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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2171 KP) rated The Proof of the Pudding in Books
Nov 9, 2023
Of Poison Gardens and Poisonous Dinner Parties
Lady Georgie has hired a new chef from France, and he is a hit in the community. In fact, Georgie’s neighbor, Sir Mortimer Mordred, has hired him to provide the dinner at the end of the open house he is hosting to show off his poison garden. The next morning, a few of the guests are sick, and one dies. Could Georgie’s chef be a poisoner?
As is usual for this series, the book takes a while to set the story in motion, but once it does, I was hooked. Georgie gets a fun new sleuthing partner that I loved. The climax, while a little unconventional, works well for this book and answers all of our questions. It was great to see the series regulars again and see them continue to grow. Meanwhile, the new characters are great. We get some funny scenes and reminders of what was going on in Europe in the 1930’s. While the two are very different in tone, they are balanced perfect. I enjoyed this latest entry in the series, and fans will as well.
As is usual for this series, the book takes a while to set the story in motion, but once it does, I was hooked. Georgie gets a fun new sleuthing partner that I loved. The climax, while a little unconventional, works well for this book and answers all of our questions. It was great to see the series regulars again and see them continue to grow. Meanwhile, the new characters are great. We get some funny scenes and reminders of what was going on in Europe in the 1930’s. While the two are very different in tone, they are balanced perfect. I enjoyed this latest entry in the series, and fans will as well.
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated The Portable Veblen in Books
Feb 15, 2019
Okay, I admit it, I was totally drawn in by the cute squirrel on the cover thinking it'd be a quirky book. The description seconded that notion and sounded interesting so I was all in. While the book is easy to read (mostly) and has some interesting characters and situations, it has its problems and ended up just being an okay read.
The story centers around Veblen, a temporary secretary and amateur Norwegian translator who hides her wounds and feelings of inadequacy with optimism, mediation, and oh yeah, she talks to squirrels, mainly one in particular. Along with her is her fiancee, Paul, a neurologist on the verge of a breakthrough with a device he patented that could prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Joining them in their journey are their dysfunctional families. I really felt sorry for Veblen growing up and enduring her narcissitic, hypochondriac mother; she was a piece of work, but I do think she really cared for Veblen. On the other hand, I thought Paul's parents seemed very nice and I mostly found Paul to be somewhat of an ass and priggish. While he changes by the end, it didn't feel very authentic as it seemed as if it happened a little too hastily, even with the circumstances. The parts with Paul at his work were mostly boring and definitely way too long. While I see how it could add to the whole consumerism angle, it didn't add to the overall book and could have been trimmed. The squirrel didn't play as big a part as I thought it would, but the little parts were sweet and added a little magic to the book. Also, the illustrations and pictures in the book were a nice touch and the appendices were cute.
I liked the book as a whole but felt like it was two stories that would have been better off split into two separate entities. Mostly, it was a study on dysfunctional families and coming to terms with pieces of your life that weren't happy and accepting what cannot be changed. The book is not nearly as funny as the description led me to believe and I more found it amusing and/or cute. Basically, it was more dramedy than anything. I don't regret reading it, as it was entertaining, but not something I'd read again.
<i>3.5 stars</i>
Received to review through Amazon Vine.
The story centers around Veblen, a temporary secretary and amateur Norwegian translator who hides her wounds and feelings of inadequacy with optimism, mediation, and oh yeah, she talks to squirrels, mainly one in particular. Along with her is her fiancee, Paul, a neurologist on the verge of a breakthrough with a device he patented that could prevent traumatic brain injuries (TBI). Joining them in their journey are their dysfunctional families. I really felt sorry for Veblen growing up and enduring her narcissitic, hypochondriac mother; she was a piece of work, but I do think she really cared for Veblen. On the other hand, I thought Paul's parents seemed very nice and I mostly found Paul to be somewhat of an ass and priggish. While he changes by the end, it didn't feel very authentic as it seemed as if it happened a little too hastily, even with the circumstances. The parts with Paul at his work were mostly boring and definitely way too long. While I see how it could add to the whole consumerism angle, it didn't add to the overall book and could have been trimmed. The squirrel didn't play as big a part as I thought it would, but the little parts were sweet and added a little magic to the book. Also, the illustrations and pictures in the book were a nice touch and the appendices were cute.
