BuzzSugar

What's Buzzworthy: Book Club Books

BuzzSugar — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:30:00 -0800

Reading your comments and seeing the bookmarked books for this week's Buzzworthy challenge has inspired me so much, I think I just may start a kind of virtual Book Club here on Buzz! Stay tuned for more details on that. And until then, check out some of the great book club book suggestions submitted by Buzz readers.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy
I've often heard rave reviews of this novel by No Country for Old Men author Cormac McCarthy, and liza0183 is joining the chorus of praise. liza0183 writes, "This won the Pulitzer Prize you have to go out a read it. I finished it in 2 days it's a great, solid, moving book. McCarthy is the new Steinbeck in my opinion."

Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
Adrianne has this to say about her book club book idea: "I'm not a part of any book club, but I think this is one book that will definitely have readers, namely female readers, either siding with Tess or rooting for her to overcome her many battles, both with her surroundings and within herself. The ending is really the turning point for Tess's character, as I found her to be a strong and brave character, despite the majority of the text's description of the fallen woman. Although an ancient book, it remains a classic!"

What's Buzzworthy? Book Club Books

BuzzSugar — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

As the writers' strike seems to have no clear end in sight, now might be a good time to start a book club! There are so many books I've been meaning to read for ages, and I think a book club might be just the thing to make me sit down and read them. Now I just need some suggestions.

Some books that I think would generate great discussion - especially among women - include Elizabeth Gilbert's fabulous memoir Eat, Pray, Love, and the biblically-set novel The Red Tent. I also think it might be beneficial to check out some of the books that are about to be made into movies, since it's often hard to read the books after having seen the movie.

I'd suggest Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees (soon to star Dakota Fanning and Queen Latifah) and the classic novel Revolutionary Road (opening in December with Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the lead roles).

What book club books are your favorites? If you're a seasoned book club member, what would you suggest for all different levels of book club members (beginners, intermediates, advanced readers)? Just use BuzzSugar's cool bookmarking tool to find your favorites online, write a little blurb about why you think they make good fodder for book clubs, and tag them with the phrase book club books. Next week I'll feature some of the books here so we can all get our reading lists ready for the coming year.

What's Buzzworthy: The Best Books of 2007

BuzzSugar — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 07:00:13 -0800

Thanks to all of you who participated in my Buzzworthy challenge to choose the best books of 2007 - and all of my challenges this year! It's been fun, and I'll be back with more great challenges in 2008.

For this challenge, you all picked out some great titles - some that I've read, others that have made my list of books to check out in the future. Here were some of the picks:

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Unsurprisingly, the final book in the Harry Potter series was a favorite pick in this challenge. It was bookmarked by MuggleCrazed and tchemp, who called it a satisfying conclusion for readers of all ages.

Full Frontal Feminism: A Young Woman's Guide to Why Feminism Matters by Jessica Valenti

Adrianne chose this title, recommending it with these words: "If you've got no clue as to where to start looking into feminism, then this is probably the book to read. The author writes in a simple style that calls out to the reader to really take an understanding into women and the particular events that surrounds us on a daily basis. I discovered this book over the summer and read it in three days, non-stop. I'm re-reading it after I finish my other book soon!"

Three more, plus a widget with everyone's picks, so just read more.

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

The newest title by the author of My Sister's Keeper was chosen by genvessel. She wrote: "As someone who works with youth, this is one of the most achingly accurate accounts of teen angst . . . and it's just so well written. Well done."

Shopaholic and Baby by Sophie Kinsella

The newest title in the Shopaholic series made gruaig_rua's list of the year's best. The title finds heroine Becky Bloomwood in a great place in life, working at an upscale boutique and shopping her way through morning sickness - until she learns that her doctor is her husband's glamorous ex-girlfriend.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

tchemp picked out this novel by Entertainment Weekly critic Gillian Flynn, which was released in paperback in 2007. Her summary of the story: "Troubled news reporter Camille Preaker is sent to her small Missouri hometown to investigate the murders of two young girls and ends up uncovering her own family's dark secrets."

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What's Buzzworthy? The Best Books of 2007

BuzzSugar — Sun, 23 Dec 2007 11:30:21 -0800

I love reading under any circumstances, but with the writers' strike likely to roll into next year, I'm going to be needing book recommendations more than ever. So before we flip the calendar to 2008, I wanted to ask you all about your favorite books of 2007.

One of my favorites: Will Allison's What You Have Left, a book I picked up almost by accident at my local library and ended up devouring in a weekend. The novel is essentially a set of interconnected short stories focusing on an estranged father and daughter trying to find their way back to each other, with side appearances from NASCAR, the Confederate flag, and poker machines. It's a small, spare book that manages to be incredibly affecting.

Others from the year that I'd recommend: Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, which made me want to make my own cheese; Ann Patchett's Run, which had some of my favorite characters of the year; and Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns, as good a follow-up as I could have imagined to The Kite Runner.

