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Ross (3284 KP) rated Anthology of American Folk Music by Various Artists in Music
May 26, 2020
Rolling Stone's 278th greatest album of all time
I had hoped this album would be a 1-disc compilation of the likes of Bob Dylan and maybe some of the San Francisco bands. Sadly, it turned out to be a 6-disc set of a diverse range of musical styles prevalent throughout young America in the late 1920s and early 30s.
Some of this was good, the more typical blues songs much like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. There were a number of Cajun songs which were listenable. There were also a number of fairly poor early gospel songs which were really hard to suffer through.
This is an important album historically, showing some of the earliest musical recordings, and chronicling the range of musical style, that could almost be mapped across the USA.
Interestingly, "King Kong Kitchie-Kitchie-Ki-Me-Oh" is a variation of the old Scottish song "Frog Went A-Courting", written about various French suitors to Scots nobles. I found it interesting that this song must have travelled across the Atlantic and been adapted to suit the tastes there.
Some of this was good, the more typical blues songs much like Robert Johnson and Muddy Waters. There were a number of Cajun songs which were listenable. There were also a number of fairly poor early gospel songs which were really hard to suffer through.
This is an important album historically, showing some of the earliest musical recordings, and chronicling the range of musical style, that could almost be mapped across the USA.
Interestingly, "King Kong Kitchie-Kitchie-Ki-Me-Oh" is a variation of the old Scottish song "Frog Went A-Courting", written about various French suitors to Scots nobles. I found it interesting that this song must have travelled across the Atlantic and been adapted to suit the tastes there.
Wayne Coyne recommended Surrealistic Pillow by Jefferson Airplane in Music (curated)
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated 1st To Die (Women’s Murder Club #1) in Books
May 9, 2021
51 of 250
Audio
1st to die ( Women’s murder club book 1)
By James Patterson
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
As the only woman homicide inspector in San Francisco, Lindsay Boxer has to be tough. But nothing has prepared her for the honeymoon murders. A brutal maniac begins a killing spree, slaughtering newlywed couples, and Lindsay takes on the case. She is sickened by the deaths, but her determination to bring the murderer to justice is threatened by a personal tragedy. So she turns to Claire, a coroner, Cindy, a journalist, and Jill, an attorney, for help with both crises: and the Women's Murder Club is born.
I actually listened to this on audio and found some parts very 70s porn video! The narrators were ok. As for the book I gave a very generous 3 I like Patterson and his writing style I did find some of it a little wooden and predictable but over all I enjoyed the book. He is one of those writers who has a formula and sticks to it!
Audio
1st to die ( Women’s murder club book 1)
By James Patterson
Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments
As the only woman homicide inspector in San Francisco, Lindsay Boxer has to be tough. But nothing has prepared her for the honeymoon murders. A brutal maniac begins a killing spree, slaughtering newlywed couples, and Lindsay takes on the case. She is sickened by the deaths, but her determination to bring the murderer to justice is threatened by a personal tragedy. So she turns to Claire, a coroner, Cindy, a journalist, and Jill, an attorney, for help with both crises: and the Women's Murder Club is born.
I actually listened to this on audio and found some parts very 70s porn video! The narrators were ok. As for the book I gave a very generous 3 I like Patterson and his writing style I did find some of it a little wooden and predictable but over all I enjoyed the book. He is one of those writers who has a formula and sticks to it!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Meet Me In San Francisco (Girls' Weekend Away) in Books
Sep 6, 2019
I liked the group of friends and their adventure to San Francisco. I too, explored the city, when I went there a few years ago and it reminded me of a lot of what I got up to down at Fisherman's Wharf. I also liked Landon and his wanting to help Celia however he could in relationship to her ex and money wise and how you could see how much he really liked/loved her.
It was just a little too much chick-lit--focusing a lot more on the friends and their relationship than her romance with Landon--for my liking. Not that I didn't enjoy what they got up to, and her adventures with Landon, of course, but I like my books to concentrate more on the romance than anything else.
I wish I'd read the first book in the series so I could see Bonni and Quinn's romance and how Landon's and Celia's romance started. I'm sure that things will be continued in the next book with these two and figuring out what's going to happen with her ex-husband but I'm not sure if I'll continue the series at this point.
It was just a little too much chick-lit--focusing a lot more on the friends and their relationship than her romance with Landon--for my liking. Not that I didn't enjoy what they got up to, and her adventures with Landon, of course, but I like my books to concentrate more on the romance than anything else.
I wish I'd read the first book in the series so I could see Bonni and Quinn's romance and how Landon's and Celia's romance started. I'm sure that things will be continued in the next book with these two and figuring out what's going to happen with her ex-husband but I'm not sure if I'll continue the series at this point.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated The 19th Christmas in Books
Nov 13, 2019
Can Lindsay Stop a Caper at Christmas?
