On My Bookshelf: Veronica Roth, Lauren Layne and Ed Catmull

I have been doing a lot of reading lately. My preferences usually run the gamut. From YA to NA (explained below), to non-fiction, spending a day roaming a bookstore (or library!) is my definition of heaven. 

This is just the first in a series of 'on my bookshelf' posts I have planned. I'm currently diving head-first into The Maze Runner and the rave reviews were not exaggerated - this ish is engrossing! I'm trying to save Only With You for my vacation next week, but gosh, Lauren Layne makes it hard to put down her books. 

Four, Veronica Roth

I am a big Divergent fan. I wrote the Hypable review for the third and final book in the series, Allegiant and saw the movie the day it opened in theaters. So when Veronica Roth decided to publish short stories through Tobias "Four" Eaton's point of view, I was pretty thrilled. He was such a well-written, complex character in the books, that getting a peek behind the curtain (into his mind) was what helped make this such an enjoyable read. There are four stories total - three pre-Divergent and then one during the first book. Each story is about 70 pages long, making it very easy to digest one story in one sitting.

Roth initially wanted to write Divergent from his point of view, but the entire story didn't work, and I can see that through these vignettes. While Four's voice is certainly gripping for the majority of the read, he falters when touching certain areas of the world we need to know more about. Where Tris really comes into her own in Dauntless, Four takes quite a long time to develop his friendships. It is nice to meet him in Divergent as he is. Bold. Strong. Intimidating. Nevertheless, Four is quite a satisfying follow-up.

Only With You, Lauren Layne

I know it sounds crazy, but as a 20-something to doesn't want to hear about the drama of high school relationships, nor deal with the mid-life struggles of divorce and all that, I've been a bit lost trying to find something to read. I want stories about young women my age (college, recently graduated) and about figuring life out after we're handed our diploma. Or, as we get to be a few years out from college: figuring out where we're going in life.

I love 'evolution of a writer's space'!

Enter: the New Adult genre. Typically, the story centers around a female protagonist, great girlfriends, and a quest to figure out her career and/or navigate the murky waters that is dating in your 20s. She also usually is based in New York City - a cramped apartment where she marvels at Jimmy Choos in the window on fifth avenue and dreams of having actual walls in her apartment instead of hanging curtains to create the illusion 300 square feet is a livable space of a shoebox. (That last bit might have just been a diversion into my own fantasies.)

Only With You debuted this week and will be the fifth book I've read from Lauren Layne. She is, along with Cora Carmack, my favorite New Adult (or contemporary) author. Her heroines in her Stiletto series are all equally engrossing, strong and fantastic in their own rights. Their stories might focus around getting the guy (or thinking you don't want him, then realizing you do, then fighting to get him back), and their men may be swoon worthy, but the books prove that being in a relationship with men is not the end-all-be-all in life. You need your girls, too.

Creativity Inc., Ed Catmull

Pixar is one of the most innovative companies in the last 30 years, there is absolutely no denying. Toy Story, in addition to being a cultural touchstone movie for many 90's kids, was the first entirely computer-generated animated film. Ed Catmull helped found and oversee the exponential growth of this computer/animation/movie production company.

You can't pigeonhole Pixar into one industry because, at Catmull aptly explains, the technology behind the animation is what help tells the story. Wanting to tell better stories leads to developing new technology.

If you just want to read the bits that directly refer to Pixar movies, I'll complied them into an article over on Hypable. But if you're interested in the movie-making industry over the past twenty or so years, or if you want to learn how Catmull managed his growing team of a handful of developers and storytellers, into hundreds of movers and shakers, I really suggest you pick up the book.

All of the books above are available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. 

Recap: NerdHQ A Conversation with Badass Women Mystery Guests!

Zachary Levi’s NerdHQ panels are usually pretty big highlights of SDCC. They’re streamed live online, allowing many more fans to tune in and watch for themselves, rather than rely on the tweets and blurry photos of the panels in Hall H or Ballroom 20. This year proved to set the new standard for SDCC’s going forward with the panel, “A Conversation with Badass Women Mystery Guests!”

Who were these mystery guests? Yvonne Strahovski (Chuck, 24), Retta (Parks and Recreation), Missy Peregrym (Rookie Blue, Heroes), Jennifer Morrison (Once Upon a Time, House), Ming-Na Wen (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D, ER), and Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones).

So yeah, it was a pretty freaking kick-ass panel. I tuned in 20 minutes late (as I was foolishly, furiously, reading the Marvel live blogs, learning nothing as I was missing this) but I watched the last 40 minutes of it live then went back and watched the beginning. That’s the beauty of YouTube live-streams, they’re automatically ready for playback the moment they end. I’ve embedded it below, it really is worth a watch.

They talked about the tropes they don’t like (for Yvonne, it’s the gratuitous shots of women in their underwear when the scene gains nothing from it), to women who inspire them. Across the board, they said their mom, or someone in their family.

Jennifer Morrison also mentioned How I Met Your Mother director and executive producer, Pam Fryman. For fans of the show, you’ll remember Jennifer Morrison’s guest role during season 6 as Zoey Pierson, Ted’s nemesis and eventual girlfriend, for twelve episodes. 

I think it really speaks to Pam as a leader and strong female in this industry that she was so influential on Morrison. At that point, she had already been on House and went right into Once Upon a Time after her HIMYM appearances, but she saw something in Pam she didn't see while working on other productions (that she mentioned whilst on the panel.)

All of these women were so well-spoken about the industry and the world that they have grown up in (even Sophie Turner, who is only 17!) I think there is finally - sadly finally - a shift in the industry where women are seen as equals to men. They're no longer sex symbols or housewives. They're fleshed out, real human beings who mirror real-world women. Imagine that! 

However, I did read on Tumblr that all these shows these women are currently on, are run by men. Despite the fact that Joss Whedon, Mike Schur, Eddy Kitsis and Adam Horowitz etc. can write strong three-dimensional female characters, there is still such a boys club when it comes to the behind-the-scenes worlds in film and television.

In 2013, according to the 16th annual Celluloid Ceiling report, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, only 10% of Hollywood writers in 2013 were women. Maybe that percentage is a little better in television (where I'd like to be) but that statistic is still abysmal. 

Thankfully, there are women like Mindy Kaling, Tina Fey, Linda Yaccarino, and Shonda Rhimes who are fantastic at what they do, whether its writing, producing, acting, leading, advertising or managing. These are the women I look up to as I aspire to work in this industry (or adjacent to it - I’ve got many women I admire at Vulture, BuzzFeed, the A.V. Club and the like).

There is a point to all of this somewhere. Maybe it’s just that I am so thrilled to see more attention rightly being called to these badass women in the industry and I hope to see this panel again next year (maybe I’ll be in the audience?!)

FOMO, SDCC and You

Working for an online entertainment website is wonderful. I get to talk about television with people who are cut from the same cloth, make friends from all of the world, and my pop culture knowledge is off the charts. It's especially nice at Hypable because we're given a lot of creative freedom to write what we like. We are a site that is "for fans, by fans," after all, so anything that we are passionate about, we're encouraged to write about.

But...

All that being said, there is also one major downfall to being in this entertainment world: San Diego Comic-Con. Specifically, my lack of attendance at the convention.

(Photo credit: Andrew Sims)

At this point, there's something for everyone at Comic-Con. Yes, at its core, there are still panels and sections of the vendor hall dedicated to comic books, video games and everything that comes with those universes, but there are television shows like The Blacklist and Once Upon a Time and television/online hybrid Community. There are panels for movies such as the Marvel franchise and Disney ventures. The glitz and glamour of fancy Hollywood parties have creeped into SDCC's evening plans over the years (disclaimer: I have no idea if this is a new thing or not. Has social media simply made the partying more evident?)

