Witches of East End (TV Series)

This novel was not particularly enthralling. It was written well enough, but the plot dragged at points. I did not see the climax coming (where Killian is actually the good brother, although the "teaser" page has Freya's younger brother swearing that Killian is bad) The TV series has most of the main characters. The addition of Joanna's sister as a witch with slightly looser ethics helps to move the series along. Ingrid's love interest is a cop, as he is in the novel. However, he is killed early on. Although the premise of the TV series has similarities to the novel, Killian and Bran have not yet been revealed as supernatural beings. I am curious enough about this point that I think I will finish watching at least this first season.

Atlas Shrugged, Part II

The second installment of this 3-part series was slightly better than the first. The disappearances were done fairly well. But although Rand's political theories seem reasonable in the novel, the attempt to translate them onto the screen just doesn't seem valid. Maybe when she started the novel it did seem that the government was going down a road leading to basically communism, or at least socialism. It was written shortly after FDR's "New Deal" was implemented. But now the idea that the government is discouraging capitalism doesn't really ring true. Of course, that's just my political opinion.

When Dagny finally comes across John Galt, it is an appropriate climax and cliffhanger. Maybe the third one will be better. I hope the screenwriter skips the 100-page tirade Rand puts into the novel.

Life of Pi

This short novel really pulled me in and held my attention. The movie version is extremely beautiful. Not only are the ocean scenes breathtaking, but the zoo scenes at the beginning were vivid enough to be surreal.

The movie followed the book closely (from what I recall from the book). I almost wish they had changed the ending, because I did not like how Pi's narrative at the end implies the tiger was never even on the boat.