Tag: books

The Winter Wonderland Book Tag!

On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

At first, I was going to create a post about a Valentine’s Day book tag. But the Valentine’s themed book tags I found either heavily emphasized romance books or I couldn’t find an answer to all the provided questions. So, I decided to write about a winter themed book tag instead, as Valentine’s Day takes place within the winter season. When I came across the Winter Wonderland Book Tag, I could immediately think of answers for each question! Even though one of the questions mentions Christmas, the majority of the questions simply relate to the season of winter. Within these six questions, I will talk about books that have either been brought up on 18 Cinema Lane or books that haven’t been mentioned before. Now, let the book tag begin!

Ski lodge during winter-time image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/ski-station-background_3423830.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

1. What book is so happy & sweet that it warms your heart?

    As soon I read this question, I immediately thought of The Christmas Child by Linda Goodnight! Having read this book back in 2018, I remember how sweet this story was. It, honestly, felt like I was reading a Hallmark movie. What I mean by that is The Christmas Child was heart-warming and wholesome. There were emotional moments woven into the text, but the book never felt too emotionally heavy. Plus, the relationship between Kade and Sophie was sweet!

    2. What is your favorite book with a white cover?

    Because there’s a lot of snow on the cover of David Baldacci’s The Christmas Train, that’s the book I’ll choose for this question. This is one of the few books I’ve ever given five out of five stars to! Though it’s been years since I read The Christmas Train, I recall how intriguing the mystery was and how distinctive the characters were. In fact, I think this book serves as a good introduction to David Baldacci’s literary work! I would also recommend the Hallmark Hall of Fame adaptation, as I remember how respectful it was toward the source material.

    3. You’re sitting in a nice comfy chair, wearing a onesie, with a lovely warm hot chocolate but what MONSTER read are you reading?

    When I read the term, “MONSTER read”, I interpreted it as a book with a large page count. Due to that interpretation, I chose All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. Even though I thought the book was just ok, I liked the author’s use of descriptive imagery and attention to detail. Like I said in my review of All the Light We Cannot See from 2022, I, as a reader, could picture the story in my head because of the aforementioned elements. It also helps how each part contained a collection of shorter chapters, giving the book a steadier pace.

    Snowboarder on the slopes image created by Freepic.diller at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/woman-in-ski-suit-looks-over-her-shoulder-going-down-the-hill-on-her-snowboard_1620624.htm’>Designed by Freepic.diller</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/tree”>Tree image created by Freepic.diller – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    4. It started snowing so you decided to have a snowball fight! What fictional character would you love to have the snowball fight with?

    My favorite character from Murder, She Wrote: The Fine Art of Murder is Victorio! He not only has a fascinating backstory, he also has a lively personality. Victorio was such a memorable character, I wish he received his own spin-off series. When participating in a snowball fight, it helps to surround yourself with people who have a good sense of humor and don’t take things too seriously. With everything I said, I would choose Victorio for this question!

    5. Sadly, your fire is beginning to go out. So what book would you tear the last few chapters out to throw into the fire?

    If you’re going to create stories for a younger audience, you need to be mindful about the content incorporated into that story. This is due to how impressionable a younger audience can be. In Smoke Screen by Amy Goldman Koss, I found some poor lessons found among the text. A few examples are it’s ok to not be a person of your word, breaking promises is fine as long as it benefits you, and making compromises is a waste of time. It also does not help how Mitzi, the protagonist, is a static, self-centered, and entitled character throughout the book. If younger readers were to read this book, they may get the wrong idea about how the world, problem-solving, and interactions with other people work. So, to answer the question, I would select the last few chapters of Smoke Screen and recommend a better ending.

    6. What book is so close to your heart that you would gift to someone this Christmas who hasn’t read before but wants to get into reading?

    Last year, I talked about The Princess Spy by Larry Loftis on more than one occasion. The book was featured in my post about the Finally Fall Book Tag and in my annual Movie Blogger’s Christmas Wish-List. Larry Loftis’ book, The Princess Spy, was the best book I read for last year’s Eurovisionathon readathon! As I said in the Finally Fall Book Tag, it was both educational and entertaining, showcasing the research and literary skill Larry incorporated. I would recommend The Princess Spy to readers who like nonfiction books or stories taking place during WWII. If one wants to read about WWII from a woman’s perspective, this book would be a good choice.

    Snowy mountain image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/landscape-background-of-snow-track-and-mountains_968656.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Have fun during Winter!

    Sally Silverscreen

    The Finally Fall Book Tag!

    On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

    Back in April, my review of the 1976 film, Network, became my 375th movie review! Then, in July, my El Dorado movie review became my 850th published post! While figuring out how to commemorate these milestones, I realized it has been a year since I wrote a book tag. Now that Fall/Autumn has arrived, I chose the Finally Fall Book Tag! With Eurovision season in full swing, I will share in each tag prompt which books I read during this year’s Eurovisionathon readathon. I also included a picture of each book cover so my readers can visualize which books I’m referring to.

    Book cover images found on Goodreads. Finally Fall Book Tag image created by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    1. In fall, the air is crisp and clear: name a book with a vivid setting!

