The [intoxicating] 'Fifty Shades' trilogy

I came across an expression written by some reviewer saying "Either you love it or you hate it" which seems to me, like there is no other chance than seeing things in black and white....What if I see things in Fifty Shades? Of GrAy? Here’s my take.

Spanking, flogging, being blindfolded and other pleasurable  ways and manners to enjoy physical love.. All of this and many more I learned about „thanks“ to the massively appreciated and condemned trilogy called Fifty Shades, read by let’s say a vast majority of the female population. When it comes to the paperwork, a.k.a speaking in numbers (and not from my perspective), these three extraordinary books rank 2nd, 3rd and 4th place in the chart of bestsellers according to New York Times. Yes, that’s what they are. Extraordinary.

Bon appétit!

Let’s say you’re at a restaurant and you’ve been served some foreign meal which looks regular in some way (the first impression) but once you sink your teeth in it, you’re overwhelmed by various flavors. The spicy one (Mr. Grey and his lifestyle), the sweet one (Anastasia and her capability to influence Mr. Grey), the uknown one (development of the plot), the known and slightly a boring one, because you come across it regularly (the repetiton of facial expressions and words – above all, facial expressions..It’s a safe bet that rolling eyes and biting the bottom lip belongs to Anastasia and cocking the head and „stormy“ eyes you relate to Christian without hesitation) and last but not least the „wanting-more“ one (once you finished the third book). So, as a guest, I’ve been served a pretty contradictional but yet one really delicious course which I loved and enjoyed. I AM fully satisfied! Verdict? I´d say 8 / 10 points and I’m adding it to „my faves“ list and make sure to order it another time. Thank you!

I am truly happy that something that bold, original and unusual is right there in the bookstores waiting for us to buy it.

Any complaints? What about the fact that over 65 millions of copies has been sold worldwide so far?

Enough? Are you up to discover the world of Anastasia Steele, naive literature student, an insecure, full of contradictory young woman with low ego which gets higher as her personality gets bolder once she meets Christian Grey, an exceptionally rich enterpreneur, a tormented being with a broken and shattered soul, fighting his own demons from past and living a high class life?

Check, please!

In the spirit of one of my favourite quotes from the book, I’ll say goodbye to you, guys, as Mr. Christian Perfect Grey would do:

‘The [marvellous] Silver Linings Playbook’ by Matthew Quick

I’ve had the honor to read this magnificent book, though this may have been the first time I've ever read a book after seeing the movie adaptation. So of course, I have pictured both Academy Awards nominees (and incredibly talented), Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, in every single passage of the book.

I can start with a lighter subject, that is the discovery of a few differences between the movie and the novel. The movie has made a number of significant changes to the story as presented in the book. Some of the important scenes are missing in the movie as well as the issues that the family of Peoples (Solatanos in the movie) is dealing with. Yet still the plot has put some more objects to it and somehow managed to stay in balance and true to the novel and developed in a way also book with its character would do.

But let's focus on the novel. It has something more to it than a very compelling storyline and perceptive depiction of the characters. There is this strong underlying context about human nature, about how easy it is to fall on your knees and how difficult is to stand up again and face the reality, not even talking about integrating into your former life. Be a good son and daughter, be a good brother, a good friend, a good person, embrace all the roles you "played" before this huge reversal, be kind and in the same time struggle with your own demons and conquer them.

This process or let's say a journey the main characters are on, is an absolute exposure of human weak spots, deep feelings, scarred hearts and only one big goal to achieve – be normal and happy. Of course, Pat’s biggest goal is to get back his ex-wife but after reading the whole novel, the reader realizes, his ex-wife only reminds him of the happy moments of his life.

Silver Linings Playbook also has a strong power that overwhelms you and you suddenly find yourself laughing at some little jokes or sayings, or crying over the characters’ misfortune. You root for them, you listen to them, you get what they want to say and understand them. Last but not least (and I relate to this one very closely) is that you want to help Pat to move on, to find his own spot under the sun and be able to start a new chapter of his life with this strange girl Tiffany. I may be weird but I found it absolutely honest and beautiful that she „lied“ to Pat about the letters written by Nikki (Pat’s ex-wife) to him. I understand it has been considered a lie in the first place, but still it has been used for the rightest cause.

As I said, there are differences between the book and the movie, and yet I couldn’t decide, which one of them has touched me more in my heart. Because, in the end I would say it was the novel that had  a bigger impact on me, especially the last declaration that was touching and absolutely took my breath away. 

