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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2072 KP) rated The Silencing in Books
Mar 9, 2018
A sobering look at how the illiberal left is using name calling and intimidation to silence those they disagree with. Columnist and Fox News contributor Kirsten Powers chronicles stories from the last few years of this trend to name call, demonize, and shout down those who don’t follow liberal dogma to the letter. She shares stories from college campuses, feminism, and the war on Fox News.
There is little editorializing in the book. Instead, she lays out story after story of how people are being attacked for saying things that aren’t deemed correct. The result is a book that anyone who cares about America should read with their eyes wide open.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-silencing-how-left-is.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
There is little editorializing in the book. Instead, she lays out story after story of how people are being attacked for saying things that aren’t deemed correct. The result is a book that anyone who cares about America should read with their eyes wide open.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-silencing-how-left-is.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Ross (3282 KP) rated SMiLE Sessions by The Beach Boys in Music
May 12, 2020
Rolling Stone's 381st greatest album of all time
The album that never was, but then it was. Not a great collection of songs here, but the superb "Heroes and Villains" (which embarrassingly I only know from the Fantastic Mr Fox film) steals the show and brings this up to being a worthwhile listen. What remains is a little hit or miss (mainly miss).
Otway93 (567 KP) rated Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) in Movies
Dec 4, 2019
Puppetry (3 more)
Casting
Soundtrack
Story
The second best Roald Dahl adaptation!
In all honesty, I can't find a single fault with this film. It's funny, smart, and superbly made.
From the opening moments, you already have a feeling that it's going to be a good film, but it just gets better as it progresses.
The stop-motion puppetry is superbly done, and I never thought it would be easy to capture such emotion with puppets. The voices (Mr and Mrs Fox provided by screen legends George Clooney and Meryl Streep) are superb, with George capturing the cheeky tone of Mr Fox and Meryl conveying love, anger and a whole other range of emotions perfectly!
One of the best Roald Dahl screen adaptations, in my opinion only beaten by the 1970s hit "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".
From the opening moments, you already have a feeling that it's going to be a good film, but it just gets better as it progresses.
The stop-motion puppetry is superbly done, and I never thought it would be easy to capture such emotion with puppets. The voices (Mr and Mrs Fox provided by screen legends George Clooney and Meryl Streep) are superb, with George capturing the cheeky tone of Mr Fox and Meryl conveying love, anger and a whole other range of emotions perfectly!
One of the best Roald Dahl screen adaptations, in my opinion only beaten by the 1970s hit "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory".
Brandon Routh recommended Back to the Future (1985) in Movies (curated)
Peter Cowie recommended The Vanishing (1988) in Movies (curated)
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated We All Begin As Strangers in Books
Mar 15, 2018
When I first saw this on Netgalley, I knew I had to read it. Loosely based on real life events and characters, this intrigued me. This has a mysterious character known as "The Fox" who breaks into peoples homes and watches them. This "Fox" person was real and struck the area I live in. Leighton Buzzard, St Albans, Tring and Dunstable and other surrounding areas were all in fear of this criminal, and in real life, he wasn't a people watcher, he was a serial rapist. My step-dad grew up when The Fox was around so he is always recalling stories about the incidents and when I connected the dots to this book being about that particular "fox" I instantly requested it!
This started off a little slow for me, and I didn't instantly love it, but it takes it's time to grow on you and in the end I adored this. It is a little sombre throughout, but sometimes, that's what makes a book so moving and great to read.
The atmosphere of the small village environment is absolutely spot on. I've lived in a number of small villages myself, and you do find that news travels fast, plus there is a certain distance put between locals and "outsiders". For this novel, the hostile village atmosphere has most certainly been amplified, but you can definitely feel that static-y tension in the air if you have ever lived "village life".
The writing in this novel is lovely. Very descriptive and picturesque. But where Cummings really shines in in her characters. Each one that we follow closely, Deloris, Jim, Brian and Stan, we become attached to, well, I did at least. You feel as though you know them and you get angry along with them, you sympathise for them and you cheer them on.
Even though I predicted the identity of The Fox, among other things, there are small twists in each person's story that surprise you, so I was still in awe during most of the novel.
This book is marvelous. It's sad, moving, witty and beautiful. Definitely try to get yourself a copy of it you love books about trouble in small communities.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
This started off a little slow for me, and I didn't instantly love it, but it takes it's time to grow on you and in the end I adored this. It is a little sombre throughout, but sometimes, that's what makes a book so moving and great to read.
The atmosphere of the small village environment is absolutely spot on. I've lived in a number of small villages myself, and you do find that news travels fast, plus there is a certain distance put between locals and "outsiders". For this novel, the hostile village atmosphere has most certainly been amplified, but you can definitely feel that static-y tension in the air if you have ever lived "village life".
The writing in this novel is lovely. Very descriptive and picturesque. But where Cummings really shines in in her characters. Each one that we follow closely, Deloris, Jim, Brian and Stan, we become attached to, well, I did at least. You feel as though you know them and you get angry along with them, you sympathise for them and you cheer them on.
Even though I predicted the identity of The Fox, among other things, there are small twists in each person's story that surprise you, so I was still in awe during most of the novel.
This book is marvelous. It's sad, moving, witty and beautiful. Definitely try to get yourself a copy of it you love books about trouble in small communities.
<i>Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.</i>
Dana (24 KP) rated The Too-Clever Fox (Grisha Verse, #2.5) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
One thing I love about Leigh Bardugo is that she goes so in depth in the world she created! I absolutely love basically anything Leigh Bardugo will ever write, these short stories included!
This story, like the others, gives the female characters so much agency and power!!
There are spoilers in the rest of the review from here, so be warned!
We, as both the readers and as the Fox, don't suspect this seemingly weak character to be able to do anything, but boy does she surprise us!! I loved how the fox was so trusting in this girl because how could a girl be dangerous? Right? WRONG!!!
This is just another beautiful addition to Leigh Bardugo's already amazing collection of works!1
Please just read all of the folk tales she releases from this series/world!! It adds so much depth to the already fantastic world she created!
This story, like the others, gives the female characters so much agency and power!!
There are spoilers in the rest of the review from here, so be warned!
We, as both the readers and as the Fox, don't suspect this seemingly weak character to be able to do anything, but boy does she surprise us!! I loved how the fox was so trusting in this girl because how could a girl be dangerous? Right? WRONG!!!
This is just another beautiful addition to Leigh Bardugo's already amazing collection of works!1
Please just read all of the folk tales she releases from this series/world!! It adds so much depth to the already fantastic world she created!
Blazing Minds (92 KP) rated Bombshell (2019) in Movies
Nov 1, 2021 (Updated Nov 3, 2021)
Now I have to say that I wasn't 100% sure of the story behind Bombshell that stars Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Margot Robbie and an unrecognisable John Lithgow, what I did vaguely know is that the movie is based on the rather powerful and controversial media empire Fox News and of the story of the woman that brought down the man that created the well-known empire.
It's certainly a refreshing change from all the action and adventure films that I've been seeing lately and ys it is a slowish paced film, but Bombshell kept me interested in the storyline, as they fight to take on the power of Fox News and Roger Ailes (John Lithgow), this is a film that is pretty powerful to watch and is intriguing and interesting as Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) takes on the media mogul in a fight for justice.
It's certainly a refreshing change from all the action and adventure films that I've been seeing lately and ys it is a slowish paced film, but Bombshell kept me interested in the storyline, as they fight to take on the power of Fox News and Roger Ailes (John Lithgow), this is a film that is pretty powerful to watch and is intriguing and interesting as Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) takes on the media mogul in a fight for justice.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Shadow of the Fox (Shadow of the Fox, #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa brings Japanese mythology and folklore to life, taking readers on an exciting journey through feudal Japan, Kagawa weaves together three characters from different backgrounds all while introducing readers to a wide variety of demons the characters come across. The novel follows these characters as a new age approaches and the Kami Dragon is summoned, granting a wish to the one who holds the pieces of the Dragon Scroll.
Shadow of the Fox is primarily told in the two perspectives of Yumeko and Tatsumi, with the occasional addition of a third. Yumeko is a half-kitsune, half-human raised at the Silent Winds temple to hide her true kitsune nature, though she is forced to flee after everyone is slaughtered by a demon who wants to retrieve a part of the scroll. Readers interested in seeing kitsune magic coming to life on the page may find themselves disappointed as Yumeko shows little of her magic and hides her true nature from her companions.
