Thendral’s Take: February 2021
MEM by Bethany C. Morrow
This book is around 175 pages but it took me just as much time as an average novel! Personally, I'm not a fan of sci-fi but I just wanted to give this genre a whirl. I LOVED the author's style of writing but content-wise, this is not my cup of coffee. Every sentence needs to be read to follow the plot which made a demanding read and that's why it took me so long!
Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Plot
Daphne has been humiliated and made to feel like she's inferior all her life because of her appearance. She's ~best friends~ with Drue who is society's ideal woman. A night out causes a huge fight and a split between the two. Daphne decided it's time to move on from Drue and stop being her second fiddle. UNTIL! Drue tracks her down 6 years later, begging for reconciliation and for Daphne to be her maid of honour. Drue even offers money. Daphne, an influencer now with a new clothing brand deal, sees the opportunities the wedding could present and accepts.
My Thoughts
It starts as your typical chick flick and then evolves into a totally different genre which was unexpected and interesting! Butttt, it does take a while for this transition to happen which makes it slow-moving at first, and it was almost a little hard for the book to hold my attention. Yet, I couldn't completely chuck this book aside for some reason either which proved to be totally worth it because once it picked up the pace, it was a race to end the book! The book manages to discuss body image, social media, female friendships, societal expectations of women and SO MUCH at one go which was SO amazing! There were some points of view presented in the book around these topics that I disagreed with a little so that was a little unsettling. But I absolutely loved Daphne and her family and I appreciated that there was no knight in shining armour at a key moment! Most of the characters in this book are aged 26 to 27 and I want to say I felt a little old for their problems, but honestly? I'm still working through some very similar issues. Sometimes, something that's toxic is actually too complex to simply cut contact and walk away. This was very well depicted in the book and I liked that. There were some long settings and scenes that were interesting but didn't add any particular value to the overall story. Also, I don't know what it is about this book, but it just screams "sit by the beach/ pool and read" and "summer read" somehow.
Overall
I have mixed feelings about this book. There's diversity and representation, I liked the writing but there's something I can't put my finger on to say "YES! READ THIS!" I think it's entirely up to the individual, so if the blurb interested you at all, maybe you can give it a shot?
Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton
Plot
A school is starting its day in Somerset, South West England. The younger kids have pottery, some older kids have poetry, and the graduating batch is in the library with the school's headmaster. Just like any other day. Until there is an explosion and gunshots. The kids are trapped, hiding, a Psychologist/ Detective has to figure out the shooters and their plans and the parents are PANICKING. The day reaches its crescendo 3 hours later.
My Thoughts
My mind is BLOWN by this book! I read the entire thing with my heart in my throat! I cried, I felt angry, I cringed, I went "awwww". There were difficult decisions, completely terrifying moments and the innocence of teenage love. The book features a pair of brothers, Syrian refugees aged 8 and 16 and of course, they're the ones to be scapegoated right away. This part gets ugly that you want to scream "STOP! They're CHILDREN!" It's that gripping and well-written! The book starts by creating panic and ends with a temporary sensation of relief - like you have come out of this MONUMENTAL moment and that's all you want to think about for now. Nevermind tomorrow or even the next hour; you're out of the chaos now and unharmed and that's all that matters. There are A LOT of characters and ALL of them have some backstory to them so keeping up can be a little confusing, but I think that adds to the thriller/ mystery element of this book. I personally think it parallels how MUCH is truly going on during a school siege rather than simplifying things for a unilateral perspective. I can't tell you more because I can't do it without giving away any more spoilers than I already have. All I can say is, this book is going to stay with me for a long, LONG time.
Overall
READ THIS! If there's one book you read right now, let it be this one. It's three hours of being under siege and the book moves 10 minutes by 10 while covering SO many topical issues. I'm one of those people who need to read or watch something positive and happy after this to cleanse my palette but it was completely worth this gripping experience. This is a rare find; simple premise, brilliant execution.
Plot
A pair of siblings who have spent most of their lives in Brooklyn move back to Oahu, Hawaii due to circumstances! During this time, they get back in touch with their heritage!
My Thoughts
It's an adventure movie told by people native to Hawaii which gives you a beautiful and insightful perspective to their culture! Further, they cast people from Hawaii or of Hawaiian descent so YAY! for representation. Because it's centered around 2 teenagers learning about their identity and who they are, it's not just the typical stereotypes you have seen of Hawaii so far. The movie goes as far as to weave in elements of how Hawaii is more than just a tourist trap. The cinematography was BEAUTIFUL and the natural beauty of the island was so refreshing. Can't wait to travel there when all this is over, honestly (in a respectful manner of course, and not just as part of a tour package). My only issue was the plot was a liiiiitle jumpy in the beginning so maybe they could have edited the movie a little more? Nonetheless, the siblings' bickering was all too familiar and how they both come into their identity through their own separate ways after having compartmentalised it for YEARS was so relatable!
Overall
It's a good, family-friendly fun movie with "family" and "doing the right thing" as the key messaging. It's so warm, I thoroughly enjoyed myself as it's 2 hours of good, clean fun! Do NOT miss out on this movie!
Plot
Joe is a middle school music teacher who FINALLY lands the big break he has been waiting for his WHOLE LIFE. Unfortunately, circumstances cause him to be trapped between Earth and the afterlife. Whatever will happen next?
My Thoughts
The movie has MANY STANDOUT moments that are true to a Pixar movie like:
capturing the moment where people lose themselves in something they love doing and feeling like they're beyond life itself
the conversation Joe has with his mum about the need to pursue his dreams even if it means failing
the beauty of what makes life, life
featuring an African-American lead (like, FINALLY) and the depth and perception that went into animating African-Americans
Tina Fey's BRILLIANT casting
Having said all that, I don't think I was the right audience for the movie. I struggle with the concept of death in general and something about this movie left me unsettled. We all know Pixar is in the business of producing tears now. But while most Pixar movies make me cry and go "aww" and leave me feeling all warm and fuzzy bu the end, something about this left me feeling... heartbroken. I don't know how else to say it. I'm not sure if I missed something as clearly everyone is raving about it. And while I truly appreciated the aforementioned standout moments, something left me feeling unsettled at the end of the movie.
Overall
I can't give you an overall because I honestly don't know what to think. I think most people should be able to enjoy the film and yet, I can't pull a "trigger warning" for people with mood disorders or sensitive around themes on death. I think somehow, I was just the wrong target audience for this movie!
*Subscribe to my monthly newsletter, "Thendral's Telegraph" here!*
