Book Chat - 3/6/2025

I read many books in the month of February. Here’s a few:

The Autumn of Ruth Winters by Marshall Fine

Ruth Winters doesn’t think there’s much for which to look forward in the remaining years of her life. She’s retired and widowed. To fill her time she has been babysitting for the young mothers in her neighborhood. Then, a couple of blast from her past come calling. It was such a delightful read.

The Fall Risk by Abby Jiminez

A woman with a stalker, meets her across the breezeway neighbor when a construction company mistakenly demolishes the staircase leading to their apartments. Spark start flying between between the two, while they wait out the days it will be before a new staircase can be built. I enjoyed reading this novella.

Lucy by the Sea by Elizabeth Strout 

Covid is coming, and William, Lucy‘s ex, whisks her way to Maine to wait out lockdown. Lucy is grieving the death of her second husband, David William is struggling with the separation from his youngest daughter, Brigitte. Together, they forge a new relationship and enjoy the company of Bob Burgess and his wife, Margaret. We learn more about the foursome and the other usual suspects in the Amgash Series. It was good.

Friends with Secrets by Christine Gunderson

Ainsley, the perfect wife and mother, and Nikki, the perfect mess seem an unlikely pair. The two come together to solve a situation that has a risen in Ainsley‘s life. It was a fun read.

Bummer Camp by Ann Garvin

Cat is summoned back to put out fires in the family business, despite having spent years distancing herself from it. Can she save the day? It’s quite the tall order. It was cute.

In the Company of Men by Carolyn Finch

In this historical novel, Etta Lynne lands a teaching job that was supposed to go to a man. The previous teacher was seemingly abducted, and until her whereabouts are known, the town wants to safeguard the womenfolk. Can she maintain her position, while enduring all kinds of discrimination and harassment? It was pretty good.

Hopefully, next week I will tell you about more.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 3/3/2025

The Oscars have come and gone. I was in the air, coming home from a little trip to NZ during the broadcast. Of course, I’ve caught up on the results. I don’t feel one way or the other about them. As I’ve said many times - ten nominees for Best Picture is just too many, but the Academy doesn’t listen. In the acting categories, some years, there are clear winners. In other years, it’s hard to choose between two people. Sometimes, all of the members in the field are equally good or equally bad. Anyway, I’m not super sad about missing the show - I just like watching movies.

One thing I did get to do on my 13 hour flight - I watched 3 movies!

Nickel Boys is about a young, Black man who was sentenced Nickel Academy for no real good reason, but this film is set in the Jim Crow 1960s; so, there’s that. He’s a bright person, who tries to remain optimistic. He befriends another resident, who tries to give him tips for survival in their abusive environment. It was sad to watch, but well acted. The film was nominated for 2 Oscars, incidentally. One was for Best Picture. It was good.

In Saturday Night, we get to see everything it took to get the first episode of the iconic show on the air for the first episode. The casting company did a pretty good job choosing the actors to play the principals - especially for Lorne Michaels, John Belushi and Garrett Morris. The movie is quite entertaining.

Saoirse Ronan plays a troubled young woman who wants to better her life in The Outrun. She leaves the fast environment of London to return to her hometown on the Orkney Islands of Scotland. There are challenges there too - her bipolar father, her very religious mother and the weather. Let’s not forget the weather. It is a beautifully shot, poignant film. I liked it.

Recent Streamer:

Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke - Hulu

Enjoy the rest of the week.

MK out.