Jamie's Top Ten Books She Wants To See Made Into Movies

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created here at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists! Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND fill out Mr. Linky  . I

If you can't come up with ten, don't worry about it---post as many as you can!

This Top Ten Tuesday is set in a perfect world...in which movies don't butcher the books I love. Most of these books have been reviewed over at my personal blog if you want to check them out!

1) The Bird Sisters by Rebecca Rasmussen: This was one of those books were I could just picture this as a movie reel in my mind. It would be so charming and wonderful and heartbreaking. It just really had the elements (for me) to see it as a movie. Ooh and this book came out today!!! :) You can read my review here.

2) Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: I seriously think this would be such a cute, fun movie. I want to see me some St. Clair tooo. And really..I can't get enough of movies set in Paris.

3) Silver Phoenix by Cindy Pon: I could see this being a kickass fantasy movie. It had action to boot and some epic battle scenes that I would love to see played out.

4) The Body Finder by Kimberly Derting: This would totally be a Veronica Mars mixed with Medium or Ghost Whisperer and it would be totally creepy.

5) Wither by Lauren DeStefano: I still haven't totally sold myself on this one as a movie but I keep seeing bits and pieces of it VIVIDLY in its movie form in my head so I felt I should add it. It would be so unique and interesting!

6) Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson: I love me a good road trip movie!! And it would have the most fantastic soundtrack to go with it!

7) The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield: I loved this book something fierce and it would be a pretty interesting movie IMO. When I read it (a while ago) I had all these thoughts about who would be awesome if it was ever a movie..but now I can't remember at all. lol.

8) Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer: I really loved the movie for Everything Is Illuminated (also by JSF) and I think this one could translate really well into a movie...IF you found the perfect Oskar!!

9) The Perks of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky: I could see this as an awesome indie flick. In fact, I think that's the only way I'd want to see this movie done. I wouldn't want super well known actors.

10) Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum: I think this would be a very powerful movie set during WW2. I feel like I haven't seen a really excellent movie set during this time in a while and I think this book is definitely compelling enough to be a movie.


NEXT WEEK: Top Ten Tuesday Rewind -- Pick a past Top Ten Tuesday that we've done that you didn't get a chance to participate in. Look here for past topics.

Jen Reviews "Dreamland" by Sarah Dessen

Title: Dreamland
Author: Sarah Dessen
Published: Penguin, 2004
Source: Purchased myself 
Rating: 3.5 stars

Summary: (from back cover)

Ever since she started going out with Rogerson Biscoe, Caitlin seems to have fallen into a semiconscious dreamland where nothing is quite real. Rogerson is different from anyone Caitlin has ever known. He's magnetic. He's compelling. He's dangerous. Being with him makes Caitlin forget about everything else-her missing sister, her withdrawn mother, her lackluster life. But what happens when being with Rogerson becomes a larger problem than being without him?

Review:

Add Dreamland by Sarah Dessen to the list of books teenage girls need to read (along with Speak). 

On Caitlin's 16th birthday she wakes up to discover that her older sister has run away.  This completely disrupts life in her house.  Her mother starts redecorating the house in a Victorian theme and buys creepy porcelain dolls from infomercials.  Her dad buries himself in his work.  Caitlin needs her own distraction so she tries out for the cheerleading squad with her best friend, Rina.  They both make the squad but Caitlin's heart just isn't in it.

One day while hanging out with Rina, Caitlin meets Rogerson and is immediately mesmerized by him.  Later that night, Rogerson shows up at the same party and doesn't even speak to Caitlin.  Yet she leaves with him anyway.  Honestly, I found that part a little hard to believe.  You meet the guy for two minutes at a gas station and a couple hours later you just leave a party with him?  But hey, it could happen.

If her sister hadn't run away I truly believe that Caitlin would have never gotten involved with Rogerson.  Even if she still happened to meet him, their 'relationship' would have never progressed as far as it did.  It's one of those things that make you think how your actions can affect another person.  Caitlin never really coped with the fact that her sister just left in the middle of the night and that made her an easy target for Rogerson.

Rogerson.  Ugh, I don't like him at all, he's one shady character.  He'll pick Caitlin up for a date but first cart her around to a few drug deals.  What a nice boyfriend (that last sentence is sarcasm).  At first he seems like such a great guy.  What Caitlin thought was Rogerson being sweet and caring was really him starting his abusive ways.  Eventually, Caitlin wasn't allowed to talk to any other guys (even if it was a boy in her class) and he almost succeeds at completely isolating her from her family and friends.  The tiniest things would set him off.  


My absolute favorite part about this book was the ending.  I'm afraid I can't say anything without spoiling it but if you have read the book (or don't care about spoilers) highlight the passage below:

I loved that we were able to read about Caitlin in rehab and her road to recovery.  Most books would have ended when Rogerson was arrested and we just would have assumed Caitlin went back to her old self.  I'm so glad that Dessen gave us a whole picture that included the aftermath of being abused.

Overall, I really enjoyed Dreamland.  I think it is an important book that all teenage girls (and boys) should read.  The statistics for dating violence are pretty scary and I don't think enough people are aware about how serious of a problem it is.


Teen Dating Violence Statistics:

• 1 in 5 teens who have been in a serious relationship report being hit, slapped or pushed by a partner.
• 1 in 3 girls who have been in a serious relationship say they’ve been concerned about being physically hurt by their partner.
• 1 in 4 teens who have been in a serious relationship say that a boyfriend or girlfriend has tried to prevent them from spending time with friends or family; the same number have been pressured to only spend time with their partner.
• 1 in 3 girls between the ages of 16 and 18 say sex is expected for people their age in a relationship; half of teen girls who have experienced sexual pressure report they are afraid the relationship would end if they did not give in.
• Nearly 1 in 4 girls who have been in a relationship (23%) reported going further sexually than they wanted to as a result of pressure.

Source: Love Is Respect

Paula Reviews A Long Long Time Ago And Essentially True

Title: A Long Long Time Ago & Essentially True
Author: Brigid Pasulka
Publisher: First Mariner Books
How I got it: Publisher sent the blog a copy to review
Rating: 4 stars

This book was not what I expected. Although, honestly I don’t know what I expected. If I were to judge it on its cover, maybe something super girly and mind-numbing (not that that’s a bad thing if you’re looking for an easy read/escape). It was not that at all. It was more of a family epic that then threw you for a loop towards the end. The end? WOWZERS DID NOT SEE THAT ONE COMING! I won’t spoil it, but let me warn you now: Heartbreak. So much. And not the sad girly “I didn’t get the guy wah” but real, genuine “did this really just happen? Oh my gosh how am I even supposed to feel anymore?” heartbreak.

So let me give you a basic plot synopsis: The book is split up into two stories of two different generations that alternate every chapter (which is very enjoyable to read, because Pasulka ends each bit of the stories at perfect points at the end of her chapters). The first story is of Pigeon and Anielica in 1930s Poland. It starts out with their cute courtship and eventually deals with the coming of the war and moving to the city afterwards. The second story is of Baba Yaga, a mid-20s girl who just moved to Krakow and is trying to figure out what she is going to do with her future. (I personally found this part of the story very relatable, because as a soon to be graduate, my future is currently a big question mark.) As the stories progress, you begin to see how they intertwine and how every character is involved with another. For example the first connection you learn of (and most necessary to the story – but don’t worry not a spoiler) is that Baba Yaga is Anielica’s granddaughter. I loved seeing how characters were connected from one story to the other.
That being said, the first story is not a war story, although the war is in it. It’s a love story and a family trying to survive story. And it is really wonderful. It is probably my favorite of the two. The second story is Baba Yaga in Krakow, working jobs, trying to find love and deciding whether she should go to university or really just trying to figure out what she wants to do with her future. I don’t really know how to describe the heartbreaking part of the story without giving too much away.

