Book Review = Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Title: Mexican Gothic
Author: Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Genre: Horror/ Historical Fiction
Published: 2020
 
Description: After receiving a frantic letter from her newly-wed cousin begging for someone to save her from a mysterious doom, Noemi Taboada heads to High Place, a distant house in the Mexican countryside. She’s not sure what she will find – her cousin’s husband, a handsome Englishman, is a stranger, and Noemi knows little about the region.
 
Noemi is also an unlikely rescuer: She’s a glamorous debutante, and her chich gowns and perfect red lipstick are more suited for cocktail parties than amateur sleuthing. But she’s also tough and smart, with an indomitable will, and she is not afraid: Not of her cousin’s new husband, who is both menacing and alluring; not of his father, the ancient patriarch who seems to be fascinated by Noemi; and not even of the house itself, which begins to invade Noemi’s dreams with visions of blood and doom.

Her only ally in this inhospitable abode is the family’s youngest son. Shy and gentle, he seems to want to help Noemi, but might also be hiding dark knowledge of his family’s past. The family’s once colossal wealth and faded mining empire kept them from prying eyes, but as Noemi digs deeper she unearths stories of violence and madness.
 
And Noemi, mesmerized by the terrifying yet seductive world of High Place, may soon find it impossible to ever leave this enigmatic house behind.
 
Review: “Mexican Gothic” is a mix of a traditional folklore and feminine bravado and has an aftertaste. With this story, author Silvia Moreno-Garcia won the GoodReads choice award for best horror novel.
 
The story is set in 1950s Mexico. It’s a classic haunted house story with all the elements to go with it. An old mansion, a troubled family, secrets and mystery. Noemi Taboada receives a disturbing letter from her cousin Catalina, who lives in this mansion called High Place, with her new husband. She writes she is being poisoned, she hears whispers in the night and believes the house is haunted. Only Noemi can save her, so she sets ou for High Place to find out what is going on.
 
I always love a creepy, gothic setting. This book isn’t very  innovative within the gothic genre; it follows the well-known paths. Which makes it a tad predictable. But Moreno-Garcia does something with the plot, by putting in some nice twists on a classic genre.
 
The atmosphere is very present, you constantly have this eerie, ominous feel. Which is mostly because of the great scene setting in the book. You can picture the mansion very easily. I love a story with a strange family that has secrets, this was very well done.
 
I do believe the book went on a tad too long. There was this really exciting part in the book, that felt action-packed. After that, you still have a big chunk of the book to go. This part feels a bit dragging and that last part could’ve been a bit shorter.
 
Even though the book never really gets scary, the details are sometimes a bit gruesome and gory. “Mexican Gothic”  is a classic haunted house story that colors within the lines, but adds some new elements. The atmosphere is the best part of the book. Although the story is not quite balanced and that last part dragged on a but too long, I did enjoy “Mexican Gothic”. Anyone who likes a nice gothic horror story has the potential to enjoy this.
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - I Don't Need Therapy (and Other Lies I've Told Myself) by Toni Lodge

Title: I Don’t Need Therapy (and Other Lies I’ve Told Myself)
Author: Toni Lodge
Genre: Non-Fiction/ Memoir
Published: 2023
 
Description: A hilarious memoir of home truths and whatever the opposite of ‘that girl energy’  is, from one half of the hit podcast “Toni and Ryan”.
 
Most of us tell little white lies all the time. Whether it’s ‘I;m five minutes away’ or ‘it must have gone to my spam folder’, most of these fibs are harmless. But What if you realized that you weren’t just lying about the little things, but the big ‘life’ stuff too?
 
When Toni Lodge sat down to write this memoir, she discovered that the lies she was telling herself were hiding some pretty important home truths – about her work, her identity and her mental health. Her dogged pursuit of these truths send her on a brazen exploration of everything from gastro, fame and “Twilight” to funerals, the Dalai Lama and Brazilian waxes.
 
In this hilarious warm hug of a book, Toni exposes the lies she told herself about who she is and what she is capable of, inviting you on a riotous romp that will make you laugh, cringe, cry and utterly rethink the truth behind the stories we tell ourselves.
 
Review: Toni Lodge is known as one half of the “Toni & Ryan” podcast, one of the funniest podcasts I’ve ever listened to. In her book “I Need Therapy (and Other Lies I’ve Told Myself)” she talks about all the lies she has told herself during her life, for the small things and the big things.
 
Toni Lodge is one of the funniest women I follow online. Together with Ryan Jon, she talks about everyday stuff, which makes all their topics relatable. I don’t read a lot of non-fiction books, but couldn’t wait to dive into Lodge’s memoir.
 
Lodge talks about all the lies she has told herself throughout the years. Everyone tells a little white lie every ones in a while, but sometimes you do it for the bug stuff too. And like the podcasts she has, a lot of the things she talks about are very relatable.
 
Lodge is very open about everything that happened in her life. From her massive “Twilight” obsession, to her mental health issues, and that time is her thing making her always be way too early to every location and her meeting with the Dalai Lama. How she talks about her mother, who passed away way too soon, and how she choose to not be a parent.
 
Lodge tells her life’s story exactly like we know her from the podcast. The book made me smile and laugh out loud, but also touched me and made me cry (also out loud). I could relate to many things in the book and it felt like a friend telling me about her life. Especially the part about deciding not to become a parent really stuck with me. How, many people still think it’s an odd choice, to not follow the route that is deemed to be more traditional one by society. I struggle with this myself and I felt like Lodge understood this exactly.
 
“I Don’t Need Therapy (and Other Lies I’ve Told Myself)” is inspiring, heartwarming and funny, a book I recommend to everyone who loves listening to the “Toni & Ryan” podcast.  
 
Rating: 5/ 5

  

00s Movie Review - Good Luck Chuck

Director: Mark Helfrich
Genre: Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 96 minutes
Year: 2007
Starring: Dane Cook, Jessica Alba, Dan Fogler

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 21: A FILM FROM THE 2000S
 
Description: In order to keep the woman of his dreams from falling for another guy, Charlie Logan (Dane Cook) has to break the curse that has made him wildly popular with dingle women: sleep with Charlie once, and the next man you meet will be your true love.

Review: Dentist Charlie Logan seems to have it all going for him. He’s successful in his job, he’s good looking, and he’s falling in with women. Buit appearances are deceiving, because in love Charlie is not so lucky. His relationships are short-lived, although he doesn’t have a hard time with that. Until he hears that his ex-girlfriend has found the one, thanks to him. The same thing also happens with his next ex-girlfriend. Ti turns out that Charlis is kind of a lucky charm for single ladies. They are only too happy to have sex with him so they can meet the love of their lives. Although Charlie doesn’t want to believe it, his best friend Stu confirms the women’s stories. Then Charlie meets Cam, who he hopelessly falls in love with. But he is afraid, that once they get closer, he will lose Cam to another man.

This movie was made in the 2000s, but a movie like this would never been made today. The women are overly sexualized, the men are masochists, there is homophobia, fat-shaming, sexual harassment. And it’s all in this film for the sake of comedy. I did not laugh once, which is bad for a movie that’s marketed as comedy.

Rating: 1/ 5

Book Review - Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Title: Legends & Lattes (Legends & Lattes #1)
Author: Travis Baldree
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2022
 
Description: After a lifetime of bounties and bloodshed, Viv is hanging up her sword for the last time.
 
The battle-weary orc aims to start fresh, opening the first ever coffee shop in the city of Thune. But old and new rivals stand in the way of success – no to mention the fact that no one has the faintest idea what coffee actually is.
 
If Viv wants to put the blade behind her and make her plans a reality, she won’t be able to do it alone.
 
But the true rewards of the uncharted path are the travelers you meet along the way. And whether drawn together by ancient magic, flaky pastry, or a freshly brewed cup, they may become partners, family, and something deeper than she ever could have dreamed.
 
Review: I’m not much of a fantasy reader, but I have enjoyed a bunch. I think the cozy fantasy is right up my alley.
 
Viv is an orc who is done with the adventurous life and wants to settle somewhere and start new. Something different from fighting battles and pursuing quests. She want something more quiet and something she give her heart and soul to. When she reaches the town of Thune, she finds the perfect place to do this. Viv has the idea of starting her own coffee shop, but no one has any idea of what coffee is.
 
