Month: June 2022

Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag 2022

Kat Impossible16 Comments

I keep saying this so often, but I do these tags super irregularly. However, I took the time to put something up last year and want to try and keep this going … So, this is me doing the Mid Year Book Freak Out Tag on the most semi-regular basis ever. Enjoy!

*By clicking on the covers, you’ll be re-directed to the Goodreads pages of the books!*

BEST BOOK YOU’VE READ YET IN 2022

Tough call, tough call. I’ve had some really lovely reads this year already. One of the books that I was most excited about and that luckily turned out to be just phenomenal is The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston. I’m so glad I got to read that book! It had me crying, laughing and falling in love with the characters.

The Dead Romantics

BEST SEQUEL YOU’VE READ SO FAR IN 2022

Wow, I genuinely haven’t read a single sequel so far this year. I might continue with the Wayward Children series, which I thought had a fantastic start! I’ve mentioned it before though, but the books are super expensive, so I don’t have an actual plan on when I will get to the continuation.

NEW RELEASE YOU HAVEN’T READ YET BUT WANT TO

I’ve read only a couple pages of an ARC for Before Takeoff by Adi Alsaid so far, so I’m going to count it for this prompt. It sounds like something right up my alley, it’s just been a time issue so far and the book was only released a couple weeks ago.

Before Takeoff

MOST ANTICIPATED RELEASE FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR

Okay, do I really need to say it? I have to say it! The Atlas Paradox! I’m one of the biggest fangirls of this series (as proven by this post) and cannot wait to finally get my babies from the Atlas Six back. I miss them so much, even if most of the story is just vibes.

BIGGEST DISAPPOINTMENT

Hmmm … I suppose Watermelon Sugar was a disappointment. I don’t really understand how it has so many fans, because it makes zero sense. It just says … nothing.

In Watermelon Sugar

BIGGEST SURPRISE

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson was … unexpected. Told in second person POV, I don’t necessarily think it’s for everyone, but I found it really immersive and touching. I can see great things from this author!

Open Water

FAVOURITE NEW AUTHOR

Tia Williams convinced me and gained me as a fan with Seven Days in June! No doubt about it! Her writing had such excellent humor, but also so much heart and realness. I’m looking forward to reading more books by her.

NEWEST FICTIONAL CRUSH

Not me having to reuse an answer by picking The Dead Romantics again, but – BENJI ANDOR!!! The man is amazingly attentive, but also driven and a literary editor. I just loved his whole vibe and wish we had gotten more of him in the book. Like, that’s my complaint, not enough Benji.

BOOK THAT MADE YOU CRY

I’m picking a lot of books that deal with the death and/or sickness of a parent. It’s like these stories just find me and every single one of them made me cry. The latest one was This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub – absolutely fantastic with a sci-fi twist!

This Time Tomorrow

BOOK THAT MADE YOU HAPPY

My Mechanical Romance was penned by the same author as The Atlas Six, however, under a different pseudonym. I just love the writing style so much, even though I’ve sort of stepped away from YA a little bit as of late. It had girls in STEM, rivals to lovers and just really cute conversations. I smiled through so many parts of it.

My Mechanical Romance

FAVORITE BOOK TO SCREEN ADAPTATION

I have to name two, I can’t stop myself! One for a TV show and one for a movie, because … this is all I ever talk about, right? You can’t just make me choose. Also, I want to note that these are adaptations that I’ve actually read prior to watching, otherwise my selection might have been different.

TV Show: Conversations with Friends – it was really faithful to the material again, just like Normal People, but also expanded on everything and made it a little more in depth or relatable. These characters are still very much flawed, but not as exhausting as in the books. At least to me. Read my full post here.

Movie poster of Along for the Ride with the text "book vs. movie"

Movie: Along for the Ride – this was my first experience with a Sarah Dessen story and while I wasn’t super impressed, I really enjoyed the movie. It was cute and lovely and from the looks of it, Netflix keeps pumping out YA adaptations, so, I’m here for it. You can find my full length thoughts here.

FAVORITE POST YOU HAVE DONE THIS YEAR

I know that people would likely suspect that my favorite post of the year so far would be one of my many reading experiments, but it’s actually a spin-off feature in the realm of my blog celeb book club – Books I’d Recommend to Celebs Based on THEIR Taste!
I always complain that I think that the actors pick rubbish books and that I could give them better reads and I stand by that. It was so fun to come up with recommendations based on what I had learned about them and I hope to do more along the lines of this soon.

