
Crystal (148 KP) rated Ready Player One in Books
Jun 4, 2018 (Updated Jun 8, 2018)
I say this book is a bit of a slow starter and that is because of the world building. We get to know the main character and his in real life daily issues and also the craftsmanship of the fully immersive VR world that is the Oasis. I felt like I was plugging in along with the other players.
Synopsis: The story takes place in the very near future. Sky rocketing gas prices have forced people to give up driving. Most people now actually work in a VR office rather than commuting. The economy has fallen apart and people depend on the Oasis for everything. The big baddie is a mega corporation that wants to control the Oasis, and in turn control the country/world. Regular kids raised by the Oasis take on this corporation simply by trying to win an Easter egg hunt set up by the games founder. The stakes are high. What starts off as a contest quickly becomes a matter of life and death as our heroes get closer to solving the quest and winning it all.

Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated The Hunt (2020) in Movies
Mar 11, 2020
The film involves a group of people who wake up gagged in a field and soon find themselves being hunted by a group of unknown individuals.
After a bloody and brutal initial encounter; the remaining individuals head out into the surrounding area and soon becomes a situation with far more questions than answers.
One of the Hunted is Crystal (Betty Gilpin) deduces that things are much more complex then they seem and things take a turn in a new direction.
At this point in the film I was thinking that it was lacking any real tension or suspense as the characters were not overly developed and it made investing in their outcome difficult. The film then changes direction and looks at events of the past and also explains more about the Hunters and their motivations which is somewhat unexpected.
The film is a very difficult one to review as people will expect it to be an Action/Suspense film based on the trailers. That is really just a small part of the story which is actually closer to a Dark Comedy with heavy political overtones.
Those overtones are likely to be very controversial and may put people off from seeing the film. During my post-screening comments I said that I am going to need some time to wrap my head around this film as to if I liked it or not. It is easy to dismiss it as propaganda but it is an interesting hybrid that regardless of where you stand; does make you think.

Marrying Bipolar: The Highs and Lows of Loving Someone with a Mental Illness
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A Christmas to Die For
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Drink way too much tequila at the office Christmas party? Check. Get fired after doing something...
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Ten Below Zero
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Debbiereadsbook (1487 KP) rated Abandon Station (Dyson Bridge #1) in Books
May 6, 2024
So, here's the thing, right?
I am mighty, MIGHTY annoyed at this book. Why? Because I thought it was a complete story, and it's not: it finishes on a cliffhanger I did not see coming at me, and I hate that! I wasn't prepared, I really wasn't, when it ended, and I am not happy.
It was a great read, though! I was fully engrossed in Merida and her people.
In the now Earth, it was a bit technical,but I kinda read those bits and glanced over the technical jargon used. In the NEW Earth, things were more understandable and I could even follow the politics! There's a lot going on that she isn't privy to, and her people are in danger of being stranded.
But peeps? That cliffhanger means I gotta wait to find out if Merida can get home, if she can find all her people from across the globe, and if her ex gets whatever he deserves!
A quick glance, and I cannot see when I might get my hands on book 2, either. So now, I'm doubly annoyed, with a review to write. Why do I put myself through this, you ask? Let me tell you.
To find books and authors like this: out of my comfort zone and new to me. I loved this book, bar that ending and I'm very pleased, as well as annoyed, that I got to read it.
4 most EXCELLENT stars
*same worded review will appear elsewhere

Germany Social - Dating App. Meet German Singles
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Germany Social is a new cool and user friendly online dating and matchmaking app who is looking for...

Night Reader Reviews (683 KP) rated Nutritional Herbs for Optimal Health in Books
Feb 4, 2020
Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal and nutritional properties. In fact they were the first form of medicine we had long before our current manufactured medicine became a thing. This book details the way some herbs used to be used before modern medicine took over and how they may still be used today. It also covers some of the illnesses people of today face and the deficiencies that cause them. It explains why and how specific herbs can help with some of these illnesses.
While the book has a large focus on Nettles (yes that stinging plant that many outdoors families were taught to avoid, at least where I live) for arthritis and kelp for the heart and thyroid other useful plants were mentioned. Comfrey will be a herb that many readers will want to keep on hand after learning about how it can speed up healing wounds significantly. Those prone to nausea will learn to keep Dandelion on hand and some Yaroow for toothaches and those hemorrhoids no one ever want to talk about. Don’t know how to properly use, prepare, or administer these herbs? Don’t worry all that is covered as well.
I really enjoyed how the author went into the historic uses of some of the herbs mentioned. It was especially interesting to learn how Stinging Nettle would directly be hit on the skin of a person suffering from Arthritis to increase circulation in order to reduce pain. I was disapointed that there was not a larger range of herbs mentioned. The book only talks about around twenty-three herbs total and some of those only got one short paragraph. Alos out of those few herbs mentioned only and a handful have pictures with them. Finally, my last complaint is that it talks about specific mineral or element deficiencies that can be treated with herbs more than the herbs themselves.
To be completely honest the only people who are going to really enjoy this book are health-conscious adults. This is largely because of the informative topic and the fact that this book is more of a handbook or guide. I rate this book 2 out of 4. While I did enjoy the information in this book it felt like there wasn’t that much offered. The lack of images and diversity of the herbs mentioned was a real let-down from me. Between that and the author frequently referring to or mentioning other books she wrote this book felt more like a teaser or sample and not the full thing.
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