Search
Search results

ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Echo Chamber in Books
Jan 14, 2024
How on earth can John Boyne write a book about a thoroughly , rich, famous and unpleasant family, for it to be a hilarious satire on the state of modern life that I wanted to keep listening to. It helped enormously that Richard E. Grant was narrating. He was perfect. I mean, in real life he seems really lovely, but in this audiobook, his narration exactly reflects the Cleverley family’s selfishness and disregard for anyone other than themselves.
The whole family is obsessed with social media, permanently glued to their phones - all except for the youngest member of the family who gets his kicks elsewhere. Achilles starts off as the most likeable family member, but it soon becomes apparent that he’s as bad as the rest.
I laughed throughout this: it really is very funny. The insights into social media are spot on, and has actually made me think about how much time I spend on it (whatever it was, it’s a lot less now - with the added bonus that I read more!). I can see that some would find this controversial. There were times when I wanted to block out what these people had said or done. I was far too caught up in it though, and wanted to see what they could possibly do next!
Another outstanding book from John Boyne!
The whole family is obsessed with social media, permanently glued to their phones - all except for the youngest member of the family who gets his kicks elsewhere. Achilles starts off as the most likeable family member, but it soon becomes apparent that he’s as bad as the rest.
I laughed throughout this: it really is very funny. The insights into social media are spot on, and has actually made me think about how much time I spend on it (whatever it was, it’s a lot less now - with the added bonus that I read more!). I can see that some would find this controversial. There were times when I wanted to block out what these people had said or done. I was far too caught up in it though, and wanted to see what they could possibly do next!
Another outstanding book from John Boyne!

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Fantasy Lover (Hunter Legends Series #1) in Books
May 27, 2024
105 of 220
Book
Reread
Fantasy Lover ( Dark Hunter 1)
By Sherrilyn Kenyon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It might sound like a man's favorite fantasy - to live forever, destined to be the lover of thousands of women. But for Julian of Macedon, it's a nightmare. Once he was a proud Spartan general; now he's a love-slave, his essence magically held captive in a book, cursed to spend all eternity pleasing women. Then, one day, Grace Alexander summons Julian to fulfill her passionate dreams - and sees beyond the fantasy to the man himself.
Long years as a sex therapist, listening to other people's bedroom problems, have taken a lot of the fun out of the physical side of love for Grace. But with or without sex, the rules of the enchantment cannot be changed - Julian is hers for the next month. And, as their time together slips by, Julian and Grace find more to share than sympathy and conversation and they begin to wonder if love might be within their grasp. That leaves only one question. Is love enough to break a 2,000-year-old curse?
This is a reread for me and one of my favourites. The Dark Hunter series has to be one of the best fantasy series out there. I love the Greek gods and everything these books bring.
Book
Reread
Fantasy Lover ( Dark Hunter 1)
By Sherrilyn Kenyon
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It might sound like a man's favorite fantasy - to live forever, destined to be the lover of thousands of women. But for Julian of Macedon, it's a nightmare. Once he was a proud Spartan general; now he's a love-slave, his essence magically held captive in a book, cursed to spend all eternity pleasing women. Then, one day, Grace Alexander summons Julian to fulfill her passionate dreams - and sees beyond the fantasy to the man himself.
Long years as a sex therapist, listening to other people's bedroom problems, have taken a lot of the fun out of the physical side of love for Grace. But with or without sex, the rules of the enchantment cannot be changed - Julian is hers for the next month. And, as their time together slips by, Julian and Grace find more to share than sympathy and conversation and they begin to wonder if love might be within their grasp. That leaves only one question. Is love enough to break a 2,000-year-old curse?
This is a reread for me and one of my favourites. The Dark Hunter series has to be one of the best fantasy series out there. I love the Greek gods and everything these books bring.

Auscultation
Medical and Reference
App
This is a computer program that primarily plays different sounds of human heart beat murmurs or lung...

Gaz Coombes recommended Africa Basil by Jorge in Music (curated)

Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary
Reference and Education
App
100 SAMPLE ENTRIES ONLY. This free download gives you 100 sample entries from the new OALD 9th...

Shadows and Reflections by Marc Almond
Album Watch
‘Shadows And Reflections’ features sumptuous arrangements of iconic torch songs and 60’s...
pop

Andy K (10823 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017) in Movies
Dec 28, 2017
Beautiful to watch (1 more)
Good battle scenes
Contains spoilers, click to show
I know I am late to the party just seeing today, but I think this film has gotten a bad wrap. I went in to it listening to the negative Nancy's out there, but the film ultimately turned me around and I enjoyed a lot.
Yes it did borrow a lot from the other Star Wars films, but it also went in a few surprising directions also. I was a bit surprised they did not resolve Leia's character since the death of Carrie Fisher, I'm sure that will be explained in the next film.
Mark Hamill was on record as saying he disagreed with the direction of Luke, but I'm not sure what he wanted to happen. I suppose some grand death scene after saving the universe once again and going out in a blaze of glory, but who is to say that won't still happen.
I think what it boils down to is people are unwilling to be left in suspense. Those of us who are old enough to remember know how we felt when we had to wait three years to see if Han Solo would get free of the carbonite and how the Rebellion would prevail against the Empire the first time around, so I say just be patient and see how it all comes together in the end (it had Better)!
Yes it did borrow a lot from the other Star Wars films, but it also went in a few surprising directions also. I was a bit surprised they did not resolve Leia's character since the death of Carrie Fisher, I'm sure that will be explained in the next film.
Mark Hamill was on record as saying he disagreed with the direction of Luke, but I'm not sure what he wanted to happen. I suppose some grand death scene after saving the universe once again and going out in a blaze of glory, but who is to say that won't still happen.
I think what it boils down to is people are unwilling to be left in suspense. Those of us who are old enough to remember know how we felt when we had to wait three years to see if Han Solo would get free of the carbonite and how the Rebellion would prevail against the Empire the first time around, so I say just be patient and see how it all comes together in the end (it had Better)!

Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated The Joe Rogan Experience in Podcasts
Jan 8, 2018
Informative (2 more)
Great guest on all sorts of topics
MMA devoted episodes
What needs to be said about a pod that has over 1000 episodes??
I've been a fan of Joe Rogan for almost twenty years. His stand up comedy is some of the funniest shit I have ever heard. So naturally I become a fan of his podcast as well. Listening to Joe's chemistry with his guests and how well and articulate he speaks makes people forget he's also a full time color commentator for the UFC. The man has a wealth of knowledge at his Beck and call and he shows that. Keeping up with conversations involving astrophysicists, doctor's and Eddie Bravo(insert laugh track here).
His devotion to the pod can give listeners three to four new episodes a week. The vast library of episodes have something for everyone, including but not limited to comedians, doctors, fighters and other sports figures. Joe keeps the listener intrigued and involved and wanting more. Even if it's a goofy episode involving pod regulars and Fighter and the Kid podcasters Brian Called and Brendan Shaub, where the guys do nothing but drink, smoke weed and watch fights. They never just talk about the fights... They cover a wide variety of topics that are both serious and hilarious.
Ear candy for those who want to be informed...or misinformed... Depending how serious the episodes are.
Great podcast. In my top 5 for life.
His devotion to the pod can give listeners three to four new episodes a week. The vast library of episodes have something for everyone, including but not limited to comedians, doctors, fighters and other sports figures. Joe keeps the listener intrigued and involved and wanting more. Even if it's a goofy episode involving pod regulars and Fighter and the Kid podcasters Brian Called and Brendan Shaub, where the guys do nothing but drink, smoke weed and watch fights. They never just talk about the fights... They cover a wide variety of topics that are both serious and hilarious.
Ear candy for those who want to be informed...or misinformed... Depending how serious the episodes are.
Great podcast. In my top 5 for life.

Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated Everything She Ever Wanted in Books
May 15, 2018
Patricia Vann Radcliffe Taylor Allanson is a prime example of how wicked a woman can be, and readers learn this first hand in Ann Rule’s novel, Everything She Ever Wanted. If you’ve followed my blog for some time, you’ll know that I have a thing for reading about wicked women – after all, there’s this misguided belief that women can’t be as cruel as men and that they don’t kill despite hundreds of years of evidence to the contrary. In this abridged audiobook, listeners get a glimpse into the dark, twisted heart of a southern belle.
Rule’s recounting of the facts coupled with Betty Buckley’s voice make for a fascinatingly easy listen. The abridged version of this novel, which is what I listened to, it just over two and a half hours and makes for a quick one-sitting ordeal, which is nice. I do have to say though that there’s probably more to benefit from the unabridged version than this one.
The abridged version of Everything She Ever Wanted makes it a little harder to grasp just how much of a sociopath Pat is, and in fact she doesn’t begin to seem too crazy toward the end. I’m making the assumption this is due to the length and what was cut out, rather than an issue with writing style. Regardless, I enjoyed listening to this book and will be reading more of Rule’s work.
Rule’s recounting of the facts coupled with Betty Buckley’s voice make for a fascinatingly easy listen. The abridged version of this novel, which is what I listened to, it just over two and a half hours and makes for a quick one-sitting ordeal, which is nice. I do have to say though that there’s probably more to benefit from the unabridged version than this one.
The abridged version of Everything She Ever Wanted makes it a little harder to grasp just how much of a sociopath Pat is, and in fact she doesn’t begin to seem too crazy toward the end. I’m making the assumption this is due to the length and what was cut out, rather than an issue with writing style. Regardless, I enjoyed listening to this book and will be reading more of Rule’s work.

Tori Harned (1 KP) rated Divide by Ed Sheeran in Music
May 25, 2018
Embracing his culture (5 more)
No more bad language
His signature style
Thoughtful lyrics
Ability to write about various topics
The sound
A Brand New Ed
This album has really impressed me and sort of brought me back to Ed Sheeran's fan base. Admittedly, I'm kind of snobby when it comes to bad language and I kind of hate when artists use bad language unnecessarily (I have three little sisters that don't need to hear that). When Ed Sheeran first broke out, I was in love at first listen, but as time wore on and his foul mouth became a part of every song, I kind of stopped listening or caring. This album I knew was different the moment I heard "Castle on the Hill" and then when I heard an interview with Ed talking about a cab driver who said if there was less cursing in his music he would let his daughter listen to it and how Ed took that to heart, I knew I had to check it out. I've been pleased ever since. This album takes every little good thing about Ed (minus the potty mouth) and turns it into these beautiful, meaningful songs that share new sides to him, and expand on pieces of him we knew were already there. I think Ed is fabulously innovative with music and someone I will always watch out for when new albums drop in the future.