Patricia (Pat) Merton is about to embark on a new phase of her life. Though no one is kicking her out, with her oldest brother just married, she'd ratPatricia (Pat) Merton is about to embark on a new phase of her life. Though no one is kicking her out, with her oldest brother just married, she'd rather make use of her household running skills elsewhere. But first, she gets to enjoy a small hunting party. Or so she was hoping, until she realizes that far too many uninvited guests have also crashed said party.
Armed with her absolute worst premonitions, our heroine nevertheless finds herself reluctantly charmed by one Miss Fenella (Fen) Carruth, her host's pretty, rich, and (supposedly) air-headed fiance.
[image]
I've been wondering whether I should give this book a chance, ever since Pat and Fen's interaction have intrigued me in Think of England. On the one hand, I enjoy seeing women kicking ass, especially when said ass belongs to pompous self-important men. On the other hand, F/F romances are not my thing. Then again, I do very much enjoy K.J. Charles' books in general, so perhaps I needed to get rid of some preconceived notions.
In its defense, I very much enjoyed Pat's no-nonsense attitude, the fact that she was a bona fide shooting champion, and especially her approach to tackling a possibly scary and uncertain future. I loved Fen's approach to navigating the rules of "polite" society, along with the contrast of her mischievous behavior in private. And of course the suitably upbeat promise of a happily-ever-after didn't hurt either.
[image]
That said, the intimate scenes did absolutely nothing for me, and I could've just as easily skipped them. The fact that I didn't, was entirely due to my own misplaced ambition in trying new things. But all this was minor, compared to how much Pat's judgemental attitude pissed me off. I realize that this was all intentional characterization, but that didn't change how much it pissed me off. Then again, perhaps this was just a case of hitting too close to home.
Score: 2.5/5 stars
In spite of my general dislike of romances in audio format, single narrators make for a much better experience with same-sex relationships. For a book from a genre, where I couldn't really appreciate the main selling point, I was seriously considering a lower score. Then again, I DID willing embark on this trip, fully aware of its major downside, so penalizing it for that very fact would be churlish.
[image]
That said, if femme-slash is your thing, and you enjoy seeing women in period clothes stand up for themselves, then Proper English is an excellent choice of a romantic reading material....more
If you've ever been pissed at all the crap corporations ask you to rate, this novel is for you. If you've ever 5-stPublished in English as QualityLand
If you've ever been pissed at all the crap corporations ask you to rate, this novel is for you. If you've ever 5-starred a service you disliked just out of laziness, this novel is for you. If you've ever skipped rating a subpar service, out of preemptive frustration, this novel is for you. If you've ever been dissatisfied with a service, this novel is for you.
... and finally: if you've ever wanted to take on a corporation just for the principle of things, this novel is your Bible!
[image]
Imagine a world where everything is and must be rated: corporations, countries, services, gadgets and even people. And further imagine that said rating is taken very seriously, especially if it's anything less than a perfect evaluation. Because in this world the mere notion of anything being less than superlative is quite literally outlawed.
So be careful. If someone asks you what you think of QualityLand, don’t just say that QualityLand is a wonderful country. It’s not a wonderful country. It’s the wonderfullest country there is!
This utterly hilarious dystopian novel, tells the story of Peter Jobless (names like Smith and Miller are sooo last year) on his quest to return an undesired pink dolphin-shaped dildo, to a corporation (i.e. definitely-not-Amazon), that refuses to acknowledge its mistake.
[image]
My only complaint is related to the format I chose for this book. With an attention-span in the negative digits, I can very rarely enjoy audio books to the fullest. I inevitably get distracted by one thing or another, and end up having to re-listen to chapters, or just go with the flow... and wonder where all the extra characters come from.
Score: 4.6 / 5 stars
My first (rounded-up) 5-star read of this year! *throws confetti* I just about died laughing while listening to the author's wonderfully dead-pan narrative voice, the clever corporate puns, and the overall ridiculous state of things in Qualityland. That is, before I realized just how painfully accurate the parodied concepts are in today's reality.
Is it ironic that I 5-starred a book that cautions against using this very practice thoughtlessly? Perhaps. But I did really like it. Cross my heart and hope to... live to a ripe old age?
At 28, Eloise Bridgerton is a spinster by choice. As in she chose to reject all six of her marriage proposals, wishing to save herself for that most eAt 28, Eloise Bridgerton is a spinster by choice. As in she chose to reject all six of her marriage proposals, wishing to save herself for that most elusive perfect relationship.
