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Ready Player One
Ready Player One
Ernest Cline | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
4
8.9 (161 Ratings)
Book Rating
Honestly, I’m not really sure where to start with this review. I guess I need to preface by saying that I wanted to like this book. I mean REALLY wanted to like it. I love video games, I love the 80’s and the idea of living almost exclusively in virtual reality sounds like an amazing combination for a story. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me… at all. I totally respect that there is a HUGE following for this book, and I am sooooooooooooo glad that so many people loved this book. I think that’s great. I really wanted to like it.
The author’s writing style was the biggest problem for me. The book started off strong for the first couple of chapters, but then became a huge info-dump for about 6 chapters. Then it would get interesting again, and then another mega epic info-dump was upon us, until about the last 6-8 chapters. It was great that the author wanted to give detail to world build and help you become part of the book/game, but at times it was just too much for me.
I also found that the author did a poor job of explaining what life was like outside of the major cities, it was almost as if we were supposed to just know that it was a wasteland. The author also was not consistent with their acronyms (GSS, PVP, MMO, etc). He would use the acronym and provide no explanation, and then the next page he would spell it out with the acronym, and then the page after that it would be spelled out with no acronym… It was all over the place.
The other glaring issue for me was the fact that Wade was fighting the sixers and their huge corporation but then was trying to find the egg and in the end became the head of a super-mega-corporation. It didn’t jive for me at all.
  
Death of a Ladies' Man by Leonard Cohen
Death of a Ladies' Man by Leonard Cohen
1977 | Pop
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"This might not be an album that people celebrate, but to me, the combination of Phil Spector and Leonard Cohen worked really well. His lyrics are so deeply poetic that you sometimes don’t know what he’s talking about, but it doesn’t matter because they’re beautiful. “It’s a very humanistic record. The stories are very eloquent and touching, and the melodies are very rich. I love the fact that all the songs are unbelievably slow, too. It’s an unusual-sounding record. His voice has changed a lot over the years, but on this record he’s really trying to sing. It sounds like he’s straining, but that’s OK because it sort of adds to the drama."

Source
  
Timeless (Less Than Zero #4)
Timeless (Less Than Zero #4)
Kaylene Winter | 2021 | Contemporary, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Oh.....my......goodness!

A fully rounded story that literally leads you from the very beginning. It's beautiful and heartbreaking. I laughed and cried, became frustrated with both Zane and Fiona and fell in love along the way.
    I always say I like the character development and Timeless is no different, it's a brilliant journey that not only shows the growth of these two fab people but highlights how their core personalities stay the same.

Definitely an adult read with a fair bit of detailed naughtiness, done in a way that shows a deep and meaningful connection between two people who clearly belong together, even though life throws so many spanners in the works.
  
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
1968 | Classics, Horror, Mystery

"“What have you done to its eyes?” How does a movie become a classic? Is it timing? Was it the dream-team collaboration of Paramount, Polanski, and Robert Evans? Was it producer William Castle, the mastermind who purchased the Ira Levin novel with plans to make it himself? Was it Mia Farrow, who had been painted with the brush of scandal after marrying Frank Sinatra? Did the devil himself have a hand in it? Whatever the reasons, my fascination with this film has never waned. There’s an enjoyment in watching Rosemary’s Baby that is similar to another gothic horror film, The Shining. It’s like listening to an album you love. Seeing the repetition of familiar scenes and faces. Shaking your head at Rosemary’s innocence as she tries to convince people that her neighbors might just be in a cult with Satan! Another highlight is the production design and cinematography. Not a frame is out of place, and it’s beautiful to look at. It captures a kind of sixties avant-garde vibe. I get the feeling Warhol would have liked this film. There are all sorts of great exterior location shots of New York, and the Dakota building on Seventy-Second Street adds the right spookiness. Does anyone remember or talk about what an amazing actress Mia Farrow is? Watch Broadway Danny Rose, and then watch Rosemary’s Baby. There’s some range there! Farrow as Rosemary has a beautiful, waifish glamour, enhanced by short dresses that make her seem more fragile and doll-like. John Cassavetes playing the “actor.” I love that he’s an “actor.” I love that his name is Guy! He makes a great prince of darkness. With his dark eyes and leering smile, well, you know he’s guilty of something the minute you see him. Then we have Ruth Gordon, who almost steals the film. Her caftan-wearing, mousse-making devil worshipper is the perfect amount of comic relief. I also love Charles Grodin as the fink doctor who squeals on Rosemary. Ralph Bellamy: terrifying! Every woman’s nightmare! Maybe that’s why I love it: Rosemary’s Baby plays on every woman’s fears. The man I married is different. Oh wait—maybe he’s sold his soul to the devil!"

