Book Review – The Ice by Laline Paull

books, reviews

Rating: 3 out of 5.

The Bees by Laline Paull was one of my favourite reads way back in 2015. It was a little rough around the edges but it was an unforgettable reading experience. I was so excited to read it that I rushed out to buy her follow-up novel as soon as it was released. Of course, it was published 6 years ago and I’ve only just got around to reading it. It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise considering how I normally am. I’ve had books on my shelves for longer than that. This time, I did actually try to read it earlier. I think I opened it not long after I bought it but it just didn’t grip me. I couldn’t face pushing on with it, so forgot about it. Until a few years ago when I bought the audiobook to encourage me to finally read it. Although, my initial attempt left me worried. Until last week when I decided to just go for it. Listening to it at work might actually help me finish it. If it turned out badly, I could at least let it wash over me as I went about my normal working day.

Book Review – Leila and the Blue Fox by Kiran Millwood Hargrave

books, reviews

Rating: 5 out of 5.

One of the first books that I read this year was Julia and the Whale by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. It has been sitting on my shelf for a while but in the pre-Christmas madness, I hadn’t managed to get to it. It remains one of my top books of 2022, so I knew I had to fit Leila and the Blue Fox into my reading list as well. How could it not be as good as the previous one? I managed to finish it just before the end of November. I knew that I wouldn’t finish my current read in time, so decided to fit this one in instead. It was a quick read last weekend and a great way to end my month’s reading.

Book Review – Max Einstein: Rebels With a Cause by James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein

books, reviews

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

I know my review of the first book in the Max Einstein series wasn’t exactly glowing but I enjoyed it enough to listen to the next one. Again, it’s a good way to get through all of those work hours when I’m doing repetitive and dull tasks. Anything to make them seem more exciting. So, when this was recommended on my library catalogue, I figured I’d carry on with the series.

Tuesday Review – ‎Bigfoot Family (2020)

films, reviews

Rating: 4 out of 5.

I had quite a bit to do on Sunday and my day ended up massively going off the rails. Meaning I forgot about watching a film for today’s post until that evening I didn’t really have time to watch what I’d originally planned so I ended up finding the first quick thing I saw on Netflix. What I didn’t realise at the time was that this film was a sequel. I’m not saying that it became difficult to follow because it’s still a kid’s film. It just meant that I was a bit slow on the uptake with certain references. I just thought the writers couldn’t be bothered to include all of the necessary context, which seemed quite an interesting choice.

Book Review – The Cat That Changed America by Tony Lee Moral

books, reviews

Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

When we were younger, my sisters and I really loved the 1993 film Homeward Bound. We watched it over and over again. The film had such an impact on my whole family that we all still quote things from it now. It helps that Michael J. Fox is absolutely amazing in the role of Chance but, really, we just love a good animal story. Especially about a group of them defying the odds. So, when writer Tony Lee Moral got in touch with me about his new children’s book, I definitely wanted to read it. After all, what’s better than the story of an animal defying the odds? The story of an animal defying the odds that is based on real-life.

Tursday’s Reviews – Downsizing (2017)

reviews

downsizing5_star_rating_system_3_stars I’ve wanted to see this film since I first saw the trailer. Even though I was super freaked out by bald Matt Damon. I’ve lusted after that man since I first saw Ocean’s 11 but, I have to say, he can’t carry off the no hair look and no eyebrows look. It’s really off-putting. Like the opening of Captain America when Chris Evans is CGI’d to be tiny. It’s creepy. I hate it. He looks like a puppet that’s come to life or something. It’s like Marvel didn’t let him eat for months before filming. Bleurgh. It’s not right to take something so pretty and purposefully make it look bad. Especially when, in Downsizing, it feels super unnecessary. And Matt Damon’s head looks so huge and round without hair. What’s going on with that? Still, I managed to get over my anger at hairless Matt Damon and finally saw Alexander Payne’s new film.