Hooked by the Nook?

Dear readers, I have now had my Nook near 6 months and boy do I have a lot to say about it. There isn't a week that goes by where don't I hear, read, or see someone thinking about or getting a Nook. Now, I'm all for new gadget purchases, but I think I fell into the average Nook user category and would urge anyone thinking about a $250 dish-out to consider a few things first.

Before getting the Nook Color for Christmas last year, I thought  long and hard about it. I'm the kind of girl who ADORES her books, literally...I adore them. A discarded book at a library, I'm the girl who takes it home and keeps it. So, I had to really think how e-books would fit into my world. Ultimately, I reasoned that I would be buying different types of books on the nook. And that once I got used to buying them in e-form, I wouldn't fret so much about not having the actual book. Plus, ebooks are generally cheaper. In the end, getting a Nook Color wasn't my decision: my family got it for me and my fantastic brother made sure I got the best one in the store.

A Nook isn't like an ipod (technical usability and support)

With an I pod, you get super simple instructions: download itunes, load your music, plug in your ipod, and go. The beauty of ipods is they're idiot friendly. The Nook? I felt SUPER stupid. Its instructions tell you to turn it on and follow the pop up screens. Before you do anything you have to hook it up to the internet. So God help you if you don't have wireless. Then, make sure you have a Barnes and Noble account already set up, because you have to have one before you buy your first book. Then, there's the whole buying a book thing. The shop and shopping online are two different options, and if your internet connection is slow, it can take up to 4 days for the purchase to show up. Yeah, that whole instant reader thing? Non-existent at times.

Let's not even talk about how long it took me to figure out CONNECTING it to my computer. The instructions included with the Nook don't even cover it and it took me a week searching online to find out how to actually achieve a connection. BTW: you plug your Nook into its cord, plug the cord into the computer and "unlock" (slide the lock button over on the screen like you're unlocking it) your nook while its on. This will connect it to your computer.

The finger response is good, but if you normally have cold hands, you're going to struggle. Same goes for people with large fingers.

Are you a book reader? Really? (frequency of use and ways to use your Nook)

To be honest, what I do least on my Nook is read. I actually use it more as a hand-held internet device than anything. Which really is such a waste of the nook. I realized soon after getting the Nook that reading from PDF or downloading off Project Gutenberg is not all its cracked up to be. With all the app improvements and all the android integration, you would think B&N could spend a little time fixing up reading support. Just a little. Please?  

As mobile internet, it works well. And as e-reader its not half bad. When I do read on it, its wonderful. My lack of use comes more from the price of e-books and my absolute refusal to spend over $8.00 on anything in e-format. I guess I still haven't reasoned myself out of physical books vs. e-books yet.

And where do you store yours (you Nook in your life)

Be careful! Don't leave your Nook in a hot or cold car. Definitely buy it a cover (... ...for 40+ dollars) and remember that not all places have free wireless internet. I constantly remind myself my e-reader is for reading and I do place it around books. This is the paramount thing to remember when buying a Nook. Remember that you've bought it for reading, and don't focus so much on the new gadgets for it, or outside things it can do. Remember you didn't buy a Nook Color because you wanted a cheaper ipad. If you did it for that, you'll be underwhelmed. If you bought the nook to be your million in one book, you might still have a chance dear reader.

Overall, I would never get rid of my Nook. And if I did have more expendable income for books, I think I would utilize it as an e-reader much more often. This blog post ended up a little bit more of a bitch session than I thought it would, but I've told you the worst. I do think my major issue lays in functionality. Remember, I'm the average book reader. If I can't find it in 5 minutes, or the download isn't quick, you've lost me. My problem lies in connecting to the books I want to read and how they've become second to internet ability and apps, not the books themselves. Now, if you still want a Nook -- that means you have it bad, and probably should already have one.  

REVIEW, THE BORGIAS

By now, dear reader, you have probably heard more about The Borgias than you feel like repeating. And, if you haven't watched it, you've already heard a millions reasons why you should. I've been trying to figure out a creative way to review The Borgias without it sounding like everyone else's review (which undoubtedly is: OMG! I love it! It's wonderful!!!). So, I thought I'd take the most blanket statements about The Borgias and tell you my take. And then there might be a short review at the end...

