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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Coming Up For Air in Books
Jan 23, 2018
Quick, fun read
Maggie's entire life is swimming. Since she was a kid, her focus has been on the sport and hopefully qualifying for the Olympics one day. Her best friend, Levi, also swims, and the two spend most of their time together. As they enter their senior year, however, Maggie starts to realize how much of typical teen life she's missed out on because of swimming. In particular: relationships and being with a guy. So Maggie turns to Levi for help. After all, her best friend is well-versed in randomly hooking up with girls at swim meets, so she asks him to teach her to hook up. Maggie doesn't think anything will go wrong with this plan--and that the two can maintain their close friendship. But is that really the case? And can Maggie still focus on the most important year of her swimming career?
I've read a few other books in Kenneally's Hundred Oaks series and really enjoyed them: they are just fun, escapist YA novels. For me, this one wasn't quite up to the others I've read, though I enjoyed the second half more than the first. It took me a long time to get into the story and the characters. The "learn to hook up" premise for the plot was a shaky one, and I missed the main focus on sport and relationships than seem to be the hallmark of Kenneally's other novels. While this genre of book is often a bit predictable, the first half of this one was ridiculously so, and it was a little painful to read at times.
Luckily, I found the second half more in the usual Hundred Oaks style, and I did find myself getting into Maggie and Levi's story more. Maggie irritated me a bit from time to time, but she takes more control over her own life decisions in the second half of the story. I liked Levi a lot and the two's friendship. The second half also centers more on her competitive swimming career, which I enjoyed (the focus on different sports in this series is always a fun, added touch). You can't help but enjoy the romance aspect and get sucked in--it's just a strength of Kenneally's and she does it so well. Overall, while not my favorite of the Hundred Oaks novels, this was a cute book and a fun read, though not the usual quick escape that I was expecting.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley. More at http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/.
I've read a few other books in Kenneally's Hundred Oaks series and really enjoyed them: they are just fun, escapist YA novels. For me, this one wasn't quite up to the others I've read, though I enjoyed the second half more than the first. It took me a long time to get into the story and the characters. The "learn to hook up" premise for the plot was a shaky one, and I missed the main focus on sport and relationships than seem to be the hallmark of Kenneally's other novels. While this genre of book is often a bit predictable, the first half of this one was ridiculously so, and it was a little painful to read at times.
Luckily, I found the second half more in the usual Hundred Oaks style, and I did find myself getting into Maggie and Levi's story more. Maggie irritated me a bit from time to time, but she takes more control over her own life decisions in the second half of the story. I liked Levi a lot and the two's friendship. The second half also centers more on her competitive swimming career, which I enjoyed (the focus on different sports in this series is always a fun, added touch). You can't help but enjoy the romance aspect and get sucked in--it's just a strength of Kenneally's and she does it so well. Overall, while not my favorite of the Hundred Oaks novels, this was a cute book and a fun read, though not the usual quick escape that I was expecting.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher and Netgalley. More at http://justacatandabookatherside.blogspot.com/.
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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2322 KP) rated Revenge for Old Times' Sake: A Tracy Eaton Mystery in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Tracy Eaton is shocked when her normally straight laced husband punches his boss. But when the boss shows up the next morning floating in their swimming pool, Tracy must get to work keeping her husband from getting framed for murder. This book is full on craziness, and so much fun. But the mystery behind the fun is very well thought out. If you don't want zany, don't even consider it. But if you enjoy wild and crazy, this series is for you.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-revenge-for-old-times-sake.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-revenge-for-old-times-sake.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Hiking Maine's Baxter State Park: A Guide to the Park's Greatest Hiking Adventures Including Mount Katahdin
Book
From Grand Pitch on remote Webster Stream to the blueberry covered summit of The Sentinel to dozens...
Tripwire (Jack Reacher Book #3)
7.7
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Featuring Jack Reacher, hero of the new blockbuster movie starring Tom Cruise. For Jack Reacher...
JackReacher LeeChild
Electricspares (29 KP) rated The Cave (2005) in Movies
May 25, 2020 (Updated Jul 7, 2020)
The sets are impressive (1 more)
The creatures are mostly cool
Mostly male cast beating their chests at each other (although the majority had good chests to beat) (1 more)
Mostly mild dismay at character deaths
Beautiful caving creature feature
Contains spoilers, click to show
A group of spelunkers are brought into help scientists map a cave system.
The buff cavers and token girl caver arrive and off they go. After finding the remains of a previous caver and a mosaic showing knights vs winged monsters they head off into the cave
The next hour is a lot of swimming, climbing and mauling.
Fun monster film with lots of cool sets.
The buff cavers and token girl caver arrive and off they go. After finding the remains of a previous caver and a mosaic showing knights vs winged monsters they head off into the cave
The next hour is a lot of swimming, climbing and mauling.
Fun monster film with lots of cool sets.
Luke (278 KP) rated The Mummy (2017) in Movies
Jun 14, 2017
Occasionally Funny (1 more)
Some Scary Parts
Tom Cruise (2 more)
It Couldn't Decide What Film It Wanted To Be
Strange Plot
This Mummy Needs To Be Put To Final Rest
I would describe this as a nose dive, at the start i was fully on board. I thought this was going to be the first tom cruise film i actually like, and then it go wierd... Boring... and just plain stupid.
The first half was good and fun, scary at times when the zombie outbreak happens...
And i have issues with a skeleton swimming, i feel like it would just sink and not be able to swim without skin to cup the water?
The first half was good and fun, scary at times when the zombie outbreak happens...
And i have issues with a skeleton swimming, i feel like it would just sink and not be able to swim without skin to cup the water?
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2322 KP) rated Adam Raccoon at Forever Falls in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Adam Raccoon loves to swim and could do it all day, but there is one pool he longs to swim in most of all. King Aren has forbidden swimming in it since it is the pool right above Forever Falls. But a quick dip can’t hurt, right?
This picture book is a wonderful allegory about our need for salvation. No, it’s not exactly subtle, but it’s a parable, it’s not supposed to be. But it tells a fun story along the way, and the wonderful illustrations will keep kids interested.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-adam-raccoon-at-forever.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This picture book is a wonderful allegory about our need for salvation. No, it’s not exactly subtle, but it’s a parable, it’s not supposed to be. But it tells a fun story along the way, and the wonderful illustrations will keep kids interested.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-adam-raccoon-at-forever.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
The Outrun
8.0
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THE SUNDAY TIMES TOP TEN BESTSELLER WINNER OF THE 2016 WAINWRIGHT PRIZE SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017...