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Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) rated Kindle E-Reader in Tech
Jul 11, 2018
Font size adjustment, ability to switch to different fonts, including one for dyslexics. (1 more)
No screen glare
A Solid, Basic E-Reader
I received a Kindle E-Reader from Smashbomb as a giveaway prize. This does not influence my review.
This basic Kindle is a great introductory e-reader for people who want to discover the unique joy that is the ability to carry hundreds of books around with you without the bulk and weight.
It has no screen glare, which is so nice after spending hours looking at your phone. The ability to increase your font size to almost ridiculous proportions is fantastic for people with poor vision. It features a variety of fonts including Open Dyslexic which is a bottom weighted font that is easier for people with dyslexia to read. You can also adjust your page settings including spacing, margins, orientation, and alignment.
The battery life is not quite as good as they advertise IF you are someone who reads a lot. However, it's still good.
The storage is fantastic. You aren't going to fill it up anytime soon.
So there are lots of positives, but there are a few negatives.
The Kindle is very awkward to hold bare in your hand. It's a thin rectangle, and there is just no truly comfortable way to hold it. A cover is a necessity for both comfort and screen protection.
Because this is not a Paperwhite, if you want to read at night, you are going to have to use a booklight or leave a light on.
The method of organizing (Collections) that is Kindle specific... sucks. It needs a lot of work. However if you are a Goodreads user, it's not very important.
Overall, while the basic Kindle isn't personally my favorite (I prefer the Paperwhite), it is a great fairly low-cost choice for readers just getting into e-books.
This basic Kindle is a great introductory e-reader for people who want to discover the unique joy that is the ability to carry hundreds of books around with you without the bulk and weight.
It has no screen glare, which is so nice after spending hours looking at your phone. The ability to increase your font size to almost ridiculous proportions is fantastic for people with poor vision. It features a variety of fonts including Open Dyslexic which is a bottom weighted font that is easier for people with dyslexia to read. You can also adjust your page settings including spacing, margins, orientation, and alignment.
The battery life is not quite as good as they advertise IF you are someone who reads a lot. However, it's still good.
The storage is fantastic. You aren't going to fill it up anytime soon.
So there are lots of positives, but there are a few negatives.
The Kindle is very awkward to hold bare in your hand. It's a thin rectangle, and there is just no truly comfortable way to hold it. A cover is a necessity for both comfort and screen protection.
Because this is not a Paperwhite, if you want to read at night, you are going to have to use a booklight or leave a light on.
The method of organizing (Collections) that is Kindle specific... sucks. It needs a lot of work. However if you are a Goodreads user, it's not very important.
Overall, while the basic Kindle isn't personally my favorite (I prefer the Paperwhite), it is a great fairly low-cost choice for readers just getting into e-books.
Leadership Lessons from a Chef: Finding Time to be Great
Book
"Chef Charles Carroll has answered our prayers and delivered a book, a bible, a life's journal...
Dungeon Survival
Games
App
[*] Game Features ·Randomly generated cave levels provide a different game experience every time! ...
Darren (1599 KP) rated The Abyss (1989) in Movies
Jun 20, 2019
Story: The story focus on many different vision people have of something happening, we have the military view, the scientist view and the everyday workers view. Each one if different because each shows fear, interest or curiosity of the unknown. Everything comes together nicely without leaving you asking any questions, which in today’s film industry is a normal to get you coming back for more. This was ground breaking for its time and will always be considered a classic. (9/10)
Actor Review
Ed Harris: Bud the lead engineer on the underwater oil rig, he knows how to handle his team to get the most out of them and has all their respect. The whole team supports him over his ex-wife Lindsey, he is also one of the most experienced divers and believes in what he can see. Good performance from Harris showing he was going to be a lead actor for years to come. (9/10)
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio: Lindsey ex-wife to Bud and creator of the underwater rig system, she is more interested in investigating what is going on rather than just blowing it up and hoping for the best. Good performance in a difficult role which needed her character to be hated. (8/10)
Director Review: James Cameron – Cameron has been behind some of the most ground breaking films in history and this is right up there with his best. (9/10)
Sci-Fi: A sci-fi film that isn’t about a bleak future or space travel, this really is a rarity in the business. (9/10)
Settings: The isolation adds tension from start to finish. (10/10)
Suggestion: I think this is a film that everyone should see at least once in their life time, it will surprise you the quality even after 25 years. (Watch)
Best Part: The water creature investigating the rig.
Worst Part: It can seem long.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: Yes
Oscar Chances: Won an Oscar for Visual Effects.
Box Office: $90 Million
Budget: $69 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 26 Minutes
Tagline: A place on Earth more awesome than anywhere in space.
Overall: A Forgotten Masterpiece
https://moviesreview101.com/2014/08/16/the-abyss-1989/
Actor Review
Ed Harris: Bud the lead engineer on the underwater oil rig, he knows how to handle his team to get the most out of them and has all their respect. The whole team supports him over his ex-wife Lindsey, he is also one of the most experienced divers and believes in what he can see. Good performance from Harris showing he was going to be a lead actor for years to come. (9/10)
Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio: Lindsey ex-wife to Bud and creator of the underwater rig system, she is more interested in investigating what is going on rather than just blowing it up and hoping for the best. Good performance in a difficult role which needed her character to be hated. (8/10)
Director Review: James Cameron – Cameron has been behind some of the most ground breaking films in history and this is right up there with his best. (9/10)
Sci-Fi: A sci-fi film that isn’t about a bleak future or space travel, this really is a rarity in the business. (9/10)
Settings: The isolation adds tension from start to finish. (10/10)
Suggestion: I think this is a film that everyone should see at least once in their life time, it will surprise you the quality even after 25 years. (Watch)
Best Part: The water creature investigating the rig.
Worst Part: It can seem long.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: Yes
Oscar Chances: Won an Oscar for Visual Effects.
Box Office: $90 Million
Budget: $69 Million
Runtime: 2 Hours 26 Minutes
Tagline: A place on Earth more awesome than anywhere in space.
Overall: A Forgotten Masterpiece
https://moviesreview101.com/2014/08/16/the-abyss-1989/
The Buried Girl
9.5
Rate It
Book
'Glittering and sharp, an ice pick of a novel. An astounding talent' AJ Finn, author of The Woman...
Crime Thriller Mystery Suspense Psychological
Gareth von Kallenbach (977 KP) rated Nightmare Alley (2021) in Movies
Dec 2, 2021
Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper); is a man trying to get by in late 1930s America in the new film “Nightmare Alley”. Our first introduction to Stanton is less than flattering and he soon finds himself employed at a Carnival after coming upon it by chance.
The eager Stanton is given advice and tools of the trade by his boss Clem (Willem Dafoe) as well as the mystic Zeena (Toni Collette) and Stanton eagerly wants to get ahead. While striking a friendship with fellow employee Molly (Rooney Mara); Stanton learns that Zeena’s older and alcoholic husband has a skill from a former act where he learns to read people and use verbal cues to appear to have the power of clairvoyance.
Eventually, Stanton seeks bigger opportunities and leaves with Molly for the city where they in time develop a successful act that offers them two shows a night at a fancy hotel and some of the finer things in life.
Unwilling to be content with what he has; Stanton becomes involved with a Psychologist named Lilith (Cate Blanchett) and uses her knowledge to set up higher-profile marks who will pay well for his supposed abilities and in doing so; sets a dangerous chain of events into motion.
The film is based on the 1946 book of the same name and an earlier 1947 film, and while it does an amazing job with the visuals and moody atmosphere of the era; it is a very long and slowly-paced film. The movie is over 2.5 hours long and comes across as overly long and self-indulgent as Director Guillermo del Toro could easily have shaved 30-45 minutes from the film and told the story without losing much.
The cast and performances are very good but a slow-paced and dour film is not an ideal way to spend 2.5 hours at the movies no matter how much it has going for it. The movie does have some good points but I think it will do much better on streaming and home video where audiences can pause and take a break.
If you are a fan of the Noir style of old; then this may be just what you are looking for, but I think it should have been so much more.
3.5 stars out of 5
The eager Stanton is given advice and tools of the trade by his boss Clem (Willem Dafoe) as well as the mystic Zeena (Toni Collette) and Stanton eagerly wants to get ahead. While striking a friendship with fellow employee Molly (Rooney Mara); Stanton learns that Zeena’s older and alcoholic husband has a skill from a former act where he learns to read people and use verbal cues to appear to have the power of clairvoyance.
