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Script of the Bridge by The Chameleons UK
Script of the Bridge by The Chameleons UK
1983 | Rock
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I had a friend at school that was just as obsessive about music as I was. He was a huge New Order fan. He lent me a really badly taped cassette of Script Of The Bridge. At first I thought it was too dangerously close to prog rock. Around that time, I think I'd just gone to sixth form… What was great about that was meeting people of a like mind. But the place where I came from was a typical Northern small town. I think the idea was probably dawning that there was nothing there and I didn't really belong. I was stuck in my own world with no outlet for it. I spent a lot of time just wandering around and thinking about stuff, and that was the soundtrack to it really. Pissing it down in the North on dark evenings. It sounds like rain in the north-west to me now. I dunno what's good about that."

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The Paris Network [Audiobook]
The Paris Network [Audiobook]
Siobhan Curham | 2022 | History & Politics
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
"I am not afraid. I was born to do this."

This was a powerful and emotional story that I found myself being drawn into but only the historical sections; the more recent sections I didn't particularly think added that much to the story as a whole.

I listened to the audio book and whilst I think the narrator did a good job, I did find her interpretation of some of the French characters' voices was a bit jarring. I also found it odd that the main character of Laurence, who is French, spoke to other characters in a French accent however, her inner-dialogue was American.

Having said all that, I was captivated by Laurence's story and loved the way books played a pivotal and vital role in this book; this was unique for me and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for my copy in return for an honest, unbiased and unedited review.
  
The Toll (Arc of a Scythe, #3)
The Toll (Arc of a Scythe, #3)
10
9.3 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
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#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2656699288">Scythe</a>; - ★★★★★
#2 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2998629500">Thunderhead</a>; - ★★★★★
#3 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3080800725">The Toll</a> - ★★★★★

<img src="https://diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Book-Review-Banner-20.png"/>;

And here is my review of The Toll. We have reached the end of the series, guys.

It’s been three years since Rowan and Citra disappeared; since Scythe Goddard came into power; since the Thunderhead closed itself off to everyone but Grayson Tolliver.

In this pulse-pounding conclusion to New York Times bestselling author Neal Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe trilogy, constitutions are tested and old friends are brought back from the dead.

I don’t know how to even start this review, because I have so many emotions still! I am so in love with this series. With this finale. I am also so sad that the journey ends here and I have to part ways, re-visiting these books but never reading new ones. 

A wonderful world, where death is no more, and two scythe apprentices, with the willpower to be great - they stuck to me, and they grew on me, and they did capture my heart. 

<b><i>Rowan - a hero never understood.</i></b>

Fighting for the good in a bad way. Himself against the world, not afraid to give his life for the people he cares about. I salute you, Scythe Lucifer!

<b><i>Citra - a woman born to be a leader.</i></b>

A powerful force that moves the Earth she walks upon. A compassion and kindness mixed with the force of unfairness. Ready to stand up when no one else does and not afraid to do things differently. I salute you, Scythe Anastasia. 

And to all the rest of the characters, and believe me, there are so many that are just as important, I also bow to you. For fighting for what you believe in, for being better humans than most and for helping a person in need. You will never be forgotten. 

<b><i>Neal Shusterman, the hero of this book.</i></b>

The creator of wonderful worlds. I bow to you and I thank you for giving me a world worth remembering. For creating the Thunderhead to lead us into the future, and for giving us a glimpse of possibilities and opportunities of the “what might be”. I have endless love for your writing and will continue to be excited and read every new book you write. 

I have noticed, when I really love a book and want to shout about it to everyone I know, it is quite hard to do so without spilling any spoilers. How do you write a review of mentioning all the things you loved, without ruining the story for someone else?

<b><i>Let’s try it this way:</i></b>

Guys, have a look at my review of Scythe, the first book in the series. Then read the book. Then read my review of Thunderhead. Read that book as well. And then come here, read this blurb, finish the series and find me either here, or on Instagram and Twitter, so I can tell you all the spoilers! :)

No, honestly, if you love science-fiction with a twist of fantasy and dystopia, this will be a book you will cherish forever. 

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A delicious dirty erotic romance about two people discovering themselves again and healing.

I am going to be honest, by the time I made it to this book on my NetGalley list, I was about 1000% done with people who had something happen in their past that broke them and they put themselves back together as best they could. However, I have a thing for MMA fighters (maybe because my fiancé was one?) so I still requested this novel.

I am glad I did because Fighting for Control is a helluva intense novel with a heroine I could definitely get behind. I actually admired her a lot. She was such a strong and passionate woman, it was hard not to like her. And, despite his issues, I genuinely enjoyed Nikko too. I definitely could see why she fell for him.

While the whole “woman trying to heal PTSD Alpha male” is not even close to be a new or fresh trope, Price told it in a way that it was still enjoyable. If this type of story is your thing, then you will love this novel.
  
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Matefinder (Matefinder, #1)
Leia Stone | 2014
8
7.7 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
I do not consider myself an expert on werewolf and vampire lore, but I do find them highly fascinating. Matefinder is a quick read, with an interesting story and unique characters.

I have had this book sitting on my nightstand for almost a year, waiting for me to pick it up. I am so glad I finally did. Kai and Aurora's story kept my eyes glued to the page till I finished it well past my bedtime last night.

Aurora is a strong female lead and she carries a powerful gift with her. She has overcome so much, survived so much. Discovering who she is and the strength and power she carries is an incredible thing to witness. Passionate (clean) kisses, intense fight scenes, tenderness, and a family/pack bond that is thicker than blood. If you enjoy books with vampires and werewolves, I recommend Matefinder to you.

**I would consider the rating to be PG-13.**

I received a complimentary copy of Matefinder from the author as part of a giveaway that I won. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
  
When We Were Vikings
When We Were Vikings
Andrew David MacDonald | 2020 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.5 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I enjoyed When we were Vikings, but I had to take breaks from reading it, so it wasn't the fastest read for me on a personal level. I'm a parent of a special needs child, and personally, after dealing with my son all day, sometimes I could only read a couple of pages before needing a break. Like I said, that's just a personal thing. I did enjoy the story, and once I hit the major part of the story about halfway in, I didn't have to take as many breaks. Then there were more things going on in the story, rather than only focusing on Zelda's way of seeing things. I did not like the character of Marxy's mother at all, though. For me, I was almost ready to stop reading at one point because of her. Thankfully, she's wasn't a main character, that takes up a lot of time in the book. To me, what she was doing felt borderline abusive, if not fully abusive, considering the situation. I could've done without her part in the book, though I know it lays groundwork for other things down the road.
  
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Frank Black recommended Combat Rock by The Clash in Music (curated)

 
Combat Rock by The Clash
Combat Rock by The Clash
1982 | Rock
8.7 (3 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I think Combat Rock has suffered a lot of bitching and whining because it’s when The Clash broke America. I was 17-years old when I heard 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go'. I wasn’t some hipster, punk dude. I didn’t know who The Clash were. I heard it on the radio. I heard 'Rock The Casbah' on the radio. Compared to a lot of other stuff being played it was like: “This is good!” For all the people who say it’s not London Calling, it’s not 'White Riot', well, I get that they were in the trenches and whatever. I’m not trying to disparage the early Clash but they matured into a proper rock band and they did something with it. Listen to 'Straight To Hell'. Fucking A! Listen to 'Know Your Rights'! I’ll be happy as a pig in shit if I can write a song as good as that. If they were ‘selling out’, you write 'Know Your Rights'! It’s why I picked Combat Rock. I don’t get where people are coming from who don’t like that record [sings the riff from 'Should I Stay Or Should I Go']. It doesn’t get any better than that. It’s a wonderful statement. I wish there was something out there right now as good as 'Straight To Hell'."

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Train to Busan (2016)
Train to Busan (2016)
2016 | Action, Drama, Horror
The characters, it isn't really obvious what's going to happen later on in the film, it's different from most other zombie films. (0 more)
A gripping Korean zombie film
I was excited to watch Train to Busan the moment I saw the trailer for it. I am a huge fan of horror and zombie films and this one looked different.
I was pretty into it as soon as I started to watch it, I was pulled in and couldn't take my eyes from the screen from the moment the characters first board the train.
There were little details here and there that I loved including the fact that one character has a brand new Nintendo Ds (I love Nintendo).
Most zombie movies bore me after a while and I don't care too much for the characters, but in Train to Busan I was rooting for several of them.
I also loved the fact they were on a train, that was ont of the reasons I wanted to watch this film, I wanted to see exactly how they were gonna survive in such a small space.
I highly recommend this film, give it a try even if you don't like the look of it and it might surprise you.
  
SD
Sing Down the Stars
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I have no words. I absolutely loved this book. It had a sympathetic protagonist who grew throughout the book, a unique world, fully-fledged characters, and great pacing. It's part fantasy, sci-fi, Techpunk (my term for a modern-type of Steampunk), thrown into a modern or slightly futuristic world. I'm sorry, but I cannot be objective about Sing Down the Stars. It's probably not perfect but I don't care, the only thing I can even remember is the action at the beginning felt muddled to me. That's it. Otherwise, I whipped through the book whenever I had the chance and was riveted. <b>Riveted!</b> I tell you! And maybe a bit rabid as well. I want the next book now. I NEED the next book or I feel I might have a coronary. The book is so fantastic and the world so different than anything else I've come across that I just want to shove it in everyone's face and tell them to read it! I don't know when the last time that's happened with a book. Even if you're iffy about the synopsis, try it, sure maybe you won't like it (what are you? Crazy?!), but what do you have to lose? Besides money, but than there are libraries.
  
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Kai (5 KP) rated A Man Called Ove in Books

Nov 29, 2017  
A Man Called Ove
A Man Called Ove
Fredrik Backman | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.8 (28 Ratings)
Book Rating
Such a good book. Very powerful and thought provoking, I don't think I would have come across it if it wasn't for the reading challenge but I am so glad I did.