Best of 2019

I've decided to take inventory of some past lists I've made, and do some updates. Hoping for more fun and entertainment in 2020!

Movies I enjoyed in 2019:
1. Life Itself
2. Bohemian Rhapsody
3. Isn't It Romantic?
4. Instant Family
5. Toy Story 4
6. Rocketman
7. Fighting With My Family
8. Jumanji: The Next Level
9. The Farewell

Top Ten Favorite Books I read in 2019. (Some may be from previous years or publishing in 2020.)
I've shared my top five chick lit favorites at Chick Lit Central (as Melissa A). I read so many amazing books this year (go to my Goodreads page and see all the five-star books) and am sad to have to narrow it down at all. Links are to reviews.
1. The Huntress by Kate Quinn
2. No Place Like Here by Christina June
3. In Another Time by Jillian Cantor
4. The Prophetess by Evonne Marzouk
5. Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
6. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
7. Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren
8. Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain
9. The Language of Sisters by Amy Hatvany
10. Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult

New (to me) TV shows that I enjoyed in 2019:
1. Dead to Me
2. Shrill
3. Four Weddings and a Funeral
4. Pen15
5. The Politician
6. Russian Doll

Favorite moments of 2019:
1. Seeing School of Rock with my family.
2. Seeing a community theater production of Heathers with my older son. We've been addicted to the cast recording, so it was cool to see it played out. It was a fantastic production too!
3. Going to Miami with my husband to celebrate 15 years of marriage. (And yes, I still need to blog about this.)
4. Going to Rehoboth Beach with my family at the end of the summer. (I also need to blog about this.)
5. Seeing Dear Evan Hansen with my husband and older son.
6. My younger son graduating from elementary school.
7. Some great accomplishments for my kids in school, including straight A's for my sons, two peacemaker awards for my daughter, my older son becoming a student director and SGA vice-president, my younger son getting a star student honor after his first month in middle school, etc.
8. The Broadway themed Halloween costumes I helped my kids put together: Mark from Rent and Regina from Mean Girls.
9. My older son and I dressing as Adam and Beverly Goldberg (from the TV series) for Purim and having our tweet acknowledged by the real Adam Goldberg.
10. Reaching 10 years at my job.
Bonus: A New Year's visit from my BFF, which will take place after this is posted, but I'm always glad to see her.

**I forgot to mention seeing Rachel Bloom perform live. She was hilarious!**

Book Review: The Institute

In the middle of the night, in a house on a quiet street in suburban Minneapolis, intruders silently murder Luke Ellis’s parents and load him into a black SUV. The operation takes less than two minutes. Luke will wake up at The Institute, in a room that looks just like his own, except there’s no window. And outside his door are other doors, behind which are other kids with special talents—telekinesis and telepathy—who got to this place the same way Luke did: Kalisha, Nick, George, Iris, and ten-year-old Avery Dixon. They are all in Front Half. Others, Luke learns, graduated to Back Half, “like the roach motel,” Kalisha says. “You check in, but you don’t check out.”

In this most sinister of institutions, the director, Mrs. Sigsby, and her staff are ruthlessly dedicated to extracting from these children the force of their extranormal gifts. There are no scruples here. If you go along, you get tokens for the vending machines. If you don’t, punishment is brutal. As each new victim disappears to Back Half, Luke becomes more and more desperate to get out and get help. But no one has ever escaped from the Institute. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

I haven't read a Stephen King novel since I was in high school. And the last one I remember reading was Dolores Claiborne. (I tried reading It in college, but didn't get very far.) My decision to read The Institute was based on one factor initially...Santino Fontana (a.k.a. Greg from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) was narrating the audio book.

When it started, I wasn't sure what to expect or where it was going. It was about this man named Tim who decided to give up his seat on a plane for some perks and then to make his way through the country by foot or by hitchhiking. It seemed to have nothing to do with what I read in the synopsis. However, once the story came around to Luke, it got into full swing pretty quickly. The kidnapping was horrific in itself, but what happens behind the doors of The Institute is worse than anything you could imagine. And yet I couldn't stop listening!

I became emotionally attached to Luke and worried for him throughout the story. He was a really compelling character. I loved the camaraderie between Luke and the other kids at The Institute, whom I also cared about. There were so many interesting characters and even some of the "bad guys" got their own narrative, which was chilling, to say the least. I don't want to say what happens as to not spoil anything, but I liked where the story went and how Tim eventually fit in.

What really helped this story along was the audio narration. I don't know if I would have read such a long story (19 hours!!!) in print, but listening added a new dimension. Santino Fontana did an amazing job with it. Even better than he did with Caroline Kepnes' novels, and I feel almost traitorous saying that. Sometimes I even forgot he was narrating because he did so many character voices that it felt like there were so many other people involved. Not only did he do their voices for dialogue, but also for their narratives. I really loved the personality he added to "Orphan Annie" by giving her a certain distinct voice. I also loved Maureen.

What didn't work so well for me were the visualizations. I appreciated the descriptions that made everything feel like it happening right in front of me, but some factors of the story were so bizarre that they felt difficult to visualize. Especially when a lot of things were happening at once. Again, to avoid spoilers, I'm not going to say what exactly I'm talking about. Also, the ending felt a bit anticlimactic after everything that had happened in the story, but it also felt good to get to that point. I guess I was hoping for some final twist that would blow my mind.

Overall, this was an incredibly written and narrated story. It's perfect for fans of Stranger Things, The OA, Manifest, and some of King's previous novels, such as Carrie and The Green Mile. It also reminded me of The Marriage Pact by Michelle Richmond in some ways. I may have to go back and check out some of the King novels I've missed in the past, now that I've been reminded what he's capable of.

Side note: I enjoyed King's subtle digs at a certain presidential figure, as well as commentary of what is going on in our country.

While this would be really hard to watch as a movie, especially due to some gory parts, I did have some casting ideas in mind.

Tim: Mark Duplass
Orphan Annie: Meg Foster
Wendy: Katherine Moennig
Mrs. Sigsby: Kristin Scott Thomas
Tony: Seann William Scott
Stackhouse: Michael Cerveris
Maureen: Lili Taylor
Luke: Max Charles
Kalisha: Eris Baker
Avery: Elias Harger
Nick: Peter DaCunha


Disclosure of Material Connection:
Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

All's fair in love and politics: Thoughts on The Politician

Courtesy of Entertainment Weekly

My family* and I (minus our daughter, who is way too young) recently finished watching The Politician on Netflix. I had heard some mixed reviews for it and decided to try it anyway, since it was created by Ryan Murphy of Glee fame. I wasn't sure how much I'd like it, but as soon as I finished the first episode, I knew I wanted more. So much is conveyed in this short series of eight episodes. From what I've heard, there will be a second season and I'm already anticipating what will happen. Not only did each episode have a cliffhanger, but the finale set things up so that it would be impossible to end on that note altogether.

