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Ross (3282 KP) rated Dusty in Memphis by Dusty Springfield in Music
Jun 29, 2020
Ross (3282 KP) rated Athletico Mince in Podcasts
Jan 9, 2018
On the surface this is a football podcast. I wouldn't normally listen to those but the allure of Bob Mortimer was too much to resist.
The first couple of episodes are very football focused (pun intended) and just need to be endured. They are very much finding their feet and settling into a pattern.
After that we are off into the realms of Bob's imagination as his features ("wife's questions", "Gangs of the EPL", "Scottish tales" etc etc) emerge into the world. All of these features show the kind of quirky comedy that Reeves and Mortimer are known for, but for once it is clear how much of this Bob contributes.
The features are all hilarious or at the very least entertaining and the result of two football fans talking a bit about football but generally just larking about.
Possibly my favourite podcast.
The first couple of episodes are very football focused (pun intended) and just need to be endured. They are very much finding their feet and settling into a pattern.
After that we are off into the realms of Bob's imagination as his features ("wife's questions", "Gangs of the EPL", "Scottish tales" etc etc) emerge into the world. All of these features show the kind of quirky comedy that Reeves and Mortimer are known for, but for once it is clear how much of this Bob contributes.
The features are all hilarious or at the very least entertaining and the result of two football fans talking a bit about football but generally just larking about.
Possibly my favourite podcast.
Donna C (199 KP) rated Athletico Mince in Podcasts
Jan 8, 2019
Bob Mortimer - say no more!!
This podcast frequently has me in tears of laughter, what people must think when I’m sitting in traffic!!
It started off as mostly football based banter but quickly developed into total silliness.
Bob’s made up stories involving ‘Gangs of the English Premier League” are hilarious.
It can get a bit close to the knuckle at times, not recommended for kids (apart from “big kids”).
It started off as mostly football based banter but quickly developed into total silliness.
Bob’s made up stories involving ‘Gangs of the English Premier League” are hilarious.
It can get a bit close to the knuckle at times, not recommended for kids (apart from “big kids”).
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Outcasts of Time in Books
Feb 9, 2019
Yet another book I waited so long for that ended up not being all that great. Ian Mortimer is a historian, so when I saw he was writing a novel, I was intrigued.
Well, the result was just ok. Two brothers end up catching the plague and get to live their last 6 days, 99 years in the future each day. The novel normally focuses on the changing customs, clothing, and it's deeply focused on religion. It was alright with me, but it's probably not what people thought they'd be getting into while reading this. I would deem this whole book as a sort of religious mediation. Overall, just kind of meh and a let down for me.
Well, the result was just ok. Two brothers end up catching the plague and get to live their last 6 days, 99 years in the future each day. The novel normally focuses on the changing customs, clothing, and it's deeply focused on religion. It was alright with me, but it's probably not what people thought they'd be getting into while reading this. I would deem this whole book as a sort of religious mediation. Overall, just kind of meh and a let down for me.
Deborah (162 KP) rated The Roots of Betrayal (Clarenceux, #2) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
The Roots of Betrayal carries on where Forrester's first novel, Sacred Treason, left off. Really you need to have read the first book before this as it will make much more sense.
It is a real page turner, but on reflection, the plot itself is almost a sideline to the characters and scenes of fighting, torture, etc going on around them! Plenty of blood is spilled during the novel, so not one for the faint hearted!
Forrester homself, alias historian Ian Mortimer, may rail against the description of his novels as historically accurate, but there is certainly a good period feel in the novel, although I'm not sure I'd be hopping in the TARDIS just yet to pay a visit to William Harley if these novels are an example of an average day at the office for him!
It is a real page turner, but on reflection, the plot itself is almost a sideline to the characters and scenes of fighting, torture, etc going on around them! Plenty of blood is spilled during the novel, so not one for the faint hearted!
Forrester homself, alias historian Ian Mortimer, may rail against the description of his novels as historically accurate, but there is certainly a good period feel in the novel, although I'm not sure I'd be hopping in the TARDIS just yet to pay a visit to William Harley if these novels are an example of an average day at the office for him!
CJ (8 KP) rated The Bookshop (2017) in Movies
Sep 11, 2018 (Updated Sep 11, 2018)
Woman vs. town.
