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lurkykitty (3 KP) rated Saint X in Books

Mar 26, 2020  
Saint X
Saint X
Alexis Schaitkin | 2020 | Thriller
9
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
A compelling and intelligent mystery
When Claire is only seven years old, her eighteen year-old sister Alison disappears and is found dead when their family takes a vacation on a Caribbean island. This book takes place mostly in NYC where Claire, now called Emily, is a young adult working at her first job. By happenstance, she runs into one of the men from the island who was accused of killing her sister, but was not convicted due to lack of evidence. She befriends this man to learn more about what happened to her sister, to the detriment of her own mental health. The initial impression of this book was that it would be a fast paced thriller with a stunning conclusion. However, it is more a commentary on unresolved grief, the assumptions that are made based on race and class, and how one event can shatter the lives of so many. It could still be categorized as a mystery. I found the multiple points of view valuable in understanding the characters and events. Even though, at times, Saint X did not move quickly, it was still a compelling and interesting read.
  
Trust Me, I'm A (Junior) Doctor
Trust Me, I'm A (Junior) Doctor
Max Pemberton | 2011 | Biography, Humor & Comedy
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Junior Doctor... Scrubs or Grey's Anatomy brought to life?
Max Pemberton's Trust Me, I'm a (Junior) Doctor is a very frank and humorous account (very tongue in cheek) of his time as a Junior Doctor. Reading this was very much like immersing yourself in a real life version of a Grey's Anatomy, Scrubs or Night Shift style TV show.
I found this to be a very easy read, demolishing the pages in a day (ok, I was sat round a pool with beer on tap, but still...) It was a well written and thought provoking account with recurring appearances of his housemates and colleagues. It humanises the role of a doctor and the struggles of long shifts balanced with maintaining a social life, family responsibility and just trying to exist.
Pemberton details how the NHS operates, and the trials and frustrations of a Junior doctor launched into frustrating, physically, mentally and emotionally draining role in medicine.
Reading this gave me a new found admiration for those on the front line working round the clock, whilst combating the very real frustrations of red tape, senior doctors and mental health.
I would recommend to any reader who enjoys this genre!
  
We're The Millers (2013)
We're The Millers (2013)
2013 | Comedy, Crime
Entertaining (0 more)
The testicle scene (0 more)
Good fun
All good fun and I found myself chuckling on occasion. With Jason Sudeikis starring I knew there'd be some bawdy humour, as evidenced by the showing of a swollen testicle and one of the other characters referring to her sex life as "throwing a hotdog down a hallway". I don't particularly like that puerile stuff but putting it aside this film was entertaining enough as we watch 4 acquaintances become a pretend family who then develop a warmth and love for each other, all the while trying to transport marijuana in an RV from Mexico to America whilst being pursued by a drug boss. It's not cerebral in anyway so just an easy watch.
  
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Micky Barnard (542 KP) rated Shadow of Night in Books

Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)  
Shadow of Night
Shadow of Night
Deborah E. Harkness | 2012 | Fiction & Poetry
7
8.6 (15 Ratings)
Book Rating
Middle book syndrome
Audibook review - 3.5 stars

This was a good story affected by some pacing issues in my opinion, thus the rating which might surprise some people. Overall, I feel good about the storyline, the character development and the gut-punching emotions. I do think it could have been a little shorter and more dynamically paced. I wasn’t sure if I was going to settle into Tudor England, it took some time but I did settle.

Matthew and Diana’s relationship dynamic was rather different in past times, I found it inevitable, interesting and sometimes annoying. I enjoyed the band of waifs and strays that became part of their family.

Great narration and I’m already lamenting that Times Convert won’t have Ikeda.