The plot is fairly simple. It’s a fantasy book with low stakes. And as cozy as the story sounds, that’s really how it feels the entire time. It’s such a wholesome story. You just want to visit Viv’s coffeeshop. And The characters are all great to ready about. Not just Viv, but also her partner Tandri. They form this beautiful friendship. And then there is Thimble, the mouse who bakes the best pastries. And I was salivating every single time they described one of his new baked goods. He doesn’t say much, but I loved Thimble. I always enjoy the found family trope, and “Legends & Lattes” captures this so well. It’s the characters that made me love this book so much and you can’t help but smile.
 
Travis Baldree’s writing is really beautiful. It’s really easy to picture the characters and locations in your head while reading the book. It’s all so vivid.
 
Going in skeptical, coming out with a huge smile on my face. What a great read. “Legends & Lattes” is such a fun book, even if you’re not much of a fantasy reader like me.
 
Rating: 5/ 5

Movie Review - The Zone of Interest

Director: Jonathan Glazer
Genre: Drama
Runtime: 105 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Sandra Hüller, Christian Friedel, Freya Kreutzkam, Ralph Herforth, Max Beck, Ralf Zillmann, Imogen Kogge, Stephanie Petrowitz, Johann Karthaus
 
Description: Auschwitz commandant Rudolf Höss (Christian Friedel) and his wife Hedwig (Sandra Hüller) strive to build a dream life for their family in a house and garden beside the camp.

Review: The ‘Queen of Auschwitz’, what if people called you that? Or even worse: you could be bragging about it to your mother. Hedwig Höss, the wife os camp commander Rudolf, built her personal paradise on the piece of land just outside the thick fence of Auschwitz, an no one will take it away from her.

“The Zone of Interest” is Jonathan Glazer’s film adaptation of Matin Amis’ book of the same name, though you can’t say he’s gone straightforward. The focus is completely on the family. In the book, the name of the family has been changed, but Glazer is clear about who this story is following: the historical commander Rudolf Höss and his men. The filmmaker shows what humanity is capable of.

The camera always stays on the outside of Auswitz. At most, we see furnaces burning in the distance and the plume of smoke from a train pulling. But we here a lot. Rumbling machines, shouted orders, gunshots, cries of pain. Because of the sound design of the film, the Holocaust is always extremely close. No matter how hard the film’s characters are actively not dealing with it. And crucially, we follow the perpetrators.

Glazer explores how people, if they are incetivized enough to tak advantage of extreme human suffering, can turn away from the atrocities we ourselves commit. Directly or indirectly. Hedwig Höss has not merely created a beautiful house with an amazing garden for herself, she is willing to fight for it. For a piece of greenery with a swimming pool, were, admittedly, you can always hear Hitler’s death machine roaring and the ashes of victims gently descending. “This is our home”, she tells her husbans, “exactly as Hitler wanted it for us”.

Both Christian Friedel and Sandra Hüller do not seem to acting so much as temporarily living in the skin of the characters. The family is filmed as naturally as possible during everyday actons.
The movie doesn’t really have a story, it’s more an experience. And it’s a very uncomfortable one. Occasionally a character seems to be aware of the inhuman context, everyone else puts it away. And constantly you are made aware of those circumstances.

It’s only a little over 100 minutes long, but it feels so much longer. It’s a slow burn and not an easy watch. It’s the implication of the horror that is going on, on the other side of the wall that make this film so difficult to watch. And it will most likely be your only watch. This film challenges you to understand that these people banish their perception of those horrors from their personal experiences of the here and now. And also to see that some children grow up thinking that such conditions are normal.  

Rating: 4/ 5

Book Review - Lakewood by Megan Giddings

Title: Lakewood
Author: Megan Giddings
Genre: Horror/ Fiction/ Thriller
Published: 2020
 
Description: When Lena Johnson’s beloved grandmother dies, and the full extent of the family debt is reealed, the black millennial drops out of college to support her family and takes a job in the mysterious and remote town of Lakewood, Michigan.
 
On paper, her new job is too good to be true. High paying,. No out of pocket medical expenses. A free place to live. All Lena has to do is participate in a secret program – and lie to her friends and family about the research being done in Lakewood. An eye drop that makes brown eyes blue, a medication that could be a cure for dementia, golden pills promised to make all bad thoughts go away.
 
