Mini-Reviews: Recently Read, Watched, and Raged Over

Because it wouldn’t be one of my reviews if there wasn’t some raging! Yes, although I swore to myself I’d post more positive content this year (since everybody knows the world sucks right now and we could all use more sparkly joyfulness), this moth will also never give up on her crusade to force common decency back into the human species. (Don’t remind me that this may be a futile endeavor. My heart won’t rest unless I try.)

Anyway, let’s start with a good one! Last month I finished a graphic novel for the first time ever! It was book 1 of the Lightfall series, entitled The Girl and the Galdurian. This book is DELIGHTFUL. The illustrations are lovely, and really do add to the telling of the story (the opposite of which has been a big struggle for me with this genre/format). There’s a quest, but the boring bits are cut out! The protagonist has an anxiety disorder! Which isn’t fixed overnight! And the adventures make sense! And the action doesn’t go at a breakneck pace! This tale of Bea and her found friend Cad on the search for Bea’s missing grandfather is a charming and easy read. Recommended for novices in the format and fans of the genre. It’s classified as a juvenile title, but it’s enjoyable for adults, too!

Think Again is a non-fiction account and discussion on why we think what we think, and whether it’s healthy or damaging to change our mindsets — and why people don’t alter negative thought processes. I found it very interesting that, as an autist, someone who supposedly “struggles with rigid thinking,” I already follow several of the patterns/methods recommended by this author for adjusting one’s thoughts. It was also interesting to read about the research that’s quickly confirming people’s biases and prejudices come mostly from an emotional desire to fit in with their family and community, and not actually from logical reasoning or real life experiences. Since I tend to change my mind based on actual people I know or things that happen to me, I’d appear to be the “goal” for civilization moving forward, according to the author. Hmm. I’m the future…

The Push was by far one of the most disturbing novels I’ve ever read. It starts off very interesting, as a portrayal of a young mother who came from a neglectful family background and was worried that she couldn’t break the cycle with her own children. But before a quarter of the way in, the reader is given definite hints that either the narrator is unreliable, or that something truly insidious is going on under the surface. As the story progresses, it goes from depressing to trying to be a suspenseful thriller, to slamming headfirst into dark psychiatric territory, and the repercussions for the main characters being COMPLETELY FREAKING STUPID are just horrific and rage-inducing. The ending is straight out of a Japanese horror movie, and I just sat there shaking my head (literally! not figuratively) for about 5 minutes straight after finishing the last pages. Usually I don’t like to boycott, but this author is definitely going on my hit list, for sheer moronic writing. You simply CANNOT write about such serious circumstances as violent mental illness in children (yes, you read that right) without treating it properly — and this story absolutely does not!

What a disappointment this was! I got all excited about the premiere of Bridgerton on Netflix (also, now that my household subscribes to Netflix! finally being able to watch all these exclusive originals!), and then was totally let down. I had no idea that what started as a charming period drama would turn into legit smut! I know for many viewers, this is totally fine, and maybe even expected or hoped for (since I later found out there’s a lot of erotica in the books). But for me it was too inappropriate, too jarring from the setting, too twisting the Jane-Austen-esque storyline to Regency era sex education, and I just…what the hell-ed myself practically into oblivion. After watching the entire first season and finding that much of the character development was put on hold to make plenty of runtime for the bedroom scenes, I determined that, for me at least, this was a failed experiment and if there are further seasons, I won’t be watching.

From the sublime to the ridiculous, as they used to say…or, from the very unexpectedly inappropriate to the family friendly and wholesome — but, hey, I do want to end on a good note! This was a purchase for Muffin (before my book buying ban, don’t worry!), because he loves this family’s YouTube channels. Another graphic novel (much of which the child successfully read by himself!), Into The Game combines fantasy with the real world without losing sight of what’s really important, which is family and trying your best and not giving up. I have a lot of respect for people who put their kids on YouTube because they genuinely enjoy making videos, not just to make money, which this family embodies. They deserve the accolades and fans.

And that’s all for this time! I’ll be back soon! Have a great weekend, everybody!