One of those companions includes Tatsumi, a samurai from the Shadow Clan ordered to bring the Dragon Scroll regardless of the cost. Raised as a weapon, Tatsumi is taught from a young age to hide all of his emotions and thoughts from those around him as doing so would pose a danger. Not able to accomplish his mission right away, he finds himself in an unlikely alliance with Yumeko and begins to question his upbringing.
The first novel in a stunning new series, Shadow of the Fox is a magical adventure with an ominous feel throughout and will have readers wanting the sequel to the story.
<a href="https://60secondsmag.com/review-shadow-of-the-fox/">This review was originally posted on 60 Seconds Online Magazine</a>.
Shadow of the Fox by Julie Kagawa brings Japanese mythology and folklore to life, taking readers on an exciting journey through feudal Japan, Kagawa weaves together three characters from different backgrounds all while introducing readers to a wide variety of demons the characters come across. The novel follows these characters as a new age approaches and the Kami Dragon is summoned, granting a wish to the one who holds the pieces of the Dragon Scroll.
Shadow of the Fox is primarily told in the two perspectives of Yumeko and Tatsumi, with the occasional addition of a third. Yumeko is a half-kitsune, half-human raised at the Silent Winds temple to hide her true kitsune nature, though she is forced to flee after everyone is slaughtered by a demon who wants to retrieve a part of the scroll. Readers interested in seeing kitsune magic coming to life on the page may find themselves disappointed as Yumeko shows little of her magic and hides her true nature from her companions.
One of those companions includes Tatsumi, a samurai from the Shadow Clan ordered to bring the Dragon Scroll regardless of the cost. Raised as a weapon, Tatsumi is taught from a young age to hide all of his emotions and thoughts from those around him as doing so would pose a danger. Not able to accomplish his mission right away, he finds himself in an unlikely alliance with Yumeko and begins to question his upbringing.
The first novel in a stunning new series, Shadow of the Fox is a magical adventure with an ominous feel throughout and will have readers wanting the sequel to the story.
<a href="https://60secondsmag.com/review-shadow-of-the-fox/">This review was originally posted on 60 Seconds Online Magazine</a>.
Debbiereadsbook (1084 KP) rated Missing Pieces (The White Creek #1) in Books
Mar 7, 2019
good start for a first time author
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I'm a bit in two minds about this book, and I can't figure out why but I'll try.
It's a Nice book. I know I hate using that word but it's the best I can come up with! It has drama, passion, love, hate, lots of different emotions with just enough of each to not be overpowering.
I will say this, only Harper has a say. In the first person AND present tense. And it took me til way past halfway to figure out it was present tense, so well done to Fox for making me NOT see something that might have made me dump it!
I did need to hear from Easton though. I think he would have had a lot to say, especially about what he's dealing with, with his sisters and his nutty ex.
And I found out after I'd read this, that this is a first time author! So very well done to Fox for this book, even if it wasn't quite my cuppa tea.
I enjoyed it, it didn't quite push any buttons for me, BUT! I would like to read the next one, just to see how Fox' skill is growing. And Easton's sister really could be an interesting character!
3 GOOD solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I'm a bit in two minds about this book, and I can't figure out why but I'll try.
It's a Nice book. I know I hate using that word but it's the best I can come up with! It has drama, passion, love, hate, lots of different emotions with just enough of each to not be overpowering.
I will say this, only Harper has a say. In the first person AND present tense. And it took me til way past halfway to figure out it was present tense, so well done to Fox for making me NOT see something that might have made me dump it!
I did need to hear from Easton though. I think he would have had a lot to say, especially about what he's dealing with, with his sisters and his nutty ex.
And I found out after I'd read this, that this is a first time author! So very well done to Fox for this book, even if it wasn't quite my cuppa tea.
I enjoyed it, it didn't quite push any buttons for me, BUT! I would like to read the next one, just to see how Fox' skill is growing. And Easton's sister really could be an interesting character!
3 GOOD solid stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**