The discoveries made in Lakewood, Lena is told, will change the world 0 but the consequences for the subjects involved could be devastating. As the truths of the program reveal themselves, Lena learns how much she’s willing to sacrifice for the sake of her family.
 
Review: After Lena’s grandmother has passed, she realizes that her mother’s illness is worsening. They are also dealing with a huge family debt. Lena is forced to quit school and a find a job to support her family. In an add, she reads about Lakewood. A secluded town. There is a jo that pays highly and provides a place to live. All Lena has to do is participate in a series of medical tests. When it sounds too good to be true, it most often is.
 
Even though Lena knows she is a part of medical research, she has no clue what to expect. And it doesn’t take long for her to see that something is very wrong in Lakewood. Why are (almost) all of the participants people of color, while the observers are all white? What are these tests for and why can’t they talk about it with their families? When at first the tests are pretty innocent, they quickly turn into something more dark, painful and terrifying.
 
“Lakewood” is provocative and thrilling. A breathtaking novel that takes un unflinching look at the moral dilemmas faced by many working-glass families and the horror imposed on Black people in the name of science.
 
It’s a disconcerting, surrealistic story. Very though-provoking and creepy. It’s so horrific because it feels so realistic. I felt the ending was a bit rushed for my liking, but overall I really loved “Lakewood”.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

10s Movie Review - The Report

Director: Scott Z. Burns
Genre: Crime/ Drama
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Adam Driver, Annette Bening, John Hamm, Ted Levine, Tim Blake Nelson, Maura Tierney, Corey Stoll, Michael C. Hall, Jennifer Morrison

Description: Idealistic Senate staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver), tasked by his boss to lead an investigation into the CIA’s post 9/11 Detention and Interrogation Program, uncovers shocking secrets.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 20: A FILM WITH A STRON POLITICAL OR SOCIAL MESSAGE
 
Review: In the years following the 9/ 11 attacks, it slowly but surely became clear that the US had little to fear in the war on terrorism. The CIA engaged in gross torture techniques on a large scale in order to extract information from often innocent suspects. “The Report” shows how one drive investigator brought the world’s most advanced intelligence agency to its knees.

Dan Jones is a young man with sky-high ambitions. When Senator Dianne Feinstein gives him the task of working with an independent team to investigate the CIA’s post-9/11 interrogation techniques, he bites the bullet. What he discovers bit by bit is unsettling and not for the faint of heart. The CIA saw little in the conventional interrogation techniques of Arabic-speaking agents who slowly tried to gain the trust of suspects. Two psychologists introduce new techniques, that they claim are scientific proof of more effective interrogating methods.

This is just the beginning. Whereas the CIA was initially cooperative, as Jones discovers more, of course, more and more doors are closing. Meanwhile, the investigative team he started with is thinning out. His colleagues no longer see any point in a mission doomed to failure. But Jones continues stoically.  

Adam Driver has already shown that he can play a wide range of roles. But he was made for this film. I think the film could have turned out a lot different with another lead actor. “The Report” may feel a bit ‘dry’ sometimes. It’s a lot of facts. Driver manages to create a character that you really want to succeed, even though he doesn’t show a lot of emotions. At least at first. Jones is a very stoic, pragmatic man, but when he gets deeper in the investigation, emotions do arise and that makes Driver’s performance even more impressive.

Unlike many American political films, for once it does not point exclusively at the Republicans. “The Report” is a very anti-America film if I may say so. But it’s still a political drama of integrity in the tradition of films like “All the President’s Men” and “Spotlight”.

The political drama is a sub-genre that might not speak to everyone. I happen to be drawn to it. Political intrigue keeps my attention and with “The Report” I was invested from start to finish. I can’t believe nobody talked about this film when it came out. At least, I didn’t hear a lot about it.

