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Melissa Parsons (14 KP) rated The Hobbit in Books
Jul 10, 2018
Brilliant adventure (1 more)
Must read before Lord of the rings
Amazing novel
The Hobbit is another master piece but the now deceased master of fantasy: Tolkein. If you ever see the J. R. R Tolkein name on a novel your guaranteed for a ride that you will not want to get off. May be slow to start but that can be a good thing. I know this recently was made in to a movie series but I do wish that this had been done before Lord of The Rings as the Hobbit gives us the background and shows us Bilbo as a younger man. Now I’m not gonna give any spoilers as I believe it’s a novel best experienced yourself but I will say this: anyone afraid of spiders needs to be prepared cause this book does contain giant spiders in a part of it.
Buckle up, relax and enjoy the wonderful journey of a Hobbit.
Buckle up, relax and enjoy the wonderful journey of a Hobbit.

Awix (3310 KP) rated The Avengers - Season 4 in TV
Aug 17, 2020
Difficult not to use words like iconic to describe this; the two seasons with Diana Rigg (this is the first of them) is what defines this series in the public recollection. Gentleman spy John Steed and his leather-clad friend Emma Peel investigate a wide range of threats to British society as we know it, ranging from the relatively mundane (attempts to assassinate visiting dignitaries) to the positively outlandish (man-eating Martian plants with mind-control powers).
Occasionally a bit tonally uneven, but still mostly a joy to watch even after all these years: the two leads are clearly enjoying themselves hugely and so are the characters (most of the time). The best episodes have a sort of intelligent silliness about them which is almost irresistible: they sustain a mixture of spy spoof, black comedy, and science fiction which many have tried to copy but few have achieved. This is the Avengers in its imperial phase.
Occasionally a bit tonally uneven, but still mostly a joy to watch even after all these years: the two leads are clearly enjoying themselves hugely and so are the characters (most of the time). The best episodes have a sort of intelligent silliness about them which is almost irresistible: they sustain a mixture of spy spoof, black comedy, and science fiction which many have tried to copy but few have achieved. This is the Avengers in its imperial phase.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2275 KP) rated What Time the Sexton’s Spade Doth Rust in Books
Sep 25, 2024
Flavia’s Surprise Return
Mrs. Mullet, the long time de Luce house keeper, is being questioned about a murder. Turns out, she’d been making breakfast for a gentleman in the village, Major Greyleigh. He’s been found dead on the floor of his cottage and the last thing he ate was the breakfast prepared by Mrs. Mullet. Flavia knows that Mrs. Mullet wouldn’t hurt anyway. She also knows that the mushrooms everyone thinks killed the man weren’t poisonous. Can Flavia figure out what is really going on?
I had thought the series ended with the previous book five years ago, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this up for preorder. It was fun to revisit Bishop’s Lacey and catch up with Flavia. However, I still find her cousin Undine extremely annoying and not as funny as she is supposed to be. The pacing of the mystery was good, but there were parts of the plot I didn’t care for. And I certainly could have done without all the talk about the crime scene. I’ve often found this series uneven, and this entry fit that description for me.
I had thought the series ended with the previous book five years ago, so I was pleasantly surprised when I saw this up for preorder. It was fun to revisit Bishop’s Lacey and catch up with Flavia. However, I still find her cousin Undine extremely annoying and not as funny as she is supposed to be. The pacing of the mystery was good, but there were parts of the plot I didn’t care for. And I certainly could have done without all the talk about the crime scene. I’ve often found this series uneven, and this entry fit that description for me.

Cibola Burn
(unknown)
Book
The fourth book in the New York Times bestselling Expanse series. NOW A MAJOR TV SERIES FROM NETFLIX...