There is so much to love about this series. The cast works together so well. The casting of the characters is done so perfectly that I can't even imagine anyone else playing their roles. Some characters are so ridiculous that they are like caricatures. However, that makes them even more fun to watch. It's campy, given that most of the characters are wealthy and have these opulent homes and lifestyles. It's a nail biter throughout and I easily found myself getting worried for some of the characters. Anyway, check out the trailer and then see some of my (spoiler-free) reasons for why I love this show.

*Yes, we let our 11 year-old watch it, but he really enjoyed it and most of the racy humor went over his head. The rest he knows not to repeat.

Check out the trailer:


1. The music. There's a score that is constantly running through the series and it still gets into my head. It almost has the feel of a showdown. Also, Ben Platt sings a few times, so that's awesome too.

2. Infinity Jackson, played by Lea Thompson's daughter, Zoey Deutch. She lights up the screen every time she's on and she's so much fun to watch. Her child-like voice adds to her essence.

3. The way the characters play off each other and interact. Everyone is a backstabber in some way or another.

4. Guest actors, such as Dylan McDermott (who has not aged at all), January Jones (whom I didn't even recognize), Judith Light, Bette Midler, and Martina Navratilova.

5. Very imaginative and creative throughout.

6. It's humorous. All the quirkiness just makes it that much funnier. The humor is dark and outlandish, but it works so well for this show.

7. Marie's Crisis Café is featured in one of the episodes, even though the inside looks totally different.
 
8. It's just so well put together from beginning to end. I ended up liking characters I was supposed to hate.

9. River's dimple. That's all I need to say.

Courtesy of IMDb

If you have not watched The Politician yet, what are you waiting for? If you have, please feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.

It's called Pen-Fifteen, right?

Courtesy of Twitter

I had seen stuff about Pen15 online and while browsing through Hulu a while back. A friend had recommended it, as well. I finally got around to watching it. At first, I was like "what am I even watching?" My friend told me it would grow on me....and she was absolutely right! Pen15 is about two girls who are best friends and dealing with the ups and downs of middle school back in 2000. They are played by thirty-something actresses Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine, both who are really good at looking and acting young and awkward. (I saw them in another movie recently and they have proven their versatility.) The show took me back to a time I never want to re-live, and even brought out the feelings of anxiety I get even thinking about that time. The secondary characters were so genuine in their roles that the series almost felt like a documentary. I'm sad to have finished the ten short episodes so quickly. Thankfully, it has been renewed for another season, with 14 episodes this time! I just found out that it was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Writing For A Comedy Series. (However, Fleabag won which makes me think I should be checking that one out soon.)

Since my husband and son were teasing me about the title, I had been wondering where it originated from and thankfully Quartzy answered it for me: "The show's title is derived from the decade-specific prank in which a kid would convince someone to join the “Pen15 Club” (pronounced pen-fifteen); the only rule for joining is that one must allow the word “PEN15” (read: penis) to be written somewhere on the body. Kids were so clever."

This show reminds me of Welcome to the Dollhouse, a movie I was obsessed with in the late 90's. It also made me think of what Romy and Michele might have been like before they got to high school. Check out the trailer and then see my list of things I really liked from this show. Hopefully that will be enough to convince you to watch it too. (Fair warning, this is NOT a show for kids!)



Things I enjoyed about Pen15:
1. Maya's Ojichan's (grandpa) facial expression. I couldn't stop laughing!
2. The fact that Maya and her dad were faxing letters to each other when e-mail already existed.
3. The dial-up modem noise. Takes me back...
4. The Sylvanian dolls.
5. Sam. I wish someone like him had been around when I was in middle school.
6. The music. Such a fun mix of late 90's and early 2000's songs.
7. Anna's singing voice. I almost want her to sing "Nobody Knows" from that one scene in Spaceballs.
8. Brendan's cousin Richard.
9. Pu. You'll know when you see her.
10. Saving the best for last....the friendship between Maya and Anna. It reminds me somewhat of my friendship with my BFF, who was my sanity saver in middle school, even though we lived about 30 minutes apart. (We weren't as physically affectionate, but a lot of other aspects remind me of our friendship.)

If you have seen this show, tell me what you love most about it. If you haven't yet seen it, let me know when you've finally watched so we can discuss!

Book Review: The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell

Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” by his classmates; “G-d’s will” is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by his mother’s devout faith, his father’s practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends.

Sam believed it was G-d who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African American kid in his class, to be the friend he so desperately needed. And that it was G-d’s idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm into Our Lady of Mercy like a tornado, uprooting every rule Sam had been taught about boys and girls.

Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain anything was by design—especially not the tragedy that caused him to turn his back on his friends, his hometown, and the life he’d always known. Running from the pain, eyes closed, served little purpose. Now, as he looks back on his life, Sam embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes are wide open—bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)

It's been a while since I reviewed a book at my personal blog, but this time it is warranted. I need to start by saying that the cover and the synopsis of this novel were not what attracted me. In fact, if I didn't hear so many recommendations for it, I might never have picked it up based on just the surface factors. I decided to check out the audio version, since my print and Kindle queues are full for a while. I'm so glad I did, as it was a real treat to hear Robert Dugoni narrate his own story.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell is excellent throughout. I was engaged in the story the entire time. Dugoni has great use of character development and interactions, which kept the story flowing and held my interest. His voice went along well with his writing and almost made me feel like it was his own personal story. I didn't know where anything would go, but I liked where it ended up. There were some parts that may have felt cliched or predictable, but there was a journey to get to those plot points and I was satisfied once I had arrived. The premise is interesting and made me think of Wonder (reviewed here) in some ways. It's about accepting differences in others and in yourself. I even talked with my youngest child about the story and she said she would not be mean to someone if they looked different. (She even compared it to Wonder.) There's a lot of faith exploration and questioning, which is something I think about a lot, such as why bad things happen to good people and what Hashem's path is for everyone, as well as how things happen for a reason, even when they're not always the best of circumstances.

