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ClareR (5879 KP) rated The Witch Elm: A Novel in Books
Oct 16, 2019 (Updated Oct 16, 2019)
A psychological thriller that had me guessing along with the main character!
After a night out with his friends in Dublin, Toby Hennessy walks home alone and goes to bed. He’s woken up in the early hours by two men burgling his flat and when he confronts them, they attack him viciously and leave him for dead. He doesn’t die, and after a long period of time in hospital, he returns to his flat, clearly suffering from PTSD and a brain injury. Luckily for him (but not so lucky for his uncle) his uncle, Hugo, is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. So Toby and his girlfriend Melissa move in to help keep him company, and ultimately to care for him.
They’re a close family, who meet every Sunday for dinner, and Toby and his cousins Leon and Susanna spent every summer at their Uncles house, living pretty much unchecked - every teenagers dream.
This idyllic life is brought abruptly to an end when a skeleton is found inside the trunk of one of the Wych elms in the back garden. It’s complicated further by the fact that Toby’s head injury from the burglary means that his memories are ropey, to say the least.
I really liked this book: I liked the slow build up and learning about the family and the relationship between the cousins. As for the skeleton, well that mystery had me guessing right up to the end.
Incidentally, this is sold as ‘The Wych Elm’ in the UK - ‘Wych’ is an alternative spelling in old English of ‘witch’, and it also means pliant or supple. The words ‘wicker’ and ‘weak’ come from this word too (yes, I looked it up, and this will join all of the terribly interesting, yet relatively useless, information that accumulates in my head 🤷🏼♀️).
This is my first Tana French novel, and based on this book, it won’t be my last.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for my copy of this book.
They’re a close family, who meet every Sunday for dinner, and Toby and his cousins Leon and Susanna spent every summer at their Uncles house, living pretty much unchecked - every teenagers dream.
This idyllic life is brought abruptly to an end when a skeleton is found inside the trunk of one of the Wych elms in the back garden. It’s complicated further by the fact that Toby’s head injury from the burglary means that his memories are ropey, to say the least.
I really liked this book: I liked the slow build up and learning about the family and the relationship between the cousins. As for the skeleton, well that mystery had me guessing right up to the end.
Incidentally, this is sold as ‘The Wych Elm’ in the UK - ‘Wych’ is an alternative spelling in old English of ‘witch’, and it also means pliant or supple. The words ‘wicker’ and ‘weak’ come from this word too (yes, I looked it up, and this will join all of the terribly interesting, yet relatively useless, information that accumulates in my head 🤷🏼♀️).
This is my first Tana French novel, and based on this book, it won’t be my last.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for my copy of this book.
JT (287 KP) rated Dallas Buyers Club (2013) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
All the hype surrounding Dallas Buyers Club has been focused on the individual performances of it’s leading cast, but director Jean-Marc Vallée deserves considerable recognition for so skillfully crafting this tale of exceptional warmth, humour and eternal hope.
Ron Woodroof is a hustling, homophobic, bull-riding, womanising, sometimes-electrician, whose life revolves around excess drugs, alcohol and female copulation. But after a freak accident leads to doctors discovering he’s HIV positive, Ron is forced to re-examine his priorities.
With his hillbilly friends shunning him and the back-alley supply of the drug that could prolong his life cut off, Woodroof heads across the border to Mexico in search of alternative treatments. When he realises that the medication he’s given isn’t available in the US, he seizes the opportunity to make a quick buck.
Along the way he encounters fellow AIDS sufferer and cross-dresser Rayon (Leto) with whom he strikes an unlikely partnership in forming the Dallas Buyers Club, as well as Dr. Eve Saks (Garner) who becomes increasingly sympathetic to his plight.
McConaughey’s extreme physical transformation for the lead role is in itself worthy of great praise and his Oscar-winning turn is one of outstanding range and capability, portraying all the raw emotions Woodroof is forced to conflict as the character himself is changed irrevocably throughout the film’s two hour duration.
The scenes shared by Rayon – another remarkable performance from Leto – and Woodruff are triumphant and their relationship continually brings light relief to a backdrop of struggle as The Dallas Buyers Club fights what always seems like a losing battle with the FDA.
Much like Philadelphia, this film highlights the many struggles and injustices faced by early AIDS sufferers, not just in getting the medication they needed to survive, but also the prejudices they were forced to endure. It’s an exceptional piece of cinema that everyone should take the time to see.
