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Awix (3310 KP) rated The Associates of Sherlock Holmes in Books
Jan 23, 2020
A mixed bag of Sherlockian pastiches, each focusing on a different member of the supporting cast: these range from the very well-known to the rather obscure (e.g. Holmes' rival Barker, here recast as a Dorrington-esque chancer). Holmes himself is central to some of the stories, but almost entirely absent from others - so we get a range of different kinds of story. Holmes and Lestrade hunt for a Ripper-like serial killer; Irene Adler seeks revenge on the man she believes destroyed her life; Sebastian Moran sets out to hunt down a quarry with surprisingly large feet. Most of these are relatively 'straight', but some of the contributions enter the realms of horror and the paranormal.
Mostly fun and readable stuff, though, with nothing too shockingly revisionist (it's amusing to note that the authors here can't decide amongst themselves where exactly Dr Watson was shot). None of the stories is really outstanding, but there are no absolute stinkers either (although the one which attempts to 'fix' some of the absurder features of The Speckled Band by recourse to the introduction of Tibetan thought-projection techniques probably comes closest). Proof of the endless fun to be gained from playing around with this set of characters.
Mostly fun and readable stuff, though, with nothing too shockingly revisionist (it's amusing to note that the authors here can't decide amongst themselves where exactly Dr Watson was shot). None of the stories is really outstanding, but there are no absolute stinkers either (although the one which attempts to 'fix' some of the absurder features of The Speckled Band by recourse to the introduction of Tibetan thought-projection techniques probably comes closest). Proof of the endless fun to be gained from playing around with this set of characters.
A heartbreaking and ultimately uplifting story of two sisters.
Sal is the main character in this book : a story of abuse, survival and the love of two sisters.
Sal and Peppa's mum is an alcoholic with a knack of finding unsuitable boyfriends, Robert is a drunk, a drug addict and a child abuser. He abuses 13 year old Sal, and when he threatens to do the same to do the same to 10 year old Peppa, Sal decides to act and save them. She learns all she can of wild camping, survival techniques from the SAS and anything else she can pick up from the internet. She finds a remote place where they can set up camp and live away from Social Services and the 'Polis'
There is a lot of description of their surroundings in the mountains and the Loch that they live near, which I really liked. The elderly East German doctor that they meet is also a nice touch.
It hadn't actually occurred to me that this was a Young Adult book: I enjoyed it and I'm certainly not a young adult (in body, anyway!).
The novel didn't have the ending that I would have expected, but it was a good ending and very appropriate.
All in all, a very good story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of the book.
Sal and Peppa's mum is an alcoholic with a knack of finding unsuitable boyfriends, Robert is a drunk, a drug addict and a child abuser. He abuses 13 year old Sal, and when he threatens to do the same to do the same to 10 year old Peppa, Sal decides to act and save them. She learns all she can of wild camping, survival techniques from the SAS and anything else she can pick up from the internet. She finds a remote place where they can set up camp and live away from Social Services and the 'Polis'
There is a lot of description of their surroundings in the mountains and the Loch that they live near, which I really liked. The elderly East German doctor that they meet is also a nice touch.
It hadn't actually occurred to me that this was a Young Adult book: I enjoyed it and I'm certainly not a young adult (in body, anyway!).
The novel didn't have the ending that I would have expected, but it was a good ending and very appropriate.
All in all, a very good story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of the book.
Hazel (2934 KP) rated A Most Efficient Murder (Mr Quayle Mysteries #1) [Audiobook] in Books
Oct 16, 2022
![A Most Efficient Murder (Mr Quayle Mysteries #1) [Audiobook]](/uploads/profile_image/e26/61ec8d3b-92d5-4305-83f4-8b29197b0e26.jpg?m=1665928282)
This is a something a little different to what I normally listen to or read and, I have to say, I quite enjoyed it.
First off, I must commend the narrator, Rafe Beckley, who was absolutely brilliant. He brought the story, the setting and the characters to life and I think if it wasn't for him, this book could have felt a bit flat. The voice for the butler was a particular favourite of mine.
This is a proper old-style, murder mystery. Without the benefit of the modern-day crime fighting techniques, Mr Quayle, along with the police, have a difficult task to discover who the guilty party is from the plethora of dodgy characters any of whom could have been responsible for the body discovered in the gardens of Unsworth Castle but their task is made more difficult due to the many secrets and lies that the suspects want to keep hidden.
I really enjoyed how the story and plot developed and played out; it was fun, engaging and with plenty of twists that kept me guessing and I very much look forward to following this series and can only hope the same narrator is used.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts of A Most Efficient Murder.
First off, I must commend the narrator, Rafe Beckley, who was absolutely brilliant. He brought the story, the setting and the characters to life and I think if it wasn't for him, this book could have felt a bit flat. The voice for the butler was a particular favourite of mine.
This is a proper old-style, murder mystery. Without the benefit of the modern-day crime fighting techniques, Mr Quayle, along with the police, have a difficult task to discover who the guilty party is from the plethora of dodgy characters any of whom could have been responsible for the body discovered in the gardens of Unsworth Castle but their task is made more difficult due to the many secrets and lies that the suspects want to keep hidden.
I really enjoyed how the story and plot developed and played out; it was fun, engaging and with plenty of twists that kept me guessing and I very much look forward to following this series and can only hope the same narrator is used.
Thank you to BooksGoSocial Audio and NetGalley for enabling me to listen and share my thoughts of A Most Efficient Murder.
A journal in which you are given different activities to improve your happiness.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Everyone, including me, can use some more happiness in their lives so I requested to read The Happiness Diary: The Practice of Finding and Savoring Things to Be Joyful About by Barbara Ann Kipfer.
The Diary is not a book to read in one sitting. It is a journal in which you are given different activities to improve your happiness. Some are reflective exercises. Other suggest an journal prompt to complete then review after a specific time period - days, weeks, months, or more. Rereading your entry allows you to see how your life, goals, and happiness have changed during that time period.
It offers different ways to help express your happiness. It encourages you to try all of the techniques to find which one or ones are preferable to you.
One of the entries I have been doing for years. For homework for a Positive Psychology class, you needed to think of 3 good things that happened that day. It is a great exercise.
One of my favorite entries is the Newness Challenge. It suggests you try something new every day for a month. I have been trying to learn something every month for years. It is challenging but fun.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/17/19.
Everyone, including me, can use some more happiness in their lives so I requested to read The Happiness Diary: The Practice of Finding and Savoring Things to Be Joyful About by Barbara Ann Kipfer.
The Diary is not a book to read in one sitting. It is a journal in which you are given different activities to improve your happiness. Some are reflective exercises. Other suggest an journal prompt to complete then review after a specific time period - days, weeks, months, or more. Rereading your entry allows you to see how your life, goals, and happiness have changed during that time period.
It offers different ways to help express your happiness. It encourages you to try all of the techniques to find which one or ones are preferable to you.
One of the entries I have been doing for years. For homework for a Positive Psychology class, you needed to think of 3 good things that happened that day. It is a great exercise.
One of my favorite entries is the Newness Challenge. It suggests you try something new every day for a month. I have been trying to learn something every month for years. It is challenging but fun.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/17/19.
A journal in which you are given different activities to improve your happiness.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
The setup of Press Here! Acupressure for Beginners: How to Release and Balance Energy Flow by Bob Doto reminded me of the setup of Press Here! Massage for Beginners: A Simple Route to Relaxation and Releasing Tension by Rachel Beider. They both have colorful illustrations to highlight different parts of the body. They show different techniques for specific issues or different parts of the body. Both also show how to work on others and on yourself. Both are written for beginners but include beneficial information for those who are familiar with the activities.
I have always been interested in Acupuncture but have not experienced it. When I heard about Acupressure I was intrigued. I suffer from Sinusitis and other issues which this book focuses on. I am attempting to relieve some on the pain and, hopefully, to save money on doctor's visit.
I had difficulty reading the ebook. The print was small and, when zoomed in, the page would go blank. I eventually took a screenshots so I could zoom in to make the print large enough to read comfortably. Some of the fonts were blurry even when not zoomed it. However, the information I learned was worth the hassle.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/18/19.
The setup of Press Here! Acupressure for Beginners: How to Release and Balance Energy Flow by Bob Doto reminded me of the setup of Press Here! Massage for Beginners: A Simple Route to Relaxation and Releasing Tension by Rachel Beider. They both have colorful illustrations to highlight different parts of the body. They show different techniques for specific issues or different parts of the body. Both also show how to work on others and on yourself. Both are written for beginners but include beneficial information for those who are familiar with the activities.
I have always been interested in Acupuncture but have not experienced it. When I heard about Acupressure I was intrigued. I suffer from Sinusitis and other issues which this book focuses on. I am attempting to relieve some on the pain and, hopefully, to save money on doctor's visit.
I had difficulty reading the ebook. The print was small and, when zoomed in, the page would go blank. I eventually took a screenshots so I could zoom in to make the print large enough to read comfortably. Some of the fonts were blurry even when not zoomed it. However, the information I learned was worth the hassle.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/18/19.
Andy K (10821 KP) rated Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) in Movies
Oct 7, 2018
Another Coppola classic!
