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Tilt is a book with a lot going on. Annie is heavily pregnant and is at IKEA looking for a crib for her baby (Bean). She can’t find what she wants, and after an argument with the Ikea worker, she finds herself buried under a pile of the building due to a catastrophic earthquake. After the Ikea worker lets her out (she clearly doesn’t hold a grudge), Annie starts the long and dangerous walk to find her husband.
On the way, she reflects on her life, telling Bean the stories of her disappointments, buried ambitions, loves and hopes for the future (getting home, mainly!). It’s a long, hot, dangerous walk home for anyone, let alone a heavily pregnant woman. The catastrophic circumstances are vividly described, including the death of a woman, the lack of fresh drinking water, the abandoned cars and the desperation to keep her baby, herself and her husband safe.
It puts a lot of things into perspective for her and in a way, encourages the reader to look at what’s important in their lives (ok, that might just be me).
This is a gripping, unputdownable read/ listen, and Ariel Blake, the narrator, sounded perfect as Annie. Not that I necessarily needed this book being brought to life - it’s scary!
On the way, she reflects on her life, telling Bean the stories of her disappointments, buried ambitions, loves and hopes for the future (getting home, mainly!). It’s a long, hot, dangerous walk home for anyone, let alone a heavily pregnant woman. The catastrophic circumstances are vividly described, including the death of a woman, the lack of fresh drinking water, the abandoned cars and the desperation to keep her baby, herself and her husband safe.
It puts a lot of things into perspective for her and in a way, encourages the reader to look at what’s important in their lives (ok, that might just be me).
This is a gripping, unputdownable read/ listen, and Ariel Blake, the narrator, sounded perfect as Annie. Not that I necessarily needed this book being brought to life - it’s scary!
ClareR (6129 KP) rated The Tarot Reader of Versailles in Books
Jul 8, 2025
This was one of my most anticipated reads this year, and it’s a NetGalley book. But I knew I was never going to be able to read it anytime soon, so I just Xigxagged it! And I’m really glad that I did. When a book is from more than one perspective, it’s good to hear the characters in their “own” voices, I always think. I don’t know if I an even explain the storyline of this one – there’s a lot going on. French Revolution, a tarot card reader (Marie Anne Adelaide Lenormand) discovers an Irish woman (Cait) on the streets of Paris who also has extraordinary powers. Lenormand reads futures, Cait sees their pasts. Cait wants to return to Ireland and help free the Irish from the yoke of British rule, and this is how she goes about getting there. There’s a lot of detail about the French Revolution, and Lenormand has a close relationship with those around Marie Antoinette (unfortunately for her). It’s pretty brutal at times, but those were the times in which these people lived. It’s a real adventure story, with magic and sapphic love thrown in to the mix as well. I loved this one – highly recommended!
Dean (6927 KP) rated Avatar (2009) in Movies
Sep 21, 2017
Amazing visuals
A great, stunning audio/visual treat for the senses! The story though has been done quiet a few times already it has to be said. It didn't feel like a 2.5 hour film. The level of detail and creativeness in terms of the alien planet Pandora and creature design was great. I can understand the hype for this, it does take a lot of things to the next level. It has some great action scenes. However on the whole the plot is not ground breaking by any means. Still one that has to be seen and experienced!
Ross (3284 KP) rated 24: Legacy - Season 1 in TV
Oct 2, 2017
Should really have been called "12". The series ends at the end of episode 12 with the line "12 hours later" and then a final scene.
It was a decent show, though a lot of it had been done before in 24. Having a non-CTU employed ex-marine as the new Jack Bower was an interesting premise but it also felt a bit hard to believe. Would he really risk everything like he did? Maybe, but I doubt it.
My advice would be to not think of this as being 24 and try to enjoy it in its own right.
It was a decent show, though a lot of it had been done before in 24. Having a non-CTU employed ex-marine as the new Jack Bower was an interesting premise but it also felt a bit hard to believe. Would he really risk everything like he did? Maybe, but I doubt it.
