Books to Screen: The Descendants

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Michelle Langston

Book End Babes, I have one word for you. Clooney.

Do I have your attention? I thought so!

George Clooney is back on the big screen in THE DESCENDANTS, which is adapted from the book by Kaui Hart Hemmings. The film is a family dramedy, directed by Alexander Payne, the creator of the Oscar-winning film SIDEWAYS, and is set to open in select cities on November 16, and then will expand to other cities.

Set in Hawaii, THE DESCENDANTS is a sometimes humorous, sometimes tragic journey for Matt King (George Clooney). Matt is an indifferent husband and uninvolved father of two girls, who is forced to take a hard look at his past and make decisions about his future after his wife is involved in a serious boating accident off the coast of Waikiki. The event leads to an effort at reconciliation with his daughters while struggles to decide whether to sell the family land that has been handed down for generations from Hawaiian royalty and missionaries.

The buzz right now on the film is terrific, with critics already talking about a best picture nomination, and a best actor nomination for Clooney. Check out the trailer below, and then mark your calendar to set a date to watch this film. Not sure when it will open in your city? Just keep checking for opening dates on on the film’s website HERE.

What Does It Take to Have the Heart of a Soul Surfer? Bonus! A Present for You!

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Michelle Langston

Surfer Bethany Hamilton has been who the “Bravest Girl in America.” Raised in Kauai, Hawaii, Hamilton has been a surfer since the age of seven, and is said to have sea-water in her veins. Her love of big waves has never left her, not even after a shark attack on Halloween of 2003 that nearly took her life and severed her arm near the shoulder.

Most of us cannot fathom what life would be like after a catastrophic injury like what Bethany sustained. I find her resilience amazing, and inspiring. Instead of focusing on all the things she can no longer do, Bethany pushes herself to do things that would all but seem impossible to the rest of us. One of the scenes in the film that I found the most amazing was a quiet scene where Bethany strives to help put breakfast on the table. The simple act of cutting fruit for the family becomes an incomprehensible task. Yet Bethany quietly sits on the floor with fruit, cutting board and knife, and finds a way to make it happen. And if the simple act of cutting fruit with only one arm seems like an impossibility, then just wait until you see the scenes where Bethany gets back on a surfboard.

Bethany credits her family and her faith for helping her to persevere and get back on a board. Not only did Bethany re-learn how to surf, but she also went on to compete in numerous surfing competitions. Bethany has received numerous awards, including the 2004 Teen Choice award for Most Courageous Teen and the 2004 ESPY Award for Best Comeback Athlete.

Bethany’s story has been turned into a feature length film, SOUL SURFER, starring AnnaSophia Robb, Dennis Quaid, Helen Hunt, Carrie Underwood and Lorraine Nicholson (Jack Nicholson’s daughter). The film hits theaters nationwide on Friday, April 8.

A young adult book accompanies the release. Soul Surfer – A Movie Tie-In: A True Story of Faith, Family, and Fighting to Get Back on the Board is available for purchase now. Click here for more info on the book. If you are looking for a hero, someone your kids can really look up to, then pick-up this book and read it with them. You’ll both be amazed and inspired!

Now, for a little present for you. If you live in the Oklahoma City area, Bookend Babes wants to send you and your family to the movies, for free !

How would you like to see a special advance screening of the film SOUL SURFER, courtesy of Bookend Babes? I’ll not make you jump through any hoops, or even promising me your undying adoration. All you need to do is print this blog post, and take it to the theater with you, or simply print the picture of the admission ticket below! Screening takes place on Tuesday, April 5, 7:30 PM at the AMC Quail Springs Theater. If you decide to go to the screening, make sure you ARRIVE EARLY! Seating is on a first come, first serve basis. You really should be there at least an hour before showtime. I can’t stress that point enough. Get there early!

The film is rated PG. I’ve seen the film myself and wouldn’t hesitate to bring my youngest child with me. Some people may have an aversion due to the shark attack, but I promise, this is handled with sensitivity and without gory detail. This is a film that the whole family can enjoy, so I hope you get the chance to do just that!

Here’s the pass, and then you’ll find the trailer to the film. Enjoy!

Q&A + giveaway with author Jane Porter

Posted on August 28, 2010 by Malena Lott

BookEnd Babes Summer Sizzle Saturdays Q&A with Jane Porter who talks sand, surf and SHE’S GONE COUNTRY, her newest release. I’ve met Jane in person, and she’s a true sweetheart. I’ve read all of her modern lit books and am pleased to recommend them. -ML

Q: Thanks for being a part of our Summer Sizzle Saturdays. What’s your favorite summer activity and favorite summer destination?
A: My favorite summer activity is reading–although that’s definitely trickier with a 14-month-old running wild–and my favorite summer destination is my home in Hawaii, on Oahu where my man lives and operates his surf school. We do this crazy bi-coastal life (Seattle and Honolulu), but in summer we all get to be together in our beach house.

