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Eilidh G Clark (177 KP) rated Turning Forty in Books
Jun 21, 2019
Typical Mike Gayle
I loved this book. Written in a first person point of view, the reader counts down the days with Matt, until his 40th birthday. The beginning of the novel see's Matt in his expensive house, admiring his new shed paid for by his high flying job. This false sense of security is short lived and the reader watches as the protagonist's life falls apart.
For me, this novel is all about the character's; Ginny, the back up plan, Gerry, the ex music idol and now charity shop manager, Rosa, the too young and too controlling girlfriend, and many many, more. These characters are believable and cringe worthy at the same time.
I think the most refreshing thing about the novel, however, is the ending. All the way through the story I held out hope for Matt, and the ending, although not exactly a fairytale ending, was realistic.
I love Mike Gayle's work, easy to read, believable, funny and sad, a real look at the idiosyncrasies of people.
For me, this novel is all about the character's; Ginny, the back up plan, Gerry, the ex music idol and now charity shop manager, Rosa, the too young and too controlling girlfriend, and many many, more. These characters are believable and cringe worthy at the same time.
I think the most refreshing thing about the novel, however, is the ending. All the way through the story I held out hope for Matt, and the ending, although not exactly a fairytale ending, was realistic.
I love Mike Gayle's work, easy to read, believable, funny and sad, a real look at the idiosyncrasies of people.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Grace After Henry in Books
Oct 31, 2019
This was a lovely and often heartbreaking book about love and loss. Grace and Henry have just bought a house together when he dies, leaving Grace bereft. She moves into their new home and one day Henry shows up to fix the faulty boiler. Only it isn’t Henry, of course; the look-alike man’s name is Andy, and suddenly Grace’s life is turned upside down.
This is a different sort of story—sometimes predictable but often not. It’s touching and sad and captures grief and love quite wonderfully. Grace is an excellent, real character, and her ache for Henry is so true and honest. There are plenty of funny moments, too; her parents’ battles with the moths in their home was my favorite. The supporting cast is simply wonderful, particularly Grace’s friends from the cemetery (you read that right) and her elderly neighbor, Betty.
This isn’t always the easiest book to read, as it so well portrays grief and heartache, but it’s very well-done, and I appreciated reading such a heartfelt and loving story. Definitely worth picking up.
This is a different sort of story—sometimes predictable but often not. It’s touching and sad and captures grief and love quite wonderfully. Grace is an excellent, real character, and her ache for Henry is so true and honest. There are plenty of funny moments, too; her parents’ battles with the moths in their home was my favorite. The supporting cast is simply wonderful, particularly Grace’s friends from the cemetery (you read that right) and her elderly neighbor, Betty.
This isn’t always the easiest book to read, as it so well portrays grief and heartache, but it’s very well-done, and I appreciated reading such a heartfelt and loving story. Definitely worth picking up.
Merissa (12963 KP) rated Highland Hearts in Books
Dec 17, 2018
This book takes place in Scotland which I am sure is a massive surprise considering the title! Callum has a flat in Edinburgh, but goes to the Highlands to see the house that he has inherited from the grandfather he has never met, and now never will. Upon his arrival, he meets his next door neighbour and the spark between them is instantaneous.
With a hint of the supernatural about it, just enough to give Callum a nudge, this story is well-paced and thought out. It moves smoothly, giving the characters enough time to get to know each other even if they do go to bed together the first night - because no one ever does that in real life, right?!
This book simply ticked all my boxes. With excellent characters, whether you like them or not, a back story that completes the picture, romance, steam, supernatural, sadness, hope - it's all here. I loved every word and didn't want it to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
With a hint of the supernatural about it, just enough to give Callum a nudge, this story is well-paced and thought out. It moves smoothly, giving the characters enough time to get to know each other even if they do go to bed together the first night - because no one ever does that in real life, right?!
This book simply ticked all my boxes. With excellent characters, whether you like them or not, a back story that completes the picture, romance, steam, supernatural, sadness, hope - it's all here. I loved every word and didn't want it to finish. Absolutely recommended by me.
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Deborah (162 KP) rated Hungry Hill in Books
Dec 21, 2018
I really got stuck into this family saga from Daphne du Maruier, following five generations of a family and their relationship with the mine at Hungry Hill. With du Maurier you know there's going to be tragedy in there somewhere and there are senseless deaths and senseless happenings a plenty. Despite being beautifully written, I felt somewhat depressed at the end of the novel because I didn't feel it was concluded very well and a lot of very bad things happened to people who frankly didn't deserve it! I feel John-Henry's story wasn't properly tied up and he was just left almost hanging there. The Donovans also seem to come out of things rather well despite their atrocious, murdering behaviour! I think I'm one who likes a good bit of poetic justice in my reading as real life is so unfair to some people!
