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Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Armitron Sport Men's 40/8251RED Digital Watch; Brand: ; Review: Can't see the time in dim light. polo is better I just bought both .; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: U.S. Polo Assn. Sport Men's US9506 Analog-Digital Display Silver-Tone Watch with Textured Band; Brand: U.S. Polo Assn.; Review: Huge size but good materials.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ; Brand: ; Review: It is cool , and came with good case and Over all if you need a causal goggles during doing sports this one is a good one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Stuhrling Original Men's 699.03 Aviator Quartz Day and Date Watch With Green Leather Band; Brand: Stuhrling Original; Review: It is a prestigious watch made of and packed by good materials. The photo after 2 years.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: var aPageStart = (new Date()).getTime(); var ue_t0=ue_t0||+new Date(); window.ue_ihb = (window.ue_ihb || window.ueinit || 0) + 1; if (window.ue_ihb; Brand: ; Review: Well. its wedth is not fitting the design. the item cam in a cheeeeeeap plastic bag. not siutable as a gift; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: SIMU Men's Ostrich Skin Embossed Pattern Automatic Buckle Genuine Cow Leather Belts Ratchet Belt 35mm Wide 5 Color; Brand: SIMU; Review: Good color . high quality product and the color same as in the picture; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Secdtie Men's Fashion Grey Jacquard Woven Silk Tie Microfiber Formal Necktie; Brand: Secdtie; Review: Perfect with dark gray and black suits :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SIMU Men's Ostrich Skin Embossed Pattern Automatic Buckle Genuine Cow Leather Belts Ratchet Belt 35mm Wide 5 Color; Brand: SIMU; Review: Good color . high quality product and the color same as in the picture; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Alpine Swiss Mens Wallet Leather Money Clip Thin Slim Front Pocket Wallet; Brand: ; Review: Perfect product and good materials; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Men's 501 Original Shrink-to-Fit Jeans; Brand: ; Review: Not like the picture; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: ArcEnCiel Women's Canvas Shoulder Hand Bag Tote Bag; Brand: ArcEnCiel; Review: Very nice product; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ArcEnCiel Women's Canvas Shoulder Hand Bag Tote Bag; Brand: ArcEnCiel; Review: Very nice product; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SOMEN TUNGSTEN 8mm Black Ceramic Ring for Men with Wood Inlay Wedding Band Flat/Dome Style Size 6-14; Brand: SOMEN TUNGSTEN; Review: Very nice and high quality; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Reebok Men's Work 'N Cushion KC 2.0 Walking Shoe; Brand: ; Review: I used it for the last few months, the two stars for its look. But not comfortable at all in daily walking. Update after one year use It is good but I have to remove the sole pad. Update : after 2 years the shoes is perfect and very nice and comfortable. It is good for money especially for hard work.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Invicta Men's 17203 AVIATOR Stainless Steel and 18k Rose Gold Ion-Plated Watch; Brand: Invicta; Review: The watch is big! But looks great. The packaging is good. The watch box looks very nice . I did not test the watch under water yet.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nike Men's Free 5.0+ Breathe Running Black / Metallic Dark Grey / White Synthetic Shoe - 12.5 D(M) US; Brand: ; Review: It looks OK ; but the shoes is somewhat tight at the midfoot. Is it good for running? Yes but not the best. I believe there is better models and brands mor comfortable for running than this one.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wrangler Men's Riata Flat Front Relaxed Fit Casual Pant; Brand: ; Review: Longer than expected. The style is average; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Stacy Adams Men's Gold Rondell Tie Tack With Clear Crystals; Brand: STACY ADAMS; Review: Very nice and make you more attractive. But take care it is a small thing so you can loose it easily.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 3 Pc Collar Bar Set, Silver-Tone, Gold Tone and Two-Tone Styles by Puentes Denver; Brand: Puentes Denver; Review: Nice and easy to wear. It looks good. You can either attach it to the tie or you collar. Also 3 colors are good for different shirts.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Skechers Performance Women's Go Walk 3 Insight Slip-On Walking Shoe; Brand: ; Review: I bought this shoes for my wife. Good product as usual; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Luxebell 110lbs Digital Luggage Scale - Gift for Traveler; Brand: Luxebell; Review: Nice and cheap .; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Hauppauge 1445 HD-PVR Gaming Edition High Definition Personal Video Recorder for Use with PC, PS3, Xbox 360, and Wii; Brand: Hauppauge; Review: This hauppauge does not work with a Mac. I had to return this item. My nephew was so disappointed. He was just giving up on Amazon. But I let him know that every item does not give you full information as you would like.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Elgato Game Capture HD - Xbox and PlayStation High Definition Game Recorder for Mac and PC, Full HD 1080p; Brand: Corsair; Review: The Elgato capture system is correct for the Mac. But I have a problem with knowing what to to with the setup on the tv screen and the Mac screen. For instance, do I need to go to the TV menu and get to the system settings, etc. and what do I do for the computer menu screen to connect it the system with the xbox (I do not mean the cables, that was easy)? My nephew, who is 11 years old and I do not know all of the inside things to do. We still do not have it operating just yet. We need help. Where do we get that detailed information?; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: PTC Premium Gold Series HDMI hembra/hembra Coupler; Brand: PTC; Review: I needed this connection for my two different cords of HDMI connections to make it lengthier. It helps and works for me.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Canopy 2-Year Office Product Protection Plan ($75-$100); Brand: Canopy; Review: I hope I will not need to use the protection.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Royal Digital Password Vault (PV1); Brand: Royal; Review: I wish it had written directions. But all in all, nice to have.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: NexGadget 720P Security Camera, Wi-Fi Surveillance System with Motion Detection, Day/Night Vision, Baby/Pet/Elder/Office Monitors with Two-Way Audio, Pan/Tilt; Brand: NEXGADGET; Review: I have bought them item for an association to use to catch people within their company whom may be stealing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Answer Them Nothing: Bringing Down the Polygamous Empire of Warren Jeffs; Author: Visit Amazon's Debra Weyermann Page; Review: Just finished several books about the narcissistic, paranoid, Fundamentalist LDS "prophet," Warren Jeffs who was recently tried in Texas. I wanted to read these to learn more about Jeffs after he was sentenced to life-plus-20 years for the rape of underage girls. This raid at the Texas compound, Yearning For Zion (YFZ) was just the tip of the iceberg, however. The many years of Warren Jeffs manipulating the FLDS faithful were appalling, vicious, and hate filled, reminiscent of the actions of the Taliban. Some of the accounts are truly heart-stopping. The most riveting of these is "Answer Them Nothing: Bringing Down the Polygamous Empire of Warren Jeffs," by Debra Weyermann. It's very well written, including the accounts of how Jeffs had begun down the violent path of voluntary "blood atonement" for real or (his) imagined sins of the true believers. This meant that any accused persons had to willingly offer themselves up for the "gift" of being murdered by the hierarchy of his group. Only through blood atonement (having your throat slit from ear to ear) could any besmirched person have his or her sins washed away and then enter the kingdom of God. This was terrifying to read since the sacrificial altars were being built in the new FLDS temple in Eldorado, TX when it was raided. Many of the followers were trying to escape when it became clear that Jeffs was beginning his implementation of blood atonement. There isn't any fiction that could be more shocking than this story. That, and the undisputed evidence of Warren Jeffs's sexual assault upon girls as young as 10-12 is almost too much to read, especially in view of Jeffs having constructed a rape altar in the YFZ temple with spectator seats. Jeffs is a monster, a real psychopath whose entire life's effort has been devoted to gaining power, destroying the lives of others, and wreaking agony on any follower who dared to deviate from Jeffs's demand of utter and complete obedience. It is heartening to read how Texas officials finally came to grasp that Jeffs headed a criminal enterprise in which young girls were being used as the means of exchange for power to older men. Jeffs would trade so many of a follower's daughters to older men who then gave their daughters to him. Then, the men who complied were given "priesthoods" or elevated as bishops. Many old men had as many as 100 "wives" including dozens of prepubescent "brides." Those females who tried to escape were rounded up immediately by the police who were themselves FLDS members with sworn loyalty to Warren Jeffs. Very few females have escaped. The plight of young men was equally horrific. In order to keep the females for the elite and to avoid competition, adolescent and young men were cast out into the desert with no education, no skills, and no experience of contact with the "satanic" outer world. Many committed suicide, and many died shortly after. Some have survived. There are now safe houses for some of the cast-out males where they are given job; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Florida v. Zimmerman; Author: Robert Zimmerman; Review: I was given the chance to read this outrageous effort to disseminate lies, to blame an innocent teenager for his own death, poison the jury pool, to evoke unwarranted pity for his renegade-killer son. It is revolting in its lack of humanity, its total disregard for the nightmare which the Martin family has endured. Instead, all Zimmerman does in this so-called "book" is to attempt to elevate his GUILTY son to the level of sainthood. Any thinking sentient being who has followed the case of the outright murder of Trayvon Martin by Geo. Zimmerman knows that Zimmerman is a psychopath, fueled by psychoactive pharmaceuticals, who targeted a minority kid, hunted him, down and executed him in cold blood. NOTHING that Zimmerman Sr. says in this pathetic & ob/scene collection of lies can change the realty of the havoc and mayhem his son has wreaked. Yet, here we have the father determined to engage in the worst revisionism of a tragic event in order to exculpate his bad seed of a son, and he will do it any any cost. THIS BOOK PROVES THAT ZIMMERMAN AND HIS FAMILY HAVE NO CONSCIENCE. All they are praying for at this point is sympathy and money, money and sympathy, and then, after that, more money and more money and more money. Those of you who are so sympathetic to the killer and his father, by all means, donate until it hurts. Sell your home. Sell your cars. Take your kids' educational funds. Send them all to the Zimmerman family so they can live large on the fat of the land and laugh at you. This must be the most obscene "book" on sale on Amazon, and I am ashamed that Amazon---a beloved site for me, my family, and my friends--has stooped to the level of allow it to be for sale here. Are you listening, Jeff Bezos??? Get this book off your site!!!! It demeans everything that Amazon has morally stood for.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Technology of Orgasm: "Hysteria," the Vibrator, and Women's Sexual Satisfaction (Johns Hopkins Studies in the History of Technology); Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel P. Maines Page; Review: Rachel Maines has compiled one of the most interesting, fascinating books of the last decade. Her study of the history of women's orgasm is a towering contribution to social history and women's sexuality. Maines lays the groundwork for understanding the dilemma and ambivalence of the male medical community in attributing sexual pleasure to women, as was wholly part and parcel of the view of women for centuries. In exploring cultural ideas about women's orgasm, Maines shows how women's search for sexual pleasure was denied, masked, and euphemized ("paroxysmal spasms") but the medical and clinical professionals didn't know how to speak honestly about it. With the advent of the vibrator, women achieving orgasm became more accessible and possible, and yet even this was euphemized into relief for headaches, discharge of energies, and so on. Maines does a remarkable job of documenting the conflicts in society about women experiencing sexual pleasure at all. What a fantastic book. A true classic, and a wild read. Highly recommended!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Jerry Bruckheimer: When Lightning Strikes - Four Decades of Filmmaking (Disney Editions Deluxe (Film)); Author: Visit Amazon's Michael Singer Page; Review: This book was a gift, and it was excitedly received. It has a full history of Bruckheimer's contributions to film and TV, and I can recommend it highly to those who are interested in film, tv, and Bruckheimer's long and rich contributions.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Typee; Author: Visit Amazon's Herman Melville Page; Review: This is such a terrific epic tale, and so it became a gift to a Melville lover. What a fantastic story--white knuckle reading--and it falls into the genre of Melville's triple strategy: 1) his own experience throughout the world as a merchant marine, 2) his having stolen the stories and wild sea-faring exploits of many of his fellow mariners, and 3) Melville's great and rich imagination. All three of these combine with some of the most remarkable storytelling and language ever to be read. This is a classic, a thrill to read. This book also documents the vicious and violent flogging that merchant marines endured at the hands of the captain--who was a law unto himself on the high seas. Sometimes, a captious captain would order flogging for the most minor offenses. Melville draws a shocking picture of what flogging really meant--shock, maiming, and death--especially for the younger sailors. Often, as Melville tells, older sailors took the flogging for the infractions of the younger sailors to spare them death. Because of THIS book, the horrors told of what cruel captains often perpetrated at sea, Maritime Law was changed to protect all sailors, so this book actually changed international law upon the seas. It's a riveting tale of how he and his buddy escaped from the ship in the land of the Fiji islands, only to survive life among cannibals. Melville became vastly famous for this tale, immediately known as "The Man Who Had Lived Among Cannibals." Extraordinary book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Real Thing; Author: Visit Amazon's Tom Stoppard Page; Review: Exceptional book by a great writer---one of his best. Book arrived quickly and in great condition.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Keep It Simple, Stupid: You're Smarter Than You Look; Author: Visit Amazon's Judy Sheindlin Page; Review: I've never been disappointed by any book Judge Judy has written. Every one of them is packed with no-nonsense wisdom, and this one's no different. Some days, I wake up and wish this woman would run for President. She'd weed out crooks, liars, and con men. What a great book written by a great woman.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Complete Tales of Uncle Remus; Author: Visit Amazon's Joel Chandler Harris Page; Review: Excellent copy of a landmark American work. The book was in great shape, and it's terrific to have a copy of this traditional collection around.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Six Easy Pieces: Easy Rawlins Stories; Author: Visit Amazon's Walter Mosley Page; Review: Walter Mosley is a consummate author, and I keep coming back to his works. He has created some of the most memorable narrators, such as the famous Ezekiel Rawlings, who goes by Easy Rawlings. This is a black man who has come back from serving in the war, into PostWar L.A., and he's wise and circumspect. In the entire Easy Rawlings series, Mosley presents a man who uses his wits and great mind to solve problems that come his way. He isn't an official private eye, but he takes on investigations for friends and those whom he respects. Rawlings brings a mature vision of the world to his life, understanding what race and difference are. He's good-hearted, strong, and honorable. He sees the good and bad in people, and Mosley allows Rawlings to give the reader a profound sense of what black culture (and white culture) were like during these progressive periods in L.A. There isn't a single Easy Rawlings book I've read that hasn't held my interest, caused me to contemplate the world in a different way, and made me appreciate Walter Mosley even more. While Mosley has introduced other narrating characters in different books (what a prolific writer!), I admit that the Easy Rawlings series are close to my heart. There is some violence, some references to sexually, but nothing is ever written in a gratuitous or inappropriate way. Every book is excellent, and this one was exceptional. I was very sad when I finished the book . . . wish it could have gone on forever.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Big Bad Wolf -- 2004 publication; Author: Patterson; Review: James Patterson has won me over. Just finished all 14 of his Alex Cross books and hoping that new ones are on the way.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Over the Edge (Alex Delaware); Author: Visit Amazon's Jonathan Kellerman Page; Review: I had begun this book with much anticipation of enjoying it. It's the second book by Kellerman that I've read. Unfortunately, I was shocked to find Kellerman's cynical and extremist views woven into the story itself. The main character is listening to the radio while driving. To quote him: "The song was followed by a commercial for an abortion clinic selling itself as a feminist health center." I found Kellerman's attack on women's health centers utterly reprehensible. Groups such as PP have provided a full range of health-care service to women for decades: cancer screening, heart evaluations, diabetes care, mammograms, and many, many other contributions to women's health care.. Only 3% of PP's budget has ever gone to abortion, and now even less. The frontal attack on women's reproductive rights is a contentious one in our society, but Kellerman's book is no place for him to pimp his ideology This uncalled-for attack on women's health care centers--called derisively as a "feminist health care center" is disgusting and extremist for an author to include. Whether one agrees with Kellerman's cynical stab at women's health centers or not is beside the point. His book is thoroughly discredited in his effort to forward his views on reproductive health care. He may have strong feelings about contraception and abortion, but a detective mystery is NO place for him to trot out his anti-abortion ideology. Yes, Kellerman is entitled to believe whatever he wants, but to distort the core purpose of women's health centers is utterly despicable. At that point, I threw the book across the room and vowed that I will NEVER read Kellerman again. It is inconceivable to me that he would trash women's health-care centers as nothing more than abortion mills when they have offered decades of full health care to women, men, and families. I am ashamed of Kellerman, just ashamed that he would write this in his novel--a throw-away stab at women's health care clinics, so distorting their overall mission to help women in all stages of health care. Shame on Kellerman. I will NEVER read his books again, and I will notify all readers I know to avoid his works in the future. Shame on Kellerman. I'm done with him. SHAME!!!!!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Miss Manners' Guide to a Surprisingly Dignified Wedding; Author: Jacobina Martin; Review: Not great, really. We thought it would be a book with basic guides of protocol for a wedding, but it's much more a collection of Miss Manners' columns: "Can we beg for money instead of getting a blender?" "Can I bring all my children even though they weren't invited?" I love MM, but this is not exactly a practical guide to weddings. We had to go elsewhere for that.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Jesus Out to Sea; Author: burke-james-lee; Review: James Lee Burke has to be one of the most prolific, distinguished writers of our time. His Dave Robicheaux collection of a New Orleans detective is among the best series ever written. I read all 21 of them, and am begging for more. Burke has a way of framing the dilemmas of our time: good and evil, the nature of morality, the possibility of redemption of each person, and yet these are told as brilliant mystery stories. The central character, Dave Robicheaux, has his baggage and has fought his way back from hard times, but he is a character like none other in literature. His moral vision of the world, with all its flaws, is an inspiration to us all. In the meantime, Burke's other collections are just as vivid, fascinating, riveting, and beautifully written. I don't know how he does it. He is a genius of our time, with TWO Edgar Awards, and a Guggenheim to attest to his remarkable talent. Start anywhere with Burke, but I would recommend beginning with the Robicheaux series. This collection of short stories is a great follow-up, very well written, and we all await more to come in the Robicheaux series. Fingers crossed to the gods.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Jealous Kind; Author: ; Review: Excellent work by Burke that explores the innocence of rites of passage of young men and how quickly those can inadvertently go awry. A fine book full of thoughtful, suspenseful insights. Highly recommended.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology; Author: Visit Amazon's Leah Remini Page; Review: No wonder Leah Remini's book is a blockbuster. It is extremely well written. More than that, she provides in detail a chilling account of the steps deployed to ensnare good and trusting people--and families--how they can be seduced into a dark cult of exploitation and isolation from the world. Leah Remini provides an heartfelt and honest task of describing how, in a needy moment, her mother believed that this spiritual path of Scientology was a positive and enlightening step for her daughters. Once inside, there is little chance to walk away. There is no part of an individual's life that is not excavated, plundered, and used against that person. In addition, as Remini describes in detail, there is no way that Scientology does not suck dry every possilble cent and asset from its victims. Start small with the cost of "teaching supplies" being about $35, and then get each person in financial quicksand and debt up to their ears for life in quicksand. Make them go in debt. Make them sell their 401Ks and cash out pensions. Make them sell their homes. All assets to the Church where the largesse of the fortune quietly disappears under the auspices of the Chairman of the Board, David Miscavige, a brutal sociopath at best. Through unbearable pressure and threats, Scientology extracts as much as a quarter-million dollars from many of its ordinary members (from credit card debt, retirement plans, homes, cars, educational funds, and from all tangible assets) that desperate members might be driven to liquidate. From celebrity members, frequent donations of a million or more are expected. Where it goes is into the pocket of Miscavige, his tiny cabal, and the impenetrable and inescapable compounds he builds throughout the world. Those who come in alone are more empowered to walk away unscathed. Those who come in with family are sitting ducks for abuse and exploitation. Miscavige and his crew use the deadly ploy of triangulation to keep members hostage. Knowing that you can never, never, never have contact with a spouse, your children, or parents, or any other relatives--the fear and terror of that--means most of the victims choose to stay and see it through. If they can get to your family and friends inside the church (very possibly the only support system you've ever known), they can keep you from leaving. Even if a member decides to leave at all costs and leave many family members behind, the price is so high as to be at a criminal level. "Troubemakers" like Leah who dare to question the chain of authority and purpose of the Church find themselves slapped with loathsome jobs punished cruelly, assigned menial laboring tasks, forced to stand in a garbage can for hours while others pour water over them. Many have attested how Miscavige beat them mercilessly, choking them, giving them black eyes. A tiny man of slightly over 5-feet tall, Miscavige has overcompensated his inferiority by seizing power of an international scheme, conducting his entire life on God-like terms, and even requiring his own father to refer to him; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: To the Bright and Shining Sun; Author: Visit Amazon's James Lee Burke Page; Review: This is a stunning novel that captures not just the intense dilemma of a young man's obligation (to family or to self), but it depicts a depth of economic poverty that generations of coalminers and their families have endured. In the same way that Burke depicts the authenticity of nature with every available sense in his body, he deftly finds a way to give the reader a real sense of what kind of destitution and poverty com with generations of coal mining. Perry is a wonderful character in his inner strength, his hard-headed wisdom, and his ability to grasp what a lifetime of working in the coal mines means. The choices Perry is faced with are not trivial ones and, despite his hard-earned edge, his ability to see through the false promises to the coal miners--promises of better times--is his sharpest sight. What a fabulous book this is, one of Burke's earliest, but also perhaps one of his very, very best. As a long-time Burke reader, I cannot recommend this book highly enough.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Stained White Radiance; Author: Visit Amazon's James Lee Burke Page; Review: James Lee Burke is one of the greatest living authors of our time. Through a series of friends, I was made aware of Burke's writings, and am forever grateful. His detective Dave Robicheaux series is so riveting and remarkably written that Burke's millions of fans are begging and pleading for more, more, more. I've read them all, and I have even re-read some just to for sheer pleasure, but also to absorb the moral complexity that Burke has given to his main character, Dave Robicheaux. Robicheaux is an imperfect man with his own demons, but he is somehow grounded a vision of the world that compels him toward his own strength and recovery. Burke's books are always a reminder that good and evil absolutely exist in the world, and that we are bound, through our own decency, to confront that which is evil and inimical to the goodness in humanity. I continue to learn so much from Burke and am so very grateful to have had the chance to read not only the entire Robicheaux series, but also Burke's Holland series. The guy just can't write a bad word, I tell ya. His Robicheaux series is mostly set in the New Orleans area, but then expands to include areas in Montana. Burke's ability to describe setting and characters is nothing short of brilliant. This, you are hearing from one tough reviewer with almost impossibly high standards. I'm telling you: Burke is an American treasure. Start with Neon Rain, with Robicheaux's early struggles and move forward from there. You will never regret reading any Burke book. He has shined a bright light on the meaning of life for us all. There will never be a writer whose works I so highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Why Won't You Apologize?: Healing Big Betrayals and Everyday Hurts; Author: Harriet Lerner PhD; Review: Lerner has a way of taking the reader through the process of understanding those who are UNABLE to offer apologies for their transgressions against us. She explains that they just cannot, and our waiting for them to come to terms with their bad acts and own them will never happen. It's enlightening to read her explanations and suggestions for letting go and just focusing on ourselves when we have been mistreated by others. Our well-being matters, Lerner teaches, and we can't waste our lives waiting for others to come to terms with their acts. I found the book enlightening and helpful. She's an excellent, accessible writer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sam Shepard: A Life; Author: John J. Winters; Review: I have probably read every play, short story, and book written by Sam Shepard, so this book was a must for me. Winters puts together the complexity of Shepard's life and background, including all the forces that have shaped this astonishingly talented writer's life and work. Shepard is our greatest living playwright, and understanding his life provides brilliant insight into the prolific works he has given us. What a fantastic book!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spy of the First Person; Author: Visit Amazon's Sam Shepard Page; Review: Shepard's last book, and it is full of clues to his impending goodbye to us all. Lots of stories that are told from different perspectives and voices, but each one has the inimitable Shepard touch. It's beautiful and painful at the same time, but Shepard always managed to walk that razor's edge of humor and horror, to do it with skill and brilliance. Oh God, will I miss this writer, more than words can ever say. For anyone familiar with Sam Shepard's body of work (plays, prose, poetry, screenplays), this final book will be a treasure.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wayfaring Stranger; Author: ; Review: One of the best books ever written by the prolific, genius writer, James Lee Burke. This book tells a remarkable story about the end of WW2 and the way the world was at that time. Burke writes with a paint brush but uses every sense you could ever imagine. You can see, feel, hear, taste, and touch each image he gives us. I have read every single book by Burke (winner of TWO Edgar Awards) over the last year, and I cannot recommend his works highly enough. His Dave Robicheaux series is one of the most famous in literature. Thank God that Burke just released a new Robicheaux book--reading it now. This book, "Wayfaring Stranger" is not of the Robicheaux series, but it is utterly brilliant and stunning, every sentence, every paragraph, every page. I think of how lucky I was to have Burke's works recommended to me. They have provided more thoughtful joy and insight than some of the greatest books of the literary canon. Burke is truly a genius, a prolific genius. You will never regret reading his books.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: STORi 2-Tiered Clear Plastic Nail Polish Organizer; Brand: STORi; Review: This is a high quality acrylic product. I have two of them- both used to store my skin care products. At some point I'm going to get a third for nail polish.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: World's Best Feather Soft Microfiber Neck Pillow, 2360 Fence Row, Neck-Supportive Travel Pillow; Brand: World's Best; Review: gift she lovedWorld's Best Mini Polka Dot Feather Soft Microfiber Neck Pillow, Black; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Generic Black Slim-line Set of Finger Clips Set of 20; Brand: ClosetHangerFactory; Review: Generic Black Slim-line Set of Finger Clips Set of 20; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sodynee Ultra Thin Non-Slip Velvet Clothes Hanger, Pack of 50, Black; Brand: Sodynee; Review: Love these makes the closet look so neat.Jeronic Ultra Thin Non-Slip Velvet Clothes Hanger, Pack of 50, Black; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Avenger FDT10BF Gas Heater, White; Brand: Avenger; Review: Avenger Dual Fuel Vent Free Blue Flame Wall Heater - 10,000 BTU, Model# FDT10BF; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Chase & Chloe New Kimmy-36 Women's Teardrop Cut Out T-Strap Mid Heel Dress Pumps; Brand: Chase & Chloe; Review: Absolutely loved the shoes!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DREAM PAIRS Women's City_OT Fashion Stilettos Peep Toe Pumps Heels Shoes; Brand: DREAM PAIRS; Review: Very nice shoes!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Journee Collection Women's Matte Ankle Strap Pumps; Brand: Journee Collection; Review: Very nice shoes!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cameron Street Lacey Wallet, Lilac Petal; Brand: ; Review: Very nice!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kooljewelry Sterling Silver 1.5mm Italian Round Wheat Chain Necklace, Anklet or Bracelet (14, 16, 18, 20, 22,; Brand: ; Review: Loved it, very nice chain; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sterling Silver Diamond-Cut Rope Chain 1.1mm 1.4mm 1.5mm 1.7mm 2.2mm Solid 925 Italy New Necklace; Brand: ; Review: Perfect; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sterling Silver Diamond-Cut Rope Chain 1.1mm 1.4mm 1.5mm 1.7mm 2.2mm Solid 925 Italy New Necklace; Brand: ; Review: Perfect; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ray-Ban Women's Erika Aviator; Brand: ; Review: Not my style; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Lady Maybe; Author: Julie Klassen; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Woah. That's all I can say. Just, woah! I did not expect any of that!! I will say that, at first, I had trouble finding interest in the book - it's a tad slow-going in the beginning but once you get several chapters in you won't want to put it down! There are plot twists around every corner and when you least expect them, BAM!!!! They jump out at you!! Just like that. I know that the synopsis is incredibly vague, but you will have to trust me! This book is so totally worth it! I can't say much more without fear of giving anything away. Julie drew me into this story to the point where I felt like I was apart of it. You know when you read a book and the character does something stupid and you're like, "Why did you even consider doing that? What are you doing? No. No. Don't do that!" If you are: - Sighing - Nodding your head - Groaning - Facepalming - Or all of the above Then you can probably relate. But have you ever had that rare instance where you are so wrapped up in the pages of the story that the word "you" turns into the word "we"? "Why are we even considering doing that? What are we doing? No. No. We can't do that!" That's what Lady Maybe did to me. I hardly ever have that happen whilst reading a book which proves how perfect this novel is!! Secondly, I'm really not a huge fan of love triangles but Julie played this one out well! It wasn't overly dramatic like the ones in most books I read and it was suspenseful wondering who she would end up with! There are flashbacks in this book and also POV changes. I have talked with some who have said that they weren't fond of these being included but I loved them! I think it adds to the suspense of it all and draws you in. As for the overall theme: Lady Maybe has a Jane Eyre vibe to it which especially is revealed in chapter 22 and the ending. Oh man. Chapter 22. From then on is extreme!!! I'm still taken aback by the plot twists in those last chapters - I'm still trying to wrap my head around them. Some may call this book a little risque for Christian fiction but I found that this element made the story seem more real. I read so many Christian fiction books that are so innocent to the point where the story doesn't seem real. I also found that it may open the eyes of unbelievers as they see what's wrong with their actions. Gaah! I can't stop thinking about this book! It was sooooo compelling! Definitely one of the best that I have read this year! This book is nothing like the others that Julie has done but I thought that it is by far her best yet! She did a phenomenal job! You go girl! I can't wait for The Painter's Daughter in; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Painter's Daughter; Author: Julie Klassen; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Let's start with the glorious cover... When the cover was released, even before I read the synopsis, I was like, "I am reading that book! That cover is phenomenal!" If that was not your reaction then I am requiring that you look at it again. *You scroll back up to admire the cover* (At least, you should have!) Gorgeous, isn't it? With the colors, design, and typography, I think that it is the best of her covers. As for characters, I think Julie's talent in character development improves with every book. I loved Sophie so much! She's so down to earth, realistic, strong, and sweet. Wesley I just wanted to slap (which, by the way, is a good thing). I think I was glaring at him throughout the entire book. He aggravated me. Stephen, on the other hand, I adored throughout. Some people that I talked to were like, "In the beginning, I wanted to strangle him! He was so grumpy and cold." But the whole time I was like: "He's just misunderstood!!!" *sigh* Seriously, I absolutely loved Stephen, even in his rude stage. He's the brooding romantic type who softens once you get to know him. You will love him! Now, let's talk about content and the plot! Yaaay! The plot was drawn out so well! I honestly couldn't put the book down! There are so many unexpected plot twists and exciting passages! It's too good to be true. There's this one part when Sophie...*covers mouth* No spoilers. I desperately want to tell you about every single little detail! But I can't. What about the part where.... *sigh* You really should read the book! No spoilers now! There's this battle scene in the book that was phenomenal! I don't deal with blood and gore well but that scene was so intense and action packed, I was engrossed. Yet another reason why I think this book is better than all the rest. Oh! Oh! Something else! I would like to nominate The Painter's Daughter for the best first kiss in Historical Christian Fiction. Seriously though, WOW! I have never come across a kiss in Historical Christian Fiction that comes close to being that well written. Julie nailed it! I really want to create my own reward program just so that she can win it. I think I will. ;) If you've read my reviews of Julie's books before you will notice that there is one specific detail that I look for in every single book by Julie Klassen of hers (which she is well aware of by now because I constantly mention the fact to her) -- This detail being the Jane Austen quotes that she hides amongst the pages. I found them!!! I won't give them away but I found every last one of them. I am very proud of myself. Julie also incorporated a nod towards a scene in Jane Eyre which I noticed that made me smile like an idiot. "How shall I bear so much happiness?" Oh yes I did. Julie, If you are reading this I just; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Chivalrous (Valiant Hearts #2); Author: Dina L. Sleiman; Genres: history, young-adult, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: *Slams hands on table* YES!! This book is so spot on!!! Growing up, my sister and I dreamed more of being the knights in shining armor than we did of being the princess who needed saving just like Gwendolyn Barnes. The heroine in this book, Gwendolyn, is a powerful woman who comes to the rescue many times and proves everyone that she is just as powerful as any knight - despite the fact that she is a woman. I loved this story because it shows teens (girls especially) that they can rise above the obstacles that the world puts in their paths and do anything that they dream if the work hard enough. I think I enjoyed this book even more than I enjoyed Dauntless, mostly because of the fact that Gwendolyn is a knight who fights in battles and jousting tournaments. Also, *spoiler* Gwendolyn has to deal with an abusive father who refuses to let her choose who she wants to marry *end of spoiler* and despite that, is still a strong-willed woman who stands up for her beliefs and chases her dreams. She doesn't let anyone hold her back and I really admire her for that. I also love the letters to the readers that Dina put in the beginning of both Chivalrous and Dauntless - they are the most thoughtful and sweetest letters ever. I have never come across an author who has done something like that in her books. Dina, I applaud you! If you have a: Daughter Granddaughter Niece Cousin Sister Mother Grandmother Aunt Neighbor Friend That you would love to remind them how powerful and capable they are of achieving their dreams and being (or grow up to be) powerful women, give them this book with a little note. Believe me, they will feel stronger and more beautiful than they did before they read it. I sure did. Rating: I'm not a fan of most YA or Medieval fiction but this book was awesome!! I loved the characters, the plot, and the excitement. I'd recommend it to any teen OR adult that loves history and/or Melanie Dickerson's books. Content: **May contain spoilers** This is a Christian based novel so it has a great amount of positive spiritual content which I appreciated - it is a great influence on the reader. There is a sorceress who tries to tell the future, but she is put in a very bad light. The sorcery is not put positively and she (obviously) fails. Wine and alcohol are mentioned in the book, but because of the time period, almost everyone drank wine because of the unclean water. There is some battle scenes and people do die, naturally. There are jousting tournaments. Unfortunately, Gwedolyn's father is physically abusive and is a very harsh man - those scenes may be a little frightening for younger readers. This book contains romance, falling in love, and writing love poems. Being that I love romantic novels, this didn't phase me at all but it all depends on the reader. *I received this book from Netgalley in; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Sound of Diamonds (Steadfast Love, #1); Author: Rachelle Rea Cobb; Genres: history, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: *Note: This post may contain spoilers (depending on what you consider spoilers). If you don't want to know any of the suspenseful content or the romantic elements between Gwyn and a certain someone, then scroll to the end.* --------------------------- Some people have their favorite books. Some have their favorite authors. The ones who really love to read have their favorite publishers. Then there are people like me... People who, not only love all of the above, but go as far as to have their favorite editors, publicists, and other various employees of the publishing world. Yes, I do read through the acknowledgements looking for certain people that I have become familiar with through blogging. It's a weird habit of mine. If someone I admire or am acquainted with is part of the book team, I get excited and know that it will be a great book. The point I'm trying to make is that Rachelle Rea is one of those people. I love her work as an editor and when I saw she was writing her first series I was overjoyed (plus, her name is close to 'Rachael' sooo... ;) )! I know I'm a little behind on the rave being that this book was released last year but better late than never, right? I have never read any books set during the English Reformation (though, Melanie Dickerson's come close) and don't usually gravitate towards that genre. However, because this book was written by Rachelle, I decided to break out of my comfort zone. Oh. My. Word! It was awesome!!! To be honest, I didn't think that I would like this book as much as I did (but I'm always skeptical when it comes to a genre I'm unfamiliar with). Because I'm predictable, I'll start with examining the characters: Gwyneth was so strong, feisty, and headstrong which are traits that I love in a lead female character. Who wants timid, weak, fainthearted women when you can read about the spunky ones? One small element of her character that I thought was unique was that she had glasses and her vision problems were incorporated into the story. It can be such a small matter of little importance, but things like vision problems make the characters more realistic. I also adored Dirk and his strong and humble disposition. I can almost imagine him as the calm in her storm -- she deals with so much throughout the story but he is constantly there by her side. Also, that name! I don't know how such a perfect name was chosen but it is nothing but suitable for his character. I love it so much! In addition to them, I thought that all of the supporting characters were well-developed and compelling individuals to journey along with through the length of the story. They all had their own important roles and made the story so much more fascinating. Now we talk about the plot of this enthralling book... Actually, I just talk about it and you deal with my ramblings... But we wouldn't have it any other; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Her One and Only (Porter Family, #4); Author: Becky Wade; Genres: thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Guys, I have so much love for this book, it's unreal. I've said it a few times before in some of my other book reviews, but I'm a strong believer in girl power. I love books with women that are strong, independent, and can kick butt like any man - Dru Porter is the perfect representation of this type of woman! There comes a time when reading about the man swooping in to save the woman and then having her fall even more in love with him because he makes her feel safe and secure becomes tiresome... especially when it's in almost every Christian fiction book I read. Sometimes they will change it up and she'll be a strong independent woman but when something goes wrong she will claim that she's tired of being strong all the time or he will save her in a dire situation and she will be thankful for his bravery; even those stories can become tiresome at times. I was worried that this book would follow the second, typical pattern. I was afraid that it would be ruined by Dru being caught in a compromising position and Gray coming in and saving her, despite the fact that she is completely capable of handling herself because she is awesome. But it didn't! This book went its own direction and Dru dealt with every situation using the training and skills that she had acquired throughout her career making it much more realistic than most books. The girl finally saved the day! Go girl power! It makes me happy just thinking about it! I think Dru is one of my favorite females in the world of fiction. She is a bodyguard (or should I say, executive protection agent), she was in the Marines, she is skilled in physical combat, she rides a motorcycle, and she's as witty as they come. I adored her! As for Gray (I love his name!), he wasn't my favorite love interest but I didn't dislike him either. He was hilarious when it came to witty comments and sarcastic remarks and I think he complimented Dru well, loosening up her character and all. Though, he's a football player who lives a life of luxury with tons of girlfriends and parties and I've never been a fan of the jock type. On the other hand, these things are what push the story forward because Gray realizes that he can't find fulfillment in these things and only in Jesus Christ which is awesome! So, it takes a while to love him but I think that's okay. I've read through a few reviews from others who didn't like the idea of Gray drinking alcohol, partying, and having a line of girlfriends, and if this is worrying you already, I'll reassure you. It's not incredibly explicit. The scenes are short and do not encourage his lifestyle. The book would not be at all realistic if this wasn't included in the book - he doesn't dedicate his life to the Lord until later on in the story and you can't accurately; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: A Twist of Faith (Mitchell's Crossroads #1); Author: Pepper D. Basham; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: *From my review on: www.rachaelreadsfiction.wordpress.com Do you have any idea how long I have been waiting to write this review? According to my raving Facebook statuses, it's been approximately one year and twenty-nine days. That is THREE-HUNDRED AND NINETY-FIVE DAYS! (Including Leap Day)! I read A Twist of Faith back when Pepper's debut novel, The Thorn Bearer, was published and she had just finished writing this one. They were just starting with the publishing process and had a long way to go until the book was released to the public, so I was forced to wait until it was published so that I could rant and rave all about it. Guys! I've had to hold in all my excitement and adoration of this book in for that long - it's been so difficult. But, just imagine - it's been building up inside of me for a whole year and now all of it is going to be released in one blog post. Are you prepared? If you are nodding, then you are either: -Terrible at thinking before acting, -Extremely new here, OR -Already used to my outlandish ways (which is highly unlikely). So, stop moving that head of yours and find something to hide behind because things are about to get crazy! So, without stalling any longer, let's get this book review started!!! I'll start it off with a not-so-secret fact: A Twist of Faith is based off of Pygmalion, a play written by George Bernard Shaw in 1913 that was later used as inspiration for the famous musical, My Fair Lady. With that being the case, you'll find many nods to the play/musical that you may recognize if you've read/seen the play or watched the movie. I found this to be one of the most exciting parts of the book because I love the Audrey Hepburn adaption so much that it's exciting to see a twist put on it - an Appalachian one, at that! I recently re-read A Twist of Faith for both the sake of the review and for pure enjoyment but I still remember the first time I read it. I was so invested in the story, the characters, and the mix of emotional depth and humor, that I didn't leave my room for hours. Then when my family tried to interrupt me, the encounters ended something like this: *gif* "What did you throw those slippers at me for?" (Don't ever interrupt me while I am reading). Even after reading it for a second time, I still adore this story! It means more to me than anyone will be able to comprehend. I was given the chance to offer feedback after it was first written and to see how far the story has come since then is amazing. I'm so impressed by the improvement of the writing and the development of the characters - it's just unbelievable! Speaking of characters, I can't get enough of the ones in this story (even the ones that you want to throw your slippers at). They all have such unique personalities, you; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dance Over Me; Author: Candee Fick; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Once again, I'm left speechless by the story a book presents. I didn't really know what to expect when I was given this book but it definitely was not this. From the moment I opened the book, I was lost in the characters, the story, the suspense, and the humor. I absolutely loved this story!!! There was a variety of characters with individual traits and personalities that made them unique. Alex is a complete charmer! He's the perfect representation of a Godly young man that women should seek and men should strive to be. Also, he's got quite a sense of humor. I also adored his grandmother who was so incredibly sweet and cunning! When I'm old, I want to be like her--matchmaking everyone and coming up with plots for them to get together. ;) The story was captivating! On top of journeying through a career in musical theatre, Dani is desperately seeking out her brother that she was separated from through adoption. I fell so in love with everything about it! I was in theatre through all of middle school and high school so this book made me miss being on stage so much but I was also able to live through Dani's character and enjoy it as much as she did! I've seen a lot of the famous musicals but, for some reason, I've never watched 42nd Street or even listened to the soundtrack so I'm obviously going to have to because it sounds AMAZING!!! Everything pertaining to theatre was so spot on--the theatre lingo, the exhaustion that comes with being in a show, and the feeling of being on stage and losing yourself in your character. It was all so bittersweet. One of the greatest, most impactful things about this book was Dani's relationship with God. Even in Christian fiction you don't always come across characters that are so grounded in their faith. I highlighted so many things Dani said or thought and verses she quoted that stuck to me. I was uplifted and encouraged in my faith while reading this book. I found myself staying up late saying, "One more chapter" to myself while my eyes were burning and trying not to laugh out loud while every one was sleeping. If that doesn't prove how much I loved this book, I don't know what does. *I received this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.* Taken from my review at: www.rachaelreadsfiction.wordpress.com; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wrapped in Red (A Three Rivers Romance Novella); Author: Meghan M. Gorecki; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: *From my review on www.rachaelreadsfiction.wordpress.com * After finishing a book, are you ever stuck in between the fictional and physical world? It's the feeling where you're present in your everyday life, but your mind constantly wanders to the fictional world and you're wistful to go back. I've been like that since I've finished Wrapped in Red. I feel sad that I'm no longer experiencing Merry and Sam's lives and I'm constantly reminded of them when people around me say or do things that relate to their story. It's just that type of story. :) I'm not usually one to read holiday stories because, once the holidays roll around, I'm busy trying to catch up with the other books on my shelf that have been collecting dust. However, I made an exception with this story since the hype for it was so big with my blogger friends and I do not regret reading this. Wrapped in Red is a beautiful story that captures the excitement and beauty of the holiday season (from Thanksgiving to New Years) but also the pain that can often come along with it. When you're spending time with family and keeping up with traditions, it's easy to be reminded of loved ones and past memories that you yearn to have back--this story encapsulates that perfectly. Another thing I loved about this story is that it was so incredibly relatable to my own life. For one, it sums up exactly how it feels to be an introvert in this small paragraph: "She was tired. Her introvert needed quiet to gear up for the holiday weekend at the library. But it was only nine-thirty Thanksgiving night, and here she was ready to either cry herself to sleep or binge on Netflix and pie at the same time--she was multi-talented that way." That is a typical night for me as a college student in a nutshell. I was also able to sympathize with Merry as she dealt with the hardships of the single life and how irritable it can be sometimes. There's the family get-togethers where you're constantly asked if you've met anyone yet. The difficulties of dating sites/apps. The cringe-worthy dates where the guy leaves early because he "has laundry to do." The sorrow of not having someone who feels exactly the same way as you do about them. The constant wondering if there's even someone who is meant for you. While reading this, I thought to myself, "I'm pretty sure Meghan was able to read my mind and add all my thoughts and feelings into this story" Because, seriously, I've never read a story that I could relate to so well and that hit me that hard. This was one spectacular book! Now, I'm anxiously waiting to read more from Meghan because her writing is funny, heartfelt, and down to earth. In the book, there's a piece talking about Sam that goes, "And so he waited. He'd wait forever." Just like Sam, I will wait for Meghan's next release. I will wait forever. ;) Please go check it out! It's; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Just the Way You Are (Pleasant Gap Romance #1); Author: Pepper D. Basham; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: I have been in such a reading slump, IaEUR(tm)m so glad I picked this book up! IaEUR(tm)ve tried to read about two or three other books and, after a few chapters, I donaEUR(tm)t have the energy to read anymore and put it aside. Then I realized Pepper BashamaEUR(tm)s books are nearly impossible for me to not make through and so I put this book through the testaEUR|and it passed! If I didnaEUR(tm)t start it so late at night, I would have read it in one sitting. I tell you guys, Pepper has some sort of magical ingredients (IaEUR(tm)m thinking pixie dust!) that she puts in each and every book because I honestly walk away from them with a new outlook at life and some of the best one-liners and witty phrasesaEUR"IaEUR(tm)m thinking of keeping a book of them that I can reference whenever I need something clever to say. This book was absolutely wonderful, yaEUR(tm)all! I am so enamored with the characters and the Britallachian theme in it. I mean, how can you not love having both British and Appalachian characters in a book?! Eisley is my spirit animal with her clumsiness and lack of control over her tongue, I adored heraEUR"sheaEUR(tm)s now on the top of my list of favorite heroines.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Memory of You; Author: Catherine West; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Full review at Rachael's Reads: [url] The Memory of You by Catherine West is a nostalgic, heartfelt story of healing, family, and finding forgiveness. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and witnessing the development of the characters during all the trials and experiences they faced during the course of it. Having the family dynamic in this, with multiple generations all coming together, was one of my favorite parts of this book. I'm a huge fan of family in literature because I think it makes stories so much more colorful and relatable, so to have a story consisting mostly of characters who are all related was refreshing to read. Another factor of this story that I enjoyed was the relationship between Tanner and Natalie not being the main focus. I enjoy romance in fiction but sometimes it feels a little overkill when it's the focal point. In The Memory of You, the romance and the cute scenes were there but they didn't take over the story or the characters--it was more focused on the characters facing their pasts and healing. I'll admit, it felt a little slow-going at first but once the plot took off, there was no leaving it. This book is filled with emotion and true-to-life experiences that were so hard-hitting and thought-provoking. I put the book down feeling like I lived a whole new life in the course of a few hours, it took me a while to process all the emotion I was experiencing. I would most definitely recommend this book! It was wonderful and powerful, all at once! *I received this book from Thomas Nelson in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.*; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: True to You (Bradford Sisters Romance, #1); Author: Becky Wade; Genres: history, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Full review at my blog, Rachael's Reads: [url] I'm speechless. Honestly, I've been staring at this screen for quite some time trying to conjure up a string of words to describe how this book affected me. I don't know where to start or really, what to say. I will confidently state that this is the best book I've read this year and is easily on my top-five list of favorite books. Recently, I was hanging out with one of my friends and we were talking about books we have been reading (a topic that must always be covered between bookish friends, of course!) and we had both conveyed that it has been a long time since we found a book that blew us out of the water. You know, the type of book that you read through the night and cannot put down. The type of book that you carry with you everywhere and read it during meals. The type of book that shakes you to the core and you dread finishing because it's just that good. For me, this was that book. I can't emphasize enough how phenomenally written this book was, y'all! If it's on your TBR pile, I'm recommending you move it to the top and if you haven't heard about it until now, please add it to your TBR pile! Here's why: First off, the writing is excellent! Comparing this book to all of Becky's previous books (which are amazing, by the way!), I noticed an improvement in her plotting, character development, and writing style. After the first few chapters, I was impressed to see how she has developed since her last book was released--they weren't poorly written in the least, she's just maturing in her craft and I really enjoyed seeing that. At the end of each chapter, there's some sort of correspondence between a variety of characters: email, text, written letters, etc. At first, I wasn't sure how I felt about the idea but later on, I looked forward to seeing what conversation I got to eavesdrop on. Also, the characters are wonderful! I especially loved seeing the relationship between the Bradford sisters--having three sisters of my own, I could relate to most situations. Like I said, the character development is so well-done; watching them change and noticing their quirks was one of my favorite parts about reading this. Plus, Nora Bradford is my spirit animal! Her bookishness, obsession with fictional characters, and simply the way she handles situations was so relatable for me! The fact that she uses words like "indubitable" and "innocuous" made her all the more likeable, too! Read more: [url]; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Count Me In (An Emerald City Romance #1); Author: Mikal Dawn; Genres: romance, fiction; Review: Full (dramatic) review at Rachael's Reads: [url] I adored this debut novel! It was lighthearted and hilarious-so many funny moments that made me laugh out loud. The character names are absolutely amazing: Allegra, Story, Caprice-all so quirky and intriguing just like their book. As for Allegra, I could relate to her on a personal level! She is filled with personality and stubbornness that I truly enjoyed and she has such a tender-hearted disposition that I couldn't help but be drawn to her character. I also loved the adventure aspect to it. Every single daring adventure scene made me feel like I was experiencing it along with the characters which created such a thrilling reading experience. I'm so excited to dive more into these characters' lives and their stories!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | goodreads |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: The Wide-Awake Princess; Author: Visit Amazon's E.D. Baker Page; Review: I think this was a really good book and am looking forward to reading the next book, unlocking the spell. It's good that Annie and Liam got their happily ever after. I like how the book is a mixture of sleeping beauty, Hansel and Gretel and Rapunzel. Another great series by e.d baker is the frog princess. It's about a girl who kisses a frog who is actually an enchanted Prince and she turns into a frog and the frog and the princess go on amazing adventures to turn back into humans. In the end they have their happily ever after.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dork Diaries 1: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Rene Russell Page; Review: THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY A GOOD BOOK AND I HAVE RATED IT 5 STARS. I LIKED THAT NIKKI AND BRANDON FINALLY WENT ON A DATE!!!!! DORK DAIRIES SERIES IS AWESOME. I RECCOMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO IS LIKES GRAPHIC NOVELS AND A DIARY OF A WIMPY KID BOOKS COMBINED.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dork Diaries; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Rene Russell Page; Review: THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY A GOOD BOOK AND I HAVE RATED IT 5 STARS. I LIKED THAT NIKKI AND BRANDON FINALLY WENT ON A DATE!!!!! DORK DAIRIES SERIES IS AWESOME. I RECCOMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE WHO IS LIKES GRAPHIC NOVELS AND A DIARY OF A WIMPY KID BOOKS COMBINED.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pickle Impossible; Author: Visit Amazon's Eli Stutz Page; Review: It was an awesome book I loved it! The plot of it and just the story itself is just so so so amazing. This book is great. I like the happily ever after when Arore discovers that Pierre is related to her. I recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure and a teeny bit of comedy. This book truly is a masterpiece. Take my word for it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Emma Dilemma and the Soccer Nanny; Author: Visit Amazon's Patricia Hermes Page; Review: This was a really good book. It was nice in the end how Emma realised that her mom wanted to have fun with her not just to watch over her.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Son of Neptune (Heroes of Olympus Book 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Rick Riordan Page; Review: This book is awesome!!!!!!!! :-) I love it! Just the storyline and I am looking forward to reading The House of Hades when it comes out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Macdonald La Ermita Resort; City: Mijas Costa del Sol Province of Malaga Andalucia; Review: This is my first experience in this resort the only negative was that the wifi in our room was not working properly (first world problems...) The staff sourced us a solution in the end. Aside from that my over all experience was terrific, quiet location close the civilisation of Mijas which is just what i would want. The suite was immaculate, well maintained and fairly modern. It felt like being in your own personal flat. The kitchen could have done with a few extra utensils's however. The baths were jet baths which were very enjoyable along with the power showers. As for the rest of the hotel the restaurant had a good range of well priced food but the highlight has to be the three pools and in particular the indoor facilities. The two outdoor pools were split into a family (kids) pool and a non kids pool which was a nice touch. The indoor pool was a highlight though, heated, relaxing ambiance and music. I could spend ages in there. Very happy with the overall experience and i would stay there again. Fantastic Views!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Macdonald Windsor Hotel; City: Windsor Windsor and Maidenhead Berkshire England; Review: The location of the hotel is directly opposite windsor castle which gave us an excellent view every morning as you entered and left. As soon as you enter the building you meet a immaculate and classy reception with friendly and engaging staff. Our room was modern and had one of the best bathrooms that i have experienced in a hotel. The only issue that i noticed was that there were stains on some of the walls - attached a photo. The breakfast was excellent you are sat down in a naturally lit modern designed room which retains the old architecture - a nice place to eat. The food is well made, fresh and of a good standards. Particularly the porridge . Overall a very good experience and would stay here again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Stayokay Hostel Amsterdam Vondelpark; City: Amsterdam North Holland Province; Review: Can't really complain at all , good rooms, clean, breakfast was good.n Not noisy and your in an ideal location in the city. Very positive experience and there were over 20 of us . Would definitely stay there again if I was doing the same trip in the future .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lochside Hotel; City: Bowmore Islay The Hebrides Scotland; Review: I was traveling to Islay for an overnight stay for work purposes. The building is very nice, particularly the interior, modern and clean. I was greeted at reception by a very engaging and attentive staff member who took me though everything and even showed me round the room - a nice touch. The room was small but I have not complaints as it was very cosy well laid out had a good view. The bed and shower room were excellent! I also dined at the hotel and the venison casserole which was good and filling the sides were nothing special but Ii enjoyed the meal none the less plus for the cost the portion was very good, vast amounts of meat. Just what I needed on a cold winter night though. In the morning my breakfast needs were catered for as i needed to leave very sharp they made me a take away breakfast - SPOT ON . Will stay again Only negatives were that the walls were a bit thin. I could hear people downstairs at their more roudy period and could hear a little snoring from the next room - not much of an issue for me to be honest.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rothiemurchus Camp and Caravan; City: Aviemore Aviemore and the Cairngorms Scottish Highlands; Review: I have come to this campsite a few time. Firstly 15 years ago as a child and now as an adult. It is charming and a wonderful spot to camp. The main spots you want as a camper are right next to the stream which gives a great sense of freedom and wildness. Even better if you want this 'wild' experience but suddenly need something you have the large town 5-10 minutes away so you get the best of both worlds. The plots are based in the lush pine forrest with flat plots with limited stones on the grounds. In terms of camping experience there is a wide range of plots available, the river side, larger plots further back (good for families or larger tents) from the river and the upper area which is more remote and away from the main site. ALL are though are close to the showers an toilets. Speaking of the facilities they are excellent, very very clean and well maintained, they cater to all your needs. Heated area, spotless "kitchen cleaning" area, Showers and separate toilets are all available. In terms of of the site atmosphere, it was very pleasant, firm rules but all are to provide a good experience. The staff were polite and there when state. Unlike some negative reviews they were there at the times stated on the website and the office. They were very helpful and accommodating to our needs. Good pricing and as along as this campsite is the way it is I will be coming back here regularly in the future. suitable for all customers bar large groups with multiple tents such as scouts but this is clearly stated in the terms and on the website. Happy Customer; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: 2(X)IST Men's Essential Cotton No Show Trunk Multipack; Brand: ; Review: Great price. Will go a size larger next time. Thanks for great service.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: BOBS from Skechers Women's Keepsakes Delight Slipper; Brand: ; Review: Love these slippers. I bought a pair for my mother in law and had to get a pair for myself.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sweetbriar Classic Messenger Bag - Vintage Canvas Shoulder Bag for All-Purpose Use; Brand: Sweetbriar; Review: SMALL. NO REAL POCKETS!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Tenworld Women Summer Bohemia Flat Sandals Flower Beads Beach Flip-flop Shoes; Brand: Tenworld; Review: They start a little snug but it fits to your foot shape. Adorable as well.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dickies Men's 8 3/4 Ounce Double Knee Painter's Pant; Brand: ; Review: Durable and a great fit.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DAWGS Women's FleeceDawg; Brand: DAWGS; Review: I just had surgery two months ago on my ankle and these shoes are so wonderful!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: David Archy Men's Breathable Bamboo Rayon Boxer Briefs with Fly in 3 or 4 Pack; Brand: David Archy; Review: The best fitting underpants!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Machine Jeans S-M-L Size Jeans/Leggings Skinny Leg England/USA Denim Jeans; Brand: Machine Jeans david collection; Review: I am absolutely in love with these pants! I don't put them in the dryer and they have maintained their shape wonderfully.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DRESSTELLS Vintage 1950s Rockabilly Polka Dots Audrey Dress Retro Cocktail Dress; Brand: DRESSTELLS; Review: ; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: D.E.P.T. Women's Curly Boucle Coat; Brand: D.E.P.T.; Review: Upon receiving this coat I instantly took it out of the box and tried it own. It fit just as the other reviews stated. Beautiful coat just the right length. I love the texture and the leopard print lining. I am 5'11 bust size is 38c and a size 12 to 14 misses somewhat hippie. I had to return because I couldn't get the first button to close...I usually have a problem with length in the arm area and to my surprise that part fit perfectly. I ordered a large...which is what I usually order in talls....I would have just exchanged but they did not have it any size up from a large.....to bad I would have looked so rich in that coat.....hahahaha it looks better in person; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Crocs Sexi Flip Women; Brand: ; Review: Crocs are normally very comfortable but have always looked like bozo the clown shoes. Someone got the hint that comfort doesnt have to be a joke. I love this sandal. It fits like a glove my feet don't slide at all. I am ordering a second pair cause I am always in some summer dress and heels. And when I want to walk around the mall and go casual without having to change clothing this is the perfect sandal. And keeps me in step with the latest fashion.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dockers Men's Slim Fit Stretch Signature Khaki Pant D1; Brand: ; Review: This is a perfect fit for my son.....he doesnt like ironing, dressing up as some teenagers call casual wear. He wore these with a nice oxford blue shirt and tie for his first interview and then when he went on a date he wore them with sandals and polo. both times he looked well put to together. So now he likes to wear because he is able to dress up or dress down in them.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dockers Men's Slim Fit Stretch Signature Khaki Pant D1; Brand: ; Review: This is a perfect fit for my son.....he doesnt like ironing, dressing up as some teenagers call casual wear. He wore these with a nice oxford blue shirt and tie for his first interview and then when he went on a date he wore them with sandals and polo. both times he looked well put to together. So now he likes to wear because he is able to dress up or dress down in them.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Aerosoles Women's Chlambake Sandal; Brand: ; Review: I have been looking for a flat sandal almost all summer. I am naturally a 10 but with feet out of sandal so my heel doesnt hang over shoe I would need a 10 1/2. An 11 is just too big and most shoes either stop at 10 and 11 no in between. But for this maker the price was wonderful and the size was perfect. I will be ordering this shoe in different colors as I live in FL I will get much use out of them.... I have been able to dress up a little depending on what Im wearing or if I m just out at the store shopping. And they are extremly comfortable. I am 5'11 and I have a low arch almost flat foot so I really need to be comfortable in a shoe.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Women's Boyfriend Skinny Jean; Brand: ; Review: I love these jeans....they fit and conform perfectly I am 5'11 and a size 14....I have been able to dress them up in heels and dress down in flats.....great pair....I love them....; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fila Jump Flex 2 Basketball Sneaker (Little Kid/Big Kid); Brand: ; Review: This was my son's first pair of Fila.......He loves them, he played his first game in them....and for them to be a new pair they didn't need to be broken in....; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Spalding Women's Essential Capri Legging; Brand: Spalding; Review: I am 5'11 and a size 14.....these are the ONES.....the fit like a glove. I am ordering another pair today. I got these in charcoal I am ordering 2 pair of black ones I take a spin class at least 3 days a week and other times switch and run or walk......; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Etnies Men's Scout Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: My son has flat feet and often wears ankle support or knee support because he gets sharp pains in his knee. But this is the first shoe he has not complained about at all. He has told me that they are extremely comfortable and he actually was able to wear all day in school going up and down stairs walking from building to building and not feel like the only thought at the end of the day was getting out of his shoes.....Mesh does seem to allow a more breathable temp for feet which is always a need here in fl. I like the color and style easy for him to be casual and not feel like he is dressing up.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Etnies Men's Scout Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: My son has flat feet and often wears ankle support or knee support because he gets sharp pains in his knee. But this is the first shoe he has not complained about at all. He has told me that they are extremely comfortable and he actually was able to wear all day in school going up and down stairs walking from building to building and not feel like the only thought at the end of the day was getting out of his shoes.....Mesh does seem to allow a more breathable temp for feet which is always a need here in fl. I like the color and style easy for him to be casual and not feel like he is dressing up.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Etnies Scout Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: My son has flat feet and often wears ankle support or knee support because he gets sharp pains in his knee. But this is the first shoe he has not complained about at all. He has told me that they are extremely comfortable and he actually was able to wear all day in school going up and down stairs walking from building to building and not feel like the only thought at the end of the day was getting out of his shoes.....Mesh does seem to allow a more breathable temp for feet which is always a need here in fl. I like the color and style easy for him to be casual and not feel like he is dressing up.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Levi's Women's 535 Super Skinny Jeans; Brand: ; Review: I really loved these jeans....they fit hips very comfortably. They didn't sit too low in the waist. I did have to return them because the length is 30 I am 5'11 and I wear heals so these would be too short to mix up in the case I wanted to chuck my riding boots. They are soft and the color is exact as it it is in the picture; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nine West Women's Marled & Dots Crew Socks 3-Pack; Brand: ; Review: I like the quirky design...and very comfortable; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Classic Designs Juniors Stretch Poplin Elastic Waist Cargo Capri (S-3X); Brand: Classic Designs; Review: very comfortable...I am 5'11 I wear a size 14 I ordered a 2x...and it fits perfect...they are a bit see through but dark underwear is an easy fix for them....I would like to order all colors as soon as they as in stock...very comfortable pants...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bali Women's Shapewear Lace 'N Smooth Body Briefer; Brand: ; Review: I really like the material...and this doesn't pinch between the crouch....as some seem to do...it does feel very sexy on and material is breathable...I will purchase again...wish there were more colors than just nude, black and white....; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PattyBoutik Women Ribbed Cascading Open Cardigan; Brand: ; Review: I purchased this sweater over a year ago....I wear it everyday as the office I work in is always really cool.....this sweater gets washed at least once a week...it has not lost its shape at all...this was a great buy...I will be looking to purchase another pattyboutik....GREAT buy!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Maidenform Flexees Women's Shapewear Lightweight Thigh Slimmer; Brand: Flexees; Review: I really don't like wearing shapewear...it seems to always be to tight hard to pull on and off during bathroom breaks...material never seems to be breathable ...which is very important here in Florida....But this MAIDENFORM SHAPEWEAR is the opposite of all of that... I wore them with a sun dress which was of thinner material...so I needed something that would not be visible nor ride up on leg...but still give that smooth shape I needed....I am 5'11 and 200lbs...I am a size 14 full in the butt and thigh area....I love this item I didn't break out in a sweat in them and was very comfortable for an all night barbeque....very happy will be making another purchase of this item....; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: adidas Performance Men's Camouflage Slide Sandal; Brand: ; Review: I bought for my son and he really likes them...the strap can be adjusted so he did that because the shoe is a little wide for his narrow foot...but over all the shoe looks just as nice in person as in pic...would purchase again...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: StyleUpGirl Monica-1 Knee High Gladiator Sandals Marcelino Black Brown Knee; Brand: StyleUpGirl; Review: I have small calves...but the adjustable straps solved that issue...they fit perfectly and looked great with my peasant dress....I really like these shoes...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: West Blvd Womens Jakarta Knee High Wedge Riding Boots; Brand: West Blvd; Review: I wore these on my trip to Chicago...It was the only pair I took with me...I went from a open toe sandals to these boots literally...and the comfort level was the same...Got a few compliments on them....but I must say I wore them well..the temp ranged from 0 degrees to 25 and I don't think my feet got cold once...was out standing for while in some cases...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Stylzoo Women's Plus Size Premium Modal Rayon Softest Ever Palazzo Solid Stretchy Knit Pants Made in USA with Premium Fabric; Brand: Stylzoo; Review: I have had these for a while and I am 5'11 and the length is great...I love wearing with sandals....these pants are absolutely the most comfortable in this style I have found thus far...They have been washed and dried over 20 times..no color fade nor shrinkage; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: PattyBoutik Women's Racerback Striped Maxi Dress; Brand: ; Review: I am giving this dress 4 stars although I did return...here is why....the material is very soft and it arrived in the condition as seen in the picture. It hugs in the all the right places. It does cling but feels like a very light fabric to wear on one of our hot summer days in Florida...I am 5 11 and a size 14 misses....my chest is 36c I have mid size waste but very hippie...the dress came down to about 2 inches above my ankle...which is why I returned it...I do prefer my maxi dresses to at least hit my ankles....which is rare for my height..if it doesn't then it's just a long dress...I did really love this dress..sorry I had to return it; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dickies Young Men's Flat-Front Short; Brand: ; Review: I initially ordered a side 30 but had to return for a 28..delivery came 4 days before expected arrival date as the items were in back order. My son is a slim and so the 30 was extremely to big...i love them more than he does...because they are low maintenance no ironing yay....makes mommy duties a lot easier; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 925 Sterling Silver 1.5 MM Box Chain Italian Necklace Sturdy Lightweight - Lobster Claw Clasp 16-36"; Brand: Designer Sterling Silver; Review: The item was beautiful and strong enough for my diamond pendant which is white gold....i ordered this thinking that it would match pendant gold...and it did for the first few wears. It has already started to tarnish and no longer matches it's original color or gleam. If your lokking for something that would last for a while...this won't...i have order another necklace now; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Jefferies Socks Little Girls' Half-Cushion Seamless Socks (Pack of 6); Brand: ; Review: These are the perfect fit for my 2 year old. Great gravity for a great price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Noroze Girls Sleeveless Asymmetrical Chiffon Dress + Necklace; Brand: Noroze; Review: Only giving this 4/5 stars because the dress will have to be steamed. Also, I didn't like the fact that there was no tracking information so I wasn't really sure it was going to arrive on time for Spring pictures for school.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Women's Plus Size Basic Leggings 3X/4X Black; Brand: ShoSho; Review: I have to constantly keep pulling these up; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: ElegantPark Women's Pointed Toe High Heel Ankle Strap D'Orsay Satin Dress Pumps; Brand: ; Review: This shoe is good if you don't plan to walk a lot. They are beautiful, bold and bright but not very comfortable for long hours of standing or walking. They seem to fit true to size. I only had to adjust my ankle strap once. Also, because the heels are very thin, watch out for small crevices so you don't get stuck and come tumbling down.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bocar Personalized Layered Strands Turquoise Statement Chunky Necklace for Women Gifts; Brand: Bocar; Review: I purchased this to match a pair of shoes and it didnt, however its a nice piece to have.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: PJ's Coffee; City: Metairie, LA; Review: My favorite location! best service and best coffee. The baristas are very good at remembering your order and are always really nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Daiwa; City: Marrero, LA; Review: this place is awesome!! I love their sushi! always fresh and great. definitely the best sushi on the westbank; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mona's Cafe; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: this this is this is the best location with the best service and the best food. took my picky parents here and they were so blown away by the food,service,and prices. definitely an awesome cheap place to eat. and it's BYOB with no corkage fee; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sonic Drive-In; City: Marrero, LA; Review: the only thing good that they have going on is a few of their car hops are very sweet. the food is horrible and sloppy! the tea is freaking OLD!! that is disgusting to serve people days old tea! that can make people sick! tea is so cheap why save it for days? the chicken strip were rubbery,the hot dog was sooo sloppy and carelessly put together. I will never go to sonic again; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Seither's Seafood; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: the food is 100% awesome! the service is great. the only thing that really sucks is that the dining room is crazy small. if they are busy you pretty much have to stand right over people eating to wait to be seated.iys very awkward. they should really try to expand.that being said,it's worth it. the boiled crawfish is some of the best I've had. the crab cake pasta was amazing. the seafood pot is right on point.catfish,great (and I'm very picky with catfish). every single thing I tried was very good. would definitely go back,but on like a Tuesday afternoon or something. definitely wouldn't recommend going on a weekend.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Schnell's Restaurant & Bar; City: Marrero, LA; Review: this place can be really terrible or it can be pretty decent.its never anything to write home ablut,but it's cheap and pretty quick. ive had pretty decent meals from here,and I've had the most god awful meals from here that I couldn't even eat. The breakfast is really cheap and Usually pretty good.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Mo's Pizza; City: Westwego, LA; Review: the pizzas are HUGE! I will warn that the sauce a bit on the sweet side,so if you're not into a hint of sweetness in your sauce you may not like it.They sell by the slice so try it first. The muffelattas are the bomb! The spaghetti and meatballs is very good,but again, slightly sweet. Very nice place to eat with your family; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dimartinos Famous New Orleans; City: Marrero, LA; Review: The best shrimp poboy ever!!! They pack so much shrimp on it that they fall off the bread,and the shrimp are golden brown and perfectly fried.The bread that they use is so soft and good.They also have italian food,which is what they're known for.Wat I've tried,I've loved. The atmosphere isn't all that great it's small and you have to go up to the counter to order,get you own condiments,so don't go there expecting to be waited on.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Another Broken Egg Cafe; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: it can be Very crowded on weekends, I try to go when it's less crowded. The service is great and the food is delicious! The smoked salmon Benny is delectable. ive never had anything bad from this place. the prices are reasonable for the quality. Probably one of my favorite breakfast spots in the city; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ruby Slipper Cafe; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: I I have tried this place twice,forgetting how bad it was the first time. The salmon (whatever it's called) is DISGUSTING!! It tastes like catfood,it's very dry and weird. on the plus side,you get a whole lot of it the biscuits are pretty good. Everything else we had were okay, not horribke,but not nearly as good as we expected based on reviews. The orange juice tastes like Sunny Delight,which is very very disappointing. Skip this place and go to Dennys kr anywhere else; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Taqueria Corona; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: the best fish tacos and shrimp flautas!! the black chili sauce is so good. the only downside is that there's no chips and salsa, and you have to lay for it,and it's a tiny tiny amount . but it's worth it for the tacos. the beef tacos are also really good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: O'Henry's Food & Spirits; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: the veterans location is much better! however they make a seriously good burger. the service at this location kind of sucks.