March 31, 2025

A Month in Summary - March 2025

Little Whale Cove
Depoe Bay, Oregon
March 2025


I love this time of year! The days are longer, trees and shrubs are budding out, daffodils are dancing in the breeze, the rainy season is almost over (which means more dry days to get outside and walk!), and the daytime temps are creeping up into the 60s. We have several book events coming up in April (click here for dates and locations), so we're busy prepping to get back on the road in the RV. 

I had a decent month of reading, but only one book stood out from the others, and it was very good. My current book isn't holding my attention, but I'm sticking with it since I am determined to read all of Maggie O'Farrell's novels. I'm hoping it's just one of those books that requires time and patience.


Books Read (click on the title for my review):

Boundary Waters by William Kent Krueger (2/5)

More or Less Maddy by Lisa Genova (3.5/5)

Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash (4.5/5)

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout (4/5) - reread

Listen for the Lie by Amy Tintera (3.5/5)


Movies & TV Series:


Zero Day - Entertaining, but not great. The acting wasn't impressive, and I felt the cyber attacks hit a little too close to home during these turbulent times.


Black Doves - Very, very good! I'm not a huge fan of Keira Knightley, but Ben Whishaw is fantastic (and very easy on the eyes). I could watch the show a second time, especially now that I know what the heck happened!


Runaway Juror - After the death of Gene Hackman, this movie popped up in our Netflix listings. I can't remember if I saw the movie when it first came out, but I know I read the book many years ago. We enjoyed the movie quite well.


Paradise (Season One) - Excellent! The story unfolds layer by layer with the weaving of past & present timelines. I was spellbound. Sterling K. Brown (from This Is Us) is outstanding.


Severance (Season One) - I finally jumped on the bandwagon and after a few episodes, was hooked. This is an entertaining, albeit WEIRD psychological thriller. Great acting. On to season two!


Reacher (Season Three) - Entertaining, but pretty silly at times. At the beginning of each episode, we tried to guess how long it would take before Reacher took his shirt off.

Visitors:






Amy came out from Tennessee for a long weekend visit. (Will had to stay home and work and take care of the dogs.) We had such a great time catching up, and she taught me and my girlfriends how to play the American version of Mah Jong. Great fun! Hope it isn't too long before she and Will can both come out for another visit.
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12 comments:

  1. Helen's Book Blog7:00 PM

    Looks like a great month! I also liked Black Doves, but haven't watched the other shows.

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    1. Les in Oregon7:59 PM

      Helen, Black Doves is one that I could watch again! Of all the other shows, I'd recommend Severance and Paradise.

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  2. Tina6:58 AM

    Yea, your month in summary posts are always fun to read and you always give me new ideas for books and shows. Agreed about Severance season one. I am looking forward to season two but we won't get it for quite some time. Took us a while to get into it but wow.
    Have not tried Paradise yet.

    Beyond that, the sea was so good. I hope there will be more by this author. Which O'Farrell book is dragging for you? I just acquired the one you had read previously, The Distance Between Us.

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    1. Les in Oregon7:42 PM

      Tina, your enthusiasm for my monthly posts is so appreciated! I'm almost finished with Severance and am really enjoying it. The bonus videos after each episode (in season two) are worth watching, too. Paradise is sooooo good! Ah, the O'Farrell book was The Hand That First Held Mine. It grew on me, but I kept waiting to see when the two storylines would intersect.

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  3. Kay11:50 AM

    So happy you shared those great pictures of Amy's visit. She is just lovely and always has been. Isn't it crazy that she's all grown up, etc., etc? Same goes for my girlie. Hope you guys have a wonderful spring and some good book events to come.

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    1. Les in Oregon7:44 PM

      Kay, thank you for your sweet words about Amy. It is crazy that she's all grown up. She's 41, which is how old I was when we moved back to Nebraska from Texas! Doesn't seem that long ago at all!

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  4. JoAnn1:56 PM

    Just love the photos of your daughter's visit! It looks like you all enjoyed the time together. Beyond That, The Sea is on my kindle. Now I need to find the right time to read it.

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    1. Les in Oregon7:45 PM

      Thanks so much, JoAnn. It was such a wonderful visit full of relaxing conversations and trips down memory lane. Oooh, you are in for a treat with Beyond That, the Sea. Loved that book!

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  5. Deb Nance at Readerbuzz5:11 AM

    I hope the O'Farrell book picks up. It seems like it's harder for me to get into books in the spring. I think it's because so much is going on right outside my window that I can't bear to be inside!

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    1. Les in Oregon7:49 PM

      Deb, the O'Farrell book did pick up and the two storylines eventually merged, as I had hoped. As soon as I finished it, I read the new Anne Tyler book as well as one by Iain Reid (We Spread). I can't remember the last time I read two books in three days!

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  6. Anonymous4:29 PM

    It seems like we were watching a lot of the same things. I LOVED Paradise and will probably re-watch again soon. ~Jen

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    Replies
    1. Les in Oregon7:51 PM

      Jen, Paradise was so good. I'm looking forward to season two!

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