Friday, August 31

Book Review: Hornet Flight by Ken Follett

Author: Ken Follett
Title: Hornet Flight
Genre: Historical Fiction 
Pages: 420
Published: December 2nd 2002 
Where I Got It: Gift

It is June 1941 and the war is not going well for England.  Across the North Sea, eighteen-year-old Harald Olufsen takes a shortcut on the German-occupied Danish island of Sande an discovers an astonishing sight that will change the momentum of the war.  He must get word to England-except that he has no way to get there.  He has only an old derelict Hornet Moth biplane rusting away in a ruined church: a plane so decrepit that it is unlikely ever to get off the ground...even if Harald knew how to fly it.


I have heard of this author but I have never tried him out, so when my friend randomly gifted this to me, I was pretty excited. Plus WWII is always interesting. I always feel like I am learning something new. 

The story is set in 1941 and the war is not going well. England is pretty much alone and Germany is taking over everything. Things happen and Harald discovers something that can change everything. But how on Earth will he get this info out?

There were a lot of characters at play here. Harald, though, is the main character. I liked him, but I really did like Hermia and Karen. I found them more interesting. Harald was okay, but those two were the best I felt. 

The action was good but it take me a long while to really get into the story. The beginning started off quickly, but I did not connect with anyone right away. After a certain event, I became invested and was curious about how everything was going to be okay. The Nazis made it impossible for them for sure. 

There is a lot of description here and sometimes it did seem over-the-top and slowed down the narrative. However, there were times when we really needed it to understand the world and the characters. 

In the end, I did enjoy this. It took a while to get through but I was curious. I was worried how everything was going to be okay in the end. Nazis are worrisome like normal. Overall, I shall stamp this with 3 stars. Some over-description and slow spots, but I did like the story. Lots of action and a good set of characters.  





Thursday, August 30

Blog All About It: BEGINNING - POETRY EDITION




This month the prompt is "BEGINNING". I went back and forth on what I should do. I had ideas but everything fell through. SOOOO I will do the easy idea....poems about BEGINNINGS. Hehe. 

BY JAMES WRIGHT
The moon drops one or two feathers into the field.   
The dark wheat listens.
Be still.
Now.
There they are, the moon's young, trying
Their wings.
Between trees, a slender woman lifts up the lovely shadow
Of her face, and now she steps into the air, now she is gone
Wholly, into the air.
I stand alone by an elder tree, I do not dare breathe
Or move.
I listen.
The wheat leans back toward its own darkness,
And I lean toward mine.



By David Malouf

The table’s there in the kitchen, where I kneel 
on a high chair, tongue at air, trawling a slate 
with pot-hooks; on the track of words; on the track of this word, 
table. Is there instant, wobbly wooden, 
four-square in it solid self, and does not need 
my presence to underwrite its own or scrawl, 
thick tongue, thick hand, a puddle slate and knock it 
up out of blue nowhere. Where are they, table, 
slate, slate-pencil, kitchen, and that solid 
intent child on one knee reaching for sawn 
planks back there? Breathless today, or almost, 
I wrestle uphill to where, in a forest gap 
of table size, it stands, four legged, dumb, 
still waiting. An unbreathed word among the chirrup 
and chafe, it taps a foreleg. Table, I mutter. 
With tool-marks fresh as tongue-licks, already criss-crossed 
with scars I feel my own where hard use makes them, 
it moves as that child’s hand moves about muddy water.



By Ruth Vanita

Coming so late, you made all early
Again — all was yet to do, nothing
To say — we had said everything
Before we met, some other place.
Each meeting confirmation, each
Greeting grace. Beatitude so easy
Could not but alarm. Drawn to a 
Reflection irresistibly, we
Stopped, fearing to drown.

Wednesday, August 29

Audiobook Review: Wild Irish Root - Margaret & Sean by Tricia O'Malley

Author: Tricia O'Malley
Narrator: Amy Landon
Title: Wild Irish Roots - Margaret & Sean (Mystic Cove #5)
Genre: Paranormal Romance & Fantasy
Pages: Audiobook
Published: August 12th 2015
Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

“The longest road out is the shortest road home.” - Irish Proverb 

Admitting mistakes isn’t easy. And for hardheaded Margret O’Brien, it’s virtually unheard of. When Margaret comes back to Ireland for her daughter’s wedding, she is forced to face her past. She just didn’t expect to be doing it thrown upside down over a devastatingly handsome and exceptionally angry Irishman’s shoulder. 

