Sunday Synopsis

The Rooster Bar by John Grisham
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I've always loved John Grisham, but this book underwhelmed me. It was just okay.

A group of law school friends, Mark, Todd, and Zola, experience a personal tragedy which changes their lives forever. They, and a fourth friend, had racked up massive debt attending a third-rate law school. With one semester to go, no viable job prospects, and no way to repay the loans, they make other plans, plans that involve a great deal of risk.

Their friend, the one who is involved in the tragedy, finds out that the law school is one of several schools that is linked to a hedge-fund operator who also owns a chain of banks that specialize in school loans. They detect some fraud that could be remedied with a class action law suit, but it will be difficult to prove. They had been tricked by the law school and were chasing false promises rather than dreams. Not only that, but they all have debt collectors waiting to come after them.

Woven into the fabric of this story is also immigration and deportation issues and mental health problems. I don't usually enjoy when an author weaves in social problems. I feel like they are using their book as a platform for their ideation, whether or not I agree with it. I just want to be entertained.

In my opinion, Mark, Todd, and Zola are not likable characters. They engage in risky, illegal, activities for which they have no consequences. The only one who has any saving grace is Zola who actually has a reason for her actions. Mark and Todd remind me more of spoiled brats who make poor decisions and feel they are above the law.

The book was somewhat entertaining, but I prefer to have a connection with the characters.

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Passing of a Lady

My mother-in-law was a proper, English lady.  She lived in the US for 55 years, but she maintained much of her British upbringing in her voice and customs.  She was polite, gentle, demure, and wonderful in every way possible.  She was also very clever and delightful.  She passed away yesterday after a fairly long illness.  Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers.  I'm thankful for her influence on her children and granddaughters.

Photo Day

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Beautiful rainbow from one week ago.  

I'm linking up with image-in-ing and Wordless Wednesday.

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Random Nonsense

Where I live it's still Tuesday, so here I go.  Linking up with Stacy's Random Tuesday Thoughts.

The parting gift I received on the last day of school?  A summer cold virus.  It has mostly run its course 12 days later except for one thing.  My ear.  I can't remember the last time I had an ear infection, but I do!  It all started with blowing my nose and hearing the swishing in my ear.  Then, I heard a pop and had a sharp pain.  After, it was a dull ache.  Decongestants haven't been drying it out, so I finally, FINALLY, went to the doctor.  Big, bad, ugly ear infection, including fever.

Enough about that... It's summer!!! No school!!! I will go back for one year and then retire.  Actually, I might retire in December.  I deserve it!

I took my cat for her yearly checkup today.  Unfortunately, she didn't get her yearly shots.  She's been itching and has some scabs that the doctor wanted to treat first (no fleas).  That means I have to take her back in two week for her regular shots.  Getting her in the carrier is no easy feat.  It requires planning, stealth, and surreptitious behavior!  She's a great patient, though.  She doesn't whine, bite, scratch or even try to get away when she's there.  Just another adventure to add to my summer calendar.

And now...

Thought this was funny!  Get it?

This is sooo me!

This cracked me up!!!

Your daily laugh!



Have a great week!

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Under the Weather

But I'll be back soon!