All great stories have their flaws, as well. In this novel, I found it strange how Dugoni wrote six and seven year-olds to sound like they were in middle school, and included a level of violence to go along with it. I can't imagine a young child being as violent as David Bateman was. Maybe an 11 to 13 year-old, but not much younger than that. Also, I felt that Sam focused way too much on his eye color and used it as a crutch, even when he had started covering up his eye color so it couldn't really be used that way. Clearly he had people who loved and cared about him and his eye color didn't matter to them. I can imagine it would be a frustrating circumstance, but of all the things that could make someone different, it seemed like small potatoes to me. In the grand scheme of things, neither of these issues were a deterrent to my enjoyment. While some parts of the story were harder to listen to than others, it still kept me wanting to know what would happen.

Overall, I loved this novel and have been recommending it to people, even when I was only halfway through. I had faith that Dugoni would keep the momentum going to the very end, and he definitely did that.

Movie casting suggestions:
Sam (30's and 40's): Lee Pace
Mickie (30's and 40's): Lake Bell
Ernie (30's and 40's): Chadwick Boseman
Madeline (30's and 40's): Marguerite Moreau
Sam (teens/college): Charlie Heaton
Mickie (teens/college): Bex Taylor-Klaus
Ernie (teens/college): Niles Fitch
Donna: Chanelle Peloso

More by Robert Dugoni:


Disclosure of Material Connection:
Some of the links in this post are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

A love letter to rom coms

Courtesy of Elle

Last week, after receiving some recommendations, I decided to check out Four Weddings and a Funeral on Hulu. I was hesitant at first, as it had been forever since I saw the movie and I wouldn't say it was one of my favorites. However, I had learned that Mindy Kaling created this series and decided to give it a try. After the first episode, I was immediately hooked and couldn't get enough. I watched the rest of the series within a week and am now going through withdrawal. If you haven't seen it yet, I am going to give a list of reasons why you need to drop everything and watch it right now (so I can re-watch it vicariously through you). 

Reasons you need to watch Four Weddings and a Funeral:
1. It's really funny. I laughed out loud many times. So loud my kids could hear me from their rooms, with their doors closed.
2. Nikesh Patel as Kash. Need I say more? (You'll know once you've seen him. Trust me.)
3. Some of the characters may start out as unlikable, but then they grow on you and manage to surprise you. And the ones that are likable become even more likable by the end of the season.
4. The nod to rom coms. Like the scene in Love, Actually with the posters. ("To me, you are perfect.")
5. The costume party in episode one. I want to have a party like that.
6. Appearances from 90's rom com actors like Andie MacDowell and Dermot Mulroney (who aged nicely, I must say).
7. Relevancy to current events, even though this takes place mostly in London.
8. There's a story arc involving gay characters. (Not that it's uncommon in this day and age, but still...)
9. Did I mention it takes place in London? Gorgeous scenery and I love British accents.
10. The couples are so wonderful. I couldn't wait for certain characters to kiss and when they did, it was so rewarding.
11. It managed to make me cry more than once. The funeral episode wrecked me and the finale got me all verklempt.
12. Nathalie Emmanuel's hair. I love her curls, especially when she lets them do their own thing.
13. Creative filmography. There are some scenes (especially in the final episode) that are fun to watch because of how they are set up.
14. The theme song. It's short, but catchy and perfect for this show. (The whole song is linked here, but the theme song part starts at 38 seconds and goes on for about 15-20 seconds after that.) All the music on the show is great and fits with the mood.
15. There are only 10 episodes, so it's easy to binge-watch and if you don't have Hulu and get a free one-month trial, you'll have plenty of time to fit them all in before the month is over.

A second season has not yet been confirmed, but I am hoping that it will be. I can't let these characters go! This is one of the best TV shows I've seen in a while and I can't stop thinking about it and recommending it. Give it a go. You won't be sorry!

Books That I'll [Probably] Never Read Tag

I saw this tag over at Book Coffee Happy, which is one of my favorite book blogs. I decided to give it a whirl. I'm not actually tagging anyone, but feel free to play along at your own blog, if you would like.

A really hyped book that you’re not interested in reading:
The Silent Patient. And Book Coffee Happy confirmed why!

A series you won’t start/won’t be finishing:
Twilight, Hunger Games, 50 Shades, Game of Thrones... (must I go on?)

A classic you’re not interested in:
Anything by Jane Austen. (I'll just watch modernized movie versions, such as Clueless or Bride and Prejudice.) One was assigned for book club and I could barely even make it through the first page!

A book on your shelf you’ll probably never actually read:
The Book Thief. It's been on my shelf forever and I'll probably just see the movie one of these days.

There are other books that are still on my shelf that I've just never gotten around to reading. Sometimes I add an older book into my five-book pile, but still haven't managed to touch these:

*The Goldfinch
*Shanghai Girls
*All the Light We Cannot See (I'm pretty sure this one is just buried somewhere in my basement collection)

What books will you (probably) never read?

#YouWillBeFound: My thoughts on Dear Evan Hansen

Courtesy of Wikipedia

After over two years of listening to the original Broadway cast recording of Dear Evan Hansen, I finally got to see it on stage during its DC leg of the national tour. My husband and son got to see it, as well. My husband had listened to the soundtrack every so often, but my son was obsessed and even more excited than I was to see this performance.

When we walked into the theater, we kept hearing pings for the text messages that were flashing on the stage. The set was a mixture of simple furniture and digital media. It reminded me of the set for The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, but even more modernized. Throughout the show, there were images showing some of the dialogue or what was written in various letters.

I knew the music pretty well, but I didn't know the context or setting for them, so it was neat to see how they fit into the story. It was also hard not to sing along. I have a new appreciation for "Words Fail," which seems slow on the soundtrack, but packs a punch during the show. I love how "Sincerely, Me" and "Good for You" were played out on stage. The only song I became emotional from was "You Will Be Found." They were showing the impact it had on random teenagers. Everyone had a really strong singing voice, which enhanced what I normally heard through my car stereo. 

The cast was small, but the actors were excellent. They worked well together in an ensemble. We saw Stephen Christopher Anthony as Evan. He was fantastic in the role and really made it his own. I had no idea what Evan's talking mannerism was like, but he did it really well. Starting later this month, he'll be playing Evan full-time on the national tour. Jessica Phillips played his mom, Heidi. She had a very powerful voice and great stage presence. I really liked Jared Goldsmith as Jared Kleinman. He was really funny. I know the role is meant to be funny anyway, but he just added a certain essence to it. Those were the three who really stood out to me, but everyone else gave great performances, whether it was through their singing, acting, or both. 

