Daisy's Thoughts About Reading The Mortal Instruments After the Hype (and watching the TV show)

I have an amazing book club and the last weekend of August we had a sleepover (which was AWESOME obviously) and one of the things we did was watch a lot of bad tv. Which is always better with friends who give snarky commentary for obvious reasons. So we watched the first 5 episodes of Shadowhunters and because I was like what the heck is going on??? (because there was a significant lack of explaining things in a manner that wasn't making my head hurt) I decided it was time to finally read the first book in the series.

And I ended up liking it, but I remember when this series had just come out and the obsession was of somewhat Harry Potter proportions. But I'm kinda liking reading this when not everyone and their great aunt it talking about it, because now I can just make my way through it (probably slowly with spaces of time in between) without all of the opinions hitting me in the face and influencing the experience. Don't get me wrong, I sometimes LOVE all the excitement that surround the release of books, especially if it's for a series that I'm loving and am also not behind on. But it creates all these expectations and then when the book actually DOESN'T live up to all the buzz, it's a disappointment that I feel more than when I hadn't been hearing all of those things before starting it.

It's fun though to think back to what was all over the blogosphere back then and all the swooning over Jace and other boys and how everyone was basically pining for the next book. Starting a series when it's already finished is also a whole different feeling than when you know you're going to have to wait a year in between reading them, even when they end on a cliffhanger. ESPECIALLY if they end on a cliffhanger.

***SPOILER IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE BOOK, CLICK TO READ***

I'm slightly underwhelmed at the twist at the end with the whole Jace is Clary's presumed dead brother and everything. I mean, I was kinda expecting it at some point before the whole reveal for some reason I'm not sure of and if this is a thing that will continue on in the other books without it being somehow disproved that the is in fact her brother, then this is gonna take on a level of creepiness that reminds me of Virginia Andrew's books (Flowers in the Attic anyone?) that I loved as a teen, but am now somewhat not so excited about seeing in a series.

So, am I the only one who hasn't read this yet or just the first book? What's holding you back or what is making you excited to finally start it? Are there any other books that you've read way after the initial release that had a LOT of hype?

Top Ten Tuesday: Daisy's Top Ten Shows From Her Childhood

For future Top Ten Tuesday topics & info on how to participate, click here!

This week's topic: In honor of Fall Tv, do a tv-themed topic!

I'm feeling nostalgic and am doing Top Ten TV Shows of my childhood (AKA anything aired in the 90s) (keep in mind that I was between 3 and 13 years old during this time).

1. Full House: This series is one of my favourites and I'm actually in the middle of doing a re-watch of it (yay for Netflix) and I just love it! The dynamic between Danny, Jesse and Joey and the girls is so much fun and as a kid I totally identified with Michelle cause she was about the same age I was but also thinking DJ was SO cool. I'm also watching Fuller House btw.

2. The Secret World of Alex Mack: I remember totally loving this series, but aside from her her turning invisible/liquid and being chased because of her new powers, I don't really remember much of it other than that it was just a lot of fun.

3. Sweet Valley High: the 'good' twin and the 'bad' twin and all the shenanigans they got up to! I only discovered a couple of years ago that it's a book series, I really need to find myself a copy some day!

4. Saved by the Bell: SO MUCH FUN!! I mean, there were ships and boys to crush on! (you cannot tell me I was the only one with a crush on Zack) I'm not much of a fan of the follow up series with a new cast, cause it just wasn't the same.

5. Xena Warrior Princess: What can I say, I already loved mythology from a young age and was more into Xena than the Hercules show because girls kicking ass is awesome any day.

6. Ovide: Animals gettings up to all kinds of things on a deserted island. The intro music alone is awesome and stuck in my head now for days.

7. The Nanny: Just all of it: Fran, the kids, Mr. Sheffield, NILES. Loved it.

8. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Because OBVIOUSLY!! I mean, hello one of my favourite series ever! I should continu my rewatch of this.

9. Charmed: Witches are my jam. And these sisters are awesome, though I still prefer Prue to Paige. I loved this so much I even wrote a Harry Potter/Charmed crossover fanfic in the very early 2000s.

10. Popular: The bitchiness, the shenanigans, the ships (HARRISON) and then the SAD SAD SAD that it ended after only 2 seasons on the world's biggest cliffhanger. *sad sigh*

Kimberly's review of "The Thousand-Dollar Tan Line (Veronica Mars!)

Book: Thousand-Dollar Tan Line

Author: Rob Thomas and Jennifer Graham

Why I read it: As a Marshmallow I couldn't resist!

