Search
Search results
Leila (5 KP) rated Gwendy's Button Box in Books
Feb 3, 2019 (Updated Feb 3, 2019)
I'll admit, I checked this book out of the library and let it sit for a few months (I'm terrible, I know), but not for lack of interest, I just didn't have the time to sit down and read. Once I finally got around to it, I had completely forgotten why I had grabbed it up! The cover did not immediately scream "Stephen King" so I was a bit apprehensive starting out, willing myself to push through the first couple of pages.
To my surprise, I needn't have given myself such a talking to, as the book drew me in from first word. The main character has relatable relationships with the people around her, portrayed as the kid we all knew (or were) growing up, the one that just wanted to fit in and was always just on the outskirts. Things change of course, with the help of a special box, and we get a very real glimpse into how humanity deals with great power and responsibility.
My only criticism is that for once, I wasn't satisfied at the end of a King book, wishing there was a bit more, especially concerning the box itself. But then, if we always got all the answers, it wouldn't be a King book, now would it?
To my surprise, I needn't have given myself such a talking to, as the book drew me in from first word. The main character has relatable relationships with the people around her, portrayed as the kid we all knew (or were) growing up, the one that just wanted to fit in and was always just on the outskirts. Things change of course, with the help of a special box, and we get a very real glimpse into how humanity deals with great power and responsibility.
My only criticism is that for once, I wasn't satisfied at the end of a King book, wishing there was a bit more, especially concerning the box itself. But then, if we always got all the answers, it wouldn't be a King book, now would it?
Rachel King (13 KP) rated The Beginning (Glee, #1) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I am a total "Gleek," and I have been in love with the show since the very first episode. I'll spare you the details. But of course, I had to read the Glee book that answers my burning questions about what happened before the t.v. show kicked off, such as what grades the main characters are in, and how did Puck and Quinn wind up in bed together? I have a life, just not on Tuesdays.
Anyways, the book is true to form, right down to Sue Sylvester's hilariously-vile comments, Finn's adorable naivety, Rachel's incredibly self-involved attitude, and Kurt's sense of style. I also appreciated that the book helped me to better appreciate Artie's and Tina's characters, as I got to see how they interacted with each other and the thoughts that went through their heads. Tina apparently has an artistic side that comes out in the novel. I also got to see more of the difficulty that Artie deals with daily using a wheelchair. All of the other familiar characters make appearances, as well, such as Miss Emma Pillsbury, Will Schuester, and even sweaty Jacob.
The only thing I was really missing while reading the novel was the lack of music and singing. The characters did "sing" and "dance" to particular songs, but it helps to take advantage of Youtube if you want to have the full experience.
Anyways, the book is true to form, right down to Sue Sylvester's hilariously-vile comments, Finn's adorable naivety, Rachel's incredibly self-involved attitude, and Kurt's sense of style. I also appreciated that the book helped me to better appreciate Artie's and Tina's characters, as I got to see how they interacted with each other and the thoughts that went through their heads. Tina apparently has an artistic side that comes out in the novel. I also got to see more of the difficulty that Artie deals with daily using a wheelchair. All of the other familiar characters make appearances, as well, such as Miss Emma Pillsbury, Will Schuester, and even sweaty Jacob.
The only thing I was really missing while reading the novel was the lack of music and singing. The characters did "sing" and "dance" to particular songs, but it helps to take advantage of Youtube if you want to have the full experience.
I spent a whole day without eating and the whole night without sleeping in order to think, but it was of no use. I got nothing out of it. Thinking cannot compare with studying - Confucius
Shing-Tung Yau along with Steve Nadis take us on a journey of a life in the pursuit of the universes hidden geometry. Their journey goes from China to Hong Kong and leads to San Francisco and Berkeley. Who knew looking for a topic for your dissertation at Berkeley would lead to a life long study in geometry. I found his realizations profound how Shing-Tung Yau made his decisions. This is a wonderful read for not just mathematician it goes beyond that it goes to the equation within all of us and the search we are all on to solve the Shape of Life. This wonderfully written book for a mathematician is a dream with the equations and answers with steps included allows others to understand the complex thinking of Shing-Tung Yau and Steve Nadis and why they found their conclusions are both profound and completely unique not that no one has not thought of them before but the way they found the conclusions was what made them so profound. The deeper meaning beyond the math makes this by far one of my most favorite books of all time.
