Month: January 2023

Rewind – Looking Back on 2022 Shows

I have had this post simmering in my mind for a while now, and am excited that I have a bit of free time to do it. 🙂 2022 wasn’t the best year for TV shows. I saw a few that were just kinda meh. However, there are a few that stand out.

Let’s get started!

Alex Rider – YA, Action

Honestly, I stumbled across this on Amazon Prime while I was sick. Looked intriguing and up my alley. I know nothing of the books or the previous movie.

I liked the whole vibe!! The show gave me Sherlock vibes which surprised me as before this I had not found anything close to Sherlock. The acting was well done in my opinion. Point Blanc was intriguing, but the show hit its stride in the second season. Likable characters and it is relatively clean.

Once Upon a Time – Fantasy

I was browsing with my sister to find something short to watch. This is what we found. Years ago, I knew several friends who enjoyed it, but I felt like it wasn’t my thing. Growing up, I was never a princess fan.

However, Once did surprise me. The plot was different. All these fairy tale characters are trapped in a town by an evil queen. She has erased their memories so all they know is modern life not who they were beforehand. Except for one day, a detective shows up and things begin to unravel.

The one big complaint I have is the acting. Gosh, at times it is bad. Especially Prince Charming, eek. Snow White is not much better. Currently midway through season 2 and sort of took a break.

Rings of Power – Fantasy

There was so much hype for The Rings of Power and I was on the fence for the longest time. Overall I’m glad I did, but I still have a few reservations about the big reveals. I did want to like it.

It takes place during the second age which is many years before Lord of the Rings. Bits of the story come from The Silmarillion which is Tolkien’s history book of the First and Second age and the Appendixes.

First, I did like Elrond and Durin. Their relationship felt the most realistic to Tolkien’s works. Disa added to the story as well. Numenoor was neat to see as that’s where Aragorn’s people come from. Galadriel was only so-so. For me, I just did not care one way or another about her mission. There was no reason to care. The Harfoots added nothing to the story except maybe finding young Gandalf and even then he didn’t do much.

The cinematography had some beautiful shots, but I did not really feel like I was in Middle-earth. Will see what happens in the next season.

Survivor David Vs. Goliath– Reality show

I remember seeing a handful of episodes growing up and knew the concept of Survivor, but this was the first time I actually watched a full season.

David Vs Goliath is a later season and had quite a few twists and turns. Definitely better then some of the other seasons we watched. Fans Vs. Favorites was horrible; we quit a few episodes into it.

There was more strategy during this season and lots of alliances. It surprised me that the two tribes kept their separate identities even after the merge. If I remember right, even a sacrifice of an immunity idol. I rooted for the David tribe as they were very much the underdogs. We liked Christian, he got along with most of the tribe. Overall it was just a tight season.

Stranger Things – Sci-fi, Horror

I was super excited to see season 4 as Stranger Things is one of my favorite shows. We got hooked on the show pretty soon after season 2 aired so I feel like we have gotten to know these characters. I was discussing with my sister why the certain thing that had occurred hurt so much, and we concluded that we have seen these characters grow up. This is why I think that waiting in between episodes or seasons can be a good thing

The characters are created realistically I think. We have Steve who goes from a jerk to becoming an adult and wanting a family. Yet, not every character grows in a good way, I mean Jonathan kinda wonders down a rabbit trail, but that happens in real life. Hooper grows as a dad and figures out how to help his daughter. The boys reach high school and Nancy finds her love of journalism.

Season 4 packs a punch. At one point my sister and I almost quit. It got pretty dark, especially with Vecna, but we stuck it out and things begin to be explained. We get a glimpse into Eleven’s previous life. Good characters die, while others are put in the ringer.

Is this a show for everybody? No, but that’s alright. Is it dark and at times scary? Yep, but there are good things as well.

Anyway, that’s the end of my little discussion. Any shows that stuck out to you in 2022? Any recommendations? Do you like any of these?

Anna

Looking back on 2022

Hello my lovely friends!

I’m back for a bit at least. My year has been jam packed. So many changes happened this year. Mostly I want to look back on my reading. Not surprisingly my total amount of books plummeted with all my busyness My total was only * drum-roll please * 43. With two DNF’s.

Stranger Things Steve GIF by NETFLIX

Each of these books stuck out to me as having relatable characters and left me wanting more. This year sort of became my year for YA. I didn’t really plan this, but I had a blast anyway. I listened through the Hunger Games series as well as Harry Potter. Both are unique and I can see why they caused a splash. Also, I read two more Miss Peregrine books, but think I’ll stop the series there as the ending was perfect.

Let’s start with my favorites! 😉

#9 Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris by Paul Gallico

Honestly, don’t know how I had never heard of this quaint book?? It tells the story of an elderly cleaning lady whose husband died in the war. While cleaning Lady Dant’s house, she stumbles upon a Dior dress. In that moment Mrs. Harris decides then and there she will buy her very own Dior dress. What a journey she has!

Quotes –

“The world in which Mrs. Harris, now approaching the sixties, moved, was one of perpetual mess, slop, and untidiness.”

“For it had not been a dress she had bought so much as an adventure and an experience that would last her to the end of her days.”

#8 The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

This was such an emotional book for me! I absolutely loved the characters! Ponyboy had this rough life and I just wanted to give him a hug. Impressive to me that Hinton started writing this when she was 16.

Ponyboy lives with his two brothers Darry and Soda Pop. They look out for one another, but not always in the best way. They are all apart of the Greaser gang from the East side who have a reputation to uphold. They have been seeking a rumble with the Socs gang from the West side. Before the rumble Ponyboy is attacked which leads to him running for his life.

Quotes –

“When I stepped out into the bright sunlight from the darkness of the movie house, I had only two things on my mind: Paul Newman and a ride home”

“We’re almost a close as brothers; when you grow up in a tight-knit neighborhood like ours you get to know each other real well.”

“Stay gold Ponyboy. . . stay gold”

#7 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

To be honest I don’t remember everything that happened in this one. I do know this was Sirius Black’s first appearance as well as Lupin’s. Ah, Lupin. He is one of my favorite characters. He begins teaching Harry some important skills that come in handy. He is a fount of wisdom. We also get a bit of time travel. Yea! The ending of this one, so good! This book was so tight and concise which gets lost in some of the later books.

Quotes –

” I solemnly swear I am up to no good”

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.”

“What you fear most of all is —fear. Very wise…”

#6 Mirror of Souls by Wayne Batson

I’ve been waiting for this next installment for a while. Anytime something new comes out by Batson, I get super excited. This did not disappoint. It is the 4th book in his Myridian Constellation series. It picks up right where The Forsaken Continent left off.

There are so many characters and plot lines. I’ll just mention a couple. Telwyn Coldhollow is returning from his trek to the forsaken continent only to see his friends in danger yet again. King Lochlan is still on the run from Morlan. He decides to attempt to take back his kingdom from the menace that pervades it. Abbagael Coldhollow misses her husband Alistair and embarks to find him wherever he is, no matter the cost.

Quotes –

“Jak Alastair Coldhollow, you are a gift from the First One, and I love you with all my heart. Your father loved you, loves you too, but he has gone missing. I have to go and find him. It’s not fair, I know to leave you so soon.”

“What is this talk of payment?” Alec asked. “We are all children of the Starmaker. This is what we do for each other. “

Abbagael stared out over the black water. “I think I’m going to need to pray. . . a lot more” “And we will pray for you even as we return to Willowdell” Alec said. “The Maker of the stars is worthy of your trust.”

# 5 Catch me If you Can by Frank Abagnale

This book came as a recommendation from a friend. Not surprisingly, I had never heard of this book, but the premise sounded intriguing. I’m a fan of White Collar and this is similar in a way.

After his parents get a divorce, Frank Abagnale decides to runaway, and eventually becomes a conman at the age of 19. He goes through a series of invalid jobs from Pan am pilot to pediatrician, and even a university teacher.

Quotes –

“You’ll learn Frank, that when you’re up they’re hundreds of people who’ll claim you as a friend. When you’re down, you’re lucky if one of them will buy you a cup of coffee.”

“The TWA first officer was probably back in the pilot’s lounge by now, telling others TWA crewman he’d just met a Pam Am jerk who flew washing machines.”

#4 Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince

Well, the mystery woven throughout HBP is amazing. There was a lot happening in this book and I listened to it in a very short amount of time. So, I apologize if I forget details. Dumbledore finally made some smart choices and showed Harry key memories that help explain why Voldemort became the wizard he is now. We also get to see a glimpse of kindness in Snape which felt long overdue. Romantic feelings were sprouting like flowers everywhere. I like Jinny, but I’m not sure how I feel about them together. Harry does make some more mature choices and grows up a bit.

Quotes –

“Once again; Lord Voldemort fails to grasp that there are much more terrible things then physical injury.”

“Voldemort’s mistake, Harry, Voldemort’s mistake. . . Age is foolish and forgetful when it underestimates youth.”

#3 The Magic of Ordinary Days by Ann Creel

I really liked this book! It was sweet and charming. Sometimes all you want is a simple story, nothing complex or out of this world. This book fits that very well.

Olivia Dunne is the oldest of her three sisters which has led to come contention at home. Her mom suddenly dies due to cancer and afterwards Olivia becomes pregnant. Her father then arranged a marriage for her which crushes her dreams of becoming an archeologist. At first Olivia is not a fan of the move or her marriage, but slowly she comes to appreciate and develop friends in her small town. There are a few moments where I did get frustrated with her mopiness.

Quotes –
“Not yet silver, the moon reflected the honey gold of the setting sun, lighting her face from continents away.”

“”Sure enough,” he said. “But that’s not why I’m standing here. I wanted to listen better.” I stopped stirring. Then he told me, “You were singing to yourself.”

#2 Boy Tales from Childhood by Ronald Dahl

This was our December pick for our book club. Ronald Dahl wrote an autobiography of his life. Now he even mentions that autobiographies can be boring, so he just wrote about the interesting bits. And indeed Dahl know how to write! I found myself laughing way to hard at his antics as a boy. You can see where he got some of his ideas for his books just based on his childhood. I highly recommend for all ages!

Quotes –

“The sweet ship in Llandaff in the year 1923 was the very center of our lives. To us it was what a bar is to a drunk or a church is to a Bishop. Without it, there would have been little to live for.”

“That was 1924, and taking out a child’s adenoids, and often tonsils as well, without any anesthetic was common practice in those days, I wonder thought what you would think if some doctor did that to you today”

#1 A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Our book club has read a few of Backman’s books and enjoyed them. On a whim, and a need for a new audiobook, I gave Ove a try. It was fantastic!! Who would have thought that a grumpy curmudgeon could be so funny.

Ove has a routine that he sticks too and follows the same pattern everyday. Yet, losing his wife has messed with how structure. It’s Ove’s job to ensure the neighborhood is safe from pesky visitors. He recently was fired from his job, and now Ove sees no point in living. So, he decides to commit suicide. His new neighbors though keep interrupting him.

I love that we see flashbacks to Ove’s life before this. We see his rough childhood and life as an orphan. As well as how he meets his wife. So many touching moments.

There are a few content issues to be aware of for Ove. There is descriptions of his suicide attempts as well as some rough language.

Well, that took longer then I expected! Whew! Hope you enjoyed that! How was 2022 for your reading life? Any favorites? Have you read any of these?

Happy New Year!

Anna