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ClareR (6091 KP) rated The Confessions of Frannie Langton in Books
May 3, 2019 (Updated May 3, 2019)
Frannie has grown up on a Jamaican sugar plantation as a house girl. She is a mulatto slave, and when her master, Mr Langton, is forced to return to England, she accompanies him. Although she is considered free as soon as she enters England in the 1820s, Mr Langton ‘gives’ her to a colleague and friend, Mr Benham. She becomes Mrs Benham’s abigail (companion), friend and lover. However, we first meet Frannie as she sits in Newgate prison, writing the story of her life for her solicitor, and how she came to murder Mr and Mrs Benham. Something that she can’t at all remember doing. She has a lot going against her: she’s working class, a woman, and most importantly, she’s black.
This was a captivating story. I learnt a lot about how black Jamaicans were regarded by Londoners (it’s not good), how laudanum was the ‘mother’s little helper’ of its time (although I think it was pretty much taken by anyone, male or female, who could afford it), and how black people were regarded as little more than animals.
The whodunnit element was really puzzling for me, I honestly couldn’t figure it out. I couldn’t think of Frannie as being a murderer and killing the woman she loved.
This is a really good read, and I would highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
This was a captivating story. I learnt a lot about how black Jamaicans were regarded by Londoners (it’s not good), how laudanum was the ‘mother’s little helper’ of its time (although I think it was pretty much taken by anyone, male or female, who could afford it), and how black people were regarded as little more than animals.
The whodunnit element was really puzzling for me, I honestly couldn’t figure it out. I couldn’t think of Frannie as being a murderer and killing the woman she loved.
This is a really good read, and I would highly recommend it.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Before the Fall in Books
Jan 30, 2018 (Updated Jan 30, 2018)
An unexpectedly good read
There is a lot more to this book than it simply being the plane crash suspense thriller the description makes it out to be. Noah Hawley writes for tv, and reading Before the Fall you can really see this coming across - this would make a great tv show and much better than any other similar shows (Lost anyone?).
This is a simple premise - a plane crash with only 2 survivors - but it’s very well written and works brilliantly. It switches between the viewpoint of the survivors and the deceased prior to the crash, and this is a really good dynamic. The characters are all interesting and developed as well as they can be, all with their own flaws. There’s a lot more to this than just a basic thriller, and it delves into coincidence, the crash investigation and the media intrusion with such detail that all of this paired with the character stories really got me hooked.
My only criticism of this book would be the ending. Hundreds of pages build up to this massive ending but it winds up just being a bit of an anticlimax. It’s not a bad ending, not in the slightest, it just feels a little lacking and that it could’ve been so much more.
Despite that, this is still a fantastic and very well written book. Definitely the best I’ve read so far of Noah Hawley’s.
This is a simple premise - a plane crash with only 2 survivors - but it’s very well written and works brilliantly. It switches between the viewpoint of the survivors and the deceased prior to the crash, and this is a really good dynamic. The characters are all interesting and developed as well as they can be, all with their own flaws. There’s a lot more to this than just a basic thriller, and it delves into coincidence, the crash investigation and the media intrusion with such detail that all of this paired with the character stories really got me hooked.
My only criticism of this book would be the ending. Hundreds of pages build up to this massive ending but it winds up just being a bit of an anticlimax. It’s not a bad ending, not in the slightest, it just feels a little lacking and that it could’ve been so much more.
Despite that, this is still a fantastic and very well written book. Definitely the best I’ve read so far of Noah Hawley’s.
Serena Marie (7 KP) rated Turtles All The Way Down in Books
Jan 23, 2018
Mental Health Issues (3 more)
Plot
Characters
Quoteable
John Green Does It Again
I will start off by saying that I love John Green. His books have always been a favorite of mine. Looking For Alaska is a book I will gravitate towards over and over again. He has such a great writing style with the most beautiful quotes. I can't get over it if we're being honest.
Mental health is a big and important topic. With something so big comes a lot of responsibility when writing about it. John Green nails it. The way he talks about Aza's OCD and how he describes her thought processes is amazing. You really start to bond with the character and feel for her. BUT, not only do you feel for her, you get frustrated with her because you start to get invested. The way that she navigates her life, her thoughts, her relationships, her everything is so well thought out by John.