If you loved The Tudors, you'll love The Borgias.

I know I've been saying this. And for me, the statement is true, but for many there will be chagrin. If you loved The Tudors, the fact is you probably loved it for the actual content of the show: the history of Henry VIII and his 6 wives, the characterization of Henry, his wives and the court, and, of course, the acting. But loving Tudor Era England and Borgias Era Italy can be 2 totally different things. On paper, at a glace, in general, we can make a statement like the above, but when we get down to serious specifics we're in a totally different time period, with totally different characters, and, in some cases, totally different values and villains. The goal of The Borgias production is to humanize a family many consider villains. Henry VIII, through a self-indulgent, haughty, wife-killer, was never considered a villain to the level of Cezare Borgias. In short, if you enjoyed The Tudors, you might tune in for the first episode of The Borgias, and if you like it, you'll keep watching.

It's like The Godfather, but in Renaissance Italy.

Did Mario Puzo base much of his novel The Family (which would later be turned into the classic film The Godfather) on the Borgia family? Yes. And yes, for those fans who have seen The Godfather, it will not be hard to parallel the characters. However, there is so much more to The Borgias than a simple mob family comparission. Like the first statement, I've been one of the people saying this, and for that I'm sorry. Now seeing the pilot, I realize that while the fundamentals like, family loyalty and dynamic, are the same, the feel of The Borgias is very different from the feel of The Godfather. If you are looking for something more Sopranos than The Tudors, you are going to find The Borgias lacking. There is murder, there is deception, but the tone is very different.

The Borgias is a period drama for thinking people.

I never understood this statement. It implies that other period dramas are not fantastic or complex, AND that there is a learning curve to watching great television. Note pop culture blogs: telling half your readership a show isn't for them because you think they're stupid...not a good plan. The Borgias is simply fantastic drama: well shot, well acted, and well edited. As is most period drama. Period drama is drama, simply set in a different era, which is often portrayed more decadently, or more glamorously. Why now are we getting all this mainstream attention? Because a big-budget production is being made; a big-budget production which is hoping to snag all The Tudors fans. Notice, Mildred Pierce received little media attention (it is a period drama, it has famous actors, it has been critically acclaimed) and when was the last time a Masterpiece Theatre mini-series ever hit the mainstream? Dowton Abbey came close; the closest a production had made it in years. Thus, the statement that The Borgias is for thinking people is the same as saying it is for people who love the Godfather: its another hook, another tempting soundbite to entice people to watch. We're thinking people, right? So we must watch...

All those answers sound a little cynical, didn't they? And certainly didn't highlight why I enjoyed the pilot. So here it goes, my SHORT happy review:

Going in to The Borgias I only knew they were considered the serious "bad asses" of history. In most history books, if they are even referenced, its like the Borgias invented the words villain and lasciviousness. So, my blank-slate of a mind, had some serious doodles already in relation to this historical family. What I found fascinating is the show is written not like they are villains, but rising heroes who will have history turned against them. Think about it, had the Bogria family succeeded in unifying Italy and holding on to the papacy, their portrayal in history itself would be very much different.

This is most clearly seen in Cesare's character. Francois Arnaud plays the eldest son of Rodrigo Borgia like a reluctant hero. He has the virtues we associate with a hero: courage, honor to his family, loyalty to his family, and the determination be a protector. He has all these things and listens to the will of his father, even when it runs counter current to his own desires. Like The Tudors, The Borgias is character-driven and Cesare will be its foundation.

The costumes are beautiful, the scenery is impeccable, the acting can wax a tad melodramatic, and the pacing of the 2 hour pilot can drag slightly in the middle, but all in all, it is a strong showing for the new Showtime series.

To learn more about the show visit here. To learn more about the Borgia family visit here. To see lots of fabulous photos, fanart, and gifs visit here.

