Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Rock in Books

Jan 6, 2021  
Rock
Rock
Anyta Sunday | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
4.5 stars.

This starts with Cooper, at age 13, finding out that his parents are divorcing and that his dad has had another "family" on the go for the last five years. He's asked to go spend time at his dad's every weekend to get to know his new family and he meet's Jace, his dad's girlfriends son. They initially dislike each other but as they begin to know each other it turns into a deep friendship. And as they get older, the friendship turns into more.

I honestly had no idea what to expect with this and I read a few reviews on Goodreads and figured that this was going to put me through an emotional wringer. Boy, it did. I think because we see it all happen. From the tender ages of 13 and 14, to 23/24. We see it all grow; the friendship and the hope for more, the love for Lila and their now extended family. How much it hurts them both when they're apart. It's so beautifully written. So beautifully thought out. I really enjoyed this.

It's hard to right a detailed review without giving loads of things away that happen and affect this story but if you love MM Romances then this should definitely not be missed.

I feel like I have to mention Ernie. Ha! He's a legend in my eyes by the end. And Lila. *sigh* I cried like a baby for a while.
  
Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich
Music for 18 Musicians by Steve Reich
1998 | Classical
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I picked Steve Reich because I think it changed the parameters of how I thought about music. At the time I was 17, playing in The Edmund Fitzgerald and I hadn't really ever been aware of modern classical or minimalism and it inspired me and also reinforced stuff that I intuitively liked in music, such as points of sounds and structural emphasis. The band Youthmovies introduced me to Reich - they had a quite formative effect on me in a sense that, up until then, I still listened to music in a tribal way, as in I had to identify with whatever subculture was going on, so I listened to Skinny Puppy and really plunged my identity into that, for example. I was in that teenage phase of tying up your fashion and your self identity with music. They also played me Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliott and Stars Of The Lid and they showed me that you didn't have to only identify with one tribe - they broke that way of thinking down. So that record was really important. And on a more simplistic level, it's just stunning. It's the kind of record you can listen to in any environment, unbound by context - it induces a trance-like state. It's a particularly good record to listen to when you're on the Underground, it's soothing - the perfect soundtrack to seeing thousands of people walking past you. He's one of my top five favourite musicians of all time."

Source
  
The Devil Inside (Morgan Kingsley #1)
The Devil Inside (Morgan Kingsley #1)
Jenna Black | 2007 | Contemporary, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
7.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
86 of 250
Kindle
The Devil Inside ( Morgan Kingsley Exorcist book 1)
By Jenna Black

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

Exorcism isn't a job, it's a calling--and a curse. Just ask Morgan Kingsley, a woman who has a stronger aura than any demon. Or so she thought. Now, in a pair of black leather pants and a kick-ass tattoo, Morgan is heading back to Philadelphia after a nasty little exorcism--and her life is about to be turned upside down...by the demon that's gotten inside her.

Not just any demon. Six feet five inches of dark, delicious temptation, this one is to die for--that is, if he doesn't get Morgan killed first. Because while some humans vilify demons and others idolize them, Morgan's demon is leading a war of succession no human has ever imagined. For a woman trying to live a life, and hold on to the almost-perfect man, being possessed by a gorgeous rebel demon will mean a wild ride of uninhibited thrills, shocking surprises, and pure, unadulterated terror...

I’m somewhere between a 3&4 stars! It started brilliantly and was a good book. I like the characters and the whole story idea. We have a kick ass strong female lead that’s not over written and demons are always such fun!
Will definitely be carrying one with series.
  
The Heart of Texas (Texas, #1)
The Heart of Texas (Texas, #1)
RJ Scott | 2011
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
3.5 stars.

This is the first MM Romance book I've read where the couple got married, and it was at the beginning so seeing "his husband" every so often seemed a little strange to me. I'm sure the next time I read one where they're married that it wont.

