Seven Reasons Why You Should Watch Leverage

If you've been keeping up with my tumblr (which I totally understand if you don't), you know that my most recent obsession is Leverage. 



This show (this beautiful show) ran from 2008 to 2012, and featured five seasons of cons, hilarity, and friendship.  Starring Timothy Hutton, Gina Bellman, Christian Kane, Aldis Hodge, and Beth Riesgraf, created by the same genius team who would later go on to create the wonder that is The Librarians, and started by smashing every trope you've ever known.

So why should you watch this fantastic show?  Here are seven reasons why:

1. It's on Netflix.

Okay, kind of a weird one, I know.  But honestly, if something's on Netflix (especially if all of it's there), I'm much more likely to watch it.  All five seasons are available.

2. It's completed.

This kind of goes along with the first one.  It wasn't canceled, it wasn't dragged out until it died, it was finished.  With a satisfactory ending.  What more could you want? (*cough* a spin-off with the trio, please and thank you *cough*)

3. The storyline is brilliant.

Here's the plot: An ex-insurance investigator (Nathan "Nate" Ford) is thrown together with the world's greatest criminals - a thief (Parker), a hacker (Alec Hardison), and a "retrieval specialist" (Eliot Spencer).  To wreak vengeance on the man who betrayed them in the first episode, the join forces with a grifter [or actress] (Sophie Devereaux) and decide that working together might be just what they needed.  They end up becoming a team, calling themselves "Leverage Consulting and Associates", and fighting the bad guys of the world through scams and cons.  Because don't you just love when characters who are all like "I work alone" become each other's found family?  I know I do.

4. It's so quoteable.





Quips and witty remarks abound.  Where most other crime shows have a tendency to be dark and gritty, Leverage remains light-hearted through most of it's episodes.  I mean, there's a parody of "The Office".  It's hilarious. 

5. The friendships are golden.

Especially these three oh my gosh.  In every episode, the relationships between the characters are deepened and explored.  The family aspect between the team has quickly become one of my favorites in all of television.  And I love television.

6. Alec Hardison.

He gets his own category.  Why is it that the sassy African American men end up as my favorite characters?  (I'm lookin' at you, Burton Guster)  I have no clue, but the fact that Alec Hardison exists should be enough reason to watch this show.  He's snarky, he's brilliant, and he's guaranteed to make you laugh every time.  (with the exception of that one episode in which he makes you cry... he made me cry...)

7. It's beautiful.

As I said, it deals with some heavier topics, but it keeps everything balanced between the hard things and the light fluff.  Yes, there's some language.  There are a few... um... questionable scenes.  (You can't say I haven't warned you.)  But once you've finished, it's worth it.  Each character is developed deeply, their arc is really seen through, they grow and change as they learn from each other, and you learn things from them.  They have real issues, they deal with serious problems, and yet at the end of the day, they stand by each other and really do become a family. 

So, how long will I love Leverage?  Eliot knows:

Indeed.

Have you ever seen Leverage?  If you watch it and need to ramble about it, do come to me because I am always up for a Leverage ramble.

(Oh, and, yes, I'm trying to get into a better schedule to actually keep up with this thing... so bear with me.)

~ Mia

September Wrap-Up and October TBR

Hello all.

So apparently it's October.



Where did September go?

I have a feeling I'm going to say that every month, but anyway...

It's officially October, and thus we bid a fond farewell to September.  It wasn't as terrifying as I had initially thought it would be.  So there's that.

Let's take a look at what I did, shall we?

What I Read:

I READ SO MANY BOOKS THIS MONTH AHH.  I still can't believe how many I finished.  And overall, they were great.

Keeper of the Lost Cities ~ Shannon Messenger

Overview: Sophie Foster has been able to read minds since she was five, but it isn't until she's twelve that she discovers why.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Random thought: I thought for the entirety of the book that that was Fitz on the cover.  Turns out it's Dex.  Go figure.

