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How the Penguins Saved Veronica
How the Penguins Saved Veronica | Hazel Prior
46 posts | 33 read | 38 to read
A heartwarming story about a curmudgeonly but charming old woman, her estranged grandson, and a colony of penguins that proves it's never too late to be the person you want to be...and that family is what you make it. After a disastrous first meeting with the grandson she never knew she had, eighty-four-year-old Veronica McCreedy wants to find a worthwhile cause to endow with her millions. Although she has health, wealth, and wit, Veronica has been alone for a long time, her only connection to her past a box of diaries from when she was a teenager during WWII...and a locket filled with a strand of hair from every person she has ever loved and lost. After learning about a research team studying endangered penguins in Antarctica, Veronica tells the scientists she's coming for a visit--and won't take no for an answer. Despite a discouraging first experience (a penguin attacks her favourite designer handbag), Veronica warms to the birds. She even convinces the team to rescue an orphaned baby penguin who swiftly becomes part of life at the base. Veronica's closed heart starts to open. But when she becomes ill, her grandson Patrick comes to Antarctica for one last attempt to get to know his grandmother. Together, Veronica and Patrick--and even the scientists--begin to really learn what family, love, and connection are truly all about.
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LeslieO
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My favorite day of the year, the local AAUW used book sale! Added some series titles I needed, found a O‘Nan book I never heard of, added to my Hilderbrand collection. Only one nonfiction and I was happy to find it. All in all a great haul. I always say buying a book and reading a book are two separate pleasures! #bookhaul #MountTBR

Ruthiella Wow! What a stack! 🤩 5mo
Hooked_on_books Oooo, look at that haul! Fabulous! 5mo
LeahBergen And I see a Brookner! 👏👏 5mo
LeslieO @LeahBergen So happy to get a Brookner I needed! 5mo
dabbe Wow! 😲😍😀 5mo
45 likes5 comments
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julieclair
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#FridayNightShare #MidWinterSolace #Naturalitsy
Looking forward to reading this one. It looks like an absolute hoot!
@Chrissyreadit @AllDebooks @jenniferw88 @TheBookHippie

TheBookHippie Looks like a fun read! 10mo
AllDebooks 🩵❄️🐧❄️🩵 10mo
Jerdencon This was great! 10mo
Allylu I loved this book! It‘s so fun! 10mo
36 likes3 stack adds4 comments
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Coleen
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Pickpick

A quirky little book with both humor and serious undertones. Reminded me a lot of Fredrick Backman‘s writing.

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Aimeesue
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#Audiobaking, because commercial Gluten Free crackers are terrible, and these are not. I can do without bread, but not without crackers.
And I'm enjoying Veronica's antarctic penguin adventures.

Suet624 Yum! 2y
Aimeesue @Suet624 They are REALLY good. I was pleasantly surprised. Hope I can restrain myself and make them last a week or so. 😁 2y
39 likes2 comments
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BookBosomed1
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Jerdencon
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This will be in the mail this week! I loved this book -
@BookBosomed1 @julieclair @Deblovestoread #lmpbc #groupw

julieclair Yay! So glad you enjoyed it! 2y
BookBosomed1 @Deblovestoread I‘m sending my book to you tomorrow. I have been under the weather, so I haven‘t been able to get to the post office. 2y
Deblovestoread @BookBosomed1 No worries, there‘s lots of time. Hope your feeling better! 2y
See All 8 Comments
Deblovestoread @julieclair Mailed Friday, arriving by Saturday the 7th 2y
Allylu I loved this one, too! 2y
julieclair @Deblovestoread Thanks! Looking forward to reading it. @BookBosomed1 Feel better…. Feeling crummy during the holidays is no fun. @Jerdencon On it‘s way to you tomorrow (or Wednesday at the latest): (edited) 2y
Deblovestoread @BookBosomed1 Book arrived safely! Thank you 😊 2y
Jerdencon @Deblovestoread wow- I mailed it on Thursday - that was super fast!!! Go USPS! Lol 2y
44 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Coleen
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Jerdencon
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@julieclair the book arrived today
Hope to start this week @BookBosomed1 @Deblovestoread #lmpbc #groupw

julieclair Yay! Enjoy! ❄️📚❄️😁❄️ 2y
38 likes1 comment
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Allylu
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📕 - How the Penguins Saved Veronica; The How and The Why; Holes
✍️ - Hazel Prior; Cynthia Hand
🎥 - Holes; 📺 - Heroes;
🎤 - Harry Styles
🎶 - Hello, Hokey Pokey; Here Comes the Sun; Hotel California; Happy Birthday! Happy and You Know It #manicmonday #LetterH @CBee

