Look at What Book I Got Early: 'Elimination Night' by Anonymous

About a week and a half ago, I wrote on BuddyTV about a new book coming out, Elimination Night, written by someone who's familiar with how American Idol is run behind-the-scenes. This book (out January 8), while a work of fiction, is most obviously based on Idol season 10, with characters based on Ryan Seacrest, Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson, Nigel Lythgoe, etc. Last week, I received a copy of the book from the publisher to review, and I started reading it the other day, on Friday.

I Recommend: 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' Film & 'Catfish: The TV Show'

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

Movie:
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (in theaters)

(Image courtesy of Warner Bros.)

The Hobbit is a book that I grew up with. I'm sure I have read it more than once as a child. But looking back, I realize that it's been over 10 years since I last read it, since some time in middle school. When The Lord of the Rings movies were released in theaters, my 92-year-old great-aunt and I went to each one together. (She and I share a love of reading, and always talk about such stories as Harry Potter, Hobbit/LOTR and more.) We've been anticipating the release of the start of the middle-earth stories, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. And as is tradition with us, we went to see it recently, in 3D/24 FPS.

'I Recommend: 'A Game of Thrones' Book & 'Ruby Sparks' Film

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

Book:
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1) by George R.R. Martin

(Image courtesy of Bantam Spectra)

I first heard about this series around the time that season 1 of the TV show adaptation was on the air. Everyone was talking about HBO's Game of Thrones. And I noticed all the awards and accolades it received. And what piqued my interest was that people were comparing it to Lord of the Rings, and that author George R.R. Martin is the American J.R.R. Tolkien. But I guess I never took my interest any further than that--until earlier this year when season 2 marketing and promotions were in high gear. Then I broke down and read some of the information on the Song of Ice and Fire wiki page and Martin's wiki page so I could get a better sense of what this series was all about.

I Recommend: 'Chely Wright: Wish Me Away' Film & 'The Casual Vacancy' Book

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

Movie:
Chely Wright: Wish Me Away (on DVD)

(Image courtesy of Beverly Kopf & Bobbie Birleffi)

I'll be honest here: I had no idea who Chely Wright was before I found out about her documentary, Chely Wright: Wish Me Away. But I am so glad that I do know about her now and her personal story. She is the first country music artist to come out as gay. And she was pretty much shunned by the people in her own genre for it, the people that wholeheartedly embraced her before. And that is something that needs to change. Yes, we're making great progress in this country when it comes to equality and acceptance, but there are still people and groups who are still stuck in the middle ages. And it's sad to think about that.

I Recommend [TV Edition]: 'Commander in Chief,' 'Revolution' & 'American Horror Story'

Jeff Dodge's Recommendations:

TV Shows:
Commander in Chief (on Hulu)

(Image courtesy of ABC)

Commander in Chief is an ABC political drama that aired during the 2005-2006 TV season. It chronicles Mackenzie Allen as she becomes the first female President of the United States. But she doesn't get there through an election. Rather, she's first the Vice President, then the President has an unexpected death. The Constitution states that she's now the President.