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Big Swiss by Jen Beagin – Book Review

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Big Swiss by Jen Beagin – Book Cover

Big Swiss is a woman. She goes to a sex therapist. Namely, to Om—who seems spectacularly unqualified for the job. Greta is also a woman. She transcribes the therapy session recordings. Greta is completely fascinated by Big Swiss. (Can’t blame her—everyone is.) And once they run into each other while walking their dogs, it’s clear that things are about to get complicated.

Big Swiss is Irresistible

In 2023, Big Swiss was ranked the 11th best novel by Goodreads readers. Normally, that kind of thing doesn’t mean squat. But in this case, it actually kind of does.

Jen Beagin’s third novel was named Book of the Year by Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Elle, and The New Yorker. So basically, every girly mag out there. Which, let’s be honest, might immediately scare off a very specific chunk of the reading population. But if you’re bold enough to crack it open out of sheer curiosity, you may find yourself reading a lot further than you expected. Possibly all the way to the end.

Why? Because of the instantly likeable characters, the wry yet warm humor, and the unmistakably unique, sharp narration.

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The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman – Book Review

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The Last Devil to Die by Richard Osman – Book Cover

In the charming retirement community of Cooper Chase in southern England, there are numerous clubs designed to keep the residents entertained. There’s a crossword club, French conversation classes, Zumba sessions, and for those seeking a bit more excitement than puzzle-solving, there’s also the Thursday Murder Club. The Last Devil to Die is the fourth collaboration between the retired amateur detectives and the well-known English TV host, Richard Osman. This time, the club members are investigating a missing shipment of heroin, all while seeking revenge for the murder of a friend.

Investigation in a Laid-Back Atmosphere

One might think that the club members, all nearly eighty years old, would have a bit of a handicap when it comes to chasing down criminals, simply due to their age. But that’s not the case. (Of course, they always have hip replacements, walking sticks, and Cavinton on hand if needed!)

You might also expect that various deranged villains would quickly neutralize of the club members with a well-placed elbow to the jaw, and while the amateur detectives recover from concussions in the hospital or lie comatose, the criminals would easily wipe away all evidence.

But the criminals in The Last Devil to Die are as mild as lambs! And remarkably patient and respectful toward the seniors!

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The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman – Book Review

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The Blacktongue Thief by Christopher Buehlman – Book

The education system, as a whole, is a real pain. By the time you earn a serious qualification, you’re already neck-deep in debt. If you’re studying to become a thief, the situation is even worse. The Association of Thieves, known as the Takers’ Guild, is well aware that from this point on, you possess every skill necessary to make money. So, they’ll make you work your guts out for them. Kinch Na Shannack, the protagonist of The Blacktongue Thief, finds himself in an even worse predicament. The mysterious mission he’s forced into offers nothing but loss. However, Christopher Buehlman’s readers are in for a treat, as Kinch Na Shannack’s adventures are incredibly entertaining.

Christopher Buehlman – A Refreshing Voice in Fantasy

Standing out in the fantasy genre is no easy feat, that’s for sure. On one hand, there’s an overproduction crisis, and on the other, thanks to sites like Goodreads, it’s often the most mediocre works that gather the biggest fanbases (see: S. A. Chakraborty’s City of Brass). Yet, the multi-talented Buehlman—writer, poet, actor, comedian—has the ability to disarm readers almost immediately, particularly with his humor.

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Killing Gunther (2017) – Film Review

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Killing Gunther (2017) movie poster

Blake, a hitman, decides—for reasons that are as baffling to himself as they are to everyone else—that he’s going to kill Gunther, the coolest assassin in the game. To pull off this major job, he assembles a ragtag crew of fellow assassins. Oh, and he also ropes in a documentary film crew—obviously, just to ensure his failure is recorded for posterity. Featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger among the cast, Killing Gunther not only parodies the action-movie genre with its icy-cold, badass killers but also hilariously mocks itself in the process.

Budget Hitmen for a Bargain

The problem? Everyone in Blake’s team is an idiot. Or a loser. Or both an idiot and a loser. And not the funny kind, mind you—just lame. And painfully dull. Watching this sorry excuse for a crew bumble through their mission, you can’t help but think that if you ever needed to take someone out, you’d be far better off doing it yourself.

Taran Killam’s action-comedy never takes itself seriously, which isn’t necessarily a strength in a film about assassins. Especially during scenes where, you know, they’re supposed to be killing someone. In Killing Gunther, they’re always trying to kill someone—and that someone is, of course, Gunther.

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