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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2200 KP) rated It Takes Two to Mango in Books
Feb 15, 2023 (Updated Feb 15, 2023)
Plum’s Reset Gets Off to a Rocky Start
Plum Lockhart has lost her job at a travel magazine, so she reluctantly takes a job arranging vacation rentals at a resort in the Caribbean. However, her new co-worker is a jerk, and she struggls to get her first booking. When she does, tragedy strikes when one of the guests is found dead by the pool. Did Plum make the right decision by moving?
When this book begins, Plum is extremely unlikable, so much so that I almost put the book down about 30 pages in. Even when she arrives on the island, she doesn’t give up her ego and entitled attitude. The other characters we meet started pulling me in, both the ones I liked and the ones I didn’t. When the murder kicks in, I really got into the story, which had some good twists. I loved the resort setting. The expected character growth was good as well. I’m actually surprised based on my initial reaction, but I am planning to continue the series. If the setting appeals to you, consider starting this series. Just be prepared for how obnoxious Plum is at the beginning.
When this book begins, Plum is extremely unlikable, so much so that I almost put the book down about 30 pages in. Even when she arrives on the island, she doesn’t give up her ego and entitled attitude. The other characters we meet started pulling me in, both the ones I liked and the ones I didn’t. When the murder kicks in, I really got into the story, which had some good twists. I loved the resort setting. The expected character growth was good as well. I’m actually surprised based on my initial reaction, but I am planning to continue the series. If the setting appeals to you, consider starting this series. Just be prepared for how obnoxious Plum is at the beginning.
Stay Alive
Book
In her brave and compassionate non-fiction book Stay Alive, Min Deng explains the depths of...
Non Fiction Depression Suicide
David McK (3425 KP) rated The Truth (Discworld, #25; Industrial Revolution, #2) in Books
Sep 11, 2022
The Truth shall set you Fret!
<2022 update>
Still as good as ever!
<original review below>
So, over the weekend I watched a BBC documentary about the late, great, Sir Terry Pratchett (Terry Pratchett: Back in Black) as part of which they brought up the fact that his earliest job had been as a reporter for his local paper (and saw his first corpse a few hours later, work experience meaning something in those days ...) .
Experience that shows in this novel.
The second of the so-called Industrial Revolutions (after Moving Pictures) sub-series of the Discworld novels, this is - IMO - the first to really get into the meat of said revolution, and concerns itself with Ankh-Morporks first newspaper, alongside a plot to depose the Patrician - a character, I feel, who (whilst mostly in the background in the earlier novels) comes more to the fore in this, as do the likes of Foul Ol' Ron, Coffin Henry, The Duck Man and Gaspode
Of course, it wouldn't be a Pratchett novel without a generous portion of puns running alongside the satire, parody and memorable characters (such as, say, Otto von Chriek: the vampire with a thing for flash photography ...)
Still as good as ever!
<original review below>
So, over the weekend I watched a BBC documentary about the late, great, Sir Terry Pratchett (Terry Pratchett: Back in Black) as part of which they brought up the fact that his earliest job had been as a reporter for his local paper (and saw his first corpse a few hours later, work experience meaning something in those days ...) .
Experience that shows in this novel.
The second of the so-called Industrial Revolutions (after Moving Pictures) sub-series of the Discworld novels, this is - IMO - the first to really get into the meat of said revolution, and concerns itself with Ankh-Morporks first newspaper, alongside a plot to depose the Patrician - a character, I feel, who (whilst mostly in the background in the earlier novels) comes more to the fore in this, as do the likes of Foul Ol' Ron, Coffin Henry, The Duck Man and Gaspode
Of course, it wouldn't be a Pratchett novel without a generous portion of puns running alongside the satire, parody and memorable characters (such as, say, Otto von Chriek: the vampire with a thing for flash photography ...)
Kim Pook (101 KP) rated Look both ways (2022) in Movies
Oct 30, 2022
Contains spoilers, click to show
2 young college students are discussing upcoming plans for their future, and end up sleeping together. Fast forward to graduation and the girl has a pregnancy scare........and at the same time finds out she is pregnant! She celebrates not being pregnant and also tells the guy she slept with that she's pregnant.......confused yet?? Anyway, the guy is supportive and she decides to keep the baby and ditch her future plans of moving to LA, she also moves to LA...... and then asks her parents if she can move in with them until the baby arrives.......
