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Buddies, Bullies, and Baseball
6.0
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When Bullies Act Out, It’s Time for Buddies and Baseball A cloud hangs over Jack as he begins...
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Good Riddance in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Daphne has just inherited her mother's yearbook from the class of 1968 at Pickering High School in New Hampshire. That year her mother was not only the English teacher, but also the yearbook advisor. Mrs. Maritch has gone to every reunion and each year she has added notations to the yearbook to all of the students. Daphne has no need or room for the yearbook in her small New York City apartment, so she puts it in the recycling. A neighbor who is also a budding documentarian finds the yearbook, and is determined to make a movie with her findings. When Daphne finds out a dark secret at the 50th reunion they attend, she will stop at nothing to make sure the yearbook is not made public. With family secrets around each corner, Daphne will try her best to keep her mother's legacy in tact and her father's heart from being broken.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I remember the thrill of getting my yearbook from middle school all through high school and having all of my friends sign it. I don't think that I ever had or even wanted any of my teachers to sign it though. And I've been to one or two of my reunions and I surely didn't go back and makes notes on what everyone is up to now.
This was a quirky story that had quite a few different elements in it. A little bit of romance, some mystery, and an annoying neighbor. Daphne is newly divorced and trying to find her way in New York City. Her apartment is small and there isn't any room for much more than her. She is going to school to be a chocolatier, but that's not really working out. She tries going back to teaching at Montessori school which she did before she was married. But with the contents of the yearbook and rumors about her mother maybe reaching the public Daphne's plate seems to be overflowing. Can she keep her mom's legacy alive and keep herself from going crazy at the same time?
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I remember the thrill of getting my yearbook from middle school all through high school and having all of my friends sign it. I don't think that I ever had or even wanted any of my teachers to sign it though. And I've been to one or two of my reunions and I surely didn't go back and makes notes on what everyone is up to now.
This was a quirky story that had quite a few different elements in it. A little bit of romance, some mystery, and an annoying neighbor. Daphne is newly divorced and trying to find her way in New York City. Her apartment is small and there isn't any room for much more than her. She is going to school to be a chocolatier, but that's not really working out. She tries going back to teaching at Montessori school which she did before she was married. But with the contents of the yearbook and rumors about her mother maybe reaching the public Daphne's plate seems to be overflowing. Can she keep her mom's legacy alive and keep herself from going crazy at the same time?
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Allegedly in Books
Apr 10, 2019
Mary Addison was nine years old when she allegedly killed 3 month old, Alyssa Richardson. Now, it's 6 years later and Mary finds herself pregnant with her own child. She doesn't want anyone to take the baby from her, but who would allow a baby killer to keep a baby. Mary is now living in a group home for juvenile girls. When she turns 18, who knows what is going to happen with her. She has always been a smart girl and is determined to turn her life around and make something of herself, for her and Bean(what she calls the baby). Mary doesn't talk much, but when she finds a way that may help her to keep the baby, she starts talking about that night and filling in gaps that the police were always missing in the story. Will Mary be able to walk away from these charges for good, or will they stick?
I have heard a lot of raving about this book, so I had to pick it up. This is the first book by Tiffany D. Jackson and it was amazing. I can't wait to read the rest of her books which I hear are just as good if not better.
Does a nine year old little girl have the ability and know-how to kill another child? Many people had different ideas about the type of child that Mary was. She was very quiet and very smart and took care of her mother. But did Mary really kill Alyssa? She loved Alyssa and Mrs. Richardson, so why would she hurt the baby? All through the book, you have a soft place in your heart for Mary. I was dying to find out what really happened that night according to Mary, and it took a while to get to that part.
Looking at Mary's life through the group home and back and forth from present day to the night of the accident and the investigation following you have to make your own decision about what truly happened and who is to blame. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from Tiffany D. Jackson.
I have heard a lot of raving about this book, so I had to pick it up. This is the first book by Tiffany D. Jackson and it was amazing. I can't wait to read the rest of her books which I hear are just as good if not better.
Does a nine year old little girl have the ability and know-how to kill another child? Many people had different ideas about the type of child that Mary was. She was very quiet and very smart and took care of her mother. But did Mary really kill Alyssa? She loved Alyssa and Mrs. Richardson, so why would she hurt the baby? All through the book, you have a soft place in your heart for Mary. I was dying to find out what really happened that night according to Mary, and it took a while to get to that part.
Looking at Mary's life through the group home and back and forth from present day to the night of the accident and the investigation following you have to make your own decision about what truly happened and who is to blame. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more from Tiffany D. Jackson.
Hannah May (3 KP) rated Spitfire Girl in Books
Mar 8, 2018
What I liked most about this novel is the characterisation. Each character, whether they be good or horrid, was entertaining and inspiring in their own way. I thorough enjoyed reading the story from Susan's perceptive and reading through her struggles and her triumphs. I liked the characters of Tony and Roz in particular. Tony has that tender loving air about him that readers like me enjoy and I was very happy to learn he survived. I had my doubts throughout; thinking it would end sadly. Roz was an interesting character. She is the polar opposite to Susan. She is passionate and opinionated, and she always knows what and who she wants. Qualities like that should always be admired. I was let down slightly by the lack of flying or any mention of flying until page 300+. And despite her desperate desire to fly, Susan seemed quite adamant to stay on the ground and play servant with everyone she meets. I expected her to put up more of a fight, if I'm honest. Much of the actions happens near the end of the novel. While it was good to read, it felt a bit rushed and there wasn't much detailed description about any of the aircraft Susan flew, which I really would have liked to seen and read. Another thing I disliked about this story was the fact that, despite Susan's good intentions, she always always got punished for it. She safely lands a plane, saving both her life and Elspeth's. She's deemed a security risk and is sacked. She rescues Charlie from being put to sleep. She tries to expose Dudley for the creep that he is. Mrs Kemp kicks her out. She's forced out of Daves home, because some cranky old woman doesn't approve of her or her dog. She loses her jobs and her homes over stupid, little things. That just doesn't happen nowadays. You get warnings. You learn from your mistakes. Employers move on. I understand it is under very different and difficult circumstances, being during WWII, but still. Slightly dramatised I think. Overall, a good read but would have benefited by more mention of spitfires!
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated A Noble Masquerade (Hawthorne House, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Living the life of nobility can be oppressive and demanding. There are restrictions for every aspect of life. Lady Miranda longs to be free of the expectations placed on her, but will she have the courage to stand up to her mother and her "lady lessons"?
"A lady never posted letters to an unrelated male. But the very writing of his name made her feel dangerous."
Lady Miranda Hawthorne has been raised to be the epitome of poise and grace, but everything inside of her screams to rebel. She pours her heart out on paper, in letters she never sends, to her brother's childhood friend, the Duke of Marshington. She is approaching her fourth London season when Marlow, the handsome new valet to Lady Miranda's brother, accidentally mails one of these letters. She is mortified, until she receives a reply. Conflicted with her growing attraction for two men, her life is quickly changing in ways she never thought possible. She soon realises however, that there is more at stake than her heart. Miranda has had to hide behind the mask she have been expected to wear for so long. Hiding her true personality and identity. But the time has come for her to become the person she was created to be.
"'A Lady never sits on the floor.' A lady probably wasn't supposed to crawl on her belly through the dirt either."
A Noble Masquerade is a fabulous story from beginning to end! Kristi Ann Hunter has done a marvelous job with her debut novel! I was completely captivated by the intrigue and espionage. I was surprised more than once when the story line went in a different direction than I anticipated. The faith was natural and the romance genuine and clean. Kidnappings, traitors, witty humour and masquerades will keep you turning the pages of this remarkable story. This is a book that I will enjoy reading over and over again. I can not wait for Mrs. Hunter's next book!
