Peril at End House…The actual review!

First Impressions:

It was really interesting to start off reading this book. I’m not sure that if you remember now but I started these having seen the television series and had not read a single book! I am so grateful for this challenge! One of the first impressions that I got from this book how interesting it is that it’s from the point of Hastings, Poirot’s friend. Which if you’ve seen the tv series you’ll know that the series is not usually told from a third person point of view. It made it interesting to start off with Hastings. It had never even occurred to me that this would be how the book would be written, rather than how the television episode is shown.

Positive Impressions:

Overall I really enjoyed this book. I realised that I hadn’t seen the tv episode of this book either. I’m not even certain that there is an television episode. Still writing by Agatha Christie which is funny and witty. (*On a side note lots of Trump supporters thinking “witty” mean to put down someone’s looks* They should read this book sometime then they’ll understand witty.)

It was also the first book that I read that had both Poirot and Hastings. It was a really interesting perspective. You can read the fondness that Poirot and Hasting have for one another, even with their (actual) witty insults. It’s interesting because as I have mentioned (numerous times) I have never read a book of Agatha Christie’s, I’ve only ever seen the televisions series and movies.  It was a little disconcerting because Poirot seemed to be mean to Hastings but after a little while of reading, you understood better.

Negative Impressions:

I honestly didn’t really find too much wrong with the book. I mean Agatha Christie is a legendary author for a reason. It’s like trying to find something wrong with Beatrix Potter, it’s just not going to happen. The only thing that I did not enjoy and this is probably just the cynical/modern side too me. They are all just too jolly happy when it comes to murder! They find it exciting. It’s just a little odd too me.

Overall Challenge Breakdown:

I absolutely enjoyed this challenge. Coming from someone who had never actually read an Agatha Christie novel but had seen the whole television series and the movies. I started it with a little trepidation that I would not enjoy the books. I am very happy to very wrong on these circumstance. I already have put holds on other Agatha Christie novels through my Library.

Thank you to “This is my truth now” For setting up this challenge!

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The Body in the Library

First Impressions:

Once again this is one of the books that I haven’t read but have seen numerous times on the television. It’s actually one of my favourites in the series. I started to read this with great anticipation. I really enjoyed the first couple of chapters. This is a book with Miss Marple in it, but she wasn’t in that much in the beginning. Yet, I’ve been enjoying it nevertheless.

Positive Impressions:

I really enjoyed this book, it’s interesting, especially at the beginning it doesn’t have Miss Marple in it that much. The reason why I found this so interesting was because in the show, she’s pretty much there straight away. There were a few differences, which I was actually glad of. It meant that when I read the ending it was a lot different than the television episode, which gives it a nice surprise. Of course the writing is beautiful. I would call the book gay in it’s original word sense. Even though it was about a body and a murder, it was quiet jolly.

Negative Impressions:

The only truly bad thing that I could say about the book was that a couple of the characters in the book itself. Although it was a happy read, some of the characters, for my liking were just a bit too happy. It could possibly be about my own cynical side coming through. I have a hard time believing that even if you know your husband is not guilty and you don’t know the victim. They were still found dead in your house and your husband in being accused of their murder, no one could possibly be THAT excited about it.

Next book:

Peril at End House

If you wish to learn more about the Agatha Christie Reading Marathon, please check This is my truth now – Agatha Christie Marathon

Fury Born Review

The Break Down:

Angels are Demons, and chosen ones seem to always fall to the dark side. You are taken along on the journey of two different female protagonist. You realise fairly early on who is who and who they are supposed too. It’s very much about the demon and angel within us all and how the choices we make affect us and those around us.

Positive Review:

I enjoyed most of this book. I think it definitely written for a young audience, I think it’s written for your Young Adult audience. The introduction was fantastic and it really will drag you in and make you want to keep reading. I always love a book that can drag me in to start with. The challenge is always keeping the reader interesting the rest of the way…

Negative Review:

Which then leads me to my negative review…The parts of the book that did frustrate me was the repetitiveness of the chapters. The same theme happening over and over again. I’m afraid to say that it became boring after a couple of chapters. I was hoping for something more.  I wish that instead of Rielle fighting with another element, every single chapter and nothing really that much more. It could have been condensed into a couple of longer chapters instead. I felt like it was dragging on and it didn’t need to be. I became one of those people who briefly read the ending just to make sure something does happen at the end.

