Will You "Bee" Ready?

The new trailer for "The Secret Life of Bees" is officially available! With this dazzling cast of young and veteran actors/actresses, are you as excited as we are here at UL to check out the film? I'm sure an exposition on both the book and the film's adaption will follow after the premiere, so keep an eye out for a future post :) And if anyone is interested in seeing the film with fellow UL members in D.C, NY, or Ohio feel free to shoot us an e-mail. The more the merrier!

Meet Your Bloggers: Nicole

Nicole, co-creator/Blogger

A little about me:

Aspiring photojournalist and foodie. Every day you learn something new so I’m taking on sign language and French in my spare time in hopes of being one step closer to communicating with as many people as possible.

First book I remember reading?

The Berenstein Bears: Stage Fright by Stan and Jan Berenstein! I remember Sister Bear’s pink overalls and tiny clawed feet, slightly curled, and I remember thinking to myself that I never want to speak in front of a large group of people. Years later I would face the horror known throughout high school as Speech class lol.

Besides books, I’ll talk my head off about:

Food and cooking! You'll find me at the farmer’s market trying to get the best herbs, fruit, or fish. I’m excited to hopefully experience every aspect of food, from Indian spices and seasoned fish in Ghana to salumi in Italy. I'm also obsessed with Jeopardy, photography, and movies. Watching amazing films all day on a Saturday wrapped in my duvet cover? Yes, please! :)

Favorite books:

Historical novels, short stories, essays, cookbooks, etc

Favorite place to read:

Cross country train rides—in the US or abroad—have been made that much more relaxing with a great book.

(with fellow blogger and co-creator Whitney, and friend Ashley. Everything is Illuminated by JSF in tow)

Loving UL because:

It’s such a great way to be connected to something that’s bigger than you, and to be a part of its growth is even more amazing. UL is a community of funny, passionate and dedicated readers who form an instant friendship through a love of books, and it feels like something lifelong.

Meet Your Bloggers: Whitney

Whitney, Co-Creator/Blogger

[Me with What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day by Pearl Cleage]

About Me:
I'm a writer and aspiring editor in NYC that will read nearly anything. Seriously, anything. I'm also slowly realizing that I'm a bit of a feminist. But in a cute way :)

What I do on UL:
Wax poetic/pissed (depending on the mood + book) on books new and old. My unofficial job is also to try to get the other bloggers to join me in reading books by DWM (dead white men) that are labeled classics :)

Favorite Book:
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank. I wrote lots and lots about it here.

Favorite Place to Read:
The subway, hands down. It's relaxing and it makes the fellow passengers think that you're smart.

[With Co-Creator Nicole in 2006]

Favorite Movie based on a Book:
Great Expectations with Gwyneth Paltrow

What I Like to Do When I'm Not Reading:
Writing, Watching anything on HBO or the Food Network, baking, planning on working out (but never actually going to the gym)

Favorite Websites (besides Uptown Literatti, of course):
Jezebel.com, Salon.com, Shopbop.com, FoodNetwork.com, NYMag.com

Favorite Thing about UL:
Everything! But definitely learning more about my friends through their book selections and insights.