If you follow me on Instagram then you already know that I didn’t expect to be so sick last week with strep throat, and while I am still not feeling 100% myself again, I am so relieved to be through the worst of it. Thank you to antibiotics and lots of sleep!
I will be #OutofOffice again this week as I am officially graduating. I received my master’s degree results back in November, however the official graduation is this week. I plan on slowing down and enjoying the moment.
Reviews, discussions, and chats about all things in the wonderful world of literature will be back soon, but for now I am celebrating my biggest achievement.
I had added some beautiful new books to my bookshelves recently and I want to talk about my latest reads as there are new reviews and new podcast episodes coming very soon.
I want to say thank you to HarperCollins Ireland for sending me an early copy of Derek Landy’s latest Skulduggery Pleasant book. A Mind Full Of Murder is the first book in a brand new trilogy.
It officially comes out on March 28th 2024. I will be reading this book and publishing my review very soon!
Please note that while I was very kindly sent this book, my review will be my own opinion and not paid for or sponsored in any way.
I celebrated my birthday not too long ago and one of my friends gave me a beautiful edition of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë. I think that this flowery pink cover is absolutely beautiful and not only did I not own a copy of this classic before now, but this particular copy looks stunning on my shelves.
At the moment I am reading Dubliners by James Joyce.
I am a fan of Joyce’s writing style. I especially enjoy the way he experiments with literary techniques and while it can take some getting used to, I enjoy reading his free-form prose as it reads as if we are experiencing his thoughts with him as they happen.
I will be discussing all things Dubliners with my co-host Seán on Episode #03 of Your Book or Mine?
You can listen on Spotify.
Make sure you follow me on Instagram @katelovesliterature for all updates about what is #ComingUpNext
Lately I’ve been leaning into my favourite comfort show more often than usual.
If you keep up with me on Instagram then you already know that I’m a huge fan of The Golden Girls. I began watching the show when I was very young with my grandmother. I ordered the entire seven series box set on DVD a few years ago and I was absolutely thrilled when the entire show became available on Disney +
I watch The Golden Girls all the time. I watch when I’m doing my makeup, I watch with a cup of tea in bed at night to relax. I watch when I’m travelling. I always download an entire season if I’m getting on a flight. It is a show that I know inside and out, one that I can throw on at any time. I find it relaxing. I always laugh. I think maybe it also reminds me of being with my own grandmother, which is lovely, and I especially find it helpful if I am feeling anxious. I enjoy knowing what is coming, I enjoy the stories each time, and I love that even though I know this show inside and out, I truly enjoy watching it every single time. It is funny, it is clever, it is poignant, and in so many ways it was ahead of its time.
While I can appreciate that this discussion might be very niche and very self-indulgent, I want to talk about my favourite episodes anyway. There are so many episodes that I adore. Picking solid favourites is so difficult, but I have selected three that I would regard as my top three episodes. These are the episodes that I am going to talk about in this piece. There are many more that I really love, so there may also be an honourable mention or two.
Please be aware that The Golden Girls discusses themes that some readers may find upsetting such as abuse, sickness, ageing, loss, and death. I will be touching on these themes and topics in this discussion.
I want to begin with a serious episode. The Golden Girls did not shy away from dealing with heavy topics. One of my favourite episodes is Not Another Monday: Season 5, Episode 7.
This episode is a perfect combination of comedy and poignancy. The A plot and the B plot are total opposites and yet they weave together beautifully to create one of the most touching episodes. I believe this episode displays some of Estelle Getty’s (Sophia) best acting.
In this episode Dorothy, Blanche, and Rose are reliving the days of early motherhood as they are babysitting for a local couple while Sophia is debating whether or not she can support her friend who wishes to take her own life. The babysitting portion of this episode features some of the funniest scenes in the show, scenes that are often listed in iconic moment countdowns etc.
The girls try to get the baby to sleep by performing a fabulous rendition of “Mr. Sandman” in the living room, and Blanche hilariously tries to flirt with the doctor when the baby gets an ear infection due to teething. This clash of warm comedy right beside a very heavy, poignant discussion shouldn’t work in the same episode and yet it is perfectly done. I think this expertly weaved juxtaposition of light and dark is what makes this episode so well written.
Sophia’s friend Martha is depressed, lonely, and frightened after she and Sophia attend the funeral of a mutual friend. Martha lives alone and she fears continuing as her health is declining. She decides she wants to die on her own terms. She plans to die due to an overdose. Determined that she does not want to die alone, she pleads with Sophia to be with her, and to hold her hand after she takes the pills.
Sophia battles with what to do. She does not want to leave Martha alone, but she also does not want her to take her own life. While the other girls are babysitting, Sophia goes to Martha’s house. There she reminds Martha of the day they met in the hospital and how they both couldn’t wait to get out of hospital after their procedures because they wanted to live. Sophia asks her if she is sure about her plan. Martha hesitates. Sophia tells her she can’t go through with it if she isn’t sure, because she can’t take it back. Martha admits that the loneliness she feels is the driving force behind her choices, but she isn’t actually ready to die. Sophia swears she will be there, she will make sure she isn’t alone. The two toast to being best friends.
In this scene, Estelle Getty delivers one of my favourite lines from the entire series. Martha states that she’s afraid of sickness and afraid of pain, and that their friend looked so peaceful at her wake. Determined, with tears in her eyes, and a hitch in her throat, Sophia says “We’re not in this life for peace.” Her point is that life is worth living, despite the many twists and turns that get thrown at us. It is a beautiful scene.
Later that evening, the girls are relieved when Sophia gets home and tells them that Martha didn’t go through with her plan, and they reflect on how lucky they are that they live together and not alone. Before the baby goes back to his parents, Sophia picks him up, rocks him, and tells him that he has a long life ahead of him and to enjoy all of life’s ups and downs. Despite the overall tone being heavy, the episode ends on a hopeful note.
The major themes of this episode focus on the fear of growing older, the impact that loneliness can have on people, loss, grief, and ultimately hope. A huge emphasis is placed on remembering those who may live by themselves and making sure we make time for those who may wish they had more contact and connection in their lives. While it is one of the most serious episodes of the show, and while it makes me tear up every single time I watch it without fail, it is also an episode that always makes me feel better if I am having a hard time.
I’d argue this episode is a masterclass in writing, and it features some incredible acting.
It is a must watch in my opinion.
The next episode I am going to talk about is The Actor: Season 2 Episode 14. This episode is completely different in tone, it is much lighter, and in my opinion this is one of the funniest episodes in the series.
In this episode, Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche are getting ready for the local community theatre’s upcoming performance. The girls are thrilled when it is announced that Patrick Vaughn, a well-known professional actor will be coming to the theatre to star as the leading man. Swooning over his good looks, all three of the ladies are determined to get the lead so they can act opposite him, and they hope to score a date too.
Shenanigans ensue when Patrick Vaughn dates all three of the ladies, insisting that the relationships must be kept a secret so that the press does not find out. A comedy of errors ensues when Dorothy, Rose, and Blanche find out on opening night that not only has Patrick been leading all three of them on, but he has been dating the entire female ensemble too.
Furious, they expose him onstage as a cheat and a liar in a brilliantly funny way. They confront him in the play and when the commotion is over, they bow as though it was all part of the performance. This spoof (A spoof of Picnic) play also features Dorothy as the Sheriff. She steps in when another actor gets sick as she is the only one tall enough to wear the costume. (If you’ve never seen the show, Bea Arthur who plays Dorothy is an extremely tall, regal woman. Her height is often played for laughs, as is her deep voice.) Seeing Dorothy enter the stage in her Sheriff costume is one of the best moments, and her drawl as she interrogates the drifter “Biff” is some of the funniest dialogue in the show.
Episodes that feature the ladies competing with each other are always very entertaining. The girls are competitive and not afraid to be petty. The hijinks that ensue are always brilliant.
No matter how many times I see the episode, I still get the giggles whenever I watch.
Returning to a more serious episode, I couldn’t talk about my favourite episodes without discussing Old Friends: Season 3, Episode 1. I debated choosing a different episode, as I didn’t want this discussion to be too serious overall. There are many, many wonderful and funny episodes of this show that I love, but I have to be honest in my reviews.
Old Friends is a classic. It is another Sophia focused episode and Estelle Getty is given another chance to shine.
I truly love her portrayal of Sophia. She’s cheeky, wise, and wise-cracking. She’s serious when she needs to be without taking life too seriously. She’s the oldest of the group, and the mother figure. She may be Dorothy’s actual mother, but she plays a mother role to Rose and Blanche too. She’s spunky, quick-witted, and stubborn. Her moments of sensitivity and sentimentality are some of the best in the show. I love when we get to see Sophia’s softer side. It shines through in Old Friends.
This is another episode that expertly mixes comedy and sadness. Blanche accidentally gives away a childhood teddy bear of Rose’s when she is having a yard sale. Hijinks ensue when she tries to get the bear back from Daisy, a supposedly sweet sunshine cadet (Scouts if you’re Irish). Blanche thinks this will be an easy task and Rose will never need to know, but Daisy spoils her plans when she holds the teddy bear hostage. Rue McClanahan is always brilliantly funny as Blanche, but her trying to negotiate with a little girl are some of her best scenes.
While Blanche tries her best to get the bear back, Sophia is at the boardwalk where she meets Alvin. The two share a bench and chat while they look out at the sea. They become fast friends, spending day after day sitting together on the boardwalk and talking for hours. One day, Alvin is upset, erratic, and it appears he doesn’t know who Sophia is. It becomes apparent that he is suffering from Alzheimers and it is getting worse. His daughter tells Dorothy that he will have to move from Miami to Chicago so she can care for him, meaning that he and Sophia won’t see each other again.
The episode is bittersweet. Sophia reflects on the time they spent together and how much she enjoyed his friendship, she tells Dorothy that she’ll always remember him even if soon he forgets her. She is knitting him a scarf and when it is finished she plans to send it to Chicago.
The episode ends with Rose getting her bear back and Dorothy bringing Sophia home. As they leave the boardwalk, a man comes and sits in Alvin’s spot. Sophia gets upset and tells him that someone is sitting there.
Again, this is another episode that touches on sickness and loneliness in old age. There is a very sad moment when Alvin remembers all over again that his beloved wife is gone and he misses her terribly. He cries for her all over again while Sophia comforts him, telling him that she misses her husband too and he can cry all he wants. It is a very touching scene.
I do want to emphasise that while the episodes I’m discussing highlight some of the fears that come with growing older, this entire show is dedicated to illustrating that life does not stop when we turn thirty and that everyone, especially women, can go on to live full, vibrant, busy lives. Age is just a number and The Golden Girls was ahead of its time when it came to a show featuring older women as the leads. They weren’t the butt of the joke, they weren’t helpless, their lives were not dull. They weren’t just mothers and grandmothers, they were smart, funny, intelligent, vibrant women who lived full lives. Yes they were mothers and grandmothers who adored their families, but they also had work lives, friendships, and they dated. They did everything and anything that they wanted to do. The show covered all kinds of topics, talking about hugely important things while keeping humour and love intact too.
The Golden Girls is an incredible show and I think everyone should watch at least one episode to see what they think.
Follow me on Instagram @katelovesliterature to keep up to date with what is coming up next on Katelovesliterature.com
If you don’t follow me on Instagram, you won’t have seen that I am #OutofOffice this week.
I will be back next week with another book review.
In the meantime, you can tune in on Instagram, because while I am not publishing a discussion this week on Katelovesliterature.com, I will be posting some book chats on my grid and stories.
Lately I’ve been thinking about how much I love to watch movies. I truly could spend an entire weekend watching movie after movie. Last weekend we sat down to watch Rocky II, which I loved, but afterwards I was thinking about how in a short amount of time I had laughed, cried, and cheered when (spoiler alert) Rocky won the match.
Now I will admit that I love to let myself get swept away by movies, I allow myself to become completely invested, so perhaps not everyone will watch movies as enthusiastically as I do, but I also know I’m not alone. I’ve had some incredible conversations with people about movies, and there are certain times when being in the cinema with a crowd feels amazing. It is not exactly the same feeling as being in a live theatre, but there is something lovely about being part of a crowd of people who are all excited to watch the same movie.
Last summer, alongside the rest of the world, I went to see Barbie. The cinema was full. Everyone was wearing pink. There was a line to stand in the Barbie box outside the screen. An entire room of people laughed and cried together. Last Christmas season, I went to see Die Hard in the cinema because it is one of my favourite movies. Again, that night in the cinema was a communal experience. Everyone was quoting the famous lines, we were laughing together, and cheering those iconic John McClane moments. The point I’m making is movies mean something to people, and I love experiencing the ways that movies can bring people together.
