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Hourglass: Time, Memory, Marriage
Hourglass: Time, Memory, Marriage
Dani Shapiro | 2017 | Art, Photography & Fashion, Biography
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received an ARC via FirstToRead for this book, for an unbiased review.

I am, admittedly, not as familiar with Shapiro's writing as many who seem to have chosen to review this book. As an avid memoir reader, and also as a "wannabe writer", I was drawn to the idea of reviewing a memoir. I was not, at all, disappointed with the choice.

Throughout the book, the ideas of "what if", as well as other writing prompts that she had encountered over time, intermingling with the memories of her family and her life, really brought the book together. I can see now, that I need to make time to read more of her work. I found myself bookmarking page after page, trying to remember details from it so that I could, in the future, use them as guides for my own writing.
  
I've never heard of this Joseph Merceon until I came across this book in a bookshop and it turned out to be a very enjoyable and interesting read 

Joseph Merceon was born above a pawnbrokers in Brick Lane London in the year 1764. In the insuring years he would rise to control the whole of Bethnal Green through intimidation bribery,fraud and without a single feeling of compassion for others including his own family. I can honestly say I find Joseph Merceon to be a truly rotten individual and makes Scrooge like a pussycat. 

The book is clearly written and you can tell that the life Joseph Merceon has been thoroughly researched by the author. The book is very informative and would it be of great interest to anybody interested in the history of London overall I'd say definitely a five star read.
  
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Awix (3310 KP) rated Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) in Movies

Mar 4, 2018 (Updated Mar 4, 2018)  
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)
1949 | Classics, Comedy, Drama
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Justly acclaimed black comedy is a somewhat atypical film from Ealing Studios, better known for their affectionate depictions of post-war British life. Calculating man-on-the-make Dennis Price sets out to get on in the world by murdering the eight members of the D'Ascoyne family who stand between him and inheriting the dukedom of Chalfont.

Best known for the fact that Alec Guinness plays all the D'Ascoynes, but Dennis Price is just as good as the homicidal would-be aristocrat. The broad comedy of some of Guinness' performances, plus the staging of several of the murders, is underpinned by some much subtler and more understated humour about class and morality. One of those films you can watch several times and still find new layers to enjoy; very funny, too, though that should go without saying.
  
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Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Out from the Underworld in Books

Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)  
OF
Out from the Underworld
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The story starts out by having Heather with her daughter and visiting her father. Heather starts the story of her childhood from when her mother left them. The story is painful but intruding at the same time.

We get the authors view of things through her eyes. We also learn about how she and her sister Jazz needs to deal with grieving. We learn about her life in foster care with her brother and sister. Heather has a hard time with her mother's loss.

We see what happens when their father has to make his decision. The siblings have a bond together. We also learn about their father background and the family history. I learned that the siblings had a strong bond with each other. They can not seem to understand why their father does not want to escape the basement.
  
This book is different then others I have read. For the format is in Diary setting. Though I understood the story behind it. This was great read. It told more of the history of the Trail. It about a girl that goes though the some hardships and adjustments.

Florrie and her family travel from Arrow Rock, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico. Florrie and her brother Jem need to adjust to having a stepfather named Mr. Ryder. You learn a lot about the daily life of being on the Santa Fe Trail back in 1848.

Most of this dairy tell you the History of America during that time. Most of the dairy is down on the trail of The Santa Fe Trail. Though that like to learn about America History, this is good for young readers.
  
The Heart Between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List
The Heart Between Us: Two Sisters, One Heart Transplant, and a Bucket List
Lindsay Harrel | 2018 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, Romance
10
6.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
In this book these two sisters go on a great adventure with the bucket list that was given to Megan by her donor. They reconnect after years being disconnected with each other due to regrets and misunderstandings. They both learn about each other and themselves in this journey running into new people and old friends. This book was a great reminder who is in charge of my life. I sometimes struggle with control, trust, and worry with my family, job, and relationships. I am constantly wondering what could go wrong or did I make the right decision. I sometimes forget like the sisters do in this book who is in charge which is God. Sometimes we get so wrapped up trying to take control of our lives we forget He may have a better plan for us.
  
Brooklyn (2015)
Brooklyn (2015)
2015 | Drama
Sweet and heartwarming
I think I am in love with Saoirse Ronan. She played this character with such charm and grace I was rooting for her almost immediately.

After a young Irish girl leaves her family to come to the US, she meets a young man who falls for her. Tragedy strikes back at home and the young woman has to make some difficult choices and decide what makes her happy.

Who says you need lots of characters, a complicated story and/or CGI characters to make a movie great? This movie has none of those things yet I thought it was very satisfying. I was hoping she would decide her life in a certain way and was happy when she did.

The movie looked marvelous and the acting was all great!

  
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Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) Dec 13, 2018

I loved this movie so much. The emotions are so strong! And the characters are very relatable and realistic.

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Andy K (10823 KP) Dec 15, 2018

For sure. I just love Saoirse Ronan. She is so emotional and a great young actress.

Queer Eye - Season 1
Queer Eye - Season 1
2018 | Documentary
Feel Goof Fun
Yaaaaaas Queen! Such a lovely program. Every episode, the Fab Five take a person (gay, strait, undecided, it don matter!) And give them a makeover. But this is not just any makeover, they cover hair, clothes, home, diet and emotions. Each member if the 5 is in charge of a different element, and they get to the rout of the person's issues, address them, and work with them to turn their life around.
These are usually people who have been through it, who have been sposered by family or friends who want to help.
They seem to care so much, realy take care of them, and have fun with it!
This was my go to program while I had the pregnancy blues, and I found it so uplifting, though I did tear up on occasion.
Love love LOVE it!
  
Code 8 (2019)
Code 8 (2019)
2019 | Action, Sci-Fi
Pretty good
Another movie about people with special abilities- but not superheroes. A slightly more realistic take on how society might handle people like this. Not as flashy as most, but with decent effects and cinematography. At it's surface it tells a story about a young man trying to save his ailing mother. Something that leads him down a bad road. The acting in this movie was decent with some familiar faces. This movie has heart, life lessons learned through trials of trust and personal choices. In the end I think the story was a little more tragic than I expected of it. Nothing too flashy or gruesome, so it can be watched with the whole family(although the younger viewers may not understand all of it). Overall, this one is worth a watch on movie night!