I received a free advanced reading copy of A Noble Masquerade from Bethany House Publishers through Library Thing in exchange for my honest review.
"A lady never posted letters to an unrelated male. But the very writing of his name made her feel dangerous."
Lady Miranda Hawthorne has been raised to be the epitome of poise and grace, but everything inside of her screams to rebel. She pours her heart out on paper, in letters she never sends, to her brother's childhood friend, the Duke of Marshington. She is approaching her fourth London season when Marlow, the handsome new valet to Lady Miranda's brother, accidentally mails one of these letters. She is mortified, until she receives a reply. Conflicted with her growing attraction for two men, her life is quickly changing in ways she never thought possible. She soon realises however, that there is more at stake than her heart. Miranda has had to hide behind the mask she have been expected to wear for so long. Hiding her true personality and identity. But the time has come for her to become the person she was created to be.
"'A Lady never sits on the floor.' A lady probably wasn't supposed to crawl on her belly through the dirt either."
A Noble Masquerade is a fabulous story from beginning to end! Kristi Ann Hunter has done a marvelous job with her debut novel! I was completely captivated by the intrigue and espionage. I was surprised more than once when the story line went in a different direction than I anticipated. The faith was natural and the romance genuine and clean. Kidnappings, traitors, witty humour and masquerades will keep you turning the pages of this remarkable story. This is a book that I will enjoy reading over and over again. I can not wait for Mrs. Hunter's next book!
I received a free advanced reading copy of A Noble Masquerade from Bethany House Publishers through Library Thing in exchange for my honest review.
Deborah (162 KP) rated Murder at Mansfield Park (Charles Maddox #1) in Books
Dec 21, 2018
The Austen sequel or entertainment is an not uncommon beast these days, even if Pride & Prejudice is more usually the chosen book. As the title might give you a clue - this one relates more to Mansfield Park.
The major characters from the Austen novel are all there in name, but characters and relationships have been seriously altered. The first third of the book is mainly made up of recycled dialogue and narrative from Mansfield Park, but not necesarily in the same order. Mr Rushworth's character is changed to be more like Henry Crawford (and he is given the 'black and plain' description belonging to him in the novel) crossed with Robert Ferrars, so it seems odd when he is given dialogue beloning to the Mr Rushworth of the original novel, although not perhaps as strange when Mrs Norris is found spouting his lines.....
Fanny Price moves to become a rich heiress and the eldest of the female cousins; her character is more like the Maria of the book crossed with Lucy Steele and Caroline Bingley! Maria becomes more like the Julia of the book and Julia becomes more like the Fanny of the novel crossed with Marianne Dashwood - got that yet?! Henry Crawford here I don't really know - I'm not sure we got a proper description, so he does seem a bit of a cipher.
It's not a bad book, but with the murders I found it all rather unpleasant - I prefer such things to be more about the solving of the mystery than the incident itself, and here we have so few characters who could have committed the crime I didn't feel like I was waiting with baited breath for the conclusion (it's not Pug, in case you were worried.....). some characters were so underdeveloped it was rather obvious that they wouldn't have been involved. I do feel that having made so many changes, Lynn Shepherd would have been better off writing her own, original novel; one can't help but feel she has used Austen just to sell her book whereas her original dialogue does suggest that she could allow her writing to stand on its own merits.
The major characters from the Austen novel are all there in name, but characters and relationships have been seriously altered. The first third of the book is mainly made up of recycled dialogue and narrative from Mansfield Park, but not necesarily in the same order. Mr Rushworth's character is changed to be more like Henry Crawford (and he is given the 'black and plain' description belonging to him in the novel) crossed with Robert Ferrars, so it seems odd when he is given dialogue beloning to the Mr Rushworth of the original novel, although not perhaps as strange when Mrs Norris is found spouting his lines.....