My Breakdown:

It starts off SO well. I can’t express how much the beginning of this book got me involved into it. I wanted to know everything about everyone, by the 6th chapter I felt like I knew where the story was going. The rest of the book felt a bit too dragged out.  Then as you head towards the ending of the book, it drags you back in again and it feels like it is going somewhere. I will be getting the book in the next series, but possibly I’ll borrow it from the Library first.

The Secret Adversary

First Impressions

As I start to read this book, I can’t help but admit a tinge of sadness when I realise that this book has neither Poirot or Miss Marple in it. However, I do feel as though I do actually know the characters Tommy and Tuppence. I have also realised that there is actually a tv series called “Partners in Crime” which are based on Tommy and Tuppence. I am sad though that this is not a Poirot or Miss Marple book though.

The book itself is beautifully written, it’s so full of what you expect of Agatha Christie, a completely peppy character and a sullen figure. As well as “totally did not see that coming”.

Negative Impressions:

I think my negative impressions of this book are all on myself entirely. When I realised that neither Miss Marple of Poirot were in this book, it honestly did put me off a little. It made it more difficult for myself to read, because I wasn’t really interested in these two characters. There was  nothing wrong with the characters, just that for myself. I was just not interested in it.

Next book:

“The Body in the Library”

If you wish to learn more about the Agatha Christie Reading Marathon, please check This is my truth now – Agatha Christie Marathon

The Murder at the Vicarage

First Impressions:

It felt like I could honestly hear Geraldine’s McEwan’s “Miss Marple” as the Miss Marple in this book. It was uncanny! It was a very weird feeling, but it also made me feel happy to keep reading it as she was my favourite Miss Marple. Did anyone else feel like that as well?

Positive Impressions

I really enjoyed this classic novel! You can tell why Agatha Christie is one of the greats! I have seen this novel on tv and I still couldn’t remember how the two who “did the murder” how they did it. I did not skip to the end. It is a pretty short novel compared to some around her time and those of time, but it just means it makes good for some who finds reading boring. A little bit more pleasurable. (I don’t, but I would highly recommend this for someone who finds it difficult to read long books).

Negative Impressions

Too be completely honest with you all…I didn’t really have anything bad to say about this book. There was one point where I think they got the names wrong, but it was only once, if it happened. The writing was beautifully written and as I mentioned before, I have seen the tv series. However, I could not remember why and how they did it.

I did not read the ending of the book first.

Next book:

“The Secret Adversary”

If you wish to learn more about the Agatha Christie Reading Marathon, please check This is my truth now – Agatha Christie Marathon

A Lord of Shadows

 I finished this book a while ago. One of the reasons though I am able to write about it a bit later is that I actually bought the book. Which means I have been able to go back and forth reminding myself *if I’ve needed too*

(You can also find me on Goodread here and see what else I’m reading at the moment)

I really enjoy writing and reviewing Cassandra Clare’s book. They are such a joy to read and I love encouraging people to read them…In series order of course! I will also warn, that if you haven’t read it yet, I will probably more than likely be revealing a couple of things. Although if you read the first book “Lady Midnight” you will probably know a couple of these things that I talk about.

Negative Bits:

I wanted to get this over and done with. Mainly because then I can just write to my hearts content how fabulous this book is!

The main issue that I had with this book is the same issue that I’ve always had, with all the Shadowhunters book. It does annoy me that, even though, the Parabatai are “supposed” to be able to tell how each other is feeling. It always seems to be conveniently misplaced, when it’s…well…convenient.

For those who do not know what a ‘Parabatai’ is. It’s a bond between two people. Can be male and female, male and male, female and female and siblings. When I say “bond” I mean they are SUPPOSED to be able to sense how the other one is feeling. Not reading minds, but they can essentially feel when something is off. Now if I was dating someone to pretend to be in love with them, so my Parabatai couldn’t tell that I was in love with them. That would be a pretty hard thing to “pretend”. Especially when you’ve been so closely bonded with someone for such a long time.

