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David McK (3369 KP) rated Hornblower and the Atropos in Books
Jan 30, 2019
"Battle, Storm, Shipwreck, Disease - what were the chances he would never come back again?"
Chronologically the 5th entry in CS Foresters (probably) most famous creation, this is also the 8th entry by publication date, and the 1st entry in the compilation 'Captain Hornblowe R.N."
Set early during his career - he's only just taken up command - this novel covers a lot of ground (both literally and figuratively), starting with Hornblower and Maria making their way down to Portsmouth, his command of Nelson's water-borne funeral procession and then the cruise of his 22-gun sloop 'The Atropos' into the Mediterranean, and the various myriad circumstances that befall said cruise!
Chronologically the 5th entry in CS Foresters (probably) most famous creation, this is also the 8th entry by publication date, and the 1st entry in the compilation 'Captain Hornblowe R.N."
Set early during his career - he's only just taken up command - this novel covers a lot of ground (both literally and figuratively), starting with Hornblower and Maria making their way down to Portsmouth, his command of Nelson's water-borne funeral procession and then the cruise of his 22-gun sloop 'The Atropos' into the Mediterranean, and the various myriad circumstances that befall said cruise!
Sarah (7798 KP) rated Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles, #1) in Books
Dec 22, 2018
Entertaining but flawed
Unusually, this is a book that I’d rate about on par with the film adaptation. As with the film, this is an entertaining read and fairly well written. The basic plot is the same although there have been a few tweaks made for the film - some better, some worse. I much prefer the ending in the book to the film, it’s a little more depressing and a lot less Hollywood (unsurprisingly). I don’t really have much to say about this book, it’s a quick read and quite good, and plods along at a fairly decent rate, it’s just nothing massively special.
Dean (6925 KP) rated Body Heat (1981) in Movies
Dec 24, 2018
Finally got round to watching this as heard it was a great thriller and Kathleen Turner's first film role. It looks very old and dated more like an early 70's film. It starts far too slow for me with not much happening for the first half of a long run time. Once the pace picked up towards the end and plot unraveled I did like it a lot more. It has some neat twists in it and I can see how this influenced the likes of the Wild Things thrillers just for one example. If you like thrillers it's worth sticking with for the 2nd half of the film.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Mary Poppins (1964) in Movies
Dec 26, 2018
A timeless classic!
I hate to admit I had never seen the original Mary Poppins until today. I really loved it.
While not made for a 47-year-old man, I found plenty to enjoy including some songs I already knew and some new ones I had never seen before. I like musicals, but am still sort of a novice at them having not seen some of the classics.
The story is a simple one; however, that does not mean it is not entertaining. I really liked it a lot.
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were amazing.
While not made for a 47-year-old man, I found plenty to enjoy including some songs I already knew and some new ones I had never seen before. I like musicals, but am still sort of a novice at them having not seen some of the classics.
The story is a simple one; however, that does not mean it is not entertaining. I really liked it a lot.
Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were amazing.
I chose this book for my monthly book club, as we had chosen the topic of transport and I had this book at home waiting to be read. I had a lot of anticipation, as i had just read misery and loved it.
I liked this book but found it was drawn out, I felt like instead of the 600 pages it could have been half that, and because of its length I found myself getting bored sometimes.
All in all a good story and it would be recommended, but I dont think it's for everyone , not everyone would have the patience with it.
I liked this book but found it was drawn out, I felt like instead of the 600 pages it could have been half that, and because of its length I found myself getting bored sometimes.
All in all a good story and it would be recommended, but I dont think it's for everyone , not everyone would have the patience with it.
Stephanie Neve (104 KP) rated Educated in Books
Jun 23, 2019
An interesting view on what makes an education
Tara Westover's story needs to be read to be believed. She grew up in a mountain in rural America in the 90's and had to overcome a lot of struggles brought on by her parents increasingly extreme Mormon beliefs. The story itself is extremely interesting, however I struggled eith the writing style, finding it often quite detached.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated Blitzball in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very intriguing idea the whole nature/nurture thing but for some reason a lot of times the book just fell flat for me. There were a few moments where Addie's notions about life were challenged and I would have loved to see him interacting more with these ideas and technology.
Addie's is great for an unlikable narrator. Maybe a little too good? I don't exactly get the feeling that he'd actually changed that much by the end of the book.
This was a very intriguing idea the whole nature/nurture thing but for some reason a lot of times the book just fell flat for me. There were a few moments where Addie's notions about life were challenged and I would have loved to see him interacting more with these ideas and technology.
Addie's is great for an unlikable narrator. Maybe a little too good? I don't exactly get the feeling that he'd actually changed that much by the end of the book.
JennCc (14 KP) rated The Grim Company in Books
Aug 9, 2019
Pace (2 more)
Original ideas
Unexpected twists
This trilogy was a delight for me. I read a lot of fantasy sagas, so it's fairly unusual now to find something refreshingly different but these managed it.
Almost none of the characters are actually likeable, and yet it's impossible not to get drawn into the world they inhabit. There are times where you think it's collapsing into the same old stories, but the author manages to surprise far more often than not.
Really worth a read; I found them difficult to put down, and just a really enjoyable read.
Almost none of the characters are actually likeable, and yet it's impossible not to get drawn into the world they inhabit. There are times where you think it's collapsing into the same old stories, but the author manages to surprise far more often than not.
Really worth a read; I found them difficult to put down, and just a really enjoyable read.
Merissa (11935 KP) rated Severed (Cloud Prophet Trilogy, #3) in Books
Dec 17, 2018
Reychel may seem weak at first glance, but after reading through the three books in this part of the story, she is a lot stronger than she appears. She does not take the easy option and will continue fighting for what she believes in even if other people have given up.
This has been an entertaining and intriguing set of books to read, the storyline has followed through at a wonderful pace and all of the characters are well developed, whether you like them or not.
I would recommend this book/series for all fans of Fantasy, not just YA, as I think it appeals to all ages.
This has been an entertaining and intriguing set of books to read, the storyline has followed through at a wonderful pace and all of the characters are well developed, whether you like them or not.
I would recommend this book/series for all fans of Fantasy, not just YA, as I think it appeals to all ages.
Trackie (153 KP) rated Close (2019) in Movies
Jan 25, 2019
Exciting (1 more)
Great storyline
Close
A good action movie, no stupid unrealistic car chasing's and unrelatable cold and empty heroes.
Noomi Rapace as always gave an outstanding performance that definitely lifts the movie a lot.
I liked the fact that the leading character is not the normal detached strong man who has no feelings and can’t wait to get the job over but this isn’t the case. Noomi is not necessary stronger than the bad guys, but she is quicker, more skillful and smarter.
Easy watching film, that has smart action that doesn't let you get bored, but not too much action to get tired of it.
Would recommend watching
Noomi Rapace as always gave an outstanding performance that definitely lifts the movie a lot.
I liked the fact that the leading character is not the normal detached strong man who has no feelings and can’t wait to get the job over but this isn’t the case. Noomi is not necessary stronger than the bad guys, but she is quicker, more skillful and smarter.
Easy watching film, that has smart action that doesn't let you get bored, but not too much action to get tired of it.
Would recommend watching