I think this book has started a lot of really important conversations. People are talking about OCD. How to cope with someone who has OCD. How to cope with having it yourself. How to seek help and know that there ARE great resources out there that people don't know about. Best of all, it's helping to take away the awful stigma that seems to be attached to mental illness and mental health.
Thank you, John Green. Your books bring me peace.
Mental health is a big and important topic. With something so big comes a lot of responsibility when writing about it. John Green nails it. The way he talks about Aza's OCD and how he describes her thought processes is amazing. You really start to bond with the character and feel for her. BUT, not only do you feel for her, you get frustrated with her because you start to get invested. The way that she navigates her life, her thoughts, her relationships, her everything is so well thought out by John.
I think this book has started a lot of really important conversations. People are talking about OCD. How to cope with someone who has OCD. How to cope with having it yourself. How to seek help and know that there ARE great resources out there that people don't know about. Best of all, it's helping to take away the awful stigma that seems to be attached to mental illness and mental health.
Thank you, John Green. Your books bring me peace.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Annihilation (2018) in Movies
Feb 25, 2018 (Updated Feb 25, 2018)
I don't know what I was expecting out of this film. I'm on a very long wait list to borrow the book from the library. As always, I'm sure the book is probably better, but I'll have to wait to make that judgment.
So, Alex Garland's Ex Machina was my favorite movie of 2014, so I was expecting a lot from the director. Again, I'm not familiar with the source material, so I'm not sure how well it was, or wasn't translated. The story was interesting, but there was a lot of tense silence. Yeah, it worked in the movie, Drive, but I don't think it worked here. The visuals were stunning, so it was interesting to watch from that aspect.
Now, the cast... I'm not sure how/why Jennifer Jason Leigh gets roles, because she is not a great actress (sorry, not sorry). Oscar Isaac was completely wasted. Tessa Thompson's character... she had glasses, so she must be smart??
The only interesting part of the movie, where any sort of tension was present, was the end in the lighthouse. Whatever that was... It gave me Pale Man vibes (see Pan's Labyrinth) vibes, which completely and totally freaked me out. I have serious heebie-jeebies after that, and even right at this moment...
Overall, it was an alright scifi movie, but, I'm glad I have moviepass so I legit didn't pay for it.
So, Alex Garland's Ex Machina was my favorite movie of 2014, so I was expecting a lot from the director. Again, I'm not familiar with the source material, so I'm not sure how well it was, or wasn't translated. The story was interesting, but there was a lot of tense silence. Yeah, it worked in the movie, Drive, but I don't think it worked here. The visuals were stunning, so it was interesting to watch from that aspect.
Now, the cast... I'm not sure how/why Jennifer Jason Leigh gets roles, because she is not a great actress (sorry, not sorry). Oscar Isaac was completely wasted. Tessa Thompson's character... she had glasses, so she must be smart??
The only interesting part of the movie, where any sort of tension was present, was the end in the lighthouse. Whatever that was... It gave me Pale Man vibes (see Pan's Labyrinth) vibes, which completely and totally freaked me out. I have serious heebie-jeebies after that, and even right at this moment...
Overall, it was an alright scifi movie, but, I'm glad I have moviepass so I legit didn't pay for it.
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated Fastest Things on Wings: Rescuing Hummingbirds in Hollywood in Books
May 29, 2018
Full disclosure: I don't like birds. They terrify me.
Hummingbirds being the exception, and even more so now that I've devoured this book.
(I've read it three times in the past year!)
Fastest Things on Wings is a rare glimpse into this hidden wonderland of the lives of hummingbirds, and a California woman's heroic efforts to rescue and rehabilitate them. The care, compassion and love Terry has for these almost mythical creatures is astounding, and my heart is ten times bigger after reading of some of these stories, including that of Garbriel, a male rescued in the middle of Rodeo Drive, and female hummingbird Pepper, who was injured on a movie set. You come to admire these tiny little birds stories of tenacity and strength, mixed in with dash of science, a whole lot of heart and honestly, a bit of magic.
It takes a lot of time, energy and strength to rehabilitate any animal. There are some very sad losses, but some delightful, and charming wins throughout this book and you relish in the fact that this type of job actually exists, and how quickly you are pulled in and charmed by it's tight knit community.
