Search
Search results
Papa's Pizzeria To Go!
Games
App
Things get messy when you’re stuck running a wildly popular pizza parlor in Papa’s Pizzeria To...
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated A Christmas Carol in Books
Apr 27, 2018
We all, at one point or another, have heard the story of A Christmas Carol, whether we read the book in school, watched a movie with the family, or saw the Muppets version on youtube (which, by the way, is my favorite. I heartily recommend it.). But there is so much more to the story that we don’t grasp because of how our culture has changed. This is the way it is with every classic book. But A Christmas Carol is a story that needs to be understood in it’s full impact because of the story it tells and the lessons it teaches. Stephen Skelton has made it possible.
The Special Edition of A Christmas Carol is a small book, perfect to fit in a small handbag (or a stocking!) with a beautiful cover. The book itself is printed with Dickens’ story in the main section of the pages, and the notes, subtext, and annotations printed in the outer margins. After every “Chapter” (called a Stave in the text) there is a discussion section, perfect for any age group, either young children or mature Christians. The discussion features Bible verses and questions, and relates events, topics, and themes from A Christmas Carol to our everyday Christian walk with God. Extra verses and topics follow the end of every discussion section for those older individuals who wish to go further into studying the themes targeted in the book: Selfishness, Regret, Repentance, Salvation, and Rebirth. At the end of the book is a list of resources for further study.
The story of A Christmas Carol remains, to this day, a classic in literature because it is a wonderful story of sin and greed turned around to Christianity and charity through allegory and parable. It has proved itself a wonderful story to every reader, and will continue to do so forever. Hopefully, this will be the edition that becomes the standard.
Recommendation: All ages. Wonderful for family discussions or group Bible studies. Perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer!
**Thank you to FSB Associates for providing my review copy!**
The Special Edition of A Christmas Carol is a small book, perfect to fit in a small handbag (or a stocking!) with a beautiful cover. The book itself is printed with Dickens’ story in the main section of the pages, and the notes, subtext, and annotations printed in the outer margins. After every “Chapter” (called a Stave in the text) there is a discussion section, perfect for any age group, either young children or mature Christians. The discussion features Bible verses and questions, and relates events, topics, and themes from A Christmas Carol to our everyday Christian walk with God. Extra verses and topics follow the end of every discussion section for those older individuals who wish to go further into studying the themes targeted in the book: Selfishness, Regret, Repentance, Salvation, and Rebirth. At the end of the book is a list of resources for further study.
The story of A Christmas Carol remains, to this day, a classic in literature because it is a wonderful story of sin and greed turned around to Christianity and charity through allegory and parable. It has proved itself a wonderful story to every reader, and will continue to do so forever. Hopefully, this will be the edition that becomes the standard.
Recommendation: All ages. Wonderful for family discussions or group Bible studies. Perfect Christmas gift or stocking stuffer!
**Thank you to FSB Associates for providing my review copy!**
Kyera (8 KP) rated The Call (The Call #1) in Books
Feb 1, 2018
Be prepared for a dark ride that will hit you with every emotion. The book starts off a little slow as it lays the groundwork for a riveting and horrifying novel. Once you are introduced to the various characters and the world they find themselves in, the book becomes a really quick read. This book takes place in Ireland, but the island is separated from the rest of the world. Thousands of years ago, the Irish people banished the Sidhe (fairies) to another world and now they're back for their revenge. The people are trapped and their teens are being taken. The Call lasts for 3 minutes and 4 seconds in our world, but they have to survive a day in Sidhe. Most don't. Those that do usually aren't the same, either physically, mentally, or both. When they reappear after those 3 minutes, they're likely dead and quite horribly mutilated. The Sidhe enjoy twisting and bending their prey into new shapes as a form of amusement. Dark.
Sidhe is beautifully, yet horrifically depicted in the book as a place of nightmarish terrors, distorted humanity and deadly Sidhe (fairies). Humans are twisted and shaped into grotesque beings just as depraved as their creators. The landscape is no more forgiving with acid pits and razor folliage. While well represented, I wouldn't recommend this novel to younger teen readers because its pretty dark. Despite that, you're drawn into the book and just <i>need</i> to know what's going to happen.
One comment I have is that the main characters, Anto, Connor, Nessa, Megan, etc don't read like they're 14 years old and that's how old they're supposed to be. Perhaps it's living in this strange new word where you know you can be called at any moment and likely lose your life which might age you prematurely, but I kept being surprised when I was reminded of their ages. They definitely act older than they are, perhaps 16-18 years of age.
