March 2015 Book Haul

March 2015 Book Haul

Physical Books:

• Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard - I'm very excited to read this book because it just sounds amazing! It has been very popular on Goodreads for a while and I heard that it is very much like Game of Thrones and The Selection, so hopefully I'll read this book next month!
• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - I bought a paperback edition as well as a mass market paperback later because it matched my 3rd and 4th edition. This is one of my favourite books.
• Voyager by Diana Gabaldon - I am so, so excited to read this book. I bought a used copy in order to read it as soon as possible. I will most likely be reading this book next month.
• Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon - I have yet to read book 3 so I don't know when I'll get around to this book. Very excited though because the cover has a red kilt on it!
• The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon - Once again, I've only read book 1 and 2, so I'm waiting to read this one.

Kindle Books:

• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - Read it this month and it is one of my favourites. The writing is amazing and the characters are so well-written.
• Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon - Read this book this month after the first and it was very good.
• Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver - I read Lauren Oliver's book Panic about one year ago and it was great. I have also read Before I Fall by her and now I have decided to read this one as well.
• Awakening You by Jessica Sorensen - I finished reading this book today. My biggest complaint was that it was too short.

Comment below and let me know what you think of my March 2015 book haul! Also, leave a link to your haul below!

March 2015 TV/Movie Haul

March 2015 TV/Movie Haul

Movies:

• Neighbors - I have seen this movie once before and rewatching it was great! It is funny and worth watching at least once.
• Magic Mike - One of the weirdest movies I have ever seen. It is 10X more serious I thought a male stripper movie could get.
• Cowboy Bebop: The Movie - I watch the TV series (I'm almost done) and I can't wait for the movie!

TV Shows:

• Outlander season 1 volume 1 - I have already watched the first half nearly three times! Part two airs April 4th on Starz @ 9:00pm OR April 5th on Showcase @ 10:00pm.
• Sons of Anarchy season 2 - Finished the season last night and I am just destroyed!
• Sons of Anarchy season 3 - Can't wait to start this season because the season 2 finale was insane!
• TURN: Washington's Spies season 1 - I'm super excited to watch this series. If you know me, you know that I love historical series!

Let me know what you think of my March haul and let me know what you got!

Let's Talk about the latest episode: Vikings S3E6

Vikings Season 3 Episode 6
Let's Talk contains spoilers.

Preparations for the Paris raid pick up speed, and Rollo thinks about the Seer's prophecy.

I know that I skipped a couple Let's Talk, but this episode was intense, I just needed to!

So first, quick recap of episode 5; then let's do a name call of the people that have died so far in season 3 (I have already shouted out to Torstein, wherever he is now); next we will discuss the religion and how far it has gone; Judith and her confession; Bjorn's daughter and what he did; Rollo (because apparently he thought about the Seer); and lastly, what will happen next?.

Recap:
At the end of episode 5, King Ecbert got his son to kill the people in the Viking settlement. I knew as soon as his son started killing all the people that King Ecbert must be involved. Nobody else knows that king Ecbert was involved.

Deaths:

Siggy

Season 1

I know, I was just as amazed that she is actually dead. I mean, she has been on the show the entire time. Season one: she was married to the Earl with daughters.

Season 2

Siggy in season 2 was not married and is now helping Lagertha and Princess Aslaug with their children. Her daughter and husband are dead and she is alone. She ended up marrying Rollo.

Season 3

It's hard to believe this is the last time we see her. In the beginning I disliked her, but I grew to like her a lot. When she actually did die, I didn't really seemed shocked because I thought that they would just bring her back. But she never did come back. And seeing how Rollo reacted was so sad. Now, she is dead.

Siggy's death

This is definitely very sad and I blame Aslaug for it. She just needed to sleep with Harbard. At least Siggy got to see her daughter before she died. Siggy was the only one who actually cared about the kids. She saved them!

So on to the next death... This one killed me. I already reviewed his previous self in another Let's Talk.

Athelstan.

This one made me so sad. I didn't think they would actually kill him. In season 1 and 2 I didn't mind Floki, but now that he killed Athelstan I hate him.

I loved, loved, loved Athelstan. He was my all time favourite character.

So time to go down memory lane:

Season 1

Season 2 before King Ecbert

Season 2 after King Ecbert

Season 3

Religion:
Athelstan has been battling with himself, trying to figure out who he really is and what his religion is. In season 1 there was no question to his Christianity, but in season 2 he was following the Norse gods. But after he went back to King Ecbert he was torn. By season 3 he was following God, but would continue to acknowledge the Norse gods. He taught Ragnar how to pray. Ragnar and Athelstan have grown so close, too. Then Floki killed Athelstan over their religions. 
Floki actually started choking Helga. This was very intense. Athelstan was given a sign from God and he told Ragnar that he now follows God and only God. This made Floki furious.
He came to Athelstan's house and killed him.
The writer's probably wanted to finalize a decision for Athelstan before he died. I just can't believe he's dead. I can't believe I didn't see it coming.