Celeb Book Club

MOST BEAUTIFUL BOOK YOU’VE BOUGHT THIS YEAR

Have you SEEN the character illustrations in The Atlas Six? Gorgeous. Beautiful. Memorable. My faves.

WHAT BOOKS DO YOU NEED TO READ BY THE END OF THE YEAR

I don’t like to put that kind of pressure on myself, so I’ve done away with “must reads”. Whatever the mood strikes and maybe some stories for experiments. We shall see.

I TAG THEE

I tag whoever wants to do this as well! If that’s you, then I tag YOU!!!

What did you think of my answers for the prompts this year? How is your reading year going so far? Let’s catch up in the comments!

Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #23

Kat Impossible13 Comments

I’ve been changing my mind about this like a million times now, but I think that switching this series of posts to Friday is the move for me. It’s still going to be weekly, but I might adjust it to my work/life schedule and post on either Thursday or Friday – depending on which is more convenient. Hope everyone can live with that, because I still have shows and movies to talk about. You can always bet on that!

FINISHED TV SHOWS/SEASONS

ExU: Calamity (limited campaign)

Okay, at this point in time, I think it’s very obvious that I’m just completely engrossed in the world of Critical Role. Last week, the finale of ExU: Calamity aired and IT WRECKED ME! I was seriously not okay, because I sobbed (like, legit ugly cried) through at least two hours of the thing.

The special thing about Calamity is that it’s a prequel. We all knew what the outcome would be, we knew that this would have consequences for this world that are felt centuries later still. It was obviously going to be sad, but what a sad, sad hoot it ended up being! I cannot express enough how amazing these characters were. Their hubris and inevitable fate and yet we still all got attached to them from minute one. Brennan Lee Mulligan was always a force to be reckoned with, but he outdid himself as GM in this one.

I AM STILL BLOWN AWAY! It’s one of the best campaigns I’ve ever watched.

The Summer I Turned Pretty (Season 1)

I’m so glad this show already got renewed for a second season!

I should probably start this by saying that I never read the books, but from what I gathered, they changed and updated quite a bit for the show and I personally loved it. The characters are mostly teens and they are hella messy, but it’s easier to forgive at that age.

The dynamic between the characters was so well done and I especially loved how much it hinged on the familial aspect as well. The mothers were a true joy to watch in this series. It also just had so much heart and really had me and my friends dissolved into tears at a couple instances. I don’t know why I keep doing this to myself (don’t want to spoil it, so I won’t say what part exactly made me tear up), but I should really stop watching/reading about a topic that hits way too close to home.

Also, this show had the perfect amount of Taylor Swift songs. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

The Umbrella Academy (Season 3)

I’m not going to lie, I have mixed feelings about this season.

On the one hand, I loved the additions of the Sparrows and think they handled Viktor’s coming out really well. I was so here for the family love and acceptance. However, they did Allison so dirty and I can’t get over that. She used to be one of the best characters and while her spiraling and anger was completely justified, I struggle a lot with the actions the writers pushed on her character. It’s some bad stuff …

Anyway, this was not my favorite season, but also just a lengthy set up for season 4. I hope they do get renewed, because I just want a clean ending at some point or another.

WEEKLY TV SHOWS

Ms. Marvel (Season 1)

You can find a full review of the third episode here.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Season 1)

What an interesting change of pace! I loved seeing the characters portray such different personalities and that our Doc got his own storyline. It was really beautiful.

Superman & Lois (Season 2)

I’m kind of starting to get over this season. It all seems so doom and gloom and I don’t like that as much.

Roswell, New Mexico (Season 4)

There was a Maria plot line, so yay me! However, Gregory is nowhere to be seen and while I love Dallas, I really wanted her and Greg Manes to be the endgame.

MOVIES

As always, don’t forget to add me on Letterboxd if you want to be up to date on all my movie experiences! 

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande

This movie is very conversation heavy and could have likely been performed as a play as well, but it’s not boring to look at as a movie at all! Sometimes, I do think that certain stories are better suited for a stage than the screen, but it worked out well here.

I absolutely love this sexual exploration for an older woman and especially one portrayed by Emma Thompson. I’ve never not enjoyed watching her performances, so she’s a treat in general, but then … enter Daryl McCormack. It’s honestly not fair how beautiful this man is, because he is almost distracting in his beauty. His hypnotic eyes, the way he speaks and moves – chef’s kiss – casting for this role.

Did you watch any of the things I mentioned or do you plan to? Let’s talk about that!

Ms. Marvel: Episode 3 “Destined” Review

Kat Impossible9 Comments

It’s Marvel Wednesday and today that doesn’t just come with a review for Ms. Marvel’s third episode “Destined“! but also a little announcement from me. Spoilers ahead from here on out!

credit: Marvel Studios

What was it about?

