Happy St. Patrick's Day!

However you plan on celebrating, I wish everyone a fun and happy St. Patrick's Day!

Trailer: Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord

After watching this trailer for Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord, all I can think about is how much I can't wait to see this. It's looks really good. This animated series will premiere Monday, April 6th on Disney+ and will follow Darth Maul seeking his revenge against the Empire. And it looks like he has a Jedi joining him in his quest. That Jedi is taking a big risk joining up with Darth Maul because can she really trust him? Although, he's going after the Empire but will he turn on her if she's no longer useful for him? Or are they building a true partnership? I guess I'll have to wait and see. I can't help wondering what will be the Jedi's fate at the end of this? Will she live and go back into hiding or die trying to stop the Empire?

I will be watching this for sure. I doubt this will happen but I would love if not only this show was released on DVD but also the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars as well as Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

Book of Interest: Arsenic and Adobo

Happy Monday! How was everyone's weekend?

My weekend was pretty good but on Sunday, I had to fix two of the shelves on one of my bookcases. Two of the shelves buckled under the weight of too many books. I had to remove all of my trade edition comic books because they were way too heavy but I did find another place for them. So now all that left on those two shelves are a some hardcover and paperback books. It's funny that those books are lighter than the comic books.

Anyway, I found another book that I'm interested in reading, Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala. It's a cozy centered mystery that follows Lila as she tries to not only save her Tita (Aunt) Rosie's restaurant but also solve a murder that she's the prime suspect for. I'm interested in knowing who killed her ex-boyfriend? And why? I really love reading mystery books and this one is definitely going on my list.

Book: Arsenic and Adobo (Tita Rosie's Kitchen Mystery book #1) by Mia P. Manansala

Description:

The first book in a new culinary cozy series full of sharp humor and delectable dishes—one that might just be killer....

When Lila Macapagal moves back home to recover from a horrible breakup, her life seems to be following all the typical rom-com tropes. She's tasked with saving her Tita Rosie's failing restaurant, and she has to deal with a group of matchmaking aunties who shower her with love and judgment. But when a notoriously nasty food critic (who happens to be her ex-boyfriend) drops dead moments after a confrontation with Lila, her life quickly swerves from a Nora Ephron romp to an Agatha Christie case.

With the cops treating her like she's the one and only suspect, and the shady landlord looking to finally kick the Macapagal family out and resell the storefront, Lila's left with no choice but to conduct her own investigation. Armed with the nosy auntie network, her barista best bud, and her trusted Dachshund, Longanisa, Lila takes on this tasty, twisted case and soon finds her own neck on the chopping block…

Book of Interest: Camp Sylvania

After reading the description for Camp Sylvania by Julie Murphy, all I can think about is that it's bad enough going to a camp you don't want to go to. But for Maggie to find herself at Camp Sylvania that has a lot suspicious and bad things happening that's even worse. I wonder if she along with her new friends will be able to solve the mystery before it's too late. This seems like an interesting and fun story that's centered around a very scary camp.

Book: Camp Sylvania (Camp Sylvania book #1) by Julie Murphy

Description:

From Julie Murphy, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dumplin’, comes a hilarious and creepy middle grade summer camp story that takes a bite out of fat camp and diet culture. Perfect for fans of Spooky Stories and Starfish.

Magnolia “Maggie” Hagen is determined to be in the spotlight . . . if she can just get over her stage fright. This summer, though, she has big plans to finally attend Camp Rising Star, the famous performing arts camp she’s been dying to go to for three whole summers.

But on the last day of school, her parents break the news: Maggie isn’t going to Camp Rising Star. She’s being shipped off to fat camp—and not just any fat camp. She’s going to Camp Sylvania, run by world-famous wellness influencer Sylvia Sylvania, who is known for her soon-to-be-patented Scarlet Diet.

When Maggie arrives at camp, things are . . . weird. There are the humiliating weigh-ins and grueling workouts, as expected. But the campers are also encouraged to donate blood—at their age! The cafeteria serves only red foods and the oddly specific rules change every day. There are even rumors of a camp ghost.

Despite these horrors, Maggie makes friends and starts to actually enjoy herself. There are even tryouts for a camp production of The Music Man! This place might not be so bad . . . until campers start going missing and other suspicious things begin happening—especially after dark. The camp ghost might be the least scary thing about this place. . . .

Happy International Women's Day!

I had been trying to enjoy a lazy Sunday but I wanted to post about International Women's Day! This is a day to celebrate women all around the world and all our achievements but also to focus on many of the issues that we still have to keep fighting for. From pay inequality to health care and not to mention that women with disabilities and trans Women are often overlooked by society. So, today and everyday, I hope we continue to dream, achieve and make the world a better place.

Happy International Women's Day!

On My List: Young Sherlock TV Series

Looking at the trailer for the Young Sherlock TV series it feels like a prequel to the Guy Ritchie Sherlock Holmes movies. It wouldn't be far-fetched especially since Ritchie is one of co-creators for the TV series and how seeing the similar mannerisms are for both versions of Sherlock Holmes.

Despite the mixed reviews I've seen for this series, I am very interested in watching it. I want to see how the story and mysteries will unfold. I do wonder why James Moriarty was added to the series? By including the character so early on, it takes away the mystery or mystique of his character. Well, he was also included in the 1980's Young Sherlock Holmes movie but in that he still had that mysterious element.

Hopefully, his presence won't take away from Sherlock finding his own self-growth and strength and while he continues hone his deductive thinking and skills. Anyway, I can't wait to watch this. The first season has eight episodes which are all available to watch.


Young Sherlock (Amazon Prime)

Starring: Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Dónal Finn, Zine Tseng, Natascha McElhone, Max Irons, Numan Acar, Ravi Aujla, Colin Firth, Joseph Fiennes and more

Creator: Peter Harness, Guy Ritchie and Matthew Parkhill

Based on: The Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Description:

A disgraced, 19 years old Sherlock Holmes finds himself wrapped up in a murder case at Oxford that threatens his liberty. His first ever case unravels a globe-trotting conspiracy, culminating in an explosive showdown that changes his life forever.

Book of Interest: Out of Step, Into You

Yesterday, I mentioned that I found two books that I'm interested in reading and here is the second one, Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch. It's a young adult sports romance that's about two former best friends Taylor and Marianna who are now on the same cross-country team. I guess trying to work together to be good teammates they must end up becoming friends again which will lead to something more. I don't read a lot sports romance books but this seems like an interesting read.

Book: Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch

Description:

Out of Step, into You is a sapphic contemporary romance following childhood friends turned cross-country team rivals who are forced to work together to win the state championship – for fans of Kelly Quindlen and Rachael Lippincott.

You can’t outrun love.

Taylor and Marianna were each other’s whole world – best friends, running partners, practically sisters – until Marianna moved away and Taylor promptly ghosted her. When the former best friends turned rivals end up on the same cross-country team three years later, everything is a competition… and a reminder of old feelings, as well as blossoming new ones.

Marianna runs because she’s angry. The oldest child of a single mother, she knows all about responsibility – for her siblings, at her part-time job. She just has to stay focused and be faster than the past nipping at her heels if she wants to secure a new, brighter future. With or without Taylor.

Taylor runs to prove herself. The only child of a Divison 1 athlete, she’s no stranger to high expectations. With enough effort, she knows she can immortalize herself with a state record and make her parents proud. Then, she can discover her own passion. She definitely doesn’t have time to untangle her feelings towards Mari.

Can this pair figure out a way to work together before their past catches up with them?

Book of Interest: Mr. & Mrs. Witch

There are two books of interest I found, I'll post the other one tomorrow, this first one I found Mr. & Mrs. Smith by Gwenda Bond seems like a fun read. A witch and a witch hunter marry without knowing the truth but once it's revealed they are going to have to figure out what to do. Well, since this is a romance, this is most likely going to have a happy ending at least romance wise. But I'm interested in what secret they uncovered that would lead them to working together.

Book: Mr. & Mrs. Witch by Gwenda Bond

Description:

In Mr. & Mrs. Witch, the next novel from bestselling author Gwenda Bond, a couple discovers at the altar the surprising secret identities they’ve kept from each other.

Savannah Wilde is a witch, a very powerful one―an identity that only her fellow witches know. Following a whirlwind romance that surprised herself and her family, Savvy is all set to marry the love of her life. But she isn’t the only one with a secret that needs to be kept, even from her soon-to-be husband.

Griffin Carter is a top agent for a clandestine organization that, well, used to primarily hunt witches, but now mainly tries to shut down supernatural threats their own way. He can’t wait to lay his eyes on the woman he’s about to spend the rest of his life with.

As Savvy walks down the aisle to Griffin, the wedding quickly goes from blessed day to shit show when their true identities are revealed. To say there’s bad blood between their factions is putting it mildly. Savvy and Griffin are tasked to take the other out, but when they discover a secret that could take down both of their agencies, they realize the only way to survive is to team up. With assassins hot on their trail, will Savvy and Griffin make it out alive to try again at ‘I do’?

Book Girl Thoughts: Current Events

With the current state of events and the world, it was difficult to write about books, entertainment and fandom stuff which is why I haven't posted until now. The United States joining forces with Israel to start a war with Iran and for some reason not expecting Iran to retaliate. The United States has no right to tell another country how to rule when this administration is actively doing everything they can to harm the people. From trying to take away our rights to funding and operating concentration camps to covering up a large scale pedophile ring to all the nonstop corruption. This administration can not judge other countries and with that said, make sure you're registered to vote. Hopeful after the midterm elections there can be a change to impeach and get rid of as many of these horrible people in this administration.

Fandom Friday: Random Fandom Thoughts #52: May and Ravi and Buck and Eddie (9-1-1)

Happy Friday, I only have this one 9-1-1 fandom thought:

- I'm happy that last night's episode of 9-1-1 wasn't another dumpster fire but I'm disappointed with how quickly and randomly they can put May Grant and Ravi Panikkar together. What I find so interesting is that the 9-1-1 Showrunner and writers showed just how easy it is to put a random straight couple (May and Ravi) together without them having any prior scenes together or any real build up. Meanwhile, fans have been asking and hoping for Evan "Buck" Buckley and Edmundo "Eddie" Diaz for years. And instead of that happening, the Showrunner and writers do nothing more than twiddle their thumbs and make up excuses and bait fans instead of letting Buck and Eddie be together.

May and Ravi feel like when they don't know what to do with characters so they just put them together. It reminds me of what they did with Chloe Sullivan and Oliver Queen on Smallville and Malia Tate and Jordan Parrish in the Teen Wolf Movie. They were each single characters, so they just put them together, despite each couple having zero chemistry. It made absolutely no sense. And for 9-1-1, May who is a main character, has barely had a storyline in this ninth season and now she's being reduced to nothing more than a love interest. That's so disappointing. I would really like to know why it's so easy for two characters (May and Ravi) who have never had any interaction, can be put together so quickly? While two characters (Buck and Eddie) who have had years of bonding, a deep connection and chemistry, however can't be together?

Currently Reading: Hex Hall

I can't believe I had this book Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins sitting on my shelf for so long. I forgot I even had it. As I always say, it's never to late to read a book. Even if I'm just now getting around to reading it. The description seems so interesting with Sophie Mercer finding out that she's a witch. And it looks like it's going to lead to a lot of problems. The description makes it seem like it's going to be a bit of a supernatural mystery or at least have mystery elements to the story. I can't wait to start reading this.

Book: Hex Hall (Hex Hall book #1) by Rachel Hawkins

Description:

On Her 12th Birthday, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. Three bumpy years later, after a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, she's exiled to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.

By the end of her first day, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire on campus. Then when a mysterious predator begins attacking students, and Sophie's only friend is the number-one suspect, a horrifying plot begins to surface. Soon, Sophie is preparing for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.

Book Review: The Jane Austen Diet

Book: The Jane Austen Diet: Austen's Secrets to Food, Health, and Incandescent Happiness by Jane Austen and Bryan Kozlowski

Description:

What can Jane Austen teach us about health? Prepare to have your bonnet blown…

From the food secrets of Pride and Prejudice to the fitness strategies of Sense and Sensibility, there’s a modern health code hidden in the world’s most popular romances.

Join Bryan Kozlowski as he unlocks this “health and happiness” manifesto straight from Jane Austen’s pen, revealing why her prescriptions for achieving total body “bloom” still matter in the 21st century. Whether that’s learning how to eat like Lizzie Bennet, exercise like Emma Woodhouse, or think like Elinor Dashwood, explore how Austen’s timeless body beliefs are more relevant, refreshing, and scientifically sensible now than ever before. After all, it's still a truth universally acknowledged – Jane Austen’s heroines don’t get fat.

Trailer: The Mandalorian and Grogu

When it was announced that The Mandalorian was getting a movie instead of a fourth season, I was disappointed because with a show you can get more in depth with the story in comparison to a movie. But looking at the trailer for The Mandalorian and Grogu, it seems like the movie is going to have an interesting story. Grogu really seemed to be taking to his training and in the long run he's going to be a very good Mandalorian Jedi.

I'm not sure if the end of the third season will tie into this movie or not. It's been a while since I've watched it, so I don't remember as much as I thought I did. Which is why I'll rewatch the third season before I go an see this. And since this movie isn't released until Friday, May 22nd, I have plenty of time to rewatch it.

Regardless, I can't wait to see this movie.