Search

Search only in certain items:

A is for Aftercare (The Alphabet of Desire #1)
A is for Aftercare (The Alphabet of Desire #1)
Colette Davison | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
focuses more on the care a Daddy gives
Independent reviewer for Archaeolibrarain, I was gifted my copy of this book.

Archie gets a job as PA for his favourite author and finds himself wanting to do so much than manage his diary. Hamish is is a grumpy so and so, but the young Archie becomes his muse very quickly. When one of Archie's brothers gets an invite to an adult party, both Archie and Hamish see the other in a different way.

I really really enjoyed this! It focuses more on the CARE a Daddy gives, in all ways, rather than the sex part, and I loved that I found it equally warm and fuzzies/too stinking cute and smexy!

It's not especially taxing on the brain, no complicated plot line or too much trauma to either of them, and I appreciated that right about now.

I loved that Archie and Hamish get on well together, as boss/employee, as friends, and then as Daddy/boy. They really are perfect for each other, they fit so well together. I loved Hamish's friends, and seeing how they might fit into future books. I loved the ABC triplets and I really look forward to reading Blake and Corey's tales!

It says 230 odd pages, but I didn't think it was that long. I really got sucked in with these two and time flew.

4 good solid stars

**same worded review will appear elsewhere**
  
40x40

Mick Hucknall recommended Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan in Music (curated)

 
Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan by Bob Dylan
1962 | Folk
8.0 (4 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I love this record. Of course Bob Dylan is a genius, and most of the acknowledgements of Dylan are for his compositions. These tracks, many of them I think are traditional songs, there's one or two originals. I love listening to this all the way through. His extraordinary rendition of 'The House Of The Rising Sun' is somehow overlooked. It amazes me. I know the Animals' one is brilliant, but I prefer the Dylan one, because it just tears your heart open. You really get a strong sense of the meaning of the lyric when Dylan does it, the melancholy of it. I think the reason why I love it is, you get the sense of the beginning of something. You know, this guy's gonna have a future. The simplicity of it, as well. It's just this guy with a harmonica and a guitar, yet it's profound. And I think credit has to be given to [producer] John Hammond as well, who's one of my great heroes. What a guy. A champion of African American music, yet at the same time, a champion of bringing white music and black music together. That to me is the message of the last century, more than anything. It's not separating the two, it's what they did together. You wouldn't have a job, and probably I wouldn't [laughs], without that marriage, because rock music wouldn't have happened without it, it wouldn't even exist."

Source
  
The Cancer Ladies' Running Club
The Cancer Ladies' Running Club
Josie Lloyd | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Medical & Veterinary
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I just couldn’t put this book down! It was such an easy read, but also one that made me laugh, cry and think about my own mortality all at the same time.

We follow Keira as she is getting a diagnosis of breast cancer, after always believing that she doesn’t get ill. We go with her as she battles her cancer as well as battling through the trials of every day life: being a mum, being a wife and owning a business. I really felt for her when things started to go wrong in different aspects of her life and felt her frustration when she felt that people weren’t being supportive or had started treating her differently.

Keira ends up speaking to a woman outside the hospital, who becomes one of her rocks throughout her treatment. Tamsin just happened to come along at exactly the right time for Keira, and together, along with two other women they meet along the way (Amma and Sian) they create the Cancer Ladies’ Running Club. The women go through so much together, all either going through treatment at the same time or having just finished treatment. They talk about how people have changed towards them and have their own personal rants about what is going on in their lives whilst all supporting each other.

I honestly didn’t want to put this book down and have loved every word of it. A definite 5 star from me!
  
40x40

Kim Gordon recommended Bay Head by Gunn-Truscinski Duo in Music (curated)

 
Bay Head by Gunn-Truscinski Duo
Bay Head by Gunn-Truscinski Duo
2017 | Psychedelic, Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"Even though this album is instrumental it kind of feels like there are lyrics telling a story. But I couldn't really tell you what the story was. It isn't the same as certain atmospheric music. I can kind of understand their telepathic instinct with playing with Bill - there's a certain communication there. With Gunn-Truscinski Duo, their songs are worked out but then they do improv within that, I guess. - Kim Gordon I've known those guys for so long that I've gotten to see them grow and change as a duo. I think I set up one of their earliest shows. I've known John (Truscinski) since we were 18-years-old, so we've been playing music together since we were kids. So I've got to see the band develop like that and on this new one, I just feel like they're really stretching out in these really interesting ways and approaching the compositions differently than the first two records do. It's just exciting to hear them keep working. I don't want to speak for them but I'm pretty sure it's all written in advance, but with little moments, especially live, that they can stretch out and play with. They have really good chemistry. As usual with music like this, the record is partial ideas of what they can do live. Seeing them live, they've been playing together for a really long time and they can push at different points and it's really cool to see."

Source
  
The Raven King (All for the Game, #2)
The Raven King (All for the Game, #2)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
So this one picks up a few days after the events of the first with everyone dealing with the death of one of their team. Neil has slowly been pulled into Kevin and Andrew's crew and is coming to terms with the fact that Riko has it in for him.

I do feel a little like this series should have been reviewed as one thing, really, as the story continues across all three but it would be one thick arse book if the author had done that.

