Search
Search results
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated The Almost Moon in Books
Feb 8, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. I wanted to ignore the (bad) hype and enjoy it, I really did. I really enjoyed "The Lovely Bones," and I'd like to think I went in to the story with an open mind, despite all the bad press. But I just couldn't do it... it wasn't even the subject matter, as much as the fact that I just didn't like it. I didn't like the story and I had no empathy for the main character. I know we were supposed to read about her childhood and feel sorry for her, but I didn't. I couldn't identify with her, I didn't like her, and I just couldn't get into the story she was telling. I only finished the book because it was like a train wreck... I just couldn't turn away.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Bloom and Doom (Bridal Bouquet Shop Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Audrey Bloom and her cousin Liz are co-owners of a flower shop that specializes in bridal bouquets. Their latest client is Jenny, a childhood friend of Audrey's, who is marring the most eligible bachelor in the county. However, the morning after Jenny breaks off her engagement to Derek, Derek is found dead in his car with Jenny as the only suspect. Did she do it?
I loved the characters. They were charming and engaging right from the start, and I couldn't wait to read more. The plot did slow down a bit in the middle, but it picked up again for the ending. Tidbits on the meaning of flowers and some humor just added to the fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-bloom-and-doom-by-beverly.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I loved the characters. They were charming and engaging right from the start, and I couldn't wait to read more. The plot did slow down a bit in the middle, but it picked up again for the ending. Tidbits on the meaning of flowers and some humor just added to the fun.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-bloom-and-doom-by-beverly.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Out from the Underworld in Books
Feb 15, 2018 (Updated Apr 9, 2019)
The story starts out by having Heather with her daughter and visiting her father. Heather starts the story of her childhood from when her mother left them. The story is painful but intruding at the same time.
We get the authors view of things through her eyes. We also learn about how she and her sister Jazz needs to deal with grieving. We learn about her life in foster care with her brother and sister. Heather has a hard time with her mother's loss.
We see what happens when their father has to make his decision. The siblings have a bond together. We also learn about their father background and the family history. I learned that the siblings had a strong bond with each other. They can not seem to understand why their father does not want to escape the basement.
We get the authors view of things through her eyes. We also learn about how she and her sister Jazz needs to deal with grieving. We learn about her life in foster care with her brother and sister. Heather has a hard time with her mother's loss.
We see what happens when their father has to make his decision. The siblings have a bond together. We also learn about their father background and the family history. I learned that the siblings had a strong bond with each other. They can not seem to understand why their father does not want to escape the basement.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Fables & Fairy Tales to Cross Stitch in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Fables & Fairy Tales to Cross Stitch Véronique Enginger is a wonderful collection of fairy tale themed projects with stitching charts and finishing suggestions. It's perfect for those with knowledge of cross stitching and those interested in stitching up their favorite classic fairy tales.
The book is easy to use, organized from which are the fables section and the fairy tales section of the book. Every project is in a visual format. A very straightforward and simple guidance, very nice visual patterns book, which you can easily follow and copy the design exactly. I love the designs and think the author did a great job reviving the fables and fairy tales of many others and my own childhood with these beautiful cross stitch patterns.
I received an ARC from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is easy to use, organized from which are the fables section and the fairy tales section of the book. Every project is in a visual format. A very straightforward and simple guidance, very nice visual patterns book, which you can easily follow and copy the design exactly. I love the designs and think the author did a great job reviving the fables and fairy tales of many others and my own childhood with these beautiful cross stitch patterns.
I received an ARC from Schiffer Publishing Ltd. via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ross (3284 KP) rated Thanos Rising in Books
Oct 24, 2018
Decent short backstory for the big screen super-baddie
This 5 issue collection gives a backstory to Thanos and adds some explanation for why he is the way he is. Certain elements of this fit in with the Jim Starlin Infinity Gauntlet/War books but add an interesting few viewpoints and aspects of his persona.
Around half of the story deals with Thanos' childhood, growing up different on the perfect Titan and how this started to warp his mind, and then leads in to him travelling the universe exploring as a pacifist and siring numerous children (this section fitting in nicely with the Jonathan Hickman Infinity epic), finishing with his final arrival at Mad Tyrant Central.
Strong artwork throughout and a decent story make this a good attempt at putting some meat on the bones of Thanos' backstory.
Around half of the story deals with Thanos' childhood, growing up different on the perfect Titan and how this started to warp his mind, and then leads in to him travelling the universe exploring as a pacifist and siring numerous children (this section fitting in nicely with the Jonathan Hickman Infinity epic), finishing with his final arrival at Mad Tyrant Central.
Strong artwork throughout and a decent story make this a good attempt at putting some meat on the bones of Thanos' backstory.
David McK (3557 KP) rated Backwards (Red Dwarf #4) in Books
Jan 28, 2019 (Updated Sep 17, 2019)
The third Red Dwarf book, picking up from where the previous entry ('Better Than Life) left off, with Dave Lister on earth in an alternate reality where time runs backwards.
More so than either of the previous two books, this novel has a plot all of its own, with that plot containing elements of the TV show on which it is based. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the final portion of the book, which takes the episode 'Gunmen of the Apocalypse' as it's basis. The novel also has a role to play for 'Ace' Rimmer, tracing how his life differed from Arnold Rimmer's back to a single event in his childhood.
Written by only one of the two authors responsible for the previous books, this is also not quite as funny as either of those books.
More so than either of the previous two books, this novel has a plot all of its own, with that plot containing elements of the TV show on which it is based. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the final portion of the book, which takes the episode 'Gunmen of the Apocalypse' as it's basis. The novel also has a role to play for 'Ace' Rimmer, tracing how his life differed from Arnold Rimmer's back to a single event in his childhood.
Written by only one of the two authors responsible for the previous books, this is also not quite as funny as either of those books.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated The Phantom of the Opera in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I love this book so much. It's got a little bit of everything and the story (kinda based on actual events?) plays out superbly.
Poor Christine has no idea that the Angel of Music she's being so thoughtful tutored by is the dreaded Opera Ghost.
The dashing Raoul determined to save his childhood friend.
The OG (you probably know his name but let's let that be a surprise for those that don't know!) who feels destined to wander the opera house.
It all starts with a hanging man, a man whose noose mysteriously disappears.
This story has been told many tests and I don't want to sound like a snobby purist but I honestly think this is the best version.
I love this book so much. It's got a little bit of everything and the story (kinda based on actual events?) plays out superbly.
Poor Christine has no idea that the Angel of Music she's being so thoughtful tutored by is the dreaded Opera Ghost.
The dashing Raoul determined to save his childhood friend.
The OG (you probably know his name but let's let that be a surprise for those that don't know!) who feels destined to wander the opera house.
It all starts with a hanging man, a man whose noose mysteriously disappears.
This story has been told many tests and I don't want to sound like a snobby purist but I honestly think this is the best version.
BookwormLea (3034 KP) rated Toy Story (1995) in Movies
Jul 2, 2019
Top 5 Pixar films on my list...
This movie changed my childhood... literally! The toys and stuffed bears I had on my bed became friends I had to talk to and kiss goodnight incase they 'woke up' and killed me or something in my sleep. Even now I find myself wondering if I knocked it or if that Winnie Pooh bear was about to reach out for me.
Back onto the topic of the movie though. Its amazing! Such a strange concept and one only Disney could be capable of telling in such an amazingly childish way (I'm looking at you chucky...). I've seen it so many times and each time I spot something I missed the last, it just gets better! Such a timeless film and one every child, or even adult, needs to see!
Back onto the topic of the movie though. Its amazing! Such a strange concept and one only Disney could be capable of telling in such an amazingly childish way (I'm looking at you chucky...). I've seen it so many times and each time I spot something I missed the last, it just gets better! Such a timeless film and one every child, or even adult, needs to see!
365Flicks (235 KP) rated Godzilla: King of the Monsters (2019) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
Monsters vs Monsters... Epic
After the sour taste the last big screen adaptation left in my mouth I wasn’t overly enthusiastic for this one. I mean hyping your entire movie around Bryan Cranston to just kill him in the first 20 minutes leaving second best Quicksilver to hold the movie up was just Mental.
BUT this movie did promise one thing, more Kaiju more Godzilla instead of the pitiful 10 minutes screen time on our last outing. boy did it deliver of the Kaiju battles in spades.
That’s all I wanted was to see Godzilla battle it out with Mothra, Ghiadora and whoever else, just take me back to my childhood and give me epic scale monster fights. I felt this movie delivered that unapologetically so it’s a win.
Also I kinda love seeing Kyle Chandler in things.
BUT this movie did promise one thing, more Kaiju more Godzilla instead of the pitiful 10 minutes screen time on our last outing. boy did it deliver of the Kaiju battles in spades.
That’s all I wanted was to see Godzilla battle it out with Mothra, Ghiadora and whoever else, just take me back to my childhood and give me epic scale monster fights. I felt this movie delivered that unapologetically so it’s a win.
Also I kinda love seeing Kyle Chandler in things.
The Little Captive
Book
'I took hold of the fence and pressed my face into the wire, asking myself what I had done to be...