Yet Sean Burke can still make her toes curl with lust. 

Twenty-eight years, two countries, and years of hurt stand between Sean and Margaret’s chance at love. 


I’ve been curious about getting my hands on this one. I’ve wanted to learn more about Keelin’s mom and what happened there to make her so bitter. 

The story follows Margaret and Sean. They came together when they were really young. She was 19 and he was in his early 20s (I can’t remember precisely). They had insta-love and insta-lust. They dated for a few weeks and then they did the deed. Things happened and they fell apart. It was really sad. Margaret ran away to Boston after she found out she was preggo. She started her own business and vowed never to return to Ireland and never see Sean again. Things happened Keelin, the daughter, found the love of her life in Maggie’s old town and to come face-to-face with Sean. 

It was so sad to see what happened to these lovebirds. Both are to blame and both are victims. They are both stubborn and knuckle-heads. I was annoyed with Sean for not at least try to be in his daughter’s life even though Maggie said to stay away. He is still the dad and he should’ve at least try there. BUT people are young and dumb. They all grow up and are brought together again because of Keelin and her new family. 

I did not like Maggie much at first. She was snotty and bratty. She was SO selfish. I’m glad a certain character really put her in her place. Well…I feel like everyone gave her a good verbal lashing. Sean deserved it too. 

The story was good, but I had a hard time in the middle there because I was annoyed at both of them. Once things started to mend, I felt better and after a certain event, I was hooked again. Can’t say what, but it kept me going. 

THAT ENDING! UGH! SO GOOD! The next book is about Fiona, so we are going back in time. I am excited about that…..BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT! EEE! Don’t leave me hanging author!!!!!!

The narrator...like normal...was flawless. I loved her voices for characters and she does not stray. You can tell who is talking. LOVE IT. 

In the end, I did like this. Not my favorite because I had a hard time liking Maggie and Sean. However, it was important to read this and learn what started the whole series. I am sad there is one book left. Hopefully, the author will write more. Who knows!? I can hope, can’t I? But yes, still pretty good even though there was a brief time I was not feeling it. I’ll give this 3 stars. 



Monday, August 27

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: Bad Reputation by Stephanie London



Audio CD, 11 h
Published August 7th 2018 by Tantor Audio
Bad Bachelors #2
Contemporary romance
For review

My thoughts:
Omg, this Bad Bachelor app is so evil. If you read book 1 then you know. It ruined someone's life. Here the reviews are positive, but if you are trying to put on a show that might fail, then maybe you do not want the press to discuss the size of your private parts instead of your show.

In book 1 we learned who made the app. In this one I got even madder at that person. I can not forgive that person. Enough is enough.

But yes to the book. Wes has a big *beeeep*. Or so the reviews say. He is a good guy. And all he wants is to have his show be a success, on its own merits.

Remy is a dancer who has given up trying to be the dancer she wants to be. She is scared of letting anyone in, and there will be drama. Though, stop and listen woman. Stop and listen!

There is dancing, trying to get ready in time for opening night. And falling in love with someone you maybe should not fall for at this moment. But like they could stop it.

Though listening to it felt long at times cos they talked a lot and sometimes about nothing. That works better in print.

I want to say more about the app creator , but can not. But I guess that person might be a main character in the next book....

Conclusion:
Romance, dancing and a bit of drama.


Narrator: Larissa Gallagher
I felt she was good at times with her voices and range. But I also felt she did not put enough emotion in her narrating.

Blurb:
It's true, Wes is well-endowed. But everything else is a huge misunderstanding . . . Wes Evans, son of Broadway royalty, just wants to achieve something without riding his family's coattails. Too bad the whole world is talking about his sex life after the notorious Bad Bachelors app dubs him "The Anaconda." But when he sees a talented ballet dancer, he knows she is exactly what he needs to make his show a success. Remi Drysdale only had one thought when she fled Australia for New York-never mix business with pleasure again. Ever. Working with Wes is the perfect chance to reclaim her career. Remi promises herself not to tangle with the guy who holds her career in his hands . . . no matter how enticing his reviews are on the Bad Bachelors app. 

Sunday, August 26

Joint Review: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi






Hello all! Blodeuedd and I will be discussing "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi. Blodeudd is in blue and I am in purple. 





