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SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2017 COSTA BIOGRAPHY AWARD In the vein of Bad Blood and Why be Happy when you...
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Merissa (13174 KP) rated Second Chances (Matchmakers #1) in Books
Sep 1, 2017
Second Chances (Matchmakers #1) by G.R. Lyons
Second Chances is the first book in the Matchmakers series - set in a world similar yet different to our own. Chance is an old man (his words, not mine), but he likes a younger man. He is understandably wary though, after being burnt by his last partner. This happened about three years ago, and he hasn't really had anyone since. Remy is a nineteen-year-old with an old man's soul. He has lived and experienced more in his nineteen years than some will throughout their whole lifetime. Due to Chance's preconceptions of Remy, they get off to a rough start, and it is constantly bumpy for them.
I loved this story! Every time that Remy challenged (and won) one of Chance's judgements had me cheering. Now, this isn't all light and laughter, people, so don't think that it is. There is one scene that is horrible, as is the aftermath. There is also Remy's job and how Chance has to deal with it, come to terms with it, if he can.
NO SPOILERS - but I was surprised with how Danny dealt with 'the situation', especially as it is revealed that he has also been in the same situation with the same person! My jaw dropped then, I can tell you. That was one character that I disliked from the beginning (not Danny), and Remy is definitely a better person than I am, because I don't think I would be that forgiving!!!!
This is exceedingly well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The characters are all well-rounded, with their own quirks and foibles. The pacing is smooth, the story gripping. Seriously, for me, this book has it all. Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comment here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
I loved this story! Every time that Remy challenged (and won) one of Chance's judgements had me cheering. Now, this isn't all light and laughter, people, so don't think that it is. There is one scene that is horrible, as is the aftermath. There is also Remy's job and how Chance has to deal with it, come to terms with it, if he can.
NO SPOILERS - but I was surprised with how Danny dealt with 'the situation', especially as it is revealed that he has also been in the same situation with the same person! My jaw dropped then, I can tell you. That was one character that I disliked from the beginning (not Danny), and Remy is definitely a better person than I am, because I don't think I would be that forgiving!!!!
This is exceedingly well written, with no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow. The characters are all well-rounded, with their own quirks and foibles. The pacing is smooth, the story gripping. Seriously, for me, this book has it all. Highly recommended.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comment here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The One & Only in Books
May 10, 2018
Shea Rigsby is probably the world's best authority when it comes to Walker Football. Or really football in general. It has been her favorite sport for all of her life and she can tell you every Heisman Winner from the beginning of time. But upon the death of her best friend's mother, she is forced to figure out what she wants to do with her life. Is it best to follow your heart or follow your head.
This was another great story by Emily Giffin that had my emotions all over the place. The story begins during the funeral for Connie Carr, the beloved wife of Coach Car of the Walker Broncos. Everyone in the Walker community loved Connie and she is going to be greatly missed. Shea's mom was best friends with Connie, so it's not wonder that she and Lucy are also the best of friends. After the funeral and before the start of the new football season, Shea takes a look at her life and decides it's time for a change. She dumps her boyfriend and gets a new job, but there still seems to be something missing. When a new man doesn't feel that void, Shea has an epiphany that what she is missing has been in front of her the whole time, but getting what she wants this time, is going to hurt others in the process.
Early on in the book, I could see where the story was headed. There was a twist or two that made me steer from that conclusion, but eventually, it all came to fruition. It's always hard to know whether it is better to follow your head or your heart especially when it comes to love. Will you miss out on something great if you do what is "right" or will you end up getting hurt if you go with your heart. Be ready for an emotionally charged story with this book.
This was another great story by Emily Giffin that had my emotions all over the place. The story begins during the funeral for Connie Carr, the beloved wife of Coach Car of the Walker Broncos. Everyone in the Walker community loved Connie and she is going to be greatly missed. Shea's mom was best friends with Connie, so it's not wonder that she and Lucy are also the best of friends. After the funeral and before the start of the new football season, Shea takes a look at her life and decides it's time for a change. She dumps her boyfriend and gets a new job, but there still seems to be something missing. When a new man doesn't feel that void, Shea has an epiphany that what she is missing has been in front of her the whole time, but getting what she wants this time, is going to hurt others in the process.
