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99 Stories of God
99 Stories of God
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
In this collection of 99 vignettes, Joy Williams delves into how we look and think about "the Lord" in today's world. Read more about this fascinating, thought provoking book in my review, here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2016/07/12/21st-century-fairy-tales/
  
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Don DeLillo recommended State of Grace in Books (curated)

 
State of Grace
State of Grace
Joy Williams | 2008 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"I’ve just re-read State of Grace by Joy Williams. Published in 1986, this novel kept me turning pages at high speed from the very first sentence: "There is no warning of daylight here.” This is the American novel at its height of biblical longing."

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Chuck Palahniuk recommended Honored Guest in Books (curated)

 
Honored Guest
Honored Guest
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Don’t let the praise by highbrow critics scare you away from this 2004 story collection. We’re so much more likely to feel sympathy for an animal than for another person, thus the best fiction uses animals to define truly humane behavior. No one does this better than Joy Williams."

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Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace
Being Black: Zen and the Art of Living With Fearlessness and Grace
Angel Kyodo Williams | 2000 | Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences, Religion
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Angel Kyodo Williams is a young black woman who is also an ordained Zen priest. In this remarkable book, she brings a hip and modern eye to the teachings of the Buddha. I was moved by her honesty and great patience in interpreting the dharma: her understanding of suffering and her willingness to aid in the universal effort toward the growth of compassion and joy."

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David Sedaris recommended Taking Care in Books (curated)

 
Taking Care
Taking Care
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Another strong stylist that I imitated for a while was a woman named Joy Williams who had a short story collection called Taking Care. She has such a singular voice. It hasn’t really changed over the years. I remember she was talking about a girl having a fantasy about her beau and she said, ‘He was feeling fine, and fancy too.’ It was such music to me."

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David Sedaris recommended Revolutionary Road in Books (curated)

 
Revolutionary Road
Revolutionary Road
Richard Yates | 2007 | Fiction & Poetry
4.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"I read The Easter Parade or Revolutionary Road every year. Richard Yates is just a good word-for-word on-the-page writer. He couldn’t be more different than someone like Joy Williams or Raymond Carver. His sentences are very complex, the stories are complicated and he was such a miserable man. I always like people who would hate me. I don’t know what that’s about. But Richard Yates would definitely hate me"

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David Sedaris recommended Easter Parade in Books (curated)

 
Easter Parade
Easter Parade
Richard Yates | 2008 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"I read The Easter Parade or Revolutionary Road every year. Richard Yates is just a good word-for-word on-the-page writer. He couldn’t be more different than someone like Joy Williams or Raymond Carver. His sentences are very complex, the stories are complicated and he was such a miserable man. I always like people who would hate me. I don’t know what that’s about. But Richard Yates would definitely hate me"

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Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018)
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind (2018)
2018 | Documentary
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind was such a wonderful documentary. I'm sure if he was still here he'd make a sexual joke about the title. At first the tears were from laughter, but by the end they were from pure heartache and sadness. It truly breaks my heart knowing a man like himself who brought so much joy to others through his life was in the end hurting so terribly. I just want to reach through the screen and give him the sincerest of hugs. Let's all keep that spark of madness we each have lit for him. Nanu nanu.
  
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Erika (17788 KP) rated The New Mutants (2020) in Movies

Aug 28, 2020 (Updated Aug 28, 2020)  
The New Mutants (2020)
The New Mutants (2020)
2020 | Action, Horror, Sci-Fi
This movie should have never been released, and it's the first film in a LONG time I've considered walking out of. It was so lame, and BORING. It was eye roll inducing the majority of the time. Lame lezzy love story and annoying teenage angst.
I've honestly only seen one thing Maisie Williams has been in, and that's Early Man. If she's actually that bad of an actress, she should definitely just stick to voice acting.
Anya Taylor-Joy was basically the one reason I saw this film, since she was Magick. At least her back story was a little more interesting to most.
The BEST part of the film was eye candy in the form of the hottie whose name is apparently Henry Zaga? Thanks for being nice to look at.
  
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BookwormLea (3034 KP) Aug 29, 2020

right??? I just got back from watching this and after being so hyped, ive never felt so let down by Marvel. Cant believe I paid for this and I've waited since before Lockdown...

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Erika (17788 KP) Aug 30, 2020

I just couldn't believe how completely boring and uninteresting the story line was; I would argue that even Josh Trank's Fantastic 4 train wreck was actually more entertaining.

The Greatest Showman (2017)
The Greatest Showman (2017)
2017 | Drama, Musical
Soundtrack (phenomenal) (3 more)
Casting/Acting
Choreography
Cinematography
Best original musical in recent days
Michael Gracey’s slick new musical, The Greatest Showman, brings to life the imagination of P.T. Barnum and his creation of the first circus.
Inspired by the legend of P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman), The Greatest Showman follows Barnum in a pursuit to piece together a dream-like show.

The film follows the businessman as he desperately tries to support his wife (Michelle Williams), and daughters. However, the urge to make the shower better and better ultimately gets in the way of both his personal and family life.

Barnum knows exactly what he is looking for. He scouts several individuals who he believes are perfect for the show. Each and everyone of them, a spark or magic that completes the circus. His show includes; bearded lady, Lettie (Keala Settle), and ‘the shortest man in the world’, Tom Thumb (Sam Humphrey). Also, a partner in need (or to help his succeed)Phillip Carlyle (Zac Efron).

The performers are part of a close family and stick together despite being ridiculed by the public. They are frequently humiliated and often labelled as 'freaks'. This brings a lot of emotion to the film. It encourages a lot of positivity in that it helps promote individuality and equality.

As a musical, The Greatest Showman comes packed with musical numbers. It features a number of brilliant vocal performers including the likes of Jackman, Settle, Efron and Zendaya (who plays a trapeze artist and pretty much most of the cast). The songs themselves are very moving, through joy or sadness. Many of the songs will also have your feet tapping to the beat! At points, you'll find yourself wanting to join in with the group!

Music is a powerful instrument which can often be emotive. The composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who also worked on the music for La La Land, and Trolls, hit the mark. The songs were outstanding and often bought a tear to the eye.

From the beautiful ballroom-esque dances of Jackman and Williams to the group dances by the circus family, the film was not short of magical moments. The camera angles were also spot on - from the beautifully shot symmetrical aerial shots to the moving steady cam shots.

Already nominated for three Golden Globes, The Greatest Showman is sure to be a hit with everyone. It is almost certain that it'll leave you feeling emotionally drained. On the more positive side, it may even inspire people to spread a little Christmas joy and happiness!