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Saenger Theatre; City: New Orleans, LA; Review: it's really nice but they squeezed way too many seats together. it's very very awkward when you have to get up,and you're pretty much on top of the person next to you if they happen to be big. They do have really good shows though; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Specialty Italian Bistro; City: Terrytown, LA; Review: it's okay,but not amazing by any means. It was pretty bland to be honest,especially for the fact that our pizza was Loaded with stuff...It was definitely edible,just not worth a second trip. My main problem was just the attitudes of some of the waitresses. It wasn't terrible,just definitely a bit of attitude. The only one that seemed nice was from the shorter older one...Just overall not a great impression. we will definitely be skipping this place next time.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: CaseCrown Bold Standby Pro Case for iPad Air - [Corner Protection] Auto Wake/Sleep, Hand Grip, Multi-Angle Viewing Stand; Brand: CaseCrown; Review: Great cover!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: INVELLOP Orange Leatherette Case Cover for iPad mini (Built-in magnet for sleep/wake feature); Brand: INVELLOP; Review: Well made! Great cover!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Josi Minea 3.5mm Audio Jack Extender Headphone Adapter with 4-Pole 3.5mm Connectors (3 Ring; Brand: Josi Minea; Review: I could not find this item in any store. This replacement piece is better than the original. Also - great price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Friendly Swede Bundle of 6 Micro-Knit Hybrid Fiber Tip Universal Capacitive Stylus Pens; Brand: The Friendly Swede; Review: Great stylus - much better than the rubber-tip type. Highly recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Label KINGDOM 2 Pack D1 Label Tape Replacement 45013 S0720530 Compatible for Dymo LabelManager Label Maker, Black on; Brand: Label KINGDOM; Review: Very happy w/ my purchase; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Meriton Suites Kent Street Sydney; City: Sydney New South Wales; Review: We were upgraded to a Skyview room - and the view is unbelievable! The rooms are clean, everything works and the staff were very helpful whenever called upon I know it's expensive - but t is a great place to relax and watch the world go by - from a great height!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Corinella Country House; City: Kyneton Macedon Ranges Victoria; Review: Sue and Steve are two of the nicest, most flexible and welcoming hosts you could ever hope to meet. We were stupid enough to lock ourselves out of our room and Steve had to dismantle the window to climb in to let us in. We took their keys with us when we left. We must have (accidentally!) been a real thorn in their side - and their welcome and smiles never wavered. The house is everything you would expect from such an historic building – it’s beautiful, comfortable and very quiet (except, maybe, for the sheep!).. I recommend this place and the hosts very highly indeed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hume Country Motor Inn; City: Albury New South Wales; Review: I travel a fair bit between Sydney and Melbourne and often stay in Albury on the way. But I have always stayed in motels “on the highway” This time I used the Trip Advisor app (and what a good app that is!) when I was travelling down from Sydney to Melbourne and wanted a break. The Sundowner Hume was listed as “number 1 of 31” hotels in Albury so I called and was given a courteous and friendly welcome on the phone as a booking was made. The motel is some way away from the centre of town and the room I was given had a great view across the countryside – and was very peaceful and comfortable as well. A simple do-it-yourself, toast and cereal breakfast was provided as a part of the booking and the staff I met were very friendly indeed A very nice place to rest your head after a long drive; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Swaggers Motor Inn; City: Yass New South Wales; Review: I was very surprised to see that this motel is rated as only “5 out of 6” motels in Yass. I have stayed in the Sundowner on several occasions and I have never yet had a bad experience The staff have always been extremely obliging, very friendly and provide a great welcome to the motel. The onsite restaurant has excellent food (you do need to be patient – they’re not the quickest restaurant in the world!) that is a little pricey, perhaps, but well worth waiting for. The rooms are comfortable, well suited to travellers and have the necessary facilities to make you rest easily. I like this motel – always have – and would recommend it; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Campbelltown Colonial Motor Inn; City: Campbelltown Greater Sydney New South Wales; Review: I booked this motel online and based on its location. As with all online bookings there was an element of doubt that my special request for two adjoining rooms would be met. But the staff were welcoming and had given me two rooms together as requested. The rooms here are spotlessly clean and the beds comfortable. My rooms were away from the road so there was no noise and a good sleep was had by all. So, when I had to go back to NSW a week or so later, I booked here again. I was not disappointed. Let’s be honest – the motel is a little old around the edges and could do with some work to spruce it up and improve the facilities a little. But if you want a basic, comfortable, efficient and friendly stay - in reasonable proximity to good places to eat, I would recommend the Colonial; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Albury Regent Motel; City: Albury New South Wales; Review: We had stayed at the Regent back in early 2012 and remembered it as being a nice place to rest for the night. We wondered if it had changed at all. So we went there again – without a booking! A perilous action to take – but I need not have worried. The welcome was friendly and we were fortunate to get one of the last available rooms This motel is conveniently placed, has great staff and the rooms are very clean and comfortable. Oh – and if you want a special breakfast, go to the café immediately adjacent to the entrance to the motel – it’s a nice place to wake up in! And, yes, it is still a nice place to rest for the night!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Camino Real El Paso; City: El Paso Texas; Review: Poncho Villa slept here. Classic hotel from the 20ies. Updated features, good restaurants, excellent bar, good sized rooms, nice amenities. Shuttle to airport is appreciated. Reasonable rates. Next time I need to go see a baseball game next door; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dana Point Marina Inn; City: Dana Point California; Review: Noisy but clean hotel with just okay hotel rooms. Breakfast is included (surprise!), and was adequate. Wi-Fi is free. Would someone explain to me why inexpensive hotels don't usually charge for Wi-Fi but expensive ones charge for it or included it in a "resort" charge? Grrrrrrr; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Drury Inn Suites Phoenix Airport; City: Phoenix Arizona; Review: Nice room, friendly staff, excellent price including breakfast and free shuttle to airport. Only complaint: noisy air conditioner in room 431! Servers in breakfast area were gracious and smiled at people; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Vert; City: Mont Saint Michel Manche Basse Normandie Normandy; Review: The most recent reviews are all very accurate. Clean, basic, somewhat dated and well used hotel with a great location and reasonable prices. I thought the breakfast was better than average. Charging for the entry pass to the gate was very cheesy. Apparently you are supposed to know to call hotel before to get code. Cost us five euros to get code for in and out privileges; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: L Hotel de Panette; City: Bourges Cher Berry Centre Val de Loire; Review: We loved this place. Luxury rooms fit for nobility, in an old world charm. Great breakfast, super friendly and helpful staff, a delightful place to stay in a great city to visit. Highly recommended. Comfortable beds; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Emporio Veracruz; City: Veracruz Central Mexico and Gulf Coast; Review: We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at the hotel. Great location, staff was excellent, and reasonably priced. Rooms were good sized, clean with comfortable beds. The bathroom and shower facilities were modern, easy to use and friendly for older people. Food was supposed to be less then adequate but since they are right across the street from the Gran Café (excellent!!!! for breakfast, lunch and dinner), who cares; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mercure Caen Centre Port de Plaisance; City: Caen Calvados Basse Normandie Normandy; Review: We enjoyed our stay here. Great location, lots to see, do and eat within walking distance. Negatives: 10 Euros a day to park seems expensive. It shares building with Ibis hotel, which I suspect charges less for a room. Positives: great breakfast buffet, farmers market outside on Sundays, several dozens of restaurants within walking distance and our room looked out at the canal; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Napili Point Resort; City: Lahaina Maui Hawaii; Review: Get ready for one of the best secrets about Maui: the Napili Point Resort is one of the great places to stay on this island, maybe any island. Another Maui secret? The best turtle-snorkeling is right outside your door at Napili Point. I can look out my balcony of unit C-42…; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: San Nicolas Hotel and Casino; City: Ensenada Ensenada Municipality Baja California; Review: This hotel looks great , the pool is spectacular and the staff is awesome. The casino is busy without seeming too crowded and has recently expanded, it's alice with the sights, sounds and energy of gambling, but walk outside to the pool and it is quiet and serene. This is a great place for a weekend away from any part of Soutthen California to a.clean, friendly, kid-safe escape Highly recommended; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Napili Point Resort; City: Lahaina Maui Hawaii; Review: We went back to the fabulous Napili Point resort for what I hope is an annual slice of sunshine, rainbows and a bit of Heaven. The resort is well maintained, the units are clean and functional. Restaurants are within walking distance. And having a fridge and a full kitchen is great, especially for breakfasts and leftovers. The pools are wonderful and the snorkeling is out-of-this-world... and all right outside your door. The upper C Units are 2 bedroom and two baths..... very practical. We stayed in Until C42 which has a great view of Molokai and we saw whales from our BALCONY every day!!!! Maui Heaven; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Nashville Downtown; City: Nashville Davidson County Tennessee; Review: Rooms were good, great location 2 short blocks to the heart of musical Nashville. We found the rooms to be very expensive. The pool was fine, the breakfast buffet was good and the staff was friendly and competent.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Residence Inn by Marriott Oxnard River Ridge; City: Oxnard California; Review: First time I've stayed here, but I will come back Clean, quiet almost apartment like rooms. Mine was in a small separate building, which was greatly appreciated since main building had what looked like a fun wedding dinner Dog friendly, breakfast included. Staff was very accommodating; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Peter and the Starcatchers (Peter and the Starcatchers, #1); Author: Dave Barry; Genres: history, young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: This was definitely a cute precursor to Peter Pan, and a light read all brought together in the end.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Divergent (Divergent, #1); Author: Veronica Roth; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: ** spoiler alert ** I thought the idea behind the book of shaping a culture around your values was interesting. But I'd have thought that more people would have been able to think outside the box and be in the Divergent category. I guess there were probably a lot more since Tris, Tobias, and her mother were all divergent. Definitely look forward to the next one.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pretties (Uglies, #2); Author: Scott Westerfeld; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Really liked the twist at the end, made me hate Special Circumstances just that much more.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Specials (Uglies, #3); Author: Scott Westerfeld; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: I was suprised by the ending and it kind of seemed to end the series...so we will have to see how Extras goes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Extras (Uglies, #4); Author: Scott Westerfeld; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: This book was definitely a little out there compared to the others, especially with a different set of main characters, but still a good read.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Wordless (Words Made Flesh, #1); Author: AdriAnne Strickland; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Great book, I loved the incorporation of other languages and cultures that you don't always see in young adult books. I also liked the ties into real world politics of the different countries. Great job, Adri! Excited to read the next one!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | goodreads |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Go Big or Go Home: Taking Risks in Life, Love, and Tattooing; Author: Visit Amazon's Kat Von D Page; Review: Can't wait to read it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Go Big or Go Home; Author: Visit Amazon's Kat Von D Page; Review: Can't wait to read it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Entertainment Weekly February 13, 2015 Norman Reedus The Walking Dead (Photo Diary, New Threats, More Daryl, Rick's Big Move); Author: ; Review: Love it thank you.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tattoo Coloring Book; Author: Visit Amazon's Oliver Munden Page; Review: I love this adult coloring book the gold accents are unreal and the pictures are amazing and so detailed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Marilyn Monroe: Metamorphosis; Author: Visit Amazon's David Wills Page; Review: This book is amazing the pictures inside are gorgeous.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tupac: Resurrection; Author: Visit Amazon's Tupac Shakur Page; Review: If your a Tupac fan this book is a must have.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Milton's Marilyn: The Photographs of Milton H. Greene; Author: James Kotsilibas-Davis; Review: This book has so many amazing photos I own over 100 marilyn monroe books this one is in my top 5.love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Life Remembering Marilyn; Author: Editors of Life; Review: Love my marilyn and love this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Sunnydale High Yearbook Buffy The Vampire Slayer; Author: Visit Amazon's Christopher Golden Page; Review: I love it came just as described.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kardashian Konfidential; Author: Kim Kardashian; Review: A book I wanted for my collection. Arrived as described.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bite Me!: Sarah Michelle Gellar and Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Author: Visit Amazon's Nikki Stafford Page; Review: Item arrived as described. Thank u.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History; Author: Visit Amazon's Paula M Block Page; Review: This book is beyond amazing. If you're a fan u need this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dark World: Into the Shadows with the Lead Investigator of The Ghost Adventures Crew; Author: Visit Amazon's Zak Bagans Page; Review: I'm obsessed with Zak bagans and this book gives me a glimpse into his world and I love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Shahpura Haveli; City: Shahpura Jaipur District Rajasthan; Review: Our tour dined in their dining room; the room was so memorable I've almost forgotten their food, but it was quite tasty and wonderfully served. Afterwards,we took a guided tour through the hotel. The restoration is absolutely beautiful. The rooms are very well appointed and very clean. It would be a great place for a return visit.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nahargarh Ranthambhore; City: Sawai Madhopur Sawai Madhopur District Rajasthan; Review: This is a beautiful hotel very close to the tiger reserve. The rooms are lovely and varied. Our was very clean. Unfortunately it was over the kitchen and the kitchen crew woke me up at 4am. They were a loud but cheerful bunch. The food was fine and served in a beautiful salon. It is obvious that they need to know a bit more about services needed. They didn't want to make change for me at the desk. I needed it for tipping in the roadside bathrooms.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Best Western Coral Hills; City: St George Utah; Review: What a pleasant surprise! This hotel practices true hospitality with its friendly staff who are very helpful in locating whatever you need. The location is near some great restaurants and other things to see in a nice part of town under the "coral hills". The breakfast was very good and seemed to be prepared on site; a cut above most complimentary breakfasts for sure. The wait there staff as also very pleasant.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Yellowstone Basin Inn; City: Gardiner Montana; Review: The fun thing about staying here is that you meet the owners. We chatted with Greg about his paleo diet and watched him give a calf roping lesson. You also watch the cook make a very special breakfast with the best of local ingredients. It's healthy but also delicious. They are very free with advice on the best way to tackle the huge Yellowstone National Park. Everything is very close, including the hot tub. A very enjoyable stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: C mon Inn Hotel Suites; City: Bozeman Montana; Review: From the friendly staff to the "woodsy"' decor in the open air lobby you know you've arrived at a place worth staying. We stayed on our way to Yellowstone and on the way back home. It's great to be met with a friendly staff who helps with your knowing the area. The lobby with it's pools and wildlife provide a fun atmosphere to hang out in just for fun of for for their continental breakfast; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Old Faithful Inn; City: Yellowstone National Park Wyoming; Review: It's a beautiful building with lots of great history. We were lucky, we got a great room with a view and easy access to the dining room. The front desk was swamped when we arrived, the rooms were not ready, nor did it get made up in our 2-day stay. It became somewhat frustrating. I would say that if you don't want to pay for a ringside seat to see the geyser, stay somewhere else in the area.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Riad Dar Dmana; City: Fes Fes Boulemane Region; Review: This family run business was a delightful place to stay. It made you feel like you were living a bit in a part of the past. This is a house that the family made into a riad; they added bathrooms to each of the bedrooms that were positioned around the former courtyard. The antique furnishings were wonderful, the food was good and the owners made you feel at home.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Kasbah Hotel Chergui; City: Erfoud Meknes Tafilalet Region; Review: After a long drive, we were greeted on our arrival by fun energetic music. The pool is beautiful; it looks like a desert mirage; you "slip" into it. The rooms were large, and quite nice, unfortunately, there were no screens on the windows. The breakfast banquet was one of the best I've seen The variety was wonderful and the presentation was very creative and artistic. It was a nice place to stay before getting to our camp in the Sahara.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kempinski Hotel Khan Palace; City: Ulaanbaatar; Review: We could count on modern facilities and a hospitable staff to greet us when we came back from a ger camp. The front desk was helpful and friendly. The rooms were comfortable and the wi-fi worked. The crowning moment each morning was the breakfast buffet. It was great food; the omelet cook was on top of her game and the selection was comprehensive.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Agriturismo Tenute Pispisa Segesta; City: Calatafimi Segesta Province of Trapani Sicily; Review: Walking to the road (about 2 miles) gave me a lasting memory of the Sicilian hillside. Golden hills (a California euphemism), miles of lush green grapes and a a Doric temple framed against the blue sky. A great to wear off the calories of a wonderful lunch. A timeless moment.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Berlingeri Resort; City: Mazara del Vallo Province of Trapani Sicily; Review: The ground level rooms border a path of pomegrante trees and flowers that leads down to a beautiful walk-in pool. The sparkling pool surroundings are peaceful and not disturbed with a huge smell of chlorine. The restaurants provides good meals in their dining room.This resort is aiming at sustainability; the solar panels on the parking lot attest to that.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Vino2Go Double Wall Acrylic Tumbler with Merlot and Verde Lids, 10 oz, Pack of 2; Brand: Vino2Go; Review: A fun and safe way to sip wine when glass is not a good option. I love that the insulated cups keep the glasses chilled longer. These work better than I expected.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Vino2Go Double Wall Acrylic Tumbler with Double Blue Lids, 10 oz, Pack of 2; Brand: Vino2Go; Review: These are great to use when drinking wine outside. You get the look of a wine glass within the tumbler. The tumbler insulates the wine to keep it chilled. The glasses will not shatter on patios, making them great for sipping outside.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lasko 2554 Wind Curve Tower Fan with Remote Control and Fresh Air Ionizer, Silver Woodgrain; Brand: Lasko; Review: This is quiet. It produces a good breeze. The room doesn't have a lot of space in it, so the tower fan is perfect. The remote makes it a great choice in the bedroom because you do not need to get out of bed to adjust the fan.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Original MantleClip, 4 Pack - Brass; Brand: The Original MantleClip; Review: Originally I was going to get some of those heavy stocking hooks that are attached to a weight. When I saw these I thought this would be a better alternative because they are lightweight and take up less space. I love that these hooks are adjustable. They supported stockings that were fully loaded with goodies. They have padding inside so they do not slip. These are a safer alternative to having a heavy weight with a hook attached to it. If these fall they will not destroy something or injure someone. I am glad I tried these. They are better than what I was originally looking for.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crystal Allies Materials: 3 Pounds Bulk Rough Madagascar 12-Stone Mix - Large 1"; Brand: Crystal Allies; Review: I was nervous about what I would get with this assortment and decided to take a chance. I was pleased that there is a good variety of stones in the collection. I used the stones to fill a clear vase. They look great. They are rough, but that is what I was looking for. They are very pretty. Good value.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kurt Adler Yoda in Santa Robe Nutcracker, 9-Inch; Brand: Kurt Adler; Review: This is a great item. It's good quality. It is perfect for the Star Wars collector or someone who collects nutcrackers.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kurt Adler Darth Vader with Death Star Nutcracker, 10-Inch; Brand: Kurt Adler; Review: This is a great item. It's good quality. It is perfect for the Star Wars collector or someone who collects nutcrackers.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Meat Thermometer, Habor Cooking Thermometer[5.8 Inch Long Probe] with Instant Read, LCD; Brand: Habor; Review: This works well and it was a great value. I am pleased with this purchase.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Hyatt Centric The Loop Chicago; City: Chicago Illinois; Review: One of the best experiences I had with a hotel. I stay with Hyatt pretty often but the experience here, in this particular Centric, was simply amazing and this was possible mainly because of the staff here. I traveled along with my wife for the weekend to celebrate our anniversary and since they knew this, they were kind enough to give us an upgrade to a high floor suite. Not only this, but when we entered the suite, there was also a gift waiting for us, which was a really nice gesture. The room was in perfect condition and everyone in the hotel was very friendly, trying to help and make our stay as good as possible.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hyatt House Austin Downtown; City: Austin Texas; Review: I’ve been here with two friends, booking a king room with pull-out sofa. The room was very clean, with nice furniture and a fully equipped kitchen (including dishwasher machine). The sofa was pretty comfortable to sleep on. The location is also really good, just 5 minutes walking distance from 6th Street.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hampton by Hilton Berlin City West; City: Berlin; Review: We stayed here for a short getaway while visiting family in Europe. First of all, I would like to say location is great, very close to train station. It was very easy to get there from the airport and then in the city centre. The staff was very welcoming, they treated us very nice and made sure everything was fine. The rooms were very clean and big enough. We had a room facing the backside of the hotel, right next to the train line but the rooms are perfectly insulated so we could literally not hear the trains at all. Breakfast was good and pretty diverse as well. Also great prices at the bar in the lobby.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hyatt Place Sacramento Rancho Cordova; City: Rancho Cordova California; Review: Really good for a Hyatt Place. Clean rooms and friendly staff. Location is not necessarily the best but has a big outlet shopping centre close by. Nice pool and gym, free parking and big enough, clean rooms with kitchen. I would definitely recommend it for a night or two, especially since you can take day road trips to Napa.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hyatt Regency Los Angeles International Airport; City: Los Angeles California; Review: My wife and I usually stay here in case we have a really early flight because of it's convenient location. It is a nice hotel with clean rooms and new furniture. The staff was very welcoming and professional both in Front Desk and at the bar in the lobby. The location is great for those travelling and their shuttle service to LAX work pretty good, having enough shuttle buses so you don't have to wait too long.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Grand Hyatt New York; City: New York City New York; Review: Although a bit aged, the room was very clean and nice, the staff the same and the location is just amazing. The room was fairly big, with nice furniture and great view facing the Chrysler Building. Both the Front Desk staff and the Housekeeping staff were very friendly during our stay and the location is simply amazing. Overall great experience. I would definitely recommend this hotel and I would definitely stay there again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Republic San Diego Autograph Collection; City: San Diego California; Review: Booked this last minute for a night and I am very happy with my decision. Really great value for the money. Nice service and very clean, modern rooms. Also the late check-out was a very nice perk. The only problem is the parking, you basically have no choice but to get the valet. But this is just a small inconvenient which you will find pretty much all over Gaslamp.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Mothers Single Unit 07240 California Gold Clay Bar System; Brand: Mothers; Review: works well; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Turtle Wax T-374KTR Color Magic Car Polish, Black - 16 oz.; Brand: Turtle Wax; Review: great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Motion Pro Rear Wheel Alignment Tool; Brand: Motion Pro; Review: PERFECT; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Haynes 2534 Technical Repair Manual; Brand: Haynes; Review: NICE; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tusk Motorcycle Wheel Balancing and Truing Stand; Brand: TUSK; Review: every bike owner should have; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Motion Pro 08-0350 Belt Tension Gauge; Brand: Motion Pro; Review: A MUST HAVE; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Automotive |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: What Liberal Media?: The Truth About Bias and the News; Author: Visit Amazon's Eric Alterman Page; Review: I get a little upset when someone reviews a book without having read it. To say that this book isn't worth discussing or debating is very short sighted. It's a critical question, and it is one that Alterman answers in an annotated and clear, convincing manner. First of all, he has been writing on this subject for years, and he is actually a journalist, something that most people who call themselves journalists should take note of. If you don't believe that the media is anything but liberal, look what has happened to Peter Arnett when he hasn't toed the line when it comes to reporting on a war.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Holy; Author: Visit Amazon's Daniel Quinn Page; Review: Well, here we go again. Daniel Quinn is not an instant access author. The first time I read Ishmael, I got so impatient with the book that I tried to throw it into an active fireplace. Luckily I missed and decided to put it back on my shelf. That was 7 or 8 years ago. About two years after that I decided to pick it up again, because I was trying to make my then fiance' happy. I didn't like it all that much more, but stayed with it anyway. And that patience made all the difference. The Holy is a different type of book, but the mechanism is the same. I know that almost doesn't make sense. You see, in order to appreciate Quinn, you really have to "listen" while you read, which is a strange necessity for reading a book. His characters can infuriate you because of their godawful myopia, and then all of a sudden, you realize it's you that's the nearsighted one. At least I think that's his point. He is an acquired taste that is worth pursuing. Don't give up on him. Hear him out. You'll be glad you invested the time.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Fountainhead; Author: Visit Amazon's Ayn Rand Page; Review: I have never quite understood Americans' obsession with Ayn Rand. I read Atlas Shrugged about 25 years ago and found it to be an overwritten bore. Some interesting points, but certainly not worth the effort of 1100 plus pages to pour through it all. Admittedly, the Fountainhead reads far better than Atlas, but it still suffers the typical Rand oversimplification plague: Her contention about the evils of collectivism is so wrought with emotion, that her dialog ends up being incredibly superficial. When the Stanton Dean contends that "everything worth doing has already been done" it just doesn't ring true. What 20th century person of ANY intelligence would ever say that phrase with a straight face? Collectivism or not, I have never met anyone who believes that, in or out of the education ranks. The art of good writing is to show strong aspects of both sides of the debate. Ayn Rand is so fervently on one side, she actually derails her entire argument. Roark and Keating are nothing but bad caricatures, rather than flesh and blood characters. There's no depth to Rand's ideas. Even her introduction to the 25th edition (1968) has a lot sour grapes dripping all over it, although for what reason I am not so sure. I guess the 1960's were probably a bummer for Rand. The hippie generation's central theme was everyone getting together (hence, a form of collectivism, ouch, Ayn!). Had Ayn Rand lived into this century, she probably would have been ecstatic with FOX NEWS and Rush Limbaugh (or Sean Hannity, for that matter) could have been her real life Howard Roark(s) model.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: An Execution in the Family: One Son's Journey; Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Meeropol Page; Review: I never knew that the Rosenberg children were basically forced to assume a different last name so they wouldn't be persecuted by children and adults throughout their lives. Instead of understandably seeking revenge against those that did wrong by his parents (and our democracy), Robert Meeropol has adopted a philosophy of the highest order, to create something constructive out of something terribly heinous. His argument against the death penalty in Chapter 9 is so eloquently convincing that it should be read by every citizen of the free world. I don't believe this to be an understatement. If you read this review, don't just sit there... get the book and read that chapter!! The author also describes his support of Mumia Abu Jamal and how the Fraternal Order of Police stance for execution is more vengeance than truth-oriented. It's a controversial stance, and he doesn't belabor the point. On top of it all, he even suggests that he isn't quite convinced that his father wasn't guilty of something, just that there was no evidence to support the government's case against him, and even moreso with his mother. It seems that had the Rosenbergs admitted some guilt, their lives would be spared, Because they refused to lie, they chose death instead. Turns out they were brave, and their executioners cowards. Not a great moment for the USA. Written simply and with a voice free of self righteousness, Meeropol suggests the proper way our species should think, without moral relativism, and without the hysterics of today's political talking heads. This book makes places like Fox News obsolete.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Garcia : An American Life; Author: Visit Amazon's Blair Jackson Page; Review: Recycled from when I was just a"reader": For anyone who has been to a Grateful Dead show, the phrase, "there's nothing quite like a Dead concert" was as much a truism as "chances are pretty good that the sun will in fact rise tomorrow." Jackson's biography of the band leader (as this book makes clear, Jerry Garcia was the leader of the Group, as he was the leader of all of his side projects) explains clearly and insightfully the tremendous amount of energy that was put into their shows to ensure the uniqueness of each concert. Jackson also describes (but can't really explain) the almost bipolar nature of Jerry Garcia's personal life that led him to a life of drug abuse and heartless infidelity while at the same time being very lucid about his ideals. He was always clear about what he saw the band doing but was unable to envision a happy life for himself. The historical references are often interesting but there is an exhaustive discussion of his funeral at the end of the book and there's a lot of gossip that perhaps could have been deleted. I suppose there are people that like that kind of stuff.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature; Author: Visit Amazon's Steven Pinker Page; Review: This book, Steven Pinker's sixth, is probably his most ambitious work to date. It spans so many different topics that it's inevitable that many professors of social and behavioral psychology will get uptight when Pinker has the audacity to visit their territorial domains. That reality is an unfortunate but predictable outcome. Just look at the previous reader review from 12-26-03 and you will see the point clearly illustrated. This is a terrific, albeit, imperfect book with a lot of great ideas and a boatload of bad news for many behavioral psychologists who have inundated our popular child rearing culture with all this advice about parenting styles and the ultimate effect on our children's outcomes. Pinker clearly gives evidence to the contrary: that our children become the way they are primarily from their genes (not quite the blank slate, is it?) and from the specific experiences in their lives, not necessarily just THE environment, but from the way the environment has specifically interacted with us. He also dispells the long held notions of the 'Noble Savage' and 'The Ghost in the Machine' (made most famous back in 1982 by Sting and The Police, of all people!). Again, this book is ambitious (perhaps to a fault) and far reaching with intense treatments of our understanding of politics, children, the arts, violence in our society, and gender issues. The most poignant questions Michael Moore asked in 'Bowling For Columbine' are eloquently addressed by Pinker in Chapter 17. With so many subject areas flying around, the author somehow creates a coherent thesis that ties it all together. This is a great book that has much to teach us and, I believe, will be read for many decades to come. To understand The Blank Slate is to understand much about human nature and our prevalent, ill-taught misconceptions that we all need to unlearn if we are ever to progress as a society.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 1968: The Year That Rocked the World; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Kurlansky Page; Review: As complex as any year in our history, Mark Kurlansky makes 1968 understandable (though not comprehensible in the strict sense) with a credible honesty about the time without the usual 'oh wow man, it was cool' histrionics. As you read 1968, you can tell that the author wanted to write it so many years earlier, but most likely felt that he could not be objective enough because of his direct involvement in the rebellious protests of the time. At some point he decided that this particular view of his was irrelevant, that it was high time he wrote something that was so meaningful to him and to an entire generation and beyond. The great thing about this book is the world-wide scope that he addresses: There were serious student-generated uprisings happening in Paris, Warsaw, Mexico City, and of course, Prague. 1968 wasn't just about the campus protests of Berkeley and Columbia University and the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, which is usually what most of us think about as being the essense of that year. As a matter of fact, it's concerning Prague that the author makes the most surprising statement of all (in my opinion, of course): That the Soviet Invasion of that spring marked the true 'beginning of the end" of the Soviet Empire. Because up until that point, except for the invasion of Hungary in the previous decade, the Soviet Empire had always tried to be a beneficient empire that freed people, not an oppressor of revolution. So much for that image. Regardless, this view is in sharp contrast to the usual credit given to the policies of the hard line Reagan Administration's "Evil Empire". Nothing is ever as simple as it's first told to you. What the author has produced here is a truly important book that will hopefully give us a better understanding of what we have become as a society since 1968, and perhaps garner him some justly earned recognition as a great nonfiction writer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dude, Where's My Country?; Author: Visit Amazon's Michael Moore Page; Review: We Americans are such an incredible group of human beings. That has always been obvious. This was true even before there was a George Washington, let alone a George of the more recent variety. It takes a Michael Moore to explain it so plainly what makes us so special. Believe it or not, THAT is what 'Dude, Where's My Country?' is really about. Perhaps the title is unfortunate and the more appropriate title might have been, "Dude Where's OUR Country?" It is clear that the folks who rip this book haven't really read it, at least not completely. It's true, he thinks George Bush II is the worst president in our lifetime, and he gives very solid evidence of why that is. If you choose not to believe, that's OK. But then again, you don't have to believe in gravity either. And believe this: there are plenty of nut cases that would just as readily have us disbelieve Isaac Newton just so that we could ignore the awful truths about our current adminstration's harmful philosophy and beliefs which are so clearly laid out in this book. Wake up and read this book with an open mind, as others have suggested here at Amazon. Democracy can only survive with people keeping their options open. Once those doors are closed, then you have something else; and then freedom becomes merely a word, and not a reality.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Vanishing Point: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's David Markson Page; Review: Markson has created something wonderful in his latest work. The idea of an elderly author gathering up all these little tidbits in order to compose what may turn out to be his last work IS the novel. What a great idea. Markson's originality ranks right up there with the works of Beckett and Gaddis. There are many great references re Einstein, Picasso, Fitzgerald, Dickens, Sophocles. Aristotle, Galileo, Hitler, and even 9-11. He also shows the utter personal idiocy of Heideger and Wagner, their brilliant artistry notwithstanding. Never has someone taken so many disparate items and yet synthesized them into a unified, cohesive sequence of thought. This is what great writing is all about.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Da Vinci Code (Robert Langdon); Author: Visit Amazon's Dan Brown Page; Review: (...)Unusual book in many ways: The beginning was not that great. Some of the writing made me roll my eyes. The dialogue is embarrassing at first. The ending is a bit weak too. It's almost like Mr. Brown couldn't resist a nice tight Hollywood ending. By the way, contrary to what the 'reader' said, there is absolutely no sex in this book at all, which is a clear indication that Mr. 'As a Christian" didn't even read the book he claimed to read. So why do I still give this best seller four stars? The middle of the book is absolutely awesome. I couldn't put the darned thing down. Brown interlaces a lot of cool ideas together. His articulation about the significance of Mary Magdalene is incredible. And the bottom line is that a lot of it rings truer than what the Catholic Church has doled out for the past two millenia, I am sorry to say. And the book also makes you want to go and rent two movies: The Last Temptation of Christ (which was an excellent film, by the way, and much much better than the current Mel Gibson fiasco) and Eyes Wide Shut (the last film by Stanley Kubrick, a real moviemaker, unlike, you guessed it, Mel the Smell-as in, I smell MONEY).(...) Enjoy. Review to your hearts content.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rats: Observations on the History and Habitat of the City's Most Unwanted Inhabitants; Author: Visit Amazon's Robert Sullivan Page; Review: This is the biggest surprise of the year; the idea that I would even be interested in a book about rats... But interesting it is. Sullivan creates multitudes of analogies between us humans and the rats, and for the most part, it works really well. The idea that rats can be cooperative with each other, but when times get tough, they can really turn on each other, even cannibalism. Hmm, what other species acts that way? His description about the historical layers of both rat and human populations in New York City is absolutely fascinating. The section on September 11 is equally engaging. Sullivan's writing is personal, riveting, and relevant. Highly recommended.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Occidentalism: The West in the Eyes of Its Enemies; Author: Visit Amazon's Ian Buruma Page; Review: What a strange book. It's a thin volume about a subject that I have always wanted to get a grip on, and yet it's mostly confusing. Ironically, the actual concept of Occidentalism is poorly defined by the authors, and the book never recovers. The authors fail to explain the many paradoxes of Westernization, including the most recent bifurcation between most of Europe and the US and England mess. However, it is not a total loss, and at under 150 pages, I still recommend it with 3 stars.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Fountainhead; Author: Visit Amazon's Ayn Rand Page; Review: The ultimate kindergarden philosophy posing as something worthwhile. Nothing is as shallow as the written dialogue between Roarke and anyone he speaks to. Plus Ms. Rand is expecting us to idolize a rapist. What a bunch of hooey. Read anything else and you'll be smarter.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: My Life; Author: Visit Amazon's Bill Clinton Page; Review: The folks who have given our last truly elected president only one star for My Life have obviously not read the book at all. His writing is eloquent, revealing, intelligent, and honest. I don't think he's in denial as he is exasperated at the unfairness of the witch hunt that started before he was even inaugurated. He also dedicates a lot of the book describing his childhood. Many of his 'misjudgments' can be traced to and explained by his childhood experiences, some which were very unpleasant and out of his control. This was a man who had to grow up fast because of his less than favorable life. His life is much more real and human than the current president's, who lies for very different reasons, with, as it has turned out, much more dire consequences. If you don't believe it, you're not paying attention. Give us all a break, you Clinton-haters out there. Share your loathing issues with your therapist, not through Amazon.com.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: July, July; Author: Visit Amazon's Tim O'Brien Page; Review: Tim O'Brien has one of the toughest jobs in the United States. He has to prove over and over what a great writer he is. After such great books like "The Things They Carried" and "In the Lake of the Woods" readers expectations are high. I thought that "Tomcat In Love" was a good book, but poor Tim had to get trashed by the critics because it didn't live up to his other books. Everyone in Amazon Land: PLEASE STOP THAT!!! Desist from comparisons. It really does an overall disservice. Now the book: July, July is a great piece of fiction writing. Plain and simple. Mr. O'Brien is an American icon. His dialog is funny, snappy, realistic, and yet always literary and solid. The plot is slight, but his characters are broad and real. No one writes about the details of relationships better, not to mention the intelligent manner in which he depicts the Vietnam War (or any war for that matter) experience.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Desire of the Everlasting Hills: The World Before and After Jesus (Hinges of History); Author: Visit Amazon's Thomas Cahill Page; Review: The most wonderful aspect of this great book is that Cahill invites the reader to explore further with other writers who have been more 'scholarly' about this topic, in particular Raymond E. Brown's work on the New Testament. Additionally, Mr. Cahill is a terrific wordsmith. He knows how to engage you, move you, help you understand. His analysis of the four gospels and their particular distinctions are very well done. One can appreciate the differences between Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John without getting hysterical about their inconsistencies. He addresses the tough questions of Christianity and does a nice, even handed job. There is nothing offensive about this book at all, regardless of your denomination. In particular, the section concerning the Apostle Paul and his life as a spreader of the "Good News" is inspiring and helps one understand the political and religious atmosphere of the first century A.D. For that alone, this book is worth reading.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Plot Against America; Author: Visit Amazon's Philip Roth Page; Review: Philip Roth takes on apparently unfamiliar territory in this book: alternate history, but not in the tradition of William Gibson and other Sci Fi folks. The issue that emerges is not that we narrowly missed out on this fate back in 1940 (where Roosevelt loses in his quest for a third term to the Fascist-inclined aviation hero), but that there are some subtle (and then not so subtle) parallels between the fictional Lindbergh and the current (and some have said, 'fictitious') Bush administration. I couldn't figure out what is more scary: the premise of the USA sitting out World War II and letting Hitler have his way (and thus the US being noninterventionist) or the current situation where we went into Iraq with an extreme outlook of being interventionist (and yet still with the same dogmatic resolve as in the Lindbergh scenario). Because of this unprecedented reverse juxtaposition, Roth really wants us to think very hard about the complex world we live in today. That premise for a novel is both useful, and yet incredibly chilling.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 1919: Volume Two of the U.S.A. Trilogy; Author: John Dos Passos; Review: I was prompted to read this book (and many others by the author) by an Amazon.com reviewer of Norman Mailer's 'The Naked and the Dead.' The reviewer completely trashed the Mailer World War II book, which I always believed was as good a war novel that had ever been written. The 'Naked and the Dead' was a groundbreaker in many ways, and set the tone for his great literary career that has ultimately had some ups and admittable downs. The reviewer said that if I want to see some 'real writing', to read John Dos Passos. So in a way, this is more for the reviewer than anyone else. Even with all the interesting bells and whistles (the use of newsreels in the form of verse and even bleeping out his own cursewords, s______t or f________g, gee what are we three years old now!), '1919' is an outright snorefest. I challenge you to get past the first twnty pages without hitting your head as you fall down in despairing boredom. Please, do all of yourselves a favor and stick with the real deal, Norman Mailer.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Dark Star; Author: Visit Amazon's Alan Furst Page; Review: Although I haven't completely given up on contemporary fiction in favor of Political and Science Books, it's been getting close. Sometimes when I read a novel, at some point I start asking, "What's the point? It's only a story. Give me something real!" Even reading great writers like Saramago can occassionally make me go in that direction. However, Alan Furst's 'Dark Star' evokes no such sentiments. Because of the ultra-realistic affect of his writing, one feels that this is as much an historical testament as anything in the non fiction section; perhaps even moreso. His attention to personal detail in his characters is incredible. Realize, this is not a pleasant breezy Danielle Steele/Sidney Sheldon book. This is serious writing that is excruciatingly heartbreaking. Europe went through a tremendous hell-ride last century, and Alan Furst is able to make you feel every horrible bump.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The World Is Flat [Updated and Expanded]: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century; Author: Visit Amazon's Thomas L. Friedman Page; Review: I found this book to be much (surprisingly) more palatable than his NY Times columns, which sometimes leave me scratching my head: Is he conservative, is he liberal, is he neither or both? This book acts as the ultimate wake up call for America on many different levels. He discusses our educational plight and its impact on future generations. He talks about our environmental record and how the US continues to drop the responsibility ball over and over again (before and since Kyoto). Then there is the advance of Beijing and India in terms of technology and innovation competition. What is it that some readers can't understand? We are fading in terms of innovation, and college students today are more interested in becoming Businees majors instead of dedicating themselves to making our country stronger. Yet somehow, there is a strong tinge of Friedman's Minnesotan optimism cracking through the continual bleak ice that he purports. So there is hope at the end of the tunnel, but we have to act now, not after Bush leaves office.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Legend of the Candy Cane: The Inspirational Story of Our Favorite Christmas Candy; Author: Visit Amazon's Lori Walburg Page; Review: I realize that this will not be a popular view for many folks who are interested in this book. It is just my opinion. I found this book to have some strange suggestions even though I am sure the authors have the best of intentions. Having a young girl alone with an older stranger is not my idea of good advice for our children. I hope you understand my concern. Try reading it from a slightly different viewpoint and you will see what I mean.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Steal This Vote: Dirty Elections and the Rotten History of Democracy in America; Author: Visit Amazon's Andrew Gumbel Page; Review: This book has gone almost unnoticed in the media. It is clear that Republican operatives took advantage of the fact that there really is no legal penalty for election tampering. Therefore, fixing elections is as American as apple pie. No penalty, no reason not to do it. Ask anyone you know in politics, especially if they didn't win, and they will tell you. Sad.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Smaller Majority; Author: Visit Amazon's Piotr Naskrecki Page; Review: Naskrecki, with his wise words and great pictures shows the incredible beauty of smaller animals and their significance in the biodiversity realm. Amazing, up close photos with text that will pique basic interest as well as inform those who are scientifically bent. Great for the young ones too.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Republican War on Science; Author: Visit Amazon's Chris Mooney Page; Review: This book is actually more balanced than it sounds. He doesn't let all the democrats off the hook either. But for the most part, Mooney chronicles the deception that has been instrumental in the elephant party's agenda over the past twenty years. The sad fact is that on virtually every arena of science, the Bush Administration and its philosphical forebear, the Reagen Crowd, have misused, abused, and misrepresented science again and again. From the environment, stem cell research, and all the way to Intelligent Design. This book is carefully researched, and he has uniform support from American Scientists who have repeatedly attempted to blow the whistle on the current president and his strategists. Good evidence on the current state of science in this country.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rebel in Chief: Inside the Bold and Controversial Presidency of George W. Bush; Author: Visit Amazon's Fred Barnes Page; Review: Fred Barnes has been the current President's cheerleader dating back to his Govenor-of-Texas-being-weaned-to-be-president days in the late 90's. Now he writes a farcical, self-serving book where he interviewed folks in the Bush administration who have only wonderful things to say about this "rebel" president. No mention of Secretary O'Neill or Christine Todd Whitman or any other members of the cabinet that didn't bow to the hard line. The case Barnes presents that the quintessential political insider is somehow a Washington outsider is just another example of 21st century Orwellian Doublespeak. This is not a journalistic work but rather an overlong biased essay that amounts to a very sad anti-intellectual premise realized on 224 pages of substandard drivel. Save your dough and read authors who really understand (and have done actual research on) the president, like Molly Ivins. Or, talk to people in Austin who really got to know W. before he became our president.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason; Author: Visit Amazon's Sam Harris Page; Review: By page 3 I knew there would be plenty of Amazonians just waiting to hit this book over the head. It is quite undestandable. Sam Harris takes an extremely uncompromising and negative view of the role of religion throughout history and up to the present moment. He even goes so far to indicate that the backwards effect of religion probably set Western Modernism back at least four centuries. He asks us: What would it have been like if the Internet could have been set up in the early 1600's instead of now? What if Medicine could have reached today's level 500 years ago, and so on. These questions beg for answers under his philosophical construct. His view may not be popular in the US (or Saudi Arabia for that matter), but just because some of us may not like it, doesn't mean we shouldn't think about it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Education Myths: What Special Interest Groups Want You to Believe About Our Schools--And Why It Isn't So; Author: Visit Amazon's Jay P. Greene Page; Review: Is this research? Is it a long statistical essay? Or is it an agenda-laden piece of you know what? Has Mr. Greene ever spent a second in front of a real classroom? He criticizes Jonathan Kozol referring to his writing as "anecdotal" and not research-based. OK. But at least Kozol has done some 'real" leg work and visited schools in poverty stricken areas all over the US and speaks with the kids, parents, teachers, and principals. Plus, Kozol is a talented writer. Reading this book, however, one gets the feeling that Mr. Greene has been hanging with the high set rather than the homeboys. The chapter where he contends that there is no evidence demonstrating that smaller class size has educational benefits is pretty laughable. Ask anyone who has ever taught both small versus large classes. There is no comparison. Come on, Jay, even you can't believe what you've written, deep down.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town; Author: Visit Amazon's John Grisham Page; Review: Sometimes, after reading a book like this, you wonder who the real criminals are. Are they the ones inside the jails, or are they sitting next to us on the bus, subway, perhaps driving in the car in the lane beside you? Or, are they the people who we pay to maintain justice in our nation? Reading these well written chapters, you wonder out loud: how often does this happen? Is the Ron Williamson story a unique case? You'd like to believe that. But Grisham seems to hint that thinking that way is wishful at best. In this day and age of technology, our moral fiber is seriously wanting, and the author deserves credit for exposing it to the masses; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Special Topics in Calamity Physics; Author: Visit Amazon's Marisha Pessl Page; Review: When best of year lists are formulated each and every late December, occassionally I am skeptical, but I will figure on the following: the 'critics' that generated the best fiction of, say 2006, probably know a heck of a lot more about books than I do. After reading Special Topics in Calamity Physics, I will never make that assumption again. I won't give away the whole story, in case you are a masochist and want to subject yourself to 514 pages of pure agony, as I did...but that's another story. In this novel, Ms. Pessl manages to throw the literary kitchen sink (in one scene, this actually happens, both metaphorically and physically!) at the reader, as if she wrote the book while strolling through the stacks of some carpeted university library, occassionally ripping off random BS from unrelated texts. Never will you ever see more unlikable characters, young and old, adult and adolescent, educated and illiterate, etc. There is not one person you will identify with, hopefully for your sake. When you read this book, be prepared to have your intelligence repeatedly insulted. Eighty words will be written where a short, simple sentence would clearly suffice, even though sometimes she goes on and on (even using parentheses where just getting straight to the point would have made the connection for the reader) and on and on... See what I mean? Heed these words: Save yourself the trouble, there are so many better ways to spend your time, call a friend or relative that you've been meaning to speak to instead. Read a book by Carl Sagan, volunteer for a worthy cause.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The God Delusion; Author: Visit Amazon's Richard Dawkins Page; Review: Having just finished reading one of the most celebrated books of the last several years, I might be inclined to write a long, arduous, and perhaps boring review. Cutting to the chase: Whether you are religious or not should not matter; this is a book you should read with a genuinely open mind. For many of us, this is not easy, but it is necessary. Not since Carl Sagan have we had anyone combine the complex intricacies of religion and science. Do not be thrown by Dawkins' utter dislike of religion. His passion for human survival and its eventual success is his obvious motivation in writing this book, not his dislike of deities, gods, and priests (although it is clear that religion upsets him, in general). Until I read this book, I always thought of Dawkins as the British counterpart of Steven Jay Gould. After The God Delusion, I no longer feel this is true. He has written a work that will stand the test of time, and hopefully be read seriously by the entire planet. Our species will only benefit from its education.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The God Delusion; Author: Richard Dawkins; Review: Having just finished reading one of the most celebrated books of the last several years, I might be inclined to write a long, arduous, and perhaps boring review. Cutting to the chase: Whether you are religious or not should not matter; this is a book you should read with a genuinely open mind. For many of us, this is not easy, but it is necessary. Not since Carl Sagan have we had anyone combine the complex intricacies of religion and science. Do not be thrown by Dawkins' utter dislike of religion. His passion for human survival and its eventual success is his obvious motivation in writing this book, not his dislike of deities, gods, and priests (although it is clear that religion upsets him, in general). Until I read this book, I always thought of Dawkins as the British counterpart of Steven Jay Gould. After The God Delusion, I no longer feel this is true. He has written a work that will stand the test of time, and hopefully be read seriously by the entire planet. Our species will only benefit from its education.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zoology; Author: Visit Amazon's Ben Dolnick Page; Review: Talented writing skills by a young author. His lines are sparse and precise. There are some great observations about inner feelings and his depiction of New York City is accurate. Pretty impressive for someone just out of college. Looking forward to his next offering.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: If You Liked School, You'll Love Work; Author: Visit Amazon's Irvine Welsh Page; Review: After a couple of misfires, Irvine Welsh once again goes on the attack at human frailty. The first story is a sad but hilarious look at a trio of messups who run into a bad situation in the desert with a lousy Dodge Durango with super awful air conditioning and a rattlesnake that bites the protagonist right on the .... With a storyline like that, how can you go wrong?; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Einstein: His Life and Universe; Author: Visit Amazon's Walter Isaacson Page; Review: A complete work but the most important feature of this book is the clarity Isaacson achieves by painstakingly explaining the workings and scientific significance of special and general relativity. Einstein was accessible yet infinitely enigmatic, and the author takes special care to explain why that was, and why the icon we refer to as Einstein still somehow manages to be so elusive. After reading this book, you will truly appreciate how monumental and complex a figure Einstein really was. Isaacson's already classic biography belongs in everyone's library.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Psychology, Eighth Edition, in Modules & i>clicker; Author: Visit Amazon's David G. Myers Page; Review: David Myers has done something incredible: written a near perfect textbook that can be used both at the AP and university level. Obsessively up to date, and an occasional quip so you can have a laugh. The book is balanced with physiological explanations as well as some representative behavioral treatments. The text is now a standard for beginning level psychology.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Terrorist; Author: Visit Amazon's John Updike Page; Review: But still high quality literary exercise from one of the greatest writers of the last half century. A couple of surprises from John, but you know you'll get real character development, and a little bit of liberalism, New Yorker style.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Nanny Diaries (Full Screen) [DVD] (2007) DVD; Author: Unknown; Review: A terrible exercise in tongue in cheek social commentary. Scarlett Johansson stammers through every single line in the movie. She is horribly miscast in this sad excuse for celluloid. Very disappointing. The book was far superior (I know that sounds like a cliche, but in this case, it really is true).; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Human Smoke: The Beginnings of World War II, the End of Civilization; Author: Visit Amazon's Nicholson Baker Page; Review: In Human Smoke, Nicholson Baker has written his most "important" work. The narrative, using short footnoted snippets and vignettes, primarily taken from the NY Times and the Herald-Tribune, is both powerful and evocative. The accounts range from 1892 (Alfred Nobel) straight onto New Year's Eve 1941-1942. Some surprises: Winston Churchill and FDR come off badly through much of the book, and Herbert Hoover comes off as a more honest and balanced former President! Hitler, ever the villain comes off as an (surprise surprise!) unstable (and often exasperated) leader; optimistic one day, peaceful the next, apocalyptic the day after. Stalin is mostly invisible in this book. Baker details the accounts of previously unknown pacifists, who were severely outnumbered. Charles Lindbergh is depicted as someone who had some Nazi sympathizing messages, but it's hard to say that he was a conspirator of any magnitude (see Philip Roth's most recent alternate history novel). Whether you agree with the author or not, this is an original approach to the horrible period that led to an even more horrible period.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Black Flies: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Shannon Burke Page; Review: 'Black Flies' is one of those 184-page novels that either grabs you instantly so that you finish it in one sitting, or flip it on the will-never-read-it-rack after page 12. The story is about Ollie Cross, an extremely green rookie Harlem paramedic who tries to figure out how to cope with the awful early 90's atmosphere of one of the 'worst' neighborhoods in NYC. His partners are hardened by the people they are supposed to help, and each day makes him more of a disaffected witness to human self destruction. Also, he's a medic now only because his MCAT scores were too low for Med School, although his Med School girlfriend is confident that he'll eventually make it. He laments his poor performance on a chemistry exam that prevented him from doing what he really should be doing. The dialogue is closely believable; not quite Richard Price, but with enough authenticity to stick with the year plus time covered in the novel. Burke does a credible job recreating the era but not without some glaring errors. For example, while describing some events of the summer and early fall of 1993, he erroneously states that the then mayor was Rudolf Giuliani. As most New Yorkers know, that timeframe would have been during the last year of the David Dinkins administration. I know that Rudy G. has greater reader cache, even with his failed presidential bid, but if you're going to write a realistic novel, historical errors stick out like a sore thumb. Also, it talks about how Ollie eventually gets into medical school at Stonybrook. The school (and town) is Stony Brook. Two words. Am I nitpicking? Again, it's the small details that make or break a story, or a novel. With all the people the author thanks in his afterword, the least his friends could have done is remove an error or two.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Armageddon in Retrospect; Author: Visit Amazon's Kurt Vonnegut Page; Review: Armageddon in Retrospect is a terrific collection of some short works by Kurt as well as a forward from his son, a pediatrician. There is so much humanity in these stories. Without going into each of them, Wailing Shall Be in All Streets, in many ways supersedes the power of Slaughterhouse Five. This is a sweeping, perhaps blasphemous statement, but my view on the war itself was changed by reading this incredible story. No one could craft sentences and sentiment quite the way Kurt could, and perhaps no one ever will.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: November 22, 1963: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Adam Braver Page; Review: This novel by Adam Braver defies typical narrative writing. He takes the singular moment of the tragedy of the Kennedy assassination and makes it personal. Jackie Kennedy's face on the front cover of the book tells it all: the indefinable sadness and grief combined with her distinct beauty, grace, and courage. It was Jackie who made our nation continue, not LBJ. Really makes you want to cry and be proud to be an American. No conspiracy theories, no dwelling on what might have been. There is no delusion that we were once an innocent nation. Braver has written something so pure and powerful, so compact. It is one of the best books of the year.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Swimsuit; Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: I have never read a James Patterson book before, so realize that I will not be comparing it to any of his others( which number in the dozens). What it typically comes down to with writing is content and style. The style in 'Swimsuit' is... breezy, at best. My question to Amazon folks: Is this what best selling writing has come down to? A steady diet of two and a half page chapters of ultra sadism and redundant descriptions of designer suits and watches? The characters in this book love their caviar and their cadavers with equal zeal. The psychopath depicted, Henri, sure likes the finer things in life, nice cars, beautiful women, and Paris in September. But other than that he has absolutely no humanity at all, which is weird. We don't really know why he is this way, perhaps there is no reason involved at all. Regardless, the sadism presented is so banal, so cynical, and so... boring. The narrator, an LA newspaperman who has been a long time mid level novelist is somehow brought into this serial killer's zone. I suppose otherwise there is no story at all. Of course, even though the writer is a relative loser compared to old money Europeans, he still has the capability to have an Audrey Hepburn looking girlfriend anyway, who is also a top level French Chef. Yeah, that happens too. What you have is no content, no style, nothing rings true, except that millions of people actually read this stuff (yeah, me too) that is so mean-spirited and lacking substance, it makes me even more concerned about the future of humanity.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: American Radical: The Life and Times of I. F. Stone; Author: Visit Amazon's D. D. Guttenplan Page; Review: This biography requires a lot of patience. It is a big book, and asks you to go through an incredibly long lineage of people, places, and events that wrapped around the life of the most iconic reporter of the twentieth century. Guttenplan is very neutral about most aspects of Stone's life, especially during the HUAC/Joseph McCarthy period where although ostracized for being thought a Soviet agent of some kind, Stone was given a relative pass by the FBI. They followed him around but did not destroy him as they did so many others at the time. In this book, Izzy Stone is depicted as a true one-of-a-kind; a bespectacled warrior who fought for truth and justice the old fashioned way. You really have to admire someone who doesn't resemble any current celebrity journalist, devoid of the now ubiquitous mass polarizing narcissism and self love that we can't escape.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Methland: The Death and Life of an American Small Town; Author: Visit Amazon's Nick Reding Page; Review: The author has an effective documentary style pace to the writing, with some flashbacks, talking about the various dark sides of the town of Oelwein, Iowa, a rural community about 300 miles from Chicago. The proximity to the criminal element of the Windy City plays as a backdrop to how methamphetamine became the only lucrative business in the town. Using a few people that would actually speak to him, Reding deconstructs the notion that small town America is "The Real America" that Sarah Palin mentioned back in the early fall of 2008. Two serious problems: 1) Reding has no citations at all. I know that for most folks, that's not a big deal, since few people read them anyway. But in this book, it would have made the book seem more legitimate. 2) Second, he mentions in Chapter 9 that Iowa City is the largest city in Iowa. Not even close. For anyone who has lived out west, Des Moines is three times the size with a much larger population. Seeing a mistake like that can give people pause about the writers intentions and fact checking. Sounds like real lazy research. Not as good as it should be, Mr. Reding.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Just Kids; Author: Visit Amazon's Patti Smith Page; Review: Believe me when I say that I wanted to love, not like this book. And parts of it I do. You can't help but cry at the way she ends the book, talking about Robert Mapplethorpe's final battle with AIDS, and how they barely had enough to eat living in Brooklyn in the late 1960's and their subsequent move to Chelsea in the early 1970's. There are some pages so filled with this person and that person, and how she was with this guy and Robert was with that guy who introduced them to this other guy who helped them out with another guy. I am not exaggerating. And they never get to meet Andy Warhol or Jim Morrison, but Patti meets everyone else, including brief encounters with Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix. It's all believable but much of the book seems preposterous anyway. This book is a valiant tribute to a revolutionary artist, but other biographers and journalists will have to more effectively chronicle the life of Mapplethorpe (as well as Patti herself).; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Backing into Forward: A Memoir; Author: Visit Amazon's Jules Feiffer Page; Review: Jules Feiffer embodies a great cliche: An American Original. His comic sense was unlike anyone else's. I didn't always find it funny or even interesting, but his panels always said SOMETHING. This autobiography is an outstanding testimony of vivid recall, since the author claims he could never maintain a journal, that he would fall asleep after writing three lines! He met just about everyone from the 40's to the 70's in the entertainment and literary industry. He writes honestly, brutally about Woody Allen and Barbra Streisand. None of what he discusses seems petty, but borne our of an objective analysis of his successes as well as failures. He comes clean about his failed first marriage, and then of course he spends many paragraphs chastising his non-nurturing mother, who is most definitely the book's primary villain. He laments the failed presidency of LBJ, but points out his great first year of 1965, when his administration unveiled the Great Society, which lasted a very short time with the advent of Vietnam and the unveiling of the new Republican Right. Feiffer gives interesting insights into his two most notable screenplays, Mike Nichols' Carnal Knowledge, and the quirky Robert Altman directed Popeye. Very worthwhile.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: While Mortals Sleep: Unpublished Short Fiction; Author: Visit Amazon's Kurt Vonnegut Page; Review: I was elated when I discovered that another Kurt Vonnegut book was to be released, and of course, this collection of unpublished shorts is right up there with his other wonderful writing. The first story in particular,Jenny, is pure Vonnegut: about a brilliant inventor-type who creates a refrigerator in the form of a woman! So Freudian, and yet far more clever than even Freud himself. Man, if we just had 100 Vonneguts on this planet, we would be so much more sane.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Hologram for the King: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Dave Eggers Page; Review: A Hologram For the King is a great example of minimalist writing, almost like Camus' Stranger without the existential "Why bother existing?" scenarios. Great jokes intermixed with Saudi realities, sad state of American manufacturing, and some great interpersonal interactions, Eggers has been compared to Mailer for a reason. He has a lot to say, and he uses fewer words than most to get across lots of ideas. Highly recommended.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Where's the Birth Certificate?: The Case that Barack Obama is not Eligible to be President; Author: Jerome Corsi; Review: Sarcasm Alert: Perhaps the most scholarly work of nonfiction ever written about a sitting president. I urge everyone to read this. Drop what it is your're doing, and make sure you continue to buy Donald Trump paraphernalia.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Son; Author: Visit Amazon's Philipp Meyer Page; Review: This is a "big" novel that goes deeply into multiple generations of a wealthy Texas Oil Family from the Days of the Comanche raids all the way to modern times. Doesn't pull any visual punches and shows how "might made right" then, and now. There is an element of Cold Mountain in The Son but it is more ambitious in terms of its scope and vision. Not all the characters are likable, but most are compelling and somewhat believable (the patriarch, for example, has an improbable early life with his kidnapping natives). Gives you a great feel for the developing west.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth; Author: Visit Amazon's Reza Aslan Page; Review: An illuminating version of Jesus the Revolutionary, not the Christ, and how his life has been misrepresented for the last 1980 years. A brave work. Examines the four gospels and the unlikely emergence of Paul as the strongest remnant of Jesus, as well as the marginalization of James, the brother of Jesus.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Permanent Member of the Family; Author: Visit Amazon's Russell Banks Page; Review: Once again, Russell Banks is able to get into those nuances of family life that usually escape writers. All of the stories have varying degrees of grimness, but they are all laced with enough honesty to make everyone feel uncomfortable. The title story is about a twice-divorced father who made one "little" mistake that has haunted him for over 35 years, and gets to tell his side, finally. But it's too late, since everyone else in his family already beat him to it.... That's how life can be.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Face the Music: A Life Exposed; Author: Visit Amazon's Paul Stanley Page; Review: Honest, though sometimes it's a self serving portrayal of one of the most incredible stories in rock history. Paul Stanley puts it all out there, and you can understand why Ace and Peter never want to speak to him again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan; Author: Visit Amazon's Rick Perlstein Page; Review: This is one of those books that people who continue to idolize Ronald Reagen will hate viscerally. It clearly shows that during Nixon's fall, no one was more tone deaf than Reagen, supporting the disgraced president with self serving ideological cynicism at every turn, up to and including Ford's disgraceful absolute pardon to Nixon. This book also clearly slices up the mythology that Reagen would have been considered a liberal by today's Tea Party. Nothing could be further from the truth.... Reagen is deservedly the patron saint of the right wing, and for good reason: He sided with every reactionary movement as California's governor. Though there are some errors the editors should have caught, I will not nitpick and just say that the author has done a Herculean job of piecing together so many historical events to help make sense of what we politically see today; a severely divided country that has long lost its original-intent moral compass, regardless of who becomes president moving forward.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Man in Love: My Struggle: 2 (Knausgaard); Author: Visit Amazon's Karl Ove Knausgaard Page; Review: Book 2 goes into the areas of the author's life that we all sometimes like to avoid thinking about... What does 'family' really mean? How do I make MY marriage work? How does my family upbringing affect the way I look at my own? How do my previous love relationships affect the one that I ended up in marriage? How do I shape the way my kids turn out? Etc. What is most amazing is not the way Karl Ove writes, but that he manages to make the things we always think about come in print right before our eyes. There is beauty in simplicity, and Knausgaard makes this type of writing both super easy and hard at the very same time. Norway has its Proust...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Official SAT Study Guide; Author: The College Board; Review: Tremendous and effective tool for SAT Review. Has way more material than Barron's Princeton Review, etc. Recommended.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Triangle: A Year on the Ground with New York's Bloods and Crips; Author: Visit Amazon's Kevin Deutsch Page; Review: This is what you might call "difficult reporting." The author put himself in physical danger to try to get close enough to accurately depict what really goes on in the Long Island Wars between the Bloods and Crips. But this book does a lot more than that. It dares to tell the truth about what is happening to our struggling communities. It describes the frustrations and fears of the residents of Hempstead, as well as the relentless caring and real bravery of others. The book also chronicles the fact that the young people involved in this domestically located war zone suffer the same psychological results of PTSD as the men and women who've had traumatic experiences serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The next time I hear the phrase, "Hey, it's a free country," I might get a nasty chill rather than a feeling of pride... You have to read the book in order to get it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Between the World and Me; Author: Visit Amazon's Ta-Nehisi Coates Page; Review: This is a powerful book but also one that is easily misunderstood. It is a very personal letter to the author's son, and you have to realize this angle repeatedly during the reading of the book. Otherwise, a person can be sidetracked with their own "stuff" and then miss the whole point of the Between the World and Me. Coates has written a book that will be seriously looked at for decades to come.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dark Matter; Author: Visit Amazon's Garfield Reeves-Stevens Page; Review: The physics in this book is certainly engaging as is the concept of the multiverse and if all the "what-if"aspects became a reality. But I had a difficult time with the massive over abundance of the perfect wife bs and the ultra-gush of the protagonist's unending love for his one and only gorgeous companion and teen son. I get it...you love Daniella more than existence itself...But at a certain point in the middle of the book, I needed a bucket nearby just to finish.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Corrupt Classroom: Bias, Indoctrination, Violence and Social Engineering Show Why America Needs School Choice; Author: Lance Izumi; Review: Over the past 25 years or so, various folks have written one form or another of this type of book. These are not written by educators or even people remotely familiar in any substantive way with education, public or otherwise. Whether it's Izumi or the East Coast version, the Manhattan Institute, it's always the same message: the only way to overhaul education is to give families choice (that is, charter schools in urban areas). You never see this pushed hard in high income suburban communities. Why? Because for the most part, those families know that Public Ed is what created the great middle class of the last century, although it has been shrunk by neo income inequality and other related factors. And they know that public education is better now than it ever has been. 100 years ago, only 20% of Americans had a high school diploma. By 1960, the HS Graduation rate was up to 60%. More recently, that rate is now 80%. So, poseurs like the author try to sound some false alarm about the horrible state of education. Public or otherwise. The premise of this book is erroneous, as are multitudes of facts. I get it, they want to privatize the universe. Which will create further divides in our world, which for some reason is what these folks want, but it won't make for a better world. History has proven that repeatedly.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Etre Jeune 3.5mm Headphone Jack; Brand: Etre Jeune; Review: Simple to use, does what it's supposed to. What can I say, it's a freakin' battery charger, am I supposed to get all squishy about it?; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: iNassen Compatible Earphone Adapter Headphone; Brand: iNassen; Review: Can use my smart phone like a Garmin! This beauty holds your phone any way you want it. Far out!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fujifilm FinePix S8200 16.2MP Digital Camera with 3-Inch LCD (Black) (OLD MODEL); Brand: Fujifilm; Review: Spent quite a bit of time researching cameras before buying one, and found lots of positive comments about this one. Reasonable price with many features. Sure, the badge whores would never consider anything but a Canon, but feature for feature, this camera delivers almost as much for a fraction of the cost.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Philips 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Alarm Clock Speaker Dock; Brand: Philips; Review: Got it for a relative as a gift, and was told it was great. So I asked if I could find out for myself. Not very big, but it has a full, rich sound that frankly, surprised me. I was expecting something akin to a portable picnic player. Easy to read screen, and the remote control is a thoughtful addition.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 64GB SD XC SDXC Class 10 SCT Professional High Speed Memory Card SDXC 64G (64; Brand: SCT; Review: I confirmed this card was compatible with my camera on the camera's website, and when I got it, I could not get it to initialize. Tried it in my other cameras as well, with the same results. Budget quality--you get what you pay for.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Evriholder Set of 3 Sandwich Crust Cutters, DynoBytes/FlipperBytes/SweetBytes; Brand: Evriholder; Review: Super cute and fun but the only reason I did four instead of five is that it takes a big piece of white bread to fit. But they cut nice and make really cute shapes that makes my kids more apt to eat their lunch.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: CuteZCute Bento Decoration Box, Animals Food Picks and Forks; Brand: CuteZCute; Review: Oh so cute in the bento box. My kids love these. They add just that little something extra to make their lunch at school/daycare fun.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Amariver Microfiber Replacement Pads for Shark Steam Euro-Pro Mop S3250, S3101,S3111,S1001 etc(Set of 6); Brand: Amariver; Review: Lost my one original pad that came with the mop. I didn't want to spend money on replacement but now I am glad I did. I think these work better and having six is way nicer than having just the one.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rutland 50B Safe Lite Fire Starter Squares, 144 Squares; Brand: Rutland Products; Review: These work really well and you get tons of them for the price. We use to start campfires.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rutland Safe Lite Fire Starter Squares, 144-Square - 2 Pack; Brand: Rutland; Review: These work really well and you get tons of them for the price. We use to start campfires.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Portable Garment Steamer by Deneve, Steamer, Handheld Steamer, Fabric Steamer, Portable Steamer, Garment Steamer, Portable Garment; Brand: Deneve; Review: Received it, read the instructions, plugged it in and it wouldn't even power on. Returned and ordered a different brand.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Zinus Memory Foam 8 Inch Green Tea Mattress, Queen; Brand: Zinus; Review: We did not expect to love this mattress as much as we do considering its far less than the mattress store prices. We weren't willing to pay those prices though and took a chance on this. It feels soft to sit on but actually is a fairly firm mattress to lay on. I feel a hundred years younger when I wake up in the morning now. We are going to buy more for other beds.