10.09.2013

What's Up Wednesday (15)


What's Up Wednesday is a weekly meme geared toward readers and writers, so we can check in with each other. To join, just check out Jaime Morrow or Erin Funk's blogs for the link widget and sign up!


WHAT I'M READING

I'm still reading Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, but that is partly because I had to stop to read a library book before it was due. That book was Holly Black's newest The Coldest Girl in Coldtown.

I'd read her short story by the same name a few years before, and I loved the premise - our world altered because vampires exist and vampirism can spread like an epidemic. So I was pretty excited to hear she was writing a whole novel set in the world. And I loved it.

I think this is maybe my favorite Holly Black novel (though I've only read Tithe, a short story collection, and the Curse Workers series). It's a new-old take on vampires, where they are seductive and charming but also unmistakably dangerous and far from their former humanity. It explores identity, self-discovery, survival, and the nature of humanity and monstrosity. Loved. It.


WHAT I'M WRITING

Nothing! But I have an idea for a scary short maybe, and there's an idea I had the other day that might be just what I needed to revitalize an old story. I may possibly plan for NaNoWriMo...


WHAT INSPIRES ME RIGHT NOW

The wisdom of the poet Rumi.

[Photo/ mine]
Here are more Rumi quotes to motivate you.


WHAT ELSE I'VE BEEN UP TO

Other than reading and trying to get more sleep, I haven't done much. The sister and I are trying to figure out our TV schedules with new and old shows starting up. We're pretty into Sleepy Hollow, but a bit disappointed in both Agents of SHIELD and the current season of The Legend of Korra. We're also enjoying all the drama of the BBC & Starz 1-season series The White Queen and CBS's Elementary continues to be fun.

We're also trying to find a Halloween costume for us and for Loki. Last year, he was a shark.

He's kind of rocking these Yoda ears we got from the Petco booth at SDCC.

Oh and the other fun thing is that thanks to a couple weird circumstances, I got to exercise some work perks. Good thing I love food/ Asian snacks.

Cases and cases of Pocky.

ONE MORE THING! We also saw the movie GRAVITY this weekend, and it was INCREDIBLE. I think it is seriously the best movie I have seen all year. It is gorgeous, breathtaking, heart-wrenching, and terrifying. I even recommend seeing it in 3D, which I normally hate, but since the movie was conceived as a 3D film and filmed in 3D, the extra dimension is actually used to enhance the storytelling. I think that's the only time 3D is worth it.

I was iffy about seeing it because the idea of being adrift in space kind of freaks me out and because the trailers make what the story is kind of unclear (like...is she just out there floating?), but then Comic Con convinced me otherwise. (I know, SDCC really is a gold mine for early access info - like it's weird to me that some things that are stirring up excitement now were things I saw in July...)

By that I mean, hearing Alfonso CuarĂ³n talk about the conception of the movie and what they had to do/build/innovate to make it got me more curious to see the final result. Then at the actual panel for GRAVITY, they showed us an extended clip from the movie, and it was so intense. I was stressed out just by that, holding my breath, but I was also so gripped by the scene. That ultimately convinced me to go see it, even though it was still stressful. I literally felt relieved when the movie ended! But in a good way! My body could finally relax, haha.

So unless being adrift in space is likely to induce actual panic attacks in you, the Sister and I both HIGHLY RECOMMEND you go see GRAVITY. It is an experience, and so, so beautiful.

Q4U: What's up with you? Got your Halloween plans figured out yet?

15 comments:

Tonja Drecker said...

Yummy! Looks like those were some nice 'work perks'. The book looks really interesting. I've never heard of the author, but I'm going to look into her.

Miss Cole said...

Gravity isn't out here until November but I'm really looking forward to seeing it. Avoiding spoilers is proving trickier than I thought it would be ^^;

That's such a beautiful photo and the quote is great too. Thanks for sharing.

Have a lovely week!

Connie Keller said...

I saw Gravity in 3D on Monday. It was great! I loved the tear floating in space.

BTW, Loki looks very cute.

Carrie-Anne said...

