I started this blog with one daughter, kept it up with the other, to spend time together doing something we enjoyed.
However, things change and people evolve. My daughters are older, busier, and not as interested in writing.
From now on this blog will be mostly mom with occasional contributions from my daughters and maybe even my husband.
Nothing else will change. We'll still focus on sharing fun places to go, fun things to do, and more, and we would  still love to hear your views too

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Tips for Tuesday - Books: Loyalty & Video: Euphoria Complete Season 1-2

We may have been given complimentary copies and/or access for review purposes to any products, and/or visual or audio media mentioned below. Any and all opinions expressed here are our own.

Books: Loyalty


Today we are recommending Loyalty by Lisa Scottoline.  This book is quite different than Scottoline's usual fare. It is not a legal thriller. It is still a crime drama but one that has several different stories weaving through it at the same time as it imagines the beginnings of the mafia. 

Franco Fiorvanti is an awful awful man demanding complete loyalty from his men although he is not loyal to anyone but himself, not even his own family members. He and his men commit the most heinous crimes. It would not necessarily be that enjoyable just to read about these terrible men, particularly, Fiorvanti himself, and their crimes so their story is counterbalanced with the story of Gaetano Catalano, a lawyer trying to solve the mystery of young boys who are going missing even though his inquiries into the subject may put himself and his own family in jeopardy. There are also the outcasts, Mafalda and her overly pale-skinned daughter, Lucia, and Dante one of the kidnapped boys, and more who are also good. 

The book is also a bit of a travelogue with its vivid descriptions. Most of the locations are real places in Sicily.  You can find out what is real and what isn't in an author's note at the end of the book.

On the whole, the story is interesting but not necessarily as gripping as some of Scottoline's other books. It is definitely a bit too much to take at times as it makes you realize the depths of depravity to which some people will sink and how little regard they can have for their fellow human beings. However, it is still a mostly satisfying read.

Loyalty will be published on March 28.

Video: Euphoria Complete Seasons 1 -2


Today we are talking about Euphoria. Seasons 1 and 2 of this HBO series are now available on DVD. The story is basically is about teenagers navigating today's world. It is full of sex and violence and there is lots of drug use and nudity both male and female. Accordingly, we would strongly recommend following the parental guidelines which suggest the series is not really suitable for those under 17. 

At the center of the series is young drug addict, Rue. She is played by former Disney channel star, Zendaya, who has won two Emmy Awards for the role. Her role and her brilliant portrayal of the role really give an accurate depiction of what it's like to be a drug addict and how easy it is to slip into addiction. 

On the whole, the acting in the series is very good. None of the characters are completely likable though. They are all very flawed, but that does only make them seem more realistic. It can all be a bit much at times and if you are triggered by depictions of drug abuse, sex, violence, and/or excessive nudity or by teens constantly making the wrong choices, you might want to skip it.

Euphoria Complete Season 1-2 is available now for purchase on DVD, for digital purchase or rental, or to stream free with an HBO subscription.

And that's our view. Tune in tomorrow for Where-To-Go Wednesday.

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