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Sandos San Blas Nature Resort Golf; City: Golf del Sur San Miguel de Abona Tenerife Canary Is; Review: Had a week here in January with my sister and we had a really lovely holiday. The hotel is beautiful and extremely stylish. Our room was amazing, particular considering it was a standard room, it was spacious, well equipped, modern and the beds were the most comfortable I have ever slept in in a hotel. The bathrooms are also a delight and equipped with plenty of towels and toiletries. Food was good and once again the desserts were also the nicest I have had in an all-inclusive hotel, i usually dont bother with them on holiday, but unfortunately these were too nice to resist at both lunch and dinner. A particular bonus was how nice the red wine and cava were - we must have drunk gallons of the stuff; the staff in the restaurants are charming and keep topping your glass up and it would have been rude to refuse, wouldn't it? We sat out on the balcony of the bar every evening as the weather was so good and even here the service was excellent, waiter service at the tables gives the place a real feel of a luxury holiday. In fact all the staff were lovely, especially the bell boy who took our luggage to our room, he was charming and informative. The Infinity pools are beautiful, with plenty of expensive, comfortable and sturdy sunbeds. Even our fellow guests were a delight. We loved it and will be back again - best holiday hotel I have stayed in, in fact one of the best hotels I have stayed in. It is a bit tucked away on its own, but to be honest none of the resorts are particularly attractive so it wasn't a problem, nor were the planes - we enjoyed seeing who was arriving next. We came home relaxed, extremely well rested, about 3 stone heavier and very happy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gran Melia Palacio de Isora Resort Spa; City: Alcala Guia de Isora Tenerife Canary Islands; Review: Stayed for a week in July and on the whole had a lovely time. I will do the customary good and bad: Good: Nice fancy hotel with mainly great staff. Flights both on time and great flight attendants. Hotel very fancy and check-in satisfactory. Room size good, nice bathroom and plenty of towels. Staff mainly charming. Booked the all inclusive and cocktails and spirits were worth it, the mojitos were lush. Food fine but nothing to write home about. Kids room was very good and the staff charming. Outside areas at night were lovely and we enjoyed the little cabaret at 9:30 each evening, but it could do with modernising a bit. Piano bar nice touch and good to have an adult only space. Infinity pool is stunning, as are the Bali beds, and I enjoyed every moment bobbing around in it. All our fellow travellers were charming and well behaved, as were the children. Bad: Found the beds a bit uncomfortable and the standard of the sofa bed was appalling considering we paid £1000 for a 7 year old to sleep in it. Air-con just about ok. Food ok but not amazing but boy was it hard work to get a drink out of the waiting staff. Not only was it irritating, it gave the hotel a rather downmarket feel. However bar service on the Ocean Plaza was fantastic. There are lots of rules, no inflatables in the pools, no bat and ball, no fun basically but they were happy for water pistols to be used. Lifeguards very bossy and there are even rules about which beach towels could be used by which pool. There are steps everywhere. On the whole not a bad week and mainly first world worries. I thought £1000 for a week for adults was good value but poor vale for a 7 year old.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Galaxy; City: Krakow Lesser Poland Province Southern Poland; Review: Just back from a 3 night break in this very modern hotel on the edge of the city centre. The hotel was really good value for money. Our room was very clean and comfortable with a particularly nice shower room. Wifi was great and free, but we're unable to find a UK/USA news channel which is unusual these days. Staff polite and helpful and all spoke excellent English, in fact everyone in Polnd seemed to speak at least two languages. It is about a 10 minute walk into the Jewish Quarter and about 20 minutes into the Main Square. Like others have said, taxis are so cheap that we got a bit lazy towards the end of out stay and kept leaping into them like we were in Ab Fab. Nice shopping centre next door and we quite liked the fact we had to walk to places as it meant we saw more than just the tourist areas. As others have said the food is excellent; we made full use of the breakfast buffet, it would have been rude not to, and it is one of the best breakfast selections I have come across, particularly the pastries. We had an evening meal in the restaurant on our first night and it was a great meals, absolutley delicious and home made. The desserts were particularly lovely. The only negative would be that the public areas are a bit soulless and do not draw you in to linger over a drink,or a meal. Our meal was gorgeous but the restaurant was so corporate and bland that we didn't want to eat there again. This is a real shame as our waiter was delightful and the food delicious. I would stay here again and would recommend it to anyone.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Villa Premiere Boutique Hotel Romantic Getaway; City: Puerto Vallarta; Review: Stayed here in June 2016 for one week and this is one of favourite places I have ever been. The hotel is small and intimate but never intrusive. The room, food, drinks and service are certainly 5 star. Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful resort curving round an enormous bay and framed by jungle. One morning we watched a pod of dolphins playing in the bay and then at breakfast watched the hummingbirds dart in and out of the hisbiscus by our breakfast table. The staff were friendly and attentive, particularly the pool bar staff and Carla, the customer service manager. Would go back in a heartbeat. Well done to Thomson for flying to this amazing place.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel L Orologio; City: Venice Veneto; Review: Lovely small boutique hotel which was luxurious but not stuffy. Room, staff and breakfast were excellent and all requests we had were efficiently and charmingly dealt with. The hotel has a great position on the Grand Canal and it was a real treat to eat breakfast whilst watching the Venetian life pass by. Its location is a real asset being close to the Rialto Bridge and trachetto stops so makes all of the major tourist attractions within easy reach. Being on the San Polo side of the Rialto Bridge meant the whole area was less touristy and being the near the incredible fish market meant a whole raft of restaurants and bars selling great wine and cicchetti were withing a few steps of the hotel entrance. We truly loved this area and cannot recommend this hotel highly enough.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Cort; City: Palma de Mallorca Majorca Balearic Islands; Review: Had a three night stay here in January during the Fiesta of San Sebastian and wished it could have been longer. Hotel is in a fabulous location, we were able to walk everywhere with no need for a bus or taxi and is surrounded by shops, bars, restaurants and everything else Palma has to offer. The hotel is small and delightful. It is beautifully decorated, wonderful comfy and huge beds and a bathroom I want at home. We requested tea & coffee making in our room and were provided with a Nespresso machine and kettle. The best thing however about the Hotel is their amazing staff, who are friendly, professional, can help with any enquiry but are also discreet. In particular we had really excellent service from Marcos on reception and Noria who manages the bar & restaurant. We are already planning when we can go back. On a final note, we were a same sex couple and were made to feel at home immediately.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Killeshin Hotel; City: Portlaoise County Laois; Review: Stayed here for an overnight stay on our way to Galway. Nice big room and comfortable - it was a tiny bit dated and in particular the TV which was way too small and did not work terribly well and needed some serious updating. Reception staff really friendly, particularly the gentleman when we booked in on the evening of 30 September. Bar staff friendly though the bar was quiet and a little lacking in atmosphere. Food was served in huge portions and a bit hit and miss. My meal was just about adequate but other meals in our party were delicious. Breakfast plentiful and tasty. A good hotel for a conference or an overnight trip.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Defender Digital Wireless DVR Security System with 7 Inch LCD; Brand: Defender; Review: The camera must be near the device not far than 15 meters.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: ASRock Z97E-ITX/AC High-End Z97 Mini-itx Mb Boasts 2t2r 802.11ac Wifi, M.2 Socket, and Sata Express Interface; Brand: ASRock; Review: Small and big with componts.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Corsair Vengeance Pro Series Blue 8GB (2x4GB) DDR3 1600 MHZ (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory 1.5V; Brand: Corsair; Review: Fast fast .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Q-See QC814-1 4 Channel Digital POE Solution NVR with Pre-Installed 1 TB Hard Drive (White); Brand: Q-See; Review: try zomodo better than this.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Zmodo SPoE Security System - 4 Channel NVR & 4 x 720p IP Cameras with No Hard Drive; Brand: Zmodo; Review: Don't you ever update the firmware ....I updated the firmware for the NVR .....now I can't watch the feed on other networks only on my modem when I use the mobile app called Zsight.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Sony ICFC414 Clock Radio (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: Sony; Review: The numbers are BIG. The adjustable brightness setting has three choices. I purchased the Dim-it cling "stuff". Set on Medium with the Dim-it, the numbers are easy enough to see yet do not "shine" in the dark. I chose this clock because I was buying the two items together and someone had said the film did not cling well to rounded surfaces. This flat face has no problems with it. Controls on top a slight inconvenience for me as I'm not using it as an alarm clock, so reaching into a shelf to tap the buttons is not easy given the size of this clock. But not a big deal. The radio picks up quite well. The clock's time self adjusted immediately with no waiting. I was rather shocked as it seemed to come out of the box with the right time. Do read the manual to make finding the parts easier. While the clock face is large, the text with the various controls is not. Easier for me to memorize where buttons are than to track down the glasses and move the clock around. But all in all, I'm pleased with it thus far.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sony DVPSR210P DVD Player; Brand: Sony; Review: This is a simple player. You put the disc in and you push buttons on the remote and it plays DVD's for you. It works. That's all I need. I've always been good with electronics - I used to be able to program VCR's back in the day - so I'm not afraid of them. this has plenty of settings if you want to play, but all I cared about was being able to watch a DVD without an error message. And I like Sony. I haven't gotten a bad Sony product yet (knock on wood). Nice price, simple machine - it works.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Roku 2 Streaming Player with Headphone Jack; Brand: Roku; Review: I had to return the first one because it overheated and crashed. Amazon was great in that exchange, but who wants to bother the whole set up process all over again? No one else mentioned this, but it seems to be the model that does it. I had a Lite with no issues. Only this Roku 2 has continuously overheated and crashed. This one not like the first one - it only happens about every few weeks, but still - and I have it up with air able to circulate around it. The remote is different, which isn't a big deal to me, but you want to click in once to wake it up and make sure it reconnects if you have to do a reset - which you have to do fairly often with this model. I don't use the earbuds because I don't like having to change out batteries too often. So it's muted and the buds are in a drawer. In general, I love Roku and am glad to use their players. Just be aware that this model DOES have issues with overheating and crashing on occasion.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: HP 14-Q049wm Celeron 2955 1.4GHz 4 GB 16 GB SSD, Coral(Certified Refurbished); Brand: HP; Review: The deal was good. The sim card did not go in well or easily. Online tech support had me putting it in upside down. Amazon was great about the issue and offered me to return it if we couldn't work it out with HP. HP took it back, said "there's nothing wrong with it" and sent it back. So, again with the sim card. Finally got it in - trying with excruciating effort not to break the card while trying to get the little buggar in its slot. Finally, success - but be aware it's a horrible time and you may need to use tools rather than just your finger. It's not spring loaded so if I ever had to get the card out, I'm SOL. The machine does hold a charge well. Runs for several hours as I believe it's LCD screen.?? Double check that, but it's decent. I wanted something to have just in case I don't have electricity or signal - and this will do it. Free service for the life of the machine - I'm taking very good care of it to make sure it lasts. :); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Philips GoGEAR FitDot 4GB MP3 Player - Black/Orange (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: Philips; Review: The reviews are mixed. Perhaps it has more to do with the crap shoot of buying this item. I read all the directions. I followed all the instructions. When I went to use the item, it beeped and the lights turned red and it shut off. I just wanted a simple, inexpensive MP3 player so I could listen to my music. This is NOT it. I don't have all the packing materials, so can't return it. I had hope that it would live up to its better ratings, but, alas, it does not. Save yourself the grief and just order something else. While it may be a convenient item in size, it's not convenient when it doesn't work.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Kensington Silent Mouse-for-Life Wireless USB Mouse - Black (K72392US); Brand: Kensington; Review: I do have to say - it's quiet. Not silent - but then I'm an HSP, so any sound, no matter how quiet, I hear it. It has - make that HAD - a smooth feel. I liked it quite a bit - that is until recently. I haven't had this mouse for very long. Less than a year - but the main button is already malfunctioning. Kensington used to have a good reputation in hardware. Now, I think I'll opt for Logitech or even Amazon Basics. If you want a short-lived mouse, but really need the quietness, go for it. But if you don't want to waste your money on something that will stop working after a relatively short amount of time, choose another mouse.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Quikcell Portable Speaker for Apple & Android - Retail Packaging - Black/Black; Brand: QuikCell; Review: Let's just say it right here: FIRE HAZARD. While charging the wire heated up so significantly that I immediately got it ready to send back. Of course, Amazon's return policy made it easy. But save yourself a few bucks and avoid this one. Plus you might save your home as well.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Kiwi 100% Horsehair Shine Brush; Brand: Kiwi; Review: IS FOR BOOTS THAT REQUIRE A LACE. WHEREAS I LIKED THEM, THE BOOT LACES WERE SOMEWHAT DRY, BUT THAT WAS EASILY FIXED.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SafetyCare Genuine Leather Boot & Shoe Laces - Easy Sizing Cut to Fit; Brand: SafetyCare; Review: ONE CAN NOT HAVE TOO MANY LEATHER LACES. ESPECIALLY IF ONE IS AN OUTDOORS MAN OR WOMAN. THEY LAST A LONG TIME HOPE YOU LIKE THEM AS MUCH AS I DO.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hanes Ultimate Men's 5-Pack Boxer Brief; Brand: ; Review: my favorite underwear.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hard Metal Bodied Eyeglass Case for Medium to Large Frames; Brand: Ear Mitts; EarMitts; Review: great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: O'Meye Hard Shell Large Eyeglass & Sunglasses Case 3 Piece Sets For Men & Women - Many Colors Available; Brand: O'Meye; Review: this is a fine product. recommended to all; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rothco Moisture Wicking P/T T-Shirt/Grey-Army; Brand: Rothco; Review: WICKING IS GRAND.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Champion Men's Open Bottom Eco Fleece Sweatpant; Brand: ; Review: PERFECT; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Momo Grow Big Boys Faux Leather Flight Bomber Jacket (XS & XL); Brand: Momo Grow; Review: this item is for my great grandson. he will get it after the holidays.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fiebing's Mink Oil Paste, 6 Oz. - Softens, Preserves and Waterproofs Smooth Leather and Vinyl,One Size; Brand: Fiebing's; Review: effective; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Italian Blue Pillar Beads Glass Rosary with Silver Oxidized Crucifix and Findings Blessed by His Holiness; Brand: Gifts by Lulee, LLC; Review: WELL MADE; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Large Glasses Case, Durable Smooth & Glossy Finish With Protective Lining; Brand: OptiPlix; Review: ourstanding; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DirtyRagz Men's Army Physical Training PT T-Shirt; Brand: DirtyRagz; Review: great buy; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mens Army P/T T-Shirt, Gray w/Reflective Lettering/Logo (U.S. Army Licensed); Brand: AMS; Review: superior.........; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: N40 Gear Men's Sherpa-Lined Denim Jacket Denim X-Large; Brand: Other; Review: super; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 3 Pairs Thermal 80% Merino Wool Socks: Thermal Socks, Crew Socks, Hiking Socks for Winter, Men, Women, Kids; Brand: DG Hill; Review: super; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: JOTW 925 Silver Saint Benedict Reversable Medal Pendant with 18 Inch Link Necklace; Brand: JOTW; Review: super; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: My Eyeglass Case ® Medium Hard Shell Glasses case with cloth; Brand: MyEyeglassCase; Review: first class; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Paint - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's J. J. Murray Page; Review: Very different but entertaining. A different take on the paranormal. Showed a lot of personal growth and relationship development. Very well done.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Odd Interlude Part Two - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Dean Koontz Page; Review: I have been caught up in Odd Thomas every since the first novel. What an understated hero Koontz has created.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Odd Interlude Part One - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Dean Koontz Page; Review: I have been caught up in Odd Thomas every since the first novel. What an understated hero Koontz has created.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Odd Interlude Part Three - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Dean Koontz Page; Review: I have been caught up in Odd Thomas every since the first novel. What an understated hero Koontz has created.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: You Don't Know Jack (Jack B Smart humorous cozy mystery series Book 1) - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Adrianne Lee Page; Review: Jack is very inventive when it comes to solving murders. This was a convoluted plot that had an unexpected ending.and I liked the way it progressed.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Wishing Cake - Kindle edition; Brand: Visit Amazon's Ellen Meister Page; Review: A great magic turn for the romance. Totally surprising. If looking for romance, look close to home. You may be surprised at what you discover. i; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Kindle_Store |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire; Author: Visit Amazon's J.K. Rowling Page; Review: I bought this to my daughter, she love this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Fault in Our Stars; Author: ; Review: Good story, even my daughter love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harry Potter (4 Volumes set); Author: Visit Amazon's J. K. Rowling Page; Review: I bought this to my daughter, she love this book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Man Who Knew Too Much; Author: Visit Amazon's G. K. Chesterton Page; Review: Good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hot Secrets: Tall, Dark and Deadly Book 1; Author: Visit Amazon's Lisa Renee Jones Page; Review: Captivating; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fearsome; Author: Visit Amazon's S. A. Wolfe Page; Review: Light lecture.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cuentos de Amor de Locura y de Muerte; Author: Visit Amazon's Horacio Quiroga Page; Review: Clasico; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Backyard Bones; Author: Visit Amazon's Nancy Lynn Jarvis Page; Review: Very interesting; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Spider (Elemental Assassin); Author: Visit Amazon's Jennifer Estep Page; Review: Fails to catch me.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Cybill Disobedience : How I Survived Beauty Pageants, Elvis, Sex, Bruce Willis, Lies, Marriage, Motherhood,; Author: Visit Amazon's Cybill Shepherd Page; Review: I couldn't get past her lifestyle, which thoroughly disgusted me. She is totally self absorbed and then tried to place the blame on almost everybody she ever knew for their inability to get along with her. I guess her style of writing was OK, though.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated; Author: Visit Amazon's Alison Arngrim Page; Review: Very humorous! I found myself laughing out loud reading it while waiting for the dentist!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Land of Painted Caves; Author: Visit Amazon's Jean M. Auel Page; Review: I have read and loved the whole Earth's Children series. Excellent character development.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Way I See It: A Look Back at My Life on Little House; Author: Melissa Anderson; Review: Some insights, but mostly consists of episode synopsis. Could have been better if she included more stories about her personal life and interactions with fellow actors.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: William Manchester: The Last Lion, Volume 2 : Winston Spencer Churchill Alone 1932-1940; Author: Visit Amazon's William Manchester Page; Review: I learned facts about WWII that I never knew. It was very interesting reading about events from a British perspective. I have recommended this book to several friends.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zoo (Zoo Series); Author: Visit Amazon's James Patterson Page; Review: Too many plot holes. Amateurish dialogue, Sorry I wasted my time reading it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened In Benghazi; Author: MItchell Zuckoff; Review: This book was so well written that I almost felt as though I were there watching events unfold!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Stardust Melody: The Life and Music of Hoagy Carmichael; Author: Visit Amazon's Richard M. Sudhalter Page; Review: Not being a musician, I found the details of how the songs were played to be somewhat tedious, but was able to skim those sections without losing the thread of the story. The author included many personal recollections of Hoagy from family members and friends, which was very interesting.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Hinge Factor: How Chance and Stupidity Have Changed History; Author: Visit Amazon's Erik Durschmied Page; Review: Stopped reading less than halfway through. The author's choices as to what constituted chance and stupidity lost me at the battle of Antietam. Much more enjoyed Victor Davis Hansen's "Savior Generals" which chronicled how having the right man in the right place at the right time saved the day.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: American Rose: A Nation Laid Bare: The Life and Times of Gypsy Rose Lee; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Abbott Page; Review: I found this book to be tedious reading. The timeline kept slipping back and forth from the forties to the teens and twenties and went into excruciating detail about everyone who ever crossed Gypsy's path. I gave up less than halfway through and decided to try to finish it at some other time. I gave it three stars rather than two in hopes it might get better when I go back to it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Emperor's Tomb (Cotton Malone); Author: Visit Amazon's Steve Berry Page; Review: Complicated thriller. Who to believe?; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: O Jerusalem!; Author: Visit Amazon's Larry Collins Page; Review: a well written history of the modern day Jewish state and a great reference tool.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The First Mountain Man; Author: Visit Amazon's William W. Johnstone Page; Review: Love the history interwoven with the lives of the colorful characters.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The White Horse King: The Life of Alfred the Great; Author: Benjamin R. Merkle; Review: very interesting history of the viking invasions and how Alfred fought against them.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Closing; Author: Visit Amazon's Ken Oder Page; Review: Not usually a fan of murder mysteries, but this one totally captivated me to the point I found myself reading into the wee hours of the night. Wonderful character development and a complicated tale with several twists and turns.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tommy's Honor: The Story of Old Tom Morris and Young Tom Morris, Golf's Founding Father and Son; Author: Visit Amazon's Kevin Cook Page; Review: Loved this book. I knew nothing about Old Tom and Tommy Morris, but thought learning something about the history of golf would be interesting. The author brought these people to life wonderfully and not only provided details about the history of golf but also gave very interesting background on the mores and way of life of the various classes of people in Victorian era Scotland. Who would think that reading a play-by-play of a golf match could be riveting? Yet the author managed to do it. Highly recommend this book for anyone interested in the sport of golf.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Case of the Velvet Claws; Author: Visit Amazon's Erle Stanley Gardner Page; Review: Surprisingly good story. Didn't know what to expect, having only watched Perry Mason on TV. Intriguing story showed a more dynamic Perry Mason and a more complicated Della Street.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Shelter from the Storm (Tubby Dubonnet Myteries , No 4); Author: Visit Amazon's Tony Dunbar Page; Review: This book was OK. I wasn't able to fully grasp the characters, they just didn't seem developed somehow. Also, it's a serial, and I didn't like it well enough to buy the next installment.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Wild Horses (A Dick Francis Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Dick Francis Page; Review: I loved the insights into the movie making industry as well as the tricky twists and turns in the plot that Dick Francis can do so well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Divide & Conquer - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Murray McDonald Page; Review: What can I say? This plot contains everything from evil Mexican drug cartels to evil Russian spies and evil Russian scientists. Plenty of action, but it is pretty far fetched. This author can not hold a candle to my favorites, Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, and Tom Clancy.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Sacred Journey of the Peaceful Warrior; Author: Visit Amazon's Dan Millman Page; Review: I saw the movie first and THEN bought the books. I liked all of his books but this was by far my favorite-especially with the surprise ending. The former Olympian, Dan Millman, has an interesting way of blending truth and fantasy in his auto-biographical novels so that you don't know where the reality ends but this book is delightfully inspiring and hard to put down. His characters are so engaging that you almost feel as if you know them personally instead of second hand through his words. And as he heals himself you find strength gathering deep in your core. Hemmingway he isn't but can definitely give Dwyer, Chopra, Redfield and Quinn a run for their money.- It seems like one always finds these types of books at a time one needs them most- but as his grandfather was fond of saying, "Nothing is coincidence."; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton, and Me; Author: Visit Amazon's Pattie Boyd Page; Review: While Wonderful Tonight is not what I would call a masterpiece, it provided a wonderful snapshot of that Golden Era of rock. The way it was narrated tended to be a little monotonous at times but her imagery was vivid and the memories flooded back to me...I was a fan of hers (and of Jean Shrimpton and Twiggy as well). I loved the fashions of the day and consequently I followed all the doings in the gossip rags faithfully living vicariously through them. I wasn't shocked to read of the goings on in the drug culture-I lived in Miami and had friends who were moderately successful musicians as well. I experienced some of what she wrote about first hand. I felt sad for her and her loveless childhood - for the years of anguish, yet, look at the life she had and as someone once asked "Without the ugliness, how will w eknow the beauty?" I wish there had been more photographs- that was the best part of the book for me. It's not even that her photos were THAT good technically- but they were intimate, candid and often touching portraits of our rock royalty and their friends. A who's who of Carnaby Street celebs and classic rock icons- from Mary Quant, Donovan, Jeff Beck and Mick Fleetwood to name just a few - I personally LOVED the book - I loved the era and I loved her honesty. I fel a better ghost writer would have made this a real best seller. I don't think anyone under 50 will REALLY appreciate it as much but for us baby boomers or die hard fans it's a must read and a fabulous walk down memory lane.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Irreconcilable Differences: The Battle for the Heart & Soul of America's Animal Shelters; Author: Nathan J Winograd; Review: Winograd hits it out of the park again with another million reasons why NoKill would work if more of us took it seriously. A must read for any animal welfare activist !; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kevin and the Seven Lions (Kevin's Books); Author: Mr. Martin C Tiller; Review: This is a great read aloud book for a bed time story or for your young one to practice reading to you! 5 year old granddaughter (who reads well for her age, didn't find it so challenging that she didn't want to keep going. All of the little ones oohed and aged at the beautiful illustrations. Good enough story that it kept the kids' interest in spite of an overload of other electronic entertainment.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mrs. Ravenbach's Way: A Novel (The Amazing Escapades of Toby Wilcox); Author: William M. Akers; Review: I am 62 with a bunch of grandkids all ages. The 7-10 year old boys enjoyed it thoroughly- we even had lively discussions about what nasty things they would have done to this meanest of the mean teachers. The 2 girls-not so much. Toby totally validated their already very low opinions of "dumb, gross boys"- "He PICKS HIS NOSE WITH HIS FINGERS! EEWWW!!!" (Of course, that's quite alright by us- for a few more years.) This would be a fun book to read during summer camp while attempting to recreate some of the projects and activities- building the sub, writing poetry (especially about a mean teacher they may have had) running a few laps before class to work off some nervous energy, making Mrs. Button's brownies and the Wilcox bread- keeping a [really] private journal, writing a haiku, learning a little about Van Gogh and Beethoven (again the boys were enthralled by both men's character flaws much more than their art- and a poetry contest. So my only criticism of this first effort is that the reading level in the book isn't consistent therefore from an educator's POV it would be a little difficult to pick a solid demographic for the book. For 6 bored kids and 8 rainy days of mostly BadNana reading to them - (I let them read the handwritten journal entries) it was pretty awesome. Almost a 5- 4.85; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Guinevere: A medieval romance; Author: Visit Amazon's Lavinia Collins Page; Review: I've been a fan of feminist Arthurian legends since I read Mysts of Avalon back in college. Though I don't have time to read books in one sitting anymore, I found myself iPad in purse, stealing every moment I could. For the women who have ever truly loved two persons and those who have been loved by two persons- this was a deeply emotional account from the Queen's perspective- not filled with magic and sorcery as in previous accounts but instead the complicated dynamics of the characters all trying to survive the things they knew but had difficulty openly accepting. Collins manages a few little "Aha!" Mo nets as well and in case you're wondering- yes, Mordred is STILL a villain for all ages. I loved this so much and it touched me so deeply, it made me cry- maybe just because like Guinevere, I knew what it was to finally realize I would never pass this way again and the last time WAS the last time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Walking in Circles Before Lying Down: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Merrill Markoe Page; Review: I LOVE this book so much that I've spent the last 4 years looking for a second copy after losing the first one. Any woman who has been owned by a dog will relate. I don't know if Cesar Millan would approve or not but I almost imagined myself having these conversations with my own "furkids". It was this book that first gave me inspiration for my favorite line to my friends whose dogs find themselves suddenly pitted against the new boyfriends, " Heed the dog, because men are often wrong about dogs, but dogs are seldom wrong about a men."; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Feverborn: A Fever Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Marie Moning Page; Review: Not a stand alone at all. You definitely need ALL the previous books under your belt to enjoy this one. I feel like this one was really short compared to the others- something to tide us over until the next one- but if you can read all 8 books consecutively it gives a nice segway until she gets around to the next sexy fantastic romp.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Anti-Romance: Adult Coloring Book; Author: Visit Amazon's Cassia Leo Page; Review: This was probably a little young for me. It was entertaining though, good for s rainy weekend.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Feverborn (Fever Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Karen Marie Moning Page; Review: Not a stand alone at all. You definitely need ALL the previous books under your belt to enjoy this one. I feel like this one was really short compared to the others- something to tide us over until the next one- but if you can read all 8 books consecutively it gives a nice segway until she gets around to the next sexy fantastic romp.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pandora (New Tales of the Vampires); Author: Visit Amazon's Anne Rice Page; Review: Pandora is lush with history and images you don't even have to close your eyes to see- but mostly I loved the spirituality. Rice's characters are flawed even in their physical perfection and the observations about organized religion are spot on. Vittoria, here I come.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pandora; Author: Visit Amazon's Anne Rice Page; Review: Pandora is lush with history and images you don't even have to close your eyes to see- but mostly I loved the spirituality. Rice's characters are flawed even in their physical perfection and the observations about organized religion are spot on. Vittoria, here I come.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Angel Time (Songs of the Seraphim Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Anne Rice Page; Review: Rice's writing has become more and more spiritual over the years and it's evident in the Wolf series, the New Vampire Chronicles as well as this series. It is the kind of book that makes you want to further explore and perhaps question the beliefs you've always held dear. Or does it answer the greatest question? Mainly, who ARE the good guys? If the bad guys call themselves the good guys and the good guys don't identify themselves, how do we know them when they show up? Br. Toby may just answer a few for you!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Forbidden Nights with a Vampire (Love at Stake, Book 7); Author: Visit Amazon's Kerrelyn Sparks Page; Review: I needed some mindless entertainment over the holidays to get me through this blue funk I was in. I started with the first book and I"ve been averaging 1 every 2 days. I couldn't put them down! This series is fun, sexy and light- just perfect for the cold rainy weather we've had the last 3 weeks. Kerrelyn Sparks has just the right mixture of gorgeous immortals and shifters, hot sex, bad-ass chicks coming into their own. Don't look for damsels in distress waiting to be rescued here. If these didn't have the graphic sex, the romances would be perfect for young people who need role models. Her characters have strong family values, they're loyal, faithful, smart and emotionally strong. And sometimes, they provide tremendous insight into our own lives.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire (Love at Stake); Author: Visit Amazon's Kerrelyn Sparks Page; Review: I read all 16 books a month and a half- on a whim trying to get away from the disgusting antics of the Soto's' bought and paid for Left. I had to turn of the TV for a few weeks break and boy, did I pick a winner- 16 books that I couldn't put down! This-the last of Love At Stake series is clearly one of her best, with some really unexpected twists and an homage to O Henry. Sparks is the undisputed current day Queen of Erotica, but her books are also about family, loyalty, self sacrifice and true love. AND each of her books actually an entertaining (and surprisingly different) plot. I know, all really deep subjects from an adult paranormal series. After reading really subpar vamp and shifter romances, these were such a delightful surprise. Firmly entrenched between the over the top comedy of Charmaine Harris and the Gothic tragedy which is Anne Rice, Love At Stake series has just the right mix of humor and darkness to keep you interested and ever hopeful. (And if your guy needs to spice up his technique, you can always read him these as bedtime stories!) I can't wait for her new series to drop. We're weeks away now. Sparks is nothing if not prolific. Search on Amazon and start at book 1 and ...enjoy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: Teresa's Cafe; City: Wayne, PA; Review: Loved our bartender Brian, who should really consider going back to civil engineering. Food left us wanting, and the ambience is utilitarian. Would only come back to see you again, Brian!; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Not Your Average Joe's; City: Glen Mills, PA; Review: Average Joe's is just average. Nothing special here. We read the owner's bio. He claims bread is such an important part of the meal, yet it was served cold. Dipping oil was great. Our waiter Robert, had NO recommendations for us. I ordered the chicken enchiladas. My husband ordered the meatloaf. Both were way too sweet, and served at room temp. The real kicker was the iPod touch questionnaire that didn't work! Robert's comment was, oh, yeah, we've been having problems with them. I think only one works. Let me find that ONE for you. He wouldn't make eye contact with us afterward, as he could never find it we left, w/o so much as a Good Night. Will not rush back.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: R2L; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: We were lucky enough to pick R2L during restaurant week. What a great gustatory experience! Such different and exotic food parings! Our waiter Matthew could not have been more attentive. Will definitely be watching for more from this great restaurant with beautiful views of Philadelphia!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spence on High Street; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Had another fabulous meal here last night! Why are all the other restaurants busier during the week?! The food here is top notch! BYO makes it even better. Keep up the great cooking!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Split Rail Tavern; City: West Chester, PA; Review: We're rapidly becoming huge fans of this quaint tavern. Great addition to West Chester's growing restaurant community! We had the pleasure of dining here last night. Only negative was the escargot. The sauce was not at all complimentary to the snail! Overwhelmed it, actually. Everything else was very enjoyable. My daughter-in-law had the burgundy chicken, and not a morsel was left on her plate. Our daughter's boyfriend and our son had the steak frites! Over the top! "why can't I prepare steak this good?" Was one of the remarks. To start, we shared the flatbread of the day, and the tomato basil one. Both delicious. Our other son enjoyed the pickled/brined chicken sandwich. He wants to learn how to make it! We shared the desserts including the donut holes, gelato, and chocolate banana bread pudding. We all agreed the bread pudding was the most amazing! We'll be back! Thanks for a lovely evening.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rize Pizza; City: Broomall, PA; Review: Thank you, Rize for opening here in good old West Chester! We ordered delivery tonight. De-licious! Always room for one more pizza place, especially when it's this good! The Rize crust with sesame seeds underneath is wonderful! We ordered the Montecarlo pizza. Wow!! We were also happy to see the baklava and cookies for being a tad late on First Friday. We will be ordering again!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rai Rai Ramen & Hawaiian BBQ; City: West Chester, PA; Review: First,and most definitely not the last trip here! Best ramen outside of Japan we have found! Gyoza very tasty, also! Need to try the barbecue! Looked delicious! BYO makes it even better. Fresh ingredients. Seafood fresh and tasty! When you notice Asian patrons, you know it must be good! Pork buns!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Split Rail Tavern; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Well, so much for my rave reviews of this restaurant. Last several times have been disappointing. Need to get back to good!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Los Sabores De Mexico; City: West Chester, PA; Review: The food was "ok". I've never heard of a Mexican restaurant serving French fries, though! Sides of rice and beans was very small. Poblano pepper was not charred prior to stuffing. Stuffed with a hunk of cheese only. Best item we purchased was the burrito Azteca. It was huge, and tasty. Need to find a great Mexican restaurant here in WC. Miss Senora's .; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Duling-Kurtz House & Country Inn; City: Exton, PA; Review: A group of us decided to do an overnight getaway here in our " back yard". I was very disappointed with the whole experience. The Inn is old and dirty. The food was average, and costly. We will not rush back.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Stoney's British Pub; City: Wilmington, DE; Review: Average English pub fare. Will not make me come back from West Chester PA. Fish and chips good. Shepherds pie was good. Whip Tavern is killer, albeit still not in our back yard from West Chester. I WILL make the effort to go back there!! Service is poor. One server for the entire restaurant,and worked as bartenders at times as well. Need more wait staff!!!!! Took two hours on a Tuesday night. Had to ask for check.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Split Rail Tavern; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Well, so much for my rave reviews of this restaurant. Last several times have been disappointing. Need to get back to good! Will not be back unless some radical change occurs. $100.00 for 2 apps, one entree, and a few drinks. Chef needs to learn how to make beef stroganoff. I can help!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sterling Pig Public House; City: West Chester, PA; Review: This is the real deal smoke house, bar, and brewery. We're lucky to have y'all here in West Chester! My new favorite restaurant! Keep it coming! What I love in particular is that I am not a big beer drinker, and they have so many other options. Love the Old Fashioned!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Halco Grills & Fireplaces; City: West Chester, PA; Review: This owner caters to the "high end customer" only. We were looking for a smaller version of a great grill. We walked in and the first statement out of his mouth was "oh, wow, first tine I've sat down all day ". This is a huge man, who can't pick his feet off the floor. We were shown a Napoleon grill, which was really small. We started looking around the store for other options, and "dude" went back to sitting down. I asked about another grill, and he was so disenfranchised, he didn't even answer. We left, went to Queen Appliances. Found an awesome Napoleon grill, which was the perfect size. We LOVE it.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: KAO Jewelers; City: Wilmington, DE; Review: By far and away the best platinum artistry in jewelry. Ian works his magic in everything he creates! I have the privilege of owning several of his stunning pieces, and cherish them. Repeat customer, and will continue to seek him out for future pieces.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: American Nail Salon; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Love Helen! She's the best! Dip style application lasts for a good two weeks! Clean and comfortable. Totally recommend!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Amore Pizza & Restaurant; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Best delivery in West Chester! Good pizza, good pasta options. Great sandwiches. Good salads! Portions are generous. Well worth the money!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: First Watch; City: Exton, PA; Review: Well, probably a last for First Watch here! The hubby and I ordered the same thing, which we don't usually do, but... how can you go wrong with eggs Benedict?!Well, let me count the ways! Not a traditional English muffin, which was tasteless, shaved ham instead of Canadian bacon, not enough Hollandaise sauce, and a tomato?!? This joint is for the affluent millennials. $50.00 for coffee, breakfast for two?! The coffee, by the way, tasted burned. (Both pots, as we turned the first one in!) Also, who puts a piece of paper under the fruit cup?!; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Barker's Barber; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Brenda does a great job! We were referred to her by our friends Dave and Adrian. We have a pomsky pup that "blows his coat" twice a year. She clipped his nails, bathed him, and de-furred him. He looks and smells terrific! He looks half his size!! Thanks, Brenda! Highly recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: two birds cafe; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Due to current circumstances, I have not enjoyed dining in this restaurant. The curbside pick up is wonderful! We have had the eggs Benedict, salmon sandwich, and mushroom omelette. ALL have bee delicious! We will definitely be enjoying more meals here!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wawa Food Markets; City: West Chester, PA; Review: The place to go for a good sandwich or soup. Always clean, friendly, and expeditious. Good breakfast foods as well. In my opinion, best fast food market.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Mediterranean Restaurant; City: WEST CHESTER, PA; Review: Food here is good, but I now recall why we haven't been back in ages...$70.00 for two. Sans alcohol, hummus appetizer and two average priced entrees only. (This was pick up.) IMO this was incredibly expensive, as we ate all of it. No leftovers! I can think of better restaurants with better food, and less expensive.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Bonchon West Chester; City: West Chester, PA; Review: The wings are as good as all the hype! Double fried garlic sooo good and juicy! The pork buns left a lot to be desired: the pork! Tasted good, but all bun and so little pork. Gyoza good. Heat is good. Fried rice mushy and sweet, which I don't love.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Limoncello Ristorante & Caterers; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Love the food from this restaurant. Whether we eat in, or pick up, it is ALWAYS delicious. Last night we got the Sicilian pie and Italian Stromboli for game night. It was absolutely delicious. Keep up the great work!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Ratnasagar Beach Resort; City: Ratnagiri Ratnagiri District Maharashtra; Review: I recently had a chance to stay in this property at Ratnagiri. I stayed here with my wife, my two year old son and 3 other couples. We stayed for 3 nights. The package offered was INR 14000 inclusive of taxes and breakfast charges for 3 nights for "Premium AC Cottage". Although it does seem on the higher side, but the experience and the cottages itself will make one feel good. Some of the good points: 1) Cottages made of wood (gives a nice feeling) 2) Cottages spaced from each other so that your privacy is preserved 3) Final price offered was inclusive of taxes 4) Hotel staff followed up few days before we were to reach on when we plan to arrive and by when they should keep the rooms cleaned and ready 5) Hotel right on the beach, although it is not a private beach, but still is a clean beach that is not too crowded 6) Swimming pool next to the beach 7) Dinning area overlooks the beach and the bar (yeah) 8) provide cycles and carrom and other games free to people staying 9) Found the staff to be cordial and helpful during our visit Some notable cons: 1) It is the only resort on the road, gets dark at night 2) Dining area not AC ( we can have food at room then) 3) Ask for full remaining upfront payment upon arrival and 50% at booking time; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: SeaShell Havelock; City: Havelock Island Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Review: The rooms are all mad of wood. Infact all the rooms are wooden huts. They are separate from each other and donot touch each other in any way. Maximum privacy is there. I was here with my wife and 2 years old son. We enjoyed every second of our stay here. Ours was the last room, right next to the backwaters and l like it so. Being the last there were minimal people there and we could go to the waterside when we wanted. Also we indulged in taking a lot of photos of the crabs and the backwaters. Then towards the evening chilled on a longer next to the backwaters few fried prawns and lots of beers. Good staff, clean rooms and not very expensive makes this is a sell out place most of the time.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel NK International; City: Port Blair South Andaman Island Andaman and Nicobar Islands; Review: We stayed at this hotel in April 2014. I was here with my wife and 2 year old son. I was joined by 2 other couples at the hotel. First word of caution this is only a hotel, rather more like a glorified lodge. It only has rooms (which for sure are clean) but nothing apart from that. The dining area is so small that not more than 5 families can sit at the same time. The good thing about this place is that it is centrally located and walkable from the market area. It is also not very far from the airport. Also, the rooms after renovation are nicely done and are decent in size and were clean. The staff was polite and courteous. The front desk doesn't entertain many things. So you need to be cautious of what you ask. Food is decent for the initial uptake. I did like the fact that they have a speedy room service as well.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Shree Ganesh Beach Resort; City: Diveagar Maharashtra; Review: We stayed here for 2 nights. I was accompanied by my wife, 1.8 year old son and my friend and his wife. All in all i would say that this is a good property that is almost on the beach. Almost on the beach as it is about 2 minutes away from the beach. The property that is right on the beach is MTDC resort. This is definitely not a resort. It has only rooms (with ac though :-)) and basic amenities like a billiards/pool table and nothing else. Its claim to fame is the proximity to the beach and hence they are slightly expensive. The rooms were clean when we came and we were given two rooms next to each other. The rooms seem to be made of steel sheets with an asbestos top. However, they are not inconvenient to be in. There is a central raised garden along whose periphery the rooms are. The garden can be used to sit, grab a few drinks and may be get a bon fire going. All in all a decent experience with the room/hotel. The down side is that it is not easy to locate. It is marked on google maps so use that and reach here. Dont look for signs on the road. There are very few signs and most of them may be easily missed. A lot of families stay here so good for couples and families.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Ocean Inn; City: Daman Daman and Diu; Review: This is a place on the beach. The good thing about this hotel is that it is right on the beach and the food is really good. Also, there is a play area that is close to the dinning area. So you can enjoy the food and see your child play. Also, the dinning area overlooks the ocean and it is a great place to relax and have a meal. The good food is an icing on the cake. When it comes to ambiance, this hotel has close to nothing to offer. It has plain rooms. The room that we booked was on first floor. The balcony opened on to a huge extension that took you as close to the ocean as it can. That was a good thing about the room. Overall the rooms were clean and the service was quick. I would recommend this place as a value for money destination for families.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hyatt Place Fort Myers at The Forum; City: Fort Myers Florida; Review: I was here on a business trip to Fort Myers. I reached here in May 2014. I was pleasantly surprised to see the hotel. It was in a central location close to the shopping areas. In fact everything from the hotel ambiance to the polite staff was spot on. The few points that stood out were that the dinning area was a little small and if there would be a business delegation then individual families will be jostling for space. I was amazed to see how close this hotel was to famous pubs, shopping arcades, best buy store, and famous eating joints. One point to note, no food after 10:00pm. One will have to order from outside the hotel. So keep that in mind and you get a nice neat and clean property for a decent sum.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pan Pacific Singapore; City: Singapore; Review: I was here for a 6 day business trip. This is the place to be when you are in Singapore. From the moment you step inside the hotel you will feel how luxurious can be made even more luxurious. I was completely in awe of the place. The reception, waiting area, the lobbies, the lounges all were incredible. Also the other great point of the hotel is its excellent location. Being in the Marina Square is a big plus. It is right in the center of the hotel. I would love to come to this place again with family.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ginger Hotel Jaipur; City: Jaipur Jaipur District Rajasthan; Review: I stayed here in January second week 2017. This is a great place to stay with friends and family. The hotel staff is very courteous. The hotel as such was neat and clean and we could not find a speck of dust anywhere. Also, food is fabulous here. We ordered vegetarian food and it was really nicely cooked and was quite tasty. I would definitely recommend them.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Terk Technology HDTVi VHF/UHF HDTV Indoor Antenna; Brand: RCAW9; Review: I got this to work with my new plasma display, thinking i will get most if not all the HD channels. I got like 5 channels with it and was very disappointed, thinking that I need cable. Then I plugged in my 5 buck rabbit ear antenna just to give it a try, I got like 15+ channels. The only thing I don't like with the rabbit ear is now, I have to move it around to get certain channels. It would be nice to have some that gets all the channels without moving the antenna around. I also tried an expensive amplified one doesn't work at all, even worse than this one. I don't know if it'll be better in other areas, but if you're in boston, don't bother.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote Control (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: Logitech; Review: This is a great remote, very nicely built, and has great protential, but unfortunately it is crippled somewhat by the software. It took me more than 4 days to program it the way I wanted, but once that was done, it is as good as any remote you could get. It can learn almost any command and do anything, if it weren't for some restrictions by the online software, but fortunately there are ways to get around some of the problems. Pro : Huge database of devices, and for those that are not in the database, you can easily learn it if you have the original remote. One of the best part about the database is that you may find some features that weren't available from original remote. For me it was discrete input buttons, so I don't have to scroll through 6 video modes to get to a particular device. This alone was worth the price. Con : very complicate to program the remote perfectly. Software is very restrictive, and some options that you may want to use is hidden in layers and layers of options (like repeat timing). They enforce this "activity" scheme, which is great when watching DVD or other things which require multiple devices, but for me, I watch tv most of the time and only use my tv and nothing else. So I would rather stay with just the old fashion universal remote functionality when watching only tv. Fortunately there is a way to get around this, by setting one of the buttons as a power toggle, and setting the power option of the TV as "always leave on". Also it does not allow programming of macros. I was able to get around this with another old universal remote. I create the macro I wanted on the old remote and have the logitech learn the macro in "raw" mode, which works great.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Iomega 35039 1 TB ScreenPlay DX HD Media Player; Brand: Iomega; Review: If you plan to use this for rmvb playback don't bother. even though it does play it technically, it is useless unless you want 20 fps even on 480p videos, and also you don't need to fast forward, or skip, which it can't do. The only reason why I give it 3 stars is that playback of other video types are pretty nice, like m2ts from my panny micro 3/4. And also even though it doesn't say it supports .3gp files, it actually can play 720p videos recorded from my android phone, although not perfectly smooth, and that I had to rename the files from .3gp to .avi first. online content I would rate it 2 stars, even though it does work, it isn't very practical even with the keyboard remote.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Yongnuo YN-565 EX TTL Flash Speedlite Canon 5D II 7D ,30D ,40D, 50D ,350D, 400D ,450D (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: YONGNUO; Review: Great build, and worked great when I got it. ETTL worked flawlessly, and wireless ETTL also worked greated. Unfortunately after 2 days of use, probably 20 - 30 fires, it died. Now I need to decide if I should give this another try or just pay up and get a canon one.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: YONGNUO Wireless Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 for Camera Canon 1000D 550D 500D 450D 400D 350D 50D 40D; Brand: YONGNUO; Review: I was very pleasantly supprise on how well this worked. When I bought this, I thought it might be an issue with line of sight since it was infrared. But supprisingly, it doesn't seem to need line of sight at all. I can trigger my canon and yn-565 flashes behind me (both of them behind me, with the camera/trigger facing the other way), every single time. It doesn't matter where I put them, even on the floor directly below me, while I am standing up with the camera. For whatever reason it still triggers without any issues. The only thing I can think of is reflection from various object in the room? I can't explain it but it just works, and works great. I don't have the canon to compare, but this works very well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: HDE Flash Bounce Cap Diffuser for Canon 580 EX; Brand: Toogoo; Review: works great, fits a little tight on the yongnuo 565 and 560 flashes, which should have same head size as canon 580 speedlite.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard & Medium Telephoto Lens for Canon SLR Cameras - Fixed; Brand: Canon; Review: This was my favorite for a long time until I got the 85mm 1.8. other than focus being a little inconsistent at times, this is as good of a lens as any.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF) for Canon Digital SLR Cameras (Model A09E); Brand: Tamron; Review: Definitely not the best lens out there, but for the price it is great even on a full frame. at 2.8 it's not sharp, but once stopped down to 3.2 it is very good. I use this as my walk around lens on both my 5Dii and 450D, and results are very consistent. Although I did have to get the focus calibrated when I first got it, it was front focusing for quite a bit. Once calibrate focus is generally spot on, although it is slow compared to more expensive lens from canon.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: D-Link Wi-Fi Camera with Remote Viewing (DCS-930L); Brand: D-Link; Review: Very easy to setup, no need to worry about dns, and portforwarding. took me 2 minutes to setup and get it working, although the firmware update afterwards took a few tries. uses about 1kw per month with it on 24/7 (which is about 15 cents). very small.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Asunflower® Mini USB Microphone for PC laptop Desktop Studio Microphone with Stand Noise Cancelling; Brand: Asunflower; Review: not the best, but for the price it is an great value; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Raspberry Pi 3 Model B Motherboard; Brand: Raspberry Pi; Review: For the price, it is great. It is essentially a low powered computer that can be used anyway you like. I've used it for multiple purposes, and lots of good projects to do with kids. Currently using it as a low powered file server for backing up various things.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tomtoc 360° Protective Laptop Sleeve for 13 Inch New MacBook Pro 2017 | MacBook Pro Retina; Brand: tomtoc; Review: great protection, and firsts my surface book perfectly even with the pen attached to the side. The only downside is a little bulky compared to other sleeves.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Esky EC170-20 4.3-Inch Rear View TFT-LCD Monitor with 135 Degree Waterproof Car Camera; Brand: Esky; Review: Worked great for the price. Installation was easy. I installed it on a van, and the hardest part was figuring out how to rout the wire through the door.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Targus Wireless Numeric Keypad, Black (AKP11US); Brand: Targus; Review: Good quality; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7-Inch, Wi-Fi) 2012 Model; Brand: Samsung; Review: Gift I have one and have for years. I love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ZAGG Folio Case, Hinged with Bluetooth Keyboard for Android Tablets (7-inch) - Black; Brand: ZAGG; Review: Returned. Did not fir the Samsung Tab 4; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Fintie Rotating Case for Fire HD 8 (2015 Model 5th Gen Only); Brand: Fintie; Review: I love it. Great quality product and holds up well with my use as well as 2 grandchildren using it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PLAY X STORE Bluetooth Smart Sports Bracelet Watch,Activity Monitors,Fitness Wristbands.Black.; Brand: PLAY X STORE; Review: Present for my niece; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Toshiba MK3276GSX 320 GB Internal Hard Drive (MK3276GSX); Brand: Toshiba; Review: wonderful. Was timely when came in and got my computer back up and running; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: TeckNet Classic 2.4G Portable Optical Wireless Mouse with USB Nano Receiver for Notebook,PC,Laptop,Computer,6 Buttons,30 Months Battery Life,4800 DPI,6 Adjustment Levels; Brand: TeckNet; Review: easy to use; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fitbit Blaze Smart Fitness Watch, Blue, Silver, Large (US Version); Brand: Fitbit; Review: It's fine.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: OMOTON Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0 inch; Brand: OMOTON; Review: As expected; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Flexable Pocket Water Hose As Seen On TV (colors vary); Brand: Garden Hose; Review: Very practicle, quickly attached to faucet and very good nozzle.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tierra Garden 50-3000 Haxnicks Original Soft Tie, 16.4', Green; Brand: Tierra Garden; Review: Like this product very much - use it for all sorts of tasks.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Little Big Shot Super Nozzle; Brand: Little Big Shot; Review: Love it. Fits in my pant pocket and is available whenever needed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bloem Terra Plant Saucer Tray 9" Terra Cotta; Brand: Bloem; Review: Use them for window planters. They are very strong and last. The see thru ones sold in stores would not last.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Terro T300-3 Ant Killer Liquid Ant Baits (3 Pack); Brand: Terro; Review: Worked like a charm.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ortho Weed B Gon Weed Killer for Lawns Plus Crabgrass Control Ready-Spray Hose End Attachment, 32-Ounce (Not Sold in; Brand: Ortho; Review: Use it for crabgass that keep popping up.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Fiskars 91095935J Steel Bypass Pruning Shears; Brand: Fiskars; Review: Very good - easy to use.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fabric & Garden Staples Commercial Grade Attaches Landscape Fabric, Netting, and Outdoor Lighting to Soil (4.5 inches x 1; Brand: Easy Gardener; Review: Use them every year to hold the wreath on the grave.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AMDRO Mole & Gopher Bait, 1 lb.; Brand: Amdro; Review: They are ok if the the person that finds the Gopher hole knows how to do it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: VIVOSUN Soil Tester, 3-in-1 Plant Moisture Meter Light and PH Tester for Home, Garden, Lawn, Farm, Indoor & Outdoor; Brand: VIVOSUN; Review: Really good stuff.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tomcat Bait Chunx Pail 4 LB; Brand: Motomco; Review: Waiting for the rat catcher to come.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Patio_Lawn_and_Garden |
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows:
Title: Patriots reportedly trying to acquire a star wide receiver; Abstract: The Patriots reportedly would prefer a receiver who could "instantly command a defense's respect, alleviate Edelman's burden and help Brady."; Category: sports
Title: 25 Early TV Appearances By A-List Movie Stars; Abstract: Icons and Oscar winners who got their start on television; Category: tv
Title: Stars we lost in 2019; Abstract: These are the stars we lost this year.; Category: entertainment
Title: Will Smith's starring roles, ranked; Abstract: Smith's latest film, "Gemini Man," directed by Ang Lee, is coming out this month, but it's just one in a long line of starring roles for the former star of "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air." Here is our ranking of every Will Smith-starring movie.; Category: movies
Title: 61 Celeb Couples Who Pulled Off the Best Halloween Costumes; Abstract: From Chrissy Teigen and John Legend to Kimye.; Category: entertainment
Title: Rob Gronkowski says he's not coming back this season; Abstract: "I am very satisfied where I am at."; Category: sports
Title: Boxer Patrick Day dies after suffering traumatic brain injury in super welterweight fight; Abstract: Boxer Patrick Day, 27, died on Wednesday after being knocked out against Charles Conwell on Saturday. He had surgery and had been in a coma.; Category: sports
Title: Vanna White Says Wheel of Fortune Fans Helped Her Cope After Tragic Death of Her Fiancé; Abstract: Vanna White Says Wheel of Fortune Fans Helped Her Cope With the Tragic Plane Crash Death of Her Fiancé; Category: tv
Title: Helen Hunt Posts First Pic Following Car Accident: 'Back at Work'; Abstract: The actress is back on the set of the 'Mad About You' reboot.; Category: movies
Title: Seahawks claim former Patriots WR Gordon off waivers; Abstract: The NFC West is absolutely loaded with talent, and now the likes of the LA Rams and San Francisco 49ers have another problem on their hands--Russell Wilson just received a gift, and another weapon in his arsenal of talented wide receivers. As if DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett weren't tough enough to cover on a weekly basis, the Seattle Seahawks have acquired Josh Gordon off waivers from the New England Patriots. The #Seahawks have claimed former...; Category: sports
Title: Pamela Anderson gets backlash after wearing a Native American headdress for Halloween; Abstract: Pamela Anderson is under fire after posting risqué photos of herself wearing a Native American headdress in honor of Halloween. The Canadian actress and animal rights activist, who rose to fame for her role as a lifeguard on the series Baywatch, took to Twitter like many other celebrities to post photos of herself in her Halloween costume. In the first photo, the 51-year-old sports a pair of high-waisted underwear, and appears to be drenched in...; Category: tv
Title: Browns cut Jermaine Whitehead after racist Twitter rant that included death threats; Abstract: ; Category: sports
Title: Greg Hardy and the fastest turnarounds in UFC history; Abstract: Greg Hardy will join an exclusive club of fighters when he meets Alexander Volkov in the UFC on ESPN+ 21 co-main event.; Category: sports | mind |
Given the interaction history of a user with businesses as follows:
Title: Toto's Pizzeria; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: My fiance and I are new to Mt. Airy and one night after skipping dinner and have the classic 'what should we eat' conversation, we decided to go to Toto's. It was 9:00pm and there was no one in the place. We ordered our pizza and decided to eat it there. While the building is nothing special, the employees were friendly even when dealing with an impossibly rude costumer who came in while we were eating. But honestly who cares about anything but the pizza? The pizza is AMAZING. In particular the chunky plum tomato sauce may possibly be the best pizza sauce I have ever had. We'll be going back!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Chabaa Thai Bistro; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Food: Green curry was thick, creamy, and super spicy. The veggies were also extremely fresh. My fiance had pad Thai wrapped in an egg crepe. The pad Thai he said was average and added the the crepe really did nothing for the dish. He did enjoy the Thai ice tea and found it above average for other Thai restaurants we've eaten at. Location: The building is nice and has two floors. Unfortunately since it was lunch time we were seated in the smaller downstairs portion which has limited tables. This was fine until another group came in and was seated literally 5 inches away from us. I felt as though we were all eating together, which kind of killed the date-day atmosphere I wanted. Price/Value: This is some seriously over priced Thai food. Have eaten at Thai restaurants across the state and many in the Philadelphia area I find it absurd to be charged $23 dollars for pad Thai with an egg crepe and $15 for green curry with tofu...at lunch time no less. Maybe its just "the way Mayayunk is". As mentioned in other reviews portions are indeed large, which does help with the price.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: So Fun Yogurt; City: Wayne, PA; Review: Yogurt: So Fun has the best selection of toppings that I have ever seen. At least twice as many as the Red Mango down the street from it. The yogurt is awesome and I love the Island coconut and thin mint varieties. My only two complaints are they cannot order green tea yogurt (while many people have requested it) and their flavors do not change frequently. Price: This is the cheapest yogurt around.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Erawan Thai Cuisine; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: This is my favorite Thai place in Pennsylvania. Drunken Noodle is exceptionally amazing! They also have an awesomely cheap lunch special! I have never ordered delivery for Erawan.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Iovine Brothers Produce; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: One of my favorite fruit and veggie shopping places in the city. Today I came out with over a pound of Roma Tomatoes, four red bell peppers and a giant bunch of spinach for 3.80! Yep, three dollars and eighty cents! They also accept credit cards, which is fabulous since the majority of people don't carry much cash.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Minella's Diner; City: Wayne, PA; Review: Ok people, this is a diner. You get a sticky table once and a while and sometimes you want something a little more exotic, but honestly I have never been disappointed with the food at Minella's! I've been eating here for about five years now and have sample quite a lot of things on the menu. My favorites are the broccoli and cheese tortellini and any of the breakfast omelets. In addition to good food, you cannot beat the service at Minella's. I've gone in several times with large groups and have never had to wait for a table. Hell, you barely have to wait for your food.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Jasmine Asian Bistro; City: Glenside, PA; Review: Ate here for the first time tonight and it was great! I had broccoli with garlic sauce and my fiance had mango duck. Both meals were wonderful and came with a cabbage salad which was also good. As a tea lover, I particularly enjoyed that Jasmine uses cast iron tea pots with real loose leaf tea! The wait staff was also friendly and attentive.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cake; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Went to breakfast with my husband here Saturday. It was very busy even though it was past traditional breakfast time (10:30am). I had the breakfast burrito. The portion was huge and the breakfast potatoes which came with it were very good. The burrito itself could have been a little more flavorful but I did enjoy it. My husband had the strawberry French toast, which he enjoyed because it was less sweet than most restaurant French toast. Overall, for the quality and price of the food, Cake was an excellent breakfast spot. I will update after I have tried dinner :); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bonefish Grill; City: Willow Grove, PA; Review: I will not let my almost demise from falling on the super shellac coated floors influence is review. I wondered in here for Sunday brunch with my husband this past weekend. I had the Baja fish tacos which were well seasoned and tasty. The chips that came with the meal were nothing special. My husband had fish and chips. We both thought the portion of his meal was awkward being as he received 3 fish fillets, but only a few French fries. Regardless, he enjoyed the meal. In terms of service, I personally felt it took very long for order to be taken and drinks and food to be brought out. For example, the restaurant was not very crowded and there were at least three servers and our drinks took over ten minutes to receive. Overall, I was not as impressed with Bonefish as I wanted to be, but it made for a decent peaceful lunch.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Zesto Pizza & Grill; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: There was much deliberation surrounding dinner at my house on Saturday evening. My husband and I just returned from the zoo and were pretty worn out from walking all day. We wanted a quick dinner so we stopped at Zesto. We spilt the cheese steak calzone and thankfully ordered a small at the recommendation of the cashier. This calzone was the size of a large pizza tray and packed full of steak, cheese, peppers, and onions. It totally hit the spot other than being slightly greasy for my personal taste.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Silk Cuisine; City: Bryn Mawr, PA; Review: My regular Thai place is closed on Saturday for lunch so my husband and I stopped in at Silk Cuisine which we had never tried before. The menu was pretty boring compared to other places I've been, but the lunch special was only 10 dollars, which is very reasonable. I had the lemongrass soup which was very good. My chicken dumping appetizer had a little to much sauce on it but was good otherwise. As for my meal, I had the green curry, which was not very spicy at all. I enjoyed the flavor, but felt it was too salty after awhile. Conclusion, I would return here for a cheap lunch, but it was not as authentic as I wanted it to be.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fratelli's Italian Bistro; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: To be more precise, this rating should actually be 2 1/3 stars, which is only because I had a salmon salad which was decently priced and yummy. Our waiter, as another review mentioned was tactless. He repeatedly questioned my friend's choice of wine and offered us dessert about eight times before he finally got the hint. Our bread, also as mentioned in other reviews, was cold and the butter was so hard it ripped the bread. Since I only had a salad I cannot expound upon the quality of the main menu, but I wasn't impressed enough to return.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Big Fish Grill - Glen Mills; City: Glen Mills, PA; Review: What a pleasant place to stubble upon! Had the cured raw salmon blt and husband had the crab cake sandwich. Both were excellent for not being at the shore. Meal came with a starter of crackers and some kind of crab or tuna dip which was really yummy. Husband really enjoyed the sauce which came with the sweet potato fries. Lunch prices were very reasonable and they provide crayons to draw on the table covering...which I definitely partook in.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mango; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Staff was friendly and efficient. Fleece lined tights are the best thing I've bought this winter! I knocked off a star because some items here are definitely overpriced, but it is a boutique so that should be expected.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Joa Mart; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I have no idea why I pass this place everyday and it took a snow storm to bring me in! Hoagies are some of the best I ever had and deli selection is awesome. As previous reviews state, grocery items are kind of pricey.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Adobe Cafe; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Wondered in here for a late dinner with my husband last night. We ordered a half pitcher of margaritas, fish tacos and pork tacos. The chips and salsa which came with the meal were great! The margaritas were also good and I thought they were a steal for a half pitcher for ten dollars. As for dinner, my husband and I both enjoyed our tacos which came with rice and beans. I found the rice to be strangely sweet, which was my only complaint. We will return, as they have great specials throughout the week.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Rusty Shack; City: Roslyn, PA; Review: Twice now, I want to go here and it has been after closing time. Finally last night I got to try this awesome little spot. Husband and I both had the Crusty Rusty and I got curly fries while he had tots. Burgers were huge and delicious. We definitely could have split one and still been full. Curly fries and tots were large as well and perfectly crispy. Price: Made it out under twenty bucks. Service: Guy cooking was also talking orders, very nice and timely.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hi Spot Lanes; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: PRICE UPDATE: 4.25 per person per game, 2.00 shoes!! The above being said this place is still less than half of what you would pay at North Bowl. Bring anything you want to eat or drink! Only knocked off the star because there is a serious lack of air conditioning in this place. Beware on days with high temps.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Goat Hollow; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Goat Hollow rules because I can walk to it, but for those who can't it is still worth checking out. I have had great food and service every time. The wait for the food is a bit slow at times, but I feel it has improved from the first time I visited. Great beer options at decent prices. I usually get a burger, my favorite is the one with pork belly added. My husband usually gets the duck salad, duck is always cooked perfectly. Brisket sandwich is also very good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Grain Exchange; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Cresheim Valley Grain Exchange is a cozy corner place with a long name. Burgers and fries were cooked perfectly and were reasonably priced. Drinks were not so reasonably priced, but were creative and well prepared. Waiter (sorry I am forgetting his name) was attentive and lowered the price on my drink because they did not have the ingredients for the drink I originally had ordered. In looking over the menu there appeared to be lots of good sandwich options both for meat and non-meat eaters alike. Woman next to us had the fried chicken dinner and complained to the waiter in regards to the dish, not sure what about (trying not to be nosy, but as I said above place is pretty cozy).; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Trolley Car Diner; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I have been coming to the Trolley Car since I moved to Mt. Airy. When I first started coming, I felt like everything I had was very good and my husband and I even brought out of town guests to eat here we enjoyed it so much. Recently, however, with every visit my love fades...For example, a few nights ago we came in to split a milk shake and a late night breakfast. Shake was good (though it is kind of hard to screw this up), but the eggs Benedict was terrible. Eggs were cooked hard and the sauce was like water. We would of complained, but our waitress never came back after delivering our food. We actually had to get up and find someone to ring us out at the register. Maybe it was just the time of day we were in, but I don't know how many more chances I'm giving the Trolley Car.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Greenhouse Internists; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I don't go to the doctor very often, so I have not been to this provider since I picked them as my primary care when I moved to Philadelphia over a year ago! Yesterday, I went in for my first appointment at the Mt. Airy office and saw Dr. Chandra, who was very helpful, kind, and did not rush our appointment. I had almost no wait time upon arriving and blood work took around 5 minutes. Woman who drew my blood was skilled and friendly. I received an email from my doctor explaining my test results the next day through the office's very advanced patient portal. My only complaint is the office primarily does same day visits and calling in the morning to check availability is a pain, especially with a schedule like mine. I would assume this is done to prevent having many no shows for scheduled appointments.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Deke's Bar-B-Que; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I usually write reviews a few weeks after I eat somewhere...not tonight! Just left 20 minutes ago! This place is awesome. Ribs were also, pulled pork was awesome, sauce was awesome, wedges and slaw were awesome. I don't like cornbread (sorry) but my husband ate both our portions. Bottom Line: You should eat here.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Uzbekistan Restaurant; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I think it is always a good sign when you are the only one speaking English in the lunch crowd. Russian cuisine is new to me and I was very impressed. Everything we ordered was flavorful and well prepared. Tea served with candied pineapple was fun. Waitress didn't seem to mind that I pointed my way through ordering rather than make a fool of myself with pronunciation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Suburban Solutions Moving and Transport; City: Havertown, PA; Review: I have anxiety disorder, so I assumed moving would definitely have me in a panicked state! Thankfully, I found Suburban Solutions on Yelp. They were flexible when I had to change my move date and very easy to communicate with via email. I was unable to be there the day of my move, however, my husband sent me text updates. I was surprised when he texted me letting me know they were done 1 hour early and our invoice was for $100 less then we had planned. Everything was delivered without damage and our antiques were well wrapped and cared for! Thanks so much!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Andy's Plumbing & Heating; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: My husband cannot stop talking about the great service from these guys. They fixed our toilet problem swiftly and gave helpful suggestions afterward. They even let my husband watch and explained how to complete the repair. I found the price to be reasonable. Not cheap, but reasonable. 5 year warranty on any work they complete.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Andy's Plumbing & Heating; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Turns out that the plumbers while very friendly clearly did not fix the real problem, which after looking at the layout of my bathroom was quite obvious (also my bad). My husband called them to come back out and they decided not charge us for the previous work. They gave us a new estimate, which my husband called several times about to schedule. We finally just gave up and went with another company.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Green Soul; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Stopped in on Saturday for a quick lunch. I had a super foods salad, which was good but a little over dressed. I will solve this by getting dressing on the side next time. Plenty of toppings in the salad and a good size for the money when comparing to other local places. I also had a blueberry/cranberry smoothie. The smoothie was less then appealing, mainly because it had the consistency and taste of jam. No one needs to drink/eat 12oz of jam. My husband got the Green smoothie and it was much tastier. Typical Chestnut Hill crowd during lunch hour, there is limited seating for parties over two.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Juice Room; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Stopped in for a green smoothie last week. Very good, could have skipped the honey though as I prefer things on the bitter side. Price was comparable to other juice bars. I still prefer Four Seasons in the Terminal Market, but it is nice to have a place right in my neighborhood!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Goat Hollow; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I feel like the quality of the food has decreased since I wrote my initial review last year. Last month was the last time my husband and I ate dinner here for a few reasons: 1. The food took beyond a reasonable amount of time to be served (over an hour) 2. I ordered a Cuban sandwich and fries and my husband got a burger and fries. Both of our fries were brought out so brunt that our server apologized before even handing us the plates. He clearly realized he should not have left the kitchen with these items but did not want to make us wait longer. Prior to finishing our meal, we were brought fresh fries. My sandwich bread was also very brunt. I ended up wasting about half of it. I continue to give this place 3 stars because they do have a decent menu and our service has always been good, but given the new options on Germantown Ave, I think I will skip Goat Hollow.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Adobe Cafe; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Since I wrote my review last year, I pretty much have eaten at this place biweekly. It continues to be tasty and I enjoy eating outside in the summertime. Recently I have tried many of the vegan options which are good if not better then those containing meat.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Valueguard Home Inspections; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: My husband and I are 1st time home buyers and we were lucky to have our Realtor recommend Valueguard. We were originally going to purchase a home listed as "move in ready". Brad L. conducted our inspection and outlined in great detail the many underlying issues with the property. We decided against purchasing the property based on this information. In Feb. 2015 we purchased are current home, after Brad conducted our second inspection. Since this time, everything listed in the inspection has held true. We have not had any unexpected problems and were able to prevent future roof and heating systems problems with the information provided. Great service!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Alma Mater; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I wanted to love this place because I'm always looking for new neighborhood eats, but there were a number of things which added up to the experience being just 'meh'. My husband and I both had cocktails off of their school cocktail list. Now listen, I know these are meant to be $6 party cocktails and therefore are not going to be of a superior quality, but they were just terrible. Filled to the brim with ice and completely diluted by mixers. For dinner I opted for two apps: wings and fries and my husband had the crab cakes which came with mash potatoes and mixed vegetables. Fries were good (but why wouldn't they be?), buffalo wings were just ok, a little on the sweeter side of hot. Husband said the crab cakes were good, but the rest of the plate was boring without much flavor. As for the service, our waitress definitely appeared inexperienced, but was attentive.