What kept it from being 5 stars for me: 1. Her writing could be on the vague side. She often just assumed that you knew what was going on. Sometimes it didn’t matter because it would something like “and then Baba Yaga asked Magda about her day, and Magda told her”. That… okay, not that serious. Kind of annoying, but not enough to lose a star, but she also did it to REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS. Something crucial happens to Anielica, and I almost missed it. I had to re-read the page multiple times to decide if something was happening or not. That really bugged me. So that lost half a star. 2. Her usage of polish – this book is sprinkled with polish words. Usually I would think this is cool. But she gave no context clues to what they might mean and no glossary in the back to look them up. So often times I was completely clueless to what a character just said. And there were usually about 3 or 4 on one page. That’s a lot to not explain. That lost the other half a star.

But besides those two things, this book was good. Great stories. Great (sad) ending. I definitely recommend it!

Bookish Jobs For Bookish People: Cathy From Random House

As a blog run by college aged kids, the thing most on our minds,  aside from books, is what the heck we are going to do with our lives. We  all joke and dream about having a job where we could read or blog all  day and feel pangs of jealousy when we encounter someone who does just  that. In my (Jamie's) job search, I've realized that there are so many  different types of bookish jobs out there that I had never even thought  about. In college I never thought I could be in the book industry  because I never wanted to be an author or an editor or a publisher. I  didn't think there was anything else out there. I've come to realize  that there so many types of bookish jobs out there for people of varying  strengths and abilities and I want to spotlight these jobs... and thus  began our monthly feature--See past  Bookish Jobs For Bookish People.

Name: Cathy Serpico
Job Title - Online Sales Coordinator for the Amazon sales team at Random House. I facilitate getting content like videos, photos, essays, blog posts, and site ads on Amazon. I also get to play with customer search data and set up campaigns that drive users to our books. Since Amazon is, obviously, wholly an e-retailer, merchandising space like you see in a physical bookstore is much more limited, so you have to get creative about how and where you can lead a customer to a book!

How long you've been in this position: since May 2010.

What prior position(s) did you hold before this position? Marketing Coordinator for Harper Paperbacks and Avon, and before that, Amistad.
 

What type of higher education or training do you have? I’ve got a B.A. in English with a minor in Religious Studies. I spent a lot of time reading in college. Not much has changed… though I probably read less about Hell now. (Seriously, that was one of my religion classes. Appropriately, the class was made to squish into a room the size of a closet.) My favorite non-office job was waitressing – it teaches you so much about how to be human to people, manage expectations, and have a sense of humor about things. You can’t learn that from a class and you need it to survive in the working world!

What degree would the ideal candidate for  this position hold? You must love books. Why else would you bother? I’m going to assume your blog’s readers have got that part covered. Honestly, getting a job in publishing is less based on what you majored in versus having a passion to bring what you know to book publishing. So much is changing in the industry with e-readers and the many different formats people can come to a story through now. It’s an exciting time. Anyway, I digress. First and foremost, you must love books. Second, any background with sales, marketing, business, and online marketing/search know-how – COMBINED with loving books – would probably make you a very attractive candidate – for what I do, anyway.

Describe what a typical day looks like for you:  I run some pretty exciting reports every morning. That’s a constant. Past that, it varies by day. Some are spent coordinating content with marketing, having phone calls with Amazon to make sure we’re good on stock, brainstorming new ways (or improving existing ways) of merchandising, managing Amazon’s early-reviewer program, keeping my team on track so we’re submitting book nominations on time. And somewhere in there I eat a sandwich.

Three qualities/skills you should have to excel at this job: Multi-tasking, being able to see the forest for the trees, knowing Microsoft Excel quick-key shortcuts. Yes, you must excel at Excel.

What is your least favorite aspect of your job? I spend a lot of time in Excel. While this in itself is fine, one day I’m probably going to need glasses. Also, there was poop on the floor of the bathroom once. True story.

EW POOP?! Haha. Biggest perk of your job: Free books! My awesome team! Did I mention the free books?

Tell us one of your best memories on the job: It’s always gratifying when you’re a super advocate for a book you love and it gets noticed. We send Amazon a monthly slideshow of our top books to get them on their radar for when they pick their Best of the Month books, and everyone on the team puts a burst on their favorite. (It’s the little things that make my day.) This month one of Amazon’s BotM books was Kevin Brockmeier’s THE ILLUMINATION, which was my pick for February! Not that I think that tipped the hand, but it was validating that someone else shares my undeniably good taste in literature.