Kamala’s new acquaintances need her help, while her hands are full with her brother’s wedding and the looming presence of the Department of Damage Control.

Read More »

Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #22

Kat Impossible9 Comments

Sorry for being a day late! I was in the midst of watching things and the post would have been completely empty without me finishing those first. However, I’m now ready to talk about all the things I watched. Let’s go!

FINISHED TV SHOWS/SEASONS

First Kill (Season 1)

Whichever outlet called that show a “tired take” clearly doesn’t understand the meaning of it. How much sapphic vampire/vampire hunter content did we have in the past couple of years? I’d love for someone to enlighten me.

And yes, vampires come and go in terms of being in, but who cares? I for one love stories about vampires, especially those that aren’t so much in the horror genre, but more lighthearted with a little exploration of what it means to be human/a monster. While there was some corny stuff, I thought the show was really easy to binge and I’d definitely want to know how it continues. So many loose threads.

Love, Victor (Season 3)

Kind of can’t believe that this was truly the final season, but they sure wanted to pack a lot of things into it. Every single character was in some kind of relationship drama to the point where I just thought the show was doing entirely too much. Without wanting to spoil anything, I didn’t think it was necessary to put so many of the relationships in peril, just to make stuff work out in the final episode. I would have actually loved to see some couples (if we have to follow the incessant need to pair everyone up like it’s the end of the world to be single) just have a solid relationship without hiccups.

But please don’t get me wrong! I had a lot of fun with the last season and thought that it ended on a good note for most characters. I especially enjoyed the various friendships and the parent-kid-conversations made me tear up on multiple occasions. On top of that, Rahim was once again a standout for me. I’m so glad they added the character.

WEEKLY TV SHOWS

Ms. Marvel (Season 1)

You can find a full review of the second episode here.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Season 1)

Spock and his siblings – it never it gets boring!

Roswell, New Mexico (Season 4)

I know I’m like a broken record on this, but there just wasn’t enough Maria for me. They’re letting me down when it comes to my girl.

MOVIES

As always, don’t forget to add me on Letterboxd if you want to be up to date on all my movie experiences! 

The Bad Guys

No idea what it is as of late, but all the animation movies that I watch are great. Maybe this isn’t exactly on par with Encanto and Turning Red, which I’ve seriously watched way too many times at this point, but I had a really good time. It had great comedic dynamics and a nice emotional hook as well, without actually making me cry though. It reminded me a little of Zootopia meets Ocean’s Eleven or something, so that was really neat.

Did you watch any of the things I mentioned or do you plan to? Let’s talk about that!

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub (ARC Review)

Kat Impossible6 Comments

on the lefthand side is the cover for Emma Straub's This Time Tomorrow. There is not much on the cover, except for the author and title written in all kinds of muted colors on a beige background. The letters are disturbed by loops going over the entire cover. There is also a synopsis for the book stating the following: "On the eve of her 40th birthday, Alice's life isn't terrible. She likes her job, even if it isn't exactly the one she expected. She's happy with her apartment, her romantic status, her independence, and she adores her lifelong best friend. But her father is ailing, and it feels to her as if something is missing. When she wakes up the next morning she finds herself back in 1996, reliving her 16th birthday. But it isn't just her adolescent body that shocks her, or seeing her high school crush, it's her dad: the vital, charming, 40-something version of her father with whom she is reunited. Now armed with a new perspective on her own life and his, some past events take on new meaning. Is there anything that she would change if she could?"

PublisherA button to add a book to the platform "The Storygraph"A button that says "Add book to Goodreads": Riverhead Books
Page Count: 320
Release Date: May 17, 2022

*I was provided with an eARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!*

CW: loss of a loved one, mention of drug use, underage drinking, sexual encounters between minors (technically)

First, I feel like I need to apologize for being so late with my review for Emma Straub’s This Time Tomorrow. I always try to review ARCs I receive in a timely manner to make sure I can help create some buzz around the release date, but I really had to take my time with this one. This has very little to do with it not being good – on the contrary, it was gobsmackingly fantastic and I forced myself to not start another chapter several times – but rather with the fact that this currently hits way too close to home.

But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s work our way through this from the start to my emotional destruction.

A TIME TRAVEL LOVE STORY?

I’m sure when you hear “time travel love story” the likes of The Time Traveler’s Wife, 13 Going on 30 or the Lake House come to mind. This Time Tomorrow is no such tale. Instead it is the love story between a single parent and his daughter. It’s about the relationships we forge and neglect over time, the questions that remain unanswered and the very human urge to play with the very fabric of time if it meant to get a couple seconds more.

Told from Alice Stern’s perspective, we follow her from her 40s to her 16th birthday and back again. We get to see the consequences of her actions, but also the underlying motivation for everything – more time with her dying father. She’s a very chaotic, but relatable lead to follow and I could understand many of her choices, even if I didn’t agree with the selfishness of it all at times. I don’t know if I could live with fundamentally altering other people’s lives to gain something in mine, but as I said, I understood her motivations perfectly. A grieving heart can be capable of a lot.

THE SCI-FI ASPECT?

While I love time travel and science fiction (my Doctor Who phase is proof enough), this wasn’t really like anything I had read or seen before. To me, the take on how the time travel worked, what and how it affected things and people, felt very unique. And yet, This Time Tomorrow also felt very grounded. The present day New York City setting, the heavy focus on relationships and nostalgia rather than gimmicky machines or quantum physics and the almost meta approach of Alice’s father Leonard Stern being a renowned author of a time travel book series, made it approachable and charming, rather than confusing.

VERDICT

The author, Emma Straub, has mentioned in many interviews that this is a very personal, almost autobiographical story and I think that very much comes through when you read it. I wept early on in the book, several times throughout and then just plain through the entirety of the final part. As I said early on, it could have had something to do with it just being a little bit too close for comfort right now, but I strongly believe in books finding you at the right time. This one was another one that went straight for the heart.

Fazit: 4.5/5 stars! I silently cried through large chunks of it, what other rating did you expect?

If you see a pattern in the books I read, no you don’t! Do you think you’d enjoy This Time Tomorrow? Have you read it? Let’s chat!

Kat’s Weekly TV & Movie Recap #21

Kat Impossible10 Comments

I know I keep saying it, but I almost forgot about this post, because the weeks just keep whooshing by. I did watch a couple interesting things though, so let’s talk about those!

FINISHED TV SHOWS/SEASONS

The Legend of Vox Machina (Season 1)

Okay, so … I would really like to play D&D, which I’ve never done and up to a week ago had no clue about, but I went down a massive rabbit hole in the shape of “Critical Role“. I’m so obsessed now and somewhere in the midst of watching Campaing 3, trying to catch up before the weekly releases are back. It’s a lot of hours, but … I love it?

Anyway, The Legend of Vox Machina is based on Critical Role’s first campaign and was kickstarter financed by the fans. People being passionate about their hobbies can really make a lot of things happen. I was excited to see how that all would translate to an animated show, but I liked it. The look is very similar to Invincible and it’s full of violence and lewd jokes, that I maybe wasn’t entirely prepared for. I’m really looking forward to another season and also kind of crossing my fingers for an adaptation of “the Mighty Nein”. Maybe that’s asking for too much though.

WEEKLY TV SHOWS

Ms. Marvel (Season 1)

You can find a full review of the first episode here.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (Season 1)

Me having the hots for Captain Pike instantly made me dubious for his love interest this episode and I was right. Anyway, I can’t believe they left the child there … just … wow.

Superman & Lois (Season 2)

Well, I hope Clark didn’t lose his powers, because that would make the show very … meh.

The Boys (Season 3)

Okay, I’m not exactly up to date, but I have watched the first episode of the season. I need to get myself into the right mindset for that kind of graphic violent content.

Roswell, New Mexico (Season 4)

It’s the final season and I’m SAD! But as long as Maria goes off happy into the sunset, I’m good. I wonder why Gregory was only briefly mentioned. I feel like they’re teasing a romance with someone else this season and while I like the guy, I don’t want it. The slow build up with Gregory was the best!

MOVIES

As always, don’t forget to add me on Letterboxd if you want to be up to date on all my movie experiences! 

Top Gun: Maverick

To my utter surprise, I was head over heels watching this movie. I have no nostalgic connection to the original Top Gun movie, in fact, I wasn’t even close to being born when it was released. I’ve heard of it and I’m pretty sure it’s been on TV at some point in my life, but my knowledge was very limited.

Top Gun: Maverick though? Such a nice movie. I know that nice isn’t the descriptor people are hoping for, but it gave me a nice, warm and fuzzy feeling. I’m not usually into the whole war games and guns stuff, but this was about connection, trust, instinct and skill. I’m especially glad I watched it on the big screen, where I often felt like I was being pushed back in the F-18. The hard work the cast went through to prepare and do their own stunts and flights really paid off. Well done!

Did you watch any of the things I mentioned or do you plan to? Let’s talk about that!