Firefight Read-Along Chapters 46-49

Chapter 46

But the machine had always been finicky, and it chose this moment to finick.

Boo. I like this Finnick better.

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All of her momentum was transferred to the structure and, in the bizarre way of Epics, completely scrambled the laws of physics.

Completely scrambled is an understatement. Calamity has a lot of explaining to do.

"Stop doing that!" Regalia roared, voice booming.

I love how David has this tendency to make even cool-headed Epics loose it.

I shot her in the back.

Compliments as a weakness...
Dang. The boy is good.

Chapter 47

"It's all wrong, Prof," I called after him. "Regalia isn't bound by the limits you thought she was. She knows all about the plan. Whatever Val just found, it's a trap. For you."

Remember how in past posts I've been really ticked off at Prof? Gah, I take it all back. I have a bad feeling that he's about to become a tragic figure in the Reckoners' story... and as much as I love tragic figures, most of them end up dead, and I reallyreallyreally don't want Prof dead...

I stumbled through another doorway and saw a body on the floor, in the middle of a burned rug.

No, no, no... enough characters dying already!

The heat had dried the blood, darkened the skin, but I could make out the bullet holes.

Gaaaaah Megan! While I'm happy she's alive, how many times does she have to fake-die in this book series? This is getting to be as bad as the Winchesters here!

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Chapter 48

"She has taken a piece of my soul, and it lives on without me."

So... is this just him being all Biblical and metaphorical like Obliteration usually is? Or does he somehow mean this literally? I think I theorized a few chapters ago that Epics' powers were somehow tied to their souls, so this might not be too far from the truth.
But again, it IS Obliteration speaking, so I'm a little skeptical.

Chapter 49

Obliteration had stopped advancing toward me. He lowered his sword, the tip touching the floor. "And how," he said, "do you know of my nightmares?"

This whole scene with Obliteration is honestly one of my favorite scenes so far. The whole thing just screams, "We need a TV show!" (No, not a movie. A TV show. Because I honestly don't think anyone could do justice to these books with a mere movie... we need HOURS of this story, not just a couple of hours devoted to each book.)

They cut something outta him, Danslight had said. Obliteration, with bandages...

"She has taken a piece of my soul and it lives on without me." Wait, that's what Obliteration meant! Nononono... I don't like this, I don't like it at all...

"Too much," I whispered. "Far too much, Prof..."

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I honestly can tell you that seeing Prof use his power like that, knowing what it will do to him... it was a punch to the gut. If Firefight ever gets made into a movie or series, I will spend 99% crying my cold little heart out because I know what's coming at the end.
Dang it. Why do I always love the books that hurt the most?

What do you think is in store for the Reckoners? Will Prof be able to pull himself back from the 'dark side'?

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Newsies: History vs. The Experience

{Beware of mild spoilers, folks.}

"In 1899, the streets of New York City echoed with the voices of newsies. Peddlin' the newspapers of Joseph Pulitzer, William Randolph Hearst, and other giants of the newspaper world. On every corner, you saw 'em carrying the banner... bringing you the news for a penny a pape..."

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Okay, so we're almost all familiar with the fictionalized versions out there. But what was the real story behind the newsboys strike? What names will be familiar to us, and which won't be? Is it as empowering and heartbreaking as the film and Broadway show we've come to love so much? And how do those two things measure up... to history, and each other?

The Story Behind the Story

According to the film's special features (and several online sources), the whole thing really began a year or so earlier... with the Spanish-American War.

The price that the boys paid for their papers was raised, but since there were so many editions every day (new editions came every time there was new news), they didn't really care. After the war, however, was a different story. Most of the papers lowered the prices, but the two largest (Pulitzer's The New York World, and Hearst's The New York Journal) didn't. With circulation down and the papers going back to only two or three editions a day, the newsies really began to feel the pinch. Remember, most of these kids were poor, lived on the streets, and sold papers all day long. (Though, contrary to popular belief, a lot of them also had families and would only sell papers after a long day at school.) Their biggest issue with the people in charge was that they had to "eat" the papers they couldn't sell (aka absorb the loss) because the distribution centers would not buy them back. For the poorest of them, this was a huge deal because they depended on every cent to survive.

One day, a group that got their papers from a guy in a wagon on the bridge found out that he had been cheating them. And that was the last straw... they tipped over his wagon, and that incident sparked what became a citywide strike. Two weeks later... (This section contains spoilers for those who haven't seen the musical, highlight to read.)what ended up happening is that the strike ended in a compromise. The price would stay the same (60 cents per hundred papes), but the distribution centers would buy back every single unsold paper. Seeing as that was their biggest issue anyway, they took the deal and went back to work. So, I suppose in a sense they won? It was definitely the most successful newsboy strike in history because they used a union structure. And that's the gist of the real story. There are lots of interesting tidbits, especially about the boys, that I have left out to keep this as short as possible. But you can read about all of this in many places on the web (such as here), and in books. Good luck, and have fun!

