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ClareR (5885 KP) rated The Ice House in Books
Mar 7, 2019 (Updated Mar 7, 2019)
A story of forgiveness and redemption.
A thoroughly enjoyable, gentle story, of a couple who own an ice factory in Florida. Johnny MacKinnon emigrated to the US years ago, found a job in an ice factory, where he met the owners daughter, fell in love and married her. Years later Johnny and Pauline are running the factory. Johnny had left his son and ex-wife in Glasgow, and he and his son have become estranged. Corran, Johnny's son, has a heroin addition. He has been clean for a while at the time of the story.
After Johnny collapses at the factory and receives bad news from the doctor, he decides to return to Scotland and visit his son and his new granddaughter.
This is such a lovely story. The characters are so well written and such likeable people. You can see that Johnny is really trying to deal (or ignore!) his medical condition and to mend fences with his son. Whilst Pauline his wife, left behind in Florida to deal with a huge problem at the factory alone, is struggling with the decisions she made as a younger woman - and who can blame her for making them? Corran is trying so hard to be a good father and clearly struggling.
This is such an emotional book that made me both laugh and cry. It's well worth reading.
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
After Johnny collapses at the factory and receives bad news from the doctor, he decides to return to Scotland and visit his son and his new granddaughter.
This is such a lovely story. The characters are so well written and such likeable people. You can see that Johnny is really trying to deal (or ignore!) his medical condition and to mend fences with his son. Whilst Pauline his wife, left behind in Florida to deal with a huge problem at the factory alone, is struggling with the decisions she made as a younger woman - and who can blame her for making them? Corran is trying so hard to be a good father and clearly struggling.
This is such an emotional book that made me both laugh and cry. It's well worth reading.
Many thanks to Readers First for my copy of this book.
KittyMiku (138 KP) rated The Liar's Room in Books
Mar 24, 2019
Great read
The book had grabbed my attention within the first couple of pages. After all when a counselor starts the story out, you can't help but wonder what kind of trouble there might be in the next few pages. However, I had never expected the story to revolve around Susanna, who councils others. As it turned out, to watch her struggle with her past and the reason she is doing this in the first place was truly amazing. The Liar's Room had so many twists, turns and conflicted emotions, it was hard to not get wrapped up in the story at all. It was exceptional true when Susanna's daughters life's was at risk.
When you meet Adam, the antagonist, you can't help but wonder if he is familiar, as Susanna leaves you to believe, because he did something that she longs to forget or was in a situation that had caused her to run and start fresh. But as the story unfolds, you want to hate and feel sorry for him. As well as, root for Susanna but also find some of the things she had felt or thought to be distasteful and even disgusting. With everything she kept hidden from her new friends and her daughter you can't help but to wonder if you would do the same in her situation. Especially when it all comes back to her very own son.
When you meet Adam, the antagonist, you can't help but wonder if he is familiar, as Susanna leaves you to believe, because he did something that she longs to forget or was in a situation that had caused her to run and start fresh. But as the story unfolds, you want to hate and feel sorry for him. As well as, root for Susanna but also find some of the things she had felt or thought to be distasteful and even disgusting. With everything she kept hidden from her new friends and her daughter you can't help but to wonder if you would do the same in her situation. Especially when it all comes back to her very own son.
Lenard (726 KP) rated Gloria Bell (2019) in Movies
Mar 27, 2019
Julianne Moore (1 more)
Supporting cast
Dance Your Cares Away
Contains spoilers, click to show
Dancing is an art form. It is freedom. It can be both joyful or sadness. Dance is a metaphor for the ups and downs, ins and outs of life. Gloria loves to dance and goes out dancing whenever she gets the chance. Her job in insurance is mundane and joyless. Her children are both grown. Her daughter is a yoga instructor in a relationship with a Swedish big wave surfer, the symbol of YOLOism. Her son is raising a son alone while his millenial wife discovers herself or finds inner peace or some granola truism. Her ex-husband is out of her life amd played by hangdog Brad Garrett. The nights out dancing are a way to live for her. One night she meets a hot-blooded recent divorcee who ignites a untapped passion in her. He reads Latin American poetry and owns an amusement park with automatic paintball guns. Something doesn't feel completely right with this man though. His thirtyish daughters constantly call him, abandoning her in key spots. The relationship drains her and she refuses to dance. Until she realizes the truth and then avenges herself with his gifted gun. Kind of ironic that he is cheating with her and he gets angry when she ignores him while with her immediate family. In the end, she dances at her friend's daughter's wedding and finds her own inner joy.
Debbie (52 KP) rated Murder from Scratch in Books
Mar 27, 2019
Murder From Scratch
By: Leslie Karst
Crooked Lane Books
Mystery/Thriller
320 Pages
Pub Date 9 April 2019
#MurderFromScratch #NetGalley
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I enjoyed this book. I love me a good cozy mystery story. This book also has the recipes in the back of the book. This is a mystery so I will not go into too much detail.
The story is a about a woman who is found dead by her blind daughter. Evelyn is her name. She insists that her mom wouldn't take her life and there are clues to support her. Her cousin, Sally owns a restaurant that left to her by her deceased Aunt but before that she was an attorney. She helps her cousin but researching the clues and doing a little bit of investigating on her own. She actually helped the police with her Aunts murder in a previous book. This is the same aunt whom left her the restaurant. There is some interesting turns in this story and like I said I enjoyed myself. I was able to figure out who did it but it wasn't until 2/3's into the story. I would recommend this book for you to read if you like cozy mysteries.
By: Leslie Karst
Crooked Lane Books
Mystery/Thriller
320 Pages
Pub Date 9 April 2019
#MurderFromScratch #NetGalley
<img src="https://www.netgalley.com/badge/23cda8f5b390052c84bafb486921760c8733c9f5"; width="80" height="80" alt="10 Book Reviews" title="10 Book Reviews"/>
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I enjoyed this book. I love me a good cozy mystery story. This book also has the recipes in the back of the book. This is a mystery so I will not go into too much detail.
The story is a about a woman who is found dead by her blind daughter. Evelyn is her name. She insists that her mom wouldn't take her life and there are clues to support her. Her cousin, Sally owns a restaurant that left to her by her deceased Aunt but before that she was an attorney. She helps her cousin but researching the clues and doing a little bit of investigating on her own. She actually helped the police with her Aunts murder in a previous book. This is the same aunt whom left her the restaurant. There is some interesting turns in this story and like I said I enjoyed myself. I was able to figure out who did it but it wasn't until 2/3's into the story. I would recommend this book for you to read if you like cozy mysteries.
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated Better Than I Know Myself in Books
Apr 3, 2019
Did you ever have a friend who was more like family? For Regina Foster, Jewel Prescott, and Carmen Webb this is exactly true. Better Than I Know Myself starts in the late 70's when the girls are seniors in high school and making the decision on where to go to college. Three different girls from three very different backgrounds. Jewel, a former child star. Regina, the daughter of two college educated parents and little sister to older brothers who had all attended and graduated from college. And Carmen whose parents had left her at a young age.
The story progresses through their meeting in New York at Barnard and continues through their graduation. Regina and Jewel were already roommates when they met Carmen at the university library. They all got stuck in an elevator together and as they say, "The rest is history." They lived together through the early 80's as they grew into women and started to become independent.
The book covers twenty years of friendship and sisterhood and all the trials and tribulations that entails.
This book made me laugh out loud and brought a tear or two to my eyes. It also made me want to get together with my closest girlfriends. This is a book that you have to read until the end.
I listened to this book through the iPod and Overdrive. The audio was read by Lisa Renee Pitts.
The story progresses through their meeting in New York at Barnard and continues through their graduation. Regina and Jewel were already roommates when they met Carmen at the university library. They all got stuck in an elevator together and as they say, "The rest is history." They lived together through the early 80's as they grew into women and started to become independent.
The book covers twenty years of friendship and sisterhood and all the trials and tribulations that entails.
This book made me laugh out loud and brought a tear or two to my eyes. It also made me want to get together with my closest girlfriends. This is a book that you have to read until the end.
I listened to this book through the iPod and Overdrive. The audio was read by Lisa Renee Pitts.
