Search
Search results
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/5db/461b0d80-ea51-4cae-9e6b-0884a63c35db.jpg?m=1566659393)
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Roaring Midnight (The Gardella Vampire Hunters: Macey, #1) in Books
Jan 6, 2021
I didn't enjoy this as much as the first series: Victoria's with Max Pesero and Sebastian.
It just didn't grab me as much or seem as filled with details like the first one. We didn't read her training, or see as much of her life--or maybe she just didn't do as much as Victoria did, what with all her balls and meeting other ladies and the likes.
t's interesting reading a new series based around one I love but set 100 years later. I like that Sebastian's in it and maybe I'm just a crazy romantic but I'd love for him to get his HEA that he never got in the first series--maybe, possibly, with Macey??
I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series when it comes out.
It just didn't grab me as much or seem as filled with details like the first one. We didn't read her training, or see as much of her life--or maybe she just didn't do as much as Victoria did, what with all her balls and meeting other ladies and the likes.
t's interesting reading a new series based around one I love but set 100 years later. I like that Sebastian's in it and maybe I'm just a crazy romantic but I'd love for him to get his HEA that he never got in the first series--maybe, possibly, with Macey??
I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series when it comes out.
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/3a9/3f5cdab4-d49a-457c-af38-7e18731a83a9.jpg?m=1613562328)
Nancy Whang recommended Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics in Music (curated)
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/088/215bc917-037f-4e32-a174-e2e0e5c3b088.jpg?m=1522357477)
Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Bitter Almonds in Books
Jul 2, 2019
Great wee book
I only wanted to read half of this book as the second half is recipes. After the first thirteen pages I put it down and sighed. I like to give a book at least a chapter so I persisted and I am glad I did. The book is written by Simeti about the life of Maria, a Sicilian woman who owns a bakery. The first chapter is all about the art of baking (old school) and I was worried that the whole novel would read along the same lines - after all it is memoir that I want to read. Things turn around after chapter one when Maria discusses her childhood in a nunnery, her feelings of neglect, her hunger but also of what she learned and how she was able to apply this to her later in life career. I found Maria's attitude to religion and family refreshing and enjoyed the conversational tone in which she delivers her own recollections.
This is a book worth persisting with.
This is a book worth persisting with.
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/70d/8e54b769-5ff4-4ea4-a2a7-399af6c9e70d.jpg?m=1522325189)
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea in Books
Jan 17, 2018
An utterly bleak story of an invisible man
Masaji Ishikawa's story is truly soul-crushing, the level of trauma is beyond comprehension, therefore read it with caution.
Ishikawa describes his life under the North Korean regime as gruelling, horrifically terrifying, and there are some completely hopeless moments where you think why even bother anymore.
His journey begins in Japan, the child of a Japanese mother and Korean father, he was forced at a young age to move to North Korea under the pretence of "returning" to his motherland, though he never believed so. His father, an originally extremely violent man became pacified as he realised the perilous situation he bought his family into. But they soon face the truth and brutality of their circumstances.
The narrator defects at a much later stage in life, living around 30 years under the dictatorship, but leaving his family behind. He questions whether he made the right decision in the end as the consequences are revealed and the reader is left writhing in agony at his pain.
It is not an easy read, but it is important to understand the level of complexity and the reality of the situation. An absolute must read.
Ishikawa describes his life under the North Korean regime as gruelling, horrifically terrifying, and there are some completely hopeless moments where you think why even bother anymore.
His journey begins in Japan, the child of a Japanese mother and Korean father, he was forced at a young age to move to North Korea under the pretence of "returning" to his motherland, though he never believed so. His father, an originally extremely violent man became pacified as he realised the perilous situation he bought his family into. But they soon face the truth and brutality of their circumstances.
The narrator defects at a much later stage in life, living around 30 years under the dictatorship, but leaving his family behind. He questions whether he made the right decision in the end as the consequences are revealed and the reader is left writhing in agony at his pain.
It is not an easy read, but it is important to understand the level of complexity and the reality of the situation. An absolute must read.
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/7f6/954a8d65-8d96-4ecc-a4e7-c89a08bbb7f6.jpg?m=1559813745)
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Front Seat - Single by Talii in Music
Jun 18, 2019
Talii is a singer-songwriter based in Orlando, Florida. Not too long ago, she released a lyric video for her tropical pop tune, entitled, “Front Seat”.
“I don’t think we ever met in this lifetime but my soul knows you. I don’t recognize you with my eyes but I think I’m starting to. You reflect the best of me, make me wanna give my all to you. I’m tryna get to know you better.” – lyrics
‘Front Seat’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who courageously decides to take the lead in her life.
Apparently, she looks within herself for guidance and gets in tune with her soul. Later, she admits, she’s becoming somebody and starting to remember who she truly is.
‘Front Seat’ contains an adorable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and rhythmic instrumentation flavored with tropical, R&B, and dancehall elements.
“The title refers to moving your ego out of the driver’s seat and allowing your true self to take the wheel. It’s a representation of appreciating and loving the person I’m becoming. It reflects my growth and evolution not only musically but within my life overall.” – Talii via Billboard
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/talii-front-seat/
“I don’t think we ever met in this lifetime but my soul knows you. I don’t recognize you with my eyes but I think I’m starting to. You reflect the best of me, make me wanna give my all to you. I’m tryna get to know you better.” – lyrics
‘Front Seat’ tells an interesting tale of a young woman who courageously decides to take the lead in her life.
Apparently, she looks within herself for guidance and gets in tune with her soul. Later, she admits, she’s becoming somebody and starting to remember who she truly is.
‘Front Seat’ contains an adorable storyline, ear-welcoming vocals, and rhythmic instrumentation flavored with tropical, R&B, and dancehall elements.
“The title refers to moving your ego out of the driver’s seat and allowing your true self to take the wheel. It’s a representation of appreciating and loving the person I’m becoming. It reflects my growth and evolution not only musically but within my life overall.” – Talii via Billboard
https://www.bongminesentertainment.com/talii-front-seat/
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/604/d36f029c-acac-4082-aa11-b0dec71cf604.jpg?m=1531337821)
Deborah (162 KP) rated Mistress of My Fate; The Confessions of Henrietta Lightfoot in Books
Dec 21, 2018
Hallie Rubenhold's foray into the world of historical fiction brings us to Henrietta Lightfoot and the first volume of her memoirs. I confess that I didn't realise that this was the first book in a planned series and felt a bit frustrated at the end of the book as there were many unresolved questions I was dying to know the answer to!
Books written in the first person can sometimes feel a bit contrived, but that wasn't a problem here at all. An older Henrietta relates the 'true' story of her life, evidently in answer to some untruths put about by a character we have yet to properly meet in this first volume; I'm sure all will become apparent later on!
Many of the characters who weave their way through Rubenhold's tale are actually real, historical figures. Even her fictional characters owe something to the real life experiences of other Georgian inhabitants. This certainly isn't prettified historical fiction; we follow the initially very naive Henrietta through her ups and downs. The main action of the novel takes place over the space of about a year, when Henrietta is still only 17. I look forward to the next instalment!
Books written in the first person can sometimes feel a bit contrived, but that wasn't a problem here at all. An older Henrietta relates the 'true' story of her life, evidently in answer to some untruths put about by a character we have yet to properly meet in this first volume; I'm sure all will become apparent later on!
Many of the characters who weave their way through Rubenhold's tale are actually real, historical figures. Even her fictional characters owe something to the real life experiences of other Georgian inhabitants. This certainly isn't prettified historical fiction; we follow the initially very naive Henrietta through her ups and downs. The main action of the novel takes place over the space of about a year, when Henrietta is still only 17. I look forward to the next instalment!
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/c74/d8277c53-81ff-4d2c-8007-2bac329f4c74.jpg?m=1553205006)
David McK (3248 KP) rated The Winter King in Books
Sep 4, 2020
The first of Bernard Cornwell's so-called Warlord trilogy novels, which are a retelling/reimagining of the King Arthur Legend.
These are also novels that - despite being the author's own personal favourites of the (many) novels he has written - I have struggled with, never really getting into them or feeling any connection with the story or character in the same way as I do towards Uhtred of Bebbanburg, or to Richard Sharpe.