As for the boys, I think that although a few of the leaders are unknown to you, you might recognize one name if you've seen the original film... Kid Blink. And as for other familiar names? Yes, Racetrack Higgins, Crutch (basically, Crutchie) Morris, Mush Meyers, Boots... and for all I know, a few others were real. Spot Conlon was real too, though I'm unsure if he was actually a newsie or not.

The ones that we've come to love that are fictional include: Jack Kelly (though he's probably a composite character based on a few real boys) and David and Les Jacobs.

The Film and Broadway Adaptations

Andrea's Thoughts

Although the film came out when I was eight years old, I didn't see it until I was around seventeen and a junior in high school. A lifelong musical theatre nerd, who had loved studying history since starting school, I completely fell in love with it that day in the choir room. I guess having the lead (Jack) be my age didn't hurt either. One likes being understood at that age. ;) I was inspired and began a fan fiction for it that nobody but myself has ever seen. At any rate, a deep longing for a stage version to exist (and for me to be involved) took hold.

one of my senior photos (taken junior year)

Ten or so years later, I learned there was finally to be one but was nervous to learn that they had changed quite a bit. Would I still like it? Three or four years go by, and I learn that the answer is a resounding yes, it was totally worth the wait! This may sound odd coming from the girl who had loved the film for fifteen years by this point, but I think I prefer the stage version! Alright, I'm getting ahead of myself. Short version is, I have a wonderful sister, with a fabulous ability to guess just what I would want whenever she buys me a present. The end of 2015 rolled around, and suddenly the two of us had tickets to the most anticipated show of the season at our local professional theatre. We went on its first night, January 19th, 2016, and I was ecstatic to finally be seeing it live on stage! She thought me crazy though, when before we even sat down, I exclaimed, "I want to come back!"

Admittedly, it was a bit weird, constantly comparing the two mediums in my head as we watched. But seeing it in this fresh new way rekindled my love for it, if that makes sense. Turns out, once I got used to them, the changes didn't bother me at all. And a week later on the 28th and 31st, I actually did get to go again! The final time being on its last day here, which also happened to be Ben Cook's last day as a newsie. It still feels surreal a year later that I got to go to the stage door afterwards those final two times. In part, because I got to meet him (His character, Race, has long been my favorite) and wish him the best on his adventure with (the sadly short-lived) Tuck Everlasting! (In which, he was the understudy for another former newsie: Andrew Keenan-Bolger!)

Best portrayal of Racer, ever, by: this kid!

That summer, I learned that a performance would be filmed in September, a month before the tour would close for good. Filmed, guys! And, as you by now probably know, they showed it recently, on February 16th, 18th, and 22nd, 2017 in the USA. And starting on the 19th, it began to be shown worldwide. On the 23rd, it was announced that it had broken records and they were adding an encore showing in the States on March 4th! Sadly, a prior planned family commitment kept me away today. But at least I got to go on the 16th and 22nd! (I tried on the 18th, but it was sold out.) What do you mean, that's overkill? That's not possible when it comes to my newsies! Besides, just in my first week of owning the VHS of the original in high school, I saw more than I have of this altogether! I think we're good. :P

Before we move on, I wanted to say this: things have now come full circle. By which I mean that the rest of us who grew up with it (not unlike the famous Jeremy Jordan, who originated Jack on Broadway) finally have a shot to fulfill our dreams at becoming a newsie (or reporter, or Medda, or whoever). Because, you see, the whole reason the stage version was formed originally was so that the fans who had been clamoring for one to exist could be able to perform it. And when it became what it did, the people involved were a bit in shock, I'd imagine. Anyway, now that the tour has ended, that is finally happening! In fact, I'm giddy, because a local professional outdoor theatre is performing it in August. And you can bet I'll be there as much as I can during that week! Hopefully, I'll even get my own chance, someday!

What I love best about the 1992 film: Probably that it started me on this journey. I would never have known this fascinating incident in history without it because it wasn't in the history books my teachers used! Also, how can you not love those personalities? Also, the quotes, man... the quotes.

What I love best about the Broadway/Tour version(s): That they changed the ending to be more historically accurate. (Though a certain politician never actually helped in real life. Ahem.)

I also loved the added depth for characters like Jack Kelly and Crutchie (who, thanks to Zachary Sayle's portrayal, is now tied for the spot of my favorite), mourned the downsizing of Spot's characterization, and laughed as always at Race. I saw part of myself in new character Katherine (can I be like her someday?) and was generally just blown away by the whole thing. And the music, I especially loved that part. The new songs were brilliant in a way that I can't explain and fit the story so well. And the new lyrics mixed into the old familiar songs made them ten times better!

What I love best about the filmed performance: That I got to see everything as if I had a front row seat or was sitting on the stage! As much as I love the energy of seeing a show live, I'm usually sad that I miss all the subtle and minute things because I'm sitting far away. Here, I didn't have to miss those things! Is it possible that I could have fallen more in love with it? Because I think I have!

And I was ecstatic that they brought back so many cast members from the show's history to make one epic night happen and be immortalized. (Please, please, put it on DVD someday so I can watch this at home!) Seriously, there were people from almost every stage of it up there on that screen! When the credits were rolling during curtain call, I was holding back tears and screams of glee as I recognized name after name. Sure, there were some I missed terribly because they couldn't be included in this project for whatever reasons. But overall, I'm in heaven, guys.

Random Observations:

The Broadway version (filmed or live) reignited the spark to want to make a difference. I mean, these young people had the courage to stand up and not back down when up against the city's most powerful and influential men in order to bring about change in their lives. And they did it in a time without internet, folks. If one city could be brought to its knees by a bunch of kids in that era, what change could we bring about today when we do have that technology? Our communities and the world need us to start stepping up too. Lots of things need change, and we've all got to start somewhere.

We all have unique gifts to use in making this world better. One of mine is writing, and hopefully I can take the lessons from them to heart and make a difference with my words. And I will continue to spread their story, in hopes that someone else's heart will be inspired too. Thanks for reading!

Bethany's Thoughts

I first stumbled upon Newsies years ago when it was simply a debated cult film. Although some found it to be lacking in quality, I adored it. I became so obsessed with the story of poor newsboys trying to make a living that I wrote several stories of my own about it during the height of my fanfiction writing phase. I rarely (if ever) write fanfiction now, but one thing has never changed, and that is my love for Newsies.

I was still slamming the keyboard with tales of the film newsies I loved when I learned that a stage musical was being developed. I definitely got super excited and watched videos and anticipated the show going to Broadway. Then it did! I remember being disappointed to hear that some of my favorite Newsies like Mush and Kid Blink were being taken out or their parts minimalized, but I had no idea how much I would later love it. I also was a little iffy that they made some major changes. Sarah and Denton, characters from the film, were completely omitted, replaced by female reporter Katherine. I had no idea how much I would enjoy this character until later.

I created a goal for myself. I was such a big Newsies fan that I wanted to see it on Broadway with the original Broadway cast. I had to make it happen. Funny how our plans never seem to go the way we think they should, right? I didn’t see the Broadway cast. In fact, I still haven’t seen a Broadway cast of anything, which makes me so sad, especially since I’m a theatre major. I remember the swelling disappointment I felt upon hearing that one of the original cast members was leaving the show.

Even though I never got to see the original Broadway cast and the show is now closed, I still held a dream of seeing it close to me. If I could make it happen… that would be a wonderful thing. When the show went on tour my fangirl heart looked at the dates it would be coming closest to me, and I dared to hope. I probably prayed, too. I’ve never had a lot of money, but surely I could see this show that I loved so much that I had seen developed from history to film to stage. It didn’t seem likely.

One day I received a message from my friend’s mom. For my friend’s birthday, her mother wanted to surprise her with tickets to see Newsies, and as her friends, she wanted my brother and I to go as well. Suddenly I had a palpable reason to go, not just for my own pleasure, but to make my friend’s night even greater. So we bought tickets.

I don’t know how to tell you about the joy I felt that night. This was around November of 2015, a fact that seems crazy to me now. I was so thrilled I had my brother take a photo of me with the marquee in the background.

We had seats pretty high up in the grand tier, but I didn’t care. Being there was all that mattered. During the production, I think I must have had chills. The voices were gorgeous, the dancing was phenomenal, and the acting wonderful. Though I really liked Jeremy Jordan’s voice on the original Broadway cast recording, I fell in love with Joey Barreiro’s Jack Kelly. Seeing one of my favorite musical films come to life was a dream come true, and I’m pretty sure I cried tears of joy. I loved every minute. Seeing the show live actually made one of the lesser-known songs of the show, “Brooklyn’s Here” become one of my favorites thanks to the acting and chilling (in a good way) harmonies.

I was floating on air, and after the show I got to meet two cast members! Since it was a matinee, or afternoon showing, many of the leads didn’t come out, but the entire cast was so hugely talented that it was okay. Here is a photo of me and the fabulous Stephen Hernandez (left) and Chaz Wolcott (right).