Rating: 5 stars

 

“Ten years after graduating from high school in Neptune, California, Veronica Mars is back in the land of sun, sand, crime, and corruption. She's traded in her law degree for her old private investigating license, struggling to keep Mars Investigations afloat on the scant cash earned by catching cheating spouses until she can score her first big case.

Now it's spring break, and college students descend on Neptune, transforming the beaches and boardwalks into a frenzied, week-long rave. When a girl disappears from a party, Veronica is called in to investigate. But this is not a simple missing person's case. The house the girl vanished from belongs to a man with serious criminal ties, and soon Veronica is plunged into a dangerous underworld of drugs and organized crime. And when a major break in the investigation has a shocking connection to Veronica's past, the case hits closer to home than she ever imagined.”

As a proud Marshmallow, I eagerly downloaded the audio book for this, especially after I learned that it was narrated by VMars herself, Kristen Bell.

It was everything I could have hoped for! (Well, minus ONE thing. I could have used a bit more of a certain character… ;) ) It has the sass, the mystery, the genius, the laughter and tension of the TV series and movie. It was so fun to be back with these characters! Every time a familiar character entered the scene it was like a reunion for me. Old favorites back together again. All of the references and inside jokes! It kept me on my toes and challenged my Veronica Mars trivia! I was weirdly pleased every time I made the connection and remembered the right facts and details.

The mystery itself kept me guessing throughout the story. I’d start to suspect someone, then change my mind. Then I’d start wavering again. The “who done it” was pretty surprising, and I was so pleased that I was actually surprised, that doesn’t happen all that often! I did guess a few of the twists.

Overall, it was a great story. Made even better by Kristen Bell’s narration. If you haven’t watched the series, you’d probably be very very lost. I also recommend the audio over print. I’ve been told that the style of writing is a bit too script-like, which makes for a great audio book.

5 stars! 

Now... Where are my fellow Marshmallows???  

Daisy's Top Ten Favourite TV Shows

To learn more about Top Ten Tuesday or see a list of future topics click here!

So this week instead of talking about books, we're talking about our favourite movies or tv shows. I'm going to focus on TV shows, because let's just face it, I can be found staring at the TV for hours at a time if one of these shows is on.

I have binge-watched the 3 seasons of this show in about 3 months. And it only took me that long because I caught up to the airings and had to wait along with the rest of you for the next episode to be on TV. I LOVE this show. It is awesome. Zoe is awesome, though the portrayal of GPs isn't completely accurate in my opinion (I'm training to be one, but maybe it's just different here in Holland?), but it's still entertainment and also: WADE! I cannot deal with all my feelings. This show made me cry at the end of season 2. If you watch the show, you'll know what I mean.

This is such a guilty pleasure for me! I love watching this show, though sometimes I get frustrated when things aren't revealed cause I just want to knoooooooowwwww.

I've been addicted to this show ever since I first saw it when season 3 was airing. I think we've now had cycle 20 and I'm still glued to the TV when it comes on. I watch it together with one of my best friends and it is awesome (our boyfriends don't appreciate it that much though ;) ).

OMG THIS SHOW!! Also: THE BOOKS! If I ever had an obsession, this world and the characters that George R.R. Martin has created is it. Kelly, Kimberly and I have a chat on our phones going about this :)

This show is SO good! I love Sheldon and Leonard, I even have a shirt with lines from Sheldon and a rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock shirt. I think this show is hilarious.

I'm so sad that this show ended because it was just amazing, I loved seeing the transformation Betty went through while staying through to herself, and it was just funny and OMG I NEED A MOVIE OR SOMETHING.

I love this show even though sometimes it's just slow and it feels like they'll never get to the point, but then I love it again and all's well in the world. Also, everything is better when Hook is involved. Seriously.

OMG, I haven't seen the third season yet, but OMG I just need to convince my boyfriend to watch it with me because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!! This series is seriously addictive.

I used to watch this show ALL the time, I was obsessed with witches and everything even remotely witchy and yes to so much girl power in a show!

Buffy is another show I watched religiously as a kid. Buffy is still one of the coolest girls I know, and also this show made nerd girls cool and it has Giles who is also awesome. And now I want to watch the whole thing again.


So those are 10 of my favourite TV shows, what about you? I feel like I forgot one, but I can't remember, so let me know what you're watching and what I should start watching because UGH it's summer and everything but Pretty Little Liars is on break and I need something new to watch!! So recommendations?

Kimberly ventures into the drama that is Game of Thrones

I realize that just about everyone and their dog has read or watched Game of Thrones. They chat on twitter about characters that I've never heard of. I see video after video that fans have edited and put on YouTube. My own Aunt has read the series. I'm the reader in the family. I'm usually the one who has conversations like this...

