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Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated A Grand Man ( Mary Ann series 1) in Books
Apr 23, 2024
75 of 220
Book
A Grand Man ( Mary Ann series 1)
By Catherine Cookson
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Set on Tyneside, the part of the world which Catherine Cookson knew and understood so well, this heartwarming and humorously observed book skillfully weds an authentic and unsentimentalized background to the kind of fairytale story that we all like to believe could come true and which the Mary Ann Shaughnessys of this world know to be true.
A little girls love for her Da is priceless. Catherine Cookson brings live and determination to all her books. This is the first in the Mary Ann Shaughnessy books a little girls journey in a tough environment. Love this author.
Book
A Grand Man ( Mary Ann series 1)
By Catherine Cookson
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Set on Tyneside, the part of the world which Catherine Cookson knew and understood so well, this heartwarming and humorously observed book skillfully weds an authentic and unsentimentalized background to the kind of fairytale story that we all like to believe could come true and which the Mary Ann Shaughnessys of this world know to be true.
A little girls love for her Da is priceless. Catherine Cookson brings live and determination to all her books. This is the first in the Mary Ann Shaughnessy books a little girls journey in a tough environment. Love this author.
Merissa (14046 KP) rated The Murderess Must Die in Books
Sep 3, 2021 (Updated Jul 14, 2023)
THE MURDERESS MUST DIE is a fictional telling of a true crime. Most of the main characters are from newspaper articles of the time and pieced together to make a story.
Was Mattie Place insane? Or a madly jealous stepmother? Or was she someone who had just reached her limit? We will never know for sure, but the author brings her to life and raises questions. As the first woman to be killed by the electric chair, she has some notoriety but has never had a voice.
Told from multiple perspectives, I wasn't sure, to begin with just who was who, apart from Mattie, but as the story continued, the other players slotted into place and showed how a story can be changed by the omission of facts, or just by being told a certain way.
I found this story to be absolutely captivating and loved the last entry by Mr Knittle. The questions 'he' raised were good ones and it does make you wonder if it had been any different if those answers had been found.
I love true crime and I love stories based upon true crime. This one kept my attention and got me thinking, which is always a good thing in my book. A fascinating read that kept me turning the pages and one I definitely recommend.
** 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!
Sep 3, 2021
Was Mattie Place insane? Or a madly jealous stepmother? Or was she someone who had just reached her limit? We will never know for sure, but the author brings her to life and raises questions. As the first woman to be killed by the electric chair, she has some notoriety but has never had a voice.
Told from multiple perspectives, I wasn't sure, to begin with just who was who, apart from Mattie, but as the story continued, the other players slotted into place and showed how a story can be changed by the omission of facts, or just by being told a certain way.
I found this story to be absolutely captivating and loved the last entry by Mr Knittle. The questions 'he' raised were good ones and it does make you wonder if it had been any different if those answers had been found.
I love true crime and I love stories based upon true crime. This one kept my attention and got me thinking, which is always a good thing in my book. A fascinating read that kept me turning the pages and one I definitely recommend.
** 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!
Sep 3, 2021
Communism for Kids
Sophie Lewis, Bini Adamczak and Jacob Blumenfeld
Book
Once upon a time, people yearned to be free of the misery of capitalism. How could their dreams come...
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Johnny Frank Garrett's Last Word (2016) in Movies
Sep 7, 2017
Disappointing even though it's based on a terrifying true story
I was looking forward to watch this film given that the story of Johnny Frank Garrett is on par with the real life mysteries of Amityville and The Omen. However, the film completely missed the point and went straight to a Rob Zombie type horror film.
Garrett was executed in reality in 1992 following the rape and murder of a nun. On what many believe shoddy evidence, he was found guilty despite proclaiming his innocence throughout. His last words were chillingly prophetic as much of what he said allegedly came true.
Many of those involved in the case including jury members met mysterious deaths as well as their family members post-execution. And this is where this filmmaker came in. Instead of exploring the connections and insanity of the deaths itself, he turns Garrett into a demon-like character which makes the whole film a bit of a joke. What a disappointment.
Garrett was executed in reality in 1992 following the rape and murder of a nun. On what many believe shoddy evidence, he was found guilty despite proclaiming his innocence throughout. His last words were chillingly prophetic as much of what he said allegedly came true.
Many of those involved in the case including jury members met mysterious deaths as well as their family members post-execution. And this is where this filmmaker came in. Instead of exploring the connections and insanity of the deaths itself, he turns Garrett into a demon-like character which makes the whole film a bit of a joke. What a disappointment.
Lindsay (1812 KP) rated Spring Fling Kitty in Books
Apr 9, 2019
It all starts when Nadine is in a tree chasing her cat "Greyheart". Her father does one thing that gets it all in the motion.
It gets even better and more twist and turns as you read the story. It is mostly about Nadine and Connor Hart. What makes it even more entertaining is that Michael and Elaine and Nadine want to have their father worry about their lives.