You know what, I'm not even going to try explaining the movie in as much detail as I usually do, because it's pretty much all over the place. Basically it shows 2 different scenarios of a what if situation and it is hard to follow, so it's not a half watch kinda movie. Basically pretend it's the 90s, put down your phone and pay attention, once you do that it's a good movie, and can be an eye opener for anyone struggling to decide between a baby or a career.
You know what, I'm not even going to try explaining the movie in as much detail as I usually do, because it's pretty much all over the place. Basically it shows 2 different scenarios of a what if situation and it is hard to follow, so it's not a half watch kinda movie. Basically pretend it's the 90s, put down your phone and pay attention, once you do that it's a good movie, and can be an eye opener for anyone struggling to decide between a baby or a career.
A SILVERY MOON is the first book in the Legends of Elessia series and it took me back to the Forgotten Realms and the Dragonlance Chronicles. I only mean this as a compliment as I loved those books.
Lucius is a monster-hunting priest and befriends a mine owner as he travels to Galm to speak with the priest there. Unfortunately, that priest is dead and Lucius is afraid the rest of the town will soon follow.
This was a wonderful old-style fantasy that kept me turning the pages as I got lost in their adventures. The characters are all easily identifiable and have their own quirks and foibles. The pacing kept the story moving along whilst not rushing, giving me a chance to savour what was unfolding before me.
A great start to the series, I look forward to continuing this story and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Lucius is a monster-hunting priest and befriends a mine owner as he travels to Galm to speak with the priest there. Unfortunately, that priest is dead and Lucius is afraid the rest of the town will soon follow.
This was a wonderful old-style fantasy that kept me turning the pages as I got lost in their adventures. The characters are all easily identifiable and have their own quirks and foibles. The pacing kept the story moving along whilst not rushing, giving me a chance to savour what was unfolding before me.
A great start to the series, I look forward to continuing this story and have no hesitation in recommending it.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Peach Blossom Spring
9.0
Rate It
Book
With every misfortune there is a blessing and within every blessing, the seeds of misfortune, and so...
Historical fiction War WW2 Chinese-American Communism
David McK (3425 KP) rated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) in Movies
Jan 8, 2023
Wakanda Forever!
In late 2020 the actor Chadwick Boseman died, after a long - and private - battle with cancer, aged 43.
He was the original Black Panther.
That meant there was a lot of talk at the time about what Marvel was going to do: re-cast, or not?
The answer was 'not', with a pre-credits sequence in this movie dealing with his (and the characters off-screen) passing, before the usual Marvel logo montage concentrates solely on him.
His on-screen sister Shuri then takes the lead for the rest of this movie, ably supported by on-screen mum Angela Bassett, as the nation of Wakanda struggles to accept his passing and as the rest of the world start looking for their own supplies of Vibranium, encroaching on a secret underwater civilization who then also approach Wakanda with a threat couched as an offer of cooperation.
The loss of T'Challa is felt throughout the movie, with Shuri railing against his passing and unable to accept what has happened for the most part of it, right up until the (somewhat moving) very final scenes of the film.
He was the original Black Panther.
That meant there was a lot of talk at the time about what Marvel was going to do: re-cast, or not?
The answer was 'not', with a pre-credits sequence in this movie dealing with his (and the characters off-screen) passing, before the usual Marvel logo montage concentrates solely on him.
His on-screen sister Shuri then takes the lead for the rest of this movie, ably supported by on-screen mum Angela Bassett, as the nation of Wakanda struggles to accept his passing and as the rest of the world start looking for their own supplies of Vibranium, encroaching on a secret underwater civilization who then also approach Wakanda with a threat couched as an offer of cooperation.
The loss of T'Challa is felt throughout the movie, with Shuri railing against his passing and unable to accept what has happened for the most part of it, right up until the (somewhat moving) very final scenes of the film.
David McK (3425 KP) rated Scoundrel (the sailing thrillers, #5) in Books
Nov 29, 2023
It's been a long time since a book has made me this angry.
