Search

Search only in certain items:

40x40

Paige (428 KP) rated The Alchemist in Books

Aug 19, 2017  
The Alchemist
The Alchemist
Paulo Coelho | 1993 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.2 (35 Ratings)
Book Rating
easy to follow (0 more)
self- important (0 more)
A book for a particular audience
If someone tells me they love this book, I pretty immediately assume that they don't read for pleasure. This book was really made for people who think reading is like medicine, and it strives to be the best-tasting medicine. It is short, vaguely inspirational, uses simple language, and tailored to make you feel wiser after reading it.

In this way, the book is a success.


For readers who are more well-read, all this comes across as a not unpleasant, but not groundbreaking attempt at making capital L literature. It kind of drones, and seems a bit twee and trite.


If you think of books as vitamins (good for you, but a pain to procure and consume) then this book is the most delicious version of that.
  
IH
Iron Hearted Violet
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I read a lot of fairy tails as a kid, but never have I read one this profound and unique: an ugly princess, a helpful dragon, a gifted farm-hand, a crazy story-teller, and an evil god trapped in the stones of an ever-changing castle. The language was beautiful and fluid and enchanting, the characters were all unique and special, and the plot itself had me sitting on the edge of my seat the whole time. I never wanted it to end but I was so happy with the conclusion. On top of it all, the audio-book was wonderfully read, full of character and voice, and Simon Vance nailed the personalities of the characters. I have no doubt I will re-read this book eventually, and I am adding Barnhill to my Author Watch list.
  
Twenty Something: The Quarter-Life Crisis Of Jack Lancaster
Twenty Something: The Quarter-Life Crisis Of Jack Lancaster
Iain Hollingshead | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry, Humor & Comedy, Young Adult (YA)
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Pros:
▪ Quick flow
▪ Diary entries
▪ Memoir style
Cons:
▪Explicit language
THIS BOOK.
What an amusing read this was, absolutely hilarious. This book follows Jack Lancaster who is twenty something and having a quarter-life crisis, his life is a bit of a mess and he's not really sure what the heck he's doing. He ends up totally winging it and everything figures itself out eventually, apart from a few unfortunate events here and there.
I love the fact that this is written by a local author again so I recognised many locations and even buildings in this, one of the buildings mentioned is actually where my dad works.
This made me able to relate to the book more.
If you want a quick read, with a fast flow and lots of humour then this is the book to read.
  
This take on what it means to be on the Mayflower and the struggles that come along with it is very interesting. It makes what I just think of an event so much more. The character, even though it is hard to keep track at times, are relatable and you find yourself invested in their stories. The language was modern and that took away from the story for me. My only other problem was the flatness, while there was problems most of the book just felt monotonous. This could be just because I don't read much historical fiction but I am not sure.
Perfect for those fans who want to feel connected to a real event but with a fictional aspect instead of just facts. This will give them a good read that will keep you interested until the very end.
  
The BadChristian Podcast
The BadChristian Podcast
Religion & Spirituality
8
9.0 (3 Ratings)
Podcast Rating
Funny (2 more)
Entertaining
Theology Discussions
The language/profanity (0 more)
I love these guys, but the vulgarity is a bit much at times
I've been listening to the Bad Christian Podcast since the first episode. I was a big fan of the band Emery, and two of the hosts are members of that band, while the third is a pastor.


These guys are funny and entertaining and their guests and topics - usually centered on religion, but not always - are timely and interesting. But... through the process of "deconstructing" their faith, they have gone sharply vulgar, and it frequently makes me want to stop listening. I haven't stopped yet, but the temptation is there.

If you can handle "blue" humor and lots of swearing, there's a lot to enjoy here. And if you like emo or screamo music, I definitely suggest listening to Emery.
  
LK
Little Knife (Grisha Verse, #2.6)
Leigh Bardugo | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is one of the companion stories to the Grishaverse novels, and I loved it.

I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid.

I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.

I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson would use in their classic fairy tales.

I loved the twists and spins in the story.

Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.

Don't trust rivers, they may be FREAKING GODS IN DISGUISE!?!?!?!?
  
40x40

Awix (3310 KP) rated Arrival (2016) in Movies

Mar 13, 2018  
Arrival (2016)
Arrival (2016)
2016 | Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi
SF movie that dares to attempt to be a serious, thoughtful drama; almost feels like a Christopher Nolan pastiche. Linguistics expert Amy Adams is recruited to try and make contact when enigmatic giant squid-things appear in vast spacecraft scattered across the planet.

Well, as a language-teaching professional, I have to say that Adams' approach to teaching the squid English is deeply suspect, but in all other respects this is an impressive film that is not afraid to credit its audience with intelligence. Possibly the only film featuring both the US army and Jeremy Renner in which he does not play some sort of special-forces sharpshooter. Perhaps a little bit too slow, chilly, and cerebral to really succeed as an entertainment, but still well worth watching, even if it is ultimately easier to admire than to like.
  
Elvis is hired to track down Ellen Lang's husband because the husband disappeared with their son. However, after the Lang house is searched and the first body turns up, he realizes he is in way over his head.

This book suffers from the cliches of the PI genre, but manages to overcome them with some pretty entertaining characters. Elvis and his PI partner Joe are both interesting, and Elvis's sense of humor is fun. There are some twists that surprised me as well. The book is definitely outside my normal comfort zone with the use of bad language and more violence, which I wasn't always comfortable with. Still, I do intend to read more in the series.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2014/08/book-review-monkeys-raincoat-by-robert.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
Story of a Soul: The Autobiography of St. Therese of Lisieux
Thérèse de Lisieux | 1996 | Biography, Religion
10
8.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
MMD Reading Challenge 2017- For Fun
Category: Book You've Already Read Before

Back to the Classics Reading Challenge 2017
Category: Classic by a Woman Author

This book is one of my favorites. I have read it 5 or 6 times already, and I always get something new out of it. Her spirituality is accessible to everyone, and that is what I love about it. This is by far the best translation in my opinion. The language, while still flowery, is not saccharine sweet, which I have found to be the case in some other translations. Also, the earlier translations, were heavily edited by her sisters. Don't hesitate to read this book because it was written by a young nun during the 1800s. There is really something for everyone contained in her writings, and it's definitely worth re-reading.