How To Cheat a Dragon's Curse ~ Cressida Cowell

Overview: The fourth book in the "How to Train Your Dragon" series, Hiccup must journey to the island of the Hysterics to find the mythical Potato in order to save Fishlegs' life.
Rating: 4 out of 5

How to Twist a Dragon's Tale ~ Cressida Cowell

Overview: The fifth book of HTTYD, Hiccup encounters an ex-Hero, and must save the island from a volcano.
Rating: 4 out of 5

No Place Like Holmes ~ Jason Lethcoe
 
Overview: When Griffin is sent to London to spend the summer with his uncle at 221 Baker Street, he is excited at the prospect of working with the great Sherlock Holmes.  However, it turns out his uncle, the much lesser known detective Rupert Snodgrass, lives at 221A Baker Street. 
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

A Hero's Guide to Deadly Dragons ~ Cressida Cowell

Overview: Hiccup and his friends travel to face the Hairy Scary Librarian with the help of a stealth dragon in order to prove that books are not evil.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

How to Ride a Dragon's Storm ~ Cressida Cowell

Overview: The seventh HTTYD book, Hiccup, Camicazi, and Fishlegs are captured by Norbert the Nutjob and dragged along on his journey to America.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Masterminds ~ Gordon Korman

Overview: In the seemingly perfect town of Serenity, New Mexico, the mayor's son and his friends discover the secret that will tear apart everything they've ever known.

Rating: 5 out of 5


What I Watched:


Leverage

This show is freaking fantastic. There's friendship, mayhem, and not-quite-legal acts of kindness. What more could you ask for?

The Voice

this is the VOICE *DA DA DA DAAAAA* I love this show. Mom and sister and I have been watching for at least 6 seasons now, and I love it even more every year. Although we aren't very far into this season, so I can't say much about it yet xD

Once Upon a Time

SEASON SIX, BABY. I'm so excited. So much is going to happen, I can feel it.

What I Listened To:

Music I discovered this month



THANK YOU CHLOE FOR HELPING ME FIGURE THIS OUT!!

Bet you didn't know that Tarzan was once on Broadway, did you? Or that Finding Nemo: the Musical is a thing. Well, now you know. You're welcome.


What I Did:

I TURNED 18

I'M LEGALLY AN ADULT

I CAN DO ADULTY THINGS

BE AFRAID

*cough*

My sister and I also started Irish Dancing lessons (don't ask for any terminology yet because I know next to nothing as of now xD) which is pretty awesome so far. 


What I Posted:

My goodness, I only posted three things this month.  It snuck out from under me, and it went a lot faster than I expected and so much happened and just... I'm not even going to try and make an excuse.

First, we took a look at the Twelve Dancing Princesses.
Then we went on an adventure in Keeper of the Lost Cities
And it was my birthday!!


And now, a glance into the future:

What I Plan to Read:

Masterminds: Criminal Destiny ~ Gordon Korman
book 2 yesssss

Keeper of the Lost Cities: Exile ~ Shannon Messenger
Yet another sequel yessss

Navigating Early ~ Clare Vanderpool
I'm already over halfway through this book and it is beautiful so far, guys.

Fridays with the Wizards ~ Jessica Day George
I'm so excited for this book *bounces*

Violet Eyes ~ Debbie Vigue
A retelling of The Princess and the Pea that I've been looking forward to for awhile.



And so, September is over for another year.  It went rather better than I expected.

Helloooooooo October!



So what did you read this month?  Any plans for October?

~ Mia

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY, Y'ALL.

IT'S OFFICIAL.

I AM EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD.




okay, okay, I know what you're thinking.

"Where have you been, Grace?"
"Did you forget you had a blog, Grace?"
"Grace... are you dead?"

And... to answer those... um...



I don't even know.


My life has been absolute insanity as of late, and because everything is starting back, I still haven't quite gotten into the rhythm of everything yet.  Hopefully a schedule will settle into itself in the not-too-distant future.

But for now, here I sit, in a room at a Walt Disney World resort, locked out of the living room while my family does who-knows-what out there.  I think I heard balloons being inflated.  Idk.

Friday, we're having a party.  My first birthday party since I turned 13.  I'm a bit excited.  (guys, they bought a 100-piece box of York patties for me.  It's sitting on the counter, mocking me.  MOCKING me because I can't open it until the party.  HOW DO I LAST THAT LONG)


So I guess that's all for this post.  Sorry for how short it is, but I decided I needed to actually post something, and it might as well be on this most important of days.

And now, if you don't mind, I'm off to stuff my face with cake.



