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Merissa (13015 KP) rated Borrowing Blue: Made Marian Series Book 1 in Books
Apr 3, 2018
Borrowing Blue (Made Marian #1) by Lucy Lennox
Borrowing Blue is the first book in the Made Marian series, and it has immediately made me want to go out and buy the rest of the series! Blue and Tristan are amazing, and I love them both so much! Jeremy is a douche, and I feel sorry for Brad. As for Tristan's brother and ex-wife, I tried to like them, I really did. In fact, I probably like her more than him, because at least she was nice to Blue! Set mainly in a vineyard, this book is a feel-good book, but with enough angst to keep you on your toes. There are also some laugh out loud moments, and plenty of steam coming off the pages too.
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, this book grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go until I'd finished it. Blue and Tristan are absolutely perfect for each other, although I love the Marian family as a whole. I really can't wait to read more. I just hope that Granny, Irene, and Aunt Tilly pay frequent visits, because they ROCK! Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, this book grabbed hold of me and wouldn't let go until I'd finished it. Blue and Tristan are absolutely perfect for each other, although I love the Marian family as a whole. I really can't wait to read more. I just hope that Granny, Irene, and Aunt Tilly pay frequent visits, because they ROCK! Absolutely recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!

Merissa (13015 KP) rated A Life, Forward: A Rowan Slone Novel in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I received this book from YA Reads as part of the blog tour in return for a fair and honest review.
The second in the series sees Mike off at university and Rowan trying to finish her last year of school. She is still living with the Andersons and is trying to ignore her family as best she can. She is doing a pretty good job of it too until she hears her father is back in town and then it all goes belly up. Trina reappears and makes herself a nuisance as usual, and as usual, it appears that only Rowan and her friend Jess, can see what she's up to. Everyone else is taken in and fooled by her deceptions.
This book is just as raw as the first one although the circumstances are now slightly different. You will still feel for Rowan as she tries to do the right thing and make her house of cards as stable as possible. I was very pleased with the outcome of her relationship with Mike although I won't say more than that to ensure I don't spoil it for anyone one. Rowan certainly grows in this book and I was pleased to see her making plans for herself and looking to the future.
This series is one that is raw, gritty and full of pain. It is also an exceedingly good read that will draw you in and make you feel the main female's emotions.
The second in the series sees Mike off at university and Rowan trying to finish her last year of school. She is still living with the Andersons and is trying to ignore her family as best she can. She is doing a pretty good job of it too until she hears her father is back in town and then it all goes belly up. Trina reappears and makes herself a nuisance as usual, and as usual, it appears that only Rowan and her friend Jess, can see what she's up to. Everyone else is taken in and fooled by her deceptions.
This book is just as raw as the first one although the circumstances are now slightly different. You will still feel for Rowan as she tries to do the right thing and make her house of cards as stable as possible. I was very pleased with the outcome of her relationship with Mike although I won't say more than that to ensure I don't spoil it for anyone one. Rowan certainly grows in this book and I was pleased to see her making plans for herself and looking to the future.
This series is one that is raw, gritty and full of pain. It is also an exceedingly good read that will draw you in and make you feel the main female's emotions.

colin... (64 KP) rated Marriage Story (2019) in Movies
Sep 30, 2020
Hot. Take. Time.
I don't think this is nearly as good as everyone else thinks it is. Now, why do I feel that way? You can hear my full thoughts on Banter For Two.
Here are my initial thoughts. Sure, the performances are absolutely magnificent and I understand why this resonates so deep with everyone. Yet, for the life of me, I can't sympathize with either of our protagonists. I understand that they're flawed, as all humans are. However, I think there is a fine line between acting due to flaws and making irrational decisions that make neither logical nor story based sense. And I love films where we aren't meant to sympathize with our protagonists, but by the end of the film it is clear that Baumbach's intention is for us to genuinely sympathize with Driver and Johansson. You know who I COULD sympathize with? Evey single character in the Meyerowitz Stories! They all had distinct motivations and fleshed out characters, which I feel like Marriage Story does, EXCEPT for the actual decisions they make on screen. I'm aware that they are in a place where it is very difficult to think logically, but if you are thinking illogically, the least I ask of the movie is to write the characters to be consistent.
I know this is more of a rant, but I'll have more coherent thoughts on the podcast. Overall, yeah it was a pretty good movie.
I don't think this is nearly as good as everyone else thinks it is. Now, why do I feel that way? You can hear my full thoughts on Banter For Two.
Here are my initial thoughts. Sure, the performances are absolutely magnificent and I understand why this resonates so deep with everyone. Yet, for the life of me, I can't sympathize with either of our protagonists. I understand that they're flawed, as all humans are. However, I think there is a fine line between acting due to flaws and making irrational decisions that make neither logical nor story based sense. And I love films where we aren't meant to sympathize with our protagonists, but by the end of the film it is clear that Baumbach's intention is for us to genuinely sympathize with Driver and Johansson. You know who I COULD sympathize with? Evey single character in the Meyerowitz Stories! They all had distinct motivations and fleshed out characters, which I feel like Marriage Story does, EXCEPT for the actual decisions they make on screen. I'm aware that they are in a place where it is very difficult to think logically, but if you are thinking illogically, the least I ask of the movie is to write the characters to be consistent.
I know this is more of a rant, but I'll have more coherent thoughts on the podcast. Overall, yeah it was a pretty good movie.

Merissa (13015 KP) rated Letters to Laura in Books
Jun 8, 2023
Letters to Laura is a set of letters, told from the heart with atypical honesty and bluntness, as recommended by a counsellor. They detail the feelings of a woman on the receiving end of a breakup and everything that entails. They are raw, angry, loving, and kind, basically all of the emotions that you will feel if you allow yourself.
There are so many points to this book that I could agree with, indeed some of the comments made, I've actually made myself. Some of them, I still feel to this day. There is no right or wrong way to work through a breakup, but the worst thing you can do is ignore it. The author of these letters puts it so much more distinctly than I ever could. There is a part where she talks about 'shrapnel' which is totally mind-blowing. I adored that part!
'This book' is not of the norm that is out there.
'This book' is different, in such a good way.
'This book' should make you think.
'This book' should make you look in your own mirror and see yourself honestly.
'This book' is one that you should keep and re-read! Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 22, 2016
There are so many points to this book that I could agree with, indeed some of the comments made, I've actually made myself. Some of them, I still feel to this day. There is no right or wrong way to work through a breakup, but the worst thing you can do is ignore it. The author of these letters puts it so much more distinctly than I ever could. There is a part where she talks about 'shrapnel' which is totally mind-blowing. I adored that part!
'This book' is not of the norm that is out there.
'This book' is different, in such a good way.
'This book' should make you think.
'This book' should make you look in your own mirror and see yourself honestly.
'This book' is one that you should keep and re-read! Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
May 22, 2016

Nicholas Sparks recommended Dirty Dancing (1987) in Movies (curated)

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2367 KP) rated Killing in a Koi Pond in Books
Jun 13, 2021
Jessica Gets Back on the Road to Murder
Jessica Fletcher is traveling down to South Carolina to visit a college friend. Delores has just married Willis, and she is over the moon. She is also blind to the way that Willis treats the majority of those around them, but Jessica observes the way others are reacting to his almost abusive behavior at dinner. When Jessica sets out for a run the next morning, she finds Willis dead in the Koi Pond. While Delores doesn’t want to believe that anyone could have killed Willis, the police being to treat Delores as a suspect. Can Jessica figure out what is really happening?
Although I’ve been a fan of the TV show for years, I just started reading the books a couple of years ago. While I enjoyed those books, they felt a little off for the franchise. This book captures the feel of the show much better, especially Jessica on a trip episode (which were the majority). Jessica is her charming best here, and I enjoyed several other characters as well as appreciating the growth in Delores. I did feel that Delores’s step-granddaughter was a bit young for the age she was supposed to be and the suspects were thin. The plot was good, although the pacing was off. Still, it did provide some enjoyable red herrings before we reached a classic Murder, She Wrote climax. Fans of the series will feel right at home here.
Although I’ve been a fan of the TV show for years, I just started reading the books a couple of years ago. While I enjoyed those books, they felt a little off for the franchise. This book captures the feel of the show much better, especially Jessica on a trip episode (which were the majority). Jessica is her charming best here, and I enjoyed several other characters as well as appreciating the growth in Delores. I did feel that Delores’s step-granddaughter was a bit young for the age she was supposed to be and the suspects were thin. The plot was good, although the pacing was off. Still, it did provide some enjoyable red herrings before we reached a classic Murder, She Wrote climax. Fans of the series will feel right at home here.

