timebug

'The World of Jeeves' by PG Wodehouse. The complete 'Jeeves and Wooster' short stories in one volume. A sheer delight!

In The Summer Time - Mungo Jerry

Outfit

I am off to my town centre shortly to renew my annual contract on my mobile phone. Called in ten days ago as I was in the area, and the place was empty but a spotty young school leaver (who worked there!) told me I could 'have an appointment in forty minutes...?' I pointed out that in forty minutes I would be back home; the point of my being there THEN was that I expected to be dealt with THEN and not in forty minutes!

Down on The Corner - CCR

My reading varies depending on what is happening in my life at the time.I always read something every day, if it is only a short story or two! If I have a good book on the go,and the time, I will literally devour it in large three and four hour sessions.

Watched Idris Elba vs a demented killer Lion in 'Beast' (2022) and while it was a way of passing ninety minutes, I suppose I could have been reading a good book. The most annoying thing about this were the two teenage daughters of Elba's character,who were simply loud and irritating throughout. And unable to follow simple commands,like 'stay in the car!' at all times.

Don't Stop - Fleetwood Mac

A Taste of Honey - The Beatles

I read all of the original Frank Herbert 'Dune' series many years back, but have never attempted the ones written by his son. I loved them and have re-read them a couple of times, but still prefer the David Lynch film to the newer one; yes, it made cuts and slight changes to the plot, but overall it felt 'right' to me,where the new version failed across the board on so many levels. Have you read the 'Gaia' Trilogy by John Varley? (Titan, Wizard and Demon, repectively) I think you may like them. And in fact, anything of John Varleys, as he is a somewhat overlooked writer (IMO) who should reach a far wider audience!

Superb

Supersonic

Amusing

I watched all of the TV series of 'A Discovery of Witches' and tried the book(s) afterwards. I simply could not get into them! Whilst I had enjoyed the TV version, there was something that was somehow off-putting to me, about the books. Normally I would defend the original book, against any film ot TV version as being obviously superior,as the writers intent shines through; but in this instance, the book(s) simply failed to engage my interest enough to continue reading.

Gently

The versions of the Harry Potter books that my Neice has,read by Stephen Fry are all unabridged and complete.

Just me, winning again whilst no one is looking!

Hayley and Kudz; whilst I am not a fan of the Harry Potter series in any way shape or form, my neice has the whole collection narrated by Stephen Fry, which she swears are totally engrossing. She also has one of the U.S versions read by JIm Dale which may be the one you refer to, where he draws it out and uses a whiny approach to the whole thing?

Promise

Guilty

I would expand Hayley's post above, and say that (IMO) any of Ray Bradbury's short story collections are well worth a visit! And John Wyndham's short story collections are a delight.

I will sneak in and win...at least for a short time!

I am three episodes in now, will watch episode four later today probably, and find it has improved; it still has various stumbling blocks as regards the quality of the acting and script dialogue, but overall, the stunning visuals are carrying it along! (So far!)

I had the 'Reacher'argument a couple of years ago with a lady friend. She reads classics and only classics, and she berated me for 'wasting time reading trashy novels like that'. I pointed out that my own choice of reading is generally a good biography/autobiography or historical book, followed by a couple of quick 'thriller' or mystery novels, to clear my brain, ready for the next 'serious' book I read. Among those 'quick' reads, were the Reacher series, which I find to be generally well thought out and well executed plots, and Reacher himself is a solid (In more ways than one!) 'hero' of the stories. As a much younger man, I used to condemn people who read Mills & Boon romances, now, I accept that whilst they may not be to my tastes, there is a wide market out there for such things! So if you want to read an action/thriller with a convincing 'hero' then give the Reacher series a look. You may find it is worth the effort!

....And then, I watched 'Prey'. Having seen all of the previous 'Predator' films and noted that each one was worse than the one before, I came to this with very low expectations. Which were mostly correct. It had the odd scene that tried to make it rise above 'duh!' level but very few. Basic plot is that the Predator arrives on Earth three hundred years ago. A young girl in the local Cheyenne tribe starts to work out that in the woods, is something unpleasant. Enter a bunch of French Canadian trappers, uncouth and villainous, and prepare for mayhem. Nice idea, badly done, equals dull film.Next!