Search
Search results
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2091 KP) rated Hummus and Homicide (Kebab Kitchen Mystery #1) in Books
Mar 9, 2018
Lucy Berberian is back in her hometown of Ocean Crest, New Jersey, while she tries to figure out what to do next in her life. While she is reconnecting with family and friends, she is also working at her parent’s restaurant, Kebab Kitchen. Her high school nemesis, Heather Banks, is now the health inspector, and goes out of her way to make trouble for Lucy. However, after eating at the restaurant’s hummus bar, Heather dies in the parking lot. With business declining and Lucy the prime suspect, Lucy begins to search for answers. What happened to Heather?
This series is off to a good start. Lucy has a great collection of family and friends, although I did feel that her parents could be better fleshed out. We see hints of more here, something I hope is developed further as the series progresses. The mystery is solid with several believable suspects and plenty of secrets. The ending surprised me and kept me turning pages.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/02/book-review-hummus-and-homicide-by-tina.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
This series is off to a good start. Lucy has a great collection of family and friends, although I did feel that her parents could be better fleshed out. We see hints of more here, something I hope is developed further as the series progresses. The mystery is solid with several believable suspects and plenty of secrets. The ending surprised me and kept me turning pages.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book.
Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2018/02/book-review-hummus-and-homicide-by-tina.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated The Body Finder (The Body Finder, #1) in Books
Jun 7, 2018
Okay, so I didn't fall in love with this book right away. For awhile, I thought I was going to rate the book 2, maybe 3 stars. However, about 2/3 of the way into the book, it became really good, and it definitely got boosted to 4 stars.
I loved, loved, loved the relationship between Jay & Violet. I thought it was really sweet =) I loved how protective he was of her, not in the "she's a girl so she can't take care of herself" way but because he genuinely cared for her.
The character of Chelsea made me laugh. I loved her sarcasm =)
It did have a hint of Mean Girls in it though. The character of Claire reminded me a lot of Amanda Seyfried's character in the film. And there is the mention of a Queen Bee.
I loved the plot as well. I've never read anything like it. I like the way the author brought together the elements of suspense, crime, romance, and paranormal. They all blended very well.
I'd definitely recommend this book. It does take a long time to get going, as I've said before, but once it does, it definitely drags you in!
I loved, loved, loved the relationship between Jay & Violet. I thought it was really sweet =) I loved how protective he was of her, not in the "she's a girl so she can't take care of herself" way but because he genuinely cared for her.
The character of Chelsea made me laugh. I loved her sarcasm =)
It did have a hint of Mean Girls in it though. The character of Claire reminded me a lot of Amanda Seyfried's character in the film. And there is the mention of a Queen Bee.
I loved the plot as well. I've never read anything like it. I like the way the author brought together the elements of suspense, crime, romance, and paranormal. They all blended very well.
I'd definitely recommend this book. It does take a long time to get going, as I've said before, but once it does, it definitely drags you in!
Jcadden76 (64 KP) rated Deadpool 2 (2018) in Movies
Jun 11, 2018
The Cast (4 more)
The storyline
The humor
The action
The CGI characters
Better than the original... No really, I mean it.
Liked it better than the original. Still kept the funny coming from every angle, still stayed true to the characters, and it was just a fun comic book movie overall.
Deadpool 2 progresses from the Deadpool in a number of ways. We explore Wade and the rest of the cast in a lot more detail. We also get to see Wade working out his demons with a team of super heroes instead of just by himself for the most of the movie.
Personally, for me, this was the best X-Movie of them all. Better than the originals and maybe only surpassed by Logan on some levels. I really don't think it missed for me at all. Not having Vanessa in it made sense but I did get the reasoning behind it.
Stay until the end. You get a few more scenes and then at the very end you get a reprise of one of the best musical moments in the flick.
Deadpool 2 progresses from the Deadpool in a number of ways. We explore Wade and the rest of the cast in a lot more detail. We also get to see Wade working out his demons with a team of super heroes instead of just by himself for the most of the movie.
Personally, for me, this was the best X-Movie of them all. Better than the originals and maybe only surpassed by Logan on some levels. I really don't think it missed for me at all. Not having Vanessa in it made sense but I did get the reasoning behind it.
Stay until the end. You get a few more scenes and then at the very end you get a reprise of one of the best musical moments in the flick.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2091 KP) rated In Cave Danger in Books
Jun 12, 2018
Death Deep Underground
Meg Reed is off to Bend, Oregon, to write a feature on the lava caves in the area. The future of the caves in in doubt thanks to a bill that would open the Federal land up to private use. The fight over the bill is creating a lot of tension, but when the group Meg is exploring the cave with makes their way to the bottom, they find a dead body. What is going on?
