The Time Traveler's Wife

I read The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger back in 2002, when I received an Advance Reading Copy (ARC) from the publisher. The book stayed with me long after I finished reading it. It was unlike anything I had ever read before, or since! Part science fiction, part romance, this is a story of love and longing.

I lent the ARC to my sister, if I recall correctly, and never did end up reading the final, published version of the book although I assume that little was changed. I had a difficult time explaining the storyline to others and I was thrilled when I heard that Jennifer Aniston & Brad Pitt (who were still married at that time) purchased the film rights before the book was even released. It was an immediate best seller and I nearly forgot about the project until they began filming a few years ago.

The Time Traveler's Wife is the first book that I mention to people when they ask me to list my favorites. The film did not disappoint, although I was prepared and made sure to bring plenty of tissues. It was amazing and brought me to tears with practically every scene.

I did hear some people around me trying to figure it all out (during the film and afterward), so I do think that reading the book ahead of time left me a little more prepared for the idea of this time traveling, tear-jerker of a story. It was beautifully portrayed by Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams.

I won't spoil the movie for those who haven't seen it, but I do highly encourage you to read the book first. It's an amazing adventure that will keep you turning the pages, falling in love with each of the characters and leave you wondering what your life would be like if you could travel to the past or into the future.

It left me with many questions, such as what would I tell my seventeen-year-old self if I could? What would I tell my grandchildren if I could travel into the future? Or would I just want to be there to witness and observe?

Book Review: Handle with Care

I bought Handle with Care several months ago, but for some reason, I got distracted (with other books) and didn't pick it up again until I got on the airplane last week. I brought it with me to my sister's house, thinking I might actually have time to read between hanging out with her and my parents and the three boys (my son and 2 nephews).

I finally was able to start reading it again in the jacuzzi bathtub that my parents finally invited me to use for the first time. They've lived in their place now for over four years and it took my son having a jacuzzi bath for them to offer me the same opportunity, but I digress.

The bulk of the book was read on the plane ride back home. My son is an amazing traveler, closing his eyes just after take off and opening them again two hours later, with enough time for me to complete the last half of this emotionally charged book by Jodi Picoult.



There's many controversial stories inside Picoult's novels, with heart-wrenching stories and endearing characters who are given their own voice in her books.

The many characters in this novel deal with disabilities, divorce, eating disorders, abortion and adoption. Jodi does a fabulous job, once again, covering the many sides to each story, giving every one of the characters a unique voice whom I believe all readers will be able to relate to on some level. She carries out this thought-provoking and heartbreaking story with an ending like no other. Actually, the ending wasn't really surprising to me, since it mimics the ending of another story of Picoult's. I won't say which one, but fans will have to let me know if you agree or disagree if or when you read this one.

Discussion questions for book clubs can be found on the official Jodi Picoult website, along with information, reviews and interviews.

My Sister's Keeper is out in theaters this week. I highly encourage you to read the book if you haven't already. It's one of my favorites.

Sexiest Films of All Time

While I have only seen 23 out of the 50 movies listed in Entertainment Weekly's 50 Sexiest Movies Ever, I do have to say that I agree with many of their selections.

Those on my top ten list include:

1. Unfaithful
   
2. Cruel Intentions
   
3. Secretary
   
4. Dirty Dancing
   
5. Like Water for Chocolate
   
6. Mr. & Mrs. Smith
   
7. A Walk on the Moon
   
8. Before Sunset
   
9. Swimming Pool
   
10. How Stella Got Her Groove Back
    

You'll have to pick up this week's issue to see which other titles made their list. Sadly, my all-time favorite film, The Thomas Crown Affair, with Renee Russo and Pierce Brosnan, did not make it to the list.

Which films would you include on your top ten list?

Related article:
Sexiest Men Alive

The Other Woman

There are two types of women in the following scenario. Those who have been cheated on by a man and those who are the other woman. I have little respect for both of them if they are aware of the man's behavior. Continuing a relationship based on lies and deceit is not healthy. I encourage any woman who is involved with a cheating man to move on. She deserves the chance to find a true relationship built on honesty, devotion and mutual values.

I follow Lena Chen at many of the social sites she is a part of. I first learned about her through Twitter and immediately grew fond of her graphically detailed, and honest commentary about her sex life over at her blog Sex & the Ivy. As a Harvard graduate, Chen is educated and well aware of the reputation she has built for herself. What I admire most about her is her openness and her ability to express herself without concern as to who she may offend with her language or the details that she shares.

I was pleased to also discover her at The Frisky, one of my favorite sex blogs. The other day she wrote about her experience as the other woman and how she went about revealing her relationships to the women that were committed to the man involved.

While I don't always agree with her or relate to many of her experiences, I do think that what she has to say in this particular article serves to empower women everywhere to raise the standards that they expect from the men in their lives.

The Women, is a new movie produced by Mick Jagger and Diane English, who also directs the women-only cast. Diane is also the screenwriter of this story of Mary Haines, a woman who is forced to deal with the wide range of emotions experienced from the most ultimate betrayal: that of her cheating husband followed by an even more astounding deception from her close, female friend.

