Search

Search only in certain items:

Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (2018)
2018 | Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thriller
The story (3 more)
The choices
Breaking the 4th wall
Funny moments!
Different and engaging!
I really enjoy black mirror. I like the dystopian feel to the episodes, and the realistic moments that come with that. So when I heard about Bandersnatch, I knew I had to watch it (play it?).

I love choose your own adventure stories and games, so bringing that to a movie was such an interesting idea.

The system was very smooth and didn't lag. It was wonderful and drew me in.

I see some people complaining about it being repetitive.. .but it's a choose your own adventure story, so that kind of goes with it. You need to replay it to get the different endings, and if you mess up, you get sent back. That's part of the joy, in my opinion.
  
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
The Tattooist of Auschwitz
Heather Morris | 2018 | Biography, History & Politics, Religion
10
8.7 (74 Ratings)
Book Rating
It really draws you in (1 more)
Very well written
I love this book
I loved this book, it is so well written, it draws you in and makes you feel like you are there, brought me to tears a few times. This shockingly true story is a fantastic human look at the atrocities that people suffered in the most notorious concentration camps in the second world war and the real struggle to survive just to beat the Nazi's. I don't think I have read a better book about experiences in a Nazi concentration camp, heart breaking and heart warming.
  
40x40

Auburn (57 KP) rated By the Book in Books

Apr 10, 2019  
By the Book
By the Book
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the perfect retelling in a fresh package. Persuasion is always a classic for any bibliophile. I really enjoyed the way the author made you seem like you were in a new classic that is modern. The setting of college as well as the influence that would have on a person are refreshing. The love triangle didn't seem overdone and you feel happy with how it ends. All of the characters had believable stories and felt relate-able. You rooted along and stressed right along with the characters.
I picked this because of the cover initially. It draws you in and makes you want to know what is inside the pages. I feel this could become a staple in my library as it is just an all around happy read.
  
C(
Covet (Vampire Erotic Theatre #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
If you are looking for a hot, sensual and thrilling (on more than one level) quick read, then I suggest you try out Felicity Heaton's first book in the Vampire Erotic Theatre series. This book lets you dip your toe in the vampire's world. It gives you a run down on the difference between the two sets of vampires and gives you a quick insight into what their world is like. There are characters in here that make the story very intriguing - and not just Javier and Lilah!

I love the groundwork that the author has put down, these details are what makes a book special and very, very readable.

If you want something bland and boring, then pass by this Novella. This is hot and spicy - loved it!
  
Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Jenny Han | 2017 | Romance, Young Adult (YA)
9
8.1 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
I was really nervous to read this book after reading the second one. It almost felt like there wasn't much of the story left to go. The letters have found their way back to Lara Jean, she's made her decision and she's sticking to it. What I loved about this book is that it was more about growing up than anything else.

Lara Jean is plagued with this thought about college and her future and what it means for her relationship and what her mom always said, "Never go to college with a boyfriend." The story evolves from one about Lara Jean falling in love for the first time and turns into her growing and learning to choose that love and to fight for that love and to follow her heart, even when it's hard, even when people are telling you to do the opposite, even when it might not make the most sense, you have to be true to who you are and it's nice to watch her grow and learn all those things.

I'm happy with who she ended up with and surprised at how much I enjoyed the ending. I will say that I was disappointed that she didn't ever lose her virginity but I also don't feel like it was crucial to the story. I think it would've just been nice because she loves him so much and for her to have sex, it was like that was sealing it - not that it needed to be sealed, but I guess in some ways it did. I'm not sure how to describe it without giving too much away.

I think this is the perfect trilogy to read in high school and I wish I would've read it sooner. It's interesting to read stories about people in high school and have so much to relate to and then read about them stressing about college and think idly to yourself, "you have no idea, kid."

Overall, I think this series is really well written. I love the plot and the characters, I love the development, I love the progressive undertones and the way that you can just tell that it was so obviously written by a woman of color. I think those types of stories are always the best. I could live in Lara Jean's world for a long while so I'm bummed to say goodbye but I'm excited for the final two films to come out and I'm hoping that they're every bit as good as the books.
  
