Book Rants - March 2025

Even though March is a long month, it seems to be swiftly passing by. I did some stuff but nothing of interest. And it seems I have blogged very little this month. But I read some books so here they are and the ones I couldn't finish. (Note: All the books I read are borrowed from the library.)

~ Books Read ~

01 - The Sherlock Society (#1) by James Ponti
What's it about: long-lost treasure, environment pollution, middle grade detectives
It started with the Al Capone lost treasure mystery which I liked very much but then it detoured to an environmental mystery. I wished it had stayed on the Al Capone one as I really didn't care for the environment one. Why bother with the Al Capone mystery if you're not going to give a real answer? If the ending's suggestion is the answer then that's not much of an answer. If it continues to the next book, then that's double annoying. As the author seems to be writing multiple series, I doubt the next book will be out soon though I don't like this first book enough to continue the series.

02 - Countess of Harleigh Mystery series (books #1-6) by Dianne Freeman
What's it about: family dramas, murder, light romance, London society
I enjoyed the first book enough that I went on to read up to book 6. I probably should have quit reading after book 5 where the main character go married. (For some odd reason, there was a sample of book 6 in the first book that told readers the main character had married the other main character). I think the series should have ended in book 5 when the main character got married. Yes, there are maybe some more stories to tell but really, how many dead bodies fall around the main character before she ran out of people in her circle? Every death so far in each book is related to her but I guess her circle is growing so maybe it wouldn't seem weird to have people keep being killed around her. I got a bit bored with book 6 and since book 7 has a waiting list, I think maybe it's time to quit the series. But I did enjoy the books I read so far.

03 - The penguin pool murder (Hildegarde Withers #1) by Stuart Palmer
What's it about: murder, aquarium, investigations, amateur detective
This was okay, a little dull. I guessed the killer and I was correct. So this was written in the late 1930's so I guess it's why the writing is a bit odd to me. But writing aside, the one thing that annoyed me is the main character, Miss Withers, withheld her thought process and only at the end did we know what she was thinking and how she solved the murder - this always make me wonder what's the point of hiding a character's thought process other than not letting the reader solve the mystery alongside the character? So maybe smarter readers (which I seem not to be) can guess the right killer without help but I can't and I don't really want to. I just want to read how the character solves the mystery which should include their thought process, right? (I found this book from Lark Writes over here).

~ Unfinished Reads ~

04 - The Whispering Dead (Gravekeeper #1) by Darcy Coates
What's it about: amnesiac main character, ghosts, some sort of mystery
Quit at: 17%
Maybe 17% is too short to stop reading but what the heck. I had reasons: (1) The beginning was slightly exciting but it got really boring and rather slow going but probably due to being a first book in a series. (2) I don't like amnesiac main characters though I took a chance. (3) The writing was a bit too simplistic. Don't quite know why this bothered me only that, it seemed like I was being fed information from a really young character who didn't seem to have a clue what she was talking about but being an amnesiac is like the excuse for the simple writing.  (4) I didn't realize this is classified as horror as it was on a list of cozy mystery recommendations. I don't like reading horror. I think maybe I should stop borrowing books without knowing the genre.

05 - Starter Villain by John Scalzi
What's it about: talking spy cats & cursing dolphins (both spoke through machines), some sort of mystery that involves getting very rich, supposed villain-like things
There wasn't much fun, at least, I haven't read anything that I thought was fun. So far of what I read, it's about the main character (also the narrator) finding information after information about his uncle and how he (the uncle) became rich. The main character, well, I wouldn't say he's a loser but he has a sucky job, the career he wants he cannot achieve, and he is mostly homeless if not for his father, his uncle, his cat (Hera). I wish it is narrated by Hera, the sentient, talking cat (she spoke through a machine and has her own house and apprentice) - that's really the best thing about this book so why wasn't it her story?
    There are many pop culture references such as ships named after actresses named Jennifer. I must point out Chapter 8 is all info dump about an island (where the uncle keeps his stuff) that can be summed up in two paragraphs but they choose to write a long report that is as dull as mud.
    Their definition of villain is definitely not about a guy who does evil things but about a guy who makes money off everyone, a neutral party, you might say. Nothing really points to any type of villain-ness unless the idea of supplying weapons (and such) to both good and bad people or being stinky rich as villain-like acts.     
     After the cursing dolphins (they keep using the four letter f word every time they speak), I had enough of this silliness. Even if there is a society of supposed villains, it was still dull. Yes, there are things here that I would find quirky, weird and would make a book to my liking but it felt like I'm reading one wacky idea after another and not much is happening and too slow to reveal what the heck is exactly the point of this book. The title (Starter Villain) is misleading although the cat image is maybe correct but I don't think the cat is the boss. The idea of being trained to be a villain is a great idea but that isn't this book. Sadly, I forgot to check out the ending before returning it to the library so I don't how it ends.

Have you read any books lately?

Fiction: Mansion for sale, pig & butler included

This month's Words for Wednesday prompts are provided by River over here. This week's prompts are: herring, detectives, beer, mask, peaches. Last week's prompts are: gallivanting, curious, forest, bacon and this picture from ArcticFox:

Fiction: Mansion for sale, pig & butler included
"The pig comes with the property," said Mrs. Sweetner, the realtor.
    "What?" said Garrison Herring. He eyed the short woman, uncertain he heard her right.
    "I said the pig comes with the property," said Mrs. Sweetner with a small smile. "It's one of two stipulations that are non-negotiable. It's why this place is selling for such a low number, Mr. Herring."
    "I heard you the first time but why a pig?" Herring never heard of such a thing. If his family didn't need more space and if he had more money, he never would have considered this property at all.
    "I don't believe I have an answer but perhaps you can find out yourself. The house has plenty of histories and mysteries. Years ago, the original owner..."
    Herring stopped listening. Was he already having buyer's remorse without even making an offer?
    Thirty minutes ago, when the family was dropped off at the curb by a taxi that sped away right after Herring paid the driver and faced the curious gate rusted with age and impressions of dried matters, they all paused. Had they gotten the address wrong? No. Number 1314 was plainly stated on a corroded brass plate nailed to the wall next to the gate.

Seven Things

01 - Why are phones so huge? Recently, the battery in my old phone (old model that is quite small) is having a slow death so I had to get a replacement and the choices are large phones. Why? Why do we need such large screens on a phone? I'm a simple person. I don't use a phone for anything but calls and texting. I also don't need a 1,000 options and apps to customize it to the point of extreme personalizing. And it's so damm heavy. I guess I can use it as a weapon when necessary.

Blogging from A-Z Challenge 2025: No Theme

After much over thinking, I decided to do the Blogging from A-Z Challenge this April. This week, we are to reveal our theme (if we have one) for the challenge but I don't have a theme and I don't want a theme. Having a theme means you have to stick to certain criteria and even if you break your own rules of what fits those criteria, it is still sort of a restriction. I am a stickler in that I wouldn't veer off the theme. To write 26 posts in a month is already a challenge so to add a theme is an extra challenge. But also because I have problems choosing. But if I am to pick a theme, it would be ramblings and randomness.
    This year, I thought to make it easier on myself. I will pick three words and let the readers choose which one I will be rambling about or if I have an inkling for a short story, I'll go that direction. I will choose the first word for the A post and then after that, the readers will choose. They will be short posts but I'm not going to restrict to an exact number of words because it would dampen the fun. Good luck to those who are participating. (More about the challenge over here.)
    
Do you plan on participating in the Blogging From A-Z Challenge this April?

IWSG Mar 2025: Paper or digital?

I used to write using a pen and on notebooks and notepads and then typed them into the computer. For some reason, the writing seemed easier and ideas seemed to flow better. But then comes the typing and then I realized how hard it is to actually do the typing. I write in linear form but some ideas come up for farther on in a story so they swim alone and then I have to remember to put them in the proper order. After a while, this process just got tiring so I switched to mostly digital.
    I still write ideas, certain phrases and notes on notepads and then type them into the computer but my handwriting is not so great so sometimes I have to leave behind ideas because I can't decipher them especially when I write them in the middle of the night under some faint light.
    Mostly, I do like writing on a computer and also the spellcheck function is really useful. I'm more likely to delete writing (bad, excessive or unnecessary) on a computer than on paper but on paper, I cross out the text, I can somehow still have those deleted text unlike a computer. Of course there is the whole losing documents or even corrupted documents since all my writings are basically computer files so when my computer doesn't work or when my backup drive doesn't work, I can't access them. I can print them out and keep them as a record but that seems like a waste of paper. I think no matter if you use paper or go digital, it's still pretty much the same but I admit, I'm much more organized when writing digitally.
    
Do you prefer to write on paper or digitally using your computer or some other devices?

(P.S. The app I use to write is iText Express  (Freeware for Mac, no PC/Windows version) > link - a very simplistic text app that I have been using for years.)
  
[More about the group over at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog here]