Friday, July 31, 2015

Friday Five and a Giveaway (21)


Happy Friday! Sometimes I like to talk about what I am currently into that is not necessarily book related. Here's what I have been up to/thinking about/enjoying lately. Let me know what you think! 



1.  Back to School/Halloween Stuff - Guys, I know down South and maybe on the West Coast they start school much earlier than here in the Northeast, but it's still summer for us. Poor students and teachers still have almost a month of freedom. But no, come every July stores start pushing "Back to School."  Target is the worst with this, too. And don't get me started on the TV commercials. Anyone else have issues with this as well? It's like we can't possibly live in the present or at least agree to wait till August?



Source
2.  Indian Summers on PBS - I have had my eye on this show ever since Leanna from Daisy Chain Book Reviews told me about it since it played over in the UK first. It will premiere here in the US in late September.  I hope it doesn't disappoint. It's about British colonial rule in India. What do you guys think?




3.  Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - I bought this book weeks ago when it first came out, but I am terrified to read it. I originally thought that it was a sequel, but then I read some early reviews for it and people said it reads more like a first draft of To Kill a Mockingbird or even like an alternate reality where Atticus is prejudice.  WHAT?!?! Has anyone read it yet? Thoughts? Entertainment Weekly gave it a D, people!?




4. The Republic of Tea - I feel like a traitor to coffee for even admitting this, but I love a good cup of tea now and then. I know I am late to the game, but I absolutely love this brand of tea. My current favorites: Downton Abbey English Rose and Banana Chocolate.  Both are great over ice as well! 




5.  Thanks to Penguin, I am sharing with you guys a giveaway for a signed copy of What I Thought Was True and an ARC of The Boy Most Likely To by Huntley Fitzpatrick.  Both are great reads for the summertime! There will be five winners and the deadline is August 15th. Please refer to my giveaway rules. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy Friday,

16 comments:

  1. I am having a back to school clothing swap program at the library next week but I don't think that counts :) I had to get it in before our fair and school starts early here. I think that every year stores are putting out their Halloween decorations earlier and earlier. My local craft store had their fall decorations out this month. Before you know it Christmas stuff will start arriving in August! I don't like that money making trend. They need to quit rushing us! :)

    I was so excited when I saw the first preview of Indian Summers. I really hope they do it justice. I have a feeling it will focus more on the Anglo characters than the Indians though. It is my grandparents' generation but I think Sri Lanka had a different view of English rule than India. My grandfathers were pretty pro-British at least as far as emulating dress, behavior and modern ideas.

    I wish that there hadn't been so much confusion over Go Set a Watchman. It was not a sequel but the publisher should have made clear that it is basically an early version of the material that became To Kill a Mockingbird. In one review I read it was suggested that the changes in Atticus from Go Set a Watchman to the person he is in To Kill a Mockingbird could have come about by the changes in Harper Lee's own father. He initially supported segregation but later changed his mind. I have a copy of the book checked out and plan to try it anyway. A teacher I know refuses to read it.

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    1. Yes! I agree, Christina! No rushing! I saw pumpkins out at the store this past week....I love all things pumpkins, but let us enjoy the last few weeks of summer, you know? Good luck with your back to school clothing swap--great idea!

      I hope they focus on more of the Indian characters as well. I find it all very fascinating. I think it's cool you can relate it to your grandparents....I hope this show doesn't disappoint!

      I really am scared to read it as well and if I had known what I know now about it, I probably wouldn't read it. But since it's Harper Lee, I will try to have an open mind....but I feel like it may tarnish my feelings about TKAM. Hopefully I will get around to it soon. But you are right....there was so much confusion surrounding it...they could have marketed it better, but maybe they were afraid people would react negatively? Thanks for visiting, Christina! Have a great weekend!

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  2. It's funny how I reread TKaM in preparation for GSaW, and yet I've not read Watchman as of this writing. Admittedly, I'm terrified too.:/

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    1. I know! I am totally pushing it off....hopefully I can get to it this fall. Thanks for visiting, Joy!

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  3. Like Christina said, I've heard Watchman was written before Mockingbird, and Mockingbird was meant to be the redemption of the man Atticus is in Watchman, so it definitely would have made more sense for it to be released first. Now it's nearly impossible to see a beloved character be anything other than what he's been to us for years!

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    1. I KNOW! I am scared, Jenny. I wish I figured out the deal with Watchman before I bought it...I honestly thought it was a sequel! Have a great weekend, Jenny, and thanks for visiting!

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  4. Okay, so, my friend Sarah at Sarah's Book Shelves said that you'll really have to read Go Set A Watchman as if it is a completely separate book from TKAM; otherwise, you will likely not enjoy it too much. You're further along than I am; I haven't even bought a copy yet - ha! I'm too scared I won't like it! The kids start school here on August 17, so I can kind of understand the back to school frenzy in our area; however, it is DEFINITELY too early for Halloween stuff! C'mon, folks! Please! I'm with you, Christina; give us a break. :) I hope you have a great weekend!!

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    1. Good to know, Tara! I will have to keep that in mind, but I am so nervous about reading it. Wow- August 17th?! That's early for sure. Some districts here don't start till September! I agree...Halloween?!?! Too soon! Thanks for visiting, Tara, and have a great weekend!

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  5. Go Set a Watchman is on my list too. I was nervous to read it too but I watched some interviews on it and I'm going to give it a go anyway. I was surprise to see all the school stuff out too (and so soon) and I read a halloween post today. I'm going to enjoy the now as much as possible!
    trish - tales from trish

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    1. I think I will give it a try as well, Trish, but I just need to find time....I hope I am not too disappointed. Halloween?!?! It's too soon....YES! Me too! Thanks for visiting, Trish!

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  6. Lol i know what you mean about school stuff. We do start mid-August here so actually there's been school stuff at Target since early June. Ooh yes, Republic of Tea is so good. Used to be my go-to tea before my daughter started working at Teavana lol. Now thats all the tea we drink. Love the Downton canisters tho! Need to collect those!

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    1. WOW! Mid August? That's so soon! Tavana is also so very good...that's awesome your daughter works there. Very cool! I am loving the Downton teas as well...so fun! Thanks for visiting, Becky! Have a great weekend!

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  7. I'm in NC and while my daughter (in a traditional school) doesn't start back until the end of August, we have loads of year round schools. No matter what track you are on, all students switch to the next grade after July 4th week. That definitely explains the back to school stuff in my area.

    I have purchased Go Set a Watchman but am not in any hurry to get to it.

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    1. Wow! Year round schools? They aren't too popular where I live in PA, but I can see the appeal. I am in total denial that summer is almost over! I feel the same way about Watchman...i'll get to it sooner than later! Thanks for visiting!

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  8. With all the hype, I am not interested in reading the Watchman. Loved Mockingbird and the characters portrayed in that time period and want to keep it at that. Got me curious to try Banana Chocolate tea. I know I would like the Downton Abbey tea if I got it - just because ;-) Looking forward to Indian Summers too!

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  9. OMG I had that Downton Abbey English Rose and it was amazing.

    I sooo need to look up this show.

    OMG SO with you on Halloween stuff. Helllo! Too soon. Holiday pushers.

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I really appreciate your comments. Thank you!

 
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