    One of the best aspects of The Night Circus (the book I read for Germany) was its descriptive imagery. Through elegant, descriptive writing, Erin Morgenstern crafted an immersive world readers can picture in their minds. From “The Ice Garden” at the circus to the tree Bailey likes to climb, the attention to detail helped places feel realistic. Even the circus itself became its own character because of Erin’s construction of the setting. After reading The Night Circus, I can now understand why some readers want to see this book adapted into a movie!

    2. Nature is beautiful… but also dying: name a book that is beautifully written, but also deals with a heavy topic like loss or grief.

    Though I won’t spoil the book I read for Greece, Piranesi, I will say there are heavier themes woven into the story. But the way Susanna Clarke wrote the book was logic driven while also evoking fantastical whimsy. The world surrounding the protagonist was truly unique, with descriptive imagery well used throughout the book! Each room Piranesi explores contains intrigue due to the nice, gradual build-up to the mystery’s reveal. Piranesi’s creativity worked in Susanna’s favor, as the book will be adapted into a Laika film!

    3. Fall is back to school season: share a non-fiction book that taught you something new.

    The Princess Spy by Larry Loftis tells the story of Aline Griffith, a woman who joined the United States war effort by working in the realm of espionage. The book not only shares Aline’s story, it also explores the history of the CIA’s predecessor; the Office of Strategic Services. I am so thankful I chose to read The Princess Spy for Spain! It was both an educational and entertaining book, showcasing the research and literary skill Larry incorporated. I would, honestly, recommend The Princess Spy, as it was the best book I read for this year’s Eurovisionathon!

    4. In order to keep warm, it’s good to spend some time with the people we love: name a fictional family/household/friend-group that you’d like to be a part of.

    In Elissa Brent Weissman’s book, The Length of a String, Imani has a tight-knit family. The story shows how they continually support one another, as well as remind each other what is truly important. Imani’s down-to-earth personality and realistic perspective are a reflection of her strong family unit. Through her interactions with her family, Imani and the reader learn important lessons, such as how Luxembourg was impacted by World War II. The Length of a String is the second-best book I read for 2024’s Eurovisionathon! One of the strengths of the story was how Imani and her family were well written.

    5. The colorful leaves are piling up on the ground: show us a pile of fall-colored spines!

    For this prompt, I will, instead, share four book covers that feature, at least, one fall color. These book covers are:

    • Axel of Evil – Ukraine (orange)
    • Wolves of Eden – Ireland (orange)
    • Pinocchio – Italy (orange and yellow)
    • The Finnish Line – Finland (yellow and red)

    6. Fall is the perfect time for some storytelling by the fireside: share a book wherein somebody is telling a story.

    Throughout Felix Francis’ book, Iced, Miles shares the story of his life and reflects on his career as a steeplechase jockey. His exploration of his past reveals his mental health and addiction related struggles. But Felix’s decision to prioritize Miles’ part of the story overshadowed the book’s mystery. This creative decision also gave the story little to no sense of urgency, suspense, or intrigue. When I first read the synopsis of Iced, I was intrigued by a whodunit revolving around a horse race in Switzerland. The book’s aforementioned major flaw left me disappointed.

    7. The nights are getting darker: share a dark, creepy read.

    While not considered a “creepy” read, The Winter Soldier is a “dark” read due to its darker subject matter. Because the story focuses on the medical and traumatic sides of World War I, medical procedures and injuries are described throughout the book. Despite the heavier topics within the story, Daniel Mason chose to present war from a more humane perspective by emphasizing human connections. With Lucius being The Winter Soldier’s protagonist, these human connections are found in Lucius’ life, from his early years in Austria to his time mending wounded soldiers in an abandoned church’s makeshift hospital.

    8. The days are getting colder: name a short, heartwarming read that could warm up somebody’s cold and rainy day.

    I will pick two books for this prompt. The first choice is William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night! This is considered one of Shakespeare’s light-hearted plays, as it’s classified as a romantic comedy. There are also some musical moments within the story because the play takes place around Christmastime in what is now known as Croatia. The second book I selected was Little Lord Fauntleroy! This is such a wholesome, heart-warming story, emphasizing the themes of kindness and staying true to yourself. It helps that Cedric is a likable, selfless protagonist, as he doesn’t allow his new life in the U.K. to change him or his values.

    9. Fall returns every year: name an old favorite that you’d like to return to soon.

    As I mentioned in prompt number five, I read Axel of Evil by Alina Adams. This is the third book in the Figure Skating Mysteries series, a series I’ve found quite enjoyable. So, for this prompt, I would choose to return to the world of competitive figure skating and follow Bex’s adventures!

    10. Fall is the perfect time for cozy reading nights: share your favorite cozy reading “accessories”!

    What I have chosen for this prompt, instead, are two book covers featuring a cozy accessory. On the covers of The Finnish Line and The Length of a String, a coat is clearly visible. To me, this is the perfect cozy accessory for those cooler, fall days!

    Prompt eleven asks tag participants to tag more people. For my book tag post, I will let my readers decide if they want to participate in the tag.

