My Emmy Ballot

Not sure if my Emmy ballot got lost in the mail, or what, but here are my choices for Sunday's ceremony.


Supporting Actress, Comedy:

Mayim Bialik, “The Big Bang Theory”
Niecy Nash, “Getting On”
Julie Bowen, “Modern Family”
Allison Janney, “Mom”
Kate McKinnon “Saturday Night Live”
Gaby Hoffmann, “Transparent”
Jane Krakowski, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
Anna Chlumsky, “Veep”

I've never seen Getting On or Transparent, I hate Modern Family, and I get bored with The Big Bang Theory getting awards. My vote here is for Jane Krakowski because her humor, at times, was so subtle in that show. 

Supporting Actor, Comedy:

Andre Braugher, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine”
Adam Driver, “Girls”
Keegan-Michael Key, “Key & Peele”
Ty Burrell, “Modern Family”
Tituss Burgess, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
Tony Hale, “Veep”

I haven't watched this past season of Girls, but I love Adam Driver and want him to win! Or Keegan-Michael Key because he is hilarious. 

Supporting Actress, Drama:


Joanne Froggatt, “Downton Abbey”
Lena Headey, “Game Of Thrones”
Emilia Clarke, “Game Of Thrones”
Christine Baranski, “The Good Wife”
Christina Hendricks, “Mad Men”
Uzo Aduba, “Orange Is The New Black”

THIS CATEGORY IS SO TOUGH!!!! I'm throwing out Uzo Aduba because I don't watch/like that show, as well as Christine Baranski because I'm only on S2 of The Good Wife. I love Mad Men, but Joan is not my fave. Joanne Froggatt won the Golden Globe, yes? I think she's great, and so is Emilia Clarke, but my vote goes to Lena Headey who really showed such variety in her character last year. 

Supporting Actor, Drama:

Jonathan Banks, “Better Call Saul”
Ben Mendelsohn, “Bloodline”
Jim Carter, “Downton Abbey”
Peter Dinklage, “Game Of Thrones”
Alan Cumming, “The Good Wife”
Michael Kelly, “House Of Cards” 

Another tough one, but Peter Dinklage deserves every award ever for that scene during his trial. But I wouldn't cry if Ben Mendelsohn won because he is incredible, as is Alan Cumming, but that's more a vote for being awesome in life since I'm so behind on that show. "It's Saturday night on Broadway!!! It's Saturday night on Broaddwaaayyyyy!"

Variety Sketch Series:

“Drunk History”
“Inside Amy Schumer”
“Key & Peele”
“Portlandia”
“Saturday Night Live”

 Sheesh, there is some quality tv out there! Can we have a tie? I kind of want Drunk History to win because the entire premise is so genius. Also one time my dad did his impression of Will Ferrell doing an episode and that was Emmy-worthy on its own.

Variety Talk Series:

“The Colbert Report”
“The Daily Show With Jon Stewart”
“Jimmy Kimmel Live”
“Last Week Tonight With John Oliver”
“Late Show With David Letterman”
“The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”

While I love David Letterman, Jimmy Fallon is so creative that he deserves to win everything. 

Lead Actress, Comedy:

Lisa Kudrow, “The Comeback”
Lily Tomlin, “Grace And Frankie”
Amy Schumer, “Inside Amy Schumer”
Edie Falco, “Nurse Jackie”
Amy Poehler, “Parks And Recreation”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”  

So JLD wins every time she is nominated, right? I love her, but I'm ready for a new winner and I would like that winner to be Amy Poehler. I've never seen (and never will see) Grace and Frankie.  

Lead Actor, Comedy:

Anthony Anderson, “black-ish”
Matt LeBlanc, “Episodes”
Don Cheadle, “House of Lies”
Will Forte, “The Last Man On Earth”
Louis C.K., “Louie”
William H. Macy, “Shameless”
Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”  

This is when I realize I don't watch many comedies. I hear Jeffrey Tambor is awesome in Transparent, but since I haven't seen it, I'll vote for Will Forte. 