Every single team member has grown on me a lot with this book. They are finally coming together thanks to Neil who has been straddling both halfs of the team, starting to settle into his life at Palmetto and making friends. I thought Nicky summed it up brilliantly with this quote:

"Oh, you just might be the best thing to happen to the Foxes."

This one has some dark scenes in it like the first but they affected my feelings in regards to a certain character more this time around. I'm just glad that Neil was being a super sleuth and managed to put it all together with all the little titbits that had been thrown out.

I've already started book 3 because I am slightly obsessed with this series right now, despite its lack of romance up to this point. Will review it when I'm done!
  
Seizure (Virals, #2)
Seizure (Virals, #2)
Kathy Reichs | 2011 | Fiction & Poetry
8
9.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The second book in the Virals series by Kathy Reichs, Seizure, follows Tory, Ben, Shelton and Hi through their next insanely tough adventure. New characters and threats are introduced, and a certain character re-visited.

Even longer than the first book at a whopping 491 pages, Seizure an look a little daunting at first. However, the length makes it perfect for dozens of unexpected twists and hurdles for the Virals to overcome. The Prologue sets the book off to an interesting start, and connections are made throughout the story.

Relatively different to Virals, the group's aim in this sequel is to prevent LIRI from being shut down, and keep Loggerhead available for them to visit. They put together dozens of clues to every unsolved mystery they come across, but I personally found the consequences a little too consequential and hard to believe and their ideas to be rather far-fetched at times. But hey, that's what adventure books are all about, right?

Again, similar typos to before were found, and the writing style is obviously as straight-forward most of the time. Despite being so unbelievable throughout, everything is very cleverly planned and put together. It's an exciting read that brings out both fear and joy for the group of Virals. I'm also going to give this Virals book 3.5/4 stars out of 5.

Read my review of the first book here: https://bookmarkedreading.wordpress.com/2015/09/09/book-review-virals/
  
Promises (Coda Books, #1)
Promises (Coda Books, #1)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I got really into this yesterday and more or less read it in one sitting.

The first half, for me, was 5 star worthy because I was drawn into their story and I think I felt the same things that Jared did in regards to Matt. I wanted them to get together so bad and when something happened to stop it, I wanted to throw my Kindle. Seeing how Matt was determined to be straight while slowly spending more and more time with Jared and touching him in ways that a straight man wouldn't. It was lovely reading.

The second half, for me, was 3 star worthy because when they did finally get together after a lot of arguing, Jared turned into a bit of a hypocrite in regards to other people knowing about them in their little town. It felt like he'd pushed Matt into being with him only to be ashamed of him and it drove me crazy, making me want to chuck my kindle at the wall again.

Luckily, it was quickly resolved and it went back to being a really cute relationship.

I really liked both men but I think Matt was my favourite of the two; I think it was his gentleness with Jared--and the hair obsession--I just thought it was really sweet.

A 4 star review from me and I look forward to reading more books by the author.
  
Bishop Takes Knight (Redclaw Origins #1)
Bishop Takes Knight (Redclaw Origins #1)
McKenna Dean | 2019 | History & Politics, Paranormal, Romance
10
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
BISHOP TAKES KNIGHT is the first book in the Redclaw Origins series. Now, I have read two books of the Redclaw Security series, and thoroughly enjoyed them. So I was intrigued by the thought of going back to see where it all began. I was NOT disappointed.

This book takes you back to the 1950s, with socialites, and women trying to find their way into work now the men are back. There is so much glamour in this book. I loved it! The story is twisted and intriguing, with plenty of humour and wit to keep you going.

Rhett Bishop is full of sass, determined to make her own way and not rely on friend's handouts. Peter Knight thinks he has reached the bottom, only to discover things aren't as bad as he thought. These two end up working together and taking advantage when life hands them opportunities.

There are no steamy moments in this book, but don't you worry. There is tension aplenty and you just know they will end together with fireworks. You just don't see anything apart from one kiss. Trust me, this is absolutely perfect, and exactly as it should be in this book.

This book was the 'living end' that I devoured in one sitting. Between Delilah and the flaming chicken, I couldn't put it down. I really can't recommend this highly enough, and I can't wait for the next book.

Just read it. You'll see what I mean!
  
The Farewell (2019)
The Farewell (2019)
2019 | Comedy, Drama
In the West, families celebrate each other in death. If someone is dying, the news is shared and every one comes together to tragically revere their family member. In the West, they celebrate their family member in life. They do not let someone know that they are dying instead bringing a sense of joy by coming together. This culture clash between the New World ideas and Old World ideas populate Lulu Wang's new film "The Farewell." The family matriach has stage 4 cancer, but rather than tell her that she is dying, the two brothers and their families stage a wedding. One son emigrated to America and raised a liberal arts educated daughter who struggles to make ends meet. One son went to Japan and raised his son. Left behind, the sister and a niece took care of their mother. It is revealed how much the sister has sacrificed for this matriach, but she is happy to give her sister the joy to live. Is it wrong to tell a lie if it makes a person's life better? Which idea of death do you follow? Awkwafina gives a surprising performance as Billi, the Asian-American artist who loves her grandmother and struggles to understand how this lie is good. Shuzhen Zhao plays Nai Nai, the family matriach, with spirit and style, the kind of performance Oscar would notice if they gave notice to Asian performances.