Maybe because I'm *from* Belfast, Northern Ireland and have relatives who lived through the period of history colloquially known as The Troubles (I was a teenager in the 90s, when they 'ended', and when this is set), so know exactly what the IRA and their loyalist counterparts were/are like.
It made my blood boil to read passages in this where they were treated as heroes by some in Boston (and, yes, I know it's a fiction book): surely to goodness nobody could be that naive??
Anyway, I normally like Bernard Cornwell (Author) novels.
I know he spent a bit of time here (the BBC, I believe?), before moving to the States.
His knowledge of landmarks does show.
I would have thought he would have known better, though, in how he portrays the tangled mess that is politics and history that went on in this fair isle.
Sorry, Mr Paul Shanahan: you're unlikeable as a lead character; no match to a Richard Sharpe or an Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
(his other stand-alone sailing thrillers - those I have read, at least - are all much better)
Maybe because I'm *from* Belfast, Northern Ireland and have relatives who lived through the period of history colloquially known as The Troubles (I was a teenager in the 90s, when they 'ended', and when this is set), so know exactly what the IRA and their loyalist counterparts were/are like.
It made my blood boil to read passages in this where they were treated as heroes by some in Boston (and, yes, I know it's a fiction book): surely to goodness nobody could be that naive??
Anyway, I normally like Bernard Cornwell (Author) novels.
I know he spent a bit of time here (the BBC, I believe?), before moving to the States.
His knowledge of landmarks does show.
I would have thought he would have known better, though, in how he portrays the tangled mess that is politics and history that went on in this fair isle.
Sorry, Mr Paul Shanahan: you're unlikeable as a lead character; no match to a Richard Sharpe or an Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
(his other stand-alone sailing thrillers - those I have read, at least - are all much better)
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Safe Shores (Semper Fidelis) in Books
Oct 4, 2023
SAFE SHORES is a hot novella featuring Kirk and Shane. They have been together for three years, and both of them feel insecure about moving their relationship to the next stage. The next time Shane has shore leave, both of them blurt it out, but have no time to enjoy the moment as Shane is called out on a rescue, which also happens to involve Kirk's son, Joel.
This novella is very fast-paced. We learn of Kirk and Shane's past through inner musings, which seemed a little out of place considering how action-packed the rest of it was. I loved the sea rescue! I thought that was incredibly well-written, with enough detail to see what was happening, without being overloaded.
Overall, it was a quick and spicy novella. I would have liked more from these two though, even if we do find out what their future plans are.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 4, 2023
This novella is very fast-paced. We learn of Kirk and Shane's past through inner musings, which seemed a little out of place considering how action-packed the rest of it was. I loved the sea rescue! I thought that was incredibly well-written, with enough detail to see what was happening, without being overloaded.
Overall, it was a quick and spicy novella. I would have liked more from these two though, even if we do find out what their future plans are.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Oct 4, 2023
Merissa (12051 KP) rated Forgiven (Forgiven #1) in Books
Jan 26, 2021 (Updated Aug 7, 2023)
FORGIVEN is the first book in the Forgiven series, and we meet Luke and Mia. These two had an on-again/off-again relationship when they were younger until Luke left to join the Navy. Mia was upset and didn't forgive him... ever! She eventually left the village and moved to France. Now, she is back home for reasons explained and finds out Luke is also back in the village.
I have to say, this is not one of the best books by Garrett Leigh I have read. Although I enjoyed the storyline, especially the side story of who the stalker was, the relationship between Luke and Mia seemed just as messed up now they're adults as it was when they were teenagers. I know emotions are messy, but surely just one civil conversation wouldn't hurt?
Anyway, moving on. The story is well-written, and the pacing is smooth. I look forward to the next book in the series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 26, 2021
I have to say, this is not one of the best books by Garrett Leigh I have read. Although I enjoyed the storyline, especially the side story of who the stalker was, the relationship between Luke and Mia seemed just as messed up now they're adults as it was when they were teenagers. I know emotions are messy, but surely just one civil conversation wouldn't hurt?
Anyway, moving on. The story is well-written, and the pacing is smooth. I look forward to the next book in the series.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jan 26, 2021