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Nicholas Sparks recommended Jaws (1975) in Movies (curated)

 
Jaws (1975)
Jaws (1975)
1975 | Thriller

"Let’s go with Jaws. I saw Jaws when I was about… I must have been nine years old. Of course, at the time it was the most terrifying film I’d ever seen. It kept me awake for days. It kept me afraid of the ocean for a while. It had me afraid of lakes in Nebraska, in case there were sharks there. I was nine years old. But there are so many amazing things about that, on a historical level. That was the very first film that opened nationwide on the same day. As far as I know, prior to that, they would roll out films big cities to smaller ones, coast to coast. But this opened worldwide, which ushered in the era of the blockbuster. So it was groundbreaking in that regard, and of course, that is something that defines the entire movie industry today. The interesting thing is that, 43 years later, the film holds up exceptionally well. The characters feel as fresh and original as they did so long ago. So well directed. The history of the making of the film and how challenging it was for Spielberg, and the broken shark and all of this, and all of the changes he had to make — none of those challenges are reflected in the quality of the film. So to me, that’s a fabulous, fabulous film."

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The Moonlight School
The Moonlight School
Suzanne Woods Fisher | 2021 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Are you looking for a book that is based on illiteracy? This book called "The Moonlight School" is about that, and a little mystery is popped in as well. It seems like this is mostly about the mountain people that are in Rowen County.

This book is a few main characters, Cora Wilson, Lucy Wilson, Angie Copper, and Finley James. One other one that name is Brother Watt. The author pops a little romance in this book as well. However, most of this book is about learning to read and write.

Will they be able to get the folks' help in the hills to learn to read and write? Will the Moonlight School campaign be stopped in its tracks? Will Lucy find her sister, or will she accept god answer? There seems like there some romance going on, and will Lucy choose Andrew or Watt?

My favorite is learning about how the night schools started. I love the fact that we know about illiteracy and how it the solution came about. This book seems to occur based on actual historical events. That seems like a good idea.

If you are a book fan, well, this is a book you may want to read, It about books and teaching an adult to read. There some mystery in the plot, The author wrote a perfect story plot.
  
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Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) created a post

Oct 31, 2020  
Fans of Christian historical romance, be sure to check out this lovely excerpt from THE LOVE NOTE by Joanna Davidson Politano on my blog. Enter the GIVEAWAY to win a $25 Barnes & Noble gift card + a copy of The Love Note by Joanna Davidson Politano + a pack of 50 love note cards on my blog.

https://alltheupsandowns.blogspot.com/2020/10/book-blog-tour-and-giveaway-love-note.html

**BOOK SYNOPSIS**
Focused on a career in medicine and not on romance, Willa Duvall is thrown slightly off course during the summer of 1859 when she discovers a never-opened love letter in a crack of her old writing desk. Compelled to find the passionate soul who penned it and the person who never received it, she takes a job as a nurse at the seaside estate of Crestwicke Manor.

Everyone at Crestwicke has feelings—mostly negative ones—about the man who wrote the letter, but he seems to have disappeared. With plenty of enticing clues but few answers, Willa's search becomes even more complicated when she misplaces the letter and it passes from person to person in the house, each finding a thrilling or disheartening message in its words.

Laced with mysteries large and small, this romantic Victorian-era tale of love lost, love deferred, and love found is sure to delight.
     
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Jessica Simpson recommended The Book of Longings in Books (curated)

 
The Book of Longings
The Book of Longings
Sue Monk Kidd | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"Growing up in a Southern Baptist home, I was hesitant to read a fictional account of Jesus’ adult life, his own family relations, and the introduction of a romantic relationship. I know the ending to this story, so what could I possibly learn? However, my curiosity got the best of me, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved how the author humanized Jesus in a way I hadn’t seen him described before. I knew about his adoration for his mother, his intense sense of responsibility and his steadfast purpose, but I had never considered the down to earth humanity within those qualities: the love of laughter, warm interpersonal connections with siblings, and day-to-day decision-making. The other fascinating character was, of course, his love interest Ana. You see Jesus through this strong, feisty woman’s eyes and cannot help but weep with her when she loses her greatest love. As this historical moment that I had faithfully studied for all of my life unfolded, I was so involved in the story that I forgot everything aside from the passion, love and sacrifice these two figures shared. Sue Monk Kidd provides the ultimate gift that any writer has to offer their reader: the ability to climb inside the hearts and minds of her characters, feel their pain and celebrate their love. What an experience."

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Merissa (11787 KP) rated Eira in Books

Aug 5, 2021  
Eira
Eira
Adrian J. Smith | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
EIRA is a standalone novella giving The Snow Queen a FF fairytale retelling.

The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.

What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.

The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.

Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
 
* 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!
  
Harriet (2019)
Harriet (2019)
2019 | Biography, Drama, History

"We out.” That is the Harriet Tubman quote emblazoned on my favorite T-shirt. Did she ever really say it? Probably not. But what is so dope about the conceit is that it distills her heroism so acutely, that you feel it in our now. That is the beauty of the film “Harriet.” The performance of Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman is so sharp and nuanced that this mythic, historical figure becomes real. We feel Harriet’s fierce devotion to love, family, and womanhood viscerally. Cynthia Erivo is a striking actress. But great performances do not happen in a vacuum. Kasi is known as an “actor’s director,” and her skill shines throughout the film. The connection between artist and actor is palpable. You feel their trust of one another. Their shared singular focus of Kasi’s vision. A great director guides, pushes, nourishes, steps back. They provide the tools upon which an actor can build. And oh, what tools Kasi provided in costumes, production design, location and voluminous research. Crafting a performance with an actor is the most important job of a director. It starts with trust, and creating a space in which an actor feels safe enough to give you everything. Cynthia gave Kasi everything and we are better for it. We watch an extraordinary woman live, love and fight, and leave the theater inspired."

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First In The Fight: 20 Women Who Made Manchester
First In The Fight: 20 Women Who Made Manchester
Helen Antrobus | 2019 | Biography, History & Politics
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book concentrates on Influential women from Manchester, who fought for women rights and tried to make our life more equal to men. We can find many biographies that inspire and left me more determined to fight for my rights. It also shares quite a lot of history of Manchester and how these women changed it. I really loved the illustrations of every single woman who’s biographies were shared, as well as plenty of photographs from statue reveals, rallies, and other important events that happened in this fine city. I really loved the research done for this book, there are tons of facts, and I applaud the dedication.

I liked the writing style, but it was quite suffocating sometimes with all the facts and historical terms, and it wasn’t the easiest of reads for me. The chapters are short, and that helped to cope with the style of this book. To conclude, I think it is a very important book to read, and I am very happy that this book was published and we have a chance to know more about all these icons, that moulded our country and it’s society. If you would like to get inspired and feel low on self-esteem, do read this book, it will weak up the warrior in you!
  
The Conspirator (2011)
The Conspirator (2011)
2011 | Drama
Love me a good true historical drama
Director Robert Redford delves into a story everyone knows, but doesn't really know.

After the assassination of our 16th and very popular president, Abraham Lincoln, the conspirators are shot and/or caught to face an outraged and shocked nation right at the end of the Civil War. Among the accused is Mary Surratt who is on trial for her involvement in aiding, lodging and collaborating with those accused. The entire nation wants justice however they can get it, so her circumstance seems dire without a lot of reprieve.

Enter her reluctant defense attorney who doesn't really want the job of defending a woman everyone wants to see brought to justice. Her trial seems one-sided at best with witnesses changing their stories and the judges not allowing much argument against the accused.

Mary herself seems she has given up hope with little regard for her own life.

 Redford manages to build the tension slowly as the evidence becomes increasingly bleak for the defendant and everyone's eyes on the trial's outcome. Stellar performance by the always interesting James McAvoy. He wrestles with his own emotions and the growing prejudice the trial has brought upon him and his family to persevere and provide ample defense for his client.

  
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