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Alyson Richman recommended When Breath Becomes Air in Books (curated)
Whatchareadin (174 KP) rated One Summer in Books
May 10, 2018
Jack has overcome quite an obstacle in his life, a terminal illness. In the wake of that miraculous event, he has lost his best friend and wife, Lizzie in a car accident going to get him meds. As he recovers from his illness, the loss of his wife and having his kids taken away from him by his in-laws, he reflects on all that his life has been up to this point. Reconnecting with his children finding his own way in this world is what Jack is up against now. This is not quite what I expected from Baldacci as my mother recommended this author to me. While this is the first book I have read by Baldacci, it was quite enjoyable, and made me interested to read more of his books. Not sure if I will continue to read them if they all turn up to be this romantic in nature
Nikki G. (48 KP) rated The Fault in Our Stars in Books
Sep 2, 2017
There was a point where the tears started to drip, faintly, from my eyes, and they didn't stop until I closed the book and lay there for a bit.
I avoided this book for a while because it has been super-hyped, and most of the time, those are the books that do not live up to my expectations. This, however, was pretty solid. Hazel and Augustus have the short of overblown, pretentious conversations I had as a young adult, back when I thought I was so Worldly because I'd read a handful of classics. The only difference, of course, is that I did not have a terminal illness. I appreciate Mr. Green's attempt to bring the sometimes ugly reality that is cancer to the fore. It was also humorous in parts, and sweet. Hit all the right notes for me.
I avoided this book for a while because it has been super-hyped, and most of the time, those are the books that do not live up to my expectations. This, however, was pretty solid. Hazel and Augustus have the short of overblown, pretentious conversations I had as a young adult, back when I thought I was so Worldly because I'd read a handful of classics. The only difference, of course, is that I did not have a terminal illness. I appreciate Mr. Green's attempt to bring the sometimes ugly reality that is cancer to the fore. It was also humorous in parts, and sweet. Hit all the right notes for me.
Awix (3310 KP) rated Deadpool (2016) in Movies
Feb 19, 2018
Not the first R-rated superhero movie, nor the first superhero comedy film, nor even the first movie to feature Ryan Reynolds as Wade Wilson, but it does a good job of appearing to do something new and different, and has lots of good jokes. Garrulous mercenary volunteers for special procedure in attempt to fend off terminal illness; basically ends up with cancer as a super-power.
The plot is really very secondary to the style of the film, anyway, which is all about being very irreverent and transgressive towards the perceived conventions of the superhero movie; there's a bit of a straw man argument being made here, but the action is well staged and it is, as mentioned, very funny. Not the future of the genre, no matter what people may say, but a well-crafted piece of entertainment nevertheless.
The plot is really very secondary to the style of the film, anyway, which is all about being very irreverent and transgressive towards the perceived conventions of the superhero movie; there's a bit of a straw man argument being made here, but the action is well staged and it is, as mentioned, very funny. Not the future of the genre, no matter what people may say, but a well-crafted piece of entertainment nevertheless.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Dig (2021) in Movies
Feb 6, 2021 (Updated Feb 6, 2021)
True-life Anglo-Saxon chronicle is brought to the screen as another wartime hats-and-fags tale of class and repression. Posh woman hires blunt-but-brilliant working-class bloke to examine her mounds (don't snipe, the film does the same gag, more or less); what ensues reminded me, for a while at least, of a big-budget version of Ted and Ralph with Carey Mulligan playing Charlie Higson's part.
Really a film of two halves: the first part, which is very quiet and still and all about figures in a landscape with Vaughan Williams-esque music playing, I found was much engaging than the second, which is not particularly focused and turns into a bit of a soap opera (there's a forbidden romance, terminal illness, political squabbling over who gets to run the dig and keep the treasure, etc, etc). Decent performances from a strong cast and it looks good in a fairly cinematic way, but by the end it seemed to me that archaeology in general and Sutton Hoo in particular had rather been forgotten about, which seemed like a shame.
Really a film of two halves: the first part, which is very quiet and still and all about figures in a landscape with Vaughan Williams-esque music playing, I found was much engaging than the second, which is not particularly focused and turns into a bit of a soap opera (there's a forbidden romance, terminal illness, political squabbling over who gets to run the dig and keep the treasure, etc, etc). Decent performances from a strong cast and it looks good in a fairly cinematic way, but by the end it seemed to me that archaeology in general and Sutton Hoo in particular had rather been forgotten about, which seemed like a shame.
Janeeny (200 KP) rated The Curious Heart of Ailsa Rae in Books
Sep 13, 2019
Ailsa Rae is a woman with a terminal heart condition, until the day she receives a heart transplant. Ailsa is adjusting to life, a life that actually has a future. Now Ailsa is no longer dying she has to start living, but it’s hard. She’s struggling with her relationship with her mother and the father she’s never known, and coping with emotions controlled by a heart that isn’t really hers. Is it ungrateful to be so unhappy when your very existence is a gift?
Ailsa Rae is quirky and bold. She writes a blog about her illness and subsequent transplant, asking her followers to assist in some major life decisions. It’s a very clever device as whilst she is writing for her blog followers it feels like she’s talking to you so it fully engrosses you in the story. There is of course a love interest in there somewhere, but it’s not cliché. In fact in true style of Ailsa’s new life, it’s complicated. I really enjoyed this.
Ailsa Rae is quirky and bold. She writes a blog about her illness and subsequent transplant, asking her followers to assist in some major life decisions. It’s a very clever device as whilst she is writing for her blog followers it feels like she’s talking to you so it fully engrosses you in the story. There is of course a love interest in there somewhere, but it’s not cliché. In fact in true style of Ailsa’s new life, it’s complicated. I really enjoyed this.
Emma @ The Movies (1786 KP) rated The Leisure Seeker (2017) in Movies
Sep 25, 2019
A runaway couple go on an unforgettable journey in the faithful old RV they call The Leisure Seeker.
Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland in a movie together... I wanted to love this one. I'm sad to say that I really didn't.
Having not seen a trailer I was completely blindsided by the actual subject matter. From the things I've seen, and the IMDb description above along with "Adventure, Comedy, Drama" under it's entry I was expecting something entirely different. Something funny, and more like a teen road movie, but with older people. But the tale of last chance before ill health wins, is bleak to say the least.
It's a strong and important message about life with, and after, illness. The two are essentially on the run from their ill health, Ella is terminal and John is nearly completely lost to his memories. You get the fleeting highs and lows that the couple do throughout, but they don't make up for the slow and "every day" nature of the movie.
This one was another on the "I'd have left but then I wouldn't have been able to bitch about it" list.
Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland in a movie together... I wanted to love this one. I'm sad to say that I really didn't.
Having not seen a trailer I was completely blindsided by the actual subject matter. From the things I've seen, and the IMDb description above along with "Adventure, Comedy, Drama" under it's entry I was expecting something entirely different. Something funny, and more like a teen road movie, but with older people. But the tale of last chance before ill health wins, is bleak to say the least.
It's a strong and important message about life with, and after, illness. The two are essentially on the run from their ill health, Ella is terminal and John is nearly completely lost to his memories. You get the fleeting highs and lows that the couple do throughout, but they don't make up for the slow and "every day" nature of the movie.
This one was another on the "I'd have left but then I wouldn't have been able to bitch about it" list.
Billie Wichkan (118 KP) rated Remember Me in Books
May 22, 2019
Fifteen years ago Ellen Smith vanished from the woods near her small Welsh village. Never to be seen again.
Eight people were in the woods that night: eight splintered lives, eight people hiding a terrible secret. But who can remember the truth?
Now, Ellens best friend, Detective Ava Cole is all grown up back in the village where it all began, and everyone is asking the same question.
What really happened to Ellen?
The book is told from the point of view of Ava a New York detective who returns to her childhood welsh village upon learning about the terminal illness of her ex-husband. There is a lot going on in this book. It all centers around a group of friends who have known each other since childhood. They have a dark secret that they have concealed since their teen age years.
Gripping and creepy this is a claustrophobic thriller that never leaves Aberdyth.
The tension built throughout and I couldn't put it down until I finished it!
The plot has many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
I highly recommend this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly providing me the eARC of this book.
Eight people were in the woods that night: eight splintered lives, eight people hiding a terrible secret. But who can remember the truth?
Now, Ellens best friend, Detective Ava Cole is all grown up back in the village where it all began, and everyone is asking the same question.
What really happened to Ellen?
The book is told from the point of view of Ava a New York detective who returns to her childhood welsh village upon learning about the terminal illness of her ex-husband. There is a lot going on in this book. It all centers around a group of friends who have known each other since childhood. They have a dark secret that they have concealed since their teen age years.
Gripping and creepy this is a claustrophobic thriller that never leaves Aberdyth.
The tension built throughout and I couldn't put it down until I finished it!
The plot has many twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
I highly recommend this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for kindly providing me the eARC of this book.