Zachary Levi, one of my favorite actors in recent memory, sits at the helm of Nerd Machine's Nerd HQ where there are daily "Conversations" with various celebrities. This year's schedule has Jensen Ackles And Jared Padalecki, Felicia Day, Joss Whedon and Yvonne Strahovski. Thankfully, these are sometimes live-streamed. If not, you can definitely find write-ups of them online the next day.

Suffice to say, pretty much a solid 70% of the pop culture I love has a presence at SDCC. Therefore (ergo?) it's a safe bet that many other people on the Hypable staff like it too. There are probably about 10 people representing the site in San Diego right now. As press, they're granted access to certain interviews and red carpet events, and as convention goers, they'll attend panels that I'd kill to attend (such as the aforementioned Once Upon A Time).

So naturally, I am jealous. As enviously green as the wicked witch. The FOMO has morphed into a I-Know-I'm-Missing-Out feeling, and I just have to accept that. Thankfully, I am not the only one on the Hypable staff who couldn't attend and are suffering from behind their computer screens like I am. Misery loves company, so we have bonded together online in the wake of our friends bonding IRL at speakeasy bars and hotel rooms.

This is the third year I've actively wanted to attend SDCC so it's no surprise that it didn't work out. Real-life work always gets in the way and unless I'm unemployed next year (or score an awesome job that actually allows me to go representing them in some capacity), I don't think that'll change any time soon.

In the meantime, I leave you with a recommendation to read an amazing article about how to cope with not being at SDCC by my friend Danielle and the image I was tagged in on Facebook this morning: 

On my: Spotify (and some updates)

I am trying something totally new here - shocker. I came up with a better way to organize my recommendations, and work on my graphic design at the same time. Thus, "on my" series begun. These will be about once a week and will range from Spotify, to Bookshelf, to Plate. When it comes to clothes and fashion though, (and because I'm a stickler for continuity and 'In my' closet wouldn't work) I'll still do Currently Coveting. 

Anyways. There has been a lot of good music circulating around town lately and I fell it's my duty to spread the songs I've been loving.

1) Song: All About that Bass, By: Meghan Trainor

I have been jamming to this song for the past two weeks and see no reason to slow down anytime soon. Her body-positive message and hypnotic beat is a much more preferable song of the summer for me than say, oh, something like "Fancy."

Looking now, I added this song to my Spotify merely 12 days ago (as well as followed Meghan on Twitter) and it had been really exciting for me, just sitting on the sidelines, to see this song become more and more popular. It truly is a wonderful track and this totally deserves all of the praise it has been receiving.

The song has been slowly climbing the Billboard charts and now has over 3 million views on YouTube. I watched it when it had 1.3 million. Less than two weeks ago. The pastel color palette the video has is such a nice contrast to some other videos that are out there right now. 

I'm totally rooting for this song - and Meghan - for the rest of the summer and beyond. She's already been on the Today show and more radio stations are playing "All About that Bass" daily. It's hard not to pick up on her cheerful, amazing attitude and outlook on life. 

2) Album: YES!, By: Jason Mraz

My adoration for Jason Mraz has spanned many moons - well, many albums. With his latest, Yes!, which debuted this week, he is back in top form. After teaming up with the women of Raining Jane, I can say that they're participation in this largely acoustic album simply elevates his lyrics and musical talents to a new level.

After 2012's Love is a Four Letter Word effort, I have to say, I wasn't crazy about the majority of the songs. They diverted from his traditional way of laid-back acoustics and soulful lyrics. They were a bit more experimental and harder to digest, if that makes sense.

Not so with YES! Every song really is enjoyable and this reaffirms the fact that Mr. A-Z is one of my favorite artists. He has been for a very long time - way back, before Spotify and I was burning "The Remedy (I Won't Worry)" on CD's to share his music, and the love for it, with friends. 

#spreadYES, everyone.

Songs to check out: Hello You Beautiful Thing, Everywhere, You Can Rely on Me, Shine

3) Album: The Good Wife Score, By: David Buckley

Do you watch The Good Wife? You should. I don't care who has told you otherwise, The Good Wife is meant to be enjoyed by all who appreciate it. The score is perfect to listen to during work. It not only serves as background music in the show, it supports the scenes and with the string and wind instruments and elevates the episodes to new levels of greatness. 

Songs to check out: The Good Wife (Theme), Alicia Keeps Her Cool, J'Accuse 

My Thoughts on the Emmy Nomination Snubs

The Emmy nominations were announced Thursday morning, and boy do I have thoughts and opinions. I just have to keep reminding myself about the intricacies of the Emmy's nominations and the Academy of the Television Arts and Sciences. One of my favorite people to follow on Twitter, Todd VanDerWerff, wrote a great article about the nominations process. (Side note: he just started a new position at Vox, before this he was at the A.V. Club and I read every review he wrote about The Americans when I binged on season 2 last month. I would watch an episode, read the recap he wrote with Genevieve Koski, watch the next episode, read that recap, repeat. It really enhanced my binging.)

My takeaway from the nominations:

The Americans, The Good Wife and Scandal were all snubbed in the drama categories (I don't watch Orphan Black) and network comedies might never be able to gain a strong foothold in their categories again.

The one glimmer of hope for The Good Wife is that they did garner some individual nominations. Julianna Margulies was nominated for best actress in a drama; Josh Charles, best supporting actor in a drama and Christine Baranski for best supporting actress in a drama. It is a shame the show overall wasn't recognized - especially with such a strong, large, cast.

The Americans didn't fare nearly as well. Despite the fact their second season was strong from start to finish and Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys acted their asses off, they got a meager consolation nomination for Margo Martindale for best guest actress in a drama. Sure, she deserves that, but to not even been nominated for a technical award - writing, costumes, sound - must hurt. 

Then finally there is Scandal. Kerry Washington 100% deserves a nomination as best lead actress in a drama, as she has embodied a woman many try to emulate (just think about how "it's handled" has become a touchstone phrase in the social media lexicon. 

The Academy might not appreciate you
but we do, Bellamy. 

Bellamy Young deserved that nomination for best supporting actress in a drama so much, I think Twitter might cast a new Emmy just to give her. The way she captures Mellie, the villainous First Lady who is the wedge in Fitz and Olivia's relationship, is just phenomenal. One episode, she's drunk and bitter and you hate (but love) her, the next, she's vulnerable and her emotion's raw and your heart breaks for her.

Despite a strong 22-episode season, it's not a total surprise Scandal was not nominated for best drama. It's on a network. It can't have it's characters fly through the book of swears, or show the aftermath of a gore-y shootout. The idea of a show like Masters of Sex being picked up by a network like ABC is frankly, laughable. 

Network's have it tough now. There's more competition now than ever before - and they are getting the short end of the stick by being relegated to the tame and censored shows that appeal to the masses. Cable, premium and online content are constrained by those terms. They can have as much niche programming as they want and reap the benefits come awards season.

It's also just flat out hard. It is hard to narrow it down to five-six nominees in every category. You could wax poetic about the saturation of television - no longer is there network stations and the occasional HBO nomination, there's HBO and Showtime, FX, PBS, Netflix, mini-series and TV movies, the list won't end. 

But in the end, we must remember that those voting on the nominations - and ultimately, the winners - are a small fraction of the audience these shows command. The Mindy Project might not win an award for best comedy (though it should - season 2 was insanely good) but I will still tune in weekly.

New Music (to me) Monday: Feedback Revival

I think I'm noticing a trend about things that motivate me enough to write: the books I read, the music I listen to and the clothes I wear all make me passionate enough to actually write about them. I suppose that's why I have this outlet.