Seeing the show once was amazing. I wasn't able to see it more, but I would have loved to. Newsies is a beautiful story, and if you haven't gotten to know it yet, you definitely should! I hope you got the chance to see the film version that was in theaters, and if not, we can all hope for a release date outside of theaters. Carry the banner!

Sky's Thoughts

I first heard of Newsies quite a few years ago when my friend Pippin showed me the movie. I enjoyed it at the time, but as the years passed, I kind of forgot about it, sadly. Fast forward a few years later when another friend, Gianna, asked if I wanted to join a group of her friends to go see the Broadway tour of Newsies at a discounted price. Of course, I agreed. I didn’t know much about Newsies, but you don’t get a chance to see Broadway every day! After I spent the money, I worried a bit about whether I would enjoy it or not because I wasn't an absolutely huge fan at the time, but I can definitely say I'm a fan now! Hindsight is 20/20, and I’m 110% glad that I got a chance to see this musical. There’s nothing quite as magical as live musical theater, and Newsies itself is definitely something to behold. It’s an inspiring experience to watch the boys of New York overcome their differences and their struggles, and it’s something I think we can all learn from. There’s also something to be said about seeing it live. I’ve seen the movie, of course, and I’ve seen televised musical performances of other musicals, but watching the story unfold in front of you? That’s something else entirely. I may or may not be hooked on that concept and experience now. I can’t wait to see other musicals if the opportunity presents itself.

The musical itself was just amazing. It had such solid performances. I especially loved Jack Kelly, Katherine, and Crutchie. Medda was such an amusing character and definitely a highlight. Another highlight was the sets! The moving staircase was absolutely incredible. Another favorite of mine was the star backdrops. Speaking of, my favorite scene/song was “Something to Believe In,” though I greatly enjoyed Crutchie’s solo, “Seize the Day” and “The World Will Know” and all the ensemble moments. The dancing was incredible. I couldn’t get enough. Honestly? Everything was awesome. I loved it all.

Of course, the experience is best because of the people you share it with, and I’m grateful I got to see Newsies with Gianna. We had an adventure from the very moment our tires hit the road.

One of my favorite moments of the night was being in the city. We parked on the rooftop of the theater, and we were still on a high from seeing the show when we went out to the car after the musical, so seeing the lights of the city was just pure magic.

Everything about this night will go down in my mind as beautiful, exciting, and such an adventure. I’m grateful I got the chance to have this experience. More than that, I’m incredibly grateful I took the chance to seize the day!

Alright, you've heard our fansie stories! Now we want to hear yours, so leave us a comment below!

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Fandom of the Month Club Unboxing: February 2017

Hello, everyone! This is the monthly segment Fandom of the Month Club Unboxing! Fandom of the Month Club is a mailing service where you pay a monthly subscription fee to receive a box full of geeky goodies. I've been subscribed since May 2016, and I have received Sherlock, Lord of the Rings, Wizard of Oz, and Harry Potter-themed boxes, among others. All of it is exclusive to Fandom of the Month and a surprise every time! This is a geek girl's dream.

This month's box is The Little Mermaid-themed and it includes:

• "Look at this Stuff" Zipper Pouch
• Flounder Magnet
• Golden Shell Choker
• The Little Mermaid Charm Bracelet
• Mermaid Scales & Purple Seashell Studs
• Ursula Tentacles Ring

"Look at this Stuff" Pouch:

It seems that the zipper pouch is here to stay! Yay! Instead of the previous years' cinch pouch, the boxes are now including a zipper pouch with a loop for holding. This pouch is the perfect size for change, credit cards, cash, and other small handbag items. On this one is a beautiful coral ring with the quote, "Look at this stuff. Isn't it neat?" As soon as I opened the box and saw this, I smiled. It was the perfect quote to put on this pouch. Love it!

Flounder Magnet:

This 3 1/2" by 2" magnet is perfect for hanging pictures or important notes on your fridge or whiteboard. It has a glossy finish, which will protect it from water and stains. This month's features Flounder, our adorable fishy friend. The design is very simple: just a minimalist drawing of flounder in front of a green background.

Golden Shell Choker:

Chokers are back in, y'all! This makes me so happy! I adore this choker. It's a velvet ribbon with a golden chain and a lobster claw clasp. Then the pendant is the golden shell that Ursula traps Ariel's voice inside. So clever! 

This necklace is very elegant and is even appropriate for formal wear. I'm definitely wearing this the next time I go to a formal event.

The Little Mermaid Charm Bracelet:

This is an Alex and Ani-style bracelet with five charms: a ship, a fork (aka dinglehopper), "Part of Your World" charm, a mermaid from the back, and a pin with beads. 

The ship symbolizes Eric's ship, and the beads are Ariel's colors: red, purple, and green. I love the inclusion of the dinglehopper. I chuckled when I saw it. This bracelet is absolutely adorable.

Purple Seashell Studs:

These studs are so charming! The seashells are very detailed and match Ariel's top.

Mermaid Scales Studs:

The scale studs are so shiny, and I love the texture. They also shift from green to blue depending on the light.

Ursula Tentacles Ring:

This is my other favorite item from this box. This ring is just too cool. This has to be one of my favorite rings that I own now. The tentacles appear to be wrapping around your finger, and I love the bumpy texture of the suction cups. I have fairly large fingers and this ring was a bit small for my ring finger, but it fits well on my pointer finger. Regardless, it's a fantastic ring design.

9 out of 10

This has to be another one of my favorite boxes! I'll definitely wear all of these items. They're adorable and so creative. This got a squee out of me! If you want to subscribe to Fandom of the Month Club, you can on their website for $13 a month, not including shipping. (It costs me about $17 total including shipping.) It's a worthwhile investment, and if you don't like the fandom, the items make great presents for someone else!

Are you part of this fandom? Which of these items is your favorite?

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Marathon-Perfect Movie Series

One of the best things about movie series is watching them in a marathon! And with school breaks and hot days looming on the horizon, there are plenty of chances to host a marathon of some of your favorites! Here are some of mine:

The Lord of the Rings

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This is possibly the reigning champ of movie marathons. Not only do you have three movies to marathon, you can choose different versions! (Although the extended editions are the best way to watch this series.) Lord of the Rings is full of great characters, beautiful scenery, and strong storytelling, making it a perfect series to spend a day with.

The Hobbit

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Following Bilbo’s journey from the Shire to Erebor and back again, The Hobbit is a fun, humorous adventure story through a different time in Middle-earth. Like LOTR, there are theatrical and extended editions to choose from. Pair it with LOTR for a complete Middle-earth marathon!

Pirates of the Caribbean

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I confess I have not yet put together a marathon of all of these movies (only the first two). Featuring charming characters, plenty of humor, and some wild-but-fun adventures, Pirates would make a great choice for a summer movie party.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe features multiple interconnecting storylines engineered to bring dozens of characters together. The stories are fun and intense and filled with amazing characters. Factoring in all the movies and TV shows, this would be quite the binge-watching session. But a marathon of such super proportions isn’t always a possibility, so the MCU is easy to break down into smaller segments.

• Phase One
• Includes: Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America: The First Avenger, and The Avengers.
• Chronicles the journey of the Avengers as they become superheroes and become a team.
• Phase Two
• Includes: Iron Man 3, Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Ant-Man.
• Shows how the Avengers have changed since becoming a team and expands the world of the stories.
• Iron Man trilogy
• A completed series within the MCU, Iron Man focuses on Tony Stark and his journey to becoming a superhero and a central part of the Avengers team.
• Captain America trilogy
• Another completed series within the MCU, the Captain America trilogy tells the story of Steve Rogers from the 1940s to the present, and features some of the biggest twists in the MCU.
• Or a build-your-own marathon of your top favorites!

 

What are some of your favorite movies to marathon?

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How To Sound Well-Read With Less Than 7 Books

Everyone wants to sound smarter than they actually are. The one thing you can count on in life--other than death, taxes, and frozen pizza--is that everyone you speak to is pretending to know more than they actually do. There are, of course, many ways to go about this: irrational confidence, an air of mystery, straight-up lies. Or you could go with what I consider the best option. Actually gather enough knowledge that people just assume you know more than you're saying.

That's where I come in. If you ever want to sound well-read without actually having to read every single book, this is your pretty darn near perfect crash course in literature. You ready? Let's go!

Othello by William Shakespeare

First comes Shakespeare. Of course. You can't call yourself anywhere near well-read if you've never read Shakespeare or at least seen a faithfully adapted film. Of course everyone gets references to Romeo and Juliet, that doesn't help your status. Othello, on the other hand, is frequently referenced but not as widely read. So brush up on Iago and the Moor, and start impressing people with your knowledge of Shakespeare's plays.

For bonus points, start looking at people like this. (source)

Alternative: Watch The Hollow Crown. All of it. I mean, how can you go wrong with Tom Hiddleston, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Jeremy Irons?

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Northanger Abbey is the shortest of Austen's novels. You're welcome. But it goes deeper than that: if people know you've read Northanger Abbey, they'll assume you've read Pride and Prejudice and also probably Sense and Sensibility or Emma. No one just reads Northanger Abbey. Except you!