Early on in the book, I could see where the story was headed. There was a twist or two that made me steer from that conclusion, but eventually, it all came to fruition. It's always hard to know whether it is better to follow your head or your heart especially when it comes to love. Will you miss out on something great if you do what is "right" or will you end up getting hurt if you go with your heart. Be ready for an emotionally charged story with this book.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated Batman: Nightwalker - DC Icons Book 2 in Books
May 14, 2018
So I didn't actually realize, back when I reviewed Wonder Woman: Warbringer, that it was the start of a series of origin novels. The second is this one, about Batman, and the next is Catwoman: Soulstealer. (I can't wait for that one, Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, and Catwoman have been my three favorite superheroes for ages, even if Catwoman isn't exactly a hero!) After Catwoman's book, we get Superman's book, and that's all that's been announced, so I don't know if there will be any more. Though I hope there will be, because these first two have been excellent!
The name Batman is never actually mentioned in this book; he is Bruce Wayne the entire way through. He does get a suit, towards the end, and starts his career as Batman without really realizing he's doing so. We get a few nods to the Batman mythos - he stops to watch a swarm of bats heading out to hunt, and he mentions the broken grandfather clock that he hasn't fixed yet. But this is a Bruce around his high school graduation, just starting to learn about the kinds of tech that Wayne Tech produces. We do meet a few familiar faces beyond Alfred.
I had a few moments where I wanted to shake both Bruce and the adults around him because NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DO THAT and if it needed to happen for plot's sake make it more believable! But it was overall pretty good.
There's no need to read this in order, from what I can tell - events in Wonder Woman have no effect on Gotham. Though the Catwoman book is also set in Gotham, so it will be interesting to see if they intertwine at all.
If you like DC Comics, these are definitely worth reading - if you don't, skip them.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
The name Batman is never actually mentioned in this book; he is Bruce Wayne the entire way through. He does get a suit, towards the end, and starts his career as Batman without really realizing he's doing so. We get a few nods to the Batman mythos - he stops to watch a swarm of bats heading out to hunt, and he mentions the broken grandfather clock that he hasn't fixed yet. But this is a Bruce around his high school graduation, just starting to learn about the kinds of tech that Wayne Tech produces. We do meet a few familiar faces beyond Alfred.
I had a few moments where I wanted to shake both Bruce and the adults around him because NO ONE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DO THAT and if it needed to happen for plot's sake make it more believable! But it was overall pretty good.
There's no need to read this in order, from what I can tell - events in Wonder Woman have no effect on Gotham. Though the Catwoman book is also set in Gotham, so it will be interesting to see if they intertwine at all.
If you like DC Comics, these are definitely worth reading - if you don't, skip them.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Ross (3284 KP) rated Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in Movies
Mar 18, 2019
Missed the mark by some way
Given the length of the film, there was a real chance to tell the compelling story of one of the biggest rock bands in history.
However, so much of the band's story is missed out in favour of portraying Mercury as a troubled man. The opening 10 minutes of the film basically covers the band's formation, first gigs and name change and within 15 minutes they are pretty much world famous. For me, this would have been the most interesting aspect of their fame. Instead it all just happens in some very short, throwaway scenes where the editing is so abrupt as to make you queasy.
There then follows an over-indulgent, though enjoyable, section showing how the recording of Bohemian Rhapsody came about. Very little about where the inspiration came from, just how it was recorded. Again, this felt like a missed mark.
There were some amusing scenes - arguing over the artistic merit of songs like "I'm in love with my car" for example, and Mike Myers' character saying he couldn't see a group of teenagers listening to Bo-Rap in their car (Wayne's World reference).
The film then spirals into misery, with Freddie's coming out, isolation from friends and family, the band's split and his solo career (with none of the highs of that material, just that it was hard work and the band hated it). His eventual realisation that he'd been lead astray by a negative influence and came back was pretty badly handled.
The culmination of the film, the Band Aid scenes, was excellent and thoroughly enjoyable.
I think the film was trying to show Freddie as being a troubled genius. Instead I found it to show him as being an irritating gullible drama queen.
Malek's portrayal of Freddie was mostly fine, but not Oscar-worthy.
All in all, a boring over-dramatized telling of the worst parts of Mercury's life, and by no means a celebration of his career and talent.
