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Considering the fact all of the nominees for the 2015-2016 Gateway Award aren't exactly very appealing and I've had quite the bad luck with them... I pretty much decided to take a stab with Ashley Elston's <i>The Rules for Disappearing</i> as my next victim.
In elaboration of that bad luck, <a title="In the Shadow of Blackbirds" href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-in-the-shadow-of-blackbirds-by-cat-winters/"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">my first one was insanity</a>. I'm scared of reading another book by Cat Winters. <a href="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/dnf-review-the-5th-wave-by-rick-yancey"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">My second one had a highly annoying character named after a constellation</a>.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/317/2015/05/dean-what-have-i-done.gif"; border="0" /></div>
And now, my third book has a very materialistic character (completely opposite spectrum from me) whose family is in Witness Protection for the last year and has quite literally changed their names far more times than Zach/Jack in <i>Zach's Lie</i> and <i>Jack's Run</i>. With their eighth move, "Meg," is extremely tired of constantly having to move places, leaving her life behind, and changing her identities – the moves were beginning to tear apart their family. Meg vows to find what landed her and her family in Witness Protection in the first place throughout the book.
I personally liked how the book was formatted. The beginning of each chapter has a "rule for disappearing," possibly concocted by Meg over the year her family has been in Witness Protection, and what happens in the chapter is sort of a reason "why" Meg established the rule in the first place.
For almost half the book there isn't really too much that happens – Meg makes a plan to not settle down with her new life like she did in her past placements, her "diary" gets stolen, and she tries to avoid a boy named Ethan Landry who's a lot smarter than he seems. After accidentally hearing a few conversations her dad has over the phone in the middle of the night, things start to pick up – Meg starts to remember more of what happened in her original life and becomes more determined to get her family out of Witness protection.
Meg is like a clamshell at the very beginning – she's very closed off and she wants to isolate herself from her peers because who cares about making friends when you might be plucked from your current life any moment? It's not until she meets Ethan that she "gives up" on trying to isolate herself and becomes more open with other people. In all honesty, if Ethan didn't make a constant attempt to open up her shell, Meg probably wouldn't have told her story – how her old life was like, why she's really in Witness Protection, and what each of her moves were like compared to her original life.
Elston does drop a hint or two of a sequel near the end of the book, which I'm not exactly too excited for. <i>The Rules for Disappearing</i> felt like a stand-alone rather than a duology, but maybe the sequel will be equally or more interesting.
<blockquote>We force you to sit through the chick flicks so maybe you'll get some idea of how you're supposed to act.</blockquote>
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-the-rules-for-disappearing-by-ashley-elston/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
In elaboration of that bad luck, <a title="In the Shadow of Blackbirds" href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-in-the-shadow-of-blackbirds-by-cat-winters/"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">my first one was insanity</a>. I'm scared of reading another book by Cat Winters. <a href="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/dnf-review-the-5th-wave-by-rick-yancey"; target="_blank" rel="noopener">My second one had a highly annoying character named after a constellation</a>.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="http://bookwyrmingthoughts.bookblog.io/wp-content/uploads/sites/317/2015/05/dean-what-have-i-done.gif"; border="0" /></div>
And now, my third book has a very materialistic character (completely opposite spectrum from me) whose family is in Witness Protection for the last year and has quite literally changed their names far more times than Zach/Jack in <i>Zach's Lie</i> and <i>Jack's Run</i>. With their eighth move, "Meg," is extremely tired of constantly having to move places, leaving her life behind, and changing her identities – the moves were beginning to tear apart their family. Meg vows to find what landed her and her family in Witness Protection in the first place throughout the book.
I personally liked how the book was formatted. The beginning of each chapter has a "rule for disappearing," possibly concocted by Meg over the year her family has been in Witness Protection, and what happens in the chapter is sort of a reason "why" Meg established the rule in the first place.
For almost half the book there isn't really too much that happens – Meg makes a plan to not settle down with her new life like she did in her past placements, her "diary" gets stolen, and she tries to avoid a boy named Ethan Landry who's a lot smarter than he seems. After accidentally hearing a few conversations her dad has over the phone in the middle of the night, things start to pick up – Meg starts to remember more of what happened in her original life and becomes more determined to get her family out of Witness protection.
Meg is like a clamshell at the very beginning – she's very closed off and she wants to isolate herself from her peers because who cares about making friends when you might be plucked from your current life any moment? It's not until she meets Ethan that she "gives up" on trying to isolate herself and becomes more open with other people. In all honesty, if Ethan didn't make a constant attempt to open up her shell, Meg probably wouldn't have told her story – how her old life was like, why she's really in Witness Protection, and what each of her moves were like compared to her original life.
