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Tell Me More: Stories about the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say
Book
A warm, insightful look at the twelve phrases that strengthen and sustain our relationships, from...
women mind and body
Dinner Party: A Tragedy
Book
A MAJOR 2021 DEBUT FICTION LAUNCH, THIS REMARKABLE IRISH NOVEL ABOUT THE MESSINESS OF MODERN FAMILY...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated My Cousin Rachel (2017) in Movies
Nov 12, 2017 (Updated Nov 12, 2017)
Gothic Victorian suspense surrounding the mysterious Rachel
This film is no doubt atmospheric and evocative, rather than old fashioned Victorian horror, all about the widow of recently deceased cousin who died under mysterious circumstances.
Sam Claflin plays the vengeful nephew, who plots to find out the truth about Rachel, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.
Daphne Du Maurier was an excellent writer of course and many of her novels have been transferred to both the big and small screen to much acclaim. As it is, this is a film of intrigue and intent that is not quite what it at first seems. The outcome is not mind-blowing and you don't have to be Hercule Poirot to follow the plot or work things out. However, the 'did she didn't she murder' question is left rather open-ended and down to the interpretation/thoughts of the viewer. While it is not in the same league as Rebecca, the director makes a decent effort in creating an uneasy ambience.
It is a fascinating film which delves (in a shallow way) into the workings of the human mind and its psychological ways and how suspicion can play havoc in relationships.
Sam Claflin plays the vengeful nephew, who plots to find out the truth about Rachel, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.
Daphne Du Maurier was an excellent writer of course and many of her novels have been transferred to both the big and small screen to much acclaim. As it is, this is a film of intrigue and intent that is not quite what it at first seems. The outcome is not mind-blowing and you don't have to be Hercule Poirot to follow the plot or work things out. However, the 'did she didn't she murder' question is left rather open-ended and down to the interpretation/thoughts of the viewer. While it is not in the same league as Rebecca, the director makes a decent effort in creating an uneasy ambience.
It is a fascinating film which delves (in a shallow way) into the workings of the human mind and its psychological ways and how suspicion can play havoc in relationships.
Merissa (13398 KP) rated A Hint of Frost (Araneae Nation #1) in Books
Aug 3, 2017
A Hint of Frost (Araneae Nation #1) by Hailey Edwards
It's not often that someone can do something different with a well known genre but Hailey Edwards has managed it. There are a lot of different clans in this world, all with confusing (to me!) names but the life and spark that Hailey has created is wonderful. There are aspects of this story that I was cringing at to begin with - as you are supposed to! It's written in a way that makes it horribly good. But then as you read more and understand more, you see how something has been abused and debased. It becomes less horrible as an act and more horrible towards the person doing it. Confused? Then give this book a try and see for yourself.
The world is well written and you can tell a lot of thought has been put into this world, the clans in it and the relationships between people, both those of inside and outside the clan. The characters are all very well written and even though it is written from the first person POV, nothing is lost.
This world is too good to read just one book and then leave. The others are now firmly on my T-B-R list.
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
The world is well written and you can tell a lot of thought has been put into this world, the clans in it and the relationships between people, both those of inside and outside the clan. The characters are all very well written and even though it is written from the first person POV, nothing is lost.
This world is too good to read just one book and then leave. The others are now firmly on my T-B-R list.
* Verified Purchase ~ January 2013 *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Leila (5 KP) rated Gwendy's Button Box in Books
Feb 3, 2019 (Updated Feb 3, 2019)
I'll admit, I checked this book out of the library and let it sit for a few months (I'm terrible, I know), but not for lack of interest, I just didn't have the time to sit down and read. Once I finally got around to it, I had completely forgotten why I had grabbed it up! The cover did not immediately scream "Stephen King" so I was a bit apprehensive starting out, willing myself to push through the first couple of pages.
To my surprise, I needn't have given myself such a talking to, as the book drew me in from first word. The main character has relatable relationships with the people around her, portrayed as the kid we all knew (or were) growing up, the one that just wanted to fit in and was always just on the outskirts. Things change of course, with the help of a special box, and we get a very real glimpse into how humanity deals with great power and responsibility.
My only criticism is that for once, I wasn't satisfied at the end of a King book, wishing there was a bit more, especially concerning the box itself. But then, if we always got all the answers, it wouldn't be a King book, now would it?
To my surprise, I needn't have given myself such a talking to, as the book drew me in from first word. The main character has relatable relationships with the people around her, portrayed as the kid we all knew (or were) growing up, the one that just wanted to fit in and was always just on the outskirts. Things change of course, with the help of a special box, and we get a very real glimpse into how humanity deals with great power and responsibility.
My only criticism is that for once, I wasn't satisfied at the end of a King book, wishing there was a bit more, especially concerning the box itself. But then, if we always got all the answers, it wouldn't be a King book, now would it?
Midge (525 KP) rated The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen in Books
Apr 4, 2019
Well Worth A Read!
This is the second book in a series entitled ‘The Sisters’ Secrets.’ The first one is called ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Rose’, which I haven’t read, though, whilst not ideal, I don’t think it matters that much if they are read out of sequence. It was still a great book for me and worked fine as a stand-alone read.
The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen has all the required ingredients that make a really fantastic story in its genre: from the mood and undercurrents to the good writing and the experience of love and friendship, not forgetting the feelings of hope and moving on from the past.
There is plenty of romance in this thought-provoking story and lots of lighter moments, but this is not lightweight paranormal dross. It examines issues around family and relationships as well as bereavement and loss.
I recommend this very engaging, if a little short, read to those with a fondness for the Romance and Women’s Fiction genres. There are more secrets to be revealed in the next book of the series ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Pearl’ and I will be reading that book, too!
Thanks to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the author, Katlyn Duncan for my free ARC of The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #TheSistersSecretsReen
The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen has all the required ingredients that make a really fantastic story in its genre: from the mood and undercurrents to the good writing and the experience of love and friendship, not forgetting the feelings of hope and moving on from the past.
There is plenty of romance in this thought-provoking story and lots of lighter moments, but this is not lightweight paranormal dross. It examines issues around family and relationships as well as bereavement and loss.
I recommend this very engaging, if a little short, read to those with a fondness for the Romance and Women’s Fiction genres. There are more secrets to be revealed in the next book of the series ‘The Sisters’ Secrets: Pearl’ and I will be reading that book, too!
Thanks to NetGalley, HQ Digital and the author, Katlyn Duncan for my free ARC of The Sisters’ Secrets: Reen in exchange for an honest review.
#NetGalley #TheSistersSecretsReen
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Bad At Love: A Shimmer Pointe Romance (Book 2) in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Eve Quinn is having fun with Justin Glenn, but this relationship is much different than the typical casual relationships she is used to. Could she possibly be falling in love with Justin and does he feel the same way? Justin is having as much fun with Quinn as she is with him. Being away from Shimmer Pointe during the week may have something to do with it, or is it something more. When they are both given a shock during Eve's birthday party, they have to decide what the next step for them will be.
Thank you to Sterling Keyes for the opportunity to read and review her book. This is the second book in the Shimmer Pointe series and it was just as good as the first. The stories are short(I read this one in less than an hour) and grab you right from the start.
Even though this book is short, it is chock full of interesting stuff. Love, kids, the beach, food, and even a hostage situation. There is never a dull moment in Shimmer Pointe. I'm intrigued to find out what is going to happen next with Eve and Justin as well as Charlotte and Theo. Will their love grow to marriage and growing families, or is this where their story ends. We shall wait to see.
Thank you to Sterling Keyes for the opportunity to read and review her book. This is the second book in the Shimmer Pointe series and it was just as good as the first. The stories are short(I read this one in less than an hour) and grab you right from the start.
Even though this book is short, it is chock full of interesting stuff. Love, kids, the beach, food, and even a hostage situation. There is never a dull moment in Shimmer Pointe. I'm intrigued to find out what is going to happen next with Eve and Justin as well as Charlotte and Theo. Will their love grow to marriage and growing families, or is this where their story ends. We shall wait to see.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Star Trek: Discovery - Season 2 in TV
May 28, 2019 (Updated May 28, 2019)
Action (1 more)
Some strong characters
Fall off in form - more of a set up for Season 3....