CBee I loved that you picked Hokey Pokey - such fun 😊 2y
Allylu @Cbee My granddaughter likes to dance to it! 2y
CBee @Allylu I still like to dance to it 😂😂 2y
See All 6 Comments
Eggs 💗💗 2y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
Andrew65 Thanks for the tag, loved Holes. 2y
27 likes6 comments
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Allylu
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A great story with a senior protagonist! #LetterH @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Cinfhen Ohhh, this sounds adorable #stacked 2y
Allylu @Cinfhen It was! I listened to the audiobook. 2y
21 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Allylu
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Pickpick

What a delightful listen this was! Being of a certain age although I don‘t consider myself THAT old, I commiserated with Veronica as I strive to make my days count for something. She‘s curmudgeonly but wonderful. You will love her - and her penguins! #15 #BookSpin #15 #BFC22 #ReadMyRoom #SERIES2022 #Buzzwordathon #READYOURSHELF #sharreadathon #KicktheSlump #20in4 #Pantone2022 Cascade #TidyBookshelfDiverseReading #WintersRespite

Bookwormjillk Sounds good, stacking! 3y
TheSpineView Excellant! 3y
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DieAReader Sounds like it was a super fun read🥰 Great job!🎉🎉🎉 3y
Allylu It was such fun! I know I didn‘t need to start another series, but I couldn‘t resist and I can‘t wait to read the next book. 😊💕📚🐧 3y
Andrew65 Love Hazel Prior, need to check this one out. 3y
Allylu Yes! @Andrew65 you would love it! 3y
Clwojick I adored this one! 💖💖💖 3y
wanderinglynn Sounds like a cute read. 3y
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 3y
32 likes1 stack add11 comments
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Gissy
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Pickpick

Heartwarming story but with funny scenes. At age 85, it will not be late for Veronica to learn about herself, to have an introspection about her life and not too late to have a family. The penguins will help her in this task. Veronica is quite a stubborn woman but once you listen her story, you will understand why she is the way she is. A little bit too long in some parts. 3.8 ⭐️

Gissy Book finished at the beginning of the month

#BookSpinBingo (free space) @ TheAromaofBooks

Book was chosen for January #PastandPresentReadathon YouTuber Read a Book Gen prompt-a book with a character older than you

GoodReads #ATY2022 52 Books Around The Year prompt #3 A book with 22 or more characters in the title

#2022ReadingGoals Read books in old tbr
3y
Gissy Book finished at the beginning of the month

#BookSpinBingo (free space) @ TheAromaofBooks

Book was chosen for January #PastandPresentReadathon YouTuber Read a Book Gen prompt-a book with a character older than you

GoodReads #ATY2022 52 Books Around The Year prompt #3 A book with 22 or more characters in the title

#2022ReadingGoals Read books in old tbr
3y
53 likes1 stack add2 comments
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TEArificbooks
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Pickpick

This was a slow, nice, heartwarming book about the families you create throughout your life (even when you are an 85 year old curmudgeon). I loved the characters and the penguins. #19822022 #2020 @Librarybelle

Librarybelle This is on my to read list! 3y
48 likes1 comment
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Gissy

I read 129 pages of the tagged book during #JoyousJanuary #Readathon @Andrew65 but I completed today February 2, 2022. So it would count for book read this month.

24 likes1 stack add
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Gissy
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I‘m currently reading the tagged book. I haven‘t read much during the weekend, it has been quite busy😬But I read some books last week.

#WeekendReading @Andrew65

SilversReviews SHADOWS OF PECAN HOLLOW by Caroline Frost 3y
Andrew65 I enjoy her books. 3y
Gissy @SilversReviews I added it in my wish list. Thank you!🤗 3y
39 likes3 comments
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Addison_Reads
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Pickpick

Delightful read. 💚 I wanted something easy to read and uplifting and this book was exactly that.

Veronica's character made me laugh, her determination inspired me, and her ability to embrace change was beautiful to watch.

It also felt like a perfect read for this time of year.

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Skeeterisme
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Pickpick

Cute!

43 likes2 stack adds
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sprainedbrain
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Pickpick

This was a charming, funny, sweet little read in September for my postal book club. Yet another gem of a book that I hadn‘t even heard of prior to getting it in the mail.

Veronica is one of those curmudgeonly characters that grows on you very quickly, and I loved getting her backstory gradually throughout the book along with her newfound grandson. It‘s great to just read something truly feel-good as a palate cleanser every now and then.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Flingogal Oh I love quirky character fiction 3y
75 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

This is a charming book about curmudgeonly Veronica, who is 86 and a bit bored. She learns about some scientists studying penguins in Antarctica and takes it upon herself to visit their site, whether they want her to or not! She also discovers a long lost grandson along the way. Both Mom and I really enjoyed this one!

Soubhiville That sounds like fun 🙂 3y
46 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Peaceful_Reader
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Pickpick

This was a delightful tale about how one can still grow and learn in to your elder years. Veronica‘s story is complex and somewhat tragic until she decides on a plan of action to find her grandson and discover more about a research group taking care of penguins in Antarctica. 🐧

kspenmoll Nice review! In my TBR 3y
15 likes1 comment
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BookishMarginalia
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#TrickyCat has decided to nap on my book, so I guess #immersionreading is off — audiobook only right now! #CatsofLitsy

Librariana 🥰 I love that your kitties are treated like royalty. No nap disturbance! 4y
rubyslippersreads 😹😹😹 4y
rachelsbrittain Books make the best pillows, of course 😹 4y
ShelleyBooksie This book was recently recommended on my fav podcast #currentlyreading. How do you like.it? 4y
111 likes1 stack add4 comments
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BookishMarginalia
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#CurrentlyReading this charming story about a curmudgeonly octogenarian, her hapless long-lost grandson, and a motley crew of penguins and penguin researchers. Fun!

93 likes2 stack adds
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Manoshgirl51
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Pickpick

*OUABC June 2020 Pick*

I received this book as a freebie from Once Upon A Book Club, and I am so glad I read this. It was such a fun read, with Veronica being a crabby-but-lovable old woman with a history of her own. Along the way, you meet her newly-discovered grandson and the researchers studying a certain type of penguin. Definitely if you need a good laugh, this book will give you several.

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krissy992
Pickpick

I really loved this one. Such a heartwarming story.

2 likes1 stack add
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Desiree.Reads
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“It's a very long time since I've had an adventure.“

Quote card from https://www.onceuponabookclub.com/.

For more Once Upon a Book Club recommendations, take a look at The Bookish Birder's Once Upon a Book Club list at https://bookshop.org/lists/once-upon-a-book-club-selections. Bookshop.org is a great online bookstore that donates 75% of the book's profit margin to independent bookstores. (Note: Desiree does earn a small commission.)

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Kelsyereadsbooks
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 oh, I just loved this one. It was so sweet and beautiful. Really heartfelt and touching. A definite must read!

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kspenmoll
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#WordsofOctober #cold

This book is in my TBR. Has anyone read it? The setting is Antartica-can only imagine the #cold!

OriginalCyn620 📚👍🏻📚 4y
52 likes1 comment
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MaggieCarr
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Pickpick

5☆ What a terrific story. I loved experiencing a different setting, having never read a title that takes place in Antarctica. The small cast of characters are amazing and Veronica's diaries bring it all together. Highly recommended.

40 likes2 stack adds
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Lauren.Archer
Pickpick

If you like books like Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or A Man Called Ove, you will love this one.

40 likes3 stack adds
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My.heart.is.lit
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Started this cute story last night. It has a bit of a Ove feel. 😍

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BarbaraJean
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This is my Once Upon a Book Club Box for July. My husband and I were out of town visiting his parents for most of the month, so I came home to find both the July and August boxes waiting for me! I love all the cute packaging for the gifts that go along with the book—look at those penguins! I started this one last night. It has a bit of a Man Called Ove/Harold Fry/Arthur Pepper feel to it, and I‘m really enjoying it so far.

My.heart.is.lit I‘m reading this now too! Gift one was cute so far. 4y
41 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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EmberIvyRose
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Pickpick

This book is charming, chuckle-worthy, and a great read. It really makes you think about life choices and uncontrollable circumstances-how they shape your journey. 🐧

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Bookish_Gal
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Pickpick

This was such an amazing book! I‘m still not over the connections between Verónica‘s past and present. I wasn‘t sure I was going to like her at first; cranky, self centered old lady who hates open doors and views crying as a weakness. By the enes though, I couldn‘t bring myself to feel anything but sorry for her because of how she grew up. As well as how it all comes circle to her newly found grandson. Story about deserving love #onceuponabookclub

5 likes1 stack add
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Bookish_Gal

The shame became attached to you, and you could never shake it off. It became a part of you, like leprocy. People wouldn‘t want to touch you. They would cross over the road rather than have to speaks to you. I‘m starting to cry. The ending is coming and I‘m about to cry. #onceuponabookclun

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Princess.ofthe.pages
Pickpick
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Princess.ofthe.pages
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Such a heartwarming story, and it was a nice change for the heroine not to be a younger woman. I really loved this one, give it a read if you have the chance!

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Princess.ofthe.pages
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Double posting because I can‘t put this down! I got to the third gift, and SO wish I didn‘t have to work tomorrow so I could stay up and finish it! I‘m so excited to have this journal to use as my reading journal when the one I‘m currently using gets full #onceuponabookclub #ouabc

Bookish_Gal I loved that gift! I‘m using it at my new reading journal 4y
1 like1 comment
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Princess.ofthe.pages
This post contains spoilers
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Double posting because I can‘t put this down! I got to the third gift, and SO wish I didn‘t have to work tomorrow so I could stay up and finish it! I‘m so excited to have this journal to use as my reading journal when the one I‘m currently using gets full #onceuponabookclub #ouabc

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Princess.ofthe.pages
This post contains spoilers
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I just about screamed when I realized the gift was going to be tea. The box is so beautiful! I‘m gonna keep it and use it as a planter when it‘s empty! #onceuponabookclub #ouabc

Texreader That is a marvelous gift! 😋 4y
2 likes1 comment
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Bookish_Gal

I can almost hear the words now, spoken in his earnest, gentle voice. “There are three types of people in the world, Very. There are this who make the world worse, those who make no difference at all and those who make the world better. Be the one who makes the world better.”

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Bookish_Gal
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Trying something a little different in getting my books. I have high hopes for this subscription. I love the idea of getting gifts that are to be opened on certain pages to go with the story. The book itself is of an 80-year old going to Antarctica to help study penguins. Let alone that she is estranged from her family. This book about family and love feels perfect for these current times. First gift on page 9! #onceuponabookclub

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Princess.ofthe.pages
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First gift from the #onceuponabookclub June box! Makes me wanna go out and pick up some trash in our neighborhood ☺️ #ouabc

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BarkingMadRead
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So excited about this month‘s book for #onceuponabookclub it has penguins!!

jb72 That looks very good. 4y
BarkingMadRead @jb72 should be a fun read! 4y
jb72 @BarkingMadRun I look forward to hearing your thoughts. 4y
See All 8 Comments
CocoReads I‘ve only read the first 2 chapters so far but I like it! 4y
BarkingMadRead @CocoReads my rude daughter started without me, I‘m getting ready to start it! 4y
CocoReads @BarkingMadRun my daughter started without me too. 🤣🤣 4y
Bookish_Gal Just opened mine! This is my first book subscription form them and this book feel perfect 4y
BarkingMadRead @Bookish_Gal I‘m loving it so far! 4y
51 likes2 stack adds8 comments
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SilversReviews
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BookNAround
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Today‘s #JumeARC will be released 6/16.

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Cathyloves2read
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I gave this five stars, however I would‘ve given it 1 million if I could.It‘s my favorite this year so far! It‘s about a feisty 85 year old woman who insists on traveling to Antarctica to save the species from becoming extinct. Parts are funny, other parts are sad. I didn‘t want it to end. It‘s a goodreads ARC due out in June 2020. I hope a book clubs I‘m in features this as a monthly read. It would also make a wonderful movie someday.