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Andy Gill recommended Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan in Music (curated)

 
Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan
Blood on the Tracks by Bob Dylan
1975 | Alternative, Folk, Singer-Songwriter
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"Weirdly, I think Dylan's protest mode never quite 100% rings true to me. It rings 98.5% true, but somewhere, in the back of my mind, there's something inauthentic about it, in some way. And I think he may have felt that. I mean, what's Dylan's best song ever? Probably 'Like A Rolling Stone' and that's just sneering at somebody, a woman he'd been in a relationship with. As a body of work, Blood On The Tracks is faultless, there's not a bum note in there, not a bum word, everything transports you. You know, it's brilliant storytelling, and he's not trying to be too clever. With Blonde On Blonde, which is an album I love, he's trying to make himself come across like a brainiac, talking about Verlaine and French poets, which is fine, there's nothing wrong with that at all, but maybe you feel… I guess he always does that. I suppose Blonde On Blonde is slightly more obscure, slightly more difficult, whereas Blood On The Tracks, he's just storytelling, he just wants to talk about this break-up. I remember being with a girlfriend and her friend, and she said, ""here's the new Dylan thing"" - it draws you in, it immerses you in it and as soon as I started hearing it there was no room for anything else."

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My Sweet Revenge
My Sweet Revenge
Jane Fallon | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
From the first pages of the book I thought to myself “well this is going to be a good laugh”. And it absolutely was! Paula is an overweight housewife of a well known actor. Accidentally she finds out, that her husband Robert is cheating on her. She doesn’t want just to finish the relationship, she wants to make Robert to fall in love with her again and then ditch him. But it’s not that easy as it might sound. What I really liked about this book was, the way author picked the characters. All the characters were really diverse and very believable. We have an overweight Paula and her opposite, skinny Saskia. We have grumpy Robert and his opposite - sweet and calm Josh. I really enjoyed Paula’s journey in this book, and I’ll tell you that, after reading this novel It made me want to exercise and start eating healthy. If Paula can do it, why I couldn’t? I really enjoyed, that author gave the voice to more than one character in the book. It really helped to understand the characters better and added some fuel to the fire.

When you start reading the book, the whole plot looks a little bit unbelievable. Celebrities, movie shoots sounds not very relatable for common man. But after reading about the author of this book, I understood that this is a perfect insight into filming industry. Author has plenty of experience in this area and I believe that was her way to share it with us. The plot of this book is really well thought through. When you think that it will get boring and repetitive, author throws some well planned turn or twist. They were so unexpected and it kept the whole book like emotional roller coaster. The whole book is really funny and I had that silly smirk on my face while reading it, it lifted my mood. Nevertheless there were some important themes discussed in this book e.g. how weight loss makes you feel or how a divorce can influence you and the ones around you. I loved the ending of the book, it concluded the story very nicely and left me really satisfied. So to conclude, if You like “Bridget Jones”, you will definitely love this light hearted, easy to read and very enjoyable book, with lots of twists and turns and so very sweet revenge.
  
T(
True (True Believers, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I absolutely adored this book! This is the first book of Erin McCarthy's that I've ever read, and I just loved the whole thing. The characters were real, the plot was believable, and it left me with a renewed sense of hope in love and the human race.

The pace of the story seemed right on track; although, I have to say I felt like it ended too quickly. I wasn't ready for the book to be over, and wanted to know more about what happened with Rory & Tyler. I was pleased to see that there will be another book coming out based on the lives of one of the characters featured in this book.

Rory & Tyler's love didn't feel forced or faked at all which I really enjoyed. McCarthy was able to capture the internal frustration that young women feel in relationships, and showed that sometimes if you often just open your mouth and say how you feel things can turn out for the best!

The supporting characters were phenomenal and believable. Jessica & Kylie seemed like your typical party girl college students, and I just loved the way McCarthy managed to poke and have a little fun with them. I hope that McCarthy will take the opportunity to expand on these characters in her upcoming books.

