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HLD (99 KP) rated Apple Music in Apps
Nov 22, 2018
Huge variety of music (2 more)
I personally believe it is easy to navigate - my fiancee does not
Usually a pretty fast interface
It's good, but it has it's flaws
I have enjoyed using apple music, and I think that it is a worthy competitor to Spotify. I do, however, think both companies could learn a thing or two from one another. The interface of AM is a lot better in my humble opinion, but Spotify has capabilities that AM should incorporate.
Saving songs to your library is easy - and when you remember a song that you loved 10 years ago, it is a 20 second process until it is saved in your playlist.
Browsing new songs could be A LOT better. I feel as though Apple don't put enough effort in to highlighting artists that you wouldn't normally find. Hell, even youtube is a better source for new music.
They also rehash the same 'Workout mix' or 'Alternative rock' playlists all the time. Maybe changing it up a little bit would encourage me to traverse their genre tabs for a hidden gem.
Saving songs to your library is easy - and when you remember a song that you loved 10 years ago, it is a 20 second process until it is saved in your playlist.
Browsing new songs could be A LOT better. I feel as though Apple don't put enough effort in to highlighting artists that you wouldn't normally find. Hell, even youtube is a better source for new music.
They also rehash the same 'Workout mix' or 'Alternative rock' playlists all the time. Maybe changing it up a little bit would encourage me to traverse their genre tabs for a hidden gem.
Dominique Marie (7 KP) rated The Princess Diarist in Books
Nov 28, 2018 (Updated Nov 28, 2018)
MMD Reading Challenge 2017- For Fun
Category: Book in a genre you usually avoid
I avoid celebrity memoirs, mostly because I feel that I can get enough celebrity news from the internet and tv. I don't want to read books about that subject in most cases. I chose The Princess Diarist because I love Star Wars, and this memoir takes place during the filming. I had very mixed feelings about this book. Fisher is hilarious and relatable, at times far to crass for my liking, but candid. Her diaries from when she was young were probably the most interesting part to me. Her affair with Harrison was just so heartbreaking to me. She tries to defend him, but I think it's awful. Right after he "rescues" her from some co-workers who have gotten her plastered, he takes her into his car and makes out with her. He was 15 years older than her, and married with two kids. It was also heartbreaking because she idolized him so much. The contrast between her diaries and her current thoughts made for a good read, but I can't say that I really liked it, or really hated it. It was just such a mixed bag for me.
Category: Book in a genre you usually avoid
I avoid celebrity memoirs, mostly because I feel that I can get enough celebrity news from the internet and tv. I don't want to read books about that subject in most cases. I chose The Princess Diarist because I love Star Wars, and this memoir takes place during the filming. I had very mixed feelings about this book. Fisher is hilarious and relatable, at times far to crass for my liking, but candid. Her diaries from when she was young were probably the most interesting part to me. Her affair with Harrison was just so heartbreaking to me. She tries to defend him, but I think it's awful. Right after he "rescues" her from some co-workers who have gotten her plastered, he takes her into his car and makes out with her. He was 15 years older than her, and married with two kids. It was also heartbreaking because she idolized him so much. The contrast between her diaries and her current thoughts made for a good read, but I can't say that I really liked it, or really hated it. It was just such a mixed bag for me.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated On Shifting Sand in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Dust, sand, grit everywhere. When there is a door to a different form of life's satisfaction will Nola take it?
Nola has married Russ Merrill to escape the harsh hand of her father. But now she feels trapped and is withering away. When an unexpected guest comes to stay, she blossoms. But will this lead her down a path that she shouldn't go?
Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this book. Allison Pittman did a wonderful job capturing the feel of the Dust Bowl life. I loved the style of writing that she used. Very elegant and easy to read. However, I had a hard time with the story line. There few things in life that I cannot stand more than infidelity. If I had read the book description more closely, I would have realized that this is the basis for this story. And from the very beginning you know what is going to happen, which made me dread picking up the book. It is a good book. Well written and very captivating. However, I was unable to complete it due to my own standards in life.
I received a free copy of On Shifting Sand from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Nola has married Russ Merrill to escape the harsh hand of her father. But now she feels trapped and is withering away. When an unexpected guest comes to stay, she blossoms. But will this lead her down a path that she shouldn't go?
Unfortunately, I was unable to finish this book. Allison Pittman did a wonderful job capturing the feel of the Dust Bowl life. I loved the style of writing that she used. Very elegant and easy to read. However, I had a hard time with the story line. There few things in life that I cannot stand more than infidelity. If I had read the book description more closely, I would have realized that this is the basis for this story. And from the very beginning you know what is going to happen, which made me dread picking up the book. It is a good book. Well written and very captivating. However, I was unable to complete it due to my own standards in life.
I received a free copy of On Shifting Sand from Tyndale Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Silent Companions in Books
Oct 16, 2019
A gripping gothic horror
I decided to give this a go purely because I enjoyed Laura Purcell's second novel The Corset, and I'm so glad I did because I could not put this down. I stayed up far too late last might purely to get this finished as I couldn't bear the thought of waiting until tonight to read the ending. It's that good.
This is the first horror book I've ever read that has truly scared me and given me the creeps. The plot and idea behind the companions is a wonderfully creepy idea and the gothic setting works so well. The story is told in a great way too, flitting between the different times and viewpoints, to really build up the tension and intrigue to where you can't stop reading as you need to find out what happens next. The only real criticism I have is that Elsie is not the most amenable and endearing of protagonists, so even after the ending you don't necessarily feel sorry for her, but I personally was so gripped by the rest of the plot that whether I loved Elsie or not was irrelevant. The kind of book I'd love to see made into a film (done properly of course!).
This is the first horror book I've ever read that has truly scared me and given me the creeps. The plot and idea behind the companions is a wonderfully creepy idea and the gothic setting works so well. The story is told in a great way too, flitting between the different times and viewpoints, to really build up the tension and intrigue to where you can't stop reading as you need to find out what happens next. The only real criticism I have is that Elsie is not the most amenable and endearing of protagonists, so even after the ending you don't necessarily feel sorry for her, but I personally was so gripped by the rest of the plot that whether I loved Elsie or not was irrelevant. The kind of book I'd love to see made into a film (done properly of course!).
Deborah (162 KP) rated Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death in Books
Dec 19, 2018
First off, I expected this to be a novel, so when I got about 70 pages in and it seemed to be winding up the mystery, I was a bit confused. It's actually a series of 6 stories which are different mysteries that Cannon Sidney Chambers finds himself getting involved in. Also, except for the division into stories, there are no chapter breaks.
Of the six stories here, I thought that some worked better than others. The first ones were a little more genteel whereas the later ones, particularly perhaps the penultimate story, were a little more dark and disturbing.
I'm too young to remember this period, so I can't comment on how accurate it is, but I didn't feel that I got a really strong sense of the period. The geographical setting is mainly around Cambridge, with several jaunts up to London. Perhaps the author thought this was just the sort of thing to appeal to those readers of Agatha Christie, because the solutions to no less than three of her books are revealed here - good job I'd read them already....
Altogether, there's enough going on to sustain the interest and I see that the author is proposing a total of six volumes, taking us right up to the early 1980s.
Of the six stories here, I thought that some worked better than others. The first ones were a little more genteel whereas the later ones, particularly perhaps the penultimate story, were a little more dark and disturbing.
I'm too young to remember this period, so I can't comment on how accurate it is, but I didn't feel that I got a really strong sense of the period. The geographical setting is mainly around Cambridge, with several jaunts up to London. Perhaps the author thought this was just the sort of thing to appeal to those readers of Agatha Christie, because the solutions to no less than three of her books are revealed here - good job I'd read them already....
Altogether, there's enough going on to sustain the interest and I see that the author is proposing a total of six volumes, taking us right up to the early 1980s.
Deborah (162 KP) rated Longbourn's Unexpected Matchmaker in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Longbourn's Unexpected Matchmaker is a P&P variation - it starts at the same point as the original novel but then diverges from the original plot for a number of reasons. Overall I did enjoy it; it's a frothy feel-good sort of book that kept me smiling. Poetic justic was handed out in spades to the villains of the piece - although I'm not quite sure that her brother, even as a belted Earl, would have been able to manage what actually happens to Lady Catherine, but it's a nice thought!
I suppose on the downside you could say that all potential sources of conflict are resolved rather too quickly and easily. I'm still not entirely convinced about Lizzy sitting and singing in trees either!
It also could have done with some better editing. The typesetting was odd as there were sometimes unecessarily large gaps between words. The bookseller at Meryton was named one thing one minute and something else a few pages on which threw me for a minute. There were also errors and inconsistancies in title usage: Sir William Lucas was referred to both as Sir William (correctly) and Sir Lucas (no-no).
I would have thought higher of Darcy's intelligence though - surely he should have figured out who Mr Bennet was?!
I suppose on the downside you could say that all potential sources of conflict are resolved rather too quickly and easily. I'm still not entirely convinced about Lizzy sitting and singing in trees either!
It also could have done with some better editing. The typesetting was odd as there were sometimes unecessarily large gaps between words. The bookseller at Meryton was named one thing one minute and something else a few pages on which threw me for a minute. There were also errors and inconsistancies in title usage: Sir William Lucas was referred to both as Sir William (correctly) and Sir Lucas (no-no).
I would have thought higher of Darcy's intelligence though - surely he should have figured out who Mr Bennet was?!
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Going Home (Brides of Webster County,#1) in Books
Jul 24, 2019
Faith comes home after living in the English world. She has her daughter in tow with her. What happen to Faith Stutzman Andrews and her daughter. Faith is widowed but what happen to her husband and what makes her to come home.
Noah is enjoying with doing things in the kitchen rather then work in the fields. Noah seem to like help other out and make them feel better. Will Noah be able to help Faith? Their seem to be rules that Faith must follow when she returns back to her parents home.
Will Faith decide to stay or will she leave once again. Noah seem like he likes Faith and her daughter. The author does well with this story. It show that it okay to return back home. Will Faith and Noah find love with each other? It seem that Wanda does this. I remember bit and parts about this story when I read it about seven years ago. I would love to reread it in audio book if I ever get the chance.
This book is worth reading. If you are a fan of christian fiction or even Amish fiction. Wanda is a really good storyteller and this story is no different.
Noah is enjoying with doing things in the kitchen rather then work in the fields. Noah seem to like help other out and make them feel better. Will Noah be able to help Faith? Their seem to be rules that Faith must follow when she returns back to her parents home.
Will Faith decide to stay or will she leave once again. Noah seem like he likes Faith and her daughter. The author does well with this story. It show that it okay to return back home. Will Faith and Noah find love with each other? It seem that Wanda does this. I remember bit and parts about this story when I read it about seven years ago. I would love to reread it in audio book if I ever get the chance.
This book is worth reading. If you are a fan of christian fiction or even Amish fiction. Wanda is a really good storyteller and this story is no different.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated A Beautiful Corpse (Harper McClain #2) in Books
Dec 14, 2019
An enjoyable and addictive read
This is book two in the series but I haven't read the first and, to be honest, I don't think it mattered that much however, there is likely to be additional background to the main characters which I have missed out on and which will likely add to this story but I feel this can easily be read as a standalone.
Harper is a great lead female character; strong, courageous and feisty but with a vulnerability that makes her more convincing but all the characters are well developed and believable ... even the cat, Zuzu!
The main story line of the murder and subsequent investigation is great but the side-stories are equally as good and with the writing flowing with ease, this makes this an enjoyable and addictive read that I devoured in just over a day.
Definitely recommended reading for you readers out there who love a strong, female character, a great mystery, engaging investigation and some scenes of peril.
I am very much looking forward to the next instalment and hope that Ms Daugherty is locked away somewhere feverishly writing!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, Harperfiction via NetGalley for my copy in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Harper is a great lead female character; strong, courageous and feisty but with a vulnerability that makes her more convincing but all the characters are well developed and believable ... even the cat, Zuzu!
The main story line of the murder and subsequent investigation is great but the side-stories are equally as good and with the writing flowing with ease, this makes this an enjoyable and addictive read that I devoured in just over a day.
Definitely recommended reading for you readers out there who love a strong, female character, a great mystery, engaging investigation and some scenes of peril.
I am very much looking forward to the next instalment and hope that Ms Daugherty is locked away somewhere feverishly writing!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK, Harperfiction via NetGalley for my copy in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Rachael (5 KP) rated The Invisible Man (2020) in Movies
Mar 9, 2020
Actually giving it a 4.5/5, well for this rating a 9.5/10
This movie nailed the suspense of what you can't see can hurt you. I loved this movie, even though I jumped, and got scared a bunch (shush I'm not a huge horror person okay geez) but my scared ass enjoyed this movie, and I'll definitely watch it again.
There's not too much to complain, just one major flaw so I'll start with that. The plot; it was good, except some major holes that could have been filled with all the baloney they were making to extend that plot point to keep it till later in the narrative.
Okay things I loved... Everything else! Lol the music was suspenseful, and sucked me into the craziness on the screen. It took me a bit to feel connected to our main characters, but once I did, I was all in. I jumped, a lot, but not just because of the couple jump scares, but because of the built suspense, and the beautiful camera pans of nothing.
But in the long run, though the plot does subtract final points, this is definitely a movie I will watch again, and you should go see it in theaters before it disappears.
There's not too much to complain, just one major flaw so I'll start with that. The plot; it was good, except some major holes that could have been filled with all the baloney they were making to extend that plot point to keep it till later in the narrative.
Okay things I loved... Everything else! Lol the music was suspenseful, and sucked me into the craziness on the screen. It took me a bit to feel connected to our main characters, but once I did, I was all in. I jumped, a lot, but not just because of the couple jump scares, but because of the built suspense, and the beautiful camera pans of nothing.
But in the long run, though the plot does subtract final points, this is definitely a movie I will watch again, and you should go see it in theaters before it disappears.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Spenser Confidential (2020) in Movies
Apr 2, 2020
I had such high hopes for this film. I didn't necessarily think it was bad, but it's one of those movies where the trailer really makes it seem so much better than it actually is. You know the ones. I love Winston Duke in this, I think he really shines - especially in contrast with his role in Black Panther as M'Baku.
As much as I didn't really LOVE this film, I am hoping there will be a sequel, especially after the ending of this one left it open for one. I really like the cast they chose, the dynamic is really cool. I think my biggest problem with this film is the pacing. Some parts move very slowly and other parts feel so quick. I also didn't really understand the roles of the Feds they had. Like I get it in the context of the film, but it felt unnecessary to actually have them named and have lines and that whole thing. Maybe that's just me though.
Overall, I think it's a relatively decent film. Definitely not going to win any Academy Awards or probably any recognition from the film world, but it's still a good watch. At least to say you did, if not to say you like it.
As much as I didn't really LOVE this film, I am hoping there will be a sequel, especially after the ending of this one left it open for one. I really like the cast they chose, the dynamic is really cool. I think my biggest problem with this film is the pacing. Some parts move very slowly and other parts feel so quick. I also didn't really understand the roles of the Feds they had. Like I get it in the context of the film, but it felt unnecessary to actually have them named and have lines and that whole thing. Maybe that's just me though.
Overall, I think it's a relatively decent film. Definitely not going to win any Academy Awards or probably any recognition from the film world, but it's still a good watch. At least to say you did, if not to say you like it.