Week in Review #42

This week I read some books!

66. Xenocide. Orson Scott Card. 1991. 592 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 3 stars]
67. Daughter of Egypt. Marie Benedict. 2026. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy] [adult historical fiction, dual narratives, 3 stars]

Century of Viewing #42

1940s

• 1944. Miracle of Morgan's Creek. This screwball comedy is set during the Second World War. Norval Jones has almost always been in love with Trudy. But that love is put to the ultimate test when Trudy attends a "wild" party with soldiers about to head off to war. She wakes up confused and dazed...and with the fuzziest of memories that she married a stranger--a soldier. She doesn't know his name or remember his face. BUT finding herself in the 'family way' she's in quite the predicament. Norval loves her through and through and wants to marry her. But many obstacles--many, many obstacles--get in the way. The first being is that she's technically married to someone else. (But who?????) Will they get their happy ending? This one features a surprise ending. I'm guessing most people haven't watched this one. So I don't feel right spoiling it. BUT let's just say it's a LARGE surprise.
• 1947. Monsieur Verdoux. Charlie Chaplin stars and directs (and composes) in this mystery-crime movie. He plays a villain. It is set in France in the 1930s. When life doesn't go as he expects, well, one man goes into business for himself....but....his business ventures are less than ethical. The movie poster might have been designed by someone who has NEVER seen the movie.

1950s

• 1952. The Greatest Show On Earth. This is a LONG movie. There is drama and romance. It also features a bajillion circus acts and lot of musical numbers. The action-drama mostly occurs towards the end of the movie. This one is good. It's just extremely very long.

1960s

• 1967. Mad Monster Party. Rankin/Bass a Halloween-y movie starring many monsters--Dracula, Mummy, Invisible Man, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Frankenstein's monster and mate, Werewolf, etc. It is a LONG movie. It doesn't stay humorous and amusing for the full length of the movie. It IS a musical.

Alphabet Viewing #2

A
B Beginning of the End (1957)
C
D
E Elf (2003)
F
G The Greatest Show On Earth (1952)
H Home Alone (1990)
I It Came From Outer Space (1953)
J
K
L
M Mad Monster Party (1967) Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1944)
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V Monsier Verdoux (1947)
W
X X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963)
Y
Z

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

67. Daughter of Egypt

 

 

67. Daughter of Egypt. Marie Benedict. 2026. 352 pages. [Source: Review copy] [adult historical fiction, dual narratives, 3 stars]

First sentence: The Saloon glows in the flicker of the candelabras and the low light of ornate wall sconces.

Premise/plot: Dual narratives. The first narrative is that of Lady Evelyn Herbert (daughter of Lord Carnarvon and friend of archeologist Howard Carter). It's set in the 1920s. Her father wants to find a pharaoh's tomb. Eve wants to find Hatshepsut's tomb. She was one of Egypt's female pharaohs and one that had been intentionally (allegedly) erased from history by those that followed her. Her narrative focuses mainly on her travels to and fro Egypt with her father and Howard Carter. Plus her love story. Though it's not much of a love story--that's not the focus of this one. The second narrative is that of Hatshepsut. The narratives are not equal. Equal time is not spent on both. And there are long pauses between narratives. Her narrative is essentially her 'life story' if you will but with a few twists and turns. I think this is the more hypothetical part of the novel perhaps since no one really knows about her life in super great detail since she was.... erased from history. There was no real resolution bringing these two stories together.

My thoughts: I found this an unsatisfying read. I thought it was duller than I expected it to be. I love watching history documentaries on Egypt (not to mention Stargate). I'm not uninterested in the subject. I'm not an expert enough on the subject to know if it was true or true enough to the times. I'll try to explain. Eve essentially takes the position that archaeologists have no business doing what they do...that the past should be left buried and questions go unanswered. Essentially going from I LOVE ARCHAEOLOGY and finding stuff is AWESOME, to we have no business being in Egypt. Only Egyptians should study Egypt--this is their past, their culture, their legacy. It is wrong for us as English folk to be doing all these digs. Perhaps this is a view that would have legitimately been held by some. Maybe. It just seemed the change of heart felt perhaps a little modern pushing. But I am not an expert in the 1920s archaeology world by any stretch or this time period in Egypt's history.

I know that fictional books take liberties with historical characters all the time.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

66. Xenocide

66. Xenocide. Orson Scott Card. 1991. 592 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, 3 stars]

First sentence: Today one of the brothers asked me: Is it a terrible prison, not to be able to move from the place where you're standing?