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fitlife Fitness, Aquatics and Physical Therapy; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I've been at Fitlife now for 2 weeks and it was a great decision. The gym has an equipment area, open dance studio like room, health monitoring area, pool and a spin room. I was initially apprehensive about the price, since it was a significant increase from my Planet Fitness membership. I was able to find a discount on the Global Fit website through my employer and I currently pay $101 monthly for my husband and I's couple membership. I primary go the gym in the early morning before work. Everyday there are a diverse range of people working out. I have not felt uncomfortable using equipment as I have at other facilities in the past. Last week I attended Zumba for the first time and it was really fun. I look forward to trying the other classes and using the pool.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Maoz Vegetarian; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I'm so confused on how to rate this place. On one hand you have the service, which is not always stellar and the fact that they have a smashed glass door for the past 3 months they haven't done anything about yet.... But on the other hand you can get a huge amount of pretty delicious food for an absurdly cheap price. Here are the things I have had: Salad meal deal: 5 falafel, hummus , eggplant and all the toppings you can stuff and a drink. You can upgrade your drink to a fresh juice for $1-$2 depending on the juice. Sandwich meal deal: falafel, hummus and eggplant sandwich with Belgian fries. I will say that their fries are no where near as good as European Republic, but they are still pretty great. Juice: Last time I was in I got the honeydew, apple, ginger juice. I was a little disappointed that the juice was premade from earlier in the day and was kept in a small fridge. It tasted fresh however and was a good combination. Overall, this a good place for lunch when your hungry and don't wanna break the bank.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: AMC Plymouth Meeting Mall 12; City: Plymouth Meeting, PA; Review: I went here for the first time on Saturday with my husband. I am a big fan of theaters with reserve seating and this one has it but you might wanna take note if that is not your thing. Seats were comfortable, but I knocked off the star because my husbands recliner didn't work (back row theater 12 FYI) and there was nothing we could do about it. Had chicken fingers from the snack bar which were oddly pretty good and reasonably priced. The theater has a bar, which is also a neat addition. It's like movie tavern without all the annoying mid movie interruption and less bad food!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Banh Street; City: Abington, PA; Review: I was really sad to see the Rusty Shack (the former tenant of this location) leave. I am, however, really excited that it got an awesome replacement! Both my husband and I had the pork banh mi and it was great! I knocked off a star because they were out of some things on their already small menu (out of eggs for egg soda, out of soda water for lime soda), but I understand. Will make a return visit soon! FYI only outdoor seating!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Chatkharay Indian and Pakistani Grill; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I ordered take out from here over the weekend, without reading previous reviews on Yelp (I know risky). My friend and I split two entrees: Chicken Biryani and Chicken Tikka Masala. We also ordered Naan (garlic) and some veggie Samosas. Samosa were kind of bland, hence the knocked off star but everything else was delicious. Portions were large and the spicy was actually spicy! Food arrived on time and they even delivered on our request of tamarind chutney which wasn't really on the GrubHub menu. Glad I didn't read the reviews first on this one, hoping the take out continues to be great!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grain Exchange; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Been here a few times since my last review. Continues so have a solid burger and fries dish, but I have tried some of the vegetarian/vegan dishes and they just don't stack up. Veggie 'bacon' has been especially bland. Overall, I still like coming here!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Bone Appetite; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Stopped in here to check out the selection get some presents for my dog for doing a great job at existing. Pup bakery treats are pretty expensive, but cute. Good selection of dog toys and gear. Ended up going with a kong squeaker toy (one of the heavy duty ones). While at the counter I was making a comment to my husband about how it probably wouldn't last too long with our heavy chewer dog. The counter lady made an off hand comment about how they don't refund toys which made me feel a little uncomfortable. Will probably come back in the future as it is a well stocked local shop. Also they have a self serve pup wash in the back, which looks good though I have not used it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Vic Sushi & Thai Cuisine; City: Willow Grove, PA; Review: This place is my go to for sushi. The rolls are well priced and tasty and their Thai food is good as well. They have a small staff so when it gets busy you might have to wait a few more minutes than average. The main waitress there always recognizes my husband and I right away and brings us hot tea (what I always order). She is also sarcastic in a humorous way that makes me feel at home.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Weavers Way Co-op; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: This review is only for the beauty shop portion, Weavers Way Next Door. A few Saturdays ago, I stopped by on a mission. I had run out of PiperWai (the world's best natural deodorant!) and found online that this store carries it. I normally purchase the product through a friend who picks it up in South Philadelphia at a salon near her home. When I walked in I was not greeted and ended up approaching two employees who were chatting after failure to locate it on the shelf. Apparently, this product had become really popular since the last time I purchased it and Weaver's Way actually puts your name on a wait list for when new shipments come in. When asked if I would like to be added to such a list, I casually stated I would attempt to get it at the other location from my friend first. At this point the employee laughed at me and said 'Good luck with that'. As I was leaving, I overheard the workers discussing how naive I was to think I could get this anywhere else. It was, to put it simply, a pretty rude interaction. I can't knock Weavers Way as a whole though, because they carry other awesome stuff and past interactions have been good. Also it should be noted that I had no problem getting PiperWai at the other location (for you waitlist-ers); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: PASSIONAL Boutique & Sexploratorium; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Love this shop! It's classy and well stocked and the staff are always helpful. Recently took one of their classes with my husband and thought it was fun and educational. In particular, I really like that they have all the toys out so you can see how they work, etc. It makes the experience so much more sexy than reading some reviews on Amazon! Also, the store has a loyalty program in which you accumulate points throughout the year to spend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Double Knot; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Gin Gimlet was fantastic though steep in price ($11). Had some happy hour snacks: brussels sprouts (Great) & Banh Mi (Not great). Banh mi had so much mayonnaise like sauce on it that it was just gross, despite some other good flavors going on. Overall an ok place to check out!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Roberts Block Restaurant & Bar; City: Glenside, PA; Review: Came here a few Friday ago for dinner. Instead of ordering entrees my husband and I decided to a sampling of the small plates menu. We had the following: 1. Escargot - YUM (buttery, tender) 2. Brussels Sprouts- Hot sauce topping drowned out the dish, arrived lukewarm. 3. Whipped Brie/ Beets- Very dessert like, especially with the honey topping. 4. Beef Cheek Pretzel- Great, good mix of flavors. Didn't feel like our pretzel was all the way done, but I would rather that then brunt. Dessert: 1. Husband had their version of a lava cake. He enjoyed it, top was a chocolate shell with salted caramel. 2. I had a fruit tart with custard which was very good, except for the same salted caramel sauce as my husbands dessert being on top. Didn't make sense, I suspect it might have been in error. Cocktails were well made. Also enjoyed the bread/spread before the meal. Atmosphere was a bit loud, but not too crazy. Waitress made a point to state before ordering that everything was fresh and therefore would take longer (thought this was somewhat unnecessary). Will come back soon to try entrees and burgers which looked yummy!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Millennium Nails and Spa; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Just stopped by as a walk in and got the best pedicure from Eli! This may be my new regular place. Free drinks, snacks were an added bonus. Eli took her time and the pedicure included a nice massage and hot oil treatment for my dry heels. Very good customer service! Apparently there is new management as of May and you can definitely tell.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ye Olde Ale House; City: Lafayette Hill, PA; Review: It is quite possible that I'm giving this place such a high review because it makes me feel like I'm back in central PA where I grew up. Went in on a Friday night @ 7:00pm and the place was packed, but I heard a few women saying it was a 'slow night' because the weather was nice! I had the roast beef special sandwich and gravy fries and my husband had the fried shrimp platter. It was very tasty, roast beef is definitely the best thing to order (very tender!). Cheap beer, friendly staff, strange little paneled interior. Perfecto.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Henry James Saloon; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Cold beer. Very good french onion soup. Large sandwiches. Phillies game.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wendy's; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: What is going on at this Wendy's?! The drive thru is always backed up around the building and the staff seem like they are lacking a leader. Last trip I went inside to order and the only girl working the counter messed up my order as well as all three party's in front of me. Then when I asked for her to correct the problem she walked over to the girl working the drive thru (I thought she was asking for help [no problem]) look over and she and the drive thru girl are looking at something on her phone! I worked at Dunkin Donuts for 8 years and I know how draining fast food can be. I hope someone from corporate comes around and gives these folks some motivation.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Walmart; City: Wyncote, PA; Review: I had the craziest customer service experience of my life at this Walmart (Sorry in advance for the lengthy tale!). I bought an iPhone from Walmart.com compatible with my phone carrier and had it delivered to this location. I went in to pick up the device and was told three different locations where the item would be before finding it was available in Layaway. The associate in Layaway had trouble scanning the phone bar code to show pick up. She asked for assistance and 20 minutes later I was leaving the store with my phone (not a problem). I get home to set up my phone and my phone company states they cannot start service on the phone because it is showing it has not yet been purchase (what?!?!). By this time it is too late go back to the store, so I set up my icloud and figure I will return tomorrow. Get to the store in the morning and go through the returns line. Woman in returns tells me she will not be able to re-scan the phone and I will need to submit it as defective and place an order for a new phone. I'm not happy at this point, since there is really nothing wrong with the phone and now I've been at Walmart for longer than anyone should be. I agree to do what she says and she puts my refund money on a gift card. I'm about ready to walk away and the woman says my usb charger cord (just the cord not the base) is missing. I asked if I could run home and drop it off later as she already gave me the gift card. She says no that this would be stealing (???). At this point I ask to speak to a manager. I explain the entire situation to the manager, stating that I will now leave the store and return later to drop off the usb cord (as remember I already have my refund money and the phone has already been submitted as defective meaning they will not re-shelve the item). The manager begins yelling at me, actually at one point stated that it is 'people like me who are in the business of trying to screw Walmart' (WTF). Ended up not returning the usb (haha got you now!) and haven't been back to this Walmart since. Ordered a new phone on Walmart.com and had it shipped to my house (no issue). Called general customer service and reported the issue. Someone from the store was suppose to call me to follow up and never did. No worth trying to pursue further. Just avoid this place like the plague if you can.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Tea Do; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: They take cards! They take cards! It's a Chinatown miracle! Honestly though even if they didn't I would probably still be here as they have an excellent selection and reasonable prices. Make sure to ask for less sugar, unless you enjoy that 'most likely to get diabetes' feeling. Also note it is usually pretty crowded in here. Not a problem for me as I take mine to go, but if you are looking for a place to hang out seating is slim.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Danger Salon; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Last year I wanted to rock a purple-platinum do for the summer and ended up here based on the photos I viewed on Instagram. Gia did my dye job and it was awesome (though a bit expensive on my social worker budget [then again, perhaps I'm just cheap]). Since Danger is not really near my neighborhood, I come here to treat myself once and a while. I really have enjoyed my recent haircuts from Ashlie! The vibe in this salon is very intense and sometimes I feel like I don't really have the 'coolness factor' I should for being a customer here. That being said everyone is super nice and I love that you can text for appointments.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Pour House - Westmont; City: Haddon Township, NJ; Review: I had a very poor experience here last night with my husband, despite the food being good. It was very busy though we were seated quickly. We were given our menus and over 20 minutes had past but no server came to collect our drink order, though several staff had walked by us and other tables were being served. I wanted to leave at this point but my husband flagged down the waitress at the table next to us who then became or waitress for the evening. We ordered a few oysters and steamed shrimp and one burger entree to spilt. Oysters and shrimp came out in a reasonable time but the burger took over 45 minutes. Two tables near us had been seated, served and left before we got our meal. No one offered any corrective measures. Very disappointing service.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Ludovico's; City: Haddonfield, NJ; Review: I needed to stop for a quick lunch prior to a wedding rehearsal I was attending this weekend and was previously unfamiliar with Haddonfield. Chose this spot w/o looking at reviews and had a really enjoyable meal. I ordered the Ludovico sandwich which I split with my husband. The sandwich was $8.75 and was the perfect size for sharing. Sandwich quality was A+. We also had some chips and ice tea and our total bill was only around $14. If I'm ever near by again, I will definitely return!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tuman W Michael, DMD; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: When I was a kid/teen I did not take good care of my teeth (brush up young readers!). Hence, I am both terrified of the dentist and of the damage I have done to my teeth. I have been going to Dr. Tuman's office for two years now and have always received quality service. I recently had a filling completed and was very anxious. They did everything they could to see my anxiety was reduced. Also the hygienists always are accommodating to my horrible gag reflex and incredibly small mouth. In addition, I like that they are open late in the day (though sometimes hard to schedule) and early in the morning which fits my work schedule. In addition they find time to squeeze people in for emergencies.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: World Market; City: Lansdale, PA; Review: Stopped in a week or two ago to check out the new store. Nice selection of home goods and the food area (with international brands is really fun). I would say this is kind of like a combination between Pier1 and the Trader Joe's snack section. I will most likely come back to browse again. It's too bad the rest of the plaza isn't as nice (office store, home depot).; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bacio; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Why have I never reviewed Bacio before? This place is a gem. Open kitchen and owners make you feel like your hanging out in their home. Even their dog is there strolling around (super cute). Food is wonderful and they go out of their way to accommodate vegans, etc. Also, I should note they are various generous with community giving and have been participates in Dining Out for Life for many years. Only thing that could cause issue is that with fresh food prep the turn out time can be slow, especially during peak/busy times. It's fine though if you BYOB some wine and get an app for the table to share.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Senor Salsa; City: Abington, PA; Review: Their coconut margarita is awesome! Food is good, but not as good as some other area places. I prefer Plaza Azteca or Adobe Cafe. That being said, my order has always been correct, the food filling and the prices comparable. Never been for lunch but apparently they have a great $5.99 special menu.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Mi Puebla Restaurant; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I have lived in the neighborhood for a few years now and for some reason just got around to trying this place. It was extra busy, because of Supper Sessions on the Avenue so I feel I should probably come back again and update this review. We were seated quickly and the wait service was good. I ordered the pork tacos and my husband had the pork burrito. Food was tasty, but both orders of pork were very dry. A couple next to us both had fajitas which looked excellent. Overall the experience was just ok.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hokka Hokka Japanese Restaurant; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I always leave Hokka Hokka feeling as though I have been ripped off, which is really too bad since the food is actually pretty good. Last week, my husband and I went for dinner and ordered 2 rolls each (1 generic roll each and 1 special roll each [from the happy hour menu]) as well as Miso Soup and a happy hour priced salad. Our bill was $50!! Must be that Chestnut Hill up charge for existing :) Save your money and head to Vic where the same meal would have been half as much. Atmosphere is ok, can get noisy as there are usually lots of families.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Evo Brickoven Pizza; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Only ever ordered delivery and it's great every time. Quality pizza! The only thing strange I notice is that the larger sized pizza (xtra large) is always a bit chewy and a bit dry unlike when we order the smaller (medium) size. Very strange. Will update review if I stop in for a meal in person ever.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Chatime; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I alternate between Chatime & Tea-do because I am a bubble tea addict. I am a really big fan of Chatime's Lychee Black Tea. The only thing that could make it better is if they offered aloe as a topping. Also really enjoy the QQ drinks where you receive coconut jelly and boba. It is a great combo. As always I order my drinks with 30% or 0% sugar because that full sugar is CRAZY SWEET. The interior of this place is also really hip and colorful. They recently added a very high tech looking fish tank which is a nice addition.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: World Market; City: Lansdale, PA; Review: So I would like to say that I feel a little mixed about updating this review, as the staff member who handled my experience was very kind and followed up with me via phone today. I received a electronic gift card for Christmas from my in-laws to Cost Plus World Market. No where on the gift card does it say the product can only be used for online sales...so we thought it would make a fun trek to drive 30 minutes to redeem it. I shop, find my items and get to the check out. Cue chaos as 4 employees hunch over the register trying to figure out why my 'card' can't be used. 15 minutes later the manager takes my information, determines I will have to use another form of payment and tells me she will call me tomorrow. Today I receive a phone call saying that this format can only be used for online sales. I have quite honestly never heard of a place that sells gift cards that you can only use online or in the store but not both?! But mostly, I was disappointed that not even staff were aware of this policy.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: US Post Office; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Failed to leave package at my door, despite no need for signature from the seller (After I got the package, I noticed it actually had a stamp on it that said 'leave if no response'). Would probably rate higher, except for I called EVERY hour they were open on Tuesday and no one answered the phone all day.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Taylor's Cafe; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Stopped for breakfast on Saturday morning. Plenty of seating and a clean space. Wait staff was incredibly friendly. Food was good. I had the eggs Benedict when I asked to be modified in several ways. All of my changes were correct. Husband had a combo breakfast with eggs, bacon and french toast. He enjoyed that they offer real maple syrup. Orange juice is fresh squeezed and they have really good coffee.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Korean Noodle House; City: Melrose Park, PA; Review: Does anyone have a clue where this place went? So confused it was always packed and honestly had the best chicken I have ever eaten. The owners were also super nice and helpful at navigating the menu. Haven't been there in a few months and drove by to find it's now a convenience store?! So disappointed!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ICI Macarons & Cafe; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I stopped here for a quick treat on my birthday. I.Love.Macarons. Maybe I'm not the best person to review this place, because I don't care how small or expensive they are. I tried the praline one and the lychee/rose. Praline was average, Lychee/Rose was an explosion of flavor. Cute shop which also offers some coffee and drinks. Can't speak to the quality of the coffee, but I will probably be back at some point :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Banh Mi Cali; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Walk by this place a lot and thought I would try it today. Simple interior with a few seats. Family run. Ordered the Pork BBQ Bahn Mi which was very fresh and tasty. Large portion for $4.50. They also offer many types of bubble tea for $3 (a good price), which appear to be made from real fruit (fruit case in the front of restaurant). I will try one another time. Owner was friendly to me. Note it is $ only.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Weckerly's Ice Cream; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Note: I have not stopped into the actual shop, but visited their ice cream cart for this review. I had my first Weckerly's ice cream sandwich at the Dining Out for Life food truck round up last week. I selected the Black & White which was chocolate and vanilla between chocolate chip cookies. Icecream quality was fabulous and the sandwich was huge for around $5. Also liked that I was able to pay with card as I'm not one to always have cash (sorry). I will pay them a visit at their location on Girard this summer and update this review if needed. Also big thanks to Weckerly's for participating in Dining Out for Life. Ice cream is sweeter when it's for a good cause!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bubblefish; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Really enjoy the quality of sushi at Bubblefish. Today was my 3rd visit and I've enjoyed my experience every time. The specialty rolls are unique, colorful, and fresh. I also feel that they use a higher grade of salmon than other places near by. As a bubble tea fan, they also have a wide selection of drinks both hot and iced. Prices are slightly higher than other chinatown eats but I feel it's worth it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Primex Garden Center; City: Glenside, PA; Review: Out of all the all the garden centers in the area this one is my favorite. I've asked several staff members for help and have received friendly knowledgeable service each time. Prices are a little higher than flats at somewhere like Home Depot but I feel like my plants have always been hearty and healthy. Pretty displays as well. Only major problem is weekend parking. The lot is simply too small for the volume of customers.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tiffin - Mount Airy; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: This review is for dine in service, I've never ordered take out from this location. Last night my husband took me on a date for Indian food. It's rare for us to go since he's not the world's biggest Indian food fan. We had the Garlic Naan which while hot, tasty, and light, could have used a bit more garlic. I had the Tandoori Shrimp which was very good. The shrimp we're cooked perfectly and had good flavor. My husband had the Lamb Korma. He enjoyed his dish, but stated the lamb was slightly overlooked. The restaurant it's self was pleasant and service was friendly and attentive. They are BYO.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Travelex Currency Services; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Notes: 1. Prices Online are better than in the store itself. 2. Exchange rates are higher here than at some banks, so shop around. 3. Travelex carries a wide range of currency that sometimes isn't available with ease in other locations. When preparing for my trip to Thailand last fall I did some research on how to get some Thai Baht before leaving the USA. I am an anxious traveler and I felt better about having some cash on hand as one less thing to obtain right when I got into the country. I looked up the average exchange rate and found Travelex to be similar. I completed by transaction online and printed and obtained by receipt. I received an email notification when my order was ready. I walked to Travelex (there is not a lot of parking in this area) and picked up my order within 3 minutes. They provided me a variety of denominations of Baht which was helpful for smaller markets in Thailand. Overall, I would visit again in conjunction with using the online system.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mr Wish; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Mr. Wish has been such a great addition to the Chinatown bubble tea scene. An international chain, they offer fresh fruit friendly options and a wide variety of drinks. I refer to them as 'the healthy boba place'. Today I got the Orange and Grapefruit Finer Jelly Tea (only comes one size). Like other boba houses you can customize sugar and ice amounts. This particular tea is almost like lemonade which I like on the sour side so I get 30% and less ice. The beverage was refreshing and fruity with many textures to taste and chew. I have also tried the Special Fruit Tea and the Colorful Fruit Tea. Both were great!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Panera Bread; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: This Panera is located directly across from the Convention Center and a number of hotels popular among Tourists to the city. When there is any event in the area this place is jam packed and a nightmare. If I was wearing a hat I would tip it to the awesome staff who deal with these people daily. I've watched people hold up the line because they had never read the menu before, people be verbally abusive towards staff for no reason, and people jack up the ice tea and coffee stations without cleaning up or alerting a staff member of the mess. Why are people so mean?!?! I work near by and have a bad habit of forgetting my lunch or breakfast at home. I probably stop in twice a week and am recognized by the staff at this point (is that a good thing?). Everyone has always been friendly to me (special shout out to Kelly who is a gem). I have also used rapid pick up with success (though I recommend checking your order before you leave). All and all this is just a branch of the Panera chain, nothing special, but good for a quick breakfast or lunch.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tootsie's Salad Express; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I stop by Tootsie's usually when I forget to pack a lunch and need to grab something healthy-ish. Disclaimer is that I rarely have eaten from the hot food bar and mostly stick to salads. This place can be very busy at lunch time, but I appreciate that they are always properly staffed and usually have one or two staff members cleaning up messes at the buffet and refilling items. I'm disappointed that in the last few years since I've been working near by, the prices have increase to what I feel like now is almost unreasonable for salad. Another thing that bothers me is that they cut the veggies HUGE so that your salad weighs more. Like, for example, the tomatoes are cut in fourths. Overall, it's a decent place for a quick lunch.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Blaze Pizza; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I really loved my experience at Blaze! I ordered the Build-Your-Own option and from the staff member who built my pizza to the staff member who fired the pizza and everyone in between I was treated with awesome costumer service. I was asked how my day was, if I wanted more than one cheese, etc. etc. What I really love about Blaze though is that the pizza tastes great and it's reasonably healthy. I follow Weight Watchers and you can have a slice for around 3-4 Smart Points. This is a good value since most pizza is around 10 Smart Points per slice. I came on a Saturday around noonish and the place was empty. I'm assuming given that it is located on Drexel's Campus and near Penn that the wait would be much longer on a weekday.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nudy's Cafe - Ardmore; City: Ardmore, PA; Review: Today was my first visit to Nudy's in Ardmore. My husband and I were seated quickly and our waiter was attentive. I ordered the crabmeat and tomato omelet subbing eggwhites and fruit instead of home fries. It was good, but I was disappointed the asparagus that accompanies it was cold and the hollandaise was forgettable. I had raisin bread toast as well which was tasty. My husband had the bacon and cheese omelet and added a sticky bun. The sticky buns at Nudys are flat like pancakes and grilled. It came with a giant heap of butter. My husband stated that the flavor was good, though not gooey like a traditional bun. Overall we enjoyed our meal and service and would probably return again. Several people sitting near us ordered egg sandwiches which looked delicious!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse; City: King of Prussia, PA; Review: Really disappointed with the service I received from this DSW location today. Overall the store is large and there are many price points, styles, and associates to assist you.... But I was looking for a specific pair of shoes. I knew the brand name, the model name and could describe the shoe. Three (3!) associates could not point me in the direction of the shoe, no one offered to look up the model to see if it was available, and all of them abandoned me mid search. About 10 minutes later I located the shoes on my own. Correct me if I'm wrong but given this information shouldn't at least one employee know the layout of the store?; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dizengoff; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Stopped in for lunch today, it's was rainy out and this tiny little joint was packed to the gills with Hummus lovers. My husband and I scored two seats at the counter and it was fun to watch the pita bake! I ordered the regular hummus platter and my husband ordered the beef. There were around 4 other kinds to try and the option of adding egg or extra pita for $1. All of the options are between 10-13 dollars and come with one pita and a picked side salad which was really tasty! Both my husband and my meals were delicious though we both preferred my classic to the beef. Creamy hummus, warm fresh pita and tangy pickles make for a great combo. I'm deducting one star because no one working with the food was wearing hair nets or gloves. This might be a big issue for some people (and the health department) but I guess I wasn't that bothered by it.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: PetSmart; City: Jenkintown, PA; Review: This review is for the Grooming Salon portion of the store only: I adopted my dog PB from PAWS last year. She was found as a stray and is a total love bug except for her utter hatred of other animals. Since my bathroom is on the 2nd floor of my home and being an older gal she has arthritis I had to find a solution to PBs grooming needs. I initially called PetSmart and explained PBs difficulty with other animals and provided her information. The staff was helpful in scheduling PB for the last appointment of the day on one of the store's slower days. Since then she has been coming once a month with this same schedule.She gets her nails ground and a bath and each time seems to have had a pleasant experience. I'm disappointed as PBs favorite staff member recently moved on from the store, however, the other staff have been just as helpful with her needs. I do provide reminders at each appointment about her behavior issues with other animals.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Buffalo Exchange; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I had a fun time digging around at Buffalo Exchange today. I've never consigned any items at this location, so this review is based solely on my shopping experience. Clothing is organized by item and average size (small, medium, large). Shoes are also organized by size. Store is fairly large with a big variety of merchandise. I agree with some previous reviews that state that some items being sold seem to need discarded (I noticed a dress with a very large definitely not going to come out stain), and some items are out of date (especially in the pants section). Today I purchased a dress and a pair of spring boots. Both were reasonably priced and in good condition. They do not have plastic bags at this location. If you do not have a bag you can purchase a pretty cute plastic tote for $2. I will return for more exploring in the future and will update my review pending changes or if I decide to consign items.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Yu Hsiang Garden; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I've been coming here for a few years now and I really enjoy it. The food tastes better than your average Chinese restaurant and they have a variety of dishes. I've sampled a lot of different things and each has been a large serving (I often get a few meals from one dish). When you dine in you get complementary cabbage salad, crispy noodles and tea. Recently, I've been disappointed that it seems the fresh pineapple choices on their menu have been unavailable. They use to offer chicken/beef/pork/shrimp with veggies served in half a pineapple. It was soooo good, and still listed on the menu, but every time I order it they tell me they are 'out today'. Restaurant is generally pretty quiet with only a few wait staff.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sushi House; City: Jenkintown, PA; Review: Casual sushi place located in the strip mall with Whole Foods in Jenkintown. They have a regular menu option and all you can eat. I've been for both. I felt that the portions and quality were better when order off the regular menu. Tonight my husband and I spilt the following: 1. Kani Salad- Good flavor, large portion. 2. Salmon TarTar- Excellent quality, very small portion. 3. Futo Maki, Tuna Avocado, Rainbow rolls- low price point average quality. For $37. Not bad.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pennsbury - Chadds Ford Antique Mall; City: Chadds Ford, PA; Review: This review for a specific shop located inside of the Chadds Ford Antique Mall. The whole mall is rather nice with a large selection. On the weekends, they open up the lower floor which contains the Jonathan & J. William Inslee Silver Shop. These guys are THE BEST! They have everything (I mean everything) and it is well organized. I can literally go in, find the box with my pattern on the wall and just sort through my pattern instead of a bottomless pit of silver. As if that was already great enough, they also sell silver at the rate of the day, so you can find some great deals if your paying attention. The owners are both extremely kind and polish any purchased pieces for you before you leave. Once, their credit card machine was down and they let my husband walk out with a hundred dollar purchase on the promise he would mail them a check (he did mail it just in case you were wondering!).; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Brandywine River Antiques Market; City: Chadds Ford, PA; Review: Very nice antique market in Chadds Ford. High end pieces mixed with lower quality merchandise. Many large furniture items which seem to move quickly between visits. Several sellers specialize in a particular vintage of items. Overall, a great place to marvel and dig.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Charming Charlie - Glen Mills; City: Glen Mills, PA; Review: Charming Charlie is a fun shopping experience. The store is organized by color so it is very easy to locate items if you are purchasing for a specific outfit or event. Staff at this location are also friendly I was asked multiple times if I needed assistance, etc. The quality of the items sold here is what prompts the lower rating. Jewelry and accessories are cheap and stand up as such. Last time I was here I bought a necklace that broke when I took it out the bag on the way home (It was exchanged with no problems). If you are in the market for some pretty but not necessarily long last costume pieces you will love it here!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Clothes Mentor West Chester; City: West Chester, PA; Review: Was eating nearby on Saturday and stopped in for some browsing. Disclaimer: I have never consigned any items at this location. I was impressed by the quality of items at Clothes Mentor. The store was laid out nicely and items were properly labeled by size. I selected two dresses and felt the price points were a good value. An employee promptly assisted me with getting a dressing room w/o me asking first. Staff were helpful in getting out a small stain I noticed on one of the dresses before I decided to purchase. I declined a plastic bag and was entered into a monthly raffle for doing so. In addition, I was told about a points program for frequent shoppers which sounded beneficial if you are an area resident.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: El Limón; City: West Chester, PA; Review: I ate here with my husband Saturday and enjoyed it so much I decided to make this my 100th Yelp review! We stopped in early (around 11:30am) for lunch. Our server was friendly and helpful. We ordered the following: 1. Tacos- Al Pastor, Carne Asada, and Carnitas on Corn Tortillas. 2. Al Pastor Enchiladas platter (came with beans and rice). 3. Chips w/ Gauc & Salsa. All of the food was extremely flavorful, fresh, and reasonably priced. I honestly have nothing else to say, other than that I will definitely return!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AAA - Philadelphia; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Unfortunately, I had a disappointing experience at this location today. The Back Story: Last year my husband (who has been a AAA Gold Member for many years) and I decided to purchase AAA Visa TravelMoney Cards to use as ATM cards for our Asia trip last winter. These are pre paid cards which you can use at ATMs across the world to withdraw funds. If you use them as debit/credit cards there is a foreign transaction fee, but we solely use them to withdraw cash so that isn't a problem. We purchased the cards and used them on our trip with no problems. Today: Today I went to this AAA branch to load funds onto the above mentioned TravelMoney cards for our upcoming Europe trip. I provided the cashier with my ID, ATM card and TravelMoney card and gave the information about how much I needed to load. The cashier asked me why I did not have a Chip/Pin card and I let her know that this was the card given to me over the winter by AAA staff. She offered to have me purchase the new chip cards to replace our old cards at the price of $5.99 each. I declined, as our current cards are not expired. The cashier then began to ring me out, during the exchange she causally mentions that I will not be able to use the traditional card in Europe and will need the Chip/Pin card above. I stated then that since I am going to Europe I would have to purchase the cards. I requested two replacements, but also questioned why AAA gave me these traditional style cards so recently. At this point the cashier ignored my question and instead attempted to sell me a AAA credit card citing that there was no foreign transaction fee. I stated that I did not want a credit card and only used the TravelMoney card at ATMs. She then tells me that I will be 'just fine' with the traditional style card at ATMs and will not need to upgrade to the Chip/Pin cards as stated above. I loaded funds to my original cards and left the store 20 minutes later. Overall, I am frustrated by the conflicting information and hassle I received during this transaction, along with the cashiers attempt to up sell me to another product. I now also am having travel anxiety that these traditional style cards won't be valid for my trip. I would not visit this branch in the future.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Tea Do; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: While I'm still a fan of Tea Do, I've noticed lately a decrease in the quality of the drinks. For example, I use to order drinks with no ice and it was never an issue, suddenly every drink I order has some amount of ice no matter what I say. In addition, I've gotten overly sweet drinks (I usually order 30% or no sugar) or drinks missing added items (like aloe). Combine this with the increase in price (beverage tax yo) and I'm inclined to find a new bubble tea joint. Please go back to your old ways Tea Do! I don't want to leave you!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Chick-fil-A; City: Wyncote, PA; Review: This Chick-fil-A is CRAZY BUSY. I assure you if you come here during dinner the drive thru line will be 30 cars deep. It is almost always quicker to go inside at this location than it is to go through the drive thru. That being said this staff here are friendly, prompt and the store itself is clean. About the biggest problem I've ever had is that one time they forgot my salad dressing and for fast food that's saying a lot.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: AAA - Philadelphia; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I'm sitting here at my computer baffled by the follow up experience I just had with the Center City AAA branch. Following my original review I was contacted by a customer service rep, Andy, who requested I email my review so the issue could be addressed further. I did so and was promptly called by management of this branch who resolved the issue immediately (offered to replace my old TravelMoney cards free of charge as an upgrade to the newer chip cards). She stated during this call that I should wait until this week to come into the office as there would be 'someone more experienced' there to assist me. Today, on my lunch break I proceeded to go to the branch to complete the transaction and upgrade the cards. I brought with me my husband's membership information and personal information, both cards, and my own personal information. Upon entering I noticed the same staff member working the cashier's desk, along with the woman who sold me my original cards before my last trip. The cashier greets me and I explain that I was contacted by management who stated they would replace my cards for the newer chip compatible cards. At this point she states she 'told me [I] would need to upgrade' and that I 'didn't listen'. I stated that I was informed that I could still use the cards at European ATMs (the only place I use the cards). She then stated that she didn't tell me that. Now look. I worked customer service for over a decade and am now employed as a social worker. The last thing you should do is argue with someone trying to resolve a complaint. I attempt to diffuse the situation, stating that I 'don't want to argue, but just want to replace the cards'. By this point the other staff member has also gotten in on our conversation. I am informed that I will not be able to link cards as I did in the past will only need one new card. I say ok. I am told I will be charged $5.99 for the new card. I explain my phone conversation with the manager and I'm informed that there 'is no way that they cannot charge me'. Wanting to end the interaction I agree to pay for the cards. I'm then informed that I will need my AAA card. I provide my husband's information (which is another problem, as now they state they want to charge me the non member card fee for the new card). At this point the other staff member looks up my old card and realizes she's the one that sold me the old non chip cards. Totally unnecessarily she looks at me and says 'Well I always tell people who are going to Europe to get the chip cards'. I've now been in the AAA office for around 20 minutes. I have agreed to pay additional fees and to forego getting a second card as the new cards cannot link to one account. The other staff member; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Pho & Beyond; City: Willow Grove, PA; Review: Stopped at Pho & Beyond for lunch on Saturday afternoon. Despite it being a late lunch there were several large groups there and it was quite busy. The menu is quite extensive. I ordered the green papaya salad with shrimp (which was HUGE) and soup. Both were very tasty. My husband had the fish cake noodle bowl and ice coffee. He enjoyed them. I thought it was super cute that the ice coffee had a small pour over brewer attached as to make it at your table. The service was also pleasant and prompt despite being busy. Overall, I think we will return for future meals.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pho Xe Lua Viet Thai Restaurant; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Lunch is incredibly cheap. Our bill for two was less than $20. Portions are large. I would stick to Pho, but the Pad Thai is also very good (it's actually the closest thing I've had to street food Pad Thai in Bangkok). Restaurant itself could be a little cleaner. I noticed a bug crawling on the floor on our way out. I'm not the kind of person who gets super gross out by stuff like this, but it's worth mentioning.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Barnes Foundation; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: This review is not going to be for the actual art collection. It's wonderful 5/5 stars. This review is for my experience as a first time visitor to The Barnes Foundation today: Today, I experienced the strangest atmosphere at a museum ever in my life during my first visit to the Barnes. My husband and I purchased our timed tickets online ($25 each) and were immediately greeted my staff person at the door, who directed me to another staff person 20ft to have my purse looked at before entering (no big deal). We get to the purse reviewer and he glances in my bag and asks if I have any liquids. I say no just my wallet and umbrella. He then proceeds to tell me that umbrellas are not allowed in the galleries. I say, 'o ok it's staying in my purse.' He says no, it can't stay there and that I need to check it downstairs in the coat check. I find this odd, but head downstairs. The coat check person is baffled when I tell him what the staff said upstairs but checks my tiny umbrella with a return tag (this is free of charge). Whatever, we move back upstairs. At the entrance of the opening gallery we are greeted by 3 more staff people who review with us the gallery rules (no photographs and we have to stay behind the lines on the floor of each of the display rooms). Ok no big deal and we head upstairs. The galleries are comprised of tiny rooms (with the exception of two or three larger spaces) and there are security guards almost every where. I immediately get yelled at in the first gallery because I'm wearing pointy toed shoes and the tip (Yes, really!) of my shoe is on the line barrier on the floor. I hear multiple others get snapped at during the span of 5 minutes. We move on enjoying ourselves and eventually make our way downstairs. My purse has tiny convertible backpack straps and when I head downstairs I put it on my back. Security guard downstairs tells me this is definitely not ok, that I either have to have "both straps on one arm" or "hold it in front". Ok people, this is where I start getting irritated. This bag is not large (I'll post a picture) and when it's on my back it's actually less of a risk to the art as it lays flat against me then if I put both straps on one side and swing it out from my side. I complied with the rules and moved on. My husband is like wtf at this point and thinks I should ask the next room's staff about the bag rule. I do, and I'm told by a smirking gal that she also thinks this is ridiculous and they 'weren't given a reason for this rule'. Bottom line: I've been in a ton of art museums here and abroad and this is the craziest security I've ever seen. Staff members seem to be on individual; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Teassert Bar; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: It was. So. Humid. Today. Obviously this meant I decided to have ice cream for lunch. Stopped in at Teassert Bar in Chinatown which specializes in rolled ice cream but also has a small variety of non powder boba teas. I had the Jasmine ice cream which was FABULOUS. So flavorful! My husband had the Taro which was good, but not really my thing. He enjoyed it quite a bit! We also had various toppings (they are unlimited!!). Ice creams were $7 each for a good sized bowl. Minus one star because the efficiency is not very good here. Three staff members working and it seemed like none of them were sure if they should be on register or making items, etc. Shop itself was very crowded and hence very loud. Overall, great and I will return again to try additional flavors.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Assi Plaza; City: North Wales, PA; Review: Really great Asian grocery store & food court (similar to H Mart). Though I was primarily there for the food court, I did stroll around checking out the offerings. Produce and Meats sections look solid with great prices and unique items. Also noticed they have a great selection of matcha and seaweed snacks. The food court itself is smallish with 3 restaurant booths, a boba tea/drink place, and a bakery. My husband had a bento box featuring the pork cutlet from booth two and I had a the spicy squid/rice dish from booth 3. All the staff have good English skills and the food is delivered to your table. Both meals were tasty and priced right. We had bubble teas following for dessert. I had the matcha (which I asked for slightly less than normal sugar in) and it was good. The boba themselves tasted a little more rubbery than I prefer, but it was still tasty. My husband had the 'Thai tea' flavor which he enjoyed but I thought tasted overly perfumed and strange. The teas also came frozen/blended which I thought was odd, but realized it is most likely because they use a powder base.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: El Poquito; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: In all fairness, we only stopped for a snack and not for dinner at El Poquito. We ordered the following: -Margarita -Sangria -Chips with Gauc All were reasonably priced, tasty, and the atmosphere was good sitting outside on the patio. Perusing the menu though, I was struck by the price of tacos which were upwards of 5each. I've mentioned in other reviews that I think Chestnut Hill has a special charge at their restaurants 'for existing' and here is no different. Plenty of local Taco options for much more reasonable prices. Noticed they have a solid looking happy hour, so perhaps we will stop back to check it out in the future.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Harvest Moon Nail Bar; City: Lafayette Hill, PA; Review: I am really torn how to review Harvest Moon as I really feel the experience was somewhere between 3-4 stars. I stopped in for a pedicure Saturday afternoon without an appointment. The Good: The Salon itself is very inviting looking and they offer a quality mimosa, spa water, and cookies during your treatments. They are well staffed and everyone was friendly. The staff also offered for my husband who tagged along (we had plans afterward) to sit in the pedicure chair to use the back massage and have a drink which I thought was sweet. The pedicure is reasonably priced ($30) and includes a mini hot stone massage. The Bad: When I leave my usual nail joint after a pedicure my feet are baby soft, smooth and all around rejuvenated. This is because my normal nail tech does a fabulous job buffing out all my foot abuse. When I left Harvest Moon my feet felt basically the same as they did when I got there. I am all about nail salon hygiene but I thought it was very odd that the staff here where rubber gloves throughout the whole pedicure process even the hot stone massage. This for me just felt weird. Lastly, as I was in the drying area I realized my pedicure was only one coat thick. I realized this because I heard another woman asking for her nail tech to put on a second coat. In the future if my regular nail place doesn't have any appointments, I might stop here for a polish change or a manicure, but honestly I wasn't super thrilled with the experience.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Colonial Theatre; City: Phoenixville, PA; Review: One of my favorite area art houses. Recently purchased the building next door updating facilities and adding an additional screen. Original theater is crummy (in the best way) and still looks basically the same as when The Blob was filmed there in 58'. Since I don't live anywhere near I only get here about once a month for the First Friday Fright Night programming, where they show B Horror flicks. Nothing makes me happier.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Panera Bread; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: The downfall of this Panera will be the combination of the new kiosk ordering system combined with the online rapid pickup. The volume of orders to employees is sheer madness. There will be 15 orders on the board and 4 more appearing within a few seconds. Because of the mass amount of orders, there is also issue with updating out of stock items. I've ordered ice tea 3 times now, only to find no unsweetened ice tea when I go to fill my cup. Rapid pickup assigns you a time and you arrive and wait another 15-20 minutes. The area whether food pick up occurs is jam packed with irritated people. Overall, it's a mess.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: honeygrow; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Disclaimer: I have not come here during lunch hour. On Friday evening, I found myself in need of something reasonably quick and decided to stop at the new Honeygrow on 11th. The restaurant itself is large compared to some of the other locations and the decor is modern. They utilize the standard kiosk ordering system. I ordered a sparkling water and a noodle bowl (spicy tofu and veggies) and my total was $11 and some change. Order was quickly delivered and tasty. No issues.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Steap and Grind; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: A few Saturdays ago, I stopped in Steap & Grind about an hour before closing. I've passed by the cafe on foot a few times and the outside is so cute with its metal gates, etc. I was left a little unimpressed with the indoor decor which is pretty basic. It was a very nice day outside, but overly humid inside and stuffy. I ordered a cold brew with almond milk and was informed they were out of all the alternative milks. Coffee itself was tasty, but nothing special.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Franklin Bar; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: In my opinion, Franklin Mortgage is kind of worth the hype. Yes, it's kind of pretentious and its $15 a drink price tag is outrageous but I loved my first time here on Saturday night. It was about 8pm when we popped by and we had to wait around 5ish minutes for a table. The downstairs bar is dark and has a good playlist of tunes. The waitstaff was incredibly friendly checking up on us just the right amount of times. Both of our drinks were AWESOME and if you're a gin fan you're in the right place! I'll definitely be back the next time I have $$ to throw down!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Parc; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Took my husband out for his birthday dinner at Parc on Saturday evening. We had the following: 1. French 75 cocktails- Yummy! 2. Assorted oysters (6)- MA oysters were great, RI ones left something to be desired. They were out of west coast oysters but that's not really my thing anyway. 3. Salmon Tartare - Small portion, served with various raw vegetables. Flavor was good, but comparable to other places. 4. Steak Frites- Absolutely wonderful steak (perfectly cooked, great crust). Fries were good as well. Portion was very large. 5. Veal Escalope - I don't eat veal so I can't speak to this one, but my husband loved the cream based sauce and was very pleased with the dish. 6. Creme Brulee- Was served extremely cold which is not my preference, but was very good. Very nicely split by two people. Service was great. My only real complaint from the night is that something is truly wrong with the napkins. When we pulled them from our laps we were COVERED in white bits which were annoying to remove. I've never had this happen anywhere else!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Naked Peach Waxing Boutique; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I think I've entered a new realm of Yelping with this one folks: Shauna gets her first Brazilian wax. Let's start by saying that things in the body hair department for me were a hot mess (or maybe just a mess) before Friday evening (what a wild Friday, right?). Being an incredibly anxious person, I researched the hell out of waxing before selecting The Naked Peach for my wax. If you've ever googled 'Brazilian wax' you already know you will be greeted with a montage of stories which make this sound like it's next on the pain scale to being hit by a truck and bleeding out slowly. I read about tons of people who did some combination of the following: puked, fainted, screamed, cried, left mid wax, were left without flesh, etc. Not exactly reassuring. I walked in The Peach after scheduling via Yelp earlier in the week (very timely with responding). I purchased a Groupon for a discount for new clients (only good for 1st time visitors). I checked in at the front desk and was offered drinks/snacks. My tech, Kay, was running approx 15 minutes late (wasn't a big deal to me) so I sat in the waiting area for a bit. I observed a few other folks checking in and the process is very streamline. This location is very busy and they set appointments every 15 minutes so they only have a 5 minute grace period for late arrivals. I love this, because I despise late folks (sorry). The shop itself is cute and clean. When my tech greeted me, she introduced herself and I informed her my anxiety. She made me feel comfortable and explained how the wax would go. I will spare you the details but I was very surprised at how not awful the whole thing was. I kept expecting it to get more painful and then, just like that we were done. Kay was very kind and chatted casually with me throughout the whole thing. Afterwards, I was given aftercare instructions and some samples of products offered. I booked a follow up appointment and was given information about Peach Club a monthly program were $35 is removed from an account of your choice and credited to your waxing account (Regular Brazilian would be $55 without club pricing). I didn't sign up but was told if I do at next visit I can still access that price at the time of the visit. Overall, I was really pleased with the experience and feel comfortable and confident.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wiz Kid; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Holy Yum! This Wiz Kid location is tucked inside the Fairmount Wholefoods. The menu is short and sweet, vegan bar/junk food. I came in search of a vegan Reuben , as my husband and I are phasing meat out of our diets and I think the Reuben is nearly a sacred sandwich. Well let me tell you, the Wiz Kid Reuben is like 11/10. Its huge, has a pickle spear on top, and meets all my needs. Also ordered the Wiz fries, which while tasty were served lukewarm. I don't know if the rutabaga 'cheese' sauce is for everyone. It has a distinctive mustardy taste which I liked, but is slightly spicy. Side note, if you're type is artsy/hipster boys, come here for the guy watching which is also 11/10. :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dottie's Donuts; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: My husband & I are VERY newly vegan, so we've been having fun going on quests for fun vegan food on the weekends. We were both pumped to check out Dottie's. This location, the original, is a little off the beaten path a short walk from Clark Park. The shop itself is cute and I like that they offer you a discount if you get your coffee to stay (coffee is good BTW). I tried the Thai tea, which while was tasty was really lacking any strong flavor. Mostly tasted like a regular frosted donut with some cinnamon/vanilla-ish taste. My husband had the boston creme. He had some serious issues with the filling (which others seem to like) and having tried a bite myself I would agree there is some sort of salty aftertaste. Overall, I think we will have to give it a second go or sample some other vegan donuts before we upgrade this review. Also, we did stop in the early afternoon and the shop was already out of several flavors.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Blackbird Pizzeria; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: On Saturday, I survived a SEPTA nightmare that included an actual tortoise (and owner) being kicked off of a temporary El shuttle while people chanted 'turtle discrimination'. Needless to say, I wasn't having the best of days. Cue, me almost cancelling plans I'd made with my husband to celebrate our first full vegan week with dinner at Blackbird. But, alas, I did not. I trucked it down to the 6th St location which was packed full and wicked hot. Ugh. Now I'm sticky, it's loud and I'm hungry. And then came the 'cheese' fries. WHOA. And then came the 'cheese steak'. WHOA. And then came the 'wings'. WHOA. Blackbird is vegan junk food heaven. It will make you forget all your troubles. Only complaint is they could use some air conditioning.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Danger Salon; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I've been coming to Danger now for a few years and having been seeing Ashlie for both my cut and color. The staff are very friendly and always offer me beer/tea/etc. I enjoy that you can text to schedule appointments and that they provide appointment reminders. My hair always looks great and I love how skilled Ashlie is with color!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Grindcore House; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: As a new vegan, I've been on a weekly quest to try all of my lovely city's vegan options. This Sunday's brunch stop: Grindcore House. Don't let the hike deter you, this plan is worth the walk. Plenty of seating, good options for breakfast/lunch and dessert. Most importantly: 100% vegan! My husband and I both had the Kropotkin sandwich which was huge, filling, and awesome. We split a piece of pumpkin cheesecake for dessert, also awesome. Prices were reasonable. I will be back to try some bagels/cream cheese ASAP.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Evo Brickoven Pizza; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I'm updating this review for awesome customer service! Ordered a pizza without cheese (put in the comments section that I was dairy free), 5 minutes later I get a call offering me non dairy cheese options for my pie! So nice. Delivery via grubhub is always on time as well which I appreciate.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Grain Exchange; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Visited the Grain Exchange last night for the first time in quite a while and it's looking rather cozy these days. The menu was updated and it appeared the vegan/veggie options were more extensive than in the past. I had the seitan hot style with vegetarian baked beans, green beans, and kale. It was filling and the seasonal cocktail Fall Collins was a nice match for it. My husband had the farmhouse veggie burger and also enjoyed his meal, especially the sweet potato fries. He had a French 75 and commented that it was better than the one he had at Parc (which I thought was a nice compliment to the bartender).; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Goldie; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: *Shake Review Only* The fall days have been feeling more like the spring days lately and I stopped by Goldie for a tehina shake a few weekends back as a treat. What a blessed time to be vegan in our fair city folks! I had the Turkish coffee shake which I can only describe as heavenly. It is so smooth and creamy and the coffee flavor and cookie pieces are the perfect pair. The restaurant itself is quite small, hence the line out the door most days at lunchtime, but it is well decorated and service is good. I'm looking forward to returning for some lunch, because everything folks were ordering looked great. Keep up the good work Goldie!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Tasty; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: The Tasty is a cozy vegan diner in South Philly. You order at the counter and much the experience is self serve (silverware, water, busing station for dishes), but the staff are very friendly. I had the western tofu scramble and tots, which was delicious & huge! Staff recommended oat milk for my latte and I enjoyed it. Husband had the french toast and soysage patty, both of which he really liked. Prices are reasonable. I will definitely be back asap, as their breakfast burrito looks AMAZING. Rock on Tasty!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Naked Lunch; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Stopped in at Naked Lunch today, which is attached/inside of the new Mom's Market on 11th. Primarily the menu consists of various grain bowls, stuffed sweet potatoes, and there is a veggie burger option. I was informed that all of the dressings are vegan. I went with the Confetti bowl, subbing avocado for the listed cheese. The good: The bowl is large and easily two meals. The ingredients are fresh and organic. The bad: Overall, I felt like I could have made this at home easily and it was nearly $11. The most disappointing part was that it was so flavorless. The dressing was jalapeno lime and my bowl tasted neither spicy or particularly citrus flavored.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Smiley's Cafe; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Checked out Smiley's last night on a date. It is a very small place, really more for takeout or delivery, but they do have a few tables. Everyone working there was friendly. We spilt the Smiley's veggie platter which is for two people. It came with a huge amount of pita, hummus, salads, grape leaves, falafel. The portion was excellent and it was very tasty. I felt it was a value that our meal cost around $20 and we also had fresh squeezed lemonade. Parking is tight in this neighborhood, but I'll risk searching for a spot to come back here!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Central Tattoo Studio; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I've been working with Cody since the summer designing and completing my half sleeve. I contacted Cody via email and received response in a few days. In my email I detailed my ideas, including a few pictures (my piece is architectural so I included photos of the buildings). An initial consult was scheduled, which lasted around 40 minutes and was free of charge. At the consult, Cody reviewed in detail my ideas, explaining what concepts would and would not work for the tattoo. He reviewed pricing, policies of the shop, and scheduled all of my sessions at the consult when I agreed to the work. It is his policy that art work is emailed digitally 24 hours prior to the initial session. I requested minor changes which were made promptly. My sessions have always been professional and I am pleased with the work. Cody is interesting to talk to and friendly which makes time pass quickly. Following a session he is detailed at explaining aftercare and discussing healing. This piece is not my first tattoo, but it definitely is the best and healing has gone well. In addition, both the ink and products Cody uses are vegan, even though he himself is not vegan. To conclude this review, I wanted to make some general comments about Central as a studio and best practices for getting tattooed. I am early for everything, so I've spent some time in the lobby. During this time I've witness people coming in to the studio requesting walk ins and sometimes some ridiculous stuff (a guy came in asking for a complete sleeve to be done same day without a design for 'a few hundred'). Please research tattooing before you decide to be tattooed! This is permanent decision making. Please research your artist before deciding where to go. Tattooing has evolved stylistically and each artist tends to have a personal best. Central has a high caliber of artists, they charge hourly rates, they do custom designs. If you want flash tattoos Central is not your place.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: QT Vietnamese Sandwich; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I was a big fan of QT before I became a vegan and I'm pleased to have options now there as well. The lemongrass tofu is my favorite variety. This place is super small, no nonsense, and very quick. Even during lunch rush, I've barely had to wait. My only complaint is that there is a charge for additional veggies and because the vegan variety doesn't contain mayo it would be slightly dry otherwise. This review would be 5 stars if they got some vegan mayo!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gangster Vegan Organics; City: Norristown, PA; Review: Norristown location looks pretty unassuming and is located in a tiny strip mall with not much else going on. I actually thought I was in the wrong place for a moment. Mostly for takeout, the storefront has two tables and a small cooler next to the counter. The staff was friendly and greeted us immediately. We ordered a juice to split, the walnut meat taco salad, the 'tuna' salad, and a piece of chocolate pie for dessert. This is really my first experience with raw veganism and it was a good one! Both of the salads were extremely flavorful and huge portions. The pie was delicious but super heavy, I don't think either of us really had room for it, even splitting the item. Juice was refreshing and a good blend. As far as price, the items were all priced reasonably individually, but be forewarned it can add up quickly. Our total was close to $45 for lunch (oops).; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bourbon Blue; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: **Non Food Review** I came here on Sunday evening for a date. When we arrived around 8:00pm, there were plenty of tables open near the bar and we were seated immediately. Since we were just there for drinks, I didn't really look at the menu. I will update this review if I return in the future for food. As far as the bar goes, I was pleased by the cocktail list which seemed to have a nice winter theme. I had two drinks: the Leap Year Manhattan & the Red Wine Sour. Both drinks were fairly strong and well made. Our server checked in with us frequently throughout the night. By our second drink, the bar had become quite full and a band was playing. It was getting a little rowdy and then Santa arrived (yeah, really). I am assuming live music happens frequently here, but wanted to note it because it was extremely difficult to hear. No complaints here though, it gave us an excuse to escape for a cozy evening walk. There is a large patio outside which I imagine would be great in the summer, as the restaurant is off of the main street near the water. They also have valet parking if you choose to drive.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Linda's Vegetarian Village Restaurant; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Linda's is in my neighborhood and I somehow keep passing it by. The double snow days have left me stir crazy in my house, and I decided to trek in the unbearable cold for some veggie eats. Linda's sits on the corner and is slightly larger than it appears inside. It's cozy and in addition to being a restaurant also sells health food and carry out items (such as juice, flax and kale chips, and supplements). There are various plants and bookshelves around and it gives homey vibes. Linda and Leo are both friendly and the service is great. We had hot apple cider, the vegan falafel burger w vegan cheese, veggie chik' salad wrap, and samples of the southern beans were provided. All of the food was excellent and the portions large. I found the items to be reasonably priced. I will be back for future visits and to try some vegan cheesecake; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Writer's Block Rehab; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I take a walk in this neighborhood almost everyday and somehow have managed not to find this bar until last night. Tucked on Cypress, it stands alone. The building itself is narrow but there are three floors. On a weekday evening the first floor was comfortably crowded and the upstairs was not open. Adorably decorated, extensive cocktail menu, quality drinks. There is a small food menu (snacks mostly), but as I did not have anything to eat I can't comment. Tried the Mint 75 & Passion Has Red Lips. Both were fabulous and reasonably priced when you consider the other similarly styled cocktail bars of the city. Find me here from now on.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Han Dynasty; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Came into the Manayunk location on Saturday evening for an early-ish dinner. Han Dynasty has several locations in the area and this was my first experience at any of them. Because it was early, we were seated quickly. We were also provided with hot tea/ water. The menu features several categories but the majority of the dishes are family style. There are numbers by each dish which indicate the spiciness level. We opted to split two tofu dishes: the cumin tofu and the hot sauce tofu w/ cabbage. Both dishes were tasty, but not above average. The hot sauce tofu was very oily. Overall, service was friendly and prices were reasonable.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: IndeBlue Modern Indian Food & Spirits; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Restaurant Week Review: Went here on Friday night with a restaurant week reservation. The restaurant itself is cute and intimate. It was of course very busy because of restaurant week and there was a set menu which consisted of a cheese board, two starters, and two entrees, and dessert. Being vegan, I consulted the waitress around my options. She was very gracious and altered a number of the items to meet my needs, as well as keep the non vegan items for my date. Though it was very accommodating, I felt a bit as though she was making a spectacle of my dietary choices, for example, making a big point every time something vegan was brought to the table, and I began to feel a little embarrassed. The food itself was good, though I found the cheese board to feel out of place at an Indian restaurant. There was a very large gap of time between our starters and our mains which I attribute to the crowd. In total we were there about 2 hours for dinner which I found to be abnormal. I will need to return outside of restaurant week to see if the experience is comparable.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Four Seasons Nails; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Little nail salon near 11th & Filbert. Looks kinda shady on the outside, but is bright and well decorated on the interior. Usually busy, especially directly after work or during the lunch hour. My manicures have varied in quality, but are generally good. I've had a different tech each visit and I believe some of the staff are more qualified than others. Prices are very reasonable. At Christmas time, they gave my friend and I little goodie bags with face masks/lotion as a treat.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Su Xing House; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Su Xing House is great! The restaurant is clean and spacious. There are many options, all of which are vegetarian and most of which are vegan (dishes with egg are marked with a little egg symbol beside them). The staff are friendly and attentive. During the lunch hour they offer a special for $9 of a soup, entree, and side dish. This is a good value and what I get most of the time. I have a tried a number of things on the menu but my favorites are the vegetarian fish-less scallop appetizer (what kind of sorcery is this, these are delicious), the general tsos seitan, and the peking style 'duck' (which is seitan with crispy 'skin' made from soy paper). I have eaten here with folks who are not vegetarian or vegan and everyone has enjoyed their meal. My only complaint is that when you order hot tea, the wait staff doesn't leave the small tea pot at the table and instead repeat fills your tiny cup about 20x during the meal which can feel rather invasive.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Danger Salon; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: This update is not based on my haircut or color service, both of which remain excellent. I am reducing my review because the salon is switching to a cash only system and I think that in 2018 this is a little absurd. Does any one know of any other cash only salons who primarily do color work? I can't think of any. Originally, I was told when scheduling my appointment they were switching to cash tips, which I find both reasonable and easy to achieve. Then the following month, I was informed they were installing an ATM (not arrived yet) and would be moving towards all cash.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Vivi Bubble Tea; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Vivi Bubble Tea is one of many boba shops on 10th street. The inside is colorful (also appears to have recently had a face lift). It even has a little lounge and nightclub feel in the back which is interesting. As for drinks, they offer the standard fare with add ins and 'foam topped' drinks. As for sugar, this is definitely the sweetest of the local shops. I always get 30% sugar option everywhere, but here it is truly necessary especially with the fruit teas. My favorite thing about Vivi is their strange little skull princess mascot (is that what is is?). I love to stab the straw through it's eye. Satisfying.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Perfect Cut Hair Salon; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I have a pixie cut which requires monthly maintenance and my regular salon seems to be undergoing some kind of scheduling crisis (a story for another day). This led to me frantically Yelping quality salons that would see me the same day. Perfect Cut seemed like a good fit, but I was skeptical because this place doesn't look like much from the outside. I called and was told I could pick a time slot or be seen as a walk in. I scheduled for the same day. All of the staff were friendly and efficient. My appointment included a wash/scalp and mini back massage, the haircut, and an after cut rinse and style. I asked for a hairdresser skilled with short cuts and was assigned Nick. I gave him very little information and he was able to perfectly execute the cut I wanted. Nick works very quickly and exhibits impressive precision. Best of all the haircut was $16.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Incredibly adorable. There are only about 4 tables in the place, which can make it rather tight, but I had no problem grabbing some seats on a lazy Sunday afternoon. The tea selection is large and the menu has great detail about the tea. My date & I decided to split a pot of the Jasmine Pearls which was very tasty. Service was on the slow side, but there is only one staff member, and I actually think the service speed kind of fits the mood of the place. In addition to tea, there is a small shopping area with unique items such as 'Everything Dies: A Coloring Book About Life'. I will definitely return again and will be sure to check out the back patio in the summer time.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: El Tule Authentic Mexican and Peruvian Restaurant; City: Lambertville, NJ; Review: El Tule is excellent. A well decorated space with indoor and outdoor seating. Wait staff are friendly and attentive. Chips w/ three varieties of salsa are served as an appetizer. BYOB. Staff understands veganism, menu items are easily adapted to be vegan. Food is fresh, colorful, and well prepared. My partner and I split 2 dishes and an appetizer and everything was wonderfully tasty. We will surely return!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MIUCHA; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: MIUCHA is really adorable, but it's surrounded by ever growing competition which I'm not sure it stacks up against. Appearance is A+, with a pink theme, interesting lighting, and girl power looking marshmallow drinks heavy on the menu. Since I don't consume dairy, I went with the grapefruit tea with boba. At 30% it was the right sweetness for me and had grapefruit slices in the tea. The boba were totally unsweetened which is uncommon and strange because they don't really add much to the drink that way. They were, however, fresh tasting. My friend had the pearl milk tea with marshmallow topping. While pretty, she said the topping was difficult to consume (they give you a spoon so apparently it isn't meant to go through the straw) and didn't add much to the flavor...so purely for Instagram. The staff were friendly and asked where we heard about the location.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Cup Of Tea; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Most of the bubble tea/boba places in Philadelphia are international chains, but as far as I can tell A Cup of Tea is a local mom/pop joint. The location is spacious and the staff were friendly. They use fresh tea and fruit in the drinks. I explained that I don't consume dairy and the staff were quick to show me which drinks could be made without. The sizing is also quite large.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Raw Lab Spa; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Trying to get away from nail salons that use harsh chemicals. In addition to not wanting to breathe in fumes, I also find my nails are painted better at salons that don't do acrylic or dip powder. Unfortunately, there aren't many natural nail salons in Philadelphia. I found Raw Lab Spa on Yelp a few months ago. I attempted to call to schedule an appointment which is futile. I presented as a walk in and was turned away. Upon visiting I can understand this, there are only two small work stations in the shop. I was given a card with the website so that I could book an appointment online. I have had two appointments since this time for gel manicures. Both times my manicure was perfect and there was a lot of attention to detail. The salon, despite being small is relaxing and there is a wide color selection. Pricing is excellent for the service offered. So, why 4 stars instead of 5: 1. Booking online is kind of annoying. On the website there is no way to combine services so you can't plug in for a manicure/pedicure at the same time you have to book each service separately (in this case you have to text risking no time slot available). 2. Because of size there is little chance of last minute availability. No deciding you want to treat yourself without a week's notice. Note: My last gel manicure I had done at Raw Lab was later soaked off at another natural salon. The tech stated that there were many more coats then necessary used in the service making it not only difficult to remove but also harsher on my nails. I don't know if this is a valid criticism, so I did not let it influence my review. Overall, I would return to Raw Lab when I have time to deal with the online scheduling system because the staff are friendly and do quality work.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Naturale Salon; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Philadelphia has very few natural nail salons (salons that do only gel/regular polish vs those that do acrylic and dip powder nails) and Naturale Salon is one of them. I called to make an appointment for a mani/pedi with gel removal the day prior to the service. The phone was answered promptly and my appointment was set. When I arrived for the service I was surprised at how large the salon is! It is clean, nicely decorated, and well staffed. My nail tech was wonderful and attentive to detail. Price was average for the services offered. The standout here was my pedicure, which included a nice long massage. I found the polish selection to be vast, including many vegan nail polishes which are not offered elsewhere. Overall, I plan to return to Naturale Salon in the future, perhaps even making it home for my regular nail service.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lancaster County Farmers Market; City: Wayne, PA; Review: This review is only of the Good Harvest farm stand in the middle area of the market as it was the only vendor I purchased from. Good Harvest has a large selection of seasonal fruits and vegetables. I found their prices to be fair (not low) for the quality of goods offered. I purchased some blueberries, watermelon, corn, and tomatoes. Everything was wonderful! The staff were also friendly and helpful. There was a senior couple next to me and the staff person taking their order was patient and sorted through an entire section of corn for them. Would return if I was in the area!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Green Fork & Local Roots Market; City: North Wales, PA; Review: For some reason, The Green Fork wasn't on my radar until yesterday when I stopped for a late lunch. The restaurant is in a large Victorian which I heard someone mention use to be a local bank. We chose to sit outside. The restaurant is incredibly vegan, vegetarian, and GF friendly with many reasonably priced menu options. The food is on the healthy side and most items come with a green salad. I ordered a special: a seitan buffalo wrap with broccoli slaw and vegan cheese. My partner ordered 'the big cheese' a grilled cheese with roasted veggies on cranberry bread. Both sandwiches were tasty and well made. We split a vegan 'cheese cake' with a peanut butter topping for dessert, which while yummy was extremely tiny for it's $4.50 price point and really more of a 'tart' than a cheesecake. My only reason for reducing the stars from 5 to 4 is our waiter was not attentive and was uninformed. He never refilled our drinks, disappeared after food delivery, and we had to seek out another staff person to pay our check. Upon ordering I had asked what brand of vegan cheese the cafe used or if it was housed made and he was unable to tell me and also did not bother to check. Other notes: As the location is a small business, they strongly prefer cash payment. There is an ATM next door. They do not take Amex.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gabby’s; City: Willow Grove, PA; Review: I stopped at Gabby's randomly a few weeks after they opened and my recent visit (yesterday for dinner) shows excellent improvement! I am impressed by both of the banh mi they offer that are vegan: one is tofu with avocado and the other (called vegan classic) is a traditional banh mi with bean 'pate' and house made soy based 'meat'. It is seriously well crafted. Great fries as well and one order is plenty for two persons. A few notes: 1. It appears that two persons own and operate the business. This makes things a little slow, but I had my order for two in about 10ish minutes. 2. People are complaining in the reviews that it's overpriced, but I ordered two sandwiches, two orders of fries, and a bottled drink--the total was $26 which I find to be average living in an urban location.