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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Picture the Dead in Books
Apr 27, 2018
When Jennie's fiancé dies in war and only his brother, Quinn, comes home, Jennie is heartbroken. She soon learns there is more to Will's death than she thought. She is haunted by his ghost, and by the mysteries left unanswered. Piece by piece she begins to uncover his secrets… and at the same time starts to fall in love with Quinn. But there is always more to a story when there are ghosts involved.
Picture the Dead had a lot of thought put into it. The mysteries presented and the way they were unearthed were fabulous—there were questions and surprises and answers that I didn't expect all the way up to the last page.
I liked Jennie, though I didn't like Quinn at all, even after she grew to love him. I had never met Will, since he was dead in the beginning of the story, but by the end of the book I felt I knew why Jennie had loved him.
I will say that the ending didn't have nearly enough closure for me, and I am left feeling slightly confused, though satisfied by how all the events played out.
The illustrations were very good, although I had a very hard time reading what was written on them. Hopefully in the finished copy of the book the words will be easier to read.
Content/recommendation: clean, mild language. Ages 13+
Picture the Dead had a lot of thought put into it. The mysteries presented and the way they were unearthed were fabulous—there were questions and surprises and answers that I didn't expect all the way up to the last page.
I liked Jennie, though I didn't like Quinn at all, even after she grew to love him. I had never met Will, since he was dead in the beginning of the story, but by the end of the book I felt I knew why Jennie had loved him.
I will say that the ending didn't have nearly enough closure for me, and I am left feeling slightly confused, though satisfied by how all the events played out.
The illustrations were very good, although I had a very hard time reading what was written on them. Hopefully in the finished copy of the book the words will be easier to read.
Content/recommendation: clean, mild language. Ages 13+
Stephen (210 KP) rated Muriel's Wedding (1995) in Movies
Mar 1, 2019 (Updated Mar 2, 2019)
Euphoria... To The Tune Of ABBA
Contains spoilers, click to show
I was shocked when I realised it’s been 25 years since I saw this at the cinema. Filled with nostalgia I just had to leave a review here for what is one of my all time favourite movies.
The film relies heavily on the music of ABBA (although many other artists feature, check out the soundtrack), and the life of ugly ducking Muriel Heslop (played by the always wonderful Toni Collette).
A truly modern fairytale, with a real heart and soul, this movie with have you laughing and crying, with outstanding performances from all the cast.
Highlights are the scene where Muriel and friend Rhonda perform ‘Waterloo’ at karaoke (timed PERFECTLY to blend in with the aftermath of Rhonda putting Muriel’s bitchy as hell, so called ‘friends’ in their place), and the scene when Muriel walks down the aisle to ‘I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.’ I have to confess I cried tears of joy when that song started playing.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film that has left me feeling so euphoric after watching it, as rom coms go, this one sets the standard amazingly high. And the scene where Rhonda says: “Stick your drink up your arse, Tanya, I would rather swallow razor blades than drink with you” will make anyone who has ever been picked on cheer along.
The film relies heavily on the music of ABBA (although many other artists feature, check out the soundtrack), and the life of ugly ducking Muriel Heslop (played by the always wonderful Toni Collette).
A truly modern fairytale, with a real heart and soul, this movie with have you laughing and crying, with outstanding performances from all the cast.
Highlights are the scene where Muriel and friend Rhonda perform ‘Waterloo’ at karaoke (timed PERFECTLY to blend in with the aftermath of Rhonda putting Muriel’s bitchy as hell, so called ‘friends’ in their place), and the scene when Muriel walks down the aisle to ‘I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do.’ I have to confess I cried tears of joy when that song started playing.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a film that has left me feeling so euphoric after watching it, as rom coms go, this one sets the standard amazingly high. And the scene where Rhonda says: “Stick your drink up your arse, Tanya, I would rather swallow razor blades than drink with you” will make anyone who has ever been picked on cheer along.
Jenny Houle (24 KP) rated Dogtology: A Humorous Exploration of Man's Fur-Ocious Devotion to Dogs in Books
Jan 17, 2018
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased opinion.
And two days after I received it (before I could even begin reading it), our "CEO", my service animal, and our "fur child", passed away. So I went into reading and reviewing this book raw, and somewhat unable to keep my opinion unbiased.
DOGTOLOGY is a humorous look at the growing dog worship in our culture. It's factual, even if it breaks the news to the dog-obsessed gently that they are, in fact, dog-obsessed. It gives helpful reminders of things like the difference between what we think dogs need versus what they actually need from us. It also helps remind those who are practicing Dogtologists in regards to relationships with those outside their practice.