What do you think the biggest misconception is about your position/industry? That it’s dying? It’s not dying. I want to punch people when I hear that. It’s changing. And change can be good.

Complete this sentence. This job is not for you if.. you can’t juggle a hundred things at once, and remember to finish the second thing you started that morning.

What advice do you have for people who are interested in your position? Definitely educate yourself on all the developments that are happening with digital books. In many ways it’s a new frontier and publishers are just dipping their toes in the water of how to navigate it all! I was going to make a Louisiana Purchase joke there, but I’m not sure how to tie it in now.

And now for something random to end the interview...what is one job you just don't think you'd be cut out for?  Club promoter. So outside the realm of my personality. I would be the worst club promoter in the world.

Tahleen's Favorite Mystery Series

There are a lot of great mystery series out there, as I'm sure many of you know. I'd like to call your attention to two particular series that I'm a huge fan of—one is written for middle grade readers, but I highly encourage you to check them out. They're fast reads, and completely entertaining. The second series is written for adults, but they have great appeal for younger readers as well.

1. The Sammy Keyes Mysteries by Wendalin Van Draanen

I started reading this series in 6th grade, and haven't really stopped since. Sammy is snappy and sarcastic and very clever, especially when putting together clues that I can't fit together at age 24, let alone age 12. She's just really curious and will sort of spy to get the answers she wants, though she only does this in the name of justice. And this might annoy other people, but I absolutely love how she uses vocabulary that not many 7th-graders would—phrases and words that seem out of place but add so much to her character. Plus she names people according to how they appear to her if she doesn't know their names, which I think is hilarious.

These books do not shy away from tough stuff, either. In the 10 books I've read in this series, Van Draanen has included issues like homelessness, gangs, domestic abuse, underground meth labs, illegal gambling rings, and of course, murder attempts. These are no light mysteries with Scooby Doo endings; Sammy often gets herself into dark situations and narrowly escapes death a number of times. And yet, Van Draanen manages to keep the tone light throughout each book.

Also, did I mention she's secretly living with the Grams in an apartment complex for senior citizens because her mother is trying to make a name for herself in Hollywood? And that she has an archenemy named Heather who is hell-bent on sabotaging her? I still love these books. There are 12 in the series at this point in time, and I hope Van Draanen will continue to write them.

2. The Flavia de Luce Mysteries by Alan Bradley

Flavia is just a delightful character. Eleven years old and very precocious, this is a great mystery series with crossover appeal. Technically written for an adult audience, I've seen these on a number of lists for young adults as well. Flavia is the youngest of three sisters, with a single father trying to raise them alone after their mother's death when Flavia was just a baby. Fascinated by chemistry, Flavia has her own lab in their large estate, Buckshaw (despite her father's lack of funds—Flavia lets us know it was her mother who had money, not her father), and has a particular penchant for poisons. Though there are only three books in this series, Bradley will continue to add to it over the years. The fourth book is due to come out in 2012 and will be called I Am Half-Sick of Shadows. Oh yes, I forgot to mention: each title is a quote from some sort of literary piece, and I just love that. It looks like there will be six books altogether at this point. Jess reviewed the second in the series, The Weed That Strings the Hangman's Bag, on The Broke and the Bookish not too long after its release—you can read it here.

Not only are the mysteries engaging and have unexpected endings that aren't always simple, they are a little portait of life in rural England just after World War II. Anyone who likes reading about small towns will love Bishop's Lacey.

If you get the chance to listen to these, please do. The narrator, Jayne Entwhistle, is just perfect and I love listening to her. You can hear the relish in her voice as Flavia recounts particularly juicy tidbits. I'm eagerly waiting for book three, A Red Herring Without Mustard, which I requested on CD from the library.

So what are your favorite mysteries? Are they series, or do you have a standalone you love?

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Covers I Wish I Could Redesign

This Top Ten Tuesday is all about covers we'd like to redesign for whatever reason. I knew that I had to have a special guest Top Ten Tuesday for this...allow me to introduce you to Capillya of That Cover Girl -- a blog dedicated to YA book covers! She knows her stuff and is one of my all time favorite people in the world!


Dearest Darling Works of Cover Art,

I have some heartbreaking news. Yes, for all ten of you, I’m afraid.

Ever heard the saying, “It’s what’s on the inside that counts”? Oftentimes that phrase is endearing, insightful, and promising. Sadly, that very same phrase doesn’t hold a lick of truth in what I’m about to tell you. Because sometimes what’s on the outside counts too. Call me superficial. Call me judgmental. Call me the biggest cover art snob in the world.

I’d be okay with that.

You’re probably wanting some answers, I guess. Why me? Why do you find me so repulsive? Was it something I said? Was it because I wore those tie-dye leggings with my favorite sweater vest that one time?

Yes, yes, a thousand times yes. Here, I’ll even go into a little more detail to set the record straight, for each and every one of you.

I’m embarrassed to be seen with you.

1) Going Too Far (Jennifer Echols)

Your heart said all the right words. You made me all gushy over your love interest, that Officer After. (Gah he was such a tortured gentleman.) But your face? And those other faces?! Your emotions were right, spot-on in fact, when it came to the tone of your story, but I couldn’t bring myself to purchase you at my bookstore. I had to wait until an unmarked box showed up at my office, and it was only then (after I’d closed my blinds and locked my door) that I could even bear to look at you.

Oh, and it looks like Johnafter is about to eat Meg’s face. I didn’t appreciate that, either.

2) Perfect Chemistry series (Simone Elkeles)

I don’t understand your obsession with people on the verge of or in the middle of making out. I feel like I’m interrupting something and invading someone’s very personal space. And good grief, why are so many of them wet on the cover? Oh, wait, let me guess, a couch or leaning against a wall or wherever teens make out nowadays is just too boring, right?

You just…gah, too much PDA. Get a room, star-crossed lovers.

3) Every Mass Market Paperback Romance Book in the Universe

Okay, so there may be a little more than ten of you. But really.

Really?

You’re just…weird-looking.

4) Bridget Jones’s Diary (Helen Fielding)

I understand you’re supposed to look like a diary. I understand that your surprised eyes and mouth are supposed to be quirky and cute. But you know what? You completely freak me out. In fact, I’m going to move on quickly so I don’t have to look at your bizarre book-face for much longer.

5) The Great Gatsby (F. Scott Fitzgerald)

I know you’re one of the most recognized and celebrated pieces of cover art in American literature. I know you’re almost a century old and your story is a timeless work. But I can’t help but think that deep down in the hearts of millions of your readers that they were all kinda creeped out by your floaty eyes, too.

You talk too much.

6) Little Brother (Cory Doctorow)

I’ll have to admit, you were pretty impressive at first glance. You were mysterious, different, and I kinda fell for your binary code.

At first.

Then you started talking. A lot. In fact you talked so much and so loud that I couldn’t tell who had originally created you, the authors who blurb’d all over your cover or your own author. There were too many voices competing, which left me feeling confused. And the few brain cells that were left in my head from a long day of work weren’t up for the challenge, unfortunately.

You’re too young for me.

7) Lovestruck Summer (Melissa Walker)

The term “young” is relative, of course. I get it that you’re cute and fun. And sure, I’m in my late twenties, I know I’m not your target demographic (teenagers). And while I can’t speak for a teenager nowadays, 16-year-old me wouldn’t take a second glance at you. I would’ve turned up my nose and boxed you up with my Lisa Frank stickers. You’re on par with my love for Hello Kitty (I don’t love her). You’re just too pink and girly.

You kinda get around.

8) North of Beautiful (Justina Chen Headley) and 9) Evermore (Alyson Noël)

I like my cover art to be original. But when I see you shacking up with other novels, it diminishes your sparkle, sorry. Sad thing is, I’ve heard wonderful things about the both of you. But I’ve come to refer to you as “the purple blonde-girl book” and “the sunny blonde-girl book.” Neither of you exactly jump off the shelves, and I can’t help but constantly compare you to…well…yourselves.

You flaunt your crotch a little too much.