    Have fun during Fall!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Take 3: You’ve Got Mail Review

    On By 18cinemalane4 Comments

    Every so often, I try to review a movie that has been recommended by one of my readers or a fellow blogger. It’s a wonderful opportunity when I can write about a recommended film for a blogging event. This is what happened when I joined the Everything Is Copy Blogathon! When I learned Rebecca’s, from Taking Up Room’s, event centered around the Ephron family, I realized no one had chosen You’ve Got Mail as their blogathon entry. Since the movie was recommended by Janis from Momshie Diaries, I found the perfect excuse to finally see the film in its entirety! You’ve Got Mail is far from the first romantic comedy (rom-com) I’ve talked about on 18 Cinema Lane. Several Hallmark Channel films have received their own review, ranging from terrible to the best I’ve ever seen. So, where does You’ve Got Mail rank among those Hallmark titles? Log in to this review to find out!

    You’ve Got Mail poster created by Warner Bros.

    Things I liked about the film:

    Tom and Meg’s on-screen chemistry: An ingredient to a successful rom-com is casting an actor and actress who share strong on-screen chemistry. This ingredient creates an on-screen relationship that feels believable. In You’ve Got Mail, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan portray Joe Fox and Kathleen Kelly; two literary business owners who have different perspectives on the world of bookselling. Yet, whenever they’re together, Kathleen and Joe share a spark between them, learning over time how they have more in common than they initially believed. The on-screen chemistry between Meg and Tom makes it feel like their characters have known each other for many years. It also helps how Tom and Meg brought a strong sense of likability to their characters. Even though Joe was a businessman who felt there was a time and a place for “big box stores”, his personality was more jovial than some of the businessmen who appear in a typical Hallmark Channel rom-com. Meanwhile, Kathleen’s personality was fun and fancy-free, trying to find a silver lining during autumn in New York City.

    The set design: One of the conflicts in You’ve Got Mail was a bigger, chain bookstore affecting the business of a smaller, locally owned book shop. The interior design of the bigger bookstore was meant to imply how impersonal that store’s shopping experience was. But I actually liked the interior design of both stores! At the smaller book shop, the pale yellow walls paired nicely with warm wood shelves. With string lights circling near the store’s ceiling, the space itself felt cozy and quaint. At the bigger bookstore, white supporting columns, dark gray granite countertops, and shiny silver railings boasted a modern space that looked and felt heavenly. Quirky décor, such as a large, spinning silver globe and a replica of the Statue of Liberty reading a book prevented the store from being dull. Even the bookstore’s bakery section was promoted as a hip gathering space, a curved countertop with tall stools providing an area for readers to come together and enjoy each other’s company. Both spaces looked inviting and appeared photogenic!

    The dialogue: The strength of dialogue can create or break a script. While the dialogue can be elevated through delivery, its believability and memorability lie in the writing talent. Within You’ve Got Mail, there was dialogue that I thought was cleverly written! One example was when Kathleen and Joe met each other at a restaurant. Using advice from her anonymous pen pal, Kathleen shared what was on her mind with Joe. Frustrated by Joe’s inability to see how his bookstore prevented other bookstores from thriving, Kathleen told Joe his brain was replaced by a cash register and his heart was taken over by the bottom line. While her statement was meant to be insulting, Kathleen’s quote was an eloquent way of illustrating how she saw Joe. Her quote also stressed how her love of literature helped her choose words that made her opinion sound mature and intelligent.

    The Everything Is Copy Blogathon banner created by Rebecca from Taking Up Room

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Forgettable secondary characters: In a rom-com, the main male and female character are not the only characters who can make a story work. A collection of secondary characters who interact with the protagonists can add humor, wit, and even thoughtful insight to the film. The story of You’ve Got Mail revolved so heavily around Kathleen and Joe, all of the movie’s secondary characters seemed like an afterthought. This group of actors and actresses did a good job with the material they were given. But the characters they portrayed weren’t as 3-dimensional as Joe and Kathleen. Some rom-coms will give at least one secondary character a subplot. However, no subplots were given to the secondary characters in You’ve Got Mail. Even when there was the possibility for a secondary character to receive their own piece of the story, this opportunity didn’t lead anywhere. It felt like You’ve Got Mail was the world according to Joe and Kathleen, where every other character was simply given permission to exist in it.

    The protagonists’ love interests: I have seen some Hallmark rom-coms where the main male and female characters are already in a romantic relationship, only for these characters to end their previously established relationships in order to fall in love with each other. This trope is not limited to Hallmark’s films, as it appeared in You’ve Got Mail. At the beginning of the movie, the story established Kathleen is living with her boyfriend, Frank. Meanwhile, Joe is considering proposing to his girlfriend, Patricia. Because You’ve Got Mail is a rom-com, there is a greater likelihood Kathleen and Joe will fall in love. I’ve also mentioned in this review how, in my opinion, Tom and Meg had strong on-screen chemistry. Therefore, Joe and Kathleen’s previously established relationships feel pointless.

    The run-time: You’ve Got Mail has a run-time of one hundred and twenty minutes. This is almost the same run-time as a typical Hallmark movie. Like I mentioned in this review, none of the story’s secondary characters were given a subplot, as the film revolved heavily around Joe and Kathleen. You’ve Got Mail’s plot includes anonymous pen pals desiring to connect in the real world. With the story being so simple and easier to follow, the movie’s run-time feels excessive. Some scenes are drawn out to likely satisfy the film’s run-time. In my opinion, You’ve Got Mail should have shown the anonymous pen pals meeting sooner. That way, they could not only help each other with their professional dilemmas, but the story itself could have become a contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice.

