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Sarah (7800 KP) rated We Need to Talk About Kevin in Books
Feb 15, 2018
Haunting
This is truly a harrowing read. This isn’t surprising considering the subject matter, but what I was surprised at is how much this book sucked me in and made me carry on reading.
The plot itself is unusual but sadly in a situation that is far too common nowadays. The story mechanism itself is interesting, and Eva writing letters to her ex-husband discussing Kevin, his life and her views on him really helps drip feed us everything we need to know just to keep us hooked. It makes you keep reading to get the full picture of Kevin’s life. Slowly building up to the event itself that are mentioned, but never discussed in detail, until right at the end. A story told by just one character is potentially dangerous, but this works really well. Yes at times the letters become a bit rambling and pretentious, but to me this is how Eva’s mind and personality are meant to come across. And the ending itself, after getting through however many pages, it is not a disappointment. It’s even safe to say I was shocked at the ending, it was in part unexpected and this has really made this book for me. It stands out.
Yes it’s a haunting read and definitely not a lighthearted one, but this is one that will really stick with you.
The plot itself is unusual but sadly in a situation that is far too common nowadays. The story mechanism itself is interesting, and Eva writing letters to her ex-husband discussing Kevin, his life and her views on him really helps drip feed us everything we need to know just to keep us hooked. It makes you keep reading to get the full picture of Kevin’s life. Slowly building up to the event itself that are mentioned, but never discussed in detail, until right at the end. A story told by just one character is potentially dangerous, but this works really well. Yes at times the letters become a bit rambling and pretentious, but to me this is how Eva’s mind and personality are meant to come across. And the ending itself, after getting through however many pages, it is not a disappointment. It’s even safe to say I was shocked at the ending, it was in part unexpected and this has really made this book for me. It stands out.
Yes it’s a haunting read and definitely not a lighthearted one, but this is one that will really stick with you.
Cynthia Armistead (17 KP) rated A Night Too Dark (Kate Shugak, #17) in Books
Mar 1, 2018
I've been somewhat uncomfortable with this series since [b:Hunter's Moon|398477|Hunter's Moon (Kate Shugak, Book 9)|Dana Stabenow|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1174429360s/398477.jpg|387933], but Stabenow has brought me all the way back into the fold now. Obviously I wasn't too far gone, as I'm still reading the series at book 17 (HM was book 9, I believe?) but Kate finally feels happy again, and that's important to me when I'm reading a series.
The mystery really was a mystery, too. There was no obvious answer, no telegraphing of the villain, motive or means. Stabenow kept me guessing, without making me feel cheated by pulling out some vital clue that the reader couldn't possibly have known.
The last scene was a bit annoying, setting up conflicts that will obviously carry on to future novels, but I was already looking forward to her next release anyway. My sole complaint is that I have to wait too long between releases for my fix. If Nora Roberts can release two "In Death" books plus however many romance books a year, can't we at least rely on one Kate Shugak book a year? I'd strongly prefer two. One Shugak and one Liam Campbell would be better! That way there'd be variety, see? Aren't I nice when I'm being a demanding brat?
The mystery really was a mystery, too. There was no obvious answer, no telegraphing of the villain, motive or means. Stabenow kept me guessing, without making me feel cheated by pulling out some vital clue that the reader couldn't possibly have known.
The last scene was a bit annoying, setting up conflicts that will obviously carry on to future novels, but I was already looking forward to her next release anyway. My sole complaint is that I have to wait too long between releases for my fix. If Nora Roberts can release two "In Death" books plus however many romance books a year, can't we at least rely on one Kate Shugak book a year? I'd strongly prefer two. One Shugak and one Liam Campbell would be better! That way there'd be variety, see? Aren't I nice when I'm being a demanding brat?
ashezbookz (32 KP) rated Three Dark Crowns in Books
Jul 5, 2018
I've rated this book 3 stars since I couldnt give it a mid range 2.5 stars. But it was a mid range 2.5 book. I HATED the beginning of this book. There was so much .. what the heck is happening .. happening in this book that I hated every second of it. I hate books with maps (not saying I hate all of them, there are a few that I like) but there was such a world being spun that I felt lost from the very beginning.
