Vintage81
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Posts posted by Vintage81
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I finished a few books recently...
- For school, my younger DD and I are doing a History of Science study, so we've been reading through The Story of Science books by Joy Hakim. We finished book 2 in the series which was called Newton at the Center. To go along with those books, I also read aloud other nonfiction selections. We recently finished Longitude: The True Story of a Lone Genius Who Solved the Greatest Scientific Problem of His Time by Dava Sobel. I enjoyed both books and have been learning a lot of interesting things with this study.
- I finished the last book in the Once Upon a Broken Heart series - A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber: "Evangeline Fox ventured to the Magnificent North in search of her happy ending, and it seems as if she has it. She’s married to a handsome prince and lives in a legendary castle. But Evangeline has no idea of the devastating price she’s paid for this fairytale. She doesn’t know what she has lost, and her husband is determined to make sure she never finds out . . . but first he must kill Jacks, the Prince of Hearts."
This book was a HUGE disappointment. The first half was wasted with a stupid memory loss story line. I'm not even sure what the point was. Also, the first two books were told from the perspective of the female lead character, but this third book had multi-POVS, which was weird. A lot of attention was paid to one particular character who I could not care less about!! After a nice build up in the first two books, the romance that was supposed to come to fruition was just sort of meh. And to top things off, there were a bunch of unanswered questions and missing characters. It felt like a completely different author wrote this book. (2 stars)
- Lastly, I read the novella Worst Wingman Ever by Abby Jimenez: "They’re falling in love, yet they’ve never met. Maybe fate can intervene in a heartwarming “what-if” short story about new beginnings. Holly is dealing with the impending death of her grandmother and still reeling from a bad breakup. One bright spot: a Valentine’s Day card on Holly’s windshield—even if it wasn’t meant for her. An amusing mistake soon turns into a lovely exchange of anonymous notes, little acts of kindness, and a growing affection between two strangers. What happens when one of them has to say goodbye?"
I really love all of Abby Jimenez's stuff and this was no different. (There's a new book coming out in April and I can't wait!) She really packed a lot into this little short story. I stayed up late last night to read it and while DH was snoring next to me I was trying to keep my giggles quiet!! The sister in this book was so funny! My only complaint about this story is that I wish it was a full book instead of a novella because I enjoyed it so much and wanted more! (4 stars)
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What a great update! So happy for you and your DH ☺️
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13 minutes ago, YaelAldrich said:
If you find it, can you please put a link here?
I think this is it...
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1 minute ago, sassenach said:
There was also a whole lead-in video where he talks about how much the song meant to him and why he chose to record it. That segment was my favorite part of the night.
I didn't see that...I'll have to go find it.
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5 minutes ago, GoVanGogh said:
Thank you so much for posting the video. I don’t watch awards shows and was seriously bummed this morning to find out they performed together. Everything about that was beautiful. Tracy Chapman is gorgeous. They seemed to have some great chemistry and appreciation for each other. The audience shots were lovely. I am indifferent to Taylor Swift but I loved the shot of her.
I loved Tracy Chapman back in the day and had her CDs. I didn’t know anything about her personally to have an opinion on the lyrics. I enjoy Luke Combs music and bought the album when it first came out because I loved several of the songs and was surprised to see Fast Cars was a remake of my fav Tracy Chapman song.
I know I already said this, but Tracy Chapman was gorgeous last night on stage!Agree!!
She looked genuinely moved, especially at the beginning, and just looked so happy. ☺️ I also liked how he kept looking over at her and mouthing the words while she was singing. I don't know if that was to keep time with her or just because he was excited. They sounded amazing together!
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Their performance was so good!
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I just finished Secret Royal Inspector & Joy (Netflix). The first half was pretty good…half serious, half kind of silly (in a good way). The middle was slow and the end took a more serious tone. The couple was cute and the ending was mostly okay. Nice supporting characters.
Side note: I’ve seen many shows now where there are these villain children (their parent is usually the big bad guy), and there’s a point where I always hope for a redemption arc. It’s not their fault their mother abandoned them and dad was horrible and their siblings were abusive or whatever…I understand why they turned out like a villain child. But then the show doesn’t do anything for them, except kill them off, or send them to jail, or something terrible. Frustrating 😕
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14 minutes ago, DawnM said:
I tried a couple of them but haven't been hooked. Any suggestions to try?
Do you remember which ones you tried?
There are a lot of different types, depending on what you’re looking for…rom-coms, family dramas, coming of age, historical dramas, thrillers, etc.
The first one that came to mind to recommend was Hometown Cha Cha Cha. It’s rom-com, but also has some family drama to balance it out. Plus a small town vibe that’s nice.
I will say, with several k-dramas I’ve watched, the first couple of episodes can be slow, but they usually pick up after that.
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16 minutes ago, DawnM said:
I do too! Give me some more to watch after this one.
K-dramas!! I’m sure that’s not at all what you’re looking for, but they are typically 10-16 episode series. Just thought I’d mention them. ☺️
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2 hours ago, Pam in CT said:
(Joining in these threads for the first time this year, and going forward I'll try to get in before the next month opens!)