My oldest friend is having a Halloween party on the 26th, and I'm hoping to finally find a nun costume for the party. Since I've always admired and respected nuns, my costume would be a normal habit, not one of those offensive, insulting "sexy nun" costumes. I'll have to ask my friend who lives nearby if this apartment complex does anything for Halloween. It would be fun if there are trick-or-treaters who come around.

Katy Upperman said...

You've got me so intrigued by GRAVITY... I think I might just need to see it even though, like you, the concept totally freaks me out.

My daughter is going to be Princess Leia for Halloween and she's been joking about dressing our dog up like Yoda. Now that I know that's an actual possibility, I might just have to get her some Yoda ears! Loki looks adorable in them!

Unknown said...

Gravity looks really good. I don't watch many movies, but I think I may need to go to that one.

As for halloween, I always come up with really boring costumes like being a vampire's victim (I just put two fang marks on the side of my neck).

ELAdams said...

I really want to read The Coldest Girl in Coldtown! I know I need to read more of Holly Black's writing - I really enjoyed White Cat, and I'm intrigued to see her new take on vampires!

Stephsco said...

Watching Gravity may actually give me nightmares. I am not planning to see it even though I'm sure it's a wonderful movie. The previews freak me out.

I also am watching Sleepy Hollow and liking it, and we are recording legends of Korra since we consume mass amounts of anime in our household (and I loved the airbender series). I also like Elementary, it ended up as one of my favorite shows last year, and I was very reluctant given I like the Sherlock series and didn't want another modern take on Sherlock Holmes to diminish that.

I'm with you on the SHIELD disappointment. For me it's the casting. Some of them are OK, Agent Coulson and Ming Na's character. But I think if either of the two main girl/main guy characters were recast with someone more quirky or with more personality, I'd like it more. For a Whedon show, there's a real lack of quirk. Give me the dorky funny guy or the awkward but brilliant girl.. I see they are there on paper but I'm not really feeling it.

Simply Sarah said...

I've been wondering if that book was any good. The cover intrigued me but I didn't know anything about it. Thanks for sharing. I'm loving Sleep Hollow and I agree about Agents of the Shield. I like it ok but there is nothing there that makes me count down the days till the next episode.

Jaime Morrow said...

The thought of being adrift in space scares the pants off me. Yikes! I've been hearing nothing but glowing reviews of this movie, though.

Love Loki's Yoda ears. So cute! I have to agree with you on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. I feel like they're relying to heavily on Agent Coulson to lure viewers in while none of the characters is actually very likeable. Honestly, I realized that during the last episode I watched. I don't actually like anybody on that show that much. That said, I do get a kick out of Fitz's awesome accent. I'm hoping the show gets interesting sometime soon.

Love that Rumi quote and the picture it's typed over. So beautiful! Have a great week, Alice! :-)

Joss said...

I keep hearing people talking about the Gravity film I may have to check it out. Your dog is adorable, I have three hounds myself. I wanted to do Nano, but just haven't got the time at the mo, I hope it goes well for you :)

Erin L. Funk said...

The hubby and I are stocking up on Sleepy Hollow episodes for Halloween. We thought it would be fun to watch them then. Elementary is one of our favorite shows. I just love Johnny Lee Miller as Sherlock!

Your review of Gravity is making me think I should go see it. I'm not usually a fan of 3D, but if there's actually a point to the 3D then that's a different story. I could use a good sci-fi movie about now, so thanks for passing on your thoughts about it!

Have fun coming up with a costume for Loki! Such a cutie! And also with this idea for a scary short story. Sounds fun!

Anonymous said...

Hey there. I've only seen the pilot for 'Shield', but I loved it! And I'll have to check out the book for 'Coldest girl in Coldtown.' Holly Black was a guest lecturer at Odyssey this summer, and the short story was assigned reading. I loved it, especially that ending:

"This is the real Coldtown. I'm the real Coldtown. You still want in?" :D

Anonymous said...

THE COLDEST GIRL IN COLDTOWN sounds really good. I haven't read any Holly Black books yet (gasp!), not for lack of wanting ... it just hasn't happened. After reading your thoughts I think I need to change that!

Gravity sounds stressful, but good. I'll have to see if I can find a 3D theater somewhere. ;)

Have a great week!

Lori M. Lee said...

I'm soooo excited to read COLDEST GIRL IN COLD TOWN. Holly Black never disappoints.