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The Mountain
The Mountain
Howard Curtis, Luca D'Andrea | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
4
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was really looking forward to this book because I’d seen loads of great reviews for it, unfortunately I did not enjoy this for a number of reasons… let me explain.

I want to start off this review on a positive note. I did initially enjoy this book. It was slow to take off and the accident in the Bletterbach was gone in seconds (when it seemed like such an important part of the plot!) but the mystery of the years old Bletterbach killings did grab my interest quite quickly and I was looking forward to knowing what the hell happened. Unfortunately, that’s where the good things I have to say end.

This book was so ridiculously drawn out and slow, it really couldn’t grab my attention for very long. I would read about 30 pages and then put it down because I was so bored by all the tedious, pointless descriptions and scene that weren’t necessary to progress the plot. Most of this novel was conversations between two people, that 90% of the time ended with no further information or revelations to the mystery. Then, the bits that weren’t people talking were extremely long, often times overly scientifics bit of information that I think were meant to be eye-opening and exciting, but instead they often confused me and were extremely boring to read.

The writing in this one was also a little weird. I always find I have a bit of trouble with translated books – they feel clunky to read – and this one felt just the same. The conversations that were had between people felt forced and unrealistic most of the time and there was no atmosphere whatsoever. When Salinger was down in the Bletterbach before the accident, there was no nail-biting edge of the seat moment, and again, when he was experiencing his panic attacks, these was no tension or feeling of claustrophobia. I was hoping this was going to give me the same creeped out, terrified feelings that The White Road did, but it let me down.

I thought that maybe while I was being put to sleep by the slow moving story, I might enjoy the characters, however I was disappointed by those too. More specifically, by Salinger, our main character. I hated him. I really, really hated him. He didn’t progress as a character after everything he had been through and no matter how many times his wife came to him angry and distraught at what he was doing. Throughout the novel he was just an awful person, always thinking about throwing a punch and being inconsiderate to other people. There really was nothing nice about him. And then the other characters in the story played such small parts that we really didn’t get to know them very well. Even Werner who seemed to play an important part of the story didn’t get much “screen” time.

In the end, I skim read the last 100 pages of this novel! I’m still counting it as a full read because I pushed myself through <b><i>t h r e e h u n d r e d</b></i> tedious pages. The conclusion of the mystery was disappointing to say the least and I’m glad I didn’t attempt to read the rest of the story.

Overall, I really didn’t enjoy this book, apart from maybe the first 50 pages. I wouldn’t recommend this one, I think there are plenty of better similar books out there that you could pick up instead.

<i>Thanks to Bookbridgr and MacLehose Press for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. I’m just sorry I didn’t enjoy it!</i>
  
The Gentlemen (2020)
The Gentlemen (2020)
2020 | Action, Crime
If your a fan of snatch or lockstock then this is the movie for you.
Full of great actors and fantastic witty dialogue.
I was entirely confused by the football stadium scene where I was convinced Jack Whitehall was sitting in front of Dry eyes and Matthew. There was also a goof where the frozen dead body repeatedly blinked and went from staring wide eyed to having his eyes closed.
"The pig scene" has officially been overused in the film/TV industry but this movie had me in a pleasant mix of horror and hysterics regardless.
Rosalind is such a badass character I was disappointed by her lack of screen time though.
I really recommend going to see this movie, preferably in the cinema. Great movie, great script, great cast. Dam, my brain is too fried this evening to think of a better word than "great" haha
  
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Joe Mantegna recommended Time After Time (1979) in Movies (curated)

 
Time After Time (1979)
Time After Time (1979)
1979 | Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller

"There was a really good film, and a film I really liked called Time After Time. With Mary Steenburgen, and she wound up marrying the British actor from Clockwork Orange, Malcolm McDowell. My wife and I both really loved the film. It was a great film, and then the fact that they got married in real life. They didn’t stay married, but they had a couple kids together, and I’d like to think that at least for that period, that was real… where life imitated art. Because it’s such a beautiful movie, a love story. Two people from very divergent, different worlds, and I know them both, Mary and Malcolm, and they are two people from very divergent worlds. That’s probably why the marriage didn’t work out. Yet, there’s something about that that I thought was kind of sweet. It was a really good movie, too."

Source
  
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Only (Alex Conner Chronicles, #3)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Only: The Alex Connor Chronicles book 3
Four stars
This was an interesting read. Different in a good way. I was confused some what when the scenes changed. But it didn’t take too much away from my enjoyment of this book. I recommend reading the first two books first. I didn’t think about that when I started reading this book. So I was a little lost in the beginning. It’s a lot at first when you just jump right in but I liked it without the knowing the back story. The author offered US something unique and compelling. If you’re interested in other world reading and magic this is a good series for that. Alex is a strong character who is scared to be soft and scared at times. But when it was needed her back was made of steel. I will go back to read the first two books because I would like to know what happened to Justin. Her relationship with Valant is intriguing also. Then there is Ryan. Can you say oh la la. Definitely a series worth picking up to give a try. The authors style was smooth and had a very good dialogue.
  
