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MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated The Break in Books
Oct 1, 2018
MoMo’s Book Diary highly recommends this author’s latest release “The Break”
Marian Keyes has given us many brilliant novels – some of which I have ‘laughed out loud’ embarrassing my mother while on holiday in strange places. I have many happy memories reading Marian Keyes while on holiday.
I haven’t read anything by this author in some time and was excited to be given the chance to read and review for NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph. It is a well paced book that is difficult to put down but I found that unlike some other books I have read recently I was able to put it down and take a break for normal life stuff… maybe it is due to this being a longer book that most that I read these days? Or maybe I have been reading too many crime based books that this just didn’t hold my attention as much as Marian Keyes did in the past. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed it and do recommend it as a novel.
It is a long read – enjoyable – and funny.
If you have read Marian Keyes in the past then you really don’t want to miss this one!
Thanks NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic novel.
Marian Keyes has given us many brilliant novels – some of which I have ‘laughed out loud’ embarrassing my mother while on holiday in strange places. I have many happy memories reading Marian Keyes while on holiday.
I haven’t read anything by this author in some time and was excited to be given the chance to read and review for NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph. It is a well paced book that is difficult to put down but I found that unlike some other books I have read recently I was able to put it down and take a break for normal life stuff… maybe it is due to this being a longer book that most that I read these days? Or maybe I have been reading too many crime based books that this just didn’t hold my attention as much as Marian Keyes did in the past. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed it and do recommend it as a novel.
It is a long read – enjoyable – and funny.
If you have read Marian Keyes in the past then you really don’t want to miss this one!
Thanks NetGalley and Penguin UK – Michael Joseph for the opportunity to read and review this fantastic novel.
MoMoBookDiary (20 KP) rated Good Me, Bad Me in Books
Oct 1, 2018
I found this novel to be very disturbing – but isn’t that the point of psychological thrillers?
The author has told a very interesting, yet chilling, tale which I found difficult to read at times but was so hooked that I had to keep reading – and read it in a day.
I did struggle with the author’s style of writing at the beginning. It seemed more young adult fiction than psychological but once I got over the tone I did enjoy the book, although did find it predictable.
Thanks to Ali Land, Penguin UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this new and exciting novel for 2017.
The author has told a very interesting, yet chilling, tale which I found difficult to read at times but was so hooked that I had to keep reading – and read it in a day.
I did struggle with the author’s style of writing at the beginning. It seemed more young adult fiction than psychological but once I got over the tone I did enjoy the book, although did find it predictable.
Thanks to Ali Land, Penguin UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this new and exciting novel for 2017.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Dracul in Books
Oct 1, 2018 (Updated Oct 1, 2018)
I received an copy of Dracul from the Penguin, First to Read program.
****
Dracul is a nice prequel to Stoker's Dracula. It did take a little while for me to get into the book, but once I reached part 2, I was hooked. The format was the same as Dracula, written in the form of journals and letters, which was effective. It makes me want to go back and read Dracula again. The material for this novel was source from Bram Stoker's own journals, and by far, that was the most terrifying thing to realize after reading this story. The Author's Note goes into detail, and shows some of the handwritten notes of Stoker.
****
Dracul is a nice prequel to Stoker's Dracula. It did take a little while for me to get into the book, but once I reached part 2, I was hooked. The format was the same as Dracula, written in the form of journals and letters, which was effective. It makes me want to go back and read Dracula again. The material for this novel was source from Bram Stoker's own journals, and by far, that was the most terrifying thing to realize after reading this story. The Author's Note goes into detail, and shows some of the handwritten notes of Stoker.
Darren Hayman recommended Penguin Eggs by Nic Jones in Music (curated)
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Chocolate Cake in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Chocolate Cake by Michael Rosen is a short picture book about a boy’s love of chocolate cake. The boy ends up not being able to wait for his chocolate cake and this is the storm of his midnight chocolate cake feast. The boys mistake is that is does not clean up his trail of it. His mom figures out what happened in the end, which allows for a lesson on teaching children of being truthful.
The illustrations is great. The illustrations are unique. They appear to be hand drawn which helps the book to authentic.
I have this book 4/5 stars.
Thank you Penguin Random House UK Children’s and Puffin via NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The illustrations is great. The illustrations are unique. They appear to be hand drawn which helps the book to authentic.
I have this book 4/5 stars.
Thank you Penguin Random House UK Children’s and Puffin via NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Surf's Up (2007) in Movies
Jul 28, 2018
Surprisingly Great
I feel like I'm fairly "In the Know" when it comes to films. I make it my business to know all the upcoming films, but this one definitely snuck under my radar even all these years later. A solid film for the entire family, I only wish I had caught this one sooner. It's the story of penguin Cody Maverick (Shia LaBeouf)and his journey to win top surfer at the World Surfing Championship in Hawaii.
Acting: 10
Great cast of voice actors led by LaBeouf. The voices breathe life into each character giving them their own flair. Jeff Bridges seems to always find a way to be the shining moment in almost every film he's in.
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Some of the best animation I have seen in film, hands down. The colors are bright and vivid, teeming with life. Where the visuals really shine are during the surfing scenes. There appears to be so much care that went into the water and wave animation and it pays off on screen. I can't wait to watch this film on a 4K television.
Conflict: 10
Genre: 8
Memorability: 6
Pace: 8
Plot: 10
If a penguin surfing isn't original enough for you, the story as a whole is enough to keep you entertained. Has there ever been an animated film about surfing period, let alone surfing animals? Not sure, but this film captured its essence well while respecting the sport.
Resolution: 10
Overall: 92
With a hilarious opener, classic characters, and Joe the Chicken (trust me, you'll love him), this film is a home run. Great movie for a family night.
