The Agatha Christie Project Update

I know, I know, it's been forever since I've added anything to The Agatha Christie Project page!

The truth is that I just haven't been very motivated to put my bookish thoughts online for quite a few years now. But I am going to try and get the ball rolling on this project again, this time, without an end date. I hate deadlines in all aspects of my life, so we'll just not have one for this project and I'll get books reviewed as I get around to them.

One thing is for sure, though, I am saving up to add to my Christie collection of hardbacks. I've realized that I only want to collect books that I love so the bookcases need to be weeded. But for those beloved authors, I will go out of my way to buy special copies of their books. With designs that I love and that I feel add to the mystique and adventure promised within the pages. Christie is one of those authors, and I am enjoying the experience of adding pretty editions to my sadly lacking bookshelf bearing her name.

When do you read Agatha Christie? Do you have a season when you want to just reach for her books, or is it an all-year-round thing?

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No, fans have not turned on Keira Knightley

 

Photo Credit: Keira Knightley at Netflix The Woman in Cabin 10 London News Photo 

 

First of all, can we just admire how beautiful Keira Knightley still is at 40. There is such grace and poise in how she is aging, so much sparkle, and I hope and pray that other actresses feel like they can follow suit. That it is okay to enter different seasons of your life and to allow your body and your face to change. If Helen Mirren can do it (here's an interview with Helen on Allure), so can every other actress out there, and it would be such a healthy thing for society rather than having so many women absolutely run from natural aging.

Back to the topic at hand. 

In case you haven't heard, Keira Knightley was hijacked during an interview about her latest film, where the interviewer grilled her about her knowledge of JK Rowling's pro-woman views and if she knew about them before agreeing to be cast as Professor Umbridge in the full-cast audiobook series of Harry Potter that's about to be released. Yes, that's a long sentence. But it completely changes the perspective of the reader by phrasing it as Rowling having a "pro-woman" stance instead of "anti-trans." 

Keira, bless her, responded with a laugh showing the absurdity and misplacement of the question, and graciously called people to figure out how to get along with one another because we are a diverse group of beliefs and opinions and mutual respect is important. I'm paraphrasing.

She's right. We will never move forward as a society if we cannot agree to disagree and move on from topics of contention.

But that reasonable response has resulted in a bit of a Keira Knightley witch-hunt and reinvigoration of the "boycott Rowling" crowd. Both of which are completely uncalled for and extremely dramatic, something that frustrates me as I grow older because drama is just so absurd.

But I did just think of something else that is bothering me.

Why Keira? Is it just because she was "to hand" in an interview? Or is it because she's the most well-known female in the audio cast (from my perspective)? Or . . . what? Because I see famous male names like Hugh Laurie, Matthew Macfadyen (now that's kind of funny that they're in the same audiobook series!), Kit Harrington, Simon Pegg, James McAvoy, and Riz Ahmed (maybe not everybody knows his work, but I do) in the cast but it doesn't seem that they were pressured the same way as Keira.

How is that okay? Now that I'm really thinking about it, I am quite upset that she was jumped like that, out of the blue, when it seems none of her male costars have had to put up with the same absurdity or endure the same online witchhunt. She was simply being diplomatic in her response! Or are these people only upset if someone doesn't voice their disdain for Rowling, not if they are acting in a Harry Potter production? I wouldn't be surprised if that was it. They're fine so long as the actor hates Rowling.

TikTokers and Redditors are not the majority of people. They're just not. Are they the most vocal, oh yes, but do they reflect the beliefs of every single person, absolutely not. So they really should just be viewed as the vocal 1% and treated as such. A flash-in-the-pan knee-jerk response of online rage isn't going to impact my love and admiration for Keira Knightley and her varying roles in the slightest. And I can guarantee you that she has a ton of fans IRL who will never know about this "controversy" and wouldn't care even if they did because they are not chronically online. What next? A call to boycott the PotC franchise? I don't think so. The rage echo chamber is getting old and it's showing how little the 1% actually spend amongst the rest of us.

Now, back to the actual reason for the Rowling question in the first place, the Harry Potter full-cast audio book series! It sounds amazing!

I look forward to intense pangs of hatred and loathing for Professor Umbridge that I know Keira's voice acting will deliver. And, wow, give me my Hugh Laurie as Dumbledore! He's an absolute fav of mine from waaaaaaay back in the 90s, yes, I am that old! I truly hope the full-cast audiobooks of Harry Potter live up to the hype!

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The Social Media Paradox: How Critiquing TikTok Trends Fuels the Fire

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"It’s ironic: The louder we shout about toxic trends, the more oxygen we give them. In our quest to critique, we risk becoming unwitting megaphones for the very content we claim to oppose."

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1. The Algorithm’s Unforgiving Math

Social media platforms thrive on engagement—any engagement. When YouTube commentary channels dissect TikTok trends (overconsumption, rage bait, exploitative family content), they inadvertently amplify the reach of those trends. Even disapproval signals relevance to algorithms, boosting visibility for creators and their controversial content. In my opinion: “The best way to stop the fire is to cut off the oxygen supply.”

• The Attention Economy: Every view, comment, or critique feeds the machine. Creators profit from outrage, and platforms profit from division.

• The “Critique Trap”: Well-intentioned criticism often introduces niche trends to broader audiences, sparking curiosity in viewers who’d never have encountered them otherwise.

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2. The Rise of Meta-Commentary

YouTube’s “commentary on content” culture creates a self-perpetuating cycle. Creators analyze trends to condemn them, yet their videos become the trend—a hall of mirrors where outrage drives clicks. This mirrors broader cultural dynamics:

• Vicarious Stress: Watching critiques of platforms you don’t use (for example, I don't have TikTok) can create “secondhand anxiety,” wasting emotional energy on distant dramas.

• Moral Licensing Trap: Viewers may feel virtuous for “resisting” trends by watching critiques, yet still contribute to the ecosystem.

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3. Breaking the Cycle: Practical Steps

A. Starve the Algorithms

• Silence = Impact: Ignoring trends and their critics denies both the oxygen they crave. Mute keywords, block channels, and curate feeds to exclude meta-commentary.
• Redirect Attention: Follow creators who focus on solutions (e.g., mindful consumption, creativity) rather than dissecting problems.
  
  

B. Reclaim Your Mental Space

• Audit Your Consumption: Ask, “Does this content enrich me or drain me?” If it’s the latter, click “Not Interested.”
• Channel Curiosity Productively: Replace trend-watching with hobbies, faith-based content, or skill-building (e.g., cooking, DIY projects).
  
  

C. Advocate Quietly

• Model Alternatives: Share positive, life-giving content—art, family moments, service projects—to counterbalance cultural noise.
• Teach Critical Thinking: For parents, discuss social media’s pitfalls proactively (e.g., “Why do you think this trend went viral?”) without directing kids to specific toxic content.
  
  

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A Personal Reflection:
“I’ve deleted my ‘trend critique’ playlists. It’s freeing to realize I don’t need to be a cultural watchdog. My time is better spent creating, connecting, and cultivating peace than shouting into the void.”

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Closing Challenge:
What if we treated toxic trends like a passing storm—acknowledging their existence but refusing to stand in the rain? The quieter we become, the less power they hold.

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“How to Murder Your Wife” (1965): A Mixed Bag of Laughs and Cringe

Jack Lemmon shines as Stanley Ford, a lifelong bachelor cartoonist whose drunken antics and reluctant plunge into marriage drive this dark comedy. The film’s humor hinges on his physical comedy—think expanding waistlines from Italian cooking and lightbulb-electrocution mishaps. His habit of acting out comic strip scenes before drawing them adds genuine laughs, showcasing Lemmon’s genius.

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The Good: Vintage Lemmon

• Physical comedy gold: Slapstick moments (like the infamous lightbulb scene) highlight Lemmon’s talent.
• Creative flair: Reenacting comic strip scenarios blurs fiction and reality in clever, absurd ways.
• Charming chemistry: Virna Lisi’s character softens Stanley’s edges, offering glimmers of genuine connection.

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The Dated: 1960s Gender Dynamics
The film’s “battle of the sexes” premise hasn’t aged well:

• Misogyny as punchlines: Women are reduced to objects (bachelor parties turn wakes for “lost freedom”) or manipulators.
• Marriage as imprisonment: The mustache-growing rebellion feels tragic, not funny, in today’s context.
• Scantily clad stereotypes: Lisi’s wardrobe choices prioritize male gaze over character depth.

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The Uncomfortable: Mutual Manipulation
Both genders weaponize distrust:

• Stanley’s friends celebrate freedom when weddings collapse.
• Wives use emotional blackmail (no motorcycles, no mustache, no independence).
• The title’s dark premise—fantasizing spousal murder—feels jarringly mean-spirited.

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Verdict: A Time Capsule, Not a Blueprint
While How to Murder Your Wife offers laughs through Lemmon’s brilliance, its gender politics clash with modern values. It’s best viewed as a cultural artifact—a reminder of how far we’ve come (and how far we still need to go) in portraying mutual respect in relationships.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ (for Lemmon) / ⭐️ (for messaging) 

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The Christmas Tree Farm by Melody Carlson (2024)

As a longtime reader of Melody Carlson’s Christmas novels and YA works like her Secrets series, I approached The Christmas Tree Farm with high hopes. While Carlson’s signature storytelling charm shines in moments, this 2024 release ultimately left me wanting more.

What Didn’t Click

Character Development: The sisters’ constant bickering felt more juvenile than sibling-rivalry authentic, making their 30-something ages hard to reconcile.

Plot Pacing: The story’s abrupt shifts between the tree farm’s challenges and the neighboring dirt bike park subplot created a disjointed rhythm.

Relatability: Though the noisy neighbor premise holds potential for cozy conflict, the execution leaned heavily on situational tension over heartfelt connection.

Silver Linings

Carlson’s knack for creating festive small-town atmospheres remains intact, and the Christmas tree farm setting itself brims with untapped hygge potential. Longtime fans of her quick-read holiday style may still find moments to enjoy.

Final Thoughts

While this novella didn’t resonate with me personally—I’ll be passing my copy to a local Christian bookstore for others to discover—it reinforces how even beloved authors occasionally miss the mark. Here’s hoping Carlson’s next Christmas tale recaptures the warmth of her earlier works!

Here's my page of Christmas Reads reviews.

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Anxiety is a major player in Halloween Baking Championship Season 11

We wait all year for the new season of Halloween Baking Championship, mostly to see what new theme they come up with and how John Henson plays into the story as the "killer." We also love watching these incredibly gifted bakers work their craft and create magic!

Part of what makes the show work is the continuity. The placement of the set is the same, the baking stations are the same, the judging location is the same, how the judges enter is the same . . . you get what I'm saying. Yes, the set changes with the theme, but the "skeleton" of the show is always the same, so it feels warm and cozy and familiar, like you walked into Grandma's house, albeit a creepy version that's been given a makeover as a hotel, or a carnival, or a laboratory, or (my personal favorite) a summer camp.

Oh my goodness, gracious, the 11th season is going to be a fail. I can tell because it is already filmed and Food Network cannot fix what has been done after the fact.

Food Network, here's where you went wrong:

• You chose mediocre bakers who don't know how to save a warm cake or bake a pie crust that won't melt, for I'm assuming dramatic purposes.
• You chose to downsize the set so it feels like we're in a cracker box.
• You chose to set up the baking stations in one long uniform line where literally nobody has any elbow room or personal baking space to speak of.
• You chose to bring in bakers with major Main Character energy.
• You chose, for whatever reason, to not have an actual story for the Haunted House, one that would bring out John Henson's magnificent talent for the macabre and creepy by casting him as the "villain."
• You chose to shop at Spirit Halloween for the judge's costumes.
• You chose to have all the bakers present in their little balcony for the judging of one another so we can hear their whispering and conversation about how the judging went.
• And above all, you chose to have only 13 bakes, 6 of which were baked by the 3 worst bakers of the episode, so no more The Thriller and The Killer challenges.

I'm sorry, what?

Here are some positives that haven't changed:

• John Henson is still John Henson, albeit with nothing to do, but at least he's there.
• It's still the same 3 judges, so that's also something because I'm super used to them.
• The set dressing is cool as a Haunted House.
• I do think there are a few talented bakers like Camille and Nina, but I can't say for sure because we weren't allowed to focus on the good bakes.

I'm sad to say, that's it for the positives.

Everything was fine until Melanie laid down by her oven to "take a moment" clutching her "emotional support stirring spoon." Girl, you forgot the sugar in your cake! You have literally 90 minutes left! Bake it again and throw it in the blast chiller! Don't lay down with a panic attack!

I say everything was fine, but several of these contestants were literally unnerved by John Henson in ways I haven't seen before and that was prior to Melanie's little meltdown. John's fun and hilarious and a prankster! He's not actually scary, and being too nervous to even talk to him about what you're making is just absolutely ridiculous.

One other major issue is the judges are being swayed by the presence of all the contestants and by the "personal" stories of the bakers, i.e. Melanie. She should not be there. She is not a competent baker in a competition setting. She was saved solely on account of her personal story. If she'd had to bake in the bottom 3, she would have been gone.

I'm sorry, no. I get that you care, judges. But please, Zac, Carla, and Stephanie, do your jobs properly and judge based on the quality of the bakes, not on the personal trauma of the bakers.

And let's not even talk about Justin "saving" whoever was going to be eliminated by "volunteering as tribute." That's not how this works, bro. People have chosen to leave in previous seasons and they will still have an elimination in that episode. Justin choosing to die on his sword and leave should not have actually saved one of the 3 worst bakers. And, wait, did you actually interrupt John Henson!? I say again, I'm sorry, what?

This is, by far, the worst batch of bakers I have seen in the now 11 seasons of the show that I have watched. This includes the pre-Henson seasons! I'm disappointed because I love Halloween Baking Championship. I love the format, the judges, the host, just everything. And in previous years, I have really loved the bakers. But I did not sign on for a season of high-level anxiety and tears and drama and meltdowns. Guys, it's a baking show! It's not that serious! I cannot believe HBC has devolved to this extent.

Welcome to the 11th season of Halloween Baking Championship!

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Why I’m Backing Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind — A Spiceless Romantasy Delight

 

If you love romantasy but prefer your stories spiceless, I’ve found a gem you won’t want to miss: Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind by Elisabeth Aimee Brown. I just backed the Kickstarter, and I’m genuinely thrilled about this project.

This story promises all the charm of a fairy tale with the wit and whimsy of the Ella Enchanted movie adaptation—one of my all-time favorites. It sounds clean, clever, and full of heart. I had the chance to read the sample chapter, and I was laughing out loud. Lady Agatha is a heroine with a voice, and I can’t wait to hear more of it.

The campaign runs until September 18, so there’s not much time left to join in. If you’ve been longing for a romantasy that’s rich in story and light on spice, this might be the one to support. Plus, there’s something special about helping bring a story like this into the world.

You can check out the Kickstarter here: Lady Agatha Speaks Her Mind

Let’s help Lady Agatha speak her mind—and maybe laugh a little along the way.

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