Hi You Guys!
I’m SO sorry,
This is EMBARRASSINGLY late. It’s October 15th today, which is just so laughably late.. I wondered if I should just wait until November, and do one huge wrap up… but I decided the hell with it, better late than never!
The first two weeks of October have been CRAZY! It was my birthday on the 6th, and Ryan and I went to California/Disneyland/Universal/HARRY POTTER WORLD for the week. (Don’t worry I’ve got a full post coming JUST on that trip haha). We got home later this week, and it was right off to Vancouver Island for a belated Thanksgiving Dinner with Ryan’s family. Also it’s Ryan’s birthday this week…. so yeah.. it’s been INSANE. Insane in the best, most wonderful way though. October is the best month of the entire year. So much love.
No excuses though, I should have got my shit together and gotten the September Wrap Up out for you guys.. but hopefully I’m not too late 🙂 So without much further stalling.. here it is!
xoxo,
Carly
Ps.: I’ll see you all soon with some VERY exciting Travel Blogs & Halloween Festivities!
So as always lets get right into it…
TV SHOWS
Okay, so I watch a LOT of TV. Especially in the Fall… one of my most loved things, is curling up with a cozy blanket, a bowl of Sour Patch Kids.. and like 100 hours of Netflix. I have watched SO many awful, just terrible things this month…. I don’t want to get into all of that, but I do think it would be a fun upcoming post… “Books, TV Shows & Movies I Hated”.. what do you guys think? I absolutely LOVE watching other creator’s YouTube videos, where they just rip apart the books they hated. It’s so much fun to watch. I don’t like to HATE on anything too hard though, because honestly I can always find at least something I like about any movie, TV show, or book. There is always value to someones art <3
So as for the TV Shows I LOVED this month… they are (in no particular order)
1.) “The Jinx: The Life and Death’s of Robert Durst”
HBO 6 Part Documentary Series
10/10 *** SO FUCKING GOOD
This Documentary series, came out back in 2015, and it was a re-watch for me during September. This is hands down one of the most EXPLOSIVE and incredible Documentaries/Investigative Journalism.. that I’ve ever seen on TV. HBO is always amazing, so I shouldn’t really be surprised at all haha.
I’ve known about Robert Durst, and his whole possible murder scandal, for a long time. I watched this movie a few years ago with Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst, called “All Good Things” which is loosely (although really 100%) based on Robert Durst & his marriage/ the disappearance of his wife/ a bunch of other crazy shit Robert Durst did.
This Documentary gets into decades worth of police files, tapes, interviews, case history.. and a current interview with Robert himself. It’s SO amazing, it gives me chills even thinking about it now. Gripping.
THAT FINAL EPISODE THOUGH. I screamed out loud I was so shocked. I screamed out loud for like FIVE minutes straight!!
Do yourself a huge favor and watch this series. Just beyond twisted and disturbing.. and some of the best Documentary film-making I’ve ever seen. I’ll attach the official Google Plot Summary as well, in case you are more interested in plot details.
(Google Plot Summary)
(A groundbreaking six-part documentary that delves into the history of real estate heir Robert Durst, suspected in the unsolved 1982 disappearance of his wife as well as the murders of family friend Susan Berman and neighbour Morris Black. It features an extended, revealing interview with Durst himself. `The Jinx’ results from nearly a decade of research exposing police files, key witnesses, never-before-seen footage, private prison recordings, and thousands of pages of formerly hidden documents.)
2.) “Doctor Foster”
Netflix
I clicked on this show one night around two am. I was exhausted, and honestly just mindlessly flicking around Netflix for whatever. I had heard NOTHING about this show, which in hindsight is crazy.. because I feel like EVERYONE I know is talking about this show right now.
This is a story about a marriage, a woman, a possible affair.. and just so many twisted turns, that I couldn’t even begin to get into it all. Also If I were to say anything at all about anything past episode one, it’s pretty much spoiler central.
Go into this one blind, and trust me, you will LOVE this. I have made everyone I know watch this, and they have all loved it.
I normally attach a Google Plot Summary, but I don’t want to spoil anything for you guys. It’s that good. If you were a fan of “Big Little Lies”, or “The Affair”, you will love this.
3.) “This is Us”
Netflix
This show is 100% the most family friendly show I’ve recommended today haha. This show is one of those heart wrenching, feel good, family, almost-sappy-it’s-so-wholesome.. type of shows. Ryan and I started watching it on TV last Fall, and I was skeptical at first. I’m not really into these intense family drama shows.. like Parenthood etc. I don’t mind them, but I sometimes find they get a bit too “soap-y”. Almost cringe-worthy sweet you know? That always irks me a bit.