I liked the book as a whole but felt like it was two stories that would have been better off split into two separate entities. Mostly, it was a study on dysfunctional families and coming to terms with pieces of your life that weren't happy and accepting what cannot be changed. The book is not nearly as funny as the description led me to believe and I more found it amusing and/or cute. Basically, it was more dramedy than anything. I don't regret reading it, as it was entertaining, but not something I'd read again.
<i>3.5 stars</i>
Received to review through Amazon Vine.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Honey Girl in Books
Mar 4, 2021
I loved this book so much I could cry. (I did cry.) Oh Grace, my sweet, emotional girl, and oh this book. This beautiful book. Do not go into HONEY GIRL thinking it is a gimmicky read because of the Vegas marriage premise. It's a real, heart-wrenching book that will rip and tear at your soul. But don't worry, this is a good thing. Because this is a ridiculously romantic and adorable story, as well as a nuanced coming-of-age/finding yourself (hey, it can happen at twenty-eight) story.
"Have you ever gone to bed thinking of someone you only knew for a night? Have you ever stared up at the sky and wondered where it was you saw yourself, all those years ago? Which star it was you followed here?"
Rogers writes with a lyrical beauty. She gives us Grace and Yuki, two sweet, lovely, flawed, real characters whom I adored. As for Grace, I wanted nothing but good for her. I identified so much with an anxious workaholic crippled by the expectations of her parents. ("Being angry at his unattainable expectations is so much easier than accepting that the only ones I have to meet are my own." -- I think I may need to have this bronzed, as it sums up my life.) Grace struggles with the pressures placed on her by her ex-military father, by intense racism that makes it difficult to succeed in a field where she's extremely qualified, and with mental health/anxiety issues. Rogers handles all of these excellently, covering them so well in her story, along with Grace and Yuri's burgeoning relationship. It seems like it should be too much for one book, but everything fits perfectly together.
Honestly, no review of mine can do this book justice. I love the characters of Grace and Yuri and the supporting cast is excellent (and the book is diverse). It's hilarious and funny yet deftly and kindly covers mental health issues. It also takes an insightful look at racism--especially in academia--and how difficult it makes life for Grace. There's romance, friendship, family, and so much more. I loved it all, and I highly highly recommend HONEY GIRL. I cannot wait to read what Morgan Rogers writes next. 4.5+ stars.
"Have you ever gone to bed thinking of someone you only knew for a night? Have you ever stared up at the sky and wondered where it was you saw yourself, all those years ago? Which star it was you followed here?"
Rogers writes with a lyrical beauty. She gives us Grace and Yuki, two sweet, lovely, flawed, real characters whom I adored. As for Grace, I wanted nothing but good for her. I identified so much with an anxious workaholic crippled by the expectations of her parents. ("Being angry at his unattainable expectations is so much easier than accepting that the only ones I have to meet are my own." -- I think I may need to have this bronzed, as it sums up my life.) Grace struggles with the pressures placed on her by her ex-military father, by intense racism that makes it difficult to succeed in a field where she's extremely qualified, and with mental health/anxiety issues. Rogers handles all of these excellently, covering them so well in her story, along with Grace and Yuri's burgeoning relationship. It seems like it should be too much for one book, but everything fits perfectly together.
Honestly, no review of mine can do this book justice. I love the characters of Grace and Yuri and the supporting cast is excellent (and the book is diverse). It's hilarious and funny yet deftly and kindly covers mental health issues. It also takes an insightful look at racism--especially in academia--and how difficult it makes life for Grace. There's romance, friendship, family, and so much more. I loved it all, and I highly highly recommend HONEY GIRL. I cannot wait to read what Morgan Rogers writes next. 4.5+ stars.
LissaBeth21 (6 KP) rated It's All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree in Books
Jan 6, 2018
How many ways did I love this audiobook? Perhaps too many to count. The simple fact that A.J. Jacobs' voice is like a cross between modern Jews a couple of generations removed from the old country and Caroll Spinney was completely enticing to me. His narrative of his great idea and project was perfectly paced and incredibly funny. Being a big fan of genealogy shows myself, I was enticed by his insights into the process, products, and services available. I agree wholeheartedly that it is the family anecdotes, the stories and coincidences passed down through the generations that are stronger than scientific results on a print out. However, when you really get down to it, there is so little that separates us, and so much more to come that will connect us in the future. Fantastic work and a terrific book.
