modestgoddess
Hamilton Public Library
modestgoddess's Completed Shelf
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Throw Out Fifty ThingsThrow Out Fifty Things, UnknownClear the Clutter, Find your Life
by Blanke, GailUnknown - 2009Unknown, 2009
Added May 18, 2016
Added May 16, 2016
Wonder StruckWonder Struck, BookA Novel in Words and Pictures
by Selznick, BrianBook - 2011Book, 2011
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
First-time Selznick readers should never be put off by how thick his books are - each one is approximately half words and half beautifully rendered graphite drawings that contribute to the tale...or in this book's case, tell one side of it entirely. Such a wonderful novel - engaging, lovely, delightful. I loved how the two story lines interwove towards the end. Highly recommend.First-time Selznick readers should never be put off by how thick his books are - each one is approximately half words and half beautifully rendered graphite drawings that contribute to the tale...or in this book's case, tell one side of it entirely.…
Confessions of A SociopathConfessions of A Sociopath, BookA Life Spent Hiding in Plain Sight
by Thomas, M. E.Book - 2013Book, 2013
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
Ah, I couldn't finish this. Too self-aggrandizing and hence extremely boring. I'd thought it might be interesting to see into the mind of a sociopath. I was wrong. (I did find it interesting that she was actually diagnosed as a psychopath but makes a big deal of pointing out that the two terms are interchangeable - and then makes a point of referring to herself as a sociopath throughout).Ah, I couldn't finish this. Too self-aggrandizing and hence extremely boring. I'd thought it might be interesting to see into the mind of a sociopath. I was wrong. (I did find it interesting that she was actually diagnosed as a psychopath but makes…
TimerTimer, DVD
DVD - 2010DVD, 2010
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
Very clever movie that takes into consideration all kinds of possibilities inherent in science interfering in love. What if you could get a device implanted that told you the exact day on which you'd meet your soul mate? And then...what if the date it showed when it was implanted, was over 20 years away? Or what if no date showed up at all? And many more scenarios, cleverly laid out during the course of the movie. Engaging and interesting "what-if", and fun to watch.Very clever movie that takes into consideration all kinds of possibilities inherent in science interfering in love. What if you could get a device implanted that told you the exact day on which you'd meet your soul mate? And then...what if the date…
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
I hadn't heard of this novel until my book group read it. While I enjoyed it and found it to be quite a page-turner, I didn't feel the writer fully pulled me into the world of the main character. Instead I found myself on the outside looking in, even though it was all in first-person. I couldn't "feel" as the people in the book were feeling, which made for a remote and intellectual approach to something that in real life is undoubtedly a consuming and heart-wrenching experience. Nevertheless, it was a good read and pulled me through.I hadn't heard of this novel until my book group read it. While I enjoyed it and found it to be quite a page-turner, I didn't feel the writer fully pulled me into the world of the main character. Instead I found myself on the outside looking in,…
The Hound of the BaskervillesThe Hound of the Baskervilles, BookAnother Adventure of Sherlock Holmes
by Doyle, Arthur ConanBook - 2001Book, 2001
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
Enjoyed this very much. I started reading Sherlock Holmes stories after watching the BBC TV show Sherlock - I've been interested to see how the show adapted elements of the original stories into modern times. Now I have to go and watch the episode based on The Hound of the Baskervilles again...!Enjoyed this very much. I started reading Sherlock Holmes stories after watching the BBC TV show Sherlock - I've been interested to see how the show adapted elements of the original stories into modern times. Now I have to go and watch the episode…
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
This is such a beautifully written collection of short stories. I found our book group meeting on it extremely interesting - it had never occurred to me that anyone could hate Olive. Some of us saw her as a wretched creature who wrecked everything she touched and made everything all about her; the rest of us felt a lot more compassion and felt that she touched lives in an extraordinary way. Either way you see Olive, this book will evoke strong reactions in you. The writing is superb. I have to confess, a couple of the stories didn't do a thing for me, but the book as a whole is so stunning, I had to buy my own copy. Highly recommend.This is such a beautifully written collection of short stories. I found our book group meeting on it extremely interesting - it had never occurred to me that anyone could hate Olive. Some of us saw her as a wretched creature who wrecked everything…
Office SpaceOffice Space, DVD
DVD - 2005DVD, 2005
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
So much fun. Just a good light-hearted watch. I'd forgotten things like "Flair!" but not the stapler. Best last line ever: "There were grains of salt on the glass, big grains of salt." Just good nerdy fun.
