Kate Willis's Blog, page 70
June 7, 2019
The End of the Line: My Thoughts on Avengers Endgame
I’ve seen Avengers: Endgame twice now. The first time it was waaaayyy too late opening night with a big group of my siblings friends. Not something I wouldn’t usually go for but I decided to be spontaneous, and It. Was. AMAZING. No chance for spoilers, and the entire theater was so hyped we were literally cheering and howling.
The second time, my brother and I took Anna to see it (after rewatching a few more Marvel movies), and this time I could just really soak in every detail, every easter egg, every emotion. Also amazing.
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This movie will not leave my mind for some reason. Probably because I’ve been delaying writing about it (which is never a good idea). I thought maybe it was because it was so hyped. Or because it was the last of its kind. Or maybe because the internet was literally filled with fan theories and random facts and observations, a.k.a. some of my favorite things. (Like this article about MCU stunt doubles [heads up: some language] or this cool news story.)
It was definitely a little of all of those things, but mainly I think it was because the movie really, really delivered. It delivered in ways I didn’t even know I needed it to, and at the end of the line, every character had their moment. A brilliant and heartfilled piece of writing that captured my attention more than any other Marvel movie before. (I don’t usually even think of myself as a Marvel fan, so it’s a little funny for me to be writing this post. XD) It had themes I wouldn’t even expect from secular filmmakers and some moments that were literally perfect.
I can barely remember what I was hoping for before the movie. I think it went something like, “I need Black Panther back, and Steve Rogers’ death better be amazing and so him.”
I think I was vaguely expecting some time travel, and I was sure Captain Marvel would take over the team and there would be a weird power struggle.
But other than that, I was pretty much a bundle of I’m-so-tired-from-watching-Infinity–War-for-the-first-time-last-night-but-let’s-do-this-thing-anyway and some social anxiety.
[image error]What is Riversong doing here? XD
Ubiquitous Warning Spoilers ahead. The internet is literally seasoned with them by this point, but if you managed to avoid spoilers, please don’t let me ruin that for you. In order to fangirl properly, I will be sharing some of the most amazing moments of the movie. You have been warned. End of Ubiquitous Warning
[image error]From this Twitter post by the Russo brothers
One of the biggest surprises of this movie and something that made me love it so much was that this movie was focused on the original six Avengers. The team was bigger than just them of course, but they were the main characters and each had their own moment that either perfectly wrapped up or carried forward their storyline.
While I have quite a lot to say about the movie, including a file of memes and theories on time travel and Hawkeye’s hair, I’m gonna be focusing on these characters too. 
June 5, 2019
Book Review: Healer’s Bane
“Kynet never planned to be at the forefront of the rebellion. That was her brother’s hobby: rallying the people. Plotting against the leaders. Running into dangers she’d have to negotiate him out of.
That was before the Poisoner tried to kill her.
Left with strange powers in the aftermath of his attack, Kynet is even more convinced the rebellion isn’t worth it. For every life her healing saves, ten more are wasted.
But her quest to stop the carnage before war breaks out will bring her face to face with the man who tried to murder her… and with her own helplessness against a grim reality she may not be able to change.” (from Goodreads)
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Hello, my name is Kate, and I’m sometimes more empathetic than I know what to do with. Which is probably why this is now one of my favorite books.
Kynet was really relatable in her desire to help others no matter the cost to herself. The personal effects, both physical and emotional, on her when she healed were allegorically beautiful and so, so accurate. This tension and the themes winding throughout the book were so good and gave me a lot to think about. 
June 3, 2019
My Summer Reading Stack <3
Guys, I’m down to one library book. I should be panicking, but I’m not because most of my chosen summer reads are off my TBR shelf. Summer reading kinda snuck up on me, but when my younger sisters reminded me it was coming, I immediately started to make a list.
And now I get to start in on it. *rubs hands together*
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Romance
Anne Mateer is the author of one of my absolute favorite books, Wings of a Dream, so I’ve been quite interested in trying another book by her. I picked up a copy of her book Playing by Heart, based on the reviews of friends, and I’m excited to see how it is.
May 31, 2019
Something Old, Something New (Cover Reboots!)
Confession time: the cover of a book really does influence what I think about it.
But that’s okay.
It’s just like the frosting on the cake influencing how you think of the cake, right? Or the wrapping paper heightening your excitement for the gift inside…
Book covers are probably my top visual art form. I collect my favorite covers on a Goodreads shelf (or in a computer file), browse through covers on Goodreads and at the library, and enjoy just how perfectly the cover goes with the book inside it.
Because 900% of the time, the book cover is pretty much perfect. Then there are just a few times where the cover gets a reboot and I suddenly realize that now it’s perfect.
Like with this series…
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I loved the first cover (especially that bent paper corner 
), but the new one is so much more on point for the genre, has the adorablest fonts, and I’m a fan of the drawn style.
Or like with this one…
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…where I actually can’t decide between them and find both pretty perfect.
May 29, 2019
Book Review: Fine Print
“Budding detective, Miss Madeline Brown, has gained quite the reputation for “meddling” in the circa 1900 city of Rockland. With two successful “cases” under her belt, it was only a matter of time before she found something new to interest her insatiable curiosity.
This time, however, the “curiosity” found her.
Challenged by Edward Gastrel, to prove her deductive prowess, Madeline embarks on riddling out the puzzle of a journal left to him by his grandfather. If she can decode the contents, the local gentleman may find himself in the possession of something quite valuable.
As usual, however, things aren’t as they seem, and Madeline finds herself in a race against more than time and ambiguity.” (from Goodreads)
Kindle Unlimited is a dangerous thing. I gobbled up book three in just a few days.
This one was quite the twisty mystery because there were two (or even three) intertwined mysteries between the treasure hunt, the secret passageways (?), and ascertaining Edward’s true character. I especially loved the treasure hunt, and Madeline and Russell were adorable with the blueprints. (Though they were adorable in general.) Their conversations about Bible reading and the Book of Ruth (Russell, your Knightley heart is showing) were very thought-provoking.
While this mystery was less complicated/important than the first two, it really showed more of Madeline’s character growth, especially as she learned to trust her intuition and the concerns of those who loved her best. (Peters was a great side character, by the way.) And she turned her hand a little bit to matchmaking as well which is fun. XD
Just a note, there are some allusions to a man SPOILER ALERT! being a playboy with a house floor plan to facilitate it, themed art, and inappropriate treatment of his employees. There were also some pretty lurid stories of his past crimes.
I lost all my highlights, but the banter was amazing as always.
May 25, 2019
I Love Duologies
I recently discovered just how much I love duologies (a.k.a. a two-book series). This very enthusiastic video by JessetheReader pretty much expresses my thoughts.
DuOloGieeesss
I recently discovered just how much I love duologies (a.k.a. a two-book series). This very enthusiastic video by JessetheReader pretty much expresses my thoughts.
May 22, 2019
Book Review: The Girl Who Could See
“All her life Fern has been told she is blind to reality—but what if she is the only one who can truly see?
Fern Johnson is crazy. At least, that’s what the doctors have claimed since her childhood. Now nineteen, and one step away from a psych ward, Fern struggles to survive in bustling Los Angeles. Desperate to appear “normal,” she represses the young man flickering at the edge of her awareness—a blond warrior only she can see.
Tristan was Fern’s childhood imaginary hero, saving her from monsters under her bed and outside her walls. As she grew up and his secret world continued to bleed into hers, however, it only caused catastrophe. But, when the city is rocked by the unexplainable, Fern is forced to consider the possibility that this young man isn’t a hallucination after all—and that the creature who decimated his world may be coming for hers.” (from Goodreads)
(Originally posted on Lilian’s blog as part of a very fun collab)
May 21, 2019
A Fangirly, Suprisingly-Thoughtful-y Vlog with Anna
Last Saturday, Anna and I filmed an amazingly long vlog of us discussing twelve books and their movies.
May 20, 2019
The 5 Stages of Finishing a Book
Hello, this is Dr. Kate the Booknerd Psychologist.
I’m here to educate you today about the five stages of finishing a book. You may experience these in a definite order or as a mixture of emotions, scientifically known as “feels”.
These feels are universal in the bookworm world and are nothing to be ashamed of. It can be helpful, however, to be able to identify the specific feel you are experiencing at the moment in order to identify where you are in the cycle of finishing a book and determine when you will be able to move on to another book.
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Let’s get started!
Denial. Denial is often exhibited by slowly closing the book, staring up at the wall, and opening the book again. Some catchphrases for this feel are “It can’t be over!” and “Did I skip some pages?” Anger. While levels of anger may vary from bookworm to bookworm, the spoken words are usually very similar. “Aaarrghhh. I always read too fast, don’t I?”Bargaining. “How much more can I spend on books today?” “I need the next one, pronto.” A return to the feel of anger is imminent if there is no projected sequel or if the sequel is being released in more than two weeks. Depression. If left untreated, this feel may cause a longterm reading slump, but regular levels include re-reading favorite scenes and copying down quotes from the book. Depressed bookworms will often say, “There will never be another book as good.”Acceptance. This final stage of finishing a book allows the bookworm to move on to their next read. It is usually evidenced by the bookworm removing the book from under their pillow and returning it to the shelf (or library) and possibly even loaning it to a trustworthy friend.
It is my hope that this blog post will help you identify and possibly work through your feels as you live your bookworm life. And remember, the best books are those that are gone but not forgotten.
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Note: This post is meant as a parody of the five stages of grief as experienced by fangirls. It is not meant to be real medical advice or make fun of anyone’s grief.