This show does a really great job of developing some incredible characters, while still being very fresh and funny. It’s also the SADDEST show ever! Every episode makes you feel like you are going to start crying… it’s wild. This show totally sucked me in from the first episode, and I can’t wait to see where they take it with Season 2.
MOVIES
1.) “IT”
Horror Movie/Coming of Age Drama
10/10!
As you guys know, this past year I joined a Book-Club (aka “The Boston Pizza Book Club”) with my Sister and some of her friends. We decided to read “IT” by Stephen King, in anticipation for the September release Horror Movie.
First off, this book was HUGE.. like over 1,000 pages! It took us so long to read, but we finally all manged to get through it, and just in time for the movie!
This movie was INSANE. It was so well done, in so many different ways. I think the number one thing for me, was the casting. The casting on this movie was PERFECTION. Every single one of these kids, were incredible actors/actresses, and the chemistry/vibe that they all had together as a unit was SO great.
This movie gave me major “Stranger Things” meets “The Goonies” & “Stand By Me”. It was a really wonderful coming of age story, with so much heart and humor… with a very disturbing dark shadow hanging over it. The shadow wasn’t even JUST “It” the Clown, but some of the other supporting characters as well… From the bully, to Bev’s perverted Dad.. it was all just so well acted, directed…. and just edited to perfection.
Loved this so much. I’m still dreaming of that clown. Did I mention he was TERRIFYING?!?!?! Because he was. I’ll never look at a storm drain the same. My Sister Paige screamed SO loud during a few scenes, it was amazing. So much fun going to get terrified with the whole Book Club. People really underestimate how much fun a Book Club can be!
2.) “Literally Right Before Aaron”
Romantic Comedy/Drama
This movie was a random selection for me. I was just browsing around, and came across it somewhere online. I was drawn into the movie’s cover art, because of the bright pink.. and also because I saw “Robin” from “How I Met Your Mother” was in it. I really like Cobie Smulders, and I usually enjoy Justin Long.. so I figured, “what the hell, how bad can it be?”.
It wasn’t bad at all, in fact it was quite a cute little (although actually at points quite pathetic and hard to watch haha) movie. It’s hilarious to imagine… because I literally can’t think of anything WORSE than having to attend an ex’s WEDDING. I mean talk about AWKWARD.
Basically Justin Long is a guy who has just been invited to his long term ex-girlfriend’s wedding. He’s still obsessed with her, and he’s pretty horrified about this whole scene. The movie is pretty much set entirely, on her Wedding Day… and it’s so entertaining to see what happens when he arrives at her Wedding. I liked this so much, and it’s an easy light movie.
3.) “My Cousin Rachel”
10/10
Creepy Horror Movie/ Intense Drama
Ohhhh I LOVED LOVED LOVED this creepy little movie, so much.
This movie is based on a book written by a British author, named Daphne du Maurier. It was published in 1951, and I’ve heard so many things about it over the years. I always meant to read it, and when I saw this movie was out… I just couldn’t control myself. The plot sounded so twisted and right up my alley.
Google Plot Summary
(Philip is a young Englishman who finds his cousin Ambrose dead after traveling to Florence, Italy. He vows revenge against Ambrose’s missing wife Rachel, blaming her for his untimely demise. When Philip meets Rachel for the first time, his mood suddenly changes as he finds himself falling for her seductive charm and beauty. As his obsession for her grows, Rachel now hatches a scheme to win back her late husband’s estate from the unsuspecting Philip.)
Everything about this movie drew me in.. the outstanding cast (I’m a HUGE Rachel Weiz fan), the beautiful scenery, the exquisite costumes, the dark and fucked up plot… everything. This movie was so good, and it was so chilling to watch. The sense of dread you feel building throughout this film, is unlike anything I’ve ever felt watching a film set so far “back in the day”. 10/10 *
BOOKS
I didn’t read a ton during September, it was a really busy month for me, and I just didn’t find the time. I kept getting so excited to read before bed, but as soon as I would get under the sheets, it was almost impossible to keep my eyes open. Hopefully next month I’ll find some more time to read. I need to stop watching so much Netflix haha!
