PoP, The Long Overdue Edition 24

Let's get down to business!
Obviously if I reviewed everything from the past three months, it would be David Foster Wallace-length, so here are my two favorites from each category.


Books
Currently reading: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Two Faves
Divergent by Veronica Roth
The concept isn't terribly original (girl chooses one of five factions that she has to belong to for the rest of her life) and the writing is particularly lyrical, but boy howdy if I didn't enjoy the story. This book's three greatest strengths were the characters, the action, and the romance. I love that it's set in some futuristic Chicago and I love how the Dauntless faction is like some sort of Gryffindor-gone-rogue. It also has the strongest set-up for the next two books. Divergent only came out in May--I fully expect it to become huge over the summer. (And it's not like how huge it becomes should determine how good of a book it is or provide any sort of reason for you to read it. It's good enough that I anticipate that it will garner hype.) 


Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
Absolutely devastating and unspeakably gorgeous--a very fitting conclusion to the Sisterhood. I didn't realize how much I missed the girls until I started this book. Prepare yourself for tears. That's all I can say about that. (And there are plenty of reasons to smile through the tears, so don't let that deter you.) It was so worthy of the sleep I lost by staying up to finish it in one night. 


Music
Currently listening to: Lover Boy by Brett Dennen
Two Faves
21 by Adele
This album helped me through a rough spring. I especially love how the songs go through the five stages of grief. You've already heard "Rolling in the Deep" and "Rumor Has It"--now listen to "Set Fire to the Rain."


The Belle Brigade by The Belle Brigade
The names behind The Belle Brigade are the grandkids of John Williams--I can't speak for their parents, but musical talent is sure in their bones. This is a newer one to my rotation, but I adore it. Listen to "Sweet Louise."


Movies
Currently waiting for: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part Two (Two more days!)
Two Faves
Super 8
I can't think of the last time I had as much fun at a movie as when I watched Super 8. I marveled, gasped, and giggled at all the right places.


Midnight in Paris
Okay, so...fine. I also had a great time at Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen's latest offering. The whole movie is built on the pop culture references of the 1920s--no wonder I loved it, pop culture fiend that I am. In the future, though, I would ask that there be less "harpy fiancee" and more Zelda Fitzgerald/Marion Cotillard.


TV
Currently working on: Friday Night Lights
Two Faves
Freaks & Geeks
Almost, almost, almost done with a re-watch. I have one disc left, but that got neglected in favor of Pottter-mania. It's as wonderful and cringe-inducing as the first time I watched it. (I wrote a review of the "Garage Door" episode here.)


Sherlock
Maybe a little late to the boat on this one--I think I watched it three months ago? Anyhoo, Benedict Cumberbach's Sherlock paired with Martin Freeman's Watson made me positively giddy. If you have somehow let this three-part series (with more to come, fingers crossed!) slip by, you need to change that post haste. The game is on!