Source
  
AP
A Promise for Tomorrow
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
A Promise for Tomorrow by Miranda Barnes is a wonderful book. It is a story about new beginning and new romantic interests. Just because one chapter in your life ends does not mean that life ends all together and this story shows the reader that second chances come around. Sarah, the main character, needed a change of pace so she quit her job, ended her relationship that was going nowhere and moved to a new place. In her new environment she found a new job, and made new friends. Sarah met India and became good friends which opened the door to meeting more people like Robert. The story will have you rooting for Sarah and Robert and their relationship.
The story was simply written but shows that people can take a chance on love when they have lost the one they love.
 
I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
  
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Hazel (2934 KP) rated Dark Ride in Books

Jul 21, 2019  
Dark Ride
Dark Ride
Iain Rob Wright | 2019 | Horror, Mystery, Paranormal
7
6.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Creepily entertaining
I admit, I am a fan of this author and he is one of a very select few that I will buy their book without much hesitation. I love a good horror/creep-fest book every now and again and Iain is more and more my go-to author.

I absolutely devoured this book in less than a day whilst sunning myself, chilling in a hammock whilst on holiday in Portugal - no one spoke to me and I had to keep reminding myself to move I was that hooked; I couldn't put it down.

What's not to love ... great characters, spooky abandoned fun fair, tension, fast pace, easy to read, laugh out loud one-liners and sad moments ... this book has it all BUT I didn't find it particularly scary however, I was very much entertained and isn't that the point?

Recommended for anyone who enjoys a book that gives you the creeps but doesn't like a full blown horror ... I enjoy both 😊
  
AS
A Sound Among the Trees
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
The young bride that moves into her husband's first wife home is first scared that there a ghost in the house. She not understand what it was doing to the people inside the home or what the people inside the house was doing to the family.

A mystery unfolds itself though Marielle. Caroline come home to help explain what was going on and what was happening Carson and her mother. Her mother does not know what going but think the house is stuck. Things start to clear up about Susannah Page in letters when Caroline less her in on what the truth is and what is happening.

I do not want to give away how it ends or any of the secret the books has to offer. Though I will tell you it tell you about the part of the Civil War and the Battle of Fredericksburg. It tell about romance and in love. But I will let you decide If you want to pick it up and want to read. Just because I like to read about Civil War a bit does not mean you would not to so you may decide that you want so I will let you decide for yourself. Now if I were asked I recommend this book for sure.
  
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization
Through the Ages: A Story of Civilization
2006 | Civilization, Economic
AOB BOARDGAME REVIEW: THROUGH THE AGES
Through the Ages: A New Story of Civilization is a bear of a game – and I love it. It’s the game that I wish I had as a teenager to play with my older brothers instead of our weekend long Risk or Axis and Allies binges (Those weekends may have had something to do with why I feel this way about dice now).

If you are a filler game type of person, or someone who doesn’t like to get too deep into games, I want to be honest with you – Through the Ages is probably not for you.

Reviewer: Joseph
Read the full review here: http://www.artofboardgaming.com/reviews/through-the-ages-review/
  
What a great cozy – even thought this book (#5) was the first I had read in this series, by chapter three the main characters all felt like old friends. The story is full of twists and turns that kept me guessing right up to the end, and the author’s smooth writing style kept the story flowing. If you’ve read any of the Soup Lover’s Mysteries, you should love this one. If not, now’s as good a time as any to start – you don’t need to have read the previous books to enjoy this story, and I did enjoy it!

NOTE: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for my honest review.