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Free Library of Philadelphia - Lovett Branch; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Lovett Library reopened this summer after a year long construction project in which the library was renovated. The new library is pleasing to look at, has a large area for children, and nice areas to sit and eat lunch with a book outside. The section of new fiction is generally better here than at some other branches. My favorite addition is the library's self check out stations which are easy to use and take away the long lines waiting for a librarian. As per usual, when I access books from any Free Library branch I tend to reserve the books online for pick up. Pick up station at Lovett is easy to locate and books seem to arrive faster than at some branches like Independence (7th St).; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Free Library of Philadelphia - Independence Branch; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I use Independence Branch of the Free Library primary for picking up reservations of books I make online as it is relatively close to my work. The branch is on the small side as far as libraries go, but has a large section of Asian language resources. The library also houses the biggest collection in the branches of LGBT literary works which is really neat. If graphic novels are your thing, I've noticed this branch tends to have more of them on hand then others like Chestnut Hill. I've knocked off a star for this branch because it seems like reservations at this branch take longer than at others. For example, sometimes I will be at the top of a list for a book, but I won't get the email for pick up for about a week following, as though they just haven't notified me. Also the branch tends to close frequently: once arriving to find a sign that the librarian was late, twice arriving to find a sign that the air conditioner wasn't working.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lotus Philadelphia Esthetic Center; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Stopped in for a gel manicure Sunday because Lotus is one of the few salons that are open later on Sunday (till 7pm). I had mixed feelings about the experience. Cons: Staff person who greeted me directed me to large wall of gel polishes to pick my color, but the colors on gel are hard to read from the bottles and they seemed annoyed I was taking a longer time. Later I noticed the more traditional basket of nail color samples down at the end of the pedicure area which would have been a help. The tech who did my nails seemed somewhat inexperienced (though she did a good job generally) and distracted. She frequently checked text messages on her phone during my manicure. At one point, a person I gathered was her parent arrived with her dinner and she spent around 10ish minutes talking with them during my manicure which I found unprofessional. Pros: Clean, large windows for good people watching, large polish selection, wide range of hours and central location. Tech next to me was doing a dip powder full set for someone and seemed very skilled and kind.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Millennium Nails and Spa; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Time to update my review: First off, I will begin with my experience yesterday. I came to the salon as a walk in for a gel manicure. It was around 3pm and the salon was rather busy. I was seated and give a basket of nail samples to choose from. I selected two colors and requested a simple upgrade: the manicure to have 'half moons' of a different color. I provided a picture example.The tech as far as I can tell was new and did not speak any English. I don't mean had difficulty understanding me, I mean really no English whatsoever. I know this because another tech working a few chairs down translated for me. Despite reassurance from the other staff person about my request, I could tell the tech assigned to me was uncomfortable. I changed my original request for a solid one color nail. That being said, my manicure is perfect. The tech was clearly skilled and was very detailed. The gel manicure price was $35 which is average. While in the salon, I noticed several disagreements between staff members and the owner. The owner appeared to be calling staff away from clients to serve other clients they may have been originally scheduled for. This seems like a trend as the last time I was in the salon 3 persons worked on my pedicure which disrupted the experience and ended up resulting in a subpar job. I have witnessed the salon during busy times it seems disorganized and rushed.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Odabu; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I started seeing Billy when he had a spot at Danger Salon. He recently opened his own salon, with plans for an art gallery and other community spaces in the works. Billy is a tremendous barber with unmatched skill. I find his prices reasonable at $45 a cut and $60 for added design work. He is extremely LGBTQ friendly and has created a gender neutral hair salon environment (something needed which is all too often overlooked). A few minor complaints which I am sure will be resolved: location is hard to find, the salon sits inside a building with multiple doors, I had to contact Billy for instructions to enter. No front desk reception at this point, so not the easiest to schedule. Lastly, Billy is very detail oriented and all of my haircuts have taken a long time in addition I often usually have to wait because the person ahead of me is not finished. Billy is aware of this issue and extremely apologetic.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bar Bombón; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I have visited Bar Bombon in the past, but they are recently in the process of altering the majority of their menu (RIP street corn!) so I thought I would stop by again to try the changes. They were running a special two person dinner for $50 (1 pitcher of margaritas or bottle of wine, two 1st course selections, and 3 second course selections). This is a good value and I hope they keep it around for awhile. If you are returning to Bar Bombon you will notice that their portions have shrunken to an almost ridiculous size. The Philly Empanadas (which come with two) are half the size of the old ones. They look so small on the serving board that my partner laughed out loud. In addition, the nachos have about halved in size and are now served in a skillet. Mind you, the prices are still the same. Also now when you order tacos you get ONE TACO for $6. Yikes. Food is still very good and I think the taste has even improved in some items, namely the Yucca: which is now served in some sauce with olives. Also the restaurant has several items now featuring Impossible Burger 'meat' which are truly great. Overall, Bar Bombon still has good reasons to return: a stellar happy hour, tasty vegan eats, and a fun vibe. Please just don't make the food any smaller, unless your target market is American Girl Dolls.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Talk; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: **Happy Hour Review Only** Stopped at Talk before an event at the Mutter Museum on Halloween. The bar is located on a quiet corner and we arrived at 6pm to an empty restaurant. Though we stayed for about an hour we were the only patrons which was a little strange. During happy hour the bar offers a $7 cocktail of the day, as well as some other discounts on drinks, and a small food menu. As none of the selections were veggie friendly, we stuck with drinks. I had a New York Sour which was well made and tasty. I don't feel particularly strongly about returning to Talk, but I'd give it another chance if I was in the area.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Four Seasons Food Court; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Dear Four Seasons Food Court, This is a letter professing my love. I wondered past you one day hungry for salad and not only did you deliver but you stole my heart forever. You have so many delicious toppings and you don't cut your vegetables into abnormally big chunks. You have kimchi, tofu, sushi, pasta salad, fruit, cheesecake, and the only place in this city I have found diet birch beer. Though I still spend too much on you, your cheaper than nearly any other salad bar around. Last time I visited I discovered your strange 2nd floor seating area- full of surprises you are. I am eternally grateful for the joy you bring my lunch. Love, Shauna; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mango Mango Dessert; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I walk by Mango Mango all of time on my lunch breaks and have never stopped in until last Saturday, but that cute fake dessert in the window has tempted me several times before. I was surprised to find upon entering that they have table service and a full menu of mango and other fruit inspired Asian style desserts. Also they serve drinks, including pots of various hot teas. My partner and I ordered one of the combos to get a feel for everything and was surprised with the amount of food you get for $17. It's three full size desserts and they are all fresh and delicious tasting. I will note that almost nothing on the menu is dairy free so probably not great for primarily vegan folks or those who are lactose intolerant. I also had some earl grey lavender tea which was super fragrant and yummy. I will say that I think the cost of the pot of tea (which provides about two small cup servings) is kind of excessive at $5. Only complaint is that the service is a little slow. Had to flag someone down both to order and also to get my check. Would return if I was feeling in the mood for some mango action.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: New Harmony Vegetarian Restaurant; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: If you are afraid of hole in the wall places whose carpet needs replaced and are too dimly lit, turn back from this review now. If you are, like me, however, and know these places often have the best food keep on reading. Checked out New Harmony on Saturday for lunch. It was fairly busy even for later in the day and there were many tables occupied. Service, however, was prompt. The menu is all vegan and huge. They have recreated any meat dish you could ever have wanted. Partner and I both ordered the dumpling soup which is soooo good. The broth is rich and the dumplings are great. He had the orange 'beef' and I had the 'shrimp'. Both dishes were large and tasted great. Will definitely be returning again, because I almost liked this place better than Su Xing House and that's saying a lot.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Regal Plymouth Meeting; City: Conshohocken, PA; Review: Had a Regal Cinemas gift card and figured I would give this location a try. I usually use the AMC in Plymouth Meeting and was surprised to find out the Regal was nearby--after visiting I kind of understand why I hadn't heard if it. Pros: The theater itself may be old, but they installed new seats in the individual theaters and they give it more of a newer feel. Movie options are pretty good and you can reserve seats online which I always have a preference towards. Location has a decent parking lot and it was easy to find right off the highway. Cons: It looks like 1989 in this joint. The signs are all a blast from the past. The lobby is absurdly huge and vintage. Snack bar is understaffed and my pretzel bites were stale. Theaters themselves are quite small and I felt like I sat way closer to the screen then I would have had I been able to gauge the theater size when I was ordering online. Overall: Probably would come back if it was showing a film at a time I wasn't able to locate elsewhere, but otherwise I'd skip it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Nan Zhou Hand Drawn Noodle House; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Nan Zhou has been part of my Philadelphia experience for many years now. I've been through many dietary changes and I always found something I am happy with. Overall, it's traditional, buzzing at almost all times, and quite delicious. One of my favorite spots to take out of town visitors. Location: Heart of Chinatown on Race. Restaurant is always clean. Cash only, ATM in the lobby. They will seat you very close to other parties or at tables with others when it is busy. Just ask your neighbor for the condiment caddy and share the love. Recently upgraded their menu appearance, but no noticeable changes to the actual content of the menu. Food: Two varieties of noodles, hand drawn and shaved. Pho is huge and they do have a mushroom based broth for vegan/vegetarian folks--but you have to ask for it. I've heard people say the broth (mushroom or beef) is not flavorful, but I'm of the unpopular opinion that it's suppose to be this way (that's why they have chili oil, vinegar, soy sauce, etc on the table). Good variety of choices and scallion pancakes are some of my favorite in the city. Always pleasantly surprised at the low cost of eating here. BYOB if you please.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Creative Business Accounting & Tax Service; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Tamara has been doing taxes for my household since before the company moved to their current location on South St. We initially started going to her because a commercial tax company had severely messed up my partner's return as he was at the time an independent contractor. Scheduling is easy and I've never had to wait for an appointment. Our appointments themselves have been speedy but detail oriented and Tamara always explains the documentation. She is also knowledgeable and experienced and has never had trouble answering any questions we have. Appointment cost is average/competitive w other local businesses.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Persian Grill; City: Lafayette Hill, PA; Review: It's really difficult to rate Persian Grill, as some things about my experience were spot on and then others left much to be desired. The Good: Menu contains good options for omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Food is authentic and the rose water ice cream I had for dessert was so delicious. Appetizer dips are really yummy and come with a large amount of pita bread. Wait staff was friendly and attentive, remembered all our requests, etc. The Bad: Vegetarian options seemed pricey for the content of the food. For example the dish I had was $14 and was basically just rice, a few cherries, and two veggie kabobs. The rice is very unseasoned and really boring. If the rice is the center of the dish, I think it needs a little something to make it shine. We were a group of four and were placed a booth which seemed really tiny. We often struggled to move plates and cups to have enough room. Overall, my feelings about Persian Grill are just kind of neutral. I would probably return in the future if someone suggested it, but I don't know if I would pursue it on my own.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Maker artisan pizza; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: **I've only gotten delivery from this location so I am reviewing that experience and the food** O M G--Maker Artisan Pizza is my new BFF. I don't know what ya'll are doing but don't stop. I've been living in Philadelphia for almost a decade and this pizza is the best I've had. Quality topping choices, good topping to crust ratio, perfect amount of greasiness. Salads are super fresh and come with an out of this world garlic knot. I usually order via an app based food delivery service, and my order is always on time, correct, and the driver gives me a head's up via phone when he arrives. My only minor compliant is that every time I get delivery my pizza has not settled enough and the toppings are often making their way across the pizza. I've lived with it because the taste is so good, but I would be happier to not have to reassemble my food. I'm assuming in person this would not be an issue. PS. Dear staff of this bomb dot com joint, I will be giving up pizza for Lent starting next week. Please don't think I've forgotten about you. I will be back in 40 days. Sending my love to you till then.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Philadelphia; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Used a gift certificate I had for a free night's stay on Friday at the Hotel Monaco. It was such a fun time being a guest in my own city. Highlights: The Hotel Monaco has the best décor of any hotel I have ever stayed in! It's loud patterned wallpaper, interesting light fixtures in both the rooms and common spaces, and unique furniture, make it a fun place to explore. The hotel also has a wine happy hour from 5-6pm which and the servers were friendly and generous. Similarly, they serve tea in the morning for a period of time, but I did not partake and therefore cannot speak on this. During my stay I found the room to be comfortable, the water pressure to be fabulous, and the noise level to be fine (my room was on the 3rd floor). Possible Improvements: The Hotel Monaco seems to be missing some essential and common features that most hotels well below its price point are offering. Most noteworthy are that there is no in room refrigerator, and the hotel does not have free wifi (why?!). In addition to the above, I also had difficulty checking in as the staff person I had booked with (I had to book via phone due to the gift certificate) had spelled my name wrong and not recording any of my other identifying information. After a few minutes we were able to find my reservation using my credit card which is required for incidentals (also it should be noted the hotel holds $75 for incidentals which is refunded following checkout). Overall, I really enjoyed my stay and would gladly return in the future.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Spice Finch; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I have been trying to figure out how to write a review for Spice Finch since I dined here on Friday evening. I enjoyed myself, but I don't feel like this is a place for everyone. If you're curious, keep reading I will try to layout my reasoning: The Good: Restaurant layout is sleek/modern but remains inviting. The staff are friendly and attentive and provided good information about menu items we had questions on. The food is presented beautifully. The portion sizes are large for the price point (our server recommended 4 dishes [we are vegetarian] for 2 people. This amount ended up being way too much). The menu covers a lot of dietary choices and needs and is interesting. I really loved the carrot hummus. The baked cheese is also basically a fancy adult deconstructed mozzarella stick and it's pretty glorious. In addition, I really enjoyed my cocktail- The Clover Club. It tasted like spring and the portion size was large. The Weird: The main reason I had difficulty figuring out how to rate Spice Finch is that found all of the food/drinks to have really intense, and sometimes unfamiliar flavors. Maybe it's trying to be edgy? All of the food is incredibly rich and hard to eat the normal portion size of. My partner's drink, Game Theory, had about a teaspoon of za'atar seasoning on top. He described it as being so heavy and spiced that it was 'almost a side dish'. The 'Ew No': The server recommended our main of Salted Baked Eggplant. What is going on with this dish? I have never tasted anything so weird in my life. It has no idea what it's trying to be. On the bottom is eggplant baked almost lasagna style in a tomato-y sauce. This is topped with a béchamel which I feel like is supposed to separate the bottom and top flavors but fails to do so. The Top is pickled (what) vegetables which are very strong and salty. We ate less than 1/3 of the dish. Maybe I just didn't 'get it'. TLDR: Spice Finch was all at once kind of good, kind of bad, and kind of just a try it and be done sort of place for me.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Center For Art In Wood; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: I've been walking by this building and have frequently been intrigued for years now. I am glad I stopped by on Saturday and had the chance to explore. The Center opens into the gift shop where a friend staff person explained both the current exhibit and the upstairs permanent collection. There is a $5 suggested donation fee, which I feel like is very reasonable. The gallery space is open with fantastic light and the pieces are interesting. I learned a lot reading the posted information. The upstairs collection contains many unique items which represent a variety of time periods and styles. Towards the back of the gift shop they have a display with various tools which you can touch/hold.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Riviera D'Italia; City: Abington, PA; Review: Been driving past Riviera D'Italia forever and finally remembered it existed when I was hungry for some pasta! The restaurant was previously a bank [cool bank vault to show for it] and is divided into two halves: a BYOB and a pizzeria. There is parking behind the building and an additional lot nearby. On Saturday when I arrived for dining room service the place was pleasantly full but no wait for a table. The menu is fairly large and the prices are good. I was pleased with the amount and quality of the vegetarian options, as well as the care our server took to made sure modifications we requested to our meals were correct. Food is yummy and service was good all around. Minor complaints: bread was cold [still good!], and I found the red sauce on my shells to be a bit on the thin side [just personal preference]. We will certainly add Riviera D'Italia to the rotation!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Flip City Shakes; City: Southampton, PA; Review: Your body will not thank you for the trip to Flip City, but your soul will smile. Burgers, Grilled Cheese, Fries/Tots/Rings and like 4 salads make up the menu. Also, extensive drive in favorites like egg-creams, floats, and shakes. The restaurant itself is located in a little strip mall. Order at the counter and food is brought to your table. All items are at a reasonable price point. Servings of fries, etc are very large and could easily be shared. If you are a vegetarian there are many grilled cheese choices (I had the caprese w basil, tomatoes, and mozz--Yum!), but there is no veggie burger option which is kind of disappointing with all the fun burger toppings they have going on. My partner had a root beer float and thought it was delicious and super high quality. Bonus: They have two player Ms Pac-Man !!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Gold Standard Cafe; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: Arrived here for brunch on Saturday about 10am. The front area is cafe/counter service, the back a dining room with table service. My partner and I chose to sit in the back, so my review will be about that experience, but I wanted to note that the front was very crowded and the line was difficult to navigate past as it fills the hallway divider to the door. The breakfast/brunch menu is vast with plenty of options for vegetarians, vegans, and gluten free folks alike. Our server was friendly and answered a question I had easily. I ordered fried green tomato eggs Benedict which was lovely and a large portion for the price. My partner had an egg bowl which they also enjoyed. Seating area was quiet, sunny, and clean.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Milo Restaurant; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: It was a beautiful night when I met my partner and a friend for dinner at Milo. Though we did not know of the event previously, there was small jazz band playing throughout our dinner which we enjoyed. Between us we had: Smoothies, Kimchi Tacos, Pho, and Curry. All of the food was fresh, flavorful, and delicious! I felt the item portion size was a good value for the quality of food. By the time we departed the restaurant was packed, but we personally did not experience a wait time. I am glad Milo has come to the neighborhood and will surely be back to try more yummy things!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Circles Contemporary Thai; City: Philadelphia, PA; Review: While Circles is pretty average Thai food and not where I would go normally if a craving struck, they earn their stars on a couple of fronts. First off, they understand the difference between vegan and vegetarian and always make sure to ask if you want your dish to contain fish sauce/eggs. Secondly, they have variety on meat substitutes and use seitan as well as tofu. Some of the more non traditional Thai foods are actually the highlights of the menu, my favorite being the vegetarian cheesesteak rolls and the Thai burrito. Complaints: It's always super dark in the resturant and there are quite a few tables for the small space. Also I feel as though they over-sauce the noodle dishes which sometimes is unappealing. Solidly A-Ok!; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | yelp |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Not One of Us; Author: Visit Amazon's D A Spruzen Page; Review: I could not put Not One of Us down. The twists and turns kept me reading. And, even with all the fantastic clues, the ending got me. It just made me want to get to Book 2.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Xenocide: Volume Three of the Ender Quintet (The Ender Quartet); Author: Visit Amazon's Orson Scott Card Page; Review: It had many twists and turns that you wouldn't normally expect in a book. The characters developed well in the book. There were some very sudden things that would confuse you and kind of ruin some the suspense that you had or some other part of the book. Overall, it was well written with a few unexpected things that would sometimes make it less interesting.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: I Am Number Four (Lorien Legacies, Book 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Pittacus Lore Page; Review: This book is incredible! There is constant action and suspense, and when there is not, you are gripped by the incredible romance. The plot is perfect, but to simple and not to compared. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good action and adventure book.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Winning the Legend (The Blue Eyes Trilogy) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's B. Kristin McMichael Page; Review: I chose this rating because the book was excellently written and is not the typical Twilight before story. It is much more in depth and is more of a young adult novel. This story is excellent in the way out describes each character and each character develops. You really can relate to the characters despite the fact that they are not human. 8/10 ********; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Why is She Acting So Weird?: A Guide to Cultivating Closeness When a Friend is in Crisis; Author: Visit Amazon's Jenn McRobbie Page; Review: I LOVED this book. As one who has recently gone through a mild crisis and who has a friend who has gone through a crisis, this book helped both parts of me. It really helped me to understand why I felt certain ways. I think I liked it more for understanding me than my friend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Lucky Number Slevin; Brand: ; Review: Surprising best sums up this movie...lots of twists and turns. Cast is excellent. Not for children...several un-needed naked scenes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Legend of Longwood; Brand: Lorcan Bonner; Review: Good plot....interesting...a few twists. Good family movie.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Partisan; Brand: Vincent Cassel; Review: Decent plot...seemed like an interesting build up...but then the movie fizzled, blah disappointing ending. Left us wishing we hadn't wasted our time.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Water's Edge; Brand: Nathan Fillion; Review: A "C" movie...decent plot...not great acting tho.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Imitation Game; Brand: ; Review: A "B" movie...good plot...have to pay attention tho, flash backs, present, and flash forwards.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Adventures of Mickey Matson & Copperhead Treasure; Brand: Christopher Lloyd; Review: The movie has a good plot...the actors were decent...family oriented movie.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Taps VHS; Brand: George C. Scott; Review: Excellent movie! A+; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tora Tora Tora VHS; Brand: Martin Balsam; Review: Excellent movie! A+; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Last Outlaw VHS; Brand: Mickey Rourke; Review: Good plot...B movie; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Minus Man; Brand: Owen Wilson; Review: Good movie...however the ending leaves the watcher hanging.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Grimm; Brand: ; Review: Excellent series!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Movies_and_TV |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Without You (The Journey Home) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Kelly Elliott Page; Review: I have a rating of 5 stars You always have a way of leading your readers from one book to another and another and, etc. I love that about you. I always have a hard time at the start every book I read, but in your books I don't and for that reason I'm giving you a 5 stars. So far every book has been a Great read. Thank You, Kelly Elliott. note, I can't hardly wait for the next and next.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Club Prive Book 5 (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's M. S. Parker Page; Review: I wasn't sure if this because it was rated most like Fifty Shades. I t close more so than others claim there like. MS. Parker I loved it and I will definitely recommend this to my daughter and friends. It is a great read and I downloaded your next book. I hope Gavin is some where in there, but I'm excited to start reading.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Beautiful Mess (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's T. K. Leigh Page; Review: Slow to start out and hard to stay with to be honest. it took me five to six chapters if not more. Then getting in to the teen chapters you took off, but I must admit it was difficult. Then you hooked me. I can't hardly wait to start the next book. Thank You! Mary Hulsey:); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Journey Home; Author: Visit Amazon's Kelly Elliott Page; Review: I choose this rating because this is one of your best. It made for such a good reed. Once again you have out done yourself. I believe congratulations on this book. Thank You! Mary H.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Tragic Wreck (Beautiful Mess) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's T.K. Leigh Page; Review: I wish I could take back the first review. Now I have to say you brought it to the table. Hugh fan.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gorgeous Chaos (Beautiful Mess) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's T.K. Leigh Page; Review: I have to give you a 5 star. This last book you gave me every emotion I had to the surface. I'm now one Hugh fan.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Captivated by You (Crossfire); Author: Visit Amazon's Sylvia Day Page; Review: We all waited soooo long for this book. Although the wait was awesome. Please keep them coming. I want to join as a HUGE fan. You know Sylvia you could be on to something here!:)) Lol; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Captivated by You (Crossfire); Author: Visit Amazon's Sylvia Day Page; Review: We all waited soooo long for this book. Although the wait was awesome. Please keep them coming. I want to join as a HUGE fan. You know Sylvia you could be on to something here!:)) Lol; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Falling Down (Rockstar) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Anne Mercier Page; Review: I choose four star rating because the author kept a studied flow. There where some confusion about how old he was and she was at the beginning. I think I figured it out. Lucy one of the main characters and Jesse have a steamy relationship from the beginning. They both knew it was a soul mate connection from the start but neither wanted to admit it. Once they got it watch out. Story line flows well. Had hard time putting it down. I couldn't wait to start the second book Blush. I recommended this to my read friends. Go read it. Keep open mind. Mary Hulsey.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blush (Rockstar) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Anne Mercier Page; Review: Love the story line. It moves quickly. Had me laughing and at times crying. Just a great story line. I have recommended it to a few friends I know that like to read these kind of books.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Saving You; Author: Visit Amazon's Kelly Elliott Page; Review: This rating is no surprise coming from author Kelly Elliott. This book a second generation story from the "Wanted Series". It just shows how love can find you in the end. You can sense from the beginning how much they love each other but to stubborn they both are to admit it to each other. The story line can make you laugh, cry and mad. You will find in this story in the bounds between friends, family the strength to continue to stay true to your heart. The family reaches further than just family. It's a must read. Thank you to the author who once again pulls you in and keeps you there to the very end. Mary H.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bender (The Core Four Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Stacy Borel Page; Review: It was slow read first couple of chapters. Once committed it took me in. The story was study read great characters for instance Camden hot as all get out being body instructor meets Keegan shy college student become roommates. After that "intense". Good story line as well it will go on to other books. I am recommending them. There is hot sex in a tasteful way. Stacy Borel I am a new fan.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Game Changer: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's J. Sterling Page; Review: I had a problem in the starting I didn't think that this was a good read. Hold on J. Sterling did it big time. Emotional, laughed cried and mad and I mean so upset. The Character named Jack Clark has big dreams of becoming a major league baseball career. Then there is Cassidy Andrews wanting to be a professional photographer. They meet in college and she didn't want anything to do with him until they meet in person at a frat party. Well Cassidy and her roommate Melissa have been friends since the we're very young. Melissa warns Cassi to stay away from him. So Cassi does just that but something pulls her to him even though she plays hard to get. Jack lets her in only to hurt her beyond words. The book is a 5 star bc of the easy flow of words that puts together a great story line. A Must Read, I have started second book. There are three total. Mary H.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Game Changer: A Novel; Author: Visit Amazon's J. Sterling Page; Review: You did it again J.Sterling. Great storyline easy flow. New twist, laugh, cry and more. Be coming a Hugh fan.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Undeniable Love (Journey of Love) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Kelly Elliott Page; Review: Once again Kelly Elliott didn't disappoint. It stands alone once again. This book takes on a different story line that hasn't been in any book before from this author. Strong writing and a must own in your library of Kelly Elliott. Thank you again for a great read. Mary H.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Long Hard Ride (Rough Riders); Author: Lorelei James; Review: First book to read of this kind. Hot, sexy, almost embarrassing read. I can say their is a story line she keeps you going not to lose your interest. I would recommend to only a few friends who would like. Mary H.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Predestined Hearts: Historical Cover; Author: Visit Amazon's Kelly Elliott Page; Review: In my opinion one of the best calibrations from two very gifted authors. The best writing between them I have read in a long time. The mix of old world and new world collated together brings a story line that is unforgettable. I don't do reviews very well never have and probably still don't, but you will miss a journey unlike no other. I was left at the of this book fulfill and no what if's. Excellent writing . Thank you, Kelly Elliott and Kristen Mayer Mary H.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Until July (Until Her); Author: Visit Amazon's Aurora Rose Reynolds Page; Review: Until July what can I say It was funny, and serious and Love the story line. Of course the sexy played into the story. I can hardly wait to finish all her books. Boy meets girl, boy what's to move in right with girl. Girl has no intention of letting boy get away. Will they make it together? You have to read it first.. Mary Hulsey; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Kyland (Sign of Love); Author: Visit Amazon's Mia Sheridan Page; Review: We're talking about a way of life in a very small town in Kentucky. The story is about a young woman named Tenleigh in her senior year of high school trying to help to make any kind of money to help her ailing mother. She has an older sister who works as well because their mothers medicine is expensive each month. The second young man and the main character in this book is also trying as well to make it, with his walked out and he lost his father and brother in a mining accident. Kyland finds Tenleigh and they were both needing each other. This is where the story begins they both know the only way out is the scholarship it includes them and two other girls. Who gets it and who gets out you have to read. What happen is heartbreaking. I will say in some points it got slow but it does pick up . A good read. You find yourself waiting and waiting at the end of book you'll see! Yes I will recommend it. Mary H.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Consequence of Loving Colton; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Van Dyken Page; Review: This is a very good read something I usually don't read I don't know why, because it was a pleasure to read. This is one book about a women her name Milo who finds herself best friends with a hunk of a man his name Max. Her brother's name is Jason and his best friend is Colton. Now Milo has been in love with Colton since as long as she could remember. Milo is headed home from her senior year of college to attend her brother's wedding. This is where the book takes you on a adventure. I can't tell you anymore all I can say it's a must read that will leave you wanting more. Mary H.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cocky Bastard; Author: Visit Amazon's Penelope Ward Page; Review: I choose five stars because I feel they deserve to get it. I have never read a book with this many pages in a very long time. The story flows with ease and that's a great read. I have read both of these authors separately and love their books together is awesome. Thank you Ladies for a great read. M.H.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Chasing You (Love Wanted in Texas) (Volume 5); Author: Visit Amazon's Kelly Elliott Page; Review: One more book and that's it! I knew it had to end sometime I just figured a few more books. All is good. So great book once again. To finally see Meagan step out of her comfort zone again refreshing. Oh Grayson (Hot doggie dog) just a perfect character. The love story of all stories. I have to give it to you Kelly for lacing this many books and imaginary characters come to life. Thank you for one hell of a reading journey. Personal note: this was never a strong suit in all my schooling as all can tell.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Alexander Julian Men's Leather Inlay Buckle And Loop Belt; Brand: Alexander Julian; Review: It is just a belt. Don't put too much on it. No brand label on surface. Some larger for 102cm waist.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: ECCO Men's Boston Lace-Up Shoe; Brand: ; Review: It fits 265 cm fat foot, a little bit large but really comfortable wearing. A thick sock will help a lot.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Clarks Men's Senner Ave Boot; Brand: ; Review: It is a quite comfortable nice boot, large for 265cm fat foot. the measurement is different from ECCO, Timberland and Rockpot.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rockport Men's World Tour Classic; Brand: ; Review: My size is between 9~9.5 long. This pair shows a little bit somehow large but it's acceptable. I can wear thick socks and wearing it in cold days. It is a good choice for heavy guys.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: New Balance Men's ML574 Varsity Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: This 9.5 D equals to EU 43, match well. The color is bright and clean. One more pair shoelace backup. Shoebox is perfect this time, no damage.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rockport Men's Essential Details Waterproof Cap-Toe Oxford; Brand: ; Review: Size is fine for 9.5(42.5/43) feet. the shoe vamp is perfect. some hydro resistance. Anti slippy outsole but with creating a little bit embarrassed noise when walking on some kinds of surface, like polymer or wood floor. Ooops. Wish it could be silent after some days wearing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Clarks Men's Colson Camp Oxford; Brand: ; Review: Fine! the size is OK of 9 (42). Quite good for 9's feet. I think if your feet size is between 9.0 to 9.5, looks like 9.2/9.3 :), you can still try this one if no other choice. It has some tolerance.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: What Women Want (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ghost (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pretty Woman (1990); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Top Gun (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Along Came a Spider (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Rock (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Double Jeopardy (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Enemy of the State (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lethal Weapon 4 (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Spanglish (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: American Beauty (1999); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Speed (1994); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Wedding Planner (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: National Lampoon's Vacation (1983); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Look Who's Talking Too (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: U.S. Marshals (1998); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beverly Hills Cop III (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ghost Ship (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Sum of All Fears (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Patch Adams (1998); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Steel Magnolias (1989); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bringing Down the House (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Paycheck (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Nutty Professor (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Raising Helen (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Apocalypse Now (1979); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: High Crimes (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cheaper by the Dozen (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Armageddon (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Men of Honor (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Net (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Eraser (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Caddyshack (1980); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cocktail (1988); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Turner and Hooch (1989); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Pearl Harbor (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Indecent Proposal (1993); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Runaway Bride (1999); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Psycho (1960); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Passenger 57 (1992); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Maid in Manhattan (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Three Men and a Baby (1987); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Sound of Music (1965); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Twister (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: John Q (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Men in Black (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Two Weeks Notice (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The First Wives Club (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Patriot (2000); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: You've Got Mail (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Grease (1978); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Independence Day (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Walking Tall (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Firm (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sweet Home Alabama (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Kindergarten Cop (1990); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Face/Off (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Titanic (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (1992); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Man on Fire (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Recruit (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Midnight Cowboy (1969); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Nine to Five (1980); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Collateral Damage (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: On Golden Pond (1981); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Freaky Friday (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Twilight Zone: Vol. 16 (1963); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: War Games (1983); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Goldfinger (1964); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Matrix: Reloaded (2003); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Shrek 2 (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: While You Were Sleeping (1995); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Overboard (1987); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Bodyguard (1992); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Runaway Jury (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Angels in the Outfield (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bonnie and Clyde (1967); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Miss Congeniality (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Friends: Season 3 (1996); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rocky (1976); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Manchurian Candidate (1962); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Terminator (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Edward Scissorhands (1990); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Rush Hour (1998); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Sister Act (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Driving Miss Daisy (1989); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Flubber (1997); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Phenomenon (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Die Another Day (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Blade (1998); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Dirty Dancing (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Good (1966); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hannah and Her Sisters (1986); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Die Hard (1988); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ocean's Twelve (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: My Best Friend's Wedding (1997); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Windtalkers (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Airplane! (1980); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Shining (1980); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Mission: Impossible II (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Coming to America (1988); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Behind Enemy Lines (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: National Lampoon's European Vacation (1985); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: True Lies (1994); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Terms of Endearment (1983); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Never Been Kissed (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Basic Instinct (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Mary Poppins (1964); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Analyze That (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Stepford Wives (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dead Man Walking (1995); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sex and the City: Season 2 (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tango & Cash (1989); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Father of the Bride (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Parent Trap (1961); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dirty Harry (1972); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Legally Blonde (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Tootsie (1982); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: 24: Season 1 (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sex and the City: Season 1 (1998); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: 24: Season 2 (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Matchstick Men (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: When Worlds Collide (1951); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Million Dollar Baby (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sideways (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Being Julia (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Ellen DeGeneres: The Beginning (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous (2005); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Guess Who (2005); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Code 46 (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Entrapment (1999); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dinner with Friends (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Danielle Steel's Changes (1991); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Russians Are Coming (1966); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bridget Jones's Diary (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Notebook (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Back to School (1986); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: National Treasure (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pay It Forward (2000); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sleepless in Seattle (1993); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Rear Window (1954); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ray (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Upside of Anger (2005); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Collateral (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Shall We Dance? (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hitch (2005); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Lost: Season 1 (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: George Carlin: Back in Town (1996); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A League of Their Own (1992); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Assault on Precinct 13 (2005); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bewitched (2005); Rating: 3.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Rutland Products PS-4 4-Inch Round Pellet Stove Brush; Brand: Rutland Products; Review: I also have the 3inch brush,works great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rutland Products PS-3 3-Inch Round Pellet Stove Brush; Brand: Rutland; Review: as described ,another fine rutland product; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Home Master CFRFGAC20-20BB Radial Flow GAC 20 Micron Replacement Water Filter, White; Brand: Home Master; Review: this filter really does work well at trapping sediment and iron fines.i would recommend it highly.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Home Master CFDGD2501-20BB Multi Gradient 25/10/5/1 Micron Sediment Replacement Water Filter, White; Brand: Home Master; Review: excellent filter,it really does what it is designed to do.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Home Master CFRFFE-20BB Radial Flow Iron Reducing Replacement Water Filter, White; Brand: Home Master; Review: pretty expensive but it works,this lasted over a year on our whole house system.would have given it 5 stars except it's cost.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Bormioli Rocco Oslo Cappuccino Glass Cups 4 Set 7.5 Oz | Tempered Glass, Ergonomic Stainless Steel Handles, Dishwasher Safe; Brand: Bormioli Rocco; Review: I read some reviews before purchasing these. I saw people complain that the glass falls out of the metal handle or that they're not durable or the wrong size, blah blah blah. I'm here to refute all those claims. I have not experienced the glass coming free from the handle while drinking. In fact I have sort of swung the empty glass around by the handle a bit just to test it out. I really don't see what these people are doing to cause that problem. As for durability, they are thick glass. And they're tempered. Excellent durability. I make a cappuccino that fits perfectly in this mug. If you don't know what size vessel you need for the beverage you're drinking, maybe these are small. Don't try to fit a latte in here. Get a bigger size if that's what you drink. At the current price of $11.25 for a set of four I don't know how anyone could complain at all. What a great deal on a very cool product.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cuisinart CTG-00-3MS Set of 3 Fine Mesh Stainless Steel Strainers; Brand: Cuisinart; Review: There are several cheaper options on amazon. Same product with different branding. No need to buy "Cuisinart" when "Culina" is a few bucks less. They work well though, whatever brand you choose.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Set of 2 KIWI Brand deba Style Flexible Stainless Steel Knives # 171.; Brand: Kiwi- Thailand; Review: I love this knife. It's razor sharp and perfect for most every task in my kitchen. I've bought a few of them before and they arrived in great condition. The first time I purchased the two pack both knives arrived with slightly bent tips. This negatively affects a lot of thin slicing as the crooked tip against the board pulls the knife off track and produces some ugly cuts.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Utopia Bedding Heavy Duty Clear Shower Curtain Liner Mildew Resistant 72 by 72 Inches 10 Gauge; Brand: Utopia Bedding; Review: The words "premium" and "heavy duty" do not describe this curtain liner. I would say "cheap" and "extremely thin" is more accurate. But at the end of the day I'd rather have a cheap shower curtain that was delivered to my house than something I spent an hour of my life going to purchase at a department store.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Chef's Knife Cook Utility Knives Set 2 KIWI Brand 171,172 Cutlery Steak Wood Handle Kitchen Tool Sharp Blade; Brand: Kiwi; Review: cheap knives, super sharp, low maintenance, throw away when they wear out. for the money it's hard to beat the quality. not a professional chef and don't use these in a commercial kitchen. they make precise cuts, handle well and i feel no obligation to maintain them like i would an expensive set.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: American Horror Story: Coven; Brand: Jessica Lange; Review: I loved this season. However playback for episodes 10, 11 & 12 were sketchy at times, this season was awesome! Appearances by Stevie Nicks were great!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Let's Kill Ward's Wife; Brand: ; Review: Funny and odd.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Autumn; Brand: Dexter Fletcher; Review: kept stopping and didn't keep my attention; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Everything Must Go; Brand: Will Ferrell; Review: Funny. Ferrell does it again!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Jules Verne's Mysterious Island; Brand: Alien vs. Predator) "Gina Holden (Saw 3-D; Review: Good version of the movie/book; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fire City: End of Days; Brand: Tobias Jelinek; Review: not very good; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Goodnight Mommy; Brand: Susanna Wuest; Review: not a good movie. B rated; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Louis C.K. - Shameless; Brand: Louis C.K.; Review: He is HILARIOUS!!!!!! Love Louis!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Movies_and_TV |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Via Spiga Women's Plus-Size Single-Breasted Belted Trench Coat with Hood; Brand: ; Review: Roomy fit. Beautiful coat with nice attention to detail.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Women's Knee Length Waffle Weave Kimono Bathrobe, Short Spa Robes; Brand: Turkish Linen; Review: Comfortable roomy fit. Great value for the price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Carole Hochman Women's Plus-Size Cotton Capri Pajama Set; Brand: ; Review: Comfortable and pretty; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: INCHER 16 Pairs Pack Ankle High Socks; Brand: INCHER; Review: These sheer socks are silky, durable, and great to wear with trousers. I like them with pumps and flats. I have large and wide feet (size 10-11 ladies) and they fit great!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Calvin Klein Women's Plus Size Essential Power Stretch Ponte Legging; Brand: ; Review: Great pants--not too thin--doesn't show all the lumps!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Jerollin Fashion 7 Colors Resin Simulated PearlBeads Chain Chunky Choker Pendant Bib Necklace Hook Earrings; Brand: Jerollin; Review: I love these large beads! Very pretty!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: BAGGU Reusable Shopping Tote - 3-Pack; Brand: BAGGU; Review: I love these bags. They're light weight, yet they hold a lot of items. I like these so much that I've given sets to special friends, and recommend them to everyone in stores. I really like that they come with a pouch that they fit nicely in when folded, and that pouch fits in my purse. One of my friends told me that the fact that they fold up so nicely allows him to always have one on him, and that come in handy with unplanned stops at the store. Therefore it makes it unnecessary for him to get a plastic bag, he just pulls out his Baggu.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Vitamix Turboblend 4500 Countertop Blender with 2+ HP Motor; Brand: Vitamix; Review: I knew I wanted a really good piece of equipement in order to make green smoothies for dinner replacement. I researched Blendex, HealthMaster, and Vitamix. I choose the Vitamix. I've had my machine for about a month now and I'm still over the moon about my choice. I've thrown together some strange combinations, but I've found that if you throw in a apple, anything tastes good. I've purchased green leafys that I would never have tried other wise and they come out great. I have found however that adding a banana with the apple when using broccli makes the drink delicious. I can't wait til summer kicks in because I see an array of ices and lowfat smoothies and shakes in my future.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Anolon Tri-Ply Clad Stainless Steel 12-Piece Cookware Set; Brand: Anolon; Review: I really love this set and will be adding additional pieces as needed. It's very important NOT to cook on high heat on gas cooktops, medium is the way to go for a good set of pots.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: SONGMICS 15" x 15" x 15" Folding Storage Ottoman Cube Footrest Stool Coffee Table Puppy Step, Holds Up to; Brand: SONGMICS; Review: The work wonderful as a leg rest, and the storage is an added bonus.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Healthy Human Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle | Keeps Cold 24 Hours, Hot 12 Hours; Brand: Healthy Human; Review: This water bottle exceeded my expectations. I've had water and ice way longer than the promised 24 hours. I fill it up with ice and about 8 oz. of water every night and grab it on my way out the door in the mornings. I have bottled water I my desk that I use to continually refill my water bottle. Now the bottled water at my desk is room temperature (I buy it by the case) so it hastens the melting of the ice in the bottle. But by the end of the day and 5 bottles or more later, there's still ice in my water bottle, and I know I will have water in case there's a reason I don't go straight home from work. Now on weekend, I only fill it half way with ice and fill with water, then I take a bottle with me in case that runs out. No matter what time I return, there's still ice, even though I may have had to stop and buy more water to add to it. I love the fact that filling it with ice is so easy (it's fits right under my ice maker on my fridge.) The only negative comment I have is that the flip top is an additional purchase, but it's needed, especially at the gym and while you're out and about. You don't want to have to keep stopping to twist off the top to get a drink, and you CAN'T do that while driving. The twist off should be the optional purchase, and not the other way around. This is one of those purchases I don't understand how I got along without having one. I love it so much, I've gifted it to several people, and one of those individuals gifted it to her family. And they've all called to thank me for introducing it to their family member.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Healthy Human Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Water Bottle | Keeps Cold 24 Hours, Hot 12 Hours; Brand: Healthy Human; Review: This water bottle exceeded my expectations. I've had water and ice way longer than the promised 24 hours. I fill it up with ice and about 8 oz. of water every night and grab it on my way out the door in the mornings. I have bottled water I my desk that I use to continually refill my water bottle. Now the bottled water at my desk is room temperature (I buy it by the case) so it hastens the melting of the ice in the bottle. But by the end of the day and 5 bottles or more later, there's still ice in my water bottle, and I know I will have water in case there's a reason I don't go straight home from work. Now on weekend, I only fill it half way with ice and fill with water, then I take a bottle with me in case that runs out. No matter what time I return, there's still ice, even though I may have had to stop and buy more water to add to it. I love the fact that filling it with ice is so easy (it's fits right under my ice maker on my fridge.) The only negative comment I have is that the flip top is an additional purchase, but it's needed, especially at the gym and while you're out and about. You don't want to have to keep stopping to twist off the top to get a drink, and you CAN'T do that while driving. The twist off should be the optional purchase, and not the other way around. This is one of those purchases I don't understand how I got along without having one. I love it so much, I've gifted it to several people, and one of those individuals gifted it to her family. And they've all called to thank me for introducing it to their family member.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Sanuk Women's Meltdown Loafer; Brand: ; Review: ... but the shorties (or the style like this that doesn't cover most of the top of the foot) tended to slip off the heel more and was kind of a pain to walk in. It wasn't that they were too big, but because they didn't fit on the foot quite right to walk in without it slipping off the heel.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Saucony Originals Women's Shadow 6000; Brand: Saucony; Review: These are great! I get shin splints often because of my heel strike, but these have amazing cushioning, especially in the heel. This will hopefully help, and maybe I will not have to take so many days off of running due to injury/ soreness!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Saucony Originals Women's Shadow 6000; Brand: Saucony; Review: These are great! I get shin splints often because of my heel strike, but these have amazing cushioning, especially in the heel. This will hopefully help, and maybe I will not have to take so many days off of running due to injury/ soreness!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Salomon Women's XR Mission Running Shoe; Brand: Salomon; Review: Seriously, these shoes look so good. I'm not an expert on running shoes, but I do know what looks good :) And I get some many compliments on these, and I have had them for a long time. The lock laces are great, too. In fact, I now buy lock laces for all my shoes because of these. Highly recommend, especially if you wanna look fly :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: BASIC HOUSE Fold Over Solid or 2 Color Yoga Shorts; Brand: Basic House; Review: I got these in 2 different colors. They fit great, look great. Not too thin. I also bought the fold-over leggings from the same company. I highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: BASIC HOUSE Women's Casual Cotton Spandex Fold Over Waist Leggings Sizing; Brand: Basic House; Review: So I was confused on what size to get, because when I see "Junior" sizing, I assume I need to size up (I'm 30 years old). I usually wear a Medium in leggings, so I went with a large. They are a bit big, but not enough for me to return them (maybe washing will shrink them in that tiny bit that I need?) Ignore the "Junior" part in the size, and just get your normal size. These are super comfy, not too thin at all, and look great! Not to mention the great price. I'm gonna buy more colors!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fluid Long Linen Pant; Brand: NkBk; Review: These fit okay, but I was expecting them to be even longer considering all the reviews stating that they were super long. I wanted to wear them with some high heels, and I'm 5'8", but they were long enough...; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Zenana Outfitters Women's Racerback Rib Tank; Brand: Zenana Outfitters; Review: I am usually a small, so I got a medium just in case. They were still rally small, and they were also super thin. I also have a long torso and these were short...; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fluid Long Linen Pant; Brand: NkBk; Review: These fit okay, but I was expecting them to be even longer considering all the reviews stating that they were super long. I wanted to wear them with some high heels, and I'm 5'8", but they were long enough...; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: SlimMe Stellina High Waist Shaping Thong Shapewear; Brand: ; Review: These are great. I ordered another brand and these were much better- held in love handles and stomach. I am between a small and medium. I went with a small (they're supposed to be tight!) and I am glad I did.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Foot Traffic - Cable Knit Legwarmers; Brand: Foot Traffic; Review: Long!!! I have super long legs and this fit perfect, covers my whole leg.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rubie's Lady Gaga Curly Hair Wig With Pink Streak; Brand: ; Review: Good price and worked for an evil doll costume I did for Halloween ;) can be very full/ afro-y if you needed, just run hands through it; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: The Cleveland Tontine; City: Staddlebridge Northallerton North Yorkshire England; Review: We have now had two of our family VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY celebrations at The Tontine. Amazing food, amazing atmosphere and very helpful friendly staff. Eugene is great and hasn't changed much since the 70's when 'The Kirk' was the place to be. I would happily recommend The Tontine to everyone. (Great wine list as well) !!!!! Didn't need a room as home is very close - but I understand the accommodation is great as well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Solberge Hall Hotel; City: Newby Wiske Northallerton North Yorkshire England; Review: Christmas Day Lunch in the carvery. Very good service which rescued the fact that by the time the two people having fish for their mains had theirs served - the rest of us had all finished our main courses!!! Apart from that we had a fabulous day, the food was excellent (and so was the halibut when it arrived). Great atmosphere and brilliant for the children in our party (3 boys aged 5, 2 and 1 !!!!) Would definitely go back !!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Carpenters Arms; City: Thirsk North Yorkshire England; Review: The whole family met today for Sunday Lunch to celebrate three birthdays and a wedding anniversary. We were in the private dining room - with three boys aged 6, 3 and almost 2 it was great for their Mum to be able to relax and enjoy the whole day without having to keep 'making sure' the boys weren't causing a disturbance to other diners. Amazing food, amazing service fantastic atmosphere and a brilliant afternoon !!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cedar Court Hotel Huddersfield Halifax; City: Ainley Top Huddersfield West Yorkshire England; Review: The only good point I can make about this was being able to listen to Evander Holyfield talk about his life and boxing. Service at the bars horrendous - two then ONE barman looking after a bar in a room with over 200 people. The worst food I have ever experienced in my life - Luke warm see through Tomato soup, followed by some kind of chicken (I think) - pudding unidentifiable and even though they brought the cream and mints to the table I am still waiting for the coffee !!! The service was horrendous - it was as though they had taken a classroom of school leavers and told them to wait on the tables. £69.50 per person - Cedar Court you should be ashamed !!!!!; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Travelodge Leeds Central; City: Leeds West Yorkshire England; Review: Very friendly staff especially Pat the evening receptionist and Louise? The day receptionist Great value for money and bar open until 4am Great location for a night out in Leeds Within walking distance of The Arena; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Carriacou Grand View; City: Carriacou Island Grenada; Review: First time back to Carriacou for five years so we decided to stay at The Grand View. Beautiful location, amazing views in a lovely self contained apartment. Owned and run by an amazing lady named Shirley for whom nothing is too much trouble. The girls who work there are very hard working but always, happy and friendly and willing to help with anything. Great breakfasts, when we didn't get round to doing our own, and we also had a couple of evening meals which were really lovely. Another plus point was fresh, clean white towels every day. Lovely place to stay and the pool just makes it complete. Thank you Shirley and team we will definitely be back !!; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: KAUAI - Silicone Wedding Rings -Leading Brand, from The Latest Artist Design Innovations to Leading-Edge; Brand: KAUAI; Review: This is a very comfortable nicely fitting ring. I work in a commercial kitchen and this is a great ring to have that doesn't clash with health regulations. I also work out with it on and have no issues when gripping the weight bars or working with free weights. My original wedding band which was metal, would sometimes pinch or make holding the weight bar awkward. Great product!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heavy Duty Silicone Wedding Ring THICKEST & Strongest Wedding Bands w/Unique Designs- for Our Toughest Customers- Easy Exchanges; Brand: ; Review: I love this ring. It is an unusual color (pattern), has a funky design and feels great when worn. I work in a commercial kitchen and like that I don't have to worry about this slipping off or breaking any health codes. Doesn't chafe while working out or playing racquetball. I look forward to many years of wearing this bad boy with pride!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: U.S. Divers Comfo Sport 2 mm Warm-Water Gloves; Brand: U.S. Divers; Review: These gloves are very durable and quality made. The sizing chart worked perfectly. I thought they were going to be to small when I put them on as they fit pretty tight but once I got in the water, they evened out and acting like a second skin. I was able to move about the rocks without fear of cutting myself. I use these for both snorkeling and diving. I wouldn't recommend them for cold water but for the Caribbean, they were dynamite!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rothco Medium Transport Pack; Brand: Rothco; Review: Really well made product. It has a lot of pockets for storage (various sizes) and is the perfect fit for using as a "personal" item for air travel, which is why I purchased it in the first place. One great feature are the multitude of straps crossing it. They may seem like a pain when you first get the pack because you have to loosen them to get each pocket fully open. However, once you've stuffed the pockets, you get those straps reset and no one is going to be able to steal out of them while you have it. It is a great anti-theft system. I don't know if that's why the straps are there but I'm thrilled they are with how much I'll be traveling. Do yourself a favor and get this if you need a good durable, well crafted pack. Remember, it is the perfect size for a personal carry-on so don't think its going to be a big pack.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mares Rash Guard Shorts - Mens for Scuba Diving, Snorkeling and Water Sports; Brand: Mares; Review: This is exactly what I was looking for. Great second skin for wearing under a wetsuit. The sizing was accurate and the price was outstanding; better than anywhere else I found online. This will hug you tight which really shows off any and all flaws but does what its supposed to. Mares makes a good solid product.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mares Shorts Sleeve Trilastic Rash Guard; Brand: Mares; Review: Man, did I panic when this arrived. I put it on and it was SO FRIGGING TIGHT!!! It really showed off my lack of exercise! I bought these for snorkeling as a rash guard AND for an undershirt for my wetsuit. Both applications work beautifully. Once you get in the water, the shirt becomes a comfortable second skin and you forget you are wearing it. Its definitely kept me from getting sunburned while snorkeling and warm while diving. Mares makes a quality product and I highly recommend it. The sizing chart was accurate even if it may not appear so when you put it on. You want it to cling; especially if diving.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kootek Hand Grip Strenghthener with 5 Resistance Levels ( 50-75-100-125-150 Lbs; Brand: Kootek; Review: This grip is comfortable and easy to handle. Although I haven't moved up yet in tensile strength, I did test it and it seems to work as advertised. The only reason I held off giving this 5 stars is because I haven't had the opportunity to advance it yet. Since I don't know if it'll wear out or simply break as I make it tougher to squeeze, I don't want to oversell this. However, as I do use it more, I will revisit this review and adjust it accordingly. Regardless, from my current use, I definitely recommend it. It is doing its job and doing it comfortably.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hip Holster for Taurus Millenium G2 PT111, PT140 with Underbarrel Laser Mounted on Gun; Brand: Federal Holsterworks; Review: This is the second holster I've purchased from these guys. The first was for a larger pistol. I was thrilled to discover they had one for my latest purchase. This holster is solidly constructed with durable, quality material. With the aid of a screwdriver, you can quickly and easily turn it from a right-handed set-up to a left-handed and back again. I love that there is a narrow pocket for an extra magazine. It is comfortable on the hip and smooth to unsnap and draw.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: BEZALEL Qi Wireless Charger Charging Receiver Patch Module for iPhone 5/5C/5S; Brand: BEZALEL; Review: I bought two it saves a lot plug and wires; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wireless Charger,Itian Qi Wireless Charging Pad K8 for Samsung Galaxy S7 S7 Edge S6 S6 Edge Note5 S6 Edge Plus(AC; Brand: Itian; Review: It's a good device and recommend; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: BEZALEL Qi Wireless Charging Receiver Phone Case Back Cover for iPhone 5 5S with Micro USB Interface; Brand: BEZALEL; Review: i got this one the cover was not glue with the back very well so you can see the coil but i did not care ,the bad part is i get this one is not certified and i do not get enough charging home or the car ,i like the one from Ebay for 9 but the problem in that one is the USB port break fast this one is stronger and you can charge it if you do not have qi charger from any micro usb which is cool; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Z-Edge 3221817 Triple Coil Qi Wireless Car Charger Dock for Qi-Enabled Devices; Brand: Z-EDGE; Review: cool device but no usb cable with it that is why i give it 4 stars; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Samsung 2800mAh OEM Battery for Galaxy S5, Black/Silver (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: Samsung; Review: Works great so far; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: iPhone 6 6S Ultimate Gadget 5-in-1 Qi Wireless Charging Receiver Apple Certified & Portable External Battery; Brand: Planet Rush; Review: So far so good and qi is great and heavy because of the battery never drop it so far so looks okay; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Cell_Phones_and_Accessories |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Hot Rod Garages; Author: Visit Amazon's Peter Vincent Page; Review: I gave this to my husband, an avid hot rod fan and collector. I was not sure about getting this for him as he has a lot of books but he loved it. He's read it from cover to cover and really liked the photos. Also, it was a good price. I had seen the book in our local book store and when I decided to return to purchase it, it had been sold. Since it was a couple of days before Christmas and I was strapped for a gift for him, I ordered it and it came just in the nick of time at a very reduced price from the price at the book store.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Shattering Conventions: Commerce, Cosplay and Conflict on the Expo Floor; Author: Visit Amazon's Bob Calhoun Page; Review: What a unique topic for a book. Calhoun's exploration into the world of unconventional conventions really is something to experience. I've been to many an expo/convention, including Comic Con, but these gatherings are way out there. I found myself laughing out loud at times, which I haven't done since reading King Dork. I hope Calhoun continues the quest and writes a sequel. Now that I know what's out there, I feel he's just scratched the surface. BTW, I'm a middle-aged retired school teacher, so this book is not just for people into cosplay (which I'd never heard of before reading this book).; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harbour Street; Author: Ann CLEEVES; Review: As always, a great read; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Naturally Sweet: Bake All Your Favorites with 30% to 50% Less Sugar (America's Test Kitchen); Author: Visit Amazon's America's Test Kitchen Page; Review: I love to bake. I love America's Test Kitchen. Problem is my husband has diabetes and I have to watch the sugar and carbs when baking. I hoped this book would be helpful. I love the idea of using less sugar and was excited to try this new way of baking. I'm very disappointed that the recipes are not diabetic friendly. Hopefully ATK will address this in a future book. Also I had a hard time finding Sucanat. It's not in any of the major supermarkets in my area, but found some at the local health food store.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Glass Room (Vera Stanhope); Author: Visit Amazon's Ann Cleeves Page; Review: Ann Cleeves always delivers; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Harvest Home; Author: Tryon; Review: One of the scariest books I have ever read! Great story line and builds to a spine-chilling ending that you don't see coming until it is too late.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Annie Leibovitz at Work; Author: Visit Amazon's Annie Leibovitz Page; Review: If you are a fan of Annie Leibovitz, this book is for you. Incredible photos, very well written with lots of details and facts about Annie. Love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Be the Vet (7 Dog + Cat Stories: Test Your Veterinary Knowledge); Author: Dr. Ed Blesy; Review: Great book for youngsters who are interested in animals or becoming a vet. Good information presented in a way that is easy to understand. The stories were ones that are often seen in pets so they were ones to which you could easily relate.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beneath the Mask of Sanity (The Bentley Books Book 1) eBook; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Phillips Page; Review: Full of scary suspense, chills and thrills! Had a hard time putting it down until the end.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Skinny Me (A New Start) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Charlene Carr Page; Review: I really liked this book. It delved in to the despair and anger that can lead to anorexia, bulimia, bingeing and purging. It was written in a style that was easy to understand and offered insight as to how a person can get caught up in the vicious cycle of these diseases. It also showed how easy it is for people to find others with the same disease, ready to reaffirm that these behaviors are normal and ok. I liked how the main character, once finally treated, understood her problem and wanted to do something proactive to help others like her. She also understood that this is a lifelong illness, not something that went away, never to come back. I think all young girls should read this! I was provided with a free copy of this book so I could leave an honest review.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Third Reich: A Layman's Guide; Author: Visit Amazon's Scott Addington Page; Review: I was provided a complimentary copy of this book so I was able to give an honest review. That being said, I really liked this book. It was easy to read and gave you enough information without being overwhelmed. The author even suggests books to read if you want a more in-depth book about the Third Reich. It was a great way to refresh one's memory.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: If You're Human Don't Open the Door: A Collection of Short Creature Horror - Kindle edition; Author: Visit Amazon's Jennifer-Crystal Johnson Page; Review: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I was hoping for a little more scare based on the title. The stories are short and easy to read. They all have elements of scare in them, but not enough for my taste. The horror is very easily seen and described in great detail so one does not have to use their imagination very much. If you enjoy having the terror right out there, this is for you! If you like to create a little more scare on your own, these stories may not be very scary at all.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: River Stalk; Author: Visit Amazon's Kay C. Burns Page; Review: Easy, enjoyable reading! The plot was fairly predictable, with a few surprises and twists and turns. The main character's quirk added a fun touch to the story, making it fun to watch her struggle throughout the story. Characters were colorful! The book makes for a nice afternoon read. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Picture Perfect: A Novel (Weddings by Design); Author: Visit Amazon's Janice Thompson Page; Review: This was an enjoyable, fun book to read. Although fairly predictable, it still had fun moments. I enjoyed the characters, they were believable and down to earth. If you enjoy a true romance and like following it as it unfolds throughout the story, this is for you!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Anguish: A Blacklick Valley Mystery (The Blacklick Valley Mystery Series) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's Donna Cummins Page; Review: This was given to me as a complimentary copy so I could leave an honest review. I couldn't put this book down! It had a very suspenseful storyline that was quite easy to become involved in so that you had to keep reading. There were a few interesting side stories with the main characters that added to the intrigue of the book. After finishing this book, I wish I would have read the other books in the Blacklick Valley Mystery series first, as there were several references to what happened in previous books. And the other books sound really good based on these references! If you have the chance to read them sequentially, I would definitely recommend it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Seven Patients; Author: Visit Amazon's Atul Kumar Page; Review: East style to read. Enjoyed the use of medical terms in conjunction with the different patients. Doubt it is a true story as the last one is a little too unbelievable but still a fun and quick read.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Slenderman (Emma Frost Mystery) (Volume 9); Author: Visit Amazon's Willow Rose Page; Review: This has a really good story line, with an ending that I did not see coming. I enjoy the style in which Willow Rose writes. It is easy to read, and spot on.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Perfect People; Author: Visit Amazon's Peter James Page; Review: The premise of this book is a really great story. It is filled with suspense and intrigue, keeps you from putting it down. And the ending, wow is all I can say!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: West Bend 58002 12-42 Cup Automatic Party Perk Coffee Commercial Polished Urn, Stainless Steel; Brand: West Bend; Review: Needed for a church. Works great. Clean up is a sinch and the price was great!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Boy Scouts Kurt Adler Glass Logo Ornament; Brand: Boy Scouts; Review: The picture is much better than the ornament I received. I bought it for an Eagle Scout ceremony gift and was disappointed. It was no where near nice enough for that. Couldn't even see the eagle on it.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: InterDesign Una - Toilet Bowl Brush and Plunger Holder for Bathroom Storage - White - 6.5 x 7 inches; Brand: InterDesign; Review: Does not fit the plunger I intended to store in there. Useless to me.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Sorbus Wall Mount Wine/Towel Rack (Holds 6 Bottles); Brand: Sorbus; Review: I'm using this for towels in the bathroom and it works great. Love it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Westclox 32886 Woodgrain Clock; Brand: Westclox; Review: Too big to hang where I wanted. Returned.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Ikea Clock Decorative Alarm Battery Operated 3"; Brand: IKEA; Review: Perfect size to sit on a shelf in my bathroom! And I can use it when I travel as well if necessary. Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Collections Etc Natural Stone Room Humidifiers - Set Of 2; Brand: Collections Etc; Review: These seem to work great. Just can't tell how much they help. Bought these for my son's bedroom as he has been experiencing nosebleeds during the night.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kurt Adler Boy Scouts Of America Shirt With Sash Ornament; Brand: Kurt Adler; Review: Love it so much that I bought a second one for my own son who is currently finishing up his Eagle project. Ornaments are a unique gift that I find not too many people give, so I was glad to find something that worked so perfectly!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Microfiber Rocking Chair Cushion Set by OakRidge ComfortsTM; Brand: Fox Valley Traders; Review: It's okay. Nothing great, but it will work for now. The shape of the seat cushion is rectangular and the chair is not deep enough so it hangs over the front of the chair. I hoped the cushion would have been more rounded.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Hydro Flask Double Wall Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle/Travel Coffee; Brand: Hydro Flask; Review: I have several different containers for moving hot drinks around, and this is far and away the best of the bunch. Key features: - The double-wall vacuum insulation works as advertised: my coffee stays hot for hours. - The cap incorporates a high-quality silicone ring that ensures it won't dribble, even when lying on its side. - Said cap likewise latches audibly both when open and closed. I don't have to worry that I didn't quite press it down all the way. Heartily recommended.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Flying Fisherman San Jose Polarized Sunglasses (Copper Frame, Amber Lenses); Brand: Flying Fisherman; Review: I tried a couple of different pairs of low-cost sunglasses, mainly for the purpose of cutting the glare while driving; these were far and away the nicest of the bunch. The metal frame feels solid but light, and the spring hinges contain just the right amount of tension. There are no crude screws holding the lenses in place, hidden from the people around you by resting fractions of an inch from your skin, and the lenses themselves produce no obvious distortion. Unless said lenses prove far more prone to scratching than currently seem to be the case, I will hang on to these for a while; should I lose them, Ill be quick to grab another pair. They were dinged a star only because the nosepieces were slightly bent upon arrival, and I had to carefully, nervously twist them back into place with a pair of pliers.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp; Brand: Black Diamond; Review: Ive been putting this headlamp through the literal paces every night for the last month and a half; it has yet to let me down. Key points: - It has a fully-adjustable range: hold down the top front button to cycle from a personal spotlight to a gentle glow just above full-moon light. - A capacitive switch on the right side of the front button lets you instantly jump from your selected brightness to maximum, and back. (This is extremely useful when a dim light is all you need to see the sidewalk, but you want to make sure you're impossible to miss while crossing the street.) - The rear-facing red strobe can be toggled with its own switch. My only quibble: the green charging LED is, in my opinion, brighter than strictly necessary bright enough that I set the unit down on my nightstand when I get home, but don't plug it into the charger until the morning. (Or the early evening. It charges quickly enough that my occasional forgetfulness isn't an issue.) That one little quirk aside, its a great unit, and Id buy it again in a heartbeat.