I really enjoyed this book because it wasn't like anything I've read before. Highly recommended for (older) young adult/teen readers who like fantasy, great world-building and don't expect everyone to have a happy ending.
Sidhe is beautifully, yet horrifically depicted in the book as a place of nightmarish terrors, distorted humanity and deadly Sidhe (fairies). Humans are twisted and shaped into grotesque beings just as depraved as their creators. The landscape is no more forgiving with acid pits and razor folliage. While well represented, I wouldn't recommend this novel to younger teen readers because its pretty dark. Despite that, you're drawn into the book and just <i>need</i> to know what's going to happen.
One comment I have is that the main characters, Anto, Connor, Nessa, Megan, etc don't read like they're 14 years old and that's how old they're supposed to be. Perhaps it's living in this strange new word where you know you can be called at any moment and likely lose your life which might age you prematurely, but I kept being surprised when I was reminded of their ages. They definitely act older than they are, perhaps 16-18 years of age.
I really enjoyed this book because it wasn't like anything I've read before. Highly recommended for (older) young adult/teen readers who like fantasy, great world-building and don't expect everyone to have a happy ending.
Jessica - Where the Book Ends (15 KP) rated Someday, Somewhere in Books
Jan 30, 2019
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Someday, Somewhere is a story that I had a lot of hopes for. Lately contemporary stories are something I’ve been steering clear of; however, the plot of this story sounded interesting and different so I thought I would give it a chance. I was very disappointed. The writing style didn’t jive with me. It was either clunky and choppy or it was riddled with run on sentences. The inner dialogue was cheesy and the characters were not likeable… at all.
Dom is a girl from a poorer family and she works with her mom in their laundromat. She goes on a field trip and sees a boy she can’t stop thinking about. He literally walks right past her and doesn’t even notice her; so close in fact, that she can feel the breeze on her arm. She makes loads of poor choices, i.e. going to New York to look for some random stranger she saw once, and taking clothes that the most popular girl at school dropped off at the laundromat…Yes, she “borrowed” clothes. She repeatedly asks herself “Who even does this?” … If you must ask yourself this you shouldn’t be doing it.
Ben is a violinist that is from a more well-off family than Dom’s. As previously stated he walks right past her at one of his shows and doesn’t even notice her. Next thing we know Dom is asking Ben on the street if he knows how to get to a certain train. He turns and sees her and suddenly she’s the most beautiful specimen he’s ever seen. He can’t stop thinking about her and even goes so far as to post flyers all over NYC looking for her. Yes, the girl he didn’t even notice the previous day, he now can’t stop thinking about.
Throughout the book the characters do nothing but lie to each other and to the people around them. They are completely ridiculous and unrealistic. The characters aren’t easy to relate to and the whole story just didn’t work for me at all.
Someday, Somewhere is a story that I had a lot of hopes for. Lately contemporary stories are something I’ve been steering clear of; however, the plot of this story sounded interesting and different so I thought I would give it a chance. I was very disappointed. The writing style didn’t jive with me. It was either clunky and choppy or it was riddled with run on sentences. The inner dialogue was cheesy and the characters were not likeable… at all.
Dom is a girl from a poorer family and she works with her mom in their laundromat. She goes on a field trip and sees a boy she can’t stop thinking about. He literally walks right past her and doesn’t even notice her; so close in fact, that she can feel the breeze on her arm. She makes loads of poor choices, i.e. going to New York to look for some random stranger she saw once, and taking clothes that the most popular girl at school dropped off at the laundromat…Yes, she “borrowed” clothes. She repeatedly asks herself “Who even does this?” … If you must ask yourself this you shouldn’t be doing it.
Ben is a violinist that is from a more well-off family than Dom’s. As previously stated he walks right past her at one of his shows and doesn’t even notice her. Next thing we know Dom is asking Ben on the street if he knows how to get to a certain train. He turns and sees her and suddenly she’s the most beautiful specimen he’s ever seen. He can’t stop thinking about her and even goes so far as to post flyers all over NYC looking for her. Yes, the girl he didn’t even notice the previous day, he now can’t stop thinking about.
Throughout the book the characters do nothing but lie to each other and to the people around them. They are completely ridiculous and unrealistic. The characters aren’t easy to relate to and the whole story just didn’t work for me at all.
VelaClock Sun/Moon
Photo & Video and Travel
App
VelaClock is a world clock with unique features and an easily configurable user interface....
My Town : Pets
Games and Education
App
*** Pay once & Play forever + receive FREE updates! No ads and no IAP *** If you have a pet or are...
Menace (Moonshine Task Force #5)
10.0
Rate It
Book
Mason “Menace” Harrison “Single and ready to mingle……” Those are the words above...
DaveySmithy (107 KP) rated Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) in Movies
Dec 4, 2024 (Updated Dec 4, 2024)
Fun moments
I went into Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024) hoping it would build on the promise of Ghostbusters: Afterlife while carving out its own icy identity. Unfortunately, while the film has its moments of charm and spectacle, it left me feeling cold overall—pun intended.
The premise is intriguing: a mysterious, apocalyptic winter descending on New York City, with the Ghostbusters tasked to save the day. The visuals are striking—snow-covered cityscapes and frost-bitten ghosts make for some memorable scenes. The effects team clearly had a blast imagining what a frozen supernatural invasion would look like, and the frosty atmosphere feels like a fresh twist for the franchise.
The returning cast, especially Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon, are as likable as ever, but they’re not given much to do beyond reacting to the chaos. The younger characters, led by Mckenna Grace, are still charming, but the novelty of their “kid Ghostbusters” dynamic is starting to wear thin. The humor is hit-or-miss; while there are a few clever lines and fun moments, some of the jokes feel too forced, as though the film is trying too hard to mimic the original’s effortless wit.
One of the biggest disappointments for me was the pacing. The first half of the movie drags, spending too much time on exposition and setup without giving us the action or scares we came for. When the ghost-busting finally ramps up, it’s exciting, but it feels rushed and formulaic. The climactic battle is visually impressive but lacks emotional weight, relying more on spectacle than storytelling.
I also couldn’t help but feel that Frozen Empire leans too heavily on nostalgia. The callbacks to the original movies are fun at first, but they start to feel like a crutch, reminding us of the franchise’s glory days instead of moving it forward in a meaningful way.
Overall, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a decent popcorn flick with some cool visuals and a few laughs, but it doesn’t live up to the potential of its concept or its legacy. It’s a 6/10 for me—fun in the moment, but not particularly memorable.
The premise is intriguing: a mysterious, apocalyptic winter descending on New York City, with the Ghostbusters tasked to save the day. The visuals are striking—snow-covered cityscapes and frost-bitten ghosts make for some memorable scenes. The effects team clearly had a blast imagining what a frozen supernatural invasion would look like, and the frosty atmosphere feels like a fresh twist for the franchise.
The returning cast, especially Paul Rudd and Carrie Coon, are as likable as ever, but they’re not given much to do beyond reacting to the chaos. The younger characters, led by Mckenna Grace, are still charming, but the novelty of their “kid Ghostbusters” dynamic is starting to wear thin. The humor is hit-or-miss; while there are a few clever lines and fun moments, some of the jokes feel too forced, as though the film is trying too hard to mimic the original’s effortless wit.
One of the biggest disappointments for me was the pacing. The first half of the movie drags, spending too much time on exposition and setup without giving us the action or scares we came for. When the ghost-busting finally ramps up, it’s exciting, but it feels rushed and formulaic. The climactic battle is visually impressive but lacks emotional weight, relying more on spectacle than storytelling.
I also couldn’t help but feel that Frozen Empire leans too heavily on nostalgia. The callbacks to the original movies are fun at first, but they start to feel like a crutch, reminding us of the franchise’s glory days instead of moving it forward in a meaningful way.
Overall, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a decent popcorn flick with some cool visuals and a few laughs, but it doesn’t live up to the potential of its concept or its legacy. It’s a 6/10 for me—fun in the moment, but not particularly memorable.
Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Carefully Everywhere Descending in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Audrey Anderson is a bright student from a low income family. Audrey spends most of her time focused on school, with college as her ultimate goal. While she's close to her best friend, she isn't that involved with other kids at her school. However, when one of the most popular (and beautiful) girls in school, Scarlett, asks Audrey to tutor her in English, Audrey finds herself caught up in the typical drama of high school - friendship, prom, etc.
Okay, first of all, I probably bumped up this rating a bit because it was just so refreshing to read a YA LGBT novel with a nice, normal protagonist who seemed real. Most of Audrey's friends and family seem fine with her sexuality and other girls at her school go to prom together. It's wonderful to see a LGBT book where the character's sexuality is just part of her life, versus what drives the entire plot.
The book also does a good job of portraying Audrey and Scarlett's romance - Audrey's unrequited love for Scarlett seemed a bit much at first, but remembering back to the angst of teen love, it seemed right on point.