Rating: 4,5 / 5

Book Review - The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden

Title: The Housemaid’s Secret (The Housemaid # 2)
Author: Freida McFadden
Genre: Thriller/ Mystery
Published: 2023
 
Description: It’s hard to find an employer who doesn’t ask too many questions about my past. So I thank my lucky stars that the Garricks miraculously give me a job, cleaning their stunning penthouse with views across the city and preparing meals in their shiny kitchen. I can work here for a while, stay quiet until I get what I want. It’s almost perfect. But I still haven’t met Mrs. Garrick, or seen inside the guest bedroom. I’m sure I hear her crying. I notice spots of blood around the neck of her white nightgowns when I’m doing laundry. And one day, I can’t help but knock on the door. When it gently swings open, what I see inside changes everything…
 
That’s when I make a promise. After all, I’ve done this before. I can protect Mrs. Garrick while keeping my own secrets locked up safe. Douglas Garrick has done wrong. He is going to play. It’s simply a question of how far I’m willing to go…
 
Review: This is the sequel to “The Housemaid”. In “The Housemaid’s Secret” we follow Millie again. And again, she is looking for a job. It does not take place immediately after the first book. Millie eventually finds a job as cleaning the penthouse of the Garricks. A house that doesn’t really need any cleaning, because it looks spotless. But it’s paying well and it’s easy money. And Millie can combine it with her school. Douglas Garrick is her boss, she speaks to him and he gives out the orders. He seems like a nice guy. But she never saw Wendy Garrick yet, Douglas’ wife. He says she’s ill and needs to be left alone in the guest bedroom.
 
WARNING! THIS REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS!
 
The set-up of the book is very similar to the first one. Millie getting a new job in housekeeping, at first everything is perfect, but then she suspects something is very wrong. Even the narration is very similar, as in the perspective switches at the half-way point. This came as a surprise in the first book, not so much here. I kind of expected it to happen. And the intentions of this second person were also very similar.
 
Freida McFadden’s writing is very accessible, especially if you’re new to thrillers and you have just started exploring the genre. The book has very short chapters, a simple writing style and it’s in general a quick, entertaining read. It’s hard to put it down.
 
I do think, if I hadn’t read the first book, this one would have surprised me more. Because so many elements were the same. “The Housemaid’s Secret” still did have some twists here and there that did surprise me, but overall it was a lot more predictable.
 
I did have a good time reading it, it was a real page-turner. Do I think this book deserved to win the GoodReads choice award for best mystery/ thriller? No. But if you have liked Freida McFadden books before, you will probably enjoy this one as well.
 
Rating: 3,5/ 5

Book Review - The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett

Title: The Twyford Code
Author: Janice Hallett
Genre: Mystery/ Crime
Published: 2022
 
Description: Forty years ago, Steven Smith found a copy of a famous children’s book, its margins full of strange markings and annotations. He took it to his English teacher, Miss Isles, who became convinced it was the key to soling a puzzle. That a message in secret code ran though all Edith Twyford’s novels. Then Miss Isles disappeared on a class field trip, and Steven’s memory won’t allow him to remember what happened. Now, out of prison after a long stretch, Steven decides to investigate the mystery that has haunted him for decades. Was Miss Isles murdered? Was she deluded? Or was she right about the code? And is it still in use today? Desperate to recover his memories and find out what really happened to Miss Isles, Steven revisits the people and places of his childhood. But it soon becomes clear that Edith Twyford wasn’t just a writer of forgotten children’s stories. The Twyford Code has great power, and he isn’t the only one trying to solve it…
 
Review: Steven Smith has just been release from prison and decides to investigate a mystery that has been haunting him for decades. When he was a kid, he found a book by Edith Twyford, that was annotated. His teacher, Miss Isles, was convinced that this was a code leading to solving a puzzle. Miss Isles went missing and was never seen again.
 
The book is told in a unique way. It’s a set of audio files, transcribed into written text. At the start of the book, this is explained in a letter. There is also a legend, to how certain things should be read.
 
In Janice Hallett’s first book, “The Appeal” it was mostly e-mails, but also text messages and letters. I loved that concept and I rated that book 5-stars. For “The Twyford Code” I really like the concept as well, as well as the mystery. But the audio files are not always pleasant to read. Some words are not transcribed correctly (also stated in that legend). For instance, the word must’ve is transcribed as mustard and Miss Isles is missiles. And there are more of these words in the book.
 
Even though, I really liked the idea of the mystery surrounding author Edith Twyford, I wasn’t as invested and I lost interest at some point. And, like I stated before, it’s sometimes difficult to follow due to the way it’s told. This way, you don’t really get a connection with the main character either.
 