Lead Actress, Drama:

Taraji P. Henson, “Empire”
Claire Danes, “Homeland”
Viola Davis, “How to Get Away with Murder”
Tatiana Maslany, “Orphan Black”
Elisabeth Moss, “Mad Men”
Robin Wright, “House of Cards”

OH BOY! I like Viola Davis, but I actually don't think her role is Emmy-deserving (don't hate me!). This is another TOUGH category! Claire Danes has won before, as has Robin Wright (?) and Taraji P. Henson is awesome in Empire, but I'm going to vote for Tatiana Maslany because she should have won three years ago! Sheesh! Elisabeth Moss is so deserving, though-ahhhh!

Lead Actor, Drama: 

Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”
Kyle Chandler, “Bloodline”
Kevin Spacey, “House of Cards”
Jon Hamm, “Mad Men”
Jeff Daniels, “The Newsroom”
Liev Schreiber, “Ray Donovan”

If Jon Hamm doesn't win, I will cry. Am I going to end up crying!? 

Outstanding Comedy Series:

“Louie”
“Modern Family”
“Parks and Recreation”
“Silicon Valley”
“Transparent”
“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”
“Veep” 
 
Oh gosh. Just no Modern Family, please. I'd like to see Silicon Valley win because it would be such a shock:)  

Outstanding Drama Series:

“Better Call Saul”
“Downton Abbey”
“Game of Thrones”
“Homeland”
“House of Cards”
“Mad Men”
“Orange is the New Black”

Games of Thrones, DUH! Listen, if Orange is the New Black beats any of those other shows, I will flip a table. It would also be nice to see Mad Men win, but I don't see it happening, sigh. 


Now, more importantly, who am I most excited to see on the red carpet?? I can't pick just one, so a list will have to do:

• Elisabeth Moss
• January Jones
• Michelle Dockery (my fashion spirit animal)
• Kerry Washington
•  Sophie Turner
• Tatiana Maslaney 

Summer Into Autumn Reading List

As we move from Summer into Autumn (YAY!), it's essential to have some good reading material for sitting outside at cafes while enjoying the cooler temps* and changing leaves. Or for while you're sitting inside avoiding the leftover summer heat while daydreaming about sweaters and scarves.

THE ROYAL WE by Heather Cocks and Jessica Morgan. Seeing as how it's 91 degrees out while I write this, I suppose including a "summer read" is appropriate. Not that this book will make you think of days at the pool or wearing sandals since it's set in England, but it's deliciously fun, which is something I think we all crave during the warmer months. Inspired by William and Kate, this book feels both like you're reading Hello and watching a BBC special on the monarchy. I had so much fun reading this one.

 

I'LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson. I would love to give someone the sun- I am so over summer! So, not only is this book incredible (my favorite of 2014!) but it does give a good sense of fall as a leather jacket is part of it as well as some time spent in school. Fall=School as you will see in this list. I loved how this book was told from twins at different ages and the way Nelson writes how these characters think was so amazing. She is such a good writer.

THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I actually love this book because of the partying, which I realize isn't really the English class reason, but to each their own, right? Not only do I love this book, but it has one of the best lines ever, which is so true: "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." A lot of people look to the first of the year as a time to reinvent and get inspired, but for me? It's Autumn. Love.

HELLO, GOODBYE, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN by Jennifer E. Smith. This entire book takes place on the last night of summer break before two teens leave for college the next day. They're trying to figure out if they should break up before heading to opposite coasts for college or to try to stay together. Incredibly satisfying book, much like a pumpkin muffin. 

ALL UNQUIET THINGS by Anna Jarzab. Another sensational book that takes place right as summer moves into fall. This was Jarzab's debut novel and I was floored as I finished it. It's a convoluted mystery that also has a lot of character depth- not easy! 

BELZHAR by Meg Wolitzer. This book made me want to put on boots and a sweater and head to Vermont. Another story that takes place in school, but with some added mystery with one of my favorite writing styles, the unreliable narrator. I picked this book up because I loved THE BELL JAR and this book was such a creative way to incorporate Plath's book. 

THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir. While I don't think Mars has much of an Autumn, this book is incredible (!!!!) and the movie adaptation comes out in October! I usually prefer to read the book after the movie, but space movies make me so anxious that I picked up (and sped through) this one. I think this book is special because it combines drama, action, and humor so effortlessly. 

VICIOUS by V.E. Schwab.  Expertly told from different times in the story with part of it occurring while at school (aka Autumn!), this is an awesome book that always reminds me of X-Men. 

THE KILLING WOODS by Lucy Christopher. Christopher excels at writing books where the setting is as much a character as the humans are. This book takes place in Autumn and much of it has to do with, yes, the woods behind the main character's house. (Is there anything better in Autumn than the forest as the leaves change colors?)

THE 5TH WAVE by Rick Yancey. Unfortunately the movie adaptation isn't coming out until January, but the book will be perfect for the fall. I always think about the stars when it's time for the colder months because the air is crisp again and our views toward the sky are so much more clear. (Or maybe it's just because I like to be outside when it's cold and I take the time to look up.) This book, that's about surviving an alien invasion, talks a lot about the stars and the main character is even named after a constellation.

STATION ELEVEN by Emily St. John Mandel. My staff rec at work says, "Don't read this during flu season," but that's actually exactly what I want you to do. I thought this was a masterpiece. I loved how it was the story of a flu pandemic and the people who survive it, but the way it was told was so lovely. The story doesn't get into the gruesome details of millions of people dying, it gets into the gruesome details of those left who are trying to survive. 

MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN by Ransom Riggs. We have to wait way too long for this movie to come out (slated for March 2016), but this is the perfect book for reading right around Halloween. The photos are creepy enough to give you nightmares, I promise. 

SHIVER by Maggie Stiefvater. Beautifully written (so lyrical!), but it's the inclusion of temperatures that reminds me of Autumn. Put this towards the end of your Summer to Autumn Reading List because things really heat (ha!) up as this story gets colder and colder.

BORN WICKED by Jessica Spotswood. Another perfect book for closer to October. A book about witches who have to hide their skills, but most notably, this has one of the great first kiss scenes I've ever read. 

THE NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern. This book takes place over many months and years, but something about it makes me think of Autumn. I think it's again, the crispness of the nighttime that the majority of the story takes place during. This book is so amazingly good. It was truly a magical experience to read it. 

Well, there you go! Those options should keep you busy until Winter! Any titles you'd suggest for me??


XO,
SVR

*Will it ever be cool?


*Hopefully soon!

Red Reviews: September

September! The best month for fashion magazines. I look forward to these issues every year, not only because they're massive, but because it's one of the things that really kicks off the end of summer, which, let's be honest, usually overstays its welcome.

15. It's fine. I think her hair looks amazing (dammit now I want to cut mine again!) but the dress, besides being sparkly, which I always love, is just not good. It's just too little fabric. Why, when you have sequins, would you go small?

14. Looks like someone was late. 

13. I love Emma Watson. I think she is just so wonderful...but who allowed her hair to look like this? It's not even Hermione bad...it's windswept bad. Which sucks because I think she looks great otherwise and the pink highlights on the cover really work with her and that dress.

12. Does anyone know when the FALL FASHION! issue of InStyle comes out? Anyone? Bueller? My biggest problem with this cover is that Anne Hathaway looks way older than she really is. 

11. Nervous to rank Queen Bey so low, but there is some stiff competition this month. Her smizing is on fleek and I like the color scheme of the cover, but I'm not so sure about the dress. Or, more specifically, the boob/hip parts of the dress. What I do love is the minimal amount of wording on the cover.

10. This is actually the summer issue of Zink, but Karlie Kloss is awesome so I wanted to include. She is everywhere right now and I think she deserves it all. I love how into healthy living she is, but she also is just a really really good model. You can always tell it's her, but not in a distracting way and she never looks flat. 

