Search
Search results
LukeRMcLaughlin (16 KP) rated Arrival (2016) in Movies
Jun 7, 2020
Cinematography (5 more)
Non-Traditional Storytelling
Direction
Special Effects
Creature
Amy Adams
Sci-Fi Eye Candy
Denis Villeneuve effectively presents a Sci-Fi film with as much heart as it does terrifying visuals. Amy Adams is an absolute powerhouse and deserved recognition from the Academy in this film. Brilliant cinematography throughout, bookended by remarkable writing. A must-see for Science Fiction fans. 10/10
b.Young (97 KP) rated The Book Thief in Books
May 8, 2018
When I read this book, I was deep in the throes of my WWII obsession. I was reading every book I could find, fiction and non-fiction that had to do witht the subject.
This book is narrarated by Death and I found that rather unique and something that I was not expecting.
I typically do not leave reviews that contain spoilers, and I cannot properly review this book without them, so I will leave on this note: prepare yourself for a marvelously written heart-breaking tale that will leave you contemplating your life alongside an empty box of tissues.
This book is narrarated by Death and I found that rather unique and something that I was not expecting.
I typically do not leave reviews that contain spoilers, and I cannot properly review this book without them, so I will leave on this note: prepare yourself for a marvelously written heart-breaking tale that will leave you contemplating your life alongside an empty box of tissues.
Karley Sciortino recommended A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again in Books (curated)
Jewels (684 KP) rated Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones in Books
Jun 27, 2022
Well written. (2 more)
Easy to follow.
Well organized.
I don't usually read non-fiction, let alone self help books. I dove into this one as a choice for some PD hours over the summer. Definitely a good choice- it was engaging, well organized, easy to follow and very easy to read. Anyone wanting to build good habits or change old or bad habits would find this little gem useful.
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated Not Quite Lost: Travels Without A Sense of Direction in Books
Oct 6, 2020
Reading fiction is a one way to escape today's harsh reality. However, sometimes you can also do that with a non-fiction book as well. From my experience, this is particularly true of travel books, which take us to locations both known and unknown, and see them through the eyes of another. In this travel diary by Roz Morris, we get all of that, and so much more, including large doses of humor. You can read more about what I thought of this book in my review here (which includes a cliffhanger for a future blog post as well). https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2017/09/16/the-guestbook-spy/
Booksnthreads (19 KP) rated What Would She Do? 25 True Stories of Trailblazing Rebel Women in Books
Jun 4, 2018
My classroom library is somewhat lacking when it comes to non-fiction. I often have a difficult time finding non-fiction that is engaging for a middle school audience.
While I think that this will interest my students, as an adult reader, it's a bit lacking in depth.
I like the bite-sized chunks of information and the bold illustrations of each woman profiled in the book. The biographical information is just the right amount for this age group.
What I really objected to was the attempt to provide life advice from each woman. After each biography, the author imagines a modern real life question readers might have and then attempts to answer that question as the woman who was just profiled might. The whole thing feels incredibly contrived and, at times, not even loosely connected to the woman who was just profiled. I think I actually cringed with some of them because of how cliche and didactic they are.
While I think that this will interest my students, as an adult reader, it's a bit lacking in depth.
I like the bite-sized chunks of information and the bold illustrations of each woman profiled in the book. The biographical information is just the right amount for this age group.
What I really objected to was the attempt to provide life advice from each woman. After each biography, the author imagines a modern real life question readers might have and then attempts to answer that question as the woman who was just profiled might. The whole thing feels incredibly contrived and, at times, not even loosely connected to the woman who was just profiled. I think I actually cringed with some of them because of how cliche and didactic they are.
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Stranger In The Woods:The Extraordinary Story Of The Last True Hermit in Books
Jan 2, 2018
Normally, I love journalists writing non-fiction, but this was awful. I was completely annoyed reading this book, thank god it was a short one. It tells the story of the 'last hermit', and the guy was just not likeable nor compelling. By midway, I didn't care why he decided to be a hermit. That's when I should have stopped reading. But, I didn't. Overall: woof. I'm never reading anything by Finkel ever again.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated Fatal Forecast: An Incredible True Tale of Disaster and Survival at Sea in Books
Jan 12, 2018
[Fatal Forecast] by [Michael J. Tougias] was a very well written account of a prediction disaster on George's Bank. Unfortunately when we learn to rely on technology and the people in charge decide to cut corners lives can be lost. That is what happened with this storm. The fishermen did not get an accurate forecast because two bouy's were not working.
I really enjoyed this book and it gave me my non fiction fix.
I really enjoyed this book and it gave me my non fiction fix.
Erika (17788 KP) rated A Spy Among Friends: Philby and the Great Betrayal in Books
Feb 18, 2018
If you're looking for a non-fiction book that reads like fiction, this is definitely a must-read.
Kim Philby is infamous, he was responsible for compromising countless agents/missions from the 1930s to the 1960s. He's the inspiration behind a lot of spy fiction, one of the biggest ones being Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The book has a few main sources, Philby himself in his strange memoir written after he fled to Moscow, Nicholas Elliot, a friend and co-worker from MI-6, and James Angleton, also a friend from the CIA. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but there were so many signs of treachery, it's hard to believe that it took 30 years to finally get a confession from him.
And, I mean, come on, the dude decided on giving himself the nickname of Kim, like the character in Rudyard Kipling's novel.
Kim Philby is infamous, he was responsible for compromising countless agents/missions from the 1930s to the 1960s. He's the inspiration behind a lot of spy fiction, one of the biggest ones being Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. The book has a few main sources, Philby himself in his strange memoir written after he fled to Moscow, Nicholas Elliot, a friend and co-worker from MI-6, and James Angleton, also a friend from the CIA. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, but there were so many signs of treachery, it's hard to believe that it took 30 years to finally get a confession from him.
And, I mean, come on, the dude decided on giving himself the nickname of Kim, like the character in Rudyard Kipling's novel.
Emma (519 KP) rated The Fateful Year England 1914 in Books
Jun 5, 2019
This was picked for my book club, I really really tried my hardest to enjoy reading it, but for all my best efforts I had to give up. I aren't a great lover of non fiction books anyway unless it is something I really enjoy learning about. But the way he has written it was far too textbookish for me and I found it too hard to keep my concentration on it.