Eventually, Stanton seeks bigger opportunities and leaves with Molly for the city where they in time develop a successful act that offers them two shows a night at a fancy hotel and some of the finer things in life.
Unwilling to be content with what he has; Stanton becomes involved with a Psychologist named Lilith (Cate Blanchett) and uses her knowledge to set up higher-profile marks who will pay well for his supposed abilities and in doing so; sets a dangerous chain of events into motion.
The film is based on the 1946 book of the same name and an earlier 1947 film, and while it does an amazing job with the visuals and moody atmosphere of the era; it is a very long and slowly-paced film. The movie is over 2.5 hours long and comes across as overly long and self-indulgent as Director Guillermo del Toro could easily have shaved 30-45 minutes from the film and told the story without losing much.
The cast and performances are very good but a slow-paced and dour film is not an ideal way to spend 2.5 hours at the movies no matter how much it has going for it. The movie does have some good points but I think it will do much better on streaming and home video where audiences can pause and take a break.
If you are a fan of the Noir style of old; then this may be just what you are looking for, but I think it should have been so much more.
3.5 stars out of 5
Merissa (11950 KP) rated The Legacy of Souls (Seb Thomas #2) in Books
Jun 22, 2018
The Legacy of Souls (Seb Thomas #2) by M.S.C. Barnes
The Legacy of Souls is the second book in the Seb Thomas series, and we start off with Seb struggling with his 'job' as Custodian. He doesn't appear to be able to get to grips with what it is he is supposed to be doing, instead he focuses on the bad things he sees. That takes a back seat though when his life is threatened, and those of his friends.
This book is AMAZING! Be prepared for a fast-paced and bumpy ride as Seb tries to figure out just what is going, with only limited information. He acts his age, which is perfect for the story. He isn't this all-round amazing hero with sky-high self confidence. Nope, he's a normal boy with his first love, and overwhelming doubt about his own abilities. And that, my friends, is what makes this such a good read! Be prepared to laugh aloud, and possibly even shed a tear or two (or more in my case) as you get sucked into the story.
I will say here that I got a bit confused at times with the names of the different characters, and what their roles were - the Custodians were easy, but the others got me sometimes. It's not like they walk around with stickers on their foreheads saying what their role is. Seb's group I had no problem with, and I knew most of Aelfric's, but once we got to Henri's and Nicole's, I stopped trying to remember what they did and just concentrated on enjoying the story.
There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted from my reading, and I was thoroughly engrossed from the start to end. Although this book ties up the story, I am really hoping there is more to come. I love this group, this world, and would love to read more. Absolutely and utterly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
This book is AMAZING! Be prepared for a fast-paced and bumpy ride as Seb tries to figure out just what is going, with only limited information. He acts his age, which is perfect for the story. He isn't this all-round amazing hero with sky-high self confidence. Nope, he's a normal boy with his first love, and overwhelming doubt about his own abilities. And that, my friends, is what makes this such a good read! Be prepared to laugh aloud, and possibly even shed a tear or two (or more in my case) as you get sucked into the story.
I will say here that I got a bit confused at times with the names of the different characters, and what their roles were - the Custodians were easy, but the others got me sometimes. It's not like they walk around with stickers on their foreheads saying what their role is. Seb's group I had no problem with, and I knew most of Aelfric's, but once we got to Henri's and Nicole's, I stopped trying to remember what they did and just concentrated on enjoying the story.
There were no editing or grammatical errors that disrupted from my reading, and I was thoroughly engrossed from the start to end. Although this book ties up the story, I am really hoping there is more to come. I love this group, this world, and would love to read more. Absolutely and utterly recommended by me.
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and my comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Merissa (11950 KP) rated The Nines in Books
Apr 11, 2023
This story has two damaged characters for the main leads - Roxie and Alexander. They are both mysterious in their own ways but are drawn together by fate/circumstances/online forum - you take your pick. Roxie is carrying a bucket load of guilt from the past and Alexander is carrying a whole load of anger from the past. However, their pasts and their presents collide so will they have a future together?
After I had finished this book, I messaged a friend of mine who had also read it and I said to her "What a horrible, fantastic book." And that is how I feel about this story. It is gripping and enthralling, you won't want to stop reading it but at the same time, it will make your stomach clench and your heartbeat race - and not always in a good way. You will become so engrossed with the characters that you will speed up your reading until this particular scene is finished. Your heartbeat will slow down... until the next scene.