*passes out pieces among you*

Thanks for sticking around this long, guys.  You're the best.

Keeper of the Lost Cities (Book Review)

^ le me trying to explain where I have been this week.

In all honesty, I don't have a truly good excuse xD I tried to write this review twice this week, I mean good golly, my brain has been dead. 

*deep breath* Okay, we're gonna manage this.

In lieu of a Fairytale Friday (because my brain went blank when I tried to decide on one for this week), we're going to look at a book that deals, in a way, with legends and myths of our world.

Because this book.

This freaking fantastic book.

Keeper of the Lost Cities



Genre: Fantasy
Author: Shannon Messenger
Content: None
Main Character: Sophie Foster

Brief overview: Sophie has been able to read minds since she was five, but didn't know why until now.  Discovering that she isn't human at all, she is thrown into a world she never guessed existed, full of elves, cities of legend, and her own mysterious past.

Placement in Series: 1 of 5

What I Thought:

THIS BOOK, Y'ALL. 
I was told by multiple people that this was amazing, so whilst at the library, I spotted it on the shelf, gasped, and grabbed it.  I'm so glad. 
It's exactly my favorite type of book.  Changing history for the effect of the story, schools for "magic" (even though this one technically isn't), feathered dinosaurs (yeah, you heard me).

The Characters:
Sophie - In the first few chapters, I was worried she was going to be annoying.  But she definitely grew on me as the story progressed.  I wanted her to succeed, so there's that.

Fitz - We honestly don't get to know as much of him as I thought we would, considering how much he's involved in the first few chapters.  But I look forward to the next ones to hopefully fulfill that.

Dex - Precious innocent angel.  I love this dork.  I will protect him.  And it was actually him on the cover, not Fitz... go figure.

Favorite Quote:
"This is... magic?" 
Fitz laughed - a full-body laugh, like it was one of the funniest things he'd ever heard. "No," he said when he'd regained control. "Magic is a stupid human idea came up with to try to explain things they couldn't understand."

Will I Keep Reading?  I've already ordered book 2... it should be here any day... I will dive in instantly. 

Overall Rating: 5 not-magic gemstones out of 5



I will hopefully have more posts in this coming week, if I can drag my brain into working.

Same, Bunga. Same.

~ Mia

Fairytale Fridays ~ The Twelve Dancing Princesses

*trumpet fanfare*

It's that time again, where we gather around our massive tomes of fairytales and talk about retellings. 

Are you feeling the magic?  I'm feeling the magic.

Today, we take a look at what has been in my top three fairytales for as long as I can remember: The Twelve Dancing Princesses

 

This one has been beloved by me, as I said, for as long as I can recall.  I've figured out it's for these reasons: I have a younger sister and I've always wondered what it would be like having 10 more, I've been taking dance lessons since I was 2, and what little girl doesn't at some point dream of being a princess?  (The Barbie movie may have had something to do with it as well... *cough*)

 

But today we're looking at the book that I partially give credit for inspiring me to start writing retellings in the first place, "Princess of the Midnight Ball".

 

 

Author: Jessica Day George

 

Overview of the Story: Galen is a young soldier coming home from the war.  While working for his uncle, the head of the Royal Gardens, he decides to find the answer to the king's question - where do his twelve daughters go every night?

 

What I Thought: I love this book so much.  Every time I read it is like getting a warm hug.  It's so nostalgic and magical.  The princesses have a great relationship (even if I had to write down their names in age order so I could remember which was which xD).  Also, Rose and Galen. <3 <3 <3

 

Characters:

Rose - The eldest princess, she's kind of taken on the mother role to her sisters.  She has bravery in spades, and is ready to protect her sisters no matter what happens to her.

 

Galen - He knits.  He's a dork.  He stands up to the King Under-Stone.  Is there anything this guy can't do?

 

Favorite Quote: "My father was a career army man, sir.  I was there at the first engagement with Analousia, and took up my father's rifle when I was barely fifteen." "Saints preserve us," Doctor Kelling said, and squeezed Galen's shoulder. "What have we done to our youth?" 

 

How Does it Compare to the Original? Honestly, this is one of the closest retellings I've read. Not many others have the soldier who discovers the secret, so I love that.  It's probably the closest one that I've reviewed so far, so there's that.

