Search

Search only in certain items:

Weathering with You (2019)
Weathering with You (2019)
2019 | Animation, Drama, Fantasy
Well, it's official - Makoto Shinkai is now my comfort director. Only he could make something so conventional and arguably problematic so rich and compelling that those previous two things don't really even matter that much at the end of the day. Impossible (unfairly so, I realize) not to compare this to 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘕𝘢𝘮𝘦. as this never really reaches those same emotional peaks, story/character complexities, the music's cornier and it doesn't look *as* good imo. But it reminds me of something like Miike's 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 where even his lesser, more commercial works are still better than most other stuff available - I mean this is still one of the best looking and sounding movies on the planet which features a heap of continuous tear-draining emotional moments that are impossible to forget. Unlike many recent Disney outings - for example - which are guilty of comparable sins, this really, truly believes in itself and it's reverberated while viewing with a staggering force. Not ashamed to admit I loved nearly every second of it.
  
40x40

Charlotte (184 KP) rated Book Mate in Books

Mar 25, 2023  
Book Mate
Book Mate
Aedan Sayla | 2023 | Contemporary, Erotica
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A leap of faith.

D'asia, twenty-six year old modern woman, beautiful, caring and chosen.
     She's been through a lot in her life and now her entire existence has changed. Saved and protected by her employer, chosen by him for extremely important task and transported in an ark full of books and items ready to rebuild a world that broke down and collapsed in on itself.

Book mate is compelling and highly erotic. Not for young readers due to the sexual details but definitely food for thought with the rest of the story. D'asia has to navigate situations that more mature people would struggle with and to be honest, I think she handles it really well. Her world is turned upside down but she works her way through the fear and uncertainty.

A standalone book that could easily have been made longer or part of a series. An absolute must for a book club as there's a multitude of topics for discussion but if you're getting cosy at home grab some snacks and enjoy.
  
What His Wife Knew
What His Wife Knew
Jo Jakeman | 2022 | Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Was it suicide or was it murder? That is the question and one that this book does a great job of unravelling.

Oscar is found dead by his brother at the bottom of Cloud Drop; a note is found which just says "sorry" and his wedding ring in his car - a slam bunk you might say but his wife, Beth, is having none of it and the more she delves, the more she realises her husband is not who she thought he was but neither are those around her.

This was proper good! The story was compelling with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and although I guessed the main twist, it didn't ruin the story for me at all as it was great getting there. The main characters are excellent and well developed and the pace is good.

All in all, a great psychological/domestic thriller and one which I would recommend to lovers of this genre.

Thank you Penguin Random House UK and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
40x40

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Running on Empty in Books

Mar 7, 2025 (Updated Mar 7, 2025)  
Running on Empty
Running on Empty
Karin Fitz Sanford | 2024 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder Among the Rich
When Lino Pardini dies, Anne McCormack finds herself drawn into the resulting family drama. Meanwhile, her uncle Jack is hoping for a fresh clue or two about what happened to Lino’s previous wife. Then there are the questions around Lino’s death itself. Can Anne help untangle it?

If you pick this book up expecting a typical mystery, you’ll be disappointed. The family drama takes up much of the pages. But that’s not a bad thing. Thanks to the well-developed characters, the story is very compelling. The multiple viewpoints are also used perfectly. Still, the mysteries were wrapped up to my satisfaction. There were a few details that were wrong and bugged me, but they are minor. On the other hand, I am very familiar with the setting, and I loved seeing real places and roads I know popping up in the middle of the fictional locations. Think of this more as a crime drama rather than a mystery and you’ll be pulled in, watching the pages fly by all too quickly.