Positive Bits:

I have always loved Cassandra Clare novels. There really isn’t anything to negative that I can say about the books. I have noticed that “The Dark Artifices” are quiet a bit longer than Cassandra Clares’, previous series’s … And I have been loving it! Finally a well written, book that flows beautifully that takes a while to read! One of the major points that I really loved was that, although the book is long, it was a great read. I feel like that is SO important!

I have picked up so many a large book and I just haven’t been able to get through. Take “The Hobbit” for example. I’ve only ever been able to read about a quarter of the book. I stopped reading it because “The Hobbit” is a book that you need to be able to spend time to read. Whereas “Lord of Shadows” is simple to read. Yet, I couldn’t put it down either.

I already know that I am asking for “The Queen of Air and Darkness” for my Christmas present this year! It’s coming out, just in time for Christmas…You can pre-order it now! (Disclaimer – I am not being paid for this)

Movie Marathons

Aren’t they fantastic?

My partner and I decided to go out to a cinema and do a “movie marathon” over the Easter Weekend…He stayed longer, but there have just been so many movies that we both wanted to see. We managed to figure out the timing and it just so happened that all the movies I wanted to see we could watch first!

Just a quick break down of the movies that I saw…

Wrinkle in Time

I will just start out by saying that I have not read the book written by Madeleine L’Engle. I can’t make a fair comparison between the two.

However, I did enjoy the movie…I cried a lot in it, and my partner kept laughing at me. It’s not so much “action packed” it’s more of a thinking movie, more scientific as well. What I have really been loving lately, with the movies that I’ve been seeing. That the “love relationships” have not been largely based on romantic love (The only “romantic” type movies I see are usually musicals and someone usually dies,lol…I don’t know what that says about myself,lol). They’ve been mainly about family love, self love, or the story is just not largely based on a romance This is one of those. I also love how the young girl is so…real…She is very honest about what she doesn’t like about herself (which broke my heart)…But how she also begins to believe in herself. I felt a journey with her that I could completely relate too. I feel like every girl has been there at least once…Even the bully girl, you begin to feel for her too.

The colours are magnificent, I’m a very visual person, so colours represent feelings and emotions to myself as well. All the “Mrs’s” are just beautiful as well. Not just with their outfits, but their words and souls.

“The most memorable books from our childhoods are those that make us feel less alone, convince us that our own foibles and quirks are both as individual as a finger-print and as universal as an open hand.”

I’m going to read the book now

Pacific Rim

This is undeniably more action packed than “Wrinkle in Time”.

John Boyega is always gorgeous! Of course being “Idris Elba” ‘son’…Can’t expect anything less really,lol

Just like a lot of action films, it’s not too deep, but a good film…Worth your money to see on the big screen. There are things that have happened to the characters to motivate them the way that they do. Just your usual action film with big robots type film.

 

 

Like peas in a pod…

As mentioned with my February Goals I mentioned how I was going to look into different types of Anxiety apps. This is my write up about what I found. I hope it helps someone else.

Calm: This is probably one of more popular phone apps which helps with anxiety. It comes with an average 4.6 rating. They do have quiet a selection half of which is free and unfortunately the rest you do have to pay for. I managed to find a few things that I found helpful to begin with. The unfortunate thing is that you can only go so far along. Then you have to end up paying for more things. I did enjoy the different types of sounds they had to offer. They had people read audio books as well, which I found nice. Especially the Stephen Fry reading!

Overall rating: I would say that it’s probably a 7/10 … It’s good if you’re looking for something that’s free to an extent. If you want to take it further you will struggle and that can get frustrating.

Atmosphere: I have personally really enjoyed using this one. The basic premise for this one is that you can select different types of sounds. I have been using the one as I fall asleep.  It’s just that though, it’s just sounds. There’s no mediation instruction or anxiety instructions. You can also put a timer on it as well, so it turns after a certain amount of time.

Overall rating: I would highly recommend this one if you need help sleeping. There is such a selection of music and background music.

MeditateBot: This is, I believe, a Facebook app…My first clue should have been “Bot” in the title. Too break it down, it sends you messages to your private Facebook messenger. Inspiring Quotes, healthy tips etc … However, it will just randomly send it to your messenger. Every time I went to put my wifi on I’d have 5 or 6 messages all different kinds.