Judith's confession:
As we all know by now, Judith and Athelstan slept together. 

Last episode we figured out that Judith was pregnant. So did her husband who hasn't slept with her in a while... This episode she gave birth. And everyone wanted to know who the child's father was. They tied Judith to a post and cut off her ear.
Cut off her ear!
As they went to cut off the next one, she yelled: Athelstan! 
King Ecbert stated that the child must be holy because Athelstan was a very good man. 

Bjorn's daughter:
Porunn finally gave birth. She was moping within herself because she wasn't happy. But Aslaug kept telling her to stop it, because she will love this child. They ended up having a girl. Bjorn is very happy and loves his child and is praising Porunn. She is finally starting to stop moping. She put a cover over the right side of her face to cover the scar. But Bjorn ended up kissing some other girl. A servant girl (he seems to have a thing for them). I know many people who watch the show watch for the action, but you have to admit that it made you view Bjorn in a different light.

Rollo: 
Honestly, Rollo was hardly in this episode. I mean, he is still mourning Siggy, but that's about it. But I am very curious as to what is going to happen with to him being as the Seer said amazing things would happen.

What happens next?:
I am so excited to see what is going to happen next. When Ragnar buried Athelstan, he was crying like crazy. He built him a cross with sticks and used it to mark the grave. But what is going to happen when Ragnar figures out it was Floki? 
Ragnar and Athelstan were best friends. Not to mention that earlier in this episode when Athelstan finally realized that he wanted to be Christian, Ragnar begged him to stay.
Because Athelstan agreed to stay, he is dead.
Where does this leave Ragnar? Will Floki be the next to die?

Comment below and let me know what you think will happen next!

Let's Talk about: Outlander S1 Part 1

Outlander (TV Show)
Let's Talk contains spoilers.

This show is amazing! The acting is phenomenal and they couldn't have cast a better Jamie!
So first off, let me state that I HAVE READ THE BOOK! So some of what I talk about might be comparisons between the two.
Get ready to talk about the characters; the book vs TV show; scenes that were unnecessarily added; what might happen; and lastly, the second part trailer (and my reaction).

The Characters:
Claire: The main character. She travels through stones at Craigh na Dun. Great casting choice, but the way they wrote Claire makes her come off as annoying and stupid. I didn't think of her as annoying or stupid in the book. I imagined Claire looking a little bit younger.
Jamie: Claire's husband from 1743. He is a great love of Claire. One of the best casting choices I have ever seen (plus he's hot). My favourite character in the show because he is selfless and caring.
Frank: Claire's husband from 1945. His great, great, great etc. grandfather was Black Jack Randall. Good enough casting choice. The actor does amazing as Black Jack Randall. I don't mind Frank but I absolutely hate Black Jack.
Dougal: Colum's brother. He wants to sleep with Claire, but never acts on his want. Dougal seems to have different motives than his brother. I'm not particularly fond of Dougal.
Angus: One of the comic reliefs. Even though he does make fun of Claire sometimes, he is defiantly a comic relief. I love his character and how he seems to be best friends to Rupert. They work for Dougal and spy on Claire.
Rupert: As I said, he works for Dougal and spies on Claire. This actor is awesome. There is something about the way he looks that makes me smile just thinking of him. He knows a lot about knives and fighting with them.
Laoghaire: She really likes Jamie but can't seem to hold his attention. She has also fooled around with other guys before and almost got publicly punished, but Jamie took her punishment.
Murtagh: Quiet and mysterious. He doesn't particularly like Claire it seems. But there is something about him (even before I read the books) that makes me intrigued.
Geillis: Known through the village to be a witch. She knows a lot about herbs. She and Claire are friends, but often Geillis will ask Claire questions that Claire really doesn't want to answer.

Book VS TV Show:
I actually didn't see much difference between the two when I first watch the show (because I hadn't read the book), but the second time watching (after reading the book) I see the differences. The biggest difference that bothers me is Claire. For some reason she is just so much easier to like in the book. In the show she does some things that just frustrate me to no end. 
As I was discussing this problem with the show, I know that the problem isn't Caitriona Balfe but the way the writers wrote the character. Once again, nothing against the writers, it is just converting a huge novel into a series is difficult. 
I listed some differences below, but they seem to be following most of it well. I just hope that they don't change the ending of the first book. I know it will be so difficult to watch, but it is part of their story.

