Search
Search results
Hunger and Thirst
10.0
Rate It
Book
1987: After a childhood trauma and years in and out of the care system, sixteen-year-old Ursula...
Merissa (13952 KP) rated Mr Collins in Love in Books
Aug 1, 2025
MR COLLINS IN LOVE is a genteel story that begins a few months before the better-known story of Pride and Prejudice. In here, we learn more about Mr Collins and his patroness, Lady Catherine. He is not one of the nicest characters in P&P, so I was a little dubious about reading this.
I'm happy to say I was wrong! Lee Welch has written his character in a way that makes you sympathise with him. He is basically cast adrift in a world he doesn't fully understand. The insinuation that he is on the spectrum comes across loud and clear, and trust me, it does make sense!
Charlotte (Miss Lucas) and his childhood friend, Jem, are both there to help him find his way and give him the life he needs. It's not exactly a romance, so don't expect too much. Instead, it shows a deep and tender love that Mr Collins is not even aware of, even though he fears its loss.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
** 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!
Aug 1, 2025
I'm happy to say I was wrong! Lee Welch has written his character in a way that makes you sympathise with him. He is basically cast adrift in a world he doesn't fully understand. The insinuation that he is on the spectrum comes across loud and clear, and trust me, it does make sense!
Charlotte (Miss Lucas) and his childhood friend, Jem, are both there to help him find his way and give him the life he needs. It's not exactly a romance, so don't expect too much. Instead, it shows a deep and tender love that Mr Collins is not even aware of, even though he fears its loss.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
** 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!
Aug 1, 2025
The Price of Loyalty: Serving Adela of Blois
Book
In a time of kingdoms and crusades, one man's heart is the battlefield. Cerdic, a Saxon knight,...
Historical Fiction Medieval France Crusades Adela of Blois William the Conqueror
The Best Parts of Him (Vermont Trailblazers #1)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Sometimes the sweetest victories happen off the ice. Ryland Zervudachi lives for the game of...
Contemporary MM Sports Romance
Rootless is undeniably a well written book, and I did enjoy it - even though at times I found it really hard going because of the subject matter.
It follows the lives of Efe and Sam, best friends from school who get married and have a child. Efe is reluctant to become a mother and is pressured into doing so by her family and Sam. She has unresolved childhood trauma, and pregnancy/ motherhood does nothing to help her get over that. She is a woman suffering under the weight of all the things other people expect her to do. There’s the odd moment where Eve does what she wants, but cultural expectations seem to be the winner in all this.
There’s a lot of lead up too this point where we get to know Efe and Sam and the reasons why they make their later choices. It’s a frustrating read at points, but then other people’s choices lives can be just that when their choices are different to those that you imagine you would take in their place! It’s always good to look at the other side, I think.
Efe and Sam are people who would have benefitted from counselling, parenting classes and more support!
Be prepared for a very sad ending, though - tissues at the ready!
It follows the lives of Efe and Sam, best friends from school who get married and have a child. Efe is reluctant to become a mother and is pressured into doing so by her family and Sam. She has unresolved childhood trauma, and pregnancy/ motherhood does nothing to help her get over that. She is a woman suffering under the weight of all the things other people expect her to do. There’s the odd moment where Eve does what she wants, but cultural expectations seem to be the winner in all this.
There’s a lot of lead up too this point where we get to know Efe and Sam and the reasons why they make their later choices. It’s a frustrating read at points, but then other people’s choices lives can be just that when their choices are different to those that you imagine you would take in their place! It’s always good to look at the other side, I think.
Efe and Sam are people who would have benefitted from counselling, parenting classes and more support!
Be prepared for a very sad ending, though - tissues at the ready!
50 Museums to Blow Your Mind
Lonely Planet and Ben Handicott
Book
Thank the stars for the world's eccentric collectors; hoarders of objects beautiful, strange or...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021) in Movies
Apr 17, 2021
Strong Central Performance...The Rest Of The Film Is A Scattered Mess
Lee Daniels is a passionate filmmaker and his passion for bringing the story of Billie Holiday to the screen as the embodiment of the African American struggle against White Officials who are trying to mute her is evident in every frame of THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY.
Unfortunately, he tries to do so much with this film, that he accomplishes very little.
Let’s start with what works in this film: the TERRIFIC performance of Andra Day as the titular character. Day embodies the troubled artist strongly and she does all of the singing of this world renowned performer. It is a superb performance and she rightfully deserves her Oscar nomination.
What doesn’t work? Pretty much the rest of the film.
Daniels has so much material to work with - and a terrific actress at the center of it - that he tried to cram EVERYTHING into this film, consequently, the film is scattered and doesn’t know what it wants to be.
