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TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Mia and Nattie One Great Team! in Books
Feb 23, 2021
Have you ever loved an animal so much you considered it your best friend? Did you talk to it and tell it all your problems? I know I did. Marlene M. Bell does a fantastic job bringing to life the very best of our pet-loving memories, and she does it in such an enchanting way!
I was drawn into this cute story from the very first page. You can tell that the author and illustrator worked well together by the way each illustration shows the emotions on the page, and in this case, they were memory-invoking for me. I loved Mia’s attitude and caring nature. She never gave up or lost hope for Nattie. Instead, Mia time and time again persevered in the face of defeat. She truly showed how much she cared about Nattie’s well-being.
<b>“MIA HAD TO COME UP WITH A PLAN.
MIA COULDN’T BREAK NATTIE’S HEART.”</b>
I also enjoyed the progression of the story and how Marlene M. Bell developed the story in an easy-flowing way that any age could understand. Her word choices were not too basic that older children would not enjoy the story (I mean I enjoyed it), yet they were still simple enough that even very young kids would enjoy this book too. Especially if you make sounds
I was drawn into this cute story from the very first page. You can tell that the author and illustrator worked well together by the way each illustration shows the emotions on the page, and in this case, they were memory-invoking for me. I loved Mia’s attitude and caring nature. She never gave up or lost hope for Nattie. Instead, Mia time and time again persevered in the face of defeat. She truly showed how much she cared about Nattie’s well-being.
<b>“MIA HAD TO COME UP WITH A PLAN.
MIA COULDN’T BREAK NATTIE’S HEART.”</b>
I also enjoyed the progression of the story and how Marlene M. Bell developed the story in an easy-flowing way that any age could understand. Her word choices were not too basic that older children would not enjoy the story (I mean I enjoyed it), yet they were still simple enough that even very young kids would enjoy this book too. Especially if you make sounds
TravelersWife4Life (31 KP) rated Out of the Embers (Mesquite Springs, #1) in Books
Feb 24, 2021
I loved this sweet story!
Out of the Embers was like traveling back in time to a place where it feels like home. Amanda Cabot did a great job describing the historical period, from the way the characters dressed, their mode of transportation, to the way the characters spoke and acted. It was like being right there with the characters. I think that the story flowed very well due in part to the historical accuracy of it.
I particularly liked the main character, Evelyn. She reminded me so much of someone who has an “old soul” and an encouraging word for everyone. I truly liked her character. Wyatt, Evelyn’s male counterpart, was also a uniquely caring and intuitive guy. All the other characters in this story helped make it come to life and left me with anticipation to read their stories as well.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the great characters, the stunning backdrop, and the lighthearted feel through most of the story. I recommend reading this book, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out.
This book is the first in a new series by Amanda Cabot called Mesquite Springs.
*I volunteered to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
Out of the Embers was like traveling back in time to a place where it feels like home. Amanda Cabot did a great job describing the historical period, from the way the characters dressed, their mode of transportation, to the way the characters spoke and acted. It was like being right there with the characters. I think that the story flowed very well due in part to the historical accuracy of it.
I particularly liked the main character, Evelyn. She reminded me so much of someone who has an “old soul” and an encouraging word for everyone. I truly liked her character. Wyatt, Evelyn’s male counterpart, was also a uniquely caring and intuitive guy. All the other characters in this story helped make it come to life and left me with anticipation to read their stories as well.
I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars for the great characters, the stunning backdrop, and the lighthearted feel through most of the story. I recommend reading this book, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out.
This book is the first in a new series by Amanda Cabot called Mesquite Springs.
*I volunteered to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback. The thoughts and opinions expressed within are my own.
LeftSideCut (3776 KP) rated I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) in Movies
Mar 2, 2021
I Know What You Did Last Summer opens with the Type O Negative cover of Summer Breeze, which is always going to be a winner in my book.
This film is rightly considered a bit of a classic these days, and there's really not a whole bunch to complain about. It has well written characters, a decent cast, a visually creepy villain, an engaging whodunit plot, one of the best chase scenes in slasher movie history (that's right), and still manages to stand on its own two feet in a world where it's constantly compared to Scream.
I find this to be an unfair comparison. Beyond the 90s setting, teen characters, slasher tropes, and shared writer in Kevin Williamson, there's not much else that ties them together. Scream is of course a fantastic horror, but relishes in being satire, whereas IKWYDLS is a straight shooting horror. Its the exact kind of film that Scream takes aim at, but it still manages to be a decent slasher without feeling silly, and delivers some well earned jump scares for good measure. I also really enjoy it's fishing town setting and the hole movie is accompanied by a hilariously epic score courtesy of John Debney. It's great.
I will always have a lot of time for IKWYDLS, overshadowed by some of its contemporaries, but a hugely satisfying and entertaing horror in its own right.
This film is rightly considered a bit of a classic these days, and there's really not a whole bunch to complain about. It has well written characters, a decent cast, a visually creepy villain, an engaging whodunit plot, one of the best chase scenes in slasher movie history (that's right), and still manages to stand on its own two feet in a world where it's constantly compared to Scream.