Ron Woodroof is a hustling, homophobic, bull-riding, womanising, sometimes-electrician, whose life revolves around excess drugs, alcohol and female copulation. But after a freak accident leads to doctors discovering he’s HIV positive, Ron is forced to re-examine his priorities.
With his hillbilly friends shunning him and the back-alley supply of the drug that could prolong his life cut off, Woodroof heads across the border to Mexico in search of alternative treatments. When he realises that the medication he’s given isn’t available in the US, he seizes the opportunity to make a quick buck.
Along the way he encounters fellow AIDS sufferer and cross-dresser Rayon (Leto) with whom he strikes an unlikely partnership in forming the Dallas Buyers Club, as well as Dr. Eve Saks (Garner) who becomes increasingly sympathetic to his plight.
McConaughey’s extreme physical transformation for the lead role is in itself worthy of great praise and his Oscar-winning turn is one of outstanding range and capability, portraying all the raw emotions Woodroof is forced to conflict as the character himself is changed irrevocably throughout the film’s two hour duration.
The scenes shared by Rayon – another remarkable performance from Leto – and Woodruff are triumphant and their relationship continually brings light relief to a backdrop of struggle as The Dallas Buyers Club fights what always seems like a losing battle with the FDA.
Much like Philadelphia, this film highlights the many struggles and injustices faced by early AIDS sufferers, not just in getting the medication they needed to survive, but also the prejudices they were forced to endure. It’s an exceptional piece of cinema that everyone should take the time to see.
Taika Waititi recommended Сталкер [Stalker] (1979) in Movies (curated)
![Сталкер [Stalker] (1979)](/uploads/profile_image/707/bcd145ec-5561-4909-a7e6-e801874bb707.jpg?m=1528075150)
Johnny Marr recommended 154 by Wire in Music (curated)
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
John McClane, permanently hungover and on suspension, is called back to work when a terrorist blows up a building and requests his presence for a few minor tasks.
I love McClane's banter in this one, he's really upped his game. Which is apt as Simon is fond of his games.
Some incredible stunt driving... I'm not sure how that taxi managed to sail out into traffic and survive, but it was impressive. Then they find another car to drive off the side of a bridge... that yet again survives?! It's a solid year for car manufacture.
I think the reason I liked this one the most for so long is that John and Zeus make a great double act. Zeus is logical and sarcastic while John is a little bit gung-ho and... well, also sarcastic.
Cue me yelling at the screen... Fill the 3 and pour it into the 5. Fill the 3 again and pour it into the 5. You'll have 1 left in the 3. Empty the 5 and pour the 1 from the 3 into it. Fill the 3 again and pour it into the 5... you now have 4.
My only dislike of this film is that you can't play vest roulette. It stays particularly white most of the way through. Oh sorry, and the terrible effects they use for the water in the tunnel, but I do love that Zeus manages to see McClane pop out of the access port in the spout of water.
I brought the blu-ray box set to replace my aging DVDs... and that is how I discovered there is an alternative ending to the film. I can't say I'm a fan of it. It takes McClane's character through the film, opens a window and throws it all out. It turns him into a rather cruel version of himself, and there would have been no coming back from that.
I love McClane's banter in this one, he's really upped his game. Which is apt as Simon is fond of his games.
Some incredible stunt driving... I'm not sure how that taxi managed to sail out into traffic and survive, but it was impressive. Then they find another car to drive off the side of a bridge... that yet again survives?! It's a solid year for car manufacture.
I think the reason I liked this one the most for so long is that John and Zeus make a great double act. Zeus is logical and sarcastic while John is a little bit gung-ho and... well, also sarcastic.
Cue me yelling at the screen... Fill the 3 and pour it into the 5. Fill the 3 again and pour it into the 5. You'll have 1 left in the 3. Empty the 5 and pour the 1 from the 3 into it. Fill the 3 again and pour it into the 5... you now have 4.
My only dislike of this film is that you can't play vest roulette. It stays particularly white most of the way through. Oh sorry, and the terrible effects they use for the water in the tunnel, but I do love that Zeus manages to see McClane pop out of the access port in the spout of water.
I brought the blu-ray box set to replace my aging DVDs... and that is how I discovered there is an alternative ending to the film. I can't say I'm a fan of it. It takes McClane's character through the film, opens a window and throws it all out. It turns him into a rather cruel version of himself, and there would have been no coming back from that.
