Search
Search results
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Larry, Bush Pilot in Books
Mar 18, 2021
Jordan Mierek, also known as Jordan Elizabeth, usually writes for young adults, but after many requests, she has published her first children's book. Larry, Bush Pilot is a collaborative effort between Mierek and her father, Lawrence Mierek, who grew up on a dairy farm. Larry, a ten-year-old boy, also lives on a farm during the 1970s with his father, who owns an aeroplane. Despite his age, Larry's father taught him to fly, which came in handy when his father suffered an accident in the middle of nowhere.
This short story loosely reflects Lawrence Mierek's childhood. As a teenager, his father taught him to fly a plane on the airstrip behind their barn. The narrative is likely an imagined scenario, placing a young boy in a precarious situation, which many children would not have the means to solve. Only through extreme determination and courage is Larry able to rescue his father.
Larry, Bush Pilot is a short story intended for primary school children. The few illustrations between chapters make it an appropriate step between picture books and teenage novels. Larry's life on the farm allows modern children to learn about the world before digital technology and the importance of a family working together. The story also tells the reader that if they believe in themselves and their abilities, they can achieve great things.
Jordan Mierek has stepped into the world of children's literature and proved that she is more than capable of writing for several age groups. Larry, Bush Pilot is the first in a series called Flying Acres, and we look forward to joining Larry on his next adventure.
This short story loosely reflects Lawrence Mierek's childhood. As a teenager, his father taught him to fly a plane on the airstrip behind their barn. The narrative is likely an imagined scenario, placing a young boy in a precarious situation, which many children would not have the means to solve. Only through extreme determination and courage is Larry able to rescue his father.
Larry, Bush Pilot is a short story intended for primary school children. The few illustrations between chapters make it an appropriate step between picture books and teenage novels. Larry's life on the farm allows modern children to learn about the world before digital technology and the importance of a family working together. The story also tells the reader that if they believe in themselves and their abilities, they can achieve great things.
Jordan Mierek has stepped into the world of children's literature and proved that she is more than capable of writing for several age groups. Larry, Bush Pilot is the first in a series called Flying Acres, and we look forward to joining Larry on his next adventure.
Kathleen Hanna recommended Annie by Charles Strouse in Music (curated)
Ross (3284 KP) rated Surprisingly Down to Earth, and Very Funny in Books
Oct 27, 2020
Funny but at times harrowing auto-biography
I wouldn't say I was a huge fan of Limmy's. I've seen a few of his sketches on youtube and have heard him interviewed on a few podcasts. He seems quite strange and a bit of an odd character. I have read his books of short stories and found them to be brilliantly well-written and original.
His auto-biography starts brilliantly, giving a great insight into the childhood that shaped the comedian. There are funny stories of growing up isolated and playing strange games with strange friends. This gets darker as Limmy ages, as he finds himself looking for danger and things to make him feel alive. This inevitably leads to trouble with the police, and on to drink and drugs and more police trouble.
He seems to have always been looking to try and find somewhere to fit in, a niche in the world where he can be himself and be otherwise left alone, though he is his own worst enemy along the way. Battles with depression, suicide and social issues hold him back at almost every stage. He finally finds his niche when he discovers flash programming. This gives him an avenue for his creativity and silliness, and leads to his genius being discovered, eventually leading to a successful podcast and TV shows - though even those weren't plain sailing.
This is the charming, though at times harrowing, story of a man with so many ideas in his head, but so many issues holding him back, and the battle to overcome demons to do what he wants to do, and to do it his way.
His auto-biography starts brilliantly, giving a great insight into the childhood that shaped the comedian. There are funny stories of growing up isolated and playing strange games with strange friends. This gets darker as Limmy ages, as he finds himself looking for danger and things to make him feel alive. This inevitably leads to trouble with the police, and on to drink and drugs and more police trouble.
He seems to have always been looking to try and find somewhere to fit in, a niche in the world where he can be himself and be otherwise left alone, though he is his own worst enemy along the way. Battles with depression, suicide and social issues hold him back at almost every stage. He finally finds his niche when he discovers flash programming. This gives him an avenue for his creativity and silliness, and leads to his genius being discovered, eventually leading to a successful podcast and TV shows - though even those weren't plain sailing.
This is the charming, though at times harrowing, story of a man with so many ideas in his head, but so many issues holding him back, and the battle to overcome demons to do what he wants to do, and to do it his way.
Eleanor (1463 KP) rated Sleeper 13 in Books
Sep 23, 2019
All action no character
An action packed book that just wasn’t for me. I can imagine enjoying this as a film with non stop action scenes and childhood flashbacks but as a book it just failed to engage me.
Sleeper 13 follows the character of Aydin who as a young boy is placed in “The Farm.” Trained to be an elite Jihadi fighter his world is turned upside down again with the realisation that those who have trained him are responsible for the death of his sister. Plunging head on into a hell for leather revenge tale we follow Aydin around the world while getting a glimpse into his world growing up. Meanwhile Aydin and his fellow jihadi brothers cell is being tracked down by the secret service and in particular Rachael who will not let red tape get in her way.
I really wasn’t engaged by either Aydin or Rachael. Aydin managed a full 180 in a very quick time with very little covering him having any kind of crisis of conscience and for an elite Jihadi we spent a lot of time covering why he was the least skilled. Rachael meanwhile seems way too eager to break rules and go against direct orders at the drop of the hat, how she ever progressed in any organisation with such little discipline made little sense to me. For all the action I just didn’t feel invested.
It’s not often I don’t fly through a book when I’m on holiday but this one I found I struggled to keep picking back up. Interesting concept just not for me.
Sleeper 13 follows the character of Aydin who as a young boy is placed in “The Farm.” Trained to be an elite Jihadi fighter his world is turned upside down again with the realisation that those who have trained him are responsible for the death of his sister. Plunging head on into a hell for leather revenge tale we follow Aydin around the world while getting a glimpse into his world growing up. Meanwhile Aydin and his fellow jihadi brothers cell is being tracked down by the secret service and in particular Rachael who will not let red tape get in her way.
I really wasn’t engaged by either Aydin or Rachael. Aydin managed a full 180 in a very quick time with very little covering him having any kind of crisis of conscience and for an elite Jihadi we spent a lot of time covering why he was the least skilled. Rachael meanwhile seems way too eager to break rules and go against direct orders at the drop of the hat, how she ever progressed in any organisation with such little discipline made little sense to me. For all the action I just didn’t feel invested.
It’s not often I don’t fly through a book when I’m on holiday but this one I found I struggled to keep picking back up. Interesting concept just not for me.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2369 KP) rated The Last Mrs. Summers in Books
Aug 5, 2020
Gothic Trip to Cornwall
It’s fall 1935, and Lady Georgiana O’Mara is back from her honeymoon and settling into her new married life until Darcy is called away on another of his assignments. Suddenly at loose ends, Georgie jumps at a chance to join her friend Belinda is looking at the cottage she just inherited in Cornwall. However, the cottage turns out to be more of a shack. The friends are deciding what to do when they run into Rose, a childhood friend of Belinda’s. Rose announces she is now the mistress of one of the nearby mansions, and insists that Georgie and Belinda stay with her. However, something is off about life at the mansion. Will Georgie figure out what is going on before tragedy strikes?
It's always fun to slip back into Georgie’s world, and I picked up this book with anticipation. As usual, the book opens with updates on Georgie’s various friends and family, and I enjoy finding out how life is going for them. Once the story gets going, we are treated to a mystery filled with confusing happenings and plenty of atmosphere. The plot is minimally inspired by the classic Rebecca, and it uses the gothic elements well. I’m not familiar with Rebecca, but not picking up on nods to that book didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all. The new characters we meet along the way help pull us into the book. Naturally, everything makes sense once Georgie figures it all out. When you pick up this book, be prepared to be swept back in time. Fans of the series will be thrilled to catch up with Georgie’s latest adventures.
It's always fun to slip back into Georgie’s world, and I picked up this book with anticipation. As usual, the book opens with updates on Georgie’s various friends and family, and I enjoy finding out how life is going for them. Once the story gets going, we are treated to a mystery filled with confusing happenings and plenty of atmosphere. The plot is minimally inspired by the classic Rebecca, and it uses the gothic elements well. I’m not familiar with Rebecca, but not picking up on nods to that book didn’t diminish my enjoyment at all. The new characters we meet along the way help pull us into the book. Naturally, everything makes sense once Georgie figures it all out. When you pick up this book, be prepared to be swept back in time. Fans of the series will be thrilled to catch up with Georgie’s latest adventures.
Doctor Sleep
9.0
Rate It
Book
Stephen King returns to the characters and territory of one of his most popular novels ever, The...
The Shining
Dear Agony: A Novel
Book
Dear Agony, You've been my shadow, following me through childhood-filling my days and nights with...
Romance
Eating With the Eyes
Book
Eating With The Eyes [Unit 23] is a visual mediation and a photographic recording of accidental...
Design photography
The Hot One: A Memoir of Friendship, Sex, and Murder
7.0
Rate It
Book
Recommended by NPR, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, New York magazine, New York Post, and...
Biography true crime
The Little Death
9.0
Rate It
Book
When Patti moves to the moor she finds the peaceful haven she expected awash with people visiting an...