The Cure for Everything!The Cure for Everything!, BookUntangling the Twisted Messages About Health, Fitness, and Happiness
by Caulfield, Timothy A.Book - 2012Book, 2012
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
Ah. What a relief to read this book and have the myths about fitness, diet etc debunked! Fitness: everyone needs to do resistance training and some cardio, but also everyone needs to recognize that you cannot lose and keep weight off with a fitness regime alone and you cannot sculpt different areas of your body. Diet: Diets don't work; the only thing that works is consuming 1800-2200 calories per day (depending on your gender, age, activity level etc); everyone needs to accept that this is not a lot of food; oh, and make sure 50% of what you put in your mouth is a real fruit or vegetable. Genetics: genetics don't really tell us anything worth knowing or useful, for the vast majority of people (he admits it could be good to know about certain things like whether or not one has the gene for Huntington's). Alternative therapies: He says these don't work, and I understand where he's coming from - he's a scientist and believes in hard facts. I get it. However, I'm still among those who believe in the efficacy of certain alternative therapies, for a variety of reasons - including a belief that we don't know everything and therefore cannot possibly hope to understand why certain things work when they "shouldn't".
Caulfield writes in a relaxed, approachable way and has good common sense to impart. He's done the work for us - reading studies, interviewing experts etc - and distilled his knowledge into this entirely manageable, highly readable book. Highly recommend.Ah. What a relief to read this book and have the myths about fitness, diet etc debunked! Fitness: everyone needs to do resistance training and some cardio, but also everyone needs to recognize that you cannot lose and keep weight off with a fitness…
The Heaven of AnimalsThe Heaven of Animals, BookStories
by Poissant, David JamesBook - 2014Book, 2014
Added Mar 22, 2016
Comment:
I enjoyed this collection of short stories, though I believe some succeeded better than others. Some just left me scratching my head. The writing is wonderful but there is a certain sameness to many of the stories, at least in the way they're presented - I guess just Poissant's style. I did like the moving back and forth between an earlier-in-time storyline and the present, the slow reveal of how the past affected what was going on now. I think Lizard Man was my favourite.I enjoyed this collection of short stories, though I believe some succeeded better than others. Some just left me scratching my head. The writing is wonderful but there is a certain sameness to many of the stories, at least in the way they're…
Flour Water Salt YeastFlour Water Salt Yeast, BookThe Fundamentals of Artisan Bread and Pizza
by Forkish, KenBook - 2012Book, 2012
Added Feb 13, 2016
Comment:
Confess I haven't read this one, but it sounds like it would be easier to visit the Simply So Good website for the recipe, rather than wade through the wordiness:
http://www.simplysogood.com/2013/03/artisan-no-knead-bread.html
Super easy, foolproof recipe for crusty bread. Easy to add flavours, too.Confess I haven't read this one, but it sounds like it would be easier to visit the Simply So Good website for the recipe, rather than wade through the wordiness:
http://www.simplysogood.com/2013/03/artisan-no-knead-bread.html
Super easy,…
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
Sublime book of short stories. I got my own copy. Such a great writer.
Gone GirlGone Girl, DVD
DVD - 2014DVD, 2014
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
The movie's well done, but the book was better.
Wish I Was HereWish I Was Here, DVDLe Rôle De Ma Vie
DVD - 2014DVD, 2014
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
This is a gentle, enjoyable movie - one of those feel-good ones, satisfying to watch. I'm afraid my family is now going to make me use a Swear Jar.... @#$%, I hope they don't. :)
That's Not EnglishThat's Not English, BookBritishisms, Americanisms, and What Our English Says About Us
by Moore, ErinBook - 2015Book, 2015
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
Interesting and engaging - especially if you have any connexion to Britain or any curiosity about language and cultural differences among English speakers. Loved it.
