Week in Review #38

I didn't finish any books this week.

Century of Viewing #38

1920s

• 1924 Girl Shy. A stuttering shy man with no experience at all even slightly with women writes a book about how to win all the ladies. The publisher sees it as a joke--at first rejecting it and then deciding to publish it AS a joke. Meanwhile, he falls in love with random person on the train because DOGGO. Also she falls in love with him because he shares Cracker Jacks? She's rich. He's poor. She ends up almost marrying someone else. He stops the wedding. I didn't love this one. I think the "stuttering gag" is a complete and total failure in a silent movie. And this one is WAY too long. So much could have been cut down because the moments between good bits or laughs makes the enjoyment of the whole go down. That's why I think Buster Keaton's shorter SHERLOCK JR, released the same year--one day later to be exact if Wikipedia is correct is a million times better. And it's half the length but A MILLION times more enjoyable. This one has a good enough premise perhaps--but it takes FOREVER to get anywhere. And when you are finally moving ahead with the plot the stuttering gag just slows it down all over again because you have to be reminded that yes this man in a SILENT MOVIE is stuttering.

1980s

• 1984 Ghostbusters. I enjoyed the song very much. I am glad I have seen it. It was enjoyable enough--I do love Bill Murray most of the time. I am glad I did not see it as a kid in 1984. Definitely would have SCARED me as a kid.
• 1989. Ghostbusters II. Technically a Christmas movie perhaps??? Doesn't matter, I don't think I'll voluntarily watch it again no matter the time of year. I would describe this one as I want my time back. Or if you don't love it after the first twenty minutes it's okay to abandon.

1990s

• 1997 Romy and Michele's High School Reunion. SUPER SUPER fun soundtrack. Enjoyable enough story. Romy and Michele are best, best, best, best friends--have been forever. Their high school reunion (10 years) is fast approaching...Romy wants to pretend to be super super successful....and Michele, she goes along with it not really caring one way or another. CAN their friendship overcome the stress of seeing their classmates particularly those that bullied them????

2000s

• 2005. Romy and Michele: In the Beginning. Is this the worst movie I've seen all year? Maybe. Probably. I'd have to look at my spreadsheet. But one star for sure. I am not sure about the casting. I almost wished that the roles were swapped with the actresses. I spent most of the video trying to figure out WHERE I recognized the one playing Michele. It is Virgin River. Of course she's been in plenty of movies and shows. So this prequel "movie" has so little plot that I'm not sure why it exists. But it shows the two friends moving to LA.

2020s

• 2026 Power Ballad. I wanted to love, love, love this one. I liked aspects of it for sure. BUT I don't know that I'd watch it again-again. (Though I might listen to the soundtrack at some point). Honestly, I enjoyed Paul Rudd as a wedding singer. The entire movie could have been him doing gigs as a wedding singer and covering songs with the occasional original....and him hanging out with his family and bandmates. But this wasn't that movie--not really. He plays a wedding where a famous ex-boy-band singer is a guest. The two sing together at the wedding and have an awesome time. They hang out after the wedding too. He plays some of his original songs for the famous guy. The famous guy enjoys and even gifts him a guitar. Though WHY he has a whole studio in a country he doesn't live and he's just a guest at a wedding--why does he have a collection of guitars and other musical-y stuff??? Is the guitar even his to give? A while later, wedding singer guy hears HIS original song on the radio being performed by famous singer guy. He's livid that he's not going to be credited with cowriting it at least. And no one seems to believe him that it is *his* song. So much drama and angst that goes on WAY too long. The movie is all about him coming to peace perhaps with just being a wedding singer and having the most awesome family life.
• 2026 Center Seat II. This is a five part documentary on Star Trek focusing on Star Trek Next Generation movies and the rebooted trilogy of movies. It mentions the series a little bit but not much. This is mostly-mostly about the movies except for when specific episodes connect to the movies. I have seen some of the first 'Center Seat' series but not all the episodes. Definitely interesting interviews and behind the scenes stuff.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #37

This week I reviewed two books.

68. Scaredy Squirrel. Melanie Watt. 2008. Kids Can Press. 42 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture book, emotions and feelings, animal fantasy]
69. The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the BIG Hungry Bear. Don and Audrey Wood. 1984. 32 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, picture books, animal fantasy]