Kate (493 KP) rated The Temptation of Gracie in Books
Sep 18, 2019
I usually read these types of books so was looking forward to it.
I enjoyed the romance in this book and the different stories of the other people involved. You got the full story - past and present. It wasn't hard to keep track of the past and present which can sometimes be the case. I think this was because the story was told in a story.
It took my about a couple of chapters to get into the book but once I did I was hooked. I couldn't put it down.
I was happy when reading the book and I fell in love with the characters. It gave me a good feeling.
The story stated the characters would grow and the author made sure this happened. I got to watch and feel the characters change, mature and grow.
I don't feel the book was aimed at a specific age. When I first started reading I thought it may of been for an older audience but as I read on I don't feel like this anymore. Anyone can read and love this book like I did.
The descriptions of Italy in the book made me want to visit. It sounded so serene and was described so well and in great deal. You can just see the place as your read the book.
The book exceeded the blurb. The blurb caught my attention but the book had me gripped.
I enjoyed the romance in this book and the different stories of the other people involved. You got the full story - past and present. It wasn't hard to keep track of the past and present which can sometimes be the case. I think this was because the story was told in a story.
It took my about a couple of chapters to get into the book but once I did I was hooked. I couldn't put it down.
I was happy when reading the book and I fell in love with the characters. It gave me a good feeling.
The story stated the characters would grow and the author made sure this happened. I got to watch and feel the characters change, mature and grow.
I don't feel the book was aimed at a specific age. When I first started reading I thought it may of been for an older audience but as I read on I don't feel like this anymore. Anyone can read and love this book like I did.
The descriptions of Italy in the book made me want to visit. It sounded so serene and was described so well and in great deal. You can just see the place as your read the book.
The book exceeded the blurb. The blurb caught my attention but the book had me gripped.

Rachel P (2 KP) rated Orphan Train: A Novel in Books
Jan 4, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. The setting skips between present day, where a girl raised in foster care meets an elderly lady and finds they have a lot in common. The present day chapters are told in third person. The flashback chapters depicting the older lady's childhood is told in first person and spans from her early childhood to mid-twenties.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was very good. There were some parts that were heartbreaking and hard to listen to, but overall, the book was very well-written. There were a few parts of the plot I wish were different, but those parts are what made the book feel more realistic.
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator was very good. There were some parts that were heartbreaking and hard to listen to, but overall, the book was very well-written. There were a few parts of the plot I wish were different, but those parts are what made the book feel more realistic.

Samuel Byrne (31 KP) rated Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) in Movies
Apr 23, 2017
Mary Elizabeth Winstead wih with Blue hair! Really what more could you ask for in a female supporting actress (8 more)
Michael Cera in a role that suited him perfectly
Gideon Graves was a fantastic villain
The soundtrack was exceptional. A real highlight of the film.
The Gaming references were spot on
On-screen graphics made the film feel like an Augmented reality experience
Special effects were very good
Edgar Wright as director is always a positive
Overall, the casting was fantastic, with some big names showing up
The film unfortunately left out a number of 'Vital' scenes from the source material (1 more)
Some of the humour just didn't work as intended
Michael Cera CAN ACT!