Gents.

Okay this post is about gents. Not just about males, but other kinds of gents. Firstly and foremostly, it is about the lady and gentlemanly style of my current TV obsession. Secondly and middlemostly, it's about two books called DiverGENT and InsurGENT. Finally and lastmostly, it's about how you need to be a proud bandwagon jumper, like myself.

Of course you're all obsessed with Downton Abbey. (DownTON Abbey that is. I called it DownTOWN Abbey in the beginning and am now really embarassed to admit this. What a noob.) This show is just so stinking good. I'm not usually crazy about period pieces, but this one is perfect. It's early 20th-century Britain, and it takes you from 1912 and on as the historically stable family rooted in the tradition of British nobility faces the crazy changes that happened in the world at that time in history. Nerd alert. I know. I realize I have not captivated you. Yet. It's about the estate of Lord Grantham and the drama, excitement, and scandal of his family and the servants who work at his mansion. The beauty of the show, for me, exists in that juxtaposition; we constantly get to view every twist and turn from the perspective of both the family and their servants. Furthermore, the viewpoints are so rich because each character is fantastically human: each has the capacity for goodness and darkness. Although I have my favorites (Anna, Mr. Bates, Mary, Matthew, Tom Branson, Sybill, to name a few...) and of course those that I really can't stand (...ummmm THOMAS anyone? And can we just take a minute to realize the extent of lame-ness that is Edith?), it is really cool to see every character's choices as the show goes on. And, if all of that cool historical drama and social intrigue didn't do it for you, you should get into this show for my favorite character of all: VIOLET CRAWLEY played by the one and only Maggie Smith. She's the grandma in this whole rich family deal and her comments are perfect. PERFECT. She is the perfect example of English wit that makes me oh so happy. My favorite quote is in the picture above. This GRADE-A-JERK of a man was engaged to Mary, Violet's granddaughter, when finally Mary decided that he was, in fact, an evil piece of scum and dumped him, breaking off their engagement. He went to Violet coolly and says, "Lady Grantham, I doubt we'll meet again," as his final snotty goodbye and she snaps right back at him, "Do you promise?" in her understated way. Oh my goodness. So good. If by the end of this paragraph you haven't caught on to the greatness of this show, you may go ahead, consider me a lunatic, and move on with your life. If, however, your feelings have changed, I must tell you that this show has bewitched me both body and soul and I love, I love, I love it. (Pride and Prej reference for all you diehards. I know SOMEone out there has got to be appreciative of that last sentence.)

On to the next set of gents. Divergent and Insurgent by Veronica Roth. These books were recommended to me (and added to the book list!) by the one and only Nicole Ongna. This girl knows good books, apparently, because this series has grabbed me by the throat. I am almost done with Insurgent and can not bear the fact that I have to wait for Roth to come out with the final book to round out the trilogy. It's in the dystopian, young adult fiction, brave girl protagonist vein of the Hunger Games and delivers on all accounts. Brave underestimated girl as a main character? Check. A post-apocolyptic America facing corruption and merciless totalitarianism? Check. Hunky male character to supply the romance-in-the-face-of-crisis storyline? Check. Even as a bonus, this book series is set in the future ruins of the city of Chicago, so you get fun references to familiar buildings and landmarks throughout the series. Plus, on top of all of that, it explores cool concepts in humanity and worldview and what motivates people to do good and evil things. It is captivating. Don't be ashamed that you're reading a book meant for a 13-year-old because deep down we all have a little of that left over in us somewhere. Go buy it now.

I love this quote.

So. All in all. If you've made it this far and have reached the end of this rant, here are three things you should take away from these last few minutes of your life: A) You need to stop doing whatever things you're doing and start doing more important things like watching whole seasons of TV series in one sitting and ignoring life obligations to finish a book B) British people are cool and C) Bandwagons are fun. Hop on and enjoy the ride.