 

Overall Rating: 5 knit chains out of 5

 

So have you read this book?  What did you think?  Do you have a favorite Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling? 

 

(and... *cough* have you seen the Barbie movie?)

 

~ Mia

August Wrap-Up and September TBR

Holy cannoli, it's September.



When did this happen?? I AM NOT READY!!

GUYS. I TURN 18 THIS MONTH.



I'm cool, it's good, I'm fine.

Let's just concentrate on August for a minute, shall we?

What I Read:

I actually all but one of the books on my TBR for this month, so I'm proud of myself. But here are the books I read:

The Blood of Olympus ~ Rick Riordan

Rating: 4.5/5
Overview: The "final" book about Percy Jackson, the fifth book in the Heroes of Olympus series, we finally face Gaea. 

How To Be A Pirate ~ Cressida Cowell

Rating: 5/5
Overview: The second book in the "How To Train Your Dragon" series, Hiccup must face off against Alvin, a strange little man.

The Hidden Oracle ~ Rick Riordan

Rating: 4.5/5
Overview: Blamed for the war with Gaea, the god Apollo is punished by being made mortal. He must rely on the help of Percy Jackson, Camp Half-Blood, and a mysterious girl named Meg.
(Full review here)

How To Speak Dragonese ~ Cressida Cowell

Rating: 4/5
Overview: In the third of Hiccup's adventures, Toothless gets dragon-napped by the Romans, a fight is brewing with the Bog-Burglars, and there are creepy little things called Sharkworms.


What I Watched:

I watched so much TV this month pfft.  I mean, other than the Olympics, obviously.

The Flash

LOOK AT MY PRECIOUS DORKY CHILD.  This show is a gift I love it so much.  The first season is on Netflix, thus how my brother and I got hooked on it.  If you haven't watched it yet, I highly recommend it.  NETFLIX I NEED MORE. NOW. AHH.

Psych

WE FINISHED PSYCH. WHAT DO I DO WITH MY LIFE? *collapses*
Oh, I know... I'll just watch it again.

Leverage

This was Mom's solution to the Psych-induced slump.  Apparently she really liked this show when it was on.  We're less than a season in, but it's quite enjoyable so far.


What I Listened To:

Music I discovered this month.

Hamilton

I had been hearing about this for so long, but I had been hidden away under a rock.  Why I hadn't already been obsessed with this, I can't figure out.  Musicals and American history are two of my favorite things, so why?  *shrug*

Run Wild, Live Free, Love Strong (Anniversary Edition)

This album was arguably one of my all-time favorites last year.  I mean, these guys won a Grammy for it (I squealed when I heard), but I hadn't picked up the "Anniversary Edition" until this month.  And I'm so glad I did.  There are three extra songs that are amazing ("Priceless", "Ceasefire", and "Wholehearted"), and it's totally worth having two copies of the CD. *nod*

Sunday in the Park with George

Guys, Inigo Montoya can sing.  And really well.  I don't know that I can recommend the whole album (haven't listened to the whole thing), but at least go here to listen to "Finishing the Hat".  I just.  It's so amazing. 

What I Posted:

Let's recap:

We began by taking a look at the Olympics
We equated writerly feelings to Star Wars gifs
We overviewed what exactly "Fairytale Fridays" are
We answered the questions of the Liebster Award
We looked into the fairytale of Cinderella with a double review
We journeyed back to Camp Half-Blood with Apollo
We dug into Beauty and the Beast, and a lovely retelling
And finally, we took a swing at the Wysteria Writer Tag



And now, I guess we have to look to the future, huh?

What I Plan To Read:

Keeper of the Lost Cities ~ Shannon Messenger
I'm going to finish this book. It's going to happen.

How To Cheat a Dragon's Curse ~ Cressida Cowell
Book 4 of HTTYD

How To Twist a Dragon's Tale ~ Cressida Cowell
Book 5 of HTTYD

The Beautiful Pretender ~ Melanie Dickerson
I've been working my way through this and I'm going to finish it this month, I can feel it.



And with that, August has left me.  2016 is almost over, how the heck did this happen?  The rest of this year be like:



*sigh*

What do you plan to read in September?  Favorite book from August?  Let me know down below!

~ Mia