40x40

Benny Sadfie recommended City Lights (1931) in Movies (curated)

 
City Lights (1931)
City Lights (1931)
1931 | Classics, Comedy, Drama

"This was a tough one, because it’s like, oh, Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Chaplin, Buster Keaton. There’s something about City Lights that just… It has all of the perfect acting and physical comedy. But then there’s this pathos to that main character that is just so deep, and you feel it, and it has so many jokes. It’s one of his movies that has a lot of good jokes in it, you know, from the boxing to the cigar. Here you have this guy that’s this hobo driving a Rolls Royce, pushing another hobo out of the way to get the cigar. And it’s just, it’s one of those funny things. That ending when you see his face and she sees him at the same time, and there’s kind of, it’s a smile, but is he sad? Is he happy? You really have no idea of the complications of what’s going on in the moment. He’s just kind of letting it go, and it’s one of the most incredible performances that can kind of put you in there. And it’s a movie that encapsulates all of the things that I love about silent movies, but in a way that has the emotional connection."

Source
  
40x40

Fatoumata Diawara recommended Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys in Music (curated)

 
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys
2012 | Rhythm And Blues
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite Watch

"I love Alicia Keys - the voice, and the fact that she plays an instrument. The image of a woman being in control of her instrument - it's not often something we see in pop music. We need to play instruments. It's important for our daughters in the future. If you know how to compose, you're free. You can be more than just a singer. You can compose for movies, theatre. You've got more opportunities, more freedom. I do a lot of things as well as music. People call me for other things, different projects. You're part of things that men can do. Because most of the time, projects get given to whoever can play an instrument. People will call you if they like your work. It doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. The fact that you play an instrument gives you more credibility to work on other things."

Source
  
40x40

Thundercat recommended Journey to Love by Stanley Clarke in Music (curated)

 
Journey to Love by Stanley Clarke
Journey to Love by Stanley Clarke
1975 | Jazz
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"This is when I first started taking my bass seriously. This was this was a when I got hungry to understand what it meant to play bass. I thank God that there was a Stanley Clarke as a frame of reference to what to what is possible with the bass, along with Jaco [Pastorious] and Marcus Miller. There was a period where I stopped liking the practice, I was like 'uh I don't wanna practice', and my mom was really clever about it. She offered to pay me to transcribe Stanley Clarke's School Days. And of course, I'm like, 'I want to buy comic books and Marvel cards', so of course I transcribed School Days. Journey to Love and School Days became really personal to me. It was just like, I felt like this was my n**, and I felt like this was who I am; I identified with those two albums. I didn't even discover the self-titled album until later in life; I was very much married to School Days and Journey to Love. I think that Journey to Love is still very much a story to me that I feel resonates in my mind and body. I don't know what you would call it musically, but I paraphrased the album on my very first album, sonically."

Source
  
40x40

Zoe Saldana recommended The Goonies (1985) in Movies (curated)

 
The Goonies (1985)
The Goonies (1985)
1985 | Adventure, Comedy

"The third one I would have to say is The Goonies. [giggles] What isn’t there about it to love? Trying to find a treasure to save your parents when you’re seeing them struggle — which f**king kid wouldn’t understand that or wanna do that, you know? [On who she identified with:] I think it was Sean Astin’s character, the little dreamer. That monologue when they’re all on the well and getting ready to go up and he’s like, “Chester Copperpot!” My sisters and I get together and we drink wine and we watch The Goonies and we quote it… “The next time we see sky, it’ll be in another town!” I love The Goonies."

Source
  
When You Are Near
When You Are Near
Tracie Peterson | 2019 | Romance
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Characters (2 more)
Plot
Writing Style
Those that know me, know I love to read Historical novels, so it will come as no surprise at all that I love this novel. It’s my first Peterson novel in a long time, and I was excited to see what she had in store for her readers with this one. Let me tell, I was taken on a whirl wind ride with this one and I loved every minute of it! Those that know me, also know that I love to be around horses and ride them (though it’s been a while since I’ve ridden one!), so I definitely enjoyed this book for that aspect alone.

I adored Lizzy’s character. She’s beautifully chiseled and I loved that she was a trick rider in this story! I haven’t read a book like this one, about women trick rider’s, so it made Lizzy’s story that much more fun for me. I felt a connection with Lizzy, having lost my mother a few years back, and I dealt with my own pain and struggles much like Lizzy did. Watching her blossom from that pain and struggle, seeing her connection with her horse, seeing how she realized that love is what she truly needs to get through it all, was a fantastic experience!

If you love novels that are beautifully written, filled with rich Historical detail, and filled with characters that come to life, then you need not look any further than Peterson’s new novel. She has tremendous talent and fills her books with hope, understanding and love, along with some powerful messages for her readers. This book is fast paced, and before I knew it, it was over, so I’m highly anxious to get book 2 in this series, as I am not yet done with these trick riders and their stunning horses! Grab this 4 star novel now and see what I’m talking about! You won’t be sorry.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*