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Scott Tostik (389 KP) rated Coco (2017) in Movies
Dec 10, 2017
Good Disney Tunes (2 more)
Some good laughs
Dante is amazing
Not a bad little flick....
So, here we go... my fisrt non-horror... wait... no. My second non-horror movie review. And I'm not ashamed to admit that I really liked this movie.
I usually gauge Disney movies by how amny times I say WTF during them and amke that famous [parental "UghmmmMyyyyyGawd".... But today, i'm doing a different pattern.
I don't know if getting older has softened my pallet a bit, but this movie actually made me cry. I'm not a bad person, mind you, i have been known to be a bit of a jerk from time to time. But this movie made me feel for the main character, Miguel. Without spoiling it for some of you... His lineage story is worthy of shedding a few tears over.
So, today I give this movie 8 tears out of a possible ten... and I'm not ashamed to admit that i was tearing up...and down my cheeks... at certain moments prior to the credits. So, come on gentlemen... Be a man... shed a tear for a sad story of a boy who just wants to play guitar and sing like his Great great Papa
I usually gauge Disney movies by how amny times I say WTF during them and amke that famous [parental "UghmmmMyyyyyGawd".... But today, i'm doing a different pattern.
I don't know if getting older has softened my pallet a bit, but this movie actually made me cry. I'm not a bad person, mind you, i have been known to be a bit of a jerk from time to time. But this movie made me feel for the main character, Miguel. Without spoiling it for some of you... His lineage story is worthy of shedding a few tears over.
So, today I give this movie 8 tears out of a possible ten... and I'm not ashamed to admit that i was tearing up...and down my cheeks... at certain moments prior to the credits. So, come on gentlemen... Be a man... shed a tear for a sad story of a boy who just wants to play guitar and sing like his Great great Papa
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Lucifer Rising in Books
Apr 27, 2018
When I accepted this book for review, the summary provided sounded very exciting and engaging… but this book was strange. That’s really the only word I have for it. Weird and strange. Here’s why:
One—I felt out of place while I read this. I felt like I had been dumped into the middle of a book on the first page. There was no introduction to the characters, there were no descriptions, there was no explanation. And it didn’t work. Sometimes in a book, that’s ok, because it works with the mysterious quality of it, but in this situation it was just unreadable.
Two—The writing wasn’t good. It felt choppy and vague and un-detailed and empty, as if the words on the page didn’t mean anything. It was very hard to read. The dialogue felt forced and most of the narrative was unclear.
Three—I have a high tolerance for strange and supernatural, but the stuff in this book was just really odd. I didn’t get past Chapter 3.
I’m really sad that I didn’t like this title because I was so excited to read it, and it sounded great… but it was just a really lame book.
One—I felt out of place while I read this. I felt like I had been dumped into the middle of a book on the first page. There was no introduction to the characters, there were no descriptions, there was no explanation. And it didn’t work. Sometimes in a book, that’s ok, because it works with the mysterious quality of it, but in this situation it was just unreadable.
Two—The writing wasn’t good. It felt choppy and vague and un-detailed and empty, as if the words on the page didn’t mean anything. It was very hard to read. The dialogue felt forced and most of the narrative was unclear.
Three—I have a high tolerance for strange and supernatural, but the stuff in this book was just really odd. I didn’t get past Chapter 3.
I’m really sad that I didn’t like this title because I was so excited to read it, and it sounded great… but it was just a really lame book.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated The Possibility of Everything in Books
Apr 27, 2018
The Possibility of Everything was amazing. I was instantly wrapped up in Hope’s story, and fell in love with her little girl Maya. It was absolutely impossible to put down.
Hope had to go through so much to heal her daughter—she had to be brave and learn to accept things that she was afraid of, and things that just don’t match up with common sense. Hope is someone who does not believe in magic, spirits, or God, yet she’s taking her daughter to a healer who “communicates with the spirit world,” and she hates the idea… but people will do anything for the ones that they love. “Because what mother wouldn’t do anything for her child?”