Q: Tell us briefly about the writing process for this book.
A: She’s Gone Country is probably one of my favorite books I’ve written due to the characters, conflict, and Texas setting, but I wrote it in the first 5 months after my son’s birth which was grueling. Mac had severe acid reflux as an infant and couldn’t keep anything down, and therefore couldn’t put on weight. He was always hungry, crying, wanting more and I was trying to write and nurse on months of next to no sleep. I wouldn’t want to do that again!

Q: We’re ready to have a pool party with your characters. Give us your main character’s names and a one-line definition for us to get to know them at our pool party.
A: Shey Darcy and Dane Kelly grew up in rural Texas on neighboring ranches and have always had a strong connection but life, work and family have kept them apart, but Shey’s now back in Texas as a single mom of three teen boys, and there’s a lot of unfinished business between them.

Q: Book End Babes is all about girlfriends and great reads. What are some of the themes we could explore in your book?
A: A lot of my books have connected characters–girlfriends who went to school together or grew up together or now live near each other–and this one is no exception. As a single mom grappling with lots of life changes she neally needs her girlfriends and the women in her family’s moral support. Probably my favorite theme in SHE’S GONE COUNTRY is that of empowering women and using your strength and success to help girls achieve their dreams, too.

Q: What is a “must read” book in your beach bag this summer?
A: I’ve got The Help tucked into my beach bag and it’s wonderful. It’s the one book I really want to read this summer!

Thanks, Jane. I’ve always been a big fan. Babes, BUY THE BOOK HERE or at your favorite retailer. Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of SHE’S GONE COUNTRY.

Website: www.janeporter.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/authorjanep

UpClose & Personal: Malena Lott

Posted on January 1, 2009 by malenalott

A/B is pleased to announce several new special sections in ’09:

UpClose & Personal with an Author, This Author Reads and Writing Tip Tuesday. Authors! See our Authors & Publicists page for submission guidelines. To kick off our New Year, our editor Malena Lott will submit her UpClose & Personal interview:

Malena Lott, Dating da Vinci, Nov ’08

Favorite guilty pleasure: Lipstick Jungle. Heard it may be canceled, though, and then I’ll be left with the shows I watch with my husband: 30 Rock and The Office.

Writing crutch? Usually have to have a drink by my side. Starbucks Cafe Mocha and Frappaccinos are both addictive and expensive.

Plotter or Pantser? Pantser, though I usually plot in bed right before I go to sleep. I figure if it’s a great idea I’ll still remember it when I wake up the next day.

Favorite movie snack: Buttery popcorn with M&Ms in it. Only good thing that came from a relationship with an ex-boyfriend.

Personal style: It changes from day to day, but I love to wear color and add a little glamour and glitz to my outfits, with a scarf or jewelry or funky hat. Gap jeans and cowboy boots with a fitted T and jacket would be my favorite ensem. Comfortable but seems dressy compared to a lot of mom-wear.

Favorite brands: Apple, and therefore all the Apple baby brands like the iPod and iPhone and the cool applications like iTunes and iPhoto and iWeb, which is what I use to create malenalott.com

Favorite time of day to write: Mornings before 10. My mommy brain is fried by evening.

Favorite writing spot: Lately I’ve started writing again in the playroom/office. I sit in this 1960s pink office chair against the window so it’s nice and sunny. I also love to sit in a sleek black recliner in my library downstairs.

Favorite writing motivation: A fat, juicy contract would be nice motivation, but usually just setting a word goal is good enough for me. I like to write 2,000 words a day if I’m in first draft mode.

Favorite weekend activity: Long walks with my husband if it’s nice weather. I also like to go on little mini adventures with the family. Weekends is when I update Athena’s Bookshelf and get more reading done, too.

Favorite vacation spot: I’ve only been to Hawaii once, but it really was paradise. I thought, “Wow! This is on our planet? What else has the universe been keeping from me?” I aim to find out. Anything in nature is pretty satisfying for me.

Favorite writing tip: Finish.

Finish these sentences:

When I was young, I...dreamed of being famous and traveling the world. I grew up in a small town and couldn’t wait to see what else was out there.

When I grow old, I...hope I can look back and see that I’ve made a difference in the world and that my loved ones felt I loved them as best I could.

When I first fell in love, I…felt giddy and stupid. I usually had multiple crushes at once. The only time I felt truly hopeful about love was when I fell in love with my now husband. I had a feeling we could last, and fifteen years later I think I’m still right about that.

I love to read because…there’s no better way to get to live multiple lives and experience the raw, rich emotion of human existence.

Web site: www.malenalott.com

Lott’s second novel, Dating da Vinci, a tale of love, longing and la dolce vita, is in bookstores everywhere and available online.