I've Just Finished Reading Pines by Blake Crouch

After desperately trying to hunt it down, I finally found and finished Pines by Blake Crouch.

The first book of the Wayward Pines series came to my attention when I saw FOX had picked it up for a TV adaptation starring Matt Dillon. And it did not disappoint.

The story centres around Secret Service Agent Ethan Burke, who is sent out on a mission to the town of Wayward Pines to find two agents who had previously gone but mysteriously disappeared. Uncomfortable and peculiar circumstances make Agent Burke draw the conclusion that Wayward Pines is no ordinary town, and that he must get out of there ASAP.

The book is well-written and depicts scenarios and settings beautifully without Crouch appearing pompous in his knowledge of the vernacular. An easy read but an intense one at that that has you rooting for the protagonist as if you were him yourself, suffocating and fighting to get out.

While the story didn't go in the direction I thought it would, I was pleased how everything was explained and it piqued my interest as to where the series will go next. I've already started book two.

I highly recommend it if it sounds like it's up your street.

Looking Needs To Look A Bit Harder.

HBO's latest drama, Looking, had garnered so much hype before it premiered that people had high expectations. However, those expectations have been met with a lackluster performance.

Now comfortably underway, Looking aired it's third episode over the weekend titled, 'Looking at your Browser History'. Having seen the promo prior to the show, I was very excited to welcome Russell Tovey to the fold as I had loved him in the UK version of Being Human. So far, three episodes in, he is the only character who actually seems to have a personality. Main protagonist Patrick is one of the most annoying I have come across. It's hard to feel anything towards him when he comes across so whiny at times.

Unofficially dubbed the gay version of GIRLS, that is about where the comparisons die. Lena Dunham's creation is smart, emotional & witty from the get-go. It is also relatable to everybody regardless of sexual orientation. The high & lows of a 20 something year old are universal. Looking on the other hand, is just dull. The most action, excuse the pun, happened in the very first scene of the very first episode, where protagonist Patrick cruises in a park & ends up getting with a guy in a bush. Seems wild I know.

I was just hoping  for more. I know the creators want to depict a realistic image of gay life but Christ is my life going to be that boring? It's so far been all about work, work, work. Patrick working hard as a level designer, Agustín failing as an artist & Dom the waiter forevermore. Where are the night clubs & bars? This is The Castro after all! A revolutionary place for the gays. I want to see them go on a night out, pop some Molly and end up in an orgy in the basement of a decrepit apartment block. I want to see Dom serving some wealthy businessman & getting off with him in the loo. I want Agustín to paint his fella like one of his French girls.

Of course, I'll continue to watch. After all it's one of the only, if not the only, shows on TV centered around an all gay cast. I just want it to get more exciting. I cry at thinking that's all I have to look forward to in 8 years time. A dull life, living alone & centered around work.