Without a single man in this all-star cast, The Women is bound to be the ultimate chick flick. Betrayal of any kind is a powerful thing and changes a person's life one way or the other. Having women in my life that I rely on to keep my most intimate secrets and desires, I would have to argue that being betrayed by one of them would kill me in a more devastating way than a cheating man ever could.

Featuring Meg Ryan, Eva Mendes, Jada Pinkett Smith, Annette Bening, Bette Midler, Cloris Leachman and Debra Messing, the gossip and buzz surrounding this dramedy should be enough incentive for women everywhere to be the first ones to see it for themselves.

Chick Flicks that Guys Will Enjoy

I have a hard time believing that most guys would enjoy a chick flick but I do know that there are those who will sit through them in order to placate their date.

Here, then, are the top ten chick flicks for guys:

1. When Harry Met Sally
   
2. Breakfast at Tiffany's
   
3. Once
   
4. Amelie
   
5. Say Anything
   
6. The Break-Up
   
7. Legends of the Fall
   
8. The Notebook
   
9. Thelma & Louise
   
10. There's Something About Mary
    

Now, I don't know about you, but there are a few on this list that I have to argue wouldn't be considered chick flicks in my book. There are even more that I feel some men would not be willing to sit through - even with a promise of hot sex afterward.

What's your opinion?

What Movie is Your Love Life Like?

It's as if they know me and my past... Your Love Life is Like Casablanca

"Kiss me. Kiss me as if it were the last time." For you, love is never finished. If you've loved someone once, you'll always love them. You're an old fashioned romantic... even if your relationships don't end up as romantic as you'd like. Your love style: Traditional and understated Your Hollywood Ending Will Be: Complicated and ambiguous

What Movie Is Your Love Life Like?

Best and Worst Sex Scenes of All Time

From the Daily Bedpost:

Last year, IFC.com and Nerve.com teamed up to compile "The 50 Greatest Sex Scenes in Cinema" history. Great fun (despite the horrible navigation that makes you almost just want to rent each video and fast-forward to the sex scenes yourself). But you know what's even better than the best scenes? "The 50 Worst Sex Scenes in Cinema," of course.

Well, they've done the dirty work again and come up with a doozy of a list. We'd say they're almost all spot on, from Showgirls to Eyes Wide Shut to Wild Things, and they especially nailed it with their choice for #1 worst sex scene of all time. (Can you guess? Here's a hint: it ain't vegan.)

The only one we really take exception with is the Model T sex scene from Titanic (rated #48). Okay, it's not great (that hand slap against the glass is way too staged), but one of the worst? Come on, have they no sense of romance? Plus, it was one of the last times Leonardo diCaprio was pretty-boy hot. That's gotta count for something.

Sexy Summer Movies

Glamour recently came out with a list of their top 12 Sexy Summer Movies. I would probably add a few to their list, but here's what they selected:

Bull Durham


Little Darlings


A Walk on the Moon


The Blue Lagoon


Top Gun


How Stella Got Her Groove Back



From Here to Eternity



Untamed Heart



The Notebook



Swimming Pool



Grease



Body Heat

I haven't seen all of the above movies, but I don't think I'd choose them for the sexy summer movie theme. What movies would you select?

The Best of the Best of the Best (2007)

Everyone, everywhere is busy accumulating "best of" lists and the "top ten" or twenty, or... You name it, there's a list associated with it. Google "Top Ten of 2007"...I dare you. I've made my own list that I'd like to share.

Here it is, my list of The Top Best Lists of the Year:

1. Time's 50 Top 10 Lists of 2007
2. About.com's Top Searches of 2007
3. The New York Times Ten Best Books of 2007
4. Top Ten Gadgets of the Year
5. PGA's Top Ten Finishes of 2007
6. BookFinder.com's Top Ten Out of Print Books
7. WashingtonPost.com's Most Popular Opinions of the Year
8. 2007's Top 10 Weirdest USB Drives
9. AFI's Top Ten Movies of 2007
10. Top Ten Astronomy Pictures of 2007
11. Bore Me's Top Ten Viral Videos of 2007
12. Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2007
13. National Geographic's Top Ten News Stories of 2007
14. MSNBC's Top 10 Films of 2007
15. BBC News: Top 10 Artists of 2007
16. Foreign Policy: The Top 10 Stories You Missed in 2007
17. NPR Music: Best Children's CDs of 2007
18. New York City Search: Top 10 Restaurants of 2007
19. Fox News: Top Ten Celebrity Meltdowns
20. Top Ten Celebrity Mug Shots of 2007
21. Money Magazine's Best Places to Live in 2007
22. Top Ten Funniest Quotes by Politicians in 2007
    
23. American Institute of Architect's Top Ten Green Projects
24. Top Ten Music Videos of 2007
25. Glamour's Top Ten College Women 2007
26. CNN Money: Best Cars of 2007
27. PC World: The 100 Best Products of 2007
28. US News: Best Children's Hospitals of 2007
29. New York Post: Top 5 Trips
30. People Magazine's Best of 2007
31. Travel & Leisure: 2007 World's Best Awards
32. Business Week: Best Product Design of 2007
33. Rolling Stone's Best of 2007
34. NPR: Best CDs of 2007
35. Esquire Magazine's Best and Brightest of 2007
36. Best of 2007: Surfing the Net with Kids
37. TreeHugger's Best of 2007
38. Library Journal's Best Books of 2007
39. Working Mother's 100 Best Companies of 2007
40. SPIN.com: The 40 Best Albums of 2007
41. Real Estate: The Best and Worst of 2007
42. 2007 America's Best Restrooms
43. Rotten Tomatoes: Top Movies of 2007
44. National Geographic: Best Parks 2007
45. ESPN's Horse Racing's Best of 2007
46. Parents Magazine: Best Toys of 2007
47. Best Books of 2007: Parent & Child's Top Picks
48. AAA: Parents 2007 Best Cars for Families
49. New York Magazine's Best Parent / Kid Activities
50. The New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books 2007

Happy New Year!

Soundtracks That Rock

1. Purple Rain
(1984)
2. Sleepless in Seattle
(1994)
3. Forrest Gump (1994)
4. Pulp Fiction (1994)
5. The Graduate (1967)
6. Dead Presidents (1995)
7. Trainspotting (1996)
8. Saturday Night Fever (1977)
9. The Crow (1994)
10. The Big Chill (1983)
11. Rushmore (1998)
12. Natural Born Killers
(1994)
13. Cruel Intentions
(1999)
14. Easy Rider
(1969)
15. The Break Up (2006)
16. Mermaids
(1990)
17. Boogie Nights (1997)
18. Dazed and Confused (1993)
19. Almost Famous (2000)
20. The Wedding Singer (1998)
21. Top Gun (1986)
22. Magnolia
(1999)
23. Reservoir Dogs
(1992)
24. City of Angels
(1998)
25. Twin Peaks (1992)
26. Memento
(2001)
27. The Virgin Suicides
(2000)
28. The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
29. Tommy
(1975)
30. Goodfellas (1990)
31. Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery
(1997)
32. Pretty in Pink (1986)
33. 8 Mile (Rental)
(2002)
34. Dirty Dancing
(1987)
35. Ray (2004)
36. American Gigolo (1980)
37. West Side Story (1961)
38. Riding in Cars With Boys
(2001)
39. Friday (1996)
40. Walk The Line

(2005)
41. Laurel Canyon
(2002)
42. Grease (1978)
43. Garden State
(2004)
44. High Fidelity
(2000)
45. Lost Highway (1997)
46. American Beauty
(1999)
47. Singles (1992)
48. Meet Joe Black (1998)
49. My Life
(1993)
50. Curious George
(2006)

Happy Monday!

I've had quite an unusual day. Actually, it was quite pleasant. The streets were somewhat empty as many schools and businesses are closed this week. I dropped my son off at pre-school and headed into work to interview our first candidate for the newly created role of Marketing Assistant.

I then took care of some correspondence and details for our upcoming spring season and then we closed the office for a few hours while we took a much-needed Kane/Miller fieldtrip to see the film, Dan in Real Life, which features a scene that includes our best-selling title, from Japan, Everyone Poops.


The film was sweet, laugh-out-loud funny and made for a pleasant break in the middle of a Monday. Steve Carell plays a single father of three girls, the oldest of whom is 17. The middle child (why is it always the middle child) is "in love" and manages to teach dear old dad a thing or two about following your heart by the end of the movie.

Dan's character writes a parenting column in the local newspaper and has been raising the girls on his own since their mother passed away. His life focuses on the girls and it's not until his mother tells him to "get lost" that he finally begins to open up and enjoy the feeling of companionship when he meets a lovely lady who he feels quite comfortable with.

The story takes some twists and turns, all full of humor and family chaos. I recommend this film to anyone who's trying to find their own place in the world, especially single parents who tend to put their own needs last.

Jam Session

Adam Sandler and Don Cheadle (two of my favorite actors) team up in the 2007 drama, Reign Over Me. The movie is quite intense and focuses on Charlie Fineman, played by Sandler, who lost his wife and daughters in the 9/11 disaster.

The college roommates Fineman and Alan Johnson (Cheadle) reunite after several years, and after Johnson, a popular (with the ladies) dentist, learns of his friend's loss and tries to reach out to him.

The best part of the film is witnessing the chemistry between the two as it pulls Fineman back to reality and draws Johnson out of his shell.


In one scene, the two main characters jam together and look as though they have a good time with one another, both in front of and behind the cameras. I discovered a true jam session between the two with hilarious lyrics as sung by Charlie and Alan.

I highly recommend this film to those interested in human nature or who simply enjoy a touching, tear-jerker. This one serves as a gentle reminder to live each day as though it were our last.