“In my arms is a woman who has given me a Skywatcher's Cloud Chart, a woman who knows all my secrets, a woman who knows just how messed up my mind is, how many pills I'm on, and yet she allows me to hold her anyway. There's something honest about all this, and I cannot imagine any other woman lying in the middle of a frozen soccer field with me - in the middle of a snowstorm even - impossibly hoping to see a single cloud break free of a nimbostratus.” 

But on the other hand, seeing perfect impersonations of these two rare but still loveable characters portrayed by both fabulous Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence, is a really HUGE and unique experience. It has been for me..

~Tina Valley

"Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book." 'Rapture' by Lauren Kate – The epic finale –

Do you know that feeling that you’re eagerly waiting for your favourite book to be published and as soon as you put your little fingers on it, you’re suddenly incapable of opening it? Like it’s trying to tell you that you have to save it for the rightest moment? I know this feeling pretty well. This is what happened to me when I bought the last book of the Fallen Saga written by Lauren Kate.

It’s obviously a true statement that old habits die hard, but why changing something when you love it so much? I read the book while listening to the audiobook. It’s super crazy how you can dive into the plot when you’re listening to someone as talented as Ms. Justine Eyre whose sense for each character’s inner side shifts into multiple voice challenge she absolute dominates at.

Let’s get to the point. I have to warn you that this blog may contain a little bit of spoilers because without mentioning, let’s say a fraction of it, it would be impossible to make you all FALL for the FALLEN (angels).

Those who read the three previous volumes are well aware of the plot, at least the main theme. Angels. A human girl. Love. Fight. Sacrifice.. This fourth book completely embraces the meaning of a ‚sacrifice’. A great sacrifice that are both of the main characters welcoming with open arms though no one can guarantee a sweet happy ending.. Would you do something really big that would change your life from its very roots? I was absolutely shocked when I got to the end and read those big words, statements that are so unusual for modern books and yet so inspiring that you feel the urge to live that life, go through that sacrifice with someone you love... What more proof would anyone need if they went through such a thing? (Yes, I know how it ends and am trying hard to not spoil it for you).

This is what you can find in the book (I prefer key words, because then you focus on them and in the end you make your own mixture of things you like about the book)

Surprising and overwhelming ending, singular characters with exceptional features, need to push your favourite character forward, experience things they do.. Bonds in life each character have made always have a hold on them; unusual strenght of friendship; respect; willingness to bring own sacrifices for others, fighting for each other, for what someone truly believes in..

And here comes the absolute „mindblower“ of the novel:

Unique vision of Heaven, amazing insight of The Fall of angels, Throne a.k.a God, angels, archangels, outcasts, demons, Lucifer.. I can assure you, it will take your breath away..It’s not a mere love story between a human and a supernatural being. There is a whole lot more to it.

Mrs. Lauren Kate achieved impossible, working with facts we already know about, about Heaven and angels and adding such original things, features, feelings, moments and encounters...

The whole book, no, the whole saga is a phenomenal journey all around the world, pinpointing important historical places, monuments, places marked by religious, sacred and artistic aspects.

Plot is thickening with every chapter and embraces an epic but light and smile bringing conclusion. Of course there will be millions of questions bursting out of your mind that remain unanswered because that’s the way great books finish..

This saga is a perfect complex of many important facets, one could call it an epic epos for the whole angelic, demonic and Nephilim world though the two of the main protagonists have no idea of their importance and contribution to the history. (again, you’ll get this one, once you read the book – and no, this statement is 100% spoiler free ;)

How does this one sound to you? After millenia of losing and finding, loving and grieving because of a curse, Daniel (the fallen angel) and Luce chose something both of them stood for since the world and Heaven was created in exchange for only one shot at doing and experiencing things, as humans, as mortals, living life to its fullness, live, love, laugh, marry, have children and one day at the most perfect dusk pass away with the most beautiful feeling that that was the true meaning of LOVE and LIVING. (this one’s a huge spoiler, but I don’t think anyone outside of the Fallen frenzy would „get“ this one J )

But yes, it all comes to down to one final decision, one significant choice that will change the world, history, friendship, lives...

So please, if you ever see this saga in your favourite bookstore (or online) don’t hesitate and get your copy and fall in love with one of the most epic love stories. (No second thoughts)

I would like to end this blog with one pretty amazing quote I found online the other day:

„Lord! when you sell a man a book you don't sell just twelve ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life.  Love and friendship and humour and ships at sea by night - there's all heaven and earth in a book, a real book.“  ~Christopher Morley

Do you idetify with this one?

Tina