Movie Monday - 12/19/2022

I’m watching those recorded Hallmark Christmas movies, but I’m nowhere near caught up. I really enjoyed Inventing the Christmas Prince and The Royal Nanny so far.

In other news - What can I say about The Menu besides it was bizarre? The acting was very good - Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy star in this very dark comedy. Twelve people are invited to an exclusive restaurant on a secluded island for an evening of great food. Soon, we find out that the menu includes some big surprises. I’m usually in for dark comedies, but this one was a little too much for me.

RECENT BINGES:

White Lotus Season 2 -  HBOMax

Firefly Lane Season 2 - Netflix

MK out.

Movie Monday - 11/28/2022

We were on a short trip and then there was Thanksgiving; so, it was hard to watch Hallmark Christmas movies, let alone regular ones.

I had heard good buzz about Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. It’s about a woman trying to finish her taxes, but who is pulled into parallel universes to fight negative forces while she figures out what is really important. Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Lee Curtis star. It was different.

Recent Binges:

The Handmaid’s Tale - Season 5

The Vow - Season 2

Dead to Me - Season 3

The Crown - Season 5

MK out.

Book Chat - 11/24/2022

I have noticed that Elin Hilderbrand’s books are not all written in the same way, nor are they formulaic. In The Love Season, Marguerite hasn’t seen her goddaughter Renata in many years. The girl has come to Nantucket with her fiancé and wants to meet with Marguerite to find out more about her mother. Candace had been Marguerite’s best friend, but she was tragically killed when Renata was a young girl. The action of the book takes place over the course of one day, but we get the backstory from Marguerite’s recollections. It was very good. 

Happy Thanksgiving to my three readers! I had a great day - we hosted our family at the club. No cook, no clean up. Merry Karma was happy, as evidenced by this shot:

MK out.

 

Book Chat - 11/17:2022

I figured out why I’ve been reading so many books. I walk on the treadmill for an hour on most days. Doh!

Out of the Clear Blue Sky by Kristan Higgins

Just when her son is graduating from high school, a woman finds out her husband is leaving her for another woman. The story is told by the point of view of the woman and the other woman. It was good - plus, it’s set in Cape Cod.

The Vibrant Years by Sonali Dev

Three generations of women come together to create the perfect add on for dating apps, while learning more about themselves in the process. Set in the beautiful beach town of Naples, Florida, Bhindu inherits a fortune from a man in her past. She uses the money to live out loud and sets an example for her daughter-in-law and granddaughter. It was delightful!

The Blue Bistro by Elin Hilderbrand

But is it a love triangle? A woman needing a job is hired by a restaurant owner to be the assistant manager over the summer season. Sparks are flying, but he has a deep connection to the chef and co-owner of the restaurant. It was very good.

And to break from the beach theme:

Well Behaved Wives by Amy Sue Nath

Great story set in the early 1960s. A group of ladies meet and become friends in an etiquette class. Women’s empowerment is put to the test against the social constraints of the time. It was good.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 11/14/2022

I love watching Lesley Manville in her roles. Fortunately for me, she’s working a lot right now. I have Magpie Murders on my list to watch, and I noticed she’s playing Princess Margaret in this season of The Crown.

In Mrs. Harris Girls to Paris, Lesley Manville plays a widowed cleaner who aspires to own a Dior gown. It was delightful!

MK out.

Book Chat - 11/10/2022

I’ve read FIFTY books so far this year without thinking about it. Maybe, I need a life!

Someone Else’s Secret by Julia Spiro

Set in Martha’s Vineyard, this story follows a young woman who takes a nanny job for a wealthy family who can help her find a job in her field. The act of protecting the daughter in the family from a situation has repercussions later down the road. It was good.

Summer People by Elin Hilderbrand

Despite being one of her earlier books, Hilderbrand really takes off with this one. A recent widow packs up her 17-year-old twins, another teen who is virtually a stranger and heads to Nantucket Island for the summer. It was a very good read.

He Gets That From Me by Jacqueline Friedland

A woman sees an ad about becoming a gestational carrier, which she considers as a way to help her financial situation. It brings up an interesting twist that keeps the reader engaged. The ending didn’t ring very true to me, but it was good overall.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 11/7/2022

It’s “based on a true story” week.