9. Very pretty and I especially love the top and the eye makeup. Also, apparently I really like pink writing on magazine covers. Who knew!?

8. Again, a limited color scheme really stands out: black, white, red. Which is cool because Katy Perry isn't exactly known for any of those hues. The shapes on the cover are what I really like with that fan in front of her face making it strikingly different, but it also draws our gaze to her eyes, which are sensational.

7. This cover feels very breathy. It's soft with the pink background and light purple writing, her dress is soft, and her hair is the definition of sex hair. Again, I want to cut my hair, grr!

6. This cover screams the '60s to me. Or, rather, it feels like a robot from the future has been sent back and is trying to work the mod look. I wonder if that is what the creative director was going for. 

5. I think Keira Knightley is one of the coolest, most talented, and most beautiful people out there. And whoa, she really took a 180 from how she is usually seen, which is awesome. She is the Arnold Schwarzenegger part sent from the future to stop mod Mileybot. 

4. Remember when Gigi Hadid was just another Real Housekid of Beverly Hills? And now she's on the cover of the September issue of W magazine. And looking amazing rocking some Kelly Kapowski hair. Oh, and look at that- pink. 

3. Incredible. I love this so much! And man, Taylor Swift is having an incredible year(s). There is so much to love about this cover: the black and white theme, the piano, the Taylor Swift at the same angle as the piano (!), her hair, her makeup, how they kind of whitewashed her face a little with the light, ahhhhh! I love it. 

2. Beautiful and striking. The photograph itself is great (that blurred background!) and it's also Kristen Stewart, who we should all know by now I love.

1. Those eyes. That's what won this the top position for the month. But also, this cover combines the great parts of so many other magazines to make the ultimate: a blurred green background, great hair, perfect eyes and eye makeup, a beautiful piece of clothing, and striking colors.

All right! That's 15 different covers...now, which one is your favorite??

Book Boos: August

August has been a busy month and I spent some of it out of town at two tennis tournaments where I didn't read at all. So, I'm happy with what I completed during such a packed month!

7. Swerve by Vicki Pettersson (ARC). Don't get me wrong, I did like this book even though it's in the last spot for the month. It's non stop action, but like shows like Dexter sometimes, you just have to stop and think "Um, HOW is this possible?" If you don't worry too much about the hows or care too much about the whys, this book is kinda like a horror movie. 

6. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick (Audio). This book is almost like the prequel (with different characters) to 13 REASONS WHY. This is the story, with clues, leading up to the planned suicide of a teen. Heavy stuff. 

 

 

5. Graceling by Kristin Cashore (Audio then eBook). I was torn with this book. I loved the first and third parts, but the middle lost me for a bit. I did enjoy the characters and bonus points for an awesome cover. Also, funny story: I've been recommending this as a "clean" young teen book for about a year now at the advisement of a coworker at the bookstore, but they totally have sex in this book! Woohoo, but oops. 

4. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (Audio). While I did imagine Leonardo DiCaprio the entire time I listened to this, a bit was lost by just hearing the words and not seeing them being acted out. I do love this story as I love any story where two people fall in love in one night. At my old (not really) age, it's what I hope for most. 

3. Yes Please by Amy Poehler (Audio). I listened to this on the long drive from Virginia to Ohio and it had me cracking up in my car. I liked the way she presented her stories with a good mixture of reminiscing, bits, and stories from the present. I especially liked hearing stories about her SNL days.

2. Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith (ARC). Jennifer E. Smith writes very good, satisfying books. And she (or her publisher/editor?) is a fan ofthe oxford comma, so bonus points there. I loved this story of two teens spending their last night before heading off to college trying to decide if they should break up or stay together long distance. 

1. In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware (ARC). Gotta love an unreliable narrator! I had received this ARC and wanted to read it, but once I saw that cover, I moved it to the top of my list and I am so glad I did. Great story of a woman trying to remember exactly what happened at her old friend's hen weekend. Had me guessing until the end! What a great debut!