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A Thousand Years of Good Prayers
A Thousand Years of Good Prayers
Yiyun Li | 2006 | Fiction & Poetry
9
9.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Impressive collection of short stories about pre- and post-revolution China
This collection of short stories by Yiyun Li is both charming and a little disconcerting, showing how Chinese citizens attempt to live in a changed consumer communist society. From a gay man attempting to eke out a space for himself after returning from America to China, to those with mental health issues and parents with more than one child, Li showcases a plethora of characters and voices, many reflective of her own experiences.

The first story about an elderly woman trying to work and survive, and feeling love for a young boy after many years of loneliness is poignant and sombre. While the final story is similar to Li's experience of living in America - she is in reality a dissident and at one point couldn't leave the country to collect an award for this book, hence the book is remarkable in the fact that it feels completely plausible. Even more laudable is the fact that she had only learnt English for six years when she wrote the book. It is a wonderful collection of stories.
  
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Ross (3284 KP) rated The OA - Season 1 in TV

Sep 21, 2017  
The OA  - Season 1
The OA - Season 1
2016 | Drama
I didn't really like the first episode (the reappearance of a blind girl who disappeared years past, and is no longer blind), it didn't seem to fit in with the description of the series. However once past that it really got good, exploring what she had been through in the intervening period and what she now does when back in her old house/family/life.
The ending was complete dog muck though. All that potential just thrown away for smaltzy rubbish.
  
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Ross (3284 KP) rated Gimme Gimme Gimme in TV

Sep 21, 2017  
Gimme Gimme Gimme
Gimme Gimme Gimme
1999 | Classics, Comedy
9
7.2 (20 Ratings)
TV Show Rating
One of the best sitcoms ever made (in the 90s).
  
PES
PES
2017 | Action, Sports
Passing and defending are tight (2 more)
Superb goal feel
Great visuals, mostly
Refereeing is terrible at times (0 more)
Presentation has been one of PES' sore points in the past, but on the whole PES 2107 looks great. Player likenesses are better than ever, the game runs smoothly, and the animations are gorgeous.
Critic- Tom Orry
Original Score:9 out of 10

Read Review: https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/pes-2017-review
  
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JasonKeenan (9 KP) rated Steelheart in Books

Sep 21, 2017  
Steelheart
Steelheart
Brandon Sanderson | 2013 | Fiction & Poetry, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
9
8.5 (12 Ratings)
Book Rating
Fanstatic, a different take on superhero's
I don't have time read with my job, but I found this on audiobook, and had to buy it,

As soon as I place my head phones on my ears I couldn't take them out,


Great story, great characters




Well worth buying it
  
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Books Editor (673 KP) shared own list

Sep 21, 2017
From an exploration of raising a transgender child to an imagined re-telling of famous murders in the 19th century, these are some of the best new conversation-starters.

If you’re struggling to recommend a novel for your next book club, The Independent has compiled a list of accessible, exciting and original books to get the conversation started.


Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits

Laura Barnett

9.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

One day. Sixteen songs. The soundtrack of a lifetime. Alone in her studio, Cass Wheeler is taking...


Fiction Contemporary Music
See What I Have Done

See What I Have Done

Sarah Schmidt

6.6 (7 Ratings) Rate It

Book

When her father and step-mother are found brutally murdered on a summer morning in 1892, Lizzie...

The Other Hoffmann Sister

The Other Hoffmann Sister

Ben Fergusson

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Gripping historical fiction from the prize-winning author of The Spring of Kasper Meier Shortlisted...


historical fiction fiction
The Dry

The Dry

Jane Harper

8.4 (10 Ratings) Rate It

Book

'One of the most stunning debuts I've ever read...Read it!' David Baldacci 'Packed with sneaky moves...

This is How it Always Is

This is How it Always Is

Laurie Frankel

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

This is how a family keeps a secret…and how that secret ends up keeping them. This is how a...


Fiction
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The Leftovers  - Season 1
The Leftovers - Season 1
2014 | Drama
Following a very selective rapture-like event, this series looks at how the residents of one upstate New York town are dealing with life after the departure.
A smoking, silent cult residing in the town go out their way to ruin everyone else's fun and enjoyment.
The main character is the police chief, played by Justin Theroux, who plays the role well of struggling to keep the town together while upholding the law and obeying the mayor's orders.
  
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Ross (3284 KP) rated The Flash - Season 2 in TV

Sep 21, 2017  
The Flash  - Season 2
The Flash - Season 2
2015 | Action
Aanother series, another evil speedster that Barry couldn't possibly beat, oh he does beat him, the end.
  
Fear the Walking Dead  - Season 1
Fear the Walking Dead - Season 1
2015 | Sci-Fi
Very much the poor cousin to TWD, this series chronicles the world while the outbreak is happening (for me one of the best parts of TWD is that it moved beyond that aspect which has been done to death). It is interesting to see the walkers being dealt with at a different stage of decay and in a different setting (urban California) but it is not a patch on TWD.
  
Broadchurch  - Season 2
Broadchurch - Season 2
2015 | Drama
Quite a drop in quality from the first series, but still a gripping drama. Still well written and well acted, but dealing with the court case and how the town comes to terms with the aftermath of the events of the first series are not carried out with the same intensity as the first series.