*＊✿❀ Maki ❀✿＊* (7 KP) rated Welcome to Night Vale in Podcasts
May 2, 2018 (Updated May 3, 2018)
amazing writing (2 more)
variety of music
Cecil Baldwin could read me the phone book
Welcome to Night Vale
I normally can't do podcasts. I'm incapable of just sitting and listening to narration.
I forced myself to listen to Night Vale.
The first episode left me intrigued. By the third, I was in love.
Night Vale fills a hole in my cold, robotic heart that I never knew was there. It's got Lovecraftian overtones, but it's so much more than that. It's a well-written, smart, progressive story that rewards you for listening to it multiple times, and for paying attention to the narrative.
Not much in Night Vale isn't made important later. It's incredible how some innocuous comment from one episode will eventually be so important to the story.
And the writing is DAMNED funny. Joseph Fink and Jeffery Cranor work well together.
I forced myself to listen to Night Vale.
The first episode left me intrigued. By the third, I was in love.
Night Vale fills a hole in my cold, robotic heart that I never knew was there. It's got Lovecraftian overtones, but it's so much more than that. It's a well-written, smart, progressive story that rewards you for listening to it multiple times, and for paying attention to the narrative.
Not much in Night Vale isn't made important later. It's incredible how some innocuous comment from one episode will eventually be so important to the story.
And the writing is DAMNED funny. Joseph Fink and Jeffery Cranor work well together.
Roxanne (13 KP) rated Thank You for Smoking in Books
Nov 14, 2018
This book was an ok read, it took me quite a while to get into it as the writing style is very different to what i'm used to. I found the story to be quite jumbled and sometimes I just had no idea which of the characters were speaking, I had to sometimes read a page a couple of times in order for it to sink in. Some of it a found quite funny but other bits I didn't really understand. The novel is very political, which probably explains why I kept losing interest (not to say it wasn't interesting at all- which is why I gave it 3 stars, I did like it, mainly because it was just different). The story had some good twists but I do believe that the ending was very unrealistic.
Elizabee (221 KP) rated Queen of Klutz (Sibby Series Book 1) in Books
Nov 22, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
So this series is amazing I laughed my head at at the antics that happened. The main character will make you want to scream at you book,phone what ever you read on because she seems to be blind to what happening with the guy she meets in the first chapter. The best friend is amazing I want to be her, she is a complete bitch and it's great.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Man Who Killed Don Quixote (2018) in Movies
Mar 7, 2020
Terry Gilliam emerges victorious from his epic battle to the death with Miguel Cervantes' famous novel. Not quite the movie he famously never finished making with Johnny Depp, nearly twenty years ago, but a subtly different tale of a film director finding himself entangled in different versions of the Quixote story and, perhaps, looking for redemption.
After a slow and rambling start the film eventually becomes a charming, funny, and occasionally thrilling and moving adaptation (sort of) of the book - if it's picaresque and episodic, that's the nature of Quixote. The knowing wit and intelligence of the novel survive too. Strong performances, visually very impressive - the fact the film exists at all is remarkable, let alone that it's this good. Very reminiscent of Gilliam's movies from the 1980s: hugely imaginative, narratively chaotic, very individual, and equally easy to like.
After a slow and rambling start the film eventually becomes a charming, funny, and occasionally thrilling and moving adaptation (sort of) of the book - if it's picaresque and episodic, that's the nature of Quixote. The knowing wit and intelligence of the novel survive too. Strong performances, visually very impressive - the fact the film exists at all is remarkable, let alone that it's this good. Very reminiscent of Gilliam's movies from the 1980s: hugely imaginative, narratively chaotic, very individual, and equally easy to like.
Memories - From Moscow to the Black Sea
Teffi, Robert Chandler, Anne Marie Jackson and Irina Steinberg
Book
BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week 'Wonderfully idiosyncratic, coolly heartfelt and memorable' William...
How to Speak Money
Book
Money is our global language. Yet so few of us can speak it. The language of the economic elite can...