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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2196 KP) rated 1984 Nineteen Eighty-Four in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Travel to Oceania in this look at a world that was taken over by socialists. We follow Winston Smith as he lives out his life under the constant watchful eye of Big Brother. His vague memories of freedom lead him to hope for another revolution. Can he help in some way? What will happen when he starts an affair with a beautiful woman?
I read this book in high school, and it is just as sobering today as it was back then. Yes, as a novel it is a bit slow, but it does draw you in enough to really drive home the points Orwell is making. Sadly, as our technology begins to catch up to the technology Orwell created, our country begins to walk down this path as well thanks to politicians on both sides. This is a warning we still need to heed today.
You can read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-1984-by-george-orwell.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I read this book in high school, and it is just as sobering today as it was back then. Yes, as a novel it is a bit slow, but it does draw you in enough to really drive home the points Orwell is making. Sadly, as our technology begins to catch up to the technology Orwell created, our country begins to walk down this path as well thanks to politicians on both sides. This is a warning we still need to heed today.
You can read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/04/book-review-1984-by-george-orwell.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2196 KP) rated What Pet Should I Get? in Books
Mar 9, 2018
When a brother and a sister arrive in a pet shop to pick out a new pet, they are faced with so many wonderful choices. Will they pick a dog, a cat…or something more exotic?
You can tell that Dr. Seuss didn’t think this was his best work and that’s why he gave up on it. The rhymes are almost there, but they aren’t as good as some of his books. Same with the rhythm of the lines. By the time we get to some of Seuss’s trademark imaginary creatures (and there are only two of them), they feel forced into the book. Never mind the fact that we never answer the title question. Fortunately, the illustrations live up to the Seuss name. It’s not a bad book, but it’s not one to rush out and buy, either, which is what I suspected before picking it up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-what-pet-should-i-get-by-dr.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
You can tell that Dr. Seuss didn’t think this was his best work and that’s why he gave up on it. The rhymes are almost there, but they aren’t as good as some of his books. Same with the rhythm of the lines. By the time we get to some of Seuss’s trademark imaginary creatures (and there are only two of them), they feel forced into the book. Never mind the fact that we never answer the title question. Fortunately, the illustrations live up to the Seuss name. It’s not a bad book, but it’s not one to rush out and buy, either, which is what I suspected before picking it up.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-what-pet-should-i-get-by-dr.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2196 KP) rated Murder with Ganache (Key West Food Critic Mystery, #4) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Hayley's family is coming to town for her best friend's wedding, but things get off to a rocky start with her teenage step-brother. When he goes off to explore on his own and disappears, the family begins to panic. Will they find him? What might he have gotten into?
This was my introduction to the series, and I'm regretting that. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was great and completely pulled me in. While the characters could have been a little better introduced to those of us who don't know the series, I didn't have too much of a hard time getting them all figured out. The ending could have been a little smoother, but everything was explained by the end. I'm going to have to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-murder-with-ganache-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This was my introduction to the series, and I'm regretting that. I really enjoyed this book. The plot was great and completely pulled me in. While the characters could have been a little better introduced to those of us who don't know the series, I didn't have too much of a hard time getting them all figured out. The ending could have been a little smoother, but everything was explained by the end. I'm going to have to go back and read the earlier books in the series.
NOTE: I was sent an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/01/book-review-murder-with-ganache-by-lucy.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Naomi's Gift (Kauffman Amish Bakery -- Christmas Stories #2) in Books
Feb 15, 2018
This story keep my interest but it did not take my heart to want to a point where I was wanting to know to What going to happen next. I will say this it is good read and a Christmas story to itself. I hope it was meant to stand alone. Just my thought because I liked does not meant it will be for you it up to you to decide.
In the beginning of the story, Caleb and his daughter Susie (Susan) are coming to visit Caleb family. Susie want to stop at the market to get a pie or something to take to her Aunt Sadie's place. They stop in the farmer market. Susie run to a quilt stand and starts talking to Naomi King.
The Kauffmans are some what talked about though out the book. Though most of the story is around Caleb, Susie and Naomi along with a snip of Kaffuman family. It centered around the Christmas season. You see Caleb's sister side of the story as well and try to match her brother up with Irene Wranger.
In the beginning of the story, Caleb and his daughter Susie (Susan) are coming to visit Caleb family. Susie want to stop at the market to get a pie or something to take to her Aunt Sadie's place. They stop in the farmer market. Susie run to a quilt stand and starts talking to Naomi King.
The Kauffmans are some what talked about though out the book. Though most of the story is around Caleb, Susie and Naomi along with a snip of Kaffuman family. It centered around the Christmas season. You see Caleb's sister side of the story as well and try to match her brother up with Irene Wranger.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Love Unexpected (Beacons of Hope, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
What a sweet story this book is. Emma and her brother Ryan start out on a steamer boat. They are attack by pirates. Emma see that the steam boat catch fire. Emma and Ryan jump into the lake and are now trying to survive. Patrick see the steam boat catch fire.
Things start to happen once they arrive to the island. Patrick is in need of a wife to watch over his son Joisah. There are secrets and a romance and a traveling preachers believe they may be answers to each other problems. Can they find the true meaningful word of wife and husband. Will Emma find her own home? Though for having faith you need to believe in god himself and not believe in people. You can not put all your faith in people you love to have all that you need. Does Patrick, Emma or Ryan find that faith? Do they find Joisah? To know these answer and more you need to read the book. Will Patrick get over his Past?
Things start to happen once they arrive to the island. Patrick is in need of a wife to watch over his son Joisah. There are secrets and a romance and a traveling preachers believe they may be answers to each other problems. Can they find the true meaningful word of wife and husband. Will Emma find her own home? Though for having faith you need to believe in god himself and not believe in people. You can not put all your faith in people you love to have all that you need. Does Patrick, Emma or Ryan find that faith? Do they find Joisah? To know these answer and more you need to read the book. Will Patrick get over his Past?
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated Thief of Glory in Books
Feb 15, 2018
This a story about a young boy. He thinks his family is good. When the Japanese come and take over by putting all the mother and children in a camp. Jeremiah is the one who need to watch over his siblings and mother. His older stepbrothers and his father are hauled away to work for the Japanese. This all starts shortly after his tenth birthday. It also when he see his love for the first time at a marble game. He also meets Charles (American).
Jeremiah see what goes on and want to help Dutch out at the camp. He has his adventures. Though things start to happen with his mother. He find out the truth of what his other was doing to each of his siblings. Jeremiah does something and his little brother. Things happen and Jeremiah and Laura start a friendship of hardships and many other things. To know what all went on in Jeremiah life you will need to pick this book up to read.
Jeremiah see what goes on and want to help Dutch out at the camp. He has his adventures. Though things start to happen with his mother. He find out the truth of what his other was doing to each of his siblings. Jeremiah does something and his little brother. Things happen and Jeremiah and Laura start a friendship of hardships and many other things. To know what all went on in Jeremiah life you will need to pick this book up to read.
Merissa (12032 KP) rated The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) in Books
Mar 26, 2018
The Mating (Law of the Lycans #2) by Nicky Charles
In The Mating we meet Kane and Elise. Kane we have heard mentioned in Bonded, but Elise is a new character. They get together for political reasons, although Elise had a boyfriend. However, once she spends time with Kane, she finds she is thinking less of Bryan than she thought she would. Mix into the story a woman who wants what Elisa has, an oil company who wants to drill, a half-brother with murder on his mind, and you get a great story.
I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I found The Mating to be very well-written, with plenty of characters to like and dislike. Although at times, I really REALLY wanted the other characters to catch onto what was going on, it still played a part of the story, and I just had to wait until they caught up. With a steady pace, and some steamy times too, this book was thoroughly enjoyable, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
* Verified Purchase ~ April 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2196 KP) rated Lost Beneath Manhattan in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Ricky Kidd’s class trip to New York City turns into a disaster when he has to take his six-year-old brother with him. Joel is always disappearing, even at home, so Ricky is worried that Joel will do that on the trip. When an encounter with a security guard at a museum frightens him, Joel takes off, and Ricky begins to search for him. Where will the search lead him?
Author Sigmund Brower does a good job of making the premise believable. Of course, it doesn’t take much in a middle grade series for readers to root for the main characters to solve the crime. The book takes a little while to take off, but once it does, it never lets go until we reach the climax. The characters are a lot of fun; they get a lot of personality for a short book. Ricky wondering how God can allow suffering adds some depth to an already solid story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-lost-beneath-manhattan-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Author Sigmund Brower does a good job of making the premise believable. Of course, it doesn’t take much in a middle grade series for readers to root for the main characters to solve the crime. The book takes a little while to take off, but once it does, it never lets go until we reach the climax. The characters are a lot of fun; they get a lot of personality for a short book. Ricky wondering how God can allow suffering adds some depth to an already solid story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/09/book-review-lost-beneath-manhattan-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2196 KP) rated Peaches and Scream (Georgia Peach Mystery, #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Nola Mae Harper is returning to her home town of Cays Mill, Georgia, and her family’s peach farm to help run it while her parents take a three week cruise. However, she’s hardly arrived when she finds the body of the owner of the local lumber mill in the peach orchard. Worse yet, her brother-in-law is arrest for the crime. She and her siblings quickly close ranks and try to clear his name. But can they do it?
This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-peaches-and-scream-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This may be a debut, but the town and the residents came to life for me right away. Nola and her family are wonderfully strong characters I can’t wait to visit again. Plus I loved their family bond. The plot was great with a steady pace an ending that surprised me. Truly, a sweet debut.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/07/book-review-peaches-and-scream-by-susan.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Loz Hughes (80 KP) rated Big Hero 6 (2014) in Movies
Jul 14, 2018
The storyline (3 more)
The setting
The characters felt solid and real in their personalities (the brothers(
Baymax ofc
Made me cry.
Contains spoilers, click to show
Loved this film, real solid family animation. I can see it being a firm favourite still in years to come.
The loss of his brother in the fire was quite visceral and I teared up bad (im a sucker for a good storyline and emotion), it was almost on par with the loss of mufasa from the Lion king, (still gets me).
I like the portrayal of a slightly different angle where intelligence is actually promoted and displayed- the university and college scenes, rather than the usual hero plot.
The only niggle I had with the film was that the villian storyline seemed a bit off, it was great until you learnt it was all a plot to get revenge for his daughter that then turned into a rescue mission and they are reunited at the end, just appeared a bit lacklustre but then I have to remember its a kids film and not be so critical!
The loss of his brother in the fire was quite visceral and I teared up bad (im a sucker for a good storyline and emotion), it was almost on par with the loss of mufasa from the Lion king, (still gets me).
I like the portrayal of a slightly different angle where intelligence is actually promoted and displayed- the university and college scenes, rather than the usual hero plot.
The only niggle I had with the film was that the villian storyline seemed a bit off, it was great until you learnt it was all a plot to get revenge for his daughter that then turned into a rescue mission and they are reunited at the end, just appeared a bit lacklustre but then I have to remember its a kids film and not be so critical!