Search
Search results
David McK (3562 KP) rated Raising Steam: (Discworld Novel 40) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
The 40th(!) Discworld novel, that probably best fits into the Industrial Revolution sub-series of such novels (i.e. [b:Moving Pictures|34510|Moving Pictures (Discworld, #10)|Terry Pratchett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320456553s/34510.jpg|1229354], [b:The Truth|51737|The Truth About Forever|Sarah Dessen|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1362767907s/51737.jpg|1032900], [b:Monstrous Regiment|34511|Monstrous Regiment The Play|Stephen Briggs|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1375908503s/34511.jpg|2073281], [b:Going Postal|64222|Going Postal (Discworld, #33)|Terry Pratchett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388236899s/64222.jpg|1636617] and [b:Making Money|116296|Making Money (Discworld, #36)|Terry Pratchett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1386925136s/116296.jpg|144656] (possibly also including [b:Unseen Academicals|6250169|Unseen Academicals (Discworld, #37)|Terry Pratchett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388348045s/6250169.jpg|6432996] and [b:Snuff|1840511|Snuff|Chuck Palahniuk|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1320410088s/1840511.jpg|2034926])), and is also the third book to feature Moist Von Lipwig as the main protaganist (after [b:Going Postal|64222|Going Postal (Discworld, #33)|Terry Pratchett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388236899s/64222.jpg|1636617] and [b:Making Money|116296|Making Money (Discworld, #36)|Terry Pratchett|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1386925136s/116296.jpg|144656]).
This one is to do with the introduction of the railway to the Discworld, and also offers many a reference to previous characters and situations in the series as a whole: indeed, at times, it almost feels as if Pratchett is trying to squeeze as many in as possible.
Unfortunately, it's also not his best: I have to admit, in general, I've found most of his Industrial Revolution novels to not be as good as, say, those based around either The City Watch or those based around The Witches. Like the locomotive on which it is based, I found this one to take a fair bit of time to gather steam, and to feel a wee bit ponderous and unwieldy - this, I have to say, is not a novel I would use to introduce somebody new to the delights of the Discworld. :-(
This one is to do with the introduction of the railway to the Discworld, and also offers many a reference to previous characters and situations in the series as a whole: indeed, at times, it almost feels as if Pratchett is trying to squeeze as many in as possible.
Unfortunately, it's also not his best: I have to admit, in general, I've found most of his Industrial Revolution novels to not be as good as, say, those based around either The City Watch or those based around The Witches. Like the locomotive on which it is based, I found this one to take a fair bit of time to gather steam, and to feel a wee bit ponderous and unwieldy - this, I have to say, is not a novel I would use to introduce somebody new to the delights of the Discworld. :-(
Marylegs (44 KP) rated Dark Aemilia (UK Edition) in Books
Aug 14, 2019
So I received Dark Aemilia from a Goodreads give away. All I can say is how lucky I was to receive such a good book, that otherwise I likely would not have taken a second glance at. This is a beautifully written piece of historical fiction. Which at its core, is a love story, between Aemilia Bassano and William Shakespeare. How their love blossomed and through many external factors was pulled apart. The book is laid out in acts and scenes like a play and tells the story from Aemilia point of view. I enjoyed being submerged in the Tudor London at the end of Elizabeth I reign. This book completely grabbed me from the start and had I had more free time I am sure I would have read this book in a day or two.
Unfortunately as I havent ever read historical fiction before I dont really have any point of reference for comparison. But what I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed how realistic this book felt, but still was able to bring in completely fictitious elements of magic and witchcraft. Sam OReilly has managed to bring in these elements, which appealed to my love of fantasy, without being over the top. I particularly enjoyed the time when London was under the grips of the plague and thought it was just so well written and explained. At no point did I feel lost in descriptions, I was there, with Aemilia and that poor woman just couldnt catch a break.
There is mature content it is an adult story of love, so yes there is sex. I personally have no issue with this and believe it to be an integral addition to this story. It is done well and doesnt feel forced or overdone. I am struggling to put into words how much I enjoyed this book, I will read it again and I would recommend it. I will now even consider reading other historical fiction that I had not thought I would enjoy.