DOWTON ABBEY, TWO DAYS LATER

Now that Dowton Abbey SEASON ONE (can you tell I'm glad it is returning?!) is over, and there have been a few days to properly process all the amazing acting, film-making, and writing I think I can, without ranting or fangirling or much extreme favoritism, say that it was brilliant and one of the best BBC dramas I have seen in a long time. In hopes of making this review short, concise, and useful: I am going to give you my top five reasons to watch Dowton Abbey as soon as possible.

5. The wonderfully shocking twists and turns
I do not want to give away any spoilers for these shockers (although, I’ll point you in this direction if you want to know). Needless to say there are surprising relationships, deaths, and even maybe a birth and secret or two that came out of nowhere for this viewer. Some are things you see coming and just want your suspicions confirmed, others are a blindside. Every one, though, was an open-mouth “what just happened?” moment, and I love those moments. Love them. Dowton Abbey absolutely has enough twists and turns to keep you more than interested for hours.

4. Reflection of the time
There is something so refreshing about the strongly female cast and their actions and motivations. While the men have control of Downton upstairs and down, the women challenge constantly their constraints: Sybil is openly in favor of women’s rights, the Dowager Countess openly willing to challenge the entailment, and Mrs. Isobel Crawley's position as a knowledgeable nurse highlights the intellect of the early 20th century woman. As a reflection of pre-WWI female sentiment, Dowton Abbey left a smile on this view’s face. Likewise, as a reflection of the pre-WWI period, it is simply lovely.

3. The character relationships

I dare you to watch Dowton Abbey and not fall in love with John Bates (Brendan Coyle) and Anna Smith (Joanne Froggatt); or shake your head every time naïve Daisy (Sophie McShera) brushes off poor William (Thomas Howes); or not start to wish Mary and Matthew (Dan Stevens) would just get together already. The complexity of Dowton Abbey lies not in its story, or setting, but in its moving character growth and relationships. Every character – and I am not exaggerating – has a moment where you will hate them, and then in sheer wonderment, not two minutes later, you will fall in love with them and then root for their success. This includes the relationships the Crawleys have with their servants: the loyalty Sir. Robert shows to his cook, for instance, is simply wonderful.

2. The acting, OMG the acting
I will be the first to say I don’t like Mary or Edith. I think they are mean, petty, and just down-right arrogant, but that does not mean that Michelle Dockery and Laura Carmichael cannot act. The acting is brilliant. I will be greatly disappointed if Dowton is not recognized at the Emmy’s in the mini-series category. Other than Elizabeth McGovern (Cora Crawley), who I did think was lacking, the rest of the cast pulled out impossibly beautiful performances. I sat for hours marveling at subtle, graceful acting from the entire cast.

1. Brendan Coyle & Hugh Bonneville
I know, I know, loving a mini-series for one or two people, telling you to watch for one or two people, seems ludicrous, but my dears it’s true. Since playing Mr. Bennett in Lost In Austen, Hugh Bonneville has become one of favorite actor-father figures and he does not disappoint in Dowtown Abbey. With every movement, every word, you feel the insurmountable pressure Sir. Robert is under, and his true desire to be the best caretaker of Dowton Abbey. Bonneville brings a tenderness, an almost tangible feeling of fragileness, to Sir Robert while also being the backbone of the male characters.

His match is Brendan Coyle. Now dear reader, I am of course bias to Mr. Coyle. He will forever be Nicholas Higgins of North and South, and I, upon seeing him on screen as John Bates, made up mind that no matter what, I was going to like this production simply for his casting. Coyle has this captivating quality. You cannot help, but desperately fall in love with him and then you want so badly for John and Anna to get together. His command of the screen draws you to him every time, no matter who he is acting opposite. And it is easy to love how he plays John Bates, because John Bates is such a likable character. Needless to say, I cannot wait for season two.

Feel like watching a few minutes? Or want to rewatch? PBS is streaming online
See the cast! I promise you, once you see the star power, you’ll be intrigued.
Watch both chats with Huge Bonneville and Dan Stevens
Dowton Abbey PBS homepage