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Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2177 KP) rated Four Parties and a Funeral in Books
Mar 29, 2023 (Updated Mar 29, 2023)
Reality Show Gets Real with Murder
Even though Mia Carina has no desire to be part of the new reality show, Dons of Ditmars Boulevard, Belle View has been hired as a location for some events and to cater others. Not only that, but some mobsters she knows have been cast. She quickly learns that the drama unfolding before the cameras is no match for the drama unfolding among the crew. Still, she is surprised when a dead body turns up. With someone she knows the police’s chief suspect, Mia jumps in to find out what is really happening. Can she figure it out?
It was wonderful to be back with Mia and the rest of her family and friends. Yes, I did find a few things related to the production of the show stretched believability a bit for me, but that’s mostly minor. I was having fun the entire way through the book, laughing quite a bit at the antics of the characters. I suspect if I watched the kind of show being lampooned here, I would find it even funnier. There are several sub-plots, but they never take away from the strong mystery, which goes to some rather creative places before Mia reaches the logical solution. The regular characters are up to their usual antics, which is always fun, and I loved the development that some of them got. This book will leave readers, old and new, with a grin on their face.
It was wonderful to be back with Mia and the rest of her family and friends. Yes, I did find a few things related to the production of the show stretched believability a bit for me, but that’s mostly minor. I was having fun the entire way through the book, laughing quite a bit at the antics of the characters. I suspect if I watched the kind of show being lampooned here, I would find it even funnier. There are several sub-plots, but they never take away from the strong mystery, which goes to some rather creative places before Mia reaches the logical solution. The regular characters are up to their usual antics, which is always fun, and I loved the development that some of them got. This book will leave readers, old and new, with a grin on their face.
Chris Hooker (419 KP) rated All Fall Down (Supervolcano, #2) in Books
Jan 12, 2018
The follow up novel to [Harry Turtledove's] [Supervolcano: Eruption] was worth the read. The continuing story of the characters as they try in their own ways to survive was enjoyable.
[Supervolcano: All Fall Down] picked up right where [Eruption] left off. In the midst of this disaster the way [Turtledove] portrays his characters not as hero's out to save the world but as humans with all their faults makes the story more believable. It even has a serial killer mystery twist within the plot.
I definitely prefer my science fiction based on real science and not super natural. That is what [Turtledove] has produced so far with the two books from the [Supervolcano] series. I like my fantasy with a good does of reality in most cases.
[Supervolcano: All Fall Down] picked up right where [Eruption] left off. In the midst of this disaster the way [Turtledove] portrays his characters not as hero's out to save the world but as humans with all their faults makes the story more believable. It even has a serial killer mystery twist within the plot.
I definitely prefer my science fiction based on real science and not super natural. That is what [Turtledove] has produced so far with the two books from the [Supervolcano] series. I like my fantasy with a good does of reality in most cases.
EcoFriendlyNerd (40 KP) rated My Eyes Are Black Holes in Books
Sep 3, 2017
A weird, but fantastic read!
Easily the weirdest book I've ever read (and I've read quite a few). A great book to read for those who want to know what it's like in the mind of someone who suffers from schizophrenia. Well written (so much so that even I as the reader had a hard time distinguishing between reality and fantasy). I would love to know what happened prior to the book (an unmentioned event seems relevant to the story). I will say that, despite having read this book, I'm still not entirely sure what happened (that may have been the point though). All in all, well done, Mr. Smith.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated David Sedaris Diaries: A Visual Compendium in Books
Apr 27, 2018
David Sedaris—Live for your listening pleasure (Audio)
Genre: Radio show
Rating: 4/5
David Sedaris tells story after humorous story, always pulling laughs from his audience (the audio recording is live). This short collection of memoir-esque stories will keep you laughing the whole way through.
The recording features four stories and several diary entries that are sure to have you grinning at the least and crying from laughing at the most.
Content: There was some mild language and some sexual references. Not for the easily offended.
Recommendation: Ages 18+ to anyone who enjoys radio shows, comedy, or just needs a good laugh and a break from reality.
**Thank you to Anna from Hachette Audio for providing my review copy!**
Genre: Radio show
Rating: 4/5
David Sedaris tells story after humorous story, always pulling laughs from his audience (the audio recording is live). This short collection of memoir-esque stories will keep you laughing the whole way through.
The recording features four stories and several diary entries that are sure to have you grinning at the least and crying from laughing at the most.
Content: There was some mild language and some sexual references. Not for the easily offended.
Recommendation: Ages 18+ to anyone who enjoys radio shows, comedy, or just needs a good laugh and a break from reality.
