Working on the Dark Side of the Moon
Book
To most Americans, the NSA is an organization shrouded in secrecy, where the most clandestine of...
After the Scrum
Book
When a former rugby player reinventing himself meets a man who’s afraid to move on, can love offer...
Contemporary MM Romance
Compass Rose
Book
Rose was born facing due north, with an inherent perception of cardinal points flowing through her...
Lesbian Pirates
Don't Bang Your Stepbro (Rules We Break #3)
Book
I'm not one for rules, but Don't Bang Your Stepbro is kind of a no-brainer. Until I wake up naked...
Contemporary MM Romance
Wedding Bride and Doom
Book
California wedding planner, Kate Ludlow, moves back home to New England after her marriage implodes....
ClareR (5991 KP) rated Light Over Liskeard in Books
Jan 31, 2024
Q, the main character in Light Over Liskeard, has been preparing for this event from the first page. He knows that the collapse of society will happen, just not when.
Q is a man who has never had to do anything for himself, but in order to prepare, he learns how to build, grow and work with others with the help of his very capable neighbours.
It’s a fascinating landscape, mixing the familiarity of Cornwall with the unfamiliar wildlife: lynxes, aurochs, wolves and more. I loved the sound of them all. Whilst it’s sad that no one really sees them (because they all live in their convenient, encapsulated, electronic worlds), the lack of visitors is probably why the wildlife thrives.
This is full of observations on: modern life and how it’s not as great as it’s cracked up to be; the beauty of nature; and the importance of relationships and human connection. And ultimately what I read Louis de Bernières for: his fascinating, quirky characters. I loved them all!
ClareR (5991 KP) rated The Bones Beneath My Skin in Books
Oct 14, 2025
Art is 10 and a very quirky young lady. She’s written as an inquisitive, outspoken child with a penchant for bacon. Alex, her protector, is quiet, brooding and clearly troubled. Nate spends most of the book being justifiably terrified.
Of course, there is found family at the heart of this thoroughly lovely book. It’s a TJ Klune, after all! I thought the Sci-fi element was a bit of a departure, but all his other themes are still there: found family, acceptance and love.
This is action packed and a fast, intense read - and you can’t knock a bit of sci-fi, can you?! (Well, I can’t anyway!).
Ranch Dressing
Book
Get ready for a laugh-out-loud adventure with Samantha Kidd, the most stylish sleuth in Ribbon,...
Quick Reference Neuroscience for Rehabilitation Professionals: The Essential Neurologic Principles Underlying Rehabilitation Practice
Book
A concise and quick reference for the practitioner and student who are learning or reviewing the...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated The Favourite (2018) in Movies
Jan 24, 2019
And I'm glad I did for THE FAVOURITE is a biting, funny, sarcastic, bizarre, intense and interesting Royal Court drama about the inner workings, back channel dealings and backstabbing social climbing in Queen Anne's court in England in the early 18th Century as seen through Lanthimos' camera lens - a lens that is different indeed.
Starring Oscar winners Rachel Weisz (THE CONSTANT GARDNER) and Emma Stone (LA LA LAND) in their Oscar nominated turns as cousins who vie for the attentions of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman, also Oscar nominated), it is the rare film that features 3 strong women who play off each other well and where each one is a full character in and of themselves - all 3 with strengths and weaknesses that make them real and compelling and performed by 3 strong actresses. Needless to say that each Oscar nod is well deserved.
But the real star of this film is the sensibilities and camera work of Lanthimos. He uses unusual camera angles, unusual angles and bizarre imagery to show the unreality of the court in relation to the real world around them and is a commentary on these people as much as it shows the action on the screen. This film is an artist with a true, unique vision and is one that, while not for everyone, is one that worked for me.
Lanthimos layers on a rich tapestry of story (by Oscar nominated Screenplay writers Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara) locations (by Oscar nominated Production Designers Fijona Crombie and Alice Felton), Costumes (by Oscar nominated costumer Sandy Powell) , editing (by Oscar nominated Yorgos Mavropsaridis), Cinematography (by Oscar nominated Robbie Ryan) and performances, direction and film.
I think you get the point - this film has become (rightfully so) a darling of the Awards season and is well worth checking out - while this film is not entirely successful in what it attempts to do, it is fun to watch the attempt and the strong performances, characters, direction, costumes, cinematography, etc...which more than makes up for any shortcomings in the story (especially the final act of the film).
Letter Grade: B+
7 1/2 (out of 10) stars and you can take that to the Bank(OfMarquis)


