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Rachel King (13 KP) rated A Heart Most Worthy in Books
Feb 11, 2019
Siri Mitchell's books always seem to have the most beautiful covers, and, like the last one I read, She Walks in Beauty,I was originally attracted to this book for the cover alone. Before I read the book, I skipped to the back and read the "Note to the Reader," which detailed the historical background of the book, referencing the Great Italian Emigration and the Spanish Influenza. This perked my interest in the book even more so, since I did not know anything about these references before this book. The Italian aspect also interested me since I have some Italian blood in me.
One of the first thoughts that occurred to me when I began the book was how little the three girls and their separate subplots had in common. The characters do not seem to intersect at all, and all three girls are very different from one another, with the exception of the dress shop. It felt almost like three different stories that the author took turns telling. As the book progresses, that proves to be incorrect, as the different characters intersect in the most unusual ways, such as one of girl's love interest driving the delivery truck for the shop where another girl's love interest works. This aspect of the book became the most interesting for me, since Mitchell does not make a big deal of pointing out where the connections are, and I enjoyed tracking them.
The owner of the dress shop, Madame Fortier, had her own subplot as well, but I was a bit dissatisfied with how hers played out, since very little about her circumstances changed - even though it was this that made her unhappy in the first place.
All three girls were very likable for her own reasons, though each one's subplot ended somewhat differently. Luciana seemed to get the best deal of the three girls, though all were very happy by the end. Annamaria's ending was bittersweet, but it gave the reality of the Spanish Influenza more impact. I did not like Julietta overly much in the beginning, but the lessons she learned made me like her that much more by the end.
Overall, the book was at times intriguing, romantic, suspenseful, and even frustrating, but it was definitely worth the read.
One of the first thoughts that occurred to me when I began the book was how little the three girls and their separate subplots had in common. The characters do not seem to intersect at all, and all three girls are very different from one another, with the exception of the dress shop. It felt almost like three different stories that the author took turns telling. As the book progresses, that proves to be incorrect, as the different characters intersect in the most unusual ways, such as one of girl's love interest driving the delivery truck for the shop where another girl's love interest works. This aspect of the book became the most interesting for me, since Mitchell does not make a big deal of pointing out where the connections are, and I enjoyed tracking them.
The owner of the dress shop, Madame Fortier, had her own subplot as well, but I was a bit dissatisfied with how hers played out, since very little about her circumstances changed - even though it was this that made her unhappy in the first place.
All three girls were very likable for her own reasons, though each one's subplot ended somewhat differently. Luciana seemed to get the best deal of the three girls, though all were very happy by the end. Annamaria's ending was bittersweet, but it gave the reality of the Spanish Influenza more impact. I did not like Julietta overly much in the beginning, but the lessons she learned made me like her that much more by the end.
Overall, the book was at times intriguing, romantic, suspenseful, and even frustrating, but it was definitely worth the read.
Jonas Carpignano recommended Salvatore Giuliano (1962) in Movies (curated)
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Brilliant Death in Books
Jan 16, 2019
It's not often that I like a relationship more than I like the separate parts of it, but that's the case with The Brilliant Death. I love Teo and Cielo together. As a couple they are amazing. I like them individually, but together they are something unique and lovely. By the end of the book, they can both switch genders at will, and they love each other for who they are, not what bodies they happen to be wearing.
This book plays with the gender binary, giving us two characters who dance from boy to girl and back again when it's convenient for them. Teo uses this ability to masquerade as her brother, going to the capital city when summoned by the ruler of her country after the assassination of her father.
If Teo's name and the use of the word "strega" hadn't given it away, the book is very Italian-inspired. The family ties, the landscape, the names, the atmosphere is unmistakably Italian. While that's still a Western European culture, it's not one we actually see in fantasy that often, which makes this book more enthralling.
While Teo juggles loyalties to family, country, and friends, Cielo is on a mission to find out what happened to their mother. Falling in love isn't in the plan for either of them, but when is it, really?
I loved the magic, the characters, and the setting of this one, and I really hope there's going to be a sequel. The plot was definitely left open enough to allow for one, though I could be happy with this as a standalone, too.
You can read all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
This book plays with the gender binary, giving us two characters who dance from boy to girl and back again when it's convenient for them. Teo uses this ability to masquerade as her brother, going to the capital city when summoned by the ruler of her country after the assassination of her father.
If Teo's name and the use of the word "strega" hadn't given it away, the book is very Italian-inspired. The family ties, the landscape, the names, the atmosphere is unmistakably Italian. While that's still a Western European culture, it's not one we actually see in fantasy that often, which makes this book more enthralling.
While Teo juggles loyalties to family, country, and friends, Cielo is on a mission to find out what happened to their mother. Falling in love isn't in the plan for either of them, but when is it, really?
I loved the magic, the characters, and the setting of this one, and I really hope there's going to be a sequel. The plot was definitely left open enough to allow for one, though I could be happy with this as a standalone, too.
You can read all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.com
Jonas Carpignano recommended Paisan (Paisà) (1948) in Movies (curated)
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Heist Society (Heist Society, #1) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I bought this book from a Scholastic book order that I sent home with my 4th graders...yeah, 4th graders. I thought the synopsis looked interesting & I had heard good things about the author.
I enjoyed the book. It is similar to The Italian Job or Ocean's 11, but for a middle/early high school crowd. That is the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. The writing was simple, but the plot was interesting if not a bit predictable in places. Of course it is hard for me to judge too harshly because I am not its target audience.
With that being said, it was still a great read! I look forward to continuing to read the series & see what Katarina does with her life.
I enjoyed the book. It is similar to The Italian Job or Ocean's 11, but for a middle/early high school crowd. That is the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 4. The writing was simple, but the plot was interesting if not a bit predictable in places. Of course it is hard for me to judge too harshly because I am not its target audience.
With that being said, it was still a great read! I look forward to continuing to read the series & see what Katarina does with her life.
Milleen (47 KP) rated The Empress Of Ice Cream in Books
Nov 14, 2018 (Updated Nov 14, 2018)
This was published back in 2010 but I recommend it for anyone who enjoys historical novels or gourmet food. This is a gastronomic romp through history. Based on the real-life of Louise De Karouelle, who went from Louis XIV French court at Versailles to 'keep company' with the British King, Charles II. An Italian chef, Carlo Dimirco, is sent to tempt the Royal British taste-buds with ices, sorbets, cordials and ice creams. His observations about the royal household, experiments in the ice house and the addition of extracts from 'The Book of Ices' balance Louise's view of her life. You'll come away with a dozen summer recipes and a good knowledge of a woman who is distantly related to both Princess Diana and Camilla Duchess of Cornwall.
CKD (37 KP) rated Kiss Carlo in Books
Dec 7, 2018
South Philly, 1949. Main character is Nicky Castone, who is orphaned and lives with aunt (Jo), uncle (Dom) and cousins. He drives Cab No. 4 for the Palazzini Cab Company (owned by his uncle Dom). Dom is in a feud with his brother, Mike. Nicky is engaged to Peachy but he is missing something so at the age of 30, he decides to follow his dream of acting and gets a job at Borelli's Theater. Within the cab company is a Western Union telegraph office where Hortense Mooney works. Nicky and Hortense find themselves impersonating a Italian officer and an attache to Eleanor Roosevelt.
As is typical of any Adriana Trigiani book, the characters are richly developed and you feel like you know them. I highly recommend this, and all of her books.
As is typical of any Adriana Trigiani book, the characters are richly developed and you feel like you know them. I highly recommend this, and all of her books.
Sean Stone recommended Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) in Movies (curated)
Richard Ayoade recommended Taxi Driver (1976) in Movies (curated)
David McK (3233 KP) rated The Italian Job (2003) in Movies
May 2, 2021
All i can really remember about the 1969 original is that it is a crime caper, starring Michael Caine, and that it involves Mini Coopers.
As such, I'm not sure whether to class this as a remake, a reimagining or something else entirely!
This version stars Mark Wahoberg, Cherlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Jason Staham and Oz-from-Buffy (Seth Green) and starts with a heist in Venice: a successful heist, with the perpetrators then betrayed by Ed Norton's 'Steve', who leaves them all for dead.
The rest of the film - mainly set in the States - then follows the remainder of the crew and their quest to get even against Steve, in a plot that yes, once again, involves the use of Mini Coopers!
It would hardly be The Italian Job without said cars, after all ....
As such, I'm not sure whether to class this as a remake, a reimagining or something else entirely!
This version stars Mark Wahoberg, Cherlize Theron, Donald Sutherland, Jason Staham and Oz-from-Buffy (Seth Green) and starts with a heist in Venice: a successful heist, with the perpetrators then betrayed by Ed Norton's 'Steve', who leaves them all for dead.
The rest of the film - mainly set in the States - then follows the remainder of the crew and their quest to get even against Steve, in a plot that yes, once again, involves the use of Mini Coopers!
It would hardly be The Italian Job without said cars, after all ....