Finished reading: The Distant Echo by Val McDermid 📚
For a book in the Karen Pirie series, I expected more Karen Pirie. A good mystery to solve nevertheless.
Parasite, 2019 - ★★★★
Amazing how it’s taken me so long to watch this. I wonder if I’d seen it amidst the hype it would have got 5 stars. Nearly, but not quite perfect in my eyes.
Finished reading: Matrix by Lauren Groff 📚
An enjoyable read but was left feeling I wanted something more.
Finished reading: Big Sky by Kate Atkinson 📚
Bit meh. A few too many characters to get really attached to anyone or their story.
Conclave, 2024 - ★★★★
Didn’t have me quite as gripped as the book did, but a beautiful piece of film making.
Read in 2025: Crudo by Olivia Laing 📚
Read in two sittings which was probably best as I didn’t get in with it. Will stick to Laing’s non-fiction.
Finished reading: Mongrel by Hanako Footman 📚
The story of three women getting to know themselves and each other. Surprising. And challenging. And tender.
Finished reading: Union Jack by Val McDermid 📚
Think I’ve gone as far with Lindsey Gordon as I can for now.
Aftersun, 2022 - ★★★★★
Oof. I’ve not got words for the emotional rollercoaster this film took me on. A fantastic piece of film making.
Finished reading: The Unfolding by A.M. Homes 📚
As ever from A.M. Homes, an engaging and witty story that pulled me in from the first few pages. I needed this to find some flow to my reading again.
Civil War, 2024 - ★★★
One of those films where you get thrown in to a story that’s already started. It’s moving fast and there’s no time to wait for stragglers to catch up. And then just when you might be finding your feet, it’s over... I wonder if that’s how Jessie felt too.
Her, 2013 - ★★★
On reflection I really wish I’d made time to watch this when it came out. The decade and rapid changes in tech probably made me as non-plussed as the people living in this world when they blindly accepted their friends and colleagues falling in love with operating system.