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Sam (74 KP) rated The School For Good and Evil in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I started off really confused as to what the genre was supposed to be. The cover seemed YA, but the plot was more MG. It seemed to be trying to be both at the same time which was a bit confusing.
I liked that it was a new take on fairytales that I hadn’t read before and it definitely made it stand out to me – five years on and I still haven’t read anything quite like it, which is quite an achievement.
It’s full of action from the beginning, but I feel like it may have taken it too far and there was actually too much plot. Sophie and Agatha had to escape a few too many times and in places it just felt like the plot was going around in circles to bulk out what was already quite a heavy plot.
I’m not sure that I would read this one again, and I never actually read any of the other books in the series because I just didn’t get myself invested enough in the story.
I liked that it was a new take on fairytales that I hadn’t read before and it definitely made it stand out to me – five years on and I still haven’t read anything quite like it, which is quite an achievement.
It’s full of action from the beginning, but I feel like it may have taken it too far and there was actually too much plot. Sophie and Agatha had to escape a few too many times and in places it just felt like the plot was going around in circles to bulk out what was already quite a heavy plot.
I’m not sure that I would read this one again, and I never actually read any of the other books in the series because I just didn’t get myself invested enough in the story.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated The Social Network (2010) in Movies
Apr 24, 2020
I really liked the format of this film. I think in some movies it's really hard to do a jump plot and do it well, but this film does it exquisitely. I loved the cast - Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Brenda Song, Armie Hammer, Rashida Jones, and obviously Jesse Eisenberg - they all did a phenomenal job.
It's really interesting to watch this movie now, 10 years after its initial release and see how Facebook and even the world, has changed. Especially with all of the drama and the rumors about Facebook and what it's involved in. I suppose it's fitting given the way that it was created.
I enjoyed this film. I'm not sure if I'll ever watch it again, but I know that I can't say I won't so I suppose that's a good thing. My favorite thing about this film is the way the plot roles, going back and forth between the depositions and what happened, it's really seamless and enjoyable.
It's really interesting to watch this movie now, 10 years after its initial release and see how Facebook and even the world, has changed. Especially with all of the drama and the rumors about Facebook and what it's involved in. I suppose it's fitting given the way that it was created.
I enjoyed this film. I'm not sure if I'll ever watch it again, but I know that I can't say I won't so I suppose that's a good thing. My favorite thing about this film is the way the plot roles, going back and forth between the depositions and what happened, it's really seamless and enjoyable.
Veronica Pena (690 KP) rated Daddy's Home 2 (2017) in Movies
Apr 23, 2020
somehow better and worse than the first?
Contains spoilers, click to show
I don't understand how this film was somehow better and worse than the first one. I liked all the dads, I thought that was great. The insecurity in themselves, I could've done without, but it was still a funny movie. Predictable like the last one, but Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell have chemistry that definitely makes up for it. I loved that they brought back John Cena, I think the story would've felt incomplete without him. The way that the story is cyclical is funny and annoying at the same time, I'm not sure how that works.
The Sully add at the end of the film was the best part, hands down. And it's only 1 of the two movies he's ever done - I bet you can guess the second.
Overall, it's a fun watch. I don't regret watching it but I probably won't watch it again.
The Sully add at the end of the film was the best part, hands down. And it's only 1 of the two movies he's ever done - I bet you can guess the second.
Overall, it's a fun watch. I don't regret watching it but I probably won't watch it again.
Erika (17789 KP) rated Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators in Books
Mar 28, 2020 (Updated Mar 28, 2020)
Going into this book, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to get into it or not. I haven't actually read Ronan Farrow's articles in general, so I didn't know how his writing style was. Journalistic writing is sometimes hit or miss in book form.
Honestly, now I'll read his articles. This book encompassed the Weinstein scandal, and other creeps like him. It was thorough, and engaging throughout. In the author's note, it is stated that the violence these women were subjected to was presented exactly how they told it, with all the details. My stomach hurt after reading the descriptions, and I read very violent Nordic Noir novels. I like being presented with everything, so while it made my stomach hurt, I feel like it was all completely necessary as part of this story.