    Envelope with hearts image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/hearts-and-pink-envelope-for-mothers-day_1950691.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/love”>Love image created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    My overall impression:

    Before and after the release of You’ve Got Mail, rom-coms have found their place in the world of film. Like any genre, there’s a variety of titles, some good and some bad. For me, You’ve Got Mail falls somewhere in the middle. The main romance was well written, directed, and acted. This combination allowed the protagonists to form a relationship that felt believable and charming. While the dialogue and set design certainly helped this picture, it wasn’t enough to outweigh the film’s flaws. From none of the secondary characters receiving their own subplot to the run-time, these things held the movie back from being a stronger story. With the film titled, You’ve Got Mail, and with the anonymous pen pals exchanging emails and instant messages, I’m surprised none of the story’s bookstores brought up the possibility of selling their merchandise online. In fact, I’m shocked the internet wasn’t a bigger topic/theme in this movie! I would say that was a missed opportunity. But with the film itself being just fine, I guess I don’t have much to complain about.

    Overall score: 7.2 out of 10

    Have you seen You’ve Got Mail? What’s your favorite rom-com? Tell me in the comment section below!

    Have fun at the movies!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Awaiting My Upcoming Blogathon; Familyathon!

    On By 18cinemalane38 Comments

    As I was coming up with a theme for my next blogathon, I first reflected on late Autumn to early Winter, the time when the event will take place. Several holidays where family gathers together take place during this time of year. This common theme inspired my new blogathon, which is called “Familyathon”! November 16th to 20th is when the event will take place. Since the subject of ‘family’ is so broad, I’ll list some ideas on potential topics:

    • Themes relating to the subject of ‘family’ (ex: how of the theme of ‘family’ is woven into the Fast & Furious franchise)
    • Stories revolving around a family (ex: I Remember Mama, The Middle, etc.)
    • Characters joining a family (ex: birth, marriage, adoption, etc.)
    • Characters departing from a family (ex: someone going to college, someone moving out of the neighborhood, etc.)
    • Families losing a family member (ex: a family member passing away, a family member going missing, etc.)
    • Stories about siblings (ex: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, etc.)
    • Stories of “found family” (a group of unrelated people forming their own family)
    • The subject of ‘family’ from a pet’s perspective (ex: Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, etc.)
    Familyathon blogathon banner created by Sally Silverscreen of 18 Cinema Lane

    If you’re interested in joining Familyathon and have an idea in mind, here are the official rules every participant must follow:

    1. Please be respectful toward other participants and the subject(s) you’re writing about
    1. Please let me know in advance if you plan on publishing your post(s) earlier or later than the allotted time-frame (November 16th to 20th).
    2. Only new posts will be eligible for the event.
    3. Duplicate entries will not be allowed, as the subject of ‘family’ is broad.
    4. Each participant can only submit a total of three entries.
    5. All entries must be original work.
    6. Subjects from any genre, year, or country are allowed.
    7. If you’re interested in participating, please share your idea(s) in the comment section below.
    8. Choose one of the four banners and let others know about Familyathon!

    Participants of Familyathon

    Sally from 18 Cinema Lane – Review of …and Your Name Is Jonah (1979)

    Gill from Realweegiemidget Reviews — A list article of the theme of family from the Fast and Furious franchise

    Rebecca from Taking Up Room — Review for Life Begins for Andy Hardy (1941)

    Hamlette from Hamlette’s Soliloquy — Review of Mr. Mom (1983)

    Ruth from Silver Screenings — Review of Old Yeller (1957)

    Quiggy from Midnite Drive-In — Review of The Godfather (1972)

    Erica from Poppity Talks Classic Film — Review of Sabrina (1954)

    Grace Avender — A list of Grace’s top five favorite families

    Katherine — An article about Katherine’s three favorite film families

    Familyathon blogathon banner created by Sally Silverscreen of 18 Cinema Lane
    Familyathon blogathon banner created by Sally Silverscreen of 18 Cinema Lane
    Familyathon blogathon banner created by Sally Silverscreen of 18 Cinema Lane

    Have fun at the blogathon!

    Sally Silverscreen

    The Spring Cleaning Book Tag

    On By 18cinemalane5 Comments

    When I reviewed The Princess and the Pirate last year, that article became my 300th movie review! Then, earlier this year, my review of Sea Change became my 325th movie review! As March is National Reading Month and since I haven’t written a reading related tag in three years, I’m commemorating these milestones with a book tag! While searching for a tag on Booktube (the book/reading community on Youtube), I stumbled upon the Spring Cleaning Book Tag video from the channel, OwlCrate. I realized I had an answer to every question the hosts shared in the video. I also remembered how spring is on the horizon. If any of my readers are interested in participating in the Spring Cleaning Book Tag, they are welcome to write their own tag posts!

    Happy reading place image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by freepik – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    1. The Struggle of Getting Started – A book or book series you struggle to begin because of its size

    In the past, I’ve read the first book and the short story collection in The Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series. While I have enjoyed reading those books, I’ve struggled to continue past the first novel. This is because I haven’t found the time to read the rest of the series. At one point, I did start the second book, only to not finish it. I do want to read more of the Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children books. I just need to make a stronger effort to continue.