Is it a biopic? A look at an artist who overcame a horrific childhood? A look at an artist that is battling demons? A look at an artist that has toxic relationships with men? Or…is it about the United States Government trying to suppress free speech in order to keep the African American from rising up in the 1950’s?
The answer is…it is all of that…and none of that. Just when you think the film has it’s footing in one direction, it pivots in another and rarely gets back to tie off the other.
For example, look at the title of the film - THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY. So, it must be about the United States (in this instance, the Federal Drug Agents) trying to bring Billie Holiday to justice. And…at the beginning it IS about that…namely in the guise of stopping her from singing STRANGE FRUIT and trying to frame her for her drug use. So…you would think that the film will, eventually, get Holiday on stage to sing a triumphant FULL version of Strange Fruit.
You would think that, wouldn’t you.
Now…to be fair to Daniels and this film, there is about a 15 minute portion of this film in the middle that shows Holiday’s heartbreaking childhood, followed by a haunting song sung by Day. It is a very effective portion of the film, and that (and Day’s performance) are worth wading through the “highlights and lowlights” of Holiday’s life that is the rest of this film.
I have not seen the lauded 1972 LADY SINGS THE BLUES that is a more straightforward Bio-pic of the singer (starring Diana Ross), after watching this film, I think I will.
Letter Grade: B- (because of Day’s performance and that 15 minute segment)
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Unfortunately, he tries to do so much with this film, that he accomplishes very little.
Let’s start with what works in this film: the TERRIFIC performance of Andra Day as the titular character. Day embodies the troubled artist strongly and she does all of the singing of this world renowned performer. It is a superb performance and she rightfully deserves her Oscar nomination.
What doesn’t work? Pretty much the rest of the film.
Daniels has so much material to work with - and a terrific actress at the center of it - that he tried to cram EVERYTHING into this film, consequently, the film is scattered and doesn’t know what it wants to be.
Is it a biopic? A look at an artist who overcame a horrific childhood? A look at an artist that is battling demons? A look at an artist that has toxic relationships with men? Or…is it about the United States Government trying to suppress free speech in order to keep the African American from rising up in the 1950’s?
The answer is…it is all of that…and none of that. Just when you think the film has it’s footing in one direction, it pivots in another and rarely gets back to tie off the other.
For example, look at the title of the film - THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY. So, it must be about the United States (in this instance, the Federal Drug Agents) trying to bring Billie Holiday to justice. And…at the beginning it IS about that…namely in the guise of stopping her from singing STRANGE FRUIT and trying to frame her for her drug use. So…you would think that the film will, eventually, get Holiday on stage to sing a triumphant FULL version of Strange Fruit.
You would think that, wouldn’t you.
Now…to be fair to Daniels and this film, there is about a 15 minute portion of this film in the middle that shows Holiday’s heartbreaking childhood, followed by a haunting song sung by Day. It is a very effective portion of the film, and that (and Day’s performance) are worth wading through the “highlights and lowlights” of Holiday’s life that is the rest of this film.
I have not seen the lauded 1972 LADY SINGS THE BLUES that is a more straightforward Bio-pic of the singer (starring Diana Ross), after watching this film, I think I will.
Letter Grade: B- (because of Day’s performance and that 15 minute segment)
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Kaysee Hood (83 KP) rated Magnus Chase and the Hammer of Thor in Books
Nov 20, 2017 (Updated Nov 21, 2017)
Still Sassy (1 more)
Gender-Fluid Alex
Abusive Elf Dad (3 more)
Loki
Ragnarok
Betrayal
So, I'll be honest and say I read this book back when it came out (Oct. 2016) and do not quite remember how I felt in terms of words about the second Magnus Chase book, but I can say I did enjoy this book as much as the first one.
We're able to gain a bit more insight to the main characters and be introduced to a non-binary character, which is interesting with the events going on right now with people figuring out who they are. Alex is well written without appearing as an icon to change views, simply to open the minds and introduce the reader to them.
Hearthstone's past comes into play rather largely when they have to go to his childhood home to obtain an important item for their quest. It kind of brings light to why the Elf is the way he is. The gang uncovers he plays a rather great role I will not spoil because you need to read the book.
To sum up what I do recall, the goal is to prevent Loki from escaping his bonds. A wetstone and sword must be found to do this. Sam is also being forced into an arrange marriage by Loki to a giant (very rude if you ask me considering she is already in one she is VERY happy with).
Read the second book if you liked the first one.
We're able to gain a bit more insight to the main characters and be introduced to a non-binary character, which is interesting with the events going on right now with people figuring out who they are. Alex is well written without appearing as an icon to change views, simply to open the minds and introduce the reader to them.
Hearthstone's past comes into play rather largely when they have to go to his childhood home to obtain an important item for their quest. It kind of brings light to why the Elf is the way he is. The gang uncovers he plays a rather great role I will not spoil because you need to read the book.
To sum up what I do recall, the goal is to prevent Loki from escaping his bonds. A wetstone and sword must be found to do this. Sam is also being forced into an arrange marriage by Loki to a giant (very rude if you ask me considering she is already in one she is VERY happy with).
Read the second book if you liked the first one.
Villainous Vee (53 KP) rated Sweetpea in Books
Feb 10, 2019
Funny (2 more)
Starts off with a kick
Down to earth writing
Didn't want it too end (1 more)
Not sure the follow up book will be as good
The last person who called me ‘Sweetpea’ ended up dead…
In many ways Rhiannon is just like you or me. She lives a fairly ordinary life working a job at a local newspaper she doesn't really enjoy with people she can't stand (most of the time), hanging out with her friends who she calls PICSO's (people I can't shake off). She lived with her boyfriend Craig (who is having an affair with one of Rhiannon colleagues) and her little chihuahua Tink.
Except for the most part Rhiannon has lived anything but a normal life... A childhood trauma that she survived turned her into a local and national celebrity over night and she is a murderer... And she wants to kill again and again.
The book follows Rhiannon through a few months of her life in a diary format. In this diary she spills her darkest secrets and every day life, moans about her boyfriend, her neighbour, her friends and her colleagues.
Not for the faint hearted as the book can get very graphic and there is a lot of sexual content but this is all balanced out by the humour contained within. If you like crime novels, girly books or thriller I would recommend checking this out. It has earned its place in my permanent collection.
Except for the most part Rhiannon has lived anything but a normal life... A childhood trauma that she survived turned her into a local and national celebrity over night and she is a murderer... And she wants to kill again and again.
The book follows Rhiannon through a few months of her life in a diary format. In this diary she spills her darkest secrets and every day life, moans about her boyfriend, her neighbour, her friends and her colleagues.
Not for the faint hearted as the book can get very graphic and there is a lot of sexual content but this is all balanced out by the humour contained within. If you like crime novels, girly books or thriller I would recommend checking this out. It has earned its place in my permanent collection.
Midge (525 KP) rated Before She Knew Him in Books
Mar 18, 2019
An Exceptional Psychological Thriller!
This exceptional psychological thriller from Peter Swanson (author of ‘The Kind Worth Killing’), is an absolute masterpiece!
Henrietta ‘Hen’ Mazur and her husband, Lloyd Harding, have dinner one evening with their new neighbours, Matt and Mira Dolamore, at their suburban Boston home. Following dinner, on a tour of their house, Hen notices a fencing trophy in Matt’s study that she believes was won by Dustin Miller, a college student who was murdered two years previous and who attended the high school where Matt is a history Professor. Matt claims that the trophy was bought in a sale, but Hen, who is obsessed with Dustin’s case, suspects that Matt killed Dustin. However, the next day when she visits Mira, the trophy has vanished, thereby reinforcing her suspicions. But Hen gets little support from the Police or her husband because of her history of mental health problems. An unlikely bond then develops between Hen and Matt, whose traumatic childhood adds tonnes of emotional interest to Peter Swanson’s superb narrative. Lots of twists and turns and an edge-of-your-seat plot keep the suspense in “Before She Knew Him” really high until the fulfilling and dramatic conclusion.
This brilliant psychological novel is a fabulous page-turner and a definite winner.
{Thank you to Edelweiss, HarperCollins UK/William Morrow and Peter Swanson for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}
Henrietta ‘Hen’ Mazur and her husband, Lloyd Harding, have dinner one evening with their new neighbours, Matt and Mira Dolamore, at their suburban Boston home. Following dinner, on a tour of their house, Hen notices a fencing trophy in Matt’s study that she believes was won by Dustin Miller, a college student who was murdered two years previous and who attended the high school where Matt is a history Professor. Matt claims that the trophy was bought in a sale, but Hen, who is obsessed with Dustin’s case, suspects that Matt killed Dustin. However, the next day when she visits Mira, the trophy has vanished, thereby reinforcing her suspicions. But Hen gets little support from the Police or her husband because of her history of mental health problems. An unlikely bond then develops between Hen and Matt, whose traumatic childhood adds tonnes of emotional interest to Peter Swanson’s superb narrative. Lots of twists and turns and an edge-of-your-seat plot keep the suspense in “Before She Knew Him” really high until the fulfilling and dramatic conclusion.
This brilliant psychological novel is a fabulous page-turner and a definite winner.
{Thank you to Edelweiss, HarperCollins UK/William Morrow and Peter Swanson for a free copy and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.}