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2275 KP) rated Bayou Book Thief in Books
Jun 13, 2022
Stealing Books Should be Punished, but Maybe Not by Death
Ricki James-Diaz is looking to start over in New Orleans, and her interest in opening a vintage cookbook store is a perfect match for the Bon Vee Culinary House Museum. As she gets to know her new coworkers, she quickly realizes just how much of a grump Franklin Finbloch is. Still, the man isn’t fired until he is caught trying to steal from Ricki’s new gift shop. Then his body turns up in what Ricki thought was a trunk of books donated to Bon Vee. With the suspicion falling on people Ricki was beginning to consider friends, she jumps in to figure out what really happened. Will she solve the case?
As is often the case with a series debut, the beginning was a little slow as it set up the premise of the series and began introducing us to the characters. The ending was a bit abrupt, although everything that happened did follow logically from what came before. And what came before? It was wonderful, with plenty of twists to keep me engaged. The sub-plots helped as well. Ricki has quite the interesting background, and I appreciated how it was doled out as we needed it. Being a series debut, the potential series regulars also serve as suspects, and that made me care about the outcome that much more. Naturally, there are recipes at the end, but in a twist that fits this book, all six are from vintage cookbooks. This is a fun series debut. I’m already looking forward to revisiting Ricki again in a few months.
As is often the case with a series debut, the beginning was a little slow as it set up the premise of the series and began introducing us to the characters. The ending was a bit abrupt, although everything that happened did follow logically from what came before. And what came before? It was wonderful, with plenty of twists to keep me engaged. The sub-plots helped as well. Ricki has quite the interesting background, and I appreciated how it was doled out as we needed it. Being a series debut, the potential series regulars also serve as suspects, and that made me care about the outcome that much more. Naturally, there are recipes at the end, but in a twist that fits this book, all six are from vintage cookbooks. This is a fun series debut. I’m already looking forward to revisiting Ricki again in a few months.

Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2275 KP) rated The 18th Abduction in Books
May 25, 2019
Hunt for Missing Teachers
Three teachers have gone missing in San Francisco, and all eyes are on San Francisco police officer Lindsay Boxer as she is leading the hunt for them. Unfortunately, there are few leads. Can she find anything before it is too late? Meanwhile, her new husband, Joe Molinari, has found a woman near the FBI’s San Francisco office. This woman, Anna, claims to have just seen a known war criminal from her native Serbia in the city. Is she right? What is he doing there? Can Joe make sure this man receives the justice he deserves?
Outside the prologue and epilogue, this book takes place five years in the past, meaning that some of the recent stupidity in Joe and Lindsay’s marriage has been forgotten. I couldn’t be happier about that. The story is another fast-paced mystery against overwhelming odds that keep the pages turning. It even gave me something I’ve been wanting for a long time in this series (no spoilers, don’t worry). Unfortunately, most of the Women in the Women’s Murder Club are reduced to cameos as the plot drives forward. The characters continue to be fairly thin, but that’s no surprise to fans. We get into Anna’s past and the war crimes that took place in Serbia, so expect the heavier subject matter when you pick up this book. Overall, fans of the series should be happy with this latest offering.
Outside the prologue and epilogue, this book takes place five years in the past, meaning that some of the recent stupidity in Joe and Lindsay’s marriage has been forgotten. I couldn’t be happier about that. The story is another fast-paced mystery against overwhelming odds that keep the pages turning. It even gave me something I’ve been wanting for a long time in this series (no spoilers, don’t worry). Unfortunately, most of the Women in the Women’s Murder Club are reduced to cameos as the plot drives forward. The characters continue to be fairly thin, but that’s no surprise to fans. We get into Anna’s past and the war crimes that took place in Serbia, so expect the heavier subject matter when you pick up this book. Overall, fans of the series should be happy with this latest offering.

Debbiereadsbook (1321 KP) rated Switching Places (Kiss of Leather #8) in Books
May 3, 2018
I don't want this series to end!
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarian, I was gifted my copy of this book.
This is book 8 in the series, the last one currently available, but for THIS book, you don't NEED to have read the other 7 books, it's far more a stand alone than the others. BUT you SHOULD read them, to get the full picture of what Elliot has been watching happen in Kiss of Leather.
I have been equally looking forward to this book, as much as I have been dreading it. Because THIS is the book that I really REALLY wanted to read, and because this is the last book. After reading the other 7 in a short space of time, I hung onto this one, for as long as I possibly could!
Master Lucas won Tai at the auction, and they've had a good run. They both know that this might not last, not least because Master Lucas does not bottom or sub, and Tai is a switch. But also because Master Lucas needs a TPE sub, and Tai is so not into that! Adding a third to their relationship might be the answer, and Tai knows just the boy.
And Elliot is just the sweetest boy! A sweet young man who just wants to help. A sweet young man who has been majorly crushing on Tai, and Master Lucas to a point, since he started at Kiss of Leather. A sweet young man who makes a dreadful decision that requires help from Master Lucas and Tai and they come through brilliantly!
I loved this , immensely!
Elliot is such a sweetheart; Master Lucas, such a Dom and Tai fits somewhere between the two. Tai isn't bratty like Marshall (book 3) he just isn't totally subby. He and Master Lucas teach Elliot all the things he wanted to know, but never had anyone to do them with. They make it clear, right from the start, that this is not a once in a while thing, this is a permanent arrangement for as long as they all want it.
It's glorious watching Elliot come into his own, both as sub for Masters Lucas and Tai, but also at the club, behind the bar and in the kitchen. His "hobby" for food and drink gives him a great deal of confidence.
Not as emotionally wrecking as some of the other books, nor did I find it as explicit. What I did find, though, is it is a beautifully written tale of 3 men finding what and who is right for them: each other.
If this really is the end?? It's a very fitting end.
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
This is book 8 in the series, the last one currently available, but for THIS book, you don't NEED to have read the other 7 books, it's far more a stand alone than the others. BUT you SHOULD read them, to get the full picture of what Elliot has been watching happen in Kiss of Leather.
I have been equally looking forward to this book, as much as I have been dreading it. Because THIS is the book that I really REALLY wanted to read, and because this is the last book. After reading the other 7 in a short space of time, I hung onto this one, for as long as I possibly could!
Master Lucas won Tai at the auction, and they've had a good run. They both know that this might not last, not least because Master Lucas does not bottom or sub, and Tai is a switch. But also because Master Lucas needs a TPE sub, and Tai is so not into that! Adding a third to their relationship might be the answer, and Tai knows just the boy.
And Elliot is just the sweetest boy! A sweet young man who just wants to help. A sweet young man who has been majorly crushing on Tai, and Master Lucas to a point, since he started at Kiss of Leather. A sweet young man who makes a dreadful decision that requires help from Master Lucas and Tai and they come through brilliantly!
I loved this , immensely!
Elliot is such a sweetheart; Master Lucas, such a Dom and Tai fits somewhere between the two. Tai isn't bratty like Marshall (book 3) he just isn't totally subby. He and Master Lucas teach Elliot all the things he wanted to know, but never had anyone to do them with. They make it clear, right from the start, that this is not a once in a while thing, this is a permanent arrangement for as long as they all want it.
It's glorious watching Elliot come into his own, both as sub for Masters Lucas and Tai, but also at the club, behind the bar and in the kitchen. His "hobby" for food and drink gives him a great deal of confidence.
Not as emotionally wrecking as some of the other books, nor did I find it as explicit. What I did find, though, is it is a beautifully written tale of 3 men finding what and who is right for them: each other.
If this really is the end?? It's a very fitting end.
5 stars
**same worded review will appear elsewhere**

tonidavis (353 KP) rated Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Season 3 in TV
Jul 8, 2017
Faith (5 more)
Doppelgangland
Wish
Umbrella scene
Band Candy
Mr Trick
The Zeppo (1 more)
Dead man party
Another amazing season to an amazing show
Some amazing episode in this series also the introduction to Faith and Anya can't be over looked they were both amazing editions to the show." As usal the quotes where outstanding.
"You know what? I was wrong. You are an idiot. My life happens to, on occasion, suck beyond the telling of it. Sometimes more than I can handle. And it's not just mine. Every single person down there is ignoring your pain because they're too busy with their own"
I loved Band Candy and a great introduction to Jane Epson on the buffy writing team.
I think everyone got a little misty eyes watching Buffy get her umberlla award at prom.
Only reason this didnt get a 10 from me is because my most hated buffy episode is the Zeppo athough Xander is one of my favorite charcter that epsidose reallt bored me and im not a zombie fan so dead man party was also not to my taste
"You know what? I was wrong. You are an idiot. My life happens to, on occasion, suck beyond the telling of it. Sometimes more than I can handle. And it's not just mine. Every single person down there is ignoring your pain because they're too busy with their own"
I loved Band Candy and a great introduction to Jane Epson on the buffy writing team.
I think everyone got a little misty eyes watching Buffy get her umberlla award at prom.
Only reason this didnt get a 10 from me is because my most hated buffy episode is the Zeppo athough Xander is one of my favorite charcter that epsidose reallt bored me and im not a zombie fan so dead man party was also not to my taste

The Complete Euripides: Volume II: Electra and Other Plays
Book
Based on the conviction that only translators who write poetry themselves can properly re-create the...

The Innocence of Father Brown
Book
This is the first volume of Chesterton's brilliant, ingenious Father Brown stories. Ahead of a new...