    2. Cleaning Out the Closet – A book or book series you want to unhaul

    For last month’s Buzzwordathon, I reviewed The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore by Joan Lowery Nixon. Because of Joan’s creative decisions, I found the book disappointing. The protagonist, Christina, makes several contradictions that could make a reader frustrated. Joan prioritizing Christina’s “coming of age” story caused the novel’s suspense to be far and few between, as well as provide a lack of urgency. So, if I had the opportunity to unhaul a book, I’d select The Kidnapping of Christina Lattimore.

    3. Opening Windows and Letting Fresh Air In – A book that was refreshing

    Since I’ve read some books in the Murder, She Wrote series, I’ll choose these stories for this prompt! What I like about the series is how the books aren’t novelizations of episodes the show’s fans have already seen. Instead, these stories are new, unique tales featuring characters and settings fans of Murder, She Wrote have come to know and adore. Creating a new story takes creativity and effort. So, the fact this series contains different stories from the show is, in my opinion, refreshing!

    4. Washing Out the Sheets’ Stains – A book you wish you could re-write a certain scene in

    As I mentioned in my tag post, The “Flaming Hot…5 Reasons Why” Tag, Kili is my favorite character from The Hobbit trilogy. With that said, I would re-write the conclusion of The Battle of the Five Armies, so Kili and the rest of The Company could receive a more victorious outcome. If this had happened, that victorious outcome might have been translated to The Hobbit trilogy.

    Taking out the trash photo created by Katemangostar at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/unhappy-woman-holding-trash-with-disgusting-smell_1305783.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/person”>Person image created by Katemangostar – Freepik.com</a>. Image found on freepik.com.

    5. Throwing Out Unnecessary Knick-Knacks – A book in a series you didn’t feel was necessary

    Off the top of my head, I couldn’t think of an unnecessary book in a series. But when I first heard the prompt, I thought of an unnecessary subplot in a book, so I’ll talk about that instead. In Private L.A., by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan, I was not a fan of Justine’s subplot, specifically the part where she develops romantic feelings for a man named Paul. Not only did I not sense chemistry between Paul and Justine, this part of the story wasn’t resolved. Personally, I wish James and Mark had solely focused on Justine coming to terms with her PTSD symptoms.

    6. Polishing the Door Knobs – A book that had a clean finish

    Not every book is meant to start a series or a literary universe. Sometimes, a story only needs to be told in one book. That leads me to bring up Words on Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton! Without spoiling the book or its film adaptation, I will say the story had a definitive ending, with everything wrapping up as nicely as possible. While I wouldn’t oppose a sequel to Adam’s story, I don’t think it’s necessary.

    7. Reaching to Dust the Fan – A book that tried too hard to relay a certain message

    Definitely California Angel by Nancy Taylor Rosenberg. It seems like Nancy tried to capitalize on programs like Touched by an Angel and Miracle on 34th Street without presenting or attempting to present a complete understanding for what made those programs work. Also, it seems like Nancy used faith as an excuse to avoid explaining why certain events were taking place in the story.

    8. The Tiring, Yet Satisfying Finish of Spring Cleaning – A book series that was tiring, yet satisfying, to get through

    For this last prompt, I’ll be selecting All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr instead. Reading the novel for 2022’s Buzzwordathon, I completed this 500+ page story in less than six month’s time. Though it took me longer to read than I expected, I’m glad I finally read the book! Because I finished All the Light We Cannot See, I can now have an honest opinion about it.

    Employee leaving job image created by rawpixel.com at freepik.com. https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/business”>Business vector created by rawpixel.com – http://www.freepik.com. Image found at freepik.com.

    Have fun during National Reading Month!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Buzzwordathon 2022: Review of ‘Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels’ by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain + Blogathon Annoucement

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    For August’s Buzzwordathon, the theme is ‘Items/Objects’. Originally, I was going to read Redwood Curtain by Lanford Wilson. This is because a) a curtain could be considered an item/object and b) I already own a copy of Lanford Wilson’s play. But I ended up watching the film adaptation of Redwood Curtain earlier than expected. Therefore, I decided to write an editorial on how similar and different Redwood Curtain’s adaptation is from its source material. That editorial will be published during The Fifth Broadway Bound Blogathon. In the meantime, I have selected Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels for this month’s Buzzwordathon, especially since ‘jewels’ could also be considered an item/object! I have blogathon news of my own as well, so keep reading to find out what’s to come!

    Here is a photo of my copy of Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    Back in 2019, I reviewed Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders. One of the favorite aspects of that book was how distinctive each character was, as there were a lot of characters in the story. Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels contains the same strength. Whether in Cabot Cove or on the Queen Mary 2, each character was unique from one another. At the beginning of the book, the readers are introduced to Maniram, Cabot Cove’s newest resident. He is a jeweler who owns his own jewelry store, sharing his knowledge of valuable gems with Jessica and her friends. Also in this story is Maniram’s cousin, Rupesh. He is a man of many talents, from being a skilled karate athlete to being very knowledgeable with computers. Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels presents him as a room steward on the Queen Mary 2. But as the story progresses, readers find out just how different Rupesh is from Maniram.

