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Books Editor (673 KP) shared own list
Sep 26, 2017
Protesting chickens, a mischievous bear, hunt the ballerinas and a Swedish horror story, here are The Guardian's best pick of children's books.
Open: A Toolkit for How Magic and Messed Up Life Can be
Book
Open: A Toolkit for How Magic and Messed Up Life Can Be is full of honest advice about the big, bad...
Fir: Red Eye Series
Book
Moving from Stockholm to an isolated pine plantation in northern Sweden is bad enough, but when the...
Young Adult Horror
All About Mia
Book
One family, three sisters. GRACE, the oldest: straight-A student. AUDREY, the youngest: future...
Children
The Secret Keepers
7.0
Rate It
Book
When Reuben discovers an old pocket watch, he soon realizes it holds an incredible power: it can...
Children
The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart
Book
Aventurine is the fiercest, bravest kind of dragon, and she's ready to prove it to her family by...
and 8 other items
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Parks and Recreation - Season 2 in TV
Sep 26, 2017
Not as good as first season, but still great performances
So we start the series with a break up, and various hook-ups throughout the series, which is a little like Friends but a little more intelligent. And while it's not as good as the first series, as they move on to the next plan of action, Rob Lowe and Adam Scott make a surprise appearance at the end of the climactic season.
As per usual, standout performances by Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari and Nick Offerman, who seem to be the strongest characters throughout.
As per usual, standout performances by Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari and Nick Offerman, who seem to be the strongest characters throughout.
iwishiwasbraver (199 KP) rated The Three-Body Problem in Books
Sep 26, 2017
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated The Girlfriend in Books
Sep 26, 2017
Tiger mum v gold digger girlfriend plus a hapless boyfriend
There are a fair few pros and cons with this book, including the writing. While the story itself is climactic, filled with twists, it reeks of class stereotypes, which were very unfortunate. Not all people from working class backgrounds are gold diggers, not all rich people look down on others, and not all boyfriends are clueless hopeless romantics.
A young woman begins a relationship with a man much wealthier than herself, who she hopes to extort luxuries in the future. The man, who is oblivious to everything on earth, has a tiger mum, fiercely protective over her son, having a loveless marriage and having lost her first child. So it's a battle about who wins Daniel and how far they will go.
It is fairly obvious which way the story will lean towards, especially by half way, and there are a few pointless characters such as Izzy, a friend of the mother. And Tooting is actually a very fashionable place I'll have you know.
Some holes in the plot, and irritating generalities, but good story.
A young woman begins a relationship with a man much wealthier than herself, who she hopes to extort luxuries in the future. The man, who is oblivious to everything on earth, has a tiger mum, fiercely protective over her son, having a loveless marriage and having lost her first child. So it's a battle about who wins Daniel and how far they will go.
It is fairly obvious which way the story will lean towards, especially by half way, and there are a few pointless characters such as Izzy, a friend of the mother. And Tooting is actually a very fashionable place I'll have you know.
Some holes in the plot, and irritating generalities, but good story.
Bill Ricardi (6 KP) rated The Hunt for Red October (1990) in Movies
Sep 26, 2017
Suswatibasu (1701 KP) rated Born To Be Blue (2016) in Movies
Sep 26, 2017
Seriously depressing, a masterful musician and his addiction
As a fan of jazz great Chet Baker, Born to be Blue is an honest and brutal portrayal of the trumpeter, especially during his worst time battling addiction. After a mysterious but vicious assault Baker, portrayed by Ethan Hawke, he is left unable to play and kicked out of the industry on parole.
While it is mostly accurate, his love interest is an amalgamation of his three ex-wives and so there is a bit of artistic licence. And at times it flips into flashbacks of black and white, which is a film in a film, when Baker played himself in his biopic. But mostly it's his relationship with heroin which he took until the end of his life in 1988, though the film only concentrates on his growing insecurity between 1950 and 1960.
It's sad knowing how it ends, too many talents lost in the haze of drugs.
While it is mostly accurate, his love interest is an amalgamation of his three ex-wives and so there is a bit of artistic licence. And at times it flips into flashbacks of black and white, which is a film in a film, when Baker played himself in his biopic. But mostly it's his relationship with heroin which he took until the end of his life in 1988, though the film only concentrates on his growing insecurity between 1950 and 1960.
It's sad knowing how it ends, too many talents lost in the haze of drugs.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Where the Wild Winds are: Walking Europe's Winds from the Pennines to Provence in Books
Sep 26, 2017
Fantastic, beautifully written book
I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
From the moment the great storm of 1987 almost blew six-year-old Nick Hunt away, he has had the urge to travel. So many travel books are on the market, it is difficult to produce something new and exciting, but after coming across an interesting map of Europe, Hunt was determined to go on a journey that not many have attempted before. With a map listing the named winds of Europe, Hunt sets off on a quixotic quest to follow the winds.
Beginning in the Pennine Mountains, Nick Hunt takes the reader on a personal journey through the continent as he explores the towns and valleys the winds flow through whilst hoping the elusive tempests will occur so that he can experience them himself. With a mix of euphoria and disappointment, Hunt details his arduous journey providing additional knowledge along the way.
Some winds are more evanescent than others – one, discouragingly, not appearing at all – whereas one is so strong, Hunt witnesses a waterfall being blown upwards. Ignoring the warnings of the locals, Hunt, dead set on completing what he intended to do, takes us on a long walk from Italy to Croatia, a trek through the Alpine valleys of Switzerland, and a final expedition to the south of France.
