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Crash Into You (Pushing the Limits, #3)
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The girl with straight A's and the perfect life—that's who people expect Rachel Young to be. So...
Katie McGarry Crash Into You Young Adult Young Adult Fiction
The Man on the Middle Floor
Book
Lionel Shriver meets Mark Haddon in this break-out debut. Despite living in the same three-flat...
ClareR (5686 KP) rated The People Before in Books
Feb 5, 2023
I loved this: creepy, tense and claustrophobic.
Pete and Jess buy a big house in rural Suffolk that needs a lot of work. Overwhelmingly so. Jess is clearly uncomfortable with the house. Pete works in London and Jess is left alone a lot with two children who need a lot of attention. And something clearly happened in London prior to their move that no-one is talking about.
This is a slow burner with characters I loved to dislike. Everything that could go wrong, did. Like Jess, I always felt I was left unbalanced about what was going on. What was going to go wrong next?! One thing after another seems to go wrong in this house. What was Pete up to? What had happened in the house before they had got there?
Honestly, I didn’t read the synopsis to this book before I read it, purely because I’d read and enjoyed The House Guest, Charlotte’s previous book. And I wasn’t disappointed. I’m eager to read whatever she writes next!
Pete and Jess buy a big house in rural Suffolk that needs a lot of work. Overwhelmingly so. Jess is clearly uncomfortable with the house. Pete works in London and Jess is left alone a lot with two children who need a lot of attention. And something clearly happened in London prior to their move that no-one is talking about.
This is a slow burner with characters I loved to dislike. Everything that could go wrong, did. Like Jess, I always felt I was left unbalanced about what was going on. What was going to go wrong next?! One thing after another seems to go wrong in this house. What was Pete up to? What had happened in the house before they had got there?
Honestly, I didn’t read the synopsis to this book before I read it, purely because I’d read and enjoyed The House Guest, Charlotte’s previous book. And I wasn’t disappointed. I’m eager to read whatever she writes next!
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2173 KP) rated Stuff Dreams Are Made of in Books
Feb 16, 2023
“There May Have Been a Murder”
Skip Lesser and James Moore have renovated James’s truck to use it to serve food at the revival meetings being help by Reverend Cashdollar. They quickly start to hear rumors of several deaths connected to this ministry, including someone Skip met 10 years ago. Will they figure out what is going on over the course of the weekend?
Obviously, this “reverend” is not preaching anything I would consider Biblical, and I appreciated the fact that I never got the feeling anyone was taking it seriously as such. While this set up might sound like it, this isn’t a cozy, with a liberal amount of foul language and a bit more violence. The pacing was very uneven, with some page turning twists and suspenseful scenes being slowed down by lots of recaps and talking. Still, I do like Skip and James and their struggles with life in general. I don’t think this will be a favorite series, but I’m glad I am finally getting to book two.
Obviously, this “reverend” is not preaching anything I would consider Biblical, and I appreciated the fact that I never got the feeling anyone was taking it seriously as such. While this set up might sound like it, this isn’t a cozy, with a liberal amount of foul language and a bit more violence. The pacing was very uneven, with some page turning twists and suspenseful scenes being slowed down by lots of recaps and talking. Still, I do like Skip and James and their struggles with life in general. I don’t think this will be a favorite series, but I’m glad I am finally getting to book two.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Paranormal Activity (2007) in Movies
Oct 13, 2022
It's easy to see, even in hindsight, why Paranormal Activity created such a buzz upon release. It's commitment to the whole "true story" aspect is admirable, even if it feels overly gimmicky, and it's minimilast approach and low budget ensure that it has an atmosphere of realism, whilst providing a few decent scares along the way.
The acting is certainly questionable. I get that the filmmakers were going for a realistic couple with Katie and Micah, but the dialogue definitely comes across as improvised in an amateur kind of way. I can't imagine any couple talking like that in real life, and it's a bit jarring.
The narrative ramps up nicely and certainly ends with a bang, but the vast majority is a little too uneventful considering we spend all of it with two unlikable characters.
For what it is though, PA does what it's sets out to do. It's unnerving horror that appeals to everyone and anyone looking for a fun kind of scare, nothing more, nothing less.
