Search
Search results
Pity by Andrew McMillan is a compassionate book that’s as much about the town it’s set in (Barnsley) as it is about the people in it.
I can’t honestly tell you which parts I liked best: the thoughts of the miners as they trudged to the mine and worked there; the sociologists researching the history and decline of the town; and Simon, who works in a call centre by day and has a drag act in local clubs and bars at night. Each part blended with and gave explanations for every other component of this book, and explained the impact on the next generation.
Simon’s sections and the preparation for his show, where he would dress as Margaret Thatcher were particularly engaging. Her impact on ex-mining towns are clearly still apparent, and Simons alter ego, Puttana Short Dress, appears dressed as the Iron Lady with the slogan “This turn is not a lady!” - it’s a genius act!
I was left wondering where Simon and Ryan’s relationship would go, as Ryan seemed unhappy about Simon wearing his makeup on the journey home after his act had finished. Could he accept Simon - ALL of Simon?
This was a short read, that I would happily have read if it was twice (or more!) the length - it was all over too soon!
Recommended.
I can’t honestly tell you which parts I liked best: the thoughts of the miners as they trudged to the mine and worked there; the sociologists researching the history and decline of the town; and Simon, who works in a call centre by day and has a drag act in local clubs and bars at night. Each part blended with and gave explanations for every other component of this book, and explained the impact on the next generation.
Simon’s sections and the preparation for his show, where he would dress as Margaret Thatcher were particularly engaging. Her impact on ex-mining towns are clearly still apparent, and Simons alter ego, Puttana Short Dress, appears dressed as the Iron Lady with the slogan “This turn is not a lady!” - it’s a genius act!
I was left wondering where Simon and Ryan’s relationship would go, as Ryan seemed unhappy about Simon wearing his makeup on the journey home after his act had finished. Could he accept Simon - ALL of Simon?
This was a short read, that I would happily have read if it was twice (or more!) the length - it was all over too soon!
Recommended.
Murder at Cottonwood Creek
8.0
Rate It
Book
Far from England and their beloved Morrington Hall, Viscount “Lyndy” Lyndhurst and his American...
David McK (3663 KP) rated The Happy Return in Books
Apr 25, 2019
Chronologically the 6th in CS Forester Hornblower series, this was actually the first published (in 1937!), and so is a pretty good 'jumping-on' point for those unfamiliar with the character or novels.
Sometimes also known as 'Beat to quarters', this sees Hornblower commanding the frigate Lydia on it's mission into Spanish held waters: a mission that will involve forming an alliance with an insane Spanish landowner, encounters with the 50-gun Spanish ship-of-the-line Natividad, storms at sea, and (the married) Hornblower's first encounter with (the fictional) Lady Barbara Wellesley, the sister of the future Duke of Wellington.
A quick reading and thoroughly enjoyable read it is!
Sometimes also known as 'Beat to quarters', this sees Hornblower commanding the frigate Lydia on it's mission into Spanish held waters: a mission that will involve forming an alliance with an insane Spanish landowner, encounters with the 50-gun Spanish ship-of-the-line Natividad, storms at sea, and (the married) Hornblower's first encounter with (the fictional) Lady Barbara Wellesley, the sister of the future Duke of Wellington.
A quick reading and thoroughly enjoyable read it is!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated And a Puzzle to Die On (Puzzle Lady #6) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Puzzle Lady Cora Felton is hiding from her birthday by digging into a 20 year old murder. Why is someone interested in the case now? Is the real killer behind bars? The plot contains plenty of twists, but I felt the ending was overly convoluted. There was plenty of word play, which is why I read the series, so I loved that. Those who read for the cross word puzzles might be disappointed to learn they are unrelated to the mail plot. Personally, that didn't bother me.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-and-puzzle-to-die-on-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-and-puzzle-to-die-on-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2460 KP) rated You Have the Right to Remain Puzzled (Puzzle Lady #8) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
The Puzzle Lady is back and dealing with stolen chairs, charges of plagiarism, and being framed for murder. And to think she was complaining about being bored. I was impressed with how everything was tied together in the end. My only real complaint here was that the witty banter between characters I normally love had too much of an angry tent to it for the first half of the book. Still, there were plenty of laughs. Now, if only Dennis would die soon I'd really be happy.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-you-have-right-to-remain.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/02/book-review-you-have-right-to-remain.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Deb (14 KP) rated Part of the Bargain in Books
Jun 11, 2018
Disappointing
I hardly ever NOT finish a book but this was one of the times that I just couldn't get through it. I got to chapter 3 before I gave up but I couldn't take it any further. The leading lady, Libby, from the beginning, was being portrayed as being weak minded. It was as if the story picked up in the middle of another which threw everything off. Jamie, the leading man, within the story didn't do anything but yell at her one moment and the next was trying to get her undressed within the first two chapters. It just wasn't what I expected it to be.
Aasiyah Sidat (34 KP) rated Stratus in Books
Oct 2, 2018
Stratus by Miranda Brock
“I felt certain if I peered into them long enough I would see lightning flash in their depths ”
Stratus begins with our leading lady Lily who gets hit by lightning during a particular furious storm. She is surprised to see a gorgeous man lying next to her who introduces himself as Stratus. Lily find herself inexplicably drawn to the mysterious Stratus at the dismay of her friends and family. As the story continues questions about Stratus’s origins are answered as well as how he and Lily are tied together.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2018/09/stratus-by-miranda-brock.html
Stratus begins with our leading lady Lily who gets hit by lightning during a particular furious storm. She is surprised to see a gorgeous man lying next to her who introduces himself as Stratus. Lily find herself inexplicably drawn to the mysterious Stratus at the dismay of her friends and family. As the story continues questions about Stratus’s origins are answered as well as how he and Lily are tied together.
Continue reading my review at: https://www.readsandrecipes.co.uk/2018/09/stratus-by-miranda-brock.html
Kate (355 KP) rated Apparitions in TV
Jan 8, 2019
Discovered this on Amazon Prime and hadn't heard of it before now. There is only one season consisting of six episodes and yes I did binge watch them in one day. Martin Shaw is the main character playing a priest who carries out exorcisms. The story does run through all six episodes and it does finish at the end of episode six. Not sure how season two would be played out as the story did finish. You don't get all the special effects in today's films and TV series but it is still compelling and makes you think. Also what lady can resist Martin Shaw.
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Elizabeth is Missing in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Lovely wee story
The novel is told from the perspective of Maude, a lady in her 80's with dementia. The reader experiences the frustration that the protagonist feels because of her poor short term memory, yet there is this brilliant back story. Yes, Elizabeth is missing, but so is Sukie, Maude's big sister who disappeared when they were both young. Switching between the present and the past enhances the story, showing how certain triggers can support long term memory in dementia patients. Lovely wee story. Brilliant gripping beginning, a bit slow in the middle and great ending. Worth a read.
Sherlock Holmes Collection : All works
Book
App
This app presents the classical collection of works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle including: A Study in...