I learned so much about the migration, mating, and eating habits of these creatures, and it has me hungry to learn more about this splendid, beautiful bird that enamors so many.
5 Stars - without a doubt.
Hummingbirds being the exception, and even more so now that I've devoured this book.
(I've read it three times in the past year!)
Fastest Things on Wings is a rare glimpse into this hidden wonderland of the lives of hummingbirds, and a California woman's heroic efforts to rescue and rehabilitate them. The care, compassion and love Terry has for these almost mythical creatures is astounding, and my heart is ten times bigger after reading of some of these stories, including that of Garbriel, a male rescued in the middle of Rodeo Drive, and female hummingbird Pepper, who was injured on a movie set. You come to admire these tiny little birds stories of tenacity and strength, mixed in with dash of science, a whole lot of heart and honestly, a bit of magic.
It takes a lot of time, energy and strength to rehabilitate any animal. There are some very sad losses, but some delightful, and charming wins throughout this book and you relish in the fact that this type of job actually exists, and how quickly you are pulled in and charmed by it's tight knit community.
I learned so much about the migration, mating, and eating habits of these creatures, and it has me hungry to learn more about this splendid, beautiful bird that enamors so many.
5 Stars - without a doubt.
Kristin (149 KP) rated The Book of Paul in Books
Dec 7, 2018
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Book of Paul is a story told my multiple viewpoints, sometimes in first person, sometimes in third, between the characters of Paul, Martin, and William (the narrator), with a little bit of Rose's story thrown in occasionally. From the very beginning, I was definitely intrigued, as it's just a different kind of book from what I normally read, but in a good way. Once some of the paranormal aspects came in, along with the lineage back to certain historical characters, it definitely kept my attention. However, it is a very long book (which is no problem for me), so there were times where I had to just set it down for a little bit and get a grip on what I'd just finished.
Honestly, I liked this book. I found it a little weird at times, a little hard to wrap my head around, but for the most part, I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to those who like a little history, a little religion, and a lot of paranormal and action. For me, it's not a book I could've read in one sitting, but I definitely would've read a lot faster if I hadn't had to work. It's definitely an interesting story, and I want to continue the 7-volume series when I have a little more time. =)
4 stars
The Book of Paul is a story told my multiple viewpoints, sometimes in first person, sometimes in third, between the characters of Paul, Martin, and William (the narrator), with a little bit of Rose's story thrown in occasionally. From the very beginning, I was definitely intrigued, as it's just a different kind of book from what I normally read, but in a good way. Once some of the paranormal aspects came in, along with the lineage back to certain historical characters, it definitely kept my attention. However, it is a very long book (which is no problem for me), so there were times where I had to just set it down for a little bit and get a grip on what I'd just finished.
Honestly, I liked this book. I found it a little weird at times, a little hard to wrap my head around, but for the most part, I enjoyed reading it. I would recommend it to those who like a little history, a little religion, and a lot of paranormal and action. For me, it's not a book I could've read in one sitting, but I definitely would've read a lot faster if I hadn't had to work. It's definitely an interesting story, and I want to continue the 7-volume series when I have a little more time. =)
4 stars
Hazel (2934 KP) rated Greenwater in Books
Oct 20, 2018
I am a massive fan of K R Griffiths having read several of his other books so when I heard Greenwater was being released, I didn't hesitate to pre-order it and eagerly awaited its release. I was even sent an advance copy by the author, for which I am grateful, so now I have 2 copies ☺️
Mr Griffiths knows how to write a story and this one is no exception with the added bonus of an unexpected ending. I do have a little gripe in that there is quite a lot of introspection by the characters which, although gave insight into their thought processes and circumstances, I found there was a bit too much which took me away from the action at times. Having said that, Mr Griffiths has a knack of creating characters that get in your head whether you are either rooting for them or you are hoping for their demise to be quick and painful and there are both types in this book although I have to admit that there were more of the latter!
There is rather a lot of gratuitous violence, blood and gore so if you don't like that sort of thing, I wouldn't recommend you read it.
Overall, a pretty good read but not as good as some of Mr Griffiths' other works so I highly recommend you look at his back catalogue and give them a go.
Mr Griffiths knows how to write a story and this one is no exception with the added bonus of an unexpected ending. I do have a little gripe in that there is quite a lot of introspection by the characters which, although gave insight into their thought processes and circumstances, I found there was a bit too much which took me away from the action at times. Having said that, Mr Griffiths has a knack of creating characters that get in your head whether you are either rooting for them or you are hoping for their demise to be quick and painful and there are both types in this book although I have to admit that there were more of the latter!
There is rather a lot of gratuitous violence, blood and gore so if you don't like that sort of thing, I wouldn't recommend you read it.
Overall, a pretty good read but not as good as some of Mr Griffiths' other works so I highly recommend you look at his back catalogue and give them a go.
LilyLovesIndie (123 KP) rated Need (Finding Anna, #2) in Books
Nov 5, 2018
This book was reviewed as part of a blog tour on Lily Loves Indie and the whole review can be seen here http://lilylovesindie.co.uk/?p=185
This book was very hit and miss for me. There were some aspects of it that were brilliant, yet there were others that just failed to grab my attention, and left me struggling to pick the book up once I put it down. That being said, I still had a desire to find out what happened, and I still read it from cover to cover with considerable speed. Hence why this review is rather bitty, and hit and miss, rather like the book. I really want to like it, but there are just some more niggles that build on those from the first in the series.
So, grumbles over, what did I actually like? Well, there's plenty, as you're about to find out. I LOVED the fact that at long last, Brianna and Stephan actually 'got together'! And boy was it well written. Delicate, just like their love, and completely consensual. There was a real message in there to a lot of younger people out there who perhaps don't go about sex in the right way. Also, unlike sex in a lot of other books I've read in the last few years, it was rather beautiful and so sensitively written, that you could imagine that having actually been someone's first time (without the background of Brianna of course).
This book was very hit and miss for me. There were some aspects of it that were brilliant, yet there were others that just failed to grab my attention, and left me struggling to pick the book up once I put it down. That being said, I still had a desire to find out what happened, and I still read it from cover to cover with considerable speed. Hence why this review is rather bitty, and hit and miss, rather like the book. I really want to like it, but there are just some more niggles that build on those from the first in the series.
So, grumbles over, what did I actually like? Well, there's plenty, as you're about to find out. I LOVED the fact that at long last, Brianna and Stephan actually 'got together'! And boy was it well written. Delicate, just like their love, and completely consensual. There was a real message in there to a lot of younger people out there who perhaps don't go about sex in the right way. Also, unlike sex in a lot of other books I've read in the last few years, it was rather beautiful and so sensitively written, that you could imagine that having actually been someone's first time (without the background of Brianna of course).
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Four Lions (2010) in Movies
Jan 4, 2019
Hilarious take on a serious subject
A comedy about terrorism isn’t something you’d think would ever be made, let alone be any good, but Four Lions takes this serious subject on brilliantly. I’m sure there are many people out there that will take offence, but when the film centres a group of bumbling totally inept terrorists, for me it was very difficult to not find it humorous when the characters are just so stupid. It’s absolutely hilarious, with some great quotes and one liners dotted throughout and also a lot of relevant cultural and locational based references. The references about Alton Towers cracked me up, and the quotes about rubber dinghy rapids has stayed with me ever since I first watched this years ago. I would be intrigued to know how this film is received by those who aren’t British, as I’m not sure a lot of these references would have quite the impact.
This isn’t to say the film isn’t serious at all, because it is. Focusing on the family of Omar brings a bleaker outlook and the ending actually makes you feel sorry for most of them, after everything. Riz Ahmed shines in this, he’s absolutely brilliant and it’s easy to see why he’s now moved over into Hollywood. The rest of the cast are good, Kayvan Novak especially, but it's Riz that stands out.
A fantastically funny British film that’s sure to have you laughing out loud.
This isn’t to say the film isn’t serious at all, because it is. Focusing on the family of Omar brings a bleaker outlook and the ending actually makes you feel sorry for most of them, after everything. Riz Ahmed shines in this, he’s absolutely brilliant and it’s easy to see why he’s now moved over into Hollywood. The rest of the cast are good, Kayvan Novak especially, but it's Riz that stands out.
A fantastically funny British film that’s sure to have you laughing out loud.