Author / jim

by jim

Book 22 (of 52) – Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) – Mindy Kaling

In her first memoir, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns), Mindy Kaling recounts her upbringing, college years, moving to New York, and breaking in to Hollywood as a writer and actress on The Office.  She tells her experience with Hollywood’s ups and downs, both personally and professionally, and how she deals with not being the “ideal” picture of beauty.

Kaling’s writing style is reminiscent of her television personality, and that’s not a bad thing.  She has an interesting story and I’m glad that I read it.  She also has a follow-up, which I will try to pick up one of these days.

by jim

Book 21 (of 52) – Triptych

Triptych – Karin Slaughter

Triptych, the first entry in the Will Trent series, follows a state investigator who teams up with Atlanta PD when a murdered prostitute matches the MO of other cases.  The investigation brings together old loves, family ties, and a secret buried for 30 years.

Earlier this year, I had my first experience with this series from Karin Slaughter, taking in the 8th entry.  Because of this, some of the twists, like the relationship between 2 of the characters, were lost on me as I was already aware.  That said, the reveal of the killer and the ultimate connection of the B plot to the A plot made for an enjoyable read.  I’m sure I’ll be back for more before too long.

 

by jim

Book 20 (of 52) – Burntown

Burntown – Jennifer McMahon

A young girl living on the streets sees her world come apart when her boyfriend is murdered and she’s the chief suspect. When she teams up with a drug dealing high school student and a junkie cafeteria worker, she learns the truth about her parents and why her mother took her to the streets, keeping her safe from the killer that has stalked her family for years.

It’s been nearly 2 years since Jennifer McMahon’s work crossed my path.  While it took me a while to get in to this one, having started it back in April, once I did, I had a hard time putting it down.  Like most of her work that I’ve read, she had enough twists and turns to make the ride enjoyable.  I’m sure it won’t be another 2 years before I’m reading her again.

 

by jim

Book 19 (of 52) – Lock Every Door

Lock Every Door – Riley Sager

Lock Every Door, the latest from Riley Sager, tells the tale of a young woman who, at her lowest point, seems to have found a dream job: apartment sitting in the building she has fantasized about her entire life.  Everything is not as it seems, however, when her fellow apartment sitters start disappearing.  While she tries to find her missing friends, she learns that the strangeness has been going on longer than she, or anyone, could have imagined and that her life is very much in danger.

Sager’s third novel in the last three years abandons his previous theme of summer camps in exchange for New York and a high rise apartment building, with a little class warfare thrown in for good measure.  I’ve yet to be disappointed by Sager and look forward to whatever comes next from him.

 

by jim

Book 18 (of 52) – Sickened

Sickened: The True Story Of A Lost Childhood – Julie Gregory

In her disturbing memoir Sickened: The True Story of a Lost Childhood, Julie Gregory tells the tale of a childhood filled with abuse from both of her parents, including Munchausen syndrome by proxy.  Gregory eventually escaped and built a better life for herself, but lays out the trauma she suffered as a pawn between her parents.

If I had any complaints about this effort, it would be that the tale is told so matter-of-factly that the horror of the situation is muted somewhat.  But, the tale is Gregory’s to tell as she sees fit.

by jim

Post Mortem – Crashing

As Crashing was wrapping up its third season back in March, HBO announced that the show, starring comedian Pete Holmes in an autobiographical tale about his breaking in to stand up, would not be returning.  I was originally drawn to the show by Holmes, who I’ve heard on a few podcasts over the years, and Artie Lange, who made numerous guest appearances in the first season, but whose drug use and legal issues have limited his role since.  I liked the show and think it still had room to grow, but HBO looks to be revamping themselves to prepare for the end of their Game of Thrones cash cow.

by jim

Post Mortem – Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

After 4 seasons on Netflix, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt came to its second end in January with the release of the second half of season 4.  The show was originally developed at NBC, but was sold to Netflix after the network was “not feeling confident about watching comedies,” according to creator Tina Fey.

The show thrived on Netflix, making a star of Broadway actor Tituss Burgess.  In May 2019, it was reported the series would return with an interactive special set to premiere sometime in 2020.  I will be sure to tune in.

by jim

Post Mortem – Jessica Jones

On February 18, 2019, Netflix announced that they were cancelling Jessica Jones after 3 seasons. The move coincides with the ending of most of the Marvel shows produced for Netflix at a time when the studio’s parent company, Disney, is looking to launch their own streaming service.

Jessica Jones was the second of a burgeoning stable of Marvel shows on Netflix, following Daredevil. While technically set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Netflix shows only tangentially referenced the events and the heroes of the movies, sometimes going to great lengths to avoid it.

New Marvel shows will be moving to Disney+ after it launches later this year and those are expected to be more closely tied to the MCU. Per the original deal between Marvel and Netflix for the series, the characters cannot appear in any non-Netflix series or films for at least two years following the show’s cancellation, so it may be awhile before the character shows back up in the MCU, if at all.

by jim

Post Mortem – The Punisher

On February 18, 2019, Netflix announced that they were cancelling The Punisher after 2 seasons.  The move coincides with the ending of most of the Marvel shows produced for Netflix at a time when the studio’s parent company, Disney, is looking to launch their own streaming service.

The Punisher was the last of a burgeoning stable of Marvel shows on Netflix, spun off from Daredevil after appearing in the second season of that show. While technically set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Netflix shows only tangentially referenced the events and the heroes of the movies, sometimes going to great lengths to avoid it.

New Marvel shows will be moving to Disney+ after it launches later this year and those are expected to be more closely tied to the MCU. Per the original deal between Marvel and Netflix for the series, the characters cannot appear in any non-Netflix series or films for at least two years following the show’s cancellation, so it may be awhile before the character shows back up in the MCU, if at all.

by jim

Post Mortem – Luke Cage

On October 19, 2018, Netflix announced that they were cancelling Luke Cage after 2 seasons, claiming creative differences on the direction of season 3. The move coincides with the ending of most of the Marvel shows produced for Netflix at a time when the studio’s parent company, Disney, is looking to launch their own streaming service.

Luke Cage was the third of a burgeoning stable of Marvel shows on Netflix, following Daredevil and Jessica Jones. While technically set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Netflix shows only tangentially referenced the events and the heroes of the movies, sometimes going to great lengths to avoid it.

New Marvel shows will be moving to Disney+ after it launches later this year and those are expected to be more closely tied to the MCU.  Per the original deal between Marvel and Netflix for the series, the characters cannot appear in any non-Netflix series or films for at least two years following the show’s cancellation, so it may be awhile before the character shows back up in the MCU, if at all.