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Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky Albertalli | 2015 | Fiction & Poetry, Gender Studies
10
9.0 (29 Ratings)
Book Rating
THIS FREAKING BOOK, you know those times when you just pick up a book and it reminds you why you love to read? This is one of those books. Every single detail about this book was perfect, every character had a purpose and identity. I couldn't put this down and for once I didn't spoil a book for myself even though I ws about to on so many occasions but I'm so glad I didn't because the big reveal was even more beautiful and special than I ever expected <spoiler>and abraham louis greenfeld is the softest boy I have ever encountered</spoiler>.

The easiest 5 star rating I have given in a long time and I will 10000000% be rereading this
  
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Rufus Wainwright recommended Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan in Music (curated)

 
Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan
Blonde on Blonde by Bob Dylan
1966 | Alternative, Folk, Singer-Songwriter
7.9 (8 Ratings)
Album Favorite

"I had my operatic knowledge, and I had this interesting collection of artists I was dedicated to: Judy Garland, Nina Simone and so on – I could have put Nina Simone on this list – but this record by Bob Dylan was a way to relate to my parents a little bit. I wouldn't necessarily say I'm a huge Dylan fan, but I appreciate him, I understand his greatness, and it's really now that I'm starting to dig into his catalogue and cherish his existence. But in general, I'd say a lot of his recordings make me think of my dad – that's not the sexiest thing, but Blonde on Blonde broke through the barrier, and particularly the song 'I Want You' kept the thread going."

Source
  
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Sam Claflin recommended Notting Hill (1999) in Movies (curated)

 
Notting Hill (1999)
Notting Hill (1999)
1999 | Comedy, Romance
6.5 (6 Ratings)
Movie Favorite

"One off the top of my head — I think a film that I have watched time and time again — and every time I watch it I feel that I kind of see something new. I love Notting Hill. It’s by Roger Michell. There’s sort of an English charm — [and] I’m English. There’s sort of that slight insight into the kind of acting world Julia Roberts is playing. The kind of celebrity — I suppose especially me being an actor — there’s a lot of relatable qualities about it. I have a huge entourage of people who are really far away from this industry. So, there’s a sort of connecting dots between myself and them — always sort of very similar to the the world Notting Hill is based in."

Source
  
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride (1987)
1987 | Adventure, Fantasy, Romance
A classic
A classic that has something for everyone. I have not met a person that did not like this movie
  
Ocean’s 8 (2018)
Ocean’s 8 (2018)
2018 | Comedy, Crime
Just a redo of what was already a good movie franchise. I become less and less a fan of Sandra Bullock.
  
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Steve Gunn recommended Hoop Dreams (1994) in Movies (curated)

 
Hoop Dreams (1994)
Hoop Dreams (1994)
1994 | Documentary, Drama

"This film is energizing, depressing, and beautiful. I suppose it’s a combination of a great American story and a great film."

Source
  
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Kim Gordon recommended Pattern Recognition in Books (curated)

 
Pattern Recognition
Pattern Recognition
William Gibson | 2011 | Mystery, Thriller
(0 Ratings)
Book Favorite

"His first non-sci-fi book. I loved the idea of a ‘coolhunter’ being a woman, and stalked by a corporation"

Source
  
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Dana (24 KP) rated Uprooted in Books

Mar 23, 2018  
Uprooted
Uprooted
Naomi Novik | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.4 (10 Ratings)
Book Rating
I didn't know what I would think about this book when I picked it up. I had found out about it through people recommending it online through my tumblr when I asked for a new fairy tale book to read. I was not disappointed.

This was interesting because it was not really happy. It hearkened back to the Grimm brother's fairy tales in that respect. There were some Russian fairy tale influences I could feel throughout here when I was reading.

I loved how dark the characters were. They felt very fleshed out and very well written. Great job.

The plot was really nice and, again, well written. Not too many slow parts, though there were a few. I still enjoyed it.

I love the fact that it's a standalone so I can have it all wrapped up. I think I may look up her other books.
  
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#1 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3099410597">The Princess Plan</a> - ★★★
#2 <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3361072334">A Royal Kiss and Tell</a> - TBR

<img src="https://i0.wp.com/diaryofdifference.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Book-Review-Banner-85.png?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1"/>;

I received The Princess Plan by Julia London from the amazing team at Mills & Boon. This is the first book in the series A Royal Wedding.

Historical romances are a hit or miss for me, and this one didn’t really hit the mark like I wanted it to. Prince Sebastian of Alucia is on his visit in London, when his personal secretary is murdered.

And a murder such as this one creates a very big buzz in London’s high society. When a scandal like this occurs, it’s all anyone talks about, including Eliza Trickelbank, who happens to own a gossip gazette.

When her gazette receives an anonymous tip off about this crime, Prince Sebastian has no choice, but to work with her in order to solve the mystery of his friend’s murder.

With a trade deal on the line and a pressure to find a noble bride, there is nothing more dangerous than a prince socialising with a commoner. They can’t seem to agree on anything, and find each other frustrating, but the temptation between them becomes harder and harder to be ignored.

<b><i>My Thoughts:</i></b>

I loved the Cinderella vibe around this book, and the trope of prince meets commoner. I also enjoyed the trope of enemies becoming lovers. Even though, in this case, it was more of a forbidden temptation meets annoyance that turns into affection.

I liked Sebastian as much as I disliked Eliza. Everything that annoyed me about her, he somehow managed to compensate for. She was trying very hard to be independent, but instead, she gave up a vibe that was almost unbearable and very insecure. With Sebastian I loved the dilemma between country vs heart, which I assume many nobles, especially during that time in England felt. I am sure that many of them sacrificed their love just to do right by their country.

I found the gazette excerpts quite funny at times, and very enlightening. They take you into a whole new world, where you feel as if you’re there, getting ready for a ball, or reading about the latest gossip of the nobles. The writing style matches the time setting perfectly. I think Julia London did an amazing job when it comes to that. Here is an excerpt that really made me giggle:

<b><i>“New information suggests that if a lady wishes to enjoy a romp without consequence, trotting a horse briskly the day after the romp should remove said consequence.”</i></b>

To conclude, I enjoyed The Princess Plan, but it wasn’t a favorite. The writing was beautiful and I am sure this will be a favorite for people that love historical romances. The only reason I didn’t love it is because of Eliza’s character and the tropes that I have already seen before.
  
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Beautiful Creatures (Caster Chronicles, #1)
Kami Garcia | 2009 | Fiction & Poetry, Paranormal, Romance
2
7.4 (34 Ratings)
Book Rating
I’ll readily admit that I did not finish reading this book, and that is saying a lot coming from someone who will usually finish a book, even if I don’t really enjoy it.

I got about a hundred pages into this before I was so fed up with the characters that I just could not continue. These teenagers were so whiny and over dramatic that the6 made me appreciate the real-life preteens that I teach.

You’ll find far less melodrama in an actual classroom than in these pages. I imagine only actual high school students could stomach reading these caricatures of themselves.