First up, God Forbid: The Sex Scandal That Brought Down a Dynasty is a documentary about  Jerry Falwell, Jr. and his wife who had recruited a young guy to join them in their bedroom exploits. It was quite entertaining. 

In The Good Nurse, we learn about Charles Cullen, a nurse who is suspected of killing over 400 patients. Jessica Chastain plays the title character, who helped bring him to justice. He remains in jail serving several life sentences. What a creeper!

MK out.

Book Chat - 11/3/2022

It’s interesting how I am still enjoying beach reads, while simultaneously watching Hallmark Christmas movies. I guess I’m a complicated individual.

We Were Mothers by Katie Sise

A birthday party, a missing person, a college girl’s journal - all (and more) add up to many secrets being revealed. I liked this book.

The Many Daughters of Afong Moy by Jamie Ford

A woman undergoes therapy to treat the trauma she inherited from all the women in her past. It was good.

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

Eudora is old and is ready to die on her terms. And then a new family moves in next door with a little girl who is as bright and loud as her retina searing outfits. It was a delightful read.

Summer of ‘69 by Elin Hilderbrand

Elin did not disappoint with this story about a family who summers at their vacation home on Nantucket Island. It’s 1969 - the moon landing, Woodstock and the Viet Nam war make appearances. It was very good.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 10/24/2022

Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas has started, and after the first weekend, I have 4 movies to watch this week. There are tons of other “real” movies I want to watch, but there are only so many hours in a day. I only watched one real movie in the past week, and it’s set during Christmas. Oy!

Single All the Way was about a guy who had been looking for love in all the wrong places. His family, though, sees that the perfect person for him is right there in front of him. Will he ever see it? It was cute.

Recent Binges:

Pieces of Her - Netflix

MK out.

Movie Monday - 10/17/2022

Let’s get to it.

Mila Kunis stars in Luckiest Girl Alive, a film adapted from a book of the same name. I haven’t read the book; so, I cannot comment on the quality of the adaptation. A woman has built a new life to distance herself from a tragedy in her past, and then events bring it all back. There definitely was a theme of women empowerment, but the delivery lacked something. It was alright.

Britt-Marie Was Here tells the story of a faithful wife who finds out her husband is cheating on her. They separate, and she goes out and seeks employment. She is hired to manage a youth center that will soon close and to coach a soccer team of at risk youngsters. It was very good.

Recent Binges:

Flowers - Netflix

Bad Sisters - AppleTV

Conversations with Friends - Hulu

MK out.

Book Chat - 10/13/2022

I’ve tried to read a little every day - some days I’m more successful than others. 

The It Girl by Ruth Ware

A popular girl is murdered near the end of the college term. Her roommate helps the case against the man who was ultimately convicted. Fast forward several years and the man dies in jail, but new questions about his innocence arise. It was good.

Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand

Three longtime friends share a 20-year ritual on the beach. At the latest get together, one of them goes into the water but doesn’t come out. The events that follow test the bonds of friendship between the survivors. It was another good beach read.

My Policeman by Bethan Roberts 

The story centers around a woman, her husband and his lover. The book is being adapted, with Harry Stiles starring in the movie. It was good.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 10/03/2022

The Birthday Season is going strong! I’ve been meeting up with friends for lunch or dinner two or three times a week. It’s fun to spend time with my peeps.

My Favorite Girlfriend is about a guy with a girlfriend who has multiple personalities. Bonnie Piesse plays the girlfriend. She basically played five roles in one movie; superbly, I might add. The movie was cute, but not very substantive.

I’ve been waiting to watch Where the Crawdads Sing since I heard that the book was being made into a movie. The film is a really good adaptation. An abandoned girl raises herself in the marshlands of North Carolina. That’s all I will say. It was so good!

Harry Stiles and Olivia Wilde star in Don’t Worry Darling about a utopian society that reminded me a bit of The Stepford Wives. It was different, but entertaining.

Recent Binges

Hotel Portifino - PBS Passport

Ladies of Letters - PBS Passport

Today is the actual special day of the season and my man sent me some beautiful flowers for the occasion:

MK out.

