Search
Search results
ClareR (5869 KP) rated Antiemetic for Homesickness in Books
Nov 28, 2020
I don’t often review poetry, because I just don’t have the experience to do so effectively, I think. But I do like to read poetry, and listen to it being read. This book of poems centres around the poets lived experience - leaving the Philippines as an older teenager and coming to live in the UK with her mother, a nurse in the NHS, and the rest of her family. As it says in the title of the book, there is a real feeling of homesickness and guilt of having left family behind. The wish to hold on to her heritage comes across strongly as well. At the same time, Ante’s life and work as a nurse in the NHS is in many of these poems - the hard work, the racism she encounters and the care she takes of her patients.
I really enjoyed the glimpses into life in the Philippines, and I made good use of the ‘Boodle Fight of Words and Terminologies’, the notes and Google translate (it’s the linguist in me 🤷🏼♀️) It sounds like hard work, doesn’t it - but it wasn’t. This will be a book that goes on my poetry shelf (yes, I have one!) that I will revisit often, I think.
Thank you to Vintage Books for sending me this book - it’s always worth entering the competition because sometimes I do win!!
I really enjoyed the glimpses into life in the Philippines, and I made good use of the ‘Boodle Fight of Words and Terminologies’, the notes and Google translate (it’s the linguist in me 🤷🏼♀️) It sounds like hard work, doesn’t it - but it wasn’t. This will be a book that goes on my poetry shelf (yes, I have one!) that I will revisit often, I think.
Thank you to Vintage Books for sending me this book - it’s always worth entering the competition because sometimes I do win!!
Hazel (2934 KP) rated The Spiral in Books
Dec 20, 2020
If there is one thing I really don't like, it's not finishing a book. Luckily, it doesn't happen very often but, unfortunately, I was unable to finish The Spiral.
Why? Well, I read to escape; I have enough complication in my work life so I tend not to read anything that takes too many brain cells as there aren't that many left after a day at work but this book just had me totally bemused almost from the very beginning and I just didn't have the stamina to continue.
I struggled to get into the story, develop any feelings for the characters either way and I just ended up being completed baffled by the whole thing so much so that I just had to give up in order to remain sane!
As I said, I don't like not finishing a book and I really try to keep going but I just couldn't with this and I therefore have to apologise to the author. I am acutely aware that this book will definitely appeal to lots of people but it just wasn't for me.
I would like to thank Zaffre Books / Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
The Spiral is due to be published on 31st December 2020 and I wish it good luck.
Why? Well, I read to escape; I have enough complication in my work life so I tend not to read anything that takes too many brain cells as there aren't that many left after a day at work but this book just had me totally bemused almost from the very beginning and I just didn't have the stamina to continue.
I struggled to get into the story, develop any feelings for the characters either way and I just ended up being completed baffled by the whole thing so much so that I just had to give up in order to remain sane!
As I said, I don't like not finishing a book and I really try to keep going but I just couldn't with this and I therefore have to apologise to the author. I am acutely aware that this book will definitely appeal to lots of people but it just wasn't for me.
I would like to thank Zaffre Books / Bonnier Books UK and NetGalley for my advance copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
The Spiral is due to be published on 31st December 2020 and I wish it good luck.
Bong Mines Entertainment (15 KP) rated Somewhere New - Single by Gavin Beach in Music
Jun 26, 2019
Laurel Laxxes (Nicholas Cummins) is an electronic producer from Byron Bay, Australia. Not too long ago, he released a groovy electro-pop tune, entitled, “Somewhere New”, featuring singer-songwriter Gavin Beach.
“I was living such an incredible life at this point. Being enamored with the new landscapes I was finding myself in around Europe whilst being afforded the opportunity to collaborate with international artists left me feeling so inspired and positive.” – Laure Laxxes
The first drafts of “Somewhere New” were written around the time Laurel Laxxes was working at Acapela Studios in Cardiff, UK.
The incredible visual landscapes from that area inspired him to create the lush sounds found in “Somewhere New”.
Shortly afterward, he was introduced to Gavin Beach, and the two artists hit it off for what would be a successful partnership.
“I met Gavin and his producer at the studio in the hills and instantly fell in love with his voice. Also, I admired his laid back and respectful personality. Upon returning to Australia, I knew I had to get him on the track, knowing his vocals would sit perfectly in the track and absolutely shine where they needed to.” – Laure Laxxes
‘Somewhere New’ contains a relatable storyline and soulful vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses harmonious instrumentation scented with unique blends of atmospheric electronica sounds.
“I was living such an incredible life at this point. Being enamored with the new landscapes I was finding myself in around Europe whilst being afforded the opportunity to collaborate with international artists left me feeling so inspired and positive.” – Laure Laxxes
The first drafts of “Somewhere New” were written around the time Laurel Laxxes was working at Acapela Studios in Cardiff, UK.
The incredible visual landscapes from that area inspired him to create the lush sounds found in “Somewhere New”.
Shortly afterward, he was introduced to Gavin Beach, and the two artists hit it off for what would be a successful partnership.
“I met Gavin and his producer at the studio in the hills and instantly fell in love with his voice. Also, I admired his laid back and respectful personality. Upon returning to Australia, I knew I had to get him on the track, knowing his vocals would sit perfectly in the track and absolutely shine where they needed to.” – Laure Laxxes
‘Somewhere New’ contains a relatable storyline and soulful vocals. Also, the likable tune possesses harmonious instrumentation scented with unique blends of atmospheric electronica sounds.
Rikki Hammond (33 KP) rated Mapominoes Europe in Tabletop Games
Jun 27, 2019
Quick to play (1 more)
Learn some facts whilst playing
It's Dominies, With Countries
Mapomi ies is a very sinple card game, where the aim is to get rid of all your country cards before anyone else.
Each card has a country in the middle, with the countries that border it around the edge. To play a card, you have to lay a card down that borders another country already laid down. For example, the UK borders Ireland, so you can only lay one down next to the other
Some cointries have no bordering countries, so a transit card has to be used. These can be used to represent bodies of water, or other countries (even ones that are out already) and can be used to lay a country card down, that is otherwise impossible to play
There are additional rules you can use, like forcing people to lay their cards down in geographical accuracy, but I find this needlessley overcomplicates the game. There may also be times where you physically can't play a card, due to someone else not laying one of their own, thereby shutting you out of the game for a bit.
Overall, Mapominoes is a very simple card game, which can be combined with other packs, to create an even bigger finished product.
Each card has a country in the middle, with the countries that border it around the edge. To play a card, you have to lay a card down that borders another country already laid down. For example, the UK borders Ireland, so you can only lay one down next to the other
Some cointries have no bordering countries, so a transit card has to be used. These can be used to represent bodies of water, or other countries (even ones that are out already) and can be used to lay a country card down, that is otherwise impossible to play
There are additional rules you can use, like forcing people to lay their cards down in geographical accuracy, but I find this needlessley overcomplicates the game. There may also be times where you physically can't play a card, due to someone else not laying one of their own, thereby shutting you out of the game for a bit.
Overall, Mapominoes is a very simple card game, which can be combined with other packs, to create an even bigger finished product.
Bob Mann (459 KP) rated Apollo 11 (2019) in Movies
Jul 10, 2019
Brilliant documentary footage (1 more)
(Still) nail-biting landing scenes
A giant leap for mankind?
It's the Apollo 11 mission. That's it. No annoying voiceover from Clooney or Gosling spouting truisms (provided you ignore Walter Kronkite's occasional excellent and sonorous TV commentary). Just extraordinary footage from July 1969 of the 8 day mission and the days immediately preceeding (and in the end titles, following) that historic event.
A brilliant documentary that deserves to be seen at the cinema, and on as big a screen as you can manage to find. It only seems to have a limited UK release (I saw it at our local Picturehouse cinema), but it is really worth going out of your way to catch if you can. A film that properly provides you with a view of our blue oasis of a world from afar: and critically what we might be doing to it.
I also thought it should make humanity feel rather ashamed of itself: if man took those great leaps in the 10 years after JFK's famous speech, what has really been achieved in manned space travel in the 50 years since? On Earth's report card it should say "C- .... could do better".
For the full review, see here - https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/07/10/one-manns-movies-film-review-apollo-11-2019/
A brilliant documentary that deserves to be seen at the cinema, and on as big a screen as you can manage to find. It only seems to have a limited UK release (I saw it at our local Picturehouse cinema), but it is really worth going out of your way to catch if you can. A film that properly provides you with a view of our blue oasis of a world from afar: and critically what we might be doing to it.
I also thought it should make humanity feel rather ashamed of itself: if man took those great leaps in the 10 years after JFK's famous speech, what has really been achieved in manned space travel in the 50 years since? On Earth's report card it should say "C- .... could do better".
For the full review, see here - https://bob-the-movie-man.com/2019/07/10/one-manns-movies-film-review-apollo-11-2019/
Aquarium Live HD +
Entertainment and Photo & Video
App
Turn your iPhone/iPad into a beautiful aquarium! Very relaxing to have running in the background...
Private Photo Vault - Pic Safe
Photo & Video and Utilities
App
The Best and Most Private Photo and Video App for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch. Millions of people trust...
RoomScan Pro
Utilities and Productivity
App
RoomScan Pro is the only app with three great ways to get a floor plan, making sure it always gets...
The Maddie Diaries
Book
Teen dance prodigy, breakout Dance Moms star, and judge on So You Think you Can Dance: The Next...
Biography dance
What Does This Button Do?: An Autobiography
Book
The first print run of the UK hardback edition will have black sprayed edges. In order to guarantee...
Music biography