Movies can serve many purposes. Movies can entertain. Movies can be a form of escapism, a way for people to step into another world and witness the life of another person. Being entertained by a movie can make us feel better if we are having a hard time. Movies can make us laugh and they also make us cry, and sometimes they can even make us feel truly understood.
Movies can also be more than a form of escapism. Movies can function as a mirror to society. Movies can reflect the good, the bad, and the ugly in life. Movies can tell a story about a particular time or event, and they can give voices to many people. Movies can move and inspire us, because in all of this, whether you’re watching a comedy or an action movie, or a rom com, or something terribly sad, there will be a moment, a scene, a character that resonates with you.
While I am an avid reader, I do love the medium of film, and I enjoy visual storytelling.
I am always encouraging people to read. I will always be an advocate when it comes to helping young people fall in love with books because I believe that being a reader can open so many doors, but I’ve been thinking about this a lot recently, and I think I would argue that it is just as important to foster a love of film in people. I believe that we must watch movies.
So what’s my argument? Why must we watch movies?
I believe we should watch movies because watching movies allows us to experience storytelling in various ways. Movies are made up of so many components, characters, setting, costume, the score, and all of those components come together to create a visual piece. While using our imagination when we read is fantastic, I do believe that there are some moments that are meant to be portrayed onscreen. There are also some movies that would be completely different if the score was different. Can you imagine Jaws without that famous two note motif? It wouldn’t be the same. When we appreciate how integral that musical theme is to that movie, we are appreciating music. When we stop to appreciate how a costume can make or break a character, we are appreciating design and fashion. When we take the time to recognise all of these components and the roles they play, we are actually beginning to appreciate the arts in a much broader way. When we appreciate the arts, we are appreciating ideas and doing so allows people to be more creative, more innovative, and more collaborative.
Watching movies also helps us with our levels of social intelligence. As people, we learn so much by watching. Watching a movie can let us see the inner workings of a character. We see what they go through, we see how they feel and why they feel that way, we see how they interact with others, and we see what they do in the movie, and we have opinions on all of these things.
When we can see why a character is upset, we empathise with them. When we can see why a character behaved a certain way, we can understand their actions but realise that maybe they should have acted differently. Movies can also be extremely educational. Watching a movie about a certain event or particular situation allows audiences to experience and learn about that event in a safe way. You can watch a character make mistakes and even though the movie is fictional, we as an audience can still learn from those fictional mistakes and apply the lessons to our real lives. The same can be said about movies that deal with heavier themes such as grief. The character in the movie is experiencing grief, and even though the movie is fiction (unless it is based on a true story), that story and that character arc can help a person who is grieving in real life. Perhaps they see themselves in the character, perhaps they feel less alone by seeing a story like theirs, and maybe the character getting through grief can provide comfort and hope in real life. I’ve certainly felt that way, and I know many others who have too.
I think movies can bring people closer together. As I mentioned above, some of the best conversations I’ve had have been over a bottle of wine after watching a movie. I’ve spoken about what I thought of the movie, why I liked it, why I didn’t, scenes that stood out etc. I’ve discussed themes with people and how those themes made me feel, and more often than not, chats about movies have become about more than movies. Suddenly those chats become personal, and I’ve connected with people on a deeper level, but the movie is the thing that broke the ice, the movie is the thing that allowed us to connect. I do believe that so many people just wish to be understood, and as a movie lover, and as someone who studies literature and film, I believe that movies can help us feel more understood.
An idea that I’ve mentioned a lot recently is the idea of a “must watch”movie. This is not a new concept. Just like how there are books that are considered to be books that everyone must read, there are movies that are classed as “must see” movies. A “must see” movie is usually a movie that covers a topic of cultural, or historical significance, or tells a story that is socially significant in some way.
I think that I am going to create my own version of a “must see” movie list. I think it would be fun to think about movies that have impacted me and why, and hopefully my list may give people some movie night inspiration so stay tuned.
Follow me on Instagram if you don’t already @katelovesliterature for all updates about what is #ComingUpNext.
I am also very excited because episode #02 of Your Book or Mine? will be coming soon on Spotify. You can #JoinTheBookClub by following us on Instagram @yourbookorminepod
I sat down to watch Rocky knowing absolutely nothing about the plot aside from the fact that there would be a fight and a training montage. It felt like one of those films that even though I hadn’t seen it yet, I was aware of it. I knew Rocky. I was not expecting to enjoy the film as much as I did. I was not expecting it to be so funny, and I certainly wasn’t expecting the film to make me cry. I knew I’d enjoy it. My thoughts going into watching this film were “It’s a classic, I’m sure I’ll like it.”
Now I want to talk about why I believe that everyone should watch Rocky at least once.
You may be wondering why this is the film that I’m discussing on Valentine’s week, a fair question, as a sports drama may not necessarily inspire many to have romantic thoughts.
I’ve chosen to discuss Rocky this week because I think that the underdog figure is ultimately, and inevitably, a romantic one. I also think that the relationship between Rocky and Adrian in the film is extremely sweet. Adrian has one particular line in this film that moved me to tears, and I do also want to talk about how much I enjoyed the quiet, comfortable progression of their relationship in this film.
Rocky came out in 1976. The film was directed by John G. Avildsen.
The film was written by Sylvester Stallone, who also starred in the film as Rocky.
Set in Philadelphia, this film follows Rocky Balboa, a poor loan shark debt collector and fighter as he gets the opportunity to fight for the world heavyweight championship title.
Rocky was a huge success. Itis a film that gained status as now it is an iconic piece in pop culture. This film launched Sylvester Stallone’s career and it also created a template for what sports movies would look like.
Please note, I am discussing the plot in this review, so there will be spoilers.
I want to discuss why I felt this film connected with me (and wider audiences), the way it did because when you think about what actually happens in the film, it is not packed with plot points. This film was the highest grossing film in 1976 and yet Rocky doesn’t even win the heavyweight championship title. Why does everyone care so much?
We all care so much because Rocky is not about winning. Yes it is a sports film, yes the fight scene is the climax of the film, but it was never about Rocky winning. Rocky himself states that he does not actually have any strong desire to win this fight, he does not care about winning the title, but he does deeply care about going the distance. He wants to finish the fight even if he loses, he wants to complete every round. He cares deeply about doing something good. He wants to be more than he is. He wants to prove that he isn’t a bum. I believe this is why his story resonates with so many people. Rocky is a quiet, shy, kind of bumbling character. He loves to box. He loves animals. He loves his family. He wants to go on a date with Adrian, the shy woman who works at the pet shop.
Rocky is a true underdog. In so many ways he is so ordinary, his wishes are so “everyday ordinary”, by this I mean that he doesn’t wish for huge, improbable things like winning a huge amount of money or having ten cars etc. He wishes for relatively normal, everyday things.
This is what makes him so endearing. We root for him because there is a relatability found in his ordinariness. We can all relate to loving our pets and maybe hoping to get a date with the person we have feelings for. These small, ordinary wins are often the things that make us feel the best, and so we root for him to have his wins.
Something that struck me as very interesting while watching is that the plot somewhat mirrors why this film turned out to be such a success. Apollo Creed is the heavyweight boxing champion and he is supposed to fight to defend his title, but his opponent has to drop out due to an injury.
Creed proves to be an excellent judge of what will bring the most publicity to the match.
He feels that giving a local, unknown boxer the opportunity to win the title will generate interest and attract massive attention from the public. He is right. He even loves Rocky’s boxing nickname, “The Italian Stallion”, stating he can picture it on film posters. Creed knows that an audience will love a rags to riches story so he proceeds with his plan, confident in the spectacle it will create.
The film is now often described as a Cinderella, rags to riches story, and in it, Creed is also profiting off of the popularity of rags to riches stories, and this struck me while I was watching it.
I find it really interesting that within the plot there is a conversation about how rags to riches stories are popular, and then the film itself became so popular because it is a rags to riches tale, and this film also paved the way for more rags to riches, motivational sports films to come about.
I find that mirroring really fascinating. It’s funny how we, the wider audience who love this film, mirror the public in the film who love the fight.
I want to talk about the appeal of the underdog, and why I would argue that the underdog is a romantic figure. There is a fantastic article entitled The Appeal of the Underdog (2008) by Nadav P. Goldschmied, David A. R. Richards, and Joseph A. Vandello, that I found when I was studying quest narratives. Underdog figures feature prominently in quest narratives. This article presents the idea that audiences root for underdogs because ‘The desire to see disadvantaged entities succeed is based on people’s strong motivation to see just outcomes.’(Vandello, Goldschmeid and Richards, 2008). The article also states that ‘A mediation analysis supported the interpretation that underdogs are seen as exerting more effort than advantaged entities.’
This is an idea that as a viewer I can get behind. It is a point that must be considered carefully, because coming from an advantaged background doesn’t automatically mean that the advantaged individual does not have the talent and won’t put in the work, however one must always acknowledge that the disadvantaged individual can have the same amount of talent if not more, and put in the same amount of work, if not more, than the advantaged person, but still not have access to the same opportunities.
In Rocky, Creed is clearly a very talented boxer, he’s trained to be where he is, he’s also got an incredible team behind him and at times it seems he cares more about the spectacle of the match than the match itself, but the point I’m making here is that no one is suggesting that Creed shouldn’t be in the ring, but we care more about Rocky being in the ring, because we feel that Rocky had a harder time getting there. Rocky would have most likely never gotten the opportunity to be in the ring if it weren’t for this media idea. It is a once in a lifetime shot, and it arguably means much more to him then it does to Creed, so therefore he is the one that we root for. Rocky is the one that we care about. For Creed, despite the title being up for grabs, this is another match, whereas for Rocky this is a chance to change his life.
Underdog figures often appear to have more heart and more passion than their counterparts, and this is why we root for them, but I would argue this is also why they’re romantic figures. It’s much more satisfying when the unlikely candidate triumphs over the person who assumed they didn’t have to exude any effort. In romantic plots where we see an “unlikely” love interest placed in opposition to the “obvious” love interest, what usually happens is that the underdog will be portrayed as more sincere, as a better listener, as a much more thoughtful and caring person than the obvious choice. The underdog will be dismissed throughout the film due to their status, and obvious choices are usually wealthier or have a higher level of formal education, but the point that connects all the dots in this trope, the idea that you will be able to spot time and time again, is the idea that the underdog may be poorer and may not be as well educated, but they have more heart. They’re kinder. They’re more genuine. The underdog having more heart makes them the true richer one.
Rooting for a poor underdog with a heart of gold is much easier and much more satisfying than rooting for a rich, cold, snob. If you want to watch a scene that puts all of these ideas into practice, watch the scene in Titanic where Jack Dawson joins the rich passengers for dinner in the first-class dining hall. He’s wearing a borrowed suit, he’s being judged by the wealthy, they’re scoffing at him while expecting him to be oh so grateful for the invitation to dine with them. In this scene, Jack gives a rousing speech about how lucky he truly is, he puts the stuffy, judgemental Cal in his place, and audiences can’t help but cheer for him in this scene. We know that he’s nicer than Cal, we know that Cal is being awful to him in this scene, we know that Cal thinks he’s nothing, so when we get to watch Jack stand up for himself and deliver a heartfelt, passionate speech, we cheer.
In Rocky, a character trait that I really enjoyed was the fact that Rocky does not get swept away in the spectacle at any point. Sometimes in stories that feature an underdog, there can be moments where they get swept up into the popular frenzy and momentarily forget about the people who have cheered them on all along. It’s easy to do because when you’re working hard for so long and you’re underappreciated, it is easy to imagine that recognition feels nice. Sometimes the fact that recognition came with strings gets overlooked until the underdog realises who has been there for them all along, and they return to their true friends. This is a common trope, although it doesn’t happen in every story. It doesn’t happen in Rocky.
Rocky is humble. He is well aware of the fact that certain people like Mickey the trainer, didn’t give a damn about him before the match. Mickey did not give Rocky the time of day before he was selected to fight Creed. He had no interest in training him despite Rocky looking up to him.
When he offers to train Rocky, he expects him to immediately accept his offer and be grateful for the attention and help, but Rocky has an incredible speech in which he asks why does Mickey have a sudden interest? Why didn’t he care before? Ultimately, Rocky does accept Mickey’s offer, but I admire his self-awareness in these scenes.
At the beginning of the film, it is made clear that Rocky has feelings for Adrian, the shy woman who works in the pet shop. Rocky always tries to make her laugh by telling her a joke. Adrian is Paulie’s sister, and Paulie and Rocky are friends so Paulie insists that he will help arrange a date between Rocky and Adrian.