As a person who loves and adores children myself, seeing Maya in the state that she was in was heartbreaking. There were parts of this book that I didn’t “enjoy,” because they were scary and sad, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t good. It was painful to watch Maya and her parents suffer—but it was also an amazing story, and one that needs to be read by everyone.
Recommendation: Ages 14+
**Thank you to Dorothy from Pump Up Your Book for supplying my review copy!**
Hope had to go through so much to heal her daughter—she had to be brave and learn to accept things that she was afraid of, and things that just don’t match up with common sense. Hope is someone who does not believe in magic, spirits, or God, yet she’s taking her daughter to a healer who “communicates with the spirit world,” and she hates the idea… but people will do anything for the ones that they love. “Because what mother wouldn’t do anything for her child?”
As a person who loves and adores children myself, seeing Maya in the state that she was in was heartbreaking. There were parts of this book that I didn’t “enjoy,” because they were scary and sad, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t good. It was painful to watch Maya and her parents suffer—but it was also an amazing story, and one that needs to be read by everyone.
Recommendation: Ages 14+
**Thank you to Dorothy from Pump Up Your Book for supplying my review copy!**
ClareR (5906 KP) rated In at the Deep End in Books
Mar 2, 2019
A funny, honest book
The first quote in the blurb on the cover of this book says:'Every woman should own a copy of this book' (Erin Kelly). Well. Perhaps not if you're easily shocked.
Julia lives with her best friend Alice and her boyfriend, Dave, and after yet another night of listening to their enthusiastic sex life through the wafer thin walls of their flat, Julia decides it's time to end her three year sex-drought. Except I don't think that she expects to learn that her drought might be because she has been looking in the wrong places.
After a disastrous experience with a one night stand where she's accused of 'breaking' the man's penis (!!), she meets a female artist - and learns that she's much happier and more fulfilled with a woman.
This book is sexually graphic, and definitely not for the faint-hearted. Julia is rediscovering her life, and is on a mission to make radical changes - she wants to be happy.
It's a great story. I laughed, I felt sad and sorry for Julia in some places. It illustrated complicated relationships really well.
It's a great debut, and I'll be interested to see where the author goes next.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for choosing another great book to read along to.
Julia lives with her best friend Alice and her boyfriend, Dave, and after yet another night of listening to their enthusiastic sex life through the wafer thin walls of their flat, Julia decides it's time to end her three year sex-drought. Except I don't think that she expects to learn that her drought might be because she has been looking in the wrong places.
After a disastrous experience with a one night stand where she's accused of 'breaking' the man's penis (!!), she meets a female artist - and learns that she's much happier and more fulfilled with a woman.
This book is sexually graphic, and definitely not for the faint-hearted. Julia is rediscovering her life, and is on a mission to make radical changes - she wants to be happy.
It's a great story. I laughed, I felt sad and sorry for Julia in some places. It illustrated complicated relationships really well.
It's a great debut, and I'll be interested to see where the author goes next.
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for choosing another great book to read along to.
BTPBookclub (18 KP) rated The Lido in Books
May 11, 2019
Uplifting. Beautiful story
There are not enough words to describe this story, but here’s a few; uplifting, comforting, friendship, community, beautiful, joyful, kind, tender, charming and a feel good novel. That should be enough right?
I had my head in this book and didn’t want to leave it or put it down. I was a part of that community with them the whole time, I was their friend and welcomed. I truelly devoured this story and sad that I finished it. It is a stunning debut. A must read if you haven’t already. One you won’t forget.
I loved the whole community within the book. The friendships, the bonds, the stories they tell and lastly how they always stuck together and fought together till the end. My heart was with them the whole time. A beautiful lot of characters, especially Kate and Rosemary they had such a cute and amazing unexpected relationship. I think they both needed each other to be honest. I loved them all.
Beautifully written. I cannot recommend this story enough. A must buy. A well deserved five stars from me and it’s got to have a place in my top twenty of the year. Beautiful. Amazing. Outstanding. Absolutely loved every minute of it.
