media update: November

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.

When applicable, this page will be published as a work in progress and continually updated so I can provide timely feedback for advance reader copies.  Receiving an ARC does not affect my reviews in any way.

FICTION

1. Knife River* by Justine Champine:  When Jess was thirteen, her mother disappeared.  Fifteen years later, when her mother's remains are discovered, she returns to her hometown of Knife River to stay with her sister Liz while they wait for answers.  It's not really a thriller or mystery; it's more of a melancholy portrait of grief and how it can leave you stuck in limbo.  Beautifully written; it's hard to believe it's a debut novel.  I'll watch for more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!  The book officially comes out on May 28th, 2024.

2. The Frozen River* by Ariel Lawhon:  In 1789, midwife Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body of a man pulled from the river.  She's shocked (but not remotely displeased) to recognize the body as that of a man accused of raping her friend, but the investigation into his murder threatens those close to her.

3. Deliver Me* by Elle Nash:  Daisy is a poor young woman living with her insect-obsessed boyfriend, who she calls Daddy.  She's desperate to have a baby, and she's convinced herself she's pregnant, which leads to drastic measures to perpetuate the lie.  It's really good and I flew through it, but holy shit, it's the most disturbing book I've read in a long time.  

4. If I Lose Her by Brianne Sommerville:  After leaving her baby daughter alone outside during a heat wave, Joanna is reported to child protective services.  She tries to do better, but things start happening that lead her to believe someone has it out for her.  It gets better as it goes along, though I wasn't surprised by the ending.  (Not to make it sound like I'm some plot predicting wunderkind; I just read a LOT of thrillers!)  A quick and entertaining read that I think will be a book club favorite.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing Co. for the ARC!  The book officially comes out on March 5th, 2024.

2023 TOTAL SO FAR: 45

NONFICTION

Nothing this month.

2023 TOTAL SO FAR: 5

MANGA/GRAPHIC NOVELS

1. My Dress-Up Darling vol. 10 by Shinichi Fukuda 

2. The Apothecary Diaries vols. 9-10 by Natsu Hyuuga and Nekokurage

3. Blood on the Tracks vols. 9-14 by Shuzo Oshimi

4. Beauty and the Feast vol. 11 (final volume) by Satomi U

2023 TOTAL SO FAR:  72 volumes of manga and 6 graphic novels

MOVIES

1.  Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse**:  In order to avoid spoilers, I don't want to go into plot details.  I'll just say it's an absolute visual feast and the most fun I've had watching a movie in a very long time.

2. Blue Beetle:  Ooof...following Spider-Verse with this was like following a wagyu steak with a roll of Necco Wafers.  It had a few good moments, but overall it was just a slog.

3. No Hard Feelings*:  Desperate to save her home, Maddie (Jennifer Lawrence) agrees to date a wealthy couple's teenage son.  Very funny and cute.

4. The Killer*:  A Smiths-loving assassin (Michael Fassbender) screws up a job in this chilly neo-noir directed with typical panache by David Fincher.

5. Resident Evil: Death Island:  Our beloved heroes Jill, Chris, Claire, Leon, and Rebecca team up to stop a zombie apocalypse originating on Alcatraz.  The script badly needed some polish, but it had some good action and A PIERS REFERENCE.  My Nivanfield-loving heart went into overdrive!

6. Justice League: Warworld:  This was so weird and incomprehensible that I can't even describe it.  I sure didn't enjoy it, though!

7. Hell Dogs:  An ex-cop goes undercover in the yakuza in this brutally violent but stylish Japanese movie.

8. Oppenheimer*:  An engrossing biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer (played by Cillian Murphy), the "father" of the atomic bomb.

9. The Mother:  A former soldier (Jennifer Lopez) turned informant comes out of hiding to protect the daughter she gave up at birth.

10. Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One*:  Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), his team, and a thief (a charming Hayley Atwell) try to track down a key that could stop a rogue AI system.  Exceptionally entertaining, with lots of great action sequences.

 2023 TOTAL SO FAR: 74