I love Adrian. She is very sweet and extremely shy. I didn’t expect her character to almost move me to tears, but I really felt for her. Adrian is played by Talia Shire, and for the majority of the film, her beauty is downplayed. She’s a beautiful actress, but Adrian is a character with absolutely no self-confidence, and for most of the film she’s dressed in drab, dull clothes that wash her out and completely overwhelm her frame. She dresses like someone who wants to hide and this is apt, for Adrian desperately wants to remain unnoticed. Everyone in this film is cruel to Adrian, aside from Rocky. Her brother Paulie is so mean to her, while thinking he can order her around, and other characters mock Rocky for wanting to take her on a date. Shire’s performance is beautifully subtle, there are times very early on where it seems like she has no interest at all and the exchange is painfully awkward, until she gives the smallest smile, or a quick glance, or a small amount of eye contact, all so subtly indicating that she does like Rocky, but she has no confidence for these encounters.
As a modern viewer watching this film for the first time in 2024, it is easy to point out which aspects would be tweaked if there was ever to be a remake. I want to say now, this is not a film that needs to be remade, this is one of many that we should leave alone, however it is easy to identify which aspects would be modernised. Paulie sets up the first date between Rocky and Adrian, and comically Rocky keeps asking if Adrian knows about it. This turned out to be a fair question, because Adrian in fact, did not know about it. Paulie pressures her to go on the date, and she spends most of it quiet although the pair do bond when Rocky takes her ice skating and they have the entire ring to themselves. Later, at Rocky’s apartment, she does state that she’d like to go home, and Rocky does attempt to keep the conversation alive. Again, it is a scene that needs to be watched carefully because Shire gives off the smallest indications that she doesn’t actually want the date to end despite saying she should go. The scene ends with a tender moment. Rocky tells her that she is very beautiful, and her reply is telling. She asks him not to tease her. In my opinion, this line tells us everything we need to know about her self-esteem and why she’s so shy, she does not believe she is beautiful, and she feels vulnerable because she wants to ensure that Rocky isn’t teasing her like everyone else does, that this date wasn’t some big, elaborate joke or a lost bet. When Rocky assures her that he isn’t teasing her, she is the one who initiates a passionate kiss. After this scene, their relationship quietly grows and grows.
From this point on, Adrian gets more and more confident, and she becomes much more casual about expressing affection for Rocky. They hold hands, they sit together, and even though there is never a big announcement about the fact that they’re a couple, it is clear that their relationship has progressed. I love this. It is quiet, natural, and sweet. During a big press conference, Rocky is once again unbothered by the crowd he is attracting, he simply wants to give a shout out to Adrian, and when he, Paulie, and Adrain watch him on the tv, he’s the most excited about her seeing that he shouted her out. It is very cute. Rocky never belittles Adrian, and he never overlooks her during the training process, he never gets swept up in the glitz of it all. When Paulie disrespects her, Rocky defends her. Adrian also has the newfound confidence to defend herself, which is a fantastic moment.
Paulie is jealous of Rocky’s success, and one drunken night he picks a fight with Rocky and Adrian. In this fight, he tells Adrian that she owes him, that she is a loser. She has had enough. She screams back at him, telling him that she owes him nothing. She cooks for him, cleans for him, takes care of him, and that he always makes her feel like a loser. But she is not a loser. Hearing Adrian state that she is not a loser after everyone made her feel like one was a very poignant moment, and it did make me tear up. I loved seeing her gain self-confidence. It’s not hard to imagine that there were many times that Paulie yelled at her and talked down to her and she didn’t have the courage or self-belief to stand up to him, but now she does, and it is a brilliant moment. Adrian is an underdog too, so we easily root for her just as much as we root for Rocky.
There is a scene in which Rocky explains why Adrian means so much to him. “She’s got gaps, I got gaps, together we fill gaps, I don’t know.” (Rocky, 1976). I love this line. It is so simple, it is so sweet, it perfectly sums up how two people can do so much for each other.
So moving to the end of the film. The fight scene is big. There’s a huge crowd, the event is a success before it has even begun. Creed is a true showman, and Rocky is ready to go the distance. I love that Rocky doesn’t win. This may sound odd, but if he wins then I think the point about how it was never about winning would be lost. Rocky set a personal goal. He wanted to go the distance and he did. He lasted all fifteen rounds, despite injuries, despite tiredness, he goes the distance, and he gets some good punches in there too, gaining Creed’s respect. He may not have won the fight, but he achieved his own personal goal, so he did win. Winning can be a very personal thing, and it can mean different things to different people. Much like how quests are about the journey rather than the final destination, I think that a major theme of Rocky is that just because you didn’t win the prize, that doesn’t mean you didn’t win at all.
Winning, losing, Rocky doesn’t care. The film ends with him screaming for Adrian. He’s gone the distance, the crowd is going wild, everyone is cheering, there are cameras in his face. He just wants Adrian. He’s screaming for her, she’s trying to get to him through the chaos. Finally the pair reunite and the film ends with Adrian and Rocky telling each other “I love you.”
It was the perfect ending. He went the distance, he earned a life changing amount of money, and he got the girl. Rocky won.
I would highly recommend Rocky if you haven’t seen it. It is funny, poignant, and it tells a story about perseverance and gaining confidence. The fight and the boxing are the perfect backdrop to all of the personal development that we see play out on screen. We see a lovable underdog rise to a challenge and go the distance alongside a shy woman gaining her own voice. We watch them fill gaps, and we cheer for them as they do. Follow me on Instagram @katelovesliterature for all updates about what is #ComingUpNext.
My fairy tale adventures in Frankfurt: A Travel Diary.
By Kate O’Brien.
I did not expect to go on two trips in January. On Christmas Day, roughly two hours after my Mam surprised me by telling me that she and I were headed to NYC, my boyfriend surprised me by telling me that he and I were headed to Frankfurt … three days later.
To say I was shocked and delighted would be an understatement. So I landed in Dublin from NYC on a Monday morning and on Thursday I was back in Dublin airport with my repacked suitcase, ready for a snowy adventure.
This was my second time travelling to Germany, but my first ever visit to Frankfurt so I was very excited to see a new city for the first time. By now you all know that I love a literary inspired trip, and Frankfurt did not disappoint.
Frankfurt is a city packed with culture, at times it felt like we were seeing museums on every corner. The city was cold and crisp, very cold in fact. I loved seeing snow topped trees as the plane was landing, and we arrived to snow on the ground and icicles on railings. It was the winter trip of my dreams, and I thoroughly enjoyed being bundled up as we explored.
