The Week in Review: 01.26.2018
Between the Covers
Finished last week:
I saw the first Star Wars movie in the theater years ago and enjoyed it but didn’t keep up with the franchise after that so I wasn’t all that sure THE PRINCESS DIARIST by Carrie Fisher would be for me. I keep reading good things about it, though, so I decided to give it a try and I really enjoyed it. Fisher kept a diary during the filming of the first movie and this book is based on that diary. Fisher and the other actors had no idea the impact this movie would make and she reflects on that and her relationship with her co-stars. She also contemplates her relationship with Princess Leia (and her iconic hairstyle) and her mixed feelings about it. Her descriptions of encounters with fans are hilarious. Fisher reads the audio herself and does a terrific job – it felt like an old friend was telling me a story – but hearing her voice like that did make me sad at times. If you’re a fan of Fisher and/or Star Wars or enjoy memoirs, you’ll want to pick this book up. (Review copy provided by Penguin Random House.)
I’m not familiar with the Paw Patrol television show so the characters in PAW PATROL: RESCUE TIME! by Cara Stevens were all new to me and I thought they were adorable. The Paw Patrol is a group of dogs with different skills who work together to help people. In RESCUE TIME!, they help Alex find his lost tooth so he can leave it out for the Tooth Fairy and they help the mayor of Adventure Bay find some missing Symphony Songbirds who should be sitting on their eggs. To make this book even more fun, there’s a small wrist projector that projects images on the wall or ceiling. I thought the story was cute and I’m sure young fans of the series will adore it! (Review copy provided by Media Masters Publicity.)
I decided to pick up PACHINKO by Min Jin Lee when I saw the author is going to be at one of our local indie bookstores in February and, boy, am I glad I did. It’s a multi-generational saga set in the years between 1910 and 1989 and centers around Sunja and her family. After Sunja’s father passes away, she and her mother run a boarding house in their native Korea. After Sunja becomes pregnant, she discovers her lover is married. He offers to keep her as his mistress but she refuses. Isak, a kind, gentle minister who stays at the boarding house offers to marry her and she accepts. The two move to Japan and make a new life for themselves. Their life isn’t easy but they’re determined and devoted as their beliefs, family, and identity are challenged. I adored PACHINKO and was always anxious to get back to it. The writing is top notch as is the story and characters, who were very real to me. I expect PACHINKO to make my list of favorites for the year. (Review copy provided by Hachette.)
Currently reading:
- THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW by A. J. Finn
- TRUE CRIME FROM TEXAS MONTHLY by Various Authors
On the Screen
I went to see The Post with a friend who is younger than I am. There were more people in the theater than I’ve seen in a long time and all of them, except for my friend, were older than me. I’m sure most people know The Post is the story of Katherine Graham’s and Ben Bradlee’s decision to publish articles about the Pentagon Papers in the Washington Post in 1971. With Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks playing the lead, this intense movie is very well cast. I knew the basic story of the Pentagon Papers but my friend did not and she said she had a little trouble following the movie, especially at the beginning. Having said that, this movie is very timely and relevant and needs to be seen.
Off the blog
- Our weather has been up and down – the low one night was 58ºF one morning and 31ºF the next – but seems to have settle down into more seasonal temperatures.
- We walked at least three miles every morning and I averaged almost 18,800 Fitbit steps a day.
What’s going on in your corner of the world?
I had thought also that those who were alive during that time would probably enjoy the movie more!
I hope we get a chance to see The Post in the theater — if not, I’ll see it next fall at home. 🙂 I guess I’d better get to Pachinko — I don’t know what my hesitation has been.
Moving Pachinko up higher on the tbr stack – glad you loved it! The Post is still selling out at our small island theater. My SIL and I may go over to the mainland to see it next week.
I have Pachinko on my TBR pile and can’t wait to read it now 🙂 I loved The Woman in the Window – such a great read. The Post looks like a must-see film. Hope you have a great weekend!