The acting is certainly questionable. I get that the filmmakers were going for a realistic couple with Katie and Micah, but the dialogue definitely comes across as improvised in an amateur kind of way. I can't imagine any couple talking like that in real life, and it's a bit jarring.
The narrative ramps up nicely and certainly ends with a bang, but the vast majority is a little too uneventful considering we spend all of it with two unlikable characters.
For what it is though, PA does what it's sets out to do. It's unnerving horror that appeals to everyone and anyone looking for a fun kind of scare, nothing more, nothing less.
Merissa (11961 KP) rated Awake in Books
May 24, 2023
This book has all the ingredients for a good Young Adult Thriller, but for me, it just didn't quite work out that way. Perhaps it was the insta-love going on, with marriage mentioned very quickly into their 'relationship'. Perhaps it was the best friend who wasn't a best friend at all that I actually felt sorry for. Perhaps it was the dodgy behaviour of the main characters. I don't know. It just didn't quite work for me. There is also the fact that Scarlett makes a HUGE deal about not remembering anything before she was four, but has no hesitation in talking about it to a complete stranger at the first opportunity.
An interesting premise, with a cult aspect, that just didn't work for me. Try it for yourself though, don't take my word for it!
* 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!
Mar 2, 2016
An interesting premise, with a cult aspect, that just didn't work for me. Try it for yourself though, don't take my word for it!
* 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!
Mar 2, 2016
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Echoes in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<b><i>I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
<h2><strong>Three words: Hackers. Go. Missing.</strong></h2>
I'm not talking baby hackers who have no clue what they're doing and slipped up badly I'm talking top of the ladder ones.
Mallory Park is a hacker who moderates The Forum, a message board where hackers are anonymous, crack down on the dirty secrets of companies, and leak them out to the world anonymously. She's extremely motivated and passionate about her work, and likes to have control she's independent, wants to do her own thing, and based on her background, it definitely fits her character. Mallory, however...
Just comes out cold. Apathetic. Indifferent. She doesn't really have any clue what to do with herself because hacking IS who she is. She is also extremely brilliant (I would love to have her math skills right now in Calculus...), hates being touched (much like me...), and is as awkward as David 1 and David 2 (one of them is a <a title="The Sorcerer's Apprentice review" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/movie-review-the-sorcerers-apprentice"; target="_blank" rel="noopener tag">Physics major</a> and the other is <a title="Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson review" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-steelheart-by-brandon-sanderson"; target="_blank" rel="noopener tag">terrible with metaphors</a>).
While I like Mallory, I think Mallory came more out of her shell when she meets Warden. Warden is very cheery, optimistic, and hilarious he's really just one of those adorable nerds who would love to squish hug. And despite the fact he is introduced as Mallory's online friend from The Forum, I can hear his voice and see his facial expressions leaping off the screen at Mallory.
There's so much anticipation and danger (and Warden's humor laced throughout) as Mallory gets closer to finding out about the missing hackers, but in the long run, <em>Echoes</em> really just teaches about online safety in a similar, yet different way compared to other books related to online safety.
But you should really just read it for Warden's humor.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-echoes-by-laura-tisda/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
<h2><strong>Three words: Hackers. Go. Missing.</strong></h2>
I'm not talking baby hackers who have no clue what they're doing and slipped up badly I'm talking top of the ladder ones.
Mallory Park is a hacker who moderates The Forum, a message board where hackers are anonymous, crack down on the dirty secrets of companies, and leak them out to the world anonymously. She's extremely motivated and passionate about her work, and likes to have control she's independent, wants to do her own thing, and based on her background, it definitely fits her character. Mallory, however...
Just comes out cold. Apathetic. Indifferent. She doesn't really have any clue what to do with herself because hacking IS who she is. She is also extremely brilliant (I would love to have her math skills right now in Calculus...), hates being touched (much like me...), and is as awkward as David 1 and David 2 (one of them is a <a title="The Sorcerer's Apprentice review" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/movie-review-the-sorcerers-apprentice"; target="_blank" rel="noopener tag">Physics major</a> and the other is <a title="Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson review" href="http://www.bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-steelheart-by-brandon-sanderson"; target="_blank" rel="noopener tag">terrible with metaphors</a>).