One of my favourite things about Frankfurt is that it is a very walkable city, aside from getting the metro here and there for ease, we found ourselves walking everywhere. The city was very easy to navigate and we enjoyed seeing the beautiful buildings as we walked around.
I love city breaks, but I always feel as though there is so much more I want to do, which is why I make a list of reasons to go back! Frankfurt was no exception, there are many things that I wish we got to do, so I’m sure we will be returning at some point in the future, however we did get to do some amazing things while we were there, if you’re looking for travel inspo, I’ve got you covered.
We stayed in the Hotel Schopenhauer Hof, which was an ideal spot beside the river.
We were lucky as we had a fabulous river view from our room. We were a five minute walk away from the Iron Footbridge, from Römer, and from the Frankfurt Cathedral, and we were surrounded by some amazing spots for food and drinks.
As two film lovers, we couldn’t go to Frankfurt and not visit the German Film Museum.
For only €6 each, we had a wonderful afternoon exploring the exhibitions. This museum is home to original sketches and storyboards from Disney classics such as Peter Pan and Snow White, face moulds and masks from Star Wars, and one of the original aliens from Alien. It was really amazing to see such an appreciation and love for films on display.
One of the most beautiful spots was Römerberg, a historical square that is home to gorgeous, mediaeval buildings and bustling markets. I would imagine this square is absolutely beautiful on a bright, warm, summer day, but we loved it in the snow just as much.
We loved wandering the city and seeing where the day would take us. We explored some amazing book shops and antique shops. I was particularly thrilled to find a collection of wooden nutcrackers in an antique shop, and I’m only sorry that none of them would fit in my suitcase.
I am a fairy tale lover, so much so that for my master’s dissertation I focused on fairy tales.
This trip was partially a Christmas gift, and partially to celebrate that I have received my master’s degree in Children’s and Young Adult Literature, so we simply had to have an adventure and visit some of the spots on the German Fairy Tale Route.
My dream is to one day do a road trip to complete more of the stops on this route, however this trip was the perfect beginning. The journey from Frankfurt to Hanau is only thirty minutes on the metro, so a day ticket was purchased and off we set to the home of the Grimm Brothers.
The Brothers Grimm National Monument is the starting point of the German Fairy Tale Route.
The statue sits in the Am market and it is the focal point of the busy village square. The statue features the brothers, we can see that Wilhelm Grimm is sitting down while Jacob Grimm is standing beside him. Local legends suggest that Jacob and Wilhelm secretly swap places at midnight, which is a story that I’m fond of as it sounds like a fairy tale that the brothers would create.
Fairy tale lovers can also enjoy the Hanau Fairy Tale Path. There are statues all around Hanau, depicting scenes from Grimm fairy tales. We loved seeing each statue and seeing which tale it was from as we walked around. It was very special to see fairy tales being celebrated this way.
We also visited Philippsruhe Castle, where the Historical Museum of the city of Hanau is located. The GrimmsMärchenReich, the first Brothers Grimm interactive museum in Germany, is located in the right wing. This might have been my favourite part of the trip, although it is hard to pick just one favourite thing. Visiting the castle grounds made me feel like I had stepped into Beauty and the Beast. The grounds were blanketed in sparkling, white snow. Fountains and lakes were completely frozen over, all gleaming under a crisp blue sky. It was picturesque.
The museum itself was stunning. High, stucco ceilings, breathtaking chandeliers, the most beautiful ballrooms and drawing rooms with paintings, cabinets, and other pieces on display, taking a walk through this place was like walking through a storybook. Not only did we get to enjoy some history, but we got to enjoy the fairy tale exhibit too. The whispering corridor, which features open fairy tale books that whisper to you as you walk by, was a highlight for me. I felt like a little girl again. Young children have the option to explore the fairy tale exhibit in costume, and it was fantastic to see young kids having such a wonderful time. There’s magic to be found in stories and I loved embracing the magic of it all. I especially loved that there was a glass slipper placed on the grand staircase, implying that perhaps a runaway princess had recently fled.
I would love to return in the summer as the Brothers Grimm Fairy Tale Festival takes place in the amphitheatre, and I would love to see the paper theatre museum which is currently being renovated. I would also love to see the castle grounds on a bright, sunny day.
We also visited the gold and silver museum in Hanau, which was lots of fun. I’m a big jewellery fan and I enjoy looking at different pieces so I enjoyed wandering through these exhibits. There are some stunning pieces of jewellery on display in this museum, and I loved seeing the artistic craftsmanship through time.
While in Frankfurt we visited some lovely restaurants. We loved IIMORI, a little café that was home to roses, books, and other sculptures. We enjoyed breakfast here. The croissants were delicious, and it was a beautiful spot. One of the best meals we had was at Jamy’s Burger. This restaurant was beautiful. The burgers were amazing, and if you go I cannot recommend the dirty fries enough. The cocktails were delicious as well as beautiful to look at, and the staff couldn’t have been nicer. The price was also very reasonable so win wins all round.
I think our favourite restaurant was a place called Panamaa. This place was a two minute walk outside the door of our hotel. We ate there twice and had quite a lot of drinks there. The atmosphere was lovely, the place was lit by candles, warm lights, and star fairy lights hung everywhere. This spot was slightly pricier, but if you’re looking for a romantic treat, it is ideal. If you like cosmopolitans, this is the place to order one.
On our last morning in Frankfurt we had breakfast at Kaffeehaus Goldene Waage, and it was amazing. This place was just beautiful. The decor made us feel like we had stepped back in time to a vintage tea house. The coffees and hot chocolates were rich and indulgent. The selection of cakes was unbelievable, everything looked delicious, and the outside of the building looked like a fairy tale building from a storybook. Nearly every single building in Frankfurt looks pretty, this is the lesson we learned. If you enjoy appreciating architecture then this is a city you need to visit.
Frankfurt is most definitely on my must visit again list. I want to go back and do the river cruise. I’d like to explore other museums, particularly the animation museum. I’d like to go back to visit the paper theatre museum, and I’d like to time my trip to align with the fairy tale festival and perhaps go on further to explore more of the fairy tale route.
I couldn’t have loved this trip more. It was the most incredible surprise.
I hope anyone who goes enjoys themselves as much as I did.
Make sure you follow me on Instagram @katelovesliterature if you don’t already for all updates about what is coming up next.
On Christmas Day my Mam surprised me when she told me that we were going to New York.
My family had been to New York when I was a toddler, so it is safe to say that I don’t remember that trip. It’s always been a dream of mine to go to see the city that never sleeps and it has been on my travel bucket list for a long time. You can imagine my shock and delight when I found out that I was actually going to get to see NYC!
I love seeing new places, and adding some literary gems to my trips is always the goal. I couldn’t wait to get to the creative hub that is New York City, the place is always buzzing with noise and energy.
If you want some travel inspiration then look no further! I hope you’ll enjoy my travel diary.
We stayed in NYC for five nights and I’ve decided to break this travel diary down into three parts …
Travel and Accommodation
Sights and Shows
Food and Drink
Let’s Dive In …
Travel and Accommodation
We flew with United Airlines from Dublin to Newark, New Jersey. The flight was roughly six hours long, and I was happy to have slept for most of it. We landed at 11.15am local time which meant we had the whole day ahead of us, and travelling from Newark airport to Grand Central Station in NYC couldn’t have been easier. We hopped on the Coach USA airport shuttle which brought us directly from Terminal C to Grand Central. The route had just three stops so getting lost was close to impossible. Despite the journey being listed as one hour and thirty minutes, we found ourselves among the skyscrapers after only forty-five. The journey was smooth and quick, the only time we hit any traffic was when we came out of the tunnel in NYC as the streets were bustling and busy.
This trip was a surprise for me, so I was not involved in any of the bookings, but my Mam said she’d happily fly into Newark airport again if the flights were the better deal as getting to NYC from there is easy. I’d also have no complaints about doing this travel route again.
We stayed in The Fitzpatricks Grand Central Hotel directly across from Grand Central Terminal.
This couldn’t have been a better location. We were right in the heart of the city. We were able to walk to Grand Central Station, Fifth Avenue, Times Square, and we were exactly three minutes away from the Chrysler building so every evening when we were walking back to our hotel, we saw the skyscraper lit up. It was a gorgeous sight.
*Please note this is not a paid review, nor is this piece an ad or sponsored in any way, but we believe in giving credit where credit is due.*
I want to take a moment to publicly praise the staff at The Fitzpatrick Hotel. They couldn’t have been nicer, and they made our stay so fantastic. Every morning we would see familiar faces at check in, and they were also so helpful to my Mam when she was explaining how she wanted to surprise me. We loved every minute of our stay, and not only would we highly recommend it, but we will be staying there again if we return to NYC in the future (and we hope to do just that!). We want to shout out Sarah, Jeff, Alexis, Brendan, and Evan in particular as they were so kind.
The hotel itself is beautiful, our rooms were spotless and comfy. There is a restaurant and bar onsite, the location is ideal. It truly is a perfect spot.
Sights and Shows
We spent our five days walking the city and seeing the sights. In my London travel diary, I talked about the Hop-On/Hop-Off bus tours. I can’t recommend these tours enough. I think they’re such a great way to see a new city. We purchased the twenty-four hour ticket in NYC. We sat on the top of the bus, wrapped up in hats, scarves, and gloves because NYC in January is cold! We didn’t care though because we were having a ball. We did the Uptown tour, the Downtown tour, and the river cruise so we could see the Statute of Liberty. It was a picturesque, scenic day, and driving around and seeing all of the iconic landmarks was surreal.
If you want my biggest travel tip, look no further … Do the river cruise at night!
The river cruise was two hours long and we opted to take the four o’clock cruise, this meant that when we got on the boat, the sky was slowly changing colour and that famous NYC skyline was starting to sparkle as it lit up. We went along the river, listening as our wonderful tour guide told us all about the city and the iconic landmarks that it is home to and then we saw Lady Liberty herself. Lit up, striking and tall. As we were returning to our dock, it was six o’clock and it was dark, so we got to see how beautiful Brooklyn Bridge is when it is all lit up and dazzling. The view was breathtaking, and while I did take lots of photos, none of them do that view justice. I’m not exaggerating when I say it was truly amazing. A moment I won’t forget for a long time.
Being in Times Square was another surreal moment. I am aware that I sound like a walking cliché, but it did feel like being in a movie. Everything is so big and you feel so small among those tall, concrete buildings. The place is so loud too. Music is playing, horns are honking, taxis are everywhere, there are food trucks on every block and corner. The saying that NYC is the city that never sleeps rings true. The place is just always moving, always loud, and there is a fantastic buzz in the air. The atmosphere is amazing, and I understand completely why the city is often highlighted as a place where dreams can come true.
We went to see the Plaza hotel, the Met, Tiffany & Co., Saks and the other Fifth Avenue gems. We went to Hudson Yards and the World Trade Center memorial, we got to see the Flatiron building, Radio City Music Hall, the Empire State Building, and of course, we got to see the famous Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.
My Mam, the ultimate travel planner, knows that Christmas is my favourite time of year. She knows that I have always wanted to see the big tree so she planned the trip around dates when it would still be up even though we were going in January. We got to see the tree before it came down and it was worth going to New York for. It is big, tall, bright and beautiful. We saw the skaters underneath and the lights all around. The atmosphere was fun and festive, and I’m so glad that I got to see the city decorated so beautifully.
I couldn’t go to NYC and not go to see a Broadway show. My Mam and I went to see Disney’s Aladdin on Broadway and it was a spectacular night! The show runs in the New Amsterdam theatre, which is an absolutely beautiful theatre. The show was magical, pardon the pun. The cast were phenomenal. The Broadway show is the iconic movie brought to life with new shows and characters added for the stage, so the story is one we all already love, and the score is one that has long made an impact on us. It was the first time that my Mam and I got to see a show on Broadway, and we both loved it. It was bright, vibrant, beautiful, full of life and spectacle. The magic carpet scene in particular made me feel like a little girl again. I am so happy that I got to see a show on Broadway. I didn’t know that my Mam had bought us tickets, I had no idea about the entire trip which should be obvious by now, so I actually have tickets to see Aladdin when the touring production comes to Dublin later this year. I’m really excited to see it again, I always love seeing how touring productions may differ from their original venues, so I look forward to writing a more detailed theatre trip discussion after I see the show again in Dublin.
Food and Drink
Let’s start with the obvious, NYC is an expensive city. Restaurants can be expensive, fast food can be expensive, but we did find a few places that we enjoyed.
We ate in the Wheeltapper bar and restaurant in our hotel twice. We did this out of ease, as it was onsite. The food was nice, the place was lively, and it was handy.