Relative: "I heard about this new book and thought you might like it. It's called -----"
Me: "Yes, I've read it. And the sequel. And met the author."

So when I was camping a couple of weeks ago and my aunt started talking about the series, I realized I needed to get my butt into gear and start reading the series again. I read the first one about a year ago and never picked up the second one. Now I'm almost done with A Clash of Kings. I'd forgotten how much his writing sucks you in.

I'm also preparing myself for the inevitable emotional torture that I'll experience reading these. Luckily, a few of my friends including some of the other lovely B&B bloggers, have read them and listen to me freak out or get excited when a character I've only heard about makes their entrance. Mainly it is Kelly and Daisy that get to hear about it. (Thanks ladies!)

So, who else out there has read the series? (possibly a dumb question) Anyone else just getting started with the series?

Daisy Discusses the Game of Thrones TV Series

***WARNING***
While I'm sure a lot of you have seen/read it, I'll try not to put in spoilers, but I'm not gonna lie, it could be one slips in (sneaky little things those spoilers..).

Anyway: This is one of those series of books and now a TV series as well that a LOT of people are talking about. If you've followed this blog since the beginning, you might vaguely remember that I reviewed the first book A Game of Thrones right here on The Broke and the Bookish. This book blew me away with its epic fantasy awesomeness.

I was really excited about the fact that it was going to be made into a TV series, because my boyfriend doesn't really read (though I have to give him credit, he's trying) and I want to share the things I love with him. So this was perfect.

And I have to say, though I'm often complaining about the lack of consistency between print and screenplay, this adaption is AMAZING! It is SO good! Of course, there are still some things that are different/left out, but overall, it's pretty true to the book. LOVE!

But let's talk a bit about the differences: I've recently discussed this book with Kelly (because I managed to bully her into reading it, YAY!) and we noticed that the characters in the TV series are a LOT older than they are in the books. I had to look their ages up, because it's been a year and I wasn't really sure anymore. But Jon and Robb are 16 I believe (could be 15).

These two gorgeous boys (though obviously not including the one in the middle, cause that would be kind of gross) are NOT 16 (or 15, either). They are in fact 24 and 25. Which makes me happy. Because seriously, I would feel like a creep making goo-goo eyes at Jon if he was 16. So YAY!
And in real life, the actress playing Danaerys is 23, which makes the nude scenes more acceptable.

Researching this, I read online that the creators chose for older actors because they feel that in the middle ages, which is about right for most epic fantasy, you didn't really have teenagers. At 16 you would be of age, and in the time of Henry VIII as a girl you'd get married of at about 14, so I think they're pretty much right about this. It also feels right that the characters are older, they do some incredible things, especially Danaerys at age 14, I mean, becoming queen? That's huge!

I know there's a lot of nudity in the TV series, in the books as well, so I think this is probably best reserved for a slightly more mature audience (yes, I said mature, cause age is not always related to this). And some of it made me cringe a bit, but that's just me. I didn't feel like all of it was unnecessary, though there are some scenes, if you've seen it you probably know what I mean (the two girls in the brothel), that I could have easily done without and I'm not even sure the one I mentioned was in the book to begin with.

I do want to give the producers major props for the awesomeness that is the whole setting! It's pretty much how I pictured it in my head and everything looks amazing and real! With fantasy, you can often go tacky in how you film it, but here it's done absolutely right. And the cast is so well done! I LOVE Sean Bean as Ned and I'm so sad he won't be in the next season! I actually miss Ned all around, which is why I haven't started the second book yet. Gosh, he was such an amazing character!

There were some characters I liked better in the TV series than the book, namely Tyrion. Tyrion has a pretty big fanbase based on the book, but I really started warming up to him in the series. Peter Dinklage is awesome.
And OMG, Syrio! LOVE! And Robb, he's much more likable in the TV series, though I can't quite put my finger on why that is. I even liked Cersei better, I saw the scared mother in her and also **SPOILER, light up to read**how she didn't want Ned to be executed, which made me like her better. And I'm sad to say I liked Bran less in the TV series than in the book, he seemed sort of blah to me.

But my favourite characters remain Ned and Arya. And Danaerys.

So that's me gushing/discussing this series. Have you seen it? Excited for the second season? Read the book?? Or ALL of them? I've been lucky enough to win all the copies recently, so I'm dying to dive into my pretty books.
And for those who haven't read/seen it: HIGHLY recommended!! (in case I wasn't clear before ;) )
Tell me what you think: agree/disagree? Things I haven't mentioned? Let me know!