Countdown to Christmas…A Book Review and a Photo or Two (EDITED)
Welcome friends, and Merry Christmas. Thanks for stopping by today.
QUOTE
“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?”― Bob Hope
Friends, there are 10 days until Christmas. Are you ready? Are you excited? I am …sorta. My sleep has improved a great deal. I’m not feeling overwhelmed; work is slowing down, and I only have one more event to attend before we close for the holiday, and I can take some time off and tuck into winter. Remember to stay hydrated, and don’t stress this holiday.
Psst! STOP 🛑 right now and take 3 minutes, close your eyes, and <<<breathe>>>. You are present, you matter, and everything will be ok.
Ahh the books. I’ve mentioned that my reading has slowed quite a bit, and I don’t have that jet-fueled turbo power I did over the summer. I will finish out my Good Reads Challenge, which will be one book shy of my goal. Today, I’m sharing a (quick) review of a Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay, and a few Christmas decor touches around my home.
Book Details
Title | Horror Movie
Author(s) | Paul Tremblay
Format | Audible
Pages/Hours | 7 hrs, 23 min
Published | June 2024
Publisher | Harper Audio
Genre | Horror, Fiction, Thriller
GR Rating | 3.37
Purchase | Amazon
Storyline
A chilling twist on the “cursed film” genre from the bestselling author of The Pallbearers Club and The Cabin at the End of the World.
In June 1993, a group of young guerilla filmmakers spent four weeks making Horror Movie, a notorious, disturbing, art-house horror flick.
The weird part? Only three of the film’s scenes were ever released to the public, but Horror Movie has grown a rabid fanbase. Three decades later, Hollywood is pushing for a big-budget reboot.
MY REVIEW
This is another title I was excited to read after looking at the synopsis, but it ultimately fell short of my expectations.
It’s not that I didn’t see other reviews, but I chose to proceed because one person’s 3.4 stars can be another one’s 4.5. It reads a little strangely because, (initially), it’s told from a few different perspectives. Two friends (I use this term loosely) have written a (disturbing) low-budget horror flick.
“The Kid” is the perspective we initially read, but I can’t tell who the protagonist is in this book.
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It’s a quick read, but at 40%, I still didn’t pick up its intention. I think what irritated me most (I listened to the audiobook) was the reading of the script and the corrections and the constant sniffing of the person reading it.
We’re listening 🎧 to a run-through with the cast, and basically, every time one character makes a mistake, she sniffs and then turns the page. Yes, I imagine this inflection is supposed to make it seem realistic, but it stops being a quirk after you’ve heard it 20 times, and then it becomes annoying.
🧠 Why are stories involving teenagers always filled with said teens doing stupid shit. Yes, I understand the metaphor, and it’s a fictional script within a fictional book, but can they be clever even if they don’t have life experience❓ I digress…
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What eventually happens is that it’s intended to be this horror art house flick where a terrible accident happens during filming, thus cursing the entire cast. Everything from accidents to disease would plague these individuals.
Fast forward, and a “big” studio decides to remake the film and recover the footage. The group believed that what they were making (how to make a serial killer out of a normal person through the downright evil, sinister acts of teens) was a unique script that needed to be made.
Where it ends is somewhere strange between … “What?” and I’m confused. Then you’re left scratching your head because things start to happen as the story ends, and I didn’t have closure. So, I give this story a 3.48 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ it just wasn’t for me.
Photo Sharing Time
I’m sharing a bit of my holiday home today, as well as a few areas I’ve decorated. — Enjoy!
Don’t forget to download my Gift List printable to make it easier to keep track. For other freebies, check out my winter holiday downloads.
The holidays can be a strange time of the year, so remember to connect with friends and family because, (for some), it’s a very lonely time. Thank you for spending a little time with me here today. And share in the comments your Good Reads goals or any books you’re reading this December. Don’t forget to subscribe if you enjoyed this post. — Happy Holidays
