First, I apologize to anyone who wants to leave a comment here but can't. I don't know how to fix this. A couple readers have this issue, while several others have no problem getting their comments through. I wish there was something I could do! I am grateful to all my readers ~ I know this blog is not as "friendly" as my previous ones, as I don't intend this one to be super social and chatty (I have FB and Bsky for that). This blog is mostly a record of what I have read and viewed because it all floats out of my mind, and now I can refer back, if necessary.
Second, I continue to be horrified by (waves hands) everything, and for my mental health's sake I need to stop reading the news so much. How does that help anything? Bleh.
Third, Hulu offered me a deal, so I'm back to watching Bachelor Nation shows. This week, The Golden Bachelorette ended its first season, rather predictably but sweetly, and in January a new bachelor will begin his "journey." They haven't said yet if there will be a new Golden Bachelor after that, and I hope there is. I find the Goldens more interesting than the 25-35 year-olds, for obvious reasons.
Fourth, I just finished The September House, a horror novel, which I gave three stars. The protagonist was annoying but compelling, and I really hoped that the whole thing would be about mental illness and was a little disappointed to discover that the creepy things were "real." I wish the weirdness would have been resolved with an unreliable narrator as opposed to actual ghosts and whatever. It seemed to be headed in that direction, but then not. The more I ponder the supernatural elements, the less sense the story makes, which is why I dropped a star ~ initially, the story was so well written I was thinking of giving it four stars. I skimmed the hideous, violent ending because that kind of gory stuff doesn't resonate with me. Psychos, yes. Those I relate to.
Fifth, I want to express my utter loathing for the "grumpy x sunshine" trope in romance novels. I am not talking about a deliciously brooding duke, but the new wave of mean bosses, grouchy neighbors, and sarcastic aholes that are skulking around the shelves lately. I'm sorry, but they are not sexy! There is nothing "hot" about a man who can't control his temper and/or has poor communication skills. I don't care what he looks like or whatever tragic backstory turned him into Negative Nick, which naturally he has to take out on the poor, unsuspecting heroine ~ a man in a foul mood is a turn-off not a turn-on. But the worst thing is that she has to be cheerful no matter what! That's just so grossly sexist I can't stand it, and the idea that a woman finds bad behavior desirable, forgivable, or ignorable, even in fiction, makes me cringe.
That's all for now. Hope everyone has a tolerable weekend.
I agree that grumpy men (or women) who cannot control their tempers are not sexy. Neither "fight" response nor narcissism is a turn-on. The consistently cheerful woman is also not a turn-on if her behavior is a result of an abusive childhood ("fawning" response). My therapist said girls who have a temper survive abuse better. (Now, let's see if this comment survived.)
ReplyDeleteInteresting! Yeah, bullies don’t want pushback. Makes sense that the more you grovel the worse it gets as he tries to find your limit.
ReplyDeleteKeera, your comments not only make it through, but they appear in my primary inbox as opposed to “social” where everyone else’s ends up (everyone who doesn’t get deleted by the blogspot devils, that is). Or maybe it’s because you’re antisocial! Jk 🤣❤️
But of course my comments arrive front and center! 🤣 Anyway, I'm glad you get them. 🥰
ReplyDeleteI'm still trying to figure out where I fit in Bluesky, and I have been trying to move on from the election, but it's tough right now. - N
ReplyDeleteN, I hear you. I have been trying not to check the news every 5 minutes, but it’s tough. Sometimes I think Bluesky is completely pointless, but it seems nice, so I am there a bit. I would like to be part of the anti-X group anyway…
ReplyDeleteBluesky is nice for now, but the trolls are infiltrating. I have learned to block and not interact, but still. What is it with them that they need to feed on the energy of decent people? Depraved much, trolls?
ReplyDeleteI’ve kinda lost interest in Bsky this weekend. Had to subscribe to a list to block MAGA, have already blocked like 2000 watermelon accounts, & now that I have followed back so many legit folks it’s hard to keep track of anything. Not to mention it’s so repetitive with all the anti memes. I agree with them, but ughhh
ReplyDeleteI hear you. Sticking with it, but am going to give it a week more, then hone my follow list. Have really only seen magats commenting in big accounts, and I block immediately. - N
ReplyDelete