And then watch the movie. How can you go wrong with these nerds? (source)

Alternative: Actually read Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma.

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
or Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë

While we're on a great literary women kick, obviously the Brontës are on this list. You don't necessarily have to read both (though you should); one will do the trick to make you sound knowledgeable. Why isn't Anne Brontë on this list? Well, if you read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall without having read the other two, people would most likely just cock their heads and ask, "Why?" At which point you'd have to reveal that you read this list and you're not actually that well-read.

How could you resist these faces? (source)

Alternative: Read all the Brontës. Or at least the Sparknotes.

"Bartleby, the Scrivener" by Herman Melville

You can get away without reading Moby Dick. Let's be real. It's a really long and kind of arduous book. Luckily, Melville also wrote a bunch of kickass short stories and short novels that aren't nearly as long and arduous. My personal favorite is "Bartleby, the Scrivener." It is also, I believe, the most commonly referenced of Melville's shorter works.

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Alternative: Any of his other short stories or short novels. Google it.

"A Girl I Knew" by J.D. Salinger

Similarly, you can also get away without reading The Catcher in the Rye. Holden Caulfield is whiny and annoying. Salinger's short stories, in my opinion, are much, much better. If you can find it, "A Girl I Knew" is my favorite of his. It's also where this quote comes from:

She wasn’t doing a thing that I could see, except standing there leaning on the balcony railing, holding the universe together.

This beautiful piece of poignant prose. Seriously Salinger, why'd you give us Holden?

Why? (source)

Alternative: Any of his other short stories. Nine Stories is a great collection that you can find at most secondhand bookstores.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

One you can't get away without reading, however, is The Great Gatsby. Believe me, I tried. I don't actually like this book. But it's one of the most popular classics and everyone knows about it. Gatsby and Daisy. East Egg, West Egg. Boats beating against the current. Etc. Etc. Once you finish it, you can reward yourself with watching Leo DiCaprio. And ice cream. Because why not.

Like this. But with you. (source)

Alternative: There aren't any. Just read it.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Hobbit is more or less the quintessential fantasy book. And Tolkien is who all the great fantasy writers of today are compared to. And for good reason. His worlds are rich, his characters are honorable and yet still interesting, and his prose is fantastic. Hopefully, once you've read The Hobbit, you'll want to read the entire Lord of the Rings. But that's a big undertaking. I get it.

Heck, even a movie marathon is a big undertaking. (source)

Alternatives: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Dune by Frank Herbert. One of the great classic fantasies.

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are both big names in fantasy today. Even those who despise fantasy usually know their names. So knock out two birds with one stone! You've read the classic fantasy, now read a modern fantasy. At this point in the list, you'll be able to converse with both classic lit nerds and fantasy fanatics. One more section to hit, and you'll be able to convincingly fake your way through being incredibly well-read.

So good. (source)

Alternatives: Why would you want one? This book is freaking amazing.

"This Is Water" by David Foster Wallace

"This Is Water" is a speech David Foster Wallace gave at a graduation. Not only is he well-known with pretentious literary people, this essay is just genuinely good information to be reminded of. If you read nothing else on this list, read this. It's eight pages, and you can find it here.

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Alternative: Read Infinite Jest, I guess? I dunno. That book is like a bajillion pages.

Bonus: Poets 

Emily Dickinson, Charles Bukowski, Rainer Maria Rilke, 

Allen Ginsberg, Billy Collins, Maya Angelou, e.e. cummings 

Go to www.poetryfoundation.org. Look up these poets. Read three or four of their poems, and not just their immediately famous ones. Pick a few other poets. Read poems by them, too, and remember their names. Casually bring them up in conversation.

Congratulations! If you've made it this far, and you've decided to read everything I told you to, you are well on your way to not only sounding convincingly well-read, but actually being well-read. And, if you've already read all, or most, or even just one of the things on this list, I give you a round of applause. Reading is dope, man.

What other books would you add to this list?

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Why You Should Watch Netflix's A Series Of Unfortunate Events

I remember my first fandom. I remember being a young girl and seeing advertisements for a new children’s series by a local author. I remember coming out of a book shop with three little hardcover books filled with charming and quirky illustrations and immersing myself for the first time in a world filled with adventure and tragedy. I remember searching the books for hidden codes, filling my commonplace book with facts I read, and eating pasta puttanesca in San Francisco, wondering if I would, by chance, run into the man who inspired me to see so much more in the world than ever before. And most of all, I remember dreaming about the day when all the books that man had written for children my age would one day be put on screen where they could inspire other people as well.

That day came on January 13th, 2017.

