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Duff McKagan recommended A Shape of Punk to Come by Refused in Music (curated)
LoganCrews (2861 KP) rated Serial Mom (1994) in Movies
Jul 4, 2021
"𝘋𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘐 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘸𝘺𝘦𝘳?"
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵!"
𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵: 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘐𝘐. Does anyone do the satirization of stuck-up suburban values as originally and/or as brutally entertaining as John Waters? Most other directors would have turned this into a threadbare lecture that refused to have any sort of fun. But here we have this beautiful concoction of B-movie theatrics, gore, pitch-perfect performances, jovial filth, rock-solid lampooning, and A1 comedy - so lovingly inspired by low-budget camp and slashers of the 60s-80s that it honestly could pass off as one in many respects. Kathleen Turner is a live wire - in one of the most religiously entertaining female performances of all time, it has a blast radius that would make a military warhead quake. This is the type of role that just demands your attention, perpetually switching between these polar opposite demeanors at the drop of a hat with expert-level talent and all game for the ensuing absurdity. Which on its own would have been enough to carry 93 minutes of fun but then the film is also super clever and uproarious without rest. Had an ear-to-ear smile on my face for most of the runtime and laughed so often that my mouth began to give out mid-laugh due to the muscles simply being too worn out from overwork. Quotable as fuck and every scene is memorable, a total killer.
"𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵!"
𝘔𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘪𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵: 𝘗𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘐𝘐. Does anyone do the satirization of stuck-up suburban values as originally and/or as brutally entertaining as John Waters? Most other directors would have turned this into a threadbare lecture that refused to have any sort of fun. But here we have this beautiful concoction of B-movie theatrics, gore, pitch-perfect performances, jovial filth, rock-solid lampooning, and A1 comedy - so lovingly inspired by low-budget camp and slashers of the 60s-80s that it honestly could pass off as one in many respects. Kathleen Turner is a live wire - in one of the most religiously entertaining female performances of all time, it has a blast radius that would make a military warhead quake. This is the type of role that just demands your attention, perpetually switching between these polar opposite demeanors at the drop of a hat with expert-level talent and all game for the ensuing absurdity. Which on its own would have been enough to carry 93 minutes of fun but then the film is also super clever and uproarious without rest. Had an ear-to-ear smile on my face for most of the runtime and laughed so often that my mouth began to give out mid-laugh due to the muscles simply being too worn out from overwork. Quotable as fuck and every scene is memorable, a total killer.
Chicken Soup for the Soul: Miracles and More: 101 Stories of Angels, Divine Intervention, Answered Prayers and Messages from Heaven
6.0
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These true personal stories of angels, answered prayers, messages from heaven, miraculous healing...
Merissa (13555 KP) rated The Ostin Heir (Isle of Ostin #1) in Books
Aug 3, 2023
THE OSTIN HEIR is the first book in the Isle of Ostin series, and it took me to a world where vampires are known about, and humanity seems to even more divided between those who have and those who don't.
Pax falls into the second camp and is alone in the world. So when he is told to get in a boat by a man who disappears in front of him, he figures he has nothing to lose. Theo is understandably shocked when someone other than Leven returns to the castle. And, yes, he's a dick about it, although he does see the error of his ways and tries to make up for the ignominious beginning.
Both of these characters are broken, with trauma and stress they are still dealing with. Their steps together to a brighter future are great to see. I loved how Pax refused to let Theo browbeat him, but instead, faced him with caring and compassion.
This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait to read more. There is still so much for me to figure out about this world. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 3, 2023
Pax falls into the second camp and is alone in the world. So when he is told to get in a boat by a man who disappears in front of him, he figures he has nothing to lose. Theo is understandably shocked when someone other than Leven returns to the castle. And, yes, he's a dick about it, although he does see the error of his ways and tries to make up for the ignominious beginning.
Both of these characters are broken, with trauma and stress they are still dealing with. Their steps together to a brighter future are great to see. I loved how Pax refused to let Theo browbeat him, but instead, faced him with caring and compassion.
This was a great start to a new series and I can't wait to read more. There is still so much for me to figure out about this world. Definitely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Aug 3, 2023
ClareR (6037 KP) rated Young Queens: Three Renaissance Women and the Price of Power in Books
May 31, 2023
It’s not often that I read a non-fiction history book - I’m more of a historical fiction reader - and I’m really glad that I picked this up.
This book is about the lives of Catherine de’ Medici (married to the French Henry II), Elisabeth of Spain and Mary, Queen of Scots and how their lives wove together.
There are some really interesting facts here (Mary was nearly 6 feet tall - now THIS is the kind of fact I live for!). But it was the personal side that really interested me. Catherine loved her children fiercely even though she had little time with them. She wanted to know every detail of their lives. Her letters to Elisabeth when she went to Spain were filled with family gossip and instructions. Just the kind of stuff that any mother would send their daughter, and Elisabeth appeared to want to always make her mother proud.
Mary and Elisabeth were like sisters, so when Mary needed Elizabeth’s and Spain’s support when the Scottish Lords turned against her, it must have hurt her greatly when they refused to help.
What I liked most was having the opportunity to dip my toes in to the history of France and Spain. It sounded as tumultuous as our own.
I do think that I’m going to have to follow up on Cathrine de’ Medici, though. Now she sounds fascinating!