It would be silly of me to repeat that this is an Asian version of Cinderella, since so many others do it. I am just annoyed that every story is compared to Cinderella considering rags to riches, marrying the prince is nothing new and Cinderella was certainly not the first of its kind. If you read the author's note, it says she was inspired by some Chinese students telling their native fairy tales.
All in all, I liked the novel. Xing Xing is crafty and clever unlike Cinderella who has a fairy godmother to do everything for her. No, Xing Xing takes care of not only herself but her father's second wife and half sister as well. You cannot really say the second wife is evil because she is only doing what any Chinese mother would do for her daughter in that day in age. To us, it may seem archaic and barbaric, but that is how it was back then.
Xing Xing is a strong heroine who does not just do the second wife's every whim. And when Xing Xing finally flat out defies her, it ultimately leads to Xing Xing's freedom and salvation.
I forgot how annoying yet efficient Napoli's style is. It seems so juvenile but is perfect for its purpose. I do not think the story would have been the same if it had been written any other way.
All in all, I liked the novel. Xing Xing is crafty and clever unlike Cinderella who has a fairy godmother to do everything for her. No, Xing Xing takes care of not only herself but her father's second wife and half sister as well. You cannot really say the second wife is evil because she is only doing what any Chinese mother would do for her daughter in that day in age. To us, it may seem archaic and barbaric, but that is how it was back then.
Xing Xing is a strong heroine who does not just do the second wife's every whim. And when Xing Xing finally flat out defies her, it ultimately leads to Xing Xing's freedom and salvation.
I forgot how annoying yet efficient Napoli's style is. It seems so juvenile but is perfect for its purpose. I do not think the story would have been the same if it had been written any other way.
Kelly Jo (4 KP) rated That Part Was True in Books
Feb 16, 2018
SPOILER ALERT!!
That Part was True is the story of two middle aged divorcees, Eve and Jack. Eve is a single mother from England, who is unemployed. Jack is a single writer from New York. In fact, the thing that connects them is that Jack is one if Eve's favorite writers. They begin communicating through a string of letters, and short emails, when she writes him in regards to one of his books. Readers then learn through the two sides of the story that Jack struggles with being a bachelor and writing a new book, while Eve struggles with anxiety and the impending wedding of her only daughter, Izzy, and the arrival of her uninvolved ex-husband, Simon, and his family. During their hard times, they find one common bond that helps them get through life - food. The book continues to take readers on a journey through both their communication and their personal lives.
I loved some parts of this book, while I disliked others. I loved the development of the characters and discovering the ins and outs of the personal lives, especially Eve's anxiety disorder, something that hits close to home. I didn't like that Eve and Jack didn't end up meeting in the end like I had expected. Though I knew from the beginning that this wasn't a run-of-the-mill love story, I hoped for a little more with their friendship. I would have liked to have seen more closure.
That Part was True is the story of two middle aged divorcees, Eve and Jack. Eve is a single mother from England, who is unemployed. Jack is a single writer from New York. In fact, the thing that connects them is that Jack is one if Eve's favorite writers. They begin communicating through a string of letters, and short emails, when she writes him in regards to one of his books. Readers then learn through the two sides of the story that Jack struggles with being a bachelor and writing a new book, while Eve struggles with anxiety and the impending wedding of her only daughter, Izzy, and the arrival of her uninvolved ex-husband, Simon, and his family. During their hard times, they find one common bond that helps them get through life - food. The book continues to take readers on a journey through both their communication and their personal lives.
I loved some parts of this book, while I disliked others. I loved the development of the characters and discovering the ins and outs of the personal lives, especially Eve's anxiety disorder, something that hits close to home. I didn't like that Eve and Jack didn't end up meeting in the end like I had expected. Though I knew from the beginning that this wasn't a run-of-the-mill love story, I hoped for a little more with their friendship. I would have liked to have seen more closure.
I am giving this first book a 4.5 stars, because, while I really enjoyed reading it, there were a few points where if got a bit too much for me. If you have read it, you'll understand what I mean. Also, like always, this is a spoiler alert as there will most likely be a bunch of spoilers in this review. So you have been warned.
I can honestly say that I loved the relationship between the two main characters. They have such a deep love for one another and it is refreshing to see. They also have a pretty healthy relationship for the circumstances they are under.
It was cool to start the series in the middle of so much chaos, just like how the characters are in their lives at that time. I like how they set up the rules of the world by explaining it through the daughter as if she is telling us the story.
All the characters, in general, are very compelling and multifaceted, something I (obviously) appreciate a lot.
This was a very good exposition graphic novel that is setting up the rest of the story and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
The artwork is phenomenal. I cannot express enough how amazing it is! Props to the artists who worked on this, because I feel like they don't get enough credit. So if you're reading this, very well done!!
I can honestly say that I loved the relationship between the two main characters. They have such a deep love for one another and it is refreshing to see. They also have a pretty healthy relationship for the circumstances they are under.
It was cool to start the series in the middle of so much chaos, just like how the characters are in their lives at that time. I like how they set up the rules of the world by explaining it through the daughter as if she is telling us the story.
All the characters, in general, are very compelling and multifaceted, something I (obviously) appreciate a lot.
This was a very good exposition graphic novel that is setting up the rest of the story and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!
The artwork is phenomenal. I cannot express enough how amazing it is! Props to the artists who worked on this, because I feel like they don't get enough credit. So if you're reading this, very well done!!
Steve Fearon (84 KP) rated Pyewacket (2017) in Movies
Sep 26, 2018
This film doesn't know WITCH film it wants to be...
Pyewacket is a witchy teen angst film, that feels a bit like it wanted to be Ginger Snaps for witches, following the life of a teen girl whose father has recently died, and whose mother is not dealing well with the new reality.
Against her protestations, her mother moves them to a house in the woods, and away from her school and friends and after a heated exchange, the daughter decides to perform a dark ritual in the woods.
The crux of the film is that she later regrets the decision and is haunted by ghostly presences in the house that she suspects are the result of her ritual.
The whole film feels out of time, as if it were a late 90's early 2000's teen horror, with the majority of time spent exploring teen angst and cringey cliched subculture banter, rather than really tyring to ramp up any tension or scare the viewer.
At no point is a bad film, but it is trying to walk the line between genuine horror and that sort of 'The Craft' style teen culture movie, and it just doesnt seem to really nail either.
Its not bad, its not great, its just ok.
Against her protestations, her mother moves them to a house in the woods, and away from her school and friends and after a heated exchange, the daughter decides to perform a dark ritual in the woods.
The crux of the film is that she later regrets the decision and is haunted by ghostly presences in the house that she suspects are the result of her ritual.
The whole film feels out of time, as if it were a late 90's early 2000's teen horror, with the majority of time spent exploring teen angst and cringey cliched subculture banter, rather than really tyring to ramp up any tension or scare the viewer.
At no point is a bad film, but it is trying to walk the line between genuine horror and that sort of 'The Craft' style teen culture movie, and it just doesnt seem to really nail either.
Its not bad, its not great, its just ok.
Alicia S (193 KP) rated Crow (Boston Underworld, #1) in Books
Sep 28, 2018
Tough as any Irish mobster out there, Mackenzie has been fighting her way through living on the streets of Boston since she was 13. In and out of foster homes since her father's murder, she is the daughter and granddaughter of two of the best underground Irish fighters and can surely handle herself as such. When her best friend Talia disappears from the Irish mob run strip club she started working at, Mac is determined to find out what happened. On her own she is ready to take on the Russian Mafia and Irish mobsters clearly involved in some way. Deciding to go undercover... she has no idea no idea just how deep this will take her. She finds herself working for Lachlan attempting to get answers without letting on why she is really there. This book sucked me right in from page one... Lachlan was as fierce and determined as he is sexy. Mac has never let anyone in before, determined to be the tough as fighter her Dad raised, yet she simply can't stop the feelings she that continue to grow for this ferocious man... I ABSOLUTELY loved these two!? The book was absolutely fantastic and Im SO glad to have found this author! Ill surely be back for more as the book was so well written, with a fantastic storyline and characters you can't help but fall in love with. HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended!!