Movie Review: The Book Thief

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book, book review, books, Germany, historical fiction, Marcus Zusak, movies, review, reviews, The Book Thief, war, WWII

The Book Thief

genre: historical fiction

The movie stays quite true to the book, which I really appreciated. The cast was not entirely comprised of super models, something I found quite refreshing. Max and Rudy’s father were exactly how I pictured them though Max should have been more scruffy. The reading wall and snowball fight was incredibly well done–two of my favorite moments in the book. It gave a much needed comic relief to an otherwise depressing tale.

There was only one scene where the movie deviated drastically from the book. Liesel keeps Max’s secret through the entire book, but Rudy figures it out in the movie. I had such faith and respect for Liesel in the book that turned to disappointment in the movie. The rest of the changes were subtle and added some tension, especially for any who haven’t read it yet.

Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

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book, book review, books, Germany, historical fiction, Marcus Zusak, review, reviews, The Book Thief, war, WWII

The Book Thief

by Markus Zusak

genre: historical fiction

Summary from Goodreads

It is 1939. Nazi Germany. The country is holding its breath. Death has never been busier, and will be busier still.

By her brother’s graveside, Liesel’s life is changed when she picks up a single object, partially hidden in the snow. It is The Gravedigger’s Handbook, left behind there by accident, and it is her first act of book thievery.

So begins a love affair with books and words, as Liesel, with the help of her accordian-playing foster father, learns to read. Soon she is stealing books from Nazi book-burnings, the mayor’s wife’s library, wherever there are books to be found.

But these are dangerous times. When Liesel’s foster family hides a Jewish fist-fighter in their basement, Liesel’s world is both opened up, and closed down.

In superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author Markus Zusak has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

__picture it & write

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community, flash fiction, inspiration, life, photography, pictures, poetry, stories, war, weekly writing prompt, writing

I urge people to join in, comment with your paragraph of fiction to accompany the image. It doesn’t have to follow my story or reflect the same themes. It can be a poem or in a different language (provide a translation please ). Anyone who wants to join in, is welcome. This photograph will be reblogged under Ermisenda on tumblr and added to the Picture it & Write gallery on Facebook and Pinterest.

Please continue to write however you’re inspired, but add a tag to the beginning of your post if there’s mature content in order to keep Picture it & Write an engaging event for all of our followers.

by tightsqueez

I don’t know who started the war. Someone pissed someone else off and within weeks there were guns loaded and bombs created. My people claim that the others threw shot the first bullet, that they threw the first bomb. We believe that our part in the war continues to only be in defense. I don’t believe it. They are not the only ones with too much innocent blood on their hands. We’re all monsters now.

– Ermisenda Alvarez

Everyone is welcome to use the button, just link them back to the Picture it & write category or Ermiliablog! Share your love for Picture it & write on your blog with the image below. Be proud, and stylish !

Book Review: World War Z

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article, book, interview, reading, review, war, writing, zombie

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
3.5 out of 5

I liked this book but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting. If I had to choose between a three of a four it would get a four without question. The novel is a fictitious compilation of interviews from numerous survivors of the Zombie War, referred to as World War Z. I didn’t realise this was going to be the format but when I started reading, it didn’t matter. I thought it was great. Finally, I thought, a serious zombie novel that will deliver. I was kinda… right.

The peculiar structure of having an entire novel made up of interviews was great. I think it was the most interesting way to retell the history of this war without choosing the narrative. It gave the story a professional edge. The interviews were so different, so varied and provided vital segments of information, like a puzzle, which completed the picture of what happened during World War Z. Max Brooks did a fantastic job shaping the distinct voices of each interviewee.

Book Review: The Hunger Games Series

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action, books, Catching Fire, dark, dystopian, ebooks, female, fiction, life, Mockingjay, review, suzanne collins, The Hunger Games, The Hunger Games Series, war, writing, YA

The Hunger Games Series

by Suzanne Collins
4.5 stars

Overall, I loved this series. I bought it because everyone had been raving about it. I kind of dismissed the comment and went to find out what was so good about this series. They were so good. These books were gripping and I couldn’t put them down. I originally didn’t read too much young adult but recently I have been reading more and more. It’s been a good phase so far.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games #1

The Hunger Games was fantastic. I thought it was brilliant, original and fast-paced. That was the kind of book I had been looking for. An action packed world with a kick-ass female character. One thing that annoys me about YA in general is that the world’s often seem unrealistic and the romance usually makes me want to vomit. This one didn’t have that effect. Sure there was a love triangle but to me I think it’s more of a third wheel approach (at least to me it was obvious who Katniss would choose). Romance isn’t the height of the book which I enjoy, the main focus is the action and gripping plot.

First one is a definite 5 out of 5. I recommend it to all.

Picture it & Write

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battle, blood, fiction, karma, nature, photography, poetry, war, writing

Double Feature!

Eliabeth found an image she wants to share, so this week we’re doing two images instead of one.

I urge people to join in, comment with your paragraph of fiction to accompany the image. It doesn’t have to follow my story or reflect the same themes. It can be a poem or in a different language (provide a translation please :D). Anyone who wants to join in, is welcome. This photograph will be reblogged under Ermisenda on tumblr.

Metal clashed against metal as the blade glanced off the warrior’s armor.  The battle field was stained with blood and the wind carried moans into the abyss of the deserted town.  The dying were left to die with no one left to bury them.  Angered by the drink it could not help but absorb, the earth decided to rebel.  The fighting would end, one way or another.  Just as the victorious warrior ran his blade through the wounded flesh of the other, they both turned into trees, locked together forever.

-Eliabeth Hawthorne

Image found on Facebook.

__picture it & write

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art, books, creative, fiction, music, photography, piano, picture it & write, poetry, soldier, war, writing

I urge people to join in, comment with your paragraph of fiction to accompany the image. It doesn’t have to follow my story or reflect the same themes. It can be a poem or in a different language (provide a translation please :)). Anyone who wants to join in, is welcome. This photograph has been reblogged under Ermisenda on tumblr.

My fingers nudged the door open; it was the last one standing. The battered room creaked in agony and groaned beneath my heavy footing. Despite the noise outside I felt alone. The silence of the room obliterated my senses. I could only see what was before me. Only a withered piano stood. Unable to resist I lunged towards it. My fingertips hesitated a centimeter above the keys. The image of my wife burned my mind, her delicate hands, her musical talent. I wasn’t sure if the piano would wheeze out the melodies within my mind or collapse beneath my hands. I couldn’t risk it collapsing, I needed to hold on to her. The sweet, melancholic tune flooded the barren room, my scorched mind. It was her playing, I could hear it. I closed my eyes for a moment – the door was suddenly kicked. “Soldier, let’s keep moving.”

– Ermisenda Alvarez

Everyone is welcome to use the button, just link them back to the Picture it & write category or Ermiliablog! 🙂 Share your love for Picture it & write on your blog with the image below. Be proud, and stylish 😉 !

Book Review: Eolyn by Karin Rita Gastreich

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Adopt an Indie Month, books, corruption, Eolyn, fantasy, fear, fiction, Karin Rita Gastreich, magic, prejudice, reviews, romance, war, YA, young adult

Eolyn
by Karin Rita Gastreich

Cover art by Jesse Smolover

Fear and prejudice against female magic in a corrupt kingdom leads to an attempt to purge female magic from the kingdom and the destruction of Eolyn’s entire villiage. Led by her mother’s spirit, Eolyn finds the hidden dwelling of Ghemena, one of the last surviving Maga.  Ghemena takes Eolyn in and teaches her the ways of old.  Meanwhile, the sole heir to the throne is a mage prince. Mourning the passing of his mother, he fiddles with one of the gifts she left behind and appears at Eolyn’s side. The two become secret friends but her desire to learn magic rather than return to the city with him threatens their bond. During the years they are separated, each changes in ways the other cannot imagine.  How much will their friendship mean if they meet on the battlefield?