When it came to breakfasts, we went to The Comfort Diner for breakfast on our first morning. It gave me Twin Peaks vibes, but in the best way. We had a big, American breakfast. Pancakes, French toast, eggs, bacon, the works, and coffee in gigantic mugs. It was pricey, but we really enjoyed it and it set us up for the day.
We didn’t plan this in advance, but the way our days tended to play out was that we’d eat a fairly decent breakfast, set out for the day, and while we did grab coffee and cold drinks during the sightseeing, we usually didn’t eat again until dinner.
On the other mornings we kept things simple and grabbed coffee and doughnuts at Dunkin’. We also discovered that Wendy’s make a very nice breakfast bap.
In the hotel they recommended that we visit Junior’s because the cheesecake is fantastic. They warned us that it is a tourist spot so expect it to be busy, but I had to try New York cheesecake in NYC so off we went. The place was very nice and we got there at one o’clock which seemed like a great time as it wasn’t empty but it wasn’t full either so we got a table without any wait. The cheesecake was really lovely, and I’d go there again. The menu looked very nice too although we didn’t eat a big meal, we just got cheesecake, coffee, and pastry. It was getting very busy when we were leaving at around two, so I think we were lucky to get a table when we did.
My favourite restaurant of the trip was the Carnegie Diner on 57th Street. The food was delicious. We had dinner there before Aladdin. We were in the middle of the city. The staff were so kind. I had a delicious cocktail and places get bonus points if they offer great cocktails. This spot was ideal and I’d love to go there again someday.
We normally stay away from Irish bars while we are away however we were told that the Killarney Rose is a brilliant spot so we also had dinner there one night. We enjoyed it, we’d go back. I had a cosmopolitan there and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Here’s another tip … if you want to find reasonable drinks, visit The Olive Garden in Times Square. On the bottom floor they have a full bar and the cocktails were only seven dollars, which in NYC is a steal. It is also in the middle of Times Square so you’re taking in the lively atmosphere while you’re enjoying a sit down and a good drink.
Obviously NYC is a huge, diverse, vibrant city and I’m not even scratching the surface of all of the amazing dining experiences that are on offer – another reason to plan a trip back!
I keep my private life private and I won’t gush about my Mam online because she’d kill me if I did, but being in NYC with her (and some other family who ended up surprising us as well!), was a dream.
She planned the most fantastic trip. We had an amazing time. We loved every single second, and all I’ll say is that I am one lucky woman.
Today’s piece is a bit different. I will be sharing my New York travel diary next week, and after that I will be sharing my Frankfurt travel diary so there are lots of literary adventures coming soon. If literary cities are your cup of tea then stay tuned, and if you have not already read my previous travel diaries, why not check them out now? I hope you’ll find some travel inspiration.
Today I am introducing a new literary project that I am very proud of.
If you follow me on Instagram you may already know my news…
Today is the official launch day of my brand new podcast Your Book or Mine?
I have co-created and I will co-host this brand new, book club podcast alongside my fellow book lover Seán. Each month we will be reading a different book, alternating between classics and new, modern reads to discuss on the podcast.
Our inaugural episode is officially OUT NOW on Spotify.
We hope you will read alongside us and let us know all of your thoughts on the book chats we’re having.
I’m very proud of this new project, and I’m so excited that the first episode is finally available for everyone to enjoy. A new episode will be airing once a month, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to discuss a broad range of brilliant books.
I love presenting and speaking about all things literature. At Beehive Books, I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to host the ‘Interviews with Authors’ miniseries. Chatting to various authors about their books, published by Beehive Books, has been an excellent experience and you can tune in every other week on Spotify. https://open.spotify.com/show/7r1cKcwvLTeAZ9opibdREc
I have wanted to create a literary podcast for a long time now, and I am so happy that I have found the perfect person to collaborate with. Seán is a fellow book lover, he is a fantastic writer, he has created videos about all forms of media on his YouTube channel @CicadaWave … He enjoys horror, ghost stories, classics, and anything with a touch of the macabre. Our different points of view, combined with our shared interests that have a great way of balancing each other out makes for a really fun, really interesting dynamic, and I look forward to co-hosting Your Book or Mine? with him this year.
I have a feeling that 2024 will be a great year. There are so many things that I am looking forward to, and many things that I am excited to do. I’ve received so much encouragement, support, and lovely feedback about the new podcast already. Thank you so much to everyone who has reached out, you know who you are.
I hope you will all enjoy Your Book or Mine?
Join the book club. Follow us on Instagram. Listen on Spotify.
Gods Don’t Cry by Ellen Ryan. Illustrated by Conor Merriman.
A review by Kate O’Brien
I described Ellen’s first book Girls Who Slay Monsters as a collection of passionate stories, passionately told. The bar was set extremely high, Gods Don’t Cry is the perfect book to come next.
I said that Girls Who Slay Monsters would inspire all readers, but I thought it would particularly inspire and even comfort young girls. I’d have loved to read a book like this when I was thirteen.
Gods Don’t Cry is an ideal counterpart, as this collection of tales about Irish Gods showcases how there are many different, many amazing ways to be masculine. Just like there are many different ways to describe girlhood, manhood is just as complex. Gods Don’t Cry highlights how boys can be strong in different ways. There is more than just one way to be brave.
Gods Don’t Cry is a collection of heroic tales, written in Ryan’s evocative, almost lyrical style.
She expertly weaves old and new, illustrating how old tales can still be impactful to today’s readers.
Each story is short and easy to follow, and brought utterly to life by Merriman’s striking illustrations. Merriman uses such rich colours, burning reds, and bare trees, expertly mixing light and dark in a way that catches the eye so brilliantly. There are pages that I’d love to frame as a painting because they’re so striking.
While I personally believe that all books are for all readers, I do hope that young boys pick up Gods Don’t Cry and I hope that they enjoy it. Just as it is crucial for young girls, it is so important that young boys understand that they can be whatever they want to be. They can be sporty and they can love reading, and they can enjoy games, and they can love school, and while these sound like trivial examples, sometimes adolescents are made to feel insecure about the smallest things.
Strength has layers, bravery has layers, compassion has layers, and there are many ways to be heroic. Ellen Ryan captures the multidimensions of our emotions so fantastically.
It is always a pleasure to read her work.
If you haven’t read Gods Don’t Cry yet, I can’t recommend it enough.
Happy New Year everyone.
There is so much to come on Katelovesliterature.com so stay tuned!
Katelovesliterature.com 