Search
Search results
Jamie (57 KP) rated Only Yours (Fool's Gold, #5) in Books
Nov 26, 2018
I am not big on romance, but while I am healing from my surgery that I had on Friday, I decided to read this book and a couple of other romance books that I have gotten in the mail. Mallery's story line seemed real, more plausible and the goal of Montana was not to find herself a mate, it was to have a healthy relationship with everyone in her life, including the dogs she trains for therapy dogs. I love that part of the story, where she is using therapy dogs in the hospital to help others along in their healing journey. I have met some awesome dogs and their handlers, including my sister in law Kris who helps train the dogs and also some great therapist who use the dogs in support of their work. It is amazing how much an animal can help along with the healing process. Great story and I am glad that I read it.
Rachel Maria Berney (114 KP) rated Waking Up: Searching for Spirituality Without Religion in Books
Dec 5, 2018
Honest (1 more)
Philosophy
An interesting read
I don't think I have ever believed in a God. However, I did have certain spiritual beliefs that I started to question, I got interested in philosophy and this is one of the first books I read. If you are currently questioning your beliefs and feeling a little uncertain, this is a good book to read. I don't agree with everything Sam Harris has to say, on some points I completely disagree, that's ok though. This gets you thinking, which is a very good thing. It also helps you bridge the gap between Atheism and some spiritual beliefs you have, which on the surface don't seem to go together.
It's written well, as are most of Sam's books, an easy read and a short guide to meditating and the benefits (from a non-religious perspective). Sam has had an interesting life, what he has to say is worth taking the time to read.
It's written well, as are most of Sam's books, an easy read and a short guide to meditating and the benefits (from a non-religious perspective). Sam has had an interesting life, what he has to say is worth taking the time to read.
[a:Dan Brown|630|Dan Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399396714p2/630.jpg]'s fifth Robert Langdon book, largely set in and around Barcelona, Spain, and which I read while on holiday to that location.
If you've read any of Brown's previous Robert Langdon - a role which, now, I assocaite firmly with Tom Hanks - books, then you'd know pretty much what to expect: a mad dash around the various locations within, a bit of science (some of which I'd already heard, other of which I hadn't relaised before) thrown in, some plot elelments that would make you roll your eyes if you stopped and thought about them, but actually, all-in-all, a pretty fun read.
In other words, a case where (like in most of his books) the sum is greater than the parts.
Even if, in this case, I found the supposed 'twist' (the identity of Kirsch's killer) to be as plain as the nose on your face.
If you've read any of Brown's previous Robert Langdon - a role which, now, I assocaite firmly with Tom Hanks - books, then you'd know pretty much what to expect: a mad dash around the various locations within, a bit of science (some of which I'd already heard, other of which I hadn't relaised before) thrown in, some plot elelments that would make you roll your eyes if you stopped and thought about them, but actually, all-in-all, a pretty fun read.
In other words, a case where (like in most of his books) the sum is greater than the parts.
Even if, in this case, I found the supposed 'twist' (the identity of Kirsch's killer) to be as plain as the nose on your face.
David McK (3361 KP) rated Ice Station Zebra in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Cold-War set thriller, by an author that (for some reason) I associate more with World War 2 settings, this concerns the journey of the Atomic submarine Dolphin to the Arctic, in order to rescue the survivors of the adrift Ice Staion of the title.
I also feel that this could be split into 3 very distinct sections - the journey to the Arctic, the search and rescue of the survivors, and the journey back, with it transpiring in the middle section that the Ice Station had been sabatoged, rather than just plain unlucky, and with it furhter being revealed in the final section that the saboteour is still alive and on the sub ...
While it may be slightly dated now (in that the USSR is no longer in existence) and in some of the state-of-the-(then)-art technology, this is still an enjoyable read once you put yourself into the right mindset!
I also feel that this could be split into 3 very distinct sections - the journey to the Arctic, the search and rescue of the survivors, and the journey back, with it transpiring in the middle section that the Ice Station had been sabatoged, rather than just plain unlucky, and with it furhter being revealed in the final section that the saboteour is still alive and on the sub ...
While it may be slightly dated now (in that the USSR is no longer in existence) and in some of the state-of-the-(then)-art technology, this is still an enjoyable read once you put yourself into the right mindset!
David McK (3361 KP) rated The Warlord of Mars (Barsoom, #3) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Entry #3 in Edgar Ruce Burroughs <I>Barsoom</I> series, <I>The Warlord of Mars</I> follows on from the previous entry (<I>The Gods of Mars</I>), with John Carter counting down the days until the release of Dejah Thoris from the prison in which she was trapped at the end of that book. Of course, and quite early in this, she is released and captured by some of Carters enemies from that previous entry, tying the events of this directly into the events of that novel.
Unlike the previous entry (which started on Earth), the entirety of this novel takes place on Mars itself. It is also very much so a 'classic' boys own adventure story, full of numerous battles, a little bit of intrigue and some narrow escapes - as before, it is easy to see the influence this would have on later, perhaps better well known, stories by various authors.
Unlike the previous entry (which started on Earth), the entirety of this novel takes place on Mars itself. It is also very much so a 'classic' boys own adventure story, full of numerous battles, a little bit of intrigue and some narrow escapes - as before, it is easy to see the influence this would have on later, perhaps better well known, stories by various authors.
David McK (3361 KP) rated Tarnished Knight (The Lost Stars, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Spin-off from <i>The Lost Fleet</i> series, with this taking place after the events off/concurrently with those of [b:The Lost Fleet Beyond the Frontier Dreadnaught|9676849|The Lost Fleet Beyond the Frontier Dreadnaught (The Lost Fleet Beyond the Frontier, #1)|Jack Campbell|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1388524088s/9676849.jpg|14564728] (and it's sequels).
Following the defeat of the Syndicate Worlds at the hands of 'Black Jack' Geary, more and more former Syndicate Worlds are rising up against their old masters - this novel concentrating on one such world, that of Midway.
However, neither former CEOs Artur Drakon or Gwen Iceni are sure if they can trust the other ...
As a spin-off, this introduces almost-entirely new characters, along with some mentioned in passing, or who have had a small role in previous novels. It also makes occasional reference to those earlier novels - particularly to 'Black Jack' Geary himself and some of his actions, even though he is entirely absent from the story.
Following the defeat of the Syndicate Worlds at the hands of 'Black Jack' Geary, more and more former Syndicate Worlds are rising up against their old masters - this novel concentrating on one such world, that of Midway.
However, neither former CEOs Artur Drakon or Gwen Iceni are sure if they can trust the other ...
As a spin-off, this introduces almost-entirely new characters, along with some mentioned in passing, or who have had a small role in previous novels. It also makes occasional reference to those earlier novels - particularly to 'Black Jack' Geary himself and some of his actions, even though he is entirely absent from the story.
David McK (3361 KP) rated Resurrectionist (Matthew Hawkwood, #2) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
The sequel to 2006's <i>Ratcatcher</i>, <i>Resurrectionist</i> again follows the exploits of Matthew Hawkwood: a former army officer now working as a Bow Street Runner.
While <i>Ratcatcher</i>, in many respects, was a straight-forward action/adventure set in Regency London, this novel is more of a mystery/crime novel. This time, Captain Hawkwood is on the trail of body-snatchers - colloquially known as 'Resurrection men' - and of an escaped convict from Bedlam Hospital. Initially believing the two cases to be distinct, this later proves to be far from the case ...
Body-snatching was - and is - a pretty gruesome business, and McGee doesn't shy away from the full import of what the grave-diggers were involved in, with some of the scenes described not for the squeamish! Similarly, the early years of medical science are also touched upon - again, some of those scenes are not for the squeamish.
While <i>Ratcatcher</i>, in many respects, was a straight-forward action/adventure set in Regency London, this novel is more of a mystery/crime novel. This time, Captain Hawkwood is on the trail of body-snatchers - colloquially known as 'Resurrection men' - and of an escaped convict from Bedlam Hospital. Initially believing the two cases to be distinct, this later proves to be far from the case ...