While I like Mallory, I think Mallory came more out of her shell when she meets Warden. Warden is very cheery, optimistic, and hilarious he's really just one of those adorable nerds who would love to squish hug. And despite the fact he is introduced as Mallory's online friend from The Forum, I can hear his voice and see his facial expressions leaping off the screen at Mallory.
There's so much anticipation and danger (and Warden's humor laced throughout) as Mallory gets closer to finding out about the missing hackers, but in the long run, <em>Echoes</em> really just teaches about online safety in a similar, yet different way compared to other books related to online safety.
But you should really just read it for Warden's humor.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-echoes-by-laura-tisda/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated One Night in Miami (2020) in Movies
Apr 15, 2021
Keeps the audience at arms length
The issue when adapting a stage play to the screen is that, often times, the subject matter and style of the script does not lend itself to being “opened up”, what is powerful when sitting in a theater with the actors performing the piece in front of you can often times be seen as “flat” when it jumps to the screen.
Such is the case with ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI the Major Motion Picture Directorial debut of Oscar Winning Actress Regina King and based on the stage play by Kemp Powers. This film/play fictionalizes the true story of 4 powerful African American legends that meet up in a hotel room, one night in Miami.
And…this film feels like 4 people sitting in a hotel room talking - and that’s the problem with it. What should be powerful dialogue (and, I’m sure, IS powerful when seen live on stage) just doesn’t translate well enough on the screen, so the film just sits there demanding we pay attention, while not inviting us in to do so.
Since this is a story about 4 people sitting around talking, the acting needs to take center stage and hold our attention and, quite frankly, it just does not. Eli Goree as Cassius Clay, Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown and Leslie Odom, Jr. as Sam Cook are all “fine” in their roles, but they don’t rise above the script and direction. Odom gets an Oscar nod for his turn in this film, but I have to think that, maybe, it is as much for his turn in HAMILTON as it is in this film.
Only Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X shows a spark and draws an emotional response in this film and that might not be fair to the other actors for he has the flashier role with the most speeches.
The Direction by King and the Script by Kemp Powers (based on his stage play) has some moments, but never draws the audience in. It keeps everyone at arms length and doesn’t touch the soul.
The subject matter in this film is an important one, and depicts a pivotal time in American History, but other films do a better job of driving that point home by inviting the audience into the conversation.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Such is the case with ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI the Major Motion Picture Directorial debut of Oscar Winning Actress Regina King and based on the stage play by Kemp Powers. This film/play fictionalizes the true story of 4 powerful African American legends that meet up in a hotel room, one night in Miami.
And…this film feels like 4 people sitting in a hotel room talking - and that’s the problem with it. What should be powerful dialogue (and, I’m sure, IS powerful when seen live on stage) just doesn’t translate well enough on the screen, so the film just sits there demanding we pay attention, while not inviting us in to do so.
Since this is a story about 4 people sitting around talking, the acting needs to take center stage and hold our attention and, quite frankly, it just does not. Eli Goree as Cassius Clay, Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown and Leslie Odom, Jr. as Sam Cook are all “fine” in their roles, but they don’t rise above the script and direction. Odom gets an Oscar nod for his turn in this film, but I have to think that, maybe, it is as much for his turn in HAMILTON as it is in this film.
Only Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X shows a spark and draws an emotional response in this film and that might not be fair to the other actors for he has the flashier role with the most speeches.
The Direction by King and the Script by Kemp Powers (based on his stage play) has some moments, but never draws the audience in. It keeps everyone at arms length and doesn’t touch the soul.
The subject matter in this film is an important one, and depicts a pivotal time in American History, but other films do a better job of driving that point home by inviting the audience into the conversation.
Letter Grade: B-
6 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Kirk Bage (1775 KP) rated The Gentlemen (2020) in Movies
Jan 22, 2021
It’s been a while since Guy Ritchie dealt with some proper geezers doing crime and talking bollocks. Maybe there were elements of it in The Man From U.N.C.L.E. but really it’s Rock ‘n Rolla from 2008 we are talking about. Personally I hadn’t missed it. I pretty much think he took it as far as it needed to be taken, and I much prefer the Sherlock Holmes stuff, anyway.
