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Book Review: If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN! by Whoopi Goldberg

By Amazon, Books & Authors, Gay, Love & Relationships, ReviewsNo Comments
whoopi-goldberg-run-book-cover Before I start this review, I want to say that I love the all-round good egg that is Whoopi Goldberg. I love the on screen Goldberg. I love the Goldberg I’ve watched on many interviews on YouTube where she has defended the rights of gay people, the homeless, children and people who have substance misuse issues. Goldberg has been fighting the battle against AIDS, since it came onto the scene in the 80s.

Goldberg gives her advice about love and relationships in If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN!. The book can be summarised in three sentences:
1. Be self aware. Know what you want from a relationship and be realistic about it.
2. Have your own life. Be comfortable alone. Have your own busy life and don’t make a new relationship your entire life. It’s good to have your own friends, social commitments, hobbies and leisure activities.
3. Communicate. Tell your potential partner what you want and don’t from the outset. Set the boundaries from the beginning and know what you’re willing to compromise on and what you’re not willing to compromise on.

At the start of a If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN! Goldberg describes herself as an Realist. But at intervals throughout the book she felt like more of a Cynic.

In If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN! Goldberg discusses friends with benefits or F*** buddies, mentioning that she has a few for booty calls herself. She emphasises the need to know the difference between physical and emotional needs, and for both sides to know what the deal is.

Goldberg is an inspirational icon, but there’s just nothing inspiring about this book, which is a real shame. It should be noted that she wrote this book during and after the recent death of her brother. So perhaps she was grief-stricken with a deadline looming.

There were some mildly entertaining Ask Whoopi sections throughout the book, where Goldberg responds to relationship dilemmas.

What Goldberg covers in If Someone Says “You Complete Me,” RUN! could have been covered in a 500-1,000 word article. It felt like Goldberg had put tones of unnecessary words in, that said nothing, to make up the word count.

This is not the first time I’ve been disappointed by a book Goldberg has written. I read her Book, which I reviewed here and was disappointed. I think in future, I’ll steer clear of any written works by Goldberg.

Review soon,

Antony

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Wednesday 30 March 2016

Mary Poppins Live at The Palace Theatre, Manchester: Marvellous, Magical and Magnificent

By Friends & Family, Gigs & Shows, Happiness & Joy, ReviewsNo Comments
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Mary Poppins: Outside The Palace Theatre, Manchester.

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Me Outside The Palace Theatre, Manchester.

 At the weekend, I went to see a matinee performance of Mary Poppins with a group of people. Mary Poppins live at The Palace Theatre, Manchester was marvellous, magical and magnificent.

On the way to the theatre, I saw a homeless man outside a shop. I did my good deed and bought him something to eat. It wasn’t much, but it was something. I always remind myself how fortunate I am when I see someone homeless. Anyone could end up homeless. All it takes is bad circumstances and some not great choices.

Once seated, the lights dimmed and the show began. The set was brilliant, switching between scenes fluidly. Sets included the victorian style living & drawing rooms, the Nursery, the park and the roof tops. There was also a vibrant and colourfully lit imaginary world that Mary Poppins’ takes the children to.

The performers were all on top form. Special mention must be made of the two children in the cast, each who played their role superbly. Singing by main characters was acceptable, dancing by all performers were in perfect time throughout, with everyone on their marks. The plot was familiar, with the odd addition, but kept its magical elements. The songs were captivating and have remained in my head, days after seeing the show.

If you like a spoon full of sugar, I’d highly recommend you go see Mary Poppins. Here’s the trailer for the show:

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Write soon,

Antony



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Monday 8 February 2016

Book Review: The Wolf at War (Runes Trilogy Book 3) by Adrian Lilly

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
the-wolf-at-war-lilly-book-cover The Wolf at War is the third and final book in The Runes Trilogy. The first book was The Wolf At His Door, which I reviewed here. The second book was The Wolf in His Arms, which I reviewed here.

The Wolf at War is an exhilarating, entertaining and enjoyable read.

In The Wolf at War Lilly tells the story of a world war between green-eyed werewolf’s and humans. Lilly starts the story differently than the first two books in the series, which somewhat gives away the ending of the war and whom the victors will be.

Alec is an out gay man and werewolf, on the side of The Werewolf Resistance. In The Werewolf Resistance is also his lover Jared, his parents Ilene & Jason, his sister Lucy and other characters that he’s met on his mission to stop the Werewolf’s in the two previous books: The Wolf At His Door and The Wolf in His Arms. Readers whom have read the previous books, will know these characters well. But for readers whom haven’t read the previous books – Lilly missed opportunities to summaries who the characters are and how they had got to where they are.

The plot is fast paced, with plenty of action and has very good description. The plot captivates the reader, pulling them into a world where werewolf’s rule. I literally lost track of time reading this book.

There were a few minor editorial issues, such as missed commas or speech marks, but these inconsequential issues never interfered with the enjoyment of the book.

The Wolf at War is a great read. The reader can read it as a stand alone story, but is guaranteed to enjoy it more if they read the first two books: The Wolf At His Door and The Wolf in His Arms first.

Review soon,

Antony

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Sunday 7 February 2016

Book Review: Something To Hide by Deborah Moggach

By Amazon, Books & Authors, ReviewsNo Comments
everybody-has-something-to-hide-deborah-moggach In Something To Hide by Deborah Moggach, each of the six main characters, spread across the world, has a secret. Their lives are intricately and cleverly linked by Moggach’s plotting. Moggach writes in the perspective of four of the six main characters:

Petra in London. Poor Petra had been through a difficult divorce. So when she finds love, in an unexpected person, the reader empathises with her, even knowing that he’s married to someone else. Petra’s character is interesting at first, but towards the end of the book she does begin to feel a bit whiny.

Bev & Jeremy in West Africa. Bev’s character is great, multifaceted, very real and a missed opportunity for Moggach whom didn’t write any scenes in her perspective. Moggach didn’t write any scenes from Jeremy’s perspective either, so the reader doesn’t really get to know him directly.

Li-Jing & Wang Lei in China. The reader will really feel for Li-Jing. Wang Lei dragged himself out of poverty with his drive and ambition.

Lei uses this drive and ambition to try to solve the problem he’s presented with at the start of Something To Hide. The reader will wish they learned more about him and it would have been great to have a chapter in his perspective, especially because of his importance in the book.

Lorrie in Texas. Lorrie’s husband is in the army, so she is at home with two kids. That is until she is scammed out of their life savings. She comes up with a cunning plan to earn the money back, but in the meantime can she keep the secret? Especially with the physical changes she goes through as the nine months of pregnancy progress. Lorrie is very likeable and it would have been good to get to know her better.

The pacing of Something To Hide is appropriate, unravelling a plot that is full of twists and turns. What let this book down was the lack of writing in the perspectives of the male characters whom played key roles within the story. The ending of the book is painfully drawn and dragged out.

Overall Something To Hide is a reasonable book. One that the reader will enjoy and be entertained by, but that will leave the reader feeling as if only half of the story was told. It wont stick in the readers memory as a memorable story.

Something To Hide is available to buy on Amazon.

Review soon,

Antony

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I aim for posts on this blog to be informative, educational and entertaining. If you have found this post useful or enjoyable, please consider making a contribution by Paypal:


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Thursday 4 February 2016
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