Unnecessary Scenes/Changes:

• The Wool Scene: Only referenced to in the book, but only in book 2. Claire then tries to take back a goat for milk for one of the mothers baby. This makes Claire seem like she needs help, so a guy working asks her if she is okay. This leads to the interrogation.
• The Interrogation with Jack Randall: This was so unnecessarily extended. In the book, Claire spent about two pages in the interrogation. But it isn't because of how long they spend, it is because of how it was changed. Thomas was never in the books and Claire didn't say that Jack has hope to be better. This scene frustrated me to no end.
• The Near-Rape: After Claire and Jamie are married they leave the camp to have sex. First of all, they didn't spend nearly enough time on their 'honeymoon'. In the book they spent three days getting to know one another and learning to trust one another. This was important because it gave Claire a chance to get to know Jamie and herself. But when they went off and Claire almost got raped, she said that she hated Jamie (until she realized she didn't). But it was so frustrating because she got mad at him and wouldn't talk. This is why those three days were so important. Because by the end of the mid-season finale I dislike Claire immensely. But I love her character in the book.
• Getting back to Craigh na Dun: She ran all the way to Craigh na Dun and they caught her there. In the books, we never saw Frank and I honestly would have been perfectly fine with it being that way. I felt that adding Frank's story was to say that he is more like Black Jack Randall, but honestly, where do they plan on taking that bit of information?

What will happen next?
Being as I read the book, I do know what is going to happen next. According to the trailer, he get's her out of her sticky situation (because we see them together). But what happens next? Well, if it does go according to the book, there is going to be a lot of unhappy feminists. I actually hope it goes by the book, though, because a lot of things happen because of it that build their relationship.
If you've read the book, comment and let me know what you think.

Season 1 part 2 trailer:
Airs on Starz April 4th @ 9:00pm
Airs on Showcase April 5th @ 10:00pm
Being as I am from Canada, I don't get Starz so I will be waiting one more agonizing day in order to watch it when it airs.

My favourite part is when they count to 5! It is so intense and when they say: two! It makes me so excited and... just look at them! (Time: 0:59)
This trailer makes me excited and I don't know what to do with myself. And the music choice was amazing! Seeing a familiar face that others may not catch onto... Noting little similarities between the book and trailer... Things are going to get insane!

Comment below and let me know what you think will happen next!
Also comment and let me know your reaction to the next trailer!

March Watched, April Calendar

This is kind of like a "What you watched and what you plan to watch." Find it under the Monthly Updates page.

In March I watched a varied number of shows:
Let's start by looking at my TV schedule from March 2015:

• Walking Dead every Sunday on AMC @ 9:00pm. This month, season 5 ended on March 29th.
• Better Call Saul every Monday on AMC @ 10:00pm. Season 1 will be finished by the end of this week, April 6th.
• Survivor every Wednesday on CBS @ 8:00pm. This is season 30, and it will not be completed until May.
• Vikings every Thursday on History @ 10:00pm. Season 3 will be finished on April 23rd.

What I watched on the side:

• Outlander season 1 part 1. Part 2 will be airing on April 4th on Starz (April 5th on Showcase) @ 9:00pm (10:00pm on Showcase).
• Awkward season 4 part 1. 
• LIBRARY: Orphan Black season 2. Season 3 will be airing on April 18th on BBC @ 9:00pm.
• Sons of Anarchy season 2.

April
What I want to watch in April (on the side):

• Sons of Anarchy season 3.
• LIBRARY: Arrow season 2.
• Cowboy Bebop (complete series).
• TURN: Washington's Spies season 1.

My Netflix recommended show (this is where I chose one show from my recommended list on Netflix and watch the first episode, and do a review on it):

Marco Polo
I have a feeling there will be a lot to talk about with this show, especially as it progresses. It was between this or Hemlock Grove (I know both of these are Netflix originals, but they won't always be). Comment below to let me know if I should watch Hemlock Grove next!

My Calendar in April (TV schedule):

*I know that this calendar is slightly off with Outlander, but when I originally made the calendar, I was under the impression that Showcase aired the same date and time as Starz. But I'm glad I mixed them up because just look at Jamie on April 11th.

Comment below and let me know what you think of what I'm watching, what I watched and what I plan to watch!

Taylor Swift Book Tag

Welcome to the Taylor Swift book tag!

We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together - Book series you thought you loved before realizing you didn't.
Burn for Burn trilogy by Jenny Han and Siobhan Vivian
It started out amazing, but the ending... It was beyond frustrating and I just felt that it just wasn't right.

