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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Holding in Books

Jan 12, 2018 (Updated Jan 12, 2018)  
Holding
Holding
Graham Norton | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
I don’t normally read books written by “celebrities” but I admit that I was pleasantly surprised by this written by Graham Norton. What initially grabbed me was the fact that it is set in a remote Irish village and I was curious to see how it compared to my experiences of spending my summer holidays in a village in Northern Ireland and I have to say that I feel that Mr Norton captured the atmosphere, the people and the humour excellently but then I would expect that really with him being Irish ;)
  
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (2020)
2020 | Comedy, Music, Romance
OK, I'll admit it … that was better than I was expecting.

Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams starring Rom-Com, as the members of the Icelandic band 'Fire Saga', who get chosen (for plot reasons) to represent their country in 2020s Eurovision Song Contest, which is being held in Scotland for some reason(?!).

Yes, the actual 2020 Eurovision competition itself was cancelled due to Covid-19.

As for the film: after a slow(ish) setting the scene start, it picks up once Lars and Sigrit make it to the song contest, and with the introduction of Dan Stevens completely-over-the-top Russian entrant - the firm favourite to be the winner of said competition - alongside a whole host of actual Eurovision nods and winks.

And Graham Norton.

Yes, that Graham Norton.

(although he may be more familiar to UK watchers than to others)
  
Holding
Holding
Graham Norton | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
3 of 235
Book
Holding
By Graham Norton
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The remote Irish village of Duneen has known little drama, and yet its inhabitants are troubled: Sergeant P.J. Collins hasn’t always been this overweight; Brid Riordan, a mother of two, hasn’t always been an alcoholic; and elegant Evelyn Ross hasn’t always felt that her life was a total waste.

So when human remains—suspected to be those of Tommy Burke, a former lover of both Brid and Evelyn—are discovered on an old farm, the village’s dark past begins to unravel. As a frustrated P.J. struggles to solve a genuine case for the first time in his professional life, he unearths a community’s worth of anger and resentments, secrets and regrets.

I’m always a bit weary of novels written by celebrities as they never reach that expectation. But this was so good I really enjoyed delving into this little Irish village and it’s hidden secrets. If you haven’t read it I recommend I just love Graham Norton.
  
TM
This Much is True
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
151 of 230
Book
This Much is True
By Miriam Margoyles
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

From Blackadder to Call the Midwife, from PG Tips to Harry Potter, Miriam Margolyes is Britain's favourite national treasure -- this is (at last) her extraordinary life story and it's well worth the wait.

She is a true gem a British treasure. I loved reading this her life is full of funny stories and such a beautiful memories. She has always been an honest open person when we watch her interviews I absolutely love watching her on Graham Norton. Such a genuinely beautiful woman.