Fanny Price moves to become a rich heiress and the eldest of the female cousins; her character is more like the Maria of the book crossed with Lucy Steele and Caroline Bingley! Maria becomes more like the Julia of the book and Julia becomes more like the Fanny of the novel crossed with Marianne Dashwood - got that yet?! Henry Crawford here I don't really know - I'm not sure we got a proper description, so he does seem a bit of a cipher.
It's not a bad book, but with the murders I found it all rather unpleasant - I prefer such things to be more about the solving of the mystery than the incident itself, and here we have so few characters who could have committed the crime I didn't feel like I was waiting with baited breath for the conclusion (it's not Pug, in case you were worried.....). some characters were so underdeveloped it was rather obvious that they wouldn't have been involved. I do feel that having made so many changes, Lynn Shepherd would have been better off writing her own, original novel; one can't help but feel she has used Austen just to sell her book whereas her original dialogue does suggest that she could allow her writing to stand on its own merits.
Jeeves and the Wedding Bells
8.0
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This is a gloriously witty novel from Sebastian Faulks using P.G. Wodehouse's much-loved characters,...
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated A Wrinkle in Time (2018) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him.
There aren't enough good words to describe how much I love this film. I've sat staring at this screen for twenty minutes trying to work out how to sum it up, and it's really difficult. It will sound ridiculous, but I was left with such a feeling of well being. It sounds daft doesn't it? But it really gave me a sense of perspective that is so easily forgotten. I'm kind of paraphrasing the film but just think about how many decisions the universe had to make to make you... and if you think about that for a while, it's kind of a wow moment.
There are two moments in the film that I love. The first being the moment where they see the universe as it is, and all the things we can't perceive about someone's life. It's poignant and quite emotional. The second is when Charles Wallace goes to the dark side... that kid is amazing and truly demonic, and I loved every second of it.
The only reason that this didn't get five stars is because of the casting. I found Reid and Miller very frustrating to watch, and a little awkward.
It feels spiritual, and I understand that the book has a significant Christian leaning. There are still elements in the film that come across in that way. The Mrs all have a very angel-like, but there's no specific moments that would make you think "bible". There are plenty though that make you think about self and your own place in the universe.
Quite frankly this film made me think more beyond the film than anything else has. My stance is that I always go into a film to not think, the idea is that you're breaking from reality, to unwind, to enjoy yourself. So it usually isn't until a second watching that I might look beyond what's presented, but this one really didn't give me that option, and I liked it.
There aren't enough good words to describe how much I love this film. I've sat staring at this screen for twenty minutes trying to work out how to sum it up, and it's really difficult. It will sound ridiculous, but I was left with such a feeling of well being. It sounds daft doesn't it? But it really gave me a sense of perspective that is so easily forgotten. I'm kind of paraphrasing the film but just think about how many decisions the universe had to make to make you... and if you think about that for a while, it's kind of a wow moment.
There are two moments in the film that I love. The first being the moment where they see the universe as it is, and all the things we can't perceive about someone's life. It's poignant and quite emotional. The second is when Charles Wallace goes to the dark side... that kid is amazing and truly demonic, and I loved every second of it.
The only reason that this didn't get five stars is because of the casting. I found Reid and Miller very frustrating to watch, and a little awkward.
It feels spiritual, and I understand that the book has a significant Christian leaning. There are still elements in the film that come across in that way. The Mrs all have a very angel-like, but there's no specific moments that would make you think "bible". There are plenty though that make you think about self and your own place in the universe.
Quite frankly this film made me think more beyond the film than anything else has. My stance is that I always go into a film to not think, the idea is that you're breaking from reality, to unwind, to enjoy yourself. So it usually isn't until a second watching that I might look beyond what's presented, but this one really didn't give me that option, and I liked it.
Viz Annual: The Jester's Shoes 2018
Book
A Toe-Curling Stack of the Best Bits from Issues 242-251 Mankind's constant need to do better - to...
Language reference
Boogie Bot - Coding for kids - Learn to code
Education
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Boogie Bot is a fun and interactive learning app which will introduce kids to computer programming...