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Lots of BTS anectodes from key people (1 more)
Talks about key problems that needed solved during each phase
Not really a deep dive into design choices. Mostly storytelling. (0 more)
As excited as I was for an "Art of the movies" book(retroactively, maybe I should've read the synopsis more carefully.),this is NOT that book. However, it still hosts a treasure trove of knowledge once you accept that. It's still super fascinating to read all about the creation of an interconnected movie franchise, because rather you love or hate Marvel movies, there's just no denying that what they've accomplished is nothing short of magic.
  
Fight Club (1999)
Fight Club (1999)
1999 | Thriller
The first rule of Fight Club is ...
... you didn't talk about Fight Club.

That's virtually all my beforehand knowledge of this movie, which it's only taken me (roughly) 25 years to get around to watching.

And I wish I hadn't bothered: that's slightly over 2 hours of my life (that felt like 25+ years) that I'll never get back again ...

Bleak, depressing, and with an incredibly obvious 'twist' telegraphed virtually from the get-go, I found little to recommend in this, and even less to enjoy.

One to avoid.
(And at least I can now say I've seen it ...)
  
WO
Watersheds of World History
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This book was provided as a complimentary signed copy from the author, and I am very grateful to be finally fulfilling my promise to review the book.

Firstly, I have to be honest, world history from start to finish in 200 pages? I know, I asked myself that question so many times before I sat down to finally read this and I was highly sceptical whether it could be achieved. How very wrong I was.

Taylor has a unique take on history, succinct and incredibly to the point. I read a lot of history books and most historians get a little 'flowery' with their language in an attempt to make the reader love the history but Taylor takes a completely contrasting methodology in being almost blunt with the delivery of the historical facts. Usually, I would prefer more description but in this book it is much more apt to have this short, sharp burst approach as it keeps the reader hooked to the very end, even if they already know the history being told. That being said, I'm a self professed history enthusiast who reads history like fiction, and Taylor, in this masterpiece, managed to teach me a thing or two about periods of history I thought I knew inside out.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for anyone interested in getting a beginners knowledge of world history, whether to help decide options for school, find a new hobby or even brush up on quiz knowledge. Taylor has written an immensely useful and informative text that I would, if I were a teacher of history, make a compulsory text for all my children. As it is, I'm in primary teaching and I can see myself recommending this to colleagues who are less confident in general historical knowledge to make sure they meet the grade! A fantastic talent has emerged in the literary world of non-fiction history, and I look forward to reading more from this incredibly talented and unique author.
  
A Stolen Child
A Stolen Child
Sarah Stewart Taylor | 2023 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Murder and Kidnapping
Maggie D’arcy has completed her training and has officially joined the Garda in Ireland. While she waits for an opportunity to be promoted to detective, she is on patrol and is called to the scene of a murder. Not only does Maggie recognize it as an address she had been to a few days before after a domestic disturbance call, she also realizes that the victim had a toddler who is now missing. On loan to the detectives for this case, can Maggie find the child in time? Will her knowledge of the neighborhood help?

Maggie has been on quite a journey in this series, and it’s nice to see this natural step in her career. The plot starts strongly. While it does get a little uneven in the middle, things pick up when we get to several logical twists at the climax. I liked how Maggie’s knowledge of the neighborhood where the crime took place played an important part of the plot. The suspects come to life, and it is nice to see Maggie’s relationships grown, both personally and professionally. As a police procedural, this is a bit darker than the cozies I typically read, but as long as you know that going in, you’ll be fine. If you are looking for a solid police procedural set in Ireland, you’ll be glad you picked up this book.
  
The Adam Buxton Podcast
The Adam Buxton Podcast
Comedy
9
6.5 (6 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
The friendly laid back atmosphere in interviews (0 more)
Occasional dull guests (0 more)
I have long been a fan of Adam & Joe on TV and podcast and enjoy Buxton's solo podcast. Here he interviews comedian guests about their work, life and general nonsense. The interviews are very laid back and aren't done just to plug a new release/show. Adam's silly style, but experience and musical knowledge allow the comedy to flow regardless of the guest as there will always be some entertainment he will get out of them.
The advertising gets a little bit irritating at times but this is a necessary evil to make the podcast viable for Buxton.
  
Game Scoop!
Game Scoop!
Games & Hobbies
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
Daemon is a fantastic host (1 more)
20 questions
Justin Davis (0 more)
Solid knowledge and insight
I have listened to Game scoop for years and every week I know that it will give me a laugh and some great opinions and insights into recent gaming news and events. Marty is always brilliant when he is on the show and I love when the guests play 20 questions and try to guess the listener submitted game. The only downside is Justin Davis, who for some reason is a regular on this show. He is extremely irritating and his taste in games couldn't be further away from my own tastes.
  
No Is Not Enough
No Is Not Enough
Naomi Klein | 2017 | Essays, History & Politics, Philosophy, Psychology & Social Sciences
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Politically-shifting mindblowing manifesto
Explosive, at times traumatizing and frustrating but ultimately hopeful - Naomi Klein's extensive knowledge and wealth of experience exudes in this mighty manifesto. Her anecdotes are both heartfelt and moving juxtaposed with endless hard-hitting facts, she's a master in her field and an appropriate figure attempting to initiate a global grassroots movement against ecocidal capitalism and right wing populism. This book, unlike her other works, feels much more personal as she states she didn't spend years researching, but it feels very much like a response to growing anger. That being said, it is still well structured and the arguments are coherent. A truly politically-shifting book
  
Nowhere Child
Nowhere Child
Rachel Abbott | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
7
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Doesn't work as a stand-alone book
I'm not sure what to make of this book. It's interesting, but it doesn't work as a stand-alone story, and requires having knowledge and plot of previous books.

The best character is Emma, who is an absolute saint of a woman, trying to be an appropriate mother figure to her very distressed and damaged stepdaughter all the while trying to protect her from gangsters. The first half of the book shows the stepdaughter Tasha living in the streets having run away from a perilous situation and attempting to trust people again. It's okay but a little over the top.
  
Food Network Star
Food Network Star
2005 | Documentary
One of my favorite shows!
I love cooking competition shows and one of my favorites is Food Network Star. Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentiis guide contestants interested in their own show on Food Network through a series of grueling cooking challenges designed to test their cooking chops, food knowledge and on-screen personality.

The challenges separate the good from the not so good until the top 3 get to make actual pilot shows for the network. The winning contestant then receives their own show, becomes a member of the Food Network family and frequently appears as a judge on other shows.

  
Sometimes I Lie
Sometimes I Lie
Alice Feeney | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
10
7.8 (17 Ratings)
Book Rating
Twists all over the place!
An amazingly twisty thriller! I read it quickly, because I just couldn't stop. I needed to know what would happen next.

The plot as we know it going in:
There are three things you should know about me:
1. I'm in a coma.
2. My husband doesn't love me any more.
3. Sometimes I lie.

That's really all I needed to suck me in. And it's all I'll tell you, so you can enjoy the story for yourself without any pre-knowledge. I thought it was well-written, and well done. I've heard rumors that there may be a sequel - I am on board for that!