Xenocide is the sequel to Speaker for the Dead. (Speaker for the Dead is the sequel to Ender's Game. Ender's Game is my favorite, favorite book.) Xenocide is an intricately complex plot following the saga of characters (mainly) introduced in Speaker for the Dead. Speaker for the Dead concludes with the threat of the destruction of the planet of Lusitania. Which would mean the destruction of the pequeninos (piggies), the human colonists (including Andrew Wiggin, his wife, his stepchildren, etc.) and the Hive Queen (the Buggers). The Lusitania Fleet has been launched, and the order to destroy the planet using the M.D. Device (Little Doctor) has been given. If it wasn't for Jane, the life-force residing in the ansibles and computers, the impending doom would be absolutely, completely certain. As it is, it is only mostly certain that xenocide will occur once again. (Xenocide being genocide of an entire species. While the human colonists would lose their lives, the human race would go on in the other hundreds of worlds colonized. But xenocide is a very real threat to two alien species: the Hive Queen (and her workers, etc) and the Pequeninos.)

There are so very many characters to keep track of in Xenocide. As I mentioned, most were introduced in Speaker for the Dead. Andrew and Valentine. Andrew's wife, Novinha. Andrew's step-children: Miro, Ela, Quim, Olhado, Quaro, Grego. The piggies of utmost importance are Planter and Glass. (Not counting the fathertrees Human and Rooter, etc.) The Hive Queen of course. Jane, the character that pulls most of the book together. But there are three characters that are brand new to the story. Three people from the Chinese colony of Path: Han Fei-tzu, Han Qing-jao, and Si Wang-mu.

The plot is too intricate and complex to go into all the details. The book is all about life-and-death matters. The colonists are trying to figure out a way to kill the descolada before it destroys them. They hope that if they can destroy it, then perhaps they'll be saved as well. The Hive Queen is busy building star ships. She wants some for herself. But she's also building some for the Pequeninos. She doesn't want another alien species destroyed by human stupidity. But the humans know that while the Hive Queen may be intelligent enough to find a way to kill the descolada from tainting them and their DNA--the Piggies aren't nearly advanced enough to do so. (The descolada is essential for the Pequeninos to survive. It is linked to their DNA. It is how they procreate and continue on in the third life.)

Xenocide is an interesting novel. But one that doesn't stand on its own. It begins in the middle of things, and ends with no resolution. (Or very little resolution.) It's the middle book of a trilogy (in a way) and while it's important...crucial for the progression of the story...it isn't as satisfying in some ways as the others in the series.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #41

This week I read some books!


65. Westfallen. Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares. 2024. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [MG speculative fiction, MG science fiction, MG dystopia, TIME TRAVEL, alternate history]
70. Turtle with a Toolbox. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Dudolf. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
71. Cheeky Book of Bear Butts. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
72. The Secret Life of Dog Toys. Kelly Dipucchio. Illustrated by Jennifer Harney. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]
73. Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie. Matthew Cordell. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction biography for young readers, 3 stars]

Century of Viewing #41

1950s

• 1953 It Came From Outer Space Was it new and thrilling and exciting and original in 1953? Maybe. Maybe not. It is according to wikipedia the first 3D from Universal International. A couple is stargazing when a "meteor" lands (it's rarely a meteor) and they discover an alien spaceship. But first contact may or may not go well. It was okay. Obviously I didn't watch in 3D. And so no 'fantastic sights' leapt at me.
• 1957 Beginning of the End Giant LOCUSTS threaten Chicago in this 1950s sci-fi horror movie. Is it over the top ridiculous? YES. Did I enjoy every minute of it? YES.

1960s

• 1963 X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes A little too much for me--visually. (Pun intended). It had its lighter moments--when he first discovers his ability to see through at a dance party. (He's terrible at the twist). But this scientist drama is very much into the mad scientist playing god camp. He is the only cause of all his suffering. It has vibes of Invisible Man and 57 Seconds. BUT I'm not sure any lesson was learned at all.

1990s

• 1990 Home Alone My first time watching Home Alone. Would I normally watch a Christmas movie in September? Probably not. Well, depending on the year. Some years anything goes. But it is most likely leaving Roku (it's currently free) by the end of the month. I enjoyed this one SO much more than I thought I would. Favorite scene was Kevin in church. Probably.

2000s

• 2003 Elf  I liked it more than I thought I would. Buddy the Elf learns that his father is on the naughty list...so he goes to meet the man he's never met. His adventures are many.
  

Alphabet Challenge Week #1

A
B Beginning of the End (1957)
C
D
E Elf (2003)
F
G
H Home Alone (1990)
I It Came From Outer Space (1953)
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X X: The Man With X-Ray Eyes (1963)
Y
Z

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

65. Westfallen (book #1)

65. Westfallen. Ann Brashares and Ben Brashares. 2024. 384 pages. [Source: Library] [5 stars] [MG speculative fiction, MG science fiction, MG dystopia, TIME TRAVEL, alternate history]

First sentence: Let me ask you this: What's the worst thing you've ever done? Really think about it. Well, multiply your thing by a billion and you don't even get close. Sorry to brag. It's just...your thing? It's the Cheeto-dust thumbprint you left on the basement sofa. It's an ant's toe you stepped on. And then you said, "Sorry!" and the ant went, "No worries, mate!" Because the ant's British, I don't know. 

My thoughts (preview): Ever been HOOKED on a premise????? It doesn't happen all that often, though it does happen. This is the case with Westfallen. The premise had me at HELLO. Reading the synopsis raised my expectations immeasurably, and it did NOT, I repeat did NOT disappoint. 

Premise/plot: Six kids working together (with the best intentions)--separated by time--manage to destroy life as we know it. Shocked I was able to sum up an entire book in one sentence? Me too. 

Henry, Lukas, and Frances were at one time best, best, best friends though in recent years they've grown apart--far apart. Alice, Lawrence, and Artie are friends as well. These six friends become connected by a radio.

Alice "saves" her brother's radio from the trash. It's broken and her brother, Robbie, is gone--presumably for the war. Her two friends, Lawrence and Artie, are near by and interested in seeing if they can fix the radio.

Henry is burying his gerbil, Zeus, when he discovers a long-buried radio. His (former) friends are there for the funeral. All are interested in this buried "treasure" of sorts. 

All six kids are SHOCKED when the radio works. The two sets of friends refer to themselves as "Mars" and "Jupiter." It takes time for them to realize that the new friends they've made aren't living in the same year. Henry, Lukas and Frances are in 2023....and Alice, Lawrence, and Artie are in 1944. Both are in the same house, same street, same city. 

Will innocent casual conversation lead to the unwinding of the universe?????

My thoughts: I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS ONE. Mostly. I will say that the CLIFF HANGER ending was while not a huge surprise a bit disappointing. If the cliff hanger leads to a book two, then YES PLEASE. If it does NOT lead to a book two then readers everywhere have been robbed. 

I loved the premise. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. This is one I could easily see myself reading again and again and again.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

September Monthly Reflections

In September, I read nine books. Will I read more in October? Maybe. Maybe not.

Books reviewed at Becky's Book Reviews

64. Speaker for the Dead. Orson Scott Card. 1986. 382 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, science fiction, sequel]

Books reviewed at Young Readers


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]
70. Turtle with a Toolbox. Beth Ferry. Illustrated by Dudolf. 2026. 32 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
71. Cheeky Book of Bear Butts. Jonathan Fenske. 2026. 36 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 3 stars]
72. The Secret Life of Dog Toys. Kelly Dipucchio. Illustrated by Jennifer Harney. 2026. 40 pages. [Source: Library] [picture book, 4 stars]
73. Starman: The Cosmic Voyage of David Bowie. Matthew Cordell. 2026. 48 pages. [Source: Library] [nonfiction biography for young readers, 3 stars]


Books reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible

none

Bibles reviewed at Operation Actually Read Bible


7. New American Standard Bible Reference Edition. 1971. Lockman Foundation. 1730 pages. [Source: Bought]

8. New Marked Reference Bible (KJV). God. 1983. Zondervan. 1753 pages. [Source: Bought]

Yearly Totals for 2026

Totals for 2026
Books Read in 2026	166
Pages Read in 2026	42442
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
September Totals
Books read in September	9
Pages read in September	4095

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Century of Viewing, September

September I watched twenty-four things....but only two were five-star movies! I DID finish my Century of Viewing challenge!

My two five star movies were Beginning of the End and The Trespasser.

The four and four and half star movies I watched were:

• Leanne Season 2
• You Can’t Take It With You
• Our Dancing Daughters
• Zotz!
• Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion
• Project Hail Mary
• Return to Babylon

Since I've finished the century of viewing challenge, I thought I'd share some of my favorites from each decade. If last year's century of viewing challenge focused on SILENT movies particularly silent comedies. This year's challenge I watched a good many k-drama series.

1920s:

I gave three five-stars for this decade. Metropolis. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. The Trespasser.

1930s:

I gave one five-star for this decade. Modern Times.

1940s:

I gave two five-stars for this decade. Dance, Girl, Dance. Du Barry Was a Lady.