San Francisco Homicide Detective Lindsay Boxer and her partner Rich Conklin are using their lunch hour for a little holiday shopping, and they happen to be on hand to catch a petty criminal. The criminal immediately wants to talk deals. He’s heard rumors that someone named Loman is planning some kind of big heist on Christmas Day. As the tips begin to pour in, the police are left chasing their tails as they try to figure out what Loman really plans. Or who he even really is. Meanwhile, reporter Cindy Thomas has landed the story of an illegal immigrant accused of a murder and gets assistant district attorney Yuki Castellano involved in her attempts to free him. And medical examiner Claire Washburn leaves town to teach a course during Christmas week to college students down in San Diego.
As popular as Christmas books have become, this is one series I hadn’t expected to offer one since some of the storylines in other books don’t lend themselves to the season. These storylines do, but unfortunately, the books is a mixed bag. I didn’t buy their excuse for writing Claire out of the book, and Cindy and Yuki’s sub-plot is undercooked. It felt like it was there more to preach than entertain. Fortunately, the main mystery was entertaining and kept me turning pages, although it relied on the villain taunting police, a trope I have trouble buying. Add in an epilogue that came out of nowhere and left me wondering if they are setting up the next book in the series. On the other hand, I got plenty of Christmas spirit from the book. As I said, this is an average entry in the series.
As popular as Christmas books have become, this is one series I hadn’t expected to offer one since some of the storylines in other books don’t lend themselves to the season. These storylines do, but unfortunately, the books is a mixed bag. I didn’t buy their excuse for writing Claire out of the book, and Cindy and Yuki’s sub-plot is undercooked. It felt like it was there more to preach than entertain. Fortunately, the main mystery was entertaining and kept me turning pages, although it relied on the villain taunting police, a trope I have trouble buying. Add in an epilogue that came out of nowhere and left me wondering if they are setting up the next book in the series. On the other hand, I got plenty of Christmas spirit from the book. As I said, this is an average entry in the series.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Portents and Oddities ( Sophie Feegle 2) in Books
May 13, 2024
95 of 220
Kindle
Portents and Oddities ( Sophie Feegle 2)
By Gwen DeMarco
⭐️⭐️⭐️
After defeating a Fae fanatic set on closing the portal between earth and the magic realm, things are looking up for Sophie Feegle. She can finally relax, drink whiskey at her favorite ogre pub, and get back to the autopsy assistant job she loves. Maybe she’ll even go on a romantic date with a certain sexy fox shifter.
Yeah, right. Things never seem to work out quite the way Sophie wants.
When Sophie recognizes the body on her autopsy table from a dream, her world is shaken again. As more bodies end up in the morgue, Sophie realizes a serial killer is hunting San Francisco’s Mythicals. But why? And why does Sophie see the victims in her dreams?
Hot on the trail of the killer, Sophie and her crew encounter Mythicals with strange powers. But as they wade through these dangerous waters, the question becomes: are Sophie and her friends the hunters, or are they the ones being hunted?
Welcome back to Sophie’s San Francisco, where being in a serial killer’s sights may be new but being odd is still the norm.
There are a few things I really like about this series. First the main character Sophie is brilliant she is sassy and funny, second the different shifters and creatures is so varied I just love finding more with each book and the last thing is the writing it’s so easy so when you want a break from the hard stuff this is some relief. Although I enjoyed this book I didn’t like it as much as book one and it seemed a little rushed towards the end. But if you love a good fantasy book this is a good one.
Kindle
Portents and Oddities ( Sophie Feegle 2)
By Gwen DeMarco
⭐️⭐️⭐️
After defeating a Fae fanatic set on closing the portal between earth and the magic realm, things are looking up for Sophie Feegle. She can finally relax, drink whiskey at her favorite ogre pub, and get back to the autopsy assistant job she loves. Maybe she’ll even go on a romantic date with a certain sexy fox shifter.
Yeah, right. Things never seem to work out quite the way Sophie wants.
When Sophie recognizes the body on her autopsy table from a dream, her world is shaken again. As more bodies end up in the morgue, Sophie realizes a serial killer is hunting San Francisco’s Mythicals. But why? And why does Sophie see the victims in her dreams?
Hot on the trail of the killer, Sophie and her crew encounter Mythicals with strange powers. But as they wade through these dangerous waters, the question becomes: are Sophie and her friends the hunters, or are they the ones being hunted?
Welcome back to Sophie’s San Francisco, where being in a serial killer’s sights may be new but being odd is still the norm.
There are a few things I really like about this series. First the main character Sophie is brilliant she is sassy and funny, second the different shifters and creatures is so varied I just love finding more with each book and the last thing is the writing it’s so easy so when you want a break from the hard stuff this is some relief. Although I enjoyed this book I didn’t like it as much as book one and it seemed a little rushed towards the end. But if you love a good fantasy book this is a good one.
Merissa (11928 KP) rated Dragon Mist in Books
Jan 2, 2020
Dragon Mist is a tale set in the time of the Summer of Love in San Francisco. It doesn't stay there though, as the Lady Dragon goes back home.