I enjoyed the first series of this Trek spin off so went into season 2 hoping for a lot. It managed to tackle some of the troublesome storylines but it felt like the characters had lost some of the punchyness that made the first series shine.
In this series we get a lot of Spock (not entirely sold on the acting of Ethan Peck) who must face his past along with his estranged sister Michael Burnham. As well as Captain Pike (played very well by Anson Mount) taking control of Discovery to investigate a series of odd red signals that have being appearing across the universe.
Stories involving time travel are often problematic and unlike the Series 1 mirror universe storyline the time travel aspect in this was clumsy. The AI threat was also not that thrilling for me and left too many questions unanswered.
There seemed to be a much more mopy, exploring feelings and relationships, feel to this series that I think that let it down. The action was great but characters seemed to feel it was necessary to have a heart to heart in the middle of a time critical mission - GET ON WITH IT FFS!!!
In this series we get a lot of Spock (not entirely sold on the acting of Ethan Peck) who must face his past along with his estranged sister Michael Burnham. As well as Captain Pike (played very well by Anson Mount) taking control of Discovery to investigate a series of odd red signals that have being appearing across the universe.
Stories involving time travel are often problematic and unlike the Series 1 mirror universe storyline the time travel aspect in this was clumsy. The AI threat was also not that thrilling for me and left too many questions unanswered.
There seemed to be a much more mopy, exploring feelings and relationships, feel to this series that I think that let it down. The action was great but characters seemed to feel it was necessary to have a heart to heart in the middle of a time critical mission - GET ON WITH IT FFS!!!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2434 KP) rated Stowed Away (A Maine Clambake Mystery, #6) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
It’s a week away from opening day for the Snowden Family Clambake, and Julia and the rest of her family are hard at work making sure everything is ready. But they are also discussing what to do with the ruins of Windsholme, the family mansion on the island where they host the clambake. One expert they are bring in turns out to be Julia’s prep school roommate, Wyatt Jayne. Wyatt is in town to oversee a yacht renovation, but when the owner of the yacht is found murdered, she finds herself the prime suspect. Julia has her own reason for investigating the murder, a very personal one. Can she figure out what truly happened?
While this is book six in the series, it’s only been a year to Julia and the rest of these characters, which allows us time to really see their relationships grow and change. I like watching this growth as the series progresses. There are several sub-plots that facilitate this, but I felt they slowed things down early in the book. Once the mystery kicks into high gear, it completely captured me again, with several wonderful twists and a climax that tied everything together perfectly.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-stowed-away-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
While this is book six in the series, it’s only been a year to Julia and the rest of these characters, which allows us time to really see their relationships grow and change. I like watching this growth as the series progresses. There are several sub-plots that facilitate this, but I felt they slowed things down early in the book. Once the mystery kicks into high gear, it completely captured me again, with several wonderful twists and a climax that tied everything together perfectly.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/12/book-review-stowed-away-by-barbara-ross.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Sean Farrell (9 KP) rated To Kill a Mockingbird in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I think it's safe to assume that most people know this book is about a girl named Scout Finch growing up in the American south of the 1930's as it still deals with racism. Seeing as the book is primarily about the experiences of a young girl, the parts about Atticus Finch defending a black man at trial, while important to the plot, are not nearly as prominent as some might recall from having read the book at school, myself included. Still, it's always an interesting book, full of remembrances of youthful activities that are likely to stir up at least an occasional moment of fond nostalgia among most people. While there is a lot that is very specific to the south in here, the principal themes are pretty universal; growing up, our relationships with & views of our families, learning to deal with society's expectations for us, and of course, just how messed up that society can often be. It may perhaps paint a slightly too rosy picture of the way things were at the time, but the inherent optimism fits in with the perspective from which it's being told. It's very hard not to be moved by this book. Whether it wants you to feel joy, suspense, or sorrow, it does a masterful job of bending you to its will. A true American classic.