Acting: 10
Great cast of voice actors led by LaBeouf. The voices breathe life into each character giving them their own flair. Jeff Bridges seems to always find a way to be the shining moment in almost every film he's in.
Beginning: 10
Characters: 10
Cinematography/Visuals: 10
Some of the best animation I have seen in film, hands down. The colors are bright and vivid, teeming with life. Where the visuals really shine are during the surfing scenes. There appears to be so much care that went into the water and wave animation and it pays off on screen. I can't wait to watch this film on a 4K television.
Conflict: 10
Genre: 8
Memorability: 6
Pace: 8
Plot: 10
If a penguin surfing isn't original enough for you, the story as a whole is enough to keep you entertained. Has there ever been an animated film about surfing period, let alone surfing animals? Not sure, but this film captured its essence well while respecting the sport.
Resolution: 10
Overall: 92
With a hilarious opener, classic characters, and Joe the Chicken (trust me, you'll love him), this film is a home run. Great movie for a family night.
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Happy Feet (2006) in Movies
Sep 3, 2021
Gets a pass exclusively on how weird it is - seriously, this thing is bananas. In fact, it's theoretically amazing: a cutesy dancing penguin movie gradually morphs into a surreal trek through racism, religion, existentialism, and environmentalism where Robin Williams has a thick Mexican accent and I'm still not sure how I feel about them giving the lady penguins those pseudo-titty mounds. For all intents and purposes this should be something I sing the praises of as a great, underappreciated freakish gem... but its oddness is all it has, since there's approximately zero emotional thrust to anything else here. Elijah Wood is totally nondescript as Mumble and I don't really care about any of the other characters either; not to mention it has no sense of pacing so the last act comes and goes in an anticlimactic flash. Miller's signature visual kinetic energy is cool as hell at least, but then the story is also utterly naïve - I'm pretty sure a viral video of a bunch of penguins dancing isn't going to stop humans from pillaging their ecosystem. And at this point I know I'm looking too deeply into this shit but in this happy penguin world where singing makes them who they are and keeps them alive or whatever that was all about, is it so hard to fathom that these things should be way less bigoted towards dancing? Like you're all out here jamming to Fat Joe but then tap dancing is where you draw the line? Okay I'm done now, still a nice movie for what is essentially the more eccentric 𝘚𝘪𝘯𝘨 (2016) with not-as-good animation (but better cinematography).
David McK (3185 KP) rated Batman Begins (2005) in Movies
Jun 9, 2019 (Updated Aug 1, 2020)
The first - and, for my money, the best - of the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight trilogy starring Christian Bale, taking Bruce Wayne back to his early days as Batman (and, indeed, keeping him out of costume for the entirety of the first hour).
This is largely set in a more realistic depiction of Gotham than any of the previous big-screen outings for the character, showing the evolution of the suit and with the Batmobile replaced by the tank-like Tumbler. It also - perhaps wisely, in order to keep the focus on Bruce Wayne/Batman - does not involve any of his more famous foes: instead of the Joker, or Penguin, or Riddler, the main villain(s) here - while still drawn from Bat lore - are more than likely to be less familiar to the average viewer.
This is largely set in a more realistic depiction of Gotham than any of the previous big-screen outings for the character, showing the evolution of the suit and with the Batmobile replaced by the tank-like Tumbler. It also - perhaps wisely, in order to keep the focus on Bruce Wayne/Batman - does not involve any of his more famous foes: instead of the Joker, or Penguin, or Riddler, the main villain(s) here - while still drawn from Bat lore - are more than likely to be less familiar to the average viewer.
Erika (17788 KP) rated Shakespeare's Sonnets, Retold in Books
Nov 21, 2018
I received a copy of this book courtesy of the Penguin First to Read program in exchange for an honest review.
I remember in high school that Shakespeare was the bane of my existence. For some reason, high schools in the US only choose to have you read Romeo and Juliet (woof). I had read a few sonnets then, just for fun, and was completely befuddled.
Luckily, this book has come along. The format is great, the original sonnet is on one page, and the reinterpretation is on the other. I thought the first section of procreation sonnets was... bizarre and I hope I never read them again. I enjoyed the 'Dark Lady' sonnets at the end. This book is definitely a must-read if you've ever been interested in the sonnets, but can't wade through the original text with ease.
I remember in high school that Shakespeare was the bane of my existence. For some reason, high schools in the US only choose to have you read Romeo and Juliet (woof). I had read a few sonnets then, just for fun, and was completely befuddled.
Luckily, this book has come along. The format is great, the original sonnet is on one page, and the reinterpretation is on the other. I thought the first section of procreation sonnets was... bizarre and I hope I never read them again. I enjoyed the 'Dark Lady' sonnets at the end. This book is definitely a must-read if you've ever been interested in the sonnets, but can't wade through the original text with ease.
Caffeinated Zombie (3374 KP) rated How Green This Land, How Blue This Sea in Books
Jan 9, 2019
Description from Mira Grant's website: Post-Rising Australia can be a dangerous place, especially if you’re a member of the government-sponsored Australia Conservation Corps, a group of people dedicated to preserving their continent’s natural wealth until a cure can be found. Between the zombie kangaroos at the fences and the zombie elephant seals turning the penguin rookery at Prince Phillip Island into a slaughterhouse, the work of an animal conservationist is truly never done–and is often done at the end of a sniper rifle.
This novella is part of the newsflesh trilogy and explores how Australia would deal with a zombie outbreak. The answer is they would not bat an eyelid. This book is hilarious, well written and we get more of an insight into Mahir as he investigate's a story in Australia.
This novella is part of the newsflesh trilogy and explores how Australia would deal with a zombie outbreak. The answer is they would not bat an eyelid. This book is hilarious, well written and we get more of an insight into Mahir as he investigate's a story in Australia.