This is a very different take on dragons, or drache, as they are known in here. There is a big group of characters, both main and supporting, who help the story to move along. Some of the characters you will like, some you won't. The characters stay the same throughout, so no worries about a friend becoming an enemy. The closest you get is someone who she was friendly with.
The story is mainly comprised of Chrissie's 'courting' of James as a potential mate, but you also get her recent past catching up with her, rejected suitors, possible blackmail, and the like.
Although this is described as a paranormal romance, I found the romance to be slightly lacking. There was no connection between Chrissie and James to be seen, just what we are told.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read set in a different time.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This is a very different take on dragons, or drache, as they are known in here. There is a big group of characters, both main and supporting, who help the story to move along. Some of the characters you will like, some you won't. The characters stay the same throughout, so no worries about a friend becoming an enemy. The closest you get is someone who she was friendly with.
The story is mainly comprised of Chrissie's 'courting' of James as a potential mate, but you also get her recent past catching up with her, rejected suitors, possible blackmail, and the like.
Although this is described as a paranormal romance, I found the romance to be slightly lacking. There was no connection between Chrissie and James to be seen, just what we are told.
All in all, this was an enjoyable read set in a different time.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Ethan Embry recommended Shut Up Little Man! (2011) in Movies (curated)
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Meteor Showers by Andy Kong in Music
Jun 26, 2019
Andy Kong is a singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in San Francisco, California. Not too long ago, he released a charming pop tune, entitled, “Westfalia”.
“‘Westfalia’ is the exhilaration of driving with the windows down on a sunny day. The freedom of letting it all go. Or the simplicity of spending time just relaxing with friends.” – Andy Kong
‘Westfalia’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who follows the emotions that he is feeling inside.
Therefore, when he envisions visiting a far off town, he immediately departs with his significant other inside a comfortable automobile.
Moments later, they are cruising 55 miles-per-hour in the slow lane down the California coast, where they experience true bliss.
‘Westfalia’ contains a dreamy storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses lush instrumentation scented with a nostalgic indie-pop aroma.
In 2015, Andy Kong broke through with his emotive “Meteor Showers” EP. Since then, the 6-track project has amassed over 10 million streams online via Spotify.
Kong self-produces every song from start to finish, making each true to his vision and voice. Get acquainted with his music by streaming his “Meteor Showers” EP via Spotify.
“‘Westfalia’ is the exhilaration of driving with the windows down on a sunny day. The freedom of letting it all go. Or the simplicity of spending time just relaxing with friends.” – Andy Kong
‘Westfalia’ tells an interesting tale of a young guy who follows the emotions that he is feeling inside.
Therefore, when he envisions visiting a far off town, he immediately departs with his significant other inside a comfortable automobile.
Moments later, they are cruising 55 miles-per-hour in the slow lane down the California coast, where they experience true bliss.
‘Westfalia’ contains a dreamy storyline and ear-welcoming vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses lush instrumentation scented with a nostalgic indie-pop aroma.
In 2015, Andy Kong broke through with his emotive “Meteor Showers” EP. Since then, the 6-track project has amassed over 10 million streams online via Spotify.
Kong self-produces every song from start to finish, making each true to his vision and voice. Get acquainted with his music by streaming his “Meteor Showers” EP via Spotify.
I spent a whole day without eating and the whole night without sleeping in order to think, but it was of no use. I got nothing out of it. Thinking cannot compare with studying - Confucius
Shing-Tung Yau along with Steve Nadis take us on a journey of a life in the pursuit of the universes hidden geometry. Their journey goes from China to Hong Kong and leads to San Francisco and Berkeley. Who knew looking for a topic for your dissertation at Berkeley would lead to a life long study in geometry. I found his realizations profound how Shing-Tung Yau made his decisions. This is a wonderful read for not just mathematician it goes beyond that it goes to the equation within all of us and the search we are all on to solve the Shape of Life. This wonderfully written book for a mathematician is a dream with the equations and answers with steps included allows others to understand the complex thinking of Shing-Tung Yau and Steve Nadis and why they found their conclusions are both profound and completely unique not that no one has not thought of them before but the way they found the conclusions was what made them so profound. The deeper meaning beyond the math makes this by far one of my most favorite books of all time.
Shing-Tung Yau along with Steve Nadis take us on a journey of a life in the pursuit of the universes hidden geometry. Their journey goes from China to Hong Kong and leads to San Francisco and Berkeley. Who knew looking for a topic for your dissertation at Berkeley would lead to a life long study in geometry. I found his realizations profound how Shing-Tung Yau made his decisions. This is a wonderful read for not just mathematician it goes beyond that it goes to the equation within all of us and the search we are all on to solve the Shape of Life. This wonderfully written book for a mathematician is a dream with the equations and answers with steps included allows others to understand the complex thinking of Shing-Tung Yau and Steve Nadis and why they found their conclusions are both profound and completely unique not that no one has not thought of them before but the way they found the conclusions was what made them so profound. The deeper meaning beyond the math makes this by far one of my most favorite books of all time.