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I was sure I’d read Dubliners before - possibly during my English Literature A Level, but I couldn’t remember what the stories were about. They really give the reader a feel of what life must have been like at the turn of the last century in Ireland. They’re not all ‘pretty’ stories either. We see alcoholism (or at least heavy drinking that impacts life and family), poverty, suicide, missed opportunities and hard decisions. So, normal life for a lot of people.
I now wonder if I should go back and reread one of his novels?
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book.
I now wonder if I should go back and reread one of his novels?
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this book.
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated Another Round (2020) in Movies
Jun 30, 2021
When I saw the subtitles by heart dropped and I thought I’d made a huge mistake. But what followed was something completely different, after a few minutes I didn’t even particularly notice that it was subtitled and just enjoyed the movie. It’s about 4 teachers who set out to research whether keeping your blood alcohol level above 0.5% can better your life. We follow them through the whole experiment where they find at first that it makes them more relaxed whilst also being more focused and improving their lives dramatically, to then seeing them when it becomes borderline alcoholism.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Outrun in Books
Sep 23, 2017
An important read, but a little haphazard
Dealing with an addiction is no mean feat, it's an illness as Amy Liptrot explains in this memoir where she battles alcoholism. Some of the incidents are truly horrifying, not because of 'what she does to herself', but more so what the illness does to her and as a result her life spirals downwards. And while that part I can truly engage with, the random long explanations about her newfound passions for astronomy, sea and bird life seems to go off in a tangent.
You can definitely recognise her addictive personality manifesting in new hobbies, and obsessing in the same way. And at least that's healthier, but as a reader, I seemed to lose concentration on her rural lifestyle. Very good insight into mental health and addiction though.
You can definitely recognise her addictive personality manifesting in new hobbies, and obsessing in the same way. And at least that's healthier, but as a reader, I seemed to lose concentration on her rural lifestyle. Very good insight into mental health and addiction though.
Cori June (3033 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books
Dec 3, 2018 (Updated Jun 16, 2021)
Sam Vines (2 more)
wit
L-space
I've reread the book, its been a couple of years. As an introduction to Discworld this is a good place to start. I really enjoy the fact that you don't have to read the Discworld series in order to grasp the main themes and ideas, most of the story arcs are self contained.
Samuel Vines is one of my favorite characters.
If you want a popular fantasy trope(s) flipped on its head this is a great series to read. Funny and surprisingly deep this story is an enjoyment for all. It's an adult book and it does deal with some dark things like alcoholism and other adult themes, but I'd let my nephews read it or I'd read it to them.
Samuel Vines is one of my favorite characters.
If you want a popular fantasy trope(s) flipped on its head this is a great series to read. Funny and surprisingly deep this story is an enjoyment for all. It's an adult book and it does deal with some dark things like alcoholism and other adult themes, but I'd let my nephews read it or I'd read it to them.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post
Apr 28, 2020
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Hoarders in TV
Feb 20, 2019
A unique representation of the human condition
It's hard to believe that human beings can hoard. The act of keeping things just to keep them. What goes through their minds?
They sometimes live in filth, human and animal waste, their homes toppling from within. Do they not see it? I know it's a disease like alcoholism or OCD, but it just pains me yet fascinates at the same time.
I find it so interesting to watch through the TV lens at those who are different than me. It makes me think my life isn't as bad as I think it is and I feel like I want to help them.
This show has been on 10 years now and it never fails to amaze me. I sometimes weep as I see how others live and that their families cannot even help them sometimes.
They sometimes live in filth, human and animal waste, their homes toppling from within. Do they not see it? I know it's a disease like alcoholism or OCD, but it just pains me yet fascinates at the same time.
I find it so interesting to watch through the TV lens at those who are different than me. It makes me think my life isn't as bad as I think it is and I feel like I want to help them.
This show has been on 10 years now and it never fails to amaze me. I sometimes weep as I see how others live and that their families cannot even help them sometimes.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Colossal (2016) in Movies
Mar 1, 2018 (Updated Mar 2, 2018)
Imagine the scene: you and your significant other are sitting down together for an evening in front of a movie but can't decide what to watch - you have your heart set on Manchester by the Sea, with its downbeat, naturalistic tale of small-town lives blighted by alcoholism. They, on the other hand, want to watch Terror of Mechagodzilla, a garish, barely coherent story about giant monsters battling equally big robots. What to do? Worry no more: here comes Colossal, to satisfy you both.