Book Chat - 9/8/2022

Back to reality for a while. I probably won’t be reading as much since The Birthday Season is about to start, and then The Holidays are right around the corner. Things are about to get wild at Chez Merry Karma…

I have read 40 books so far this year. My goal was twenty-four. I think I’ve earned the right to coast to the end of the year.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

Guests gather on a secluded Irish island for a wedding between a handsome television star and a beautiful magazine publisher. The wedding has been planned down to the last lavish detail, except for the corpse who turns up during the reception. It was good!

MK out.

Movie Monday - 9/6/2022

The redecorating project continues without me. 

I watched the HBO documentary, The Princess. Princess Diana’s story is told exclusively through audio recordings and video footage of interviews and events during her life. It brought so much back for me, especially the tragedy of her death. It was good.

MK out.

Book Chat - 9/1/2022

I do love beach reads. I do love the beach. I decided I want to read all of Elin Hilderbrand’s books at some point.

The Beach Club by Elin Hilderbrand 

It’s the first of her books set in Nantucket. The story centers around the owners, staff and guests of the exclusive Nantucket Beach Club and Hotel. The story is character driven and is a good read. I liked it.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 8/29/2022

Still redecorating. I watched one movie on Netflix.

In Hampstead, Diane Kenton plays an American widow who meets a curmudgeon (Brendon Gleason) living off the land. They strike up an unlikely relationship. Lesley Manville also stars. It’s cute!

MK out.

Book Chat - 8/25/2022

On this pseudo vacation, there’s more work going on than vacationing, but I’m for sure grabbing what I can when I can.

That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam 

It’s not a suspenseful page-turner, but it’s a timely story about a woman who adopts her African American nanny’s baby when the nanny dies in childbirth. I liked it.

The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand

I’d call her The Queen of Beach Reads as she has been churning out a book (most, if not all set on Nantucket Island) a year for the last twenty or so. This one set in a hotel that has a real life counterpart on the island, the Nantucket Hotel and Resort. It includes references to a couple of Nantucket businesses. There’s mystery; there’s romance; there’s a beach. Loved it.

The dichotomy:

MK out.

Movie Monday - 8/22/2022

Currently busy with redecorating, but have managed to watch two films at the theater.

Tom Cruise returns to reprise his role in Top Gun: Maverick. Instead of being the hotshot fighter pilot, he is now the aged, experienced flyer who is tasked with imparting his knowledge on the next generation. One has to suspend a good bit of belief, but it was highly entertaining.

In Mack & Rita, 30-yr-old Mack has always felt she was an old woman in a young woman’s body. Again, suspending belief, she morphs to look like an older woman (played by Diane Keaton) on the outside. It was cute.

MK out.

Book Chat - 8/18/2022

I’m back on the road, but probably won’t read as many books this time.

The Push by Ashley Audrain

OMG! I read this book in one day and it took under 10 hours. I don’t know how to summarize the story without giving things away. I will say, it’s about a mother having trouble bonding with her newborn. She starts to feel that something is wrong with the child. That’s all I will say. Read it!

MK out.

Movie Monday - 8/15/2022

Still bingeing and reading and engaging in other dash worthy activities, whatever they may be.

Set in WWII, Summerland is a sweet film. A woman is coerced into caring for a child moved out of London for safekeeping during the war. It’s all much to her chagrin. Loved it.

Recent Binges:

Hacks - HBOMax

MK out.

Book Chat - 8/11/2022

I’ve slowed down with reading lately. Don’t ask me what is taking up all my time because I don’t know.

A recent read:

Golden Girl by Elin Hilderbrand

This novel is a beach read in more ways than one. It’s set in a beach town, written by a foremost beach read Queen and tells a juicy story. A mom watches her kids try to navigate life 

without her. I liked it.

A couple I read a while back:

The Designer by Marius Gabriel

A delightful imagining of the discovery of Christian Dior. It was good.

The Dressmaker’s Gift by Fiona Valpy

Three seamstresses having to make dire choices survive WWII. Decades later, the granddaughter of one returns to Paris to find out more about her grandmother. It was very good.

MK out.

WIP Wednesday - 8/10/2022

Despite having several things on the needles, I bought a skein of souvenirs yarn from The Loopy Ewe last month while we were on our driving trip around the Canadian and US Rockies.

I started a cowl and I’m currently only about halfway finished. 

If I’d ever sit down to knit, it could be finished rather quickly!

MK out.