    Cruise ship near an island image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/holiday-background-on-a-cruise_1182003.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    Out of the Murder, She Wrote episodes I’ve seen so far, my favorite one is “Film Flam”. What makes this episode great is its educational and insightful approach to the movie premiere process. In Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels, part of the book takes place in London. Instead of bringing up locales that many readers would be familiar with, locations that aren’t often talked about are included in the text. One of them was Grosvenor Square. According to the book, this area was known as “Little America”. A reason is General Eisenhower’s headquarters were located in the Square. During her London adventure, Jessica has dinner at a restaurant called The Ivy. This establishment does exist, boasting a fine dining experience, according to The Ivy’s website. In the book, Jessica describes the restaurant as a “celebrity-driven restaurant that has long been a favorite of London’s theatrical and motion picture crowd”. Meanwhile, The Ivy’s website states “With an enduring celebration of the arts and culture that have defined it since its naissance, The Ivy remains part of the fabric of London life, and a home away from home for its many loyal guests”. Because of reading Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels, I learned more about London’s landscape that I didn’t know before.

    Sketch of London image created by Archjoe at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/hand-drawn-houses-of-parliament_1133950.htm’>Designed by Archjoe</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Archjoe – Freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    What I like about the Murder, She Wrote books is how the stories aren’t novelizations of pre-existing episodes. While this is the case for Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels, it didn’t really feel like the show. That’s because so few characters from the show and previous books were featured. In Murder, She Wrote: The Highland Fling Murders, a Scotland Yard agent and friend of Jessica’s, George Sutherland, was working alongside Jessica to solve that book’s mystery. When I found out George would be in Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels, I was excited to read about his and Jessica’s reunion. But as I read this book, I discovered George only made a handful of appearances. Compared to other mystery books I’ve read, the sense of urgency in Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels was weaker. What contributed to this flaw was how most of the story focused on Jessica’s trip instead of the mystery. Another contributor was how two intelligence agents were responsible for solving the case. That creative decision made the mystery seem like it was out of Jessica’s reach. It affected her ability of getting involved with the book’s case, especially compared to the show.

    Magnifying fingerprints image created by Balintseby at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/glass”>Glass vector created by Balintseby – Freepik.com</a>. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/fingerprint-investigation_789253.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    I haven’t read many of the books in the Murder, She Wrote series. But out of those I have read, Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels is my least favorite. This book was fine, interesting enough to keep me invested in the story. However, I was expecting more. There was a short period of time where I lost motivation to read this book. Not wanting to experience another Buzzwordathon fail, I finished the story, especially since I wanted to find out what happens. I do plan to read more Murder, She Wrote books. One of them will be reviewed for my upcoming blogathon. As I stated in the introduction, I had blogathon news to share. That news is I’m hosting a blogathon this November! The theme is ‘World Television Day’. More details about the event will follow…

    Overall score: 3.6 out of 5 stars

    Have fun during Buzzwordathon!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Disclaimer: Because Murder, She Wrote: The Queen’s Jewels is a murder mystery story, the subject of murder is brought up on more than one occasion. A suicide is also briefly mentioned and swearing does occur a few times.

    Buzzwordathon 2022: Review of ‘The Bookshop on the Corner’ by Jenny Colgan

    On By 18cinemalaneLeave a comment

    It’s that time again; another review for this year’s Buzzwordathon! July’s theme is ‘Bookish Words’. Since the word ‘bookshop’ was an obvious choice, I selected The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan. At the beginning of my copy of the book, Jenny includes a message to the readers. This message explains the different places a book can be read, sharing tips to help the reader have a good reading experience. Jenny’s message was a nice gesture to her audience, as it felt genuine. In this message, Jenny shares how she purposefully gave her characters different names, in an attempt to avoid confusion. As a reader, I appreciated this creative decision because it was easier to remember who was who. But another creative decision I liked was how Jenny gave each character a distinct personality and characteristics. With a mostly strong use of character development, this allowed the characters to be unique and memorable from one another. The use of descriptive imagery toward settings and scenery was one of the strongest components of The Bookshop on the Corner! Through select word choices, Jenny paints a distinguishable landscape between the city (Birmingham, England) and the country (Kirrinfief, Scotland) that feels realistic. One example is when Jenny describes sunshine in the countryside. She refers to this natural element as “golden”. She also writes about the sunlight’s effect on other pieces of nature, such as how it is “illuminating every crystal raindrop”. Literary details like these help elaborate the story’s surroundings.

    Here is a photo of my copy of The Bookshop on the Corner. Screenshot taken by me, Sally Silverscreen.

    There’s nothing wrong with incorporating romance into a story. In fact, some of my favorite Hallmark films feature at least one romance. But what makes or breaks that romance is the execution of its dynamic. Many types of romances can be found in literature, from stories about “enemies to lovers” to a tale revolving around “college sweethearts”. When an author chooses one of these dynamics early on in their writing process and consistently utilizes that dynamic, that story may have the potential to be a well-told narrative. Unfortunately, this is not what happened in The Bookshop on the Corner. While reading Jenny’s book, it seems like she couldn’t decide which romance dynamic she wanted to adopt. Instead of choosing one and sticking with it, Jenny picked four of them. Because of their inconsistent presence and lack of confidence, none of these dynamics worked. In fact, the fourth romance dynamic (which is found toward the end of the book) was so unexpected, it felt like I was reading a completely different book.

