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Bill Nye recommended The Hockey Stick and The Climate Wars in Books (curated)
Dean (6921 KP) rated Blue Iguana (2018) in Movies
May 14, 2019
More odd than funny crime caper
Well after hearing about this film I hoped for something along the lines of Snatch mixed with Ocean's 11 about a jewel heist from the Natural history museum. It's no where near either of those films and only has one scene at the museum. Funny in some places but just odd more of the time.
David McK (3194 KP) rated Reliquary (Pendergast, #2) in Books
Jan 28, 2019
This is Lincoln Preston's (collaboration of Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child) sequel to their earlier novel <i>Relic</i>.
As befits any sequel, the canvas is larger this time around, with the novel set in (and below) the entirety of Manhattan rather than just in Manhattan's Museum on Natural History (where <i>Relic</i> was set). It seems there are monsters in the sewers now ...
The novel also pretty much the same cast as the earlier book (Dr Frock, Margo Green, Bill Smithback, Lieutenant D'Agosta and Special Agent Pendergast), not all of whom who are who they appear to be, and is indeed a pretty gripping read!
As befits any sequel, the canvas is larger this time around, with the novel set in (and below) the entirety of Manhattan rather than just in Manhattan's Museum on Natural History (where <i>Relic</i> was set). It seems there are monsters in the sewers now ...
The novel also pretty much the same cast as the earlier book (Dr Frock, Margo Green, Bill Smithback, Lieutenant D'Agosta and Special Agent Pendergast), not all of whom who are who they appear to be, and is indeed a pretty gripping read!
Gail (4 KP) rated Every Last Drop: A Vampire Anthology in Books
Jun 4, 2018
A collection of short stories involving vampires. Who doesn’t love vampires. These are the legitimate kind though so no sparkles. I enjoyed the twist in history. To give a reason for blood lust.
Natural Born Predators was awesome. The Beauty and The Beast with a vampire twist. Belle is no damsel in distress. She is a hard core vampire hunter. She is lethal and hot. Frey is a god with the power to control the weather around his castle. He imprisoned Bell's father for trespassing. What he wasn’t expecting was this beauty to come and calm his world. He knows he can’t change who Bell is but can he accept the thought of her always putting her life at risk.
All the stories were really good. It would be awesome to read full length novels of Fate and Fortune and Natural Born Predators. To get more details on the love stories and how the lives of the people effected turned out. To see that not all stories have a HEA.
Natural Born Predators was awesome. The Beauty and The Beast with a vampire twist. Belle is no damsel in distress. She is a hard core vampire hunter. She is lethal and hot. Frey is a god with the power to control the weather around his castle. He imprisoned Bell's father for trespassing. What he wasn’t expecting was this beauty to come and calm his world. He knows he can’t change who Bell is but can he accept the thought of her always putting her life at risk.
All the stories were really good. It would be awesome to read full length novels of Fate and Fortune and Natural Born Predators. To get more details on the love stories and how the lives of the people effected turned out. To see that not all stories have a HEA.
LissaBeth21 (6 KP) rated The Years of Rice and Salt in Books
Jan 8, 2018
What a stunning, epic tale. A collection of lives, a group of souls described as a jati, wending their way across the centuries of an alternate history.
What if the western / European world was wiped out completely in the 14th century instead of only 1/3rd of the population? Kim Stanley Robinson vividly imagines the stages of life and consequences to the world. The rise and spread of Islam instead of Christianity. The different minds who would awaken to the natural sciences. The empire building of China into the New World. The continuation of Native American cultures through their cooperation and shared values.
Dystopian historical science fiction with serious questions of religion, philosophy, and sociopolitical theories expertly woven together.
What if the western / European world was wiped out completely in the 14th century instead of only 1/3rd of the population? Kim Stanley Robinson vividly imagines the stages of life and consequences to the world. The rise and spread of Islam instead of Christianity. The different minds who would awaken to the natural sciences. The empire building of China into the New World. The continuation of Native American cultures through their cooperation and shared values.
Dystopian historical science fiction with serious questions of religion, philosophy, and sociopolitical theories expertly woven together.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated I Survived Hurricane Katrina, 2005 in Books
Oct 28, 2018
Great Middle Grade Read
This book follows the story of a young boy and his family when hurricane Katrina hit. The writing style is simple and easy to read; while keeping the story interesting. This makes it perfect for younger readers.
I also really liked that the author did her research. The book depicted events as accurately as possible. She also include a section at the end that was facts about the hurricane. Many of these facts were things I never knew, so it was nice to learn something new from an unexpected place.
This book would be a great way to teach kids about natural disasters, and introduced them to the history of hurricane Katrina.
I also really liked that the author did her research. The book depicted events as accurately as possible. She also include a section at the end that was facts about the hurricane. Many of these facts were things I never knew, so it was nice to learn something new from an unexpected place.
This book would be a great way to teach kids about natural disasters, and introduced them to the history of hurricane Katrina.
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated Blue Labyrinth (Pendergast, #14) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
NOTE: If you haven't read anything in this series yet, Blue Labyrinth might not be the best place to start. There are returning characters from previous novels, and reading some of the earlier books (especially Relic, #1 in the series) will make this one even more enjoyable.
I love revisiting old friends and old places in this series, and the New York Museum of Natural History is by far my favorite place in Pendergasts New York. Blue Labyrinth opens with a dead body in the museum, and Margo Green called in to assist with the police investigation. Full of danger and Pendergast family drama, this installment moves along at an incredible pace, and is a great addition to the series.
I love revisiting old friends and old places in this series, and the New York Museum of Natural History is by far my favorite place in Pendergasts New York. Blue Labyrinth opens with a dead body in the museum, and Margo Green called in to assist with the police investigation. Full of danger and Pendergast family drama, this installment moves along at an incredible pace, and is a great addition to the series.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Relic (1997) in Movies
Jul 14, 2020
Somewhat bungled monster-horror movie. A trail of decapitated bodies leads from the Chicago docks to the city's Natural History Museum. A police detective and an evolutionary biologist figure out that recently-arrived samples from Brazil may be involved, and that something new may be living in the museum basement. Should they stop the imminent gala evening? Nah!
Definite potential here for an odd mash-up of The X Files and The Poseidon Adventure, but problems with the pacing, exposition and structure mean that the movie never quite takes flight in the way it could have. Decent performances, some good dialogue in places and a decent monster, but should have been much better. As it is, passes the time reasonably engagingly.
Definite potential here for an odd mash-up of The X Files and The Poseidon Adventure, but problems with the pacing, exposition and structure mean that the movie never quite takes flight in the way it could have. Decent performances, some good dialogue in places and a decent monster, but should have been much better. As it is, passes the time reasonably engagingly.
lurkykitty (3 KP) rated The Animals at Lockwood Manor in Books
Mar 26, 2020
A tense, suspenseful debut historical novel
The Animals at Lockwood Manor is a debut historical fiction novel. It takes place in England during the second world war. Hetty Cartwright is tasked with moving animal specimens from the Natural History Museum collection to a manor in the countryside to protect them from the German air raids. Shortly after moving to Lockwood Manor, Hetty realizes all is not quite right with the inhabitants of the manor. The novel is well-written, tense, and atmospheric. The author skillfully builds the suspense, culminating in the motive for hosting the zoological collection and the revelation of multiple secrets. There is also a romance intertwined with the plot and, although important, is not the main focus of the story. It was highly readable and difficult to put down.