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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2352 KP) rated No Cats Allowed (Cat in the Stacks, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The Athena College Library has a new director, and Oscar Reilly seems determined to drive all the staff away. The heads of the library’s departments hate him and Charlie’s friend Melba is ready to quit. In fact, Charlie’s issue, that Oscar is claiming allergies as a reason that Charlie can’t bring his cat Diesel to work anymore, seems minor. It’s not terribly surprising when Oscar turns up dead, but who actually killed him?
Those who like this series will love this installment. The characters are as delightful as ever, and we get some advancement on series plot threads. The murder is set up well with good suspects and motives that Charlie has to work his way through until we reach the logical solution. This is my favorite to date in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-no-cats-allowed-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Those who like this series will love this installment. The characters are as delightful as ever, and we get some advancement on series plot threads. The murder is set up well with good suspects and motives that Charlie has to work his way through until we reach the logical solution. This is my favorite to date in the series.
NOTE: I received a copy of this book in hopes I would review it.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/12/book-review-no-cats-allowed-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated When Dreams Come True in Books
Jun 18, 2018
When Dreams Come True by Rebecca Emin is the story of the awkward phase when children transition from being children to becoming teenagers. It is a middle-grade novel, written in first person, from the point of view of a thirteen-year-old girl named Charlie. Readers follow Charlie as she struggles with the changes she and her friends; Max, Toby, and Allie are going through.
This book is a fairly simple plot with not much happening but this did not in any way make the book boring. It was a quick read with characters who were relatable. I wish the plot line was more explained and fully developed. The writing struggled a bit with not having a uniquing voice and the dialogue was a bit unrealistic.
Other than the underdeveloped plot and unrealistic dialogue, When Dreams Come True was a good read.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
I received this book from Gingersnap books via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
This book is a fairly simple plot with not much happening but this did not in any way make the book boring. It was a quick read with characters who were relatable. I wish the plot line was more explained and fully developed. The writing struggled a bit with not having a uniquing voice and the dialogue was a bit unrealistic.
Other than the underdeveloped plot and unrealistic dialogue, When Dreams Come True was a good read.
I give this book 3/5 stars.
I received this book from Gingersnap books via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Fran Donohoe (856 KP) rated Atomic Blonde (2017) in Movies
Aug 11, 2017
Should be atomic bomb
What can I say ,this was suppose to set Charlie theron as a action hero but fell way off the mark, the story is confusing at best action sequences are over choreographed ,having said that it has a brilliant 80's soundtrack with lesser known songs from that time and a great support cast including James mcavoy,john goodman and toby Jones
Auburn (57 KP) rated Save the Date in Books
Apr 10, 2019
There was so much more to this than I was expecting. It is a subtle romance instead of all about the romance. Instead the book focuses on family, future, and saving face.
I read this in one sitting and absolutely loved it. The characters were hilarious and you wanted to take the rose colored glasses off Charlie through the whole thing. I highly recommend if you are looking for a contemporary to read!
I read this in one sitting and absolutely loved it. The characters were hilarious and you wanted to take the rose colored glasses off Charlie through the whole thing. I highly recommend if you are looking for a contemporary to read!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan, #1) in Books
Jan 8, 2021
Hmm...I enjoyed some bits of this book, others bored me into skipping entire paragraphs. Also the lack of a love interest annoyed me. I like romance in my books and I think Charlie needed a guy in this.
Not sure if I'll be continuing the series.
P.S. Also since this series doesn't seem to be completed, or being completed anytime soon, that has put me reading any more of the books.
Not sure if I'll be continuing the series.
P.S. Also since this series doesn't seem to be completed, or being completed anytime soon, that has put me reading any more of the books.
Anil Kapoor recommended The Great Dictator (1940) in Movies (curated)
Dutch (59 KP) rated The Burning Soul in Books
Feb 22, 2019
What's the worst thing you have ever done?
The worse thing Randall Haight has ever done was killing a 14-year-old girl when he was only a child himself. Now someone seems to have discovered his secret and is tormenting him anonymously, and, to further complicate things a 14-year-old girl has gone missing in the same town that Randall lives in.
Charlie Parker takes on the case against his better judgement as it brings back painful memories of the death of his own daughter and he also finds himself up against a mobster by the name of Tommy Morris, the FBI and a police chief who may have secrets of his own.
As a rule I generally navigate towards horror but in the Charlie Parker series John Connolly has crafted a multi-layered world that mixes in supernatural elements and a superb supporting cast (Louis, Angel, the Collector) as well as great writing, a flawed (but likeable) main character and most importantly stories that draw me in totally. In fact I would put John Connolly up there with Stephen King as one of my favourite authors and I absolutely cannot get enough of the Charlie Parker series. If you have a love for the crime or horror genres there is no excuse for not diving into this series.
The next book in the series is The Wrath of Angels and it marks the return of the Collecter and promises to bring back the more supernatural/horror elements of the series and that is certainly not a bad thing.
Charlie Parker takes on the case against his better judgement as it brings back painful memories of the death of his own daughter and he also finds himself up against a mobster by the name of Tommy Morris, the FBI and a police chief who may have secrets of his own.
As a rule I generally navigate towards horror but in the Charlie Parker series John Connolly has crafted a multi-layered world that mixes in supernatural elements and a superb supporting cast (Louis, Angel, the Collector) as well as great writing, a flawed (but likeable) main character and most importantly stories that draw me in totally. In fact I would put John Connolly up there with Stephen King as one of my favourite authors and I absolutely cannot get enough of the Charlie Parker series. If you have a love for the crime or horror genres there is no excuse for not diving into this series.
