google-site-verification: google935433b691795853.html KRISTY BERRIDGE: 2012-10-07

Friday 12 October 2012

Follow Friday #45


Happy Friday everyone!
Yes, it’s that time of week again where bloggers unite to participate in the Follow Friday venture. The idea behind #FF is to promote traffic to your own blog, make new friends with other like-minded bloggers and discuss new and interesting topics each week.
Participating is simple. First you need to follow my blog because I’m totally awesome, then you can follow me on Twitter @kristyberridge (actually you don’t have to do this, it’s wishful thinking), but do follow my blog or assassins will get you …
Then you must follow our illustrious hosts Rachel of http://www.parajunkee.com/ and Alison of http://www.alisoncanread.com/ If you want more details on how to enter your own blog in the follow and hop, all directions are on their webpages
Now, once you’ve followed, check out my answer to this week’s questions and don’t forget to leave a comment so I can do the right thing and follow you back!

This week's question: What book do you think would make a great Halloween movie? Please explain in graphic detail of goriness…

My Answer: I don't know about a Halloween movie, but I would love to see Stacia Kane's Downside Ghosts Series as a movie. It's creepy, confronting and sexy as hell - all the things I love in a good book ... and movie!


Wednesday 10 October 2012

Book Review: Fifty Shades Darker by EL James


Fifty Shades of Grey was an eyeopener for me. I'd never read a book so sexually forward, exploratory and psychologically twisted in so many ways. I found it fascinating to read about an obsessive control freak and an uptight virgin who both find common ground, but Fifty Shades Darker explores new terrain, a twist in the path of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey I never expected.
(Read Fifty Shades Of Grey Review Here)
Fifty Shades Darker picks up right from where book one ends - Anastasia a sobbing mess, wallowing in self-pity and pining after the mercurial Mr Grey, regret somehow resurfacing in her recent decision to end the madness of their whirlwind, confusing and somewhat sinister affair.
Not surprisingly they find their way back to each other, Christian still overwhelmingly overbearing and controlling, though resolved to the prospect of change - a fairy-tale expectation for a man seriously haunted by the darkness of his past. Ana of course is dancing on the precipice of once again losing her identity to Christian's possession, blinded by her love and essentially coerced into every decision making process with mind blowing and often kinky sex.
Oh my ... if only we were all so lucky. (insert sarcasm here)
Although I did enjoy the continuation in this series, I was surprised that the author felt compelled to change the most complex and interesting character within the story. Christian Grey is fifty shades of f@#ked up, thus the basis of his appeal, and really, the only evolving story within an otherwise pretty simple and underwhelming plot. However, we see Christian start to shrug some of his domineering ways in exchange for warm and fuzzy sentiments released via Anastasia's earlier exit from the relationship. Suddenly this very complex and unpredictable man starts to morph into the expectations of romance readers everywhere - heartfelt, sentimental and sensitive.
Bring back the traits we love to hate!
The overall writing style is polished though not exactly littered with descriptive content or creative flair. The characters and ongoing drama somehow reel you back in for more, and as I've said, I did enjoy it, just not necessarily the direction the story took. I rate this book three out of five fangs, a good book, but not necessarily as great, surprising or dramatic as the first.

Synopsis:
Daunted by the singular sexual tastes and dark secrets of the beautiful, tormented young entrepreneur Christian Grey, Anastasia Steele has broken off their relationship to start a new career with a Seattle publishing house. But desire for Christian still dominates her every waking thought, and when he proposes a new arrangement, Anastasia cannot resist. They rekindle their searing sensual affair, and Anastasia learns more about the harrowing past of her damaged, driven, and demanding Fifty Shades. While Christian wrestles with his inner demons, Anastasia must confront her anger and envy of the women who came before her and make the most important decision of her life. Erotic, sparkling and suspenseful, Fifty Shades Darker is the irresistibly addictive second part of the Fifty Shades trilogy.

Sunday 7 October 2012

The Week to Date ...

Well, another week down, and what an interesting one it has been! First off, after my Jazz session last Friday night (a blog I'm sure you've already read, but if not, click this link), I had a nice dinner with my parents on Sunday. Nothing especially unusual about that - dinner at the night markets, Baskin Robbins for dessert, but I must admit I wasn't prepared for the late night entertainment - getting shit on by a bat!
Yes, you heard me. Of all the air space in existence, one lowly, flea infested bat had to fly overhead and poop on my recently washed hair. Some say that's good luck, usually the people laughing and passing you a tissue, but I suspect it might have been karma for chickening out on getting a tattoo about a half hour earlier.
Enter Wednesday's events and it was shaping up to be, pardon the pun - a shitty week. I went for an endoscopy - a small scope feeding through my esophagus to look for aliens.
Kidding.
The doctor said I was a pain in the ass, of course delivered with a few more medical terms thrown in and without the word 'ass' in the sentence.  My throat apparently closed over and they had to force it through, taking three biopsies while they were at it. And despite my colourful and very vivid dream of Gerard Butler's abdominals, I woke up feeling like someone had shoved the garden hose down my throat and punched me in the guts.

Yay for Wednesday!
Thursday and Friday proved relatively uneventful, but I had Saturday night to look forward to - dinner at this hippie place my friend swore would be a good time. You know me, despite my hobbit tendencies, I'll always try something new.
Alas, despite warning that I would undoubtedly have front row seats to an abundance of breastfeeding, dreadlocks and the smell of unwashed armpit, I wanted to go. I was curious about the challenge my friend had issued to one and all - eating the 'Wicked Wings of Death'! Oh yes, I'm talking seriously spicy chicken that will literally make you curl up in a ball, cry and beg for your mama!
So clearly I'm a pussy. I have a reflux issue so I wasn't going near those spicy bastards with a ten foot pole after my Wednesday abuse, but I kinda expected my talk-it-up brother who once ate one of the hottest Mexican Chilli's for a dare to undertake the challenge. I suspect lingering memories of mouth ulcers and belly bloat bloat from over consumption of milk inspired him to pike out and order a counter meal instead.
Needless to say, I'm disappointed that I saw no crying, no bleeding gums, and by nine o'clock had to listen to some woman think she was 'crazy', though I suspected this was merely a bad rendition of Gnarls Barkley's greatest hit. I'm still not sure, maybe it was the watered down drinks or resonance in the microphone.
Anyway, can't wait to see what happens next weekend.
Have a good one,

Kristy :)