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Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Okay, I didn't hate this book as much as I thought I would but that doesn't mean much. As anyone that follows my reviews will notice, I do not read mysteries. When I do read a mystery it is for book club and inevitably I find it dull. This book was no different. I would give this book a 2.5 star rating so I rounded up to 3.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency made me reminiscent of Agatha Christie & Mary Higgins Clark. So if you enjoy those authors, I'm sure that you would enjoy this author. There was mystery but no suspense so it seemed to drag on for me. I borrowed this book from the library but after reading 5 pages into the book, I had to switch to the audiobook so that I could force myself to read the rest of the book.
Not going to lie, this reminded me a lot of Winnie the Pooh. If you think about it, Winnie the Pooh was always looking to solve a mystery and each chapter or episode/15 minute segment was a new mystery. This is very similar to this book.
All in all, I will not continue on in this series.
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency made me reminiscent of Agatha Christie & Mary Higgins Clark. So if you enjoy those authors, I'm sure that you would enjoy this author. There was mystery but no suspense so it seemed to drag on for me. I borrowed this book from the library but after reading 5 pages into the book, I had to switch to the audiobook so that I could force myself to read the rest of the book.
Not going to lie, this reminded me a lot of Winnie the Pooh. If you think about it, Winnie the Pooh was always looking to solve a mystery and each chapter or episode/15 minute segment was a new mystery. This is very similar to this book.
All in all, I will not continue on in this series.
meg (46 KP) rated Fitbit Alta HR Fitness Wristband in Tech
Aug 20, 2018
This is the first fitness tracker I've ever had, and I'm really happy with it. I was expecting it to come charged, which it wasn't, but it charged very quickly. The battery life is pretty good, I only charge it while I'm showering and the charge lasts until my next shower. It was pretty easy to sync to my phone, after I realized I needed to charge it first. The Fitbit app is very easy to use and I love that it tracks my sleep too. Wearing it is much better than I thought it would be. I have very small wrists, but the slim design makes it comfortable. The band is also much more comfortable than I expected.
My reasons for not giving this device a perfect score are minor. You need to tap the face of the device to turn the screen on and flip through the various screens (time, steps, heart rate, etc), and it's kind of finicky and doesn't always engage when I tap, if I don't do it just right. The brightness doesn't compete with a sunny day, so it can be hard to read in that environment. Otherwise, I think it's great and I'm really happy with it.
My reasons for not giving this device a perfect score are minor. You need to tap the face of the device to turn the screen on and flip through the various screens (time, steps, heart rate, etc), and it's kind of finicky and doesn't always engage when I tap, if I don't do it just right. The brightness doesn't compete with a sunny day, so it can be hard to read in that environment. Otherwise, I think it's great and I'm really happy with it.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated The Incredibles 2 (2018) in Movies
Nov 10, 2018
A good sequel
I’ll be honest, the first Incredibles film was one of my least favourite Pixar films. Not because it was bad, but like Cars it never really appealed to me very much. But I’m pleased to say that I actually enjoyed the sequel much more than the original.
The plot itself is very similar to the original but with dad Bob being left at home to look after the kids. And for me, this is where most of the enjoyment and humour comes from this film. Watching Bob deal with the kids and Jack-Jack’s uncontrollable powers, and getting increasingly more frazzled, is a delight to watch. Indeed it’s Jack-Jack who is the star of this film and without him, this film would have actually been quite dull. Don’t get me wrong, the animation is top notch as you’d expect from Pixar, but the rest of the plot is a little bit predictable and unfortunately there have been far too many superhero films lately and this doesn’t feel like anything new.
That said, this is still a Pixar film and ultimately good, and will always be a lot more enjoyable than watching one of the latest DC films...
The plot itself is very similar to the original but with dad Bob being left at home to look after the kids. And for me, this is where most of the enjoyment and humour comes from this film. Watching Bob deal with the kids and Jack-Jack’s uncontrollable powers, and getting increasingly more frazzled, is a delight to watch. Indeed it’s Jack-Jack who is the star of this film and without him, this film would have actually been quite dull. Don’t get me wrong, the animation is top notch as you’d expect from Pixar, but the rest of the plot is a little bit predictable and unfortunately there have been far too many superhero films lately and this doesn’t feel like anything new.
That said, this is still a Pixar film and ultimately good, and will always be a lot more enjoyable than watching one of the latest DC films...
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2204 KP) rated Due or Die in Books
Jan 19, 2019
Due Read This Book
Carrie Rushton has just been elected president of the Friends of the Library. Even though Lindsay Norris isn't a member of the group since she's the head of the library itself, she is thrilled to be working with someone bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. However, after Carrie's first meeting in her new role, she returns home to find her husband shot to death. People are quick to jump to the conclusion that Carrie is guilty, but Lindsay is sure the woman is innocent. Will a winter storm coming to the area turn the trail of the real killer cold?
While I still don't have all the supporting characters straight in my head, the characters important to this mystery are all well developed. That includes not only the suspects, but the main characters. Thanks to a couple of sub-plots, I found the pacing uneven, although things did pick up for the climax. Things do fit together well, but there is a major timing issue in the climax. It annoys, but it is minor overall. While I always enjoy Jenn's books, I found this one super funny, laughing out loud multiple times over the course of the story. I'm already looking forward to my next stop at this library.
While I still don't have all the supporting characters straight in my head, the characters important to this mystery are all well developed. That includes not only the suspects, but the main characters. Thanks to a couple of sub-plots, I found the pacing uneven, although things did pick up for the climax. Things do fit together well, but there is a major timing issue in the climax. It annoys, but it is minor overall. While I always enjoy Jenn's books, I found this one super funny, laughing out loud multiple times over the course of the story. I'm already looking forward to my next stop at this library.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Duchess in Love (Duchess Quartet, #1) in Books
Dec 16, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
DISCOVER WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A VERY PROPER DUCHESS DECIDES TO MISBEHAVE.
A DUKE IN RETREAT
Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she'd have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom. Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.
A LADY IN THE MIDDLE
Now, she is one of the most well-known ladies in London ... living on the edge of scandal --- desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to any one.
A DUCHESS IN LOVE
Finally, Camden, the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naive bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners to be falling in love --- with his own wife!
I just adore Eloisa! Her books are just so enjoyable this one was no different. I'm always transported back in time with each book. Gina is such a fabulous character she really makes this book better! Sebastian was just a Welp I'm so glad our dark hero won back his wife! Looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
A DUKE IN RETREAT
Gina was forced into marriage with the Duke of Girton at an age when she'd have been better off in a schoolroom than a ballroom. Directly after the ceremony her handsome spouse promptly fled to the continent, leaving the marriage unconsummated and Gina quite indignant.
A LADY IN THE MIDDLE
Now, she is one of the most well-known ladies in London ... living on the edge of scandal --- desired by many men, but resisting giving herself to any one.
A DUCHESS IN LOVE
Finally, Camden, the Duke of Girton, has returned home, to discover that his naive bride has blossomed into the toast of the ton. Which leaves Cam in the most uncomfortable position of discovering that he has the bad manners to be falling in love --- with his own wife!
I just adore Eloisa! Her books are just so enjoyable this one was no different. I'm always transported back in time with each book. Gina is such a fabulous character she really makes this book better! Sebastian was just a Welp I'm so glad our dark hero won back his wife! Looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Brightburn (2019) in Movies
Mar 14, 2020 (Updated Mar 14, 2020)
Contains spoilers, click to show
Wow... I've always loved anti villains but this was just fab! Very gory but who doesn't love some blood and guts in a horror!?? The whole movie plays along like Clark Kent: SuperVillain... and that credits scene with Micheal Rooker was amazing too. Hinting at possible sequels and/or a Injustice Leauge style group.
Back to the movie. The kid himself is terrifying, like seriously. If I seen him irl I would know he was a criminal or something. The actors themselves play the scared townsfolk very well. If I had to be disappointed at anything, it would be how stupid they are. I don't necessarily hate it but it annoys me in films when the characters can't put 2 and 2 together... everyone except the mother pretty much knew it was the kid and she was still in denial until she went upstairs and found visual evidence. 'No way! My son from another planet could no way have lifted a car or murdered people. Especially not after he smashes my husband backwards into a wall' 🙄
But apart from that, this could be one of my new horrors! I hope there is at least a second film, possibly featuring the anti-aquawoman or anti-wonderwoman featured in the credits scene.
Back to the movie. The kid himself is terrifying, like seriously. If I seen him irl I would know he was a criminal or something. The actors themselves play the scared townsfolk very well. If I had to be disappointed at anything, it would be how stupid they are. I don't necessarily hate it but it annoys me in films when the characters can't put 2 and 2 together... everyone except the mother pretty much knew it was the kid and she was still in denial until she went upstairs and found visual evidence. 'No way! My son from another planet could no way have lifted a car or murdered people. Especially not after he smashes my husband backwards into a wall' 🙄
But apart from that, this could be one of my new horrors! I hope there is at least a second film, possibly featuring the anti-aquawoman or anti-wonderwoman featured in the credits scene.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Reign of Fire (2002) in Movies
Apr 13, 2020 (Updated Apr 13, 2020)
Better than you'd think
I remember watching this when it first came out and being fairly impressed. I havent seen it since so decided to give it a go and it's really not as bad as you'd expect.
Story wise it's a great idea for an apocalypse style scenario, definitely beats a zombie film any day. I'm surprised something like this hasn't made a resurgence after the popularity of the dragons in Game of Thrones. Christian Bale is always enjoyable as a lead character, although his London cockney accent does make me laugh. Matthew McConaughey has potentially been given a rather cliched character but he does have a lot of fun with it at least.
The effects and CGI are potentially a little dated at times, but that's to be expected with something that is now 18 years old. There are some cliched and cheesy lines and a few predictable and cheesy moments, but overall it's just a rather enjoyable bit of entertainment. The ending is a bit cheesy as well but I wouldnt have expected it to end any other way. It won't win any Oscars, but I feel like it's a film that's been fairly forgotten and underrated over time.
Story wise it's a great idea for an apocalypse style scenario, definitely beats a zombie film any day. I'm surprised something like this hasn't made a resurgence after the popularity of the dragons in Game of Thrones. Christian Bale is always enjoyable as a lead character, although his London cockney accent does make me laugh. Matthew McConaughey has potentially been given a rather cliched character but he does have a lot of fun with it at least.
The effects and CGI are potentially a little dated at times, but that's to be expected with something that is now 18 years old. There are some cliched and cheesy lines and a few predictable and cheesy moments, but overall it's just a rather enjoyable bit of entertainment. The ending is a bit cheesy as well but I wouldnt have expected it to end any other way. It won't win any Oscars, but I feel like it's a film that's been fairly forgotten and underrated over time.
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