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Rachel (48 KP) rated Small Gods in Books
May 24, 2017
Funny (4 more)
Philosophy
Fantasy
Terry Pratchett
Excellent fiction
The 13th Discworld book
Small God's is the 13th book in the Discworld series. You do not have to have read any of the other books to understand this one as it features characters that (mostly) only appear in this book.
As with all of Pratchett's work it is a subtle blend of humour and humanity. It uses amazing characters and situations to highlight the hypocrisy and insanity of real life.
This book focuses on Brutha; a 'slow', ordinary monk for the God Om. It is the biggest, and most ruthless, religion in this part of the Discworld.
Brutha is gardening, as he always is (not much use for anything else) when a tortoise literally drops into his life and changes his world......
This book questions the hierarchy of religion, the wisdom of power, philosophy, the righteousness of war and whether a tortoise really does make good eating.
As with all of Pratchett's work it is a subtle blend of humour and humanity. It uses amazing characters and situations to highlight the hypocrisy and insanity of real life.
This book focuses on Brutha; a 'slow', ordinary monk for the God Om. It is the biggest, and most ruthless, religion in this part of the Discworld.
Brutha is gardening, as he always is (not much use for anything else) when a tortoise literally drops into his life and changes his world......
This book questions the hierarchy of religion, the wisdom of power, philosophy, the righteousness of war and whether a tortoise really does make good eating.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Lincoln Myth (Cotton Malone, #9) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
Well as usual Steve Berry does it again, with a little help from Cotton Malone that is! I have yet to read a book by Berry that I had an easy time putting down & I can' imagine that I will ever find one. Malone is one of my favorite characters of all time. And the plots that Berry weaves around him are top notch, fast paced, & not easy to figure out. The Lincoln Myth is no exception to this formula.
The plot of this book centers around Lincoln and a secret deal he may or may have not made with Brigham Young during the Civil War. Calling this The Lincoln Myth is spot on. So many questions are raised & it really makes you think. All of the theories presented are so well researched & written that as a reader you almost forget that it is just a fictitious story & books like that are the best kind to read.
The plot of this book centers around Lincoln and a secret deal he may or may have not made with Brigham Young during the Civil War. Calling this The Lincoln Myth is spot on. So many questions are raised & it really makes you think. All of the theories presented are so well researched & written that as a reader you almost forget that it is just a fictitious story & books like that are the best kind to read.
Merissa (12934 KP) rated Phantom Pleasures (Phantom #1) in Books
Aug 23, 2017
Phantom Pleasures (Phantom #1) by Julie Leto
This book has some quirks with the main characters, but on the whole, I really enjoyed the story and the background given and am looking forward to reading Book 2 in the series.
It was nice to read a paranormal story that had nary a vampire or shifter in sight but instead followed the story of a phantom and how he came to be stuck inside a painting by gypsy magic.
The supporting characters of Cat and Ben steal the show in places, but the winner for me all round is Paschal. He is just wonderful! The part when Alexa and Damon meet for the first time has been covered in other reviews so I won't say too much, but I will agree that things happen very quickly, with no moment of disbelief or questions.
Recommended if you want paranormal with a twist.
* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
It was nice to read a paranormal story that had nary a vampire or shifter in sight but instead followed the story of a phantom and how he came to be stuck inside a painting by gypsy magic.
The supporting characters of Cat and Ben steal the show in places, but the winner for me all round is Paschal. He is just wonderful! The part when Alexa and Damon meet for the first time has been covered in other reviews so I won't say too much, but I will agree that things happen very quickly, with no moment of disbelief or questions.
Recommended if you want paranormal with a twist.
* Verified Purchase ~ March 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Captain Fantastic (2016) in Movies
Aug 24, 2017
Viggo Mortensen and fabulous acting all round (1 more)
Great heartwarming story
The captain is genuinely fantastic
Viggo Mortensen is truly Captain Fantastic in this quirky, indie film about bringing up six children in the wilderness. Isolated from society, he devotes his existence to raising his kids - educating them to think critically, training them to be physically fit and athletic, guiding them in the wild without technology and demonstrating the beauty of co-existing with nature. That's before his wife suddenly dies, and the family journey together out in the real world for her funeral. It raises a lot of thoughtful questions such as is it good to socially isolate children, especially if they can't fit in the future? Or is it better to keep them away from a consumerist, dumbed down society? Interesting, thought-provoking, like an intelligent version of Little Miss Sunshine.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Priestdaddy in Books
Sep 4, 2017
The eccentric and quirky life of a Catholic family
This is an intriguing memoir about the author's experiences of living in an unconventional, but highly religious family, with a Catholic gun-toting priest for a father. It is highly sarcastic, and hilarious at times, reading about Patricia Lockwood's family antics. When I first began this autobiography, I honestly believed it was set in the 1960s as her father disallows the sisters to go to college, instead spending money on guitars, and describing the effects of living next to a radioactive plant. But lo and behold, Lockwood is writing about only a decade ago.
She leads an eccentric lifestyle, following in her family's footsteps, writing poetry and travelling across the US after a marrying a man off the internet. But it also reveals her doubts about their customs and practices, and how she questions the function of the church - especially with claims of molestation. An interesting and enjoyable read.
She leads an eccentric lifestyle, following in her family's footsteps, writing poetry and travelling across the US after a marrying a man off the internet. But it also reveals her doubts about their customs and practices, and how she questions the function of the church - especially with claims of molestation. An interesting and enjoyable read.
Jessica Cashen (1 KP) rated True Storm (True Born Trilogy, #3) in Books
May 16, 2018
Awesome read. Well written with a great plot and characters. I was engrossed from start to finish. Twins Lucy and Margot are safe and together in Dominion City, coping with the aftermath of Margot’s time held captive in Russia and reeling from all of the betrayal. Margot’s experiences have clearly changed her, but Lucy is happy to have her twin back and is hopeful that their close bond will heal over time.
The twins have recently learned that almost everyone in their lives has kept secrets from them. They’re even keeping secrets from each other now. Finally, all of these secrets will be revealed and questions will be answered. True Storm is full of plot twists and surprises that I didn't see coming. I wish there was another book to tell what kind of life Lucy has after evertything she has been fighting for. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.
The twins have recently learned that almost everyone in their lives has kept secrets from them. They’re even keeping secrets from each other now. Finally, all of these secrets will be revealed and questions will be answered. True Storm is full of plot twists and surprises that I didn't see coming. I wish there was another book to tell what kind of life Lucy has after evertything she has been fighting for. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.
David McK (3562 KP) rated Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) in Movies
Feb 17, 2019 (Updated Mar 29, 2020)
BB-8 (2 more)
Harrison Ford
Return to practical effects instead of an over excess of cgi
It's no coincidence that one of the earliest lines in the film is 'this will make everything right'.
The first Post-Disney acquisition film in the Star Wars saga, this one had a lot of expectation on its shoulders: it had to appease those who felt 'sold out' by the prequels (i.e. largely those who grew up with the originals) while also had to appeal to a whole new generation. In other words, it had quite a tightrope to walk.
A tightrope which, by and large, it does so successfully.
It's not perfect: JJ Abrams sets up a lot of questions which Rian Johnson would later deem irrelevant (in The Last Jedi), while elements of the plot are, shall we say, more than a little familiar, but by and large...
The first Post-Disney acquisition film in the Star Wars saga, this one had a lot of expectation on its shoulders: it had to appease those who felt 'sold out' by the prequels (i.e. largely those who grew up with the originals) while also had to appeal to a whole new generation. In other words, it had quite a tightrope to walk.
A tightrope which, by and large, it does so successfully.
It's not perfect: JJ Abrams sets up a lot of questions which Rian Johnson would later deem irrelevant (in The Last Jedi), while elements of the plot are, shall we say, more than a little familiar, but by and large...
Dean (6927 KP) rated Hotel Artemis (2018) in Movies
Apr 5, 2019
This is no 5 star Hotel
I was intrigued by the trailer for this a while back but missed it at the cinema. It features a secret hotel in LA for members only, usually those on the wrong side of the law. Set in the near future during a city riot.
There are a mix of characters at the Hotel which is mainly used as a patch up service for those injured and need treatment no questions asked.
The main issue of the film is it gives a glimpse into this world and tries to give some info to the back stories of the characters with varying success. Also leaving a few things unexplained and some plotlines thread bare. The direction is all over the place, part action, drama, thriller. It doesn't seem to know which one it should be. It's still an enjoyable film but it had much greater potential.
There are a mix of characters at the Hotel which is mainly used as a patch up service for those injured and need treatment no questions asked.
The main issue of the film is it gives a glimpse into this world and tries to give some info to the back stories of the characters with varying success. Also leaving a few things unexplained and some plotlines thread bare. The direction is all over the place, part action, drama, thriller. It doesn't seem to know which one it should be. It's still an enjoyable film but it had much greater potential.
April Rose Mossow (93 KP) rated Sadie in Books
May 20, 2019
When Sadie’s sister Maddie is found dead, it sets off a series of events: A road trip, uncovering secrets, but also, asking more questions than it answers. I really enjoyed this book, slowly the adrenaline just kicks you into gear and you’re rushing through the book to finish. It’s a murder-mystery, tangled with lies, family dysfunction, and vengeance. Told between podcasts and the perspective of its main character, it’s a different style of writing, written especially for this generation’s teens. You feel so deeply for Sadie, and the people she meets along the way. The story is fast-paced and keeps you thoroughly engaged. (I didn’t want to put it down!) Sadie is a well written, real character you root for through the entirety of the book. It’s such a sad chain of events, you don’t really know what to expect, but you hope against all hope that Sadie makes it out alive.
Rickey A. Mossow Jr. (689 KP) rated Us (2019) in Movies
May 25, 2019
Performances are on point. (1 more)
Engrossing plot is well-paced throughout.
Enthralling thriller that promotes discussion.
Having only seen the trailer and done all I could to avoid spoilers. I wasn't sure what to expect with this film. The only thing I knew was that being a Peele film, I knew it would make me think and would be deeper than the average horror flick. The suspense and action are taut throughout and keeps you enwrapped. Little pieces of the plot are paced beautifully throughout and the performances are on point. You're left with questions well past the final reveal and the movie's message promotes inner thought. Any movie that can keep you enthralled from the opening scene to the final one and also promotes discussion is a win-win in my books. May have to rewatch this just to take in more of the messages throughout.