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Take Me for Granted (Take Me, #1)
Take Me for Granted (Take Me, #1)
K.A. Linde | 2014 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
For someone who doesn’t like reading bad boy/good girl tropes, I seem to be reading a lot of them lately. I don’t even know why I picked up a copy of Take Me for Granted. The synopsis was one I have read a thousand times and the cover was nothing eye catching.

But let me tell you I am sure glad I did. If downloading it was whim then I don’t even know what opening it up was. I was hooked from the very first page though. I identified with Ari more than most female leads. While I didn’t grow up in a rich family nor do I attend an Ivy League school, I care more about schoolwork than I do most people. Reading Ari’s inner monologues and thoughts had me laughing because I understood. It’s so easy to push people away, create a cold demeanor, and escape into school work. School doesn’t hurt you the way people can.

Grant was also absolutely charming. He reminds me so much of my own fiancé in ways and I loved listening to him banter with Ari. At first, his pushiness rubbed me the wrong way. Having been in an abusive relationship, I wanted so much to just scream no in his face over and over again until he understood. However, he wasn't actually harmful in his pushiness, just persistent, and, honestly, had the patience of saint when it came to Ari considering how wishy washy she was at times.

I really enjoyed the story. Linde has a lovely, easy style and is a fantastic storyteller. I especially liked being able to read from both Grant's and Ari's POVs. The cliffhanger nearly destroyed me though, so you better believe I am going to continue the series. Somehow Linde’s characters crawled their way beneath my skin, and I won’t be content until I know they received a happy ending.
  
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Lindsay (1693 KP) rated The Abduction of Nelly Don in Books

Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)  
TA
The Abduction of Nelly Don
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a story this turned out to be. You see how a woman had to work and get up in the world. Though most of this deal on kidnapping, You see what it like in 1930's. It more crime and Mystery of who is creating all the mayhem.

A Senator wanted to help a close friend and son. Though when he could not help them. He get another chance. Will he do everything to find Nelly Don? You learn and get twist and surprises around every corner.

As you read, you are wondering who is it is? You will want to know why? It get you to want read until you get to last page. Though for me It only held my interest. Though it a great. I say it an 4 to a 4.5 rating.

If you are a reader of crime and / or mystery. This may be a book for you.
  
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Rufus Wainwright recommended Don Carlos by Verdi in Music (curated)

 
Don Carlos by Verdi
Don Carlos by Verdi
1967 | Vocal
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I came across this early on in my operatic journey, and to this day it remains one of my favourite recordings and one of my favourite operas. The wonderful thing about Verdi is that, as you get older, it starts to make more and more sense: these fraught relationships between fathers and sons and lovers and friends. He's so profound in his understanding of human relationships. This opera, Don Carlos, is in my opinion a great masterpiece on a Shakespearian level in its defining, most notably, of the father and son dynamic. There's actually a moment when the father contemplates killing his son – I don't know, but I think that has crossed the minds of certain dads. And as well as Domingo and Caballé, Shirley Verrett is on that recording, who is one of the greatest mezzo-sopranos of all time. So everybody is in there at their zenith vocally, and it's a wild ride."

Source
  
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Dawn Marie (22 KP) rated Anne with an E in TV

Jan 19, 2018  
Anne with an E
Anne with an E
2017 | Drama
Marilla was not as good as when she was played by colleen dewhurst she was a bright point. The girl they have playing anne looks the part (0 more)
Changed and made up other things that were never in the book, Matthew is not as warm and likable as Richard Farnsworth is in the 1985 Sullivan films versin (0 more)
I couldn't make it through this whole series yes I know I am partial to the Megan follows as Anne version but was open to this new one even thought the title showed promise. I watched trying to keep an open mind but the more I watched the more upset I got. I am not only a fan of the movie version but I am a fan of the books! Too much was changed and it seemed to lag. Most of the characters were not likable or interesting to me except the lady playing marilla. I don t know if it was the girl playing Anne or the dialogue That was bad. Some may like this but I recommend the books or the 1985 movie
  
