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Roxanne (13 KP) rated The Undertaker's Daughter in Books
Nov 9, 2018
4 Stars
I have always been interested in looking into the ins and outs of funeral homes and so this book definitely caught my interest. I found it very difficult to put down and found that it was quite well written. The combination of eccentric characters were thought provoking and at times inspirational.
There are, however, some reasons why I could not give this book five stars. The first reason is because of the depth when it came to certain aspects of the process of preparing the bodies for the funerals. The lead character seemed to be very interested at times in her father's work yet when he chose to explain it in detail she backed out and didn't want to know anymore...often to do with her feeling uncomfortable. This was a little frustrating as admittedly I wanted to know all of the details. The second reason is the distance created between the lead character, Kate, and the reader. After I had finished the book I had to look at the front of the book to read the author's name as I couldn't remember it. Kate is not called or mentioned by her name within the book, this for me created a distance. The third and final reason is the lack of ages being mentioned. Time often moved back and forwards within the book telling us about different times in Kate's life, but it didn't give us her age. There were times when I just thought...so when did that happen? How old was she? How old were her sisters when that happened? This led to some of the back stories being a bit muddled and unclear but they were still very interesting to read.
I have always been interested in looking into the ins and outs of funeral homes and so this book definitely caught my interest. I found it very difficult to put down and found that it was quite well written. The combination of eccentric characters were thought provoking and at times inspirational.
There are, however, some reasons why I could not give this book five stars. The first reason is because of the depth when it came to certain aspects of the process of preparing the bodies for the funerals. The lead character seemed to be very interested at times in her father's work yet when he chose to explain it in detail she backed out and didn't want to know anymore...often to do with her feeling uncomfortable. This was a little frustrating as admittedly I wanted to know all of the details. The second reason is the distance created between the lead character, Kate, and the reader. After I had finished the book I had to look at the front of the book to read the author's name as I couldn't remember it. Kate is not called or mentioned by her name within the book, this for me created a distance. The third and final reason is the lack of ages being mentioned. Time often moved back and forwards within the book telling us about different times in Kate's life, but it didn't give us her age. There were times when I just thought...so when did that happen? How old was she? How old were her sisters when that happened? This led to some of the back stories being a bit muddled and unclear but they were still very interesting to read.
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The cleverly written series follows five first-year interns and their supervisors at Seattle Grace...
Steel (Rent-A-Dragon #1)
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Debbiereadsbook (1554 KP) rated Twist of Time in Books
Feb 28, 2025
It was almost like the different parts were circling each other, but getting closer all the time.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is a step away from my usual fare, and my review might come across a little bit differently.
Kate and Brother Thomas are thrown together to translate a particular diary, written in the 1300s by one of the Knights Templar. There follows a chase across the globe, with some twists and turns along the way to keep you on your toes!
What I liked about this, was that there are MULTIPLE points of view. We get to hear from Kate and Thomas, but also the bad guys (plural) and what they are thinking and why they are doing what they are doing. You know I LOVE hearing from the bad guys!
We also get to hear from the author of the diary. I particularly enjoyed that, learning about the Templar Knights from the ground up.
It's multi layered. Written part in the now, and part in the 1300. It was almost like the different parts were circling each other, but getting closer all the time.
Because of the multi layered plot, it took me far longer than it would usually do to read 230 odds pages, but that's not a bad thing. I had to concentrate extra hard, but there was no doubling back to reread. I love when books make me slow down my reading.
It's not an easy read, and you really DO have to pay attention, but it was a very VERY good step out my comfort zone.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
This is a step away from my usual fare, and my review might come across a little bit differently.
Kate and Brother Thomas are thrown together to translate a particular diary, written in the 1300s by one of the Knights Templar. There follows a chase across the globe, with some twists and turns along the way to keep you on your toes!
What I liked about this, was that there are MULTIPLE points of view. We get to hear from Kate and Thomas, but also the bad guys (plural) and what they are thinking and why they are doing what they are doing. You know I LOVE hearing from the bad guys!
We also get to hear from the author of the diary. I particularly enjoyed that, learning about the Templar Knights from the ground up.
It's multi layered. Written part in the now, and part in the 1300. It was almost like the different parts were circling each other, but getting closer all the time.
Because of the multi layered plot, it took me far longer than it would usually do to read 230 odds pages, but that's not a bad thing. I had to concentrate extra hard, but there was no doubling back to reread. I love when books make me slow down my reading.
It's not an easy read, and you really DO have to pay attention, but it was a very VERY good step out my comfort zone.
4 very good stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Steph Freeman (26 KP) rated Ferdinand (2017) in Movies
Jan 8, 2018
Quite a bit of humor for adults (1 more)
John Cena and Kate McKinnon have excellent comedic timing.
Great Family Film
My four-year-old goes to just about every children's movie that comes out. While this was nowhere near the best kid's movie this holiday season (that honor goes to Coco in my kid's opinion), it was a fun story with quite a bit of humor. The character development was minimal, the friendships were minimal, and the topic of bull fighting seems outdated. On the flip side it wasn't only my kid that enjoyed himself, every kid in the theater roared with laughter when the horses and bulls had a dance off. We will definitely be buying this movie, and it will probably get more play time than our copy of Coco until my son gets older.
Erika (17789 KP) rated John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum (2019) in Movies
May 25, 2019
John Wick Chapter 3 picks up immediately after Chapter 2, which I liked, so it got going right away. The fighting is so well choreographed, and my favorite section of fighting was with the book in the New York Public Library. You apparently can kill someone with a very weighty book.
This chapter provided much more information on the Continental/High Table mythos, which I thought was cool. Asia Kate Dillon was stone cold as the Adjudicator, and I can't wait to see more of Dillon in Chapter 4.
I could have done without Halle Berry being in the film. She really didn't add anything, and both my father and I were annoyed that it cut away from Keanu fighting to show her, when frankly, the only person I really want to see kicking ass is Keanu.
This chapter provided much more information on the Continental/High Table mythos, which I thought was cool. Asia Kate Dillon was stone cold as the Adjudicator, and I can't wait to see more of Dillon in Chapter 4.
I could have done without Halle Berry being in the film. She really didn't add anything, and both my father and I were annoyed that it cut away from Keanu fighting to show her, when frankly, the only person I really want to see kicking ass is Keanu.
Sam (1 KP) rated The Hole in the Middle in Books
Feb 8, 2018
I won this book through a Goodreads Giveaway and somehow never received it. I contacted the author and she was sooo very gracious to send me out another copy, thank you so much!! You are Awesome!!! :)
From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the story. The chaotic life of a working Mom and her crazy work life! The anxiety of trying to balance kids, husband, a horrid boss, meeting after meeting, added job duties and then an old flame from the past that she still has unanswered questions about. Sophie was a likable and easily understandable character. I have felt the same way sometimes in regards to certain things.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and cannot wait for a new book, Kate Hilton is a very talented and wonderful author!! Please keep them coming!!
From the moment I started reading, I was drawn into the story. The chaotic life of a working Mom and her crazy work life! The anxiety of trying to balance kids, husband, a horrid boss, meeting after meeting, added job duties and then an old flame from the past that she still has unanswered questions about. Sophie was a likable and easily understandable character. I have felt the same way sometimes in regards to certain things.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and cannot wait for a new book, Kate Hilton is a very talented and wonderful author!! Please keep them coming!!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Scene of the Climb (Pacific Northwest Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Meg Reed has finally landed her first post college job. Unfortunately, it’s at an outdoor magazine, and Meg is not an outdoor kind of person. Still, she bravely faces her fear of heights to cover the final leg in a cross country reality TV show competition. But when she witnesses one of the contestants plunge to his death, Meg realizes she might be in over her head.
Meg is a great main character, and I loved spending time with her. The rest of the cast is equally as strong. The pacing was off in the plot a bit, but everything does come together for a nice climax. I will definitely be back for more.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-scene-of-climb-by-kate-dyer.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Meg is a great main character, and I loved spending time with her. The rest of the cast is equally as strong. The pacing was off in the plot a bit, but everything does come together for a nice climax. I will definitely be back for more.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/01/book-review-scene-of-climb-by-kate-dyer.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.