Coppola's take on the classic Dracula story is to use the book as the source! So many of the other adaptations, including the 1931 classic, changed or combined characters, rather than stay true to the source material.
So many of his decisions were great when making the film including firing his original visual effects team and hiring his son, Roman Coppola to take a more "traditional" route when setting up the film's look through "old school" techniques instead of the modern day approach the original team wanted. The result was very unique, almost "cheapish" looking, but the way the filmmaker wanted it to look.
There has been much written over the years about Keanu Reeves' role in the film and how he felt out of place with the rest of the remarkable cast. In retrospect, he may have been miscast, but I have grown to enjoy his performance over years. The performances of Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins (fresh off his cannibalistic Oscar win) certainly carry the film. Oldman almost makes the character of Dracula a sympathetic one. You almost want to root for him to be successful instead of damning him back to hell as the master vampire.
Overall, one of my top 3 vampire flicks of all time and a consistent rewatch. Just purchased on 4K which made the look and fell, colors and darkness of the film as fresh as ever. Highly recommended.
So many of his decisions were great when making the film including firing his original visual effects team and hiring his son, Roman Coppola to take a more "traditional" route when setting up the film's look through "old school" techniques instead of the modern day approach the original team wanted. The result was very unique, almost "cheapish" looking, but the way the filmmaker wanted it to look.
There has been much written over the years about Keanu Reeves' role in the film and how he felt out of place with the rest of the remarkable cast. In retrospect, he may have been miscast, but I have grown to enjoy his performance over years. The performances of Gary Oldman and Anthony Hopkins (fresh off his cannibalistic Oscar win) certainly carry the film. Oldman almost makes the character of Dracula a sympathetic one. You almost want to root for him to be successful instead of damning him back to hell as the master vampire.
Overall, one of my top 3 vampire flicks of all time and a consistent rewatch. Just purchased on 4K which made the look and fell, colors and darkness of the film as fresh as ever. Highly recommended.
natmac (13 KP) rated Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) in Movies
Oct 17, 2019 (Updated Oct 17, 2019)
The direction is perfect, George miller uses so many little techniques to elevate the action sequences (6 more)
The film looks gorgeous
All of the actors are on point
The characters are really interesting and depth full
George miller accomplishes so much without dialogue, nothing is over explained, a lot is left for you to figure out or imagine
The sound design and special effects are on point
The practical effects and real life stunts make a difference in the emersion.
Probably my favourite movie ever
The plot is very simple but the film isn't about the plot. It's about the world building, the characters and the action. I think I've seen this film close to 20 times in the 4 years that it's been out and it never fails as an enjoyable watch. A lot of people I have watched this film with have complained about it being weird, and that really frustrated me. It's set in the post apocalypse of the director's vision with an explanation behind most things that isn't given. Even elements like the door warrior don't really have logic behind them but are still very creative. It's really enjoyable to watch the relationship between max and furiosa develop over the course of the movie, in what on the surface looks like nothing more than a 2 hour car chase. I love this film and can't find anything about it that bothers me.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Scent of a Woman (1992) in Movies
Nov 29, 2020
Woo-Ah!!!
When you look up thansgiving movies, Scent of a Women comes up. Yes even though it takes over thanksgiving break, it is far from a thanksgiving movie. Its depressing, sad, motived, caring and heartwarming. Its a excellent movie, but man its very depressing and sad. Both Al Pacino and Chris O'Donnell are excellent.
The plot: Frank is a retired Lt. Col. in the US army. He's blind and impossible to get along with. Charlie is at school and is looking forward to going to college. To help pay for a trip home for Christmas, he agrees to look after Frank over Thanksgiving. Frank's niece says this will be easy money, but she didn't reckon on Frank spending his Thanksgiving in New York.
Pacino painstakingly researched his part in Scent of a Woman. To understand what it feels like to be blind, he met with clients of New York's Associated Blind, being particularly interested in seeing from those who had lost their sight due to trauma. Clients traced the entire progression for him—from the moment they knew they would never see again to the depression and through to acceptance and adjustment. The Lighthouse, also in New York, schooled him in techniques a blind person might use to find a chair and seat themselves, pour liquid from a bottle and light a cigar.
Its a excellent movie, but its very depressing and sad at moments. So get ready to cry at those moments.
The plot: Frank is a retired Lt. Col. in the US army. He's blind and impossible to get along with. Charlie is at school and is looking forward to going to college. To help pay for a trip home for Christmas, he agrees to look after Frank over Thanksgiving. Frank's niece says this will be easy money, but she didn't reckon on Frank spending his Thanksgiving in New York.
Pacino painstakingly researched his part in Scent of a Woman. To understand what it feels like to be blind, he met with clients of New York's Associated Blind, being particularly interested in seeing from those who had lost their sight due to trauma. Clients traced the entire progression for him—from the moment they knew they would never see again to the depression and through to acceptance and adjustment. The Lighthouse, also in New York, schooled him in techniques a blind person might use to find a chair and seat themselves, pour liquid from a bottle and light a cigar.
Its a excellent movie, but its very depressing and sad at moments. So get ready to cry at those moments.
Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Sock Club: Join the Knitting Adventure in Books
Apr 27, 2018
Sock Club was created and inspired by both physical knitting clubs and online knitting clubs. Many of the sock patters were designed by knitters who have had many patterns published, and some are the knitters first published pattern. But all of them share this—they are creative, unique and beautiful.
The special thing about the patterns is this: in the front of the book, Schurch and Parrott give a variety of suggestions and instructions on how to adjust the size of the sock by altering the pattern slightly, or changing the needle size, or the yarn, etc. For each pattern, they give which specific ways work best for resizing for that pattern.
In the back, there are 5 different ways of casting on (sometimes you need a different cast-on for a pattern to make it work), and the instructions and pictures are pretty good. There are other little tips and tricks for technique, like knitting with a circular needles, wrap and turn, suspended bind-off, and finishing techniques. There’s also a sizing chart for men and women, information on yarn types, and a list of sources to find recommended yarn for your new socks.
There are 23 patterns, a million colors you could work with… you realize how many beautiful socks you could make with this book?
Recommendation: This book was designed for the intermediate to experienced knitter. Many of the patters work with lace, cables, bobbles etc. even one with beads, and other more complicated patterning.
Happy Knitting!
~Haleyknitz
The special thing about the patterns is this: in the front of the book, Schurch and Parrott give a variety of suggestions and instructions on how to adjust the size of the sock by altering the pattern slightly, or changing the needle size, or the yarn, etc. For each pattern, they give which specific ways work best for resizing for that pattern.
In the back, there are 5 different ways of casting on (sometimes you need a different cast-on for a pattern to make it work), and the instructions and pictures are pretty good. There are other little tips and tricks for technique, like knitting with a circular needles, wrap and turn, suspended bind-off, and finishing techniques. There’s also a sizing chart for men and women, information on yarn types, and a list of sources to find recommended yarn for your new socks.
There are 23 patterns, a million colors you could work with… you realize how many beautiful socks you could make with this book?
Recommendation: This book was designed for the intermediate to experienced knitter. Many of the patters work with lace, cables, bobbles etc. even one with beads, and other more complicated patterning.
Happy Knitting!
~Haleyknitz
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Press Here! Massage for Beginners: A Simple Route to Relaxation and Releasing Tension in Books
Mar 13, 2019 (Updated Mar 13, 2019)
Colorful illustrations (1 more)
Shows proper technique
Informative book on how to give a massage to others and to yourself
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Press Here! Massage for Beginners: A Simple Route to Relaxation and Releasing Tension by Rachel Beider is an informative book on how to give a massage to others and to yourself. It provides clear instructions on how to massage different parts of the body. It also includes sections for specific issues that may need special attention. Also shown are the proper techniques and strokes to use. It is full of colorful and detailed illustrations that show the basics of a massage.
I found the book informative and well written but two sections stand out to me. The first is on how to give yourself a massage. Beider shows how to use either your hand or a tennis ball to self massage. The other is a section on how to treat headaches and sinus congestion. As a sufferer of chronic sinus problems this was the most useful.
One thing I had never considered was you need to take care and look after your own body before you massage someone. Stretches are shown on how to prepare your hands so you do not damage them.
The book is easily labeled to find the exact section on which you want to focus.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/13/19.
Press Here! Massage for Beginners: A Simple Route to Relaxation and Releasing Tension by Rachel Beider is an informative book on how to give a massage to others and to yourself. It provides clear instructions on how to massage different parts of the body. It also includes sections for specific issues that may need special attention. Also shown are the proper techniques and strokes to use. It is full of colorful and detailed illustrations that show the basics of a massage.
I found the book informative and well written but two sections stand out to me. The first is on how to give yourself a massage. Beider shows how to use either your hand or a tennis ball to self massage. The other is a section on how to treat headaches and sinus congestion. As a sufferer of chronic sinus problems this was the most useful.
One thing I had never considered was you need to take care and look after your own body before you massage someone. Stretches are shown on how to prepare your hands so you do not damage them.
The book is easily labeled to find the exact section on which you want to focus.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com, Smashbomb, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble on 3/13/19.