My advice would be to not think of this as being 24 and try to enjoy it in its own right.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance in Books
Oct 7, 2017
Work hard, and smart, don't just rely on talent
I'm always a little dubious about books in the self-help genre as 200 pages can be translated into one tagline. However, as a book, Grit is intelligently put together, with interesting research and anecdotes which was pleasant to read. You do need to use external resources that she provides from time to time, which I didn't do, so some of it may not make complete sense.
And unlike a lot of pretentious self-help books, Angela Duckworth is a pioneer in her field, and she keeps the self-congratulations to a minimum.
And unlike a lot of pretentious self-help books, Angela Duckworth is a pioneer in her field, and she keeps the self-congratulations to a minimum.
Southern Today (21 KP) rated After the Dark (2014) in Movies
Nov 6, 2017
After the Dark: A Movie Review
Philosophy in a movie. Actually.
This entire movie is based around the final day in a philosophy and what they would do if only half of them could go into a bunker at the end of the world and how they would chose who would go, and what would happen after.
I loved this movie. I watched with a friend and we had a lot of discussions.
Also, Ginny from Harry Potter was in this movie.
If y;all would like a more indepth review, let me know and I can update this!
This entire movie is based around the final day in a philosophy and what they would do if only half of them could go into a bunker at the end of the world and how they would chose who would go, and what would happen after.
I loved this movie. I watched with a friend and we had a lot of discussions.
Also, Ginny from Harry Potter was in this movie.
If y;all would like a more indepth review, let me know and I can update this!
Kai (5 KP) rated Very Good Lives: The Fringe Benefits of Failure and the Importance of Imagination in Books
Nov 13, 2017 (Updated Nov 13, 2017)
This isn't a very long speech, it probably would fit onto maybe 20 pages written without illustrations, but I found this really powerful. I read it on my bus to work and, being in a transition period between jobs, it has helped me to think about the fact that it is okay to make mistakes. It is okay to experience failure. I think I embrace imagination already a lot, but it is really nice to get a reminder that this is a good thing. Jo Rowling's speech was really powerful and I think everyone should read it.
Rachael Moyes (404 KP) rated Unrest (2017) in Movies
Nov 17, 2017
'Unrest' is such a honest and truthful documentary about what it's like to live with ME (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). As a sufferer myself (though my condition is milder than those featured in the documentary) I found it to be very honest and enlightening. I was unaware of the stigma surrounding the syndrome in some countries and have definitely learnt a lot. Jennifer is such a wonderful voice for ME.
I'd definitely recommend this documentary to anyone who wants to find out more about the condition, or to any fellow sufferers (although you may want to have a box of tissues handy!)
I'd definitely recommend this documentary to anyone who wants to find out more about the condition, or to any fellow sufferers (although you may want to have a box of tissues handy!)
Erika (17789 KP) rated Marvel's Agent Carter - Season 1 in TV
Nov 19, 2017
While I liked the first season of Agent Carter, I didn't love it. Agent Carter was my favorite character from Captain America: The First Avenger. Hayley Atwell kicks a lot of butt, and I wanted it to be so much more. Jarvis was by far, one of the best characters, and I've always liked Dominic Cooper. The series just took too long to get to the meat of the story. I was hopeful for the second season, after the season finale.
I'm also still salty they canceled it after the 2nd season, and because no one else picked it up.
I'm also still salty they canceled it after the 2nd season, and because no one else picked it up.
Shaun Collins (3 KP) rated Lethbridge-Stewart: The Showstoppers (#6) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
Full gushing review can be found at www.travelingthevortex.com
So far the Lethbridge-Stewart series has come in two varieties; good, and stellar. This is one of the later.
The plot is well written with a series of adventures that culminate quite satisfactorily, character development is top drawer, the action is well done, and above all else, it's a hell of a lot of fun to read. This book trucks from beginning to end without a lull in sight. If you've been following along with the Lethbridge-Stewart line, nudge this one higher on your to do list, you'll thank me for it.
So far the Lethbridge-Stewart series has come in two varieties; good, and stellar. This is one of the later.
The plot is well written with a series of adventures that culminate quite satisfactorily, character development is top drawer, the action is well done, and above all else, it's a hell of a lot of fun to read. This book trucks from beginning to end without a lull in sight. If you've been following along with the Lethbridge-Stewart line, nudge this one higher on your to do list, you'll thank me for it.