I went into the show expecting to cry the entire time. Spoiler alert: I barely cried. I got teary-eyed during the end of act one, but that was about it. I enjoyed the show and everything it stood for and I liked seeing how the story played out around the songs I knew so well. I went in knowing very little aside from the songs, in an attempt to not spoil the plot for myself. I just don't know if I personally connected with it the way I was hoping to. Maybe if I had been a teenager in this day and age? Or if it had been presented by Pixar? In any case, my son loved it and was totally moved by everything. I do appreciate the message that they were trying to put across, whether it's a way to prevent teen suicide or just a confidence and morale booster. It is important to know that everyone matters and deserves to be "seen." I'm glad I finally had a chance to see it and would definitely recommend it to others who haven't seen it yet. 

Just for fun...My son's Purim costume in 2018

Hakuna Matata!: My thoughts on The Lion King (live action)

Courtesy of Disney Movies

About five years ago, I shared a post declaring my love for The Lion King. I saw it in the theater more times than I can count and memorized a lot of the dialogue, as a result. Naturally, it was hard to watch the live action version without comparing and contrasting between the two. Instead of doing a normal review, I'm just going to share what worked and didn't work this time around. I am keeping it as spoiler free as possible, even though I assume most readers have seen the original at least once.

What worked:

*Keeping the original songs and score. While different people sang the songs, it was still nice that they weren't changed.

*The new song from Beyonce that played while adult Simba and Nala were running back home.

*Timon and Pumbaa. Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen did a great job in their roles and pretty much stole the show. The CGI versions were so cute! I also loved little Pumbaa during a flashback scene.

*All the CGI animals. They looked so real and baby Simba was, of course, adorable.

*John Oliver was perfect as Zazu. So funny too! I just wish they had done the part where he's singing "It's a Small World" to annoy Scar.

*Adding more of a purpose to Scar's cruelty. I felt like the backstory between Mufasa and Scar wasn't as prevalent in the original version.

*Rafiki's level of emotion. I think I got the most teary-eyed when he sadly wipes away the image of Simba on the tree and later when he excitedly updates the image.

*The visual effects. The scenery was perfect and I loved all the little butterflies flying around at one point.

*James Earl Jones coming back to do the voice of Mufasa. I wouldn't want it any other way!

*The quick, but fabulous, homage to Beauty and the Beast. (Even though I missed Timon doing the hula.)

What didn't work:

*The watered-down version of "Be Prepared". Scar basically talked through the lines and the hyenas yelled "be prepared!" That song is supposed to be chilling and it lost its essence this time around.

*Changing two of the hyenas' names. I didn't even know what they were and kept thinking that they were still Banzai and Ed.

*The lack of chemistry between Simba and Nala. I just didn't feel it. Like they were mad at each other, then they're suddenly frolicking together in waterfalls? It seemed like they rushed into "Can You Feel" too soon.

*Some of the funny lines being taken out. Like Timon telling Pumbaa "sit down before you hurt yourself." Also, Rafiki never said "Asante sana squash banana." And the hyenas did not say "Mufasa!" "Oooh, do it again." We were missing Ed's weird laugh (or whatever his name is now), as well.

*Scar's scar not being as pronounced. (I did like how mangy he looked though.)

Final thoughts:

While most of the movie was the same, it felt longer than the original. Maybe the fight scenes were dragged out a bit more? And while I went almost weekly to see the original in the theater, I can't say I'd do the same for this one. My daughter was scared of the hyenas and upset by the scene in the gorge, but afterward she told me she loved the movie.

I'd love to hear your thoughts if you've seen it.

Annual birthday book giveaway!

I love having birthdays, but I also enjoy giving other people gifts. I have a bunch of books to give away to TWO lucky readers! So, enter via the Rafflecopter below and two of you will get a box of random books. US only please, as I have to cover the shipping costs. (Sorry!)


a Rafflecopter giveaway


If the Rafflecopter doesn't work on the blog, go here.

Giveaway ends July 24th at midnight EST.

Thoughts on Stranger Things season 3-with SPOILERS

Courtesy of E! News

Instead of just sharing random observations and thoughts about season three, I'm going to share 10 things I loved and one thing I hated, to total up the magic number of 11. This was a shorter season, but more intense and scary than the previous two. It leaves things open for a fourth season, with a huge question at the end.....who is behind that door?

10 Things I loved:

1. Erica (Lucas' sister). She had some of the best lines and was so sassy. ("You can't spell America without Erica.") I love how Dustin was trying to prove that she was a nerd.

2. Dustin and Suzie singing "The Neverending Story" over a satellite connection.

3. Robin. She's a new character played by Maya Hawke, the daughter of Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke. She's so much fun to watch and manages to surprise me a lot.

4. Elle's clothing makeover to the tune of "Material Girl" and then her telling Mike "I dump your ass." I love how she and Max became close too.

5. The fact that most of the season takes place in a mall. It brings back fun 80's memories of stores long gone. It also makes me think of this.

6. That Mayor Kline is played by Cary Elwes, who was Wesley in The Princess Bride. It would have been even better if this took place in 1987 and there was a meta moment.

7. That because it is 1985, they get to see Back to the Future and talk about their first impressions. (Alex P. Keaton sleeping with his mom.)

8. Steve Harrington. That's all you need to know. :) Seriously, when he was beating up the Russian guy in the control room, I thought "Don't f-ck with the babysitter." He was just super cute this season in general.

9. When Mike confesses that he loves Elle when he doesn't think she can hear him. As much as I thought Mike was really awkward this season, it was such a sweet moment.

10. The dialogue between Hopper and Alexei involving slushy flavors. I love how riled up Hopper becomes. I also love how Joyce is more vocal and demanding this season.

One thing I hated: 
That Hopper is potentially dead. Some people are speculating that he's really the American behind the door, but I don't get how he could have survived that explosion. It was really sad at the end, hearing the speech he had written to share with Elle. I also was really shipping him with Joyce. They were supposed to go on a date!

I would love to hear your thoughts on season three. I miss this show already and hope it won't take too long to get to a fourth season. I can't wait another year and a half!

A Whole New World: My thoughts on Aladdin (live action)

Courtesy of RogerEbert.com

When Aladdin first came to theaters in 1992, I went to see it a few times. I loved it more and more each time I saw it.  I even choreographed a dance routine to "A Whole New World" during my junior year of high school. Over the years, I saw Aladdin many more times and eventually showed it to my kids. So I was excited to see the live action version when it arrived in theaters this weekend. There had been both good and bad reviews out there, so I didn't go in with high expectations. However, I ended up enjoying it a lot!

I didn't really know any of the actors other than Will Smith. I found out later that Alan Tudyk (King Candy, Hei Hei, Wash from Firefly, etc.) did the voice of Iago. I also didn't realize that Billy Magnussen was going to be in it, but his character seemed rather silly. Initially, I was skeptical about Will Smith playing the genie, but I felt he did a really good job in the role. He changed the rhythm of the songs a bit and it reminded me of when he was the Fresh Prince. He seemed to have fun playing such a monumental part, especially having to fill Robin Williams' shoes. He added his own style of humor and some sentimentality and it all just worked really well. I like that he was on screen more often as Aladdin's "sidekick" and he even had his own romantic side story. I like the way he was animated at certain points.

Aladdin was played by Mena Massoud, whom I instantly found attractive (he had a lot to measure up against since Aladdin was my first cartoon crush). He reminded me of Noah Centineo in the way he talked and smiled. I wouldn't say he had the best singing voice, but it held up fine.

Jasmine was played by Naomi Scott, whom I thought did a great job in this role. She was pretty, had a nice singing voice, and her character got more of a feminist angle than in the original. She performed a new song called "Speechless," which was written by Pasek and Paul (the duo behind Dear Evan Hansen and The Greatest Showman.) It was a good song, but I didn't think it needed to be broken into two parts. The first part should have been the main song and the second part should have been a shorter reprise. Or they should have just kept it as one song toward the end. There's one line she says to Hakim closer to the end that I felt could apply to a current situation. That's all I'll say for now though....

Marwan Kenzari played Jafar. He didn't have the same commanding presence as his animated predecessor, but he was still evil and sinister in his own ways. I hope that when they do a live action version of The Little Mermaid, they give Ursula more personality than they gave Jafar. The one letdown was Iago. They should have kept Gilbert Gottfried in the role with his classic lines. This new Iago was just a typical parrot.

Abu was super cute. I was surprised they didn't keep him as an elephant after Prince Ali, but maybe it didn't work well on that set. I like him better as a monkey anyway, and that worked better for him in some parts.

I liked the special effects a lot, especially the flying carpet during A Whole New World. The scenery and costumes were great too. They added new elements I liked that weren't in the original version, but also took some things out, such as all the Disney Easter eggs and some good lines (such as "Jafar, Jafar, he's our man. If he can't do it, GREAT!") Some parts felt a bit chaotic with too many people in one scene. I found myself laughing a lot, but I didn't cry. I felt some warm fuzzies at the end, but that was about it. I like that the lead characters actually did their own singing, unlike in the original when Brad Kane and Lea Salonga took over....not that I minded their voices). My husband mentioned several times that some parts felt sped up, like the dance scenes, and that didn't work for him. I didn't feel too strongly about it either way, as the movie was already longer than the original. I was just annoyed that we waited until after the credits to see if they'd do something else (like when the genie lifted the credits screen), but there was nothing.

Overall, it was an enjoyable two hours of music, magic, and entertainment. My husband wasn't as into it as I was, but my kids really liked it. I can't wait to see what the live action version of The Lion King will be like.

The Reader Problems Tag

Jenny at Book Coffee Happy did this Reader Problems Tag. While she didn't tag me, I still thought it would be fun to do and I will be tagging some other bloggers at the end. I'm doing it at my personal blog since it's just my thoughts and opinions.

You have 20,000 books on your TBR. How do you decide what to read next?

I have a five-book pile in my room. After I take one off the top, I add one to the bottom. With my Kindle, I usually have an idea of what I want to read, but sometimes I'll pick a title at random from a bag I put together with all the titles in it.

Current five-book pile

You’re halfway through a book and you’re just not loving it. Do you put it down or are you committed?

If I can't get into it by at least page 60, I'm done.

The end of the year is coming and you’re behind on your reading challenge. Do you try to catch up? And if so, how?

I try my best. I've read more than my challenge shows at this point because I'm so behind on reviewing!

The covers of a series you love do not match, how do you cope?

I don't really care.

Everyone and their mother loves a book that you do not. Who do you bond with over your shared feelings?

I usually find friends who have the same taste in books as I do. There are so many diverse opinions out there.

You’re reading a book in public and you’re about to start crying. How do you deal?

I usually hide my face behind the book.

The sequel to a book you loved just came out but you’ve forgotten a lot of what happens. Are you going to reread it?

No. I can only hope for a recap at the beginning.

You do not want anyone to borrow your books, how do you politely say no when someone asks?

Hahahaha. I always want people to borrow (and sometimes keep) my books.

You have picked up and put down five books in the last month. How do you get over this reading slump?

I haven't really had this problem other than with some books from book club. I guess I'm a rare breed.

There are so many books coming out that you are dying to read. How many do you end up buying?

I usually get them from the library or through publishers for my blog. I read up to three at a time in different formats.

After you purchase all of these books that you’re dying to read, how long do they sit on your shelf before you read them?

The overflowing bookshelves are my biggest problem. I give books away and more take their place. I still have so many I need to read and haven't gotten around to doing so yet. I've been trying to include some older books in my five-book pile, however. (Like ones I haven't gotten around to from previous years.)

I now tag The BookSage, Airing My Laundry, and Janine's Cool Cats and Reviews! Hope you'll play along, but anyone can even if they weren't tagged.

Decades of Laughter: The Goldbergs (Season 6) and Schooled (Season 1)

The Goldbergs

Courtesy of Amazon

I've been a fan of The Goldbergs ever since I started watching season one (and then had to binge watch to catch up to the latest season). My son and I even went as Beverly and Adam for Purim this past spring! So I am keeping up my tradition of mentioning my top 10 favorite episodes of the season. I already am excited for season SEVEN! I hope they'll feature Can't Buy Me Love, Adventures in Babysitting, and maybe some other lesser-known classics like Moving Violations.

Me and my shmoopie

After you check out my favorites for this season, keep reading for my thoughts on Schooled, the spin-off series.

