Search

Search only in certain items:

Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder
Music of My Mind by Stevie Wonder
1972 | Rock
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"It's the first record produced by Stevie Wonder, and one where he plays everything himself. The contract he signed with Motown meant that he would be in complete control. There may be other albums by him where he's more consistent. Or maybe they're more classic. But it's the approach to that record, and the sound that I love. 'Love Having You Around' is one of my favourite Stevie Wonder songs. The whole record has this funkiness to it, and his drumming is unlike any other drummer I've heard. He speeds up and slows down on the track. On 'Love Having You… he's just really grooving, because he's playing music with himself. It's not done to a click track. That kind of movement and the grooves are the things I like most in the music - that's something I think about a lot when making music as well, I'm always trying to get away from using a click track. It can be much more exciting to have things constantly speeding up and slowing down. There's just something about people doing records on their own that I really like. I remember when I heard this for the first time, and it was so distorted, and maybe there was a vocoder being used. The first time I put it in, I was thinking that maybe they'd put the wrong CD in the box - maybe a Jeff Beck one, something more bluesy! I really liked that in itself. Stevie's experimenting! There's a real playfulness about this, that I try to have in the music-making that I do! It's having the confidence to play around and being aware that you might stumble on to something."

Source
  
Deal With Her Dragon (Thor's Sons Crave Curves #1)
Deal With Her Dragon (Thor's Sons Crave Curves #1)
Ruby Sirois | 2020 | Paranormal, Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Deal with her Dragon is the first book in the Thor's Sons Love Curves series and, as the title of both suggest, there are DRAGONS!!! and curves.

The first thing I need to say is I love the ages of our main female. She is in her early forties - not a twenty-something whippersnapper. For the most part, Emelie is a strong and confident woman. The only time she isn't is when she is with her mother or when her coven-mates profess to know more about her situation than she does. This was annoying - mainly because so much of it struck home to me - but also added a whole layer of believability to the story!

There is some serious heat going on between Ragnarr and Emelie which made the hard part all the harder. I loved how descriptive of both main characters that part was. You could feel the despair oozing off the page from both of them.

The world-building is brilliant and I love that it's set in Sweden instead of America. The characters are all fully-dimensional, whether or not you like them is a different story. This is a complete story by itself but other brothers are mentioned.

All in all, this is a fantastic first book that introduces a world of dragons and some seriously sensual loving to the reader. Ruby Sirois' writing lets you delve into a world of Norse mythology, with scenes to melt your heart or to bring tears to your eyes. A hot and steamy novel that I highly recommend and I really can't wait to read more.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
Zange - Single by Bongeziwe Mabandla
Zange - Single by Bongeziwe Mabandla
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Rating
Bongeziwe Mabandla is a singer-songwriter and guitarist from Tsolo, a rural town in South Africa. Not too long ago, he released a groovy Afro-folk tune, entitled, “Zange”.

“‘Zange’ (Never Before) is about being changed by love and never being the same again. It’s about finding a new beginning and feeling alive for the very first time. It’s a song about the idea that true and real love can ultimately save us.” – Bongeziwe Mabandla

‘Zange’ finds Bongeziwe Mabandla looking inward, recounting how time, pressure, and life’s experiences beyond the city have transformed him.

He drew inspiration from Frank Ocean and Solange to create music which carries his traditional Xhosa lyrics. ‘Zange’ is the title track from his upcoming album.

“The writing process for this album was very different from my other albums, this came very quickly. I had to make ‘Zange’ during tours and while working on other stuff, but I definitely enjoyed the process; it felt really refreshing and effortless. The writing process dealt a lot with my feelings of love and relationships. I think there is a lot of ourselves that goes totally bare when in love and I think and talk a lot about how the need for connection is so vital to us. The album starts off with meeting someone and how feelings evolve to love, and then the pain and heartache of being with someone. The last songs are about the end of a relationship and the cutting of ties. Basically, the separation of people who used to be incomplete without each other. ‘Zange’ is about time, and how things eventually unfold. Time can change so much.” – Bongeziwe Mabandla

Bongeziwe Mabandla was born in the lush, mountainous region of Eastern Cape, where he fell in love with art, drama, and music.

Later, he moved to the city of Johannesburg in order to develop his own unique style as a guitar-toting musician, bringing pieces of the countryside with him.

“I want people who listen to my music to hear that I am getting older. I’m thinking about different things. I wanted to talk about love because so many of us are so alone and so broken that we would do anything to love. Love reveals us. Before I wrote this album I thought: “What is going on inside me?” I realized that I think about love and the lack thereof, all the time. Feeling alone, looking for love, being heartbroken, getting up and all the mess that comes with loving someone. The title track is about the good times, making memories that will shape you forever.” – Bongeziwe Mabandla
  
Temptation Returns (Recalled to Love #1)
Temptation Returns (Recalled to Love #1)
Lisa Carlisle | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Romance
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Temptation Returns (Recalled to Love #1) by Lisa Carlisle
Temptation Returns is the first novella in the Recalled to Love series, and we meet Antonio and Lina. This couple were together, but when Antonio joined the military he pushed Lina away as he didn't think it was right to keep her waiting for him. Lina eventually got over him, and found someone new. Unfortunately, Brad was 'safe' and there were no real sparks or passion between them. A couple of weeks before the wedding, and Antonio is back in town and sees Lina in a nightclub. The passion between them is still there, but Lina is now engaged, so things have changed between them.

I have to say that, for me, it was Antonio who made this book. I can understand Lina being conflicted when Antonio returned, but I can't agree with her actions following that first kiss. Yes, Brad turned out to be a first class jerk, but still... As for the story as a whole, it was fast-paced, angsty, and thoroughly enjoyable in many ways. There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted my reading flow, and the scenes flowed from one to the next. A quick coffee break book, recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
HV
Harp's Voice (Harp's Song, #2)
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is the second book in the series and picks up right where the first book leaves off. Cassie Shine doesn't miss a beat on this book. She continues the story of Harp with even more emotion, and heart wrenching detail than the first book in the series.

Harp was a lot different in this book than the first book, and honestly she wasn't my favorite character. I thought she was acting like a brat, stubborn, and persnickety. If you know and understand her life up until this point I feel like she was allowed to be this way up to a certain point. I did think she had a lot of personality and she was extremely bold which made me fall back in love with the character.

I loved Anne, and the way she grows throughout the book. Her relationship with Harp is rocky, but throughout the story you can see her motherly instincts grow and a mother daughter relationship form. It was beautiful.

The only thing I would change about this would be maybe a novella to follow to show the characters in 5 years and see how their stories wrap up. I'd love to see Anne end up with Dr. Dylan, and how her family's reunion is going.

Overall I loved this story. It's very moving and heart wrenching. I can't wait to read more from this author she's absolutely wonderful and her stories are indicative of a book hangover.
  
Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, #1)
Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, #1)
Chloe Neill | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry
9
8.1 (7 Ratings)
Book Rating
They killed me. They healed me. They changed me.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker–and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Turns out her savior was the master vampire of Cadogan House. Now she’s traded sweating over her thesis for learning to fit in at a Hyde Park mansion full of vamps loyal to Ethan Sullivan. Of course, as a tall, green-eyed, four-hundred-year-old vampire, he has centuries’ worth of charm, but unfortunately, he expects her gratitude–and servitude.

But an inconvenient sunlight allergy and Ethan’s attitude are the least of her concerns. Someone’s still out to get her. Her initiation into Chicago’s nightlife may be the first skirmish in a war–and there will be blood.

This is a reread for me and can't remember if I reviewed the first time. Possibly not as I didn't tend to back then! I have had Merit withdrawals I absolutely love this series it's one of my favourites. I forgot how much of an ass Ethan was at the beginning! Love to see the early sparring between them!!


If your a first time reader to this series buckle up it one heck of a ride!!
  
Granada
Granada
2009 | City Building, Political
Both sides of the Tiles are used. (1 more)
More different types of buildings.
A better version of Alhambra in my opinion.
I love this version, and with Alhambra getting bulky with all the expansions. which make the game better but also make it longer. We play this version so much more than the rest. It's only one game, but you can if you want to, combine it with the basic Alhambra (I've not tried that)

 What i like most is the dual sided tiles, where you can pay a little more to flip it. which makes for much deeper strategy with finding the value of the tile you you versus your opponent. the depth doubles for me. Which I LOVE.

If you even like Alhambra, try this one. If you've never played either, try Alhambra first.
  
40x40

Beetle Rider (341 KP) May 30, 2018

It’s not as good as all the variations of expansions. But it is great as a single.

Into the Woods (2014)
Into the Woods (2014)
2014 | Family, Musical
I had never actually heard of Into the Woods until the movie so I wasn't really sure what to expect when it came to it and I can't judge it by it comparison to the play.

I really liked the first half of the movie it was fun with catchy as heck music and since I have and will always love fairytales I was super excited watching it... But then it got to the halfway point and dear brother's Grimm... IT JUST KEPT GOING AND GOING AND GOING. Seriously one of the reasons I love fairytales so much is that they aren't the longest but damn this movie just drag on then I thought it was over but nope. So I kind of just zoned out near the end.
  
40x40

Leah Rothwell (170 KP) rated The Promised Neverland: Volume 1 in Books

Sep 17, 2018 (Updated Sep 17, 2018)  
The Promised Neverland: Volume 1
The Promised Neverland: Volume 1
Kaiu Shirai | 2016 | Comics & Graphic Novels
10
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
Suspense, unique, brilliantly written (0 more)
Captivating, has me gripping the edge of my seat
The way this manga is written really captivated me in a way that I haven’t felt in years. It has so many twists and turns and this is just the first book. Be prepared for heartbreak, rage, humour and love all wrapped up in 192 pages.
Be warned though... it is so good you will not ever want to stop reading. You will crave more and you will never be able to guess what happen and next as it’s so unpredictable that it’s amazing to read. I love this series so much, I read so many books and this has made me crave the next volume so much that I keep refreshing the page hoping the release dates are sooner!
  
Unrequited (Fallen Aces MC, #1)
Unrequited (Fallen Aces MC, #1)
Max Henry | 2016 | Romance
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This was my first book by Max Henry but I've clearly been hooked!? LOVED this book! Not your typical love story... with everything from MC bikers to Cuban drug lords and murder. A dark read, with a few scenes that were tough to read.. abuse, pain, loss... so much packed into this story. There is also a beautiful love story in there... King comes from a good place, educated and with a loving hard-working family. He and Elena clearly have an intense connection and he wants nothing more than to save her without destroying his place in his MC. Watching the two of them struggle through was torture and that cliffhanger ending!? Oh, I will SURELY be back for the rest of this story - can't wait!! Highly recommended!!