Welcome to my one-woman show!
Atlas Shrugged
This is one of those books you never forget. From the beginning to the end I was always entranced with the characters. Although, written in the 1950s, the story is sadly accurate today. We are living in this terrible, Trump Land of Assholes destruction. Watching the revolt of all the good, hardworking, honest, and brilliant people leave and get to start an entire society over.... that's my idea of Heaven. There isn't a place I wouldn't move to, in any country, if this were a real possibility.
I related to Dagney on several levels but especially her will to keep trying while everyone else around her was shit. People are tired. People are sick of this existence. Is this today or from the book? Both!
Our existence of reality vs reason is something I see crumbling around the intellectuals whom understand how terrible things are and/or will be. A casualty conscience seems so far away, how do we even know what the American identity even is anymore?
Why vs What
How vs Somehow
Integrity vs Selfishness
Good vs Evil
Who decided? I believe this is what Ayn Rand wanted you to think about throughout the entire 62 hours. When James Taggert ( I really hated him) says to his sister, Its my right to be weak and your duty to fix my weaknesses because she is so strong, I lost my mind. Unfortunately, this is how many selfish individuals feel.
Thank you for this book.
Now, the movies..... After I read a book, I often go to IDMB and check to see if a movie has been made from it. I was excited to see, there was indeed a trilogy on Amazon Prime.
Movie 1: The casting was weird. Hank wasn't even attractive, Dagney was the girl from Orange is the New Black, James looked about 19 years old and it just felt off. However, it wasn't terrible.
Movie 2: Surprise!! Not only is it an entirely new cast (everyone) but the environment and feel is different. I laughed but was thrilled to see that this was some great casting. Most of the characters felt like the book and the story line got better but they left out key elements. An example, Hank goes to Dagney's hotel room and watches her sleep. As she turns around her gigantic ruby necklace is the focal point but they never show him give it to her. The movie was just better all around and I looked forward to the last.
Movie 3: Are you kidding me? Seriously!?!? Again, a whole new cast. It is a dreadful cast except for Jim and Thompson. Dagney now looks about 16 and Francisco is about 65. There is zero chemistry among any of the characters and the story took a huge dive into a Lifetime movie. I was laughing too hard to be disappointed.
I hope Ayn Rand never watched these movies. This needs a redo with better casting agents, producers, writers, and a top notch Director. The material is gold.
For more: Check out my Goodreads Account.
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5935978-shannon-mitrovich
Title: Winston Brothers Series, plus, Beauty and the Mustache
Author: Penny Reid
Started: January 30, 2021
It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a book series this much. I love when I get to know about all the characters individually. The sexual innuendo and hilarious one liners had me in laughing fits. After each book, I swore that was my favorite one. I’ll never be able to choose because each character is so detailed and extraordinary. I’ve made a list of my favorites below.
- spoiler alert!!!
I do however, have a favorite character. Sadly, I relate to Scarlet more than I’d like to share but I absolutely felt her pain. I love that Penny went back into the childhood of her and Billy, everything came together so nicely. Now, I know these are only stories, and completely unrealistic fantasies but the celibacy going on is ridiculous. These men truly do not exist, and the ones who do, don’t look like the Winston brothers. If you disagree with this statement, please introduce me to one of them.
My absolute favorite part of the entire series is Cletus. His voice, mannerisms, and even his name just crack me up. I wonder if I would have loved him as much if I was just reading instead of listening. Cletus Winston is one of my favorite book characters of all time; it was sealed with the Beardy Bonus book’s, letter to Santa & cock block reference.
I will be reading every book written by Penny Reid and I am so thankful for Audible. Being able to listen has helped through the loneliness of living alone during a pandemic.
Book Quotes of Hilarity:
· Reliable like a tampon made of sand.
· He gave me zings in my things.
· I want his banana in my coconuts.
· He stunned the butter off my biscuits.
· You look like a large pot of armpits.
· I have to pee like a hooker with a UTI.
· You know what’s low carb? Shut the Fuck Up!
· Colder than a tin toilet seat in the Yukon.
Characters: How I picture them.
· Jethro: Sam Elliot in Road House voice and demeanor but with Paul Anderson in Peaky Blinders looks.
· Shelly: Charlize Theron
· Sienna: Sofia Vergara (with 10 extra pounds)
· Claire: Bryce Dallas Howard: Scarlet in Twilight and Claire in The Help
Favorites:
· Cletus’s Sausage- it makes me laugh even when I’m not reading.
