Search
Search results
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose in Books
Nov 20, 2017
Poignant, humanising a politician
Listening to Joe Biden's frank and open memoir dealing with his son's cancer and bereavement is heartfelt, especially as it is read by himself.
Unlike most books by politicians, "Promise Me, Dad" is committed to communicating to us the values and principles of a family man who happens to have been a senior member of government.
His most compelling narration comes in the form of him discussing his hopes, fears, dreams and nightmares through which a family succumbs while dealing with cancer. I became emotional listening to him break down while discussing the death of his son - his voice audibly trembles which is why the audiobook gives a whole new depth to the biography.
Warm, insightful and thought-provoking.
Unlike most books by politicians, "Promise Me, Dad" is committed to communicating to us the values and principles of a family man who happens to have been a senior member of government.
His most compelling narration comes in the form of him discussing his hopes, fears, dreams and nightmares through which a family succumbs while dealing with cancer. I became emotional listening to him break down while discussing the death of his son - his voice audibly trembles which is why the audiobook gives a whole new depth to the biography.
Warm, insightful and thought-provoking.
Samantha (67 KP) rated Another Day in the Death of America in Books
Jul 10, 2017
How many more days before things change?
This book is incredibly valuable. Whilst focusing on the lives of ten young individuals whose lives were tragically cut short Younge also focuses on the history of gun violence in those communities as well as research on this dilemma. Together, these elements create a compelling novel which open the eyes of the reader to the injustices that occur due to gun violence, whilst also ensuring that common assumptions and misconceptions are brought into the limelight. Due to the nature of this novel it is my belief that it should be read a chapter at a time to allow for contemplation and reflection on the disastrous events contained within its pages.
Demi (22 KP) rated Big Little Lies - Season 1 in TV
Apr 25, 2018
Amazing
When there's a book, I almost always read it first. I made an exception for Big Little Lies after I saw the trailer. The cinematography, the pacing, the acting were all so compelling in the ads alone that I held off on the book. I'm so glad I did. Everything about the series was pitch perfect. The performances were stellar. Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman were phenomenal. It was gorgeously shot. The music was atmospheric, and the setting--different from the one in the book--fit the story perfectly. The writing was very well done--the kind of mystery you congratulate yourself for figuring out except for one little piece (it's designed that way, and quite elegantly). One of the season's best shows.
Auburn (57 KP) rated Wicked Saints (Something Dark and Holy, #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
This book is dark, mysterious, unforgiving, and perfectly written. I cannot express just how bloody murderous these main characters are. Told from different views and different sides of very different cultures one gets to see just what is happening in each of their heads. It makes the story that much more intriguing. Enemies to lovers. Enemies to friends. Magical powers given and taken, growth, culture, belief. This book has it all while still being cohesive.
If you are looking for a happily ever after story this is not that. But if you want a compelling read that is so unforgiving in its darkness that you cannot help but fall in love with it then this is the book for you.
If you are looking for a happily ever after story this is not that. But if you want a compelling read that is so unforgiving in its darkness that you cannot help but fall in love with it then this is the book for you.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Likeness (Dublin Murder Squad, #2) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Great follow-up to French's "In the Woods." This time the novel features Cassie (of Cassie & Rob) as the narrator. In the aftermath of the first novel's Operation Vestal, Cassie now finds herself in the midst of an undercover operation, Operation Mirror. Cassie is brought in, reluctantly at first, after a woman is found dead and it is discovered she is using one of Cassie's old undercover aliases. The woman, Lexie Madison, is a ringer for Cassie. Cassie finds herself drawn into the web of Lexie's life and those of her four housemates. French is a great storyteller and while I didn't find this story quite as suspenseful as the previous, it's still quite compelling. It was very enjoyable to hear things from Cassie's perspective this time.
Okay, first off I want to say that I came into this book with an open mind. I'm not a huge fan of history books, but this one did look like it could be interesting. There was great potential in this book but I fear that it did not live up to what it could have been.
My main problem with this book was how it read like a text book. Honestly, it felt like I was back in history class getting ready to hear about the women who helped win the war. This would have been a very compelling powerpoint presentation but I did feel that it was monotonous.
I loved the concept of the book, unfortunately I felt like I was reading a text book.
My main problem with this book was how it read like a text book. Honestly, it felt like I was back in history class getting ready to hear about the women who helped win the war. This would have been a very compelling powerpoint presentation but I did feel that it was monotonous.
I loved the concept of the book, unfortunately I felt like I was reading a text book.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated Horizon Zero Dawn in Video Games
Jul 2, 2018
Character graphics (2 more)
Good cutscenes
Compelling story
Great distances between quests (1 more)
Unnecessary running
I really liked the customization of weapons and armor and different skill trees. Lots of flexibility usable with different play styles. You can craft different ammo types using materials.
Some of the more basic weapons were fun to use with the hunting missions against animals.
The variety of enemies was also a lot of fun and provided a lot of variety.
Some of the game felt a little hand holdy, but still very fun to explore. Lots of side quests provide a lot of additional game time.
Reputability is good since you can save your cool weapons you have accumulated throughout the game.
Overall, very entertaining game with cool visuals and characters.
Some of the more basic weapons were fun to use with the hunting missions against animals.
The variety of enemies was also a lot of fun and provided a lot of variety.
Some of the game felt a little hand holdy, but still very fun to explore. Lots of side quests provide a lot of additional game time.
Reputability is good since you can save your cool weapons you have accumulated throughout the game.
Overall, very entertaining game with cool visuals and characters.
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Panic in Needle Park (1971) in Movies
Dec 26, 2018
Compelling heroin drama
According to IMDb, Al Pacino's performance in this film (his first leading role) was what Coppola used to show Paramount executives that he portray Michael Corleone in The Godfather.
Pacino and Kitty Wynn (Sharon in The Exorcist) play a lovestruck couple who are not very good for each other. Their drug addictions and other bad habits play off each other and keep the couple on a downward spiral burrowing into the drudges of society.
The performances are what make the film worth watching. Certainly makes you not want to do drugs. Some of the sequences reminded me a lot of Requiem For a Dream (my fave film of all time).
Well worth a watch.
Pacino and Kitty Wynn (Sharon in The Exorcist) play a lovestruck couple who are not very good for each other. Their drug addictions and other bad habits play off each other and keep the couple on a downward spiral burrowing into the drudges of society.
The performances are what make the film worth watching. Certainly makes you not want to do drugs. Some of the sequences reminded me a lot of Requiem For a Dream (my fave film of all time).
Well worth a watch.
Olivia Bragdon (14 KP) rated The Grace Year in Books
Jan 24, 2020
This book is utterly stunning, when considering this book for reading myself it was described as a cross of the handmaid's tale and the hunger games and that couldn't be more accurate. The main character Tierney James is such a strong individual that while reading you cant help but feel everything she does. The twisters that are in this book make it so you nearly cant put it down. I personally finished the book in 16 hours and it only made me want to be a stronger and more independent woman myself.
saheffernan (157 KP) rated Saint X in Books
Mar 7, 2020
Wonderfully descriptive, bits to move the story along, somewhat compelling characters. There are different parts I loved and different parts that were just so slow. The first 3 pages was description of the island we would be visiting and not really any story. 1/4 of the way in it picked up and continued for about a few chapters but then we got to mid way and it just started to get hard to believe and continued on a slow pace until the end.
I did really like how we learned of Alison through articles, many people's recalled memories, her diary entries. These are the parts I felt kept the book interesting after each chapter we'd get more and more of Alison.
I did really like how we learned of Alison through articles, many people's recalled memories, her diary entries. These are the parts I felt kept the book interesting after each chapter we'd get more and more of Alison.