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Soda Politics: Taking on Big Soda (and Winning)
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Sodas are astonishing products. Little more than flavored sugar-water, these drinks cost practically...
ClareR (6037 KP) rated The Tin Can Crucible in Books
Dec 29, 2020
It’s thanks to The Pigeonhole that I read this book - it’s not something that I would have normally considered. I’ll be honest, it was the cover that attracted me. The photo of the mountain with the tops of the trees peeking through the cloud: it’s a beautiful picture. And the tag line across the front of the front: ‘A firsthand account of modern day sorcery violence’. Well. I had to know what this was about. It had immediately intrigued me. I had had the impression that the Peace Corps was a religious organisation, and this book put that little piece of misinformation to rights (it’s not).
Even with all the detailed descriptions, I still felt it was difficult to imagine what life must have been like, living in one of these villages. It’s so far beyond my own experiences, that even with Christophers detailed explanations of village life, I couldn’t comprehend how these people lived. Huts with dirt on the floor, men and women aged before their time, no running water or, I assume, sewage systems. I’m a bit of a details person, and I’ve come to believe over the last 40 years or so, that toilets and running water are up there in my list of top priorities.
The real crux of this novel though, is the death of the elder - a man that Christopher gets along with very well, and had spoken to frequently. Then he dies. Whilst Christopher is sleeping, two women are imprisoned and accused of killing the elder using witchcraft. They are shut away together until one or the other turns the other woman in. If they don’t, then they both die. This was clearly a situation where someone was going to lose out. And by ‘lose out’, I mean ‘die’. Christopher is understandably upset by this - who can blame him? But at the same time, there’s nothing he can do. He’s in another country where this kind of behaviour, whilst not frequent, is accepted. You can feel his disappointment in his foster family radiating off the page, and also his helplessness. I couldn’t understand how he could stay with them though.
I think the real lesson for both the author and the reader, was that these were not people who could be changed. They were firmly entrenched in their own culture and beliefs.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and Christopher Davenport for serialising this informative and emotional memoir. This is what reading is about: learning something new, completely out of your own sphere of knowledge. This book certainly delivers on that.
Even with all the detailed descriptions, I still felt it was difficult to imagine what life must have been like, living in one of these villages. It’s so far beyond my own experiences, that even with Christophers detailed explanations of village life, I couldn’t comprehend how these people lived. Huts with dirt on the floor, men and women aged before their time, no running water or, I assume, sewage systems. I’m a bit of a details person, and I’ve come to believe over the last 40 years or so, that toilets and running water are up there in my list of top priorities.
The real crux of this novel though, is the death of the elder - a man that Christopher gets along with very well, and had spoken to frequently. Then he dies. Whilst Christopher is sleeping, two women are imprisoned and accused of killing the elder using witchcraft. They are shut away together until one or the other turns the other woman in. If they don’t, then they both die. This was clearly a situation where someone was going to lose out. And by ‘lose out’, I mean ‘die’. Christopher is understandably upset by this - who can blame him? But at the same time, there’s nothing he can do. He’s in another country where this kind of behaviour, whilst not frequent, is accepted. You can feel his disappointment in his foster family radiating off the page, and also his helplessness. I couldn’t understand how he could stay with them though.
I think the real lesson for both the author and the reader, was that these were not people who could be changed. They were firmly entrenched in their own culture and beliefs.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole and Christopher Davenport for serialising this informative and emotional memoir. This is what reading is about: learning something new, completely out of your own sphere of knowledge. This book certainly delivers on that.
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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated The Scorpio Races in Books
Jan 15, 2018
The Scorpio Races tells the story of Kate "Puck" Connelly and her brothers Finn and Gabe. They live on an island and were orphaned suddenly when their parents were killed by the water horses when out on their fishing boat. The story is told by both Puck and the other main character Sean Kendrick. Sean happens to be the multiple time winner of the Scorpio Race which is held the 1st of November every year.
Of course, as you can probably guess Sean & Puck fall for each other & develop a strange kind of bond while preparing for the race. The predictability on that part of the story caused me to bring this rating down to stars.
The rest of the the story is 5 star all the way however. I was particularly facinated by the many layers of the story & the sub-plots mixed in throughout. There are many intriguing characters sprinkled in...my favorite being Mr. Holly, the American come to the island to but a horse. The plot is slow at first, but in the last 1/2 of the book the pace picks up. I found myself unable to put it down for about the last 100 pages.
Of course, as you can probably guess Sean & Puck fall for each other & develop a strange kind of bond while preparing for the race. The predictability on that part of the story caused me to bring this rating down to stars.
The rest of the the story is 5 star all the way however. I was particularly facinated by the many layers of the story & the sub-plots mixed in throughout. There are many intriguing characters sprinkled in...my favorite being Mr. Holly, the American come to the island to but a horse. The plot is slow at first, but in the last 1/2 of the book the pace picks up. I found myself unable to put it down for about the last 100 pages.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Asena Blessed (The Chronicles of Altaica, #2) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
Its taken me longer than I would like to admit to write this review, but that is only because I feel that I cannot properly express what I truly want to say.
In reality, I feel there is little I can say that I didnt say about Altaica. The characters are well written, the world interesting, reminiscent of Tolkien and the like, and the storyline engaging. However, while I loved Altaica , Asena Blessed completely blew it out of the water. After reading Asena Blessed, I realize that Altaica is just a tease, the tip of the iceberg. Its like comparing a shake to a sundae. Both are delicious, but there are more ingredients to enjoy in the sundae. The characters, geography, and plot introduced in the first novel are more developed and fleshed out. We learn more about the mythology and event going on in the world the story is set in.
