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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2099 KP) rated With a Little Bit of Blood in Books
Jun 20, 2018
Henry and Eliza Must Solve a House Party Murder
Eliza Doolittle and Henry Higgins have been invited to the first house party thrown by the new Lord and Lady Ashford (she the former Clara Eynsford-Hill). The timing is perfect since a couple of strange things have forced the duo to look for a place to stay. However, the first morning a fellow guest is killed during the rabbit hunt. Henry is sure it was a hunting accident, but Eliza isn’t so sure. Who is right?
This is another fun mystery with the characters made famous by Pygmalion and My Fair Lady. The plot did seem to start slowly, however by the end I realized how things played into the overall story. A few of the regulars are reduced to cameos, but it was still nice to catch up with them. We have a rather large cast of characters, but it was always easy to keep them straight as the story unfolded. We get some fun with new (for 1913) things like airplanes and cars as well as mentions of the more serious things unfolding in the world at the time.
This is another fun mystery with the characters made famous by Pygmalion and My Fair Lady. The plot did seem to start slowly, however by the end I realized how things played into the overall story. A few of the regulars are reduced to cameos, but it was still nice to catch up with them. We have a rather large cast of characters, but it was always easy to keep them straight as the story unfolded. We get some fun with new (for 1913) things like airplanes and cars as well as mentions of the more serious things unfolding in the world at the time.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Better Off Thread (An Embroidery Mystery #10) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Marcy shows up at the hospital ready to play elf for some sick children only to find that Santa, being played by her friend Captain Moe, is suspected of murdering a hospital administrator. Sure that the two detectives in charge of the case arent going to worry about finding another suspect since they have Moe, Marcy and friends decide to investigate on their own.
I was surprised to find out after I finished this book that it was #10 in the series. On the one hand, I should have guessed because the characters and their relationships with each other were all so well developed. I didnt feel like I was missing a lot of background though, so I assumed it was a newer series. Whether youve been with this one from the beginning or are just jumping in now, youll want to catch this installment. Better Off Thread is the perfect cozy to get you in the mood for a little holiday music and some Christmas shopping!
I was surprised to find out after I finished this book that it was #10 in the series. On the one hand, I should have guessed because the characters and their relationships with each other were all so well developed. I didnt feel like I was missing a lot of background though, so I assumed it was a newer series. Whether youve been with this one from the beginning or are just jumping in now, youll want to catch this installment. Better Off Thread is the perfect cozy to get you in the mood for a little holiday music and some Christmas shopping!
Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Lady Bird (2017) in Movies
Nov 27, 2017
Masterpiece
Set in 2002, Lady Bird is a coming of age story for high school senior Christine "Lady Bird" McPherson. The film follows her pursuit of college while growing up in a low-income family. While that is the main plot, Lady Bird is about so much more. Quite frankly, the movie is perfect. I haven't seem a film this memorable since Boyhood.
Trying to find something wrong with this film is like trying to catch a fly while blinking rapidly. Not only does it do everything right, it does it flawlessly. What impresses me the most is this is Greta Gerwig's directorial debut (who also did the screenplay). For someone to hit a homerun like this on their first try is an incredible thing to consider.
I won't go into too much detail here because I want you go into this with as little knowledge of the film as I, but here are a few things I loved about it. At just ninety-three minutes, Lady Bird carries a consistent pace with an ending that is just too perfect for words. It's going to make you laugh out loud. A lot. It will probably make you tear up a bit as well as it's just as much heartbreaking as it is hilarious. The acting, highlighted by Saiorse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf is stellar through and through. Emotions are captured in a way that what you feel you are seeing is something real, not a script. So real it hits home in a way that might surprise you. Finally, this film gets all the little things right. Those small extra mile touches that add a lasting touch to a film.
As cliche as I have to be in this moment, Lady Bird is a masterpiece. That's why I'm giving it a perfect 100.
Trying to find something wrong with this film is like trying to catch a fly while blinking rapidly. Not only does it do everything right, it does it flawlessly. What impresses me the most is this is Greta Gerwig's directorial debut (who also did the screenplay). For someone to hit a homerun like this on their first try is an incredible thing to consider.
I won't go into too much detail here because I want you go into this with as little knowledge of the film as I, but here are a few things I loved about it. At just ninety-three minutes, Lady Bird carries a consistent pace with an ending that is just too perfect for words. It's going to make you laugh out loud. A lot. It will probably make you tear up a bit as well as it's just as much heartbreaking as it is hilarious. The acting, highlighted by Saiorse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf is stellar through and through. Emotions are captured in a way that what you feel you are seeing is something real, not a script. So real it hits home in a way that might surprise you. Finally, this film gets all the little things right. Those small extra mile touches that add a lasting touch to a film.
As cliche as I have to be in this moment, Lady Bird is a masterpiece. That's why I'm giving it a perfect 100.