**Thank you to Anna from Hachette Audio for providing my review copy!**
ClareR (5686 KP) rated Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft in Books
Apr 11, 2018
I keep telling myself not to get involved with another comic series. This book (and the next in the series) is the result of taking my children to the library to while away a wet day during the Easter holiday. I thoroughly enjoyed it, too. It dives straight in to the action from page one. Bits are rather blood thirsty, and it does bend reality (he's his fathers son, and probably fed up with being compared to him as well, but there it is!). It's all about keys and somebody, who isn't particularly nice, wanting to get their hands on them. I don't want to say anything else! All I will say, is that it's well worth giving it a chance.
The Craggus (360 KP) rated Free Solo (2018) in Movies
Mar 7, 2019
The best view comes after the hardest climb. Free Solo (2019) Review
In a world of ever-increasing strip-mining of existing properties for prequels and spin-offs, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine someone would set out to make a whole movie about the opening sequence of “Star Trek V: The Final Frontier”.
Of course, that was fantasy and “Free Solo” is reality and although the climbing of El Capitan is the film’s crowning glory, the real hook of the documentary is in its exploration of what drives Alex Honnold to do what he does, proving that there’s so much more to the compulsion to climb a mountain than ‘because it’s there’...
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusFreeSolo
Of course, that was fantasy and “Free Solo” is reality and although the climbing of El Capitan is the film’s crowning glory, the real hook of the documentary is in its exploration of what drives Alex Honnold to do what he does, proving that there’s so much more to the compulsion to climb a mountain than ‘because it’s there’...
FULL REVIEW: http://bit.ly/CraggusFreeSolo
Awix (3310 KP) rated Being Frank: The Chris Sievey Story (2019) in Movies
Apr 2, 2019 (Updated Apr 2, 2019)
Hugely affectionate and enjoyable portrait of Chris Sievey, who became a cult figure as the hapless, anarchic, peculiar all-round entertainer Frank Sidebottom. Sievey/Frank is probably best known outside the UK thanks to the movie he inspired with Michael Fassbender wearing the head; this documentary makes it quite clear just how much stranger and more entertaining than fiction reality was in this case.
Definitely a portrait of Sievey rather than his creation, but still hugely entertaining: the film doesn't skimp on detailing the troubles that he encountered throughout his life, but you still come away with a definite sense of a life well lived, and an immensely creative mind ceaselessly at work. A worthy memorial to a unique individual.
Definitely a portrait of Sievey rather than his creation, but still hugely entertaining: the film doesn't skimp on detailing the troubles that he encountered throughout his life, but you still come away with a definite sense of a life well lived, and an immensely creative mind ceaselessly at work. A worthy memorial to a unique individual.
Darkwriter1408 (8 KP) rated Ready Player One (2018) in Movies
Jun 12, 2019
Good storyline, good twist, mediocre cgi
So, as much as I loved watching this film and found myself enthralled into the story behind it. I found the visual effects somewhat lacking. Not reaching a high enough expectation for this kind of movie.
A movie based preliminarily around virtual reality the visual effects should be muh better and it is let down by this. That being said, the twists in the story and the way the characters are brought together. Brought this was very intuitive and clever. It showed good dynamic and gave the watcher someone to root for.
A movie based preliminarily around virtual reality the visual effects should be muh better and it is let down by this. That being said, the twists in the story and the way the characters are brought together. Brought this was very intuitive and clever. It showed good dynamic and gave the watcher someone to root for.
Dean (6925 KP) rated The Cell (2000) in Movies
Feb 16, 2018
Finally watched this at long last hearing it was a good film for a while now. It's very unique and very stylish. It starts off similar to The silence of the lambs, with a serial killer on the loose who is getting bolder which each new victim. They track him down but he has a seizure and with the latest victim still missing they need to find her quick! Using a sort of virtual reality programme J.Lo must enter his mind to find the answers.
A very good film, if quite weird during the dream scenes but these also look excellent, very surreal and elaborate. You will enjoy this if you like serial killer films, horrors and the just plain weird!
A very good film, if quite weird during the dream scenes but these also look excellent, very surreal and elaborate. You will enjoy this if you like serial killer films, horrors and the just plain weird!
Erika Kehlet (21 KP) rated 15 Minutes (A Maizie Albright Star Detective Mystery, #1) in Books
Feb 21, 2018
Celebrity gossip fans, reality TV fans, and of course mystery fans are going to love Maizie Albright. She is determined, quirky, and lots of fun. A former child actor who played a detective on TV, Maisie returns home to Black Pine, Georgia seeking an apprenticeship with a real private investigator. Will Maisie be able to convince her unwilling mentor that shes more than a hollywood has-been? Full of humor and romance, this is a great start to a new series.
Read more on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/01/26/15-minutes-by-larissa-reinhart-blog-tour-giveaway/">The Book's the Thing</a>
<i>I was provided with a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.</i>
Read more on <a href="https://booksthething.com/2017/01/26/15-minutes-by-larissa-reinhart-blog-tour-giveaway/">The Book's the Thing</a>
<i>I was provided with a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.</i>