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[Empire of Sin]by [Gary Krist] was an interesting account of the downfall of what I would have thought as the golden age of New Orleans. New Orleans was the last bastion of sin in the South during the Gilded Age in America. This was a time period when people were trying to live by Victorian standards and New Orleans went against them all. This was a war between cultures and depending who won, New Orleans was bound to be changed.
The book was well written. It started out really strong and the characters in the book were very colorful, more so knowing they were real people. This was a character driven non fiction which makes sense for New Orleans which had more than it's share. My only complaint was towards the end of the book [Krist] seemed to be quickly wrapping up some stories not giving the details that were present in the beginning.
I have recommended this book to quite a few people though. It was a much needed non-fiction fix.
The book was well written. It started out really strong and the characters in the book were very colorful, more so knowing they were real people. This was a character driven non fiction which makes sense for New Orleans which had more than it's share. My only complaint was towards the end of the book [Krist] seemed to be quickly wrapping up some stories not giving the details that were present in the beginning.
I have recommended this book to quite a few people though. It was a much needed non-fiction fix.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Another Piece of My Heart in Books
Jan 15, 2018
This was such a great book! I wasn't sure what to expect...some chic lit, sugary sweet book or what. But let me tell you, it is NOT that all! Was it feel good? Yes, but it was all also very raw, emotional, & unexpected.
It tells the story of Ethan and Andi who meet through an on-line dating service and eventally marry. Ethan is a divorcee with 2 girls, the oldest of whom, Emily, resents Andi's presence in their lives from day 1. The book tells the story of Andi's fertility troubles, the marriage, interaction with her step-daughters, and their day to day lives.
Eventually the toxic environment that Emily creates & Ethan's enabling of her, leads to the downfall of the marriage...almost. But then, Emily gets pregnant. That's where the real action begins. I don't want to say much more for fear of giving away too much of the plot. I can say that this book has all the hallmarks I look for in a great read...romance, drama, deep characters, believability, etc.
Check it out!
It tells the story of Ethan and Andi who meet through an on-line dating service and eventally marry. Ethan is a divorcee with 2 girls, the oldest of whom, Emily, resents Andi's presence in their lives from day 1. The book tells the story of Andi's fertility troubles, the marriage, interaction with her step-daughters, and their day to day lives.
Eventually the toxic environment that Emily creates & Ethan's enabling of her, leads to the downfall of the marriage...almost. But then, Emily gets pregnant. That's where the real action begins. I don't want to say much more for fear of giving away too much of the plot. I can say that this book has all the hallmarks I look for in a great read...romance, drama, deep characters, believability, etc.
Check it out!
Terrifying visuals (2 more)
Great job on casting
Faithful to the book for the most part
Firstly, I do want to address the running time: it's two hours and fifteen minutes. Yet, I didn't feel as if I was sitting in a chair for that long. There was one point where I did question how long had the movie run, but then something happened in the movie to pull me right back in and ignore the outside world.
You really do end up liking the kids and rooting for them. The interactions between Beverly and Ben were really well done and were my favorites. I have heard some people criticizing the amount of time that focused on the kids, but that's really what the story is about: kids dealing with adult-like trauma and facing it.
Of course Pennywise steals each scene he's in. Or should I say 'every scene it's in?' Pun intended.
It's hard to talk (write) about my favorite bits without giving away spoilers, so just go watch it and enjoy!
I can't wait for the second part!
You really do end up liking the kids and rooting for them. The interactions between Beverly and Ben were really well done and were my favorites. I have heard some people criticizing the amount of time that focused on the kids, but that's really what the story is about: kids dealing with adult-like trauma and facing it.
Of course Pennywise steals each scene he's in. Or should I say 'every scene it's in?' Pun intended.
It's hard to talk (write) about my favorite bits without giving away spoilers, so just go watch it and enjoy!
I can't wait for the second part!
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Knit the Sky: Cultivate Your Creativity with a Playful Way of Knitting in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Knit the sky was whimsical and exciting. The book is quite different from the traditional knitting book, in that it doesn’t give step-by-step instructions, specific patterns, or have photos. Instead, it has colorful watercolor illustrations and beautiful inspiring text that paints a picture in the mind and leads the knitter to the place the writer wants them to be. The idea of giving inspiration for a project but not a specific pattern was challenging and new to say the least… but it worked for the book. It can be for a beginner knitter who wants the freedom to explore and not fit themselves into a pattern (just to grow as an artist) or for a free-former like myself, who doesn’t really follow patterns anyway and just wants the basic idea, or for an advanced knitter or pattern maker ready to push their creativity to the next level. It would even work for a crocheter (since most of it is make-up-as-you-go anyway).
Sam (228 KP) rated Sherlock Holmes (2009) in Movies
Mar 2, 2019
Gorgeous Imagery (1 more)
A wonderful Portrayal of a Classic Character
Humorous And Absolutely Wonderful
I find that this movie tends to get a bad rap and I will admit based on the multiple portrayals we see of Sherlock Holmes in the modern area this is no match for Cumberbatch's portrayal. However, I love it all the same. Even if people hate on it no one can tell me that this film holds any less whimsy or joy that Sherlock Holmes offers. The since of mystery and adventure bring a me much joy as I watch him piece things together without giving a damn for how it may make him look or a care for other's opinions. Everyone's portrayal of Sherlock is different and even if it's not Cumberbatch I love this one all the same and enjoyed every last second of this film. From the gorgeous imagery and scenes painted on the screen to the hilarious banter passed back and forth between the characters, this is a film one could watch again and again.