I mean, you have to admire a film for attempting to do something a little bit different, and this is certainly that, and good performances from the leads and an inventive script initially make this a refreshingly original film. In the end though, the sheer oddness of it, a problematic tonal inconsistency, and unconvincing characterisations mean that it doesn't quite hang together or completely satisfy. Still worth a look for sheer novelty value.
I mean, you have to admire a film for attempting to do something a little bit different, and this is certainly that, and good performances from the leads and an inventive script initially make this a refreshingly original film. In the end though, the sheer oddness of it, a problematic tonal inconsistency, and unconvincing characterisations mean that it doesn't quite hang together or completely satisfy. Still worth a look for sheer novelty value.
Dalicat (20 KP) rated A Million Little Pieces in Books
Sep 3, 2018
The beautifully stark poetical prose (2 more)
The spectrum of emotion through which the reader follows the author
A plot that could go in any direction
Brutally honest
There is a wealth of literature about drug addiction, alcoholism and recovery out there. Most of it seems contrived and tries much too hard to preach to the reader about the awfulness of addiction and the
redemptive process of recovery. I find most of these hard to stomach. There is nothing contrived about this work. It tells it as it is. The author is neither trying to shock nor preach. This autobiographical novel is written in a stark prose which allows the horrors and joys of the story to speak for themselves. The comedy is deepest black as is the despair. The story is filled with wonderful and terrible characters and events. I wanted to read it straight through but had to stop to rest and sleep.
redemptive process of recovery. I find most of these hard to stomach. There is nothing contrived about this work. It tells it as it is. The author is neither trying to shock nor preach. This autobiographical novel is written in a stark prose which allows the horrors and joys of the story to speak for themselves. The comedy is deepest black as is the despair. The story is filled with wonderful and terrible characters and events. I wanted to read it straight through but had to stop to rest and sleep.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated From Darkness to Light: My Journey Back from a Brain Filled with Blood in Books
Apr 27, 2018
From Darkness to Light—My journey back from a brain filled with blood
by Lynn Christopher Roby
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: Memoir, Autobiography, Christian
Summary: Lynn tells the story of her aneurysm, her life before and after, and her walk with God. She recalls her aneurysm and tells the sad and frightening story of her trials trying to get through it. Living through an aneurysm is hard—I had no idea how hard! She went through constant pain and a lot of depression. She also talks about her alcoholism early in life, mentions her sexual abuse, and her early depression. Eventually, after the aneurysm, she was able to heal enough to start her work for the Lord, opening a clinic to help people through the things she has gone through.
Thoughts: Lynn’s story is amazing and inspiring. This books shows how the bible verse “all things work together for good” plays out in real life. Lynn never would have been able to help the people she helped, or save the lives she helped save, if it hadn’t been for her very rough life.
Writing: The writing style and prose was tough to read in that it felt very choppy, had a lot of fragments, and quite a few typos, giving it an overall casual feel. The pacing was also a bit fast through the aneurysm, and slow through the rest. I found it difficult to read during the section where she explained the “12 steps to A.A.” which she explained in detail and then related it to her experiences, and showed how she used them through her life as a recovering alcoholic and getting through the aneurysm. The layout was a bit hard to follow, too. She starts with the aneurysm, then the healing process, then backtracks to tell about her alcoholism and depression, divorce, and second marriage before she finishes the story of what happened after the aneurysm. It was a little confusing, but once I saw what she was doing, it was easier to follow.
Content: There was no language or sex. She does mention God very often, as it is a memoir of a Christian’s suffering, but does not leave you with the feeling that you’ve been “preached to.”
Recommendation: Ages 13+ because of reference to alcohol. I really enjoyed this book—it had its on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments, its sad sections, and its happy parts.
About the author:
Lynn lives in Carroll Valley Pa. with her husband Bill and their Samoyed Abigail. She is a Mother blessed with four sons and beautiful grandchildren that add to filling her life with joy and fun.
Lynn is a certified Professional Level Kripalu Yoga Teacher; she continues her studies at The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge Ma. Lynn and her husband Bill are the founders and owners of The Gettysburg Holistic Health Center where Lynn teaches in her studio which is a Kripalu affiliated studio. Lynn is a Master level addictions specialist and a Reiki Master. She feels honored to work with folks who suffer from the disease of addiction as she watches them transform their lives from turmoil to surrender.
Lynn’s journey led her into writing this book that was very cathartic hoping to inspire anyone suffering not only from a ruptured brain aneurysm, or alcoholism, or abuse but to touch anyone who can relate to such pain and suffering and find hope from reading this book
**Thank you to Bostic Communications and Lynn for providing me with my review copy!**
~Haleyknitz
by Lynn Christopher Roby
Rating: 3.5/5
Genre: Memoir, Autobiography, Christian
Summary: Lynn tells the story of her aneurysm, her life before and after, and her walk with God. She recalls her aneurysm and tells the sad and frightening story of her trials trying to get through it. Living through an aneurysm is hard—I had no idea how hard! She went through constant pain and a lot of depression. She also talks about her alcoholism early in life, mentions her sexual abuse, and her early depression. Eventually, after the aneurysm, she was able to heal enough to start her work for the Lord, opening a clinic to help people through the things she has gone through.
Thoughts: Lynn’s story is amazing and inspiring. This books shows how the bible verse “all things work together for good” plays out in real life. Lynn never would have been able to help the people she helped, or save the lives she helped save, if it hadn’t been for her very rough life.
Writing: The writing style and prose was tough to read in that it felt very choppy, had a lot of fragments, and quite a few typos, giving it an overall casual feel. The pacing was also a bit fast through the aneurysm, and slow through the rest. I found it difficult to read during the section where she explained the “12 steps to A.A.” which she explained in detail and then related it to her experiences, and showed how she used them through her life as a recovering alcoholic and getting through the aneurysm. The layout was a bit hard to follow, too. She starts with the aneurysm, then the healing process, then backtracks to tell about her alcoholism and depression, divorce, and second marriage before she finishes the story of what happened after the aneurysm. It was a little confusing, but once I saw what she was doing, it was easier to follow.
Content: There was no language or sex. She does mention God very often, as it is a memoir of a Christian’s suffering, but does not leave you with the feeling that you’ve been “preached to.”
Recommendation: Ages 13+ because of reference to alcohol. I really enjoyed this book—it had its on-the-edge-of-your-seat moments, its sad sections, and its happy parts.
About the author:
Lynn lives in Carroll Valley Pa. with her husband Bill and their Samoyed Abigail. She is a Mother blessed with four sons and beautiful grandchildren that add to filling her life with joy and fun.
Lynn is a certified Professional Level Kripalu Yoga Teacher; she continues her studies at The Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health in Stockbridge Ma. Lynn and her husband Bill are the founders and owners of The Gettysburg Holistic Health Center where Lynn teaches in her studio which is a Kripalu affiliated studio. Lynn is a Master level addictions specialist and a Reiki Master. She feels honored to work with folks who suffer from the disease of addiction as she watches them transform their lives from turmoil to surrender.
Lynn’s journey led her into writing this book that was very cathartic hoping to inspire anyone suffering not only from a ruptured brain aneurysm, or alcoholism, or abuse but to touch anyone who can relate to such pain and suffering and find hope from reading this book
**Thank you to Bostic Communications and Lynn for providing me with my review copy!**
~Haleyknitz
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Summer Secrets in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Cat is a journalist in London, divorced, and raising her daughter. Earlier, her mother had revealed a secret about Cat's past -- the identity of her true father. When Cat journeyed to Nantucket to meet him - and her two half sisters - something bad happened, and it traumatized her. Now she's a recovering alcoholic and wondering if she can right the wrongs from her long ago meeting with her estranged family.
This was an enjoyable read - the story goes back and forth with flashbacks, which helps build up the suspense. Some of the plot is a little outlandish, but it's a fast read and fun. It's a little painful to read sometimes; Cat can certainly be a frustrating character at times, and you just want to shake her. (Also, I don't recommend reading this if you're triggered by reading alcoholism scenes.) However, present day Cat is a relatable character, for the most part, and fun to root for. Her two half sisters, Julia and Ellie, are pieces of work in themselves, and the book presents a fairly realistic look at modern day family and sisterhood. Overall, probably 3.5 stars.
This was an enjoyable read - the story goes back and forth with flashbacks, which helps build up the suspense. Some of the plot is a little outlandish, but it's a fast read and fun. It's a little painful to read sometimes; Cat can certainly be a frustrating character at times, and you just want to shake her. (Also, I don't recommend reading this if you're triggered by reading alcoholism scenes.) However, present day Cat is a relatable character, for the most part, and fun to root for. Her two half sisters, Julia and Ellie, are pieces of work in themselves, and the book presents a fairly realistic look at modern day family and sisterhood. Overall, probably 3.5 stars.