Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten TV Shows Based On Books

This week is a free topic week. So I am going to go with my favorite television shows that are based on books. Of course, we all know that the books are ALMOST always better then the movies or television shows. BUT, that doesn't mean that they are all terrible. Some of them are actually my favorites. So let's jump in!

If you would like to see all this weeks topics and lists, check them out here: http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2016/06/top-ten-favorite-summer-activities-that.html

I am going to go with five series that are still on the air, and five that are no longer in production, but still excellent!

On the Air Now:

5. The Vampire Diaries
I really loved this series when it started out. Honestly, I haven't seen in for a few seasons, but a lot of my friends love it. I love to re-watch the older seasons.

4. The Leftovers
 I honestly have never gotten to watch the second season. I loved the first season and love that it is unique and original.  I have to get the second series this summer.

3. Pretty Little Liars
I have never read the series, but I love the show. It is a great mix of soap opera, suspense, and mystery.

2. Outlander
Once again, I have never read this series, although I hope to one day. I love the show. It is very well done. This one is not for youngsters.

1. Game of Thrones
Once again another series I have not read. I love the show. It is show full of action and science fiction drama. Once again not for the children.


No Longer On the Air:

5. Roswell
Another soap opera-drama, filled with teen angst, but SO good!!

4. True Blood
It is filled with paranormal action, and Eric Northman, so how can you not love it!
again, not for kids

3. Friday Night Lights
Honestly, I have read this book. I liked the book, but I loved the series. This one is safe for the family!

2. Haven
Another series I have yet to finish. My whole family likes to watch it because it has the perfect mix of drama, suspense, magic, and mystery.

1. Little House on the Prairie
What can I say? I still love it! It is perfect for all ages and teaches morals, values, and life lessons. Plus it is just good old fashioned fun!

What do you think? Did I miss any of your favorites? Do you not like my choices? Leave me a comment and let me know! Thanks for stopping by!!!

Pre-Publication Review: All the Missing Girls by Megan Miranda

I was so excited to be approved to read this on NetGalley. This is my very first NetGalley book. I loved the cover and find fairs fun and fascinating. I had no idea that the story would be so unique.

The story is told in reverse, as if the main character Nic, is trying to put all the puzzle pieces together while she shares them with you. It can be a bit confusing at first, but once I got the hang of going backwards, it all came together for me.

This mystery is full of suspense, and twists, and turns. Just when you think you know who the bad guy is, BAM. there is a new, different, bad guy. You probably won't fall in love with any of the characters. They have all had it rough, and it shows. Their circle is small because they are the only ones who truly have it figured out, no one can understand them, but them!

The family dynamic makes the book special. How far would you go for the ones you love? What would you do for your sister? your girlfriend? your daughter? Personally,  I come from a very small town, and honestly I could see something like this happening. Secrets are well hidden in a small town.

I did not see any of the twists coming. I was on the edge of my seat at the end. The storyline moved quickly and was never boring. The most unique book I have read so far this year.

*Thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for allowing me to read an advance e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: Girl in the Blue Coat

Anyone who has seen my Goodreads list knows that I love books about history, and especially about The Holocaust. So, I was automatically drawn to this story. I had a few issues with the story itself. Hanneke was hard to like. I don't really know how to explain why. I realize that she is not Jewish and probably does not have a full grasp of what is going on around her. That really does not excuse the fact that she is not very emotionally invested in her job. She almost seems emotionless as these horrors go on around her. She reacts, but her reactions are not as realistic as I would expect from a teen who lost someone she loved.
I always love a mystery and a twist is normally welcome, but I didn't really enjoy the way the author threw all the twists in so close together. It made me ponder the believability of the whole novel. I was overwhelmed and didn't find all the twists realistic.
I did like the ending and thought things were wrapped up nicely.  All in all just okay. The fact that the story was a quick read helped immensely, as I am not sure I would have been able to finish a longer storyline.

Book Review: The City of Mirrors

I finally got to read The City of Mirrors by Justin Cronin, the final novel of The Passage trilogy.  I am unsure how to even begin the review. I have waited with breathless anticipation to see what will happen to Cronin's characters. I had wondered if he would do them justice. Cronin does a wonderful job wrapping things up. Amy's story is my favorite and her ending is a perfect fit for her storyline. Somehow Cronin even made me root for the bad guy, that never happens! Beautifully written and exquisitely tied together, I am at a loss for words! Just read it!!!

Top Ten Tuesday: My Ten Most Anticipated Releases For The Second Half of 2016

Top Ten Tuesday is the wonderful creation of The Broke and The Bookish. You can find all the other Top Ten Lists here: http://www.brokeandbookish.com/2016/06/daisys-ten-most-anticipated-releases.html


YA Reads

 5.  Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh      A witch, the evil sea, and a girl who is scared of water       September 6, 2016

 4. Unblemished by Sara Ella      Can a girl born with a birthmark covering half her face survive in the otherworld?     October 11, 2016

 3.  Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow        A cutter has lost so much. Can she come back from the edge?              September 6, 2016

 2.  Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco                Audrey leads a secret life full of forensic science and corpse investigations. This one also has period pictures and its presented by James Patterson.                   September 20, 2016      

 1.  The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee                   Manhattan 2118, anything is possible if you want it enough!          August 30. 2016

Adult Reads

5. All the Ugly and Wonderful Things by Bryn Greenwood          The daughter of a meth dealer struggles to raise her eight year old brother. She also falls in love with a tattooed ex-con.                    August 9, 2016

4. Truly Madly Guilty by Liane Moriarty                 Can the most innocent of moments do the greatest harm?  Who would have thought that a neighborhood barbecue could start so many problems?               July 26, 2016

3. Girl: My Childhood and the Second World War by Alona Frankel                      A young girl's story of living through a war and its aftermath.                           September 12, 2016

2. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch                               Can a man trapped between two worlds survive and discover which world is real and which is a dream?                 August 2, 2016

1. The Wicked Boy: The Mystery of a Victorian Child Murderer by Kate Summerscale                           A true murder mystery from 1895.                                                       July 12, 2016                                          

Movie Review: The Conjuring 2

I was lucky enough to get free passes to a pre-showing of this movie. I must say it is pretty cool being one of the first to get to see a movie. I took my teenage son with me. He is almost as obsessed with movies as I am. The Conjuring 2 revolves around paranormal investigators Lorraine and Ed Warren. The couple is played by the original actors from the first Conjuring movie, which is a nice continuation. This film is the story of the Enfield Poltergeist which happened in 1977, shortly after the Warren's became famous for their investigation of The Amityville  Murders.
The story revolves around an eleven year old girl named Janet. Her family begins experiences odd things throughout their home. They contact the church and the police for help. Eventually the church reaches out to the Warrens to represent the church while investigating. Ed and Lorraine travel to England for a three day investigation.

Personally, I did not like this story as much as the first Conjuring storyline. There were a few good jump scares. The movie was certainly tension filled and eerie. The film starts off a little too slow. There are actually several different storylines tied into this film. It is actually a bit confusing keeping all of these cases straight. There were several screams and jumps throughout the theater and the audience did clap at the end of the film. Make sure you stay for the ending as you will see pictures and hear audio from the real life case this film is based on.

My son said it was the scariest movie he had ever seen. He is still talking about it today after watching it last night. He was scared to go outside by himself and freaked out when the car lights stayed on after we returned from the theater. For me the movie was good, but not great. I will watch it again, but for me it was not as good as the first film. I had a hard time sympathizing with Janet. The film leaned you toward believing that she may have invited the problem by playing with a ouija board. I also had a rough time watching the movie as so many scenes were repeats from other horror films I have watched. If you want to know what I am referring to please scroll below for details. I do not want to publish spoilers without giving advance notice.

****Thank you AMC Stubs for providing me with 2 free passes to this pre-screening****

Spoilers to Follow:  Scroll below to continue.....Stop reading if you do not want to read spoilers!!!



















































Spoilers Ahead:






















There were several films that were basically copied in major scenes  throughout this film. I will highlight the scenes I am thinking of.

1. The Tent--------The Sixth Sense  
2.  The Rolling Fire Truck---Poltergeist
3.  Lorraine traveling into the past to talk to the old man-------Insidious
4.  Janet's possession-------The Exorcist
5.  The Scary Nun------ A Nightmare on Elm Street 3


If you have seen the film, What do you think? Are you reminded of the same films, or am I crazy? Did I miss any films you were reminded of?