Shing-Tung Yau along with Steve Nadis take us on a journey of a life in the pursuit of the universes hidden geometry. Their journey goes from China to Hong Kong and leads to San Francisco and Berkeley. Who knew looking for a topic for your dissertation at Berkeley would lead to a life long study in geometry. I found his realizations profound how Shing-Tung Yau made his decisions. This is a wonderful read for not just mathematician it goes beyond that it goes to the equation within all of us and the search we are all on to solve the Shape of Life. This wonderfully written book for a mathematician is a dream with the equations and answers with steps included allows others to understand the complex thinking of Shing-Tung Yau and Steve Nadis and why they found their conclusions are both profound and completely unique not that no one has not thought of them before but the way they found the conclusions was what made them so profound. The deeper meaning beyond the math makes this by far one of my most favorite books of all time.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Wild Rose (2018) in Movies
Apr 16, 2019 (Updated Apr 16, 2019)
A Star is Paroled, More Like
Scottish-set take on the same kind of material as A Star is Born features a terrific performance (both acting and musical) from Jessie Buckley, and much less material about people falling in love or weeing themselves on stage. Talented but off-the-rails young woman comes out of prison, tries to reconnect with her mother and children, plans (not very realistically) to go to Nashville and become a country star. (The point is repeatedly made that country music is not the same as country and western music, but this is possibly not the venue to be pedantic in.) Features a cameo by Whispering Bob Harris, who gives an oddly unconvincing performance even though he's playing himself.
Buckley is tremendous, as noted, but Julie Walters is equally good as her disapproving mum (no singing from Walters, though); the film plays engagingly with audience expectations and - to its credit - resists the temptation to suggest there are easy answers to life's questions. It works really hard to earn its moments of triumph and joy: there is some real heartbreak along the way, and the film suggests that while being dedicated to your dreams is all very well, it can also make you a horrible person to be around. Cheats a bit at the very end, but has earned the right to by that point, I would say.
Buckley is tremendous, as noted, but Julie Walters is equally good as her disapproving mum (no singing from Walters, though); the film plays engagingly with audience expectations and - to its credit - resists the temptation to suggest there are easy answers to life's questions. It works really hard to earn its moments of triumph and joy: there is some real heartbreak along the way, and the film suggests that while being dedicated to your dreams is all very well, it can also make you a horrible person to be around. Cheats a bit at the very end, but has earned the right to by that point, I would say.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Bitter Edge (DI Kelly Porter #4) in Books
May 22, 2019
With thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.
DI Kelly Porter is back, but so is an old foe and this time he won’t back down...
When a teenage girl flings herself off a cliff in pursuit of a gruesome death, DI Kelly Porter is left asking why. Ruled a suicide, there’s no official reason for Kelly to chase answers, but as several of her team’s cases converge on the girl’s school, a new, darker story emerges. One which will bring Kelly face-to-face with an old foe determined to take back what is rightfully his – no matter the cost.
This is another DI Kelly Porter and is no less exciting than the others. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the plot twist was very unexpected. The setting is in the beautiful Lake District and the author does a great job with the descriptions.
The characters are very well developed and the story flows so well and fast paced.
The story line has different threads which are never dropped and weave nicely together, is written with empathy towards teenagers and the pressures they are under in this social media/digital age. This is a very different direction from the previous 3 she has written.
I'm not going to give any of the plot away.
I loved the book and highly recommend.
DI Kelly Porter is back, but so is an old foe and this time he won’t back down...
When a teenage girl flings herself off a cliff in pursuit of a gruesome death, DI Kelly Porter is left asking why. Ruled a suicide, there’s no official reason for Kelly to chase answers, but as several of her team’s cases converge on the girl’s school, a new, darker story emerges. One which will bring Kelly face-to-face with an old foe determined to take back what is rightfully his – no matter the cost.
This is another DI Kelly Porter and is no less exciting than the others. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the plot twist was very unexpected. The setting is in the beautiful Lake District and the author does a great job with the descriptions.
The characters are very well developed and the story flows so well and fast paced.
The story line has different threads which are never dropped and weave nicely together, is written with empathy towards teenagers and the pressures they are under in this social media/digital age. This is a very different direction from the previous 3 she has written.
I'm not going to give any of the plot away.
I loved the book and highly recommend.
Micah Ulibarri (79 KP) rated Rebel Force Radio: Star Wars Podcast in Podcasts
Mar 27, 2018
The Star Wars podcast with the longest track record of any Star Wars podcast. Jason Swank and Jimmy Mac work tirelessly on giving you all the Star Wars every week.
They are both guys with long time radio and podcasting pedigrees so it comes as no surprise that their show is always well edited and has great production value.
They always bring on great guest stars including Rebels creator Dave Filoni among others. You can always count on well rounded Star Wars discussion.
They also do voicemail responses to fans on the show so if you want to join the discussion, there is always an opportunity.
The only downside I have with them is at times they react to things without doing a lot of investigating, which I think is a big negative for easily the most downloaded Star Wars podcast ever. There have been a number of times I have known answers to questions they ask or know why something they go off on makes perfect sense. And I don't just mean inane Star Wars trivia. I just mean I read the basic officially released stuff all the way through before reacting.
Otherwise they are great and always entertaining. You are pretty much not part of the Star Wars community discussion if you don't tune in to them at least occasionally.
They are both guys with long time radio and podcasting pedigrees so it comes as no surprise that their show is always well edited and has great production value.
They always bring on great guest stars including Rebels creator Dave Filoni among others. You can always count on well rounded Star Wars discussion.
They also do voicemail responses to fans on the show so if you want to join the discussion, there is always an opportunity.
The only downside I have with them is at times they react to things without doing a lot of investigating, which I think is a big negative for easily the most downloaded Star Wars podcast ever. There have been a number of times I have known answers to questions they ask or know why something they go off on makes perfect sense. And I don't just mean inane Star Wars trivia. I just mean I read the basic officially released stuff all the way through before reacting.
Otherwise they are great and always entertaining. You are pretty much not part of the Star Wars community discussion if you don't tune in to them at least occasionally.
Debbiereadsbook (1171 KP) rated Beloved Lives in Books
May 28, 2018
doesn't quite work for me
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
And I gotta be honest here, it was very touch and go whether I would actually finish this!
The story tells of April, and Mitch and Weston. April only has her say here, and I would probably have enjoyed in more if the guys had had a say.
April and Winston have history, ancient history. And through time, they have, according to Weston, found each other and lived long and happy lives. But something doesn't ring true for April and she uses Mitch skill at hypnotherapy and past life regression to finally get some answers.
Like I said, touch and go for a while. I got way past half way, and I still wasn't able to figure out what was going on, and where this was going. But I kept at it, hoping it would make sense at some point. It did, but only once it was all revealed in the book.
It's not overly explicit, but there is some violence when they talk about how it all began. It's well written and I saw no editing or spelling errors.
It just didn't work for me.
But for a first time author, well done.
3 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
And I gotta be honest here, it was very touch and go whether I would actually finish this!
The story tells of April, and Mitch and Weston. April only has her say here, and I would probably have enjoyed in more if the guys had had a say.
April and Winston have history, ancient history. And through time, they have, according to Weston, found each other and lived long and happy lives. But something doesn't ring true for April and she uses Mitch skill at hypnotherapy and past life regression to finally get some answers.
Like I said, touch and go for a while. I got way past half way, and I still wasn't able to figure out what was going on, and where this was going. But I kept at it, hoping it would make sense at some point. It did, but only once it was all revealed in the book.
It's not overly explicit, but there is some violence when they talk about how it all began. It's well written and I saw no editing or spelling errors.
It just didn't work for me.
But for a first time author, well done.
3 solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Kristin (149 KP) rated The Officially Unofficial Files of Dr. Gordon B. Gray in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Dr. Gray is basically a genius, having obtained a professorship by the age of 23. However, his intelligence is about to be put to the ultimate test as an old friend of the family drags him into one of the strangest occurrences he could ever imagine. All but one member of a family who were the sole inhabitants of a small town in West Virginia have vanished without a trace, and the military has been tasked with the who/what/why and how of the situation. Soon, Gray will find himself travelling the globe in search for answers, trying to protect himself and the mission along the way. Just what caused the disappearance, and why is it happening again?
This book was definitely interesting, and I never wanted to put it down. It was fresh and unlike anything I'd read before, and I was hooked from the start. Gray is a fun character to read about, as he's one of those immensely-intelligent individuals who doesn't really work well in the social arena, but his leaps and bounds regarding the issues of the case at hand were astounding. I've always been interested in the Tunguska event, and this just helped fuel the fire to find out what really happened. Awesome story!
5 stars
Dr. Gray is basically a genius, having obtained a professorship by the age of 23. However, his intelligence is about to be put to the ultimate test as an old friend of the family drags him into one of the strangest occurrences he could ever imagine. All but one member of a family who were the sole inhabitants of a small town in West Virginia have vanished without a trace, and the military has been tasked with the who/what/why and how of the situation. Soon, Gray will find himself travelling the globe in search for answers, trying to protect himself and the mission along the way. Just what caused the disappearance, and why is it happening again?
This book was definitely interesting, and I never wanted to put it down. It was fresh and unlike anything I'd read before, and I was hooked from the start. Gray is a fun character to read about, as he's one of those immensely-intelligent individuals who doesn't really work well in the social arena, but his leaps and bounds regarding the issues of the case at hand were astounding. I've always been interested in the Tunguska event, and this just helped fuel the fire to find out what really happened. Awesome story!
5 stars
Shane Crick (5 KP) rated Haven, Kansas in Books
Dec 10, 2018
A charismatic teenager, Lora Is a firm believer of the supernatural, and enjoys dabbling In witchcraft with her best friend Erin. When an unfortunate Incident occurs and a secret room Is discovered, Lora's world Is put Into a tailspin. Along with her pesky young brother Connor, their older Brother Luke, her boyfriend Ryan and her friend Spencer, they find themselves engulfed within a Haven mystery. A mysterious book holds the answers they need to stop the plight of an evil spirit, but something keeps hampering them from solving the clues. Enlisting the help of their parents, all parties work vigilantly to help stop this vengeful spirit before anymore deaths occur. The fate of Haven, Kansas lye within their hands.
Although geared toward a Young Adult crowd, many older adults will also enjoy this book. More so, If your a fan of horror and/or the supernatural. I found myself really enjoying this book as each chapter progressed and found It hard to put down at times. The storyline keeps you enthralled with wanting to know what will happen and It even has some surprise moments that you won't be expecting. This adds more depth to the story and pulls you In like a magnet wanting to know what the outcome will be. Grab a copy for yourself and find out what Haven, Kansas has In store.
Although geared toward a Young Adult crowd, many older adults will also enjoy this book. More so, If your a fan of horror and/or the supernatural. I found myself really enjoying this book as each chapter progressed and found It hard to put down at times. The storyline keeps you enthralled with wanting to know what will happen and It even has some surprise moments that you won't be expecting. This adds more depth to the story and pulls you In like a magnet wanting to know what the outcome will be. Grab a copy for yourself and find out what Haven, Kansas has In store.
Merissa (11958 KP) rated Edge Jump in Books
Jul 7, 2018
Edge Jump by Elizabeth Noble
Edge Jump starts off with the death of Brett's sister, who is also Rylan's skating partner. The police are treating it as an attempted mugging. Brett wants answers, and hopes Rylan can provide at least some of them. When they meet up with each other again, neither of them wants to deny the attraction. Making their relationship work though, proves more difficult due to outside forces than either of them imagined.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and found it to be very well written. Rylan is new to 'the scene', but already knows what he wants. Brett is scared at the thought of having a 'forever' someone, but isn't able to stop moving forward with Rylan. The mystery side of it wasn't that mysterious, but I still enjoyed it. I couldn't quite understand the culmination of the mystery (without giving anything away) as I don't see how they could have got away with it, but nevermind.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this was a great M_M romance, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and found it to be very well written. Rylan is new to 'the scene', but already knows what he wants. Brett is scared at the thought of having a 'forever' someone, but isn't able to stop moving forward with Rylan. The mystery side of it wasn't that mysterious, but I still enjoyed it. I couldn't quite understand the culmination of the mystery (without giving anything away) as I don't see how they could have got away with it, but nevermind.
With no editing or grammatical errors to disrupt my reading flow, this was a great M_M romance, and I would have no hesitation in recommending it.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!