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Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Who Could That Be at This Hour? (All the Wrong Questions, #1) in Books
Apr 27, 2018
I had never read Lemony Snicket before, and honestly, I probably won't again. This audio book wasn't a bad experience per se… it was odd. I guess with a name like Lemony Snicket, you have to be odd.
First, he used his own name as the name of the main character. I'm not sure if he did this to allow for getting into the characters head, or if he just couldn't think of anything else at the time and then forgot to change it later, but it was strange and somewhat distracting.
Second, Although it was exciting and interesting, it certainly didn't have me sitting on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the next word. I was too busy thinking and trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
Third, the writing wasn't bad, but again, it was odd. I really don't know how else to describe it. Maybe it's an acquired taste… if you can acquire tastes for writing voices.
I liked the characters, the plot was good, and it worked itself out well in the end with just enough of a cliffhanger to make me curious about the next book, but honestly, I probably won't be waiting outside Books-a-Million at midnight waiting for the release.
Content/Recommendation: Clean, ages 14-adult
First, he used his own name as the name of the main character. I'm not sure if he did this to allow for getting into the characters head, or if he just couldn't think of anything else at the time and then forgot to change it later, but it was strange and somewhat distracting.
Second, Although it was exciting and interesting, it certainly didn't have me sitting on the edge of my seat, anxiously awaiting the next word. I was too busy thinking and trying to figure out what the hell was going on.
Third, the writing wasn't bad, but again, it was odd. I really don't know how else to describe it. Maybe it's an acquired taste… if you can acquire tastes for writing voices.
I liked the characters, the plot was good, and it worked itself out well in the end with just enough of a cliffhanger to make me curious about the next book, but honestly, I probably won't be waiting outside Books-a-Million at midnight waiting for the release.
Content/Recommendation: Clean, ages 14-adult
Bookapotamus (289 KP) rated The Poisonwood Bible in Books
May 25, 2018
Wow! What a story!
The Poisonwood Bible follows the Price family, missionaries who are living in (pretty scary) parts of Africa for a large part of the book. The book talks a LOT about their religion, and its in general a pretty chilling book. A lot of reviews are judging this book on Christianity or America, or whatever - but I think this book deserves five stars for the story and writing alone. The story was beautiful and it ALMOST made me question everything I've ever thought or believed in! I learned so very much about things in Africa that most of us have no idea are happening - or have happened.
I do think things sort of went back and forth throughout the story - how amazing the African people are, then what monsters they are - but they're just like every other human in America right? It also follows two sisters who are SO different its almost not believable. Rachel and Leah. Rachel is fun to follow - in a way the only humor in the whole book. Their story is fascinating no matter which point of view it's told from.
The book is VERY long. I could have ended it before the adult part - I was bored by that and felt it unnecessary. Otherwise - would def had been 5 stars!
The Poisonwood Bible follows the Price family, missionaries who are living in (pretty scary) parts of Africa for a large part of the book. The book talks a LOT about their religion, and its in general a pretty chilling book. A lot of reviews are judging this book on Christianity or America, or whatever - but I think this book deserves five stars for the story and writing alone. The story was beautiful and it ALMOST made me question everything I've ever thought or believed in! I learned so very much about things in Africa that most of us have no idea are happening - or have happened.
I do think things sort of went back and forth throughout the story - how amazing the African people are, then what monsters they are - but they're just like every other human in America right? It also follows two sisters who are SO different its almost not believable. Rachel and Leah. Rachel is fun to follow - in a way the only humor in the whole book. Their story is fascinating no matter which point of view it's told from.
The book is VERY long. I could have ended it before the adult part - I was bored by that and felt it unnecessary. Otherwise - would def had been 5 stars!
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick (Perry & Gobi, #1) in Books
Feb 15, 2019
<b>Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick</b> is a pure adrenaline rush from start to finish, never letting up for a moment. The tagline: "Ferris Bueller Meets La Femme Nikita in this funny, action-packed young adult novel" pretty much describes it to a T (though I'm sure there are other influences involved too), except in this case the main character, Perry, is closer to Alan Ruck's Cameron than Ferris himself. While reading, I couldn't help but visualize this as a movie, as it'd work very well developed for the big screen. This is definitely a plot-driven book, with less characterization than action, though the author gives just enough to get a sense of who both Perry and the pseudo-foreign-exchange-student-but-in-reality-assassin, Gobi, are that goes beyond two-dimensional. If you're looking for a realistic book, this isn't it, but if you're looking for a wild ride filled with death, violence, rock 'n' roll, humor, mystery, and a main character who grows as the night unfolds, give this a shot, it's loads for fun. A very short book (190 pages), ARCEC is a fast, non-stop action read that would be perfect entertainment if your brain is overworked from work, school, or just every day worries and should appeal to both males and females who enjoy light YA novels.
Lindsay (1760 KP) rated Abuse Of Discretion in Books
Apr 9, 2019
Abuse of Discretion is about a boy that saves a picture of and is the one that got accused of something he did not do. What will the justice system do about it? Is the adult system better than the juvenile criminal justice system?
The author takes you inside the juvenile criminal justice system with this story and plot. It about a boy and sex-texting. Will Graylin be put in jail for something he did not do or will be saved interact and that he got a photo of a classmate saved on his phone? He was just doing what young kids do at their age of fourteen. Will the truth be set him free or not.
Why do juvenile criminal justice system judges like to lock up teens and not let them go? It could have to do with something about the law written by the state. We get an inside of the system and to find out what happens we see Pamela and Angelica take on the case of depending Graylin.
Dres Thomas has his own problems to deal with. Will he outwit the Shepard or will he be killed himself? You will need to find out by reading. Pamela Samuels Young write the plot well. She throws in twist and turns and mystery throughout the book.
The author takes you inside the juvenile criminal justice system with this story and plot. It about a boy and sex-texting. Will Graylin be put in jail for something he did not do or will be saved interact and that he got a photo of a classmate saved on his phone? He was just doing what young kids do at their age of fourteen. Will the truth be set him free or not.
Why do juvenile criminal justice system judges like to lock up teens and not let them go? It could have to do with something about the law written by the state. We get an inside of the system and to find out what happens we see Pamela and Angelica take on the case of depending Graylin.
Dres Thomas has his own problems to deal with. Will he outwit the Shepard or will he be killed himself? You will need to find out by reading. Pamela Samuels Young write the plot well. She throws in twist and turns and mystery throughout the book.
Elvis Fox (24 KP) rated Young Adult (2011) in Movies
May 1, 2019
Charlize Theron (2 more)
Patton Oswalt
Elizabeth Reaser
Adulting Not Suited For Everyone
First off, in order to enjoy this deliciously vapid slice of life film I highly recommend suspending your moral compass to get a truly enjoyable viewing. Charlize Theron is absolutely PERFECT as ghost writer Mavis Gary, who for the most part, hasn't matured beyond her glory days as a popular high school cheerleader and displays questionable morality traits as the film progresses. She's tall, blonde, and beautiful and as such was destined to go on to do amazing things in life...until life got in the way. Enjoying moderate success as a ghost writer of a once popular young adult series, Mavis's only real source of income is dwindling, as the series is coming to an end as she struggles to write a satisfactory ending which mirrors what's happening in her own personal life. As luck would have it, an old high school flame of Mavis's sends her an e-vite to a celebration for the birth of his first child and the events that unfold is anything short of cringe worthy, rage, and ultimately dissapointment. I highly recommend this quant little film that I feel doesn't get nearly as much attention and praise as it deserves, it makes for one heck of a Friday night in!
Parfs (178 KP) rated Jumanji: The Game in Tabletop Games
May 2, 2019
Easy to play (1 more)
Good art work
Great family friendly game
This game is great and really fun to play as a family. Simple enough concept combining numbered dice, action cards and picture dice. Draw an action card at the end of moving your counter, the card has a short rhyme about the danger you are facing along with some nice art work, it also shows what picture you need to roll on the picture dice to stop you from filling up the danger zone. You have 6 seconds to roll the picture to match the card.
