September 2022 - the inherited library book mystery
Hi Everyone,
I have a conundrum…
I recently took possession of my great-grandfather’s medical school textbooks. Some of them date back to 1918, they are all ridiculously out of date, falling apart and riddled with silverfish damage. My plan is to use them in collages, behind dapper gentlemen like the above. However, one of the books has given me cause for concern. Inside the front cover I found this:
Someone named J. Bennet (I think) signed this book out on 27 January 1941—and clearly didn’t return it! J. Bennet is not my great-grandfather’s name. Clearly, this phycology text book has a story to tell. Who is J. Bennet and how did this book end up in my great-grandfather’s collection? And does the University of British Columbia want it back? Would there be late fees? It’s all a mystery that might become a short story.
I have to admit, the chaos of end summer has kept me out of my writing chair. I’ve been camping multiple times, hanging out on the beach, and just sitting in the backyard.
But, this morning at 6am I did manage to get myself into my writing chair. I’m back working on the third book in the Encoded Orbits series and I’m excited to get it done.
Three movies… (cherry picked because I liked them)
At one time, I’d delve into any scifi movie that came along. I wasn’t that picky, I had time and a willingness to overlook plot holes and laws of physics goof ups. There were very few movies I wouldn’t watch all the way through (Lava Storm being the exception, I tried twice and both times I turned it off at twenty minutes).
But now, I don’t watch a lot of movies anymore. Generally I stick to TV shows for a couple of reasons. First, once I like a character, I tend to want to watch more. And the biggest reason is that my evenings are mostly chaos where an hour of a TV show is easier to fit in than a movie. That said, I recently watched three movies worth sharing (one I even watched in a theatre!).
Buzz Lightyear
Buzz Lightyear is exactly the kind of science fiction I’d like to see more of, even if it was a cartoon aimed at a young audience. In fact, the story wouldn’t need much tweaking to be presented as live action for a mature audience. It dealt with the consequences of traveling close to the speed of light along with time travel–which are cool concepts to think about. But, the movie’s main theme was about not facing these things alone. And there was a talking robotic cat, and who doesn’t love a robotic cat?
Everything Everywhere All At Once
I’d heard good reviews for this one, and I always enjoy watching Michelle Yoeh.
Here, she’s a laundromat owner trying to come to terms with who she is and her relationships in her life, especially with her daughter. The movie quickly takes a wild turn into the bizarreness of the multiverse. There’s ridiculous action, crazy multiverse locations, a truly everything bagel and alternate lives ranging from sweet to terrifying to covered in googly eyes.
Weird, surreal, crazy ideas filled each scene, like a martial arts fight using a fanny pack like nunchucks. I love these ridiculous moments, and some even made me laugh out loud. I always aim to add these sorts of things to my own stories and I have to say, it’s really, really hard to do well.
Even though the multiverse was complex and diverse, everything tied together perfectly–all the characters had arcs, even the minor ones and the ending was satisfying, and actually quite sentimental.
I suspect this is one I’ll keep mulling over, just like I do with Arrival (both are about mothers, who are also flawed humans, figuring out how their lives fit together–something I think about a lot)
Note - there are some logic errors (mostly for the sake of humour), but I’m choosing to ignore them.
Top Gun: Maverick
I was in my early teens when I saw the original Top Gun movie (rented on a VHS tape back when one could rent physical movies from a shop). I more than loved this movie–I went on to make life choices off it. My entire high school years were spent tightly focused on getting into the (Canadian) military as a pilot. I think I would’ve made a great pilot, but… my eyesight was slightly short of good enough. I still got into the military on a full scholarship for my undergrad degree, and served for 13 years as an army officer.
In addition, my first novel (which I wrote in my teens) was basically fan fiction of Top Gun set in space (this novel will never see the light of day!).
We went to the local IMAX theatre to see Top Gun: Maverick. It delivered the right combination of nostalgia and original story. I loved it. My past teenage-self would have more than loved it, because this one had women (yep, more than one) as fighter pilots.
My only criticism is that I don’t think it passed the Bechdel test – that is, two women did not have a conversation about something other than a man.
Then there’s this:
and I have to admit, I can’t wait to watch it (and I’m now thinking twice about collecting shells off the beach).
What have you been watching? Anything to recommend?
And finally a book recommendation
I was lucky enough to beta read this one, and it’s awesome and free for the next few days (sadly only on Amazon).
A rogue faction within the Taran Empire has inadvertently broken an ancient treaty with powerful transdimensional aliens. Now on the cusp of a galactic war, TSS Agent Jason Sietinen must find a way to unite the Taran worlds, including the lost colony of Earth, against the alien threat. Except, how do you fight an enemy you can't see or touch? "A complex, high stakes plot that will keep even the most seasoned science fiction reader engaged." - The BookLife Prize
As always, hit reply and say hello.
Cheers,
Jeannette
My Books:
Encoded Orbits
Fractured Orbits - direct or from the shops
The Alien Algorithm - direct or from the shops
Settler Chronicles
Day 115 on an Alien World - direct or from the shops
Far Side of the Moon - direct or from the shops
Abandoned Ships, Hijacked Minds - direct or from the shops
The Alien Artifact - direct or from the shops
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