10) Three-way tie between That Summer (Sarah Dessen), Swimming Sweet Arrow (Maureen Gibbon), and I’m Not Her (Janet Gurtler)

Do I really need to explain this incessant need to not see your hoo-ha? Yeah, that’s right, I bold-italicized that not because OMG WHAT WAS YOUR MOTHER THINKING. Have you no manners? No dignity? You may just be thinking to yourself, “Oh, my cartwheels and back-flips are all fun and games! Don’t take it so seriously!” Yeah, well, it’s all fun and games until you’re frozen in time and people will start judging me because I’m hanging out with That One Cover Who Gives Everyone 100% Eyeball Access to Her Crotch.

Yes, sometimes it’s what’s on the outside that counts. Your insides may be full of beautiful prose, and comprised of the most lovely of languages that I’ve ever read. Your characters may be engrossing, your plot heart-pounding, and your dialogue razor sharp. But your face?

Honey, you’re going to need a makeover before I even consider dating you.

Sincerely yours,

That Cover Girl

Thanks Capillya for your AMAZINGLY HILARIOUS post! :)

NEXT WEEK THE TOPIC IS -- TOP TEN BOOKS I'D LIKE TO SEE MADE INTO MOVIES


 

Anna reviews 'Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture' by Ariel Levy

Name: Female Chauvinist Pigs: Women and the Rise of Raunch Culture
Author: Ariel Levy
Publisher: Pocket Books, 2006
How I got this: I read it at college and then I bought it.
Why I read this: It was recommended to me by my sister.

Jenna Jamison. Pamela Anderson. Playboy models. Girls Gone Wild. No, this isn't a list of my favourite porn stars, but a list of just some of the people that many women in the USA look up to as role models and people they aspire to be like. Levy's sharp, witty and clever look at the sex industry in America examines all of this and makes some well-observed and well-argued points about sex and sexuality for women in the USA.

Levy begins by describing the sudden rise in popularity of lap-dancing classes for women, the increasing popularity (amongst women) of magazines like Playboy and Esquire, and the acceptance of porn-stars as legitimate role models. She examines some of the reasons why this has happened and comes up with the term 'female chauvinist pig'. Female chauvinist pigs (FCPs) are women who view themselves and other women as sex objects. This is seen in women embracing Girls Gone Wild, Playboy, porn stars, and many of the other things that have traditionally being viewed as degrading towards women. She then goes on to examine the rise of raunch culture, and why women have accepted this. She also looks at the history of feminism and how society has come to this place, as well as looking at how raunch culture affects adolescents.

The book is compelling and Levy makes some excellent points. She argues that this rise of raunch culture and FCP's does not mean that feminism's aims have been achieved and it certainly does not mean that women are sexually liberated. As she points out, since when is aspiring to look like a porn star or a playboy model-whose job is to fake sexual pleasure- liberating for women? Women- and only women- are under more pressure than ever to be perceived as hot, which means being sexually desirable and saleable. It's not enough for women today to be successful, beautiful, talented, and accomplished, they have to be hot. Case in point: Amanda Beard, and American Olympian swimmer appearing in Playboy. This importance on being hot applies only to women- no male Olym pian has felt the need to prove his self worth by putting his genitals on display in a magazine.

Her analysis of why this happens is excellent. She gives several reasons, one of them being the 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' mentality. I haven't read that book but briefly, it involves 'tomming'. Tomming means conforming to another more powerful person(s) idea of who you are and who you ought to be. In other words, if you can't beat the system that oppresses you, join it and embrace it. Women in the USA are not sexually liberated. She quotes Susan Brownmiller "You think you're being brave, you think you're being sexy, you think you're transcending feminism. But that's bullshit."

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time. It's utterly compelling and Levy's clever, angry and well-written book really makes you think. It's sad because despite some of the major advances women in the USA have made, it shows that there is still a very long way to go. As she points out, if women today are sexually liberated, why do we work so hard to look like someone elses idea of what sexy is instead of just being ourselves?


Random aside: take a look at this postsecret. I think it shows that the sexuality of Western women and women of Islamic faith are both equally repressed and restrained by patriarchy, just in different ways: