Musically I’m enjoying sight reading a lot of songs from one of Sondheim’s books.
Three more hours until No Plot becomes my problem.
Archive for October, 2025
Bad Monkey by Carl Hiaasen
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
I’m at 77% into this book. I have sped up the audio because I am bored with this book. I have read other Carl Hiaasen books, and I always feel like I want to quit. I wonder why I tried. This isn’t up my alley. The humor is not funny. Maybe my gender? My age? I just find it a bit vulgar and misogynistic. And I am sad to hear bad things about the Johnny Depp monkey from the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. All of it may be true, but still… it is a monkey, ya know?
I’ll finish the book before I sleep tonight. If the last bit changes my opinion, I’ll come back and change the review. Obviously, others love this book —try it and see what you think. A plus was that Arte Johnson was the narrator.
Thankfully, I picked this up on Libby.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Reading this the third time has felt a lot like the first time. I stick with the other two reviews below. What I noticed this time I didn’t take note of before was the story arcs for Jocasta’s slaves. I have to admit I like the stories in the television series more.
The other thing I noticed this time is Arch Bug and the part he has played from the beginning, and his sad ending.
I’m still in love with these stories and the magic of Diana Gabaldon and narrator now character on Bone of My Bone, Davina Porter.
***
Below is the review from the last time I read/listened to this book. I have re-rated this and given it five stars. I think this reading aligns with the latest episodes of the show. The last episode I watched was exactly what I had just listened to that day. I love following both the book and the show and seeing how they translate the written word, especially a long book like this, into an excellently done show.
Though I stay with the thought that the narrator, as excellent as she is, for the most part, had a hard time helping the listener to know whose point of view she was portraying. Still, I followed better this time than I did the last time I read.
I highly recommend these books. Like last time, I have already started book 7. Yay, William as a grown-up!
***
Wow! Am I finally finished with this book? It is the longest book I think I have ever read. I don’t think it needs to be that long, either.
Look. Don’t get me wrong. I still love the story, the characters, and the concept of time travel. I just found the length unbearable with the thousands of books on my TBR shelf.
It is fun to explore the early days in America with the characters. I have to admit that I loved the time in Scotland the most, so this book is missing that aspect.
The other problem with this book is that our magical narrator, Divina Porter, couldn’t handle all the characters. Now that Brea is an adult, she sounds like Clair. Now that Roger is an adult, he sounds like Jamie. All the children sound the same. Maybe if I could read simultaneously as listening, I could sort them out. But that is not possible for me and my eyes.
The last thing I need to point out, in case it counts for your reading the book, is that I am already reading book 7, so…
It is worth the read. Stay with it. There are rewards in the story. And in this crazy world, a sweet time-travel romance can calm the worries that like to strike at bedtime.
Alarms are ringing in my head. The night most people feel as exciting fright for Halloween, is my deadline for prep for the night of writing dangerously. Midnight after the trick or treaters have counted and downed much of their bounty, I’m drinking tea and hoping for words to count. But I have to wait for that moment. Five more days! (Only 5!)
This last week my reality was so much better than playing with my imaginary friends, but that time away made these characters as flimsy as paper dolls.
Wait! What?
Well, my stream just found an idea! Maybe I’m playing with my new friends this next few days. That is IF I can put down the yarn long enough to create a yarn. By the way, NaNo2.org is the new site, thanks, Yvensong. Still checking it out.
Five sock projects going on six.
Does anyone else get like this? I want to try so many things?
I loved my week with loved ones and traveling. But I’m finding my equilibrium and energy levels blown to pieces. Bike and treadmill shame me this week. The weather is getting colder, less stable. I’m so glad my family members are safe and we can face the bad stuff from our homes.
Not to mention NaNo prep and character development is far from my focus right now
I’ll find my way back while teaching myself new passion.
My Grape Cellar by Laura Bradbury
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was my least favorite of the series. It seemed to stay with real estate, food, and wine rather than family and all things French. And it seemed to skip over Laura’s expanding family. Still, I enjoyed the read and gained a greater sense of travel and living in France.
I read this on my Kindle app on an old phone. This series has been easy for my eyes and fun for my language curiosities. I’ve already moved on to the next book. This one will center on the new baby. That should be more fun for me.
Darswords 
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