Elston does drop a hint or two of a sequel near the end of the book, which I'm not exactly too excited for. <i>The Rules for Disappearing</i> felt like a stand-alone rather than a duology, but maybe the sequel will be equally or more interesting.
<blockquote>We force you to sit through the chick flicks so maybe you'll get some idea of how you're supposed to act.</blockquote>
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-the-rules-for-disappearing-by-ashley-elston/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Jurassic Park (1993) in Movies
Jun 11, 2019
JURASSIC PARK (the good one)
Back in 1993 Steven Spielberg breathed life into everybody's childhood obsession with dinosaurs with ground breaking CGI during its release which still holds up today.
Jurassic park is story of a mans dream to bring back the Jurassic age on an (presumably) uninhabited island. After inviting his grandchildren, Dr alan Grant an archaeologist, ellie satler another archaeologist and ian malcolm who's just along for the ride to witness this ground-breaking creation,they quickly become endangered when the parks security parameters fail and they have to outrun and out smart their way to safety with a dinosaur at every turn, and a kitchen scene you'll never forget (that's right, kitchen!)
Jurassic park is story of a mans dream to bring back the Jurassic age on an (presumably) uninhabited island. After inviting his grandchildren, Dr alan Grant an archaeologist, ellie satler another archaeologist and ian malcolm who's just along for the ride to witness this ground-breaking creation,they quickly become endangered when the parks security parameters fail and they have to outrun and out smart their way to safety with a dinosaur at every turn, and a kitchen scene you'll never forget (that's right, kitchen!)
Erika (17789 KP) rated Melmoth: A Novel in Books
Jan 9, 2019
Well, my first read of 2019 is completed and I'm not sure exactly how I feel about this novel. I've had Sarah Perry's @The Essex Serpent on my bookshelf since it came out here in the US, but have never picked it up.
This novel utilized the myth of Melmoth the Witness (and its various iterations/spellings) and the atmosphere of Prague. Perry utilized an epistolary format for some of it, which I felt was effective. My biggest problem with the novel is that it was all very predictable, and I think it was because the foreshadowing was a little too obvious. That was what knocked this book down to just good.
This novel utilized the myth of Melmoth the Witness (and its various iterations/spellings) and the atmosphere of Prague. Perry utilized an epistolary format for some of it, which I felt was effective. My biggest problem with the novel is that it was all very predictable, and I think it was because the foreshadowing was a little too obvious. That was what knocked this book down to just good.
Matthew Krueger (10051 KP) rated Bird on a Wire (1990) in Movies
Jul 9, 2020
Protect Goldie Hawn
Bird on a Wire- is a funny action packed movie. The action is really good, and the chemistey between Mel and Goldie is really good.
The plot: Rick Jarmin (Mel Gibson) is put in witness protection after he helps the FBI bust drug dealer Eugene Sorenson (David Carradine). Fifteen years later, he is living with a new identity as a gas station attendant in Detroit. When an old flame named Marianne (Goldie Hawn) stops at the gas station and recognizes him, his cover gets blown. The recently released Sorenson finds out, and both Jarmin and Marianne have to flee across the country with the vengeful Sorenson in hot pursuit.
Its a funny entertaining movie.
The plot: Rick Jarmin (Mel Gibson) is put in witness protection after he helps the FBI bust drug dealer Eugene Sorenson (David Carradine). Fifteen years later, he is living with a new identity as a gas station attendant in Detroit. When an old flame named Marianne (Goldie Hawn) stops at the gas station and recognizes him, his cover gets blown. The recently released Sorenson finds out, and both Jarmin and Marianne have to flee across the country with the vengeful Sorenson in hot pursuit.
Its a funny entertaining movie.
William Finnegan recommended Homage to Catalonia in Books (curated)
Stephin Merritt recommended More Bawdy Cockney Songs, Vol. II by Elsa Lanchester in Music (curated)
David McK (3562 KP) rated Back to the Future Part II (1989) in Movies
Dec 5, 2020
Great Scott!
Mid part of the Back to the Future trilogy, in which Marty McFly experiences and travels to three distinct era's: the far-flung future of 2015(!)(I'm writing this in December 2020 - I want my hoverboard, dammit!), an alternate dystopian (from his and Boc Browns point of view) 1985 and finally back to 1955 as the point of divergence to (re)witness the events of the first movie.
With a cliffhanger ending, this film should really be considered the first part of a longer movie: indeed, I believe that was the original intention before the studios balked at the sheer running length of merging the events of Part II and the (Western) Part III into one!
With a cliffhanger ending, this film should really be considered the first part of a longer movie: indeed, I believe that was the original intention before the studios balked at the sheer running length of merging the events of Part II and the (Western) Part III into one!
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated The Witness in Books
Jan 6, 2021
4.5 stars.
This is my first Nora Roberts book that wasn't part of a series or paranormal and I have to say I
really enjoyed it!
I was drawn in very quickly to the story with young Elizabeth and her rebellion against her rather clinical mother and her rules. I know it's called The Witness but I didn't think we'd actually see her witness the crime--which sounds stupid, considering, but oh well. She did. She saw the crime and did the right thing.
It quickly moved on and we met Brooks. I have to tell you now that I really liked him from his first page. He's a good cop with an awesome family behind him.
It's twelve years later (though on the back cover of my paperback it says fifteen?) and Elizabeth is now Abigail and a loner. She isn't good around people and finds it hard to trust people. She has a way about her that is so odd but at the same time you can't help but like her.
Enter Brooks and the fun starts.
I really loved their relationship! They make a great couple and I loved reading it happening.
I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. Everything worked out great in the end but I think I'd have liked it to have been fleshed out a little more, considering it had been building since around 100 pages in, but it was still pretty good.
I look forward to reading my other Nora Roberts and J.D.Robb paperback books now :)
This is my first Nora Roberts book that wasn't part of a series or paranormal and I have to say I
really enjoyed it!
I was drawn in very quickly to the story with young Elizabeth and her rebellion against her rather clinical mother and her rules. I know it's called The Witness but I didn't think we'd actually see her witness the crime--which sounds stupid, considering, but oh well. She did. She saw the crime and did the right thing.
It quickly moved on and we met Brooks. I have to tell you now that I really liked him from his first page. He's a good cop with an awesome family behind him.
It's twelve years later (though on the back cover of my paperback it says fifteen?) and Elizabeth is now Abigail and a loner. She isn't good around people and finds it hard to trust people. She has a way about her that is so odd but at the same time you can't help but like her.
Enter Brooks and the fun starts.
I really loved their relationship! They make a great couple and I loved reading it happening.
I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. Everything worked out great in the end but I think I'd have liked it to have been fleshed out a little more, considering it had been building since around 100 pages in, but it was still pretty good.
I look forward to reading my other Nora Roberts and J.D.Robb paperback books now :)
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2346 KP) rated Cozy Up to Death in Books
May 12, 2020
Debut that Grew on Me
Today is Brody Steele’s first day running The Red Herring, a mystery bookstore in Pleasant Valley, Maine. However, he’s not a reader. So what is he doing here? It’s a cover since Brody has just entered the Witness Protection Program after turning on his former motorcycle gang. Brody is sure he will find his new life too quiet. However, as he tries to settle into town, he begins to find questions. Is there danger lurking just below the surface?
I’m always looking for something different, so I was intrigued by the premise of this book when I first heard about it. It took a while for the story to get going, but once Brody started to realize something was wrong, I was hooked all the way until the climax. I enjoyed the character growth we saw in Brody, and I liked several other characters as well. I did think the writing could be a bit more polished. I also found a few things about the Witness Protection Program, as described here, a little hard to swallow. Then again, I haven’t done any research on it and instead learned everything I know about it from the TV show In Plain Sight, so I decided to sit back and enjoy the story, which I most certainly did. Despite the series name and book title, we do get more violence than in a typical cozy. Overall, I’m glad I gave the book a chance, and I’m curious to see where the series will go from here.
I’m always looking for something different, so I was intrigued by the premise of this book when I first heard about it. It took a while for the story to get going, but once Brody started to realize something was wrong, I was hooked all the way until the climax. I enjoyed the character growth we saw in Brody, and I liked several other characters as well. I did think the writing could be a bit more polished. I also found a few things about the Witness Protection Program, as described here, a little hard to swallow. Then again, I haven’t done any research on it and instead learned everything I know about it from the TV show In Plain Sight, so I decided to sit back and enjoy the story, which I most certainly did. Despite the series name and book title, we do get more violence than in a typical cozy. Overall, I’m glad I gave the book a chance, and I’m curious to see where the series will go from here.
ClareR (5879 KP) rated Saga, Vol. 9 in Books
Nov 2, 2018
I keep reading, it keeps tearing my heart out!!
I LOVE THIS SERIES!! But seriously, it seems to end on an event that tears my heart out every time! Prince Robot, his son and Petrichor are all trying to sell their stories and using magic, change themselves into another species (like you do - the ultimate witness protection programme), but of course nothing runs smoothly.
The Will lives up to his name (eventually!!), and the family seem happy at last. But that's OK, because the ending sorts that little detail out.
And Ghus is his lovely little self. If anything happens to him, I swear I will NOT be happy!
And there is going to be a year long hiatus!!! How can they do this to me??!!
The Will lives up to his name (eventually!!), and the family seem happy at last. But that's OK, because the ending sorts that little detail out.
And Ghus is his lovely little self. If anything happens to him, I swear I will NOT be happy!
And there is going to be a year long hiatus!!! How can they do this to me??!!