What's it about: poverty, immigrants, murder
The mystery was really good in this one and it keeps me guessing who the suspect was. And as usual, I enjoyed the interaction between Sarah and Malloy (the two main characters).
What's it about: writing methods, some critical thinking about story and writing
This is written like a comedy act with a lot of cursing and is sort of entertaining but somehow it seemed like thoughts are elongated to make the book longer or something. The author explained things like a philosopher who wants to articulate but at the same time entertain which is not a bad thing. The two stories about the author's father (at the beginning and end of the book) is rather amusing. If you learn nothing, at least you got to read two good stories. I can recommend this book if you want some informative info about writing and ways of thinking of how to write stories.
What's it about: experiences as a writer, rants about authors, movies, journalism, other random stuff that may be have some slight associations with writing
Part I is full of thoughtful ideas on writing, being a novelist but philosophized and elongated. The chapter on masturbation can be summed up as 'Mailer's unhinged sermon against masturbation' (as one reviewer said) and it's pretty accurate. The section titled 'Philosophy' was rather dull.
Part II is where I lost interest (more accurately after 40% of the book). The man seemed to hate everything he had experienced or known so a lot of rants and so little touched upon writing. Under 'Television,' he talked about (in third person) about how he stabbed his wife maybe under the influence of marijuana, sleep drugs and late-night television - that is one bizarre rant. There is a small section about first time sex and then seemingly to talk about the entire erotic film, Last Tango in Paris. Supposedly it's about the story of that film and it ended. I have no idea what he was trying to say about it. Then comes Mailer's opinions of famous writers which I didn't care about but certainly it puts me off reading D.H. Lawrence.
So maybe a book about writing doesn't always need to talk about writing but all these meandering, rants, opinions and comparing most things to sex and male and female sex organs, excessive use of the four-letter f-word as a verb, are like fillers and some of it quite bored me.
In conclusion, if you're trying to gleam some writing wisdom from this book, there may be some in the first half of the book but unless you care about the author's opinions/views, you might be bored by and probably won't care about the second half of the book.
What's it about: grave diggers, corpses, deaths, doctors, poverty, inventions, 1875 Ohio, a bit of racism
This was maybe slightly creepy and I didn't quite know how it will go. There are elements (most relating to Cap, the main character) in here that aren't quite complete so you are left to wonder about them. People here are a bit too casual about death. I mean, they are sad when their loved one died but it's so normal to them. Maybe it's easier to accept death back them. I guess if this had been a longer book, we might have gotten those missing details. But overall, this was a quick, short read and this kept me reading but the ending was rushed.
What's it about: spirit, greed, murder, family, money
I do like the idea of a man (the first main character) whose spirit broke free from him and now is like a separate entity but that idea is not entirely explored. I like the mystery but everything went so quickly and situations resolved just like that and many things ignored, like, Benjamin's sexual assault on Adele (the second main character). And people who seemed to be villains are suddenly nice people and everyone (aside from the two would-be murderers and the one who planned it all) all loved Adele, even the kid who framed her for stealing. Everyone's happy-happy without having to do anything. I think if this had been longer, it would have been great but this was almost good.
What's about: siblings, mysterious deaths, a bit of romance, patriotism
The writing is a bit flowery sometimes but it gave off some sort of gothic-like quality since that is what the setting is meant to be. The mystery is intriguing but it went on too long and not giving spoilers away, I've never liked this type of resolution. Also, you can make a game of how many times Mr. Browning (the male love interest) raked a hand through his hair. The man seemed to do that so many times. This was a pretty good mystery romance but it would have been nicer if Mr. Browning who was supposed to be brooding do some brooding. He's like the nicest, broody man there is.
07 - Movies I Watched:
Mercenaries - sort of a b-movie but still entertaining, I don't know why they didn't include the Asian woman on the poster because she matched the status of the other characters
The Captain - a good diaster movie, it's films like these that made me not want to fly
Nick of time - a good thriller
Saint Judy - this was intriuging, had to do with immigrants and ICE
Cesium Fallout - a good diaster movie
The Attorney - a good law drama
Have you read any good books or seen any good movies lately?
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"To practice any art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow. So do it."
- Kurt Vonnegut