I’m so glad that I read this - thanks to The Pigeonhole!
This book is about the lives of Catherine de’ Medici (married to the French Henry II), Elisabeth of Spain and Mary, Queen of Scots and how their lives wove together.
There are some really interesting facts here (Mary was nearly 6 feet tall - now THIS is the kind of fact I live for!). But it was the personal side that really interested me. Catherine loved her children fiercely even though she had little time with them. She wanted to know every detail of their lives. Her letters to Elisabeth when she went to Spain were filled with family gossip and instructions. Just the kind of stuff that any mother would send their daughter, and Elisabeth appeared to want to always make her mother proud.
Mary and Elisabeth were like sisters, so when Mary needed Elizabeth’s and Spain’s support when the Scottish Lords turned against her, it must have hurt her greatly when they refused to help.
What I liked most was having the opportunity to dip my toes in to the history of France and Spain. It sounded as tumultuous as our own.
I do think that I’m going to have to follow up on Cathrine de’ Medici, though. Now she sounds fascinating!
I’m so glad that I read this - thanks to The Pigeonhole!
Acanthea Grimscythe (300 KP) rated The Ocean at the End of the Lane in Books
May 16, 2018
The Ocean at the End of the Lane is the first work I’ve read by Neil Gaiman – and I love it. This short novel tells the story of a young boy. He discovers a sort of magic in the world around him that blends in a delightfully haunting way. The real star of this book isn’t the boy though. It’s the Hempstocks.
This piece of fiction is a quick read and harbors elements of fantasy and horror in a world much like our own. The house at the end of the lane is a bit removed from the rest of society and, to a homegrown, country girl like myself, oozes a rural familiarity. This house, being the home of the Hempstocks, is the source of everything surreal in The Ocean at the End of the Lane and through the little boy and his friend Lettie, we see an entirely different side of things. A place where a child learns morals (such as lying, obeying, etc.) in the most horrifying ways.
I found The Ocean at the End of the Lane nearly impossible to put down – in fact, I only paused long enough to shower and take a brief nap. I refused to sleep until I had turned the last page. It’s nice to see several elements of fiction in play, especially with how Gaiman foreshadows and references certain odd incidents that take place in his story. My next Gaiman read will be American Gods, which I received as a gift from Dad.
This piece of fiction is a quick read and harbors elements of fantasy and horror in a world much like our own. The house at the end of the lane is a bit removed from the rest of society and, to a homegrown, country girl like myself, oozes a rural familiarity. This house, being the home of the Hempstocks, is the source of everything surreal in The Ocean at the End of the Lane and through the little boy and his friend Lettie, we see an entirely different side of things. A place where a child learns morals (such as lying, obeying, etc.) in the most horrifying ways.
I found The Ocean at the End of the Lane nearly impossible to put down – in fact, I only paused long enough to shower and take a brief nap. I refused to sleep until I had turned the last page. It’s nice to see several elements of fiction in play, especially with how Gaiman foreshadows and references certain odd incidents that take place in his story. My next Gaiman read will be American Gods, which I received as a gift from Dad.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Ruin of Stars in Books
Aug 14, 2018
Characters (1 more)
World Creation
Just as good as the first
When I read Mask of Shadows I was blown away by Linsey Miller's book. I loved Sal and so many of the characters. They were truly lovely. It was horror filled love letter written and I loved everything about it. When I saw that Ruin of Stars was up on NetGalley, I knew that I had to read it! When I was accepted as an ARC reader I did a little jump of joy as well.
Just like Mask of Shadows, Ruin of Stars brings us the wonderful character of Sal. I honestly loved the gender fluid nature of Sal though at times in this book I felt is was a little too preachy on sexuality. What I loved about it is that though slightly preachy at times, Sal is still Sal. Sallot is written well and isn't a gender fluid character just to be gender fluid and I loved that Sal was so beautifully written.
This book revisits all of our favorite & least favorite characters from Mask of Shadows, you see Sal trying to cross off his list. You also see the struggle of all of the characters when it comes to living, dying, and everything in between.
The descriptions, the characters, and everything you loved about Mask of Shadows is here. This is one of my favorite reads so far. I loved it so much, I refused to finish it for the longest of times. If you liked the first one, you'll love this one too.
Just like Mask of Shadows, Ruin of Stars brings us the wonderful character of Sal. I honestly loved the gender fluid nature of Sal though at times in this book I felt is was a little too preachy on sexuality. What I loved about it is that though slightly preachy at times, Sal is still Sal. Sallot is written well and isn't a gender fluid character just to be gender fluid and I loved that Sal was so beautifully written.
This book revisits all of our favorite & least favorite characters from Mask of Shadows, you see Sal trying to cross off his list. You also see the struggle of all of the characters when it comes to living, dying, and everything in between.
The descriptions, the characters, and everything you loved about Mask of Shadows is here. This is one of my favorite reads so far. I loved it so much, I refused to finish it for the longest of times. If you liked the first one, you'll love this one too.
The Lost Children
7.0
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First published in 1974 as A Circle of Children this is the first of four books from learning...
MM
Minstrel Magic: George Mitchell - A Lovely Man
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Choirmaster George Mitchell hated the limelight, yet was responsible for a worldwide show business...
Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog
8.6
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John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect...