BOOKS
My (not so) Perfect Life by Sophie Kinsella
We all know and love this Shopaholic author, and as her readers grow up, I found Kinsella took an interesting angle with her newest book: the main character is still a relatable twenty-something, but she has also included an important character who is "older" (read: my age) as well.
"Part love story, part workplace drama, this sharply observed novel is a witty critique of the false judgments we make in a social-media-obsessed world. New York Times bestselling author Sophie Kinsella has written her most timely novel yet."
"A powerful novel of friendship set in a traveling circus during World War II, The Orphan's Tale introduces two extraordinary women and their harrowing stories of sacrifice and survival.
Sixteen-year-old Noa has been cast out in disgrace after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier and being forced to give up her baby. She lives above a small rail station, which she cleans in order to earn her keep… When Noa discovers a boxcar containing dozens of Jewish infants bound for a concentration camp, she is reminded of the child that was taken from her. And in a moment that will change the course of her life, she snatches one of the babies and flees into the snowy night.
Noa finds refuge with a German circus, but she must learn the flying trapeze act so she can blend in undetected, spurning the resentment of the lead aerialist, Astrid. At first rivals, Noa and Astrid soon forge a powerful bond. But as the facade that protects them proves increasingly tenuous, Noa and Astrid must decide whether their friendship is enough to save one another—or if the secrets that burn between them will destroy everything."
Beauty and the Beast
Belle has always been my favorite Disney princess, and that did not change after seeing this movie. The girls and I absolutely loved it (the music especially - I'm still singing "Be Our Guest"!) I personally think preschoolers might be a bit young for the content: even if they've seen the animated version, live-action wolf attacks and gunshots are much scarier than their cartoon counterparts.
I thought I knew all about the Boston Marathon bombings but apparently I knew very little. This is an excellent, based-on-true-events movie that's definitely worth watching.
If you've heard anything about this Oscar-nominated film then you know it is depressing. I can't dispute that. But it has a beautiful story and the acting is certainly award-worthy.