I also really liked his journey to get this published, and now... honestly, I don't even want to watch NBC News (as I sit here watching Dateline).
This is, by far, one of the best books that I've read this year.
Honestly, now I'll read his articles. This book encompassed the Weinstein scandal, and other creeps like him. It was thorough, and engaging throughout. In the author's note, it is stated that the violence these women were subjected to was presented exactly how they told it, with all the details. My stomach hurt after reading the descriptions, and I read very violent Nordic Noir novels. I like being presented with everything, so while it made my stomach hurt, I feel like it was all completely necessary as part of this story.
I also really liked his journey to get this published, and now... honestly, I don't even want to watch NBC News (as I sit here watching Dateline).
This is, by far, one of the best books that I've read this year.
Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Pisces in Books
Aug 3, 2018
I've been wanting to read this one for a while; you know how much I like my mermaids! This one is male, and not as predatory as other books I've read, but still good. This is one of the books from my summer TBR list, and the second book I've read from that list so far.
I feel like this book is better classified as Contemporary Fiction than fantasy; the existence of the merman is the only magical thing about it. Everything else is an exploration on love, obsession, and the lengths people will go to to meet their needs. Broder manages to wax philosophical but with a frankness that keeps everything relatable; from missing ex-boyfriends to worrying about Tinder dates, to thinking about the empty abyss of the ocean at night, Lucy's inner dialogue speaks to the anxiety within all of us.
I went back and forth as to whether I actually liked Lucy or not. I did like her for most of the book, but then she had to go and be stupid and I'm not sure I can forgive her for that. It does illustrate how far some people will go when they're obsessed with something, so it's realistic, I suppose. But I'd rather the cost had fallen on Lucy instead of the innocent bystander.
The ending of the book wasn't entirely satisfactory. It wrapped up the story, sure, but the next to the last paragraph introduced a question that hadn't otherwise been considered, and leaves it unanswered. Which is a pet peeve of mine. It's not philosophy, it's a question of is she or isn't she, and that's not something the reader can really theorize about.
Overall, I really liked the book. There were a couple of events that annoyed me, but for the most part, this was a good summer read. It largely takes place on the beach, it's at turns funny, sexy, sad, and weird. I think it's mostly deserving of the hype it received.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
I feel like this book is better classified as Contemporary Fiction than fantasy; the existence of the merman is the only magical thing about it. Everything else is an exploration on love, obsession, and the lengths people will go to to meet their needs. Broder manages to wax philosophical but with a frankness that keeps everything relatable; from missing ex-boyfriends to worrying about Tinder dates, to thinking about the empty abyss of the ocean at night, Lucy's inner dialogue speaks to the anxiety within all of us.
I went back and forth as to whether I actually liked Lucy or not. I did like her for most of the book, but then she had to go and be stupid and I'm not sure I can forgive her for that. It does illustrate how far some people will go when they're obsessed with something, so it's realistic, I suppose. But I'd rather the cost had fallen on Lucy instead of the innocent bystander.
The ending of the book wasn't entirely satisfactory. It wrapped up the story, sure, but the next to the last paragraph introduced a question that hadn't otherwise been considered, and leaves it unanswered. Which is a pet peeve of mine. It's not philosophy, it's a question of is she or isn't she, and that's not something the reader can really theorize about.
Overall, I really liked the book. There were a couple of events that annoyed me, but for the most part, this was a good summer read. It largely takes place on the beach, it's at turns funny, sexy, sad, and weird. I think it's mostly deserving of the hype it received.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
The Chocolate Lady (94 KP) rated The Lost Diary of M in Books
Oct 7, 2020
The premise of this book was to invent or create a diary written by Mary Pinchot, a woman who was apparently one of JFK's lovers, whose murder is unsolved to this day. Wolfe is a marvelous writer, and his prose is beautiful. However, I'm not sure that he carried it off completely. Find out what I liked and didn't like in my #bookreview of this novel on my blog here. https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2020/02/21/a-sheepish-pseudo-autobiography/
Chris Parnell recommended You Only Live Twice (1967) in Movies (curated)
Erika (17789 KP) rated Cold Pursuit (2019) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019
I am so torn on how to review/rate this film. This film is a remake of a Norwegian film, and the setting is moved to Colorado. The director of this film is also Norwegian, and it is apparent that this is the case from the beautiful shots of scenery.