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Osprey Magnetic Bite Valve; Brand: Osprey; Review: I absolutely love this valve. A simple twist to align it with the tube locks it: twisting it to form a right angle with the tube unlocks it. Unlike the CamelBak valve that preceded it, its hard to press into an accidental leak even when unlocked. The circular ridge inset in the silicone lets me hold it firmly with my front teeth, hands-free, while I drink my fill. Having cut my tube to a custom length, all I have to do when Im done drinking is let it go: it falls back into line with my shoulder, and the magnet pulls it into place on the strap with a gratifying SNAP. Until someone comes up with a better design, this is my bite valve of choice.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: CamelBak Chute Vacuum Insulated Stainless Water Bottle; Brand: CamelBak; Review: I have, over the years, acquired more CamelBak gear than Im entirely comfortable admitting, and while Im happy with all of it, this bottle has leapt ahead of all the others to become the leader of the pack. Theres something strangely gratifying about picking up a bottle thats been sitting in the sunlight, feeling how its skin has become warm to the touch, and realizing with the first sip that the water inside it is still ice-cold. The complete lack of condensation on its elegant matte surface is just a bonus.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: La sangre del Olimpo (Los Héroes del Olimpo, #5); Author: Rick Riordan; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Gracias a los Dioses, tengo tanto sentimientos encontrados, sin duda es la mejor saga que he leido en mi vida, gracias a los Olimpicos por poner en mi librero un libro extrano <>, pero con el tiempo termine fascinado con el sarcasmo de Percy y todos los demas semidioses.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La cura mortal (Maze Runner, #3); Author: James Dashner; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Solo se me ocurre una palabra para describir este libro, sufrimiento. Si eres fanatico de la saga es lo que te vas a encontrar en este libro. Aun no puedo superar el final.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave, #1); Author: Rick Yancey; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: ** spoiler alert ** No me ha gustado para nada, fue muy dificil terminar este libro, para mi la historia va muy lenta y no ocurre nada sorprendente, la verdad tenia las expectativas muy altas, gracias a toda la publicidad que tiene la pelicula. Cuando Cassie alla ha Sammy pense que el momento iba ha estar lleno de accion, otra cosa que me disgusto son los <> el concepto de esos aliens me parecio muy pobre, me dejo con tantas dudas, probablemente no continue con la saga; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Si decido quedarme (Si decido quedarme, #1); Author: Gayle Forman; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Me ah gustado mucho este libro, sin duda es un estilo de historia que no habia leido, te atrapa desde la primera pagina, y sin duda la historia mejora mucho si escuchas a Yo-Yo Ma o cada cancion que es mencionada.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Turbo Desafiante 1: Los Devastadores Ocultos (Turbo Desafiante #1); Author: Dono Sanchez Almara; Genres: paranormal, graphic, comics, fantasy; Review: Soy nuevo en el mundo de los Comics, pero me parecio muy bueno, las ilustraciones estan muy bien manejadas, el personaje de Lucas es muy divertido, sin duda quiero leer el segundo volumen; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ven; Author: Janne Teller; Genres: history, mystery, thriller, crime, biography, historical fiction, non-fiction, fiction; Review: Me a encantado, antes de leer <> ya habia leido <> ambos son libros tan llenos de ensenanzas, le puse 4 estrellas por que siento que para los jovenes lectores este libro les parecera muy pensado y tedioso, pero a mi a fascinado, me muero de ganas por leer <>.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: La Loca, Loca Busqueda Del Tesoro; Author: Megan McDonald; Genres: children, young-adult, fiction; Review: Te ensena una importante leccion que muchos de nosotros no practicamos, es un libro infantil, tengo 18 anos y lo lei y me ha gustado bastante; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Los ojos del perro siberiano; Author: Antonio Santa Ana; Genres: children, young-adult, fiction; Review: Hermoso libro, sea ganado un lugar entre mis favoritos. Tengo sentimientos encontrados. No encuentro las palabras para describir este libro.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Memoria de mis putas tristes; Author: Gabriel Garcia Marquez; Genres: history, biography, historical fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Muy interesante la lectura; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: El abominable hombre de las nieves en Pasadena (Escalofríos, #34); Author: R.L. Stine; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Muy buen libro, R.L. Stine es el mejor escritor de terror, para ninos y no tan ninos; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Legend (Legend, #1); Author: Marie Lu; Genres: young-adult, romance, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Ahora entiendo por que les ha gustado este libro a miles de personas. Me a encantado esta primera entrega. Hace tiempo que no habia leido un libro que me hiciera gritar de la emocio, maldecir, ponerme nervioso, odiar a personajes, metaforicamente entrar a ese mundo que se describe en el libro, sin duda este libro lo ha logrado, ah hecho que yo experimente cada una de las emociones ya dichas. Es sin duda uno de los mejores (o el mejor) que el leido en lo que va de este ano. Sin duda me declaro fan de esta saga y espero continuarla pronto.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children, #1); Author: Ransom Riggs; Genres: history, young-adult, romance, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Mola bastante. Sin duda alguna es un libro con una historia muy adictiva. En esta primera entrega de una trilogia, leemos la vida de Jacob, el pensaba que su vida seria de los mas ordinaria y asi era, su vida estuvo llena de historias de ninos que volaban, que tenian super fuerza, etc, estas historias se las narraba su abuelo, el estuvo encargado de que la infancia de Jacob estuviera llena de magia, conforme Jacob empezo a crecer se dio cuenta que las historias de su abuelo eran "falsas", pero todo cambia cuando una tarde, el abuelo fue asesinado por unos "perros salvajes", a partir de ahi la vida de Jacob dara un giro radical. La historia esta muy bien relatada, y sin duda alguna mejora la experiencia con las fotografias vintage. Desde mi punto de vista la historia no nos llegara a aburrir. Sin duda es una nueva forma de experiencia lectora. PD: ?saben si los otros dos libros ya estan en espanol o si saldran en dicho idioma?.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Prodigy (Legend, #2); Author: Marie Lu; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Sin duda alguna, este libro mantiene la firmeza de Legend, me gusto que la autora profundizara mas en los personajes. Hay unas cuantas cosas que no me gustaron, pero lo perdone, ya que lo que paso en la recta final fue muy bueno y emocionante. Pronto hare una resena mas detallada.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: La Academia; Author: Amelia Drake; Genres: paranormal, children, fantasy, young-adult; Review: Al principio tenia muy buena pinta, pero como iba avanzando la historia se volvio muy plana, y perdio sentido en algunas partes, ademas es un tanto predecible, ademas falto profundizar en los personajes. Siento que la historia puede mejorar en el segundo libro, pero ya veremos. Resena mas a fondo pronto en mi blog.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: El primer libro de los sueños (Silber, #1); Author: Kerstin Gier; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: Hay que aclarar que este libro lo compre solo por la portada y estoy feliz de haberlo hecho, la historia me a gustado de principio a fin y muy entretenida, sin duda alguna es una lectura muy amena, ya que la autora supo trabajar muy a los personajes, y de echo, es de los pocos libros que no termino odiando a alguno de los personajes. En lo personal me gustaron na forma de actuar de casa uno de ellos, siento que sus dialogos no fueron forzados, y en ocasiones me saco carcajadas el comportamiento de Liv y Florence.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: El color que cayó del cielo; Author: H.P. Lovecraft; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Es una historia muy corta, pero esta llena de misterio y terror. No hay mucho para resenar, pero sin duda es un libro que debes de leer, si te gusta el genero de misterio y terror.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Steelheart (The Reckoners, #1); Author: Brandon Sanderson; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: !Por los nomos! Esta historia te atrapa desde el prologo, esta llena de accion ademas que giros hubo en la historia, realmente no me los esperaba.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Firefight (The Reckoners, #2); Author: Brandon Sanderson; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: A!NecesitA3 el tercer libro ya!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: El método 15/33; Author: Shannon Kirk; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, fiction; Review: SentA muy simple la historia, esperaba mA!s de A(c)ste libro.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Zero; Author: Morgan Dark; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Sinceramente iba ciegas con la trama de este libro. Es una historia muy original y refrescante, la autora tiene una forma tan fluida de escribir, que avanzas muy rapido con la lectura. Yo leia este libro y sacaba mis sospechas, pero todo lo que supuse se fue al cano. Te recomiendo que le des una oportunidad.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Doble Zero; Author: Morgan Dark; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, romance, mystery; Review: Me gusto, pero no tanto como la primera parte, eso sA, aAon mantiene su principal esencia: el misterio.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Wishing Spell (The Land of Stories, #1); Author: Chris Colfer; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Este libro me ha encantado, me hizo llorar, reir y llorar. Yo creci con cuentos de hadas, Peter Pan, etc. Este autor supo crear un mundo donde todos los protagonistas de cuentos de hadas vivieran, y fue muy bonito leer sobre, Cenicienta, Jack y Risitos de Oro. Me gusto como incluyeron a los hermanos Grim en este mundo.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Los niños de cristal; Author: Kristina Ohlsson; Genres: young-adult, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Es mi primer lectura de una escritora sueca, y debo decir que me gusto, la forma en que la historia esta narrada es muy ligera de leer, tuve problemas para pronunciar los nombre de los apellidos y de las ciudades, pero de ahi en fuera todo fue muy ameno. Espero leer mas libros de esta autora.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Uno siempre cambia al amor de su vida; Author: Amalia Andrade Arango; Genres: young-adult, comics, graphic, non-fiction, romance; Review: Jajaja, no se que decir, este libro logra sacarte una sonrisa a pesar de que tengas el corazon roto. La pase muy bien leyendo este libro.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Esta noche las calles son nuestras; Author: Leila Sales; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Una historia como pocas. Hay algunas cosas que no me convencieron, pero el final estuvo bien, no fue la cosa mas genial, pero me gusto.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: La Panadería Encantada; Author: Byeong-mo Gu; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, young-adult; Review: Una historia entretenida, pero eso es todo.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: El Fuego Secreto (Las Crónicas del Alquimista #1); Author: C.J. Daugherty; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery; Review: Me gusto, el final me dejo con intriga por saber que es lo que les espera a Taylor y Sacha. Y me gusto que el libro tratara de brujas de una forma indirecta.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Maze Runner: Correr o morir (Maze Runner, #1); Author: James Dashner; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Chuck!!!!!!!!!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles, #1); Author: Marissa Meyer; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Una historia reveladora, misteriosa, con ligeros toques de romance, es adictiva y muy buena reinterpretacion del cuento de Cenicienta.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: El chico de las estrellas; Author: Chris Pueyo; Genres: young-adult, non-fiction, romance, fiction; Review: Magica. Impresionante. Conmovedora. Es una libro cargado de ensenanzas, donde el autor nos sumerge con palabras magicas a lo que fue su vida y su auto descubrimiento.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: No Place Like Oz (Dorothy Must Die, #0.1); Author: Danielle Paige; Genres: paranormal, fiction, fantasy, young-adult; Review: Es fundamental leer este libro antes que que Dorothy Must Die, es una lectura un poco lenta, pero como vamos avanzando en la lectura, esta se va volviendo mas fluida y amena, pronto tendran una resena mas detalla y dando ahora si mi opinion.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Wink Poppy Midnight; Author: April Genevieve Tucholke; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Una historia llenada de suspense y escrita de una muy peculiar forma, proximamente habra resena.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Entre el demonio y el profundo mar azul (Between, #1); Author: April Genevieve Tucholke; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: *4.5* Una historia lenta, pero el final lo compensa todo.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Scorch Trials (Maze Runner, #2); Author: James Dashner; Genres: young-adult, romance, thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Sorprendente en muchas formas.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: El campamento del lago maldito (Goosebumps, #56); Author: R.L. Stine; Genres: young-adult, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Una historia peculiar, y con una trama original. Y me gusto el final... P.D.: Ya sali de mi bloqueo de lector :); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: 11,4 sueños luz; Author: Nicholas Avedon; Genres: fiction; Review: Una historia interesante, pero cabe recalcar que el principio fue un poco lento, pero a pesar de eso puede llegar a sorprender a mas de un lector, por la complejidad del mundo que escritor nos maneja. Pronto tendran la resena mas a fondo. Denle una oportunidad, no se arrepentiran. Resena completa: [url]...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Por trece razones; Author: Jay Asher; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Una novela muy, muy buena. Nos deja un mensaje claro; todo lo que hacemos tiene repercusion en los demas, ya sea bueno ho malo. Es una de esas novelas que todo el mundo deberia leer, sin importar la edad. Pronto Resena completa.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La reina impostora (La reina impostora, #1); Author: Sarah Fine; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: Una historia atrapante, y mA!gica. EstA! llena de emociones. Sin duda muy recomendable.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Cut Me Free; Author: J.R. Johansson; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, crime, romance, fiction; Review: No me gusto. Ni me disgusto. La historia se me hizo entretenida, pero le falto mas accion, ya que esta novela se presta para ser adictiva, llena de suspense. En general, es una buena novela, ideal para pasar el rato. Pronto les dare mi opinion completa. (Mi primer libro leido en el ano); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Robinson Crusoe; Author: Daniel Defoe; Genres: history, young-adult, children, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fantasy, fiction; Review: Una historia absolutamente llena de aventuras y de una muy buena enseA+-anza.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Al calor del verano; Author: John Katzenbach; Genres: mystery, thriller, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: 3.5 Una historia sencilla, con un misterio simple y un final predecible.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Me Haces Feliz; Author: An Swerts; Genres: romance; Review: (4.5 ) <>, es una historia corta, con unas ilustraciones maravillosas, la historia es muy bonita, pero sencilla, cabe recalcar que este libro es para ninos. ?Y a ti, que te hace feliz?; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Trollhunters (Trollhunters, #1); Author: Guillermo del Toro; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, romance, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Un libro muy entretenido, pero puede llegar a aburrir a mas de uno, ya que el ritmo con el cual se desarrolla la historia es muy lento.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: La joya (La ciudad solitaria, #1); Author: Amy Ewing; Genres: young-adult, romance, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: El final fue de aquellos que te dejan sin palabras; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La tierra de las historias. El regreso de la hechicera; Author: Chris Colfer; Genres: young-adult, mystery, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Simplemente genial.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Historia del futuro según Glory O'Brien; Author: A.S. King; Genres: paranormal, fantasy, young-adult, fiction; Review: ** spoiler alert ** Al principio la historia pintaba para ser entretenida, pero conforme iba avanzando, la historia seguia el mismo ritmo. La idea del libro esta bien pensada, pero la autora no le supo dar un rumbo fijo, el personaje de Glory lo comprendi de dos formas, al principio se quiere suicidar, y rumbo al final misteriosamente esa idea de espuma y ahora ha echo las paces con la vida, su relacion con su amiga, tambien tuvo una evolucion del tipo te odio al principio-pero al final no quiero que te vayas. Lo unico que puedo rescatar de este libro es que tiene buenas frases.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Black Key (The Lone City, #3); Author: Amy Ewing; Genres: young-adult, paranormal, fantasy, romance, fiction; Review: ** spoiler alert ** Para ser el cierre de esta trilogAa le faltA3 mA!s suspense, pero con lo que estA! en el libro me basto, hubo momentos en lo que no pude parar de gritarle a Violet (como si me fuera escuchar), desde mi punto de vista le faltA3 mA!s muerte, de personajes importantes, como podrAa ser la de Ash, Sil, Hazel, o inclusive la de Raven ya que asA le da un tomo mA!s triste al final, ya que el final que tuvo fue de cuentos de Hadas. Pero a pesar de eso me gusto, tiene unas escenas muy buenas que valen la pena leerse con calma.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: El final de nuestra historia; Author: Meg Haston; Genres: young-adult, thriller, crime, fiction, romance, mystery; Review: Una idea bien trabajada. El desarrollo es muy lento, los personajes muy interesantes, sufren una metamorfosis muy interesante de leer cada unos de ellos.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: El libro de los muertos (TombQuest, #1); Author: Michael Northrop; Genres: history, young-adult, thriller, children, crime, paranormal, biography, historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Una historia que hubiese disfrutado mucho mas siendo un poco mas joven, pero aun asi la disfrute. El personaje de Alex tiene mucha influencia por Indiana Jones, y Ren sirve de dos formas, para dar humor y es la fiel acompanante de Alex, y es por eso que espero que el los siguientes titulos de la saga ella libere su potencial. Sobre la mitologia en si, le falta mucho, pero mucho, aunque cabe la posibilidad de que mejore mas. En pocas palabras en un historia entretenida, facil de leer y divertida. [?][?][?].5; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: ¿Alex, quizás?; Author: Jenn Bennett; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: ** spoiler alert ** Les juro que este libro me saco unas carcajadas grandes, y eso que no es comedia, es que senti muy falso el libro, no me trasmitio nada, los personajes vacios, dialogos predecibles, al igual que las acciones de cada uno de ellos. ?Y en serio alguien va a creer la relacion entre Bailey (Mink) y Poter (Alex)? Ademas todo se repetia de diferente forma, la linea que sigue es facil, pasa algo bueno, pasa algo malo, pasa algo mas bueno, pasa algo mas malo. Mi calificacion real es de [?].5; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: La lógica inexplicable de mi vida; Author: Benjamin Alire Saenz; Genres: romance, young-adult, fiction; Review: ** spoiler alert ** Es el primer libro que leo de este autor y estoy enamorado de la manera que escribe. En cuatrocientas y tantas paginas nos hace reflexionar sobre nuestros miedos, nos ensena a superar el Cancer, y sobre nos ensena como es la relacion entre padre he hijo. Me fascino porque toca temas "cotidianos" pero de una forma muy elegante. Los personajes estan bien construidos, a lo mejor puede que en algunos no profundizo en sus emociones, pero aun asi todos son agradables de leer. NO ME GUSTO el hecho de que nos encarina con algunos personajes para despues matarlos, como Mima la abuela de Salvador.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Nunca digas siempre; Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout; Genres: fiction, young-adult, romance; Review: Una novela sobre el maltrato infantil y sus efectos a largo plazo. Es acogedor leer esta novela. Es una lectura ligera, pero en la que estA! escrita no me convence del todo. gY~!; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: El misterio de los árbitros dormidos (Los Futbolísimos, #1); Author: Roberto Santiago; Genres: children; Review: Una historia simple, sobre amigos y un partido de Soccer. Con unas ilustraciones muy agradables a la vista.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Los gatos de Ulthar; Author: H.P. Lovecraft; Genres: thriller, poetry, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Excelente historia cortadY'*; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Polaris; Author: H.P. Lovecraft; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Creo que este es el Aonico relato de los que he leAdo de Lovecraft, que no me termina de convencer.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dagon; Author: H.P. Lovecraft; Genres: thriller, crime, paranormal, fiction, fantasy, mystery; Review: Excelente relato corto :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Confesiones de un amigo imaginario; Author: Michelle Cuevas; Genres: young-adult, children, paranormal, fantasy, fiction; Review: Si, me gusto el libro. Es un libro muy sencillo, pero en ello se encuentra lo magico. Me agrado el viaje "espiritual" que hizo el amigo imaginario, pie alguna extrana razon este libro me recuerda a la pelicula, la razon de estar contigo.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | goodreads |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Geyserville Inn; City: Geyserville Sonoma County California; Review: We happened upon Geyserville Inn by chance after blazing through the Napa Valley. A pleasant staff greeted us, and made us comfortable immediately. They recommended Catelli's restaurant, and it was tasty and fun. We welcomed a quiet restful night.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bide A Wee Inn Cottages; City: Pacific Grove Monterey County California; Review: We were a little apprehensive about the Bide-A-Wee name and its competitive pricing, but what a pleasant surprise. A quiet one bedroom, if small, had all the amenities that were requested. Included was a friendly attentive staff. The garden and lawn areas were wonderful treats where we could enjoy the sun and relax after chasing around the many tourist attractions around the Monterey Peninsula. A great value. We will go back to stay there again without hesitation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Bellevue Downtown Seattle; City: Bellevue Washington; Review: What a pleasant surprise: Excellent service; great breakfast; clean and nicely appointed room. We visit friends regularly in the area and will make the Hampton our regular home base. Special thanks to Kevin and Stephanie.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Extended Stay America Olympia Tumwater; City: Tumwater Washington; Review: Price is average.Had to sign all kinds of papers, even my wife. It's obvious that the business model is to reduce pilferage, but as a seasoned traveler, i was taken aback when we had to ask for any simple utensils for the kitchenette. Did not feel as clean as should be expected. Building was up to current codes for safety, but we didn't feet that they spent any extra dollar for decor.and comfort. This was not a place to stay for a couple of nights, it truly is an extended stay venue.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Embassy Inn; City: Victoria Victoria Capital Regional District Vancouver Island British Columb; Review: Great location for visiting Victoria. Quiet and clean. An easy walk to the inner harbor and the downtown shopping. The museum is a short couple of blocks. Wonderful full complimentary breakfast in the morning in a restaurant like setting. It's three blocks to the Black Ball Ferry in the morning.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Arrested Development: Season 3; Brand: Jason Bateman; Review: The only bad thing about Arrested Development is that it's over. It is the best show ever. People who don't get that don't get it for one reason. They haven't watched from the first episode. It's a smart show that you need to see from the beginning. Best show ever!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Peppa Pig: Flying A Kite; Brand: Peppa Pig; Review: I bought this to watch on my Roku. I paid for the whole season because my kids are big Peppa fans. But a couple of weeks later, it had vanished completely. I guess amazon removed it? I don't know. All I know is that I bought a whole season, my kids watched two episodes, and now it's gone. Total rip off.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: A Christmas Story VHS; Brand: Peter Billingsley; Review: Definitely the best Christmas movie. It doesn't get better than this! It's loved by every member of my family from age 3 to age 85, including teens, young adults, parents, and elementary aged kids. Can't beat it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Meet the Phonics - Digraphs; Brand: Animation; Review: My four year old got this recently. He's a new reader and needs help remembering digraphs. He watched this and learned from it, but it was really boring. I doubt he'll want to see it again.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Meet the Phonics - Blends; Brand: Animation; Review: My 4 year old got this recently. He's a new reader and needs some help remembering blends. He watched this and it did help, but it was really boring. I doubt he'll ask to see it again, though he may pay attention if I stick it in while he's playing. It's just okay.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Movies_and_TV |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Centro Barsha; City: Dubai Emirate of Dubai; Review: The first was purely a business trip. My wife stayed for part of the second visit. The hotel is fine as a base. My deal included an evening meal. I was a little wary of this as each evening apart from Saturday was a themed buffet - Asian night, Italian night, etc. However, every meal was good with plenty of choice. My only two minor issues with the hotel were that the piped music was a bit intrusive at times. This is a common gripe of mine that everywhere you stay they feel you need some background noise - you don't. The second issue is that the nicest place to stay to have a drink is by the pool and although that stays open until 10pm you couldn't get a drink there after 9.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Le M Honfleur; City: Honfleur Calvados Basse Normandie Normandy; Review: Hotel room is not grand but meets our needs. The shower could be better as there is no screen but manageable. It's a walk into the town but good to work off all the food we have been eating. There is a pool which also helps. At a certain time it fills up with families but I remember doing that trying to tire my children out of an evening.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Millennium Plaza Hotel Dubai; City: Dubai Emirate of Dubai; Review: To be positive the hotel is close to the metro- it's right outside the front door. The room I had enjoyed an excellent view and it was a large one. However, the hotel was booked by my company who forgot to include breakfast. When I asked the reception said I could have a special rate which was fine but only if I paid, which meant I have to claim for it subsequently but also meant I had less on my credit card to spend while in Dubai. Obviously my company preferred this. The hotel is also dry - no alcohol- which would be ok but the only decent food in the area where you can get a drink is in other hotels which may also be dry. The plaza is also surrounded by absolutely every fast food joint you could think of. At the start of my second week I seemed to have lost access to free wifi in my room- the implication was I had to pay from the log in screen. It took three calls to sort it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Landarte; City: Zumaia Province of Guipuzcoa Basque Country; Review: On a positive front the house and rooms are very artistically decorated and the breakfast was lovely and filling. However, we did not find the owner very helpful or affable. At one point he told us off for talking with other guests in a communal area - in case we woke others - at 9.30 in the morning? We also felt that given there was no evening meal on offer the location of the house wasn't very good. To go out to dinner one of us had to drive or we had to walk all the way into town and back up the hill to get back. This wasn't great as we had been walking all day. Zumaia itself isn't very attractive especially after the other parts of Northern Spain that we had visited. We preferred Getaria.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Posada del Valle; City: Arriondas Parres Municipality Asturias; Review: We enjoyed a three night stay at the Posada. The food was excellent and welcome after some long and tiring walks. The staff were helpful and knowledgeable about the area making suggestions of where to visit whatever the weather conditions.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Halifax Hall; City: Sheffield South Yorkshire England; Review: Spent a short weekend in Sheffield staying at Halifax Hall. It is in an interesting setting among various University student halls - it used to be a hall of residence. The staff were very helpful - I left a jumper in the room and they posted it to me- they also showed you to your room. The room was OK although there were no in-room coffee/tea making facilities - you had to use a machine in the corridor and the first time I wanted to get some coffee it had broken down so I had to go to another floor. I was also disappointed with the choice and quality of the breakfast - there was no black pudding/haggis although it was on the menu and the eggs had clearly been on a hotplate for some time and as a result were fairly dried up.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Nhat Ha 3 Hotel; City: Ho Chi Minh City; Review: We had a reasonable time in the Nhat Ha 3 hotel. Our agents had warned us about the local building work but it wasn't intrusive and you could have a pleasant swim in the rooftop pool. However, the ghastly music played in the restaurant was far too intrusive. The daily free beer and coffee were a definite plus. That said the breakfast coffee was the poorest we had tasted in Vietnam- too weak! Our feeling generally was that the hotel was directed at business people especially men. In particular the sauna was men only which is a bit odd in this day and age.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Iso Syote; City: Iso Syote Lapland; Review: Spent 4 days in a log cabin at Syote. The hope was that we would see the Northern lights but unfortunately it never happened. However, we had an enjoyable few days with many new experiences. Snowmobiling was definitely something we hadn’t done before. It was a lot bumpier than I expected but quite exhilarating once we got used to it. As a couple we enjoyed the Husky sledding more. Once you get over the fact that the dogs go to the toilet on the run, the joy of being pulled along in almost dead silence through stunning scenery is wonderful. The dogs seem to enjoy the activity but it was really noticeable how they sped up once they were near home. The log cabin was comfortable and the food in the hotel excellent. We also made good use of the sauna and swimming pool. My one gripe was that the times of our trips were changed from our original booking. In fact we missed our planned husky sledding trip as a result. However, the hotel managed to sort out a later trip without any extra costs. The staff were very helpful with this and were generally very friendly.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: La Llave de la Juderia; City: Cordoba Province of Cordoba Andalucia; Review: The hotel is ideally situated in the old Jewish Quarter close to the Mezquita. We were welcomed by a glass of the local wine/sherry and the very friendly and helpful manager. The room was smaller than the one we had in Seville but perfectly adequate and equipped. As we had a bus to catch on our final morning we breakfasted in the hotel and afterwards agreed that we should have had both our breakfasts there as it was very good. Again the manager was extremely helpful making excellent suggestions for local restaurants and booking the taxi to take is the bus station.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Casa Morisca; City: Granada Province of Granada Andalucia; Review: This is a very nice hotel a short, uphill walk, to the Alhambra. It is close to the old Moorish town and some good restaurants. The rooms were nicely equipped and perfectly adequate for our needs. My only criticisms were that we had to pay for water from the minibar and there was no welcoming drink as in other places we visited. Otherwise, the staff were very friendly and helpful. The breakfast was reasonable and filling.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hospes Las Casas del Rey de Baeza Sevilla; City: Seville Province of Seville Andalucia; Review: This is a very pretty hotel handily located about 20 minutes walk from the main sites in Seville, the Cathedral and the Alkazar. The rooms we stayed in were, if anything, a bit over the top, with enormous beds. We stayed for two nights at the start of our round trip and one night on our return. The second room we stayed in had a sitting room which felt a little over luxurious. Nevertheless they were comfortable and generally clean although I did spot a cockroach in our room at one point. The hotel has a small pool on the rooftop which helped cool down after a long day sightseeing. It was also nice to relax there reading before catching our flight back. The staff were extremely helpful and friendly. As part of our deal we got a 15 minutes free massage which my wife enjoyed. The welcoming drinks were also appreciated.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Alfama Lounge Suites; City: Lisbon Lisbon District Central Portugal; Review: Stayed at the alfama lounge suites for six nights. As a base for visiting Lisbon it is ideally placed for the old town area of Alfama. The room had everything we needed and the staff were helpful and friendly. We did not have breakfast preferring the Copenhagen coffee shop next door. You need to be ready to walk up and down hills if staying here. Also, our room faced the front and therefore we heard the trams that run right outside the door but to be fair we quickly acclimatised to their rumbling. The only other downside was that there was a large beam in the room which you had to avoid to not bang your head. Fortunately (or purposely) the bed was low and my wife is short.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: sofsy Soft-Touch Rayon Blend Tie Front Nursing Top Maternity Fashion Top; Brand: ; Review: Cute style, but makes you sweat easily and runs large. You can see my bra through the back.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: FUNOC 6PCS of Toddler Infant Kids Children Soft Cute Lovely Knit Hat Beanies Cap; Brand: FUNOC; Review: Might fit your 7 yr old... not toddler.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: sofsy Soft-Touch Rayon Blend Tie Front Nursing Top Maternity Fashion Top; Brand: ; Review: Cute style, but makes you sweat easily and runs large. You can see my bra through the back.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: TeeHee (Naartjie) Kids Boys Fashion Fun Cotton Crew Socks 6 Pair Pack; Brand: TeeHee Kids; Review: These are absolutely adorable. The colors are just as pictured. The only thing I would change is adding just a little bit more traction to the bottom.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Goozler Best. Dad. Ever. Funny Father's Day Unisex T-Shirt; Brand: The Goozler; Review: I ordered an XL and it was somewhat big, but not crazy big. Made of nice material and looks just like the picture!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Reebok Boys' Performance Sport Short; Brand: ; Review: Material is like swim shorts.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Colton Inn; City: Monterey Monterey County California; Review: We got rooms with a connecting door so we could be together. Our daughter, her husband and baby were in the next room. The rooms are spacious and clean. We have stayed there often when we go to Monterey and are always happy with the service. There is free parking and breakfast on a lovely terrace overlooking a stream and trees. Great off the beaten path location and walking to town. Rooms have small refrigerator and microwave. There is an ice machine downstairs; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Palace Hotel Port Townsend; City: Port Townsend Washington; Review: This is a very fun place to stay in Port Townsend. We have stayed there twice and have had very enjoyable stays. Surrounding restaurants are very good and the outdoor patios are fun in the summer months. The hotel was HOT in August. There is no air conditioning and the windows do not open. They do provide fans. The hair dryers are available at the front desk and are not good ones. The bathrooms have no counter for bath equipment. A shelf would be a good addition. Each room is different and well decorated in antiques. There is no elevator and the rooms are on the second and third floors. The ferries are near by and the front desk helpful in getting on them. Wonderful town and fun to walk around to see the old Victorian houses. Parking is free and near the hotel. I recommend staying at this hotel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Homewood Suites by Hilton Fresno; City: Fresno California; Review: We were so pleased to see this room. We had been driving all day and walked in to a beautiful suite. We went out and bought food and came back to enjoy the room. It had a full kitchen and with plates and tools. In general, we can highly recommend this hotel.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Tahoe Truckee; City: Truckee Lake Tahoe California California; Review: We were here for a meeting. The conference room facilities were great and the rooms upstairs were very comfortable. A hot breakfast was included. Staff was very warm and friendly. Internet was included and nice big TV. Four machines and TV for gym facility. Right off the 80 freeway so very accessible to Tahoe and other travels.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort; City: Santa Barbara California; Review: We had a family reunion in Santa Barbara over the Christmas holiday. We chose adjacent rooms on the ground floor looking out at the ocean. The rooms were very nice. They had adjacent balconies and we enjoyed sitting out there. Easy to get out to the ocean and go for a walk and into town.The parking was very good at a reasonable rate. We highly recommend this hotel. It is a dog friendly hotel.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Inn by the Harbor; City: Santa Barbara California; Review: We did a long weekend for a family reunion at this hotel. We found it wonderful. We had the two bedroom suite. It has a full kitchen and living room, a table with four chairs and one bathroom. It is next to the pool and spa. We loved it. Breakfast is quite substantial and so is the happy hour. Everyone we talked to seemed very happy with their accommodations as well. Front desk is very friendly and helpful. It is walking distance to the train station but the trains do not run at night so that is not a problem. Highly recommend this Inn.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Doubletree by Hilton Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay; City: Miami Florida; Review: Wonderful suite and service. Thank you Hilton!!! We were on our way to board a cruise and stayed here. Great service and a shuttle to the cruise ship. Very helpful staff and internet was very good. The suite was well appointed and very comfortable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Courtyard by Marriott Berlin City Center; City: Berlin; Review: My husband had a business trip to Berlin and so I went along to enjoy the city. This was a perfect place to stay. The hotel is wonderful. Great breakfast buffet and dinner. Friendly people at the front desk. Very easy walk to Checkpoint Charlie and tour buses. Highly recommend this hotel. Airport access is by taxis...30 minute. Walking to restaurants is a 10 minute walk with lots of choice.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Tahoe Truckee; City: Truckee Lake Tahoe California California; Review: Lovely spacious room. Wonderful breakfast included. Close to Truckee and close to freeway so very easy to get around. Highly recommend this hotel. Parking is very easy and accessible. Each room has a small refrigerator, microwave and sink for food prep.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Inn by the Harbor; City: Santa Barbara California; Review: We have stayed at the Inn by the Harbor many times and every time we are very happy with the accommodations. The rooms are spacious and with breakfast and wine time included, you can't go wrong. Parking is easy and free, front desk is very helpful and friendly. No complaints at all.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Residence Garden; City: Rome Lazio; Review: The apartment we had was a time share. It had a large king bed master bedroom And four twin beds in three small rooms. And two bathrooms. Dinning room next door that opens at 7:30pm. Apartment does have a small kitchen. We were four adults. One couple graciously took two beds in small room. We brought in food from local store for breakfast. Metro about a mile away. Taxi was 20 euros to Rome center. Price for rent was reasonable. Front desk very very helpful!!!!! Wifi is there but can be difficult.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Scandic Ferrum; City: Kiruna Norrbotten County; Review: We were in Kiruna for business for my husband. The hotel is very nice and the front desk is very helpful. Great tour office next door to get you to tours etc. Great location too. There is a nice breakfast buffet and a bar. Not a big hotel but very comfortable; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Colortone Tie Dye Vintage Pigment Collection Youth & Adult T-Shirt; Brand: Colortone; Review: Worked for what I needed it for.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Koloa Surf Co. Ladies Colorful Tie-Dye V-Neck Tees in 10 Colors Sizes: XS-4XL; Brand: Joe's USA; Review: Satisfied with purchase; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Colortone Tie Dye Vintage Pigment Collection Youth & Adult T-Shirt; Brand: Colortone; Review: Worked for what I needed it for.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Flag Shirt Diagonal Stars and Stripes V-Neck Tee; Brand: American Summer; Review: I received compliments on this shirt and it was very comfortable; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: TurkishTowels Terry Velour Hooded Kids Bathrobe; Brand: TurkishTowels; Review: The robe fits a child that wears size 8. It should fit her for a year or two. I think it would be uncomfortable for a child that wears a size 10. The robe is absorbent and the color is pretty.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Okabashi Womens Ocean Thong Flip Flop Sandals; Brand: Okabashi; Review: I was hoping these would be similar to Oofos in comfort and support, but sadly, no. I gave them to my daughter, and she loves them.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Dansko Women's Priscilla Winter Boot; Brand: ; Review: I expected the sheepskin lining to be throughout the inside of the shoe. That was not the case - only on the shaft. Thus the boots were not as warm as I expected them to be. To pay this price and then only get partial sheepskin is not my idea of a good deal. The fit was correct, but had a snug pressure point or two. It is a very close-fitting foot bed. I am used to wearing UGGS, but wanted a boot with more foot/arch support than the flat bottom UGGS. I was hoping this boot was going to be it, but sadly, it was not, and I returned them.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Capezio Women's Daisy Ballet Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Great shoes. Prompt service. Really appreciate these at a fair price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Capezio Women's Daisy Ballet Shoe; Brand: ; Review: Great shoes. Prompt service. Really appreciate these at a fair price.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dansko Women's Helen Fashion Sneaker; Brand: ; Review: This was a gift to my daughter, who said they run small.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: CLARKS Women's Sillian Bella Mary Jane Flat; Brand: ; Review: Wonderful shoes. A bit darker than I thought they would be, but that's ok. Fit really well, and so glad that they have removable soles so that I an use my own orthotic. Great Price!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Servigroup Pueblo Benidorm; City: Benidorm Costa Blanca Province of Alicante Valencian Country; Review: Stayed at the pueblo again in Sept been going here for last 30 years on and off and it certainly has improved from the 1* accomodation it used to be food plentiful with lots of choice love the cava at breakfast....lovely rooms we had a 3 bedded room so larger very clean ...friendly staff reasonable entertainment program seems the spanish clientele make more use of it ...great for anybody with a disability as they recharge the scooters ...critcism if any could do with more staff frying eggs at breakfast us brits like our fryups and our breakfast goes cold whilst waiting for eggs and please could do with another lift otherwise fantastic and look forward to returning soon.*****; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Servigroup Pueblo Benidorm; City: Benidorm Costa Blanca Province of Alicante Valencian Country; Review: Just returned from pueblo requested low floor with pool view had my request met but put into room101 only view was rooftop and air con ventilation pipes which droned on all the time. Soon remedied next day however changed rooms to floor 5 lovely.Hotel still as i remembered food good but didnt seem as much choice as last year and entertainment seems virtually non existant to what it used to be maybe it was a little early season shame really.Staff very friendly and helpful with exception of the person who fried eggs for breakfast who i found quite ignorant unless you were spanish. Still had a great time in what i consider a perfect location.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Premier Inn Newcastle City Centre New Bridge Street Hotel; City: Newcastle upon Tyne Tyne and ; Review: stayed one night whilst going to see a show .great location 10 min walk from the theatre and shopping centre,good rooms a little small but enough for two,reasonable parking in car park adjoining hotel fab breakfast good helpful staff. will definatly stay again soon i can see a shopping trip looming.........; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Esplanade Hotel; City: Scarborough Scarborough District North Yorkshire England; Review: A little gem clean well maintained warm and comfortable rooms with comfortable beds and large flat screen tvs and a adequate tea tray great value for money .Shower could do with a little updating but adequate for a short break and plenty of fluffy white towel's an d complimentary toiletries.Would definitely visit again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Apartamentos Cala d Or Playa; City: Cala d Or Majorca Balearic Islands; Review: Our 1st visit to the apps booked last minute therefore we got a good deal.Lovely appts and grounds plenty for children to do . Lovely swimming are with jacuzzi whirlpool splash fountain area great for cooling down and a lovely lagoon style swimming pool with shallow water right through great for less confident swimmers and children. Appts clean and comfortable with large terraces and balconies steching from living room across bedroom and accessible through French doors from each room. Pity they dont get any sun. Well equipped kitchen with microwave grill and 2 hotplates and full fridge. No egg slice so take your own if you like your fried breakfast. Security good with all gates and appts blocks however we did find a loophole with the appts on the car park side. We stayed in room 013 ground floor and the fact that the gate to the car park was never locked made us as a mother with 2 young daughters and a 4 year old granddaughter feel were vulnerable. Also we didn't travel back until the evening and couldn't keep a room on though they did let us have the room till 1pm.shower changing facilities could be chaotic if lots of people were coming back at the same time. Entertainment a little hit and miss and bar prices a little high.Resort in general supermarkets ect pricey as we're some of the restaurants but some good places if you look around; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Holiday Inn Express Walsall; City: Walsall West Midlands England; Review: Had a overnight stay here as part of a National holiday break and was very impressed by it so much so I would definitely stay again. Lovely spacious room with controllable heating comfortable beds never slept so well great facilities fabulous breakfast with lots of choice only fault could do with more available hot drinks at breakfast we got a cup of tea and had to ask if you wanted more. Great bar area too with hot food available until late. Would not hesitate to book it again on any other visit to the Midlands.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: BenQ W770ST Short Throw 3D 720p HD DLP Home Theater Projector (White); Brand: BenQ; Review: please note that it's short throw and it must me mounted in wall and you need to buy rack mount for it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nikon MH-65 Lithium Ion Battery Charger for EN-EL12 Nikon Coolpix; Brand: Nikon; Review: Original :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nikon 25780 EN-EL12 Rechargeable Li-ion Battery for Select Coolpix Models; Brand: Nikon; Review: original and very good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fotodiox 7 Step Up Ring Filter Adapter Set, Anodized Aluminum, 49-52mm, 52-55mm, 55-58mm, 58-62mm, 62-67mm, 67-72mm, 72-77mm; Brand: Fotodiox; Review: very helpful for me in camera Nikon d 5000; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zeikos ZE-HC36 Deluxe Medium Hard Shell Case With Extra Padding Foam For Cameras - Travel, and Storage Case Camera,; Brand: Zeikos; Review: Bad material; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Cotton Carrier 122 CPF-5940 Camera Vest System Pro-Pac; Brand: Cotton Carrier; Review: very good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kanex 10 Foot Extension Cable for Apple LED Cinema Display 24-Inch 27-Inch (C247EXT10FT); Brand: Kanex; Review: good; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: NEEWER 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Digital Camera / Camcorder Video Light, LED Light for Canon,; Brand: Neewer; Review: not bad; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: CJESLNA SATA 2nd HDD Caddy for 12.7mm Universal CD/DVD-ROM; Brand: CJESLNA; Review: good for me; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: NewerTech AdaptaDrive 2.5" to 3.5" Drive Converter Bracket; Brand: NewerTech; Review: good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Seagate Momentus XT 750 GB 7200RPM SATA 6Gb/s 32 MB Cache 2.5 Inch Solid State Hybrid Drive ST750LX003; Brand: Seagate; Review: super working with automation software pc; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: STREET by 50 Cent Wired Over-Ear Headphones - Black by SMS Audio; Brand: SMS Audio; Review: the best; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kupo 2-1/2-Inch Grip Head with Big Handle - Silver, KG203012; Brand: Kupo; Review: I like it very cool; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 58mm Multi-Coated UV Protective Filter For Canon Digital EOS Rebel SL1, T1i, T2i, T3, T3i, T4i, T5, T5i EOS60D,; Brand: Big Mike's; Review: very good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: LG Tone HBS-730 Wireless Stereo Headset - Black; Brand: LG; Review: sound awesome; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: WD My Book Live Duo 8TB Personal Cloud Storage NAS Share Files and Photos; Brand: Western Digital; Review: V good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Etekcity 5x1 Port Switcher Switch with IR Wireless Remote Control; Brand: Etekcity; Review: good; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Etre Jeune Adapter & Splitter Replacement Compatible with Iphone 7, 7Plus, 8, 8Plus,; Brand: Etre Jeune; Review: the best of power banks it's recharge my IPhone5s 5 times :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: COD Bluetooth Keyboard Tablet Stand Leather Case for Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition (Black/Brown); Brand: COD(TM); Review: I like it very cool; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: IVSO Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014& Tab PRO 10.1 Edition Bluetooth Keyboard Portfolio Case; Brand: Gambolex; Review: I like it very cool; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nordic Flash Waterproof Camera Float - Pack of 2 - Bright Yellow; Brand: Nordic Flash; Review: very helpful product; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gunnar Optiks PAR-00101 Paralex Full Rim Narrow Advanced Video Gaming Glasses with Headset Compatibility and Amber Lens; Brand: Gunnar Optiks; Review: very small for small heeds like it :(; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920, Widescreen Video Calling and Recording, 1080p Camera, Desktop or Laptop Webcam; Brand: Logitech; Review: love it very good; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Philips 9007 X-treme Power Replacement Bulb, (Pack of 2); Brand: Philips; Review: These bulbs ended up being the same ones as what was all ready in the veichal. They seam to produce the same light as before i replaced them.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: TEKTON 1903 Rectangle Magnetic Parts Tray; Brand: TEKTON; Review: nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Tooluxe 50969L Adjustable Cargo Net, 36 x 60-Inch | 16 Sturdy Nylon Hooks | Ideal for Moving,; Brand: Tooluxe; Review: nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bully (CR-007XL X-Large Hitch Brake Light; Brand: Bully; Review: nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PROGRIP 404480 8' x 3/8" XRT Pro Rope Lock Tie Down, 500 lbs. Break Strength; Brand: PROGRIP; Review: nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: K&N HA-6199 Honda High Performance Replacement Air Filter; Brand: K&N; Review: nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Curt Manufacturing 21510 Trailer Hitch; Brand: Curt Manufacturing; Review: nice; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lisle 20610 Inline Spark Tester; Brand: Lisle; Review: None; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Devcon 62345 Plastic Steel Epoxy - 25 ml Dev-Tube; Brand: Devcon; Review: Nice packaging, exactly what i needed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spectra Premium ST01 Fuel Tank Straps for General Motors; Brand: Spectra Premium; Review: Just what I needed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ACDelco 60G Professional Glow Plug (Pack of 1); Brand: ACDelco; Review: Just what I needed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ACDelco G10 GM Original Equipment Fuel Tank Sending Unit O-Ring; Brand: ACDelco; Review: Just what I needed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ACDelco TF231 Professional Automatic Transmission Fluid Filter Kit; Brand: ACDelco; Review: Just what I needed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dorman 38424 Tailgate/Liftgate Striker Bushing Assortment, 4 Piece; Brand: Dorman; Review: Just what I needed.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Automotive |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Inn at Merridun; City: Union South Carolina; Review: I spent another delightful few days at the Inn, have been coming since 1995. It is showing its age, with peeling paint and plaster problems, but this is a great place! One very fun part of the stay is sadly no more - JD the Inn Cat died in late April after a very long and pleasant tour of duty as the Inn's spokes-cat. But the hospitality, conviviality and great food are still present, and Peggy is a great host. The house spirits have never shown themselves to me, but according to the journal (entries contributed by guests) they have been subtly and kindly showing up of late. They are decidedly happy to have guests and I think provide the basis for the welcoming feel of this historic home. Anyone put off by appearances is missing the chance of a lifetime to see a real antebellum property being used, not held as a museum.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Harbour View Suites; City: Dar es Salaam Dar Es Salaam Region; Review: I stayed here first in 2005 just after the first rooms opened, several times since. Great kitchenette/studio plan suited for people who don't need to have their hands held in Dar. Now has restaurant, pool, business ctr, and is more hotel than studio apartment, but works fine as either. Some infrastructure is dated - showers can be slow to heat, one window in my room no longer sits flush in the frame so was not closed tightly until I struggled with it. Lighting is poor for reading / task lighting but fine for dining and leisure. Ceiling AC units spew air directly on the bed - annoying since the louvers to redirect the air flow have long since been removed/broken. Internet is NOT complementary and expensive for local norms at $15/day, less if by week or month - wired in room or wireless worked great. Staff sprays for mosquitoes every evening, which put off some guests because of the temporary toxic odor, but that's how you prevent getting bitten. Can easily walk to any needed service - taxi, forex shop/bank, TZ postal service, multiple retail spots; mall in complex has small grocery, guarded ATM, fast food has moved out but available down the street. Staff super friendly and polite but questionably responsive - still don't have a hair dryer (no big deal) and took all day to replace a light bulb after housekeeping supposedly arranged for someone to fix it - several contacts with different people to get it done. On the other hand, no problems with airport pick up or a special request to print /pay a partial bill, handled reservation over internet without a deposit. Check-in is on 11th floor of an office building, may not find it from just walking by; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Metropole Hotel Kampala; City: Kampala Central Region; Review: Minimalist decor creates visually peaceful environment, but no carpet and Ikea-style furnishing means sound is not deadened. Fabulous HOT cascade shower, closet rung so high this 65-inch person needed a step-up to hang up clothes. Desk / task lighting poor, though ample natural light during day. Internet, wired, complimentary worked slowly during the day, fast as lightning at night, hard to tell if that is a hotel issue or provider as this also happens with other internet access in Kampala. Very fine Thai food and breakfast, nice lounge areas on floors 1 and 2 (in addition to public areas on ground floor) allow for business conversations in relatively private setting. Car hire in hotel is great, though if cars are already engaged it is difficult to just walk to the road and get a taxi - busy street in one direction, residential in the other. I stayed on the golf course side - only real noise was birds and Sunday morning amplified church music, though I imagine rooms on the road side could be quite noisy. No pool, but one can get a good workout just walking the hills in the residential neighborhood - if you can tolerate the vehicle exhaust. Limited business ctr (computer, printer, copier, no scan, no easy DHL-type service); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Manyara Wildlife Safari Camp; City: Lake Manyara National Park Arusha Region; Review: Comfortable beds, good linens, reliable plumbing and electricity - a nice lodge near Lake Manyara which, in dry season, is only just visible from a corner of the property or pool. Persistent flies made spending any time outdoors unpleasant, and because the common areas of the lodge are open to the outdoors, flies were part of drinks, meals or accessing the internet. Food was great tasting, and featured some local as well as continental / indian cuisine. Yogurt was available when requested for breakfast, though wisely not put out on buffet (did I mention flies?) Views of the pasture-land north of the lake are vast, and with binocs one can watch the Maasi herds and herders make their way back and forth from the lake and grazing. Gardens were ablaze with color and lush foliage, many birds and butterflies. A good intermediate stop on the way to Ngorongoro, its proximity to Mto wa Mbu allows visitors to go into town for shopping or a stop at the cultural heritage center.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ang ata Camp Serengeti; City: Serengeti National Park; Review: Seems wrong to call flush toilets and hot water showers camping, but that's what you get. Water is not unlimited - but I am more used to dipping water out of a bucket than having working overhead showers while camping. Because I wanted to soak my feet and wash a few things, I asked for and promptly received a 30-gallon bucket half filled with warm water even before the water was loaded into the shower reservoir. With solar power, using the provided flashlight at night helps ensure the power remains available for the pre-sunrise wake up should you desire an early morning start to the day (all tents open to the east so sunrise is beautiful). Tents have basic furnishings - chairs inside would be nice, but you can move the outside ones in. Mosquito nets and tent netting were intact, canvas/vinyl sides could be down or up depending on temperature / privacy preference. Floors are wood laid upon a frame on the ground, so can be unsteady as they adjust to body weight when walking. Bed was very comfortable. Animals come through the camp, I watched elephants eat just outside my "front door" and listened to hyenas come through in the early AM. Various small hoofed mammals (including warthogs, dik dik, thompson's gazelles) and a large variety of birds provided regular entertainment. Staff was responsive, considerate and informative, gladly sharing information about how meals are prepared, how and from where supplies are sourced, and the logistics of making the camp work. Being in the central area of the park, a variety of game drive options exist (flat grasslands, kopjes, small water sources) within reasonable distance so one is likely to see most of the Big Five and cats without much effort. This part of the park can be full of tourists, but the camp is small and felt secluded and private.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ngorongoro Wildlife Lodge; City: Ngorongoro Conservation Area Arusha Region; Review: Can't beat buffalo walking by the room in the early AM! Fabulous views of the caldera from all rooms, windows open to allow night time cooling - and it can get too cool if left open. Bed very firm and pillows very bouncy - could not get comfortable and room staff did not understand my asking if there were softer pillows available. Could have asked to talk with the manager, but didn't. Extremely noisy and disruptive plumbing - sounds like air in the pipes - woke me in the middle of the night more than once. Sound travels far, so music in common area was clearly heard in my room - luckily ending early enough for sleep if I could have gotten that pillow to cooperate (or the plumbing to be quiet!) Food was excellent - fish, pork, lamb were good but the vegetables, beans, salad and soups were better. Great breakfasts. Reliable water and electricity (generator off during middle of the night - take a torch). No wi-fi, but satellite TV in common area for those who MUST get a news fix (BBC, CNN, etc).; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Mount Meru Hotel; City: Arusha Arusha Region; Review: Stayed for two separate times within two weeks going in and out of Arusha. This hotel/conference center is a marvelous upgrade from the Novotel property it once was, meeting international 4-star standards with African flair in design and decor; it may be too little "local" for those seeking an African experience. With unlimited water and dependable electricity, western bathing and hygiene options, excellent food and welcoming staff, you almost don't know you are in Africa. Wooden floors can be slippery, room air conditioning took a long time to change the temp from 24 to 22 centigrade in one case, and was not effective after 4 hours in the other. Bed linens and towels are luxurious. Views from upper floors are expansive. The trip to/from Kilimanjaro airport (international) is over an hour long, but only 20 mins to the local airstrip if traffic cooperates. Shops are overpriced compared to the community, but .. this hotel is not of the community, it is of the international hospitality community.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Extended Stay America Milwaukee Wauwatosa; City: Wauwatosa Wisconsin; Review: Great room, friendly helpful staff. I appreciate having the convenience of a full-size fridge and kitchenette even for an overnight stay. The freezer made ice cubes within two hours so the potential drawback of not having an ice machine was quickly overcome! Comfortable bed, working wi-fi, quiet external surrounds (I was on the non-freeway side, can't speak for the opposite) and staff members who answered every question made my stay perfect. When all the road construction in the area is complete it will be even easier to get to downtown attractions, making this my future go-to spot when coming to the city for entertainment because the price is right. Now that the new Nordstrom is just down the street, this may become a shopping-destination hotel! The entry is a bit of a challenge to find - my map program had me in a next-door parking lot - but I arrived in the rain and didn't see the property signs easily. The signs are there and much easier to see in the daylight without rain!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Holiday Inn Milwaukee Riverfront; City: Milwaukee Wisconsin; Review: This hotel overlooks the Milwaukee River, which is not an attractive view since the river is brown and full of debris. Rooms are quite nice, with updated amenities, functioning wi-fi, comfortable bed, all the basics you expect in a hotel room. However, I reserved two rooms and now have 4 different charges to credit cards and withdrawals from bank accounts, and the hotel is as yet unable to determine what should have been charged when. In the meantime, I'm out megabucks waiting for them to get their accounting system sorted out. Nice people at the desk do not substitute for accurate financial record keeping and billing.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Courtyard Milwaukee North Brown Deer; City: Brown Deer Wisconsin; Review: Recently remodeled, nicely furnished, responsive helpful staff, great location for being near but not in busier and noisier parts of suburban Milwaukee. Bed was so high this 5'3" person had to crawl in! Good thing there was a sofa and hassock in the room to sit on while I put on socks LOL! I suppose theft is the reason for short corded tie-down of the clock, but the bedside table it was on, on the far side of the bed, was so low that the clock could not be seen while in bed, or even while standing unless I walked around the bed to see it (did I say I'm short?) Great black out curtains, even with the fire station nearby (and busy) the noise was not bothersome. Would have liked a dim-light option for a nightlight. Fridge, microwave, coffee, free easy-to-access wi-fi all nice additions. Bed linens were luxurious, mattress too soft for me but multiple pillows helped me align my body to avoid significant discomfort. Would be nice to use universal design - a mid-rise toilet (help the hips) and grab bars to assist entry to, or balance in, the tub would have been helpful. Oversized towels were soft and thirsty, didn't have a hair dryer but didn't notice early enough to ask for one. "Pool" is not swimming size, so don't think you can do laps. Didn't take advantage of the bar or food service. Very narrow halls - don't let the cleaning staff park two carts opposite each other, you won't get through - trust me, I had this happen - why? Could they not anticipate this? My priceline price was what I could afford, though the rack rate is above my usual budget. I would return.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Andrew Jackson Hotel; City: New Orleans Louisiana; Review: Booking online at a travel website left me wondering if the reservation had been completed. Calling the hotel got an instant "we know you are coming, can't wait" response - cheerful responsive service was part of the entire encounter. This hotel has the basic needs met - though internet access is slow - and a great location for being central to French Quarter without the overpowering noise associated with Bourbon Street activities. No in-room safe could be a problem for some, furnishings, linens and toiletries were otherwise wonderful. Basically this is a modern conveniences hotel in an historic building. Continental breakfast in the courtyard with (visiting?) felines was nice though that is also the smoking zone - small space and humidity can make the smell annoying, but the staff quickly removed smoking materials and did their best to meet the needs of both types of customer. (Breakfast can also be in-room). Desk staff answered every question, helped arrange taxis and kept the lobby coffee hot. I would stay here again for leisure visits, though not for business as the internet sluggishness and lack of desk and task lighting in the room would make working challenging.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Motel 6 Glendale; City: Glendale Wisconsin; Review: Poor quality of rooms, amenities and upkeep,great cheap price, excellent safe location. I'm used to traveling with my own alarm clock, shampoo, non-refrigerated snacks - needed them all. Also no tissues! had to go to the desk to ask for more toilet paper since that in the room would have been used up, and without tissues ... Fake wall (vinyl stretched over support beams) in bathroom had holes in it, bathroom ceiling had fallen and been poorly repaired in past, but great water temp and pressure, tub made roomy with bowed curtain rod and hairdryer worked; hole in drywall in bed area, old TV and remote not related so no sleep setting and some shows blocked because of being NC-17! Really! Bed OK, very thin pillows and no extras available, linens usable definitely not plush, good lighting and desk, excellent heat / AC unit - it provided the white noise to block out the traffic and dog down the hall, but still heard other guests shouting around 1 AM. Hallway carpeting unbelievably stained and dirty but in-room carpet OK. Small functioning elevator but no stair option in center of building - always have to wait for the elevator. Staff responsive and helpful to the limits of their ability. But for $36 a night and a location excellent for my purpose, worked fine for this stay. Other reviewers said area not safe, but no better or worse than other urban settings. Great shopping and restaurants nearby, easy freeway and downtown / UWM / eastern suburb access.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Mika Hotel Kabulonga; City: Lusaka Lusaka Province; Review: Comfortable room, good amenities, responsive staff. Initially had problems with air con, fixed next day (I arrived late night). Prompt airport pick up. Some noise from weekend party, but bar and exercise area convenient. Restaurant variable, breakfast on weekend minimal and lacking, both variety and volume, weekdays excellent. Also had a small conference during the week so perhaps change due to that. Great location in neighborhood, not commercial congestion, taxi available short walk outside compound tho staff also able to get transport.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Maramba River Lodge; City: Victoria Falls Southern Province; Review: Stayed pre- and post-safari as part of a tour package, delighted both times. Lodging is in individual chalets or tents, adequate lighting and water (both temp and pressure). Beds comfortable, mosquito nets and bug spray both provided as well as in-room boiler for coffee. Electric fan provided was not needed as cross-ventilation provided enough air movement. On-site pool, bar, restaurant front the Maramba river which is endlessly entertaining with hippos, crocs and bird life. Wi-fi was iffy, little range and often not working. Desk staff extremely responsive, willingly stored luggage not needed on safari, helped with taxi arrangements into town and phone calls to local friends. Cooks adapted meals to fit my diet restrictions. Though water is said to be potable, I and other travelers had mild tummy upsets - I had ice in my sundowners, so you might stuck with bottled water. Location is easy cab ride from both town and Vic Falls.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: La Quinta Inn Milwaukee Airport Oak Creek; City: Oak Creek Wisconsin; Review: use a ParkSleepFly reservation to leave car for about 2 weeks, flying out of MKE. Stayed night before, room comfortable, quiet, with coffee maker in room, nice desk space and easily accessible electric plugs. Somehow the TV menu was not available on screen, a minor distraction. WI-fi fast and easy but not secured. Breakfast included (cold) boiled eggs as well as usual beverages and starches. Shuttle flexible in terms of times, and a fast safe ride to airport. Only drawback is the shuttle is not 24-hrs, though for an additional fee a trip can be arranged before 6 or after 11 pm. Parking is right next to the building, not in a back lot away from the building like some other nearby park and fly locations. Applebee's right next door, shopping area with other restaurant options just a few minutes away, BK and convenience store just down the street. Easy freeway on/off.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Quality Inn Suites; City: Florence Kentucky; Review: Google couldn't figure out how to get me to the hotel without going the wrong way on one-way streets that had nothing to do with real access, or through a market parking lot, and the freeway is right outside the back-side rooms, otherwise the stay was great. Comfortable bed and linens, comfortable easy chair and ottoman, microwave and fridge, adequate electric for devices, sleep on TV that worked, universal design toilet height (though could use grab bar(s) somewhere around the tub) - did not request an accessible room. I wasn't bothered much by the freeway noise, but ask for a front room if you would have a problem. Didn't try any breakfast, out too early. Some wear on public carpets, but lobby looks recently updated and room carpet / furnishings were fine. Hotter water in the tub would be nice, though I know it is likely a safety issue the temp which was good for a shower did nothing to soak my aching shoulders in a bath - tub chill could not be overcome.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Days Inn Suites by Wyndham Cuba; City: Cuba Missouri; Review: standard hotel room with coffee, m-wave, fridge, internet, just off interstate with fast food, gas, walmart nearby. Helpful staff, room condition fine with everything clean and working, lots of electric plugs. Would be nice if the TV had a sleep function.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Americas Best Value Inn Suites Sikeston MO; City: Sikeston Missouri; Review: I was totally unprepared for the apartment-sized suite with separate small kitchen, living room and king size bedroom. Big enough for a family. The reception area is dramatic and impressive looking like a southern mansion. Staff very responsive and helpful. But there are cracks in the armor - missing room number sign, bathroom cabinets looking like distressed wood, but I think just worn out (not stressed by design!), small water stain and drywall damage near the toilet, different paint covered by not-too-secure hair dryer, dresser edging coming off, the way the floor creaked I imagine downstairs rooms hear upstairs footsteps. I moved a bedside table to suit my needs and found unused tissues and dust bunnies behind - the rest of the area was cleanly vacuumed, no problems at all with bedding, surfaces, bathroom cleanliness. Good desk area with task lighting, could use more accessible electric plugs - bedroom plugs occupied, only two unoccupied at desk, I needed 3 but used the kitchen. Located near intersection of two interstates on frontage road, fairly easy to find.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham Corpus Christi Padre Is; City: Corpus Christi Texas; Review: I came to be at the beach, and this is a very affordable hotel on the opposite side of the street from the dunes (and other hotels!) Room is a studio apartment, comfortable bed, good desk area but no task lighting, moved a bedside lamp; enough electric plugs, good wifi internet (unsecured), functional kitchen though minimally stocked with cooking pans, pots. Staff took me to look through "extras" room to find what I needed but still couldn't come up with something to bake chicken or mix a large salad. Walmart aluminum pans and plastic containers to the rescue. Housekeeping is provided after 4 days, meaning I took garbage with food items to the desk, I know how pests can literally come out of the woodwork and wanted to prevent that! I don't mind re-using towels but if that offends, you'd have to request additional linens. Front desk is NOT staffed 24/7 so if you depart early and want a receipt you are out of luck. Good breakfast - eggs, meat, cereals, good strong coffee. Staff was very helpful with all my questions and requests (for more coffee, directions, beach access info) but in room service doesn't happen often and they tell you that at check-in.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Country Club Villas; City: Surfside Beach South Carolina; Review: sheets that don't fit the deep mattress so you are wrapped up in the fitted sheet in the AM; single bed on base with outriggers so it feels like it is rocking when you roll side to side; mattress soft enough to sink in; air con that doesn't get temp below 72 when set at 69; massive water leak from kitchen faucet unless it is positioned "just so"; TV with no sleep function; old fashioned bathtub/shower with concave floor so you feel like you are falling with every movement;. End of rant. Everything else was OK - roomy condo, two bedrooms plus sofa bed, quiet location (though a challenge to get from the frontage road to King's Hwy due to traffic), easy 5 - 20 min drive to restaurants, beach, shopping. Very accommodating for late arrival. Only 3 rolls of toilet paper for a week - oops, that's another rant. Staff did what they could to improve things, but had no other sheets, no solution for the soft rocking mattress, "you'll have to buy toilet paper or pay us for some more".; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Homelite ZR43100 9.0 Amp 14-in Electric Chain Saw (Certified Refurbished); Brand: Homelite; Review: For the money, either reconditioned or new, this is a great little chain saw. I've used a ton of expensive (Husky or Stihl) chain saws. The Homelite is clearly no match. However, if you need help with small jobs around the house, its silly to spend more than this costs. Pros: For the money, well designed and simple to use. Saws amazingly well. You have to take it slow and let the saw do the cutting. But it will make its way through 4" limbs quite well. For first time users, the user manual is a good primer on chain saw safety. Its a well executed design. For once its nice to find an opening price point product that does not scream of some purchasing agent going to a bazar in the Far East and ordering a boatload of junk with his company's name stuck on it. Cons: You need at least a quart of bar oil. It uses more oil than it needs to. No big deal, just don't saw over the dining room table and keep an eye on the reservoir. If you muscle it through a limb, the chain has the potential of popping out. Did it once when I first got it. Just take it easy and let the saw do the cutting.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DIG RBC7000 Battery Powered Digital Controller with 3/4" In-Line valve; Brand: DIG; Review: Unless you put these in a dry area, they fail. The bottom has a slot where you can see the electronics and any heavy humidity getting in there kills them. I would not advise putting them in a sunken valve box as they build up a ton of humidity and kill these units. Other problems I've seen is the outer insulation around the wires breaks down fairly quickly and exposes the conductor wires -- though the insulation on those appears to hold up, at least for 2 years. I've been thru three of them and 2 failed within 2 years. The 3rd one is in a fairly dry space.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: BLACK+DECKER LSWV36 40-Volt Lithium Cordless Sweeper and Vac; Brand: BLACK+DECKER; Review: I bought mine to do a pool deck and walks. We have a lot of bamboo that settles everywhere. It does the job but consumes just about all the battery in 20 minutes at the high setting. At lower settings its pretty useless other than for ashes on glass. Pros: Versus corded, no need to pay attention to obstacles. Adequate for hard surfaces, essentially worthless for lawns and general yard applications. Cons: Poor battery life. While some appear satisfied at 30 minutes, I'm not. For the money I expected a lot more than what an 18v unit delivers. I've been through 3 charges and its not getting any better. B&D engineers designed this for left handers, about 10% of the population. No other handle to help hold it away from your body. I find this unit too restricted in its use. Having a charger that quickly charges the battery is great if you're willing to sit around for 45 minutes and go back out there, I'm not. Our Home Depot discontinued selling all cordless blowers. Lowes discontinued B&D cordless. Certainly raises a question in my mind. This one works ok but if I had to do it again I'd get a small gas powered unit and deal with the noise and topping it up. Would never go back to corded as our yard has too many places to plan my way around.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Hot Shot No-Mess! Fogger With Odor Neutralizer, 3/1.2-Ounce; Brand: Hot Shot; Review: If it can't kill fruit flies, I doubt if it can kill anything. We set off 8 bombs on the kitchen side of the house. It was full of fruit flies courtesy of our Whole Foods. Came back a day later and they were still all happier than can be, flying around having a good time in our kitchen. Figured it may have been a second hatching so looked on flat surfaces for dead ones from the first hatch. None, as in killed none.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Roundup Weed and Grass Killer Concentrate Plus, 36.8-Ounce; Brand: Roundup; Review: This is not the same product that used to be available. I'm in South Florida. Used it on my driveway 9 days ago (purchased Feb 2016) -- crabgrass, spurge and pusley. Took about 4 days to kill the crabgrass. Did not do a thing to the other 2. Roundup used to kill all of them in a couple of days. This weekend I found a sealed bottle of the old Roundup in our garden shed. Used it yesterday, spurge and pusley were already turning brown this morning. Been using Roundup for decades. I guess its time to look for another solution.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Broil King 922564 Baron S440 Liquid Propane Gas Grill; Brand: Broil King; Review: I'm delighted with this grill. Over the years I've been through tons of Weber's (mostly charcoal, 2 gas), a Fuego and now this Baron 440. My snapshot comment is its better than a Weber Spirit or a Weber Genesis for a lot less money. We have a Genesis E310 (3 burner, stainless grates) at our Swiss home. I prefer cooking on the Broil King. The 4 burners on the Broil King are more adaptable to different foods and cooking approaches. The cast iron grates result in less food rolling into the burners, the cast iron grates retain heat better. I also get the feeling the Broil King is more sturdy/less flex, easier to roll around and just feels tighter. Could be I assembled the Broil King and a dealer the Weber. Cooking on cast iron grates is excellent. Don't get lured in by stainless is better unless you're cooking small quantities (of large enough pieces that won't slide/roll through the grates). If you're dealing with a party or large cuts of meat, cast iron has way more heat retention and storage capability (mass). Nor does cast iron warp and start wobbling around when handling food. We've had ours for 3 years now. It sits covered on a pool deck 50 feet from salt water in south Florida with the prevailing breeze blowing right into it. There's not a spec of rust on it, including the grates. Igniters work. Everything works. Cons: One complaint I see is holes not lining up during assembly. They don't. Take your time, align them up as best as possible, and bear down hard on your screwdriver to catch a thread. Once its done, its done for good. Ours get's wheeled around frequently and nothing has loosened up. I thought my grill was particularly bad in this respect. But the hardware is good, I never stripped a single screw getting it all together. Another complaint is the drip tray. It absolutely stinks. I keep a towel underneath it and simply run it through the wash every now and then. I've tried my creative approaches but never managed to come up with a better solution than an old towel.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Gilmour 362 Professional No Pre-Mix Sprayer, White; Brand: Gilmour; Review: I bought the Gilmour last year. Used it once. Went to use it this morning and found a third of the lettering and indicators gone. All the sprayer has been used for is 1 dose of Malathion. Stored on a shelf in the garage. Unless you have the ability to memorize all the markings and directions on the bottle, take a pass.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Chapin International G362 All Purpose Hose-End Sprayer, 1 Pack, Translucent White; Brand: Chapin International; Review: This is the same sprayer as the Gilmour 362. I bought the Gilmour last year and left a glowing review. Went to use it this morning and found a third of the lettering and indicators gone. All the sprayer has been used for is 1 dose of Malathion. Stored on a shelf in the garage. Unless you have the ability to memorize all the markings and directions on the bottle, take a pass.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Black Flag Concentrated Fogger, 6/1.25-Ounce; Brand: Black Flag; Review: These do what they're supposed to do. Though I only deal with cockroaches. 