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TheBookMother (105 KP) rated All That She Can See in Books
May 11, 2019 (Updated May 11, 2019)
As light and pleasant as one of Mary Berry's bakes!
I had some doubts about this book when I picked it up in a charity shop recently but hands up now, I was pleasantly surprised and did enjoy it.
I am a bit of a fan of the Fletcher's and find them to write some quite charming books which I tend to think of as my guilty pleasure!
They are the ones that have a heart warming tail or romantic fairy tale twist that gives you the warm fuzzies.
They are what I turn to in-between some heavy reads for some light relief.
It started off in a fairly standard way but I was very taken aback to where the story did lead and in fact end!
There is a sci fi and almost paranormal element that reminded me of something you can imagine watching on Netflix a bit like The OA. It was similar to The Book of Tomorrow by Celia Adhern.
It was very emotive which was to be expected when alot of the story is about feelings.
There is alot of very imaginative text which really does draw you in and you want to carry on reading.
I did devour this book in a couple of days. Some areas are a tad predictable but all in all it is a pleasant read.
It isn't a literary masterpiece per se but I don't think it's pretending to be either.
It may not change your life but it will stay with you for a little while afterwards and what it did do was help one mum escape the chaos of raising two young boys for a little while!
If you like Celia Adhern, Joanne Harris and of course Giovanna Fletcher then you will no doubt enjoy this read too.
I am a bit of a fan of the Fletcher's and find them to write some quite charming books which I tend to think of as my guilty pleasure!
They are the ones that have a heart warming tail or romantic fairy tale twist that gives you the warm fuzzies.
They are what I turn to in-between some heavy reads for some light relief.
It started off in a fairly standard way but I was very taken aback to where the story did lead and in fact end!
There is a sci fi and almost paranormal element that reminded me of something you can imagine watching on Netflix a bit like The OA. It was similar to The Book of Tomorrow by Celia Adhern.
It was very emotive which was to be expected when alot of the story is about feelings.
There is alot of very imaginative text which really does draw you in and you want to carry on reading.
I did devour this book in a couple of days. Some areas are a tad predictable but all in all it is a pleasant read.
It isn't a literary masterpiece per se but I don't think it's pretending to be either.
It may not change your life but it will stay with you for a little while afterwards and what it did do was help one mum escape the chaos of raising two young boys for a little while!
If you like Celia Adhern, Joanne Harris and of course Giovanna Fletcher then you will no doubt enjoy this read too.
Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated Gregory and the Grimbockle in Books
Feb 11, 2018
Such a fun, imaginative read!
Gregory and the Grimbockle was one of the funniest and cute books that I’ve read with my child in a long time. It was so imaginative and fantastical. We loved the adorable illustrations, but were very glad that the Grimbockle was never illustrated going into or out of his temporary home. The sheer grossness of how that happened was so at odds with the cuteness of everything else, but it worked really well together strangely.
Melanie Schubert has enormous talent that Abigail Kraft complemented perfectly. This story of a boy who doesn’t quite fit in, who is teased and sometimes bullied, and is from a home that is neither loving nor abusive will resonate with a lot of younger readers, I believe. His situation isn’t one of extremes and as a result he’s more easy to relate to. The adventures that he goes on with the Grimbockle are pure fiction, but the truth he learns along the way about the large impact that small gestures can have means is not. As a parent, that truth – that our actions have much more an impact that we might think – is one that I enjoyed having a chance to talk about with my child through the lens of Gregory and the Grimbockle.
The only thing we didn’t like about Gregory and the Grimbockle was the way it ended. It just felt like it ended too abruptly. The transition from childhood to “okay, he’s growing up now” happened so quickly that we had to re-read to make sure we hadn’t accidentally missed a few pages. While I can see why the author did it the way she did, by the time closed the book, we were both already mourning the exiting of the Bockles from our world.
Gregory and the Grimbockle is a book that any parent should delight in picking up to read with their children. It’s an easy read, a short one, and it helps reinforce an important lesson. You’ll be missing out if you don’t give it a try.
This review appeared first at Sci-Fi & Scary.
Melanie Schubert has enormous talent that Abigail Kraft complemented perfectly. This story of a boy who doesn’t quite fit in, who is teased and sometimes bullied, and is from a home that is neither loving nor abusive will resonate with a lot of younger readers, I believe. His situation isn’t one of extremes and as a result he’s more easy to relate to. The adventures that he goes on with the Grimbockle are pure fiction, but the truth he learns along the way about the large impact that small gestures can have means is not. As a parent, that truth – that our actions have much more an impact that we might think – is one that I enjoyed having a chance to talk about with my child through the lens of Gregory and the Grimbockle.
The only thing we didn’t like about Gregory and the Grimbockle was the way it ended. It just felt like it ended too abruptly. The transition from childhood to “okay, he’s growing up now” happened so quickly that we had to re-read to make sure we hadn’t accidentally missed a few pages. While I can see why the author did it the way she did, by the time closed the book, we were both already mourning the exiting of the Bockles from our world.
Gregory and the Grimbockle is a book that any parent should delight in picking up to read with their children. It’s an easy read, a short one, and it helps reinforce an important lesson. You’ll be missing out if you don’t give it a try.
This review appeared first at Sci-Fi & Scary.
Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated The Belko Experiment (2017) in Movies
Jul 12, 2017
Axes and Tape Dispensers (2 more)
Tony Goldwyn....kinda
Wicked, imaginative plot
Came on Strong. Imagine Office Space on Bath Salts
Contains spoilers, click to show
Right, so, having seen the trailer for this flick, I thought to myself "Scott, give it a shot... And boy, was I ever considering giving myself a shot of adrenaline to stay awake during this dull roar of an alleged action/horror movie.
It was boring, predictable and utterly stupid. Only reason I gave it a six, was the innovative kills. I mean, come on... A tape dispenser!?!? Fuck yeah, bud.
It drags through the first two acts, and finally picks up speed in the third and final one.
And, honestly, who hasn't dreamt of killing the idiot from from the second Are We There Yet movie??? You know, the whiner from Platoon??? Shithead from Scrubs??? I know I have. And thankfully he dies.... Violently.... Another 90 minutes ii of my life, I will never regain.
Horror can be a fickle bitch, and this flick is no exception.
It was boring, predictable and utterly stupid. Only reason I gave it a six, was the innovative kills. I mean, come on... A tape dispenser!?!? Fuck yeah, bud.
It drags through the first two acts, and finally picks up speed in the third and final one.
And, honestly, who hasn't dreamt of killing the idiot from from the second Are We There Yet movie??? You know, the whiner from Platoon??? Shithead from Scrubs??? I know I have. And thankfully he dies.... Violently.... Another 90 minutes ii of my life, I will never regain.
Horror can be a fickle bitch, and this flick is no exception.
I am not generally a Patterson fan, but I have got to disagree with the many poor reviews I hear about this book because they are completely unfair. The story was plot driven, exciting, scary, and imaginative. I liked it.
It does NOT deserve to be called the "worst novel ever written." I know of PLENTY of books I liked A LOT less than this one. No, this book is not the next literary masterpiece, but that isn't the point. Sure the characters aren't deep, and Oz himself is kind of an idiot despite having figured out what happened, but truthfully, most of the characters acted pretty realistically and served their purpose. Maybe the science wasn't 100%, but I don't think it was impossibly wrong either.
Could it have been better? Yes. Was it awful? No. I happily read this book in three days, and I even watched a little of the series, even though it's completely different. I was actually torn between 6 and 7 stars, but I did kinda wish it ended differently.
It does NOT deserve to be called the "worst novel ever written." I know of PLENTY of books I liked A LOT less than this one. No, this book is not the next literary masterpiece, but that isn't the point. Sure the characters aren't deep, and Oz himself is kind of an idiot despite having figured out what happened, but truthfully, most of the characters acted pretty realistically and served their purpose. Maybe the science wasn't 100%, but I don't think it was impossibly wrong either.
Could it have been better? Yes. Was it awful? No. I happily read this book in three days, and I even watched a little of the series, even though it's completely different. I was actually torn between 6 and 7 stars, but I did kinda wish it ended differently.
The Nature of Monkey is Irrepressible
Only mildly unhinged Japanese adaptation of the famous Journey to the West stories, which became a cult TV show when exported to the UK, Australia, and South America. Classic 16th century Chinese novel is transformed into something almost indescribable; a mixture of off-the-wall humour, hyperactive martial arts sequences, and cheesy special effects - the English dub may take a few liberties with the original scripts as well.
A representative episode sees our heroes visiting a small village terrorised by a giant catfish monster, which proceeds to eat three of them; they end up going to a disco which is held in the bad guy's stomach, before persuading him to vomit them up so they can fight him and his followers. Frequently silly, and the low budget often shows, but made with relentless energy and cheerfulness; hugely imaginative, often genuinely very funny. A generation of UK viewers grew up able to sing the theme tune 'Monkey Magic' (and misremember the name of the show as a result).
A representative episode sees our heroes visiting a small village terrorised by a giant catfish monster, which proceeds to eat three of them; they end up going to a disco which is held in the bad guy's stomach, before persuading him to vomit them up so they can fight him and his followers. Frequently silly, and the low budget often shows, but made with relentless energy and cheerfulness; hugely imaginative, often genuinely very funny. A generation of UK viewers grew up able to sing the theme tune 'Monkey Magic' (and misremember the name of the show as a result).
FilmIntuition (33 KP) rated Virgil Wander in Books
Nov 21, 2018
Like a warm quilt on a cold day, in "Virgil Wander," Leif Enger wraps up his reader in evocative language that makes them want to pull the book closer and hold tight for this imaginative tale.
Narrated by the well-liked eponymous film projectionist who finds himself still getting his bearings and memory back after his car soars into Lake Superior during a snowfall, as Virgil navigates his small town with new perspective, we get acquainted with the equally affable, unique characters who inhabit the “cursed” town of Greenstone, Minnesota.
A seemingly straightforward journey made all the more enchanting by the author's magnetic prose, “Virgil Wander” is stunning not only in its simplicity but by how masterfully Enger builds a strong foundation of characters you can relate to before seasoning his story with elements of Norwegian myth and fisherman's tall tales, which in his hands become Minnesota magic.
A highly recommended chronicle of small town life with much more on its mind, this gorgeously penned sleeper is one of my favorite novels of 2018.
Narrated by the well-liked eponymous film projectionist who finds himself still getting his bearings and memory back after his car soars into Lake Superior during a snowfall, as Virgil navigates his small town with new perspective, we get acquainted with the equally affable, unique characters who inhabit the “cursed” town of Greenstone, Minnesota.
A seemingly straightforward journey made all the more enchanting by the author's magnetic prose, “Virgil Wander” is stunning not only in its simplicity but by how masterfully Enger builds a strong foundation of characters you can relate to before seasoning his story with elements of Norwegian myth and fisherman's tall tales, which in his hands become Minnesota magic.
A highly recommended chronicle of small town life with much more on its mind, this gorgeously penned sleeper is one of my favorite novels of 2018.
Awix (3310 KP) rated A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (2019) in Movies
Feb 3, 2020
Inarguable indicator of cultural hegemony (movie built around an entirely US-centric cultural figure manages to get an international release) also turns out to be an impressive and moving drama. Cynical and misanthropic journalist is assigned to interview beloved children's TV host and font of decent folksy wisdom. Can the power of niceness conquer all?
Movie inevitably loses a lot of its resonance for a viewer who only became aware of Fred Rogers and his TV show a short while ago, but this is still a charming and imaginative film. Just how much of it is actually true is probably one of those questions best not asked, but Hanks gives a brilliant performance, somehow managing not to come across as incredibly cheesy, while - in a less showy role - Matthew Rhys is also extremely good as the journalist. If you take away the slightly surreal Fred Rogers elements this is basically just another drama about someone working out his issues with his father, but it's a highly impressive one.
Movie inevitably loses a lot of its resonance for a viewer who only became aware of Fred Rogers and his TV show a short while ago, but this is still a charming and imaginative film. Just how much of it is actually true is probably one of those questions best not asked, but Hanks gives a brilliant performance, somehow managing not to come across as incredibly cheesy, while - in a less showy role - Matthew Rhys is also extremely good as the journalist. If you take away the slightly surreal Fred Rogers elements this is basically just another drama about someone working out his issues with his father, but it's a highly impressive one.
Georgia Hubley recommended Billy Liar (1963) in Movies (curated)
Jarvis Cocker recommended Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest by Bill Callahan in Music (curated)
ClareR (5603 KP) rated A Traveller at the Gates of Wisdom in Books
Sep 3, 2022
Once I’d recognised the trick to this book, I found it fascinating - it took a couple of chapters though, so I would encourage anyone contemplating reading this to keep going for at least three chapters. Or, you know, read this, have some idea of what’s going on, and then get the book, sit back and enjoy!
I’ve often thought that life must have some universal stories: things that happen in our lives that have happened untold times before throughout history, and will probably happen countless times in the future.
That is the premise that ‘A Traveller’ works from. And it’s done so cleverly.
We begin in the Roman world in 1AD, and swap between different continents and cultures. The story remains the same, of love, loss, betrayal, revenge and death. There’s a lot of births and deaths. It really puts in to perspective humanity’s inability to learn from its mistakes - and we just keep on making them in to the future.
This is such a thought provoking, imaginative read. John Boyne just never seems to let me down.
I’ve often thought that life must have some universal stories: things that happen in our lives that have happened untold times before throughout history, and will probably happen countless times in the future.
That is the premise that ‘A Traveller’ works from. And it’s done so cleverly.
We begin in the Roman world in 1AD, and swap between different continents and cultures. The story remains the same, of love, loss, betrayal, revenge and death. There’s a lot of births and deaths. It really puts in to perspective humanity’s inability to learn from its mistakes - and we just keep on making them in to the future.
This is such a thought provoking, imaginative read. John Boyne just never seems to let me down.