I found June very distracting. Planning a Writing Festival takes a lot of time, energy, and brain power. Sometimes, just the thought of reading exhausted my brain so much I couldn’t do it.
But I did listen to a couple audio books. Let me know if you’ve read them as I’d be curious to know what you think.
And a bonus….movie review at the end.
One of Us is Dead by Jeneva Rose published by Blackstone 2022. Suspense/Thriller.
I have to be honest, I bought this book based on the reviews. Damn, I won’t do that again (well, I probably will tbh–but I’ll look further). With all the positives I read I went in with expectations of a page-turner that I wouldn’t be able to put down. Well, I’ll tell you, it acted like a sleeping pill for me. Yup, I’m sorry. I don’t like to give negative reviews, but I’m not sure I was reading the same book as everyone else.
This book was predictable at every corner and, again I apologize, but for me it was boring.
In the beginning I was intrigued as I sorted through the different personalities of the characters involved. The voices were different enough that they each had some distinction –so that’s a real positive!
But, good characterization and voice can not trump a bad story with little to no plot.
I’d give it 2.5 out of 5–but that’s only because I know how hard it is to write complete book and the characters voices worked. Maybe take the remaining ones and put them in another scenario…. no wait. Don’t. Just move on.
The Boy From the Woods by Harlan Coben published by Grand Central Publishing 2020; Thriller/Suspense
This wasn’t the type of book I thought it would be. I suppose I may have misread the description.
Basic premise: a boy went missing years before and was found in the woods. He survived by breaking into cabins/homes and learned how to speak by watching television. He grew up and his name is Wilde.
I was intrigued by the idea of a kid surviving and then the search for the past, but this book deals with Wilde as special ops guy who assists with a mystery of a now missing high school girl who is relentlessly bullied.
He’s all muscles, good looking, a ladies man with a soft heart, and of course brilliant at reading clues/faces/situations.
The lack of plot was disappointing, but I slogged through it–Why? I’m not sure. The book felt cookie cutter and set-up for the next in a series. I don’t have a problem with formulaic writing, but there still needs to be some character development and a reason for being.
Sorry, I wouldn’t bother with this one either 🤦🏻♀️ Maybe next time.
How About a Movie Review?
Not a lot of great reading this month. But I will tell you that I got to see the Elvis movie.
I would totally recommend this film as it offers a different point of view.
For readers and writers, the unreliable narrator can be a fascinating way to learn a story.
The person telling the story from their own point of view can’t be relied up to tell the truth.
In fact, if their lips are moving chances are good that they’re lying.
This movie is told from the point of view of the Colonel Parker, Elvis’ manager. I will warn you–It’s so frikken sad.
Tom Hanks did a great job. Austin Butler did a great Elvis too.
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