Century of Viewing #37

1920s

• 1926 Dancing Mothers. Do I pity anyone in this movie? NO, not really. I don't pity the cheating husband. I don't pity the cheating wife. I don't pity the man who is in love with the mother after amusing himself with the daughter. I don't pity the daughter who is confused as to why her mother fell in love with the guy she was chasing. Mainly I'm confused as to why the audience is supposed to sympathize with the mother. At least if the intertitles are to be believed. The mother takes the advice of her friend--someone who lost her son in World WAR I--that she shouldn't spend her nights at home while her daughter is out at nightclubs smoking and dancing AND her father is out with other women at nightclubs, probably smoking and dancing, and ETC. So she goes out to nightclubs and starts smoking and dancing. She meets the "scandalous" heart-breaker of a man that her daughter has fallen for and is chasing after relentlessly and shamelessly. So "for the sake of her daughter" she diverts his attention all to herself. Using a fake name--her stage name from before she married--and they carry on an affair. When all comes to light she BLAMES her husband and her daughter BECAUSE THEY ARE SELFISH AND THINK ONLY OF THEMSELVES. I mean granted, her husband isn't worth much. And her daughter lacks common sense and probably morals. BUT who raised the daughter??? NO pity to be found for this cheating woman who RUNS AWAY to Europe after being discovered BECAUSE HER FAMILY IS TOO SELFISH TO FORGIVE.
• 1928 Our Dancing Daughters. No relation--as far as I know--to Dancing Mothers which I watched earlier tonight. Three women--Diana, Beatrice (Bea) and Ann--are flapper friends who like to dance and party and be all the modern--drinking, smoking, etc. Bea has fallen madly in love and is regretting her earlier [lusty lusty] decisions. Ann puts on a show--depending on the audience. When she thinks a guy has all the $$$ and might marry her she is sweet, demure, all the innocent. Otherwise, anything goes. Diana is extremely extroverted and the life of a party. She'll dance on table tops, dance with all the guys in the room, just live it up. But she's "a good girl." Both Ann and Diana fall for the same guy. He thinks Diana must be immoral since she is the life of the party...so he chooses "demure" and "sweet" Ann who is plotting and manipulative just like her mother. Plenty of regrets Ben has after they are married. But will he get the opportunity to choose differently????
• 1929 The Trespasser. Gloria Swanson's first talking picture is all DRAMA. A couple weds quickly but the marriage dissolves just as quickly when his rich parents interfere. She keeps their child a secret, but, later when scandal erupts, well, she'll make the ultimate sacrifice....will she ever have a happy ending?

1930s

• 1938 You Can't Take It With You. Extremely very quirky from beginning to end. It is a romantic comedy that excels in side characters and charm. I definitely liked it enough to want to watch it again at some point.
• 1939 Mr. Smith Goes to Washington. Another Frank Capra film. (I just watched You Can't Take It With You this past weekend). I liked it okay. Definitely unevenly paced in my opinion. OR else I was really extremely sleepy when I started it last night. One man fights for what is right....against all odds.

1960s

• 1962 Zotz! A professor comes into possession of an ancient coin that has magical properties when you say the word Zotz. But there are evil powers that be that want to get their hands on the coin....It is completely silly, quirky, ridiculous, but fun if you're in the right mood. I was in the right mood.

1990s

• 1992 School Ties. Set in the 1950s, I believe, this is a drama set at a prep school in Massachusetts. Lots of familiar faces in this one. Lots of football and French....and guys being not so nice to one another. I enjoyed it well enough.

2020s

• 2026. Leanne Season 2. I enjoyed this one. It isn't so much that there's actual plot, but, the characters and relationships of the family are well done and the episodes are funny.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

August Monthly Reflections

This August I read twenty-three books!

Books Reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews

50. The Knife of Never Letting Go. (Chaos Walking #1) Patrick Ness. 2008. 512 pages. [Source: Library]
51. Rash. Pete Hautman. 2006. 256 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, YA dystopia, YA fiction, YA futuristic; YA Sports]
52. Prey. Michael Crichton. 2002. 507 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 5 stars, adult science fiction, adult thriller]
53. The Best Bear in All the World. Paul Bright, Brian Sibley, Jeanne Willis, Kate Saunders. 2016. 115 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, audio book, Winnie the Pooh sequel]
54. The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins. Melanie Dickerson. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, clean romance, historical romance, Jane Eyre wannabe]
55. The Future of Us. Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. 2011. 356 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, YA fiction, YA science fiction, coming of age]
56. Paperboy. Vince Vawter. 2013. Random House. 240 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, MG fiction, coming of age, MG historical, based on true story]
57. This is Christmas: Song by Song: The Stories Behind 100 Holiday Hits. 2023. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, Christmas, music appreciation]
58. Every Time a Bell Rings: The Legacy of It's a Wonderful Life, America's Most Beloved Holiday Film. Emily St. James and Lauren Theisen. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars, adult nonfiction, essays]
59. The Phantom Tollbooth. Norton Juster. Illustrated by Jules Feiffer. 1961/2011. Random House. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, children's fantasy, children's classic]
60. A Mismatch Made in London. Melanie Dickerson. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical romance, clean romance]
61. Old Man's War. John Scalzi. 2005. 318 pages. [Source: Library] [adult science fiction, 5 stars, military science fiction]
62. In the Red. Christopher Swiedler. 2020. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Library]
63. Thank You, Sun. Douglas Florian. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [children's poetry, 4 stars]

Books Reviewed at Young Readers

61. Pizza and Taco #11: Pizza and Taco: Scariest Sleepover Ever. Stephen Shaskan. 2026. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book]
62. One Mad Cat and the Missing Book. Vicky Fang. 2026. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early reader, early chapter book, animal fantasy]
63. Orris and Timble Star Stories. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. 2026. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]
64. WhoHQ: The Beatles. Ellen Labrecque. Illustrated by Fanny Liem. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, j nonfiction, j biography, music appreciation]
65. Shy. Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. 2026. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, animals, music appreciation]
66. We Are All Ears. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [beginning reader, 3 stars]
67. Hairy and Scary! Jan Thomas. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]

Books Reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

20. Connect: How to Grow Your Church in 28 Days Guaranteed. Don Corder. 2019. 233 pages. [Source: Borrowed] [3 stars, christian nonfiction]

Bibles Reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

6. New American Standard Bible 1995, New Inductive Study Bible. GOD. 1995. 2296 pages. [Source: Bought] [Bible, bible review, 5 stars]

Totals for 2026

Totals for 2026
Books Read in 2026	157
Pages Read in 2026	38347
January Totals
Books Read in January	21
Pages Read in January	5119
February Totals
Books read in February	24
Pages Read in February	4225
March Totals
Books read in March	18
Pages read in March	4099
April Totals
Books read in April	16
Pages read in April	6386
May Totals
Books Read in May	11
Pages read in May	4067
June Totals
Books read in June	26
Pages read in June	4767
July Totals
Books read in July	18
Pages read in July	3239
August Totals
Books read in August	23
Pages read in August	6965

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #36

This week I reviewed two books.

63. Thank You, Sun. Douglas Florian. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [children's poetry, 4 stars]

20. Connect: How to Grow Your Church in 28 Days Guaranteed. Don Corder. 2019. 233 pages. [Source: Borrowed] [3 stars, christian nonfiction]

Century of Viewing #36

1930s

• 1932 Movie Crazy. You have to be in the right kind of mood to watch really old movies. I was not in the mood apparently. HOWEVER, the premise does sound interesting...perhaps not original but interesting. Harold Hall (not to be confused with Professor Harold Hill, Harold Hill) wants to be in movies. The problem? He isn't an actor and he's terrible at it. He's good at making people laugh unintentionally. For whatever reason, when he arrives a movie star actress falls for him????? Definitely insta-something which I just can't fathom. He ends up winning the girl and I think getting to be in movies too but all because he's accidentally funny and goofs up all the time always. The plot is vaguely similar to Buster Keaton's Free and Easy. Though in that one, Buster's character did NOT want to be an actor...he only wanted the girl....a nobody from a small town with no talent whatsoever except incredibly bad taste in men. I don't see the appeal for Harold Lloyd. HOWEVER, maybe I just haven't found the right movie yet. I saw one or two last year that were very MEH.
• 1934 Evergreen. Musical. For better or worse. A daughter who resembles her mother (they are played by the same actress) 'returns' to London and enters show business posing as her beautiful, never-aging mother. She even pretends to have a grown son--but her and the fake son fall in love. So secrets can't stay secret long....but you can sing your way out of trouble if you're beautiful??? I'm not sure. I was expecting more of a resolution than a song and dance number, but that was probably asking too much.
• 1935 Call of the Wild. He's looking for gold...and finds love. She's looking for her missing husband...and finds a second chance at love. Her husband...well...I think he's just looking to survive. But he's thrilled to be reunited with his wife...he's clueless that this movie has been about his wife finding love with Clark Gable. He lets the girl and his dog go....

1950s

• 1951 When Worlds Collide. A sci-fi disaster movie from the early 1950s. This time it is NOT a meteor but a planet....or two....heading our way. An ark will be built--a rocket ship to save a selected few. I enjoyed this one.

1980s

• 1985 Back to the Future. Enjoyable. Fun. Nostalgic. Definitely enjoyed my trip back.

2020s

• 2023 Starved for Perfection. Every time I watch a Karen Carpenter documentary I hope for a different end. I tend to overthink and ask a lot of what ifs when I read or watch biographies. The one that stuck with me this time was what if fame wasn't a factor. Would she have found love and happiness and avoided the heaviness of life??? What if she'd been allowed to stay behind the drums and not forced out in the spotlight and into more scrutiny. What if she'd been 1000000% supported by her family? What if her brother hadn't been the only beloved child. BUT her music was and is wonderful. And that voice is unforgettable. And I'm guessing that HER tragic ending helped others avoid such an end. It brought awareness and knowledge. Lives may have been saved because people realized how dangerous this was/is.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Twenty Year Blogoversary

Becky's Book Reviews turns TWENTY today! Can you believe it?! In some ways, 2006 feels like yesterday, and, in other ways it feels like it's ages ago. Well, maybe not yesterday. But definitely not twenty years.

Your guess is as good as mine in terms of HOW many books I've reviewed over the past twenty years. I know I read a LOT more books at the beginning. My reading and reviewing has slowed down a lot since 2006!!! My love for rereading has only increased.

Knowing that I was going to be celebrating twenty years, I wanted to reread some OLDER books that I loved, loved, loved when I first started blogging. I wish I could have read twenty books that met this goal. I did not. I was able to reread seven books!

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Rash by Pete Hautman
The Future of Us by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler
Paperboy by Vince Vawter
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
Old Man's War by John Scalzi
In the Red by Christopher Swiedler

First book reviewed on the blog: New Moon by Stephenie Meyer
Last book reviewed on the blog: Thank You, Sun by Douglas Florian

Blogging has changed in twenty years. I started out the blog with a readership of me, myself, and I. And I think we're almost down to that again. I do consider it as more a conversation with either my past self or future self. I often check my blog to see if I've read the book...and if I have...if I liked it, loved it, or hated it. But there were a handful of years that blogging was a true community. Blogging may not be a thing much these days. BUT reading will always remain.





© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Century of Viewing, August

I watched twenty-one things in August! Two were K-dramas.

5 star movies and shows:

4-D Man
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse
Agent Kim Reactivated
Back to the Future
Daylight
Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Strong Girl Nam-Soon
The Sunshine Boys

4 1/2 and 4 star movies:

Deluge (4 stars)
Top Speed (4 stars)
What's Up Doc (4 1/2 stars)
World's Greatest Lover (4 stars)
Starved for Perfection (4 1/2 stars)
When Worlds Collide (4 stars)



© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

63. Thank You, Sun

63. Thank You, Sun. Douglas Florian. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [children's poetry, 4 stars]

First sentence: Thank you, sun. You give us light. You shine all day until the night. You warm our planet as you burn--and ask for nothing in return.

Premise/plot: Douglas Florian's newest poetry picture book is Thank You, Sun. It is a book celebrating nature. Each poem is illustrated by the author. The poems are accessible and lovely.

My thoughts: I don't always read poetry but when I do...it is usually Douglas Florian. I really love his poetry. I am SO thankful to have found his works. Do seek him out if you're looking to add poetry books to your classroom library or home library.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #35

This week I read seven books!

61. Old Man's War. John Scalzi. 2005. 318 pages. [Source: Library] [adult science fiction, 5 stars, military science fiction]
62. In the Red. Christopher Swiedler. 2020. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Library]
63. Orris and Timble Star Stories. Kate DiCamillo. Illustrated by Carmen Mok. 2026. 80 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early chapter book, animal fantasy]
64. WhoHQ: The Beatles. Ellen Labrecque. Illustrated by Fanny Liem. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, j nonfiction, j biography, music appreciation]
65. Shy. Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton. 2026. 52 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, picture book, animals, music appreciation]
66. We Are All Ears. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [beginning reader, 3 stars]
67. Hairy and Scary! Jan Thomas. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, humor, picture book]


Century of Viewing #35

1950s

• 1956 Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This was such a GREAT movie!!!! I definitely enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The title does say it all. I also love the way the story unfolds--as a flashback. One lone man trying to warn the world....
• 1959 4D Man. This one has a bit of everything. TWO brothers fall in love with the same girl. Both are scientists. Both want to be inventors. Both have theories that seem impossible. Both end up working for the same company. But one brother, well, he takes things WAY too far. It's got a snazzy, jazzy soundtrack. And it sounds like some of the sound effects in this are the transporter sound effects in Star Trek. Though I'm not saying they are the same, just that they sound extremely similar. IT was a very entertaining film. Very dramatic.

2020s

• 2026 Agent Kim Reactivated. EXTREMELY action-packed and dramatic. YET there is EMOTION in every episode. A retired agent comes out of retirement (hiding) when something terrible happens to his daughter.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

62. In the Red

62. In the Red. Christopher Swiedler. 2020. [March] 288 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: By Friday afternoon, after a week of careful thought, Michael Prasad had come up with just one theory for how he might make it to Monday morning without getting grounded for the rest of his life.

Premise/plot: In the Red is a middle grade science fiction novel set on Mars. Michael, the hero, has been forbidden to try (again) for his basic certification--being certified to go out on the surface of Mars in an environmental suit. Most pass by the age of ten--he's twelve. But he's experienced panic attacks in the past on test day--that were not pretty. Michael feels certain he's a big disappointment to his dad. If he can just get over his panic attacks then he could visit his father at work on the station. So many things he could do...if only his body didn't betray him.

Lilith, Michael's best, best, best friend, is so supportive of him. For better or worse--after another failed attempt--she suggests the two of them SNEAK out and go to the surface. What could go wrong????

If nothing went wrong, In the Red would be a short story that few would find super-compelling. Instead it is action packed and filled with danger. Action packed yet still character driven. Despite the jacket copy telling readers a LOT of what to expect, I recommend reading it knowing as little as possible.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, LOVED, LOVED this one. If you like survivor stories, science fiction, coming of age, characters with depth that are relatable, adventure, action...this one has it all. It's so well paced too. I loved the narrator, Michael. I loved his relationships with his best friend, Lilith, and with his brother. (Though we see very little of Peter.)  

It is premise-driven, action-driven, and character-driven. It's hard to be all three--to excel at all three. It is easy to *try* not so easy to succeed. This is an excellent book.