Those new to the series will be a little frustrated by this book. We’re almost a quarter of the way into the book before Meg makes it to Bend, for example. That time is spent updating us on several storylines introduced in the previous books, so fans will be satisfied. As the book progresses, we get some good suspects and twists to this mystery as well as a great wrap up to several series storylines, which is nice since this is the last book in the series (at least for now). Wrapping things up does overwhelm this book, so really, don’t start the series here.
Those new to the series will be a little frustrated by this book. We’re almost a quarter of the way into the book before Meg makes it to Bend, for example. That time is spent updating us on several storylines introduced in the previous books, so fans will be satisfied. As the book progresses, we get some good suspects and twists to this mystery as well as a great wrap up to several series storylines, which is nice since this is the last book in the series (at least for now). Wrapping things up does overwhelm this book, so really, don’t start the series here.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Lost in Translation (Geronimo Stilton Graphic Novels, #19) in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Geronimo Stilton #19: "Lost in Translation" by Geronimo Stilton finds the mice travelling in time to stop the pirate cats. These are fun adventures with a bit of history thrown in. The history this time was the discovery of the Rosetta Stone in Egypt during Napoleon's campaign in 1798. The pirate cats have their own agenda for what to do with it. It may alter the world that Geronimo and his friends know.
This is a cute time-travel story of a Mouse, Geronimo Stilton, who is also the editor of the Roden's Gazzette. This is the 19Th in the series, and apparently he has gone on a lot of adventures, but this particular one was to the time of the Neopolonic Wars, when the French were in Egypt, uncovering artifacts to take home with them, such as the Rosetta Stone.
I like how history is taught in this series. Every so often there is a blurb about how important the Rosetta Stone is and was, and what the French were doing when they are in Egypt.
I received this ARC from Papercutz via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a cute time-travel story of a Mouse, Geronimo Stilton, who is also the editor of the Roden's Gazzette. This is the 19Th in the series, and apparently he has gone on a lot of adventures, but this particular one was to the time of the Neopolonic Wars, when the French were in Egypt, uncovering artifacts to take home with them, such as the Rosetta Stone.
I like how history is taught in this series. Every so often there is a blurb about how important the Rosetta Stone is and was, and what the French were doing when they are in Egypt.
I received this ARC from Papercutz via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
<a href="https://awindowintobooks.wordpress.com">Full Review</a>
Rise and Shine: Better Breakfasts for Busy Mornings --with 75 recipes everyone will love by Katie Sullivan Morford is a great book on how to make breakfast a little easier in the morning. It is the cookbook everyone needs. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, this is not new knowledge. However, with busy lives and rushing around in the morning sometimes breakfast gets overlooked. This collection of 75 recipes are easy to make and healthy, but delicious at the time time.
Besides making delicious food that is throughout this book it is about substituting our go to foods and making them better and less processed. I wish there were more pictures of the finished recipes. This book is great for providing a lot of variations on old classics as well as creating new and interesting meals that everyone can enjoy. I especially loved the Boost It, Adapt It and Make Ahead tips at the bottom of the recipes. A great book that focuses solely on breakfast.
I received this book Roost Book via Netgalley in exchange from an honest review.
Rise and Shine: Better Breakfasts for Busy Mornings --with 75 recipes everyone will love by Katie Sullivan Morford is a great book on how to make breakfast a little easier in the morning. It is the cookbook everyone needs. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, this is not new knowledge. However, with busy lives and rushing around in the morning sometimes breakfast gets overlooked. This collection of 75 recipes are easy to make and healthy, but delicious at the time time.
Besides making delicious food that is throughout this book it is about substituting our go to foods and making them better and less processed. I wish there were more pictures of the finished recipes. This book is great for providing a lot of variations on old classics as well as creating new and interesting meals that everyone can enjoy. I especially loved the Boost It, Adapt It and Make Ahead tips at the bottom of the recipes. A great book that focuses solely on breakfast.
I received this book Roost Book via Netgalley in exchange from an honest review.
Lou Grande (148 KP) rated Paris is Burning (1990) in Movies
Jun 4, 2018
There's a lot to say about this movie. It's a documentary about the various and often dueling houses of pre-Giuliani New York subculture. We're introduced to people like Dorian Corey, who has become a figure of respect and pride in the LGBTQ+ community. We hear their stories, often tragic ones. But we also see a celebration of style, fashion, and self in the balls that were thrown in underground clubs and dives. I can't recommend this movie more highly. One of my favorite quotes comes from Dorian Corey in this documentary:
"I always had hopes of being a big star. But as you get older, you aim a little lower. Everybody wants to make an impression, some mark upon the world. Then you think, you've made a mark on the world if you just get through it, and a few people remember your name. Then you've left a mark. You don't have to bend the whole world. I think it's better to just enjoy it. Pay your dues, and just enjoy it. If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high, hooray for you."
"I always had hopes of being a big star. But as you get older, you aim a little lower. Everybody wants to make an impression, some mark upon the world. Then you think, you've made a mark on the world if you just get through it, and a few people remember your name. Then you've left a mark. You don't have to bend the whole world. I think it's better to just enjoy it. Pay your dues, and just enjoy it. If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high, hooray for you."
Gail (4 KP) rated Only (Alex Conner Chronicles, #3) in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Only: The Alex Connor Chronicles book 3
Four stars
This was an interesting read. Different in a good way. I was confused some what when the scenes changed. But it didn’t take too much away from my enjoyment of this book. I recommend reading the first two books first. I didn’t think about that when I started reading this book. So I was a little lost in the beginning. It’s a lot at first when you just jump right in but I liked it without the knowing the back story. The author offered US something unique and compelling. If you’re interested in other world reading and magic this is a good series for that. Alex is a strong character who is scared to be soft and scared at times. But when it was needed her back was made of steel. I will go back to read the first two books because I would like to know what happened to Justin. Her relationship with Valant is intriguing also. Then there is Ryan. Can you say oh la la. Definitely a series worth picking up to give a try. The authors style was smooth and had a very good dialogue.
Four stars
This was an interesting read. Different in a good way. I was confused some what when the scenes changed. But it didn’t take too much away from my enjoyment of this book. I recommend reading the first two books first. I didn’t think about that when I started reading this book. So I was a little lost in the beginning. It’s a lot at first when you just jump right in but I liked it without the knowing the back story. The author offered US something unique and compelling. If you’re interested in other world reading and magic this is a good series for that. Alex is a strong character who is scared to be soft and scared at times. But when it was needed her back was made of steel. I will go back to read the first two books because I would like to know what happened to Justin. Her relationship with Valant is intriguing also. Then there is Ryan. Can you say oh la la. Definitely a series worth picking up to give a try. The authors style was smooth and had a very good dialogue.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Get a Move On, Neuron! in Books
Jun 18, 2018
Get a Move On, Neuron! by Philip R. Kennedy presents a basic description of brain function to young readers who enjoy science.
Throughout the book the reader goes on a tour of the brain learning about different brain functions. The reader learn about some interesting issues during the tour; such as, memory, self-awareness, and emotions. Each brief chapter ends with a series of questions that recap and review the material. I find the questions a bit distracting since the answers are not provided. The illustrations are nice and helpful. The illustrations are not overly busy, in fact, they help emphasize the topic being discussed. A friendly looking neuron is the "instructor".
Young readers who enjoy science will enjoy this book and will learn a lot of interesting brain facts from this book. This book could be used within the science classroom for going beyond the lesson when discussing brain function.
I give this book 3/5 stars being of the continual repetition which caused the book to come off as boring at times.
I received this book from Choice Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Throughout the book the reader goes on a tour of the brain learning about different brain functions. The reader learn about some interesting issues during the tour; such as, memory, self-awareness, and emotions. Each brief chapter ends with a series of questions that recap and review the material. I find the questions a bit distracting since the answers are not provided. The illustrations are nice and helpful. The illustrations are not overly busy, in fact, they help emphasize the topic being discussed. A friendly looking neuron is the "instructor".
Young readers who enjoy science will enjoy this book and will learn a lot of interesting brain facts from this book. This book could be used within the science classroom for going beyond the lesson when discussing brain function.
I give this book 3/5 stars being of the continual repetition which caused the book to come off as boring at times.
I received this book from Choice Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Nicole Hadley (380 KP) rated Presidents of the United States (A TIME for Kids Book) in Books
Jun 18, 2018
TIME for Kids: Presidents of the United States by The Editors of TIME for Kids is a book that contains a lot of information perfect for middle school aged children.
The book begins with the history of how the presidency began. It then explains the three branches of government and why we have political parties. Then it devotes one to two pages to each one of our 45 Presidents. For each President, there is a section on their basics: birth date and place of birth, date of death, family, years of presidency, political party and vice-president. It gives a brief biography of their time as President and key dates during their presidency. The picture of each President is tastefully done.
The end of the book gives a glimpse into the White House and a couple pages on the famous First Ladies. For your history and political-loving children, this is a great book to keep on hand. It would also be a great reference for all those school projects on Presidents.
I received the advanced reader's copy from Time Inc. Books and Liberty Street Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book begins with the history of how the presidency began. It then explains the three branches of government and why we have political parties. Then it devotes one to two pages to each one of our 45 Presidents. For each President, there is a section on their basics: birth date and place of birth, date of death, family, years of presidency, political party and vice-president. It gives a brief biography of their time as President and key dates during their presidency. The picture of each President is tastefully done.
The end of the book gives a glimpse into the White House and a couple pages on the famous First Ladies. For your history and political-loving children, this is a great book to keep on hand. It would also be a great reference for all those school projects on Presidents.
I received the advanced reader's copy from Time Inc. Books and Liberty Street Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.