Unfortunately as I havent ever read historical fiction before I dont really have any point of reference for comparison. But what I will say is that I thoroughly enjoyed how realistic this book felt, but still was able to bring in completely fictitious elements of magic and witchcraft. Sam OReilly has managed to bring in these elements, which appealed to my love of fantasy, without being over the top. I particularly enjoyed the time when London was under the grips of the plague and thought it was just so well written and explained. At no point did I feel lost in descriptions, I was there, with Aemilia and that poor woman just couldnt catch a break.
There is mature content it is an adult story of love, so yes there is sex. I personally have no issue with this and believe it to be an integral addition to this story. It is done well and doesnt feel forced or overdone. I am struggling to put into words how much I enjoyed this book, I will read it again and I would recommend it. I will now even consider reading other historical fiction that I had not thought I would enjoy.
Sam (74 KP) rated Hinch Yourself Happy in Books
Jun 21, 2019
I’m one of those people who enjoy cleaning. I find it really therapeutic and love nothing more than getting the Zoflora out! Well, other than reading, that is. I didn’t even know about Mrs Hinch until a few months ago, but since I found out about her, I’ve loved keeping an eye on her insta!
Now, before reading this, I was far from being a major hincher. But I still loved trying out her tips around the house.
When I saw this book was coming out, I knew I wanted it, but it wasn’t a ‘omg I NEED it’, it was more of a ‘well that could be good’. So I didn’t preorder it and I also didn’t buy it as soon as it hit the shelves. Instead, I spotted it half price while I was at Sainsbury’s one Sunday, and decided to take the plunge.
Honestly, I loved it! There’s a lot in there about Mrs Hinch herself as well as plenty of cleaning tips! I didn’t even realise that I was halfway through until I put the book down for some food!
Now, a few weeks after reading the book, I’m going to admit it – I’m addicted to Hinching! Fair enough, I used to clean a lot before this book came into my life, but now I spend almost every day off work cleaning, and I love it.
The lists in Hinch Yourself Happy are so useful, and I’ve bought so many things she has recommended and fallen in love with them. I love that in the book, there’s recommendations on what to use, sorted by room and task. It turns the book into an easy reference point for anything cleaning related, and I’ve already gone back to it quite a few times to double check what I should be using.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone – whether you’re a clean freak like me, or if you tend to shy away from cleaning. There’s plenty in here to learn from, for anyone.
Now, before reading this, I was far from being a major hincher. But I still loved trying out her tips around the house.
When I saw this book was coming out, I knew I wanted it, but it wasn’t a ‘omg I NEED it’, it was more of a ‘well that could be good’. So I didn’t preorder it and I also didn’t buy it as soon as it hit the shelves. Instead, I spotted it half price while I was at Sainsbury’s one Sunday, and decided to take the plunge.
Honestly, I loved it! There’s a lot in there about Mrs Hinch herself as well as plenty of cleaning tips! I didn’t even realise that I was halfway through until I put the book down for some food!
Now, a few weeks after reading the book, I’m going to admit it – I’m addicted to Hinching! Fair enough, I used to clean a lot before this book came into my life, but now I spend almost every day off work cleaning, and I love it.
The lists in Hinch Yourself Happy are so useful, and I’ve bought so many things she has recommended and fallen in love with them. I love that in the book, there’s recommendations on what to use, sorted by room and task. It turns the book into an easy reference point for anything cleaning related, and I’ve already gone back to it quite a few times to double check what I should be using.
I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone – whether you’re a clean freak like me, or if you tend to shy away from cleaning. There’s plenty in here to learn from, for anyone.
Dillon Jacoby-Rankin (202 KP) rated Dice Forge in Tabletop Games
Jan 18, 2020
Dice are customizable. (3 more)
Components are nice.
Game has short play time.
Everyone rolls on everyone's turn.
Results in little to no downtime.
Dice sides are hard to get off if the game is new. (1 more)
Almost no distinct difference between which die is for sun and which is for moon. Very hard to tell the color difference.