However, so much of the band's story is missed out in favour of portraying Mercury as a troubled man. The opening 10 minutes of the film basically covers the band's formation, first gigs and name change and within 15 minutes they are pretty much world famous. For me, this would have been the most interesting aspect of their fame. Instead it all just happens in some very short, throwaway scenes where the editing is so abrupt as to make you queasy.
There then follows an over-indulgent, though enjoyable, section showing how the recording of Bohemian Rhapsody came about. Very little about where the inspiration came from, just how it was recorded. Again, this felt like a missed mark.
There were some amusing scenes - arguing over the artistic merit of songs like "I'm in love with my car" for example, and Mike Myers' character saying he couldn't see a group of teenagers listening to Bo-Rap in their car (Wayne's World reference).
The film then spirals into misery, with Freddie's coming out, isolation from friends and family, the band's split and his solo career (with none of the highs of that material, just that it was hard work and the band hated it). His eventual realisation that he'd been lead astray by a negative influence and came back was pretty badly handled.
The culmination of the film, the Band Aid scenes, was excellent and thoroughly enjoyable.
I think the film was trying to show Freddie as being a troubled genius. Instead I found it to show him as being an irritating gullible drama queen.
Malek's portrayal of Freddie was mostly fine, but not Oscar-worthy.
All in all, a boring over-dramatized telling of the worst parts of Mercury's life, and by no means a celebration of his career and talent.
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Mary Poppins (1964) in Movies
Jan 26, 2018
Fun Adventure For the Ages
It's not hard to come to grips with why Mary Poppins is widely considered as a classic. Does the film show you a really good time? Check. Make you laugh? Check. Provide you with important messages that still hold true to this day? Check. All the marks of a film that stands the test of time.
Seriously, how can you not love this woman? She's fair. Kind. The kind of person that would tell you the truth whether you want to hear it or not. Just flat-out someone you would want to hang with. To put it simply: Marry Poppins (Julie Andrews) rocks.
The film is sprinkled with some valuable lessons throughout presented in varying creative scenarios. In one of my favorite scenes, Uncle Albert (Ed Wynn) teaches us the importance of laughter and being happy. Everytime he laughs his infectious laugh, he floats (literally) a little bit higher until he can touch the ceiling.
Poppins shines as an iconic character. And, let's face it, the lady can come out of a chimney like a straight up boss! Though the film got off to a slow start, things quickly gain speed when she comes gliding down so gracefully holding her black umbrella. Andrews deserves all the credit in the world for making this role shine.
Think about the plot on paper: A nanny shows up to whip two jerk kids into shape. I'm already asleep. While this could have very easily been a snooze fest, Disney takes us on a fun adventure into some cool and imaginative places with our great heroine running the helm.
Throughout this magical journey into a brand new world, the beauty of it all is how Poppins is able to maintain a stern attitude while still letting the kids be kids. Plainly put, she runs circles around me as a parent. Quality film for the ages.
I give it an 89. I'm rooting for you, Emily Blount. You have some big shoes to fill.
Seriously, how can you not love this woman? She's fair. Kind. The kind of person that would tell you the truth whether you want to hear it or not. Just flat-out someone you would want to hang with. To put it simply: Marry Poppins (Julie Andrews) rocks.
The film is sprinkled with some valuable lessons throughout presented in varying creative scenarios. In one of my favorite scenes, Uncle Albert (Ed Wynn) teaches us the importance of laughter and being happy. Everytime he laughs his infectious laugh, he floats (literally) a little bit higher until he can touch the ceiling.
Poppins shines as an iconic character. And, let's face it, the lady can come out of a chimney like a straight up boss! Though the film got off to a slow start, things quickly gain speed when she comes gliding down so gracefully holding her black umbrella. Andrews deserves all the credit in the world for making this role shine.
Think about the plot on paper: A nanny shows up to whip two jerk kids into shape. I'm already asleep. While this could have very easily been a snooze fest, Disney takes us on a fun adventure into some cool and imaginative places with our great heroine running the helm.
Throughout this magical journey into a brand new world, the beauty of it all is how Poppins is able to maintain a stern attitude while still letting the kids be kids. Plainly put, she runs circles around me as a parent. Quality film for the ages.
I give it an 89. I'm rooting for you, Emily Blount. You have some big shoes to fill.