Daddy's Home 2 (2017)
Daddy's Home 2 (2017)
2017 | Comedy
Next set of dad come for a visit
Brad (ferrell) and Dusty (Whalberg) have learned to co exist as dad and step dad. Christmas has come and both of their fathers are coming for a visit. One planned Don (lithgow) who is Brad's dad and Kurt (Gibson) as Dusty's who decides to call the night before to say he is coming for a visit. They all end up spending the most joyful time of year together as a family but Dusty's setp daughter who is a trouble maker father Roger (Cena) is called in to try and make it right for his daughter. Can all of them exist in the same house hold.

I really liked the first one. This one with the addition of Lithgow and Gibson who are perfectly cast to play their fathers and with Cena coming in on it made it fun to watch but, there is a ton of the same type gags from the first one and you begin to expect what they hope you would find as the unexpected.
  
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HerCrazyReviews (247 KP) rated Super Size Me (2004) in Movies

Sep 8, 2019 (Updated Sep 8, 2019)  
Super Size Me (2004)
Super Size Me (2004)
2004 | Comedy, Documentary, Drama
Fast Food May Be Bad But Most Points Made In This Documentary Are Worse
We had to watch this film in school when I was younger and I remember agreeing with most of his points. After re-watching this though, I agree with a few of his statements but what mainly puts me off is how he conducted his thirty day challenge. He went from exercising every day (more then the average person) and eating extremely healthy to not exercising at all and ordering RIDICULOUS sized portions. After ordering these portions instead of saving some for later (you know, like most people do) he decided that he had to eat it all which caused him to constantly throw up. He did this over and over! His doctor also recommended to drink water instead of constantly drinking pop. Even told him that this would help him out a lot but he still didn’t listen. Like, DUDE, listen to your freaking doctors. Instead, he decided not to put his health in peril. I don’t get why he wouldn’t because obviously McDonalds serves water and not everyone gets pop.

This could have been a great documentary talking about how bad fast food is. Which I mean, most people already know about, but he still could have made serious points. And I will admit there were point in here that were good. Such as the Super Size portions are not necessary and when he interviewed that doctor whose family founded an ice cream business. When the doctor was describing the connection between his family’s severe health problems and their eating habits I felt like that was an excellent point! Other then that though most points aren’t proven in the best way possible. Plus, he was adding in bits that didn’t even connect to the fact that fast food is bad. For example, when he showed a child a card with Jesus on it and was surprised that the kid didn’t know Jesus but knew Ronald McDonald. Dude, there is more then one religion out there and not everyone is even religious! (This just upset me a ton!)

I’m just going to jump straight into it and say this documentary pisses me off. While, yes, some people may be obese it isn’t always because they eat too much fast food. There are other reasons why they may not be societies perfect skinny ass version of the normal weight. I do understand though that he is focusing on people being overweight because of fast food not because health reasons or why the BMI index is wrong. I just think that he is going to extreme lengths on purpose which showed an inaccurate representation of what fast food does to the normal consumer because most people don’t eat fast food everyday like Don Gorske.
  
I have been wanting to read this book for awhile novel. I have been putting it off because I already have so many books that still need to be to read that I felt guilty spending money on any more. Finally, I broke down and bought, though, because I have been wanting to read it that badly.

Despite feeling guilty about spending money on a book, I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s been long enough that I don’t feel confident in my abilities to compare the first in the series to the second. It’s not necessary to read the first one to enjoy the second. Everything you need to know, the author casually reminds you of during the storyline. Despite my poor memory, I can say that both novels left me with warm fuzzy feelings and I was content with the ending.

