Top 5 Alfred Hitchcock Films

 Last weekend I watched The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956). This led me down a rabbit trail of what would my top five favorite films by the Master of Suspense aka Alfred Hitchcock be. His career spanned over thirty years and he directed fifty-three feature films. 

Here's my top five Alfred Hitchcock Films:

5.) The Trouble with Harry (1955) 

In The Trouble with Harry, a man's corpse appears on a hillside and several of the town's residents think they are responsible for his death.  This film shows a different side of Hitchcock. A more tongue-in-cheek, humorous side. It marks Shirley MacLaine's debut. If John Forsythe's voice sounds familiar, he was the voice of Charlie Townsend in Charlie's Angels. Composer Bernard Herrmann scored this film along with six other Hitchcock films: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956), The Wrong Man (1956), Vertigo (1958), North by Northwest (1959), Psycho (1960) and Marnie (1964). 

4.) Saboteur (1942)

Robert Cummings character is wrongfully accused of setting fire at an airplane plant as an act of sabotage. As he travels across the country to find the saboteur he takes Priscilla Lane hostage. While an initially unwilling captor, Lane eventually becomes a helpful accomplice. Saboteur is one of those great black and white spy thrillers with the perfect blend of mystery and romance. And how could film buffs forget the iconic scene with actor Norman Lloyd? (You have to watch the film because I don't want to give away the scene.) He (Lloyd) passed away four years ago at the age of 106! 

3.) North by Northwest (1959)

It's no surprise a Hitchcock film starring Cary Grant would end up on my list. Grant made three other films with the famed director: Suspicion (1941), Notorious (1946) and To Catch a Thief (1956). North by Northwest features some of Hitchcock's most legendary scenes as the audience follows Grant's character's cross-country unraveling the mystery and attempting to clear his name. 

2.) Rear Window (1954)

Rear Window made my top five Jimmy Stewart films and lands the number two spot on this list. Stewart plays a wheelchair bound photojournalist after he broke his leg who thinks one of his neighbors has committed a murder. This includes a fantastic ensemble cast of Grace Kelly, Thelma Ritter, and Raymond Burr.  

1.) Shadow of a Doubt (1943)

I liked this film so much I did a structural analysis paper on it in college. (I got an A on the paper.) Shadow of a Doubt follows Charlotte "Charlie" Newton whose excitement at her mother's brother Uncle Charlie whom she is named after soon turns to fear when she suspects her beloved uncle is not all he seems to be. 

Shadow of a Doubt is also Hitchcock's favorite of all his films. 

The camera work in this film is exceptional. I think I liked how Charlie's family (parents and siblings) represent a slice of small-town Americana. The acting by the entire cast is stellar and the screenplay keeps you guessing. 

Did any of my top five films make you list? Any films you think I should have included?

The Codebreaker's Daughter: A Poignant Mother/Daughter Story

If you love WWII fiction like I do you need to add author Amy Lynn Green books to your TBR pile.

Her newest release, The Codebreaker's Daughter is a dual POV between Dinah Kendall and her mother Lillian.

Dinah dreams of an espionage career. She's offered a position in Washington, DC with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) crafting rumors that undermine the Axis morale. She battles her conscience with the way she was raised and what she's asked to do at the OSS. She discovers her mother Lillian was a codebreaker during the Great War. 

Lillian wrestles with the question of did she live up to her full potential and is she content with her life. Whether you're young or old, I think this is something we all struggle with. The author did an excellent job with this topic and the questions that come up when you're struggling with such a big life question. 

I found the dual POV between Dinah and Lily fascinating. It added a layer of depth and authenticity to the story. Ms. Green expertly balances the mother/daughter relationship between Lillian and Dinah. 

I'd rate The Codebreaker's Daughter a solid 4 1/2 stars out of 5. The ending was a little rushed and I felt like the author left it open ended. Perhaps we'll see more of Dinah and Lily. It did make me want to read more stories by Amy Lynn Green. Her stories have a beautiful lyrical cadence to them that make you feel like you the reader are in the story.  

 

The Atlas of Untold Stories is a Fantastic Must-Read Story

I have been eagerly awaiting Christy-award winning author Sara Brunsvold's new book The Atlas of Untold Stories (released last month.)

Edith 'Edie' Vance and her two adult daughters, Lauren, the older more responsible one and Chloe, the dreamer of the family who works as a barista at a library take a 9-day road trip visiting significant literary sights through America's Heartland. I liked that it wasn't just bookish landmarks, but a few films/pop culture moments made it into this story.  

If you are just now finding Sara and her stories you are in for a treat. She writes about contemporary issues we face in society adds faith and hope into the mix to create stories that stay with you long after you've closed the book. Do yourself a favor and run to the nearest bookstore or library and add her books to your already precarious stack of books. Better yet put them at the top of your TBR pile. 

I've read and review both her debut novel The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip and The Divine Proverb of Streusel. Both books are exceptional. I had high hopes for The Atlas of Untold Stories. Sara totally delivered! Sara's books should come with a warning label about how many tears you are going to shed. I started blubbering in chapter fifty and bawled my eyes out the last four chapters and the epilogue. 

There were so many emotions I felt while reading this book. It made me want to hug my family a little tighter, have a little more empathy and compassion, say 'I love you' more, and appreciate all the moments in life...both the big and small. 

 I loved the cadence of Sara's writing. She draws you in from page one clearly showing the reader who each character is. Chloe was my favorite character. Her zest for life and joy for the Lord were infectious and made me want to be more like that. Although by the end of the book I found Edie and Lauren's stories inspiring as well. I was not ready for The Atlas of Untold Stories to end. To me this is the mark of an exceptional book...the fact you don't want it to end. 

The Atlas of Untold Stories is a solid 5 stars. It'll be on my 'to keep' and 're-read' shelf. 

Why We Need Book Clubs

 "Books +Friendship = book club"- Kristin Hannah

I can't remember a time I didn't love reading.  Last summer, I FINALLY joined a book club. My friend and critique partner, Lisa invited me to her church's monthly book club. We read Christian fiction. Both contemporary and historical. I so appreciate that the hosts always make sure we are reading books that have a strong spiritual/faith thread. 

 Bookworms, if you have the opportunity to join a book club...do it! I know life can get busy and chaotic and joining a monthly book club might seem overwhelming. I'm telling you the blessings and benefits far out way any excuses. 

While there is countless reason to join a book club, I just wanted to list five:

1.) Diversify reading habits.

I don't know about you, but I tend to read books in the genres I most enjoy and don't venture too far outside of what I'm comfortable with. Book club has introduced me to several new-to-me authors. Jamie Jo Wright (The Vanishing at Castle Moreau), Tessa Afshar (The Queen's Cook), and Robert Whitlow (Promised Land) to name a few.

2.) A book club holds you accountable.  

Typically, you have one month to finish a book. This is a fairly reasonable time frame for even slow readers. Most book clubs are relaxed and lowkey and welcome all attendees even if you haven't finished the book. The only thing you may walk away with are spoilers. 

3.) Get outside your comfort zone.

As a proclaimed introvert, sometimes social gatherings can be overwhelming. Somehow you add a book into the mix and I'm at ease. 

4.) Make new friends.

I've always had a small group of friends. My friendship circle has grown since book club. These ladies encourage, pray for, and pour into each other and are such a blessing. Book club is more than just books...it's about building lifelong friendships. Thank you, ladies, for ALL that you do. 

5.) Share your love of books. 

There's something contagious about the way a book lover's eye light up when they are talking about a favorite book or a moment in a story that had an impact on them. 

Happy reading fellow bibliophiles! 

 

Reading is an adventure,

     Emilee