This book deals with an issue that I have only ever seen on TV or read about in the news. I simply cannot imagine how it goes on in real life but unfortunately, it is too often an occurrence it seems.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book although it was different from what I expected when I read the synopsis - there was less about the bomber and Alex's revenge, less about Roxie's past and more about what was happening now. This is not a bad thing, just different to what I was expecting.
This is the first book in the series which can be read as a standalone but I will be reading the next in the series when it comes out, which is Blood Sings (Hector's Story). I need to know more about these anti-heroes! Highly recommended but be warned - it's not all nice!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 10, 2016
After I had finished this book, I messaged a friend of mine who had also read it and I said to her "What a horrible, fantastic book." And that is how I feel about this story. It is gripping and enthralling, you won't want to stop reading it but at the same time, it will make your stomach clench and your heartbeat race - and not always in a good way. You will become so engrossed with the characters that you will speed up your reading until this particular scene is finished. Your heartbeat will slow down... until the next scene.
This book deals with an issue that I have only ever seen on TV or read about in the news. I simply cannot imagine how it goes on in real life but unfortunately, it is too often an occurrence it seems.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book although it was different from what I expected when I read the synopsis - there was less about the bomber and Alex's revenge, less about Roxie's past and more about what was happening now. This is not a bad thing, just different to what I was expecting.
This is the first book in the series which can be read as a standalone but I will be reading the next in the series when it comes out, which is Blood Sings (Hector's Story). I need to know more about these anti-heroes! Highly recommended but be warned - it's not all nice!
* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book; the comments here are my honest opinion. *
Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
August 10, 2016
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated Die For Me (Killing Eve #3) in Books
Jan 20, 2022
As with the previous book, we pick up exactly where we left off with Eve and Villanelle. On the run and trying to stay undetected, Villanelle takes Eve to her country of birth in a shipping container, and when they land in Russia it is far from smooth.
We follow Eve and Villanelle as they try to remain hidden from the Twelve’s all seeing eyes while trying to figure out what their next move should be. I really started to hope and wonder if they could manage to start a new and happy life together as things seemed to slot into place. But, obviously, things were never going to be that simple when it came to these characters. Throughout this book, Eve starts to become more and more like Villanelle, probably because she is in survival mode, the only difference being that she does feel some guilt over what is happening. I sort of saw the twist at the end of the book coming, but also didn’t want to believe that it would happen as I wanted everything to work out nicely for them.
This book, unlike the others, is all written from Eve’s point of view. This means that we get a lot more insight into Eve’s feelings and her struggle to understand Villanelle and her behaviours towards her. You can see that Eve loves Villanelle despite everything while Villanelle seems to behave in ways that will intentionally hurt Eve and then uses her diagnosis as a psychopath to excuse her behaviour. The good thing is that Eve repeatedly tells her that she can’t use it as an excuse, but at the same time she still lets Villanelle get away with the behaviour.
Overall, I would give this final instalment 4.5 stars as I really enjoyed it and didn’t put it down until I had read the very last word. I wish that there were more books coming as I have found this series really good reads (despite them being about a psychopath assassin!) and although I love them, I think the TV series is a great adaptation of them, even if they have gone in slightly different directions. I will miss Eve and Villanelle immensely now that I have finished the series.
We follow Eve and Villanelle as they try to remain hidden from the Twelve’s all seeing eyes while trying to figure out what their next move should be. I really started to hope and wonder if they could manage to start a new and happy life together as things seemed to slot into place. But, obviously, things were never going to be that simple when it came to these characters. Throughout this book, Eve starts to become more and more like Villanelle, probably because she is in survival mode, the only difference being that she does feel some guilt over what is happening. I sort of saw the twist at the end of the book coming, but also didn’t want to believe that it would happen as I wanted everything to work out nicely for them.
This book, unlike the others, is all written from Eve’s point of view. This means that we get a lot more insight into Eve’s feelings and her struggle to understand Villanelle and her behaviours towards her. You can see that Eve loves Villanelle despite everything while Villanelle seems to behave in ways that will intentionally hurt Eve and then uses her diagnosis as a psychopath to excuse her behaviour. The good thing is that Eve repeatedly tells her that she can’t use it as an excuse, but at the same time she still lets Villanelle get away with the behaviour.