I don't know whether that's because these are so different than I was originally expecting (the magic and mysticism of the tales, here, are more to do with superstition and ignorance), or whether because it may be fairer to call these a tale of Derfel, who narrates the story in later life in a monastery and how - here- he first came to the service of Arthur, the King that never was.
Maybe also because of the Dark Ages setting, which - obviously, since so little is known of that period (hence the name Dark Ages!) - means that Cornwell can't really bring history to life like he does in most of his other works?
These are also novels that - despite being the author's own personal favourites of the (many) novels he has written - I have struggled with, never really getting into them or feeling any connection with the story or character in the same way as I do towards Uhtred of Bebbanburg, or to Richard Sharpe.
I don't know whether that's because these are so different than I was originally expecting (the magic and mysticism of the tales, here, are more to do with superstition and ignorance), or whether because it may be fairer to call these a tale of Derfel, who narrates the story in later life in a monastery and how - here- he first came to the service of Arthur, the King that never was.
Maybe also because of the Dark Ages setting, which - obviously, since so little is known of that period (hence the name Dark Ages!) - means that Cornwell can't really bring history to life like he does in most of his other works?
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/0e3/630e4ff5-bfdf-4760-9e37-29f3ad9090e3.jpg?m=1522362006)
ClareR (5603 KP) rated The Walking People in Books
Dec 14, 2022
It’s the 1960’s, and Greta and Johanna Cahill leave their farm and sail away on a ship to New York. They leave with Michael, a ‘Tinker’ who wants to settle down once he’s there, and make a life for himself.
Greta makes a life for HERself once she’s in New York - out of the shadow of her more confident sister, but in doing so, she ends up keeping secrets that I wondered would have been better shared. But these are people constrained by the times they live in and the place they come from.
I really enjoyed following the lives of Greta and Michael as they struggled (and succeeded) to make lives for themselves. Part of me wondered why anyone would want to leave the beauty of rural Ireland for the hustle of New York, but in reality there was nothing there for a lot of young people. If they wanted to earn money and have a job, they left for America and the UK.
It’s just a lovely story, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story of a family that loses touch and finds one another years later - with a bittersweet ending.
Recommended.
Greta makes a life for HERself once she’s in New York - out of the shadow of her more confident sister, but in doing so, she ends up keeping secrets that I wondered would have been better shared. But these are people constrained by the times they live in and the place they come from.
I really enjoyed following the lives of Greta and Michael as they struggled (and succeeded) to make lives for themselves. Part of me wondered why anyone would want to leave the beauty of rural Ireland for the hustle of New York, but in reality there was nothing there for a lot of young people. If they wanted to earn money and have a job, they left for America and the UK.
It’s just a lovely story, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story of a family that loses touch and finds one another years later - with a bittersweet ending.
Recommended.
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/efc/e291e79b-d93e-41e9-9bab-34bb694bbefc.jpg?m=1612788169)
Justin Hawkins recommended Arrival by ABBA in Music (curated)
![40x40](/uploads/profile_image/533/b7f554e0-56eb-4bb4-b6c8-f3449b159533.jpg?m=1528887607)
KerrChung (46 KP) rated Stupendousaurus Rex in Podcasts
Jun 13, 2018
informative (1 more)
real
getting better
2 friends challenge each other to watch movies and discuss them later. Sometimes they are good movies sometimes they are bad. some real life discussions and some toungue in cheeck asides. first time trying a podcast, they are working to perfect their art. If you are a fan of movies they make some pretty good suggestions. starting with episode one featuring The Princess Bride and Jaws. here's the first episode on ITunes! https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-1-part-1-the-princess-bride/id1398174609?i=1000413627448&mt=2
Check them out at https://www.stupendousaurusrex.com/
twitter https://twitter.com/Stupendous_Rex
facebook https://www.facebook.com/stupendousaurusrex
Gmail. stupendousaurusrex@gmail.com
Check them out at https://www.stupendousaurusrex.com/
twitter https://twitter.com/Stupendous_Rex
facebook https://www.facebook.com/stupendousaurusrex
Gmail. stupendousaurusrex@gmail.com