ETA: I first read In the Red in July 2021, I reread it in August 2026. It was just as awesome as I remembered. It was SO good. Highly recommend.

Quotes:

"Well, whatever you do, don't give up, okay?" Peter said. "Don't let anyone convince you that you're some kind of freak."
"I am a freak," Michael mumbled.
"No," Peter said firmly. "You're not. I don't care how many panic attacks you have."
"Mom and Dad don't see it that way."
"Mom and Dad just want to protect you, because that's their job," Peter said. "But part of growing up is deciding when you don't need protection anymore."

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

61. Old Man's War

61. Old Man's War. John Scalzi. 2005. 318 pages. [Source: Library] [adult science fiction, 5 stars, military science fiction]

John Perry, our narrator, is a great guy to get to know. He's seventy-five, but his life is just beginning. Or should I say, just beginning to begin again. John and Kathy--like so many other senior citizens--decided upon reaching the big 6-5 to volunteer for the army. (They have ten years to change their minds. They're called into service when they're 75.) What does this mean? It means that as soldiers they'll be leaving Earth behind forever. They're not allowed to return...ever. But it also means--in a way--longevity. Though no one knows quite how, they know that *something* will be done to their bodies to make them young and strong and vibrant again. Sure, to get this vitality, this new youth, this health they have to pledge themselves to serve in the army, to fight to protect human colonies on other planets. Two to ten years. That's what it will cost. If they survive, they'll have a second life, a second chance. (Just remember that a younger body doesn't make for a younger soul.)

John doesn't know exactly all that he's in for. But he knows it's bound to be better than just growing old and dying. He figures that he can adapt to just about anything.

War. It's inescapable when it's in the title. John Perry will have to fight to survive, to stay alive. He'll have to learn to follow orders. (Not all of his fellow soldiers do, you know. Some pay for this with their lives.) And John has the makings of an excellent soldier. He's good at surviving. Suspiciously good at surviving if you ask some folks. Unlike most soldiers, John is going to have some close encounters with the Special Forces. Actually serving alongside them for a while. And what he learns is a bit shocking...to him at least.

Old Man's War is an engaging read. It has just the right blend of humor and action to make it worthwhile.

I first read this one in July 2009. I reread it in August 2026. I had forgotten so much except that at one point I loved it. I ended up loving it again. There were a few chapters that I didn't quite love--that weren't clean. But most readers probably don't mind that. And it wasn't like it was every chapter or every few chapters. It was isolated almost to one or two chapters. It was VERY military oriented. It was good.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #34

This week I read three books!

58. Every Time a Bell Rings: The Legacy of It's a Wonderful Life, America's Most Beloved Holiday Film. Emily St. James and Lauren Theisen. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars, adult nonfiction, essays]
59. The Phantom Tollbooth. Norton Juster. Illustrated by Jules Feiffer. 1961/2011. Random House. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, children's fantasy, children's classic]

60. A Mismatch Made in London. Melanie Dickerson. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical romance, clean romance]

Century of Viewing

1980s

• 1980 Flash Gordon. Was it ridiculous???? YES. All the yes. Was it enjoyably ridiculous? Mostly. So Flash Gordon must save the world, the galaxy, something like that.

2020s

• 2023 Strong Girl Nam-Soon. I loved, loved, loved this k-drama! The women in this family are super-super-super-strong. Gang Nam-soon went missing as a child....lost on a trip with her dad in Mongolia. She comes to Korea looking for her birth parents...and discovers SO much more. This one is all the awesome. Loved the intense drama. Loved the romance. Loved the quirky characters.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

60. A Mismatch Made in London

60. A Mismatch Made in London. Melanie Dickerson. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, historical romance, clean romance]

First sentence: I concentrated on putting the finishing touch of red paint on the paper soldier I was making for Matthew.

Premise/plot: Amelia Moore is the oldest daughter of a large family. She's been invited by her aunt and uncle to spend time with them in London for the season in the hopes of making a match and securing her future. Her family isn't poor or destitute, but, there are a LOT of them. After being called a country bumpkin essentially, Amelia gets emotional and is saved by the super, super sweet Juliet Beaumont. The two become friendly--quite friendly. But her brother, Jeremy, who is the "catch of the season" allegedly, has his doubts on Amelia's motives. Did she seek out his sister so that she could spend time with HIM. She is insulted by this insinuation, but, she is the forgiving sort. Jeremy may not be friend material BUT Juliet is sweet and lovely. Being in London is great fun with a good friend by your side. As the two navigate the season--both young and inexperienced in the ways of the world--they will face challenges...and a possible scandal or two.

A Mismatch Made in London is set in England in 1811 during the Regency period. It is a clean romance though there is mention of more adult things. Juliet makes an unwise decision and ends up in danger. I think this was handled well and is realistic. Chaperones were necessary for a reason. But I love that Juliet's closest reassure her she did absolutely nothing wrong to deserve it.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this one. I didn't like Melanie Dickerson's other historical romance that I read earlier this year inspired by Jane Eyre, but, this one was FABULOUS. It is inspired by Pride and Prejudice AND Northanger Abbey. AND it features the tropes romance with best friend's brother AND enemies to lovers.