Author: Yaa Gyasi
Title: Homegoing
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: ebook
Published: June 7th 2016
Where I Got It: Borrowed from library


Two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, are born into different villages in eighteenth-century Ghana. Effia is married off to an Englishman and lives in comfort in the palatial rooms of Cape Coast Castle. Unbeknownst to Effia, her sister, Esi, is imprisoned beneath her in the castle's dungeons, sold with thousands of others into the Gold Coast's booming slave trade, and shipped off to America, where her children and grandchildren will be raised in slavery. One thread of Homegoing follows Effia's descendants through centuries of warfare in Ghana, as the Fante and Asante nations wrestle with the slave trade and British colonization. The other thread follows Esi and her children into America. From the plantations of the South to the Civil War and the Great Migration, from the coal mines of Pratt City, Alabama, to the jazz clubs and dope houses of twentieth-century Harlem, right up through the present day, Homegoing makes history visceral, and captures, with singular and stunning immediacy, how the memory of captivity came to be inscribed in the soul of a nation. 



This book is a good one for discussions, and even if at least to me it was not amazing. Does not mean it wasn’t good though! It was good, but I also felt it could have been more. But so much better than our other books ;) Finally a good one.

It was pretty good. Not amazing. Just good. There is a lot to discuss for sure. I felt the beginning was the best and I enjoyed it more. The further down the family line we went the less I cared. I think I would’ve flipped the way the story was written. Start with the modern family and go back and save the good stuff for the ending.

Same. I really liked the beginning. I have never read anything set in Africa at that time. I would have loved more there. I also liked the African bits more than the American ones. Mostly again cos I have never read anything set at that time. I felt what was lacking from the American ones were, warmth? Good characters? Some were interesting, while others, not so much. Some got better at the end, but yes, some of those guys were meh.

I have to agree. I didn’t like the American line after the Civil War. It seemed to lose my interest. I enjoyed the other side more. It was more interesting story-wise and character-wise. I’ve read a couple books set over in Africa, but not much. Plus, I did find it more interesting to see how everyone over in Africa dealt with the colonization and dealing with what they did. Loads of shame and guilt! I can’t imagine selling my neighbors off to be slaves. Yes, the British and other white people are asshats, but the ones left behind allowing and even selling their own people is horrible.

It’s good money in selling your enemies, and it is something we do not read about much, as I have never read a book about it. Those are some horrible enemies to have! I liked how some wises up and thought how evil it was. But the darkness of the British, ugh, that one scene were some soldiers go down into the dungeons. What the f was wrong with them!?

That scene made me so angry! Like these women already have enough Hell to deal with. Monsters the load of them. All of them.

I could not get into my head how they could be that effed up, and then go and marry other women from there…

I don’t get it either. But they were considered lessers since they are just now slaves. Being drunk probably was a huge factor too. SMH. Humans are cruel.

I had actually thought we would see more of actual slavery and I was surprised that we did not. Ok so that might be weird to say, but it’s such a big part and there was just one woman and then nothing more cos they got away.

It was strange. I did expect more from there. I’m glad they got away, but I didn’t expect them to. I totally thought they were going to get caught and beat for trying to run away.

Good that someone got away. And I guess she wanted to write about how slaves and free people had to move again cos of that stupid law. Not to mention it did not matter if you were free or not cos someone could just kidnap and sell you.

Very true. Even if you get away it doesn’t make you truly free.

Horrible. No wonder some fled as fast as they could.

What did you think of the ending?

A bit of anti-climactic. I wanted them to know!

Yeaaa...like it was okay, but I felt like there should’ve been more. There was something missing so it didn’t feel complete.

Same. I liked how it came together, but yes I wanted more.

More was needed for the ending and for the later generations. The best part was the beginning. I said that before but the last few chapters left me feeling meh.

Same. She lost some of what made it good there.

I really think she should’ve just done the first couple of generations and left the rest in an epilogue of sorts.I wanted to know more of the earlier generations. How they lived and etc. I didn’t connect with any of the characters except for the first couple of characters.

Yes, I did not connect with...ack what was his name. 6th generation guy in Africa and his daughter. The previous ones were better. And in the US I lost interest with that H guy.

The half-sisters and their kids were my favorites. The rest? Eh.

Still, an interesting book and it could have been fleshed out. I saw that some did not like the whole 14 POVS things, but I did like that, but yes it could have been more like 10 ;)

I could get behind that for sure. Maybe there were just too many so I didn’t get to connect with them as much.

Anything more to add?


Mhmmm...an interesting book and one that would be good to read. It really gives you a new way to look at certain parts of history. I think a series would’ve been fun so we can stretch everything out, but I did enjoy it overall.

Hmm, maybe on the series, but for me the flashes worked well, but the characters not always. I liked the shortness of it all cos the pages flew by.

Valid. I did like how simple and felt quick. It was a quick read and I blew through it without really realizing it was coming to an end. A series might’ve ruined that.

Short and on the point. I like books I can breeze through. I totally needed that. I mean it took only 2 days and I have no time to read these days so…

It took me 3 days which is pretty quick since it was like 300 pages. Darn work always getting in the way ;) Yes. Quick, simple, but packed with a lot of stories that make you think.

The make you think things were good. And yes again, I want to read more books set in Africa in the 1700s

Shall we wrap things up, there is poop that has to be taken care of…

Yessss I need to find our water shoes for the up north trip. Ugh. Goodness knows where those are at X_X A good discussion! The end?

The end ;)



About the Authors
Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging a long while now. The last couple of years the epic duo have been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.





Saturday, August 25

Saturday Movie Night: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018)








Hello everyone! This month Blodeuedd and I are reviewing, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. 




Blodeuedd is in red and I am in blue.



Title:  The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Genre: Historical Fiction, Drama, Romance
Running Time: 2 hr & 4 min
Rating: PG - 13
Released: 2018

In the aftermath of World War II, a writer forms an unexpected bond with the residents of Guernsey Island when she decides to write a book about their experiences during the war.













TRAILER: 






DISCUSSION: 



WOhoo, I picked a good one!!! All bow before me!

*bows* I am so happy this was good!

Told you ;) Well, ok I hoped it would be good cos the book was fantastic! Ack so good! You have to read it. I am glad they made a good movie then too :)

I do not think I read the book but the movie was so good.

It does feel weird when I can compare, and in that aspect the book was better cos it was different and told through letters. Which obvi would not work here ;) They did manage to do it well though by sending her to Guernsey. But one point that I hoped for in the book did not come through as much here. Ok ok, so I knew what had happened, but I also felt that IT was obvious hint hint.

I loved that they sent her there. She was able to connect with everyone face-to-face. I did feel bad for Mark tho…

Yes, poor Mark, he loved her, but….come on, he did not stand a chance.

Yessss but poor guy. Took it like a champ too. Kuddos, but yeah...I get it, but I still was team Mark.

In the book I was clearly Team Else, but here, damn that ring! And the roses! And that last kiss. For what? I fear I really liked Team Mark too.

Else was awesome in his own ways and it would be fun to read books with him and him be interested in them, BUT Mark was so sweet. Sighs. Oh well.

Mark will find someone who appreciates him more, like he could fall in love with her publisher. Yes Mark found out he did not like women after all.

Really???? See. One thing about books...there is SO much more stories and info in it. LOL.

Lol, well I liked her publisher, he was cute. He needs a HEA too. Ok we have only talked about Mark so far, must think of something else.

LOL love how Mark took over there. But yes. I must say I liked how there was that one character that Elizabeth was in love with (will not say - so there is no spoiler) and it makes you think. It added complexity to the story. Ugh. So hard not to spoil it to make my ramblings make sense. LOL

I had managed to forget that. It was after all, long ago. But yes, everything is not black and white. There is a lot of grey. Though I would have liked more info, now it was more bam...ok, when did that happen?

Yesss I would’ve liked to see more of them. So sad...super sad.

I remember hoping, even though I knew. So sad. Though I did not cry, you said you cried somewhere?

I did. I so did cry when the big reveal was told at the table. Oooo emotions.

Aw, yes, maybe cos I already knew it spoiled it a bit for me. Still sad!

Probably, but everyone’s reactions got me. Even Mark was upset (hehehe Mark slips in again). It broke my little heart!! Maybe it was because I had hope and all my hope was dashed and exploded and UGH! I am tearing up just thinking of it again!

Omg, you are so in love with Mark!! But he was one fine man. Here’s to you Mark!

