I don’t often do movies reviews, partly because I rarely watch recent films. I haven’t been to the theaters to see a movie since Avengers: Endgame (2019). But per the Critical Drinker’s recommendation, I borrowed the 2024 film One Life, and amid a snowstorm I enjoyed a cozy night in with a wonderful film (andContinue reading “Ordinary Architects of Fate: A review of “One Life” (2024)”
Tag Archives: Writing
Epiphany
On we marched beneath the firmament, Eyes alight, entranced by such a star! Bright and new, in darkness clear, that heraldAncient, kingsman, prophet, glorious news! Till we saw that humble home, abode ofPeasant, shepherd, or artisan?So we stared, exchanged a troubled look, thenHastened to the door. There we found him, in babe’s attire and SimpleContinue reading “Epiphany”
Review & Analysis: The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier
(Minor spoilers—nothing big.) Again Jonathan Auxier tells an intriguing story with compelling, interesting characters, while dealing with the question of ‘What is a story, and what is it for?’ in a way that both a child and an adult can understand and appreciate. Set amid the Irish potato famine and English prejudice against the Irish,Continue reading “Review & Analysis: The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier”
Reading Experiment Update
In my previous post, admittedly some time ago, I explained a reading experiment I had begun. In short, it was to read only one book at a time, with some exceptions such as audiobooks, short stories, essays, etc. I actually forgot to mention the audiobook rule, but part of why I kept that rule isContinue reading “Reading Experiment Update”
An Experiment in Reading
I have begun an experiment. Years ago, I used to think that my habit of reading many books at one time was due to my lack of self-control. Then I decided: No, this is just what I like doing—I like to read different books at a time—who says that you have to read only oneContinue reading “An Experiment in Reading”
Book Review: Starlight
I enjoyed this collection of short stories by Hannah Lee Kidder. It includes 11 short stories, six of which are flash fiction. The flash fiction was excellent. Kidder rarely uses exposition, and all of her stories in this collection unfold gradually with little to no expositional setup, leading the reader along through intrigue. Whether herContinue reading “Book Review: Starlight”
Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey (#2)
Almost as delightful as the first one! Again, Trenton Lee Stewart delivers a book as wonderful as his name. The pacing was a little more varied than that of the first book, which I think I enjoyed more (I get anxious easily and use books to help regulate my emotions; so when a book isContinue reading “Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey (#2)”
Coraline: A Fun, Eerie Read
Spoilers! I really enjoyed this book! At 30,826 words I think it makes more sense to call it a novella than a short story. I think my favourite aspect of Gaiman’s writing in this work is the tone (I’m now on my third Gaiman book, and that seems to be one of his foremost skills).Continue reading “Coraline: A Fun, Eerie Read”
Book Review: Six of Crows
Spoilers! World-building: Renaissance Fantasy I have thought to myself that it would be interesting to read or write a renaissance fantasy story, and I think Bardugo did a fine job making one. Her originality in the combination of magic and guns, as well as in making a world that deliberately resembles our own (Amsterdam, Russia,Continue reading “Book Review: Six of Crows”
Christmas Reading List
Why, on the 30th of December, am I publishing a post on Christmas literary recommendations? Firstly because, in the words of Bob Cratchit, I was making rather merry—and still am! Hence the short post, as well. Secondly because (and this is for another post), Christmas has not ended! In the Church (outside of which ChristmasContinue reading “Christmas Reading List”
The Curious Critic 