In the past month, I have read and watched some good stuff and . . . the not so good.

First, the Bad

In Fiction

• Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun

• Grass by Sheri Tepper

• and a disappointing To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

Movies and TV

• “Chariot” (2021)

• “Paradox Lost” (2021) huge disappointing crap with a great title, but goes to show some amateur film makers need alternative pursuits

Second, the . . . “Meh”

Fiction

• Book Lovers by Emily Henry

https://find.minlib.net/iii/encore/record/C__Rb4044672

A romance novel is like popcorn. The pleasure is in the predictability of the story and satisfying while experiencing the narrative, but popcorn experiences are not memorable like the dining experience one has at a restaurant that requires reservations.

From the prologue, the reader knows how the story will go. Missing, compared to Henry’s inspirational ancestor, is the fine ingredient, the Austen twist (I so named after the ankle twist that served as plot twist in Persuasion.)

• H. G. Wells’s The Wonderful Visit 

https://find.minlib.net/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1386797 

and

Men Like Gods

https://find.minlib.net/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1386427

Non-Fiction

• Bibliophile Diverse Spines by Jamise Harper (2021)   

https://bpl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S75C8081810 (Boston public library)

The thesis of the book, “@diversespines, to help readers diversify [i.e. more BIPoC authors] their bookshelves. A champion for amplifying marginalized voices, Jamise passionately believes that reading diversely cultivates the opportunity for growth and understanding.”

Movies and TV

• “Chariot” (2013) entertaining suspense but ending left the audience wondering what eventually happens to the characters

• In a similar vein, “Escape from the Field” (2022) suspense by not answering why strangers are in a corn field puzzle maze, but the ending hints at a sequel which I predict will never be made.

• “Final Frequency”, scholocky sci-fi of the old Saturday night variety once found on the channel formerly called Sci-Fi.

• In the middle of binge watching “Blindspot”, completed season 1 and started into season 2

• “Lady of the Manor”

• “Everything, Everywhere, All At Once”

P. S. addition

• “Love on th Spectrum” US version — a reality TV dating show where those on the Autism spectrum are setup on dates with others on the spectrum

An aspect I did not like about the show is how they presume those on the Autism spectrum are only best suited dating others on the spectrum. So the arranged dates seem inauthentic. I preferred seeing how those on the spectrum interacted with those not on the spectrum.

It was my friend, who I told about “As We See It” who in turned telling me about “Love on the Spectrum” and knowing of the cast members, James (in Massachusetts). I cannot say ever I met Steve from San Francisco but I only identified as having Asperger’s at a time when albeit on the same neuro-divergent spectrum Autism was regarded as distinct from Asperger’s.

Third, finally the interesting or great reads.

Fiction

• The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

https://find.minlib.net/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3053518

Unlike most who discovered the novel from the Apple+ television series adaptation, I learned of the story from a spiritual themed vlog post made mention of the series because the multi-universe element to the show which in turn lead me to the book.

Non-Fiction selections

• Performing Al-Andalus Music and Nostalgia Across the Mediterranean by Jonathaan Holt Shannon

• Al-Andalus: The Art of Islamic Spain

https://find.minlib.net/iii/encore/record/C__Rb1450208

Movies and TV

• “Paulie Go”

I do not subscribe to the current trend of identity politics, but the lead actor in film draws attention why we must have more Asian representation in television and cinema. A wonderfully charming film like a Wes Anderson without the story been drowned out by Anderson’s directorial style.

• “White Hot The Rise & Fall of Abercrombie & Fitch”

• re-watched “Wondrous Oblivion”

P. S. addition

• “As We See It”, a heartfelt drama about three persons on the Autism spectrum living together visited by a life coach / care aid who helps them navigate living independently

Podcasts

I discovered a couple of podcasts of note

• For those who care about education, there is “EdSurge” which comes out of the Chronicle of Higher Ed

https://www.edsurge.com/research/guides/the-edsurge-on-air-podcast

• “The Big Ponder”, small stories, sorry for the crippling analogy, like “This American Life” but with a German bent.

https://www.goethe.de/prj/tbp/en/index.html