media update: January

I finished Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth earlier this month, so I got some decent reading/watching done!  To nobody's surprise, I loved LAD: IW and give it an easy 9 out of 10.  

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. Definitely Better Now by Ava Robinson:  Emma is celebrating one year of sobriety, but work and family issues start to test her resolve.

2. Cross My Heart by Megan Collins:  After receiving a heart transplant, Rosie begins corresponding with the widower of her donor via an anonymous online portal.  She starts to fall for him, but then she begins to wonder if his wife's death was an accident.  Engrossing and twisty.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!  The book is out now.

3. The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan:  Cate Kay has just published a book that becomes a massive bestseller, but she has a secret she's desperately trying to outrun.  

4. A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall:  Theo had a rough start in life, but after a whirlwind courtship, she's now engaged to a gorgeous rich dude named Connor.  But on a trip to his family's mountain retreat, she discovers a photo of herself as a kid with Connor's father, and she doesn't remember any of it.

NONFICTION

1. You'll Never Believe Me* by Kari Ferrell:  The author gained notoriety for being the "Hipster Grifter" (who I'd somehow never heard of despite being terminally online), committing check fraud, lying her way into (and out of) a job at Vice, and spending time in prison.  It's no surprise that Cat Marnell has a blurb on the front cover, because like Cat's book, I read it feeling like I should despise the author but I very much didn't.  It's a funny and acerbic book that's perfect for Orange Is the New Black fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!  The book came out on January 7th.

2. Sweet Nothings** by Sarah Perry:  I have a sweet tooth and I loved the author's previous book, so I was excited to read this.  It's a wonderful exploration of different kinds of candy mixed in with associated memories and highlighted by simple but evocative illustrations.  Just a heads up that not everything in this book is lighthearted; the author talks about a chronic vaginal infection and her mother's murder, for example.  I wasn't bothered, but I figured I'd mention it for those expecting a strictly sweet read.

Thank you to Mariner Books and NetGalley for the ARC!  The book will be published on February 4th.

MANGA/GRAPHIC NOVELS

1. Sweet for Sweets and Foreigners vol. 1 by Marina Sano

MOVIES

1. Speak No Evil*:  A family accepts an invitation to stay at the country estate of a couple they met on vacation; they should have stayed at a Holiday Inn instead, and not just for the breakfast buffet.  Super tense, and James McAvoy is really good as the host.

2. Carry-On*:  A TSA agent (Taron Egerton) working on Christmas Eve is forced to let a dangerous package go through the security checkpoint.  Tense and exciting, though I wish we had watched it on Christmas!  (Then again, we played Infinite Wealth all night so I was hardly bored or suffering.)

3. Alien: Romulus:  A group of space miners exploring a derelict ship finds...well, you can guess from the title.  It took a little bit of time to get going, but once it did, it had me on the edge of the couch.  Fair warning, some of the dialogue is difficult to understand so be ready to do some rewinding.

4. Juror #2:  The titular juror (Nicholas Hoult) is disturbed to discover he's got a personal connection to the case he's called for.

5. The Wild Robot*:  After a shipwreck leaves her stranded on a desert island, a robot named Roz (voiced by Lupita Nyong'o) finds herself caring for an orphaned gosling.  The trailer was awful so my expectations were low, but it's touching and surprisingly dark at times.

6. Smile 2*:  Pop star Skye Riley (Naomi Scott, excellent) begins to doubt her sanity when she sees grinning apparitions.  Nerve wracking and ultra gory.

7. Venom: The Last Dance:  I'm gonna be honest with you, I had some cans of White Claw Surge and enjoyed this but can't tell you dick about the plot.  It gets a star if paired with adult refreshments.

FYI:  Venom's lines are hilarious but damn near incomprehensible without subtitles.