James Koppert (2698 KP) rated Tasks in Apps
Oct 29, 2019
The best of all
I have been wanting an app that gives a practical task list for work. There are plenty to choose from including ones by giants such as Microsoft and I have tried them all. Most of them I find untidy or unintuitive and ended up deleting them to continue my search. Others give you a free trial then ask for yearly subscriptions which are over priced with no value so I delete them. Then I found Tasks. And it was perfect. I thought 'where is the catch?' but there wasn't one. Tasks is beautifully designed, intuitive, easy to use and a massive help at work. You can donate if you like it, which I did because I was that impressed and immediately approached IT to have it on all our work phones.
Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated The Girl with All the Gifts in Books
Feb 7, 2018
The audiobook version was perfect!
I listened to this via audio book, and they made the absolute PERFECT choice for narrator. Finty Williams was amazing! Seriously, her voice added a whole additional level of creep to The Girl With All The Gifts. Wow. If you can afford it, you must get the audio book! If you know someone who doesn’t like to read, but likes creepy novels, and may listen to an audiobook, get this for them!! Okay, okay, stepping away from the narrator fangirling…
Melanie, the main character, is a doll (not literally). So much so, that she could almost be a “Mary-sue”, except for, you know, the part where she might (not going to spoil it!) or {yep, this was also creepy). She’s very innocent, and very intelligent. She attends class with a handful of other children, who are as, uhm, ‘special’ as she is, and she adores her teacher Miss Justineau.
But she can’t talk to any of the other kids, and doesn’t understand why the other adults don’t seem to like her much. Then everything goes boom, Melanie is freed from her chair, and puts a few people in a VERY uncomfortable position.
This book was great, with a very unique take on its subject matter. Extremely well written (not surprising, considering who the author is!). It takes you on a journey that you really don’t want to end. Even if someone has spoiled the ‘secret’ to the book, it’s still well-written and very worth the read. I figured out the catch extremely early on and still loved it.
Melanie, the main character, is a doll (not literally). So much so, that she could almost be a “Mary-sue”, except for, you know, the part where she might (not going to spoil it!) or {yep, this was also creepy). She’s very innocent, and very intelligent. She attends class with a handful of other children, who are as, uhm, ‘special’ as she is, and she adores her teacher Miss Justineau.
But she can’t talk to any of the other kids, and doesn’t understand why the other adults don’t seem to like her much. Then everything goes boom, Melanie is freed from her chair, and puts a few people in a VERY uncomfortable position.
This book was great, with a very unique take on its subject matter. Extremely well written (not surprising, considering who the author is!). It takes you on a journey that you really don’t want to end. Even if someone has spoiled the ‘secret’ to the book, it’s still well-written and very worth the read. I figured out the catch extremely early on and still loved it.
ClareR (5603 KP) rated Sun Damage in Books
Jul 4, 2023
Sun Damage is a slow burn of a book, dripping in paranoia!
Ali and Sean are confidence tricksters: they get people to trust them, and then extract large amounts of money from them. Except something goes wrong when they try to con Lulu, and Ali goes on the run - with a large sum of money from Sean’s safe. Ali thinks she has found the perfect hiding place in a gîte in the South of France, but it seems inevitable that her past will catch up with her.
This is all set in the summer, when the heat is as oppressive as Ali’s paranoia. The whole novel feels claustrophobic - will Ali be found out? Will Sean find her? What will her employers do?
We see Ali’s past and childhood in some detail, and I found myself forgiving her for her terrible behaviour - although I doubt I would have been so forgiving if I was the one being swindled!
This is probably the ideal summer holiday read - great for by the pool, somewhere hot. Although you’ll be a lot more suspicious of anyone you don’t know trying to strike up a conversation!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for another great serialisation.
Ali and Sean are confidence tricksters: they get people to trust them, and then extract large amounts of money from them. Except something goes wrong when they try to con Lulu, and Ali goes on the run - with a large sum of money from Sean’s safe. Ali thinks she has found the perfect hiding place in a gîte in the South of France, but it seems inevitable that her past will catch up with her.
This is all set in the summer, when the heat is as oppressive as Ali’s paranoia. The whole novel feels claustrophobic - will Ali be found out? Will Sean find her? What will her employers do?
We see Ali’s past and childhood in some detail, and I found myself forgiving her for her terrible behaviour - although I doubt I would have been so forgiving if I was the one being swindled!
This is probably the ideal summer holiday read - great for by the pool, somewhere hot. Although you’ll be a lot more suspicious of anyone you don’t know trying to strike up a conversation!
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for another great serialisation.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated The Princess Bride (1987) in Movies
Mar 28, 2019
Director Rob Reiner really had a fantastic career as a director going in the 80s and early 90s with the likes of When Harry Met Sally..., Stand By Me, Misery, A Few Good Men, This is Spinal Tap and this film of course.
Based on the masterful screenplay by Hollywood mega-scribe William Goldman, it quite frankly gives us the perfect showcase for "True Love".
Every character has their place in bringing the story forward, and the laughs keep coming in every scene. I used to have long passages of the screenplay memorized and could quote at will.
My kids and I will often text each other back and forth with a quote-a-thon of the film (I always win!)
Whenever someone leaves our house to go somewhere someone will always say "Have fun storming the castle!".
If I am ever needing to lighten my mood, I will sometimes even just watch a few scenes or catch some clips on YouTube. Quite honestly I can just close my eyes and recite it from memory.
What a classic!
Based on the masterful screenplay by Hollywood mega-scribe William Goldman, it quite frankly gives us the perfect showcase for "True Love".
Every character has their place in bringing the story forward, and the laughs keep coming in every scene. I used to have long passages of the screenplay memorized and could quote at will.
My kids and I will often text each other back and forth with a quote-a-thon of the film (I always win!)
Whenever someone leaves our house to go somewhere someone will always say "Have fun storming the castle!".
If I am ever needing to lighten my mood, I will sometimes even just watch a few scenes or catch some clips on YouTube. Quite honestly I can just close my eyes and recite it from memory.
What a classic!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Supernatural - Season 1 in TV
Oct 5, 2019 (Updated Oct 5, 2019)
Spookily good fun
I first watched Supernatural when it first started, got as far as series 5 and then just never managed to catch up. I decided to start again and I’m glad i did, I’d forgotten just how fun this show was.
As an premise, this is a wonderful idea and a great way of creating a story around a host of legendary supernatural beings. The main highlight of this show though is by far the relationship between the brothers. It’s downright hilarious at times and Jensen Ackles has some brilliant moments as Dean. But there’s also a serious side to the brothers too, and this works well alongside the scares and humour. Don’t get me wrong, the show isn’t perfect. The CGI in these early days is pretty horrendous at times, and some of the storylines are a bit cliched with nearly every one having an attractive woman for the brothers to work with/save. Some of the script is a tad cheesy too, but fortunately this show is that good that these slight issues don’t really make any difference. There are a couple of dodgy episodes, namely Bugs and Route 666, but the rest make for a highly enjoyable show.
As an premise, this is a wonderful idea and a great way of creating a story around a host of legendary supernatural beings. The main highlight of this show though is by far the relationship between the brothers. It’s downright hilarious at times and Jensen Ackles has some brilliant moments as Dean. But there’s also a serious side to the brothers too, and this works well alongside the scares and humour. Don’t get me wrong, the show isn’t perfect. The CGI in these early days is pretty horrendous at times, and some of the storylines are a bit cliched with nearly every one having an attractive woman for the brothers to work with/save. Some of the script is a tad cheesy too, but fortunately this show is that good that these slight issues don’t really make any difference. There are a couple of dodgy episodes, namely Bugs and Route 666, but the rest make for a highly enjoyable show.
Merissa (11805 KP) rated Magpies & Mayhem (The Boundlands #2) in Books
Sep 16, 2022
MAGPIES & MAYHEM perfectly describes the second book in The Boundlands series. We met both Sidney and Jordan in book one. Sidney is the extrovert to Elara's introvert, and Jordan was Levi's roommate. Now they have their own story that includes a gorgeous little dragon named Huck.
Sidney is definitely on the chaotic good scale of things, and her shifting to a magpie whenever she is startled just helps to confirm that. Jordan, by contrast, is solemn (with reason) and thinks things through. This just means they make the perfect pair, balancing each other out and giving the other just what they need.
The story is smooth and follows along nicely from Elara and Levi's, who we also catch up with in here. The world- and character-building continue to give you all you need to know, whilst leaving you wanting more. For me though, Huck definitely stole the show.
A great addition to the series, I can't wait for Grim's story to see where we will go next. Absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Sidney is definitely on the chaotic good scale of things, and her shifting to a magpie whenever she is startled just helps to confirm that. Jordan, by contrast, is solemn (with reason) and thinks things through. This just means they make the perfect pair, balancing each other out and giving the other just what they need.
The story is smooth and follows along nicely from Elara and Levi's, who we also catch up with in here. The world- and character-building continue to give you all you need to know, whilst leaving you wanting more. For me though, Huck definitely stole the show.
A great addition to the series, I can't wait for Grim's story to see where we will go next. Absolutely recommended by me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Stranger Things - Season 2 in TV
Aug 4, 2019
Another great series
I binge watched this entire series in one day, and it really was rather entertaining. The first episodes start off rather slowly, but this at least gives a chance to catch up with the returning characters and introduce some new faces. It soon picks up though, and is packed full on intrigue, humour, some rather dark moments and of course a pretty awesome soundtrack. The CGI has improved a fair bit since the last series and it was such an enjoyable series to watch. My favourite parts so far were anything involving Hopper. David Harbour is just fantastic and Hopper’s character has developed well this series, especially his relationship with Eleven. Her story and development too was good to see.
Of course it isn’t perfect. I found parts of the storyline ridiculously predictable, even if they were alright to watch (like Eleven’s storyline). I liked most of the new characters but I found Bob a little too much and sickly sweet (sorry!). And the whole childhood romance thing was a little too over the top and cringey and a bit much.
But still overall one of the best series Netflix has to offer and I’m just looking forward to catching up on series 3 now!
Of course it isn’t perfect. I found parts of the storyline ridiculously predictable, even if they were alright to watch (like Eleven’s storyline). I liked most of the new characters but I found Bob a little too much and sickly sweet (sorry!). And the whole childhood romance thing was a little too over the top and cringey and a bit much.
But still overall one of the best series Netflix has to offer and I’m just looking forward to catching up on series 3 now!
