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Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Kami Garcia | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Romance
4
7.4 (34 Ratings)
Book Rating
I had heard so much about Beautiful Creatures since it came out, but I really wish I'd skipped this one. It's just another gothic teen romance, authors jumping on the bandwagon that Stephenie Meyer made of the dark scary character and big entrancing eyes and inhuman beauty and absurd chemistry. Nothing happened in the first few chapters, the descriptions were repetitive and strange, the characters were stereotypical, and the dialogue was boring.

The only good thing I had to say was that the small town they described in the book really did sound like a small town (and I can say that because I live in one).

Oh, and the reader of the audiobook was good.

Other than that, honestly, it was just Twilight except Edward Cullen was a girl.

Content/Recommendation: I didn't read enough to be able to say, though honestly if you're going to read a 500-page novel, read Crime and Punishment or The Count of Monte Cristo.
  
War and Peach (Georgia Peach Mystery, #3)
War and Peach (Georgia Peach Mystery, #3)
Susan Furlong | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry, Mystery
10
10.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really enjoyed the last book in this series, Rest in Peach, but I think War and Peach is even better. When local farmer and mayoral candidate Clem Rogers is found in the debris of his burned-down barn, everyone suspects his political rival Margie of having done away with her competition. Nola Mae is sure that the woman isn’t capable of murder, but the rest of her small town don’t seem to agree. Sure that an innocent woman is being railroaded, Nola steps in to investigate.

I love the small town feel of this series, and the realistic, down-to-earth people. They could be your neighbors rather than characters in a story, and that might be what keeps drawing me back to Cays Mill. You can jump right in with this book even if you haven’t read the first 2 in the series, but you’ll probably want to go back and catch up if you do!
  
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CJ (8 KP) rated The Bookshop (2017) in Movies

Sep 11, 2018 (Updated Sep 11, 2018)  
The Bookshop (2017)
The Bookshop (2017)
2017 |
8
5.3 (3 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Woman vs. town.
Based on the novel of the same title by Penelope Fitzgerald, it tells the story of widow Florence Green (Emily Mortimer) who opens a bookshop in an abandoned home in a small English village. Unfortunately, she does so against the wishes of some of the locals who try to get her removed from her shop. However, she does not find herself without allies and friends.

I was thoroughly delighted by the scenery and costumes in this movie. The stage was set very well. I’m a fan of Bill Nighy as a rule, but I can honestly say that this is the best role I’ve seen him in.

This isn’t a particularly feel good movie. If you’re looking for a Hallmark ending, keep looking. But it does have a few laughs, in that British small-town movie way, and I found it well worth my time. Especially in regards to Emily Mortimer’s and Bill Nighy’s performances.
  
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Dean (6927 KP) rated Where the Crawdads Sing (2022) in Movies

Aug 8, 2022 (Updated Dec 6, 2022)  
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
2022 | Drama, Mystery, Romance
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Daisy Edgar-Jones (1 more)
Cinematography
A little straightforward (0 more)
A touching story
I haven't read the book but after seeing the trailer it looked like it might have a Murder mystery element to it. It's actually a mix of genres from life story, courtroom drama, mystery and Romance.
It looks lovely from the setting and cinematography as most of it is filmed out in the Marsh land. Daisy Edgar-Jones stands out the most from the cast. Playing a girl who becomes a loner and recluse almost shunned by the small local town. She becomes accused of Murder of a young man she was once dating but is there anything to it more than town gossip. A entertaining film although the courtroom side of it is only a small back drop to her life story. Almost a Romance story at the heart of it as well, with a Notebook vibe. Maybe not as deep or clever as it might imply but I definitely enjoyed the story.
  
Queen of Spades
Queen of Spades
Michael Shou-Yung Shum | 2016 | Contemporary
10
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Easily the best book I've read in six months. (0 more)
I want more from this first time author....soon! (0 more)
Small story, small setting, gambling and some mystical realism in a down-to-earth story.
Very few characters. Set in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. It's about gambling and math and cheating, and winning and losing at life and relationships. The writing is simple and stunning. The characters are few and very well-developed, quickly and slowly at the same time, without a lot of fanfare. There's a touch of mystery.

It's a "small" book, as I like to call them. Kind of like Nicholson Baker's writing. Focused.


Read it in two sittings--started one evening and finished over breakfast. Wish I had savored it more. Have already sent copies to at least seven people. Don't bother with the blurb on the back--doesn't do it much justice for what's really between the covers. Also, the paperback is a joy to hold. Even if you're a fan of eReaders, I recommend buying the real deal for this one.
  
The grand reopening of Fromagerie Bessette, a gourmet cheese shop in a small Ohio town, is going well until Charlotte's grandmother is found kneeling over the corpse of a man she was just scene arguing with. The book started out a little slowly, but I quickly got into the characters and story.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/05/book-review-long-quiche-goodbye-by.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.