The next book in the series is The Wrath of Angels and it marks the return of the Collecter and promises to bring back the more supernatural/horror elements of the series and that is certainly not a bad thing.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Darkest Before Dawn (The Veil, #3) in Books
Jan 11, 2021
Charlie is now working as an independent enforcer for the Institute; meaning she gets her own space and can be away from the series of warehouses that once held her captive. In her new place, she's getting over the fact that Stefan has pretty much shunned her when Akil comes knocking on her door bearing a young half blood demon, Dawn, that he tells her to protect before disappearing into the night.
Unfortunately, it seems that Dawn is hot property in the Netherworld and wanted by the Princes so they don't stay hidden away for long. She gets recaptured by Charlie's half brother, Valenti, and spirited back to the Netherworld. Charlie finally learns just why Dawn is being kept as a slave and it's because she girls demon is so scary powerful.
Then there's also Stefan who still hasn't regained control of his demon fully yet but is coming around to face the fact that Muse wasn't entirely to blame for what happened in the last book.
We also see a bit of a softer side to Akil in this one when, for a time, the world believes Muse to be dead. He doesn't take the news well.
It all gets a little more complicated and, if I'm honest, my attention has began to waver with this series. I still like Muse/Charlie and Stefan and sometimes Akil isn't so bad either but their complicated relationships are maybe getting a little TOO complicated for me to keep up with.
I'm not sure if I'll continue the series at this point.
Unfortunately, it seems that Dawn is hot property in the Netherworld and wanted by the Princes so they don't stay hidden away for long. She gets recaptured by Charlie's half brother, Valenti, and spirited back to the Netherworld. Charlie finally learns just why Dawn is being kept as a slave and it's because she girls demon is so scary powerful.
Then there's also Stefan who still hasn't regained control of his demon fully yet but is coming around to face the fact that Muse wasn't entirely to blame for what happened in the last book.
We also see a bit of a softer side to Akil in this one when, for a time, the world believes Muse to be dead. He doesn't take the news well.
It all gets a little more complicated and, if I'm honest, my attention has began to waver with this series. I still like Muse/Charlie and Stefan and sometimes Akil isn't so bad either but their complicated relationships are maybe getting a little TOO complicated for me to keep up with.
I'm not sure if I'll continue the series at this point.
ClareR (5884 KP) rated Atomic Love in Books
Mar 10, 2022
I have to admit that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy Atomic Love as much as I did. This book does tick a lot of my boxes though: historical fiction, a bit of espionage, a real sense and feeling of the time and place, and a little bit of romance.
I haven’t read much historical fiction set in America in the 1950’s, so it was interesting to see that the women who had worked in important roles during the war, had been moved out to be replaced by the men returning from war - just the same as pretty much everywhere else.
Rosalind’s reasons for not working in Atomic Research are a little different. Her ex-lover, Weaver, had her removed after he wrote a report damning her ability and suitability. So, Rosalind finds herself working on a jewellery counter, doubting her abilities as a scientist. She’s lonely, struggling to make ends meet when two men suddenly turn up in her life: Thomas Weaver (her ex), and an FBI agent called Charlie Szydlo.
Charlie, an ex-Japanese prisoner of war, believes Weaver is spying for the Russians and feeding them important information in their own Atomic research. Charlie asks Rosalind to help him find out for sure if that’s what he’s doing. So against her better judgement, she does.
There’s a lot of tension running through this, both the dangerous and romantic kinds. It’s a great book that would have slipped under my radar if not for The Pigeonhole!
I haven’t read much historical fiction set in America in the 1950’s, so it was interesting to see that the women who had worked in important roles during the war, had been moved out to be replaced by the men returning from war - just the same as pretty much everywhere else.
Rosalind’s reasons for not working in Atomic Research are a little different. Her ex-lover, Weaver, had her removed after he wrote a report damning her ability and suitability. So, Rosalind finds herself working on a jewellery counter, doubting her abilities as a scientist. She’s lonely, struggling to make ends meet when two men suddenly turn up in her life: Thomas Weaver (her ex), and an FBI agent called Charlie Szydlo.
Charlie, an ex-Japanese prisoner of war, believes Weaver is spying for the Russians and feeding them important information in their own Atomic research. Charlie asks Rosalind to help him find out for sure if that’s what he’s doing. So against her better judgement, she does.
There’s a lot of tension running through this, both the dangerous and romantic kinds. It’s a great book that would have slipped under my radar if not for The Pigeonhole!
Imogen SB (4507 KP) rated Seal Team Flix in Tabletop Games
Mar 19, 2019
'This is a design of silent moments and held breath giving way to furious high fives and sore bronchial passages. It’s novel and quite addictive. It’s even extremely difficult propelling repeated play and focused intensity. Take all that and cram it inside that massive box of cardboard goodness and you have one of 2018’s most definitive releases.'
Charlie Theel, Geek & Sundry
https://geekandsundry.com/seal-team-flix-is-a-wild-blend-of-first-person-shooter-and-flicking-discs/
Charlie Theel, Geek & Sundry
https://geekandsundry.com/seal-team-flix-is-a-wild-blend-of-first-person-shooter-and-flicking-discs/
