Friday Favourites: 2019 Edition

Happy New Year! I know it’s now 2020, but I have one more 2019 recap of sorts to do, showcasing some of the things I loved last year. I did a separate post for my favourite books of 2019, but I thought I’d share my favourite TV shows, movies, and music too.

The Year of Elton John

If I could sum up 2019, especially the last half of the year, I’d call it The Year of Elton John. Early in the year, I became obsessed with Richard Madden. When I found out he was going to be in the movie Rocketman, I knew I had to see it. I didn’t know much about Elton and really only knew his hit songs, especially those from The Lion King, plus of course “Candle in the Wind” since I loved Princess Diana and her death really shook me. A few days after I went to spend part of the summer with my best friend Krista (you can read more about that here), we went to see Rocketman in the theatre. I went into it basically just wanting to see Richard Madden and Taron Egerton on the big screen, and I left with a newfound love and respect for Elton John. I was completely captivated from beginning to end, and it was easily one of the best movies I’d seen in a very long time.

After that, I had Elton’s music on repeat pretty much non-stop. I did the Spotify Wrapped thing for 2019, and it said I’d listened to 173 hours of Elton’s music, and that was mostly since July when I saw Rocketman. That doesn’t include the hours I listened to his music on Krista’s Alexa when we were hanging out or doing work around the house. What can I say, my obsessions are intense!

So, favourite movie of the year: Rocketman, obviously, hands down. Most listened to song, according to Spotify: “I Guess That’s What They Call it the Blues” by Elton John.

Other favourite music of 2019: Taylor Swift’s new album “Lover”. When I didn’t have Elton on repeat, I had “Lover” on repeat.

Favourite TV shows:

Bodyguard. Did I mention my obsession with Richard Madden? I watched Bodyguard early in the year based on a friend's recommendation, and then I made Krista watch it when I was living with her. Psychological thrillers aren’t usually my thing (I get scared too easily!), so this was 100% another one of those things I watched specifically because of Richard Madden. BUT...I loved it. It was intense and raw and emotional, and the whole cast was phenomenal. I’ve got my fingers crossed for another season.

Anne With an E. I’ll admit, I was hesitant to watch this show. I’m a diehard fan of the 1980s Anne mini-series starring Megan Follows and Jonathan Crombie, and I was afraid I’d have trouble separating it from Anne With an E. I kept hearing amazing things about it, though, and finally one day this summer Krista announced we were watching it, put it on, and that was that. I went in with an open mind and decided to enjoy it for what it was, and I ended up loving it. The actors are fantastic, the stories are great (although there’s still a part of me that’s a tiny bit twitchy over some of the creative liberties they’ve taken with the story and characters), and I love how inclusive and diverse it is.

Good Omens. This is another one Krista and I watched together in the summer. We weren’t sure about it at first, but we ended up getting hooked. It was strange and hilarious, and it reminded me why I adore David Tennant.

Fleabag. When season two of Fleabag aired, my whole Twitter feed seemed to be full of mentions of the Hot Priest and Andrew Scott. My curiosity was piqued, especially since I love Andrew in Sherlock. Krista and I talked about watching it together, but things got a bit chaotic toward the end of my stay, so while she was away for a few days, I decided to watch it on my own. It was another show I wasn’t sure about at first but got hooked on; I ended up watching both seasons in the span of two days. It was twisted and irreverent and so, so funny. I especially loved season two, and yes, it was largely because of the Hot Priest!

The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. This was another show I a) resisted watching for a long time, and b) wasn’t sure about when I finally started. I loved Sabrina the Teenage Witch (still do, actually; my nine-year-old nephew and I watch it together all the time) and I kept hearing about how dark and twisted this version was. I caved in October, figuring it was the perfect show to watch around Halloween. It definitely was dark, twisted, and sometimes downright disturbing, but there’s something compulsively watchable about it, and I'm looking forward to the next season.

So, those are some of my top favourite things of 2019. It was a good year for entertainment, and this year is shaping up to be just as good and we’re only a few days in! Stay tuned for more about what I’m currently watching because I feel like I’ll have a lot to say about it. In the meantime, if you’re curious, be sure to follow me on bookstagram.

What were some of your favourite things in 2019? Do we have any faves in common?

