Female Leads in Superhero movies (VIDEO)

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BOOK REVIEW: The Night Gwen Stacy Died

If you know the name Gwen Stacy then you are at least vaguely familiar with the Marvel comic superhero Spiderman.

In the comics Gwen was the first and true love of Peter Parker. Her death was one of the most heart-wrenching moments I have ever read in a comic book (issue #121-122 of The Amazing Spiderman). And the trade Spiderman Blue has been one of my favorite comic books ever.

So when I picked up this novel by Sarah Bruni I was thrilled and excited for a novel interpretation of this amazing comic story. However, The Night Gwen Stacy Died was not at all what I had expected. The novel itself is well written however I had a lot of issues with the storyline.

We are introduced to a young girl-- Sheila Gower-- who is just about to graduate high school and is desperate to get far far away from her small hometown, specifically to Paris. She is a loner on purpose it would seem, and works at the local gas station. She becomes intrigued by a patron of the gas station whose ID states his name is Peter Parker.

The story continues as the two flee together after quickly staging a robbery and stay hidden within the city of Chicago under the false identities Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy. They cut themselves off from anyone they previously knew and fall into this alternate version of their own lives. But for those of us who know the story line... we know it is only a matter of time for these star-crossed lovers to fall apart.

Here is what i loved: I love that the story incorporated elements of a story from a comic book and applied it to real human beings (or at least they are real within the context of the story). The writing style made it a quick and easy read and the story itself wasn't significantly heavy, meaning that its not something that is long and drawn out and super complex.

HOWEVER, I wasn't a huge fan of the story line. Even being a crazy and impulsive 17 year old I wouldn't just stage a robbery and take off with some much older guy who I barely know and then so quickly dive into being in a "relationship" with him. In particular, she seems more desperate to dive into the role of Gwen Stacy and give up these other dreams she was so adamant about pursuing in the beginning of the novel. And I really had issues with some of the actions she took because it just didn't seem within character of a 17 year old girl.

I felt like there was a lot of obsession over the night Gwen Stacy died and it was getting repetitive.
There also seemed to be an idea of supernatural powers developing for the Peter Parker in the story (like he might have spider senses) and yet, it never amount to anything and seemed out of place overall.

I'm not saying it wasn't an enjoyable read, but sadly it will not be making my "favorite list".

VOTE!: Entertainment Weekly's Best YA novel of all time

It's a loaded question.

What is the best young adult novel of all time?

But I love attempts at trying to narrow down the answer because one... it gives me more novels to put on my list that I may have missed or haven't even heard of. And two... It gives me a chance to put my opinion in there as well.

So if you are a fan of the young adult genre (let me mention included in this would be The Hobbit, Harry Potter series, Hunger Games and many many more) then get in there and vote for the 4th bracket.

Voting ends Sunday November 17th 1pm Eastern Standard Time.

Entertainment Weekly's Best of All Time YA Novels

LIBRARY LOVE AFFAIR: Bookworm in Beijing, China

This weeks bookstore of choice: Bookworm

Where is it?: Beijing, China

Address: The Bookworm has 5 locations in 3 cities including Beijing, Suzhou, and Chengdu.
The address for this particular bookstore is

Building 4, Nan Sulitun Road
Chaoyang District, Beijing
100027, P.R. China


What makes it special?: I really included this because one... I love the name and the cute logo. Two... I love smaller bookstores that have a comfy reading area. Three... I totally admit i'm a sucker for unique attributes like its lighting for the evenings.

Enjoy!

New Films: Ender's Game and The Book Thief

For those who aren't aware, or don't find the time in their schedule to read, I would recommend the films that have been made from the novels. While a movie can never quite get the book right, I still believe the story and the message is greatly conveyed. :)

Ender's Game Trailer

The Book Thief Trailer

BOOK REVIEW: The Book Thief

"I am haunted by humans"

Sometimes you read a book that really sticks with you once you've finished it. I pretty often fall in love with novels which is the reason I started this blog in the first place. To expose those who are interested to some of my favorites that I have found in this literary awakening of mine.

The Book Thief has definitely found a place amongst my favorites.

This story follows the life of a young girl, Liesel, who is sent to live with a foster family, Hans and Rosa Hubermann, in a small town in Germany. The time: the years preceeding and during World War II.

At a young age, she has already began to see the greatest tragedies in life, including losing ones she loves.

She bonds with Hans, her foster father, who attempts to help her transition into this new life. They bond over a desire to learn to read and write and in the late midnight hours of night, work to help each other.
The family, who is poor, is doing everything necessary to ensure their survival as quality of life becomes harder and more difficult as the war continues.

"She was the book thief without the words. Trust me though the words were on the way, and when they arrived, Liesel would hold them in her hands like clouds, and she would ring them out like rain"

And then they come to the center of it all when they assist a young man named Max, a jew, a possible victim of Hitler and his Nazi party.

As I really believe that everyone should read this novel I refuse to give away anymore to the plot.

The most interesting attribute of this story is the narration. The story is narrated from the perspective of Death. I enjoyed that it was not only from a 3rd party perspective, but a 3rd party that is able to see all. During this time, death was constantly consuming the world, especially within Europe. It seemed appropriate that it would be death that would explain Liesel's story.

What I found most intriguing was that death was so interested in this one little girl. He follows her through all these years as she faced hardship after hardship, and was so fascinated by her actions.

Some may wonder about the title and it is exactly as it sounds. The little girl is the book thief. She began innocuously stealing a book that was laying in the snow on her voyage to her foster parents. And in her obsession to learn to read and write she begins stealing books that she finds at random. In her world of tragic circumstances it is the words that she is able to not only fall in love with, but also rely on. And in this it makes sense. When she steals books that are considered banned by the Nazi army and burned, she is stealing back her freedom to know all and not be forced into the Nazi party propaganda. It is the words that allow her to have her own voice, her own choice, and to make her own decisions. Stealing these books allow her control over a life where she has had no control. She has watched those she loved be tormented and punished for a multitude of different reasons. And now she has been given the power of words and will use it to the best of her ability. In the end, it is what saves her.

It is everything that she has faced that has given her the strength and courage to use these words she was taught through the most precious articles she owned: her books.

"I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope that I have made them right"

BOOK REVIEW: Ender's Game

My latest read was Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I was referred to read it by a friend a few years ago and since it became an official film as of this past weekend it seemed about time to read it.

It is set in the future and follows the life of Ender Wiggin, a 6 year old boy who, it seems, has been predestined to be the world's savior. After prior attempts, the government in power during this time is convinced that Ender is the leader they have been looking for to help fight against an alien life form known as the buggers. Humans have joined together in their fight against these extra terrestrial invaders and now that they believe Ender is their answer, it is time to train him to be the best commander the world has ever seen.

"Ender Wiggin isn't a killer. He just wins-- thoroughly"

The entire novel is very militaristic. That is the entire point of the story. It is children who are sent to military school on a space vessel and are taught to fight and command an army. The best and brightest of these students end up leading their own armies and only the very best are likely to graduate and be sent to command school.

As it is already expected of Ender, he is pushed harder than any other student: emotionally, mentally, and physically.

This novel was definitely a page turner. It was exciting, thrilling, violent and captivating the entire time. And I love when you are unable to predict where the story will end up going. However, my issue with the story was who Ender became. He was seen as this world savior and put into the military school and then isolated from any kind of real or meaningful relationships. Even in the games that the students would play, he was only respected or beaten down but he never is able to develop a true friendship. Even when he refers to certain characters as them having a special kind of connection it still seems so artificial.

And I knew all of this was going to happen. In fact the novel makes it clear from the beginning that this is how he would end up; isolated from any deep and meaningful relationships. Yet it still bothered me so much. I just believe if you were molding someone to lead the world to peace by commanding an entire fleet of military personnel that there would be more than respect there to encourage trust between the commander and his men. I think there would need to be an emotional bond.

"Humans are free except when humanity needs them"

What broke my heart about the story entirely was that it seemed in order to save the world, Ender would be forced to strip all his humanity. It's as if he was the means to the end. If we want the world to survive as we know it, he must give up his life. (don't misinterpret my words as a spoiler because it's not what you think).

"I've lived too long with pain. I won't know who I am without it"

Perhaps it was the tragedy of it all that made the novel so enticing. Nevertheless, I'm excited to continue on to the next novels by Card. (Note to readers: This story goes off in different directions either following a character named Bean in Ender's Shadow, or follow Ender in Speaker For the Dead)

LIBRARY LOVE AFFAIR: Seattle Public Library

Library of the week: Seattle Central Library

Where can you find it: In downtown Seattle, Washington

Address please!: 1000 Fourth Avenue
                            Seattle, WA 98104

What makes it unique?  This uniquely built 11 story library was first opened in 2004. It has quickly become popular for its unique architecture structure that makes it more open and inviting rather than the stuffy and closed off feeling of most (although... I actually like the old historic buildings myself). One of its most unique attributes is its book spiral that shows all its fiction on a spiral that goes through 4 floors allowing those who are searching not to have to move to different levels of the building, rather the book will come to them.

Definitely a library worth visiting :)

What does reading fictional literature ACTUALLY do?

The question of the day: Why does literature need to be useful?

New Yorker- Should Literature Be Useful?

I read this really interesting article today on the New Yorker. In this article by Lee Siegel, he addresses two recent studies in which it was found that "reading serious literary fiction makes people more empathetic, and humanists everywhere are clinking glasses in celebration."

If you read the rest of the article, Siegel calls into question why these studies feel the need to prove that literary fiction has a purpose.

And I have to say I agree.

Why is it that we must have a purpose to everything we do? It seems like we are constantly feeling the need to justify everything we are doing by proving what the ends to our means are.

I've noticed that frequently the articles I read (yes more reading) in the news are constantly emphasizing the benefits of reading but they seem to concentrate on the fact that it increases your vocabulary, extends your critical thinking skills, and that it will help you go further in your career because it encourages active brain function and creativity.

But what we forget is that sometimes a book is just a book, and the best thing about it is just reading and escaping from our world for a bit. I don't feel the need to keep explaining that I love books because of all the benefits its going to give me and how its going to change and alter me personally. I just read because I want to. It doesn't need to serve a purpose. 

FAIRYTALES UNLOCKED: The Little Mermaid

One of the most interesting adaptations into film is The Little Mermaid (aka The Little Sea Lady) by Hans Christian Andersen.

The actual fairytale was first published in 1837 and while there are some similarities between it and the animated film later produced by Disney there are some key plot changes that alter the tone of the story entirely (and would definitely not work well as a kids animated movie).

In the original story, the daughters of the MerKing all swam to the surface when they were 15 and then when they were older spent a year living among humans. It was these tales that influenced the little mermaid and made her curious about humans and their lives.

Her grandmother explains to her about the different lifespans and while merpeople live much longer, once they past away they cease to exist. Unlike humans, according to her grandmother, who had a shorter life span but then when they passed their souls went to heaven and lived eternally.

When the little mermaid visits the surface she does in fact see a human who she falls in love with and rescues from a shipwreck, leaving him on the shore of a temple.

From this, the little mermaid desires to be human, to have a soul, and to be with the prince that she fell in love with. She does go to a sea witch who gives her a potion to give her legs. However, the change will be excruciatingly painful (feeling like she has been cut in half with a sword and is constantly walking on glass) and she will only gain a soul if she can find true love's kiss. Through all of this, she will remain a mute.

Though the prince does become infatuated with her when he meets her as a human he marries the girl from the temple that he met after he was rescued, believing that she rescued him and that she is his true love. Once they marry, the little mermaids heart breaks and she knows she will die. She is given an opportunity to become a mermaid again if she kills the prince and allows his blood to drop on her legs, but she doesn't kill him because she still loves him.

She instead throws herself into the sea and instead of ceasing to exist like her grandmother explained, she becomes a spirit of the air and learns she will also be able to join the kingdom of God by doing good deeds.


This version is far less the happy ending you would expect from a Disney movie however the story does touch upon some important differentiation between infatuation and finding true love. It isn't enough for the little mermaid to be beautiful and a wonderful dancer, but the prince finds love with a woman he believes deeply cared for him (though it was actually the mermaid that saved him). It has a unique way of being optimistic without actually giving the story a fairytale ending. The mermaid may not get the prince, but she does find that she does in fact have a spirit that will last after death.