Episode 3: Rad!
Erica's dreams come true when she lands a job at the new karaoke bar in town; Erica turns to Beverly for help bringing in more customers; Murray tries to teach Barry and Lainey how to be financially responsible adults.
Two words: Rick Springfield

Episode 6: Fiddler
Murray becomes an overzealous stage parent when he learns Adam has no interest in the school production of Fiddler on the Roof. Meanwhile, Beverly can't seem to keep from interfering with Erica's latest career plan.

Episode 7: Bohemian Rap City
Adam's obsession with toys and the Nickelodeon Super Toy Run contest is cause for concern for Beverly and Murray. Erica has a falling out with Lainey over who gets to sing Bohemian Rhapsody on their audition tape for Star Search.



Episode 11: The Wedding Singer
Beverly is in her element as she prepares for Barry and Lainey's wedding; Geoff worries about Adam's shortcomings as a wedding videographer; Barry begins to have second thoughts.
I love how they incorporated clips from The Wedding Singer.

Episode 15: My Valentine Boy
With Geoff's help, Erica and Valley Erica find a new band member to replace Lainey; Barry convinces Geoff the new band member is trying to steal Erica from him; Adam and Murray each plot to get out of going to Valentine's Day dinner with Beverly.
I learned after watching it that Evan Dando from The Lemonheads was the guy in their band. 

Episode 16: There Can Be Only One Highlander Club
Despite Beverly wanting the two boys to bond, Adam and Johnny Atkins compete for the head of the Highlander Club at school; Barry tries to ensure that the JTP doesn't fall out of touch after high school.

Episode 17: Our Perfect Strangers
Erica, Barry and Adam are not happy when their distant relative Gleb visits from Russia, until they realize he can make their lives easier; Beverly starts working on her cookbook, which causes tension with the Frentas.

Episode 19: Eight-bit Goldbergs
Adam is thrilled when he has to design his own video game for school; Beverly is worried about Pops' gambling and ropes Bill Lewis into her latest scheme.

Episode 22: Mom Trumps Willow
After Adam decides to see "Willow" instead of spending Mother's Day with Beverly, he must find a way to get back into her good graces; Barry is tired of his status as middle child and fights Erica for his right to the college of his choice.
I now tease my kids by saying "I'm done" if they're rude to me. 

Episode 23: Breakin'
Adam unintentionally lets it slip that Barry never completed his community service requirement; Erica makes plans for her and Geoff to follow the Grateful Dead all summer; the JTP graduates from high school.
I love how they used the end of this episode to lead into the season finale of Schooled.

Schooled

Courtesy of Amazon

Schooled originally started out as this one episode about William Penn Academy in the 90's, with just Mr. Glascott (now the principal) and Coach Mellor being featured. They focused on Glascott's sister and his nieces. I believe Beverly had a cameo. It was cute enough, but was too concerned about teachers making a difference. The only part I really liked was Felicia's sister singing a Backstreet Boys song and everyone joining in.

Then they revamped it as a new series, starring A.J. Michalka reprising her role as Lainey Lewis. And it totally worked! I can't even choose a favorite episode because it wasn't on for a full season and ALL of them were really good. It was a fun look at 90's nostalgia with some appearances by characters from The Goldbergs. It got me to actually like Brett Dier (I'm not a fan of Michael from Jane the Virgin, but seeing him as C.B. changed that for me a bit. I like him better as C.B. though, and definitely without facial hair.) I like how they interview teachers and former students at the end of each episode. I am hoping that they can tone down the sappiness a bit going forward. The show doesn't have to be sappy to get the message across. We know all teachers are there to make a difference, so it doesn't need to be said all that much. Having said that, I'm excited that it will be back for a second season and I hope they can keep the momentum going.

A few things I really liked:
*The "Romy and Michele" episode. There were a lot of characters from The Goldbergs on that one.
*The JTP coming back together.
*The way Coach Mellor took over as the mathletes coach
*RENT!!! (Even though they wouldn't have rights to perform RENT back then, it was fun to watch them try.)
*Johnny Atkins as the janitor
*Glascott trying to hack e-mails
*One of the kids singing an Alanis Morissette song in a talent show
*Beverly trying to help out with an overbearing parent
*The theme song and the way they use the yearbook to go along with it.

Check out the trailer for Schooled:

Meet Rebecca: Thoughts on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Season 4, with spoilers

Courtesy of Amazon

I have been a fan of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend since the very first episode. While I'm sad that it will no longer be around, I'm also glad I was prepared for the finality well in advance. Rachel Bloom is destined for even more greatness and I am excited to see what she'll do next. What I loved about this show was the homage paid to musical theater, the honest and sensitive addressing of mental illness, the Jewish references, the secondary characters, the quirkiness and humor, and the meta moments, amongst other things. It was just such a great series and I hope you will give it a chance if you haven't seen it yet. It's available on Netflix and worth binge watching. However, if you're new to this series (or haven't watched this season yet), don't read any further for now, as there will be some spoilers ahead. (This post will still be here when you're done with the entire series.)

See my previous reviews of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend:
Season one
Season two
Season three

Some thoughts on season four before I share my top 10 favorite songs....

*I loved the theme song. It had a catchy sitcom tune to it and some funny lines delivered by the wrong Rebecca. (Spoiler, this will be on my favorite songs list.)

*While Skylar Astin is attractive and a good actor and singer, I did not think he should have played Greg 2.0. I would have been fine with him being a new love interest for Rebecca instead. I know she had unfinished business with Greg, but such is life. I just never felt the same connection to his character as I did when Santino Fontana was Greg. The new version of Greg just made me miss Santino so much more. I tried. I really, really, REALLY tried. But it never stuck!

*I love that some secondary characters were given more of a story line this season. One of my favorite episodes is when Nathaniel dreams about being in a rom com. Maya has a big role in this episode too, and it made me ship them. I also liked that more secondary characters got their own songs.

*I don't necessarily agree with Rebecca trying to possibly start things up again with Josh. They're much better as friends and roommates.

*While I was a bit lukewarm on the finale (there should have been more songs), I like where they ultimately took the story. It was so meta!

*I guess I was surprised that Rebecca can't sing, even though she sounds great in her head. It makes me think of myself in some ways. (I sound good to myself when I'm randomly singing stuff, but if I listen to a recording of my singing, I cringe and wonder if other people think I sound that bad.)

*One of my other favorite episodes is about Rebecca not taking care of herself mentally and Paula not taking care of herself physically. It leads to a scary diagnosis for Paula, but thankfully it is resolved. I even was given signs to look out for, so that's a plus!

*I like that Darryl has a new significant other and how their daughters "Parent Trapped" them initially.