There were three topics that were covered in this book, and I think they are extremely important and deserve mentioning here. The most obvious one would be teen sex. McCarthy did a great job covering this. I feel like she really showed young girls that it was okay to wait until you were ready and you didn't have to do anything you didn't want to do. I think that Tyler was a great advocate and on several occasions it was obvious that he was worried about the affect that his relationship with Rory would have on her life. I have nothing but praise for the way McCarthy handled this topic. She was able to write about it without making the book a list of dos and don'ts for teens. The second big topic that was addressed was drug use. McCarthy addressed this in two ways first with Tyler's family, and secondly with Jessica (Rory's roommate). She was able to show in both these instances how drug use can affect your life, and the lives of those around you. And, finally another topic that was brought up is bullying (I am saying bullying because I feel that this can encompass both the child abuse and the bullying of Tyler's mom on his younger brother for having Down Syndrome). These are some pretty hefty topics that McCarthy chose to tackle in this book and she pulled if off with flying colors. She was able to address them all with a good amount of importance and tie the story up with a pretty bow at the end. My hats off to you Ms. McCarthy!
  
Sin and Tonic (Sinners #6)
Sin and Tonic (Sinners #6)
Rhys Ford | 2018 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
a very fitting end!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.

And breathe! Deep breath, it's just a review, Debbie, you can do it!

So! This is book 6 in the Sinners series and I would recommend that you at least read Sinners Gin (book 1) and Absinthe of Malice (book 5) before you read this one. You need to know about Miki and Kane from the beginning since this is the conclusion to their story. Actually, I take that back. Read them ALL, please! Not least because they are 4 and 5 stars reads from me, but because you need these boys in your life, you really do!

Miki is falling apart, and someone is trying to kill him. He finds out his mother's and then his father's name, and all hell breaks loose!

It's been a while (Dec 2016) since I read book 5 and I don't reread, but once I got going, it all comes back to you. Ford spins her tales like no other, and I LOVE her work. It just grabs you, and pulls you kicking and screaming, along for the very bumpy ride that Miki and Kane take you on!

I loved that Miki was finally able to ask for help, because that was a hard fought battle with himself. I loved that he was calling Donal (Kane's father) Dad. oh! I just LOVED IT!!! Loved that I did not see who might be responsible for everything, until it was revealed in the book. Ford has a way of keeping you on your toes!

Very VERY emotional in places, a little bit messy what with dead bodies and things, but so, so bloody awesome!

I can't say much, cos of spoilers and things but read it! Read them ALL!!

It's always sad, coming to the end of a MUCH loved series, but I *think* this actually might be my favourite of the whole series. And of course I want to LISTEN to this, because I really don't hear the voices right, and I NEEEEEEED Tristan James and the Morgan/Finnegan boys and girls in my ear one more time.

So, a very VERY fitting end, and I LOVED the epilogue! And I love love LOVED that Miki was finally able to share Kane a little world the world, more specifically, how much Kane means to him.

A Song For Kane

So throw back the gates of hell,
Pull me down the path I'd walked.
Find me in the darkness,
No matter if I balk.
Sing me a son of redemption,
Sing me a ballad of love and bliss.
Remind of the Heaven,
I found in our first kiss.

Bravo, Ms Ford.

5 full and shiny stars but really, it deserves far more!

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
The Tree of Life (2011)
The Tree of Life (2011)
2011 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi

"Next, I’ll go with The Tree of Life. Terry Malick – I’ve had the pleasure to work for him on a few things, and that changed the course of my life. But seeing The Tree of Life in a cinema was like one of the most humbling and beautiful experiences I’ve had. It’s cosmic, you know? It’s intimate but cosmic. It’s family but everything bigger. I had a religious experience in the theater watching that. There are shots in it that I worked on, and I know where we were for that, but it was bizarre to be having this religious experience and think, “Oh my God. I was involved, in a small capacity, with making it.” That movie, it’s just one of my favorite movies of all time. I loved working with Terrence Malick. I love his other films in that I don’t even know how to talk about him. Honestly."

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Adam Pally recommended The Cable Guy (1996) in Movies (curated)

 
The Cable Guy (1996)
The Cable Guy (1996)
1996 | Comedy

"A lot of people will be like, “What?” but Jim Carrey’s best performance, possibly most grounded. I know that sounds crazy, but when you really think about the character, he’s amazing in it. Every frame he’s just electric. I could watch that movie a thousand times. I think it’s beautifully directed by Ben Stiller, who’s probably the best commercial comedy director of all time. I almost put Reality Bites on this list, he’s so good. It’s just so f*cking funny, and every scene in that movie is populated with the most genius comedic minds. Jack Black, Bob Odenkirk, David Cross, Owen Wilson — they’re all in that movie, and they all play hugely important small parts. They’re all amazing. It’s dark and f*cked up, and I just love that f*cking movie so much. That may be Judd Apatow’s best film. It’s so good, it’s so good."

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It's All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree
It's All Relative: Adventures Up and Down the World’s Family Tree
A J Jacobs | 2017 | Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
How many ways did I love this audiobook? Perhaps too many to count. The simple fact that A.J. Jacobs' voice is like a cross between modern Jews a couple of generations removed from the old country and Caroll Spinney was completely enticing to me. His narrative of his great idea and project was perfectly paced and incredibly funny. Being a big fan of genealogy shows myself, I was enticed by his insights into the process, products, and services available. I agree wholeheartedly that it is the family anecdotes, the stories and coincidences passed down through the generations that are stronger than scientific results on a print out. However, when you really get down to it, there is so little that separates us, and so much more to come that will connect us in the future. Fantastic work and a terrific book.
  
Fallen (Fallen, #1)
Fallen (Fallen, #1)
Lauren Kate | 2009 | Paranormal, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
2
7.2 (36 Ratings)
Book Rating
So, Fallen. What do I think? Well I’ll start with the phrase, “I’ve read worse.” But not many.

Whilst that doesn’t seem like a good place to start it’s pretty much all I have for this book. A story based around ‘star-crossed lovers’, fallen angels, slight love triangles, blah, blah, blah, your get the picture. So the story centers on Luce, a girl who has been sent to a reform school and goes through her first couple of weeks there. The love element starts pretty quickly but in my opinion never really goes anywhere. He blows hot and cold and then there is a big realisation of love. It feels like a rehash of every other YA romance/para going.

The author has tried really hard to make it a different type of YA book. But seemed to lack the ability to structure the book in a way of you coming to realisations on your own as a reader. There were often times a Luce would be in a conversation, and then ‘think’ so far ahead of the story you felt push to that conclusion, or that it had been handed to you on a plate rather than having a light bulb type moment due to good writing.

I know there are others in this series, so it may be hard to judge this as a stand-alone book as the story seems to go somewhere within the last two chapters. But I honestly don’t think I liked it enough to bother with the rest. It felt like a chore to read and I don’t think it’s even worth reading to form your own opinion of it. Pretty disappointing on the whole.
  
Trouble In Paradise (1932)
Trouble In Paradise (1932)
1932 | Comedy, Drama
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Highly Entertaining
I love that I don’t have to score on a curve when watching the classics. Movies like Trouble In Paradise really do stand the test of time and are quality movies in comparison with even today’s standards. Sure, techniques may have been adjusted for today’s time, but the movie as is is truly a joy. in Trouble In Paradise, two crooks in love plan a heist against a perfume company executive, but the plot truly thickens when things don’t quite go as planned.

Acting: 10
When it comes to performances, each person played their part extremely well. However, I have to give the biggest nod to Herbert Marshall as Gaston. He handles the role with a suave nature that takes over every scene he appears in. He handles the emotional brunt of the movie in a way where you can truly see how torn he is.

Beginning: 10

Characters: 10
Gaston will make you laugh but he will also make you feel. He is a flawed character with many layers. I love that you really don’t know what he’s going to do next. While I thoroughly enjoyed the two female leads as well, Gaston carried the movie in my opinion.

Cinematography/Visuals: 10
The movie takes you all over Paris from grand hotels to expansive ballrooms. I enjoyed how director Ernst Lubitsch captures the sleight of hand from the thieves. There were also a few shots hit from different angles to capture point-of-view that I especially appreciated. Overall, the cinematography added to the beauty of the film.

Conflict: 10

Entertainment Value: 9
What makes this film so entertaining and separates it from other classics is that feeling of the unknown. I couldn’t guess what was going to happen if I tried and it made me appreciate the movie that much more. In addition, not only does it have its hilarious moments but some emotional ones as well. Trouble In Paradise takes you on a rollercoaster from start to finish.

Memorability: 10

Pace: 10

Plot: 10
Great story that keeps you guessing. Also, the movie proves that less is more with a plot that’s extremely easy to follow but also intuitive. In the end it’s a story that leaves much for interpretation and lets you decide how you think things unfold.

Resolution: 10

Overall: 99
From the beginning, this movie grabs your attention and holds it until the last shot. The more I thought about Trouble In Paradise, the more it captivated me. If you are looking for a quality classic, look no further.