Basically, Liam Neeson's character is taking out a drug network after they OD his son. It is amusing when he's committing the crimes, which is a very weird thing to say.
I don't know if it's funny enough to be considered a black comedy, but there are amusing/awkwardly funny parts. Midway through the movie, another drug network is brought into the picture, and I'm not sure it was strictly necessary.
I have to give a shout out to Tom Bateman, who plays Viking. After I got over the weird/pretentious American accent he was rocking, he reminded me of a lot of the people I know with his... interesting... viewpoints and parenting habits. I can't figure out if I liked this film or not. I think the further removed I get from seeing it, the more I like it.
Basically, Liam Neeson's character is taking out a drug network after they OD his son. It is amusing when he's committing the crimes, which is a very weird thing to say.
I don't know if it's funny enough to be considered a black comedy, but there are amusing/awkwardly funny parts. Midway through the movie, another drug network is brought into the picture, and I'm not sure it was strictly necessary.
I have to give a shout out to Tom Bateman, who plays Viking. After I got over the weird/pretentious American accent he was rocking, he reminded me of a lot of the people I know with his... interesting... viewpoints and parenting habits. I can't figure out if I liked this film or not. I think the further removed I get from seeing it, the more I like it.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Immortals: Evermore in Books
Sep 5, 2019
I enjoyed this, but some things just seemed a little strange, like their romance. It just seemed to happen without much build-up. Sure she liked him and everyone assumed they were going out...but when did it actually start to happen? It just seemed to happen between one chapter and the next...
The names of the characters were a little strange too, and I kept getting confused between Haven and Honor; one being Ever's friend and the other someone who didn't like her.
As for the storyline, it was fairly new to me and I was intrigued as to where it was going, though it seemed to take a long time to actually get there. The style was easy for me to get into and I found myself not wanting to put it down.
I'm straight onto book 2, Blue Moon, to see where the stories going to go next.
The names of the characters were a little strange too, and I kept getting confused between Haven and Honor; one being Ever's friend and the other someone who didn't like her.
As for the storyline, it was fairly new to me and I was intrigued as to where it was going, though it seemed to take a long time to actually get there. The style was easy for me to get into and I found myself not wanting to put it down.
I'm straight onto book 2, Blue Moon, to see where the stories going to go next.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Mechanic in Books
Jan 12, 2021
Huh. Well I wasn't expecting that.
This is going to have to be my first Tim O'Rourke three star book, I'm afraid. I didn't find it as easy to get into when Hope was being all insecure. I'm used to tough heroines from the author and I'm not sure I liked Hope much at all.
The romance was a little iffy for me too, I didn't quite understand the attraction--at least not until the end.
And speaking of the end, what was that ending!? That's one of the reasons for the three star rating. Another is that I had my suspicions about the truth from about the time of the trouble with her friend and her ex, so the ending wasn't too much of a surprise.
Not my favourite book by the author but still pretty good.
This is going to have to be my first Tim O'Rourke three star book, I'm afraid. I didn't find it as easy to get into when Hope was being all insecure. I'm used to tough heroines from the author and I'm not sure I liked Hope much at all.
The romance was a little iffy for me too, I didn't quite understand the attraction--at least not until the end.
And speaking of the end, what was that ending!? That's one of the reasons for the three star rating. Another is that I had my suspicions about the truth from about the time of the trouble with her friend and her ex, so the ending wasn't too much of a surprise.
Not my favourite book by the author but still pretty good.