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Remembering Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe

I was one of many little girls who grew up in the '80s and '90s wishing she lived in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. Anne of Green Gables and Road to Avonlea were staples in my house. Anne Shirley was a kindred spirit, Gilbert Blythe was one of my first fictional crushes, and I felt like I was meant to live in Avonlea and be part of the King family.

 

On Saturday when I heard that Jonathan Crombie, best known for playing Gilbert Blythe in the Anne movies, had died, I was heartbroken. Obviously Lucy Maude Montgomery gets credit for creating such a wonderful character, but Jonathan brought him to life on the screen. He was beautiful and boyish and charming and perfect. He could do it all - earnest, funny, cheeky, flustered, frustrated...and when he looked at Anne with so much yearning and affection and wonder, I dreamed a boy would look at me like that someday. In so many ways I grew up with Anne and Gilbert - the original movie aired in 1985, so I've been watching it my whole life. Then Anne of Avonlea came out in 1987, Gilbert made an appearance on Road to Avonlea when a beloved character died in 1992, and finally the Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story movie came out in 2000.

Jonathan Crombie as Gilbert Blythe has been part of my life forever, and now he's gone. My heart aches for his family, friends, and loved ones, and for the many fans who are mourning the loss of someone they probably never met, but who they've loved for so long.  

Thank you, Jonathan Crombie, for your messy-haired, sparkling-eyed, ridiculously charming portrayal of my dream man. Thank you for making me laugh, making me swoon, and making me believe that I'd get my own love story as epic as Anne and Gilbert's.

I went through four tissues watching this 6-minute video. That wink! That smile! The way he looks at Anne. His pride in her, and his patience despite her stubbornness. Oh Gilbert. <3

   
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Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Recommend The Most

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish

Top Ten Books I Spend a Lot of Time Pimping

 
The Harry Potter series
The Harry Potter books are pretty much my favourite books ever. I talk about them a lot and I’m always stunned when I find out there are people left in the world who haven’t read them. My ten-year-old nephew loves the movies but doesn’t like to read, but I’m thinking of trying him on Harry Potter and seeing if I can make a bibliophile out of him yet!

Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi

I’m not a die hard fan of post-apocalyptic books (I’ve enjoyed the ones I’ve read but they’re not usually my first choice), but Under the Never Sky and Through the Ever Night are not just my favorite post-apocalyptic books, they’re among my favourite books ever.

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

An incredible, beautiful, swoonworthy contemporary YA. Books like this are the reason YA contemp is my favourite genre.

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry

Another example of YA contemporary at its finest.

Scarlet by AC Gaughen

Robin Hood. Need I say more? This is told from the perspective of Robin’s friend Will Scarlet, except that Scarlet is a girl. Full of twists and turns, romance, and action, this book is just plain amazing.

Splintered by AG Howard

A brilliant spin on Alice in Wonderland. This is up there with my favourite books ever.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Do I really need to say why this book is worth recommending? There’s just something magical about it - maybe it’s Paris, maybe it’s Etienne St. Clair, maybe it’s the fact that Stephanie Perkins has the ability to make me giggle harder than my 3-year-old nephew. It’s just amazing. AND if you haven’t read it yet or if you’ve read it and want to reread it, my friend Molli from Once Upon a Prologue is co-hosting an ANNA Read-Along starting April 1st!

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

This is a classic for a reason. Funny, charming, quirky - Anne of Green Gables is a Canadian staple, and I grew up with her. To me this is one of those books that everyone should read at least once in their life.

The Passport to Peril series by Maddy Hunter

This is a series I discovered before I started book blogging. It’s cozy mystery and it satisfies both my funny bone and my travel bug since each book is set in a different country. This is a series that, unfortunately, most of the people I know haven’t even heard of, let alone read, so I’m always trying to pimp it.

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Another example of why contemporary YA is my favourite genre. Road trip + music + cute boy + relatable girl + amazing secondary characters + surprisingly emotional = one of the best books ever.

Honourable mentions

Most of the time I have trouble coming up with 10 but this time I had trouble narrowing it down, so I'm cheating a little. A few other books I’m constantly telling people they should read: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, and Catching Jordan and Stealing Parker by Miranda Kenneally. 

And of course I spend quite a bit of time pimping my own books. Does that count? *cough* WAITING FOR THE STORM comes out two weeks from today *cough*

What are some of the books you recommend the most? Tell me below or leave a comment to your TTT and I'll come visit!

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The Daydreamer's Ramblings: Books We Once Loved

The Daydreamer’s Ramblings is a semi-regular feature here at Ramblings of a Daydreamer. It ranges from discussion posts to rants to raves.

 

I think many of us have reread books we loved as children, whether they’re actual children’s books, middle grade or teen books, or maybe even classics. There’s a curiosity there - maybe you don’t remember certain details of the story, or perhaps you simply remember loving it as a child or teen and now as an adult you want to remember what it was you loved so much.

Last year I reread Anne of Green Gables for the first time since I was in my early teens. I loved the book then, I still love the movies, and I was certain I would love reading Anne as an adult, and I did. In fact, I think I loved it even more as an adult.

But there are other books I’ve been wanting to reread that I’m a bit wary of trying. For whatever reason, they meant a lot to me when I originally read them, but what if I hate them now? Blogging has made me a more critical reader, as has being a writer and editor. What if the things that drew me to a book when I was fifteen repel me now? What if the characters are silly or the plot is lacking and I end up wondering what on earth 15-year-old me had been thinking?

As part of the Spring of Sarah Dessen Reading Challenge (have you signed up yet, by the way? It runs until June!), I’m reading (or rereading in some cases) all of Sarah’s books, and I’m doing it in the order of publication. I’ve already read That Summer, and now it’s time to read Someone Like You.

When I was 15 or 16, I read Someone Like You and it spoke to me like very few books had before. The main character was me - her thoughts, her actions, everything - her best friend was my best friend and her boyfriend was my boyfriend. It was uncanny. It was one of those books that you’re sure somehow the author wrote just for you, and at a time when you needed it desperately. To this day, when someone asks me what my favourite books are, Someone Like You is on my short list.

But I’m scared to reread it. I read it twice, maybe even three times when I was a teen, and I even had my best friend read it because it was ‘our’ story. But it’s been about thirteen years since I read it, and I worry how I’ll feel about it now - this story that I sort of put on a pedestal for the last decade plus. I keep looking at it sitting on my shelf (my original 1998 copy, by the way) and I can’t bring myself to pick it up. I need to get moving if I’m going to read all of Sarah’s books before June, but I can’t seem to make myself do it.

There are at least half a dozen books from my teens I plan to reread this year and while I feel slight trepidation, none of them are hitting me on an emotional level the way this one is. I know it’s probably silly, and I’m sure I’ll love it as much as I did back then, but I can’t help but think ‘What if I don’t?’

Has this ever happened to you? Have you reread a book you once loved and ended up hating it or feeling indifferent toward it?

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Throwback Thursday #1 - Anne of Green Gables

Throwback Thursday is hosted by Never Too Fond of Books and The Housework Can Wait. The idea is to shine the spotlight on old favourites (books that were released 5+ years ago) so that they get a little love since new/recent releases tend to get all the attention. To find out all the details and join in, visit the hosts' blogs.

*For those of you who are used to my Update Thursday posts, when I saw this new meme, I decided to switch from Update Thursday to a weekly recap that will be posted on Thursday or Friday each week, depending on whether I have time and whether I participate in this meme every week. Be sure to come back tomorrow to see what's been going on in the last week!*

Read my review

Synopsis: As soon as Anne Shirley arrived at the snug, white farmhouse called Green Gables, she knew she wanted to stay forever...but would the Cuthberts send her back to the orphanage? Anne knows she's not what they expected--a skinny girl with decidedly red hair and a temper to match. If only she could convince them to let her stay, she'd try very hard not to keep rushing headlong into scrapes or blurt out the very first thing she had to say. Anne was not like anybody else, everyone at Green Gables agreed; she was special--a girl with an enormous imagination. This orphan girl dreamed of the day when she could call herself Anne of Green Gables.

  

When I discovered this meme earlier this week, the first book I thought of was Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. I can't remember when I first read it, but I was pretty young, and I grew up watching the movies along with the spin-off TV series Road to Avonlea.

There's nothing I don't love about Anne of Green Gables, particularly Anne herself. She's free spirited, uninhibited, imaginative, and perfectly, believably flawed. She's vain and impulsive, but she's also loyal and caring and would do anything for the people she loves. I just reread the book last July, and fell in love with the story all over again. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me want to go on grand adventures and learn to be as free spirited as Anne.  

This book and its author (and even the movies, which I adore, and which showcase amazingly talented Canadians) make me proud to be Canadian.

I think everyone should read Anne of Green Gables. I'm actually surprised it's not part of school curriculum, especially here in Canada. I plan to reread Anne of Avonlea this year and then finally carry on with the series and hopefully get through the entire series this year.

Have you read Anne of Green Gables or seen the movies?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Series I Haven't Finished

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Series I Haven't Finished

I’m horrible at finishing series. I’ll read the first book in a series and even if I love it, it’s rare that I carry on with the next book right away. There are a few exceptions - Harry Potter, Twilight, The Hunger Games, the Passport to Peril series, Stephanie Plum, any series by Nora Roberts - but overall I just suck at carrying on with series. There are so many books to read, and there are so many series that I could easily just read series, but I love standalones. Plus I hate it when you love a book and then have to wait ages for the next one, so I tend to wait until there are a bunch of books out in the series, or until it’s completed so I know if I don’t want to wait, I don’t have to.

Anyway, on with the list!

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
I read Anne of Green Gables, as well as Anne of Avonlea when I was in my early teens, and I reread AoGG this summer, but I haven’t read the rest of the books, even though I own them. AoGG is one of my favourite books ever, so I really have no excuse for not finishing this series.

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares
I read the first three books several years ago, and for the last two summers I’ve been intending to reread them and then read the fourth book. I also bought the fifth book this spring, so I really wanted to read the whole series, but I didn’t have time. I still want to, though - I love this series! Maybe this winter since I didn't do it this summer?

Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
I read Vampire Academy last year and really enjoyed it. This one just falls under the ‘I suck at carrying on with series’ category.

The Iron Fey by Julie Kagawa
I read and loved The Iron King last year. I sort of put off reading the rest of the series because I figured I’d like to read them back-to-back but didn’t want to have to wait for more books in the series. Now I don’t have that excuse! My next excuse is that I'd really love to own the series, but I can't really afford to buy them right now.

Fever by Karen Marie Moning
I didn’t carry on with this series after Darkfever because Mac annoyed me so much. One of my friends read it after reading my review and agreed with my dislike of Mac, but he kept reading the series and said she gets less annoying, plus so many people love this series that I do intend to carry on with it eventually.

Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris
I’ve actually read the first five books in this series, which is pretty good considering my track record. I don’t love them, but after watching True Blood, I saw the books in a bit of a different light. It seems like I’ve read about one a year, which means I’m due for another one soon lol

Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill
I loved Some Girls Bite when I read it last year, and I’m looking forward to continuing with the series…again, eventually.

Queen Betsy/Undead by MaryJanice Davidson
I read quite a few of these books, and although I loved them at first, I got tired of them pretty quickly. They went from hilarious and kooky to ridiculous - and not in a good way. I don’t think I’ll finish this series, however I did love MJ’s Alaskan Royal Family trilogy.

Immortal by Gillian Shields
I read Immortal, the first book in this series, last year and loved it. My reason for not carrying on? See #3 on this list.

Women of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong
I read Bitten a couple years ago but haven’t carried on with the series. I really need to, because I love Kelley’s books.

**Notice that most of these series are adult series? That could be part of why I haven’t continued with them, since I read mostly YA these days!**

What are some series you haven't finished, and why? Let me know in the comments, or link me to your post so I can check it out!

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Canadian Spotlight Month: Hotties from Canada

For today’s Canadian Spotlight Month post, I’m taking a break from all things bookish. In the spotlight today are some of Canada’s finest hotties - that’s right, my lovelies, today is dedicated to eye candy! And not just any eye candy - the extremely talented kind! I knew there were a lot of famous Canadians, but in my research to compile this list, I was floored at just how many celebs this awesome country has produced! Later in the month, I’ll be spotlighting Canadian musicians, as well as Canadian comedians, so be sure to keep an eye out for that. 

Ryan Gosling

Who doesn't know (and hopefully love) Ryan Gosling? But did you know he's Canadian? The 31-year-old actor who's best known for roles in The Notebook, Crazy Stupid Love, The Ides of March is from London, Ontario. He also made appearances in many shows that I personally consider staples of Canadian TV in the 90s: Road to Avonlea, Ready or Not, Are You Afraid of the Dark, Goosebumps, and The Adventures of Shirley Holmes, as well as starring in Breaker High, and Young Hercules. 

Jason Priestley  - Best known for his role as Brandon Walsh on Beverly Hills, 90210

Nia Vardalos - Best known for her role as Toula Portokalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Wendy Crewson - Best known for her role as Laura Miller in The Santa Clause trilogy

Ryan Reynolds

From Vancouver, British Columbia, 35-year-old Reynolds is best known for his roles in Green Lantern, The Proposal, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Blade: Trinity. I first discovered him in 1998 when he played Berg in Two Guys, a Girl, and Pizza Place (later renamed Two Guys and a Girl). 

Evangeline Lilly - Best known for her role as Kate Austen in TV's Lost

Callum Keith Rennie - Best known for his roles in Due South, Battlestar Galactica, and Californication

Pamela Anderson - Best known for her role as CJ Parker on Baywatch

Rachel McAdams

Born in London, Ontario, 33-year-old McAdams is best known for her roles in The Notebook, Mean Girls, The Time Traveler's Wife, Sherlock Holmes, and The Vow. She lives in Toronto, Ontario, and has been seen riding her bike and taking the bus around the city.

Kiefer Sutherland - Best known for his role as Jack Bauer on 24

Rachelle Lefevre - Best known for her role as Victoria in the first two Twilight movies, as well as roles in Big Wolf on Campus, and What About Brian

Keanu Reeves - Best known for his role as Neo in The Matrix trilogy

Nathan Fillion

Born in Edmonton, Alberta, 41-year-old Fillion is best known for his roles as Richard Castle in Castle, and Malcolm Reynolds in Firefly. 

And, since this is a book blog, I'd like to point you to this amazing article in Parade where Nathan talks about his lifelong love of reading. It made me love him even more! 

Kim Cattrall - Best known for playing the sassy, sexy, kinda slutty Samantha Jones on Sex and the City)

Dean McDermott - He's probably best known as Tori Spelling's husband, but to me he'll always be the hilarious, bumbling Constable Turnbull on Due South. He's been in quite a few movies, and he and wife Tori, along with their three adorable children have starred in different reality shows about their life in Hollywood. 

Scott Speedman - Best known for his roles as Ben Covington in Felicity, and Michael Corvin the lycan/vampire hybrid in the Underworld movies

 

Megan Follows

From Toronto, Ontario, 44-year-old Follows is best known for her iconic role as Anne Shirley in the TV miniseries Anne of Green Gables. To me, Follows is the embodiment of Anne. I watched the movies so often as a little girl, it's impossible not to think of Follows when I think of Anne. 

Sarah Polley - Best known for her role as Sara Stanley in Road to Avonlea (the television spin-off of Anne of Green Gables); she's also an award-winning director and screenwriter

Gema Zamprogna - Best known for her role as Felicity King in Road to Avonlea

Michael J Fox

From Edmonton, Alberta, 51-year-old Fox is an actor, author, producer, activist, and voice-over artist. Best known for his role as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future trilogy, as well as starring roles on TV shows like Family Ties and Spin City.

After being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, he became an advocate for finding a cure through research, which led him to create the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

On a (slightly random) personal note...you know how every little kid has someone they're in love with and are sure they're going to marry when they grow up? Michael J Fox was that person for me.

Neve Campbell - Best known for her role as Julia Salinger in Party of Five, as well as roles in The Craft and the Scream movies

Shay Mitchell - Best known for her role as Emily Fields in Pretty Little Liars

Cory Monteith - Best known for his role as Finn Hudson in Glee

Joshua Jackson

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, 34-year-old Jackson is best known for his roles as Pacey Witter on Dawson’s Creek, Charlie Conway in The Mighty Ducks movies, and Peter Bishop in Fringe. He also starred in One Week, an epic Canadian indie movie that was like a love letter to Canada, Canadian music, and life. You must see it. Buy it, rent it, borrow it - you won't be sorry. It's one of the best movies I've ever seen.

Brendan Fraser - Best known for playing Rick O'Connell in the Mummy movies, as well as George in George of the Jungle

Elisha Cuthbert - Best known for her role as Kim Bauer on 24 

Alan Thicke - Best known for his role as Jason Seaver (the dad) on Growing Pains

 Soap Opera Hotties

My favourite soap opera hotties! I love these guys!

Dominic Zamprogna - From Hamilton, Ontario, Zamprogna plays Detective Dante Falconeri on General Hospital.

Cameron Mathison - From Sarnia, Ontario, Mathison played Ryan Lavery on All My Children. Now he's a TV host and contributor for Good Morning America.

Jason Thompson - From St. Albert, Alberta, Thompson plays Dr. Patrick Drake on General Hospital.  

Paul Gross

From Calgary, Alberta, Gross is still a hottie, even at 53, but as a young man when he starred as Royal Canadian Mounted Police Constable Benton Fraser on TV’s Due South, he was quite possibly the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. He has starred in various television shows and movies, appeared in theatre, and his talents also extend to singing.

Oldies But Goodies

William Shatner - At 81, Shatner's still going strong. Best known for his roles as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, and Denny Crane on The Practice and Boston Legal, Shatner has starred in countless films, TV shows, and stage productions over the last 5+ decades.

Donald Sutherland - The soon-to-be 77-year-old most recently starred as the evil President Snow in The Hunger Games. He's starred in various movies and TV shows since the '60s.

Gordon Pinsent - 82-year-old Pinsent has had many roles in film, television, and theatre. I personally know him as quirky Bob Fraser, the ghost of Benton Fraser's dad in Due South. With a distinctive, easily recognized voice, Pinsent has also done a lot of narrating and voice work - he's been the voice of King Babar in the Babar television shows and movie on and off since the '80s.

Leslie Nielson - Nielson, a well-known actor and comedian died in 2010 at the age of 84. Nielson appeared in 100+ films and 1,500 television programs in a career that spanned almost 60 years. Two of his most memorable roles were in Airplane!, and The Naked Gun movies. 

Christopher Plummer

From Toronto, Ontario, 82-year-old Plummer will forever be known for his iconic role as Captain von Trapp from The Sound of Music. Like the other oldies but goodies, Plummer has had a career that's spanned 50+ years and has included roles in television, film, and theatre. Most recently, he played the role of Henrik Vanger in 2011's The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. 

Hayden Christensen - Best known for his portrayal of a young Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader in Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

Catherine O’Hara - Best known for her role as Kate McCallister (the mom) in Home Alone, and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York

Carrie-Anne Moss - Best known for her role as Trinity in The Matrix trilogy

Nina Dobrev

This 23-year-old beauty was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, but moved to Toronto, Ontario at the age of two, and was raised there. She's best known for her role as Elena Gilbert/Katherine Pierce in The Vampire Diaries, but she also starred as Mia Jones in the Canadian teen drama Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Sandra Oh - Best known for her role as Dr. Cristina Yang on Grey's Anatomy

 

Molly Parker - Best known for her role as Alma Garret in Deadwood; she currently plays Abby McDeere in The Firm

Ellen Page - Best known for her award-winning role as Juno MacGuff in Juno

 

Stana Katic

From Hamilton, Ontario, 34-year-old Katic is best known for her role as Detective Kate Beckett in Castle. When I started watching Castle, I thought it was amazing that the two main characters were both Canadian. Pretty cool!

Kelly Rowan - Best known for her role as Kirsten Cohen (Seth's mom) on The O.C.

Taylor Kitsch - Best known for his role as John Carter in the film of the same name

Sarah Chalke - Best known for her role as Dr. Elliot Reid on Scrubs

Reality TV Spotlight

Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Twin brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott star in W Network/HGTV's Property Brothers. Jonathan is a contractor and Drew is a real estate expert, and together they help people buy and renovate fixer-upper homes, transforming run-down houses into dream homes. I've only been watching Property Brothers since late last year, but I love the brothers. They're smart, funny, resourceful, and seriously have the patience of saints when it comes to dealing with some of the homeowners on the show. Plus, I mean, look at them! I've had a crush on Jonathan and his crooked smile since day one. They're amazingly generous to their fans, answering questions on both Facebook and Twitter, and setting up regular contests for fans.

Cameron Bright - Best known for his role as Alec in The Twilight Saga movies New Moon and Eclipse

Alexander Ludwig - Best known for his role as Seth in Race to Witch Mountain; most recently, he played Cato in The Hunger Games

Matthew Perry

Born in Massachusetts to an American father and Canadian mother, 42-year-old Perry was raised in Ottawa, Canada. He's best known for his role as Chandler Bing in Friends. He's been making appearances on TV since the late 70s, and has been in many movies, the most recent of which was 17 Again.

Jay Baruchel - Best known for his role as Dave Stutler in The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and the voice of Hiccup in How to Train Your Dragon  

Alison Pill - Best known for her role as Zelda Fitzgerald in Midnight in Paris

Emily VanCamp - Best known for her roles as Rebecca Harper in Brothers & Sisters, and Emily Thorne in Revenge

 

Anna Paquin

From Winnipeg, Manitoba, 31-year-old Paquin is best known for her role as Sookie Stackhouse in HBO's True Blood. Among many other television, theatre, and movie roles, she also played Marie/Rogue in the X-Men movie franchise. At the age of 11, she won an Oscar for her role in The Piano.

Missy Peregrym - Best known for her roles as Candice Wilmer in Heroes, and Andy McNally in Rookie Blue

Angela Featherstone - Best known for her roles as Chloe in Friends, and Linda in The Wedding Singer

Jessica Paré - Best known for her role as Megan on Mad Men

Kristin Kreuk

From Vancouver, British Columbia, 29-year-old Kreuk is best known for her role as Lana Lane on Smallville. She will star in the upcoming TV series Beauty and the Beast. 

James Cameron - Cameron’s not an actor, but he needed to be on this list, since he’s the Academy Award winning director behind movies such as Titanic and Avatar

Alex Trebek - Best known as the host of Jeopardy! He's made about 2 dozen cameo appearances in various TV shows and movies.

A few fun facts connecting some of these stars:

*Nathan Fillion was in 60 episodes of Two Guys and a Girl, which starred Ryan Reynolds.

*Paul Gross, Callum Keith Rennie, Gordon Pinsent, and Leslie Nielson all starred in Due South. 

*Rachel McAdams and Ryan Reynolds starred together in The Notebook, dated in real life, and were both born in London, Ontario.  
*Wendy Crewson was in an episode of Due South with Paul Gross and Callum Keith Rennie.
*Alan Thicke's son is the popular R&B singer-songwriter Robin Thicke.
*Dominic Zamprogna and Gema Zamprogna are brother and sister.
*Callum Keith Rennie and Molly Parker now star together in The Firm.
*Donald Sutherland is Kiefer Sutherland's father.
*Sarah Polley wrote and directed the movie Away From Her, which starred Gordon Pinsent.
*Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Kitsch both had roles in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

Did You Know?

Many movies that are set in the States and all around the world are filmed in Canada, because we have such a vast and varied landscape, and because it's generally cheaper to film here.

Here are just some of the many movies that were filmed in Canada:

The Vow, Titanic, Serendipity, X-Men, Chicago, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, Mean Girls, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Hairspray, The Time Traveler's Wife, Shall We Dance, Brokeback Mountain, The NeverEnding Story, I, Robot, Night at the Museum, The Butterfly Effect, Juno, Twilight, Batman & Robin, Catch Me If You Can, Billy Madison, Cruel Intentions, Three Men and a Baby, Public Enemies, Honey, The Prince and Me, The Day The Earth Stood Still, Freddy vs. Jason, Gone in Sixty Seconds, Exit Wounds, The Incredible Hulk, The Day After Tomorrow, The Whole Nine Yards, Johnny Mnemonic, The Terminal, The X Files: I Want to Believe, Capote, Camp Rock, Cold Creek Manor, Crash, Dracula 2000, Police Academy 1-4, Resident Evil, Good Will Hunting, Good Luck Chuck

Who’s your favourite Canadian hottie? Who were you most surprised is Canadian, or did you know all these people were Canadian? Did I miss anyone?

 

This post has been part of the Canadian Spotlight Month. Click the graphic below to check out the schedule and all things Canadian here at Ramblings of a Daydreamer.