Overall rating: I guess if you need a little “pick me up” the quotes and the little facts can help, but it wouldn’t be good in an “emergency”. Unlike sounds/voice as well you can’t really sit and listen to it.

*At the moment my personal favourite one is Atmosphere. I use it mainly to help me fall asleep. That’s when I start to have the most issues with my anxiety.*

Black Panther = The Awesome!

*I wasn’t sure how many of you would have seen Black Panther at this point so I wanted to wait a bit to write about it. I have feeling I may talk about some spoilers.*

I’m not sure how I can write this without bias, because there was pretty much nothing that I didn’t love about this movie. I’m not really familiar with a lot of the superheroes and the comics. There’s only been a couple of the superheroes where I’ve read some of their comics, and Black Panther is not one I’ve read.

I am SO regretting that now! It also means that I can’t really make any fair comparisons between the two and how fair the movie was to the comics.

There really isn’t anything bad I can say about the movie…Everything about it was pretty perfect to be honest. They casting was spot on, the music was thrilling (I wanted to get up and dance…I love a good drum!) The plot, there was no real “quiet time”, it flowed perfectly. Some of the quotes I can see becoming extremely popular.

If you want to see a movie that you’ll love for both the superhero aspect and modern days issues…You will love it. I don’t if it’s because I am aware, but the only reason would feel uncomfortable honestly seeing this movie is if they are not with people of colour and some hard core facts. Then again, I don’t know why someone with issues with poc would see this movie anyways?

Family – What I loved the most about this film was the family dynamic. They weren’t just a Royal family and that was it. They were FAMILY. It is fantastic to finally an African American family not only being represented as Royal (and fantastic royals at that) but also as a family that clearly love one another. Rather than a run away father whose skipped out on his struggling family. Father and Son have such a respectful relationship, even when they are disappointed in one another, even when they don’t agree. My heart literally broke when T’Challa (THE Black Panther) realised his father is not perfect. They still LOVE each other. They understand not everyone is perfect.

Characters – I will say this one of those movies were they got the casting exactly perfect. Even the “bad characters” are perfect. Even Martin Freeman was perfectly cast as seeming so English and so white (it’s honestly the only way I can describe it) he was so on the outside. As a white girl watching the film, I got it. I have seen some people complain because they thought Martin Freeman wasn’t “black enough” and it made him look inferior, but I honestly believe THAT was the point of his character. In a good way! Of course Andy Serkis always makes a good bad guy. I felt like Michael B Jordan was “bad”, but he’s the type of villain you will feel perfectly sad for, and so one should!

Music – I LOVED it. I believe that music can change your mood and the way you feel, and I wanted to dance in the movie theatre so much in this film.

“Costumes” – I put that in quotation marks because the clothing were not costumes. They were beautiful, colourful and glorious!

January Goals…Ticked or not to Tick?

• I would love to get away with my partner. There’s this little beach town that I love in my state and I have always wanted to stay  there overnight, it’s perfect Summer weather and a perfect Summer beach town. I just have to convince him!

We did do it and it was really quiet nice. We went to a little beach-town over Australia Day and it was lovely. We did about 4 or 5 different walks at different times of the day. I am so happy that we did it as well. It wasn’t even too busy because the media had reported it was going to be 41. It ended up being 38 and that wasn’t even until the last couple of hours before sunset. Most of the day it had cloud covering.

• I’m reading  a few books while I’ve got some time off before the busy season starts at my work place. See a review coming soon!

I “kind” of did this one. By that I mean instead of writing an review for one book I compared two books. Written in the same genre, and both the second book in a series instead. I found it really interesting. I’ve never really done that before and it made me look at the books differently as well. I think it takes a lot more work comparing rather than writing up a single review. You have to consider and reconsider both books.
You can read “Take 2” here.

• I want to get a few things set up before I really start back up at work. Like a meditation space etc.

I have got a couple of things set up for it and not having the other things hasn’t stopped me from meditation though. It’s more like it would just be a nice thing to have a proper space set up.

• Make lasagne…from scratch! I love it and I want do it, but I’ve never done it before!

Yeah I should have known this one wasn’t going to happen. I have been cooking things, mainly slow cooked meals from scratch and some different types of bakes. I’m starting to think that making lasagne from scratch is more of a Winter meal,lol