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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Joshua Tree in Books
Jul 17, 2024
Being Window Dressing Can Be Dangerous
When a ranger dies while participating in a bull riding event, everyone chalks it up to a tragic accident. Everyone except for the man’s family, who is threatening to sue Joshua Tree National Park, where he works, as well as local law enforcement. So Jack Prester is sent out to poke around a little and back up the official investigation. Basically be window dressing. However, it isn’t long after Jack arrives when he finds a whole lot more going on that could shed new light on the death. Can he figure out what is going on?
Once again, it was great to be spending time with these characters. The plot drew me in and kept me turning pages. There were a couple of things I might not like from another author, but this author pulled them off while answering all my questions. The characters, both new and returning, are wonderful. I was surprised at the bit of language in the book, mainly because most of the time when it showed up, it didn’t feel appropriate. But that’s a minor issue. Overall, I continue to love the author’s use of language. It’s almost poetic at times, but never gets in the way of the story. This is another great entry in a great series.
Once again, it was great to be spending time with these characters. The plot drew me in and kept me turning pages. There were a couple of things I might not like from another author, but this author pulled them off while answering all my questions. The characters, both new and returning, are wonderful. I was surprised at the bit of language in the book, mainly because most of the time when it showed up, it didn’t feel appropriate. But that’s a minor issue. Overall, I continue to love the author’s use of language. It’s almost poetic at times, but never gets in the way of the story. This is another great entry in a great series.
tarabu42 (7 KP) rated The Transatlantic Conspiracy in Books
Nov 2, 2017
Exciting, fast-paced, no fluff
Classic conflicts of child/parent, friend/(boy)friend, working/privileged classes, come to a head with a brutal murder, pre-WWI industrial espionage, and a race to survive the crossing.
The publisher classes it as YA, but it is suitable for a well-read late middle grader as the murder is neither gory nor superfluous to the plot. The language is clear and direct, the dialogue natural, and the settings imaginative.
The publisher classes it as YA, but it is suitable for a well-read late middle grader as the murder is neither gory nor superfluous to the plot. The language is clear and direct, the dialogue natural, and the settings imaginative.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated The Deadly Shipwrecks of the Powhattan and New Era On The Jersey Shore in Books
Jan 12, 2018
I was given this book by a high school friend who is related to the author. I love history and disasters so this book was right up my alley. It was well researched and written, as well as filled with information. As a non mariner some of the language was a bit over my head but I could follow it in context. I could almost put myself on the storm swept beaches with the rescuers, perhaps growing up on the Jersey Shore had something to do with that. Anyone who likes maritime history or history of the Jersey Shore should put this one on their list.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Lost In Translation (2003) in Movies
Aug 9, 2017
A love story of loneliness
I love this film for its whimsical outlook of expatriates in Japan. It's a love story of loneliness between two people incredibly unsuited to one another. An older man, Bill Murray, married with grown kids, and the newly wed Scarlet Johannson, left to her own devices while her husband was at work. It's bittersweet for what it is. Having lived in China for three years I could empathise for some part, but unlike the protagonists who made zero effort to integrate, I learnt to speak the language. That's my only complaint.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated This Is How It Ends in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I don't have a tremendous amount to say about this book. I liked the characters a lot, I liked the tension and the curiosity of what would happen, I liked the story. I didn't love it, I don't have a lot of criticism about it. It's a like-able book. It doesn't merit my re-read shelf, but I enjoyed the story. I wasn't satisfied with the ending, but it did keep me thinking for days. All in all, 3 stars for enjoyment but for not being everything I like in a book.
Content/recommendation: Some mention of sex, no erotic scenes. Some occasional language. Ages 16+
Content/recommendation: Some mention of sex, no erotic scenes. Some occasional language. Ages 16+
Kate (355 KP) rated Edie (2017) in Movies
Feb 16, 2019 (Updated Feb 17, 2019)
Contains spoilers, click to show
A very feel good movie about an octogenarian widow who was in an unhappy marriage wants to fulfill a long desire to climb a Scottish mountain, so off she goes. It was filmed on the side of the mountain and the surrounding areas and the scenery is fantastic, no doubt tourism will go up in this area. Sheila Hancock plays the widow and a big round of applause to her for actually walking up the mountain. She start off being a (excuse the language) a crappy old cow but you just fall in love with her at the end. Everyone should go watch it.
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Kick-Ass (2010) in Movies
Apr 22, 2019
When I grow up, I want to be Hit Girl!
I really like this film, and I’ve watched it more than once! It’s very cartoonish in its delivery, and that’s just fine by me! Although that is kind of counteracted by the extreme violence and the language (I have to admit that I laughed A LOT when Hit Girl uses the ‘C’ word - I think that’s a British thing, possibly ??♀️) .
I’ve no doubt this will get watched again in my house - I have two teenaged boys who have been brought up in a house of graphic novels and superhero/ Marvel/ DC movies, so it’s a strong likelihood!
I’ve no doubt this will get watched again in my house - I have two teenaged boys who have been brought up in a house of graphic novels and superhero/ Marvel/ DC movies, so it’s a strong likelihood!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Fun House (John Ceepak Mystery, #7) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
A reality competition has come to Sea Haven, and Ceepak and Danny have gotten caught up in the action when the sudden star of the show is caught with steroids. But when the bodies turn up, they have to dig deep to find the killer. As always, I loved spending time in this resort town and with the cops, who continue to develop as a characters. The book is filled with foul language, which reminds me why I don't watch the shows that were being spoofed here.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-fun-house-by-chris.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-fun-house-by-chris.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
I was absolutely blown away by this book! It's an audio-only version of the material covered in [[Marshall B. Rosenberg]]'s book of a similar name, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life: Life-Changing Tools for Healthy Relationships. It distills his lifetime of work on NVC.
I think it might have been 20 years since my brother-of-choice recommended Rosenberg's work to me. Yes, sometimes I'm slow. I intend to go ahead and read the print version as well as re-listen to this one several times.
The thing that really struck me was the empathic way of approaching people, including oneself.
I think it might have been 20 years since my brother-of-choice recommended Rosenberg's work to me. Yes, sometimes I'm slow. I intend to go ahead and read the print version as well as re-listen to this one several times.
The thing that really struck me was the empathic way of approaching people, including oneself.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated The Two Minute Rule in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Max Holman has just been released from prison when he gets the news that his estranged son, a police officer, has been murdered. When the official story doesn't add up, Max begins poking around. But is he in over his head?
Another of Crais' stand alone novels, I found this one rather disappointing. The plot was a little too obvious. And, as a completely personal issue, the language also bothered me. On the other hand, the characters were great and compelled me further into the story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-two-minute-rule-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Another of Crais' stand alone novels, I found this one rather disappointing. The plot was a little too obvious. And, as a completely personal issue, the language also bothered me. On the other hand, the characters were great and compelled me further into the story.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/07/book-review-two-minute-rule-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.