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Jethro and Joel Were a Troll
Bill Peet | 1990
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
The two-headed troll Jethro and Joel have a problem. While Jethro is quite content to spend his days raising the turnips they love to eat, Joel wants to be terrorizing people. When Jethro finally gives in and allows Joel to have control of their body for one day, what will happen?

I’ve always loved the title of the book, and I still find the story fun. The way he builds up to that final sentence will please adults, and the fast moving story and pictures will entertain the target picture book audience. What surprised me while reading this as an adult is the clear allegory about the dangers of giving in to what you know is wrong. Oh, don’t worry, this is a picture book with a happy ending, and it never slows down the story to lecture us.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/03/book-review-jethro-and-joel-were-troll.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Athena College is playing host to the Southern Academic Libraries Association convention and Charlie Harris’s old grad school classmate Gavin Fong is giving the keynote address. Charlie doesn’t have fond memories of Gavin, and an encounter opening night proves that Gavin is still as arrogant as ever. But when Gavin collapses and dies in the middle of his speech, Charlie is surprised. Yes, Gavin was a jerk, but who hated him enough to kill him?

As always, this is a strong mystery, with conflict and tension set up from the very first chapter. We have several strong motives and suspects before Gavin dies, and we get some nice twists before the logical solution. The suspects are all believable, and the returning characters continue to be strong. Charlie’s cat Diesel charms like always as well.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/02/book-review-twelve-angry-librarians-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Goodreads: Book Reviews
Goodreads: Book Reviews
Book, Social Networking
8
8.8 (453 Ratings)
App Rating
Great for discovering books (2 more)
Good for keeping track of your books, read and want to read
Lists and good choice awards allows you to see what other readers are reading
In the app it doesn't show if a book is part of a series (0 more)
I loved goodreads as soon as I discovered it online. I have used it religiously since for updating my books and for looking my next book. So using the app was an extension of the website but without having to get out the laptop. However one thing stops me from giving full marks. That is when using the mobile app as opposed to the website it doesn't inform you as it does on the website whether a book is part of a series. Still OK for using on the go however before starting a new book I always have to check on the website rather than the app to make sure it's not part of a series.
  
Howl and Other Poems
Howl and Other Poems
Allen Ginsberg | 1956 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I don't overly enjoy poetry for the most part, but I have to say, I really enjoy Allen Ginsberg's writing.

I had previously read "Howl" and "A Supermarket in California" which I very much enjoyed. The other poems, being new to me, I thoroughly enjoyed.

Ginsberg has a very interesting writing style that is very vivid. I love how he speaks directly to his fellow poets in some of his poems. In writing them in, he is giving them an even greater form of immortality.

I enjoyed the poem "America." It's asking the citizens of America what the war is worth, but America is also asking things of him that he wouldn't be able to live up to. He questions his own writing in this as well.

Ginsberg has a very musical beat to his poems that makes you have to keep reading. It pulls you along, especially when you read it out loud.

Overall, I very much enjoyed this little book of poems.
  
Slumber (2017)
Slumber (2017)
2017 | Horror
Why such bad IMDB rating
I've had this on my watch list for a while but with IMDB only giving it 4 I was reluctant to watch it. I saw on here that it has much better reviews and thought I would give it a go.
A doctor tries helping a family who are all experiencing some kind of sleep walking and becoming dangerous. I liked the idea of that story. So this afternoon I have sat down and watched it. I do not understand why it got such low ratings on IMDB. I thoroughly enjoyed it, from the beginning of the film there was a lot going on, you begin to connect with the family and feel uneasy about what might happen. The acting in my opinion is really good, Maggie Q has a good role to play. I liked the story behind the film and I thought it all added up nicely. I think it was a strong film that has been really underrated.
  
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

There's a military base on Mars, and Earth has lost all contact with it. A rag-tag squad of hooligan Marines has been tasked with figuring out what happened, and they figure it's going to be just another in-and-out before they can get back to what they do best. However, this is going to be anything but an ordinary mission...

This story reminded me of bits and parts of several other sci-fi interests of mine, such as "Prometheus" and "Event Horizon," just to name a couple. It's certainly a very intriguing one, and it definitely doesn't lack for mystery and action. I don't want to say too much for risk of giving away any of the plot, but suffice it to say I would be greatly interested in reading more along this storyline, as I found it truly fascinating, especially within the last 30 pages or so.

4 stars
  
40x40

Roxanne (13 KP) rated What Suki Wants in Books

Nov 14, 2018  
WS
What Suki Wants
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I would say more of a 2.5 rating. It took me a long time to finish this novel as I couldn't get into it at all, I couldn't relate to the characters as I found them to be quite shallow and whiny. (If I had a quid for every time the name Magdalen was mentioned...I'd be rich!)The reasons why I actually gave it any stars was because some of the twists and turns were good, in the sense that they stopped me from just giving up on the book (I was very close)I found some parts very out of place and unrealistic yet I have to say those parts just about interested me as the smut scenes (although some very out of place) were for the most part quite well written. It was good to see Suki's character develop more towards the end of the book (and I mean RIGHT at the end) but for me she was just too annoying and whiny.
  
Better Than Me (Remington Medical, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
You had me at orgasm whisperer. Oh my gravy, I’ve been waiting for Jonah and Natalie’s story and I was not disappointed. Now I am not going to be giving away any plotlines to ruin the fun for the rest of the world. But, let me tell you, it is everything I was hoping for and then some.

Jonah and Natalie are best friends and co-workers, who are each kick ass doctors in their own rights. But Jonah has quite the reputation around the old water cooler as a ladies man. Natalie will neither confirm nor deny this rumor as being the case. All she knows is he is her best friend and she would have his back to the death.

You must, MUST, grab your copy of this novel asap, you absolutely will not be sorry. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance reader copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
  
Twenty Feet from Stardom (2014)
Twenty Feet from Stardom (2014)
2014 | Documentary, Music
Story: 20 Feet from Stardom starts as we meet different backup singers that have worked with the biggest names in music, Mick Jagger, Sting and Bruce Springsteen to mention a few, we follow these backup singers that have always wanted to sing, but not perform not giving them the fame the lead singer would get, despite the effect their singer put towards the songs.

 

Thoughts on 20 Feet from Stardom

 

Final Thoughts – This is a nice documentary about the people that add something to the songs you know and love with their backup vocals, there stories of how they learned from the more famous performers while also aspiring to become the big names on their own stage. This is a documentary that shows that talent comes from each position on the stage.

 

Overall: Good documentary about the lesser known talents.

https://moviesreview101.com/2018/02/27/abc-film-challenge-oscar-nominations-20-feet-from-stardom-2013/
  
AO
All of It
Kim Holden | 2013
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
LOVED THIS BOOK!! I couldn't get enough of Ronnie and Dimitri. I felt like I connected more with Ronnie that any other character. I loved the fact that she always came across so normal to me. She had your normal teenage trials and tribulations, but she wasn't whiny about it. Dimitri, well, all I can really say is SWOON! He is an amazing character, he's fun, sweet, sexy, and you can tell he really loves Ronnie.

The end is great and oh the feelings! This story is so original, I truly loved it. I'm not giving anything away! You must read to find out!

Kim Holden is a new author, and her eye for story telling is amazing! I can't wait to read more from this new author. She has a great eye for description which brings her characters and setting to life! I can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve next.