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Jenny Houle (24 KP) rated Hourglass: Time, Memory, Marriage in Books
Jan 13, 2018
I received an ARC via FirstToRead for this book, for an unbiased review.
I am, admittedly, not as familiar with Shapiro's writing as many who seem to have chosen to review this book. As an avid memoir reader, and also as a "wannabe writer", I was drawn to the idea of reviewing a memoir. I was not, at all, disappointed with the choice.
Throughout the book, the ideas of "what if", as well as other writing prompts that she had encountered over time, intermingling with the memories of her family and her life, really brought the book together. I can see now, that I need to make time to read more of her work. I found myself bookmarking page after page, trying to remember details from it so that I could, in the future, use them as guides for my own writing.
I am, admittedly, not as familiar with Shapiro's writing as many who seem to have chosen to review this book. As an avid memoir reader, and also as a "wannabe writer", I was drawn to the idea of reviewing a memoir. I was not, at all, disappointed with the choice.
Throughout the book, the ideas of "what if", as well as other writing prompts that she had encountered over time, intermingling with the memories of her family and her life, really brought the book together. I can see now, that I need to make time to read more of her work. I found myself bookmarking page after page, trying to remember details from it so that I could, in the future, use them as guides for my own writing.
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated After the Dark (2014) in Movies
Jan 14, 2018
Philosophy at it's best
A Philosophy class of mixed intelligent and great mind thinkers are at the en of their semester. Their professor on the last day has proposed to them a problem that needs to be solved not only philosophical but ethically as well. It is an end of the world senario and they have to pick who is best to survive and repopulate the world. They are given a chance to pick a career and then pick either an extra advantage or disadvantage. These all play a role on wether they can rebuild life or bring it to a horrible end. The role playing ideas in this story are so well thought out that if you took philosophy in college you can almost out yourself in the movie and act it out with the characters in mind.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Naïve. Super in Books
Aug 27, 2017
Can't empathise with main character, seems a bit pointless
This is one of those random quirky Scandinavian books that leaves you scratching your head, asking what was the real point of it. The book called "Super naive" pretty much sums up the main character, a 25-year-old university dropout who is contemplating the meaning of life. He seems to have some difficulty grasping his existence and time, coping by playing ball and using a hammering toy to stay calm. I felt his sense of privilege made him slightly irritating, jetsetting, buying cars on a whim - you can't really sympathise with his plight, he just seems like a layabout. But I think he had some underlying mental health issue that was never explored. There could be a translation issue causing it to lose its original tone.
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Three Daughters of Eve in Books
Sep 17, 2017
Wonderfully weaved story of past and present life
Elik Shafak has a beautiful way of writing very delicate narratives. In this case, it's a story about an indecisive Turkish woman reminiscing about her past mistakes and confusions, attempting to reconcile her faith and her disbelief at every given turn.
She is now a housewife with children, when she vowed never to be such, and she has issues with her religion and questioning her belief after living between a devoutly Muslim mother and a secular father. These issues rise up again when she studies a "God" seminar at Oxford and she is pitted against her atheist Iranian friend, her Muslim housemate and her enigmatic older professor.
It is a remarkably contemporary story, weaving political attributes and current affairs. Intriguing but could have a been a little shorter.
She is now a housewife with children, when she vowed never to be such, and she has issues with her religion and questioning her belief after living between a devoutly Muslim mother and a secular father. These issues rise up again when she studies a "God" seminar at Oxford and she is pitted against her atheist Iranian friend, her Muslim housemate and her enigmatic older professor.
It is a remarkably contemporary story, weaving political attributes and current affairs. Intriguing but could have a been a little shorter.
Dr. Gupta takes his readers on a wild ride through modern medical science. I learned so much from this book! It was interesting, fast-paced, informative, but also held a certain amount of adventure and suspense as Gupta tells stories and relates interviews with people who have had amazing experiences with life and death—and in-between. Prepare to have your mind boggled with modern day science written in easy-to-understand and easy-to-follow prose.
Audio review: The audio-book was read by the author, and he is one of the best readers I’ve listened to. Gupta takes pride in his own work, and it shows through his voice. It’s not too fast or slow, is read with energy, and is enjoyable and engaging.
Recommendation: Ages 16+ to anyone who likes non-fiction, medical thrillers, or thrillers of any kind.
Audio review: The audio-book was read by the author, and he is one of the best readers I’ve listened to. Gupta takes pride in his own work, and it shows through his voice. It’s not too fast or slow, is read with energy, and is enjoyable and engaging.
Recommendation: Ages 16+ to anyone who likes non-fiction, medical thrillers, or thrillers of any kind.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Written in the Blood (The String Diaries #2) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Written in the Blood was a mystical, thrilling, gripping adventure that feels like it takes place far away in a distant land, but like it could also take place right in your hometown. The mystery never dissipates, even as the story continues to grow and develop. Even as I learned more about these strange people and their strange enemies, it was like they still remained a marvelous mystery.
The climax was shocking, the conclusion was beautiful and full of hope. I loved every minute of the adventure and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a kick-ass heroine and good plot with a hint of the supernatural in their life.
apparently this is the second book in the series, but I didn’t know until I looked it up on Goodreads. It was wonderful by itself.
Recommendation: ages 17+ for intense scenes
The climax was shocking, the conclusion was beautiful and full of hope. I loved every minute of the adventure and would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes a kick-ass heroine and good plot with a hint of the supernatural in their life.
apparently this is the second book in the series, but I didn’t know until I looked it up on Goodreads. It was wonderful by itself.
Recommendation: ages 17+ for intense scenes
Kymbo (4 KP) rated Goodreads: Book Reviews in Apps
May 15, 2018
Good Reads = Good Books
I LOVE this app! Any avid book reader needs this app in their life. The sign up is free. They have a wide selection of books, plus you can list your favorites, see what your friends are reading and even get great quotes on this site. The books are easily downloadable to your device. They are compatible with almost every device. The great thing is when you see a book you think you want to read, you can read the reviews and ask people what they think of it. The site provides links to sites where you can purchase the books you want. There is a ton more! If you love books, Good Reads is a great place to be!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018) in Movies
Feb 8, 2019
Slightly curious true-life tale of literary forger Lee Israel (McCarthy) and her accomplice Jack Hock (Grant). Somewhat unevenly pitched between cheerily amoral caper comedy and downbeat, naturalistic drama exploring big ideas about creativity and authenticity, but the story is well told and fairly involving.
I'm not entirely sure how the two stars have both managed to swing Oscar nominations, for this particular movie at least - it's not as if either of them is actually bad, but they're both essentially delivering variations on their standard performance (McCarthy: abrasive, acid-tongued loudmouth; Grant: pantomime dame). It's hard to shake the impression that McCarthy has managed to get herself Oscar nominated mainly for putting on a wig, but there is a long if somewhat ignoble tradition of the academy rewarding actresses for being brave enough to de-glam themselves on screen. So it goes.
I'm not entirely sure how the two stars have both managed to swing Oscar nominations, for this particular movie at least - it's not as if either of them is actually bad, but they're both essentially delivering variations on their standard performance (McCarthy: abrasive, acid-tongued loudmouth; Grant: pantomime dame). It's hard to shake the impression that McCarthy has managed to get herself Oscar nominated mainly for putting on a wig, but there is a long if somewhat ignoble tradition of the academy rewarding actresses for being brave enough to de-glam themselves on screen. So it goes.
Awix (3310 KP) rated If Beale Street Could Talk (2018) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019 (Updated Feb 24, 2019)
Barry Jenkins' follow-up to Moonlight manages to be utterly gorgeous and profoundly moving while also being serious and thoughtful. A young black man is arrested for a crime he couldn't have committed (but you try telling the authorities that); the film backtracks to show his relationship with his girlfriend and details her life after his imprisonment, when she learns she is pregnant with his child.
A film of extraordinarily restrained anger and tremendous tenderness and delicacy; the non-linear storytelling structure and emphasis on character and atmosphere over plot may not be to everyone's taste, but every frame of this movie has clearly had serious thought devoted to it, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Would have been a vastly more worthy Oscar nominee than most of the films on the 2019 Best Picture shortlist.
A film of extraordinarily restrained anger and tremendous tenderness and delicacy; the non-linear storytelling structure and emphasis on character and atmosphere over plot may not be to everyone's taste, but every frame of this movie has clearly had serious thought devoted to it, and the performances are uniformly excellent. Would have been a vastly more worthy Oscar nominee than most of the films on the 2019 Best Picture shortlist.
ALilLacey (2 KP) rated After Impact (After Impact #1) in Books
Mar 4, 2019
After Impact was a great start to a new thought provoking series. Avalon brought interest to a new look of how the world may handle an asteroid destroying life on earth. I liked actually reading a book where a younger girl actually acted appropriately for her age and that she was intelligent. The book keeps you wondering how society will not only function being the last few thousand alive on earth and waking from cryo-sleep hoping to find the outside earth environment liveable. In addition to that, we work through a mysterious illness and disappearance of some of the lower class residence. Of course we also have a good mix of love interests too. Overall an excellent young adult book and it's a clean read! Definitely recommended. I can't wait to read the next in the series.