It took me until 3/4 of the way through the book to get a true feel of the world, and I just don't feel like that's a makings of a nice world - however, once that point hit in the book I felt like there was something there that I was enjoying, probably the darkness of it. However, did I enjoy it enough to carry on with the series, I'm unsure.
My favourite character by far was Kat - especially the end, though the very very last line of the book has me questioning life, so perhaps I'd change my mind about things - and continue on with the series to see where things are taken. Though if there's more tradition and whatnot crap to read I don't think I'd keep going after a few pages.. boy was that boring...........................................
It took me until 3/4 of the way through the book to get a true feel of the world, and I just don't feel like that's a makings of a nice world - however, once that point hit in the book I felt like there was something there that I was enjoying, probably the darkness of it. However, did I enjoy it enough to carry on with the series, I'm unsure.
My favourite character by far was Kat - especially the end, though the very very last line of the book has me questioning life, so perhaps I'd change my mind about things - and continue on with the series to see where things are taken. Though if there's more tradition and whatnot crap to read I don't think I'd keep going after a few pages.. boy was that boring...........................................
Sonofdel (6291 KP) rated Harry H Corbett: The Front Legs of the Cow in Books
Oct 31, 2019
Insightful, Poignant and Revealing
I started reading this after only knowing of Harry H Corvett in Steptoe and son as Harold the long suffering son of Albert (Wilfrid Brambell) and also n Carry on Screaming as Sidney Bung. I never realised what an accomplished actor he was at this point. After reading this amazing insight into his life i have realsied how versatile an actor he really was. With this being written by his daughter i expected a lot of fawning sentimentality and i am glad that i was proved wrong. This is a very revealing, moving and motivational book written with care and consideration. As well as her own personal experiences she draws on people from stage and screen that include but are not limited to Bryan Murphy, Lynda Baron and writers such as Ray Galton and Alan Simpson. One of the best bigraphies i have read for a very long time. Its a long book and tells of the history of the various theatres that Harry worked at and for but i found this interesting rather than distracting. This also includes a section at the end that debunks some of the myths associated with Steptoe and Son (them hating each other, Wilfrid Brambell always being drunk etc). All in all a five star read.
JT (287 KP) rated Rim of the World (2019) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
Given the success of Stranger Things it would seem that the mismatched relationship of a group of adolescent teens would make for great viewing. The format has had plenty of success in the past, think The Goonies and Lost Boys, but here it just seems tiresome and flat.
Teens at a summer camp get caught up in an alien invasion which leaves them with the option – whether to save the world or not – they do of course. And so begins a quest to through California to deliver an important piece of information that holds the key to defeating the alien race. Director McG really doesn’t have a grip on this one, relying on toilet humour and a pointless romantic sub plot to carry the film through to its final conclusion.
Makes me want to have kids just so I can insist they don’t watch this
Where the above mentioned films had a real sense of 80s nostalgia and a group of kids who you genuinely had an interest in, Rim of the World feels like an interlude to the next big retro throwback. Picking four stereotypes which pretty much cover off the socially inept and outcast, is almost annoying. Poor jokes and not very good special effects does little to elevate it to a Netflix success.
Teens at a summer camp get caught up in an alien invasion which leaves them with the option – whether to save the world or not – they do of course. And so begins a quest to through California to deliver an important piece of information that holds the key to defeating the alien race. Director McG really doesn’t have a grip on this one, relying on toilet humour and a pointless romantic sub plot to carry the film through to its final conclusion.
Makes me want to have kids just so I can insist they don’t watch this
Where the above mentioned films had a real sense of 80s nostalgia and a group of kids who you genuinely had an interest in, Rim of the World feels like an interlude to the next big retro throwback. Picking four stereotypes which pretty much cover off the socially inept and outcast, is almost annoying. Poor jokes and not very good special effects does little to elevate it to a Netflix success.
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