So, brilliantly written, but I'm not sure I'd want to put myself through reading it again, with all the agonies and the ending which I found unsatisfactory.
So, brilliantly written, but I'm not sure I'd want to put myself through reading it again, with all the agonies and the ending which I found unsatisfactory.
Glenn Donnelly (12 KP) rated Last Podcast On The Left in Podcasts
Dec 3, 2019
Reliable (4 more)
Humourous
Interesting
Fun group of guys making the podcast feel more inviting
Live shows that you can go to
Some may not enjoy the type of humour (2 more)
Can go off track slightly
Multiple voices speak at once
Any true crime enthusiast will love this podcast!
Three guys Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski and Ben Kissle all sit and talk about the grizzly stories of some of the scariest true crime and serial killer s of the past, they also discuss real life ghost stories and alleged alien abductions/sightings trying to stay netureal and using only sources for their episodes. All episodes are told alongside great humour and whilst going off track slightly sometimes it is always kept interesting. I want to state the bad points are not my view in particular and just feedback I have heard from other fans that I think are relevant.
Personally this is one of my favourite podcasts and I enjoy their whole network of shows which include wizard and the bruiser, abe lincolns top hat, kinda fun, page 7 and more
Personally this is one of my favourite podcasts and I enjoy their whole network of shows which include wizard and the bruiser, abe lincolns top hat, kinda fun, page 7 and more
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated When Harry Met Sally (1989) in Movies
Feb 9, 2020
I thought this movie was cute. I definitely understand why it's a classic romantic comedy and why it's one that has transcended decades to make some of the all-time best rom-com movies lists out there. I like the progression of the plot, it feels the most real of rom-coms I've seen over the years. The timeline is something like 12 and a half years of friendship and ups and downs and realizing whether or not you've met the person you want to be with for the rest of your life.
My favorite part is when Sally is crying and she says, "I'm gonna be 40!" and Harry says, "When?" Sally replies, "Someday!" Harry says, "In 8 years!" and finally Sally says, "It's out there!" I don't know why that cracked me up so much but it did and I loved it. I'm sure I'll end up watching this film at some point. Maybe it'll make my list of movies to show my kids one day. It's not my favorite but it's definitely a good watch.
My favorite part is when Sally is crying and she says, "I'm gonna be 40!" and Harry says, "When?" Sally replies, "Someday!" Harry says, "In 8 years!" and finally Sally says, "It's out there!" I don't know why that cracked me up so much but it did and I loved it. I'm sure I'll end up watching this film at some point. Maybe it'll make my list of movies to show my kids one day. It's not my favorite but it's definitely a good watch.
Morgan Sheppard (936 KP) created a post
Apr 4, 2020
Otway93 (580 KP) rated Mary Poppins Returns (2018) in Movies
Apr 19, 2020
Acting (1 more)
Animation
Story (1 more)
Music
Unfortunately, I appear to have outgrown poor Mary...
Unfortunately, after wearing out my video of the original Mary Poppins, recorded off of the TV in 1996, I have outgrown Mary Poppins, and unfortunately did not enjoy Mary Poppins or Mary Poppins Returns.
But that is not to say they aren't excellent movies for kids! For kids, both movies are practically perfect in every way, practically because the endless music will likely drive parents to despair as it did with me.
But it did have its redeeming features, I was dubious about a sequel to Mary Poppins after so many years with a new younger actress. But Emily Blunt fills the role perfectly, and gives a pleasant surprise!
Another plus is good old fashioned animation, similar to the original, a mix of animation and real life reminiscent of the original, and other classics such as Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Pete's Dragon.
So overall, come for the nostalgia, leave when the music starts.
P.S. Thank you Smashbomb for the DVD, I apologise for the delay in the review! :)
But that is not to say they aren't excellent movies for kids! For kids, both movies are practically perfect in every way, practically because the endless music will likely drive parents to despair as it did with me.
But it did have its redeeming features, I was dubious about a sequel to Mary Poppins after so many years with a new younger actress. But Emily Blunt fills the role perfectly, and gives a pleasant surprise!
Another plus is good old fashioned animation, similar to the original, a mix of animation and real life reminiscent of the original, and other classics such as Bedknobs and Broomsticks and Pete's Dragon.
So overall, come for the nostalgia, leave when the music starts.
P.S. Thank you Smashbomb for the DVD, I apologise for the delay in the review! :)
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