Based on the novel of the same title by Penelope Fitzgerald, it tells the story of widow Florence Green (Emily Mortimer) who opens a bookshop in an abandoned home in a small English village. Unfortunately, she does so against the wishes of some of the locals who try to get her removed from her shop. However, she does not find herself without allies and friends.
I was thoroughly delighted by the scenery and costumes in this movie. The stage was set very well. I’m a fan of Bill Nighy as a rule, but I can honestly say that this is the best role I’ve seen him in.
This isn’t a particularly feel good movie. If you’re looking for a Hallmark ending, keep looking. But it does have a few laughs, in that British small-town movie way, and I found it well worth my time. Especially in regards to Emily Mortimer’s and Bill Nighy’s performances.
I was thoroughly delighted by the scenery and costumes in this movie. The stage was set very well. I’m a fan of Bill Nighy as a rule, but I can honestly say that this is the best role I’ve seen him in.
This isn’t a particularly feel good movie. If you’re looking for a Hallmark ending, keep looking. But it does have a few laughs, in that British small-town movie way, and I found it well worth my time. Especially in regards to Emily Mortimer’s and Bill Nighy’s performances.
David Lowery recommended The Dawn Wall (2017) in Movies (curated)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2069 KP) rated The Proof of the Pudding in Books
Nov 9, 2023
Of Poison Gardens and Poisonous Dinner Parties
Lady Georgie has hired a new chef from France, and he is a hit in the community. In fact, Georgie’s neighbor, Sir Mortimer Mordred, has hired him to provide the dinner at the end of the open house he is hosting to show off his poison garden. The next morning, a few of the guests are sick, and one dies. Could Georgie’s chef be a poisoner?
As is usual for this series, the book takes a while to set the story in motion, but once it does, I was hooked. Georgie gets a fun new sleuthing partner that I loved. The climax, while a little unconventional, works well for this book and answers all of our questions. It was great to see the series regulars again and see them continue to grow. Meanwhile, the new characters are great. We get some funny scenes and reminders of what was going on in Europe in the 1930’s. While the two are very different in tone, they are balanced perfect. I enjoyed this latest entry in the series, and fans will as well.
As is usual for this series, the book takes a while to set the story in motion, but once it does, I was hooked. Georgie gets a fun new sleuthing partner that I loved. The climax, while a little unconventional, works well for this book and answers all of our questions. It was great to see the series regulars again and see them continue to grow. Meanwhile, the new characters are great. We get some funny scenes and reminders of what was going on in Europe in the 1930’s. While the two are very different in tone, they are balanced perfect. I enjoyed this latest entry in the series, and fans will as well.
Debbiereadsbook (1077 KP) rated The Red Dragon of Oxford (Wings over Albion #1) in Books
Jan 26, 2024
Cute and Sweet and fairly low on the angst scale.
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
Mark is in Oxford to get his doctorate. He never expected to find an injured DRAGON on his walk. But the dragon was real, he spoke to Mark. Then, it was gone and Mark couldn't find it. The library provides him with the solitude to do his research. It helps, though, that the librarian, Rufus, is so hawt. But Rufus has a secret, one that might destroy everything.
I have read a couple of Fielding's books, and I think this was my favourite. She writes very easy to read books, and sometimes, that's just what you need.
I enjoyed this, greatly. Lots of descriptions of Oxford, and the university. Having never been, I did like them.
I liked how the relationship between Mark and Rufus developed and once they went in, they went ALL in! Steamy in places and emotional in others. Mark is dealing with his feelings about not being intelligent enough to be in Oxford and Rufus about his being a red dragon. Cos in this world, red dragons are not good.
But then WHITE dragons appear and Rufus' red dragon has a skill he didn't see coming.
I didn't fully get the point of the white dragons appearing, and the problems they were causing til that was all explained. There is also the issue of the cyber attacks on the Mortimer finances that Nate, Rufus' brother, is off dealing with.
It's cute and sweet and fairly low on the angst scale. But steamy and smexy in places!
An easy read that landed in my queue right when I needed it. I'd like to read more of this series as they come out, cos Nate needs a story, given his current job chasing the cyber attacks.
4 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Mark is in Oxford to get his doctorate. He never expected to find an injured DRAGON on his walk. But the dragon was real, he spoke to Mark. Then, it was gone and Mark couldn't find it. The library provides him with the solitude to do his research. It helps, though, that the librarian, Rufus, is so hawt. But Rufus has a secret, one that might destroy everything.
I have read a couple of Fielding's books, and I think this was my favourite. She writes very easy to read books, and sometimes, that's just what you need.
I enjoyed this, greatly. Lots of descriptions of Oxford, and the university. Having never been, I did like them.
I liked how the relationship between Mark and Rufus developed and once they went in, they went ALL in! Steamy in places and emotional in others. Mark is dealing with his feelings about not being intelligent enough to be in Oxford and Rufus about his being a red dragon. Cos in this world, red dragons are not good.
But then WHITE dragons appear and Rufus' red dragon has a skill he didn't see coming.
I didn't fully get the point of the white dragons appearing, and the problems they were causing til that was all explained. There is also the issue of the cyber attacks on the Mortimer finances that Nate, Rufus' brother, is off dealing with.
It's cute and sweet and fairly low on the angst scale. But steamy and smexy in places!
An easy read that landed in my queue right when I needed it. I'd like to read more of this series as they come out, cos Nate needs a story, given his current job chasing the cyber attacks.
4 good solid stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere
Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated Beginners Cookbook in Books
Jan 9, 2020
Beginners Cookbook by K. Mortimer is a book full of fairly quick and easy recipes. While the cooking time on some of these can be a bit long, none of the recipes. in this book take very long to put together. Some readers that are not from the United Kingdom may not recognize some of the names of some ingredients but a quick google search should fix that.
This cookbook walks beginner cooks through common breakfast foods, main meal dishes, and even snacks. It has recipes. for common foods such as macaroni and cheese to things a little more uncommon (yet still simple) like prawn cocktails. The dessert selection offers some delicious recipes such as rice pudding or an apple and blackberry crumble. The cookbook also ends on a sweet note with the cakes and pastries section containing items such as fruit scones and jam jars.
One of the best things about this book is how simple all the recipes are. The chocolate brownies probably have one of the largest ingredient lists in the entire book. Also, many of the meat-based recipes gives a vegetarian option in the instructions as well. What I did not really care for was that some of the recipes seem to be in the wrong chapter. Flapjacks, for example, are labeled as a cake and not a breakfast food (this may be a UK vs. US thing I am not sure). There were also ingredients such as sultanas and salad cream that I have never heard of, along with a few unknown !!br0ken!!
This book was created directly for those who have never cooked before or who have just started cooking. It is perfect for (supervised) children who are gaining confidence in the kitchen. Adults and teens who find themselves suddenly on their own for food will also benefit from this book. It would make a good gift for a new college student as well. I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4. The recipes themselves are very beginner-friendly although there are a few things that would make it even more so. It would have been nice to see examples of less common items such as flan pans in an index-like area. Also, a list of common substitutions for things like eggs and butter would have been nice along with a conversions chart.
https://nightreaderreviews.blogspot.com
This cookbook walks beginner cooks through common breakfast foods, main meal dishes, and even snacks. It has recipes. for common foods such as macaroni and cheese to things a little more uncommon (yet still simple) like prawn cocktails. The dessert selection offers some delicious recipes such as rice pudding or an apple and blackberry crumble. The cookbook also ends on a sweet note with the cakes and pastries section containing items such as fruit scones and jam jars.
One of the best things about this book is how simple all the recipes are. The chocolate brownies probably have one of the largest ingredient lists in the entire book. Also, many of the meat-based recipes gives a vegetarian option in the instructions as well. What I did not really care for was that some of the recipes seem to be in the wrong chapter. Flapjacks, for example, are labeled as a cake and not a breakfast food (this may be a UK vs. US thing I am not sure). There were also ingredients such as sultanas and salad cream that I have never heard of, along with a few unknown !!br0ken!!
This book was created directly for those who have never cooked before or who have just started cooking. It is perfect for (supervised) children who are gaining confidence in the kitchen. Adults and teens who find themselves suddenly on their own for food will also benefit from this book. It would make a good gift for a new college student as well. I give this book a rating of 3 out of 4. The recipes themselves are very beginner-friendly although there are a few things that would make it even more so. It would have been nice to see examples of less common items such as flan pans in an index-like area. Also, a list of common substitutions for things like eggs and butter would have been nice along with a conversions chart.
https://nightreaderreviews.blogspot.com