Book Chat - 11/16/2023

I’m back from the beach and am gearing up for the holidays. First, there’s Thanksgiving and I’m expecting a crowd. We’re eating out though - I’m not crazy!

Matchmaking for Beginners by Maddie Dawson

Marnie meets her fiancé’s matchmaking great-aunt and her life takes a turn she didn’t imagine. It was a delightful read.

Here’s to Us by Elin Hilderbrand

A celebrity chef dies, leaving behind three wives (2 are exes), his children and his best friend. All gather at Deacon’s Nantucket beach house for his send-off. It’s quite the bumpy ride. I liked it.

The Identicals by Elin Hilderbrand

One twin lives on Nantucket and one lives on Martha’s Vineyard. Their sibling rivalry is tested after their father dies and their mother sustains a fall. It was good.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 11/13/2023

I need to get to the theater - there’s some films that look promising. In the meantime, the treasure trove of movies on streaming platforms is immense!

I enjoyed watching Bombshell, the documentary about Hedy Lamarr. She really was beautiful. I didn’t realize that they used her face for Snow White in the Disney cartoon. I did know that she invented a technology that was used to develop WiFi and Bluetooth, among others.

Many good actors star in The Estate - Toni Collette, Anna Farris, David Duchovny, Kathleen Turner, Rosemarie Dewitt and Ron Livingston - but are they enough to carry this film? Cousins compete for beneficiary status of their wealthy aunt’s estate. At times, it was funny but the characters were sad. Maybe, that was the point. Meh.

Tom Petty: Somewhere You Feel Free - The Making of Wildflowers It’s entertaining to watch behind-the-scenes footage and present day interviews of the making of an album. Petty was a gifted songwriter and musician. I think he’s very missed in this world. There are more documentaries of him out there. I will be watching.

Recent streaming

Fisk - Netflix

MK out.

FO Friday - 11/10/2023

Hey everybody! My Birthday Season is drawing to a close. It’s been a good one. I’ve spent time with people I love, done some girlfriend trips, eaten good food - life is good!

I have a thing I finished:

I made this quilt for the condo and I’m really happy with how it turned out. The top had been complete for several months. I was waiting to take all the long arm instruction and do some practicing before I tackled the quilting part on this one. 

Have a great weekend!

MK out.

Book Chat - 11/9/2023

I’m back at the beach. As you will see, I did read one that applies. I’m trying to slow down and savor the rest of the books, because Ms. Hilderbrand is putting away her writing implements soon.

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

A mother tells her daughters the story of her past. It was quietly good.

American Princess by Stephanie Marie Thornton

What to say about this book…It’s a novel about Alice Roosevelt, but it was rather dry. It could’ve used some poetic license. A factual biography of her life would have been more exciting. Eh.

The Rumor by Elin Hilderbrand

Using her best friend’s secret as the subject of her latest novel threatens a writer’s relationship with this friend. It was good- Elin good.

MK out.

Book Chat - 11/1/2023

I don’t know what I want to do with my life, but in the meantime, I will keep reading.

The Crossroads of Should and Must by Elle Luna

A fun, inspirational book about finding your calling and passion. 

The Direction of the Wind by Mansi Shah

When her father dies, Sophie learns that the mother she thought long dead is still alive. She travels from India to Paris in search of her. It was good.

The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See

A young girl, with her family, farm tea in a remote mountain village in China. An opportunity to become educated changes the trajectory of her life dramatically. I liked it.

Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One by Raphaélle Giordano

A middle aged woman, who despite having many blessings, learns the diagnosis of her unhappiness - it’s acute routinitis. The definition is “finding it hard to feel happy despite an abundance of material wealth, a feeling of disillusionment and lethargy, amongst other things.” It was a delightful read.

A Star is Bored by Byron Lane

Charlie goes on a job interview billed as helping a famous star pen her memoir, but the job is much more than that. It was cute.

MK out. 

Movie Monday - 10/17/2023

Lordy, Y’all! The Birthday Season has been very busy. Movies have been low on the list, but then, there haven’t been any worth seeing lately.

I checked online just now to see if there’s any buzz for the Oscars. Hoards of films that I don’t think have been released are listed. Hopefully, theaters will get busy!

In the meantime, I’m watching a myriad of things on my streaming services - movies and shows.

Why did Keri Russell star in Cocaine Bear? It was loosely based on real bear attacks, but the film was stupid. I do not recommend.

Your Place or Mine, has best friends Debbie (Reece Witherspoon) and Peter (Ashton Kutcher) switching houses for a week. She has to be out of town for a class and he volunteers to watch her son while she’s away. It was predictable, but cute.

Steven Carell stars in Welcome to Marwen, a film based on the true story of Mark Hogencamp, who was brutally assaulted. He created a fictional village to help him deal with the trauma and his PTSD. It was good.

Streamed Series - 

Minx Season 2 - Starz

Only Murders in the Building Season 3 - Hulu

MK out.

 

Movie Monday - 10/2/2023

Hallmark’s Countdown to Christmas is starting in a few weeks. I’ll be watching most, if not all the premieres. The last couple of year’s worth made challenging to watch - there are too many new ones made per year!!!

The Dig, starting Carey Mulligan and Ralph Fiennes is adapted from a novel with the same  name that was inspired by true events. It tells the story of the excavation of the Great Ship Burial at Sutton Hoo. 

In Everything About Her, a high powered woman executive learns the hard way what should be more important in life. Vilma Santos-Recto, Angel Locsin and Xian Lim star in this heartwarming film in Filipino with English subtitles. It was very good. 

Good Streamers:

Seaside Hotel - PBS Passport - It is one of the best shows I’ve watched since A Place to Call Home. It’s a must watch!

World on Fire - PBS Passport 

Virgin River Season 5, Part 1 - Netflix

MK out.