Assured of her best friend's company, Eloise doesn't really view spinsterhood as a burden. But then said bestie gets herself hitched to one of Eloise's very own brothers (see Romancing Mister Bridgerton), so needs must. Unbeknownst to any of her friends and family, Eloise had been secretly corresponding with her late cousin's widowed husband, who had coincidentally asked to court her in his last letter. So off she goes, determined to tackle a wholly unplanned adventure!
[image]
I wasn't initially intending to start Eloise's story, but the powers that be had sneakily added the 2nd epilogue to the 4th audio book, so I just had to! Though I didn't much care for book-Eloise, Netflix-Eloise was an entirely different matter. I definitely wanted to see just who would finally manage to catch the interest of the opinionated and head-strong heroine. And I have to say I wasn't too disappointed with the result.
Sir Philip's bewildered efforts to keep up with Eloise's 100 mph life speed were fun to watch, along with his children's attempts to thwart the couple's marriage plans. But of course they didn't count on Eloise outsmarting them, thanks to her experience with her many siblings, nieces and nephews. As for our heroine, I liked how drastically her idealistic impressions about romance got turned around, forcing her to let go of quite a few of her preconceived ideas.
[image]
The steamy sequences were yet again torturous to get through, but this time I can only blame myself. Having cringed my way through the narrator's rendition of Colin in the prequel, there was nothing to suggest an improvement in Sir Philip's rendition during... erm ... key scenes. Just as unappealing.
Score: 3/5 stars
I liked the general idea, with Eloise starting out dreaming of the grandest of plans, only to realize that happiness didn't have to equal rocket science.
While I can't currently see myself getting invested in either Hyacinth or Gregory's stories, Francesca's definitely has me interested, although this time I'll be skipping the audio book, thank you very much.
Ten years after first coming out, Penelope Featherington hasn't upped her popularity quota among the ton. She is still unmarried, with a penchant for Ten years after first coming out, Penelope Featherington hasn't upped her popularity quota among the ton. She is still unmarried, with a penchant for keeping to the edge of the dance floor, albeit she now has a much better fashion sense, and the added responsibility of chaperoning her little sister.
For all intents and purposes, Penelope's spinsterhood should feel much more depressing than our heroine makes it out to be. Yet with her current freedom to dress, eat, and indulge in all the previously forbidden hobbies, alongside her BFF Eloise Bridgerton, the reader would be hard-pressed to contradict her. Admittedly, she's still (sorta) pining after Colin Bridgerton, but let's face it: the woman has at least earned herself some eye candy. And maybe even a few glimpses into said eye candy's diary? Colin would of course disagree...
[image]
Longtime GR friends may remember my vehement dislike of the 3rd book of the series, An Offer From a Gentleman, that led me to ditch the series as a whole. And yet, here I am, almost 5 years later, diving back into the world of the Bridgerton family, thanks to all the visuals of the Netflix adaptation. Against my better judgement, I ended up quite enjoying it despite its historical inconsistencies, and the constant lilac explosion... SO SUE ME!
I have to give the book credit for its portrayal of spinster life, making Penelope both a feminist and a likable character who didn't insist on hitting everyone with an anvil-sized bite of her views (unlike coughEloisecough)... unless of course provoked by Colin. And even then, she managed to stand up for herself, without ultimately letting herself be seduced by her crush. And at the rate Colin employed his seduction tactics, Penelope deserves every accolade.
[image]
The steamy scenes however, were just plain awful. At the moment I'm inclined to lay the blame mostly at the audio book narrator's feet, whose portrayal of Colin's voice was incredibly distracting; and not in a good way. I was permanently cringing at her impossibly deep-voiced rendition of the hero. As far as I'm concerned, unless you're , there's no way for you to credibly pull off both an adult female and male voice.
Score: 2.8/5 stars
Quite an improvement over Benedict's shameless antics from book 3, not that Colin won too many points with his abhorrence of Penelope's... side business. He did make a sufficiently cheesy and showy apology in the grand finale though, so I'm willing to let things slide.
17-year-old Fanni Funke (Sophie Spark in English) has decided to drop out of high school after a miserablPublished in English as Castle in the Clouds.
17-year-old Fanni Funke (Sophie Spark in English) has decided to drop out of high school after a miserable repeat of 10th grade. Eager to get far far away from her parents' nagging, Fanni finds a job interning at the Château Janvier luxury hotel in the Swiss Alps, a.k.a the Castle in the Clouds. Full of old-timey charm and protocol, the protagonist often feels transported into an alternate reality populated by fairytale-like characters: human and animal alike.
[image] Gstaad Palace luxury hotel
I loved the episodic format of the first three quarters of the book. It sort of reminded me of 2014 movie, the parts where the young busboy tries to navigate aspects of his new job. To be fair, I can't really claim not to have found the last quarter exciting either, as I was earnestly rooting for the heroine to pull through. What I wasn't too keen on, was the very abrupt change in pacing and atmosphere. Without a gradual build-up of the atmosphere, it felt as if I had suddenly started a different book. One from the same series, but still.
Unexpectedly for me, I think that listening to the audible version actually improved my experience. Ilka Teichmüller's rendition of 9-year-old Don is top notch; which is probably why the little devil spawn ended up becoming my favourite character from the entire book. Sadly, the English narrator doesn't quite manage to capture the same precociously patronizing tone of voice.
[image]
My least favourite aspect of the book was the romantic triangle. It was completely gratuitous, meant to only highlight the protagonist's supposed smashing good looks, which for some reason only ping on the radar of the two most desirable guys. On the one hand, I really liked how her infatuation with Tristan was only present when she saw the guy, while her feelings for Ben remain constant, often spiralling out of control when he wasn't even present. Yet I can't help but wish for Tristan to have been a bit more constant in expressing his interest for Fanni, if for no other reason than to add some unpredictability to the romantic outcome.
Score: 3.45/5 stars
I was planning to insert somewhere yet another rant on Christmas-themed media, to try to reason away my second holiday-themed read this month, but then I somehow found myself rewatching for the umpteenth time... sooo basically not only am I far from a fashionable rebel, but also an unapologetic Hugh Grant fan.
[image]
Long story short: I wasn't expecting too much, but the German narrator made it all a rather fun experience.
========================= Book #19 of my "read at least 20 books in German" challenge....more
I've been circling the Sandman dramatization for what felt like years, though ÀÏ»¢»úÎÈÓ®·½·¨ logs say it was only a month and a half. I blame my browser's I've been circling the Sandman dramatization for what felt like years, though ÀÏ»¢»úÎÈÓ®·½·¨ logs say it was only a month and a half. I blame my browser's news feed, that suddenly exploded with Sandman-related article, ever since I read one on Buzzfeed. Damn you Google and your stalkerish ways!
[image]
Story improvement over audio? I was hoping for an improvement on the 3rd volume's short stories, but the Midsummer Night's Dream performance didn't get any more interesting. Although I guess I did get a different understanding by listening to the comments from the "peanut gallery".
My overall favourite story, of the travelling cat-prophet however, lost some of its charm along the way. Or maybe, I just react better to seeing the fluffy monsters, as opposed to listening to someone impersonate them...
Dramatization: yay or nay? If you already own the comics, I wouldn't shell out 15USD a month, just to listen to the exact same story. Although, I do agree that Neil Gaiman is an excellent narrator, and could probably give reading the phonebook a go.
[image]
I'm still working on reconciling James McAvoy's voice with my mental "imagery" of Morpheus, but should I decide to move forward with the sequels I'll probably get used to it.
Score: 3.3 /5 stars
All in all, not a bad way to pass a couple of days, but if (like me) you already own the comics, I wouldn't call the dramatisation a must have. I mean, ideally someone would create a fan video combining the audio with the relevant images from the comics, but the end effect is not that different.
Every country thinks their history is the most important, and that’s especially true in the West. But if black South Africans could go back in time an
Every country thinks their history is the most important, and that’s especially true in the West. But if black South Africans could go back in time and kill one person, Cecil Rhodes would come up before Hitler. If people in the Congo could go back in time and kill one person, Belgium’s King Leopold would come way before Hitler.
Not sure about you, but my initial response to that was: Who? Oh wait... I think I heard of King Leopold being mentioned in the latest ? I guess he wasn't fictional after all.
I've always considered myself to be a fairly educated person, with a decent grasp on General Knowledge. I'm of course no walking encyclopedia, and historical dates evade me more often than not (thank you Facebook for the birthday reminders), however I can always find "plenty" -- ok three -- of (not so) obscure Latin phrases in my long-time memory.
[image]
Yet for all that pride in my general knowledge, I have to admit that, before listening to this book, I wouldn't have been able to tell you exactly what the Apartheid was about. I had definitely heart of it, but beyond guessing that it was some sort of political movement, I would not have known much more.
This book shocked me to the core, opening my eyes to a whole different world. I knew Trevor Noah as the handsome guy going on and on about Trump at the Daily Show. I didn't know about the mixed blooded little boy who wasn't allowed to hold his own mother's hand in public. I had no idea that some 5 year-olds have to run for their lives merely for existing, nor could I have ever imagined a cheese-based level of riches.
[image]
Score: 5/5 stars
I was listening to this book on my way to and from work, while shopping, and before falling asleep. I even zoned out staring at the supermarket, too immersed in the story of Noah's mother: a young single woman, who brazenly propositioned a much older Swiss man for a kid. The book literally took over my entirely life for the 2 days it took me to listen to it. ...more
You know about work-life balance right? I mean of course in theory, as the practical part of it still eludes me. So when your (hypothetical?) wife thrYou know about work-life balance right? I mean of course in theory, as the practical part of it still eludes me. So when your (hypothetical?) wife threatens divorce you know not to take the job. Which you don't... but, why should that stop you from socializing with the would-be employer? Aside from the possibility of spousal unrest, that is.
Summed up: it is a very brief audio-drama whose recording lasts about 30 minutes. Nothing life changing happens. On the contrary: it abounds in cliches. The End.
The two main things I took away were: - another completed level in Bubble Witch [image]
- a fun audio-story [image]
Since the first one put me in a good mood, the latter merited a 3/5 star rating. If you have audible credits to spare (like I did), feel free to get it. Otherwise, don't bother....more
If there is ever someone who can make me "swoon" by reading the phone book, it's Stephen Fry. Because when he does, you are damn well getting a show. If there is ever someone who can make me "swoon" by reading the phone book, it's Stephen Fry. Because when he does, you are damn well getting a show. And that's about the main reason for the high rating of this book.
Had I tried to read this book, as opposed to listening to it, there's a high possibility I would've dropped it half-way through. As terrible as it may sound, I was dreadfully bored throughout most of the experience.
[image]
Luckily for the author, his reading/acting voice makes everything so much better, which is what earned the book at least 1.5 stars. The fact that Stephen Fry basically attended Hogwarts twice (elementary school AND university), earned it yet another star. And then the funny stuff added 1 more star. See reading updates for the latter.
When I first visited London, I was constantly having people repeat themselves when talking to me. On the one hand, I was obviously unfamiliar with the variety of English accents and it took me some time to mentally process some of them. On the other hand, I was so excited to be surrounded by everything and anything British that I forgot to actually pay attention to the content of what I was being told, too busy enjoying the English-ness of it all.
[image]
This second aspect describes about 80% of my experience listening to the audio-book. And yes, that meant that I would frequently have to rewind it, after realizing that I had tuned out the last half an hour. Not that it was unpleasant, but writing more than 2 paragraphs waxing lyrical about the voice of the author tends to get tedious (for you) and embarrassing (for me).
Score: 3.7/5 stars
If you like serious biographies, choose a different book. If you find overpaid celebrities annoying, get another reading material.
On the other hand, if you don't like serious stuff, but feel that comic delivery can impress some gravitas on you, consider giving this book a chance. And of course, if you think British accent can manage to tingle your ears in a most pleasant fashion, by all means give the book a listen. Even if only for a few minutes....more
Having been a fan of the Gilmore Girls TV series for such a long time, this book was a real treat for me. It could have tooootally been an account of Having been a fan of the Gilmore Girls TV series for such a long time, this book was a real treat for me. It could have tooootally been an account of the life and times of Lorelai Gilmore.
[image]
There were tonnes of humorous and cringe-worthy situations in it, along with plenty of thoughtful advice to be found, generally delivered by Lauren's Old Lady Jackson persona. And we of course, can't forget the hilarious amount of procrastination needed to write a book. In general, and in particular. Now that is very relatable...
Score: 3.3 / 5 stars
I enjoyed listening to this audio book immensely, and could point out numerous scenes and quotes that still cause me hearty laughter. I loved the fact that it was Lauren Graham narrating the book, which gave everything an even funnier twist.
Then again, I am a huge Gilmore Girls fan, who must've (RE)watched the series at least 10 times over, so any excuse to immerse myself in the TV series' universe is an good acceptable one. ...more
I wouldn't consider myself a fan of Anna Kendrik. For the longest time, I would only think of her as that chick from Twilight. You know, one of those I wouldn't consider myself a fan of Anna Kendrik. For the longest time, I would only think of her as that chick from Twilight. You know, one of those side characters who completely lose their usefulness once those shiny vampires steal the show. Then I saw her in Pitch Perfect, fell in love with her singing voice, caught her on some Late Night TV shows... and I discovered I kind of liked her, after all.
[image]
This little collection of memoirs is like that too. I didn't know much about her, but the book's title is quirky enough to make me give it a chance. I dove in... and eventually realized I actually very much LIKED what I was reading.
It feels totally weird, creepy and a whole different level of inappropriate to articulate this, but... I very much like her life. There are those people who get discovered late in their life, while shopping at the market place, cast in this incredibly successful movie/TV series... I don't know about you, but I never really felt happy for them; more like complete and utter envy.
Anna Kendrick however, had to work her ASS off to be where she is. Starting as a child actor in a theater play, born in an ordinary (lower middle-class?) family, being "cast away" from shows for no longer being scrawny enough to pass as a much younger person, spending her late teens living in a seedy apartment in LA, waiting for her (adult) career to start....
My favorite part of the book, is her love of baking. While I would never trade writing reviews for any sort of cooking/baking, reading Anna's take on it, sort of fired me up to try my hand baking as well. Alas, as I was listening to the book on my way to work, I would forget all about my baking inspiration by the time I got home... so nothing happened. No need to get excited.
[image]
Baking is a really fun way to get people to like you. Being a good listener, a lively conversationalist, a loyal friend... it takes so much energy. Spend a couple of hours alone in your kitchen and get the same effects? Sign me UP!
When I was in the throes of my baking phase, my oven broke, and luckily different friends were happy to host me for a few hours, and let me fill their apartments with the smell of cinnamon, while I refused to let them help, because YOU DON'T KNOW THE SYSTEM!
This meant I would sometimes spend hours in someone else's home, experimenting, cursing and emerging from the kitchen looking like I'd fought off a rabid cat. But my hazelnut tart would be shiny and beautiful, and I would pawn it off on someone who hadn't seen behind the curtain and would praise me as a culinary genius.
There's a bit about her role in Twilight, which she seems to think no one remembers (or rather, noticed). I wonder how annoying it would be for her to realize that there are people out there (i.e. yours truly) who tend to primarily remember the actress for this particular role?Then again, she doesn't seem to share my opinion of it being a movie/series only worth giggling one's way through.
For some reason I felt sort of weird, when she praised Kristen Stuart's work ethic. It felt so... off? Totally unlike the truckload of bad press that I've ingested about the latter. Ah well, there goes my motivation to keep calling her shovel face (herd mentality FTW?).
Score: 4/5 stars
Yet another memoir acquired in Audible format that was worth its money credit. It's entertaining, funny, contains a truckload of those embarrassing stories that you wish you had the courage to open up about, but know it'll never happen. Like seriously: you'll murder the person who dares to even bring it up.
[image]
Last but not least: the book's biggest plus is, that you can TOTALLY enjoy it even if you're not very familiar with the actress. Actually I think it's possible to like it without necessarily knowing anything about the author....more
We follow the life of a young girl of indeterminate age, as she travels the world in a circus with her parents, aunt and sister. We are privy to her inner thoughts, akin to reading a diary, as she makes some funny and some increasingly ominous remarks about the people around her.
The whole experience is peppered by the protagonist's reaction to a creepy little story, told by her sister. In said story a child somehow finds itself cooking in the polenta. At first, the protagonist is content to keep pestering her sister about the reason for the child's predicament. But later, as her own life is steadily taking a turn for the worse, she comes up with increasingly unbelievable and horrifying scenarios by means of an explanation.
[image]
I'm not entirely sure that opting for the audible version was the best medium for the book. This version can be more accurately characterized as a dramatization of the story, rather than the audio version of the book. Unfortunately it was the only digital medium that I could find in this language, and I really wanted to read the book in German... plus it came free with the audible trial period. Always a big plus.
Score: 4.3/5 stars
A very short, but deeply moving story that will definitely stay with me for a long time to come. This is probably thanks to the excellent voice acting, both easy to understand as well as suitably creepy.
I'm not giving it 5 stars however, as the audible version uses multiple voice actors for the main character. At one point it made me wonder if there were actually 5 different narrators, instead of just one....more
Ms. Smartarse
>
Books:
audible
(34)
Loading...