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And as this series has been such a defining part of my life for so long, it’s my honor to take you through the Netflix adaptation here on The Fangirl Initiative. I’m sure there are still some of you out there who haven’t seen the show yet and are wondering if it’s something you should try. My answer, of course, in an unequivocal “yes.” But the reasons why you should watch it, and the best way for me to put any doubts you have to rest, depends on how familiar you are with A Series of Unfortunate Events. Have you read the books and are afraid the adaptation isn’t accurate? Were you turned off by the Nickelodeon film that came out back in 2004? Or are you not familiar at all with the series and are unsure of what to expect? Regardless of what category you fall into, we’ve got you covered.

For Those Unfamiliar With the Series

For those completely unfamiliar with A Series of Unfortunate Events, I recommend both the books and the TV show. It doesn’t matter if you read the books first or watch the show first because the show is accurate enough to the books that it’s more or less the same thing.

For those interested in diversity, it has strong female characters, POC characters, LGBT characters, and it often explores relevant and controversial topics. The series has a lot to offer from its unique narrative style, great characters, memorable and quirky aesthetic, and unusual sense of humor to its surprising twists and the difficult questions it raises. Although it appears to be a simple children’s series at first, there is a lot more lurking beneath the surface. Hidden codes and clues to a mysterious organization can be discovered by readers and viewers willing to dig deeper. And most of all, the books have a message that is real, tragic, and inspirational – and more relevant than ever before.

(Source: Brett Helquist's illustrations)

A lot of people may wonder why someone would write a series so dark. Why have a story that focuses on all the unhappy things that happen to a group of children? Isn’t that just pessimism for pessimism’s sake? But the truth is, the unfortunate events in the series are perhaps the most important aspect of the story. There’s a reason it sets itself apart from other children’s media.

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In the majority of children’s books and television, the message is clear: you control your own destiny. If you just work hard enough, act moral enough, use your ingenuity and intelligence enough, keep up your health and appearance to be attractive enough, then you can achieve anything. You can do anything you want to do, be anything you want to be. Just try, try, try, and if you fail, it’s only because you didn’t try hard enough. This is where the Baudelaires are different. They are attractive, moral, kind, intelligent, and they never give up and always try to do their best.

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And yet, their life is a series of unfortunate events. Why? Because the author looked at what we’ve been telling children through the media and saw that we have been lying to them.

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In a fair world, hard work is all we would need to be happy and successful. But the truth is, life isn’t fair. Sometimes people work hard and never see results. Sometimes people are never given a choice or a chance. Sometimes people are abused. Sometimes people are not in control of their own lives due to age or disability and are forced to rely on people who are unreliable. Sometimes people face prejudice for things they can’t help. The truth is, many things in life require support and teamwork, and no matter how eager or hardworking you are, you won’t get anywhere if those around you choose not to help or refuse to listen to you. Life is complicated, not black and white.

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Daniel Handler, the author of the series, understands these things all too well. When asked where he drew his inspiration for the series, Handler cited the reliance and helplessness he remembers during childhood, as well as his experiences as a Jewish man whose family was in Germany at the start of WWII.

“… growing up, when I went to family events with my extended family, the stories passed around the dinner table were all stories of who got out and who didn't and daring escapes and lucky rescues and the whole chaotic tumble of living through that era. And I think that also had a huge effect on "A Series Of Unfortunate Events" - that just the notion that terrible things can happen at any reason and not - they're not punishments for bad behavior, just as good things happening are not rewards for good behavior. I definitely have a slice of that Jewish paranoia. On this book tour that I just finished, I was recently in Vancouver. And I always have this feeling of Vancouver. That's my fantasy city for when the United States has gone completely mad, and I must flee for the border… but, I mean… I think when other people fantasize about living someplace else, it's not because they're fleeing from a fascist government. But I think if you're raised Jewish, that paranoia comes with the territory.”

A Series of Unfortunate Events is the story of the abused. It’s about victim blaming. It’s about dishonest media. It’s about the way abuse is perpetuated through good people being unwilling to listen or see outside their immediate perceptions. It’s about how the human race likes to turn a blind eye toward the suffering – to say that those down on their luck deserve their misfortune – because no one wants to believe that bad things can happen to anyone, regardless of who you are or what you do. No one wants to believe it can happen to them, no matter how hard they work or how moral a life they lead.

Many people might say that a story on such a dark topic is too depressing to read (and based on his warnings, it seems Lemony Snicket would agree). But I think its message is one of hope. If you’ve ever, like the Baudelaires, experienced a series of events that some would consider unfortunate, you’ll see more in this message than just darkness. For anyone who’s worked hard, done their best, and still gained nothing but pain and abuse, you’ll see a story that tells you this isn’t your fault. And if you’ve ever seen a loved one struggle in vain, wondering why their fight to better their own lives never seems to get them anywhere, you’ll find an explanation for all the pain – and an opportunity to help. If you're like the Baudelaires, you believe the answer to almost any question can be found in a library.