Welcome! 😊
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Link to the new thread…
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Happy February!! 💖
Whew…January went by in a flash! I feel like I got a decent amount of reading done, so I’m happy with how the year has started out. I’m definitely going to try and keep the momentum going. ☺️
I hope you’re all doing well. I can’t wait to hear all about the books you read this month!
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On 1/23/2024 at 4:30 PM, Vintage81 said:
Hmmm....I'm trying to decipher what you mean about Welcome to Samdal-ri. 🤨🤣 I went ahead and started it - I'm thru about episode 4. I see the Hometown Cha Cha Cha vibe, but it's not as good. 😕 I can't quite put my finger on why though. I don't know if I don't like the actors/characters as much or if the story is just slow. I'll keep going and see if it gets better, but I’m glad to know the ending is at least acceptable.
I finished Welcome to Samdal-ri and it was okay. It’s not a show I’d rewatch.
I liked….the tight-knit group of friends, the quirky townspeople, Jeju island setting, the cute main couple, the sisters, and the cute relationship between dolphin guy/youngest sister/little girl (I wish they’d shown more of them!).
I didn’t like…the terrible love triangle (that apparently drug on for like 30 years), the reason the couple broke up was just 🤬 and honestly this ruined a lot of the show for me, the ENDING (!!!!)…selfish ending is a good description @Jann in TX and I didn’t care for it especially after everything the couple went through, and overall I felt the pacing was really slow (I was bored a lot of the time, minus the last two episodes).
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Yesterday I finished The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber (book 2 of the Once Upon a Broken Heart series): "After Jacks, the Prince of Hearts, betrays her, Evangeline Fox swears she'll never trust him again. Now that she’s discovered her own magic, Evangeline believes she can use it to restore the chance at happily ever after that Jacks stole away.
But when a new terrifying curse is revealed, Evangeline finds herself entering into a tenuous partnership with the Prince of Hearts again. Only this time, the rules have changed. Jacks isn’t the only force Evangeline needs to be wary of. In fact, he might be the only one she can trust, despite her desire to despise him.
Instead of a love spell wreaking havoc on Evangeline’s life, a murderous spell has been cast. To break it, Evangeline and Jacks will have to do battle with old friends, new foes, and a magic that plays with heads and hearts. Evangeline has always trusted her heart, but this time she’s not sure she can..."Sometimes book 2 in YA series tend to be slow/draggy, but I'm glad that this one did not suffer the book 2 slump. More things were revealed and the romance picked up slightly, although it is definitely a slow burn. There's really nothing too deep about these books, they're just fun YA fantasy. (4.25 stars)
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16 hours ago, chocolate-chip chooky said:
I don't watch K-dramas, but as you all probably know, I'm a big K-pop fan.
Have any of you watched IU's new music video? It's called Love Wins All.
V from BTS is acting in it.
It is incredible. I knew he'd acted in K-dramas in the past, but I had no idea he was such a good actor.
I have to admit that I don't really remember the song itself, because the music video was so captivating. It was like a mini movie.
After DD and I got hooked on K-dramas she branched off and started listening to a lot of K-pop. Now she's got me listening to it too. I'm still so new to it, so I don't know much. I know BTS, obviously (!!!), and I know IU, but I haven't seen this video so I'll check it out. Thanks!
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1 hour ago, Jann in TX said:
Reporting back about Welcome to Samdal-ri
Ending was fine-- I guess it was satisfying (they did not totally ruin it).
I still liked the show-- but what is it about this type of ending that is so common-- I call it a selfish ending... but I'm open for discussion-- again the ending was fine and you could say that it was a HAPPY ENDING....
I'm trying to finish the last 2 episodes of My Demon-- I just keep falling asleep... (but I watch this one after the little guy is in bed).
Hmmm....I'm trying to decipher what you mean about Welcome to Samdal-ri. 🤨🤣 I went ahead and started it - I'm thru about episode 4. I see the Hometown Cha Cha Cha vibe, but it's not as good. 😕 I can't quite put my finger on why though. I don't know if I don't like the actors/characters as much or if the story is just slow. I'll keep going and see if it gets better, but I’m glad to know the ending is at least acceptable.
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Does anyone have any experience with AP European History at PA Homeschoolers? There are two class options, and I'm not sure what the difference between the two are?
If I recall correctly, AIM Academy was also offering the course earlier this year, but I don't see it anymore so maybe there wasn't enough interest? Are there any other providers y'all would recommend?
Thanks!
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Yesterday I finished Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber. This is book one is the series: "For as long as she can remember, Evangeline Fox has believed in true love and happy endings... until she learns that the love of her life will marry another.
Desperate to stop the wedding and to heal her wounded heart, Evangeline strikes a deal with the charismatic but wicked Prince of Hearts. In exchange for his help, he asks for three kisses, to be given at the time and place of his choosing.