I enjoyed all of the characters--particularly Juliet, Amelia, and Jeremy. I loved that Amelia didn't forget her family--her brothers and sisters. She was always thinking of her family. She wasn't swept up and away by city life. And it felt natural. There aren't a lot of side characters, but, the three main characters are well fleshed.

It is technically Christian fiction. BUT I would say it's light, mild. I would say it is more "clean romance" than Christian romance with the intent to share the gospel. It's more like "forgiveness is good" and "be kind to others."


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

59. The Phantom Tollbooth

59. The Phantom Tollbooth. Norton Juster. Illustrated by Jules Feiffer. 1961/2011. Random House. 272 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, children's fantasy, children's classic]

First sentence: There was once a boy named Milo who didn't know what to do with himself--not just sometimes, but always.

Premise/plot: Milo, our hero, is about to have an "impossible" adventure. His day starts out very ordinary, however, by the end of the day Milo will be quite transformed!

It starts with a mysterious gift-box. It holds a tollbooth for him to construct, also included are instructions, rule books, and a map. He randomly chooses to go to Dictionopolis. But though that is his original destination, Milo finds that travels--magical or not--take some thought and intention.

My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved this one! I first read it in September 2013. I'm only now rereading it, but, this should be one I read again and again more frequently.

The writing is AMAZING. It is clever, rich in meaning and symbolism. And it is oh so quotable! One of those rare books where you could almost open up the book to any page and find a gem worth quoting!

Loved the writing, loved the creativity, loved the characters!

Favorite quotes:

“Expect everything, I always say, and the unexpected never happens.”

“You may not see it now," said the Princess of Pure Reason, looking knowingly at Milo's puzzled face, "but whatever we learn has a purpose and whatever we do affects everything and everyone else, if even in the tiniest way. Why, when a housefly flaps his wings, a breeze goes round the world; when a speck of dust falls to the ground, the entire planet weighs a little more; and when you stamp your foot, the earth moves slightly off its course. Whenever you laugh, gladness spreads like the ripples in the pond; and whenever you're sad, no one anywhere can be really happy. And it's much the same thing with knowledge, for whenever you learn something new, the whole world becomes that much richer.”

“So many things are possible just as long as you don't know they're impossible.”

“Everybody is so terribly sensitive about the things they know best.”

“And remember, also," added the Princess of Sweet Rhyme, "that many places you would like to see are just off the map and many things you want to know are just out of sight or a little beyond your reach. But someday you'll reach them all, for what you learn today, for no reason at all, will help you discover all the wonderful secrets of tomorrow.”

“In this box are all the words I know…Most of them you will never need, some you will use constantly, but with them you may ask all the questions which have never been answered and answer all the questions which have never been asked. All the great books of the past and all the ones yet to come are made with these words. With them there is no obstacle you cannot overcome. All you must learn to do is to use them well and in the right places.” 

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

58. Every Time a Bell Rings

58. Every Time a Bell Rings: The Legacy of It's a Wonderful Life, America's Most Beloved Holiday Film. Emily St. James and Lauren Theisen. 2026. 304 pages. [Source: Library] [2 stars, adult nonfiction, essays]

First sentence: Certain movies take on lives of their own.

Premise/plot: Emily St. James and Lauren Theisen have teamed up to write about the holiday movie, It's a Wonderful Life. What should YOU the reader expect?

Each chapter is essentially an essay tackling the film. The essays cover a wide range of topics. Some expected. Some unexpected. What do I mean by unexpected and expected? Obvious and NOT obvious. Points of view that are not traditional, obvious, deducible by reason or logic no matter how many times you view the film. They come from nowhere. The book avoids sticking with the traditional, obvious, literal meaning of the film. Not every essay goes where no person has gone before. Some are more obvious--for example, providing background on the ACTORS, on the DIRECTORS, on other films released the same year. Other essays examine specific elements of the film--Pottersville, for example.

Chapter One: You Are Now In Bedford Falls
Chapter Two: George Bailey's American Dream
Chapter Three: Frank Capra's Last Stand
Chapter  Four: 1946: A Movie Year Like No Other
Interlude
Chapter Five: Harry Bailey, American Hero
Chapter Six: Uncle Billy and the Safety Net
Chapter Seven: Peter Bailey's Son
Interlude
Chapter Eight: Nick, Martini, and Annie
Chapter Nine: The Many Wonderful Weirdos of Bedford Falls
Chapter Ten: Seneca Falls Eighty Years Later
Interlude
Chapter Eleven: Welcome to Pottersville
Chapter Twelve: Henry F. Potter's American Dream
Chapter Thirteen: The Strange Copyright Journey of It's a Wonderful Life
Interlude
Chapter Fourteen: Outside Bedford Falls
Chapter Fifteen: Clarence Odbody, Angel Second Class
Chapter Sixteen: Mary Bailey

The chapters--or essays--vary in topic and subject. Some were informative. Some were speculative. Some were just weird and weirder. The book was--for better or worse--surprisingly or unsurprisingly VERY political. Again, for better or worse, it tried to take today's issues and make It's a Wonderful Life have some comment one way or the other. To be fair, it also tackled some of yesterday's issues--of the 1930s and 1940s--and tried to make It's a Wonderful Life have strong opinions one way or the other. For example, IS the film pushing communism? For all that is being addressed in the book, the book doesn't particularly tackle morality, faith, and spirituality--at least not well for being so front and center in the movie itself.

Some essays try a little too hard. George Bailey is too white and a white male at that. Mary Bailey is not feminist enough. Their traditional family life is too oppressive.

My thoughts: It's a Wonderful Life is a wonderful, wonderful movie. It is timeless and universal. It is spiritual and philosophical. It tackles the harder questions of life. WHO AM I? WHY WAS I BORN? DOES MY LIFE MATTER? DOES MY LIFE HAVE MEANING? WHY AM I HERE? It asks not only what kind of person am I when life is easy and going my way but WHAT KIND OF PERSON AM I WHEN THINGS ARE DIFFICULT AND ANYTHING BUT WONDERFUL. These kinds of questions can be answered by many different faiths, but are often associated--or would have been associated in 1946--with Christianity. In fact, the film opens with not a couple of people praying but the whole town coming together to pray. Which indicates a COMMUNITY with shared values if not specific faiths (or denominations) AND compassion and empathy. When they heard that George Bailey was in trouble, they didn't just say, "Oh, that's too bad." Or "I'll add him to the prayer list at church." Or the equivalent of a prayer emoji. They stopped what they were doing and prayed. There was genuine concern and worry. And they were directing that to God. The movie doesn't go into defining God--or limiting him to one denomination. And their faith wasn't limited just to their prayers.

If the book had fewer essays I might have liked it more. I appreciated the historical chapters best--the ones that focused on the director, the actors, the short story the movie was based on, etc. I liked the politicized chapters least of all. The ones that tried to pull all the "hot" issues of the past four to eight years and make the movie say something about the current times.




© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #33

This week I read eleven books!

50. The Knife of Never Letting Go. (Chaos Walking #1) Patrick Ness. 2008. 512 pages. [Source: Library]
51. Rash. Pete Hautman. 2006. 256 pages. [Source: Bought] [5 stars, YA dystopia, YA fiction, YA futuristic; YA Sports]
52. Prey. Michael Crichton. 2002. 507 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 5 stars, adult science fiction, adult thriller]
53. The Best Bear in All the World. Paul Bright, Brian Sibley, Jeanne Willis, Kate Saunders. 2016. 115 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, audio book, Winnie the Pooh sequel]
54. The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins. Melanie Dickerson. 320 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, clean romance, historical romance, Jane Eyre wannabe]
55. The Future of Us. Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler. 2011. 356 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars, YA fiction, YA science fiction, coming of age]
56. Paperboy. Vince Vawter. 2013. Random House. 240 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars, MG fiction, coming of age, MG historical, based on true story]
57. This is Christmas: Song by Song: The Stories Behind 100 Holiday Hits. 2023. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, Christmas, music appreciation]
61. Pizza and Taco #11: Pizza and Taco: Scariest Sleepover Ever. Stephen Shaskan. 2026. 72 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, graphic novel, early chapter book]
62. One Mad Cat and the Missing Book. Vicky Fang. 2026. 64 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, early reader, early chapter book, animal fantasy]
6. New American Standard Bible 1995, New Inductive Study Bible. GOD. 1995. 2296 pages. [Source: Bought] [Bible, bible review, 5 stars]

Century of Viewing #33

1920s

• 1921 The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Silent movie. Starring Rudolph Valentino--well this was his first "big" role. The film is set during the first world war. One grandson fights for the French, three grandsons fight for the German. There's family squabbles before and during the war. There's the tango. There's wild and worldly affairs.
• 1925 Stage Struck. Gloria Swanson stars in this silent film about a waitress (Jenny) who is in love with a pancake flipper (Orme). Orme only has eyes for actresses. His bedroom wall is covered floor to ceiling with pictures of actresses in various poses. (He doesn't sound like a catch to me.) She is 1000000% committed and all he does is laugh and provoke. She's determined to be an actress so he'll notice her and smile--not just laugh. A showboat comes to town with actresses....and he becomes smitten with an actress. The showboat owner who for whatever reason is in love with a drum (yes) gives her a role in the show but tells her to keep it private. Turns out it isn't a role in the show so much as an opportunity to box with another actress. The crowd seems to enjoy the spectacle of two women trying to knock each other out. Orme is weirded out. After that FLOPS literally, she jumps into the river. Orme jumps in afterwards....and confesses his love....saying I could never marry an actress. The actress he'd been seeing was like AS IF I'D MARRY YOU. The two become engaged--possibly married--and somehow have their own restaurant/pancake house. The beginning and end sequences are shot in technicolor. Most of it is in black-and-white.