Let me say that if this had just been from Riley and Jack's POV's I would have gladly given this five star because of the hot scenes and the romance between them. There was one scene early on in the book at a party that gave me shivers. *Fans self* Jack Campbell...phew!

But the book kept switching view point and I wasn't entirely a fan as sometimes it could take a bit to figure out who's viewpoint it was. (There must be at least seven different ones.) I know they helped us see every part of the story come to a head but it drove me crazy at times as I was more interested in what was going on between Riley and Jack. Therefore I've rated it down a star and half.

I was not a fan of Riley's dad or brother. Neither came across as very nice and the brother, Jeff, was the worst. Ugh! I wanted to punch him in the face several times from his comments and actions. He was so not a nice guy.

Nevertheless, it was a good book and I look forward to reading other books by the author!
  
40x40

Eleanor Luhar (47 KP) rated The Baby in Books

Jun 24, 2019  
The Baby
The Baby
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Read the original review: https://bookmarkedreading.wordpress.com/2015/10/11/book-review-the-baby/

I seriously had no idea what this book was even about. I saw it displayed in my library and just thought "Heck, why not?"

As the cover suggests, five friends have their lives change on the night of Olivia's 17th birthday party. Yep, you guessed it; There in Olivia's very own bathroom is her friend Nicola, and out pops a new addition to the gang.

I read this book quickly (which I know is not unusual for me) and didn't struggle doing so. It was an easy read, with a section following each character individually. The writing style and language is adapted slightly to suit each character, to allow full submersion of the reader into the book.

There are surprising elements in the story which, after being read, will seem strangely obvious. I love this sense of foreshadowing in a book. And despite the title, this book isn't really focused on "the baby" alone. Instead it tells each character's solo story, including all their troubles - baby- or not-baby-related.

As I said before, The Baby is a nice, easy read, with a somewhat carefree sense about it. I can't say I relate to it in the sense of having a new baby around, but there are aspects that I can say I have experienced. So I'm going to give it 4 stars, more than I originally suspected it would earn.
  
Tales From the Crypt (1972)
Tales From the Crypt (1972)
1972 | Horror
7
7.8 (9 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Characters – Where this film is an anthology we don’t get too much time with each character, Joanne is a married woman with her own desires for life, showing a darker side after killer her husband on Christmas Eve. Carl Maitland is a married man that is planning on leaving his wife and children, he is involved in an accident which brings into a new lease of horror. Grimsdyke is an older man, he has lived with his wife in one home, with her passed away he wants to die in this house and must deal with the snotty neighbours that is trying to force him out. Jason is a businessman that has spent more than he has earnt forcing him to face bankruptcy for his actions. Rogers is the final story as a manager of home, he comes in with his strict ideas struggle to connect with the people he is meant to be caring for.

Performances – By being an anthology the stars only get limited time, Joan Collins gets the ball rolling as is good in her role with us believing how calculated her actions are. Ian Hendry is solid in his role, he is behind the camera for the most part making it hard to believe everything. Peter Cushing shines as the kindly old man that is getting pushed out of town. Richard Greene is solid enough without getting too much time to show us what makes his character unique. Nigel Patrick does make this character one of the more unlikable with ease.

Story – The story here takes us down the horror anthology line, we get to see five stories of five characters deaths, this does give us something different in each side of the horror scale, we know some are shorter than others with Blind Alleys and Poetic Justice being the stand out of the five stories. There is a big twist in the connection to the stories, but if you do know the TV show you will know the outcome. For a horror anthology this is everything you need without being to the extremes they go nowadays. Each short could easily become a longer film which is always positive.

Horror – When it comes to horror we sometimes get to best moments in shorts, anthologies give us a chance to experience different types of horror which will offer something for all horror fans.

Settings – Each film takes us to the world where the character comes from which shows us how the normal lives they live have the darker secrets.

Special Effects – The effects in the film are good through the film they show us what is capable with good practical effects.


Scene of the Movie – Blind Alleys when the door opens.

That Moment That Annoyed Me – Some stories are too short.

Final Thoughts – This is a good anthology for horror, it gets the best moments correct and keeps us guessing to what will happen to the characters involved.

 

Overall: Simple anthology.
  
Double Love (Sweet Valley High, #1)
Double Love (Sweet Valley High, #1)
Francine Pascal | 1984 | Fiction & Poetry
6
6.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
<u><b>SVH: WTF?</b></u>

<b>Cover Models:</b> Jessica and Elizabeth

<b>Page count:</b> 182

<b>Special Event:</b> Some sorority thing.

<b>Number of times "a hundred and thirty-seven" was mentioned:</b> Two, plus five hundred and thirty-seven and seven hundred and thirty-seven. See below.

<b>Mental Illness Winner of the Week:</b> Jessica. Is there any surprise there?

<b>Jessica's Bitchyness scale:</b> ***** (out of five)

<b>WTFery Meter:</b> ****1/2 stars (out of five)

-------------------------

<b>Quotes & Snarky comments:</b>

What a peach:<blockquote>"How can you be best friends with somebody as blah as Eeny Rollins? I don't want you to go over there. Somebody might think it was <i>me</i> talking to her." - Jessica Wakefield, page 18</blockquote>Jessica's thoughts about Liz's lack of enthusiasm at being accepted into the sorority, Pi Beta Alpha: <blockquote>"No big deal? Elizabeth, how can you say that? How can you even think it? You've got to be seven hundred and thirty-seven kinds of idiots not to be excited about associating with the best girls at Sweet Valley High. What's wrong with you?" - page 34/5</blockquote>Isn't she simply the sweetest girl in the world? (note: Enid was also accepted.)

On butting into their brother's, Steven, love life: <blockquote>"You can do whatever you want, Elizabeth Wakefield, but it's just not in my nature to be cold and selfish when it comes to the happiness of a member of my family!" - page 39</blockquote>This as she attempts to steal Todd away from Liz the whole book. Yeah, real selfless of ya, Jess.<blockquote>"He has got to be the most wonderful boy in a hundred and thirty-seven states!" - Jessica, page 108</blockquote> Uh, she does realize there are only 50, right?<blockquote>Elizabeth wondered how her sister could possibly descend from cloud nine with Todd Wilkins to the pits of depression so fast and simply because she had to do a little thing like help fix dinner. - page 108</blockquote>I bet a psychologist (or a whole team of them) is the only one that could help you figure that out, Liz. What follows immediately afterward sees Jessica having a complete meltdown. Seriously.
<blockquote>"This family has got to be the biggest bummer in five hundred and thirty-seven cities!" - Jess, page 111</blockquote><blockquote>"You selfish little twerp," Steven said, glaring at Jessica. - page 114</blockquote>Hear, hear! Way to go Steve!
<blockquote>"I'll never forgive you, not if I live to be a hundred and thirty-seven years." - Jessica, page 182</blockquote>Aah! Please don't live that long, please. 8O

<b>Final thoughts:</b>
Elizabeth = Goody-two-shoes doormat.
Jessica = Satan incarnate.
Sounds like a bad sitcom.

<b>Disclaimer:</b> I am not a teenager or preteen, but an adult. Supposedly. Everyone keeps telling me I am but I'm not sure I'm buying what they're selling. Therefore my views are based from that perspective rather than someone in the target age range. I inhaled these suckers when I was young, hale, and hearty, so in an apparent moment of weakness have decided to re-visit one of my favorite old series in a fondly-remembered, tongue-in-cheek, and mostly sarcastic approach. So since I couldn't manage to devise a rating system for SVH books, I came up with this little way to have some fun, which is in the review form you've (hopefully) just read. Why else would you be reading this if you hadn't read all the way through anyway? Sometimes me not so bright. ;P

Next review: <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/166889313"><b>Secrets</b></a>;