Search
Search results
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Florida in Books
Jan 17, 2018
Wonderful short stories, despite disjointed flow
For those who are unfamiliar of the landscape and society of Florida, Lauren Groff's collection of stories is enticing and varied. Ranging from the usual depictions of alligators, to the atypical descriptions of those who just want to get away, Groff attempts to show the various characters found in the sweltering heat and stormy climes of southern USA.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the mother who takes her two young sons to France to escape the tropical summers and her restless life. It is detailed and you get a sense of her edginess throughout, worried that something may happen to her children or to have an unpleasant encounter with their overbearing landlord.
My only gripe would be that because each story is not clearly signposted, the flow of the stories become confusing and it takes a minute to realise you've begun a whole new chapter. It is a bit jarring, so shorter stories became completely unmemorable as a result. However, it is a pleasant read overall, I enjoyed her writing style.
I particularly enjoyed the story of the mother who takes her two young sons to France to escape the tropical summers and her restless life. It is detailed and you get a sense of her edginess throughout, worried that something may happen to her children or to have an unpleasant encounter with their overbearing landlord.
My only gripe would be that because each story is not clearly signposted, the flow of the stories become confusing and it takes a minute to realise you've begun a whole new chapter. It is a bit jarring, so shorter stories became completely unmemorable as a result. However, it is a pleasant read overall, I enjoyed her writing style.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Say You Love Me (Malory-Anderson Family, #5) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
This is one of those novels that has you smiling even after you have finished and placed it back on your shelf. First of all, it is very realistic, especially historically. I cannot tell you have many historical romance novels I have read that is completely of sex. Not only that, but they make the female protagonists out to be strong, independent woman who are so unique against the rest of society that the man immediately falls for her because she is different.
False!
If either of these is in my historical romance, I immediately assume it is trash and donate it. I am unique heroines, in the right time that is. I like my history to be accurate thank you.
Not only that, but I loved the humor. Despite villain and Kelsey's circumstance, it was a pretty lighthearted novel filled with laughter, an simple plotline that was easy to enjoy, and a great continuations of the novels that came before it.
I cannot, however, give it a five due to the predictability of it.
False!
If either of these is in my historical romance, I immediately assume it is trash and donate it. I am unique heroines, in the right time that is. I like my history to be accurate thank you.
Not only that, but I loved the humor. Despite villain and Kelsey's circumstance, it was a pretty lighthearted novel filled with laughter, an simple plotline that was easy to enjoy, and a great continuations of the novels that came before it.
I cannot, however, give it a five due to the predictability of it.
Dana (24 KP) rated The Tao of Bruce Lee: A Martial Arts Memoir in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I was lucky enough to be able to read this book for one of my college courses regarding Bruce Lee. My professor was using both this biography and Bruce Thomas' biography to shed some light on Bruce Lee's life. I actually used your book as a reference for my research paper for the class. It was very interesting to see the differences and similarities in both this account and Thomas' about Lee's life. This book was actually very beneficial for when I had to write a research paper about Bruce Lee.
I enjoyed being able to see another side of Bruce Lee. Since most accounts only show him as being the bad ass martial artist he was, it was interesting to be able to see a softer and more human side to him rather than the mythic Bruce Lee that is so prevalent in society today.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Bruce Lee and his life outside of the image we see today.
I enjoyed being able to see another side of Bruce Lee. Since most accounts only show him as being the bad ass martial artist he was, it was interesting to be able to see a softer and more human side to him rather than the mythic Bruce Lee that is so prevalent in society today.
I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn more about Bruce Lee and his life outside of the image we see today.
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Tampa in Books
Mar 15, 2018
This book is meant to shock! Based on the case of Florida teacher Debra Lafave, this book explores a taboo subject with a twist. Not as often do you hear of a female teacher having an affair with a student, so it's a great book that flips this subject on its head to reveal a shocking double standard that's sadly present in our society.
