Happy Weekend, friends!
Through Monday, I am linking with the following:
On the above blogs you will be able to see links to the posts from others who are participating in these blog hops, and if you're a blogger, you can join too.
Last week I asked where winter went and today I'm telling you it came back. It snowed overnight Friday night, though not as much as was predicted. We got a couple of inches. It was all done well before sunrise, so unfortunately, I didn't get to see it falling. But it was nice to wake up to a winter wonderland. I'm guessing this will be the last of the snow for the season, but one never knows. I wouldn't mind at least one more snowfall before March.
I was wondering, do any of you have recommendations for movies or books that take place on trains? I don't want anything rated R. G, PG, or PG-13 are fine. Something like Murder On the Orient Express would be great, but it doesn't have to be a mystery. The Christmas Train is another good example of what I'm looking for. Thanks in advance.
IN THE BOOKS
Click on 2024 Bookish Challenges on the right sidebar to see how I'm doing with this year's goals.
RECENTLY FINISHED
I finished reading DM Me for Murder (Trending Topic 3), by Sarah E. Burr, and I loved it. You can read my review here and you can read some excerpts from it here.
I listened to Buttercream Bump Off (Cupcake Bakery Mystery 2), written by Jenn McKinlay and narrated by Susan Boyce. It takes place around Valentine's Day, so the timing was perfect. The narration for this didn't resonate with me, but I liked the story. I think I may have to give this one another try at some point, but next time I'll read it instead of listening to it. I also want to read the next book in the series.
I listened to Royal Valentine (Museum of Literature Romance 1), also written by Jenn McKinlay. It's narrated by Sara Young. This is a cute romcom novella. The pacing of the story seemed a bit off, but overall I enjoyed it. I didn't expect the references to Jane Austen, so that was a nice surprise. There's been a lot of Jane Austen in my bookish and movie world lately.
IN PROGRESS
UP NEXT
ON TELEVISON
- Love and Jane - This was part of Hallmark's Jane Austen month. It had great potential, but fell flat for me. I love the idea of Jane Austen coming back to help someone, but the execution wasn't great. The plot was slow-moving and the lighting was too dark and cloudy. I think that effect was intentional, but it didn't work well.
- My Secret Valentine - This is an older movie starring Hallmark veterans Lacey Chabert and Andrew Walker. It was cute, but it was clearly filmed in the fall. Valentine's Day in the fall? But I enjoyed it overall.
- Very, Very Valentine - One of my life goals is to watch every movie that Cameron Mathison stars in and this movie was one step closer towards reaching that goal. His co-star in this one is Danica McKellar. It's also an older Hallmark movie. I really enjoyed it. And this one clearly took place in the winter, you know when Valentine's Day really does happen in the U.S.
- Playing Cupid - Another older Hallmark movie. It was cute. I liked seeing a teacher as one of the lead's occupations.
- Valentine Ever After - I realized after a few minutes I had already seen this movie, but I watched it again anyway because I enjoyed it the first time I saw it. And I liked it again the second time. It's another older Hallmark Valentine-themed movie. Do you see my theme here?
- Love in Winterland - This was the perfect movie to watch on a snow-filled day. It was nice and cozy, plus it had one of my favorite tropes - a former high school couple getting back together as adults. It had a reality show premise, which was different. Be sure you're drinking hot chocolate on a cold winter's day while watching this movie.
- Friends - I finished season 7. I felt a little sad watching the wedding, knowing what Matthew Perry was going through at the time. I read that he went back to rehab immediately after the wedding was filmed. On the other hand, I think it's great that they supported his rehab and found a way to keep him on the show. Do you remember the drunk character who Joey was filming with just before the wedding? I saw some parallels there with the way his character was written. On the fictional show he was filming with Joey, they insisted he stayed. I'm not sure if the similarity (though not identical) was intentional or not.
WEEKLY BLOG RECAP
- Sunday Post 02/10 - Weekly Recap
- Book Review 02/13 - DM Me for Murder (Trending Topic Mystery 3), by Sarah E. Burr
- Book Review 02/14 - My Phony Valentine (Holidays with Hart 1), by Courtney Walsh
- Book Review 02/15 - The Mystery of Mrs. Christie, by Marie Benedict
- Five for Friday 02/16 - Milk Money, A Talking Cat, and a Productive Cat
- Puzzle - 02/17 - A Friendly Visit
Have a great week!
Hmm, for books set on a train, Ethel Lina White's The Wheel Spins comes to mind! That one had me enthralled recently.
ReplyDeleteIt feels like we've barely had a winter here -- I'd love some proper snow that sticks around at least a day or two.
My STS/weekly roundup.
Nicky, I just looked up that book. It sounds captivating! Thanks for the rec. :)
DeleteHave you seen Throw Mama from the Train? It’s hilarious.
ReplyDeleteI have not! I forgot about that movie. Thanks for the reminder. :)
DeleteI can't think of any books on trains, but if I do I will come back and let you know. It took some digging for me to remember the name of this one, but part of Enola Holmes is on a train, and it is REALLY good!!
ReplyDeleteCindy, I have heard so many great reviews of Enola Holmes. I will definitely have to check it out. Thanks! :)
DeleteMy Sweetie loves the Polar Express. I'll have to ask if he's heard of The Christmas Train, he does love Christmas movies.
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas Train is a Hallmark movie that's based on the book. I haven't read the book yet, but the movie is excellent! :)
DeleteLovely snow and I hope you do get more. I think March can be variable, at least it is hear and I expect it to go on being mostly summer. Lots of great cozies, sometimes when the narrator isn't doing much for the book, I speed it up and find that helps.
ReplyDeleteOh, good idea, Kathryn. I will have to try that next time. Thanks! :)
DeleteI know you prefer the cozier mystery’s but you might enjoy Everyone on a this Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson also The People on Platform Five by Clare Pooley which is sweet.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Oh, those look good! I added them to my TBR list. Thanks! :)
DeleteIt got suddenly much, much colder here last night. It is supposed to warm up a lot this week, though. I'm glad we had one more cold spell, too.
ReplyDeleteIt makes me sad to think of Matthew Perry and the suffering he went through.
Yeah, he went through so much for so long. I hope you have the kind of weather you wish to have this week! :)
DeleteI hope you get more snow! I think Murder On the Orient Express is the only train movie I've ever seen. I can't think of another one.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Aj. :)
DeleteNice looking assortment of books. I can't help with the movies having not seen one for years. I just read and listen to audiobooks. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kathy! :)
DeleteAll those cozies look so good. I want to read the Jennifer J. Chow series. I just finished her latest and enjoyed that one. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Yvonne! :)
Delete