So now, what are yours? Just use BuzzSugar's cool bookmarking tool to find your favorites online, write a little blurb about why they stood out to you, and tag them with the phrase Best Books of 2007. Then, next week, I'll feature some of the books here so we can all get our reading lists ready for the coming year.

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What's Buzzworthy: Favorite Holiday Albums

BuzzSugar — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 10:30:20 -0800

For this week's Buzzworthy challenge I wondered which holiday albums were your favorites. In case you're looking for new suggestions to spice up your collection (which can become a little old by Christmas Day), check out some of your fellow Buzz readers' favorite holiday albums.

Christmas With the Rat Pack
emalove and Phasekitty both chose this swanky holiday album. Emalove wonders, "How can you go wrong with holiday favorites by fabulous singers like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin?" Phasekitty calls this a "great compilation of old favorites," which is "best for snowy nights in front of the fire with friends and family."

Reverend Horton Heat, We Three Kings
For a rockabilly twist on the old reliables, check out biochemlovely's bookmarked favorite, We Three Kings by Reverend Horton Heat. Biochemlovely has this to say about her choice: "The rockabilly master covers some classic songs. These versions are a little heavier than the usual holiday tunes, but still let you enjoy the Christmas spirit."

Much more musical holiday spirit if you read more.

Sufjan Stevens, Songs for Christmas
I heartily agree with this favorite holiday album, bookmarked by both Fab_Kitty and scorpstar77 as it is a beloved staple in my own holiday music collection. Scorpstar77 calls it "a crowd-pleaser for both the young and old, for the hipsters and their parents," while Fab_Kitty describes the album thusly: "With Sufjan Stevens' take on classic songs like 'Silent Night' and 'Away in a Manger,' as well as original compositions like 'Ding! Dong!' and 'Hey, Guys! It's Christmas Time!,' there's a lot of banjos, flutes, bells, hushed harmonizing, etc. to enjoy."

Christmas Remixed
One of CocoChic's favorite holiday albums, Christmas Remixed, is a refreshing take on the same old, same old. CocoChic claims it's "guaranteed to make you smile!"

National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation Soundtrack
I never knew National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation even had a soundtrack until I saw it bookmarked here by alillee, who writes, “Although it's extremely difficult to find this album for under $50, it's still a great CD with some great Christmas and holiday songs!"

What's Buzzworthy? Your Favorite Holiday Albums

BuzzSugar — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:00:00 -0800

We can debate the best and worst songs of this season until we all turn blue (or our fingers fall off for that matter) because everyone has strong opinions about which holiday music is appropriately cheerful and which is gratingly annoying. I try my best to bring in new holiday albums every year so my collection doesn't grow too stale, but I must admit that I have my time-tested favorites!

I love Nat King Cole's Christmas Song so much I suggested it in one of my holiday gift guides. Cole's voice is just so warm and comforting - like the holiday season itself. For an even more down-home Christmastime atmosphere, I turn to Christmas With Johnny Cash. And in more recent years I've loved the smooth jazzy seasonal tunes on Diana Krall's album Christmas Songs.

What are your most beloved holiday albums? Just use BuzzSugar's cool bookmarking tool to find your favorite albums around the Web, tag them with the phrase holiday albums, and write a little blurb about why they're the best. I'll feature a few picks here next week - just in time to beef up your music collection before the holidays.

What's Buzzworthy: Your Holiday Wish List

BuzzSugar — Sat, 08 Dec 2007 09:30:00 -0800

I hope Santa checked out the results of my latest Buzzworthy challenge. If he did, he knows exactly what's on Buzz readers' wish lists. Here are a few of the pop-culture goodies you said you wanted this holiday season:

Medium: Three-Season Pack
This collection of the first three seasons of Patricia Arquette's NBC show caught gruaig_rua's eye. She wrote: "What I love most about this show is that Patricia Arquette's character is so realistic. She's not a glamorous career woman - she's struggling to juggle her family life and work life, and also a gift that sometimes seems like a curse."

I Am America (And So Can You)
A couple of you - namely Adrianne and alillee - mentioned hoping someone will wrap up this Stephen Colbert book for them. Wrote Adrianne: "Since the Colbert Report has gone on hiatus for the writers' strike, I need some Colbert in my life to fill the void! I read the first few pages while at the bookstore recently and couldn't put it down!"

Three more, plus a widget with everyone's wish list picks, so read more

Harry Potter Years 1–5 Limited-Edition Gift Set
CupcakeGal10 hopes someone picks up this boxed set of the first five Harry Potter movies for her. She wrote: "Even after all of the buzz surrounding Harry Potter this year - the seventh book coming out, the fifth movie in the theaters - I still can't get enough of J.K. Rowling's magical world! Her stories provide such great reading escapes, yet she instills such great life lessons at the same time. I think the movies do an incredible job of following the books, and now that I know what is going to happen to all of the characters, I can't wait to see how the director portrays the last two novels!"

The Journey of Natty Gann
Fab_Kitty had this 1985 family favorite on her list. She wrote: "Of course I have to ask for something with John Cusack! Plus, I can feel perfectly comfortable popping this in the DVD player Christmas evening and watching it with the whole family."

Girls and Boys
This album from rising star Ingrid Michaelson is a must-get for nikkigz, who wrote: "I loved her song "The Way I Am" on that Old Navy commercial, so I previewed all the tracks on her CD and now I really want to have it."

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What's Buzzworthy? Your Holiday Wish List

BuzzSugar — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 11:00:00 -0800

For the past couple of weeks, I've been giving you some holiday shopping tips for the various people on your list. But I haven't heard much about what you're lusting after this holiday season.

So I've decided to make this week's Buzzworthy challenge all about your holiday wish lists. What entertainment-related goods do you want someone to wrap up for you?

To start you off, I've pulled a couple of items straight from my own wish list: the Six Feet Under and My So-Called Life, the two-DVD set of the Witch Mountain movies, and a new pair of fancy headphones. (Are you reading, mom? Just kidding!)

So, it's your turn: Just use BuzzSugar's cool bookmarking tool to find your wishlist-worthy entertainment items from around the Web, tag them with the phrase holiday wish list, and write a little blurb about why they've caught your eye. I'll feature a few picks here next week - maybe it will help us come up with even more gift ideas for the pop culture junkies in our lives!

What's Buzzworthy: Comfort Movies

BuzzSugar — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 19:35:02 -0800

Wow, you all really blew me away with your response to my most recent Buzzworthy challenge about comfort movies. Your lists of trusty favorites were fantastic - but I really loved reading your descriptions of how and why the movies came to be your fallback films. It was so hard to pick some to list here, so I highly recommend reading through them all yourselves! Tough as it was to choose, here are just a few of the many that caught my eye:

The Princess Bride
Bookmarked by Fab_Kitty, who wrote: "When stuck in bed on a sick day, I always watch The Princess Bride. In a fevered delirium, I also always giggle and think about how little Fred Savage and I are both escaping our illnesses through the endearing story of Wesley and Buttercup. Hooray for being easily amused!"

Party Girl
This Parker Posey movie was tagged by marcella, who said: "Great comfort movie with a hilarious Parker Posey as the title character that parties so much that she can't afford to pay her rent. She gets a job as a librarian. It's totally a trashy film, but I turn to it when I want to turn my brain off and just laugh."

More great choices and one giant widget with all the picks when you read more

Now and Then
PinkUnicorn picked this movie, which is another one of my own reliable favorites. She wrote: "The ultimate comfort movie! I love the exploration of how women's relationships with each other evolve over time. Plus it is simple yet touching. I have memorized every line!"

Being There
Phil picked out this movie, saying: "Every comfort movie needs a comforting figure. And to me, none can be more comforting than Chance, better known as Chauncy Gardener.

This movie is great in the sense that you can accept it at any frequency. Whether if I'm in an overly contemplative mood and want to think and run around in a circle in my mind, this movie works. But, only when I turn off and just appreciate the film for its hilarious scenes and misconceptions do I really appreciate Hal Ashby's brilliant little satire."

Dead Poets Society
scorpstarr77 picked a movie that's had a huge impact on her life: "This movie is the reason I was an English major in college, the reason I decided to become a teacher, and the reason I fell head over heels for Josh Charles at a young age. I find it uplifting and inspiring, and also devastating - always there when I need a good cry!"

Home Alone
This old standby was picked by komler, who sounds like she'll be pulling the movie out again not too long from now: "Home Alone is one of the movies that I watch every year around Christmas - or when I want it to be Christmas and be around my family."

Finding Nemo
Here's how Phasekitty explained why she's partial to this Pixar flick: "My boyfriend loves horror movies, but when I watch them I get scared and have trouble falling asleep. He knows now that if he wants to see a scary movie with me, all he has to do is have this movie on standby that night. A little Finding Nemo to take my mind of the aliens, serial killers, zombies, and vampires and I'm sleeping like a baby."

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What's Buzzworthy? Comfort Movies

BuzzSugar — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:30:00 -0800

Watching challenging films is a worthy goal, but sometimes, I just want to relax with a movie I've seen a zillion times before. My comfort movies may not be the best or smartest movies in my collection, but they're perfect for curling up on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and mentally reciting the lines I've heard a million times before.

So for this week's Buzzworthy challenge, I'm asking you to bookmark your favorite comfort movies, the most trustworthy films in your collection. I'm starting you off with Beautiful Girls, a movie I've seen more times than I could count on my fingers and toes put together. All through college, I toted around a VHS tape with a recording of it from my parents' TV; then, I upgraded - slightly - to a beat-up official version I bought from eBay. I finally got the movie on DVD a couple of years back, and I still pull it out every time I just want to watch something familiar. For good measure, I've tossed in a couple of my other standbys, Laurel Canyon and Drop Dead Gorgeous.

Just use BuzzSugar's cool bookmarking tool to find your favorite comfort movies from around the Web, tag them with the phrase comfort movies, and let me know why you love keeping them around. I'll post some readers' favorites here next week.

You can also now make a list of your picks. Here are mine: