Check Out This Week's Recommendations!
- Fiorella Rossi
- Mar 15, 2021
- 3 min read
Books/tv-series: A series of unfortunate events
A series of unfortunate events is the story of three siblings, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, who have just lost their parents and their house because of a fire. They are left in their distant relative Count Olaf's house. Unfortunately, Count Olaf ended up being a terrible person who only wants to steal their family's fortune. Because of this, the orphans are placed in new homes, but wherever they go, Count Olaf always finds them.
Although this book can be read by young children, it’s still an enjoyable read for anyone older. The narrative is very unique and all the characters are very interesting to get to know.
For anyone who is not thrilled at the idea of reading thirteen books (though they are very short and easy to read), there is a Netflix TV Series that does an amazing job of portraying exactly what’s on the book, on screen.
Book: Children of blood and bone
This book starts with Zélie, the main character, who remembers how her mother and other majis (people with powers) were taken away and killed by the king. In the future, there’s no magic, except Zélie is a diviner, the daughter of a magi, so she does have magic in her. In this story, we follow Zelie in her attempt to restore magic in the kingdom.
This book was inspired by West- African Mythology and the Yoruba belief and was motivated by the police shooting of Black Americans.
As well as being a very important read, it’s highly entertaining and extremely quick to read, since I couldn't put it down.
Movie/book: The perks of being a wallflower
This movie focuses on Charlie, a teen with severe childhood trauma, who has just started high school and is nervous because he feels like an outsider. However, it all changes when he meets the people who will become his best friends. We follow him for a whole year exploring his friendship, happiness, and how past traumas can affect your everyday life.
Despite the fact that the movie occurs in a whole year, it’s very fast-paced because of the narration included.
This movie deals with a lot of sensitive topics in a very natural way without ridiculing the situation or shaming the character.
Book: The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby takes place in 1925 during the Jazz Age in Long Island, New York, and follows Nick Carraway and his interactions with wealthy Mr. Gatsby, who obsessively tries to rekindle his relationship with his former partner, Daisy Buchannan. From lavish parties to affairs, it showcases the life of the American Upper Class at the time.
Although not successful at the time of publication, it is now one of the most important works of the 19th Century and often called "The Great American Novel"
Movie: Slumdog Millionaire
The movie follows the story of Jamal, a kid who participates in the Indian version of “Who wants to be a millionaire?” and won the grand prize after answering every question correctly. He is later accused of cheating and questioned by the police, to who he retells the story by explaining how he managed to get every question correct through his life experiences.
Tv series/book: The Queen’s Gambit
In this series, we follow Beth Harmon’s journey since she is left orphaned. We see her years in the orphanage, and later being adopted, all while quickly becoming stellar at chess. She soon starts going to competitions and winning most of them.
Nevertheless, this series is not just about a girl who plays chess, for on the side we also watch her struggling with her addictions to both pills and alcohol, and go through love, loss, and grief.
The cinematography is beautiful, the acting is incredible, and it’s a truly moving story. So, if you are looking for an entertaining series that also deals with more mature topics, this is a great pick for you.
Bibliography
Amazon (2021). Children of blood and bone [book]. Analysis. Originally
published 2018. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/-/es/Tomi-Adeyemi/dp/1250170974
Amazon (2021). The Great Gatsby [book]. Analysis. Sept. 2004 ed. Retrieved
Facebook (2020). Slumdog Millionaire [movie]. Analysis. Retrieved from
Imbd (2021). The Perks of being a wallflower [Book]. Analysis. Originally
published 2012. Amazon. Retrieved from
Imbd (2021). A Series of unfortunate events [TV series]. Analysis. Amazon.
Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4834206/
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