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Kelly (279 KP) rated Rivers of London: The First PC Grant Mystery in Books
Nov 22, 2018
Laugh out loud read
Ben Aaronovitch has excelled himself in this novel. Having never read any urban fantasy books before, I was dubious about reading this book, which was purchased for me as a gift. Having picked up the book during a bored moment on holiday, I became hooked before the end of the first chapter.
PC Grant is a character with whom I could engage with from the start. A character who was likeable, but also not your typical hero. The story itself is very easy to follow and Aaronovitch does not overload the reader with complex characters, making the book a perfect easy read.
Aaronovitch uses humour appropriately throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged without being over silly. Once started, this book was not put down until after I had turned the last page.
PC Grant is a character with whom I could engage with from the start. A character who was likeable, but also not your typical hero. The story itself is very easy to follow and Aaronovitch does not overload the reader with complex characters, making the book a perfect easy read.
Aaronovitch uses humour appropriately throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged without being over silly. Once started, this book was not put down until after I had turned the last page.
True crime (3 more)
Intelligent conversation
A sprinkling of dark humour
Good research
These Girls Really Are Killin' It
A couple of British friends chatting about true crime, particularly murder, and discussing just how screwed up humans can be. While the podcast started out as Lux and Sam, it has since changed to Lux and Meg, and while Sam did have a very smooth voice and quick wit, the change to Meg has not made the podcast less than it was - it has simply made it different.
At the end of each episode (starting fairly recently) the girls have a segment where they say what they have been "killin'" each week, to provide a little lift at the end of the episode, and make the world appear a little less depressing.
Altogether, a cracking little podcast, definitely worth a listen.
At the end of each episode (starting fairly recently) the girls have a segment where they say what they have been "killin'" each week, to provide a little lift at the end of the episode, and make the world appear a little less depressing.
Altogether, a cracking little podcast, definitely worth a listen.
Chloe (514 KP) rated The Dark Prophecy (The Trials of Apollo #2) in Books
Jan 27, 2019
Does the spin of beat the original?
This book is a spin of of the Percy Jackson series.
What makes this book not a ripoff of Percy Jackson is that it's so completely different mainly thanks to our narrator Apollo. Apollo's cooky sense of humour will have you laughing all day.
somehow even though the theme of the book is the same throughout with a pattern of battle and miraculous save, battle and miraculous save, battle... The twists and turns just constantly keep you guessing.
This is a book during which I just could not keep still it really grabs you and pulls you in to the point where I found myself crying over the book (although maybe I'm just to emotional). I just felt hugely attached to the characters. It is honestly amazing how the author made a god so relatable.
What makes this book not a ripoff of Percy Jackson is that it's so completely different mainly thanks to our narrator Apollo. Apollo's cooky sense of humour will have you laughing all day.
somehow even though the theme of the book is the same throughout with a pattern of battle and miraculous save, battle and miraculous save, battle... The twists and turns just constantly keep you guessing.
This is a book during which I just could not keep still it really grabs you and pulls you in to the point where I found myself crying over the book (although maybe I'm just to emotional). I just felt hugely attached to the characters. It is honestly amazing how the author made a god so relatable.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Last Human (Red Dwarf #3) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The third and, unfortunately, least of the 4 <i>Red Dwarf</I> books, I actually read this one last, thinking it was book 4 of 4.
Written by Doug Naylor (who co-wrote the first 2 booms with Rob Grant), this follows an all-new plot with certain scenes lifted from the TV show on which it is based. Unfortunately, it fails to capture the humour of the show, with most of the 'funny' bits falling flat.
Both this and the next book (<I>Backwards</I> by Rob Grant) are perhaps best viewed as alternate third books in a trilogy: if that is the case, <I>Backwards</I> is the better of the two, even if neither of the two books in question live up to the first two. In short, the whole (Grant Naylor) is better than the sum of the parts!
Written by Doug Naylor (who co-wrote the first 2 booms with Rob Grant), this follows an all-new plot with certain scenes lifted from the TV show on which it is based. Unfortunately, it fails to capture the humour of the show, with most of the 'funny' bits falling flat.
Both this and the next book (<I>Backwards</I> by Rob Grant) are perhaps best viewed as alternate third books in a trilogy: if that is the case, <I>Backwards</I> is the better of the two, even if neither of the two books in question live up to the first two. In short, the whole (Grant Naylor) is better than the sum of the parts!