I find this to be an unfair comparison. Beyond the 90s setting, teen characters, slasher tropes, and shared writer in Kevin Williamson, there's not much else that ties them together. Scream is of course a fantastic horror, but relishes in being satire, whereas IKWYDLS is a straight shooting horror. Its the exact kind of film that Scream takes aim at, but it still manages to be a decent slasher without feeling silly, and delivers some well earned jump scares for good measure. I also really enjoy it's fishing town setting and the hole movie is accompanied by a hilariously epic score courtesy of John Debney. It's great.
I will always have a lot of time for IKWYDLS, overshadowed by some of its contemporaries, but a hugely satisfying and entertaing horror in its own right.
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated Dance For Me (Fenbrook Academy, #1) in Books
Jan 7, 2021
I received this ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is about Natasha, a dancer–-ballet being her favourite–-who goes to an audition for a role in an advert but gets distracted during the audition by someone running into the room. Darrell, the distractor, is captivated by her and the ballet she performs and asks her to dance for him as his muse so he can figure out a way to make his latest project work.
Darrell was rather intriguing from the start and I liked how we saw him from Natasha’s POV first before seeing how he came to be at the audition from his own POV.
Helena must have done ballet at some point or this is one really well researched book.
Several chapters had me wanting to look online at the moves Natasha was performing with how well they were written; how beautiful it all sounded. Maybe it was Natasha’s feelings at those points in the book that made them seem so charged and captivating. And this coming from someone who has never had an interest in ballet.
I liked Clarissa. And Neil. And Jasmine. I liked everything!
Would recommend you read this if you like a nice love story. It certainly had me captivated from early on.
This is about Natasha, a dancer–-ballet being her favourite–-who goes to an audition for a role in an advert but gets distracted during the audition by someone running into the room. Darrell, the distractor, is captivated by her and the ballet she performs and asks her to dance for him as his muse so he can figure out a way to make his latest project work.
Darrell was rather intriguing from the start and I liked how we saw him from Natasha’s POV first before seeing how he came to be at the audition from his own POV.
Helena must have done ballet at some point or this is one really well researched book.
Several chapters had me wanting to look online at the moves Natasha was performing with how well they were written; how beautiful it all sounded. Maybe it was Natasha’s feelings at those points in the book that made them seem so charged and captivating. And this coming from someone who has never had an interest in ballet.
I liked Clarissa. And Neil. And Jasmine. I liked everything!
Would recommend you read this if you like a nice love story. It certainly had me captivated from early on.
Sarah (7800 KP) rated Wakenhyrst in Books
Oct 10, 2020
Well done gothic horror
Gothic horrors can be hugely enthralling reads when done right, and I've read quite a few of these over the past few years. And Wakenhyrst is definitely one I'd add to the list.
This is a very intriguing and entertaining read. It's well written with a powerful female lead, which you wouldn't expect considering it's early 1900s setting. Maud is a very imperfect yet endearing character that you can't help but root for. The writing really helps build the the atmospheric setting and helps you visualise everything, which definitely helps with the horror and tension. I wouldn't say this is packed full of horror or scares, but rather an underlying tension and unease that builds for the entirety of the novel and rather gives you the creeps.
The problem is that this build up is spoilt a little by the ending, which isn't entirely unpredictable (considering how the book starts) and feels like a bit of a letdown. It's not a bad ending, but it just plays out exactly the way you'd expect and some of the twists or reveals that were likely intended to shock and surprise don't quite hit the mark.
Overall though this is a great example of a gothic horror and despite being quite lengthy, kept me hooked an entertained throughout.
This is a very intriguing and entertaining read. It's well written with a powerful female lead, which you wouldn't expect considering it's early 1900s setting. Maud is a very imperfect yet endearing character that you can't help but root for. The writing really helps build the the atmospheric setting and helps you visualise everything, which definitely helps with the horror and tension. I wouldn't say this is packed full of horror or scares, but rather an underlying tension and unease that builds for the entirety of the novel and rather gives you the creeps.
The problem is that this build up is spoilt a little by the ending, which isn't entirely unpredictable (considering how the book starts) and feels like a bit of a letdown. It's not a bad ending, but it just plays out exactly the way you'd expect and some of the twists or reveals that were likely intended to shock and surprise don't quite hit the mark.
Overall though this is a great example of a gothic horror and despite being quite lengthy, kept me hooked an entertained throughout.
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Dragons Don't Dance Ballet in Books
Jan 17, 2021
Dragons are not for breathing fire. They're a friendly dragon that has dreams of her own. She wants to dance. The title of this book is “Dragons Don't Dance Ballet”. What a way to say you can not have what you want.
But Esmeralda Dragon thinks she can't fit in and with the image of her body she thinks she can not dance. Well, this book helps with body image and encourages you to keep going and trying to fulfill your dreams. It also teaches us to never give up.
Will Esmeralda Dragon get what she wants or will she give up on trying. She has a friend Harold and he comes to encourage her. He does seem to step up when everyone else does not. You will be surprised by how this ends.
The pictures are done well. Just cause you do not look like others does not mean you can not fit it. You just are different and need to do things differently. Will Esmeralda Dragon get to dance? Children should try and keep trying to reach their dreams. They should never give up if they want to reach them. This seems to be what this book is about. The meaning of it along with the body being different. That should not matter if you can do something.
But Esmeralda Dragon thinks she can't fit in and with the image of her body she thinks she can not dance. Well, this book helps with body image and encourages you to keep going and trying to fulfill your dreams. It also teaches us to never give up.
Will Esmeralda Dragon get what she wants or will she give up on trying. She has a friend Harold and he comes to encourage her. He does seem to step up when everyone else does not. You will be surprised by how this ends.
The pictures are done well. Just cause you do not look like others does not mean you can not fit it. You just are different and need to do things differently. Will Esmeralda Dragon get to dance? Children should try and keep trying to reach their dreams. They should never give up if they want to reach them. This seems to be what this book is about. The meaning of it along with the body being different. That should not matter if you can do something.
Awix (3310 KP) rated When the Tripods Came (The Tripods #4) in Books
Sep 18, 2019
Fourth books in trilogies are inherently inelegant and awkward beasts; Christopher's final Tripods novel is unsurprisingly no exception. 1980s Earth is visited by alien invaders, who (initially at least) are easily repelled. But it turns out that your mum was right when she said that too much TV was bad for your health...
A bit dated, but that's the least of the book's issues. A prequel to the main series was really not required, and the main catalyst for writing it seems to have been the Tripods TV show which was broadcast three or four years earlier. (The TV show the Masters use to take over the world bears a suspicious resemblance to the TV adaptation of the first two books.) It's not really meta, more sort of peeved: peeved at critics of the show's shortcomings, but also peeved at the makers of the show for not doing a better job. As well as being dated, the relationship subplots of the book feel a bit proforma, but the depiction of the world slowly sliding out of human control and the end of modern civilisation is vividly presented in the usual compelling fashion. Whether it should all feel a bit more downbeat and bleak is probably a question of personal taste; Christopher's prose retains its good manners as well as its readability.
A bit dated, but that's the least of the book's issues. A prequel to the main series was really not required, and the main catalyst for writing it seems to have been the Tripods TV show which was broadcast three or four years earlier. (The TV show the Masters use to take over the world bears a suspicious resemblance to the TV adaptation of the first two books.) It's not really meta, more sort of peeved: peeved at critics of the show's shortcomings, but also peeved at the makers of the show for not doing a better job. As well as being dated, the relationship subplots of the book feel a bit proforma, but the depiction of the world slowly sliding out of human control and the end of modern civilisation is vividly presented in the usual compelling fashion. Whether it should all feel a bit more downbeat and bleak is probably a question of personal taste; Christopher's prose retains its good manners as well as its readability.
Agriculture Course: The Birth of the Biodynamic Method
Rudolf Steiner and Peter Bridgmont
Book
When Rudolf Steiner gave these lectures 80 years ago, industrial farming was on the rise and organic...
Afterglow: A Dog's Memoir
Book
Prolific and widely renowned, Eileen Myles is a trailblazer whose decades of literary and artistic...
Biography
Lindsay (1779 KP) rated Freedom's Song in Books
Sep 28, 2021
Are you a Kim Vogel Sawyer fan? Or a historical fiction fan? Then you will enjoy Kim's newest book to be coming out soon. It is delightful. Kim writes wonderfully, and this book captured my attendance for the entire book.
I was wondering if Sloane would catch up to Fanny. This book pulls you through Fanny's journey, and she will get her freedom. In the process, Sloan will find his freedom as well. There are three main characters throughout this book. We get to see their point of view throughout the book; Most of them are Fanny's point of view. We do see Walters and Sloane's point of view throughout the book as well.
This book talks about slaves. What will happen when Fanny meets Enoch and his family? Will she help them to freedom, and she gets help with being hidden with them. What will Fanny do? Will Sloane learn about keeping his word and about God?
Will Sloan find his riverboat singer? Does he seem to think he is on a goose chase trying to find a singer that seems to sing her way to freedom? The plot thickens, and there will be freedom for Fanny. Will she get what she has been looking for in life. Fanny agreed to help care and watch over Walter's little girl Annlesse. What will happen when Walter's new wife comes?
I was wondering if Sloane would catch up to Fanny. This book pulls you through Fanny's journey, and she will get her freedom. In the process, Sloan will find his freedom as well. There are three main characters throughout this book. We get to see their point of view throughout the book; Most of them are Fanny's point of view. We do see Walters and Sloane's point of view throughout the book as well.
This book talks about slaves. What will happen when Fanny meets Enoch and his family? Will she help them to freedom, and she gets help with being hidden with them. What will Fanny do? Will Sloane learn about keeping his word and about God?
Will Sloan find his riverboat singer? Does he seem to think he is on a goose chase trying to find a singer that seems to sing her way to freedom? The plot thickens, and there will be freedom for Fanny. Will she get what she has been looking for in life. Fanny agreed to help care and watch over Walter's little girl Annlesse. What will happen when Walter's new wife comes?