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Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
Two years after the success of Oliver Twist, Charles Dickens is suffering financial hardship from the failure of his last three books. Rejected by his publishers, he sets out to write a new book to restore his finances. Seeing inspiration around London, most notably a rich man's funeral that is largely unattended, he begins writing A Christmas Carol, due in six weeks in order to be published by Christmas. As Charles begins to develop his story, he interacts with the characters he is writing about, most notably Ebenezer Scrooge.
Christmas spirit abounds this month, and I was so happy to see it start with this film. I'm fed up of saying "I hadn't heard anything about this film until it was on"... seriously, what are these people doing with their advertising budgets??!
Dickens' struggle with his writer's block is incredible to watch. When the idea snaps into his head and the characters appear it really does put a smile on your face. It feels like you can really see the joy in his eyes as an idea materialises in front of him. Seeing them all interact together as the tale progresses is so much fun too.
This film made me genuinely feel happy. Just like a Christmas film should. I laughed out loud and I cried, but I still left with a smile, and an abundance of Christmas spirit in me to help me muster the enthusiasm for another three Christmas films and tree decorating. I hate to dethrone any of my favourites from their positions... but this might have entered straight into the top three... it's honestly got me stumped. I'll have to watch more seasonal films until I can work it out.
Christmas spirit abounds this month, and I was so happy to see it start with this film. I'm fed up of saying "I hadn't heard anything about this film until it was on"... seriously, what are these people doing with their advertising budgets??!
Dickens' struggle with his writer's block is incredible to watch. When the idea snaps into his head and the characters appear it really does put a smile on your face. It feels like you can really see the joy in his eyes as an idea materialises in front of him. Seeing them all interact together as the tale progresses is so much fun too.
This film made me genuinely feel happy. Just like a Christmas film should. I laughed out loud and I cried, but I still left with a smile, and an abundance of Christmas spirit in me to help me muster the enthusiasm for another three Christmas films and tree decorating. I hate to dethrone any of my favourites from their positions... but this might have entered straight into the top three... it's honestly got me stumped. I'll have to watch more seasonal films until I can work it out.
Jason Vale’s 5:2 Juice Diet
Food & Drink and Health & Fitness
App
#1 SELLING APP IN THE UK! Off of the back of his number 1 best-selling app, ‘7lbs in 7 Days:...
Jersey Devil by Ducktails
Album Watch
Matt Mondanil' s sixth full-length album as Ducktails, Jersey Devil, is a mature, multi-faceted work...
indie alternative
The Fall of Lisa Bellow
7.0
Rate It
Book
The breakout novel from the critically acclaimed author of the short story collections Who I Was...
No Thanks!
7.0
Rate It
Tabletop Game
No Thanks! is a card game designed to be as simple as it is engaging. The rules are simple. Each...
Weirdwood Manor
Book and Education
App
A mighty darkness is unleashed on the Library, a force that tests the limits of even Arthur’s...
Debbiereadsbook (1444 KP) rated To Love and To Cherish (Vows #3) in Books
Dec 13, 2017
4 solid stars for the book and narration
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted the AUDIO file of this book.
Nash needs a new job, and Emmett (apologies if I've spelt it wrong, I listened! ) needs a live nurse for his grandfather. But Emmett also heard Nash say he wants love, a partner in life. Nash agrees to Emmett suggestion, and then is involved in a accident that causes him to lose the last four months. Nash falls in love with Emmett, and then his memories return.
I listened to this, David Gilmore narrates. He is a new to me narrator. Overall, I found him a easy to listen to narrator, his reading voice is deep and clear, and I had no trouble following what was going on with multiple character conversations. I DID find his voice for Nash came across a little too young sounding, and Harley and Oliver too, they came across too young, for me anyway. This is the only reason I gave the NARRATION 4 stars.
I liked the book, it was an easy listen. I liked that, while not telling Nash the whole truth about how they came together, Emmett did not LIE to Nash, when he couldn't remember.
I gave the book 4 stars because of one reason only. Only Nash has a say. Yes, yes yes I know I say it often enough, but I think if Emmett had been given a say, this would have been a 5 star read! Because, let's face it: Emmett is asking Nash to marry him, then Nash has his accident and Nash can SEE the love in Emmett's eyes when he looks at him. So Emmett MUST have had such deep feelings for Nash waaaaaaaaaaaaaay before this. And I NEEDED to hear from him, I really did.
New to me author and narrator, will certainly look for more.
4 stars for the book
4 stars for the narration
4 stars overall
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Nash needs a new job, and Emmett (apologies if I've spelt it wrong, I listened! ) needs a live nurse for his grandfather. But Emmett also heard Nash say he wants love, a partner in life. Nash agrees to Emmett suggestion, and then is involved in a accident that causes him to lose the last four months. Nash falls in love with Emmett, and then his memories return.
I listened to this, David Gilmore narrates. He is a new to me narrator. Overall, I found him a easy to listen to narrator, his reading voice is deep and clear, and I had no trouble following what was going on with multiple character conversations. I DID find his voice for Nash came across a little too young sounding, and Harley and Oliver too, they came across too young, for me anyway. This is the only reason I gave the NARRATION 4 stars.
I liked the book, it was an easy listen. I liked that, while not telling Nash the whole truth about how they came together, Emmett did not LIE to Nash, when he couldn't remember.
I gave the book 4 stars because of one reason only. Only Nash has a say. Yes, yes yes I know I say it often enough, but I think if Emmett had been given a say, this would have been a 5 star read! Because, let's face it: Emmett is asking Nash to marry him, then Nash has his accident and Nash can SEE the love in Emmett's eyes when he looks at him. So Emmett MUST have had such deep feelings for Nash waaaaaaaaaaaaaay before this. And I NEEDED to hear from him, I really did.
New to me author and narrator, will certainly look for more.
4 stars for the book
4 stars for the narration
4 stars overall
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Feast of Fools (The Morganville Vampires, #4) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
This book picks up right where the previous one left off, right in the middle of the action. I love when books do that. I flew through this book as quickly as the previous three, barely taking time to eat or sleep. I would compare the infamous Mr. Bishop to Dracula - minus the romantic leanings. Nothing about him is remotely appealing, and he has no interest in making himself appealing, unlike the other two power players in town, Oliver and Amelie. Lots of subplots are developed, but this one felt like more time could have been devoted to these other elements and lengthened the novel a bit without sacrificing the quality of the text, such as exploring how Claire could wield the power of Glass House, the effect that Michael had on others when he performed, Claire's problem with her professor, or even Claire's parents reaction to the truth about Morganville. It feels as if there are too many characters in the script and not enough pages to give them all adequate time in the spotlight. I find the character of Myrnin even more fascinating in this book - he seems sort of like the dark town jester. I was also disappointed in Claire's lack of interest in her classes, given that she was so happy about her schedule change in the last book. The funeral of Eve's father seemed forced, like it was inserted in the plot as an afterthought, especially since we did not see her mother at the ball at the end of the book, even though it seems logical that Mrs. Rosser would try to use the occasion to make a specticle of herself, not unlike Monica Morrell. Wow, so I had alot of nit-picky things to say about this book, but I still really enjoyed it and I really like this series, especially the character of Claire, who has more courage and daring than anyone in the book. I look forward to the next one, Lord of Misrule.
Rachel King (13 KP) rated Ghost Town in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I have to say, I really hope this series never truly ends, because I don't think I could ever get tired of reading about the escapades of Claire and friends in the supernatural town of Morganville, Texas.
In this book, Rachel Caine uses a unique form of mass amnesia to show the reader what Morganville was like before Claire showed up, including many of the different characters that play a part in the series. After Claire is forced to fix the machine that protects the town -- which proves once again how big her brain really is -- amnesia and Myrnin-style craziness erupt in Morganville. Claire, of course, is the only one who correctly guesses the source of the madness, though the more people forget, the harder it is for her to get to the machine and find a way to repair it.
If a giant broken machine is not enough to keep Claire busy, Amelie and Oliver are also in a power struggle for control of the town that not even mass amnesia can stop. The power struggle also reveals an interesting twist in their relationship that could be useful in future plots. Allegiances are also revealed, as well as the roles that a few of the vampires play under each of the two heads' discretion. One abhorred character is also conveniently killed off in the middle of this power struggle.
The mass amnesia also shows how some of the characters are predisposed to behaving a certain way, even if they can not remember certain things about themselves. Michael and Eve still have chemistry, as do Shane and Claire, and Monica is still the same - though a younger, flouncier version.
For the most part, the way the book ends is almost exactly how I predicted it would be, except for one crucial detail that made my jaw drop in shock. I really need to get my hands on the next book, Bite Club.
In this book, Rachel Caine uses a unique form of mass amnesia to show the reader what Morganville was like before Claire showed up, including many of the different characters that play a part in the series. After Claire is forced to fix the machine that protects the town -- which proves once again how big her brain really is -- amnesia and Myrnin-style craziness erupt in Morganville. Claire, of course, is the only one who correctly guesses the source of the madness, though the more people forget, the harder it is for her to get to the machine and find a way to repair it.
If a giant broken machine is not enough to keep Claire busy, Amelie and Oliver are also in a power struggle for control of the town that not even mass amnesia can stop. The power struggle also reveals an interesting twist in their relationship that could be useful in future plots. Allegiances are also revealed, as well as the roles that a few of the vampires play under each of the two heads' discretion. One abhorred character is also conveniently killed off in the middle of this power struggle.
The mass amnesia also shows how some of the characters are predisposed to behaving a certain way, even if they can not remember certain things about themselves. Michael and Eve still have chemistry, as do Shane and Claire, and Monica is still the same - though a younger, flouncier version.
For the most part, the way the book ends is almost exactly how I predicted it would be, except for one crucial detail that made my jaw drop in shock. I really need to get my hands on the next book, Bite Club.
Kyera (8 KP) rated Pandemonium (Delirium, #2) in Books
Jan 31, 2018
My reaction at the end of the book: I just can't.
I didn't think that it was possible to end the second book with a bigger reveal/cliffhanger than Delirium - but Lauren Oliver shocked me. She slipped a little comment in that immediately made you wonder, "could it be?" I spent the next few pages fearfully reading, unsure if I wanted to know. Which ending would I prefer? All I could do was repeat no, no, no, over and over. This book is the definition of a book hangover. I immediately had to begin reading the third novel in the series.
The world building is just as immersive and well-done as the first. The author vividly describes the landscape and the new hierarchy in which Lena finds herself. This book no longer takes place in Portland, Maine but switches perspectives between the Wilds and New York City. We are also introduced to a new set of characters that help transition Lena into her new Wilds life.
Raven is the leader, young but formed under pressure like a diamond by the Wilds. Tack is her right-hand man, reliable but a bit unfriendly. She is surrounded by Hunter and Bram, tiny Blue, Grandma, Lucky, and many others. There are so many "invalids" in the Wilds that they are not all well-developed and unique characters. Those that are more important to the story are given the attention that they deserve. (Raven is also given a novella, which is a wonderful insight and in my opinion the best of the four novellas that accompany the series.) Lena must find her place and pull her weight - collecting water, tending the fire and checking for messages in the trees.
The style of switching perspectives from now to then continuously was a little off-putting at first. Before long, you get used to the style and are fully immersed in the story. Just as engaging as the first and highly recommended. Just a warning that there are more curse words in the novel than in the first.
I didn't think that it was possible to end the second book with a bigger reveal/cliffhanger than Delirium - but Lauren Oliver shocked me. She slipped a little comment in that immediately made you wonder, "could it be?" I spent the next few pages fearfully reading, unsure if I wanted to know. Which ending would I prefer? All I could do was repeat no, no, no, over and over. This book is the definition of a book hangover. I immediately had to begin reading the third novel in the series.
The world building is just as immersive and well-done as the first. The author vividly describes the landscape and the new hierarchy in which Lena finds herself. This book no longer takes place in Portland, Maine but switches perspectives between the Wilds and New York City. We are also introduced to a new set of characters that help transition Lena into her new Wilds life.
Raven is the leader, young but formed under pressure like a diamond by the Wilds. Tack is her right-hand man, reliable but a bit unfriendly. She is surrounded by Hunter and Bram, tiny Blue, Grandma, Lucky, and many others. There are so many "invalids" in the Wilds that they are not all well-developed and unique characters. Those that are more important to the story are given the attention that they deserve. (Raven is also given a novella, which is a wonderful insight and in my opinion the best of the four novellas that accompany the series.) Lena must find her place and pull her weight - collecting water, tending the fire and checking for messages in the trees.
The style of switching perspectives from now to then continuously was a little off-putting at first. Before long, you get used to the style and are fully immersed in the story. Just as engaging as the first and highly recommended. Just a warning that there are more curse words in the novel than in the first.