Of Books, Trailers, and the Teeny-Tiny Dynamic Duo

I turned 23 on Tuesday (that sounds rather old, doesn’t it?), and my parents gave me three very special books. I’d specifically requested all three, so they weren’t really surprises–although I’m so excited about reading them, I can’t decide which one I’ll dive into first!

The Bridge at Andau is about the Hungarian Revolution of 1956–which, for those who don’t know/may have forgotten/aren’t following my writing blog, is what my new novel is about. The interesting thing about this particular book is that it was written a year after the revolution took place, by an American journalist who was in Hungary at the time. The book contains the stories of several Hungarians this journalist interviewed. I’m really looking forward to this book and I’m hoping I get some really great ideas for my characters!

Twelve Days is also about the Hungarian Revolution, though it’s more of a history book than a collection of personal stories. This one should give me lots of political background and a blow-by-blow retelling of the rebellion. I love that picture on the cover of Hungarian rebels sitting on a Soviet tank!

In the Heart of the Sea isn’t about the Hungarian Revolution at all, haha. It’s about the Nantucket whaleship, the Essex, which was destroyed by an angry sperm whale back in the 1800’s. High adventure and several blood-curdling incidents ensued as the crew struggled to survive in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The story of the Essex then went on to inspire Herman Melville’s Moby Dick.

“What in the world got you interested in that, Maribeth?!”  Um, well. (*shifts from foot to foot like a little kid with its hand caught in the cookie jar*) See, there’s a movie coming out about it in December . . . and it’s directed by Ron Howard . . . oh, and the main character is played by my new favorite actor. Ahem-ahoom-and-et-cetera-I’ll-let-you-figure-that-one-out.

So yes, I want to read the book before I see the movie. Here, watch the trailer. You’re welcome.

Then, my parents totally surprised me with a fourth gift. I was not expecting it, and I confess, I squealed when I pulled it out of the bag.

LOOK AT HOW ADORABLE HE IS!!!!

Yes, my mom had the brilliant idea to get me a Thor FunkoPOP! doll. She said it just didn’t seem right for Lady Sif to be alone. (God bless my mom–she understands these things.) Also, he comes from the Dark World set, just like Sif, and Mom said there were only a few of them left on Amazon. So she got him before they sold out.

The Cuteness Factor is way too high with this little guy. His armor and his boots and his little fists–and he even has Mjölnir! Thor can’t go anywhere without Mjölnir. That would be so wrong.

“And who proved wrong all who scoffed at the idea that a young maiden could be one of the fiercest warriors this realm has ever known?”
“I did!!”
“Uh, true, but I supported you, Sif.”

And on that note . . . who’s seen the new Age of Ultron trailer?

My favorite part:

Oh, and that explosion you heard yesterday? That was the sound of us super-secret we-never-said-anything-for-fear-of-excommunication Bruce&Tasha shippers FINALLY breaking out of hiding.

But don’t worry, that’s not the only thing in the trailer that made me squeal. May 1 can’t get here fast enough.

Avengers Assemble!