But after Evangeline’s first promised kiss, she learns that bargaining with an immortal is a dangerous game—and that the Prince of Hearts wants far more from her than she’d pledged. He has plans for Evangeline, plans that will either end in the greatest happily ever after or the most exquisite tragedy..."I enjoyed this one. I was a little nervous at first because I was getting Alice in Wonderland vibes and I really don't care for that story, but it kept me entertained and set all of the pieces in places for the remaining two books. I already have them and have started book two, so I'm excited to see where the story goes. (4 stars)
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48 minutes ago, Jann in TX said:
YEA! I'll finish it tomorrow (Sunday).
I'm almost finished with Welcome to Samdal-ri. It has a Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha vibe but different storyline twists...I like Ji Chang-wook -- it was nice to see him so comfortable in a rom-com (he does mostly action dramas)...so this one is a KEEPER (as long as they do not trash the ending!).
Ooooohhh….this one is on my list to watch. Maybe I’ll wait until you finish so I know about the ending. Waiting for episodes to come out is really not fun!!! Especially with these darn cliffhanger episode endings. 🤣
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On 1/16/2024 at 9:21 AM, Vintage81 said:
So, I took a chance and started watching My Demon (Netflix)...not all of the episodes are out yet so no one knows how it will end. 🫣
I am thru episode 8 and so far I'm loving it! Please let there be a happy ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The last 2 episodes come out this weekend. I will report back.
Okay, I finished My Demon, and I loved it!!! Great couple, good side characters (loved the Wild Dogs…bonus points for the super cute Doberman 🥰), and a nice ending. I’m glad it included a bit of everything - romance, family drama, fantasy/mythology, comedy, friendship, etc. Not sure I’d call it happily ever after (I have questions), but happy enough.
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15 minutes ago, Harriet Vane said:
Do it without guilt.
This
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On 1/5/2024 at 8:04 PM, GailV said:
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. Recommended by @Grace Hopper last month. I really enjoyed this. Plus, after I finished I realized that one of the categories on this year's Winter Read at our library is "read a book that someone recommended to you" so I'm counting this.
On 1/5/2024 at 9:13 PM, Grace Hopper said:I’m glad you enjoyed the Acevedo book! And fun it fit a category for you. love the format of that book. I think I already mentioned The House on Mango Street, if you liked Poet X I feel you’d also like Mango Street, too.
The House on Mango Street is one of the upcoming books that DD and I will be reading for our American Literature study. Poet X was also one I had contemplated putting on the list but I had read somewhere that there was some mature content. I decided to go ahead and read it for myself to see.
I finished it last night and I really enjoyed it. I haven't read many books in verse, but this one was a nice, easy read, and I think the way it was written really added to the experience of the story. I could really feel the main characters emotions throughout the story and all of the up and downs she went through. I know the entire book was written in verse, but I would've liked to hear more of X's poetry, like the poems she performed at the open mic night and at the contest. Also, the ending felt a wee bit rushed. Overall, though, it was really great and I'm glad I read it. ( 4, maybe 4.5 stars)
Side note...there were a few mature "scenes" so I'm still not sure about giving it to DD. I'll think on it more because they weren't that bad. This would be more of an extra credit assignment for her anyway since Mango is a pretty short book.
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1 hour ago, Heartstrings said:
This makes me wonder how much the fact that there are 2 entities jockeying for control slows down response time? How does Mexico know who to notify for what? How much buck passing happens? If Mexican policy is to communicate with Border Patrol, are they doing double duty and having to notify 2 entities who then fight it out? Or does Mexico notify one and hope things get passed along in a timely fashion?
Good questions. Sounds like the Mexican officials are communicating with BP and then BP with TMD, so it would seem like things would be slowed down. Hundreds of people drown in the Rio Grande every year, so I hope some sort of resolution can be found, but I'm not counting on it. Again...big mess! Hopefully other migrants will somehow hear this story, and stories of others, and not try to cross the river.
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30 minutes ago, Grace Hopper said:
A question for those of you who have read Demon Copperhead. Should I read David Copperfield first? I confess to not having read it in all my years.
1 minute ago, Kassia said:I also haven't read David Copperfield. I did read Demon Copperhead and was wondering the same thing - if maybe having read David Copperfield would have made it better or more meaningful in some way.
I read Demon and also haven't read David Copperfield.
Here's what I said about it back then: It took me forever, but I finally finished Demon Copperhead. I can’t say it was an enjoyable read, but it was a good book. I definitely went on a long journey with Demon. The thing that bothered me a bit was that I didn’t always feel like I “knew” Demon or connected with the character. Everything was told from his perspective, but it seemed more like him just walking us through everything that happened to him and not his emotions to go along with everything. I’m probably explaining that poorly, but something felt like it was missing. I’m still glad to have read the book. (4 stars)
Also this little bit...I haven't read David Copperfield, but I knew Demon was based on it. I'm not sure it would've changed my opinion of Demon, since my only issue with it was how I connected with the character, but I think it would be interesting to see how the two books compare to each other.
I promise @Grace Hopper there are main characters I actually like and connect with!! 🤦♀️
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February 2024: What are you reading?
in The Chat Board
Posted
Yes, I think so. In addition to this newest novella, I’ve read…
Let me know if I’m missing any. ☺️