1930s

• 1931 The Front Page. I was familiar mostly with the story because it was remade as HIS GIRL FRIDAY (1940) (Which I love) and THE FRONT PAGE (1974) with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau and SWITCHING CHANNELS (1988). One reporter is ready to quit journalism and move on with his life....and his fellow reporter (with whom there's always bickering) doesn't want to let go. It is a dark comedy. I didn't love this one. BUT I also wasn't in the mood to love it. Each adaptation offers a little something different. The 1974 one was FULL of profanity for example. His Girl Friday added a LOT of romance. Switching Channels I don't remember in too much detail--it probably had both profanity and romance.

• 1933 Top Speed. I watched this early romantic comedy/musical because of Joe E. Brown. HE'S great fun -- silly, over-the-top but fun. I thought the dialogue was good fun. The story is simple enough. Two guys pretend to be richer than they are to get rich ladies. There's a boat race. There's a little singing. Apparently there were a LOT of musical numbers recorded and then cut from the movie. It is fairly obvious to see when scenes are cut. BUT if your expectations aren't super high, this movie from early talkie days satisfies.

1950s

• 1958 House on Haunted Hill. This is a classic with eight bajillion screams in it. It was good. Or good enough. I don't know that it's so awesome that I'd watch it again-again. But essentially a rich couple rents out a haunted house or "haunted house" and invite strangers to spend the night. If they make it through the night....they'll be rewarded.

1970s

• 1972 What's Up Doc? I restarted this one so many times because my brain thought it a little too chaotic. However I persevered and it was SO, SO, SO worth it. This isn't quite slapstick, but, it's also not not slapstick. The plot, the stories, the characters I could easily see being done in earlier decades like the 20s and 30s! Some of the gags definitely felt like a tribute to comic greats like Buster Keaton.
• 1975 The Sunshine Boys. Is it comedy? Is it dark comedy? It is FUNNY. A vaudeville reunites for a television special...or are supposed to. If they can make it through rehearsals without going to war with each other. There's hard feelings but also brotherhood. But mostly there are GRUMPY OLD MEN.
• 1977 World's Greatest Lover. This is a parody/spoof of 1920s films. A movie studio is looking to find the next Valentino....and mischief results. Extremely very slapstick. Definitely not clean. So basic premise--a man's marriage is threatened by his wife's love of Valentino movies...especially when the two go to Hollywood for a contest.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

57. This is Christmas

57. This is Christmas: Song by Song: The Stories Behind 100 Holiday Hits. 2023. 224 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, Christmas, music appreciation]

First sentence: When you think of Christmas music, what comes to mind?

Premise/plot: This is Christmas: Song by Song is a nonfiction book bordering on a novelty book. Is this a good match for you? Maybe. Maybe not. With the right expectations you might find yourself lightly entertained. OR if you have an incredibly short attention span and are looking for a light, fluffy, unsubstantial read. OR if you are vaguely curious and want a light, shallow answer to satisfy your curiosity.

The book offers the story (or "story") of 100 holiday hits. Perhaps the clue is in the word HOLIDAY HITS. This isn't a book about the songs themselves. Not really. Which is perhaps fair enough. After all, look at ANY Christmas album and there's a good chance 75 to 90% of the songs are covers of Christmas classics. Whether it's a traditional Christmas hymn/carol--think Silent Night, O Holy Night, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, or a traditional Christmas song--think Sleigh Ride, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jingle Bells--they've been covered thousands of times if not tens of thousands of times. This book has selected particular covers when it comes to some of these. So it isn't the history of the SONG but trivial, light stories of one particular cover that you may or may not have ever heard of...or liked...or wanted to hear again. There are a handful of songs that are highlighted by their original artist. This is for better or worse. IF you've heard of the song and liked it--and it's been part of your Christmases long, long ago--then it's interesting enough. If you've never heard the song, never heard the artist, then it's just dull and meaningless. Often I found myself wishing that the artist chosen to be highlighted was different.

Essentially everything about this book is subjective.

My thoughts: I think this one--which is arranged chronologically by the particular song (song cover) being released--has the potential to frustrate readers of all ages. For example, I was annoyed by all this "new" music that I'd never heard of and don't care to hear. I can easily, easily, easily imagine a younger reader being annoyed by all the "old" and "ancient" music that he/she had never heard of and don't care to hear. The book covers so many styles and genres that if there was a playlist with these particular versions of songs would be extremely disjointed and not much "fun" for any listener.

I would have personally loved if the book was the HISTORY of Christmas music. WHO introduced the song to the world first? OR which artist(s) made it a HIT in the first year or two of being written. WHICH artist(s) have made it his/her own. WHAT makes a particular rendition resonate with listeners? Even if it meant covering certain songs two or three times.

I also felt that this isn't the 100 "greatest" Christmas songs. Many of the songs were 'original' songs that may or may not be timeless and still played today. No one can denied that Last Christmas is played incessantly every Christmas. BUT some of these songs are VERY taste-specific.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews