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BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated VeggieTales Every Day with God: 365 Daily Devos for Boys in Books
Jan 2, 2019
Filled with colorful characters and excellent life lessons VeggieTales Every Day with God: 365 Daily Devos is a great addition to our daily routine. Since I have 2 boys (aged 2 and 4), I got the devotional book for boys...Shocker, I know. All the characters on the pages are the guys from VeggieTales, Bob, Larry, Junior, Larry Boy, Pa Grape, Mr. Lunt etc. Each page is labeled as Day 1, 2, 3...Instead of the dates. The devotion for the day is only one page, which is perfect for my active boys who don't like to sit still for very long. The devo starts with a title such as "It's Good to Have Good Friends" and "Jesus Loves You!" a coinciding scripture is next, the version varies depending on the verse. There are about 16 different versions of the bible used in this devotional. There is a 2-3 paragraph devo, followed by a "Thought of the Day" and "Pray Today" prayer. There are also several verses for memorization in the back of the book. The language is easy to understand and the lessons are great. From learning about spiritual gifts, God's love being real, and God's provision...to honesty, giving God your worries, being willing to forgive. There is something new every day for your kids to learn. The boys love this book and I even see my 4 year old "reading" it on his own. My 2 year old is a little young for it, but I believe this book is great for establishing the habit of daily devotions for both of the boys.
I received a free copy of VeggieTales Every Day with God: 365 Daily Devos for Boys through FlyBy Promotions in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a free copy of VeggieTales Every Day with God: 365 Daily Devos for Boys through FlyBy Promotions in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Debbiereadsbook (1303 KP) rated Becoming Magic (Sleight of Hand #5) in Books
Dec 10, 2018
Not really one for me :-(
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
I'm jumping straight in here, because this is one of those reviews that is going to be difficult to write!
Overall, I liked this book. Mostly.
It's reasonably well written, from both Carole and Connor's points of view, so that was good. I didn't see any spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.
It just didn't grab me! I found myself wanting more, from Connor, about that break up with his ex-co-star. From Carole about what happened all those years ago in Hollywood. From them both, about each other, their feelings. . . . I. . . . just . . . .
Wanted MORE!!!! And I can't word just WHAT I wanted, and that's why this is a hard review to write, cos I cannot, for the life of me, find the right words, and you know how much that PAINS me!
It does deal with some difficult topics: being drugged and a sexual assault. It deals with these in a sensitive manner, but needs to be mentioned. I also found the assault story arc a little bit too much like what's going in the the REAL Hollywood right now, with the growing list of high powered Hollywood men being accused of various assaults. Maybe that's where the author got the inspiration from, I dunno, but I found it a little too much like it, you know??
This is book 5 in the Sleight of Hand series, and I have not read the others. I did not feel I was missing anything, by not reading them And although Sabrina and Walter (book4) play a huge part here, I didn't feel I HAD to have read their story before this one.
So, I'm sorry, but not one for me.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
I'm jumping straight in here, because this is one of those reviews that is going to be difficult to write!
Overall, I liked this book. Mostly.
It's reasonably well written, from both Carole and Connor's points of view, so that was good. I didn't see any spelling or editing errors to spoil my reading.
It just didn't grab me! I found myself wanting more, from Connor, about that break up with his ex-co-star. From Carole about what happened all those years ago in Hollywood. From them both, about each other, their feelings. . . . I. . . . just . . . .
Wanted MORE!!!! And I can't word just WHAT I wanted, and that's why this is a hard review to write, cos I cannot, for the life of me, find the right words, and you know how much that PAINS me!
It does deal with some difficult topics: being drugged and a sexual assault. It deals with these in a sensitive manner, but needs to be mentioned. I also found the assault story arc a little bit too much like what's going in the the REAL Hollywood right now, with the growing list of high powered Hollywood men being accused of various assaults. Maybe that's where the author got the inspiration from, I dunno, but I found it a little too much like it, you know??
This is book 5 in the Sleight of Hand series, and I have not read the others. I did not feel I was missing anything, by not reading them And although Sabrina and Walter (book4) play a huge part here, I didn't feel I HAD to have read their story before this one.
So, I'm sorry, but not one for me.
3 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
My First Introduction to Rainbow Rowell
I personally found the book touching and I think anyone in the current generation will understand. Cath is an introvert - which isn't a shocking thing in a protagonist - and going through so many issues that it's easily overwhelming, but the core of her character remains the same. Her character isn't taken as something that needs to be changed, her situation is, which includes issues in her family, personal goals and her love life which, spoiler, end up well for Cath. Who doesn't love a happy ending?
A big thing for myself personally is writing style, and if you've read a single one of Rowell's books you will know that her writing comes off brilliant no matter the concept. Her writing is a lot more casual and personal, something with makes a story feel all the more real and close to me as a reader. The story also flows perfectly due to how she writes, which is always a benefit - better than dense sentences and an unclear plot or point.
Overall, the story is something a lot of younger readers such as myself will enjoy and relate to. Even if some are ashamed to admit it, I'm sure we've all indulged in fanfiction before, both in writing and reading it. What's more, we've all had our lives take a turn for the worst at some point, or perhaps dread the time that it will. 'Fangirl' takes these experiences and put them in a palpable and engaging format for any kind of reader to consume.
I would recommend this book to just about anyone - unless you have a personal vendetta against "a tale of fanfiction, family and first love" it's worth a shot. Even if you end up disliking it, this book will certainly make a great addition to your bookshelf - and who can complain about that?
A big thing for myself personally is writing style, and if you've read a single one of Rowell's books you will know that her writing comes off brilliant no matter the concept. Her writing is a lot more casual and personal, something with makes a story feel all the more real and close to me as a reader. The story also flows perfectly due to how she writes, which is always a benefit - better than dense sentences and an unclear plot or point.
Overall, the story is something a lot of younger readers such as myself will enjoy and relate to. Even if some are ashamed to admit it, I'm sure we've all indulged in fanfiction before, both in writing and reading it. What's more, we've all had our lives take a turn for the worst at some point, or perhaps dread the time that it will. 'Fangirl' takes these experiences and put them in a palpable and engaging format for any kind of reader to consume.
I would recommend this book to just about anyone - unless you have a personal vendetta against "a tale of fanfiction, family and first love" it's worth a shot. Even if you end up disliking it, this book will certainly make a great addition to your bookshelf - and who can complain about that?
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Surrogates (2009) in Movies
Aug 9, 2019
Imagine if “IRobot”, “Die Hard”, and Joss Whedon’s television show “Dollhouse” had a child, the result would be akin to “Surrogates”. In the not to distant future technology is developed which gives us the ability to control customizable robots, called surrogates, with our minds. As a result, people rarely leave the house and interact directly with each other as surrogates. This robot filled thriller tells the story of FBI agent, Tom Greer (Bruce Willis), sent to investigate sudden deaths occurring when people are operating their surrogates.
In addition to Willis’s captivating acting, the film shines in part due to well-executed details, from the surrogate’s not quite human enough demeanor, to the underlying bias against people who don’t use the technology. “Surrogates” is a film that will make you reconsider the issue of advancing technology from both sides.
The least impressive aspect of this scifi/thriller based on a popular graphic novel is the fundamentally preposterous premise. One of the film’s main assumptions is that the use of surrogates has eliminated violence and racism. Believing that people, who are in essence operating a real world version of Second Life, would spend no time committing crimes, seems more than a little irrational.
Still, the film is engaging and much more thought provoking than I had expected. “Surrogates” fulfills both sci-fi and Bruce Willis fan requirements and is a visually enticing film. You will see a variety of locations common to a robot filled world, from a surrogate beauty salon complete with drills to the inner sanctum of the robot production line.
Touching on human, technological, and futuristic themes “Surrogates” is a fun film filled with visual effects and a truly engaging plot that is if you can overcome the plot holes that fracture the initial premise.
In addition to Willis’s captivating acting, the film shines in part due to well-executed details, from the surrogate’s not quite human enough demeanor, to the underlying bias against people who don’t use the technology. “Surrogates” is a film that will make you reconsider the issue of advancing technology from both sides.
The least impressive aspect of this scifi/thriller based on a popular graphic novel is the fundamentally preposterous premise. One of the film’s main assumptions is that the use of surrogates has eliminated violence and racism. Believing that people, who are in essence operating a real world version of Second Life, would spend no time committing crimes, seems more than a little irrational.
Still, the film is engaging and much more thought provoking than I had expected. “Surrogates” fulfills both sci-fi and Bruce Willis fan requirements and is a visually enticing film. You will see a variety of locations common to a robot filled world, from a surrogate beauty salon complete with drills to the inner sanctum of the robot production line.
Touching on human, technological, and futuristic themes “Surrogates” is a fun film filled with visual effects and a truly engaging plot that is if you can overcome the plot holes that fracture the initial premise.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #2) in Books
Jan 21, 2020
I loved the first book in this trilogy so much so going into this one, I had expectations. I was nervous to see what happened between John Ambrose McClaren and Lara Jean, especially because I found myself being Team Peter all the way. I think that this book, actually just the series as a whole is one that is just so sweet and pure and I think it's a new take on a love story. I feel like young adult and fiction is so saturated with love stories that it's hard to find good ones, ones that feel real and make your heart stop, the kind of romance stories that would make a good movie, ya know? I really think this series is out of the box and I like the diversity that it brings not only to YA but to the entire romance genre in general.
It's clear that this book is a stepping stone between the first and the third. It's not as fast-paced as the first book and the details that end up mattering aren't always the biggest ones. It's definitely a bridge that I hope will bring the first and the third together in a way that rounds out the story and I'm excited to see what happens in the conclusion of the series.
I love Lara Jean as a character and her innocence. I know that I'm not that far out from being 16, going on 17, but it's easy to get caught up in the facets of adult life and having to take care of everything all the time and be serious and have a lot of responsibilities. What I like the most about this series is how it transports you and next thing you know, you're 16, going on 17, and you're falling in love with Peter Kavinsky alongside Lara Jean Song Covey.
It's clear that this book is a stepping stone between the first and the third. It's not as fast-paced as the first book and the details that end up mattering aren't always the biggest ones. It's definitely a bridge that I hope will bring the first and the third together in a way that rounds out the story and I'm excited to see what happens in the conclusion of the series.
I love Lara Jean as a character and her innocence. I know that I'm not that far out from being 16, going on 17, but it's easy to get caught up in the facets of adult life and having to take care of everything all the time and be serious and have a lot of responsibilities. What I like the most about this series is how it transports you and next thing you know, you're 16, going on 17, and you're falling in love with Peter Kavinsky alongside Lara Jean Song Covey.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2269 KP) rated Murder at the Taffy Shop in Books
Apr 2, 2020
Bad Neighbors Become Murder Victims
When Mac Almeida is visiting her parents, who live just down the street in her town of Westham on Cape Cod, she encounters Beverly Ruchart, their neighbor. Beverly is always complaining about something, be it the local soup kitchen or Mac’s parents’ puppy. Two mornings later, Mac finds her friend Gin crouched over Beverly’s dead body. When the police begin to suspect that Gin had something to do with the death, the Mac and the rest of the Cozy Capers, a book group that reads nothing but cozy mysteries, jump into action to clear one of their own. But can Mac piece together the clues everyone is finding?