1950s:

I gave nine five-stars for this decade: Sunset Boulevard. Limelight. Call Me Madam. War of the Worlds. You Can't Run Away From It. No Time for Sergeants. 4D Man. Invasion of the Body Snatchers. Incredible Shrinking Man.

1960s:

I gave three five-stars for this decade: Twilight Zone season 1. Music Man. If A Man Answers.

1970s

I gave two five-stars for this decade: Towering Inferno. The Sunshine Boys.

1980s

I gave six five-stars for this decade: Steel Magnolias. Overboard. Can't Buy Me Love. Clue. Back to the Future. Ivanhoe.

1990s

I gave twelve five-stars for this decade: What About Bob. Strictly Ballroom. Groundhog Day. Forrest Gump. While You Were Sleeping. Star Trek First Contact. You've Got Mail. Ever After. The Thirteenth Floor. Galaxy Quest. Frequency. Blast from the Past.

2000s

I gave six five-stars for this decade: Return to Me. Shrek. The Gospel of John. Bride and Prejudice. Shrek 2. Zathura.

2010s

I gave four five-stars for this decade: It's You I Like. Boss Baby. Lego Batman.

2020s

I gave five five-stars for this decade: The Moon. Strong Girl Nam-Soon. VHS Christmas Carols. Wonderfools. Teach You a Lesson.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #40

No books finished this week.

Century of Viewing #40

1920s

• 1920 Why Change Your Wife? Gloria Swanson is always enjoyable to watch. The plot of this one, well, is morally questionable and exceedingly ODD but extremely very SOAP OPERA melodramatic. Husband (soon to be Cheating Husband) is tired of his wife not wanting to foxtrot and dress....scantily. He leaves her for a lingerie model. Wife #1 overhears gossipers calling her frumpy decides to wear as few clothes as possible. Cheating husband sees wife #1 looking amazing. Decides wife #2 was a mistake. A banana peel gets involved....obviously...because why wouldn't it. And the two women end up fighting--literally--over Injured Cheating Husband. He divorces Wife #2 who moves on to another guy EXTREMELY quickly. Wife #1 becomes Wife #3. And now she loves fox trotting....scantily clad.
• 1922 Blood and Sand. My second Valentino movie, I think???? Set in Spain. He's an el matador. He makes bad choices. Though to be fair, he does try a bit at least to resist temptation. But not too terribly much. His character definitely could have profited from reading the book of Proverbs.
• 1923 The Pilgrim. Charlie Chaplin stars in 'The Pilgrim' as an escaped convict who finds himself posing as a minister--a terrible misunderstanding, though he does deliver a sermon on David and Goliath--when he plays the hero, he's given a second chance....in Mexico. But the end credits showing him walking along with one foot in Mexico and one in Texas.

1970s

• 1977 Valentino. This was a LONG biopic of Rudolph Valentino. It is absolutely rated R. I do want my two hours back--mostly. If it was a musical--which it is not--I'd say it has Evita vibes. VERY melodramatic. VERY over-the-top. I have extreme doubts that it's true to his actual life.

2010s

• 2013. Return to Babylon. A silent movie about silent movie stars. This movie features biographical sketches--though facts may be disputed here and there--of the first Hollywood celebrities. Focusing more on 'scandals' and tragedies than anything else. THOUGH not always. (There wasn't anything particularly scandalous about the sketch of Gloria Swanson). It is a very intriguing film. Because it was filmed on a hand-cranked camera and it captures the style of that era. The soundtrack was fabulous.

2020s

• 2022 Moonfall. Is it a great movie? No, no it isn't. Could it have been better if it was trimmed up and a bit shorter? I say yes. Was it enjoyable to watch my best friend? DEFINITELY. I had been wanting to watch this one for a while. And I'm so glad I finally did. It's predictable but fun enough if your expectations are not high. Science fiction. Moon is not the moon. Earth in danger. From the director of Independence Day and The Day After Tomorrow.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

Week in Review #39

This week I finished three books. Two Bibles and a science fiction novel.

64. Speaker for the Dead. Orson Scott Card. 1986. 382 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, science fiction, sequel]

7. New American Standard Bible Reference Edition. 1971. Lockman Foundation. 1730 pages. [Source: Bought]

8. New Marked Reference Bible (KJV). God. 1983. Zondervan. 1753 pages. [Source: Bought]

Century of Viewing #39



2010s

• 2013-2014. Flip or Flop seasons one and two. I haven't added this to my spreadsheet. It feels so shallowly fluffy that it's not worth the add. Each episode is about twenty minutes. A couple buys houses to flip them. DRAMA happens each episode as problems with the house are found. Will they make money or will they lose money. I find myself yelling at them a LOT. But the show is strangely addictive precisely because it's not very intelligent.