I still enjoyed this book for the most part, but had some issues with it here and there. I obviously prefer “The Appeal”, and I applaud Janice Hallett’s clever writing. Because “The Twyford Code” is a well-crafted mystery. It’s well thought trough. I can’t wait to read more by here.
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch

Title: Dark Matter
Author: Blake Crouch
Genre: Science Fiction/ Thriller/ Mystery
Published: 2016
 
Description: Jason Dessen is walking hom through the chilly Chicago streets one night, looking forward to a quiet evening in front of the fireplace with his wife, Daniela, and their son, Charlie – when reality shatters.
 
“Are you happy with your life?”
 
Those are the last words Jason hears before the masked abductor knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man Jason’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”
 
In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college physics professor, but a celebrated genius who achieved something remarkable. Something impossible.
 
Is it this world or the other that’s the dream?
 
And even if the home he remembers is real, how can Jason possibly make it back to the family he loves? The answers lie in a journey more wondrous and horrifying than anything he could’ve imagined – one that will force him to confront the darkest parts of himself even as he battles a terrifying, seemingly unbeatable foe.
 
Review: “Dark Matter” is not a book that is easily defined by one genre. It’s a psychological thriller, in which Jason doubts whether he can trust his own memory. But also a science fiction story, about a multiverse full of parallel worlds. I think it’s mostly a science fiction book with thriller elements. And it’s sci-fi for people who want to delve into the genre more. Because, even though it has a complex theme and plot, the story never gets too technical or unrealistic.
 
“Dark Matter” centers on an important thought experiment: what if you had made different choices in life? Would you be happy too? Or even happier or less happy? Every choice you make in life, even if it’s just what you’re eating for breakfast, affect the further course of your life. But what would it be like with multiple worlds?
 
It’s really difficult to talk about this book without giving too much away. The story has so many mind-blowing moments and it’s just a wild adventure you go on. The book has tension from the first page, the writing of Blake Crouch simply doesn’t make you want to put it down. I expected it too be a bit more action-packed though.
 
I predicted “Dark Matter” to be a 5-star read. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case here, missed it by a half star, but I still really loved the book. It’s a science fiction book suitable for a wider audience. And I’m really loving Blake Crouch. I will definitely read more of his work.
 
Rating: 4,5/ 5

Book Review - Heartstopper: Volume 1

Title: Heartstopper: Volume 1 (Heartstopper # 1)
Author: Alice Oseman
Genre: Romance/ Graphic Novel/ Young Adult
Published: 2018
 
Description: Charlie, a highly-strung, openly gay over-thinker, and Nick, a cheerful, soft-hearted rugby player, meet at a British all-boys grammar school. Friendship blooms quickly, but could there be something more…?
 
Charlie Spring is in Year 10 at Truham Grammar School for Boys. The past year hasn’t been too great, but at least he’s not being bullied anymore.  Nick Nelson is in Year 11 and on the school rugby team. He’s heart a little about Charlie – the kid who was outed last year and bullied for a few months – but he’s never had the opportunity to talk to him.
 
They quickly become friends, and soon Charlie is falling for Nick, even though he doesn’t think he has a chance. But love works in surprising ways, and sometimes good things are waiting just around the corner…
 
Review: You must have been living under a rock in YA world if you haven’t heard of “Heartstopper”. A queer graphic novel series, immensely popular. This is the first book and I’m finally stepping on the Heartstopper-train myself.
 
Alice Oseman starts with the cute story in “Heartstopper: Volume 1”, where we first get to know Charlie. Charlie has come out as gay and meets up with a guy named Ben. Ben still wants nobody to know and he doesn’t really treat Charlie well. But then Charlie meets Nick, a rugby player at his school. The form a friendship and quickly, Charlie starts to feel a little bit more for Nick.
 
As readers, we get a little peek into the lives of both characters. In this first volume we follow Charlie in particular, but occasionally we also get a glimpse of Nick struggling with his own feelings, while Charlie already knows what he feels.
 
Alice Oseman’s queer graphic novels are incredibly popular and I understand why. First, of course, there is a big part of representation. For young people who are struggling with their sexuality, struggle with feelings or are bullied, this is an excellent book to read. Especially also because it such a feel-good story, it is hopeful. Even if you’re not queer. The overall hopeful atmosphere is wonderful while reading.
 