Helena’s story was much more frustrating that her older sister’s, however. There were moments I had to walk away because I wanted to scream alongside Helena. I agree that she can be impulsive and stubborn, but I found myself agreeing with her more often than not. I loved her passion and fire, and the chemistry she had with Colin was palpable. Colin was absolutely precious. I loved his playful nature, especially as it broke Helena out of her angry shell. Watching them together was adorable.

I think what I love most about this series is watching the couples grow to love each other. Despite their differences and disagreements, you can actually see and feel the love they develop for each other. The men want what is best for their lovers, but they don’t turn alpha male and try to control them. The men took and accepted their women as they were. It was a powerful message, especially in a historical romance novel.

Overall, Captive Heart was worth every penny. Helena never lost her fiery spirit and was well-matched with the playful Colin. However, I am not sure if I will read the third and final book in the trilogy which pertains to Miriel and the Shadow. I understand Miriel didn’t have that much to do in the first two novels, but she didn’t leave much of an impression on me nor am I particularly interested in her story. I probably will end up reading it for curiosity’s sake, but I don’t feel the urgency to read it as I did Helena’s story.
  
Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (Deadpool Killogy, #1)
Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe (Deadpool Killogy, #1)
Cullen Bunn | 2012 | Comics & Graphic Novels
7
7.7 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fan-fiction in the most delightful way.
A ‘What it says on the tin’ comic including issues 1 through 4 of Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe and, in the edition read (I don’t know if it is in all editions) issues 1 through 4 of something called ‘Classics Killustrated’ in which Deadpool travels through some classic novels: Dracula, Moby Dick, Don Quixote and Little Women to name a few (and the film version of Frankenstein) killing everything that gets in his way. (Also showing where the inspiration for different Marvel characters came from.()

If you are new to comics, or just to Marvel, this may not be a great getting on point, as many characters are dropped into the story with little explanation as to who they are or what they can do (including Namor, who has around 79 years of backstory). However, these characters are really only props for Deadpool’s story, so not knowing who they are may not affect your enjoyment of what is really just a gory outing for the Merc.

Overall an interesting read, though not the greatest piece of Deadpool media in recent years.
  
After reading the second, I decided I should probably read the first. After reading the second, which immediately captured my attention, I found it so difficult to get into this novel. It starts out with Siusan sewing up Sterling’s knuckles, which I had to actually skip over because I could not stomach reading about it.

After that the story progresses with Sterling actually fighting some Irish man to win money to help support his siblings. After Isobel interrupts the fight and is embarrassed by Sterling, he goes on to win the fight and donate some of his winnings to Isobel’s cause. Sterling then makes the bet at White’s and proceeds to woe Isobel.

Honestly, I grew bored with this novel. I actually found myself skipping over passages and conversations without meaning to. It was actually depressing after reading the <i>The Most Wicked of Sins</i>, which had me hooked. I loved reading about Ivy and Nick’s developing relationship and them falling in love. Sterling and Isobel’s story, however, was just flat. I don’t why, but I just found that I could not care less about them falling in love, or Sterling seducing Isobel.

I was greatly disappointed.
  
Oh, that’s okay, Miss Reid, I didn’t need my heart today or anything.

All joking aside, what a powerful book. It has been a long time since a book has taken a hold of me and not let go until I finished it. It has been even longer since I have read a book so well done, that I find myself skipping over passages, not because I am bored or distracted, but because I am so engrossed that my eyes cannot keep up with my brain. I was hungry for every page, devouring every word like I was starving.

Reid has literary prowess I dare not compare to others I have read before. I was so deep in her fictional world that it felt like I was losing my own mother. Ashley’s frustration ate me alive because it became my frustration. This novel had more soul than most humans I have encountered.

Do yourself a favor and read this book. Want a meaningful story? Read this book. Enjoy a good romance that is more than a romance? Read this book. Book hangover? Jaded? In a reading slump? Please read this damn book.

My only complaint is that I feel the author passed on a great opportunity by not calling it Beauty and the Beard. Honestly, I don’t remember her mentioning a mustache, but there were beard galore!