Body-snatching was - and is - a pretty gruesome business, and McGee doesn't shy away from the full import of what the grave-diggers were involved in, with some of the scenes described not for the squeamish! Similarly, the early years of medical science are also touched upon - again, some of those scenes are not for the squeamish.
Ross (3284 KP) rated The Darkslayer: Brutal Beginnings in Books
Jan 31, 2019
A fun short introduction
This 40 page novella is a good, fun introduction to the world of the Darkslayer, similar to a Witcher: a man who wanders the wilds slaying evil creatures for payment. Here we are introduced to Venir (and briefly his companion Melegal), a hard-drinking brute of a man who we find is known as the Darkslayer. He ventures out from the city of Bone into the wilds, partly to earn his keep slaying the wild Underlings (nasty little wild creatures who kill children and keep giant spiders as pets); partly to escape the morning-after realisation of who he slept with.
Not exactly high-brow literature, but a well told, axe-swinging, action-packed tale of one man against the wilds.
As with other series, this introduction was written some time after/during the main series and intended as a nice little introduction. I am expecting to meet some of the characters again as I continue with the main series.
Not exactly high-brow literature, but a well told, axe-swinging, action-packed tale of one man against the wilds.
As with other series, this introduction was written some time after/during the main series and intended as a nice little introduction. I am expecting to meet some of the characters again as I continue with the main series.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (2019) in Movies
Oct 23, 2019
Another customarily superb animation from Aardman. Strange goings-on at Mossy Bottom Farm presage the first contact between alien life and, er, sheepkind, as Shaun the Sheep befriends an excitable alien who is stranded on Earth. Can the flock get her home before she falls into the clutches of the sinister Ministry for Alien Detection?
Not quite the utterly perfect gem that the first movie was, but still tremendously enjoyable and made to the highest possible standards, both of animation and scripting (one of the best jokes comes at the very, very end of the film). Also manages to be surprisingly poignant in places - but mostly it's just witty and fun by turns. Many references to classic sci-fi fill the movie; some are obvious, others are buried in the background or only appear for a second or so - you have to be some kind of obsessive to get them all, but I would imagine this film is fun for regular type people too.
Not quite the utterly perfect gem that the first movie was, but still tremendously enjoyable and made to the highest possible standards, both of animation and scripting (one of the best jokes comes at the very, very end of the film). Also manages to be surprisingly poignant in places - but mostly it's just witty and fun by turns. Many references to classic sci-fi fill the movie; some are obvious, others are buried in the background or only appear for a second or so - you have to be some kind of obsessive to get them all, but I would imagine this film is fun for regular type people too.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated The Stars Now Unclaimed (The Universe After #1) in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book has three things I adore:
Snarky characters
Space battles
A group who becomes a family despite the odds.
Needless to say I LOVED this book.
It starts out with a soldier looking for one of many children who can stop the evil hypocritical fascists called the Pax.
There was an incident called the pulse that knocked out most of this verse's technology.
There are some really cool characters and some things that surprised me, which I found delightful!
There are only two complaints about this book I have:
I felt there could have been more cool alien species
This book comes out in about a week, which means it will probably take a year for the next one to come out.
Bummer.
(A more in-depth review can be found at
on August 14th at 6am pst)
This book has three things I adore:
Snarky characters
Space battles
A group who becomes a family despite the odds.
Needless to say I LOVED this book.
It starts out with a soldier looking for one of many children who can stop the evil hypocritical fascists called the Pax.
There was an incident called the pulse that knocked out most of this verse's technology.
There are some really cool characters and some things that surprised me, which I found delightful!
There are only two complaints about this book I have:
I felt there could have been more cool alien species
This book comes out in about a week, which means it will probably take a year for the next one to come out.
Bummer.
(A more in-depth review can be found at
on August 14th at 6am pst)