Trouble Never Sleeps (Trouble, #3)
Trouble Never Sleeps (Trouble, #3)
Stephanie Tromly | 2018 | Mystery, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Contains spoilers, click to show
I didn’t get into this book as quickly as the others. There was a bit too much time spent on high school drama. But then it got good, unraveling mysteries and getting caught up in capers. That’s what I’m here for. It wasn’t as silly as the others but the serious subjects really needed some gravity. A good wrap up and I’m glad it didn’t end tragically.
  
The 355 (2022)
The 355 (2022)
2022 | Thriller
Jessica chastain (1 more)
Penople cruz
Liked it alot there was alot to from the action scenes to some of the acting performances especially jessica chastain as mace and penolpe cruz but the plot could have been abit better and then there's a new character who's basically shoehorned in to the plot near the end in hope of getting a sequel which I would like too see
  
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Beth Ditto recommended Singles Going Steady by Buzzcocks in Music (curated)

 
Singles Going Steady by Buzzcocks
Singles Going Steady by Buzzcocks
1979 | Punk
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"Look, I'm a hits only person. When I go see a show, I don't want filler. Unless you're Sonic Youth or Tori Amos, I don't want your B-sides. Hits only. It's so self-indulgent. I picked Buzzcocks Singles Going Steady because I like that it's a little campy and gay. And the harmonies are good. It's that simple. I think with music sometimes it is that simple. It was pop punk, not pop punk as it is now, but it was poppy. I got into punk late because what I thought punk was did not appeal to me at all. I was like I couldn't care less about [whispers conspiratorially] Sex Pistols. But Buzzcocks, Gang Of Four, Wire, that's my jam. Melodic and smart and put together and catchy and the rest of it? I don't care. It's self-indulgent, like you say you don't care what we think of you but, yes you do. Singles Going Steady doesn't take itself too seriously, and it's gay. It's so gay. I think it's cool to think about being gay in the punk scene, I don't think it could have been too easy but to me that's ultimately not giving a fuck. It must be easy to be some straight, white dude and be anti-establishment. Well you're part of the problem, get out of here. You're anti what? What are you talking about? We were so lucky to come along in the 90s, because it was really a turning point for pop culture. Look at Riot Grrl, it made punk a safer place for women, and then Queercore came along and made it a safer place for queers. I think, there is a refuge in punk rock now, but that's the thing why I think the Buzzcocks was more punk than punk, because I don't necessarily think there was a refuge then. I think it probably felt pretty lonely, because you weren't disco, you weren't pop, that's where queer culture, or the gay scene really was, and to be a punk then? I don't think you could seek refuge in that. "

Source
  
Bag of Bones
Bag of Bones
Stephen King | 1998 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.3 (44 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is my first encounter with this famous author and I was quite pleased with it. When I started reading the book it didn’t make me very excited. To this time I think that it could’ve been at least 150 pages less than it actually was. In my opinion, the beginning was too dragged and the information which actually was necessary could’ve fit in couple chapters. Once Mike actually gets to Sara Laughs then all the fun begins. I liked the characters chosen for this novel, they were realistic and very believable.

The plot was quite layered, and there were multiple stories unfolding in this book, that kept me intrigued. The book is perfect for a big screen, and if the right crew would’ve worked on it could be an amazing thriller. I had an opportunity to see the screen making with Pierce Brosnan and it didn’t make me very happy. I loved Mr King’s writing style and little clues of what will happen. So, overall, I had a slow beginning with this book but once I got to the fun bit I couldn’t put it away. I will definitely indulge myself into more of Mr King’s writing.
  
AN
A Night Too Dark (Kate Shugak, #17)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I've been somewhat uncomfortable with this series since [b:Hunter's Moon|398477|Hunter's Moon (Kate Shugak, Book 9)|Dana Stabenow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174429360s/398477.jpg|387933], but Stabenow has brought me all the way back into the fold now. Obviously I wasn't too far gone, as I'm still reading the series at book 17 (HM was book 9, I believe?) but Kate finally feels happy again, and that's important to me when I'm reading a series.

The mystery really was a mystery, too. There was no obvious answer, no telegraphing of the villain, motive or means. Stabenow kept me guessing, without making me feel cheated by pulling out some vital clue that the reader couldn't possibly have known.

The last scene was a bit annoying, setting up conflicts that will obviously carry on to future novels, but I was already looking forward to her next release anyway. My sole complaint is that I have to wait too long between releases for my fix. If Nora Roberts can release two "In Death" books plus however many romance books a year, can't we at least rely on one Kate Shugak book a year? I'd strongly prefer two. One Shugak and one Liam Campbell would be better! That way there'd be variety, see? Aren't I nice when I'm being a demanding brat?
  
I couldn’t finish this book. It was so tedious and slow that I lost interest long before I could build on it. Nothing seems to happen despite everything. Not to mention, I hated reading over and over about “the Beast.” I understand rape is traumatic. It affects you in ways you don’t even realize and you can’t do anything about. However, I felt the author dedicated too much time building on this trauma instead of moving the story.

I may give it another try at a later date, but right now there are many more books able to keep my interest in ways this one couldn’t.