2020s

• 2026. Project Hail Mary. I am glad I read the book first. I think it does help viewers make sense of the movie. The movie is definitely centered on one or two characters. And much of the 'story' is told through flashbacks. If you've read the book, you know everything and there isn't much of a reveal or surprise--for better or worse. But it also helps the film make sense. What I disliked most has nothing to do with the story or the acting--but the soundtrack. I'll clarify, the VOLUME or lack thereof of the soundtrack. If you turn it up so you can hear the dialogue, everything is way too loud. Not a loud that is easily tolerated. It isn't just a few scenes where it's too loud--like you'd expect in a science fiction movie or an action movie. But the score of the movie itself is overpowering. The score is good, mind you, but it doesn't have to be louder than the dialogue to move you. As for story, man wakes up alone on space ship....later he comes across another person alone on a space ship....they become friends and together save the universe. It is definitely all about the relationship between these two. It is EMOTIONAL in places.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

64. Speaker for the Dead

64. Speaker for the Dead. Orson Scott Card. 1986. 382 pages. [Source: Library] [audio book, science fiction, sequel]

First sentence: Rooter was at once the most difficult and the most helpful of the pequeninos. He was always there whenever Pipo visited their clearing, and did his best to answer the questions Pipo was forbidden by law to come right out and ask.

Premise/plot: Speaker for the Dead is the sequel to Orson Scott Card's Ender Game. But you may not know--though you certainly may know--that there would be no Ender's Game novel if Card had not had this novel in mind, Speaker for the Dead was THE STORY Card wanted to tell. And the character Ender Wiggin needed a bit more fleshing out than a short story could provide. Hence he set about writing the novel Ender's Game. This one is set THOUSANDS of years later, but Ender is still young. Young being relative. Probably in his thirties? Andrew Wiggin is THE SPEAKER OF THE DEAD. The original, though he travels from planet to planet being "a" speaker of the dead. No one guesses how old he really is and ALL of his life's experiences. He's lived long enough that his heroic actions are seen as anything but heroic. Though he has wrestled with his conscience for centuries and doesn't need the praise or condemnation of others.

The book is set on the planet Lusitania. It's a colony with humans--Catholic colony, for the most part--and pequeninos, the "piggies." Readers meet colonists--several families--and the families readers get to know are the ones most interested in the science, biology, and culture of the piggies. Quite a few things happen that lead to SEVERAL people calling out for a speaker of the dead to visit their world. Though just a few weeks have gone by since the first message came through requesting his services--in the meantime two more, I believe, go through. But Andrew's arrival isn't met with applause and appreciation--not at first. But his coming will change EVERYTHING....for better or worse.

My thoughts: I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this book. I do think it is better than Ender's Game. Ender's Game is one I've read more often. I know the scenes, the characters, the plot. But it is Speaker for the Dead that is RICHER and more nuanced perhaps. It has DEPTH. It is so good.

This is what Orson Scott Card has to say about the book,

"How did Speaker for the Dead come to be? As with all my stories, this one began with more than one idea. The concept of a "speaker for the dead" arose from my experiences with death and funerals. I have written of this at greater length elsewhere; suffice it to say that I grew dissatisfied with the way that we use our funerals to revise the life of the dead, to give the dead a story so different from their actual life that, in effect, we kill them all over again. No, that is too strong. Let me just say that we erase them, we edit them, we make them into a person much easier to live with than the person who actually lived.
I rejected that idea. . . No, to understand who a person really was, what his or her life really meant, the speaker for the dead would have to explain their self-story--what they meant to do, what they actually did, what they regretted, what they rejoiced in. That's the story that we never know, the story that we never can know--and yet, at the time of death, it's the only story truly worth telling."

There are many things I loved about Speaker. I love how Ender has matured into Andrew. I loved seeing how much he's grown...changed. He is wise. But his wisdom doesn't make him less human, it makes him more human. I love how this novel is about taking broken things, messy things, ugly things--and making them whole, making sense of the chaos, making them beautiful. In some ways, it is more philosophical than Ender's Game. Again, it is the characters that make Speaker for the Dead such an outstanding novel. His characters aren't perfect--far from it--but they're real.

Sickness and healing are in every heart. Death and deliverance are in every hand. (240)

Of all of the humans, he is the one who will understand us. (347)

When you really know someone, you can't hate them. (370)

Once you understand what people really want, you can't hate them anymore. You can fear them, but you can't hate them, because you can always find the same desires in your own heart. (370)

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

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