I did read a few great things worth mentioning though.. and I’ll share them with you guys below <3
1.) “Friend Request”
By: Laura Marshall
7/10
As soon as I saw this book on the shelf at the BookStore, I was drawn to it.. mainly because of it’s simplistic cover.. and it’s catchy title. “Friend Request” immediately makes me think of Facebook.. and of the online world we all live in so much these days.
As soon as I read the plot, and realized how very heavy social-media focused the story was, I felt like I HAD to read it.
Overall it was a pretty basic murder mystery story. Catchy little plot, that involves everyone’s secret thrill for a good-ol’ Facebook stalk.. with a murder, and a past FULL OF SECRETS. Sound familiar? That’s because like 80% of thrillers these days have something to do with one aspect of these ideas. The “dark past”, the “murder of someone you thought you knew”, etc. No shade thrown here though.. I mean Thrillers are my favorite genre for sure, and I love all of those tropes so much. This one just wasn’t that great, you know what I mean? It was a B+ overall, and I saw the “twist” coming a mile away.
If you like stories where you find out about the current crime, while also chapter-by-chapter having someones past revealed to you.. You will enjoy this one for sure. The only real criticism I had, was that the supporting characters were a bit hollow, and I didn’t really care what happened to any of them. I think the biggest problem, is that I’ve been reading so many AMAZING thrillers lately. My mind is being blown all the time with “CRAZY TWISTS”, and I’m getting too good at decoding them haha.
(Good-Reads Books Plot Summary)
(A paranoid single mom is forced to confront the unthinkable act she committed as a desperate teenager in this addictive thriller with a social media twist. Maria Weston wants to be friends. But Maria Weston is dead. Isn’t she?
1989. When Louise first notices the new girl who has mysteriously transferred late into their senior year, Maria seems to be everything the girls Louise hangs out with aren’t. Authentic. Funny. Brash. Within just a few days, Maria and Louise are on their way to becoming fast friends.
2016. Louise receives a heart-stopping email: Maria Weston wants to be friends on Facebook. Long-buried memories quickly rise to the surface: those first days of their budding friendship; cruel decisions made and dark secrets kept; the night that would change all their lives forever.
Louise has always known that if the truth ever came out, she could stand to lose everything. Her job. Her son. Her freedom. Maria’s sudden reappearance threatens it all, and forces Louise to reconnect with everyone she’d severed ties with to escape the past. But as she tries to piece together exactly what happened that night, Louise discovers there’s more to the story than she ever knew. To keep her secret, Louise must first uncover the whole truth, before what’s known to Maria–or whoever’s pretending to be her–is known to all.)
2.) “Murder on the Orient Express”
By: Agatha Christie
8/10
“The murderer is with us – on the train now…”
I’m pretty sure I’ve always known about this book, somewhere in the back of my mind. I’ve heard about the mystery-writing legend Agatha Christie, many times before. For some reason, I never really got around to reading any of her books. They always seemed kind of daunting.. like trying to take on all the Nancy Drew books at once, or something. There seemed to be SO many of her books, and I wasn’t sure what order/etc… Then last month I saw the trailer for the upcoming book-to-screen adaptation of “Murder on the Orient Express”, starring Johnny Depp & Michelle Pfeiffer (and so many more). The movie looks like it’s going to be absolutely cinematically GORGEOUS. In a “Great Gatsby”, “Polar Express”, “Les Miserables” type of way, you know what I mean? Just very visually beautiful, with rich tones, snow.. and just that overall Christmas-feel. I sound insane, but I think you guys know what I mean.
This book was a bit hard to get into at first, I’ll admit. It was written a long time ago, and the language and dialogue is a bit stiff at first.. but once you lose yourself in the classic “whodunit” vibe of the story.. it really takes off from there.
This book has such a classic thrill to it, and it’s a very timeless type of thriller. I can’t wait to see what the film will be like! I can’t wait to see all the different characters come to life, with so many well known actors and actresses playing these integral characters.
Also side-note.. I absolutely LOVE these tiny paperback versions of books. It’s so satisfying to be able to just fit this tiny little book in your pocket, and go! It’s a real thrill haha, please tell me I’m not the only crazy person who loves this.
(Good-Reads Plot Summary)
(“The murderer is with us – on the train now…”
Just after midnight, the famous Orient Express is stopped in its tracks by a snowdrift. By morning, the millionaire Samuel Ratchett lies dead in his compartment, stabbed a dozen times, his door locked from the inside. One of his fellow passengers must be the murderer.
Isolated by the storm and with a killer in their midst, detective Hercule Poirot must find the killer amongst a dozen of the dead man’s enemies, before the murderer decides to strike again…)
3.) “True Crime Addict”
“How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray”
By: James Renner
Lately, I’ve been watching tons and tons of videos on YouTube, of people talking about their “Best Books of 2017”, “Fav Books of All-Time”, “Top Ten Thrillers” etc. I watch video after video, and it’s actually terrifying because I want to buy EVERYTHING they talk about. The list of “Books I Want to Buy” on my iPhone is ridiculous! I trust these people so much, and I always end up discovering the most obscure little book gems!
Okay so a few weeks ago a girl I love on BookTube, was talking about how much she LOVES Podcasts! I could relate immediately, because over the past six months or so, I’ve been on a huge podcast kick. I devoured “Serial”, “Up and Vanished”, and “Someone Knows Something” within DAYS. The girl said that this book “True Crime Addict”, was like the most incredible podcast in the world.. but in BOOK form! I knew I had to have it, and I bought it off the Chapters site within minutes.
Wow. Just wow. This book was SO good. So fucking INTERESTING. I don’t even know where to begin. James Renner is a Journalist, who has become sort of obsessed with a case of a missing girl.. for quite some time. He decides to investigate it for himself, and with that investigation come a lot of conflicting emotions and situations. He discovers SO many things about this so called “cold case”, and the emotional toll it all takes on him is shocking. He deals with major PTSD problems, and the entire book cover to cover is just GRIPPING. So beautifully written, while also being SO fascinating. Best Non-Fiction Book I’ve read in years (other than “The Psychopath Test” by Jon Ronson, loved that too).
If you guys are a fan of true-crime, podcasts, or any kind of cold-case murder investigating.. this one is for you!
(Google Books Plot Summary)
(As seen on the Oxygen mini-series The Disappearance of Maura Murray
When an eleven year old James Renner fell in love with Amy Mihaljevic, the missing girl seen on posters all over his neighborhood, it was the beginning of a lifelong obsession with true crime. That obsession leads James to a successful career as an investigative journalist. It also gave him PTSD. In 2011, James began researching the strange disappearance of Maura Murray, a UMass student who went missing after wrecking her car in rural New Hampshire in 2004. Over the course of his investigation, he uncovers numerous important and shocking new clues about what may have happened to Maura, but also finds himself in increasingly dangerous situations with little regard for his own well-being. As his quest to find Maura deepens, the case starts taking a toll on his personal life, which begins to spiral out of control. The result is an absorbing dual investigation of the complicated story of the All-American girl who went missing and James’s own equally complicated true crime addiction.
James Renner’s True Crime Addict is the story of his spellbinding investigation of the missing person’s case of Maura Murray, which has taken on a life of its own for armchair sleuths across the web. In the spirit of David Fincher’s Zodiac, it is a fascinating look at a case that has eluded authorities and one man’s obsessive quest for the answers.)
That’s it for Books I read this month, but as I write this it’s mid-October.. and I’ll just give you a little hint into next month’s Reviews… October is maybe my BEST Reading Month yet! I’ve read SO MANY amazing books, I can’t fucking wait to tell you all about it, in my upcoming “October Wrap Up”. I won’t be two weeks late this time, I promise!
Another last minute September Fav of mine, has got to be RAMEN! I was never huge into the whole Vancouver Ramen Scene, but I always watched enviously from the sidelines haha.
I would always be lurking around on Instagram, and see all these fascinating Ramen dishes. I never knew where to go, what to order.. or even what to do with myself. Ryan took me out for my first Ramen feast a year or so ago.. and it literally CHANGED my life.
Basically ever since, we have been going to Ramen Kokia on Davie Street, like two times a week haha! I am OBSESSED. My best friend Tina took me and Paige to a really great place on Robson Street last week, and it was SO so good. My Sister got a Delicious Vegan option too, and it wasn’t lacking at all. The Vegetarian/Vegan options are 10/10. I always go for anything that’s Spicy. The hotter the better!
Thanks for Reading Guys,
See you all Soon,
xo. Carly
Here are some other random Snapshots from our September Adventures. One specific photo is very special to me.. because it’s a photo of me and my friend Lindsey, shopping for Bridesmaid Dresses with our best friend Julia <3 Can’t wait for her 2018 wedding, and to stand next to her as she marries the love of her life, Andy!
xo
All Photography @Carly Ingram Photography 2017
All TV/Movie Images From @ Google Images 2017