Burn for Burn: 5 stars
Fire with Fire: 3 stars
Ashes to Ashes: 2 stars

Red - Book with a red cover
A Feast for Crows by George R. R. Martin
I haven't read this book, but the cover is certainly red.

Currently: Have not read

The Best Day - Book that makes you feel nostalgic
Any Christopher Pike book makes me feel nostalgic. I read those book everywhere. When I look at my collections, I remember all the good times from reading them, and remembering the 1990s the stories take place in. But of any, The Party trilogy makes me feel the most nostalgic.

The Party: 4 stars
The Dance: 4 stars
The Graduation: 4 stars

Love Story - Book with forbidden love
This is going to be difficult... Let's go with Rachel and Isaiah from Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

5 stars

I Knew You Were Trouble - Book with a bad boy you love
Just one? I guess I'm going to have to say Noah Shaw from the Mara Dyer trilogy.

3 stars

Innocent - Book that had a plot twist that was spoiled for you
I am usually good at avoiding spoilers, but I guess I'll have to go with The Great Gatsby. This is technically my fault, but it was spoiled either way: I watched the movie prior to reading the book.

3 stars

Everything Has Changed - Major character development
The Bumped books shows character development between the twins, Melody and Harmony (by Megan McCafferty).

Bumped: 5 stars
Thumped: 4 stars

You Belong With Me - Most anticipated book (currently)
Right now my most anticipated books are The Heir by Kiera Cass and Nowhere But Here by Katie McGarry. Nowhere But Here is preordered, but I am waiting to buy a copy of The Heir.

Forever and Always - Favourite book couple
Oh my gosh, once again, just one? Well, being as I just finished reading Outlander... :D Jamie and Claire.

5 stars

Come Back, Be Here - Which book you would never lend out
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

5 stars

Teardrops on my Guitar - Book that made you cry
The only book to ever make me cry is Crash Into You by Katie McGarry. I know that sounds dumb, but the ending!

5 stars

Shake it Off - Book that everyone hates, but you love
I don't spend a lot of time looking at other people's reviews unless I am trying to figure out if I want to read a book or not. But I enjoyed Bumped by Megan McCafferty and that is the lowest average rating on my Goodreads.

5 stars

Stay Stay Stay - Book that you wanted to go on forever
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, because I absolutely loved it. I am actually seriously considering rereading it, which I never do.

5 stars

All to Well - Book that should have been longer

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It is short (and works) but there could have been some scenes that were a little bit longer.

5 stars

Comment below and let me know what you think!

Bedtime Book Tag

Book Chick tagged me and here is her tag: Book Chick

For this tag you just list a book with the description.
I tag anyone who sees this (and put yours in the comments below)!

1. Books that kept you up all night reading
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I started this book after seeing the first half of season one and decided that I must know what happens next. It took me roughly 5 days to read this book. On the last day I had 150 pages left and stayed up until 2:30am to finish it and then couldn't fall asleep for half an hour because I was left thinking. I proceeded to do the same thing with book 2.

2. Books that made you scared to go to sleep
This one is tough. I don't read a lot of books that scare me. But if I had to chose I guess it would be Unbeautiful by Jessica Sorensen. I know that sounds stupid because 'it's a romance' but there is some creepy stuff going on in that book. When I only read the first half I was creeped out.

3. Books that put you to sleep
I have so many of these. If you've read them, you should understand why.

4. Books that left you tossing and turning all night in anticipation of it's release
The Retribution of Mara Dyer. I still haven't read this book, but after reading The Evolution of Mara Dyer I would just sit and look at the first two book, waiting for the next.

5. Books with your dream boyfriend
Is this serious? I have a million. But here are just a few (I apologize for all the Outlander books, but I just finished the first two books and I have a huge book hangover from them):

Jamie Fraser

Isaiah

Noah Shaw

(Never read it, but I watch the show) Tyrion Lannister

6. Books that would be your worst nightmare to live in
Fahrenheit 451 - no books? No thank you.

7. Books that remind you of nighttime
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Clause. I read this book at night, but it also has to do with werewolves, so it reminds me of the night.

8. Books with a nightmarish cliffhanger
Easy: The Evolution of Mara Dyer

9. Books you actually dreamed about
I don't often dream of books. TV shows? Yes. Movies? Yes. After looking through all my books, I remembered that I dreamed of The Selection by Kiera Cass. I was dreaming about running through pits of snakes and big mountains and temples to get to Maxon, but it was a TV show. It was so confusing.

10. Book monster your wouldn't want to find under your bed
I guess I would have to say the monster from 'A Monster Call' by Patrick Ness, OR any zombie from The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman.

Thanks for reading, comment below and let me know what you think.