Judging from the inexplicably high rating (currently 7.8) for this on IMDb somehow someone had missed it big time though! Or is it just easy for those in search of a nutter with a gun and a swear word or six to click 9/10? I don’t want to speculate. Suffice to say The Gentlemen is not very good. Not awful. Colin Farrell wins by having a lot of fun hamming up a bonkers creation of a man (as he does so expertly and effortlessly), and Hugh Grant comes out of it with credit too, for at least looking engaged and having some of the best lines to deliver.
As for Matthew McConnaughey, who is surely to be considered top billing, I can’t honestly remember a thing about his role in this forgettable fable some 9 weeks after seeing it. Literally, can’t recall anything he does in it to mind. Bad sign. And Charlie Hunnam doesn’t fare much better, but that’s probably because he isn’t that good or memorable in anything in the first place. There are a couple of women in this as well, but they really don’t make a difference to anything, and no one cares (sadly).
We’ve seen the whole thing before, I’m afraid, and even first time the style wasn’t for everyone and felt a bit “wrong” to a 21st century sensibility. It really is just guns and violence and swearing in ever decreasing creativity. I liked some of the costumes though.
No one involved’s best work, by a long way. A distracting way to kill a few hours if you are completely stuck for ideas, but little more than that. In a year or two no one will remember or talk about it at all. May that be a lesson to you Mr Ritchie. Leave outdated indulgences, even with your pals, in the past where they belong.
Judging from the inexplicably high rating (currently 7.8) for this on IMDb somehow someone had missed it big time though! Or is it just easy for those in search of a nutter with a gun and a swear word or six to click 9/10? I don’t want to speculate. Suffice to say The Gentlemen is not very good. Not awful. Colin Farrell wins by having a lot of fun hamming up a bonkers creation of a man (as he does so expertly and effortlessly), and Hugh Grant comes out of it with credit too, for at least looking engaged and having some of the best lines to deliver.
As for Matthew McConnaughey, who is surely to be considered top billing, I can’t honestly remember a thing about his role in this forgettable fable some 9 weeks after seeing it. Literally, can’t recall anything he does in it to mind. Bad sign. And Charlie Hunnam doesn’t fare much better, but that’s probably because he isn’t that good or memorable in anything in the first place. There are a couple of women in this as well, but they really don’t make a difference to anything, and no one cares (sadly).
We’ve seen the whole thing before, I’m afraid, and even first time the style wasn’t for everyone and felt a bit “wrong” to a 21st century sensibility. It really is just guns and violence and swearing in ever decreasing creativity. I liked some of the costumes though.
No one involved’s best work, by a long way. A distracting way to kill a few hours if you are completely stuck for ideas, but little more than that. In a year or two no one will remember or talk about it at all. May that be a lesson to you Mr Ritchie. Leave outdated indulgences, even with your pals, in the past where they belong.
Serena (8 KP) rated Everything I Want in Books
Nov 22, 2017
With Lily graduating she can’t help but realise how far she has come, but she also remembers Alfie, knowing that she has made the right decision when she sees him with all the models, and that she would have resented giving up her dream for his.
Seeing Alfie again, after so long was hard, but again he is persistent, with a love like theirs coming only once in a life time. After talking with her best friend Jack, Lily is starting to think that maybe she needs to take another chance with Jack
With everything nearly perfect between Lily and Alfie, Lily’s friend reminds her that it is her that is putting the distance between them, that she is saying that she can’t have music and Alfie, and she can if she tries.
When the media starts posting photos, with Lily having no contact with Alfie since she left, it starts to have a major impact on their relationship, leaving Lily wondering if they still have one.
After a tragedy Lily realises that she can have Music and Alfie too, and they get their happily ever after.
Seeing Alfie again, after so long was hard, but again he is persistent, with a love like theirs coming only once in a life time. After talking with her best friend Jack, Lily is starting to think that maybe she needs to take another chance with Jack
With everything nearly perfect between Lily and Alfie, Lily’s friend reminds her that it is her that is putting the distance between them, that she is saying that she can’t have music and Alfie, and she can if she tries.
When the media starts posting photos, with Lily having no contact with Alfie since she left, it starts to have a major impact on their relationship, leaving Lily wondering if they still have one.
After a tragedy Lily realises that she can have Music and Alfie too, and they get their happily ever after.