    Essentials of Scotland image created by macrovector_official at freepik.com. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by macrovector_official – http://www.freepik.com</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    The inconsistent execution of the romance dynamics is just one flaw in The Bookshop on the Corner. The titular bookshop (which was not a brick-and-mortar store or on the corner, as the cover and title suggest) is more of an afterthought. That’s because the majority of the story is a “slice of life” tale chronicling the protagonist’s adjustment to her surroundings. Nina’s, the protagonist’s, literary matchmaking is really moments of convenient coincidence just to push the story forward, instead of problem-solving skills Nina acquired over time. The more I read The Bookshop on the Corner, I more I found myself disliking Nina. What started as an admirable and somewhat relatable protagonist evolved into a selfish and narrow-minded person. When I first read the synopsis for this book, it sounded like a typical Hallmark Channel “rom-com”. But now that I read The Bookshop on the Corner, it is nothing like those productions. If you enjoy Hallmark movies, books about books, or Scottish stories, please seek elsewhere. You aren’t missing anything by not reading this story.

    Overall score: 1.7 out of 5 stars

    Have fun during Buzzwordathon!

    Sally Silverscreen

    Disclaimer: As I mentioned in my review, The Bookshop on the Corner is not like a typical Hallmark Channel “rom-com”. The content that prevents it from being like that aforementioned type of story is the following:

    • Several chapters discuss a male and female character having sex
    • Some swearing can be found throughout the story
    • One chapter chronicles a lamb giving birth. A lamb being injured is also mentioned.
    • At one point in the story, Nina talks to her friend about a character from a picture book being presented unfavorably. That friend calls Nina out for sounding “weird”.
    • A Latvian man is described as “exotic”
    • Nina’s friend, Surinder, says, on more than one occasion, Nina has “gone native” after she moved to the country.
    • A teenage character is described as being “puppy fat”
    • A character with MS (Multiple Sclerosis) is briefly discussed

    Take 3: Holly and Ivy Review

    On By 18cinemalane1 Comment

    For the third year in a row, I am participating in the Christmas in July Blogathon, hosted by Drew from Drew’s Movie Reviews! This time around, I went back to the Hallmark well. When I first joined the blogathon, I reviewed a Hallmark film titled Christmas Camp. If you read that article, you would know that I wasn’t a fan of it. Last year, I wrote about Little House: Bless All the Dear Children, a film that was a fine, family-friendly picture. Since I still had the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie, Holly and Ivy, on my DVR, I chose to review this title for the 2021 blogathon. In 2020, I didn’t see a lot of Christmas films from Hallmark. In fact, the only newer release I watched and/or wrote about was The Christmas Bow. Within a year, I have heard good things about Holly and Ivy, with my family sharing similar sentiments. Therefore, I figured it was time to finally check the movie out. How does it compare to The Christmas Bow? Like a child counting down to Christmas Day, you’re just going to have to wait to find out!

    Holly and Ivy poster created by Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Crown Media Family Networks

    Things I liked about the film:

    The acting: If the interactions between the characters feel like they are having real-life conversations with each other, that’s how you know the acting in a given film is good. That was certainly the case within Holly and Ivy! All of the characters got along well with one another, as they had good on-screen chemistry. It also helps that the cast as a whole was talented! I’ll be honest, I have never seen any of Janel Parrish’s projects from her filmography. However, I did see her on Dancing with the Stars. The way Janel’s character reacts to various situations came across very naturally. While Melody and her neighbor, Nina, are decorating Melody’s Christmas tree, she shares her reason for collecting elf ornaments. The tone of Melody’s voice and the look in her eyes highlights how reminiscent she is over something as small and simple as ornaments. These acting techniques helped make Janel’s performance feel believable. While we’re on the subject of Nina, let’s talk about Marisol Nichols’ performance. While portraying this character, Marisol embodied what a good mother should be. Despite dealing with her own medical issues, she always tries to take an active role in her daughters’ lives. While decorating her family’s Christmas tree, Nina reveals a special tradition that involves Nina performing a dance routine with Holly and Ivy. This scene shows how much she enjoys the life she has created for herself. While I like the performances of Sadie Coleman and Piper Rubio, the actresses who portrayed the titular characters, I want to talk about Jeremy Jordan’s performance. Similar to Janel Parrish, I am not familiar with Jeremy’s filmography. However, I still liked seeing his portrayal of Adam. His on-screen personality was easy-going and care-free. While he took his profession and hobby seriously, Adam just wanted to have a good time. When he interacted with Melody, you could tell just by watching them that these characters were made for each other. It helped that both Adam and Melody had similar personalities, but were traveling on similar paths in regards to their respective careers.

