The Romance Bookie

Hello! So my husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day a few days late, because of work and us both having gotten the flu.  So Saturday we spent a nice day out, getting Nitrogen made Ice Cream at a place called Sub Zero, eating a late lunch out, and seeing the movie Fifty Shades Freed .  Even though this series's luster has died down a bit, since its insanity began a few years back, I still find these to be a guilty pleasure.  While the first movie, I found there to be a few things missing, I loved the second one!  I found the character growth to be phenomenal!  The part where Christian bows down to Anna and you see that moment of submissiveness in him, I found to be incredible! So yesterday my husband and I saw the final installation in the series.  Now, thinking back on it, it has finally hit me that this is it!  There will be no more, and to be honest, I am going to say the one thing that many people will not agree with me on...I wish they had sp...

Hey Everyone! Back in May I finished the book Everything, Everything  by Nicola Yoon .  It was the first book to get me out of my reading rut, at least for a little while, this year.  It was hard to put down, it had a great story line, characters, and was very well written to me.  So it's been a crazy few months (when isn't right?!), and I was never able to catch the movie in theaters.  I tried, I really did, but it just never seemed to work out.  But anyway, on Tuesday the movie version of Everything, Everything  hit Redbox, so I reserved my copy, and picked it up after work! My review of Everything, Everything , the movie: Image is from IMDb.com I really liked the cast.  Now to be fair, I already had seen the cast, before reading the book, so I was imagining them as the characters already as I read.  Amandla Stenberg, who you may remember as Rue in the first Hunger Games movie, played a really good Madeline.  She was very c...

***WARNING!!!***This Post Contains Content NOT intended for anyone under the age of 18!!!*** Hey Everyone!! So the other day, my amazing boyfriend went with me to see Fifty Shades of Grey  in XD (or IMAX, depending on what theater you go to). What was cool was that because it was a Tuesday and the show was at 4 in the afternoon, we were literally THE ONLY people in the entire theater!!!  So it kind of felt like a private showing for just the two of us!!!! I know, I know, I am very late in reviewing this one; since everyone who wanted to see it, saw it most likely during opening weekend.  We just couldn't get ourselves to do it.  Valentine's Day was spent as a quiet evening, making dinner, and watching a movie in bed, which honestly our preferred choice any day of the week. But anyway, lets get to the review!!! From IMDb : Literature Student Anastasia Steele's life changes forever when she meets handsome, yet tormented, billionaire Christian G...

Hey Everyone!!! So I did something incredibly exciting a while ago...I got the amazing unbelievable opportunity to see an advanced screening of The DUFF , based on the novel of the same name by the equally amazing Kody Keplinger!!! I've been a HUGE fan of Kody since early 2011, when I first read The DUFF , for the first time.  Since then, I've read it close to half a dozen times, and continue to love it each and every single time. When I was contacted to help bring news on the movie and promote it, I was beyond stoked on life.  I can't even tell you how much I squealed!! Anyway, before I was going to promote this movie, I of course, wanted to see it.  I was going to lie to my readers and promote something I either hadn't seen, or something I didn't even like!!! But anyway, I saw it..and...I LOVED IT!!!!!!!! Holy moly, I can't even tell you how much I loved it!! No joke, no way am I saying this to make the PR company happy, I honestly, and truly ...

Hey Everyone!! So I'm back!!! Just flew back in last night from my ten day Florida vacation!! We had an amazing time!!!  I'm definitely planning on posting pictures of our awesomeness in Disney World and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in the next couple of days, so if you're interested keep your eyes open for that! :) Anyway, last night on the airplane, I FINALLY got to watch the movie version of Gayle Forman's Best Selling novel If I Stay , featuring Chloe Grace Moretz (as Mia) and Jamie Blackley (as Adam). I've been holding out on watching If I Stay , because well, I just haven't been in the mood to cry.   If I Stay  is one of the saddest, hardest books I've ever read.  The story is so powerful and good, but at the same time extremely depressing. Now before I tell you what I thought about the movie, here's a little description: From  IMDb : Life changes in an instant for young Mia Hall after a car accident puts her in a coma. ...

Hey Everyone!! I know I know, the last couple of months, barely anything in posting, and now for three days in a row, there have been posts?!! Well, I actually have an entire week off from one of my jobs, and am A TINY bit ahead with my homework, because that is how I do ;), so I've actually had a little bit of extra time!  Plus, I think I am getting my groove back when it comes to reading :). Anyway, my mom and I went to see The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1  this afternoon!! From  IMBD I reviewed Mockingjay  back in 2011, and didn't really know what to think of the end of the series.  To this day, I'm actually really curious as to know what was going through Suzanne Collin's head as she was finishing up the series. One thing I was certain of though, before seeing the movie was how could they split a 300-something page book, where not much really happens in the first half, into TWO movies??? I mean, I get it! MONEY, MONEY! That's life, un...

So yesterday, I once again went into the world of John Green, but this time through a different perspective...through the big screen. I saw The Fault in Our Stars  featuring Shailene Woodley (as Hazel) and Ansel Elgort (as Augustus). I know, I know, pretty much everyone has already seen it!  But due to a very busy fun weekend last week (I celebrated my first anniversary with my boyfriend), I was unable to see it.  In one way I'm very glad that I didn't have to deal with crowds, because I heard theaters were PACKED!! Anyway...to the REVIEW! From IMDb : Hazel and Gus are two teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that Hazel's other constant companion is an oxygen tank, Gus jokes about his prosthetic leg, and they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. My Thoughts: Wow!  Let's just say I went through another box of ...

So guys, I've been on the Vampire Academy craze for the past two weeks now!  I've become absolutely addicted to the books! Addicted! In fact, before I even finished the first one I drove to Barnes and Noble, renewed my membership, and bought book two!  I haven't done that in the longest time! I swear! In fact, the last time I did that was during my Twilight  craze in 2008, during my senior year of high school.  Hmm...vampires make me do crazy things, I guess. ;) Anyway, tonight I saw Vampire Academy, the movie!  After reading the book, I forced myself not to see any trailers, because I wanted to be 100% surprised going in. And this morning, I was hearing some early reviews, saying how awesome it was and how close to the book it was! So naturally, I was excited! Well...I'm just going to go straight to the point... I HATED IT! I'm sorry, I honestly don't use that word very often ("Hate"), but honestly that was one of the WORST movies I have eve...

Hey Everyone! So I saw Catching Fire on Saturday!! From  IMDB And let me just start by saying it was amazing! Description and image above from  IMDB : Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark become targets of the Capitol after their victory in the 74th Hunger Games sparks a rebellion in the Districts of Panem. My Thoughts: I read Catching Fire   early late 2011, and honestly thought of it as my favorite book in the Hunger Games Trilogy!  I thought it had the best story line, the best adventure, and the most going on. The movie was no exception!  Jennifer Lawrence did an amazing job, once again, as Katniss Everdeen! I loved the new editions to the cast! One of my favorites was hands down Jena Malone as Johanna. She had some of the best rebellious quotes toward the Capitol!  I don't if it was me, but I don't really remember the tributes of the Quarter Quell rebelling against the Capitol; but Johanna definitely didn't hold back! Loved that! I ...

***WARNING!!! May Contain Spoilers!!!!*** Hey Everyone!! So after what feels like years and years of waiting (in reality it was 2 years) The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones  movie FINALLY came out Wednesday! And I saw it right away Wednesday evening!!!!!!! From IMDb So let's see where to begin...overall, when not comparing it to the book I liked it.  I am a bit different to most people on the opinion of book to movie adaptations, in that I'm very open to their interpretations. Overall, what brought my heart to ease was knowing how much say Cassandra Clare had in the making of this movie, so for the most part I'm sure that the changes that were made, Cassie was okay with. So let's see changes I noticed...and this is going to be a bit difficult, because it has been over two years since I read City of Bones... I noticed that they added a few things into the first movie, that didn't actually happen until the second book. They changed Hodge's ...

Description and Picture from  IMDB : When an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about, proving that love can conquer all in a dangerous new world. PG-13 Director: Andrew Niccol Written by: Stephenie Meyer (Novel), and Andrew Niccol (Screenplay) Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Max Irons, Jake Abel, and Diane Kruger My Review: So it's been quite a few years since I read The Host ! In fact, I read it shortly after reading the entire Twilight Saga  by Stephenie Meyer back in mid 2008.  And honestly, I wasn't a huge fan of this book.  I found The Host  book SOOOOO long!, slow, and confusing up until a certain point.  I remember it taking almost 300 pages before I had any idea what was going on, because Meyer was using these made-up words in this world she created.   Here's the thing though about the book...it ended awe...

Image from imdb So I FINALLY saw the movie for The Perks of Being a Wallflower today!! First off, let me just say that I was very skeptical walking into that theater today.  Honestly, I enjoyed the book, but had a somewhat tough time getting through it, because Charlie was pretty complex person.   I read The Perks of Being a Wallflower back in October, and ended up giving it 3 stars...I know, a lot of you who read it are probably having their jaws drop.  Why did I give only 3 stars? Well, honestly, because at the time I thought it just wasn't my type of story. However, now I know why! It's because this book needed to be seen come alive! The movie was absolutely beautiful!  The story came to life with the actors that Stephen Chbosky, who not only wrote POBAW, but ALSO produced, directed, wrote the screenplay, AND cast the entire production! I was thoroughly and pleasantly surprised by how many stars were featured in t...

Back in the Fall of 2011, while I was taking first Early Child Development Class we were given an assignment...pick a movie from a list and discuss it.  Among that list was Speak . I'm going to be honest here...I had honestly never heard of the book before, let alone a movie!  But when I saw it featured Kristen Stewart (the star of one of my favorite book movie adaptations) I knew it was the movie I wanted to see. And dang, let me just say how GLAD I am that I did! It was almost a year later, when in July I was talking to Kody Keplinger (the author of The DUFF ) when she mentioned she LOVED this book called Speak .  At the time, I honestly hadn't been thinking about the movie, but after the video chat I went on Goodreads and looked it up and that was when I found out! As soon as I knew Speak (the movie) was based on a book, I KNEW I had to read that book! A few weeks ago I found Speak (the book) sitting on one of my friend's bookshelves, and pretty much hijacked...

Hey Everyone! So yesterday morning (at 11:45) I saw The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 ...and to be honest I just can't think of the right words to describe it, because so many emotions, and expressions were going through me, that I have decided to make my first ever video for The Romance Bookie.  This video is not only a review of the movie, but also at the end I added a Thank you to the everyone involved with this series, so if you're interested (I PROMISE it does not contain any spoilers!!) stick around and listen (BUT be warned, I do a pretty good job of embarrassing myself, pretty thoroughly!!!) So here goes... Mandy @The Romance Bookie :) PS: I forgot to mention this in the video, but if you see this movie, and you are 1. A HUMONGOUS Twilight fan, 2. one of the older Twilight fans, like the Twilight mom's or Grandma's, 3. and you have a heart condition; BE CAREFUL!!! 

I'm a little late on the Cheese Touch...haha, if you don't get what I mean by that...either go out and get your hands on a copy of Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney, or rent the movie. I was first introduced to this book series my senior year of high school by a librarian.  Since then my eleven year old brother has read all of them and loved them (and let me just mention he is not a reader!!)!  The seventh book in the series is going to be released in November...which my brother is already counting down the days for!! Anyway, as I was sitting yesterday in the fifth grade class I volunteer in, and reading the last fifty pages of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, I felt my eyes welling up!  That book made me cry SOOOO much!!  I just couldn't finish it during the class, because how embarrassing is it to burst out crying in front of a bunch of fifth graders??? Anyway, to make a long story short...I walked over to the class bookshelf, and picked up Diary of...