Sam (74 KP) rated It Only Happens in the Movies in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Yes, yes, yes, yes and a million times, YES!!!
I never knew I needed this book so much. I love YA romances because of how they almost always have a happy ending and are a fairytale romance. Even though I love them though, I can still see that it is not a realistic idea.
It Only Happens In The Movies follows Audrey Winters. She chooses to study how unrealistic romance films are for her Media project, whilst at the same time meeting the bad-boy-turned-good stereotype and falling into her own romance movies.
I loved that nothing was sugar-coated. I wanted Audrey and Harry to last while at the same time I chewed Audrey on every time she stood up for what she believed in.
Out of the whole book, the last chapter was the best, but I can’t say anything about that without giving out spoilers.
I love that the whole book just points out that fairytale romances don’t happen in real life, and it shows that love changes over time.
I never knew I needed this book so much. I love YA romances because of how they almost always have a happy ending and are a fairytale romance. Even though I love them though, I can still see that it is not a realistic idea.
It Only Happens In The Movies follows Audrey Winters. She chooses to study how unrealistic romance films are for her Media project, whilst at the same time meeting the bad-boy-turned-good stereotype and falling into her own romance movies.
I loved that nothing was sugar-coated. I wanted Audrey and Harry to last while at the same time I chewed Audrey on every time she stood up for what she believed in.
Out of the whole book, the last chapter was the best, but I can’t say anything about that without giving out spoilers.
I love that the whole book just points out that fairytale romances don’t happen in real life, and it shows that love changes over time.
Madbatdan82 (341 KP) rated Upgrade (2018) in Movies
May 5, 2019 (Updated May 5, 2019)
What if Robocop wasnt a cop??
Stumbled across this beaut of a film. Premise is man and wife get into a car accident and then robbed. Wife is killed and man is left paralysed below the neck. Mans friend (who is a computer designer type person) offers him the chance at a normal life with a new chip that can operate limbs for you. Man takes off and starts to investigate his wife's murder and mystery and who done it starts. This film is at its heart a thriller but is based in a sci fi futuristic world. It is also has some excellent body horror and gore in it including a 'mouth cut' which was bloody awesome! Some of the dialogue is a bit silly with the main character giving crappy 1 liners whilst fighting the people who he suspects of killing his wife but it's not that off putting and I was able to laugh these off. All in all a really good film and well worth a watch.
Peter_mark84 (59 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Wildlands in Video Games
May 19, 2019
Ghosting the bad guys
Had this game for years. Love the whole structure (even tho play off line). Still not the done the DLC as love the updates to the maun game that Ubisoft have released.
Missions vary from tactical steath ops (stealth or fail) to all out Gung Ho action. Even the collectables have purpose. Whether it is giving a deeper background to the story or region. Or upgrades for your gear.
The characters are your standard Tom Clancy fare. The spook, the soldiers etc. However you can't help to been drawn in.
As with all Ubi games on release and even today there are bugs. But these are not the bugs of infamy (Assassin's Creed Unity).
At some point I may actually finish this game completely. Hopefully before Breakpoint comes out. Even then I would come back to Wildlands and start over.
Missions vary from tactical steath ops (stealth or fail) to all out Gung Ho action. Even the collectables have purpose. Whether it is giving a deeper background to the story or region. Or upgrades for your gear.
The characters are your standard Tom Clancy fare. The spook, the soldiers etc. However you can't help to been drawn in.
As with all Ubi games on release and even today there are bugs. But these are not the bugs of infamy (Assassin's Creed Unity).
At some point I may actually finish this game completely. Hopefully before Breakpoint comes out. Even then I would come back to Wildlands and start over.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Dumplin' (2018) in Movies
May 21, 2019
your basic feel-good movie with good music and a good message. No harm at all, but really leaves no lasting impression on the viewer.
Another case of the trailer of a movie basically giving away the film here. The film plays out from the beginning with the basic love large people premise and basically paints by numbers from there on. On the positive side, you get all the hits of the Dolly catalog and all the actors play their parts well. While it's Willa's story, at certain times I found her hard to believe her motivations behind her actions, and I favored the supporting characters to her. The conflicts in the plot are solved too easily. Jennifer Aniston does what she can with what she is given, but her performance seems pretty safe and standard fare that she can do with her eyes closed. It's just your basic feel-good movie with good music and a good message. No harm at all, but really leaves no lasting impression on the viewer.
Apocalyptic Social Media!
A book set slightly in the future, this tells the story of how social media has developed to such an extent that everyone is now directly linked to the internet. Everything is fed to them, so that they no longer have to learn to do anything for themselves. Something goes wrong however: something of apocalyptic proportions. People are Taken, and their feed is invaded. This can happen when they sleep, so no one sleeps alone. This follows Tom, Kate, their daughter Bea, and the people that they try to start a new life with on a small holding after the Collapse.
I really, really enjoyed the last third of this, which is when everything started to happen. This is the only reason why I’ve scored it a 7/10. That last third was really very good, however the first two thirds did drag a little for me. I’m glad I persevered though!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy to read and review!
I really, really enjoyed the last third of this, which is when everything started to happen. This is the only reason why I’ve scored it a 7/10. That last third was really very good, however the first two thirds did drag a little for me. I’m glad I persevered though!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy to read and review!