Here here!! xD Else was great too. I liked the old guy a lot too (can’t remember his name) and the crazy lady who made the gin (god - I can’t remember her name). I want her to have an HEA too. Poor thing.

I think she got a HEA, she did have a flirt going with someone if you remember. But yes the old guy and his grandson were lovely. I can not say I was that keen on the old lady. And of course the pig farmer was very nice too.

I do remember, but then she said she didn’t like anyone in town. Awww she deserves one. That old lady annoyed me. Yes, she lost her daughter...but she was so bitter. She did have some funny lines. LOL

I think she fancied him, I like happiness :)
But yes the old lady was SO bitter. Everyone lost someone. They all had to try to move on. But then there has to be someone who was bitter. At least she was still a good person and not like that piece of S#it “hotel owner” that she meets.

Ah! Yes. I forgot about that hotel lady. WHAT A WITCH! Ugh! How dare she. Calls herself a woman of god. >_> I’m glad she got a good tongue-lashing. Also, that one dude who liked to turn people in for money. Piece of trash. I’m surprised they didn’t run his traitor butt out once the Nazis left.

Ugh, yes, throw him off the island!

Horrible, horrible man. But that shows how kind-hearted those islanders are overall. They allowed him to stay. I do want to live there (of course after the Nazis leave XD). It would be fun I think. It was so beautiful!
It did look really wonderful! And you know, I did not even know that the Germans took over Channel island during the war before I read that book.

I honestly didn’t know either. When the move first started, I thought we were in France and then I realized that it wasn’t. Was that a real place? Goodness. Even though I spent so much time studying WWII in High School and College...I still learn something new all the time. Such a big war. I do not think we’ll ever know everything about it.

Yes G and Jersey, but then how could we know. Yes we both learned about WW2, but obvi you learned more about the US efforts while I learned more how we fought Russia.

The war certainly took over the whole war. Even countries NOT involved still was involved in some shape or form. Craziness!

They should make more movies or whatever about it, it feels like people just forgot that they were occupied too. We are missing interesting things here, and surely sad ones too.

Agreed. And it does make sense why England was SO invested and wouldn’t quit. I honestly cannot imagine having to go through an occupation like that. This movie/book really showed a part of occupation people forget about. The people who take over can get rid of all the books and literature they deem not appropriate. How many books burned!! As a book lover I cannot imagine having to get rid of certain books or not having access to the library anymore. It is so trivial compared to everything going on, but it is an important part of society and culture. The Nazis took so much.

Not the books! Books, art, everything the stole and that was lost. Sometimes I forget how evil humankind can be. And I have not even started to think about genocide yet. We really are a despicable race aren’t we :(

We really can be. So much hatred, so many bad things happen because of us. The movie really showed that BUT it also showed the love we can create. The kindness especially from Elizabeth. I adored her. She even jumped out in front of the soldiers and yelled at them. She was so brave! She really was a symbol of the goodness in humanity. She risked her life over and over again to do kindness. She stood for love.

I thought they would kill her right there,  I was surprised they didn’t. And yes I loved how brave she was, when no one else seemed to be.

I thought about that too. Maybe it was because she yelled at them in English and those foot soldiers didn’t understand? She got lucky indeed. The old lady played it off well. Or maybe they gave a hair of lieway and didn’t want to cause a riot during their ceremony march? Who knows.

Yes true, better not kill anyone during their victory march. Plenty of time for that later.

You can bet for sure she was on their radar after that…
Sorry bby puked on me. Waaaait

EEEK!

Ok, I am back! She did not like all this nazi talk it seemed.
Anything more to add, the puke made me forget anything I had on my mind.

Gross. LOLLL But do you blame her??? Nazis make me wanna puke too.
But err….erm….all I have to say this was a good movie. I loved the story and the characters (even the bitter ones). It was worth the watch even if you haven’t read the book. Laughs, love, sadness, books, and pie.

Yes watch it, read it, or do both. Worth every way possible :) I had thought I had to wait a long time, I thought it was to be a cinema movie, but to all netflix fans out there. Go get it

Yesss! Super good.

Your pick next time then

Oh dear...how on Earth will I find a good one?? LOL! This is hard to beat!!! You picked too well this month!

Haha, thank you. One good movie a year, just like one good book a year.

Hehehe. I think that is how it goes. We each get one really good movie and book for the year. XD

The end then?


The end!