Book Review)

*Synopsis*

*Trigger Warning: Rape and Domestic Abuse*

Hunger is a memoir of Roxane Gay’s struggles with obesity, among other things. She writes about the traumatic experience that caused her to begin over eating. Gay includes that becoming bigger seemed to provide some solace after the experience, it seemed her only true escape. She also goes over her relationships with family, friends, and significant others.

*Review*

I listened to Hunger as an audio book narrated by the author. I was surprised by how personal Roxane Gay got when it came to sharing her story. It was tough to hear just how much she had been hurt in the past. She also talks about her sexuality and how that has had a role in shaping the woman she became. 

I don’t know if I can give this book a real rating. It’s necessary in this current social climate. The Me Too movement has began helping books like this prosper, as they should. This book is a true, raw reflection of life after rape. Gay refers to herself as a victim of the assault and her account can serve to help us all understand victims more.

The Hate U Give (Movie Review)

The Hate U Give is based on the book of the same name written by Angie Thomas and published last year, February. Both are about the main character, Starr Carter, and the actions she takes on after witnessing her childhood friend get shot at the hands of a police officer. Both the film and book focus on how she copes through the reality of what she witnessed and the steps that she takes in trying to prevent something like that from happening again. The Hate U Give is a story of activism, friendship, police brutality, family, gangs and most importantly: THUG LIFE.

I just saw this movie last night. I read the book last year and once I heard there was a movie coming, I just knew I had to go see it. I had wanted to see it during the early screenings but college doesn’t work like that, so I’ve had multiple exams and quizzes every week for the past month or so. I just got through a big exam Thursday and I decided Friday would be as good a time as any to go out and see The Hate U Give.

The Office Book Tag

I saw this tag a while ago over on Sara’s blog, The Bibliophagist. I love The Office, I’ve even written a show review for it!

1. Michael Scott – Book that tried WAY too hard:

If you’ve read my review, you already know how I feel about this one. It felt like the author was trying a little too hard to pull one over on the reader.

2. Dwight Schrute – Book that ended up being a lot more complex than you thought it would be:

The premise seemed simple enough, but then I started reading it and there were a bunch of parts where I was just lost. Here’s my review, nuff said.

3. Jim Halpert – YOU in a book. Book/character that you related to a ton:

I relate to Maya and her motivations on so many levels. I think she was one of the first YA characters I read and I really felt connected to. This Side of Home is one of my favorite YAs, I think it warrants a reread.

4. Pam Beesly – Seriously underrated but amazing book you wish everyone would read:

Still Life with Tornado is one of those books that was really weird but also really cool in the way the author approached it. I love A. S. King and her books were the first surrealist fiction I ever read.

5. Ryan Howard – THE INTERN. Debut novel that impressed you:

The ending was spoiled for me in this one but I still enjoyed it a ton. I love those subtle POC main characters that help change the narrative. The story itself was compelling and beautifully written.

6. Andy Bernard – ANNOYING book/character that you can’t help but love (or not):

I loved Levi’s personality so much. He’s the main reason I kept reading.

7. Robert California – Book/character/plot that went over your head or was really confusing:

It was definitely not like the movies. I should’ve known better.

8. Angela Martin – Book with a plot that didn’t appeal to you at first but you ended up loving:

If a plot doesn’t appeal to me, I usually don’t read it so I can’t think of anything for this one. Comment down below any books that fit this for you!

9. Kelly Kapoor – Favorite sassy character:

I don’t know if this is cheating but this one feels so right. Mindy Kaling is the sassiest person I could think of.

10. Kevin Malone – Book that features music:

I read this book over the summer and it definitely features a lot of music.

11. Phyllis Lapin – Book that made you feel warm and fuzzy:

Love and First Sight is just one of those contemporaries that hits you in all your soft spots. I think Phyllis would agree.

12. Oscar Martinez – Book that has an awesome LGBT character that defies stereotypes:

I was strongly considering this one for the sassy character prompt, but I feel like The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue fits this category perfectly. Monty and Percy were definitely much more than their stereotypes.

13. Stanley Hudson – Character/book that DGAF: 

Natasha was not about Daniel’s advances in the beginning of this book. She really didn’t care about romance. She had her goals and no one was going to get in her way. The Sun is Also a Star was one of my favorite reads of the summer.

14. Meredith Palmer – Book you couldn’t stomach (too graphic/violent/romantic/vulgar – or whatever your reason!):

I ended up just reading the spark notes after the first suicide. It was just so sad and the spark notes ended up making me feel even sadder.

15. Creed Bratton – Book/series that only ever made you ask more questions:

This is another one that I DNF’d a while back. I was so confused from the beginning.

I tag: Anyone who wants to do this! It’s been floating around the book blogging community for a while so I don’t know who has and hasn’t done this yet.

What books have you been reading?

What’s your favorite prompt?

Have you or will you be doing this tag?

 

Let me know in the comments down below!