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Katie Guinn (34 KP) rated A Deadly Éclair (A French Bistro Mystery, #1) in Books

Dec 7, 2018

A Deadly Eclair is the first book in a cozy mystery series. The main character, Mimi Rousseau, runs a small B&B and a French bistro in California’s wine country. As the story opens, she’s planning to host the wedding of a famous talk show host, but plans are derailed when the bride’s uncle (and Mimi’s financial backer) is found dead on the bistro patio, an eclair stuffed into his mouth. Mimi has to find the culprit before she’s hauled off to jail for murder. First of all, you should know that I love punny titles like this one. I also love cozy mysteries that feature food and/or chefs. Even if the constant descriptions of food makes my mouth water. I enjoyed the quirky supporting characters, and found myself laughing out loud several times. Did I find the frequent food facts unnecessary? Yes. Did I enjoy them anyway? Darn right I did. Ms. Gerber walked the fine line between too little description and too much like a gymnastic pro, and I will happily follow Mimi through her future adventures

Kudos

Reiko LJ (126 KP) rated Hearts in Atlantis in Books

Jul 26, 2018

Hearts in Atlantis

Stephen King | 1999 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller

6.8

(15 Ratings)

Book Rating

Strong imagery you would come to expect from King (0 more)

Borefest after the first section (0 more)

Hearts in lukewarm water

As someone who hasn't read any of the Dark Tower series outside of the mentions in King's short stories it was interesting to have a reference pop up again. Coupled with the "The Little Sisters of Eluria" from 'Everything's Eventual' it's enough to pique my interest in the series.

And on that note, the first section of this book was probably the best. A great reflection on the ideals and struggles of adolescence with a hearty mix of emotion and the ties that bind us.
What followed was a slog of a read. It was nice to follow the threads of connection between the original three friends through the years but most of the time it was just a chore.
It seems as though I always struggle when King's work that veers from the supernatural or strange. He meanders around with unnecessary details and where it matters, leaves too much unsaid.

Another mediocre one for me.

Kudos

Andy K (10823 KP) rated They Shall Not Grow Old (2018) in Movies

Dec 28, 2018

They Shall Not Grow Old (2018)

2018 | Documentary, History, War

9.3

(22 Ratings)

Movie Rating Watch

Everyone alive needs to watch this!

Director Peter Jackson spent four years pouring over 100 hours of archive film footage and over 600 hours of interviews to weave this complex, intriguing documentary masterpiece together.

To say the movie is compelling is a vast understatement. I'm glad I saw theatrically so I could bear witness to the multiple audience gasps, applauds and reaction to some of the miraculous moments.

Jackson said afterwards in a making of documentary he had a hard time deciding on the story he wanted to tell vacillating between airplane footage, U-Boats, the use of women in the military, etc. He ultimately decided showing the life of the "everyday" grunt soldier would be the most compelling since any side or nationality would be able to relate.

It doesn't take much to make me cry, so the water works were a flowing with this one. If you have the chance, please watch. A film like this does not come along very often at all and you won't be disappointed.