I was so interested in where this story was going and how it was going to end that I hardly put it down! Definitely a NSFW book with some rather graphic scenes. Don't expect this book to be anything like Lolita in the sense that Nabokov writes in a such a way that you catch yourself slipping and feeling sorry for Humbert on occasion, Nutting makes no efforts to make us feel sorry for Celeste, she's presented as a lust driven woman who will stop at nothing to fufill her desires.
By liking this book I am not condoning the actions written within, I simply found this a fascinating read. Very different to anything I've read before.
I was so interested in where this story was going and how it was going to end that I hardly put it down! Definitely a NSFW book with some rather graphic scenes. Don't expect this book to be anything like Lolita in the sense that Nabokov writes in a such a way that you catch yourself slipping and feeling sorry for Humbert on occasion, Nutting makes no efforts to make us feel sorry for Celeste, she's presented as a lust driven woman who will stop at nothing to fufill her desires.
By liking this book I am not condoning the actions written within, I simply found this a fascinating read. Very different to anything I've read before.
Very Black Mirror-esque
This is such a great idea for a story, you can almost imagine a slightly darker version of it featuring on Black Mirror. The idea of there being a genetic match out there for everyone found through a dating website is so plausible and in keeping with today’s society that it wouldn’t surprise me if something like this was to happen in my lifetime. It’s an intriguing take on modern dating too and for someone who sadly has experience in dating websites, it’s very relatable.
It’s well written and it does well to hold your attention by breaking into 5 separate stories with different characters all related by the same matching experience, in small bite sized chapters. The characters themselves are all likeable in their own way and you get very invested in their stories. There are a number of twists and my only criticism would be that some parts of this story get a little bit far fetched. It’s fiction, but I did find myself questioning the plausibility in parts. That said, I really couldn’t put it down.
It’s well written and it does well to hold your attention by breaking into 5 separate stories with different characters all related by the same matching experience, in small bite sized chapters. The characters themselves are all likeable in their own way and you get very invested in their stories. There are a number of twists and my only criticism would be that some parts of this story get a little bit far fetched. It’s fiction, but I did find myself questioning the plausibility in parts. That said, I really couldn’t put it down.
Kristin (149 KP) rated Destined to Kill (Destined Novels, #1) in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
Anala is a Hunter, the child of the Leaders of their society, and she's one of the best. Too bad her parents never let her go out and actually hunt any Cursed Ones. One night, she and her friend Thomas are out, and his sister scares them. When Thomas leaves Anala behind to take his sister home, she lets her guard down for one minute; however, that's all it takes. She's bitten, and her life will change forever.
This story pulled me in from the very first sentence. Everybody loves a good vampire story, but this was more than that. It was a coming-of-age story, of sorts, mixed with a little romance, some intrigue, and some good old-fashioned butt kicking. I'm fond of all the characters, even Jenna (the proverbial sour grape), and I would definitely love to read more about this group. I really hope there's a sequel already in the works!!
5 stars =)
Anala is a Hunter, the child of the Leaders of their society, and she's one of the best. Too bad her parents never let her go out and actually hunt any Cursed Ones. One night, she and her friend Thomas are out, and his sister scares them. When Thomas leaves Anala behind to take his sister home, she lets her guard down for one minute; however, that's all it takes. She's bitten, and her life will change forever.
This story pulled me in from the very first sentence. Everybody loves a good vampire story, but this was more than that. It was a coming-of-age story, of sorts, mixed with a little romance, some intrigue, and some good old-fashioned butt kicking. I'm fond of all the characters, even Jenna (the proverbial sour grape), and I would definitely love to read more about this group. I really hope there's a sequel already in the works!!
5 stars =)
Sharpie0499 (114 KP) rated Bandslam (2009) in Movies
Jul 9, 2018 (Updated Jul 9, 2018)
Good hidden truths (1 more)
Good coming-of-age film
High School Musical Level
Contains spoilers, click to show
Bandslam is a decent coming-of-age film for ages 7-13, but it is your typical American high school story where the guy gets the girl and everything works out in the end. The only good thing that comes from this film is the hidden truth that is revealed about society: when rumours are passed around about you and you move school, but the students at the new school always find out about your background and use it as a weapon. This brutal truth is shown throughout the film as Will tries, unsuccessfully, to hide the fact his father killed a kid whilst drinking under the influence and is now in prison with a DUI. What is most shocking is, not only do the students at his new school use his father's DUI against him, but so does Charlotte, who was supposedly Will's friend. Overall, Bandslam is more suited to younger audiences with an open mind.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated Gork, the Teenage Dragon in Books
Oct 1, 2018
Hilarious, cute (at least to me) adventure in finding love with the young Gork. The authors take on dragons is wholly original. These aren't your typical dragons, either as destructive creatures hording treasure and demanding maidens and being slain by knights or as respected creatures of magic and wisdom. Gork and his dragons are a very interesting alien species that have the characteristics of typical dragons with their wings and tails and scales and claws and breathing fire and just plain fierceness but with an intelligence similar to humans, a more militarized society, and a huge love of poetry. Have I mentioned it's hilarious? yes? well that's cause it is lol. My only problem, and it's not much of one, was the repetition of things like "scaly green ass," the first few times it added to the humor but after that it got a little annoying. Gabe Hudson has clearly shown his talent and I'm interested to see what he does in his (hopefully very long) career.
**Thanks to the publisher for inviting me to review the ARC!**
**Thanks to the publisher for inviting me to review the ARC!**
The Craggus (360 KP) rated Fantastic Beasts: Crimes of Grindelwald (2018) in Movies
Nov 26, 2018 (Updated Nov 26, 2018)
To fall victim to one dark lord may be considered a misfortune. For it to happen on a cyclical basis suggests a fundamental structural flaw in your society. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Grindelwald (2018) #Review
There’s a touch of vanity to the new Wizarding World logo which follows the Warner Bros shield at the start of “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of Gindelwald”, equal in hubris if not in ironic overconfidence to the unveiling (and shuttering) of Universal’s Dark Universe at the star of “The Mummy”. The mission is clear: expand the brand, diminish ‘Harry Potter’. The trouble is, the charm of Harry Potter was in its lead characters and their coming of age journey against the backdrop of a secret wizarding world falling back into a war which had not yet been won. You take those appealing characters away and all you’re left with is a wizarding world which doesn’t hold up to even the most cursory scrutiny in a movie that, for a family-friendly blockbuster, sure has a lot of baby murders in it....
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusGrindelwald
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusGrindelwald
Amberley Yvonne Mackenzie (9 KP) rated American Horror Story - Season 2 in TV
Nov 27, 2018
Gripping tension (2 more)
Flashback to insanity in the 60s
Psychological twists and turns
Lanabananafofana
Welcome to Briarcliff Sanitarium, ran by the Catholic church this Asylum is the last stop for the damaged souls society has decided it doesn't want to save. Lana, our sapphic heroine, wants the scoop of the century, the man behind the mask. Bloodyface. Sentenced to be held in Briarcliff to await trial for the serial killings of Bostonian women. To get to him however, Lana must get through the fearless sister Jude and the devil herself wants to play.
By far one of the top seasons of American Horror Story, Sarah Paulson portrays each character she plays with grace and dignity and Lana is no exception. The cast are incredible, Jessica Lange as Sister Jude cracking the whip, Lily Rabe proving what a talented actress she is playing the split Sister Mary Eunice, Evan Peters as Kit Walker, the misguided fool who really isn't all he seems.
Thrilling from end to end and really worth a watch.
By far one of the top seasons of American Horror Story, Sarah Paulson portrays each character she plays with grace and dignity and Lana is no exception. The cast are incredible, Jessica Lange as Sister Jude cracking the whip, Lily Rabe proving what a talented actress she is playing the split Sister Mary Eunice, Evan Peters as Kit Walker, the misguided fool who really isn't all he seems.
Thrilling from end to end and really worth a watch.