I'm so grateful I had this book to turn to as we grieved in our household. There were parts I could share with my partner for us to laugh over. Parts that made me cry tears I wasn't sure I was able to cry yet. It made it clear to both of us, though we hadn't really had doubts before, that we are, and have been, Dogtologists even when we have not been "dog owners" during our relationship, and that will always be the case for us. And when we are ready, emotionally, it will be time for us to find a new CEO for our household.
And two days after I received it (before I could even begin reading it), our "CEO", my service animal, and our "fur child", passed away. So I went into reading and reviewing this book raw, and somewhat unable to keep my opinion unbiased.
DOGTOLOGY is a humorous look at the growing dog worship in our culture. It's factual, even if it breaks the news to the dog-obsessed gently that they are, in fact, dog-obsessed. It gives helpful reminders of things like the difference between what we think dogs need versus what they actually need from us. It also helps remind those who are practicing Dogtologists in regards to relationships with those outside their practice.
I'm so grateful I had this book to turn to as we grieved in our household. There were parts I could share with my partner for us to laugh over. Parts that made me cry tears I wasn't sure I was able to cry yet. It made it clear to both of us, though we hadn't really had doubts before, that we are, and have been, Dogtologists even when we have not been "dog owners" during our relationship, and that will always be the case for us. And when we are ready, emotionally, it will be time for us to find a new CEO for our household.
ClareR (5726 KP) rated Tipping The Velvet in Books
Jan 19, 2018 (Updated Jan 19, 2018)
Sexual awakening in Victorian England
It has taken me a long time to get round to reading this - 20 years in fact. This is the 20th Anniversary edition, and it's still as relevant now as it has always been (and will continue to be relevant, I should think!). This is the story of Nancy Astley and her rise to fame in the music halls in the late 1800's as Nan King, along with her partner on stage and secretly in life too. The novel follows her sexual awakening as a lesbian. Nancy wants to live her life true to herself but Kitty, her partner, does not. Kitty is ashamed and they end up parting under very upsetting circumstances. nan runs away from her stage life , and her life takes a very different turn. She goes through a few different stages in her life - all very remarkable (hey, this is fiction after all!), before she reaches her happy ending. She is uncompromising throughout.
This was so well written, all from Nancy's point of view, which gave the advantage of an insight into her emotions and feelings about all of the things that happened to her. This isn't a book for the faint-hearted. There is a fair amount of sexually descriptive language, but if you like this kind of book (a sexual awakening and a strong independent woman), you'll really enjoy this. Many thanks to Netgalley and Virago for the chance to read this (at last!!)
This was so well written, all from Nancy's point of view, which gave the advantage of an insight into her emotions and feelings about all of the things that happened to her. This isn't a book for the faint-hearted. There is a fair amount of sexually descriptive language, but if you like this kind of book (a sexual awakening and a strong independent woman), you'll really enjoy this. Many thanks to Netgalley and Virago for the chance to read this (at last!!)
I was pleasantly surprised by "After We Fall." I requested it on a whim from Netgalley and it had the dubious distinction of being the novel that followed the latest Michael Connelly Bosch book (and in my eyes, Connelly and Bosch can do no wrong).
The novel is told from the viewpoint from four characters - Tom, a police officer; Celia, a flight attendant and Tom's wife; Jim, a father and former police officer; and Freya, a young student. Their lives entertwine over the course of the book, all centered around a plane that goes down one snowy night. Their stories are superbly told and each character extremely well-drawn-- albeit not always likeable. There are several mysteries that build within the book-- why did the plane go down, of course--along with a murder that's central to the story.
You would think with so few characters that the plot would seem trite and the outcome apparent, but Kavanaugh does a great job of creating suspense and keeping you on your toes. Just when you think you've figured something out, there's another small surprise. I found myself completely immersed in the character's lives (I was immediately drawn to Tom, liked Jim and Freya, and had issues with Celia, but that's all just from my own perspective).
Definitely a worthwhile read.
(Note, I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
The novel is told from the viewpoint from four characters - Tom, a police officer; Celia, a flight attendant and Tom's wife; Jim, a father and former police officer; and Freya, a young student. Their lives entertwine over the course of the book, all centered around a plane that goes down one snowy night. Their stories are superbly told and each character extremely well-drawn-- albeit not always likeable. There are several mysteries that build within the book-- why did the plane go down, of course--along with a murder that's central to the story.
You would think with so few characters that the plot would seem trite and the outcome apparent, but Kavanaugh does a great job of creating suspense and keeping you on your toes. Just when you think you've figured something out, there's another small surprise. I found myself completely immersed in the character's lives (I was immediately drawn to Tom, liked Jim and Freya, and had issues with Celia, but that's all just from my own perspective).
Definitely a worthwhile read.
(Note, I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
Dana (24 KP) rated Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I enjoyed this book. I think it was a great set up for what is to come in the rest of the series. Working with a world that is so complex, like this one, is very difficult and requires a lot of world building which I think this book did very well.
The pacing was slow at parts, but even in those moments, it was enjoyable.
The characters were all very interesting and well thought out. I hope that in the next books there is more building on the relationships of the characters and reactions to the consequences of what they had done. I want to learn more about their Peculiarities and how they work as well.
I wish we could get more background on how the mechanics of the Home works, but I think we may get that in the next books.
I loved the integration of the images in with the story. I think it worked very well in this book, something that does not always reign true with all books set up like this.
I was lucky enough to meet Ransom Riggs at Yallwest in 2015 and he is so nice! I am so glad I finally read the book after owning it for a few years!
I would love to pick up the next two books to continue the series! I can't wait to see what they are going to do with the movie as well!
The pacing was slow at parts, but even in those moments, it was enjoyable.
The characters were all very interesting and well thought out. I hope that in the next books there is more building on the relationships of the characters and reactions to the consequences of what they had done. I want to learn more about their Peculiarities and how they work as well.
I wish we could get more background on how the mechanics of the Home works, but I think we may get that in the next books.
I loved the integration of the images in with the story. I think it worked very well in this book, something that does not always reign true with all books set up like this.
I was lucky enough to meet Ransom Riggs at Yallwest in 2015 and he is so nice! I am so glad I finally read the book after owning it for a few years!
I would love to pick up the next two books to continue the series! I can't wait to see what they are going to do with the movie as well!
Erika (17788 KP) rated Annihilation (2018) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018 (Updated Feb 25, 2018)
I don't know what I was expecting out of this film. I'm on a very long wait list to borrow the book from the library. As always, I'm sure the book is probably better, but I'll have to wait to make that judgment.
So, Alex Garland's Ex Machina was my favorite movie of 2014, so I was expecting a lot from the director. Again, I'm not familiar with the source material, so I'm not sure how well it was, or wasn't translated. The story was interesting, but there was a lot of tense silence. Yeah, it worked in the movie, Drive, but I don't think it worked here. The visuals were stunning, so it was interesting to watch from that aspect.
Now, the cast... I'm not sure how/why Jennifer Jason Leigh gets roles, because she is not a great actress (sorry, not sorry). Oscar Isaac was completely wasted. Tessa Thompson's character... she had glasses, so she must be smart??
The only interesting part of the movie, where any sort of tension was present, was the end in the lighthouse. Whatever that was... It gave me Pale Man vibes (see Pan's Labyrinth) vibes, which completely and totally freaked me out. I have serious heebie-jeebies after that, and even right at this moment...
Overall, it was an alright scifi movie, but, I'm glad I have moviepass so I legit didn't pay for it.
So, Alex Garland's Ex Machina was my favorite movie of 2014, so I was expecting a lot from the director. Again, I'm not familiar with the source material, so I'm not sure how well it was, or wasn't translated. The story was interesting, but there was a lot of tense silence. Yeah, it worked in the movie, Drive, but I don't think it worked here. The visuals were stunning, so it was interesting to watch from that aspect.
Now, the cast... I'm not sure how/why Jennifer Jason Leigh gets roles, because she is not a great actress (sorry, not sorry). Oscar Isaac was completely wasted. Tessa Thompson's character... she had glasses, so she must be smart??
The only interesting part of the movie, where any sort of tension was present, was the end in the lighthouse. Whatever that was... It gave me Pale Man vibes (see Pan's Labyrinth) vibes, which completely and totally freaked me out. I have serious heebie-jeebies after that, and even right at this moment...
Overall, it was an alright scifi movie, but, I'm glad I have moviepass so I legit didn't pay for it.
One of the funniest books i've read in a long while
Contains spoilers, click to show
OH my I loved this story so much, I don't even know where to begin with this review.
Okay, Lets start with the fan fiction, as a person who sent hours on the computer reading Harry Potter fan fiction into the early hours of the morning and then to writing my own, I understand where Cath was coming form, that sometimes you forget that there is still books to come out or you wish they end the way they did as the fan fiction. I total got this, and i totally related to Cath.
Second Levi, You should always have a good book boyfriend and Levi, yeah he was perfect, could i have him? I'll look after him. he was funny and charming and he loved Cath, you could tell straight away and i just wanted to slap so she saw it too.
The story touched on other issues such as sisters trying to find their own groove, but how hard it can be to break patterns. there mother leaving them and now only wanting to be apart of their lives now they had grown up, their fathers illness.
This book was a great read, once i started i couldn't stop, and there the best kind of books. I will defiantly read more from Rainbow Rowell, now that I love her stuff.
Now to fan fiction :P
Happy Reading :)
Okay, Lets start with the fan fiction, as a person who sent hours on the computer reading Harry Potter fan fiction into the early hours of the morning and then to writing my own, I understand where Cath was coming form, that sometimes you forget that there is still books to come out or you wish they end the way they did as the fan fiction. I total got this, and i totally related to Cath.
Second Levi, You should always have a good book boyfriend and Levi, yeah he was perfect, could i have him? I'll look after him. he was funny and charming and he loved Cath, you could tell straight away and i just wanted to slap so she saw it too.
The story touched on other issues such as sisters trying to find their own groove, but how hard it can be to break patterns. there mother leaving them and now only wanting to be apart of their lives now they had grown up, their fathers illness.
This book was a great read, once i started i couldn't stop, and there the best kind of books. I will defiantly read more from Rainbow Rowell, now that I love her stuff.
Now to fan fiction :P
Happy Reading :)
OneStarReads (141 KP) rated The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events #2) in Books
Aug 13, 2018
I created a video explaining my slow decent into hating this series, book by book, for your viewing pleasure:
My written review is as follows:
Sometimes, you simply have to remember this book is a kids story. But there's only so much that can make up for; after a while things just get tiring. The whole 'defining words we think the Baudelaire's can't understand, even in somewhat dire situations' became annoying quite fast in the first book, and it's still here in this one. Not only that, but it's always incredibly jarring. Speaking of jarring, the author constantly interrupts by way of Lemmony Snicket to over describe how terrible the Baudelaire's are feeling at one moment to the next, and also constantly remind us how terrible their lives are and forever will be. In some parts it's well done, and in others, not so much. It becomes overused to the point that the story doesn't become enticing anymore, I just get annoyed at the narrator.
However, even with these minor quibbles I did want to keep reading. It's a good book for it's intended audience, as long as they don't mind the slight condescension the author brings to the reader. In my view, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good, so three stars. If I wanted to over-analyze, I'd bring Mr. Poe into this (heaven help the children; no wonder the events are unfortunate)
My written review is as follows:
Sometimes, you simply have to remember this book is a kids story. But there's only so much that can make up for; after a while things just get tiring. The whole 'defining words we think the Baudelaire's can't understand, even in somewhat dire situations' became annoying quite fast in the first book, and it's still here in this one. Not only that, but it's always incredibly jarring. Speaking of jarring, the author constantly interrupts by way of Lemmony Snicket to over describe how terrible the Baudelaire's are feeling at one moment to the next, and also constantly remind us how terrible their lives are and forever will be. In some parts it's well done, and in others, not so much. It becomes overused to the point that the story doesn't become enticing anymore, I just get annoyed at the narrator.
However, even with these minor quibbles I did want to keep reading. It's a good book for it's intended audience, as long as they don't mind the slight condescension the author brings to the reader. In my view, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good, so three stars. If I wanted to over-analyze, I'd bring Mr. Poe into this (heaven help the children; no wonder the events are unfortunate)
Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Station Eleven in Books
Oct 15, 2018
Unique post - apocalyptic story
This book is clever both conceptually but also in how it is written. It's been ages since a book has been so thought provoking and made me reflect. I found it to be deep in terms of those previously mentioned aspects but also in terms of character development.
STATION ELEVEN is set around a pandemic that wipes out 99% of the population a day after getting the virus. The story arcs out from the build up to that day and to 20-30 years post-pandemic. I'm not always a fan of long and shifting timelines but I now realise I can be a fan of that if they're as well written as this one. The story jumps back and forth both past and present without losing any flow in the story.
The are multiple characters and povs that are so cleverly interwoven and when a thread was tied up, I went "ahhhh". Most of the story was unpredictable but I admit to guessing the prophet element.
I found this story of potential apocalypse so very realistic that I often reflected on my own mortality in this scenario (day one - I have asthma). I really enjoyed seeing a deconstructed civilisation and what that might look like. The promise of the future was also interesting.
I think Emily St John Mandel is an incredibly talented writer and I would recommend this book to many.
STATION ELEVEN is set around a pandemic that wipes out 99% of the population a day after getting the virus. The story arcs out from the build up to that day and to 20-30 years post-pandemic. I'm not always a fan of long and shifting timelines but I now realise I can be a fan of that if they're as well written as this one. The story jumps back and forth both past and present without losing any flow in the story.
The are multiple characters and povs that are so cleverly interwoven and when a thread was tied up, I went "ahhhh". Most of the story was unpredictable but I admit to guessing the prophet element.
I found this story of potential apocalypse so very realistic that I often reflected on my own mortality in this scenario (day one - I have asthma). I really enjoyed seeing a deconstructed civilisation and what that might look like. The promise of the future was also interesting.
I think Emily St John Mandel is an incredibly talented writer and I would recommend this book to many.