2 issues I have with them follow: 1) That locking button that looks so intuitive to use has a surprise in store for you. The spray is angled back towards the button. So if you press the button down with it in a natural position (where your fingers are) you have now successfully killed every insect on your face and in your hair. I've been using these for years, they've always been like that. 2) They leave a residue that's not easy to wipe off on all surfaces. Have nice polished furniture, granite/marble counters, get ready for a good cleaning.; Rating: 2.0/5.0 | amazon_Patio_Lawn_and_Garden |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Boutique Hotel Campo de Fiori; City: Rome Lazio; Review: We have visited Rome many times over the years, and stayed at quite a few hotels, some good some not as good, so we feel that as we write this we have some experience to call upon. Finding Campo De' Fiori was a real stroke of luck. Perfectly located just 5 minutes from Piazza Navona, with it's breathtaking fountain by Bernini, 10 Minutes from the Vittorio Emmanuel Monument and the Capitoline hill, and a short river walk from San Angelo and the Vatican. The hotel is situated in a vibrant area of central Rome, that converts from an early morning flower market, to a place full of restaurants and places to find great value food. The hotel is fabulous, an old building that has been so tastefully renovated, keeping the luxurious feel of the splendour of Italian Decor, yet so very comfortable.....and the staff were wonderful, friendly and so helpful, you were always met with a smile and good advice. "Small with a great big heart". Would we use this hotel again?..... we wouldn't stay anywhere else when in Rome..... enjoy..; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Marc Munchen; City: Munich Upper Bavaria Bavaria; Review: What a great find the Marc turned out to be, the hotel offers superb quality, and the service was so friendly, from the super clean rooms to the quality buffet breakfast. Located just a few minutes walk from Munich's main railway station, with great access to the rest of Barvaria, and only 10 minutes walk from Marien Platz. Friendly helpfull staff, were there to help when needed. Highly recommended.... will definately look to stay there again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Ryokan Seifuso; City: Matsumoto Nagano Prefecture Koshinetsu Chubu; Review: Having stayed at a few hotels in Japan, we decided to try the Ryokan experience on our visit to Matsumoto...and based on the reviews on Trip Advisor, Seifuso came to be our choice..... Unfortunately we do not share the findings of previous guests...maybe because we were given a room ( small) in the annexe, which compared to the main house was rather cold and uninviting, although spotlessly clean... and to be honest sleeping on a Futon is not all it's made out to be,... maybe after a few nights we would have gotten used to it... but for two nights... well the sleeping was poor to say the least. Breakfast was in the more comfortable main part of the building ( we didnt even know there was sn annexe)... and was more than satisfactory.... and the lift back to the station was greatly appreciated.... the people who own this Ryokan are very kind and helpfull, the daughter speaking perfect English was of immense help in guiding us around Matsumoto..... We didnt even know there was an Onsen on the premises... but we were pointed to some lovely ones a short distance away in Asama...... All in all we were rather disappointed, The location is a little way out of the town center, and although bikes are available, we managed to make use of the local friendly bus service ... ( and walked alot).; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Corner House; City: Seville Province of Seville Andalucia; Review: Modern very clean and well situated on the Alameda Hercules... about 15 minutes walk from the Alcazar and Seville Cathedral... Great breakfast with very friendly staff. My only gripe would be the area is quite noisy at night, so sleeping with the windows closed was a must, but the air conditioning was ineffective and noisy when running, so sleep was difficult...; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Porto Vintage Guesthouse; City: Porto Porto District Northern Portugal; Review: Due to the early "late" check in policy of this place which we couldn't make, and the fact that they requested we pay in cash on arrival we decided to cancel and booked another hotel. So the hotel might be fine, just not for us...; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Casa Alexio; City: Talamanca Ibiza Town Ibiza Balearic Islands; Review: I have been going to Ibiza since I was in my thirties, over 40 years ago... not every year, but pretty often.... and I am sad to say things have changed for the Gay community.... The numbers are definately down, bars in the Dalt Vila are very quiet, and the beach at Chiringay was also very half of what it used to be.... of course the locals say “ it’s busier in August”, but chatting around things seem to be definately down...😩 This is fine if your looking for a “quiet” and “relaxing” time,... but the days of “people watching” seem to be over.... Now you have a mix of families and straights, not a problem, but different from the Ibiza I grew up with. However CASA ALEXIO is as cool as ever, a great place to relax and chill with new people, met some lovely guys there and had a great time.... the place is an oasis .... one criticism is that the breakfast could be served earlier (9am ?)..... I think the days of the all night clubbers has gone, and people are out of bed and raring to go earlier... and an earlier breakfast means you can get off to the beach sooner and get a decent parking place... the parking at Chiringay is now reserved for people using the restaurant there... How things change... Thanks to Xose and Ahmed for a lovely stay.... 👨❤️👨; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Uncle Mike's Kodra Nylon Web Deluxe Inner Duty Belt (Medium, Black); Brand: Uncle Mike's; Review: It's just a web belt that uses a Velcro closure, not Velcro on both sides to attach to a duty belt.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Smith & Wesson 13.75" Homeland Security Fixed Blade Hunting Knife w/ Black Handle & Camo Blade w/ Sheath; Brand: Smith & Wesson; Review: Heavy duty and looks great. Pretty comfortable in the hand. Nylon web sheath sucks.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Primus Fuel Bottle 1.0L Md: P-721961; Brand: Brunton; Review: Use one to hold oil and the other gas for long motorcycle trips. They work great with the Wolfman bottle holsters. No leaks.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Radians Custom Molded Earplugs; Brand: Radians; Review: Follow the instructions and they'll work perfectly. Comfortable and really drops the DB's. I use them motorcycling.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Condor H2O Pouch (Bladder Not Included); Brand: CONDOR; Review: Holds a 32 oz Nalgene bottle and Olicamp space saver cup perfectly. It's a little padded so insulates a little. Extra pouch is good for filter straw and water purifying tablets.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MTI Adventurewear Calcutta Kayak Fishing Angler PFD Life Jacket; Brand: MTI Adventurewear; Review: This is a nice angling/fishing PFD for anything but a kayak with a seat back. Nice material, seems well built, soft foam, simple features, very comfortable. Unfortunately, with my kayak, it doesn't quite work. I've got a newer model WS Tarpon with adjustable back seat system, and the back of the PFD sits in a spot that makes it feel a little awkward. Ended up getting the MTI Solaris F Spec. Even better overall and with the high back design, it's a perfect fit for my yak.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Maxpedition Gear Sneak Universal Holster Insert with Mag Retention; Brand: Maxpedition; Review: Use this inside the hidden compartment of my 5.11 Moab 10. It holds my Uncle Mike inside the pants holster, which holds a Glock 26. Perfect fit. Extra magazine holder works well too. Well built.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Seattle Sports Deck Mount Rod Holder; Brand: Seattle Sports; Review: Fits and works. Again, don't use the template/gasket to mount it. I used a 2 inch hole drill to start and a rasp to finish the hole, then drilled the holes for the rivets using the holder itself as the template. Tossed the gasket and used silicon.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: humangear HG0014 Capcap Water Bottle, Black/Gray; Brand: humangear; Review: Makes drinking from a Nalgene easier.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Harmony House Foods The Backpacking Kit, 18 Count, 1 Cup Zip Pouches; Brand: Harmony House Foods; Review: It came quickly and complete. Items look good.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Neapolitan Astronaut Ice Cream Sandwich (15 Packages); Brand: American Outdoor Products; Review: Taste good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Markwort Flexible Rubber Belt; Brand: Markwort; Review: Don't work as well as shirt stays, but it'll work with uniform shorts (ie. bike/harbor patrol). They break after repeated use, but that's expected.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Camelbak Kid's Mini-M.U.L.E. Hydration Pack; Brand: CamelBak; Review: Got this for my girlfriend, so good for a petite woman also.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Scotty #388-BK Baitcaster Rod Holder w/ #429 and w/ #241L (Black); Brand: Scotty; Review: A bit awkward on a kayak, but it comes in handy. Well constructed.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: ALPS Mountaineering Poly Cotton Rectangle Sleeping Bag Liner; Brand: ALPS Mountaineering; Review: Well made, but I don't like the feel. It feels course, like very low thread count sheets. This defeats the purpose of the soft, silky interior of my sleeping bag. The zipper is large and heavy duty, while sturdy, it also doesn't feel good against you while it bunches up inside your sleeping bag. This could just be me though. I can't comment on its actual use in the field as I'll be returning it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Cocoon CoolMax Blanket; Brand: Cocoon; Review: Actually quite effective. I use it for camping all year round. It provides a bit of extra warmth in the winter and as a light blanket in warmer weather.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: American Kennel Club AKC Casablanca Round Solid Pet Bed; Brand: American Kennel Club; Review: The best bed I've ever had for my Shih Tzu; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Simple Solution Training Puppy Pads | 6 Layer Dog Pee Pads, Absorbent Leak Proof; Brand: Simple Solution; Review: These are not as good as larger pads we've used. Will go back to the larger pads.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: New Anti Itch Oatmeal Spray for Dogs and Cats | 100% All Natural Hypoallergenic Soothing Relief for Dry,; Brand: Bodhi Dog; Review: Good anti-itch product; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crazy Dog Grooming Spray for Dogs, 8 oz.; Brand: Crazy Dog; Review: Great smelling spray for my dog. Smells like a newborn baby.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: All-Absorb Extra Large Training Pads 28-inch by 34-inch, 40-Count; Brand: All-Absorb; Review: I think this product is said to be 28"X34". What you are not told is that there is a 2 3/4" strip all the way around that is not pee pad-just paper. So take 5 1/2" off the advertised measurement.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Hertzko Self Cleaning Slicker Brush; Brand: Hertzko; Review: This is a great brush for my dog. Push a button and the teeth retract and one can just swipe the hair away.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Pet_Supplies |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: MerryMakers Nightsong Plush Doll, 11-Inch; Brand: MerryMakers; Review: I use this for so many things that I have lost count. This whisk is not for whipping egg whites into clouds, this is for the other 500 things that a balloon whisk isn't best suited for because you can really get the bottom of the bowl or cup you mix in since the head is flat. For example: - Mixing vinaigrette - Loosely whipping an egg before you put it in a recipe - Tempering eggs before adding to hot liquid - Mixing cream into melted chocolate for truffles - Mixing up cornstarch or flour in hot liquid for thickening - Mixing sugar with warm water before adding to lemonade - Creating a slurry of spices and warm oil to brush on meats - Reconstituting powdered milk without lumps - Etc. The only thing I would not recommend is mixing warm water and powdered egg whites together with this whisk, the tight coil quickly gets clogged. Aside from that, I use it for everything. Highly recommend!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Littlest Pet Shop LPSO Harmony the Dancing Dog; Brand: Littlest Pet Shop; Review: This dog is cute and funny to watch for the first 5 minutes, and we cracked up as it danced to Led Zeppelin, but then it was irritating because the speaker is so bad. The colors and lights were interesting to my 7 month old, my friend's 3 year old played with it for about 15 minutes, and I think an 8 year old girl would dig it until she tried to use it as a speaker. The package says for 8+ years old, so I didn't let my baby daughter chew on it or play with it without he holding it. We have had it in the house for a few weeks and the baby is already bored with it. The song and action are suited to entertain a toddler, not a tween. By the time a girl would have an MP3 player and care about music, she would be bothered by the horrible quality of sound coming out of this thing. If the speaker was better this would be MUCH cooler, I cannot recommend spending money on this. Buy it only for children with parents you want to torture.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Sassy Bathtime Pals Squirt and Float Toys; Brand: Sassy; Review: My 1 year old daughter loves these bath toys. So much so that she will take them with her out of the bath to chew on while she plays. They have a great texture and no paint chipping or running with our set. They are very durable and so cute, I am thrilled she likes them so much. I hand one to her while I change her diaper and she doesn't try to flip over, HORRAY!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Brilliant Basics Rock-a-Stack; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: We got this for our little girl when she was about 6 months old. She still plays with it nearly everyday and she is over a year old now. I think it is amusing on many levels and educational about color and shape recognition. The red ring has a little rattle inside that gets a lot of attention too. I had one too when I was tiny, so it is fun to see our tiny gal with it too. I would give at any baby shower or infant birthday without hesitation.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mattel The Sing-A-Ma-Jigs - Hot Pink; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: I got this through the vine program, so I didn't pay for it. That being said, I would not pay to purchase another one. It is a cute plush toy with a funny idea behind it that is not executed very well. The toy is hard for a child with small hands to squeeze properly which is required to enjoy the sounds the toy makes. The song is almost unrecognizable because of the way the maker has it sound. My daughter put her finger in the toy's mouth while I was making it sing for her and it pinched her, not hard at all mind you, but enough to convince her that it bit her and now she won't go near it. It freaks her out totally and if I even pick it up and show it to her she backs away and says "no!" so I put it in her closet. It is a shame because she likes to sing along with her other toys I was hoping this would be a hit, but no dice. Maybe she will like it when she is older and not convinced it is secretly alive and trying to eat her fingers.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Little Superstar Sing-Along Stage; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: This toy really held our daughter's attention longer than I expected, but she would play with it more often if the microphone worked! I know it would cost more if it did, but I would be willing to pay it. She is 22 months old and small for her age, so the low height isn't a problem for her. If your child is on the bigger side of the growth chart, note that the bottom is only about 6-7 inches off the ground. She uses the rattle/mike as a maraca as she dances around while the songs play, so cute to watch her cut a rug and enjoy herself. The colors are nice and gender neutral without being boring, the little graphics on it are cute. The mirror is quite clear and bright for not being glass, but it will ding up easily if that matters to you. I am very glad it has two volume settings, we keep it on the low one ;) We have another baby due in April and I am glad to have this in the house for when he or she is about 6-7 months old!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ravensburger Xoomy Animals; Brand: Ravensburger; Review: I would have really loved this toy if it was better made. It is a good thing to have on long car trips, but probably won't survive very long. The idea kept my daughter's attention for quite a while, she accidentally dropped it and cracked the case, which feels like it is very thin plastic. I put some clear packing tape on the crack to try to keep it from getting worse, we'll see how long it lasts.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Playskool Transformers Rescue Bots Heroes Electronic Rescue Bots Mobile Headquarters Playset; Brand: Playskool; Review: My toddler daughter is obsessed with all things robots, so you can imagine her fondness for old-school Transformers. THIS amazing toy has kept her interest for days and days which is just great. It is so disappointing when a toy meets with lukewarm reception, but when she opened up the box with this in it she literally jumped up and down with her arms up yelling "YAY!" She loves the trap door most of all. She calls it her "bobot train" and even wants to lug it with us on errands, I let her take the Optimus Prime that comes with it since it is small enough to carry around but big enough not to lose or forget at the store. She says that the little person that came with it is a girl, the box says its name is Cody so I guess she could be right. The sound effects are not annoying compared to some toys in our house that suddenly developed cases of laryngitis (wink). If you get this toy for a child you will be rewarded with a ton of smiles and some down time for yourself, win-win! I would spend the money to replace this toy if it broke, I don't say that for many things in the toy-box.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: WOW Mix 'n' Fix Mike - Construction (3 Piece Set); Brand: WOW; Review: I have a 6 month old boy crawler and a 2.5 year toddler daughter and they both loved playing with this truck. My daughter loves trucks and my son loves anything she is playing with. Nothing on this toy made me worried he couldn't grab it and stuff it in his mouth. I gave it all a good tugging and all parts feel very secure. No batteries to worry about getting loose. All edges are rounded and smooth. I look forward to adding more WOW toys to the toy chest. My advice about this one is to bring this out after nap time since it could wake you out of a coma. After her nap until we eat dinner is the perfect window to be noisy and get excited about this fun toy. I look forward to this toy getting lots of playtime from my son in months/years to come too since I think it will last a long time -- it feels as sturdy as it is loud. Great gift idea!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Transformers Bot Shots Battle Game Battle For The Matrix Set; Brand: Transformers; Review: So you are supposed to smash these bots into each other to see what symbol is on their chest, it reveals the winner. I don't think a robot based fighting version of "rock-paper-scissors" would appeal to older kids, but my toddler daughter loves just playing with the bots. It is nice that they transform so easily, so she isn't frustrated. She ADORES Transformers and all things cars and robots so these are great for her, but they are lousy at what they are intended to be.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Schylling Little Helper Broom Set; Brand: Schylling; Review: My toddler daughter uses this set when I am cleaning because she loves to help her mommy do things. I love fostering that desire with toys that actually have a purpose. This little set is great! It is fully functional and is just a scaled down version of the real thing. I wish I had this set when I lived in my shoebox apartment in college :D; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: LeapFrog Animal Adventure Learning Table (Frustration Free Packaging); Brand: LeapFrog; Review: My two kids under 3 years old have been pounding on this learning table for almost a month now and they still love it and play with it daily. I pop the legs off of it so my 7 month old crawler can play with it, my 2.5 yr old will sit by him and play along happily. Than later in the day I will pop the legs back on and my baby will crawl under it while my toddler dances around it using the center drum. It is a great toy that really keeps their interest. The music is kind of latin-esque with cha cha type style, a nice break from farmer in the dell! It was super simple to assemble, just put the legs on and give it to your kids. If it broke I would definitely replace it, even at full price. The ability to the dishes and start dinner uninterrupted is worth 45 bucks to me! ;D; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lauri Tall-Stackers Mighty Monkey Playset; Brand: Patch Products Inc.; Review: This was a hit with the kids one afternoon during a play date. My daughter who is not quite 3 liked it but was a bit frustrated trying to get it set up. The 4.5 year old LOVED it and helped my daughter play. It is very cute and compatible with the other peg toys my daughter had, so they had a lot of pegs to choose from. It is nice that it is good for girls and boys too.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Dinosaur Train InterAction Arnie Argentinosaurus; Brand: TOMY; Review: After 3 days my daughter, who loves dinosaurs, is bored with this toy and I am glad I didn't pay money for it. Ours does not walk properly, it does a kind of dino-shuffle in one place; we tried it on different surfaces and all produces varying degrees of disappointment. The remote is more like a garage door opener since you just hit the one button to activate a random action and you cannot control the toy. It is nice looking and large, but if one of the main features is walking and it cannot perform that I am forced to remove a star. On another level, I am annoyed that the dino asks you to push the buttons of his friends to hear them all talk to each other. This toy has locked features that will unlock if he is near another dino. I guess in a world of diminishing exposure to commercials we now have toys that tell your kids to ask their parents to buy their "friends." I felt the same way when I went through my daughter's candy on halloween and I found a couple larger candy bars that had Real Estate Agent business cards taped to them; TACKY MAKETING. I took a star off for the blatant ad built into the toy that I felt was overkill, the box already displays all the different models and being reminded daily that his friends were missing got annoying really fast. Overall it is a decent toy, but at $30 a pop if you have a kid who is going to want the full dino tea party it will set you back a pretty penny. I am relieved that my daughter just announced Arnie's new friends were her stuffed turtle and plastic frog toy and played happily for about three days with it and moved on to different options.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Hape (E3101) Gourmet Kitchen Kid's Wooden Play Kitchen in Green (Discontinued by Manufacturer); Brand: Hape; Review: This is a good gender-neutral choice for a play kitchen for tiny tots. The counter is 20" high, so keep that in mind if your child is tall. This will fit perfectly in the shallow bar-cove of our kitchen island so the kiddos can cook while I cook. I took it out of the box and let all the pieces air out in our garage for a few days, some parts are pressed wood bits and I am unsure about the glue used so I figured I should let it off-gas outside the house. I love that it is not made of plastic or painted garish colors, it feels well made and well painted. I took a star off for not being totally made of real wood as the description leads you to believe. It is still better than 90% of the kitchens out there at this price. I like how the oven opens sideways and doesn't fold out and down like a real oven, I predict there will be less ankles smacked ;); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Roll N Go Get Away Garage; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: HOLY COW my kiddos love this! I have a 3 year old daughter and a 1.5 year old son and they both love love love it. Putting this together was easy. It is VERY important to push all connections together until you hear them click, if you do not the crane will not work. I thought ours was broken, but my hubby went over all the connections and I missed one of them, a loud CLICK later everything worked perfectly. I thought the extendable road was lame, but my kids love it so there you go. There is a lot of extra details in the structure, it is well made and feels sturdy. The sound effects are a big hit and are great for me too; I can hear from the kitchen when they are done playing with it so I can peek in on them more often. I would pay money to replace this if it broke, we will be buying a few more cars for it so friends can get in on the action. Final note: It cracks me up that this toy is a reenactment of a policeman's speed trap, lol.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Green Toys Rocket with 2 Astronauts Toy Vehicle Playset, Blue/Red; Brand: Green Toys; Review: So the other Green Toys are great, simple car designs with fun features that are equally simple but work well with the car theme. What I found with this toy is that the simple design doesn't transfer so well to a theme that is decidedly high tech. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that space exploration as a theme comes pretty pre-loaded with ideas of more complex features in a toy. It would have been nice to have a bit more detail and additional colors, heck, the Green Toys trucks and cars we have DO have more detail and colors than this toy does. It is nice to not have to worry about bad plastic or breakage, I think I could back my car over this and it would probably pop my tire. It is ok, but I would not pay retail price for this. Wait until it is on sale if you want to give it a try ;); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Radio Flyer Ride 2 Glide Ride On; Brand: Radio Flyer; Review: My son is 22 months and LOVES ride on toys he can propel with his feet. This is right up his alley. I think the styling is adorable and I am a sucker for nostalgia; my brother and I both had Radio Flyer wagons growing up. The lil basket on the front is great to tote around a toy or water bottle. We have not switched it to the scooter yet, but will update this post when we do. It is a 5-star ride on toy and I am excited to see in the future if it does the scooter thing just as well. SUPER CUTE AND WELL MADE!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Little Tikes Endless Adventures Climb and Slide Castle; Brand: Little Tikes; Review: We bought this for our daughter's first birthday and she immediately loved it. She is currently 4 and this STILL gets played with everyday by her and her 22 month old brother. It was very easy to put together and nothing on it has broken in 3 years of rigorous use. We drag it outside in good weather and bring it inside during the cold months, just a quick wipe down and it still looks new. When inside we have it under a window so the kids can stand on the top and watch dad mow the back lawn or see the birds at the birdfeeder (I do not have the window open due to escape risk ;D ). I will put a baby blanket or beach towel over the top to mix it up and the kids call it a tunnel slide and go down on their tummies. It is high enough that when we are outside when it's hot I can put the slide into a kiddie pool and they can pour water on it and they slide down into the water. I put a blanket and pillow under it to encourage the 4 year old to "rest in her cave" while her brother is napping, kids love getting in tiny spaces and I get a few minutes to get some things done around the house. It is great to have car races down, just have the slide edge end on a flat surface like tile or concrete (yes i put it back on something softer when they're done to avoid injury). Overall, it has been an amazing toy with lots of playtime. I would highly recommend it to any parent of a toddler!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Little Kids Fubbles No-Spill Tumbler Includes 4oz Bubble Solution and bubble wand (tumbler colors may vary); Brand: Little Kids; Review: I know that, like many parents of toddlers, I find myself saying "yeah right" to a lot of claims that various products make about its abilities. "Leak Proof,"Unbreakable," and "Water Resistant" are just a few things you see printed on things that are quickly leaking, broken or drowned at the clever hands of your average toddler. So when I saw Fubbles saying they made a leak-proof cup of bubbles I shrugged and put my six bucks down for two tumblers, one for each of my toddlers. I filled each one as Indicated and handed them over to adorable eager faces. Two hours later? Not an ounce of bubble solution was slopped on the floor! Both kiddos (2 and 4) were having a BLAST and could easily dip and blow a million bubbles on their own. HALLELUJAH! No more lightheaded mommy! My kids can blow as many bubbles as they want before they pass out. IT. IS. GLORIOUS.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Step2 Big Splash Waterpark Water Table; Brand: Step2; Review: Our kiddos, 2 & 4 years old, LOOOOVE this thing! I put it in the middle of their wading pool and put a patio umbrella to shade them from getting burned since they will spend forever messing with it. Be advised that the tower rests together, it doesn't snap together.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Batman Scene Giant Scene Setter Wall Decorating Kit (5pc); Brand: Amscan; Review: I put this up for my sons party and he loved it. It was very vivid and set the tone for the party, but I was sad to see how wrinkled it arrived.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Melissa & Doug Wooden Vacuum Up Play Set - 6 Wooden Pieces to Pick Up; Brand: Melissa & Doug; Review: This is a cute toy, but the flaps that flip the toys into the unit need to be stronger. One has cracked after normal use after just a couple of weeks. I like how the unit is gender neutral colors, my son likes it more than my daughter does. I usually give Melissa & Doug toys 5 stars, but this one gets three :(; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Melissa & Doug On the Go Water Wow! Reusable Water-Reveal Cards - Shapes, Numbers, Colors; Brand: Melissa & Doug; Review: My daughter, who is four years old, really loves to play with these. She carefully paints on the water and recites what is underneath. I wouldn't use these in a car due to the pen bring a little leaky, but at the kitchen counter it is a great way to pass the time in a pretty self contained way that teaches or reinforces some basic education.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Crayola Arts & Craft Brushes, Assorted 1 ea; Brand: Crayola; Review: There is such a great mix of brushes in this set. I find it has everything I need to have different types of paint crafts with my tots. The handles are brightly colored so you can quickly see which one you are missing ...and then go find the green one your kid threw behind the couch. They last a long time and stand up to the harsh pressure of a toddler trying to infuse the paper AND table with paint. I will be ordering more when they finally do give out since the price is right and NASA hasn't made a toddler-proof anything yet.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crayola Mat-Ocean Doodle Magic Color Marker; Brand: Crayola; Review: I took the advice of another reviewer and bought the washable crayola markers and am very glad I did. The pens this comes with are very weak compared to the regular washables. It is clear that they are like that so they can call the eraser magic since it wipes it all away invisibly, but the real reason kids use this is to draw, not erase. I understand it would be attractive to parents to have such a spotless clean up, I know it was to me, but if there is not a lot of color coming out of the markers, then the pad won't get a lot of use. With the new markers it is great! They fit into the velcro pocket perfectly. I put some paper towels in the pocket too since the new markers need a bit more attention with removal. It is a great thing to take along on vacation so the kids can be entertained during down time, we are taking our to a week at a cabin in the woods for them to use on the deck. With the new markers it is a 4.5 star product, but in its purchased condition it is a solid 3 stars.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: LeapFrog Learning Friends Preschool Play Set; Brand: LeapFrog; Review: this is a great toy to introduce the idea of being at school. Your kiddo can shift the giraffe to each phase of the day within the classroom. It is bright and big and both my kiddos can use it without really stepping on each others toes. They have seen the Leap Frog crew before, so this made it extra exciting that they had their own "show set" so to speak. I would show your child the shows before giving this to them so they can be super jazzed, they are on Netflix streaming right now. I think it is cleverly designed to keep the child's interest, what kid gets sick of a slide? Not mine. When they eventually tired of the "correct" way to play I think they put every toy they had down the slide. Noce amount of moving parts, music and voice activated things to listen to. It doesn't fold up very flat, so make sure you have a place to store it. In our house it can fit under a coffee table and on top a short-but-deep bookcase (don't put it anywhere your kid will climb!) When we have a play date at our house next I see this getting used the entire time.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: My First Crayola Mess-Free Touch Lights, Ages 2 to 4, Art Activity Station, Colorful Lights &; Brand: Crayola; Review: Do you have a frenemy with kids you'd love to stick it to a bit? This is the perfect thing to gift their child. This sounded like a great toy, but it falls short in execution. There is too much goo, so as soon as your kiddo draws something it disappears much to their frustration and yours. They cry. The goo turns chunky overnight so every time you pull it out you have to rub it around a bunch before your tot can really draw on it again. Then they try, it fades and they cry. The music is what I imagine one would hear in the waiting room of a mental institution. That is not a dig against mental facilities, I am just trying to paint a picture here. The speaker is as horrible as you'd expect from a state-paid facility. They supply a playlist of 12 tired nursery tunes but it does include a mystery tune that sounds like the closing credits of a Wes Anderson movie -- we don't mind that one. The draw stick holder is too hard for little hands to pry the stick out of, but the stick is a good trainer for holding a writing implement since it is triangular -- it also prevents it from rolling away. We like the stick. The lights are great and look really cool when you get the goo thinner in the middle and draw a weird picture. There is one setting that auto changes color which is nice. This would be a 5 star product if you took out the music and added fine-grain glitter to the goo; seriously, how is there not glitter in an opportunity like this?! Glitter + rave lighting + goo = at least 15 minutes of time to pee by yourself. I wanted to love it and with a few minor tweaks my kids would, as it is now they lose interest and leave the music on as they go find their pads of paper and crayons. I stash it in the closet when they are not looking.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Sofia The First Magical Tea Time Game, Pink; Brand: The Wonder Forge; Review: This is not a very fun game. My kiddos usually love tea parties, so I thought this would be great, but it is rather boring and the game play needs work. The "puffer teapot" is just like a plastic bath toy, rubber with a hole in it you squeeze to blow on the teacups; but it doesn't do a good job of that. The box shows a big shiny teapot, but it is neither -- it is small and unimpressive looking. The game has a nice idea behind it, but it is not planned out very well since it can easily stack one kid with teapot duty and the others just getting bored. The kids use the teapot in the bathtub and the other pieces have been absorbed into the play kitchen gear. Meh.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Thomas & Friends Fisher-Price My First, Motion Control Thomas; Brand: Thomas & Friends; Review: This toy is just okay. It will appeal to Thomas Train fans, but the price of $40 is way too high for what you get. It is just a toy train that goes back and forth depending which way your kid waves, but doesn't always work if your hand isn't in exactly the right spot. It is less that 8 inches and hard plastic. I paid about $15 for a fun RC train last christmas for a nephew and it was better than this. You are paying for the name on this Thomas one, I am always so amazed at how expensive Thomas brand stuff is and this is no exception.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Spot it! Jake and the Never Land Pirates- Numbers and Shapes; Brand: Asmodee; Review: Our 4 year old loves card games with a traditional deck, so I thought this would delight her -- I WAS RIGHT! She loves pirates and games that involves patterns so this was right up her ally. It is fun for adults to play too, which is so appreciated; so many kid games are very dull for the parents. I like how small it is too, easily stored in a drawer with our other decks or tossed in the suitcase for games at the hotel room on trips. The colors and themes are perfect for all genders, I love it when something great isn't only available in blue sports or pink puppies ;); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: ALEX Toys Craft Color a House Children's Kit; Brand: ALEX Toys; Review: This is a nice box cottage, but it is small for the price. It is good for one kid, but two are a tight fit if they both want to be in it at the same time. For one child it would be perfect and have a small footprint, there are 6 pens that come with it and they work well. I took a star off for size since the box shows two kids playing with it and it is not that great for two kids. I also took a star off for price since the ones that are almost twice as big are the same price as this one.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Green Toys Seacopter; Brand: Green Toys; Review: This is such a great toy, we have several Green Toys and we love them all! The other ones we have are cars, trucks and a spaceship so it is nice to have an air vehicle too. This plays great in the tub, floats well and is easy to dry out so no mold will grow inside of it. The colors are great for my two kids, one girl and one boy -- perfectly gender neutral. It is substantial but not too big, my 2.5 year old can hold it with one hand and run around the room flying it. It fits in the toybox and is easily spotted with its unique color scheme and substantial shape. The blades do not pose an injury threat since they are short and very well rounded; we had a helicopter from another company that had to be put in the garage for when they are older due to eye hazard propeller blades. This would be a great gift for a new mom who is keeping her baby's gender a surprise! Both my kiddos like it and I see this getting A LOT more playtime as time goes on. WE LOVE GREEN TOYS!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PLAYMOBIL Dragon Battle Ship; Brand: PLAYMOBIL; Review: WOW! Now this is a cool ship! My two kiddos love this, as they love all things pirate like. Very glad this looks different than their other stuff. It is way bigger than I thought which is great, it floats in the tub too which is awesome since our two kiddos LOVE playing with boats in the tub. I love how the design looks different than everything else out there right now, very unique! My youngest is 2.5, so I took out the small bits and put them in the drawer with all the other itty-bitty toy pieces he will get in 1-2 years ;) They never saw them, so they don't miss them. I love Playmobile toys and this one is no exception. The quality is great, edges are smooth, design is thoughtful and they are all put together really well. This toy will last until they outgrow it, which I hope isn't for a long time because it is very fun :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Madame Alexander Varsity Girl 18" Doll, Favorite Friends Collection; Brand: Madame Alexander; Review: This doll is better in person, which is saying a lot since the photo looks great -- she is beautiful! In the photo she looks rather pale, but in person she has more color which is great since my daughter has the same skin tone, somewhere between my rosy pale skin and my hubby's olive complexion. Her lips and cheeks are better colored than Amercian Girl Dolls IMHO. Her eyes close when she lays down too and has eyelashes. The clothes are quality, the jacket has faux leather sleeves and nice details, the shirt and skirt are LINED to prevent stretching and are easy to get on and off. The tights are very substantial and the shoes are vinyl with silky white laces that tie easily -- small proportioned laces too, not just short regular shoe laces. What I like most about these style of dolls over the AGDs is the upper chest is vinyl but the lower torso is stuffed, instead of the vinyl arms and legs on a stuffed body like the AGDs. This means it looks great when you put a strappy sundress on this doll, her chest and arms match; on the AGDs if you put strappy clothes on them it looks like they are wearing a flesh-toned muscle shirt underneath. The hair feels silky and smooth, I had to snip a few longer hairs but not a big deal at all. The hair is great! You can style it without any bald patches. My daughter loves the two little braids and has me do the same thing to her hair so they match -- very sweet. I have to admit I think I am going to get myself one with my coloring so I can play with her with them and get a barrel of clothes so we can bliss out dolling them up together. She just turned 5 years old and I think this is the perfect first "real girl" doll for that age group. Considering I got a smoking deal on this one too means I paid 1/4 of the price of an AGD with much cuter features and quality construction. Happy baby, happy mama!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Melissa & Doug standard Mine to Love Brianna 12-Inch Soft Body Baby Doll with Hair and Outfit; Brand: Melissa & Doug; Review: It is so sad how the quality of M&D dolls, toys and puzzles has slid downhill as the price stays the same. This doll used to be adorable, see pics of 2009 or 2010 dolls and you will see how awful they look now. I would have paid a few dollars more for a better doll like they used to be, but now they look like a toddler blowup doll, the plastic stinks and the whole thing is just depressing. I notice more and more of the other M&D toys we loved are now so much worse. The chalkboard is unusable and many of the puzzles are now just stickers on wood instead of painted :(; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Playskool Heroes Transformers Rescue Bots Energize Bumblebee Figure; Brand: Transformers; Review: All of these style of Rescue Bots are awesome for little hands because transforming is one (mostly) smooth motion they can do themselves; unlike, say, Beast Wars transformer figures from the 1990's that have so many ball-joints and weird angled turning that you need a structural engineering degree to get them transformed in under 15 hours. The whole set is great and my toddlers love them. Very well made and vividly colored.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Playskool Heroes Transformers Rescue Bots Energize Chase the Police-Bot Figure; Brand: Playskool; Review: All of these style of Rescue Bots are awesome for little hands because transforming is one (mostly) smooth motion they can do themselves; unlike, say, Beast Wars transformer figures from the 1990's that have so many ball-joints and weird angled turning that you need a structural engineering degree to get them transformed in under 15 hours. The whole set is great and my toddlers love them. Very well made and vividly colored.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends, Joker & Harley Quinn; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: Great set! I love this duo from the 1990's Batman series and was excited to get them for our kids, they play with them in the bat cave and they fit great and get in all kinds of trouble with batman.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Learning Resources Doctor Set with Bag; Brand: Learning Resources; Review: This set is ok for the money, most of the instruments are 3-4 stars but the bag they go in is 1 star, they could not have found cheaper plastic to make this out of. I was disappointed in how wrinkled it was when it showed up. I filled it with paper to try to smooth it out but no dice.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends, Hall of Doom; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: Wow, the kiddos are still playing with this after giving it to them 45 minutes ago! It is the perfect foil to the bat cave we got at christmas time. The other imaginext figures fit in it well and the little LED lights behind the eyes that open are a very cool touch that won the kids over immediately. I LOVE THAT IT IS QUIET! Thank goodness that this and the bat cave do not have noises that ping and zing every flipping minute, the only sound effects I her are my son and daughter making their own adventures as Lex teams up with Joker and Harley to try to take over the good guys. It is a little taller than the bat cave but less wide, so it has a smaller footprint and different spacial presence than the bat cave which is a nice contrast between the good vs. evil. I wish is was a little deeper or had a fold out floor area so there was more space for figures to just hang out in the back. The bat cave has a fold out floor that gives extra play space and stability, I hope the next villain lair has that too. The colts are great, very bright and well saturated. It is molded colored plastic, not painted plastic, so it won't chip off when things get hairy. The gears work well and the elevator in the middle is a big hit too. The eyes open telescopically as the top tier is turned and the LEDs light up, very cool. Both my kids love it, girls and boys alike will have lots of fun having a place for the villains to hang out in!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Imaginext Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants Krabby Patty Food Truck; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: I really like the Imaginext toys, my kiddos love the batman and his villains series; they have the bat cave and the Luthor Lair and love them. I like this boat but compared to the super hero ones it is a tad lacking. The mast and flag are constantly falling off even though you don't touch the front of the ship. It is designed to launch off when you poke the front, but it happens as it rolls whether you do it intentionally or not. It would have been nice to have two figures with it like the bat cave did. You'll need to order another character right away so Bob has someone to interact with. The colors are bright and rich, the plastic is molded colored plastic and not painted plastic so it won't chip with heavy use. Overall it is a fun toy, but it did not hold my kids' attention like the other Imaginext offerings.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: 7 Pc. Casual Everyday Outfit Set Fits 18 Inch Doll Clothes Includes- X2 Pants, X2 Tops,; Brand: Doll Club of America; Review: I got this for a steal of a price but after getting it I would say that I would have paid full price. The purse alone is so well detailed! The tops can also be used as skirts so you really get your money's worth. The glasses fit great and the hairband actually stays on the doll's head pretty well. My daughter was so excited!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Octonauts Gup-G Mobile Speeders Launcher; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: Compared to the other Octonauts toys, this one is just ok. It doesn't really do much, you push it and the racers shoot out. You cannot shoot the racers out unless you push it, so it is not really racing anything, it is just shooting them forward. It did not hold my kiddos' attention very long at all since after about 5 runs it is just repetitive without variation. Because of the size of the wee speeders, they do not work with any of the other toys in the line. I got down the Octopod, characters and Gups and they played for an hour+ on their own. I usually love Octonauts toys, but this one is pretty boring :(; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Playskool Jurassic World Dino Tracker 4X4; Brand: Playskool; Review: This is a great bridge for my son's collection of dins and his plethora of cars and other vehicles. He loves vehicles and autos and to have them together like this is AWESOME! We love Playskool toys, well made, brightly colored and thoughtfully detailed. Other small dins we have already can be ham-fisted into the cage to my 3 year old son's delight. The wheels roll smoothly and the whole toy feels sturdy and up to the task of toddler play. I do think it is funny they have a line of toys from a movie to scary for a tot to see, but the toy is really fun so who cares. Maybe when he is a tween and sees the movie he'll find it funny he had the toy as a toddler.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Musical Dancing Palace; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: This was a very fun gift to give my daughter! It was met with clapping and bouncing and she was excited to have a princess castle. It comes with enough stuff that I don't feel the need to buy anymore pieces for it since we have a few other Little People items that work with it. Her younger brother has Little People versions of all the DC super heroes, so they came to the castle too! It is so fun to watch both my children play with this, who doesn't love a party right? Batman and Belle make a great couple ;) As a toy that makes noise and talks, it is not the most annoying thing in our house, I give that award to The Littlest Petshop puppy speaker thing we got a couple of years ago. The ballroom floor of this castle turns with the the crank of a pink lever to make the party guests "dance" with each other. My daughter likes the whole thing and I like that it doesn't have a billion tiny pieces or songs that make me want to put gravel in the garbage disposal just to drown it out. Overall, I feel it is a good toy for any child who like Disney Princess stuff and a fair value for the size of the toy and sturdy feel in its construction. I'd give it 5 stars if it were $50 instead of $60, like I said it is a fair value but not great. The Bat Cave we got for my son by Fisher-Price is only $40 and is really engaging and blessedly does not make noise. So I assume the extra $20 on this is for the Disney license and the sound effects. Now if they could just come out with a Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion version I would be over-the-moon! :D; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Little People Disney Princess Musical Dancing Palace; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: This was a very fun gift to give my daughter! It was met with clapping and bouncing and she was excited to have a princess castle. It comes with enough stuff that I don't feel the need to buy anymore pieces for it since we have a few other Little People items that work with it. Her younger brother has Little People versions of all the DC super heroes, so they came to the castle too! It is so fun to watch both my children play with this, who doesn't love a party right? Batman and Belle make a great couple ;) As a toy that makes noise and talks, it is not the most annoying thing in our house, I give that award to The Littlest Petshop puppy speaker thing we got a couple of years ago. The ballroom floor of this castle turns with the the crank of a pink lever to make the party guests "dance" with each other. My daughter likes the whole thing and I like that it doesn't have a billion tiny pieces or songs that make me want to put gravel in the garbage disposal just to drown it out. Overall, I feel it is a good toy for any child who like Disney Princess stuff and a fair value for the size of the toy and sturdy feel in its construction. I'd give it 5 stars if it were $50 instead of $60, like I said it is a fair value but not great. The Bat Cave we got for my son by Fisher-Price is only $40 and is really engaging and blessedly does not make noise. So I assume the extra $20 on this is for the Disney license and the sound effects. Now if they could just come out with a Pirates of the Caribbean or Haunted Mansion version I would be over-the-moon! :D; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends, Transforming Batcave; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: This is a very VERY cool toy for the batman fan in your life. It works with all the imaginex toys, so even though it is really big and only comes with 2 figures, all the other figures (that you may have already) will work with it. The extra figures go on sale often for half-price here on amazon, so an extra pack as a starter kit with this bat cave would have any youngster clapping and jumping. This bat cave is a little top-heavy compared to the other bat cave, so make sure you put it on a hard surface so it won't flop over like it does on carpet. I took a star off for this since it would have been very easy to increase the base and inch each way and be MUCH more stable on any surface. The eyes light up which looks great and delights my son. The transforming things really does add oomph to the toy and is not just a gimmick. There is a cool elevator in the back and a secret jail at the base. There is a harpoon holder section next to the gun to store the harpoons, this is a BIG plus over the old bat cave since that one has no place to store the harpoons and they end up loose in the room. We have the other bat cave too and I recommend both, they both have fun things going on and my kids like them both very much. We also have the Lex Luthor Lair and the Joker Lair for all the baddies to hang out in and hatch evil plans. We really like the imagined line of super hero stuff, my daughter likes it too and we are crossing our fingers they make more female figures than just wonder woman. Huntress and Black Canary would be AMAZING!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Matchbox Dino Trapper Trailer; Brand: Matchbox; Review: This is a fun and colorful toy for the little Dino lover in your life. The Dinosaur makes great growling noises and the rocket launcher shoots really far. All the components work very well together and the trailer securely clicks into the truck back bumper. You can add the collar and tow the dinosaur around, I assume this is how you would take a t-rex for a walk. You can strap the t-rex down to the trailer, so when he acts up at the dog park you can rush him home ;) This is a big toy, the t-Rex is large and well made. My little son LOVES just taking it around the house and feeding it random stuff around the house since it has a mouth that opens and closes. The only thing I wish it had was a dude that went into the truck like the Fisher-Price version does, he has both and is always asking where the guy is to help the t-rex since he has a guy to help his velociraptor. There is a LOT of playtime in this toy for $30. I recommend this as a gift for any kid you know who loves the T-Rex!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hasbro Games Twister Moves Hip Hop Spots; Brand: Hasbro; Review: This is a fun way to get your little ones grooving! I know it says this is for older kids, but my 3 and 5 year old really like it. I face them to each other and they each see two colors at their feet they are "in charge of" to step on when it lights up. It turns into a crazy stomp party with TONS of giggles. They think it is really funny when I do it bu myself, so it is fun and entertaining to a wide age range. I don't know how long this will last since the plastic seems a bit hard and brittle, but I will update if anything cracks. Overall a very fun game and a good way to get kids of any age up and grooving, would be a fun gift for an 8-12 year old.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Transformers Robots in Disguise Mega Optimus Prime(Discontinued by manufacturer); Brand: Transformers; Review: This is an ok transformer, it is really jiggly and loose in both modes and feels like it is unstable. My son likes it, but he gets frustrated that the head keeps sliding down and the back of the truck mode has a huge gap in the back so the two sides of the trailer are not locked together. It is large, but feel it is very over-priced due to the poorly thought out construction and lack of a blaster or some tool he could hold. Overall, when it breaks I will not be paying to replace it.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Manhattan Toy Tree Top Adventure Activity Center; Brand: Manhattan Toy; Review: If your kids love those things at the doctors' office or IKEA, they will love this! My kids are 3 and 5 and they still love playing with these types of toys. It is kind of like meditation for tiny tots. I love that it is a manageable size to have in the house, the others we looked at seemed bigger without being more fun. The design on this one is really charming and fun, I don't mind leaving it out all the time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Octonauts Gup-S Polar Exploration Vehicle; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: Octonauts are an amazing line of toys and we adore the show, our kids know so much about marine life that it is silly. We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium and our 3 and 5 year old were telling the helper staff all about everything, they were having so much fun getting praise from the pros it was a great experience for them! OK, enough about how great this line is, on to the toy. The kids have a lot of these Gups and the Octopod and the Deep Sea lab, so this was met with squeals and claps from a couple of very bouncy kiddos. This is the arctic Gup that is featured in one of their favorite episodes so they were thrilled to get it since we didn't have any cold-water Gups yet. It is substantial and splits apart which is great! One kid takes the front off to explore while the other kid tends to the frozen animals, warming them up in the back lab's warming tank. It comes with Captain Barnacles in a cool winter coat. The back opens up to reveal a triage deck with a warming tank to save animals who get caught in ice drifts and such. If you have a Octonauts Nut, you cannot go wrong with this Gup-S!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Nature Bound Bug Catcher Critter Barn Habitat for Indoor/Outdoor Insect Collecting with Light Kit; Brand: Nature Bound; Review: This is a great little shelter to put small critters in for up to a day; great for children to observe the creatures that we come across in the house before their release. I like that it has a hole in the top for you to put in the guest, it is easier than having to try to scoop in a thing and get the whole lid on without fear of squishing it as it tries to scamper back out into your house. So far we have had many spiders, a cricket and a tiny frog from the garage. The kids and I have a great time looking up what would keep our guest comfortable and watch them being their creepy little selves. This is small and intended as a temporary viewing room, not big enough to keep a pet in, so keep that in mind. I like the light and the measurements on the side so you can see how big that "giant" spider really is -- spoiler alert: always WAAAAY smaller than it seems when it surprises you! To release our guest, I just open the top hatch and lay the unit on its side and check back in about an hour. Better than trying to get the whole lid off and worrying if the thing is going to crawl on you trying to get out!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Super DC Heroes Wonder Woman Child's Costume; Brand: Rubie's; Review: This is a GREAT Wonder Woman costume! The cut of the dress is adorable, but be aware it is VERY short so get some red or blue bloomers to cover that tiny booty. My daughter put the boot covers over her tall knee boots and it worked great, they will not stay up without tall boots underneath them. All the other parts are great too; belt, headband and cuffs all fit well and had no defects. The colors are rich and bright and it is super shiny. It is better made than a lot of costumes we have had. She and my son play dress up daily and this is a favorite in her costume box!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Horse Dreams Poncho (4-7); Brand: Wildkin; Review: These are great to keep in the back of the minivan for when we need some rain gear while out. California is in a drought-breaking winter, so these are going to see a lot of action this year -- thank goodness! The poncho folds up into a small pouch and store super easily by the loop on the pouch, or just stuffed in the "bag-o-stuff" I have to help us out in emergency situations; they are next to the extra socks and extra clean pair of pants parents of small children seem to need at the most inopportune times. I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old and they are roomy on them, plenty of grow space to keep the poncho useful for a few years to come.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Thomas & Friends Fisher-Price My First, Bubble Delivery Thomas; Brand: Thomas & Friends; Review: This doesn't work very well for us, it sputters a LOT of bubble juice out without bubbles. The entire handle area was a soapy and sticky mess after 30 minutes of use. The bubbles it does produce are small and do not float up at all, so if it is being used in a group of toddlers, they chase the driver swatting at their legs to pop the low bubbles. It needs to be refilled every 12 minutes or less, so it is not something you can give your little kiddos to watch play with, you constantly have to mess up your hands flipping up the top and putting in a cup of bubble solution. The bottle of bubbles that comes with the train is MUCH smaller than the giant pink bottle shown, it comes with enough bubbles for one afternoon with little friends. I would not pay more than ten bucks for this, but because it is Thomas branded it costs much more. It is another plastic yard toy that will be taking up space in the garage. I will probably just take off the handle and let the kids use it as a train toy for the sand box when they grow tired of it's subpar performance.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Fisher-Price Imaginext DC Super Friends, Hall of Justice; Brand: Fisher-Price; Review: I like this Hall of Justice. We have the Joker Asylum, Lex Lair, and the Batcave; this is a mother nice addition to the superhero line-up. I do wish it was a little bigger, like the bat cave, but my son seems to love it so that is what matters. It works with all the other Imaginext figures, we now have about 4 batman figures, so we will be pretending that the jail cell is actually a cloning chamber :) I think it makes an impressive gift for your superhero lover, without costing an arm and a leg. I recommend this toy as it is a good value for how much play time it creates and the workmanship of the structure.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Melissa & Doug Sunny Patch Dilly Dally Turtle Target Action Game; Brand: Melissa & Doug; Review: A friend of mine has one of these games for her children and it was such a hit on our camping trip that I was delighted to be offered our own! We own many Melissa and Doug toys and learning items; we love their thoughtful design, bright colors and adorable look that is perfect for children. Both our kids are learning addition and subtraction, so this was a perfect toy to also show how math is in everything we do. Keeping score and seeing who could rack up the most points is a blast. They also just love being able to throw things around the house, so there is that :D I think the design is GREAT for parents in any size home since it folds flat for storage or packing -- I will be taking this with us on trips that may leave us with a lot of down time on our hands. It fits easily and out of the way in the closet or truck. You can even mount it on the wall if floor space is scarce and you'd like to keep it up all the time, easier to vacuum under if wall mounted. This would be perfect for grandparents to have on hand to entertain the little ones with since it can easily be stored away when the little whipper-snappers are not there. Overall I think this is another great addition to our Melissa and Doug collection and happily recommend it to anyone who wants to delight a child.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Melissa & Doug Stained Glass Made Easy Activity Kit: Mermaids - 140+ Stickers; Brand: Melissa & Doug; Review: This is an AMAZING project for young children. My 6 year old daughter loves mermaids and LOVED putting this together. She is artistically inclined with great motor skills and was able to do it on her own after getting her started. Her bedroom is a ocean theme so this looks great in her window. A+; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zing Stikbot Studio Pro Toy Figure; Brand: Zing; Review: This is one hell of a good deal! This is a really great intro into stop-motion animation for kids. My 6year old was immediately sold on the concept and dove in head first with me and her father helping out. The thing I really like about the software is it is simple for a child to use and the screen shows a transparency on screen of the last move so you can easily line up your next move without too much jerkiness. I like the green screen included and the same tone of blocks for propping and jumping. The price for all this gear and the software is amazing, less than 20 bucks and you are in business! My husband has done stop motion animation using other professional-level software, he said the Stickbot Studio software is a nice way to try out the genre and as a free download is perfectly good all-in-one solution for beginners. He said he was very impressed with the cost to performance ratio of the whole experience. What needs to be better? The stage needs to be bigger; it is designed to be big enough to replace the background, but when we got it as close as we needed to fit in the screen, the focus on our iPhone would get pretty jumpy. If it was an extra 3 inches on each side this would not be an issue. Also, you will need to put the tripod on a silicone mat to keep it from slipping around on the table; when our daughter would push the button to capture a frame, it would slide a little bit. We used a silicone trivet to fix that problem. TIP: Remember that the videos you take will be taking up space on your iPhone, so make sure you have the room to accommodate your project before you begin. This is obvious, but good to know BEFORE you hand the box to your kid to open ;); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: MagWorld Toys Magnetic Construction Pastel Colors-42 Piece Set. Create 2D and 3D Shapes, Figures &; Brand: MagWorld Toys; Review: These are a solid 4 star product. We enjoy the great new colors to add to other packs of their original sets,more colors are always a good thing. My son and daughter LOVE magnet blocks. They were given a set of Magna Tiles for Christmas three years ago and the love affair has only grown. We added MagWorld blocks to that first set and they work well together since the magnets line up and their sizes are the same. You can see from the photo I included that the Magna Tiles have more center support and tighter corners, but the MagWorld blocks have not cracked in the middle yet so they are worth getting as well. This style of toy blocks are so great because they pack flat and do not have small parts or connectors so they are so easy to keep neatly in a big storage bin. They are also PERFECT to take on trips to keep little hands busy back at the hotel room during downtime. I would actually love it if they'd make a set of smaller blocks for travel that came in a flat metal-lidded snap case they could build on top of, even easier to take and play with!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: MagWorld Toys Magnetic Construction Rainbow Colors -14 Piece Set. Create in 2D and 3D. STEM Play Age 3 and; Brand: MagWorld Toys; Review: These are a solid 4 star product. This is an affordable starter set to see if your kids are into this type of building block. We have about 4 sets, our kids love them and use all of them. My son and daughter LOVE magnet blocks. They were given a set of Magna Tiles for Christmas three years ago and the love affair has only grown. We added MagWorld blocks to that first set and they work well together since the magnets line up and their sizes are the same. You can see from the photo I included that the Magna Tiles have more center support and tighter corners, but the MagWorld blocks have not cracked in the middle yet so they are worth getting as well. This style of toy blocks are so great because they pack flat and do not have small parts or connectors so they are so easy to keep neatly in a big storage bin. They are also PERFECT to take on trips to keep little hands busy back at the hotel room during downtime. I would actually love it if they'd make a set of smaller blocks for travel that came in a flat metal-lidded snap case they could build on top of, even easier to take and play with!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: SmartLab Toys Sew Science: Cuddly Critters; Brand: SmartLab Toys; Review: We love projects in our house and my 6 year old daughter loves anything science or circuit based so this was a big hit. This was not easy, but it was well received and enjoyed. It took a little time per day for about a week, which is great for us since I like us to have a long project or two every month. The shapes and colors are adorable. It is smaller than I thought it would be, but that is good for little hands. You will need to help your child do this, there is no way my daughter could have done it on her own, and she even knows how to sew by hand. I know the age range was not for 6 year olds, but she can usually do things recommended for 7 or 8 year olds. She really enjoyed it and the pay off is super cute.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: MagWorld Toys Magnetic Construction Pastel Colors-20 Piece Set. Create 2D and 3D Shapes, Figures &; Brand: MagWorld Toys; Review: These are a solid 4 star product. We enjoy the great new colors to add to other packs of their original sets,more colors are always a good thing. My son and daughter LOVE magnet blocks. They were given a set of Magna Tiles for Christmas three years ago and the love affair has only grown. We added MagWorld blocks to that first set and they work well together since the magnets line up and their sizes are the same. You can see from the photo I included that the Magna Tiles have more center support and tighter corners, but the MagWorld blocks have not cracked in the middle yet so they are worth getting as well. This style of toy blocks are so great because they pack flat and do not have small parts or connectors so they are so easy to keep neatly in a big storage bin. They are also PERFECT to take on trips to keep little hands busy back at the hotel room during downtime. I would actually love it if they'd make a set of smaller blocks for travel that came in a flat metal-lidded snap case they could build on top of, even easier to take and play with!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Janod Story Box Circus; Brand: Janod; Review: WONDERFUL! Our 4 & 6 year olds love Janod toys. I love toys that come with their own way of staying together, Janod toys are wonderful in this way; the ones we have come with great packaging that keeps all the parts together so none are lost. We have their magnet robot blocks and the box still keeps them secure. These Circus figures come in their own clever box that serves as a backdrop for your circus performers, they are a great addition to our attempt to get our kids better toys. I am so tired of cheap plastic toys that fade or look terrible after a year of use. We started swapping out our kid's toys with Hape, Janod, and Eytsy handmade toys and we could not be more thrilled! These Story box sets are also great for travel since it is self contained and very entertaining. They would be great for grandparents to get since they can be spread out anywhere and then neatly put away when the children are away. The colors are beautiful and the quality is top notch. This set is worth the price and I will be purchasing the other sets soon.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Janod Vehicles Magnetibook; Brand: Janod; Review: This is another winner from Janod toys! We love this set for traveling, everything is self contained, the interior tray keeps parts from falling on the floor while on road trips. We bought a minivan without the DVD player, so it is a game for me to come up with fun things for the kids to do while on long car trips. The drive to my sister-in-law's house is 2+ hours both ways, plus two trips a year are 6+ and 8+ hours both ways; so I am always on the lookout for things to capture my children's imagination. I try to find games/toys that are self contained, really interesting, and don't make loud noises. THESE MAGNET BOOKS ARE AWESOME! The guide is fun to do as a matching game, but the real fun is not using a guide and making crazy vehicles. My son loves making wacky cars and showing them to his sister and cracking her up, she uses a different set and makes funny people and shows him. Their game is to see who can make the silliest thing and make the other one laugh, this is a great game for us to listen too -- nothing sweeter sounding than your children being delighted! Other car trip toys that are awesome are the other Janod magetibooks, the water painting books by Melissa and Doug, Car trip bingo cards I printed off free from a quick google search, small sketchbooks with tethered pencil bags filed with washable drawing items, and small plush toys to cuddle for car naps. I keep these toys in a special bag and only use on trips longer than an hour, that way they keep their magic ;); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Discover with Dr. Cool Lunar Telescope for Kids – Explore The Moon and its Craters; Brand: Discover with Dr. Cool; Review: For the price, this is a wonderful telescope to introduce young children to lunar observation! It looks good and works surprisingly well. I figured it would be just ok, but I al really excited we got it. I love that they have a meteor pebble included in the box, the kids went nuts over that! This is a great jumping off point for our 4 and 6 year old; we are huge NASA fans and are excited to step up our love of space exploration with being more actively a part of it. It was packed well and arrived perfectly intact. It is small, we had to put it on a large box to get it to a suitable height to look into. It is also very portable! Being so small makes taking it to less light polluted skies a breeze. I recommend this for families interested in seeing the careers of the moon and launching young minds into dreaming about space :); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Melissa & Doug Water Coloring & Painting Book, (Water Wow Fairy Tale On the Go Travel Activity); Brand: Melissa & Doug; Review: These are PERFECT for long car trips or flights with kids. We discovered them 2 years ago and have been so glad to have them ever since! We use them only for travel, so they keep their fascination with them which I thin is nice; special toys for special times. My 4 and 6 year old still look forward to using them, they have had them since 2 and 4 years old and they have held up well. I was excited to get this new 3 pack to add to the ones we have. The bundle is a great way to save money. Some of the M&D things have been hit or miss lately, their doll's face molds have changed for the worse, but these are amazing and we love them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sago Mini - Portable Playset - Jinja's House; Brand: Sago Mini; Review: This is an amazing little set for kids to take with them on vacations or other friend's houses! It is great to play with at home too. It would be a perfect toy for grandparents to have for their little grandkids since it all folds up in a tidy little box that can be easily stored when the little ones are away. I love the attention to detail that is put into this play set. The colors are vibrant and well printed, the design of the house interior is adorable and fun with flaps opening to a bathroom and the fridge door opens too. The furniture comes packed in tiny little moving boxes that your child can unpack and set up so it feels like a new little friend is moving in -- very cute! There is even a little pizza to share with the other toys that helps them move in! There are cute little letters and a postcard for the little animal's mail. The whole set is great and reminds me of the Janod circus set I bought, that is a great play set as well. I highly recommend this play set for children 4 and over, under 4 may put the tiny parts in their mouth or not be gentle with the house and rip a wall joint (the house is made of pressed paper fiber). My kids (4 and 6) love playing with it, we will be getting more sets!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Learning Resources New Sprouts Healthy Breakfast; Brand: Learning Resources; Review: This is a really nice rubberized food set. The basket works well for anything and the handles are strong and sturdy. The texture of the food feels rubberized and the weight is hefty, SOOOO much better than those "100 random hollow plastic food bits" sets you see around. I really like the set and will be buying other sets to help my kids fulfill their store-time play time. It is a handy teaching tool also about nutrition. It contains all the 4 food groups discussed in classes in the days of yore, which I think is a more balanced approach to healthy eating instead of that crazy food pyramid sponsored by the wheat lobby, no one needs 47 servings of bread and pasta a day :P This is a perfectly balanced meal for most people, so it is nice to have a physical illustration to show a healthy lunch of sandwich and fruit, and a nice snack of yogurt, carrot and pretzels. This is a nice set that feels sturdy and works well for play time and education.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Janod Hat Box Puzzle - Princess and the Coach; Brand: Janod; Review: These Janod puzzles are really beautiful! I like how the princess one is feminine without being oddly too glam or sexualized. Some princess stuff is just too much, but this is wonderful! It is a sweet illustration of a little girl who fully clothed and enjoying the company of woodland creatures who clearly adore her. Very sweet. The box is great, we have several of these puzzles and the boxes look so great on their games & puzzles shelf. The handle and hinge are wonderful too.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Janod Hat Box Puzzle – Vehicles; Brand: Janod; Review: These Janod puzzles are so great I hate taking them apart and sticking them back in the box, I want to hang them all up on the walls. We have about 5 of these puzzles and they are beautifully done. The designs are bright and interesting with thoughtful illustrations and printed with full-bleed saturation. The boxes are great, the hat box design looks lovely on our playroom shelves. The handle and latch means it is easy to transport from the shelf to the table without accidentally dumping it out all over the floor by accident. This vehicle puzzle is so dense with design your child will just look at it all day once it is put together, so many things to see! I like that it shows everything from bikes to the space shuttle and everyone looks different and are different ages from young to old. It would have been really nice to have more than one POC and more than one female driver.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Janod Pirate Ship Giant Floor Puzzle; Brand: Janod; Review: Be aware that this is a puzzle with pirates displayed more accurately to their real history rather than the Disney version. These pirates have a POC sad and trapped in the crow's nest, a man crying as he walks the plank to his death in shark-infested waters, and a mermaid tied up and gagged below the ship's waterline. The design of the POC in the crow's nest is pretty offensive; it is drawn in the style of American old-south facial stereotypes with exaggerated lips. The crying man is clearly being pushed out into the sharky waters to die. The mermaid is tied up and gagged and upset about it. The entire pirate crew is dirty, scruffy, missing teeth, and actually look like bad guys. This more accurate depiction is obviously intensional and not a bad thing (I do wish they drew the POC less offensive though) since pirates were typically bad people. They stole and killed and looted; they'd turn on each other and terrorize the seas. Why not show kids what pirates were actually like instead of Jake and the Neverland Pirates? I am including all this in my review so you unknowingly get this as a gift for a child who's parents may not appreciate this depiction. Jane makes another pirate puzzle that is more vanilla without the death and debauchery and is very beautiful; it is called Janod Pirate Treasure Hunt Puzzle and you can get it on amazon too The puzzle itself is beautifully drawn and colored. The interesting shape was really fun to put together.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Tiggly Learner Kit Toy; Brand: Tiggly; Review: As parents who are a professional software engineer and a graphic designer, THIS KIT IS WORTH THE $$$ The amount of work spent under the hood to make this friction-free for the user is not lost on us, it is very thoughtfully designed and a huge hit with both of our young children. From a design standpoint, it is attractive, colorful, strait forward and very appealing to children. From a Code Monkey point of view, this kit really worked hard so you or your child does not have to. The kit follows a wonderful formula that works: make the games more fun than appearing educational and they will learn more from so much play. Both my kids dove in head first with the first kit (tiggly words) and my preK son was busting out CVC words without effort and loving it the whole time. The words are also very customizable, so my 7 year old daughter was enjoying decorating her words. You can decide whether to eat the completed cookie words yourself, or feed them to cookie monster. If you eat them all, cookie monster freaks out in a hilarious way and asks you to make more cookies. It is old-school cookie monster humor and it is great. If your child spells a word wrong, cookie monster asks if they are taking with their mouthful, or using slang, and wipes the word clean to spell again -- there is no "you are wrong" to break up the fun momentum. When frosting the cookies you also learn about color theory, nice bonus! I really like how the games pull the kids in and keep their attention. We have tried a lot of educational iPad games and these are really up near the top of the list. Leapfrog stuff is all terrible IMHO and I am so glad to see this style of game as a remedy. Leapfrog makes you spend a TON of cash over the long run to use them past the first 30 minutes, Tiggly Learning Kit does not. It uses the tablet you already have and there are zero ads or required in-app purchases to hound you later like a lot of other games spring on their users. The games are free is you buy the Tiggly Learning Kit, or you can buy them separately in the game store. This took a lot of effort to set up so that the games work without the manipulatives. It is a very thoughtful design that allows kids to use the games even if they cannot afford the kit set. That is really putting education as the priority. The packaging is WONDERFUL! A lot of thought went into it to keep everything organized in an attractive and compact space. Magnetic top flaps keep in closed; a drawstring bag is included with each section of the kit to corral the manipulative easily for storage that tiny hands can easily open and close. I suggest putting up three 3M hooks near your tablet charger (at kid height) so they can easily get them on their; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Play Circle by Battat – Dishes Wishes Dinnerware Set – 34-piece Kids Dishes and Utensils Playset – Pretend Play Kitchen; Brand: Play Circle by Battat; Review: I would give this set 6 or 7 stars if I could! I cannot believe this set was just twelve bucks. It is worth twice that, easily. I like the little zippered bag it comes in, it makes storage very simple and both kids can do it. The colors are cheerful without being covered with cartoon characters or silly branding, it is simple and wonderful. It is very sturdy and comes with EVERYTHING your kids need for a play kitchen. My kids love playing restaurant and this set is perfect. I adore the teapot, it is easy to fill and easy to use without getting everything soaking wet like a different set we used. I would say that this would be a great gift for any kid who likes to have a play kitchen, it would be a huge hit. I wish the colors were a little less gender specific, like a blue place setting instead of two different pinks; but I don't care about boy and girl colors, so I don't care that my son likes it too. Some parents of sons may be put off by the colors, so gift as you see fit. Yellow, green, blue and pink would be a great improvement since blue is my daughters favorite color. Despite the missing blue, my daughter loves playing with it all the time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Petit Collage Nesting Blocks, Garden ABC; Brand: Petit Collage; Review: This is a great stacking set! The colors are amazing and the art is lovely, one of the best looking sets I have found. I like that they are sturdy cardboard wrapped in laminate, it makes them lightweight and easy for little hands to hold. It also means that if you get one thrown at your face you will not need stitches! We have a wood stacking set that has created a few bruises. This would be a wonderful baby shower gift since it it beautiful and perfectly gender neutral. I will probably be giving these as gifts to new parents from now on. I love all the art from Petit Collage products.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Early Memory Development Mix and Match Card Puzzle Game Robot Remix; Brand: Petit Collage; Review: This is a wonderful game that kids in a wide age range can play together. We played it with 4-8 year olds and everyone enjoyed themselves. I love the design on the pieces, each has a VERY adorable animal on it that does not look fake-cartoony. All animals are whimsical and colorful without being garish. This would be a wonderful gift for any kid or pair of siblings with a wider age spread; it could be a great way to get an older sib to have a fun time with the new toddler. I appreciate how well the box holds up, it has flaps that fold in to keep all parts in place and fits nicely on our game shelf. The kids pull it down and play it themselves, so you know it is well-liked. It is a bit over-priced in my opinion since their other memory sets are around eleven dollars and this one is currently almost twenty dollars, star off for inconsistent pricing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Melissa & Doug Magic in a Snap! Hocus Pocus Collection Magic Tricks Set (12 pcs); Brand: Melissa & Doug; Review: This is a little cheap, but the kids love it and it is easy for little hands to master. I got this for my son who loves magic, he is 6 now and still uses it. I found a top hat and a simple black cape at the dollar store during Halloween and included them with this set for the full magician treatment. It is so stinkin' cute to watch him try to dazzle us. My 8 year old daughter loves it too, they take turns being audiences for each other.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Be Amazing! Toys Get Slimed! Science Kit; Brand: Be Amazing! Toys; Review: This kit is ok. For twenty bucks I would go buy the stuff myself and make slime that doesn't dissolve into liquid in a couple days :( The work squirter was cool, but this is over-priced for what you get.; Rating: 3.0/5.0 | amazon_Toys_and_Games |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Milton (S-506) Original Dual Head Chuck Tire Inflator Gauge - 15" Hose; Brand: Milton; Review: Ias serving it's purchase.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Marathon 4.10/3.50-4" Pneumatic (Air Filled) Hand Truck / All Purpose Utility Tire and Inner Tube; Brand: Marathon Industries; Review: Fitted well will do the job.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Marathon 4.10/3.50-4" Replacement Inner Tube; Brand: Marathon Industries; Review: Look good saving as spares.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: KeylessOption Keyless Entry Remote Control Car Key Fob Replacement for LHJ011 (Pack of 2); Brand: KeylessOption; Review: friend love them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: KeylessOption Keyless Entry Remote Control Car Key Fob Replacement 15912860; Brand: KeylessOption; Review: did great; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Automotive |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: San Francisco Marriott Marquis; City: San Francisco California; Review: Recently stayed at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis and was very impressed. First, the location was perfect -- great downtown location close to the Moscone Center and Union Square. Took the BART from the airport which was easy and dropped us just one block from the hotel. The front desk service was wonderful, welcoming and helpful. The concierge was also very helpful and was able to get us last minute reservations for party of 12 on a busy Friday night. We were upgraded at no charge to a newly renovated room on the 27th floor with access to the club level which was a really helpful as it had a nice breakfast, late afternoon appetizers and dessert. The hotel is well insulated and quiet. It is really large so be careful of rooms too far from the elevator banks. Last time we stayed there we had quite a hike to get to the elevator. The lounge/restaurant on the top has incredible 360 degree views of San Francisco and quite decent bar food. The pool is decent and the staff at the fitness club and pool are very helpful. Overall I was very pleased with this stay.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort Villas Spa Cancun; City: Cancun Yucatan Peninsula; Review: This was our second trip to the Westin Lagunamar Resort. We love this location. The beach is fabulous (we love sitting under the thatched umbrellas on the beach -- most people seem to reserve pool side spots but these jewels on the beach are fabulous -- and there is full service to these chairs). The beach is swimmable which is a plus but can be rough -- the lifeguards are pretty vigilant. The surf seemed to change very day with some days being perfect for just floating and others for body surfing. The hotel's infinity pool is beautiful -- I prefer the "old" side with the infinity pool to the new side with the regular pool. The hotel seems quite clean and well cared for. We had a huge two bedroom suite with an incredible view of the ocean and pools. The furnishings were getting a little tired with some stains on the sofa but the sofa bed was of very good quality (temperpedic) and the beds/linens/pillows were great. The kitchen is well equipped and the suite was very clean. We liked having a washer/dryer. We only ate lunch out by the pool which was really good. The nachos are huge and delicious! The drinks by the pool are not the best -- mixes and not exciting. My kids normally get excited about getting "vacation smoothies" but decided these were not that good.... Happy hour is from 3-4 so drinks are 2 for 1.... The location is good across from the Isla Mall which has everything. We frequently caught the bus in front of the hotel to go to restaurants and had no problem with this at all. The store in the basement has a lot of groceries so we got eggs etc. for breakfast there and mostly ate out except for one dinner. The restaurants in Cancun are so good we never had a bad meal. A highlight of our trip was a last minute decision -- we decided to go scuba diving with the outfit located at the hotel. We are not certified and "trained" in the pool for three hours the day before then went out -- this was an amazing experience. I've never scuba dived before and it was incredible -- and I can say I did it!!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Honua Kai Resort Spa; City: Lahaina Maui Hawaii; Review: This was our second visit to the Honua Kai. It is a beautiful property. The condos are new and everything is of high quality. The kitchen is well equipped, the beds very comfortable and the large lanai's a treat. The building is well made meaning it is quite and you don't hear very much from other guests -- The pool area is fantastic but fairly crowded. Get down early if you want an umbrella. The beach front is beautiful with decent snorkeling right by the hotel. Another plus -- Duke's restaurant is located right on the property. They have great music which can be heard by the pool and adds to the "experience" and they provide poolside service for lunch. The on-site "market" Ainu is fabulous with organic food and coffee -- all the food is fresh from a local organic farm and delicious. Couple of Notes --- Be careful with room location -- the first time we had a mountain view which was actually very nice as there were rainbows almost every afternoon and our unit was on a corner which made it larger. This time we had a unit looking on the abandoned construction side -- although we could see the ocean the site was a big detractor and the condo was much smaller. Finally -- we did not get housekeeping service for the first three days of our stay -- the first two I did not realize we got daily housekeeping with our room rate because we are used to the biweekly housekeeping in timeshares, but even after I called on the third day our room was overlooked. They did come on the fourth and it was nice coming back to made up beds!!! They did waive the daily "resort fee" of $25 because of this.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Westin Ka anapali Ocean Resort Villas; City: Lahaina Maui Hawaii; Review: Convinced my husband to take me to Maui for my birthday to see the humpback whale migration in February. It was absolutely incredible! I've already stayed at the Westin properties before and love them. There are three villa properties - the South (the oldest) but very well maintained, the North and then further north, the newest, the Nanea. All are wonderful and if you stay at one, you have access to all which are either right next to each other or within easy walking distance. This area of beach is so nice and not nearly as crowded as other areas. Dukes restaurant is also within walking distance. We could see the whales from our room and as we sat out on the beach -- quite an amazing site. Over 12,000 whales apparently come through this area of Maui between late December and March to have their babies. Watching them teach their babies survival skills and behaviors is quite humbling. We want on three different whale watching excursions, all about two hours and saw so very many whales. On one trip we saw over 45 breaches! The Westin is always consistently nice and clean with attentive staff. I highly recommend.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Westin Los Cabos Resort Villas Spa; City: San Jose del Cabo Los Cabos Baja California; Review: I absolutely loved this Westin - it has been recently renovated from top to bottom and is beautiful. I loved the location and felt it was really relaxing - I could run a nice 5 miles up and down the beach (a few rocks to climb but that just broke up the run!) and felt completely safe and enjoyed the amazing sites (and the whales!). Although the beach is not swimmable, the waves were pretty tame two of the days so we could wade and there are a lot of pools right on the beach so, all good. A special shout out to the Activities Director Omar -- he and his staff were so fun and really worked hard to make our stay special. Afternoon blackjack tournaments were great! We had our sixteen year old daughter along and she really enjoyed the activities - especially when she won a spa pedicure playing blackjack! They do a good job of having things for the little kids and the older group. Omar is just the best. He also runs a fun karaoke night on Tuesdays and a Casino Night on Wednesdays. All the staff were so very friendly - always smiling and super helpful. The waitstaff remembered us and our favorite drinks (probably not a good thing to share...) The watermelon mojitos were awesome! The "green ceviche" was to die for -- I was really bummed we did not go to the ceviche cooking class and really REALLY want the green ceviche recipe as it was just the best thing I've ever eaten! If you are there, go to the cooking classes -- they are only $5 and really fun - we went to the guacamole class and you get two margaritas and a big helping of freshly made guacamole! We went into town for dinner each night so I cannot comment on the dinner options. One more big positive -- the spa -- Omar got us a nice discount on massages and wow --- Gabino gave me the most incredible massage -- go early and relax a little in the steam and sauna -- they have a lovely quiet room as well. So downsides -- and the only real reasons I did not give this Westin a 5 -- One, because of the location, I think it is best to rent a car so you have options to drive to swimmable beaches if you want (we did this one day - went to Palmilla Beach which is a five minute drive, but otherwise we enjoyed staying at the hotel. The main reason we rented a car was to drive into San Jose for dinner and we had a lot of great meals. And, two, there are a lot of stairs to climb which may present an issue for those with mobility issues (I used it as an excuse to work off an extra mojito!).; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Providence Smithfield; City: Smithfield Rhode Island; Review: This is my hotel of choice for business travel in the area. I prefer the Hampton Inn & Suites to the Courtyard by Marriott in Lincoln, RI. I have been pleasantly surprised by both my stays here and got exactly what expected plus a little more. Obviously not a luxury hotel but dependable.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Courtyard Providence Lincoln; City: Lincoln Rhode Island; Review: I have stayed at the Courtyard Lincoln twice and BOTH times I checked in my room was dirty! It was really gross and completely unacceptable. First stay: There was chocolate smeared on the pillow!!! a piece of chocolate on the floor by the bed and a gross hair in the other bed. There were other shriveled food items on the floor. Housekeeping did a very nice job when I asked them to fix the room so decided it was a fluke and booked again. Second stay: hairs (long and short) on the bathroom floor and chair! It is clear that they do not vacuum or wipe down floors regularly between visitors which is not acceptable. The hotel is modern and nicely decorated / renovated but the rooms (walls, carpets) are in shockingly poor condition for how new the hotel is. The hotel is also frequently full. My best guess is they fill up, clean or not and don't take the time to ensure consistency across all rooms and for all guests. I also had a similar experience with the staff - some were lovely and others could clearly take a lesson in customer service. I have chosen to stay at the Hampton Inn in Smithfield instead.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Silver Sands Vacation Villas; City: Duncans Trelawny Parish Jamaica; Review: I have stayed at Ebb Tide at least five times over the last ten years and can't wait to return. It is really a very special vacation spot. The entire Silver Sands complex is great - it is very very different from a typical "resort" experience - so much more authentic. Ebb Tide benefits from a fabulous location - it is right on the ocean. My favorite thing to do is to enjoy coffee before breakfast on the patio enjoying the morning ocean. I also love the layout of the house as it is perfect for groups and the large open living room is so pleasant and social. I am a fairly timid eater but have always enjoyed the food (some dishes more than others). Charm and Hyacinth have always been great about accommodating my requests (i.e. pumpkin soup and veggie stew peas). Over the years, I have really enjoyed having them around and have always been very happy with their service. I'm sad that the previous reviewer did not have the same, wonderful experience that I have had throughout the years at Ebb Tide. I do suppose that setting expectations is important so would like to offer a few insights so that you select the best villa to fit your needs. - Ebb Tide has an amazing location, this is the selling point for me. It is also a great value compared to other properties that have similar locations. Another huge benefit of the location is privacy / no noise... some of the villas by the beach can be very noisy with lots of foot traffic and activity at the beach bar. Ebb Tide is close enough but far enough at the same time. - The decor is very authentic and warm. There are some wonderful paintings by local artists hanging on the walls (I actually bought one of these from the artist in Ocho Rios for my husband's wedding gift!) While the villa has not been completely renovated in recent years as some other villas have been, this has never been an issue for me. There are other villas that are new and/or newly renovated - if you feel strongly about this you should stay at one of these villas but be prepared to sacrifice location / cost. - Luxury vs. Rustic: I don't go to Silver Sands for luxury (although sometime being cooked for feels very luxurious). It is a more rustic and authentic experience. - Food: I have always had a different meal each day (with certain staples with every meal - eggs, plantains, salad). My personal favorites are (1) veggie stew peas, (2) brown stew chicken, (3) curried chicken, (4) pumpkin soup, (5) fish - usually snapper, (6) banana bread. I have tried all sorts of things including ox tail, ackee and saltfish, mackerel run down, chicken foot soup (!) etc. Most of these are too adventurous for me but others love them. I also love love love the guava jelly, johnny cakes and all of the fabulous fruit. I would probably be happy just eating toast; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lotte New York Palace; City: New York City New York; Review: We were very happy with our one night stay at The Palace Hotel. The renovated rooms are beautiful - modern and luxurious. The location is perfect - we were able to walk over to see a Broadway show and also grab a delicious Ramen lunch. The hotel is also close to shopping! For a one-night stay in the city, this hotel was a perfect option.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Cottages at Cabot Cove; City: Kennebunkport Kennebunks Maine; Review: We spent three nights at the Cottages at Cabot Cove in October and loved our stay. The location is perfect for doing a lot of on-foot exploring. We loved our evening walk along Ocean Drive, looking at the stunning homes and enjoying a beautiful sunset. The walk to town is quick and enjoyable. We also spent time in the car exploring Goose Rocks Beach and visiting a pick-your-own farm in Wells. The grounds are adorable and so peaceful to just sit and relax by the water. We loved the afternoon pastry snacks and breakfast basket too. The manager was extremely helpful and directed us to a variety of local activities and restaurants. The only thing to be aware of is the cottages are very quaint (don't overpack!). They are different sizes and are also arranged differently. The decor of our cottage (#1, Sunrise) was quite appealing, however, it felt smaller than many of the other cottages with different layouts and furnishings. This may be entirely personal preference as other guests may not mind the layout and / or prefer the furnishings. I would recommend researching the cottages and calling the property in advance of booking with any questions you have to enhance the comfort of your stay. Overall, this is a really unique property and a fabulous place to stay while exploring Kennebunkport as you can do so much on foot and bicycle!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows:
Title: Bomb cyclone knocks out power in the Northeast and disrupts travel; Abstract: The bomb cyclone's winds are as strong as those of a tropical storm are pummeling New England as a storm knocks out power and disrupts travel in the region through the end of the workweek.; Category: weather
Title: Police rescue abducted teen girl; 34-year-old man taken into custody; Abstract: An Amber Alert was issued for missing Virginia teen Isabel Hicks last week.; Category: news
Title: The Eeriest Small Towns in America; Abstract: Discover the dark tales that lurk beneath the quaint facades of these small American towns.; Category: travel
Title: The European Travel Experience Most People Don't Know About; Abstract: You've heard about ship cruises and river cruises, but barge cruises just might be the best way to experience Europe. The post The European Travel Experience Most People Don't Know About appeared first on Reader's Digest.; Category: travel
Title: Opinions | So this is why Trump doesn't want officials to testify; Abstract: Marie Yovanovitch's damning account will do him no favors.; Category: news
Title: 52 Easy Thanksgiving Recipes, Because You Deserve to Be Stress-Free; Abstract: Whether you're cooking the whole feast yourself or bringing a dish to someone else's home, you shouldn't have to break a sweat.; Category: foodanddrink
Title: Nikki Haley's Audacious Bet; Abstract: The former South Carolina governor's new book is a gamble that the future of the Republican Party looks a lot like Trump.; Category: news | mind |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Leapfrogging: Harness the Power of Surprise for Business Breakthroughs; Author: Visit Amazon's Soren Kaplan Page; Review: Leapfrogging had a profound effect on me, as a business leader and on a personal level. It's a great read for leaders who want to "think outside the bias" of their own patterns and assumptions to create entirely new categories of products and services -- not simply make incremental improvements. It also was a catalyst for seeking out surprise in my daily life, and helped me be open to new ways of thinking and doing. A lot of business books inspire, but Leapfrogging also includes a practical framework (the LEAPS model) that helps the reader apply what is learned to their team, their organization and their own self-development.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Willpower Instinct: How Self-Control Works, Why It Matters, and What You Can Do to Get More of It; Author: Visit Amazon's Kelly McGonigal Page; Review: I had taken Dr. McGonigal's Willpower class at Stanford when it was first introduced and wondered what more I could learn from the book. The book was fabulous and definitely expanded my understanding of why willpower is tough, and also what to do about it. Dr. McGonigal provides examples from psychology, neuroscience and biology that are interesting and easy to understand. She also offers numerous exercises so the material can be applied. Finally, she has an engaging style of writing - it's science with a sense of humor. This is one of the most useful books I have read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Multiplier Effect: Tapping the Genius Inside Our Schools; Author: Visit Amazon's Liz Wiseman Page; Review: As a former Special Ed teacher, I was wowed by this book and the potential impact it can have on improving the quality of education in our country (or anywhere, for that matter). I worked in a school system where "doing more with less" was the mantra of the day -- but where no one much cared about the contributions we as teachers could make outside our classroom world. "The Multiplier Effect" shows us why we shouldn't expect the principal or college president to have all the answers,and provides ways to tap the intelligence of everyone in the school system, from teacher to class aide. Even though it's geared toward educators, I also found it highly applicable to the business world which I've now joined. It's an easy read with interesting stories and practical tools I know I can use.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness; Author: Visit Amazon's Susannah Cahalan Page; Review: As a former fan of the TV Show "House" about weird, hard-to-diagnose medical conditions, I was enthralled with this book from the start. The author does a fabulous job of laying out an array of symptoms - is it mental illness or an underlying neurological problem? More than a medical tale, it's a story of what makes us uniquely human.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work; Author: Visit Amazon's Liz Wiseman Page; Review: Liz's counter-intuitive advice about "how can we be the best when we know the least?" was a wake-up call for me. As a 30+ year veteran in the workforce, it made me reflect on the Rookie self I brought to new jobs and roles, and have a desire to regain the part of me that said why not? instead of I cant because. Unlike a lot of business books, this one has practical, how-to advice, including experiments to try on-the-job. I loved Liz's first book, Multipliers, but I think Rookie Smarts is right up there with another game changing idea.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Wife: A Novel of Psychological Suspense; Author: Visit Amazon's Alafair Burke Page; Review: I almost didn't read this book beyond the first few pages as the typical novels I read are more literary. What is lacking in prose is more than made up for in a good story that will keep you guessing.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView Scientific Calculator; Brand: Texas Instruments; Review: Works well..durable..fast shipping...would buy again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Five Star Filler Paper, Graph Ruled Paper, 100 Sheets/Pack, 11" x 8-1/2", Reinforced, Loose Leaf, White (17016); Brand: Five Star; Review: Good product..is as described..quick shipping.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Texas Instruments TI-84 Plus C Silver Edition Graphing Calculator, Black; Brand: Texas Instruments; Review: A bit pricey but worked perfect and quick shipping.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Five Star Filler Paper, Graph Ruled Paper, 100 Sheets/Pack, 11" x 8-1/2", Reinforced, Loose Leaf, White (17016); Brand: Five Star; Review: Good product..is as described..quick shipping.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Vaultz 3D Lenticular Locking Pencil Box, 5.5 x 8.25 x 2.5 Inches, Sharks (VZ00292); Brand: Vaultz; Review: Had it for about 2 months before the lock jammed and had to be pried open with scissors and was still very hard to open from there...and it ended up breaking and now it doesn't even lock. Was great until it broke. Very disappointed....Would like a refund or a replacement.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Vaultz 3D Lenticular Locking Pencil Box, 5.5 x 8.25 x 2.5 Inches, Butterflies (VZ00291); Brand: Vaultz; Review: Had it for about 2 months before the lock jammed and had to be pried open with scissors and was still very hard to open from there...and it ended up breaking and now it doesn't even lock. Was great until it broke. Very disappointed....Would like a refund or a replacement.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_Office_Products |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Pure Jongo A2 Wireless Hi-Fi Adapter with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Black; Brand: Pure; Review: Works perfectly connected to my wired speakers at the same time as I have it connected to two other pure jongo wireless speakers to keep my entire home streamed with music. Pure android app (free) functions well enough to play music content from my device (phone or computer) or radio. Very pleased with the wifi streaming as I had trouble with other bluetooth speakers I had tried but they kept dropping connection.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pure Jongo T2 Wireless Speaker with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Black; Brand: PURE PLANT HOME; Review: I'm completely satisfied with this speaker - I have two of them connected wirelessly to the pure jongo A2 hifi adapter which is connected to my home speaker system. So I stream music (radio or from my phone) through my entire home and can control all the speakers individually through the pure android app on my phone -- excellent!!!! The T2 does plug into a wall outlet which is convenient for me as I do not want to deal with batteries or charging.... I just place the speakers throughout my home wherever I want, plug them in and forget about them. I control them through the pure android app - loving it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pure Jongo S3 Grill Pack, Black; Brand: Pure; Review: Love these speakers! I streamed music through one of them and it sounded good, but I had purchased a second one (since the room is large) and the sound went from good to amazing! I'm not a sound expert, but these really sound nice together. I've used them with both the "pure" app streaming radio over wifi as well as the caskeid bluetooth plus wifi option streaming pandora. Both worked great with no issues. Love em!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Bluetooth Headphones JowayH08 Wireless Earphones Sport Earbuds Headset with Mic for Apple iPhone 6s 6s Plus Galaxy S6 S5 and; Brand: Joway; Review: These have great sound for the price. Battery holds up well, fit is good, functions are convenient, overall a great purchase.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cable Matters USB-C Cable (USB A to USB C Cable / USB C to USB; Brand: Cable Matters; Review: Works to charge my samsung note 7, no issues and the length is good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AGPTEK IMP HIFI 16GB MP3 Player, High Resolution Digital Audio Player with 1.3-inch OLED Screen, Supports to; Brand: AGPTEK; Review: Thank you! Finally a simple mp3 player I can hand over to my kid without worry they will be browsing the internet or even viewing some of the inappropriate album covers that show up on other mp3 players with image displays. Great sound. Simple but usable interface. Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Fallen Angels Oracle Cards; Author: Visit Amazon's Nigel Suckling Page; Review: Not an expert on reading but really nice looking cards; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Amazon FBA; Author: Stephan Toony; Review: Good info; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Negotiating: Proven Strategies and Techniques to Influencing People in Any Negotiation; Author: Brian Gadsen; Review: Love it!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal; Author: Visit Amazon's Oren Klaff Page; Review: Great!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Switch: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard; Author: Visit Amazon's Chip Heath Page; Review: Great!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: E-Squared: Nine Do-It-Yourself Energy Experiments that Prove Your Thoughts Create Your Reality [Miniature Edition] (Miniature Editions); Author: Visit Amazon's Pam Grout Page; Review: Very wise, great read; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Third Eye Activation Mastery: Proven And Fast Working Techniques To Increase Awareness And Consciousness; Author: Visit Amazon's L. Jordan Page; Review: I am giving 4 stars instead of 5 because of the many grammar errors (the worse part is this is the 5th edition) so they had several time to review and correct the grammar. Not bad read, there are 2 chapters that are almost the same (repetitive); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Magickal Riches: Occult Rituals For Manifesting Money; Author: Visit Amazon's Damon Brand Page; Review: Interesting read; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Complete Guide to Yin Yoga: The Philosophy and Practice of Yin Yoga; Author: Visit Amazon's Bernie Clark Page; Review: Very cool; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: 101 Juice Recipes; Author: Visit Amazon's Joe Cross Page; Review: Great way to lose weight. You must watch the movie first; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beyond Jabez: Expanding Your Borders; Author: Visit Amazon's Bruce Wilkinson Page; Review: Wife loves it; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mention Your Request Here: The Church's Most Powerful Novenas; Author: Visit Amazon's Michael Dubruiel Page; Review: Poor quality; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Rich Dad Poor Dad (What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money; Author: Visit Amazon's Robert T Kiyosaki Page; Review: Great read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with news articles as follows:
Title: The Difference Between Green and Orange Antifreeze; Abstract: What's the difference between different colors of antifreeze? Should different colors of coolant be mixed? Find out here.; Category: autos
Title: Egypt uncovers 'huge cache' of ancient sealed coffins; Abstract: Archaeologists have discovered more than 20 wooden coffins at a necropolis in Luxor, according to Egypt's Ministry of Antiquities.; Category: news
Title: Is Drinking Water In The Morning Really Healthy?; Abstract: Find out if it's really extra beneficial to drink water first thing in the morning.; Category: health
Title: The world's largest nuclear power producer is melting down; Abstract: On the shores of the English channel in Normandy, engineers are struggling to fix eight faulty welds at a plant that's supposed to showcase France's savoir faire in nuclear power.; Category: finance
Title: French leader to raise 'taboo' topics in China; Abstract: French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in China on Monday to drum up new business deals, but under warning from his hosts to keep off thorny issues such as the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Landing in the afternoon, Macron will begin his second official trip to China in the financial hub of Shanghai where he will attend an international import fair against the backdrop of the US-China trade war. He will have dinner with President Xi...; Category: news
Title: Flood of Oil Is Coming, Complicating Efforts to Fight Global Warming; Abstract: HOUSTON A surge of oil production is coming, whether the world needs it or not. The flood of crude will arrive even as concerns about climate change are growing and worldwide oil demand is slowing. And it is not coming from the usual producers, but from Brazil, Canada, Norway and Guyana countries that are either not known for oil or whose production has been lackluster in recent years. This looming new supply may be a key reason Saudi...; Category: finance
Title: Comparing Forbes 400 lists from 1982 and 2019 shows how differently wealth is tracked today; Abstract: The first Forbes 400 list of the richest Americans was published in 1982, and it looked very different from the 2019 version.; Category: finance
Title: A man dies in Hawaii after falling into a lava tube in his yard; Abstract: An elderly man died after falling into a lava tube on his property in Hilo, Hawaii, police announced on Wednesday.; Category: news
Title: 13 Ways You're Shortening the Life of Your Car; Abstract: Put the brakes on these all-too-common mistakes to help keep your car on the road and out of the shop.; Category: autos | mind |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Vibram FiveFingers Men's Speed XC Barefoot Shoes; Brand: Vibram; Review: Shoe was tight at first but thats all new shoes. The shoes are broken in feels great.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: RFID Blocking Cowhide Leather Bifold Wallet for Men with 2 ID Windows; Brand: Lavemi; Review: It is nice. Has a good feel to it. You can't go wrong.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Slippers International Men's Perry Slipper; Brand: Tamarac by Slippers International; Review: Awesome, fit as expected.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Timberland PRO Men's 6 Inch Rigmaster XT Steel-Toe Waterproof Work Boot; Brand: ; Review: I like it!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Men's No Show Socks | Pack of 5 Pairs Cotton Socks,Non-Slip Cotton Socks,Low Cut Invisible Socks; Brand: CZCCZC; Review: These socks are awesome. They stay on her little feet while she's running or walking around.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: adidas Originals Men's Superstar Basketball Sneaker, Collegiate Navy/Light Scarlet/Running White, 10 M US; Brand: ; Review: A bit stiff at first but loosen up well.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: HOMAR No Tie Shoelaces for Kids and Adults - Best in Sports Fan Shoelaces; Brand: HOMAR; Review: These are awesome! They fix snugged. No wiggle room; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: LUENX Aviator Sunglasses Mens Womens Polarized Mirror - UV 400 Protection 60mm; Brand: LUENX; Review: Nice!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Clothing_Shoes_and_Jewelry |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Granite Gear Ruff Rider Dog Pack; Brand: Granite Gear; Review: My Newfoundland dog adapted to this backpack the first day I put it on her. I use it to give her a sense of purpose on her morning walks. I added some water bottles to give her that feeling of doing work. She seems more focused during the walk with the added weight. The backpack is easy to put on and adjust. It is very durable and shows no signs of wear.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Champion Men's Powerflex Compression Short; Brand: ; Review: I hope this compression shorts keeps me from straining my thigh muscle. It seems to be working.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spoga Premium Extra Thick 72"24" Long High Density Exercise Yoga Mat with Comfort Foam and Carrying Straps; Brand: Spoga; Review: The mat is nice and thick, which makes it very comfortable to lay on or kneel on. I have been using it almost daily and I am glad I bought it.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gexco Tennis Ball Saver - Keep Tennis Balls Fresh And Bouncing Like New; Brand: Gexco; Review: This ball saver really keeps the tennis balls more lively after being opened.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Penn Championship Extra Duty Tennis Balls; Brand: Penn; Review: I play 3 times a week for about 6 hours, so I go through a lot of tennis balls. These balls have been great and were a good value.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Sports_and_Outdoors |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Wake Up To Your Life: Discovering the Buddhist Path of Attention; Author: Visit Amazon's Ken McLeod Page; Review: I enjoyed reading this book along with my book group. It opens your eyes to a new way of living your life and thinking. If you are into learning meditation and or Buddhist ways. This is an easier read on learning something new; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: They Still Call Me Sister; Author: Visit Amazon's Deborah Plummer Bussey Page; Review: I enjoyed the story line in this book. A light hearted, funny at times, and interesting read. Great writing in the story. I would recommend it , to add to your list of fiction books to read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Leveraging the Universe and Engaging the Magic; Author: Visit Amazon's Mike Dooley Page; Review: I enjoy reading books on how to make your life better. Being open minded in the guidance you learn from this book. Can change your life. For me it was just reaffirming what I already know and have read in the past. I would recommend this book, if you are looking for a new way of thinking and changing your life for the better.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Gourmet Nutrition: The Cookbook for the Fit Food Lover; Author: Visit Amazon's John Berardi Page; Review: This is a great recipe book. If you are into health and nutrition. Need some new ideas on how to make new meals for yourself. It has great guidance on portion, calories and nutrition. I have really enjoyed making some new meals for myself. I have recommended this book to many people.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: The Autobiography of Aerosmith's Legendary; Author: Visit Amazon's Steven Tyler Page; Review: I found this book to be very interesting. Yes it is about sex,drugs and rock and roll. But it was nice to read about Steven's childhood, how and why he wrote the songs. The struggles with alcohol and drug abuse. I have always liked Aerosmiths music. So it was great to read about the inside scoop; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Will (The Magdalene Series) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Kristen Ashley Page; Review: A friend told me to read this book, as it reminded her of my life. I enjoyed the easy read, and the entire story!!! The characters were great! As a published writer, its enjoyable to fall into a story.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: TED Talks: The Official TED Guide to Public Speaking; Author: Visit Amazon's Chris Anderson Page; Review: Informative information not only for a TED talk. Also for when you are speaking in front of any group; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Welcome to Beantown: A Boston Belles Novel (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's P. Marie Page; Review: If you are looking for a story that makes you laugh and tear up all at the same time. This is a great story, all three of the characters have you relating to them. A must read.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Back in Beantown: A Boston Belles Novel (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Elle Vanzandt Page; Review: WOW!!! Right from the start it had me in tears......and then laughing and hanging on in suspense. All three girls are so easy to relate to, especially Gia, she is a hot ticket!!! It is great to see them grow through their experiences. Look forward to book three....as this one is a cliffhanger, making you want more!!!!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Getting to 'I Do': The Secret to Doing Relationships Right!; Author: Visit Amazon's Patricia Allen Page; Review: This was a great book. Learned some insight on myself with the feminine and masculine behaviors. Will look forward to getting to I do...from what I have learned; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Claim Your; Author: Visit Amazon's Mastin Kipp Page; Review: I have been fortunate to have worked with Mastin this entire year.....This book has changed my life and will change yours if you believe in yourself and what you will learn from this book. It makes such sense, almost common sense with what is in this book. I am living proof that I am living my Purpose.....my life has changed immensely this year for the better. Mastin Rocks!!! So does this book. A Must read, if you want to change your life!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Farewell to Beantown: A Boston Belles Series (A Boston Belles Novel) (Volume 3); Author: Visit Amazon's P Marie Page; Review: Couldn't wait to read the third book. Full of suspense , laughter and tears. Didn't want the book to end.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List; Author: Visit Amazon's Rachel Cohn Page; Review: As a fan of David Levithan (especially the fantastic Boy Meets Boy), I was excited to read this book, hoping once again to be plunged into one of Levithan's fantastic worlds. I was sorely disappointed. In Naomi and Ely, we're introduced to two lifelong best friends; Ely, a smart and witty gay boy, and Naomi, a gorgeous and troublesome girl who just happens to be in love with Ely. Everything breaks down when Ely kisses Naomi's boyfriend. Instead of this being a fun look at the drama that comes with the transition between high school and college, we are given a cast of whiny and melodramatic characters who lack the ability to self-reflect more than "how will this effect me?" Naomi is obsessive, short sighted, and annoying. Ely is more grounded but lacks depth. The cast is rounded out by characters who seem pretty pointless - even the ones important to the plot. After Levithan and Cohn's last spectacular collaboration, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, I was hoping for much more from this novel, which unfortunately was not there.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Listen; Author: Visit Amazon's Rene Gutteridge Page; Review: Rene Gutteridge's novel follows a small idealized town as it appears to fall apart when a website starts posting private conversations between its citizens. While the concept for Listen is intriguing, it falls flat. Gutteridge's characters all seem very shallow. Their motivations and emotions do not shine through. For instance, early in the book the narrator spends much time telling us how happy Damien is with his family and career, however as I read, I kept thinking that he seemed deeply unhappy. This kind of conflict comes from the book's inability to express both the inner and outer actions and thoughts of the characters effectively. I would skip this book unless you have $10 you don't care about, and you have a couple hours you don't have anything better to do with.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Hangman's Daughter (Hangman's Daughter Tales) (A Hangman's Daughter Tale); Author: Visit Amazon's Oliver Ptzsch Page; Review: In Oliver Potzceh's The Hangman's Daughter, readers are dropped in 1659 Germany and into a mystery surrounded by forbidden love, corrupt politics, and the struggle for modern science. Jakob Kusil comes from a long line of executioners and follows in his family's footsteps hesitantly. As such, he's more complicated than just a hangman; he searches tirelessly for true justice (despite what the city council hopes for), and his skills as a master of herbal potions and medical science often eclipse the local physician. His daughter, Magdalena, embodies all the best qualities of her father, including his stubbornness, in the package of a beautiful and lonely teenager. Simon Fronweiner, though short in stature, is large in heart and struggles between the Hangman's science and his father's tradition. These three become tangled in a compelling whodunit after a local boy is found murdered with a witch's mark tattooed on his body. As witch hysteria creeps through the town, they work tireless to find the real killer, and free a wrongly accused woman. The language in the book (whether Potzch's words, or Lee Chadeanye's translation) is the equivalent of a brisk walk through the woods: you get a feel for the setting and the atmosphere without getting bogged down by the details. The book truly pulls you in and, by letting the omniscient narrator follow various characters around, you feel the emotions of the town, from witch hysteria, to true doubting, to a deep seeded fear of the devil that sinks in as the mystery grows. Overall, the book reminds me of a less successful Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larsson. However, Potzech saves the book from the occasionally dragging and contrived plot by writing vivid and relatable characters. In all likelihood, this stems from the fact that the author is a descendant of the real life Kusils and used facts from his family tree to flavor the book (such as one ancestor who personally executed over 60 people in witch trials in 1589). I recommend this book as a rich, but not too heavy read, and look forward to the next two in the series being translated.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Guest In The Jungle; Author: Visit Amazon's James Polster Page; Review: In A Guest in the Jungle, author James Polster introduces readers to Whitehill, a 31 year old lawyer from Pittsburg. He takes a sabbatical on a whim to travel the world without an itinerary. Forgetting his fear of snakes, he goes hiking in the Amazon jungle without a guide. Whitehall is then trust through a series of adventures involving kidnapping and isolated tribes. Polster's writing is generally lush and descriptive, but sometimes these descriptions come off amateur-ish, such as "He closed his eyes and sighed like a man at his desk who realizes that the workload for the day is far more than he anticipated." Also, Amazon has this book categorized as "comic fiction," however, I did not find any part of this book to be funny, rather it was just exaggerated to the point of ridiculousness. In fact, one "funny" scene involved oral sex during a business meeting - it was not funny, but gratuitous and awkward. In trying to beef up the story by making Whitehill and his adventures seem more important, Polster added small elements of mystery through a few sections that center around other characters. One of these is Travers, a no nonsense business man who fears change and is trying to work in Bogata. These segments are few and far between and seemingly unconnected (in fact, on character has literally no purpose by the time you reach the end of the novel), and only make the novel disjointed. Some of the views of Western life are insightful, but overall it reads like Polster wanted to convince readers to save the rain forest and indigenous tribes by writing a "funny" story. While an admirable goal, it becomes preachy and boring. This, compacted with an abrupt and unsatisfying ending, makes it impossible for me to recommend this book to anyone.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Lacuna: A Novel (P.S.); Author: Visit Amazon's Barbara Kingsolver Page; Review: As a great fan of Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer and Poisonwood Bible, I looked forward to reading The Lacuna. However, her latest novel does not have the same compelling edge as her previous works. While all of her novels are well researched and teach you as you follow the great story, The Lacuna is lacking that driving story. As readers follow H.W. Shepard, important names and events are mentioned (and even lived through), but without any back story to truly inform the reader, or the deep insight that allows for greater understanding. Kingsolver also stumbles with the form of this novel. Harrison's diaries come across as clunky, and often bore. Furthermore, her use of an archivist who jumps in at places to talk through missing points (such as a missing journal as a transition) is jarring. While effective, a more smooth transition would have been appreciated. While this novel did not lower my opinion of Kingsolver, it was a big miss for me. I did not enjoy it and cannot recommend it.; Rating: 1.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: X2: X-Men United (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Along Came Polly (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Whale Rider (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Others (2001); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Finding Nemo (Widescreen) (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Love Actually (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Bourne Identity (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Starsky & Hutch (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Monster's Ball (2001); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Lara Croft: Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Royal Tenenbaums (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Daddy Day Care (2003); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Maid in Manhattan (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Big Fish (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Spider-Man (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Cowboy Bebop Remix (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Greenfingers (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Angel Links (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Castle in the Sky (1986); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Futurama: Vol. 3 (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: DNAngel (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Lupin the 3rd (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: About Schmidt (2002); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Lupin the 3rd: The Movie: The Secret of Mamo (1978); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003); Rating: 3.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Bellini B B; City: Naples Province of Naples Campania; Review: Last week we stayed 3 nights at Anna's B&B..Very good location .Right in the middle of the historical center close to the finest Bellini Rest. and cafes.Anna was very helpful to make us feel at home .The rooms are comfortable clean and tidy.She even gave us a 'Turkish' breakfast!!!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Kuramathi Island Resort; City: Kuramathi; Review: We just returned from our 6 days trip to Kuramathi Maldives. The resort was everything we hoped for.Very efficiently run and meets every requirement.Silent and peaceful yet you dont feel lonely or isolated. Snorkeling is great fun since close by reefs full of lovely fish .A great variety of Restaurants gives one chance to choose different tastes.Though Basic inclusive all choice was something I can truly reccomend .Villas are very confortable and the whole program is very well arranged.For a fantastic and very relaxing holiday almost a paradise. Swimming and snorkeling on different locations is also a great opportunity which allows everybody enjoy the sea as much as possible.İdeal for families couples or singles .; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Olira Boutique Hotel Spa; City: Gundogan Bodrum Mugla Province Turkish Aegean Coast; Review: This is the second time I stayed at the Management and Hotel.staff extremely helpful, rooms very comfortable,service excellent,breakfast buffet very very rich with plenty ofTurkish specialities,do try LEMONADE with peel great !! location very convinient , close to public transport.The deck and the sea just gorgeous!! İt was a heavenly holiday; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Sina Maria Luigia; City: Parma Province of Parma Emilia Romagna; Review: We stayed only one night it was very pleasant rooms were clean and comfortable breakfast was good and the restaurant was incredible as we were told.Risotto with safran I suggest you try it The staff was very friendly .We were a group of 8 all of us enjoyed our stay.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Albergo La Pace; City: Pontedera Province of Pisa Tuscany; Review: With a group of friends we stayed at the hotel for five days in August. The location was perfect short walking distance to the train station one can reach Pisa in 20 minutes so much better than staying in downtown Pisa .the rooms were renovated ,clean and big enough to make you feel comfortable .İtalian breakfast was not very reach but than it is almost the same all over with 3star hotels . Only inconvinience we had was with wi-fi !!!Complicated registration made it almost impossible to have an acces to internet Apart from this I can reccomend the place.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Dedoni; City: Cagliari Province of Cagliari Sardinia; Review: Very good and friendly hotel with a superb location in Cagliari .very close to old town and to marina.Rooms were comfortable and clean very friendly service with a gorgeous coffee and free wi-fi we were a group of four and we all felt the same about the place.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: GEFU Spirelli Spiral Slicer (13460); Brand: GEFU; Review: I make zucchini and squash noodles all the time with this! Easy to use and relatively easy to clean (I soak in soapy water).; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: YAWPED 12 Pack Combo Premium Jumbo Extra Large Vacuum Storage Space Saver Bags X8 (47X32; Brand: YAWPED; Review: I love space saver bags and when I downsized to a smaller place I thought I better stock up. Sadly these are thin and cheaply made and punctured before they could even be reused.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Smart Planet Collapsible Eco Meal Kit, Large , Orange; Brand: Smart Planet; Review: The collapsible compartments make this easy to store and the silicone makes it easy to clean. The attached spoon fork combo is handy and I love that there was a spot for dressing or condiments.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Scratch Map Travel Map – Travel sized personalized Scratch off world map poster, Manufactured in the UK; Brand: Luckies of London Ltd; Review: My sister recently graduated from college and first on her agenda was to begin to explore the world more with her new found income. She loved this present!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Cuisaid ProDigital AccuWeigh Digital Kitchen Scale With Cuisaid Calorie Guide 11 Lb. Capacity (Black Chrome); Brand: Cuisaid; Review: This scale is light weight and can easily be stored. I've been using it for over a year without issues. It's also super easy to clean!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Untangle My Chains Roxsee Jewelry Organizer/Hanger, Black; Brand: Untangle My Chains; Review: This is hard plastic and designed to hold lots of different pieces of jewelry which is exactly what I was looking for. The earring holes were made a little too thick and so it can be difficult to get them in and out (the hook back kind of earrings anyway). Otherwise it's a great product; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Crucial Air Replacement Carbon Filters Compatible With Hamilton Beach True Air Filter Parts - 5.5" x 5" x 2"; Brand: Crucial Air; Review: Works well in my Hamilton Beach Filter; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Home_and_Kitchen |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Quality Inn; City: Tucumcari New Mexico; Review: Friendly staff, great food at the restaurant, even the eggs at the free breakfast were better than the dried up things you usually get at motels, our stay here made us want to look for another Quality Inn down the road (too bad that one wasn't half as good as this one), the room was spacious, comfortable and had everything we needed, there's also a convenience store next door if you need alcohol after forgetting to get gas in Dalhart and fearing you'll get eaten by a bear while walking to town,.....I would definitely recommend staying here.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Motel 6 Santa Rosa; City: Santa Rosa New Mexico; Review: If you're looking for the basics, this is it. Tom should leave more than the light on for the 50+ bucks you pay ,but the bed is comfortable, everything works, and the room is extraordinarily clean. I could elaborate but feel this review needs to be basic and to the point. That is all.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Super 8 by Wyndham Monett; City: Monett Missouri; Review: I showed up without a reservation and spent two nights here.The room had been freshly painted and I can see where someone who is allergic to that would have a problem but it didn't bother me at all;...I kind of like that smell. The staff was friendly and accommodating. There are several good restaurants near by, both fast food and fancy dining. My room was very nice with many extras; frig, microwave, ironing board, coffee maker, wifi. Good place to stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Executive Inn; City: Crossville Tennessee; Review: Motel 6 must have high cleaning standards because they're always squeaky clean. They don't have all the frills like some places but you don't pay for them either. This room was very nice with a king bed and couch. They also had free wifi which surprised me because some of their motels charge extra for that.I stopped because I was having engine trouble and they have plenty of truck and large vehicle parking at this site. Two convenience stores are across the street. A nice affordable motel a block from the interstate.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Super 8 by Wyndham Greenville; City: Greenville Texas; Review: The king room was spacious with a very comfortable bed. The room came with a microwave, mini-fridge, coffee maker, ironing board, hair dryer, cable TV,and free internet. The staff is very friendly and accomodating. There's a very good authentic Mexican restaurant next door as well as two fast food across the street. There are also two convenience stores and a car wash. You can take your chances on one of the questionable hotels in the area or stay at a clean comfortable one like this and not take any hitchhikers when you leave.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: South Pier Inn on the Canal; City: Duluth Minnesota; Review: Great accommodations like others have said many times. Within walking distance of everything in Canal Park and the old downtown businesses on Superior and First streets. This IS the Duluth experience. We started on the south side then moved to a room with a jacuzzi and fireplace on the last night. Very romantic and private....you can shut the vertical blinds or set them to see the view while still having privacy. The ships and small boats coming and going make for a very unique experience that you can't get in many places. The staff is very helpful and friendly. I suppose it costs more than usual but the Tallships coming at the end of July would be an amazing time and most of the activities are a short walk from South Pier Inn.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Heritage Inn Express; City: Marysville Kansas; Review: This room was very nice, clean, and had everything we needed....fridge, coffee, wifi, big chair, desk....all at a great price. I don't work for these guys and I'm not their cousin ;It's definitely worth taking the back roads to get a good deal like this. There are also many restaurant and convenience options nearby. A very friendly town.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Columbus Grand Hotel Banquet Center; City: Columbus Ohio; Review: This place has bugs and appears to be on its last leg. I've stayed at many Days Inns and other hotels supposedly run by this hotel chain and apparently they just require a payment to use the name with no follow up. They overcharge for things you didn't ask for, the conditions are as most others described, plus the city charges an extra fee that you probably won't pay outside town at a good place that is the same price or cheaper. Most Days Inns out in the country are nice places but I'll probably never risk it again without a good reference. This place is kind of scary and should be avoided....the Health Department should also have a good look.; Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Magnuson Hotel Manitou Springs; City: Manitou Springs El Paso County Colorado; Review: The staff is very nice and helpful including the excellent maid service. It's in a good location to get to everything while not being crowded. Our room had a fridge and the usual amenities. A liquor store and several restaurants are next door....the breakfast is the usual waffle and pastry type stuff most hotels in the area serve, so we got breakfast sandwiches at the Subway across the street a few times. The indoor pool and Jacuzzi were nice with towels provided. We spent a night in Denver before coming down and the hotel there seemed to have a skunk problem....you could smell them all up and down the corridor of no smoking rooms.....we didn't smell any skunks at this hotel. There were a few beatniks wandering around Manitou but they all seemed friendly; we didn't encounter any aggressive panhandlers like you might find in big cities. Got some great deals on turquoise jewelry at The Eagle Dancer store on the ave. An easy drive up Hwy 24 to Lake George and some great fly fishing in Eleven Mile Canyon....only $7 a car to enter. All in all, a nice place to stay and a fun trip.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Red Lion Hotel; City: Burnsall Yorkshire Dales National Park North Yorkshire England; Review: This is our second time at the Red Lion and will not be our last. Last time we upgraded to the cottages, but this time we stayed in the Manor House, and whilst the room and the shower were small, it was fantastic value. We stayed for 2 nights, I had no problem but my partner stuggled with the size of the shower and room. But for a couple of nights we managed. The Molton Brown, products are a lovely touch as was the fresh coffee. The breakfast was lovely and the evening meal in the beautiful dining room was excellent. Such a lovely room, and quite unexpected in such an old pub. We did eat out at the Fountaine (Linton) on the second night and enjoyed the meal, but the meal in the Red Lion was def the best. If you want to eat in the restuarant, book before you arrive, or you will be disapointed. You can eat in the pub, but the restaurant is such a lovely room, its too good to miss. The staff and owners are pleasant and welcoming, and are very honest about the differences in booking through Living Social or Groupon. Living Social use the Manor House, Groupon are in the pub. If you want to unwind in beautiful surrondings look no further. Looking forward to visiting again, but will book a room in the pub or the cottages. Please do not let my review put you off the Manor House, or booking through Living Social, the standard in all the rooms are the same wherever you stay. I would gladly stay in the Manor House, but my partner would prefer to upgrade to a larger room. Thanks Red Lion for yet another relaxing time.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Queens Hotel; City: Blackpool Lancashire England; Review: Staff attentive, a big thankyou to the receptionist, who rang us when our room was ready. We arrived early in the morning, so had to return to the hotel in the afternoon. Pity that you canot get into your room until 3pm, and have to vacate at 10am the next morning. Never known such a early check out. I stuggled with the fact that for such a large hotel the breakfast is for 8am-9am, it reminded me of a school canteen. Breakfast average. Def hotel is in need of a refurb, would only stop here again once the work has been done. I thought £84 for one night was a little steep, i have stayed in much better hotels and for less money. Don't take your alarm clock, you do not need it, the creaky floor boards tell you when its time to get up. But overall a good time.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Cosmopolitan Hotel; City: Leeds West Yorkshire England; Review: This is our third stay in this hotel, and will not be our last. It is def not one of the best hotels in Leeds, but it is in such a good postion. Withiin easy walking distance from the train station, and near all the bars and shops. The room, was comfortable and clean, the reception area and the restuarant, have had recently been refurbished. The staff are very friendly, and attentive. I have stayed in hotels in leeds and paid considerably more, but much prefer to stay here. We paid extra for the breakfast, which was good. Overall a lovely stay. Thanks for a lovely stay.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Red Lion Hotel; City: Burnsall Yorkshire Dales National Park North Yorkshire England; Review: yet another lovely visit to the Red Lion. £40 for B&B in the Manor House, whilst the Red Lion in a little on the tired side, do not let this put you off staying. The food is excellent and the breakfast is lovely. I would agree with some of the other comments, but if you can manage a mid week break for such a low price what is there to complain about. Thanks again for another lovely stay. Looking forward to visiting in 2013; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Billesley Manor Hotel; City: Stratford upon Avon Warwickshire England; Review: Booked with a Living Social Voucher, which was an excellent deal and well worth looking out for. Staff pleasant and attentive, room very large, but slightly tired, but this would not put me off asking for the same room when we book again. Lovely evening meal, breakfast a bit of a disaster, but hopefully they have sorted the problem out. Lovely afternoon tea as part of the package, and a bottle of wine with the meal. For our second night we travelled into Stratford upon Avon to eat, the prices in the hotel for evening meal are very expensive and rather over priced. Do not be put off by some of the reviews, this is a 16th Century Elizabethan Manor House, you are not going to get lifts and aircon, if that it what you want, book something else. This was an enjoyable stay and just what I needed to un-wind. Looking forward to returning but only with an offer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Anguk Guesthouse; City: Seoul; Review: Chosen by my son who lives in Korea. We arrived early and was unable to get into the guest house. It was not until a couple of hours later that we were let in by the cleaners. Jason who is the owner arrived shortly afterwards and was very helpful. He explained that he does not live on site, but can contact him on his mobile. For the most part of our stay, we were left alone which suited us. We had the family room, which included the kitchen, as quite a large party, this suited us very well. The accommodation was clean and comfortable. Free water was provided, also some food, which was very useful. I would recommend this guest house to anyone, it is clean well situated in Seoul. The area has many individual little shops, which whilst geared for the tourist market, offer exceptional standard of arts and crafts. If I have one criticism, it is that the washer in the family guest house is also used by the cleaner for the other rooms. On some occasions, we had to move the bedding and towels and find some where to dry them. When the weather was poor, we struggled to find somewhere to hang the washing. But apart from that, this is a typical Korean guest house, and def well worth booking.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Otel Seden; City: Oludeniz Mugla Province Turkish Aegean Coast; Review: Just arrived back from a weeks holiday with family. This is a lovely clean and well maintained hotel, just far enough away from all the bars and restaurants. (Very short walk into hisaronu). Apparently they now offer organised activities, therefore no one around in the afternoon, but lucky if you want the pool to yourself. This is not for anyone wishing for a lively hotel. Typically Turkish and majority Turkish clientele. Everyone really pleasant, lovely staff, but no where to get food in the afternoon. Def a great hotel, if it's peace and quite your after. As long as you do not mind going out for lunch. . Maybe in the hight of the season, they provide lunch, but never asked. Would I stay here again, well this is my second time, but it was in 2006, so it's difficult to compare. I would come again, but depends who I am holidaying with. Great for this holiday (4 women between the ages of 79 to 22 yrs). Lovely for small children, but def not for anyone wishing to spend a night at the bar.. For the majority of the holiday, you would prob be on your own.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: C an Sanso Hotel; City: Santa Eulalia del Rio Ibiza Balearic Islands; Review: What a gem...here as a couple but brilliant for young families. Just seen a parrot show.. Can't wait to return with family..ideal location, lovely apartments and brilliant facility for young children. ..; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Solberge Hall Hotel; City: Newby Wiske Northallerton North Yorkshire England; Review: All i can say is WOW. And a big thank you. This hotel is such a gem.. The staff here should be very proud of themselves. It's such a pleasure to have a couple of days away in a lovely setting, with exceptional service. Will definitely return in the summer.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Park Dene B B; City: Whitby Scarborough District North Yorkshire England; Review: Outstanding is the only way to described Park Dene. From the minute you arrive to leaving this gem of a B&B takes some beating. One of the best breakfasts I've ever had. I've stayed in some luxury hotels that would struggle to beat this place. Well done to the owners they should be very proud of what they have achieved. Can't wait to return. Whitby' s great too lol...; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Apartments Festa; City: Dubrovnik Dubrovnik Neretva County Dalmatia; Review: Booked one night before our flight home having stayed on Miljet for the week. Cannot wait to return. Beautiful apartment situated in Dubrovnik old town. Such a pleasant find. Everything and more u need for a stay in such a stunning location.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: La Legende Hotel; City: Brussels; Review: This hotel was very centrally located, the staff were incredibly friendly and helpful and the rooms were super comfortable. I would also recommend the breakfast, it is a continental, but there was a large selection of various different cheeses, breads, hams and savoury snacks. There was even quiche!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La Madeleine Grand Place Brussels; City: Brussels; Review: You will not find a hotel in a better location than this one! The rooms are very basic and there is no air conditioning, I was at the back of the hotel so my room faced onto a brick wall therefore there was very little breeze in the rooms. This was a very basic hotel, but being 30 seconds away from the grand place and less than a 5 minute walk to central station, it was still a very good choice.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Premier Inn Belfast City Centre Alfred Street Hotel; City: Belfast Northern Ireland; Review: I stayed here for work for a week. The rooms were very clean and comfortable and it was only a short walk from anywhere I needed to go. One tip though... if you're not into lots of fried food don't buy their breakfast and dinner offer. Technically the dinner is great value and offers three courses, however there is almost nothing healthy on offer on this, not even the soup which I thought was odd. I would definitely stay there again though.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Premier Inn Brighton City Centre Hotel; City: Brighton East Sussex England; Review: I came to Brighton on a hen weekend (with Seahorsey85) and was amazed at just how central this hotel was... it was less than a minute's walk away from The Laines and The Laynes, less than 5 minutes walk to The Giant Donut, The Pier and a whole host of entertainment venues, tiny original cafes and restaurants. The rooms were comfy, spacious and clean, we thought we'd all be sharing the double bed however the hotel had set up the 'cot' beds for us so we had a comfy bed. We paid about £48 each per night and I would think it would be mpossible to find anywhere better for this amount of money. The staff were friendly and helpful and I would definitely stay here again.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Diep Anh Guesthouse; City: Ho Chi Minh City; Review: We stayed here at the start and end of our trip to Viet Nam and Cambodia and could not recommend this guesthouse highly enough. Our hosts were the most friendly, lovely and helpful people we met during our whole trip, even exchanging some money for us so we could buy dinner without paying over the odds as the banks were shut when we arrived. They were saviours when my bag didn't arrive with me at Ho Chi Min Airport speaking to the airline on my behalf and arranging alternative transport for the next leg of our trip. They provided us with a map of the city and suggest the best routes to go round the sites, they even advised on the best places to go and eat! On arrival we were given a choice of rooms and for the last leg of our trip they also arranged our tour of the Mekong Delta for us. Our room on both occasions was clean, spacious and extremely comfortable. The guesthouse itself is in a fantastic location down a bustling alley right in the centre of the backpacker district meaning that there was a wide array of places to eat and drink on our doorstop however we also found the location extremely central allowing us to walk around the whole city with ease. If we're ever in Saigon again, we would not even consider staying anywhere else. Thank you for a fantastic stay!; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Summer Apparel Puppy dog pet clothes i love my daddy dots print vest sleeveless dog t-shirts apparel by Joylive; Brand: joylive; Review: Very awesome product. Shirts are perfect for my little baby. I have a Chihuahua and dashound mix and she normally wears a medium (16lbs) and I always order her a large and fits perfect.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: PETBROO Heating Pads for Pets, 25.5X15.7IN 2018 Electric Heating Pad for Dogs; Brand: PETBROO; Review: This is an amazing item. I didn't expect it to be so wide. Its 12 in wide and the incline is about 15 " . there are holes in the sides and back and I thought at first my cat was just playing with the holes. However my boyfriend picked it up last night and we realized there was a toy hanging inside the hole that keeps her occupied. I should have known something would be hidden in there since it is made by kong. Ill definitely continue to purchase it as long as it's available. I'm also going to order it for a friend who lives across the country because she's adopting two kittens and they are coming home in a few weeks. Having cheap scratchers like these will give your cats a great alternative to your walls and furniture.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: WARE Single Wide Corrugated Replacement Scratcher Pads for Cats (2-pack) - Catnip Included; Brand: Ware Manufacturing; Review: I thought this would be a standard size for this product. I have a wooden frame that I bought at Wal-Mart with a rectangle cardboard scratcher in it. I needed a filler and never thought there would be difference with the size. I was very disappointed. In order for it to fit I had to put push pins in the bottom of the frame to hold the scratcher in it.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Petparty Sweet Heart Sequins Denim Dog Dress Dog Clothes; Brand: Petparty; Review: Absolutely adorable. But order 1 size larger tends to run small.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Mosunx(TM) Fashion Pet Puppy Summer Shirt Small Dog Cat Pet Clothes Stripe Vest T Shirt; Brand: Mosunx; Review: It is a cute little shirt. Just order a size larger than normal.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: HP95(TM Hot!Pet Dog Puppy Tutu Princess Dress Dot Lace Skirt Party Costume Apparel; Brand: HP95; Review: The most adorable and affordable dress ever. But order a size larger than normal.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Voberry Pet Dog Puppy Cat Classic Quote T-shirt Doggy Clothes Cotton Shirts; Brand: Voberry; Review: Awesome and affordable. Just order a size larger than normal. They tend to run a little small.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Voberry Small Dog Shirt, Fashion Summer Pet Dog Girls Flowers T-shirt; Brand: Voberry; Review: Love it. But would order a size larger. It is also a thinner short so if you live in a hot climate its perfect to allow your babies look stylin' and protect them from the sun.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: WXBUY Cute Sheep Clothes Pet Puppy Dog Warm Hoodie Coat Apparel White; Brand: Xinhuaya; Review: I can't wait to have the opportunity to put this on my fur baby.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: KONG Squeaker Tennis Balls Dog Toy; Brand: KONG; Review: Bought these for a friends new fur baby she just adopted. She loves these balls especially because they squeeck. Thank you. The price was great for what u get.v; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: StarMark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy; Brand: StarMark; Review: This is an awesome idea however my dog is not real big on toys. I was hoping this would motivate her because she is extremely food motivated. I'm still hopeful she will grasp the concept. It is very well made and for the price it is a great deal. However, if ur fur baby is a chewer this is not the best toy. Its not meant to be chewed on.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: VIVO Four Wheel Pet Stroller, for Cat, Dog and More, Foldable Carrier Strolling Cart, Multiple Colors; Brand: VIVO; Review: Assembly is ridiculously a pain in the butt. Plus they only give you ONE extra pin and no washers in case I drop them and can't find them again.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: FURminator Short or Long Hair deShedding Tool for Cats; Brand: Furminator; Review: AWESOME for my cats shedding. It loosens all her under coat and allows me to get all her under coat out.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_Pet_Supplies |
Given the interaction history of a user with hotels as follows:
Title: Best Western Palestine Inn; City: Palestine Texas; Review: At the BW in Palestine, Texas, the owners are always so friendly and they will honestly go out of their way to do anything they can to make sure your trip is a pleasant experience. Our son is in prison in the area, so the visits there are not for pleasure, but we are beginning to feel like family and are always greeted by name. The woman who runs the restaurant, for breakfast is just as friendly. A good experience always.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wingate by Wyndham Houston Willowbrook; City: Houston Texas; Review: This is our second stay at this hotel and it is a nice, clean place to stay. It is located very near my relatives, hospital, etc., so it is convenient, also. We met with family during the day and used the eating area and it worked out great. Desk women were friendly, polite, and helpful.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Best Western Palestine Inn; City: Palestine Texas; Review: It is a hassle to have to travel 8 hours to visit our son, in prison. We get a special visit because of the distance, so we can visit 2 days. The Best Western has been reasonably priced, clean, and has a good breakfast. It is also close to the prison. Everyone is very friendly and understands our needs - as far as the visit goes. We always stay there and they all know us and that helps, too.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: La Quinta Inn Corpus Christi South; City: Corpus Christi Texas; Review: Not the cleanest hotel. I didn't eat breakfast because we had to be at the hospital by 5:30. My Dad and sister were not pleased with the breakfast. My grand kids ate, but didn't comment. It was very convenient to the Bay Area Hospital, and that was my main goal. I basically needed a place to sleep, and it was sufficient for that.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Best Western Palestine Inn; City: Palestine Texas; Review: It isn't a "fun" trip to have to visit a loved one in prison, but the people at the Best Western in Palestine are great at making you feel like family. Even Wanda, at the café makes it a better trip with her friendly personality. Great place to stay if you have to visit someone at Tennessee Colony.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Best Western Palestine Inn; City: Palestine Texas; Review: I try to visit my son every other month, or so, at the prison in the area, and the people at this hotel property are extremely friendly and compassionate. They have been very helpful whenever any need has come up. The staff at the restaurant is also friendly and helpful.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hampton Inn Suites Shreveport South; City: Shreveport Louisiana; Review: The hotel was near our family and friends, the church, the funeral home and the cemetery, so we had no trouble at all navigating while there. Everything was nice and the breakfast items were a little different from the norm and were very good.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Best Western Abilene Inn Suites; City: Abilene Texas; Review: It's not a fun thing to have to do a prison visit, but it's become a way of life after 10 years, and I'm glad to have a quiet comfortable place to sleep at night and get a good breakfast before going out for the visit.; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | hotelrec |
Given the interaction history of a user with movies/shows as follows:
Title: Miss Marple: Collection 1 (1987); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Avalon (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Miss Marple Mysteries: A Murder is Announced (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Miss Marple Mysteries: A Pocketful of Rye (1985); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Deluge (1974); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Young Girls of Rochefort (1969); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Colonel Wolodyjowski (1969); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Rififi (1955); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Children of Paradise (1946); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Unfaithful (2002); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Secret Agent A.K.A. Danger Man (1960); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Pan Tadeusz (1999); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Hamlet (1964); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Revenge (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hero (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Spider-Man 2 (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: U-571 (2000); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Terminal (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ray (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Carnivale: Season 1 (2003); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Collateral (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Van Helsing (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Danger Man: Season 1 (1960); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Incredibles (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sideways (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Closer (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: What the #$*! Do We Know!? (2004); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Kitchen Stories (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Shark Tale (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Phantom of the Opera: Special Edition (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Middlemarch (1994); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kill Bill: Vol. 2 (2004); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Beautiful Mind (2001); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Man on Fire (2004); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Throne of Blood (1957); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: City of God (2002); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: De-Lovely (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Team America: World Police (2004); Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Aviator (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Singin' in the Rain (1952); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Have Gun Will Travel: Season 1 (1957); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Finian's Rainbow (1968); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: Maria Full of Grace (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Finding Neverland (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hotel Rwanda (2005); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Beyond the Sea (2004); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: The Bourne Identity (2002); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Notorious (1946); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Bourne Supremacy (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Hidden Fortress (1958); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Good Neighbors: Complete Final Series (1978); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Queen Christina (1933); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Crash (2005); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Sin City (2005); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Garden State (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Even Dwarfs Started Small (1971); Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005); Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004); Rating: 1.0/5.0
Title: The Butterfly Effect: Director's Cut (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: The White Diamond (2004); Rating: 4.0/5.0 | netflix |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Multipet Plush Dog Toy; Brand: Multipet; Review: There is only one problem with this purchase. I should have purchased 10 of them. Lamb Chop has brought together the love of an unlikely couple. A Rottweiler names Stella and A Maltipoo named Jerry. Lamb Chop is they're child. I have switched 2 out already. They never noticed. I highly recommend this toy.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AmazonBasics Padded Pet Bolster Bed; Brand: AmazonBasics; Review: Fits perfectly. Machine washable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AmazonBasics Padded Pet Bolster Bed; Brand: AmazonBasics; Review: Fits perfectly. Machine washable.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Puppia Dog Harnesses; Brand: Puppia; Review: My little guy looks amazing in his blue (speedo) I want one in every color!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Puppia Dog Harnesses; Brand: Puppia; Review: My little guy looks amazing in his blue (speedo) I want one in every color!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Puppia Dog Harnesses; Brand: Puppia; Review: My little guy looks amazing in his blue (speedo) I want one in every color!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Maxshop Dog clippers Low Noise Rechargeable Cordless Pet Dogs and Cats Electric Grooming Trimming Kit Set (Gold+Black); Brand: Maxshop; Review: Not a great set. I have a maltipoo and it doesnt even cut through HIS hair.; Rating: 2.0/5.0
Title: Puppia Dog Harnesses; Brand: Puppia; Review: too small for my dog; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Puppia Dog Harnesses; Brand: Puppia; Review: too small for my dog; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: Puppia Dog Harnesses; Brand: Puppia; Review: too small for my dog; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: MidWest Homes for Pets Dog Crate | iCrate Single Door & Double Door Folding Metal Dog Crates; Brand: MidWest Homes for Pets; Review: excellent product. I bought 2.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Dog Whitening Shampoo– For Dogs With White/Light Colored Hair/Coat/Fur–White Haired Pets Shampoo For Itching/Dry/Sensitive Skin–Biodegradable/Non Toxic/Vet Best Formula; Brand: Makondo Pets; Review: Just as described; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: All-Absorb Training Pads 22-inch by 23-inch.; Brand: All-Absorb; Review: as described; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Pet_Supplies |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: Royal Savage (Savage & Ink) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Victoria Ashley Page; Review: I simply adore this book. The chemistry between the two is tangible!!!!; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Preppy: The Life and Death of Samuel Clearwater, Part One (King Series); Author: Visit Amazon's T.M. Frazier Page; Review: Pancakes, bowties, life and death. Sex and drugs. Love.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Styx (Walk Of Shame 2nd Generation #2) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's Victoria Ashley Page; Review: Sttttyxxx. :) He's the man..; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Thrust; Author: Visit Amazon's Victoria Ashley Page; Review: Victoria Ashley did it again. Kyan is everything. I rooted for him the whole time. Hoping Calla would just be with him. :) From almost the first page this book takes off. It's fast paced and intense.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Something For The Pain; Author: Visit Amazon's Victoria Ashley Page; Review: I really enjoyed this book. Victoria Ashley always delivers. I love me a mysterious man , with some hardcore ( ;) ) abs.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Road to Nowhere; Author: Visit Amazon's M. Robinson Page; Review: No words. It's Creed. Page turner, even of the seat suspense, and a clifhanger. Aghhh.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Ends Here (Road to Nowhere) (Volume 2); Author: Visit Amazon's M Robinson Page; Review: M is evil. Ends here was amazing. Scary roller coaster. I'm so gland this series ended the am it did.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Reign (Sin City Outlaws) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's M.N. Forgy Page; Review: SPEECHLESS. omg. What Can i say!? LOVE LOVE; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blame It on the Shame (part 1) (Volume 1); Author: Visit Amazon's Ashley Jade Page; Review: Amazing!; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: El Santo; Author: Visit Amazon's M Robinson Page; Review: :o What the bleep!? My heart . Monica strikes again Im in love with el santo; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
Given the interaction history of a user with products as follows:
Title: Sennheiser HD 202 Dynamic Headphones (Old Version); Brand: Sennheiser; Review: If you are looking for a great buy at a budget price, these are for you. They were a HIGHER QUALITY THAN I EXPECTED!!! DURABLE, LOOK GOOD, WORK GREAT AFFORDABLE. WOULD BUY ANOTHER PAIR .....read on if you wish.. I am a student and spend a lot of time studying at home. Whether listening to lectures, music and movies online, these headphones were perfect for my needs. I was looking for a QUALITY product that wouldn't empty my wallet. I happened to find these on sale, so they were worth the price, but if you are considering spending 100+ you may want to shop around; ESPECIALLY if you have experience with noise canceling headphones. As my first pair of n-chphones, these are good enough to dull out background noise. They sound is clear and loud and I LOVE the VOLUME CONTROL built in to the cable.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Bayco K-100 Cord Storage Reel w/Stand, Pack, Orange; Brand: Bayco; Review: Definitely works. Could be a bit stronger, but has not broken. Gets the job done.; Rating: 4.0/5.0
Title: Belkin 8-Outlet Power Strip Surge Protector with 6-Foot Power Cord and Telephone Protection, BE108200-06; Brand: Belkin; Review: Always useful to have around. Good product.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: VideoSecu One Pair Black Univaersal Satellite Speaker Mount Bracket for Wall and; Brand: VideoSecu; Review: Easy to install. Sturdy. Works Great; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Kaisi 16-Piece Precision Screwdriver Set Repair Tool Kit for Cell Phone, iP Series, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, PC,; Brand: Kaisi; Review: Always handy to have around; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball Mouse – Ergonomic Design with Sculpted Right-hand Shape, Compatible with Apple Mac and Microsoft Windows; Brand: Logitech; Review: Batteries last longer. Great Product.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: AmazonBasics 3-Button USB Wired Mouse (Black); Brand: AmazonBasics; Review: Work as advertised. Lightweight, easy to move around. Nice cheap product for everyday use.; Rating: 4.0/5.0 | amazon_Electronics |
Given the interaction history of a user with books as follows:
Title: 6 Rainier Drive (A Cedar Cove Novel); Author: Visit Amazon's Debbie Macomber Page; Review: This is the 6th book I have read of Debbie Macomber's Cedar Cove Series. I have just started the 7th. She is a great writer! You really feel like you know the characters and as the story progresses you can not wait to read the next chapter. I started with the Shop on Blossom Street because I am an avid knitter and reader. She has me hooked. Thank you. nancy brown; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: HCSB Large Print Compact Bible, Blue Bonded Leather with Snap Flap; Author: Holman Bible Staff; Review: I love the size because it fits in my purse. Plus, I can read it even with the smaller print. It is a great translation, a helpful resource for Bible study.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Summer on Blossom Street; Author: Visit Amazon's Debbie Macomber Page; Review: As with all of Debbie Macomber Blossom St. series, I could not put this one down 'til I finished it. Can't wait for the next book. You really look forward and the characters are great, you feel you know them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Rabbi's Heartbeat: Limited Edition Includes an Exclusive New Song by Michael Card; Author: Visit Amazon's Brennan Manning Page; Review: This is one of my favorite books, one that I go back to all the time and one that I have kept because I usually pass my books on after reading them.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence; Author: Visit Amazon's Sarah Young Page; Review: I read this everyday. It is so helpful in seeking a closer relationship with the Lord. It is a book I give to others going through triAls and tribulations.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Cross Gardener; Author: Visit Amazon's Jason F. Wright Page; Review: Reading in book club. The book reminded me of The Shack. Takes God's Word and twists it in my mind.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The Church Ladies; Author: Lisa E. Samson; Review: I really enjoyed this book, would like to read more of her writings. It is an inspiring book and tells how life is sometimes and how one can grow in the Lord through trials and mistakes.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Blood Moons Rising: Bible Prophecy, Israel, and the Four Blood Moons; Author: Visit Amazon's Mark Hitchcock Page; Review: This author answered all the questions after some enthusiastic friends told me what they had heard on TV. Keeping my eyes and hopes on the Lord Jesus and His return.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: NIV, Reference Bible, Giant Print, Imitation Leather, Black, Indexed; Author: Visit Amazon's Zondervan Page; Review: I love it, too. Great when going some place beside home.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: NIV, The MacArthur Study Bible, Hardcover (Signature); Author: Thomas Nelson; Review: Missed MacArthur when I gave mine away.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Total Control; Author: Visit Amazon's David Baldacci Page; Review: Kept my attention and kept me guessing.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared; Author: Visit Amazon's Jonas Jonasson Page; Review: Our library book club chose this book. It started out good for me, but I am three fourths through it and I am donating it to the library.; Rating: 3.0/5.0
Title: The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion; Author: Flagg Fannie; Review: Read for the book club at the local library, it is a good read. She is a good author, keeps you interested.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Zero Day (John Puller series); Author: Visit Amazon's David Baldacci Page; Review: Always hard to put one of David Baldacci's books down.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: A Man Called Ove (Thorndike Press Large Print Core Series); Author: Visit Amazon's Fredrik Backman Page; Review: Loved this book. One minute you cry, the next you laugh.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: The Language of Flowers; Author: Visit Amazon's Vanessa Diffenbaugh Page; Review: Good book, Ishtar from the beginning.; Rating: 5.0/5.0
Title: Wives of War; Author: Visit Amazon's Soraya M. Lane Page; Review: Really enjoyed the book; Rating: 5.0/5.0 | amazon_books |
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