I am feeling so much better! But I only finished two books! (Still haven't read that stack of picture books!)

35. The Bad Beginning. (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) Lemony Snicket. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. 1999. 162 pages. [Source: Library] [j fantasy, mg fantasy, j fiction, mg fiction, 5 stars]
36. The Martian. Andy Weir. 2011. 369 pages. [Source: Library] [adult science fiction, 5 stars, space]

Century of Viewing #20

2020s

• 2025 Afterlight Five stories with some sci-fi elements. (Though strong horror elements as well for some). These are NOT connected in any way. I could have sworn that the description said they were. They weren't. The first story was thought-provoking, intriguing, showed great potential. The second story was intense and emotional perhaps a little too dark. Left more questions than answers. The third, fourth, and fifth stories were a complete waste of time. The third story might have been fleshed out into something larger which would allow for the mystery and suspense to be developed and an actual story told. The fourth story was just weak--in terms of script and acting maybe. It's very very hard to distinguish the two. Actors can only say what the script says. The fifth story was BORING. If the fifth had been the third would it have been as boring? Maybe. Maybe not.
• 2026 Call the Midwife, season 15 I loved the finale. I was SOBBING through portions of it. Did I love every single scene? Probably not. The series as a whole--all eight episodes--I would say I was mostly disappointed. The last two episodes were turning things around. I wish the last few seasons had been better. There are things that I just haven't liked, haven't wanted, haven't enjoyed. BUT the finale reminded me of all the reasons I CARE.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

36. The Martian. Andy Weir. 2011. 369 pages. [Source: Library] [adult science fiction, 5 stars, space]

First sentence: I'm pretty much f***ed.  That's my considered opinion.

Premise/plot: It's all a matter of perspective if Mark Watney is lucky or unlucky. One could argue that he's unlucky to be stranded on Mars and battling for survivor cut off almost completely from the human race, from Earth. Limited resources--though plenty of mystery novels, disco, and 70s sitcoms. One could also argue that he's incredibly lucky--lucky that he survived the original accident, lucky that he recovered, lucky that he's skilled and resourceful enough to put to use every thing he has as a resource, lucky that he has a positive outlook.

Most of the novel IS from his point of view. Though we get brief updates from those on earth about how to rescue Mark.

My thoughts: I loved the movie. I loved the book. BOTH were excellent.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

35. The Bad Beginning. (A Series of Unfortunate Events #1) Lemony Snicket. Illustrated by Brett Helquist. 1999. 162 pages. [Source: Library] [j fantasy, mg fantasy, j fiction, mg fiction, 5 stars]

First sentence: If you are interested in stories with happy endings, you would be better off reading some other book. IN this book, not only is there no happy ending, there is no happy beginning and very few happy things in the middle.

Premise/plot: The three Baudelaire orphans--Violet, Klaus, and Sunny--star in Lemony Snicket's over-the-top Series of Unfortunate Events. The book opens with the three learning that their parents are gone and so is their home--in a mysterious fire. They soon find themselves "living" with their "closest" relative, Count Olaf.

I listened to the audio book narrated by Tim Curry and a full cast. I've also seen the feature film and a few episodes of the series.

My thoughts: I love the writing, the narration. The story itself is extreme and over-the-top. I loved the movie--which I believe combines the plot of the first three books. I do plan on reading more in the series.


© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

This week I reviewed only one book--and that was last Saturday night! I've been sick--sadly.

ESV Women's Study Bible. God. 2021. 2336 pages. [Source: GIFT] [Bible, study Bible, 5 stars]

Century of Viewing #19

1980s

• 1984 The Last Starfighter    Alex Rogan plays a LOT of an arcade game. But the arcade game leads to a real life adventure, and the guy who has always wanted to leave his small town trailer park, well, he begins to question if he has what it takes to be an actual actual starfighter. It was interesting to see Robert Preston as an alien!

2000s

• 2002/2003 Forsyte Saga 2 Series. 13 Episodes. Much soap-iness. It has been a while since I read the books but it fairly seemed to go along with what I remembered plus or minus a few whines. I haven't watched the new series yet, and I'm not sure when I'll get to it. More unlikeable characters than likeable characters but much drama.

2010s

• 2012 Cold Light of Day Would I recommend it? NO. Are there worse ways to spend two hours? Probably. Possibly. Would I rather go to the dentist? YES. I have a great dentist. (We talk about movies and books!) I can't really think of anything I actively liked about this movie. Except it has been fun to watch reactions and reviews.

2020s

• 2025 The Running Man I read the book relatively recently. And I've never been more shocked that a movie was mostly relatively almost faithful to the book!!!! This movie shares little in common with the 80s original action movie. It is dystopia. It is dark. BUT I definitely preferred it not only to the original 80s movie BUT to the book as well.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews

This week I reviewed three books.

 If You Lived During the American Revolution. Chris Newell. Illustrated by Steffi Walthall. 2026. 88 pages. [Source: Library] [3 stars, history, nonfiction]

Board book: 1, 2, 3, Can You Count Along? Alice Hemming. Illustrated by Nichola Slater. 2026. 10 pages. [Source: Library] [4 stars]

 Board book: Edwina The Dinosaur Who Didn't Know She Was Extinct. Mo Willems. 2006/2026. 38 pages. [Source: Library] [animal fantasy]


Century of Viewing #18

1980s

• 1981 Caveman Am I the target audience for this movie? No. Did I enjoy elements of it? For the most part--to some extent. Atouk loves Lana. Well, love is an extreme exaggeration. I don't think love has a bit to do with it. At all. Lana 'belongs' to Tonda. Lana seems more than okay with being 'his' woman. When Atouk is kicked out (literally) from the clan, he teams up with a series of misfits and outcasts. Together they discover, fire, musical instruments, sling shots, etc., Meanwhile, Tala is developing romantic feelings for Atouk. But he's all Lana, Lana, Lana. Can this cave romance have a happy ending? ALSO: there are dinosaurs.
• 1987 Robocop Apparently the YT free with ads version of Robocop is heavily censored and missing quite a bit of the movie (a difference of at least ten minutes). I am glad I watched Robocop. It was a fun action movie.

1990s

• 1990 Robocop 2 I liked it just as much as the first movie!
• 1993 Robocop 3 I definitely enjoyed this one!!! Each of the Robocop movies is unique in some ways. This one is set at Christmas. It has new villains. What I appreciate most about this one is that this is the movie where Robocop 'finds' his own 'found' family. There are some sweet, tender scenes in this one. Plenty of action, mind you. IT is Robocop after all. But I like these three movies.
• 1994 Without Warning This is a modern twist on the 1937 War of the Worlds scare. It is BLEAKITY-BLEAK which felt right.

2000s

• 2004 Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I have not read the book. But the movie was super fun! I loved, loved, loved baby Sunny! And all the characters were fun. It is a dark comedy for sure, but, it had some moments with all the feels.

2010s

• 2014 Robocop. Is it a copy of the original movie? No. The movies are very different from each other--in almost every way. I liked them both. THIS one does have its strengths. I liked many, many, many things about it! The characters do feel more human AND the wife and child play a much larger part in the story.

© 2026 Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews