Monday 29 May 2017

~419 ~ Dancing at Lughnasa

Dancing at Lughnasa

Dancing at Lughnasa by Brian Friel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars







I would not have chosen to read this book, probably under any circumstances.

I had to though, as is is a set book for my upcoming Open University A230 'Reading and Studying Literature', which will be my last module at Level 2 (having just finished A215 'Creative Writing ... not that you need to know this!).

The front cover is appealing, and is the reason I dragged it off the reading pile in the first place - the dress seems genteel and is set in juxtaposition to the black wellingtons.

The theme of A230 is home and away, and after reading this short text I can see why it was added to the list. Not only is the home/away theme running through it, but also religion/paganism, responsibility/irresponsibility, setting rules/breaking rules and the face you project/the way you are perceived.

All round a very interesting text, if slightly intellectual read. Interestingly, it is only around 3 star review on Good Reads (more on Amazon), but that might be that you would not find it riveting if you were not studying, or interested in, humanities and the human condition.



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I purchased my copy on Amazon HERE.  At the time of writing this review it is priced at £9.98, which is a hefty price for a paperback book as thin as wafer ham.


Hugs

xXx

Wednesday 12 April 2017

#418 ~ Walk of Shame

Walk of Shame [DVD]


Watched on Netflix - 12/04/17

Total 5 star romcom ... highly recommended.

Local news anchor, Megan gets towed after a one night stand leading to a series of hilarious unexpected events just to get her car back and make it to the station to meet a major news channel.Te

Megan's a good Texas girl, but this movie illustrates the perceptions of others can be wrong.

Does she get any help?  Yes, from the most surprising sources.

If you haven't got Netflix, its available HERE on Amazon.


Friday 17 March 2017

#417 ~ A Charmed Place

A Charmed Place

A Charmed Place by Antoinette Stockenberg

My rating: 3 of 5 stars








I normally enjoy this author, but this one seemed a little cumbersome. Although probably it is been more to do with the disjointed nature of the reading time I have had, rather than than the fabric of the book.





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Saturday 25 February 2017

#416 ~ Lucretia: or The Heiress and the Dandy

Lucretia: or The Heiress and the Dandy
Lucretia: or The Heiress and the Dandy by Rachel Carter


My rating: 5 of 5 stars







In interest of full disclosure, I was asked by Rachel to do a review for her. That having been said, I am very busy with Uni work, working and being a parent, that I have not been accepting anything recently. However, I was impressed by her pitch of the book and decided to fit in into my schedule.

At the time it was also available (and still is at the date of writing this post) available as a free Kindle Unlimited download.

Now to the book ...it was excellent and thoroughly enjoyable. Markedly so, compared to some of the complete rubbish that is turned out by a large proportion of the the US romance writers.

Why? Like a carefully chosen outfit, it provided style and comfort, yet was designed with a sense of restrained style and accomplished design. It wasn't out there smacking people between the eyes, but smoothly gliding along gathering attention.

Essentially, this is a story of young love, with a well matched pair finding themselves and each other along the way. There is an undertone of humour that underpins the author's writing ... a distinctly Georgette Heyer feel, in fact. I would love to see Rachel take this a little further in another book. The world is severely lacking Heyeresque level writing these days.

Production values were very, very high. Quality always stand out above the cheap end of the market and Rachel has managed it with ease.

I only found one error at location Location 750 - 'Naturally, could I bear miss out on your company?'

One highlight for me of phrasing was at Location 121 - 'In the pale evening light, the gardens were gloriously alive with emerald hues and Spring's promise of blooms to come'. What a nice bit of signposting.

The only slight negative is the cover. The quality of the content befits something more put together and stylish.

That having been said, don't judge it on the cover, pick it up and read. You will not be disappointed if you love historical romance that is well written with a funny edge.

I can't wait to see what Rachel writes going forward.

Happy reading.

Hugs


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