Book Chat - 9/23/2021

The theme for this week is congenital abnormalities.

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

Sam Hill was born with red eyes. Going to a Catholic church and school was no easy feat when one’s affliction brings Satan to the minds of others. Only his mother thinks that Sam is destined to do great things. Sam is not so sure. I really enjoyed this book.

The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson

A young librarian, who happens to be one of the Blue People of Kentucky, spends her days delivering books to poor people in her community. We learn that she was born with a condition that basically robs her tissues of oxygen. While the good people of town (and some of her patrons until they get to know her) are less than neighborly towards her, she goes above and beyond to help those on her route. It was really good.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 9/20/2021

 Another week is behind us. While the dash has been busy, I made myself watch some movies.

Edie is finally a widow after caring for her husband for many years. Thirty years prior, he wouldn’t let her go on a climbing trip with her father in the Scottish Highlands. Now that he’s gone, Edie’s daughter wants to put her in assisted living, but Edie is thinking about going on that trip. It was good.

The Last Black Man in San Francisco, a partially autobiographical story, was written by Jimmie Fails. He also stars in the film which is about a young man trying to take back the house in which he grew up. It was alright.

Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan star Ammonite. Mary Anning (Winslet) and Charlotte Murchison (Ronan) were real people. Anning was a famous paleontologist and Murchison was a geologist back in the day. The two did become lifelong friends. Where Hollywood comes in - Anning was a fossil-hunter, Murchison was not a geologist. The two have an affair when Murchison’s husband practically forced her to stay with Anning to recuperate from a terrible loss. It was pretty good.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 9/13/2021

I didn’t watch seven, but I did get to see a few movies this week.

Another Round is set in Denmark with English subtitles. Four teachers are bored with life; so, they set out to see if keeping their blood alcohol content constant would improve conditions. It was smartly acted. Mass Mikkelsen stars in this cute dramedy. I liked it very much!

Kid 90 is a documentary comprising videos that Soleil Moon Frye filmed over the majority of her young life. One thing I noticed while watching is that quite a few of her friends died. How sad. It was interesting.

Judi Dench stars in Red Joan and it’s based on a true story. She plays a widow who one day finds herself being arrested for treason by the British Secret Service. Great performances and great cast. It was good.

The documentary Misha and the Wolves is about a woman who was a hidden child during the Holocaust. She took it on herself to find her parents; so, she set off on foot through many miles of forests. She recounts that a pack of wolves protected her. She wrote a memoir that was so popular that a movie was made. Was it real, or was it Memorex? It’s a fascinating film.

Something to binge

The Chair - Netflix

MK out.

Book Chat - 9/9/2021

To switch things up a bit, I read something besides a beach read.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris

Nella is the only Black person at a publishing house until Hazel is hired. The two become fast friends until Hazel becomes the favored employee and Nella starts getting threatening notes. It was very good.

MK out.