Penguins of MadagascarPenguins of Madagascar, DVD
DVD - 2015DVD, 2015
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
Odd little movie, yet curiously engaging. One of our favourite things about it was listening for the wolf when he had to say the word "penguin"... He's voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, who is notorious for not being able to pronounce that word! Pingwings of the world, unite.... Dave the disappointed and villainous octopus is also very enjoyable.Odd little movie, yet curiously engaging. One of our favourite things about it was listening for the wolf when he had to say the word "penguin"... He's voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch, who is notorious for not being able to pronounce that word!…
AnnieAnnie, DVD
DVD - 2015DVD, 2015
Added Oct 10, 2015
DianaDiana, DVD
DVD - 2014DVD, 2014
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
This was interesting, but I don't know how true-to-life it is. I've since read articles that mention that Hasnat Khan was very against the making of this movie and said it was not accurate about their relationship. Naomi Watts does a good job of capturing Diana's mannerisms and way of speaking but the plot is a bit thin.This was interesting, but I don't know how true-to-life it is. I've since read articles that mention that Hasnat Khan was very against the making of this movie and said it was not accurate about their relationship. Naomi Watts does a good job of…
The Adventures of Sherlock HolmesThe Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Book
by Doyle, Arthur ConanBook - 2009Book, 2009
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
Much better than "A Study In Scarlet"...! If you want to immerse yourself in a few good Sherlockian tales, make this your pick.
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
This is where the Sherlock saga begins....It left me underwhelmed. I much preferred the treatment the BBC "Sherlock" TV series gave this story. As a previous reviewer mentions, the chunk set in Utah is really not that interesting. This being said, if you want a good read of some Sherlock stories, borrow The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes instead. Some well-known cases in there and much more engagingly written.This is where the Sherlock saga begins....It left me underwhelmed. I much preferred the treatment the BBC "Sherlock" TV series gave this story. As a previous reviewer mentions, the chunk set in Utah is really not that interesting. This being said,…
Annie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen KellerAnnie Sullivan and the Trials of Helen Keller, Graphic Novel
by Lambert, JosephGraphic Novel - 2012Graphic Novel, 2012
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
This graphic non-fiction work did such a good job of portraying the lives of Annie Sullivan and her famous student Helen Keller. The way Helen is portrayed in her world of darkness and silence is extraordinary. Nicely done - if you're at all interested in either of these women, this is a must-read.This graphic non-fiction work did such a good job of portraying the lives of Annie Sullivan and her famous student Helen Keller. The way Helen is portrayed in her world of darkness and silence is extraordinary. Nicely done - if you're at all…
Kinky BootsKinky Boots, DVD
DVD - 2006DVD, 2006
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
Fun, if a bit formulaic. Loved Chiwetel Ejiofor in this.
The HolidayThe Holiday, DVD
DVD - 2007DVD, 2007
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
I recently watched this for a second time...and wondered why I'd thought I might like it all over again? Why did I like it in the first place? I suppose I was remembering Jack Black, mostly - in fact, the only scene in the movie worth watching is the one in the video store with him and Kate Winslet (and a neat and satisfying little cameo by Dustin Hoffman). This scene, you can find on YouTube. Don't bother watching the rest of the movie for it.I recently watched this for a second time...and wondered why I'd thought I might like it all over again? Why did I like it in the first place? I suppose I was remembering Jack Black, mostly - in fact, the only scene in the movie worth watching is…
How Big Is 43 Quintillion?How Big Is 43 Quintillion?, BookMake Sense of Really Big Numbers!
by Huggins-Cooper, LynnBook - 2014Book, 2014
modestgoddess's rating:
Added Oct 10, 2015
Comment:
This book is so much fun! Makes sense of huge numbers, as far as they can be made sense of - at least puts some comprehension of their size within reach. Also talks about the "invention" of zero and some interesting history and facts. Interesting and engaging for any age.This book is so much fun! Makes sense of huge numbers, as far as they can be made sense of - at least puts some comprehension of their size within reach. Also talks about the "invention" of zero and some interesting history and facts. Interesting…
Comment: