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The Death of Grass
The Death of Grass
John Christopher | 1956 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
John Christopher's spin on John Wyndham's so-called 'cosy catastrophe' formula focuses on the catastrophe and forgets about the cosy. The book is not that bothered about about being overtly SF, either - there's something horribly mundane and plausible about the book's depiction of the spread of a crop virus, misfiring attempts to stop it, and the increasingly desperate measures taken by the authorities as the food simply runs out.

Particularly strong on characterisation and the impact of the disaster on the protagonist: initially a decent upper-middle-class chap, John Custance finds the survival of his family requires him to condone (and even commit) acts of betrayal, murder, and maybe even worse things. Powerful ideas, and Christopher's no-nonsense style lets them into the reader's mind where they linger uncomfortably. A fine book that deserves to be better known.
  
The Thursday Murder Club
The Thursday Murder Club
Richard Osman | 2020 | Crime, Mystery
6
8.2 (13 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and Penguin Books for review purposes

I love Richard Osman so I so wanted to love this book but truthfully, I struggled! I'm going to chock it up to the fact that I'm just not a mystery reader so that aspect didn't even keep me hooked. I guess this cosy mystery was just too cosy that I ended up drifting off to sleep more than once and if this wasn't an arc I would have seriously considered DNF-ing which I really didn't want to say! It picked up pace a lot by the halfway mark though and I actually found myself actually invested in the story and I did enjoy all the twists and turns that occurred and finding out just why everyone did what they did but I just didn't love it unfortunately!
  
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Kelly (6 KP) rated No Exit in Books

Jan 4, 2019  
No Exit
No Exit
Taylor Adams | 2019 | Mystery, Thriller
9
9.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
No Exit
Wow wow and wow I’ve just finished this book in one sitting! I loved the twists and turns and dark suspense! it had me all the way through flicking through pages trying to work out what happened!
You need to read wrapped up in a cosy blanket and hot chocolate being snowed in ...I heard such great reviews I couldn’t wait for the snow so went ahead anyways and glad I did!
  
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Chloe (778 KP) rated Ragnarok in TV

Mar 22, 2020  
Ragnarok
Ragnarok
2020 | Drama
Beautiful scenes (2 more)
Interesting story
Likely to develop
Over dubbing (0 more)
Different
I thought the story was really good and has lots of potential, I'm excited to see the team that comes together and what havoc is caused. Not something I've ever come across before so I really enjoyed it. I am pleased they have done over-dubbing for it as I may have otherwise not watched it, however it is very obvious that the new sound has been done in a studio. For example scenes that are un a cosy home setting sound tinny and those outside have limited background noise. Now I understand the story I will probably watch it with subtitles
  
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
2010 | Drama, Romance, Sci-Fi
I like this storyline as it's intriguing, fresh and it can hold your interest (0 more)
That's it guys, getting better.
I don't feel the acting is as forced as it is in new moon and there are some funny moments that seem more natural than with previous attempts with humour (with Jacob it's still stupid but I guess you have to think of him as a 16/17 year old boy which he is supposed to be).
The fighting bits in it are cool especially since it's the first real action you see in the saga.
Watching it now, besties Edward and Jacob are having a cosy chat in a tent so I best go and carry on watching!! #teamedward #manimsad
  
The Affacombe Affair (Pollard and Toyne #2)
The Affacombe Affair (Pollard and Toyne #2)
Elizabeth Lemarchand | 2018 | Crime, Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A great, old-fashioned, cosy mystery!
I have really enjoyed the first two books in this republished series - I honestly didn’t expect to. It’s such a nice, comfortable read though. The storyline nicely plays out (well, as nicely as a murder can!), the characters are all very likeable (especially Pollard and Toyne), and the way they go about their investigations is really rather interesting. This is not a story set in modern time - it’s set in the 1960s, so before DNA testing and all of the technology that we have today. So the story hangs on old fashioned humans using their brains and experience to work it out. I like these stories a lot, and I’m very glad that Sapere books sent me a copy to read and honestly review!
  
The Theory of Everything (2014)
The Theory of Everything (2014)
2014 | Drama
Acting at it's finest! (1 more)
A fantastic look into the life of one of the most remarkable people ever on this earth.
Fantastic.
Yes the movie can feel long when you are not in the right mood to watch it but seriously, get yourself into the mood to watch it (nice, calm afternoon cosy up the blanket with a cup of tea and some biscuits). It will make you laugh, cry, be angry, sad, elated, humbled, inspired and be in awe with the remarkable man that was Stephen Hawking (may he rest peacefully.)
It not only shows his amazing resilience but it also shows the effect on his family, particularly Jane Hawking. She seemed to be such an amazing, strong influential woman that definitely helped more than she knows in Professor Hawking's like and accomplishments.
Please watch this movie atleast once, it just goes to show that anything is possible.
  
Who Let the Gods Out?
Who Let the Gods Out?
Maz Evans | 2017 | Children
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Eliot, the troubled boy and his anarchic, dysfunctional foster-Gods...
Eliot is a boy with problems. A mum who is suffereing from crippling depression and mental health problems, a farm that is running to ruin since his grandparents died, and a school where the teachers know nothing about any of it. Facing repossession of his home and the looming threat of Social Services and being separated from his mum Eliot needs help: what he gets is a bunch of retired Greek Gods, minor deities and Zodiac characters who have spent millennia bickering over the small print and red-tape of running the Universe , or kicking their heels in cosy retirement.

After one of the Zodiac council crash-lands in his cowshed Eliot suddenly finds himself pulled into a quest to find power stones and defeat a wicked demon. Can he succeed, and can his squabbling new friends help him save his home & family?

A really engaging read for parents and kids.
  
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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.
  
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Kindle
3 Minutes to Midnight ( Midnight Trilogy 1)
By L.M. Hatchell
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

A small Dublin pub …

… holds the key to humanity’s survival.

Who will learn its secret?


Half vampire, half fae, Phoenix is an abomination in the eyes of the supernatural community. Screw them! She’s more than happy to play human in the cosy Irish pub she calls home.

At least until an annoying werewolf comes knocking.

Because Phoenix may be done with the supernatural world, but it’s not quite done with her.

Her birth has triggered a prophecy, and now the clock is ticking. Humanity will be the first to suffer for her existence.

Everything, and everyone, she loves is in danger, and as the body count rises Phoenix must learn to embrace the darkest parts of herself.

Or lose it all.


I wasn’t sure about this at first but I ended up really enjoying it. Definitely a lighter fun read that flowed really well. The story and characters were good, full of all the supernatural creatures we’ve come to love.