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And if the questions you often ask yourself center around the reasons for suffering in the world and what we can do about it, then out of all the books in the library, A Series of Unfortunate Events is a good place to start. 

If you believe that hard work and talent inevitably leads to happiness and success – that those down on their luck simply did not try hard enough – “If you prefer to view the world in black and white,” as Lemony Snicket says, “avert your eyes or pick up a newspaper instead.” However, if you believe there’s more to life than that – that there are victims deserving help, villains deserving defeat, safe havens to create, and hearts that need opening – the ASOUE fandom welcomes you home. We live in a world filled with misfortune and fire. And the only way justice will prevail – the only way the world can become a quiet place once more – is if we put away our prejudices and preconceived notions, and open our ears and hearts to those who have fallen through the cracks.  Let’s volunteer to make it so.

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For Those Wary Of the Series After the 2004 Film

As you may know, the Netflix adaptation is not the first time A Series of Unfortunate Events has been put on screen. In 2004, a film adaptation hit theaters and… was not exactly successful. Since many were turned off by the film, I have seen some people reluctant to try the Netflix show as they are afraid it will be more of the same thing. If you are one of these people, let me tell you that you can put these fears to rest. The Netflix adaptation is nothing like Nickelodeon’s.

(Source: Variety)

For one thing, Nickelodeon, being a very large mainstream studio, approached the film from the angle that most big studios do: changing the story to try to fit a marketable formula. And because the appeal of the books is the ways in which they break the formula, this plan backfired. Another factor was the fact that the film starred Jim Carrey – an actor famous for his own style and improvisation. This meant that, in order to take advantage of the actor’s talent, the story had to be further tweaked for his improvisational lines to be incorporated into the movie. What’s more, while the original author of the books, Daniel Handler, was willing and eager to add his input into the making of the film, he was outright ignored and even mistreated by the studio. This resulted in a film far from the original vision of the author. And because they were also cramming three books’ worth of story into one film, the story was rushed.

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Overall, Nickelodeon did everything wrong when it came to adapting this story to screen. The fault of the movie’s failure lies with the studio, not the story itself. Therefore, there’s no reason to believe an adaptation of the books made by an entirely different studio would be destined for failure.

And looking at the finished product, it appears Netflix did everything right. Their focus was on storytelling rather than money and marketability. They made accuracy to the books their focus. They listened to input from the author and even had him write the script. They hired actors who excel at unleashing their creativity within the parameters of an already-established story. They took their time in telling the story, allowing two 40-50 minute episodes per book. And since there are no ads on Netflix, the story could be told however they wanted, rather than based around when they need to break to a commercial. What resulted was a faithful adaptation and a unique story that focuses on the characters and the heart of the books.

Therefore, regardless of how you feel about the Nickelodeon film, I wholeheartedly recommend Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.

For Those Who Have Read the Books

If you've read the books, you’re probably a bit wary of watching the Netflix adaptation, afraid it’ll take the story you love and turn it into something… well… embarrassing. Especially after the trailers showed a very childish, lighthearted tone and cheesy humor. As you can probably tell, I was not a fan of the trailers. And if you’re like me, I want to ensure you that you have nothing to worry about. I’ve seen every episode of season one, and the trailers were not accurate to the final tone of the series. The show is something that adults will very much enjoy. And while the humor can be cheesy at times, it can also be quite clever – like the humor in the books, in other words.

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You’ll be happy to hear the show honors its source material to the fullest extent. The adaptation is so accurate, you can read along as you watch, for the most part. The only serious deviation is that the mystery concerning the secret organization is introduced earlier – which I consider a plus, since the author wanted to do that anyway in the books but couldn’t because the publishers wanted to give the series a “test run” with four stand-alone books first.

What’s more, the adaptation is not only accurate to the events of the books, but the spirit as well. While watching, I got the impression that everyone involved in production was having a lot of fun. Every part of the story feels like it belongs, unlike a lot of other “accurate” adaptations where some things feel shoehorned in just for the sake of accuracy. Everything feels very natural. It felt like the cast and crew were quite proud of the original source material, unlike a lot of film directors who try to “improve” on the original by making it more “marketable.” Daniel Handler, the author of the original books, even writes the script, so you know that can’t go wrong.

I’ve seen a lot of book-to-screen adaptations, and Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events is the first and only time I’ve been able to say that it doesn’t matter what you do first – read the books or watch the show – because they are both just as good.

Watch With Us!

Starting March 10, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at each chapter of Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. We hope you’ll join us!

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