Search

Search only in certain items:

Dirty Dancing  (1987)
Dirty Dancing (1987)
1987 | Drama, Music, Romance

"Finally, we’re going to go with a film that is so culturally relevant that as soon as I say it you’ll be able to quote at least one line from it. We’re going to go with Dirty Dancing. Because, come on, nobody puts Baby in a corner, right? Of course it’s been acted out, it’s been referenced in numerous films. It was in Crazy, Stupid, Love. This is the move that Ryan Gosling does to get the girls, right? And he and Emma Stone reenact this scene. So, you want to talk about a film that just had an amazing soundtrack, the performances were great, and it speaks to the confusion of teenagers growing up, but not in a, I feel like, a “loner” teenager way. There’s been a lot of teenage films where they feel like a loner. This is someone who liked her family, and she was a little irritated with her older sister as siblings tend to be, but she liked her dad and her mom, and when push came to shove at various points, she ran to her dad to help. There was something striking about how all of that worked together in a film that just made you feel good and want to dance and want to take someone to see, and then, how many years later, that film still holds up. And if you don’t believe me, go watch it. It still works."

Source
  
The Inheritance Games
The Inheritance Games
Jennifer Lynn Barnes | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery, Young Adult (YA)
10
8.8 (5 Ratings)
Book Rating
Every game of cluedo you've ever played, with a twist!
Contains spoilers, click to show
This book was fantastic. I finished it in a matter of hours because I simply couldn't put it down. I wouldn't.

I love games. Puzzles. Riddles. I'm good at them. Maybe not Avery or Hawthorne good at them but I can hold my own. I also love guessing the endings of books and movies. I'm not always right but maybe 90% of the time I am. This book reminded me of every game of cluedo I've ever played. Every riddle I've ever read. And Knives Out the movie, one of my favourites. I love the small subtle romance, its not in your face like most books. I loved the sister bond despite their lack of parents. I love the idea that even though the brothers are so handsome and rich, they aren't desirable because of a few rumours. And I love the idea that Avery isn't a random girl whose birthday held some meaning. This puzzling was fantastic! I was continually guessing who Avery was, who shot her in the woods, who Toby was to her.
Now I have to say that I'm suprised I got the big twist in the first few chapters. Toby Hawthorne II is Harry her chess partner? Called it. Obviously.
But the rest was just masterful. As good as my imagination is, I wish it was a movie so I could see the puzzles and riddles in motion.
  
Wintersfall (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria #1)
Wintersfall (Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria #1)
Sarah Westill | 2021 | Romance
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
WINTERSFALL is the first book in the Gen-Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria series and the reader is introduced to a complex world where ranks are important, as well as limiting.

Following the murder of her mother and sister, Katria joins a government team on the understanding that an investigation will take place to find out who killed them. Fast forward three years and Katria has grown into a more than capable agent. With one fail to their name, the team is called back to Haven City and the intrigue really starts!

This was a great, twisted story with an amazing cast of characters, both main and supporting. I found it slightly difficult to get my head around the hierarchy and hated having to keep switching back and forth to the explanation given at the beginning of the book. In the end, I gave up and just read it as was.

The story isn't completed, by any stretch of the imagination. The focus may be moving from Katria and Sean but, make no mistake, there is so much more to come. I don't think we've even scratched the surface yet.

A great story that I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to read more. Absolutely recommended by me.

** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
 
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
  
A Scone of Contention
A Scone of Contention
Lucy Burdette | 2021 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Food Critic in Scotland
Hayley and Nathan are finally going on their honeymoon – if you can call the trip that. They are heading to Scotland so that Hayley can meet Nathan’s sister, Vera, and their neighbor, Miss Gloria, and Nathan’s mother are tagging along. When they arrive, they quickly discover that Vera is in the final stages of a book about Scotland, but the tension among Vera and her coauthors is strong. An attempted poisoning and a suspicious accident make Hayley think that something strange is going on. Can she figure it out?

As a fan of this series, I wondering how I would feel about a book away from Key West since the location is a strong character in the books. Fortunately, we get some scenes before and after on the island and the characters left behind get cameos. The book balances travelogue with mystery well, and anyone who has wanted to visit Scotland will only want to visit more about reading this book. I did feel that both the main plot and subplot’s climaxes were anti-climactic. They did answer all of our questions, but they were a bit abrupt. I did enjoy getting to meet the new characters, and anyone as hungry by the talk of food as I am will be pleased by the recipes at the end of the book. Fans of the series will be glad we got to crash Nathan and Hayley’s honeymoon.
  
Definitive Collection by Donny Osmond
Definitive Collection by Donny Osmond
2009 | Rock
(0 Ratings)
Album Favorite

Crazy Horses by Donny Osmond

(0 Ratings)

Track

"I remember this from the time, but also my son, Sonny, who's five, is obsessed with this record. I first played it to him when he was three and he'd get his little guitar off the shelf and just go mental with it. When one of your kids likes it that means you have to listen to it about 15 times a day but I didn't mind. It's like, "Yeah let's stick it on, play it louder." It's just absolutely perfect and so heavy. And lyrically I get it now but I didn't at the time. You don't really get lyrics when you're a kid. You just think it's about horses. I always thought Jeff Beck's 'Hi Ho Silver Lining' was "silver lightning" - I thought it was about a horse. That whole thing to me is just a love song for a horse. Fuck knows what it's actually about. Drugs? Yeah, probably. One of my favourite memories of school is the school cloakroom full of tartan - that was for Bay City Rollers, but it just really reminds me of this era. My sister was a couple of years younger than me but she had Osmonds socks and an Osmonds lampshade. She had a couple of their albums. But 'Crazy Horses' is such a fantastic record. The first record that I ever liked was 'Billy Don't Be a Hero' by Paper Lace. I nearly chose that, but then I listened to it again and it's not very good."

Source
  
All-New Wolverine, Volume 6: Old Woman Laura
All-New Wolverine, Volume 6: Old Woman Laura
Tom Taylor | 2018 | Comics & Graphic Novels
6
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I know I mentioned on here before (or at least I think I did), but I was starting to lose interest in Tom Taylor's ALL-NEW WOLVERINE. It wasn't that he was a bad writer (he really wasn't), nor was it that I had lost interest in Laura Kinney as a character.

No, quite simply, it just came to the book becoming too silly, with Laura's clone sister Gabby taking much of the spotlight. With that shift in focus, the series had lost a sizable chunk of it's edginess, leaving it feeling more like a pantomime version of the series.

However, with this, "Old Woman Logan", the final story of ANW, Taylor hits it right out of the park!

The first half of the book was a one-off issue with Gabby and Deadpool teaming to take down a mad scientist sort intent on pushing the sport of "genetically modified zombie wolverines" followed by the epilogue to "Orphans of X". Both were solid, with just the right amount of humor peppered in.

But the real gem, kicking ya right in the feels, was the "Old Woman Logan" arc. I won't give any spoilers, as I read it with spoilers and it was awesome! All I will say is this has definitely become one of my new favorites!

Seriously, if you love the character of Laura Kinney as much as I do, you HAVE to read this! So, so, soooo GOOD!
  
40x40

Lindsay (1796 KP) rated Mommy's Oven in Books

Jan 24, 2021  
Mommy's Oven
Mommy's Oven
Brandi Pearce | 2021 | Children
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
surrogate (0 more)
Do you have a little boy or girl that may become a big brother or sister? But you are not carrying that child but you want to explain how that child will be joining your family. This book called “Mommy's Oven” by Brandi Pearce may be able to explain it in a way.

This book is done uniquely through the little boy's view. But it is also based on a true story. It was done well. I just love the story about the surrogate. It brings up the baking a cake analogy which is an original way to talk about making a baby.

I do just love the pictures. They look really real. The images are so well done that I thought they would be popped out of the book. That is how I recall the pictures looked. The story plot is good. Your child can imagine it as if they are the little boy who is getting a new sibling. I think it is good for both genders.

It explains it in a way a child will understand. Parents can read this to their child or children. It may even become a favorite of your child or children. It shows your child and children that family can be made up of different ways but the family can still grow bigger, just differently. Your children may have questions about it and this one good to have on your bookshelf.
  
Capture (Torsere #1)
Capture (Torsere #1)
Annabelle Jacobs | 2020 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
8
7.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Capture is the first book in the Torsere series and we drop into a world where kingdoms are small but the dragons are great!!!

Ryneq is the King of Torsere, his sister is about to enter a marriage to the Elves, and he doesn't have time for a dalliance of any kind other than the odd night or two. Nykin is a young dragon rider, partnered with Fimor, and doesn't think he would be satisfied with just a night or two so is prepared to admire from a distance. Circumstances throw these two together to begin with but bravery and loyalty make it a long-term affair.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The twist with the timing of the bond with dragons was a new one on me. Nykin and Ryneq are wonderful characters that I want to know more about. The world-building is done so you get bits and pieces where relevant rather than an info dump. The descriptions of people and places make them all easy to see. There are a couple of steamy scenes but nothing too in-depth.

All in all, a brilliant start to a new series and I really can't wait to continue. Absolutely recommended by me.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!