Overall, I would give this final instalment 4.5 stars as I really enjoyed it and didn’t put it down until I had read the very last word. I wish that there were more books coming as I have found this series really good reads (despite them being about a psychopath assassin!) and although I love them, I think the TV series is a great adaptation of them, even if they have gone in slightly different directions. I will miss Eve and Villanelle immensely now that I have finished the series.
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Breathless ( Scarlet Suffragette book 2) in Books
Mar 29, 2022
54 of 230
Kindle
Breathless (Scarlet Suffragette book 2)
By Nicola Claire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nicola Claire's captivating new Gothic romance series continues with a dark and sinister London City at the end of the nineteenth century - brightened by a fearless and talented heroine and a loyal and secretive police inspector...
Determined doctor? Interfering busybody? Fearless fighter?
The London of Anna Cassidy's memories is not the London she faces today. Having proved her worth as a physician, Dr Cassidy finds herself pitted against the stolid attitude of a male-dominated society.
But it's not only society she has to contend with.
A criminal mastermind has set themselves up in London, England; chosen the dirty streets of Whitechapel and Lambeth as their stage. Competing against a devious and cunning opponent sets Anna and her closest friends off on a dire adventure, which could culminate in a loss so great Anna may never recover again.
Steadfast police inspector? Loyal guardian? Caring lover?
Anna, however, is not alone. Or, at least, she won't be once Inspector Kelly finds her. Facing the ghosts of his past, Andrew Kelly rushes to face Anna's enemies and protect the woman he loves.
But Anna is not unable to defend herself.
Proving she needs him is a task Inspector Kelly would gladly undertake. But the city of Andrew's birth is more in the grip of evil machinations than it has ever been, bringing to mind memories of a dark London, ripped to within an inch of its life by a devil known to most simply as Jack.
Andrew knows otherwise. For his secrets are unravelling and within their shadowed corners lies a murderer, a poisoner, and a villain so deceitful that nothing is what it appears to be.
A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.
Read preview >
This was so good I love the era and the references to Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. It has fabulous characters both good and bad. The story kept you wanting to read more. I’m not one for huge relationship storylines but this I loved. Highly recommended if you like murder mystery set in a gothic Victorian era.
Kindle
Breathless (Scarlet Suffragette book 2)
By Nicola Claire
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Nicola Claire's captivating new Gothic romance series continues with a dark and sinister London City at the end of the nineteenth century - brightened by a fearless and talented heroine and a loyal and secretive police inspector...
Determined doctor? Interfering busybody? Fearless fighter?
The London of Anna Cassidy's memories is not the London she faces today. Having proved her worth as a physician, Dr Cassidy finds herself pitted against the stolid attitude of a male-dominated society.
But it's not only society she has to contend with.
A criminal mastermind has set themselves up in London, England; chosen the dirty streets of Whitechapel and Lambeth as their stage. Competing against a devious and cunning opponent sets Anna and her closest friends off on a dire adventure, which could culminate in a loss so great Anna may never recover again.
Steadfast police inspector? Loyal guardian? Caring lover?
Anna, however, is not alone. Or, at least, she won't be once Inspector Kelly finds her. Facing the ghosts of his past, Andrew Kelly rushes to face Anna's enemies and protect the woman he loves.
But Anna is not unable to defend herself.
Proving she needs him is a task Inspector Kelly would gladly undertake. But the city of Andrew's birth is more in the grip of evil machinations than it has ever been, bringing to mind memories of a dark London, ripped to within an inch of its life by a devil known to most simply as Jack.
Andrew knows otherwise. For his secrets are unravelling and within their shadowed corners lies a murderer, a poisoner, and a villain so deceitful that nothing is what it appears to be.
A gritty, twisted, and authentic Victorian romantic suspense, sure to rip you apart... just like old Jack.
Read preview >
This was so good I love the era and the references to Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes. It has fabulous characters both good and bad. The story kept you wanting to read more. I’m not one for huge relationship storylines but this I loved. Highly recommended if you like murder mystery set in a gothic Victorian era.
Ivana A. | Diary of Difference (1171 KP) Jul 17, 2018
Lilyn G - Sci-Fi & Scary (91 KP) Jul 17, 2018