Friday the 14th - Valentines Day!

 

From the get-go Colleen Hoover's book adapted to movie, IT ENDS WITH US has always had its trouble. Now with so much controversy surrounding it with the star Blake Lively and the director/co-star Justin Baldoni, it was hard to know if anyone but Baldoni enjoyed winning a Critic's Choice award. True, both have their own agendas, but I am on Lively's side more than his. 

The movie didn't last long in theaters, but the drama has with She Said/He Said drama of these actors. Of course, just in the snips of the film, you can tell Lively didn't feel all that alive in the movie. Perhaps, she was miscast for the film. 

Most book fans felt this was much more of a 'college-age' genre. Someone like Anya Taylor-Joy might have been a better pick or someone from Outer Banks. Having the co-star be the director was probably a bad idea. So many things caused friction with this film. And we don't see much of an  OF COLOR cast.

I checked the DVD out from the library. As of yet, I have not watched it. I feel I would be too sad for Blake Lively. Sometimes, the best movies are those in our heads when we find a book we can't put down.

But the fact remains, will you watch it?

Need a little suspense on your Valentine's Day? Don't forget WHEN THE PHONE RINGS on Netflix. Adapted from the web novel “The Number You Have Dialed" by Geon Eomul Nyeo. Our couple are both from wealthy families who have their secrets. Their marriage is anything but ordinary. Forced together and such a tangled web they weave. Longing to know what LOVE is. Baek Sa Eon , the youngest presidential spokesman in Korea, comes from a prestigious political family. His background includes roles as a war correspondent, hostage negotiator, and news anchor. Three years ago, he married Hong Hui Ju, a mute sign language interpreter and the adopted second daughter of a newspaper proprietor. Their marriage, based on convenience, has been distant and cold. However, when Hui Ju is kidnapped, their lives and relationship are changed. (Source: MyDramaList) This is a K-drama that will keep you on edge. If you love a good mystery taking romance to a whole new level with a mysterious orphanage, and even worse very bad Korean mothers, then give this one a try. It has to be one of my favorite dramas of 2024. The male and female lead actors just get better. And a few in the cast will be on your watch list, as well. Starring: Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin

Blind Date with a Book is popular at the library during Valentine's (and sometimes all of March too because patrons like it that much!) And this year is better than ever. The blurbs are great. Different genres and even nonfiction books. But you won't know what you get until you check out. And even then some wish not to know. Our librarian worked hard on this campaign. She researched, did blurbs and even added a few little goodies to the package as well. I got the mystery genre and I'm glad I did. Pup Fiction (A Melanie Travis Canine Mystery Book 27): While usually protective, Melanie feels comfortable sending her sons to the Graceland School’s summer camp for two reasons: the institution is well-regarded and proprietor Emily Grace is a trusted friend. But Emily has been acting strange since three rambunctious Dalmatian puppies suddenly appeared on her doorstep. The unusual arrival marks the first of several mysterious happenings at camp, each more intense than the last. It’s a rough streak that takes a frightening turn with a discovery in the nearby woods—the body of Emily’s estranged ex-husband. Check your local library. You might have a Happy Valentine's Day waiting for you.

Mekki Leeper has to be the IT guy of last year and maybe this year too with JURY DUTY for starters and is now in NBC's St. Denis. 

When I think of him, it reminds me of someone who has a Blind Valentine's Date. Personally, I think that's asking for trouble.

While I was in college, I went out on a last minute blind date. Heck, I had just got back to the dorm in my jeans and tee (from watching my dad at the Border Collie Dog Trials) and somebody asked if I would go on the blind date for her. She said it would be a free meal and I was starving. Now that I think about it, I wasn't there to impress anyone. On that note, I learned soon enough that he was a banker's crazy rich son and he did appear to have that Harrison Ford demeanor in a Stetson. We went out for Mexican food. Thankfully, we were not alone. His roommate drove with his girlfriend. I soon found out that Sid couldn't drive. He'd been in a cattle accident and was in a coma for six months. And he promised me then, he'd forget me because he didn't remember people. I was fine with this.

The whole time we were there he was putting down Mexicans. The more I listened the more I became livid. The girl he was supposed to go out with was Hispanic so I guess she knew of this. So when we got back to the dorm and he was going on and on how we should do this again, I told him then, "But I'm a Mexican, you don't like Mexicans."

"But you don't look like one," he said. "You don't sound like one."

"But I am, my father's a Mexican." Yeah, my bold lie. Although, when I was born there was a feud between my mother's father and my dad. I was very dark with lots of dark hair and black eyes and my dad if rather dark skinned with dark hair and green eyes. They got into a fistfight. Still, my dad became his right-hand man for decades with all sorts of tasks.

I did think Sid would forget me. And he did forget that conversation. Evidently. He came to my house out in the country while I was there on a Saturday. I was out in the garden picking Okra.

"It took me all day to find you, but I found you." He smiled. It was the beginning of an interesting summer.