5 Reasons I Absolutely Love and Recommend 'Bird Box'
Bird Box.
Two words that, when put together these days, can stir either unstoppable praise or sniveling, complaining, and disgust. Love it or hate it, the Netflix original has taken the world by storm. But is it worth your time? I watched Bird Box over winter break (I'm a teacher by day), and I'll say this: I didn't regret one second of that time. I know that there are plenty of critics who have called Bird Box boring, bland, overdone, and unoriginal. However, for the two hours I watched, I was sold on the brilliance of the story line. Check out my Top 5 reasons I adored this film and will be checking out the book. Then, tell me in the comments what side you are on: #probirdbox or #antibirdbox. 1. The beginning had me hooked with questions
In the first few minutes of the movie, so many questions arose. Who are the children? Why do they have to be quiet? Where are they going? And what in the living hell are they doing with a box of birds?
I was hooked from the first few minutes, the tension and suspense of the scene set well. The movie technically begins in medias res, with us trying to figure out how the heck Sandra's character ended up in this position on the river. I loved that the movie played with chronology to keep you guessing. I also loved the whole setup of one adult being in charge of two children alone. It added to the terror. 2. Sandra Bullock was a kick-ass protagonist
I'll go ahead and say it: I'm not Sandra Bullock's biggest fan.
I have never been crazy about the movies she's been in. I'm not sure what it is. But this movie changed my mind. She did an amazing job at playing a kick-ass woman who found the will to survive in an apocalyptic world. I also really appreciated that Malorie wasn't painted as the typical woman. Pregnant at the very beginning of the story, she does not actually want to be a mother. The movie says a lot about mothering and the mothering instinct. It is her lack of a desire to be a mother and her somewhat cold nature towards the idea of children that allows the movie to unfold as it does. I found her character to be realistic and easy to relate to. She is not the perfect hero in an apocalyptic world. She shows us that sometimes life puts you in a predicament and you have no choice but to rise to the challenge. I appreciated that. 3. It had the feel of A Quiet Place but with less plot holes
This may be an unpopular opinion, but I was not a fan of A Quiet Place. The premise was amazing, but I was just left with too many questions. Also, I felt there were way too many plot holes and issues with the story and details.
Bird Box certainly had that silent, tense feeling of A Quiet Place. The idea of living in a world without one of your sense is terrifying, and I liked putting myself in the characters' shoes and thinking about how hard life would be. However, Bird Box did a much better job at explaining all of the plot holes. Any time I thought of a specific question, the movie answered. I really felt like every detail went together, and the entire conflict made sense. Nothing felt out of the realm of possibility, which is something I look for in horror/thriller. The story did a good job, in short, of helping me suspend disbelief along with the characters. 4. I love that the flashbacks answered so many questions
I liked that the movie chose to use so many flashbacks. I thought it was interesting to piece together Malorie's story through the flashbacks. They were perfectly spaced so the movie wasn't boring (despite what some critics are saying). I thought the flashbacks also helped take some of the edge of and give me a second to breathe...which was needed as the movie went on.
It also made Malorie feel more human. You understand exactly who she was and what she lost in this new world....and also what she gained. 5. The ending was well-planned
This will be spoiler-free, so feel free to read on even if you haven't yet watched.
I thought the ending of the movie made complete sense and gave a satisfying ending to this dark, twisted tale. I hadn't really thought about the ending and didn't expect what happened. Some critics argue the ending was weak, but I disagree. If you haven't seen the movie, be sure to check it out on Netflix and then let me know what you thought in the comments.
L.A. Detwiler is a thriller author with Avon Books, a division of HarperCollins UK. Her debut novel, The Widow Next Door, is available wherever books are sold. To learn more about her, visit her on Facebook.
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A year ago, I was getting ready to turn 30...and not quite sure what the new year had in store for me. In fact, I was terrified to make the shift out of my 20s.
I had accomplished a lot of big dreams (getting my books published, writing stories that reached all sorts of readers). Still, looking at 30 was terrifying. Where would life go? And what was next? One year ago, I was also feeling a little lost in the writing world. I'd told the stories I wanted to tell in romance. I was in a rut, and I wasn't sure why I was feeling frustrated. I knew I wanted to write something different, something plot-heavy. I just wasn't sure if I could. My husband encouraged me to chase those crazy dreams. He helped me talk through my fears. He helped me find my thriller writing voice. I'm so thankful he did because now, in a few short days, the story that started as a pipe dream will be in the hands of readers everywhere with a publisher beyond my wildest dreams. Last year, if you would have told me my debut thriller would be releasing with Avon Books, HarperCollins, I would have never believed you. I would have never believed that my 30th year would take me to new dreams, ones I never even dared to dream for myself. Most of all, I would have never believed that the creepy widow who was haunting my thoughts would be in a book called The Widow Next Door, would hit the USA Today Bestseller's list. So much can change in a year, yet some things stay the same. My love for the man who pushes me when I'm too afraid to chase my goals, who supports me and pulls me up when I fall down, who teaches me to dream big, is still as strong as ever. Thank you to everyone who has held my hand, listened to my fears, and pre-ordered The Widow Next Door as I step into this big, new venture. Thank you to all of those who gave the creepy widow from Bristol Lane a chance. And thank you to my husband, my biggest cheerleader. I love you, forever. Stay Safe and Be True, L.A. Detwiler With the cooler temperatures and the falling leaves, it's a perfect time to grab a scarier read. If you're looking for a new psychological thriller to add to your to be read stack, check out some of my favorite suggestions below. These books are all sure to keep you guessing, keep you interested, and keep you tucked under your blanket until the last page is read. Do you have any other thrillers you think are must-reads for fall of 2018? Comment below with the books you think everyone should have on their list. 1. Ruth Ware's In a Dark, Dark WoodI'm a huge fan of all things Ruth Ware, but this is probably my favorite. I adore the whole premise of a group gathering for a bachelorette party--and things going very, very wrong. This is a thriller that will keep you guessing. I always love Ware's female protagonists because they feel very real, complex, and mysterious. 2. Gillian Flynn's Sharp ObjectsFans of Gone Girl will love this dark, haunting story. Sharp Objects gets you inside the mind of a woman with a troubled past. When she returns to her hometown to report on some sickening murders, thinks will begin to unravel. I loved all of the psychological aspects of this book. It's definitely one that will keep you guessing. 3. Shari Lapena The Couple Next DoorIf you need a super quick weekend read that packs a punch, The Couple Next Door is your next read. Shari Lapena does a great job at keeping you guessing, and the twists are well-planned and shocking. I loved the back-and-forth feel of the mystery in this novel, and the overall premise was creepy. I will definitely be checking out more of her books. 4. Liane Moriarty Big Little LiesLiane Moriarty doesn't usually come to mind as a thriller writer, but Big Little Lies definitely has a lot of suspense set against the uppercrust of women's society. An elite group of private school mothers find themselves wrapped up in a warped mystery when someone shows up dead at a fundraiser. This one will keep you guessing. I loved all the female drama worked in, and I loved how it shows you that no matter how glamorous someone is, there can be so much going on behind closed doors. The HBO series starring Reese Witherspoon is also a must-watch when you finish reading. 5. C.L. Taylor The MissingThe Missing was my first C.L. Taylor book, and I loved the emotion she packs into her works. This is a story about the disappearance of a son, but it's about so much more, too. This book really explores the family dynamic when tragedy strikes and will keep you guessing the whole way through. I loved following the characters as their lives unraveled. I found it easy to empathize with the protagonist and to put myself in her shoes. This is a definite page-turner with so many deep themes running through it.
The Widow Next Door
Are you ready for a gripping, dark psychological thriller sure to keep you up at night? The Widow Next Door is available for pre-order now. Releasing November 12th, 2018, with Avon Books, this creepy story will ensure you never look at your elderly neighbours the same way again...
A beautiful house. A new beginning. The almost perfect neighbours… You’ve just moved into an idyllic house on the quaint Bristol Lane. You’re excited for a new beginning and to start a new life in what will be your ‘forever home’. Your elderly neighbour brings you a pie to welcome you to the neighbourhood. She soon becomes a friend. But you begin to feel as though she’s a little too interested as she sits watching you, day in, day out, from the rocking chair in her window. Your husband says it will be fine. After all, she’s a lonely widow who just wants some company. Her heart’s in the right place, and she even sees her old self in you. But when she invites you into her home, who knows what you’ll find there… A dark and gripping domestic thriller, perfect for fans of Shari Lapena and Paula Hawkins. Oh, how a year can change things.
A year ago, things weren't exactly what I would call ideal. From health scares to changing work schedules, my husband and I were dealing with some stressful stuff. On top of it, he ended up getting put on 2nd shift, so I only saw him on weekends. In short, my days started to consist of going to work and coming home to a lonely, empty house. My mood wasn't the best. Additionally, I was in a writing rut. I'd written so many romances, which I was proud of and still am, but something was missing. I felt this pull to write something very different, a dark book with layers of depth to it. I wanted to write about the darker side of the human experience, but I just hadn't found the confidence. Just like when I wrote my first novel, Voice of Innocence, I had this negative inner voice telling me I was wasting my time. Still, with lonely hours ahead of me, I decided what the heck--I'd give the story a go. It had been plaguing me since the idea had come last summer. With nothing better to do and my mood morose anyway, it just seemed like a good way to pass time. As the months passed by and my husband and I essentially became pen pals all week, I finally gave him my story to read. I figured he'd come back to me and say, "Nice try, honey, but this isn't for you." Instead, he sent me a message along the lines of: "This is awesome. You're creeping me out though, and I'm wondering if you're okay....but it's seriously awesome." From there, long story short, I spent months finishing the manuscript, sending it out, and really not expecting anything to come of it. I thought my creepy story would have one reader--my husband. Until the summer when I signed that contract with a publisher beyond my wildest dreams. I'll never forget how my jaw literally fell and my heart started pounding when I got the news. That creepy story I wrote in moments of loneliness found itself on shelves with a big publisher. It is beyond my biggest dreams. In 2019, this book that I didn't even know if I could write became a USA Today Bestseller. Saying those words still shocks me. Tonight, I find myself sitting and staring at the cover, thinking about the journey it took to get here. It was a long, winding road of loneliness, self-doubt, and fear. But it was also a road that brought me to the realization that sometimes when we free ourselves from the constraints we put on ourselves, we find our best selves. Thank you for following me on this journey. Thank you for taking time to believe in a small-town girl with a really big dream. I can never fully express how grateful I am and what it means to me. And to my husband...I'm glad I creeped you out. Thank you for pushing me to believe in my dreams. Stay Safe and Be True, L.A. Detwiler |
L.A. DetwilerUSA TODAY Bestselling Thriller author with Avon Books (HarperCollins), The Widow Next Door, The Diary of a Serial Killer's Daughter, and other creepy thriller books Categories
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