I enjoyed the first in the series, so I was anxious to get back to visit Mac and her friends again. We do get a lot of characters, but the important characters stand out, and the rest are subtly reintroduced when they appear on the page again, so it is easy to track them. I have to give a special shout out to Mac pet, an African Gray parrot who gave me a couple good laughs. I did have a harder time tracking all the suspects early on, and especially their connections to each other. I suspect that might have been me being distracted by real life, and as I read, I was able to sort everything out. The plot gives us plenty of twists to keep us engaged. The ending was a little abrupt but logical. I enjoy the nods to other cozy series we get here, and as a bonus, we get five recipes at the end of this book for a variety of treats. Cozy lovers will enjoy solving a case along with a cast of characters who love cozies as much as they do.
I enjoyed the first in the series, so I was anxious to get back to visit Mac and her friends again. We do get a lot of characters, but the important characters stand out, and the rest are subtly reintroduced when they appear on the page again, so it is easy to track them. I have to give a special shout out to Mac pet, an African Gray parrot who gave me a couple good laughs. I did have a harder time tracking all the suspects early on, and especially their connections to each other. I suspect that might have been me being distracted by real life, and as I read, I was able to sort everything out. The plot gives us plenty of twists to keep us engaged. The ending was a little abrupt but logical. I enjoy the nods to other cozy series we get here, and as a bonus, we get five recipes at the end of this book for a variety of treats. Cozy lovers will enjoy solving a case along with a cast of characters who love cozies as much as they do.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Making Up in Books
Aug 5, 2019
Cosy Felton is almost done with school and ready for her next adventure. She's 22, living in Las Vegas and about to get her degree in hotel management. Currently, though, she is working at a sex toy shop to help with her bills and when Griffin Mills walks in, she can tell he is a fish out of water. Griffin drew the short straw when he has to go and buy toys for his friend's bachelor party, but he doesn't mind when he sees Cosy. Cosy is not interested in dating a customer, but this customer is insanely good looking and easy to talk. Griffin isn't in town for long, so this will just be fling, or will it?
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this title.
I instantly fell in love with this book. It grabbed me right from the start and it didn't let me go. I had to find out what was going to happen next. You never knew what was going to happen next. Just when you think that Cosy and Griffin had found their stride, there is something to throw a wrench in their plans.
I liked these characters. They seemed like people I would know in my real life. Although, I don't think I would know too many billionaires. Cosy seems like a girls girl and someone I would want to be friends with. I'm not sure about her sister though.
Overall I really liked this book. And I can't wait to read more books in this series. Even though this is a series, each book is a stand alone. I've read one other, I Flipping Love You
Happy Reading!!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this title.
I instantly fell in love with this book. It grabbed me right from the start and it didn't let me go. I had to find out what was going to happen next. You never knew what was going to happen next. Just when you think that Cosy and Griffin had found their stride, there is something to throw a wrench in their plans.
I liked these characters. They seemed like people I would know in my real life. Although, I don't think I would know too many billionaires. Cosy seems like a girls girl and someone I would want to be friends with. I'm not sure about her sister though.
Overall I really liked this book. And I can't wait to read more books in this series. Even though this is a series, each book is a stand alone. I've read one other, I Flipping Love You
Happy Reading!!
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Draft Day (2014) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
Draft Day wants to be the Moneyball of the National Football League. Probem is, Moneyball was based on a true story. Draft Day is pure fiction and it’s not particularly good fiction. Sure, there are realistic elements of what goes on behind the scenes on draft day, but the story that surrounds makes you wonder if this was really the best they could come up with to shine the spotlight on one of the biggest days of the year for football fans and NFL prospects.
Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner) is a general manager of the Cleveland Browns. Now that’s a real team, although many people would question that fact. Weaver manages to acquire the number one draft pick on draft day and the movie is essentially about him trying to decide who to pick. Focusing on three potential players, Sonny has the heavy responsibility of making the right choice.
In addition to facing this daunting task of making the right decision for his team, Sonny is also wrestling with personal issues, such as a secret girlfriend and living up to his father’s legacy. There are plenty of cameos of stars of the NFL and Roger Goodell weighs in as the NFL commissioner. There were scenes that seemed meaningless in a sense but there’s a twist if you remain interested.
To the casual football fan this might be entertaining. To diehard fans, you probably know most of the goings on behind the scenes on draft day. It’s a backstage view in the day of the life of a GM trying to juggle his way through business and personal decisions on a big stage while facing a ticking clock. The movie does drags here and there but if you need a hit of the NFL drug while waiting for the next season, this might tide you over.
Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner) is a general manager of the Cleveland Browns. Now that’s a real team, although many people would question that fact. Weaver manages to acquire the number one draft pick on draft day and the movie is essentially about him trying to decide who to pick. Focusing on three potential players, Sonny has the heavy responsibility of making the right choice.
In addition to facing this daunting task of making the right decision for his team, Sonny is also wrestling with personal issues, such as a secret girlfriend and living up to his father’s legacy. There are plenty of cameos of stars of the NFL and Roger Goodell weighs in as the NFL commissioner. There were scenes that seemed meaningless in a sense but there’s a twist if you remain interested.
To the casual football fan this might be entertaining. To diehard fans, you probably know most of the goings on behind the scenes on draft day. It’s a backstage view in the day of the life of a GM trying to juggle his way through business and personal decisions on a big stage while facing a ticking clock. The movie does drags here and there but if you need a hit of the NFL drug while waiting for the next season, this might tide you over.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated What's Your Number? (2011) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
According to a study published in a ladies’ magazine, the average woman will have a maximum of 10 sexual partners, and apparently, the higher your number of sexual partners, the lower your chances of ever finding Mr. Right. Ally, played by Anna Faris, takes this study to heart and after conducting her own study, masked as a bachelorette party game, she realizes her number is dangerously above average.
After running into an ex who went from disgusting to dashing, Ally decides her number can’t go up if she revisits the exes she’s already accumulated, to see if any others have made similar transformations. However, looking them up, even in the age of Google, proves to be a daunting task. Luckily for Ally, her cad of a neighbor, Colin, played by oft-naked Chris Evans, just happens to be quite skilled in cyber-snooping. In exchange for tracking down her exes, Colin gets to use Ally’s apartment to escape his one-night-stands that are just a little slow to leave.
I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy, no matter how silly or predictable. I had high hopes for an Anna Faris-Chris Evans pairing. Both are easy on the eyes, endearingly charming and have great comic timing. Together, they provided the majority of the lighter moments and sure, they could both show off their exceptional physiques as often as they want and no one will complain. With slightly tamer glimpses of “Bridesmaids” and a few delightfully awkward moments, Faris proves yet again, she can carry a movie. Unfortunately, the story, based on a book by Karyn Bosnak, felt stretched to fill the running time of 106 minutes, even with a strong but underused cast of exes, that included Faris’ real-life love Chris Pratt, Andy Samberg and Joel McHale.
After running into an ex who went from disgusting to dashing, Ally decides her number can’t go up if she revisits the exes she’s already accumulated, to see if any others have made similar transformations. However, looking them up, even in the age of Google, proves to be a daunting task. Luckily for Ally, her cad of a neighbor, Colin, played by oft-naked Chris Evans, just happens to be quite skilled in cyber-snooping. In exchange for tracking down her exes, Colin gets to use Ally’s apartment to escape his one-night-stands that are just a little slow to leave.
I’m a sucker for a good romantic comedy, no matter how silly or predictable. I had high hopes for an Anna Faris-Chris Evans pairing. Both are easy on the eyes, endearingly charming and have great comic timing. Together, they provided the majority of the lighter moments and sure, they could both show off their exceptional physiques as often as they want and no one will complain. With slightly tamer glimpses of “Bridesmaids” and a few delightfully awkward moments, Faris proves yet again, she can carry a movie. Unfortunately, the story, based on a book by Karyn Bosnak, felt stretched to fill the running time of 106 minutes, even with a strong but underused cast of exes, that included Faris’ real-life love Chris Pratt, Andy Samberg and Joel McHale.
Toilet Training - Baby's Potty
Education and Games
App
A lot of parents worry because their children don't want to use the toilet or don't use it properly....