And I think the feel-good, intense cuteness is also a reason this series is so popular. Oseman’s illustrations are simplistic, but capture everything so well. It’s a super quick read and I need to get my hand onto the res of the series. Because I really enjoyed this first book. And it left me wanting more.
 
Rating: 4/ 5

 

20s Movie Review - The Color Purple

Director: Blitz Bazaluwe
Genre: Musical/ Drama
Runtime: 141 minutes
Year: 2023
Starring: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, Halle Bailey, Phylicia  Pearl Mpasi, Ciara, H.E.R., David Allan Grier, Louis Gossett Jr.

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE
WEEK 19: A MUSICAL
 
Description: A woman faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately finds extraordinary strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.

Review: This is the musical rendition of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “The Color Purple”, already very successfully adapted into a drama film by Steven Spielberg in 1985. And seen as a play in 2005.

In the hands of director Blitz Bazawule, the raw account of the oppressed Celie, who slowly breaks fre from an environment filled with misyny and violence, does not gain the depth and layering of the original and its source material. However, lead actors Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson and Danielle Brooks and the beautifully executed music make up for much.

I still think they should have left the original film alone and leave it as is, it’s not the best story to be turned into a musical.

Rating: 3/ 5

Book Review - If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio

Title: If We Were Villains
Author: M.L. Rio
Genre: Mystery/ Thriller/ Fiction
Published: 2017
 
Description: Oliver Marks has just served ten years in jail – for a murder he may or may not have committed. On the day of his release, he’s greeted by the man who put him in prison. Detective Colborne is retiring, but before he does, he wants to know that really happened a decade ago.
 
As one of seven young actors studying Shakespeare at an elite arts college, Oliver and his friends play the same roles onstage and off: hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue, extra. But when the casting changes, and the secondary characters usurp the stars, the plays spill dangerously over into life, and one of them is found dead. The rest face their greatest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, and themselves, that they are blameless.
 
Review: Oliver Marks has served ten years in prison. When he is released, Detective Colborne wants to know what really happened all those years ago. Because the question is still, is Oliver guilty or not.
 
“If We Were Villains” is an extraordinary novel, set at a prestigious art school. Oliver Marks and six fellow students and friends are entering their fourth and final year, which means they finally get to perform a tragedy by Shakespeare. The fourth year is intense, compelling and, above all, vital to their future in the theater world. But none of them could have imaged how intense this final year would be.
 
For four years, the friends have been playing the same roles on stage and off. Those of hero, villain, tyrant, temptress, ingenue and extra. But the roles suddenly change, the play seems to slowly seep into the students’ real life. When one of the students is found dead, the rest of the group faces their biggest acting challenge: convincing the police and themselves their innocent. Slowly, the lives of Olive and his classmates; James, Richard, Alexander, Wren, Filippa and Meredith change into a tragedy in ways they could never have anticipated.
 
Oliver is the narrator od the story, our main character, however, in real life he is always in the background. The story is sections into acts and scenes. Slowly, you are been given more information about Oliver and his friends. And about the tragic death of one of them.
 
“If We Were Villains” is an intriguing story about friendship, love and ambition. The writing is stunning and the story interesting. I really loved reading about these characters and the mystery. It’s a very clever and complex book. There are a lot of Shakespeare references and use of quotes from his plays. I’ve never really delved into Shakespeare’s plays, but I know about them. My knowledge of Shakespeare is very superficial, so I think that worked in my disadvantage while reading “If We Were Villains”. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment though. But I think that, if you have read Shakespeare before, you can fully immerse yourself in this story.
  
Rating: 4/ 5

Book Review - None of This is True by Lisa Jewell

Title: None of This is True
Author: Lisa Jewell
Genre: Thriller/ Mystery
Published: 2023
 
Description: Celebrating her forty-fifth birthday at her local pub, popular podcaster Alix Summers crosses paths with an unassuming woman called Josie Fair. Josie, it turns out, is also celebrating her forty-fifth birthday. They are, in fac, birthday twins.
 
A few days later, Alix and Josie bump into each other again, this time outside Alix’s children’s school. Josie has been listening to Alix’s podcasts and thinks she might be an interesting subject for her series. She is, she tells Alix, on the cusp of great changes in her life.
 
Josie’s life appears to be strange and complicated, and although Alix finds her unsettling, she can’t quite resist the temptation to keep making the podcast. Slowly she starts to realize that Josie has been hiding some very dark secrets, and before she knows it, Josie has inveigled her way into Alix’s life – and into her home.
 
But, as quickly as she arrived, Josie disappears. Only then does Alix discover that Josie has left a terrible and terrifying legacy in her wake, and that Alix has become the subject of her own true crime podcast, with her life and her family’s lives under mortal threat.
 
Who is Josie Fair? And what has she done?
 
Review: I have read two other Lisa Jewell books and I didn’t like either of them. “None of This is True” is Jewell’s latest psychological thriller that came out in 2023. And I decided to give her another shot, since this book is claimed to be one of her best (if not THE best).
 
Poscaast creator Alix Summer celebrates her 45^th birthday and meets her birthday twin Josie Fair by chance. After meeting each other a second time, Alix decides to make a podcast series around Josie. But Josie has a lot of secrets I her life and Alix keeps finding out new things.
 
I loved the premise and the fact that the book has a podcast element. The book is told from the perspectives of Josie and Alix, but we also get chapters where a Netflix series is presented, based on the podcast Alix has made about Josie. I thought that part was especially very original. The secrecy around the character of Josie was interesting as well. But somehow, I still the story never full grabbed me.
 
I feel like, after finishing this book, I still didn’t get the full story. There are many questions that I have that were left unanswered. I don’t mind having an ending or certain plot points being left up to interpretation. But for “None of This is True” I just needed all the answers. The story doesn’t feel finished. 
 
I did enjoy this book more than the other two I have read, but I’m still not a fan of Lisa Jewell. I’m not sure if I will try out any other books by her, because if this is considered her best, I’m not really that interested.
 
Rating: 3/ 5

Oldies Movie Review - The Sword in the Stone

Director: Wolfgang Reitherman, Clyde Geronimi, David Hand
Genre: Family/ Animation/ Adventure
Runtime: 79 minutes
Year: 1963
Starring: Rickie Sorenson, Karl Swenson, Junius Matthews, Ginny Tyler, Martha Wentworth, Norman Alden, Alan Napier

I WATCHED THIS MOVIE FOR MY 2024 MOVIE CHALLENGE.
WEEK 18: A MOVIE FROM THE 1960S
           
Description: A poor boy named Arthur learns the power of love, kindness, knowledge and bravery with the help of a wizard called Merlin in the path to become one of the most beloved kings in English history.

Review: The young squire Wart leads a happy unremarkable life. He meets the wizard Merlin, wo teaches him valuable lessons. He puts these to good use when he accidentally pulls a sword out of a tone and is promptly crowned King of Britain.  

It’s a fun, classic tale. Lovely animations and great characters. Not one of the best Disney animations ever made, but definitely one you have to check out.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Review - The Fall Guy

Director: David Leitch
Genre: Action/ Comedy
Runtime: 126 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, Teresa Palmer
 
Description: A down-and-out stuntman (Ryan Gosling) must find the missing star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) of his ex-girlfriend’s (Emily Blunt) blockbuster film.  

Review: The profession of stuntman is often undervalued in Hollywood. It’s a pretty thankless role, because no one knows who you are and the actors take all the credit. So, it’s high time the stuntman is put in the spotlight.

Director David Leitch pays an homage to the many anonymous stunt people. We meet stuntman Colt Seavers. For years, he has been working as the regular stuntman for movie star Tom Ryder. Colt understands his craft and has a romance with camerawoman Jody Moreno. When Colt performs a new stunt on set in which he has to fall of a tall building, things go wrong. He breaks his back and realizes he has to retire from the stunt business. He also stops talking to Jody. When a year and a half later, he is contacted by producer Gail, Colt hesitates. But when he finds out that it’s Jody who is directing the movie, he decides to make a comeback.

“The Fall Guy” is an entertaining and visually stunning action flick. It’s pretty obvious that director David Leitch previously made “Deadpool 2” and “Bullet Train”. The same type of humor. Which I enjoyed. The film is, sadly, fairly predictable. The chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt is really strong and I loved both actors in this film.

“The Fall Guy” is a great time, but it’s also a bit forgettable in the end.

Rating: 3,5/ 5