I had my head in this book and didn’t want to leave it or put it down. I was a part of that community with them the whole time, I was their friend and welcomed. I truelly devoured this story and sad that I finished it. It is a stunning debut. A must read if you haven’t already. One you won’t forget.
I loved the whole community within the book. The friendships, the bonds, the stories they tell and lastly how they always stuck together and fought together till the end. My heart was with them the whole time. A beautiful lot of characters, especially Kate and Rosemary they had such a cute and amazing unexpected relationship. I think they both needed each other to be honest. I loved them all.
Beautifully written. I cannot recommend this story enough. A must buy. A well deserved five stars from me and it’s got to have a place in my top twenty of the year. Beautiful. Amazing. Outstanding. Absolutely loved every minute of it.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated The Shadow Falls (Witch-Hunter, #3) in Books
May 22, 2019
Hunter Astley has always known that he is different: being a witch-hunter that can use magic has sealed his fate.
He must destroy the Shadow Witch once and for all, with the help of some unlikely allies.
We delve even deeper into the world of the Malleus Maleficarum; into myth, rumour and history that refuses to stay in the past.
The Shadow Falls by K.S. Marsden is the third and final book in the Witch Hunter trilogy.
I don't know how but each book has just gotten better each time.
The characters have all remained just as strong and you can see the natural progression with each one where they have grown.
I think that this one had more twists and turns than the last one. This one picks up where the Shadow reigns leaves off. Hunter is alone and on the run from the witches, searching for the Benandanti.
The plot, throughout all three books, was unpredictable and kept me guessing the entire time.
This is such a magnificent finale and surprise ending!
So sad to see this ending but loved getting the answers.
Highly recommend reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He must destroy the Shadow Witch once and for all, with the help of some unlikely allies.
We delve even deeper into the world of the Malleus Maleficarum; into myth, rumour and history that refuses to stay in the past.
The Shadow Falls by K.S. Marsden is the third and final book in the Witch Hunter trilogy.
I don't know how but each book has just gotten better each time.
The characters have all remained just as strong and you can see the natural progression with each one where they have grown.
I think that this one had more twists and turns than the last one. This one picks up where the Shadow reigns leaves off. Hunter is alone and on the run from the witches, searching for the Benandanti.
The plot, throughout all three books, was unpredictable and kept me guessing the entire time.
This is such a magnificent finale and surprise ending!
So sad to see this ending but loved getting the answers.
Highly recommend reading!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Guards! Guards! Discworld Novel 8 in Books
Mar 19, 2018
A great introduction to the City Watch
You've got to hand it to Terry Pratchett, he knows how to write a good fantasy novel.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
Guards! Guards! is yet another great Discworld novel, and the first to introduce Captain Vimes and the City Watch. Vimes himself is a loveable anti-hero who develops greatly over the course of the novel and the same too can be said for the other members of the Watch. Carrot the 'dwarf' provides a real introduction to the Watch and also a lot of the humour from his exploits, and I loved seeing a lot more of the Librarian.
The plot itself on the face of it is a fantasy fairy tale filled story of dragons, maidens and heroes. But with every Pratchett novel, beneath it lies dark wit and humour, and a slightly sad social commentary on human greed and corruption. There are a lot of references in this to other media, like The Hobbit, which really poke fun at the myths and lore used in the fantasy genre.
A great read with some very engaging characters. A little rambling at times, but fortunately the rest of the book makes up for it! Discworld books are the only books that can really make me laugh out loud.
Gail (4 KP) rated Common Ground: Kayla and Taylor's Story in Books
Jun 4, 2018
Common Ground by Alice Rachel
Four Star
What if one day we wake up and the world wasn’t the same? You wake up and realize you can no longer do what you want or be who you truly are. Or you wake up and you already know that this is as far as you go. That no matter how hard you work your dreams don’t matter. This book made me really sad. To think that after we have moved so far ahead we end up right back where we started. Women with no rights, Gay's hiding from the world and men calling all the shots. Your daughters married off for status and the poor treated as if they’re scum under your boots. This book made you think about all the advantage we have now and how people fought to be free. The author did really well with how she presented her characters. There was too much tragedy for me. I don’t think Kayla should’ve had to go through her heartache to understand or join the cause. Taylor was hot and so mysterious. His character had you constantly guessing on what he would do next or how he would respond. A very interesting read.
Four Star
What if one day we wake up and the world wasn’t the same? You wake up and realize you can no longer do what you want or be who you truly are. Or you wake up and you already know that this is as far as you go. That no matter how hard you work your dreams don’t matter. This book made me really sad. To think that after we have moved so far ahead we end up right back where we started. Women with no rights, Gay's hiding from the world and men calling all the shots. Your daughters married off for status and the poor treated as if they’re scum under your boots. This book made you think about all the advantage we have now and how people fought to be free. The author did really well with how she presented her characters. There was too much tragedy for me. I don’t think Kayla should’ve had to go through her heartache to understand or join the cause. Taylor was hot and so mysterious. His character had you constantly guessing on what he would do next or how he would respond. A very interesting read.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated The Kite Runner in Books
Jun 19, 2018
Moving and beautifully written
I can safely say that this is hands down the best book I’ve read so far this year. This book has been on my ‘to read’ list now for years, and I’ve never been moved to read it until now, mainly because I wasn’t sure it’d be my kind of story.... how wrong could I be.
This is possibly the most moving and beautifully written book I’ve read in a long time. The narration by the protagonist Amir is brilliantly done and it hooks you in from the very start. I was never bored for a second, whether reading about his childhood in Afghanistan or his later life in America and beyond. This is a heartwarming tale in parts, but for the most it is very sad and depressing and is a very good portrayal of war torn Afghanistan. I’ve never felt so moved to tears as I have when reading this book.The story itself too is not in the slightest bit predictable and to say I was surprised at the developments over the course of the book would be an understatement.
An amazing read and one that is sure to stick with me for some time.
This is possibly the most moving and beautifully written book I’ve read in a long time. The narration by the protagonist Amir is brilliantly done and it hooks you in from the very start. I was never bored for a second, whether reading about his childhood in Afghanistan or his later life in America and beyond. This is a heartwarming tale in parts, but for the most it is very sad and depressing and is a very good portrayal of war torn Afghanistan. I’ve never felt so moved to tears as I have when reading this book.The story itself too is not in the slightest bit predictable and to say I was surprised at the developments over the course of the book would be an understatement.
An amazing read and one that is sure to stick with me for some time.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2357 KP) rated Against the Claw in Books
Aug 23, 2018
Who Killed the Girl with the Pitchfork Tattoo?
It’s the week of the Fourth of July, and Allie and her aunt Gully are getting ready for the onslaught of customers the holiday weekend will bring to their town of Mystic Bay, Connecticut and the lobster shack that Aunt Gully has started. However, the holiday weekend takes a sad turn when Allie finds a dead body in the bay. No one seems to know who she was. But if no one recognizes her, who would want her dead?
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and it was a delight to return again. The characters are lots of fun, and it was great to see them again. The new characters fit right in; they were so nice, it was hard to believe there was a killer hiding among them. I did think the plot wandered a bit in the first half, but it picked up in the second half. When we reached the climax, I discovered there were some clues I hadn’t even realized where hiding in the book. The location is charming; the perfect summer resort town. So if you are looking for a book to hold on to summer, pick this one up.
I enjoyed the first book in this series, and it was a delight to return again. The characters are lots of fun, and it was great to see them again. The new characters fit right in; they were so nice, it was hard to believe there was a killer hiding among them. I did think the plot wandered a bit in the first half, but it picked up in the second half. When we reached the climax, I discovered there were some clues I hadn’t even realized where hiding in the book. The location is charming; the perfect summer resort town. So if you are looking for a book to hold on to summer, pick this one up.