Inklings Link-up~September 2020

 

I decided to take part in Heidi's Inklings link-up. 

1. At any time during the month, on your own blog post a scene from a book or film that matches the prompt, including a link back here in your post.

2. Link-back to Heidi's blog in the comments section with a link to you Inklings prompt.

September Prompt

A schoolroom scene in book or film

Currently

 Fall has come to Virginia in the most unusual way. It actually feels like falltime. Normally down here, September is the hottest month of the year, but the weather has cooled down considerably and I'm loving it! 

My job has been keeping busy and exhausted. With people still leaving I'm basically been employed full time for the rest of the year. So it's 6:00-1:30 everyday with only Sunday off. The paycheck is great, but I'm still struggling with getting up in the morning. I do enjoy working at the front desk and it's really helped me open up more and talk to people.

So here's a list of my currents:

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

While the tagline of the film says 'The Journey Ends' one may ask, which journey? Many journeys came about from the original journey of Frodo and Sam leaving the Shire to destroy the Ring. We've gone from Hobbiton, Bree,  Rivendell, Moria, Lothlorien, Rohan, Isengard  and now in the end we venture to Gondor--home of Boromir and Faramir, as well as Aragorn's rightful kingdom--and Gondor's eastern neighbor, Mordor. 

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

  

We hit the ground running (literally with some characters) in the continuing story of Frodo Baggins and his journey to destroy the One Ring. While The Fellowship of the Ring was the primary introduction to the people and places of Middle Earth, The Two Towers is really where the story takes hold. As evil grows stronger, so do our heroes and those that join them.

~ ~ ~

Goodreads Reviews: Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters

 

Beyond Band of Brothers: The War Memoirs of Major Dick Winters by Dick Winters 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

While not too different from Alexander Larry's, Biggest Brother, that was co-authored with Dick Winters, Beyond Band of Brothers is just as engaging and enlightening. Dick Winters is clearly a private man and prefers to be in the background. However, he dealt with the unexpected stardom very well. You can tell in his writing that is raw and honest.

In Beyond Band of Brothers, Dick Winters recounts his early life (although not in the same detail as Biggest Brother), but primarily focuses on his personal and private thoughts regarding his time in the war. While the man might be painted as a saint, a saint he certainly was not, and Dick Winters is the first person to tell you that. His anger towards Herbert Sobel, that bordered on hatred, was especially noticeable. The other men may have disliked their former CO, but they never hated him. However, Dick's personal experiences with Sobel were much worse and a great deal he kept to himself for many years.

Dick gives great praise to the men who served alongside with, but as he was an officer he had to learn to keep a distance from them. It was encouraged in the military that officers should not mix with the lower ranks. Dick may not have liked this at times, but also being unattached to the men personally was the only way to remain strong in the war.

One aspect I found truly remarkable about the legacy of Dick Winters was that he remained true to his strong moral character his whole life. He didn't smoke, drink, swear, run around with women, always attended church-although his personal faith in Christ has always been a private matter-treated everyone around him with complete respect and worked hard for everything in his life. Through all that, he was never looked down on because of such a moral life; a life that almost bordered on piety. At first the men of the 506th may have doubted him-going so far as to consider him a Quaker-but overtime Dick won their loyalty, respect and infinite love. Because he was both a good solider and good man.

Major Dick Winters was an ordinary man whose religious upbringing, strong work ethic and natural born leadership abilities guided him through the darkest days of WWII. He is a complete representation of 'the greatest generation.' A generation of men and women who are still teaching the world today.

The Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

I had never heard of The Lord of the Rings prior to the anticipated release of Peter Jackson's cinematic masterpiece in 2001. My two older siblings were obsessed with the books and only naturally as a younger sibling, I just followed along. I remember seeing The Fellowship of the Ring in theaters and being astounded by the beauty of Middle-Earth and its array of peoples, cultures and customs, overwhelmed by the story of ultimate good versus satanic evil, and so very delighted at the fact that an ordinary and maybe even insignificant person can be chosen to do a monumental mission.

A Tolkein Blog Party 2020 Kick-Off and Giveaway

 

Hamlette's A Tolkein Blog Party has arrived! Before I start her tag questions, she is also hosting an amazing giveaway that you can find here.

A veritable array of candles, music and art! 

So go and head over to the giveaway to view what she has and enter!

