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Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated A Quiet Kind of Thunder in Books
Feb 18, 2019
Quintessential British coming of age
‘He can’t hear, she doesn’t speak but they understand one another perfectly’
That’s the strap line on this book and it blew me away like I find the best YA can. This was one of the most relatable YAs I’ve read in a long time (I work with this age group and that’s why I find it relateable...I know I’m not 18). I think some of this was down to the fact it was quintessentially British and not American and I loved sense of home in this book.
Steffi was a carefully crafted complex and refreshing character. I ‘got’ her, I admired her and wanted her to thrive in whatever way was right for her. Rhys was bloody adorable and flawed and adorable. Did I say adorable? *shrugs* The story of these two was a absorbing delight to read but it was real.
I devoured this book quickly. I slipped into this seamless writing with ease and I’m genuinely sorry it’s over. I will be reading more from Sara Barnard, she rocked this age range so good.
That’s the strap line on this book and it blew me away like I find the best YA can. This was one of the most relatable YAs I’ve read in a long time (I work with this age group and that’s why I find it relateable...I know I’m not 18). I think some of this was down to the fact it was quintessentially British and not American and I loved sense of home in this book.
Steffi was a carefully crafted complex and refreshing character. I ‘got’ her, I admired her and wanted her to thrive in whatever way was right for her. Rhys was bloody adorable and flawed and adorable. Did I say adorable? *shrugs* The story of these two was a absorbing delight to read but it was real.
I devoured this book quickly. I slipped into this seamless writing with ease and I’m genuinely sorry it’s over. I will be reading more from Sara Barnard, she rocked this age range so good.
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Gentleman's Guide To Vice And Virtue in Books
Dec 6, 2018
Amusing historical romance
This was a fun read in lots of ways. I would say the book had a storyline of a ‘farce’ in the old meaning of the word. It very much reminded me of a black and white comedy without sound, some laurel and hardy-ness.
The characters in this historical are very much out of the box. Henry being the ultimate in immaturity but hey, he was only 18 years old. This man-boy-lad-about-town was his own worst enemy getting into constant scrapes that usually included inappropriateness and less clothes than one would expect. His forever friend Percy kind of stole the show for me, I adored him and his character, his difficulties made me feel all the feelings.
As said already, the story was farcical but in a way that didn’t irritate. I felt the need to suspend reality and that was fine by me. I enjoyed the writing, the wit and the dialogue. I’m glad I finally got around to reading this book after so many friends have enjoyed it.
The characters in this historical are very much out of the box. Henry being the ultimate in immaturity but hey, he was only 18 years old. This man-boy-lad-about-town was his own worst enemy getting into constant scrapes that usually included inappropriateness and less clothes than one would expect. His forever friend Percy kind of stole the show for me, I adored him and his character, his difficulties made me feel all the feelings.
As said already, the story was farcical but in a way that didn’t irritate. I felt the need to suspend reality and that was fine by me. I enjoyed the writing, the wit and the dialogue. I’m glad I finally got around to reading this book after so many friends have enjoyed it.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Animals (2019) in Movies
Jul 23, 2019
As sponsored by Jacob’s Creek.
Laura (Holliday Grainger) and Tyler (Alia Shawkat) are two late twenty-somethings partying their way to an early death through drink, drugs and lack of sleep in Dublin. They are co-habiting best friends, with Laura a hugely unsuccessful part-time novelist and Tyler a barista. But these “professions” are just to fill the day and provide cash (SURELY not enought!?) to fuel their nights. They are swimming against the current of convention, but when Laura falls for concert pianist Jim (Fra Fee), and ‘settling down’ starts to look like an option, then this begins to put a terrible strain on their friendship.
A well made film, but I just found all the characters hateful and unrelatable to. Didn't enjoy it.
For the full review, please visit One Mann's Movies on https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/07/18/one-manns-movies-film-review-animals-2019/.
A well made film, but I just found all the characters hateful and unrelatable to. Didn't enjoy it.
For the full review, please visit One Mann's Movies on https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/07/18/one-manns-movies-film-review-animals-2019/.
David McK (3251 KP) rated Traitors or Rome (Eagle #18) in Books
Mar 29, 2020
Book number 18 in Simon Scarrow's long-running Macro and Cato series, which means he's catching up on Bernard Cornwell's Sharpe for sheer proliferation of books with the same central character(s) (and that's a good thing).
Following on from the previous novel ("The Blood of Rome"), Macro and Cato are still in charge of the Praetorians, and still on the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire (Syria), with Cato then tasked with making a dangerous journey into Parthia to deliver Rome's demands to the ruler of that nation while the recently-married (at the start of the novel) Macro, under General Corbulo, lays siege to the small kingdom of Thapsis in the mountains which has risen in revolt against Rome.
I have to say, with a title like 'Traitors of Rome' and with the extremely mercenary (historical) nature of the Praetorian Guard, I first thought - when I saw the title - that the Traitors of Rome would themselves prove to be the Praetorians themselves!
That's not the case, however, read the novel to finds out what is ...
Following on from the previous novel ("The Blood of Rome"), Macro and Cato are still in charge of the Praetorians, and still on the eastern fringes of the Roman Empire (Syria), with Cato then tasked with making a dangerous journey into Parthia to deliver Rome's demands to the ruler of that nation while the recently-married (at the start of the novel) Macro, under General Corbulo, lays siege to the small kingdom of Thapsis in the mountains which has risen in revolt against Rome.
I have to say, with a title like 'Traitors of Rome' and with the extremely mercenary (historical) nature of the Praetorian Guard, I first thought - when I saw the title - that the Traitors of Rome would themselves prove to be the Praetorians themselves!
That's not the case, however, read the novel to finds out what is ...
Brian Fallon recommended Hammersmith Odeon, London '75 by Bruce Springsteen in Music (curated)
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Koroshiya 1 (Ichi the Killer) (2001) in Movies
Mar 5, 2021
A wicked cocktail of "Looney Tunes", 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘑𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘉𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵, 𝘊𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘬, and about 18 bags of crystal meth. Seldom has the term "bloodbath" ever been meant so literally, features perhaps the most gruesome and deeply unsettling throat slashes in all of cinema - and there's plenty of them. Remember that gag from 𝘏𝘰𝘵 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘵𝘴! 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘋𝘦𝘶𝘹 where the little body count counter was in the corner of the screen while Charlie Sheen was gunning through hilarious amounts of enemies? That's pretty much this whole movie. Has such a primal sense of hyper, grisly fun - sets up one impossibly over-the-top scenario and then immediately tops it, rinse and repeat for 130 minutes. If it wasn't already clear that Tadanobu Asano is one of Japan's coolest and most magnetic actors then this makes the case ten-fold. He plays the role of Kakihara with an effortless, ice-cold, commanding gravitas. And that wardrobe! Just sadistically entertaining up and down, the type of film that makes you think like a juvenile psychopath.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The King in Books
Jan 6, 2021
Started reading back in 2015 and lost interest. Now starting it again (26/03/18)
3.5 stars.
So I got into this a lot more the second time of trying, though it still took me a few months to finish it. I think I forgot about all the other side stories that take place in these books but after a while, I fell back into the series.
Admittedly, I have forgot a lot of the previous tales since it's been so long but I remember various Brothers like V, Rhage and Z. I think those three stood out for me a lot more and were some of my faves in this series.
One thing that did stand out to me though was the lack of hunting lessers. None of the guys seemed to be going out hunting the enemy apart from Xcor and co. But I think it was mentioned that none of them were allowed to leave? I can't remember why though.
I will be reading Trez's story at some point but I'm not in a hurry.
3.5 stars.
So I got into this a lot more the second time of trying, though it still took me a few months to finish it. I think I forgot about all the other side stories that take place in these books but after a while, I fell back into the series.
Admittedly, I have forgot a lot of the previous tales since it's been so long but I remember various Brothers like V, Rhage and Z. I think those three stood out for me a lot more and were some of my faves in this series.
One thing that did stand out to me though was the lack of hunting lessers. None of the guys seemed to be going out hunting the enemy apart from Xcor and co. But I think it was mentioned that none of them were allowed to leave? I can't remember why though.
I will be reading Trez's story at some point but I'm not in a hurry.
Woody Allen recommended The Catcher in the Rye in Books (curated)
Joe Goodhart (27 KP) rated Black Panther Vol. 1: A Nation Under Our Feet in Books
Nov 30, 2020
So what can I say? I liked it, yes. A bit dry in spots, felt like a bit of a slow burn in the very beginning, but really quite liked how Coates wrapped up the first arc of his run. Only thing not likable in this collection was the Jonathan Hickman-written material from NEW AVENGERS 18, 21, and 24 (if wasn't for this inclusion, I would have given it 5 Stars). Other than that, good stuff, great handling of the socio-political aspects of Wakanda. Looking forward to starting the 4th volume this week!
One concluding thought I want to put out there.. Don't go into Coates' BP run expecting a Marvel "paint by numbers" superhero book. This series is so much, offering a solid interpretation of the character. Coates has incorporated so much of what is going on in the world today, bringing into the comic, as well as stirring in Wakanda's rich historical background as well as the Wakanda pantheon of gods! If you go in with the approach I am recommending, you, too, will love Coates' BLACK PANTHER run!
One concluding thought I want to put out there.. Don't go into Coates' BP run expecting a Marvel "paint by numbers" superhero book. This series is so much, offering a solid interpretation of the character. Coates has incorporated so much of what is going on in the world today, bringing into the comic, as well as stirring in Wakanda's rich historical background as well as the Wakanda pantheon of gods! If you go in with the approach I am recommending, you, too, will love Coates' BLACK PANTHER run!
Debbiereadsbook (1110 KP) rated In Darkness: The Shark in Books
Dec 20, 2022
It is clean and there is no violence
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I'm going to struggle with this review, and I apologise for that. The reviews for books that do not garner much of any feelings from me (either positive or negative) I find the hardest to write.
I liked the tale, I did, it just came across a bit sappy for me. I liked the twist as to who/what Clarence really is, although I kinda saw something along those lines coming at me.
It is clean, there is no violence, save for the shark getting caught in the fishing net. I've tagged it Young Adult, because I think this is probably more suited to an upper teen (14-18) than for me.
First I've read of this author. Will I read more? Not of this series, no. Possibly something else, though.
I DID finish it, so that's why I gave it. . .
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
I'm going to struggle with this review, and I apologise for that. The reviews for books that do not garner much of any feelings from me (either positive or negative) I find the hardest to write.
I liked the tale, I did, it just came across a bit sappy for me. I liked the twist as to who/what Clarence really is, although I kinda saw something along those lines coming at me.
It is clean, there is no violence, save for the shark getting caught in the fishing net. I've tagged it Young Adult, because I think this is probably more suited to an upper teen (14-18) than for me.
First I've read of this author. Will I read more? Not of this series, no. Possibly something else, though.
I DID finish it, so that's why I gave it. . .
3 stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere