I’m a Hard Watch. I enjoy roughly 1 in every 5 shows I watch (Of the 750+ international crime shows I’ve watched to date, I’ve been able to recommend about 150). I also a Hard Read. Almost 50 stores into this 100 Supervillain Stories comic book marathon I’m doing, I can honestly say I really liked 9. And 50 books into this Crime Novel binge I’m currently into, I can, in all good conscience, only recommend 8 of them. Speaking of the latter, I’m going to post my recommendations in the days ahead.
What about you? Are you a Hard Watch or a Hard Read? What will make you abandon a show or book? For me, I’d say I DNF (Did Not Finish) about a third of what I check out. For various reasons. Deal-breakers for me are cliche dialogue and characters, predictable plotting, slow pace, and heavy-handed social and political commentary. I actually prefer these bad books over mediocre reads because, if I know a book isn’t for me, I can’t simply stop ready and move on. Mediocre books, on the other hand, offer the hope of something more – which keeps me reading to inevitable disappointing conclusion.
I’ve read 45 of the 48 books long listed in four categories for the Crime Writers Association Dagger Awards. And have decided to add one more category…
Anything catch your eye?
Made an appointment with the physiotherapist for Thursday. My longtime shoulder issues have cropped up again, possibly exacerbated by some heavy chest press last month. I’m also experiencing neck stiffness and pain at night, this one possibly the result of being mowed down by a cyclist speeding the wrong way down a one way street in January.
How go your various aches and pains?
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One of the things I’ve learned about growing older is that post 60, it’s pretty much a given that on any day, something is going to be hurting. Lower back okay today? Don’t worry, there’s that old motorcycle injury on your ankle to keep you company. No pains today? That’s okay, here’s a vitreous detachment in your eye to keep you entertained (that was the fun and the visit to the optometrist this week). What will it be tomorrow? Who knows, but I’m sure it will be painful, LOL! I’m betting on the random numbness that occurs in my pinky and ring finger on my left hand because of… ulnar nerve impingement somewhere?
Something to look forward to.
I fell recently at home due to weakness. I’ve learned I have inherited bones like my dad, not my mom. When my mom fell, she would break something… arm, shoulder, hip. When my dad fell, he would bounce and get right back up. I’m a bouncer, thank God. 🙂
You ever read a book then realize into it that you have read it before? I think that is a bad sign. I think that means it wasn’t that great the first time.
You and your green bones!
Yes, it has happened – rarely. Which is why I use goodreads to check before I start. OR read recent releases.
Uh, Joe? I think the Autocorrect Gremlin attacked this post.
“…I can’t simply stop ready and move on.”
I’m on a Regency romance /comedy /suspense binge this month. Authors: Wendy Vella and Mary Jo Putney. Helps soothe the nerves jangled by current events.
Also having neck issues; we already know my jaw and upper spine are arthritic. Adjusting pillows as needed to avoid morning headaches.
Re-started diabetes therapy this week. You don’t want to know how long I’ve been off insulin. May I have a gold star, please?
Gold star for you, Gilder!
Thanks!
I’m pretty easygoing in my watching and reading habits. There’s not many books that I’ve put away without getting to the end. Although I am definitely getting more curmudgeonly in my old age.
I’ve definitely DNFed more TV shows in recent years than I would have previously:
Foundation: Slow, longwinded, confusing, unlikeable characters.
Rings Of Power: Slow, longwinded, confusing, unlikeable characters.
Earth Abides: Stupid people doing stupid things. I stopped watching during the third episode when the main characters were battling a plague of rats by setting fire to their garbage while taking pot shots at the rats with a rifle. I’ve never abandoned a show half way through an episode before! It was that bad.
Severance: I plodded my way through the first season and was mildly satisfied with the conclusion. I made it to the end of episode 4 of season 2 and gave up. I assume it would have been another plod with another mildly satisfying conclusion.
Star Trek: Discovery: Terrible.
I’m on the fence with:
Daredevil Reborn: I loved the first series but this new one is slow. I need more fighting and superhero stuff!
Dune Prophecy: I watched the first season and it was OK. Unsure if I’ll continue with the second season.
For All Mankind: I’m a space nut! I devour anything I can find about NASA and the Apollo program. I enjoyed the first season of this but the second season went all soapy and I stopped. I wanted more space stuff! I might come back to it though.
Stuff that I watch as soon as I can:
The Last Of Us: TV doesn’t get any better.
Doctor Who: It’s corny and campy and the current series is incredibly woke but I can’t not watch it.
Only Murders In The Building: I’m a sucker for quirky dramadies. Pushing Daisies, Dead Like Me, Warehouse 13, Eureka, The Good Place. Where have all these types of shows gone?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: How can two concurrent Star Trek shows be so different?
Silo: The books were great and this is a top notch adaptation. The second season was a little drawn out. I’m keen to see how they adapt the second book which is very different to the first. I hope they don’t draw the story out so much that they get cancelled before they can finish it!
Of these, I watched and enjoyed Only Murders in the Building. I thought Daredevil: Born Again was pretty good. I preferred it over the original that I found a little too campy.
We liked The Witcher and are rewatching that show. We’re trying to watch The Wheel of Time but aren’t enjoyed this season as much.
We couldn’t get through Foundation. They changed the show too much for us.
Have you watched Halo? It wasn’t terrible.
Did not watch Halo and probably won’t despite your glowing review. “It wasn’t terrible!”raves Tam Dixon.
The first season of Halo was good but the next season went down. Not terrible is an average.
Good luck with your Dr!
I’ve been working on Spring Cleaning at home and driving to my mom’s house to help her, so I’ve been using Audible for most of books. What’s that word Akemi calls Spring Cleaning?
Looking forward to your recommendations!
Say Hi to your Mom & Sis for us, please!