My problem with this book was some of its odd plot twists, which really didn't seem necessary. I won't spoil the book here, but I think Bedford could have stuck with Audrey and Scarlett's love story and been just fine. That being said, I didn't think they were that crazy or out of left field. I found Audrey to be a compelling and realistic character and it was great to see an author use a YA protagonist from a low income background, even if it did seem a bit overused at times. Too often these books focus on the popular kids, driving their parents' cars and living life without a care in the world. Audrey's life is probably far more realistic for many.
Frankly, the book had some holes and issues, but it was still worth the read for its portrayal of a real YA lesbian relationship and Audrey's overall situation. I enjoyed her character and read the entire book in one day - I'll certainly be recommending it to several of my friends.
(I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
Okay, first of all, I probably bumped up this rating a bit because it was just so refreshing to read a YA LGBT novel with a nice, normal protagonist who seemed real. Most of Audrey's friends and family seem fine with her sexuality and other girls at her school go to prom together. It's wonderful to see a LGBT book where the character's sexuality is just part of her life, versus what drives the entire plot.
The book also does a good job of portraying Audrey and Scarlett's romance - Audrey's unrequited love for Scarlett seemed a bit much at first, but remembering back to the angst of teen love, it seemed right on point.
My problem with this book was some of its odd plot twists, which really didn't seem necessary. I won't spoil the book here, but I think Bedford could have stuck with Audrey and Scarlett's love story and been just fine. That being said, I didn't think they were that crazy or out of left field. I found Audrey to be a compelling and realistic character and it was great to see an author use a YA protagonist from a low income background, even if it did seem a bit overused at times. Too often these books focus on the popular kids, driving their parents' cars and living life without a care in the world. Audrey's life is probably far more realistic for many.
Frankly, the book had some holes and issues, but it was still worth the read for its portrayal of a real YA lesbian relationship and Audrey's overall situation. I enjoyed her character and read the entire book in one day - I'll certainly be recommending it to several of my friends.
(I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.)
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated The First Lady in Books
Aug 8, 2019
It's four weeks until the election for the new President. Current President Tucker is enjoying himself at a hotel in Atlanta with his girlfriend, while his wife and first lady, Grace Tucker, is fulfilling the duties of her office. When the President leave the hotel with his mistress, all hell breaks loose. There are reporters everywhere, there to catch the scandal. It's all just too much for the First Lady to handle, so she retreats to one of her favorite places and then, she turns up missing. Sally Grissom is the Secret Service Agent in charge of the presidential detail and doesn't know how the First Lady going missing isn't something she is told. Until she is called into the President's office and is asked to look for her secretively. What is going on? Something isn't right. And Sally has her eye on the President's Chief of Staff and his strange request. But Sally doesn't work for him, she serves the Office of the President and she will find the First Lady, no matter what.
This is a book I really enjoyed. It captured my attention from the start and had some twists and turns, I didn't see coming. There was only one drawback from this audio version of the book, the narrator. She did a fine job of reading the story and the voices, but her pronunciation drove me crazy. If you're not from the Washington, DC area, you might not notice, but it is so obvious. Pronouncing Maryland like Merry-Land. Potomac like Pot A Mack, and Arapaho like Air a pay ho. I cringed every time.
Imagine in this day and time with smart phones everywhere if the First Lady went missing. It would be all over the news. Why doesn't the Chief of Staff want to share this with the world, to help find her? Why isn't the FBI involved? Something is going on in the White House and Sally doesn't know if the President is aware at all. Or is his mistress and the election much more important to him than finding his wife.
Sally is going to do all she can to do her job even when she is asked to stand down. Even when it seems like there is always an obstacle there to stop her. Will she find the First Lady before it's too late? You'll have to read the book to find out.
This is a book I really enjoyed. It captured my attention from the start and had some twists and turns, I didn't see coming. There was only one drawback from this audio version of the book, the narrator. She did a fine job of reading the story and the voices, but her pronunciation drove me crazy. If you're not from the Washington, DC area, you might not notice, but it is so obvious. Pronouncing Maryland like Merry-Land. Potomac like Pot A Mack, and Arapaho like Air a pay ho. I cringed every time.
Imagine in this day and time with smart phones everywhere if the First Lady went missing. It would be all over the news. Why doesn't the Chief of Staff want to share this with the world, to help find her? Why isn't the FBI involved? Something is going on in the White House and Sally doesn't know if the President is aware at all. Or is his mistress and the election much more important to him than finding his wife.
Sally is going to do all she can to do her job even when she is asked to stand down. Even when it seems like there is always an obstacle there to stop her. Will she find the First Lady before it's too late? You'll have to read the book to find out.