Wind may seem like an odd topic to write a book about, but the Helm, Bora, Foehn and Mistral are no ordinary breezes. Their violence makes Hunt’s journey a dangerous and daring endeavour and is full of stories about past disasters that have occurred as a result of the strong, temperamental weather.
As well as teaching us about these four winds, Nick Hunt has collected facts and stories about the general areas he passes through. Personal stories of the inhabitants break up Hunt’s narrative, however, myths, legends, history and superstitions frequent the lengthy chapters as much as the winds themselves.
Giving wind a name provides it with a personality, as though it is something tangible that can be met and observed. Nick Hunt notes that artists such as Turner and Constable were interested in the weather and fascinated by the effects the wind had on the surrounding landscape. Another artist that was affected by the weather was Vincent Van Gogh - some of his paintings took place in France in the midst of the powerful Mistral. Just as the wind can be seen in his starry night skies, the scenery in France is evocative of a Van Gogh painting.
The winds do not only affect the lands they blow through, they have a strong impact on the wellbeing of the inhabitants. Some experience physical symptoms such as headaches, nose bleeds, dry skin and so forth, whereas others find themselves growing irritable, depressed and confused. The author himself has the opportunity to undergo the effects of these winds. Hunt also puts forward the suggestion that Van Gogh’s deteriorating mental health was a direct consequence of residing in the path of the Mistral.
From witchcraft to the Greek god Aeolus, there are a number of theories about why these strong winds blow. There are, of course, meteorological explanations, which Hunt attempts to explain, but admits he finds it as baffling as the next person. Regardless of the reason, these winds exist and it is captivating to learn about this aspect of Europe.
Where the Wild Winds Are: Walking Europe’s Winds from the Pennines to Provence is a fantastic, beautifully written book. Nick Hunt’s narrative is so personal that it becomes more than a travel documentation or informative non-fiction. As we read, we really get a sense of the emotions and physical hardship Hunt experienced, yet, at the same time, learn so much about European culture as well as, of course, Europe’s winds. Whether or not you are interested in travelling, this book will take you on a journey you will never forget.
From the moment the great storm of 1987 almost blew six-year-old Nick Hunt away, he has had the urge to travel. So many travel books are on the market, it is difficult to produce something new and exciting, but after coming across an interesting map of Europe, Hunt was determined to go on a journey that not many have attempted before. With a map listing the named winds of Europe, Hunt sets off on a quixotic quest to follow the winds.
Beginning in the Pennine Mountains, Nick Hunt takes the reader on a personal journey through the continent as he explores the towns and valleys the winds flow through whilst hoping the elusive tempests will occur so that he can experience them himself. With a mix of euphoria and disappointment, Hunt details his arduous journey providing additional knowledge along the way.
Some winds are more evanescent than others – one, discouragingly, not appearing at all – whereas one is so strong, Hunt witnesses a waterfall being blown upwards. Ignoring the warnings of the locals, Hunt, dead set on completing what he intended to do, takes us on a long walk from Italy to Croatia, a trek through the Alpine valleys of Switzerland, and a final expedition to the south of France.
Wind may seem like an odd topic to write a book about, but the Helm, Bora, Foehn and Mistral are no ordinary breezes. Their violence makes Hunt’s journey a dangerous and daring endeavour and is full of stories about past disasters that have occurred as a result of the strong, temperamental weather.
As well as teaching us about these four winds, Nick Hunt has collected facts and stories about the general areas he passes through. Personal stories of the inhabitants break up Hunt’s narrative, however, myths, legends, history and superstitions frequent the lengthy chapters as much as the winds themselves.
Giving wind a name provides it with a personality, as though it is something tangible that can be met and observed. Nick Hunt notes that artists such as Turner and Constable were interested in the weather and fascinated by the effects the wind had on the surrounding landscape. Another artist that was affected by the weather was Vincent Van Gogh - some of his paintings took place in France in the midst of the powerful Mistral. Just as the wind can be seen in his starry night skies, the scenery in France is evocative of a Van Gogh painting.
The winds do not only affect the lands they blow through, they have a strong impact on the wellbeing of the inhabitants. Some experience physical symptoms such as headaches, nose bleeds, dry skin and so forth, whereas others find themselves growing irritable, depressed and confused. The author himself has the opportunity to undergo the effects of these winds. Hunt also puts forward the suggestion that Van Gogh’s deteriorating mental health was a direct consequence of residing in the path of the Mistral.
From witchcraft to the Greek god Aeolus, there are a number of theories about why these strong winds blow. There are, of course, meteorological explanations, which Hunt attempts to explain, but admits he finds it as baffling as the next person. Regardless of the reason, these winds exist and it is captivating to learn about this aspect of Europe.
Where the Wild Winds Are: Walking Europe’s Winds from the Pennines to Provence is a fantastic, beautifully written book. Nick Hunt’s narrative is so personal that it becomes more than a travel documentation or informative non-fiction. As we read, we really get a sense of the emotions and physical hardship Hunt experienced, yet, at the same time, learn so much about European culture as well as, of course, Europe’s winds. Whether or not you are interested in travelling, this book will take you on a journey you will never forget.
Heather (2 KP) rated All the Bright Places in Books
Sep 26, 2017
Makes you want to keep reading (4 more)
Raises awareness of mental illness
emotional story
excellent character building
Relatable
Emotional and relatable
I loved this book. I just wanted to keep reading! fasted time I have ever read a book. It was such an emotional ride reading this and really helps the reader understand what it could be like to live with or know someone with a mental illness. So beautifully done.
Heather (2 KP) rated The Sims 4 in Video Games
Sep 26, 2017
lots to do (3 more)
creative
collectables (within game)
seasonal events
