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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.
  
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics
1983 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"Eurythmics were another band that I was introduced to through MTV. I think that's how I got into synth-pop music. Annie Lennox has an amazing voice but also the instruments that they use, the way it was produced was so cool and different and tough. As a kid I loved 'Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)' because it was the big hit, but later in my life when I went back to the record I listened to 'Love Is A Stranger' as if I'd never heard it before. It's just so amazing that I couldn't believe I didn't remember it from when I was younger. Among the DFA family it's a universally loved song. We all try to emulate it, some aspect of it, in some way in different things that we do."

Source
  
Bitter Almonds
Bitter Almonds
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
It's nostalig and sweet (0 more)
Wasn't keen on the recipies but a nice touch (0 more)
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.
  
A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea
A River in Darkness: One Man's Escape from North Korea
Masaji Ishikawa | 2018 | Biography
10
10.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
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.
  
Front Seat - Single by Talii
Front Seat - Single by Talii
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
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/
  
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!
  
The Winter King
The Winter King
Bernard Cornwell | 1995 | Fiction & Poetry, History & Politics
6
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
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?
  
The Walking People
The Walking People
Mary Beth Keane | 2021 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
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.
  
40x40

Justin Hawkins recommended Arrival by ABBA in Music (curated)

 
Arrival by ABBA
Arrival by ABBA
1977 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"When I was growing up, I heard a lot of compilation albums being played by my parents. One of these was Abba Gold. That got me into the band. In the end, it was tough to choose between Arrival and Voulez-Vous, which came out three years later. There are two reasons why Arrival wins out. “Firstly, ever since The Darkness got into a position where we needed an intro, we’ve used the song Arrival itself. So, I hear it every night, and it’s become a part of my life. Secondly, there’s a helicopter on the album cover. That’s cool in itself. But what I recently had done was a photo with myself, my wife, my child and dog put into the cover shot in place of the band, all of us standing by the helicopter. That has pride of place in my lounge"

Source
  
Stupendousaurus Rex
Stupendousaurus Rex
TV & Film
7
5.3 (3 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
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/
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Gmail. stupendousaurusrex@gmail.com