Gold by The Three Degrees
Album
Three CDs. Signed to Philadelphia International Records (PIR), The Three Degrees made a double debut...
Welsh-Connection by Man
Album
Esoteric Recordings are pleased to announce the release of Man s classic 1976 album Welsh Connection...
Hip Hop Music - Topic
YouTube Channel
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop or rap music, is a genre of popular music developed in the United...
A Mirror Murder (Jan Christopher Mysteries #1)
8.0
Rate It
Book
Eighteen-year-old library assistant Jan Christopher’s life is to change on a rainy Friday evening...
Cozy Mystery
Seasons in the Sun: The Battle for Britain, 1974-1979
8.0
Rate It
Book
Dominic Sandbrook's magnificent account of the late 1970s in Britain - the book behind the major BB2...
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated What Could Be Saved in Books
Jun 3, 2021
Much of Laura Preston's life has been defined by the disappearance of her brother, Philip, when they were children. The family lived in Bangkok in the 1970s for her father's work. While there, Philip went to judo class--and never returned. His loss tore their family apart. When a stranger contacts Laura, claiming to have information about Philip, she defies her older sister's wishes and flies to Thailand to see if this is indeed true. Laura knows that this is what their mom, Genevieve, now suffering from dementia, would want.
This was a fascinating, atmospheric book that pulled me in immediately. It's beautifully, lyrically written. The story is told in the present day, with Laura's perspective as a somewhat struggling painter in Washington, DC and then flashing back to Bangkok in the 1970s, with Genevieve's story and even Philip's. It's utterly compelling, weaving both a mystery yet also a character-driven tale.
Schwarz offers such unique and well-done characters. Not just the Preston family, but also their servants in Bangkok, including Noi, who accompanies the family back to America. There's Robert Preston, the family patriarch, who has a mysterious career, and his boss, who pulls Genevieve into his orbit. There's Genevieve, who tries to mimic the life her children might have in the United States--and then basically abandons the role of mother once Philip disappears. Bea, who tries to be a strong big sister for Laura. And Laura, who struggles as the youngest and sometimes forgotten child in the wake of her brother's disappearance.
Each Preston--and those in their orbit--is well-written and flawed. They seem real and true. Schwarz's writing is thoughtful and excellent and everyone comes to life as you read. Her descriptions of Bangkok and Thailand are excellent as well.
I was totally immersed in this tale, wondering what had happened to Philip; in many ways, this is a heartbreaking tale. It's a beautiful look at family and what it means. Schwarz's story makes you think and allows you insight into the Preston family's world. It's illuminating and lovely. Certainly worth the read. 4.5 stars.
Sassy Brit (97 KP) rated Miller's Mid-Century Modern in Books
Jun 5, 2019
This large, hardcover book is sets out to share with you the best styles of interior, and furniture design history from the 1940s to the 1970s. Included within are also selective pieces of ceramics, glass, metalware and textiles .
It’s a beauty of a book, and alongside being an arty one full of great designers and their precious designs, I think the most interesting part of this, (that many people will be buying this for) are the price codes to see how much everything is worth – should they have one of these (sometimes extravagant) items in their own collections. Although, this is not a Millers Antique guide and more of a coffee table book with lots of large pictures. Plus, many of these pieces featured are way out of most people’s budget. Well, in my circles, anyway!
Having said this if you love interior design, famous designers and do like collecting antique furniture and bits and bobs, this will make a lovely edition to your coffee table book collection.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Salem's Lot in Books
Sep 14, 2018
I never knew that this book was about vampires, and whilst this becomes fairly obvious quite early into the book, it was a pleasant surprise. As with most of King's books, this is extremely well written, and has his usual mix of varied and interesting characters, with the writing style split between all of them. There are some good and obvious references to Dracula in this, but its a fantastic modern(ish - 1970s) take on a classic vampire story. And unusually for King, this story isn't an epic novel like some of his others. It doesn't seem to go into as much detail either storywise and characterwise as some of his other bigger novels (The Stand, Needful Things etc), and this is really my only criticism. The story is still detailed and a very good, it just isn't what I'd come to expect from a King novel especially with a plot like this.