'

Friday 24 February 2023

THE GOONIES by James Kahn

 

GooniesGoonies by James Kahn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Goonies is one of my favourite movies. A movie I've watched countless of times and has chased me from childhood all the way into adulthood. We even watched it with our daughter when she was a kid. Actually, we watched it again last Christmas. 😁

I didn't know there was a novelisation of the movie until a few years ago, but couldn't find the paperback anywhere. Well, a few weeks ago I decided to check the Kindle store and there it was! Instant buy, of course. Especially since I read and enjoyed the hell out of The Gremlins novel.

80s novelisations are WILD!

Okay, back to this book. LOL.

Most of the story is the same as the movie, but there are some variations that stand out. A scene early on in a convenience store where Troy the Jerk, Andy and Stef are first introduced. Brand's claustrophobia. Mikey's secret crush on Andy, and his sense of wonder in everything he sees/does. Plus, leeches, creepy mist, a giant squid, and a bunch of other variations. That I liked, btw.

Also, the whole book is narrated in Mikey's first-person POV, so we get to know him very well. He's also the one who fills in the blanks after other characters tell him what happened. Chunk's story, for example.

I'm actually really glad I read this because it was a LOT of fun. It was a great novelisation of the movie. There were a few typos throughout, which I suspect happened when they formatted from paperback to Kindle. And a strangely-placed series of pages in the middle with pictures that didn't translate well on my Paperwhite. Probably for the same reason.

But these are pesky things that don't get in the way. This is a great novel! And I REALLY enjoyed the laidback narrative style. It fit Mikey, the story, and the adventure. Not to mention the unexpected cheekiness that is so 80s! 😅

Goonies never say die.

Wednesday 22 February 2023

LOVE, PAMELA by Pamela Anderson

 

Love, Pamela: Her new memoir, taking control of her own narrative for the first timeLove, Pamela: Her new memoir, taking control of her own narrative for the first time by Pamela Anderson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have to admit, I'm not sure why I was interested in reading this memoir. I mean, I am from a generation that remembers the huge phenomenon that was Baywatch, and because of that, I was aware of Pamela Anderson. It was hard not to know who she was because for a while there, she was everywhere.

Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee. Pamela Anderson and Kelly Slater. Pamela Anderson and Kid Rock. It seemed like she was known for the men in her life as much as she was for her work. Which might be why I'm not what you'd consider an actual fan.

Then, she faded away but resurfaced after that movie was released. The fact she wanted to tell her story, her way, is what drew me to this book. And I think it started out pretty strong. I enjoyed the way she blended poetry into the narrative, the introduction to her family's origins, and her honesty. But unfortunately, as the book moved along, I started to lose interest.

I think my problem is that sometimes, especially during the last half of the book, she seemed to speed through and skim past a lot. Everything moved too fast, and in the end, lacked emotional engagement. I just couldn't connect entirely.

The best thing about this memoir is that Pamela never hides behind her decisions and choices. Especially since she made so many questionable choices along the way. I mean, Tommy Lee? 😧

Anyway, maybe I wasn't the right audience. I don't know.

Friday 17 February 2023

SAGA #61 by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples

 

Saga #61Saga #61 by Brian K. Vaughan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I've been waiting for the return of Saga, and this issue didn't disappoint. OMFG! There was a bit of everything, and I can't wait to see where this particular storyline goes. Especially after that ENDING!! 😳

Thursday 16 February 2023

WASPS IN THE ICE CREAM by Tim McGregor

Summer 1987: Mark Prewitt’s only priority is to avoid his dad’s new wife and waste time with his friends, but idle nights are the devil’s playground. When his friends decide to pull a cruel prank on the reclusive and strange Farrow sisters, Mark regrets caving in to peer pressure.

Wanting to make amends, Mark is drawn into the mysterious world of the Farrow girls, finding a kindred spirit in the middle sister, George. She is unlike anyone he’s ever known; a practicing witch who uses folk magic to protect her family. They bond over books, loneliness, and homemade spells. She even invites Mark to join a séance to contact her dead sister, who died under mysterious circumstances.

Keeping their relationship secret, Mark learns that living a double life in a town this small is impossible. When the secret is exposed, and his friends plot to punish the witch sisters for stealing one of their own, Mark is forced to choose between these two worlds.



I've had my eye on this book for a while, so I want to thank Erin Al-Mehairi and Raw Dog Screaming Press for sending me a copy.

It's the summer of 1987. Mark Prewitt is trying to enjoy the long, hot and very boring days with his two buddies while working two jobs. But when one of the weird and mysterious Farrow sisters catches his eye, he finds himself falling into their strange and violent world. Something no one is happy about...

Well, this turned out to be an awesome and intriguing book! Not just because it captures the nostalgia of the 1980s so well, but because the tale of newfound love and deteriorating friendships is universal.

The story is told by Mark. A teenager who lost his mother and is now trying to get used to the fact his father remarried. A much younger woman. He's also caught in the middle of a dangerous friendship he should have left years ago, and another that's too flimsy to matter. But there's also the personal need to become the same person he is inside and out. He sure has an inner battle with himself, and usually ends up saying the wrong thing. Or the opposite of what he wants to say. And that always leads him to trouble.

Sometimes, it's hard to like him but his narrative is always interesting. And addictive. He has a knack for taking the reader on a rocky, but interesting ride through a town with too many prejudices.

There's a LOT to like about this book. The characters all felt real in their own different ways. Starting with his hot-head of a father, his very patient stepmother, and everyone else in between. The kindness and cruelty metre sure takes a beating with these characters. But I especially liked how Mark's interest in George Farrow develops. The way his curiosity starts slowly but quickly escalates into romantic territory, leading to an explosive conclusion and a twist I didn't see coming.

Wasps in the Ice Cream is a fantastic story that hooked me in from start to finish, and truly felt like it belonged in the 80s. All the sharp edges of that turbulent time are portrayed in a raw and gritty way that kept me glued to every page. There's an uncomfortable truth about the people who live in this town, one that kept the tension simmering beneath until everything boils over.

Also, that ending was perfect.

I loved this, and highly recommend it!




Friday 3 February 2023

I have some awesome news!


Hey! How are you today? I hope you're all having a great day.

If you were anywhere near Twitter yesterday, you might have already heard the awesome news:

DarkLit Press announced that my horror novella, SUFFER THE DARKNESS, will be released/published later this year. Yay! ☺️🎉

This is also my first time on Publishers Marketplace.

I'm super excited about this acceptance because DarkLit Press is such an excellent publisher with a fantastic catalogue of horror books. To be a part of this team is very exciting. I can't wait to share more details.

Thanks for reading!


Favorites More