Book Chat - 10/24/2024

Coming in late, but better than never are the books I read in August.

 

Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson

The author writes about her nonconventional upbringing, in rural Texas, no less. She is a blogger with some degree of fame, allegedly. I read the whole thing, thinking cohesiveness might make an appearance, but it never did. It was bizarre, but her upbringing was bizarre. Meh.

 

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

This book is the first of four by Ferrante (which happens to be a pseudonym) about life in Naples, Italy. Set in the 1950s, the story follows the lives of two girls who are very close. The book was adapted into a series by HBO with four seasons, one for each of the books. The series is named after the first one. The plot structure is a little wonky. There are many characters of which to keep track. Overall, it was good.

 

The Next Mrs. Parrish by Liv Constantine 

The delicious story of betrayal and justice continues, and although not quite as good as the first one, it is still an enjoyable read. I liked it.

 

Natural Selection by Elin Hilderbrand

I was able to read this new short story before I read the last book set on Nantucket Island. Sophia and her boyfriend are all set to go on a cruise to the Galápagos Islands together, until he bails at the last minute. It was good.

 

That’s all for now.

 MK out.

 

 

Movie Monday 10/14/2024

Hey, hey Peeps! Lots is always going on around here; so, movie watching hasn’t been a priority lately. I did watch one film this past week.

 

The Last of the Sea Women is a documentary about the Haenyeo divers on Jeju Island in South Korea who harvest seafood without diving gear – just their own breath. I talked about a novel here by Lisa See based on these women, The Island of Sea Women. The film explores how their livelihood is facing extinction. It’s a dangerous job and less people are willing to risk their lives to gather sea creatures. It was interesting.

MK out.

Book Chat - 10/3/2024

I promised y’all I would discuss the books I read in July a couple of years ago. Here they are:

 

Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez

Two people, unlucky in love, make a pact to date for the summer and then move on to find their happily ever afters. If that sounds cryptic, read the book and it will make all kinds of sense. I don’t want to give too much away. It was pretty good.

 

It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover

This book is the sequel to It Ends with Us and picks up where the first one left off. Can Lily overcome her ex-husband’s hold? Will she be able to live the rest of her life fully and peacefully? It was very good.

 

The Last Time I Saw You by Liv Constantine

A woman’s mother is found murdered. She reaches out to her estranged best friend for help. The two of them try to solve the mystery of who killed the mother. It was alright. I’ve enjoyed their other books more.

 

Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger

This novel has nothing to do with music. The reference to green grass in the title has to do with appearances and perceptions. A man is arrested for attempting to buy his daughter admission into a prominent university. It was pretty good.

 

The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

I so enjoyed reading Elin’s next to last book set on Nantucket Island. I will be sad after I finish the last one. After her husband dies, a woman wants to gather her friends from different stages of her life to share a special weekend on Nantucket. It was so good.

 

I read four books in August. Stay tuned.

 

MK out.