Normally, I dont like cliffhangers, but with Joyces Altaicas it just makes me hunger for more. I read it in one sitting and I felt like I lost a friend once I finished Asena. I cannot wait for the next installment. If you are a fan of Tamora Pierce, you will love this series.
In reality, I feel there is little I can say that I didnt say about Altaica. The characters are well written, the world interesting, reminiscent of Tolkien and the like, and the storyline engaging. However, while I loved Altaica , Asena Blessed completely blew it out of the water. After reading Asena Blessed, I realize that Altaica is just a tease, the tip of the iceberg. Its like comparing a shake to a sundae. Both are delicious, but there are more ingredients to enjoy in the sundae. The characters, geography, and plot introduced in the first novel are more developed and fleshed out. We learn more about the mythology and event going on in the world the story is set in.
Normally, I dont like cliffhangers, but with Joyces Altaicas it just makes me hunger for more. I read it in one sitting and I felt like I lost a friend once I finished Asena. I cannot wait for the next installment. If you are a fan of Tamora Pierce, you will love this series.
BookwormMama14 (18 KP) rated The Thorn Bearer (Penned in Time, #1) in Books
Jan 2, 2019
The Thorn Bearer truly blew my expectations out of the water. Pepper shares deep and agonizing struggles with beautifully pure redemption. There were many points in which certain characters needed a good bashing over the head...But it was exciting to see God work in their lives and transform them into a new creation. Ashleigh's past follows her wherever she goes. Nothing she has tried, on her own, has worked to forget the nightmares haunting her. Be prepared for an emotional ride with some difficult subjects. But that is one thing that makes Pepper stand out...She doesn't sugar coat things, and she doesn't shortchange God's love and compassion. While specific trials of the characters are not ones I am familiar with, I do know how unforgiveness can drag your soul down. It is incredible to witness the freedom that forgiveness can offer. I am also familiar with the frustrations of God allowing certain things to happen in our lives. However, I do know in the depths of my heart, that God works all things together for good. As my daily life is witness to. I definitely recommend this book without reservations. I can't wait to start the next book!
Andy K (10823 KP) rated The Devil's Backbone (2001) in Movies
Jul 19, 2019
Who knew Pan's Labyrinth had a companion film?
Early film from Guillermo del Toro is similar to Pan's Labyrinth in a lot of ways. In watching an interview after viewing the film, del Toro actually says this is a companion film since they have a lot of the same themes and cinematic elements most notably a child being introduced to a foreign hostile environment and the element of the supernatural influencing the actions of other characters.
I can see how others might complain about the slow pacing of certain scenes or the noticeable subplots that don't all have conclusions, but I guess those didn't bother me as I was engaged in the story. The kids eventually learn of the existence of the "ghost" in the basement and try and figure out its motives and reason for existence.
I enjoyed the look of the film immensely and thought all the acting was solid. The film had a haunting soundtrack which supplemented the spooky scenes very well.
I could even see some scenes which could've been out of The Shape of Water as del Toro's films all seem to have the director's signature look which isn't a complaint; only an observation.
I enjoyed it a lot.
I can see how others might complain about the slow pacing of certain scenes or the noticeable subplots that don't all have conclusions, but I guess those didn't bother me as I was engaged in the story. The kids eventually learn of the existence of the "ghost" in the basement and try and figure out its motives and reason for existence.
I enjoyed the look of the film immensely and thought all the acting was solid. The film had a haunting soundtrack which supplemented the spooky scenes very well.
I could even see some scenes which could've been out of The Shape of Water as del Toro's films all seem to have the director's signature look which isn't a complaint; only an observation.
I enjoyed it a lot.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Contagion (2011) in Movies
Mar 3, 2020
The Outbreak
With all of this news about the coronavirus, i thought i reviewing this movie. This came out when the swine flu was around, so back in 2011. When the trailer came out, it looked really scary, because it was about a deadly virus speading. Now thats happening right now with the coronavirus. Its scary, but if you wash your hands with soap and water/hand Sanitizer, keep away from sick people, cover your mouth when you snezze and dont touch your eyes, you will be okay.
Anways to the plot:
When Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) returns to Minnesota from a Hong Kong business trip, she attributes the malaise she feels to jet lag. However, two days later, Beth is dead, and doctors tell her shocked husband (Matt Damon) that they have no idea what killed her. Soon, many others start to exhibit the same symptoms, and a global pandemic explodes. Doctors try to contain the lethal microbe, but society begins to collapse as a blogger (Jude Law) fans the flames of paranoia.
It has a all-star cast: includes Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, and Jennifer Ehle. Plus Steven Soderbergh directed it.
If you like medical action thriller film, than you will like this film.
Anways to the plot:
When Beth Emhoff (Gwyneth Paltrow) returns to Minnesota from a Hong Kong business trip, she attributes the malaise she feels to jet lag. However, two days later, Beth is dead, and doctors tell her shocked husband (Matt Damon) that they have no idea what killed her. Soon, many others start to exhibit the same symptoms, and a global pandemic explodes. Doctors try to contain the lethal microbe, but society begins to collapse as a blogger (Jude Law) fans the flames of paranoia.
It has a all-star cast: includes Marion Cotillard, Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet, and Jennifer Ehle. Plus Steven Soderbergh directed it.
If you like medical action thriller film, than you will like this film.