I am and always have been a big Star Wars fan. I should listen to Carrie Fisher’s book since she narrates it. Pachinko sounds good – am considering it. The Woman in the Window is sure getting a lot of notice – will likely read that one as well.
I had a brush with celebrity with Carrie Fisher. We went to see her do a one-woman show in San Jose 10-15 years ago. We were in the front row center, and she called me over to the stage. I forget what she said to me. But she did give me a kiss on the cheek. That was pretty cool. She was extremely interesting. Bummer she died so young.
We loved The Post. It’s a great history lesson for the younger generations.
I will be anxious to see your review of The Woman in the Window. That is getting a lot of buzz.
I loved The Post so much because it reminded me of that era, and even though I lived it, the movie brought out more details than I was aware of at the time (I was young!).
I might have to “listen” to The Princess Diarist, even though I read it; I would love to hear her voice as she narrates it.
I hope you enjoy The Woman in the Window as much as I did. Have a great weekend!
I got to meet Carrie Fisher after seeing her Broadway show. Listening to The Princess Diarist is a good way to experience her book. And I must read Pachinko.
I have Fisher’s book (audio) on hold at the library. I want to see The Post, I love both actors!
I really want to watch the Post. Sounds really good. And Tom Hanks & Meryl Streep are in it nuff said right. I love every movie with Tom Hanks in it.
I’ve heard such good things about The Post! And I’ve added Pachinko and the Carrie Fisher book to my TBR list.
Hope you are enjoying THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW. The ending is GREAT!!
Pachinko and The Post sound excellent! Your step count is consistently good. Have a wonderful weekend, Kathy!
Pachinko made one of my friends favorite list and now you love it. Looks like I’m going t have to read it. I really want to see The Post!
Can’t wait to find out your thoughts on The Woman in the Window and Pachinko. They’re two books that are very high on my TBR! The Post is something I definitely will see in the big screens in the near future, hopefully I’ll like it as much as you do 🙂
Pachinko is new to me and interests me very much.
Temperatures sky rocketing still in Melbourne and I am finding it very hard to cope.
A baby grandsons christening tomorrow and a first birthday coming up and then going back home.
I REALLY want to read Pachinko. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much!
You really had a diverse Book Week this week! I am not sure about seeing The Post…not enough action for me right now…I need my Marvel Movies!
Great post this week Kathy. I’m really glad you liked Pachinko and I plan to read it this year. Also pleased the Post movie is good too. I will see it soon. You are on a roll! Enjoy your week.
My daughter enjoys the Paw Patrol. It’s a cute little show and idea. I am glad you enjoyed the book. I am also glad to hear you enjoyed Pachinko. I hope to someday. I couldn’t find it the last time I was at our local B&N and keep meaning to check the independent bookstore in town. I hope you have a great week, Kathy!
I love how you wrote this post. AND I love that you walk every day – that is such an inspiration when it feels like my days become fuller and fuller you inspire me to get out there and do it 😉
I’m hoping we get to see The Post. I’m sure we will be in that older crowd, but that usually happens because we go on weekday afternoons. Actually we are usually the only ones in the theater. I agree with you on Paw Patrol. Our four-year-old grandson is a big fan.
I hope you’re enjoying The Woman in Window. I do want to read that one!
-lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
Your review of Pachinko has me wanting to read the book. With two of my favorite actors, I also want to see The Post.
My husband has really been wanting to see The Post. I hope we get around to it this week, or we’ll have to wait until it comes out in another format…. if anyone will have trouble following the movie though, of the two of us that will probably be me.
I need to read PACHINKO!!!
I really loved The Princess Diarist. She read her own memoir so well.
I felt the same way about The Princess Diarist, the audio book was like sitting down with an old friend.
I’m anxious to read Pachinko! I probably wouldn’t have been interested in it until reading so many good reviews at the end of the year. I’m glad it’s one that continued to call to you. I am very eager to see The Post, but will wait until it’s out on DVD since we don’t go to the theater anymore. Great cast!