Sunday, May 31, 2020

media update: May

This is a pretty small media update, but I was so busy with packing, other assorted move-related tasks, and the move itself that I barely had time to sleep, much less read or watch movies!  Plus, with the libraries still closed, I lost my manga connection.  I'd love to keep up with Food Wars! and The Promised Neverland, among others, but not at $10 a pop for something that takes less than an hour to read.

Asterisks denote something I particularly enjoyed or found especially worthy of my time; double asterisks are reserved for the creme de la creme.  As always, your mileage may vary.

FICTION

1. The Knockout Queen* by Rufi Thorpe:  Michael, a gay teenager living with his aunt after his mother is sent to prison for stabbing his dad, unexpectedly befriends the beautiful rich girl next door.  When Michael falls in love with a much older man he meets online, gossip spreads through their school and Bunny has an unusual reaction to it.  Beautiful, vivid, and often quite funny, though I certainly wouldn't classify it as a humorous book overall.

2. If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha: Four women in Seoul try to live up to its standards of beauty and womanhood by any means necessary.

2020 total so far: 18


NONFICTION

Nothing this month.

2020 total so far: 6


MANGA/GRAPHIC NOVELS

Nothing this month.

2020 total so far: 15 volumes of manga and 5 graphic novels


MOVIES

1. Ford v Ferrari*:  An American car designer (Matt Damon) and a race car driver (Christian Bale) team up to build a vehicle that can finally beat Ferrari at Le Mans.  I wasn't really looking forward to watching this, but wound up enjoying it due to the exciting car races and good performances.

2020 total so far: 34