Dean Jaggs (29 KP) rated Deadpool (2016) in Movies
Oct 29, 2019
Ryan Reynolds (2 more)
Crude Humour
Movie makes fun of itself and the studios
Holding on for a hero
I never tire of watching this movie, Reynolds has over the years proved to be quite versatile, playing serious roles and crossing various genres but Deadpool has to be his standout role, where he is hilarious, I love all the little digs he makes about the films low budget and the xmen movies, and the subtle digs at his off screen friend Hugh Jackman's Wolverine character, some may say that the violence is a bit over the top but the comedy side more than makes up for it, just wish Marvel would transition the Merc with a mouth into the more mainstream movies, could just imagine the interaction between Deadpool and Iron Man as Wilson would undoubtedly drive Stark nuts
Dean (6927 KP) rated Last Christmas (2019) in Movies
Dec 28, 2019 (Updated Jan 5, 2020)
Great soundtrack (2 more)
Emilia Clarke
Not a traditional Rom-Com
Heart Warming festive film
I'm not particularly a fan of festive films but I'd seen most other stuff out so gave this a whirl with an open mind. It was a pleasant surprise a mix of Bridget Jones diary type humour to start with and a few good laughs throughout. The romance side is OK and Emilia Clarke is on form as a helpless Londoner down on her luck and feeling sorry for herself. Until she meets Tom who improves her outlook on life.
I figured out what was going on before the big reveal, which is why I think some people probably didn't like it. Overall I found it a heartwarming film that was fun and festive without being overly cheesey. So check it out even if you normally avoid Christmas films.
I figured out what was going on before the big reveal, which is why I think some people probably didn't like it. Overall I found it a heartwarming film that was fun and festive without being overly cheesey. So check it out even if you normally avoid Christmas films.
Andrew Kennedy (199 KP) rated Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) in Movies
Jul 17, 2019
I love the Python team it's a throw up which is best this or Life of Brian.
King Arthur (Graham Chapman) is given a quest from God to retrieve the Holy Grail. Hilarity and irrelevance abound follow.
Wether it's Palin's Sir Galahad and his trip to castle Anthrax, Idles Sir Robin bravely running away or Cleese as Sir Lancelot slaughtering half a wedding in a rescue attempt.
Scenes like The Black Knight, The knights who say NI, Tim the Enchanter and the amazing Scene 24 have all become ingrained into fans minds.
Even the opening credits are source of humour plus typical little Python-esque animations.
The ending is crazy but it only befits the film that has come before it. You never would have thought there was so much to learn about Swallows, African or European.
King Arthur (Graham Chapman) is given a quest from God to retrieve the Holy Grail. Hilarity and irrelevance abound follow.
Wether it's Palin's Sir Galahad and his trip to castle Anthrax, Idles Sir Robin bravely running away or Cleese as Sir Lancelot slaughtering half a wedding in a rescue attempt.
Scenes like The Black Knight, The knights who say NI, Tim the Enchanter and the amazing Scene 24 have all become ingrained into fans minds.
Even the opening credits are source of humour plus typical little Python-esque animations.
The ending is crazy but it only befits the film that has come before it. You never would have thought there was so much to learn about Swallows, African or European.
Merissa (12971 KP) rated Bluegrass Undercover (Bluegrass Brothers, #1) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
I love the Bluegrass series and was very happy to read that there was more to come in the shape of the Bluegrass Brothers. This is a set of books set in a small town where everybody knows everybody and some know things that no one else knows how they know! Still with me? This book carries on with the LOL moments and the suspense in this book is in the form of the drugs ring that the DEA is trying to break.
The ending was fairly obvious but I wasn't reading it for the suspense side of things so this wasn't a problem for me. If you are looking for a light read, filled with humour, feel-good moments and spice thrown in there too, then give the Bluegrass/Bluegrass Brothers series a go. Recommended.
The ending was fairly obvious but I wasn't reading it for the suspense side of things so this wasn't a problem for me. If you are looking for a light read, filled with humour, feel-good moments and spice thrown in there too, then give the Bluegrass/Bluegrass Brothers series a go. Recommended.
I really enjoyed both The Liars Club series and The Royal Four by Celeste Bradley, but Fallen for me wasn't quite up to the same standard. This was her first book, so maybe my expectations were too high from her later work? I missed the humour most especially. I also found that Fallen was very much more a charater driven books without a huge amount of plot going on.
The heroine, Izzy, wakes up suddenly one night to find the hero in her bed! It's a mistake, but of course in the eyes of the Ton she is a ruined woman, unless he marries her. I liked both Izzy and Julian, but there wasn't enough there to make this a truly great example of the genre. It's still a pleasant read, but Bradley's other books are better in my opinion.
The heroine, Izzy, wakes up suddenly one night to find the hero in her bed! It's a mistake, but of course in the eyes of the Ton she is a ruined woman, unless he marries her. I liked both Izzy and Julian, but there wasn't enough there to make this a truly great example of the genre. It's still a pleasant read, but Bradley's other books are better in my opinion.
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Bill's New Frock in Books
Jul 2, 2019
Funny and curent
I liked this book. In a nutshell, the protagonist wakes up one day and he is a girl. I guess that the reader has just to accept that because there is no indication as to whether Bill was actually a girl in the first place or if he actually physically changed. Fine explores gender inequality in her book as Bill is faced with a variety of obstacles that force him to see the way that girls are treated. I particularly enjoyed the emphasis on the pink dress and the impracticality of wearing such an item of clothing. I also liked the way that Bill reacts to the school bully who wolf whistles at him.
This book is a short read with lovely illustrations and rather funny.
This book is a short read with lovely illustrations and rather funny.