The game says for people aged 8 to adult but have to say my 4 and 6 year old have been able to play this and really enjoy it fully. We can normally finish the game in about 30 minutes so is a great little time killer and the replay ability is good.
I would have liked the counters to have been shaped to match the game pieces from the movie instead of the plain coloured cones that are supplied but it is a minor gripe.
All in all if you are after an enjoyable board game you really can't go wrong with this game. It is well priced at below £15 from most retailers and is worth every penny.
The game says for people aged 8 to adult but have to say my 4 and 6 year old have been able to play this and really enjoy it fully. We can normally finish the game in about 30 minutes so is a great little time killer and the replay ability is good.
I would have liked the counters to have been shaped to match the game pieces from the movie instead of the plain coloured cones that are supplied but it is a minor gripe.
All in all if you are after an enjoyable board game you really can't go wrong with this game. It is well priced at below £15 from most retailers and is worth every penny.
I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review.
Everyone has most likely heard the quote, "History is written by the victors." Although the quote is often attributed to Winston Churchill, it is not known who originally said it. However, the author does not matter, only the truth of the quote.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Young Readers’ Edition Everything American History Textbooks Get Wrong by James W. Loewen is part of his campaign to correct mistakes that have been taught in schools for years. His most famous work, Lies My Teacher Told Me, was originally published in 1995.
This history book is geared toward "young readers". I, as an adult, found the information interesting and some was outright surprising to me. However, I think young readers would find it wordy. This was not a book to sit and read cover to cover. I needed time to reflect, discuss, and to research sections for more information.
Adding it to an advanced or higher level history course to complement a traditional history textbook would be an asset to the student's education. Allowing both books to be read at the same time would probably help encourage the reader's curiosity to not just accept what the textbooks offers as history as fact.
Everyone has most likely heard the quote, "History is written by the victors." Although the quote is often attributed to Winston Churchill, it is not known who originally said it. However, the author does not matter, only the truth of the quote.
Lies My Teacher Told Me: Young Readers’ Edition Everything American History Textbooks Get Wrong by James W. Loewen is part of his campaign to correct mistakes that have been taught in schools for years. His most famous work, Lies My Teacher Told Me, was originally published in 1995.
This history book is geared toward "young readers". I, as an adult, found the information interesting and some was outright surprising to me. However, I think young readers would find it wordy. This was not a book to sit and read cover to cover. I needed time to reflect, discuss, and to research sections for more information.
Adding it to an advanced or higher level history course to complement a traditional history textbook would be an asset to the student's education. Allowing both books to be read at the same time would probably help encourage the reader's curiosity to not just accept what the textbooks offers as history as fact.
ArecRain (8 KP) rated Cursed (Beholder, #1) in Books
Jan 18, 2018
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is not my normal read as lately I have been hitting the erotica/contemporary romance hard. However, it had to do with necromancy and that is something I simply cannot pass up. Necromancy is something I am highly interested not only because it is rarely written about (compared to vampires, shifters, etc.), but also because rarely is the hero/heroine ever the necromancer. Usually the necromancer is the villain/antagonist.
This story was refreshing, like a breath of fresh air from what I have been reading. Elea is such a powerful character, both in magic and personality. I could definitely get behind her and her ideals. The authors created world was also fascinating. I felt she not only created a marvelous world but also did a good job at explaining it. Sometimes in fantasy novels, I get lost concerning the authors created mythology, but I wasnt with this novel.
It definitely has a young adult feel to it though. Regardless, I loved it and cant wait to read more. If you are a fan of strong heroines with interesting magic, and a fascinating world beyond imagination, then you may enjoy this novel. Not to mention the young love that spurs main characters. I am all for young, dewy eyed love
This is not my normal read as lately I have been hitting the erotica/contemporary romance hard. However, it had to do with necromancy and that is something I simply cannot pass up. Necromancy is something I am highly interested not only because it is rarely written about (compared to vampires, shifters, etc.), but also because rarely is the hero/heroine ever the necromancer. Usually the necromancer is the villain/antagonist.
This story was refreshing, like a breath of fresh air from what I have been reading. Elea is such a powerful character, both in magic and personality. I could definitely get behind her and her ideals. The authors created world was also fascinating. I felt she not only created a marvelous world but also did a good job at explaining it. Sometimes in fantasy novels, I get lost concerning the authors created mythology, but I wasnt with this novel.
It definitely has a young adult feel to it though. Regardless, I loved it and cant wait to read more. If you are a fan of strong heroines with interesting magic, and a fascinating world beyond imagination, then you may enjoy this novel. Not to mention the young love that spurs main characters. I am all for young, dewy eyed love
Micah Ulibarri (79 KP) rated The Peace and The Panic by Neck Deep in Music
Mar 26, 2018
Peace Panic Pop Punk
Neck Deep, most well known for their song, "December", came to turn the amps up to 11. Mostly known for a more acoustic sound that lends itself to pop punk, the Welsh five-piece has brought a full electric, high-energy album to bear on an audience that didn't know we needed more pop punk anthems.
The album mostly deals with mature themes of growing older, as well as the state of the world and losing people close to you. The lead singer, Ben Barlow's, father died during their writing of this album and it shows in the emotional lyrics and texture of the songs.
The album starts out with the more jump-up-and-down and blast-your-car-stereo tunes until getting in the last half of the album with a couple more ballad-y titles like "Wish You Were Here" and "Nineteen Seventy-Something".
Some favorite tracks of mine are the more Alt-rock sounding "Happy Judgement Day" and "Don't Wait, as well as the emotional "Nineteen Seventy-Something" and the deceptively Happy-sounding "Where Do We Go When We Go".
Considering I had been under the impression that this genre had died, this album is a breath of fresh air from a vista of young adult, relatable angst that I had forgotten how to express.
The album mostly deals with mature themes of growing older, as well as the state of the world and losing people close to you. The lead singer, Ben Barlow's, father died during their writing of this album and it shows in the emotional lyrics and texture of the songs.
The album starts out with the more jump-up-and-down and blast-your-car-stereo tunes until getting in the last half of the album with a couple more ballad-y titles like "Wish You Were Here" and "Nineteen Seventy-Something".
Some favorite tracks of mine are the more Alt-rock sounding "Happy Judgement Day" and "Don't Wait, as well as the emotional "Nineteen Seventy-Something" and the deceptively Happy-sounding "Where Do We Go When We Go".
Considering I had been under the impression that this genre had died, this album is a breath of fresh air from a vista of young adult, relatable angst that I had forgotten how to express.
Shane Crick (5 KP) rated Haven, Kansas in Books
Dec 10, 2018
A charismatic teenager, Lora Is a firm believer of the supernatural, and enjoys dabbling In witchcraft with her best friend Erin. When an unfortunate Incident occurs and a secret room Is discovered, Lora's world Is put Into a tailspin. Along with her pesky young brother Connor, their older Brother Luke, her boyfriend Ryan and her friend Spencer, they find themselves engulfed within a Haven mystery. A mysterious book holds the answers they need to stop the plight of an evil spirit, but something keeps hampering them from solving the clues. Enlisting the help of their parents, all parties work vigilantly to help stop this vengeful spirit before anymore deaths occur. The fate of Haven, Kansas lye within their hands.
Although geared toward a Young Adult crowd, many older adults will also enjoy this book. More so, If your a fan of horror and/or the supernatural. I found myself really enjoying this book as each chapter progressed and found It hard to put down at times. The storyline keeps you enthralled with wanting to know what will happen and It even has some surprise moments that you won't be expecting. This adds more depth to the story and pulls you In like a magnet wanting to know what the outcome will be. Grab a copy for yourself and find out what Haven, Kansas has In store.
Although geared toward a Young Adult crowd, many older adults will also enjoy this book. More so, If your a fan of horror and/or the supernatural. I found myself really enjoying this book as each chapter progressed and found It hard to put down at times. The storyline keeps you enthralled with wanting to know what will happen and It even has some surprise moments that you won't be expecting. This adds more depth to the story and pulls you In like a magnet wanting to know what the outcome will be. Grab a copy for yourself and find out what Haven, Kansas has In store.