Becky's Book Reviews: Week in Review #1

Saturday, January 03, 2026

Week in Review #1

In the last days of 2025, I did review two books and a Bible. I also watched a handful of movies. However, I've decided to just include the ones reviewed and/or watched in 2026 proper.

I DID review one book this week. (My numbers can only go up from here!) That one book is THE LONG WINTER by Laura Ingalls Wilder. This is a fabulous, fabulous read. I listened on audio book. I do recommend listening to the series on audio because of the fiddle bits. Every time there is a song--where Pa plays his fiddle--there's FIDDLE. It does immerse you more in the story which is lovely. This one is best read UNDER a blanket or two.

Century of Viewing Week #1

1960s

1962 Music Man Is The Music Man my absolute and favorite musical?!?!?! Probably. Maybe. Definitely top three if not the top slot. A traveling sales man sells the town on boys' band, but, his less than honest past may catch up with him before the end. But the love of a GOOD librarian may just lead to the best resolution of all.
1967 Camelot. My second one-star movie of the year is CAMELOT (the musical). It had probably been three decades since I last saw it. I had a vague memory of some of the songs. And curiosity enough to rewatch it. Camelot is not made for an overthinker like me. IF I'd watched it in the daytime, I'd have probably had words with the screen. As everyone was sleeping, I had to keep my loud thoughts quiet. (Or quieter.)

1980s

1982 Ivanhoe THE one and only. THE best way to start New Year's Day. This Swedish tradition of watching Ivanhoe on New Year's Day is all kinds of awesome. I just had to borrow the tradition once my friend "Anonymous L" shared about it. THE story is full of action, adventure, and ROMANCE. Love, love, love this one so much.
1987 Overboard How many people go overboard in this romantic comedy? Quite a few--but many are repeats. This comedy is delightful--a bit over the top...dare I say a bit overboard. HOWEVER, I think this prank soon becomes oh-so-real as feelings get involved. I love how this found family saves her.

1990s

1995 While You Were Sleeping. I started this one a few days ago. It's a great movie to watch in between Christmas and New Year's Day. It's SO quotable and funny and enjoyable. Just a delight to watch this romantic comedy that is quirky and family-focused.

2020s

2020 We Three Kings. This is a bio pic, a period drama, a movie based on true events. It is about how the Christmas Carol "We Three Kings" was written. In theory, it shouldn't be *that* bad a movie. I don't know if it's the actors fault for not being great actors, or the fault of those who cast this movie in the first place, or perhaps the fault is the writers. THE costumes are lovely. But the acting and/or the writing is very stilted, unnatural, awkward. The writing does have a lot of info-dumping.