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated Cold Hearted in Books
Aug 30, 2021
When you’re eight books into a series such as the Villain Tales by Serena Valentino you would think that I wouldn’t be smug anymore! You would think that I wouldn’t go into the book saying “I won’t end up feeling sorry for this villain”.
You would also think that I know I am always wrong!
Lady Tremaine is one of the easiest villains to hate in the Disney universe: she worked Cinderella to the bone, denied her a decent party and then locked her in the attic for good measure! These are hardly the actions of some misunderstood soul.
Until Serena Valentino comes along of course! Valentino has a truly unique way of humanising these characters that we love to hate and, with the help of the Odd Sisters, proves to us time and time again that there is more to our fairytales than meets the eye.
The previous book in the villain tales, Evil Thing, took the reader outside of the Many Kingdoms for the first time. Valentino takes advantage of this, neatly using Cold Hearted to join together Lady Tremaine’s life in London with both the Fairylands and the Many Kingdoms. This timeline means that the readers meet Lady Tremaine before her role as stepmother: we learn of her worries over indulging her two daughters and her unwillingness to move on after her husband’s death.
Cold Hearted skips time periods slightly so the reader is actually experiencing Nanny and the Fairy Godmother reading Lady Tremaine’s story. Don't worry: this doesn't mean we are deprived of our favourite creepy sisters, although this book may have you looking at the Odd Sisters in an entirely new light.
The 8th villain tale continues Valentino’s reign of brilliant, alternative views of our villains. Lady Tremaine was to be the heroine of her own fairytale; all she wanted was her own happily ever after. Where did it go so wrong?
You would also think that I know I am always wrong!
Lady Tremaine is one of the easiest villains to hate in the Disney universe: she worked Cinderella to the bone, denied her a decent party and then locked her in the attic for good measure! These are hardly the actions of some misunderstood soul.
Until Serena Valentino comes along of course! Valentino has a truly unique way of humanising these characters that we love to hate and, with the help of the Odd Sisters, proves to us time and time again that there is more to our fairytales than meets the eye.
The previous book in the villain tales, Evil Thing, took the reader outside of the Many Kingdoms for the first time. Valentino takes advantage of this, neatly using Cold Hearted to join together Lady Tremaine’s life in London with both the Fairylands and the Many Kingdoms. This timeline means that the readers meet Lady Tremaine before her role as stepmother: we learn of her worries over indulging her two daughters and her unwillingness to move on after her husband’s death.
Cold Hearted skips time periods slightly so the reader is actually experiencing Nanny and the Fairy Godmother reading Lady Tremaine’s story. Don't worry: this doesn't mean we are deprived of our favourite creepy sisters, although this book may have you looking at the Odd Sisters in an entirely new light.
The 8th villain tale continues Valentino’s reign of brilliant, alternative views of our villains. Lady Tremaine was to be the heroine of her own fairytale; all she wanted was her own happily ever after. Where did it go so wrong?
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022) in Movies
May 11, 2022
Everything Everywhere All at Once is one of those rare films where I can't think of the appropriate words to describe it. It's a thrilling and emotional spectacle brimming with unique visuals and is a true cinematic rollercoaster.
The narrative is part family drama, and part mind bending sci-fi. The family drama is well crafted and effortless to become invested in. It's gives the characters room to breathe whilst simultaneously wasting little time before shit goes off the rails. When I say mind bending, that's exactly what it sounds like. The sci-fi element is just bonkers. The alternative universes that are shown off are memorable and colourful, and the action set pieces are joyous to behold. There's some solid martial arts on display, and multiple scenarios where you can safely say "well I've never seen that in a film before".
Towering above all of the batshit insane fun however, is the very human centre that EEAAO carries with it. The last 40 minutes or so get unashamedly existential, and accurately convey the feeling of how easy it is to feel like a failure, or to feel alone and unheard in a bustling universe. It's hard hitting but is wholesome as hell (never thought a silent and subtitled conversation between two rocks would hit me in the feels but here we are)
Michelle Yeoh is wonderful and delivers a career best performance. Stephanie Hsu is also great and it's bloody lovely to see Ke Huy Quan back with a vengeance. Jamie Lee Curtis remains easy to love, even as a pain in the arse, pro wrestling tax auditer.
The Daniels have delivered and then some in their follow up effort to the equally weird Swiss Army Man and truly deserve all the praise coming their way.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a phenomenal experience. I can't imagine anything will beat it for my personal best film of 2022. It's a bonafide, head fucking masterpiece.
The narrative is part family drama, and part mind bending sci-fi. The family drama is well crafted and effortless to become invested in. It's gives the characters room to breathe whilst simultaneously wasting little time before shit goes off the rails. When I say mind bending, that's exactly what it sounds like. The sci-fi element is just bonkers. The alternative universes that are shown off are memorable and colourful, and the action set pieces are joyous to behold. There's some solid martial arts on display, and multiple scenarios where you can safely say "well I've never seen that in a film before".
Towering above all of the batshit insane fun however, is the very human centre that EEAAO carries with it. The last 40 minutes or so get unashamedly existential, and accurately convey the feeling of how easy it is to feel like a failure, or to feel alone and unheard in a bustling universe. It's hard hitting but is wholesome as hell (never thought a silent and subtitled conversation between two rocks would hit me in the feels but here we are)
Michelle Yeoh is wonderful and delivers a career best performance. Stephanie Hsu is also great and it's bloody lovely to see Ke Huy Quan back with a vengeance. Jamie Lee Curtis remains easy to love, even as a pain in the arse, pro wrestling tax auditer.
The Daniels have delivered and then some in their follow up effort to the equally weird Swiss Army Man and truly deserve all the praise coming their way.
Everything Everywhere All at Once is a phenomenal experience. I can't imagine anything will beat it for my personal best film of 2022. It's a bonafide, head fucking masterpiece.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Apartment Upstairs in Books
Jul 24, 2022
Let me give you a piece of advice; if you have never read one of Lesley Kara's books, get yourself to your usual book supplier or library and put it right by picking yourself one (or more!) You will not regret it because each and every one is unique and enthralling and The Apartment Upstairs is no different.
This is yet another cracker by Lesley Kara.
Would you want to live in a house where a beloved family member was brutally murdered? I don't think I could but Scarlett is clearly stronger than I am. Not only has she moved back into her flat beneath where her Aunt Rebecca was murdered by her partner who then committed suicide, but she is having to organise the funeral and manage the debilitating condition, ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis).
Dee is the owner of the 'alternative' funeral directors Scarlett contacts to make arrangements for her aunt's funeral. Dee has struggles of her own; as well as her own personal circumstances, her best friend went missing almost 10 years ago and she is organising an event to keep her in the public consciousness.
Little do Scarlett and Dee realise but their lives are going to become intertwined in the most unexpected and shattering way.
There is creeping sense of tension and unease from the very beginning which continues throughout and which had me gripped desperate to know what was going to happen but I definitely didn't see that ending coming ... and what a great ending it is!
With strong characters, a good pace and an engaging and enthralling plot that had me guessing, this is a book that I devoured quickly and one which I have no hesitation in recommending to those who enjoy a character-driven, gripping thriller.
Thanks go to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Apartment Upstairs and share my views.
This is yet another cracker by Lesley Kara.
Would you want to live in a house where a beloved family member was brutally murdered? I don't think I could but Scarlett is clearly stronger than I am. Not only has she moved back into her flat beneath where her Aunt Rebecca was murdered by her partner who then committed suicide, but she is having to organise the funeral and manage the debilitating condition, ME (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis).
Dee is the owner of the 'alternative' funeral directors Scarlett contacts to make arrangements for her aunt's funeral. Dee has struggles of her own; as well as her own personal circumstances, her best friend went missing almost 10 years ago and she is organising an event to keep her in the public consciousness.
Little do Scarlett and Dee realise but their lives are going to become intertwined in the most unexpected and shattering way.
There is creeping sense of tension and unease from the very beginning which continues throughout and which had me gripped desperate to know what was going to happen but I definitely didn't see that ending coming ... and what a great ending it is!
With strong characters, a good pace and an engaging and enthralling plot that had me guessing, this is a book that I devoured quickly and one which I have no hesitation in recommending to those who enjoy a character-driven, gripping thriller.
Thanks go to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for enabling me to read The Apartment Upstairs and share my views.
Merissa (12894 KP) rated Hunter's Barbs (Prime Omegaverse #5) in Books
Jun 2, 2025
HUNTER'S BARBS is the fifth book in the Prime Omegaverse series, although it can be read as a standalone. If it's your first foray into this world, take note of the trigger warnings!
Before I start my review, I'm going to be honest here and say that Aria's story isn't my favourite for a number of reasons, which I will explain.
The first four chapters completely threw me off. Two are told by Aria, and two by Fritz. Unfortunately, it seemed like two alternative beginnings, where one needed to be removed before the book went live, as the timeline and descriptions of events made no sense apart from going back in time. Aria is described by Fritz in chapter two as having blonde hair, which matches the book cover. After that, she is described as having auburn hair. There is a lot of talk about their deepening connection, but not wanting to name it. And speaking of naming things and repeats, Aria names Fritz twice, but both are written as the first time. Seeing repeated phrases and descriptions has come up in these books before, but this one seemed as though there was just 'more'.
Saying all that, I did enjoy the story! Especially once Aria stopped going on about the dragons. I can honestly say I didn't like her much to begin with. Fritz was a wonderful character whom I loved learning about. I especially liked it when he thawed out enough to show his caring side. Seeing Aria and Fritz work and love together were the highlights of this story.
I am still thoroughly enjoying the Prime Omegaverse series and definitely want to continue with it. I just don't think this was one of the best, although I am sure it will be loved by many.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 2, 2025
Before I start my review, I'm going to be honest here and say that Aria's story isn't my favourite for a number of reasons, which I will explain.
The first four chapters completely threw me off. Two are told by Aria, and two by Fritz. Unfortunately, it seemed like two alternative beginnings, where one needed to be removed before the book went live, as the timeline and descriptions of events made no sense apart from going back in time. Aria is described by Fritz in chapter two as having blonde hair, which matches the book cover. After that, she is described as having auburn hair. There is a lot of talk about their deepening connection, but not wanting to name it. And speaking of naming things and repeats, Aria names Fritz twice, but both are written as the first time. Seeing repeated phrases and descriptions has come up in these books before, but this one seemed as though there was just 'more'.
Saying all that, I did enjoy the story! Especially once Aria stopped going on about the dragons. I can honestly say I didn't like her much to begin with. Fritz was a wonderful character whom I loved learning about. I especially liked it when he thawed out enough to show his caring side. Seeing Aria and Fritz work and love together were the highlights of this story.
I am still thoroughly enjoying the Prime Omegaverse series and definitely want to continue with it. I just don't think this was one of the best, although I am sure it will be loved by many.
** Same worded review will appear elsewhere. **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 2, 2025
KatieLouCreate (162 KP) rated Memrise: learn languages in Apps
Feb 27, 2018
This app started of really good when I first downloaded it. I used it to aid me while learning Japanese. It has cool short games and activities to help you learn and remember old and new things every day. It was so good that in fact I bought a subscription for it so I could do more things. When you become a pro member you get listening activities from native speakers, listening games as well as pronunciation exercises.
However, after using it for a while, I noticed it was harder for me to learn how to construct larger sentences. It was just a case of remembering what kanji was used instead of actually learning how to say/write the sentences. So the app is only great for learning words and short phrases.
Then my card details were updated and I lost my pro-member benefits. I found out that they now want to to pay for things that were previously free such as the difficult words which saved words you were struggling with and help you learn them separately. So now the only thing you can really do on the app is learn new words and recap old ones. 4 out of the 7 games now need subscriptions which seems unfair.
It is also hard to add new people who actually play on the app as well. (You need to pay to use this as well now, I believe) but it allowed you to compete with other players on a weekly score board. Only problem with that is you couldn't search for anyone. You had to know someone who played the game as well and add their user name. The alternative was to type in a random name in the search bar and see who came up and hope they were still active.
This app is good for learning basics words, and phrases, and kanji if you study Chinese or Japanese. But it will not help you with fluency. And you basically have to buy it to seek all the other features which make the app what it is.
However, after using it for a while, I noticed it was harder for me to learn how to construct larger sentences. It was just a case of remembering what kanji was used instead of actually learning how to say/write the sentences. So the app is only great for learning words and short phrases.
Then my card details were updated and I lost my pro-member benefits. I found out that they now want to to pay for things that were previously free such as the difficult words which saved words you were struggling with and help you learn them separately. So now the only thing you can really do on the app is learn new words and recap old ones. 4 out of the 7 games now need subscriptions which seems unfair.
It is also hard to add new people who actually play on the app as well. (You need to pay to use this as well now, I believe) but it allowed you to compete with other players on a weekly score board. Only problem with that is you couldn't search for anyone. You had to know someone who played the game as well and add their user name. The alternative was to type in a random name in the search bar and see who came up and hope they were still active.
This app is good for learning basics words, and phrases, and kanji if you study Chinese or Japanese. But it will not help you with fluency. And you basically have to buy it to seek all the other features which make the app what it is.