*I like the addition of AJ this season. I originally saw the actor in Love, Simon.

*One of the funniest things was when Rebecca was looking for Audra and some girls were complaining about a woman yelling "Sheket Bevakasha". Rebecca knew it was Audra right away, but who even yells that at people unless they're a Hebrew school teacher? I'm Jewish and I don't even say that to my kids.

*I just really want a soft pretzel right now. Perhaps Rebetzel's needs to be a real thing!

Now for my favorite songs of season four:
1. "Meet Rebecca!" (The theme song I was mentioning earlier.)
2. "Don't Be a Lawyer" (Funny song in the style of Bobby Brown's "Every Little Step." I also like that Jim got his own song.)
3. "Our Twisted Fate" (Very clever, with animation and a Simon and Garfunkel feel.)
4. "I Want To Be a Child Star" (I saw Luca Padovan on YOU this past year and had no idea at the time that he could sing so well. Apparently I missed the memo about him being on Broadway. This kid is going places and I hope he will be on more shows that can portray his talent in this way.)
5. "The Group Mind Has Decided You're in Love" (A quirky Oklahoma number about shipping people.)
6. "What U Missed While U Were Popular" (George makes a good point and also makes it cool to be a nerd.)
7. "Gratuitous Karaoke Moment" (From the rom com episode featuring Nathaniel and Maya. Cute song that would totally fit into a rom com.)
8. "Love's Not a Game" (Fun Guys and Dolls song. It was nice to see WhiJo take the lead on a song.)
9. "There's No Bathroom" (I know this is super short, but it's a parody of one of my favorite season one songs, sung by Weird Al! The best is at the end when he says "Don't poop in my balloon" and he has this funny expression on his face.)
10. "Anti-Depressants Are So Not a Big Deal" (Reminiscent of La La Land and even featured the actress from the beginning of the movie. Discusses the stigma around antidepressants.)

Thanks again to Rachel Bloom for such an awesome and unforgettable series that I'll still be thinking about for years to come!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on season four! 

A-Z book tag

Jenny over at Book Coffee Happy did this fun challenge and I decided to take it on as well! I'm doing this at my personal blog since I talk about more than just chick lit here. Anyway, you should also visit Jenny's blog. I always enjoy her posts about life and her thoughts on books.

Author you’ve read the most books from:
Sophie Kinsella. I've read all her books and she has a lot.

Best Sequel Ever:
Everything We Left Behind by Kerry Lonsdale. You need to read Everything We Keep in order for it to make sense.

Currently Reading:
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner (reading an ARC and it's so good)
I'm Fine and Neither Are You by Camille Pagan
Before and Again by Barbara Delinsky (audio)

Drink of Choice While Reading:
Hot tea, preferably vanilla or mint

E-reader or Physical Book?
Both! I never thought I'd be a Kindle person, but now I love my Kindle.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Actually Dated In High School:
Logan from Babysitter's Club series (they all eventually go to HS, right?)

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (review)

Hidden Gem Book:
Room for Love by Andrea Meyer. It was a sweet romantic comedy that I read about 10 years ago and still recommend.

Important Moment in your Reading Life:
Starting a book blog and knowing that people were buying books because I recommended them.

Just Finished:
The Pros of Cons by Alison Cherry, Lindsay Ribar, and Michelle Schusterman. A fun YA novel that I even got teary eyed from.
My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren (review)

Kinds of Books You Won’t Read:
Stealing this from Jenny because I totally agree: Anything with a topic that truly doesn't interest me. There are too many wonderful books out there...why waste time reading one that I don't find interesting?

Longest Book You’ve Read:
I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb was 900 pages and I breezed through it. Can't wait to see the TV series!

Major book hangover because of:
Too many books to name! I know I had one from Me Before You.

Number of Bookcases You Own:
One in the living room along with two big ones in the basement, but one of those only has half the books that the other does.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:
I used to re-read V.C. Andrews books in high school. I have no time to re-read anything now.

Preferred Place To Read:
On the living room couch. It's old and worn out but so cozy!

Quote that inspires you/gives you all the feels from a book you’ve read:
I don't memorize quotes from books.

Reading Regret:
See this list

Series You Started And Need To Finish (all books are out in series):
I don't read series all that often, aside from Shopaholic books. Some books are in a trilogy, but I've read them all. I do need to finish Tracy Krimmer's All That trilogy.

Three of your All-Time Favorite Books:
She's Come Undone by Wally Lamb, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, and The Life Intended by Kristin Harmel. (Narrowing down my favorites was soooooooooooooooo hard!)

Unapologetic Fangirl For:
Sophie Kinsella. Notice a trend here? I freaked out when she followed me on twitter.

Very Excited For This Release More Than All The Others:
There are way too many books coming out that I'm excited about. I know that Erin Morgenstern wrote another one and I'm eagerly awaiting that. Also anything new that Jodi Picoult has in the works.

Worst Bookish Habit:
Taking forever to put up reviews.

X Marks The Spot: Start at the top left of your shelf and pick the 27th book:
My bookshelf is a mess, but Lacy Eye by Jessica Treadway. I have not read it yet but a friend recommended it a while ago.

Your latest book purchase:
E-book of Looker by Laura Sims when it was on sale earlier this month.

There's no Z?!? Shouldn't this be A-Y? How about this:
A book I'd like to read that starts with Z:
Zac and Mia by A.J. Betts or Zoya by Danielle Steel

Eight is NOT enough: Thoughts on Russian Doll

Photo courtesy of womentainment.com

A while back, my husband sent me a trailer for a new Netflix series called Russian Doll. It had a similar premise to Groundhog Day, at first glance. Then I heard around social media that it was quite different from that 90's classic rom-com. For one thing, Russian Doll is not a romantic comedy. It's not necessarily a thriller either (like Happy Death Day 2U). It's more surreal than anything else, but it's also a powerful and complex series that I really hope will continue into another season.

It's hard to find a decent synopsis that doesn't give a multitude of spoilers. I found this on IMDb:
On Nadia's 36th birthday she is struck by a car and killed, only to finds herself alive and well, back at her own birthday party earlier that night. When she dies again and her timeline resets, Nadia begins to question her own sanity as she strives to unravel the mystery of why and how this is all happening.