· Cletus’s statement of his pocket meat stick to Scarlet/Claire.
· Cletus- his brain palace instead of memory
· Jennifer’s Muffin- plus, I need a blueberry pancake muffin.
· Simone’s parents hiding in the closet to scare her back.
· The way Simone would say shit when she was really mad.
· At the end of the series when the entire family is camping- where did these names come from? A couple sounded more like dinosaurs than children. Literally, the only thing I would have changed from the book, but still comical.
Oh, and one last thought, I wish there would have been some shock and/or discussion about Nelson being in the FBI and not a stripper.
Top 20 Books of 2021 (of 84) No Spoilers 😊
1. Penny Reid- My entire list would be her books, in turn, I have an author as my number 1. Providing me company and much laughter throughout this lonely pandemic, she has now become my second favorite author. Augusten Burroughs will always remain number one after reading, “Running with Scissors”. Penny has constructed an intertwined community into three different series; I’m hoping they continue. I already wrote about the Winston Brothers last year, but Cletus continues to be my favorite book character of all time. When I realized this was the second series, I had to go back and re-listen to all of them. You simply cannot get the brilliance of these characters without listening to the audio versions first.
And I digress- Cletus Winston
Penny’s series in reading order: (She’s also guilty of books numbered 0.5 and 7.5) All on Audible.
1. Knitting in the City
2. Winston Brothers
3. Solving for Pie (Next 2023)
4. Good Folk: Modern Folktales(Next one not until June 2022)
2. Circe and Song of Achilles- Madeline Miller
Its Greek Mythology at its finest.
3. Project Hail Mary- Andy Weir
Not a normal read but this book was voted number one on every site. It had a real slow start for me and almost quit. Again, I only kept going because of the number one votes. I’m glad I did, an unlikely but fantastic relationship between the planets hit all my emotions.
4. The Count of Monte Cristo- Alexandre Dumas
This book has been on the “to read” list for many years. Somehow it became a topic, and I was rushed to read it from a friend. Due to the length of the book, it was the audio version for me, well worth the 52 Hours and 41 Minutes. A justified revenge story for-the-ages.
5. Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark – Cassandra Peterson
I have ALWAYS loved Elvira but now I respect and admire her. I’ve never related to anyone this much before. I have often thought to myself, “how much bad shit could happen to one person before I catch a break. I work so hard but can never get ahead”. Cassandra had to feel the same way. So many times, she was duped or was right on the edge of success to watch it all disappear- with no fault of her own. The other side of the book is a “Me Too” movement. Read it- there is so much to admire about this legend.
6. Steven King: On Writing a Memoir
I only read this because Elvira recommended it…
He isn’t anything I expected and was pleasantly surprised. He gave me a lot of tips but just as much general wisdom and entertainment.
7. Freed- Fifty Shades of Gray- from the male perspective- E.L. James
I will always say the first book changed my whole view on sexuality- in the best way! My sister bought me this book and I devoured it. I then went in and re-read the others and this again. I just wish the movies were better- I didn’t like the casting at all. Did the casting agents even read the books? But I still enjoyed them.
8. When we left Cuba and Next Year in Havana- Chanel Cleeton
9. Buddy Guy- When I left home. After meeting Buddy at his bar in Chicago, I was interested to learn more. He has lived an incredibly life with a rough start. I look forward to his next show.
10. Willy Nelson- It’s a long story: My Life
I never realized how many songs he wrote.
11. A book- Dezi Arnaz
I had no idea Dezi lived the life he did before he met Lucy. I suggest you listen to this before watching the new movie- which is garbage.
12. Indigo Girl- Natasha Boyd
13. The Magdalen Girls- V.S. Alexander
14. American History in 50 events- James Webber
From early immigration to world power in 1 hour & 14 mins.
15. Small moving parts- D.B. Jackson
16. Dick Van Dyke- Keep it moving and other truths about living well longer
17. Purple Diaries: Mary Aston and Hollywood Scandal – Joseph Egan
18. God Pretty in the Tobacco Field- Kim Michele Richardson
19. Samantha Chase- The Entire Montgomery Brothers Series
20. Keep pain in the past and getting over trauma- Dr. Christopher Cortman
I am not a fan of “self-help” books at all! I actually learned a few things in here about myself.
File coming soon.