Tell Me Something Tuesday: Series

Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post on Rainy Day Ramblings where Rainy discuss a wide range of topics from books to blogging. Weigh in and join the conversation by adding your thoughts in the comments. If you want to do your own post, grab the question and answer it on your blog.

What series that you tried this year will you continue?

A hard question for this week! 

I am so bad at series of all kinds. I will try a lot of book 1s (or even a random book in the middle of the series) and then move on and never return. Not because the book is bad or anything but because I don’t care enough to go back. Sometimes I have all intentions, but I won’t look at the book series for a couple of years and I’m shocked I forgot about it. 

 However, there are those series that I legit cannot put down. I will read the entire series within a couple of months (I do try to contain myself and space them out). And then I am left a sobbing mess because I miss the series. 

This is a tough question for me because I am unsure of what series I will pick back up next year. We shall see I guess!  

It's a little Ralph! Adding Ralph was BF's idea ;) ^^^

Blodeuedd's Monday Movie Review: Crazy Rich Asians

Director: Jon M. Chu

Writers: Peter Chiarelli (screenplay by), Adele Lim (screenplay by) Kevin Kwan (based on the novel "Crazy Rich Asians")

Stars: Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Michelle Yeoh Kevin Kwan .

The story follows Rachel Chu (Wu), an American-born Chinese economics professor, who travels to her boyfriend Nick's (Golding) hometown of Singapore for his best friend's wedding. Before long, his secret is out: Nick is from a family that is impossibly wealthy, he's perhaps the most eligible bachelor in Asia, and every single woman in his ultra-rarefied social class is incredibly jealous of Rachel and wants to bring her down.

Comedy/Romance/ 2 h

My Thoughts

I enjoyed the book, but I do remember that it was funnier than this one was. This was more drama and romance. I missed the funny stuff from the book, but then it was long ago so who knows how funny it really was.

Rachel is dating a cute guy, and she goes with him to Singapore for a wedding. Oh and the secret comes out, he is reeeeally rich. Like crazy rich.

The movie is then about how some of his family cannot accept her.

She is not of money

Her mother raised her on her own

She is American. Or as they said yellow on the outside, and white on the inside.

She might love him, but what has love got to do with it.

Yes obviously some of his family are idiots. And women who wanted to catch him are catty and whisper golddigger. Ugh people!

Singapore looks great. I want to visit!

I know the Astrid story was in the books too, but I felt like it took away from this movie. I wish they had left it out.

The movie was good, but the book was better.

Book Review: The Shadow Queen by Sandra Gulland

Author: Sandra Gulland
Title: The Shadow Queen
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 336
Published: January 1st 2014
Where I Got It: My shelf (Used bookstore)



1660, Paris

Claudette’s life is like an ever-revolving stage set. From an impoverished childhood wandering the French countryside with her family’s acting troupe, Claudette finally witnesses her mother's astonishing rise to stardom in Parisian theaters. Working with playwrights Corneille, Molière and Racine, Claudette’s life is culturally rich, but like all in the theatrical world at the time, she's socially scorned. 

A series of chance encounters gradually pull Claudette into the alluring orbit of Athénaïs de Montespan, mistress to Louis XIV and reigning "Shadow Queen." Needing someone to safeguard her secrets, Athénaïs offers to hire Claudette as her personal attendant. 

Enticed by the promise of riches and respectability, Claudette leaves the world of the theater only to find that court is very much like a stage, with outward shows of loyalty masking more devious intentions. This parallel is not lost on Athénaïs, who fears political enemies are plotting her ruin as young courtesans angle to take the coveted spot in the king's bed. 

Indeed, Claudette's "reputable" new position is marked by spying, illicit trysts and titanic power struggles. As Athénaïs, becomes ever more desperate to hold onto the King's favor, innocent love charms move into the realm of deadly Black Magic, and Claudette is forced to consider a move that will put her own life—and the family she loves so dearly—at risk. 


 I was drawn in by the cover and by the summary. After watching that show about Versailles and the Sun King, I was extra interested in this. It sat for a while on my shelf. Finally got around to reading this. 

The story follows Claudette who is the daughter of a famous actress. She becomes the assistant of Athenais who is the famous mistress of the Sun King. She "reigned" France alongside with the King which is abnormal but she was one of those people that shine and have a way about them that draws people in. We see all the drama through Claudette's view. 

Sighs. I am disappointed. This wasn't horrible, but it wasn't good either. It was barely decent. At one point, I had to walk away for a few days. I finally forced myself to give it a second try and at least get to 100 pages before marking it as a DNF. However, I pushed through and finished it. Yes, yes, there was A LOT of skimming, but I managed to finish it. Why? Maybe it was because I spent money on it and I had hope. 

The ending got better. However, was the journey worth it? Not really. The first 75% was SO boring. Claudette was boring. The potentially exciting bits were skimmed over. It took eons for Claudette to make it to court with Athenais and when they finally got there I felt like we didn't get to see anything really happen. Got to court and then the book ended. UGH. 

Just so boring overall. 

And darnit Claudette...if you say ZOUNDS one more time I will scream. >_>

Overall...I did enjoy-ish the last 25% of the book, but the first 75%? Ugh. The ending was decent because we got to see a smidge of the drama unfold, but it was summarized pretty quickly. I think I blame Boring Claudette and Zounding ways. Not for me sadly. I'll give it 2 stars. 

Best of November 2018

Happy December!! Here are our Best of's for NOVEMBER!

First, favorite movies:

First, Blodeuedd's favorite.....Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

"It was a good movie, not amazing, but certainly best this month."

Now, my pick......Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

"Didn't watch too many movies this month BUT this would outshine all of them. I absolutely adored this movie. I even went and seen it twice at the theater. For sure watch this!"

Next, Book favorites:

First, my pick.............The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan

"Had a couple really good ones this month, but I would have to say this is the best one. The narrator, as per normal, was awesome. I adored the hero and heroine. So good!"

Now, Blodeuedd's pick.....Toxic by Lydia Kang

"It was one of those months. Not a single amazing book, mostly good solid reads. Which makes it hard to pick, but I say this one cos Vikas Adam!"

Lastly, best covers:

Blodeuedd's is on the second one and mine is on the first one.

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.