Recent Reads

13. Dot Journaling: A Practical Guide: How to Start and Keep the Planner, To-Do List, and Diary That’ll Actually Help You Get Your Life Together
I am one of those people who got on the bullet journal bandwagon early, so was interested in seeing what this book had to offer. It's simply BuJo by another name. I did not learn anything new, and am actually rather disturbed that the author does not seem to credit Ryder Carroll, who created the system, at all. There are tons of people on Instagram and online with BuJo spreads if you are in search of inspiration, and if you are part of this world already, you know that spreads can be as plain or as highly decorative as you like. If you are new to BuJo lookup the basics online and save yourself the cost of this book. Rating: 2 stars.

14. The Nightingale
I just knew this was not a book for me, but as it's the One Book for my town this year I decided to try it. I love historical fiction, and this has two main women characters in Nazi occupied France, one of whom is based on a real woman, so why not give it a shot. I tried both the print and audiobook, and I simply cannot continue. I found the writing awful, the characters undeveloped, and the dialogue trite, so at page 85 I'm out. Rating: 1 star.

15. The Good Thief's Guide to Vegas
Have you ever read a book where the writing was good, but the story itself was rather dull? I submit this one as Exhibit A.

I'm headed out to Vegas next week, so was in the mood for a fast and entertaining read. How could I resist that title, especially since I love Ocean's Eleven? This is a mystery of sorts. The main character, Charlie Howard, is a part-time crime writer, and part time thief, who suddenly finds himself threatened with a one-way trip into the desert. What's a guy to do?

This started out really well, but quickly got rather pedestrian. The writing is good, and there were scenes/lines that made me smile, but the characters are not well fleshed out, the mystery (a missing magician) not compelling, and the only reason I got to the end was because (a) the audiobook is superbly narrated by Simon Vance, and (b) it's a really short book. Turns out that this is the third book in a series, but I didn't find that to be my issue with it. I won't be reading the rest of this series, though must admit that I love the titles.

Since I have family in Vegas, it's a place I visit a couple of times a year, so am always in search of books set in the area. If you've got a recommendation, please do let me know. Rating: 2 stars.

Recent Reads

10. Binti (Binti #1)
I listened to the audiobook, which is well narrated by Robin Miles.

I'd heard so many wonderful things about this author, and this novella trilogy in particular, so when the final installment was published I decided to dive right in. I honestly do not understand all the hype and rave reviews. Tentacles a good sci-fi story does not make people!

This story started off well. I always like stories of girls/women who decide to buck traditions/expectations and follow their own path, so when Binti decides to do the unthinkable and leave her family and her planet and head to Uni off world I grinned in delight and settled in for the ride. And then things bogged down, and I found myself bored with this happened, and then this happened, oh no! There is really no sci-fi to speak of, and while I loved the cultural diversity and that this young woman is all into Maths, there just isn't enough character or story development in this tale for my tastes.

This novella was only two and a half hours long, and I found it a slog to get through, so I've been reluctant to pick up the rest of the series. If you've read the other books, and think the story gets back to Binti and her personal/familial angst and has less tentacle action please let me know. Rating: 2 stars.

11. The Yellow Wall-Paper
From the afterword by Elaine R. Hedges: The narrator is a woman who has been taken to the country by her husband in an effort to cure her of some undefined illness - a kind of nervous fatigue. Although her husband, a doctor, is presented as kindly and well meaning, it is soon apparent that his treatment of his wife, guided as it is by nineteenth-century attitudes towards women, is an important source of her affliction and a perhaps inadvertent but nonetheless vicious abettor of it.

This is a short story that I'd highly recommend be read in one sitting to get the full effect of the unfolding/unraveling.

First published in 1892, it's as relevant today as it was then. Yes, women have come a long way, but in some very fundamental ways we still struggle with these issues. I really liked this dark, eerie tale, and the relationships and power dynamics explored.

I knew nothing about the author, and leaning more about her life in the afterword made me both sad and happy. She was an extraordinary woman and I'll be reading more of her work. Rating: 4 stars.

12. And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer
I listened to the audiobook, which is well narrated by David Morse.

This novella is a lovely story about family, in this case a father, his son, and grandson. There is much that generations pass along and learn from each other, and in this tale the grandfather is losing his memories. The way this yarn unfolds is both moving and lyrical, and there was a moment or two that I was in tears. That's an impressive feat considering the entire book only lasts an hour. My first Backman, and it will not be my last. Rating: 4 stars.

Cinemascope: Ocean's Eleven

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2001.

Plot line: Dapper Danny Ocean (George Clooney) is a man of action. Less than 24 hours into his parole from a New Jersey penitentiary, the wry, charismatic thief is already rolling out his next plan. Following three rules: Don't hurt anybody, don't steal from anyone who doesn't deserve it, and play the game like you've got nothing to lose. Danny orchestrates the most sophisticated, elaborate casino heist in history.

I'm in Vegas this week, and this is one of my go-to movies to help set the right mood. Since I've got family there, it's a city I visit several times a year, and while this is an oldie, it's a goodie. Sure, there are plot holes large enough to drive a truck through, and Julia Roberts moves across the set in lovely clothes and high heels and does little else, but if you are in the mood for a fun heist story, spin this one up. I especially love the dynamics between Clooney and Pitt. They are like an old, affectionate married couple, and have better chemistry than most male/female relationships in movies. While I wouldn't bother with the sequels as they are awful, this one is a delight from start to finish.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is a movie worth watching.

Recent Reads

7. House of Women
Book blurb: In this graphic novel, science fiction meets psychosexual drama when four women try to bring “civilization” to the natives of a remote planet on the fringes of the known universe.

I've read a couple of other graphic novels by this author and I really like her art style. This one has lovely, stark, yet compelling black and white art, which wonderfully evokes the right mood for this dark tale.

The story is only sci-fi in the sense that it takes place on a different planet with strange flora and fauna. It's really the story of four women who set out to "civilize" a foreign population and end up rather uncivilized themselves. The women are dressed like nuns and there are religious overtones, and I liked that the four women all had different roles and personalities. What I did not appreciate is that the moment a man (with four eyes at that!) enters the scene two of the women seem to lose their minds. That old trope doesn't play well with me. They had work to do. Important work in their own eyes (ha!), and yet things fall apart over a man? Gimme a break! My other complaint is that the story isn't well developed either. What happened to the male expedition? We don't learn much about the "natives" either, though why the male human has four eyes is a a fun twist.

It's still an interesting read (not for kids), and the one I've liked best by the author. The physical book itself is a thing of beauty. Lovely dark red covers with black and gold art, and the pages are edged in black. Very cool indeed. Rating: 3 stars.

8. On a Magical Do-Nothing Day
I'm slowly making my way through The 7 Loveliest Children’s Books of 2017 as selected by brainpickings. You can see the list here.

This is the fourth picture book on the list that I've read and it's worth picking up for the art alone. The illustrations are lush and wonderfully textured. The story is about this young kid who is bored, bored bored. After the electronic gadget is accidentally dropped in the water, what is a little person to do? Good thing there are trees, and dirt, and rocks, and the whole natural world just outside to explore. I particularly liked that the gender of the kid is not easily identifiable and never mentioned.

Put down all things with an on/off switch and get outside. That's a message I can get behind. This would be a lovely read aloud story for all the littles in your life. Rating: 3 stars.

9. The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue
I listened to the audiobook, which is well narrated by Christian Coulson.

No one is more surprised than yours truly that I picked up a book with this title and that cover. I was delighted from start to finish with this romp of a read. A reminder to self to stray to shelves I don't normally browse.

This delightful tale is told from the POV of Monty, a poor rich white guy, who also happens to be self-centered and whiny. Monty is the reason this yarn works. His voice is wonderfully done. The story starts with a very hungover Monty, who after being expelled from one of the finest boarding schools in England, is being sent on a Grand Tour of Europe in the hopes that he'll man up. Monty has different ideas as to how the year will unfold, and expects to drink and party his way across the continent while flirting with his best friend, Percy, a boy he's crushing on. Yes, there is a tutor and his annoying younger sister, Felicity, in the entourage, but he fully expects to enjoy both the men and women he meets along the way. Things do not go as planned, and soon there are these strange men trying to kill them. What?!

This is such a fun ride and I enjoyed every minute of it. Sure, there are things that are a tad over the top, but this coming of age story has deeper undertones that shine through. Also, I love Felicity, and that there is to be a sequel told from her POV delights me immensely. If you are in the mood for a fun caper across Europe, this young adult book might be just the thing you are looking for. Try it and see. Rating: 4 stars.

Cinemascope: Genius

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.



Released in 2016.

Plot line: Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth star in this stirring drama about the friendship between Thomas Wolfe and editor Maxwell Perkins (who discovered F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway).

How is it that this movie did not get the buzz it deserves? If you are a fan of period pieces, of books or writers, of biography, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. The cast is wonderful, the acting really good, and I so enjoyed getting to know more about Max Perkins, and I plan on reading the book this is based on.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.

Recent Reads

4. Big Wolf and Little Wolf
I'm slowly making my way through The 7 Loveliest Children’s Books of 2017 as selected by brainpickings. You can see the list here.

This is the third picture book on the list that I've read and it's a cute story about being happy with your current life, but then something happens that you are unsure of at first, and then you realize that some changes are a wonderful thing after all. The art is sketchy, cute, and colorful. This would be a lovely read aloud story for all the littles in your life. Rating: 3 stars.

5. Song of Susannah (The Dark Tower #6)
2.5 stars.
I listened to the audiobook, which is wonderfully narrated by George Guidall.

I'm on The Dark Tower ride, but this, the sixth installment, is the weakest in the series so far. There isn't much that I can say without spoilers, so all I'll say is that there are interesting sections, some of the new characters are interesting, but the way King inserted himself into this story was ridiculous and over the top. You've got to be kidding me King. Do not waste the time of your constant readers. Rating: 2 stars.

6. Going Into Town: A Love Letter to New York
Book blurb: Roz Chast's new graphic memoir is a hilarious illustrated ode/guide/ thank-you note to Manhattan.

I love reading travel and insider guides to places I visit, and this one, while neither, is a real delight. This fun and quirky love letter to Manhattan is a quick and informative read. Highly recommended to anyone who plans to visit, and a wonderful trip down memory lane for those of us who love the city. Rating: 4 stars.

Cinemascope: Broadchurch (Seasons 1 thru 3)

Cinemascope is a regular blog post where I will share with you movies and TV shows I think are worth watching.

Released in 2013 - 2017.

Plot line: When the corpse of an 11-year-old British boy, Danny Latimer, is found bloodied and dirty on an idyllic beach, a small Dorset community becomes the focus of a police investigation and media madness. Out-of-town Detective Inspector Alec Hardy gets the point position over Detective Sgt. Ellie Miller, who feels the job should have been hers. Now she must engage in an efficient working relationship with taciturn Hardy. Slowly, more members of the community of Broadchurch are drawn into the investigation, with a telephone engineer drawing great attention when he admits to a special connection to the case. While dealing with so much unwelcome attention, Danny's family tries to cope with its grief. When a suspect is named and charged, the ensuing trial sees the defendant promising to expose more of the townspeople's secrets.

I'm late to this party, but when I heard the main female lead had been selected to continue on as QE2 in The Crown, figured it was time to get familiar with her body of work. This is a police procedural, but the story unfolds over the season. I really like the exploration of small town dynamics, and how everyone has something to hide. Everyone. I watched this on Netflix, and as I've said before, I really love being able to watch TV from other parts of the world, as they have such a different styles of telling a story.

You can see the trailer here. If you have yet to see it, this is TV worth watching.