    The presentation of Christmas tropes/activities: Hallmark is known for featuring a plethora of Christmas related tropes and activities within each story. But sometimes, these films are oversaturated with them, as if there is a checklist that needs to be completed. Holly and Ivy shows some Christmas related activities that have been featured in other Hallmark films. It’s the way they are included in the story that sets Holly and Ivy apart from the network’s other titles. In one scene, Melody is decorating homemade Christmas ornaments with Holly and Ivy. The purpose of showing these characters creating Christmas decorations is to give the audience some of Melody’s backstory. That small piece of information was emphasized more than the activity. This scene is an example of how there was enough presentation of Christmas tropes and activities for the viewer to get the intended point. At the same time, if you were to put this same story around any other holiday, it would still work.

    An emotional balance: In films that revolve around a serious, real world topic, such as a potentially terminally ill relative, the overall tone tends to be heavy. There are times when viewers warn one another to “have a box of tissues at hand” or share that the film will “pull at your heartstrings”. While there are somber moments in Holly and Ivy, the movie itself never felt sad. In fact, feelings of sorrow and despair never crossed my mind. That’s because the script doesn’t rely too heavily on the sadder parts of the story. Instead, the creative team strives for a balance by also focusing of happier, more joyous moments. As I mentioned earlier in this review, Nina is dealing with medical issues. Even though these issues are discussed and an emergency plan is created if the worst-case scenario happens, Nina puts her energy toward helping Melody and being present in her daughters’ lives. In fact, I can think of more scenes where Nina is enjoying the company of her friends and family than worrying about her medical situation.

    The 2021 Christmas in July Blogathon banner created by Drew from Drew’s Movie Reviews

    What I didn’t like about the film:

    Adam’s conflict: It’s typical for the male and female protagonist to have their own conflicts within a Hallmark picture. However, I didn’t like Adam’s conflict in Holly and Ivy. Throughout the film, Adam’s parents wanted him to come work at the family car dealership. But Adam would rather stay a contractor and focus on his woodworking hobby on the side. This conflict reminded me of a young, college-bound adult not seeing eye-to-eye with their parents on a potential degree. Because of this, it felt a bit immature for a character that appears to be in his early 30s. One of the film’s messages and Adam’s parents’ mantra is “help where help is needed’. By being a contractor and taking up woodworking, Adam is doing exactly what his parents wanted; helping where help is needed. It baffled me how his parents failed to realize this until the end of the film.

     Chippewa Falls Library being unbelievably ill-equipped: I understand that some libraries deal with more challenges than others. But based on what the movie presented, the town of Chippewa Falls appeared to be doing just fine. There’s no evidence of the town being a predominantly low-income community or having a high crime-rate. What the characters said about the library’s issues didn’t match up with the visuals. During her time volunteering at the library, Melody comes up with several ideas in order to solve some of the library’s problems. Two of these ideas are renting out meeting rooms for events and setting up a “Mitten Tree” to collect hats and scarves for citizens in need. I can only speak from my own experience, but my local library already does these things. With that said, I find it hard to believe that the Chippewa Falls Library wouldn’t utilize these resources already.

    The inclusion of Betty the dog: Holly and Ivy have a dog named Betty, who periodically appears in the film. While I don’t have anything against the dog itself, I don’t think it was necessary to include a dog in this story. Having Betty in the movie felt like she was there just for the sake of being there. If you had written the dog out of the script, I don’t think it would make a difference.

    Christmas family image created by Freepik at freepik.com. <a href=’https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/nice-family-christmas-scene-singing-together_1458033.htm’>Designed by Freepik</a>. <a href=”https://www.freepik.com/free-photos-vectors/background”>Background vector created by Freepik</a>. Image found at freepik.com.

    My overall impression:

    Like I mentioned in the introduction, this is my third year participating in the Christmas in July Blogathon. Out of the three movies I’ve reviewed, Holly and Ivy is, by far, the best one! Within the past few years, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has, in my opinion, made stronger films than their companion, Hallmark Channel. This is because Hallmark’s second network appears to try different things when it comes to storytelling. Holly and Ivy is a good example of this, as I highlighted in my review. There wasn’t a heavy emphasis on Christmas tropes/activities like in other Hallmark films. Creating a balance between the happier and sadder moments of the story also helps shape the film’s identity. I ended up liking this movie almost as much as I liked The Christmas Bow. Come to think of it, I wish Holly and Ivy was the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie for 2020. This story certainly has the ingredients for that to have been a reality. But I guess that wasn’t meant to be.

    Since we’re still talking about Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, it’s time for me to share who I’d invite to Drew’s Christmas party! This year, I chose John Christian Plummer! For those who are not familiar with him, John is the father of Charlie Plummer and is one of the screen-writers of Hallmark Movies & Mysteries’ Mystery 101 series. When I look back on the celebrities that have been “invited” to Drew’s Christmas party in the past, actors and actresses made up the majority of the guests. While choosing an actor or actress as a guest is totally fine, I wanted to change things up a bit. To an extent, screen-writers are underrated, especially from Hallmark. Therefore, my invitation will, hopefully, give recognition to at least one of them. Like in 2019 and 2020, my invites are about giving “standing ovations”.

    Overall score: 7.7 out of 10

    What are your thoughts on Holly and Ivy? Which Hallmark movies do you wish had become Hallmark Hall of Fame titles? Tell me in the comment section!

    Have fun at Drew’s Christmas party!

    Sally Silverscreen