Let me preface this with saying I have been very obsessed with Nashville lately. Admittedly, Once Upon a Time actor Colin O'Donoghue and the kickstarted film, The Dust Storm, are to thank/blame. Colin started mentioning Feedback Revival on Twitter. A lot. And I, always one on the hunt for great music (still very much obsessed with The Mowgli's and Lake Street Dive), eagerly checked them out. 

And thus, an obsession began. 

They might be a Nashville band, but they're not banjo-pluckin', plaid-wearing, Nashville-stereotyped men. These guys are rock and roll through and through and fantastic musicians regardless of genre label. Lately I've been going exclusively for the alternative/easy-listening music and not this head-banging type of music. Alas, the heart wants what the heart wants. (Am I the only one who head-bangs to this music? I can't be the only one who listens to Delta and throws her entire body into the rhythmic thump of those opening chords.)

Feedback Revival is comprised of four men. There's lead singer Dan Fenton, bassist Alex Horton, drummer Taylor Powell, and guitar master, Nathan Mcfarland. Each bring their own to the table and in a song like Soul Feet, the beat opens on drums but once those guitar chords and vocals come in, damn, it's some amazing music with different parts that just work so well together.

I bet these guys are incredible live... which brings me to a brief interlude about the band to explain this inexplicable obsession with Nashville. Turns out I think I really love Nashville. Just not the 'honky-tonky' aspects of it, but the real effervescent parts with the rock and roll with just a bit of a twang. It seems a lot like New York City, but, dare I say, better in a way? 

As it turns out, these guys had their own KickStarter going, looking for donations to be able to tour Europe. I've been on a bit of a KickStarter kick recently (post on that soon) and was very eager to donate. Looking at the reward levels however, I realized that I already have access to most of the music they were offering downloads for (Spotify premium!) and I wasn't about to spend $100 for some upper-level rewards (sorry guys - girl's gotta eat.) I did eventually donate though and even though it wasn't much, I'm so happy to say I contributed to help them.

They'll be touring Europe in October and November, but man do I hope they decide to do a northeast tour of the U.S. soon. But, if they won't go to me, I'll go to them (Nashville.)

Songs to check out: 

• Delta
• Tennessee Rose
• Soul Feet
• Jesse James
• Ballad of Loretta

I was going to write about both Feedback Revival and Startisan in one post, but that would get a little crowded so be on the lookout for a Startisan-only post sometime in the next week.

(Photo credit: Feedback Revival Facebook page) 

Book Recommendation Thursday: 'The Nerdist Way'

I picked up Chris Hardwick's The Nerdist Way for a couple of reasons. I really like Chris as he appears on @Midnight and just generally around the web, and when I read the free Nook sample, as I am apt to do, I knew I would need a physical hard copy.

However you choose to read this book is not important. What is important is that you do, eventually, read it. Honestly, I didn't know this seriously qualifies as a 'self-help' book, it's more like a 'self-guidance' or a 'Chris Hardwick gives you a lot of motivational speeches with lots of CAPS' kind of book.

His book is broken into three parts: Mind, Body and Time. He is open about the fact he kind of screwed up a lot in his 20's and worked extremely hard to pick himself back up in all three aspects of life as he moved into his 30's.

The Nerdist Way could be read by anyone, but unless you're a 'nerd' (however you want to define the term is fine by me) many of the references to Doctor Who, Star Trek, Harry Potter and the 'nerdy' shows of generations past, might fly over your head. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

It might also behoove you, dear reader, to know that this book was written in 2011 and despite the fact that was only 3 years ago, a lot has certainly changed. The passage of time is one more thing to remember while reading this. Chris has had his life put together for a few years longer than it would appear, and that's fine.

The book is set up like a video game, wherein you create a character and are given character points at the end of each section. Hardwick also includes "Charactercizes" at the end of every segments and chapters, wherein he gives a few bullet points of summarization, tips on how to move forward, and guidance about how to take full advantage of his advice. He advises us to actually follow along with these, to actually write out particularly useful bits, add up our 'points' - as if we're characters in a video game - all with the end goal of becoming a better person beyond the pages of the book.

You can find Chris Hardwick's book in hardback, paperback, and ebook versions. If you don't want to purchase the book, one: tell me why not, and two: you can find condensed parts on the book's website.

Currently Coveting: J. Crew, Kate Spade, and more

Turns out, despite working in advertising and knowing most of it's dirty little secrets, I am still very susceptible to marketing emails promoting sales at my favorite places.

Enter: this weekend. And the ensuing shopping spree. If you haven't jumped on these sales yet, what on earth are you waiting for?

J. Crew, (and J. Crew Factory), BaubleBar, ideeli, Kate Spade: all sites that email multiple times a day. Which, if you're like me, doesn't bother you that much because you either open them or just delete them, so there's no chance you'll miss a sale. Of course, all are must-visits for me when I make my laps around the sales sites on the weekends.

Below are a few pieces I picked up this weekend and decided I must share with the world.

J. Crew Clare Cardigan 

My office is a frozen tundra so while a skirt and a simple top might be enough in the direct sunlight, I have to have a blazer or sweater with me inside at all times.

Enter: The Clare cardigan. I got my first one in seaside coral (pictured) for around $25. I wore it once then I went and bought two more colors of the same style. It's three-quarters length so it definitely errs more on the fashionable, current-trends look than dowdy. It looks perfect with skinny jeans and a white v-neck, my go-to outfit nowadays.

I can already tell the Champagne cardigan will look great with dresses for fancy-but-casual affairs and all of them will work with a black tank top and any sort of denim or black pant for the fall. This cardigan seriously takes versatility to the max.

Kate Spade Sunnies

When you enter the Kate Spade outlet store and the saleswoman immediately comes up to you and says "everything in the store is 50% off," well, you can just hear your credit card simultaneously scream in delight and shout in horror.

I was able to snag this pair of sunglasses for about $40, and for someone who has always been a Ray Ban-knockoff kinda gal instead of the real deal, this was a big step for me. I couldn't find them online but these are pretty similar.

Bonus: check out the adorable glasses case they came in!

Longchamp in "Sand"

The black Longchamp may be ubiquitous around college campuses and a staple piece in many female 20-somethings wardrobes, which is exactly why I looked at my two-year old bag, beaten from a summer in New York City and from being hauled around, and decided I needed a new one.

Ideeli, a spin-off flash sale site from Groupon, just happened to be having a sale - large totes in the classic Le Pliage style were discounted from $145 to $100. So-ld.

As an editorial note: you may notice my posts increasing in frequency. Hooray! I think I have finally determined that they will be like this post was - style - music from bands and musicians I am discovering (but may already be 'discovered') and books that I've read and recommend.

It's time to begin, isn't it?

Sometimes I think I visualize time strangely. I see the year as a big sine curve (or bell curve). We're on a roller coaster, and that roller coaster is only going up until July 1. And because we're not Augustus Waters, we're now on the way down. But instead of slowing down, we're just picking up speed.

See? I drew (kinda) a handy chart for you to understand exactly what I mean, in case it wasn't clear.

I know I've been absent from this site for a while, but I think that's really going to change over the next few weeks. I've got so many great ideas for articles and I actually have time now (sort of) to write them. 

As we head into these final six months of 2014, I'm looking forward to letting this site go wherever it takes me. Starting with a new 'Currently Coveting' post tomorrow. Another book review is coming out this week, some more music recommendations, and of course, more of my insane thoughts.

Stay tuned! 

Meanwhile: it is July 1, so that means Camp NaNoWriMo has officially begun! I will attempt to hit 50,000 words this month, but seeing as how Day 1 is almost over and my word count is a resounding zero, we'll see what happens.