Things I'm loving

Whoops. I totally meant to blog today, but I was reading this instead:


Room by Emma Donoghue

Mildly disturbing, but also wildly interesting, imaginative, clever, and heartfelt. One of my favorite reads of the year, and possibly of all-time.

Also, I can’t stop thinking about the movie I saw with my mom on Sunday:


Crazy, Stupid, Love

That poster doesn’t do it justice. And it’s hard to say what the movie’s about without giving away some of its best surprises. Suffice it to say, I laughed and I cried, and more importantly, so did my hard-to-impress mom. (Minus the crying.)

Both of these things feature incredibly strong writing. So yeah, I’m calling ’em research.


19 responses to “Things I'm loving”

  1. linda Avatar

    Ooh heard lots of good things about Room. Glad you enjoyed it! :D

  2. T. S. Bazelli Avatar

    Oh so is the quote true? A book you must read in one sitting? :)

  3. Shari Avatar

    Hey, any book can be considered research, right? Don’t you love that about choosing writing as a career? :)

    I’ve heard great things about that movie, too!

  4. Sonje Avatar

    I’ve heard a lot of good things about that book, but what I know about the plot line makes me resistant to reading it. Maybe one of these days I’ll get over that and give it a try.

    The previews I’ve seen of Crazy Stupid Love also have not made me interested in seeing it, despite the fact that I LOVE Julianne Moore. Maybe I’ll give that one a try when it makes its way to DVD too.

  5. Trisha Avatar

    Your mom? Hard to impress? Naaaaaaaah.

  6. Les Avatar

    I haven’t been to the movie theater in a looooong time… I tend to just netflix things now :p

    Good call on the research, I agree!

  7. Juliann Wetz Avatar

    Thanks for re-confirming the facts that I need to read this book and see this movie. They’re both on my to-do list, but now I’m even more anxious to get to them.

  8. M.E. Anders Avatar

    I’m really excited to also read Room. Are you going to do a book review of it in an upcoming post, Kristan?

  9. Rachele Alpine Avatar

    ROOM is probably one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I love Jack’s voice! I’m so glad you’re enjoying it! And I must go see Crazy Stupid Love…I’m glad you liked it!

  10. Joelle Wilson Avatar

    That’s the best kind of research. :)

  11. Kristan Avatar

    T.S.-
    You don’t HAVE to, but (a) if you’re like me, you’ll want to! And (b) if you don’t, going in and out of Jack’s voice/head can be a little weird, hehe.

    Sonje-
    Well, I’m not sure which part of it makes you uncertain, but it’s a pretty “clean” book considering the premise. Jack is only 5, after all, and his mother works hard to keep him sheltered.

    Trisha-
    LOL.

    M.E.-
    I don’t really do reviews, per se, so consider this my one-word review: AWESOME. ;)

  12. Sonje Avatar

    It’s the part where a child is kept locked up in a room for all of his life that bothers me.

  13. Kristan Avatar

    Oh. Erm, well, he doesn’t even KNOW he’s “locked up in a room” for all his life, because that’s all he’s ever known. And it’s AMAZING to see the “world” through his eyes.

    If it makes you feel better (and this is a public spoiler, not a “twist”) only half the book is spent in the room.

  14. Kristan Avatar

    PS: Totally not trying to coerce you to read it! I know it’s not going to be for everyone. But I did want to be clear that the book/Donoghue does a really good job not making the book sad or weird or gross.

  15. Rhi Avatar

    I loved ROOM! I was so sad when it was over.

  16. Kristan Avatar

    The ending was too perfect for me to feel sad, but I know what you mean. :P I’ll definitely be reading it again.

  17. Jon Avatar

    Like you, I was kind of turned off by the posters and the movie’s advertising campaign in general, but Crazy Stupid Love has gotten some good reviews. So, I’m thinking of changing my mind. And I love Steve Carrel.

  18. Bronnie Avatar

    Wow, (after googling) that book sounds amazing!! I will definitely have to add it to my to-read list!

    And I definitely want to see that film! chick flick night!

  19. Kristan Avatar

    Jon-
    Especially if you like Steve Carrell, I think you’ll probably like the film. He’s very much him, and everyone else is great too.

    Bronnie-
    Yay I hope you enjoy them!