Movie Monday - 8/8/2022

I’m still bingeing series more than watching movies these days. I try to watch only one or two epis per day, but that is hard sometimes.

Downton Abbey: A New Era is delightful and will not disappoint the fans. All of the favorite characters are back and in full swing, dividing and conquering the story threads. Part of the family goes to France to accept the villa left to Granny Violet. The rest stay in Downton and rent the house to a film making operation to help offset the cost of needed repairs. A little mayhem ensues and it’s all in jolly good fun. I loved it!

Recent Binges:

Keep Sweet Pray and Obey - Netflix

MK out.

Book Chat - 7/28/2022

We are just back from our driving trip; so, here are the final books I read on the road:

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Set in the 1960s, a scientist has to work within the system to gain validation for herself. It’s the same old, same old that women have been (and are still) fighting for centuries. It’s not as heavy as I’m making it sound. It’s humorous and it’s a delightful read.

The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin 

A dying 17-year-old girl and an 83-year-old woman meet in a hospital art class. They learn many life lessons from each other. It was very good.

Razorblade Tears by SA Cosby

Two ex-con dads go looking for the murderers of their sons. Gripping!

MK out.

Book Chat - 7/21/2022

More books read on the trip:

Valencia and Valentine by Suzy Krause

The book is about two women, one young and one old. The young one suffered from OCD and the old one has imaginary friends. The writing is very good and the story keeps the reader engaged and wanting to know what happens next. It was cute.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

An historical novel based on true events, two concentration camp prisoners navigate their new realities vowing to survive to live the rest of their lives in a better world. It was very good.

MK out.

Book Chat - 7/14/2022

We are on a driving trip. I’ve read some really good books so far.

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

In the early 1920s, wealthy Osage Indians were being murdered. It finally took a new crop of federal investigators to solve the crimes. This group was the birth of what we now know as the FBI. Very good nonfiction book.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Written in an interview/documentary style, the novel is about a rock-n-roll band that acquired a female lead singer. She is highly reminiscent of Stevie Nicks. It is very good.

Seven Days of Friday by Alex A. King

Greek American Vivi’s (shirt for Paraskevi) marriage has fallen apart. Between her mother’s meddling and her teenager’s sullen attitude, it’s time for a change. She up and moves to her parents’ village in Greece. It’s a beach read, but most enjoyable. Maybe, because I could relate to a lot of it.

Saving Sandcastles by Meredith Summers

A pastry baker in a small seaside town feels threatened by the bread store opening across the street. She and her two best friends help each other navigate their issues. Another beach read and it’s cute.

Adulting by Liz Talley

This rom-com is about a drugged out actress who was sent to rehab yet again. The producer of her next film needs to insure her, but in order to do that, the rehab will have to stick. It was cute.

Here’s one I read a while back:

Honeysuckle Season by Mary Ellen Taylor

A photographer is asked to photograph a wedding at an historic estate. She has memories of visiting the property with her mother when she was very young. Soon she discovers family secrets that tie to the present. It was good.

MK out.

Book Chat - 7/7/2022

 Last week, I finished my 24th novel this year. My goal was to read 24 over the whole year. These days, under committing is so much less stressful; so, I’m gonna roll with that. I’m quite behind in sharing them here, but I hope to catch up over the next few weeks.

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

I loved this book - the characters are wonderful. It’s a bit science fictionish - one of the main characters is an octopus who has special abilities. Again, I loved it.

The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See

This novel is set in Korea, from during the time of Japanese occupation to the present. The main characters are two women from different backgrounds who had become closer than sisters. Of course, it’s not all ribbons and bows given the time period and political upheaval, plus secrets tear the young women apart. It was very good.

The Round House by Louise Erdrich

A teenaged boy sets out to seek revenge for the brutal attack on his mother. It was good!

That’s it for now.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 7/4/2022

It’s not good film season yet but some movies worth seeing are being released.

Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas Star in Official Competition, one of the artsiest films I’ve watched in a while. It's in Spanish with English subtitles. A wealthy man wants to leave something behind to always be remembered. He hires an avant-garde filmmaker (Cruz) to direct a movie that he will produce. Banderas plays one of the actors she casts in the film. The acting and the characters were very good. The story didn’t come together as well as it could have. It was, however, entertaining.

Recently Binged:

The First Lady - Showtime/Hulu

Happy Firework’s Day!!!

MK out.

Book Chat - 6/23/2022

I’ve read a few more books than I’m mentioning today. It’s been a bookish few months.

The Stranger in the Lifeboat by Mitch Albom 

After a boat explosion, nine people end up on a lifeboat. They pull a tenth person on board who claims to be God, but is he? 

Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

A woman is convinced that her husband is trying to murder her and enlists her cousin to investigate. 

The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Chan

Lots of family drama and great characters drive this story of a domineering father with three sons, each trying to prove their mettle against family tradition, prejudice and culture identity.

The Divorce Party by Laura Dave

A longtime married couple who appear to be  divorcing amicably are planning a party to mark the occasion. Their son is bringing his fiancée home to meet his parents for the first time. Secrets find their ways into the light of day for both couples. It’s lighter than I’m making it sound. It was an entertaining, quick read - perfect for walking on the treadmill. 

The Drowning House by Elizabeth Black

This book is set in my beloved hometown, The G (aka Galveston, Texas). A photographer who has suffered a tragedy is asked to return to her hometown to curate an exhibit. Many secrets and mysteries are revealed. I enjoyed it, but I’m a bit prejudiced.

The Last Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine 

A woman who feels invisible but yearns for a fairytale life goes after it and the man who can provide it. That’s all I will say because this book is so delicious - I don’t want to give away any juicy details. I hear it’s going to be made into a movie, as I can’t wait!

MK out.

Movie Monday - 6/13/2022

Oh, yeah - movies.

In Cry Macho, Clint Eastwood stars as a broken down former rodeo star. He is tasked to go to Mexico and bring his former boss’s son back to the US. Dwight Yokum also stars. It was good.

Charming the Hearts of Men is set in the Civil Rights era and is based on true events. A socialite returns home for her father’s funeral. After finding out that the estate amounts to nothing, she sets out to find a job. She soon realizes the discrimination women face in all aspects of life. Kelsey Grammar, Anna Friel and Sean Aston star in this film. It was cute.

Recently finished watching/Binged:

Star Trek: Picard - Paramount+

Gaslit - Starz 

MK out.

Movie Monday - 5/23/2022

I haven’t been watching many movies lately. I haven’t had the headspace to devote 2 hours of my life in one sitting. Not that my schedule is filled with anything pressing. It’s seems that my screen time is taken up with streaming various series. I did watch two films recently.

A Secret Love is a documentary of a same sex couple facing health challenges in their later years. 

Carrie Pilby is an older film starring Bel Powley and Nathan Lane. Carrie (Powley) is a socially awkward prodigy who is rather stuck. Her therapist (Lane) assigns her 5 tasks to get her on the road to a happier life. It was really cute.

Good Binges and Series:

Anatomy of a Scandal - Netflix

The Way Down Part 2 - HBOMax

Call the Midwife Season 11 - PBS Passport

Outlander Season 6 - Starz

Julia - HBOMax

Inventing Anna - Netflix

MK out.

A Good Day

 I will never tire of this view.

MK out.

Movie Monday 4/25/2022

My movie watching mojo has left the building. I have been deriving much pleasure from watching episodic shows.

BUT

I watched The House of Gucci several weeks ago and forgot to share my thoughts. The film is based on true events regarding the assassination of Maurizio Gucci by a hitman hired by his ex-wife, Patrizia Reggiani. Lady Gaga did a wonderful job playing Reggiani. Adam Driver played Gucci. Al Pacino and Jared Leto also started. It was good!

Good binges:

The Dropout -Hulu

Sandition Season 2 - PBS

MK out.

Movie Monday - 4/18:2022

Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It is a documentary chronicling Rita Moreno’s incredible life. I did not know she had a relationship with Marlon Brando. It’s good.

There’s a delightful movie on Amazon Prime called Please Stand By. It’s about an autistic girl who plans to enter a contest that requires writing a properly formatted Star Trek related script. Once she painstakingly finished writing it, the next issue was getting it submitted in time. Dakota Fanning, Toni Collette and others star. I loved it.

Good binges:

The Gilded Age - HBOmax 

Bridgerton Season 2 - Netflix

The Thing About Pam - Hulu

MK out.

FO Friday - 4/9/2022

While the dash has been keeping me quite busy, it’s the mood that has kept me from knitting and sewing. I have finished a couple of little projects though:

I reclaimed the yarn from a scarf I made that I never wore. The pattern is Hat for Joy. 

This hat was made from yarn leftover from another project. The pattern is Pup Tent. 

I am currently working on a vintage sweater. It’s from a book I used way back when I first started learning how to knit from a pattern. 

MK out.

The Oscars Post 2022

The Oscars are tonight and to tell you the truth, I am not all that excited. For one thing - ten nominations for best picture is too much. Secondly, awarding some of the categories before the show and only announcing them to cut time is disappointing and disrespectful to those categories. Finally, three hosts is three too many. That’s how time can be cut from the show - skip the extra entertainment that takes away from the nitty gritty.

I have not seen Parallel Mothers at the writing of this post; so, there’s that.

I did get to see the last two movies that have been nominated for Best Picture or one of the acting awards:

In Licorice Pizza, a high schooler meets a young woman who works for the yearbook photographer and he is instantly enamored. The film tells the story of what happens next. Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman star. Bradley Cooper, Sean Penn, John C Reilly and Maya Rudolph have fun roles. It’s a cute movie with a Best Picture nomination.

Drive My Car is set in Japan and subtitled. The film has been nominated for Best Picture and Best International Feature Film. An actor/theater director is still grieving the death of his wife when he is invited to direct a multilingual adaptation of a famous play. As part of the festival’s contract, a car with driver will be provided to him. At first he balks, but after seeing that the girl assigned is a skilled driver, he relents as long as they use his car. Over time, the two share their tortured pasts as he navigates the challenges presented by directing the play. It was very good.

Now to my picks:

Best Actress - Jessica Chastain

Best Actor - Benedict Cumberbatch 

Best Supporting Actress - Ariana DuBose

Best Supporting Actor - Kodi Smit-McPhee

Best Picture - The Power of the Dog

MK out.

Movie Monday - 3/21/2022

I have three movies left to see before the Oscars. One may not be available to see until after the show, but here’s hoping.

Interesting tidbit about the 1960s West Side Story - George Chakiris (who played Bernardo) is the nephew of a close family friend. The story is about two rival street gangs in 1950s New York. One member from one group falls in love with a the sister of the other a la Romeo and Juliet. I’m not sure why the musical was adapted again. It was pretty great the first time. I was surprised that the remake maintained the 1950s setting. It begs the question again - why was it remade, especially because it’s almost exactly like the first? Maybe because it’s impossible to improve the original and Steven Spielberg really, really wanted to do it??? Despite all that, it was pretty good.

Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star in The Tragedy of Macbeth as the title character and his wife. We all know the story - A trio of witches predict that Macbeth will be King and Lady Macbeth is going to make sure it happens. I very much appreciated that the set design didn’t make it look like a stage play. It flowed well and kept my interest.  I liked it.

In The French Dispatch, the story of the last issue of a fictional newspaper is told in three vignettes. Wes Anderson is a master of quirky characters and perspectives askew. The large ensemble cast includes Tilda Swinton, Bill Murray, Benicio Del Toro, Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet and Owen Wilson. It was good.

Recently binged:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Season 4 - Prime

All Creatures Great and Small Season 2 - PBS

MK out.

Book Chat - 3/10/2022

I have two books to mention this week.

The Storyteller by Dave Grohl

I enjoyed reading the autobiography (so far) of this talented musician. From punk rock garage bands to Nirvana to the Foo Fighters, Dave has some stories to tell. 

The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan

Imagine a world where the tiniest lapse in judgement could send a person to parenting school. Imagine an institution that subjectively infers feeling and intent in its exercises to become a good parent. It reminded me a bit of The Handmaid’s Tale. This rather dystopian novel horrified me, but it was good.

MK out.

Book Chat - 3/3/2022

I just finished reading Normal People by Sally Rooney. I still don’t like her writing style, as previously mentioned when discussing Conversations With Friends, but I felt more invested in this story. I wanted to slap the main characters a few times. Communication breakdown and trust issues were themes winding throughout the book. The ending wasn’t very satisfying, but it left what happens next wide open. There’s a series on Hulu based on the book. I can’t decide if I will watch it. Overall, I liked the book.

MK out.