24 is Back!

Did anyone else watch the first two hours of 24 season 7 last night? (or were you all watching the golden globes?)

Man, is this show back! I have to admit I was worried. Season six was, well, weak. 24 started to show it's age that season, the tricks were all the same and the believability stretched so far that it was hard to stay interested. The television movie back in the fall did impress me though and gave me hope. And tonight's first two hours were action packed and suspenseful in a way only 24 can do. I think moving the action to Washington D.C was a smart choice. I can even buy a living Tony Almeida, although the explanation still sounded a little fan fiction-y to me. Needless to say, the hours slipped by quickly and left me feeling happy this show is back and looking forward to tonight.

In other news, another show I was worried would be unable to reinvent itself also turned in another strong season premiere...Damages. Does anyone else watch this? If not, I highly recommend the first season. It's got fantastic writing and does time jumps all over the place, giving you only snatches of the truth, until the end when the whole is finally formed. The first season felt like the full story, so I wasn't sure if a second season would work, but they've definitely got me interested!

And lastly, I just checked to see who won at the Golden Globes..I'm glad to see Mad Men win...either though I haven't seen season 2, that show feels like the richest thing on television. (no worries, LOST is still my favorite.) Kate Winselt also cleaned up! I mean was it necessary to let her sweep it like that? And admittedly I'm puzzled by Vicky Cristina Barcelona winning best comedy or musical. I thought that film was pretty forgettable.

So what did you think of 24, Damages, or the Golden Globes? I guess I'll have to check out Slumdog Millionaire...what it is about? Oh and one more question...should I read Revolutionary Road before seeing the movie? Thoughts appreciated!

The Sunday Salon (and 24)

This has been one of the most frustrating weeks of reading for me, I feel like I haven't got much read. In fact, I'm behind on just about everything. Well I did get some Christmas shopping done, but that's about it. I also really wanted to read some spooky books for Halloween, but the hot weather here just doesn't put me in the mood. We did get about 10 minutes of rain tonight, but alas..too little too late. :)

So today, I hope to get some reading done, I'm reading Voices by Arnaldur Indridason which was a LibraryThing ER book I should have already reviewed. :( It's a great book, though, so far I'm really enjoying it and it's a pretty fast and easy read.

Now that's it's November I'm wondering if there are any adult Thanksgiving books that you know about. Of course, by adult, I mean written for adults...nothing else! I know there are some category romances with Thanksgiving settings, but it seems there isn't much else. What do you recommend for Thanksgiving reading?

And now for something a bit off topic...if you aren't interested you can stop reading at this point. I just watched the trailer for season 7 of 24 here. I really like 24 even though the sixth season wasn't particularly strong. This season looks promising, and I love that they're tackling the whole Africa thing. But I'm still uncertain about a certain someone being alive....24 fans...weigh in..what do you think?

Happy Sunday everyone!

Bits'n'pieces Around the Web

First of all, congratulations to Julie for winning A Soldier's Family. Hop on over to her blog, it's a winner for the book lover! I have another contest going on now for the book The Next Level by the author of Dinner with a Perfect Stranger, please enter!

Well, here's a good way to get grossed out and freaked out at the same time.

Brant Hansen truly has the best stories.
But Michelle at Scribbit comes in a close second.

Brody tackles the issue of the somewhat offensive rotating blogroll. I found the ensuing discussion somewhat humorous...the only people who really didn't have a problem with it were the BIG TIME bloggers.

Doug Van Pelt blogged about this, which I totally agree with and have thought, but no one else had agreed with me on this obviously very important observation.

I was very excited to read this as Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles are two of my favorite characters in the booking world. What I'd love even more would be a major motion picture of the splendid Bone Garden.

And last, but not least in any way shape or form AT ALL, check out this podcast to hear some new songs from the ridiculously talented Andrew Peterson. I'm reading his book right now, which is a treat, and want you to know that next week will be Andrew Peterson week here. I'll be giving away copies of his book as well some of his music, and hopefully there will be a few other goodies in there as well. I LOVE that third song on the podcast, what are you still doing here? Go listen to it now!

Oh and Some Other Things

Look at what I got in the mail yesterday!





And, the powers that be at Fox obviously read this blog, because look!

Music Monday: For Those of Us in 24 Withdrawal...

Normally, January through May is the most exciting part of the TV season because we have both American Idol and 24.

By the time we see Jack Bauer again, due to the writer's strike, we'll have had to wait (that's a complicated verb tense, my students would hate it) for two years!!!!

So maybe you, like me, are in 24 withdrawal.

I really love the music on 24. It plays such an important role in setting mood and driving the suspense. I actually own both soundtracks and love the full theme, which is what you'll find here. (There's a bonus feature on the season 5 DVDs in which Sean Callery plays different music in the same scene and demonstrates just how big of a role music plays in the show. It's cool)

So anyway, enjoy!

Jack is Back!

Well, as you my faithful readers know, I am a huge fan of 24. I mean really, I recently rewatched season 5 and was once again blown away by just how well written, acted, and put together this show is. And it still keeps you guessing!

Anyway, I know the first four episodes of season 6 have already been leaked onto the internet, but with an unusual amount of self-restraint I refrained from watching them.

Now I will be able to enjoy them this Sunday and Monday in four great hours (that will fly by) introducing us to the newest season. It should be very interesting from what I've read on the subject matter and I really look forward to seeing what they come up with throughout the season.

I've also noticed just a huge amount of promotion for it this time around. I don't know if it's because of the Emmy wins, the fact that last season was the most watched season yet, the fact that Fox had a very dismal fall run, or if there are nerves about being aired against Heroes, but they are promoting this show like crazy.

As well they should. It's brilliant.