Goodreads Review: The Lost Girls of Paris

The Lost Girls of Paris by Pam Jenoff

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In 1946, New York City, a lost suitcase is found at a train station. Its owner disappeared. When Grace Healey, a young war widow, comes across this seemingly ordinary piece luggage, her curiosity gets the better of her and instead of turning it into station security, she takes it home.

The contents of the suitcase reveal a secret organization during the war. A female spy ring that recruited women from all over England with special skills and abilities. The chosen women are trained in intelligence, combat, weapons manufacture and survival skills. Using hidden radios, the young agents send coded enemy information to the allies from across the sea. As Grace digs deeper into this undercover operation, she discovers the lives of several extraordinary women.

Eleanor Trigg, a Russian who immigrated to England when she was young. Eleanor has the idea of creating a special an all female intelligence unit and sending them to Nazi occupied Paris to aid the undercover French Resistance.

One of these recruits, Marie, is a young single mother who is chosen for her ability to speak French. However, Marie lacks confidence and skill to work in the field. Seen as a constant failure to Eleanor, Marie is determined to prove herself in the efforts to win the war and return home to her daughter.

The lives of Grace, Eleanor and Marie are all intertwined as memories and long kept secrets are brought to the surface. The story of Eleanor's strength and Marie's courage inspire Grace to seek the truth of the lives of these women and the sacrifices they made.

What a book! Anyone who holds admiration for the women who worked in the war department in WWII would appreciate this story. Reminisces of Agent Peggy Carter back in her war days can be seen in many parts of the story. Eleanor, Marie and Grace, while three very different women with very different lives are only small representations of the real 'women at war,' and their stories that deserve to be told.

The Sunshine Blogger Award

 

Carissa and Olivia both tagged me for the Sunshine Blogger Award!

Thank you both!

Sunshine Blogger Award Rules

1. Thank the blogger who nominated you in the blog post and link back to their blog.

2. Answer the 11 questions the blogger asked you.

3. Nominate 11 new blogs to receive the award and write them 11 new questions.

4. List the rules and display the Sunshine Blogger Award logo in your post and/or on your blog.

Goodreads Review: Unbroken: A WWII Story of of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

 

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption by Laura Hillenbrand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Louis Zamprini was a handful of trouble and disaster, much to the dismay of everyone around him in the little town of Torrence, California during the Great Depression. However, he eventually fueled all the extreme energy into one exceptional talent, running. He would go on to become a gold medalist in the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the once hellion became a hero.

Afterwards, Louis had dreams of running in the 1940 Olympics, but war changed everything. By a series of mishaps (most of his own making), Louis finds himself in the Air Force. Flying made Louis sick, but overtime he grew to have a talent. Joined by a close crew of friends, Louis flew over Japanese islands, taking down the enemy for God and country.

In June of 1943, Louis' plane, The Green Hornet is shot down. Unable to find the plane or the men, the War Department declare the crew dead. However, Louis and two other survivors endure hunger, blistering hot days, frigid nights, mammoth sharks, and losing of mind for 46 days. Louis prays that if God would save him, he would serve him forever.

When Louis is saved by the Japanese and sent to a variety of POW camps, what he suffered on the Ocean was nothing to what he faced at the hands of his enemy. Tortured and starved daily, Louis and other allied POWs struggle to maintain sanity and dignity. However, one corporal, Mutsuhiro Watanabe "the Bird" used his powers of physical and emotional torture on the helpless men and Louis was his favorite target. Over and over again, Watanabe tortured Louis into submission and subjugation through humiliation, violence and fear.

Louis miraculously survives "the Bird," and the war and finally goes home. Yet, his remarkable survival makes him a celebrity in the eyes of the world. He once again becomes a hero. Louis marries a beautiful young woman and tries to start normal life. Yet, flashbacks to the war and Watanabe haunt Louis. His PTSD drives him to drinking and his life slowly comes apart. Unable to forget the war or forgive the man who beat his dignity and honor from him, Louis' only mission in life is to find and kill Watanabe.

When Louis is at his lowest and absolute extreme end, a message from a young preacher reminds Louis of his promise to God out on the Pacific Ocean. If you save me, I will serve you forever. Louis turns his life to God. The love and light of God fills Louis' life and allows him to finally fulfill his promise made so long ago. And Louis remained faithful to the promise until his dying day.