Here are eight reasons you should watch (since there are only eight episodes):
1. It stars Natasha Lyonne. She first comes off as similar to Nicky on Orange is the New Black, but she has more layers and the red curls just top it all off.
2. There's another actress from Orange on this show, Dascha Polanco, who plays a complete contrast to her role as Daya on that show. I was hoping for a meta moment, but it never materialized.
3. The song that keeps playing is rather catchy. My husband and I thought it had a Ben Folds feel to it.
4. A teen actor from the 90's, Brendan Sexton III., is on this show, but totally unrecognizable. See if you can figure out who he is without consulting IMDb. (He was in Empire Records and Welcome to the Dollhouse back in the day.)
5. Chloe Sevigny plays Nadia's mom in flashback scenes. She kind of looks like Sarah Jessica Parker in this role.
6. The visuals are interesting to watch. At first the blue tinted shape on the bathroom door is strange, but then it just grows on you. It's a similar color to the fish tank in Alan's house.
7. It just messes with your mind a lot and there are so many questions and answers to ponder. Another reason I am hoping for more seasons.
8. Something about the bond between Nadia and Alan (Charlie Barnett) just does me in. I nearly cried toward the end of the final episode. I'm shipping them hard and am not ready to let go of either yet. They're both so beautifully broken and strange circumstances brought them together.

Fair warning, some parts are a bit gross. Especially in episode seven. The funny and emotional moments balance those parts out though.

I will NOT be posting any spoilers since I still can't wrap my head around everything, but you're welcome to share your own thoughts in the comments section. (For those of you who haven't seen it, don't read the comments if you are planning on watching at some point.)

Want another reason to watch? Check out the trailer!

Thoughts on A Million Little Things (with spoilers at the end)

Photo from abc.go.com

Last fall, I kept promising myself I wouldn't watch any new shows. Then my friend told me I should be watching A Million Little Things. She explained the premise and I was curious enough to check out the first episode. Then I kept watching until I was caught up and could just check in on a weekly basis. It's marketed for fans of This is Us and it has all the feels like that show does. The cast, aside from Ron Livingston, was a bunch of unknown or vaguely familiar actors, as far as I was concerned. Fast forward a few months and I got a thrill from one of them replying to my tweet recently.

The premise from Wikipedia doesn't tell much, as to avoid spoilers:
Set in Boston, a tight-knit circle of friends is shocked after a member of the group dies from suicide unexpectedly. Each friend realizes that they need to finally start living life as they cope with their loss. The title is a reference to the saying "Friendship isn't a big thing – it's a million little things."

My take (no spoilers):
The series started out with Rome (Romany Malco) standing in his kitchen trying to kill himself with a combination of pills. Then he gets a call that his friend Jon actually killed himself and spits them into the sink. However, he doesn't get rid of his note, which causes problems later on. We learn about Jon through the eyes of his widow, children, friends, and people who are keeping his secrets. Ron Livingston plays Jon and we see him during flashback scenes. Jon's friend Gary (James Roday), who is in remission from breast cancer (yes, men can get it too), meets Maggie (Allison Miller, who looks like a cross between Drew Barrymore and Katharine Heigl) at a cancer support group meeting. He then brings her to Jon's funeral where she instantly becomes friends with Delilah (Jon's widow, played by Stéphanie Szostak) and Regina (Rome's wife, played by Christina Moses). Jon's friend Eddie (David Giuntoli) is having problems connecting with his workaholic wife Katherine (Grace Park), which leads him to seek affection elsewhere.

The initial thing that brought all four men together is that they were trapped in an elevator and started bonding. Jon made a promise to look after all of them and asked them to do the same for him. (At least that's what I remember.) There are other complications on the show, such as Jon's assistant Ashley (Christina Ochoa) keeping secrets for him, Maggie refusing to get chemo for her breast cancer, Eddie and Katherine separating, Delilah and Regina trying to open a restaurant, Rome struggling with depression, etc. I don't want to say any more as to not spoil it. There are some joyful moments as well as some heartbreaking ones. All in all, it's worth a binge-watch, if you haven't seen it yet.

Check out the trailer:

Spoilers below...







Not too late to turn back...








Last chance!


I wanted to share some thoughts with other fans, as well as say who my top five favorite characters are.

Favorite characters:
1. Katherine--At first I didn't know what to expect from her. She seemed quiet and closed off. Then when she started showing more emotion, she really stood out and I started to like her the most. She even helps Delilah, after everything that happened with the affair. I really hope she and Eddie can work things out, as I like them together the more I see glimpses from the past.
2. Regina--She's a very powerful and emotionally charged character and I enjoyed seeing her succeed with the restaurant.
3. Gary--He's another one who grew on me after a while. At first I was annoyed at him for pressuring Maggie into getting chemo, but there are so many things about him to love. Especially how he treats kids and dogs. And, of course, how devoted he is to Maggie.
4. Danny--It's nice to see a pre-teen boy trying to figure things out for himself in regards to being gay. He just seems like a sweet kid.
5. Maggie--She is complex and has a lot of layers, but she's just instantly likable. I love when she was teaching Sophie how to drive. I just find it annoying that everyone treats her like a therapist because that's her job. It's like they take advantage of her friendship to resolve their emotional issues.

I wouldn't say I hate anyone on the show, aside from Regina's uncle, but there are some characters I take issue with. Eddie and Delilah for not only having an affair but also being dishonest about who the baby's father is. Eddie is attractive, so it's hard to stay mad at him. I was also annoyed that even though he was the one who strayed from his marriage, he was also the one saying that he and Katherine should get divorced. And now that things are good between them, he wants to start telling the truth about fathering Delilah's baby. If he had been up front to begin with, it's something they also could have worked on. Now that Delilah is about to have the baby, this is going to ruin things with Katherine all over again. Also, I thought it was impulsive and a bit selfish of him to go off touring with his band. He's a father with responsibilities!

Delilah also annoys me with how she acts all helpless one moment and then all strong and independent the next. She comes off as "cutesy" in a way that's hard to explain.

Then there's Ashley, who has been shifty and secretive while also trying to help Jon's family. The letter Jon wrote was nothing that needed to be hidden for so long.

Everyone else is in a neutral, but good place for me, i.e. Rome, Theo, Sophie, and Jon.

The final episode of the season revealed some interesting information, such as Jon's connection with Barbara Morgan and the revelation that P.J. (Rome's new friend, if we call him that....there's more of a father figure thing going on) is Barbara's son, whom she was most likely pregnant with before she met Mitch. Also that Regina is adamant about not wanting kids, which I hope won't cause a rift between her and Rome.

What are your thoughts? What do you think is in store for season two?