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Entertainment Editor (1988 KP) created a video about GLOW - Season 1 in TV
Nov 8, 2017
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated Chesapeake Crimes: Fur, Feathers, and Felonies in Books
Apr 25, 2018
Criminally Fun Animal Inspired Short Stories
This latest collection of short stories from the members of Sisters in Crime Chesapeake Chapter features 13 tales, or is it tails, involving animals. Yes, there are lots of dogs and cats featured, including a murdered crazy cat lady, a story about a dog getting into trouble with his human, and a movie stars famous dog. But we get some unusual animals, too, including an octopus and exploding cows.
As with any collection, there were a couple of stories that weren’t to my taste. But I would then find I loved the next one. And when each story takes less than 30 minutes to read, you aren’t committed to something you don’t like for very long. For short stories, the characters were well drawn, and each story featured at least one twist with longer ones features a few more surprises. While a couple stories trend a little darker, there are some light, very fun stories in the collection as well. Truly, there is something here everyone will enjoy.
As with any collection, there were a couple of stories that weren’t to my taste. But I would then find I loved the next one. And when each story takes less than 30 minutes to read, you aren’t committed to something you don’t like for very long. For short stories, the characters were well drawn, and each story featured at least one twist with longer ones features a few more surprises. While a couple stories trend a little darker, there are some light, very fun stories in the collection as well. Truly, there is something here everyone will enjoy.
Very enjoyable short stories!
This collection of short stories really surprised me. I'm not usually a fan of this type of story (short!), but I seem to be reading more and more of them lately, and I'm beginning to change my mind. Some of these stories are set in Florida, where the natural world seems to be a central theme: uncontrollable, untameable. Two stories are set in France, and another in Brazil. Again, the central characters appear to be in situations where they have no control.
I really enjoyed the stories 'Dogs Go Wolf' where two young girls are abandoned on an island and left to fend for themselves; 'Eyewall', where a woman decides to stay in her home during a hurricane (which I hope never to experience!); 'Above and Below' which tells the story of a young woman who fails her course at university, leaves and becomes homeless. This last story was frankly frightening, as it portrayed how easy it is to become homeless, how little support there is, and how people can become estranged from their families.
A really good collection.
I really enjoyed the stories 'Dogs Go Wolf' where two young girls are abandoned on an island and left to fend for themselves; 'Eyewall', where a woman decides to stay in her home during a hurricane (which I hope never to experience!); 'Above and Below' which tells the story of a young woman who fails her course at university, leaves and becomes homeless. This last story was frankly frightening, as it portrayed how easy it is to become homeless, how little support there is, and how people can become estranged from their families.
A really good collection.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Thread of Death (Elemental Assassin, #5.5) in Books
Sep 5, 2019
This is the first novella I've read in this series and I liked that despite how short it is that we still got to see Gin kicking arse.
Mab's funeral takes place in this and you'd expect it to be a rather sedate affair, right? WRONG! Two attacks in such a short story and seeing it all happen from three different viewpoints was an interesting angle for it to happen.
I'm expecting good things from the next book in the series now.
Mab's funeral takes place in this and you'd expect it to be a rather sedate affair, right? WRONG! Two attacks in such a short story and seeing it all happen from three different viewpoints was an interesting angle for it to happen.
I'm expecting good things from the next book in the series now.
Sarah (7798 KP) rated My Name is Lucy Barton in Books
May 12, 2018
A moving life story
It's impressive that this book can fit virtually an entire life story into such a short book. And for the most part it's a really interesting story. Lucy is an endearing character although she is a little odd and strange at times. I feel like some of her actions don't make sense and I found myself getting very frustrated at how her mother treated her and how she reacted to it, like it didn't make any sense. But I do admit that this could just be part of the message of the story itself.
Overally it's a well written book with a lovely story, it's just a shame that not much really happens.
Overally it's a well written book with a lovely story, it's just a shame that not much really happens.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated Malice Domestic 14: Mystery Most Edible in Books
Jun 11, 2019
Delicious Short Story Collection
This is a collection of 36 short stories originally available at the Malice Domestic conference in 2019. As the title suggests, each story revolves around food in some way. Whether it’s a poisoned tea party or death by airline food, you’ll find plenty of murder and mayhem here. Some of the authors use this to tell a story with their series sleuths. That’s the case with Parnell Hall, who opens the collection with his puzzle lady, Cora Felton. Some authors take you back in time, like Victoria Thompson. Others weave a great tale with characters created for their story here, like Nancy Cole Silverman.
As if often the case with short story collections, a few weren’t to my taste, particularly those stories where the villain managed to get out of the hot water he or she should have been in. Most, however, are purely delectable, with a fun twist or two along the way to the climax and characters that draw you in. Whether the author included their series characters or not, each story can be read on its own. There might be a wink and a nod that series fans will get, but nothing that will distract you as you sample that author’s world. There aren’t any recipes, but with a book that is almost 400 pages long, it’s hard to imagine how large it would have been if they had included some.
As if often the case with short story collections, a few weren’t to my taste, particularly those stories where the villain managed to get out of the hot water he or she should have been in. Most, however, are purely delectable, with a fun twist or two along the way to the climax and characters that draw you in. Whether the author included their series characters or not, each story can be read on its own. There might be a wink and a nod that series fans will get, but nothing that will distract you as you sample that author’s world. There aren’t any recipes, but with a book that is almost 400 pages long, it’s hard to imagine how large it would have been if they had included some.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Rags & Bones: New Twists on Timeless Tales in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Rags and bones stripped down stories that were important to the author and allowed for a new telling, a blank canvas, a skeleton for new musculature. it was one of the most interesting collections I've ever read and every story had something interesting about it. The writers selected to participate in the project were all excellent. Some of the stories I was able to figure out which story they came from, but others I didn’t know, and some I intend to read. I really liked that each story had an author’s note explaining their reason for picking the story they did.
I don’t typically like short stories because I feel like I can’t get into the story until I’m being pulled out again because it’s over. And I did definitely stop between stories and think about each one for a while. But I was impressed and enraptured with Rags and Bones. It is one of my new favorites. I recommend it to anyone who likes short stories, or who needs something to think through.
I don’t typically like short stories because I feel like I can’t get into the story until I’m being pulled out again because it’s over. And I did definitely stop between stories and think about each one for a while. But I was impressed and enraptured with Rags and Bones. It is one of my new favorites. I recommend it to anyone who likes short stories, or who needs something to think through.
Caffeinated Fae (464 KP) rated Sorority in Books
Jul 12, 2018
If you're looking for a novel that has a true beginning, middle and end, this is not the book for you. Sorority by Genevieve Sly Crane tells the story of various sorority sisters in bite sized short stories. The story unwraps to reveal the story of Margot.
I went into this book expecting a full story and not various short stories. That in itself took me a bit to get used to. Though it wasn't a format I was expecting, I still enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and I liked that each person had their story to tell. I liked that I could relate to multiple characters and see their lives. I have to say, I'm glad I never had the urge to join a sorority. Though I did like the book I have one issue. My one main issue is that the book feels a little incomplete simply because there was no true end. I like having an ending so this book just doesn't sit right. It did work with the story though.
All in all, I enjoyed it.
**I received this book from NetGalley**
I went into this book expecting a full story and not various short stories. That in itself took me a bit to get used to. Though it wasn't a format I was expecting, I still enjoyed it. The characters were interesting and I liked that each person had their story to tell. I liked that I could relate to multiple characters and see their lives. I have to say, I'm glad I never had the urge to join a sorority. Though I did like the book I have one issue. My one main issue is that the book feels a little incomplete simply because there was no true end. I like having an ending so this book just doesn't sit right. It did work with the story though.
All in all, I enjoyed it.
**I received this book from NetGalley**
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2163 KP) rated Chesapeake Crimes: Invitation to Murder in Books
Oct 7, 2020
Accept this Invitation to Seventeen Murders
In the seventh short story anthology from the Chesapeake Chapter of Sisters in Crime, each story revolves around an invitation. Some are the obvious invitations for events, but others are a more casual invitation. Either way, they lead to danger of some kind. There’s a mother whose young son is writing a hard-boiled mystery, an escape room that ends in death, a guest who overstays her welcome, bedbugs and murder in London, and a debutant ball in early 1900’s South Carolina. The stories are as varied as their locations, and many are fun. As with every short story collection, not every story will be for every taste. Personally, I found a couple of them too dark to be enjoyable. But the majority of the seventeen stories were a delight. If you are searching for bite sized stories, you’ll be glad you picked up this collection.
Mel (490 KP) rated Lincoln in the Bardo in Books
Oct 2, 2019
Contains spoilers, click to show
When this book first came out it seemed to be publicised everywhere so when I saw it on a daily deal I picked up a copy.
I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't quite what I got. While the main thread of the story focusing on the death of Lincoln's son and the ghosts in the graveyard was interesting it felt like this was essentially a short story bulked out into a novel (given the author is far more famous for his short stories this probably isn't surprising). The use of historical quotations to tell the parts of the story taken from real life seemed more of a clever affectation than actually a useful plot device. While I finished the book and felt like I knew a little more about Lincoln the man afterwards overall I didn't think it lived up to the hype surrounding it
I'm not sure what I was expecting but it wasn't quite what I got. While the main thread of the story focusing on the death of Lincoln's son and the ghosts in the graveyard was interesting it felt like this was essentially a short story bulked out into a novel (given the author is far more famous for his short stories this probably isn't surprising). The use of historical quotations to tell the parts of the story taken from real life seemed more of a clever affectation than actually a useful plot device. While I finished the book and felt like I knew a little more about Lincoln the man afterwards overall I didn't think it lived up to the hype surrounding it