Does Nadine father love her or not? To find out you would need to read the story. Michael wants something, but what is the question.
Connor is bugged about his love life though his family and sisters. Who is Connor true love? Nadine does not want to play second fiddle or be a side piece to any man. Will Nadine get her wish and is Connor Hart, her true love? Elaine is an older half sister to Nadine will she help her sister or is she using Nadine for herself?
It gets even better and more twist and turns as you read the story. It is mostly about Nadine and Connor Hart. What makes it even more entertaining is that Michael and Elaine and Nadine want to have their father worry about their lives.
Does Nadine father love her or not? To find out you would need to read the story. Michael wants something, but what is the question.
Connor is bugged about his love life though his family and sisters. Who is Connor true love? Nadine does not want to play second fiddle or be a side piece to any man. Will Nadine get her wish and is Connor Hart, her true love? Elaine is an older half sister to Nadine will she help her sister or is she using Nadine for herself?
Zuky the BookBum (15 KP) rated Dog in Books
Mar 15, 2018
I enjoyed this short story more than it seems others did. I don't know anything about Mexican culture and so I cannot understand the inaccuracies in this book, but I wholeheartedly understand the difficulties people will have with this novella if they are aware of true Mexican culture. For me this was purely fictional, the comments about Mexico didn't settle in my head as correct or accurate, I'd only take things as true if this was non-fiction or a documentary, though I'm always still happy to be corrected and to learn!
A creepy novella that I found fun to read. I wasn't so keen on all the sudden turn of events. The beginning of the story was drawn out and really let you into the narrators life whereas it just seemed to get rushed towards the end.
Thrilling and different. It was a nice change to the things I'm used to reading.
A creepy novella that I found fun to read. I wasn't so keen on all the sudden turn of events. The beginning of the story was drawn out and really let you into the narrators life whereas it just seemed to get rushed towards the end.
Thrilling and different. It was a nice change to the things I'm used to reading.
Nick Beaty (70 KP) rated Green Book (2018) in Movies
Jan 10, 2020 (Updated Jan 10, 2020)
Worthy best picture winner...
Green Book is the incredible true story of an Italian American bouncer Tony 'Lip', who is paid to drive and protect an African American pianist Dr. Donald Shirley, through the American deep south in 1962 when racial tension was very high.
Let's start off by saying this was definitely a worthy best picture winner at the 2019 Oscars ceremony. You can follow that up with an excellent Oscar nominated performance from Viggo Mortensen and an absolutely superb Oscar winning turn from the brilliant Mahershala Ali.
The beautiful thing about this movie is the chemistry between the two lead actors. Mortensen and Ali bounce off each other for the whole two hours, they will make you laugh, cry and generally their performances just make you feel good inside.
To wrap things up, superb acting, a beautiful story and very good directing from Peter Farrelly who is better known for his controversial comedies, really make this a must see movie for any true film fan.
Let's start off by saying this was definitely a worthy best picture winner at the 2019 Oscars ceremony. You can follow that up with an excellent Oscar nominated performance from Viggo Mortensen and an absolutely superb Oscar winning turn from the brilliant Mahershala Ali.
The beautiful thing about this movie is the chemistry between the two lead actors. Mortensen and Ali bounce off each other for the whole two hours, they will make you laugh, cry and generally their performances just make you feel good inside.
To wrap things up, superb acting, a beautiful story and very good directing from Peter Farrelly who is better known for his controversial comedies, really make this a must see movie for any true film fan.
Darkness Descending
Book
An astonishing true story of mountaineering survival On 5 January 2003, former Special Forces...
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated We Were Soldiers (2002) in Movies
Jul 22, 2020 (Updated Jul 22, 2020)
The Hearts of Brave Soldiers
We Were Soilders- is a little long and some what slow but wants it comes to the war/action it does a excellent job and does a excellent job depicting the true story of the first major battle between the United States and North Vietnamese forces and the brave soilders who went out and fought for our country.
The plot: Based upon the best-selling book "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young" by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and journalist Joseph L. Galloway, this compelling war drama depicts the true story of the first major battle between the United States and North Vietnamese forces. It is a film about uncommon valor and nobility under fire, loyalty among soldiers, and the heroism and sacrifice of men and women both home and abroad.
Its a excellent history war drama and if you havent seen it. It is a must.
The plot: Based upon the best-selling book "We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young" by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and journalist Joseph L. Galloway, this compelling war drama depicts the true story of the first major battle between the United States and North Vietnamese forces. It is a film about uncommon valor and nobility under fire, loyalty among soldiers, and the heroism and sacrifice of men and women both home and abroad.
Its a excellent history war drama and if you havent seen it. It is a must.
The Fifty-Year Mission: The Next 25 Years:From The Next Generation to J. J. Abrams: Volume 2
Edward Gross and Mark A. Altman
Book
This is the true story behind the making of a television legend. There have been many books written...