Most Interesting Dice Game I've Played
Players: 2-4
Ages: 8+
Time: 45 minutes
Dice: Guys they are customizable!!! Each side of the dice comes off! You can change them. It's so cool. As you play you have to strategize which die to put your new sides on. Which sides to buy with your gold, and think about what your chances are for rolling that side a lot to benefit you the most. I mean they are basically lego dice. It's amazing.
Componemts: The dice are solid but roll a little different than normal dice. You really have to give them a good roll. If you just lasily through them, sometimes they just end up on the same side it was already on because they are larger and heavier than normal smaller dice.
Play Time: 45 minutes is what it says on the box. If you are just playing the game, acurrate. But if you have to teach the game too. It takes longer. The longest part of teaching the game i found is the cards. The gameplay has a simple flow but the cards are all just symbols and I found I needed the reference guide in the rulebook closeby almost every time I play. The symbols just don't explain enough for each card.
Downtime between turns: There is little to none. On your turn, everyone rolls and then the active player may buy new dice sides or buy a card. The only waiting is for the active player to strategize in what they want to buy. But you can be thinking of that on their turns as well.
Ages: 8+
Time: 45 minutes
Dice: Guys they are customizable!!! Each side of the dice comes off! You can change them. It's so cool. As you play you have to strategize which die to put your new sides on. Which sides to buy with your gold, and think about what your chances are for rolling that side a lot to benefit you the most. I mean they are basically lego dice. It's amazing.
Componemts: The dice are solid but roll a little different than normal dice. You really have to give them a good roll. If you just lasily through them, sometimes they just end up on the same side it was already on because they are larger and heavier than normal smaller dice.
Play Time: 45 minutes is what it says on the box. If you are just playing the game, acurrate. But if you have to teach the game too. It takes longer. The longest part of teaching the game i found is the cards. The gameplay has a simple flow but the cards are all just symbols and I found I needed the reference guide in the rulebook closeby almost every time I play. The symbols just don't explain enough for each card.
Downtime between turns: There is little to none. On your turn, everyone rolls and then the active player may buy new dice sides or buy a card. The only waiting is for the active player to strategize in what they want to buy. But you can be thinking of that on their turns as well.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
I really wanted this movie to be epic. I wanted it to be the follow up that so many waited so long to see.
However, it fell just short of that goal in my book.
Anchorman 2 picks up in 1980 where Ron Burgandy (Will Ferrell) and Veronica Corningstone (Christina
Applegate) are married, have a 6-year old son, and are co-anchors for a local news station in New York.
Not long into the movie, something comes between the two, and we see Burgandy hit a new low as an
announcer at Sea World. But he is approached with an opportunity to work at the first 24-hour news
channel, and a chance to get his old team back together. Along with Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Champ
Kind (David Koechner) and Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell), Ron Burgandy takes the world by storm with
a new format, and vastly different “news” stories than what some traditionalists would call news.
As I said, there was so much potential for this movie that it just seemed to miss. It felt like they tried
to force too much of Brick’s “natural charm” that made him so popular in the first, even with the love
interest they brought in for him this go around. You top that off with recycled jokes, not just from
the first movie (which I would have been okay with), but from other movies as well. I immediately
recognized 2 from the Austin Powers franchise alone.
It’s not to say that the movie didn’t have its moments. There were quite a few times where I was caught
off guard by something I was not expecting, or where the joke fell naturally into place. But the rest of
the movie seemed forced. And one cameo in reference to MTV had me downright upset. But hey, not
everyone shares my view.
So my test? Would I pay to see this movie in theaters? No. Wait for it to come to disc/digital
download. I have a feeling it won’t be long before it gets there.
However, it fell just short of that goal in my book.
Anchorman 2 picks up in 1980 where Ron Burgandy (Will Ferrell) and Veronica Corningstone (Christina
Applegate) are married, have a 6-year old son, and are co-anchors for a local news station in New York.
Not long into the movie, something comes between the two, and we see Burgandy hit a new low as an
announcer at Sea World. But he is approached with an opportunity to work at the first 24-hour news
channel, and a chance to get his old team back together. Along with Brian Fantana (Paul Rudd), Champ
Kind (David Koechner) and Brick Tamland (Steve Carrell), Ron Burgandy takes the world by storm with
a new format, and vastly different “news” stories than what some traditionalists would call news.
As I said, there was so much potential for this movie that it just seemed to miss. It felt like they tried
to force too much of Brick’s “natural charm” that made him so popular in the first, even with the love
interest they brought in for him this go around. You top that off with recycled jokes, not just from
the first movie (which I would have been okay with), but from other movies as well. I immediately
recognized 2 from the Austin Powers franchise alone.
It’s not to say that the movie didn’t have its moments. There were quite a few times where I was caught
off guard by something I was not expecting, or where the joke fell naturally into place. But the rest of
the movie seemed forced. And one cameo in reference to MTV had me downright upset. But hey, not
everyone shares my view.
So my test? Would I pay to see this movie in theaters? No. Wait for it to come to disc/digital
download. I have a feeling it won’t be long before it gets there.
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated Frozen (2013) in Movies
Aug 6, 2019
One thing that easily wins my heart over in animated movies is the adorable little kid. Think Boo in Monsters, Inc. or Agnes from Despicable Me. Wide-eyed, funny and cute is the winning formula. In Frozen it’s Anna who wins me over with a simple flop and a sigh as she tries to entice her sister, Elsa in a late night snow adventure. As the older of the two princesses of Arendelle, young Elsa tries to be the responsible one, but even she can’t resist little Anna’s whispered, “Do you want to build a snowman?”
Because the only trailers I saw for this movie were the funny scenes with Olaf the snowman and Sven the reindeer, I honestly had no idea the movie was going to be a musical treat about two princesses. Disney knows the formula of a simple but engaging story, an attractive heroine, catchy songs and comical supporting characters has worked for them time and time again, so they doubled their efforts with two princesses, voiced beautifully by Kristin Bell (Anna) and Glee’s Idina Menzel (Elsa), two funny supporting characters and a plethora of memorable songs. While strongly geared toward little Disney princesses, boys will enjoy the antics of Olaf, voiced perfectly by Jon Gad and the bravery of Kristoff and his reindeer Sven, both voiced by another Glee alum, Jonathan Groff.
Disney must love the fact that every movie they release about princesses sparks nostalgic feelings of other Disney favorites. Because of the constant reference to “A true love’s kiss” in this movie, I’m digging around for my copy of “Enchanted”. While the songs are more broadway than the Disney pop little kids love, weeks after screening this movie both my husband and I still sing, “Do you want to build a snowman?” to each other and try to look as adorable as Anna. A definitely must-watch again.
Because the only trailers I saw for this movie were the funny scenes with Olaf the snowman and Sven the reindeer, I honestly had no idea the movie was going to be a musical treat about two princesses. Disney knows the formula of a simple but engaging story, an attractive heroine, catchy songs and comical supporting characters has worked for them time and time again, so they doubled their efforts with two princesses, voiced beautifully by Kristin Bell (Anna) and Glee’s Idina Menzel (Elsa), two funny supporting characters and a plethora of memorable songs. While strongly geared toward little Disney princesses, boys will enjoy the antics of Olaf, voiced perfectly by Jon Gad and the bravery of Kristoff and his reindeer Sven, both voiced by another Glee alum, Jonathan Groff.
Disney must love the fact that every movie they release about princesses sparks nostalgic feelings of other Disney favorites. Because of the constant reference to “A true love’s kiss” in this movie, I’m digging around for my copy of “Enchanted”. While the songs are more broadway than the Disney pop little kids love, weeks after screening this movie both my husband and I still sing, “Do you want to build a snowman?” to each other and try to look as adorable as Anna. A definitely must-watch again.
La Biblia Reina Valera (Spanish Bible)HD
Education and Book
App
La Biblia Reina Valera (Spanish Bible)for iPad contains full text of the most popular version of...
Santa Biblia Version Reina Valera (con audio)HD
Education and Book
App
Santa Biblia Version Reina Valera (con audio)(spanish bible with audio) for iPad. Contains the full...
Sainte Bible(4 versions French bible)HD
Education and Book
App
Sainte Bible(4 versions French bible) for iPad. Contains 4 versions of French bible: * Ostervald...
Blips! Intégral
Education and Games
App
Blips makes it possible to learn numeration in an amusing way… Application entirely conceived by a...