Here We Are Now, Entertain Us

My spidey senses have been tingling lately, as I'm finding inspiration and creativity everywhere I look! I have indulged in the sensory delights of the written word, a stunning songstress hypnotising my ears and all manner of brilliantly entertaining forms! I feel obscenely obliged to share with you a few of my most recent beloveds:


Turning Page

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Last week I completed the gloriously paced, mysteriously thick with twists, Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane.

The year is 1954. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels and his new -partner, Chuck Aule, have come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane, to investigate the disappearance of a patient. Multiple-murderess Rachel Solando is loose somewhere on this barren island, despite having been kept in a locked cell under constant surveillance. As a killer hurricane bears relentlessly down on them, a strange case takes on even darker, more sinister shades--with hints of radical experimentation, horrifying surgeries, and lethal countermoves made in the cause of a covert shadow war. No one is going to escape Shutter Island unscathed, because nothing at Ashecliffe Hospital is remotely what it seems.

I chose this book with slight hesitance as I had already seen the film adaptation, and didn't see the point since I knew the story and significant plot twists, but curiosity got the better of me and I dove straight in. From that minute onwards, the pages flew from one to the next (metaphorically, since I had this on my kindle...) and I devoured it from start to end. A cleverly told portrayal of dramatic and distressing events, from a stubborn and complex character point of view, delicate turns of the tale pulled me along, and somehow had me questioning my original stand on the story. Definitely worth while, whether you've seen the film or not, in fact I have more appreciation for the acting and casting, since reading the novel. Thrilling and enjoyable!


Episode Marathon

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Rich and I watched the latest offering from the fantastic creatives behind American Horror Story, the third season, aptly named Coven. If this trailer doesn't make you want to rush out to itunes, I don't know what will, other than perhaps the promise of wickedly twisted characters, wonderfully messed up episodes and my actual real life hero Stevie Nicks! Questioned frequently whether it lives up to the previous two seasons, I say if you are a fan of the programme, give it a watch, it might surprise you.


Popcorn Ahoy

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There's never an excuse needed for watching a Disney, and my latest animated movie crush is firmly fixed on Frozen, the Academy Award winning hit following the story of two very different sisters, and their journey of acceptance and of course love, oh and did I mention there's a talking snowman? Once you hit the play button, I dare you to attempt to go a day without the songs swimming through your head, it really is impossible! Really great fun film, incredible visual feast, sweet and funny to boot!

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French film 17 Girls (or 17 Filles), caught my attention on Netflix last week, and I'm really glad I gave it a watch. Based on actual events that took place in a sleepy seaside town in Massachusetts, USA in 2008, when eighteen high school girls, all 16 or under, got pregnant at the same time. There isn't a great deal to this movie, after the initial jaw dropping story line, but this moody, soft paced piece of film was enjoyable, not to mention the delicious French accents.

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For some bizarre reason, I suggested to Rich that we watch The Conjuring, knowing full well that I would pee my pants and give myself nightmares when bed time came. That said it was bloomin brilliant! Again, apparently based on real life events, this film will have you jumping out of your skin and, if you're a wimp like me, watching from behind the safety of a pillow. It is thicker and meatier than your average ghost story and had our attention the whole way through. Just please, take my advice... Watch it with the lights on!


Sing It

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I am haunted by this song continuously, day and night. I can't seem to get enough of the latest treat from the ridiculously beautiful Lana Del Rey, 'West Coast', which is the lead track from her newest album, out very soon I hear. The sultry tone to her voice, the gentle yet longing melody, everything about this surrounds me in one giant haze of dreaminess. Honestly, I have lost count of each time I have hit play, it really is one of those songs!

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And of course, difficult to avoid this Dutch beauty on the radio stations here in the Netherlands, but my love for Ilse de Lange grows stronger, following her latest music venture into the band The Common Linnets, with fellow Dutchie Waylon. The track Calm After The Storm has a soft country vibe to it, gorgeous guitar and the two complimenting voices of our mentioned artists. Not only has this song won pride of place up there in my mind, keeping me from restful slumber (along with Miss Lana), but The Common Linnets also came second in the Eurovision Song Contest, whilst representing the Netherlands!

Whilst I continue to feed my need for all things book/ movie/ music based I hope you guys are having a productive week so far, be sure to check out a few of these beauties when you find yourself free of time!