A deeply emotional story of a remarkable man who was shaped by suffering and pain, but by God's eternal redemption became a hero to everyone who knew him. Louis' story of survival at the hands of the Japanese is disturbing and probably doesn't even scratch the surface of what he truly endured. Unbroken pays tribute not only Louis Zamprini, but to all the men who served in WWII. For those who never returned home from war and those who returned home, but never left the war. There is hope to be found in learning of the life of Louis Zamprini. 

When Heroes Fly

Out of nowhere I've developed a love for Israeli dramas. I've always enjoyed international films and Israeli dramas aren't really too different from what we have in the West, but being able to witness and see another persons culture and listening to their language makes for a great experience. And cultural experience is what this mini-series gives you. From Lenbonan, to Israel, to Columbia, When Heroes Fly --based on the book by Bishvila Giborim Afim-- is a thought-provoking thriller that explores the damaging effects of PTSD, broken friendships, lost love, shaken faith, long buried memories and hopeful endings.

Flashback Friday Post

In which I randomly select a year, a month and a post 

to look back upon

January 8, 2016

Introvert or Shyness?

After my post "Vogue Introverts" that I wrote on 6/6/2015 I had a several discussions with someone who is much more knowledgeable on the issue of introvertism than I am, so I'm redoing this post for more factual and truthful information. 

The Everything Star Wars Blogathon

 

 It's amazing what you find on other people's blog. Through Olivia's page I came across a Star Wars Blogathon that's being hosted by Eva-Joy and Katie. Star Wars has been a big part of my life since I was a little girl and I've written several Star Wars themed posts - the Originals, the Prequels, The Force Awakens, Star Wars thoughts, Obi-Wan Kenobi character sketch - however, I've always wanted to do an in-depth, more like defense, post about Anakin Skywalker. 

For years, Anakin Skywalker has gotten a bad rap from people and most of the blame was geared toward Hayden Christensen who was only following the directors poorly written dialogue. Being 11 years old when I first saw Attack of the Clones, I -and probably many other teenage girls - fell madly in love with Hayden and his brooding and complex portrayal of Anakin Skywalker. So maybe it's my childhood crush that had me defending both actor and character for over 18 years, but it seems like after so much time, people are coming to realize that Anakin was actually a genuinely good character - and Hayden a POW of Lucusfilm Ltd. I'm not going to lie, I feel so much validation.

(That may end up being the opening to my post)

So, it looks like I'm going to be busy this fall, with Rachel's A Tolkein Blog Party, Heidi's Lord of The Ring's Read-Along, both in September and now a Star Wars blog party in October.

Goodreads Reviews: Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindelwald

Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindelwald: The Original Screenplay by J.K. Rowling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Notorious criminal Gellert Grindelwald has escaped a heavily fortified wizarding prison through no small amount of magic, illusion and deception. He heads to Paris to gather with his followers and reveal his plan of wizarding supremacy over the non magic world.

Magizoologist, Newt Scamander, can't even get out of his own country due to his disastrous trip to New York the year before. Despite his small amount of fame from his successful book, "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," the Ministry of Magic is determined to keep Scamander under heavy surveillance at all times.

Between the lives of these to two men is war versus peace. Manipulation versus compassion. Revenge versus forgiveness. Rejection versus acceptance. Grindelwald recruits the lost, the lonely, and the unaccepted promising them a place of belonging. Newt befriends with generosity and wisdom expecting nothing in return but friendship and loyalty.

Caught in the chasm of Newt and Grindelwald are Tina Goldstein who is determined to finish the damage the Grindelwald inflicted on a child; Queenie Goldstein who is desperate to be with the man she loves, despite the Wizarding World's restrictions; Leta Lestrange, a lonely young woman from Newt's past whose sins from childhood continue to haunt her; Theseus Scamander, Newt's older brother, Leta's fiance, war hero and head auror who only wants to protect his loved ones, especially his wayward brother; Credence Barebones, a young orphan boy on a winding path to know where he comes from and where his future lays.

And finally, Albus Dumbledore, a Hogwarts professor and powerful wizard who refuses to aid the Wizarding World to capture the man who was once his closest and dearest friend. The lives of these people and others are all put on a balancing point with Grindelwald controlling every motion and Newt Scamander there to stay his hand just when he thinks he might win.

After my first screenplay reading experience with Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, I was very excited to get the sequel screenplay. And just like its predecessor, the book completely succeeded in bringing the film to life in my head.