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Woody Allen recommended The World of S.J. Perelman in Books (curated)
Ross (3282 KP) rated Static Age by Misfits in Music
Nov 9, 2017
This is the Misfits album in my view, despite not having been issued when it was recorded in 1978 (failing to find a label it was shelved and while a number of the songs were released on various compilations and collections over the years they all had guitar and bass re-dubbed. The original recordings weren't released until 1996) . All but a few of my favourite Misfits songs are here (She, Hollywood Babylon, Teenagers from Mars etc) and there isn't really anything on it that I don't like.
There is a good number of classic punk songs (Last Caress, Hybrid Moments, Attitude) but also a number of more brooding (likely more Danzig-driven) songs that show another side (She, Theme for a Jackal).
This is a band at its peak - the songwriting is on point, Danzig's voice was never better and they seem to have put so much into it, only for it to be shelved and not released for some time after.
There is a good number of classic punk songs (Last Caress, Hybrid Moments, Attitude) but also a number of more brooding (likely more Danzig-driven) songs that show another side (She, Theme for a Jackal).
This is a band at its peak - the songwriting is on point, Danzig's voice was never better and they seem to have put so much into it, only for it to be shelved and not released for some time after.
ClareR (5561 KP) rated Mouthful of Birds in Books
Apr 11, 2019
An interesting collection of stories.
When I read an anthology of short stories, I don’t expect to like all of them, and I did have my favourites in this collection, with titles such as: ‘Headlights’, ‘Mouthful of Birds’ and ‘Preserves’. These, and the rest of the stories in this collection, all start off as being quite ‘normal’, nothing overly startling, but they’re lulling you in to a false sense of security. They are all decidedly quirky, uncomfortable, menacing stories.
I think collections of stories like this are generally better as books that are dipped in and out of, and used as a palate cleanser every now and again. To read them all one after the other doesn’t do them the justice that they deserve.
I am very interested to see where Schweblin goes with her next novel, she has a very interesting imagination!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Oneworld Publications, for my copy of this book.
I think collections of stories like this are generally better as books that are dipped in and out of, and used as a palate cleanser every now and again. To read them all one after the other doesn’t do them the justice that they deserve.
I am very interested to see where Schweblin goes with her next novel, she has a very interesting imagination!
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, Oneworld Publications, for my copy of this book.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Random Body Parts: Gross Anatomy Riddles in Verse in Books
Nov 14, 2018
<i>ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, thank you.</i>
I imagine this book would look really nice as a glossy, A4, paperback. Bright, colourful and attractive with cute little drawings and speech bubbles. Visually, this is definitely a winner. After reading this book I understand that it definitely isn't aimed at my age group, I'm too old and my daughter is too young *sad face* although I believe it's something I would of liked when I was younger.
I requested this because as a child I was fascinated with the human body and now...I just like gross stuff.
The poetry element was a nice surprise, although towards the end it was a bit of a mish-mash (are we learning about the human body or Shakespeare?).
If you're interested in the human body with an extra dose of ickyness then I recommend The Horrible Science collection. I love those collections!
I imagine this book would look really nice as a glossy, A4, paperback. Bright, colourful and attractive with cute little drawings and speech bubbles. Visually, this is definitely a winner. After reading this book I understand that it definitely isn't aimed at my age group, I'm too old and my daughter is too young *sad face* although I believe it's something I would of liked when I was younger.
I requested this because as a child I was fascinated with the human body and now...I just like gross stuff.
The poetry element was a nice surprise, although towards the end it was a bit of a mish-mash (are we learning about the human body or Shakespeare?).
If you're interested in the human body with an extra dose of ickyness then I recommend The Horrible Science collection. I love those collections!
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated With This Ring?: A Novella Collection of Proposals Gone Awry in Books
Jan 2, 2019
This was a very entertaining collection of stories. I was thoroughly entertained with these proposals gone awry. From Texas 1879, to Kansas 1901, there are enough laughs and gasps to go around.
I love reading novella collections because it gives you a taste of the author's style. The love of reading does have a lot to do with finding a book, genre, author "to spark your fancy". I went several years without reading much because I was trying to force myself to read a style that I just wasn't interested in. Now, I have read more in half a year than I typically read in several years put together. I have read several books by Mary Connealy, but this was my first taste of the other authors. I can honestly say that I am looking forward to reading their full length novels now. Very humorous and sprinkled with faith. This novella collection is the perfect combination of stories for any reader who loves a good western romance.
I love reading novella collections because it gives you a taste of the author's style. The love of reading does have a lot to do with finding a book, genre, author "to spark your fancy". I went several years without reading much because I was trying to force myself to read a style that I just wasn't interested in. Now, I have read more in half a year than I typically read in several years put together. I have read several books by Mary Connealy, but this was my first taste of the other authors. I can honestly say that I am looking forward to reading their full length novels now. Very humorous and sprinkled with faith. This novella collection is the perfect combination of stories for any reader who loves a good western romance.
Lottie disney bookworm (1056 KP) rated Wonderland: Alice in Poetry in Books
Nov 27, 2019
Can anybody truly say,
Had you never come our way,
Alice, where we'd be today?
If you love Alice and Wonderland then this is the book for you. Some poems you will know, such as the iconic 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' but there are also some new pieces, inspired by the classic tale, waiting to be discovered.
This collections comprises of 53 poems which was much larger than I was expecting. Obviously, OBVIOUSLY a lot of these are penned by Lewis Carroll: it would be sacrilegious otherwise. However, I was impressed by the inclusion of modern poets in order to appeal to the younger reader: even Facebook gets a mention!
The illustrations by Sir John Tenniel are perfect and I loved the italic additions throughout the book which educate the reader as to the inspiration behind the verses.
An anthology of fantasy; this collection is perfect for our busy lives when we need a quick five minutes of escapism.
Had you never come our way,
Alice, where we'd be today?
If you love Alice and Wonderland then this is the book for you. Some poems you will know, such as the iconic 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' but there are also some new pieces, inspired by the classic tale, waiting to be discovered.
This collections comprises of 53 poems which was much larger than I was expecting. Obviously, OBVIOUSLY a lot of these are penned by Lewis Carroll: it would be sacrilegious otherwise. However, I was impressed by the inclusion of modern poets in order to appeal to the younger reader: even Facebook gets a mention!
The illustrations by Sir John Tenniel are perfect and I loved the italic additions throughout the book which educate the reader as to the inspiration behind the verses.
An anthology of fantasy; this collection is perfect for our busy lives when we need a quick five minutes of escapism.
Ross (3282 KP) rated American Psycho by Misfits in Music
Nov 9, 2017
Some of the best misfits songs are on here (1 more)
Jerry Only still not singing
This, the first "Misfits" album without founding member and singer Glenn Danzig, was always going to be divisive. People who loved Glenn Danzig would not love this. But taken in its own right it had a lot of promise.
I personally really like Michale Graves' voice but I do have to remind myself they are in theory the same band as he makes the songs sound very different to the Danzig-era ones. The songs here are a lot more fun, more sing-a-long than the old incarnation of the band but at the same time there feels like a lot less substance.
If in a certain mood, I would pick this album over Static Age or one of the Collections, but would probably skip a few songs in the middle.
But in hindsight, knowing what was to come later with Jerry singing I think we can all agree it could have been worse!
I personally really like Michale Graves' voice but I do have to remind myself they are in theory the same band as he makes the songs sound very different to the Danzig-era ones. The songs here are a lot more fun, more sing-a-long than the old incarnation of the band but at the same time there feels like a lot less substance.
If in a certain mood, I would pick this album over Static Age or one of the Collections, but would probably skip a few songs in the middle.
But in hindsight, knowing what was to come later with Jerry singing I think we can all agree it could have been worse!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Rags & Bones: New Twists on Timeless Tales in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rags and bones stripped down stories that were important to the author and allowed for a new telling, a blank canvas, a skeleton for new musculature. it was one of the most interesting collections I've ever read and every story had something interesting about it. The writers selected to participate in the project were all excellent. Some of the stories I was able to figure out which story they came from, but others I didn’t know, and some I intend to read. I really liked that each story had an author’s note explaining their reason for picking the story they did.
I don’t typically like short stories because I feel like I can’t get into the story until I’m being pulled out again because it’s over. And I did definitely stop between stories and think about each one for a while. But I was impressed and enraptured with Rags and Bones. It is one of my new favorites. I recommend it to anyone who likes short stories, or who needs something to think through.
I don’t typically like short stories because I feel like I can’t get into the story until I’m being pulled out again because it’s over. And I did definitely stop between stories and think about each one for a while. But I was impressed and enraptured with Rags and Bones. It is one of my new favorites. I recommend it to anyone who likes short stories, or who needs something to think through.
Akward (448 KP) rated Pandemic in Tabletop Games
May 24, 2018
Cooperative (1 more)
Thematically interesting
Pandemic is a lot of board gamers first cooperative game, and for that it has a lot of value. A lot of people have fond memories getting destroyed over and over, feeling that their first win was a big accomplishment. Unfortunately, after your first few wins, the game loses a lot of its charm. You start to recognize the patterns, and can pretty much tell within the first few terms if your group is going to win. As a result, this game is likely gathering dust in a lot of people's collections: too nostalgic to sell, but not good enough to play.
The game also suffers a lot of the basic problems of cooperative games. Experienced players quarterbacking is common. The randomness of the cards drawn is frustrating. The roles drawn don't always work well together (and can largely dictate if you win).
Overall, I would still recommend this to a new board gamer. But I would still probably recommend the Legacy versions more highly.
The game also suffers a lot of the basic problems of cooperative games. Experienced players quarterbacking is common. The randomness of the cards drawn is frustrating. The roles drawn don't always work well together (and can largely dictate if you win).
Overall, I would still recommend this to a new board gamer. But I would still probably recommend the Legacy versions more highly.
Smashbomb (4683 KP) created a post in Smashbomb AMA
Mar 6, 2019 (Updated Mar 26, 2019)
