Really creepy kid's book covers.

Most children's book covers are really cute and make me wish I had some form of artistic ability but sometimes they get it a bit wrong and the pictures give you nightmares instead. It seems sometimes they can't quite get the eyes right....

What's that horror film when they sew your eyes shut? 

Satanic pony

It's looking into my soul! 

 and do not even get me started on the entire concept of Emily Eyefinger:

That crap is terrifying. 

Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 4): Teenage Angst

I haven't been a teenager for quite a few years but you wouldn't think it if you met me.  I am, it seems, permanently stuck as a geeky 14 year old.  So it probably comes as no surprise that I have a secret passion for teen shows.

Some people love watching soaps and others reality shows but for me my addiction is for trashy, angsty teen shows.  The angstier the better.

It's kind of sad really...

Gilmore Girls

Gilmore Girls is my go to show.  The show I watch when I just want to unwind and veg out and marvel at the sheer amazingness that it is.

There's snappy dialogue, pop culture references galore and quirky, eccentric characters.  And even better a character who loves books!

As you can imagine it was pretty much a given that I was going to love this show.

Awkward

A little more raunchy than GG (Gilmore Girls) ... because hey it's MTV, Awkward is funny, realistic comedy about the issues facing teens.

There's problems with parents and school and boys and that's only the beginning.  Because life for Jenna is never easy... especially when everyone thinks her accident was in fact a suicide attempt gone wrong.

Life sure can suck sometimes

Gossip Girl

Pretty, rich teens, doing pretty, rich things and wearing pretty, expensive clothing.

Yeah I can so relate...

Still that's part of its charm.

After all everyone needs some fantasy...

Glee

Any show that features singing, dancing high school students has got my vote. Especially when it has a sense of humour like this show does and features the wonderful Jane Lynch.

I *adore* Jane Lynch which is reason enough to watch this show.

Veronica Mars

Forget Nancy Drew.  Veronica Mars is so much better. Think Nancy D meets Dawson's Creek with a touch of Twin Peaks thrown in.

Wonderfully brilliant, the show has such a following that a massive fundraising campaign by fans resulted in a movie being made - due for release sometime next year.

How cool is that.

Pretty little liars

Secrets. Lies. Betrayals.

Pretty Little Liars is so my kind of thing.  So it's kind of shocking that I haven't even watched it. yet... something I am definitely going to be fixing with a massive marathon session some time soon.

Dawson's Creek

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I liked this show.

Dawson was an annoying dude who I just wanted to slap across the face and tell him to "man up" and Joey was a dithering mess who couldn't seem to decide what she wanted.

The fact that I liked it despite these short comings just goes to show what teenage angst can do for the brain.  Then again Pacey (Joshua Jackson) was a dream... after all any guy who names his boat True Love (watch High Society & you'll understand) just to declare his love is a definite winner.

John Hughes and Other 80's Teen Flicks

I just had to include a list of these movies because Reasons.

The music alone is enough reason to watch them.  If I had it my way every teenager today would be made to watch these as a Saturday night marathon.  Along with bowls of buttery popcorn, M&M's and vast amounts of Coke Cola.

The Breakfast Club              Pretty in Pink
Sixteen Candles                  Say Anything
Ferris Bueller's Day Off        Footloose

Review: Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris [Jan]

“She’s not out to get me?  Your life was not right when you were actually surprised that someone didn't want to kill you."

Sookie is back in her final adventure!  Recovering from bringing Sam back to life, she takes time off to think.  Eric is remote as she chose to use the fairy wish granter for Sam, instead of for his benefit.  He also has an obligation to marry the Queen of Kansas as his maker arranged.  A new vampire has now shown up and after her great-grandfather and cousin returned to the realm of the fairies Sookie is lonely.

Jason is planning his marriage, Tara is driving a minivan, and Sookie's half-demon godfather has shown up with two witches, a demon, and a telepath.  He has learnt several things that make him fear for her safety.  Arlene has been released from prison on bail for trying to give Sookie to the Fellowship of the Sun to be crucified.  The men that arranged for her bail have only asked for her to do two things; ask for her job back at Merlotte’s and a scarf of Sookie’s.

Meanwhile someone has sold their soul to the devil and decided Sookie is responsible for the deal going sour. She must pay...

A fun, easy read for Sookie fans with has a busy plot that ties up loose ends while hinting at new beginnings.  You don’t need to have read the other books in the series to pick up what is going on but it’s such an addictive world you should.  You learn who to trust, some people die, and who Sookie chooses to love.

* the books bear no relation to the plot of True Blood
** but feel free to imagine Eric Northman as Alexander Skaarsgard


Title: Dead Ever After
Author: Charlaine Harris
Published: Gollancz, 2013
Series: Book 13 in Sookie Stackhouse
Reviewer: Jan

Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 3): Something to Laugh About

There is nothing better than ending the night with a few episodes or so of your favourite comedy, especially on a cold, wet and depressing winter's night.  No matter how often you watch them they can always make you laugh.  Humour luckily never gets old... or boring.

Which is just as well as my partner and I are currently on our third re-watch of The Big Bang Theory.  Yep you heard right and in-between we've also worked our way through Will and Grace, How I Met Your Mother and Caroline In The City.  Next on our list is Spin City. 

After that who knows. Maybe you've got a favourite to recommend...

Black Books

If ever I had my own book shop it would probably be just like the one in Black Books.  And in all honestly I would be just like Bernard Black.  The foul-mouthed, drunken owner who loves books and hates his customers. Personally I can't blame him.  After all who would want to give up all those lovely books to complete and utter strangers. 

A book shop without patrons... except me.  Heaven.

The Big Bang Theory            

Soft Kitty song.

Really that's all I have to say.   Because soft kitty says it all.

If you don't know what that means then you just have to watch the show to find out.
 
Frasier                                  

"Dr Frasier Crane, psychiatrist and radio host navigates single life while coping with the day-to-day eccentricities of his family and patients."

This show never fails to make me laugh and it's easy to see why both Kelsey Grammar (as Frasier Crane) and David Hyde-Pierce (as Frasier's brother Niles) were nominated for a plethora of Emmy's during the show's 11 year run.

I feel another marathon session is called for...

How I Met Your Mother

This show is "legen...dary."  And if you've seen it you'll know exactly what this means.

Though it's about Ted and the story of how he met his wife the real star of this show for me is Barney Stinson, a serial playboy who uses trick in the book and more to get what he wants. Barney is sleazy and funny and romantic and... well the perfect bad boy,

Community

"Smooth talking ex-lawyer Jeff Winger has got a lot to learn, and he’s come to Greendale Community College to avoid every bit of it. Unfortunately for Jeff, he’s not the only misfit to enroll here."

 I've got this show on my To-Be-Watched list.  It sounds like just my kind of thing.

Miranda

Miranda and I are like this *me crossing fingers*

I adore this show and can only hope that they do another season. 

Because I need to know.  I have to know. 

That's got you curious. Hasn't it?

Outnumbered

Family life.

Watching this show you'll be grateful that yours isn't as half as insane.  Or that your kids aren't smarter than you.  Because in the Outnumbered household the kids are the true masters.

Veep

Life as a politician is never easy, especially if you the newly elected Vice President.

Balancing family life, political agendas and the demands of the President are just the beginning

30 Rock

Liz Lemon's, head writer of a live variety show, life is turned upside down with the arrival of a network executive who seems determined  to interfere with every decision she makes.

For a woman with sass and sharp wit and a mean pair of glasses Liz is just the kind of woman who isn't going to back down...

The Vicar of Dibley

The Dibley Parish Council don’t know what has hit them when the new vicar arrives in the village. Because Reverend Geraldine Granger  is not only young, trendy and bubbly but also a woman.  She is also looking for love.  Will a certain tall, dark and handsome stranger be the one?  

Featuring Dawn French at her wonderful best and Richard Armitage (or RA as his fans call him) sigh...

Marathons: A Pure Indulgence (Part 2): Land of Fire and Ice

As I mentioned yesterday I absolutely love marathons and my current fetish seems to be for all things Scandinavian.

Personally I blame it all on The Killing.  That gripping murder mystery crime show which everyone is talking about.

I've been wanting to watch this show for absolutely ages.  But I kept putting it off... until recently.  And now that I've finally gotten around to watching it I've found myself hunting out further Scandinavian delights to add to my current winter marathon session.

There is just something about these shows that is so good and all are highly addictive, especially for a crime addict like myself.  For a good, eerie thriller you can do no wrong with a touch a Swede or Dane.  Tall, blonde, enigmatic men with an air of mystery and sadness and intense gazes that are guaranteed to melt your heart.

Vikings it seems are the best.  Then again I'm probably biased.

Wallander   

A Brit playing a Swede seems a unlikely thing but Kenneth Branagh manages to convey the loneliness and isolation of Wallander, the main character of this BBC adaption of Henning Mankell's books

Moody and haunting this British made version perfectly captures the quiet beauty of Sweden.

The Killing

A surprise Worldwide hit The Killing  captured the imagination of millions who can't seem to get enough of this Danish crime show.

Sadly only 3 seasons were made.  But 3 seasons are better than none

I'm currently half way through the 1st season and loving every minute.

The Bridge                       

"The body of a woman is found in the middle of the Oresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark. Half the body belongs to a Swedish politician and the other half to a Danish prostitute. A bi-national team of inspectors is put together to solve the crime."

An American version is due to start screening in the US soon.

Borgen

"A political thriller set in the world of high-stakes Danish politic.  Birgitte Nyborg becomes Prime Minister of Denmark through a political fluke and has to learn the ways of power, quickly. She's an altruistic public servant in an old boys club and must master the art of the deal overnight, manage her image and perform the impossible juggling act of maintaining a family life."

 The Eagle: A Crime Odyssey

"In Denmark, a special unit is set up to fight cross-border crime throughout Scandinavia and to establish operational links with similar teams around the world. In Copenhagen, charismatic detective Hallgrim Hallgrimsson (called "The Eagle" for his unerring intuition) assembles a team of crime fighters equipped with the most advanced technology and high-tech weapons."

The Protectors

"In today's violent world, the lives of many politicians, industrialists, heads of state and other VIPs are often endangered. To counteract these threats, the Danish Intelligence Bureau established the elite Personal Protection Unit - a force of competent, quick-thinking and dedicated bodyguards. This Danish crime series centres around the lives and missions of these specialists, the people they protect and their enemies."

Headhunters

"Roger Brown appears to have it all as but, he is living above his means and is stealing art on the side. At a gallery opening he meets Clas Grev. Not only is Greve the perfect candidate for a position that Roger is recruiting for; he is also in possession of  one of the most sought-after paintings in modern art history. Roger sees his chance and starts planning his biggest theft ever.  But soon, he runs into big trouble and it’s not financial problems that are threatening to knock him over this time…"

Jackpot

"Oscar Svendsen wakes up, terrified and bloodied, a shotgun in his hands, in what was once a respectable strip joint near Svinesund, Sweden. He is surrounded by eight bodies, and police detective Sol r, who is convinced of his guilt, has a gun aimed at his chest. Reluctantly Oscar starts relating the incredible story of four men who won top prize in a soccer pool and suddenly found themselves a million kroner richer."